Family Rise: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 626 Orphan, Possession, Arranged Marriage
Wulian Mountain, a hidden cave.

The array outside the cave rippled slightly, and then quietly opened a portal.

Surrounded by two vigilant bodyguards, the Ninth Prince stepped into the cave. His gaze immediately fell on the two Nascent Soul cultivators inside, whose auras were profound and imposing, and his pupils involuntarily contracted slightly.

"Mr. Zuo, Mr. You?" The Ninth Prince's tone carried a hint of astonishment. "Weren't you two released from your contracts and given your freedom by my brother decades ago?"

These two were the most trusted left and right protectors of his seventh brother, the Seventh Prince!
He possesses profound spiritual cultivation and is utterly loyal.

Their departure back then made many people feel sorry for the Seven Princes' Mansion.

The left and right protectors exchanged a glance. The left protector stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said in a deep voice:
“Ninth Master, you are wise. The old master’s arrangement back then was actually a cover-up to prevent any unforeseen events. We never truly left; we were always ordered to secretly protect the young master.”

"Little Lord?"

The Ninth Prince's gaze sharpened, and he immediately turned to the thin, veiled young man who had been facing away from him.

At this moment, the young man slowly turned around, tremblingly raised his hand, and removed the black veil from his face.

A pale, haggard face, yet still retaining a handsome outline, was revealed. What shocked the Ninth Prince even more was that the young man's brows bore a striking resemblance to his Seventh Brother from his memories!

Especially their nose bridge and lip shape, they are almost identical.

The young man, forcing himself to stand up, was about to perform a grand salute to the Ninth Prince, his voice hoarse yet carrying a clear address:
"Nephew...pays respects to Imperial Grand Uncle."

"Stop the ceremony!"

The Ninth Prince hurriedly stepped forward to help him up, and upon seeing the face that was both familiar and unfamiliar at close range, he was already seven or eight parts convinced. Holding the young man's cold hand, he could clearly feel the lingering, heavy aura of death, and his heart ached.

The Left Protector explained in a timely manner:
“Ninth Master, this is the eldest grandson of the old master, whose given name is ‘Jin’. Back then, the old master felt that the political situation was treacherous and that the Prince’s Mansion was too powerful to be noticed. He was afraid that his bloodline would be lost, so he made this move in secret, ordering the two of us to secretly take the young master away from the Prince’s Mansion and secretly raise him for the future. Even the young master’s birth mother and younger brother were unaware of this matter.”

Upon hearing the whole story, the Ninth Prince felt enlightened, but at the same time, a wave of sorrow welled up within him.

Brother Wang, back then, you were so farsighted and yet so fraught with danger!
He carefully examined his nephew Zhou Jin's face. For some reason, besides the shadow of his elder brother, he always felt that there seemed to be a trace of another person in the boy's eyes... someone he vaguely remembered, but couldn't quite recall who it was.

However, now was not the time to delve into it, so he suppressed his doubts for the time being.

"Jin'er," the Ninth Prince's tone softened considerably as he helped Zhou Jin sit down, "Why did you risk bringing your imperial uncle here? Is it because of this... strange illness you have?"

Zhou Jin nodded, a pleading look on her pale face:
"My great-uncle, you are wise. My illness is caused by accidentally coming into contact with an ancient evil object. My life force is constantly being drained, and ordinary elixirs and cultivation methods are no longer effective. We have consulted many famous doctors, and the only way is... the only way is to enter the royal family's secret place, the 'Dragon Transformation Pool,' and use the ancestral dragon's energy and endless vitality contained in the pool to cleanse the evil and rebuild my foundation, giving me a glimmer of hope."

He raised his head, his eyes filled with a final glimmer of hope as he looked at the Ninth Prince:
“I know this matter is extremely difficult. The Dragon Transformation Pool is a sacred place for the royal family, and even ordinary members of the imperial clan find it difficult to enter. But I… I am truly unwilling to perish here, failing my grandfather’s high expectations and letting down the two guardians who have protected me for decades. I earnestly request my royal uncle… to put in a good word for me before Her Highness the Princess and ask for an opportunity to enter the Dragon Transformation Pool!”

After saying that, he struggled to get up and bow again.

The Ninth Prince quickly pressed him down, looking into the mixture of despair and hope in his nephew's eyes, and sensing the precarious life force within him, he made his decision. He sighed heavily and patted Zhou Jin's hand:
"Child, rest assured. Your imperial grand-uncle... will certainly do everything in his power to resolve this matter!"

...

...

The study of the Ninth Prince's residence.

The flickering candlelight illuminated the solemn and weary face of the Ninth Prince.

He briefly told the head steward, who was standing by, about his trip to Wulian Mountain and Zhou Jin's request.

After listening, the head steward frowned deeply, his gray eyebrows furrowing. After a moment of contemplation, he bowed and offered his advice:
"Your Highness, this matter... requires careful consideration!"

He looked up at the Ninth Prince, his tone filled with deep worry:
"The Seven Princes' Mansion was involved in the collusion with the Western Demonic Sect back then. Although they were not fully convicted, it left a stain on His Majesty's and the court officials' minds. The Crown Prince's faction is also eyeing this matter covetously. If you were to step forward now to seek the opportunity of the Dragon Transformation Pool for your grandson, it might give them a handle to attack you for having close ties with the descendants of the 'criminal princes,' and it could even implicate Her Highness the Eldest Princess. The consequences would be unimaginable!"

He paused, then posed a more practical question:
"Furthermore, Your Highness, you may not know this, but the Dragon Transformation Pool... was almost completely drained of its accumulated dragon energy and vitality by the now-famous Fu Changsheng thirty years ago during a chance encounter. According to news from the palace, the Dragon Transformation Pool's essence has been damaged, and it will probably be difficult to reopen it for nearly a hundred years. Even if Her Highness the Princess were willing to speak up out of kinship, it would be absolutely impossible to accomplish this!"

Upon hearing this, the Ninth Prince frowned, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table.

The steward's words were all reasonable, especially the point that the Dragon Transformation Pool could not be opened, which almost extinguished Zhou Jin's greatest hope. He could almost see the faint flame that had just ignited in the child's eyes being extinguished again.

"Are we... just going to watch our brother's only direct descendant wither away like this?" The Ninth Prince's voice was low, filled with resentment and regret. "I... cannot do it!"

Seeing that his master's mind was unyielding, the head steward grew anxious, fearing that he might act impulsively and follow in the footsteps of the Seventh Prince. He suddenly remembered something and hurriedly said:
"Your Highness! Perhaps... perhaps there is another way!"

The Ninth Prince suddenly looked up: "What method?"

The head butler lowered his voice:

"When I was young, I had the opportunity to meet an outer sect deacon from the 'Valley of Divine Physicians,' and we had a brief but intimate relationship. Although the Valley of Divine Physicians is secluded and does not frequent the world, their medical skills are profound, and they are especially adept at treating all kinds of strange diseases and poisons. Perhaps... they have an alternative treatment?"

"Divine Doctor Valley?"

A glimmer of surprise and hope flashed in the eyes of the Ninth Prince.

He never expected that his seemingly ordinary steward would have such hidden connections. He had naturally heard of the Valley of Divine Physicians; it was a transcendent force that even the royal family had to show respect to, but its members rarely traveled outside and were difficult to find.

"Is this really true?" The Ninth Prince grabbed the steward's arm.

"This old servant dares not deceive Your Highness! However... so many years have passed, I wonder if that steward is still in the valley, or if he still cherishes our past relationship. Moreover, the rules of the Divine Healer Valley are strange, and the cost of seeking medical treatment must be exorbitant..." the steward told the truth.

"We have to give it a try, no matter what!"

The Ninth Prince spoke resolutely, his eyes rekindling with fighting spirit:
"Steward, I entrust this matter to you! Whatever needs to be done, whatever the price, just say the word. I will do everything in my power to secure a chance for Jin'er's survival!"

"This old servant...yes!" The head steward bowed deeply, a resolute look on his face. "This old servant will immediately go and find a way to make the contact, and will certainly not fail Your Highness's trust!"

Watching the steward's hurried departure, the Ninth Prince took a deep breath, his gaze hardening once more. The path to the Dragon Transformation Pool was blocked; this mysterious Valley of Divine Healers was his nephew Zhou Jin's last hope.

...

...

After seeing off the head steward, the Ninth Prince paced alone in his study, Zhou Jin's pale yet familiar face constantly appearing in his mind.

The features between his brows, apart from his deceased seventh brother, always reminded him of another person, someone he should know but couldn't quite place.

This vague feeling made him restless.

He abruptly stopped and called out in a deep voice, "Someone come here!"

A shadow guard appeared silently in the corner of the study.

"Send the head of the intelligence hall to come see me immediately."

"Yes!"

Before an incense stick had burned long enough, a middle-aged cultivator dressed in a blue robe with a capable-looking face strode into the study and bowed respectfully.

"I see you, Your Majesty."

The Ninth Prince didn't beat around the bush and asked directly:
"Regarding Zhou Jin, the eldest grandson of the deceased Seventh Prince, who was his birth mother? Bring me all the files and information you know."

Although the head of the intelligence department was somewhat puzzled as to why the prince suddenly asked about this, he dared not be negligent and immediately took out a jade slip from his storage bag, presenting it with both hands:
"Your Highness, here is the information about Zhou Jin's birth mother. Because it involves the past affairs of the Seventh Prince's Mansion and is related to the Fu family, I had already compiled and filed it before."

The Ninth Prince took the jade slip and immersed his consciousness into it.

A moment later, a look of realization mixed with complex emotions appeared on his face.

The jade slip records:
Zhou Jin's birth mother was Fu Yongning, the daughter of Fu Changsheng, the head of the Fu family, a sixth-rank noble family.

This woman married into the Seventh Prince's mansion and was later rumored to have died of illness. However, subsequent investigations revealed that the late former Princess Consort (the Seventh Prince's principal wife) coveted something on Fu Yongning's body (the specifics of which are marked "doubtful, possibly related to a secret of the Fu family"), and abused and imprisoned her for several years, causing Fu Yongning to suffer physical and mental trauma and nearly die.

The Fu family later discovered this, and the matriarch of the Fu family, Liu Meizhen, took decisive action and rescued Fu Yongning from the Seventh Prince's mansion.

After being rescued and brought back to the Fu family, Fu Yongning, with the help of the Fu family's profound resources and his father Fu Changsheng's methods, not only recovered from his injuries but also broke through to the Golden Core stage in one fell swoop, and now holds a respected position in the Fu family.

Upon seeing this, the Ninth Prince slowly put down the jade slip, let out a long sigh, and a knowing glint flashed in his eyes.

“So that’s how it is… Fu Yongning, Fu Changsheng’s daughter…” he murmured to himself. The slightly familiar yet unfamiliar features of Zhou Jin in his mind finally overlapped with the face of Fu Yongfan, whom he had imprisoned in the dungeon.

Yes, it was that sharpness when her eyebrows were slightly raised, and the unyielding and resilient spirit hidden deep in her eyes. Although Zhou Jin appeared frail due to her long illness, the contours of her being could not lie.

"A nephew resembles his uncle..." A bitter yet knowing smile appeared on the Ninth Prince's lips. "This child really does resemble his uncle..."

The Ninth Prince sat alone in his study for a long time.

He got up without disturbing too many people, and with only two trusted confidants, he returned to the hidden dungeon.

Deep inside the dungeon, Fu Yongfan remained imprisoned by black iron chains against the cold stone wall.

Decades of imprisonment have etched the marks of time and weariness onto his face, turning his temples white and wrinkles appearing at the corners of his eyes.

However, when the Ninth Prince walked in, the uprightness and integrity unique to scholars in his eyes had not been diminished in the slightest. On the contrary, with the passage of time, they revealed a calm and resilient strength.

He looked at the Ninth Prince without angry rebuke or humble pleading, but calmly met his gaze, as if he were not the one imprisoned.

Looking at Fu Yongfan, the Ninth Prince felt that his initial feelings, which stemmed from curiosity and possessiveness, had unknowingly changed over the years of confrontation. He had seen too many people who flattered and fawned over him for power and resources, but he had rarely seen someone like Fu Yongfan, who remained upright and true to himself even in dire straits.

This perseverance and integrity gradually transformed his initial displeasure into admiration, and even... a touch of emotion that he himself was unwilling to delve into.

Now, with Zhou Jin's connection to this...

The Ninth Prince remained silent for a moment, then waved his hand.

A trusted aide stepped forward and used a specially made token to unlock the heavy black iron chains.

The clanging of the chains hitting the ground was exceptionally clear in the silent dungeon. Fu Yongfan stretched his stiff wrists, looked at the Ninth Prince, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes, but he still didn't speak.

"Come with me." The Ninth Prince's voice was calm, revealing no emotion.

He did not release Fu Yongfan, but instead led him away from the dungeon to a secluded and isolated courtyard deep within the palace. The courtyard was surrounded by a powerful barrier, clearly still restricting freedom, but the pavilions, bridges, and streams inside were filled with spiritual energy far exceeding that of the outside world, a world apart from the dark and damp dungeon.

"From this day forward, you will live here."

The Ninth Prince looked at Fu Yongfan, his tone carrying an unquestionable air of authority:

"I will have all the resources you need for cultivation delivered on time. You... rest here and recover your cultivation."

Fu Yongfan surveyed the exquisite yet still cage-like space, then looked at the Ninth Prince, his brow furrowed, remaining silent. He couldn't understand why this eccentric prince had suddenly changed his attitude.

The Ninth Prince seemed to sense his confusion, but instead of explaining Zhou Jin's matter, he simply said:

"Fu Yongfan, I admire your integrity. All that has happened before is my way of making amends to you."

After saying this, the Ninth Prince said no more and turned to leave, leaving Fu Yongfan alone in the courtyard, his expression complicated and thoughtful.

Watching the departing figure of the Ninth Prince, Fu Yongfan felt the long-lost abundant spiritual energy around him. Recalling the words "owe" and "compensate," he felt little joy, but rather a deeper sense of vigilance and doubt.

What exactly does this prince intend to do?
What purpose lies behind this seemingly advantageous house arrest?
But he knew that, no matter what, restoring his strength was the key to dealing with all the uncertainties. He took a deep breath of the rich spiritual energy, sat cross-legged on the futon in the courtyard, and began to circulate his cultivation technique. Since resources had been delivered, he would use them to restore his cultivation first, and then plan for the future.

...

...

Snow-capped mountains, snow-covered cliffs.

The biting wind whipped up piles of snow.

Braving the wind and snow, Yu Lian and her senior sister finally arrived at the hidden cave dwelling deep in the Wanxue Mountain – the Wind and Snow Cliff.

The cave dwelling was not luxuriously decorated, but contained only simple stone tables and benches. An elderly woman with white hair was sitting cross-legged on a futon with her eyes closed.

Her breath was weak, her face withered, as if she might melt into the swirling snow at any moment. This person was none other than True Monarch Wuchen's senior sister—True Monarch Xuanbing.

Upon hearing footsteps, Xuanbing Zhenjun slowly opened his eyes.

When her gaze fell upon Yu Lian, a barely perceptible glint of greed and fervor flashed deep within her seemingly murky eyes, like a lurking viper spotting its perfect prey.

The eldest sister stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "Uncle-Master, the person has been brought."

Xuanbing Zhenjun nodded slightly, his gaze fixed on Yu Lian, and spoke in a hoarse voice:
"Not bad... Xuanbing Spirit Body, solid foundation, truly a one-in-a-million talent... a good seedling."

Yu Lian felt the scrutinizing gaze and was somewhat uncomfortable, but remembering her master's instructions, she still bowed respectfully.
"Disciple Yulian greets her senior master."

"Get up." Xuanbing Zhenjun forced a seemingly kind smile on his face. "Junior Sister Wuchen has already explained the reason in her letter. She said that my 'Ten Thousand Snow Returning to the Source Technique' is an ancient secret technique that can only be passed down by those with the Xuanbing spiritual body. She couldn't bear to see it lost, so she sent you here."

She paused, her tone carrying a hint of coaxing:
"Child, are you willing to inherit my mantle? I am willing to impart all the knowledge I have acquired in my life!"

Yu Lian had no doubts; she only felt that this senior master, like her master, was a cold-faced but warm-hearted elder. Being able to fulfill her master's wish and obtain a powerful inheritance in return, she was naturally willing. She bowed again:

"This disciple is willing! I will certainly live up to the high expectations of my master and senior!"

"Good! Very good!" A hint of triumph flashed in Xuanbing Zhenjun's eyes. She gestured for Yulian to step forward. "In that case, I will personally lay the foundation for you and help you switch to cultivating the 'Ten Thousand Snows Returning to the Source Technique'!"

Yu Lian, unsuspecting of any trickery, followed his instructions and sat down cross-legged.

Xuanbing Zhenjun's withered hand pressed against Yulian's back, and an extremely cold and sinister power, originating from the same source as her own Xuanbing spiritual power yet even more unpredictable, quietly flowed into Yulian's body. This power did not harm Yulian; instead, it seemed to plant some kind of hidden mark in her meridians and golden core, and began to subtly modify her spiritual power attributes, making them more compatible with the so-called "Ten Thousand Snows Returning to the Source Technique".

Yu Lian felt a chill run through her body, as if even her soul was being frozen. But thinking of the difficulty of inheriting the technique, she gritted her teeth and endured it, assuming it was due to the special nature of the cultivation method. The senior sister watched quietly from the side, her eyes lowered, concealing a trace of complexity and reluctance deep within them, but this was quickly replaced by absolute obedience.

This was the order from Master Wuchen Zhenjun, and also the opportunity that Master Xuanbing Zhenjun had been waiting for for hundreds of years—a perfectly fitting, young body with the Xuanbing spirit body to carry her soul, which was about to burn out.

The so-called "Ten Thousand Snows Returning to the Source Technique" is nothing more than a trap technique meticulously crafted by True Monarch Xuanbing for the perfect possession of her body! The deeper one cultivates, the closer the connection with her origin becomes, and the higher the degree of soul compatibility, until finally... one is completely reduced to a vessel tailor-made for her!

The entire process lasted for several hours.

When True Monarch Xuanbing withdrew his hand, Yu Lian's face turned even paler, but her spiritual power seemed to have condensed slightly, and her perception of the ice-type laws had become much clearer. She simply attributed this to the initial effects of the inheritance, and her heart was filled with gratitude towards her master and senior uncle.

"Thank you very much, Senior Uncle!" Yu Lian said respectfully.

Xuanbing Zhenjun looked at her with satisfaction, as if admiring a work of art that was about to be completed: "Hmm, the foundation has been laid. After you go back, diligently practice the techniques I have taught you, and when you have mastered the techniques..." Her words were meaningful, carrying a hint of expectation that Yulian could not understand.

"Your disciple will remember your master's teachings!"

Meanwhile, far away in the Ice Palace of True Monarch Wuchen in the Twin Moon Palace.

Through an ice mirror, she could clearly see everything that was happening at the Snowstorm Cliff.

Seeing Yu Lian's complete trust and diligent cultivation, a very subtle struggle appeared for the first time on her usually calm face, but it vanished in an instant, replaced by a cold and resolute expression.

"Senior sister, I have prepared the container you requested..." she murmured to herself, her voice echoing in the empty ice palace, "Don't... disappoint me."

For her senior sister to continue the Great Dao, and for Shuangyue Palace to have another Nascent Soul True Monarch at his peak, sacrificing a disciple... was worthwhile. She told herself this, forcibly suppressing the ripples that shouldn't have arisen in her heart.

...

...

At the ancestral home of the Luo family, white lanterns hung high, swaying in the wind and casting a pale glow.

The once majestic council hall was now shrouded in a somber atmosphere.

More than twenty Golden Core cultivators perished at Tianyin Mountain, including Clan Chief Luo Tianyue, nearly breaking the backbone of the Luo family in one fell swoop. Although the young Clan Chief Luo Hao managed to escape and return, barely maintaining the core of the family, a persistent cloud of sorrow and anxiety still hung over the ancestral land.

Luo Hao sat below the main seat that originally belonged to his father, his face pale, but his eyes held a sense of shock and resentment at surviving a disaster.

He listened to the elders discussing the next steps in hushed tones, and his heart turned cold.

With his father dead and so many uncles and elders dead, the once-great Luo family now has to rely on him, a "defeated general" who has only recently broken through to the Golden Core stage and has lost his stronghold in the Eastern Wilderness.

at this time.

A trusted clansman strode in, bringing earth-shattering news:

"Young Master! Elders! We have just received a secret report from the Eastern Wilderness! Fu Changsheng, the head of the Fu family, has almost completely annihilated the main force of the invading Vermilion Bird Tribe outside Tianlang Mountain, using formations and unpredictable methods! He has killed more than fifteen Golden Core cultivators, and even the fake Infant chieftain Chi Liao was seriously injured and fled! The Vermilion Bird Tribe... has suffered a great loss of strength!"

"what?!"

"Is this true?!"

The main hall erupted in chaos. The previously lifeless elders all raised their heads, their eyes gleaming with disbelief.

Luo Hao stood up abruptly, a flush of excitement rising on his pale face, and his breathing became heavy.

"Good! Good! Fu Changsheng... Well done!" He slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair, and the flame of ambition rekindled in his eyes.

He paced rapidly, his voice trembling slightly with excitement:
"Elders! You have all heard this! The main force of the Vermilion Bird Tribe has been wiped out, and now only two Golden Core cultivators remain to guard our stronghold in the Eastern Wilderness! This is a golden opportunity for us to reclaim our ancestral land and restore our foundation!"

His gaze swept over everyone present, and his tone became resolute:

"My mind is made up. I will immediately head to Tianlang Mountain to pay a visit to Patriarch Fu! I will request that the Fu family send troops to help my Luo family reclaim our stronghold in the Eastern Wilderness!"

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent for a moment. Then, the most senior clan elder, with white hair and beard, frowned slightly and spoke:

“Young Master, shouldn’t we reconsider this matter? The Fu family is currently at the height of its power and is not what it used to be. Although we have some kinship with the Fu family, it would be rather presumptuous to directly ask them for military assistance. In my opinion, it would be better to wait for Elder Haitang and Elder Yongxuan to return from the Eastern Wilderness, and have Elder Yongxuan… with her status as a member of the Fu family, make the first attempt to communicate and mediate. That might be a more prudent approach.”

The elder's words were tactful, but the meaning was clear—

You, Luo Hao, have no connection with the Fu family, so why should the Fu family send troops to your aid? Fu Yongxuan, on the other hand, carries the blood of the Fu family and is also Luo Haitang's adopted daughter. With her stepping forward, the relationship and affection will be even closer.

Upon hearing this, Luo Hao's face instantly darkened.

Fu Yongxuan? The woman with Fu family blood flowing through her veins?
He sneered inwardly.

In his view, although Fu Yongxuan grew up in the Luo family and was raised by the Luo family, he was still a member of the Fu family at heart!

Now that the Luo family has suffered such a great calamity and its strength has been greatly diminished, if Fu Yongxuan were to seek help from the Fu family, who knows if they might take the opportunity to cooperate from within and without, handing over the Luo family's last stronghold in the Eastern Wilderness, and even more benefits, to her own family.

"Elder, you are mistaken!"

Luo Hao's voice carried a barely perceptible sharpness:

“Although Sister Yongxuan lives in the Luo family, she is ultimately surnamed Fu! She is not of our kind, and her heart is bound to be different! At this critical moment for the survival of our family, it is too frivolous to entrust such an important task to someone with a different surname! If she thinks of the Fu family bloodline and secretly reaches some agreement with Fu Changsheng, handing over the foundation of our Luo family with both hands, wouldn't we be letting a wolf into the house and ending up with nothing?”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the thoughtful expressions of the clan elders, and continued:
"Moreover, although Elder Haitang is Yongxuan's adoptive mother, Yongxuan does not have the blood of the Luo family flowing in his veins!"

The white-haired elder frowned even more deeply, clearly displeased with Luo Hao's speculation, but still patiently said:
“Young Master, I watched Yongxuan grow up. She is of pure character and would never betray anyone. She has a deep bond with Elder Haitang, and would never do anything to harm the Luo family…”

"enough!"

Luo Hao abruptly interrupted the clan elder, a surge of anger rising within him.

Kind-hearted? Deeply devoted to her mother?

He wouldn't listen to a single word of those high-sounding words!
All he knew was that the loss of the Eastern Wilderness stronghold had severely damaged his prestige within the clan. If he couldn't quickly achieve great merit to restore his reputation, his position as clan leader might be in jeopardy! His father was no longer alive, and according to the rules, he should succeed as clan leader. But what about the collateral branches of the clan, and that woman Luo Haitang... would they be willing to accept that?
If Luo Haitang and her daughter were to return and ask the Fu family for help to successfully reclaim the stronghold, wouldn't that enormous credit fall on their shoulders? At that time, what face would Luo Hao, the young master who had not achieved anything and had even lost his family's property, have to sit in the position of clan leader?
We absolutely cannot give Luo Haitang any opportunity to interfere in this matter or build up his prestige!

He, the rightful young master of the Luo family, must personally go to Tianlang Mountain to persuade Fu Changsheng to send troops! If this succeeds, he will be the greatest contributor to saving the Luo family from danger and recovering their ancestral land!
Then, let's see who dares to question his qualifications to succeed as clan leader!
Thinking of this, Luo Hao took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his anxiety and displeasure, and forced a calm and decisive expression onto his face:

"Elder, there's no need for further words! My mind is made up. The Fu family and my Luo family are neighbors and both are prominent families of the Great Zhou Dynasty. The Fu family head surely understands the principle of mutual dependence. My personal visit this time is to demonstrate the sincerity of my Luo family!"

He stopped looking at the hesitant elder and turned to call out to the outside of the hall:

"Guards! Prepare the gifts! We must depart immediately for Tianlang Mountain!"

The sound echoed in the hall, which was adorned with white lanterns, carrying a hint of desperate resolve.

...

...

Tianlang Mountain, reception room.

Luo Hao sat in the guest seat, impatiently tapping his fingers on the armrest. Several pots of spiritual tea had already been replaced, but Fu Changsheng was still nowhere to be seen. The anger in his heart grew little by little with the passage of time.

The Luo family, a prestigious fifth-rank family, still retains its strength even after a temporary setback!

The Fu family is merely a sixth-rank family; in the past, they wouldn't even be worthy of carrying shoes for the Luo family! Now that he has personally come to their door, Fu Changsheng not only doesn't greet him personally, but also makes him wait here for so long. It's simply arrogant and disrespectful!
The thought that he would soon take charge of the Luo family and become a clan leader on par with Fu Changsheng, yet he was being treated so coldly here, made Luo Hao feel a surge of resentment stuck in his chest.

Finally, footsteps could be heard outside the hall.

Luo Hao's spirits lifted, and he straightened his robes, preparing to project the imposing presence of the future clan leader. However, when he saw that the visitor was only Liu Meizhen, the anticipation on his face instantly turned to frost.

"Young Master Luo, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." Liu Meizhen stepped into the hall, her tone calm and her demeanor composed, exuding the air of a matriarch.

Luo Hao barely suppressed his displeasure, cupped his hands in greeting as a formality, and then asked directly in a stiff tone:

"Madam Liu, where is Patriarch Fu? I, the young master, have come in person to discuss important matters. Does Patriarch Fu not even grant me this much face?"

Liu Meizhen smiled slightly, a smile that was polite yet carried a hint of aloofness:

"Young Master Luo, please forgive me. My husband has recently made some progress and is currently in seclusion for cultivation. It is truly inconvenient for him to receive guests. I will temporarily handle all matters concerning the clan. If you have any important matters to discuss, Young Master Luo, please feel free to tell me."

Another period of seclusion!

Luo Hao sneered inwardly. Who could he fool with such an excuse?

They clearly look down on him and don't want to see him!

He took a deep breath, knowing he couldn't afford to lose his temper now, and could only suppress his anger and soften his stance:
"Madam Liu, to be honest, I have come here today to discuss the matter of my Luo family's stronghold in the Eastern Wilderness. I presume you are already aware that the Vermilion Bird Tribe's shameless sneak attack resulted in the loss of my Luo family's stronghold. Now that the Vermilion Bird Tribe's main force has been severely damaged by Patriarch Fu, leaving their rear vulnerable, this is the perfect opportunity to reclaim our lost territory!"

He looked intently at Liu Meizhen:
"My Luo family and the Fu family live next door to each other and have a long-standing relationship, as close as lips and teeth. We implore the Fu family to remember our past friendship and send troops to help my Luo family recapture our stronghold! Our Luo family will repay this kindness and virtue in full!"

Liu Meizhen listened quietly, her face showing little surprise. She nodded slightly.
“Young Master Luo’s words make sense. The Vermilion Bird Tribe has wolfish ambitions and is indeed our common enemy. Helping the Luo family to recover the stronghold will also benefit the Fu family in stabilizing the surrounding area.”

Luo Hao was overjoyed to hear this, not expecting Liu Meizhen to agree so readily!
It seems the Fu family is still wary of the Luo family's reputation as a fifth-rank noble family and dares not be too arrogant.

However, before his joy could spread, Liu Meizhen abruptly changed the subject:
“However…” she said with a hint of difficulty, “Young Master Luo also knows that not long ago, our Tianlang Mountain was also attacked by the Vermilion Bird Tribe. The mountain’s protective formation was damaged, and the number of disciples in the tribe was considerable. All the defensive works and resource reserves need time to be repaired and replenished. If we send troops out rashly at this time, the rear defenses may be unstable.”

Her tone was sincere, yet carried an undeniable air of authority:
"Please be patient, Young Master Luo. Once our Tianlang Mountain defenses are complete and our resources are plentiful, we will certainly send troops to help the Luo family reclaim their lost territory."

Luo Hao's smile froze instantly.

Does the defense of Tianlang Mountain need repairs?
He could see it clearly on his way here: the mountain-protecting array was radiant and extremely stable, clearly indicating that it had already been repaired!
This Liu Meizhen is clearly lying through her teeth and making excuses to shirk responsibility!

A wave of humiliation washed over Luo Hao, and he could no longer contain himself. He abruptly stood up, his face ashen.
"Madam Liu! Are you trying to fob me off? I saw with my own eyes that the Tianlang Mountain formation is intact. Why would it need repair? Has your Fu family forgotten who allowed you to establish yourselves here in the first place? If it weren't for the repeated help from my Luo family, would your Fu family be where you are today? Now that my Luo family is in trouble, are you going to be ungrateful and stand idly by?!"

His tone was agitated, with obvious questioning and sarcasm.

Liu Meizhen's smile faded, and she looked at him calmly, showing no anger at his accusations. She simply said:
"Young Master Luo, you flatter us. The Fu family has never forgotten our past friendship, and that is precisely why we must act with utmost caution to ensure that nothing goes wrong. If we were to suffer losses in our rear due to a hasty deployment of troops, wouldn't that be a betrayal of Young Master Luo's trust? This matter requires careful consideration."

Seeing that she remained unmoved and resolute, Luo Hao trembled with anger. He knew that continuing the argument would only bring him further humiliation.

"Fine! What a fine long-term plan!" Luo Hao laughed angrily, flicking his sleeves. "Since the Fu family has no intention of helping, this young master will not force it! I refuse to believe that without your Fu family, my Luo family cannot find other allies! Farewell!"

Having said that, he didn't look at Liu Meizhen again. Filled with anger and resentment, he turned and strode away, his back view appearing particularly disheveled and resolute.

Liu Meizhen looked in the direction where Luo Hao had disappeared and gently shook her head.

This young man is impetuous and unfit for great responsibilities; the future of the Luo family... I fear it will be fraught with difficulties.

She turned and calmly instructed those around her:
"Strengthen security at the mountain gate and closely monitor the Luo family's movements."

...

...

In the vast eastern wilderness, two swift streaks of light were skimming close to the mountains and forests, speeding towards the border of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

It was Luo Haitang and her daughter Fu Yongxuan who knew when to quit while they were ahead and quietly withdrew.

Although their successive raids on several key strongholds of the Vermilion Bird tribe yielded brilliant results, they knew full well that this was tantamount to pulling teeth from a tiger's mouth.

Once the Vermilion Bird tribe recovers from the initial chaos and unites with the surrounding Golden Core tribes that depend on them to launch a siege, they will inevitably be in dire straits. Therefore, after inflicting sufficient damage on their opponents, they did not hesitate to choose to flee far away.

Just as they were halfway through their journey and about to enter a relatively safe area, a communication jade talisman that Fu Yongxuan carried close to his body suddenly became slightly warm.

She immersed her consciousness in the passage, and her father Fu Changsheng's familiar and steady spiritual energy surged forth, concisely yet clearly informing her of the earth-shattering results of the battle at Tianlang Mountain.

A moment later, Fu Yongxuan suddenly raised her head, her usually cool face flushed with excitement and pride. She grabbed her adoptive mother's arm, her voice trembling slightly:
"Mother! Father has sent a message! Chief Chi Liao of the Vermilion Bird Tribe personally led the main force to attack Tianlang Mountain, but was defeated by Father! More than fifteen Golden Core cultivators were killed, and Chi Liao himself used a forbidden secret technique to forcibly advance to the Nascent Soul stage, but was still severely injured by Father and escaped with the help of a secret treasure! The main force of the Vermilion Bird Tribe's eastern expedition... was almost completely wiped out!"

"what?!"

Even with her long history and resilient spirit, Luo Haitang was still momentarily stunned upon hearing this news, nearly falling from the escaping light. Her beautiful eyes widened, her face filled with disbelief and shock.

“Fu Changsheng… he… he actually did it?” she murmured to herself, her voice filled with complex emotions.

She clearly remembered that Fu Changsheng achieved Core Formation after her.

How many years have passed? Not only has the opponent's cultivation level advanced by leaps and bounds, but he has also achieved the unparalleled feat of slaying a false infant (although with the help of a secret technique) with his Golden Core cultivation and almost single-handedly annihilating the main force of a large tribe! What terrifying combat power and potential this is?
After the shock.

An indescribable surge of joy and hope erupted from the depths of my heart like magma!

"Good! Good! Good!"

Luo Haitang said "good" three times in a row, and his eyes instantly burst out with a sharp light like that of a hawk. His previous fatigue and caution were swept away and replaced by a long-suppressed flame of revenge and high fighting spirit.

"May the heavens bless the Luo family! Yongxuan, let's speed up and rush back to Tianlang Mountain immediately!" She made a decisive move, her spiritual power surging, and her escape light increased by three times.

Fu Yongxuan nodded emphatically and followed closely behind.

As Luo Haitang sped along, he analyzed the situation in a cold voice, his tone filled with deep-seated hatred and murderous intent:
"The Vermilion Bird Tribe slaughtered so many of my Luo family's elite troops; this is an irreconcilable feud! Now that their main force is wiped out, those left to guard our stronghold are nothing but chickens and dogs! This is a golden opportunity for us to reclaim our lost territory and repay blood for blood!"

She looked at Fu Yongxuan, her eyes resolute:
"Now that your father has severely damaged the Vermilion Bird Tribe and demonstrated such strength, it is both reasonable and morally sound for him not to stand idly by and allow the Vermilion Bird Tribe to continue occupying my Luo family's stronghold and threatening the flank of Tianlang Mountain. We must return immediately and ask your father to send troops to join forces to retake the stronghold! We must wipe out those Vermilion Bird scum who remain and reap some benefits first!"

Thinking of his clansmen who died tragically and the ancestral land he was forced to abandon, Luo Haitang felt a surge of murderous intent.

Previously, she was alone and had no choice but to take a risky gamble. Now, with Fu Changsheng as her suddenly powerful backer, she can finally plan a counterattack openly and legitimately to avenge the blood debts of her dead clansmen!
The two streaks of light, like shooting stars tearing through the sky, shot towards Tianlang Mountain at an even faster speed and with unwavering determination.

(End of this chapter)