Family Rise: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 562 The Mysterious City, the Dragon Slave Appears, the Heaven-Burning Decree
At the critical moment, Fu Changlei, who had been silently observing, suddenly spoke:
"The Zhen position is divided into three parts, and thunder moves through the swamp!"

A sudden inspiration struck Ali, and without thinking, she mixed the last bit of power in her body with the remaining thunder intent in her bloodline and slashed fiercely in the direction Fu Changlei pointed!

"boom!"

A tiny but precise bolt of lightning exploded, not on the vines, but in a seemingly inconspicuous spot in the tundra below.

In an instant, the purple moss in that area trembled violently, its light dimmed, and the vines that were entwined around the fairy crane seemed to have lost their source of power and suddenly loosened!
Seizing this fleeting opportunity, the crane let out a long cry, struggled to break free, and suddenly gained altitude, narrowly escaping the vines' attack range, and flew towards the majestic city in the distance.

All three of them broke out in a cold sweat.

Tie Zhu was panting heavily, while Ali leaned against the crane's back, looking at Fu Changlei with disbelief and shock in her eyes.

The celestial crane finally flew to the outside of the massive city gate of the Heavenly King City.

The city gate was not made of ordinary wood or iron, but rather constructed from some kind of energy light curtain, shimmering with iridescent light. There were no guards at the gate; only a massive jade disc stood there, upon which flowed countless runes and information.

A cold, emotionless voice simultaneously echoed in the minds of the three:
"New visitors, state your name and origin, have your cultivation level checked, and state your purpose for entering the city. Heavenly King City rules: those who violate them will be executed."

The light curtain swirled, seemingly scanning everything about them.

Ali and Tiezhu both looked at Fu Changlei with some nervousness.

Fu Changlei took a deep breath, forcing himself to steady his weakened body, and calmly looked at the jade disc, speaking in a composed manner:
"Fu Changlei, along with his companions Ali and Tiezhu, came from Leixu Yunshan City. He has temporarily lost his cultivation and is suffering from a strange poison. He wants to enter Tianwang City to find the Pure Spirit Spring to cure the poison and earn points according to the city rules in order to settle down and make a living."

The cold intent swept over the three, lingering for a moment on Fu Changlei, seemingly confirming his "temporary loss of cultivation." The jade disc shimmered with light, quickly condensing into three ancient, dark gold token phantoms. The front of each token was inscribed with the characters "Heavenly King," while the back bore a clear "zero."

"Your identities have been recorded. These are your identity tokens, and also your points tokens. Bound to your Blood Soul, they cannot be taken away or discarded, and will be invalidated if you leave the city." The cold voice rang out again, "After entering the city, everything you need will be exchanged for points. To learn how to obtain points, please check the points leaderboard."

The three tokens solidified and fell into the hands of the three people.

Fu Changlei took the token; it was slightly cool to the touch, made of neither gold nor jade, and the number "zero" on it seemed particularly glaring. Without hesitation, he bit his fingertip, letting a drop of blood fall onto it, while simultaneously releasing a faint trace of his divine soul imprint. The token warmed slightly, and the number "zero" on the back flickered briefly before disappearing, as if waiting for numbers to fill in. Ali and Tiezhu were bound in the same way.

The moment the binding was complete, information about the basic rules of Heavenly King City flooded into the minds of the three:
Private fights are strictly prohibited; violators will be severely punished.
Points are the sole credential for accessing the game.

The city is divided into safe zones (most areas) and limited combat zones (such as the debate platform).
All disputes are ultimately decided by the "Heavenly Rules"...

The city gate, resembling an energy curtain, opened silently, leaving only a gap large enough for one person to pass through.

The three entered the city. The scene before them made them pause slightly.

The desolation and deathly silence inside and outside the city were completely different.

The streets were wide and clean, paved with bluish-gray flagstones, and lined with uniform, neatly arranged stone houses. Though not luxurious, they were sturdy and practical. Occasionally, cultivators would fly overhead on their magical artifacts, but they all followed fixed routes and altitudes, maintaining perfect order.

There were many pedestrians of various races, including humans, demons, and even some races with peculiar auras. Most of them were in a hurry, maintaining a tacit sense of distance from each other, rarely talking, and rarely smiling, but their eyes were sharp and full of a focused determination to survive and become stronger.

The city was unusually quiet, with only faint noises coming from the direction of the mission hall and the occasional sounds of energy collisions erupting from the distant debate platform.

A cold, rule-based sense of order washes over you.

"This place... is so strange," Tie Zhu muttered softly, subconsciously moving closer to Ali. This oppressive order made the boy from the primitive village feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Ali quickly adapted to her surroundings. Her gaze swept over the light screens hanging in some shops along the street, which displayed the point exchange prices of various items: the lowest grade Bigu Pill cost 10 pills for 1 point; a most ordinary single room cost 1 point per day; and a bottle labeled "Low-grade Pure Spirit Spring Water" was followed by "100 points".

Her heart tightened, and she looked at Fu Changlei. The Purifying Spirit Spring water was of varying grades; a low-grade one might not be enough to cure Fu Changlei's poison, and a higher-grade one was incredibly expensive…

Fu Changlei's expression remained unchanged, his gaze already fixed on the most magnificent building in the city center—the Mission Hall.

"Let's go there first." He said calmly and led the way. Now that they were in this city, the only option was to follow the rules and earn points as quickly as possible.

The main hall was bustling with activity, a stark contrast to the silence outside. A massive jade wall occupied the entire surface, densely covered with scrolling messages about countless missions.

"Collect ten Yin Soul Grasses in Black Wind Valley, west of the city. Reward: 5 points." "Hunt and kill Digging Demon Insects to obtain three Poison Sacs. Reward: 8 points." "Cleanse the runes of Purification Array No. 3 in the South District. Requires a Basic Array Apprentice level. Reward: 15 points."...

The difficulty of the tasks varies, and the reward points also differ greatly. There are even tasks at higher levels that reward thousands of points, but the content is extremely dangerous, such as "exploring the core area of ​​the demon's nest" or "hunting down a late-stage Golden Core demon general".

Most of the people in the main hall looked up at the jade disc, and when they saw a suitable task, they quickly accepted it with their tokens and then hurriedly left, which was extremely efficient.

Fu Changlei's gaze quickly swept over the low-level tasks.

Given their current situation—Ali is at the Qi Refining stage and has exhausted much of her energy, Tiezhu has physical strength but no magical abilities, and they are just ordinary people—it is almost impossible for them to complete those missions that require combat or special skills.

His gaze finally settled on a newly refreshed quest:
"Urgent Recruitment: Purify the residual demonic energy and broken runic power of the abandoned rune workshop in the east of the city. The task is dangerous and requires patience and meticulousness. Points will be awarded based on the area purified, with 0.1 points awarded for each area purified. Warning: The residual runic power is extremely unstable; some have been injured while accepting this task."

The rewards are extremely meager, and the task is dangerous. However, it is one of the few tasks that does not require high absolute strength, but rather tests patience and meticulousness.

"Accept this one." Fu Changlei pointed to the quest.

Ah Li glanced at him and immediately understood Fu Changlei's consideration: "But Brother Changlei, your health..."

"It's alright." Fu Changlei's eyes were deep. The talisman workshop, the residual talisman energy... this reminded him of his other identity—a fourth-tier talisman array master. Even without spiritual power, some of his theories and experience might still be useful.

He took out his token and pointed it at the mission message. The token emitted a faint light, connecting with the jade disc, and the mission message immediately displayed "Accepted: Fu Changlei's Team".

Those around them noticed they had taken on this task and cast glances of pity or mockery. Clearly, it was a notoriously thankless and arduous job.

Ignoring the stares, Fu Changlei said to Ali and Tiezhu, "Let's go."

Following the token's directions, the three headed towards the abandoned talisman workshop.

The workshop's main door was broken, and the air inside was filled with a choking smell of dust, a faint demonic aura, and extremely chaotic and violent energy fluctuations. Scattered on the ground were broken talismans, broken talisman pens, and fragments of magical artifacts, while the walls were covered with charred marks and cracks from out-of-control talismans exploding.

The difficulty of the task is obvious.

Tie Zhu looked at the huge workshop and roughly calculated that even if the purification was completed, the points would be pitifully small, just enough for a few days' worth of food.

Fu Changlei squatted down, picked up half a charred fragment of talisman paper, and carefully examined the incomplete yet still exquisitely drawn patterns on it. A faint glimmer of light flashed in his eyes.

“Let’s begin. Ali, you’re in charge of dispelling the demonic energy. Tiezhu, you’re in charge of clearing away the debris,” he instructed, before heading towards the area with the most chaotic energy fluctuations. “Leave those unstable residual runic energies to me.”

He may have lost his power, but his knowledge and experience are his sharpest weapons at this moment. What others see as trouble, this abandoned workshop may be a turning point in his eyes.

……

The workshop's interior appeared even more dilapidated and chaotic than its exterior. Residual, raging runic energy, like invisible blades, filled the air, occasionally colliding to create blinding sparks and crackling sounds. Demonic energy, like maggots clinging to bones, clung to the broken tools and walls, emanating an unsettling, chilling aura.

Looking at this huge mess, Tie Zhu's honest face was full of worry: "This... how long will this take? One point per side..." He counted on his fingers, feeling that this deal was a complete loss.

Ali's expression was also solemn. She tried to circulate the meager lightning power within her body, tiny sparks of electricity appearing at her fingertips as she carefully dispersed the demonic energy in a small area. Although it had some effect, it was extremely slow and consumed a considerable amount of her energy.

"Don't rush." ​​Fu Changlei's voice remained calm. Unlike Ali, he didn't act immediately. Instead, he slowly paced along the edge of the workshop, his gaze sharp as a hawk, sweeping over every patch of mess. He wasn't looking at the surface dirt and damage, but rather at the traces of residual energy, the way the runes were broken, and the remaining structure of the entire workshop.

To some, this was a disaster site. But to this fourth-tier rune array master, it was a three-dimensional map filled with lessons from failures and energy pathways.

Suddenly, he stopped in front of a pile of charred waste. There were several broken spirit-gathering array bases, originally intended to provide talisman makers with stable spiritual energy, but now they were completely destroyed due to overload and demonic energy erosion, becoming one of the most chaotic energy sources, constantly spewing out uncontrolled streams of spiritual energy.

"Tiezhu, move the third black stone slab from the left. Be careful not to touch the glowing cracks on it," Fu Changlei instructed.

Although Tie Zhu didn't understand, he did as he was told. He was quite strong and carefully moved the heavy stone slab.

Beneath the stone slab, half of a broken jade-white main energy conduit was revealed. The conduit was covered with runes, but it was broken in many places and its spiritual light was dim.

“Ah Li, use your lightning power, even the weakest amount, to stimulate the third rune node at the end of the conduit. Listen to my command; when I say ‘release,’ immediately withdraw.” Fu Changlei spoke steadily, with an unquestionable authority.

Ah Li held her breath and focused intently, conjuring a lightning arc thinner than a hair at her fingertips, precisely striking the point Fu Changlei had mentioned.

"Releasing it now!"

The moment the lightning arc entered the rune, the broken conduit suddenly lit up with a blinding light. The chaotic energy throughout the workshop seemed to have been stirred by an invisible hand, emitting a buzzing sound. Immediately afterward, the turbulent energy currents in that area miraculously calmed down considerably. Although still chaotic, it no longer possessed the aggressive nature of one that could explode at any moment.

"What...what's going on?" Ali asked, her eyes wide with surprise.

“When energy is blocked, it stops hurting. I’ve only cleared one small channel.” Fu Changlei said calmly, as if he had done something insignificant. “Tiezhu, clean this area; the demonic energy has weakened by three points.”

He continued on, pointing out similar key points.

Sometimes he would have Tie Zhu move a specific piece of rubble, and sometimes he would have Ali use lightning of a certain intensity to stimulate a specific part of a residual rune. He even found a few pieces of spirit ore fragments that were not completely destroyed in the scrap heap and had Tie Zhu place them in the positions he indicated. It seemed random, but it subtly formed a simple flow-guiding pattern.

Under his command, Ali and Tiezhu's work efficiency greatly improved.

They no longer needed to act brute force, but rather, as if unlocking a complex lock, each precise operation stabilized the energy in a large area, making it easier to dispel demonic energy.

Unable to use his spiritual power, Fu Changlei found a long metal rod and engraved several simple energy-conducting patterns on its tip. Using the principle of leverage and skillful manipulation, he would either gently nudge a cluster of runic energy on the verge of exploding, guiding it to an open space to release it slowly; or he would cleverly use the remaining structure of the workshop to direct two conflicting energies toward each other, allowing them to cancel each other out.

His movements even looked somewhat clumsy, like an ordinary person who didn't know how to cultivate tinkering with dangerous objects, but every move he made was just right, exquisitely precise, and he could always resolve the problem on the verge of the most dangerous moment.

Ali and Tiezhu's initial doubts gradually turned into complete admiration.

They couldn't understand what Fu Changlei had done, but they could clearly see the results—the workshop was being purified at an astonishing speed.

In just half a day, they had already completed nearly one-fifth of the purification area! At this rate, once the entire area is purified, the points they will gain will far exceed their initial meager estimate.

However, just as they approached the deepest part of the workshop, an unusually subtle yet unsettling energy fluctuation emanated from there. The demonic energy there was exceptionally dense, almost solidified, and at its center, a highly unstable energy sphere, flickering with blackish-purple lightning, was vaguely visible, bound by countless broken chains of runes, like a dangerous heart slowly beating.

"What is that?" Tie Zhu felt a chill run down his spine.

Ali's expression also turned solemn: "Such terrifying energy...it's even more dangerous than the vines of the Devouring Moss!"

Fu Changlei frowned, staring at the ball of energy. After a long while, he slowly said, "It is the core remnant of the 'Yin Sha Thunder Talisman' after it failed to be refined. It has absorbed a massive amount of demonic energy and has undergone a mutation. It is now in a fragile equilibrium. Any external stimulus could trigger a violent explosion with enough power to level the entire workshop and even the surrounding area."

He pondered for a moment, a sharp glint in his eyes: "But crisis can also be an opportunity. If this energy can be guided out smoothly, its total amount... far exceeds the sum of all the areas we purified before. The points we exchange for might be enough to exchange for a mid-grade, or even a high-grade, Pure Spirit Spring."

Upon hearing this, both Ali and Tiezhu held their breath slightly.

"What should we do, Brother Changlei?" Ali asked without hesitation, choosing to trust him completely.

Fu Changlei did not answer immediately. He slowly paced around the dangerous energy ball, his gaze like the most precise instrument, scanning the trajectory of every energy flow and the direction of every broken rune.

After a full incense stick's time, he stopped and pointed to several runes on the side and back of the energy ball that were almost completely covered by grime.

“Ah Li, do you see those three fragments of the ‘Suppress’ runes arranged in a triangle? They were originally part of the workshop’s stabilizing array. Although they are damaged, their foundation is still intact. Tie Zhu, go and place the three pieces of ‘Spirit Absorbing Ore’ fragments that we found earlier into the center of these three ‘Suppress’ runes.”

Then he looked at Ali: "Wait for my command. You need to inject the slightest amount of lightning power into the three pieces of spirit-absorbing ore at the same time. Just a moment is enough to activate them. Do not inject more!"

"At the same time?" Ali was a little nervous, as this required a very high level of control.

“Hmm.” Fu Changlei nodded, his gaze fixed on the ball of energy. “I will use this to pierce the weakest point on the outer layer of the energy ball the instant the energy is briefly attracted by the spirit-absorbing ore, and guide the energy out.” He raised the metal rod in his hand, which was engraved with energy-conducting patterns.

"This is too dangerous!" Tie Zhu exclaimed urgently.

“This is the fastest way,” Fu Changlei said calmly but firmly. “Be prepared.”

Tie Zhu and Ali took a deep breath and took their positions as instructed. The atmosphere in the workshop instantly became extremely tense.

Fu Changlei gripped the metal rod with both hands, adjusting his breathing and angle, entering a state of extreme focus.

"It's now!"

Ali's eyes narrowed, and three thin arcs of lightning shot into the three pieces of spirit-absorbing ore with perfect precision at the same time!
The spirit-absorbing ore suddenly glowed, generating a faint suction force. The terrifying energy sphere trembled slightly, and the energy flow on its surface showed an extremely subtle deviation!

In that split second!

Fu Changlei moved! He thrust his arm forward with incredible speed, and the metal rod struck a tiny, almost invisible point of light on the surface of the energy ball at an incredibly precise angle!

"laugh--!"

With a soft pop, as if a small hole had been punctured in a balloon, a surge of pure yet incredibly violent energy, mixed with thick demonic energy, erupted from the hole as if finding an outlet!

Fu Changlei had already calculated the angle. The energy-conducting patterns on the metal rod lit up, and he painstakingly guided this terrifying torrent of energy toward a giant, long-abandoned ventilation array at the top of the workshop!

Rumble!
A torrent of energy surged into the ventilation array, causing the entire workshop to shake violently and years of accumulated dust to fall. The abandoned array was forcibly activated, emitting a strained hum, but it managed to release this terrifying energy into the sky!

After a long while, the surge of energy gradually subsided.

Inside the workshop, the dangerous ball of energy vanished, leaving only ashes and a small crater. The pervasive demonic energy also dissipated considerably.

Fu Changlei released the metal rod; his palms were cracked and bleeding, his face was as pale as paper, and his body swayed slightly. That one blow had exhausted all his mental and physical strength.

Ali and Tiezhu quickly stepped forward to help him up.

Just then, the tokens on the three people's bodies vibrated simultaneously.

On the back of Fu Changlei's token, the number "zero" flashed wildly, the numbers jumped rapidly, and finally settled on a jaw-dropping number—

1350 points!
Receiving such a huge amount of points at once clearly indicates that the "Heavenly Rules" have determined that they not only purified the workshop but also eliminated a major safety hazard, a remarkable achievement. A group of passersby, startled by the energy release, had gathered around. They looked at the numbers displayed on the token, then at the workshop, now in disarray but calm again, and finally at the seemingly powerless mortal being helped along, their eyes filled with disbelief and curiosity.

Fu Changlei ignored those gazes and gave Ali and Tiezhu a tired but genuine smile:
"Let's go exchange for the Pure Spirit Spring."

...

...

Huixi County belongs to Wuzhou. To its southwest lies a scorching land called the Burning Heaven Fire Domain. Decades ago, the Fu family granted this territory to their illegitimate son, Fu Yongqing, as his fiefdom.

As Liu Meizhen flew over the city on her magical flying artifact, she raised an eyebrow in slight surprise.

Although this was her first time visiting in person, she had long heard of the Blazing Heaven Fire Domain and imagined it to be a scene of scorched earth, flowing lava, and impoverished people.

However, what one sees now is that the city is shrouded in a solid crimson light curtain, the city's protective array is operating smoothly, and its spiritual light is shimmering. Outside the city, the fields are neat and orderly, the spiritual grains are abundant, and the people come and go with rosy complexions; inside the city, the houses are well-ordered, the streets are wide, and the shops are lined up. Although the fire-type spiritual energy is rich and abundant, it is gentle and peaceful, without any sense of violence, showing a scene of vigorous prosperity.

"He's a savvy businessman."
-
At the city gate, Fu Yongqing and his wife Liu Shuang had been waiting for a long time.

Fu Yongqing, dressed in a brocade robe, bore a resemblance to Fu Changsheng, but possessed less of his imposing presence and more of a gentle demeanor. He turned slightly to the side and whispered to the woman beside him:

"Shuang'er, Mother has arrived suddenly. I don't know why. We need to be careful in dealing with her later."

Liu Shuang, dressed in black, stood tall and straight, her face cool and beautiful, yet her eyes were sharp as a hawk's—a mark left by years of assassination experience. She glanced at the distant horizon and said calmly:

"No need to speculate, just act according to the situation. She is the mistress of the house, so just be polite and respectful. If she has any requests, just be frank with her."

Fu Yongqing immediately nodded: "What you say is true, Madam."

A streak of light descended, revealing Liu Meizhen's figure.

Today she wore a crimson palace dress, her hair piled high, her demeanor elegant and graceful, with a perfectly timed smile on her lips, showing both the dignity of a matriarch and her approachability.

"Yongqing, accompanied by my wife Liushuang, respectfully welcomes Mother." Fu Yongqing stepped forward and bowed respectfully. Liushuang also gave a slight curtsy, her movements swift and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

Liu Meizhen smiled warmly and offered a helping hand.
“We’re family, no need for formalities. I’ve long heard that you, Yongqing, have governed Huixi County so well. Seeing it today, I can see that your reputation is well-deserved. If Father knew, he would be very pleased.”

She quickly established a rapport with just a few words, offering praise and making everyone feel comfortable and at ease.

Fu Yongqing repeatedly said he dared not accept such praise, and stepped aside to lead the way: "Mother, you flatter me. The banquet has been prepared, please come inside the mansion to rest."
-
At the banquet, there were exquisite spiritual dishes and fragrant spiritual wine. Liu Meizhen exchanged pleasantries with Fu Yongqing and his wife for a while, inquiring about the local customs and their recent cultivation progress, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

After a few rounds of drinks, she put down her chopsticks, turned her gaze to Fu Yongqing, her smile still gentle, but her tone became serious: "Yongqing, I have come here today to ask you something."

"Mother, please speak. Yongqing will tell you everything he knows."

“I need the most detailed topographical map of the Burning Heaven Fire Domain, especially all the volcanoes—whether they are still active or have long been dormant, I need to know any records of any unusual activity in recent years.” Her tone was calm, but carried an undeniable air of authority. “This matter is of utmost importance to my cultivation, so please make sure it is as detailed as possible.”

A slight silence fell over the hall.

Fu Yongqing subconsciously glanced at Liu Shuang first.

Liu Shuang put down her wine glass, met Liu Meizhen's gaze, and said frankly:
"We will do our best to fulfill Mother's request. The Prefect's Mansion does indeed have detailed maps and monitoring files of the Fire Domain drawn over the years, which we can retrieve shortly. However, we do not know where Mother wishes to explore. The depths of the Fire Domain are quite dangerous; perhaps we can provide some clues."

Liu Meizhen smiled slightly: "I came across an ancient clue that points to a possible opportunity hidden here, related to the power of extreme fire. We will need to investigate on-site to determine the specifics. Thank you for your help."

Fu Yongqing immediately replied, "I see! Mother, rest assured, I will immediately send someone to retrieve the maps and documents. If you need manpower to guide or guard you, the county can also send its best personnel."

"Thank you very much then." Liu Meizhen nodded.

Liu Shuang lowered her eyes: "Mother, you flatter me. It's my duty."

They lingered in Huixi County for several days.

After carefully reviewing all the illustrated books and documents provided by Fu Yongqing, and after talking with several cultivators who had been exploring the edge of the Fire Domain for many years, Liu Meizhen had a general idea of ​​what was going on.

The sensation of the Heaven-Burning Decree within her body fluctuated in strength, eventually acting like a clear compass, drawing all her attention to a dormant volcano in the northwest of the county.

The volcano, known in records as "Mount Silent Extinction," had been dormant for countless years. Its spiritual energy was thin and nearly depleted, making it inconspicuous among the many active or dangerous volcanoes. Ordinary cultivators would not even give it a second glance.

...

...

At the edge of the Blazing Sky Domain, the crimson earth undulates, and the air is filled with the smell of sulfur and scorching heat.

Two young figures were carefully searching on a bare volcanic rock face. They were the brothers Fu Yongxing and Fu Yongjing.

Fu Yongxing, dressed in a blue robe, had a handsome face and a youthful sharpness and confidence between his brows. His gaze intently swept over every inch of the rock crevices. Occasionally, he flicked a tiny flame from his fingertips, sensing the spiritual energy fluctuations deep within the rocks.

"Young man, is the information really accurate? These Heavenly Cloud Fire Crystals are far too hard to find."

Fu Yongjing, standing beside him, wiped the sweat from his brow. He was dressed in a short-sleeved shirt for easy movement, and although his face showed some fatigue, he still wore an optimistic smile. His eyes gleamed with intelligence as he constantly surveyed the surrounding geological structure.
"Logically speaking, with such pure fire elemental energy in this area, the probability of it producing fire crystals should be very high."

“Since it is recorded in ancient books, it must be here.” Fu Yongxing’s tone was firm, with an undeniable arrogance. “We can refine the Thunder-Repelling Mirror, so how can we leave empty-handed with these mere spiritual materials? We just need to find some clues about the core ore vein.”

Both of them were fourth-tier weapon refiners, exceptionally talented, and already renowned throughout their families. The incredibly powerful lightning-repelling mirror that Liu Meizhen used during her tribulation was the culmination of their efforts.

Not long ago, the two brothers both broke through to the Pseudo-Core Realm. In order to prepare for their own Golden Core Tribulation, they had the idea of ​​refining a more powerful fire-attribute tribulation-crossing magic weapon.

Fu Yongxing learned by chance that the depths of the Burning Heaven Fire Domain might contain a fourth-grade top-quality spiritual material called "Heavenly Cloud Fire Crystal Stone," which is extremely effective in resisting heavenly lightning. He immediately had an idea.

Although he knew that his father, Fu Changsheng, had strictly forbidden them from going out at will before going to Zhenmo Pass, Fu Yongxing felt that his cultivation had greatly improved, and he was within his own fiefdom of Huixi County. In addition, he had a Black Scale Python, which was about to break through to the fourth level, as his spirit pet, so he should be safe.

Although Fu Yongjing felt it was inappropriate, he couldn't resist his younger brother's insistence, and his desire for refining materials was equally fervent, so he came secretly with him.

“Yongxing, we’ve been searching for several days, and the search area is getting deeper and deeper.” Fu Yongjing stopped what he was doing, his tone becoming more cautious. “Father’s instructions are not without reason. Although this place is our family’s fiefdom, there are rumors that there are still unpredictable dangers deep within the Burning Heaven Fire Domain. Why don’t we go back first and discuss this further?”

Although he was protected by the innate treasure, the Void Tower, this secret must never be revealed. Moreover, the Void Tower was not a weapon for attack; he disliked fighting and preferred stability.

Fu Yongxing shook his head, his gaze still searching intently: "Brother, this is a rare opportunity. I have a feeling we're not far from that mine. Black Scale hasn't given any warnings, which means there's no major danger here for now."

Beside him, a giant python, as thick as a water bucket and covered entirely in black scales, lay lazily coiled on a boulder, its scarlet tongue flicking in and out, sensing the surrounding heat and energy. This black-scaled python had reached the peak of the third rank and was an important ally of his.

……

The two brothers were unaware that they had been under the watchful eyes of others from the moment they stepped into this area.

In the distance, behind a patch of air distorted by the intense heat, a blurry figure, almost blending into the dark red rocks, stood silently.

She wore a cloak that could block divine sense from probing, her face hidden in shadow, revealing only a pair of calm, emotionless eyes that were firmly locked onto the black-scaled python.

The mysterious woman, Yunyi, had been plotting this for a long time, her target being Fu Yongxing's spirit pet with extraordinary potential.

He was one of the dragon slaves sent by the true dragon from the Fallen Dragon Abyss.

Yun Yi's fingers twitched slightly within her sleeve, and a wisp of almost invisible light began to gather.

Just as she was about to make her move—

Yun Yi's figure suddenly froze, and the gathered eerie light instantly dissipated. She abruptly raised her head, her gaze shooting like lightning towards the direction of Huixi County City, her brows furrowed tightly beneath her cloak.

A powerful yet subtle aura of a Golden Core cultivator was rapidly approaching from that direction! Although it was still far away, the spiritual pressure was pure and boundless, definitely not that of an ordinary cultivator.

"A Golden Core cultivator...why would they be here at this time?" Yun Yi's mind raced, and he made a decisive decision: "We can't take the risk!"

Without any hesitation, she glided silently backward like a ghost, quickly disappearing into the shadows of the jagged rocks and scorching lava flows, completely concealing her presence as if she had never existed.

……

Below, Fu Yongxing seemed to sense something, and suddenly looked up towards the direction of the county city, blinking in confusion: "Just now, I felt... something?"

Fu Yongjing also looked up but found nothing, assuming it was just the fire domain's spiritual energy stirring. He patted his younger brother's shoulder and said, "Don't be so paranoid. Since you insist, let's explore a little further. If we find nothing, we must leave!"

"Alright!" Fu Yongxing suppressed the subtle strange feeling in his heart and turned his attention back to finding spiritual materials.

Little did they know, they had inadvertently avoided a sudden calamity. Meanwhile, in the distant sky, a crimson streak of light was slowly and steadily flying towards the Blazing Fire Domain.

The person who came was none other than Liu Meizhen:
"Yongjing? Yongxing? What are you two doing here?"

The two brothers, who were arguing quietly, froze upon hearing the noise and turned around in astonishment.

"mother?"

"Mother!"

Fu Yongjing reacted quickly, a smile immediately spreading across his face. He stepped forward to shield his younger brother and spoke first:
"Mother, what brings you here? It's because... I need a certain auxiliary material for refining weapons, and I heard that it might be available here, so I brought Yongxing along to look for it."

He tried to take the blame upon himself.

"Big brother!"

Fu Yongxing, however, was unmoved. He frowned slightly, stepped forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with his brother, and frankly said to Liu Meizhen:

“Mother, it has nothing to do with my elder brother. I insisted on coming to find the Heavenly Cloud Fire Crystal Stone, and my elder brother came along because he was worried about my safety. I disobeyed Father’s instructions, please punish me.”

Liu Meizhen's gaze swept over the two men, taking in their expressions. Her face darkened slightly, and her tone became serious:
"Regardless of whose idea it was, leaving the city without permission and venturing into dangerous territory was a mistake. Your father strictly forbade you from going out, and there must be a deeper reason for that. Although your cultivation has improved, the cultivation world is treacherous, and how could you possibly know all of it? If I hadn't happened to be here this time, what would have happened if you had encountered a danger that you couldn't handle?"

Her words were not particularly harsh, but they carried an undeniable authority and deep concern, causing both brothers to lower their heads.

“Mother, we know we were wrong.” Fu Yongjing stopped smiling and sincerely admitted his mistake. “Your son promises that it will never happen again.” Fu Yongxing also replied respectfully.

Seeing their sincere attitude, Liu Meizhen's expression softened slightly: "Alright, since you know you've made a mistake, then stay by my side for now and don't act on your own again."

"Yes." The two brothers answered in unison, both of them relieved, but then filled with great curiosity—why would their mother suddenly come to this remote, dormant volcano?
Liu Meizhen said no more. She closed her eyes and carefully sensed the scorching guidance emanating from the Burning Heaven Token in her palm. The sensation became exceptionally clear and intense here, its source pointing directly to the depths of the extinct volcano.

She arrived at what appeared to be an ordinary volcanic entrance. The entrance was dark and bottomless, devoid of any spiritual energy. After a moment's thought, she flicked her sleeve, and a flash of emerald light appeared, revealing a gigantic python with two ferocious heads and eyes gleaming with a ghostly emerald light.
"Bi Tong, guard this place. No one is allowed to approach."

"Hiss—" The two-headed blue-eyed python lowered both heads at the same time, indicating its obedience.

Liu Meizhen intended to enter alone, but Fu Yongxing and Fu Yongjing immediately looked over with wide eyes, their faces full of barely suppressed curiosity.

“Mother, let us go with you! Maybe we can help!” Fu Yongjing pleaded, filled with a thirst for exploration for any unknown place. “This place doesn’t seem dangerous,” Fu Yongxing added, his eyes bright.

Liu Meizhen looked at the bottomless cave entrance, then at her two sons, pondered for a moment, and nodded: "Stay close to me and be careful in everything you do."

"Yes!"

The three leaped into the cave entrance one after another, their figures plummeting rapidly. In the darkness, only the sound of their clothes rustling in the wind could be heard. Just as perceived from the outside, the spiritual energy became increasingly thinner the deeper they went, until finally, almost no fire spiritual power could be sensed, which was completely at odds with the name "Burning Heaven Fire Domain".

They plummeted thousands of feet, and all around them was pitch black and eerily silent.

"This place is strange, it's too desolate," Fu Yongjing muttered. His weapon-forging instincts made him feel that this extreme "nothingness" was rather unusual.

“Indeed, it doesn’t look like a volcano, but more like a dry well.” Fu Yongxing agreed, his previous contempt lessening considerably.

Just then, Liu Meizhen's falling figure suddenly stopped, hovering in mid-air. She raised her hand, and the crimson jade token in her palm was radiating an astonishing heat, even humming slightly.

"This is it," she said softly.

The two brothers quickly steadied themselves and approached. Before them lay an unremarkable, rough stone wall, indistinguishable from its surroundings.

Liu Meizhen extended her slender finger and gently touched the stone wall. Where her fingertip passed, a very faint, almost imperceptible ripple slowly spread out, and an ancient and obscure fluctuation flashed by.

"A barrier!" Fu Yongjing exclaimed. With his exceptional knowledge, he immediately recognized that this was not a natural formation. "Such a brilliant concealment technique. If it weren't for Mother's guidance, it would have been impossible to discover it."

Fu Yongxing's expression also turned serious.

Liu Meizhen took out a talisman that shimmered with silver light—it was a boundary-breaking talisman. She infused it with her magic power, and the talisman immediately shone brightly, transforming into a sharp silver beam that shot towards the stone wall!

"Buzz!"

The silver light struck the stone wall, and the ripples reappeared, but they were exceptionally resilient. After only a few violent fluctuations, the power of the silver light was completely absorbed and neutralized, leaving the stone wall intact.

“No,” Liu Meizhen retracted the talisman, shook her head, and a hint of understanding flashed in her beautiful eyes. “This is not an ordinary barrier, but an extremely ancient and powerful restriction. The barrier-breaking talisman is not of a high enough grade, and forcibly breaking it may cause a backlash.”

Looking at the now calm stone wall, she understood: "It seems that only Yaoyao can unravel the mystery of this barrier." Her daughter, Fu Yaoyao, had a level of knowledge of ancient formations and barriers that far surpassed that of ordinary people.

She no longer tries.

A series of array flags flew out from his sleeve and precisely inserted themselves into the surrounding rock walls, quickly setting up a concealment array to completely cover up the abnormal fluctuations in the area.

"Let's go, this matter needs careful consideration." She turned around decisively, and with her two sons who were still staring at the stone wall, unwilling but helpless, she flew upwards.

(End of this chapter)