Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi-Chapter 156 - 143: Establishing Authority and Reputation

"Buzz..."

Five Foundation Establishment masters, using escape techniques to transit underground.

In just a brief moment, the five Foundation Establishment masters suddenly felt an emptiness before them, breaking free from the earthy layer, arriving at an underground cave.

The underground cave was not large, just a dozen or so zhang in size, inside it was a mess, with remnants of bodies and skeletal remains everywhere, clearly having experienced a fierce battle.

And at the center of the underground cave:

A familiar silhouette stood with hands behind their back, exceptionally eye-catching.

"Lord Qingxu?"

Peng Yue Xian exclaimed, and the other Foundation Establishment masters were also taken aback.

What is this situation?

The Qingxu they imagined, ambushed halfway and met with misfortune, was intact and appeared in the mines' underground?

"Everyone."

Zhang Yao slowly turned around, glanced at the group, and bowed slightly, revealing a slight smile:

"You have finally arrived, I have been anticipating your arrival."

"Lord Qingxu, it's good that you're alright."

Lord Haihe breathed a sigh of relief, just about to say something when suddenly his expression changed, and his gaze unconsciously looked down:

"This is..."

It was only then that he noticed, lying at Zhang Yao's feet were several unconscious figures, four of whom emanated particularly powerful auras, clearly Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"Good heavens! Four Foundation Establishment cultivators!"

"Oh my... Could it be that they were all defeated by Lord Qingxu?"

"To take on four at once and still capture them alive? This, this..."

The numerous Foundation Establishment masters also noticed these figures, were all shocked, and showed expressions of disbelief.

To take on four at once and capture them alive, even if they were all at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, was indeed an astonishing achievement, with combat power almost approaching late stage Foundation Establishment!

And Qingxu? They clearly remembered that this person had ascended to the Foundation Establishment stage less than ten years ago!

Such terrifying power, almost comparable to a Celestial Spirit Root cultivator who practices top level techniques!

Qingxu was just a Loose Cultivator's Foundation Establishment, could he have such a profound foundation?

"Phew!"

Lord Haihe took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the shock in his heart, and asked in a deep voice:

"Lord Qingxu, what exactly is going on here?"

"It's like this..."

Zhang Yao immediately responded, revealing the prepared explanation.

In his explanation, it was when he was collecting Soul Thought Aura, he unintentionally discovered that some miner slaves seemed to be plotting a jailbreak, secretly connecting many others.

When he tried to further investigate, he found that they were planted with a Divine Soul Magic Ban, from which he deduced the presence of Foundation Establishment level elements behind the scenes, so he set up this scheme to lure them out.

As for the three demon cultivators from the Hu family, it was purely by accident, they happened to choose that day to act together, resulting in them being dealt with by him.

"Is that so..."

Lord Haihe pondered in silence, while the other Foundation Establishment cultivators had varied expressions, examining the unconscious individuals on the ground.

According to Zhang Yao, he utilized the many existing arrays in the mining area as concealment, secretly setting up a second grade array, waiting for the opponents to walk right into the trap.

With such a home field advantage, he could defeat and capture four Foundation Establishment cultivators alive, a much more acceptable explanation for everyone.

"We won't worry about this tomb raider for now."

Lord Haihe looked at the Hu family members, and said solemnly:

"You just said, these three are demon cultivators? Do you have proof?"

The revelation of demon cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage brazenly sieging, with several coming at once, was no small matter.

Even with his status and position, he felt it rather tricky, hence addressing it promptly.

"I do."

Zhang Yao nodded, and said:

"When I was fighting them, I vaguely noticed the demonic aura emanating from them, but was not sure yet."

"It wasn't until after defeating them, when I probed them with Magical Power and Divine Thought again, that I detected abnormalities in their bloodline."

Upon hearing Zhang Yao's words, Lord Haihe immediately stepped forward, using Magical Power and Divine Thought to probe, carefully observing and identifying the three demon cultivators from the Hu family.

Even though the three demon cultivators from the Hu family had lost consciousness, and their Magical Power was sealed, they still maintained normal human form, enough to show these demon cultivators' high skill in concealing Daoist techniques.

"Hmm, this method of hiding bloodlines is quite sophisticated, but indeed without a doubt, they are demon cultivators..."

As Lord Haihe carefully identified, upon reaching the Hu family elder, he was immediately startled:

"This person is even a middle stage Foundation Establishment demon cultivator!"

"What? Middle stage Foundation Establishment?!"

The remaining Foundation Establishment masters were shocked upon hearing this, their gazes towards Zhang Yao all changed once again.

What is the use of array power? It only provides some home advantage.

A middle stage Foundation Establishment, with three early stage Foundation Establishments, such a lineup would make many late stage Foundation Establishment cultivators wary, not even daring to claim absolute victory.

Yet Zhang Yao prevailed in battle!

Such an achievement, no matter how it was done, is enough to move anyone! Even inspire reverence!

"Lord Qingxu truly possesses extraordinary power, we are truly unmatched!"

Peng Yue Xian couldn't help but express heartfelt admiration.

The remaining Foundation Establishment masters also spoke in praise, unconsciously lowering their posture a bit.

"Your compliments are undue."

Zhang Yao still behaved very modestly.

"Hahaha, who would've thought our Haihe Association had picked up a great treasure."

Lord Haihe laughed as he approached, patted Zhang Yao on the shoulder, and indicated:

"This time, you single-handedly thwarted the enemy's scheme and uncovered the tomb raider who has been causing harm for years, making a significant contribution."

"Let's postpone discussing the merits for now; the urgent matter is how to deal with these demon cultivators."

Zhang Yao nodded and said:

"These three Foundation Establishment demon cultivators likely came for that little demon cultivator girl."

He said this as he pointed to the unconscious Hu Weiwei and solemnly remarked:

"This little demon cultivator girl once begged for mercy, asking me to spare them, and claimed her grandfather is 'Tangshan Ancestor.'

"Tangshan Ancestor?"

The few Foundation Establishment cultivators exchanged glances and shook their heads, clearly unfamiliar with this name.

Only Lord Haihe's pupils contracted tightly, and he solemnly asked:

"Tangshan Ancestor... Did she really say that?"

"Yes."

Zhang Yao nodded again and said:

"It seems you, Association Leader, know about the origins of this Tangshan Ancestor?"

With these words, the other Foundation Establishment cultivators turned their attention, awaiting his explanation.

"...Indeed."

Lord Haihe took a deep breath and began speaking slowly:

"This Tangshan Ancestor, hails from the 'Jing Kingdom' in the heart of the Central Plains, and is a notorious figure in 'Jing Kingdom.'

"The Jing Kingdom is relatively close to us, Da Li, and its territory has a peculiar situation where many powerful demon cultivators operate almost openly, including this Tangshan Ancestor."

"As far as I know, this person has gathered many demon cultivator forces; not only is he a powerhouse in the late-stage Golden Core, but several demon cultivator Golden Core experts also follow him closely..."

"That powerful?"

Zhang Yao, Peng Yue Xian, and others couldn't help but change their expressions.

You can tell from Lord Haihe's tone of introduction, figures like Tangshan Ancestor are ones that even the Fuhai Sect wouldn't want to offend.

No Golden Core Ancestor mixing in the Central Plains is a good-natured one; if things get out of hand, it might be hard to contain the situation.

Lord Haihe pondered for a moment and spoke again:

"Tangshan Ancestor himself has refined the bloodline of the 'Flying Heavens Divine Leopard,' known as the king among tigers and ruler of the skies."

"Judging from some bloodline characteristics, these demon cultivators fit the description, so they probably aren't lying."

"Then it seems there's no choice but to let them go."

Zhang Yao spoke solemnly: "However, I've confiscated their belongings; Association Leader, do you think they should be returned to them..."

"No need."

Lord Haihe waved his hand and said:

"Letting them live is already giving Tangshan Ancestor immense respect, and a proud Golden Core Ancestor wouldn't haggle over such things."

"Their accumulated wealth can be considered as the ransom for their lives and as your rightful spoils of war."

"Understood." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Zhang Yao nodded, feeling considerably relieved.

"Throw these people out later, let's discuss the matter of the tomb raider."

Lord Haihe spoke as he turned to the unconscious old lady in a black robe, frowned, and said:

"Qingxu, I remember you said earlier that this person seems to be from the Du Bu Alliance?"

"Yes."

Zhang Yao replied:

"I know a few rough soul techniques and interrogated some information; she claims to be Feng Dujuan, a member of the Du Bu Alliance."

"Feng Dujuan?"

A Foundation Establishment master exclaimed softly, examining the black-robed old lady closely, and said in a strange tone:

"Strange... I've dealt with Feng Dujuan a few times; she doesn't look like this at all."

"But her magical aura is quite similar; perhaps she changed her appearance?"

"That's likely."

Zhang Yao said as he took out the silver duster, asking:

"This is the spiritual artifact she used in the magical battle; has Daoist Brother Duanyu seen it?"

"Indeed, this is her property!"

Duanyu smiled as he saw it:

"Heh, the person can change looks, but her handy spiritual artifact can't be altered."

"This makes things interesting; the Du Bu Alliance essentially delivered an incriminating piece right into our hands."

"Exactly!"

Peng Yue Xian, standing nearby, chuckled as he said:

"We've always been at odds with the Du Bu Alliance, and now they'll have their comeuppance."

Several Foundation Establishment masters laughed together; even Lord Haihe showed a faint smile.

Being similarly newly established second-rate forces, the Du Bu Alliance and the Haihe Association have longstanding grudges both in history and recent times.

Due mainly to their territories being too close, they even had fierce disputes over interests in Fang Continent, so their relations are naturally strained.

In fact, Feng Dujuan from the Du Bu Alliance chose to excavate the veins in Suiyu Mountain, largely due to the strained relations between the two factions.

Relations between Lord Haihe and Du Bu Daoist are poor, and there have been many past conflicts; as long as direct evidence is not captured, the Du Bu Alliance would naturally shelter her.

But she probably never dreamed she'd lose so catastrophically this time and end up captured alive by Zhang Yao.

"Qingxu!"

Lord Haihe said with a smile:

"Tie this woman up for me!"