Family Rise: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 577 Emperor Zhou Appears, Gets Promoted and Rich, Destroys the Yin Puppet Sect

"Inappropriate!" A True Lord, sitting upright like a pine tree, with a lean face and sharp eyes like an eagle, immediately objected. He was the [Hengjian True Lord] in charge of evaluating and promoting officials in the Crown Prince's faction. "The court has its own laws and regulations. Promotion to the fifth rank is not based solely on one's merits. It requires a comprehensive consideration of accumulated merits, seniority, and governance abilities. Fu Changsheng's ranking on the merit list is not high. Such an over-promotion would disrupt the promotion system and discourage countless honest officials! Generous rewards are acceptable, but official titles must be determined according to regulations."

"True Lord Hengjian is mistaken!" True Lord Baji retorted loudly. "This is a feat that saves millions of lives from fire and water. How can it be compared to ordinary trifles? Without Fu Changsheng, how could we talk about the system? Extraordinary times call for extraordinary deeds! Not rewarding them handsomely will truly chill the hearts of heroes across the land who are willing to die for their country!"

Both sides held their own views and could not reach a consensus.

The middle faction, including Qinglian Zhenjun, remained silent in contemplation.

The Nine Mysterious Star Lord listened quietly until the argument subsided, at which point he slowly opened his eyes, which seemed to contain endless stars.

"Alright." His voice was calm, yet it naturally became the focus of attention in the hall. "Fu Changsheng's merits certainly deserve a generous reward. However, promoting him to the fifth rank is of great importance."

He paused for a moment, then made a final decision: "This matter, along with the detailed request regarding the passage to the Demon Realm, shall be presented to His Majesty immediately for His Majesty's decision. I will also convey your opinions."

When Emperor Zhou was mentioned, all the True Lords stood up solemnly and bowed in agreement.

The Nine Mysterious Star Lord concluded, "The matter of sending a letter to the Immortal Alliance and demanding compensation will be handled immediately by the Cabinet. If the Immortal Alliance is perfunctory and irresponsible, our Great Zhou will not hesitate to unite with other domains to 'help' them clean house."

The words were simple, yet they contained an undeniable will.

The True Lords accepted the order, and amidst the flashing light and shadows, their avatars departed one after another.

The secret palace returned to silence, with only the gaze of the Nine Mysterious Star Lord seemingly piercing through layers of void, looking towards the south.

"Fu Changsheng... Your Majesty, how will you make your move this time?"

……

Deep within the imperial city, instead of a magnificent palace, lay the entrance to a grotto shrouded in endless spiritual mist and Daoist runes. The figure of the Nine Profound Star Lord appeared at the entrance, his expression solemn, and he bowed slightly: "Your subject, Nine Profound, requests an audience with Your Majesty. I have important matters to report."

The spiritual mist at the entrance churned slightly, not fully opening. Only a detached, majestic voice, seemingly integrated with the entire grotto-heaven, slowly emanated, resonating deep within the soul of the Nine Mysterious Star Lord:

"speak."

Just one word, yet it carried an indescribable sense of oppression, as if it were the whisper of a deity from the heavens.

Lord Jiuxuan dared not delay and immediately gave a concise report on the matters concerning the Seven Princes' Mansion, the Yin Puppet Sect's conspiracy, the crisis at the Demon Realm passage, and the cabinet's controversy over rewards and punishments.

There was a moment of silence at the entrance to the cave, then the indifferent voice rang out again, this time with a hint of barely perceptible gravity: "It involves the demon race of the upper realm... What is the mystery behind it?"

Before the words were finished, the void beside the Nine Mysterious Star Lord rippled slightly, and a figure dressed in a star-patterned robe, his face blurred as if shrouded in countless hexagrams, quietly emerged. It was none other than the Mysterious Mystery True Lord, who was in charge of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion. He had clearly been waiting here all along.

"Your subject is here." Xuanji Zhenjun bowed towards the direction of the cave.

"Has the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion gleaned even a glimpse of this matter, or the future it foreshadows?" Emperor Zhou asked.

True Lord Xuanji dared not conceal anything, his voice carrying an unusual heaviness and obscurity: "Your Majesty, I immediately cast a divination when Your Majesty summoned me. Although the matter of the Demon Realm passage has been temporarily halted, the ripples of fate it has caused are immense and have far-reaching implications... The divination indicates that the calamity is rising from the west, spreading across the land, not just our Great Zhou... I fear that several hundred years from now, the entire Southern Continent will face a... catastrophe. The people will suffer, and the world will be overturned; it seems inevitable."

Upon hearing this, even the spiritual mist at the entrance of the cave churned violently, indicating the fluctuation of Emperor Zhou's emotions.

"A catastrophe... Is this fate?" Emperor Zhou's voice remained calm, but the meaning behind it sent a chill down the spines of both the Nine Mysterious Star Lord and the Mysterious Mysterious True Lord.

A moment later, Emperor Zhou's voice rang out again, carrying an undeniable determination: "In that case, the 'Mysterious Spirit Project' must be accelerated. Jiu Xuan, convey my decree: devote all resources to stabilizing the passage to the Mysterious Spirit Realm as soon as possible! At the very least, ensure that before the Great Calamity descends, the core members of all third-rank and above aristocratic families and sects of my Great Zhou can relocate there, preserving the flame of our human race's heritage!"

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Nine Mysterious Star Lord bowed deeply, his heart trembling. His Majesty's resolve had reached this point, even providing a clear timetable, demonstrating just how terrifying the future predicted by True Lord Mystery was.

After reporting the most important matter, the Nine Mysterious Star Lord hesitated for a moment before speaking: "Your Majesty, regarding the meritorious official of this time, Fu Changsheng, the Imperial Inspector of Wuzhou... there is some controversy within the cabinet regarding his reward, with some proposing to promote him to the rank of Fifth-Rank Imperial Inspector. I wonder if Your Majesty..."

"Granted." Emperor Zhou's voice interrupted him without any hesitation. "In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken. This young man was able to discern the treachery in the smallest details and turn the tide, which shows that his fortune and ability are both top-notch. It is only right that he be promoted to the fifth rank. In addition, he is granted entry into the 'Great Zhou Treasure Pavilion' once and allowed to choose one item as a reward."

Choose one item from the treasure vault!
Nine Mysterious Star Lord was startled once more; this was an immense favor! The Treasure Pavilion contained countless rare treasures and cultivation manuals collected since the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty, many of which even Nascent Soul True Monarchs coveted. His Majesty's action clearly showed that he highly valued Fu Changsheng.

"Yes! Your Majesty, on behalf of Fu Changsheng, I thank you for your great favor!" Jiu Xuan Xingjun immediately accepted the decree.

"Go. The Xuanling Project is the top priority at present. As for the rest, you in the cabinet can handle it as you see fit." Emperor Zhou's voice gradually faded away, and the spiritual mist at the entrance of the cave returned to calm, as if it had never been opened.

Nine Mysterious Star Lord and Mysterious Mysterious True Lord bowed again to the cave entrance, then their figures slowly faded away, leaving this secret realm.

After leaving the cave, the figure of Xuanji Zhenjun was the first to transform into countless hexagrams and dissipate, returning to Tianji Pavilion.

Standing alone on the clouds, overlooking the vast imperial city, the Nine Mysterious Star Lord felt a surge of emotions. His Majesty's appreciation for Fu Changsheng had exceeded expectations, and the prophecy about the great calamity to come weighed heavily on his heart like a boulder.

"A great calamity is imminent, and the Xuanling will migrate... Fu Changsheng, I hope you will not disappoint His Majesty's expectations and will become a pillar of strength for our Great Zhou Dynasty rather than a variable in the great changes to come..."

He murmured to himself, then transformed into a streak of light and flew towards the location of the cabinet, preparing to issue His Majesty's decree.

……

Deep within the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, countless star orbits circled, and the talismanic light flickered and faded.

After seeing off the Nine Mysterious Star Lord, True Lord Xuanji did not immediately immerse himself in the deduction of that catastrophe. The name Fu Changsheng had been frequently in his ears lately, having performed extraordinary feats in various unbelievable ways, even attracting the Emperor's personal and exceptional reward, which aroused his great curiosity.

"Fu Changsheng... what kind of destiny does he have that allows him to repeatedly reverse the course of fate?" Xuanji Zhenjun murmured to himself, his fingertips already moving, the hexagram runes surrounding him flowing rapidly, pulling at the threads of fate in the dark, trying to glimpse the background of that young patrol angel far away in Wuzhou.

However, it was completely different from what he had imagined—a purple aura soaring to the sky and a distinguished destiny—and even quite different from the vague impression he had when he glimpsed it by chance many years ago!

The divination indicates nothing special!
He was neither extremely wealthy nor destined for great hardship; his fate was that of an ordinary person among the masses, even somewhat... bleak. It was as if all his previous extraordinary achievements and the Emperor's favor were merely illusions, completely unrelated to his destiny.

"This... how is this possible?" Xuanji Zhenjun frowned, a hint of disbelief flashing in his eyes. With his cultivation level, deducing the fate of a Golden Core cultivator should have been crystal clear; such an error should never have occurred.

He focused his mind again, sparing no effort to expend even more mental energy and magical power, activating the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion's grand formation to assist in the detailed deduction.

The result remains the same!

In his eyes, Fu Changsheng's destiny trajectory appeared mediocre, even faintly revealing a gloomy trend of decline after reaching its peak and lacking strength later, forming an extremely strange contrast with his current meteoric rise.

Xuanji Zhenjun slowly dispersed his incantation, allowing the flickering hexagrams around him to gradually subside. He stood with his hands behind his back on the star map, his gaze piercing through the pavilion, looking towards Wuzhou in the south, and fell into deep thought.

“It’s not that this child has a unique destiny… but rather… that the secrets of heaven themselves have changed?” A thought flashed through his mind.

Before His Majesty went into seclusion, he vaguely mentioned that a great calamity was about to begin, with calamity energy spreading and the laws of Heaven becoming disordered and unstable. Could it be that this calamity, which shrouds the entire Southern Continent, has distorted the original trajectory of destiny, making the fates of many people chaotic and unclear, no longer following their predetermined paths?

So, does this mean Fu Changsheng isn't some person favored by fate, but rather a "rare flower" born from calamity? Because he happened to be in the vortex, by chance, he borrowed the power of calamity to repeatedly achieve great feats? And his own destiny is actually ordinary, so his glory today may be the beginning of his decline tomorrow? The rise and fall is the natural order of things.

"Yes, that must be it." Xuanji Zhenjun thought he had found a reasonable explanation. He nodded slightly, and the surprise and curiosity he had felt because of Fu Changsheng gradually subsided, replaced by a faint sense of regret and understanding.

"What a pity... I thought he was a bright new star worthy of special attention, perhaps an anomaly in dealing with the great calamity. Now it seems that he is just a random ripple under the turbulent energy of the calamity. Although he is dazzling for a time, he can hardly change his mediocre nature and will probably not escape the process of being washed away by the great waves."

He quietly crossed Fu Changsheng's name off the list of people he needed to keep a close eye on.

"The real hope may lie in those ancient families and sects with deep roots and long-standing fortunes, as well as... His Majesty's 'Mysterious Spirit Project'."

Xuanji Zhenjun no longer dwelled on Fu Changsheng's "ordinary" appearance, but instead devoted all his attention to deducing the more detailed context of that catastrophe and the successful implementation of the Xuanling Plan.

Unbeknownst to him, Fu Changsheng's destiny was not rendered mediocre by the calamity, but rather by the Heavenly Secrets Concealment Robe, a system creation transcending the rules of this world, which had completely obscured and distorted all heavenly secrets. The "ordinary" and "decline after reaching its peak" that he glimpsed were merely illusions that the Heavenly Secrets Concealment Robe wanted him to see.

The true hidden dragon has quietly disappeared into the abyss with the help of the system, and its fate is no longer something that anyone can fathom.

...

...

In the far west, at the headquarters of the Immortal Alliance.

The Vice Alliance Leader, [True Man Xuanji], held a jade slip that shimmered with starlight, his face ashen, his fingers trembling slightly with extreme rage. Within the jade slip was an urgent message from the Grand Zhou Heavenly Pivot Pavilion Master, True Monarch Jiuxuan, delivered through official channels. Each word was like a thunderclap, detailing the Yin Puppet Sect's heinous crime of setting up the Blood Fiend Sky-Covering Array at the Seven Princes' Mansions of Wuzhou, intending to summon the Demon Lord, and the potentially deeper conspiracy behind it.

"Outrageous! Outrageous!" Master Xuanji slammed his fist on the cold jade table in front of him, and the hard surface instantly cracked. "The Yin Puppet Sect! How dare they do this! They are dragging my entire Tiannan Continent into an abyss of no return!"

As the vice leader of the Immortal Alliance, in charge of criminal law and foreign affairs, he was acutely aware of the gravity of the matter. This was no longer an ordinary conflict between good and evil, but a catastrophe concerning the very survival of this realm! Once the Demon Lord successfully descended, demonic energy would pollute the earth's veins, forcibly tearing apart the boundary barrier. The entire Southern Continent would become the demon realm's outpost battlefield, resulting in the devastation of countless lives! At that time, their Western Immortal Alliance would bear the brunt of the demonic calamity, inevitably suffering its most devastating impact, and might even become eternal sinners!

"We must report this to the Alliance Leader immediately!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Xuanji Zhenren transformed into a streak of light and headed straight for the depths of the Immortal Alliance's forbidden area—the place where Alliance Leader [Tianyan Venerable] cultivated in seclusion.

It was a solitary peak suspended above a sea of ​​clouds, with only a simple stone pavilion atop it. Inside the pavilion, an old man dressed in a plain gray robe, his face blurred as if he had merged with the surrounding world, was fishing with his eyes closed. His fishing rod dipped into the sea of ​​clouds, but he was not fishing for fish or shrimp; instead, he was fishing for wisps of purple mist.

Master Xuanji landed on the peak, concealed all his aura, and bowed respectfully, not daring to utter a sound to disturb him.

After a long while, Venerable Tianyan slowly opened his eyes. His eyes were as clear as a newborn baby's, yet as deep as the ancient starry sky, as if they could see through all the illusions of the world. He did not turn around, but spoke calmly, his voice resonating directly in the heart of True Person Xuanji: "What is the matter that alarms you?"

Master Xuanji quickly presented the jade slip in his hand and explained the matter in the most concise language.

After listening, Venerable Tianyan's expression remained calm and composed; he simply put down his fishing rod. The surrounding sea of ​​clouds seemed to freeze instantly, and even the wind ceased its movement.

"The calamity of demons... is it ultimately unavoidable..." He sighed softly, his sigh carrying a hint of imperceptible vicissitude and solemnity.

The next moment, he slowly raised his right hand, his five fingers slightly spread, and gently clenched his fist in the void in front of him.

There was no earth-shattering roar, no cataclysmic burst of spiritual pressure.

But on the edge of the far west, in the place where the Yin Kui Sect's mountain gate is located, which is shrouded in dense Yin and death energy all year round, a strange change suddenly occurred!

Above the sky, the originally gray sky suddenly became transparent, as if an invisible giant hand had wiped away all the clouds and dust, revealing the deep and boundless starry sky behind it! The light of countless stars shone down with unprecedented brightness, precisely covering the entire area of ​​the Yin Kui Sect's mountain gate.

Immediately afterwards, the starlight seemed to receive a supreme decree, suddenly condensing and compressing, transforming into billions of pure starlight swords containing the ultimate will of purification and destruction!
These lightsabers, as thin as needles, were endless, pouring down like the Milky Way from the heavens, instantly engulfing every inch of the Yin Puppet Sect's land! The sect's protective formation failed to even stir a ripple before silently vanishing like bubbles in the sunlight.

Rocks, buildings, demonic cultivators, corpses, vengeful spirits... everything shrouded in starlight, whether tangible or intangible, whether high or low in cultivation level, was instantly decomposed and vaporized by the all-purifying power of the stars, leaving not even a trace of ash behind!

There were no screams, no resistance, and no explosions.

Only absolute, silent, and complete erasure.

The entire Yin Kui Sect, along with all living beings, all filth, and all evil within it, was wiped clean from the world in mere moments under the baptism of these billions of starlight swords. Only a vast, smooth, mirror-like, glass-like crater remained, radiating a faint starlight, as if a massive demonic sect had never existed there.

Having done all this, Venerable Tianyan slowly withdrew his hand, as if he had only done a trivial matter. The sky returned to its original state, and the sea of ​​clouds continued to flow.

He glanced at Xuanji Zhenren, who was utterly stunned by this earth-shattering, almost divinely inspired method, and said calmly:
"A message was sent to Emperor Zhou that the culprit has been eliminated. Furthermore, the Immortal Alliance's treasury has been opened in the 'Number Seven of Class B' vault, and gifts have been prepared as an apology. Our Immortal Alliance owes a favor to the Great Zhou for this matter."

His voice remained calm, yet it carried the supreme authority of a Nascent Soul cultivator, whose words could decide life and death billions of miles away.

Master Xuanji snapped out of his daze, suppressed the turmoil in his heart, bowed deeply, and said in a voice filled with utmost reverence, "I will obey the Alliance Leader's decree!"

He quietly retreated, his back soaked with cold sweat. He knew that the Alliance Leader's personal intervention, swiftly wiping out the Yin Puppet Sect, was not only to clean house and atone for past mistakes, but also to demonstrate the Immortal Alliance's attitude and power to the Great Zhou and the entire Tiannan Continent!
The power of a god has reached such a level!
...

...

Northern Xinjiang, Black Wind Pass.

This place is perpetually swept by a bone-chilling, dark wind, and the world is shrouded in gloom. Only jagged rocks and withered trees dot the landscape. The spiritual energy is thin and violent, making it a barren wasteland that even demonic cultivators find desolate.

A tall, thin figure (Bone Demon) and a burly figure (Corpse Demon) were hiding in a sheltered stone cave. The cave was equipped with a simple isolation array, barely able to withstand the howling winds from the outside.

Bone Demon's face was pale. A communication bone talisman that had been flashing with an eerie light at his fingertip gradually dimmed, and finally cracked with a "crack." The usual cunning and agility on his face vanished, leaving only disbelief, horror, and paleness.

“Can’t get in touch…completely can’t get in touch…” he muttered to himself, his voice trembling slightly, “Not only Master…even the soul lamp imprints of the two elders left behind in the sect…have all been extinguished!”

The Corpse Demon, who was wiping his black coffin bound with iron chains, paused upon hearing this and said gruffly, "If we can't contact him, we can't contact him! Perhaps Master is cultivating some powerful supernatural power, isolating the internal and external senses. Those two old good-for-nothings are dead, that's good for peace and quiet! We just need to complete the tasks Master assigned us!"

He was simple-minded, bloodthirsty, and blindly worshipped and feared the Nine Yin True Lord, unwilling to consider any other possibilities.

"Shut up! You idiot!" Bone Demon suddenly looked up, a fierce glint in her eyes, her voice becoming much sharper, "What do you know! Everyone's soul lamps went out at the same time, what does that mean? It means that the Yin Puppet Sect... is very likely gone!"

"Bullshit!" The Corpse Demon suddenly stood up, his massive body almost touching the top of the cave. His dark blue face was contorted with grotesque features, exuding a murderous aura. "Master is incredibly powerful, already a Nascent Soul True Monarch! The sect's grand formation has been in operation for thousands of years! How could it just disappear like that? It must be your cowardly bone talisman that caused the problem!"

"My 'Fate-Sharing Bone Talisman' was crafted from my own ribs and is connected to the sect's Life Soul Tree. It has never failed me!" Bone Demon retorted through gritted teeth, her eyes filled with astonishment and uncertainty. "Unless... unless a terrifying being far beyond Master's imagination intervened, wiping out the entire sect in an instant in a way we cannot comprehend..."

The thought sent a chill down his spine. The Corpse Demon still refused to believe, or rather, refused to believe, roaring, "I don't care! Master ordered us to come to the Northern Frontier to set up the altar and gather supplies, and we must do as he says! Once the altar is completed, Master will naturally appear! If you dare to undermine morale again, I'll break your bones first!"

Just as the two were arguing and the atmosphere was tense,

In the shadows of a corner of the cave, a blurry black shadow slowly wriggled, emitting a hoarse, ethereal sound. It was the ghost, ordered to monitor the movements of the Great Zhou. He had arrived in the Northern Frontier at some unknown time, or perhaps he had been secretly following them all along.

"Enough." The ghost's voice was cold and lifeless, interrupting the argument between the two. "The Bone Demon's perception... might be right."

The Corpse King abruptly turned its head, its scarlet eyes glaring at the shadow: "Ghost! Are you going to speak up for this coward too?"

The ghost ignored his anger and slowly said, "I infiltrated a human market on the border and found out some news. In the far west... a few days ago there was a shocking phenomenon, stars fell and purified all things... There are rumors that a demonic sect called 'Yin Kui Sect'... was wiped out by the Immortal Alliance leader... Venerable Tianyan... personally."

"The Immortal Alliance Leader... a Nascent Soul Venerable..." Gu Mei gasped, her body swaying, her face ashen white, her last shred of hope shattered. Facing an existence of that level, her master truly had no chance of survival.

Even the Corpse King was stunned. No matter how reckless he was, he knew what a Nascent Soul Venerable meant. That was a supreme being who truly stood at the top of this realm, whose word could decide life and death across billions of miles! The violence on his face was gradually replaced by a huge sense of bewilderment and fear. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

The cave was deathly silent, with only the howling of the black wind outside sounding even clearer and more piercing.

After a long while, Gu Mei was the first to come to his senses. His eyes flickered as he quickly analyzed the situation. His tone became unusually calm, even carrying a hint of relief at surviving a catastrophe: "The sect has been destroyed, and our master has perished. We... are the last seed of the Yin Kui Sect."

He looked at the other two and lowered his voice: "Master's previous plan was to descend upon the Demon Lord and exchange power. Now it seems that this path is blocked and extremely risky. The Immortal Alliance has just destroyed the Yin Puppet Sect, and they must be on edge. If we show ourselves now, it would be suicide!"

"Then... what should we do?" Corpse King asked helplessly. Having lost the support of his master and sect, he was like a headless fly.

"What should we do?" A glint of light flashed in Bone Demon's eyes, and her tone became decisive. "Naturally, we must survive! Although the Northern Frontier is desolate, its power structure is complex, making it a perfect hiding place. The three of us are all Golden Core cultivators, which is enough for us to establish ourselves here. We can either become mountain kings or join a tribe to gain a foothold, accumulate strength, and then plan for the future! As for Master's orders... what orders are there when we're dead?"

His attitude changed instantly, from carrying out the mission to figuring out how to protect himself.

"Bullshit!" Upon hearing this, the Corpse King suddenly flew into a rage, the violence he had just suppressed in his eyes rising again. "Master's orders are more important than anything else! How can we not avenge our sect! Even if Master is gone, we must fulfill his last wish, descend upon the Demon Lord, obtain power, and then return to the Far West to seek revenge on the Immortal Alliance!"

He was simple-minded, stubborn, and had a twisted loyalty to the Nine Yin True Lord, which aroused his ferocity at this moment.

"Revenge? What will you use to avenge yourself? Use your brute force to fight against a Nascent Soul Venerable? That's suicide!" Bone Demon mocked, her tone sharp.

"Even death is better than hiding in this godforsaken place like a rat!" the Corpse King roared, his body surging with malevolent energy, and the coffin behind him creaked so loudly it made your teeth ache, as if he was about to attack at the slightest provocation.

It looked like the two were about to clash again.

The ghost in the shadows spoke again, its voice still hoarse and flat, but it silenced the two of them: "Noise is useless."

His crimson eyes swept over the Bone Demon and the Corpse Demon: "Two paths."

"Bone Demon, beg for life. Corpse Demon, beg for battle."

He paused, his figure appearing even more blurred in the shadows: "I choose option three."

Both the Bone Demon and the Corpse Demon looked at him.

The ghost slowly said, "My master's last order was for me to monitor Fu Changsheng. This person has repeatedly thwarted my master's plans and provoked the Nascent Soul stage to take action, so he must have a great secret or a great karmic connection. Following him, perhaps... we will see a different ending."

His choice was unexpected; it was neither to live a life of ignominy nor to fight head-on. Instead, he continued the final instructions of the Nine Yin True Lord in a more bizarre way, as if he had developed a great interest in exploring Fu Changsheng's secrets.

Bone Demon narrowed his eyes, quickly weighing his options. The Wraith's choice wouldn't harm him; in fact, it meant one less person to share resources. He immediately said, "Fine! To each their own! In that case, let's part ways here! Corpse King, if you insist on setting up the altar, go ahead, but I won't participate or offer any assistance."

The Corpse Demon glared fiercely at the Bone Demon, then glanced at the Ghost, and snorted heavily, "We're not on the same page! I can do it myself! Wait until I summon the Demon Lord's power, then you'll regret it!"

Having said that, he shouldered the heavy coffin, broke through the barrier at the entrance of the cave, and rushed into the vast black wind without looking back, quickly disappearing from sight.

The ghost's figure silently blended into the shadows, as if it had never existed.

Inside the cave, only Bone Demon remained. He let out a long sigh of relief, a smile of relief mixed with a hint of ambition on his face.

"Finally rid of these two troubles... The Northern Frontier, though chaotic, may not be a place of opportunity for me." He muttered to himself, beginning to carefully plan how to use his illusion and escape techniques to maximize his gains in this chaotic land and live a peaceful life.

The three disciples sent by the Nine Yin True Lord, due to their different personalities and stances, made completely different choices and embarked on three different paths after learning the shocking news of the sect's destruction and their master's death.

...

...

Several months later, a grand imperial edict was issued from the capital and spread rapidly throughout the court and the country, especially within the Sky Patrol Bureau system:
"Fu Changsheng, the Imperial Inspector of Wuzhou and Huizhou Prefecture, has uncovered the evil forces and eradicated their den in the Prince's Mansion, averting a catastrophe. His meritorious service is outstanding, and he is hereby promoted to the rank of Fifth-Rank Imperial Inspector! Furthermore, he is granted the privilege of selecting a treasure from the Great Zhou Treasure Pavilion once, as a sign of imperial favor!"

The imperial edict was brief, yet it stirred up a thousand waves like a boulder thrown into a lake! A promotion to the fifth rank without regard to precedent! The treasure vault to choose from! The magnitude of these two rewards far exceeded that of ordinary merit, demonstrating the court's high regard for this matter and its appreciation of Fu Changsheng.

……

Wuzhou, the main hall of the Zhenshi Temple.

A hazy yet majestic and radiant light slowly coalesced, revealing an avatar of the Nine Profound Star Lord descending upon this place. Fu Changsheng, who had already received the news, was waiting here accompanied by True Person Xuanyang and others.

"This humble servant, Fu Changsheng, respectfully welcomes True Lord Jiuxuan!" Fu Changsheng stepped forward and bowed respectfully, neither servile nor arrogant. Facing this top figure of the Great Zhou Dynasty, he maintained his respect but showed little fear, displaying a composed demeanor.

The avatar of the Nine Profound Star Lord nodded slightly, his gaze falling on Fu Changsheng. He scrutinized him carefully, a hint of barely perceptible admiration flashing in his eyes. This young man has a solid foundation, his blood and qi flow like a dragon, and his eyes are clear and resolute. He can remain so calm in the face of me; he is indeed no ordinary person.

"Fu Changsheng, receive the decree." The Nine Mysterious Star Lord's voice was calm yet carried an inherent majesty.

"The humble position is here!"

"Effective immediately, you are promoted to the rank of Fifth-Rank Patrol Envoy, enjoying all the powers and privileges of a Fifth-Rank Patrol Envoy. I hope you will be diligent in your duties, practice your cultivation diligently, live up to the Emperor's favor, and achieve new merits!"

A jade book radiating brilliant golden light and a strong official aura, along with an even more complex and exquisite fifth-rank imperial patrol token, slowly flew towards Fu Changsheng.

Fu Changsheng accepted the document with both hands and said in a deep voice, "This humble servant accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude! I will do my utmost to protect this region and repay the kindness shown to me by His Majesty and the True Lord!"

The Nine Mysterious Star Lord nodded slightly and continued:

"Now that you have entered the fifth rank, you should know that the fifth-rank patrol envoy is different from the sixth-rank."

First, the scope of inspections is no longer limited to a single state or prefecture; the authority to conduct cross-state inspections can be applied for as needed, allowing for discretionary action.

Secondly, they have the authority to directly mobilize no more than a thousand Zhen Shi Si Li Shi and Xun Tian Wei within a state to assist in handling cases, and in case of emergency, they can act first and report later.

Third, access privileges have been enhanced, allowing access to more files (excluding restricted sections) concerning sects, aristocratic families, and even some royal secrets.

Fourth, annual salary and resource allocation will be significantly increased, with specific details to be provided in a written document later.

Fifth, and most importantly, your opinions and reports will be sent directly to the Cabinet, without needing to go through multiple layers of intermediaries.

With each privilege mentioned, Master Xuan Yang couldn't help but gasp slightly. Each of these privileges represented immense power and resource allocation, especially the last one, which granted direct access to the cabinet—something countless officials dreamed of!

Fu Changsheng was also startled, knowing the weight of this fifth-rank position, and cupped his hands again: "This humble servant understands and will use this power with caution."

Looking at the composed Fu Changsheng, the Nine Mysterious Star Lord found himself increasingly pleasing to the eye. After a moment of contemplation, he suddenly flicked his finger, sending a streak of light flying towards Fu Changsheng.

Fu Changsheng reached out and caught it. It was an ancient jade talisman with intricate star patterns engraved on its surface. Inside, it contained a terrifyingly powerful force, far surpassing any talisman he had ever seen before.

"This is a Starfall Talisman I personally crafted. It contains the power of my own strike, enough to severely injure or even kill an ordinary early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. I'll bestow it upon you for self-defense, and consider it a way to establish good karma." Nine Profound Star Lord spoke casually, as if he were merely giving away a small gift.

However, upon hearing this, even True Person Xuan Yang was horrified! The talisman treasure personally crafted by a Nascent Soul True Monarch was of immeasurable value! This was no longer just a reward, but also represented a signal of recognition and protection!
Fu Changsheng was also deeply moved, never expecting this True Lord to be so generous. He solemnly put away the jade talisman and bowed deeply: "Changsheng thanks the True Lord for his generous gift! This kindness will be forever etched in my heart!"

"Hmm." The avatar of the Nine Profound Star Lord nodded slightly, seemingly satisfied with Fu Changsheng's reaction. "Cultivate diligently. In the future, the Great Zhou may still need your support. The pass to the Treasure Pavilion will be issued periodically. Just wait for good news."

Having said that, the avatar of the Nine Profound Star Lord said no more and slowly dissipated from the spot, and the vast pressure also dissipated.

Inside the main hall, only Fu Changsheng, Xuan Yang Zhenren, and a few others remained.

Master Xuan Yang let out a long sigh of relief, his gaze towards Fu Changsheng filled with complex emotions and amazement: "Inspector Fu... Congratulations! To be personally bestowed with a treasure by True Monarch Jiu Xuan is an immense honor!"

nowadays.

Fu Changsheng was his equal.

Yan Zhenren, standing to the side, was extremely envious. According to the current rank, Fu Changsheng was above him.

……

When Fu Changsheng received the jade book and token from the Fifth-Rank Imperial Patrol Envoy in the outside world.

The Five Elements Space within his body and the Mountain and River Clan-Suppressing Cauldron seemed to resonate with it, causing them to tremble violently!
The golden river of fortune within the cauldron, which had become increasingly turbulent due to the absorption of the [Myriad Transformation Mother Gold] and the [Prince's Decree], surged like a giant stone had been thrown into it, with endless essence of fortune and auspicious luck flowing wildly towards the [Dragon Transformation Pool] at the core of the cauldron!

The once calm waters of the Dragon Transformation Pool instantly boiled, golden light soared into the sky, and the sound of the Dao resounded!
The rich, almost palpable essence intertwined, fused, and settled with a newly incorporated, dazzling official fortune representing the power of a fifth-rank official…

After a short while, the strange phenomenon subsided.

Twenty-four elixirs, each the size of a dragon's eye, perfectly round, and a deep yellow color, with a few more faint golden cloud patterns on their surface than the previous ones, floated quietly above the Dragon Transformation Pool.

Each elixir exudes a more powerful and gentle energy, as well as a unique aura that can stabilize the soul and subtly enhance spiritual wisdom and the ability to sense destiny.

【Mysterious Yellow Elixir (Fifth-Rank Official Fortune Enhancement Version)】: Sensing the advancement of its master's official fortune, the Mountain and River Suppressing Clan Cauldron gathered fortune and the essence of the earth, fusing with a trace of the auspicious aura of a fifth-rank patrolling angel to create this elixir. Its effects are even greater than before, with the added benefits of slightly boosting comprehension, stabilizing official fortune, and warding off evil spirits. It is extremely effective for Golden Core stage cultivators.

"Wow! Master, Master! Look! The cauldron is spitting out treasures again! This time it seems a little different!" Qiu Niang was the first to sense the change inside the cauldron. She excitedly flew around the Dragon Transformation Pool, her big eyes blinking with curiosity. "It seems...it seems even more fragrant! And it even has a hint of a pleasant, majestic scent?"

The Feathered Beast was also drawn by the fragrance and energy fluctuations of the elixir. It approached the Dragon Transformation Pool with heavy steps, its massive head lowered, its honest eyes revealing longing, and it let out a low, expectant whimper. Although it didn't quite understand what was happening, it knew it must be something good.

Bingyan was even more direct, transforming into a streak of light as he tried to pounce on the twenty-four spirit pills, but was quickly caught by Qiuniang: "You little glutton! Don't move! Those are the master's things!"

"Chirp! Chirp chirp!" Bingyan struggled in Qiu Niang's arms, making dissatisfied and aggrieved chirps, but its little eyes were fixed on the spiritual pills.

Fu Changsheng's mind was partially immersed in the space. Looking at the twenty-four newly born spirit pills, a carefree smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.

"A fifth-rank official position actually has such benefits? This is an unexpected delight." He was delighted. "In this way, my Chaos Dao Foundation can advance to the next level."

This batch.

He planned to keep it for himself.

Next.

They were heading to the Great Zhou Treasure Pavilion to retrieve the treasure.

……

a few days later.

Fu Changsheng stepped into the vast and boundless space of the Great Zhou Treasure Pavilion for the third time, a space filled with the radiance of precious treasures.

Unlike the previous two times, this time his goal was clearer and his mindset was more composed. He still cautiously guided the wisp of chaotic energy within his body, using it as a guide to sense the opportunity in this treasure trove that was most compatible with him.

The chaotic energy flowed slightly, exuding an ancient Daoist charm that encompasses all things.

In an instant, countless orbs of light within the space were once again drawn in, their radiance flickering erratically. Several extraordinary treasures, as if summoned, slowly flew towards him: an ancient flying sword exuding sharp Geng metal energy, a crimson crystal sealing a seed of some powerful spiritual fire, and an ancient alchemical jade slip emitting a fresh fragrance of herbs and trees.

Each one is enough to drive a Golden Core cultivator mad.

However, Fu Changsheng's gaze did not linger on these treasures for long. His senses were drawn by the chaotic energy, heading towards a relatively secluded corner deeper inside, where the light was somewhat dim.

There, there was an inconspicuous, dark sphere of light, its surface even covered with a layer of dust, as if it had been forgotten here for countless years. Inside the sphere, one could vaguely see a tattered scroll, made of some kind of animal hide or metal foil. The edges of the scroll were jagged, and the runes drawn on its surface were broken and worn in many places. Its spiritual light was dim and almost imperceptible.

But just as the chaotic energy swept across, the tattered scroll suddenly trembled slightly, and an extremely faint yet exceptionally ancient and resilient array fluctuation emanated from it, creating a peculiar resonance with the chaotic energy—a fragmented Daoist aura concerning "space," "isolation," and "protection."

"This is... a formation diagram?" Fu Changsheng's heart stirred.

He stretched out his finger, past the few glittering treasures, and pointed directly at the dusty, dark sphere of light.

(End of this chapter)