As the sky began to brighten, Qin Wang left his small house and headed towards the waste area of Xiao Dan Mountain.
The waste area was where the many cultivators and shops of Xiao Dan Mountain discarded their miscellaneous items. Qin Wang planned to dispose of the Beasts-Luring Incense there, hoping not to draw attention.
On the streets, several cultivators were heading directly to Cuiyun Mountain. Shops like Yi Dan Association, Wan Fa Building, Ling Dan Shop, and Beast Slaughter Shop were still closed.
Soon, Qin Wang arrived at the waste area and casually threw the five portions of Beasts-Luring Incense into the trash. He then flicked a pigeon-egg-sized fireball into the incense, causing it to slowly start burning. Qin Wang quickly left the scene.
At the top of Xiao Dan Mountain...
"This Ziyang Technique, while beneficial for breaking through to the Foundation Establishment, has troublesome drawbacks. Once my tenure here ends, I must return to the sect and change my cultivation method."
Master Zixia, dressed in colorful purple robes, sat cross-legged in his cave mansion on the mountaintop, slowly opening his eyes. The Ziyang Technique was a significant fortuitous encounter for him, enabling him to reach the Foundation Establishment stage. However, its disadvantage was considerable: every full moon, his magical power would be halved, leaving him vulnerable if confronted by enemies of the same level.
"What is this...a beast tide?"
"Damn it! Why is it happening again?"
Suddenly, Master Zixia sensed vibrations from the direction of Cuiyun Mountain. He immediately flashed his figure, flying out of the cave on his sword. Hovering above Xiao Dan Mountain, he saw a black torrent of beasts ten miles away, his brows furrowing deeply.
The area was densely packed with demon beasts! Today was the eighth day of the lunar month. His cultivation power was gradually waning! And now, a beast tide appeared again.
Master Zixia reached into his storage bag, retrieving a green formation flag. As the Foundation Establishment guardian of Xiao Dan Mountain, he controlled the flag that activated the mountain's protective formation. With a wave of his hand, the flag flew to the center of the mountaintop, emitting a green light that extended rapidly down the mountain.
In just a few moments, the entire market of Xiao Dan Mountain was enveloped by a protective light screen.
"My heavens! The protective formation is up! Oh no...a beast tide is coming towards Xiao Dan Mountain!"
"What's been happening lately? Why are there beast tides every day? Can the protective formation withstand it?"
"If there are beast tides almost daily, how are we supposed to go out and hunt demons?"
"From what I see, it must be a third-grade demon beast appearing in the depths of Cuiyun Mountain! It was like this over a decade ago!!"
When the protective formation of Xiao Dan Mountain activated, someone noticed the dense wave of demon beasts ten miles away charging towards the mountain. Many cultivators took out their magical tools, their expressions filled with worry and discussions erupted among them.
Standing among the cultivators, Qin Wang watched the flood of demon boars, rhino demons, saber-toothed tiger demons, rabbit demons, and snake demons assaulting the protective light screen of Xiao Dan Mountain. He clearly saw that each time the beasts collided with the light screen, the formation's protective light flashed momentarily before restoring to its original state.
"Old man, you extorted my spirit stones. Now, you'll get a taste of daily troubles!"
Standing among the cultivators, Qin Wang's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. He knew that although the protective formation was strong enough to withstand third-grade demon beasts, the continuous attacks from these small beasts would slowly drain the formation's spiritual energy. Over time, the cost in spirit stones would be immense.
Master Zixia might distribute this burden among the cultivators. Once or twice would be fine, but if it happened daily, the cultivators in Xiao Dan Mountain would find it unbearable. Eventually, they would feel the place was no longer livable and would leave for other cultivation markets, causing Xiao Dan Mountain to decline.
Xiao Dan Mountain was one of the three major markets under Lingyao Sect. If it fell into decline under Master Zixia's watch, he would be held accountable!
Thus, Master Zixia had to act quickly to resolve the beast tide.
"Little Qin, don't go out of Xiao Dan Mountain recently. These frequent beast tides are too dangerous!"
At this moment, Uncle Gao from next door walked over and cautioned Qin Wang. His rough face showed deep concern. Without being able to go out, he couldn't hunt demons to earn spirit stones for his daughter's future.
"Uncle Gao, I understand."
Qin Wang felt grateful. He knew Uncle Gao genuinely worried about him.
"Fellow Daoist Qin, our big earning opportunity has come again!"
Suddenly, a scruffy, lewd young man approached Qin Wang, speaking eagerly.
"Fellow Daoist Li, I think it might be difficult this time."
Turning to see Li Qi Ye, with whom he had scavenged corpses before, Qin Wang shook his head. He knew Master Zixia's opportunistic nature meant he wouldn't let go of the demon beast carcasses easily.
"I don't think so. Look at all the trampled dead beasts. Once the beast tide recedes, can the mountain guards handle cleaning up all those carcasses?"
"They'll still need us scattered cultivators."
"Even if Master Zixia takes half, we can still earn dozens of spirit stones!"
Li Qi Ye rubbed his hands together excitedly.
"That's true."
Qin Wang glanced at Li Qi Ye, recognizing that he had already prepared for Master Zixia to take half of the profits.
At this moment, countless demon beasts collided with and bit at the light screen. Many were knocked unconscious and trampled by others.
Time passed swiftly.
By the next morning, the protective formation was surrounded by heaps of demon beast corpses. The beast tide was still pressing against the formation, desperately trying to break in.
"What's happening? It's been a whole day and night, and the beast tide hasn't retreated?"
Master Zixia flew to the edge of the protective formation. Seeing the plain outside the mountain swarming with demon beasts, his brows furrowed even deeper. He was not afraid of first or second-grade beasts, but with the full moon approaching, his power was diminishing, and he needed to conserve his strength in case a third-grade beast from Cuiyun Mountain attacked.
Qin Wang's use of the Beasts-Luring Incense trapped Xiao Dan Mountain in the beast tide for an entire day and night before it finally receded.
Qin Wang, Li Qi Ye, Uncle Gao, and other scattered cultivators ventured out to collect the demon beast carcasses. As expected, Master Zixia took 80% of the profits, claiming it was for the protective formation's expenses. The scattered cultivators had no choice but to hand over 80% of their spirit stones.
Qin Wang hauled several loads of beast carcasses, earning 50 spirit stones even after giving up 80%.
These 50 spirit stones covered the cost of making 5 portions of Beasts-Luring Incense, netting him 25 spirit stones in profit.
"With these 25 spirit stones, I can buy 5 more portions!"
Standing at the entrance of Beast Slaughter Shop, Qin Wang smiled.
That night, at midnight...
Qin Wang placed 3 portions of Beasts-Luring Incense in the waste area. Master Zixia had to activate the protective formation again and mobilize all the cultivators for defense.
The second beast tide also lasted a whole day and night before retreating.
Half a day after the beast tide subsided, Qin Wang again placed 3 portions of Beasts-Luring Incense, causing another beast tide.
This cycle continued, making Master Zixia miserable.
"Yu Long, are the scattered cultivators in the market thinking of leaving?"
Over a month later, a haggard Master Zixia stood at the grand hall at the top of Xiao Dan Mountain, his face dark as he spoke to Elder Zhao Yulong of the Foreign Affairs Hall.
"Master, with the daily beast tides for the past month…"
"These scattered cultivators can't go out to hunt demons and are constantly fearful. Most of them feel Xiao Dan Mountain is no longer suitable for cultivation... They are planning to move to the nearby Golden Blade Market."
"There are also rumors..."
Zhao Yulong spoke respectfully, not daring to look directly at Master Zixia. He didn't dare repeat the rumors, fearing that doing so would enrage the master and result in his own death.
"What rumors?"
Master Zixia's eyes narrowed, his powerful Foundation Establishment aura pressing down on Zhao Yulong, who felt as if he were about to collapse.
"They say…"
Zhao Yulong trembled as he spoke. "They say the beast tides are because Master disturbed the eggs of a pair of third-grade Golden-Backed Eagles in the mountains, causing the frequent beast tides. They also say the pair of third-grade beasts is about to attack Xiao Dan Mountain Market."
"What?"
"I disturbed the eggs of the Golden-Backed Eagles? Causing the beast tides? Which wretch spread such slander about me?"
Master Zixia trembled with rage. He had guarded Xiao Dan Mountain for fifteen years, working diligently with little reward. The frequent beast tides over the past month had caused widespread dissatisfaction, which he knew the sect would soon learn about. He was prepared to face punishment, but to be accused of provoking a pair of third-grade eagles and driving away the scattered cultivators to Badao Sect's Golden Blade Market—this was a charge he couldn't bear!
"Master, the rumor just started circulating, and we don't yet know who is responsible."
Zhao Yulong, terrified, reported cautiously.