The cultivators formed a surrounding formation, wielding flying swords and magical artifacts to drive away the demonic foxes, each taking the task seriously.
When encountering a Tree Cave Fox that was solely focused on fleeing, on the verge of escaping the encirclement, a few cultivators did not hesitate to use their flying swords to kill it on the spot.
Notably, among the flying swords, one Profound Iron Flying Sword was the most eye-catching.
It appeared very ordinary, not particularly impressive, but its ability to be controlled and lack of mortal traits made it of Tier One Lower Grade.
This flying sword was the last spiritual artifact Lu Yuanshan found after thoroughly searching the sect's treasury and was worth barely a few spirit stones.
After pondering, Lu Yuanshan decided to give it to Zhang Nianchuan to facilitate his clearing of the demonic foxes.
Due to the damage of his spiritual artifact, Zhang Nianchuan had no spiritual artifacts to use, and having voted to stop his salary for the next three years, he couldn't afford to buy a new one anytime soon; hence, he had to make do with this Profound Iron Flying Sword for now.
With a swing of the Profound Iron Flying Sword, he managed to slay two demon foxes.
The process of driving away the demonic foxes was nothing remarkable.
Amidst a cacophony, sixteen demonic foxes were slain on the spot, and the remaining fifteen didn't escape in time, quickly ensnared by Song Minghui and others in a tight encirclement.
"Open!"
Seizing this opportunity, Song Minghui waved a sleeve, and a large black net flew out from the sleeve.
The net spiraled and expanded rapidly in the air.
In the blink of an eye, it turned into an overwhelming net, descending upon the prey.
The Tree Cave Foxes, panicking and directionless, further agitated, attempted to scatter and flee, but no matter how fast they were, they ended up like turtles trapped in a jar.
Swish.
The net dropped over them in one swift motion, enveloping the fifteen Tree Cave Foxes gathered in the center, rapidly contracting.
Trapped by the net, the Tree Cave Foxes struggled violently, biting and tearing at the net.
The Black Gold Celestial Net, a Tier One Middle Grade spiritual artifact, crafted from black gold thread, had excellent strength and could unleash a paralyzing effect, causing the entangled foes to temporarily lose their ability to act.
The Tree Cave Foxes were quickly paralyzed, significantly reducing their mobility, similar to fish caught in a net, left helpless, and unable to break free from the net.
The net contracted tighter and tighter, pressing the Tree Cave Foxes together, leaving them with no ability to move.
All they could do was bare teeth and hiss, their red eyes wailing.
Thud.
Song Minghui gestured, moving the net carrying the group of Tree Cave Foxes to Lu Zhiwei.
"Elder, the living demonic foxes are all inside here, please check the count."
Lu Zhiwei glanced over, counting exactly fifteen Tree Cave Foxes in the net.
Including the initial five slain and the sixteen killed during the driving, a total of thirty-six Tree Cave Foxes were now captured completely.
"The number is correct."
Lu Zhiwei nodded.
With the prey captured, the next step was to exterminate the demons.
The fifteen Tree Cave Foxes howled, tearing at the net, still refusing to give up their struggle, their cries echoing through the forest, faintly reaching the ears of the township people outside, prompting them to hide in fear, unsure of what was happening.
For cultivators, slaying demon beasts was just commonplace, naturally heartless.
This group of Tree Cave Foxes was no good, ferocious and brutal, even claiming the lives of many townsfolk, classified as demon pests.
No matter how pitiable or innocent they seemed, it would not move Lu Zhiwei and others to show any compassion.
Even with a few demonic fox pups among them, their fate remained unchanged.
One by one, they were stabbed with a sword, and amidst their pitiful cries, they were all cleared, all fifteen Tree Cave Foxes.
With time remaining, everyone cleaned up the site and checked the tree holes for any missed foxes.
Evidently, there were none.
All demonic foxes had been thoroughly cleared; in this forest, none of the thirty-six Tree Cave Foxes escaped.
With this hunt expedition concluded successfully.
"Let's not delay any longer, let's return to the sect."
With the task complete, Lu Zhiwei had no intention of staying longer, instructing Song Minghui to pack up the demonic fox bodies, and then used the Light Body Technique, heading in one direction.
The group, hearing the command, quickly followed suit.
"Elder, wait for me!"
A young female disciple, appearing around fifteen or sixteen, wearing green, realized and hurriedly ran along.
She was just in a daze, and her first mission went by so quickly, it felt way too simple, why not explore other places?
...
As Lu Zhiwei's group returned to the sect, the system synchronized the message, showing that the Tree Cave Foxes were cleaned up.
[Doorway Affairs: Clear the Tree Cave Foxes in the bamboo green near Little Stone Town, mission completed]
[Completion Reward: Reputation 121, One free refresh of the System Mall]
Inside the Cave Mansion, seeing the synchronized message, Lu Ping felt quite pleased as 121 reputation points were instantly credited.
As a consciousness body, unable to eat, sleep, or cultivate, it was quite boring daily, and Lu Ping either drifted around or studied the system.
He checked the reward, the one-time free system mall refresh.
After the refresh, it was unclear how many new items might appear.
Considering the current product count was sparse, with few worthwhile options.
"It's free anyway, refresh once to find out; getting one or two new items wouldn't be too shabby."
Lu Ping mused, clicking to use the refresh reward.
In the mall, a refresh screen appeared, the interface flickered, and soon delivered results, showcasing four new items.
[One-star - Moon Grass], [One-star - Crescent Pill Formula], [One-star - Diligent and Studious], [Two-star - Resource Optimization].
The number of products appearing with each refresh was random, possibly two or three to four, but would not exceed five.
Refreshing four items this time, Lu Ping was fairly satisfied. Based on their names, they seemed quite useful, with their star rankings clearly marked.
Lu Ping first checked the first two, and detailed information appeared.
[Moon Grass: Tier One Top-Grade Spirit Grass]
[Effect: Can be planted in the medicinal garden, increasing the sect's income, acts as the main ingredient in refining the Crescent Pill]
[Reputation: 20]
...
[Crescent Pill Formula: Tier One High-grade Pill Formula]
[Effect: Formula for refining the Crescent Pill, enabling gathering of Moon Grass for refining Crescent Pill]
[Crescent Pill: Tier One Top-Grade Elixir, slight enhancement of cultivation for Qi Cultivators. Minimal effect for Foundation Establishment Stage and above; not recommended for consumption]
[Reputation: 25]
The Moon Grass and Crescent Pill Formula complement each other, suitable as a venture for the sect to gain additional income.
Whether spirit medicines or elixirs, there is never a shortage of markets, making these two options quite tempting for Lu Ping.
The third item [One-star - Diligent and Studious], was easy to comprehend.
[Diligent and Studious: One-star]
[Effect: Personal enhancement type, grants a sect member the excellent trait of being diligent and studious, effect lasts for one year]
[Reputation: 15]
This item had substantial utility.
The last item [Two-star - Resource Optimization] was a rare two-star product and more valuable than one-star products.
[Resource Optimization: Two-star]
[Effect: Optimizes and upgrades one resource in the sect, with a 50% chance of raising the resource's tier. Even if failed, it still results in enhanced resource efficacy]
[Reputation: 50]