Family Rise: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 514 Innate Sword Seed, Territory Development, Spatial Evolution
The ancestral home of the Lei family, Jinglei Valley.

On the Xuanlei Platform, Lei Yunfeng sat cross-legged, his body surging with sword energy and surrounded by purple lightning. He was born with a sword seed and possessed extraordinary talent. At this moment, within his dantian, spiritual power surged like a sea, spinning wildly, and a golden core, entirely purple-gold and densely covered with sword patterns, gradually took shape!

"Condensation!"

Lei Yunfeng let out a sharp shout, and his spiritual power was instantly compressed to the extreme, and his golden core was completely formed!

In an instant——

"Rumble--"

Above the sky, thunderclouds suddenly gathered, and the spiritual energy within a radius of a hundred miles surged wildly, forming a massive vortex of spiritual power. The elders of the Lei family all paled; this extraordinary phenomenon of Core Formation far surpassed that of ordinary Golden Core cultivators!
"This is... a successful Core Formation!" Clan Chief Lei suddenly stood up from the viewing platform, his eyes gleaming with excitement, his joy overflowing.

However, before he could even laugh out loud, the tribulation lightning in the sky had already been brewing!
"boom--!"

A bolt of purple lightning, as thick as a bucket, tore through the sky and struck straight down!

Lei Yunfeng's eyes snapped open, sword intent bursting forth from them. He formed a sword with his fingers, and a dazzling sword light shot into the sky, colliding head-on with the thunder!

"boom--!"

Sword light and lightning exploded simultaneously, and violent spiritual energy waves swept in all directions, instantly shattering several layers of the protective array around the Xuanlei Platform!

"Hiss—" The elders of the Lei family gasped.

"The power of this tribulation lightning... is at least three times stronger than that of an ordinary Golden Core tribulation lightning!" The Grand Elder's expression was solemn.

A hint of worry flashed in Chief Lei's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure: "No problem! Yunfeng is a born swordsman; a mere lightning tribulation won't harm him!"

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Before the first lightning bolt had completely dissipated, the second lightning bolt struck down in quick succession! This time, three lightning bolts descended simultaneously!

Lei Yunfeng's expression changed slightly. He drew his long sword, its light like a dragon, and swept it out horizontally!

“Clang!”

The sword energy collided with the lightning, barely managing to block two strikes, but the third lightning bolt struck him directly!
"puff--!"

Lei Yunfeng spat out a mouthful of blood, his body crackled with electricity, his clothes torn, and charred marks appeared on his skin.

"Yunfeng!" Clan Chief Lei's expression changed drastically. He took a step forward, but was pulled back by the First Elder.

"Clan leader, you mustn't interfere! If the heavenly tribulation is disrupted, its power will increase dramatically!"

Chief Lei was also blinded by concern.

"Rumble--"

Above the sky, thunderclouds rolled, and the fourth and fifth lightning bolts struck down one after another!

Lei Yunfeng wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit. He stopped drawing his sword and instead used his physical body to directly confront the heavenly lightning!
"Bang! Bang!"

Lightning struck him, crackling with electricity, and flesh and blood exploded! He groaned and knelt on one knee, but quickly gritted his teeth and stood up, his sword energy gathering around him once more!

"Good! Good!" Chief Lei clenched his fists, both nervous and excited. "Hold on! You must hold on!"

The Grand Elder frowned and said in a low voice, "This is a tribulation for a fourth-grade Golden Core cultivator! It's truly extraordinary..."

"Roar--!"

The sixth lightning tribulation transformed into a lightning dragon, roaring as it swooped down!

Lei Yunfeng's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he plunged his long sword into the ground. The sword energy around him instantly condensed into a huge sword shadow!
"break!"

The sword's shadow soared into the sky, colliding fiercely with the thunder dragon!

"boom--!!!"

A terrifying explosion swept through the entire Thunder Valley. The elders of the Lei family retreated one after another, frantically circulating their protective spiritual energy to barely stabilize themselves.

As the smoke and dust cleared, Lei Yunfeng knelt on the ground, his longsword broken and his body covered in blood, but his fighting spirit remained undiminished!

“There are only three more steps left…” Chief Lei’s voice trembled slightly, filled with both anticipation and fear.

When the seventh lightning tribulation struck, Lei Yunfeng was powerless to withstand it head-on. He could only use his remaining spiritual energy to condense a protective sword aura to barely resist it.

"boom!"

The sword energy shattered, and he coughed up blood again, his aura weakening.

The eighth lightning tribulation transformed into a giant lightning sword, slashing straight down!

“It’s over…” An elder of the Lei family turned pale.

Chief Lei's eyes were bloodshot with rage, and he almost rushed forward to save the person.

However, at the critical moment—

Lei Yunfeng suddenly looked up, and the sword mark between his eyebrows emitted a dazzling light!

"Sword Seed... Activate!"

"Zheng——!"

A sword light that reached the heavens and the earth erupted from his body, actually shattering the giant thunder sword!
The final lightning bolt, interwoven with purple and gold, resembled a sword of divine punishment, crashing down with a deafening roar!

Lei Yunfeng let out a long roar, and his sword energy exploded completely, transforming him into a sharp sword that soared upwards against the heavens!

"boom--!!!"

The world lost its color, and lightning exploded!
When the light faded, Lei Yunfeng was charred black all over, kneeling on one knee, but a smile appeared on his lips.

Because within his dantian—

A golden pill, gleaming brightly!

Fourth-grade Golden Elixir, successful!

"Good! Good! My Lei family has finally produced a prodigy who has the potential to reach the Nascent Soul stage!" Clan Chief Lei laughed wildly, his eyes filled with pride.

He waved his hand dismissively: "Send the order down! The clan shall hold a grand banquet to celebrate Yunfeng's Core Formation!"

Inside the Lei family's Thunderclap Hall, the lights were bright, fine wines and delicacies were laid out on the long table, and the sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air. The Lei clan patriarch sat high in the main seat, raising his cup to drink heartily, his face full of smug satisfaction.

"Gentlemen!" Clan Chief Lei slammed his wine cup down on the table, splashing the liquid inside. "Today, my Lei family gains another Golden Core cultivator, and Yunfeng has even condensed a fourth-grade Golden Core! Given time, he will surely reach the Nascent Soul stage!"

A chorus of fawning voices immediately filled the hall.

"The clan leader is wise!"

"The rise of the Lei family is just around the corner!"

"The Fu family is nothing to worry about!"

Chief Lei was overjoyed and was about to drink another cup when a guard hurriedly approached him, whispering a few words in his ear.

"Snapped!"

The white jade wine cup shattered in the Lei clan chief's palm, the wine dripping through his fingers. The hall fell silent; everyone held their breath.

"Say it again?" Chief Lei's voice was as cold as ice.

The guard nervously handed over a jade slip: "Just...just received a secret report. Fu Changlei of the Fu family has condensed a third-grade Golden Core at Zhenmo Pass."

"boom!"

The Lei clan chief unleashed a terrifying spiritual pressure, instantly reducing the sandalwood chair beneath him to dust. His eyes were bloodshot, and veins bulged on his forehead.
"Useless! Li Wanhu is such a waste! A dignified mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, he can't even suppress a mere Purple Mansion junior!"

Upon seeing this, the Grand Elder quickly waved for everyone to step back.

Once only a few core elders remained in the hall, he said in a deep voice, "Clan leader, please calm your anger. The Fu family now has four Golden Core cultivators, indeed..."

"So what if there are four of them!" Clan Chief Lei interrupted sharply. "My Lei family has the backing of the Seven Princes; are we afraid of them?!"

At this moment, the messenger guard cautiously added, "There's one more thing. After Fu Changlei leaves the pass, the True Lord will recommend him for promotion to commander. And since our Lei family has already been promoted to the sixth rank, according to custom we should also send..."

"Enough!" Clan Chief Lei roared, startling the guards who fell to their knees. His sinister gaze swept over everyone present, then he suddenly grinned maliciously: "So what if we send troops? We'll do exactly what the Fu family did! Send a Purple Mansion cultivator to lead the team, and the rest fifty will be conscripted from vassal families!"

The elders exchanged glances, the eldest elder hesitant to speak. Seeing this, Clan Chief Lei sneered, "What? Afraid of Fu Changlei making things difficult?" He slammed his hand on the table, sending the spiritual fruits tumbling to the floor. "He wouldn't dare! My grandson is a Prince of the current dynasty. To harm a member of the Lei family is to slap the Prince's mansion in the face!"

The Lei clan chief's gaze was cold as he slowly said, "The Fu family recently received a fiefdom from Yulin Prefecture. How can my Lei family sit idly by and let this lucrative prize slip by?"

The First Elder frowned: "Clan Chief, Yulin Prefecture has already been bestowed upon the Fu family by the imperial court. If we rashly intervene, I'm afraid..."

Clan Chief Lei sneered, "What's there to be afraid of? Yulin Prefecture is close to the northern frontier and is essentially unclaimed territory. The imperial court granted it to the Fu family; does that mean others are not allowed to explore it?"

A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes: "Send word to Yunhai to lead the clan's elite into Yulin Prefecture first! Seize as many resources as you can!"

The elder hesitated, then could only sigh.

Clan Chief Lei stood with his hands behind his back, gazing into the distance, a chilling smile playing on his lips: "The Fu family... I'd like to see how long you can be so smug!"

The Grand Elder hesitated, then sighed and withdrew. He knew the clan leader had been blinded by power. But as the Grand Elder of the Lei family, he had to ensure the family's future.
In the dead of night, the Grand Elder secretly met with Lei Yunfeng.

"Yunfeng, you are now a Golden Core cultivator, there are some things you should know." The First Elder set up a soundproof barrier, his expression grave. "The Clan Chief's actions are too radical; I fear they will bring disaster upon the clan."

Lei Yunfeng raised an eyebrow slightly: "What does the Grand Elder mean?"

"Do not get involved in the affairs of Yulin Prefecture." The First Elder took out a jade slip and handed it to him. "This is the complete 'Thunderclap Sword Technique.' Take it to the Sword Pavilion for seclusion. No matter what happens in the family, do not leave seclusion until you have reached the late Golden Core stage."

Lei Yunfeng took the jade slip and sensed the surging sword intent within it. He immediately understood the Grand Elder's good intentions: "The Elder is worried about the Fu family."

"Fu Changsheng is an unfathomable man," the Grand Elder shook his head. "What's even more frightening is that he knows how to be patient." The Clan Chief, however, "hadn't finished speaking, but the meaning was already clear."

The following morning, two teams from the Lei family set off simultaneously. One team, led by Lei Yunhai, secretly headed to Yulin Prefecture; the other team, consisting only of Lei Yunfeng, quietly went to Jian Ge for seclusion.

Standing atop the city gate tower, the Grand Elder watched the departing procession and murmured to himself, "Hopefully, it's not too late."

Meanwhile, Chief Lei was receiving a mysterious guest in his mansion.

At the Huizhou Prefecture dock, a small warship about twenty zhang long was quietly moored. The ship was entirely gray-blue, with three pairs of spirit-powered oars on each side. The bow was carved with a blue phoenix with outstretched wings, which was the "Blue Phoenix" specially made by the Fu family's weapon-refining hall.

Fu Changsheng stood with his hands behind his back on the bluestone slab of the dock, watching the line of people boarding the ship.

Yao Yao, dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, walked at the front, a formation plate hanging from her waist, occasionally turning back to check on the team members' condition. Fu Yongyi, along with several disciples, carried exploration tools, the heavy toolboxes feeling as light as weight in his hands. Yu Qingru was exchanging information with the formation master on the ship, discussing the sailing route.

"Father, everything is ready," Yao Yao reported to Fu Changsheng, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of excitement and caution.

Fu Changsheng nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the warship: "Although the Azure Phoenix is ​​small, it is equipped with the latest defensive formations, sufficient to withstand a full-force attack from an early-stage Golden Core cultivator." He took out a jade token from his sleeve and handed it to Yaoyao, "This is the control center; injecting spiritual energy will activate all defenses in case of danger."

Yao Yao solemnly accepted the token, feeling the warm spiritual energy flowing within it.

“Yongyi.” Fu Changsheng turned to his adopted son, who was directing the loading, “The geology of Yulin Prefecture is unclear; exploration must proceed gradually.”

Fu Yongyi laughed and said, "Father, don't worry, my 'Earth Listening Technique' has reached the seventh level. No spiritual vein fluctuations within ten miles can escape my ears."

Fu Changsheng then looked at Yu Qingru, who was inspecting the ship's array: "Qingru, has the sailing route been confirmed?"

The spiritual light at Yu Qingru's fingertips hadn't yet dissipated when she looked up upon hearing this: "Go north along the Canglan River to Qinglan Gorge, then turn east and enter a tributary. It will take about ten days to reach the border of Yulin Prefecture." She pointed to a hidden array pattern on the side of the boat, "I've added a water-avoidance array; it will be more stable in stormy conditions."

Fu Changsheng nodded in satisfaction, his gaze finally settling on Fu Changli. Sensing her brother's gaze, the fourth sister transmitted her voice before he could speak, "Patriarch, rest assured, with the Beast King's Decree, the monsters in the waters along the way will not dare to act recklessly."

“I’m just reminding you,” Fu Changsheng shook his head, “Don’t get so caught up in taming the spirit beasts that you forget to look after the younger ones.” As he spoke, he glanced at Fu Qingqing and the others who were playing around by the boat.

Liu Meizhen walked in from behind, holding a brocade box in her hands: "This is a 'Heart-Clearing Pill' that I had Danxia Palace refine overnight. It can ward off the effects of miasma bewitching the mind." She handed the box to Yaoyao and then took out several jade talismans to distribute to everyone, "These are protective amulets."

Everyone thanked them and accepted the gift.

"It's getting late." Fu Changsheng glanced at the sky. "Let's set off."

Yao Yao took a deep breath, turned to face the crowd, and her clear voice echoed across the dock: "Board the ship!"

The Fu family members quickly lined up and boarded the Azure Phoenix in an orderly fashion. The array masters on the warship had already activated the basic array, and the spirit oars on both sides of the ship slowly turned, emitting a deep hum.

Fu Changsheng and Liu Meizhen stood side by side, watching the warship slowly sail away from the dock. A river breeze blew by, ruffling Fu Changsheng's robes, his gaze deep and serene.

"I hope this trip goes well," Liu Meizhen said softly.

Fu Changsheng nodded slightly: "Although Yulin Prefecture is a newly granted place, it is rich in resources. If it can be properly developed, it will greatly benefit my Fu family."

……

On the Azure Phoenix, Yao Yao stood at the bow, feeling the river breeze blowing against her. She held the jade token her father had given her, feeling both nervous and excited. This was her first time leading such an important mission independently.

"Master, Qinglan Gorge is just ahead!" Fu Qingqing ran over and pointed to the gradually narrowing river ahead.

Fu Changli looked up and saw that the mountains on both sides were steep, the river was swift, the valley was shrouded in mist, and the roars of monsters could be faintly heard.

"All personnel on high alert!" Yao Yao ordered. "Activate the water-repelling formation and prepare to cross the canyon!"

Yu Qingru quickly directed the array masters to adjust the formation, and a light blue light shield appeared around the hull, isolating it from the turbulent river. Fu Yongyi stood on the side of the boat, using his "Earth Listening Technique" to sense the movements underwater.

"Watch out, there's a horde of monsters underwater!" Fu Yongyi suddenly shouted.

Almost simultaneously, several enormous black shadows leaped from the riverbed and slammed into the hull of the Azure Phoenix. The ship rocked violently, and several disciples with weaker cultivation levels nearly fell.

"It's an armored crocodile!" someone exclaimed.

Yao Yao calmly gripped the jade token and channeled her spiritual power into it. Instantly, the ship's hull lit up with dazzling array patterns, and an even more powerful protective shield unfolded, completely blocking the armored crocodile's impact.

“Aunt Changli!” Yaoyao looked at Fu Changli.

Fu Changli smiled slightly and took out an ancient Beast King Token from her bosom. She shook it gently, and the token emitted a deep beastly roar, spreading out an invisible pressure.

The once ferocious armored crocodiles seemed to be intimidated by something, ceasing their attacks and slowly sinking into the water.

"Keep going!" Yao Yao breathed a sigh of relief.

The Qingluan successfully passed through Qinglan Gorge and entered a tributary. The river gradually widened, and the scenery on both banks changed from steep cliffs to dense forests.

The Azure Phoenix slowly sailed into the territory of Yulin Prefecture. The warship broke through the thin fog, and the view suddenly opened up before us.

What a beautiful and enchanting place!

In the distance, rolling mountains resemble a coiled dragon, their verdant forests blanketing the land, shrouded in mist, creating a scene of ethereal beauty. Closer by, a clear stream meanders, its waters teeming with lifeful fish, splashing water droplets that refract the sunlight into a rainbow of colors. A waterfall cascades down the mountainside like a silver ribbon, its roar echoing through the valleys, the spray seemingly condensing into tiny, ethereal beads that fall from the mist.

"The spiritual energy here... is even more concentrated than in Huizhou Prefecture!" Fu Qingqing's eyes widened, and she couldn't help but take a deep breath. She felt as if every pore on her body opened up, and the spiritual energy in her body circulated on its own, more than 30% faster than usual.

Fu Yongyi crouched down, placed his palm on the ground, closed his eyes, and activated his "Earth Listening Technique." After a moment, he opened his eyes and exclaimed in surprise, "The underground spiritual vein is surging like a river; it's at least a mid-grade fourth-order vein!"

"A mid-grade fourth rank?!" Upon hearing this, everyone's faces lit up with joy.

It's important to know that the concentration of spiritual energy doubles with each advancement in the grade of a spiritual vein. A fourth-grade spiritual vein is enough to support a Golden Core cultivator's long-term cultivation, and can even nurture rare spiritual herbs and mineral veins! If a family stronghold could be established here, the Fu family's foundation would undoubtedly be elevated to another level!
A smile appeared in Yao Yao's eyes, but she remained calm: "First, we need to find out the direction of the spiritual vein and find the most suitable location to build the mansion."

Everyone nodded and quickly divided up the tasks.

Yu Qingru took out an array plate, her fingertips flashing with spiritual light, and traced a detection array on the ground. Soon, a map of the distribution of spiritual veins appeared in the air. She pointed to one of the mountain peaks: "The spiritual vein's eye is here. If we can build a residence here, we can maximize the use of spiritual energy."

Following the guidance, the group piloted their flying magical artifacts and flew deep into the Jade Osmanthus Mountains.

The deeper they went, the denser the spiritual energy became, even condensing into a faint spiritual mist. They could feel the spiritual power flowing through their bodies with every breath. Ancient trees towered in the mountains, and spiritual herbs covered the ground. Occasionally, they could see a few rare spiritual beasts watching the group warily, but they dared not approach because of the aura of the Beast King's Token on Fu Changli.

"What a treasure trove!" Fu Yongyi exclaimed. "If we could cultivate medicinal fields here and grow high-grade spiritual herbs, the profits would be immeasurable!"

Yao Yao nodded, about to speak, when suddenly her expression hardened, and her sharp gaze turned to a distant mountain peak.

"Someone!"

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately went on high alert. Fu Changli secretly made a hand seal, and the Beast King Token vibrated slightly, ready to summon a spirit beast to assist them at any time.

"boom--"

A figure emerged from the mountains and forests, shrouded in eerie black mist, exuding a cold yet powerful aura. The newcomer was an old man, dressed in a long animal-skin robe in the style of the Northern Frontier, his face adorned with ancient totems, and holding a white bone scepter with a scarlet gem inlaid at its head, radiating an sinister glow.

"Mid-stage Golden Core!" Yao Yao's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately sent a telepathic message to warn everyone to be careful.

The old man coldly surveyed the crowd, his voice hoarse: "Cultivators from the Great Zhou? This is the territory of my Black Witch Village. You have overstepped your bounds."

Northern Frontier Cultivators!

The Fu family members wore solemn expressions. Northern Frontier cultivators have always been mysterious, skilled in witchcraft and sorcery, and their methods are bizarre and extremely difficult to deal with. The Great Zhou Dynasty had previously sent troops to guard Yulin Prefecture for hundreds of years, but after withdrawing its troops in recent years, these Northern Frontier forces took the opportunity to infiltrate and occupy the spiritual veins.

Yao Yao stepped forward, cupped her hands and said, "Senior, Yulin Prefecture is a fiefdom granted to my Fu family by the imperial court. If Black Witch Village has no intention of offending us, please leave to avoid damaging our harmony."

The old man sneered, "The imperial court? Hmph! The laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty have no jurisdiction over the cultivators of the Northern Frontier!" He slammed his white bone scepter down, and countless black Gu worms crawled out of the ground, densely packed and making one's scalp tingle.

"You mere early-stage Golden Core cultivator dares to be so insolent before me?"

Yao Yao's eyes darkened, knowing that things would not end well today. She secretly circulated her spiritual power, the jade token already in her palm, ready to activate the protective array of the Azure Phoenix at any time.

Ouyang Fei whispered, "The cultivators of the Northern Frontier are skilled in witchcraft and sorcery; be careful of their poison techniques!"

Yu Qingru quickly set up an array, a layer of pale golden light enveloping everyone to resist the Gu worms' invasion. Fu Changli quietly activated the Beast King's Command, and the faint roars of spirit beasts could be heard from the mountains and forests.

Upon seeing this, a cold glint flashed in the old man's eyes.

He swung his scepter violently, and the crimson gemstone emitted a blinding blood-red light. In an instant, countless Gu worms surged forth like a tide. At the same time, the sky suddenly darkened, and black mist condensed into a gigantic ghostly hand.
"Those who don't want to die, get out of the Jade Osmanthus Mountain Range right now!" Yao Yao's keen senses detected that deep in the forest behind the Black Witch Village elder, there were at least two Golden Core level auras lurking—one of which had even reached the late Golden Core stage!

Warning bells rang in Yao Yao's mind, but she remained calm on the surface. She secretly activated the jade token, and the defensive formation of the Azure Phoenix silently began to operate, ready to evacuate at any moment.

“Since you are unwilling to yield, senior, then we will take our leave.” Yao Yao cupped her hands, her tone neither humble nor arrogant.

The old man snorted coldly, and his white bone scepter slammed down heavily. The black Gu worms retreated like a tide, but his cold gaze remained fixed on the crowd.

The Azure Phoenix slowly ascended into the sky, sailing away from the Jade Osmanthus Mountains under the watchful eyes of the crowd. Only after flying dozens of miles and confirming that no one was following did Yao Yao relax her tense nerves slightly.

"Aunt Yaoyao, are we just leaving like this?" Fu Qingqing's eyes reddened with anxiety. "That's a fourth-tier spiritual vein!"

Ouyang Fei stroked his beard, his eyes gleaming: "Girl, I've sensed an opportunity. The Northern Frontier cultivators are so brazenly occupying the spiritual vein; they must have something to do! If we can find out their true intentions…"

“Grandpa Fei,” Yao Yao interrupted, “the other side has at least three Golden Core cultivators, one of whom has reached the late Golden Core stage.”

Even if they release Han Xiao, they have no chance of winning.

Everyone's expression changed upon hearing this.

Yu Qingru gently stroked the array plate: "Why not report this to the imperial court? Request the Imperial Divine Bureau to dispatch..."

“No,” Fu Changli shook her head. “Asking the Golden Core cultivators of the Divine Control Bureau to intervene would be extremely costly. Besides, the imperial court is slow to act; by the time the approval arrives, the cultivators of the Northern Frontier will have already looted all the treasures.”

Fu Yongyi slammed his fist on the ship's gunwale: "Are we really going to just stand by and watch them seize my Fu family's fiefdom?"

Yao Yao gazed towards the Jade Osmanthus Mountains, her eyes deep and thoughtful: "They could have easily killed us to silence us, but they chose to let us go. This shows that what they're planning is more important than killing a few Great Zhou cultivators."

She took out a communication jade talisman, and spiritual energy flowed between her fingertips:

"I have already sent word to my father. Before he arrives, we will set up camp nearby and gather specific information."

...

...

Huiyang County

As dawn broke, the monks guarding the city walls suddenly looked up—

A green shadow streaked through the clouds, causing thunderclouds to recede and purple lightning to dodge in its wake!

"It's the patriarch's Azure Dragon!"

Amidst gasps of surprise, the green figure finally revealed itself.

The thirty-zhang-long dragon's body was covered with bronze scales, its four claws were wrapped in purple lightning, and its jade horns on its head shone brightly. Its dragon might was overwhelming!
What is even more shocking is that——

On the back of the dragon, Fu Changsheng's black robe fluttered in the wind, his spiritual power was contained as deep as an abyss, yet it faintly exuded a terrifying pressure!

Golden Core Level Two!

Twenty years ago, he was at the peak of the Purple Mansion realm, but now he has formed a first-grade Golden Core, and his cultivation has reached a new level!

The city's guardian cultivators held their breath, and the city's protective array rippled automatically, as if welcoming its true master.

The Azure Dragon landed on the receiving platform, and Fu Changsheng floated down. The blue-faced white fox on his shoulder lightly leaped to the ground, its fox eyes scanning the surroundings. The spiritual light in its vertical pupils was even more profound than it had been twenty years ago.

"Welcome, Patriarch!"

At the city gate, Fu Changli and his men had been waiting for a long time.

He still had that carefree and unrestrained look, with a gourd of wine hanging from his waist and a youthful smile on his face, only a few fine lines had appeared at the corners of his eyes.

"Patriarch!" Fu Changli strode forward, his eyes filled with joy. "You've finally arrived! My newly brewed 'Thunder Pool Drunken Immortal Wine' is waiting for you to taste!"

Fu Changsheng glanced at him, shook his head and laughed, "Third brother, you're still so fond of drinking, but your cultivation hasn't improved at all."

Fu Changli chuckled and patted the wine gourd: "What's more fun than brewing wine? Second brother is now a Golden Core cultivator, so you'll have to look after your younger brother from now on!"

Fu Changsheng sighed helplessly, but he was used to his temperament, and asked, "How has Huiyang County been these past few years?"

Fu Changli's expression turned serious, and a jade slip flew out from his sleeve. As the spiritual light flowed, a three-dimensional phantom of Huiyang County appeared.

"Reporting to the patriarch, Huiyang County currently has over 12,000 cultivators and 800,000 ordinary households."

"The production of Thunder Spirit Pearls has doubled, generating an annual income of 50,000 low-grade spirit stones."

"The city-protecting formation has been upgraded to near-fourth tier, capable of withstanding a full-force attack from a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator."

"also……"

He lightly tapped his fingertip, and dozens of young cultivators appeared in the illusory image. "In the past twenty years, Huiyang County has added three Purple Mansion cultivators and twenty-three late Foundation Establishment cultivators, among whom there are many with outstanding talents."

Fu Changsheng nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the various data points; he was fairly satisfied.

Fu Changli then laughed and said, "Patriarch, I have recently developed a new wine called 'Thunderfire Heart-Tempering Brew.' Drinking it is like swallowing thunderfire, but it can help cultivators temper their meridians. Even cultivators at the Purple Mansion level will benefit from it!"

As he spoke, he took out a jade bottle as if presenting a treasure. The bottle was wrapped in lightning and fire patterns and faintly emitted spiritual energy fluctuations.

Fu Changsheng took it, took a light sniff, and found that the aroma of the wine contained a trace of thunder and fire power, which was indeed extraordinary.

"Not bad," he praised. "However, if you could devote half of that energy to cultivation, you would have reached the late stage of the Purple Mansion realm long ago."

Fu Changli scratched his head and laughed, "Life is too short to take everything so seriously. With the patriarch here, what worries do we Fu family have about not prospering?"

Fu Changsheng shook his head, too lazy to persuade him any further.

This third brother is naturally carefree and obsessed with brewing wine. It's already a rare find that he can peacefully guard Huiyang County for him.

……

Raize Floating Island - Forbidden Zone
The azure dragon broke through the thunderclouds, and Fu Changsheng stood in mid-air, looking down at the scorched floating island below.

Twenty years have passed, and Lei Ze is still raging. The Purple Heaven Divine Lightning wraps around the floating island like chains, but it poses no threat to him anymore.

"Owner!"

Three figures flew out from the depths of the floating island; they were Liu Wuyai, Su Lian, and Luo Zheng!

When the three saw Fu Changsheng, there was no longer any resentment in their eyes, but instead they were filled with awe and fanaticism!

First-grade Golden Elixir!
Twenty years ago, when they were forced to acknowledge a master, Fu Changsheng was still in the Purple Mansion stage, but now he has formed a first-grade Golden Core and his cultivation has reached the second level of the Golden Core stage!

With such talent, he could potentially reach the Nascent Soul or Deity Transformation stages in the future!
It was their good fortune to be able to follow such a master!
"Greetings, Master!" the three said in unison, bowing with utmost respect.

Fu Changsheng nodded calmly: "Have there been any unusual developments in the forbidden area over the years?"

Liu Wuyai spoke first: "Reporting to Master, the thunderstorm in the center of the forbidden area is even more severe than it was twenty years ago, but a zone with sparse thunder spirit has appeared on the east side of the floating island, suggesting that a treasure is about to appear!"

As he spoke, he took out a memory pod, and with the activation of his spiritual power, the pod unfolded, revealing the scene on the eastern side of the floating island—

Where the lightning plasma receded, a crack appeared in the ground, through which a faint purple-gold light shone!

Su Lian hurriedly added, "Master, we dare not enter without permission, but when we probe with our divine sense, there seems to be the aura of a spiritual treasure within that light!"

Luo Zheng patted his storage bag and presented a piece of ore covered with lightning patterns: "Master, this is a 'Purple Cloud Lightning Crystal' collected from the edge of the crack. Its quality has reached the fourth rank, and there must be a great treasure at its core!"

The three of them eagerly took the lead, afraid of falling behind even slightly.

Fu Changsheng took the Thunder Crystal, his fingertips swirling with spiritual energy as he sensed its aura, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

According to intelligence reports.

The floating island of Lei Ze contains fragments of spiritual treasures that can evolve the Five Elements Space.

but.

The area where the spirit treasure fragment is located is so heavily restricted that only those at the Golden Core stage can approach it.

That's why he's been waiting until now.

He put away the lightning crystal and said calmly, "You did a good job."

Upon hearing this, the three of them immediately showed joy.

Liu Wuyai said cautiously, "Master, if you need me to scout ahead, I am willing to go first!"

Luo Zheng was not to be outdone: "This subordinate is familiar with Lei Ze and can clear the way for Master!"

Su Lian bit her red lips and said softly, "If Master has any orders, Lian'er will obey even at the cost of her life."

Fu Changsheng glanced at the three of them and naturally understood their thoughts—they simply hoped to perform exceptionally well so that he could bestow upon them a Core Formation spiritual item in the future.

"No need."

With a flick of his sleeve, the azure dragon let out a long roar and carried him straight to the floating island!
"You guard the perimeter. If there is any unusual activity, report it immediately."

The three dared not disobey and respectfully replied, "We will obey our master's command!"

……

The azure dragon coiled above the thunderstorm, with Fu Changsheng standing on its head, his gaze like lightning, scanning the churning lava below.

"Little White, explore again."

The blue-faced white fox leaped down, its vertical pupils fully open, a bluish-green light sweeping across the depths of the Thunder Swamp. However, even with its innate supernatural abilities, it could only vaguely sense a trace of a spiritual treasure's aura, unable to pinpoint its exact location.

"Chirp!" The white fox flicked its tail in annoyance, clearly quite dissatisfied with Razer's interference.

Fu Changsheng frowned slightly.

"As expected, the fragments of the spiritual treasure were concealed by a high-level formation, making them difficult to detect using ordinary methods."

He immediately had a thought, and the Five Elements Space in his sea of ​​consciousness trembled slightly.

"Qiu Niang".

A flash of light appeared, and a young girl in a light blue dress materialized out of thin air, landing gracefully beside Fu Changsheng. Her features were exquisite, and her eyes held a lively and mischievous smile.

"Master, you were looking for me?" Qiu Niang asked with a smile, showing no sign of panic at being suddenly summoned.

Fu Changsheng was already used to her impulsive nature, so he didn't waste any words and pointed directly into the depths of Lei Ze: "There are fragments of spiritual treasures hidden here, but they are concealed by an array. Do you have a way to break through it?"

Qiu Niang's eyes lit up, and she immediately became interested: "A formation? Let me see!"

She lightly touched the ground with her toes and gracefully landed on a piece of charred, lightning-struck wood. Her hands formed a hand seal, and faint spiritual light emanated from her fingertips. As she moved, the surrounding spiritual energy rippled outwards, vaguely outlining a hidden array pattern.

"Huh? This formation is interesting!" Qiu Niang tilted her head, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "It's the ancient 'Nine Heavens Thunder Concealment Formation,' specifically used to conceal thunder-attribute treasures. No wonder even Xiao Bai couldn't find it."

Fu Changsheng raised an eyebrow: "Can it be broken?"

Qiu Niang confidently raised her chin: "Master underestimates me too much! Although this formation is exquisite, it has been neglected for many years, and the core array eye is damaged. I only need to guide it slightly to make it appear!"

Having said that, she swiftly formed hand seals, and the five elements of spiritual energy seeped into the ground like threads, flowing along the array patterns. After a moment, she suddenly uttered a soft shout: "Appear!"

"boom--"

Deep within the Thunder Swamp, a burst of purplish-gold light suddenly erupted, causing the previously calm thunderous magma to surge violently, and an ancient stone platform slowly emerged from the water. In the center of the stone platform, a palm-sized fragment of a spiritual treasure floated silently, surrounded by intricate thunder runes.

A glint flashed in Fu Changsheng's eyes: "So it really is here!"

Qiu Niang clapped her hands triumphantly: "How about that, Master? Aren't I amazing?"

Fu Changsheng rarely showed a smile, and raised his hand to rub the top of her head: "Well done."

Qiu Niang immediately beamed with joy, her eyes squinting like a cat being stroked.

However, just as Fu Changsheng was about to collect the fragments, Qiu Niang suddenly exclaimed "Eh!" and pointed to the edge of the stone platform: "Master, there's something else over there!"

Fu Changsheng looked in the direction she pointed and saw a line of small characters carved at the bottom of the stone platform:
"The Thunder Marsh contains the true essence, and the Five Elements can be activated."

Qiu Niang leaned closer curiously: "What does this mean?"

Fu Changsheng pondered: "It seems that this fragment of spiritual treasure is related to the power of the five elements. Perhaps that is why it can be easily activated by your five elements spiritual power."

Qiu Niang blinked, then suddenly exclaimed excitedly, "Then Master, give it a try! Maybe this fragment can make the Five Elements Space evolve again!"

Fu Changsheng nodded, and without further delay, he raised his hand and waved it. The power of the stars transformed into a large spiritual hand, which directly grabbed the fragment of the spiritual treasure.

"Om-"

The fragment trembled slightly, but did not resist; instead, it actively merged into his spiritual power. In an instant, a flash of purple-gold light appeared, and the fragment fell into Fu Changsheng's palm.

He examined it closely and found that the fragment was shaped like a broken blade, with sharp edges and a surface covered with mysterious lightning patterns. It felt slightly cool to the touch, yet there was a faint flow of lightning power.

"It really is a fragment of an ancient spiritual treasure..." Fu Changsheng's heart stirred slightly. Just as he was about to put it away, he suddenly sensed a strong desire coming from the Five Elements Space.

"This fragment... can it really help the Five Elements Space evolve?"

Without further hesitation, he sent the fragment of the spiritual treasure directly into the Five Elements Space.

"boom!"

The moment the fragments of the spiritual treasure fell into the Five Elements Space, the entire world trembled violently!

"boom--"

Above the heavens, nine dazzling starlight beams descended, like an inverted Milky Way. The once tranquil boundaries of space began to expand wildly, mountains rose higher, rivers widened, and spiritual mist surged like a tide.

The most astonishing changes are happening in the south—

The hilly terrain suddenly collapsed, and towering waves surged forth from nothingness! In the blink of an eye, a vast and boundless blue ocean unfolded, the sound of waves crashing against the shore like thunder. On the surface of the sea, the faint image of a dragon swam, and every wave shimmered with spiritual light.

"Heavens!" Qiu Niang exclaimed, her eyes wide, pointing to the suddenly appearing ocean. "Master, the spiritual energy in the South China Sea is incredibly rich!"

Fu Changsheng scanned the area with his divine sense and discovered that this newly formed ocean contained innate water essence power, making it an excellent cultivation ground for cultivators who practice water-attribute techniques.

Even more astonishing changes are yet to come—

"Click, click"

Suddenly, a cracking sound came from the mysterious palace in the center of the space, and the bronze gate that had been sealed for many years slowly opened, revealing a sliver of eerie light. The aura emanating from the crack in the door was ancient and pure, which even made Fu Changsheng, a cultivator at the Golden Core stage, feel a chill in his heart.

"Finally." Fu Changsheng's eyes flashed with a sharp light. This palace, which had existed since he obtained the Five Elements Space, was finally open to him today!

Qiu Niang excitedly tugged at his sleeve: "Master! Let's go inside and take a look!"

Fu Changsheng pressed down on her shoulder: "Wait."

He keenly noticed that two lines of ancient seal script were engraved on the palace threshold:

Only when all five elements are gathered can one enter; a single misstep and all efforts will be in vain.

"It seems we need to collect fragments of spiritual treasures with all five elemental attributes to enter safely," Fu Changsheng mused. "The fragments of spiritual treasures we just encountered were only one of the keys."

When Fu Changsheng stepped out of the Thunder Swamp Forbidden Area, the Azure Dragon was coiled on the edge of the floating island, lazily swishing its tail. Liu Wuyai and the other two respectfully guarded the outer perimeter, and upon seeing their master return, they immediately stepped forward to pay their respects.

"Master, did it go smoothly?" Su Lian asked cautiously, her beautiful eyes filled with anticipation.

Fu Changsheng nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the three of them: "From today onwards, you no longer need to guard this place."

"What?!" Luo Zheng looked up abruptly, an expression of disbelief on his scarred face. "Master means..."

Fu Changsheng said calmly, "You will all come with me to my new fiefdom in Yulin Prefecture."

The three were stunned at first, then overjoyed!

Liu Wuyai's face flushed crimson, and his withered fingers trembled. Twenty years! They had been trapped on this floating island of Thunder Swamp for a full twenty years, their days spent battling thunderstorms, and now finally...
"Your subordinates are willing to follow you to the death!" The three knelt down in unison, their voices trembling with excitement.

Luo Zheng, in particular, had a glint in his eyes. A new fiefdom in Yulin Prefecture? That was undeveloped land! With their pseudo-Core Formation cultivation, they could definitely secure a good position in the Fu family, and might even be bestowed with Core Formation spiritual treasures!

Fu Changsheng took in the expressions of the three men and understood. He casually tossed a jade bottle: "These are three 'Profound Origin Pills,' which can help you regulate your meridians."

The three hurriedly caught it, overwhelmed with gratitude. Although this Xuan Yuan Pill was not a pill for forming the core, it was still a rare treasure for a pseudo-core cultivator.

Leiyuan Palace, Huiyang County
Fu Changli was savoring the newly brewed spirit wine when he saw his elder brother return. His eyes still blurry with drunkenness, he raised his cup and said, "Patriarch, have a taste. I added some this time."

“Third brother,” Fu Changsheng interrupted him, “effective immediately, the ban on Leize Floating Island is lifted, and people are to be dispatched to mine its resources.”

“Snap!”

The wine glass shattered on the ground, its aroma filling the air. Fu Changli instantly sobered up: "Patriarch, are you referring to those Purple Heaven Thunder Crystals?"

“Not only that.” Fu Changsheng took out a recording stone. “A lightning-patterned iron ore deposit has been discovered on the east side of the floating island, with a quality reaching level two. Send reliable people to mine it, and be careful to avoid the central thunderstorm zone.”

Fu Changli rubbed his hands excitedly: "Great! My newly developed 'Thunderfire Tempering Brew' needs high-grade thunder attribute spiritual materials."

Fu Changsheng shook his head helplessly; his third brother's mind was filled with nothing but brewing wine. After leaving behind the mining plans, he turned and walked out of the hall. The Azure Dragon was already coiled up and waiting, and Liu Wuyai and the other two stood respectfully beside it.

"Let's go, to Yulin Prefecture."

The azure dragon let out a long roar and carried everyone into the sky.

(End of this chapter)