32: The rise of Luoxia Valley and its new pattern
The atmosphere on the way back to Luoxia Valley was completely different from when they came.
Liu Shan was already a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator, exuding a steady pressure. He walked at the front of the group, his gaze firm. Although Liu Zhi's injuries had not fully healed, his face was beaming with excitement, and the Flowing Cloud Sword in his hand occasionally hummed softly. The Clan members carried their spoils of war, their steps light, and everyone's eyes were filled with anticipation for the future.
Mo Chu coiled on Liu Shan's shoulder, his Spirit Vision casually sweeping the surroundings. The destruction of the Black Wind Hall had completely freed them from future worries. Now, Luoxia Valley could finally develop in peace.
Seeing the entrance of Luoxia Valley from afar, the Clan members who had stayed behind immediately came to greet them. When they saw the Foundation Establishment Stage aura emanating from Liu Shan and the spoils of war they brought back, a burst of enthusiastic cheers erupted.
"The Clan Chief has Broken Through!"
"We won! Black Wind Hall has been destroyed!"
The cheers echoed through the valley, lingering for a long time.
Upon returning to Luoxia Valley, Liu Shan's first order of business was to arrange for the Clan members to heal their injuries, inventory the spoils, and then summon the core members for an important meeting.
"Black Wind Hall is destroyed, and we are temporarily safe, but this does not mean we can rest easy," Liu Shan said, sitting in the main seat, his gaze sweeping over everyone. "Foundation Establishment Stage is just the beginning. The outside world is far vaster and more dangerous than we imagine."
He paused, then continued, "Next, we will do three things: First, expand Luoxia Valley, strengthen its defenses, and build it into a true Foundation. Second, Cultivate the Clan members, especially the younger generation, to help them quickly improve their cultivation and learn the arts of Artifact Refining and Alchemy. Third, deepen our ties with friendly forces like Tianfeng Stronghold and form an Alliance to jointly resist potential threats."
"The Clan Chief is right!" Liu Zhi was the first to agree. "Now that we have Foundation Establishment Stage strength, we can definitely expand our influence!"
Wang Lan also nodded, saying, "We can open up another hundred mu of Spiritual Plant fields. The Spiritual Plant seeds I brought back from the Yun Ding Sect can be tried for cultivation, so we won't have to rely entirely on external purchases for Medicinal Pills in the future."
Mo Chu tapped the table with his tail, signaling Liu Shan to focus on the systematized teaching of the Artifact Refining Legacy—this was the core competitiveness for the Liu Family's rise.
Liu Shan immediately understood: "Mo Chu is right, the Artifact Refining Legacy cannot be held by me alone. Liu Zhi, starting tomorrow, you will systematically learn Artifact Refining with me, striving to become a qualified Artifact Refiner as soon as possible."
"Yes, Father!" Liu Zhi responded excitedly.
After the meeting, the entire Luoxia Valley sprang into action:
- Under Liu Zhi's leadership, the younger Clan members began systematically Cultivating the Mystic Water Art and basic sword techniques. Every morning, the valley echoed with their synchronized shouts.
- Wang Lan, with the female family members, opened new Spiritual Plant fields and carefully planted the Yun Ding Sect's Spiritual Plant seeds. Smoke from the Pill Chamber curled upwards, and the fragrance of Medicinal Pills occasionally wafted through the air.
- Liu Shan, on the other hand, dedicated most of his time to two things: first, guiding Liu Zhi in Artifact Refining, imparting all of the Yun Ding Sect's Artifact Refining insights; second, researching more functions of the Cloud Cauldron and attempting to refine higher-Rank Magical Artifacts.
Mo Chu, meanwhile, used his accumulated 8000 Contribution Points to exchange for "Demon Core Transformation Liquid" and began to Break Through to the Demon Core Rank.
The Demon Core Transformation Liquid was a light purple liquid, containing immense demonic power. After consuming it, Mo Chu immediately fell into a deep sleep.
His body became covered in a layer of black scales, the golden horn on his forehead constantly flickered, and the spiritual power within him, under the effect of the Transformation Liquid, began to condense into a walnut-sized black Demon Coreprototype.
"Ding! The Host has begun to condense a Demon Core, entering a critical period of evolution. Estimated time: three months."
Three months was enough time for Luoxia Valley to undergo earth-shattering changes.
Under the deterrent of Liu Shan's Foundation Establishment Stage aura and the support of abundant resources:
- Luoxia Valley's defensive fortifications were completely new. A Rank three defensive array, the "Cloud Pattern Array," empowered by the Cloud Cauldron's power, was set up at the valley entrance, capable of withstanding the full attack of an Early Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.
- Liu Zhi's Artifact Refining skills advanced by leaps and bounds. He successfully refined his first High-Rank Medium Grade Magical Artifact, the "Wind Shadow Sword," officially becoming a Mid-Rank Artifact Refiner.
- Five Qi Refining Seventh Layer Cultivators emerged within the Clan, along with more than a dozen Qi Refining Fifth and Sixth Layer Cultivators. Among the younger generation, several talented children had already begun to Cultivate, showing considerable potential.
- The Yun Ding Sect's Spiritual Plants planted by Wang Lan successfully survived, and the Gathering Qi Pill she refined was of far superior quality than before, providing ample Medicinal Pill support for the Clan members' Cultivation.
- Liu Shan and Qian Tong of Tianfeng Stronghold reached a deep cooperation agreement. The Liu Family provided High-Rank Magical Artifacts, while Tianfeng Stronghold was responsible for procuring Materials and sales. Both parties benefited mutually, and their relationship grew increasingly close.
Luoxia Valley's reputation gradually spread within a thousand-li radius, becoming an emerging force that could not be ignored.
Three months later, Mo Chu finally awoke from his slumber.
His physical size hadn't changed much, but his entire aura had undergone a qualitative leap—the original spiritual seed aura was gone, replaced by a condensed and powerful Demon Core fluctuation!
His Rank had increased to Rank 9, his spiritual seed Rank had Broken Through to Special Rank, his spiritual domain had expanded to thirty zhang, and his spiritual power transformation could condense into more complex forms, even temporarily forming Clones identical to himself!
"Ding! Successfully condensed a Demon Core, unlocking the Talent: Demon Core Self-Destruct (In critical moments, the Demon Core can be detonated, producing immense power; use with caution)."
"Current Total Contribution Points: 1500 points (small rewards from Liu Shan's Artifact Refining and Clan members' Cultivation during this period)."
Mo Chu opened his eyes, a wise light flickering in his snake pupils. He could feel that his connection with Liu Shan was even closer, and he could even vaguely sense Liu Shan's emotions.
"Mo Chu, you're awake!" Liu Shan, sensing the change in his aura, walked over in surprise.
Mo Chu nodded, his body swayed, transforming into a black shadow that rapidly darted around the room, leaving behind trails of afterimages—this was the speed increase brought by the Demon Core Rank.
"That's great! Your strength has increased again!" Liu Shan was genuinely happy for him.
Just then, Qian Tong of Tianfeng Stronghold suddenly arrived, bringing a grave piece of news.
"Clan Chief Liu, something big has happened!" Qian Tong said. "'Black Rock City,' a thousand li away from us, was attacked and breached by a group of Cultivators of unknown origin. The City Lord and several Elders were all slain. It is said that the Cultivation Technique those people Cultivate is extremely bizarre, capable of absorbing others' spiritual power and cultivation!"
"What?" Liu Shan's expression changed dramatically. "Such a thing exists?"
"Absolutely true!" Qian Tong took out a communication talisman. "This is news from Cultivators who escaped Black Rock City. They call those people the 'Soul Devouring Sect,' and they are expanding towards our direction!"
Soul Devouring Sect? Absorbing others' spiritual power and cultivation?
Liu Shan and Mo Chu exchanged glances, both seeing the solemnity in each other's eyes.
This was far more dangerous than Black Wind Hall!
"How many of them are there? What is their strength?" Liu Shan asked.
"Unclear, but there are at least three Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and it's said there are even stronger existences!" Qian Tong said. "I came this time to unite all nearby forces to jointly resist the Soul Devouring Sect's invasion. What do you think, Clan Chief Liu?"
Joint resistance?
Liu Shan pondered for a moment, then looked at Mo Chu.
Although Mo Chu's Spirit Vision couldn't see a thousand li away, he could feel that Qian Tong wasn't lying, and the communication talisman indeed emitted a cold, chaotic spiritual power fluctuation, consistent with the description of the Soul Devouring Sect.
He nodded.
"Good!" Liu Shan no longer hesitated. "Luoxia Valley is willing to join the Alliance and jointly resist the external enemy!"
"That's great!" Qian Tong breathed a sigh of relief. "I've already contacted the Wangyue City Lord and several other forces. Three days from now, an Alliance meeting will be held in Wangyue City to discuss countermeasures."
"I will attend on time," Liu Shan said.
After Qian Tong left, Liu Shan's expression became incredibly grave.
The emergence of the Soul Devouring Sect shattered the previously peaceful situation, and a greater crisis was quietly approaching.
"Father, what should we do?" Liu Zhi asked worriedly. "The Soul Devouring Sect sounds so terrifying."
"If soldiers come, we'll block them; if water comes, we'll cover it with earth," Liu Shan said in a deep voice, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes. "We are no longer the Liu Family of the past. Pass on my order: the entire Clan is to enter a state of alert, accelerate Cultivation, refine more High-Rank Magical Artifacts and Medicinal Pills, and prepare for a great battle!"
"Yes!"
The entire Luoxia Valley mobilized once again, and the air was filled with a tense atmosphere.
Mo Chu coiled on Liu Shan's shoulder, looking into the distance, a sharp light flickering in his snake pupils.
Soul Devouring Sect?
No matter who you are, if you want to disrupt the peace of Luoxia Valley, you must step over his corpse!
Three months later, the Wangyue City Alliance meeting.
Three months ago, he and Liu Shan had narrowly escaped death here.
Three months later, they would, as leaders of a faction, discuss the grand plan to resist external enemies with various forces here.