Family Rise: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 504 Sealing the Demon, Bloodline Transformation, Slaying the Great Demon
When Fu Changsheng returned to Huizhou Prefecture, dusk had already fallen. The azure dragon circled once above the Fu family residence, then transformed into a streak of azure light and disappeared into his sleeve. He descended from the sky, his robes fluttering, and landed in front of a secluded cottage in the inner courtyard of the Fu family residence.

"Master." Fu Qingyun, who was guarding outside the door, immediately stepped forward and bowed, his eyes filled with hope. "You're back."

Fu Changsheng nodded slightly, his gaze fixed on the closed door: "How is Qingyun?"

Fu Qingyun's expression darkened: "His aura is getting weaker and weaker, his spiritual energy is in disarray, and occasionally demonic energy will suddenly erupt. We dare not approach him."

"I'll go in and take a look." Fu Changsheng pushed open the door and entered, a chilling aura hitting him. Incense was burning inside to calm the soul, but it couldn't mask the stench of decay.

On the bed, Fu Qingyun lay quietly, his face as pale as paper, but a strange black line between his brows writhed slowly as if it were alive. His hands were bound by specially made spirit locks, and his wrists were already chafed and bleeding.

Fu Changsheng frowned, his divine sense surging into Fu Qingyun's body like a tidal wave. He saw a ball of pitch-black mist coiled in Fu Qingyun's dantian, countless tiny tentacles spreading along his meridians, devouring his spiritual power. Whenever the tentacles encountered resistance, they would unleash even stronger demonic energy, consuming the resisting force.

"It really is an ancient demonic vine." Fu Changsheng withdrew his divine sense, a trace of solemnity flashing in his eyes. This kind of parasitic demon is extremely rare. Once awakened, it will gradually devour the host's soul and eventually take its place.

"Master, is there any way?" Fu Qingyun asked anxiously.

Fu Changsheng pondered for a moment, then suddenly raised his hand and waved it. A wisp of chaotic energy swirled within the room, transforming into a semi-transparent barrier. "You go out first, and don't let anyone disturb you."

Fu Qingyun withdrew.

Fu Changsheng had a sudden thought.

"Master!" A clear, bell-like voice rang out, and a girl of about fifteen or sixteen years old appeared out of thin air. She wore a colorful silk dress, a small golden flower adorning her hair, and her large, bright eyes curiously surveyed her surroundings. "Where is this?"

"Qiu Niang, stop fooling around." Fu Changsheng's expression turned serious. "I have important business for you to do."

Qiu Niang pursed her lips, floated over to Fu Qingyun's side, and exclaimed in surprise after just one glance: "Oh my! Isn't this the ancient demonic vine? How did it end up parasitizing this kid's body?"

"You could tell?" Fu Changsheng was somewhat surprised.

“Of course!” Qiu Niang proudly raised her little face. “I’ve read many ancient books in the Five Elements Space. This kind of demonic vine loves to devour the essence and spiritual power of cultivators. Once it is fully awakened, the host will become its puppet.”

As she spoke, she reached out to touch the dark lines between Fu Qingyun's eyebrows, but Fu Changsheng grabbed her arm, saying, "Don't touch them, it will aggravate them."

Qiu Niang stuck out her tongue, then suddenly said seriously, "Suppressing this demonic vine won't be easy. It's already entangled with this boy's soul; forcibly separating it will damage its very foundation."

Fu Changsheng nodded: "Therefore, I need you to set up a 'Three-Turn Demon-Sealing Array' to temporarily suppress the activity of the demonic vines. I will then use the Blood Demon Sword to slowly absorb the overflowing demonic energy, gradually weakening it."

Qiu Niang's eyes lit up: "Master is indeed clever. With my formation, it might really work." As she spoke, she formed hand seals, and multicolored spiritual energy flowed from her fingertips, outlining complex array patterns in the air. "However, Master must be careful. Although the Blood Demon Sword can devour demonic energy, excessive use will affect one's mind."

"It's alright." Fu Changsheng took out a long sword, entirely blood-red, from his storage bag. The blade was covered with strange patterns, as if blood were flowing within it. "I cultivate the Chaos Dao Foundation; I'm not afraid of this bit of demonic energy."

Seeing this, Qiu Niang said no more and focused on setting up the formation. Her movements were light and graceful, like dancing, and the five-colored spiritual energy intertwined in the air to form a large net, which slowly fell down and enveloped Fu Qingyun.

"Master, the formation is complete, we can begin." Qiu Niang stepped aside, her expression unusually serious.

Fu Changsheng took a deep breath, and the Blood Demon Sword hovered above Fu Qingyun, its tip aimed at the black mark between his brows. Chaotic energy surged from Fu Changsheng's body and flowed into the sword, causing it to emit an eerie red light.

"seal up!"

With a low shout from Fu Changsheng, the Blood Demon Sword pierced down, but stopped just inches from Fu Qingyun's brow. A line of blood shot from the sword tip, striking the black markings precisely. The black markings writhed violently, and Fu Qingyun's entire body convulsed, letting out a painful groan.

"Hold on!" Fine sweat beaded on Fu Changsheng's forehead. Controlling the Blood Demon Sword to devour demonic energy required extremely precise manipulation; the slightest carelessness would damage Fu Qingyun's soul.

Qiu Niang watched anxiously, then suddenly cried out, "Master, the demonic vine is resisting! It's trying to forcibly devour the main soul!"

Sure enough, the demonic energy within Fu Qingyun's body suddenly surged, black patterns spread across his entire forehead, and his eyes snapped open, his pupils turning completely black.

"Heh heh, the flesh and blood of a first-grade Golden Elixir is extremely nourishing," a cold voice came from Fu Qingyun's mouth, completely unlike his own tone.

Fu Changsheng's eyes flashed with sternness: "You beast, how dare you be so arrogant!" He made a hand seal with his left hand, and the chaotic energy turned into chains that bound Fu Qingyun, while his right hand controlled the Blood Demon Sword to increase its devouring power.

Fu Qingyun, controlled by the demonic vines, struggled violently, causing the chaotic chains to creak and rattle. Seeing this, Qiu Niang hurriedly activated the formation, unleashing a burst of multicolored light to suppress the spread of demonic energy.

"Master, it's too strong! The formation can't hold up!" Qiu Niang's face was pale, clearly indicating that she had exhausted herself.

Fu Changsheng snorted coldly, then suddenly bit his tongue, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the Blood Demon Sword. The sword shone brightly red, and demonic energy was drawn into it like a tidal wave. The demonic vines within Fu Qingyun's body let out a shrill scream, and the black patterns began to recede.

"Now is the time!" Fu Changsheng seized the opportunity, placed his left hand on Fu Qingyun's dantian, and poured in chaotic energy to temporarily seal the main body of the demonic vine.

As the last trace of black veins receded back to his brow, Fu Qingyun's body slumped down, his breathing gradually becoming steady. The Blood Demon Sword also ceased its devouring, the patterns on its blade growing even more crimson, as if it might drip blood at any moment.

"Phew," Fu Changsheng breathed a sigh of relief, sheathing the Blood Demon Sword. "It's temporarily suppressed, but we'll need to find another way to eradicate it."

Qiu Niang slumped to the ground, wiping the sweat from her brow: "I'm exhausted. Master, is this kid really that important to you? Is he worth all this effort?"

Looking at the unconscious Fu Qingyun, Fu Changsheng said softly, "He is a member of my Fu family. He was injured while saving his companion. As the head of the family, how can I ignore him?"

Qiu Niang tilted her head to look at him, then suddenly laughed: "Master is still so protective of his own." She stood up, patted her skirt, and said, "But I like this kind of master."

Fu Changsheng placed his palm on Fu Qingyun's forehead again, and the chaotic energy seeped into his body like a trickle. As the investigation deepened, his brows furrowed more and more tightly.

"Something's not right," Fu Changsheng muttered to himself. "The demonic vine is suppressed, but why is its spirit so dormant?"

Qiu Niang floated over, tilted her head, and sensed for a moment before suddenly widening her eyes: "Master, this kid doesn't want to live anymore! His will to live has almost completely disappeared. If this continues, even if we suppress the demonic vine, we'll be devoured by it!"

Fu Changsheng withdrew his hand, his expression solemn. The room fell silent for a moment, with only Fu Qingyun's faint breathing echoing in the background.

"Master," Qiu Niang asked cautiously, "how about we just forget about it? There are so many young men in the Fu family anyway."

"Shut up." Fu Changsheng's voice wasn't loud, but it immediately silenced Qiu Niang. He stared at Fu Qingyun's pale face, and the image of this young man striving to be the best in the clan competition and standing up to save his companions at Zhenmo Pass appeared before his eyes.

A moment of silence.

With a thought.

A pure white jade seal emerged from within the body.

The jade seal is engraved with the ancestral patterns of the Fu family, and surrounded by five strands of golden energy that move slowly like living things, each turn radiating a chilling pressure.

"The Imperial Seal of a Noble Family!" Qiu Niang exclaimed, then covered her mouth. "Master, are you going to use the power of destiny?!"

Fu Changsheng did not answer. He held the seal in his left hand and made a hand seal with his right. A wisp of golden energy was drawn from his fingertips, meandering through the air and emitting a soft hum. The entire room was instantly enveloped in golden light, and even the air became viscous.

"Master, please reconsider!" Qiu Niang stamped her feet anxiously. "Every bit of qi you use is precious!"

There were nine strands in total, but now only five remain.

Fu Changsheng ignored him, lightly tapping his fingertip. The wisp of golden energy slowly descended and entered Fu Qingyun's brow. In an instant, golden light shone through Fu Qingyun's meridians, as if a fine net enveloped his entire body.

"Ah—" Fu Qingyun, who had been unconscious, suddenly arched his body and let out a roar that was not human. The black mark between his eyebrows twisted wildly, but was firmly bound by the golden light.

Qiu Niang hid behind Fu Changsheng in fright: "M-Master, what if he explodes?"

Fu Changsheng's gaze was piercing as he intently observed Fu Qingyun's changes: "The power of destiny is reshaping his soul and igniting his will to survive."

Sure enough, the black energy within Fu Qingyun's body was being forced back by the golden light. Even more astonishingly, the golden light began to actively devour the black energy, growing stronger with each portion it absorbed.

"This is..." Fu Changsheng's pupils contracted slightly, "His divine soul is backfiring on the demonic vine?"

Suddenly, Fu Qingyun abruptly opened his eyes—eyes that had turned completely golden, cold and sharp, devoid of any human emotion. He stared intently at Fu Changsheng, a strange smile slowly curving his lips.

"Master." The voice was hoarse and broken, yet it carried a chilling excitement.

Qiu Niang was so frightened that she grabbed Fu Changsheng's arm: "Master... he... he's acting strange!"

Fu Changsheng remained motionless, meeting those golden eyes in his gaze: "Qingyun, do you recognize me?"

A gurgling sound came from Fu Qingyun's throat, and a glimmer of clarity gradually appeared in his golden eyes: "Patriarch...save...me."

As soon as he finished speaking, the gold in his eyes suddenly surged, and he sprang up from the bed like an arrow, his five fingers forming claws as he aimed straight for Fu Changsheng's throat!

"Watch out!" Qiu Niang screamed.

Fu Changsheng was prepared; without moving, the chaotic energy had already formed a barrier in front of him. However, Fu Qingyun's attack suddenly changed course midway, grabbing his left arm and digging his fingers deep into his flesh.

"Get out!" Fu Qingyun's face was contorted with rage as he tore off his own left arm! Amidst the splattering blood, a cloud of black energy shot out from the severed arm and was swallowed whole by the Blood Demon Sword that had been waiting for him.

There was dead silence in the house.

Fu Qingyun staggered a few steps and knelt on the ground. The wound on his severed arm was healing at a speed visible to the naked eye, but no new arm had regenerated. He raised his head, and most of the gold in his eyes had faded, revealing his original pupil color.

"Thank you for saving me, Master." The voice was weak but clear.

Fu Changsheng sheathed the Blood Demon Sword and stepped forward to support him: "Why did you cut off your own arm?"

Fu Qingyun's lips curled into a cold smile: "That severed arm... it's already corrupted by the demonic vine; keeping it would only bring trouble." He then glanced at his empty left sleeve. "An arm for a life, it's worth it."

Moreover.

It is possible to have the arm regenerated in the future.

Qiu Niang peeked out from behind Fu Changsheng and muttered, "Crazy."

Fu Qingyun turned his head upon hearing the sound, his gaze falling on Qiu Niang. In that instant, Qiu Niang felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave, as if she had been stared at by some ferocious beast, and she immediately shrank back behind Fu Changsheng in fright.

“Qingyun,” Fu Changsheng’s voice was slightly deep, “This is Qiu Niang, who helped me save you just now.”

The coldness in Fu Qingyun's eyes vanished instantly, and he nodded slightly to Qiu Niang: "Thank you, Miss."

Qiu Niang pursed her lips, thinking to herself that this person's face changes faster than turning the pages of a book.

Fu Changsheng examined Fu Qingyun's condition and nodded with satisfaction: "The power of destiny has merged with your soul, so the demonic vines will not pose a threat for the time being. However," he looked at Fu Qingyun meaningfully, "your current state is very special; it is both an opportunity and a danger."

Fu Qingyun struggled to his feet. Though weak, his eyes were unusually clear: "Patriarch, rest assured. Now that I have survived, I will not let anyone take my life so easily again. I will repay your life-saving grace in the future." As he said this, a faint, cold smile played on his lips, sending chills down one's spine.

Qiu Niang quietly tugged at Fu Changsheng's sleeve: "Master, I think he's even more terrifying than the Demon Vine."

Fu Changsheng remained noncommittal, only saying to Fu Qingyun, "You should rest well first, and come see me again after you've recovered."

Outside the door, Fu Qingyun saw Fu Changsheng come out and hurriedly went to greet him: "Patriarch, Qingyun..."

“He’s mostly recovered.” Fu Changsheng paused, “However, his temperament may have changed somewhat, so keep a close eye on him.”

Fu Qingyun didn't understand, but he still nodded in agreement.

On the way back to the main courtyard, Qiu Niang, who had already returned to the Five Elements Space, couldn't help but ask, "Master, that boy has clearly become strange, why are you still..."

Fu Changsheng stopped and looked up at the sky: "Everyone has their own path. Qingyun chose the extreme path, but as long as his heart is with the Fu family, I will forgive him."

Qiu Niang nodded as if she understood, then suddenly remembered something: "By the way, Master, your family's fortune only has four strands left."

Fu Changsheng's gaze was far-reaching: "While fortune is precious, people are fundamental. If Fu Qingyun survives, what she brings to the Fu family may far exceed the value of this wisp of fortune."

He put away the imperial seal, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Besides, don't you think it would be more troublesome to have such a 'dangerous person' on the enemy's side?"

Qiu Niang blinked, then suddenly burst out laughing: "Master, you're so naughty!"

Fu Changsheng laughed loudly.

at the same time.

A familiar voice echoed in his mind.

Ding

You saved a gifted young genius for your family and have earned 1,000 family contribution points.

...

Fu Changsheng walked along the bluestone path to the small courtyard where the Grandmaster was housed. In the courtyard, an old plum tree leaned against the corner of the wall, its branches twisting and turning like a dragon, swaying gently in the evening breeze. Under the plum tree, Fu Molan stood still like a sculpture, the moonlight casting long shadows on her slender figure.

"Master." Upon seeing Fu Changsheng arrive, Fu Molan bowed respectfully, her voice hoarse as if she hadn't spoken in a long time. Dark circles were heavy under her eyes, and her usually neat clothes were stained with medicine.

Fu Changsheng's gaze swept over her tightly clenched knuckles, which had turned white, and he said gently, "Have you not slept for several days?"

Fu Molan pursed her lips without answering, turning her gaze to the room. Through the half-open window, she could see Master Yu lying on the couch, his face ashen and withered. His gourd, which he always carried with him, hung forlornly at the head of the bed, a few drops of undried wine still clinging to its mouth.

"If it weren't for saving me," Fu Molan's Adam's apple bobbed, "Uncle Yu wouldn't have forcibly activated the forbidden technique, much less..."

“Mo Lan.” Fu Changsheng interrupted her self-reproach, a jade box sliding out from his sleeve. “I brought the Nine-Turn Nourishing Spirit Pill.”

Fu Molan suddenly looked up, her eyes gleaming with hope.

She recognized the Xuan Yang pattern on the jade box—this was the Xuan Yang Temple's unique sacred medicine, said to be able to revive the dead and restore flesh to bones.

"Thank you, Master!"

Fu Changsheng shook his head, took out the Mirror of Illumination, and a blue light emanated from its surface, enveloping the pill. The pill within the mirror displayed a pure golden halo, without a trace of impurity. "The pill is fine."

He put away the precious mirror, but saw that Fu Molan was still standing in the same spot.

"Please go first, Master of the House." She stepped aside to make way.

Fu Changsheng understood—this girl was afraid of being disappointed and dared not witness it with her own eyes.

The room was filled with an intense, almost overwhelming, aroma of medicine.

Master Yu's breathing was weak, and the bandage wrapped around his chest was seeping with a pale golden liquid—a sign that his spiritual power was leaking out after his Dao foundation was damaged.

Fu Changsheng helped him up, fed him the pill, and used the chaotic energy in his palm to help him neutralize the medicinal power.

hum!
Suddenly, spiderweb-like golden lines lit up the meridians around Master Yu's body, and something seemed to be moving beneath his skin. Fu Molan rushed in, but was stopped by Fu Changsheng raising his hand: "The medicinal power is rebuilding the meridians."

The bed shook violently, and Master Yu suddenly arched his body, spitting out a mouthful of blood. The blood splattered onto Fu Changsheng's snow-white clothes, blooming like red plum blossoms.

"Uncle Yu!" Fu Molan couldn't hold back any longer and rushed to the bedside. She saw Master Yu slowly open his eyes, his cloudy pupils gradually clearing. "Longevity?" Master Yu's voice was hoarse. His gaze swept over Fu Molan's red-rimmed eyes, and suddenly he grinned, "Why are you crying, girl? I haven't had enough to drink yet."

Before he could finish speaking, his expression changed drastically, and he clutched his chest, coughing violently. A wisp of black energy emanated from between his brows, condensing into a broken rune in the air.

"The Heavenly Secret Seal has loosened." Master Yu smiled bitterly, spreading his palm to reveal cracks in its lines. "It seems I'll have to return to my grave once more."

Fu Changsheng gave Fu Molan a wink, signaling her to leave first, before speaking, "Uncle Yu, Yaoyao has successfully set up the Heavenly Mystery Array in Hidden Mist Valley."

"Oh?" Master Yu's eyes widened, then he burst into laughter, coughing up blood as he laughed. "Good, good, good! It wasn't in vain that I taught her for decades!" He grabbed the gourd and took a swig.

"but"

Fu Changsheng changed the subject:
"Yaoyao thought I had really perished, so she rushed into the secret realm to find a Core Formation artifact to form her Core and strengthen her power so that she could avenge me. Not long ago, she sent a message to Meizhen, saying that she had found the Core Formation artifact and was currently in seclusion to break through to the Golden Core stage."

However, the barrier of the Hidden Mist Valley Secret Realm is inherently unstable. In addition, Yao Yao's bloodline is special. Once she forms her core, the tribulation lightning she will trigger will be considerable. I'm afraid the entire secret realm will collapse, and Yao Yao will most likely be buried along with it.

Therefore, we must set off immediately, teleport back to Jingzhou, enter the secret realm to find Yaoyao, and stop her from forming her core.

"This girl!"

Master Yu nodded in agreement without hesitation.

The two arrived at the clan's Demon-Controlling Tower teleportation array, immediately activated it, and returned to Yunshan County in Jingzhou. Fu Changsheng then took Master Yu and, concealing their whereabouts, secretly headed to Hidden Mist Valley.

Hidden Mist Valley was shrouded in a gray mist. In the distance, the mountains, like lurking beasts, appeared and disappeared in the twilight.

Fu Changsheng and Master Yu trudged across the slippery rocks to an inconspicuous stone platform in the valley. Master Yu tilted his head back and took a swig of wine, a glint of light flashing in his cloudy old eyes.

"This is it." He stamped his foot, pointing his wine gourd to several almost invisible patterns on the ground. "The Heavenly Mystery Array set up by that girl Yaoyao completely isolates the aura of the secret realm."

Fu Changsheng focused his attention and indeed discovered faint array patterns flowing on the ground. If it weren't for the guidance of a master, ordinary cultivators would not have noticed anything unusual here.

"What exquisite concealment techniques!" Fu Changsheng exclaimed. "It seems Yaoyao has truly inherited Uncle Yu's skills in formations."

Master Yu stroked his beard smugly and took another swig of wine: "Of course! But..." He suddenly coughed violently, and a trickle of black blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

Fu Changsheng quickly helped him up: "Uncle Yu!"

"It's alright, it's alright." Master Yu waved his hand, wiping away the blood. "Let's take care of business first. Little Changsheng, you inject chaotic energy into the array's core, and I'll guide you through the direction."

Fu Changsheng nodded, his right hand forming a hand seal, and a wisp of chaotic energy disappeared into the ground like a swimming dragon. Following Master Yu's command, the chaotic energy traveled along a specific route, and the array patterns on the ground gradually lit up.

"Celestial Array, activate!"

With a low shout from Master Yu, the array patterns on the ground suddenly shone brightly, then receded like a tide. The ordinary valley scene abruptly changed—a deep ravine appeared behind the stone platform, shrouded in mist, with an ancient stone gate faintly visible.

"That's the entrance to the secret realm," Master Yu said, panting. "The Heavenly Mystery Array is merely a concealment; the true secret realm has another entrance."

Fu Changsheng gazed at the stone gate, its surface etched with ancient runes that gleamed faintly in the twilight. He turned to Master Yu: "Uncle Yu, can you still hold on?"

"Don't worry, you won't die." Master Yu grinned and took another swig of wine.

Fu Changsheng pondered for a moment, then took out a jade bottle from his robes: "This is a Three-Turn Qi-Returning Pill. Uncle Yu, take it first. I'll go in and check on the situation."

Master Yu accepted the jade bottle, but waved his hand, saying, "No need. You go inside and find Yaoyao. I'll stay here and guard." A sly glint flashed in his eyes. "Besides, if any fools come along, I can protect you."

Fu Changsheng knew he couldn't persuade the stubborn old man, so he could only nod: "Then Uncle Yu, please be careful."

He turned and walked towards the mountain stream, a green dragon emerging from his sleeve to lead the way. As they approached the stone gate, the surrounding mist grew thicker, and an ancient aura filled the air.

The runes on the stone door sensed someone approaching and suddenly lit up with a ghostly blue light. Fu Changsheng reached out and pressed his hand against the door, feeling a repulsive force.

“A specific incantation is required.” He made a strange hand seal with his left hand and gently pressed it against the center of the stone gate.

"Buzz——"

The stone door emitted a deep hum and slowly opened to both sides. A rich spiritual energy wafted out, mixed with the fragrance of herbs and trees. Fu Changsheng stepped inside, and the stone door behind him closed silently.

After he went inside, a rapid buzzing sound suddenly came from Master Yu's body. Master Yu looked down and his expression changed.

Within the secret realm.

The spring water of Xinghui Lingyan reflects the night sky, and the stars reflected on the water surface and the broken crystal stones at the bottom of the spring complement each other to form a wonderful three-dimensional star map.

Fu Yongyao sat cross-legged in the center of the formation, his silver hair cascading down like a waterfall, with strands of clear light shining down from the Qingqiu Yitian Plate floating above his head.

"Master has been in seclusion for several months and should be close to condensing his Golden Core." The three-tailed blood fox that Chi Xiao had transformed into paced anxiously around the outer edge of the formation, its six eyes constantly scanning the entrance to the valley. "However, I'm afraid that Corpse King won't let this go so easily."

Before the words were even finished, its fur suddenly stood on end. In the distance, a blood-red cloud was pressing down on the valley at an alarming speed. The outline of a giant bird could be vaguely seen in the cloud, with a wingspan of more than ten zhang (approximately 33 meters), and each flap of its wings brought forth gusts of foul wind.

"Not good!" Chi Xiao's pupils shrank sharply. "It's the Bloodbeak Demon! Why is that old monster here?"

The blood cloud arrived in an instant, transforming into a man in red robes at the valley entrance. His face was sinister, his aquiline nose was like a scimitar, and his lips were so thin they were almost invisible. Most terrifying of all were his eyes—they had no pupils, only two flickering flames of blood.

"Little fox," the Bloodbeak demon's voice was sharp as metal scraping, "hand over the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox, and I'll grant you a quick death."

The Crimson Sky Three-Tailed Beast exploded, blocking the formation: "Don't even think about it! My master is currently—"

"Core Formation?!" The Bloodbeak Demon suddenly burst into laughter, countless droplets of blood falling from the sky, sizzling as they corroded the ground. "What I want is the essence blood of the Heavenly Fox during her tribulation! That Corpse King was right, it truly is an excellent cauldron!"

Chi Xiao's heart trembled violently. No wonder the Corpse King retreated so decisively; it had gone to fetch reinforcements! It stole a glance at the great formation behind it—Fu Yongyao was still immersed in cultivation, completely oblivious to the external changes. The Yi Tian Disc above his head slowly rotated, but its azure light was much dimmer than it had been three days ago.

"Old monster!" Chi Xiao roared, "My master is of Qingqiu blood; if you dare touch her—"

"Qingqiu?" The blood-beaked demon's eyes blazed with fury. "Hahaha, where did this Qingqiu fox clan come from in this backwater? They're just a bastard who got lucky!"

With a flick of his sleeve, three blood arrows shot out into the air. Chi Xiao hurriedly unleashed his natal foxfire to defend, but the blood arrows suddenly veered off course and slammed into the protective array!
"Crack!"

The outermost twelve array flags exploded simultaneously. Chi Xiao's heart trembled—this old demon had actually seen through the array's weakness at a glance!
"A mere fourth-tier formation dares to block my way?" The Bloodbeak Demon grinned maliciously, taking out a skull-shaped magic artifact. "Let me show you what true 'formation breaking' really means!"

The skull swelled in the wind, spewing foul blood from its seven orifices, gnawing at the array's light barrier like a living creature. Chi Xiao could see clearly that each drop of foul blood contained the curse of countless vengeful spirits—the very nemesis of arrays!

"Master! Wake up!" It rushed into the formation without regard for its own safety, but was bounced back by the force of the recoil.

At this moment, Fu Yongyao was deeply entangled in his inner demons.

She stood in a void, surrounded by countless fragments of memories—her father's withered hand on his deathbed, the half-jade pendant left by her second brother before he disappeared, and the chessboard that her grandfather drunkenly handed her. These fragments kept reassembling, transforming into layers of illusions.

"Yaoyao!" Her father's figure suddenly appeared ahead. "Why haven't you avenged your father yet?"

She reached out to grab it, but the illusion vanished into thin air.

"Little sister," Fu Yongrong's voice came from behind, "I've been waiting for you here for a long time."

She turned around abruptly and saw her second brother standing in a pool of blood, a broken sword stuck in his chest.

Every illusion was tearing at her Dao heart. The golden core within her Purple Mansion had mostly condensed, but it flickered due to the torment of her inner demons. Sensing its master's crisis, the Yi Tian Pan's azure light grew increasingly weak, barely able to protect a sliver of clarity in her mind.

Outside, the Bloodbeak Demon's attacks grew increasingly ferocious.

"boom!"

The third layer of the formation shattered with a deafening roar. Chi Xiao, covered in blood and with one of his tails severed at the root, still stood firmly in front of Fu Yongyao.

"Get out of my way!" The Bloodbeaked Demon King lunged at Chi Xiao's heart with its claw. "I don't have time to play with you!"

With his last ounce of strength, Chi Xiao spat out a blood-red inner core. The inner core collided with the sharp claws, and the resulting shockwave incinerated all the star-patterned grass within a hundred feet radius!
"Pfft—" Chixiao coughed up blood and flew backward, crashing heavily into the mountain wall. It struggled to get up, only to see that the Bloodbeak Demon had broken through the last line of defense and was standing in front of Fu Yongyao.

"Perfect. Too perfect!" The Bloodbeak Demon stared greedily at the faintly visible nine-tailed phantom behind Fu Yongyao. "Such pure Heavenly Fox bloodline, if I devour you, I will surely break through to the Nascent Soul stage!"

He stretched out his withered hand, his five fingers transforming into sharp blades, aiming straight for Fu Yongyao's heart!
At the critical moment, the suspended Yitian Disc suddenly activated its protective mechanism, and the fox head mark at the missing corner glowed with a blinding blue light. The Bloodbeak Demon screamed in agony as the blue light sliced ​​off most of its arm!
"A acquired spiritual treasure?!" He retreated in shock and anger. "No... it's a replica containing the power of a spiritual treasure!"

Taking advantage of the brief moment, Chi Xiao dragged his mangled body to Fu Yongyao's side: "Master! Wake up—"

Before he could finish speaking, the Bloodbeak Demon King had already attacked in a rage! He revealed his true form—a giant bird with a blood-red body and a hooked iron beak, which fiercely pecked at the top of Crimson Heaven's head!
"boom!"

The second tail of the Crimson Sky exploded, transforming into a blood shield that barely blocked the fatal blow. But it was also completely exhausted, collapsing like a rag beside the spring, staining the spring water crimson.

"You're in my way." The Bloodbeak Demon transformed back into human form, the flesh at his severed arm writhing as a new hand grew. He coldly glanced at Fu Yongyao, who was still undergoing his tribulation: "Heart Demon Tribulation? Perfect, saves me the trouble!"

He took out a string of bone bells from his pocket and shook them gently. Strangely, no sound came out, but Fu Yongyao's body suddenly trembled violently!
"what--"

Fu Yongyao, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly let out a painful groan. The nine-tailed phantom behind her thrashed wildly, and a bloody mark appeared between her brows. The Yi Tian Disc trembled violently, its azure light flickering, as if it were fighting against some unseen force.

"The Soul-Capturing Bell!" the Bloodbeaked Demon said smugly, "Even with your Heavenly Fox bloodline—what?!"

His eyes widened suddenly. He saw that although Fu Yongyao was in great pain, the golden core in his dantian was becoming more and more solid, and even began to absorb the resentment in the bell!

"What a vixen!" The Bloodbeak Demon was both shocked and enraged. "She actually dares to borrow my magic weapon to transcend her tribulation?"

Without hesitation, he took out a blood-red talisman and affixed it to Fu Yongyao's forehead. The talisman dissolved upon entering her flesh, forming countless blood threads that burrowed into her seven orifices. Fu Yongyao's body stiffened, and the nine-tailed phantom behind her shattered like a bubble.

The Yitian Disc flickered one last time before finally collapsing from exhaustion.

The Bloodbeak Demon grabbed the falling replica chessboard, a look of apprehension flashing in his eyes: "As expected of Qingqiu's artifact. Fortunately, we were well prepared." He enveloped the chessboard and Fu Yongyao together in a cloud of blood and soared into the sky.

Chixiao lay dying in a pool of blood, watching helplessly as its master was abducted. It stretched out its paws as if to grab something, but only managed to catch a wisp of silver hair that had fallen to the ground.

"Owner."

Before the blood cloud disappeared into the distance, Chi Xiao vaguely heard the Bloodbeak Demon's chilling mutterings: "Bring it back to Bloodfeather Cave and refine it for forty-nine days."

When the last star-patterned grass stopped glowing, Chixiao used its last strength to bite through its front paw and draw a simple communication array on the ground with its blood. Trembling, it placed half of its silver hair into the array and recited the distress incantation that Fu Yongyao had taught it.

Master Yu

The moment the array glowed faintly, Chi Xiao finally fainted. What it didn't see was that the strand of silver hair suddenly ignited without fire within the array, transforming into a phantom nine-tailed celestial fox, which sped off towards the northeast.
Bloodfeather Cave is located deep within a blood-red swamp, shrouded in crimson mist year-round. Hundreds of dried-up demonic beast corpses hang at the cave entrance, swaying gently in the eerie wind and emitting chilling clanging sounds.

Inside the deepest part of the cave, in the Blood Refining Chamber, a blood pool three zhang square boiled and churned, its edges covered with twisted runes. Fu Yongyao was chained in mid-air by nine blood chains, her silver hair hanging down, a ferocious bird mark branded between her brows. The rising mist from the blood pool continuously seeped into her body, and with each wisp she inhaled, her body convulsed slightly.

The Bloodbeak Demon sat cross-legged on the altar beside the blood pool, with the Qingqiu Chessboard floating before him. Drops of his blood seeped from his fingertips, landing on the missing corner of the chessboard, attempting to erase the fox head mark on it.

“Strange.” The Bloodbeak Demon frowned. “This mark can actually resist my Blood Refinement Technique?” He suddenly sneered. “No problem. Once I’ve refined this girl, the chessboard will naturally be mine.”

He made a hand seal, and nine pillars of blood rose from the blood pool, piercing into Fu Yongyao's nine vital acupoints. Fu Yongyao suddenly tilted his head back and let out a shrill scream that was not human, and nine phantom images of fox tails vaguely appeared behind him.

"Excellent! The Heavenly Fox bloodline is beginning to manifest!" The Bloodbeak Demon's eyes blazed with crimson light. "In seven more days, I will be able to—"

Before the words were finished, a deafening explosion suddenly came from outside the cave, and the entire Bloodfeather Cave shook violently, with rubble falling everywhere.

"Report—Reporting, Your Majesty!" A blood bat flew in in a panic. "Someone has breached the outer defenses!"

The Bloodbeak Demon roared in fury: "Useless trash! Who dares to cause trouble in Bloodfeather Cave?"

"Yes, it was a white-robed cultivator, accompanied by a drunken old man." Before the Blood Bat could finish speaking, his body suddenly exploded into a cloud of blood mist.

The Bloodbeak Demon's expression changed drastically, and he abruptly stood up.

Almost simultaneously, the stone door of the Blood Refining Chamber exploded. From the smoke and dust, a thin old man carrying a wine gourd staggered in; it was Master Yu.

"Old monster, what kind of skill is it to bully children?" Master Yu hiccuped, his cloudy old eyes gleaming with a sharp light. "Come, come, let this old man play with you."

The Bloodbeak Demon's pupils contracted: "Where did this old drunkard come from?" He suddenly grinned maliciously, "So you only have half a life left, yet you dare to come and die!"

With a flick of his sleeve, hundreds of blood-red feathers rained down on Master Yu. Master Yu neither dodged nor evaded, but simply raised his wine gourd, took a swig, and exhaled a cloud of wine mist. The blood-red feathers melted away instantly upon contact with the wine mist, like snow meeting boiling water.

at the same time.

boom!
A large hole suddenly appeared in the top of the Blood Refining Chamber.

A beam of azure sword light poured down like a celestial river, heading straight for the Bloodbeak Demon's crown! The Bloodbeak Demon hastily summoned a bone shield to defend itself, but the sword light cleaved it and the shield flying dozens of feet away, crashing heavily into the stone wall.

Amidst the smoke and dust, Fu Changsheng descended from the sky, his white robes as pure as snow, the Lotus Lantern in his hand emitting a three-foot-long azure light. He didn't even glance at the Blood-Beaked Demon, heading straight for Fu Yongyao, who was locked in mid-air.

"Yaoyao." Fu Changsheng's voice trembled slightly as he reached out and gently touched Fu Yongyao's pale cheek. His hand was icy cold, but the bird mark between her brows was burning hot.

"You're courting death!" The Bloodbeak Demon roared in fury, its form transforming into a blood-red shadow as it lunged forward. Fu Changsheng didn't even turn his head; he simply made a hand seal with his left hand and pointed backward, unleashing a wall of chaotic energy. The blood shadow crashed into the energy wall, producing a piercing scraping sound, but it couldn't break through even an inch.

With a flick of his sword, Fu Changsheng severed the nine blood chains. He caught the falling Fu Yongyao, and chaotic energy flowed continuously into her body, suppressing the rampant blood-refining energy.

"Father...is it really you?" Fu Yongyao slightly opened his eyes, his silver eyelashes trembling, his voice weak as if he were talking in a dream, "Am I dreaming again?"

Fu Changsheng's heart tightened, only then remembering that he was still "a dead man" in her eyes. But the situation was critical, and he couldn't care less about anything else: "It's me, Yaoyao. Father is late."

Tears suddenly welled up in Fu Yongyao's eyes. She tried to raise her hand to touch Fu Changsheng's face, but she couldn't move even a finger: "I knew it. You wouldn't die."

The Bloodbeak Demon's maniacal laughter shattered this tender moment: "What a display of fatherly affection! Fu Changsheng, do you think you can save her? Once the Blood Refining Array is activated, it cannot be stopped. The blood poison in her body has penetrated deep into her bone marrow. Unless I personally intervene, she is doomed!"

Fu Changsheng coldly glanced at the Bloodbeaked Demon, his eyes filled with murderous intent: "The antidote."

"The antidote?" The Bloodbeak Demon grinned sinisterly. "She is my antidote! Once I drain her celestial fox essence blood, I will naturally—ah!"

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly screamed in agony. Master Yu had somehow appeared behind him, and the wine from his gourd transformed into chains, binding his limbs tightly. Golden runes danced on those chains—the Heavenly Seal!
"Immortality, quickly!"

Fu Changsheng gently placed Fu Yongyao on the ground, and the Lotus Lantern emitted a clear, melodious dragon's roar. He took a step forward, his figure as swift as lightning, and his sword light aimed straight for the Bloodbeak Demon's throat!
Facing the incoming sword light, the Bloodbeak Demon grinned and spat out a mouthful of its life essence blood. The blood transformed into nine blood-red ferocious birds in the air, their flapping wings causing space to distort.

"A mere early-stage Golden Core cultivator dares to..."

Before he finished speaking, the Lotus Lantern in Fu Changsheng's hand suddenly shone brightly with azure light. The lantern vibrated and hummed, and the nine-petaled lotus platform bloomed one after another, with profound Dao patterns appearing on each petal.

The nine illusory images of blue lotus suddenly expanded, enveloping the entire Blood Refining Chamber.

The blood bird crashed against the lotus wall, emitting a piercing screech, but could not break through even an inch.

(End of this chapter)