40 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

The massive stingray-like creature arrived at the designated area chosen by Qi Xiu and began to circle at a lower altitude. A Zhao family cultivator went to the back of the creature, retrieved a large storage bag, and turned it upside down. A kind of black plant seed, shrouded in a faint blue spiritual aura, poured smoothly like water into the black mist below. As he scattered the seeds, he instructed Qi Xiu and the others on how to proceed. "These [Black-Hearted Lotuses] are extremely resilient. However, in this black river, even after being pre-empowered with our Beast Command Sect's unique wood-attribute secret technique, it might not be enough for all hundred seeds to grow into a single viable seedling. We have to overwhelm it with sheer numbers." Simply pouring out seeds didn't seem particularly complicated; it was just that the usage spells for this Beast Command Sect's storage bag differed from those produced by the Qi Yun Sect. Qi Xiu and his companions quickly learned how, and the Zhao family cultivator handed the bag to Zhan Yuan to continue the seeding process. He then took Qi Xiu and Zhang Shishi with him on flying artifacts to stop at the only gap without a mountain peak. "The [Scented Bullhead Fish] loves to burrow randomly in marshes and is soft-bodied, requiring a specially-made fine-mesh fishing net to seal this gap." The Zhao cultivator pulled out a white silk net from another bag, handing one end to Qi Xiu and the other to Zhang Shishi. "Go to either end of the gap and wait for my move." Following his instructions, the two each took a side and flew apart. The net stretched several miles, with the larger portion still presumably in the Zhao cultivator's bag. Once they reached their positions, the Zhao cultivator removed his outer robe, revealing the signature beast-skin shorts of the Beast Command Sect, and stood bare-chested. With a loud shout, a towering tree's shadow appeared behind him. Upon closer inspection, the tree, which Qi Xiu could not name, was entwined with an equally unknown vine. "Another innate ability!" Qi Xiu mused. This Zhao cultivator seemed to possess at least a dual innate affinity, mastering both tree and vine. Qi Xiu was curious about his method. His question was soon answered as the giant tree shadow flashed and two streams of green energy dispersed. Two vines transformed into massive, serpentine green pythons several miles long, flew to Qi Xiu and Zhang Shishi, and clamped onto the white silk net they were holding. "Release!" Another shout from the Zhao cultivator, and both quickly obeyed, letting go. The pythons plunged toward the black river marsh below, taking the net with them, plunging it into the marsh. As the vine-transformed pythons buried deeper, Qi Xiu noticed the Zhao cultivator, though sweating heavily, seemed to manage. Internally, he couldn't help but envy, "He's only a late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator, yet his innate ability can stretch vines across over ten miles. Truly, he is gifted." When the pythons finally stopped moving, it seemed they had reached the bottom. The white net had been splayed out underground, forming a solid wall blocking the gap entirely. The Zhao cultivator then retracted the shadow behind him, completing the sealing of the [Scented Bullhead Fish] breeding point. Qi Xiu and Zhang Shishi promptly went forward to express their gratitude, noting the exertion had clearly taken a toll on him. They, together, of them, returned to the giant stingray's back. "Now that the terrain is set and seeds planted, how they grow can only be known by the end of spring next year. By midsummer, it will be time to release the fish fry. I am a wood-attribute spiritual root and not very skilled in beast taming. Someone else will take over then, so I won’t be involved," the Zhao cultivator said after resting briefly, having seen Zhan Yuan empty the seed bag, and addressed Qi Xiu. Qi Xiu and the others expressed their thanks again before paying the agreed-upon spirit stones. Without hesitation, he walked over to the sect mate who had been less than cordial with them, exchanged a few words, and watched as the [Silver-Backed Carry Stingray] turned south to take Qi Xiu and his companions back to Black River Peak. "The [Scented Bullhead Fish] is a delicacy sought by many spirit beasts. Despite the barrenness of life within the black river, it's best to clear any predatory wildlife around the breeding point before next summer. Otherwise, the expensive fry you buy could become a feast for beasts," the Zhao cultivator cautioned Qi Xiu before departing. After seeing off the Zhao cultivator, Zhang Shishi frowned, "Do we have to go hunting the carnivorous beasts nearby? Could there be spirit beasts in the black river? Is it dangerous to hunt them?" Zhan Yuan countered, "Even mundane shepherds must guard against wolves. With the fish being so tasty, if there are indeed fierce beasts nearby, should we just watch our investment go to waste?" "Ah, I should've known better than to take on this task," Zhang Shishi sighed. Qi Xiu was also troubled, though his concern wasn't about the beasts but Zhang Shishi's attitude. Why did he revert at the first sign of setbacks? Annoyed, he rebuked sternly, "Shishi, you are responsible for instructing and enforcing our sect's teachings. Don't just focus on disciples' cultivation. The Southern Border is not like Qi Yun. You've heard of Yu Denuo's plight. Cultivation aside, you need to teach the disciples at least some spells for self-defense. This eradication of wildlife near the cultivation point is a task we must see through now, regardless of the difficulty, and with the year-end protection of migrants crossing the black river to this peak, similar challenges await. Start preparing; make sure disciples learn offensive or defensive spells according to their innate spiritual roots. If any can awaken their innate talents, all the better. I want results by year-end! In cultivation, one's mindset is paramount. Don't retreat at the first obstacle!" "Yes, Brother Sect Leader, your lesson is taken to heart. I'll start immediately." Zhang Shishi realized complaints were now pointless and took his leave to prepare. Qi Xiu further instructed Zhan Yuan, "See who else handles tasks reliably and assign the remaining chores to them. Tomorrow, head out to [Bing Zhan Fang], [Jiu San Fang], and Yu Denuo’s place, to procure lower-tier magical artifacts that align with our disciples' innate affinities. Every bit of strength added is vital. Our remaining spirit stones need to last until the year after for fish harvest, so economize where possible. Show us what you can do!" "Understood!" Zhan Yuan responded earnestly. Sending the two off, Qi Xiu, having given his orders, prepared to set an example. He settled his mind to figure out how to acquire useful techniques. His innate spirit was the [Red-Butt Monkey], which he couldn't summon, let alone expecting an innate talent. Similarly, the [Strange-Eyed Golden Silk Monkey] he bought in [Qi Nan City] failed to bond with him, marking yet another failed attempt. Nowadays, that monkey showed more affinity towards Gu Ji than him, trailing after Gu Ji all day long, leaving Qi Xiu inclined to simply let it be. Mulling over it, Qi Xiu recalled his time in seclusion, when he tried his hand unsuccessfully at alchemy and artifact crafting, yet found some success with talisman creation. He had once created a rare first-grade talisman that went unnoticed in Qi Yun but might find buyers in the much more perilous Southern Border. (To be continued)