Cultivation Starts from Killing Pigs

Upgrade the Disaster Exorcism Skill to the max level.

This was Zhang Kui's purpose for this trip, and it has been achieved.

At this moment, in the unknown depths of his mind, three stars were shining brightly—one for Guiding, one for Demon Slaying, and the other for Exorcism.

Each of the Seventy-Two Demons Technique seems simple, but they all contain a complex system of cultivation.

Just like when the star of Guiding Skill rose, he learned about meridians and acupoints, Breathing and Qi Cultivation. When the Demon-slaying Skill star rose, he learned about Evil Qi Condensation, Protective Gang Qi, and so on.

The Disaster Exorcism Skill also filled his mind with a massive amount of knowledge, yet the result was somewhat different from what he had imagined.

Exorcism means warding off bad omens, with many categories. It can exorcise disasters like fire, wind, drought, locusts, earthquakes, and more, through the means of venerating the gods and exorcism, the way of sacrifice!

Indeed, this skill requires the divine.

Setting aside the complex fasting and sacrificial rites, the Universal Sacrifice requires offerings to 3600 deities, the All Heaven Sacrifice requires 2400 deities, and the Grand Celestial Sacrifice requires 1200 deities.

To solve this national calamity, at the very least, the Grand Celestial Sacrifice is needed. But in this world, there are no Three Pristine Ones, no Heaven and Earth, unable to summon the Thunder God and Lightning Goddess, nor call forth the Golden Armor Divine General. How is it possible to shake heaven and earth?

After reaching max level with the Disaster Exorcism Skill, Zhang Kui had already tried once. He expended all his mana to clear out the locust eggs within Yingshui City and the surrounding hundred miles.

But to clear all of Qian's territory, even if done one by one, is an unimaginable task, not to mention the locust plague spreads over desolate mountains and vast swamps, ready to gather and migrate.

Initially, Zhang Kui's plan was that if he couldn't solve it alone, he would spread this disaster-averting skill widely, uniting countless cultivators' strength to overcome the catastrophe together.

But now, everything has gone awry.

How does this skill operate within him...

The moon hung high, and a cool breeze blew.

Zhang Kui strode into the courtyard, gazing at the bright moon above, and extending his right hand, the Lu Li sword instantly appeared in his grip.

Next to him, Fatty Tiger, who was lying on the ground with eyes closed, shook its ears and looked at him with large, curious eyes.

Zhang Kui closed his eyes and slowly swung the long sword, beginning to perform the Disaster Exorcism Skill once more.

The full ritual was very solemn, requiring numerous assistants to set up an altar for forty-nine days. However, as a skill, it did not require such extravagance, and Zhang Kui intended to explore the skill's operation.

As he swung the long sword, spiritual energy quickly gathered, passing through his body and transforming into a faint golden spiritual energy, noble and serene, expanding outward in waves.

Viewed from the sky, an invisible ripple spread continuously with Zhang Kui at its center, passing through Yingshui City and reaching far beyond.

Under the night, the faces of the sleeping people in the city began to look peaceful...

In dark and damp places, gloomy black Qi crazily fled outward...

In another courtyard of the Astronomical Bureau, Luo Jizu stepped outside the door, looking thoughtfully in Zhang Kui's direction...

In the Divine Void Temple.

"He's at it again!"

Taoist Lingxiao's face was gloomy, enduring the discomfort throughout his body as the ripples passed through him.

Yesterday, Zhang Kui's skill had startled him, but fortunately, it was unpleasant but harmless.

Although he initially spied on Zhang Kui, finding him difficult to deal with, he decided to ignore him. After all, the killing of Wang Chaoxian was none of his concern.

"It should be some kind of Blessing Skill..."

Although Taoist Lingxiao did not have such a skill, he could roughly guess what it was.

"Hmph, trying to hold up the sky with one hand, what a delusion!"

The Demon Taoist sneered, paying no further heed.

However, he didn't notice that the Three-Eyed Taoist incense fire god in the statue was full of excitement and delight, then bowed his head, a gleam flashing in his eyes...

"Damn it!"

After completing a large-scale Disaster Exorcism Skill, Zhang Kui cursed fiercely.

He discovered that the key to casting the skill lay in the star representing the Disaster Exorcism Skill in his mind.

The hope of spreading the skill had completely vanished...

...

"A decree from the National Guardian True Man!"

"Within Jiangzhou, strictly inspect water and land routes, prohibiting the mass selling of foodstuffs. Those who violate will be executed!"

"Confiscate the Wang Family's property, establish an anti-disaster grain depot at Wang Family Castle, all major merchants must not store more than a thousand catties of grain. Excess grain must be transported to Wang Family Castle within three days, purchased at usual annual prices, any private hoarding will result in confiscation!"

"Throughout Jiangzhou, implement food rationing starting today. Harvest grain early this year, dry fish from large and small lakes into smoked fish, and raise large amounts of poultry and livestock..."

If disaster needs to be combated, actions must be taken. Since farmers had discovered locust eggs by digging deep, the news of the locust plague could no longer be hidden, causing widespread panic.

In times of chaos, one must employ heavy-handed tactics. To keep as many people alive as possible, Zhang Kui could not be bothered with the merchants constantly pleading for leniency. After executing two as an example, his notoriety spread throughout the entire Jiangnan region.

His series of measures pleased some of the National Guardian True Men, who began to imitate him, while others, due to widespread implications, could only perform superficial actions.

Apart from the support from Helian Boxiong and Huo Yu with Double Pupils, others started to despise him even more.

Simply because he killed Wang Chaoxian.

No matter the reason, upon the death of one's peers, there is always a sense of impending doom.

Zhang Kui naturally remained indifferent, as he was very busy and could not concern himself with the desolate mountains and vast swamps, although he could manage the farmland near the major cities in Jiangzhou.

He rose early and retired late, performing the Disaster Exorcism Skill twice a day.

As long as the crops were not devoured, even a slight increase in grain could mean more survival...

A month quickly passed.

The beauty of Jiangnan, with its lush mountains and rivers.

But Zhang Kui's face grew more sullen.

Amidst the green grass, a few locust nymphs were already hopping about. He'd heard that these larvae molt once a week, and in five weeks, they'd be ready to fly.

Meaning that in a month, the first wave of locust plague would arrive!

A scholar recorded a locust disaster from a century ago, describing it as thus: "Both locusts and drought arrived, fathers and sons devoured each other, truly worse than beasts. Grieve!"

And this time, it was happening across the entire Central State.

What kind of scene would it be then?

Although he hadn't experienced it, Zhang Kui could well imagine it. His mood soured over the past few days.

Everyone at the Astronomical Bureau, including Fatty Tiger, was careful to avoid provoking him.

After dinner, as usual, Zhang Kui rode the Nether Soil stone coffin to the General's Tomb for a walk.

In the darkness, the ground of mountains flew by, Zhang Kui familiar with the route, easily bypassed one underground water vein after another. Upon arriving at the General's Tomb, he easily evaded the fleshy pillars.

The General's Tomb remained as silent as ever.

In numerous sizable caves, endless Shadow Soldiers lurked, various massive coffins lay quietly—the very thought of their contents terrifying.

After multiple investigations, Zhang Kui had developed a deep familiarity. As long as he didn't check the base of the grotesque tree and used the Qi Prohibition Skill to seal his Qi Mechanism, there should be no significant problems.

What was the origin of this General's Tomb?

Judging by their distinct hierarchical military system, they should all hail from the same era, possibly tied to an obscure epoch in human history...

Could it be even from an era before the divine spirits and gods disappeared?

Zhang Kui quietly watched the coffins, a trace of murderous intent flickered in his eyes. Regardless of what they once were, now they were the source of disasters for humanity and his mortal enemies!

Once the time is ripe, they must be slain!

When he returned to the Astronomical Bureau, it was already the middle of the night. Zhang Kui sat cross-legged on his bed, swallowing a Purple Mansion Spirit Nourishing Pill, simultaneously refining it and meditating.

He no longer needed sleep, cultivating under the moonlight all night, leaving him refreshed and better off than any rest.

Of course, some practitioners specialized in Sleeping Skill, refining the Divine Soul through dreamlike states, but alas, he couldn't do that.

...

In a daze, Zhang Kui suddenly opened his eyes.

He saw the moonlight outside the window, and the entire room, the courtyard, all appeared surreal as if unreal.

"A dream…"

Zhang Kui snorted, soaring out to stand in the courtyard, roaring like thunder: "Who dares to provoke me, if you want to die, speak up sooner!"

With this, his whole being erupted with Geng Metal Evil Qi, reaching upward.

If even a mortal like Wei Zheng could slay a dragon in a dream, with his current cultivation and evil spirit heart realm, pulling him into a dream was simply courting death.

Creak~

The courtyard gate slowly swung open, dense mist swirling as the figure of a Three-Eyed Taoist appeared, meeting him with a grand salute, bowing with five hearts facing heaven, kneeling.

"This humble deity Shen Xu, pays homage to the Star Monarch!"