Zhang Qiang was merely a retainer of the Ding Family.
The Ding Family was a renowned cultivator lineage in Yongzhou, with countless dependents. Many similar lineages existed, and some cultivator families were even larger than small sects. Joining one as a retainer brought cultivation resources and protection—better than struggling alone as a Rogue Cultivator.
Naturally, resources and protection came at a price, such as following the main family to the edge of the Southern Wilderness to slaughter demonic beasts.
And taking the opportunity to collect beast hides, fur, scales, flesh, blood, and bones to refine into pills.
Demonic beasts brimmed with Qi and Blood, and different beasts served different purposes. Pills refined from them could increase cultivation and strengthen the body. Those who followed the body-refinement path needed to eat demonic beast meat daily or consume pills made from beast flesh and blood. The flesh and blood of high-grade demonic beasts were especially priceless and scarce; there were even tales of people who had accidentally consumed high-grade beast blood and instantly grown stronger.
Ever since the chaotic battle had erupted along the edge of the Hundred Thousand Mountains, countless cultivators had gathered there to hunt demonic beasts in exchange for resources.
Zhang Qiang had followed the Ding Family's party here. After months of fighting, he had gained quite a harvest. Of course, many of his companions had never returned, forever remaining in the mountains.
Today, Zhang Qiang had a bad feeling.
Lightning flashed and thunder roared across the sky, the detonating thunder numbing his ears. As a Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivator, he had not felt such terror in a long time. The rain seemed to chill him to the bone, leaving him uneasy amid the violent wind and downpour. The weather was deeply sinister.
He had never seen such