Chapter 397: Chapter 308: Plotting Behind the Scenes
At the Barbaric Border, several massive structures stood at an outpost marking the boundary between the Barbaric Wilderness and the plains. A faint light from an Array listlessly enveloped the buildings, casting a rather unusual glow.
This was the outpost established by the Qingyuan Sect. Ever since a few of its disciples went missing after following a group of Gold Seekers into the Barbaric Wilderness to make some quick money, this long-dormant Array was finally being put to use.
In the distance, a Spiritual Boat glided to a stop. The first to leap off was an immense black and white bear. It had a naturally soft and rounded face, but its sheer, brawny size made it look incredibly formidable.
This Bear Beast was Jinbao. Now at the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment realm, he had long since shed his cuddly, cub-like appearance and had become heroic and majestic. When he stood behind Fang Qingyuan, he was like a great tower or a belfry, casting an immense shadow that covered a vast patch of the Land Realm. The average disciple wouldn’t even dare to look him in the eye.
Fang Qingyuan stepped off the Spiritual Boat, shrinking the magical artifact and placing it in his storage bag. He then approached the local disciples who had come to greet him and began his inquiry.
"Are you saying that Liangcai and the others, during their watch, followed a group of Gold Seekers into the Barbaric Wilderness? They were hoping to find some minor opportunities along the border, but they got into trouble and there’s been no word from them since?"
The Cultivator in charge here was Jiang Tianfang, who was at the Late-stage Qi Cultivation realm. He was a Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer Cultivator, only in his early thirties, and one of the more outstanding individuals among the war orphans from that time. Guarding the Barbaric Wilderness outpost was inherently dangerous, and the sect had sent him here because they valued his enterprising spirit and his ability to create opportunities.
But it had only been a year, and already such a major incident had occurred. If these disciples were to die in the Barbaric Wilderness, it would become the single deadliest event for the Qingyuan Sect since its establishment.
Facing Fang Qingyuan, Jiang Tianfang was terrified. He offered no excuses for himself, simply relaying every piece of information he had without holding anything back, and awaited his final decision.
Fang Qingyuan had no intention of blaming him. Although Jiang Tianfang bore some responsibility, he couldn’t be held entirely at fault. The disciples who had gotten into trouble were the new generation of "cultivator scions" from the founding families. They were born knowing their sect was the most prestigious power in the surrounding region. Having suffered few setbacks since childhood, they had never seen eye-to-eye with disciples from backgrounds like Jiang Tianfang’s, a war orphan.
The Qingyuan Sect was approaching its twentieth year. The newly grown generation had never experienced the precarious life of White Mountain, where one could never be sure they would see the next day. The three generations of enfeoffment from the Great Zhou Academy had given them an unshakeable sense of confidence. In the past, if they clashed with Loose Cultivators, it was always the Loose Cultivators who backed down. This, in turn, fed the arrogance of these cultivator scions. It was only natural that, with a little prodding from someone, they’d choose to delve deep into the Barbaric Wilderness for an adventure.
Young people have their moments of willfulness. As long as you can bear the consequences of your actions, that’s fine. If you can’t, then it’s time for the adults to step in and clean up the mess.
’What can I do about it?’ The sect’s disciples were in trouble. As the Sect Leader, could he just stand by and let them die?
’As for how to deal with them afterward—whether it’s a few years of solitary reflection or a punishment that keeps them bedridden for months—that’s a problem for later. The most urgent task is to find them first.’
"Tianfang, for the time being, scale back the sect’s operations. Don’t receive anyone unless it’s absolutely necessary. Everything can wait until I return."
Hearing this, Jiang Tianfang looked slightly shocked. He asked in a low voice,
"Sect Leader, you suspect there’s something more to this matter?"
Fang Qingyuan nodded, voicing his concerns. "Nothing like this has happened in the past decade or more. We only just suppressed the Zhang Family and established this Barbaric Wilderness outpost, and then this happens. I suspect someone is pulling the strings from behind the scenes. It’s better to be cautious."
Hearing Fang Qingyuan say this, Jiang Tianfang immediately grew tense. He subconsciously scanned his surroundings, as if trying to spot a hidden enemy.
Fang Qingyuan was amused by his behavior. "It hasn’t reached that point yet. No matter how you look at it, we’re an enfeoffed sect. The other party can only resort to petty schemes. You can rest assured. The possibility of them launching a direct, open attack on us won’t happen."
After reassuring Jiang Tianfang and inquiring about the details, Fang Qingyuan called out to Jinbao, and the man and beast casually headed into the depths of the Barbaric Wilderness.
....
To Jinbao, the edge of the Barbaric Wilderness was practically his backyard. Even when he was at the Early-stage Foundation Establishment realm, he could run rampant here, beating the various Foundation Establishment Demon Beasts until they cried for their mothers. Now that he had advanced, no demon beast below the Golden Core realm was a match for him.
Jinbao’s disposition was much livelier as he walked through the Barbaric Wilderness than it was in the outside world. Perhaps it was because here, he could better feel his freedom and embrace his wild nature.
Just now, for instance, Jinbao threw a punch. The black and white qi swirling over his fist spun rapidly, like an incomparably sharp arrowhead, and slammed violently into the abdomen of a giant rhinoceros. The blow sent it staggering back before it collapsed with a mighty crash, blood pouring from its mouth and nose.
This Moon-Gazing Rhinoceros was already at the Late-stage Foundation Establishment realm, but under the might of Jinbao’s fists, it only managed to hold on for a few short minutes. In the end, it was felled by a single punch, its life brought to an end.
Once the rhinoceros was down, Jinbao went over and landed another colossal punch to make absolutely sure it was dead. Only then did he strut proudly over to Fang Qingyuan’s side to show off and ask for praise.
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