58: Returning, the barbarians want to move south.

The two took a sip of tea, and the atmosphere relaxed slightly. Zhao Tianbao put down his teacup and sighed.

"Sigh, I truly don't know if this Spiritual Rejuvenation is a blessing or a curse. Mutations of Yao Beasts are becoming more frequent, and their scale is growing larger. If not for Senior Brother's help this time, the consequences would have been unthinkable."

"Indeed." Li Qingfeng nodded and put down his teacup.

"Junior Brother Zhao's Family has long guarded the north of Qingshui, so you are more familiar with the situation here than I am. Besides the Yao Beasts, are there any other movements?"

Zhao Tianbao's expression grew a bit more solemn as he lowered his voice. "To be honest, Senior Brother, I've heard some troubling rumors from refugees who escaped from further north recently."

"Oh?" Li Qingfeng's gaze sharpened.

"It is said that the Barbarian Tribes on the Vast Grasslands north of Heishan have been much more active lately."

Zhao Tianbao dipped his finger in some tea and drew a simple map of the northern border on the table, pointing his finger down!

"Look, Senior Brother. Here are the Vast Grasslands where the Barbarian Tribes reside. Countless tribes, large and small, live on those plains."

"Especially the 'Blood Wolf Tribe.' Their hunting grounds are clearly shifting southward and have already approached the edge of the northern foothills of Heishan. Some refugee hunters say they've seen the Blood Wolf Tribe's Wolf Cavalry hunting Yao Beasts catalyzed by spiritual essence on the outskirts of Heishan. That display... it was truly alarming."

He paused and looked at Li Qingfeng.

"Senior Brother Li, your New Town and the newly taken Black Mountain Town are located further north. These Vast Grasslands are only separated from your Li Family Village by the outer mountain range of Heishan. In the words of the older generation, those barbarians have raided the south many times. Now that Spiritual Rejuvenation has occurred, the power of their Totem Warriors and domesticated Vicious Beasts has likely increased as well. We must be on guard!"

Li Qingfeng's eyes darkened slightly. This intelligence was timely. It seemed the risk of the barbarians heading south was by no means groundless; he had to take precautions as soon as possible. He said in a deep voice:

"Thank you for the reminder, Junior Brother Zhao. I have noted this matter and will definitely strengthen our defenses upon my return."

Just then, footsteps were heard from outside the hall.

A Spirit Enlightenment Realm Utility Disciple with a blood-seeping bandage on his left arm walked in, his face pale. He was tightly clutching a small gray Storage Pouch.

"Senior Brother Zhao, Senior Brother Li." Junior Brother Wang bowed respectfully, his voice somewhat weak.

"Junior Brother Wang, how are your injuries?" Zhao Tianbao asked with concern.

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother. The broken bone has been set, and there is no danger to my life. I just need to rest for a few days."

Junior Brother Wang replied, presenting the small Storage Pouch with both hands. "As you ordered, these are the best-preserved material essences urgently harvested from several of the strongest Spirit Enlightenment Yao Beasts from this Beast Tide. They have already been cleaned."

Zhao Tianbao took the Storage Pouch and, without even looking, handed it directly to Li Qingfeng with a sincere smile on his face.

"Senior Brother Li, I cannot repay the favor of saving my life. These Yao Beast Materials are the only decent spoils from this Beast Tide. Please accept them as a small token of my appreciation and the gratitude of the people of Qingshui Town. I hope Senior Brother will not refuse or find them too meager."

Li Qingfeng's gaze swept over the Storage Pouch, then at Zhao Tianbao's sincere expression (at least on the surface), and the pale face of the injured Junior Brother Wang nearby.

He pondered for a moment and, without too much pleasantry, reached out and took it.

"Junior Brother Zhao is too polite. Since it is a token of your heart, I shall accept it."

He swept his Divine Sense into the Storage Pouch. There weren't many items inside, but they were indeed all essences.

A few pieces of Bear heart meat containing rich blood-qi and earth-attribute demon power (for Body Refining or Alchemy), several incredibly tough Demon Wolf claws and fangs with a faint wind attribute (for Artifact Refining), a well-preserved Venomous Demon Toad poison sac (for poison-making or Alchemy), and several relatively complete pieces of thick Yao Beast leather armor (for making armor).

For the newly established New Town, these Materials were quite practical.

Seeing Li Qingfeng accept it, Zhao Tianbao's smile widened. "I'm glad Senior Brother likes it." He then added warmly:

"Senior Brother has come from afar and has just gone through a great battle. You must be exhausted. Why not rest here for a while and let me prepare some wine? We can talk while we eat?"

Li Qingfeng stood up and cupped his hands.

"Junior Brother Zhao's hospitality is much appreciated, but the New Town has just been founded, and Black Mountain Town has only recently come under my jurisdiction. With the frequent Yao Beast attacks and the influx of refugees, there are many complicated matters to attend to. I truly cannot stay long; I must return to oversee things at home."

An imperceptible glint flashed in Zhao Tianbao's eyes, but his face showed a look of understanding.

"Senior Brother is right. It was inconsiderate of me. The New Town is in its early stages of development and indeed cannot do without Senior Brother's presence."

He no longer insisted and also stood up, taking out a pale red jade plate engraved with a flame pattern from his robe.

"Senior Brother, this is my Communication Jade Plate. In the future, if there are any further disturbances around Qingshui Town, or if there is anything Senior Brother needs my help with, feel free to send a message."

Li Qingfeng also took out his own azure jade communication plate engraved with a Coiled Dragon Green Seal pattern and exchanged it with Zhao Tianbao.

"If Junior Brother Zhao has a need, you may also message me at any time."

The two exchanged jade plates and cupped their hands again.

"Junior Brother Zhao, take care!"

"Senior Brother Li, have a safe journey! When the New Town is completed in the future, I will certainly come to offer my congratulations!"

Li Qingfeng said no more. He turned and walked out of the Town Guardian Residence, his figure transforming into a streak of bright golden light that soared into the sky, speeding toward the New Town in the south.

Zhao Tianbao stood at the entrance, watching the golden light quickly vanish into the horizon. The smile on his face gradually faded, and his gaze became deep and complex.

He stroked the azure jade plate in his hand, which carried a sharp metal-attribute aura, and muttered to himself in a low voice:

"Li Qingfeng... what a formidable arrow, what deep calculation... This northern border of the desolate mountains is likely going to become more and more lively."

He turned and looked toward the direction of the Vast Grasslands in the north, his brow furrowed deeply. The shadow of the barbarians also weighed heavily on his heart... Time passed like falling flowers and flowing water, like a galloping horse under the whip.

Autumn of the Year of Jisi in the Great Xuan Calendar, the first month after the basic completion of the New Town.

The core of the entire New Town—the Ancestral Hall Square—was now bustling with noise, crowded with people who had gathered from all directions.

People from Black Mountain Town, Wang Family Village, Willow Tree Village, and even more distant villages brought their families, packing the vast square until it was watertight.

Countless pairs of eyes, filled with tension, anticipation, and longing, focused on the temporary high platform covered in red cloth in the center of the square.

On the platform, Li Dashan was dressed in a brand-new manager's robe, his face glowing with health, as he directed the staff to maintain order.

Wang Tiezhu and Zhang Shitou led the militia units, who had undergone months of rigorous training and showed a clearly different spirit. Holding standard spears, they stood guard around the square and at the passages. Their gazes were sharp, and they were strictly disciplined, creating an invisible pressure to ensure the assembly proceeded smoothly.

Today was the day the "Immortal Ascension Assembly" of Qingxuan New Town began! It was a day of hope for countless families to change their destinies!

Li Qingfeng sat in the main seat on the high platform, wearing the robes of the Qingxuan Sect. His expression was calm, and his gaze swept over the dark mass of people below with a majesty that looked down upon all living beings. Beside him was the "Spirit Testing Ruler," which could decide the fate of countless Mortals.