Cultivation Begins From The Desert

It is common for High-Tier Cultivators to take several years in one seclusion retreat; when Zhouyang finished a retreat and emerged at Lingxi Peak, five years had swiftly passed.

This wasn't the first time he had been in seclusion for several years. Long gone were the feelings of "a day in the cave equals a thousand years in the world" from his first retreat.

Moreover, this time he hadn't emerged of his own accord. His Dao Companion, Xiao Ying, had urgently summoned him out with a message from the family.

"What has happened exactly?"

As he stepped out of the Seclusion Chamber, he asked the waiting Dao Companion, Xiao Ying, about the matter without needless words.

"Nineteen days ago, Guangtai stationed at Red Fox Ridge sent a message to the family asking for help against an attack by a Tier Four Demon Beast, the Three-tailed Demon Fox."

"But when Guangxiang received the message and hurried to the location riding the Eagle Lion Beast, the Mountain Protection Array at Red Fox Ridge had already been breached by the fox demon. More than twenty Clan Cultivators, including Guangtai, were killed by the fox demon, and thousands of mortals were also lost."

"Later, Guangxiang, together with the Eagle Lion Beast, fought against the fox demon. Though thanks to the Tier Four High-Grade Spirit Talisman you bestowed on him, he managed to injure the fox demon and drive it out of the oasis, yet discovered the demon had not gone far. Therefore, he sent someone to request your judgment, husband."

Xiao Ying, understanding the urgency, quickly informed Zhouyang of the full story.

"What? Guangtai has fallen!"

Zhouyang's expression darkened, his face instantaneously became grim.

Though Zhou Guangtai was aged when he entered Foundation Establishment, limiting his future potential, he was nonetheless a Foundation Establishment Cultivator and a meritorious member who contributed a High-Level Technique and the Kunxu Order to the family.

The loss of such a meritorious member, who fell just halfway through his lifespan, was undeniably a major blow to the family.

This was also the first unnatural death of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the Zhou Family after Zhouyang established the Purple Mansion.

"That cursed creature, letting it escape once was its luck, yet it has the audacity to return!"

"Does it believe that by advancing to a Tier Four Demon Beast, it can return to exact revenge?"

"Daring to kill Zhou Family Cultivators, I must skin and dismember it this time, extract and refine its soul to commemorate our deceased clansmen!"

Zhouyang's eyes gleamed with fierce light, angered by the news.

Immediately, after instructing Dao Companion Xiao Ying, he rode the Golden-winged Thunder Eagle directly towards Red Fox Ridge.

The Golden-winged Thunder Eagle was extremely fast, capable of covering tens of thousands of miles per day. Even encountering sandstorms along the way, he would press forward riding the Golden-winged Thunder Eagle, unless it was an unavoidable super sandstorm.

Thus, within five days, Zhouyang arrived at Red Fox Ridge and met Zhou Guangxiang stationed there.

"Ninth Uncle, you finally arrived!"

"As your nephew, I am ashamed; not only was I unable to save Guangtai and the clansmen, but I also failed to keep the demon fox, to avenge them!"

Zhou Guangxiang approached Zhouyang, openly admitting guilt with a dejected look.

This incident at Red Fox Ridge was a blow to his prestige as Clan Leader, as the loss of a Foundation Establishment Elder and over twenty clansmen wasn't trivial, let alone the thousands of mortals the fox demon also harmed.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have sent for aid, knowing Zhouyang was in seclusion for cultivation.

"This isn't your fault; if there's any blame, it's mine. That creature escaped from under my watch!"

"But now isn't the time to dwell on these matters. The priority is finding that creature's trail, eliminating it quickly to prevent more clansmen from falling victim!"

Zhouyang waved away any intent to fault Zhou Guangxiang, solemnly stating his decision.

"I fear this might require Elder Xu's intervention. Although I wounded the demon fox using the Tier Four High-Grade Spirit Talisman you gave me, its Wind Escape Technique is indeed mysterious; it seems capable of some Concealing Divine Technique. Even the Eagle Lion Beast can't locate its whereabouts from above, but I feel it hasn't gone far, likely still harboring malicious intent."

Zhou Guangxiang explained the situation, offering his suggestion.

Hearing this, Zhouyang pondered briefly and nodded: "Since that's the case, I will leave the Golden-winged Thunder Eagle here to help you patrol the oasis, then personally invite Elder Xu over."

Immediately, he left the Golden-winged Thunder Eagle to survey the oasis while he rode the Illusory Cloud Ship towards the underground ruins.

A few days later, when Zhouyang returned to Red Fox Ridge with Xu Song from the underground ruins, the situation changed again.

"Two days ago, the demon fox infiltrated the oasis, attacking mortal towns. It wasn't long after its actions that the Golden-winged Thunder Eagle detected it. Then, with the Eagle Lion Beast, I hurried to support it, and combined our forces to severely wound the demon fox anew; now it should have truly left the vicinity, likely retreating to its lair to heal."

As soon as Zhouyang landed at Red Fox Ridge, Zhou Guangxiang, who had been waiting for a while, stepped forward to report the latest developments.

After detailing the progress, Zhou Guangxiang waved his hand, retrieving a jade bottle from the storage ring Zhouyang had given him.

Zhouyang himself obtained two storage rings from Blood Nether's remnants, and later divided two during the Wilderness Jungle exploration. After killing Zhong Chuming, he acquired another, totaling five storage rings in his possession.

He gave one to his Dao companion Xiao Ying, another to Xu Song, and as a reward for Zhou Guangxiang's ascent to Purple Mansion, gifted him one upon his promotion. Zhouyang kept two for personal use.

At this moment, Zhou Guangxiang handed the jade bottle to Zhouyang, saying: "This bottle contains the blood and hair of that Demon Fox. Elder Xu can use it as a medium to perform the Ten Thousand Miles Soul-Chasing Technique and locate the Demon Fox's lair."

"Excellent, with this item, that Demon Fox is as good as dead."

A fleeting smile crossed Zhouyang's face as he reached for the jade bottle, a chilling intent flickering in his eyes.

Next, Zhouyang released Xu Song from the Spiritual Treasure Token and instructed him to utilize the Demon Fox's blood and hair as a medium to cast the Tier Five Magic "Ten Thousand Miles Soul-Chasing Technique" for tracking.

"Got it, chase in that direction."

Upon completing the spell, a Soul-Seeking Bloodbird formed by the Ten Thousand Miles Soul-Chasing Technique shot forward, heading west toward the oasis.

Without delay, Zhouyang mounted the Golden-winged Thunder Eagle, maneuvering his spirit pet to follow the Soul-Seeking Bloodbird.

As for Zhou Guangxiang, to avoid any mishap, Zhouyang requested him to remain stationed at Red Fox Ridge.

Thus, chasing westward for over twenty thousand miles, the Soul-Seeking Bloodbird led Zhouyang to a small oasis in the Desert Sea, then dove into the underground.

"Hiding underground, are we?"

Zhouyang's eyes gleamed as he glanced at Xu Song beside him.

"Allow me to flush it out."

Xu Song naturally understood Zhouyang's intentions. He promptly swung the pitch-black Demon Banner, from which a colossal wolf soul evil ghost sprang forth, diving underground where the Soul-Seeking Bloodbird had descended.

After slaying the Tier Five Demon Beast "Heart-devouring Demon Wolf," Zhouyang retained the demon pill and demon wolf's corpse. Its beast soul fell into Xu Song's hands and was refined into the Demon Banner to enhance its power.

Now, due to the refinement of beast souls of "Gen Mountain Turtle" and "Heart-devouring Demon Wolf," two Tier Five Demon Beasts, this Demon Banner had successfully ascended to a Tier Five Lower Grade Demon Artifact.

In nature, wolves are natural enemies to foxes. Despite the three-tailed Demon Fox's noble bloodline, it was no match against the attack from the evil ghost spawned by the beast soul of the Tier Five Demon Beast "Heart-devouring Demon Wolf" and was swiftly forced to surface.

No sooner had it emerged, than the Demon Banner in Xu Song's hand transformed into a mass of black light, ensnaring it. Without a chance to employ its life-saving clone divine technique, the Demon Fox was knocked unconscious by the Demon Banner.

"Three-tailed Demon Foxes are rare exotic beasts, can you truly bear to kill it?"

Xu Song extended his hand, and the Demon Banner that subdued the three-tailed Demon Fox flew back to him. Shaking the Demon Banner, he retrieved the wolf soul that emerged from underground.

"If it hadn't killed members of my Zhou Clan, I might have attempted to tame it. But now, it must pay with its life!"

Zhouyang replied to Xu Song's words, waving his hand, unleashing a sword light that instantaneously decapitated the unconscious three-tailed Demon Fox.

After slaying the three-tailed Demon Fox with a single stroke, Zhouyang did not let Xu Song's Demon Banner absorb the spiritual beast soul of the fox. Instead, he performed the Soul Extraction Technique, preserving the beast soul, meticulously peeling off the entire fox skin, and deliberately keeping its three fox tails.

"The clone technique of this Demon Fox is quite extraordinary. I want to see if I can refine its fox skin and beast soul into a magic robe with clone protection functionality."

Having completed the soul extraction and skinning, Zhouyang softly explained the rationale to Xu Song beside him.

The Tier Four High-grade Spiritual Artifact Treasure Robe "Celestial Silkworm Treasure Robe" he currently wore was obtained from the relics of a Great Bright Immortal Palace Cultivator from the underground ruins.

During the surprise attack from the "Heart-devouring Demon Wolf," this item played a crucial role at a critical moment, saving his life, which spurred his intention to refine such protective garments. (I adjusted the previous text, replacing Qianyang Golden Body with Magical Artifact Treasure Robe, as using non-instantaneous divine techniques seemed impractical in that situation.)

Although refining a magic robe from fox skin isn't suited for his own wear, even if it's accomplished, it would be handed to his Dao companion Xiao Ying or disciple Lu Xuewei for use.

"Your thinking is quite astute. If successful, it will indeed yield a rare life-saving item."

Xu Song nodded slightly, understanding and agreeing with Zhouyang's course of action.

Then, a peculiar glint appeared in his eyes. He looked towards the Demon Fox's previous hiding place and said: "Below seems to conceal extraordinary mysteries; just now, I almost lost contact with the released wolf soul. Let's go down and see what's truly happening."