Family Rise: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 601 Eliminating Traitors, Breakthrough, Intelligence
Shadow Spider didn't finish his sentence, but Poison Scorpion and Vulture both understood what he meant—for example, to seek refuge with the Huang family.

A mocking sneer appeared on Scorpion's face: "Backer? That old fox Huang Yuesheng? He's barely keeping his own life in the balance right now, probably busy killing people to cover his tracks! If we go looking for him, we'll just be walking into a trap and die even faster!"

For a moment, the hall fell into a desperate silence.

Running is a dead end;
Staying is waiting to die;
Seeking a powerful backer is tantamount to suicide.

It seems that no matter what choice you make, you can't escape the word "death".

Just when the three were in a state of utter distress and caught between a rock and a hard place—

"laugh……"

A faint, almost imperceptible chuckle suddenly rang out in a corner of the dimly lit hall.

The laughter was extremely faint, yet it carried a chilling coldness that seemed to freeze the soul, instantly making the hairs on the bodies of the three Poison Scorpions stand on end!

"Who?!"

The scorpion reacted the fastest, letting out a sharp shout and retreating rapidly while simultaneously gripping a poisoned dagger in its hand, warily eyeing the source of the sound. The vulture and the shadow spider also sprang up instantly, each assuming a defensive stance, their backs instantly soaked with cold sweat.

The previously empty shadow began to ripple like water, and a blurry figure slowly emerged. The newcomer was completely shrouded in a large black cloak, with even his face hidden in the deep shadow of the hood, making it impossible to see his features. All that could be felt was a dark and cold killing intent, as deep as an abyss.

“There’s no need to bother choosing how three people are going to die.” A hoarse, neither-male-nor-female, emotionless voice came from under the cloak.

Scorpion's alarm bells rang loudly. This person could infiltrate the core of the fortress silently; his cultivation was definitely far superior to theirs! He forced himself to remain calm and asked in a deep voice, "Who are you? What grudge do you hold against me, 'Sand Scorpion'?"

"A grudge?" The man in black seemed to find it somewhat amusing, but there was no hint of laughter in his voice. "You take people's money and do their bidding. If you have anyone to blame, blame yourself for knowing too much and not being clean enough."

Before the words were even finished, the man in black moved!

There was no earth-shattering momentum, only a black shadow as fast as a ghost! The target was the scorpion!
"Protect the leader!" Vulture roared, his fear ignited, yet his ferocity was also unleashed. He swung a pair of heavy meteor hammers, sending a fierce gust of wind as he hurled them at the shadowy figure, attempting to stop it. He possessed superhuman strength; this strike was enough to split mountains and shatter rocks.

The Shadow Spider was even more cunning. With a swift movement, it transformed into several afterimages and pounced on the man in black from different directions. At the same time, it flicked its hands repeatedly, sending countless poisoned needles flying like hairs towards the man in black's vital points.

However, the man in black ignored the vulture's powerful attack and simply flicked his sleeve.

"Oh!"

A gentle yet overwhelming force surged forth, and the vulture's heavy meteor hammers flew back at an even faster speed, slamming hard into his own chest!

"Crack!" The sound of the ribs shattering was clearly audible. The vulture coughed up blood and its massive body flew backward like a broken sack, crashing heavily against the stone wall before sliding down softly, its fate unknown.

As for the Shadow Spider's countless poisonous needles, they sank as if into quagmire when they approached within three feet of the man in black, their speed decreasing drastically before they finally fell helplessly to the ground. Those afterimages were easily shattered by a few finger strikes from the man in black, exposing the Shadow Spider's true form. Terrified, it tried to retreat, but was bound by an invisible force field, unable to move!

“Uh…” Shadow Spider made a hoarse sound in its throat, its eyes filled with despair.

The man in black didn't even glance at Shadow Spider. His figure moved like lightning, and he was already in front of Poison Scorpion. A pale, bloodless hand emerged from under his cloak, grabbing straight for Poison Scorpion's crown! Strange black energy swirled around his fingertips, clearly an extremely insidious method of searching or destroying souls!
The scorpion was terrified. At the critical moment of life and death, he unleashed all his potential, biting his tongue and spitting a mouthful of blood onto the poisoned blade in his hand. The blade instantly glowed with an eerie red light and, with a doomed momentum, stabbed towards the black-clad man's palm!
At the same time, he stomped his foot, triggering a mechanism that caused the ground to collapse, revealing a dark hole—his final escape route!

"puff!"

The poisoned blade pierced the black-clad man's palm, but produced a dull thud like striking rotten leather, failing to penetrate even an inch! Instead, the scorpion himself was struck by the recoil, causing his arm to go numb.

But this obstruction bought him a split second! Without hesitation, he plummeted downwards!

"Trying to leave?" The man in black sneered, and with his other hand, he grabbed at the air, creating a powerful suction force to pull the scorpion back from the cave entrance!
Just then, a madness flashed in the eyes of the previously imprisoned Shadow Spider. He used some secret technique, and his body suddenly swelled up!

"Boss! Run! Avenge us!" Shadow Spider let out a shrill roar, and the next moment, his body exploded! The self-destruction of a Golden Core cultivator in the early stage was extremely powerful. The violent energy instantly swept through the entire hall and temporarily interfered with the black-clad man's capture!

Using the shockwave from his self-destruction and the pre-set acceleration array within the passage, Scorpion plummeted downwards like a falling rock, instantly disappearing into the darkness of the tunnel. He only had time to hear a cold, angry snort from the man in black above, and the deafening roar of the passage entrance being forcibly sealed by a terrifying force.

After tumbling through the dark, winding passages for an unknown amount of time, Scorpion finally emerged from another hidden exit, landing in the foul-smelling swamp at the edge of the Death Oasis. Covered in wounds and utterly disheveled, he looked back and could faintly hear the muffled thuds of a collapse coming from the direction of the fortress.

The vulture died, and the shadow spider died too, sacrificing their lives to give him this chance to escape with his life hanging by a thread.

The scorpion wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes filled with the fear of surviving a disaster and a deep-seated hatred.

He dared not linger. After determining his direction, he transformed into a dim streak of light and plunged into the vast western lands without looking back. He knew that neither the Fu family, nor the mysterious man in black, nor even the Huang family, who might be trying to silence him, would let him go. From now on, he could only hide in this even more dangerous land, like a true scorpion, waiting for an opportunity for revenge, or... die silently.

On the ruins of the fortress, the man in black stared indifferently in the direction where the scorpion had disappeared, making no pursuit. He raised his hand to look at the faint white mark on his palm, and from the shadows beneath his hood, a cryptic whisper seemed to drift out:

"It's just a slippery bug... Looks like I'll have to disguise it as another corpse to get by."

His figure flickered and vanished from the spot like a ghost, as if he had never been there.

...

...

In Huizhou Prefecture, behind the Fu family's mountain, in a secret room set up with a meditation and concentration array.

Fu Yongrui slowly opened his eyes, his gaze filled with a sharp light. The golden core spiritual power flowing around his body was perfectly balanced and stable, indicating that he had completely consolidated his early stage of the golden core realm.

As soon as he emerged from seclusion, a steward respectfully came to deliver a message: "Master, the mistress requests that you visit 'Listening to the Rain Pavilion' immediately after you emerge from seclusion."

Tingyuxuan was where Liu Meizhen usually handled clan affairs and summoned her confidants. Fu Yongrui knew that his mother must have something important to discuss with him at this time, so he dared not delay. He straightened his robes and followed the steward.

Inside Tingyu Pavilion, the fragrance of sandalwood is subtle and pleasant.

Liu Meizhen sat upright in the main seat, her expression slightly weary, but her eyes remained clear and sharp. Seeing her son enter, a gentle smile appeared on her face, and she gestured to the seat beside her: "Rui'er is here, please sit. How is your cultivation consolidation going?"

"Thank you for your concern, Mother. I have completely stabilized my cultivation level." Fu Yongrui bowed respectfully and sat down, then went straight to the point, "Mother, did something happen in the clan that you summoned me at this time?"

Liu Meizhen nodded slightly, her smile fading and replaced by a solemn expression. She waved her hand to set up a soundproof barrier to ensure that the contents of their conversation would not be leaked, before saying in a deep voice, "Rui'er, now that you have advanced to the Golden Core stage, according to the highest rules of the family, there are some core secrets that you should know."

Her gaze was deep as she slowly said, "Beneath this seemingly inconspicuous extinct volcano in Huixi County lies not an ordinary spiritual vein, but the entrance to an ancient secret realm—the [Water Cloud Cave Heaven]."

Even with his calm and collected nature, Fu Yongrui's pupils constricted and his face showed shock upon hearing this. "Water Cloud Cave Heaven? An ancient secret realm?"

“That’s right,” Liu Meizhen affirmed. “This matter concerns the lifeline of the family and is a top secret. The family’s rapid development over the years and the opportunity for many Golden Core elders to break through are all related to the pure spiritual energy, special environment, and some legacy provided by this secret realm. The teleportation network connecting the family’s various key locations with this place is the core guarantee of the family’s mobility. Its construction and maintenance have consumed a huge amount of the family’s resources and countless efforts.”

Her tone became extremely serious: "This secret has always been known only to the supreme elders of the family who have reached the Golden Core stage or above, and they have sworn a solemn oath never to reveal it to outsiders."

Fu Yongrui took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart, and immediately realized the seriousness of the problem: "Mother means... that the large-scale attack by the Joyful Sect this time, with its clear target being the extinct volcano in my Huixi County, is not a coincidence?"

"It's no coincidence!" Liu Meizhen said decisively, a cold glint in her eyes. "They not only know this place is important, but they may even vaguely know it's related to Shuiyun Cave Heaven! Otherwise, why would a Pseudo-Infant Realm ancestor personally lead the team, displaying such a determined attitude?"

She looked at Fu Yongrui, her eyes filled with trust and entrustment: "Rui'er, you are the head of the Dark Hall, in charge of clan surveillance, intelligence, and secret guards. Something must have gone wrong within the clan, a secret has been leaked! Otherwise, how could outsiders know such a core secret? I want you to use all the power of the Dark Hall to thoroughly investigate this matter! No matter who is involved, no matter how high their position, investigate to the end, and show no leniency!"

Fu Yongrui, his expression stern, immediately stood up and solemnly replied, "Mother, rest assured! This matter concerns the very foundation of our family's survival. I will do everything in my power to find the traitor and uncover the source of the leak! I will not allow such a threat to remain within the family!"

His mind was already racing, rapidly calculating the layout of the secret chamber and the direction of the investigation. The scope of knowledge about this secret was extremely small, making the investigation a clear target. But precisely because of this, if it was indeed an internal leak, the identity of the leaker was probably far from simple.

"This matter must be carried out in secret, and we must not alert the enemy," Liu Meizhen finally instructed. "Our family has just experienced a great battle and has also received an award from the imperial court. We are at a critical juncture, and internal stability is of utmost importance. However, if the hidden dangers are not eliminated, it will be like a thorn in my side, and I will not be able to eat or sleep in peace."

"I understand!" Fu Yongrui nodded emphatically. "I will personally formulate a plan, select absolutely reliable people, and start by carefully investigating the recent whereabouts of the elders who know the secrets, the people they have been in contact with, and all the links that may have access to relevant information."

"Alright, go ahead. Be careful." Liu Meizhen waved her hand, her eyes showing a hint of weariness, but also trust and expectation in her son's abilities.

Fu Yongrui bowed and strode away.

...

...

After leaving Tingyuxuan, he did not return to the Dark Hall headquarters, but quietly went back to the secret room where he had just emerged from seclusion. He needed to ensure that the "sword" he wielded was free of rust and cracks.

He first targeted several high-ranking members of the Dark Hall whom he had personally promoted and who were considered his right-hand men. Deputy Hall Master Fu Qingying, Deacon Fu Qingyou in charge of internal supervision, Fu Qingxi in charge of intelligence analysis... These were all people he had carefully selected and who had undergone multiple tests, so theoretically they were absolutely no problem.

After a period of repeated investigation and verification.

I'm certain that the team I've assembled is up to standard.

Fu Yongrui's tense nerves relaxed a little, which gave him the confidence to take further action.

That night.

Fu Yongrui issued a secret order to Fu Qingying, Fu Qingyou, and Fu Qingxi through the highest-level secret channels of the Dark Hall. The location was not the Dark Hall headquarters, but an abandoned old mine of the Fu family outside the city, which was full of restrictions.

Three figures, like ghosts, silently slipped into the depths of the mine and met Fu Yongrui, who was already waiting there.

"Hall Master!" The three were overjoyed to see that Fu Yongrui's aura was calm and that he had already stabilized his Golden Core realm. However, when they saw that there was no joy on his face, but rather an icy coldness, they immediately realized that something big had happened. They quickly composed themselves and bowed respectfully.

Fu Yongrui's gaze swept over the three people with lightning speed. After confirming that the surrounding restrictions were intact, he spoke in a deep voice and conveyed Liu Meizhen's concerns, the possibility of the core secrets of "Shuiyun Cave Heaven" being leaked, and the order to thoroughly investigate the mole.

"...That's how it is." Fu Yongrui's voice was deep and resolute, leaving no room for doubt. "This matter concerns the foundation of our family. The person who leaked this information must have a very powerful identity, and may even be hiding right among us. I have already confirmed the innocence of the three of you. Now, it's time for the Dark Hall to draw its sword!"

Upon hearing this, Fu Ying and the other two paled, a cold sweat instantly breaking out on their backs. They knew all too well what "Water Cloud Cave Heaven" meant to their families, and they understood the monstrous consequences that mishandling this matter would unleash!

"Rest assured, Master! We will do our utmost to find this scoundrel!" Fu Ying declared first, his eyes sharp as knives.

"This matter must be kept absolutely confidential. The scope of the investigation must be strictly limited to the elders who have knowledge of the secrets and their close associates, as well as all those who may have indirectly come into contact with this information," Fu Yongrui ordered. "Qingyou, you are in charge of internal surveillance records, focusing on investigating any unusual movements and resource exchanges of all elders who have knowledge of the secrets, their immediate family members, and their personal servants over the past thirty years. Qingxi, you are responsible for integrating all external intelligence, especially any clues about the movements of the Huanxi Sect and Qiuyue Nunnery, looking for any possible connections with internal personnel. Qingying, you are in charge of overall coordination and will be responsible for the most dangerous direct investigations and evidence collection."

"Yes!" the three answered in unison, their eyes blazing with fighting spirit and icy killing intent.

The Dark Hall, this sophisticated and efficient machine, began operating silently at full speed under the highest command. The investigation unfolded under absolute secrecy, with all actions concealed beneath the surface of routine official duties.

As time went by, a large amount of information was collected, analyzed, and cross-referenced. The scope was gradually narrowed down.

Finally, half a month later, Deputy Hall Master Fu Ying personally brought a sealed jade slip and came to the abandoned mine again late at night.

"Master, we have the results." Fu Ying's voice carried a hint of weariness, but also a chilling sense of relief.

Fu Yongrui took the jade slip and immersed his consciousness into it.

The information within the jade slip was clearly organized, and the chain of evidence gradually pointed to someone who surprised even Fu Yongrui—the wife of Fu Qingyuan, the outer sect manager, surnamed Lin.

This woman came from a small family. After marrying into the Fu family, she remained obedient and gentle. She was especially skilled in pharmacology and cooking, and often treated the health of some outer sect stewards and disciples. She was well-liked. Fu Qingyuan himself was mediocre, but because his father had died for the family in battle, he was able to obtain the position of outer sect steward, which could be considered a marginal figure.

However, the investigation by the secret society revealed that this Lin family member was far more complex than he appeared.

Fu Ying added in a low voice, "By repeatedly checking the itineraries and contacts of the elders who knew the secrets and their families, we discovered that several of the elders' personal servants or nephews had received Lin's 'medicinal diet treatments' or 'physical consultations' at different times due to various 'coincidences.' These servants or nephews had all overheard their masters talking about matters related to the extinct volcano, whether unintentionally or not. Although they may not know the full picture of 'Shuiyun Cave,' they must have heard information such as 'the importance of the extinct volcano' and 'the core of the family.'"

“More importantly,” Fu Ying said solemnly, “we used a deeply buried mole to monitor the remaining forces of Princess Runyu. After repeated confirmations and risky reverse tracking, we finally identified one of the highest-ranking moles the princess had planted within the clan—codenamed ‘Gui Sanqi’.”

Fu Yongrui's eyes sharpened: "Is it this Lin family?"

“Exactly!” Fu Ying affirmed. “‘Gui Sanqi’ is skilled in using poison and intelligence transmission, and is extremely well-infiltrated, reporting directly to the higher-ups of the Shadow Assassins under the Princess’s command. We speculate that she used this seemingly harmless ‘medical’ contact to piece together key information about the importance of the extinct volcano and its possible connection to the ancient secret realm from the servants and disciples who inadvertently leaked snippets of information, and then transmitted it through secret channels. And the Joyful Sect may have obtained this intelligence from the Princess’s remaining forces through some channel that we have not yet investigated!”

Fu Yongrui closed the jade slip, his eyes flashing with cold light. The wife of the outer sect manager, skilled in pharmacology, and well-liked... Such a seemingly insignificant character was actually such a dangerous nail planted by Princess Runyu! No wonder she was able to evade multiple routine screenings.

"Is Fu Qingyuan aware of this?" Fu Yongrui asked coldly.

“Based on the current investigation, Fu Qingyuan should not know his wife’s true identity, but only thinks that she has good medical skills and is popular,” Fu Ying replied.

"What a 'Gui Sanqi'!" Fu Yongrui slowly stood up, exuding a chilling killing intent. "Besides the Lin family, are there any other suspicious individuals?!"

Fu Qingying's expression hardened, and she lowered her voice, saying, "Master, during our investigation, we discovered an even more troublesome situation. One member of the 'Shadow Assassin' squad, a secret bodyguard unit trained by the Huang family, has already infiltrated our Fu family, codenamed 'Dark Raven'."

"Dark Raven?" Fu Yongrui frowned slightly, then a hint of shock flashed in his eyes. "You're not talking about... Fu Qingxuan, are you?"

“It is him.” Fu Qingying’s voice was bitter. “Dark Raven, Fu Qingxuan, is exceptionally talented and has a calm temperament. Whether it’s infiltration, spying, or analysis, he far surpasses his peers. We old guys unanimously believe that he is the best candidate to take over the Dark Hall in the future. Moreover… he is also the grandson-in-law of Ancestor Changli, and he married into the Fu family.” Fu Yongrui’s pupils suddenly contracted.

Fu Changli! One of the four elders of the family, holding a prestigious position. His only grandson died young, leaving behind only a daughter, who married Fu Qingxuan. This identity not only allowed Fu Qingxuan to rise rapidly in the Dark Hall, but also gave him ample opportunity to access core secrets such as the "Water Cloud Cave Heaven" during family high-level gatherings and even private conversations among the elders!
"The reason?" Fu Yongrui's voice remained calm, but those familiar with him could hear the undercurrents surging beneath the surface.

“We discovered that the Huang family secretly cultivates an extremely secretive group of bodyguards called ‘Shadow Assassins,’” Fu Qingying said, her voice quickening. “And Fu Qingxuan, before joining the Fu family, was very likely a member of ‘Shadow Assassins’! He was a spy planted by the Huang family! We speculate that he used his dual identity as a high-ranking member of the Dark Hall and the grandson-in-law of the Changli Patriarch to steal the secret of ‘Water Cloud Cave’ and pass it on to the Huang family. The Huanxi Sect’s attack this time may not be without the Huang family’s involvement, or they may have obtained information from the Huang family through some channel.”

Fu Qingying raised her head, her eyes filled with helplessness and resentment:

"However, Master, this man is extremely cunning and leaves no room for error. All the clues we currently have point to him, but we don't have a single piece of concrete evidence to directly convict him. All the connections are hidden beneath seemingly reasonable daily routines, making it impossible to form a valid chain of evidence. Taking action against him is extremely difficult, and involves too many people! As for Elder Changli..."

Fu Yongrui slowly closed his eyes, the image of Fu Qingxuan's young yet overly composed face flashing through his mind, along with the rare look of satisfaction on Uncle Changli's face when he mentioned his grandson-in-law. One was a future pillar of the family, upon whom the family placed high hopes; the other was a highly respected elder… If not handled properly, it could trigger a violent upheaval within the family, even a split!

A moment later, he opened his eyes, his gaze filled with a cold resolve.

"This matter is of great importance and cannot be decided by my Dark Hall alone," Fu Yongrui said in a deep voice. "The evidence regarding the Lin family's 'Gui Sanqi' is relatively conclusive, and we can proceed with the plan to secretly control them and thoroughly investigate their network of contacts. But Fu Qingxuan... 'Dark Raven'..."

He paused, each word seeming to have been pulled from an ice cellar: "Suspend all investigations into him. All those who know anything must swear an oath to their inner demons, strictly forbidding any leaks. Without my order, no one is to disturb him in the slightest."

Fu Qingying was taken aback: "Master, are we just going to let him go...?"

“It’s not about letting it go,” Fu Yongrui interrupted him, his eyes sharp. “It’s about not alerting the enemy. This boy has a special identity and involves the Supreme Elder. If we act rashly without solid evidence, the consequences will be unimaginable. This matter must be reported to the Mistress immediately so that she can make the decision.”

...

As night deepened, the secret chamber of Tingyuxuan on the back mountain of the Fu family was brightly lit.

Liu Meizhen shed her daytime elegance, dressed only in simple everyday clothes. After listening to Fu Yongrui's report, she held the teacup steadily, her face showing no emotion, only a hint of cold rage flashing deep in her eyes, revealing her inner fury.

"Good, what a Huang family 'Shadow Assassin'! What a 'Dark Raven'!" She gently put down her teacup, her voice calm yet carrying an invisible pressure. "They've stretched their reach so far, buried themselves so deep! They even dared to touch the people close to the elders of my Fu family!"

She stood up and paced slowly around the room, a warm, lustrous alchemy ring gleaming faintly on her fingertip. Even someone as shrewd and calculating as her needed to suppress her surging anger. After a moment, she stopped, looked at Fu Yongrui, her gaze now clear and resolute.

“Rui’er, you handled it right.” Liu Meizhen nodded approvingly. “As for the Lin family, since the evidence is relatively sufficient, we can immediately and secretly close in, pry open her mouth, and be sure to dig out all her contacts and contact information. But we must do it cleanly and not arouse the suspicion of ‘Dark Raven’.”

"As for Fu Qingxuan..." She pondered for a moment, a shrewd glint in her eyes, "This boy has become a major threat, but he is also the key to drawing out the Huang family behind him and even clarifying the chain of leaks. Moving against him now would indeed alert the enemy, and it would be difficult to explain to Changli."

She walked to the window, gazing at the deep night, her tone resolute:

"Leave him alone for now, but place him under absolute surveillance. Utilize the 'Dark Eye' team, which you will directly control, to monitor him 24/7, recording all his words and actions, the people he comes into contact with, and his spiritual energy fluctuations. At the same time, secretly investigate all his experiences before and after marrying into the family, searching for irrefutable evidence of his collusion with the Huang family's 'Shadow Assassins'."

Fu Yongrui couldn't help but say:
"Mother, the Huang family's actions have crossed the line for the Fu family. In my opinion, the Huang family should be eradicated with swift and decisive action. This will not only eliminate future troubles but also serve as a warning to other powerful families in the far west, showing them the consequences of plotting against the Fu family!"

He paused, then added, "Furthermore, I suspect that the Huanxi Sect's large-scale attack is largely related to the Huang family. Otherwise, it wouldn't be such a coincidence that they learned of the secret of Shuiyun Cave at this particular time."

Upon hearing this, Liu Meizhen's anger gradually subsided, replaced by deep contemplation. She gently stroked the jade ruyi on the table and pondered:
“Rui’er, I understand your thoughts. But the Huang family is so arrogant because they have powerful backers.” She looked up at her son. “Firstly, they have allied themselves with Princess Runyu. Although the princess is in seclusion, she is still a member of the royal family.”

"Secondly, and more importantly," Liu Meizhen said solemnly, "the Huang family also has a great-uncle, Master Xiao, in the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion in the capital. Master Xiao's master is a Nascent Soul True Monarch."

Fu Yongrui's expression hardened: "Nascent Soul True Monarch."

“Exactly.” Liu Meizhen nodded. “If we act against the Huang family without solid evidence, we might alert the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion. If a Nascent Soul True Monarch intervenes, our Fu family will be in a very passive position.”

She stood up and paced slowly around the room: "If we're going to take action against the Huang family, we must have a legitimate reason, leaving no room for anyone to find fault. We must also ensure that the forces behind them have nothing to say."

Fu Yongrui immediately understood his mother's deeper meaning: "What does Mother mean?"

"Gather evidence." Liu Meizhen said decisively, "Without alerting the enemy, use all the resources of the Dark Hall to gather evidence of the Huang family's crimes."

She walked up to Fu Yongrui, her gaze piercing: "Remember, either don't act, or act decisively and fatally, ensuring the Huang family never recovers. This evidence must be irrefutable, leaving the Tianji Pavilion, the imperial court, and the entire world speechless."

Fu Yongrui bowed respectfully: "Your son understands. Upon returning, immediately adjust the deployment. While monitoring 'Dark Crow,' gathering evidence of the Huang family's crimes will be the Dark Hall's top priority."

"Good." Liu Meizhen nodded in satisfaction. "Remember, plan carefully before you act. Go ahead, and the family will support you with any resources you need."

Watching her son's departing figure, Liu Meizhen picked up the jade ruyi again, her fingertips gently tracing the delicate patterns on it, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.

...

...

System training room.

In the pavilion in the middle of Lotus Pond, time seems to be accelerated countless times.

Fu Changsheng sat cross-legged, his body enveloped in a rich azure glow. The incantation of the "Azure Emperor's Longevity Technique" surged and flowed within his body like the Yangtze River, surging and powerful. A jade bottle floated before him, its mouth cascading, and ten drops of millennia-old spiritual milk, brimming with boundless vitality and pure spiritual energy, dripped down one after another, merging into his brow and transforming into a torrent that washed over his limbs and bones, finally flowing into his dantian.

Within the dantian, the already radiant golden core, under the infusion of such a massive amount of pure energy, spun and expanded violently, the Dao patterns on its surface becoming increasingly clear and profound, radiating a terrifying and overwhelming pressure.

I don't know how many years have passed. Perhaps it was decades in the training room, while a dozen or so years have passed in the outside world.

At that moment, Fu Changsheng's body suddenly trembled!
The spiritual energy gathered in the pavilion in the middle of the lake was suddenly swallowed into his body. The golden core in his dantian emitted a buzzing sound that only he could hear, like the clear cry of a young phoenix. Its size suddenly increased, and its light became more restrained, but it appeared more profound and heavy, as if it contained the great power to create the world!

Seventh level of Golden Core achieved!

In an instant, Fu Changsheng clearly felt that his magical power was several times stronger than when he was at the sixth level of the Golden Core stage! If it was a stream before, it was now a surging river! The strength of his divine sense also increased dramatically, covering a wider range and becoming more acute.

An even more wondrous change occurred in the Niwan Palace and the Purple Mansion.

The previously hazy Purple Mansion domain expanded rapidly with the breakthrough in cultivation, becoming more stable and clearer. The divine soul figure residing in the center of the Purple Mansion, which was originally just a blurry outline of light and shadow, now gradually developed features and a solid form. One could even vaguely sense the spirituality and majesty emanating from it, identical to that of Fu Changsheng's true body. The stronger the divine soul, the deeper the understanding of the rules of heaven and earth, and the greater the power of spells and magical artifacts one could unleash.

"Late stage of Golden Core... indeed, it's a whole new world." Fu Changsheng slowly opened his eyes, his eyes shimmering with a blue light, as if containing an endless vitality.

After an unknown amount of time, feeling that his realm had become stable and his magical power was perfectly integrated, Fu Changsheng had a thought.

The surrounding scenery was like ripples on water, blurry and indistinct.

The next moment, he had left the training room where time flowed abnormally and appeared in the familiar little wooden house within the Five Elements Space. Outside, the Five Elements spiritual energy was still abundant, and Bingyan was lying not far away, his aura even deeper than before, clearly indicating that he had also made progress during his seclusion.

Just then, that familiar, emotionless, mechanical voice rang in his mind:
"Ding! It has been detected that the host's Daoist partner, Yu Qingru, has successfully condensed her Golden Core and entered the Golden Core Path. The family's strength has been enhanced, and a special lottery draw opportunity has been awarded."

Upon hearing this, Fu Changsheng was slightly taken aback, then a genuine smile of satisfaction appeared on his face.

"Qingru...she has also reached the Core Formation stage."

"A special chance to win a prize..."

Fu Changsheng's eyes flickered, but he didn't use it immediately. Having just broken through, he needed to adapt to his newfound power and deal with the backlog of matters accumulated during his seclusion. This lottery opportunity might bring an unexpected turning point when needed.

...

...

Within the Five Elements Space, Fu Changsheng's figure flashed, and he appeared in the secret chamber of the Clan Head's Mansion. He did not flaunt his aura of emerging from seclusion, but instead blended into the shadows, silently arriving at the "Listening to Rain Pavilion" where Liu Meizhen handled clan affairs.

Liu Meizhen was discussing matters with several clan elders when she suddenly sensed something. Looking up, she saw that familiar figure standing quietly in front of the door. She was startled at first, then her eyes lit up with uncontrollable joy, and she waved for the elders to leave.

"Husband! You've emerged from seclusion!" Liu Meizhen rushed forward, her face lighting up with joy as she sensed the increasingly profound and unfathomable aura emanating from Fu Changsheng. "Your cultivation... late Golden Core stage?"

Fu Changsheng nodded slightly, took his wife's hand, and said with a hint of apology in his eyes, "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. How is everything in the clan during your seclusion?" Although he could sense that everything was generally stable through their soul connection, he still needed to know the specific details.

Liu Meizhen gestured for him to sit down, her joy gradually replaced by seriousness: "A lot has happened during your more than ten years of seclusion..."

She recounted the attack by the Joyful Sect, how the Fu family defended and counterattacked, the imperial rewards, the internal investigation revealing the Huang family's connection to the secret agent "Dark Crow," and her daughter Fu Yongning's unauthorized trip to the far west—all in a clear yet undisguised manner, revealing her deep concern. Finally, she handed Fu Changsheng some of the jade slips containing evidence that the Dark Hall had secretly gathered over the years, concerning the Huang family's covert support of the "Sand Scorpion" bandits, their instigation of the Joyful Sect, and their plot to seize the Water Cloud Cave.

Fu Changsheng listened quietly, his expression calm. Only when he heard that his daughter, Fu Yongning, had ventured alone into the far west did his brow furrow slightly, and a hint of worry flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

He took the jade slip and scanned it with his divine sense. It contained records of financial transactions and secret communications between the Huang family and "Sand Scorpion," as well as indirect evidence of intelligence being transmitted through "Dark Raven." It even included some information about the killing of Vulture and Shadow Spider and the escape of Poison Scorpion.

"According to the intelligence currently held by the Dark Hall, the escaped fugitive, Scorpion, is hiding in the far west, but his exact location has not yet been determined," Liu Meizhen added, her tone tinged with helplessness. The far west is vast and chaotic, and the Joyful Sect is conducting a large-scale search, making it difficult for the Dark Hall's forces to penetrate deeply.

Fu Changsheng put down the jade slip, a cold glint appearing in his eyes, and the temperature in the entire Tingyu Pavilion seemed to drop a few degrees.

"The Huang family...good, very good." His voice was calm, yet it contained the suppressed tension before a storm. "Time and time again. Do they really think I, Fu Changsheng, am made of clay or wood, without any temper?"

He stood up, his gaze seemingly piercing through the void, looking towards the far west.

"Meizhen, you will continue to oversee clan affairs."

Liu Meizhen seemed to have guessed his plan: "Husband, you..."

Fu Changsheng's tone was resolute, carrying an unquestionable determination: "I will personally go to the far west."

He said slowly, “Mo Lan, Chang Li, Uncle Fei, and Qing Lin have made great contributions to my Fu family, but they have been stranded in enemy territory for more than ten years because of my seclusion. As the head of the family, how can I sit idly by? Yong Ning is a girl who is ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth and has gone into danger alone. As her father, I must bring her back safely.”

He paused, his eyes flashing with murderous intent: "And that Scorpion... he's a key witness. Capture him alive, and then the Huang family will be doomed!"

He looked at Liu Meizhen, his tone chilling: "My Fu family upholds harmony, but that doesn't mean we can be bullied. Since the Huang family dared to extend their claws, they should be prepared to be annihilated! If this grudge isn't avenged, how can we establish our authority? How can we punish the world and let them know the consequences of plotting against my Fu family!"

Liu Meizhen looked at her husband, knowing his mind was made up. She also knew that only he could personally bring the person back safely from that dangerous and dangerous place in the far west, and capture the slippery, venomous scorpion. She nodded emphatically: "Alright! I'll take care of things at home, you can go without worry! Be careful!"

Fu Changsheng nodded slightly and said no more. With a flicker, he disappeared from Tingyu Pavilion and returned to his secret room.

Before heading to the far west.

He still has a few important matters to attend to.

The most urgent task was naturally to exchange for information, so he immediately focused his thoughts on the panel in his mind's eye:

"Exchange Information"

hum!
The panel vibrated.

A large amount of yellow light surged.

Followed by.

Lines of text appeared one by one:

[1: In the depths of the Black Wind Canyon in the far west, in an abandoned mine, a venomous scorpion hides. Deep underground, there is a natural illusion array containing the remains of a deceased Golden Core cultivator.]

[2: The Joyful Sect, together with the Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain and the Xuanming Sect, formed a temporary alliance, planning to attack Wuzhou again in a few years.]

[3: A bounty has been placed on Fu Changli and his two companions in the black market of the far west, with a reward of up to one million spirit stones.]

[4: Fu Qingxuan (Dark Raven) has been frequently contacting Huang family envoys recently, planning to steal the core array diagram of the Fu family's mountain-protecting array.]

[5: The patriarch of the Joyful Sect is in seclusion, attempting to break through to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm. If successful, this will alter the power dynamics of the far west.]

[6: Fu Yongning has infiltrated a market town in the far west and is secretly investigating the whereabouts of the wooden flying squirrel.]

[7: In three years, the once-in-a-century Secret Realm Auction will be held in the far west. The first and most important item, unknown to anyone, is actually a treasure containing innate spiritual elements of the five elements.]

[8: The Huang family has a secret base in the far west for transferring family elites.]

【9:……】

……

(End of this chapter)