Family Rise: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 618 Lottery, Territorial Expansion, Ancient Inheritance
"Exchange for a special lottery prize," Fu Changsheng thought to himself.

hum!
The golden light on the panel suddenly surged, transforming into countless fine emerald green runes. These runes, like living seeds, danced, collided, and combined in the air, ultimately forming a giant holographic wheel woven from countless vines and spiritual leaves. Within the dozens of squares on the wheel, the outlines of various treasures related to spiritual plants could be vaguely seen: there were seedlings radiating vitality, strange fruits imbued with Daoist charm, jade slips recording ancient techniques, and various magical seeds of different shapes, shimmering with spiritual light.

Fu Changsheng held his breath and focused his gaze on the wheel, which was full of life and was slowly slowing down.

"I wonder what kind of opportunity I will gain this time?"

The roulette wheel finally stopped spinning, and the pointer landed precisely on a rhomboid crystal lattice that emitted a warm, bluish glow and seemed to contain countless points of light breathing slowly.

next moment.

Fu Changsheng felt a slight weight in his storage bag, as an additional item appeared. With a thought, a jade box carved from ten-thousand-year-old warm jade appeared in his hand. The jade box was entirely emerald green, and on the lid, a Daoist pattern of "a hundred herbs in the morning dew" was naturally formed, exuding a rich aura of vitality.

"This is... a seed of law?" Fu Changsheng's heart stirred slightly, and he had a vague guess.

He gathered a wisp of chaotic magic power at his fingertips and gently touched the key point of the jade box.

"Boom——"

A soft sound, like a dewdrop falling on a leaf.

The jade box opened quietly. There was no soaring light, only a soft and pure blue halo spreading out. At the center of the halo, a strange seed, the size of a longan, was suspended. It was emerald green all over and seemed to have countless tiny lives pulsating inside—it was a Dharma seed!
The instant his divine sense touched the seed of Dharma, a vast and ancient flow of information, mixed with countless profound insights into plant growth, the flow of spiritual energy, and the nourishment of the earth, surged into his sea of ​​consciousness:
【Yi Wood Azure Emperor's Dharma Seed】

[Rank: Tier 5, High-Grade (Growth Type)]

[Origin: Contains a fragment of the Daoist essence of the ancient Azure Emperor]

【characteristic:
1. Plant Affinity: Significantly increases affinity with plant spirits, making it easier to perceive their state and needs.

II. Vitality Nourishment: Releases "Wood Vitality Qi", accelerates the growth of spiritual plants, heals damage to vegetation, and slightly enhances the potential of spiritual plants.

III. Communication with All Things: Initially communicate with spiritual plants through thought to understand their simple needs and environmental responses.

IV. Initial Form of the Domain: A preliminary "Azure Emperor's Spiritual Domain" can be developed (its range expands with cultivation level and the growth of the Dharma Seed). Within the domain, the growth rate of spiritual plants and the efficiency of spiritual energy absorption are significantly enhanced, and the quality of the spiritual soil can be continuously improved.

[Special Ability: Inherited from the basic chapter of "Azure Emperor's Spiritual Plant Chapter", can only be bestowed upon direct bloodlines]

Fu Changsheng carefully sensed the information in his sea of ​​consciousness, his eyes filled with undisguised joy.

For a cultivator or family aspiring to develop spiritual plant cultivation techniques, the value of this [Azure Emperor's Seed of Wood] is priceless! It not only provides powerful auxiliary abilities but also contains a lineage that points directly to the origin of the Great Dao of Spiritual Plants!

soon.

He already had a suitable candidate in mind.

...

...

Outside the quiet room, under the corridor.

A young girl dressed in a pale yellow silk dress was pacing anxiously. She was Fu Yongwu, Fu Yongkong's younger sister.

In just over a decade, the little girl has blossomed into a graceful young woman. Her features are as delicate as her mother Wu Ling'er's, yet she possesses a unique, cool and refined quality characteristic of the Fu family. Her skin is as white as snow, and her lips are naturally red. The slight furrowing of her brows due to worry adds to her pitiful charm.

She would occasionally stop and look at the tightly closed stone door of the quiet room, which isolated the air from the outside world.

Besides worrying about her brother, another more complex emotion was also stirring in her heart—curiosity about her father, Fu Changsheng, and a hint of barely perceptible tension and anticipation.

Since she was born.

The name "father" exists more in her mother's occasional mentions, in the legendary stories passed down by word of mouth in her clan, and in the towering yet always vague figure in her imagination.

She never actually met her father.

The wet nurse, observing her anxiety and anticipation, felt pity for her and stepped forward to gently comfort her:

"Miss, don't worry. Young Master is a lucky man and will be safe and sound."

She paused, her gaze falling lovingly on Fu Yongwu's increasingly beautiful face, her tone carrying a firm pride:
"Furthermore, Miss, you are so beautiful and kind-hearted, the head of the family will surely be pleased to see you. Moreover, your talent in 'spiritual plant affinity' is praised by several elders, who say it is a once-in-a-century talent in the clan. Our Fu family is currently lacking such a talent who can nourish spiritual plants and cultivate rare treasures. The head of the family will surely be gratified to know this."

While talking.

"Om-"

With a soft thud, the heavy stone door that separated the inside from the outside slowly slid open to one side.

Fu Yongwu, who was waiting outside, immediately looked up and saw her elder brother Fu Yongkong step out from there.

"Brother!" Fu Yongwu immediately stepped forward, grabbed his sleeve with concern, and looked him up and down. "Are you alright? Father... didn't punish you, did he?"

Seeing the genuine concern in his sister's eyes, Fu Yongkong felt a surge of warmth in his heart. At the same time, he realized even more deeply that his previous rash actions had nearly caused his sister to suffer the pain of losing a loved one, and he had truly failed in his responsibility as an older brother. He reached out and gently ruffled his sister's hair, just as he had done in their childhood.
"Don't worry, brother is fine. Father not only didn't punish me severely, but also blessed me with a great opportunity, so it can be considered a blessing in disguise."

He smiled slightly, stepped aside to make way, and urged softly:
"Go in quickly, Father is inside." His gaze fell on his sister's tightly clenched sleeve, knowing that a gift she had prepared for a long time must be hidden inside. "Take your gift and go quickly."

Fu Yongwu blushed slightly when her brother saw through her thoughts.

Fu Yongwu took a deep breath, stepped over the threshold, and entered the quiet room filled with a faint spiritual aura.

The room was simply furnished, and a man in a blue robe sat quietly on a futon. The moment Fu Yongwu saw the man's face, her breath caught in her throat.

This was completely different from what she had imagined countless times.

Without a majestic beard or the wrinkles of age, his handsome face looked no more than twenty years old. Only his deep, star-like eyes held a profound depth that belied his appearance. His aura was gentle and refined, yet he seemed to be one with the entire world, inspiring both awe and an irresistible desire to get closer.

This is her father, Fu Changsheng.

Fu Yongwu hurriedly lowered her head, quickly stepped forward, and stopped five steps away from Fu Changsheng. Her voice trembled slightly with nervousness.
"Your daughter, Yongwu, greets her father."

As she spoke, she knelt down and performed a full curtsy. Her wide sleeves brushed the ground, revealing her hands, which were clenched tightly.

Fu Changsheng's gentle gaze fell on his youngest daughter.

This daughter, whom he had never met since birth, had now grown into a beautiful young woman. He could feel the blood flowing through her veins, the same as his own, and he could also sense the unique, harmonious aura emanating from her, a aura that resonated with all things in nature.

"Get up." Fu Changsheng's voice was calm as water, yet it carried a reassuring power.

Fu Yongwu got up as instructed, but still kept her head down, not daring to look directly at him. After hesitating for a moment, she finally mustered up the courage to extend her tightly clenched hands forward. In her palms lay an exquisite sachet, made of moon-white brocade, embroidered with a "Stars and Moon Reflecting Lotus" design in fine silk, the stitches delicate and the composition elegant.

“This is a calming sachet that I embroidered myself,” she said softly, “I filled it with some calming flowers and soothing herbs that I grew myself. I hope Father won’t find it offensive.”

By the end, his voice was almost inaudible.

She waited anxiously, fearing that the gift she had prepared for so many years would not meet her father's approval.

Fu Changsheng took the sachet, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes as his fingertips touched the intricate embroidery. The sachet appeared simple, but it concealed a hidden mystery—the embroidery threads were actually spiritual plant fibers treated with a special technique, and the calming flowers and soothing herbs within were of superior quality, clearly carefully cultivated. Even more remarkable was the sachet's seamless integration with nature's natural rhythms, demonstrating the maker's extraordinary talent in both spiritual plants and crafting.

He looked up at his daughter, whose eyelashes trembled with nervousness, and a rare warmth welled up in his heart.

"I really like this gift."

"I'm glad Father likes it!" Fu Yongwu's voice was light and cheerful, with the unique excitement of a young girl.

Looking at his daughter's innocent smile, Fu Changsheng's gaze softened even more. He hesitated for a moment before speaking:

“You have an extraordinary talent for spiritual plants, and this item is just what you need.”

As he spoke, he flicked his sleeve, and the jade box, carved from millennia-old warm jade, appeared out of thin air and hovered in front of Fu Yongwu. The jade box opened on its own, revealing the vibrant green [Azure Emperor's Seed of Wood] inside, which seemed to breathe with life.

The moment the seed appeared, all the wooden furniture in the quiet room seemed to come alive. A spiritual plant in the corner, which had been somewhat withered, stood up at a speed visible to the naked eye and stretched out its leaves.

Fu Yongwu felt the extremely pure and pleasant life force of the Yi Wood element, which made every cell in her body feel comfortable and joyful, and her eyes widened instantly. Although she didn't recognize what it was, she instinctively knew that this strange seed had an unparalleled attraction for her.

"Father, what is this...?" She subconsciously took half a step forward, her eyes fixed on the seed of Dharma, her voice filled with longing and doubt.

"This is the [Yi Wood Azure Emperor's Dharma Seed], containing the ancient Azure Emperor's Daoist essence, a treasure coveted by all plant masters," Fu Changsheng explained. "Today, I, your father, will bestow it upon you."

"Give it to me?"

Fu Yongwu could hardly believe her ears. Her father had given such a precious treasure to her, whom she had just met?
"Sit cross-legged and calm your mind." Fu Changsheng's tone was calm yet carried an undeniable power. "I will assist you in refining and fusing."

Fu Yongwu suppressed his excitement and a trace of fear, and sat cross-legged on the futon opposite his father as instructed. He took a few deep breaths and tried to calm his turbulent emotions.

Seeing this, Fu Changsheng nodded slightly. He pointed his fingers like a sword and touched the [Azure Emperor Yi Wood Dharma Seed] from a distance. The Dharma Seed trembled slightly, transformed into a stream of light, and entered Fu Yongwu's sea of ​​consciousness between her brows.

"Concentrate your mind and look inward, guide its power, and resonate with it."

Fu Yongwu immediately closed his eyes and looked inward.

The verdant seed of Dharma floated in the center of her sea of ​​consciousness, radiating a gentle yet vast vitality. She tried to touch and guide it with her divine sense.

The power of the Dharma Seed was like a vast starry sea, making her feel insignificant.

But soon, her innate affinity for spiritual plants was activated, creating a wonderful resonance with the Daoist aura of the Azure Emperor of Wood emanating from the seed.

Her consciousness seemed to transform into a seedling, greedily absorbing the profound principles about the growth of plants and the workings of spiritual energy under the nourishment of the light of the Dharma Seed. The basic chapter of the "Azure Emperor's Spiritual Plant Chapter" transformed into countless green runes, flowing like a gentle stream into her memory and becoming a part of her instincts.

In this process.

Fu Changsheng continuously protected her sea of ​​consciousness with his powerful divine sense, and transformed pure chaotic magic power into the life force of Yi Wood, slowly injecting it into her body to help her stabilize her foundation and accelerate the fusion.

Time passed quietly.

A faint blue halo began to emanate from Fu Yongwu's body. Within the halo, faint shadowy figures of plants grew, blossomed, and bore fruit, endlessly repeating their cycle. Her already ethereal temperament was now imbued with a natural and profound charm, making her seem like a spirit from the mountains and forests.

After an unknown amount of time, the seed of Dharma in her sea of ​​consciousness completely settled down, established an unbreakable connection with her soul, and became a part of her body.

She slowly opened her eyes, a fleeting glint of emerald light flashing within them.

She felt that the whole world had become different in her eyes. She could clearly "hear" the subtle breathing of the flowers and plants outside the quiet room, and "see" the wood-attribute spiritual energy flowing in the air. Her perception of spiritual plants had reached an unprecedented level.

She stood up and bowed deeply to Fu Changsheng again, this time her voice filled with firmness and gratitude:

"Thank you, Father, for this blessing! I will certainly live up to this treasure and your expectations!"

Looking at the stable aura of the Dharma Seed on his daughter's body, and her increasingly clear and bright eyes, Fu Changsheng knew that the fusion had been very successful. With this [Azure Emperor Yi Wood Dharma Seed], Fu Yongwu's path to becoming a Spirit Plant Master would surely be smooth sailing, and the Fu family would soon welcome a fourth-tier Spirit Plant Master.

To advance to the fifth rank of a noble family, they only need one more fourth-rank craftsman.

...

...

at the same time.

After signing the contract to take over the northern foothills of Black Witch Village, Fu Changsheng only dispatched a calm and capable Foundation Establishment stage steward, along with a small team of Qi Refining stage clansmen, to take over the northern foothills bordering Black Witch Village.

This place is indeed barren on the surface. Apart from a patch of first-tier pine trees that are growing reasonably well, the spiritual energy is thin and there is nothing worth mentioning.

To outsiders, the Fu family's actions appeared more like a symbolic declaration of sovereignty and a way to save face. The Foundation Establishment deacon's main task was simply to establish a small outpost, conduct daily patrols, record the situation, and report to the family regularly.

For several months, the weather remained calm.

Although the Black Witch Village Holy Maiden had ordered an evacuation, out of her usual caution, she secretly planted several spies on the northern edge of the mountain to continuously monitor the Fu family's movements in the area.

Months later, the reports from the spies were remarkably consistent:
The Fu family members behaved in an orderly manner, exhibiting no unusual behavior other than routine patrols and the regular felling of a small amount of pine timber. There were no large-scale personnel movements, no trace of array formations, and no indication of deep underground exploration. That land remained silent and barren.

Having received these definite reports, the last trace of doubt in the saint's heart finally dissipated.

"It seems that Fu Changsheng was really just trying to save face for his family. I was overthinking it."

Right now, she has something more important to do—refining the Gu King that Wu Qi nurtured with his own life and essence.

This object has already taken shape and possesses formidable power. If she can completely control it, her strength will greatly increase, her position within the Black Witch Village will become more secure, and it may even... lay the foundation for a grander scheme in the future.

"Pass down the order: I am going into seclusion, and no one is to disturb me. The affairs of the stronghold shall be decided jointly by the left and right protectors for the time being."

Having given her instructions, the saintess vanished into the secret chamber deep within the altar, beginning a seclusion of unknown duration. The small, remote corner of the northern slope also faded completely from her sight.

...

...

Upon receiving confirmation from the spies lurking near the Black Witch Village that the Holy Maiden had officially gone into seclusion, a glint of light flashed in Fu Changsheng's eyes.

The time has come!

That night, the moon was hidden and the stars were few.

Fu Changsheng's figure appeared silently, like a ghost, on the northern slope that now belonged to the Fu family. The desolate forest was even more silent in the night, with only the sound of the pine trees rustling in the wind.

With a thought, a graceful figure appeared beside him; it was Qiu Niang.

"Set up the [Eight Directions Obscurity and Light Array] to conceal the unusual aura in this place."

"Yes, Master."

Qiu Niang accepted the order, her figure rising gracefully. Her hands formed hand seals, and array flags, guided by her slender fingers, precisely disappeared into the surrounding void. Moments later, an invisible ripple spread out, silently enveloping the space within a radius of several miles, isolating it from the outside world.

At the same time, a streak of azure light shot out from Fu Changsheng's sleeve, landing and transforming into a lively azure-faced white fox. It sniffed lightly, its eyes gleaming with a search for treasure. Without needing a command, it transformed into a azure shadow and swiftly disappeared into the dense vegetation below the cliff, beginning its search for the entrance to the ancient sword cultivator's cave mentioned in the intelligence.

Fu Changsheng stood with his hands behind his back on the edge of the cliff, his divine sense spreading out like a tide, carefully sensing the anomaly described in the system prompt as "concealed by thunder vines".

Ten days have passed.

The green shadows turned back.

The blue-faced white fox held a second-tier spirit herb, the Thunder Pattern Grass, which shimmered with faint lightning, in its mouth and placed it at Fu Changsheng's feet. It made a whimpering sound, indicating that it had only found this and had not found any trace of what appeared to be the entrance to the cave.

Fu Changsheng frowned slightly.

Even the blue-faced white fox, skilled at finding treasures, returned empty-handed.

He took a deep breath, and a chaotic light suddenly appeared in his eyes. He activated his [Clear Mind and Bright Vision] supernatural power to its limit, and his gaze swept over every inch of rock and every vine below the cliff as if it were a tangible object. The texture of the grass and trees, the veins of the rocks, and even the flow of the earth's energy were all crystal clear to him. However, he still did not find any fluctuations of any formation or any sign of a hidden entrance.

“The system information is never wrong…” Fu Changsheng’s gaze became serious as he carefully recalled every word of the system’s prompt: “The entrance is covered by thunder vines and can only be opened with the power of thunder.”

"Ray Vine... Thunder..."

He muttered to himself, a sudden inspiration flashing through his mind.

Since the entrance is related to the power of thunder, and the Chaos Beast is born with the ability to absorb and exhale chaos, and is most sensitive to all kinds of primordial energy, especially the violent aura of thunder, perhaps...

Having thought of this, he no longer hesitated, and his mind stirred slightly.

The void around me rippled.

A small, puppy-like Chaos Beast with an ancient aura leaped out. It affectionately rubbed against Fu Changsheng's trouser leg, then seemed to sense something, its nostrils flaring and emitting a soft "woof" sound, appearing somewhat excited.

"Go, find the source of the hidden thunderous aura here," Fu Changsheng ordered.

Upon receiving the order, the Chaos Beast swayed and did not rush towards the cliff face. Instead, it transformed into a blurry gray shadow and burrowed straight into the ground below the cliff, using its innate divine power to directly escape into the depths of the earth!

Fu Changsheng waited patiently.

He knew that if the cave entrance was so cleverly disguised that it could even fool his supernatural powers, its hiding place must be extremely cunning, perhaps not on the surface of the cliff, but deeper underground.

...

...

Eastern Wilderness, Luo Family Stronghold.

Inside the majestic council hall, the once somewhat empty scene was no longer there. The twenty-odd sandalwood chairs, carved with the Luo family crest, were now fully occupied. Streams of spiritual pressure, varying in strength but all belonging to the Golden Core level, subtly intertwined and collided within the hall, making the air inside feel exceptionally heavy.

A gathering of many, a veritable assembly of elixirs!

At the head of the table, Luo Tianyue, the clan patriarch, slowly swept his gaze over the dozen or so faces below—some composed, some sharp, some excited—and a surge of pride welled up within him. All of this stemmed from the trip to the Cangling Realm over a decade ago, during which the clan acquired a large number of spiritual items aiding in Core Formation. In the past ten years, clan members who had been stuck at the Pseudo-Core Formation stage for many years had broken through their bottlenecks with the help of these items, resulting in the emergence of over a dozen Golden Core cultivators!
The Luo family's power has entered an unprecedented period of expansion.

"Gentlemen," Luo Tianyue's loud voice broke the solemn silence in the hall, "I'm sure you all have a guess as to why I've summoned you all today."

He paused, his tone turning serious:
"The number of Golden Core cultivators in our clan has increased dramatically, which is a cause for great joy. However, every blessing has its curse. With so many Golden Core cultivators, the resources they consume for cultivation every day are enormous. The few mines and herb gardens we currently control are already stretched thin. Holding onto our existing resources is not a long-term solution!"

"Furthermore," he raised his voice, tinged with fervor, "if my Luo family wishes to advance further and become a fourth-rank aristocratic family, meritorious service in the imperial court is a mandatory requirement, indispensable! For decades, we have been lying low and patiently studying the protective array of the Tianyin tribe day and night, and have long since figured out its operating rules and spiritual energy nodes! Moreover, more than a decade ago, we already grasped a key flaw in its array!"

He slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair, stood up abruptly, and roared, "The time has come! It's time to show the Luo family's fangs to the Tianyin tribe!"

The atmosphere inside the hall was instantly ignited, and many newly promoted Golden Core cultivators showed excitement and eagerness on their faces.

Just then, a clear, cold voice rang out, like the dripping of an icy spring, causing the lively atmosphere to freeze slightly.

“Clan Chief,” Luo Haitang, who sat at the head of the left, spoke up. Her appearance remained the same, but her brows showed a greater sense of composure. “I have no objection to attacking the Tianyin Tribe. However, for the sake of safety, I propose once again that we form an alliance with the Fu family and launch a joint attack.”

She looked calmly at Luo Tianyue:
"The Tianyin Tribe has been in seclusion for nearly a century, making it difficult for outsiders to discern their true strength. If they have another secret channel through which new Golden Core cultivators have emerged during this period, the destructive power they can unleash, relying on their well-established and powerful protective mountain array, would be considerable. If the war goes wrong, even if we win, we will likely suffer heavy losses. At that time, if other covetous Golden Core tribes in the Eastern Wilderness take advantage of the situation, my Luo family may face annihilation."

She leaned forward slightly, her tone sincere:

"The Fu family's combat strength is evident to all, and Fu Changsheng even once reversed the death of a fake infant. If we can join forces with them and use their formidable strength to intimidate all sides, this worry can be dispelled, and we will be more confident in breaking through the Tianyin tribe."

"Humph!"

Before Luo Tianyue could speak, a newly promoted Golden Core elder who was subordinate to him couldn't help but sneer:
"Elder, you're giving others too much credit! Before the Tianyin Tribe went into seclusion, they only had one Golden Core cultivator. During their seclusion, there were no signs of Golden Core formation. How could they suddenly have another Golden Core cultivator out of thin air?"

Luo Tianyue raised his hand to stop the elder from speaking, but his gaze toward Luo Haitang carried undisguised arrogance and a hint of contempt. Since he took over the family, especially after the gains in the Cangling Realm, the Luo family's power had been rising steadily and was no longer comparable to what it used to be.

"Elder Haitang," Luo Tianyue's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority, "I understand your concerns. But more than a decade ago, I did give the Fu family a chance, but Fu Changsheng was ungrateful and made exorbitant demands, which is why the alliance was called off. Now, my Luo family is strong and well-equipped, with enough Golden Core cultivators to break through the Heavenly Yin Formation. Why should we still have to consider the Fu family's feelings?"

He walked to the center of the hall, surveyed the crowd, and his tone grew colder:
"Moreover, the resources in the Eastern Wilderness are limited. If the Fu family takes this opportunity to intervene in the Tianyin Tribe, and even gain a firm foothold in the Eastern Wilderness and greatly increase their strength, how much will be left for us? With the balance of power shifting, when will our Luo family be able to rise to prominence?"

Seeing that Luo Haitang seemed about to speak again, he waved his hand, adopting an attitude of readily accepting advice:
"However, Elder Haitang's words are not without merit. In that case, to be fair, let all the Golden Core elders present vote on whether to form an alliance with the Fu family to jointly attack Tianyin!"

The result is no suspense.

Almost all the newly promoted Golden Core cultivators over the past decade or so have been cultivated or promoted by Luo Tianyue, their interests already intertwined. Even if some of them felt that Luo Haitang's words were more prudent, they could only choose to agree when faced with the choice of sides and the clan leader's power.

"The patriarch is wise! Our Luo family is strong enough to monopolize Tianyin; why should we share it with others?"

"Exactly! If the Fu family comes, it will only cause more trouble!"

"Voting? I don't think that's necessary. Let's discuss how to attack!"

The voices of agreement rose and fell, almost unanimously supporting Luo Tianyue.

Luo Tianyue nodded in satisfaction, his gaze sweeping over Luo Haitang, whose face had darkened and who remained silent. A sense of satisfaction flashed through his heart. This elder, who had once been his equal in the clan, was gradually losing influence in the face of Luo Tianyue's absolute power and authority.

"Very well!" Luo Tianyue waved his hand, his voice resounding throughout the hall, "Since everyone agrees, the alliance is off! Next, we will discuss in detail how to crush Tianyin Mountain with overwhelming force!"

...

...

Yulin Prefecture, on the northern slope.

Fu Changsheng waited for several months.

Just when Fu Changsheng was about to think that this road was also blocked, a slight tremor came from the ground beneath his feet.

Rumble!
The ground not far ahead suddenly bulged and cracked open, and amidst the flying dust, the Chaos Beast charged out first. Immediately afterwards, a dazzling purple lightning burst forth from the crack in the ground!

Several meters deep underground, a cluster of extremely lush purple vines, wrapped in raging electric snakes, was growing! These lightning vines were completely different from the withered camouflage on the cliff face; they were full of vitality, and each one contained pure lightning power. They intertwined with each other, forming a natural barrier.

Behind the Thunder Vine Barrier, what was faintly visible was not a simple opening, but a smooth, mirror-like wall of light engraved with countless complex and profound runes! The wall of light shimmered with color and emitted powerful and ancient array fluctuations, tightly sealing off everything behind it.

"It really is here!" Fu Changsheng's eyes flashed with joy as he patted the Chaos Beast's head approvingly. This entrance was hidden deep underground and protected by such a powerful formation; no wonder it was so difficult to find.

"Qiu Niang," he called softly.

The figure of the array master Qiu Niang reappeared. When she saw the runic light wall, her beautiful eyes immediately blazed with intense interest and a desire for challenge.

“Master, this formation is ancient and ingenious. A single move can affect the whole thing. A forceful attack might cause it to self-destruct. We must proceed slowly and find the key to its operation before we can break it,” Qiu Niang said solemnly after careful observation.

"It's alright, go ahead and do whatever you need. Just say what you need to support you." Fu Changsheng stood with his hands behind his back, protecting him.

...

...

As expected of a master of formations, Qiu Niang, after months of tireless deduction and testing, finally found the most crucial energy nodes of this ancient formation on a clear, moonlit night. Her fingers flew, casting hundreds of exquisite hand seals, precisely severing the spiritual energy connections between the nodes as skillfully as a butcher dissecting an ox.

"Om-"

With a long, soft hum, the smooth, mirror-like light wall, covered in flowing runes, began to fluctuate violently. Its light quickly dimmed, and finally, like a shattered mirror, it dissipated into specks of spiritual light in the air, revealing an ancient and heavy stone door behind it.

The stone gate was neither gold nor stone; it was engraved with a simple yet profound sword mark that exuded a sharp sword pressure, clearly indicating that it could not be opened by brute force.

Fu Changsheng tried to push the stone gate with his magic power, but it didn't budge. Instead, the sword mark seemed to retaliate.

"It seems that we need to overcome skill with force, or use the power of the same origin to open it." Fu Changsheng thought to himself, and summoned the Chaos Beast again, "to devour this gate."

Upon receiving the command, the Chaos Beast's body suddenly expanded, opening its maw, which seemed capable of containing heaven and earth. An invisible force of devouring enveloped the entire stone door. Chaotic energy permeated the air, and the sword marks on the stone door flickered fiercely, attempting to resist. However, under the domineering power of the Chaos Beast's innate divine ability, it ultimately could not maintain its resistance.

"Click..."

A faint cracking sound rang out, and the entire stone door, along with the sword marks on it, was forcibly devoured and decomposed by the Chaos Beast, transforming into the purest primordial energy. A deep entrance was now fully revealed.

However, the moment the stone door was broken, it seemed as if some balance that had been maintained for eternity was shattered, and a series of soft "poof" sounds came from inside the cave.

The master and servant stepped inside and saw that many items that might have been displayed in the stone chambers at the entrance, such as wooden shelves, futons, and ordinary scrolls, instantly lost all their spirituality upon contact with the outside air. They weathered and crumbled at a visible speed, eventually turning into ashes. Only a few items made of special spiritual jade and metal were preserved, but their spiritual light had dimmed.

Fu Changsheng was not surprised. Over such a long period of time, if it weren't for the powerful formation that isolated the inside from the outside, the entire cave would probably have completely decayed long ago.

He scanned the cave with his divine sense and found that it was quite large, with a main passage connecting more than twenty stone chambers with different functions.

"Investigate one by one."

"Yes, Master"

Qiu Niang obeyed the order.

The alchemy furnace in the alchemy room was broken, and several well-preserved jade bottles on the nearby jade shelf contained a few long-ineffective, rock-like pills. However, in an inconspicuous hidden compartment in the corner, a jade slip containing several unique pill formulas (including a powerful [Sword Essence Pill]) was found, which was quite valuable.

The fire in the weapon-refining room had long since died out, and the forging table was covered in dust. In a crevices in the wall, a small piece of [Gengjin Essence] that had not yet lost its spiritual essence was found, along with half of a tattered copy of the "Metal Refining Manual".

Most of the talisman paper and spirit ink in the talisman-making room had turned to ashes. Only one purple talisman, sealed by a special crystal, remained intact, its sword intent emanating from it, resembling a powerful [Ancient Sword Talisman].

The array room is relatively well-preserved. There is a small array plate in the center, and some array flags and a large number of jade slips containing array insights and unique array diagrams are scattered around it. To Qiu Niang, they are like priceless treasures.

The spirit beast pen was empty, containing only a few fossilized spirit beast skeletons, which were of no value.

The Spirit Herb Garden is the most regrettable place. It may have once been planted with rare spiritual herbs, but now only a patch of dry, cracked spiritual soil remains, and all the herbs have withered and turned to ash. However, at the core of the small spirit-gathering array that sustains the life of the spiritual field, there are three fist-sized, almost depleted [high-grade spirit stones]. Although their spiritual power is almost gone, their material and research value are extremely high.

In addition, there are a library, a meditation room, a storage room, and so on.

Although the harvest was not as plentiful of rare treasures as imagined, the items that have survived the long years, whether they are alchemical formulas, weapon manuals, array diagrams, sword talismans, or ancient materials and books, are of immeasurable value in terms of knowledge and their contribution to the Fu family's heritage.

Fu Changsheng's gaze finally settled on the deepest part of the main passage, on the most ancient and subtly mysterious stone door. That must be where the true core of the cave's owner's legacy resided.

……

Qiu Niang stepped forward, observed carefully for a long time, frowned slightly, and turned to report:

“Master, the unusual formation on this door is more like a ‘sword intent certification.’ The person who set up the formation integrated their supreme sword intent into the stone door structure. Unless one belongs to the same sword path and has reached a certain level in the sword path, causing one’s own sword intent to resonate with it, forcibly breaking the door may cause the residual sword intent to backfire, and may even destroy the things inside.”

Fu Changsheng nodded slightly, not surprised by this.

Ancient sword cultivators were often aloof and solitary, and their inheritance was naturally more demanding.

He stepped forward and stood before the stone gate, a thought flashing through his mind. A strange, three-leafed herb, radiating spiritual light, appeared above his head—the Nine-Leaf Sword Herb!
The moment the sword fungus appeared, a pure and sharp sword intent filled the entire passage. Fu Changsheng held his breath and focused his mind, fully activating the Nine-Leaf Sword Fungus, releasing his understanding of the sword without reservation, transforming it into an invisible torrent of sword intent that slowly touched the stone door.

"Om-"

The engraving on the stone gate seemed to come alive, suddenly radiating a warm and ancient glow that resonated and blended with the sword intent emanating from the Nine-Leaf Sword Fungus. A sense of identity that transcended countless ages arose spontaneously.

Rumble…

The heavy stone door emitted a low rumble and slowly opened inward, letting the dust that had accumulated over countless years fall down.

The scene behind the door came into view, but it carried a sense of desolation.

In the center of the stone chamber, on a futon, sat a corpse long since weathered into skeletal remains, almost crumbling at the slightest touch. Only the seemingly ordinary gray robe draped over the body remained intact despite the passage of time, faintly emanating a subtle, eerie light, revealing its extraordinary nature. A longsword lay horizontally across the corpse's knees.

However, the sword's current state is truly regrettable—

The sword was covered in dark red rust, devoid of any spiritual energy, like ordinary iron, and no longer possessed any of its former sharpness. Clearly, after the cave's formation failed, the long passage of time had ultimately eroded the ancient sword's spiritual essence.

hum!
Just as Fu Changsheng's gaze swept over the rusty sword, the Nine-Leaf Sword Fungus hovering above his head suddenly trembled and emitted a joyful buzz! It seemed to sense some unknown essence deep within the rusty sword, and suddenly burst out with a powerful devouring force. A dazzling sword light shot out from the fungus leaves, enveloping the rusty sword like a tentacle.

"Huh? This ancient sword is still useful?"

Under his astonished gaze.

The seemingly completely ruined ancient sword rapidly decomposed and dissolved in the sword light of the Nine-Leaf Sword Mushroom, transforming into an extremely pure and ancient primordial sword intent and an unknown metallic essence, which was greedily absorbed by the Nine-Leaf Sword Mushroom.

The process of devouring lasted for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

boom!
When the last trace of rusty sword matter was completely absorbed, the Nine-Leaf Sword Fungus shone brightly, and its aura suddenly soared!
The fourth leaf became solid and full at a speed visible to the naked eye, eventually becoming indistinguishable from the other three leaves, with clear veins and a chilling sword intent!

"What an unexpected bonus!"

He clearly sensed that after the Nine-Leaf Sword Mushroom devoured the remains of the ancient sword cultivator's natal sword, it not only replenished itself, but its core essence was also greatly enhanced and sublimated.

The most direct manifestation of this is that when he uses the secret technique of consuming lifespan to summon ancient famous swords in the future, the cost will be greatly reduced!
"In the past, summoning a famous sword and maintaining it for a quarter of an hour required ten years of lifespan. Now... it only takes three years!" Fu Changsheng's eyes gleamed. This improvement was enormous in enhancing his combat abilities!
Although he failed to obtain a complete ancient divine weapon, the transformation of the Nine-Leaf Sword Fungus was undoubtedly one of the greatest gains from this trip to the cave. His gaze finally settled on the only intact gray robe.

(End of this chapter)