Chapter 95.1: This Is Called Foundation Establishment

Hearing the name Black Rooster Demon, Qi Yuan's heart tightened.

Ever since he'd massacred the Black Mountain Sect, that name had always been like a sharp blade hanging above his head. Now, judging from what the nine Nascent Soul cultivators in the room were saying, a thrilling thought surfaced in his mind.

The old man leaning on a cane said solemnly, "Black Rooster Demon walks the demonic path, a scourge at our Great Shang cultivation world. He has slaughtered our peers without reason. His Black Mountain Sect was even more tyrannical. They ravished the innocent, and committed every imaginable evil. Now that we have discovered his whereabouts, we must strike him down with thunderous might!"

Black Rooster Demon was one of the few mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators within the Great Shang realm, and he was merely a single step away from becoming the late stage.

Moreover, he had no sect behind him, roamed freely, and was a master of evasion techniques, almost all great sects dared not provoke him.

But this time was different. His cave was discovered and he was in seclusion, attempting his breakthrough. So they had prepared a trap to slay him.

Of course, Qi Yuan believed the true reason was that once Black Rooster Demon broke through, the balance of power within Great Shang would shift. These senior cultivators didn't want another tyrant lording over them.

The nine Nascent Soul cultivators raised their voices.

"Strike down Black Rooster Demon! To act in Heaven’s will is the wish of all cultivators!"

"We must kill him!"

Even the Core Formation cultivators standing aside had excitement in their eyes. Qi Yuan felt it too. With so many Nascent Soul cultivators joining forces, Black Rooster Demon's death seemed certain.

Then, a voice transmitted directly into Qi Yuan’s ears.

"

The Black Rooster Demon has many disciples, some at Foundation Establishment, and others at Core Formation. However you choose to do it, as long as you slay one Core Formation cultivator, you'll pass my test. This battle is dangerous. Even Core Formation cultivators may perish. If you wish to withdraw, this is your last chance.

"

Qi Yuan replied firmly,

"No need."

In the Celestial Dragon Realm, he had already slain countless Core Formation cultivators. They were no more than stray dogs to him now. And with nine Nascent Soul experts leading the assault, there was nothing to fear.

Lord Withered Tree said, "

Good, as long as you slay one Core Formation cultivator, you'll pass. Afterward, I will discuss something with you. If you agree, great fortune awaits. If you refuse, I shall still grant you another opportunity.

"

Through voice transmission, Qi Yuan agreed without hesitation.

A while later, the nine Nascent Soul elders completed their battle plan and signed a pact among themselves. Only Qi Yuan and the other Core Formation cultivators were exempt.

The cane-bearing elder commanded, "Let’s move."

With a wave of his hand, the twenty-plus cultivators cast spells to conceal their auras, then flew toward the depths of Ten Thousand Demon Ridge.

Before long, the elder halted. "This place is called the Six Demon Cavern. There are six entrances. We'll enter through the central one and strike Black Rooster Demon directly!"

The nine Nascent Souls nodded, masked their auras, and entered the central cave together.

At that moment, one Core Formation cultivator said, "There are five other entrances here and thirteen of us. Let's split into five teams, you can form your own."

Soon, five teams were formed.

Qi Yuan, being only at the Foundation Establishment realm, ended up alone. No one wanted to team with him.

After all, venturing into the Six Demon Cavern was extremely dangerous. No Core Formation cultivator wished to be dragged down by a junior. Besides, a Foundation Establishment cultivator participating in such an event was likely a sect favored genius. If that genius died near them, they could incur the wrath of a Nascent Soul elder. Better to avoid trouble altogether.

Qi Yuan didn’t mind. Being alone suited him.

Just then, someone’s hoarse voice broke the silence. "I'll team up with this young man."

With that, a black-robed elder stepped toward Qi Yuan. No one objected.

The cane-bearing elder said, "Since the five teams are set, let's enter the caverns."

The five teams of Core Formation cultivators each chose an entrance and disappeared into the darkness. Qi Yuan and the black-robed elder entered together.

The light dimmed. The cave was vast, easily twenty meters wide. The walls were made of some strange, rock-hard material that seemed tougher than ordinary stone.

The old man turned and said courteously, "My surname is Liu, I'm a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator. Should danger arise, let's look after each other."

He was exceedingly polite.

Look after each other? But between a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator and a Foundation Establishment junior, it’s clearly one-sided protection.

Of course, it was merely courtesy. He would be protecting Qi Yuan, not the other way around. Still, Old Liu’s words came from sincerity, an attempt to befriend this promising youth.

Qi Yuan simply nodded. "Alright."

Old Liu smiled, respectful and humble.

He was a wandering cultivator who had struggled hard to reach the Core Formation realm. Despite being a strong figure by ordinary standards in Great Shang, he was still nothing compared to the three great sects or even the mid-sized ones backed by Nascent Soul elders. Moreover, old and had many dependents, he sought to forge ties with young talents. Hence why he chose to enter the same cave as Qi Yuan. He had decided, whatever happened, he would protect this youth with his life.

Of course, it was still a gamble. If this "genius" turned out cruel or ungrateful, he would have wagered his life on the wrong man.

They flew deeper into the cavern.

Suddenly, someone’s cold cry echoed ahead. "Who dares intrude into the Six Demon Cavern?"

Three Foundation Establishment cultivators appeared, blocking their paths. They brandished their weapons.

The leader fiercely gazed at them, exuding a thick aura of blood. Clearly, a man who had slain many. Yet at this moment, uncertainty flickered in his eyes.

Old Liu did not move. He was curious to see how Qi Yuan would handle it.

After all, these were mere Foundation Establishment cultivators, unlikely to require his intervention. Besides, Qi Yuan was a prodigy. He didn’t wish to steal the young man’s moment.

Qi Yuan stepped forward and barked, "Your grandpa!"

He threw a punch. Bare-handed, his strike landed without any hesitation. Before the three could even react, their bodies shattered into dust.

Old Liu stared, dumbfounded.

Even as a mid-stage Core Foundation cultivator himself, he couldn't have done it so easily! This wasn’t just talent. He was genius, a prodigy among prodigies!

Even the so-called Ten Geniuses of Great Shang paled in comparison.

Old Liu’s heart pounded madly. He had bet correctly, this youth was truly a prodigy.

Old Liu praised Qi Yuan, "Fellow Daoist, your strength is truly terrifying. Even this old man feels ashamed before you!"

He was being humble, of course. A Core Formation cultivator’s greatest weapon was his Core. Once unleashed, no Foundation Establishment cultivator would stand a chance.

Qi Yuan only sighed. "It’s nothing. I know a senior sister, when she was still at Foundation Establishment, she was far stronger than I am."

He was referring to the Iceberg Empress, a true powerhouse among cultivators.

Old Liu blinked, speechless.

If this is "nothing much," then what did that make every Foundation Establishment cultivator in Great Shang, including the so-called Ten Genius Ranking? Worthless trash?

He could only laugh awkwardly. "Then your friends must be peerless prodigies indeed."

After cleaning up the battlefield, Old Liu uttered gravely, "Now that we’ve killed their Foundation Establishment guards, the others inside will surely be alerted. We must move quickly before they can prepare."

They advanced further into the cavern.

Suddenly, Old Liu stopped, his gaze fixed ahead. Sorrow flashed in his eyes. "Black Rooster Demon truly deserves death!"