Chapter 927 - 695: Deep Into the Heartland
"No need for formalities, sit."
The voice was deep like a bell.
Shen Xuan looked up and saw a man around forty years old, with his face carved like with an axe, having distinct features. Thick eyebrows slanted into his temples.
Wearing a dark magic robe, he stood there like an isolated peak, his heavy aura pressed the air in the tent more solid.
True Master Wang Yue’s gaze swept across everyone, his expression solemn.
"You are all old members of the Bright Flame Sect, some words need not be spoken. In this expedition to the Southern Wilderness, we must prioritize the bigger picture and support each other."
The tone shifted, voice like metal and stone: "Military orders are like mountains, military law is merciless. If anyone tests the law, violates military orders, severe punishment awaits."
He raised his hand and drew it casually, the light and shadows in the tent shifted, forming a huge map of the Southern Wilderness.
On it, thirteen red arrows were prominently displayed, extending from the camp towards the depths of the Southern Wilderness.
This was the marching route of seven camps and thirteen families.
"The vanguard will sweep first. My left army follows, though danger is small, we must not take it lightly."
True Master Wang Yue pointed at the map’s mountains and rivers: "This is the Southern Wilderness, changes occur frequently. I hope you act cautiously, do not be greedy and rash."
He assigned tasks one by one, family leaders respectfully accepted orders.
When it was the turn of the Liu Family, True Master Wang Yue looked at Shen Xuan: "Are you Guo Shiyan?"
Shen Xuan bowed: "Junior Guo Shiyan, greetings to True Master."
"Ming Liu mentioned you to me."
True Master Wang Yue nodded slightly.
"Dharma Realm Body Refining, Foundation Establishment Perfection, aiming at Core Formation, with great ambitions. Focus well, you will surely fulfill your wishes."
"Thank you for your kind words, True Master."
Shen Xuan lowered his head to reply, yet there was no ripple in his heart.
He had heard many such words of encouragement.
An hour later, the discussion ended.
Shen Xuan returned to the family land with Liu Minglin.
Late at night, campfires flickered in the distance, casting long and short shadows.
"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Guo."
Liu Minglin suddenly spoke, tone serious: "My Liu Family will fully assist you in seeking the opportunity for Core Formation."
"Thank you, Clan Leader."
Shen Xuan bowed, looking deep into the Southern Wilderness.
The mountains and forests were pitch black like ink, demon qi flowed silently under the night.
Soon, raging fire ignited.
...
Rested overnight.
The next day at dawn, the Liu Family followed True Master Yue’s orders, moving along the predetermined route.
The horizon ahead blazed red.
Last night, the vanguard army had begun burning the barren mountains.
The ancient forests of the Southern Wilderness are deep and dense, with persistent miasma, greatly disadvantageous to the Human Race cultivators.
One fire to burn it all is the simplest.
The Sect seeks only land, burning the roots of grass and trees facilitates subsequent clearing.
Shen Xuan looked far into the distance.
Fire lines surged like a red dragon from the horizon, rolling black smoke soared, shading half the sky.
Where the flames licked, giant trees cracked and exploded, sparks rained upward like countering the clouds.
The forest, extending for dozens of miles, turned into a boiling furnace, heat wave rushed forward, twisting the air.
Countless low-tier demon beasts sprang out from the sea of fire, wailing across the lands.
Deer, roe, forest fox, iron-backed ape...
Some lost direction, crashing into the cultivator’s army, quickly harvested by sword light and talisman fire, becoming delicious dishes on the cultivators’ table.
The wind rose.
A Golden Core True Master stood in the void, his green robe fluttered, hands forming seals.
A gust rushed from north to south, pouring into the sea of fire.
Wind strengthened the fire, fire borrowed wind’s might, the red dragon suddenly expanded several times, sweeping and devouring the depths of the Southern Wilderness with terrifying speed.
Towering ancient trees collapsed in the flames, thousand-year-old vines turned to flying ashes, leaving only scorched earth in the fire’s wake.
The stench and ashes spread across the land, the sky stained dark red.
This fire, likely to burn for a long time.
The wall of flames advanced like a tide, the forest edge of the Southern Wilderness retreating in the burning.
Young beasts without awakened spirit intelligence wandered near the fire, wailing before being consumed.
Several demon birds soared, wings on fire, eventually falling into the thick smoke.
This is war.
No right or wrong, only life and death, gains and losses.
...
A month later, Shen Xuan accompanied the Liu Family cultivator’s team, gradually entering the depths of the Southern Wilderness.
In the Profound Origin Realm, survival for the Human Race has never been easy.
Ordinary secular mortals have an average lifespan of less than forty.
Even Qi Cultivation cultivators, once aged and weakened, qi blood becomes weak, still face the suffering of hunger, cold, and illness.
Qi Cultivation cultivators cannot yet avoid consuming food and being unaffected by cold and heat.
And this most numerous group of Qi Cultivation cultivators is the most solid foundation of the Cultivation Realm, yet also the easiest to lose as expendable materials.
Qin Country borders the Southern Wilderness, flames and wars never cease.
A minor battle every three years, a major war every ten years.
For the Human Race, it’s a war of expanding territories and tempering Dao Heart against demon beasts.
For demon beasts, it’s a life-and-death struggle, a feast of blood, and a chance for breakthroughs.
Demon beasts of the Southern Wilderness differ completely from the demon race in the Wilderness who live quietly.
Many among them have truly tasted the flesh and blood of cultivators and mortals.
The spiritual power contained in the essence blood, the life force lingering in the soul, is a deep temptation for demon beasts, an unmatched nourishing blood meal, comparable to a spirit pill in the eyes of Human Race cultivators.
Once tasted, it’s hard to return.
Like serial killers, they only remember this sensation, hunting and devouring cultivators and mortals repeatedly, satisfying their appetite while activating demon race bloodline.
Besides, there’s an important reason.
Demon beasts in the Southern Wilderness, like Human Race cultivators, essentially also reproduce too much.
Fixed survival space, while Human Race sects continue to consume, the Southern Wilderness cannot sustain, affecting the entire ecology.
Thus, demon race leaders and Human Race elites reach a tacit understanding.
Reduce by war, train armies by war.
While reducing numbers, they also train troops, allowing talented cultivators and demon beasts to stand out.