Chapter 62 The Vanished Foundation Establishment

“Is that true?”

“Of course it’s true. The Luo Family's Golden Core Old Ancestor announced the news.”

“Oh? How did he die?”

“Isn't it because of that secret order from the Beast Hunting Sect? He went to hunt a Fifth-level Demonic Beast and died!”

“Ah? Just like that?”

“What’s so surprising about that? I heard several Foundation Establishment Cultivators who went to the Boundless Forest from Duan Ya Mountain to hunt beasts haven't returned. Many Foundation Establishment Cultivators from various Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans also haven't come back.”

“Holy smokes, that’s terrifying! Has the Boundless Forest become that dangerous?”

“I heard it was the work of that Red Gold Eighth-Rank Demonic Beast, which ambushed and killed all those Foundation Establishment Cultivators.”

“No way? Is that Red Gold Eighth-Rank that free?”

“There’s even more explosive news! Those Yao Beasts took away the corpses of those Foundation Establishment Cultivators. I heard the Yao Beasts took them back to eat them raw.”

“Is that true? That cruel?”

“Sigh, many Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans in Nanwu Kingdom are in mourning now. Some Immortal Clans even lost all their Foundation Establishment Cultivators this time and have fallen to become Qi Refining Immortal Clans. Many are already fighting over territory again.”

“Heavens! What did the Beast Hunting Sect say?”

“What else could they say? They just blamed that Red Gold for being too cunning and too vicious! The Hall Master of the Hunting Hall and the Enforcement Elder of the Beast Hunting Sect expressed their anger and regret over these ambushed Foundation Establishment Cultivators. Furthermore, the Hunting Hall demanded that the Yang and Luo Family Golden Core Families reduce the tax tribute required from the Foundation Establishment Families who suffered losses.”

“What good does that do? I thought the Beast Hunting Sect would fight back? So many people were killed in an ambush, and that’s their reaction?”

“Sigh, I don’t know either. Those Great Cultivators have their own considerations, which are not for us small fry to decide.”

“So cowardly. If I were a Golden Core or Nascent Soul Cultivator, I would have killed them back!”

“Enough talk, let’s have some tea. We little guys can only complain a bit.”

“Alas, even Foundation Establishment Cultivators are being killed. The path of the Great Dao is truly hard!”

At the Beast Hunting Sect’s Cultivation Market, inside a teahouse, the conversation between these two Ninth Layer of Qi Refining Cultivators was completely overheard by Chen Li, who was drinking tea nearby.

These days, this information was spreading like wildfire. That Red Gold had already been portrayed as the ultimate villain—cruel, bloodthirsty, and merciless!

Having heard so much of this hearsay recently, Chen Li integrated all the information.

He couldn't help but feel that the disappearance of these Foundation Establishment Cultivators was strange. The secret order was issued by the Beast Hunting Sect, and then batches of Foundation Establishment Cultivators were ambushed and killed by Yao Beasts at the Nascent Soul level. This truly did not conform to common sense.

Chen Li pondered for a long time but couldn't figure out what was happening. Forget it; after this procurement trip, he would focus on speeding up his Alchemy and improving his cultivation.

...

In Yuanwu Prefecture, Lingchuan County, at the Zhu Family Ancestral Land, Zhu Zelin, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator of the Zhu Family, felt fortunate after hearing the news from various families that he hadn't rushed to the Boundless Forest to hunt beasts immediately.

He had planned to Cultivate some more killing techniques for Foundation Establishment before setting off, but then this news arrived.

Even Luo Haoyun, the qilin son who attended his Foundation Establishment Immortal Banquet last time, died in the Boundless Forest. It was truly terrifying; that Red Gold really couldn't be provoked!

In the main hall, the Zhu Family Ancestor said, “The Boundless Forest has almost become a Forbidden Ground now. Even Foundation Establishment Cultivators don't dare to go in and hunt beasts anymore.”

Zhu Zelin also felt that this incident cast a huge shadow over them, the Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and replied, “Ancestor, please rest assured, I won't be going to the Boundless Forest recently.”

Hearing Zhu Zelin’s words, the Zhu Family Ancestor finally set his mind at ease. He feared that after just becoming a Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan, their Family’s Foundation Establishment Cultivator would be mercilessly ambushed and killed in the blink of an eye.

That feeling was truly devastating. A Foundation Establishment Cultivator achieved through the combined strength of the entire clan dying so easily was something no Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan could accept.

Many Immortal Clans in Nanwu Kingdom were currently experiencing this pain, and he didn't dare to even imagine it.

...

At Black Magpie Mountain, at the Zizai Pavilion, Chen Li summoned his fourth son, Chen Songxiao.

Chen Li told him about the news from this period. Chen Songxiao immediately understood and said, “Father, your child understands. I feel that the Fourth-Rank star fixing plate still requires a higher cultivation level to utilize more functions. Your child will Cultivate more to raise his level!”

Chen Li nodded, “En, for safety, everything can be slowed down!”

He had originally intended to take Chen Songxiao out for Pulse Seeking, but there was no other way! The situation in the Boundless Forest was unclear; even Foundation Establishment Cultivators had disappeared. How could he dare to risk taking his son there?

Another day passed. On the second floor of the Immortal Learning Tower, in the Immortal Teaching Room, Chen Songli and the others gathered again. Chen Li came to inspect their cultivation progress uniformly.

Starting with Chen Songli, she reported, “Father, I have comprehended some of the Third-Rank Attack Formations, and I am almost done comprehending them. My cultivation level is at Perfection of the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining whenever I have time to consume pills to Cultivate. Also, my Qi Concealment Art has reached Minor Achievement.”

Chen Li praised Chen Songli again, saying she had accomplished a lot, truly worthy of being the number one competitive Cultivator on Black Magpie Mountain.

Next was the second son, Chen Songyan. Chen Songyan reported, “Father, my cultivation has reached the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining. The Iron Fire Ant is being nurtured according to the procedure and still requires time. My Soul Suppressing Art has reached Minor Achievement, and I am currently cultivating the Qi Concealment Art.”

Chen Li replied, “When you are nurturing them, use any spare time to raise your cultivation and strive for the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining. If you lack Medicinal Pills, you can ask your mother; after all, your Spiritual Root Aptitude is not bad.”

“Yes, Father!”

Chen Songxuan didn't wait for Chen Li to call on him and directly stated, “Father, your child has created Cannon Puppets with the power equivalent to a Mid-stage Qi Refining Cultivator. This can still be improved. My cultivation has also increased to the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining. My Soul Suppressing Art has reached Major Achievement, and I am currently cultivating the Qi Concealment Art.”

Chen Li nodded, approving of his third son's cultivation, and replied, “En, Third Son, you probably have more miscellaneous tasks, but you have handled them all very well. This Cannon Puppet is made well; keep up the good work!”

“Thank you, Father!”

Before the fourth son, Chen Songxiao, could report, Chen Li said, “Fourth Son, I know your progress. Just focus on raising your cultivation level!”

“Understood, Father.”

After class, Chen Li met with the non-Family Cultivators like Li Chun on the first floor, telling them to continue cultivating hard and strive to successfully draw Qi as soon as possible, ensuring they wouldn't have to worry about other matters.

In Concentric Heart Hall, Zhu Lingyue was teaching Chen Songmei how to recognize and practice writing characters. When Chen Songmei saw Chen Li approaching, she quickly stopped the brush in her hand and ran towards Chen Li.

Zhu Lingyue watched the little fellow's action and laughed, chiding gently, “Haha, Husband, this fifth one is very clever. As soon as she sees you coming, she stops writing.”

Chen Li picked up Chen Songmei and asked, “Is your mother scolding you for being disobedient?”

Chen Songmei looked wronged and replied, “No, I was just happy to see Father coming. I was afraid Father would go into seclusion again and I wouldn't see him for a long time.”

Chen Li smiled, “You, little sly one!”

A moment later, Chen Li said to Zhu Lingyue, “Madam, I might need to go into seclusion to study some Medicinal Pills. Just call me if you have anything else to attend to.”

Zhu Lingyue smiled gently, “Husband, don't worry!”

“Oh, right. Brother Ox has finished reading the basic Alchemy theories. When you have time, teach him the method for refining the grain dispelling pill.”

“Okay, I understand.”