121: Chapter 121 Foundation Establishment Treatment and the Approaching Beast Tide

Everyone could no longer be bothered to "clean up" thoroughly; they scrambled, using both hands and feet to sweep up the Storage Pouches of the still-"warm" demonic Cultivators on the ground, along with any other miscellaneous items that looked valuable.

Lin Cangchen was even quicker; seizing the last bit of time, he "purified" a few "valuable" corpses within his line of sight once more, harvesting a few barely-better-than-nothing [faint spiritual energy card]s and one [low-Rank material card].

"Retreat!"

Clan Leader took the lead, summoning that first-rank middle-grade spirit boat to carry the core members of his Family.

The Liu Family and Zhao Family also employed their own methods, either riding Magical Artifacts or using the Light Body Technique, and the group fled for their lives toward Qingyan Pass as if they were being chased by dogs.

They had been cautious upon arrival, but they raced like the wind on the return.

Along the way, everyone remained silent, and the atmosphere was heavy.

The silhouette of the mushroom cloud slowly dissipating on the distant horizon, along with the terrifying beast roar that seemed to act directly upon the depths of the Soul, weighed on their hearts like two massive boulders.

Even the usually restless Lin Cangchen was much better behaved at this moment, silently circulating his Cultivation Technique to restore the Spiritual Qi consumed in the recent battle while frantically complaining in his heart: 'A mushroom cloud even appeared! Has the style of this world gone off the rails? Could some Fellow Daoist in this Cultivator world have created a nuclear peacekeeper? No, that beast roar... it sounds like they poked a super hornet's nest...'

The journey that had taken nearly half a day upon arrival took less than an hour at full speed, and the silhouette of Qingyan Pass, built against the mountain and shrouded in layers of Formation light, appeared before them.

However, the pass was completely different from usual at this moment.

The Formation light shield was fully activated, light flowing over it, making it several times brighter than usual.

The entrance was crowded with people, noisy and bustling, with countless streaks of escape light converging from all directions, scrambling to pour into the pass. The Azure Cloud Sect Disciples maintaining order were shouting until their throats were almost hoarse, and the scene was as chaotic as a refugee camp.

"My heavens, so many people?" Lin Lingfeng couldn't help but click his tongue as he looked at the scene below, which was comparable to a commoner's vegetable market.

"It seems that the emergency recall order has truly affected all personnel outside," Great Elder said with a grave expression.

Clan Leader controlled the spirit boat to lower its altitude and said in a deep voice: "Follow me, we are going directly to the Mission Hall to hand in our mission."

The Spiritual Pressure of the Foundation Establishment Stage played a role at this moment.

When Clan Leader released his aura without reservation and approached while steering the spirit boat, the crowded mass of people below involuntarily cleared a path, and many cast gazes of either awe or curiosity.

"It's the Lin Family! They're back!"

"Look! That is the Lin Family Clan Leader, Clan Leader! He is actually a Foundation Establishment Cultivator!"

"I thought it was just rumors before; I didn't expect it to be true!"

"With a Foundation Establishment Cultivator holding the fort, the Lin Family is likely to truly rise this time..."

The whispers reached their ears, and the members of the Lin Family subconsciously straightened their backs.

Lin Cangchen felt secretly pleased in his heart: 'Tsk, is this the prestige of a Foundation Establishment big shot? As expected, strength is the ultimate truth.'

The group finally managed to squeeze in front of the Mission Hall, only to find that it was packed so tightly that not even water could trickle through.

A long line stretched from inside the building all the way to the square outside, and almost all the Cultivators who had just rushed back from the outside were anxious to settle their missions and inquire about news.

Looking at the endless line, Liu Hanshan scratched his head and smiled bitterly: "How long will we have to wait in this line?"

Zhao Family Ancestor also knitted his brows; his Zhao Family Disciples were still injured and in urgent need of settlement.

Just at this moment, a Azure Cloud Sect Deacon who had been coordinating order at the entrance of the Mission Hall swept his gaze across the crowd and suddenly locked onto Clan Leader.

He was slightly stunned at first, then a warm yet respectful smile quickly appeared on his face, and he hurried up to meet them.

"Is this Senior Lin from the Luoxia County Lin Family?" This Deacon, whose cultivation was at Qi Refining Perfection, bowed and saluted Clan Leader, his tone so polite that those waiting in line nearby couldn't help but look over.

Clan Leader nodded indifferently: "It is I. We have just returned after completing the Black Mysterious Iron Ore Vein mission and have come to hand it in."

"Oh my, Senior and Fellow Daoists, you have worked hard!" The Deacon's smile grew even wider, "This place is noisy and not a place for conversation. If Senior does not mind, please follow this Junior to the side hall to sit for a while; this Junior will personally verify and settle the mission for Senior."

As he spoke, he turned to the side and made a "please" gesture.

Clan Leader followed the suggestion readily: "I will trouble you, Deacon." He then said to the members of the Lin, Liu, and Zhao families behind him who were still somewhat bewildered: "Let's go."

Thus, under the gaze of countless envious and jealous eyes, the dozens of people from the three families followed the Deacon, bypassing the crowded main hall and walking into a quiet and elegant side hall.

Inside the hall, attendants had already served spiritual tea, the fragrance of tea curling in the air, creating a world apart from the noise outside.

Liu Hanshan picked up the teacup, took a gulp, smacked his lips, winked at Clan Leader, and transmitted his voice: "Brother Lin, not bad! The treatment for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator is certainly different! This old Liu has really benefited today!"

Zhao Family Ancestor was also filled with emotion, and his resolve to attach himself to the Lin Family grew even firmer.

Lin Cangchen sat in the lower seat, holding his teacup, overjoyed in his heart: 'Waiting in line? That doesn't exist! Is this the treatment of a VIP among VIPs? As expected, in any world, privileges are always sweet.'

The Deacon, who claimed to be surnamed Wang, moved efficiently, taking out the merit points jade book and recording Magical Artifact, and began to verify the mission completion status submitted by Clan Leader.

When he heard Clan Leader mention encountering the Foundation Establishment Demonic Cultivator Wei Wushang, fighting him, and eventually forcing him to retreat, his hand trembled, and the look he gave Clan Leader became even more filled with awe.

"Senior, please wait a moment. This matter is of great importance, and this Junior needs to verify it carefully and compare it with the information sent back from the front line." Deacon Wang's attitude became increasingly respectful.

Taking advantage of the gap during the verification, perhaps out of a desire to build a connection, or perhaps because of instructions from above, Deacon Wang took the initiative to explain: "Senior Lin, Fellow Daoists, you must have doubts about the previous celestial phenomenon and the emergency recall order, right?"

Everyone perked up, and even Lin Cangchen pricked up his ears.

Deacon Wang sighed, a trace of lingering fear on his face: "Speaking of which, it is helpless. News from the front line indicates that it was not some strange treasure appearing, but... sigh, it was two Golden Core Elders of our Azure Cloud Sect who encountered two Golden Core True Persons from the demonic Cultivator side at a key node deep in the Qingyun Mountain Range. They fought with true fire and could not hold back..."

He paused and lowered his voice: "That commotion disturbed several Third-Rank Great Demon slumbering in the inner perimeter of the Qingyun Mountain Range... there are even rumors that it might have involved a fourth-Rank Demon King... and now, those Great Demons believe their territory has been violated, and in their rage, they have already driven a beast tide!"

"A beast tide?!" Upon hearing this, everyone gasped. Even Clan Leader's eyes became extremely grave.

"Yes, a beast tide!" Deacon Wang said with a bitter face, "The scale is likely not small. That is why the Sect urgently recalled all personnel outside, tightened the defense line, and guarded each stronghold. The Junior Martial Uncle of the Foundation Establishment Stage who was originally coordinating our stronghold has also been transferred to the front-line Grade-A stronghold. It is not just us; I heard the demonic Cultivator side is also in chaos, shrinking back and preparing to deal with the beast tide. At this juncture, the internal strife of the Human Race will have to be temporarily put aside."

Everyone suddenly understood; so that was what the mushroom cloud and the beast roar were about! The Golden Core big shots fought, and the innocent were affected; they directly pulled the aggro of the "neutral wild monsters" to the max!

At this time, the jade book in Deacon Wang's hand flashed with light; the verification was complete.

He glanced at the result, his attitude even more enthusiastic: "Senior Lin, the mission has been verified. Due to the appearance of a Foundation Establishment Demonic Cultivator and the outbreak of a battle at the Foundation Establishment level, after assessment, the Black Mysterious Iron Ore Vein reclamation mission has been upgraded from Grade-B Upper to Grade-A Lower! The corresponding merit points have been recorded in your Family's merit points jade tablet."

A Grade-A mission! Although it was only Lower, the merit points reward was far more generous than Grade-B! The Lin Family members all had joyful expressions on their faces; it was finally not all in vain, and it even involved the risk of the Clan Leader exposing his cultivation.

Deacon Wang looked at Clan Leader again, his tone sounding like a consultation but actually bordering on a request: "Senior Lin, there is one more thing. Now that the beast tide is approaching, the defense of the stronghold is of paramount importance. The stronghold's Formation needs to be fully activated and further reinforced. This Junior has heard that your Family has a Disciple named Lin Cangchen who is quite accomplished in the way of Formations and has repeatedly made contributions on the front line."

He swept his gaze and paused on Lin Cangchen: "The stronghold is short of Formation Masters; the higher-ups hope... no, they earnestly request that young friend Lin Cangchen be able to assist in reinforcing the stronghold's defensive Formation together with several other Formation colleagues. This matter will also be settled with merit points; I wonder what Senior thinks?"

Clan Leader hardly hesitated and looked at Lin Cangchen: "Cangchen, what is your intention?"

Lin Cangchen stood up and cupped his hands: "Guarding the stronghold and resisting the beast tide is an inescapable duty. This grandson is willing to go."

Such a good thing that could improve his Formation proficiency (leeching experience), earn merit points, and increase the survival rate of the stronghold (ensuring his own safety)—only a fool wouldn't do it.

Deacon Wang was overjoyed: "That is great! Thank you, Senior Lin, thank you, young friend Cangchen!"

He quickly excused himself, "The situation is urgent; shall this Junior take young friend Cangchen to the Formation Master assembly point now?"

Clan Leader nodded: "Very well."

Deacon Wang made a "please" gesture to Lin Cangchen: "Young friend, please follow me."

Lin Cangchen bowed to his elders and followed Deacon Wang, hurrying out of the side hall.

Watching the two leave, Clan Leader stood up and said to Liu Hanshan and Zhao Family Ancestor: "Two, the situation has changed, and the beast tide is approaching. We also need to plan early and return to organize our personnel to prepare for the fierce battle."

Liu Hanshan and Zhao Family Ancestor both stood up, their expressions solemn: "That is exactly what should be done!"

The three families separated outside the side hall, each carrying a heavy and urgent mood, merging into the noisy and tense flow of people in the stronghold, preparing for the coming storm.

And Lin Cangchen followed Deacon Wang toward another "battlefield" that concerned the life and death of the entire stronghold.