Chapter 554: One Hand Covers the Sky

Qingdong’s teeth chattered, and he trembled. He had never encountered such a terrifying presence; the mere sight of the other party standing there suffocated him, making him afraid to even breathe.

The other party had also revealed his identity—as an ant.

“Disturbing my cultivation, what audacity!”

Meng Jingzhou’s tiger-like eyes widened; without anger, he exuded an aura of authority. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth instantly solidified!

Qingdong was horrified. The spiritual power had solidified. This was the power only Foundation Establishment cultivators possessed, transforming qi into a cornerstone!

How did the Hydroxylum Tribe find such powerful backing!

“How annoying.”

Another colossal figure awoke. His voice was languid, and his expression indifferent. He resembled a sword about to be unsheathed; merely a partial draw caused a blinding sword light that forced everyone to close their eyes.

If Meng Jingzhou’s appearance caused spiritual energy to solidify, then Lu Yang’s appearance imbued that solidified spiritual energy with a murderous aura!

Another... another Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Qingdong felt like dying. Had he known the Hydroxylum Tribe had ties to two Foundation Establishment cultivators, he would never have come here to force a marriage.

What did Foundation Establishment mean? The lord of this five-mile radius was an old goat. Both the Hydroxylum and Zombie Worm tribes paid tribute to this old goat annually, praying for peace.

This old goat was a powerful Foundation Establishment cultivator!

Meng Jingzhou extended a hand, like a towering mountain, pressing down towards the Zombie Worm Tribe.

Seeing this, Qingdong resisted with all his might. He activated a secret technique of the Zombie Worm Tribe, transforming into his original form, temporarily boosting his combat power from the early stage of Qi Refinement Layer 4 to the late stage of Qi Refinement Layer 4!

“If you kill me, Lord Goat won’t let you off!”

“Annoying. What Lord Goat? Even if it comes, I will suppress it all the same.” Meng Jingzhou was not afraid of the Lord Goat Qingdong mentioned. His large hand continued to press down.

Seeing his threat was ineffective, Qingdong could only desperately fight for survival. “Whirlwind Sky Breaker!”

Qingdong spun wildly, forming a drill-like miniature whirlwind. A green gale swept up. Grass and leaves on the ground were shredded, torn to pieces. With just this move, no one in the Hydroxylum Tribe could stand against him.

Qingdong’s eyes were bloodshot. He cried out and rushed towards the large hand.

Unfortunately, before absolute power, any skill was futile. The large hand possessed an unbeatable force. The Whirlwind Sky Breaker landed on its palm, causing no pain or sensation.

Facing Qingdong’s attack, Meng Jingzhou’s eyes remained unmoving. He simply uttered one word.

“Suppress.”

The Whirlwind Sky Breaker was ineffective. Qingdong was even backlashed, falling to the ground. He watched in despair as the large hand drew closer, profoundly feeling the gap between himself and a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

A mighty Foundation Establishment cultivator could cover the sky with one hand.

Meng Jingzhou’s large hand stopped less than half an inch above Qingdong’s head. He calmly withdrew it, standing with his hands behind his back, and used a spell to conjure a gentle breeze, stirring his hair and robes.

“Crushing you is as simple as crushing an insect, and it would only dirty my hands.”

“Disturbing my cultivation, this time is merely a lesson. Should there be a next time, you will atone with your life.”

“Yes, yes, yes.”

The mighty cultivator was kind-hearted, not engaging in slaughter. Having narrowly escaped death, how could Qingdong dare to refuse?

The Hydroxylum Tribe leader watched, dumbfounded. He never imagined that these two were mighty Foundation Establishment cultivators. His small tribe had the fortune to form a connection with two such cultivators. If this spread, who would dare to provoke them?

Chishui gazed admiringly at Meng Jingzhou’s tall figure. This was the true powerful figure in his heart.

Without such power, how could he protect his loved ones?

He decided that after this incident, he would temporarily leave the tribe and venture into the outside world. He would cultivate to the same level as Meng Jingzhou!

“Which fellow Daoist dares to cause a ruckus in my territory, and even attempts to slaughter here? Isn’t that a bit much?”

An aged voice drifted from afar, startling both the Hydroxylum Tribe leader and Qingdong simultaneously.

This was the voice of the old goat. They had only ever had the chance to see it from a distance during its birthday feasts.

Those who could sit beside the old goat were all peerless experts at Qi Refinement Layer 8 or 9. Among them were geniuses with a considerable chance of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

A probability as high as one-tenth!

An old goat with smooth fur emerged from the forest. Both tribes immediately knelt upon seeing it. The old goat ignored the weaker insect tribes, fixing its gaze on Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou.

Only cultivators of the same level were qualified to speak with it.

It was in cultivation. It had sensed a terrifying sword qi flash past on the south side of its territory, clearly indicating a Foundation Establishment cultivator had entered its domain.

Like the demonic beasts in the dense forest, demonic beasts in the demon realm had an even stronger sense of territory. Uninvited guests without explanation could be considered an act of war.

Three mighty cultivators stood on the ground. The insect tribes on the ground looked up at the three, whose cultivation and stature far surpassed their own, feeling profound awe.

“Hmph.”

Lu Yang let out a cold snort.

“I thought it was some formidable being, but it’s merely a Foundation Establishment beast. What if I kill it, what if I don’t?”

Lu Yang’s words carried sword qi even in his nasal tone, causing the old goat to shiver.

“This pressure... you are Golden Core mighty cultivators!”

The old goat cried out in disbelief. Others couldn't feel it, but he clearly sensed the pressure emanating from Lu Yang. The pressure was like an abyss or a sea, far beyond what a Foundation Establishment cultivator like him could contend with!

And Meng Jingzhou, standing beside Lu Yang, had an aura no weaker than Lu Yang’s.

“What? They are Golden Core mighty cultivators?!”

The Hydroxylum Tribe leader’s expression changed dramatically, nearly fainting from surprise and joy.

How could he be so virtuous as to be qualified to speak with a Golden Core Venerable, even chatting through the night?

This was an unimaginable glory for his ancestors.

“Golden Core!!!”

Qingdong’s legs trembled. Recalling the scene from moments ago, he had thought Meng Jingzhou held back partly out of consideration for Lord Goat’s reputation. Now it seemed Lord Goat was nothing more than that before them.

He had truly just narrowly escaped death.

“Ancestors, your distinguished presence is truly an honor. I apologize for not welcoming you sooner. Would you mind gracing my humble abode with your presence?” The old goat put on a smiling face, his attitude doing a complete 180-degree turn, inviting them as guests.

The old goat had been fortunate enough to meet three or four Golden Core cultivators before. But those Golden Core cultivators were like dirt compared to these two, a world of difference.

Could these two be mighty cultivators of the mid-Golden Core stage?

Then befriending them was even more imperative.

Even if true friendship wasn't possible, they must at least establish a good relationship.

Lu Yang secretly nodded. He had said last night not to show off in front of insects. At the very least, they needed a Foundation Establishment cultivator to appreciate their display.

He had deliberately released sword qi earlier to attract the old goat.

The plan was proceeding smoothly.

“No need to be guests. We two had a good chat with the Hydroxylum Tribe. Our stay here last night was quite pleasant.”

The old goat quickly nodded. “I also find the Hydroxylum Tribe excellent. Though they are insectoids, their perseverance is astonishing, and they have great potential for the future. I’ve often wanted to invite the young talents of the Hydroxylum Tribe as guests, but I never found the right opportunity.”

How could the old goat not understand? This was a clear hint that he needed to protect the Hydroxylum Tribe.

“Good that you understand. You may leave now.” Meng Jingzhou waved his hand, dismissing the old goat. The old goat was incredibly pleased.

The Zombie Worm Tribe also seized the opportunity to quickly leave this dangerous place. What if these two suddenly remembered what happened earlier and decided to kill them after all?

“Alright, we should be going too.” Lu Yang stretched. He had spent a night with the Hydroxylum Tribe and seen many interesting things.

“Please wait, esteemed ones. I have something I wish to give you both.”

The Hydroxylum Tribe leader gritted his teeth and made a decision. This treasure, which his Hydroxylum Tribe had accidentally discovered, was something they definitely couldn't keep at their level, and it could easily bring about their demise.

Rather than that, it was better to give it to these two saviors.

The Hydroxylum Tribe warriors dug a token out of the ground and carried it over.

The token was ancient, with uncleared dirt still on its surface. It clearly looked like an old and valuable item.

“This is...” Lu Yang hesitated slightly. He thought to himself, “This is indeed how good deeds are rewarded. This token looks extraordinary.”

The Hydroxylum Tribe leader ordered those around to step back. He then looked up earnestly at Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, stating gravely:

“This was accidentally discovered when we were digging the ground to establish our tribe. It is said that holding this token can unlock the treasure trove of a Half-step Nascent Soul ancestor!”

Even two Golden Core mighty cultivators should be tempted by the treasure trove of a Half-step Nascent Soul ancestor, right?

Lu Yang: “…”

Meng Jingzhou: “…”