Family Rise: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 617 Cesion of Territory and Reparations: A Sudden Enlightenment, All for naught
Yulin Prefecture, Demon-Controlling City.

A faint starlight stumbled through the protective array and fell crookedly into the courtyard; it was Fu Yongkong's messenger star gu.

The Fu family members on duty recognized this as the companion star gu of their young master, Fu Yongkong. Seeing his unusual condition, they were alarmed and quickly stepped forward. The star gu flapped its wings, transmitting a fragmented, anxious message through its divine sense—

"Master...accompanying friends...hunting...in Misty Mountain..."

Although the message was brief, it caused the manager, Fu Mingyuan, to change his expression drastically upon receiving it!

"What?! Young Master went to Wushan Mountain? And he went with a team?"

Fu Mingyuan suddenly stood up, veins throbbing on his forehead.

Although Mount Nongwu is on the periphery of the Fu family's power, it is a place with high mountains and dense forests, where monsters roam freely. In addition, there are some desperate rogue cultivators and evil cultivators who have wandered over from the northern frontier. It is by no means a safe place! What's more, we are teaming up with rogue cultivators whose backgrounds we don't know!
"Nonsense! What a nonsense!"

Fu Mingyuan was both shocked and furious. He dared not delay for a moment and immediately gathered a team of elite guards. He personally led the team and rode his escape light to Nongwu Mountain at the fastest speed.

However, after searching the area around Mount Nongwu repeatedly where they might be hunting Cloud Mist Sables, they couldn't find even the slightest trace of Fu Yongkong and his group. Other cultivators they occasionally encountered in the mountains also said they hadn't seen the described group of teenagers recently.

"Something's wrong!"

Fu Mingyuan felt a sudden alarm bell ringing in his mind.

He immediately led his men back and headed straight for Yulin Market.

Within the market, they quickly discovered that Fu Yongkong had once set up a stall and had made contact with three other vassal families (the Zhao, Li, and Wang families) as well as a rogue cultivator who called himself "Senior Wu." They then left the market together, seemingly heading towards Mount Nongwu.

Fu Mingyuan immediately assigned personnel to go to the homes of Zhao, Li, and Wang to inquire.

The result was chilling—the children of these three families also disappeared!

Before leaving home, they all said they were going hunting in the Misty Mountains with a "senior shaman," with no return date set and no specific route given.

All the clues point to that mysterious "Senior Witch"!
Fu Mingyuan mobilized the Fu family's intelligence network in Yulin Prefecture to investigate this rogue cultivator. Given the Fu family's current control over Yulin Prefecture, results were quickly obtained; however, the results sent a chill down everyone's spine—

The investigation revealed that a rogue cultivator from the Purple Mansion realm, surnamed Wu, did indeed match some of the characteristics and frequently frequented the area. However, according to reliable intelligence, this person was killed by enemies in the wilderness several months ago during a conflict over resources, leaving no trace of his remains!

"Impersonation!" Fu Mingyuan gritted his teeth, a chill running from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. "Someone killed the real Wu surname rogue cultivator and then impersonated him to deliberately get close to the young master and those other disciples!"

This is no coincidence!
This is a targeted and meticulously planned conspiracy!

The other party's target is very likely the young master, Fu Yongkong!
Those three scions of vassal families are probably just sacrificial lambs used to cover up the truth or for some other purpose!
"Immediately encrypt this matter and report it to the patriarch with the highest priority! At the same time, report our investigation results and conclusions as well!"

Fu Mingyuan's voice was solemn as he swiftly issued the order:
"Notify all checkpoints and patrols within the territory to be on high alert and watch out for any suspicious persons or traces! Expand the search area. Find him alive or dead... no! You must find the young master!"

The Fu family stronghold in Yulin Prefecture instantly began operating efficiently, with encrypted communication talismans transforming into streaks of light and flying towards Fu Changsheng's secluded cultivation location in Huizhou Prefecture.

...

...

Fu Mingyuan's face was ashen as he paced back and forth in the hall, each step heavy with anxiety. His young master had been kidnapped right before his eyes; if anything went wrong, he would be condemned to death!

"Report—" A spy rushed in, "Sir, we've checked all the routes leaving Yulin City, and on a secluded path leading northwest, we found faint traces of spiritual energy and... a wisp of almost dissipated sinister aura! It's from the same source as the aura left on that person impersonating 'Senior Wu'!"

Northwest! It really is the northwest! Not the direction of Nongwu Mountain (northeast) that they had searched before!
Fu Mingyuan's pupils contracted sharply, and he asked sternly, "Are you sure?"

"Confirmed! Although the aura was faint, its quality was extremely high, carrying the unique, cold, and poisonous flavor of the Northern Frontier. It was definitely not something an ordinary cultivator possessed!" the spies confirmed.

“Northern Frontier… Gu poison…” Fu Mingyuan muttered to himself, a chilling guess surfacing in his mind, “Black Witch Village!”

Just then, another steward responsible for contacting the vassal families hurriedly returned, his face pale, and reported: "Steward, the Zhao, Li, and Wang families just used their bloodline secret technique to sense that the life lamps of their missing disciples... have all been extinguished!"

boom!
The news struck Fu Mingyuan like a bolt from the blue, leaving him momentarily stunned.

The fact that the soul lamps of the three disciples went out at the same time means that they have been murdered!

That young master...

He dared not think any further, forcing himself to calm down, and roared hoarsely:
"Quickly! Send more men and pursue them along that path to the northwest! Expand the search area; find them alive or dead... find their bodies! Also, immediately list 'Black Witch Village' as the prime suspect. Activate all our covert networks in the Northern Frontier and investigate any unusual activity from Black Witch Village recently, at all costs!"

……

Huizhou Prefecture, the master's secret room.

Fu Changsheng had just finished a batch of official business and was about to continue deducing the cultivation technique when he felt a sudden, inexplicable tremor in his heart, as if something important was being lost. He frowned slightly; at his level, his spiritual senses were sharp, and this was no random thought.

Almost simultaneously, the secret chamber's restrictions were activated, and several communication talismans emanating the emergency markings of Yulin Prefecture shot in like meteors, hovering in front of him.

Fu Changsheng swept his divine sense across the room, and his face instantly turned ashen. His aura uncontrollably leaked out, and the air in the entire secret room seemed to freeze!
"Kong'er...missing...suspected to be the work of the Black Witch Village...three fellow vassal disciples...their soul lamps have been extinguished..."

Every word was like a heavy hammer, striking his heart hard!

The words "the soul lamp has been extinguished" in particular made his vision almost go black. Those three disciples were dead, so what about his Kong'er...?

An overwhelming killing intent erupted from Fu Changsheng's body, instantly turning the tables and chairs in the secret room into dust! His son, the continuation of his and Ling'er's bloodline, someone actually dared to touch him!
"Black Witch Village!" Fu Changsheng enunciated each word clearly, his voice icy and chilling, filled with boundless rage and murderous intent. "If Kong'er suffers even the slightest injury, I will raze your village gates to the ground and leave no one alive!"

His figure flickered and disappeared from the secret room. The next moment, he appeared at the teleportation array in Huizhou City.

...

...

Northern Xinjiang - Black Witch Village
The room was cold and damp.

Upon seeing Wu Qi's return, and especially sensing the several vibrant yet terrified auras within the Qiankun bag, a complex emotion flickered in the old man's cloudy eyes, but it was quickly replaced by numbness. He hunched over and stepped forward, his voice hoarse and hurried:

"Chieftain, you're finally back! The Gu King's backlash is getting stronger and stronger, and the twelve Gu slaves are gradually getting out of control. If they can't absorb enough luck to complete their final transformation within a year, not only will all our previous efforts be in vain, but we may also suffer a backlash and our lives will be in danger!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Qi was not in a hurry at all. Instead, he let out a smug and sinister laugh: "One year? Why need a year! I have already found the peerless 'medicinal ingredient'. Today is the day when the Gu King will appear in the world!"

With a wave of his hand, the Qiankun Bag opened, and the Black Night Fiend swept up Fu Yongkong and the other four young cultivators, causing them to tumble to the ground.

Once the three vassal family members were freed from the Qiankun Bag's restraints, they saw the eerie and gloomy surroundings, the wriggling Gu worm reliefs on the walls, the foul-smelling pool of venom in the center, the floating bronze coffin, and Wu Qi's undisguised ferocious face. How could they not understand what had happened?
"You...you're not a rogue cultivator! You're a demon from the Northern Frontier!"

"This is... Black Witch Village?!"

"It's over...we've been kidnapped to Black Witch Village! Our family...our family can't save us!"

The group turned pale instantly, letting out desperate wails and cries.

Their family was already weak under the Fu family's command, so how could they possibly contend with the infamous Black Witch Village? Even if their family knew they were missing, they would have no ability to venture deep into the northern border to rescue them!
Unlike their panic.

The moment Fu Yongkong landed, his heart sank, but he forcibly suppressed his fear. His gaze quickly swept over the complex, sinister array in the center of the secret chamber, drawn with blood and connecting the twelve coffins, and the eerie fluctuations in the air that seemed to drain the life force and fortune of living beings. He immediately understood Wu Qi's intention—to use them as sacrifices to feed the so-called "Gu King"!
Don't panic!
My father always said that the more critical the moment, the more calm you need to be!

He immediately realized that revealing his identity as the young master of the Fu family at this moment would not only be useless, but would also prompt Wu Qi to kill him immediately to silence him, destroy the body and eliminate any future troubles.

We must buy time!

Xing Gu should have already sent the message back; the family will definitely come to his rescue!
"S-Senior, you've captured us only for resources or to get us to do things for you. We are members of the Fu family, and although our family is small, we are willing to give everything to ransom you. We only beg you to spare our lives!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Qi chuckled, as if he had heard a joke:
"Redeem them? With your few insignificant families? What I want is your pitiful luck! It's your honor to become nourishment for the Gu King!"

Seeing that Fu Yongkong could still "calmly" bargain, a hint of impatience and sarcasm flashed in his eyes.

This young upstart, even on the verge of death, still tries to use his cleverness to buy time?

"Hoping someone will come to save you? Don't dream! This is my secret chamber, heavily guarded. Even if the King of Heaven himself came, he wouldn't be able to find you! Just accept your fate!"

Fu Yongkong was anxious, but still tried to negotiate: "Senior, cultivating a Gu King must require a specific time or ritual, right? Perhaps we can..."

"Enough!" Wu Qi completely lost his patience. He keenly sensed that Fu Yongkong was deliberately stalling. Although he didn't think anyone could find him, things could change if he waited too long.

"I have no time to waste with you!" He sneered, and with a flick of his sleeve, a powerful magical force swept up the three disciples who were still wailing and Fu Yongkong who was trying to struggle, and threw them into the four bronze coffins whose lids had already been opened!

"Do not--!"

"let me go!"

Desperate screams echoed in the sealed room.

Fu Yongkong felt a chilling, bone-deep power envelop his entire body, instantly sealing him within the cold coffin. The heavy coffin lid slammed shut with a clang, plunging him into darkness, leaving only the faint, frantic commands of Wu Qi echoing from outside:
"The ceremony begins now! Activate the great array for me, sacrifice all their life force and fortune to help the Gu King... manifest in the world!"

The hunchbacked old man dared not be negligent, muttering incantations as he pressed his withered palms onto the core of the blood array.

Om-!
The entire secret chamber trembled violently, a surge of bloody light erupted, the chains on the twelve coffins tightened on their own, the dark green pool of water boiled and churned, and an aura of incomparably greedy and violent power slowly awakened from the depths of the pool…

Inside the coffin.

Fu Yongkong felt his life essence and the mysterious fortune being frantically drained, his consciousness beginning to blur. He exerted all his strength and finally activated the life-saving sword talisman shield bestowed upon him by his father, shouting inwardly:

"Father...Mother...Hurry..."

...

...

Deep within the Black Witch Village lies a dark altar enshrining ancient witch god totems.

The saintess had just finished her daily offerings, presenting the carefully prepared Gu and spiritual materials to the twisted and eerie totem pole.

Just as she stood up.

hum!
The eyes on the totem pole, which had been dim for years and seemed to be just stone carvings, suddenly burst forth with a dense, chilling blood-red light!
The blood-red light was not physical, but it carried a soaring resentment and ominousness, instantly illuminating the entire altar as if it were a sea of ​​blood and hell!
"A bloody calamity... is destined for my Black Witch Village?!"

The saintess's delicate body trembled violently, and for the first time, an undisguised panic appeared on her exquisite face. This witch god totem was the foundation of the Black Witch Village, capable of communicating with the unseen world and foretelling good and bad fortune. Such a strong warning of blood was no small matter!

She dared not delay, and immediately sat down cross-legged again, forming intricate hand seals. A glimmer of light flashed between her brows as she poured her divine sense into the totem pole without reservation, attempting to more clearly discern the source of the calamity.

"Om-"

The totem pole trembled slightly, the feedback chaotic and complex, filled with thoughts of greed, tyranny, backlash, and destruction. But at the center of that chaotic, blood-red vortex, she clearly detected a familiar aura—the chieftain Wu Qi! And a malevolent aura, carrying a chilling power, was rapidly gathering in the direction of his dwelling!

"Wu Qi! It really was you, you fool, who was behind this!" The Holy Maiden's eyes flashed coldly, and she instantly understood most of the situation.

She had long known that Wu Qi was unwilling to be subordinate to others and was secretly cultivating a Gu King with the intention of turning the tables. The reason she had remained inactive and even secretly fueled the flames was simply because she had the mindset of "the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind," wanting to use Wu Qi's hands and resources to raise a powerful Gu King for herself, so that she could easily reap the rewards later.

But now it seems that Wu Qi's actions have exceeded her control, triggering a bloody disaster that could overthrow the entire Black Witch Village! This is definitely not as simple as the backlash from the Gu King!
"What exactly did he do to trigger such a warning from the totem?"

The saintess's mind raced. Wu Qi had been frequently going out recently, acting suspiciously. Although she hadn't investigated thoroughly, she vaguely guessed what he was plotting. Combined with this bloody calamity, a bad premonition welled up in her heart—this fool had probably provoked someone he shouldn't have, or… violated some taboo!
In either case, we absolutely cannot let him continue! Otherwise, not only will Wu Qi die without a burial place, but the entire Black Witch Village may also perish with him!
"Can't wait any longer!"

She must stop Wu Qi immediately, find out what he has done, and nip any potential disaster in the bud, or... redirect it in a direction that benefits him.

Her figure flickered, as if she had merged into the shadows of the altar, and vanished in an instant.

……

After counting the interest.

The saintess moved like a ghost, ignoring the layers of restrictions set up by Wu Qi, and silently appeared in the secret chamber filled with blood and the wailing of vengeful spirits.

Wu Qi noticed someone had intruded. He turned around abruptly and saw that it was the Holy Maiden. He was startled at first, but then a cold smile mixed with ferocity and ecstasy appeared on his face.

"Holy Maiden? You've finally decided to leave your altar?" Wu Qi spread his arms, his body swirling with a black and red aura of the same origin as the Gu King, and arrogantly declared, "Do you see this? This is the Gu King I painstakingly nurtured! Its power is already no less than yours! This sacrificial array is complete, and it just happens to lack a false infant as the main sacrifice... Your arrival is truly the will of Heaven! Today, I will sacrifice you along with these ants to help my Gu King achieve complete perfection and take that final step! From this day forward, this Black Witch Village will be ruled solely by me!"

Before he could finish speaking, his mind stirred.

The Gu King, which had been hovering above the blood pool and had already formed a blurry and ferocious outline, let out a sharp and piercing screech. Its immense pressure, mixed with overwhelming resentment, crushed towards the Holy Maiden as if it were a tangible force!

Simultaneously.

The complex blood array on the ground lit up with a blinding light, and several blood-red chains formed from essence blood and vengeful spirits shot towards the saintess like living venomous pythons, trying to drag her into the array and make her nourishment!

Faced with this siege that would make even ordinary Golden Core cultivators pale, the Holy Maiden didn't even lift an eyelid.

"The frog at the bottom of the well."

She snorted coldly. The sound wasn't loud, but it carried a strange penetrating power, causing the roaring Gu King and the shooting blood chains to pause for a moment.

Her gaze didn't linger long on the smug Wu Qi or the ferocious Gu King, but instead, like a sharp arrow, instantly fell upon the only bronze coffin in the room that still held life.

Just at this time.

Perhaps due to the impact of the final stage of the sacrificial array, or perhaps due to the stress response of the boy's own power within the coffin, the crude disguise technique on Fu Yongkong's body melted away like ice and snow, revealing his original handsome and refined appearance, with brows that were extremely similar to Fu Changsheng and Wu Ling'er!
"It's him! Fu Changsheng's son, Fu Yongkong!" The Holy Maiden's pupils suddenly contracted, and a clear emotion finally appeared on her usually calm face—a mixture of shock, lingering fear, and a hint of relief!

She had been plotting for years, paying close attention to the Fu family, especially to Fu Yongkong, who possessed the Star Gu and had a special destiny. This boy was a crucial link in her future key plan, a pawn that could influence whether she could advance further on her path to immortality! She originally intended to wait for the right opportunity to make her move slowly, but she never expected that fool Wu Qi would accidentally kidnap him and almost sacrifice him as ordinary nourishment!
If it had been a step later... the Holy Maiden couldn't even imagine the consequences! Her years of painstaking planning had almost been ruined by this self-righteous fool!
For the first time, anger truly rose from the depths of the saint's heart.

She ignored Wu Qi's futile struggles and shouts, her icy gaze instantly locking onto the hunchbacked old man who was somewhat bewildered by the reversal of the formation. Her voice was as cold as ice:

"Reverse the formation, now."

The hunchbacked old man, who had previously been subservient to Wu Qi, trembled upon hearing this. A sudden, unusual glint of fervor and determination flashed in his cloudy old eyes, and he responded without hesitation:
"I will obey the Holy Maiden's decree!"

Before he finished speaking, his withered fingers danced rapidly like butterflies flitting among flowers, casting spells that were completely opposite to those before, and the incantations he chanted became rapid and eerie!
"Om-!"

The entire sacrificial array let out a mournful cry of unbearable strain. The blinding blood light suddenly paused, then reversed its course with even greater ferocity! The blood-red chains that had been binding the Holy Maiden were suddenly turned around in mid-air as if controlled by an invisible hand, and with lightning speed, they rolled back towards Wu Qi, who was still in shock and rage!
"You...you old dog! When did you get bought off by this vixen?!"

Wu Qi desperately channeled his magic power, attempting to break free from the restraints and control the Gu King to launch a counterattack.

However, the power of this reversed formation far exceeded his imagination, and it also contained a strange suction force that specifically restrained his cultivation technique! The blood-red chains, like a malignant tumor, tightly bound his limbs and bones, frantically extracting the essence of his golden core, the power of his blood and qi, and even the mental connection between him and the incomplete Gu King that he had cultivated for many years!

The power poured out like a flood, and Wu Qi's arrogance was instantly replaced by boundless fear.

"No! Holy Maiden! Spare me! I know I was wrong! I was bewitched! I had wicked ambitions!" Wu Qi cried, tears streaming down his face. He no longer cared about his dignity as the chieftain and pleaded hoarsely, "Please, for the sake of my many years of service to the Black Witch Village, even if I haven't made any great contributions, I have still put in a lot of hard work. Spare my dog's life! I am willing to cripple my cultivation, serve you as my master, and be your slave for all eternity. I will never dare to have any disloyalty again! Please, spare my dog's life!"

"Your guarantee is worthless." The saintess's voice was as cold as iron. "Your only value is to become the Gu King's final stepping stone, helping it to achieve complete perfection."

She gave Wu Qi no further chances, her slender finger lightly touching the restless phantom of the Gu King in the center of the blood pool, caused by the backflow of energy, and uttered four cold words:

"Devouring to the former master, merging with its source, forging your royal foundation!"

"No—!! Holy Maiden! You can't do this! I curse you! I curse the Black Witch Village to be forever ruined..."

Wu Qi's curses and desperate howls came to an abrupt halt.

Upon receiving the command, the phantom of the Gu King let out a sharp screech mixed with greed and excitement, and suddenly expanded, transforming into a huge dark maw made of pure resentment and evil energy, which swallowed the struggling and wailing Wu Qi whole!

The teeth-grinding chewing sounds, the explosive roars of intense energy clashes, and the silent screams of Wu Qi as his last wisp of soul was crushed echoed briefly in the secret chamber before falling silent again.

Having devoured all the essence of its original owner, the Gu King's body shone with a surge of black and red light, its aura rising like a rocket. Its previously somewhat illusory body quickly solidified, radiating a stable and terrifying pressure. It had broken through a key bottleneck and reached a completely new realm, truly belonging to the "Gu King"!

It obediently hovered in front of the saintess, suppressing all its ferocity and meekly lowering its head.

The saintess nodded slightly, and with a wave of her hand, a gentle force swept through, opening the bronze coffin that sealed Fu Yongkong.

As the coffin lid opened, Fu Yongkong, in his hazy state of consciousness, felt the suffocating pressure and draining force around him suddenly vanish, replaced by a gentle force that protected his weakened heart and remaining consciousness. He struggled to open his heavy eyelids, and through his blurred vision, he saw a breathtakingly beautiful face, like a celestial being descended to earth, gazing at him with an indescribable, profound gaze.

"It was...it was you who saved me..." He murmured these words with his last bit of strength, then his mind relaxed and he fell into a coma.

...

...

Yulin Prefecture Teleportation Hall.

Fu Changsheng has just appeared.

Fu Mingyuan, the steward who had been waiting outside the teleportation array, immediately stepped forward. His face was pale, and he spoke at a rapid pace, quickly reporting how Fu Yongkong had been lured away by the imposter "Senior Witch," how he had deviated from the route, the fact that the soul lamps of the three vassal disciples had been extinguished, and the fact that all the clues pointed to the Black Witch Village.

With each sentence he heard, Fu Changsheng's eyes grew colder, and by the time he finished, the chill emanating from him almost froze the air.

"Black Witch Village... Good, very good."

Without the slightest hesitation, he transformed into a streak of light that tore through the sky, heading straight for the northern border. His speed was so great that Fu Mingyuan and the others could only see a fleeting streak of light disappearing in an instant.

……

The border between the northern frontier and the Fu family's territory is desolate and bleak.

As soon as Fu Changsheng arrived, his gaze swept across the mountains shrouded in a faint gray-black miasma—that was the traditional sphere of influence of the Black Witch Village.

Just as he was about to force his way in.

A slight ripple spread through the space ahead, and two figures appeared out of thin air.

Leading the group was a woman dressed in an elaborate black witch's gown, with an exquisitely beautiful face and a pure, aloof demeanor like a snow lotus. Her aura subtly harmonized with the surrounding world, making her unfathomable. She was none other than the Holy Maiden of the Black Witch Village.

And standing next to her, besides the boy whose face was still a little pale but whose spirits were still good and who had no obvious injuries, who else could it be but Fu Yongkong?
"Kong'er!" Fu Changsheng's gaze instantly locked onto his son. Seeing that he was unharmed, the huge weight that had been hanging in his heart finally lifted, but the vigilance and scrutiny in his eyes did not diminish at all as he coldly looked at the Holy Maiden.

"Father!"

When Fu Yongkong saw Fu Changsheng, his eyes lit up at first, but then, like a child who had done something wrong, he immediately lowered his head and quickly walked to Fu Changsheng, his face filled with lingering fear, guilt, and barely concealed nervousness. Although he was usually cheerful, he had not had much real contact with his father, who was renowned and legendary. Now, facing him, feeling that imposing and profound aura, as majestic as a mountain, he felt even more awe and reverence.

"Father... I'm sorry! It was my foolishness that led me to trust the villain, which is why I was kidnapped by that black witch chieftain. This has caused the family great worry, and I've troubled you to come here in person... I know I was wrong!"

He paused, then quickly turned to the saintess behind him, his tone filled with gratitude:

“Father, it was this Holy Maiden who intervened in time, killing the chieftain named ‘Witch Seven’ and rescuing me from the sacrificial array. If it weren’t for her, I would probably… I would have already been refined into nourishment for the Gu King.”

Upon hearing this, Fu Mingyuan and the other members of the Fu family, who had come with Fu Changsheng and had just arrived at the scene, breathed a sigh of relief. Then, they all showed expressions of "I see" on their faces. Their gazes toward the Holy Maiden and the Black Witch Village were filled with a condescending scrutiny and a hint of arrogance.

"Hmph, it seems the Black Witch Village is wise enough to know they can't afford to offend the Fu family, so they've put aside their own family ties and handed the people over!"

"That must be it! The patriarch's reputation is so great, how could they not be afraid?"

"They're smart; otherwise, they would have razed that barbaric village to the ground today!"

The crowd whispered among themselves, and the tense atmosphere eased considerably. They even became somewhat smug, believing that Black Witch Village's actions were merely a survival tactic born out of fear of the Fu family's wrath.

However, as Fu Changsheng listened to his son's words and looked at the Holy Maiden in front of him, whose expression was calm and whose eyes were as deep as a pool, he felt no relief at all, but rather a growing sense of doubt.

Things... can't possibly be that simple.

A chieftain who could silently infiltrate the Fu family's territory and precisely abduct his son must have grand ambitions. And this holy woman, who could so "coincidentally" save someone at a crucial moment and decisively kill a chieftain from the same lineage… this cannot be explained simply by saying she was "afraid of the Fu family." It's more like… murder to silence witnesses, to sever ties, or perhaps, something else entirely.

His deep gaze fell on the Holy Maiden, ignoring the discussions of his clansmen behind him. He spoke slowly, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable air of authority: "Your Majesty the Holy Maiden has quite the courage."

The saintess met his scrutinizing gaze, her face expressionless, like a deep, still pool. She nodded slightly, and her clear, cool voice rang out, reaching everyone's ears distinctly:

"Master Fu is too kind. Wu Qi has acted perversely, going out on his own and kidnapping your young master, intending to use evil magic to refine Gu. His actions have violated the rules of our village and almost brought about the destruction of the Black Witch Village. It is only my duty to clean up his own house."

She paused slightly, then calmly met Fu Changsheng's gaze.

"Now that the culprit Wu Qi has been executed and your young master has been safely returned, our Black Witch Village has no intention of being enemies with the Fu family. This misunderstanding was caused by Wu Qi alone, and we hope that Patriarch Fu will investigate thoroughly."

"I hope this matter... ends here."

A glint flashed in Fu Changsheng's eyes as memories from decades ago suddenly surfaced in his mind—the precious manual that Wu Ling'er and Kong'er had accidentally obtained. He later used his system to deduce that it contained a deadly hidden danger; once cultivated to its peak, it would become someone else's prize. At the time, he suspected that it was a carefully orchestrated scheme.

At this moment, listening to the Holy Maiden claim that she killed Wu Qi in order to "maintain peace," and recalling the cause and effect, he was already 90% certain that the person behind the scheme was none other than the seemingly aloof and ethereal Holy Maiden of the Black Witch Village!
Despite a surge of murderous intent within him, Fu Changsheng remained outwardly calm. He nodded slightly, his tone softening somewhat:

"In any case, I will remember the kindness of the Holy Maiden who saved my son."

He immediately changed the subject, his tone carrying an undeniable authority: "However, one thing at a time. If the Black Witch Village chief kidnaps my Fu family's young master, and this matter is easily overlooked, wouldn't any force dare to follow suit and treat my Fu family as nothing?"

The saintess's gaze sharpened slightly as she awaited his next words.

Fu Changsheng's gaze swept across the desolate mountains of the northern frontier, finally settling on the northern edge bordering Yulin Prefecture, and he spoke calmly:
"If you want to settle this matter, it's simple. Just transfer the northern foothills under the jurisdiction of Black Witch Village to my Fu family as a punishment."

The northern foothills he mentioned were an area adjacent to the Fu family's Yulin Mansion, where the main product was a common first-tier spirit wood—pine wood. This place appeared barren and had no special value.

Upon hearing this, the Holy Maiden pondered to herself. She had expected Fu Changsheng to propose some harsh conditions, but unexpectedly, he only wanted this seemingly useless piece of land. It seemed that this Fu family head was more concerned with saving face and giving an explanation to the family. After all, the abduction of the Fu family's young master would indeed damage their prestige if they remained silent.

“Agreed.” The Holy Maiden nodded in agreement almost without hesitation. “Witch Qi deserved his punishment. The land at the foot of the mountain will be considered my Black Witch Village’s way of giving back to the Fu family. I am willing to end the conflict hereafter.”

The two sides immediately signed a spiritual pact, and the Holy Maiden also immediately issued an order for all personnel of the Black Witch Village stationed on the northern slope to evacuate.

With the contract concluded, everyone in the Fu family looked pleased, feeling that although the patriarch had not launched a major offensive, he had still managed to gain tangible benefits and prestige for the family without bloodshed.

However, the saintess was meticulous. Although she thought the northern slope was insignificant, she still secretly went to the northern slope to investigate after the order was given, just to ensure that nothing went wrong.

She carefully scanned the barren mountain forest dominated by pine trees with her divine sense. The land was ordinary, the spiritual energy was thin, and there was no trace of any hidden secret realm, mineral vein, or ancient ruins. It was indeed just an ordinary, marginal place.

"It seems that Fu Changsheng really was only concerned with saving face..." The last trace of doubt in the Holy Maiden's heart dissipated, and she quietly left.

...

...

Yulin Prefecture, the master's quiet room.

Fu Changsheng sat upright at the head of the table, his face calm and dignified. Fu Yongkong stood below with his hands at his sides. After this ordeal, his face showed less of his usual carefree nature and more of a sense of composure and lingering fear.

“Kong’er,” Fu Changsheng spoke, his voice steady yet carrying an undeniable force, “Do you know where you went wrong this time?”

Fu Yongkong raised his head, his eyes clear and earnest: "I know my mistakes. First, I was too trusting and failed to see through the villain's disguise; second, I was too reckless and underestimated the dangers outside; third, I was too weak. If the Holy Maiden hadn't intervened at the right time, it would have caused a great disaster and implicated the family."

His words were sincere, without the slightest attempt to shirk responsibility; clearly, this brush with death had truly helped him grow.

Fu Changsheng nodded slightly. His son's awareness of these things meant the perilous journey wasn't entirely without value. His tone turned stern: "Since you know your mistake, you must be punished. From this day forward, you are confined to the Yulin Prefecture. Until you achieve the Golden Core stage, you are not permitted to step outside the prefecture's boundaries!"

Confined to Yulin Prefecture until Core Formation!

This punishment was undeniably severe. Although Yulin Prefecture was vast, for a young man yearning to see the wider world, it was tantamount to being confined to a small area. This meant that for a considerable period of time, he could only cultivate and hone his skills within this confines, unable to venture out and explore.

"I accept the punishment willingly."

"Having gone through this ordeal, I now understand the profound meaning of Father's teachings: strength is the foundation for standing firm in the cultivation world. Even if one has countless opportunities outside, without sufficient strength to protect them, they are nothing but illusions, or even bring disaster upon oneself. Jade Forest Prefecture is the foundation of my Fu family, abundant in spiritual energy and resources, making it the perfect place to cultivate diligently and hone one's foundation. I will certainly cultivate diligently and tirelessly, strive to form my core as soon as possible, and live up to Father's expectations, as well as the lessons learned from this experience!"

Seeing his son's clear eyes, sincere admission of his mistake, and no resentment between his brows, but rather a resolute determination to rise from adversity, Fu Changsheng couldn't help but secretly praise his son's excellent character, recognizing him as a promising talent.

With a casual wave of his sleeve, a warm and radiant light, imbued with the aura of chaos, descended upon Fu Yongkong.

As the light faded, a strangely shaped fruit, neither gold nor jade, was revealed.

It was the third fruit picked from that wondrous tree in the Five Elements Space!

"This fruit is for you," Fu Changsheng said calmly. "Its effects vary from person to person; some may temper the body, some may solidify the soul, and some may awaken bloodline talents. It all depends on individual fate. Refine it well and do not waste this opportunity."

Upon hearing this, Fu Yongkong was immediately flattered.

He had assumed his confinement to cultivation was inevitable, but to his utter surprise, his father not only didn't reprimand him, but instead bestowed upon him such a priceless treasure containing the power of creation! Overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, he respectfully accepted the fruit with trembling hands, his voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement:
"Thank you for your generous gift, Father! Your son... Your son will do his utmost to live up to this opportunity!"

Under Fu Changsheng's personal protection, Fu Yongkong calmed his mind and guided his magical power to slowly refine the Dao Fruit in the quiet room.

As the fruit entered his stomach, a vast and pure energy surged through his limbs and bones, cleansing his meridians and nourishing his dantian. Furthermore, an indescribable aura of creation, like a key, quietly unlocked a certain dormant quality deep within his bloodline.

The moment the energy completely merged with its own origin, a sudden change occurred!
"Om-"

Fu Yongkong's body trembled slightly, and his consciousness seemed to be drawn into a mysterious realm. Countless ancient knowledge about the cultivation, control, and mutation of Gu insects flooded into his mind like a tide. The Gu techniques that he had previously found difficult and obscure suddenly became clear! A natural affinity and desire to control all kinds of Gu insects arose spontaneously.

Daigo empowerment!

This Dao Fruit of Creation completely awakened his hidden talent in the myriad arts of cultivation related to sorcerers—[Gu Technique]—and propelled it to an extremely high starting point!

After a long while, the radiance subsided and the breath calmed down.

Fu Yongkong slowly opened his eyes, his gaze bright and clear, filled with understanding and joy. Although he had not directly improved his cultivation level, he had obtained the inheritance and talent of the [Fourth-Order Gu Technique], the value of which, for himself and even his family, far surpassed a simple breakthrough in cultivation level.

"Thank you for your kindness, Father! It seems that I have gained a completely new understanding of the art of Gu!"

With Fu Yongkong's original talent, plus the aid of the spiritual fruit, he should be able to master the fourth-order Gu technique in no time.

To advance the family to the fifth rank, all that's needed is to add two more fourth-rank craftsmen.

at the same time.

A familiar mechanical voice echoed in his mind:
"Ding"

"Gan Muwan has successfully formed her core. You have been granted a special lottery draw opportunity. Would you like to redeem it?"

(End of this chapter)