Family Rise: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 530 Another Golden Core, Marriage Alliance, Immortality
Wuzhou, the ancestral home of the Wu family.

Clan Chief Wu stood on the upper floor, holding a communication jade talisman in his hand, his knuckles slightly clenched.

"The Blood Fiend Sect... was it really wiped out?"

He took a deep breath, the shock in his eyes lingering for a long time.

The information contained in the jade talisman was extremely detailed—Fu Yongyao, the third young lady of the Fu family, set a trap to lure the Blood Fiend Sect into a snare, and together with Luo Haitang of the Luo family, Cao Wushang and his daughter of the Cao family, and Ouyang Qing of the Ouyang family, four Golden Core cultivators, they crushed the Blood Fiend Sect's headquarters in one fell swoop! The Blood True Person fell, and Abbess Qiuyue fled with serious injuries. The thousand-year-old evil sect was destroyed in a single day!
"What a big gesture..."

Chief Wu muttered to himself, feeling both surprised and envious.

—If their Wu family patriarch can break through to the Golden Core stage, then they can also join the ranks of sixth-grade families, participate in such important matters, and divide up the Blood Fiend Sect's millennia-long accumulated assets!
But now, their Wu family is only a seventh-rank family, and they don't even have the qualifications to participate. They can only watch from afar.

"Ugh……"

He sighed deeply, a hint of resentment flashing in his eyes.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door, and an elder rushed in, his face beaming with undisguised joy: "Clan leader! There's an unusual phenomenon at the place where the ancestor is in seclusion. The spiritual energy is surging, as if he's about to break through!"

"what?!"

Chief Wu suddenly stood up, his eyes flashing with a sharp light.

"Quickly! Immediately block the news and activate the clan's protective formation. We absolutely cannot allow outside interference!"

The elder immediately accepted the order and left.

Chief Wu strode quickly toward the depths of the ancestral land, his heart pounding like a drum.

They have been waiting for this day for hundreds of years. If their ancestor can truly break through to the Golden Core stage, the Wu family will usher in an unprecedented opportunity!
……

The ancestral home of the Wu family, a secluded cave dwelling.

Above the cave, dark clouds gathered, lightning flashed, and a heavy pressure enveloped the area for miles around.

Clan Chief Wu stood in the distance, his gaze fixed on the horizon, his fingers trembling slightly beneath his sleeves.

"A tribulation of lightning... it really is a Golden Core tribulation of lightning!"

"boom--!"

The first bolt of lightning struck, causing the entire cave to tremble violently and the rocks to crumble.

Chief Wu's heart clenched instantly.

"Ancestor...you must hold on!"

……

The lightning tribulation lasted for about half a cup of tea's time.

When the last bolt of lightning dissipated, the cave had been razed to the ground, filled with smoke and dust, a scene of utter devastation.

Chief Wu held his breath, staring intently at the center of the ruins.

finally--

"Cough...cough..."

An aged yet powerful voice rang out, and then a figure slowly rose from the ruins.

His clothes were tattered, and his hair and beard were charred black, but a faint aura of golden core power lingered around him!
"Ancestor... you succeeded?!" Clan Chief Wu's voice trembled.

Old Ancestor Wu slowly raised his head, his eyes flashing with a sharp light. Although his aura was unstable, he had indeed reached the Golden Core stage!
"Successfully by chance."

Clan Chief Wu was overjoyed and immediately knelt down to bow: "Congratulations, Ancestor, on attaining the Golden Core stage! The rise of the Wu family is just around the corner!"

Old Ancestor Wu nodded slightly. Although his face was pale, he could not hide the joy in his eyes: "Although it is only a low-grade Golden Core, he has finally stepped into this realm."

Clan Chief Wu immediately stood up and announced loudly, "Order the entire clan to celebrate for three days!"

Now that the Wu family patriarch has broken through to the Golden Core stage, they are finally qualified to participate in the power struggle among high-ranking families!
And the Fu family is precisely the one they want to continue to strengthen their relationship with!
……

The entire Wu family rejoiced.

At the banquet, the Wu patriarch raised his cup and declared loudly: "Today, our ancestor has attained the Golden Core stage, and our Wu family has officially joined the ranks of Golden Core families! From this day forward, our Wu family will no longer be a low-ranking seventh-grade family that can be manipulated by others!"

The elders and disciples cheered in unison, their eyes filled with excitement.

Chief Wu finished his drink, his eyes gleaming.

—The next step is to figure out how to secure the greatest benefit for the Wu family in this upcoming great struggle!

The Lei and Huang families have both been promoted to the sixth rank, breaking away from the ranks of vassal families of the Fu family. The Wu family and the seventh-rank Cao family have taken their place, becoming the new vassal families of the Fu family. Now that their ancestor has broken through to the Golden Core stage, all that is needed is for the imperial decree to officially recognize the Wu family as a sixth-rank family, and then the Wu family will be able to formally join the ranks of middle-rank families!

More importantly, the Fu family has made a great contribution by annihilating the Blood Fiend Sect, and their promotion to a fifth-rank family is just around the corner!

Once the Fu family is promoted to the fifth rank...

That is the true master of Wuzhou!

Chief Wu's lips curled slightly, a deep meaning flashing in his eyes.

The Wu family and the Fu family are related by marriage. Fu Yongpeng, the son of Fu Changsheng, the head of the Fu family, is his son-in-law! What's even more wonderful is that Fu Yongpeng's son—his grandson—is born with pure spiritual roots and is a "Qilin Child" that is rare in a hundred years. Relying on the Fu family, he will definitely achieve great things in the future!
As long as the Wu family fully supports their grandson, they will have someone to help them pass on their requests in the future, instead of being left with nowhere to turn!
"Guards!" Chief Wu shouted in a deep voice.

A trusted elder immediately stepped forward: "What are your orders, Chief?"

"Prepare two generous gifts." Clan Chief Wu's eyes gleamed. "One will be sent to the Fu family to celebrate their annihilation of the Blood Fiend Sect, and the other... will be given separately to my grandson, Qilin."

The elder understood immediately and whispered, "The clan leader wants to..."

Clan Chief Wu smiled slightly, his tone leisurely: "The Fu family is about to advance to the fifth rank, so our Wu family naturally needs to make arrangements in advance. Although Yongpeng is not favored by the Fu family head, with Qilin around, he may still have a chance to advance further. And our Wu family is Qilin's greatest help!"

The elder's eyes lit up, and he immediately cupped his hands in greeting: "Understood, I will make the arrangements immediately!"

Clan Chief Wu continued, "If my Wu family wants to truly gain a foothold in Wuzhou, relying solely on a low-grade Golden Core cultivator is far from enough."

The elder on the left, Wu Mingde, frowned and said, "What does the clan leader mean?"

"A marriage alliance," Clan Chief Wu stated decisively. "The Fu family's prodigy has already reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment at such a young age; such talent is top-tier even in the capital. I intend to arrange a marriage between that girl, Yu Xian, and him."

Fu Yongpeng is clearly finished.

They can only place their bets on the Qilin child.

"But Yu Xian is much older than that Qilinzi, would the Fu family agree?" the Third Elder hesitated.

Clan Chief Wu sneered: "Age is not a problem. There are plenty of cultivation couples who are decades apart in age."

Because Yu Xian was older, she was able to take the initiative after marrying into the Fu family.

Only then did everyone realize what was happening.

This was indeed a brilliant move.

Wu Yuxian, the most talented woman of the younger generation in the Wu family, is over fifty years old, but her cultivation has already reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, only a step away from the Purple Mansion stage. If she could marry into the Fu family and become a Daoist partner with the Qilinzi, it would not only strengthen the relationship between the Wu and Fu families, but also allow her to leverage the Fu family's resources to help her break through to the Purple Mansion stage!

More importantly, it is said that Qilinzi has been staying in the family and his mind is not settled. If Wu Yuxian can exert influence on him during his growth, the Wu family can also get a share of the pie if the Fu family makes any big moves in the future!

The elder pondered for a moment and slowly nodded: "The clan leader's insight is brilliant; this plan is feasible."

Chief Wu smiled with satisfaction, then looked at a middle-aged man with a stern face on his left: "Second brother, Yu Xian is your grandson, you will have to persuade her about this matter."

The second master of the Wu family remained calm and said indifferently, "Yu Xian is proud and may not be willing."

Clan Chief Wu narrowed his eyes: "This matter concerns the rise and fall of the family, and she cannot act willfully."

After a moment of silence, Master Wu finally nodded: "I will talk to her in detail."

-

The night was deep, behind the Wu family's mountain.

A woman in a green dress stood quietly on the edge of the cliff. The mountain wind blew, and her clothes fluttered, making her look like a banished immortal, aloof and proud.

"Yuxian." Second Master Wu walked over slowly, his voice low.

Wu Yuxian did not turn around, but said calmly, "Grandfather came here late at night, is it about the Fu family?"

Master Wu paused slightly, then sighed: "You know?"

"With such a great commotion in the clan, how could I not know?" She spoke calmly, but her fingers tightened slightly.

After a moment of silence, Master Wu finally spoke: "The Fu family's prodigy is exceptionally talented and will surely reach the Golden Core stage in the future, and may even be able to break through to the Nascent Soul stage. If you marry him, it will be the best choice for you and your family."

Wu Yuxian finally turned around, her eyes as cold as frost: "So, Grandfather also thinks that I should try to please a naive young man?"

Master Wu shook his head: "It's not about currying favor, but about mutual benefit. The Fu family has abundant resources. If you can use this to break through to the Golden Core stage, you might be able to give back to the family in the future."

Wu Yuxian sneered: "In the end, I'm nothing more than a pawn in the family's game."

Master Wu frowned: "Yu Xian comes from a family of cultivators, so this is how it is."

She remained silent for a long time, then finally closed her eyes and said in a barely audible voice, "...Okay, I agree."

-

The sky over Huizhou Prefecture was a clear, bright blue. Clan Chief Wu stood on the deck of the flying boat, his robes fluttering in the wind. Behind him stood Wu Yuxian, dressed in a plain white dress, her face as cold and aloof as frost.

"Yu Xian, you must be careful with your words and actions when you go to the Fu family this time." Clan Chief Wu gazed into the distance, his voice deep. "The Fu family's prodigy is exceptionally gifted; at only thirty-something years old, he has already reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment. He is destined for greatness."

Wu Yuxian's fingertips trembled slightly, but she replied calmly, "Clan leader, rest assured, Yuxian understands the greater good of the clan."

The flying boat pierced through the clouds, and the outline of Huizhou Prefecture below gradually became clear. A glint of light flashed in Clan Chief Wu's eyes as he lightly stroked the list of lavish gifts in his storage ring—three centuries-old spiritual herbs, a high-grade defensive spiritual artifact, and a bottle of top-tier Foundation Establishment pills specially prepared for Fu Qinglin.

"Chieftain, we have arrived," the elder piloting the flying boat said respectfully.

The Wu family's flying boat slowly landed on the Fu family's welcoming platform. The Wu patriarch straightened his clothes and, with Wu Yuxian in tow, descended the steps. In the distance, Wu Qingyue, the patriarch's daughter, who had already received the news, hurried to greet them with her maids.

"Father!" Wu Qingyue exclaimed excitedly, clearly already aware that Old Ancestor Wu had successfully formed his core. She wore a light purple dress, her face bearing a slight resemblance to Wu Yuxian, but with an added touch of gentleness.

Chief Wu helped his daughter up, his gaze softening: "Qingyue, how have you been lately?"

Wu Qingyue forced a smile: "Thanks to Father, everything is fine." She turned her gaze to Wu Yuxian, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes, "Yuxian is here too."

Wu Yuxian nodded slightly: "Aunt Qingyue."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Wu Qingyue led them to her courtyard. Along the way, the Wu clan chief noticed that the Fu family mansion had expanded considerably since his last visit, with a rich spiritual energy filling the pavilions and towers, clearly indicating the presence of a high-level spirit-gathering array.

"The Fu family is doing quite well," said Clan Chief Wu meaningfully.

Wu Qingyue said softly, "Our family has produced many talented individuals, and our family businesses have expanded considerably."

Upon entering the inner courtyard, a maidservant served them spiritual tea and then withdrew. Clan Chief Wu set down his teacup and went straight to the point: "Qingyue, the reason I've come is to arrange a marriage between Yuxian and your son, Qinglin."

Wu Qingyue's teacup trembled, spilling a few drops of tea. She quickly put down the cup, her expression flustered: "Father, this...this matter is..."

"What?" Clan Chief Wu frowned. "Qinglin is already engaged?"

Wu Qingyue shook her head and said with a wry smile, "No. It's just that Qinglin hasn't been raised by me for a long time. Ten years ago, the head of the family entrusted Qinglin to the matriarch's adopted daughter, Cuizhi, for upbringing. I'm afraid I can't make the decision about his marriage."

A hint of displeasure flashed in Chief Wu's eyes. Just as he was about to speak, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the courtyard.

"Father-in-law, you have come from afar; I, Yongpeng, have failed to greet you properly!"

Fu Yongpeng strode into the hall, dressed in an extremely luxurious brocade robe, with a jade pendant jingling at his waist. He had a handsome face, but his brows carried a hint of restlessness.

Clan Chief Wu rose to greet him, a smile returning to his face: "My dear son-in-law, there's no need for such formalities. I've heard you've been busy managing the family business lately; you must be tired."

Fu Yongpeng waved his hand and laughed, "It's nothing, just a small matter." His gaze swept over Wu Yuxian, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. "And this is..."

"This is Yu Xian from your second uncle's family, at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage," Clan Chief Wu introduced. "She has come to propose marriage to Qing Lin."

Fu Yongpeng was overjoyed upon hearing this: "Father-in-law, your insight is brilliant! Qinglin is a talented child, but he lacks proper guidance. With a virtuous wife like Yuxian as his helper, he will surely reach even greater heights!"

Wu Qingyue quickly interjected, "Yongpeng, I'm afraid this matter..."

“Madam, there’s no need to worry!” Fu Yongpeng interrupted her, saying confidently, “Qinglin is my son, and his marriage is naturally my decision!”

A glint of light flashed in Chief Wu's eyes, and he seized the opportunity to say, "My son-in-law is indeed a wise man. Yu Xian is exceptionally talented; if she marries into the Fu family, she will surely be a great help to Qing Lin. A marriage between our two families would be the icing on the cake."

Fu Yongpeng slammed his hand on the table and said, "It's settled then! Someone, bring the marriage certificate!"

Wu Qingyue's face turned deathly pale. She grabbed her husband's sleeve and said, "Yongpeng, shouldn't we ask the head of the family about this first?"

"What are you asking!" Fu Yongpeng shook off her hand, his face showing displeasure. "Can't I even make decisions about my son's affairs? It's one thing for my father to favor my eldest brother, but does he have to interfere in my son's marriage as well?"

Chief Wu then presented the marriage certificate that had been prepared beforehand: "My son-in-law is indeed straightforward. This is the marriage certificate prepared by my Wu family. Please take a look."

Fu Yongpeng didn't even look at it, directly took out his seal and stamped it, then had a servant bring the Fu family's marriage certificate, which he also stamped and exchanged.

"Father-in-law, rest assured, this marriage is settled!" Fu Yongpeng said with great enthusiasm. "I will tell Qinglin the good news as soon as he comes out of seclusion."

Wu Yuxian stood to the side, her fingertips digging deeply into her palms. She looked at the exchanged marriage certificates, a hint of sadness flashing in her eyes, but ultimately she did not voice her objection.

Chief Wu put away the marriage certificate with satisfaction and smiled, "My son-in-law is indeed decisive and efficient. In that case, we won't bother you any longer. Yuxian, bow to your uncle and take your leave."

Wu Yuxian mechanically curtsied, her voice calm and utterly devoid of emotion: "Uncle."

Fu Yongpeng laughed heartily: "We're all family now, no need for formalities! Father-in-law, please take care, I'll definitely bring Qinglin to pay you a visit another day!"

As he left the Fu family residence, Clan Chief Wu glanced back at the imposing mansion, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. With this marriage certificate, the relationship between the Wu and Fu families would be even closer. Even if the Fu family was dissatisfied afterward, they wouldn't easily break off the engagement for the sake of their reputation.

As the airship ascended, Wu Yuxian stood at the stern, gazing at the Fu family mansion receding into the distance, her emotions complex and difficult to decipher.

Meanwhile, inside the Fu family's cultivation room, Fu Qinglin was meditating with his eyes closed, surrounded by spiritual energy. He was completely unaware of this marriage that would determine his fate.

A lawless land.

After discovering that the old man was a highly skilled talisman master, Fu Changsheng visited him every day with a jar of fine wine. At first, the old man was just drunk and rambling incoherently, but as time went on, he became more and more lucid.

Months later, after finishing his last sip of wine, the old man suddenly sighed, "Young man, you're so determined to learn this talisman-making method. Do you really think you can get out of this hellish place?"

Fu Changsheng's gaze was calm as he gently placed the newly brought jar of wine on the table: "Senior, how will you know if you don't try?"

The old man's cloudy eyes stared at the wine jar, his fingers trembling slightly, but he ultimately didn't reach for it. He slowly raised his head, a rare clarity flashing in his eyes: "You have a familiar aura about you... You and that little girl were together?"

Fu Changsheng's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly asked, "Senior, have you seen an injured woman? Her name is Fu Yongxuan, and she is my daughter!"

The old man didn't answer directly. Instead, he stood up shakily and walked to a pile of clutter in the corner, rummaging through it. After a moment, he pulled out a blood-stained strip of cloth with a delicately embroidered character "Xuan" on it. "This is Yongxuan's!" Fu Changsheng snatched the cloth, his voice trembling slightly. "Where is she?"

The old man shook his head, his voice hoarse: "I saw her on the edge of the southern district half a year ago. That girl was seriously injured and was taken away by the guards of the city lord's mansion."

"The City Lord's Mansion?!" Wu Ling'er exclaimed in surprise, "Isn't that a forbidden area?"

The old man sneered, "In this godforsaken place, the city lord can arrest whoever he wants." He pointed to the towering black pyramid outside the window, "All the missing people eventually end up there."

Fu Changsheng gripped the strip of cloth tightly, his eyes flashing with cold light: "Senior, do you know why the city lord is arresting people?"

The old man was silent for a moment, then suddenly lowered his voice: "Do you know the origin of this Heavenly Fortune City?"

Seeing the two shake their heads, the old man continued, "A thousand years ago, this place was an ordinary city. Until one day, a meteorite fell from the sky and crashed into the south of the city, forming that black pyramid. The city lord at the time went in to investigate, and when he came out... it became what it is now."

"What will it become?" Wu Ling'er asked nervously.

"Immortal, immortal, and indestructible," the old man said, emphasizing each word. "But he has also lost his humanity. Every so often, he selects cultivators from the city and absorbs their life essence and cultivation."

Fu Changsheng frowned: "How did you know all this, senior?"

The old man gave a bitter smile and slowly rolled up his sleeves. His arms were covered with a dense network of eerie black lines that seemed to wriggle slightly like living things.

“Because I was once the city lord’s ‘guest’,” the old man said in a hoarse voice. “More than a hundred years ago, I was captured and imprisoned in the pyramids, where I witnessed those horrific scenes. After I managed to escape, I became like this.”

Fu Changsheng's heart stirred: "Since you were able to escape, it means that the pyramids are not invincible."

The old man shook his head: "That time it was because the city lord was in seclusion at a critical moment, and the guards were lax. Now..." He pointed out the window, "Look at those patrolling guards, there are more than ten times more than before."

Fu Changsheng pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Senior, you are proficient in the art of talismans. Do you have any methods to infiltrate the pyramid?"

The old man stared at Fu Changsheng for a long time, then suddenly grinned, revealing his broken, yellow teeth: "Kid, you've got some nerve." He staggered to the wall, tore off a yellowed talisman, "This is the 'Concealment Talisman' that I've been researching over the years. Although it can't be truly used because it lacks spiritual power, the principle is correct."

Fu Changsheng took the talisman and examined it carefully. The talisman's patterns were peculiar, quite different from ordinary invisibility talismans; it completely transformed the human aura into another form.

"Brilliant!" Fu Changsheng couldn't help but exclaim, "This idea is simply..."

"Don't be too happy yet," the old man poured cold water on the idea. "Even if you could go inside and become invisible, you wouldn't be able to rescue anyone. The inside of the pyramid is a self-contained space, full of traps and mechanisms. What's even more terrifying is..." He lowered his voice, "The city lord can no longer be considered human; his way of perceiving the world is completely different from ours."

Wu Ling'er nervously grabbed Fu Changsheng's sleeve: "Senior Fu, this is too dangerous!"

Fu Changsheng, however, remained resolute: "Thank you for your guidance, senior. I will give it a try no matter what."

The old man stared at Fu Changsheng for a long time, then suddenly sighed, "Fine, for the sake of this wine..." He took out a black token from his pocket, "This is what I brought out from the pyramids back then, it might be useful to you."

The token felt cold to the touch, with a strange eye pattern engraved on it. As soon as Fu Changsheng touched it, he felt a chilling aura spread along his arm.

“Remember,” the old man said solemnly, “if you see anything inside that is not logical, do not trust your eyes, and even less so your senses.”

That night, Fu Changsheng and Wu Ling'er returned to the Medicine Garden Villa and began to formulate a plan.

“I will go to explore the outer perimeter of the pyramids tomorrow,” Fu Changsheng said in a deep voice. “Ling’er, you stay in the herb garden and be ready to provide support at any time.”

Wu Ling'er said urgently, "I want to go with you!"

Fu Changsheng shook his head: "Too dangerous."

Wu Ling'er wanted to say something more, but seeing Fu Changsheng's resolute eyes, she could only nod with tears in her eyes.

The next night.

Fu Changsheng changed into a gray cloth outfit, concealed his aura to the extreme, and quietly made his way towards the southern district.

As you approach the pyramids, the surrounding buildings become fewer and fewer, and there are hardly any pedestrians on the streets. A faint, nauseating stench permeates the air.

The pyramid is surrounded by a high wall, with a fully armed guard standing watch every ten steps. These guards are expressionless, with empty eyes, like soulless puppets.

Fu Changsheng hid in the shadows and observed for a long time, finally discovering a pattern—every hour, a team of guards would enter and exit through the side gate to change shifts, and there would be a brief gap during the shift change.

He patiently waited for the right moment, and the instant the next squad of guards changed shifts, he activated the concealment talisman given to him by the old man, and his figure flashed into the side door like a ghost.

The interior of the pyramid was even more eerie than imagined. The passageways spiraled downwards, and the walls were inlaid with luminous green crystals that illuminated the rune-covered stone walls. A heavy stench of blood filled the air, and faint, mournful screams could be heard echoing from the depths.

Fu Changsheng held his breath and carefully advanced along the passage. The further he went, the lower the temperature became, and his breath condensed into frost in the air.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded ahead. Fu Changsheng quickly hid against the wall and saw two men in black robes dragging a dying cultivator past. The cultivator's limbs hung limply at his sides, but he wore a strange smile on his face, as if he were lost in a dream.

After the man in black robes had gone some distance, Fu Changsheng continued deeper into the passage. At the end of the passage was a massive stone door, covered with distorted human face reliefs. The reliefs were incredibly lifelike, their expressions filled with unbearable pain, as if they were screaming silently.

Fu Changsheng took out the black token given to him by the old man, hesitated for a moment, and then stuck it in the groove in the center of the stone door.

The stone door slid open silently, revealing a huge circular hall.

The sight before him caused Fu Changsheng's pupils to shrink sharply—

In the center of the hall was a pool of blood, in which dozens of corpses, men and women, floated, all with deathly pale faces and eerie smiles. Around the pool stood twelve men in black robes, chanting incantations in a low voice.

Even more terrifying, a blurry humanoid shadowy figure hovered above the blood pool, greedily absorbing the crimson mist emanating from the corpses.

"Welcome, outsider."

A hoarse voice suddenly sounded from behind. Fu Changsheng turned around abruptly and saw a tall man in black robes standing behind him. Under the hood was a face as pale as paper and a pair of completely black eyes with no whites.

"City Lord?" Fu Changsheng tensed up, his spiritual energy rapidly circulating through his meridians.

The man in black robes grinned, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth: "I've been waiting for you for a long time. Your daughter... is quite a suitable vessel."

Before he could finish speaking, the man in black robes suddenly attacked, his withered hand reaching for Fu Changsheng's throat like a ghostly claw!
Fu Changsheng was prepared. He retreated rapidly, simultaneously drawing a longsword that was entirely crimson. The sword burst into flames, illuminating the entire hall, its tip pointing directly at the city lord: "Release Yongxuan!"

The city lord gave a sinister smile and suddenly raised his hand. The liquid in the blood pool boiled, and the floating corpses all opened their eyes, their pale pupils staring intently at Fu Changsheng.

"Since you're here, stay as well." The city lord's voice suddenly became erratic, as if it came from all directions. "Your essence blood... is more delicious than all of theirs combined."

The twelve men in black robes turned around at the same time, revealing faces under their hoods that were exactly the same as the city lord's!
Fu Changsheng was shocked, but quickly calmed down. He remembered the old man's warning—don't believe what you see.

"Illusion?" Fu Changsheng sneered, biting his tongue and spitting a mouthful of blood onto the sword. The sword's flames surged, transforming into a fire dragon that coiled around him.

"break!"

The fire dragon roared and charged in all directions, causing the black-robed figures to vanish like bubbles. The scene in the hall distorted and shifted, finally revealing its true form—

This is a prison cell filled with chains, and a familiar figure is tied to the central stone pillar.

“Yongxuan!” Fu Changsheng’s heart skipped a beat.

Fu Yongxuan was impaled by dozens of black chains, her breath extremely weak. Even more terrifying, a strange black rune between her brows was constantly devouring her life force.

The city lord appeared beside the stone pillar, grinning sinisterly, "In another year, she will be completely transformed into my puppet!"

Fu Changsheng's eyes widened in fury, and his Crimson Sky Sword transformed into a streak of red light, piercing straight at the city lord: "You're courting death!"

The city lord neither dodged nor evaded, allowing the sword to pierce his body. However, his body dispersed like smoke, only to coalesce again in another place.

"Useless, outsider." The city lord's voice was full of sarcasm. "Here, I am the rule, I am the will of Heaven!"

Fu Changsheng suddenly sheathed his sword and sneered, "Is that so? Then why can't you leave?"

The city lord's expression changed slightly.

Fu Changsheng continued, "This pyramid is not your source of power, but your prison! You have been trapped here for thousands of years, only able to survive by absorbing the life essence of others!"

"Shut up!" the city lord roared, and the entire cell began to shake violently.

Fu Changsheng seized the opportunity and slashed at the chains binding Fu Yongxuan with his sword. However, the chains did not budge an inch!
"Don't waste your energy." The city lord regained his composure. "These chains are of the same origin as the pyramids. Unless you can destroy the entire structure, otherwise..."

Before he finished speaking, Fu Changsheng suddenly pulled out a golden talisman from his pocket—the very "Reverse Five Elements Breaking Talisman" that the old man had given him!
"You think I came unprepared?" Fu Changsheng sneered, sticking the talisman to the chain. At the same time, he bit his finger and used his blood as a guide to draw the special runes the old man had taught him.

"No! This is impossible!" the city lord cried out in horror, "How do you know the Heavenly Gang Forbidden Breaking Technique?!"

The talisman burst forth with blinding golden light, and the chains snapped inch by inch. Fu Yongxuan's body went limp, and he fell forward, only to be caught by Fu Changsheng.

"Let's go!" Fu Changsheng picked up Yongxuan and rushed towards the exit.

The city lord let out a piercing scream, and the entire pyramid began to collapse. Countless dark figures poured out from the walls, frantically rushing towards the three.

Fu Changsheng carried Fu Yongxuan in one arm and used his sword to clear a path with the other. Wherever the sword light passed, the shadows scattered. However, there were simply too many shadows, and soon an impenetrable wall formed around them.

"Senior Fu!" A familiar voice suddenly came from above.

Suddenly, Wu Ling'er appeared at the entrance of the passage, holding an ancient bronze lamp in her hand. Wherever the lamp shone, the shadows melted away like snow meeting the blazing sun.

"Ling'er? What happened to you..."

"There's no time to explain!" Wu Ling'er waved anxiously, "Come on up quickly!"

Fu Changsheng dared not delay and rushed towards the passage with Fu Yongxuan in his arms. Behind them, the city lord's shrill scream grew closer and closer, and the entire interior of the pyramid began to twist and deform, as if it had come alive.

As they finally burst out of the pyramid, the entrance behind them slammed shut. The entire structure trembled violently, emitting a chilling groan.

"Hurry!" Wu Ling'er pulled Fu Changsheng, "That lamp won't last much longer!"

The three fled desperately towards the outer city. Behind them, the runes on the pyramid's surface lit up one after another, emitting an ominous, blood-red glow.

After escaping the pyramid, the three hid in an abandoned stone house on the edge of Tianyun City. Fu Yongxuan remained unconscious, the black rune between his brows slowly writhing as if alive.

"The mark is still there, what should we do, Senior Fu?" Wu Ling'er asked anxiously.

Fu Changsheng stared at his daughter's pale face, his fingers unconsciously clenching. Suddenly, the wooden door of the dilapidated house creaked open, and the old man's hunched figure appeared in the doorway.

"Senior?" Fu Changsheng stood up alertly, his hand already on the dagger at his waist.

The old man shook the gourd in his hand and grinned, "Don't be nervous, I'm not here to collect a debt." He staggered into the house, his cloudy eyes sweeping over Fu Yongxuan, "This girl's situation isn't good."

Fu Changsheng said in a deep voice, "Senior, do you have a way to remove this mark?"

"Me?" The old man chuckled, taking a swig of wine. "If I had that ability, I would have left this godforsaken place long ago." He suddenly lowered his voice, "However... I have heard of a way to leave."

Wu Ling'er's eyes lit up: "What method?"

The old man sat down on the ground and took out a yellowed leather scroll from his robes. When unfolded, it revealed a rough map of the lawless land, drawn crookedly, with a mountain peak marked on the western edge.

“Every sixty years, a Wushan Mountain appears in the west.” The old man pointed to the mark with his withered finger. “Legend has it that if you can climb to the top, you can leave this cursed place.”

Fu Changsheng stared intently at the map: "When will it appear next?"

Three years later, the old man grinned, revealing his uneven, yellow teeth.

Three years?!

Wu Ling'er blinked. In this godforsaken place, they might not be able to survive until then.

“Three years isn’t a long time,” the old man said with a cold laugh, putting away the scroll. “We’re at least tens of thousands of miles from where Wushan appears. Along the way, we have to cross the Black Swamp and the Valley of Broken Souls, and finally climb a sheer cliff thousands of feet high. Reaching this place within three years would be a good outcome.”

the end.

The old man sighed softly.

"Even if we successfully reach Wushan, it is said that high-level witch beasts, feared even by the city lord, reside there."

Silence fell over the room, broken only by Fu Yongxuan's faint breathing. Fu Changsheng stared at the black mark between his daughter's brows—the rune seemed to have spread slightly more than before.

“Go.” Fu Changsheng said decisively, “You must go.”

Wu Ling'er said anxiously, "But Senior Fu, Sister Yongxuan's current condition might not allow her to hold on for that long!"

The old man suddenly took out a jade bottle covered with runes from his robes and handed it to Fu Changsheng: "This is a 'Soul-Suppressing Pill,' which can temporarily suppress the mark in her body. However..." He paused, "After taking this medicine, she will fall into a deep sleep, but it should last for three to five years."

Fu Changsheng solemnly accepted the jade bottle, poured out a pill that glowed with a faint blue light, and carefully fed it into Fu Yongxuan's mouth. The pill melted instantly upon entering his mouth, and the black mark between Fu Yongxuan's brows indeed stopped spreading, but it did not disappear.

"Thank you very much, senior." Fu Changsheng bowed deeply. "Would you be willing to travel with us, senior?"

“Me?” The old man lifted his sleeve, revealing the writhing black lines. “Those corrupted by the pyramids can never leave within a hundred miles of Tianyun City. I’ve tried countless times over the years,” he gave a bitter laugh, “and each time I crawl back like a dog.”

The old man's cloudy eyes stared directly at Fu Changsheng: "Boy, this old man has helped you so much, not just for a few jars of wine." He pulled out a storage ring from his robes. "If you can really leave this godforsaken place, help me deliver this to Bai Yun'er of the Bai family in Qingzhou."

Fu Changsheng carefully put away his storage ring: "Senior, rest assured, if I can escape this predicament, I will personally deliver it to you."

The old man nodded: "Although I can't travel with you, I can tell you a shortcut—crossing the underground river of Wuzhi Mountain will save you several months of travel."

Wu Ling'er's eyes lit up: "An underground river? Could that help us avoid the Black Swamp?"

The old man sneered, "Don't be too happy yet. Water demons live in the dark river and eat the souls of the living. Thirty years ago, I personally witnessed a group of cultivators being dragged into the water, leaving not even bones behind."

Fu Changsheng pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Senior, do you know what the weaknesses of the Water Demon are?"

A hint of surprise flashed in the old man's cloudy eyes: "You really want to take this path?"

"Time is of the essence, there is no other choice."

The old man stared at Fu Changsheng for a long time, then suddenly burst into laughter: "Good! Good! No wonder you can make the city lord suffer!" He untied a tattered cloth bag from his waist. "This contains 'Soul-Guiding Incense,' which, when lit, can temporarily bewitch the water demon. Remember, once you enter the water, no matter what sound you hear, do not turn around!"

Following the old man's instructions, Fu Changsheng quietly sneaked into an abandoned cave entrance in Wuzhi Mountain in the dead of night. The well walls were covered with slippery moss, and the faint sound of water could be heard from below. He touched the dagger at his waist—in this lawless land, the magic power he once relied on for survival had vanished, and now he could only rely on the most primitive weapons and his own willpower.

"I'll go down first." Fu Changsheng tied the rope to the edge of the well and climbed down first. Wu Ling'er followed closely behind, carrying the unconscious Fu Yongxuan on her back. The girl's slender arms trembled slightly from the effort.

At the bottom of the well was a dark underground river, its water as black as ink and radiating a bone-chilling cold. Fu Changsheng lit the soul-guiding incense given to him by the old man, and a strange, cloyingly sweet scent filled the narrow passage. Without any magical protection, he could only rely on his willpower to resist the dizziness that surged straight to his head.

"Stay close to me, don't get separated," Fu Changsheng whispered, strapping Fu Yongxuan to his back and stepping into the icy river with a torch in hand. Wu Ling'er followed behind, gripping a poisoned dagger.

When the river water reached above his thighs, Fu Changsheng felt a piercing pain—this was not ordinary cold, but a corrosive, chilling cold. His muscles began to stiffen, and breathing became difficult.

"Senior Fu," Wu Ling'er's voice trembled.

"Hang in there!"

Fu Changsheng gritted his teeth and continued forward. Suddenly, the torchlight illuminated the water ahead, causing strange ripples. A blurry white figure slowly rose from the water—it was a creature resembling a woman, with long hair flowing like seaweed, and no facial features, only a huge mouth filled with sharp teeth.

“Water demon!” Wu Ling’er exclaimed.

The monster let out a piercing shriek, the sound so loud it made their eardrums ache. Fu Changsheng swiftly pulled a handful of cinnabar from his leather pouch at his waist—this was specially prepared by the old man, effective against evil spirits. He fiercely threw the cinnabar at the water demon, the red powder forming a red mist in the air.

The water demon let out a painful hiss and retreated temporarily. But more white shadows surged in from all directions, the river water churned violently, and countless pale arms reached out from underwater!

"Run!" Fu Changsheng grabbed Wu Ling'er and rushed forward. The smoke from the Soul-Guiding Incense was disturbed, and the sweet smell was mixed with the stench of decay. A cold hand grabbed Fu Changsheng's ankle. He swung his dagger back, and the ghostly hand turned into black smoke and disappeared where the dagger passed.

Suddenly, Wu Ling'er pulled a medicine packet from her bosom, tore it open, and sprinkled yellow powder into the water. "Hold your breath!" she shouted. The powder ignited upon contact with water, bursting into sparks on the surface and temporarily blocking the pursuers.

(End of this chapter)