The Science of Cultivation [Xianxia]

Chapter 235: Brewing Storm

Li Lang’s group, led by Ma Kong, quickly evacuated from the deviator stronghold. They followed the lead of their strongest ally without hesitation during these critical moments.

“If we’re in such a hurry, does that mean Senior Zhu is in trouble outside?” Li Lang asked as they climbed out of the hole that connected the underground base to the outside world.

“No. She’s fine for now, but she can only last for so long.”

With a few words, Ma Kong explained the situation they were in prior to coming to get them. The two late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators were in a stalemate with dozens of deviators. When a stalemate occurred between two parties with such stark contrast in numbers, the side with superior quantity usually had the advantage. That was because they could cover for each other while their allies rested or consumed pills.

A lone powerful cultivator would never win a war of attrition against a large group that was capable of containing them.

For that reason, Ma Kong hurried them along, rushing away from the area on his Skyrunner. Once they made some distance, he took out a jade of some sort and crushed it. Not long after, a lone Skyrunner rendezvoused with them mid-flight. It was naturally Zhu Yi returning.

“It seems your side has been successful. Good.”

“It’s all thanks to you two Seniors,” Li Lang politely replied as he clasped his fist to them.

Zhu Yi smiled.

“I’m glad nothing irreversible happened, and you had the opportunity to experience real combat against human cultivators as well.”

“Your meaning is—you purposefully orchestrated a plan where we would fight them? I’m sorry Senior, but wasn’t that too risky when we couldn’t confirm the safety of Wei Ping at the time?”

“A cultivator should be no stranger to risk. The plan we came up with was also one with the highest chance of success. We didn’t go out of our way to select it, only to give you experience. It just happens to work out nicely.”

“I see.” Li Lang nodded to himself as he calmed down and thought it through. “Sorry for questioning you like that.”

“No need to apologize. We know what it is like to be young. Isn’t that right, Ma Kong?”

Looking over at the stoic man, his expression remained unchanging. He glared at Li Lang wordlessly.

“B-Boss, shouldn’t we check on the injured?” Wei Ping called out, trying to defuse the awkward silence.

“Right. If you’ll excuse me, Seniors.”

“Go ahead. We’ll take care of driving the Skyrunner for the rest of the day. We should be able to make it to a town before night falls.”

Heading inside the Skyrunner with his companions, Li Lang quickly summoned the Crucible and enlarged it so they could enter. The three went in together and found themselves in the main lobby, where there were dozens of thick red pillars.

It didn’t take long for them to locate their students. They were in the clearing in front of the private room area, sitting around. All the ones who had stepped past the Energy Gathering Realm were meditating with serious expressions on their face. That was why the younger disciples in the mortal realm noticed the arrival of their teachers first.

“Teachers, we gave those people you rescued their own rooms. They’re resting now. Do you want us to get them?”

“Teacher Wei is back! I was sure you guys would be able to punish those evil cultivators!”

“Teachers, all the seniors came back injured with gloomy expressions, so we were worried about you!”

Seeing the excitement in his students, Li Lang felt a restless part of him calming down. It finally sunk in that the rescue mission was a success. He was no longer taut like a string, and Wei Ping was safe.

However, his moment of relief was brief. Several new things quickly came to mind as soon as he relaxed. Their group had many shortcomings. There was a lot to do before they could truly stand independently with their meager strength.

His mind was focused on the upcoming event taking place on Sword Saint Isle. It was an opportunity to remedy all these weaknesses they had. Having exchanges with other cultivators in the Foundation Establishment Realm would allow him to learn a lot. It was only with enough knowledge that he could start coming up with proper methods to strengthen themselves.

A cultivator’s time was limited. They had to curate their arsenal of techniques carefully, as they couldn’t afford to split their attention too wide.

Artifacts, cultivation techniques, Qi arts, martial arts, and so much more. Am I ever going to have enough time to resume my research on topics like alchemy or brushweaving?

***

Back in the deviator stronghold, deep within the mountain ranges where neither demonic cultivators nor orthodox sects laid claim, a large gathering of cultivators was in the middle of fierce discussions.

“You imbeciles! We left you behind as guards and you somehow allowed intruders to invade deep into our home?” a man bellowed.

“Dong Guang and his group were standing guard at the entrance. That is usually enough. How would I know that they would fail at simple guard duty so easily?” Yuan Tao retorted. “And before you continue to yell at us, don’t forget your group failed to catch the invaders as well, Xi Jin!”

Moments ago, Yuan Tao had been found with his life hanging by a thread, but he swiftly recovered after ingesting some high-quality pills. Anyone who saw him now would’ve never suspected that he had been so severely injured that he was only a step away from death just moments ago.

“No need to be so hasty in deflecting responsibility! You may be weak, being defeated so easily, but at least you still put up a fight. The same couldn’t be said for the lot behind you. They are either cowards or stupid imbeciles who can’t even step away from their hobby of torturing their feed for a few moments! Did you know you people cost Master Min his entire collection? You’re all going to have to explain yourselves to him when he returns.”

“What?!”

A commotion quickly spread among the crowd of deviators. It was the first they had heard of this for many of them. Only a few of them bothered to investigate the entire base after the invasion. Most of them were too tired after fighting with a formidable foe to care or were already holed up in their rooms in the first place.

However, before the commotion could get out of control, one of the lookouts outside came rushing.

“Report. Our guests from afar are finally here!”

“Hmm, welcome them in. We can’t afford to offend them at all. It’s unfortunate, though. If they weren’t late, they would’ve been here when this mess happened. These invaders never would’ve survived if that were the case.”

The news about the guests calmed everyone in an instant. They all adjusted their clothing, trying to make themselves as presentable as possible as they awaited their arrival.

A few moments later, a small group started filing into the main corridor of their base. They consisted mostly of young men and women, except for the one leading them.

She was an old woman with wrinkles all over her, but stood straight as an arrow. The most eye-catching thing about her was several coffins floating around her. Combined with her formidable aura, her presence sent chills to all who laid eyes on her.

Their entrance silenced the entire venue as no one dared to speak in the presence of such a powerful expert without their permission. They even breathed lightly in fear of making a noise that drew that wrong type of attention to themselves.

The old woman went around to each deviator present and carefully regarded their face before moving on to the next. This made her victims even more nervous than they already were.

Thankfully, there were more level-headed people within this group. A young man stepped forward toward the interim leader of this stronghold and clasped his fist.

“Greetings. We hope you’re all doing well. Please do forgive our teacher’s antics. We’ll be out of your way tomorrow morning, so I hope you won’t mind too much.”

“No, no. It’s fine,” Xi Jin said. “It’s important for people like us to assist each other or else we’ll be letting those arrogant brutes outside win.”

Deviators who could still retain their cognitive functions formed groups. These groups had a tacit arrangement with each other to provide shelter for each other, so they could weather any pursuits and escape the clutches of the orthodox sects or great organizations. With prior notice, this arrangement encompassed lodging when a group traveled.

That was why this old lady’s group was welcomed into the hideout. Otherwise, no matter how strong she was, most deviators would rather die than compromise.

“Umm, is there something troubling you?” the young man asked, upon noticing the strange expression of his host. “Feel free to ask. I’ll answer what I can.”

“Well—if it’s okay. We heard your group is planning something big out east. If you’re traveling here now, is the target what I think it is?”

The young man nodded. “That’s right.”

“What?! Have they finally slipped up and offended your teacher?”

“That’s about right. I won’t go into detail—” the man looked over at the old lady. “—for obvious reasons, but things aren’t far from what you are thinking.”

“Then, do you think we could join you as—”

Before Xi Jin could finish his words, hysteric yelling cut him off. He turned to find the old lady staring down one of the nearby side tunnels with an enraged expression.

“Is something the matter with your mentor?” the man fearfully said. “Just tell us and we’ll strive to fix it immediately.”

“Oh man, I think it’s a little too late. Our teacher is sensitive to such things.” The man turned around to face his companions, holding up a hand to them. “Let’s do this quickly. I want to get everything cleaned up before dinner.”

Before the confused host could inquire further, the young man suddenly grabbed Xi Jin’s throat, and sparks of blue electricity were unleashed, frying the man until smoke rose from his body, spreading the scent of charred flesh. Behind him, his fellow disciple did the same, launching a surprise attack of their own on their hosts. They were ruthless and decisive, striking for the kill. The deviators native to the base stood no chance.