Spells Grinding: From Basic Sparks to Divine Arts

As the looming shadow of the beast tide drew near, Jiang Ge, the Market Master of White Jade Market, did not hesitate.

His reaction was immediate and decisive. He summoned every Foundation Establishment cultivator to the central government office, using a shrewd mix of promised war spoils and appeals to the “righteousness of the cause” to ignite their fighting spirit.

Once the group was assembled, he wasted no time on pleasantries.

“Gentlemen!” Jiang Ge’s voice boomed through the hall. “The beast tide will be upon us in the time it takes for a single stick of incense to burn! Before that happens, we must organize our forces.”

He scanned the room, his gaze steely. “There are roughly 500 late-stage Qi Condensation cultivators currently in White Jade Market. I have already dispatched patrols to herd them into the plaza outside. Each of you will take command of twenty of these cultivators to form a defensive squad.”

He paused, letting the gravity of the situation sink in. “As you know, beast tides typically swarm the perimeter of the formation’s light screen. We must hold the line. Based on the length of the walls, one Foundation Establishment cultivator will be responsible for holding one sector.”

With a wave of his hand, Jiang Ge’s sleeve snapped, and a swarm of black shadows shot out like bats.

The objects moved with precision, hovering directly in front of each Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Qin Lu reached out and snatched the object floating before him. It was a small wooden command token, painted red with bold black characters: South Wall – Sector Two.

“The token in your hand dictates your battlefield,” Jiang Ge announced. “This battle will be brutal. To maintain order, I will issue commands targeting specific sectors. Memorize your position!”

Jiang Ge moved with the efficiency of a thunderstorm. He rapidly finalized the deployment grid, ensuring every inch of the market’s perimeter was covered.

Qin Lu was assigned to the southern wall, slightly to the left of the center.

Perhaps aware of the alliance between Qin Lu and the Gu Family, Jiang Ge had intentionally placed the Gu siblings on either side of Qin Lu’s sector. It was a subtle favor, allowing them to watch each other’s backs amidst the chaos.

“Let’s move! Everyone out!”

After barking a few final tactical reminders, Jiang Ge led the way, flying out of the main hall without a backward glance.

The cultivators followed closely behind.

Stepping out of the government office, Qin Lu was greeted by a sea of noise. A massive crowd of cultivators had gathered in the plaza. Most wore expressions of impatience and resentment, clearly displeased at being forcibly rounded up like cattle.

However, the perimeter was ringed by disciples of the Demon Slaying Sect. These enforcers held their Dharma Treasures at the ready, glaring at the crowd with feral intensity. Under that heavy pressure, the conscripts dared not riot.

It was clear: the Demon Slaying Sect disciples were the market’s true enforcement arm.

Qin Lu’s expression remained impassive. With a thought, he activated his Heavenly Eye Technique, his spiritual sense sweeping over the chaotic mob.

His assessment was instant. The crowd was indeed composed entirely of late-stage Qi Condensation cultivators. He even spotted over a dozen experts at Qi Condensation Perfection—cultivators who were just half a step away from Foundation Establishment.

As his gaze swept the crowd, Qin Lu locked onto several familiar auras.

There they are.

It was the members of his Qin Sect.

Lu Anchen, Qi Condensation ninth layer. Nie Feng, Qi Condensation ninth layer. Qi Xiaofeng, Qi Condensation eighth layer. Lu Xuan, Qi Condensation seventh layer.

As late-stage cultivators, the four of them had been swept up in the dragnet. Fortunately, the severely injured Cao Yunxi was nowhere to be seen, likely spared due to his condition.

Seeing the restless, swarming mass of humanity, Jiang Ge levitated into the air. He hovered high above the plaza.

“Everyone!” Jiang Ge’s voice was amplified by Qi, rolling over the crowd like thunder. “White Jade Market is facing a beast tide. This is a calamity of life and death. We require your strength. You will follow the Foundation Establishment seniors to your assigned sections of the wall and defend the market!”

The crowd exploded into noise.

“A beast tide?!”

“How is this possible?!”

The revelation hit the crowd like a heavy bomb. Faces drained of color. The air filled with the scent of sudden, sharp fear.

“Bullshit!”

A furious shout cut through the din. A young, handsome cultivator dressed in exquisite, luxurious robes stepped forward, pointing an accusing finger at the sky.

“This Young Master only came to White Jade Market for a vacation! Why should I sell my life for you people? Open the formation immediately and let me out, or my father will—”

“Hmph.”

Before the handsome youth could finish his threat, his feet left the ground.

It was as if an invisible, gigantic hand had clenched around him. He rose into the air, kicking and flailing, his face twisting from arrogance to shock. No matter how he surged his Qi, he couldn’t break the invisible hold.

“You… bold Jiang Ge!” The youth screamed, his voice cracking. “Do you know who I am?! You dare treat me like this? I will—”

Whoosh!

The youth’s body was yanked through the air with violent speed, a blur of silk and terror.

Thud.

He arrived in Jiang Ge’s grasp. Jiang Ge’s hand, withered but strong as an iron clamp, locked onto the boy’s throat.

“H-hey! Wait!”

The arrogance finally shattered, replaced by sheer, naked panic. The youth clawed at Jiang Ge’s wrist. “Jiang Ge! I am the son of the Headmaster of the Northern Qi Sect! You can’t—”

BANG!

The plea was cut short.

Jiang Ge didn’t say a word. He simply tightened his grip and punched.

The youth’s head exploded.

It didn’t just break; it shattered like a ripe melon. Blood, bone fragments, and white brain matter sprayed across the sky in a gruesome mist.

The headless corpse went limp in Jiang Ge’s grip.

Below, the plaza fell into a deathly silence. The hundreds of complaining cultivators froze, their faces pale as paper.

No one had expected Jiang Ge to be this ruthless. He hadn’t hesitated for a split second. He didn’t care about the boy’s background, his father, or his sect. He had simply executed him on the spot.

The resentment in the crowd evaporated, replaced by cold terror. Those who had been shouting the loudest clamped their mouths shut, trembling.

Jiang Ge’s expression remained unchanged, as if he had just swatted a fly. He shook his hand, flinging the blood and brain matter from his knuckles, then swept his cold gaze across the silent mob.

“In this crisis, anyone who dares to disrupt morale will receive no mercy,” Jiang Ge stated, his voice calm but terrifying. “I do not care about your identity or your background. If you cause trouble, I, Jiang Ge, will kill you first!”

He tossed the headless corpse aside and turned back to the hovering Foundation Establishment cultivators.

“Fellow Daoists,” he addressed them loudly enough for the crowd below to hear. “During this battle, if anyone under your command attempts to flee, spreads fear, or refuses to fight, you are authorized to execute them immediately! You do not need to report to me. If there are consequences, I, Jiang Ge, will shoulder them all!”

The Foundation Establishment cultivators felt a chill run down their spines. Their eyes sharpened.

“Understood!” they chorused, cupping their hands.

“Then proceed according to the plan!”

At Jiang Ge’s command, the Foundation Establishment cultivators dove toward the crowd like hawks.

Qin Lu did not hesitate. He shot toward the ground, his eyes locked on his targets.

Jiang Ge’s meaning was clear: the lives of these Qi Condensation cultivators were now currency to be spent by their commanders. They were cannon fodder.

If the four members of the Qin Sect were drafted by a stranger, they would likely be used as human shields. Qin Lu wasn’t about to let his subordinates die a meaningless death.

He had to secure his own people immediately.

He landed in front of Lu Anchen and the others with a heavy thud.

“You know the situation,” Qin Lu said, his voice cutting through the noise. “Follow me.”

The four Qin Sect members breathed a sigh of relief. Without a word, they activated their flying Dharma Treasures and rallied to Qin Lu’s side.

Around them, chaos erupted.

Every Foundation Establishment cultivator was doing the same—grabbing people they knew or trusted. But for the unattached cultivators, it was a scramble for survival.

“Senior Zou! Please, take me!”

“Senior Yun! I am at the eighth layer of Qi Condensation, I can fight! Let me join your squad!”

“Senior Gu, please!”

Desperate shouts rang out everywhere.

After witnessing Jiang Ge’s brutal display of authority, the low-level cultivators knew escape was impossible. Their only hope of survival was to join a strong squad.

Naturally, the most powerful commanders were the prime targets. A stronger leader meant a higher chance of living through the night.

Cultivators swarmed toward the elites—Zou Chang and Yun Xun at the late-stage of Foundation Establishment, and even Gu Yue at the mid-stage.

The selection process had begun, and it was a frenzy.