Family Rise: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 597 Bloodline Treasure Technique, Three Lottery Draws, Battle of Revenge

After Fu Yongrui left.

With a thought, Fu Changsheng's figure disappeared from the quiet room and entered the Five Elements Space.

As instructed, Qiu Niang had used hundreds of mid-grade spirit stones to set up a large-scale spirit-gathering array with flowing spiritual light.

The Chaos Beast was lying prone at the core of the formation.

Fu Changsheng walked up to it.

With a flick of his sleeve.

The jade box containing the [Myriad Beasts Spirit-Nourishing Purple Cloud Ointment] appeared.

"This medicine is mild yet potent. After taking it, focus your mind and guide its power to cleanse your meridians and refine your demon core. The Spirit Gathering Array will provide you with ample spiritual energy. Qiu Niang and I will be here to protect you. You can focus on your breakthrough."

"Roar"

The Chaos Beast let out a low roar, opened its massive maw, and a suction force pulled the elixir shrouded in purple clouds from the jade box into its belly.

When the ointment was ingested, there was initially no significant reaction.

But after only a few breaths, the Chaos Beast suddenly trembled, and a gentle yet incredibly vast medicinal power erupted like a dormant volcano! Purple light emanated from its body, intertwining with the multicolored spiritual energy gathered by the Spirit Gathering Array, enveloping its massive body.

"Roar"

The Chaos Beast let out a suppressed growl, clearly enduring the dual impact of the medicinal effects dissolving and the demonic energy boiling.

Qiu Niang stood beside Fu Changsheng and asked softly:

"Master, will the Chaos Beast succeed this time?"

Fu Changsheng focused intently on sensing the changes in the Chaos Beast's aura, and nodded slightly:
"The Myriad Beasts Spirit-Nourishing Purple Cloud Ointment is an ancient spirit-feeding secret recipe, specially made for spirit beasts to break through. Its medicinal properties are long-lasting and gentle, and it is most important for protecting the foundation. The Chaos Beast has a solid foundation and abundant accumulation. With the help of this item, the success rate should be over 70%. The rest depends on its own fate."

Time flows slowly through the Five Elements space.

The Chaos Beast's aura was constantly rising and fluctuating, sometimes violent, sometimes calm. The chaotic energy on its body surface surged violently, with faint runes appearing and disappearing within it, indicating that the power inherited deep within its bloodline was being activated.

This process lasted a long time.

Suddenly, the Chaos Beast's body trembled violently, and the purple light and spiritual energy vortex enveloping it abruptly contracted inward, disappearing entirely into its body. Immediately afterward, a terrifying pressure far exceeding anything seen before spread out like a tidal wave!
It suddenly raised its head and let out a deafening roar! This roar was filled with the joy of breaking free from its shackles and the majesty of its rising power!

Fourth tier!

Success! !

Just now.

Mutations reborn!

The originally clear sky in the Five Elements Space suddenly changed color!
Thick, dark clouds appeared from nowhere, rapidly gathering and pressing down with a low, oppressive force. Within the clouds, silver snakes danced wildly, lightning flashed, and a deep, majestic roar resounded! A vast, overwhelming divine might locked onto the newly-breakthrough Chaos Beast!
"It's a heavenly tribulation!"

Qiu Niang exclaimed in surprise and subconsciously moved closer to Fu Changsheng.

When a spirit beast breaks through to the fourth rank, it is equivalent to a human cultivator forming their core. It is only natural that this would trigger a heavenly tribulation. However, it was unexpected that the rules of the Heavenly Dao would still manifest in this self-contained Five Elements Space, bringing down a test.

Fu Changsheng's gaze sharpened, but he did not panic.

He could sense that the power of this tribulation lightning seemed weaker than that of a typical fourth-order tribulation lightning, perhaps because the Five Elements Space had partially isolated it from the heavenly might. He looked at the Chaos Beast and said in a deep voice:
"Do not be afraid, this is a test from Heaven, and also an opportunity for tempering! Calm your mind and face the heavenly lightning!"

The Chaos Beast looked up at the sky, its newly ascended, radiant eyes showing no fear whatsoever, but instead bursting with an intense desire and excitement! It was born to control chaos and had an extremely strong affinity for and instinct to devour all kinds of energies in the world. Thunder, this energy that was extremely yang and strong, containing the power of destruction and rebirth, was an excellent tonic for it!

"Roar--!"

The Chaos Beast let out a roar that was even more unrestrained and provocative than before, its chaotic energy surging and surging as it actively met the rolling tribulation clouds!

"Crack!"

The first massive bolt of silver lightning tore through the clouds like an angry dragon and struck down fiercely!

The Chaos Beast neither dodged nor avoided, but instead opened its massive maw and inhaled sharply!
The lightning pillar, powerful enough to severely injure even a newly promoted fourth-tier demon beast, was actually devoured by it! The remaining lightning power coiled around its massive body, crackling and exploding, with electric light flowing around, but it couldn't truly harm its core. Instead, it seemed to be tempering its muscles, bones, and fur!

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Immediately afterwards, the second, the third... lightning tribulations fell one after another, each more ferocious than the last! But the Chaos Beast became increasingly composed. It either opened its mouth to devour the lightning, or drew upon the chaotic energy to create vortexes that obliterated the lightning, or even actively used its body to withstand the lightning, bathing itself in the light!

Each lightning strike made its aura more condensed. The demonic power, which had just been promoted and was still somewhat weak, was repeatedly tempered by the power of lightning, becoming incomparably pure and solid! The blurry runes on its scales became clearer under the baptism of lightning, faintly exuding an ancient and mysterious aura.

When the last and strongest dark purple lightning bolt crashed down, the chaotic energy around the Chaos Beast boiled to its limit. It let out a roar that shook the entire Five Elements Space, and a previously blurry but complex pattern on its forehead suddenly lit up, exuding an ancient and primordial aura!

It no longer simply devoured or resisted; instead, its pupils suddenly flashed, and its eyes gathered dense chaotic energy, shooting out to meet the dark purple lightning!

"Tsk-!"

A strange tearing sound rang out, and the incredibly powerful dark purple lightning pillar was actually torn apart and shattered by its purple light! The dissipated lightning energy was greedily absorbed by its pores!

Tribulation of lightning, passed!
The tribulation clouds quickly dissipated, and the Five Elements Space returned to clarity, but a faint aura of thunder and a newly emerging powerful pressure still lingered in the air.

The Chaos Beast stood still, the lightning around it gradually fading, and its form seemed to solidify even further. Its aura had completely stabilized at the early stage of the fourth rank, and its foundation was far stronger than that of ordinary fourth-rank demonic beasts that had just broken through—all thanks to the tempering of its body by heavenly lightning!
What surprised him even more.

He clearly sensed that at the final moment of tearing through the lightning, a dormant power within the Chaos Beast awakened! That power was filled with chaos, annihilation, and the aura of creation; it was the precious technique inherited deep within its bloodline!

The Chaos Beast closed its eyes, seemingly digesting the newly awakened inherited information. A moment later, it reopened its eyes, its gaze filled with confidence and a powerful sense of strength. It looked at Fu Changsheng and, through their soul connection, transmitted a vague yet clear message:
Its awakened bloodline technique is called—[Chaotic Thunder Eye]!
By combining the power of heavenly thunder refined within the body with the chaotic energy, it erupts from the eyes, emitting divine light containing the intent of chaos destruction and the power of heavenly thunder to slay evil. It is extremely powerful and has a strong restraining effect on evil spirits and vengeful spirits.

The Chaos Beast let out a low growl.

Fu Changsheng was also very pleased, and patted its solid head: "This time we have gained a lot. You should familiarize yourself with the new powers and magical techniques. With you, my Fu family will have another powerful ally!"

At the same time, the familiar mechanical voice in his mind arrived as expected:

"Ding!"

"Your spirit beast, Chaos Beast, has successfully advanced to the fourth tier and overcome the Heavenly Tribulation to awaken its bloodline treasure technique. The clan's top combat strength has been significantly enhanced, and you have been granted a special lottery draw opportunity. Would you like to redeem it?"

In this way, he accumulated three more special lottery chances.

Back in his quiet room, Fu Changsheng sat cross-legged, his mind sinking into his sea of ​​consciousness. Looking at the three alluring "special lottery chances," even his usually calm demeanor couldn't help but waver slightly.

"Three chances... I wonder what kind of treasure I'll be able to draw this time?"

He took a deep breath, no longer hesitating, and his mind turned to the lottery option.

"Redeem one special lottery chance!"

Within my sea of ​​consciousness, a wheel seemed to begin spinning rapidly, its light swirling, obscuring the actual objects within. After a moment, the wheel slowly came to a stop, and the area the pointer pointed to shone brightly!
"Ding! Congratulations, host, you have obtained: [Ancient Rune Array Fragment - Minor Teleportation Array]!"

A stream of information flooded into Fu Changsheng's mind; it was an ancient talisman array arrangement method called "Minor Teleportation Array"! This array was extremely profound. Although it was only a fragment and required a large amount of spirit stones to activate each time, its effects were heaven-defying—it could instantly teleport a designated target a hundred miles away!

"It's a spatial teleportation formation!" Fu Changsheng's heart skipped a beat, and his eyes gleamed with delight. This formation is of immeasurable value, whether used to save lives in critical moments or for strategic relocation! Although it's only a fragment, and the teleportation distance and stability may be limited, its strategic significance is already immense.

"Wow! This lucky draw was totally worth it!"

Suppressing his excitement, Fu Changsheng pressed the lottery option again.

"Exchange it again!"

The roulette wheel spun again, and when it stopped, the light condensed into a silver crystal the size of a longan, perfectly round, and emitting faint spatial fluctuations.

"Ding--"

"Congratulations, host, you have obtained a special building blueprint: [Creation Enlightenment Pool]"

【Creation Enlightenment Pool】

[Rank: Special Growth Type]

[Effect: By drawing upon the earth's spiritual spring and fusing the essence of the five elements, a spiritual pool containing faint Daoist principles can be formed. Cultivators who immerse themselves in it have a chance to enter a shallow state of enlightenment, improving their comprehension of cultivation techniques, slightly enhancing their divine sense, and with a minuscule probability triggering a 'flash of inspiration,' breaking through cultivation technique bottlenecks.]

[Note: The building's effect is positively correlated with the resources invested and the level of the local ley lines. It can slowly advance as the family's fortune improves.]

"The Pool of Enlightenment and Creation?" Fu Changsheng was shocked, and his eyes lit up with surprise.

This is not a treasure that directly enhances combat power, but a legacy artifact that can bless the entire family and enhance overall potential! Although the probability of triggering a "flash of inspiration" is extremely low, the effect of improving the efficiency of comprehending cultivation techniques and enhancing divine sense is of great benefit to cultivators at any level, especially for clansmen facing bottlenecks, it is a priceless treasure.

"This item will become another core part of the Fu family's foundation!" Fu Changsheng immediately realized the immense value of the blueprints. He decided that he would spare no expense in constructing the [Creation Enlightenment Pool].

Having won valuable treasures related to space in two consecutive draws, Fu Changsheng was in high spirits and even more eager for the third draw. He composed himself and launched the final draw.

As the wheel spun for the last time, the light faded, revealing not a physical object, but an illusory seed emanating a hazy Daoist aura, composed of countless tiny light runes.

"Ding! Congratulations, host, you have obtained: [Divine Power Seed - Shrinking the Earth to an Inch]!"

【Seed of Supernatural Power - Shrinking the Earth to an Inch】: A condensation of insights gained from cultivating an ancient supernatural power. After refining it, the difficulty and time required to learn the supernatural power "Shrinking the Earth to an Inch" will be greatly reduced, and there is a chance to comprehend its deeper mysteries.

"A seed of supernatural power! And it's the 'Shrinking the Earth to an Inch' technique, which is incredibly effective for traveling, chasing enemies, and escaping!" Fu Changsheng's eyes flashed with a sharp light!

Cultivation techniques are easy to obtain, but supernatural abilities are difficult to master! Especially powerful supernatural abilities involving spatial manipulation, the threshold for cultivation is extremely high, and progress is slow. With this seed of supernatural ability, he can achieve twice the result with half the effort, and is expected to initially master this life-saving and highly mobile supernatural ability at the Golden Core stage!
Three draws, and the results were more surprising than the last!
[Ancient Rune Array Fragment - Minor Teleportation Array], [Creation Enlightenment Pool], [Divine Power Seed - Shrinking the Earth to an Inch]!
These three treasures are all priceless and extremely practical, each corresponding to a different aspect: formations, space, and supernatural powers, greatly enriching Fu Changsheng's knowledge and skills.

"It seems that once I break through to the late stage of the Golden Core realm, I will be able to comprehend the seed of the Shrinking Earth to an Inch divine power and the [Ancient Rune Array Fragment - Small Teleportation Array]."

at the same time.

A familiar mechanical voice echoed in his mind:
"Ding! You have acquired the [Ancient Rune Array Fragment - Minor Teleportation Array] and the [Creation Enlightenment Pool] for the clan. Your clan contribution points have increased to 80,000."

They have accumulated sufficient family contribution points.

Then he could open the system's [Training Room] indefinitely. He immediately focused his thoughts on the panel in his sea of ​​consciousness and said directly:
"Open the training room"

hum!
The panel vibrated.

A large amount of yellow light surged.

Followed by.

He flashed before his eyes and disappeared from his spot in the next instant, entering the pavilion in the middle of the lotus pond.

...

...

Huizhou Prefecture, Huang Family Secret Chamber
The flickering candlelight cast an uncertain glow on Chief Huang's face, reflecting the suppressed excitement and ambition within. He held an inconspicuous black jade slip in his hand, containing intelligence sent back at great risk by Shadow Assassins codenamed "Dark Raven."

"The Fu family... teleportation array... Huixi County's extinct volcano..." He muttered these keywords, his eyes gleaming. "Multiple Golden Core cultivators reside here, and resources from all over are gathered here through the teleportation array? Hmph, who would believe there isn't a shocking secret there!"

He abruptly stood up and said in a deep voice, "Please invite the two elders here." A short while later, two cultivators dressed in the robes of core elders of the Huang family entered the secret chamber. One had a lean face, restrained eyes, and a steady aura; he was Huang Yansong, the newly promoted Golden Core cultivator. The other had a shrewd expression, his eyes darting around with calculation; he was Huang Tianhao, also a newly promoted Golden Core cultivator. These two were the latest pillars of the Huang family, nurtured by the clan leader using the Core Formation artifact bestowed upon him by Princess Runyu.

"Clan leader." The two bowed respectfully.

Chief Huang handed the jade slip to the two men for them to read. After they finished reading it and their faces showed surprise, he slowly spoke, his voice carrying a hint of incitement:
"The Fu family's Golden Core cultivators all gather at that inconspicuous extinct volcano in Huixi County for cultivation, and they even spared no expense to build a teleportation array connecting various key locations. There must be a shocking secret hidden beneath that extinct volcano! Perhaps it is a secret treasure that can help people quickly condense their Golden Core, or even improve the quality of their Golden Core!"

Huang Yansong frowned slightly and pondered, "Clan leader, the rise of the Fu family is indeed strangely rapid. Princess Runyu has been in seclusion for a long time, and there is no one to check her. If this continues, Wuzhou will indeed become a place where the Fu family has absolute power. However... the secret of the extinct volcano is only speculation. If we act rashly, we may alert the Fu family and have a direct conflict with them. At present, our Huang family has little chance of winning."

“A direct confrontation? That’s certainly not a wise move.” Chief Huang gave a cold smile, stood up, and strolled to a huge map of Wuzhou and the western border. “But with such an opportunity, how can we sit idly by? Besides, the situation has changed!”

He pointed heavily in the direction of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion on the map: "My great-uncle's secret message: the negotiations between the Great Zhou Dynasty and the core Immortal Alliances of those sects in the far west have completely broken down! The barrier agreement that once restricted Golden Core cultivators from crossing the border is now worthless! Now, Golden Core cultivators on both sides can travel freely!"

Upon hearing this, even the composed Huang Yansong showed a hint of surprise, while Huang Tianhao's eyes flickered, clearly calculating the opportunities contained within.

"Over the years, the Fu family has offended quite a few forces in the far west." Clan Chief Huang's finger slid towards the far west, pointing to "Autumn Moon Nunnery" and "Joyful Sect," his tone inflammatory, "Especially these two families, they have deep-seated hatred for Fu Changsheng, and they are both behemoths with Nascent Soul Ancestors in charge!"

Huang Tianhao immediately understood the clan leader's intention and replied, "The clan leader means... to use someone else to do the dirty work? To reveal to these two families that there might be an opportunity hidden in the dead volcano? To let them test the Fu family's bottom line, so that we can fish in troubled waters?"

"Excellent!" Clan Chief Huang gave Huang Tianhao an approving look. "How can you fish in troubled waters? My Huang family alone cannot swallow this potential opportunity, but if we can involve forces like Qiuyue Nunnery and Huanxi Sect, the Fu family will be in a mess. At that time, no matter what kind of opportunity lies beneath that dormant volcano, in the chaos, my Huang family will have a chance to get a share! If we can really obtain more Core Formation spiritual items, why should my Huang family not prosper?"

Huang Yansong remained cautious: "Clan leader, this plan is ingenious, but how can we ensure that the message reaches those two families accurately without exposing our Huang family? It's like asking a tiger for its skin; the risk is extremely high."

"Don't worry, I've already made arrangements." Clan Chief Huang said confidently, pointing to an area marked "Death Oasis" on the map, where Huizhou and the far west meet. "A group of rogue cultivators called 'Sand Scorpions' are entrenched there. In reality, they are frontmen secretly supported by my Huang family. They are familiar with the border between the two places and have connections with some low-level cultivators in the far west. It would be perfect if they 'accidentally' obtained information and then 'inadvertently' leaked it to the outer disciples of Qiuyue Nunnery or Huanxi Sect."

His eyes gleamed with the smugness of a successful conspiracy: "The Fu family has risen too quickly, blocking the path of too many people and making too many enemies. We only need to give them a gentle push, and plenty of people will be willing to test the Fu family's strength for us. As for us, we just need to observe and wait for the right opportunity."

...

...

Death Oasis, Underground Bunker

This place is less of an oasis and more of a rotten swamp overrun by poisonous insects and sand scorpions. The air is thick with the strange smell of sulfur and humus, and eerie bubbles rise from the murky puddles.

Deep within the fortress, in a dimly lit hall hastily constructed from animal bones and rough timber, sat a gaunt, monkey-like middle-aged man with a grotesque scorpion-tail scar on his face. He was the leader of the "Sand Scorpions," known as "Poison Scorpion." He toyed with a poisoned dagger between his fingers, his eyes sinister and wary.

Below him sat his two capable henchmen: the deputy leader, "Vulture," a tall, burly man with a sparsely sparse head, fierce eyes, and a volatile temper; and "Shadow Spider," in charge of intelligence and assassination, a short man who was almost invisible in the shadows, with only his shrewd and cunning eyes darting around.

Scorpion tossed a jade slip engraved with the Huang family's secret mark onto the rough wooden table, the sound hoarse like sandpaper rubbing together:
"Take a look at all the instructions from above."

Vulture snatched the jade slip, scanned it with his divine sense, and cursed in a muffled voice, "Damn it! Another dirty trick like using someone else to kill! Are we supposed to provoke those evil stars from Qiuyue Nunnery and Huanxi Sect? Do you think the Fu family is easy to mess with? Mo Huaiyuan just died without leaving a trace!"

Shadow Spider approached silently, picked up the jade slip and examined it carefully. After a long while, he spoke in a sinister tone: "Boss, the Huang family is playing a risky game. If the news leaks out, our 'Sand Scorpion' will be the first to be crushed by the Fu family; if it succeeds, it will attract Nascent Soul stage monsters, and the Wuzhou border will probably be destroyed. It's uncertain whether our 'Death Oasis' will still exist."

Scorpion licked his dry lips, his scars contorted, and a cruel sneer appeared on his face: "Afraid? In our line of work, isn't our head always on the line? The benefits the Huang family gives us are enough for us to live a carefree life for decades! Besides..."

A calculating glint flashed in his eyes: "The muddier this water becomes, the more opportunities it presents for those of us hiding in the shadows. The more fiercely the Fu family, the Huang family, the Great Western Sect... the less attention they'll pay to us small fry. We might even be able to squeeze some profits out of us."

Although Vulture was hot-tempered, he wasn't stupid. He calmed down a bit upon hearing this, but still frowned: "That makes sense, but how do we get the message out? We can't just storm into Qiuyue Temple and shout, can we? That would be suicide!"

Shadow Spider let out a few low laughs, like the hooting of an owl: "Of course we can't do it openly. Vulture Boss, don't forget, the reason our 'Sand Scorpion' can establish itself on the border between the two places is because of these shady channels. Those cauldron traders who harvest malevolent energy on the outskirts of the Joyful Sect, the lay disciples of the Autumn Moon Nunnery who run secret operations outside... aren't they all greedy, profit-driven, and eager to climb the social ladder?"

He carefully planned, "We can do this... find two clever, clean-cut strangers, pretend to be rogue cultivators who fled from Huizhou, and deliberately drink too much 'Forget-Me-Not Powder' in the 'Black Sand Market,' then 'slip up their tongues while drunk,' saying things like, 'If I had known that the Fu family's dormant volcano had a treasure that could make someone instantly achieve the Golden Core, I should have gone to gamble on it back then,' and then say some ambiguous but intriguing details... naturally, someone with 'interest' will pass the message back."

Scorpion nodded in satisfaction: "Shadow Spider is right. Remember, your hands and feet must be clean. You must not leave any trace pointing to the Huang family, let alone to us. The person who delivers the message, afterwards..." He made a throat-slitting gesture, his eyes icy cold.

"Understood!" Shadow Spider bowed and replied.

The vulture grinned maliciously, "Heh heh, if we can really lure those wolves from the far west here, watching them fight with the Fu family dogs would be quite satisfying!"

Soon, two inconspicuous low-level members of the "Sand Scorpion" with cultivation levels of only mid-stage Qi Refining were secretly dispatched to the Black Sand Market.

Following instructions, they got perfectly "drunk" in the most chaotic tavern in the market, made perfectly "indiscreet" remarks, and then, after causing a small commotion, mysteriously disappeared into the vast desert of the border region.

Like a pebble thrown into a still lake, the rumor about "a tremendous opportunity hidden in the Fu family's extinct volcano" spread silently, carrying the eerie air unique to the border black market. It flowed slowly along several unknown, secret channels to the far west, reaching the ears of the keen-sense lower-level cultivators of Qiuyue Nunnery and Huanxi Sect who were responsible for external affairs...

...

...

In the far west, at the Joyful Sect's cave dwelling of the Crimson Serpent Fairy.

The Crimson Fairy's fingertip traced a jade slip that had just been delivered through a secret channel. Inside was a vague message from her informant in Wuzhou, mentioning once again that the extinct volcano in Huixi County, Fujian Province, might hold a major secret. Similar messages had been sent before, but this time the source seemed more reliable.

Her delicate brows furrowed slightly. Fu Changsheng had left a complex impression on her; he was no ordinary brute. Merely relying on flimsy information was not enough for her to act rashly.

"It seems I have no choice but to use this." She murmured to herself, taking out an ancient-looking bronze mirror with strange runes engraved on its edges from her storage bracelet. This was the mother mirror from the Mother-Child Heaven-Gazing Mirror bestowed by the Venerable Joy. The child mirror had already been implanted into the Fu family decades ago.

She took a deep breath and activated the sub-mirror according to the incantation.

The mirror surface rippled, failing to display a clear image. Instead, a chaotic mist arose, within which countless tiny points of light flickered, representing the flow of energy across a vast region. This magical artifact consumed a great deal of energy and could not pinpoint locations precisely; it could only observe large-scale energy anomalies.

The Crimson Serpent Fairy immersed her divine sense into the mirror, carefully guiding its light to "look" in the general direction of Wuzhou and Huizhou Prefecture. The mist within the mirror churned, and points of light representing spiritual veins and gathering places of cultivators flickered erratically. Initially, nothing seemed amiss; however, as she slowly shifted her focus towards the Huixi County area mentioned in the intelligence report, a subtle anomaly suddenly appeared on the mirror's surface!

Within the chaotic mist representing the extinct volcano region, there was not deathly stillness, but rather a faint, yet vast and powerful, blue aura. This aura was not continuous, but rather, like the breathing of a sleeping behemoth, it carried an ancient rhythm, sometimes strong, sometimes weak. Even more peculiar was the subtle distortion of the spatial structure surrounding the aura reflected in the mirror, as if an invisible veil was shrouding something, strikingly similar to the spatial folds recorded in ancient texts surrounding certain ancient blessed lands!

"This is... the power of water element is so pure and abundant, yet it is hidden deep, accompanied by spatial anomalies..." A hint of shock flashed in Fairy Crimson Serpent's beautiful eyes. With her extensive knowledge and excellent memory, she immediately recalled a record in the sect's secret manual, "Could it be... the ruins of the ancient 'Water Cloud Cave Heaven'?"

Shuiyun Cave Heaven is said to be the cultivation place of ancient water-attribute powerhouses, containing boundless water essence and lost inheritances. It is an unparalleled treasure land for cultivators who practice water-attribute techniques or seek to break through bottlenecks! If this speculation is true, then the rapid rise of the Fu family and the rapid progress of Fu Changsheng's cultivation seem to have a more reasonable explanation—they may have mastered the method of entering or using this site!
This matter is of great importance and has far exceeded the scope of ordinary revenge killings.

The Crimson Serpent Fairy carefully recorded the unusual phenomena observed by the Mother-Child Sky-Gazing Mirror, her own deductions, and relevant classical texts as evidence in a specially made jade slip. Then she immediately got up, transformed into a streak of red light, and headed straight for the main hall of the Golden Cloud Palace where the Joyful Venerable was in seclusion.

...

...

Jinxia Hall Main Hall

Master Huanxi sat upright on the black jade lotus platform, his aura as deep and boundless as the ocean, having already reached the pinnacle of the Golden Core stage, only one step away from condensing his Nascent Soul. After listening to Fairy Chilian's report and carefully examining the records in the jade slip, a noticeable change appeared on his usually composed face for the first time.

His eyes flashed with a sharp light as he opened and closed them: "Water Cloud Cave Heaven... an ancient ruin... no wonder, no wonder this boy can create miracles time and time again." His voice was deep, with a sense of complete control and strategic planning. "I suspected he was hiding a great secret before, and now it seems that the secret is even bigger than I imagined."

He slowly rose to his feet, the oppressive aura emanating from him causing the air in the hall to stagnate: "The agreement between the Great Zhou and the Immortal Alliance has been nullified, and the border is now open to all. This is a golden opportunity! The Fu family? They are nothing more than stepping stones for our sect to obtain the treasures of the cave heaven."

His tone became decisive and resolute: "Issue the order to convene the Golden Core Elders Council immediately! I will personally go to Wuzhou to seize Shuiyun Cave, capture Fu Changsheng alive, extract his soul, and obtain all his secrets! This time, there can be no more mistakes!"

A moment later, the bell rang nine times, its sound echoing throughout the Huanxi Sect's mountain gate.

Powerful auras rose from various peaks, converging towards the Golden Cloud Palace. Inside the palace, several Golden Core elders, including Fairy Crimson Serpent, stood solemnly, the atmosphere heavy with tension.

The Venerable Huanxi, seated in the main position, swept his gaze over the crowd and publicly revealed the speculation about "Water Cloud Cave Heaven" discovered by Fairy Chilian, and announced the decision to launch an expedition.

"Sect Leader, the strength of the Fu family is currently unclear, and they are located in the heart of the Great Zhou. If we send out all our forces, will we be able to..." A more cautious elder raised his concerns.

Master Huanxi waved his hand decisively, interrupting, "No need to worry! My Nascent Soul cultivation is enough to crush everything. Even if Fu Changsheng has had a fortuitous encounter, he is only at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm. The rest of the Fu family's Golden Core cultivators are nothing but chickens and dogs! As for Wuzhou, Runyu is in seclusion. Which other force would dare to easily interfere in the affairs of my Huanxi Sect? The key to this operation is speed. With the force of thunder, we will sweep away all obstacles!"

He looked at Fairy Chilian: "Chilian, you are meticulous and know the Fu family best. This time, you will assist me in coordinating the vanguard's affairs."

The Crimson Serpent Fairy sighed inwardly, knowing the matter was beyond repair, and respectfully replied, "I will obey the Sect Leader's decree." She then began to offer her suggestions methodically: "Sect Leader, to ensure absolute certainty, could we contact the Autumn Moon Nunnery? They also have a deep-seated grudge against the Fu family, which could restrain some of their power and share the risks..."

Master Huanxi pondered for a moment. Although he disliked sharing spoils, considering the potential variables, he finally nodded: "Alright. You will be responsible for handling this matter. But remember, the secret of the core of the cave must be kept in the hands of our sect!"

...

...

In the far west, at Qiuyue Nunnery, a quiet and secluded retreat.

The Crimson Serpent Fairy did not travel in a flamboyant flying boat, but instead transformed into a faint red light and quietly arrived at the gate of Autumn Moon Nunnery. After being informed, she was led to an elegant and quiet room. The room was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, and a calligraphy of the character "Quiet" hung on the wall, its powerful strokes conveying a sense of loneliness.

After a short wait, steady footsteps sounded outside the door. An elderly nun, dressed in a gray robe, with a thin face and sharp, hawk-like eyes, stepped in. It was Master Jingyue. She exuded the spiritual energy fluctuations of a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, but her aura carried an uncontrollable coldness and ferocity, completely out of place in this secluded place of cultivation.

"Fellow Daoist Chilian, what brings you here?" Abbess Jingyue cut to the chase, her tone cold, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible rejection. Although Qiuyue Nunnery and Huanxi Sect both belonged to major sects in the far west, they followed different paths and rarely interacted.

The Crimson Serpent Fairy was already used to Abbess Jingyue's temperament, so she didn't beat around the bush and directly told her selectively about the possibility that the Fu family's dormant volcano might hide the "Water Cloud Cave Heaven" and the upcoming action of the Joyful Sect, especially emphasizing that Fu Changsheng was the core target.

"...Senior Sister Jingyue, Fu Changsheng has a deep-seated grudge against both our sects. This time, our sect leader is personally taking action, determined to obtain him. If you are willing to go with us, not only can you avenge your beloved daughter's death... but if there are any suitable treasures for your nunnery within the cave, our sect is also willing to share them." Fairy Chilian spoke calmly and sincerely.

However, the words "beloved daughter" and "lover" were like a red-hot branding iron, instantly piercing through Master Jingyue's cold exterior. Her face suddenly turned grim and terrifying, her nails dug deeply into her palms, and her eyes erupted with a deep-seated hatred!
"Fu! Chang! Sheng!" She almost gritted her teeth as she uttered the name, her voice hoarse and filled with boundless resentment. "If it weren't for this scoundrel, how could my daughter have perished? My poor, wretched daughter... Never mind! This hatred is irreconcilable!"

She suddenly looked up and stared intently at the Crimson Serpent Fairy: "When shall we depart? This old nun will surely slay this traitor to comfort my son's spirit in heaven!" She agreed so readily, without even asking for more details about the grotto-heaven; the flames of revenge had already consumed her reason.

The Crimson Serpent Fairy sighed inwardly, knowing that Abbess Jingyue was completely consumed by hatred, but this was precisely the outcome she desired. "Senior Sister, please calm down. This matter still needs to be reported to the Abbess..."

"No need to report!" Abbess Jingyue said decisively. "This old nun will go to see the abbess now and explain the situation! You wait here for a moment!" With that, she stood up abruptly and left the meditation room in a hurry, heading straight for the abbess's place of seclusion.
-
In the main hall of Qiuyue Temple, on the lotus platform
Abbess Qiuyue was an elderly nun with a kind face and deep, ancient eyes. Her aura was harmonious and she had reached the peak of the late Golden Core stage. She listened quietly to Abbess Jingyue's slightly incoherent narration due to her excitement, while slowly turning a string of ancient Buddhist beads in her hand.

“Jingyue,” the abbess’s voice was calm yet powerful, like a clear mountain spring, trying to extinguish the karmic fire in Jingyue’s heart, “Fu Changsheng did indeed have a way to die, and I know the bitterness in your heart. However, joining forces with the Joyful Sect to launch an expedition to the heart of the Great Zhou and compete for that ethereal cave heaven has far-reaching implications.”

She raised her eyes, her gaze filled with compassion: "The relationship between the Great Zhou and the far west is inherently delicate. If this matter escalates and leads to a large-scale conflict between high-level cultivators on both sides, and war breaks out, countless lives will be lost, with the first to suffer being the lowly cultivators and mortals of both regions. Our Buddha is merciful; how can we allow the suffering of all living beings to be plunged into misery because of one person's grudge?"

"Abbess!" Abbess Jingyue interrupted excitedly, her tone sharp, "Compassion? To be compassionate to your enemies is to be cruel to yourself! When my daughter died tragically, who showed compassion? Fu Changsheng is living a carefree life, and the Fu family is growing stronger every day. Has he ever shown even a shred of compassion? The common people? Heh, this cultivation world is a dog-eat-dog world. Where is there any true peace? Your constant retreat and forbearance will only lead to the gradual decline of Qiuyue Nunnery!"

Her words were like knives, full of prejudice and resentment.

The abbess was not angry, but looked deeply at Abbess Jingyue, a trace of pity flashing in her eyes: "Jingyue, your obsession has penetrated to the bone, this is a demon in your heart. Revenge is not the right path of cultivation, it will only make you sink deeper and deeper into the sea of ​​suffering."

"Inner demons? Hahaha!" Abbess Jingyue laughed bitterly. "What's the point of my cultivation if I can't take revenge? Abbess, your resolve is unwavering, and you care for all living beings. I, Jingyue, cannot do that! I only want Fu Changsheng to live!"

Knowing she couldn't persuade the abbess, she abruptly flicked her sleeves and resolutely declared, "Since the abbess is unwilling to get involved in this mess, then I will go alone! Even if I perish, I will still take a piece of Fu Changsheng's flesh!"

Having said that, she didn't look at the abbess again, turned around and strode away, her back view resolute and desolate.

The abbess gazed in the direction she had left, remaining silent for a long time. The sandalwood incense in the hall still burned, but it added a touch of heaviness to the atmosphere.

After a long while, a middle-aged female disciple quietly entered and whispered, "Abbot, Aunt Jingyue... she really went alone. Should we stop her?"

The abbess slowly closed her eyes and let out a barely audible sigh: "Let her go."

The disciple looked puzzled.

The abbess opened her eyes, her gaze seemingly piercing through the hall, seeing into Abbess Jingyue's heart, utterly consumed by hatred: "These past years, she has suffered day and night from inner demons, her cultivation stagnating. If she can, with the help of the Joyful Sect, succeed in killing Fu Changsheng, perhaps... this inner demon tribulation will be resolved. If not..."

The abbess's voice was filled with endless weariness and compassion: "That is also her tribulation. Forcibly stopping her will only make her more resentful and her demonic thoughts run deeper, and she may even fall into demonic possession. Let's leave everything to her own fate."

She waved her hand, signaling her disciples to leave. Silence returned to the hall, broken only by the abbess's deep chanting, for her fellow disciples who had resolutely stepped into the calamity, and for the common people who might be thrown into turmoil by this conflict.

The departing Abbess Jingyue was filled with boiling killing intent. She quickly rejoined the waiting Fairy Chilian and said coldly, "If the abbess is unwilling to participate, this old nun will go with you! When do we depart?"

Looking at the old nun before her, whose heart was completely consumed by hatred, Fairy Chilian felt a complex mix of emotions, but the plan had at least taken a step forward. "Senior Sister is so decisive! Without further ado, let's set off immediately and reunite with the Sect Leader!"

Two streaks of light, one red and one gray, silently departed Qiuyue Nunnery, heading towards an unknown trap. One was driven by sect interests and personal greed, while the other sought to vent the pent-up grief of losing loved ones for decades, both aiming directly at the Fu family of Wuzhou.

(End of this chapter)