Chapter 314: 307 This is not enough to establish authority_1
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“Outnumbered and overpowered, it retreated back into the pond and dared not come out again.”
Qin Niu had no intention of killing it, either. After teaching it a lesson, he watched the tumbling water of the pond. He couldn’t help but think, If the Diamond Ink Turtle advanced in level, who would be stronger between it and this giant python?
And in the Wash Crime River at the border of the Black Tiger Gang and the Nine Insect Gang, there was also that enormous creature—could it possibly be the legendary Jiao Dragon?
It is said that snakes with exceptional talent could transform into pythons in a hundred years, become Jiaos in a thousand, and upon encountering wind in ten thousand years, they would turn into dragons.
This python must have been around for quite some time already.
It seemed to be even stronger than that fierce tiger.
As for its level, that’s hard to say.
At the very least, it was above Grade Six, and it could very likely have reached Grade Seven.
It probably hasn’t reached the point of becoming demonic yet.
There’s a strong ferocity emanating from it, but no demonic aura is detected.
For beasts and serpents in the mountains to become demonic is about as difficult as for humans to become Immortal Masters. Not only does it require great talent, but also a great fortune and a significant transformative opportunity.
Merely diligent cultivation is generally insufficient to become demonic.
Before they become demonic, they have to withstand the hunts of various natural predators, as well as endure disease, injury, and natural disasters.
Even the king of beasts, the tiger, tries to avoid injury when hunting its prey.
Because once injured, death is likely to follow.
“Given time, there’s a good chance this Black Python will become demonic. Whether it can transform into a Jiao, it’s too soon to tell,” Qin Niu mused.
After observing the pond for a while, he decided not to linger any longer.
He would deal with the Black Python again in the future. Having established his dominance today, the next time they met, it should behave more submissively.
The sun was already sinking in the sky, and dusk was approaching.
He headed straight towards the location of the Ancient Banyan Tree to first bring out Xiao Qing.
The Qifeng Mountain Range was home to many powerful creatures. If Qin Niu wanted to become familiar with it, he couldn’t rush things; he had to take it step by step.
He believed that one day, the Qifeng Mountain Range would be as familiar to him as his own backyard.
His greatest desire was to coexist harmoniously with all the creatures and plants in the mountains. To live alongside those powerful creatures like friends, in this mountainous territory, was actually quite pleasant.
By the time he arrived at the Ancient Banyan Tree, the sun had reached the mountaintop and was about to set.
Qin Niu burst into the maze of the Ancient Banyan Tree and immediately spotted Xiao Qing, who was still cultivating.
Powerful currents radiated from her center, wreaking havoc all around. Nearby saplings and weeds were whipped chaotically.
Xiao Qing’s aura was noticeably stronger than before.
Qin Niu was pleasantly surprised—Xiao Qing had finally broken through after so many days.
The reason why there was such violent turbulence around her was that she had just broken through and her realm was not yet stable, preventing her from controlling her internal energy well.
Having experienced this phenomenon himself, he was more than familiar with it.
At this moment, the branches had descended to a little over three meters high, and soon they would press down even further.
Qin Niu could even feel the cold energy constantly cascading down from the treetop.
“Xiao Qing, stop cultivating for now and hurry out of here,” Qin Niu called out.
She slowly gathered her cultivation and opened her eyes.
Confidence and joy were evident on her youthful face.
It was just as children are, unable to hide their emotions on their faces.
“Master, I’ve made a breakthrough,” Xiao Qing shared the good news with her master as the first thing.
“Congratulations, congratulations, let’s get out of here before we talk,” Qin Niu led her out of the maze of the Ancient Banyan Tree.
“Master, this new realm is amazing! Inside me, there are two alchemy cauldrons made of energy that constantly rotate. I feel like my burst strength is more than ten times stronger than before.
Also, my sensitivity to plants has improved greatly.
This Ancient Banyan Tree is terrifying; its energy is like the boundless sky.”
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“I can’t even begin to imagine how strong it must be.”
Xiao Qing chattered nonstop about her cultivation progress along the way.
“You… said you have two cauldrons inside you?”
Qin Niu couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.
“Yeah, two of them. They spin in opposite directions—one green, one red.”
Xiao Qing nodded earnestly to confirm.
“It looks like you’re most suited for cultivating the Medicine King Classic. After I broke through to the Acquired Realm, I only had one cauldron inside me, one less than you. With dual cauldrons, I believe as long as you continue with this technique, you’re certain to achieve greater success.”
Qin Niu envied Xiao Qing for being able to cultivate dual cauldrons.
But everyone has their own fate.
Xiao Qing was found with the Medicine King Classic, which suggests it might be her family’s ancestral technique.
Just like Qin Niu, who cultivates life-nurturing techniques like the Everlasting Spring Technique and also has a high talent for them.
“Once I grow stronger, I can protect my master better and do things for them. If I have the chance, I want to learn alchemy. Not only could I refine elixirs to enhance my own cultivation, but I could also make various elixirs for my master.”
A look of longing filled Xiao Qing’s youthful face.
“Want to learn alchemy, huh? No problem, I’ll go to the city in a few days and ask around for you.”
Qin Niu thought Master Zi Zhou’s alchemy skills were pretty good.
Having only dealt with that old man once, it would probably be difficult to get Master Zi Zhou to take Xiao Qing as a disciple.
But there was no rush for this matter.
They could also wait until Xiao Qing’s cultivation reached the Innate Realm before seeking discipleship with Master Zi Zhou.
The master and servant returned home in high spirits.
Both had made significant gains, and Qin Niu had pretty much scouted the deeper regions of this mountain area.
He didn’t dare to venture into the deepest parts where the demon birds called out.
The conditions just weren’t ripe yet.
But reconnoitering wouldn’t be difficult—he could easily send bees to take a look.
Whether bees or termites, he could breed them in large numbers for standard tasks, using them as cannon fodder if necessary.
As soon as he returned to the village, he sensed something was off in the atmosphere.
He sighed inwardly; it seemed the He Family was not willing to let things lie.
He quickened his pace towards home.
Sure enough, from a distance, he saw carriages parked outside his home, surrounded by many people.
The door of Wang Furen’s house next door had been smashed to pieces.
Wang Furen himself knelt on the ground, his face covered in blood.
Wang Wanyan’s figure was nowhere to be seen.
Qin Niu’s heart sank.
He hadn’t expected the He Family to seek trouble with Wang Furen’s house.
“Xiao Qing, don’t hold back later. If there’s someone we have the strength to kill, just kill them,” Qin Niu’s face was filled with surging killing intent.
He had gotten engaged to Wang Wanyan, and news of it had spread far and wide.
Now the He Family dared to touch his future wife; they were truly courting death.
Qin Niu had grown up without parents and held friends and relatives in the highest regard.
After Old Man Liu’s death, he had no other kin in this world.
Wang Wanyan’s arrival had been a light in his life.
He had already come to regard her as family in his heart.
Wang Furen had shown him much kindness, and later gave him his daughter’s hand in marriage, so Qin Niu also saw him as family.
Seeing him beaten and forced to kneel on the ground had touched Qin Niu’s last nerve.