Cultivation starts from devouring the Dao fruits

The next day, Zhao Yu let Chi Emperor start feeding on Second-Order Demon Beast essence blood, which he then refined with the help of Devouring the Dao Fruit.

"It's still young, and can't consume much demon beast essence blood each day, but it's enough to enhance its bloodline quality a bit. In three months, its bloodline quality should be able to upgrade to low-grade."

Zhao Yu looked at Chi Emperor sprawled at his feet, now a size larger than when it was born, and smiled faintly.

The most abundant resource in the Canglong Mountain Range was demon beasts, which could serve as nutrients for Chi Emperor's growth and evolution. Read exclusive content at empire

Zhao Yu felt content and, taking Chi Emperor with him, left the Quiet Room and went to the garden to find Wei Xinlan.

"Lord of the Mountain, our Tong family is willing to offer Bilin Lake and seeks your protection in return."

Tong Zilin, dressed in formal attire, came before Zhao Yu and respectfully performed a bow, handing him a contract document.

Zhao Yu took the document and said indifferently, "I have been friends with Daoist Tong Shouren for more than a decade. As long as the Tong family abides by my rules, I will naturally offer you protection. Moreover, Zilin, you are now a person of the Zhao family; you must recognize your new identity."

Among the four great beauties, Tuoba Xue acted prudently, albeit being slightly biased towards the Tuoba family but kept within the limits set by Zhao Yu. Wei Xinlan was naive and stayed out of affairs. Much of Tong Zilin's concern still remained with the Tong family, and Cui Lihua managed affairs impartially and had started to take over some of the powers of the small Dan Ridge.

"Yes! This servant understands!"

Tong Zilin's heart tightened slightly, and after hesitating for a moment, she spoke through gritted teeth, "Lord of the Mountain, our small Dan Ridge already has two Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and more will emerge in the future. Please consider keeping Bilin Lake."

The Tong family's foundation was at Bilin Lake. If Zhao Yu were to sell Bilin Lake, the Tong family would only be able to relocate to the small Dan Ridge. Thus, the Tong family would suffer massive losses and have to start anew.

Zhao Yu said, "I will consider it carefully; you may leave now!"

Tong Zilin, with a hint of envy, glanced at Wei Xinlan by Zhao Yu's side and then withdrew, saying, "Yes!"

Zhao Yu then sank into deep thought.

After the deaths of Tong Shouren, Luo Weihao, Yi Wanqing, and Qiu Zhenning, the four great Foundation Establishment Cultivators, the four Spiritual Lands they controlled naturally could not be preserved.

The Luo, Yi, and Qiu families were directly demoted to sin clans, had all their properties confiscated, and were branded as criminals. The cultivators of these families were either killed or imprisoned, and the common folk were expelled from the Spiritual Lands to live in areas with scant Spiritual Energy, becoming slaves to others.

Those four Spiritual Lands had now fallen into Zhao Yu's hands.

Zhao Yu pondered inwardly, "Bilin Lake has many lakes, which are perfect for breeding a type of demon beast known as Golden Scale Carp. These demon beasts are delicious and nourishing, making them highly marketable. Moreover, they possess a trace of the True Dragon Bloodline passed down from ancient times, which could serve as food for Chi Emperor."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Zhao Yu decided to keep Bilin Lake and spread the word that he intended to sell the other three Spiritual Lands.

Months passed without a single Foundation Establishment Cultivator coming forth to buy any Spiritual Land, which puzzled Zhao Yu greatly.

"Master, this servant thinks those Foundation Establishment Cultivators must be afraid. Considering the number of Foundation Establishment Cultivators who have died here, it's natural for them to be worried," said Tuoba Xue during a casual chat about this topic, which enlightened him.

Since Luo Weihao and the other two Foundation Establishment Cultivators met their end at Zhao Yu's hands, the remaining Foundation Establishment Cultivators, despite seeing evidence that they were cultivators of calamity, were bound to harbor some doubts.

Zhao Yu then dismissed the idea of selling the four Spiritual Lands and began to set up the Thousand Trees Formation Array in them, also dispatching sect members and registered disciples to take control of the four lands.

Three years later, in the Quiet Room of the small Dan Ridge, a formidable aura of the middle stage of Foundation Establishment spread throughout.

Zhao Yu opened his eyes, revealing a slight smile, "At last, I have recovered the Fourth Level of Foundation Establishment! My current Fourth Level of Foundation Establishment, compared to the Earth Elemental Skill Fourth Level's mana, is more than four times stronger and far more refined.

Even if the White Ghost Emperor does not join the battle, should I not match a slightly weaker late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator?"

"Cultivation Level: Mountain Sutra Fourteenth Layer (0/100). Fourth Level of Foundation Establishment!"

"Divine Sense: Eighth Level of Foundation Establishment (35/100)."

"Achievements in cultivation, when shall we celebrate!"

Zhao Yu's lips curled slightly upward. After bathing and changing his clothes, he left the Quiet Room and entered the study, where he saw the beautifully dressed and captivating Shangguan Lingxiu and the astute Tuoba Xue.

"My lord!"

"Master!"

As soon as Shangguan Lingxiu and the other woman saw Zhao Yu, they rose with a smile and approached him with a waft of fragrance.

"Has there been any important matter lately?"

Zhao Yu swept them into his embrace with a large hand and sat down on a soft couch covered with demon beast fur in the study, with a soft and fragrant beauty in his arms, he smiled and said.

"There is indeed an urgent matter! Half a year ago, Shiyang's Master led many Foundation Establishment Cultivators from Shiyang City to invade the Canglong Mountain Range and took over a Third-Order Low-Grade Spiritual Land. He has sent an invitation asking you to join in defending against the beast tide and hunting demon beasts.

During the beast tide, all the demon beasts hunted by the Foundation Establishment Cultivators will belong to the hunter."

"Many invitations have been sent out by Shiyang's Master, and several Foundation Establishment Cultivators have gone to that Spiritual Land intending to hunt demon beasts."

"My lord, can't you stay behind?"

Shangguan Lingxiu suddenly grabbed Zhao Yu's large hand, a trace of worry flashing in her eyes.

The small beast tide in the Canglong Mountain Range was a disaster for the weaker Early Stage Foundation Building Cultivators, yet for a powerful force like Shiyang City with Complete Great Perfection in Foundation Establishment led by Shiyang's Master and supported by many cultivators, it was a grand hunting fest.

However, the beast tide was still a dangerous event, and nobody could predict what might occur within it, Shangguan Lingxiu was worried that Zhao Yu would hunt demon beasts for Spirit Stones.

Zhao Yu said gravely, "This beast tide is a rare opportunity! With my abilities, I can hunt a large number of demon beasts and make a fortune!"

Shangguan Lingxiu bit her silver teeth and tightly held Zhao Yu's hand, saying no more.

The seriousness on Zhao Yu's face vanished, and he chuckled, "However, as an Alchemy Master who owns five Spiritual Lands, I'm not short of Spirit Stones. Why should I take such a risk?"

Shangguan Lingxiu playfully scolded, "My lord, you really are terrible!"

Tuoba Xue covered her mouth and giggled, "Madam, I've told you before, the master is so cautious, how could he risk hunting demon beasts?"

"Well now, Xue'er, are you implying I'm a coward in a roundabout way? That won't do. I must punish you! And you, Lingxiu, for not trusting me either, you also deserve some punishment!"

Zhao Yu smiled lightly, scooped up the two women in his arms, and strode towards the bedroom.

Shangguan Lingxiu and Tuoba Xue's pretty faces flushed with a hint of red.

An indescribable delight of spring breeze.

The next day, Shangguan Lingxiu sent a letter back to Shiyang City, informing them that Zhao Yu was in closed-door cultivation, and Shiyang City did not insist further.

Months later, when the beast tide erupted, Shiyang's Master led many Foundation Establishment Cultivators to easily defend against the tide. Only three Foundation Establishment Cultivators perished in that battle.

As the beast tide caused the prices of demon beast materials to plummet, Zhao Yu seized the opportunity to buy up a large quantity of demon beast materials at low prices.