Family Rise: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 536 Fiefdom Construction, Slaying a Nascent Soul, Taking Stock of the Gains

Yulin Prefecture, Beilin County.

Inside the majestic council hall, the air was thick with the scent of sandalwood. Dozens of array masters, craftsmen, and officials from the prefectural government lined both sides, conversing in hushed tones. In the center of the hall, light and shadow danced on a massive sand table, displaying a miniature landscape of the vast territory of Beilin Prefecture, with mountains, rivers, and spiritual veins clearly visible.

The Celestial Maiden, dressed in a simple white gown with her hair styled in a high bun, lightly touched the edge of the sand table with her fingertips. Spiritual patterns lit up, outlining the initial form of a defensive array. Her brows furrowed slightly, as if deep in thought, when suddenly she heard a guard outside the hall loudly announce—

"Wu Ling'er, here!"

His fingertips trembled, and the spiritual patterns twisted slightly.

The Heavenly Sound Fairy looked up and saw a slender figure stepping into the palace.

Today, Wu Ling'er did not wear her usual black witch's attire. Instead, she wore a dark blue robe belonging to a guest of the Fu family, with silver thread patterns embroidered on the hem, which made her skin appear as white as snow. Her once dim eyes were now as bright as stars. As she walked, a string of bone bells at her waist jingled softly, clear but not eerie, instead exuding a calm confidence.

"Wu Ling'er, a fourth-tier array master, was ordered by the Fu family head to participate in the design of the defenses of Beilin County." Her voice was cold, yet every word was clear.

A slight silence fell over the hall.

Fairy Tianyin pursed her lips, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the Eastern Wilderness tribe pattern embroidered on her cuff, and whispered, "An outsider who has only recently joined the Fu family is involved in such important matters..."

Though his voice was soft, it was enough for the array masters beside him to hear. Some showed their agreement, while others frowned and remained silent.

"Let her in."

Seated at the head of the table, Fu Yongyao, dressed in a crimson robe with a gleaming gold hairpin in his hair, spoke calmly, "Wu Ling'er was personally brought back by Father. He said she should be treated like family."

As soon as this statement came out, everyone in the audience was shocked!

"Like family"—these five words carry immense weight in the Fu family. Fu Changsheng is known for his aloof and cold personality; aside from Liu Meizhen and her daughter Fu Yongyao, very few people are truly considered "family" by him. Why would he now value a woman from another ethnic group so highly?
The Heavenly Sound Fairy's pupils contracted slightly, as if she had been struck hard in the chest. She instinctively gripped the jade slip in her sleeve, which contained the "Nine-Tone Demon-Suppressing Array," a system she had spent decades developing, hoping to unleash its full potential today…

But at this moment, her mind was in complete turmoil.

"Could it be... that the patriarch intends to take her as his third wife?" This thought slithered into her mind like a venomous snake, and Fairy Tianyin's breathing became slightly sluggish.

She couldn't help but look at Wu Ling'er—a young, clean, untainted alien girl, and her talent for witch arrays that even Fu Changsheng praised…

And what about yourself?

He had been imprisoned by the chieftain of the Sirius for over ten years, and although he was rescued by Fu Changsheng, he was already...

Her nails dug deep into her palms, but she felt no pain.

"Senior Sister Tianyin?" a formation master beside her whispered, "It's your turn to explain the layout of the Nine Sounds Formation."

The Heavenly Sound Fairy suddenly snapped back to her senses, forcefully suppressing the turmoil in her heart, and slowly walked towards the sand table.

"Beilin County borders the 'Ten Thousand Miasma Swamp,' teeming with poisonous insects and witchcraft, making ordinary defensive formations ineffective." The Heavenly Sound Fairy lightly traced a line with her fingertip, and nine golden, sonic wave-like patterns appeared on the sand table. "The 'Nine Sounds Demon-Suppressing Formation' can use the spiritual sounds of heaven and earth to cleanse evil spirits, especially effective against insects and witchcraft..."

She explained things in detail, but she always felt a gaze on her back—it was Wu Ling'er.

Sure enough, as soon as she finished speaking, Wu Ling'er stepped forward: "This formation is exquisite, but there is a hidden danger."

With a flick of her wrist, a bone bell landed on a spot on the sand table, and the golden sound patterns immediately twisted and dissipated as if they had encountered a natural enemy!
"The 'Spirit-Devouring Gu' in the Myriad Miasma Swamp can devour sound waves. If a Gu tide occurs, this formation will instead become their nourishment." Wu Ling'er's voice was calm, yet every word was like a knife.

An uproar erupted inside the hall!

Fairy Tianyin's face paled; she hadn't considered that. Although the Eastern Wilderness tribes also possessed Gu techniques, they were far less treacherous than those of the Northern Frontier.

"Then what is your opinion, Fellow Daoist Wu?" the prefect asked in a deep voice.

Wu Ling'er remained calm and took out a scroll of animal hide from her bosom and unfolded it—it was a complex array that incorporated the totem of the Wu Village!
"The Black Witch Village's 'Ten Thousand Poisons Repelling Array' can isolate poisonous insects. If it can be nested with my improved 'Four Symbols Suppressing Mountains Array'..." She lightly tapped her fingertip, and the array patterns on the animal skin map began to flow as if they were alive, eventually transforming into a light screen interwoven with cyan and black, enveloping the entire model of Beilin County!
"What a brilliant formation within a formation!" Fu Yongyao's eyes lit up. "Father was right about you."

These words were like a thorn, piercing deeply into the heart of the Heavenly Sound Fairy.

She suddenly spoke up: "The spirit stones consumed by nested formations are three times that of single formations, which Beilin County probably cannot afford."

“Use this.” Wu Ling’er took out a ceramic jar from her waist. Opening it, she found dozens of crystal-clear jade silkworms inside. “The silk spun by the ‘Spirit Jade Silkworms’ of the Northern Frontier can replace 30% of spirit stones, and since they feed on miasma, placing them at the array’s core can actually purify the environment.”

Lore!

Fairy Tianyin was speechless. She stared blankly at the eloquent girl, suddenly feeling utterly unfamiliar—was this still the same witch who had cowered behind Fu Changsheng, never daring to lift her head?
……

After the meeting ended, dusk had fallen.

Fairy Tianyin stood alone under the corridor, gazing at Wu Ling'er's back as she was surrounded by a crowd of admirers in the distance. With a "crack," a thin crack appeared on the jade slip in her hand.

"Fellow Daoist Tianyin," a gentle female voice came from behind.

Fu Yongyao approached her unnoticed and handed her a cup of calming tea: "Thank you for your hard work today."

"Young Master, you flatter me." Fairy Tianyin forced a smile. "It's my skill that's lacking..."

“No, it’s because Wu Ling’er knows the Northern Frontier too well.” Fu Yongyao looked into the distance. “Father said that professional matters should be left to professionals.”

Professionals...

Tianyin Fairy suddenly looked up: "Young Master, will Wu Ling'er... really become the third mistress?"

She regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth.

Fu Yongyao gave her a half-smile: "You care a lot?"

"I……"

"Fellow Daoist Tianyin," Fu Yongyao sighed softly, "how has your father treated you?"

"The patriarch saved my life and bestowed upon me martial arts techniques; his kindness is akin to giving me a second life."

"How does he compare to the other people he saved?"

The Heavenly Sound Fairy was taken aback.

Yes, Fu Changsheng has saved countless people, but apart from a handful, who has truly entered that person's heart?
"Just do your job." Fu Yongyao turned and left. "What Father hates most is unrealistic ambitions."

A night breeze swept by, and the Fairy of Heavenly Sound stood there, suddenly feeling a chill run through her body.

At the same time, Wu Ling'er seemed to sense something and looked back.

……

Beilin County, on the edge of the Wanzhangze.

Thousands of craftsmen, array masters, talisman masters, and talisman array masters were busy on the vast wilderness. Huge bluestones were carved into array bases with talisman carving knives, and watchtowers built of spirit wood were taking shape. Array flags were planted in their designated positions, fluttering in the wind.

Wu Ling'er stood on the makeshift platform, holding a beast-hide array diagram, her gaze calm. Behind her stood more than ten Fu family array masters, all holding their breath and awaiting instructions.

"Initiate the battle."

With a flick of her finger, a bone bell flew into the air, its clear sound echoing outwards, and the array base on the ground lit up with a ghostly blue light.

"Buzz——"

The earth trembled slightly, and an invisible barrier rose from the earth's veins, spreading outwards like flowing water, eventually forming an arc-shaped light curtain a hundred miles away, isolating the poisonous miasma of the Myriad Miasmas from the outside.

"The Myriad Poisons Repelling Formation is complete!" a formation master shouted excitedly.

Wu Ling'er, however, did not relax. She turned to the other side, raised her hand, and waved: "Miniature the Four Symbols Mountain-Suppressing Formation, using the Spirit Jade Silkworm as a guide to connect the earth's veins!"

The craftsmen, who were already prepared, acted swiftly, burying the array tablets carved with the four divine beasts into the designated locations. Wu Ling'er personally placed the spirit jade silkworms at the central array eye. As soon as those crystal-clear little insects landed, they spit out spirit threads as fine as hair, which traveled along the array patterns, perfectly connecting the two great arrays.

"boom!"

The spiritual energy of heaven and earth suddenly converged, and the phantoms of the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise appeared on the light screen interwoven with cyan and black. The four symbols guarded the area, and all evil could not invade!

Fu Yongyao nodded slightly, a hint of appreciation flashing in his eyes.
-
Fairy Tianyin stood on the city wall, watching Wu Ling'er directing the formation of the crowd from afar, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the jade flute at her waist.

"Senior Sister, although your Nine Sound Array has not been used for the main city's defense, the young master said that it can be set up in the inner city for early warning and communication," a formation master said respectfully.

The Heavenly Sound Fairy gave a faint "hmm," but her gaze remained fixed on the sound.

She had to admit that Wu Ling'er's formation was indeed more suitable for Beilin County. But the more she realized this, the heavier the resentment in her heart became.

"I've heard that Miss Wu is currently developing a new type of array plate that can combine spirit jade silkworm silk with runes, significantly reducing the energy consumption of the array," the array master continued. "If successful, it might be able to be rolled out to other prefectures..."

"Enough," Fairy Tianyin interrupted coldly. "Just mind your own business."

The formation master fell silent, trembling with fear, and quickly retreated.

A cool night breeze blew as Fairy Tianyin stood alone on the city wall. Suddenly, she took out a blood-red jade slip from her bosom. She had obtained it from a mysterious cultivator the day before; it contained a forbidden sound technique.

“Since the orthodox path can't compete…” she tightened her grip, making the jade slip slightly warm, “then let’s find another way.”

...

...

Huizhou Prefecture, the residence of the head of the household.

As dusk settled, the copper bells on the eaves jingled softly in the evening breeze, and the flickering candlelight cast the words on the report on the desk into a dim and illuminating light. Fu Changsheng sat quietly by the window, his fingertips tracing the jade slip sent from Beilin County, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Ling'er's progress is going more smoothly than expected."

A gentle voice came from behind the screen. Yu Qingru, holding a celadon teacup, approached with light steps, her white robes brushing the ground, untouched by dust. She gently placed the teacup on the table; the tea was clear and green, with a single tea leaf floating in the rising steam, slowly unfurling.

Fu Changsheng looked up, took the teacup, and their fingertips briefly touched before parting. "The defenses of Beilin County are complete, the miasma has dissipated, and the spirit fields are beginning to be cultivated; the progress has indeed exceeded expectations."

Yu Qingru sat down opposite him, her gaze fixed on the jade slip, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Miss Wu's talent in array formations is truly rare. In just a few months, she has managed to integrate black magic secrets with orthodox array techniques; the array masters of her clan hold her in extremely high regard."

Fu Changsheng took a sip of tea; its aroma was refreshing and carried a subtle calming effect. He glanced at her and said calmly, "You seem to admire her quite a bit."

“Talented people are rare, especially…” Yu Qingru paused, her smile deepening, “…and this person was personally brought back by my husband.”

Fu Changsheng's expression remained unchanged; he merely tapped his fingertips lightly on the rim of his teacup. "The Fu family needs capable people."

"Just someone who gets things done?" Yu Qingru's eyes sparkled, her tone gentle, yet carrying a hint of probing.

The candlelight flickered suddenly, and Fu Changsheng's gaze sharpened abruptly, like the moon reflected in a cold pool, clear and unfathomable. Yu Qingru, however, neither avoided him nor yielded, still smiling as she looked at him, as if they were merely having a casual chat.

After a long pause, Fu Changsheng suddenly chuckled softly, "Qingru, how do you want me to answer?"

Yu Qingru's gaze shifted slightly, and she said softly, "Wu Ling'er is, after all, from the Black Witch Village of the Northern Frontier. Now that she's so highly regarded in the Fu family, I'm worried..."

"What are you worried about?" Fu Changsheng put down his teacup, his gaze sharp.

“The Lei family has never been on good terms with us,” Yu Qingru said, her voice even softer. “If they use this as an excuse to accuse our Fu family of colluding with the Northern Frontier Witch Clan…”

Fu Changsheng's expression hardened, and he tapped his fingers lightly on the table. In the candlelight, his profile appeared particularly cold and hard.

"In your opinion?"

Yu Qingru took a deep breath: "Why don't we just welcome Miss Ling'er into the family? Once she's a member of the Fu family, no one will have anything to say."

A moment of silence fell over the room. The low chirping of insects outside the window made the silence seem even more profound.

Fu Changsheng slowly rose, his hands behind his back, gazing at the night outside the window: "This matter is not urgent."

"My husband."

“Mei Zhen is still in seclusion,” Fu Changsheng interrupted her, his voice soft but firm. “These family matters must be discussed when she emerges from seclusion.”

Yu Qingru pursed her lips, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. She rose and walked to Fu Changsheng's side, saying softly, "I understand. I'm just worried that things might change if I wait too long."

Fu Changsheng turned to look at her, his gaze softening slightly. "I know you're thinking of the Fu family." He gently stroked Yu Qingru's hair. "But this matter concerns Ling'er's entire life, and we must also ask for her own opinion."

Yu Qingru lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a shadow on her face: "My husband has considered everything thoroughly."

At this point, Fu Changsheng had no intention of getting married.

His net had been cast; now he was just waiting for Master Tianyang to take the bait. Once Qingru left, Fu Changsheng sent a message talisman to Fu Yongxing, who had just emerged from seclusion.

……

After half a cup of tea.

"Father."

A clear voice came from outside the door. Fu Changsheng turned around and saw Fu Yongxing standing on the threshold, his tall figure accentuated by a moon-white long robe. The child's features resembled his mother's, except for his bright eyes, which were his own.

"Come in," Fu Changsheng said, gesturing to the cushion opposite the table. "Sit."

Fu Yongxing knelt down somewhat awkwardly. Since he came of age, his father had rarely summoned him alone. A set of celadon teaware was placed on the table, the tea still warm, indicating that his father had prepared in advance.

"Has your Purple Mansion Realm stabilized?" Fu Changsheng poured a cup of spiritual tea and pushed it towards him.

“Thanks to the ‘Purple Heart Pill’ bestowed by my father, it has stabilized.” Fu Yongxing took the teacup with both hands, his fingertips gently tracing the rim. “However…”

"Just what?"

“The flow of spiritual energy is always somewhat sluggish when refining weapons,” Fu Yongxing hesitated, “especially when inscribing dragon patterns.”

Fu Changsheng's eyes flickered slightly. Dragon pattern. This was indeed a good opportunity to start a conversation.

"The dragon is a creature of heaven and earth, and to depict its essence, one must grasp its spirit." Fu Changsheng traced a line in the air with his fingertips, and a blue dragon shadow appeared out of thin air, its scales and claws flying. "Look, this stroke must be like a dragon emerging from the sea, its momentum unbroken."

Fu Yongxing watched intently, unconsciously mimicking the gestures. The father and son, one teaching and the other learning, gradually created a harmonious atmosphere in the study.

"Speaking of which," Fu Changsheng casually mentioned, "wasn't your senior Ye an expert in dragon-patterned artifacts? Didn't he give you any guidance?"

Mentioning "Senior Ye," Fu Yongxing's eyes lit up immediately: "Senior Ye taught me a 'Dragon-Swallowing Brush Technique,' said to be a secret tradition of the Southern Ridge." He suddenly realized his slip and quickly composed himself, "However, it naturally can't compare to my father's orthodox dragon style."

Fu Changsheng picked up his teacup to hide the cold smile on his lips. A secret of the Southern Ridge? More like a trick of the Tianyin Tribe.

"Master Ye," Fu Changsheng slowly sipped his spiritual tea, "how long have we known each other?"

"Twelve years," Fu Yongxing answered without hesitation, a look of nostalgia in his eyes. "That year I encountered danger at Luofeng Slope, and if it weren't for Senior Ye's rescue..."

How does he treat you?

"He was both a teacher and a friend," Fu Yongxing said sincerely. "When I encountered bottlenecks in weapon crafting, he always patiently guided me; when my cultivation stagnated, he also patiently answered my questions."

Fu Changsheng's grip on the cup tightened slightly. What a fine Master Tianyang! He certainly knows how to win hearts and minds.

"Did he ever ask you for anything?"

Fu Yongxing shook his head: "Never. I did try to give him gifts to express my gratitude several times, but he always politely declined. He only accepted a refining furnace once, and that was because I said I had made it myself."

Fu Changsheng put down his teacup, the porcelain hitting the wooden table with a soft "tap." Twelve years without expecting anything in return—either it's genuine kindness, or something far more ambitious is at play.

"Why did Father suddenly ask about Senior Ye?" Fu Yongxing asked, puzzled.

Fu Changsheng sighed softly, and his left sleeve moved without any wind—that was because the Azure Dragon sensed his restless emotions.

"My Azure Dragon has recently contracted a strange illness; its scales are falling off, and it's become listless. I'm looking for someone skilled in animal husbandry to take a look."

"Senior Ye is an expert in this field!" Fu Yongxing straightened up excitedly. "He once tamed a dragon in the Southern Mountains! I'll go and invite him right away!"

Watching his son's hurried departure, Fu Changsheng's eyes flashed with a cold light. The bait had been cast; all that was left was to wait for the fish to take the bait.

……

The Fu family's wanted posters had been posted in major markets and wards of Huizhou Prefecture several months ago.

"The patriarch's natal spirit beast, the Azure Dragon, has fallen ill. We seek a skilled healer. If effective, we will reward him with ten thousand spirit stones and three thousand-year-old medicinal herbs." The news spread like wildfire. In teahouses and taverns, cultivators discussed it animatedly.

"I heard that the azure dragon is on the verge of death."

"My cousin works for the Fu family, and he said he noticed the scales have all turned black."

"Could it be that he/she has been poisoned by some kind of rare toxin?"

In a secluded courtyard in the south of the city, Tianyang Zhenren, using the alias Ye Qingyang, crushed a teacup in his hand. The scalding tea splashed onto his hand, but he was completely unaware.

"Signs of the awakening of the true dragon bloodline," he muttered to himself, a greedy glint in his eyes, which he forcibly suppressed. It was too coincidental, so coincidental that it aroused his suspicion.

A dragon-shaped jade talisman in his sleeve was slightly warm—this was a sensing talisman bestowed by Wanlongyuan, which would only react when it came into contact with the bloodline of a true dragon.

"Fu Changsheng, what tricks are you playing?"

In the days that followed, Master Tianyang acted with unusual caution. He first secretly bribed several of the Fu family's servants who were responsible for taking care of the spirit beasts, and inquired in detail about the Azure Dragon's symptoms.

"The scales are turning black?"

"Yes, they're falling piece by piece."

"Is there any unusual behavior?"

"I'm always restless and I can hear low growls coming from my ears at night."

Every detail secretly pleased Master Tianyang. These symptoms were remarkably similar to the omens described in ancient texts of a "dragon transforming into a true dragon"!

To be absolutely sure, he risked using his divine sense to probe the Fu family's backyard. Although most of it was blocked by the formation, he could still sense a weak but pure dragon aura.

What convinced him most was that the reaction from the sensing jade talisman in his pocket was growing stronger and stronger, even burning his chest with pain. This kind of reaction could only be triggered by someone with true dragon blood.

It seems this wasn't a trick played by Fu Changsheng.

Tianyang Zhenren finally made up his mind, a ruthless glint in his eyes, "Fu Changsheng, I'm taking your Azure Dragon!"
-
"Senior Ye, this way please!"

Fu Yongxing led Master Tianyang through the many courtyards of the Fu family estate with great enthusiasm. It was early summer, and the spiritual flowers in the courtyard were in full bloom, filling the air with fragrance, but he had no heart to appreciate them.

“It’s rare for Father to have someone treat the Azure Dragon; he must be quite ill,” Fu Yongxing explained as they walked. “Your beast-breeding skills are second to none in Huizhou Prefecture; you’ll surely cure it instantly.”

Master Tianyang wore a smile, but in reality, he was observing his surroundings with every step. The Fu family truly lived up to its reputation as a family of a hundred generations; their pavilions and towers concealed hidden secrets, and every blade of grass and tree might contain a hidden formation.

“Yongxing,” he asked, feigning concern, “what are the symptoms of your father’s Azure Dragon?”

"I heard it's because her scales are falling off and she's listless." Fu Yongxing didn't suspect anything. "Father usually dotes on Qing'er the most, and he's been looking worried lately."

Master Tianyang was secretly delighted, but his face showed a solemn expression: "It sounds like 'molting syndrome,' it needs to be treated as soon as possible."

Turning a corner through a corridor, the main courtyard of the family came into view. Master Tianyang suddenly paused—it was too quiet, not even the chirping of insects or birds; the silence was eerily profound.

"Senior?" Fu Yongxing turned around and asked in confusion.

"It's nothing." Master Tianyang forced himself to remain calm. He sensed that the jade talisman in his arms was incredibly hot. The true dragon bloodline was right before his eyes, and he couldn't afford to fail at the last moment.

The moment the two stepped into the backyard, they suddenly heard a cold shout:
"Formation!"

Seventy-two golden rays shot into the sky, weaving into a giant net that enveloped the entire backyard. Tianyang Zhenren's pupils shrank sharply as he saw Fu Changsheng standing with his hands behind his back on the artificial hill, showing no trace of worry.
“Father? This is…” Fu Yongxing looked around blankly.

"Xing'er, look at the true face of your 'confidante'." Fu Changsheng sneered.

Master Tianyang knew he had fallen into a trap, but still made a last-ditch effort: "What does Patriarch Fu mean by this? I, Ye, merely..."

"Master Tianyang!" Fu Changsheng shouted, his voice booming like thunder, "Twelve years have passed; it's time for your charade to end!"

Fu Yongxing was struck dumb, looking at "Senior Ye" in disbelief. But the other man's face was contorted, his body swelled up, and in the blink of an eye, he transformed into a red-robed Taoist, exuding a terrifying aura of a fake infant.

"No, no way." Fu Yongxing staggered back, memories of twelve years of living together surging in his mind—his patience when teaching him weapon crafting, his gentleness when guiding him, his protection when accompanying him through secret realms—was it all a lie?
"Hand over the Azure Dragon, and I'll spare your life!" Master Tianyang grinned maliciously, striking Fu Changsheng with a palm. Wherever the palm wind passed, grass and trees were broken, and artificial mountains crumbled.

"Xing'er, step back!"

Fu Changsheng unleashed a Lotus Lantern from his sleeve, its myriad rays forming a barrier to block the attack. Simultaneously, his right hand made a grasping motion, and a spear crackling with lightning appeared out of thin air—the Heavenly Punishment Thunder Spear!
"boom!"

The Heavenly Punishment Thunder Spear, carrying immense thunderbolts, struck down, its blinding light illuminating the entire Fu family's backyard as if it were daytime. The ground cracked inch by inch under the thunder's might, and fragments of stone flew like rain.

Amidst the smoke and dust, Master Tianyang merely dusted off his sleeves. A layer of blood-red light enveloped him, and the lightning spear couldn't even leave a trace.

"Is this all the Fu family head is capable of?" Master Tianyang chuckled, slowly raising his right hand. "Then let's see the true power of a spiritual treasure!"

A small, blood-red seal flew from his sleeve, growing rapidly in the wind until it was the size of a house. The two ancient seal characters "镇山" (Suppressing the Mountain) on the bottom of the seal glowed with an eerie, blood-red light, pressing down on Fu Changsheng.

"Azure Lotus Protection!"

Fu Changsheng shouted sharply, and the Lotus Lantern at his waist suddenly bloomed, transforming into a huge azure lotus platform that lifted him up. The lotus petals were layered upon layered, each one flowing with mysterious runes and emitting a faint fragrance.

"boom--!"

With a deafening explosion, the bloodstain and the azure lotus collided violently. The shockwave swept through, causing all the artificial hills and pavilions within a hundred-foot radius to collapse. The azure lotus petals shattered into pieces, and Fu Changsheng groaned, a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

"Father!" Fu Yongxing tried to step forward, but was thrown several feet away by the shockwave and crashed heavily to the ground.

Fu Changsheng wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes flashing with a sharp light: "Qingfeng has appeared!"

The Lotus Lantern suddenly elongated and deformed, transforming into a three-foot-long green sword. The space at the sword's edge slightly distorted, as if it couldn't withstand its unparalleled sharpness. Fu Changsheng swung the sword, and a green sword aura tore through the sky, emitting a sword cry like a dragon's roar.

Master Tianyang's expression changed slightly, and he opened his mouth to spew out a stream of black mist. Within that black mist, one could vaguely hear the wailing of countless wronged souls, which clashed with the sword energy, producing a metallic clang. The sword energy was completely corroded, and the black mist dissipated by more than half.

"Clear light heals wounds!"

Fu Changsheng shifted his sword stance, and the Lotus Lantern emitted a soft, clear light that enveloped his entire body. His injuries healed at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"Star Imprisonment!"

With his final transformation, the Lotus Lantern sprang into countless starlight beams, each one as heavy as a thousand pounds, locking down the space around Master Tianyang and even freezing the air itself.

"Interesting," Master Tianyang sneered, "but still not enough!"

He made a hand seal and chanted an incantation, and the blood-red seal was summoned again, colliding violently with the starlight in the sky.

“Crack—”

A sickening sound rang out, and the Starry Sky Imprisonment shattered. Fu Changsheng staggered backward, and the Lotus Lantern, its light dimming, flew back into his hand.
-
Just then, a dark figure suddenly attacked from the side!

"You old fool, take this!"

Ouyang Fei thrust out both palms, his newly formed golden core operating at full power, spiritual energy cascading forth like a mighty river. Behind him, a phantom of a golden-armored divine general appeared, exuding astonishing power.

Without turning his head, Master Tianyang waved his hand and said, "Get lost!"

A flash of blood-red light streaked across the sky, and Ouyang Fei's golden armor phantom shattered instantly. He was sent flying backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing through three courtyard walls before finally coming to a stop, coughing up blood.

"Uncle Ouyang!" Fu Yongyao exclaimed, flipping her jade hand to produce a round jade disc. The nine-tailed fox pattern on the disc was lifelike; it was a replica of the acquired spiritual treasure—the Qingqiu Yitian Disc!

"Nine-Tailed Immortal Trapping!"

The disc spun, and nine fox shadows shot out, each carrying a captivating and alluring power. Master Tianyang finally showed a hint of seriousness, and with a hand seal, summoned a white bone shield.

"Boom!"

The fox shadow collided with the bone shield, unleashing a deafening roar. The shockwave leveled all the buildings within a hundred feet radius, and even scraped three feet off the ground.

When the smoke and dust cleared, the bone shield was covered with spiderweb-like cracks, but Master Tianyang was still unharmed.

"A decent imitation," Master Tianyang sneered. "Too bad your cultivation is too shallow!"

A small, jet-black sword flew from his sleeve, its blade covered in strange runes. The sword vanished in a flash, reappearing piercing the Qingqiu Yitian Disc. Fu Yongyao groaned, the jade disc slipping from his grasp, and he staggered backward, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

"Click—click—"

With a series of cracking sounds, the seventy-two formations meticulously set up by the Fu family shattered simultaneously. Master Tianyang laughed wildly as he soared into the sky, and the blood-red seal expanded once more, instantly blotting out the sky and threatening to raze the entire Fu family to the ground.

"Let's go!" Ouyang Fei struggled to his feet and grabbed Fu Changsheng. "I'll lead you out through the secret passage!"

Fu Changsheng remained motionless, his gaze fixed on Tianyang Zhenren in mid-air. Behind him, the Fu family members were ashen-faced, and some of the younger members were already sobbing softly.
-
"It's not all my fault!" Fu Yongxing suddenly rushed out and knelt on the ground. "Senior Tianyang! Please spare my family! I'm willing to go with you, to be your slave."

Upon hearing this, Master Tianyang actually withdrew the blood seal and slowly landed. He looked at Fu Yongxing with amusement, then glanced at Fu Changsheng.

"I can spare your lives," he said slowly, his voice like a viper's hiss. "Three conditions: First, break the Azure Dragon contract; second, Fu Changsheng must acknowledge me as his master, and from now on, the entire Fu family will obey my every command; third—" He reached out and lifted Fu Yongxing's chin, "This brat will come back to the Tianyin Tribe with me."

The Fu family was in an uproar. This condition was even more humiliating than annihilation!
Fu Changsheng's fists clenched so tightly they cracked, his nails digging deep into his palms, blood dripping from between his fingers. He took a deep breath and slowly knelt on one knee:
"I promise you."

“Father!” Fu Yongxing turned his head in disbelief, tears streaming down his face.

Master Tianyang laughed heartily, "Those who understand the times are heroes! Patriarch Fu is indeed as adept as ever!"

Before he finished speaking, a golden light shot out from Fu Changsheng's arms! It was a talisman exuding terrifying pressure. As soon as it appeared, it caused a surge of spiritual energy in the world. It was a talisman treasure refined by a Nascent Soul cultivator!

"A Nascent Soul Talisman?!" True Person Tianyang's expression changed drastically. In his haste, he crushed the jade pendant on his chest. "Life-Swapping Reincarnation!"

"Pfft!"

The golden sword pierced through Tianyang Zhenren's chest, but his body suddenly transformed into a wooden puppet, his true form already ten zhang away. Although he escaped death, his face was ashen, and his clothes were soaked with blood, clearly indicating that he had suffered great damage.

"Fine! Very well!" Master Tianyang laughed in fury, his voice like that of a demon from the deepest hell. "Today, I will slaughter the Fu family, leaving not a single one alive!"

The crimson seal was unleashed once more, this time swelling to an immense size that blotted out the sky, its crimson light enveloping the entire Fu family compound. The Fu family members closed their eyes in despair, awaiting their inevitable demise.
-
At this moment——

"Buzz!"

A seven-colored radiance burst forth from Fu Changsheng's body! His spiritual energy surged wildly, and his aura soared. The bottleneck that had plagued him for years shattered at this critical moment!

The middle stage of golden elixir!

Even more astonishingly, a sword shadow suddenly flew out from between his brows, the very one he had obtained from using the "Time Origin Spirit Pot" to cultivate the Nine-Leaf Sword Mushroom. As soon as the sword shadow appeared, the world changed color, the wind and clouds gathered, and even the blood seal that blotted out the sky paused for a moment.

"Nine-Leaf Sword Soul, appear!"

With a clear shout from Fu Changsheng, the sword shadow suddenly solidified. An ancient sword, entirely crimson and entwined with the phantom of a fire dragon, appeared out of thin air. The two characters "Fenji" on the sword were stained with blood, exuding a fierce aura that made heaven and earth tremble.

The ancient, malevolent sword, the projection of the Burning Sword!
Master Tianyang finally revealed a look of horror: "This is impossible! How could you summon it?"

Before the words were even finished, the Burning Sword had already transformed into a crimson streak across the sky. The brilliance of that sword strike seemed to freeze time itself. Everyone witnessed an absolutely stunning sword light, breathtakingly beautiful yet terrifyingly suffocating.

Master Tianyang finally changed color.

He frantically activated the three treasures to protect their master.

Fu Changsheng raised his sword to the sky. The fire dragon on the Burning Sword detached from the blade and spiraled upwards around him. With each rotation, the fire dragon grew larger, and in the blink of an eye, it had become a hundred-zhang-long (approximately 33 meters) giant dragon!
"cut!"

A single, simple word, yet it seemed to contain the ultimate truth of the universe. The fire dragon roared, carrying the Burning Sword as it slashed down.

The brilliance of that sword strike seemed to freeze time itself.

Where the sword light passed, the blood-red vortex split in two; the ancient bronze mirror shattered with a "crack"; the small blood-red seal groaned and shrank back to its original form; even the golden core of True Person Tianyang developed a crack!
"No—!" Tianyang Zhenren roared in unwilling anger, "I am a fake Nascent Soul cultivator, how could I..."

Before he could finish speaking, the Burning Sword had already pierced his chest. Terrifying malevolent energy instantly corroded his entire body, and his body withered and shriveled at a visible speed, eventually turning into a desiccated corpse.

A cracked golden pill fell to the ground and was caught by Fu Changsheng.
-
Dead silence.

The entire backyard of the Fu family was deathly silent, with only the occasional crackling sound of flames.

Ouyang Fei's mouth dropped open, forgetting even his injuries: "One...one sword strike to kill the fake infant?"

The Qingqiu Yitian Disc clattered to the ground in Fu Yongyao's hand. The usually composed eldest daughter of the Fu family was now filled with disbelief: "An ancient, malevolent sword... Father, when did you..."

at the same time.

The Fu family members, who originally thought they were doomed, realized what was happening.

"Long live the patriarch!"

"We won!"

"The Fu family is saved!"

Cheers resounded through the sky. The Fu family went from despair to ecstasy, many embracing and weeping. Fu Yongxing knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face, a mixture of joy at surviving a disaster and deep self-reproach.

Fu Changsheng retracted the projection of the Burning Sword, his face as pale as paper—this sword strike had cost him ten years of his lifespan. But his back remained straight, like an unyielding mountain.

As the cheers subsided, Fu Changsheng suddenly frowned. He keenly sensed a chilling aura emanating from the mummified corpse, attempting to disappear underground.

"Trying to escape?" Fu Changsheng sneered, his right hand forming a hand seal, and a golden dragon pattern suddenly appeared between his brows. The dragon pattern was so lifelike that it seemed to move as if it were alive.

"Heavenly Dragon of the Underworld, Suppress Souls and Seal Spirits!"

With a low shout, a dazzling golden light suddenly burst forth from Fu Changsheng's body. Within the golden light, the faint silhouette of an ancient temple could be seen, with two majestic golden dragons coiled on either side of the temple gate. The golden light seemed to have a tangible form, instantly enveloping the divine soul of Tianyang Zhenren, who was attempting to escape.

"This is... the Heavenly Dragon Temple?!" Tianyang Zhenren's soul screamed in agony, "No! Fu Changsheng, you can't—"

Golden light surged back like a tide, carrying the soul of True Man Tianyang into Fu Changsheng's body. In the Netherworld Heavenly Dragon Temple, unseen by others, that soul was forcibly driven into the stone wall, transforming into the ninth painfully twisted humanoid relief.

On the stone wall, the souls of seven Golden Core cultivators, each with a different form, have already been sealed. Now, a Pseudo-Nascent Soul expert has been added. Their faces twist and writhe on the stone wall, wailing silently, yet they can never escape.

Fu Changsheng ignored it and returned his consciousness to his body. He bent down to pick up the storage bag left behind by Tianyang Zhenren. As soon as his fingers touched the dark red bag, he felt a cold, repelling force.

"Dead but not stiff." Fu Changsheng snorted coldly, a blue light emanating from his palm as he forcibly erased the divine sense imprint on the storage bag.

The courtyard was a scene of utter chaos; the artificial hills and pavilions had all collapsed, and the ground was cracked like a spiderweb. The Fu family members began treating the wounded and cleaning up the battlefield. Fu Yongxing, however, remained kneeling on the spot, his face ashen.

"Father!" Seeing Fu Changsheng approach, Fu Yongxing kowtowed heavily. "I misjudged people and almost caused a disaster. Please punish me, Father!"

His forehead pressed against the cold ground, his voice choked with emotion. The memories of twelve years of living and working together were like knives cutting into his heart—Senior Ye's patience when teaching him weapon crafting, his protection when accompanying him through secret realms, and his gentleness when resolving his inner conflicts—all of this was a meticulously designed deception.

Fu Changsheng looked at his son's trembling shoulders, his stern expression softening slightly. He reached out and placed his hand on Fu Yongxing's head, channeling a gentle stream of spiritual energy into him: "Lift your head."

Fu Yongxing slowly straightened up, tears streaming down his face: "I was foolish enough to be used by the enemy for twelve years without even realizing it."

"In the cultivation world, the strong prey on the weak, and deceit and treachery are the norm," Fu Changsheng said in a low voice. "Today's lesson is more profound than a thousand admonitions from your father."

He helped his son up and pointed around: "Look at these ruins, look at our wounded people. Remember this pain; it will become the strongest armor in your heart."

Fu Yongxing surveyed his devastated homeland, his fists clenching involuntarily. His uncle, Ouyang Fei, was being supported by his clansmen, his chest stained with blood; his sister, Fu Yongyao, was pale, the Qingqiu Yitian Disc in her hand shattered; and his younger cousins ​​still had fear in their eyes.
"Your son understands." Fu Yongxing's voice was hoarse, but a resolute flame burned in his eyes. "Your son is willing to go to the Cliff of Repentance to reflect on himself."

Fu Changsheng nodded slightly.

Knowing your mistakes can make a lot of improvements.

at the same time.

A familiar mechanical voice echoed in his mind:
"Ding"

"You have killed a Golden Core cultivator from the Eastern Wilderness and gained 10,000 family contribution points."

Seeing that Yao Yao and the others were unharmed, Fu Changsheng re-entered the secret chamber, closed the magic array, and with a thought, entered the small wooden house in the Five Elements Space.

With a flick of his sleeve.

Tianyang Zhenren's storage bag floated in front of him.

(End of this chapter)