71: Chapter 71 Aftermath

Qingyuan County was left in ruins, its streets no longer bustling as they once were.

The beast tide had swept through like a prehistoric giant millstone, leaving behind a deathly silence and the desolation of those who survived the calamity.

At this moment, the Su Family lands were shrouded in a thick mist.

As a light breeze brushed past, the mist slowly dissipated, revealing a shimmering Formation barrier. Hundreds, even thousands of Yao Beast corpses lay before the Formation, the blood on the ground not yet dry.

The Su Family Martial Artists were panting heavily, their hands trembling as they gripped their weapons.

Su Xuanxiao sat atop the massive corpse of a Yao Beast. Seeing his father deactivate the trapping Formation, he finally let out a long sigh of relief.

In his heart, he admired his father's foresight. Not only was there a second-grade defensive Formation covering the core area of the Family clan, but there was also a trapping Formation covering the perimeter.

Most of the Yao Beasts that charged into the trapping Formation were led astray by it, bypassing the Su Family altogether.

The few Yao Beasts that blundered through the trapping Formation were then blocked by the defensive Formation. As long as the Su Family killed them quickly enough, they wouldn't face a full-scale siege from the beast pack.

After a whole night of slaughter, the Su Family had finally endured the beast tide.

The defensive Formation was withdrawn, and the members of the Su Family filed out one after another. Many were startled when their eyes fell upon Yao Beast corpses larger than houses.

Despite the Drunken Immortal Tower serving dishes made from Yao Beast meat, many Mortals had never actually seen a Yao Beast's true form.

Qin Han and the others secretly rejoiced. Fortunately, they had the protection of the Su Family; otherwise, they surely would have been trampled into meat paste by the beast pack.

“They're gone...”

Someone stood frozen in place, pointing into the distance. “The buildings of Qingyuan County are all gone.”

Originally, standing here and looking out, they could see the undulating architecture of Qingyuan County, but now there was only the endless blue sky and white clouds.

Su Yang gazed at the scene before him, his heart filled with a complex mix of emotions.

He recalled the fall of Guangling, which was just like Qingyuan now. According to the usual practice of the Great Wei Dynasty, this county town would most likely not be rebuilt...

“Twenty years of foundation destroyed in a single day. Truly, the world is unpredictable.”

Su Yang sighed, his figure flashing as he arrived amidst the ruins, his Divine Sense spreading out to investigate.

Besides ruins and corpses, he unexpectedly found many survivors who had escaped the disaster in cellars. However, some cellars had been unable to withstand the trampling of the Yao Beasts, becoming burial grounds for the dead.

Su Yang released his Spiritual Qi, lending a hand to push aside the massive stones blocking the cellar entrances for these survivors.

He continued along the ruins, and the number of people gradually increased.

Most of the survivors were Cultivators. They had hidden in a corner and worked together to maintain a Formation, barely surviving the trampling of the beast pack.

Su Yang saw the Immortal Treasure Tower. Its Formation was broken, and though the building still stood, its walls had been smashed through.

To his surprise, Shopkeeper Cui was actually still alive, hiding inside a battered large bell Magical Artifact with several other Cultivators. Everyone was bleeding from their facial orifices and had fallen unconscious.

Su Yang originally wanted to go forward and wake them, but he noticed that their Storage Pouches and storage rings were missing. He immediately stopped and didn't dare approach.

“Did someone come out earlier and loot the Immortal Treasure Tower?”

Su Yang's brow furrowed slightly, and he turned to leave.

Cultivators were cold and suspicious by nature. If he woke them now, they would definitely falsely accuse him of stealing their Storage Pouches.

Su Yang continued forward, passing several families with decent foundations. For the most part, they were either deserted or the entire clan had been wiped out.

A few survivors remained, wailing over the bodies of their loved ones. The atmosphere among the ruins was tragic and desolate.

When he passed the Xie Family, his brow couldn't help but twitch.

As a fellow cultivation Family, and one with Jiang Linyuan presiding over it, the Xie Family had actually been completely wiped out!

Crucially, some of them had not died from being trampled or bitten by Yao Beasts, but had been killed instantly by Spells!

Su Yang's Divine Sense swept through and found that the Xie Family's assets and the Cultivators' Storage Pouches had all been emptied and taken away, exactly the same as the situation at the Immortal Treasure Tower.

“This Jiang Linyuan really is a problem! His original goal in wanting to join the Su Family was to take advantage of the chaos to loot.”

Su Yang suddenly understood.

It turned out he had overthought things.

Jiang Linyuan was actually a Robber Cultivator. He had somehow learned of the situation at the border and was certain that Qingyuan County would face a beast tide attack.

Knowing the danger, he still came to Qingyuan specifically for this moment.

He first set his sights on the wealthy Su Family, and after being rejected, he targeted the Immortal Treasure Tower. When he hit a wall there too, he helplessly chose the Xie Family as his victim.

“Inviting a wolf into the house leads to the destruction of the Family.”

Su Yang felt pity for the Xie Family's demise.

The Xie Family never conflicted or competed with other Family forces, dutifully managing and developing their clan, very similar to the Su Family's philosophy.

If they hadn't taken in an ungrateful wretch like Jiang Linyuan as an enshrined expert, the Xie Family might not have been able to stop the beast tide, but as long as they were willing to abandon their property, they surely could have escaped Qingyuan.

From the state of the Xie Family's dead, it was obvious they were killed by a sneak attack from Jiang Linyuan while they were busy resisting the beast tide.

Just then, a familiar Spiritual Qi pressure arrived, and a clear voice echoed between heaven and earth.

“Fellow Daoists, please come to the Jiang Family for a discussion.”

Su Yang arrived at the Jiang Family upon hearing the voice. With a Foundation Establishment Cultivator presiding, only some areas of the Jiang Family lands had been destroyed by Yao Beasts.

Jiang Wuyu stood at the very front of the crowd with his hands behind his back. Once enough Cultivators had arrived, he spoke loudly: “Qingyuan County has been destroyed by the beast tide. I wonder what plans you all have?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the Cultivators began to discuss animatedly.

“Qingyuan is gone, so naturally we go to other county towns.”

“Other county towns might not be easy to get by in. If you ask me, it's better to go to Luoxuan City.”

“I plan to settle in a Cultivation Market.”

“While Cultivation Markets have plenty of Spiritual Qi, you have to pay Spirit Stones every month. Living is too exhausting.”

Everyone had their own ideas, but without exception, they were all preparing to leave.

Qingyuan County was gone, so what was the point of staying here?

Loose Cultivators felt no sense of belonging to Qingyuan County; after all, they had no families, no industries, and no ties.

Jiang Wuyu pondered for a moment before saying, “Everyone, I do not know what Great Wei will decide, but I intend to rebuild this place, starting with the establishment of a market town. I wonder if you all are willing to help?”

Rebuild Qingyuan?

How much manpower and resources would that take? They didn't want to do such a thing; it was a thankless task.

Besides, isn't this something Great Wei should do? Why should they be the ones to do it?

“Qingyuan has beautiful mountains and clear waters. It's near the Yunmeng Ruins market for easy trading and is located at the edge of Great Wei where control is low. Is there any better place for a Loose Cultivator?”

Jiang Wuyu's tone was steady and unhurried. “Living in a Cultivation Market requires paying Spirit Stones. Living in a county town means being marginalized by local families. Living in a prefectural city means being under the strict control of Great Wei's rules.”

“But the current Qingyuan has nothing. If we establish a market town, we can live for free. The territory is vast so there is no need for competition, and there are no Great Wei rules to control us. All that is required is an investment of time and energy.”

The crowd felt moved after hearing this, but someone whispered a doubt, “But this is still Great Wei territory after all. Whether it's the land or the rules, everything actually needs Great Wei's consent.”

“Fellow Daoists, do not worry. Once we have established the Qingyuan Market, it won't be too late to divide the land when we need to follow Great Wei's rules.”

Jiang Wuyu smiled. “And before that, you can occupy the land here as you please. The profits generated will be enough for you to Cultivate for ten, twenty, or even thirty years!”