Born with immortal seed

Chapter 7 The Appearance of the Tribulation Cultivator
"It's quite strange. Considering how long I've been learning, my talent in the Yi Wood Azure Divine Technique is mediocre. I shouldn't expect to improve even a little without three to five years of dedicated practice. But why do I feel that the effect of my spellcasting today is slightly better than last week? Is it just my imagination or have I really improved?"

Bai Zichen stared at the spirit field in front of him for a moment, then was awakened by the distant shouts of the chubby man, so he simply stopped thinking about it.

It's possible that I'm one of those unconventional geniuses who struggles to grasp the basics but becomes incredibly proficient once I get it.

The chubby man carried a shovel on his shoulder and a large bag of miscellaneous gadgets on his back, making him appear even more bulky.

“Chen-ge’er, we’re going to make a cage to catch pheasants behind the cliff today. I’ve brought all the equipment. Let me tell you, these pheasants are incredibly tender, and their tail feathers are so beautiful. I’ll have my mom make shuttlecocks for us, and they’ll even glow when we kick them at night.”

Before I even got up, the chubby guy had already arranged all the work for the day.

Bai Zichen nodded slightly. He was young and his cultivation level was low, so he could not practice the Everlasting Spring Technique for more than an hour each day, otherwise his body would not be able to withstand it.

After finishing the morning lessons, there really wasn't anything important to do before sunset, so it wouldn't hurt to relax with the chubby guy.

“Okay, but we can’t go too far. Aunt Song told me that we are not allowed to leave the vicinity of Qingfeng Cliff by more than a mile, otherwise we will be confined for three days.”

“I know, we’re right behind the cliff. I’ve already found two suitable places to make cages.”

The chubby boy was still a little afraid of his mother, so he obediently agreed, "Last time that pheasant got away, but this time, with Brother Chen here..."

boom!
A loud bang interrupted the fat man's spittle flying everywhere. The two looked up at Qingfeng Cliff and saw that the sound was coming from above.

"What happened? It's broad daylight and there was no thunder. Could it be that someone's magic experiment went wrong and damaged some houses?"

Bai Zichen and Bai Ying looked at each other, and just as they were about to run home, Bai Zichen pulled them back to a stop.

"what happened?"

"Something's wrong, look over there!"

Bai Zichen's heart clenched. He pointed in the direction where a thick plume of black smoke rose from the peak, as if a fire had broken out.

Just then, a figure flashed in the distance. It was Aunt Song, who had run down the cliff. She was no longer the composed and dignified woman she usually was. Her gauze dress had a large hole in it, and one of her shoulders slumped down unnaturally, hanging limply by her side.

"Ying'er, Chen-ge'er, run!" Upon seeing the two, Aunt Song abruptly stopped, a resolute glint in her eyes. She turned and stood there, shouting, "Run! To the main peak, quick!"

"Mother, what's wrong?"

The chubby man was terrified. He frantically threw his belongings on the ground and tried to run towards Aunt Song.

"Don't come any closer! Didn't you hear your mother telling you to go to the main peak? Do you want to be locked in the meditation room for three days again and not allowed to come out!"

Without turning her head, Aunt Song took out a piece of red gauze, which unfurled in the wind, revealing itself to be several feet square. "Chen-ge'er, you're sensible. Quickly take Ying'er and run!"

"You can leave them all here, wherever you want to go!"

Three men with black veils covering their faces and dressed in black rushed down from Qingfeng Cliff. The leader looked at the scene and said viciously.

"I even set up a series of protective barriers around my house, and I was almost ambushed by a woman!"

Aunt Song struck her chest hard, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the red gauze. The seemingly thin layer of gauze actually bound the three of them, making it difficult for them to break through and move forward for a while.

"Oh no, it's a Tribulation Cultivator!"

Bai Zichen's head buzzed. He hadn't expected the worst-case scenario to actually happen: a group of cultivators had broken into the Bai family's territory. And judging from the situation, it wasn't just a few individuals, but a large, well-organized force. The patrol team hadn't issued any warnings yet, which meant they were in trouble too.

After nearly a month of peaceful days, everyone's vigilance has decreased, and they inevitably become somewhat complacent.

A few thoughts flashed through Bai Zichen's mind, but his actions were not affected. With a flick of his wrist, two Swiftness Talismans appeared in his hand. He slapped them on himself and the fat man, then pulled him up and ran towards Hanxiu Peak.

The two Qi Refining Level 1 novices staying here would be of no use whatsoever, and might even hinder Aunt Song and distract her. The best option right now is naturally to follow the elders' instructions and go to the main peak.

As a mid-grade second-tier spiritual vein, Hanxiu Peak houses the clan hall, council chamber, library, and other important structures, making it a gathering place for the elite of the Bai family.

Moreover, it is the place where the family's magic array can be most effective; if one wants to find a way out, going there is the only way out.

The chubby guy seemed terrified, completely dazed, and was dragged along by Bai Zichen without saying a word, letting his body run as it pleased.

They had barely reached the foot of Qingfeng Cliff when they heard a furious shout from the mountain. Turning around, they saw the red veil shattered into pieces, raining down from the sky. Aunt Song collapsed to the ground, pinned to it by a long weapon, her blood quickly staining the soil beneath her feet.

"Aunt Song!"

Bai Zichen let out a sorrowful cry. This elder, who spoke softly and acted in an orderly manner, would prepare delicious meals for the family every day. Her husband was away from home all year round, and she managed the household perfectly on her own.

This seemingly frail female cultivator displayed astonishing courage when facing three Tribulation cultivators, refusing to retreat an inch and buying precious time for the two of them.

"Aunt Song is at the fourth level of Qi Refining. She risked her life to activate her magic weapon with her essence blood, but she only managed to stop three cultivators for a short while and even lost her life. These three must all be mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators, and there may even be a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator among them."

After a brief period of sadness, Bai Zichen felt a throbbing pain in his head, but his mind became clearer.

"Even with the aid of the Swiftness Talisman, it would take an incense stick's time to reach Hanxiu Peak. There's a high chance the cultivators behind me will catch up, and who knows if I'll encounter other cultivators along the way. My only advantage is that I'm more familiar with the roads within the clan than these outside cultivators!"

Bai Zichen hadn't forgotten the thick smoke that had risen from the nearby peaks earlier, which clearly indicated that there was more than one group of cultivators nearby.

This was a planned and premeditated robbery targeting the Bai family!
Seeing a forked pebble path appear in front of them, Bai Zichen pulled the chubby guy and swayed into the rockery forest next to them. Soon their figures were hidden by the layers of rockery.

Although taking the wrong path would take several miles, it would be more secluded and safer for outsiders who are unfamiliar with the paths through the rockery.

"Senior brother, those two brats are running really fast. Should we chase after them and kill them?"

"What could those two little brats possibly offer? Of course, we'll search the rooms upstairs first to see if there's anything valuable!"

The leader, addressed as "Senior Brother," pulled the halberd from Aunt Song's body, then seemed to remember something, "However, the elder also said before setting off that we should kill as many of these cultivation families as possible. These two little brats are yours. They're probably just starting out in cultivation. Chase them down and kill them one by one, then we'll meet at the target location!"

"Yes, senior brother." The person who asked the question was somewhat indignant, but clearly dared not disobey his senior brother's order, so he could only chase after Bai Zichen and the others in the direction they had fled.

"What elder's order? You just want one less person to share the spoils from the dead on the mountain with you! When I get back this time, I'll refine the Hundred Ghost Banner, and you'll be in for a world of hurt. I'll make sure you're the first one to be enshrined on the main banner!"

(End of this chapter)