Family Rise: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 520 Special Lottery, Family Reunion, Dragon Transformation
Inside the small wooden house in the Five Elements Space, Fu Changsheng's thoughts landed on the panel in his sea of ​​consciousness:

"Redeem for Special Prize Draw"

hum!
The golden light on the panel suddenly surged, transforming into countless tiny runes. These runes collided and combined, eventually forming a huge, phantom roulette wheel. The wheel was divided into dozens of squares, and the outlines of different treasures could be vaguely seen in each square.

Fu Changsheng held his breath, his eyes fixed on the rapidly spinning roulette wheel:

"What are the prizes this time?"

The roulette wheel gradually slowed down, and finally the pointer stopped on a square that was shimmering with a bluish-gold light.

next moment.

An extra jade box appeared in the storage bag.

The jade box is about a foot long, with intricate cloud patterns carved on its surface, and a fingernail-sized blue crystal is inlaid in the center of the lid.

"This is."

Fu Changsheng raised an eyebrow; he could feel the strange fluctuations emanating from the jade box.

A spell was cast in.

There was a click.

The jade box is opened.

A beam of cyan-gold light shot into the sky, illuminating the entire cabin as if it were daytime. When the light subsided, Fu Changsheng could see the contents of the box—an ancient-looking talisman brush.

The penholder has a peculiar bluish-gold color, neither wood nor jade, with naturally formed fine patterns on its surface, like celestial inscriptions. The brush hairs are a translucent silver-white, each hair trembling slightly as if it were alive.

The moment it touched the talisman brush.

A massive flow of information surged into his mind:
【Nine Heavens Celestial Brush】

[Tier 4, Mid-Grade: Ancient Talisman-Making Treasure (Growth Type)]

Material:
Penholder - Divine branch of Jianmu (Spiritual root of heaven and earth)

Brush tip - Void Beast King's whiskers (an ancient mythical beast that has disappeared)

Ink Pool - Automatically generates "Nine Heavens Spirit Ink" (built-in space)

【characteristic:
1. Increase the success rate of talisman crafting by 30%.
II. Increases the power of the talisman by 20%.
Third, there is a chance to trigger the "Heavenly Talisman Enlightenment" state.

[Special Ability: Sealing the inherited memories of an ancient talisman-making master (unsealed according to talisman-making skill level)]

Fu Changsheng's eyes lit up as he looked at the talisman brush; its value was simply immeasurable! As a talisman maker, he knew the importance of a good brush. And the potential of this "Nine Heavens Celestial Talisman Brush" was beyond calculation!
However, the system did not tell how to upgrade the rank of this talisman.

"Could it improve along with the master's skills?"

Fu Changsheng didn't understand it for the time being, but now was not the time to think about it.

"This talisman pen came at just the right time. It can be used to make the Golden Lotus Core Formation Talisman to help Mei Zhen and Uncle Fei increase their chances of forming their core."

Once you've mastered the talisman brush, you can start making the Azure Lotus Refining Elixir Talisman.

but.

Before that, he had to first refine the talisman and make it recognize its master.

Fu Changsheng sat cross-legged and placed the jade box on a jade table three feet in front of him. He made hand seals and lit a bronze soul lamp in each of the four corners of the wooden house. The pale blue flames flickered silently, forming a barrier that isolated the inside from the outside.

"call"

Take a deep breath.

He then bit his tongue and spat out a mouthful of blood.

The blood mist condensed in the air into three crimson lotus flowers, which slowly landed on the handle, bristles, and inner inkwell of the talisman brush. This is the "Three Flowers Recognizing Their Master Technique" recorded in the "Spiritual Void Talisman Scripture," which is most suitable for refining spirit-communicating talismans.

Fu Changsheng's hands moved like butterflies flitting among flowers, continuously changing thirty-six hand seals. With each seal, a ray of spiritual light entered the talisman brush. The natural patterns on the brush began to light up one by one, like stars being illuminated in succession. He chanted an ancient refining incantation:

"The Jianmu tree reaches the heavens, and the void encompasses all realms."
The ethereal spirits of the heavens all belong to my heart.

With a single stroke, the sky is drawn, and all symbols bow their heads.

Blood refinement as the guide, divine refinement as the bridge—

As the incantation was recited, the entire talisman brush suddenly floated up, its tip pointing downwards, and automatically drew a golden talisman in the void. The talisman resembled a lotus flower, yet it contained the profound principles of heaven and earth; it was the most mysterious "master recognition talisman" in the ancient talismanic arts.

Seeing this, Fu Changsheng dared not be negligent.

He immediately drew a wisp of his natal divine consciousness from between his brows, transforming it into a fine thread that entered the center of the golden rune. The instant his divine consciousness made contact with the rune, the entire rune pen trembled violently, emitting a clear and melodious dragon's roar.

"Condensation!"

Fu Changsheng joined two fingers together like a sword and suddenly pointed at the talisman brush.

The golden runes instantly shrank, transforming into a tiny golden seal the size of a grain of rice, which was imprinted on the bottom of the pen. At the same time, he felt a wondrous, blood-like connection being established between himself and the rune pen.

But the refining process was not yet over. Fu Changsheng took out three more rare materials from his storage bag: a piece of lightning-struck peach wood, a small bottle of moonlight dew, and a fragment of his treasured "spiritual talisman paper".

"Heavenly lightning as the bone!" He threw the lightning-struck peach wood at the talisman brush, and the patterns on the brush handle suddenly extended out fine electric light, turning the peach wood into powder and absorbing it.

"Moonlight as the soul!" Moonlight and spiritual dew sprinkled down, causing the brush to gleam with silver light, and tiny moon phase patterns appeared on every single hair.

"The talisman's meaning serves as the guide!" The fragment of the spirit communication talisman ignited without wind, and a wisp of blue light flew out from the ashes and disappeared into the tip of the pen.

With the triple refinement complete, the Nine Heavens Heavenly Talisman Brush finally descended slowly. The brush's cyan-gold light was contained, yet it exuded a chilling spiritual pressure. Fu Changsheng reached out and caught it, immediately feeling the immense true meaning of the talismanic path surge into his meridians through his palm.

【Ding--】

[The Nine Heavens Celestial Brush has successfully recognized its master.]

[Current Unsealed Inheritance: Basic Rune True Understanding (Tier 1-3)]

Fu Changsheng's eyes gleamed; the refining process was going even more smoothly than he had imagined. To his even greater surprise, after the successful recognition of the master, the first layer of seal on the inherited memories within the brush had been broken, and at this moment, the profound changes of countless basic runes were flowing through his sea of ​​consciousness.

He couldn't wait to test the power of the magic brush.

Lay out a blank sheet of talisman paper, and as soon as the Nine Heavens Talisman Brush touches the ink pool, the built-in space automatically generates "Crimson Heaven Spirit Ink," suitable for drawing fire-type talismans.

Ten days later.

With a flourish of his brush, a "Golden Lotus Elixir Talisman" was completed in one go. The golden lotus on the talisman paper was lifelike, with three more petals than the usual version—meaning that the talisman's effectiveness was increased by a full 30%!
"With this pen, what is there to worry about in achieving the Dao of Talismans?" Fu Changsheng gently stroked the pen, his eyes filled with joy.

After refining two Golden Lotus Condensation Talismans, he began preparing to create the more difficult Azure Lotus Tempering Talisman.

This talisman requires a fourth-tier demon core as a supplement.

However, he was still somewhat curious about the fact that it could improve the quality of the Golden Elixir once successfully made.

Fu Changsheng's thoughts landed on the panel in his mind's eye.

With a thought:
"Open the training room"

hum!
next moment.

He then appeared in the pavilion in the middle of the lotus pond.

With the Golden Core Exchange Conference approaching, he needed to create the Azure Lotus Refining Talisman before then.

Fu Changsheng sat cross-legged in the pavilion, with the "Lingxu Talisman Scripture" placed in front of him.

"The Azure Lotus Refining Elixir Talisman, a fourth-tier talisman, requires a fourth-tier demon core as a catalyst, supplemented with Azure Lotus Spirit Ink. When the talisman is completed, the lotus opens its nine petals, capable of refining impurities in the golden elixir and improving its quality..."

This talisman is extremely difficult to craft; the slightest mistake could not only destroy the talisman paper but also potentially backfire on the user. However, if successful, it would greatly benefit both him and his clansmen who would later form their core.

"We must be absolutely certain of success."

He closed the scripture, shut his eyes and focused his mind, constantly deducing the trends of the runes in his sea of ​​consciousness.

This deduction took several months.

-

Several months later, everything was ready.

Fu Changsheng took out a fourth-tier demon core and placed it on the table. The demon core was entirely blue-green, containing immense demonic power, with a faint spiritual light flowing within it. He then took out a specially made "Azure Lotus Talisman Paper," which was refined from thousand-year-old azure lotus leaves. Its texture was tough and could bear high-level talismans.

"The Nine Heavens Celestial Brush, today it all depends on you."

He took a deep breath and dipped his brush in ink. The moment the brush tip touched the inkwell, the "Nine Heavens Spirit Ink" inside automatically transformed into "Azure Heaven Spirit Ink," the most suitable ink for drawing the Azure Lotus Refining Elixir Talisman. The ink was as green as jade, with a faint fragrance of lotus floating in the air.

"rise!"

As the brush touched the paper, a blue lotus talisman slowly took shape. Each stroke required the infusion of immense spiritual power, and fine beads of sweat gradually appeared on Fu Changsheng's forehead, his arm trembling slightly.

However, just as the runes were seventy percent complete—

"laugh!"

The talisman suddenly trembled, and a thin crack spread from its edge!
"Not good!" Fu Changsheng's pupils shrank.

Once the talisman paper is damaged, the spiritual ink goes out of control, and the entire talisman will instantly collapse!
At this critical moment, the Nine Heavens Celestial Brush suddenly trembled on its own, and the bristles emitted a dazzling silver light, actually drawing the spiritual ink to fill the crack!

"This is... an automatic correction rune?" Fu Changsheng was shocked.

As if possessing a spirit, the talisman brush moved with the speed and power of a dragon, outlining a new rune at the damaged spot, not only repairing the crack but also making the rune even more perfect!
"Excellent brush!" Fu Changsheng was overjoyed and dared not delay, continuing to concentrate on drawing.

-

Several more months passed.

Before the table, a Green Lotus Refining Talisman floated quietly. On the talisman, a green lotus bloomed with nine petals, and golden light flowed faintly from the lotus heart. It was clearly a top-grade talisman!

"Finally, it's done." Fu Changsheng breathed a sigh of relief, his eyes revealing exhaustion, but even more so, joy: "I wonder how effective this talisman is?"

He previously thought he was already a first-grade Golden Core cultivator, a perfect Golden Core, and that even using the Azure Lotus Refining Pill Talisman wouldn't have much effect. However, after reading ancient books, he discovered that a first-grade Golden Core wasn't the ultimate goal.

On top of this.

There is also the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir. Ancient cultivators had abundant resources and exceptional talents, and there were countless First-Grade Golden Elixir cultivators. Therefore, the difference in aptitude was reflected in the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir, which was superior to the Ninth-Grade Golden Elixir.

As the name suggests.

The Nine-Turn Golden Elixir is a elixir that generates nine orifices, capable of absorbing and releasing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. It's equivalent to gaining an additional dantian (energy center) for each stage of the Golden Elixir's refinement.
"Let's see how effective this Azure Lotus Refining Elixir Talisman is."

Fu Changsheng sat cross-legged by the lotus pond, gently affixing the Azure Lotus Refining Elixir Talisman to his dantian. The instant the talisman touched his body, the nine-petaled azure lotus pattern suddenly lit up, transforming into nine streams of azure light that entered his body.

"Well!"

An unprecedented stinging sensation surged from his dantian, instantly covering Fu Changsheng's forehead in cold sweat. He looked inward and saw that the surface of his crystal-clear, jade-like first-grade golden core was wrapped in nine beams of azure light, emitting a teeth-grinding "crackling" sound.

"It's so painful."

Fu Changsheng gritted his teeth, formed hand seals, and circulated his cultivation technique with all his might. The azure light on the surface of the golden core grew stronger and stronger, eventually transforming into a blooming azure lotus that completely enveloped the golden core.

Sudden--

"Crack!"

A crisp cracking sound rang out within his dantian. Fu Changsheng was greatly shocked, for a fine crack had appeared on the surface of his golden core. But unexpectedly, this crack was not an ordinary break; instead, it extended along a mysterious trajectory, eventually forming a perfect circular acupoint on the surface of the golden core.

“It’s done!”

Before Fu Changsheng could even feel joy, he felt a surge of powerful spiritual energy erupt from his newly formed acupoints. This spiritual energy was extremely pure, and it circulated freely within his meridians on its own, completely beyond his control.

"This is."

To his surprise, he discovered that this acupoint was actually absorbing and releasing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth on its own. With each breath, a large amount of spiritual energy was absorbed, refined through the acupoint, and then transformed into pure magical power that flowed into his golden core.

Several days later, the anomaly finally subsided.

Fu Changsheng slowly opened his eyes, his gaze gleaming. He gently raised his hand, and a burst of spiritual energy erupted from his fingertips, transforming into a lifelike golden lotus in the air.

"The total amount of magical power has more than doubled compared to before!"

What shocked him even more was that the purity of this newly generated magical power far surpassed that of before. The purity that originally required three refinements to achieve was now met directly from the spiritual power gushing from his acupoints.

Fu Changsheng took out a spirit-testing jade and infused it with both the old and new magical power. The light pillar representing the new magical power was not only more solid, but also 30% brighter than the old magical power.

"No wonder the ancient cultivators were so powerful."

With a thought, a surge of spiritual energy flowed from his acupoints, instantly completing the construction of a complex spell. This casting speed was nearly 50% faster than before.

"Huh, what's this?"

Take a closer look.

He discovered a blurry rune emerging deep within his acupoints. Upon closer inspection, Fu Changsheng realized it was none other than the rune of the Azure Lotus Refining Elixir Rune!
"This acupoint can also store the true meaning of talismans."

If the runes of other high-level talismans could also be stored in the acupoints, wouldn't it be possible to instantly cast talisman spells?
Fu Changsheng was overjoyed.

...

...

Forbidden Area behind the Fu Family Mansion in Anyang County

A dark red vine coiled on the ancient stone platform, its stem as thick as a child's arm, its surface covered with blood-red runes.

This is the protective vine that the Fu family has cultivated with a century of painstaking effort.

This item is a seed of the City Protection Vine that Fu Changsheng exchanged for more than a hundred years ago from a hunchbacked old man in the West Street market area of ​​Wanning.

It has now been cultivated into a quasi-fourth-order.

These seeds come from the Crimson Forbidden Land; they were used by major sects in ancient times as protective vines to safeguard their cities.

At this moment, Fu Yongwei was sitting cross-legged beside the vines. With a light tap of her fingertips, strands of emerald green spiritual energy flowed from her body and slowly poured into the vines. She was born with a plant spirit body, and her affinity for spiritual plants far exceeded that of ordinary people. At this moment, she was trying to use her own spiritual energy to nurture the protective vines, attempting to find an opportunity to break through to the fourth rank.

"It still doesn't work." She sighed softly, withdrew her spiritual power, and turned to look at Wu Qing beside her.

Wu Qing frowned slightly, his fingertips holding a yellowed jade slip, and pondered, "Ancient records state that if the City-Protecting Vine wants to break through to the fourth rank, it needs to devour the flesh and blood of a Golden Core cultivator... But where can we find a Golden Core cultivator willing to sacrifice themselves?"

Fu Yongwei pursed her lips and said, "We can't just go and arrest one, can we? Our Fu family isn't some evil cultivator; we wouldn't do something like that."

Wu Qing shook his head: "If that's the case, even if the City Protection Vine advances, it will be tainted with malevolent energy, which may backfire on itself. I have seen records in the Green Wood Sect's heritage that using Blood Spirit Wood might allow the City Protection Vine to break through to the fourth rank."

...

at the same time.

A streak of azure light streaked across the sky, abruptly stopping a hundred feet away from the Fu family's mountain gate. As the light dissipated, a female cultivator from the Purple Mansion realm, dressed in the robes of the Azure Wood Sect, was revealed. She had delicate features, a jade pendant engraved with the words "Azure Wood" hung at her waist, and a faint fragrance of herbs and trees lingered around her.

At the mountain gate, the four Foundation Establishment stage disciples guarding the mountain sharpened their gazes. The leader of the disciples immediately stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Halt! This is the Fu family's mountain gate. No one may enter without prior notice!"

The female cultivator was not angered by the cold tone. Instead, she smiled slightly, cupped her hands and said, "I am Liu Yingying from the Qingmu Sect. I have come to see Fellow Daoist Wu Qing. Please let me know."

The disciple guarding the mountain frowned slightly, scrutinizing her carefully. Although the Qingmu Sect was a sect recognized by the Great Zhou Dynasty, the Fu family, as a sixth-grade Golden Core family, had strict clan rules. How could they allow outsiders to enter at will? Moreover, although this person claimed to be a Purple Mansion cultivator, her origins were unknown, and it might be inappropriate to let her pass rashly.

"Please wait a moment, senior." The disciple guarding the mountain clasped his hands in a salute, then took out a communication jade talisman and reported in a low voice.

A short while later, a deep male voice came from the jade talisman: "A cultivator from the Green Wood Sect? Do you have any proof?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yingying took out a Qingmu Token from her sleeve. Spiritual patterns flowed on its surface, and the sect's mark was faintly visible. She handed the token over and said, "This is a Qingmu Sect disciple's token. Please verify it."

The disciple guarding the mountain took the token, checked it carefully, and after confirming that it was correct, he relaxed slightly. However, he still did not let them pass, but said, "Senior, please wait here for a moment while we report again."

Liu Yingying nodded, not in a hurry. She stood quietly outside the mountain gate, her gaze sweeping over the majestic gate of the Fu family. She sighed inwardly, "As expected of a Golden Core family, their rules are indeed strict." After a moment, a figure stepped through the air from inside the mountain gate. It was Wu Qing. He wore a long black robe, had a handsome face, and his brows revealed composure. His aura was restrained, yet it carried a faint but sharp edge.

When Liu Yingying saw him, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. She then stepped forward, cupped her hands, and said, "Fellow Daoist Wu Qing, I apologize for disturbing you."

Wu Qing's gaze fell on her, and he frowned slightly: "Fellow Daoist Liu? What brings you here?"

Liu Yingying took a deep breath and said solemnly, "This matter involves my mother's last wish. May we discuss it in detail in private?"

Wu Qing hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "In that case, please follow me."

He didn't take her directly into the mountain, but led her to a pavilion outside the mountain gate. The pavilion was protected by a protective barrier to prevent outsiders from peeping. After the two sat down, Wu Qing said calmly, "You can speak freely here. Fellow Daoist Liu, please speak."

Liu Yingying looked at him, a complex look flashing in her eyes, and said in a low voice, "Fellow Daoist Wu Qing, I have come here... to recognize my relatives."

"Recognizing relatives?" Wu Qing raised an eyebrow.

“That’s right.” Liu Yingying nodded. “My mother, Liu Yuechan, is Master Wumu’s younger sister. According to seniority, I should call you cousin.”

Wu Qing's pupils contracted slightly, and his fingertips clenched unconsciously. Memories of his father, Wu Mu, flooded his mind like a tide—the spirit plant master who was imprisoned by Chief Tianlang in the "Bone-Corroding Frost Prison," suffering endless torment, and who never saw his family again until his death.

He paused for a moment before slowly speaking, "How can you prove it?"

Liu Yingying took out an antique jade pendant from her bosom and handed it over: "This was left by my mother. It is said to be a token given to her by my uncle years ago."

Wu Qing accepted the jade pendant, and with a slight movement of spiritual energy at his fingertips, the pendant immediately emitted a faint blue light, on which the words "Ebony" vaguely appeared. His expression shifted slightly, and he whispered, "It is indeed Father's possession..."

just in case.

Wu Qing and Liu Yingying still used the Bloodline Tracing Spirit Technique together.

The two were indeed from the same clan.

Wu Qing's previously wary expression softened.

Seeing this, a hint of relief flashed in Liu Yingying's eyes, but then she said sadly:

"My mother had been searching for my uncle's whereabouts for many years, but unfortunately she met with misfortune during an outing... Before she passed away, she still remembered him and asked me to continue the search. I traveled to many places and happened to hear in Jingzhou that there was a Purple Mansion cultivator surnamed Wu in the Fu family, so I came here."

Wu Qing closed his eyes briefly, suppressing the surging emotions within him, and said in a deep voice:

"My father... he has long since passed away."

Liu Yingying's expression darkened, and she sighed softly:
“I guessed it. My uncle has been missing for many years. If he hadn’t met with some misfortune, given his personality, he would never have stopped contacting his family.” She looked up at Wu Qing, her eyes filled with earnestness. “Cousin, I’ve come here to fulfill my mother’s last wish and to reunite with you. In this world, we may be each other’s only family.”

Wu Qing remained silent for a long time before finally nodding slowly. He stood up and said:
“Cousin, to be honest, the Fu family has been kind to me. I married into the Fu family decades ago. I’m really sorry, but I have no intention of leaving the Fu family to return to the Qingmu Sect with you. I thank you and my aunt for your hard work over the years. If you don’t mind, why don’t you rest in Jingzhou for a while?”

After Wu Qing finished speaking, a brief silence fell over the pavilion.

Liu Yingying lowered her eyes slightly, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the ancient jade pendant. After a long while, she whispered:
“Cousin, you are overthinking it… I have not come here to take you back to the Green Wood Sect.”

She looked up, a hint of self-mockery in her eyes:

"To be honest, I am no longer a disciple of the Green Wood Sect. In recent years, I have been away from home constantly searching for my uncle, and have not carried out any sect missions. According to sect rules, those who have not returned to the sect for a long time are considered to have automatically left..."

Wu Qing frowned slightly: "Then what about you now...?"

"I have no relatives or friends here," Liu Yingying said frankly, a faint smile playing on her lips. "So, after hearing about my cousin in Jingzhou, I thought... perhaps I could come and seek refuge with you."

Her voice was soft, yet it sent a jolt through Wu Qing's heart.

"In that case, you can stay at the Fu family's residence without worry. Although the Fu family is a Golden Core cultivator family, with my status, arranging for a Purple Mansion cultivator to serve as a guest elder is not a problem."

Liu Yingying's eyes lit up: "Won't this cause trouble for my cousin?"

“We are blood relatives, so there’s no trouble involved,” Wu Qing said with a smile. “However, the Fu family has strict rules, and since you’re new here, you’ll need to adapt to some of them.”

"Of course." Liu Yingying nodded quickly. "I will definitely keep to my duty."

Just then, the protective barrier outside the pavilion rippled slightly. A sound transmission talisman drifted in, which Wu Qing caught. Fu Yongwei's clear, cold voice rang out: "Husband, the protective vines are acting strangely. Return immediately."

Wu Qing's expression hardened, and he stood up, saying, "Cousin, come with me into the mountain first. I'll introduce you to your sister-in-law."

Liu Yingying stood up, then suddenly seemed to remember something and took out a jade box from her storage bag:
“Cousin, this is a piece of ‘Blood Spirit Wood’ that I obtained by chance. It is said to be very beneficial for cultivating spirit plants…”

Wu Qing took the jade box and, as soon as he opened it a crack, sensed a rich aura of blood. To his surprise, he discovered that it was actually five-hundred-year-old Blood Spirit Wood, one of the most needed spiritual materials for the City Guardian Vine to advance.

"this……"

"Consider it a small gift," Liu Yingying blinked. "After all, I'll be relying on my cousin for help in the future."

Wu Qing's face lit up with joy: "This item will be of great use to us, then I, your brother, will accept it without hesitation."

The two transformed into streaks of light and flew into the mountain. The disciples guarding the mountain, though still having doubts, stopped trying to stop them when Wu Qing personally led the way. They secretly sent a message to report the matter to the family elders.

The two remained silent until they reached the vicinity of the forbidden area in the back mountain.

A clear, cool female voice came from ahead: "Husband, who is this...?"

Liu Yingying looked up and saw a woman in a plain white dress walking towards her. She was stunningly beautiful, with exquisite features and an aura as sharp as frost and snow, yet also gentle.

Wu Qing's expression softened slightly, and he said gently, "Madam, this is Fellow Daoist Liu Yingying, my cousin."

Wu Qing quickly explained the whole story of how Liu Yingying sought refuge with the Fu family.

After listening, Fu Yongwei's eyes flickered slightly, and she smiled faintly: "So you're one of us. I've been negligent."

Liu Yingying quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, sister-in-law."

Fu Yongwei waved her hand and smiled, "Since she is my husband's cousin, there's no need for such formalities. Just treat this place as your own home from now on."

Fu Yongwei's gaze fell on the jade box in Wu Qing's hand, and she raised an eyebrow slightly: "What's this?"

Wu Qing handed her the box, his tone tinged with joy: "The Blood Spirit Wood that Yingying brought is exactly what the City Guardian Vine needs to advance."

Fu Yongwei took the box, opened it, and saw a section of dark red spirit wood lying quietly inside. Faint blood-red patterns flowed across its surface, emanating a rich aura of blood and life. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes: "Eight hundred-year-old Blood Spirit Wood? This is incredibly rare and precious. My cousin is very thoughtful."

Liu Yingying smiled slightly: "It was obtained by chance; I'm glad it can be of any help."

Fu Yongwei closed the box, her gaze softening as she looked at Liu Yingying: "In that case, why don't we go take a look at the City-Protecting Vine together? Since my cousin comes from the Green Wood Sect, she must have unique insights into the cultivation of spiritual plants."

Liu Yingying nodded: "I'm willing to do my part."

The three of them arrived together at the stone platform in the forbidden area of ​​the back mountain. The dark red protective vine was trembling slightly, and the blood-red runes on the surface of the vine flickered, as if it were yearning for something.

Fu Yongwei took out the Blood Spirit Wood and used her spiritual power to lift it above the City Protection Vine.

Sensing the aura of the Blood Spirit Wood, the dark red vines coiled around it like a ravenous beast, the crimson runes glowing faintly as they slowly absorbed the essence of the wood. However, the expected dramatic advancement did not occur; the protective vine only trembled slightly, its surface patterns becoming even deeper, but it was clear that a true breakthrough to the fourth tier still required time.

After observing for a moment, Fu Yongwei said softly, "It seems that although the Blood Spirit Wood is effective, the advancement of the City Guardian Vine is not something that can be accomplished overnight."

Wu Qing nodded: "After all, it's a leap from near-fourth rank to fourth rank. It would be strange if it could be broken through easily."

Liu Yingying chimed in, "The advancement of spiritual plants should be done step by step; forcing a breakthrough can easily damage the foundation."

As they were talking, a communication jade talisman on Fu Yongwei's waist suddenly lit up. She took it out and her expression changed slightly: "It's a message from Father."

Wu Qing noticed her unusual behavior and asked, "What are your instructions, Father?"

Fu Yongwei put away the jade talisman, her brows furrowing slightly: "My father told me to set off immediately for Yulin Prefecture in Wuzhou, saying he has important matters to discuss."

"Wuzhou Yulin Prefecture?" Wu Qing was somewhat surprised. "That place is not close to Anyang County. Why did the patriarch suddenly summon you?"

Fu Yongwei shook her head: "The message didn't go into details, but my father's tone was serious, so it's probably not a small matter."

Seeing this, Liu Yingying offered, "If you need to travel far, sister-in-law, please leave the cultivation of the protective vine to me and my cousin. I also studied the art of cultivating spiritual plants when I was in the Green Wood Sect. Although I am not as proficient as you, sister-in-law, I can still help my cousin take care of the vine."

Fu Yongwei pondered for a moment and looked at Wu Qing. Wu Qing understood and nodded, saying, "Yingying is right. Madam, please go ahead without worry. I will take care of things here."

Fu Yongwei finally relaxed her brows: "Alright, then I'll make some preparations and set off. The cultivation of the City-Protecting Vine cannot be interrupted. It needs to be nurtured with wood-attribute spiritual power for three hours every day. The absorption of the Blood Spirit Wood also needs to be gradual and cannot be rushed."

Wu Qing solemnly replied, "I've got it."

...

...

Fu Yongwei stepped into the teleportation array in Yunshan County, and in a flash of inspiration, she was already in Yuyao City, Huizhou Prefecture, tens of thousands of miles away.

As soon as she stepped out of the teleportation hall, she saw a familiar figure standing not far away.

"Sister Yongwei, Father has ordered me to fetch you." Fu Yongshou bowed respectfully.

Fu Yongwei nodded slightly: "Thank you for your hard work, Yongshou."

Without lingering, the two directly rode their escape light away from the Demon-Controlling City and sped towards the Jade Forest Prefecture.

The flying boat landed deep in the Jade Osmanthus Mountains. As soon as Fu Yongwei landed, she felt a rich spiritual energy rush towards her. She looked up and saw a brand-new mountain-protecting array covering the entire mountain range, surrounded by mountains. The array patterns flowed and the sound of dragon roars echoed faintly.

"This formation..." Fu Yongwei's pupils contracted slightly, "...can actually operate on its own?"

Fu Yongshou laughed and said, "Surprised? This is something the patriarch obtained from ancient ruins. It's called the 'Nine Dragons Spirit Locking Array.' It can absorb spiritual energy from heaven and earth to maintain its operation without the need for cultivators to control it at all times."

Fu Yongwei was shocked. A mountain-protecting array that could operate on its own was at least a top-tier fourth-order array, and might even be approaching the fifth-order threshold! When did the Fu family acquire such a foundation?

As she was pondering, a figure stepped through the air from afar, his aura vast and unfathomable, causing Fu Yongwei's spiritual energy to stagnate slightly.

—Nascent Soul Stage!

The man was dressed in a black robe, his face was old but his eyes were sharp, and he held a bone staff with several animal bone talismans hanging from the top, faintly flashing with witchcraft patterns.

"This is the Northern Frontier Shaman, the guardian of the Jade Osmanthus Mountains."

Fu Yongshou briefly explained how he subdued the witch priest. After listening, Fu Yongwei took a deep breath, feeling even more awe for her father's plan.

She tended to sacred plants year-round.

The Fu family is rising faster than she imagined. Before long, the clan will surely be able to advance to the fifth rank!
Before she could ask any more questions, a beautiful figure gracefully arrived; it was Fu Yongyao.

"Yongwei, come with me." Fu Yongyao said decisively, directly summoning a small flying shuttle.

The two rode in a flying shuttle, heading straight for the Black Mist Swamp in the northern border of Yulin Prefecture.

The swamp was filled with miasma and teeming with poisonous insects, but the shuttle was surrounded by a pale golden light shield, keeping the poisonous fog out. Fu Yongyao skillfully maneuvered the shuttle, traversing the depths of the swamp with practiced ease, and finally stopped in front of a valley shrouded in thick black fog.

"We've arrived." Fu Yongyao put away the shuttle, took out a black token, and infused it with spiritual power.

The token glowed with a faint light, and the black mist in front of it slowly parted, revealing a narrow passage.

Fu Yongwei followed the two inside, and suddenly the view opened up before her eyes—deep in the valley, there was an ancient stone gate entwined with vines, with intricate dragon patterns carved on it, and faint fluctuations of a restriction.

Fu Yongyao said in a deep voice, "We discovered this cave half a year ago. Remember, this matter must not be leaked to anyone."

Finished.

She formed a hand seal, creating a magic circle. The dragon pattern on the stone gate gradually lit up and then slowly opened.

An ancient and powerful aura rushed towards her. As soon as Fu Yongwei stepped into the cave, she felt her spiritual energy stagnate, as if she were being suppressed by some kind of pressure.

The cave dwelling is not large. In the center is a spiritual spring, in which grow three spiritual herbs that are entirely green with leaves like dragon scales. Golden patterns flow between the leaves, emanating a faint dragon's might.

"This is... Dragon Transformation Grass?!" Fu Yongwei exclaimed in shock.

Fu Yongyao nodded, his eyes flashing with fervor: "That's right, and it's a nearly mature Dragon Transformation Grass, which can be harvested in a few decades at most."

Fu Yongwei's heart raced. Dragon Transformation Grass—this was a priceless treasure that could allow a third-tier Azure Dragon to transform and advance to the fourth tier! If the Fu family could cultivate a fourth-tier dragon, their strength would skyrocket!
She instantly understood why her father had summoned her: "Father wants me to... accelerate the ripening of this thing?"

Fu Yongyao solemnly said, "That's right. Your plant spirit body has a natural affinity for spiritual plants, and with the 'Yi Wood Spirit Liquid' prepared by the family, it may shorten the maturation time of the Dragon Transformation Grass."

Fu Yongwei took a deep breath, suppressing her excitement, and nodded, saying, "I'll try my best."

She walked to the stone platform and lightly touched the leaves of the Dragon Transformation Grass with her fingertips. She immediately felt a force of resistance, as if a dragon soul was sleeping in the spiritual grass and was extremely hostile to outsiders.

"As expected, it's domineering..." Fu Yongwei closed her eyes and concentrated, her spiritual power flowing within her body. Emerald green light surged from her palm and slowly enveloped the Dragon Transformation Grass.

The golden veins on the blades of grass glowed faintly, and the sound of a dragon's roar echoed faintly within the cave...

Fu Yongwei sat cross-legged beside the spiritual spring, her fingertips gathering emerald green spiritual light. A drop of Yi Wood Spiritual Liquid floated above the Dragon Transformation Grass and slowly dripped down.

"laugh--"

The moment the spiritual liquid touched the grass leaves, it seeped into them as if melting away ice and snow. The golden patterns on the grass leaves glowed faintly, and a faint dragon-shaped phantom could be seen moving among the leaves.

"There's a response!" Fu Yongwei's eyes flashed slightly, and she immediately activated her plant spirit body, her spiritual power flowing into the Dragon Transformation Grass like a trickle.

For the past three years, she has watered the plant with spiritual liquid every seven days, supplementing it with her own spiritual power to gradually stimulate the growth of the Dragon Transformation Grass. Now, this spiritual grass has finally reached the critical point of transformation.

"Om-"

The leaves of the Dragon Transformation Grass trembled slightly, and a faint golden halo appeared at the core of the grass, causing the spiritual energy fluctuations of the entire plant to suddenly increase.

Fu Yongyao stood to the side, her hands forming hand seals to activate the spirit-concealing array within the cave, ensuring that the strange phenomenon would not leak out. She whispered, "Stay calm, don't let the spiritual energy spill out."

Fu Yongwei nodded, her fingertips circulating spiritual energy as she carefully guided the transformation of the Dragon Transformation Grass.

Gradually, the golden veins on the grass blades became brighter and brighter, eventually converging at the core of the grass to condense into a golden spiritual pearl the size of a longan—the essence of dragon transformation!
"It's done!" Fu Yongwei breathed a sigh of relief, a look of joy appearing in her eyes.

After the Dragon Transformation Grass matures, although its leaves do not wither, its essence has been completely concentrated in the Spirit Pearl. This Spirit Pearl is the key to the Azure Dragon's transformation!
Inside the cave, the spiritual energy gradually calmed down, and the spirit-concealing array perfectly masked all fluctuations. Outside, all was calm, and no one noticed the unusual occurrence.

Fu Yongyao stepped forward, took out a jade box, and carefully placed the Dragon Transformation Essence inside. She looked at Fu Yongwei and nodded with satisfaction: "Well done, Father will be very happy."

Fu Yongwei smiled slightly, her face a little pale, but her eyes were full of a sense of accomplishment.

"Let's go, it's time to go back." Fu Yongyao put away the jade box and turned to walk out of the cave.

Fu Yongwei took one last look at the remaining two Dragon Transformation Grasses, thinking to herself, "In a few more decades, these two will also mature, and then the Fu family will have three fourth-tier dragons..."

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. If the Fu family could possess three fourth-tier dragons, their strength would undoubtedly rise to another level, and they might even have a chance to break into the fifth-tier aristocratic family!
After leaving the cave, the two returned to the Jade Osmanthus Mountain Range in a flying shuttle. On the way, Fu Yongyao whispered, "The matter of the Dragon Transformation Essence must be kept secret. Don't even tell Wu Qing and Yongshou for the time being."

Fu Yongwei nodded: "I understand."

Back in the Jade Osmanthus Mountains, to prevent any mishaps, Fu Yongyao personally escorted Fu Yongwei back to Huizhou Prefecture. Fu Changsheng had been out of seclusion for some time, and upon seeing the two return, his gaze fell on the jade box in Fu Yongyao's hand, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes: "Did you succeed?"

Fu Yongyao respectfully handed over the jade box: "I have not failed in my mission."

Fu Changsheng opened the jade box and saw the golden spirit pearl lying quietly inside, emitting a faint dragon's might. He nodded in satisfaction: "Very good. With this, the transformation of the Azure Dragon is now 80% certain."

He looked at Fu Yongwei and said gently, "Thank you for your hard work, Yongwei."

Fu Yongwei shook her head: "Father, when I accelerated the growth of the Dragon Transformation Grass this time, I found that although my spiritual power was somewhat depleted, the spirit body of the plant seemed to have undergone subtle changes due to long-term contact with the Dragon Transformation Grass, and the spiritual power contained a faint trace of dragon energy."

"This is a pleasant surprise..."

Fu Changsheng reached out and patted his storage bag. A flash of light appeared, and a box materialized. When the box was opened, it contained a jade slip: "Take a look at this."

Fu Yongwei took the jade slip and probed it with her divine sense, discovering that it contained a secret technique called the "Wood Transformation Dragon Technique." This technique, based on wood-attribute spiritual power and infused with dragon energy, could greatly increase a cultivator's chances of condensing a golden core!
"This is……?"

Fu Changsheng explained, "Although the Dragon Transformation Grass is mainly used to cultivate dragons, the dragon energy it contains is also extremely beneficial to wood-attribute cultivators. You have been in contact with the Dragon Transformation Grass for a long time, and your spiritual power has been tainted with dragon energy. Cultivating this technique will be of great use to you when you form your core in the future."

Fu Yongwei was shocked and quickly bowed in gratitude: "Thank you, Father, for bestowing this teaching!"

Fu Changsheng waved his hand and said, "You have done a lot for the family, and this is what you deserve."

After Fu Yongwei left.

Fu Changsheng patted his storage bag, and a talisman emitting a faint blue light floated toward Fu Yongyao. The nine-petaled blue lotus on the talisman was lifelike, with a golden light flowing at the heart of the lotus, and one could vaguely feel the powerful spiritual energy contained within it.

“Father, this is…” Fu Yongyao’s voice was a little tight.

(End of this chapter)