Family Rise: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 600 Exceptional Promotion! Murder to Cover Up the Confession!!

The crimson light that the Crimson Fairy transformed into hurtled toward the far west.

however.

As she stealthily made her way to the planned evacuation route in a secluded valley at the border of the two states, her heart sank to the bottom!
The valley remains the same, but the atmosphere is completely different!
A powerful, solemn, and imposing aura enveloped the entire area.

Above the valley, an array of light membranes, barely visible to the naked eye, rippled like water, emanating powerful spiritual energy fluctuations that isolated the inside from the outside. Beyond the membrane, several figures could be vaguely seen suspended in mid-air, clad in the distinctive black and gold-patterned battle robes of the Zhen Shi Si and the iconic deep blue star-patterned Daoist robes of the Yu Shen Si. Their auras were clearly those of the Golden Core realm! Further away, organized groups of armored cultivators patrolled, their divine senses sweeping across every inch of the surrounding land like combs!
"The World-Suppressing Division... the Divine Control Division... what are they doing here? And they've even mobilized so many Golden Core cultivators!"

The Crimson Fairy's pupils contracted sharply, and she instantly concealed all her aura, hiding like a rock in the shadow of a giant boulder, her heartbeat almost stopping.

She recognized one of them as Xuan Yang, a veteran Golden Core leader of the Zhen Shi Si in Wuzhou, known for his ruthless and incorruptible nature. The other female cultivator from the Yu Shen Si was even more skilled in tracking and the Eye of Truth-Seeking Technique!
"The passage is completely blocked... That's right, the Fu family was attacked, the border is in crisis, how could the imperial court not strengthen border defenses? Especially such a hidden route that could be infiltrated!"

The Crimson Serpent Fairy instantly understood, and a chill ran from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head!
Previously, she was solely focused on launching a surprise attack on the Fu family, and, relying on her pseudo-Nascent Soul cultivation and the secret passage, she had disregarded the Great Zhou Dynasty's regular border defenses. But now, with Yue Zhenshan holding off Huanxi Shangren head-on, the Zhen Shi Si and Yu Shen Si were clearly freed to focus their efforts on clearing the border and preventing infiltration and internal rebellion from the far west! If she were to forcefully reveal herself now, attempting to break through the blockade, she would immediately be besieged by several Golden Core cultivators of the same level, as well as suppressed by the clearly reinforced border defense array! Even with her pseudo-Nascent Soul cultivation, she would have no chance of survival!

"Can not go back……"

This thought, like an icicle, pierced the mind of the Crimson Serpent Fairy. Even with her extensive experience, she couldn't help but feel a pang of panic. Before her lay an impregnable fortress, behind her the covetous eyes of the Fu family; her sect was on the verge of collapse, and she herself was a trapped beast!
This operation was originally intended to seize the Water Cloud Cave, destroy the Fu family, and obtain a tremendous opportunity. But what has happened now? The sect's branch has been destroyed, elders have perished, resources have been plundered, and the leader himself is trapped in enemy territory, caught in a dilemma! It's a classic case of trying to steal a chicken but losing the rice instead, losing both his wife and his army!

A wave of intense regret and humiliation washed over her, but even more so was the urgency of the current crisis. She forced herself to calm down, her mind racing.

"We can't stay here! Now that the imperial court has mobilized, they will definitely conduct a thorough search. Wuzhou may be large, but there is no place for me to stand!"

In a flash of insight, she thought of a direction—the Eastern Wilderness!
The area is home to numerous tribes and has a complex environment. It is not directly ruled by the Great Zhou Dynasty, and the imperial court's influence is relatively weak. Moreover, the tribes of the Eastern Wilderness are isolated from the outside world and have little understanding of the grievances between the far west and the Great Zhou Dynasty. Perhaps there is something that can be exploited!
"Yes, let's go to the Eastern Wilderness!"

A resolute glint flashed in the Crimson Serpent Fairy's eyes. She took a deep breath, her internal magical power circulating in a strange way, her bones crackling softly, and the muscles in her face beginning to twitch and change. At the same time, she took out a spare, ordinary blue robe without any sect markings and put it on, then forcefully suppressed her signature alluring aura, instead simulating a slightly weathered spiritual energy fluctuation carrying a faint, primal aura.

In a short while, a female Daoist with an ordinary appearance, calm temperament, and who looked like she had been making a living in the border area for many years appeared in the same spot, completely different from the charming elder of the Joyful Sect before!
This disguise technique is so advanced that it is extremely difficult to see through unless one is a Nascent Soul cultivator who examines it carefully.

After taking one last deep look at the heavily guarded valley, the Crimson Serpent Fairy—or rather, the current "Azure Wanderer"—turned around without hesitation, transforming into an inconspicuous streak of bluish-gray light. Using the terrain as cover, she silently sped off in the opposite direction from the far west, towards the mysterious eastern wilderness.

Perhaps, there might be new opportunities to persuade certain tribes to join forces against the Fu family, who had caused her and the Joyful Sect such great losses! Even in crisis, there is always a chance for a turnaround!

...

...

Just as the Red Serpent Fairy disguised herself and fled eastward in haste, the situation on the battlefield outside Zhenyuan Pass also underwent a decisive change.

Master Huanxi hovered in mid-air, the light of the "Joyful Reincarnation Banner" surrounding him no longer as intense as it had been at first. His face was so gloomy it could drip water, and his divine sense swept over the majestic pass in front of him again and again, which still stood tall and its array of spiritual light flowing endlessly.

Yue Zhenshan remained steadfastly positioned at the pass, his black casual clothes motionless in the fluttering wind, his eyes sharp as an eagle's, confronting Huanxi Shangren across the distance. The Great Zhou army's morale soared, their formations were impeccable, and their various defensive fortifications and offensive arrays operated flawlessly, repelling Huanxi Sect's subsequent futile attacks once again.

"Sect Leader!" The elder of the Conquest Hall flew over in a disheveled state, his voice filled with barely suppressed panic and bitterness. "Statistics complete... Our side... Our disciples have suffered over ten thousand casualties, five Golden Core elders have fallen, and seven are seriously injured... Our spiritual energy and magical artifacts have been severely depleted... Yue Zhenshan's defenses are too tight, we... We can't break through!"

Master Huanxi's chest heaved violently, a metallic taste rising in his throat, which he forcibly swallowed. The surprise attack had failed, the offensive had crumbled, and the losses were devastating! This was an unprecedented humiliation in his hundreds of years of cultivation!
Just then, a rapid-fire communication talisman pierced the air and landed directly in the hands of the elder of the Conquest Hall. The elder scanned it with his divine sense, his face instantly turning deathly pale, and his voice trembled:
"Sect Leader... Sect Leader! Something terrible has happened! We just received an urgent distress signal from the sect! Black Wind Medicine Valley, Red Iron Mine, Firefly Flower Sea... our three most important branch sites have been attacked simultaneously! It's the Fu family! Led by a fourth-tier Azure Dragon, along with a large number of spirit beasts and puppets! Elder Tu Lie... has fallen! Elder Zhao, Elder Qian... the branch site's resources have been looted, and the medicine fields have been destroyed!"

"what?!"

Master Huanxi trembled violently, and his immense pressure spread out uncontrollably, forcing the elders of the Conquest Hall beside him to retreat several steps! His eyes instantly turned blood red, almost spitting fire!

"Fu! Chang! Sheng!" He gritted his teeth, each word filled with boundless hatred. "What a clever feint! What a ruthless tactic!"

He understood everything instantly.

The Fu family had anticipated their attack and might even have deliberately feigned weakness to draw their main force to Zhenyuan Pass while simultaneously sending elite troops to launch a surprise attack on the heart of Huanxi Sect! This was an attempt to cripple their foundation and leave them unable to defend themselves on both ends!
With heavy losses at the front lines, trouble at home, resources plundered, and elders fallen, the Joyful Sect suffered a crushing defeat in this battle!
Endless anger and humiliation nearly overwhelmed his reason. He suddenly looked up, stared intently at Yue Zhenshan on Zhenyuan Pass, then looked towards Huixi County, and finally, his gaze fell on the location of the sect.

Continuing the fight would be pointless and would only lead to greater losses. Yue Zhenshan would be more than happy if they could stay here any longer.

"withdraw!"

Master Huanxi squeezed out a single word through gritted teeth, filled with resentment and violence.

At his command, the remaining cultivators of the Joyful Sect were granted a pardon and began to retreat like a tide, leaving behind a mess and the corpses of their fellow disciples.

But the Joyful Abbot's anger did not subside; instead, it burned even more fiercely due to the humiliation of the retreat. He issued a command, as cold as the deepest hell, to the elders of the War Hall and the core elders around him:

"Pass down the order! Activate the sect's highest alert! Seal off all passages and teleportation arrays leading to the far west! Activate the outer defenses of the sect's protective array!"

"I will personally lead the team to wipe out this bunch of Fu family scoundrels! At all costs, we will tear them to pieces, extract their souls and refine them to atone for the fallen elders and disciples!"

Before he finished speaking, Master Huanxi had already transformed into a streak of light that tore through the sky. He even disregarded the fact that the retreating army needed to hold the line and rushed towards the sect first! The killing intent in his heart was boiling. Only the blood of the Fu family's assault team could slightly relieve the hatred in his heart!

The elders of the Conquest Hall dared not delay and immediately organized the remaining troops to retreat while transmitting the sect leader's orders back to the sect as quickly as possible.

...

...

At the very moment that Abbot Huanxi returned in a fit of rage and the sect's protective barrier suddenly rose, an inconspicuous jade bracelet on Fu Molan's wrist warmed slightly, transmitting a clear and urgent voice message from Liu Meizhen:
"Mo Lan, Chang Li, Uncle Fei! General Yue has sent word that the main force of the Joyful Sect has begun to retreat, and the pressure on the border has decreased significantly. You have exceeded your mission targets and made great contributions! However, Venerable Joyful is personally returning, the sect's barrier has been activated, and the situation is critical! Quickly hide and wait for an opportunity, or find a gap to escape. Do not linger in battle! Safety first!"

The message was brief, yet it clearly conveyed the dramatic changes in the external situation and the enormous dangers at hand.

Fu Molan's expression hardened, and she immediately shared the information with Fu Changli and Ouyang Fei. The three of them had just raided the third resource point and were still basking in the joy of their rich harvest. At this moment, it was as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over them, instantly sobering them up.

Ouyang Fei unleashed his full divine sense, his expression turning slightly grim: "I sense it... the space is sealed off by a very strong barrier force, covering an extremely wide area! Forcing our way through is definitely not an option; we'll be locked on instantly."

Fu Changli stroked the azure dragon's somewhat agitated scales and frowned, saying, "The azure dragon also sensed the approaching danger, which is extremely powerful... It must be that the fake infant ancestor has returned."

Fu Molan was the calmest. She quickly surveyed her surroundings—this was a desolate stone forest, with jagged rocks that offered easy cover, but it was certainly not a place to linger. Once the Joyful Sect had completed its initial assembly, they would definitely conduct a comprehensive search.

“We can’t fight head-on, but we can’t just sit and wait to die.” Fu Molan made a quick decision. “Let’s hide first and avoid the initial and most intense rounds of the manhunt. We should be able to use some of the resources we got from those outposts.”

As she spoke, she quickly took out several jade slips emitting a hazy glow and several bottles of pills from the seized storage bag: "Thousand Faces Illusion Technique, Breath Concealment and Return to Origin Technique... and these 'Illusion Pills' and 'Concealing Qi Powder', just what I need!"

Time was of the essence, and all three were exceptionally intelligent. They immediately found a secluded stone cave, with Qinglin, Chaos Beast, and Wood Flying Rat keeping watch on the perimeter and concealing their presence, while the others devoted themselves to studying the various methods of disguise and concealment.

In less than half an hour, when the three emerged from the stone cave again, their appearances had drastically changed:
Fu Molan transformed into a sallow-faced, sickly-looking rogue cultivator. Her spiritual energy fluctuations were weak, indicating she was only at the early Foundation Establishment stage. The distinctive puppet aura behind her had vanished without a trace.

Fu Changli transformed into a dark-skinned, sturdy woman who gathered herbs, carrying a medicine basket on her back. She carried a faint earthy smell and the fragrance of herbs, and her mental connection with the spirit beast was temporarily masked by a secret medicine.

Ouyang Fei underwent the most dramatic transformation. He directly used his Ten Thousand Poisons Body to simulate a gloomy, deathly aura, disguising himself as an old poison cultivator with little life left, cloudy eyes, leaning on a cane, coughing incessantly, as if a gust of wind could blow him over.

Even the three spirit beasts/pets used their supernatural powers or took pills to shrink their size and change their fur/scale color, becoming inconspicuous.

“We will split up, but maintain contact through our spiritual imprints, keeping the distance between us no more than a hundred miles,” Fu Molan said in a low voice. “We will infiltrate the gathering places of rogue cultivators or desolate areas, and use the resources at our disposal to stabilize the situation. The Huanxi Clan is a large and powerful family, and it is impossible for them to maintain the highest level of vigilance indefinitely. There will always be times when they relax their guard, or… when something happens elsewhere, they will have to redeploy their manpower.”

She glanced at the several storage rings in her hand, which were filled with resources, and calmly analyzed: "These resources are more than enough for the three of us to cultivate in seclusion for decades. Now, it's a contest of patience."

Fu Changli and Ouyang Fei nodded in agreement.

At that moment, the three exchanged glances and, in tacit agreement, disappeared silently into the intricate wilderness of the far west, like drops of water merging into the ocean, heading in three different directions.

...

...

In the far west, inside the main hall of the Joyful Sect.

The atmosphere was so heavy it was almost palpable.

Master Huanxi sat high in the main seat, his face ashen. The elders below were trembling with fear, not daring to even breathe. A thorough search, lasting several days and turning the entire sect's territory inside and out, had ultimately yielded nothing. The three Fu family cultivators who had so swiftly and cruelly damaged the sect's foundation, along with that damned azure dragon, had truly vanished without a trace!

"Trash! A bunch of trash!"

Master Huanxi slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair, instantly turning the black ironwood, which was harder than refined gold, into dust. The violent spiritual pressure caused all the elders in the hall to experience a surge of qi and blood, and their faces turned pale.

The anger and frustration in his heart were beyond words.

Having suffered heavy losses at Zhenyuan Pass and having his sect's heartland looted, he now has no one to seek revenge! This is an unprecedented humiliation in his cultivation career!
However, after the initial rage, a deeper greed and obsession gradually took over. He forced himself to calm down, his fingers unconsciously tapping the new armrest, his eyes flickering uncertainly.

“The Fu family… Fu Changsheng…” He murmured the name, his eyes flashing with a sharp light. “In just over a hundred years, they have grown from a small border tribe to what they are today, with Golden Core cultivators emerging in their ranks, and even elite squads capable of cross-border raids and moving freely within my sect… This is absolutely beyond reason!”

He recalled his intuition from many years ago when he first vaguely sensed that Fu Changsheng possessed an extraordinary destiny. Now it seemed that his intuition was not only correct, but he might have far underestimated the magnitude and astonishing nature of that opportunity!
"For a family to defy fate like this, and for a cultivator to progress so rapidly... what lies behind this is probably a shocking secret that could shake the entire cultivation world! Perhaps... it concerns the path to the Nascent Soul stage, or even an opportunity at a higher level!"

The Venerable Joy's breathing involuntarily became heavier. The Nascent Soul realm was an insurmountable chasm he had always dreamed of but could never cross! If the opportunity truly lay with Fu Changsheng…

Thinking of this, his frustration from the fruitless search was instantly replaced by an even more intense greed.

The Fu family is indeed a tough nut to crack. Even if the Joyful Sect wins alone, it will be a Pyrrhic victory, a net loss. But if there's a marrow within that bone that can propel someone to instant success, then no matter how tough it is, it's worth breaking through! Moreover, the Joyful Sect shouldn't be the only one to exert its efforts.

A sinister plan quickly took shape in his mind.

He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the anxious elders below, a cold smile playing on his lips:

"Pass down the order to stop the pointless search. Those rats will show themselves sooner or later."

He paused, then raised his voice, carrying a seductive power:

"Furthermore, in my name, I extend an invitation to 'Mount Ten Thousand Beasts,' 'Cave of Ten Thousand Ghosts,' 'Xuanming Sect'... to form an alliance!"

The elders in the hall were all taken aback upon hearing this.

alliance?

Master Huanxi stood up, walked to the center of the main hall, and his gaze seemed to pierce through the void, seeing the land of Wuzhou:
"Tell them that the ruins of the ancient secret realm 'Shuiyun Cave Heaven' have been discovered in Huixi County, Wuzhou, Great Zhou! This cave heaven was left behind by the ancient Shuiyun Master and contains countless rare treasures, ancient inheritances, and even secret techniques that lead directly to the Nascent Soul stage! Now, this cave heaven has been occupied by a local family called the Fu family. This family has risen rapidly with the help of the cave heaven's resources and its strength should not be underestimated."

He deliberately exaggerated the value of "Shuiyun Cave" and directly linked it to the rise of the Fu family, which was highly inflammatory.

"My Joyful Sect is willing to be the vanguard, sharing all intelligence about the Fu family and the grotto-heaven! We invite all sects to join forces to conquer Wuzhou and divide up the grotto-heaven's resources! At that time, cultivation techniques, elixirs, magic treasures, and spiritual veins will be obtained by each according to their own abilities!"

He surveyed the crowd, his voice seductive:

"Think about it, how valuable is a secret realm that can give a small family the power to rival our sects in a short time? Are you all willing to just watch the cultivators of the Great Zhou enjoy such a treasure all to themselves, while we watch our far west region gradually decline?"

"As for Fu Changsheng..." A cold glint flashed in Huanxi Shangren's eyes, but his tone became calm. "This person may have some secrets, and I am very interested in him. After we break through the Fu family, this person will be handed over to my Huanxi Sect for disposal. As compensation, my sect can make some concessions in the distribution of other spoils of war."

He cleverly concealed his true covetousness for Fu Changsheng's "Nascent Soul opportunity," diverting everyone's attention to the more attractive "Water Cloud Cave Heaven."

The news spread like wildfire, quickly reaching all the major sects in the far west.

Water Cloud Cave Heaven! An ancient secret realm! An opportunity that leads directly to the Nascent Soul stage!
These keywords, like boulders thrown into a calm lake, stirred up towering waves. Greed and ambition sprouted in the hearts of countless cultivators. The sects of the far west, who already coveted the rich resources of the Great Zhou, now found a "legitimate" reason to send troops.

...

...

News of the Battle of Zhenyuan Pass spread like wildfire throughout the Great Zhou Dynasty. Even with the family's pillar, Fu Changsheng, in seclusion, the Fu family still demonstrated such formidable defensive capabilities and ruthless counterattacks. Not only did they firmly defend Huixi County, but they also sent a surprise force straight into the far west, causing chaos in the rear of the Huanxi Sect. Such strength and courage made all who heard about it take notice.

Inside the border army's main tent, General Yue Zhenshan listened attentively to the summary of battle reports, and a hint of amazement couldn't help but show on his resolute face.

He had originally expected the Fu family to hold their ground and await reinforcements with their formation, but he never expected that the Fu family would not only defend their position impregnable, but also launch such a brilliant defensive counterattack, greatly relieving the pressure on the main battlefield. It could even be said that this was one of the key factors that enabled them to quickly force the Huanxi Sect to retreat. "The Fu family... is truly unfathomable." Yue Zhenshan stroked his beard and pondered, then a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes. "Merit must be rewarded; this is the law of the imperial court and the rule of the border army."

Without hesitation, he personally wrote a memorial praising his achievements, which was sincere and detailed, and sent it directly to the Imperial Cabinet in the capital at the fastest speed.

...

...

Several months later, a dazzling beam of light arrived from the direction of the capital, its aura vast and its majesty restrained, landing directly in front of the newly renovated council hall of the Fu family in Huixi County. The light dissipated, revealing the slender and serene figure of the Nine Profound True Monarch.

Liu Meizhen had already been informed and led the core members of her clan, dressed in solemn formal attire, to respectfully welcome the Grand Secretary, in accordance with the etiquette for a sixth-rank aristocratic family.

"Madam Liu of the Fu family, along with the Fu family members, respectfully welcomes the arrival of True Lord Jiu Xuan!" Liu Meizhen curtsied, her demeanor neither humble nor arrogant.

Nine Profound True Monarch's gaze swept over Liu Meizhen and the Fu family members behind her, a hint of barely perceptible surprise flashing in his eyes. He could sense that these core members of the Fu family possessed refined auras, solid foundations, and eyes full of confidence and vigor; their overall demeanor was far superior to that of ordinary sixth-rank aristocratic families. Especially the matriarch, Liu Meizhen, whose cultivation had reached the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, her aura was harmonious and refined, and she subtly exuded the air of a great family.

"Madam Fu, there's no need for such formalities."

Nine Mysterious True Lord offered a slight gesture of support, his voice gentle yet imposing:
"The Fu family has rendered a great service on the border, enhancing our national prestige. His Majesty and the Cabinet are very pleased. I have come here on behalf of the court to inquire what reward the Fu family desires. As long as their request does not violate the law, the court will grant it as appropriate."

The hall fell silent instantly, and all the Fu family members focused their attention on Liu Meizhen.

Liu Meizhen lowered her head slightly, pondered for a moment, then raised her head, her gaze clear and firm, and said in a clear voice, "Your Majesty is wise. Protecting our homeland and resisting foreign aggression is the duty of my Fu family. We dare not claim credit or seek reward. The fact that the court can recognize my Fu family's meager contribution is already a great honor."

She began with a humble remark, then changed the subject, her tone becoming earnest: "If the court insists on rewarding... I have no other request but to ask that the court find a way to safely bring back my three family members—Changli, Molan, and Uncle Fei—who went deep into the far west to contain the enemy and have not yet returned to their clan. The three of them are stranded behind enemy lines, and I and the entire clan are worried about them day and night."

These words were spoken with such sincerity that some of the younger members of the Fu family behind him had tears welling up in their eyes.

Upon hearing this, the Nine Mysterious True Lord's eyes showed even greater appreciation, but he then gently shook his head and sighed, "I understand Madam Fu's love for her children. However, the court does indeed face difficulties in this matter."

He explained:

"Although the old agreement between the imperial court and the sects of the far west has been broken and the restrictions on the movement of Golden Core cultivators have been lifted, Nascent Soul cultivators are not allowed to cross the boundary to interfere in disputes. This is the bottom line tacitly agreed upon by both sides and is related to the overall stability. If the imperial court sends Nascent Soul cultivators to the far west to demand people, it would be tantamount to actively provoking a conflict at the Nascent Soul level, with unimaginable consequences. Therefore, if the three outstanding talents of the Fu family want to return safely, they will probably have to rely on their own wisdom and opportunities."

A hint of disappointment flashed in Liu Meizhen's eyes, but she quickly concealed it; she had already anticipated that this matter would not be easy. The fact that the court had clearly stated its bottom line was already a sign of its honesty.

Nine Profound True Monarch observed the change in her expression, and his opinion of the Fu family rose even higher. He pondered for a moment, then deliberately steered the conversation in another direction:
"The Fu family has produced many talented individuals and its foundation is growing stronger every day. In my opinion, its promotion to a fifth-rank family is a natural progression. I wonder if the Fu family is currently lacking in any way to meet the requirements for promotion?"

Liu Meizhen's heart skipped a beat; she knew this was the real focus of the court's reward this time. She dared not be negligent and reported truthfully:
"Reporting to the True Lord, the Fu family has now met the standards in terms of the number of Golden Core cultivators, the size of its territory, the annual tax revenue, and the merit points of the imperial court. However, we are still short of seven fourth-level craft masters."

Fourth-tier craftsmen include alchemy, weapon crafting, talisman arrays, and spiritual plant crafting, representing a significant aspect of a family's comprehensive heritage and making them extremely difficult to cultivate.

Nine Profound True Lord nodded slightly, seemingly having considered this beforehand, and immediately spoke:

"The Fu family has made outstanding contributions this time, especially in effectively deterring the various sects in the far west and making a great contribution to the stability of the border. Therefore, on behalf of the imperial court, I hereby grant the Fu family the special permission to be promoted to a fifth-rank family if they can add four more fourth-rank craft masters to their existing base!"

This is equivalent to directly exempting the Fu family from three fourth-level craft master positions!

This is undoubtedly a tremendous blessing and a great help!
Upon hearing this, even the usually composed Liu Meizhen couldn't help but show a look of surprise and delight. She knew the weight of the words "exceptional"; it not only saved the family years, even decades, of accumulation time, but also represented the imperial court's high recognition of the Fu family's potential and contributions!

She immediately bowed deeply:
"On behalf of the entire Fu family, I kowtow to express my gratitude for Your Majesty's great favor and for the True Lord's guidance! The Fu family will certainly do its utmost to cultivate more talents as soon as possible, so as not to fail the court's high expectations!"

The Nine Mysterious True Lord accepted the greeting with a smile and encouraged the Fu family, saying, "I hope the Fu family can be promoted soon and make greater contributions to the stability of the Great Zhou and Wuzhou."

...

...

Fu family.

When the Nine Mysterious True Lord arrived in person, prominent families from all over Wuzhou sprang into action and gathered together.

Inside the side hall, the aroma of tea wafted through the air, yet the atmosphere was subtly divided into several factions.

The Wu family patriarch, the Ouyang family patriarch, Ouyang Mochen, and the Cao family patriarch gathered together, their faces beaming with genuine smiles, and conversed in hushed tones.

"The Fu family has truly brought glory to Wuzhou this time!" Clan Chief Wu clapped his hands and laughed, feeling honored. His Wu family had firmly stood by the Fu family's side this time. Although they had not directly participated in the battle, they had sent a helping hand. This act of kindness in times of need was priceless.

Ouyang Mochen nodded, his refined face showing satisfaction: "Fellow Daoist Changsheng's family has a profound foundation, and Madam Fu is an outstanding woman who remained calm in the face of danger. This result is well-deserved." His Ouyang family also provided timely support, and now that the Fu family has gained power, the Ouyang family will naturally benefit as well.

Clan Chief Cao and others echoed their sentiments, expressing their joy for the Fu family and secretly congratulating themselves on making the right choice. The Fu family's rise was unstoppable, and befriending such a family would greatly benefit their own future development.

On the other side, representatives of some prominent families who did not have a close relationship with the Fu family, or even had some friction with them, mostly showed envy, or even a hint of jealousy.

"Sigh, who would have thought that the Fu family would have grown so powerful so quietly..."

"Yes, even a Nascent Soul True Monarch came personally to present the award. This honor is unprecedented in Wuzhou."

"It seems that the landscape of Wuzhou is truly about to change..."

They whispered among themselves, plotting how to get along with their rapidly rising neighbor in the future.

In a corner, Clan Chief Huang sat alone, his eyes slightly closed, seemingly resting. The exquisite spiritual tea beside him had long since gone cold, but he remained oblivious. Unlike the excitement or envy of the others, he appeared calm on the surface, but in reality, his heart was in turmoil, as flustered as an ant on a hot pan.

"Even Nascent Soul True Monarchs have arrived... The imperial court's level of attention to this battle far exceeds our expectations!" Clan Chief Huang's heart pounded wildly. "What if... what if the imperial court follows the clues and finds out that this whole affair was originally instigated by my Huang family, who incited those fools to fan the flames, which led to the involvement of the Joyful Sect... then... wouldn't that be a disaster that would wipe out our entire clan?!"

The mere thought of "extermination of the clan" sent a chill down Huang's spine, making his hands and feet go cold. He had only intended to use others to kill, to weaken both the Fu family and the Huanxi Sect so his Huang family could profit from the conflict. He never imagined the Fu family would be so powerful, the Huanxi Sect so weak, or that it would even attract the attention of the imperial court's Nascent Soul cultivators!

"No! We absolutely cannot let any clues implicate the Huang family!" A vicious thought rose in his mind like a venomous snake, "We must cut off all possibilities!"

He immediately thought of the bandit leader he had secretly supported, who was specifically used for dirty work—'Scorpion'.

This person knows too much inside information and is the biggest hidden danger!

“Only the dead can truly keep secrets…” A sinister glint flashed in the eyes of the Huang clan chief. “Kill Black Fiend, then install a new person in power, and clean up all those who know the truth! That way, there will be no one to testify against the dead, and even if the imperial court has extraordinary abilities, they won’t be able to trace it back to me!”

The plan to kill him to silence him and sacrifice him to save the king quickly took shape in his mind. Although it would mean losing a pawn he had cultivated for many years, it was insignificant compared to the survival of the Huang family.

Once he made up his mind, Chief Huang's panic subsided somewhat. He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze filled with a cold killing intent and resolute determination. He picked up the now-cold spiritual tea, took a small sip, and the bitter taste spread in his mouth, yet it only made him more clear-headed.

He glanced towards the main hall, a slightly envious smile, no different from those of other aristocratic families, on his face. But inwardly, he thought coldly, "The Fu family... let you be glorious for now. Once I've cleaned up the mess, who will rise to power in the future remains to be seen!"

...

...

Inside the side hall, the waiting, each with their own thoughts, did not last long. An official dressed in court robes, exuding a solemn air, entered the side hall accompanied by a steward from the Fu family, holding a scroll of bright yellow silk imperial edict in his hands.

In an instant, all the whispers stopped, and everyone's eyes were focused on the scroll of imperial edict.

The official stood still, cleared his throat, and began to chant in a loud and clear voice:
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The Fu family of Huixi County, Wuzhou, a sixth-rank family, has distinguished itself in the Battle of Zhenyuan Pass with commendable loyalty and bravery, and rendered meritorious service in defending the territory… Therefore, the Fu family is hereby granted 100,000 low-grade spirit stones, three bottles of fourth-grade spirit pills 'Golden Condensation Pills,' and 100 catties of fourth-grade spirit material 'Star Iron'… Furthermore, in recognition of their outstanding achievements, the Fu family is hereby granted the privilege of being promoted to a fifth-rank family if they produce four more fourth-grade craftsmen! So be it!"

The contents of the imperial edict exploded like thunder in the side hall!

Although they had already anticipated the Fu family would receive a generous reward, the conditions for this "exceptional promotion" still sent a chill down the spines of all the aristocratic family representatives! This meant that the biggest obstacle to the Fu family's advancement to the fifth rank had been almost entirely eliminated by the imperial court! Simply training or recruiting four more fourth-rank craftsmen would be no difficult task for the currently powerful Fu family! The Fu family's promotion to the fifth rank was practically a foregone conclusion!
"congratulations!"

"The Fu family is truly poised for a meteoric rise; their time together is just around the corner!"

"Mrs. Fu, congratulations to the Fu family!"

Clan Chief Wu and Ouyang Mochen, who were on good terms with the Fu family, immediately stepped forward with beaming faces to congratulate Liu Meizhen, who was accompanying the officials. Their voices were filled with genuine joy. They knew that with the Fu family's promotion, they, as allies, would also gain more opportunities for development and a greater voice.

Representatives from other prominent families also quickly realized what was happening. Regardless of their true thoughts, they all put on smiles and gathered around, offering compliments. For a time, the side hall was filled with cries of congratulations, creating a lively and enthusiastic atmosphere.

However, amidst the clamor of congratulations, Chief Huang felt as if every word was a needle piercing his heart.

"A promotion beyond the usual ranks... requires only four more fourth-tier craft masters..."

He meticulously planned and even risked provoking border conflicts in order to contain and weaken the Fu family! But what was the result? The Fu family not only emerged unscathed, but also seized the opportunity to receive a huge reward from the imperial court and a crucial promotion! Their prestige, resources, and status would all experience a tremendous leap forward!

This is a classic case of trying to steal a chicken but losing the rice instead—no, it's losing a mountain of gold!
He felt like a foolish clown, all his scheming had become stepping stones for the Fu family's rise to power! Regret, jealousy, and anger burned like poison in his internal organs, making it almost impossible for him to maintain the fake smile on his face.

"No, I can't lose my composure..."

Chief Huang took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed his turbulent emotions.

Just then, a thought flashed through his mind, like finding a lifeline, instantly making him feel much more at ease:

"By the way! So what if the Fu family is so powerful? Their three most elite Golden Core cultivators, Fu Changli, Fu Molan, and that Ouyang Fei, are still trapped in the far west! The Joyful Sect must have laid a trap for them. There's a 99% chance that the three of them are in grave danger and will have no chance of surviving!"

The thought of the Fu family about to lose three genius Golden Core cultivators, especially the infinitely promising Fu Changli and Fu Molan, strangely alleviated the bitterness and jealousy in Clan Chief Huang's heart, and even gave rise to a twisted sense of pleasure:

"Hmph, advance to the fifth rank? Even if you do, losing three core Golden Core cultivators at once is a serious blow! Let's see how long you can be so smug!"

Thinking this through, his smile, though still forced, became somewhat more natural. He walked forward with the crowd, stood before Liu Meizhen, and tried to make his voice sound more sincere:
"Madam Fu, congratulations to the Fu family for this great achievement and for receiving such a generous reward from the imperial court! I, Huang, wish the Fu family a speedy promotion to the fifth rank, bringing glory to Wuzhou!"

Liu Meizhen's gaze was calm as she swept over Clan Chief Huang, taking in his fleeting awkwardness. However, she maintained a polite smile and returned the greeting, saying, "Clan Chief Huang, you flatter me. The Fu family's success today is entirely due to the imperial court's grace and the help of our neighbors. We will need your continued support in the future."

After a seemingly harmonious exchange of pleasantries, the representatives of the various families took their leave one after another.

...

...

Death Oasis, underground bunker.

The murky air seemed to freeze, and even the most arrogant poisonous insects huddled in the corners, afraid to make a sound. Only the jarring sound of the jade slip being slammed onto the bone table echoed throughout the hall.

"It's over...it's all over!" Vulture's eyes were bloodshot, and his chest heaved violently, like a trapped, desperate beast. "The Joyful Sect! They're a bunch of useless trash! With the fake Nascent Soul Ancestor leading the team, and so many Golden Core elders, they couldn't even get close to the Fu family's gate. Instead, they were utterly defeated, and even their branch was wiped out!"

The shadow spider huddled in the shadows, its already small body seeming to shrink even further, its voice trembling uncontrollably:
"Boss... this is a huge problem! The Fu family is currently riding high, and even the imperial court is looking at them differently. They've suffered such a huge loss, how could they not investigate the source? Back then... that news was leaked by us!"

"The Huang family used us as pawns. Now that things have been exposed, they will definitely try to distance themselves from us as soon as possible! At that time, the Fu family's anger... will be poured entirely on us, 'Sand Scorpion'! What can we use to stop them? Our lives?"

Scorpion sat in the main seat, the scorpion tail scar on his face twisted into an even more ferocious expression.

He understood the gravity of the situation better than the vultures and shadow spiders. The Fu family's strength far exceeded his expectations. A family on the rise like this would be relentlessly vengeful!

"What's the panic! Losing your composure will only hasten your death! The most important thing right now is to figure out how to survive!"

"How else can we survive?" Vulture growled irritably, his neck stiff. "Pack your valuables and get out of here before the Fu family finds out! Get out of Wuzhou, the farther the better!"

The Shadow Spider shook its head repeatedly, its voice high-pitched:

"Run? Where can we run? With our current cultivation level, we'd be at the mercy of others no matter where we go. Unless... unless we can find a powerful backer."

(End of this chapter)