Chương 78: Ninth Among Founders

"Uncle Hong, Uncle Linyi! Settle the clansmen. In three days, we will return to the green bamboo mountain." Zhang Huaijin looked at his two fallen clan members, a complex emotion stirring in his chest. On a chaotic battlefield like this, even a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator couldn't protect every single family member. If you didn't want to fall in battle, there was only one way: keep growing stronger.

"Understood." Zhang Hong gazed at the Zhang Huaijin. More than ten years had passed. Zhang Huaijin had already become a Foundation Establishment cultivator. He wondered, would he be able to return here during the next Spirit Beast Tide? —— Three days later, Blood Lion Mountain had fallen silent. The damaged sections of the Nine Stars Profound Glass Formation had been fully repaired. Everyone's battle merits had been calculated. Zhang Huaijin's results were nothing short of astonishing.

At just the second level of Foundation Establishment Realm, he ranked ninth among dozens of Foundation Establishment cultivators. He had even surpassed those in the late stages. Late stage Foundation Establishment cultivators fought Tier 2, upper grade spirit beasts. Sometimes they might not kill more than a few in two whole months. Killing an upper grade beast earned several times more merit points than killing a mid grade one. But Zhang Huaijin couldn't be beaten on quantity.

It could be said that in the battle of Blood Lion Mountain, Zhang Huaijin had personally killed more Foundation Establishment spirit beasts than anyone else. At the very least, his merit points could be exchanged for one Foundation Establishment Pill. The rest could be traded for cultivation pills. —— Every time a Spirit Beast Tide ended, the entire Tang Kingdom would enjoy a period of peace. Cultivators needed time to heal. Time to absorb the resources they had won in battle and raise their strength.

What Zhang Huaijin found mildly frustrating was that even the spirit beasts he had killed himself, he still had to spend his own merit points to claim them. The black and white energy inside his Realm-Breaking Pearl was nearly full. By his estimate, the flesh of just two early stage Foundation Establishment spirit beasts would be enough. Spirit beast flesh, spirit herbs, even the natural spiritual energy of the world, all of it could charge the pearl.

Before the Spirit Beast Tide had even erupted, Zhang Huaijin had already killed several Foundation Establishment beasts. He had also absorbed expired and damaged spirit herbs. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. Once he reached the peak of the third level of Foundation Establishment Realm, he would break through to the fourth level and become a mid stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

The further he advanced, the faster his cultivation speed would become. The bottlenecks that plagued other cultivators simply didn't exist for him. —— The Zhang clansmen had finished packing. Even members of the Tian, Yan, and Gao clans had gathered nearby. They planned to return to Langya County together. The Gao clan cultivators in particular needed the protection of the other three families. They had already exchanged their merit points for the resources they needed.

The grief in their hearts had not fully faded, but they were ready to return home and enter secluded cultivation to strengthen themselves. Zhang Huaijin's merit points could only be exchanged for one Foundation Establishment Pill. But actually receiving that pill would take at least three years. Perhaps longer. Because the Fang and Zhou clans would only start refining the pills after returning to their families. And other rewards, like condolence payments for the fallen, had to be distributed first.

Zhang Huaijin had earned enough merit points to exchange for two Foundation Establishment Pills. But he could only redeem one. Even for a Purple Mansion clan, the Foundation Establishment Pill was an incredibly precious resource. After all, it was the very cornerstone of a family's power. —— This time, the Fang and Zhou clans were only offering Foundation Establishment Pills because they had an ulterior plan. Otherwise, they would never be so generous. Normally, they would auction the pills off for more profit.

Zhang Huaijin had already exchanged all his merit points for the pills he needed. The True Yang Pill Tier 2, low grade and the One Qi Pill Tier 2, mid grade. Both assisted Foundation Establishment cultivators in their training. He had also set aside enough points for the Foundation Establishment Pill. As for when he would actually receive it, the Fang Clan would notify him. According to past precedent, the shortest wait was three years, the longest five.

He had obtained five bottles of True Yang Pills, ten pills per bottle, and three bottles of One Qi Pills. Enough for him and Zhang Lixian to raise their cultivation levels. —— Just then, Fang Tao appeared.

"Fellow cultivators, leaving so soon?" A smile rested on Fang Tao's face. Zhang Huaijin's expression did not change. But Gao Zhengxin from the Gao Clan and Yan Siyan from the Yan Clan moved to stand beside him. Also present was Gao Zhelin, a third level Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Gao Clan. The four of them watched Fang Tao's unexpected arrival, uncertain of his intent.

"Four fellow cultivators, we could call this a great victory for Qingtai Prefecture. Our results have been outstanding. It is not often that so many of us fellow cultivators gather together. So the Purple Mansion Realm seniors have decided to organize a trading meet. An opportunity to exchange what we have and see if we can obtain useful resources. And a chance for everyone to broaden their horizons." Fang Tao's voice was calm. His gaze fell on Zhang Huaijin.

"Rest assured. This trading meet is only for Foundation Establishment cultivators. It will not waste too much of your time." Zhang Huaijin had no strong opinion, but the other three seemed interested.

"Let us go and have a look, then," Gao Zhengxin said, not wanting to refuse Fang Tao. He nodded. Zhang Huaijin and the other two nodded as well. A trading meeting would not hurt.

"Fellow cultivators, please follow me." Fang Tao turned and led the way. Zhang Huaijin and the other three gave brief instructions to their clansmen, then followed behind Fang Tao. —— The human forces in Qingtai Prefecture had suffered significant losses in this battle. Of the fifty plus Foundation Establishment cultivators, seventeen had fallen. That included a late stage Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Fang Clan, which weighed heavily on Fang Xinjin's heart.

By now, most of the Qi Refining Realm cultivators had already left the Blood Lion Mountain. These smaller Qi Refining clans had begun their long journey home, carrying the bones of their fallen. Some families had gained immense resources from the battle, enough to one day aspire to become a Foundation Establishment clan. But other forces had suffered heavy casualties and were now facing decline. The once bustling Blood Lion Mountain had grown quiet.

—— Before long, the five of them arrived outside a crimson pavilion at the mountain's peak. Two Qi Refining Realm cultivators guarded the entrance. Fang Tao led the four inside. The interior of the crimson pavilion was vast, easily accommodating dozens of people without feeling crowded. Nearly thirty Foundation Establishment cultivators had already arrived. As they entered, most eyes fell on Zhang Huaijin. He was the center of attention. Not just anyone could achieve a record like his.

Each gaze carried a glimmer of curiosity.