Family Rise: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 557 The Power of the Mystic Fire, the True Lord's Reward, and Taking Stock of the Gains
Inside the formation, the Blood Puppet Child, who had been so arrogant just moments before, froze completely with a savage grin, replaced by boundless horror and disbelief!
"No! Impossible! What kind of sword is this?! How could my Blood Reversal Heaven-Overturning Formation be broken..." He screamed, looking at the formation that had been easily torn apart and the cyan sword shadow that was dissipating but still had residual power. A bone-chilling cold instantly shot from the soles of his feet to the top of his head!

He never expected that in just over a decade, Fu Changsheng's cultivation had not only soared to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, but he had also mastered such a terrifying trump card specifically designed to counter him!
"You little beast! Don't even think about ruining my grand plan!"

A look of mad pain and determination flashed in the Blood Puppet Child's eyes. He roared and spat out several mouthfuls of his life essence blood, merging it into the altar. His hands moved wildly, frantically changing hand seals, relentlessly activating all the remaining power of the altar and his own magic!

"Myriad Soul Blood Shield! Nine Nether Bone Demon! Block him!"

In an instant, countless agonizing and wailing souls were forcibly extracted and condensed into a huge blood-red shield; the ground cracked open, and three huge bone demons made of pale bones and radiating the aura of a false infant crawled out, roaring as they charged toward Fu Changsheng, whose figure was revealed after the formation broke!

However, faced with this terrifying scene, Fu Changsheng remained calm and composed.

After breaking through the great formation, the ancient sword that was called "Slaying Evil" seemed to have exhausted its power and had dissipated.

But with a flick of his sleeve, a deep and magnificent purple-gold flame suddenly leaped out and hovered above his palm.

The moment the flames appeared, the surrounding temperature became extremely strange; one half of the space was scorching hot like a furnace, while the other half was freezing cold! At the center of the flames, a strange sight could be vaguely seen: red lotuses blooming and ice crystals condensing!

Fusion with a different kind of flame—the Purple Extreme Profound Flame! A terrifying existence ranked among the top twenty on the Different Flame Ranking!
"go."

With a gentle push, Fu Changsheng caused the ball of Purple Extreme Profound Fire to transform into a magnificent purple-gold fire phoenix, as if it possessed sentience. With a clear cry, it pounced straight ahead!

scoff!

The seemingly solid Blood Shield of Ten Thousand Souls was as fragile as paper under the strange power of the Purple Extreme Profound Fire intertwined with ice and fire. It was instantly pierced, burned, and frozen, and then turned into nothingness!

The three fake infant bone demons roared and swung their bone claws, powerful enough to tear mountains apart, but were nimbly evaded by the purple-gold fire phoenix. Wherever the flames touched, extreme heat and extreme cold erupted alternately. The bones, harder than diamond, first turned red and fragile, then were instantly frozen with countless cracks, and finally, with a series of crisp "cracks," they shattered into a sky full of ice powder and sparks!
The Blood Puppet Child's layers of trump cards that he relied on to save his life were utterly useless in the face of this domineering fusion flame!
"No—!" Blood Puppet Child was terrified and turned to try to escape into the soon-to-be-formed demonic passage.

But would Fu Changsheng give him that chance?

His eyes flashed, he clasped his hands together, then separated them!
A lotus lantern, burning with crimson flames and another flickering with ghostly blue flames, flew out from his dantian and hovered in the air. These were the two lotus lanterns that he had received as a reward from the system and had been nurtured for a long time!
"Purifying Flame Lotus! Suppress!"

With his command, the Crimson Lotus Lantern unleashed endless crimson lotus flames, transforming into a fiery inferno that sealed off the surrounding void.

Blood Puppet Child's figure suddenly froze, like a flying insect stuck in a swamp. The flow of magic power around his body became extremely obscure and slow, and his face was filled with despair and unwillingness!
Fu Changsheng pointed his fingers like a sword and made a light slash from a distance at the Blood Puppet Child, who was being suppressed by the divine power of the two Lotus Lanterns.

The fire phoenix formed from the Purple Extreme Profound Fire let out a long cry and suddenly accelerated, like a purple-gold lightning bolt, instantly piercing through the short body of the Blood Puppet Child!

"Ugh... Demon Lord... No way..." The Blood Puppet Child's body stiffened abruptly, his face a mixture of madness and fear. Before he could finish speaking, the light in his eyes completely dimmed. His body was first vaporized by the extreme heat, and the remaining part was instantly frozen into an ice sculpture by the absolute zero cold air. Finally, in a gust of wind, with a "bang," he was completely reduced to dust, his body and soul utterly destroyed!
The arrogant late-stage Golden Core demonic cultivator has fallen!
The scene was deathly silent, with only the light from the two Lotus Lanterns slowly fading away.

Huang Yuehua, Clan Chief Ouyang, Ouyang Qing, Old Ancestor Wu, and Lei Wanhe were all utterly shocked by the lightning-fast reversal of fortune and by the endless stream of terrifying methods displayed by Fu Changsheng, and remained speechless for a long time.

at the same time.

hum!
The demonic passage, which had been forcibly frozen and began to become unstable and distorted, did not collapse immediately after losing the Blood Puppet Child's control and energy supply. Instead, it roared even more violently, like an enraged beast!
The void cracks at the edge of the passage spread like black lightning, and the purer and more terrifying demonic energy surged forth like a flood bursting its banks!

"Oh no! The passage is out of control!" Chief Ouyang exclaimed in shock. Even his usually composed voice was filled with horror.

The concentration of the leaked demonic energy far exceeded that before, almost solidifying into a tangible form, causing everyone's spiritual energy circulation to become somewhat sluggish.

"It must be destroyed immediately! Otherwise, the demonic energy will erupt completely, polluting the earth's veins, and the entire Wuzhou will suffer!" Old Ancestor Wu's expression also changed drastically, and he shouted urgently, no longer showing his previous tact, only the fear of facing a calamity.

"It's too late to completely destroy them, so we can only forcibly seal them!" Fu Changsheng's hands moved rapidly like butterflies flitting among flowers, and complex and profound spells were cast into the two floating lotus lamps.

"Yin and Yang reversed, Heaven and Earth turned upside down! Twin Lotus Demon-Sealing Seal, form!"

Om-!
The two lotus lanterns, one crimson and one dark blue, suddenly shone brightly, their flames surging. Their energy intertwined, transforming into a huge red and blue Tai Chi diagram phantom, which slowly rotated and pressed down on the raging demonic passage!

Wherever the Tai Chi diagram passed, the rampant demonic energy was smoothed out as if by an invisible giant hand, and the boiling cracks in the void were forcibly closed. The passage struggled and twisted violently, emitting a piercing scream that pierced the soul, yet it was still pressed back and contracted inch by inch by the Tai Chi diagram containing supreme sealing power!
The entire process appears slow, but it is actually extremely fast. The power struggle within it is extremely dangerous, and the slightest mistake could result in the seal breaking and the demonic energy erupting completely.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Fu Changsheng's forehead. Controlling these two extremely high-grade Lotus Lanterns to perform such a precise seal was a huge burden for him.

Finally, under the extremely tense gaze of everyone, the huge illusory Tai Chi diagram completely covered the entrance to the passage and suddenly sank downwards!
boom!
A deep, muffled thud, like a groan coming from the depths of the earth.

The demonic passage vanished, leaving behind only a huge, slowly rotating red and blue Tai Chi symbol deeply imprinted on the ground, radiating a stable and vast sealing power that firmly locked the remaining demonic energy deep underground.

Become!

Everyone breathed a long sigh of relief, their backs soaked with cold sweat. That moment was even more terrifying than facing the Blood Puppet Child directly.

"Fellow Daoist Fu..." Huang Yuehua's gaze towards Fu Changsheng had completely changed, filled with awe and gratitude. "If it weren't for you today, the consequences would have been unimaginable..."

The Ouyang clan chief solemnly cupped his hands in thanks: "Fellow Daoist Fu turned the tide and saved the people of Wuzhou from disaster. The Ouyang family will forever remember this kindness!"

Looking at the massive seal, and then at Fu Changsheng, whose aura fluctuated slightly but remained unfathomable, Old Ancestor Wu's lips moved, but in the end, all his emotions were condensed into a deep bow, everything understood without words. He was now absolutely certain that choosing to befriend the Fu family was the best decision he had ever made.

Ouyang Qing quickly stepped forward, her bright eyes full of concern: "Brother Fu, are you alright?" Her voice was filled with undisguised worry.

Fu Changsheng adjusted his breathing slightly to suppress the shock of his magical power, waved his hand and smiled, "It's alright, it just took a lot of energy. Although the seal is complete, we still need to report to the court as soon as possible and send someone to reinforce and guard it."

He paused, looked at everyone, and said in a serious tone: "Today's events involve the descent of the Demon Lord and the ancient seal. The implications are too great. Before the court issues a clear order, I urge everyone to keep this a secret to avoid causing unnecessary panic."

"We understand!" everyone replied in unison, their expressions extremely solemn.

Fu Changsheng said no more, picked up the Blood Puppet Child's storage bag, nodded slightly to everyone, and his figure transformed into a streak of azure light, disappearing into the sky in an instant, heading straight towards Wuzhou City.

...

...

Wuzhou City, Zhenshisi.

The usually composed and steadfast face of Master Xuanyang now showed a hint of pale fear. As he listened to Fu Changsheng's concise yet thrilling report, his fingers unconsciously twirled his long beard. When he heard about the "Blood Fiend Sky-Covering Array," the "Blood Puppet Child," the "Demon Lord's Descent Passage," and the critical seal, his fingers trembled violently, almost tearing out a few whiskers.

"It...it has come to this!" Master Xuan Yang took a deep breath, his back instantly soaked with cold sweat, and a chill ran down his spine beneath his official robes.

He couldn't imagine it.

If Fu Changsheng hadn't acted decisively and used swift and decisive methods to unite everyone in breaking the formation and vanquishing the demon, what would have happened if that demon lord's avatar had descended...

Not to mention the area within a thousand miles of the Lei family, the entire Wuzhou, and even neighboring prefectures and counties, could be turned into a demonic land, with countless lives lost!

When the court is enraged, and an investigation is launched, he, as the supervisor of the Wuzhou Zhenshi Division, will be the first to be punished. Being dismissed from office would be the least of his worries; he might even lose his life!
Thinking of this, Master Xuan Yang looked at Fu Changsheng with indescribable gratitude and relief. He suddenly stood up and bowed solemnly to Fu Changsheng:
"Young friend Fu! This time... this time, we are truly grateful to you! You turned the tide and saved the people of Wuzhou, and you also saved me and everyone in the Zhenshi Division! I will remember this kindness in my heart!"

Fu Changsheng stepped aside, returned the greeting with a cupped hand, and spoke calmly and casually:
"You flatter me, sir. Since I have taken on the position of Patrol Envoy, it is my duty to slay demons and protect this region. It is my responsibility, how could I dare to claim credit? Moreover, this matter also concerns the safety of my Fu family and many fellow Daoists in Wuzhou, so it is only right that I take action."

Seeing that he had made such a tremendous contribution yet remained humble and modest, Master Xuanyang's admiration deepened. He thought to himself that this young man not only had amazing talent and strength, but also a rare and admirable character.

He pondered for a moment, then said solemnly:
“Young friend Fu is too modest. Such merit is far beyond what ordinary duties can cover. According to the law, discovering and preventing a demonic disaster of this scale, especially one involving the danger of the descent of the Demon Lord from the Upper Realm, is a merit that... is beyond my judgment.”

He paused, a resolute glint in his eyes:
"I will immediately report to True Lord Nine Profound Realms! True Lord Nine Profound Realms is the master of the Heavenly Pivot Pavilion, in charge of the affairs of the immortal path in our dynasty. Only he can decide on the reward for this merit. Fellow Daoist, please follow me!"

After saying this, True Man Xuan Yang led Fu Changsheng to a quiet room deep within the Zhen Shi Division, a room filled with restrictions. In the center of the room, an ancient bronze mirror floated in the air, its surface smooth, with faint cloud patterns flowing within.

Master Xuan Yang straightened his clothes and respectfully cast a complex incantation into the mirror.

hum...

The precious mirror trembled slightly, its surface rippling like water. After a moment, the light stabilized, revealing an elegant yet supremely majestic quiet room.

A figure dressed in a dark Taoist robe, with a blurred face seemingly shrouded in a faint glow, sat cross-legged on a cloud bed. Although it was only a projection, the aura naturally emanating from it was as deep as the sea, instilling a sense of awe in those around them.

It was none other than the Nine Mysterious True Lord, the master of the Heavenly Pivot Pavilion in the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

"Xuanyang, what is the urgent matter?" A calm yet authoritative voice came through the magic mirror and resounded directly in the souls of the two.

Master Xuan Yang bowed deeply, his tone extremely respectful:

"Your Majesty, I, Xuan Yang, the Supervisor of the Wuzhou Garrison, have an urgent matter to report. I, Fu Changsheng, the Imperial Envoy of Wuzhou, have recently discovered and thwarted a shocking conspiracy..."

He succinctly and clearly relayed what Fu Changsheng had said, emphasizing the infiltration of demonic cultivators in the far west, the dangers of the Blood Fiend Sky-Covering Array, the perils of the Demon Lord's Passage, and Fu Changsheng's ultimate act of turning the tide.

Nine Mysterious True Lord listened quietly, his face shrouded in the clear light, revealing no emotional fluctuations. Only when he heard "the ancient famous sword phantom shattered the great formation", "fused with strange fire to annihilate the demon", and "the twin lotus lamps sealed the passage", did a faint light seem to flicker in his blurry eyes.

After Master Xuanyang finished speaking, a brief silence fell in the quiet room.

A moment later, the calm voice of the Nine Profound True Monarch rang out again: "Fu Changsheng."

"Your humble servant is here." Fu Changsheng stepped forward, neither humble nor arrogant, and bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.

"Is what Xuan Yang said true?"

"Reporting to True Lord, every word is true. This battle was not achieved by Fu alone; it was thanks to the concerted efforts of many fellow Daoists in Wuzhou that we escaped unscathed." Fu Changsheng replied calmly, still making sure to acknowledge the contributions of others.

Nine Profound True Lord nodded slightly, seemingly quite satisfied with his answer: "Hmm. Not arrogant or boastful, your temperament is acceptable. The ancient sword phantom you mentioned, is it 'Slaying Evil'?"

Fu Changsheng felt a slight chill in his heart, thinking to himself that the True Monarch was indeed knowledgeable and could recognize it from just a description. He immediately replied, "True Monarch has discerning eyes. It is indeed the 'Slaying Evil' sword intent."

"To gain the approval of 'Slaying Evil' and manifest a phantom image shows that your Dao heart is pure, your character upright, and your talent in swordsmanship is extraordinary." There was a hint of praise in the tone of the Nine Profound True Lord. "The fusion of the strange fire and the control of the twin lotuses... are rare opportunities and courage. This time, you discovered and stopped the demonic calamity in time, averting a catastrophe. Your contribution is immense."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "According to the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty, you have been granted two hundred merits for thwarting the plot of a Demon Lord. In addition, you are granted entry into the Great Zhou Treasury to select a treasure as a reward."

A treasure trove!
Even with Fu Changsheng's calm and collected nature, his heart skipped a beat upon hearing those four words. That place was a repository of treasures accumulated over countless years by the entire Great Zhou Dynasty, far surpassing the treasuries of ordinary sects and aristocratic families! This reward was undoubtedly immense!
This was the second time he had this opportunity.

Master Xuanyang also showed joy, happy for Fu Changsheng.

"Thank you for your generous gift, True Lord!" Fu Changsheng suppressed his excitement and bowed again.

Nine Mysterious True Lord nodded slightly, and the projection on the precious mirror began to fade slowly: "Xuan Yang, you, the Zhen Shi Division, shall handle the follow-up matters properly, reinforce the seal, and wipe out the remaining evil forces, so as to leave no future troubles. Fu Changsheng, cultivate diligently and do not fail the expectations of the court."

"We will obey the True Lord's decree!" Xuan Yang Zhenren and Fu Changsheng replied in unison.

The light from the precious mirror completely dissipated, returning it to its original state.

Master Xuan Yang let out a long sigh of relief, a smile spreading across his face. He said to Fu Changsheng, "Congratulations, young friend Fu! To receive a personal reward from the True Lord and to be able to enter the Heavenly Pivot Treasure Vault to select treasures is an opportunity that countless cultivators dream of!"

Fu Changsheng smiled broadly and said, "Thank you for your guidance, sir. Without your timely report, this achievement would have been difficult to reach the ears of the emperor."

"Haha, there's no need for formalities between us." Master Xuan Yang was in a very good mood and patted Fu Changsheng on the shoulder. "The two hundred merit points have been recorded. Adding to your original four points, you now have a total of two hundred and four merit points. I just checked, and your ranking among the sixth-rank patrol envoys has jumped from the bottom to three hundred and twenty-seventh! This is an unprecedented speed of advancement!"

Upon hearing this, Fu Changsheng focused his consciousness into the Guardian Angel's token and indeed saw that his merit points had increased to 204, and his ranking had also soared. This meant that he could mobilize more resources and his influence within the Zhen Shi Si system had greatly increased.

His promotion to the fifth-rank Imperial Patrol Officer is just around the corner.

"As for the specific details and credentials for entering the Heavenly Pivot Treasury, I will notify you to come and collect them after the imperial court issues the order," Xuan Yang Zhenren added.

"Thank you for your trouble, sir."

After discussing with Master Xuanyang for a while the follow-up matters of dealing with the Lei family, appeasing the branches, and monitoring the seal, Fu Changsheng took his leave and left the Zhenshi Division.

Stepping out of the Zhen Shi Si gates and gazing at the bustling scene of Wuzhou City, Fu Changsheng felt a sense of clarity. The shadow of the Demon Realm's invasion might still be far off, but today's achievements undoubtedly gave him more confidence and resources to deal with future troubles.

"The Great Zhou's treasure vault..." he murmured to himself, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes, "I wonder what treasures I can find this time."

but.

Before entering the treasure vault.

He needs to use the system to exchange for some information first; if the system provides any hints, that would be even better.

at the same time.

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

"You performed exceptionally well in turning the tide during the great calamity in Wuzhou, and have been awarded a special lottery chance. Would you like to redeem it?"

Huh?
There's even a lottery!

Fu Changsheng was overjoyed.

He was starting to look forward to it, but the lottery draw definitely couldn't take place in Wuzhou City; he'd have to go back to his own territory in Huizhou Prefecture first.

Immediately, he transformed into a streak of blue light and sped off towards Fu Family Mountain.

… …

Deep within the Yin Kui Sect lies a palace perpetually shrouded in an impenetrable, dense Yin energy and a deathly stillness.

The palace was devoid of luxurious decorations, only cold black stone walls and countless twisted demonic runes engraved on the floor, the air thick with a chilling aura that could freeze one's soul. In the center of the palace, instead of a throne, stood a bizarre tree with branches resembling twisted skeletons and leaves like beating hearts—the Soul Tree.

A few fruits of different colors, pulsating slightly, hung sparsely on the tree, each corresponding to the life and soul of an important figure within the Yin Kui Sect.

At this moment, a blood-red fruit, which was prominently located in the tree canopy, suddenly lost its luster due to the hideous demonic patterns on its surface. The powerful pulsation stopped abruptly, and then the fruit quickly shriveled and turned black. With a soft "poof," it turned into a clump of ashes and fell to the ground.

Almost at the same time.

Sitting cross-legged beneath the Life Soul Tree, shrouded in a dense, ink-black Nascent Soul aura, the Nine Yin True Lord suddenly opened his eyes.

His eyes were unlike those of ordinary people; deep within his pupils, two clusters of eerie green flames seemed to burn silently, cold and lifeless, devoid of any human emotion.

The unusual activity of the Life Tree was clearly reflected in his perception.

“Blood Puppet…” The Nine Yin True Lord’s voice was low and hoarse, like two cold iron pieces rubbing against each other, echoing in the deathly silent hall, revealing no emotion.

He slowly raised his withered, claw-like hand, a wisp of nearly vanished aura lingering at his fingertips, gleaming from the annihilation fruit. Simultaneously, the two clusters of eerie green ghost flames in his eyes surged violently, the void before him began to distort and blur, and fragmented scenes flashed by rapidly—the shattering of the crimson light barrier, the long cry of the purple-gold fire phoenix, the lotus lantern sealing off all directions, and finally, the purple-extreme mystic fire piercing through the blood puppet boy's body…

The image freezes on a calm, collected, and sharp-eyed young face—Fu Changsheng!

"It's you again..." The chilling aura surrounding the Nine Yin True Lord instantly turned violent, the temperature of the entire hall plummeted, and a layer of black frost even condensed on the ground and walls. Countless vengeful spirits and vengeful ghosts screamed in the air as if they were startled.

First, his most capable Golden Core disciple, Yin Zhenren, lost his hand. Now, even the Blood Puppet Child, which he had painstakingly cultivated over hundreds of years using countless rare materials and his own primordial demonic energy and which possessed great potential, has been completely annihilated!

This is not simply a matter of losing two Golden Core cultivators.

Yin Zhenren was his right-hand man, while Blood Puppet Boy was the most crucial executor of his "Demon Seed Descent" plan! More importantly, the descent node presided over by Blood Puppet Boy was about to succeed, but it was forcibly interrupted and sealed!
This is tantamount to directly destroying him, or rather, it's a crucial part of the long-planned scheme by the powerful demon realm behind him!
Anger, like a tangible black flame, surged for a moment in the eyes of the Nine Yin True Monarch, distorting the demonic runes within the hall. A terrifying Nascent Soul pressure spread uncontrollably, enough to shatter the mind of any Golden Core cultivator.

But only for a moment.

The black fury was extinguished as if by invisible ice water, quickly receding and subsiding. The Nine Yin True Lord's face returned to its usual stillness, only the two clusters of eerie green ghost fire deep in his eyes burned even colder and deeper.

“Fu Changsheng…” He uttered the name again, his voice devoid of any emotion, only displaying an indifference as if he were looking at a dead man. “A mere Golden Core cultivator has repeatedly ruined my grand plans… I underestimated you, and I underestimated the land of Wuzhou.”

He remained silent for a moment, his withered fingers tapping lightly on the cold stone ground, producing a chilling "tap, tap" sound.

“Great Zhou... Zhen Shi Si... Fu Changsheng... This place has become the focus. If we force our way down here, the risks will increase exponentially, and the losses will outweigh the gains.” He calmly assessed the situation and made a decision in an instant.

"Since the Great Zhou's path is temporarily blocked, let's try another direction. The Northern Frontier... that land of chaos and slaughter, where demonic energy has already quietly seeped in. The witchcraft of the Northern Frontier, their flesh and souls, might be more pleasing to the Demon Lord..."

My thoughts became clear instantly.

The Nine Yin True Lord stopped striking the door, and his icy voice echoed through the hall: "Someone come here."

The palace doors slid open silently, and three figures, their bodies shrouded in dense corpse aura and their eyes filled with a cruel, numb intensity, quietly entered the hall. They knelt respectfully on the ground, not daring to raise their heads. These three were all at the Golden Core stage, and were among the strongest disciples of the Yin Puppet Sect, aside from the deceased Yin Zhenren and Blood Puppet Child.

"The Blood Puppet mission failed, and it has perished." The Nine Yin True Monarch's voice was completely flat, as if he were stating a trivial matter that had nothing to do with him.

The three people below all trembled almost imperceptibly, their heads bowed even lower, barely daring to breathe. They knew the Blood Puppet Child's strength; had he also perished?
"The plan has changed. The landing site has been changed to the Northern Frontier." The Nine Yin True Monarch's gaze swept over the three people below like a cold probe.

The person on the far left is tall and thin like a bamboo pole, with a pale and bloodless face, but unusually bright and cunning eyes. His code name is "Bone Demon". He is proficient in illusion and escape techniques, and is treacherous and suspicious.

The man in the middle was burly and strong, with bulging muscles and an unhealthy bluish-black skin. He carried a black coffin wrapped in iron chains on his back. He had the most ferocious aura and was codenamed "Corpse King". He cultivated the "Demon Body of Evil Bones", possessed immense strength, was bloodthirsty, and relatively simple-minded.

The person on the far right is shrouded in a wide black robe, his figure indistinct, only his eyes flashing with scarlet light are visible. His death aura is the purest and most refined, codenamed "Ghost". He has been with powerful and fierce spirits for many years, and his personality is cold and aloof. His methods are the most bizarre and difficult to guard against.

Nine Yin True Lord's gaze lingered on "Bone Demon" and "Corpse Demon" for a moment.

"Bone Demon, Corpse Demon."

"Disciples are here!" the two replied hastily.

"The two of you will immediately proceed to the Northern Frontier. Bone Demon, you are responsible for searching for a suitable location, setting up the descent altar, and infiltrating the Northern Frontier forces. Corpse King, you are responsible for gathering 'resources' and clearing obstacles. This time, success is the only option; failure is not an option. If you fail again..." The Nine Yin True Monarch did not finish his sentence, but the chilling killing intent emanating from him made both of them tremble.

"Disciple obeys! I will not fail the True Lord's trust!" Bone Demon hurriedly pledged his loyalty, his mind racing as he considered the situation in the Northern Frontier. Corpse King, on the other hand, simply kowtowed heavily, making a dull thud, his eyes flashing with a violent and excited light. The Northern Frontier was exactly what he wanted.

"As for you, Ghost," Nine Yin True Monarch looked at the last person, "you have another mission: to closely monitor the internal affairs of the Great Zhou, especially the movements of that Fu Changsheng. This person... may be more interesting than we think. Do not expose yourself or act without authorization unless absolutely necessary."

"Yes." The ghost's voice was hoarse and ethereal, like a cold wind blowing through a crack. He simply replied and his figure slowly blended into the shadows on the ground and disappeared.

Having made the arrangements, the Nine Yin True Lord slowly closed his eyes, no longer paying attention to the two people below, as if he had only dealt with a trivial matter. His mind had already returned to his secret connection with the distant Demon Realm, and he began to communicate and adjust the specific matters of his descent into the Northern Frontier.

Bone Demon and Corpse King dared not linger. They respectfully performed a grand salute and quietly withdrew from the suffocating hall.

The palace doors closed, sealing away the endless chill and deathly silence once more.

...

...

Huizhou Prefecture, the fiefdom of the Fu family.

The main road, paved with bluestone, was already decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, with festive red ribbons stretching from the city gate all the way to the Fu family's mountain gate. Countless cultivators and mortals spontaneously gathered on both sides of the road, craning their necks in anticipation, their faces beaming with pride and excitement.

When Fu Changsheng's familiar blue streak streaked across the sky and appeared above Huizhou Prefecture, the entire city instantly erupted in excitement!
"The Lord of the Manor is back!"

"Welcome back in triumph, Lord!"

"May the Lord of Huizhou be blessed by divine might!"

A thunderous roar of cheers soared into the sky, a wave of sound filled with heartfelt admiration and love. They may not have been entirely clear on the specifics of what had happened to the Lei family, but the news that "Prefect Fu Changsheng single-handedly thwarted a shocking demonic plot and saved Wuzhou from peril" had already spread, filling everyone living under the protection of Huizhou Prefecture with immense pride and peace of mind.

Fu Changsheng activated his escape technique and landed on the square at the Fu family's mountain gate.

Gazing at the scene of cheering crowds and festive decorations, a gentle smile crept onto his usually composed face. He had never liked overly boisterous displays, but this genuine enthusiasm and support from the people of his fiefdom warmed his heart.

"Welcome back in triumph, my husband (father/lord)!"

Led by Liu Meizhen, the core members of the Fu family and the main officials of the fiefdom were already waiting here. Liu Meizhen stepped forward quickly, her beautiful eyes carefully examining Fu Changsheng from head to toe. Seeing that his breathing was steady, his clothes were neat, and there were no signs of injury, her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down, and her eyes were full of joy and tenderness.

"It's good that you're back." A thousand words are ultimately reduced to this simple sentence, yet it contains endless concern.

Fu Changsheng smiled and took her hand, squeezing it gently: "It was just a small disturbance, but it's all over now. I'm sorry to have worried you."

After exchanging a few pleasantries with everyone and accepting the congratulations from his subordinates, Fu Changsheng said to Liu Meizhen, "Although this trip went smoothly, my magical energy was greatly depleted. I need to go into seclusion and rest for a few days. As for the affairs of the fiefdom, I will still trouble you, Madam."

Liu Meizhen naturally nodded in agreement: "Husband, you can go into seclusion without worry. I will take care of everything."

……

Inside the secret chamber, layers of arrays shimmered with light, completely isolating the inside from the outside.

Fu Changsheng sat cross-legged, the gentle smile on his face gradually fading, replaced by his usual composure. With a flick of his sleeve, a storage bag shrouded in a faint scent of blood and demonic energy appeared before him, the very one he had obtained from the blood puppet boy whose body and soul had been destroyed.

"A late-stage Golden Core demonic cultivator, and from the far west, must be quite wealthy," he muttered to himself, probing into the cultivator with his divine sense.

The first thing cleared out was a huge pile of high-level spirit stones, including many dark-attribute demonic spirit stones specifically for demonic cultivators. The quantity was astonishing, enough to support the expenses of a small sect for several years.

Following these were various demonic magical artifacts, insidious talismans, and some bone fragments and jade slips recording evil techniques and secret methods. These things were too malevolent to be of any use to him, so Fu Changsheng only glanced at them before classifying them separately, intending to hand them over to the Zhen Shi Si (a department responsible for suppressing evil forces) or destroy them directly in the future.

His attention was quickly drawn to several fourth-tier spiritual materials and herbs that were emanating pure spiritual energy. These were rare treasures that could be used by both the righteous and demonic paths, and were priceless. He carefully put them away.

Finally, his gaze fell upon the two boxes sealed with special enchantments at the deepest part of the storage bag. These two boxes were made of extraordinary materials; one was as warm and smooth as jade, radiating vitality; the other was as black as ink, its surface covered with twisted demonic runes, exuding an extremely unsettling and chilling aura.

"There really is something good here." Fu Changsheng's eyes lit up slightly as he looked first at the warm, jade-like box.

He gathered spiritual energy at his fingertips and carefully broke the remaining restrictions on the box. Although these restrictions were ingenious, without the support of his master's magic, they were not too difficult to break.

The lid was opened gently.

In an instant, an indescribable, pure and extreme life force spread out, and the spiritual energy in the entire secret room became incredibly active.

Inside the box, two crystal-clear water droplets, resembling liquid jade, floated quietly. Each droplet seemed to contain a vast ocean of life, with shimmering light that was breathtakingly beautiful.

"This is... the source of life?!"

Fu Changsheng's pupils contracted slightly, revealing a rare look of shock.

He had been fortunate enough to obtain this item before.

This is formed from the most primordial life essence in the world. A single drop is enough to bring withered trees back to life and can greatly accelerate the ripening of spiritual herbs. Its value cannot be measured by spirit stones!

"One drop... can extend the lifespan of a medicine by five hundred years!"

He took a deep breath, suppressed his excitement, carefully closed the jade box, and set up layers of protective barriers.

His gaze then fell on the black box that exuded a demonic aura.

He tried to probe with his divine sense and spiritual power, but it was like throwing a stone into the sea. It even triggered a counterattack from the runes on the box. A cold and evil power rebounded from his divine sense and was easily dispersed by the powerful magic power of the mid-stage Golden Core in his body.

“What a strange demonic restriction. Forcibly breaking it might damage the contents or even cause unforeseen consequences.” Fu Changsheng frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, then resealed the black box and put it away separately. “This item has a mysterious origin. I’ll keep it for now and perhaps open it someday.”

Harvesting the Source of Life was already an unexpected delight, and Fu Changsheng was in high spirits. A thought immediately arose in his mind, and with a thought, his figure disappeared from the secret chamber and appeared within the Five Elements Space.

……

Inside the clan cauldron of Shanhe Town, spiritual energy abounded, and the aroma of medicinal herbs filled the air.

The Feathered Beast was carefully brushing its broad wings over a tender seedling, making low, patient "cooing" sounds, as if explaining something. Beside it, the fluffy, half-ice, half-fire little beast, Ice Flame, tilted its head, watching with a look of understanding but not quite, occasionally stretching out its little paws to try and imitate, but only clumsily stirring up a small, chaotic ball of ice and fire, causing the Feathered Beast to groan in frustration.

"Owner!"

Sensing Fu Changsheng's presence, the Flying Feather Beast immediately raised its head and let out a joyful cry. Bingyan was also immediately drawn to the beast's attention, chirping excitedly and trying to pounce on it with its short legs, but was gently stopped by the Flying Feather Beast with its wings—the little guy hadn't quite controlled the ice and fire power on its body yet, and was afraid of offending its master.

Fu Changsheng smiled and stepped forward, gently rubbing the drooping head of the Flying Feather Beast, then flicking Bingyan's wet nose with his finger:
"Are you teaching it to catalyze the growth of spiritual plants?"

"Coo coo!" The Flying Feather Beast nodded and gently pecked at Bingyan's fur with its beak, as if to say, "This little guy is too stupid."

Fu Changsheng smiled and turned his gaze to the few exceptionally slender seedlings in the center of the herb garden, whose leaves displayed seven different colored halos—these were the Seven Heart Begonia seedlings he had collected from the Wu family.

This is the Seven Hearts Pill, refined after the substance matures.

It has the effect of assisting cultivators in forming their core, regardless of their spiritual root attribute.

"Feather, this substance is called the Source of Life Water, which contains endless vitality. I need your help to use it to ripen a Seven Heart Begonia."

Although the Flying Feather Beast had developed intelligence, its mind was pure. Sensing the life force emanating from the jade box that made its feathers spread out, it immediately understood that this was an extraordinary treasure. It nodded solemnly and made a steady "coo" sound to indicate its commitment to completing the mission.

Fu Changsheng carefully drew out the life-giving water from the jade box. The emerald green droplets hovered on his fingertips, radiating a captivating light and aura.

He gently dripped it onto the base of the best-growing seven-heart begonia seedling.

hum!
The moment the life-giving water touches the soil, a gentle yet powerful vitality suddenly bursts forth, transforming into a rich green halo that completely envelops the entire seedling!
Under the watchful eyes of Fu Changsheng, the Flying Feather Beast, and Bingyan, the Seven Heart Begonia grew wildly at a speed visible to the naked eye! Its roots and stems became thicker, its leaves unfurled, and its colors became more and more brilliant. In just a few dozen breaths, it completed the growth process that would normally take a thousand years to complete. Finally, a dreamlike begonia flower that radiated seven-colored light bloomed on the branch!

It's ripe!
What surprised Fu Changsheng even more was that three brand-new, vibrant seedlings of the Seven Hearts Begonia sprouted from the soil next to the mature Seven Hearts Begonia! They seemed to have been naturally nurtured by absorbing the dissipated life essence.

With the three seedlings remaining, the number of Seven Heart Begonia seedlings in the Mountain and River Cauldron has now reached four!

"Good! Great!"

Fu Changsheng clapped his hands and laughed heartily, his mood extremely cheerful. Two drops of Life Source Water not only yielded a mature Seven-Heart Begonia plant for refining Seven-Heart Pills, but also increased the number of seedlings to four! This meant that more Seven-Heart Pills could be produced in the future, allowing for the cultivation of more Golden Core cultivators!

The Flying Feather Beast flapped its wings happily. Although Bingyan didn't quite understand what was happening, it could feel its master's joy and chirped along, jumping and spinning in place.

Fu Changsheng looked at everything with satisfaction, feeling more confident about facing the demonic calamity in the future. He instructed the Flying Feather Beast to take good care of the spiritual plants, especially the newly sprouted seedlings, and then teased Bingyan for a while before leaving the Mountain and River Town Clan Cauldron with satisfaction and returning to the small wooden house.

(End of this chapter)