Family Rise: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 567 Water Cloud Cave Heaven, Pledge of Allegiance, Lottery

Liu Meizhen let out a long sigh of relief and waved her hand to recall the divine cauldron. The cauldron was warm to the touch, and she could feel the immense power contained within the initially suppressed Crimson Lotus Heart Flame inside.

"Mother, are you alright?" Yao Yao stepped forward and asked with concern. She could tell that her mother had just exerted herself greatly.

"It's alright," Liu Meizhen smiled slightly, looking at the small cauldron in her hand with joy in her eyes. "The harvest has been quite fruitful. I will take this fire back and refine it carefully. Whether it is used to fight enemies, assist in refining weapons and pills, or even temper the soul, it will have endless wonderful uses."

Han Xiao also came closer, looking curiously at the small cauldron that was no longer emitting high temperatures: "Mistress is really amazing! She put away that terrifying fire in one go!"

……

As the three passed through the exit on the opposite bank of the lava lake, they felt a strange distortion and fluctuation in the surrounding space, as if they had passed through an invisible film of water.

The next moment, the view in front of me suddenly opened up.

In stark contrast to the scorching, deathly stillness of the underground, a surge of abundant, fresh, and moist spiritual energy rushed towards me, instantly invigorating my spirit.

They were standing on a lush, green meadow, with a smooth, mirror-like stone wall behind them, which must be the manifestation of the entrance.

Before them lay a vast, misty lake that stretched as far as the eye could see!
The lake water was as clear as flawless jade, yet it was shrouded in a dense, impenetrable milky-white spiritual mist. The lake's surface was as calm as a mirror, reflecting not the sky, but a domed rock wall radiating a soft white light. This interplay of light and spiritual mist made the entire space appear hazy and sacred. The pure spiritual energy permeating the air could be absorbed into the body almost without refining, surpassing even the best blessed lands and grotto-heavens of the outside world.

"A self-contained space... such a rich aquatic energy!"

Liu Meizhen took a deep breath, feeling her magical power surge, her eyes filled with undisguised shock:
"The predecessor who transformed the desolate power of the earth's fire into such a vibrant aquatic spiritual realm and set up this place must have reached a state of perfection in the application of the laws of heaven and earth. Let's go and take a look at the island."

An island sits quietly in the lake like an emerald pearl.

In the center of the island, a magnificent and ancient-style palace complex stands quietly.

The palace was constructed from some unknown spiritual material, neither gold nor jade, but a warm, moon-white hue that remained spotless through the ages, radiating a soft glow. Its eaves and brackets resembled phoenix wings in flight, and profound runes were imprinted on the carved beams and painted rafters. Each line contained the ultimate truths of heaven and earth, silently testifying to the former glory and extraordinary power of its owner.

The main hall is the tallest and most magnificent, with its doors tightly closed. Above it hangs a plaque with two large characters written in an extremely ancient cloud seal script: "Water and Clouds".

The brushstrokes flow like dragons and snakes, their natural elegance a masterpiece.

In front of the hall is a spacious white jade square, where several stone sculptures of different shapes, some holding weapons and others making hand seals, stand in an orderly manner. They are not inanimate objects, but rather exude a harmonious Taoist charm, as if they are explaining some kind of cultivation technique or guarding this sacred place.

The entire palace complex was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, filled with an atmosphere of solemnity, holiness, tranquility, and a touch of loneliness, as if waiting for a destined person to arrive.

"Water Cloud Cave Heaven..."

Liu Meizhen took the lead and walked towards the most magnificent main hall, her gaze falling on the tightly closed hall doors, which were bathed in a faint moonlight. She stretched out her jade-like hand and tentatively infused the doors with a stream of pure and gentle spiritual energy.

Om-!
A flash of light appeared on the surface of the palace door, and a gentle yet incredibly resilient force instantly deflected her spiritual power. The door remained completely still, without even a ripple.

"As expected, there are restrictions."

"This restriction is perfectly integrated, seamlessly connected with the spiritual energy of the entire palace complex and even the island in the lake. A single movement affects the whole, and it cannot be broken by brute force."

She tried several gentle spells to break the seal, but the moon-white palace gate was like a sleeping behemoth, unresponsive to her probing; its defenses were far stronger than she had imagined.

"Mother, let me see."

Yao Yao stepped forward, her eyes swirling with rapidly changing silver patterns.

A moment later, she withdrew her hand, a look of solemnity and amazement on her beautiful face.

"What an exquisite 'Five Directions Mountain-Suppressing and Spirit-Locking Array'!"

Yao Yao's tone was filled with sincere admiration for the person who set up the formation:

"This formation is not a dead formation, but a living formation. Its core energy cycle is connected to the spiritual veins of the entire Shuiyun Cave Heaven, drawing energy to sustain itself for thousands of years. To open it safely, it is necessary to use specific laws and simultaneously inject five different types of Golden Core power into the five hidden formation eyes to temporarily interrupt its cycle and open the gate."

She looked at Liu Meizhen and said in detail:
"These five Golden Core powers have extremely demanding requirements. They need one of each of the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. At least one of them must reach the strength and purity of a late-stage Golden Core cultivator to act as the dominant force, in order to suppress the backlash of the formation and coordinate the other four forces."

Hanxiao flicked its tail and muttered to itself:

"Five Golden Core cultivators? And one of them has to be at the late stage? That's way too high a threshold..."

however.

Liu Meizhen's brows quickly relaxed:
“Your father sent me a message the day before yesterday, saying that he has finished his business at Zhenmo Pass and has already left the pass. Judging by the time, he should be able to return to his fiefdom in Huizhou in a while. Although your father is at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, he can use a secret method to raise his cultivation to the late-stage of the Golden Core realm in a short period of time.”

"but"

"During this period, this place must be kept absolutely secret. We will first explore the outer perimeter of this Water Cloud Cave Heaven to familiarize ourselves with the environment and collect some usable spiritual plant resources. The spiritual energy here is so abundant that it is an excellent place for cultivation, and it can also help us advance our cultivation."

Upon hearing this, Yao Yao's eyes showed a relieved expression. She had absolute confidence in her father, Fu Changsheng, and nodded in agreement:
“Mother is absolutely right. With Father’s return, everything will naturally fall into place. This secluded place is perfect as another foundation for the Fu family.”

...

...

Inside an exquisite flower hall in the Wu family mansion.

Huang Yueyun, carrying the freshly brewed spiritual tea, walked lightly to her husband Wu Chengzong's side and gently set the teacup down. She didn't leave immediately, but instead, a hint of lingering doubt and curiosity lingered between her brows as she softly said:

"My husband, I've noticed something lately that seems rather unusual."

Wu Chengzong was flipping through a jade slip containing clan affairs when he heard this. He looked up, took the teacup, and asked gently:
"Oh? What is it that worries my wife so much?"

Huang Yueyun lowered her voice:

"It's that extinct volcano in the west of the county. In recent years, I've passed by the area several times and always felt that the spiritual energy fluctuations there were a bit strange. Sometimes, a subtle yet extremely strong restrictive force would flash by, quite different from its completely lifeless state a few years ago. Moreover, several years ago, the matriarch of the Fu family even killed a Golden Core cultivator there... I suspect that there might be some secret hidden in that mountain?"

Her words were tinged with a hint of probing. Although the Wu and Fu families were related by marriage, there was also potential competition between the families.

If there truly is some legacy from the past or a sacred site appearing within that dormant volcano, and if the Wu family can seize it first…

However, after listening, Wu Chengzong's gentle smile faded, replaced by a deep solemnity. He put down his teacup, looked at Huang Yueyun with a serious expression, and said in a deep voice:
"Yueyun, this matter ends here. Do not investigate further, and do not entertain any further thoughts."

Huang Yueyun was taken aback, not expecting her husband to react this way, and couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Husband? Why is this? If it really is an opportunity..."

“Precisely because it might be an opportunity, we must not touch it!” Wu Chengzong interrupted her, his tone resolute. “Do you know where that dormant volcano points? That’s the Fu family’s territory! Even if there is something there, it should be handled by the Fu family.”

He paused, leaned forward slightly, and lowered his voice, which carried a warning tone: "The Fu family... is not what it used to be. Do you know that not long ago, their family added another Golden Core cultivator?"

"Another Golden Core cultivator?" Huang Yueyun's beautiful eyes widened slightly, and she gasped.

The Fu family already had Fu Changsheng, the patriarch who could reverse the death of a fake infant, and Liu Meizhen, who was also a first-grade golden core. Now, another one has been added.
Eight Golden Elixir Pills from One Family!

This is an extremely formidable strength in Wuzhou, enough to easily overwhelm all in-law families, including the Wu family.

Only the newly arrived Princess's Mansion could overshadow the Fu family.

Wu Chengzong nodded heavily, a complex expression on his face, a mixture of envy and clear apprehension:

“Indeed. The Fu family is currently very powerful and at the height of its power. Let alone the fact that the dormant volcano might just be a normal occurrence, even if some earth-shattering treasure does appear, it should be an opportunity for the Fu family, and certainly not something that my Wu family can covet.”

He looked at his wife and spoke earnestly:

“Madam, remember, the Wu family and the Fu family are related by marriage. We share the same fate, and we share the same fate. We should be on good terms with them. How can we provoke them because of some unfounded suspicions? That would not be an opportunity, but a path to disaster! The Fu family is not one we can afford to offend.”

As Huang Yueyun listened to her husband's words, the curiosity and doubt on her face gradually faded, replaced by a layer of fine sweat on her back. She was a smart woman and instantly understood the implications. Faced with absolute power, any petty scheme could bring annihilation to the family.

She nodded quickly, still shaken, and said, "My husband is right. I was careless and almost messed things up. I will never mention this again, and I will also restrain my men from getting any closer to that dormant volcano."

Seeing that she had taken his words to heart, Wu Chengzong's expression softened. He picked up his teacup again, took a sip, and said leisurely, "Hmm, that's good. The prosperity of the Fu family is also beneficial to my Wu family. Maintaining this marriage relationship is the way to go in the long run. Those inappropriate thoughts should be put out as soon as possible."

……

Several months later, Huang Yueyun returned to the Huang family in Wuzhou to visit her relatives, as was customary.

Inside the Huang family mansion, a festive atmosphere had not yet completely dissipated. This was because the Huang family patriarch had recently overcome numerous hardships and finally succeeded in forming his Golden Core, embarking on the path to the Golden Core realm, which greatly enhanced the Huang family's status in Wuzhou.

Inside the flower hall, Huang Yueyun was enjoying tea and chatting with her mother, Madam Huang. The mother and daughter were having a private conversation, and the topic naturally turned to the Huang family's recent happy events and the current situation of each other's families.

"Mother, Father's successful formation of the Golden Core is truly a joyous occasion. Now, our Huang family can be considered a family with three Golden Core cultivators in charge." Huang Yueyun smiled as she served tea, her tone filled with pride and joy.

Madam Huang took the teacup, her face beaming with undisguised pride and satisfaction: "Yes, your father's centuries of arduous cultivation have finally paid off. Our Huang family can finally hold our heads high." She paused, then asked with concern, "How are you doing at the Wu family? How is Chengzong treating you?"

"My husband treats me very well, Mother, please rest assured," Huang Yueyun said with a smile. Perhaps it was because she was in front of her beloved mother that she felt relaxed, or perhaps it was because the Huang family had recently gained a Golden Core cultivator that gave her more confidence. She started to speak, casually lowering her voice as she continued the previous topic, "Speaking of which, in this world, opportunities are truly important. Just like in our Huixi County, not long ago..."

She paused slightly, seemingly realizing she had spoken out of turn, but seeing her mother's curious gaze, she couldn't help but lower her voice and say, "That extinct volcano in the west of the county seems to be making some unusual noises. The fluctuations in spiritual energy are very strange. I'm afraid it's not a simple place. My husband specifically told me not to tell anyone, and not to investigate it. He said that the Fu family's territory is absolutely not to be provoked."

Her intention may have been to illustrate that opportunities are rare and require caution, or perhaps she simply wanted to share a private anecdote. After speaking, she tried to change the subject.

However, the speaker meant no harm, but the listener took it to heart!

Upon hearing this, Madam Huang's smile faltered slightly, and a glint of shrewdness flashed in her eyes. She did not immediately question her daughter, but instead exchanged a few more casual words before making an excuse to check on the banquet preparations and leaving the flower hall.

As soon as she was out of her daughter's sight, Madam Huang quickened her pace and headed straight for the family's forbidden area—the quiet room where the patriarch, Huang, was in seclusion to consolidate his cultivation.

"Husband!" Madam Huang called out respectfully from outside, her voice tinged with urgency.

A moment later, the stone door to the meditation room opened, and the newly promoted Golden Core cultivator, Clan Chief Huang, sat cross-legged inside, his still somewhat unstable Golden Core aura emanating from him. He frowned slightly: "What's the matter that you're in such a hurry?"

Madam Huang strode in and immediately recounted, without missing a single word, what she had just heard from her daughter Huang Yueyun about the strange phenomena of the extinct volcano in Huixi County and Wu Chengzong's stern admonition.

"...Chengzong has always been a steady and reliable child. For him to so sternly warn Yueyun and even bluntly say that the Fu family is not to be trifled with, that dormant volcano must be extraordinary!" Madam Huang added at the end, her eyes gleaming with ambition. "Husband, you have just formed your core. If you can obtain another great opportunity, how can our Huang family not rise to a higher level?"

Upon hearing this, Chief Huang's turbid eyes suddenly flashed with a terrifying light! All the words related to "Fu family", "untouchable", and "abnormal phenomenon of dormant volcano" rapidly combined in his mind.

"The Fu family... a dormant volcano..." he muttered to himself, suddenly forming hand seals. His golden core hummed, and a profound power emanated from it. He had actually spared no expense, expending his vital energy to perform the Huang family's secret divination technique!
A spiritual light swirled around his fingertips, and obscure divination symbols appeared in the void before him, constantly arising and vanishing. His face gradually flushed, and veins throbbed on his forehead, clearly indicating that the divination was extremely difficult and involved a very high level of power.

puff!
After a while, Chief Huang suddenly spat out a small mouthful of blood, his breath weakened slightly, but his eyes shone with an unbelievable ecstasy and greed!
"The heavenly secrets are concealed... such a powerful concealment! But that sliver of Daoist aura that leaked out... majestic, ancient, containing the aura of creation from water and marshes! A great opportunity! Truly an earth-shattering opportunity!" His voice trembled with excitement. "It's right beneath that dormant volcano! There's no mistake!"

However, after the initial euphoria, the cold reality struck. Wu Chengzong's warning echoed in his ears—"The Fu family is not to be trifled with!"
Yes, the Fu family boasts eight Golden Core cultivators, and Fu Changsheng was even capable of slaying a fake Infant cultivator; his strength is unfathomable. How could Clan Chief Huang, a mere Core Formation cultivator, possibly dare to snatch food from a tiger's mouth? Even if he could deduce the location of the opportunity, how could he dare to steal food from the Fu family? That would be tantamount to courting death.

But at that moment, a cunning and sinister glint flashed in Chief Huang's eyes. He abruptly stood up and paced rapidly around the quiet room.

"We can't afford to offend the Fu family... but this generous gift might be worth giving in return for a brighter future!"

He abruptly stopped and looked at Madam Huang, a calculating smile almost fawning on his face: "Madam, do you know that I have received news that Princess Runyu will soon arrive at her fiefdom of Wuzhou and take up residence in the Princess's Mansion!"

Madam Huang was taken aback, then seemed to understand something, and her breathing suddenly became rapid.

Chief Huang became more and more excited as he spoke, as if he could already see a bright future:

“Princess Runyu is a member of the royal family, with an extremely prestigious status! If we can seize this opportunity to climb the social ladder and gain her favor, why should our Huang family fear the Fu family anymore? We could even become the most prestigious family in Wuzhou and even the Great Zhou!”

He clenched his fists, making up his mind:

"This great gift should be presented to Her Highness the Princess! Prepare the carriage immediately, no, I will personally go to the Princess's residence to wait! Once the Princess arrives, I will be the first to present her with the news that 'the extinct volcano in Huixi County holds an earth-shattering opportunity that even the Fu family has kept tightly under wraps'!"

He could almost picture himself respectfully presenting the map and his deductions, receiving the princess's praise. As for the Fu family? What did they amount to in front of a royal princess?
"Quickly! Get ready! This matter must be kept absolutely secret!" Chief Huang urged anxiously, his face flushed with an unusual red glow from excitement and greed.

Madam Huang was also very excited and quickly went to prepare.

Inside the Huang family's quiet room, only the Huang clan chief remained. He gazed out the window, his eyes gleaming with an intense thirst for power, and chuckled softly:
"Fu family, Fu family, the treasure you're guarding should just become the stepping stone for my Huang family to rise to prominence!"

...

...

Deep within the main residence of the Fu family in Huizhou Prefecture.

A subtle, ethereal light pierced through layers of restrictions, silently landing in a dimly lit, simply furnished meditation room. Inside, a man dressed in black, his aura deep and unfathomable, his face shrouded in shadow, was meditating cross-legged. As the light reached him, he abruptly opened his eyes, a flash of brilliance in them, and raised his hand to catch it.

"Father is back."

A flicker of excitement crossed his eyes. He then stood up and, like a ghost, silently left the quiet room, passing through several hidden corridors, and arrived outside Fu Changsheng's study.

"Father."

"Enter."

Fu Yongrui pushed open the door and entered, offering a greeting before getting straight to the point:

"Father, we have just received confirmation that Princess Runyu's carriage has crossed the border of Qingzhou and will soon officially arrive at her fiefdom of Wuzhou. Her newly built princess mansion in the prefecture has been completed, and it is said to be luxurious and magnificent, far exceeding the regulations."

He paused slightly, then continued:
"Within Wuzhou, the heads of several prominent families, led by the Huang, Qin, and Ye families, have secretly communicated and agreed to visit the princess together on the day she arrives, ostensibly to congratulate her on the completion of her new residence."

"Yongrui, what's your opinion on this matter?" Fu Changsheng's expression didn't change much.

Fu Yongrui bowed slightly and calmly analyzed the situation:
“Princess Runyu is of noble status, and her arrival will inevitably disrupt the existing power balance in Wuzhou. These local bullies rushed to pay their respects and pledge their loyalty, simply trying to seize the initiative in the new landscape. As a newcomer, the princess also needs the support of local forces to gain a foothold, and she should not refuse this visit.”

"Hmm." Fu Changsheng nodded slightly, acknowledging Fu Yongrui's analysis. He pondered for a moment, then asked, "Has the exact date of the Princess's arrival been ascertained?"

"If there are no unforeseen circumstances, the ceremonial procession will enter the Princess's residence on the fifteenth of the third month," Fu Yongrui replied immediately, demonstrating the meticulousness of the work done in the secret service.

Fu Changsheng nodded slightly: "When the princess arrives in Wuzhou, there will definitely be a banquet. We don't need to go to the princess's residence to wait for her. We can just wait for a while. But before that, we need to prepare the congratulatory gifts."

"Yes, father"

After Fu Yongrui left, Fu Changsheng activated the magic array, and with a thought, entered the small wooden house in the Five Elements Space, focusing his mind on the panel in his sea of ​​consciousness:
"Redeem for Special Prize Draw"

hum!
The golden light on the panel suddenly surged, transforming into countless tiny runes. These runes collided and combined, ultimately forming a giant, phantom roulette wheel. The wheel spun rapidly, flashing past dazzling images of treasures.

Fu Changsheng held his breath, his eyes fixed on the roulette wheel that was gradually slowing down.

Finally, the pointer stopped on a grid that emitted a heavy, steady, earthy yellow light, with what seemed to be floating phantoms of mountains and earth inside.

As the light faded, a perfectly round, earth-yellow crystal, roughly the size of a pigeon's egg and with a deep, rich color resembling the essence of the earth's depths, quietly appeared in Fu Changsheng's palm. The crystal felt warm to the touch, yet heavier than gold or stone. Its surface was naturally covered with mysterious patterns like the veins of the earth, radiating a majestic and timeless Daoist aura that seemed to encompass all things.

At the same time, a message flowed into Fu Changsheng's consciousness:
【Kun Yuan Dharma Seed】

[Rank: Special (No specific grade, growth type)]

[Source: Formed from the essence of the earth's origin, fused with a trace of innate earth elemental law.]

[Effect: Grants fusion to descendants of the bloodline. After fusion, it greatly enhances the host's affinity and control over earth-attribute spiritual energy, with a very high probability of awakening the [Thick Earth Spirit Body] or similar earth-type innate divine abilities. After awakening, cultivating earth-type techniques becomes twice as effective, with defense, strength, and recovery far exceeding those of the same level, and the host can better communicate with the power of the earth, moving freely among mountains and ley lines.]

[Characteristic: The effects of this Dharma Seed slowly grow as the host's cultivation level increases and their understanding of the Dao of the Earth deepens. The deeper the connection with the Earth, the stronger its power.]

[Restrictions: This fusion is only possible for descendants below the Golden Core stage, with a calm temperament and an affinity for the Earth element. An elder must protect the fusion process, and the fusion process will utilize the Earth's energy as a supplement.]

"Kun Yuan Dharma Seed? Thick Earth Spiritual Body?"

"It's a treasure that can directly create a special spiritual body! For suitable members of our clan, this item is undoubtedly an opportunity to lay an unparalleled foundation for their cultivation!"

As Fu Changsheng held the Kunyuan Dharma Seed in his hand, the heavy feel of it, imbued with the essence of the earth, immediately brought to mind an excellent candidate.

With a slight thought, a gentle yet irresistible voice transmission crossed the mansion and precisely reached Fu Yongyi's ears, who was deep in thought, gazing at a newly drawn mineral vein map in the family workshop.

"Yongyi, come to my private room."

Upon hearing this, Fu Yongyi immediately put down the jade slip in his hand, a look of respect and doubt on his face. His father had been busy since his return, and this sudden private audience was of unknown importance. He dared not delay, straightened his robes, and hurried towards the study in the main house.

"Father, you wanted to see me?" Fu Yongyi entered the secret room and bowed respectfully.

He wasn't particularly tall, but he appeared exceptionally solid and steady. He had a kind face and focused, determined eyes. His years of working with mountains and rivers gave him an aura of earth that brought peace of mind.

Fu Changsheng looked at his son with a look of satisfaction in his eyes.

Fu Yongyi's talent wasn't top-tier, and his cultivation speed wasn't the fastest among his brothers, but his calm and resilient temperament, and his almost instinctive affinity and love for the land and mineral veins, were unique. Since he took charge of the family's mineral exploration, he had never made a mistake, making great contributions to the family.

"Hmm, come here." Fu Changsheng beckoned, a gentle smile on his face, and directly held the [Kun Yuan Dharma Seed] that emitted a thick yellow light in his palm. "Take a look at this."

As soon as the seed of magic appeared, the spiritual energy in the study seemed to become concentrated, and a vast, majestic, and all-encompassing aura of the earth veins spread out.

Fu Yongyi's gaze was instantly drawn to it. He felt his earth-element cultivation technique accelerate its operation on its own, and the true fluid within his body leaped with joy, as if it had encountered something primordial. A yearning and resonance from the depths of his bloodline arose spontaneously.

"Father, what... what is this? I feel... I feel that it is from the same source as my spiritual power!" Fu Yongyi could not hide his shock. He could clearly sense the terrifying earth energy contained in that small crystal.

"This is the [Kun Yuan Dharma Seed]." Fu Changsheng explained the effects of the Dharma Seed in detail, especially emphasizing its extremely high probability of awakening the [Thick Earth Spirit Body].

Upon hearing this, Fu Yongyi's breathing quickened, and his honest face flushed with excitement. A Thick Earth Spirit Body! For any cultivator practicing earth-based techniques, especially a cultivator like him who spends his days interacting with the earth, this was undoubtedly a coveted, unparalleled opportunity!
“Father, this is too precious! There are other younger brothers and sisters in the clan who are more talented…” Although Fu Yongyi was extremely eager for it, he still instinctively felt that he was unworthy of such a treasure.

Fu Changsheng waved his hand, interrupting him:
“This item is most suited to you! Your character, your achievements, and your selfless dedication to the family are all evident to your father. This Kunyuan Dharma Seed is for you alone! My Fu family needs a holder of the Earth Spirit Body who can truly communicate with the earth and safeguard our foundation.”

The affirmation and trust in his words warmed Fu Yongyi's heart, and he no longer refused, kneeling down deeply.
"Yongyi thanks Father for his generous gift! I will certainly live up to Father's expectations!"

"Alright! Without further ado, right here, I will help you refine this treasure!" Fu Changsheng was always decisive and efficient.

With a flick of his sleeve, layers of array formations instantly enveloped the study, isolating it from the outside world. Immediately afterward, he changed his hand seals, drawing upon the spiritual energy of the Fu family's sacred mountain. Streams of pure, rich, earthy-yellow earth energy rose from the ground, flowing into the study like rivers flowing into the sea, surrounding Fu Yongyi and making the spiritual energy in the room incredibly thick and powerful.

"Concentrate your mind and calm your spirit, embrace the primordial energy and guard the oneness! Guide the earth's energy and receive the seed of Dharma!"

Fu Changsheng gave a low shout and lightly tapped his fingertip. The [Kun Yuan Dharma Seed] transformed into a stream of light and slowly entered Fu Yongyi's dantian.

"Ugh—!"

The moment the seed of Dharma entered his body, Fu Yongyi let out a suppressed roar, feeling an indescribable, vast energy explode within his dantian! That energy was not violent, but incredibly heavy and immense, as if it wanted to assimilate his dantian, meridians, and even his entire body into a part of the earth!

His skin instantly cracked like the earth itself, and a yellow light surged around him. His body trembled slightly as he endured immense pressure. But his resilience and steadfastness were on full display at this moment. He gritted his teeth, relying on the indomitable will he had honed through years of exploring mineral veins and dealing with the earth's energy, to maintain his mental clarity. He frantically circulated his family's earth-elemental cultivation technique, guiding the surging energy to cleanse his body.

Fu Changsheng, who was protecting him from the side, nodded slightly upon seeing this, his eyes showing even greater approval. He continued to cast spells to harmonize the earth's energy and stabilize the surging energy around Fu Yongyi.

The process lasted for several hours.

Finally, the intense energy fluctuations around Fu Yongyi gradually subsided. The cracked earth patterns not only did not disappear, but gradually solidified and became profound, as if they were true innate Dao patterns, perfectly merging with his body. His aura became incredibly deep and heavy, and wherever he stood, he seemed to be one with the earth beneath his feet, unshakeable.

A sense of enlightenment arose in his heart.

He slowly opened his eyes, a thick yellow light flashing within them, his gaze deeper and more resolute than ever before. With a slight thought, a solid, earthy-yellow aura instantly appeared around him, radiating a powerful and reassuring defensive force. At the same time, he felt his perception of the surrounding earth's energy become incredibly clear; he could even faintly "hear" the "sound" of the spiritual veins flowing deep within the sacred mountain beneath his feet!
"Father! I did it!"

Fu Yongyi's voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement and joy. He felt a transformative change within his body, and an unprecedentedly close connection with the earth:
"Is this the power of the Earth Spirit? I feel... I feel that as long as I stand on the ground, I have boundless power!"

Fu Changsheng burst into hearty laughter:

"Good! Good! Good! My son is indeed destined for this Dharma seed! The Thick Earth Spirit Body has been formed, and the future Great Dao is promising! In the future, we will have to rely on you more for the surveying of the family's spiritual veins, the management of the earth's veins, and even for defense and protection!"

"Yes, Father! Yongyi will do everything in his power to protect the family and live up to the responsibility of this land!" Fu Yongyi bowed respectfully again. At this moment, his aura was as calm as a deep pool, and he already possessed some of the demeanor of a future Grandmaster of the Earth.

Fu Changsheng looked at his son with satisfaction, his heart filled with joy:
"Go down and consolidate your cultivation, and familiarize yourself with the power of the spiritual body."

Yongyi has been cultivating at the False Core stage for many years.

Among his many children, he is the most hardworking and meritorious, and has always made silent contributions. Once the Seven Heart Begonia in his hands is refined into an elixir, Yongyi should also go into seclusion to form his own elixir.

Just thinking about it.

A familiar mechanical voice echoed in Fu Changsheng's mind:
"Ding"

"You have gifted a special magic seed to your clansman and assisted him in refining it, resulting in the birth of a spiritual body. Your clan contribution points have been increased to 20,000."

The celebration at the Princess's Mansion is still several months away.

Fu Changsheng hesitated for a moment, then decided to go to Tianlang Mountain first to investigate the specific situation of the Tianyin tribe, and take Yongren with him to retrieve the treasure.

...

...

Inside the Fu family's secret cultivation chamber, qi and blood surged like a tide, and the faint howl of wolves echoed through the air.

Fu Yongren sat cross-legged, shirtless, his bronze skin revealing bulging muscles and veins that resembled coiled dragons. He was enveloped in a dense, wild, crimson aura—a sign that he had reached a crucial stage in his cultivation of the "Heavenly Wolf Battle Body." He was attempting to break through the bottleneck of the late third tier.

On his chest, the dark red mark formed from the Heavenly Wolf Heart, which had been refined over a long period of time at the False Infant Realm, was now flashing violently. Streams of powerful but slightly turbulent blood energy were forcibly extracted and merged into his own torrent of blood energy, attempting to help him break through the barrier in one fell swoop.

Fu Yongren frowned, his jaw clenched, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead. His will was as firm as a rock, and he frantically circulated his internal energy, guiding the surging power to crash against the invisible barrier.

Each impact brought excruciating pain, but his indomitable spirit and diligence sustained him, allowing him to suppress the pain and launch even more ferocious attacks.

However, just as that barrier seemed to be crumbling and about to be breached—

The Sirius Heart mark on his chest trembled violently, and its light suddenly became flickering! The energy, which was originally turbulent but still manageable, suddenly became extremely chaotic and violent, like a ferocious wolf that had been completely enraged and was now turning on its master!
"puff--!"

Fu Yongren's body trembled violently, and he spat out a mouthful of bright red blood. The surging blood energy around him instantly dissipated by more than half, becoming chaotic and disordered. The force that had been pushing through his bottleneck receded like a tide, and the backlash made his internal organs feel as if they had shifted, and his face instantly turned as pale as paper.

Failed.

……

Outside the secret room, the old servant Zhongbo, who had been waiting, sensed the sudden change in the atmosphere inside and immediately pushed the door open and entered. Seeing Fu Yongren's weak and blood-spitting appearance, as well as the lingering violent and chaotic aura in the air, a trace of heartache and understanding flashed in the old man's eyes.

He quickly stepped forward, supported the swaying Fu Yongren, and transferred a stream of pure and peaceful true energy to help him stabilize the churning blood and qi within his body.

“Young Master, you are too impatient.” Uncle Zhong’s voice was filled with kindness and worry. “The power contained in the Heart of the Heavenly Wolf at the False Infant Realm is too vast and violent. Although you have refined it, it is not something you have cultivated yourself. When you reach the critical moment of breakthrough, the trace of its original wildness will cause trouble, making it difficult to control perfectly.”

Fu Yongren, panting heavily, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. Although there was a moment of defeat in his eyes, it was quickly replaced by a deeper resilience. He shook his head, his voice a little hoarse: "It's not its fault. It's because my cultivation is insufficient to completely subdue this power."

Zhongbo sighed: "Young master, I have seen your hard work and perseverance. But the later stages of the 'Heavenly Wolf Battle Body' become increasingly difficult to break through, and the requirements for blood and spirit are extremely demanding. In particular, breaking through from the third to the fourth stage is a major hurdle. It is extremely difficult and dangerous to overcome it by relying solely on hard work and willpower."

He paused, looking at Fu Yongren's pale yet resolute face, and slowly offered his suggestion: "This old servant believes that you, young master, may need to pause for a while to properly recuperate from the backlash and stabilize your current realm. Once you have recovered to your peak condition, then you can attempt a breakthrough."

"As for the next breakthrough..." Uncle Zhong's tone became solemn, "I'm afraid you'll need to find a top-tier auxiliary spiritual object that is extremely yang and powerful, capable of purifying your qi and blood and suppressing your frenzy. With the power of that spiritual object, you might be able to completely tame the remaining wildness of the Heavenly Wolf Heart and succeed in one fell swoop. Otherwise, if you try to force your way through on your own, I'm afraid..."

Zhongbo didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear. The next failure might not be as simple as just vomiting blood and getting injured.

Fu Yongren remained silent for a moment, feeling the still faint pain in his meridians and the Sirius Heart imprint that had temporarily subsided but was still restless, before slowly nodding. Although he was not afraid of difficulties and craved power, he was not a reckless person.

“Uncle Zhong is right.” His voice calmed down. “I was just being presumptuous. In that case, let’s focus on consolidating our cultivation first. As for the auxiliary spirit creature…” A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, “I’ll find a way to find out!”

a few days later.

Fu Yongren received a message from his father, Fu Changsheng.

……

"Yongren, you're here." In the study, Fu Changsheng put down the jade slip in his hand, his gaze sharp as he looked at his son. "Judging from your expression, you seem to have something on your mind? Have you encountered a difficulty in your cultivation?"

Fu Yongren was not surprised by his father's keen insight. After bowing respectfully, he smiled wryly and said frankly, "Nothing can be hidden from Father. I recently attempted to break through to the late stage of the third level of the 'Heavenly Wolf Battle Body,' but failed." He then recounted in detail how the energy of the Heavenly Wolf Heart suddenly went out of control and backfired during the attempt, as well as Uncle Zhong's judgment that it was necessary to find a top-tier auxiliary spiritual object.

Fu Changsheng listened quietly, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Uncle Zhong is astute and his judgment is correct. The 'Heavenly Wolf Battle Body' is an ancient secret technique, domineering and fierce. The later the stage, the higher the requirements for foundation and external assistance. The Heavenly Wolf Heart you refined is of extremely high quality, which is both an opportunity and a test. The ferocity of the ancient Heavenly Wolf that remains within it cannot be completely tamed with your current cultivation level. Forcing an attack will be twice as difficult and extremely risky."

His tone was firm, carrying a convincing power: "Pausing the breakthrough to consolidate first is the right thing to do. It just so happens that I intend to make a trip to Tianlang Mountain. You will come with me. A change of environment may be beneficial to your mental recovery. We can also take this opportunity to check on Uncle Fei's situation recently."

"Yes, Father." Fu Yongren was a little flattered, after all, being able to train with his father was a great honor.

(End of this chapter)