Chương 75: Blood and Merit

In the Tang Kingdom, although demonic cultivators were not openly active, any faction at the Purple Mansion Realm knew the truth, these demonic cultivators had never been truly eradicated. They could resurface at any moment. Therefore, whether on a family's Spirit Mountain or in mortal towns, a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator had to stand guard. Not a single moment of vigilance could be relaxed. Demonic cultivators killed without blinking. The lives of countless mortals meant nothing to them.

And yet, those very mortals formed the foundation of all cultivation powers. The two sides were locked in an eternal struggle. Neither could exist alongside the other. Originally, only the top three battle contributors qualified for a Foundation Establishment Realm Pill. But now, the two Purple Mansion Realm cultivators from the Zhou and Fang families had expanded the quota to the top ten, hoping to accelerate their progress. Every beast tide brought the deaths of Tier 2, upper grade spirit beasts.

Their cores were the main ingredients for refining Foundation Establishment Realm Pills. The medicinal power contained in a beast core was not overly abundant. Generally, even a Tier 3 alchemist could only refine two pills from it at most. Pushed to its absolute limit, it might yield three pills. A Tier 3 beast core, however, yielded at least three pills. That was the difference between Foundation Establishment Realm and Purple Mansion Realm spirit beasts.

Since both the Zhou and Fang families employed Tier 3 alchemists, they could certainly produce Foundation Establishment Realm Pills. Furthermore, for every Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator who fell during a beast tide, based on their battle contributions, the two families would issue one Foundation Establishment Realm Pill to the fallen cultivator's affiliated faction as compensation. Of course, this compensation might not be paid immediately. There was a queue to consider.

After all, if a family lost a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator, they needed a chance to rise again. The words of these two Purple Mansion Realm cultivators ignited a firestorm among the Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators. Zhang Huaijin felt it too. Originally, even with constant fighting, he had no hope of reaching the top three, especially with six late stage Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators in the field. But with the quota expanded to ten, Zhang Huaijin finally saw a glimmer of hope.

"Uncle Hong! Uncle Linyi!" he called out.

"Protect our clan members! If you encounter a Foundation Establishment Realm spirit beast, flee immediately!" Zhang Huaijin gave his instructions, then turned and unleashed his full power, crushing the Sun Crystal Jackal beneath his blade. Zhang Hong and Zhang Linyi, panting heavily, exchanged a determined glance. Zhang Huaijin was going on the offensive, actively hunting spirit beasts. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Clearly, the news of the Foundation Establishment Realm Pill had driven every Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator into a frenzy. There were not many Qi Refining Realm spirit beasts left now. If a Foundation Establishment Realm spirit beast appeared, the Qi Refining Realm cultivators could retreat. The defensive line would not collapse immediately. Ultimately, the outcome of this war depended on the high level combatants.

Ten seconds later, with a single sword strike, Zhang Huaijin severed the Sun Crystal Jackal's head. He had slain a fourth level spirit beast. His expression calm, Zhang Huaijin locked onto another fourth level spirit beast and charged once more, sword in hand. He was done hiding his strength. Winning a Foundation Establishment Realm Pill could potentially grant his family another Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator. Zhang Huaijin would not let this chance slip away.

All the cultivation forces across the nine counties of Qingtai prefecture went mad. Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators, throwing caution to the wind, formed alliances and engaged the spirit beasts in bloody, desperate combat. A promise of Foundation Establishment Realm Pilsl had completely transformed the battle. Zhang Huaijin, clad in white, strode through the bloodshed. Sword shadows howled as his Azure Bamboo Serenity Sword fell repeatedly, each strike drawing a spray of crimson.

In fifteen minutes, operating at full capacity, Zhang Huaijin killed another fourth level beast. His sword was now soaked in blood, crimson droplets falling like threads of scarlet, wreathed in strands of baleful energy that sent a chill down one's spine. Unknowingly, Zhang Huaijin had now killed thirteen Foundation Establishment Realm spirit beasts, eight at the early stage, and five at the mid stage. His white robes were speckled with blood. His black hair hung loose, his indifferent eyes radiating coldness.

Without realizing it, he was closing the gap between himself and Tian Jianwei. The battlefield was utter chaos. The defensive line the cultivators had formed was long shattered. They had even launched a counter offensive. Everyone understood that the beast tide was the spirit beasts' way of culling their own population while grinding down human strength. As long as they held out until enough beasts had died, then they would withdraw.

The presence of six late stage Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators made the top three impossible. But the top ten… that was within reach for some. That was why the Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators were so frantic. A single Foundation Establishment Realm Pill meant another Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator for their clan. Zhang Huaijin moved like a phantom, engaging a fifth level Flame Rat. Sword light flashed, flames swirled, and a massive explosion echoed. The shockwaves radiated outward.

The cultivators nearby sensed nothing amiss; no one had the time to watch him. Deep within his sea of consciousness, Yin Yang Divine Needle, wreathed in fiendish energy, vanished silently. Swish. Soundlessly, like a ghost crossing space, it appeared behind Tian Jianwei's head. Pfft. Tian Jianwei's body suddenly stiffened. The spirit beast he was fighting seized the opportunity, impaling his body with its vicious horn. Tian Jianwei was already injured. His opponent was a third level Horned Ox.

The beast, sensing nothing wrong, flicked its head. Blood and entrails sprayed across the sky. Tian Jianwei's corpse crumpled to the ground. The Horned Ox bellowed and stomped forward, crushing Tian Jianwei's head with its hoof, then hoisted the mangled remains onto its back. A cultivator's corpse was like a precious resource to spirit beasts. Devouring it would help them advance. At that moment, Zhang Huaijin, feigning surprise, turned and stared at the scene.

"Fellow Daoist Tian…" he cried out in shock. Nearby cultivators from the Gao and Yan families also turned. Seeing Tian Jianwei's remains, shock flashed across their faces. Tian Jianwei had fallen in battle. After his exclamation, Zhang Huaijin returned his focus to the Flame Rat, pretending he dared not be distracted. The Qi Refining Realm clansmen of the Tian family were stricken with grief and terror. The death of their family's Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator was an earth shattering event.

The Tian family's foundation was already weaker than the other two families. Losing their Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator meant the Zhang family had now surpassed them.