Cultivation Starts from Killing Pigs

Tong City Astronomical Bureau.

A gust of wind swept past, and a black shadow darted onto the rooftop.

It was Zhang Kui, who flicked his robe and sat boldly on the stone beast's head, took a swig from his wine flask, and gazed toward the southwest.

There, the cold moon hung solitary, casting a chill everywhere; the mountains loomed black, the great river was serene, and the pavilions and towers stood in close rows, with twinkling lights from countless homes.

Gu Ziqing and his disciples were arranged to stay over there...

A night of passion is still passion; a maiden's heart is not to be tricked, not to mention the two lifetimes of fate at Sishui Crossing over there.

Zhang Kui always knew he wasn't popular with women, so he lived freely without care. Still, having too many women around made his scalp tingle.

"What an ill-fated relationship, what an ill-fated relationship..."

Zhang Kui sighed and shook his head slightly. With impending catastrophe, these matters are best set aside for now and left to fate later.

By his calculation, Elder Huayan and the others should have left the Capital City by now. Having many people is trouble; they're estimated to arrive in three days.

Integrating the Divine Strange Pearl into the Divine Court Bell was just one part; to amplify its power, a ritual altar was necessary.

Though a major ceremony with thousands lasting forty-nine days couldn't be done, with six National Guardians and over twenty Grain Avoidance Realm cultivators, it should be enough...

Just then, he frowned and looked to his right, where a gust of cold wind passed, revealing a hazy figure in coarse clothing, wearing a straw hat, with white hair.

It was the Lanjiang River God.

Zhang Kui maintained a neutral expression, "What brings you here?"

The Lanjiang River God sighed, bent forward, and clasped his hands, "Locusts cover the sky, all withers. Little god didn't expect this locust plague to be so vicious. True Man Zhang's great virtue, if there is a task..."

Zhang Kui looked impatient, "I know your background; you know my wish. If you were sincere, you'd have come to me earlier. Speak plainly without beating around the bush."

The Lanjiang River God paused slightly, then cautiously asked, "True Man Zhang, little god noticed that the Astronomical Bureau has frequently emitted divine light these days..."

So that was it.

Zhang Kui sneered, "No hurry; you'll find out in a few days."

The Lanjiang River God was at a loss for words,

"Then, little god takes his leave."

With that, a breeze dissipated, and he vanished.

"Hmph, indecisive!"

Zhang Kui snorted and focused his gaze slightly. Shen Xu was right; it seems that there are those who can't be fooled. It might attract trouble then.

If that's the case, let's make a big deal of it!

......

Haojing City, a steady drizzle fell.

Emperor Li Shuo stood by the window, looking at the Imperial City in the night rain, eyes slightly narrowed.

"Have the Imperial Uncle and the others... all left?"

A eunuch quickly bent down,

"To report to Your Majesty, the fleet should now have reached Lai State."

Li Shuo took a deep breath, picked up a token and letter from the table, and handed them to the eunuch.

"Deliver it to my teacher Situ Yan."

"Yes, Majesty."

Watching the eunuch leave in a hurry, a flash of unease crossed Li Shuo's eyes, then he muttered to himself fiercely:

"Father, I now understand your hardship, just wait, taking over the Astronomical Bureau is just the first step..."

Whoosh!

A tendril flashed across his cheek and quickly retracted, unnoticed by Li Shuo...

The eunuch led people through the rain-drenched Capital City and soon delivered the items to Situ Yan's residence.

Situ Yan returned to his bedroom expressionless, unable to hold back a chuckle while looking at the Golden Dragon Token in his hand, a white streak flashing in his eyes.

"The great matter is accomplished, henceforth, Qiongshan Academy shall be the leader in the world, skilled in both literature and martial arts, and renowned for all time. Though I, Situ Yan, cannot cultivate, I have not wasted this life!"

"Indeed..."

In the darkness, Hua Niang eerily descended slowly from a beam, waving her eight arms continuously, as strands of white silk entered Situ Yan's ears.

"Now, just waiting for the prey to enter the trap."

"Indeed, now just waiting for the prey to enter the trap!"

Situ Yan's eyes were covered in white silk...

......

In the morning, outside the Grand Profound Lake of the Astronomical Bureau.

"Halt!"

The guards at the gate saw a large group of green-clad scholars striding forward and immediately raised their long spears.

"The Astronomical Bureau is a restricted area; no idlers allowed!"

The leader, Qin Yi, smiled and slowly raised the Golden Dragon Token, "I am Qin Wu from Qiongshan Academy. The Astronomical Bureau is understaffed, and I come by the Emperor's command to assist."

The guards exchanged shocked glances, then slowly knelt on one knee.

Qin Yi smiled slightly, looked up at the large plaque of "National Guardian and Exorcism" at the Astronomical Bureau, a hint of irony at the corner of his mouth, and strode inside.

The Astronomical Bureau was unprecedentedly weakened.

Seven State Preceptors were stationed at the Sealed Demon Cave, suppressing the Divine Corpse with the National Guardian Divine Artifact, waiting for Emperor Li Shuo to fully adapt before awakening.

The True Man was not present, the Guest Ministers were not there, and the Black-clothed Profound Guards could only let the suddenly appearing scholars take over key locations.

Qin Yi walked leisurely through the Astronomical Bureau, green light flickering in his eyes as he looked around, smiling.

"As expected, still the path of Square Immortal Road. Li Wuji, a mere leader of the floating people, could only achieve this..."

"Hmm, three puppets are still hidden at the lake's bottom, haha, heaven's help is mine."

He then looked toward the Sealed Demon Cave.

"State Preceptor... National Guardian Divine Artifact, if awakened, would be truly dangerous. But, you may never awaken. If not discovered accidentally, who could have thought those alchemists secretly left a backup, the Divine Corpse..."

Thinking of something, Qin Yi's face grew excited and twisted.

Outside the gate of the Astronomical Bureau, Yin Bai hurried along with his head down.

"Vice Commander Yin."

Yin Bai shuddered, turning slowly to bow, "Eunuch Wang."

Director Eunuch Wang of the Astronomical Bureau sighed, "It seems you've been suspended too, who could have thought His Majesty would suddenly act, but don't worry, when the Imperial Uncle returns, order will be restored."

"I understand,"

Yin Bai replied expressionlessly, but inside he was shouting frantically, that man is a demon, a survivor of the escaped demons from Qingzhou, the Astronomical Bureau is in great danger!

But he dared not speak, not even reveal the slighest different expression. The demon had seized power with the Emperor's token, who knew what had really happened, and who would believe?

He must quickly notify Imperial Uncle Li!

Thinking of this, Yin Bai hurriedly excused himself, quickly heading out of the city, but as he walked, inexplicably found himself in a small alley from the main street.

"Ghost Wall!"

Terror struck Yin Bai, and he drew his longsword with a clang, simultaneously throwing a talisman.

However, as the talisman burned away, it had no effect, and faint black fog rose within the alley instead.

Amidst the black fog, two red lights glowed first, then accompanied by a hissing sound, a giant python slithered out.

The python's flesh was decaying, revealing bronze mottles through the rot, exuding dense Yin Qi, freezing its path visibly.

Its eyes flashed red, delivering Qin Yi's voice: "Hehe, if it wasn't for the roster, I'd almost missed an old acquaintance from Qingzhou, Eunuch Yin. I remember well you led the hunt before."

What kind of monster is this!

Yin Bai took a deep breath, bent holding his sword with both hands, and suddenly roared:

"Kill!"

......

Upon the canal, the fleet sailed grandly.

Atop the large central ship's deck, Li Xuanji, dressed in brocade robes, extended his right hand as a shadow crow descended instantly.

He took out the secret message, glanced at it, and nodded slightly, "No issues in the Capital City, and that Yellow Eyebrow Thief monk's group hasn't acted either."

Elder Huayan beside him sighed,

"Years of friendship, who would have thought it would end like this."

Helian Boxiong, who had just boarded from Lai State, snorted coldly, "If they wish to seek death, let them die. A bunch of short-sighted fools. If humanity falls into chaos, there's hardly a place in all this world to survive!"

"You're quite right,"

Elder Huayan nodded.

Just then, another shadow crow flew in.

The shadow crow was only supposed to travel between two locations, but Li Xuanji, fearing delays, had moved the shadow crow's nest onto the ship, turning it into a mobile command center.

"It's True Man Zhang."

Li Xuanji took the secret message from the shadow crow, glanced at it, his eyes filled with doubt and surprise, "What does Zhang Kui intend to do?"

"What is it?"

Elder Huayan frowned inquiringly.

Imperial Uncle Li Xuanji took a deep breath,

"He intends to hold a national festival, a great ceremony for the people's prayer of blessings!"