23: Chapter 23: Soul-Snatching Powder Shows Its Power

The next morning, as dawn broke, faint light filtered through the thin clouds, gently falling upon Chen Jiancang's residence.

After finishing his Mortal martial arts practice in the courtyard, Chen Jiancang did not slack off in the slightest and immediately set off for Plot 30 Spiritual Field.

Stepping into the Spirit Field, fresh spiritual energy mixed with the fragrance of the soil assailed him, making him feel refreshed and happy.

Chen Jiancang walked directly to the storage area and took out the ling sand and spiritual paste soil that had been prepared long ago.

He mixed in the ashes of burnt Ironhide Grass.

Chen Jiancang's movements were skilled, thoroughly mixing the three Materials to ensure uniform blending in every part.

Afterward, he rolled up his pant legs and, like sowing seeds, evenly spread the mixed cultivation soil over the Spirit Field.

Then Chen Jiancang took out a new batch of Lueling Grass seeds from his storage bag and carefully planted them.

When the planting of Lueling Grass was completed, the sun was already high in the sky.

Chen Jiancang straightened his sore and stiff back and finally let out a long breath.

"In 20 days, another batch of Lueling Grass can be harvested, but the planting cost is too high," Chen Jiancang said with a sigh, pounding his stiff lower back.

Now, the problem of Lueling Grass seeds was no longer a concern.

The harvested Lueling Grass would continuously provide seeds, eliminating the need to purchase them again.

However, expanding the planting area, from buying Spirit Fields to replenishing soil fertility, every step consumed a large amount of spiritual stones.

In fact, if he were to simply plant Lueling Grass, it would definitely be a losing business.

Fortunately, when Chen Jiancang harvested, he gained experience with Lue Ling Powder, allowing him to refine a poison that could affect Foundation Establishment cultivators.

At this time, deep within the Qingya Mountain Range.

Dense fog permeated the mountain forest like a light veil, and sunlight struggled to penetrate this thick curtain, the fragmented light like golden threads scattered unevenly on the ground covered with fallen leaves.

Towering ancient trees stood tall, their thick branches intertwining, supporting an impenetrable canopy.

Among the lush branches and leaves, occasional gusts of wind blew, causing the leaves to rustle.

At this moment, several figures stood in the air, looking down at the Formation shimmering with spiritual light.

"Chen Yingong, stop your futile struggles and hand over the treasure you have."

"This place is high in the mountains and far away, rarely visited by people.

No one will come to save you.

As long as you hand over your storage bag, we will take the things and leave immediately."

"If we forcefully attack the Formation, how long can you last?"

Chen Yingong spat out a mouthful of clotted blood at this time, his aura weak, looking at the figures above him through the Formation.

He gritted his teeth and said, "Little brat Huang Zhu, why bother pretending?

I treated you like a brother, yet you, this despicable wretch, actually colluded with others to ambush me?"

"Haha, Chen Yingong, the path of cultivation is all about striving and seizing.

Our lifespans are approaching their end.

If we don't fight for ourselves now, in another year or two, our vitality will decline, and Foundation Establishment will be hopeless."

"Furthermore, that ancient Cultivator's cave this time was discovered by you and me together, yet you monopolized all the treasures.

Ask yourself, was I wrong to ambush you?" Daoist Huang Zhu said, landing beside the Formation with several companions.

"Haha, you are truly shameless!

This time, I was the one who invited you to find that ancient Cultivator's cave, and to break the Formation, I used a Second Order Formation-breaking talisman.

There was only one treasure.

I took it to the Chen Family to exchange for a foundation establishment pill.

If there was any left, would I not give you a share?"

"And you, you had malicious intentions long ago, secretly gathering this group of rogue Cultivators.

Aren't you afraid that the Chen Family Law Enforcement Team will wipe you all out?" Chen Yingong said, grinding his teeth.

At this moment, Chen Yingong had held his breath and very discreetly opened a small jade bottle in his hand.

As he spoke, his spiritual energy surged, as if his spiritual energy was out of control due to anger, scattering the fine powder from the bottle into the surroundings.

A sinister look flashed across Daoist Huang Zhu's face, and he sneered, "The Chen Family?

Chen Yingong, you are too naive.

All of us came here with our tracks hidden.

Who would know it was us?"

"Once the treasure is in hand, we can leave the Qingya Mountain Range immediately.

Even if the Chen Family's reach is long, it won't be able to reach us."

"Hmph, what boasting!

Can you easily break this First Order high-grade Yin-Yang Polarity Formation?"

"Moreover, I have already sent a message to the Chen Family Law Enforcement Team!

When the Chen Family Law Enforcement Team arrives, you will all be torn into ten thousand pieces!"

As Chen Yingong's words fell, the faces of the people surrounding the Formation showed panicked expressions.

Daoist Huang Zhu's expression also changed, but he forced himself to remain calm and said through gritted teeth, "Chen Yingong, stop bluffing here!

Even if you really sent a message to the Chen Family Law Enforcement Team, by the time they arrive, it will be too late."

Seeing everyone's panic, Chen Yingong sneered inwardly, but did not dare to relax his vigilance in the slightest, keeping a close eye on the every move of Daoist Huang Zhu and the others.

At this moment, the fine powder scattered from the bottle was quietly spreading in the air, silently approaching Daoist Huang Zhu and the others.

After a stalemate, Daoist Huang Zhu suddenly waved his hand and shouted loudly, "Stop worrying about that!

Break this Formation first and get the treasure!

That's what's important!"

"Even if the Law Enforcement Team comes, we will have time to escape."

Hearing this, everyone unleashed their magic artifacts.

For a time, various lights flashed, and powerful spiritual energy fluctuations surged through the valley, bombarding the Yin-Yang Polarity Formation.

The Formation shook violently under everyone's attack, its light flickering on and off, seemingly about to collapse.

Chen Yingong's face was solemn, his forehead covered in sweat.

He continuously injected spiritual energy, trying to maintain the operation of the Formation.

However, the opponents were numerous and not weak in strength, and he gradually felt powerless.

Just at this critical moment, a rogue Cultivator near the edge of the Formation suddenly stopped attacking.

His spiritual energy began to dissipate from his body, as if it had gone out of control.

The rogue Cultivator quickly sat cross-legged and circulated his Cultivation Technique, but no matter how he tried to remedy it, he could not stop the dissipation of his spiritual energy.

Immediately after, another nearby rogue Cultivator also experienced the same situation.

Instantly, their eyes were filled with fear.

Seeing this scene, Chen Yingong's heart rejoiced, knowing that the Lue Ling Powder he had bought at great expense had taken effect.

Originally, this Lue Ling Powder was bought for self-defense, but he hadn't expected to use it so quickly, and it had produced miraculous results.

Lue Ling Powder is formless, colorless, and odorless.

Cultivators below the Foundation Establishment Stage, once inhaled, will have their spiritual energy dissipate instantly.

Even Foundation Establishment cultivators will have their strength greatly reduced.

Daoist Huang Zhu realized the situation was bad and quickly swept his Divine Sense over the surroundings.

Under the perception of his Divine Sense, he could detect countless tiny particles that had already permeated the surrounding environment.

True Lord Huang Zhu looked at Chen Yingong in shock and roared, "Chen Yingong, what did you do?

Did you poison us?"

"What kind of poison is this?

It's so vicious!"

Chen Yingong sneered, "Huang Zhu, you only just noticed?

It's already too late.

Have you noticed that the spiritual energy in your body has already started to dissipate?"

The rogue Cultivators attacking the Formation, including True Lord Huang Zhu, all showed symptoms.

Daoist Huang Zhu's face changed drastically, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.

He suppressed the panic of his spiritual energy dissipating and roared through gritted teeth, "Chen Yingong, you despicable scoundrel, how dare you use such sinister means!"

With that, disregarding the chaos in his own spiritual energy, he swung the magic artifact in his hand with all his might, and a black light shot towards the Yin-Yang Polarity Formation like lightning.

This black light, carrying Daoist Huang Zhu's desperate madness, was like a ferocious beast, slamming fiercely into the tottering Yin-Yang Polarity Formation.

In an instant, the Formation's light exploded, like a dying sun releasing its last rays.

The Formation finally couldn't bear the strain and turned into countless spiritual energy fragments, dissipating in the air.

Chen Yingong was sent flying by the powerful backlash force generated by the Formation's destruction, slamming heavily against a large rock behind him.

He spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, staining a large area of the mountain rock red.

But his eyes were firm, and he endured his injured body, gathering spiritual energy again, preparing to meet Daoist Huang Zhu's next attack.

Daoist Huang Zhu, however, was already tottering at this moment.

The spiritual energy in his body was like a breached flood, surging uncontrollably.

His body swayed a few times, and he almost fell to the ground.

But his obsession was too deep.

His eyes were bloodshot, and he desperately raised his magic artifact again, poised to deliver a fatal blow to Chen Yingong.

However, just as he was gathering his strength, a wave of dizziness struck him, his legs went weak, and he directly knelt on the ground.

"Huang Zhu, your many injustices will surely lead to your own destruction.

Today is your retribution!" Chen Yingong shouted angrily as he approached Daoist Huang Zhu.

At this time, the other rogue Cultivators had also fallen into despair.

Some directly collapsed to the ground, completely devoid of spiritual energy, and could only watch despairingly as everything unfolded before them.

Some tried to struggle and escape, but due to their weak legs, they fell into the mud after only a few steps.

Chen Yingong finally walked in front of Daoist Huang Zhu.

He looked down at his former friend.

His eyes were full of disappointment and anger: "Huang Zhu, for your selfish desires, you betrayed your brother.

Now that you have fallen to this state, who is there to blame?"

Daoist Huang Zhu raised his head with difficulty, his face full of unwillingness and resentment: "Chen Yingong, don't be smug.

Even if I die, I won't let you off easily!"

With that, he suddenly took out a black sphere from his bosom that emitted a strange aura.

Runes flickered on the surface of the sphere, seemingly containing terrifying power.

"Heavenly Thunder Pearl!"

Chen Yingong's heart jumped, realizing this might be Daoist Huang Zhu's final killing move.

Without time to think further, he used the limited spiritual energy in his body to control his magic artifact Flying Sword to pierce through Daoist Huang Zhu's head.

"Hoo~"

"Fortunately, he had lost all his spiritual energy.

If he had activated the Heavenly Thunder Pearl, I'm afraid I would have died."

Chen Yingong let out a long breath, but his tense nerves did not dare to relax in the slightest.

He held a spiritual stone in his hand, rapidly absorbing the spiritual energy from it.

"This place is not suitable for staying long.

I must leave as soon as possible to avoid further complications."

After recovering a trace of spiritual energy in his body, he endured the severe pain all over, dragging his heavy steps, and walked with difficulty towards the rogue Cultivators who had collapsed on the ground.

These people were now completely powerless to resist, but Chen Yingong did not feel any pity.

In the cultivation world, the weak are prey to the strong.

Being merciful to enemies is being cruel to oneself.

He swung his magic artifact, finishing off these rogue Cultivators one by one, ensuring there were no hidden dangers.

After dealing with the rogue Cultivators, Chen Yingong began searching the surroundings and found the storage bags of Daoist Huang Zhu and the others.

Including that Heavenly Thunder Pearl, which was comparable to a full-strength blow from a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Afterwards, Chen Yingong stumbled to find a cave and sat cross-legged inside to recover his strength.

It was noon at this time, and the scorching sun hung high.

Chen Yingong slowly opened his eyes.

The spiritual energy in his body had recovered by 50%.

Looking at the mess in the distance, his heart was filled with mixed emotions.

He knew deeply that being able to survive this time was truly a great fortune.

If it weren't for that bottle of Lue Ling Powder that took effect at the critical moment, he would probably have already died.

On the way home, Chen Yingong pondered his experience this time.

Although the spiritual items on him were completely consumed.

Even the Lue Ling Powder, which cost over a thousand spiritual stones to buy, was used up.

But he had obtained the storage bags of Daoist Huang Zhu and several rogue Cultivators, and the wealth inside was enough to compensate for all his losses.

The most important treasure found in that ancient Cultivator's cave was a piece of gold essence weighing a hundred pounds.

Gold essence is a material for refining Magic Treasures.

No matter what Magic Treasure it is, as long as enough gold essence is added, it can make the Magic Treasure sharper.

Gold essence is extremely important even in the hands of Golden Core Cultivators.

Using it to exchange for enough spiritual items for his Foundation Establishment was more than sufficient.

It was no wonder True Lord Huang Zhu was willing to turn against him and become enemies.

"Treasures move people's hearts."

By the time Chen Yingong returned, the sky had gradually darkened.

The Chen Family outer guards saw his disheveled appearance and hurried forward to help him, quickly notifying the Elders in the Chen Family.

When the Chen Family members learned that Chen Yingong had returned injured, they all rushed to visit him.

Seeing Chen Yingong's body covered in injuries, everyone was both shocked and angry.

Although Chen Yingong only had a Qi Refining Ninth Layer cultivation, he was a third-generation member of the Chen Family, with a very high seniority.

If it weren't for his relatively low Aptitude and failing to achieve Foundation Establishment twice, with his status, he would have already been a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Inside the Chen Family council hall, the atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.

Chen Yingong, with a pale face, recounted his perilous experience in the Qingya Mountain Range in detail to the Chen Family members, including the piece of gold essence he had obtained.

After listening, everyone in the hall was wide-eyed with anger, deeply hating Daoist Huang Zhu's betrayal and the rogue Cultivators' rampant actions.

"These rogue Cultivators dare to commit evil near the sphere of influence of my Chen Family.

If they are not severely punished, they will surely become even more arrogant in the future.

Where will the dignity of my Chen Family be!" An old Elder with white hair slammed the table and said angrily.

The Chen Family Head, Chen Yinlong, frowned slightly, his gaze deep: "The most urgent task is to first rectify the security risks around the Chen Family.

Arrange for the Law Enforcement Team to immediately conduct a thorough search of the Qingya Mountain Range and the surrounding areas, making sure to capture all hidden rogue Cultivators in one swoop.

At the same time, strengthen the defensive arrangements throughout the Chen Family, especially in important places like Spirit Fields and ore veins."

Everyone nodded and left to carry out the orders.

After everyone dispersed, Chen Yinlong walked to Chen Yingong's side and softly comforted him: "Yinkong, you have suffered this time.

Take good care of your injuries.

I have already informed the Old Ancestor about you bringing back the gold essence this time.

After you recover from your injuries, the Chen Family will do its best to help you achieve Foundation Establishment."

Chen Yingong clasped his fists in thanks.

This was what he deserved.

The value of a hundred pounds of gold essence would move even the Old Ancestor.

However, he was still contemplating the gains and losses of this incident.

After this life-and-death battle, he deeply understood the great effect of Lue Ling Powder.

If he could find another portion to buy, it would add another life-saving trump card.