Longevity Strange Immortal
Chapter 70: The Umbilical Cord Used for Foundation Establishment

Chapter 70: Chapter 70: The Umbilical Cord Used for Foundation Establishment

Due to the presence of Duozhi Mountain, the ecosystem surrounding Fuxing Town had become exceptionally peculiar, with the most distinct change being the desertification of the soil.

As long as one approached within twenty miles of Duozhi Mountain, wind and sand would greet them head-on.

Moreover, streams, lakes, and other water sources were polluted by heavy metals, turning foul-smelling and unpleasant, making the journey to Fuxing Town arduous and perilous.

Yet, the harsh environment did not sway the cultivators’ relentless pursuit of profit in the slightest.

With the official road buried under sandstorms, the plains were forcibly trampled into a path leading to Fuxing Town, where sporadic caravans could be seen struggling through.

Song Liang couldn’t even say how long they had been traveling.

When he felt the wind begin to ease, he knew Fuxing Town was already within reach.

He signaled his group to hasten their pace, advising everyone not to drift more than ten meters apart, moving in harmony across barren hills.

Before the sun set, the figure of a peculiar town appeared in Song Liang’s view.

The town was somewhat silent, though the city walls were obviously patrolled by cultivators who used Eye Magic to scrutinize the members of Hongxing Escort Agency.

Song Liang nodded slightly, leading his team through the side gate into Fuxing Town.

"Head of Escort, how about we find an inn to rest and freshen up a bit first..."

Song Liang furrowed his brows: "Shut up."

He realized that as soon as they stepped into the outskirts of Fuxing Town, numerous spies were already secretly watching them with greedy eyes.

"Fuxing Town is not a Heart Beast Black Market—there’s no semblance of order here."

The dart master dared not argue. Song Liang wielded immense authority within Hongxing Escort Agency; otherwise, they wouldn’t risk coming to Fuxing Town.

"Zhu Zi."

"Brother Song, I’m here."

The young cultivator responded promptly. His burly figure faintly reflected the remnants of the child from Niu Village.

Zhao Zhu had followed the Manager from the Miscellaneous Hall in cultivation for years, reaching the Second Layer of Puberty Stage, showcasing decent talent.

"Quickly contact Fellow Daoist Li Mo and have him meet us in Fuxing Town."

Song Liang halted the group’s progress. They knew very little about Fuxing Town, which made it easy to stray into a dead end and fall into an ambush.

The loose cultivators from the black market weren’t amateurs, their hearts were as ruthless as hyenas.

Moreover, Song Liang couldn’t help but notice—whether it was an illusion or not—that after mentioning Li Mo’s name, the spies’ gazes became even more numerous.

"Brother Li is coming right away."

Song Liang breathed a sigh of relief, and the team took shelter in an abandoned courtyard, assigning an experienced old dart master to keep watch.

The dart masters grew curious about Li Mo, whom Song Liang esteemed so highly.

They had heard of the Four-legged True Man, and rumors claimed he was among the best cultivators of the new generation in Rong Town.

Also known as a Daoist.

The blowing sand struck the courtyard gate, producing a crackling sound.

"Be careful."

Song Liang wound the Golden Sand Map around his arm, gazing cautiously into the distance.

At least a dozen loose cultivators were converging toward them, their levels of cultivation comparable to the dart masters but with premeditated intent.

"Brother Song, what should we do?"

Zhao Zhu was sent by Li Mo to join Song Liang in Fuxing Town. Leaving Rong Town for the first time, he was so nervous he didn’t know what to do.

"Focus on defense; just hold out for half a cup of tea’s time."

Song Liang calmed down instead, organizing his team to use the courtyard as a base of defense. Every dart master carried a distinctive Golden Sand Map.

"Zhu Zi, don’t take action. Remember not to panic."

Song Liang couldn’t help but repeatedly warn him. New recruits like Zhao Zhu, with no combat experience, could easily collapse the defensive line from within.

"But I..."

"They’re here. Follow orders and don’t waste words."

Song Liang cursed under his breath. The loose cultivators acted too decisively, which could lead to close-quarter combat and potentially cause fatalities.

"Honored Daoists, there’s truly no need to force this into a deadly confrontation. Hongxing Escort Agency is willing to make concessions..."

"It’s useless."

While trying to negotiate for time, Song Liang heard a familiar voice nearby. He turned his head to see Li Mo leaning against the wall.

"Mr. Li!!"

"Heiwa... Brother Li."

Li Mo cast a cold gaze toward the sunset, murmuring, "They’re coming after me—for the Induction Fate, the Induction Fate..."

The shops in Rong Town all had Daoists, but those without the Induction Fate couldn’t establish a Foundation independently. To stave off worsening Death Disease, they hid themselves away in secluded retreats.

Now, upon hearing about the possibility of establishing a Foundation, they became wildly desperate.

Li Mo pinched the bridge of his nose helplessly. He himself hadn’t even reached Perfect Puberty Stage, theoretically not worthy of drawing this much hostility.

The issue lay with Duozhi Mountain, managed by Han Cai, which created the false perception among cultivators that eliminating Li Mo would free up an Induction Fate.

Each deranged Daoist had backing forces, supplying manpower to help them fight for the Induction Fate. Success in establishing a Foundation brought benefits far beyond mere resources.

Li Mo had been busy renovating his Artifact Refining Shop over the past few months, with no cultivators probing him, believing he posed no threat.

Yet the arrival of Hongxing Escort Agency triggered lurking Daoists to emerge, testing the waters. Fortunately, the first wave consisted of relatively crude loose cultivators.

Song Liang’s tongue turned into a slug, muddling his speech as he cautiously asked, "Mr. Li, what should Hongxing Escort Agency do?"

He had anticipated the agency’s entanglement in the trouble surrounding the Induction Fate—a risk he accepted only because he trusted Li Mo.

After all, Song Liang had personally witnessed Li Mo’s growth, as swift and unstoppable as an arrow leaving the bowstring.

"What a headache. I thought coming to Fuxing Town would simply be about selling Magic Artifacts, but instead, I’m stirring up enemies all over. Then again... who doesn’t want to establish a Foundation?"

As Li Mo spoke, he leapt onto the rooftop.

His movements instantly drew the attention of numerous eyes. As they focused on him, they sensed his aura had reached the Five-layered Puberty Stage, and couldn’t help but marvel at his cultivation speed.

Either it was built from significant resource expenditure, or he possessed some extraordinary Taoist Body.

Li Mo knew that the secrets behind his Hui Qingyi technique were nearly unveiled—after all, among the four Tattooed Beasts, only the Salamander hadn’t been revealed yet.

This time, the probes were clearly aimed at unveiling Hui Qingyi’s limits.

"Go."

Li Mo smirked coldly, blowing out a pitch-black swarm of Poison Bees that scattered and surged toward the encroaching loose cultivators.

The loose cultivators couldn’t react in time; wherever the swarm passed, it left nothing but withered corpses.

Song Liang looked stunned. Wasn’t Li Mo’s forte Beast Taming? Since when could he utilize such fine control over Gu Worms?

Even the forces who had confidently figured out Li Mo’s capabilities were spooked by the Breath Fog that manifested into Poison Bees.

The remaining loose cultivators fled in panic, desperately wishing for four legs to carry them faster.

Li Mo deliberately refrained from using Hui Qingyi.

Under the empowerment of the Five Poison Five God Heart Sutra, the Tattooed Beasts had undergone transformative changes, capable of delivering surprising blows.

Moreover, thanks to his breakthrough in cultivation, Strengthening the Foundation and Nourishing the Essence had already nurtured two ten-year Nourishing Yuan Fruits, which could grant two Tattooed Beasts miraculous rebirths.

Li Mo withdrew the Breath Fog as a deathly silence fell upon Fuxing Town.

He caught a glimpse of bodies resembling beasts being carried out from the depths of Qingniu Street, a sight to which mortals had grown accustomed.

"Could it be that even Inner Sect disciples will join the fight for the Induction Fate?"