"When the Pioneer Decree is issued, for every clan that rejoices, ten will grieve."

Bai Xianzhong had never participated in the Black Mountain pioneering, but he had heard the clan elders speak of it in his youth.

But that Foundation Establishment Ancestor from the Chen Family had participated personally—twice, in fact.

So he naturally understood the bloodshed and danger the Pioneer Decree represented.

For every new Cultivation Family that rose, at least several times that number would be ruined and fall.

All Black Mountain Cultivators, whether they were Loose Cultivators or from Cultivation Families, had to obey the Qingfeng Sect’s command unconditionally.

It was all done under the righteous banner of opening up new territory and seizing Spirit Veins for the Human Race. Anyone who dared to defy the Pioneer Decree would face the combined wrath of all Black Mountain Cultivators.

Since it was unavoidable, their only choice was to bolster their own strength.

"There were also three Minor Sects involved. One was willing to abandon its lineage, offer up its core legacy, and merge directly into the Qingfeng Sect. The other two were only willing to become Affiliated Sects, latching onto the greater power, but refused to sever their own traditions."

"Become Affiliated Sects... The Qingfeng Sect wouldn’t agree to that, would they?"

Bai Zichen had read the Black Mountain County Chronicles thoroughly and knew exactly where the Qingfeng Sect drew the line.

Just as Cultivation Families were forbidden from poaching Immortal Seedlings from outside their own bloodlines, sects that had an orderly inheritance and openly recruited disciples were also targets of the Qingfeng Sect’s strict suppression.

Any sect that entered Black Mountain County and attempted to preach its ways and accept disciples would be regarded as a mortal enemy by the Qingfeng Sect.

There was no room for negotiation—only withdrawal or annihilation. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Of course not. Since the other two sects refused to sever their lineages, Master Yangg gave them ten days to leave Black Mountain County. Otherwise, they would be treated as enemies of the Qingfeng Sect, and their entire sect would be exterminated."

Using the map of the Black Mountain Range, Bai Xianzhong began explaining some common knowledge that was usually privy only to Great Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

"That’s why, Zichen, you must strive to reach the Qi Refining Ninth Layer within ten years. By then, the disciples of the Qingfeng Sect will also have to join the pioneering teams. You’ll have some ability to protect yourself, and you’ll also have the chance to gain considerable benefits in the process."

"The Chen Family and I have studied this. The two most likely locations for the Qingfeng Sect to target with the Pioneer Decree are Cyan Bull Valley and Bi Yue Lake."

Bai Xianzhong had heavily circled these two locations on the map with Vermilion.

"Looking at the distances, doesn’t Celestial Thunder Cliff seem closer?"

This was the first time Bai Zichen had ever seen a complete map of Black Mountain. The outer regions were detailed, but it grew increasingly crude toward the depths.

He first found the Bai Family’s location, then used places he had been to before, like the Qingfeng Sect and the Five Mountains Temple, to estimate the distance to the two demon beast territories the Clan Leader had mentioned.

Cyan Bull Valley was about six thousand li east of the Qingfeng Sect and was occupied by a herd of Single-Horned Kui Oxen.

As for Bi Yue Lake, it was named for its shape, which resembled a full moon. Many demon beasts lived along its shores. The lake itself was home to a large number of Water Element Demonic Beasts, and it was even rumored that someone had seen a Flood Dragon several dozen zhang long in its waters.

The waters of Bi Yue Lake were vast, and it was located about seven thousand li north of the Qingfeng Sect.

As for Celestial Thunder Cliff, which Bai Zichen had mentioned, the map indicated that it met the criteria for a Tier Three Spirit Vein and was only three thousand li from the Qingfeng Sect.

"Celestial Thunder Cliff is occupied by several dozen Golden-Winged Thunder Rocs. It’s said that their flock even includes a Tier Three Demon King."

A deep sense of apprehension filled Bai Xianzhong’s eyes. A Golden-Winged Thunder Roc became a Tier Two Low-Grade Demon Beast simply upon reaching adulthood.

They were incredibly fast flyers and were born with Thunder Element Divine Techniques. Even Foundation Establishment Cultivators wouldn’t dare to provoke them lightly.

"Other demon beasts can be slowly worn down using Arrays and human-wave tactics. But avian demon beasts are far too agile. Qi Refining Cultivators would just be a burden; only Foundation Establishment Cultivators are of any use against them."

"What’s more, that Golden-Winged Thunder Roc Demon King has already awakened the Thunder Escape Technique. It comes and goes without a trace. Aside from the two True Men, no one can keep up with its speed!"

"The Qingfeng Sect certainly wants to eliminate this grave threat right on their doorstep, but they won’t make a move until they are absolutely certain of victory."

"I see."

Bai Zichen finally understood, and he seized the opportunity to ask the Clan Leader about the various taboos and dangers to be aware of in the depths of Black Mountain.

"Keep what I’ve told you to yourself. There’s no need to inform anyone else."

"Also, since you will be joining the Qingfeng Sect, I’ve decided to have Bai Ling remain with the clan. When I grow old, the Bai Family will need someone to step up and support it."

Bai Xianzhong had already thought it all through. Of the clan’s two Foundation Establishment Seeds, the one with greater potential would be sent to the Qingfeng Sect to pursue the Great Dao, free from the distractions of clan affairs.

Bai Ling, whose potential was slightly less, would remain in the clan. She would be fully supported in her attempt at Foundation Establishment to serve as the Bai Family’s safeguard for the next hundred years.

"Clan Leader, you are in your prime. Your cultivation will surely continue to break through to new heights."

Bai Zichen took a step back and performed a deep bow.

He had understood the hidden meaning in Bai Xianzhong’s words.

"If I succeed in reaching Foundation Establishment in the Qingfeng Sect, I will certainly help Bai Ling in any way I can."

"By the way, I hear you don’t even own a single Magical Artifact. Remember to go to the storehouse tomorrow and collect an Ink Bamboo Sword. Consider it a personal gift from me."

Just as Bai Zichen was about to take his leave, Clan Leader Bai Xianzhong suddenly mentioned this, causing a delighted Bai Zichen to turn back and thank him again with a bow.

...

Inside the Quiet Chamber, a three-chi-long, jade-black flying sword hovered in the air, radiating waves of killing intent.

"Success!"

Bai Zichen had spent a full three days refining it, continuously using his Magical Power to form a link with the Ink Bamboo Sword. Finally, he felt the sensation of his Heart and Spirit Linked to it.

This meant that the Ink Bamboo Sword had been successfully refined and now truly belonged to him.

He had originally planned to spend several months completing two clan missions to gather enough contribution points, then immediately exchange them for an Ink Bamboo Sword.

He hadn’t expected the Clan Leader to bestow one upon him, saving him a great deal of effort.

Bai Zichen gripped the Ink Bamboo Sword and swung it gently. As his Magical Power circulated, a sword light several chi long pulsed from the blade, carving two deep Sword Marks into the ground as if it were cutting tofu.

He flicked a finger against the blade’s body, and a clear, crisp ring vibrated through the air, tinged with a low hum.

’If I’d had the Ink Bamboo Sword during the tournament that day, I wouldn’t have been in such a pathetic state. I could have severed those vines with just a few casual swings. Then, with a Sword Control strike, I would have shattered that so-called Golden Light Sun Bracelet with a single blow!’

The tier classification for Flying Swords was different from that of Magical Artifacts, Spiritual Artifacts, and Magical Treasures. They were ranked by Tier, but not by Grade.

A Tier One Flying Sword was equivalent to a Top-Grade Magical Artifact, a Tier Two Flying Sword was equivalent to a Top-Grade Spiritual Artifact, and so on.

Therefore, the price of a Flying Sword dwarfed that of other items of the same level. A Tier One Flying Sword with excellent properties could even be exchanged for two or three Top-Grade Magical Artifacts.

Those Sword Cultivators often owned nothing but a single Flying Sword. Aside from the notion of dedicating oneself wholly to the sword, Bai Zichen figured it also had something to do with the fact that Flying Swords were just too expensive.

They spent their entire fortunes on their Flying Swords, leaving no spare money to acquire other Magical Artifacts.

Over ninety percent of all Flying Swords in the world were refined from the Five Metals Spirit and then forged using various techniques.

Due to the different materials used in their creation, they were naturally imbued with different elemental properties.

The Ink Bamboo Sword, however, was an extremely rare Wood Element Flying Sword in the Cultivation Realm, one refined from Spiritual Bamboo.

The Refining Method for the Ink Bamboo Sword came from a secret manual the Bai Family’s Ancestor brought with him when he left the Fish Dragon Sect. It recorded the refining processes for three types of Flying Swords, along with their corresponding Sword-Controlling Techniques.

After Bai Zichen received the Ink Bamboo Sword, Clan Leader Bai Xianzhong had recorded all the relevant information about it onto a Jade Scroll and given it to him.

’Compared to other Flying Swords of the same Tier refined from the Five Metals Spirit, the Ink Bamboo Sword is a bit weaker in terms of both hardness and killing power. No wonder its price in the Market is twenty to thirty percent cheaper than other Flying Swords...’