Family Rise: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 632 Intelligence, Possession, Father and Son Reunion
The treasure ship of the Ninth Prince's Mansion did not return directly to the mansion, but instead quietly sailed into a more magnificent and heavily guarded mansion on the west side of the imperial city—the Grand Princess's Mansion.

In the quiet room, there are incense birds.

The eldest princess sat upright in the main seat, dressed in a magnificent palace gown. Her appearance was very well-maintained, and she looked no more than thirty years old.

As she listened to Prince Zhou Xuanyong recount the perils she had encountered along the way, especially the two ambushes at Luoying Gorge and the outskirts of the capital, each larger than the last, her fingers, which were fiddling with the prayer beads, paused slightly. She raised her eyes, and instead of worry and fear, a hint of excitement flashed in her phoenix eyes, which bore some resemblance to Prince Zhou but were even more profound and sharp.

"Okay, very good."

"The Crown Prince has gone to the Xuanling Realm, and now the Crown Prince is in charge of the Eastern Palace."

This kid is still young and impatient.

"To so blatantly use the Shadow Guards to intercept and kill the Prince, do they really think I, the eldest princess, am made of clay?"

She looked at the Ninth Prince, her tone carrying an air of complete control:

“Yong’er, I’ve remembered the fright and blood you suffered this time. For now, I’ll put this debt on the Crown Prince’s side; it will come in handy someday.”

The Ninth Prince felt somewhat relieved, knowing that his mother must have already made a plan.

He seized the opportunity to step forward, his face showing earnest anxiety:
"Mother, the danger I encountered this time is nothing to boast about, but there is one matter that concerns the survival of my brother's bloodline. I beg you, Mother, to have mercy on me!"

He immediately recounted how Zhou Jin was terminally ill and that only the "life-giving water" secretly kept by the royal family could save her, his words earnest and even choked with emotion:
"Mother, Jin'er... is one of the only two direct descendants of Seventh Brother. Now he is on his deathbed, and I really can't bear to see him like this... I beg you, Mother, to have mercy!"

However, upon hearing this, the faint smile on the princess's face vanished instantly, replaced by a condescending scrutiny and cold calculation.

"Life-giving water?" she repeated softly, her voice devoid of any emotion. "The royal treasury possesses only one drop. To use it to save a grandson of a discarded son who hasn't even reached the level of a nascent infant and has long been expelled from the royal family?"

She shook her head slightly, her tone resolute:

"No."

"Mother!" The Ninth Prince cried out anxiously, wanting to plead again.

The eldest princess raised her hand to interrupt him, her phoenix eyes narrowing slightly, flashing with the shrewdness and ruthlessness unique to politicians:

“Yong’er, you can save that child. But the royal family never does anything that doesn’t pay off. If you want the Life-Giving Water, you must perform meritorious deeds that match its value.”

She leaned forward slightly, her lowered voice carrying an undeniable allure and danger:
"The crown prince, relying on his father's power, has secretly established an intelligence headquarters independent of the court system in recent years. It is dedicated to monitoring the imperial family, spying on their privacy, and even fabricating charges to frame loyal officials. It is a major threat to us."

Her gaze was fixed intently on the Ninth Prince:
"If you can find a way to completely destroy this intelligence headquarters for your mother... then in exchange for a drop of Life Source Water, the Crown Prince's faction losing its eyes and ears and losing an arm, your mother will grant you this deal!"

The words have not yet fallen.

She flicked her sleeve.

Two talismans, radiating astonishing spiritual energy, floated lightly onto the table in front of the Ninth Prince. The phoenix designs on the talismans were lifelike, and a faint aura of Nascent Soul level power emanated from them.

"These are two 'Phoenix Dance Nine Heavens Talismans,' even more powerful than the ones you used before, enough to deal with any unexpected situation. Yong'er, don't let your mother down."

The Ninth Prince looked at the two Nascent Soul talismans that would drive any Golden Core cultivator mad, then looked up at his mother's unfathomable eyes, and instantly understood. This was not a discussion, but an order; a political deal using his nephew's life as a bargaining chip.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the complex emotions in his heart, and solemnly put away the two talismans. He bowed respectfully, his voice low and firm:
"Your subject... obeys! I will certainly not fail Mother's trust!"

...

...

The Ninth Prince's Mansion, a secret room.

The array of light barriers isolated the inside from the outside, ensuring that not a single sound would leak out. Prince Zhou Xuanyong of the Ninth County had changed into casual clothes, but the fatigue on his face was hard to hide. He dismissed his attendants, leaving only Fu Changsheng and his trusted steward.

“Fellow Daoist Fu,” the Ninth Prince looked at Fu Changsheng, his tone carrying a hint of deliberation, “I have already met with my mother and informed her of Jin’er’s matter.”

Fu Changsheng's gaze remained calm as he awaited his next words.

The Ninth Prince sighed and stated the conditions proposed by the Eldest Princess in full—in exchange for the "Life Source Water" by destroying the intelligence headquarters of the Crown Prince's descendants—without concealing anything.

“Mother’s attitude was firm, making it clear that only by making this contribution could we obtain the source water.” The Ninth Prince’s face showed a hint of helplessness. “As for the ‘Yun Qingyu’ entrusted by you, fellow Daoist… after this matter is settled, I will mention this merit to Mother, which should be much easier.”

Fu Changsheng's expression did not change much after hearing this.

The royal family was rife with infighting, making the acquisition of such treasures no easy feat.

"The most urgent task is to find the location of the intelligence headquarters," Fu Changsheng said incisively.

The Ninth Prince nodded and immediately turned to the head steward, who stood to the side with a furrowed brow:
"Do the secret agents in the manor have any leads regarding the intelligence headquarters of the Crown Prince?"

Upon hearing this, the head butler's wrinkles seemed to deepen, and he bowed in reply, his voice grave:

"Your Highness, this old servant was just about to report this matter. That intelligence headquarters... is too mysterious. The Crown Prince's descendants are extremely secretive about this matter, far beyond what is common. Over the years, many noble families and meritorious officials who have pledged allegiance to Her Highness the Eldest Princess have used a lot of manpower, both openly and secretly, to investigate and try to find its location, but... all have found nothing."

The atmosphere in the secret room became somewhat tense due to the news brought by the head butler.

Without finding any clues about the Crown Prince's intelligence headquarters, all plans are out of the question.

Fu Changsheng sat upright in his chair, his expression calm, showing no signs of anxiety despite the bad news.

He had his own plans.

While exchanging information through the system is convenient, this is the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, a place teeming with powerful figures and countless talented individuals, with the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion also in charge. If using the system were to trigger some unknown fluctuations in the laws of heaven and earth, and were noticed by some old monsters, it would be a catastrophe.

He understood better than anyone the principle that possessing a treasure is a crime.

Although his grandson Zhou Jin was seriously ill, according to the diagnosis of the divine physician Gu, he still had three to five years to live.

There's really no need to rush right now.

Let the Ninth Prince and the Eldest Princess's faction do their work first and investigate from multiple angles.

He took this opportunity to deal with two other more pressing personal matters—finding his eldest son, Fu Yongfan, who had been missing for many years, and rescuing his daughter-in-law, Yulian, who was about to be possessed by Xuanbing Zhenjun.

The Ninth Prince waved his hand, signaling the head steward, whose face was grave, to step back.

Only he and Fu Changsheng remained in the secret room.

After a moment of silence, the Ninth Prince took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind. He flipped his hand and took out a talisman that was radiant with light and emitted a powerful spiritual energy fluctuation. It was one of the two Nascent Soul talismans bestowed by the Eldest Princess—the Phoenix Dance Nine Heavens Talisman.

He gently pushed the talisman onto the table in front of Fu Changsheng.

“Fellow Daoist Fu,” the Ninth Prince said sincerely, with a hint of barely perceptible tension, “this journey is fraught with unknown dangers. This talisman may be of great help to you at a crucial moment. Please accept it.”

Fu Changsheng glanced at the precious Nascent Soul talisman, but did not immediately take it. Instead, he looked up at the Ninth Prince and waited for him to continue.

He didn't believe that the prince would send such a generous gift for no reason.

Sure enough, the Ninth Prince paused, a complex expression appearing on his face, as if carefully choosing his words, and slowly began to speak:

"Furthermore... there is another matter that I have thought long and hard and feel I should no longer hide from you, fellow Daoist. It concerns your son... Young Master Yongfan."

Fu Changsheng's eyes narrowed slightly, and his aura seemed to freeze for a moment, but he quickly returned to normal and just quietly looked at the Ninth Prince.

The Ninth Prince felt the oppressive aura of that instant, his heart tightened, and he quickly continued:

“Young Master Yongfan… has indeed always been in my residence. Years ago, when he traveled to the capital, I had a chance encounter with him and was deeply impressed by his character and talent, and I wanted to recruit him. However… Young Master Yongfan’s ambitions lay elsewhere, and he politely declined my offer.”

He observed Fu Changsheng's expression and, seeing that he showed no signs of immediate outburst, felt slightly relieved, his tone becoming even more earnest:
"I... truly cherish talent and couldn't bear to see such a gem left out in the world, exposed to the dust. Therefore... I used some improper means to keep Young Master Yongfan in a separate courtyard within the manor."

He looked at Fu Changsheng, his eyes filled with sincere remorse:
"I know that I have done something wrong and have wronged Young Master Yongfan."

This Nascent Soul talisman is my humble apology; I earnestly hope you will forgive me. Furthermore, I hereby promise that all resources required for Young Master Yongfan's Core Formation will be provided entirely by my Prince's Mansion! And when you require the 'Cloud Jade' in the future, I will certainly use all the resources of my Mansion to find it for you!"

After saying this.

The Ninth Prince was filled with trepidation, his gaze fixed on Fu Changsheng, awaiting his reaction. He adopted an extremely humble posture and offered substantial rewards, hoping to quell any potential anger that Fu Changsheng might ignite.

Fu Changsheng listened to the Ninth Prince's hesitant confession and attempts to make amends, but his expression remained unchanged.

In fact.

From the information he received from the system, he already knew that Fu Yongfan was under house arrest in the Ninth Prince's Mansion.

He neither accepted the Nascent Soul talisman that was offered to him nor immediately responded to the Nine Princes' promise of Core Formation resources and Yun Qingyu. Any promise or statement was premature before confirming Yongfan's safety and personally assessing his situation.

"Your Highness, since Yongfan is here, please lead the way so I can see him first."

He didn't question or reprimand; he simply made a very simple and direct request.

However, this calm only made the Ninth Prince more uncertain.

Seeing that he did not immediately turn hostile, the Ninth Prince felt somewhat relieved and quickly stood up:
"Of course, of course! Fellow Daoist, please follow me."

He dared not be negligent in the slightest, and personally led the way, guiding Fu Changsheng through layers of courtyards and corridors until they arrived at a secluded courtyard deep within the Prince's Mansion, which was still shrouded in a powerful barrier.

Upon seeing the arrival of the Ninth Prince, the guards at the gate immediately bowed and removed the barrier.

The Ninth Prince pushed open the courtyard gate and turned to Fu Changsheng, saying:

“Fellow Daoist, Young Master Yongfan is cultivating here.”

Fu Changsheng stepped inside.

The courtyard, with its pavilions and waterside terraces, was brimming with spiritual energy, truly an ideal place for cultivation. Beneath an ancient tree in the courtyard, a man in a blue robe sat cross-legged on a futon, his back to them. His aura was deep and focused, clearly indicating he was in deep meditation. His posture was upright; despite years of confinement, his integrity had not been extinguished.

As if sensing someone entering, the man in the blue robe slowly stopped his practice and opened his eyes.

When he turned around and saw Fu Changsheng standing next to the Ninth Prince, he was struck dumb and froze on the spot.

On that weathered yet still refined face, utter shock and disbelief were first palpable. Then, in those eyes that had been calm for decades, a complex and indescribable emotion surged forth—guilt, longing, and an overwhelming sense of awe, as if from another world.

His lips trembled slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but he choked up for a moment. In the end, all his words turned into a trembling call:
“Father…Father?!”

Fu Changsheng quickly stepped forward and helped his son, who was bowing.
"Fan'er..."

Fu Yongfan shook his head, trying to calm his turbulent emotions.

The father and son found a stone bench under the ancient tree and sat down.

Seeing this, the Ninth Prince wisely retreated to the courtyard gate to wait, leaving them the space.

Fu Changsheng briefly told his son about the changes in the family over the past few decades. From being promoted to the eighth rank to now being a sixth-rank family, the family has produced many Golden Core cultivators and expanded its power. They are only one step away from the coveted fifth rank threshold—a fourth-rank craft master.

Listening to his father's calm yet proud narration, Fu Yongfan's eyes shone with a light that showed relief, excitement, but even more so, a deep sense of guilt.

He lowered his head, his voice slightly hoarse:
"The prosperity of the clan is all thanks to the hard work and dedication of Father and all the clan members. As the eldest son, I have failed to contribute even a fraction of my efforts during this time, which is truly... a dereliction of duty."

Regarding his experiences over the past decades, he only briefly mentioned that the Ninth Prince "invited" him to cultivate in seclusion here. He made no mention of the initial imprisonment, the later house arrest, or the possible hardships involved, which further confirmed the Ninth Prince's earlier statement about "cherishing talent."

He did not want his already thriving family to become enemies with the powerful royal princes because of personal matters.

"However, Father, I have not wasted these decades!"

A hint of pride appeared on his face:
"When my son was traveling, he accidentally obtained a fragmented inheritance of divination techniques. Trapped in this place and unable to leave, he simply devoted all his energy to studying this path without any distractions."

"Regardless of the weather, day or night, my son spends all his time with the trajectories of stars and the calculations of celestial secrets. To this day, he has fortunately lived up to the legacy and has broken through to the quasi-fourth level in the path of deduction!"

Seeing the surprise in his father's eyes, Fu Yongfan's face broke into the first genuine, triumphant smile in decades:

"Father, in this way, the last fourth-level craftsman needed for our Fu family to advance to the fifth-rank family will be complete once your son breaks through to the Golden Core stage!"

"Good! Good! Fan'er, you did very well!"

Fu Changsheng praised him repeatedly and patted his son on the shoulder:

"In this way, once you successfully form your core and stabilize your realm, there will be no more obstacles on the path for my Fu family to advance to the fifth rank!"

"There's no time to lose. Now that you've broken through to the Pseudo-Core stage, why not take this opportunity to go into seclusion right here in the Prince's mansion and attempt to break through to the Golden Core stage? All the resources you need will be provided by your father..."

He had intended to say, "I will help you make arrangements," but remembering the promise the Ninth Prince had just made, he changed his words and said, "...I have my own plans, you don't need to worry."

However, the smile of accomplishment on Fu Yongfan's face slowly faded, replaced by a deep sense of worry and guilt.

"Father, I understand your good intentions. But..."

"Until I know Yulian's safety and confirm her current situation, I am truly uneasy and afraid that I will not be able to calm my mind. If I force myself into seclusion, I fear that... inner demons will arise and I will suffer the consequences."

"I already know some clues about Yu Lian's matter."

As Fu Yongfan's eyes suddenly lit up with anticipation, Fu Changsheng continued:

"She is in a relatively safe place now, but... she is also facing some difficulties of her own. I promise you, I will go there myself and bring her back to you safely."

His gaze was piercing as he looked at his son:

"What you need to do now is not to wallow in guilt and unease, but to let go of your inner turmoil, adjust your mindset, and fully prepare for the formation of your golden core! When your golden core is complete and Jade Lotus returns, you and your husband will be reunited. Wouldn't that be perfect?"

Hearing his father's resolute promise, Fu Yongfan took a deep breath, his eyes regaining their determination, and nodded heavily.

"Yes, Father! I understand! I will prepare diligently and live up to your expectations!"

……

Fu Changsheng walked slowly out of the small courtyard.

The Ninth Prince, who had been waiting outside the courtyard, immediately came forward. His gaze carefully swept across the man's face, and seeing no sign of thunderous rage, the weight that had been hanging over him eased a little.

The two remained silent and returned to the secluded room that separated them from the outside world.

The array's light barrier rose again.

Before the Ninth Prince could probe or explain again, Fu Changsheng calmly broke the silence:
"Your Highness may begin preparing the necessary auxiliary materials for the formation of the Eternal Prosperity Core."

Upon hearing this, the Ninth Prince immediately understood—Fu Yongfan had indeed not revealed the truth about his imprisonment to his father, and might even have covered up some of the truth for him! This unexpected joy lifted his spirits, and his previous unease was instantly replaced by a feeling of relief and gratitude.

"Fellow Taoist, don't worry!"

The Ninth Prince immediately responded, his tone filled with unprecedented seriousness and enthusiasm:

"I hereby issue the order to immediately gather the finest Core Formation spiritual items from the imperial treasury! I will ensure that everything Young Master Yongfan needs is prepared to guarantee his successful completion of the Golden Core stage!"

As he spoke, he once again took out the radiant "Phoenix Dance in the Nine Heavens Talisman," presenting it to Fu Changsheng with both hands, his attitude even more sincere than before:
"Fellow Daoist, please accept this talisman. It is both a token of my apology and a hope that it can lend you a hand in future endeavors. If you have any other needs, please feel free to ask, and I will do my utmost to help you."

Fu Changsheng didn't stand on ceremony and directly accepted the Nascent Soul Talisman:

"Your Highness, I have another matter to inquire about. I wonder if there are any records of 'True Lord Xuanbing' of Wanxue Mountain in the palace's archives?"

Upon hearing this, the Ninth Prince's spirits lifted. This was the moment for him to demonstrate his value and ability. He immediately replied without hesitation, "Rest assured, fellow Daoist, I will immediately order someone to retrieve the relevant files!" He then transmitted the order telepathically.

A moment later, the head steward returned, holding a jade slip in his hands, and respectfully presented it.

“Your Highness, Senior Fu,” the head steward bowed and said, “There are not many records in the manor about True Monarch Xuanbing. This old man is one of the two Supreme Elders of Shuangyue Palace. He has profound cultivation, but he is aloof and rarely goes out. In his early years… he seemed to have some… unclear dealings with the late Prince Rong, but these are all rumors and there is no evidence.”

He paused, then continued his report:
"More importantly, about a hundred years ago, True Monarch Xuanbing entered the 'Azure Spirit Realm' in search of opportunities. It is said that she encountered a powerful enemy and was seriously injured. Since then, she has been living in seclusion deep in the Wanxue Mountain to heal her wounds. She has never appeared in public again, nor has she ever returned to the Twin Moon Palace."

At this point, the head steward paused slightly, cautiously glancing at the Ninth Prince and then at Fu Changsheng, seemingly hesitant.

Seeing his appearance, the Ninth Prince frowned and scolded him:

"Why are you hesitating! Speak freely in front of Fellow Daoist Fu!"

The head butler then quickly lowered his head and added:
"Yes... This old servant just happened to see a related piece of information while reviewing the files. The record shows that Fu Yongfan's wife, Jade Lotus True Person, was taken to Wanxue Mountain by her elders shortly after successfully forming her core at Shuangyue Palace. It is said that she received personal guidance in cultivation from True Monarch Xuanbing."

Upon hearing this, a knowing glint flashed in the eyes of the Ninth Prince.

He looked at Fu Changsheng, a warm smile spreading across his face:

"I see! Fellow Daoist Fu, do you wish to visit your daughter-in-law at Wanxue Mountain? That's easy! I have some connections with the elders of Shuangyue Palace. If you're interested, I can personally write a letter to introduce you and arrange for you to visit Wanxue Mountain. I'm sure True Monarch Xuanbing will also give me some face..."

However, Fu Changsheng slowly shook his head, politely declining in a calm tone:

“Your Highness’s kindness is appreciated. But right now, the priority is finding the intelligence headquarters for the Crown Prince’s heir. This matter concerns Jin’er’s life and cannot be compromised. As for the Wanxue Mountain matter, I have my own plans and would not dare to trouble Your Highness.”

His gaze shifted to the Ninth Prince, with an undeniable focus:

"I urge Your Highness to devote more of your energy to investigating that intelligence headquarters."

Seeing his resolute attitude, the Ninth Prince, though somewhat puzzled as to why he wouldn't take advantage of the situation, wisely refrained from further discussion and immediately said sternly:

"Fellow Daoist is absolutely right; it was my oversight. I will immediately send more men to pry open that intelligence headquarters' turtle shell as soon as possible!"

...

...

Inside the study of the Crown Prince's grandson in the Eastern Palace.

The flickering candlelight illuminated the Crown Prince's ever-changing expression. A trusted aide dressed in black knelt on one knee, reporting in a low voice:

"Your Highness, after the Ninth Prince returned to the capital, he went directly to the Princess's residence. He stayed for about an hour before returning to his own residence. Since then, he has remained secluded, but there seems to be frequent movement of people within his residence. In addition, Fu Changsheng, who came with him, left the Prince's residence alone at 9:00 AM today, leaving the capital. His direction seems to be north."

The confidant raised his head, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes:
“Your Highness, this man is alone, this is a golden opportunity! Should we... send someone to follow him and find a chance…” He made a throat-slitting gesture.

Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in the Crown Prince's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. He slowly shook his head, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table.

"Do not act rashly. Do you know that Fu Changsheng is now a fifth-rank Imperial Inspector?"

The confidant's expression changed slightly, clearly having just learned of the news. A fifth-rank Imperial Patrol Envoy was already a mid-to-high-level official in the Heavenly Patrol Palace, and his identity was sensitive. If he were assassinated near the capital, the resulting shock would be no small matter, and the Heavenly Patrol Palace would definitely investigate thoroughly.

Crown Prince Sun continued in a cold voice:

"Moreover, during the two previous ambushes at Falling Eagle Gorge and the outskirts, six fake Nascent Soul cultivators joined forces and even used Nascent Soul talismans, but they still failed to capture him. Instead, he killed them all. This person's strength far exceeds that of ordinary Golden Core cultivators, and he has probably already reached the threshold of Nascent Soul."

He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the deep night outside, his tone carrying a suppressed apprehension:

"When dealing with such a person, you either don't move at all, or once you do, you must ensure absolute success and kill them with a single, decisive blow! You must not give them any chance to breathe or send a message. Otherwise, you'll end up harming them instead of killing them!"

He turned around, his sharp gaze fixed on his trusted aide:

"The most urgent task is not to act hastily, but to find out why he came to the capital this time. Is it to help that good-for-nothing Zhou Yong deal with us, or is there some other scheme behind it? Besides their marriage relationship, is there any other connection between him and Zhou Yong that we don't know about?"

He gave the order in a deep voice:
"Investigate for me! Utilize all available informants to find out Fu Changsheng's purpose for this trip! Who he contacted, where he went, and especially where he went and whom he met on his solo journey north from the capital! Before we have ascertained his background and true intentions, no one is allowed to act rashly without my explicit order!"

"Yes, Your Highness! I understand!" The trusted aide responded solemnly, knowing the matter was of great importance and daring not to be negligent in the slightest.

Crown Prince Sun waved his hand, signaling him to leave.

Silence returned to the study, with only the cold glint in his eyes revealing his inner turmoil. Fu Changsheng… this sudden variable made him feel a vague sense of unease.

...

...

Twin Moon Palace, deep within the Ice Palace.

In the chilly, quiet room, True Monarch Wuchen sat cross-legged on the ten-thousand-year-old Xuanbing Lotus Platform. Her aura was weaker than ever before, and she was surrounded by an undeniable aura of twilight and death, like a candle flickering in the wind, ready to be extinguished at any moment.

An elder from the Intelligence Hall, dressed in a moon-white robe, stood bowing below and respectfully reported:
"Reporting to the Supreme Elder, we have just received a secret report from the capital. Fu Changsheng, the father of Yu Lian's Daoist partner Fu Yongfan, arrived in the capital three days ago with the Ninth Prince Zhou Xuanyong."

True Monarch Wuchen slowly opened her eyes; those once sharp and icy gazes now appeared somewhat dim. After hearing the report, her face remained expressionless, and she simply responded with a faint, indifferent sound:
"Ah."

She slightly closed her eyes, her divine sense seemingly sweeping over something, her tone carrying a hint of indifferent disdain:

"He's just a cultivator at the eighth level of the Golden Core stage... Even if he has some fortuitous encounters, his foundation is ultimately shallow. The capital city is a deep and treacherous place; he can't make any waves."

She paused, then gave the order:

"There's no need to send someone to keep an eye on him. Paying too much attention to such a nobody might alert him and alert him."

Her voice, though weak, carried a cold indifference that suggested she had everything under control.

"Right now, everything should prioritize Senior Sister's 'Spirit Fusion Plan.' This Xuanbing Spirit Body of Jade Lotus is Senior Sister's only hope, and it cannot be lost. As long as Fu Changsheng doesn't cause trouble at Shuangyue Palace, let him be. Don't let small things cause bigger problems and create unnecessary complications."

"Yes, Supreme Elder, I understand." The Intelligence Hall elder bowed and accepted the order, then quietly withdrew from the chilly, quiet room.

True Monarch Wuchen closed her eyes again, clinging to the faint glimmer of life on the edge of annihilation, awaiting the final moment from the side of Wanxue Mountain. In her view, a Golden Core cultivator from a small family in a remote border region was utterly insignificant in affecting the grand plan she and her senior sister had been devising for a century.

...

...

After leaving the capital, Fu Changsheng transformed into an inconspicuous streak of light and traveled north at a leisurely pace.

His divine sense was powerful, and he had already sensed several faint auras trailing behind him, like a persistent, lingering infection, clearly spies sent by the Crown Prince.

After traveling hundreds of miles, he suddenly accelerated, his escape light disappearing into a dense forest. Immediately afterwards, he used water escape and earth escape techniques in succession, his aura merging with the mountains, forests, and earth veins, changing his location several times, and even deliberately detouring to several dangerous places with chaotic spiritual energy.

In less than half a day, the several pursuing auras completely lost their target. After circling anxiously in place for a few minutes, they had no choice but to retreat in frustration.

Having completely shaken off his spies, Fu Changsheng did not stop, but continued his escape for hundreds of miles until he reached a desolate mountain range rarely visited by humans. He stopped in front of a seemingly ordinary cliff, and with a flick of his sleeve, a crack appeared in the cliff face, just wide enough for one person to pass through.

Stepping inside, you find a small, dark, and damp natural cave with nothing particularly remarkable about it.

Fu Changsheng flicked his fingertips, and several array flags disappeared into the cave, setting up a magic array that combined concealment and protection. The light flashed and disappeared, and the cave entrance closed again. From the outside, it looked no different from the surrounding rocks.

After doing all this, he sat cross-legged in the center of the cave, and after confirming that everything around him was safe, he slowly closed his eyes.

His thoughts sank into the depths of his consciousness, touching that profound mark.

hum-

A subtle distortion and fluctuation occurred in the surrounding space, and in the next instant, his figure completely disappeared from the desolate mountain cave.

Enter the small wooden house in the Five Elements Space.

Fu Changsheng finally felt safe.

My thoughts landed on the panel in my mind's sea of ​​consciousness, and with a thought:
"Exchange Information"

hum!
The panel vibrated.

A large amount of yellow light surged.

Followed by.

Lines of text appeared one by one:

[1: The Princess's residence contains fragments of a "Star-Gazing Mirror" from the previous dynasty, which can assist in divination, but requires activation by a direct descendant of the royal family.]

[2: Chief Suzaku has brought reinforcements]

[3: Among the secret treasures sealed by the Sirius Tribe, there is a treasure box that Jade Lotus can open.]

[4: Your daughter-in-law, Fu Ge's wife Haiyun, has awakened her memories of the South China Sea]

[5: After the passing of the Dustless True Monarch of the Twin Moon Palace, his natal magic weapon, the "Ice Soul Cold Light Sword," will automatically fly back to Mount Wanxue. This sword can be used to sense the exact location of the Mysterious Ice True Monarch's seclusion.]

[6: Xuanbing Zhenjun's old injuries relapse, and he plans to possess another body ahead of schedule]

[7: Crown Prince Sun has three spies planted in the Ninth Prince's residence: the kitchen manager, the library steward, and a personal guard.]

[8: The remains of an ancient ice phoenix are frozen thousands of feet underground beneath the Twin Moon Palace]

[9: Yu Lian, the eldest disciple of Wanxue Mountain, went out to purchase materials to build a soul-seizing formation for her master. On her way back, she passed by Tianyun Lake.]

【10:……】

……

A total of ten pieces of intelligence were exchanged.

Fu Changsheng's gaze fell on the sixth and ninth pieces of intelligence, and his eyes narrowed slightly:
"Yuanying Zhenjun..."

Rescuing Yulian will likely require considerable effort.

...

...

Wanxue Mountain.

The previously stable chill within the Snow Cliff cave suddenly became chaotic. Xuanbing Zhenjun, who was seated cross-legged on a futon, abruptly opened her eyes, her face instantly turning ashen. A mouthful of foul blood, mixed with ice shards, splattered onto the ground, instantly freezing into eerie blackish-red ice crystals. Her aura fluctuated violently, her already weak presence flickering like a candle in the wind.

The old injury flared up again, and it was more severe than ever before.

She forcefully suppressed the surging, icy spiritual energy within her body, and with trembling, her withered fingers took out a communication jade talisman, painstakingly infusing it with a wisp of divine thought.

A moment later, Yu Lian appeared outside the cave. Sensing the chaotic and oppressive atmosphere inside, she was startled and quickly stepped inside.

"Senior Uncle! What's wrong with you..." Yu Lian looked worried when she saw the bloodstains left at the corner of Xuanbing Zhenjun's mouth and the shocking black and red ice crystals on the ground.

Xuanbing Zhenjun waved his hand, indicating that he was alright. His cloudy but sharp eyes were fixed on Yulian, and his voice was hoarseer than usual: "Yulian... you've come. What level have you reached in cultivating the 'Ten Thousand Snows Returning to the Source Technique'?"

Although Yu Lian didn't understand why her senior master was concerned about this at this time, she still respectfully replied, "Reporting to senior master, this disciple dared not slack off and was fortunate enough to break through to the second level half a month ago."

“The second floor…the second floor…” Xuanbing Zhenjun murmured twice, a hint of barely perceptible anxiety and disappointment flashing in his eyes.

too slow!
According to her estimation, with Yu Lian's Xuanbing Spiritual Body and the cultivation technique specially modified for her, she should have reached the threshold of the third level by now! Only by reaching the third level can the compatibility between her soul and body reach the minimum requirement for possession, and only then can she begin the most crucial step—spirit fusion!
Her time... may be running out. The weakness brought on by this recurrence of her old injury is far greater than before, and she may not be able to suppress it next time it flares up.

We must speed things up!

Xuanbing Zhenjun took a deep breath, suppressing the urgency in his heart, and forced a more "amiable" but slightly stiff smile: "Very good... your progress is... not bad."

She tremblingly took out a chilling jade box from her storage ring. When she opened the lid, she found three pills, each the size of a longan, crystal clear like ice, emitting a rich medicinal fragrance and pure, cold energy.

"This is the 'Mysterious Ice Soul-Condensing Pill,' made with ten-thousand-year-old Mysterious Ice Soul as the main ingredient, supplemented with dozens of rare spiritual materials. It has a miraculous effect on cultivating the ice-type techniques of my lineage, and can also stabilize the soul and nourish the spiritual body."

She pushed the jade box in front of Yulian, her tone filled with unprecedented "concern" and urging:

"Child, take this. In your future cultivation, take one pill every seven days. Remember, you must cultivate diligently and reach the third level of the 'Ten Thousand Snows Returning to the Source Technique' as soon as possible! Only by reaching the third level can you be considered to have truly entered the inner sanctum, and only then can you bear the burden of your master... no, only then can you truly unleash the potential of your Xuanbing Spiritual Body and inherit my entire legacy!"

Her gaze was fixed intently on Yu Lian, the longing hidden deep within her eyes almost overflowing: "Don't let down this old woman... and your master's expectations!"

Yu Lian was surprised that her senior uncle, despite being seriously injured, still urged her to cultivate and bestowed such a precious treasure upon her. Her heart was immediately filled with gratitude and a trace of guilt—it must be because her cultivation speed was not fast enough, which disappointed her senior uncle.

She solemnly accepted the jade box and bowed deeply:
"This disciple will follow Master's teachings! I will do my utmost to break through to the third level as soon as possible, and I will never let down Master and Master's great kindness!"

"Alright...alright...go ahead, go cultivate." Xuanbing Zhenjun waved his hand, watching Yulian's respectful retreating figure. The feigned kindness in his eyes vanished instantly, leaving only cold calculation and a trace of morbid fanaticism.

It's almost here... almost there... as long as this girl breaks through to the third level... this perfect body will be hers!

...

...

Three thousand miles south of Wanxue Mountain lies a place called Tianyun Lake.

A streak of icy blue light swept across the lake from the horizon, appearing to be Senior Sister Yulian, who had returned from purchasing materials outside.

However, just as she flew over the center of Tianyun Lake, a strange thing happened!

Without warning, countless mysterious silver runes rippled across the previously calm lake surface. These runes instantly connected, transforming into a massive net of light that covered the lake's surface for several miles! As the net of light rose, it not only isolated the flow of spiritual energy between the inside and outside of the world, but also emitted a powerful sealing force!

The eldest sister's expression changed drastically. She felt a sudden heaviness around her, and her escape light dissipated instantly. She felt as if she were sinking into a swamp, and her movements became extremely sluggish!
"A formation?! Who set up this formation?!"

She quickly scanned her surroundings with her divine sense, trying to find the person who set up the formation or the location of the formation's core.

However, this formation was incredibly intricate, its aura subtly blending with the surrounding mountains and waters, making it difficult for her to discern its true nature or find any obvious flaws. She tried channeling her magic power, summoning an ice crystal longsword, and fiercely slashed at the silver light net.

"Zheng!"

The sword light struck the net of light, but only stirred up a ripple before being neutralized and eliminated by a gentle yet incredibly resilient force, leaving it completely unmoved.

The eldest sister's heart sank.

This formation is no ordinary formation; the person who set it up is extremely skilled in formations, and... it seems to be specifically targeting her? She prides herself on her secretive nature, and she even disguised herself for this trip, so how could she have been intercepted here so precisely?
Just as she was racking her brains for a way to escape, a calm and still voice slowly echoed across the lake:
“Fellow Daoist, there’s no need to waste your energy. This formation is called the ‘Spirit-Locking and Dragon-Trapping Formation.’ Even a Nascent Soul cultivator trapped inside would find it difficult to escape for a short time.”

As the words were spoken, a figure in a green robe silently appeared on a boulder on the lake shore, standing with his hands behind his back, looking indifferently at her trapped in the formation. It was Fu Changsheng.

The eldest sister's pupils contracted, and she stared intently at Fu Changsheng.

Although she had never met Fu Changsheng in person, she already knew his appearance from intelligence reports and recognized him at a glance.

"Fu Changsheng?! It's you!"

Fu Changsheng ignored her shock and anger, his gaze falling on the storage pouch at her waist, his tone remaining calm:
"Fellow Daoist, is your trip to purchase materials for True Monarch Xuanbing to set up the 'Spirit Fusion and Soul Transfer Array'?"

Upon hearing this, the eldest senior sister's face turned deathly pale, her eyes filled with disbelief and horror. The matter of possession was a top secret of her master and senior uncle, known to very few even within the Twin Moon Palace. How could Fu Changsheng have known?!

(End of this chapter)