Chapter 34: Ginseng Fruit and Green Gourd

"That's to be expected," Xian Yue said from the sidelines. "That griffon may be at the Golden core realm, but this tiger is at the body integration Realm. That's a great difference between the two."

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, a smile playing at the corner of his mouth. "Perhaps I should get a mount of my own. Something as impressive as the Longshen Monster Emperor, ranked fourth on the Tiandao Golden List, would be suitable."

Excitement set in. It is more than just getting a mount, but one that falls in line with his power and stature. The Longshen Monster Emperor was infamous throughout the realms: a beast that inspires fear and respect. "The only creature in this universe that can truly complement my abilities," he thought quietly to himself.

"Body integration Realm?" one of the bystanders gasped, eyes wide with incredulity. "Isn't that the overlord of beasts in the Feihua Mountains?"

The crowd erupted into amazement. Xian Zhan to be able to master a Body integration-level beast as a mount? It was just incredible. Such a beast would very easily level cities to the ground, much less their puny Feihua City.

"If only I could have a mount that powerful one day! declared Xian Yue with fiery ambition, eyes shining brightly to behold the majesty of the tiger. It seemed intoxicating in itself to ride into battle atop such a creature.

Xian Zhan laughed. "Not impossible. With the abilities we now possess and how fast we are growing, it won't be long before we are all riding animals just as strong."

His eyes gleamed as he regarded his new friend. It was not a ride; this tiger was a companion, to grow with him. Together they would rise to even greater heights.

After dispersing the crowd, Xian Zhan started to feel unease in himself. He no more could contain his impatience. As soon as he returned to his quarters, he plunged himself into cultivation but, of course, under the Feihua Emperor Sutra. The power he now wielded far surpassed the saint-grade technique he once wielded. That was history now; he had a greater destiny in mind than mere saint-grade technique.

He initially thought that taking over the position of being the family leader would be too heavy on him. However, he soon found that this clan leader's strength was extremely mysterious and incomprehensible than what he had supposed. Therefore, with such power watching over his family, Xian Zhan felt relieved of pressure. He was free to advance his strength without any pressure regarding affairs from his family.

"I'll step out when I reach the Body integration Realm," Xian Zhan thought, setting determination to work in his heart as he started off on his seclusion.

But on the other side, Xian Wu was also in retreat, overwhelmed by the monumental task of controlling his new power. It was exciting and yet overpowering. Power, of the kind he had gained, must be understood fully before he could even think of stepping out again. A single wrong step may bring ghastly consequences.

In the Xian family, cultivation was the priority of every member. Only a few could not practice due to exigencies, while all others were fervent for more intense improvements. With such rich material resources available to them—with the clan leader providing them with such resources—there was no excuse for anyone to slacken in their efforts.

"Hahahah! I have finally reached the Nascent Soul Realm!" The Great Elder, who had been secluded himself for what it seemed like a thousand years, shouted out in joy, his tear-filled eyes spilling freely.

Using high-grade techniques and a constant flow of spiritual pills, he finally achieved the long-term breakthrough.

"I thought to spend the rest of my years at the Golden core Realm," he declared, his voice thick with emotion. "But to break through to the Nascent Soul Realm. well, that's more than I ever dared dream of."

His ebullience only seemed to build as he emerged from his chamber, noticing that he wasn't alone. Several other elders had made breakthroughs, too, their faces reflecting a little bit of what he felt.

"What a wonderful occasion!" he exclaimed, embracing the others in turn. "The Xian family is certainly prosperous."

"Our success is thanks to the clan leader," Second Elder Xian Yuanshan respectfully said. "If not for the spiritual stones and elixirs he has provided us with, we would be overrun by those other families long ago."

The Great Elder nodded in agreement. "Indeed. With facilities like these, not only do we need to carry on with our own cultivation but also have to see the younger generation through. We cannot allow them to waste such an opportunity."

"Don't worry, Great Elder," Xian Zhenfei reassured him with a smile. "The youngsters are working just as hard as they ever have. There is no need to remind them."

Xian Zhenfei was known as a sharp gazer with a no-nonsense application of the clan rules. He watched all the activities of the clan keenly and was notorious for reprimanding any and everyone caught slacking off.

"Good," the Great Elder said. "If anyone wastes such resources, they deserve no pity."

"Yes," Xian Zhenfei agreed.

Meanwhile, Xian Yue's mind wandered elsewhere. Just now, the system had awarded him with a Ginseng Fruit, which was said to have both lengthen and cultivate life. "One? Really isn't that a bit stingy, system?" Xian Yue groused quietly in his head, but the scent of the fruit was strong enough to keep his protest quiet.

He studied the fruit-heaped shape, which had a miniature fetus shape, and the surface was glossy and semitransparent. One sniff filled his mouth with water. "It exactly looks as I thought it was going to look."

He hesitated not for an instant, took a bite. Sweet juices exploded through his senses, and euphoric sensations flooded him as he enjoyed the taste. "Good God." he thought, devouring the fruit in three bites.

With a contented sigh, Xian Yue leaned back in his chair and reached for a gourd from his waist. The green-skinned gourd was no ordinary container; it was a divine artifact he'd gained through the system. It had some strange abilities-it could brew any material into the finest wine. The rarer the ingredients, the better the wine. As a result, he had transformed it into his wine gourd as if it belonged to him, and offered only the best beverages from it.

He drank a swig from the wine gourd, warming his soul by the taste. He had just decided to fully relax when he suddenly felt the presence of something in the distance - several figures were approaching Feihua City at an alarming speed.

"Here we go again," he grumbled, narrowing his eyes. Another bunch of troublemakers. They never seemed to learn. He flicked his wrist to send the message to Xian Zhan: This is my fight. I will do it.

Xian Zhan, who had been training in his rooms, opened his eyes. He could feel, as always, the thrilling battle chills in the air. "The Wang family again?" he whispered while standing up, stepping outside. "It seems they haven't learned their lesson the last time."

The Wang family had individuals who went to find out how their clan members had died. They did not know that the person who had killed their clan members was Xian Zhan, but they strongly suspected it was him. It wasn't going to end this time without people getting answers.

Approaching Feihua City, the monks of Soul Palace of Wang family sneered as they talked about their mission. "Xian Zhan survived? How can this be?" one of them exclaimed, but they soon found out that the rumors were true as he stood right in front of them.

Xian Zhan!!" one of the monks snarled. "How did you survive?"

Xian Zhan's face didn't change. "You've come to die today," he said coldly.

The Wang family monks burst out laughing. "Do you seriously think that you can beat us all off on your own?"

"Perhaps you have forgotten," one of the monks sneered, "you are still mortal flesh. No matter what tales say, you cannot defy the laws of nature."

Xian Zhan's gaze is calm, his eyes glinting with icy determination. Fine, he thought. Let them come. Today was going to be their last day.