Gou Zai Wudao Shicheng Dao

Fang Xia's gaze was fixed on the Azure Ox.

A heavy feeling suddenly gripped his heart, making it hard for him to breathe.

This is not due to fear, but rather a more real shock.

Resource gap!

At this moment, Fang Xia deeply realized the existence of the resource gap.

Ning Tianyang's 'Azure Ox' spirit beast is valuable enough for him to step onto the Inner Refinement Heavenly Ladder!

Thirty thousand taels of silver!

This is enough to cover all the resources an ordinary person needs to climb the ladder from external cultivation to internal cultivation!

"call……"

Fang Xia let out a long breath and stopped looking at the blue ox.

"The autumn hunt, though threatened by ferocious demons, also contains tremendous opportunities."

The pure essence and blood contained within the flesh and blood of demons are unparalleled treasures for both external and internal cultivation!

At this moment, Ning Tianyang had already mounted the back of the Azure Ox.

"Let's go! Destination: Montenegro!"

With Ning Tianyang's command, nearly a hundred martial artists from the Sanyang Hall surged out in a mighty procession, heading towards the vast black mountain.

After walking for most of the day, the group arrived at the foot of Black Mountain.

The mountain wind was biting, and a chilling atmosphere permeated the foot of Black Mountain.

"So many martial artists..."

Fang Xia stood in the Sanyang Hall's line, his gaze sweeping over the dense crowd.

Within sight, there were at least three thousand martial artists!

The qi and blood surged and converged, forming an invisible sense of oppression.

Most of these people are in the External Tempering Realm.

These martial artists were clearly divided into different factions and camps.

Flags of various colors fluttered in the wind!

The banners of the eight major martial arts schools, including the Han family, the Xiao family, and the Sanyang Hall, were particularly eye-catching.

There were also many logos of small families and gangs, most of which Fang Xia did not recognize, leaving him feeling dazzled.

"what?"

Fang Xia's gaze lingered on the Weiyuan Hall's camp.

A familiar figure came into view; it was Luo Yue.

After several months apart, Luo Yue was noticeably different.

His qi and blood were condensed and robust, and his every move carried a fierce power, clearly indicating that he had entered the flesh gate realm.

"The Luo family has a much stronger foundation than my Fang family, and Luo Yue himself has the aptitude of the lower level, so this speed is normal."

Fang Xia secretly pondered this in his heart, feeling no jealousy, but rather joy for his good brother.

Seemingly sensing Fang Xia's gaze, Luo Yue also turned his head.

Their eyes met, and a hint of surprise flashed in Luo Yue's eyes. He blinked hard at Fang Xia through the crowd.

Fang Xia nodded slightly in response; this was not the time for conversation.

The Weiyuan Hall faction has over three hundred members, including three at the Qi Gathering and Meridian Opening Realm!

Sensing the three powerful auras, Fang Xia felt a slight chill: "Weiyuan Hall truly lives up to its reputation as the number one martial arts school in Heishan County; its foundation is indeed profound."

Just then, You Qian lowered his voice, with a hint of amusement in it: "Junior Brother Fang, did you see that?"

During this autumn hunt, neither the Cao family nor the Black Tiger Gang members were seen.

Hey, I've really hit rock bottom.

Fang Xia was indeed puzzled by what she heard.

The Cao family is one of the three major families, and the Black Tiger Gang is one of the two major gangs.

Logically, they shouldn't be absent from such a crucial time as the autumn hunt.

Fang Xia looked at the plump You Qian beside him and humbly asked, "Brother You, what is the deeper meaning behind their absence from the autumn hunt? Please enlighten me."

You Qian looked around and, seeing that no one was paying attention to them, whispered, "Junior Brother Fang, do you know that Black Mountain County has a population of one million, and the martial arts forces are deeply intertwined, numbering over a hundred?"

But only thirteen companies can truly stand at the top!

He stretched out his chubby fingers and listed them off as if they were his own treasures: "The top ones are the three major families in the inner city: the Cao family, the Han family, and the Xiao family."

Slightly weaker are the eight major martial arts schools, including our Sanyang Hall, as well as the two major gangs, the Black Tiger Gang and the Sanhe Gang.

Taken together, it's 'Three Families, Two Gangs, and Eight Martial Arts Schools'!

The remaining families and gangs are not without skilled fighters.

But compared to these thirteen companies, their foundation, resources, and influence are far inferior; they simply cannot compete on the big stage!

Fang Xia listened intently, and subconsciously asked, "Is the difference really that great?"

"Of course!" You Qian said decisively. "Which of these thirteen families doesn't have a master at the Qi Gathering and Meridian Opening Realm in charge?"

More importantly, they firmly control over more than 70% of the medicinal herb gardens, mineral deposits, and fishing grounds in Heishan County—the lifelines that produce cultivation resources!

Especially…

You Qian paused, then lowered his voice even further, "That trade route to Black Mountain! That's the real gold and silver mountain!"

Black Mountain is a spur of the Heavenly Ridge Mountain range, where you may encounter rare medicinal herbs, demon materials, and even the legendary "innate fortune" opportunities!

This passage is monopolized by thirteen companies working together. Do you think they wouldn't be powerful and domineering?

"Montenegro Trade!"

"Innate talent!"

Fang Xia's heart skipped a beat, and he echoed in a deep voice, "With such substantial profits at their disposal, they must have a deep foundation!"

They are the true masters of Heishan County, even the Demon Suppression Division and the county government..."

"Junior Brother Fang is insightful!" You Qian slapped his thigh, his eyes full of approval. "As the saying goes, 'If one's virtue does not match one's position, disaster will surely follow!'"

Every autumn hunt, these thirteen families are the main force that goes deep into the Black Mountain to wipe out demons!

Casualties and attrition were all on the front lines for us thirteen families.

The absence of the Black Tiger Gang and the Cao family means that the responsibilities and risks they should have borne will now be shared among the remaining eleven families!

Junior Brother Fang, if you were in charge of these eleven families, would you be happy?

Can the Demon Suppression Division and the county government just stand by and watch the Cao family and the Black Tiger Gang enjoy wealth and luxury while cowering like cowards at this crucial moment?

Fang Xia and Zhou Cheng, who had been silent beside her, exchanged a glance, and both of them understood the deeper meaning behind it.

Zhou Cheng said in a deep voice, "Therefore, the Cao family and the Black Tiger Gang will definitely suffer a huge loss this time."

Only by conceding huge profits could the Demon Suppression Division and the county government turn a blind eye and tacitly allow them to not participate in the autumn hunt.

The remaining eleven companies must have also extracted sufficient profits from these two to be willing to share this burden.

"That's exactly right!" You Qian nodded and sighed in a low voice, "For the Cao family and the Black Tiger Gang, if they weren't severely weakened and unable to bear the losses, who would be willing to give up the profits they had already gained?"

This is a drastic, foundation-shaking act of self-sacrifice!

Upon hearing this, Fang Xia gasped.

"As a result, the Black Tiger Gang and the Cao family suffered heavy losses first, and then made huge concessions, leaving them severely weakened and their prestige ruined..."

Brother You, Senior Brother Zhou, it seems the peaceful days in Heishan County are coming to an end.

Upon hearing this, You Qian and Zhou Cheng both nodded solemnly.

They all understood the meaning behind Fang Xia's words!

The Cao family and the Black Tiger Gang suffered a setback and are now weakened.

Those forces that they have suppressed will inevitably pounce like sharks smelling blood.

They climbed to power by stepping on them, and then swallowed up their territory and interests.

The other factions within the thirteen families also wouldn't let this golden opportunity slip by.

They will definitely take the opportunity to gradually devour the Cao family and the Black Tiger Gang, further strengthening themselves.

The landscape of Heishan County is about to undergo a dramatic reshuffle!

.........

Changing the subject, You Qian brought up the younger generation again.

"Let's talk about the geniuses from each family."

Among the eight martial arts schools, the three upper schools have the most outstanding talents.

Cao Yan of Hongyun Hall, Han Tiexin of Weiyuan Hall, and Meng Guanxin of Zhenyue Hall.

These three are said to have already reached the threshold of the Inner Refinement Heavenly Ladder!

After the martial arts examination, there's a high chance of getting into the Black Mountain Taoist Academy, and then competing at the Azure Cloud Gathering for the opportunity to join the Yuan Yang Sect!

He glanced at Fang Xia with a hint of regret.

"Among the five halls below us—Sanyang, Jinniu, Juxiang, Heihu, and Yunshui—the one with the highest talent has barely reached the Bone Gate realm."

Compared to others, the gap is not small.

"In our Sanyang Hall, it seems that only Junior Brother Lin You has the potential to reach the level of one of the three great geniuses of the Upper Three Halls."

A sense of pressure instantly enveloped Fang Xia's heart.

Martial Arts Examination, Qingyun Society, Yuanyang Sect...

Cao Yan, Han Tiexin, Meng Guanxin...

Fang Xia clenched her fist tightly, her knuckles turning slightly white.

"Those geniuses, relying on their natural talent and resources, easily crossed the four major external training barriers and headed straight for the internal training ladder."

And what about myself? I'm just a lower-class person.

They exhausted the treasure fish "Great Azure Dragon" before reaching the middle of the Stone Skin, and struggled to survive each month with only the help of the You family.

The gap is more than just mud and clouds.

Gripping the sword hilt tightly, Fang Xia's heart was far from calm.

While I haven't even touched the flesh barrier, those geniuses are already aiming straight for the Inner Refinement Heavenly Ladder.

With a sigh in her heart, a glint of light flashed in Fang Xia's eyes.

"He stood out at the Qingyun Gathering and joined the Yuanyang Sect; he wants to too!"

It's not for empty fame, but for the ideals of martial arts.

In this world, martial arts resources such as cultivation techniques and elixirs are mostly controlled by martial arts sects.

If he cannot join a martial arts sect, he will probably remain below the Innate Realm for the rest of his life.

Furthermore, Fang Xia knew that only in this way could she find the "Bone-Changing and Body-Shaping Pill" for her elder brother Fang Qing and rebuild his martial arts foundation.

Cao Yan and the other two?

They are not stars to be looked up to, but mountains to be climbed!

Looking inward into his mind's eye, Fang Xia's gaze fell upon the destiny of "great talents mature late," and he gained more unwavering confidence.

"I am destined to be a late bloomer; I just need to move forward steadily and build a solid foundation."

For me, there are no barriers or bottlenecks in any martial arts technique.

You will be rewarded if you put in the effort!

A temporary setback is not important to me!

Fang Xia's gaze suddenly turned to Black Mountain, where there were demons and monsters, as well as precious medicines containing pure medicinal power.

The autumn hunt was his first battle to break free from resource constraints!

Just as Fang Xia's mind was racing, You Qian jokingly said, "Speaking of which, the backgrounds of these three geniuses from the three upper halls are quite interesting."

Cao Yan is the son of the head of the Cao family, and Han Tiexin is the eldest son of the Han family's first elder. Both are from prominent and prestigious families.

Meng Guanxin of Zhenyue Hall, although from a wealthy family, was originally... not the number one genius of Zhenyue Hall.

Fang Xia and Zhou Cheng were intrigued and looked at You Qian with suspicion.

Seeing the two looking completely bewildered, You Qian narrowed his small eyes into slits and chuckled.

"The original number one genius of Zhenyue Hall was Xiao Yuan, the son of the Xiao family patriarch!"

He was a true prodigy, with exceptional talent and potential, enjoying boundless glory.

But for some reason, within a year his energy and blood suddenly became depleted, and he fell into a slump, his cultivation regressing instead of progressing!

You Qian clicked his tongue and said jokingly, "What's worse is that his fiancée from a prominent family in the neighboring county came directly to his door to break off the engagement!"

Tsk tsk, from then on, it became the talk of the town among the wealthy and powerful families of Heishan County!

He mocked in an exaggerated tone, "It is said that on the day the engagement was called off, Xiao Yuan couldn't take the shock."

In front of everyone, he even shouted things like, "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, never underestimate a young man's potential..."

Haha, tell me, isn't that hilarious? This is just self-humiliating!

After You Qian finished speaking, he couldn't help but shake his head with a laugh, as if mocking a fool who overestimated his abilities.

However, Fang Xia felt a sudden chill run down her spine upon hearing this.

"Xiao Yuan," "Broken Engagement," "Thirty Years East of the River, Thirty Years West of the River," "Never Underestimate a Young Man's Potential"...

"This scene...it feels strangely familiar?"