Chapter 84: Double-Pupiled Rat's Anomaly

Too many cultivators entered the Hundred Beasts Mountain Range. Even though the four major sects had divided the area into multiple regions, many cultivators still crossed these boundaries to hunt demonic beasts, eager to earn contribution points.

During the previous siege, most first-tier demonic beasts were killed or wounded. The demonic beasts that managed to flee back into the Hundred Beasts Mountain Range were primarily second-tier. Despite the vast number of cultivators, they suffered significant losses, with many perishing at the jaws of these beasts. However, lured by the promise of Foundation Establishment Pills, countless cultivators continued to form teams and venture into the mountain range.

Along their journey, the eighteen members, including Wang Changsheng, spread out in a line, diligently searching. Five days passed, yet they had only managed to slay five mid-grade first-tier demonic beasts.

“Twelfth Elder Brother, this pace is unsustainable. A single bottle of Purple Jade Spirit Water requires five thousand contribution points. At this rate, when will we ever accumulate enough? Perhaps we should split up; it would be far more efficient,” Wang Yaoqing suggested.

“Splitting up would indeed boost efficiency, but encountering a second-tier demonic beast could spell disaster, potentially leading to the demise of the entire team.”

Wang Yaohuan showed some hesitation.

“Every venture has its risks and rewards. While separating poses danger, we all possess second-tier spirit talismans, giving us a fighting chance even against a second-tier demonic beast. Twelfth Elder Brother, we are no longer young. For our family to endure, it must possess substantial power. We journeyed all this way for the Purple Jade Spirit Water, not for leisure. Truth be told, I embarked on this expedition prepared to die. If we can secure a bottle of Purple Jade Spirit Water, I will have no regrets.”

Wang Yaotao spoke slowly, his gaze unwavering.

Hearing these words, Wang Changsheng and the others felt a heavy weight in their hearts.

A family relying on just one Foundation Establishment cultivator remains perpetually vulnerable. Should that cultivator meet an unforeseen end, the family could easily crumble. For a family to prosper and expand, it absolutely requires ample martial might. This was also the primary reason so many cultivators flocked to the Hundred Beasts Mountain Range.

The four major sects maintained a tight grip on Foundation Establishment Pills, using them to control all cultivating forces within the Great Song territory. Whenever difficulties arose, they would offer a few Foundation Establishment spiritual artifacts, thereby obligating other cultivating forces to serve their interests.

When it came to clearing the Hundred Beasts Mountain Range, the four major sects expended minimal effort. They simply offered a handful of Foundation Establishment spiritual items, which was enough to lure countless cultivating forces, like moths to a flame, into the mountain range to hunt demonic beasts. Even the Wang family was no exception.

Wang Yaotao, unwavering in his devotion to the Dao, had never married. He had consistently striven to restore the family's ancestral glory.

With the Xuanjin ore vein, the Wang family would not face immediate financial concerns. However, for the family to truly flourish and expand, it was imperative to have more Foundation Establishment cultivators.

With only one Foundation Establishment cultivator, the Wang family could not possibly establish new trade routes. They were confined to merely guarding ancestral shops and selling spiritual items, a strategy that offered no long-term stability.

Every member of the Wang family's 'Yao' generation ardently wished for the family to gain another Foundation Establishment cultivator. Wang Changfeng had recently achieved the ninth level of Qi Refining, and with a bottle of Purple Jade Spirit Water, he might well advance to the Foundation Establishment stage. This prospect was indeed Wang Yaohuan's primary goal for the expedition.

“Precisely, Twelfth Elder Brother! We traveled all this distance not for leisure. Before our departure, we already made our final arrangements. As long as we can secure a bottle of Purple Jade Spirit Water, we will face death with no regrets.”

Wang Yaoqing nodded, his expression solemn.

Wang Changsheng felt a pang of discomfort upon hearing this. The fact that Twelfth Granduncle and the others had already prepared their wills clearly indicated they had cast aside all thoughts of life and death.

Wang Yaohuan’s gaze dimmed slightly. He nodded and said, “Alright. We’ll divide into three search teams then. Should we encounter any second-tier demonic beasts, we are to retreat immediately.”

Thus, Wang Yaohuan, Wang Yaoqing, and Wang Yaotao each led a team, venturing in separate directions.

Two days later, Wang Changsheng and his companions emerged into a dense forest.

It was midday, and the sun blazed overhead. The six of them, including Wang Changsheng, rested beneath a tree, taking out their dried provisions to eat.

A series of squeaking sounds emanated from the spirit beast pouch at Wang Changsheng’s waist, indicating a restless creature within.

Wang Changsheng released his Double-Eyed Rat. The demonic energy within a second-tier demonic core was too vast for the creature to consume all at once, so it could only be given in smaller portions.

After consuming half of the second-tier demonic core, the Double-Eyed Rat advanced to mid-grade first-tier.

Wang Changsheng fed the Double-Eyed Rat two more nail-sized pieces of the demonic core, and only then did it settle down.

Just as Wang Changsheng was about to return it to its spirit beast pouch, the Double-Eyed Rat seemed to catch a scent, leaping from his hand and darting forward.

Witnessing this, Wang Changsheng hastily pursued it, using his spiritual sense to urge it to stop. However, the Double-Eyed Rat paid him no mind, seemingly having discovered something significant.

“Changsheng, what’s happening?”

Wang Yaohuan, seeing Wang Changsheng rush off, quickly inquired.

“Twelfth Granduncle, my Double-Eyed Rat appears to have discovered something. There might be high-grade spiritual herbs up ahead.”

“Let’s go, everyone follow.”

Wang Yaohuan, accompanied by Wang Changge and a few others, immediately gave chase.

Before long, the six had traversed the dense forest and entered a narrow valley.

The valley was flanked by steep rock walls, and at its end stood a dark cave from which intermittent roars resonated.

The Double-Eyed Rat halted near the cave entrance, its tail swishing back and forth.

“Someone is hunting demonic beasts in there.”

Wang Yaohuan waved his hand and instructed, “Cast invisibility spells and conceal yourselves. Once they emerge, we will attack as one and eliminate them.”

“Kill people? Twelfth Granduncle, this appears to violate the regulations of the four major sects. Should they discover us, we would be in grave trouble.”

Wang Changge’s face showed difficulty, and he hesitated.

“As long as we are swift enough, the four major sects will never discover us. We’ve been in these mountains for seven days and encountered only a few mid-grade first-tier demonic beasts. Without taking a risk, accumulating enough points will remain a distant, unattainable goal.”

Wang Changge hesitated briefly before speaking, “Twelfth Granduncle, didn’t you always teach us to follow the righteous path? What we are considering doesn’t seem righteous, does it? Furthermore, what if there’s a Foundation Establishment cultivator inside? Wouldn’t we simply be courting death?”

“Circumstances dictate action; one must learn to adapt. They are currently battling demonic beasts, so their spiritual power won’t be at its peak. I possess a set of second-tier array talismans and two second-tier Hundred Swords Talismans. A surprise attack still holds a decent chance of success. Changsheng, once the fight begins, immediately cast Water Mist Art to obscure the valley. Everyone else, attack together and focus fire on the cultivator with the highest cultivation.”

“Changge, whether it’s the righteous path or the demonic path, it all hinges on a single thought from the cultivator. A flying sword can save lives just as easily as it can take them. Can you tell me if such a sword is inherently good or evil? Twelfth Uncle taught you to follow the righteous path because it wasn’t yet time to tread the wicked one. But now, that time has arrived. The four major sects may appear righteous, but how many sordid deeds have they committed in secret? You simply aren’t aware.”

Wang Mingzhan patted Wang Changge’s shoulder, offering a word of advice.

“Fourth Elder Brother, please just heed Twelfth Granduncle’s words! Hesitating now could easily lead to our complete annihilation.”

Wang Changsheng chimed in, urging him as well.

Wang Changge felt a degree of revulsion but ultimately agreed.

Since childhood, he had been taught to uphold the righteous path and abstain from acts of arson, murder, or pillaging. Being asked to kill others and seize their treasures now made him feel deeply uncomfortable.

Wang Yaohuan produced three shimmering blue talismans and tossed them near the cave entrance. They transformed into three streaks of blue light, sinking into the earth and vanishing.

Wang Changsheng and the others each found a position and cast invisibility spells to conceal themselves.

Before long, the roaring sounds ceased.

Wang Changsheng’s heart pounded in his chest; he had never killed anyone and felt a surge of nervousness.

Minutes ticked by, yet no cultivators emerged from the cave.

Even after a full quarter-hour, no cultivators appeared from within.

“Mingxiao, you practice the Earth Escape Art. Use it to go inside and scout, but be cautious.”

Wang Mingxiao assented, then cast the Earth Escape Art and slipped into the cave.

Before long, Wang Mingxiao returned, his face alight with excitement.

“Twelfth Uncle, inside there’s a dying low-grade second-tier demonic beast, along with several cultivators who appear to have been dead for some time.”

Wang Yaohuan breathed a sigh of relief; he truly had no desire to ambush other cultivators.

He put away the array talismans, and after a brief discussion about strategies for hunting the demonic beast, led Wang Changsheng and the others into the cave.