Cultivation Starts from Killing Pigs

Lanzhou, Tong City.

Pa!

"The so-called heavenly descended True Man, brave and bold, riding a fierce tiger with a golden bell ringing, flying locusts block the sun, the mountains and rivers shake, the supernatural arts are profound, the sun and moon clear…"

In the teahouse, the storyteller was spitting as he spoke, with the audience fully absorbed, cheers and tips continuously echoed.

As Zhang Kui's fame spread far and wide, many of his deeds were turned into stories. Although the storyteller had changed them into a jumbled mess, the common folk loved to listen.

In a private room on the second floor, a young man in luxurious white attire, with sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes, showed extraordinary nobility in his every gesture, yet his eyes were full of worry.

"Ancestor, that True Man Zhang moved into the Astronomical Bureau as soon as he arrived, with the Captain's mansion official attending to him daily in a grand manner. Are they planning to stay here indefinitely?"

"This Lanzhou is our Yang family's territory!"

Opposite him, an old man in a plain robe was leisurely picking at spiced beans, savoring them with a small drink, laughing carelessly:

"With the great calamity descending, people's hearts are anxious. Ordinary people are like grass, naturally hoping for a hero. It's human nature, don't take it to heart."

"Just remember, this hero's name is only superficial. The ones who truly hold power in Lanzhou are those from the Water Mansion."

"Our Yang family just needs to stay safe and steady in the storm, that's the right path."

"Chixuan, go. I'm not convenient to show up. You should treat that True Man Zhang with the respect due a junior, assist him earnestly, so as not to create trouble in the future."

"Yes, Ancestor, Chixuan remembers."

The young man in white nodded solemnly.

After the young man left, the old man looked at the beans on the table and gently flicked his hand. From the bronze ring on his withered fingers, a few strands of black smoke flew out, accompanied by shrill screams wrapping around the beans.

The beans suddenly seemed to have gained life, forming a "Heaven" character, then an "Earth" character, and finally rustling into a "Human" character.

Pa!

With one slap, the old man turned the beans into powder, and the strands of Yin Qi screamed back into the ring.

The old man sighed, "This borrowing of shadow soldiers' technique is indeed opportunistic. In the millennium of turbulent winds and rains, if our Yang family wants to safely survive the tribulation, it might have to rely on this method…"

...

At the same time, outside Tong City on the Grand Canal, a passenger ship cleaved through the water, waves crashing.

Screech!

In the high sky, a golden eagle with a six-meter wingspan, its sharp gaze and lustrous feathers, suddenly dove straight down towards the passenger ship.

The fierce wind roared as it landed on the deck, making hissing and crackling sounds as if trying to mimic human speech, but incoherently.

"Got it!"

A girl with a sword stood gracefully, her smile bright, none other than Li Dong'Er, who had suddenly shot up a head taller, her posture upright, eyes like starlight.

Beside her was a tall, handsome, and heroic woman. Upstairs in the ship, an elegant palace-dressed lady sat cross-legged, thoughtfully looking at several Divine Temples at the dock.

It was none other than the Celestial Water Palace Master Gu Ziqing and her chief disciple Ling Qiushui.

This matter was indeed helpless. Zhang Kui never expected that among so many National Guardian True Men of the Qian Dynasty, only Imperial Uncle Li, Elder Huayan, Helian Boxiong, and Huo Yu with Double Pupils were willing to come and help in the great calamity.

By some strange coincidence, he thought of the Celestial Water Palace Master Gu Ziqing and immediately wrote a letter asking for her help.

Concerned with the world's common people, Gu Ziqing agreed without hesitation, but when Li Dong'Er and Ling Qiushui learned about it, they insisted on following.

Li Dong'Er was full of excitement,

"Unexpectedly, in such a short time, Master Kui's fame has spread across the land. Along our journey, there have been many praises among the people, and quite a few places have even set up longevity plaques."

Ling Qiushui gazed blankly ahead,

"Taoist Brother Zhang, unparalleled hero, is indeed a model for us."

Gu Ziqing's eye twitched, not wanting to speak.

Li Dong'Er quickly flattered, "A few days ago, Master said a fire tribulation was imminent, and today with the great calamity of heaven and earth approaching, you also came without hesitation, you are really…"

"Shut up!"

...

"Achoo!"

In the backyard of the Astronomical Bureau in Tong City, Zhang Kui sneezed several times and then suddenly became furious:

"Who the hell is cursing me!"

Saying that, he cast two Crisis Resolution Skills on himself before he felt relieved and continued focusing on the "Divine Court Bell" in his hand.

Since obtaining the Red Lotus Karmic Fire, drawing out the Locust Demon was no longer a problem. Successfully eliminating this "Disaster Beast" was the primary concern now.

Could the Disaster Exorcism Skill, along with the current "Divine Court Bell," be effective?

Zhang Kui was not at all confident and could only think of ways to increase the success rate as much as possible.

First was the "Divine Court Bell." A mere Incense Fire God in Shen Xu was definitely insufficient. But now that the Divine Path was destroyed and evil spirits were rampant, the minds of those controlled little gods varied, and Zhang Kui did not pin his hopes on them.

Fortunately, things took a turn for the better.

Zhang Kui's mind was slightly stirred, and the Divine Strange Pearl appeared in his hand. Having ignored it for a long time, this pearl unexpectedly emitted a rich yellow light, surrounded by misty air.

Shen Xu watched from the side with eager eyes.

"The Star Lord is indeed the Star Lord. This wish power has already condensed into substance. I wonder how many people on Central State are sincerely praying for you."

Zhang Kui couldn't help but scratch his head,

"Old Zhang acts only according to his heart, never expecting anyone to remember. Who knew this would happen."

There was a hint of reluctance in Shen Xu's eyes,

"Star Lord, are you really going to integrate this into the 'Divine Court Bell'? You must know that so much wish power is countless times stronger than incense. Even if the physical body disappears, you could still use it to switch to cultivating the Divine Path."

Zhang Kui laughed loudly, shaking his head and said, "Why think so much about it? Now, dealing with the great calamity is the priority. Besides, the things of the world should be returned to the people. Old Zhang doesn't covet them."

Shen Xu nodded, then frowned with a worried look, "It's just that the birth of a new god will inevitably cause heavenly signs. Those little demons are easy to handle, but I'm afraid the news of your Divine Strange Pearl might not stay hidden."

"If it can't stay hidden, then so be it..."

A fierce light flashed in Zhang Kui's eyes, "Resolving this calamity will live up to the name 'National Guardian'. Once Old Zhang is free, it will be time to maneuver."

"As long as I live, no one will have an easy time!"

Suddenly, Zhang Kui's gaze shifted slightly, and the "Divine Court Bell" and Divine Strange Pearl on the table quickly disappeared.

Only to see Captain Yuan Kong from Lanzhou's Astronomical Bureau hurriedly walk in with a strange expression and cupped his hands, saying:

"True Man, a guest seeks audience. It's someone from the Yang Family."

Zhang Kui frowned,

"Alright, I want to see what they want."

Upon reaching the main hall, he saw a handsome young man in a white brocade robe standing there, with Divine Light within, clearly having reached the Grain Avoidance Realm.

The young man respectfully cupped his hands and said:

"True Man Zhang, this junior is Yang Chixuan from the Yang Family. The patriarch is in seclusion undergoing tribulation, but still worries about the great locust disaster, and specifically sent me to await your orders."

Zhang Kui snorted, "Don't say such pretentious things. Old Zhang is currently focused on disaster relief. So, what can you do?"

He really looked down on these National Guardian True Man families and naturally wouldn't speak kindly to them.

Yang Chixuan dared not say much, quickly cupping his hands and saying: "Whatever True Man needs, the entire Yang Family would go through fire and water without hesitation."

Being valued by the Yang Family patriarch, Yang Chixuan certainly wasn't a fool. Though he was in the Grain Avoidance Realm, Zhang Kui was as well, but everyone knew they were absolutely different; this was someone who could even kill a National Guardian True Man.

Truly, if provoked, no one could protect him.

Zhang Kui nodded, "Alright then, just right, there are four National Guardian True Men and one Celestial Tribulation Realm friend coming, along with over twenty Grain Avoidance Realm guest ministers. Your Yang Family is rich, so handle the hospitality."

Yang Chixuan listened in shock, having no idea about such matters, wondering what this person was up to?

Though his mind was full of doubt, he dared not ask more, bowing and saying: "This junior obeys."

At this moment, Yuan Kong walked in again, cupped his hands and said: "True Man, True Man Gu from Qingzhou's Celestial Water Palace has arrived with two disciples."

Before he finished speaking, a cry from an eagle was heard, and a fierce wind swept through the courtyard as Li Dong'Er rushed in excitedly, "Master Kui, I'm here!"

Zhang Kui laughed loudly and strode out,

"Haven't seen you in half a year; I didn't expect Dong'Er to grow into a young lady. That's the Xunfeng Eagle, you've raised it well!"

He, along with his apprentice Liu Mao'Er, roamed the Jianghu, feeling deep affection, treating Li Dong'Er like a sister.

"No way, it has a name, it's called Thunder Shock."

Li Dong'Er said proudly.

"Thunder Shock?"

Zhang Kui was initially stunned, then nodded and laughed heartily, "Good name, but you should switch to a Purple Gold Hammer to match."

Li Dong'Er was speechless,

"Always teasing me, no girl's supposed to wield a hammer…"

While they were joking, Gu Ziqing and his disciples walked in, and Zhang Kui immediately composed himself, cupping his hands: "Taoist Friend Gu, I apologize for troubling you this time."

Gu Ziqing's expression remained unchanged, poised and dignified, "Taoist Friend Zhang, for the people of the world, I must do my utmost."

The two wore serious expressions, but neither knew what to say for a moment.

Ling Qiushui stepped forward, slightly blushing, her eyes filled with longing, "Taoist Brother Zhang, it's been a year, I miss you dearly."

"Oh, really."

Zhang Kui looked awkward, "Haha… haha…"

Li Dong'Er looked at the two of them with a puzzled face.

Yang Chixuan, standing to the side, was initially a bit dizzy.

Master Kui, Taoist Friend, Taoist Brother… the titles are all over the place, with no order, but he seemed to notice something, quickly lowering his head.

Damn, this True Man Zhang is formidable…