Cultivation, Inc.I Use Capitalism to Fix a Dying Sect

Chapter 136: Black Wind Stockade Defeated

Behind Sun Yi, the four late Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Qingyun Sect stared in absolute shock. The terror in their eyes was instantly replaced by dazzling awe, their gazes practically radiating worship as they stared at Sun Yi’s back.

“So powerful…!” one of them breathed.

Opposite them, Xue Ling Zi’s pupils shrank to pinpricks. The color drained from his face, and his earlier arrogance evaporated, replaced by raw, unadulterated fear.

“To think… we all underestimated you,” Xue Ling Zi’s voice trembled uncontrollably. “You… you are a peerless talent in the Dao of Body Refining!”

“Heh. ‘Talent’?” Sun Yi scoffed. “You are mistaken. In my view, anyone can be a genius, and anyone can be not a genius. Whether one is a genius is for me to decide.”

He tilted his head. “Oh, by the way. I just killed a guy named You Luo. He should also be one of your Black Wind Stockade’s so-called ‘geniuses,’ wasn’t he?”

Xue Ling Zi gasped, his eyes bulging. “You… you actually killed Senior Brother You Luo?!”

“And you are next,” Sun Yi stated, his killing intent locking onto the enemy.

Xue Ling Zi’s face contorted with panic. Sun Yi’s physical strength was too overwhelming; there was no way to defeat him in close-quarters combat.

“You… you are merely relying on the advantage of Body Cultivation!” Xue Ling Zi shrieked, desperate. “In the Dao of Qi Refining, you will always be nothing but trash with a Low Grade Three Spirit Root! If you have any skill, face me with Qi Refining techniques!”

Without waiting for an answer, Xue Ling Zi produced a shimmering golden Talisman and crushed it in his palm. Instantly, a dome of impenetrable golden light enveloped him.

With the Rank 3 Diamond Talisman deployed, color returned to Xue Ling Zi’s face. This barrier’s defense was high enough to withstand a direct hit from an early Golden Core expert.

Seeing the defensive dome flicker to life, Sun Yi merely smiled. “The dead deserve respect. I shall grant your wish.”

Xue Ling Zi blinked, failing to process the meaning.

In the next instant, Sun Yi raised his right hand and pointed a single index finger. Five dazzling, razor-sharp beams of sword light erupted from his body, thrumming with raw True Qi.

Xue Ling Zi stared at the incoming beams, feeling the apocalyptic power fluctuations embedded within them. His mind crashed. He couldn’t believe it. How could an early Foundation Establishment cultivator generate this kind of power?

“Impossible! Your cultivation is only early Foundation Establishment, and you are limited by a Low Grade Three Spirit Root! How can you unleash such terrifying sword Qi?!”

Sun Yi didn’t bother explaining. He simply smiled as the five distinct sword beams fused into one. They transformed into a massive, multicolored pillar of sword light that descended from the heavens.

The Diamond Talisman’s barrier flashed once before shattering like glass.

The multicolored beam sheared straight through the dome, piercing Xue Ling Zi’s body. In a spray of gore, the cultivator was bisected.

Sun Yi waved his hand, utilizing a localized pull to collect Xue Ling Zi’s Storage Ring and the four blood-red banners. Valuable loot to be studied later.

“Alright, go assist the others,” Sun Yi instructed the stunned disciples.

Without another word, Sun Yi transformed into a streak of light and zipped away.

“Heavens… the Sect Leader’s power is insane! That sword beam was terrifying!”

“He is peerless! That is our Sect Leader!”

“The Sect Leader has redefined the very concept of genius for us. It isn’t just determined by a Spirit Root! The Sect Leader is the true peerless genius!”

“Stop gawking, let’s move! Exterminate more of these Black Wind Stockade beasts!”

…

By now, the situation across the battlefield was clear: the Black Wind Stockade had completely fallen into a disadvantage. Their Golden Core powerhouses were deadlocked, and their Foundation Establishment ranks had suffered heavy casualties.

With Sun Yi—an absolute anomaly—entering the fray, the remaining cleanup was effortless. With his current strength, dealing with these Black Wind Stockade Foundation Establishment cultivators was less of a fight and more like bullying. Furthermore, he did not need to expose his full strength before the enemy’s Golden Core experts.

Previously, they could write off Daoist Ghost Wood’s death as a sneak attack.

Finally, the surviving Black Wind Stockade Foundation Establishment cultivators gathered together and fled desperately toward their original direction, pursued relentlessly by a large group of Qingyun Sect cultivators.

“Sect Leader! It’s bad, we must retreat!”

“Sect Leader, Senior Brother You Luo and Senior Brother Xue Ling Zi have both been killed!”

Sect Leader Wen Sha, currently locked in combat with Elder Jin Jue, heard the panicked screams. Seeing his routed forces, his face twisted into an ugly mask of rage and disbelief.

“All forces, withdraw!”

Wen Sha was decisive. Knowing they could not stay, he gave the order to retreat.

Elder Jin Jue and the others, having received prior instructions from Sun Yi via voice transmission, did not阻拦. They allowed Wen Sha, the remaining five Golden Core cultivators, and the few dozen surviving Foundation Establishment disciples to scramble out of the Qingyun Sect.

“Qingyun Sect, you wait! If I, Wen Sha, do not avenge this humiliation, I swear I am not human!” Wen Sha’s furious roar echoed across the mountains as his flying boat took flight.

“Sect Leader Wen, you should worry about your own situation!” Sun Yi’s voice boomed back. “You’d better think carefully about how you are going to handle the Evil Spirit Valley now!”

The flying boat accelerated, disappearing into the distance.

Only then did the tension break. Deafening cheers erupted across the Qingyun Sect.

“We won! We actually won!”

“We repelled the Black Wind Stockade!”

“We defended our Sect!”

…

As the thunderous cheers shook the heavens, Sun Yi hovered in the void, looking down at his ecstatic disciples. A genuine smile touched his lips. A trial by fire like this was exactly what the sect needed to temper their morale and cohesion.

The five Elders converged on Sun Yi’s position. Elders Jin Jue and Ye Luo looked completely drained, their faces pale.

In truth, their ability to hold off Wen Sha and the other two late Golden Core experts relied entirely on their newly opened Gold Gate and Fire Gate.

By this point, the True Qi reserves within those Gates were nearly exhausted, and they had even used their prepared high-grade Talismans. If the battle had continued for even a while longer, they would have certainly been defeated, and the situation would have turned dangerous.

Soon, the disciples’ cheers gradually quieted, and everyone consciously gathered around Sun Yi and the Elders.

Sun Yi’s gaze swept over the disciples. He raised his right fist high.

“Fellow Sect members! Your performance today was exceptional! The fact that this Sect still stands is entirely due to your collective effort. Every single one of you is outstanding!”

“When our Sect was in peril, we did not retreat. I am deeply gratified. Today, many of our brothers and sisters were injured, and some have left us forever. Please, do not forget their sacrifices for the Sect.”

“Next, there are several tasks we must undertake.”

“First, Elder Ye Luo, take people and restore the mountain protection array as soon as possible.”

“Understood, Sect Leader!” Elder Ye Luo nodded firmly.

“Second, Elder Qin Chu is responsible for treating the injured with all our resources. No matter the cost, ensure every injured disciple is fully healed!”

“Yes!” Elder Qin Chu responded.

“Third, Deputy Sect Leader Chang Qing, immediately lead a team to collect the remains of all our fallen disciples. Record their names, origins, and investigate if they have family. If they have relatives, the Sect must make proper arrangements. If any of their relatives possess the potential to cultivate, directly admit them into the Sect and cultivate them with full support.”

“Yes!” Er Gouzi responded instantly.

“Fourth, Elder Jin Jue, you are responsible for constructing a grand mausoleum in the back mountain. It will be named the War Soul Mausoleum. All fallen disciples will be interred there.” Sun Yi paused. “Outside the mausoleum, erect a 30-zhang-tall stone monument. Call it the War Soul Stele.”

“Engrave the names and battle records of every fallen hero onto that stone. From this day forward, disciples who perish defending this Sect will forever receive our Sect’s sacrifices. I want the future generations of the Qingyun Sect to look at that stone and never forget the achievements of their predecessors!”

“By your command!” Elder Jin Jue’s voice trembled with emotion.

Simultaneously, all the disciples below also showed moved expressions. Their gazes toward Sun Yi grew increasingly worshipful. To build a mausoleum and a stele for fallen comrades, to offer sacrifices, and to ensure future generations remember them—such things they had never heard of. Many disciples suddenly felt that dying for such a Sect would be worth it.

In that moment, the collective cohesion of the Qingyun Sect skyrocketed!

“Fifth, Elder Li Tai, you are responsible for collecting all intelligence outside the Sect. Especially find people to keep an eye on the Evil Spirit Valley and the Black Wind Stockade.” Sun Yi looked at Elder Li Tai.

“As you command!” Elder Li Tai bowed respectfully.

“Alright, we have just been through a great battle, everyone is tired. Those with tasks, go attend to them. Cultivate well. Today’s battle is only the beginning. More challenges await us in the future.”

Sun Yi waved his hand, then followed Elder Ye Luo to work on the mountain protection array. The others also began to take action.

This invasion had cost the Black Wind Stockade dearly. They had lost Daoist Ghost Wood, a late Golden Core expert, and over 400 Foundation Establishment disciples, including core disciples like You Luo and Xue Ling Zi. They likely would not be able to cause trouble again for some time.

Now, the only threat to be wary of was the Evil Spirit Valley. However, according to Sun Yi’s judgment, once the Evil Spirit Valley received the news, their first target should be the Black Wind Stockade. They would certainly seize the opportunity of the Black Wind Stockade’s weakness to plunder their resources.