Zhang Hongqing Returns Home, Storm Clouds Gather!

The Zhang Family was not the only one under attack.

Every force throughout the Penglai Islands had, to varying degrees, suffered attacks from Evil Cultivators.

Some smaller families had even been wiped out entirely, with not a single mortal escaping.

Investigations revealed that the cause of it all was the Soul Devouring Cult, an Evil Cultivator force that had suddenly emerged on the South Sea Immortal Continent, known only by name and never seen in person.

Though the disturbance they had caused was no small matter, it had not touched the core interests of those major powers.

Thus, it had not drawn much attention.

In their eyes, these people were nothing more than hyenas living in the darkness.

They could not possibly stir up any great waves.

Yet today, they had already dared to lay hands on members of a Golden Core force.

That was enough to prove that they had grown into a real threat.

Zhang Hongzhan's tone was grave as he said in a deep voice, "Fifth Elder, we cannot take this matter lightly.

"Since they dared to move against members of my Zhang Family, it proves they have contingencies in place and do not fear retaliation.

"Red Jade Island was destroyed before we even received word. Those Evil Cultivators must have prepared for this long ago.

"We should immediately sell the family's Spirit Vein lands on the outskirts and move the mortals inward.

"Gather the family's strength."

Zhang Hongzhan had, after all, served as Clan Leader for decades. He was not some impulsive, hot-tempered man.

His methods, foresight, and judgment were not lacking in the slightest.

As Clan Leader, every decision he made could be said to bring a different outcome to the Zhang Family.

Especially now.

One wrong move could lead to the destruction of both family and lives.

After calming down, he carefully analyzed the information they had gathered about the Evil Cultivators.

He continued, "For those Evil Cultivators to obtain protection and leadership, their only choice is to join the Soul Devouring Cult.

"We do not know the conditions for joining the Soul Devouring Cult.

"But judging from the Evil Cultivators' behavior, it should be related to the flesh and blood of cultivators or mortals."

"I always feel that the Soul Devouring Cult is carrying out some purpose. The gun shoots the bird that sticks its head out first. The Zhang Family's best choice now is to wait.

"Wait for whichever force is the first to be unable to endure!

"So, Fifth Elder, you cannot go."

Upon hearing Zhang Hongzhan's words, the Seven Elders in the Main Hall all fell silent.

Though they were not particularly quick-witted, after the Clan Leader's analysis, they understood that this force called the Soul Devouring Cult was far from simple.

Zhang Guangli clenched his fists tightly, veins bulging on his forehead, the killing intent in his eyes not fading in the slightest.

Though Zhang Hongxu's talent was not high, as a First-grade Mid-tier Beast Tamer, he had often guided Zhang Guangli. Naturally, the relationship between them had been excellent.

"Did members of my Zhang Family die for nothing?"

"How could that be possible?! Whoever kills members of my Zhang Family must repay blood with blood! Hongqing!"

Before that voice had even faded.

A cloud of Purple Mist appeared in the center of the Main Hall.

As the Purple Mist dispersed, a short-haired young man of about twenty-five or twenty-six appeared before them. He wore a purple robe, stood tall and straight, and had a cold, stern face.

"Hongqing! When did you return?"

"Hahaha, now that Hongqing has returned, those Evil Cultivators who murdered our clansmen definitely will not escape."

Looking at the young man in the Main Hall, Zhang Guangli instantly understood why the Clan Leader had not allowed him to go.

Zhang Hongqing could be called the Zhang Family's fourth greatest genius.

Other than Zhang Xuanbing, Zhang Xuan Chen, and their mother Lin Wanqing, no one's talent could compare to his.

Not yet sixty years old, his cultivation had already broken through to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage. He cultivated a Dark Attribute Art that excelled at ambush and assassination.

In terms of strength, Zhang Guangli would not be his match unless he used his beast taming.

With him taking action, there truly was nothing to worry about.

Looking at the people in the hall, a faint smile appeared on Zhang Hongqing's face.

He respectfully bowed to everyone. "Greetings, Clan Leader and Elders."

He had spent two and a half years training abroad. Now that he had returned to the family and seen his relatives again, it would be a lie to say he was not excited.

But now was not the time to reminisce.

Those Evil Cultivators deserved to die!

Zhang Hongzhan waved his hand and said softly, "There is no need for such formality, Hongqing. You should have rested for a few days after just returning home.

"But you have seen the family's situation. Evil Cultivators are rampant now, and the Monster Hunting Team led by Twenty-Seventh Uncle alone is simply not enough.

"I order you to select thirty disciples from the family to patrol west of the family, and deal with the matter of Red Jade Island.

"If you find the traces of those Evil Cultivators, kill them without mercy.

"As for the east, Twenty-Seventh Uncle will patrol it."

Upon hearing the Clan Leader's orders, Zhang Hongqing immediately bowed to accept them.

"Hongqing accepts the command! I will surely slaughter every last invading enemy!"

Zhang Hongzhan naturally had no doubts about this cousin's strength.

He immediately said, "Third Brother believes in you. Also, Xuanbing will be traveling with you this time. Hongqing, do not hold anything back."

Zhang Hongqing froze, then gave a bitter smile.

"Third Brother, you flatter me too much. I was already unable to defeat that kid Xuanbing two and a half years ago. What could I possibly teach him?"

At the side, Second Elder Zhang Guangyao stroked his beard and said with a chuckle, "That is not how you should put it.

"Xuanbing's talent and strength naturally need no praise. Even this Old Man and the Clan Leader are probably no match for him.

"Within the family, only Ancestor and the Great Elder can steadily suppress him now.

"But when it comes to experience in handling matters, he is certainly far inferior to you."

Zhang Hongqing had spent decades struggling and surviving in the cultivation world, after all.

His experience was not something a greenhorn like Zhang Xuanbing could compare to.

By following at his side, Xuanbing would surely learn many things.

"Clan Leader, Elders, rest assured. I will certainly guide Xuanbing well."

"Mm, go. Know your limits in all things."

"Hongqing will remember."

After saying that, Zhang Hongqing transformed into a streak of purple light and vanished from the Main Hall.

After arranging the family's various affairs.

Zhang Hongzhan returned to the Clan Leader's Small Courtyard. He raised his head toward the sky, his face filled with emotion.

"Storm clouds are gathering. Xiao Chen, I hope you can return safely. Otherwise..."

He looked toward the side room, from which dense spiritual energy was pouring out.

Zhang Hongzhan swallowed.

This was the momentum of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Peak.

At this rate, it was hard to say whether his wife or his eldest son would be the first to break through to the Golden Core Realm.

He wondered just what kind of thing that Five-Colored Spirit Fruit was.

It had actually made a Triple Spirit Root cultivator so fierce.

He wanted to eat one too.

Otherwise, he would always be on the bottom in the future.

Unable to turn things around!

Half a month later.

Inside a crude house.

The pale-faced young man lying on the bed, his lips dry and cracked, suddenly began coughing violently, startling the girl beside him who had been wiping his face.

"Mother, Mother, come quickly! He's awake, he's awake!"

In the main room, the Middle-aged Woman who had been scolding a little boy heard her daughter's cry and replied, "Coming, coming."

She shot a fierce glare at the little boy lying on the floor, clutching his buttocks as snot ran from his nose.

"I'll deal with you later!"

After tossing out those words, she hurried into the room.

Sitting at the bedside and looking at the young man lying there with pain on his face, a trace of heartache flashed through her eyes.

She called outside, "Zhang Tiedan! Bring a bowl of water!"

"Coming, Mother."

As though he had received an imperial decree, Zhang Tiedan quickly climbed up from the floor and wiped the snot that was about to drip onto the ground with his sleeve.

He ran swiftly to the kitchen, originally intending to bring a bowl of water.

But tilting his head, he seemed to recall the scene of himself coming back to the kitchen to ladle more water.

So he directly filled a basin with water.

The kind larger than an adult's head.