Family Rise: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 573 Double Kill, Seven-Colored Divine Rice, Struggle for Opportunity
Before the lingering power of the thunder had dissipated, a figure descended upon the scene like a god, his robes fluttering without wind, his aura as deep as the sea. Who else could it be but Fu Changsheng?
His gaze, as cold as ice, swept over the heavily injured Han Xiao and his wife and daughter with solemn expressions, finally landing on the horrified Shi Jian and Liu Yun.

"You dare to harm my family and trespass on the forbidden grounds of the Fu family? You're courting death!"

Fu Changsheng's voice wasn't loud, yet it carried a chilling aura that sent shivers down one's spine. Before he finished speaking, a dazzling seven-colored light suddenly erupted from his body! His aura surged like a volcanic eruption, instantly breaking through barriers and reaching the late stage of the Golden Core realm!
"Damn it!" Liu Yun's face turned deathly pale instantly.

She never expected that Fu Changsheng would not only emerge from seclusion ahead of schedule, but also that his cultivation had advanced to the fifth level of the Golden Core stage. He already possessed the strength to sever a false infant at the fourth level of the Golden Core stage; now, with his greatly increased power, the combined attack of her and her husband would likely be no match for him, barely lasting a single blow!
escape!
You must escape immediately!
This thought instantly filled Liu Yun's mind.

She shoved her Daoist companion aside and screamed:
"Husband, run! I'll hold him off! Remember, avenge us!"

"No! Yunmei! We'll die together!" Shi Jian's eyes were bloodshot. How could he, so stubborn, escape alone? He reached out to grab Liu Yun.

It was this brief delay and struggle that completely destroyed the last glimmer of hope.

"Trying to leave now? Too late!" Yao Yao's icy voice rang out. She had already secretly set up an array, and with a flick of her jade hand, a massive light barrier instantly rose, completely sealing off an area of ​​several hundred feet! The array shimmered with light, seemingly indestructible!
At the same time, Fu Changsheng had already made his move.

He pointed his fingers like a sword, and a wisp of flame, condensed to its extreme and displaying a noble purple hue—the Purple Extreme Profound Fire—sent straight for Liu Yun's face as if by teleportation! Wherever the flame passed, the space itself was scorched and distorted!
Liu Yun sensed the destructive energy contained in the flames, despair flashed in her eyes, and she desperately summoned all her defensive magic treasures.

But all is in vain.

The Purple Extreme Profound Fire, like a red-hot iron encountering ice and snow, easily melted through layers of protection and instantly engulfed it! Before it could even scream, the strange fire shot through its brow and instantly killed it!
"Yunmei!!!" Shi Jian roared with all his might, his eyes bloodshot, as he desperately channeled all his magical power to rush toward Fu Changsheng, like a madman.

Fu Changsheng's expression was indifferent; he didn't even glance at him. He swung his palm out with a backhand strike. The immense late-stage Golden Core power condensed into a mountain-like phantom, which crashed down!

boom!
Shi Jian's protective aura shattered like paper, and his heart meridian was shattered, causing his death.

The battle started quickly and ended even faster.

The two mid-stage Golden Core cultivators were completely powerless against Fu Changsheng.

With a flick of his sleeve, Fu Changsheng seemingly put the two corpses and their belongings into his storage bag, but in reality, with a thought, he directly transferred them to the summit of Mount Ling within his Five Elements Space.

Almost the instant the two corpses hit the ground, two faint yet malevolent beams of divine light attempted to escape into the void.

"Hmph, still trying to escape?" Fu Changsheng sneered, forming a profound hand seal to communicate with the unseen forces.

"In my name, I summon the Heavenly Dragon of the Underworld, may divine light guide you!"

A dark and profound divine light, seemingly emanating from the depths of the netherworld, appeared out of nowhere and precisely enveloped the two fleeing souls. No matter how they struggled, they could not break free from the divine light's restraint, emitting a series of silent, mournful shrieks as they were forcibly dragged into the void and vanished.

Inside the mysterious Heavenly Dragon Temple in the Underworld.

A faint light flashed on the stone wall, and two more orbs of light appeared, twisting and contorting, revealing the terrified faces of Shi Jian and Liu Yun. Upon closer inspection, there were now eleven such orbs on the wall! They were all the souls of Golden Core cultivators who had been killed and imprisoned here by Fu Changsheng!

at the same time.

The Five Elements Space, at the summit of Mount Ling.

The corpses of two mid-stage Golden Core cultivators appeared out of thin air, and their rich blood and residual energy immediately attracted the attention of all living beings in the space.

"Ow!"

The azure dragon, already at the fourth rank, suddenly emerged from the spirit pool with its massive head. Its lantern-sized eyes were fixed on the two corpses, drooling and letting out a longing growl. The corpses of Golden Core cultivators were a great tonic for it!

Fu Changsheng's thoughts descended: "Eat them and refine them as soon as possible."

With permission granted, the Azure Dragon let out a joyful roar, opened its massive maw, and with a powerful suction force, swallowed the two corpses whole.

It immediately took hold, its body surging with demonic energy and blue light, and devoted itself to refining this immense energy.

In just a short while, its aura began to fluctuate violently, and it seemed to have taken a big step towards the mid-stage of the fourth rank! Its body seemed to have become thicker and its scales were becoming more and more shiny, and it was not far from breaking through.

……

Fu Changsheng withdrew his thoughts from the Five Elements Space and his gaze fell on his wife and daughter. Liu Meizhen stepped forward, a hint of worry in her eyes:
"My lord, although the entrance to Shuiyun Cave has not been exposed after this battle, the abnormality of this dormant volcano has certainly aroused speculation from all sides. The Huang family, the Seven Princes' Mansion... I'm afraid they won't let this go easily. The defenses here must be strengthened immediately, otherwise the consequences will be endless."

At this moment, Yao Yao had already given Han Xiao a healing elixir. Looking at her beloved pet's listless appearance, her pretty face was frosty, and her eyes were full of coldness: "Father, Mother is right! Today's matter must not be left unresolved! Not only must we defend this place, but we must also find out who is behind it all! Anyone who dares to harm my spirit pet and violate the forbidden area of ​​my Fu family must pay the price!" She was fiercely protective of her own, and at this moment she was truly enraged.

Fu Changsheng nodded, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "Rest assured, I will investigate this matter thoroughly and will never let those petty people think that the Fu family can be bullied." He paused and looked at Liu Meizhen, "Meizhen, are there any high-level protective formations in the clan's storeroom that can be used here?"

Liu Meizhen pondered for a moment and then shook her head: "The clan still has a few sets of third-order protective formations, but they may not be sufficient for this place. As for fourth-order and above formations, they have almost all been used by the clan's Golden Core cultivators to undergo tribulation... There are no reserves."

Yao Yao chimed in, "Father, I can lead the clan's array masters to refine fourth-order arrays. With my current array mastery, it won't be a problem if we have enough materials. But..." She frowned, "A complete fourth-order array, from design and material preparation to final refinement and deployment, even if everything goes smoothly, will take at least several years."

"Several years? That's too slow!" Fu Changsheng shook his head decisively, his gaze sweeping over the ravaged mountains around him, his tone grave. "After this battle, countless eyes are now watching this place. They may not know the exact location of the cave, but they certainly know that this place holds great opportunities. I'm afraid they won't give us several years to slowly set things up."

He acted decisively and made a decision immediately: "Distant water cannot quench a nearby fire; we must immediately strengthen the defenses here!"

He immediately took out a communication jade talisman, immersed his divine sense into it, and directly contacted Fu Yongshang, who was far away in the family's business hall: "Yongshang, listen up! Spare no expense, use all channels and connections, and purchase a small, portable protective array plate that can withstand attacks from early Nascent Soul cultivators as quickly as possible! Spirit stones are not a problem, speed is the priority!"

Fu Yongshang is shrewd and capable, and has been dealing with chambers of commerce in various places for many years. He has a wide network of contacts, so it is most appropriate to entrust this matter to him.

After delivering the message, Fu Changsheng looked at his wife and daughter, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable determination: "Until Yongshang acquires the new array plate, I will personally oversee this place. I want to see who dares to invade!"

The powerful aura of a late-stage Golden Core cultivator faintly emanated from his body, carrying a chilling killing intent. With the patriarch, capable of reversing the demise of a false infant, personally guarding the area, it was undoubtedly the strongest reassurance and also sent the sternest warning to all forces secretly lurking in the shadows.

Upon hearing this, Liu Meizhen and Yaoyao felt somewhat relieved. Having their husband (father) here was indeed more reassuring than any formation.

“That’s fine.” Liu Meizhen nodded. “I will immediately return to the clan and send a group of capable members to set up more sentry posts, both visible and hidden, on the perimeter. I will also set up several sets of third-order formations for early warning and interference. It’s not like my husband has to do everything himself.”

“I’ll go and gather the clan’s array masters right away to begin designing a fourth-order grand array and start collecting materials immediately,” Yao Yao said immediately, her eyes gleaming with wisdom. “Even if the new array plate arrives, the long-term defense of this place will ultimately depend on our own strength.”

Fu Changsheng nodded, quite satisfied with his wife and daughter's arrangements. The family of three had a clear division of labor and immediately got to work.

...

...

The extinct volcano area of ​​Huixi County is adjacent to the Wu family fiefdom.

Although the formation concealed most of the fluctuations in the brief but powerful battle between Fu Changsheng and the couple Shi Jian and Liu Yun, the clash of energy at the Golden Core level, especially the final thunderous dragon spear with its majestic heavenly might, still stirred up strong ripples of spiritual energy like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly alarming the nearby Wu family.

Outside the quiet room where the Wu family patriarch was in seclusion, the Wu clan chief hurriedly arrived, his face grave, and reported the strange phenomena he had just sensed, as well as the fragmented intelligence pieced together from the sentries planted on the border of Huixi County.

The door to the quiet room opened, and Old Ancestor Wu slowly walked out. After listening to the account, his white brows furrowed tightly: "The Seventh Prince's men? He actually dared to directly interfere with the Fu family's forbidden area?"

“It’s absolutely true.” Clan Chief Wu said in a heavy tone, “That Golden Core Daoist couple is none other than Shi Jian and Liu Yun, two very capable men under the Seventh Prince. It seems that the Seventh Prince is going to completely break ties with the Fu family.”

He paused briefly, lowering his voice even further, his eyes flashing with weighing and worry: "Ancestor, Huixi County and my Wu family are interdependent. If the Prince's Mansion is determined to attack the Fu family, wherever their troops are pointed, my Wu family will inevitably be affected. Should we... prepare in advance to provide assistance to the Fu family if necessary?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he immediately added his biggest concern: "But if we offer assistance, it would be an open act of hostility towards the Prince's Mansion. In the past, the Fu family was powerful, so we naturally followed suit. But now, Wuzhou has the formidable Princess Runyu, whose attitude is unclear and whose strength is unfathomable. This... this is a choice of sides. One wrong step could lead to the extermination of our clan."

After a moment of silence, Old Ancestor Wu looked at the clan leader with his cloudy but sharp eyes: "At the banquet at the Princess's residence, what was Princess Runyu's attitude towards the Seventh Prince?"

Clan Chief Wu immediately replied, "According to the elders who attended the banquet, the Seventh Prince went up to offer a toast and try to get closer to the Princess, but she rejected him without hesitation. Her attitude was extremely cold, even...disgusting. The Princess simply does not want to acknowledge him as her cousin."

"Oh?" A glint flashed in Old Ancestor Wu's eyes, and the solemnity on his face vanished, replaced by a resolute expression. "In that case, what is there to hesitate about!"

He looked at the clan chief, his tone resolute, revealing a seasoned wisdom and courage:

"Initially, we chose to befriend the Fu family because Fu Changsheng is capable, has potential, and values ​​loyalty! Our Wu family and the Fu family are related by marriage for two generations, which is an ironclad bond! More importantly, whether we can produce two more Golden Core cultivators depends entirely on the two Seven Hearts Pills promised by the Fu family! This is a matter of great importance concerning the family's fortune for a hundred years!"

Master Wu had a clear mind and instantly analyzed the pros and cons:
"It's easy to add flowers to brocade, but difficult to provide charcoal in the snow. The Fu family seems to be targeted by the Prince's Mansion, but they are becoming stronger and stronger. Their promotion to a fifth-rank family is a foregone conclusion, and they may even go higher in the future! As for that Seventh Prince, he is strong on the outside but weak on the inside. Even Princess Runyu looks down on him. What great power can he have? If we waver because of the slightest disturbance, we will not only lose all our previous efforts, but also completely offend the Fu family. That would be the real self-destruction!"

"Once you choose a side, you must stand firm to the end!" Old Ancestor Wu declared decisively. "Pass down the order to closely monitor the Prince's Mansion's movements, but the family's resources and manpower must be ready to respond to the Fu family's needs at any time. If the Fu family makes any request, as long as it doesn't involve direct rebellion, the Wu family will do its utmost to assist! This favor, if done now, will surely be richly rewarded in the future!"

Upon hearing this, Chief Wu's mind cleared, all hesitation vanished, and he bowed deeply: "Ancestor is wise! I will make the arrangements immediately!"

...

...

Meanwhile, the Huang family spies who were lying in ambush near the extinct volcano reported the news back to the Huang clan chief. Without hesitation, the Huang clan chief immediately set off, feeling both uneasy and excited to claim credit, to see Princess Runyu again.

Inside the hall, he vividly reported the conflict that had occurred at the dormant volcano, especially emphasizing Fu Changsheng's ruthless actions and his terrifying strength in instantly killing two mid-stage Golden Core cultivators. He also stressed that the dormant volcano must contain a powerful treasure that would make Fu Changsheng so nervous.

However, the expected shock or immediate action from the princess did not occur.

Princess Runyu remained silent for a moment behind the gauze curtain, then her clear, cold voice rang out, asking a seemingly unrelated question: "What is the origin of those two Golden Core cultivators who attacked the Fu family?"

Chief Huang felt a chill run down his spine, knowing he couldn't hide it any longer, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and answer truthfully: "Reporting to the Princess, those two people... are guest elders from the Seventh Prince's mansion."

"Oh? The Seventh Prince's men?" The princess's voice was unreadable, she simply repeated the question and then said, "I understand. Chief Huang, you've done well. Continue to keep an eye on Huixi County, and report any unusual activity immediately."

Chief Huang was stunned.

Is that all? Shouldn't the princess be tempted by that opportunity? Shouldn't she immediately send someone, or even go herself, to investigate? He was hoping that the princess's mansion could fight against the Fu family so that his Huang family could profit from it!

Before he could say anything more, the head steward, Zhao Cong, stepped forward and calmly reprimanded, "Clan Chief Huang, the Princess has made her decision. Just obey her orders and say no more!"

Chief Huang was speechless for a moment, and dared not say another word. He could only bow and agree, but his heart was full of doubt and resentment.

Just as he was about to take his leave, Princess Runyu spoke again: "Zhao Cong, fetch a 'Purple Heart Protecting Meridian Pill' for Clan Chief Huang."

A barely perceptible look of surprise flashed in Zhao Cong's eyes, but he did not ask any questions. He immediately took out a jade bottle full of spiritual energy and handed it to the dumbfounded Huang clan chief.

"This...this is..." Clan Chief Huang's hands trembled slightly. This Purple Heart Meridian Protection Pill was a precious spiritual item that protected the meridians and increased the success rate during the Core Formation process!
"Chief Huang has rendered meritorious service in delivering the message; this is a reward you deserve." The princess's voice remained calm.

Chief Huang was overjoyed. His previous resentment vanished instantly. He knelt down with a thud and kowtowed repeatedly: "Thank you for your generous reward, Princess! Thank you, Princess! The Huang family will serve Your Highness with utmost loyalty and courage, even unto death!"

He was so excited that he was almost incoherent, calculating in his mind which member of the family had the best chance of forming a core through this method, as if he could already see the bright future of the Huang family's strength reaching a new level.

After Chief Huang withdrew, profusely thanking him, Zhao Cong frowned slightly and looked at the figure behind the gauze curtain: "Your Highness, this Huang Mingyuan is clearly a double-dealer, using someone else to do his dirty work. Why..."

“It’s alright.” Princess Runyu interrupted him calmly. “What I’m rewarding him for isn’t him as a person, but the information he brought and his act of ‘devotion.’ It’s just a Core Formation spiritual item. If it can make the other aristocratic families in Wuzhou see clearly that serving me will be richly rewarded, and that my previous reward was not empty talk, then it’s worth it.”

She paused, her voice carrying a hint of all-knowing indifference: "As for that fool, the Seventh Prince... since he's so eager to provoke Fu Changsheng, let him be. It's good that he tests the Fu family's strength for me, saving me the trouble of taking action myself."

Zhao Cong immediately understood and bowed, saying, "Your Highness is wise; this old servant understands."

The princess's move killed two birds with one stone.

She used a meager reward to encourage more potential allies, while simultaneously handing the clumsy Seventh Prince to Fu Changsheng. Regardless of the outcome, it was all beneficial to her.

At this moment, the Huang Clan Chief, who was dreaming of the Huang family's rise to power, and the Seventh Prince, who was heading aggressively towards the extinct volcano, were nothing more than two pawns that Princess Huang could discard at any time on her chessboard.

...

...

The Seven Princes' Mansion, the Soul Palace.

The steward on duty was terrified when he saw the two life lamps suddenly go out. The names "Shi Jian" and "Liu Yun" were engraved on the lamp bases. He was so frightened that he scrambled to the bedchamber of the Seventh Prince, Zhou Xuanming.

"Your Highness! Your Highness! Something terrible has happened! Elder Shi and Elder Liu's...life lamps have gone out!" The steward collapsed in front of the palace gate, reporting in a trembling voice.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xuanming, who was drinking and making merry inside the hall, froze, then smashed the jade cup in his hand to pieces!
"Useless! Two mid-stage Golden Core cultivators, their combined strength comparable to late-stage Golden Core cultivators, and they can't even handle this small matter! They deserve to die!" he cursed, his face filled with malice. These two were his capable subordinates, and their loss was truly painful. But the next moment, the anger on his face was instantly replaced by an extreme greed and ecstasy, and a terrifying light flashed in his eyes!
"Dead? Haha! Good riddance! Good riddance!" Zhou Xuanming clapped his hands and laughed, seemingly insane. "This just proves that the weasel bastard didn't lie to me! There is definitely an incredible opportunity in that dormant volcano in Huixi County! Otherwise, why would the Fu family go to such lengths, deploying so many troops to guard it? They even sent out experts capable of killing Shi Jian and his wife!"

The more he thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed, and the more excited he became. The tighter the Fu family guarded it, the more it proved that the items there were priceless!
"An opportunity! An incredible opportunity! It should be mine!" Zhou Xuanming suddenly stood up, his face flushed with excitement. "Fu Changsheng, Fu Changsheng, do you think killing two of my men will scare me? Dream on!"

He immediately shouted sternly, "Guards! Issue the order! Summon all the Golden Core guest elders of the Prince's Palace to come before me immediately!"

In a short while, five cultivators of varying strengths appeared in the hall; all were Golden Core cultivators who had pledged allegiance to the Seventh Prince's Mansion. One was in the late Golden Core stage, two were in the middle Golden Core stage, and two were in the early Golden Core stage.

Zhou Xuanming's gaze swept over the three men with intense intensity, his voice carrying an unquestionable command: "Proceed immediately to Huizhou Prefecture, Wuzhou, to the extinct volcano in Huixi County!"

Upon hearing this, Elder Zhou, who was in the late stage of the Golden Core realm, frowned slightly and cautiously said, "Your Highness, Mr. and Mrs. Shi Jian just perished there. The strength of the enemy is unknown. Should we reconsider our strategy?"

"What help are you asking for!" Zhou Xuanming interrupted him impatiently, his face full of smugness and arrogance. "The Shi Jian couple must have been careless and fallen into an ambush! With you, Elder Zhou, leading the team, do you think we're afraid of the Fu family?"

He seemed to already see himself gaining an opportunity, his strength increasing dramatically, crushing Fu Changsheng, and even gaining Princess Runyu's special attention. Ambition and greed completely blinded his reason.

"No need for further words! Set off immediately! Anyone who dares to delay will face my wrath without mercy!"

The remaining four Golden Core disciples exchanged glances, each seeing the helplessness and worry in the other's eyes. However, due to the Prince's power and the support he received from the Prince's residence, they had no choice but to bite the bullet and follow.

Several streaks of light rose from the Seven Princes' Mansion, carrying Zhou Xuanming's ambition and greed, and headed straight for Huixi County of Huizhou Prefecture without any concealment.

...

...

Huixi County - Extinct volcano.

After finishing his business outside, Fu Changsheng returned to the quiet space that was isolated from the outside world. He did not rush to continue cultivating, but instead flipped his hand, and two exquisite storage bags appeared in his palm—they were from Shi Jian and Liu Yun.

The wealth of a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator is unlikely to disappoint.

He was the first to pick up Liu Yun's storage bag and probe it with his divine sense.

As expected, the interior was spacious and filled with a dazzling array of items, mainly array plates, talismans, and spiritual materials, all neatly organized, befitting his status as an array master. There were no fewer than two hundred thousand spirit stones of various kinds, including several hundred mid-grade spirit stones—a considerable fortune. There were also several high-quality magical artifacts and defensive jewelry for women. Fu Changsheng glanced at them briefly before focusing his attention on a few special items.

Several fourth-tier spiritual materials, shimmering with different attributes, such as "Gengjin," "Sinking Jade," and "Flame Heart Stone," were all excellent for refining magical treasures or setting up high-level formations. A book made of a special material, crafted from the hide of an unknown animal, caught Fu Changsheng's eye. The cover bore the four ancient characters "Tongxin Jueyao" (The Essentials of Unity).

He took out the book, flipped through it for a moment, and a look of understanding appeared in his eyes.

"I see. It's a combined attack technique that requires two Daoist partners to be in perfect harmony and have complementary spiritual power to perform. No wonder the combined power of those two was close to that of the late Golden Core stage." Fu Changsheng nodded slightly and put the technique away. Although this method has demanding requirements, it might be useful to the Fu family in the future. Even if no one can practice it, its underlying principles are worth learning from and studying.

Then, he picked up Shi Jian's storage bag. This man's collection was much more rudimentary, mainly consisting of body-refining pills, spirit ores, and some powerful offensive talismans and magical artifacts. The number of spirit stones was similar to Liu Yun's, but there were more miscellaneous items.

As Fu Changsheng's divine sense swept across the corner, it suddenly paused. A dark wooden box, about a foot long and half a foot wide, lay quietly there. The box was made of neither gold nor wood, and was cool to the touch. Its surface was covered with extremely intricate and ancient silver patterns. These patterns intertwined to form a seamless and flawless restriction, locking the box firmly in place. It had clearly never been opened.

What caught Fu Changsheng's attention even more was that he was extremely familiar with the style and spiritual charm of these restriction patterns!
"This is... the style of the Lingxu Talisman Scripture!" he muttered to himself, with a hint of surprise. The Lingxu Talisman Scripture was an important inheritance he had acquired early in his life, which had greatly helped him in the art of talismans. Its rune system was unique and profound, and he would never mistake it for something else.

"To find something of the same origin here?" Fu Changsheng's interest was immediately piqued. He sat down cross-legged, placed the wooden box in front of him, closed his eyes slightly, and used his divine sense, like the most precise carving knife, to carefully trace and perceive every ancient pattern on the surface of the box.

Time slipped by silently. Only his steady breathing could be heard in the secluded room.

After an unknown amount of time, Fu Changsheng suddenly opened his eyes. Pure magical power gathered at his fingertips, and like a paintbrush, he outlined several mysterious silver runes in the air. These runes were of the same origin as the method of breaking restrictions that he had comprehended from the "Lingxu Talisman Scripture," but they were also adapted to the unique structure of the wooden box's restrictions.

"go with!"

He gave a soft shout, and several silver runes landed precisely on several key points of the wooden box's enchantment.

hum!
The wooden box trembled slightly, and the ancient silver patterns on its surface seemed to come alive, rotating and disintegrating like flowing water before finally disappearing quietly.

With a soft "click," the lid automatically popped open a crack.

Fu Changsheng opened the box, and inside was not the cultivation manual or rare treasure he had expected, but a palm-sized brocade pouch lying quietly. The pouch was made of fine materials, but the years had left obvious marks on it; its color was dull, and its spiritual energy was almost depleted.

He untied the ribbon of the brocade pouch and looked inside.

Inside was a small packet of seeds, about a dozen in total. Most of them were shriveled, dull, and lifeless, clearly rotten due to their age and improper storage. Only at the very bottom, two or three seeds seemed to retain a faint trace of activity, their surfaces displaying a strange, dim iridescent sheen, almost imperceptible without close inspection.

Just as Fu Changsheng was wondering what kind of spiritual plant seed this was, the information about the [Seven-Colored Divine Rice] in his sea of ​​consciousness automatically surfaced—[If the "Seven-Colored Divine Rice" is planted in the Mountain and River Clan Cauldron of the Five Elements Space, the bloodline of the spirit pet can be continuously improved after it eats it].

"It's this!" Fu Changsheng's eyes instantly lit up with surprise. He never expected that killing two Golden Core cultivators would yield such an unexpected joy! Although most of the seeds had already died, even if only one survived, it would be an immense stroke of luck!
Without further hesitation, he vanished from the secret chamber and appeared beside the Mountain and River Suppressing Clan Cauldron in the Five Elements Space.

"Master!" Qiu Niang sensed him immediately and flew over happily, looking curiously at the brocade pouch in his hand. "What good things have you found this time?"

The Feathered Beast also approached more readily, its large eyes filled with gentle curiosity. The Ice Flame, meanwhile, flapped its wings, circled Fu Changsheng once, and let out a clear cry, seemingly wanting to see as well.

Fu Changsheng opened his palm, revealing the three remaining seeds that shimmered with a faint seven-colored glow, and told Qiu Niang about their origin and possible miraculous effects.

Qiu Niang's eyes lit up as she listened. She carefully used her divine sense to perceive the seed and exclaimed in amazement, "The Mother Qi Seed of All Things has just been fused with Bing Yan, and now we have divine rice that can enhance bloodlines! Master, your luck is truly extraordinary! However, the vitality of this seed is too weak. I'm afraid it will be difficult to nurture in ordinary spiritual soil."

Fu Changsheng nodded and looked at the Flying Feather Beast: "Flying Feather, you are most talented in planting. This thing is entrusted to you. Plant it in the core spiritual soil inside the Mountain and River Town Clan Cauldron. Be sure to take good care of it."

Upon hearing this, the Feathered Beast solemnly nodded its large head, extended its broad claws, and gently took the three precious seeds from Fu Changsheng's palm, as if holding the most fragile treasure in the world.

It walked to the center of the clan-guarding cauldron, where there was a small patch of spiritual soil, most fertile and shimmering with five-colored light, nourished by the cauldron's fortune and spiritual energy. It skillfully dug three small pits, carefully placed the seeds in them, and then gently covered them with spiritual soil.

The entire process was meticulous and exceptionally calm.

However, after the seeds were planted, there was no obvious change. The faint sign of life was like a candle flickering in the wind, seemingly about to be extinguished at any moment.

The feathered beast let out a low growl, sounding somewhat worried and anxious.

Qiu Niang frowned slightly: "Master, this seed has been alive for too long, and its original essence is severely depleted. I'm afraid ordinary spiritual energy won't be enough to nourish it..."

Fu Changsheng's gaze swept across the space, and suddenly a thought struck him as he looked at the Seven-Colored Glazed Beast that was dozing in a corner of the spirit field. The little guy seemed to have just relieved himself, and there were a few droppings not far away that emitted a faint seven-colored halo and were unusually spiritual.

"Go and fetch some dung from the Glass Beast and mix it into the spirit soil," Fu Changsheng instructed. The Glass Beast feeds on spirit herbs, and its dung contains a unique life force that may have some effect.

Qiu Niang's eyes lit up: "That's right! How could I forget this little guy!" She immediately flew over and picked up a small handful of warm, shimmering, iridescent seven-colored droppings.

As instructed, the Flying Feather Beast carefully mixed the special fertilizer into the spiritual soil at the three planting sites.

The miracle happened!
After the seven-colored excrement merged with the spiritual soil, it transformed into a pure and strange life energy, which was quickly absorbed by the three seeds.

Two of the seeds trembled slightly, but that faint glimmer of life eventually vanished completely, and they truly died.

But the last seed, the one right in the center, stubbornly pushed through the soil and sprouted a tiny, tender, crystal-clear bud that emitted a faint seven-colored halo!
Although the sprouts are small, they are full of vitality. They absorb the rich spiritual energy, fortune, and special nutrients left by the seven-colored excrement at a slow speed that can be seen with the naked eye, and take root and grow steadily!
"Success! One seed has sprouted!" Qiu Niang clapped her hands excitedly and cheered.

The feathered beast also let out a relieved groan, carefully guarding the precious bud with its eyes full of focus and care.

Bingyan flew down curiously, wanting to touch the tender bud with its beak, but was gently stopped by the Flying Feather Beast with its wings. It was not annoyed, but just tilted its head and made a clear chirping sound, as if it was also happy for the birth of this new life.

As Fu Changsheng looked at the seven-colored divine rice seedling that had successfully broken through the soil inside the clan-protecting cauldron and nourished by the excrement of the glass beast, a carefree and gratified smile appeared on his lips.

"Take good care of it," he instructed, already anticipating the transformation the divine rice would bring to his spirit pets once it matured.

With a flash, he left the Five Elements Space once again.

...

...

Huizhou Prefecture, Huixi County, extinct volcano area.

Five streaks of light, each a different color, sped across the sky, descending from the clouds a hundred miles outside the extinct volcano to reveal themselves. They were the five Golden Core guest elders who had come on the orders of the Seventh Prince.

The leader, Elder Zhou, was dressed in a gray robe, his face withered, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's. He made no attempt to conceal his late-stage Golden Core cultivation, making him the strongest person on the surface during this trip.

Half a step back to his side stood a couple of cultivators. The man, dressed in a blue robe, had a refined appearance, but his eyes held a hint of caution and aloofness; he was Chen Feng, a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator. His partner, Su Wan, wore a pale yellow dress and had a beautiful face, but at this moment her eyebrows were furrowed, and her beautiful eyes contained an uncontrollable grief and killing intent as she stared intently at the heavily guarded, faintly glowing dormant volcano in the distance. The other two guest elders, both early-stage Golden Core cultivators, lagged further behind, their expressions clearly showing unease and observation.

"That Fu family! They really are guilty as sinners, guarding this desolate wilderness like an iron fortress!" Su Wan gritted her teeth, her voice trembling slightly with anger. "Sister Liu Yun and Brother Shi must have met their demise here! I, Su Wan, swear I will not rest until I avenge this!"

Her spiritual energy fluctuated slightly, clearly indicating that she was extremely angry and wished she could rush forward immediately to break the formation and kill people.

Just then, a subtle yet clear voice transmission reached her ears; it was from her Daoist partner, Chen Feng: "Wan'er, calm down! Don't act rashly!"

Su Wan turned her head abruptly, looking at Chen Feng with a questioning look in her eyes.

Chen Feng's expression was solemn as he continued to transmit his voice, "Look at this formation. The Fu family was clearly prepared. Who is Fu Changsheng? He was able to defeat a Pseudo-Nascent Soul ancestor when he was only at the fourth level of the Golden Core stage! Now, it is rumored that he has broken through, and his strength is unfathomable. Even if Elder Zhou uses his secret techniques, he can only barely reach the threshold of Pseudo-Nascent Soul. How could he be his match?"

“But the Prince bestowed upon me a Nascent Soul talisman!” Su Wan argued, but her tone was no longer as agitated as before.

"Talismans are ultimately external objects, and can only be used once. Fu Changsheng has killed several Golden Core cultivators; surely he has some trump cards up his sleeve?" Chen Feng analyzed calmly, his tone carrying an undeniable seriousness. "The example of Liu Yun and her husband is right before our eyes! We serve in the Prince's mansion for resources to cultivate, not to serve that arrogant and conceited Prince! If we follow in the footsteps of Shi Jian and his wife today, wouldn't we be incredibly foolish?"

Upon hearing this, Su Wan's delicate body trembled slightly, a hint of struggle flashing in her eyes. She and Liu Yun were close friends, like sisters, and her desire for revenge was indeed burning fiercely, but her Daoist partner's words were like a bucket of cold water, forcing her to face the enormous risks. The Prince's Mansion had been declining in recent years, and Zhou Xuanming was arrogant and self-willed; he was indeed not worth their desperate loyalty.

“But if we don’t help, what will happen to the Prince…” Su Wan still had concerns.

"The Prince's Mansion is no longer what it used to be." Chen Feng's voice carried a hint of indifference. "We did not leave immediately because we were mindful of our past relationship. Today, we only need to provide support from the sidelines and observe the situation. If Elder Zhou can achieve success with his talisman, it will not be too late for us to make our move; if things are not going well... we should withdraw immediately. The world is vast, and there is nowhere we cannot find refuge?"

Su Wan fell silent. She looked at the array's radiance in the distance, which faintly exuded a dangerous aura, and then at her resolute Daoist partner beside her. Finally, she bit her lip, forcibly suppressing the flames of revenge in her heart, and slowly nodded.

My husband is right; there is no future if we are alive.

Just as the two were discussing telepathically, Elder Zhou, who was in the lead, slowly spoke, his voice hoarse but carrying an undeniable command: "The Fu family has made many preparations, clearly they are feeling guilty. You two go ahead and probe to see if the formation is real or not."

The two early-stage Golden Core retainers paled, exchanging a glance and both seeing fear in each other's eyes. Sending them to test the Fu family's defenses, capable of annihilating a combined mid-stage Golden Core cultivator? Was this tantamount to suicide?

However, under the pressure of Elder Zhou's late-stage cultivation, the two dared not refuse directly. They had no choice but to bite the bullet and slowly and cautiously approach the dead volcano area, moving at a speed as slow as a tortoise.

Old Zhou snorted coldly, but did not press the matter further. He merely narrowed his eyes, carefully observing the array formation ahead, seemingly searching for a flaw, or perhaps waiting for something. He quietly grasped an object in his hand—a jade talisman radiating a heart-palpitating aura, faintly emanating the pressure of a Nascent Soul cultivator—the very talisman bestowed by the Seventh Prince.

Chen Feng and Su Wan tacitly took a half step back, landing to the side and behind Elder Zhou, appearing to follow Elder Zhou's lead and ready to provide support at any time. In reality, their spiritual energy surged, and they were prepared to flee at any moment.

Five Golden Core cultivators, each with their own agendas, lingered outside the dormant volcano.

Behind those layers of formations, atop the mountain peak, Fu Changsheng stood with his hands behind his back, his robes fluttering. His cold gaze pierced through the formation's light barrier, taking in the actions of the five people in the distance. A chilling smile curled at the corner of his lips.

"They did come... but they were just a bunch of cowardly rabble."

……

Just as Zhou Lao and his group of five were hesitating and pondering their own thoughts on the outskirts of the extinct volcano, two more streaks of light rushed in from the sky, making no attempt to conceal their Golden Core cultivator auras. They landed steadily outside the Fu family's array light barrier, facing Zhou Lao and the others from afar.

The light dissipated, revealing the figures of Old Ancestor Wu and Clan Chief Wu.

Clan Chief Wu stepped forward and bowed loudly towards the light barrier of the Fu family's formation, his voice clearly carrying in all directions: "Patriarch Fu! Wu Mingyuan of the Wu family, along with our ancestor, has come to pay our respects! We have heard that some petty villains are coveting your esteemed residence's forbidden area, and have come to offer our assistance! Our Wu family and the Fu family are of one blood, and we will not refuse any request!"

His words were not only addressed to the Fu family to express their stance, but also to Old Zhou and the others on the other side, making the Wu family's attitude clear without any concealment—to stand firmly on the side of the Fu family!
Having said that, Chief Wu turned around to face Elder Zhou and his entourage, a seemingly polite but actually distant smile plastered on his face, revealing his adaptable and resilient nature. He cupped his hands and said:

"So it's Elder Zhou from the Prince's Mansion and fellow Daoists. May I ask what brings you all here from afar, lingering outside the forbidden area of ​​my Fu family's ally?"

(End of this chapter)