Family Rise: Beginning with Grandfather.

Chapter 956 Monster Attack on the City
"Fellow Daoist Yunhai, rest assured, I will investigate this matter thoroughly!"

Master Mo Hai said calmly.

Yunhai looked rather helpless and could only bow respectfully, "Then we will not disturb Fellow Daoist Mohai any longer!"

Then he left with Yunfan and Yunbi.

Master Mo Hai watched him leave, then glanced at the group from Wanbaohang and said, "Let's go inside and talk!"

"Fellow Daoist Mo Hai, please!"

The white-robed master led Mo Hai and Qing Xu into Wanbaohang, while Yang Zhengshan followed behind the crowd, watching them go to Tianhe Hall.

He naturally wouldn't go in to join the fun. Although this matter involved the death of a guest retainer, it was something that the manager had to handle, and it didn't have much to do with the other guest retainers.

Moreover, this might involve the Baiyun Dao lineage. Most of the guest elders of Wanbaohang are cultivators from Baiyun Immortal City, so getting involved is not a good thing.

Therefore, those who followed into Tianhe Hall were all managers of Wanbaohang, while the guest ministers left in twos and threes.

"Senior, how do you feel?"

As Yang Zhengshan was leaving Tianhe Hall, he ran into Luo Cheng and asked him a question.

Luo Cheng looked worried. "I have a bad feeling. It seems like a huge net is being cast down on White Cloud Immortal City."

"A big net?"

Yang Zhengshan seemed to be deep in thought. He did not question Luo Cheng's senses. As the saying goes, ducks are the first to know when the river warms in spring. In Baiyun Immortal City, these middle and lower-level immortal cultivation families and clans are like ducks in the river. As long as there is any major disturbance in Baiyun Immortal City, they will be able to sense it.

"What you mean, senior, is that someone is targeting White Cloud Immortal City!"

"Yes, Xia'er's attack earlier was very likely related to this!" Luo Cheng said worriedly.

Yang Zhengshan stroked his beard, his mind filled with a myriad of thoughts.

"Fellow Daoist Feng Xia shouldn't be that important, right? Even if someone wants to target White Cloud Immortal City, there's no reason for them to ambush Fellow Daoist Feng Xia!"

It wasn't that he looked down on Luo Fengxia; it was just that Luo Fengxia was practically nobody in Baiyun Immortal City.

Calling him an unknown nobody is a bit of an exaggeration, but calling him insignificant is not an exaggeration either.

"I investigated the killers who ambushed them, but I found no trace of them!"

A sharp glint flashed in Luo Cheng's weathered eyes. "You're right. Feng Xia is not important. He's insignificant to Baiyun Immortal City, and he's not even a pillar of our Luo family!"

"But he was ambushed!"

"Although my Luo family has some enemies, none of them can easily mobilize five Foundation Establishment cultivators!"

Yang Zhengshan's mind was in turmoil. On the surface, the attack on Luo Fengxia had nothing to do with the recent turmoil in Baiyun Immortal City, but whether there was a connection or not could not be judged by appearances alone. Perhaps there was something they had not considered.

The recent turmoil in Baiyun Immortal City seems quite strange.

The Earthshaking Tiger clan may have the strength to fight against White Cloud Immortal City, but they are definitely no match for White Cloud Immortal City. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been constantly suppressed and beaten by White Cloud Immortal City in Dali Mountain.

But now they are actually able to ambush the White Cloud Immortal City's forces near White Cloud Immortal City.

This is obviously unreasonable.

Furthermore, Zhao Tianhai's death was too coincidental. Everyone felt that something was wrong, but the facts were undeniable, leaving everyone with no choice but to believe it.

Yang Zhengshan couldn't see through it, and neither could Luo Cheng. The two chatted briefly before parting ways.

After returning to his cave dwelling, Yang Zhengshan pondered for a moment and finally gave up on this brain-wasting activity.

If you can't see through it, you can't see through it; anyway, this matter doesn't have much to do with him.

Although the turmoil in Baiyun Immortal City will affect the power structure of the entire Yunxiao Mountain Range, the Lingxiu Sea is located in the westernmost part of the Yunxiao Mountain Range, so the impact will certainly not be too great.

As for Wanbaohang, it is an incredibly powerful force. Even if Baiyun Immortal City were to be thrown into turmoil, or even if Baiyun Immortal City were to be destroyed, Wanbaohang would not be significantly affected.

In the days that followed, Yang Zhengshan stayed at Wanbaohang to observe the changes in Baiyun Immortal City, while also making sure to exchange a third-tier spiritual material for Xuanzhen.

Five days later, before Wanbaohang had reached a decision, shocking news came from Dali Mountain.

The market town of Dali Mountain was breached, and more than thirty Foundation Establishment cultivators in Baiyun Immortal City died under the claws of demonic beasts, including three disciples of True Monarch Baiyun: True Man Yunqiao, True Man Yunqian, and True Man Yuncui.

The attack on Dali Mountain Market was not only carried out by the Earthshaking Tiger Clan, but also by the Golden-Winged Eagle Clan. For some reason, the two major demon clans suddenly joined forces, catching True Monarch Baiyun off guard.

Thousands of cultivators in the Dali Mountain market perished in the siege of the two major demon clans.

Baiyun Zhenjun was seriously injured and fled after being attacked by the two demon kings. His whereabouts are still unknown.

The moment this news reached Baiyun Immortal City, the city was like hot oil in a boiling pan.

As rumors spread and intensified, the entire White Cloud Immortal City descended into panic.

Many immortal cultivation families and aristocratic clans began to manage their businesses within the city, shifting their focus to areas outside the city.

It seemed that everyone understood that once Baiyun Immortal City lost Baiyun Zhenjun, it would inevitably fall into chaos, and then an extremely tragic calamity would befall it.

The situation became increasingly chaotic, and although the Baiyun Daoist sect tried every means to stop the chaos, their actions were almost meaningless.

Time passed amidst this hustle and bustle, until one day three months later.

A loud bird cry pierced through layers of array barriers and echoed above White Cloud Immortal City.

Yang Zhengshan was cultivating in his courtyard when he suddenly heard the cry. He immediately transformed into a streak of light, flew out of the room, and looked up into the sky.

"This is~~"

His face was filled with shock.

A gigantic bird with golden wings spread across the sky was soaring above Baiyun Immortal City. Its massive wings resembled a dark golden cloud that blotted out the sun, and its terrifying and sharp aura made Yang Zhengshan feel a tightness in his chest.

"Golden-winged Eagle, Demon King!"

Looking at the enormous bird, Yang Zhengshan had already guessed who it was.

"What happened?"

"How could there be such a huge monster in Baiyun Immortal City?"

"That's no ordinary demonic beast, it's a demon king!"

The other managers and retainers of Wanbao were also alarmed and came out to look up at the sky.

The terrifying aura put immense pressure on everyone, forcing them to whisper among themselves.

Sizzle~~
Golden wings swept across the protective array of White Cloud Immortal City, making a sharp, piercing sound that made everyone's eardrums ache.

At the same time, brilliant spiritual light emerged from all parts of the city, arrays were activated, puppets were put into operation, and the city's law enforcement and defense forces were mobilized, ready for battle.

However, the Golden-Winged Eagle Demon King did not come alone. It was merely testing the city's defensive formations when figures radiating golden light appeared on the eastern horizon.

Not only in the sky, but also in the mountains and forests, giant beasts were running at extremely fast speeds.

Boom~~
The giant beasts surged forward, causing the entire earth to tremble.

Yang Zhengshan felt the tremors coming from the ground, and his expression became extremely solemn.

"Damn it, White Cloud Immortal City is probably doomed!"

Although he anticipated that great changes would occur in Baiyun Immortal City, he never expected that demonic beasts would attack the city.

And it came so suddenly, so unexpectedly.

On the city wall, Yunhai looked at the trembling mountains and forests to the east, his face extremely gloomy.

"Master Yunhai, with calamity looming, you must make a decision as soon as possible!"

Luo Cheng stood behind him and said in a hoarse voice.

Yunhai turned to him and asked, "Do we have any other options?"

Luo Cheng fell silent.

Do Yunhai and the others have other options?
No!

They are disciples of True Lord Baiyun, they are the masters of Baiyun Immortal City, and Baiyun Immortal City is everything to them.

Losing Baiyun Immortal City is equivalent to losing everything.

Even if they escape, they will only be able to eke out a living.

Do the Luo family have any other options?
No, not either.

The Luo family's roots are in Baiyun Immortal City. Although the Luo family still has some assets outside the city, can the Luo family continue to prosper without the protection of Baiyun Immortal City?

"Send the order: prepare for war throughout the city!" Yunhai shouted, his face fierce.

"Senior brother, should we ask Cangyu Mountain for help?" Yunfan asked softly.

A strange light flashed in Yunhai's eyes. "Send a message to Cangyu Mountain and Cangjian Mountain, asking them to come and provide support as soon as possible!"

The White Cloud Immortal City was originally built to defend against the demon race in the Wanhua Mountains.

However, ever since True Lord Baiyun established the Baiyun Dojo in the city, the demonic beasts in the Wanhua Mountains have been forced to retreat again and again under True Lord Baiyun's coercion, all the way to the east of Dali Mountain.

When Tianjian Zhenjun was still alive, Cangjian Mountain, Baiyun Immortal City, and Cangyu Mountain were allies against the demon race of Wanhua Mountain Range.

However, after the Heavenly Sword True Monarch passed away, the alliance between the three major forces became a mere formality.

Although Baiyun Immortal City will still give Cangyu Mountain and Cangjian Mountain face, Baiyun Immortal City no longer regards them as allies.

Now that Baiyun Immortal City is facing imminent collapse, it naturally hopes that Cangyu Mountain and Cangjian Mountain will come to its aid. However, they all know that the possibility of Cangyu Mountain and Cangjian Mountain coming to its aid is slim.

But there was always a glimmer of hope, and Yunhai didn't want to give up.

Leaving aside the matter of seeking reinforcements, the demon beast armies of the Golden-Winged Eagle and the Earth-Shaking Tiger clans had already appeared outside the city, and a great battle was about to break out.

……

On the top floor of Tianji Pavilion, on the Star Gazing Platform.

Master Zangji looked at the golden-winged eagle in the sky, a faint hint of mockery on his face.

"These scumbags are being used without even realizing it, haha~~"

"Sect Master, what should we do?" Shouyi asked from the side.

Master Zangji's gaze narrowed, and he said in a calm tone, "Activate the protective formation and activate the Heavenly Secret Token!"

The Heavenly Secret Token is the symbol of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, representing its identity and prestige.

Unlike Wanbaohang, Tianjige, although it has branches in various places, rarely intervenes in local power struggles.

Of course, local forces must not target the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, otherwise it will be considered a provocation against the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion.

Therefore, this Heavenly Decree is equivalent to a truce token.

Once the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion activates the Heavenly Mystery Token, it's telling everyone, "You can do your thing, don't worry about me, and don't get involved. If you do, you won't be able to bear the consequences."

With Master Cangji's command, the array within the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion was activated, a piercing metallic scraping sound rang out, and a dazzling silver-white light shone brightly. In the blink of an eye, the silver-white light shield enveloped the entire Heavenly Mystery Pavilion.

……

Inside Wanbaohang, a group of managers stood suspended in mid-air, observing the situation inside and outside the city.

"Senior Zifang, the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion has activated the Heavenly Mystery Token!" The White-Robed True Man said softly, standing behind Madam Zifang.

Lady Wisteria glanced in the direction of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion. "Ignore them. They always only care about themselves!"

Master Mo Hai then asked, "Who is the head of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion here?"

“Master Zangji is said to be a disciple of the Longevity True Lord!” said Madam Zifang.

"True Lord of Longevity!" Master Mo Hai frowned slightly. "True Lord of Longevity is most skilled at calculating destiny! What about this Master Cangji?"

Madam Wisteria shook her head slightly, "I don't know. This person is very mysterious and rarely shows himself. We don't know much about him either!"

Although Tianji Pavilion and Wanbaohang are both extraordinary entities in Baiyun Immortal City, they do not have much interaction.

Wanbaohang needs to do business, so it has a lot of interaction with various forces, while Tianjige only guards its buildings and rarely interacts with local forces.

Therefore, everyone was very unfamiliar with the people of Tianji Pavilion.

Master Mo Hai remained silent for a moment, not pressing for further information about the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, but instead asked, "Does Senior Situ have any instructions?"

"That old man said that as long as we don't let the demons into the treasure vault, we can handle everything else ourselves!" said Madam Wisteria.

To this day, Situ Yuan has not emerged from the treasure vault.

It was as if the treasure vault was a cage from which he could not escape.

Master Mo Hai nodded slightly, then turned to look at the group of guests not far away.

"Fellow Daoists, you may participate in the battle, but you must not involve Wanbaohang in it. Of course, if you do not wish to participate, you may bring your relatives and friends to Wanbaohang, and Wanbaohang will protect your safety."

Wanbaohang has thirty-six guest elders in Baiyun Immortal City. Most of these thirty-six guest elders come from aristocratic families in the city. Apart from a few who are closely related to the Baiyun Daoist lineage, the other guest elders also have considerable businesses in the city.

They certainly didn't want Baiyun Immortal City to be destroyed, nor did they want to see it plunged into war.

"Senior Mo Hai, can't Wanbaoxing lend a hand?" a cultivator with a thick beard asked.

Mo Hai said softly, "In principle, we cannot interfere unless the other party threatens Wanbaohang's safety!"

Upon hearing this, the guests exchanged bewildered glances.

In principle, we should not interfere, but there are always exceptions to this rule.

In particular, situations that threaten the security of Wanbaohang.

It wouldn't be difficult for this situation to occur. In the midst of a chaotic battle, innocent people will inevitably be affected, and perhaps, without warning, the aftershocks of the battle will hit Wanbaohang.

So this doesn't count as a threat to Wanbaohang's security?

Standing behind the crowd, Yang Zhengshan also guessed what Mo Hai meant.

Mo Hai still wanted to help Baiyun Immortal City, since Wanbaohang's foundation was in Baiyun Immortal City. If Baiyun Immortal City were destroyed, Wanbaohang would also lose a prosperous branch.

Others may be wary of the two great demon clans, but Wanbaoxing certainly won't be.

Safeguarding Wanbaoxing's interests in Baiyun Immortal City is more important than offending the two major demon clans.

(End of this chapter)