Family Rise: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 540 Two Lottery Draws, Another Golden Core, A Qilin Descends from the Sky
The bone flute gradually calmed down, and the crimson runes flowed like light, merging into Wu Ling'er's body. Her aura also rose accordingly, and the spiritual light around her became increasingly solid.

After the ritual was completed, Wu Ling'er opened her eyes, a faint green light flashing within them. She gently raised her hand, and the bone flute fell into her palm, surprisingly connected to her bloodline, functioning as naturally as her own arm.

"Give it a try," Fu Changsheng said with a smile.

Wu Ling'er nodded, brought the bone flute to her lips, and gently played a tune—

"Woo..."

A deep, melodious flute note rippled through the room, and several semi-transparent phantoms appeared out of thin air, resembling both humans and beasts, their auras cold yet devoid of any sense of violence.

"This is... a remnant soul?" Fu Changsheng raised an eyebrow.

Wu Ling'er put down the bone flute and explained softly, "'Soul-Summoning Flute' can summon unclaimed remnant souls within a ten-mile radius. Although they have no intelligence, they can obey orders. When encountering enemies, it can disturb their minds or form an array to trap them."

She paused, then added, "However, this flute is damaged and can only summon remnant souls of Qi Refining stage cultivators for the time being, and the duration is short."

Fu Changsheng nodded in satisfaction: "It's alright. It can be slowly nurtured in the future, and there may be an opportunity to repair it."

Wu Ling'er gently stroked the bone flute, her eyes filled with appreciation: "Thank you for the treasure, Brother Changsheng. Ling'er will make good use of it and will never let you down."

Fu Changsheng laughed heartily and reached out to pull her into his arms: "We're family, no need for thanks. When the child is born, I'll personally name him."

Wu Ling'er leaned on his shoulder, her eyes gentle, her heart filled with peace.

at the same time.

A familiar mechanical voice echoed in Fu Changsheng's mind:
"Ding! You have gifted an ancient witch artifact to your clansman. Your clan contribution points have been increased to 30,000."

after awhile.

Fu Changsheng suddenly remembered something:
"Ling'er, use this treasure to come with me to the mine."

Wu Ling'er was somewhat puzzled, but her eyes quickly lit up, clearly indicating that she had also thought of something: "Brother Changsheng, do you want the remnant soul to guide you to the key to the Blood Fiend Seal?"

"exactly"

……

Night falls and the stars dim.

Fu Changsheng and Wu Ling'er stood on the periphery of the mine, surrounded by silence, with only the occasional chirping of insects in the distance.

“Ling’er, try the Soul-Summoning Flute,” Fu Changsheng whispered, “see if you can find another entrance.”

Wu Ling'er nodded, gently raised her hand, and brought the bone flute close to her lips.

“Woo—”

The flute's melody drifted out softly, like a lament, sounding particularly ethereal in the night.

As the flute music echoed, a chilling wind suddenly rose from all around, and several translucent remnant souls slowly emerged. Their eyes were vacant, yet they instinctively drifted in a certain direction.

"There's a response!" A hint of joy flashed in Wu Ling'er's eyes.

Fu Changsheng's gaze sharpened: "Follow them."

Guided by the remnant soul, the two bypassed the main mine entrance and headed deeper into the canyon. The remnant soul drifted to a steep cliff, suddenly stopped, and then passed directly into the rock wall, disappearing without a trace.

"Illusion array!" A glint flashed in Fu Changsheng's eyes. He raised his hand and pressed it against the mountain wall. Golden light flowed in his palm, but it was like a mud ox entering the sea, with no reaction whatsoever.

Wu Ling'er stepped forward and said softly, "Let me try."

A faint blue light emanated from her fingertips as she gently touched the rock wall, chanting a witch clan incantation to break the formation.

"Dispel illusions and see the truth; open your spiritual eye!"

“Crack—”

The rock face rippled like water, then slowly cracked open, revealing a deep passage.

"It truly is a natural illusion array!" Fu Changsheng exclaimed. "If it weren't for your witch clan's secret technique, even I probably wouldn't have been able to detect it."

Wu Ling'er smiled gently: "Thanks to Brother Changsheng for showing me the way."

...

...

At the ancestral home of the Wu family, colorful ribbons are hung high, and spirit lamps illuminate the daytime.

Outside the mountain gate, thousands of Wu family disciples stood in neat formation, dressed in uniform blue-patterned robes, their expressions solemn and excited. The patriarch, Old Ancestor Wu, stood at the very front, followed by the clan's Purple Mansion Elders, and then hundreds of Foundation Establishment cultivators, their imposing presence befitting a powerful aristocratic family.

"They're here!" someone whispered.

A golden light pierced through the clouds on the horizon, followed by a second, a third... A total of nine gilded flying boats arrived across the sky. The boats were covered with dragon patterns and seals of the imperial court, and the black flags with gold borders of the Zhenshi Division hung at the bows, fluttering in the wind and exuding an awe-inspiring aura.

"Welcome, True Man Xuanyang and True Man Yan!" Old Ancestor Wu took a deep breath, bowed first, and his voice was loud and clear, echoing throughout the entire mountain gate.

The airship slowly descended, the door opened, and two figures stepped off the plane.

The leader, clad in a purple-gold Taoist robe, had a dignified face, eyes like lightning, and a faint flow of law power around him. He was none other than the Zhenshi Sizhengjianzheng—Xuanyang Zhenren.

Behind him stood a stern-faced middle-aged cultivator, dressed in a black robe with a blood-red jade pendant hanging at his waist. His aura was chilling; he was none other than Yan Zhenren, the Deputy Supervisor.

"Patriarch Wu, I've kept you waiting." Master Xuan Yang spoke calmly, his voice not loud, yet it resonated like a great bell, causing everyone's hearts to tremble.

Old Master Wu quickly stepped forward and respectfully said, "It is a great honor for the Wu family that you, sir, have graced us with your presence!"

Master Xuan Yang nodded slightly, then with a flick of his sleeve, a golden imperial edict floated in the air and slowly unfolded.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The Wu family, loyal and diligent for generations, is hereby granted the title of a sixth-rank noble family, a fiefdom, a Golden Core-level cultivation technique, and ten Soul-Guiding Pills. It is hoped that you will diligently cultivate and live up to the Emperor's favor!"

"Your subject accepts the imperial decree and expresses gratitude!" Old Ancestor Wu's voice trembled with excitement as he raised his hands high to receive the imperial decree.

In an instant, the ancestral land of the Wu family trembled, and the sound of a dragon's roar came from the depths of the spiritual vein. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth suddenly became several times denser, clearly indicating that the spiritual vein bestowed by the imperial court had begun to merge with the ancestral land of the Wu family.

"Congratulations, Patriarch Wu!" Master Yan rarely showed a smile. "From this day forward, the Wu family is officially listed in the imperial family genealogy, enjoying the privileges of a sixth-rank family."

Old Master Wu nodded repeatedly, then announced loudly, "Today, the Wu family will host a three-day banquet to entertain the two gentlemen and guests from all sides!"

The Wu family erupted in cheers and jubilation.
-
Just as the Wu family was celebrating, no one noticed that deep within the forbidden area of ​​their ancestral land—at the bottom of the Fire Abyss—a wisp of eerie blue flame was quietly flickering.

"Mysterious Nether Ice Flame."

In the shadows, an old man in a gray robe slowly opened his eyes, his pupils reflecting the seemingly weak yet terrifyingly powerful strange fire. A blood-red jade slip slid out from his sleeve, inscribed with the words "Black Fiend".

"The Wu family thinks they can rest easy just by climbing the social ladder through the imperial court? How laughable." The old man's withered fingers lightly stroked the jade slip. "The spiritual veins of this sixth-rank aristocratic family are perfect for nourishing the sacred fire of my sect."

On the abyss's rocky walls, countless eerie runes lit up one by one as he whispered, vaguely forming a hideous ghost face.

……

At the banquet
"Lord Yan, this 'Dragon Marrow Soup' is made with the marrow of a third-tier dragon. Please have a taste." The eldest daughter of the Wu family personally served the dish to Master Yan, her eyes revealing a hidden meaning.

Master Yan's gaze lingered on her slender waist for a moment before he said calmly, "Miss Wu, you are very thoughtful."

Xuan Yang Zhenren, seated at the head of the table, was conversing with Wu Laozu when he suddenly frowned slightly and turned to look outside the hall: "Such heavy Yin energy."

"Rest assured, sir," Elder Wu said with a smile. "That's the Abyss of Earth Fire in the forbidden area of ​​our ancestral land. Occasionally, some Yin energy leaks out, but we've already set up an array to suppress it."

Upon hearing this, Master Xuanyang did not pursue the matter further.

……

Last seat in the guest section

"Sister, look at that Wu family boy," the boy tugged at the sleeve of the woman beside him, "He hasn't touched his chopsticks since he sat down."

The woman looked up and saw a young man in plain clothes sitting quietly at the Fu family's table, a long sword wrapped in talismans hanging at his waist. As if sensing her gaze, the young man suddenly turned his head—

Those eyes were completely grayish-white!
"Don't look!" The woman hurriedly pressed down on her younger brother's head. "It's Wu Qingye, the 'Blind Sword' of the Wu family. It's said he cultivates the 'Mind's Eye Sword Dao'!"

...

...

Beilin County.

As Fu Changsheng and his companion stepped into the passage, they were immediately greeted by a cold and damp atmosphere.

The walls of the passage were covered with dark red crystals, emitting a faint blood-red glow that cast an eerie and mysterious light over the entire space. Ancient runes remained on the ground, suggesting that someone had once set up some kind of formation here.

Fu Changsheng scanned the surroundings and said in a deep voice, "The aura here is even more ancient than that of the main mine; it's probably a secret place left over from ancient times."

Wu Ling'er gently stroked the rock wall, a slight stinging sensation spreading through her fingertips: "These crystals contain bloodthirsty energy, but it's much gentler than the energy deep within the mine. It seems... they've been purified."

Fu Changsheng nodded: "Keep going, but be careful."

The two walked deeper into the passage, and the space became more and more open as they went further in.

Suddenly, Wu Ling'er stopped and exclaimed softly, "Brother Changsheng, look!"

Fu Changsheng looked in the direction she pointed and saw that at the end of the passage was a huge underground cave. In the center of the cave stood an altar, on which was placed a broken bronze cauldron. The cauldron was covered with witch runes and exuded an ancient and vicissitudes aura.

Around the bronze cauldron, dozens of blood-red orbs of light floated, and within each orb, the faint shadow of a curled-up Gu worm could be seen.

"This is..." Fu Changsheng's pupils contracted slightly, "A Gu-raising altar!"

Wu Ling'er's face paled slightly: "No wonder the Blood Fiend Gu King awakened here; this was once the secret place where the Wu Clan cultivated Gu Kings!"

Fu Changsheng's gaze turned grave: "It seems we've found the root of the problem."

The runes on the bronze cauldron flickered in and out under the blood-red light, and the suspended blood-red orbs seemed to sense the presence of living beings and began to writhe restlessly.

"Watch out!" Fu Changsheng grabbed Wu Ling'er, who was about to step forward. "These are dormant Gu seeds; once awakened, they will immediately attack living things."

Wu Ling'er's fingertips trembled slightly as she took out a bone fragment from her bosom: "Our clan's ancient records state that a Gu-raising altar must have a Gu-controlling artifact." She suddenly pointed to the bottom of the altar, "Brother Changsheng, look at the tripod!"

On one of the three-legged bronze tripod legs, a lifelike bronze serpent is coiled. Two eerie green gemstones are inlaid in the serpent's eyes, gleaming with an eerie light amidst the blood-red glow.

A glint flashed in Fu Changsheng's eyes: "It's the core of the formation." He slid three golden talismans from his sleeve. "When I break the formation, you play the Soul-Summoning Flute to attract the attention of the Gu Species with the remnant souls."

Wu Ling'er nodded solemnly, holding the bone flute to her lips. As the first note rang out, dozens of translucent remnant souls surged from the flute, letting out silent roars as they rushed toward the altar.

“Now!”

A golden talisman shot from Fu Changsheng's fingertip, precisely striking the three legs of the bronze cauldron. The cauldron trembled violently, and the crimson light orbs suddenly surged, frantically attacking the remnant soul. Taking advantage of this momentary chaos, Fu Changsheng moved with lightning speed, striking the bronze serpent sculpture at its seven-inch mark—

"Click!"

The gem in the snake's eye shattered instantly, and the entire cave shook violently. Spiderweb-like cracks appeared on the surface of the altar, and a blood-red beam of light shot into the sky, illuminating the dense ancient characters on the cave ceiling.

"This is..." Wu Ling'er exclaimed in surprise, looking up, "A sealing technique of the Wu Clan!"

A strangely shaped bronze dagger slowly emerged from the pillar of light, its blade riddled with tiny holes, as if bored by insects. The moment it appeared, all the restless Gu creatures suddenly froze, trembling slightly as if paying homage to a king.

Fu Changsheng's pupils constricted sharply: "The Gu King's Dagger!"

The key to controlling the Blood Fiend mentioned in the intelligence report is actually a living magical artifact!
Suddenly, a muffled, thunderous tremor reverberated throughout the depths of the mine. Wu Ling'er's jade pendant shattered with a "crack," and her expression changed drastically: "Oh no! The Blood Fiend Gu King sensed the emergence of the magical artifact and is forcibly breaking its seal!"

Fu Changsheng grabbed the floating bronze dagger; its touch was icy cold, as if he were holding a living block of ice. The dagger struggled wildly in his palm, and thick beads of blood seeped from its holes.

"Hmph!" Fu Changsheng unleashed his chaotic energy, forcefully suppressing the dagger's resistance. "Ling'er, immediately set up the Reverse Gu Formation!"

Wu Ling'er bit her finger and used her blood as ink to draw intricate arrays in the air. As the last stroke was completed, the dark red crystals on the four walls of the cave lit up simultaneously, and countless blood lines converged along the patterns on the ground to the center of the altar.

"Brother Changsheng, insert the Gu King Dagger into the array's core!"

Without hesitation, Fu Changsheng plunged the bronze dagger into the crack in the altar. The dagger emitted a sharp hiss, and countless red threads suddenly emerged from the holes, piercing the ground like living things.

The entire cave began to shake violently, and a deafening roar, like mountains collapsing and the earth splitting, echoed in the distance. Wu Ling'er staggered, grabbing for support against the rock wall: "It's drawing upon the Blood Fiend Gu King's essence!"

Fu Changsheng grabbed her waist and retreated rapidly. Suddenly, the bronze cauldron on the altar shattered, and a blood-red beam of light as thick as a bucket pierced through the cave ceiling and shot straight into the sky, turning the night sky crimson.

Throughout Beilin County, countless cultivators looked up in shock.

"Quickly, look towards the mining area!"

"Strange celestial phenomena foretell a great calamity!"

At the entrance to the mine, the array plate in Fu Yongyao's hand cracked in two. Staring at the soaring crimson light, her voice tightened: "Father has triggered the core seal!"

Fu Yongyi drew his sword: "Everyone, form ranks and prepare for battle!"

Inside the underground cave, the crimson pillar of light lasted for a full ten breaths before gradually dissipating. Amidst the smoke and dust, the bronze dagger remained silently embedded in the center of the altar, its once dark surface now displaying spiderweb-like golden patterns, and the holes no longer seeped blood.

Fu Changsheng raised his hand and made a grasping motion, and the dagger obediently flew into his palm.

"Did you succeed?" Wu Ling'er asked weakly.

Fu Changsheng handed her the dagger: "Try it."

Wu Ling'er took the dagger, hesitated for a moment, and then gently swung it. A shocking scene unfolded—the surging bloodthirsty energy deep within the mine suddenly became as docile as a lamb, forming a blood-red vortex with her movement.

“This…” Wu Ling’er looked at Fu Changsheng in shock.

"From this day forward, you are the master of the Blood Fiend Gu King." Fu Changsheng smiled as he wiped the dust from her face. "However, it will take time to refine it and fully control it."

The taming of the Gu King went more smoothly than they had anticipated.

at the same time.

From the ruins of the collapsed altar, a massive bronze gate, engraved with ancient witch runes, was revealed. The gate was covered with intricate incantations, and the central recess was shaped like a palm, surrounded by nine dark red witch runes, faintly exuding an aura of vast antiquity.

Wu Ling'er stared at the bronze door, her expression grave. "Brother Changsheng, this isn't an ordinary bloodline restriction. It requires the 'Nine Revolutions Heaven-Opening Technique,' a secret technique passed down in our clan, to open." She hesitated for a moment, "And it seems it also needs the assistance of chaotic energy."

Fu Changsheng's eyes flickered slightly: "It seems the person who designed this treasure vault has considered everything very thoroughly."

Wu Ling'er took a deep breath and began to form hand seals. A faint blue light emanated from her fingertips, outlining intricate witch clan totems in the air. As the incantation was performed, the nine dark red runes lit up one by one, emitting a deep hum.

"Brother Changsheng, now's the time!"

Fu Changsheng understood, and condensed a wisp of chaotic energy in his palm, gently pressing it against the center of the bronze door. The moment the chaotic energy came into contact with the witch runes, the entire bronze door trembled violently, and the runes on its surface moved as if they were alive.

"boom--"

A dazzling beam of light suddenly shot out from the crack in the door, soaring straight into the sky. Within the beam, countless phantom figures of the Wu tribe could be vaguely seen kneeling in prayer, their ancient chants echoing between heaven and earth. Fu Yongyao and the others, watching from afar, gazed in astonishment, only to see the beam of light last for a full nine breaths before gradually dissipating.

The bronze door finally opened fully, revealing a deep passage. Wu Ling'er's forehead was beaded with sweat, clearly indicating she had expended considerable energy: "This restriction is stronger than I imagined."

Fu Changsheng helped her up, a hint of approval in his eyes: "Well done. This strange phenomenon has probably alerted quite a few people; let's hurry."

Wu Ling'er nodded.

The two entered the stone chamber.

What comes into view is a small stone chamber, with the walls inlaid with moonstone that has long since faded. Most of the wooden shelves are rotten, and the jade boxes and porcelain vases on them have lost all their charm due to their age.

"What a pity," Wu Ling'er sighed softly, "These spiritual materials should have been very precious."

Fu Changsheng's gaze swept across the area, and he suddenly noticed a small, faintly glowing jade bottle in the corner. He raised his hand and summoned the bottle into his palm. The bottle was cool to the touch, and he could vaguely sense a trace of life force within it.

"This is..." He uncorked the bottle, and a drop of emerald green liquid floated out, exuding a rich life force.

Wu Ling'er's eyes lit up: "The source of plants! Our clan's ancient records state that this substance can catalyze the growth of spiritual plants; a single drop can equal a thousand years!"

Fu Changsheng's eyes lit up.

This way.

The seeds of the Three-Life Grass can be catalyzed.

The injuries to Ningning and Molan's souls have finally been healed.

Just now.

Wu Ling'er suddenly exclaimed "Eh!" She pulled out a palm-sized cocoon from under a pile of rotten cloth. The cocoon was dark gold in color, with naturally formed witch patterns on its surface, and it was now glowing slightly with the warmth of her palm.

"This is..." Wu Ling'er suddenly blushed slightly, "A Spirit-Bearing Gu Cocoon?" Fu Changsheng leaned closer for a closer look: "What's so special about it?"

Wu Ling'er's voice was gentle: "This Gu must be implanted during the mother's pregnancy and will grow along with the fetus. When the child is born, the Gu worm will also emerge from its cocoon and become the child's companion Gu beast. The potential of this Gu beast is immeasurable." She excitedly stroked her belly, her eyes shining with tenderness, "I want to use it on our child."

It seems this is the unexpected bonus mentioned in the intelligence report.

Fu Changsheng gently lifted the cocoon, revealing ancient witch runes on its dark golden shell that flickered like breath. He looked at Wu Ling'er and asked softly, "What preparations are needed?"

Wu Ling'er took a deep breath and took out a small silver knife from her waist. The blade was engraved with intricate Wu clan prayer inscriptions. She ran her fingertip along the blade, and a drop of crimson blood flowed along the grooves, condensing into a strange blood-red rune in the air.

"With mother's blood as the guide, I summon the ancestral witch to witness." She chanted softly, her voice like a clear spring, carrying an ancient and mysterious rhythm.

Fu Changsheng understood, and the chaotic energy in his palm surged, transforming into a wisp of golden light that wrapped around the cocoon, protecting the fetus in Wu Ling'er's womb and providing spiritual support for the contract ritual.

Wu Ling'er placed the cocoon in her palms, clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and softly chanted: "Ythara keth, morna vis, sithis alar ven." (Ancient Wu language: Blood ties, intertwined souls, symbiotic growth.)
As the incantation was recited, the witch runes on the surface of the cocoon suddenly lit up, their dark golden light rippling out like waves. The crimson runes at Wu Ling'er's fingertips slowly floated towards the cocoon, like a key, gradually merging into the cocoon shell.

“Lorath mel, ithis nel, venar ith.” (With my flesh and blood I nourish your spirit, a vow made without regret.)
Her voice deepened, and the witch clan mark between her brows appeared, gleaming with a faint purple light. The cocoon began to tremble slightly, as if something was awakening.

Seeing this, Fu Changsheng lightly tapped his fingertip, channeling a wisp of chaotic energy into Wu Ling'er's body to help stabilize her spiritual power. Feeling his support, Wu Ling'er smiled slightly and continued reciting the final contract incantation:

“Vethis mor, ithar sol, venar ithis alar.” (Our souls are intertwined, we share life and death, this bond will last forever.)
As soon as she finished speaking, the cocoon suddenly burst into a dazzling golden light. The witch patterns on the cocoon moved as if they were alive, eventually turning into strands of fine golden threads that seeped into Wu Ling'er's skin through her palm until they disappeared completely.

Wu Ling'er let out a soft breath and slowly opened her eyes. Her palms were empty, but a strange warmth emanated from her abdomen. She lowered her head and gently stroked it, softly saying, "It's inside... I can feel it. It likes it here."

Fu Changsheng placed his hand on her abdomen, his chaotic energy probing gently. He indeed sensed a faint spirituality slowly growing, closely connected to the fetus's aura. He nodded in satisfaction: "The contract is complete. The day the child is born will be the day this Gu worm emerges from its cocoon."

Wu Ling'er's eyes were full of tenderness as she softly said, "It will be the child's most loyal companion."

Fu Changsheng laughed heartily: "With such a companion witch beast, our child will surely achieve great things in the future!"

Just then, a faint golden light flashed between Wu Ling'er's brows, and a faint golden light flowed from her abdomen, actually condensing into a phantom in mid-air—the outline of a small Gu worm could be vaguely seen, with six wings on its back and eyes like stars. Although it was just an illusion, it already exuded an extraordinary spiritual pressure.

A glint flashed in Fu Changsheng's eyes: "Six-Winged Star Gu?"

Wu Ling'er nodded in delight: "Ancient texts record that this Gu, once mature, can traverse the void, devour stars and the moon; it is one of the sacred Gu in the legends of the Wu Clan!"

Fu Changsheng laughed loudly: "Good! Good! In this way, this child is already blessed with extraordinary advantages even before he is born!"

Wu Ling'er nestled in his arms, feeling the subtle connection in her womb, and softly said, "Brother Changsheng, our child... will surely be safe, happy, and grow up strong."

Fu Changsheng put his arm around her shoulder, his gaze deep: "With me here, no one can harm you and your child in the slightest."

At the same time, a familiar mechanical voice rang out in Fu Changsheng's mind:
"Ding--"

"You have added a Golden Core Gu King to your family and have been granted a special lottery draw opportunity. Would you like to redeem it?"

Fu Changsheng had not yet reacted.

The notification sounded in my mind again:

"Ding"

"Your vassal family, the Wu family, has been promoted to a sixth-rank family and you have been granted a special lottery chance. Would you like to redeem it?"

It seems that the Wu family has issued an imperial edict.

This way.

That means you get two chances to win a prize.

Are happy.

The system notification sounded again.

"Ding"

"A special bloodline contract has been detected, and the family's fortune has increased."

"Reward received: 5,000 Clan Contribution Points."

"The growth progress of your companion magical beast is now bound to the system and can be viewed at any time."

Fu Changsheng's lips curled into a slight smile, and he thought to himself, "It seems this child will definitely be a great asset to the Fu family in the future!"

Just as the two were leaving the cave.

The moment the bronze dagger trembled violently in Wu Ling'er's palm, the entire cave suddenly shook violently. The ground cracked, and countless blood-red runes gushed out from the cracks, weaving into a blood-red spider web that blotted out the sky.

"Not good!" Fu Yongyi shouted from outside the cave, "Everyone, retreat three hundred feet!"

Before he finished speaking, a crimson pillar of light shot into the sky, turning the night sky scarlet. The spiritual energy within a hundred miles instantly boiled, and countless birds and beasts fled in terror. Those Fu family disciples who couldn't retreat in time, merely touched by a trace of the dissipated bloodthirsty aura, had their eyes turn bloodshot and their spiritual energy become chaotic.

"Is this the pressure of the late Golden Core stage?" Qi Feng knelt on one knee, the array flag in his hand shattering inch by inch, blood seeping from his seven orifices.

Inside the cave, the bronze dagger was completely deformed.

A colossal creature, three zhang tall, hovered in mid-air—a human-faced spider with eight compound eyes like blood moons, each leg wreathed in a suffocating aura of malevolence. The mere breath it exhaled corroded countless holes into the surrounding rock walls.

"You lowly humans!" The Gu King's voice, like the buzzing of a thousand venomous bees, pierced the very soul. "You think you can control me?"

It raised one of its forelimbs and with a gentle slash, the space was torn apart as if by cloth. A towering wave of blood surged from the crack, instantly engulfing half of the cave.

Fu Changsheng's eyes flashed with a sharp light: "Yaoyao, the Qiankun Lock!"

"Yes!"

Fu Yongyao's white robes fluttered in the wind as the Qingqiu Yitian Disc spun rapidly above her head. Suddenly, a complete celestial map appeared on the incomplete disc, with all three hundred and sixty stars lighting up simultaneously.

"The Big Dipper governs death, the Southern Dipper governs life—Seal!"

Seven golden chains shot out from the star map, each chain wrapped with a different law of power. The Gu King let out a piercing screech, its eight spider legs flailing wildly, yet its limbs remained bound by the chains.

Taking advantage of the moment, Fu Changsheng leaped into the air. With each step he took, a seven-colored lotus platform bloomed beneath his feet. After seven steps, his aura exploded forth—

The middle stage of golden elixir!

"The Lotus Lantern - Purifying the World!"

A bronze lamp flew out from between his brows, its flame transforming into seven fire dragons, each containing a different law of heaven and earth. The fire dragons coiled together, trapping the Gu King tightly.

The Gu King flew into a rage; his human face suddenly split open, revealing a mouthful of fangs: "Is that all you've got?"

Its abdomen swelled, spewing out a deluge of tiny, blood-red insects. Each insect screamed, its sound directly attacking the soul. Disciples outside the cave with lower cultivation levels immediately clutched their heads and screamed in agony, blood gushing from their ears and noses.

Fu Changsheng sneered and made a fist with his right hand.

"Boom——"

A bolt of purple lightning pierced through the rock and struck his palm, condensing into a spear wreathed in lightning. The spear was wrapped in celestial patterns, and its mere aura distorted the space around it.

"Heavenly Punishment Thunder Spear, annihilate!"

The lightning spear flew from his hand, transforming into a hundred-foot-long lightning dragon. Wherever it passed, the blood-red insects were reduced to ashes, and finally pierced the Gu King's chest.

"Ah!!" The Gu King let out a shrill scream, but showed no sign of yielding.

Wu Ling'er quickly formed hand seals. The witch mark between her brows flew out and transformed into an ancient "Gu" character, which was branded on the Gu King's forehead.

"With my blood, I call your true name—" She bit her tongue, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the bronze dagger, "Blood Fiend, submit!"

The Gu King's struggling movements suddenly stopped. Its eight compound eyes were fixed on Wu Ling'er's swollen belly, as if it had sensed something.

"The Six-Winged Sacred Gu," its human face showed surprise for the first time, "So that's how it is."

The enormous body slowly shrank, eventually transforming into a streak of blood-red light that disappeared into the dagger. Spiderweb-like golden patterns appeared on the dagger's surface, and it obediently landed in Wu Ling'er's palm.

Outside the cave, Fu Yongyi and the others stood there dumbfounded.

"The patriarch..." Qi Feng's voice trembled, "that attack just now... it's likely enough to severely injure the fake infant."

Fu Yongyi's hand gripping the sword trembled slightly: "When did Yao Yao's Qingqiu Yitian Plate complete the Zhou Tian star map?"

Silence fell upon them. At this moment, they truly understood that the strongest member of the Fu family was never any single individual, but rather this entire family of monsters!

Inside the cave, Fu Changsheng put away his magical artifact, then suddenly frowned and looked north: "The direction of Black Witch Village."

...

...

Black Witch Village - The Holy Maiden's Abode
The chieftain, Wu Qi, knelt before the jade steps, fine beads of sweat glistening on his forehead.

"Holy Maiden, the anomaly in Beilin County has been identified. It was the Fu family who triggered an ancient restriction." He presented a blood-red jade slip with both hands. "Our scouts report that a blood-red light shot into the sky for a hundred miles, suggesting the birth of a Golden Core-level treasure."

The jade slip floated up and landed in a slender hand behind the gauze curtain. From inside the curtain came the soft sound of the jade slip being turned over, followed by the saintess's clear, cool voice: "You want to go?"

Wu Qi trembled and hurriedly said, "This subordinate dares not act on my own initiative, and has come specifically to consult the Holy Maiden."

A soft laugh came from inside the tent.

"Master Tianyang is dead. Do you know who did it? It was Fu Changsheng! How do you think you compare to Master Tianyang?"

Wu Qi's pupils suddenly contracted.

True Immortal Tianyang was merely a fake Infant, a half-step True Monarch! He was no match for him at all. If Fu Changsheng had truly killed True Immortal Tianyang single-handedly, how could he dare to provoke such a ruthless person?

"Holy Maiden, what about the strange phenomenon in Beilin County?"

"It was Fu Changsheng who subdued the Blood Fiend Gu King."

Blood Fiend Gu King?!

For the Northern Frontier Witch Village, this was something ordinary people dared not provoke. Witch Qi's forehead was covered in cold sweat: "Your subordinate understands."

The gauze curtain swayed slightly, and a slender hand offered a scroll of bamboo slips: "The Great Assembly of Ten Thousand Gu will be the time for us to plot and scheme. Take this 'True Explanation of a Hundred Gu' and study it."

Wu Qi accepted the gift with both hands, a hint of reluctance flashing in his eyes, but he quickly lowered his head to hide it: "This subordinate will certainly not fail the Holy Maiden's trust."

As Wu Qi stepped out of the Saintess's residence, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked. The night wind brushed against his bluish-purple right arm, the poison throbbing beneath the skin as if mocking his cowardice.

"Chieftain," a trusted aide emerged from the shadows, "Should we summon the elite assassins?"

Wu Qi stared at the still-dissipating crimson light in the direction of Beilin County, somewhat unwilling: "Give the order that for the next ten years, there should be no conflict with the Fu family."

"Yes"

The trusted confidant left.

Wu Qi activated the secret chamber's restrictions with a hand seal, and twelve bronze coffins floated to the surface of the pool. Each coffin was bound with chains soaked in hundreds of kinds of poisons, and chilling gnawing sounds emanated from within.

"Chieftain." A hunchbacked old man emerged from the shadows. "The Gu slaves have been trained, but one ingredient is still missing."

Wu Qi lightly tapped the bronze coffin with his fingertips, and a violent thud immediately echoed from within. A chilling smile curled at the corner of his lips: "The medicinal catalyst? Isn't this readily available?"

The hunchbacked old man followed his gaze and saw several unconscious cultivators huddled in the corner of the secret room—the Wu family members who had disappeared a few days ago, with brand-new sixth-grade family tokens hanging from their waists.

“But the Holy Maiden has explicitly forbidden any action against the Great Zhou.” The old man’s voice trembled.

"Fool!" Wu Qi suddenly sprang to his feet, grabbing the old man's throat. "You think I really want to take orders from that woman?"

Besides, the other party was referring to the Fu family, not the Wu family.

A crazed glint flashed in Wu Qi's eyes. He bit his fingertip and drew eerie blood symbols on each coffin. As the last stroke fell, the temperature in the secret chamber plummeted, and a thin layer of black frost condensed on the ground.

"Open the coffin!" Wu Qi shouted in a low voice.

The hunchbacked old man trembled as he unlocked the chains. The instant the coffin lid opened, twelve black shadows darted out like lightning—they were half-human, half-gu monsters, with human heads and insect bodies, their compound eyes gleaming with a bloodthirsty light.

The unconscious Wu family members were thrown into the center of the secret chamber. The leader of the Gu slaves suddenly pounced, piercing the neck of one of the Wu family members with his mandibles. What was chilling was that the token at the victim's waist, symbolizing a sixth-rank noble family, suddenly lit up with golden light, transforming into a dragon-shaped phantom that protected his heart meridian.

"Hmph!" Wu Qi flung out twelve poisoned needles, which accurately pierced the back of the Gu slaves' necks. The Gu slaves let out painful screams, and black mist suddenly surged from their bodies, gradually corroding the dragon-shaped phantom.

The hunchbacked old man's eyes widened: "Chieftain, you actually shared your life-bound Gu poison with them?"

Wu Qi's right arm had now turned completely purplish-black, and something seemed to be wriggling beneath his skin. He grinned maliciously and tore open his shirt, revealing a palm-sized six-eyed spider crawling on his chest, greedily sucking his life essence.

“Using my natal Gu as a medium, I will use the Wu family’s fortune to raise the Gu.” Wu Qi’s voice became hoarse and unpleasant. “Once I raise the Gu King, I will be able to break free from that bitch’s control!”

...

...

Beilin County

After returning to Beilin County, Fu Changsheng immediately summoned his daughter Fu Yongwei and son-in-law Wu Qing.

Inside the patriarch's mansion, Fu Changsheng waved his sleeve, and a seed emitting a faint green light floated in his palm. Three mysterious patterns were wrapped around the seed, and it seemed to pulsate slightly as if it were alive.

"Three Lives Grass?!" Fu Yongwei's pupils contracted, and her voice trembled slightly. "Father, this...this is a spiritual plant that has long been extinct in the outside world!"

Wu Qing's eyes widened as he murmured, "A legendary divine object that can repair the soul and reverse life and death..."

Fu Changsheng nodded, his expression calm: "Ningning and Molan need it to heal their soul injuries."

Fu Yongwei took a deep breath and solemnly said, "Father, rest assured, Wu Qing and I will definitely accelerate the ripening process as quickly as possible!"

Wu Qing quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, yes! We definitely will—" Before he could finish speaking, Fu Yongwei shot him a sharp look, and he immediately fell silent, scratching his head sheepishly.

Upon seeing this, Fu Changsheng smiled slightly, then took out the small jade bottle. As soon as the stopper was removed, a rich life force instantly filled the entire hall, making the air feel fresher.

"The essence of plants?!" Wu Qing nearly jumped up, his voice trembling. "A treasure that can erase a thousand years in a single drop?!"

Fu Yongwei was also shocked, but she quickly calmed down, her eyes shining with determination: "With its help, the Three Lives Grass will surely mature!"

-

The three of them moved to the herb garden.

The garden is filled with spiritual energy, surrounded by high-level spirit-gathering arrays, and in the center is a medicinal garden covered with special spiritual soil, which is used to cultivate rare spiritual plants.

Fu Yongwei waved her hand, deactivating all protective magic arrays. She then sat cross-legged, her hands forming hand seals. A pale green spiritual light emanated from her body, and a leaf-shaped mark appeared between her brows—[Grass and Wood Spirit Body] fully activated!
Wu Qing didn't dare to be negligent. He took out an ancient wooden talisman from his storage bag and chanted incantations. The talisman floated up and transformed into a blue light curtain that enveloped the herb garden. It was the secret technique of the Azure Wood Sect, the Azure Wood Spirit Nourishing Technique.

"Let's begin." Fu Changsheng stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze steady.

Fu Yongwei nodded, carefully buried the Three Lives Grass seed in the spiritual soil, then took the small jade bottle, and with a light touch of her fingertip, a drop of jade-green [Origin of Herbs] slowly dripped down.

"Om-"

The moment the seed touched the source, the entire medicinal garden trembled violently! Countless tiny green specks of light rose from the soil, weaving into mysterious runes in mid-air. The Three Lives Grass seed sprouted from the soil at a speed visible to the naked eye, its tender shoots unfurling, leaves growing, and the three lines gradually becoming clear, emitting a soft glow.

Wu Qing's eyes widened as he murmured, "Too fast... This growth rate is simply defying the heavens!"

Fu Yongwei focused intently, her fingertips constantly outlining spiritual patterns, guiding the power of the plant's origin to permeate evenly. The stem of the Three Lives Grass gradually thickened, and a three-colored flower bud slowly condensed at its tip, its petals trembling slightly as if about to bloom.

However, at that moment, something unexpected happened!
Above the herb garden, clouds suddenly gathered, with faint flashes of lightning!
"Heavenly Tribulation?!" Wu Qing's expression changed.

Fu Changsheng's gaze sharpened, and with a flick of his sleeve, a surge of chaotic energy rose into the sky, forming a barrier to protect the herb garden. He said in a deep voice, "The Three Lives Grass is a heaven-defying treasure; when it matures, it will surely attract the jealousy of the heavens. Continue; I will handle the tribulation lightning!"

"Yes, father"

Fu Yongwei gritted her teeth and dripped another drop of herbal essence.

"boom!"

The flower bud suddenly burst open, and a tri-colored radiance shot into the sky, intertwining and colliding with the lightning in the clouds! The entire Three-Life Grass matured completely, its leaves as clear as jade, and three new seeds slowly condensed in the flower's stamen!
Wu Qing's hands trembled with excitement: "It's produced seeds! We can plant another one!"

however.

Just now.

The thunderclouds in the sky had finally reached their peak. A bolt of purple lightning, as thick as a bucket, tore through the sky and crashed down with a destructive aura!

"Boom——"

Amidst the deafening thunder, Fu Changsheng remained calm. He lightly patted the spirit beast pouch at his waist, and a hazy gray figure suddenly appeared.

(End of this chapter)