Chapter 387: Raising Human Slaves

The demonic transformation surged from 0.1 to 1, a massive increase. Xu Sanyan couldn’t discern the calculation method behind it.

The newly acquired racial talent, “Vigilance,” proved largely useless, merely granting slightly heightened sensitivity to danger. While this might benefit ordinary mortals, it offered no advantage to a Soul Refinement Realm expert like himself.

Xu Sanyan snapped back to reality and glanced at the statue on the stone platform. It had reverted to its original form, as if the black dog he’d seen earlier had been a mere hallucination.

But Xu Sanyan was certain it was no illusion!

He speculated that the blessing ritual had forged a connection between him and the divine statue, allowing him to glimpse the Dog God’s true form for that fleeting moment.

“What happened?” Xun Ancai pulled him to his feet.

Xu Sanyan slowly shook his head with great effort. A pervasive tearing sensation wracked his entire body, making even speaking difficult.

The following days passed peacefully. Xun Ancai patrolled daily while Xu Sanyan remained alone in the cave, biding his time.

Three days swiftly elapsed. When Xun Ancai returned, Xu Sanyan was gone.

Outside,

Xu Sanyan gripped a spirit stone to replenish his spiritual power and fully restore his body, sensing his strength had reached a new level.

As he emerged from the cave, the fog had grown even denser, severely obstructing visibility. Even in broad daylight, it was difficult to see clearly; at night, it would be nearly impossible.

Hiss…

An eerie sound echoed from the depths of the fog, seemingly approaching him.

Xu Sanyan flicked his wrist, and a pitch-black great halberd materialized in his hand. A sharp, cold glint flashed across its blade, sending a chill through the air.

A monstrous silhouette emerged from the fog to his side. First, a tangle of animal horns poked through the mist like gnarled branches.

The creature stood upright, its humanoid frame topped with the face of a demonic ape. Its massive feet supported a body armored by the chaotic horns that protruded from its chest like grotesque armor.

Clang!

A cold flash streaked through the air. Xu Sanyan’s figure blurred, and he reappeared behind the monster, his great halberd raised high. The pitch-black blade, radiating a frigid light, crashed down in a swift, decisive strike.

Swish—

The monster was instantly cleaved in two.

This creature was weak, likely only at the Foundation Establishment cultivation level, no match for Xu Sanyan’s power.

The appearance of this creature signaled the complete arrival of the Mist Tide.

But where did these monsters come from?

Xu Sanyan didn’t know. He sheathed his great halberd and headed toward Thousand Autumns City.

The journey was uneventful. By the time he reached Thousand Autumns City, the gates were already sealed, enveloped in a layer of crystalline golden light—likely some kind of formation.

Thousand Autumns City was protected by two Great Formations. The outer layer enveloped the entire city, while the inner layer covered only the inner city.

Guards at the gate recognized him and quickly opened a gap in the formation to let him in. By now, most members of the Wang Family knew Xu Sanyan; after all, he was a Soul Refining Realm cultivator, someone ordinary people wouldn’t dare offend. On the contrary, most would try to curry favor with him.

As soon as he entered the city, Wang Ying rushed toward him, his face etched with anxiety, accompanied by several others.

“Ah, you’re finally back! Come quickly—we need to go to Wavebreak Mountain!”

Xu Sanyan hadn’t even had time to sit down before Wang Ying was dragging him back toward the city gates.

“What’s wrong?”

Wang Ying glanced around before lowering his voice. “Something’s happened at Wavebreak Mountain.”

“Happened? What is it?”

He had only been gone for three days, and the Mist Tide had just begun. What could possibly have gone wrong in such a short time?

Wang Ying’s expression darkened. “The Xiao Family was attacked by ghost beasts and suffered heavy losses. Their clan head is dead. Unless something unexpected happens, they likely won’t survive this Mist Tide.”

Ghost beasts were monstrous creatures that emerged with the mist, named for their terrifying and grotesque appearance.

“The Xiao Family?” Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow. “They dare use the Xiao surname without the strength to back it up? This surname isn’t something to be taken lightly. They deserved to be wiped out!”

According to Wang Ying, the Xiao Family was a small clan in Wavebreak Mountain, lacking significant power. Their clan head’s cultivation level was only at the Perfected Dao Seeking stage, barely enough to survive in the Chaotic Cloud Mountains.

The Wang Family controlled nearly forty subordinate factions, each relying on the Wang Family for protection while providing resources in return. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Naturally, the Wang Family preferred to have as many subordinate clans as possible to maximize their profits. Therefore, the Xiao Family’s potential destruction would reflect poorly on Xu Sanyan.

“What’s the usual procedure in such cases?”

Wang Ying explained, “We can either absorb them into Thousand Autumns City or let them fend for themselves.”

“Hmm, let’s go take a look first.”

Xu Sanyan was also curious about what had happened to the Xiao Family. Logically, no particularly strong monsters should have appeared during the early stages of the Mist Tide. With the Xiao Family clan head’s Perfected Dao of Bewilderment cultivation level, he should have been able to handle any threats. Why, then, had the family nearly been wiped out?

The group flew toward the Xiao Family at top speed, arriving at Wavebreak Mountain within a few hours.

As night fell, Xu Sanyan hovered in mid-air, frowning slightly as he surveyed the ravaged village below.

This is a clan?

The small settlement was even smaller than the bandits’ lair he had once occupied. How pathetic.

“What kind of business does the Xiao Family run?” Xu Sanyan asked, turning to Wang Ying. He was genuinely curious about how such a small clan could survive in the Chaotic Cloud Mountains.

Wang Ying pondered for a moment before replying, “They probably deal in human slaves. Other clans capture ordinary people from outside and sell them to the Xiao Family, who then train them. Though they’re just ordinary humans, the prices aren’t low. As far as I know, many clans engage in this trade.”

Wang Ying’s tone remained completely neutral as he spoke of this heinous business. Such practices were commonplace in the Chaotic Cloud Mountains; he had even bought slaves himself.

Xu Sanyan nodded. The industry had clearly evolved into a complete supply chain, with the Xiao Family merely one link in the chain.

First, they abduct ordinary mortals, then sell them at low prices to families like the Xiao Family. After the Xiao Family trains them, they resell them to downstream buyers.

“Is it very profitable?” Xu Sanyan asked, curious.

“Extremely profitable!” Wang Ying replied with conviction. “For example, the Xiao Family buys an ordinary mortal woman for half a spirit stone. After training her, they can double the price when selling her to the next buyer. By the time she reaches us, a woman will cost at least two spirit stones.”

“Our family also runs this business, managed by the great elder. If you’re interested, you can take a look. Those women…” Wang Ying’s expression turned wistful. “They have a unique… flavor.”

The Wang Family too? Xu Sanyan had no idea.

Wang Ying continued, “Two spirit stones is just for average quality. If we find exceptional specimens, they’re practically priceless. Many cultivators are willing to spend lavishly on this…”

Wang Ying’s tone turned slightly lewd, a knowing smile spreading across his face.

Xu Sanyan smirked. He understood perfectly—what’s the point of a brother earning money if his younger brother can’t spend it? It’s only natural!

“Let’s go. Let’s go down and take a look.”

Xu Sanyan waved his hand and took the lead, flying toward the Xiao Family’s estate.

(End of the Chapter)