Starting Cultivation During a Trip

Chapter 630: Chapter 307: Who Among All Heroes Can Be My Match! When Success Comes, Tribulation Arrives (Part 2)

Huang Shulang’s eyes were unfocused, a hint of longing and awe hidden within his murky gaze.

Since that day, he had never seen such a man, with a presence grander than the sky, and a spirit deeper than the ocean.

On that day, even the aged and time-worn Old Demon Leader came out to greet the man’s arrival.

”He looked like a fallen Daoist, wandering the Jianghu, drifting with the wind... At that time, I couldn’t help but wonder, is such a person truly the number one under heaven?”

The old man’s gaze grew ever more unfocused.

The splendor of yesterday seemed to be right here, right now, just before his eyes.

It was as if he returned to that sunny afternoon, hiding in the wild grass, watching from afar that bearded, yet spirited man, with light in his eyes.

”If he’s not the number one under heaven, then who is?” the old woman murmured softly.

Suddenly, the big red flower on her head gently shook, releasing a fragrant pollen that floated and scattered throughout the ancient cave, hovering before Zhang Fan’s eyes.

Hoo...

In an instant, Zhang Fan’s Primordial Spirit trembled; it seemed as if he saw countless light shadows dancing and flying.

The great sun hung high, the sunlight brilliant.

Deep within Cang Mountain, demonic auras crisscrossed, encircling vast areas, like armies pressing on the city, threatening massacre, not to mention the spirit monsters hidden below the mountains, concealed within the wild grass.

In the Hundred Thousand Mountains, there were thousands of demons, ghosts, and spirits, all lying dormant here.

Such a grand display, yet none dared act rashly, only filled with awe, gazing up at the mountain palace.

There, a solitary, thin figure was seated, wearing a broad Daoist Robe. Across from him was a massive figure, like a small hill, unconstrainedly exuding a terrifying demonic aura, surpassing any other absolute might.

Sunlight cast upon that massive figure, yet what appeared on the rock face was the shadow of a giant elephant.

”Three Corpses Daoist, even with your unparalleled divine techniques, you may not be able to slaughter all the demons of the Hundred Thousand Mountains.”

Suddenly, a deafening roar came from the mountain peak, piercing the eardrums of all the demons, ghosts, and spirits.

Old Demon Leader spoke, despite his age, his fierce might remained, causing every figure to bow.

”Leave! We have no wine for you in the Hundred Thousand Mountains.” Old Demon Leader issued the expulsion order.

”A confidant doesn’t need a thousand cups of wine; even an empty tea can intoxicate.”

At this moment, the solitary figure spoke, shaking the empty cup in his hand, with a slight smile on his lips.

”Old Elephant, how do you find the taste of this tea?”

”Tea? Where’s the tea from?” Old Demon Leader looked at the shaking empty cup, speaking in a heavy voice.

”Here it is.”

The solitary figure whispered, slowly placing down the empty cup. As it touched the ground, a metallic sound arose.

Rumble...

Suddenly, a terrifying atmospheric aura overshadowed the mountains, pressing down from all directions.

All the demons, ghosts, and spirits’ faces changed drastically, lifting their heads, witnessing the atmosphere growing more terrifying, stretching north to south, east to west, obscuring the sky and earth, the sun and moon empty, the stars shivering.

Within that, seemingly only one person remained, ruling over heaven and earth, with none above.

Rumble...

In the next moment, numerous Primordial Spirits soared into the sky, involuntarily flying towards the man’s empty cup.

In the Hundred Thousand Mountains, demons and ghosts lay dormant; in an instant, they became the fragrance of the empty cup of tea.

The man sat there, suppressing the entire Hundred Thousand Mountains.

Ask the mountains under heaven, is this peak the highest?

Standing alone, which hero under heaven is his rival?

”The number one under heaven, truly the number one!”

At the mountain peak, the Old Demon Leader’s voice was hoarse, filled with indescribable fear and shock.

Rumble...

Light and shadow faded, like dust falling.

Only the shock remained, lingering in everyone’s hearts.

”Three Corpses Refining God... that man was truly domineering, an empty cup holding all the demons and spirits of the Hundred Thousand Mountains...” the old man sighed slowly.

On that day, his Primordial Spirit was captured from afar, unforgettable to this day.

”Not long after that day, the Old Demon Leader passed away in despondency.”

The old woman whispered, her gaze towards Zhang Fan growing more complex.

”Your methods just now were really like his.”

”Only, you’re a firefly’s light, while he’s the brilliance of the full moon.”

Hearing this, Zhang Fan did not refute. Such an evaluation was already very high, considering the comparison was with the former number one master under heaven.

Besides, Zhang Fan merely swallowed the demons and ghosts of the Yellow Skin Cave.

But the Three Corpses Daoist of those days had seen all the demons and spirits of the Hundred Thousand Mountains captured.

One man suppressing the mountains, the difference clear.

”Time is truly miraculous...” the old woman sighed.

”Life and death, blooming together within time!”

Time flowed slowly, carrying decay and renewal.

The old woman looked at Zhang Fan, as if seeing the cycle of time, her eyes shimmering.

Once upon a time, she too was as vibrant as Zhang Fan.

At this moment, perhaps she lamented time’s mercilessness, or mourned the hopeless pursuit of longevity.

”Senior...”

Zhang Fan called softly, bringing the old woman’s thoughts back.

”At my age, no need for such courtesy.” The old man glanced sideways, speaking indifferently.

”As you age, you often recall many things from the past.”

”After all, time is meant for reminiscing.”

As she spoke, a smile appeared on the old woman’s face, like gently falling powder.

”Little ghost of South Zhang, have you taken a liking to the Jiuyao from our cave?” the old woman suddenly changed the topic.

”Kindred spirits.” Zhang Fan hesitated briefly, then replied.

”Do humans always speak so formally?”

The old woman turned her head, looking at the old man.

”Hypocrisy is their nature.” The old man nodded.

”The third one has allied with the White Crane Temple, and Jiuyao has connected with you.” The old woman shook her head.

”What is the senior’s point...”

”Frankly, our stance has always been clear. The young ones forming cliques for benefits is allowed, but if you expect us to make efforts for the Yellow Skin Cave...”

”That’s impossible!”

”...”

”Truly worthy of being old demons.” Zhang Fan silently sighed.

The affairs within the cave were like a clear mirror in the minds of these two old yellow-skinned rats. No matter who allied with whom, as long as the benefits were sufficient, shouting slogans and pledging loyalty were fine, but actual effort was out of the question.

In other words, this was called maintaining neutrality and reaping benefits from all sides.

”I understand the senior’s meaning, actually, I feel the same.” Zhang Fan nodded.

He didn’t intend to pull the Yellow Skin Cave onto his side; as long as they didn’t side with the White Crane Temple, that was enough.

As for Li Changgeng, if he wanted to play the fool, Zhang Fan would gladly watch it happen.

Moreover, he had already formed a positive relationship with Huang Jiu, and one day, if the Yellow Skin Cave underwent a change of leadership, a good outcome might not be impossible.

”Little ghost, have you cultivated the Three Corpses Illuminating Fate?”

Suddenly, the old man spoke, fixing a deep gaze on Zhang Fan, his eyebrows slightly furrowed.

”You could say I have, and yet I haven’t.” Zhang Fan pondered a bit.

Strictly speaking, he had only cultivated the Divine Splitting Technique of [Three Corpses Illuminating Fate], which was an introductory practice; as for deep meditation, he hadn’t ventured there yet.

”You’ve planted deep roots in this technique.” The old woman sighed.

”Back in the day, someone from your South Zhang lineage entered the Hundred Thousand Mountains multiple times, exploring the secrets of this technique.”

”The South Zhang lineage?” Zhang Fan’s heart was stirred, and he couldn’t help but ask, ”Who?”

”Divine Oracle Zhang Tian Sheng!” The old man uttered a name.

”You should know him.”

”Mm, he’s my grandfather.” Zhang Fan nodded.

”So you’re his descendant.” The old woman realized.

Here, the old woman paused slightly and shook her head. ”You really shouldn’t cultivate this technique.”

”Why?” Zhang Fan asked instinctively.

”Years ago, Zhang Tian Sheng traveled across the Hundred Thousand Mountains and did discover something. He once visited our Yellow Skin Cave, discussing the Nine Techniques, and mentioned...”

”Of the Nine Great Inner Elixir Methods, aside from the never-revealed Ninth Method, the most difficult to cultivate is the Three Corpses Illuminating Fate.”

”Do you know why?”

”Why?” Zhang Fan shook his head, indicating he didn’t know.

”Three Corpses Illuminating Fate is different from other techniques; it appears to be an end, but is in fact a beginning.” The old woman sighed.

”What do you mean?” Zhang Fan furrowed his brows.

”Zhang Tian Sheng left a saying.” The old man looked coldly at Zhang Fan, his elderly lips slightly parting.

”When success is achieved, the tribulation will arrive!”

”Beware! Beware!”