25: Changsheng Sect returned in defeat

As he ventured deeper, the surrounding grass began to grow dense, and the nearby trees gradually became more numerous.

Occasionally, a shrill cry would echo through the wilderness, making one's skin crawl.

Seeing an unknown insect hanging from a tree, Zhang Qingxiao swung his Magical Artifact longsword, splitting the insect in two.

An unknown small bird flying in the air was also struck down by his Spirit Arrow Technique.

Not knowing how far he had ventured into the wilderness, Zhang Qingxiao realized the surrounding light was growing dimmer and had to stop.

"Awoo!"

Just as Zhang Qingxiao was pondering whether to return first and continue his exploration in a different direction next time, a beast's roar suddenly came from behind him.

He hurriedly turned around to look.

A four-legged crawling Yao Beast, three to four meters long and about two meters high, appeared ten meters away from him.

It was staring at him with a predatory gaze.

In an instant, Zhang Qingxiao felt a chill run down his spine, his hair standing on end.

"Green-Faced Tiger..."

"Looking at this size, it is at least a Middle Stage First-Rank Green-Faced Tiger. My luck is truly something else."

Zhang Qingxiao steadied his mind. While recognizing the Yao Beast before him, he immediately activated a Body Protection Talisman and a Light Body Talisman.

He quickly retreated a few steps, holding his Magical Artifact longsword, and stood ready for battle.

Although he had already killed several cultivators, this was his first time facing a Middle Stage First-Rank Yao Beast.

Suddenly, he was at a bit of a loss on how to make the first move.

The Green-Faced Tiger opposite him did not stop its pace, approaching Zhang Qingxiao step by step.

Zhang Qingxiao stared at the Green-Faced Tiger, steeled his heart, directly condensed a fireball, and with a wave of his hand, hurled it at the opponent.

At the same time, he lunged forward.

The Green-Faced Tiger roared and charged toward the fireball without hesitation.

"Boom!"

The moment the fireball hit the Green-Faced Tiger, it exploded, instantly leaving half of the tiger's head a bloody mess, and the Green-Faced Tiger let out a painful wail.

By this time, Zhang Qingxiao had already rushed to within two meters of the Green-Faced Tiger, and he slashed his longsword with all his might toward the tiger's neck.

As the sword fell, it left a bloody gash.

Afterward, Zhang Qingxiao quickly retreated, condensing another fireball to hurl at the Green-Faced Tiger.

The Green-Faced Tiger had already experienced the power of the fireball and wanted to dodge, but it was too late.

Following an explosion, the other half of the Green-Faced Tiger's head was also reduced to a bloody mess, with flames continuously burning on its head.

The Green-Faced Tiger, scorched by the fire, fell to the ground and rolled back and forth. Zhang Qingxiao seized the opportunity, thrust his sword into the Green-Faced Tiger's throat, and sliced hard along its neck.

Blood gushed out instantly, splattering all over Zhang Qingxiao.

After a dozen breaths, the Green-Faced Tiger completely stopped moving.

"Yao Beasts are indeed tough and durable. If it weren't for the powerful Fireball Technique, killing it with just a Low Grade Magical Artifact longsword or the Spirit Arrow Technique would have been quite troublesome."

He had just slashed the Green-Faced Tiger with all his strength, only leaving a bloody gash on its body, which showed just how strong the Green-Faced Tiger's defense was.

After killing this Green-Faced Tiger, Zhang Qingxiao first circled a radius of a hundred meters to ensure there were no other Yao Beasts before he began processing the Green-Faced Tiger.

It was much easier to dismantle the dead Green-Faced Tiger using the Magical Artifact longsword.

It took about half an hour for Zhang Qingxiao to completely dismantle the entire Green-Faced Tiger.

He packed all the edible meat into his Storage Pouch, while the tiger head and internal organs were left behind.

Today's mission was complete, and having witnessed the prowess of the Yao Beast, he naturally did not want to remain there any longer.

Changing into a clean coat, Zhang Qingxiao took advantage of the remaining effect of the Light Body Talisman and ran quickly toward the Utility Disciple living area.

Before noon, he arrived back at the Utility Disciple living area.

Upon returning, he immediately noticed that the atmosphere was very strange.

Many Utility Disciples were outside, gathered in small groups, discussing something.

At first, he didn't pay much attention to it.

As he walked along, listening to the chatter of the crowd, Zhang Qingxiao roughly understood what everyone was discussing.

Just while he was fighting the Green-Faced Tiger, the Chang Sheng Sect Master had returned to the Chang Sheng Sect with the Disciples.

However, of the ten flying boats that had departed, only three had returned, and no one had seen the Golden Core Old Ancestor.

Most of those who returned were pale and had blood-stained clothes.

These three flying boats had been docked at the mountainside for an hour now, and not a single Utility Disciple had returned.

Everyone was speculating that the Sect had likely been defeated this time, and the Golden Core Old Ancestor had likely perished.

With this speculation, many Utility Disciples became anxious and uneasy.

"Brother Qingxiao, you have finally returned."

As soon as he arrived at his doorstep, Zhou Yun hurried up to meet him impatiently.

"Nothing happened at home, right?"

Seeing Zhou Yun so anxious, Zhang Qingxiao asked quickly.

"Nothing happened at home, but something happened to the Chang Sheng Sect."

"My father just heard that the Golden Core Old Ancestor of the Chang Sheng Sect has perished."

"The Chang Sheng Sect Master is also severely injured, and fewer than ten Foundation Establishment Stage Elders have returned."

"My father said that the Chang Sheng Sect has suffered huge losses this time and will very likely completely seal off the mountain range to recuperate."

Zhou Yun looked Zhang Qingxiao up and down, confirmed that he was uninjured, then returned to the courtyard, closed the gate, and hurriedly whispered the news her father had gathered.

"Completely seal off the mountain gate?"

"Is there any news about how they will manage us Utility Disciples?"

Whether the mountain gate was sealed or not did not concern Zhang Qingxiao; what he cared about most now was whether the Chang Sheng Sect would still manage them, the Utility Disciples.

If they were no longer managed and no Cultivation resources were provided, then this Utility Disciple living area would certainly be impossible to stay in.

He had to find a way to leave as soon as possible.

Whether it was going to another Sect or to the Mortal world, it would be better than remaining in the Chang Sheng Sect's Utility Disciple area.

"No..."

"The Chang Sheng Sect Master just returned, so there are probably many things to deal with..."

"Even if they do manage us Utility Disciples, it won't be like before."

Zhou Yun had never experienced such a thing, and she was equally panicked.

"Forget it, I'll go ask your father about the situation."

"Zhou Yun, process this piece of meat and stew it for lunch."

There is nothing more important than eating. As he said this, Zhang Qingxiao took out a piece of Yao Beast meat weighing thirty or forty jin and threw it on the table.

"Brother Qingxiao, is this Green-Faced Tiger meat?"

"You are truly amazing to be able to kill a Middle Stage First-Rank Green-Faced Tiger."

Liang Qiaoer also came from the kitchen into the hall, and seeing the steaming Yao Beast meat on the table, she was not afraid at all.

"Yes, it is Green-Faced Tiger meat. I didn't expect Qiaoer to be so familiar with Yao Beasts that you guessed the Rank of this Yao Beast immediately."

Zhang Qingxiao looked at Liang Qiaoer with some surprise.

If he hadn't crammed some knowledge about Yao Beasts in the last few days, he might not have been able to recognize a live Green-Faced Tiger even if he saw one.

Liang Qiaoer recognized it just by a piece of meat and accurately stated the Rank of the Yao Beast, which shows how much she knows about Yao Beasts.

"When I was at home, I read quite a few books about the Yao Beasts near our Chang Sheng Sect, so I know a little more," Liang Qiaoer said, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"That is also a skill."

"Zhou Yun, Qiaoer, you two go ahead and cook; I'm going to go find out about the situation."

Zhang Qingxiao said, then turned and left the hall, arriving at Zhou Yun's house.