Go to the Door to Suppress the Bandits!
After finishing his meal, Zhang Lingxiao headed to the room his father usually used for cultivation.
He knocked lightly, and a deep voice sounded from within.
"Cheng'er? Come in."
Zhang Lingxiao pushed the door open and saw Zhang Yunfeng sitting cross-legged on a slab of cold jade, circulating his cultivation technique.
Upon seeing Zhang Lingxiao enter, Zhang Yunfeng slowly rose and gestured for him to sit on a nearby wooden chair.
"Father, this is half of what I obtained from the Ancestral Land of Legacy. I'm giving it to you—please distribute it among the clansmen."
Zhang Lingxiao took out a storage pouch from his robe and handed it over.
Inside were forty million low-grade spirit stones, fifty Yellow Rank spirit medicines, fifty Profound Rank spirit medicines, thirty Yellow Rank spiritual artifacts, and ten Profound Rank spiritual artifacts.
Zhang Yunfeng glanced at the pouch before shaking his head with a faint smile.
"You brat, our Zhang Family is not lacking in resources. Why should we take what you risked your life to obtain? Keep it for yourself."
Zhang Lingxiao shook his head and firmly pressed the pouch into his father's hand.
"Father, our Zhang Family suffered heavy losses in the Ancestral Land. Many of those who died were close relatives of the family's pillars. Whether for morale or loyalty, the family must compensate them. Please accept it."
Zhang Yunfeng's eyes softened with relief.
"Good. You truly have the makings of a leader."
"Very well. I'll accept this on their behalf and distribute it shortly."
After storing the pouch in his sleeve, Zhang Yunfeng looked at him again.
"What are your plans next?"
"I plan to go to Qingyun Mountain with Brother Yuyang—to cultivate, train, and gain experience," Zhang Lingxiao replied.
Zhang Yunfeng nodded.
"Qingyun Mountain is one of the strongest sects in this region, both in foundation and strength. Going there is a good choice."
"However, disciple recruitment only begins in half a month. During this time, I'll arrange a task for you."
Zhang Lingxiao leaned forward slightly. "What task?"
"Bandit suppression."
"Bandit suppression?"
"That's right. One of our Zhang Family's spirit stone mines has recently been harassed by a bandit stronghold. Their leader is a Body Cultivator at the late stage of the Lingwu Realm. With your strength, you should be able to handle it. Consider this a trial."
"Understood!" Zhang Lingxiao agreed without hesitation.
This task was perfect—he could both protect the family's assets and absorb a large amount of qi and blood.
…Wait.
Could his father have already guessed the nature of his cultivation technique?
Zhang Lingxiao's heart tightened.
"Father… what realm are you actually in?" he asked suddenly.
Zhang Yunfeng chuckled.
"What realm do you think I'm in?"
Recalling Gu Yue Ningbing's earlier speculation, Zhang Lingxiao hesitated before answering,
"Father… could you be in the Venerable Realm?"
Zhang Yunfeng burst into laughter.
"Enough guessing. Go prepare and deal with that bandit stronghold."
"Oh, and bring Zhang Yuyang along. His talent is exceptional, and he has awakened the Battle Thunder Spirit Body. He's worth nurturing—I intend for him to inherit the Zhang Family in the future."
Zhang Lingxiao nodded.
He had no interest in becoming the family head—his ambitions lay far beyond. Zhang Yuyang was trustworthy, and there was no harm in grooming him.
With that, Zhang Lingxiao left his father's cultivation room and returned to his own quarters.
He planned to focus on comprehending the first stance of the Nine Nether Sword Art—Heavenly Fiend—along with the Nine Nether Star Steps and the Nine Nether Body Tempering Art.
Thus, Zhang Lingxiao cultivated for an entire day and night.
Only at dawn the next morning did he finally open his eyes.
"Hoo…"
"As expected of an Emperor Rank cultivation technique. Its depth far surpasses Yellow and Profound Rank martial skills. Just grasping the basics took me an entire day."
If the Nine Nether Demon Emperor could hear him, he would probably cough up blood in anger.
Back then, it had taken him a full month just to achieve initial comprehension.
The difference between people was truly infuriating.
After washing up and eating, Zhang Lingxiao called for Zhang Yuyang. Once he explained the mission, the two set off toward the bandit stronghold.
---
"Zhang Lingxiao, that hill ahead is where the bandits who've been targeting our spirit stone mine are based," Zhang Yuyang said, pointing forward.
Zhang Lingxiao looked ahead and saw a crude stronghold built from scattered wooden structures atop the hill.
Bandits armed with weapons patrolled the perimeter.
Sweeping the area with his divine sense, Zhang Lingxiao quickly assessed their strength—most were at the mid to late stages of the Qiwu Realm.
As for Lingwu Realm experts, they were likely inside.
Noticing the two approaching, an elderly bandit wielding a large saber stepped forward and sneered.
"Where did you little brats come from? Get lost, or don't blame your grandpa for being ruthless!"
Zhang Lingxiao chuckled—and struck.
Boom!
With a single palm, the old man exploded into a cloud of blood mist.
At the Fourth Heaven of the Lingwu Realm, killing a Qiwu Realm cultivator was no different from crushing an ant.
Without hesitation, Zhang Lingxiao activated the Devouring Heaven Demon Art, absorbing the scattered qi and blood.
The remaining bandits froze in terror before turning to flee.
"Leave them to me!"
"Thunderbolt Fist!"
Zhang Yuyang roared as lightning crackled around him. His figure shot forward like a bolt of thunder.
In mere breaths, his fists—each strike rumbling like thunder—cut down the fleeing bandits.
Zhang Lingxiao nodded approvingly.
"So this is the Battle Thunder Spirit Body… paired with lightning techniques, its power is indeed remarkable."
He then absorbed the remaining qi and blood without waste.
Stamping his foot, Zhang Lingxiao infused his voice with spiritual power and shouted toward the stronghold:
"You filthy bandits! Your doom has arrived! Come out and face death!"
His voice boomed like thunder, echoing across the entire hill.
Moments later—
A burly, bare-chested man with a thick beard and a savage aura stormed out, followed by a group of subordinates.