Volume 1 Volume 7 Chapter 59

Volume 7 Chapter 59: Niu Wenxing’s Impression (Part 2)

After the battlefield was completely over, the cultivators who had been surrounding and troubling the enemy began to use their magical abilities. They pulled several demon beast bodies that had sunk to the bottom of the sea. Then, they skillfully removed the flesh and bones from these demon beasts, gathering together the materials suitable for crafting weapons and making potions, like hunters who had grown up in the wilderness.

Meanwhile, the mysterious cultivators who had transformed into smoke before were now forming a cloud and sitting on it, resting and recovering. It seemed that defeating those high-level Earth demons, which had appeared so easy before, actually took a lot of energy.

At the same time, in the empty sky outside the battlefield, a wave of space suddenly shook. Then, three bright-faced cultivators suddenly appeared, their eyes scanning the activities of everyone after the battle.

After a moment, the outer cultivators finished cleaning up the demon beast remains and flew in front of the three cultivators, offering the various materials suitable for crafting and potion-making with both hands.

The three cultivators had strength similar to that of the outer cultivators but were considered higher in status than them. They were on the same level as the mysterious cultivators. Although they appeared very polite to the outer cultivators, those outer cultivators lowered their heads and hands before them, and there was a hint of respect and envy in their conversation.

Beside Xu Qingfan, Niu Wenxing and Xu Hui exchanged glances, sensing each other’s surprise. These cultivators were well-trained, and their ranks were clearly defined, suggesting they belonged to a strict and organized group, yet they had never heard of them before.

Xu Hui felt even more shocked, realizing that if he had faced those demon beasts, he would have had to flee in panic. The cultivators in front of him were not stronger than him, yet they easily killed two high-level Earth demons and three middle-level Earth demons, making him feel a hint of caution and wariness.

Under these circumstances, Xu Qingfan, filled with anger, rushed toward the three cultivators who appeared last.

Seeing Xu Qingfan’s expression, Niu Wenxing and Xu Hui began to piece together what was happening, feeling a sense of alarm in their hearts.

In an instant, he was dozens of miles away. Noticing Xu Qingfan’s appearance, the three cultivators were clearly taken aback. They quickly bowed to Xu Qingfan and respectfully said, "Tianxin Camp Xiao Yuan, Bo Shousan, Ma Huaigu, we greet the Island Master."

At the same time, those outer cultivators and the cultivators who could transform into smoke also hurried to Xu Qingfan’s side, their faces showing respect as they bowed in unison, saying, "We are from Tianzuo Camp (Tianxuan Camp, Tianquan Camp) and we greet the Island Master."

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Xu Qingfan’s expression softened a bit. With a wave of his hand, he let the three camps that had fought withdraw. He then turned to the three Tianxin Camp cultivators and asked, "What happened?"

His voice was soft, but filled with dissatisfaction.

Hearing Xu Qingfan’s question, the three Tianxin Camp cultivators looked at each other, unsure of what Xu Qingfan meant.

Noticing the expressions of the three Tianxin Camp cultivators, Xu Qingfan frowned slightly and said softly, "I instructed the Outer Seven Camps to take turns to battle the demon beasts in the depths of the Eastern Sea. If others do not understand my meaning, do you not understand either? From what I saw in the previous battle, why did it still have to be the Tianzuo Camp that acted while the other two camps only assisted? The way you arranged it is no different from not letting the Outer Seven Camps engage in battle."

Xiao Yuan exchanged a glance with the other two and then hesitantly replied to Xu Qingfan, "Island Master, it’s like this. Over the past few days, whenever we encountered demon beasts with strength comparable to the Outer Seven Camps cultivators, we only let the Outer Seven Camps engage. However, this time, the strength of the five demon beasts far exceeds that of the Outer Seven Camps. If the Tianzuo Camp had not acted, I fear…"

Xu Qingfan frowned and said, "If the goal is to develop the combat power of the Outer Seven Camps, then there should be no fear of injuries. Letting them only fight against comparable demon beasts does not realize that cultivators naturally have an advantage against demon beasts of the same level. The cultivation methods passed down over thousands of years and the exquisite treasure spirits can allow cultivators to easily defeat demon beasts of the same level. Your command leads the Outer Seven Camps to bully the weak, which is no different from having no battle at all. When can we cultivate the combat power of the Outer Seven Camps?"

"Yes, we were mistaken. We will follow the Island Master’s teachings from now on."

Bo Shousan and Ma Huaigu looked at Xiao Yuan in the middle with a look of blame, then spoke respectfully to Xu Qingfan, while Xiao Yuan remained a bit quiet.

Clearly, this must have been Xiao Yuan’s idea.

Xu Qingfan remembered this Xiao Yuan a little; originally, he was a low-level cultivator who couldn’t even enter the Outer Seven Camps. However, when the East Sea Demon Monster attacked, everyone was confused, but he stayed calm. Not only did he comfort the frightened low-level cultivators, but he also organized them to prepare for battle, and he flew alone to ask about the situation at the heart of the formation. When the cultivators in the formation were struggling, he organized the low-level cultivators to carry spirit stones and pills to support the operation of the "Sunglow Formation" and the "Disaster Cloud Formation."

Initially, Xu Qingfan had asked Bai Yu to secretly observe all the cultivators on the island and create a trustworthy list, with Xiao Yuan and Shen Gang at the top.

"Xiao Yuan, do you have something to say?"

When Xu Qingfan saw Xiao Yuan, his expression softened slightly. After all, he was someone on Xu Qingfan’s key development list, and Xu Qingfan had different feelings for different people.

"Island Master, I believe your statement is somewhat inappropriate."

After hesitating for a moment, Xiao Yuan bowed and spoke to Xu Qingfan, while Bo Shousan and Ma Huaigu looked at him in shock. In the entire Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands, besides offering respect to Senior Old Beggar, Xiao Yuan was the first person to dare to contradict Xu Qingfan. The strength, character, and wisdom of Xu Qingfan were respected by everyone in the Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands. His decisions over the years were deeply ingrained in people’s hearts; could a small person like Xiao Yuan question the decisions of such a rare individual?

Bo Shousan and Ma Huaigu looked at Xiao Yuan as if they could read the words "overestimating oneself" and "not knowing how high the sky is."

However, Xu Qingfan was not angry; instead, a slight smile appeared at the corner of his mouth as he said, "Why don’t you tell me what I did wrong?"

"Island Master, do you know about the story of the frog in warm water? You mentioned that you want to make the Outer Seven Camps into a strong fighting force when you were teaching my Tianxin Camp. Although this method is good, it needs to be gradual. The Taoist friends from the Tianzuo and Tianxuan Camps are very skilled and strong-willed. It may be fine for them to encounter fierce battles from the start, but for the Outer Seven Camps…"

While speaking, Xiao Yuan glanced at the cultivators from the Tianquan and Tianxuan Camps in the distance and slightly shook his head. He continued, "If we let them face too brutal battles right from the beginning, the participating cultivators may become afraid of fighting, and the casualty numbers will make other cultivators anxious. They will only know to avoid battles, and how can we quickly build the fighting force you hope for, Island Master? In my opinion, we should first allow them to participate in less intense battles that they can handle on their own, so they can get used to the atmosphere of battle. Then, we can gradually increase the intensity of the fights, allowing them to become familiar with the harshness of battle and the casualties without noticing it. By that time, they will become a fighting force, which is a more suitable approach. I hope Island Master will consider this."

Upon hearing Xiao Yuan’s words, Niu Wenxing and Xu Hui beside Xu Qingfan had already guessed the story’s beginning and end. Their eyes brightened as they started to carefully observe the seemingly inconspicuous cultivator before them.

After hearing Xiao Yuan’s words, admiration flashed in Xu Qingfan’s eyes, but there was also a hint of hesitation. After a moment, he sighed and said, "Alright, you are right; let’s do it your way from now on."

"Yes, thank you, Island Master."

Xiao Yuan was overjoyed and bowed to Xu Qingfan.

"Keep up the good work; I have high hopes for you."

Xu Qingfan nodded with a smile and was about to leave.

However, perhaps after Xu Qingfan took Xiao Yuan’s suggestion, Xiao Yuan became more courageous and opened his heart. After hesitating for a moment, he looked at Xu Qingfan and the others who were about to leave and suddenly said, "Island Master, please wait, I have something to say."

"Oh? What is it? Go ahead," Xu Qingfan replied.

Xu Qingfan said.

However, Xiao Yuan looked at Niu Wenxing and Xu Hui beside Xu Qingfan and felt a bit hesitant.

"We are all on the same side, there’s no need to worry."

Xu Qingfan said.

Xiao Yuan nodded and said, "Island Master, I feel that there have been some issues with the island’s management strategies over the years… they seem too… focused on quick success."

It was clear that Bo Shousan and Ma Huaigu had a very good relationship with Xiao Yuan. When Xu Qingfan accepted Xiao Yuan’s suggestion earlier, both of them showed joy. However, at this moment, upon hearing Xiao Yuan’s words, their expressions changed drastically.

The difference between those in power and those who serve has long been ingrained in people’s bones. When facing someone of higher status, those below usually feel a bit weaker even before they speak. If Xiao Yuan was only questioning a particular idea of Xu Qingfan’s, Bo Shousan and Ma Huaigu might have just laughed at Xiao Yuan for being overconfident since they didn’t think Xu Qingfan would react strongly against him. But instead, Xiao Yuan pushed further and started to question Xu Qingfan’s entire strategy for managing the island. This was as if to say to a king, "You are unworthy to rule," essentially questioning his wisdom.

However, Xiao Yuan completely ignored Bo Shousan and Ma Huaigu’s looks and continued to ask Xu Qingfan, "My master knows that the Island Master is a cultivator from the Jiuhua line of the six great Holy Lands. May I ask, Island Master, how many Condensed Core Stage cultivators were there in the Jiuhua line before the calamity began?"

"More than thirty."

Xu Qingfan answered.

"How many Condensed Core Stage cultivators are there now?"

"Over three hundred."

"Does the Island Master know why?"