Family Rise: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 615 Promotion and Wealth, Adding More Golden Elixir, and Continuing the Lottery
Wuzhou, the residence of Princess Runyu.

Inside the inner courtyard of the mansion, outside a heavily guarded and spiritually rich secret chamber, the head steward and deputy steward of the princess's residence stood solemnly. They had just received an urgent message about the overnight annihilation of the Huang family of Wuzhou.

The deputy steward, a middle-aged cultivator with a sharp, wiry face, was now filled with anger as he lowered his voice and said:

"Chief Steward, the Fu family is far too arrogant! No matter how despicable the Huang family is, they have openly pledged allegiance to our Princess's Mansion! Even when beating a dog, one must consider its owner! Fu Changsheng wiped them out without a word, showing absolutely no respect for the Princess's Mansion! If this matter is not punished, who will dare to rely on us in the future?"

He grew angrier and angrier as he spoke, feeling that the Fu family's actions were a direct slap in the face to the Princess's Mansion.

However, the head butler remained completely calm. His hair and beard were entirely white, his face gaunt, and his eyes deep and unfathomable, like an ancient well, undisturbed. He gently stroked his beard, glanced at the indignant deputy butler, and said indifferently:
"Don't be impatient."

His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority.

"The Huang family? The Fu family?" The head steward's lips curled into an almost indifferent smile. "They're nothing but scabies, mere clowns. Their rise and fall, their glory and disgrace, are insignificant compared to the Princess's grand ambitions."

His gaze shifted to the sealed demon land, his eyes revealing utmost respect and fervor:

"Now, Your Highness has reached the most crucial moment in condensing your Nascent Soul! Once you succeed and forge the Great Dao of Nascent Soul, Your Highness will be a true Nascent Soul True Monarch, with a revered status and a lifespan of five thousand years! At that time, let alone one Fu family, even ten or a hundred Fu families will be nothing but clay chickens and earthen dogs in front of Your Highness, which can be destroyed with a flick of the wrist!"

He paused, his tone carrying a hint of admonition:
"Right now, everything must give way to His Highness's Nascent Soul formation! No external disturbances are worth our attention. No matter how high the Fu family jumps, they are nothing more than grasshoppers in autumn. Let them be arrogant for a few days. Once His Highness emerges from seclusion, everything will be clear."

The deputy steward was speechless after hearing the head steward's words. The anger on his face gradually faded, replaced by a sense of awe. He then realized that his perspective was still too narrow. In the face of the Nascent Soul stage, the struggle between two mere sixth-grade families was indeed like child's play.

"The head steward is right; I was short-sighted," the deputy steward bowed and admitted his mistake.

"Hmm." The head steward nodded slightly. "Pass down the order: everything in the manor shall remain as usual. Guard His Highness's secluded retreat place strictly and ensure that there are no mishaps."

"Understood!" the deputy steward replied hastily, not daring to say anything more.

...

...

Imperial Capital, Tianji Mountain, Star Observatory.

Night fell, and the sky was filled with stars.

The Pavilion Master of Tianji Pavilion, an elderly man dressed in a star-patterned Daoist robe, with an aura as ethereal as clouds and smoke, stood with his hands behind his back atop the platform, gazing up at the celestial phenomena. In his eyes, it seemed, the birth and death of stars and the rotation of the universe were visible.

Suddenly, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, and his fingers twitched as if he were calculating something. After a moment, he slowly lowered his hands and muttered to himself:

"A malevolent star is afflicting the northern frontier, and bloodshed has already begun... In the direction of Wuzhou, there is a sign that the fortune of a prominent family will be completely extinguished."

Just then, a figure as silent as a shadow appeared behind him, kneeling on one knee. It was the head of the intelligence agents of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion.

"Sect Master, we have just received a secret report from the Southern Frontier. The Huang family, a sixth-rank clan in Wuzhou, was wiped out last night by Fu Changsheng of the Fu family. The crime was... colluding with sects in the far west and plotting to harm the relatives of the Imperial Inspector. Except for Huang Yuehua, whose whereabouts are unknown, all the members of the Huang family, including the clan leader Huang Yuanshan, have been executed."

The leader of the secret agents finished his concise report and bowed his head, awaiting instructions.

Upon hearing this, the Master of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion showed a look of sudden realization and asked:

"Does your Senior Brother Xiao know about this?"

"Senior Brother Xiao is still in seclusion in the forbidden area, focusing all his efforts on breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage. I dare not disturb him, so I came to inform the Pavilion Master first. Senior Brother should not know this."

The Master of Tianji Pavilion nodded slightly and pondered for a moment.

The Huang family was his disciple's ancestral home. Although he had long since left the family and devoted himself to the Dao, how could the blood ties be easily severed? If he were to learn now that his ancestral home had been destroyed and all his clansmen had perished, he would surely be greatly agitated, which would be detrimental to his breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage!
The Nascent Soul realm is a formidable chasm on the path of cultivation, rife with inner demons and extreme danger. Any external interference, especially a dramatic change involving blood ties and family relationships, could lead to failure or even demonic possession!

A moment later, a resolute glint flashed in the eyes of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion Master, who gave the order in a deep voice:
"Pass on my order: the matter of the Huang family's annihilation is to be classified as confidential and strictly forbidden to be discussed within the pavilion, especially... it must not be brought to your Senior Brother Xiao's secluded cultivation place! Anyone who disobeys this order will be severely punished!"

His voice carried an undeniable authority. In order to protect Junior Brother Xiao, a once-in-a-century genius of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, and to ensure his successful condensation of the Nascent Soul and strengthen the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion's foundation, this matter must be temporarily suppressed!
"Yes! Your subordinate obeys!" The leader of the secret agents responded solemnly, his figure disappearing back into the shadows.

The Master of Tianji Pavilion stood alone on the Star Gazing Platform, gazing south with a profound look in his eyes.

“Fu Changsheng…the Imperial Envoy…” he murmured the two names, “He is indeed a man who stirs up trouble. However, for now, everything is more important than my disciple’s Nascent Soul stage. We will discuss other things after he has completed his seclusion.”

...

...

Almost at the same time.

At the headquarters of the Great Zhou Celestial Surveillance Bureau, in front of the towering jade wall displaying the "Ranking of Celestial Surveillance Officials' Merits," which is hundreds of feet high and constantly updated with data.

Some patrolling angels on leave or handing over duties were gathered in twos and threes under the jade wall, exchanging information or paying attention to the changes in the rankings. Many people's eyes still unconsciously glanced at the name hanging high at twenty-seventh place—Fu Changsheng. The various speculations about his mysterious disappearance more than ten years ago and his recent strong return were still the focus of their private discussions.

suddenly!

Just when everyone thought there would be no major changes today, the name above the jade wall, which was already attracting much attention, "Fu Changsheng", suddenly burst out with an even more intense, almost blinding, white-gold light than before!
"Om-"

The jade disc emitted a low hum, as if it could no longer bear its weight. The merit points following the name, under everyone's stunned gaze, began to jump wildly once more!
"It's...it's gone up again?!" someone exclaimed in surprise.

This time, although the jump was not as wide as the first time, which involved a leap of nearly a hundred places, each place that was jumped was of higher value!

Twenty-seven...twenty-six...twenty-five...

The number steadily passed one renowned name after another within the Sky Survey Bureau, and finally, at the twenty-fourth position, the light gradually faded and remained firmly fixed!
Beneath the jade disc, a second deathly silence fell.

This silence was deeper than before, carrying an indescribable sense of shock and dread.

Several breaths passed before someone spoke in a dry, trembling voice:

"Twenty-fourth... Wasn't he just twenty-seven? What earth-shattering thing has he done in such a short time?"

Soon, scattered information about Fu Changsheng's latest movements spread rapidly among the people through special channels.

"It was the Huang family, a sixth-rank official! The Huang family, a sixth-rank official family that had been entrenched in Wuzhou for a thousand years, was wiped out!"

"What? The Huang family? The Huang family, who were said to have connections with a certain important figure in the capital? They were wiped out in one fell swoop?"

"Hiss... No wonder his merit has skyrocketed again! Eradicating a deeply entrenched sixth-rank cultivation family that is colluded with the demonic path is no less meritorious than wiping out a dangerous demonic lair!"

"He disappeared for more than a decade, and upon his return, he accomplished such a great feat... Just how powerful has he become? Perhaps 'the number one person below the Nascent Soul stage' is not even enough to describe him!"

...

...

The Fu family, the mission hall.

The place was bustling with people. Members of the clan accepted and completed tasks here to earn contribution points, which could then be exchanged for cultivation resources.

A lean, resolute-looking young man, travel-worn, strode into the hall and went straight to the transaction counter, placing a mission token and several storage bags stained with blood and demonic energy on the table. The young man was Fu Yongfu.

"Delivering the Class A mission: 'Clear out the monster horde causing chaos in Black Wind Ridge.'" Fu Yongfu's voice was concise and powerful.

The clansman in charge of registration behind the counter took the token and storage bag, quickly checked them, and a hint of surprise appeared in his eyes:
"Brother Yongfu, it's you again! This is your third Grade A mission this month! The contribution points have already been credited to your token."

He glanced at Fu Yongfu's slightly tired but sharp-eyed face and couldn't help but say with concern:

“Brother Yongfu, you’ve been taking on far too many missions over the past ten years! You’ve been working almost non-stop, either completing a mission or on your way to one. We all know you’re trying to accumulate enough contribution points to exchange for Core Formation spiritual items… but the path of cultivation requires balance, so you need to take better care of your health.”

Fu Yongfu took the identity token, and seeing the contribution points that had increased again, a hint of satisfaction appeared on his resolute face, but he only shook his head slightly at his concern for his clansmen:

"It's alright, I can still hold on. We're still a little short of our goal."

He felt a strong sense of urgency.

With his father, Fu Changsheng, at the height of his power, and his brothers and sisters successively reaching the Core Formation stage, he, as the son of the family head, absolutely could not fall too far behind!

Core Formation is a hurdle he must overcome as soon as possible!

Otherwise, how could I be worthy of the many treasures my father bestowed upon me?

“Brother Yongfu, if you ask me, you are the clan leader’s son. You don’t need to work so hard. Now that the clan leader has returned, you’re just a little short on contribution points. You can just tell the clan leader and it will be resolved. If all else fails, you still have your brothers and sisters who have already formed their cores. They can help you out. You really are…”

Even if it's not bitter, just endure it!

Fu Yongfu smiled but didn't say anything.

Relying on others, one's path to cultivation will certainly not go far. He must find his own path. If he can't even do this small thing well, how can he defy fate?

Just as he was about to check the mission list to find the next suitable target, a communication talisman transformed into a stream of light and landed precisely in his hand.

A quick scan with his divine sense revealed Fu Yongfu's serious expression.

It was a summons from his father! He was to go to the secret chamber of the patriarch's mansion immediately!
Fu Yongfu dared not delay and immediately said:

"Twentieth Brother, I have urgent business to attend to and must take my leave first."

After saying that, he turned around and quickly left the mission hall, heading towards the patriarch's mansion. He couldn't help but wonder what his father had suddenly summoned him for.
...

...

The patriarch's mansion has a secret chamber, with an array separating the inside from the outside.

Fu Yongfu stood respectfully before Fu Changsheng, feeling both excited and apprehensive.

If a father summons someone late at night, it must be for something important.

Fu Changsheng's gaze fell on his second son, and he could clearly feel the sharp aura that had been honed through countless missions, as well as the magical power within his body that had reached the pseudo-core stage but had not yet undergone a qualitative change due to the lack of a key opportunity.

“Fu’er,” Fu Changsheng said, his voice steady, “Your foundation is solid and your will is strong. What you lack is a wild power to break through barriers, a fighting spirit that comes from your blood.”

Say it.

He flipped his palm over, and an ancient-looking pottery jar appeared in his hand.

The jar was sealed, yet wisps of bloody aura still escaped from it, faintly resembling the roars and howls of countless ferocious beasts emanating from within, sending chills down one's spine!
It was obtained from Xiong Gang, the Grand Elder of Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain—the Blood Essence of a Hundred Beasts!
"This item is called the Blood Essence of a Hundred Beasts. It contains the essence of a hundred beasts and a vast amount of blood energy. Its nature is extremely domineering, and it cannot be refined by anyone who is not physically strong and has a firm will."

Fu Changsheng solemnly said:

"Once successful, your golden core will possess a trace of savage battle intent, greatly increasing its power in combat! However, the process will be extremely painful, like being devoured by a hundred beasts. Do you dare to try?"

Fu Yongfu stared at the constantly shaking pottery jar, feeling the violent aura emanating from it. Far from being afraid, his eyes blazed with intense light! He knew this was yet another great opportunity bestowed upon him by his father! It was also his chance to surpass himself and condense an even stronger Golden Core!

He suddenly knelt on one knee, his voice resolute:

“Father! Your son is willing to try! No matter how great the pain, your son can endure it! I will never fail your high expectations!”

"it is good!"

Fu Changsheng's eyes revealed an approving look:
"Relax your mind, focus on your lower abdomen, and I will help you!"

He broke the seal on the pottery jar, and in an instant, an intensely thick, pungent stench of blood mixed with the ferocious aura of beast souls surged into the sky, causing the temperature of the entire secret chamber to rise sharply! Fu Changsheng pointed his fingers like a sword, drawing upon a wisp of blood essence, and directly injected it into Fu Yongfu's dantian!
"Ugh—!"

The moment the blood entered his body, Fu Yongfu let out a low, suppressed roar of pain!

He felt as if he had been thrown into a boiling furnace of beast blood, with countless violent blood energies and shattered beast souls like thousands of red-hot steel needles, frantically piercing his meridians, flesh, and even bone marrow! It was as if countless ferocious beasts were tearing and ramming inside his body, trying to burst him apart and rip him to pieces!
His face was contorted in extreme pain, his teeth were clenched so tightly they were grinding, but he didn't let out another cry of agony!
"hold onto!"

Fu Changsheng's expression was solemn. He placed his hands on Fu Yongfu's back, and pure and powerful chaotic magic power poured in continuously, like the strongest dam, protecting Fu Yongfu's heart and main meridians, guiding the violent blood energy to circulate along a specific route, and at the same time using his own powerful divine sense to forcefully suppress and appease the restless beast soul remnants.

This is an extremely dangerous process. If he is not careful, Fu Yongfu's meridians may be shattered, or he may be corrupted by the evil intent of the beast soul and become a monster who only knows how to kill.

Time passed little by little.

Inside the sealed chamber, blood churned, and the shadows of beasts appeared and disappeared.

Blood beads with a fishy smell kept seeping from Fu Yongfu's skin, but they were quickly evaporated and absorbed with his own magic power and the help of Fu Changsheng.

His will was tempered and refined through this inhuman torture!

As the violent energy of the Beast Blood Essence was gradually subdued and absorbed, Fu Yongfu underwent a tremendous change.

The magical power that had already reached the pseudo-core stage but was always lacking the right opportunity to undergo a qualitative change was, under the impetus of this savage power originating from the essence of a hundred beasts, squeezed and solidified at an unprecedented speed as if by an invisible giant hand!
The liquid magic force collapsed inwards violently, and its density increased dramatically.

boom!
A faint rumbling sound came from within his dantian.

All the magic power solidified completely, condensing into a solid golden core prototype the size of a dragon's eye, dark gold in color, with faint phantom images of hundreds of beasts galloping and roaring on its surface!
Only the final step of consolidation and sublimation is needed to reach the true Golden Elixir Path!
"It's now!"

Seizing the opportunity, Fu Changsheng flicked his finger, and a talisman with golden lotus patterns and radiating a stabilizing and purifying aura—the [Golden Lotus Core Condensation Talisman]—transformed into a stream of light and instantly entered Fu Yongfu's dantian, merging into the newly formed dark gold core embryo.

The Golden Lotus Condensing Elixir Talisman transformed into a gentle yet powerful stabilizing force, like the most exquisite craftsman, quickly smoothing out the minute cracks and instability caused by the forced compression of the nascent Golden Elixir, making its form completely stable, its radiance restrained, and its Daoist charm naturally formed!
boom!
Golden Elixir, complete!

Almost at the same time that the Golden Core was fully formed, the weather above the Clan Head's Mansion suddenly changed!
Thick clouds gathered at a visible speed, muffled thunder rolled through the clouds, and destructive divine power locked down below!

...

...

at the same time.

Outside the Fu family mountain gate, two beams of light descended with a slightly hurried and uneasy air, revealing the figures of the Lin and Chen clan chiefs.

As soon as the two stood still, preparing to straighten their clothes and inform the disciples guarding the mountain of their purpose, they suddenly sensed a powerful spiritual pressure rising from the depths of the Fu family's territory!

Immediately afterwards, the weather changed dramatically, ominous clouds gathered, and a muffled rumble of thunder rolled in!

"This...this is the Golden Core Tribulation?!" The Lin Clan Chief's gaunt face was filled with shock as he looked towards the tribulation platform shrouded in formation inside the Fu Clan's territory, his voice trembling slightly.

Clan Chief Chen was also dumbfounded, his obese body trembling slightly, and he said in a hoarse voice:
"That's right! And judging from the power of these tribulation clouds, they are definitely not ordinary low-grade Golden Core cultivators... they are at least tribulation lightning of mid-grade Golden Core cultivators!"

……

Inside the secret room.

"To the Tribulation Platform!"

With a flick of his sleeve, Fu Changsheng brought Fu Yongfu, whose aura had stabilized at the early stage of the Golden Core realm but whose fighting spirit was high, and they instantly appeared on the tribulation platform specially built by the family and equipped with multiple arrays.

"Activate the grand formation!"

At Fu Changsheng's command, layers upon layers of protective light curtains instantly rose up, enveloping the tribulation platform.

"Lightning-repelling Mirror, activate!"

Several precious mirrors, engraved with mysterious runes and specifically designed to refract and disperse tribulation lightning, floated up, their surfaces aligned with the tribulation clouds in the sky.

"Roar!"

The most eye-catching thing was the Chaos Beast released by Fu Changsheng.

The little guy seemed extremely interested in the thunder brewing in the sky. He lazily flew to the edge of the tribulation platform, tilted his head to look at the tribulation clouds, and even yawned.

The first thick bolt of purple lightning struck down fiercely!

The Lightning-Repelling Mirror flashed, refracting some of the lightning. The remaining lightning power was weakened by most of the Tribulation Transcending Array, but it still blasted towards Fu Yongfu with energy that stung the skin!

Fu Yongfu neither dodged nor avoided, but let out a low roar and took the initiative to meet the attack. His dark golden core circulated wildly, and his wild battle intent burst forth as he punched the tribulation lightning!
"boom!"

A burst of lightning caused Fu Yongfu to sway slightly, his fists charred, but his eyes shone even brighter!

He felt that although the power of the heavenly thunder was violent, it was also further tempering his golden core and stimulating the Heavenly Wolf Heart that had been fused into his body before!

The qi and blood surged forth like smoke from a wolf's beacon!
Then came the second, the third... each lightning bolt more powerful than the last!
Fu Yongfu either confronted the attacks head-on or used the formation to maneuver, fully utilizing the fighting spirit brought by the Blood Essence of the Hundred Beasts and the strength of his own Heavenly Wolf Body. Meanwhile, the Chaos Beast "helped" from the side, opening its small mouth to "slurp" up the tiny arcs of lightning that were too scattered or leaked, eating them with great relish.

With the triple protection of formations, magical artifacts, and chaotic beasts, as well as his own formidable foundation, Fu Yongfu survived the first eight tribulations without serious injury.

The last one.

The crimson-gold lightning bolt, as thick as a water bucket, crashed down with terrifying power capable of scorching mountains and boiling seas!

"Come again!"

Fu Yongfu let out a long roar, and the dark gold core and the blood of the Heavenly Wolf Body in his body burned to the extreme at the same time. He seemed to transform into a humanoid ferocious beast, soaring into the sky and colliding fiercely with the last tribulation lightning!
Blinding light engulfed the entire tribulation platform!
As the light faded, Fu Yongfu knelt on the ground, his clothes torn to shreds, his body charred in many places, and blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, looking quite disheveled.

However, the spiritual pressure emanating from his body was incredibly solid, far more substantial than that of an ordinary newly promoted Golden Core cultivator! More importantly, after the final tempering by the heavenly lightning, he felt that his Heavenly Wolf Body had taken another step forward, completely merging with the essence of the Hundred Beasts Blood Essence, becoming one with it! A fierce, resilient, and indomitable aura naturally flowed out.

The storm clouds in the sky slowly dispersed, and a gentle rain, brimming with pure life force, fell.

The sweet rain fell upon Fu Yongfu's body, rapidly healing his injuries and consolidating his Golden Core cultivation.

At the same time, the rain also benefited the entire Fu family estate.

At the core of the earth vein's spiritual cave, accompanied by a surge of rich spiritual energy, a new fifth-order spiritual spring well, bubbling with five-colored spiritual water, was naturally born! The concentration of spiritual energy elevated the entire family's cultivation environment to a new level!
...

...

"It's...it's a success..."

Clan Chief Chen and Clan Chief Lin stood frozen outside the Fu family's mountain gate, watching helplessly as thick bolts of tribulation lightning crashed down, feeling the terrifying power of the heavens, the layers of array light rising within the Fu family's territory, and the strange little beasts that were faintly visible, seemingly devouring the scattered arcs of lightning...

The whole process was both shocking and agonizing for them.

As the final crimson-gold tribulation lightning bolt struck with an aura of destruction, both men's hearts leaped into their throats. However, the one undergoing tribulation bravely met it head-on, using his physical body to withstand the heavenly lightning. Though battered and bruised, he ultimately succeeded in overcoming the tribulation!
The clouds of disaster dispersed, and sweet rain fell everywhere.

A stable and powerful spiritual pressure, carrying a hint of savage battle intent, clearly spread out, announcing the birth of another Golden Core cultivator in the Fu family!

Chief Lin muttered to himself, his face a mixture of envy and shock:

"Moreover, judging from the aura of its golden core, it is solid and heavy, with a chilling fighting spirit, far surpassing ordinary fifth or sixth-grade golden cores... It is probably a fourth-grade golden core! A mid-to-high-grade golden core!"

Chief Chen swallowed hard, his voice hoarse:
"A mid-to-high grade Golden Core... This means that as long as this person doesn't die prematurely, there is a glimmer of hope that they will reach the Nascent Soul stage in the future! The Fu family... The Fu family already has the unfathomable patriarch Fu Changsheng, and his Daoist partner Liu Meizhen is also a strong Golden Core cultivator. Now, they have added a new Golden Core cultivator with boundless potential... Their rise is unstoppable!"

The two exchanged a glance, both seeing immense shock, a hint of lingering fear, and a sense of relief in each other's eyes.

"Brother Chen," the Lin clan chief took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and said in a low voice, "Our decision was right! Now it seems that joining the Fu family is the only way out, and it may even be... a stroke of luck!"

“That’s right!” Clan Chief Chen nodded emphatically, his eyes becoming incredibly resolute. “The Fu family’s power is undeniable; Wuzhou will surely belong to the Fu family! If we don’t surrender now, when will we? But…”

He abruptly changed the subject, a deep worry returning to his face, and lowered his voice even further:

"However, with members of the Fu family successively reaching the Core Formation stage, and judging from the aura of that newly promoted Golden Core cultivator just now, the Core Formation artifact he used must have been extraordinary. Could the Fu family's reserves of the Core Formation artifacts we're seeking... have already been exhausted? Have we arrived too late?"

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Lin Clan Chief's head, instantly cooling his newly ignited enthusiasm. How precious were Core Formation spiritual treasures? Even if the Fu family had seized all of the Huang family's wealth, how many could they possibly have? Now, seeing their own talented disciples using them one after another, would there be anything left for these two outsiders?
"Regardless, things have come to this point, and we have no way out," the Lin clan chief said through gritted teeth. "Even without a Core Formation spirit treasure, we must offer the secret map to show our willingness to submit! We only ask that the Fu family accept us and give us a way to live!"

"Yes! Your attitude must be sincere!"

Clan Chief Chen straightened his robes, forced what he believed to be the most humble and respectful smile, and bowed deeply to the Fu family disciples guarding the mountain, who had already noticed them and were now looking at them with scrutinizing eyes:
"The patriarch of the Lin (Chen) family of Wuzhou has come to pay his respects to Patriarch Fu. He has important matters to report and requests that you inform him!"

Having just witnessed the power of their newly promoted Golden Core cultivator, the disciple guarding the mountain felt confident and returned the greeting with neither arrogance nor servility:
"Please wait a moment, patriarchs, while I announce your arrival."

Having said that, he took out a communication jade talisman and reported in a low voice.

Before long, a late-stage Purple Mansion cultivator dressed in the attire of the Fu family's Internal Affairs Hall arrived on a beam of light. His expression was calm, and he cupped his hands in greeting:
"Your Excellencies, I am Fu Yonghui, an elder of the Fu family. I have been ordered by the matriarch to invite you to the side hall for a chat."

"Thank you for your trouble, Elder Fu!" Lin and Chen quickly returned the greeting, feeling somewhat relieved.

Meeting the matriarch of the Fu family, Liu Meizhen, was already an excellent start. They dared not be negligent and followed closely behind Fu Changyun into the Fu family compound.

As they traveled, they saw that the clan's territory was brimming with spiritual energy and orderly. Although the disciples had experienced the great battle of the previous night and the tribulation just now, they showed little panic. On the contrary, they were all full of energy, and their actions were methodical, subtly revealing an atmosphere of prosperity and ambition. This was completely different from the cautious and timid atmosphere within their own clan, which filled Lin and Chen with deep emotion.

In the reception room.

Liu Meizhen sat upright in the main seat. She didn't deliberately release her spiritual pressure, but her mid-stage Golden Core cultivation and the imposing presence of someone accustomed to a superior position naturally brought an invisible pressure. She calmly looked at the two who entered and said lightly:

"The two clan leaders have come together; what important matter brings you here?"

Lin and Chen dared not look directly at each other and quickly bowed, saying, "Junior Lin Yuan of the Lin family (Chen Mancang of the Chen family) pays respects to Madam Liu!"

Liu Meizhen slightly raised her hand: "No need for formalities, please sit down."

The two sat down as instructed, their bottoms barely touching half of the chair.

Clan Chief Lin took a deep breath, knowing the crucial moment had arrived. He exchanged a glance with Clan Chief Chen, and then Chen spoke:

"Madam Liu, you are wise. Last night, the Fu family acted on behalf of Heaven to eliminate the Huang family, who colluded with foreign enemies. Although we were former vassals of the Huang family and did not participate in their evil deeds, we are still filled with fear and unease. We deeply regret that we relied on the wrong people in the past, so we have come to the Fu family to apologize and express our true feelings!"

Liu Meizhen remained expressionless, picked up her teacup and gently stirred it: "Oh, what do you mean by that?"

Clan Chief Chen quickly interjected:
“We know that words are not enough, so… we are willing to offer a great secret to show our sincerity in surrendering. We also hope that with this merit, we can gain the understanding of the Fu family and… and seek a future!” As he spoke, he took out a complete jade plate made of special material, which was made of two semi-circular jade plates, and presented it with both hands.

"This is a half-secret map that our ancestors, the Lin and Chen families, obtained by chance in their early years. When combined, it points to the ruins of a cave dwelling, which is suspected to be the place where an ancient cultivator passed away! Based on the remaining information on the map, it is inferred that this place is both dangerous and full of opportunities, possibly containing opportunities at the Golden Core or even Nascent Soul levels! However, due to the powerful restrictions on this place, our two families are too weak to explore it. Now, we are offering this map to the Fu family, hoping that the Fu family will remember our contribution and bestow upon us... bestow upon us two spiritual items to aid in the formation of the Golden Core, so that our two families can continue our lineage. In the future, we will surely follow the Fu family's lead and never forget their great kindness!"

After Chief Chen finished speaking, he and Chief Lin both bowed their heads deeply, their hearts pounding. Their voices trembled slightly, especially when they mentioned "spiritual items that aid in Core Formation." Their biggest worry was that the Fu family had just used up another top-tier spiritual item, and their inventory was empty.

Liu Meizhen's gaze fell on the unified jade plate, but she did not immediately take it. Instead, she pondered for a moment.

A moment of silence fell over the hall, with only the heavy breathing of Lin and Chen clearly audible. This silence felt like an eternity to them.

Just as cold sweat began to bead on their foreheads and they were almost in despair, Liu Meizhen finally spoke, her voice still steady:

"You two do have some guts. If this map is truly as you say, its value is indeed extraordinary."

Her words brought a sudden sense of relief to Lin and Chen, as if they were drowning people grasping at a straw.

However, Liu Meizhen changed the subject:
"However, you should be aware of the preciousness of Core Formation spiritual objects. Although my Fu family has some accumulation, it is not inexhaustible."

Their hearts were in their throats again.

"Whether or not a spiritual object is bestowed, and what grade of spiritual object is bestowed, depends on the authenticity of this map and the value of the ruins." Liu Meizhen finally took the jade plate, and her divine sense sank into it to examine it carefully. Although she was not proficient in ancient array formations, her knowledge was extraordinary, and after a moment, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

“This map is made of ancient materials, and the restriction patterns within it do indeed contain an ancient charm, unlike a forgery.” She raised her eyes and looked at the two extremely nervous people. “The Fu family knows your intentions. Even if it’s not for the Core Formation spiritual object, just for the merit of offering the map, the Fu family can accept your two families as vassals and ensure that your lineage will not perish.”

Upon hearing this, Lin and Chen felt both grateful and resentful. As mere vassals, without a Golden Core cultivator to protect them, they would ultimately be at the mercy of others and would have little real autonomy.

Liu Meizhen took in their expressions and said calmly:
"As for the spiritual items for forming the Golden Core... if you two are loyal and make contributions in the future, the family will naturally not mistreat those who have made contributions. This time, we will make a promise to you: after confirming the authenticity and value of this map, we will give priority to granting each of your families a spiritual item that can increase the success rate of forming the Golden Core by 60%."

A 60% chance!

This was enough to allow both families to produce Golden Core cultivators and escape the predicament of being destroyed at any time!

Overwhelmed with joy, Lin and Chen were instantly consumed by ecstasy! They could hardly believe their ears, and immediately rose from their seats, falling to their knees with a thud, their voices trembling with excitement:

"Thank you, Madam Liu! Thank you, Fu family! I, Lin Yuan (Chen Mancang), hereby swear that the Lin family (Chen family) will henceforth serve as the vanguard of the Fu family, loyal to the end. If we disobey, may we be punished by heaven and earth!"

"Get up," Liu Meizhen said, offering a slight gesture of support. "I need to inform the patriarch of this matter for a decision. You two should return to the clan first, and we will give you further instructions once the clan has made its decision."

"Yes! Yes! We will obey Madam's orders!" The two quickly agreed, feeling a great weight lifted from their hearts, and their future seemed bright and promising.

After seeing off the profusely grateful Lin and Chen, Liu Meizhen held the ancient jade plate, her eyes gleaming. Without delay, she went directly to the main hall where Fu Changsheng was.

Inside the main hall, Fu Changsheng had just helped Fu Yongfu stabilize his cultivation level and listened to Liu Meizhen's report.

"Ancient cultivator's cave ruins?" Fu Changsheng took the jade plate and carefully scanned it with his divine sense. With his knowledge far surpassing that of Tongji and his keen perception of energy fluctuations, he immediately sensed the extraordinary nature of this map. "It is indeed quite interesting. The hidden restrictions within it are even somewhat obscure to me. It seems that the Lin and Chen families have offered up a rather good stepping stone."

"Husband, what about the Core Formation spirit items we promised them..." Liu Meizhen inquired. The family treasury did indeed still contain Core Formation spirit items obtained from the Huang family and those brought back by Fu Changsheng, but these were strategic resources.

"It's alright." Fu Changsheng waved his hand. "There are still several portions of Core Formation spiritual items in the warehouse. Giving them two portions in exchange for two loyal vassal families and a clue to a relic that may contain opportunities is worthwhile."

Fu Changsheng's gaze returned to the jade plate:
"Once the family affairs are settled, I will personally go and investigate. If there is indeed an opportunity, perhaps I can further strengthen the Fu family's foundation!"

Just now.

A familiar mechanical voice echoed in his mind:
[Ding! Detected that the host's direct bloodline (Fu Yongfu) has successfully condensed a Grade 4 'Hundred Battles Golden Pill,' significantly enhancing the family's high-end combat strength and boosting the family's fortune!]

[Reward: One chance to win a special prize!]

The system notification sound arrived as scheduled.

Fu Changsheng's heart stirred slightly, but his face remained expressionless. He said to Liu Meizhen, "Meizhen, the matter between the Lin and Chen families shall be handled as we just discussed."

After Liu Meizhen withdrew.

Silence returned to the hall, and Fu Changsheng's mind sank into his sea of ​​consciousness. The familiar lottery wheel, exuding a chaotic aura, reappeared, its bizarre and colorful areas seemingly even more profound and mysterious than before.

"Start the lottery!"

Without hesitation, Fu Changyi gave the command in his mind. The wheel instantly began to spin rapidly, with countless points of light containing different Daoist charms and precious radiance flowing endlessly, dazzling and mesmerizing.

Having gone through several lotteries, Fu Changsheng's mindset had become much calmer, but he still harbored a glimmer of expectation. Anything produced by the system was bound to be of high quality; whether it was the Enlightenment Tea Tree or the fragments of the Great Evolution Sword Formation, they had all had an immediate or profound impact on the family.

The roulette wheel gradually slowed down, and the pointer swept across the areas of cultivation techniques, elixirs, and magical treasures, finally stopping on an extremely special silver area that seemed to be composed of countless tiny spatial folds and flowing light.

[Ding! Congratulations, host! You have obtained a special building blueprint: [Breakthrough Platform]!]

Information flowed into Fu Changsheng's consciousness:
[Breakthrough Platform Blueprint]: A special inherited architectural blueprint. It integrates formations, runes, and spiritual construction techniques, and can be used to build a unique structure that assists cultivators in breaking through major realm bottlenecks.

[Effect: When cultivators engage in seclusion on the platform to break through bottlenecks (such as breaking through from the Purple Mansion to the Golden Core, or from the Golden Core to the Nascent Soul), their mental clarity can be slightly improved, enhancing their efficiency in absorbing and controlling the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. There is also a certain chance to trigger a "sudden enlightenment," significantly increasing the success rate of breaking through. The effect increases with the skill of the person in charge of the construction and the quality of the resources invested.]

[Note: The construction of this platform requires a large amount of rare spatial and stabilizing spiritual materials, and demands extremely high proficiency in formations and runes from the builder. After completion, it will require spiritual vein essence or a large amount of high-grade spirit stones to maintain its operation.]

"The Breakthrough Platform!" Fu Changsheng's eyes lit up with surprise.

This is practically a reward tailor-made for the Fu family at this stage!

The family's strength is rapidly increasing, with more and more disciples reaching the late Purple Mansion stage and the Pseudo-Core Formation stage, leading to a rise in those facing the Core Formation bottleneck. Furthermore, it will be incredibly difficult for Golden Core cultivators to even glimpse the path to the Nascent Soul realm. While this Breakthrough Platform cannot guarantee 100% success, even a 10-20% increase in the success rate would have an immeasurable impact on the family's overall strength!

Unlike Core Formation spiritual items, which are one-time consumables, it is a strategic building that can be used continuously! In the long run, its value may even exceed that of one or two top-tier Core Formation spiritual items!
"The system is a real lifesaver!"

Just as I was considering how to more effectively utilize resources to nurture the next generation of my family, the system delivered this "Breakthrough Platform." This item, along with the "Reincarnation Pool" (a replica), serves as both internal and external support—one solidifying the foundation, the other aiding in breakthroughs. They complement each other and will undoubtedly become the two cornerstones of the Fu family's future rise!

He carefully browsed the incredibly complex and profound construction blueprints in his mind. The spatial stabilization runes and spiritual energy guiding arrays involved were exquisite and far surpassed many of the arrays currently circulating.

"The construction requirements are indeed demanding. Many of the main materials, such as 'Void Stone,' 'Boundary-Stabilizing Crystal,' and 'Ten-Thousand-Year Warm Jade,' are rare items. It seems we'll have to find a way to collect them. However, the Huang family has a rich treasury, so perhaps we can gather some of them. As for the rest... perhaps we can use our status as a Patrol Envoy to exchange for them within the Patrol Bureau, or search for them in the ruins controlled by the family."

"This matter needs to be discussed thoroughly with Uncle Yu and Yaoyao," Fu Changsheng said, calming himself down. Yu Zhenfa and Fu Yaoyao's expertise in runes was among the best in the family; the construction of the Breakthrough Platform wouldn't have been possible without their guidance.

but.

before this.

He needs to heal Uncle Fei's injuries.

(End of this chapter)