Starting with a daily divination to build an immortal clan

Chapter 231 By any means necessary
Shen Wen'an's voice echoed in the void.

When the thousands of cultivators from the Fushan Kingdom in the distance turned around in shock upon hearing the sound, they discovered that tender green lotuses were sprouting all around them.

The general of Yaoshan Army seemed to realize something, his eyes widened instantly, and he was too frightened to speak.

However, some of the Qi Refining Realm soldiers of the Yaoshan Army beside him were clearly unaware of what these suddenly appearing blue lotuses were all about.

Gazing at the flower buds swaying in the wind beside them, some of the more curious Qi Refining cultivators couldn't resist reaching out to touch them.

"stop!"

Upon seeing this, the general of Yaoshan Army cried out in alarm!
However, his reminder was a beat too late. Not far away, a quick-handed soldier had already touched the flower bud in front of him!

The moment his finger touched the blue lotus bud, the bud burst into bloom!
Suddenly, streaks of cyan sword energy flew out from the blooming flower buds, flying in all directions!
As a result, countless blue lotus buds in the void also bloomed one after another!

In an instant, a blue light illuminated the void, and enormous lotus flowers of sword intent bloomed in profusion!

Amidst the dense and terrifying sword energy, thousands of cultivators and soldiers of the Yaoshan Army were instantly dismembered on the spot!

Bright red blood splattered across the sky!
Below, on the city wall of Yunshui City, Shen Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at this scene, and couldn't help but mutter:

"The lotus leaves stretch to the sky, an endless expanse of green; the lotus blossoms, bathed in sunlight, are a uniquely vibrant red..."

The killing spree in the void ended quickly. After the bloody storm, the countless blue lotuses in the sky gradually dissipated. Only the thick bloody smell that permeated the surroundings and the severed limbs and remains scattered all over the mountains and forests proved that just a few breaths ago, there was a large army of cultivators of several thousand people in the sky above this mountain forest!
"You... a dignified... a Golden Core... Sword Immortal!"

"Ah... cough cough..."

After the vast clear lake and the blue lotus disappeared, a dark blue rock still emanated a dim glow in that void.

Beneath those dark blue rocks stood the general of Yaoshan Army.

The man was now covered in blood, his armor and robes tattered and torn.

Clearly, the dark blue rock above his head must be an extraordinary treasure, which barely saved his life amidst the overwhelming sword energy.

"Golden elixir?"

Shen Wen'an looked at him calmly and said, "If you think I am a Golden Core cultivator, you can ask the ruler of your Fushan Kingdom to come and verify it."

Sword intent is indeed a hallmark of Golden Core Sword Immortals, but it is not only Golden Core Sword Immortals who can use sword intent.

During the late stage of fetal breathing, he had already grasped the rudimentary form of sword intent. After his bloodline improved and he gained an opportunity for enlightenment, he directly condensed the rudimentary form of sword intent onto his natal magic sword.

At the time, it was simply that there was no way to visualize the artistic conception.

After his last seclusion to break through to the Golden Core stage, which was abruptly terminated midway and left his realm stuck at the half-step Golden Core stage, Shen Wen'an was already able to materialize his artistic conception.

This time, I just wanted to test the power of artistic conception.

The bluish-black rock atop the head of the general of Yaoshan Army was actually the summit of an ancient sacred mountain, a fragmented high-grade earth-attribute magic artifact.

Although he survived amidst the overwhelming sword energy, the magic weapon was ultimately incomplete and could not withstand the sword intent attack of a quasi-sword immortal.

Now, his soul and body have suffered severe damage, and the foundation of his immortal embryo within his body has been shattered.

Even if Shen Wen'an lets him go this time, he will probably have a hard time surviving.

Upon seeing Shen Wen'an use his artistic conception technique, the first thought that popped into his mind was that the sword cultivator in front of him was a Golden Core Realm Sword Immortal!

However, it's impossible for our own ruler not to sense when someone at the Golden Core stage makes a move.

The fact that the king has not intervened proves that this person is not a Golden Core Realm sword immortal.

The general of Yaoshan Army was filled with horror and despair!

He had no idea what kind of being the Fushan Kingdom had provoked this time.

Looking down at his comrades who had fought alongside him for many years, now not even a complete corpse remained, he suddenly smiled sadly.

"To die at the hands of such a heaven-defying genius as Your Excellency is... cough cough... this general is not at a loss!"

"Please, sir, make your move!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a cyan sword beam pierced through his skull.

As the sword light flew out from behind his head, it suddenly swept up, carrying his corpse and the dark blue rocks in the void towards Yunshui City.

The Ren Shui Yin Ling Formation was activated, and Shen Wen'an landed on the city wall.

He dusted off his sleeves and bowed slightly to Shen Yuan and the others, saying, "Father, my two sisters-in-law, I'm sorry to have frightened you."

Shen Yuan nodded with a smile.

Hu Meier and Wei Qiuling, who were beside him, both waved and smiled.

"Third Uncle's move just now was amazing!"

"Father, what was the name of that move that filled the sky with lotus flowers?"

Several younger members of the Shen family gathered around, and Shen Chongzhen approached his father with an expression of admiration, looking at him intently and asking a question.

Facing the eager gazes of the younger generation, Shen Wen'an smiled faintly and said, "That is my sword intent, [Ten Thousand Acres of Clear Lake Contains Green Lotus]."

"A vast, clear lake holds a blue lotus..." Shen Xiuzhuo and the other younger generation murmured, all amazed by the move just now.

“Xiu Zhuo…” Shen Yuan called out to Shen Xiu Zhuo, the oldest among the younger generation.

"Grandpa!"

Shen Xiuzhuo immediately bowed respectfully.

"Take some men over there and clean up the battlefield. These soldiers from Fushan Kingdom are all elites, and they must have a lot of good stuff on them. We can't waste it."

Shen Xiuzhuo nodded and immediately led the Golden Toad and Centipede Leader, along with a group of Shen family cultivators, toward the forest littered with severed limbs.

"Father, I'm going to check on how things are going with my elder brother and Chongming."

With the crisis in Yunshui City over, Shen Wen'an immediately went to the front lines to check on the situation.

"no need."

Shen Yuan looked at his youngest son with a pang of heartache.

For so many years, he has been running around for the Shen family, risking his life.

"I have already consulted the oracle, and this great harvest will be free of any danger."

"Let your elder brother and Chongming and the others gain more experience."

Shen Wen'an hesitated for a moment and nodded, "In that case, I'll take a short rest and leave things here to Father."

Having repeatedly annihilated the generals of the Xuanhu Army and Xuankui Army of the Fushan Kingdom, and now using his sword intent to kill the Yaoshan Army, he has suffered considerable losses and urgently needs to recuperate so that he can deal with any unexpected events at any time.

……

Yingchuan County.

Led by Shen Wenxing and his son Shen Chongming, and aided by the Snow Wolf King, a powerful demon at the peak of the Nascent Soul realm, the two armies of the Shen family advanced rapidly and soon brought half of Yingchuan County under their control.

As the supreme commander of the Fushan Kingdom in Yangnao, Wu Shi Ao still had two large armies, the Xuanlin Army and the Fengwu Army, but he dared not send them out to meet the enemy easily.

He was terrified that Shen Wen'an, this god of war, was hiding somewhere, waiting for the two armies to show themselves.

Without the resistance of the Xuanlin Army and the Fengwu Army, the two armies of the Shen family swept through Yingchuan County as if it were empty, quickly occupying more than fifteen cities.

Inside the palace in Yingchuan County.

Wu Shi Ao's face turned ashen, and the Xuanlin Army generals and Fengwu Army generals in front of him didn't dare to utter a sound.

Just now, Wu Shi Ao sent a telepathic message to the king Wu Shi Kui, who was far away in the southern border, in front of them, asking for help.

However, Wu Shi Kui's intention was for them to preserve their strength first, and then find a way to reclaim the lost territory after this great harvest was over.

"Somebody come!"

Wu Shi Ao's expression changed several times before he shouted in a cold voice.

Two guards hurriedly came forward and bowed.

Where are the two armies of the Shen family now?

Looking at the map in front of him, Wu Shi Ao rubbed his forehead in exasperation and asked in a deep voice.

"Your Highness, according to previous intelligence, the two armies of the Shen family bypassed the county town and headed east."

Heading east...

Wu Shi Ao looked at the map.

Further east of Yingchuan lies Sanshan County.

"Their target is... the Seven Sages Mountain Secret Realm?"

After the Fushan Kingdom occupied the Sanshan County, it also discovered the existence of the Seven Sages Mountain Secret Realm.

However, the Seven Sages Mountain Secret Realm is restricted to cultivators at the Qi Refining Realm. Over the years, the Fushan Kingdom has sent many people in to search for it, but they have only found some spiritual herbs and some incomplete ancient artifacts.

There were no benefits to being brought into the open.

"Your Highness, do they intend to seize Sanshan County as well?"

The general of the Fengwu Army approached and frowned as he spoke.

Wu Shi'ao sighed heavily, his gaze sweeping over the map now covered with Shen family flags, and said, "Let them fight."

"The harvest will be over in a few days."

"When the time comes, we'll wait for the Emperor to send reinforcements, and then we can slowly take them back."

"General Fengwu, take your men to Xiangjun to capture some blood food. After the harvest, send it back to the Southern Frontier to report to His Majesty."

That's how these forces in the southern border are; if they can't seize food from others, they can only plunder the people under their own rule.

If this continues for a long time, the people under its rule will be exploited too much, which will easily lead to a shortage of people to support them.

"Yes!"

After receiving his orders, the general of the Fengwu Army left the main hall.

……

The month-long harvest season quickly came to an end.

This time, the Shen family's two armies advanced all the way, capturing a total of twenty-seven cities in Yingchuan and Sanshan counties.

Such a terrifying record directly made several other forces in the surrounding southern border feel a strong threat.

Immediately after the great harvest ended, the Yin Corpse Sect and Canaan Temple, which bordered the Shen family, issued orders to prohibit cultivators under their jurisdiction from crossing the border to provoke the Shen family.

At the same time, heavy troops were also deployed to guard the city bordering the Shen family.

In mid-October, the weather grew colder, and the north wind howled.

Half a month after the second major harvest, Luo Yao rode the wind to Yunshui City.

Inside the side room, after the servants brought in hot tea, Shen Chongming asked, "What were the losses suffered by Luoxia Mountain this time?"

As soon as Luo Yao arrived, he noticed that she looked somewhat tired.

Clearly, the difficulty of Canaan Temple exceeded Luoxia Mountain's expectations.

This massive harvest caused Luoxia Mountain to suffer a considerable loss, especially compared to Canaan Temple.

Luo Yao took a sip of tea, shook her head with a wry smile, and said, "Those bald monks are truly cunning."

"Although the disciples of Luoxia Mountain did not suffer many casualties this time, many disciples were injured by the secret techniques of Canaan Temple."

Secret skill?

Upon hearing this, Shen Chongming's mind stirred slightly, and he asked, "I wonder what the specific effects of the secret technique of Canaan Temple are?"

Every ten years, the eight major powers engage in a major reaping operation. The Shen family still has a chance of encountering Canaan Temple. If they can know their methods in advance, they can be prepared.

Luo Yao pondered for a moment and said, "The Buddhist practitioners at Canaan Temple are somewhat similar to a combination of physical cultivation and immortal cultivation."

"He has a strong physical body and is also skilled in various Buddhist cultivation methods."

"If that's all, it's not too difficult to deal with."

"What's most troublesome is their karmic attack methods and a strange secret technique called the 'Scripture of Seeking Fate and Salvation'."

"The former can ignore the cultivator's spiritual energy shield and directly cause karmic entanglement."

“Any cultivator who has killed living beings and whose Dao heart is insufficient will develop inner demons when faced with karmic burdens, causing them to lose their composure on the spot.”

Even those with a strong enough Dao heart will be affected to some extent, and their strength will be greatly reduced.

"If it weren't for my uncle's secret preparations, the casualties of my Luoxia Mountain would probably have been even more severe."

Inducing karma?

Upon hearing this, Shen Chongming's expression turned somewhat grave.

This method is indeed somewhat bizarre.

Karma belongs to the power of the laws of heaven and earth, similar to the forces of cause and effect and time, and belongs to a higher level of power.

Ordinary cultivators can't even sense it, let alone manipulate it.

The fact that Canaan Temple can control such methods makes it truly difficult to guard against.

"As for the 'Scripture of Seedling of Fate and Salvation', it is even more bizarre. There are still hundreds of disciples on Luoxia Mountain affected by the 'Scripture of Seedling of Fate and Salvation'. They are as if they have been possessed, sometimes lucid and sometimes insane."

"My master instructed me to come here because the Shen family's literary cultivators possess a powerful and unyielding force known as 'righteous energy'."

"If possible, I may need a few literary cultivators to accompany me to Yunzhong County City to see if we can save the disciples of Luoxia Mountain."

"Upright and righteous spirit..." Shen Chongming hesitated for a moment after hearing this and said, "Senior Luo, to be honest..."

“Back when my Shen family attacked Mount Dawu, monks from Canaan Temple took the opportunity to go south and preach in the four towns on the border of Xingyang City. Two hundred thousand people were planted with the ‘Spirit of Seeking Affinity and Salvation’.”

"The Shen family spent more than half a year trying various methods to save them."

Upon hearing this, Luo Yao's face lit up with joy, and she asked, "Then what method was used in the end to remove the secret technique of the 'Seed of Fate and Salvation Sutra'?"

Shen Chongming shook his head dejectedly and said, "In the end, it was I who gave the order to transfer those 200,000 commoners to the area bordering the Yin Corpse Sect and Anyang City, tacitly allowing the Yin Corpse Sect to abduct them all..."

Upon hearing this, Luo Yao's smile froze!
"You mean... once you're infected by the 'Scripture of Seeking Salvation and Transformation,' there's no hope?"

Shen Chongming did not answer.

After some thought, he comforted her, saying, "It's hard to say."

"Those who have been affected by this technique in Luoxia Mountain are all cultivators. They have spiritual platforms in their sea of ​​consciousness, and their souls are stronger, giving them a certain degree of self-resistance."

"They are far superior to ordinary people."

"Later, I will have Chongxuan accompany you. If Wen Dao's 'righteous spirit' is really useful, that would be the best."

Luo Yao nodded.

She was initially quite optimistic, thinking that since her uncle Jiang Xiuqi had spoken up, it proved that the Shen family's literary cultivators would definitely be able to solve this problem.

But after hearing Shen Chongming's words, his optimism vanished instantly.

As fellow Golden Core Immortal Sects, the six major powers of the Southern Frontier could still receive a continuous supply of disciples even after losing them.

However, at Luoxia Mountain, the presence of that terrifying old man in the bamboo hat at the barrier made it impossible to mobilize disciples from Danzhou.

"What are the losses suffered by Luoxia Mountain in terms of the city and its people?"

Changing the subject, Shen Chongming asked another question.

"Five cities were lost, but the common people suffered relatively little loss, around two million."

Shen Chongming nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, and said, "Senior Luo, this time my Shen family seized twenty-seven cities from the Fushan Kingdom. How many of them can Luoxia Mountain absorb?"

Twenty-seven cities!?
Luo Yao could hardly believe her ears and stared at Shen Chongming in astonishment.

In order to reap this huge harvest, Shen Wen'an forcibly gave up an opportunity to break through to the Golden Core stage, guessing that the Shen family must be planning something big.

But in just one month of this massive harvest, the Shen family actually seized twenty-seven cities!

Basically, they captured one city a day.

"Then the Kingdom of Fushan...is offering no resistance at all?"

Luo Yao asked, somewhat incredulously.

It's a Golden Core Kingdom, after all. How come there's no resistance at all?

Shen Chongming smiled faintly: "They do want to resist."

"But in just a few days, three of the five legions were wiped out by Uncle San, and the remaining two legions did not dare to show their faces at all."

"The cultivators of my Shen family pass through as if they were in an empty land."

Upon hearing this, Luo Yao opened her mouth in astonishment, and then exclaimed, "Fellow Daoist Wen'an's strength is enough to be called the number one person below the Golden Core stage."

After a pause, he looked at Shen Wen'an and asked, "Of these twenty-seven cities, how many does the Shen family intend to keep?"

When the Immortal Sect descended, Luoxia Mountain gave the Shen family four cities as their foundation.

This massive harvest resulted in heavy losses for Luoxia Mountain. Luo Yao wanted to ask for more cities, but she was too embarrassed to ask.

We can only wait and see how many seats the Shen family plans to provide.

"The Shen family doesn't plan to keep too many."

"My father and grandfather mean that, including Yunshui City, the Shen family's current strength is limited to governing nine cities. Any more would be a burden."

Upon hearing this, Luo Yao immediately frowned.

"So, of the twenty-seven cities, the Shen family only intends to keep four?"

"The remaining twenty-three cities are too much for Luoxia Mountain to handle."

Shen Chongming laughed and said, "It's alright. Luoxia Mountain can take as many as it wants. As for the rest... I plan to use them to make a deal with Fushan Kingdom."

"Oh?" Luo Yao was a little surprised, but she didn't ask any further questions.

After some thought, she said somewhat shyly, "Then I, on behalf of Luoxia Mountain, will demand ten cities... how about that?"

Shen Chongming nodded nonchalantly and said, "No problem."

"I will hand over the map of the city I have occupied to you later."

"After Luoxia Mountain was selected, I will use the remaining thirteen cities to trade with the Fushan Kingdom."

After chatting for a while, Luo Yao, concerned about the disciples in the county city who had been infected by the "Seed of Fate and Salvation Scripture," left the Shen family with Shen Chongxuan and the city map.

……

Yingchuan County City.

Shen Wen'an and Shen Chongming sat upright in the main hall, looking at Wu Shi'ao and a group of powerful military officers before them. Shen Chongming smiled faintly and said:
"Your country's rich heritage is truly enviable."

During the second major harvest, the Fushan Kingdom lost three major legions in one fell swoop, and dozens of cultivators from the early stage of the Fetal Breathing Realm to the perfect stage of the Fetal Breathing Realm were killed.

But now, just over a month after the great harvest, the Fushan Kingdom has sent in five more cultivators at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage.

These five people, along with the two remaining cultivators at the Perfected Nascent Soul stage, plus Wu Shi Ao himself, made Fu Shan Kingdom's strength in Yang Nao Land significantly stronger than before the Great Harvest.

"Has Patriarch Shen come here to mock my Fushan Kingdom and make a fool of myself?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Shi'ao's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

The reinforcements from the southern border just arrived a few days ago, and he is preparing to organize manpower to slowly retake the cities that were previously lost.

But then he suddenly received a report from his soldiers that the head of the Shen family had come to visit.

"Your Highness misunderstands. I have come here to discuss a business matter with your country."

Business?

Wu Shi'ao frowned slightly and asked, "What kind of business?"

Shen Chongming slowly began, “Thirteen cities, business involving nearly twenty million people.”

Upon hearing this, Wu Shi Ao and the generals behind him were stunned.

What do you desire, sir?

After pondering for a long time, Wu Shi Ao said in a deep voice.

It has to be said that he was tempted by the business deal that Shen Chongming mentioned.

In the second major harvest, the Kingdom of Fushan lost a total of twenty-seven cities.

Although reinforcements have arrived, it's hard to say how many of these twenty-seven cities can be recaptured before the next major harvest.

The key point is that the Shen family also has this terrifying swordsman who has not spoken a word.

If we actually take action to seize it, regardless of whether we can get the city back, we will certainly lose a lot of our cultivators.

Shen Chongming pondered for a moment and said, "The Shen family has three conditions."

"First, the Seven Sages Mountain Secret Realm in Sanshan County."

"Secondly, ten battle formations in your country's army."

"Third, five thousand spirit crystals and a guarantee of never crossing the border again for a hundred years."

Upon hearing this, Wu Shi'ao's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

He could accept the first condition. The Seven Sages Mountain Secret Realm, Fushan Kingdom, had been explored for twenty years, but had not gained much benefit from it.

But the second condition is a bit excessive.

Battle formations and tactics are one of the most core elements of the Fushan Kingdom, and are the foundation upon which each legion relies for survival.

If it were revealed, it would not only be equivalent to telling the Shen family all the weaknesses of the major legions of Fushan Kingdom, but would also indirectly enhance the strength of the Shen family.

"I can agree to the first and third conditions of Patriarch Shen."

"But battle formations... I'm afraid I cannot agree to that."

Upon hearing this, Shen Chongming gave him a half-smile and said, "In that case, the Shen family will have no choice but to go and talk to the Yin Corpse Sect."

"Thirteen cities and so much blood food, I believe the Yin Corpse Sect should also be very interested."

Yingchuan and Sanshan counties border Jinghe counties, which are controlled by the Yinshi Sect.

The Yin Corpse Sect was equally happy to take over those cities.

"Third Uncle, let's go."

After saying this, Shen Chongming immediately stood up and was about to leave the main hall with Shen Wen'an.

Just then, the seven generals at the peak of the Nascent Soul realm behind Wu Shi Ao suddenly appeared and blocked their path.

Seeing this, Shen Chongming turned to Wu Shi'ao and said, "Does your country not have a rule that envoys are not killed in battle?"

"Or does Your Highness believe that these few people can stop my uncle and nephew?"

As he said this, ripples of blue light slowly appeared around Shen Wen'an.

In an instant, the entire hall seemed to be enveloped by a blue lake.

Strands of terrifying sword intent rippled outwards, giving rise to countless blue lotuses in the void of the main hall.

By the time the seven generals from Fushan Kingdom, who were at the peak of the Fetal Breathing Realm, reacted, the area around them was already filled with budding blue lotuses.

"artistic conception!?"

The seven men were all utterly horrified and dared not make the slightest move.

They all knew very well that at this moment, Shen Wen'an could take their lives with just a thought.

"Fellow Daoist, please show mercy."

Wu Shi'ao slowly stood up, cupped his hands in greeting to Shen Wen'an, and then looked at Shen Chongming and said, "Patriarch Shen, we can discuss this further."

Upon hearing this, Shen Wen'an withdrew the sword intent of [Ten Thousand Acres of Clear Lake Contains Green Lotus].

As the sword intent lotus beside them slowly disappeared, the seven generals of Fushan Kingdom all breathed a sigh of relief and slunk back to stand behind Wu Shi Ao.

"Master Shen, please have a seat."

When Wu Shi'ao spoke, Shen Chongming and Shen Wen'an sat back in their original seats.

"To be honest, Patriarch Shen, battle formations and arrays are all passed down from ancient times, and my Fushan Kingdom doesn't have many of them."

"Patriarch Shen is making an outrageous demand; I simply cannot provide ten battle formations."

Shen Chongming glanced at him but didn't say anything.

Wu Shi Ao was extremely shrewd; you couldn't tell from his expression whether he was telling the truth or not.

"Three."

"The Fushan Kingdom can only offer three battle formations."

"If the Shen family doesn't agree, then this deal will have to be called off."

Gritting his teeth, Wu Shi Ao spoke in a deep voice.

Three seats...

After thinking for a moment, Shen Chongming suddenly smiled and said, "Deal!"

The difference between one battle formation and three formations is actually not that significant.

After all, a battle formation can be executed by a thousand people or by ten thousand people.

For example, the previous armies of the Fushan Kingdom numbered eight thousand men each, and each thousand men could form a square formation. The square formations could also be connected to each other through battle formations.

The Shen family can only use it at this stage. It's hard to say how much use battle formations will be in the future when their strength increases.

Seeing Shen Chongming agree so readily, Wu Shi'ao was momentarily stunned.

"how?"

"Has Your Highness changed your mind?"

Seeing Wu Shi'ao staring blankly at him, Shen Chongming smiled faintly.

"Of course not!"

"Someone, bring me the map!"

Wu Shi Ao came to his senses and quickly had someone fetch the map.

After both parties confirmed the city to be handed over, Shen Chongming said, "From this day forward, Qixian Mountain belongs to my Shen family."

"The Fushan Kingdom has an obligation to help protect Qixian Mountain. Without the permission of the Shen family, no one is allowed to set foot on Qixian Mountain, let alone enter the secret realm."

"Your Highness, can you do that?"

Wu Shi Ao nodded.

The cultivators of Fushan Kingdom were not interested in that secret realm, so it didn't matter if they sent people to guard it.

After the deal was completed, the uncle and nephew received the formation inheritance of three battle formations and five thousand spirit crystals, and then returned directly to Yunshui City.

Inside the Blackwater Pavilion.

Shen Yuan sorted through all the spoils of war, placing the most valuable ones on the third floor of the Blackwater Pavilion, where he personally guarded them.

Most of the ordinary goods were handed over to Shen Li, who then delivered them to the clan's treasury in the main courtyard.

On the second floor, the father and son sat facing each other.

"The great harvest is over, and it's time for you to start working on breaking through to the Golden Core stage."

Looking at his son in front of him, Shen Yuan spoke.

"Not urgent."

Shen Wen'an respectfully handed over a cup of tea, and after a moment's thought, said, "The Golden Core Realm experts from the Southern Frontier do not seem to intend to make a move this time."

"There's no need for you to rush your breakthrough."

"Let's wait until a few more cultivators with the combat power of the Perfected Nascent Soul Realm are born in our family."

Shen Yuan paused slightly in his teacup, looked up at him, and said in a deep voice:
"This might mean waiting for several years or even more than a decade. Wouldn't that delay your future spiritual practice?"

This son has sacrificed too much for the family.

He clearly had the opportunity to achieve the Golden Core Dao at any time, but he stubbornly suppressed his breakthrough.

It's all just to wait for another being to emerge in the clan who can turn the tide at the Nascent Soul stage.

"Father, there's no need to worry."

“Cultivation at the Golden Core stage is different from Qi Refining and Embryonic Breathing.”

"A sudden enlightenment is better than ten or a hundred years of arduous cultivation."

"Besides, if my son wants to break through, he will definitely need to open the Heavenly Gate again."

"With the abundant spiritual energy descending from the Heavenly Gate, my cultivation level will surely catch up with Senior Jiang in an instant."

Shen Yuan sighed inwardly after hearing this.

“Chongming’s cultivation is about to reach the late stage of the embryonic breathing stage. Your elder brother also said the other day that he is preparing to go into seclusion to break through to the fourth realm.”

"Li'er and her mother are already quite strong."

"In addition, the strength of the three demons—the Snow Wolf King, the Golden Toad, and the Centipede Leader—has also greatly improved."

"There's really no need to worry too much about the Shen family."

Shen Wen'an nodded and then let out a long sigh of relief.

Hearing his father say this, he suddenly realized that the burden on his shoulders had indeed become much lighter.

"And you, Father?"

He suddenly turned to Shen Yuan and spoke.

The Great Evolution Path excels at concealing heavenly secrets and auras. Even though he now possesses the cultivation of a half-step Golden Core cultivator, he still feels that his father is shrouded in a thin veil, and his realm and aura are hazy and unclear.

"As a father?"

Shen Yuan picked up the teacup in front of him and said with a faint smile, "If we wait until I have to take action, everything will be over."

"My cultivation level isn't in the realm of cultivation, so it's hard to say."

"By the way, if you don't plan to go into seclusion during this period, you should take some time to visit Flame Lake City."

Shen Yuan changed the subject, his expression solemn.

What happened to Flame Lake City?

Shen Wen'an was somewhat curious.

Shen Yuan didn't speak, but got up and took a hand-drawn map from the desk next to him.

The map was covered with many markings, including divination symbols, prophecies, the direction of the earth's veins, directions, and terrain.

Shen Wen'an glanced at it and found it somewhat difficult to understand.

Shen Yuan didn't offer much explanation, but simply pointed to an area on the left side of the map and said, "After you arrive at Flame Lake City, continue west and help your father verify the topography and ley line direction of this area."

"If you encounter any other strange things, write them down as well."

Shen Wen'an nodded, then glanced at the chessboard next to him, which had been used for several years but had only seen less than twenty moves, and asked curiously, "Father, have you been studying these things all these years?"

"What's the connection between this and the chessboard?"

Shen Yuan's gaze also fell upon the chessboard, a glint of light flashing in his eyes as he murmured softly.

"As your father, I just want to see how this grand strategy unfolds..."

……

Outside Yunshui City, in a secluded cave in the mountains.

Shen Chongming stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the burly woman in front of him whose true essence and spiritual power had been sealed.

This woman was over ten feet tall, and after removing her armor and helmet, she was actually quite attractive.

"General Fufeng, I'll say it again: as long as you're willing to swear an oath of loyalty to the Shen family..."

"I will immediately have my third uncle remove the sword energy from your body, so that you will not have to suffer the pain of your meridians being torn apart by the sword energy every day."

Na Fufeng glanced at him and said coldly, "Loyalty to the Shen family?"

"If I can regain my strength, I will surely kill you!"

"If you know what's good for you, just give this general a quick death and stop wasting your breath here!"

Seeing his stubbornness, Shen Chongming sighed slightly.

"Third Uncle was right after all. It is really not easy to subdue a cultivator like General."

"In that case, General, please don't blame me."

Upon hearing this, Fu Feng frowned slightly.

"what are you up to?"

Shen Chongming ignored her and turned to look outside the cave.

"Wu Jiu, come in."

As soon as he finished speaking, a burly man from the Western Wilderness strode over.

"Homeowner!"

This burly man was a cultivator from the Western Wilderness whom the Shen family captured when the Hundred Beasts Mountain controlled the Western Wilderness.

At the time, the Shen family was in dire need of manpower. After the nine people were captured, they all made a solemn oath to the Shen family.

Now, decades have passed. Of the nine, Wu Yi died at the hands of the Yin Corpse Sect, and Wu San and Wu Si also died in battle one after another. Of the remaining six, Wu Jiu is the strongest, having reached the early stage of the Fetal Breathing stage.

Shen Chongming glanced at Fu Feng again, then a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.

"This person is now in your hands."

"Get her pregnant with your child as quickly as possible."

Upon hearing this, Wu Jiu was somewhat taken aback.

Meanwhile, Fu Feng on the other side was filled with shock, and then roared angrily!
"You despicable and shameless bastard!!"

"Kill me, General!!"

"You killed this general!"

Fu Feng suddenly stood up, the specially made chains binding his hands and feet rattling as he struggled.

She never expected Shen Chongming to use this method.

A mutated spiritual root possessor at the perfected stage of fetal breathing, she was the most promising female general in the Fushan Kingdom. Even the Fushan Kingdom's ruler, Wu Shikui, couldn't bear to forcibly take her in.

Now they're reduced to mere breeding machines!
"General, it's not too late to regret it now."

"Don't even think about it!" Fu Feng's eyes blazed with fury as he glared at Shen Chongming and said, "You wait! If I break free, I will grind you to dust and refine all your Shen family members into blood pills!"

Shen Chongming glanced at her coldly, then turned to Wu Jiu and said, "She is a cultivator at the peak of the Fetal Breathing Realm, and most importantly, her spiritual root is a mutated wind attribute."

"You know what I mean?"

Upon hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Wu Jiu's eyes!
As a barbarian tribe in the western wilderness, they have always placed great importance on the quality of their offspring's bloodline.

Every member of the Western Wilderness tribe, regardless of gender, only focuses on whether their partner is strong enough when choosing a spouse.

As for appearance and height, those are secondary.

Now, upon hearing Shen Chongming say that the woman before him had reached the Great Perfection of Fetal Breathing and possessed a rare mutated wind-attribute spiritual root, Wu Jiu was instantly tempted.

"Rest assured, Master, I will ensure that she produces a powerful offspring!"

Shen Chongming nodded and said, "Be careful. If we let it escape and commit suicide, all our efforts will be in vain."

After giving him a brief instruction, he walked straight outside.

Outside the cave, Shen Chongming stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the sky above. He listened to the angry curses and screams coming from behind him, his expression somewhat complicated.

Although he was not a scholar, he received his early education at an academy and became well-versed in classics, history, philosophy, and literature.

Knowing that this action violated human ethics and moral principles, and that it would bring shame upon the Shen family if word got out, they were aware that such behavior violated human ethics and moral principles.

But as the third head of the Shen family, he was willing to bear the infamy himself as long as it made the Shen family strong enough!
A resolute glint flashed in Shen Chongming's eyes as he slowly walked down the mountain.

……

Southern Xinjiang, Qingting City.

Shen Chongxu sat upright in the main seat of the main hall, exuding a sharp aura.

In just a few years, his cultivation level had reached the mid-stage of the embryonic breathing stage.

The two rows below were filled with eight people, men, women, and children.

Of these eight people, apart from the two brothers Dong Yunhu and Dong Yunbao who followed him the first, who were only at the ninth level of Qi Refining, the remaining six were all cultivators at the early stage of the Fetal Breathing Realm.

"Master, I have received news that recently, Huanyun City and Zhanglin Plain, which are next to my Qingding City, seem to have been attacked by mysterious powerful figures."

"The Lingxin Sect, a fifth-tier power that controls Huanyun City, and some Naxi Realm cultivators from the Chang family of Zhanglinyuan have mysteriously disappeared."

"Such a golden opportunity, should I, Bai Xuanjiao, seize both Zhanglin Plain and Huanyun City in one fell swoop?"

Among the eight, a middle-aged man dressed as a delicate scholar, holding a black feather fan, stood up and cupped his hands in greeting.

This person is named Ming Zhengchu, and he is at the early stage of embryonic breathing cultivation.

Before joining the White Prophecy Cult, he was a wandering healer.

Medicine is considered a minor path in various cultivation systems, and those who practice medicine are mostly skilled in using poison.

Ming Zhengchu was also a master of poison.

However, this guy, despite being a cultivator of the embryonic breathing stage, is inexplicably lustful.

He often used his identity as a physician to travel among the cities of Fushan Kingdom, treating the illnesses and injuries of cultivators from various sects and families.

Whenever he discovers a female cultivator who is quite attractive, he will spare no expense to get his hands on her.

After being pursued by various forces, this guy ran to Qingting City and was captured by Shen Chongxu.

"Not urgent."

Shen Chongxu sat imposingly on his throne, glanced at the others, and said calmly, "How's the matter I asked you to inquire about?"

The people below looked at each other in bewilderment.

One of the bald old men, dressed in a gray robe, bowed slightly and said, "Reporting to the sect leader, our subordinates are of low strength and are indeed unable to obtain any information about the royal family."

"However...a while ago, there were rumors that the royal family suffered a great loss in that Yangnao land."

"It seems that the army of cultivators guarding Yunzhou City has been transferred to Yangnao Land."

Has the imperial army guarding Yunzhou left?
A sinister smile suddenly appeared on Shen Chongxu's face.

"Continue to send people to investigate the specific strength of various cities and forces in Yunzhou. Make sure to find out the details for me."

"Submit the compiled intelligence as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, the people below all respectfully bowed and accepted.

"Alright, this leader is tired."

After yawning, Shen Chongxu got up and left the hall, heading towards the backyard.

The remaining people looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Two vice leaders, the leader, he..."

"Please don't make things difficult for my brother and me. Even if we knew about the sect leader's affairs, we wouldn't dare to speak of them."

After Dong Yunhu stood up and clasped his hands in greeting, he hurriedly pulled his younger brother Dong Yunbao outside.

The remaining people all had strange expressions upon seeing this.

"With the sect leader paying so much attention to the various forces in Yunzhou, could it be that he plans to annex the entire Yunzhou!?"

A glint of ambition flashed in Ming Zhengchu's eyes as he murmured.

"This is a good thing!"

"If my Bai Xuanjiao sect can occupy a state and amass a large amount of cultivation resources, our cultivation will surely be greatly improved. We might even become renowned experts in the Fushan Kingdom!"

The bald old man who had spoken earlier chuckled.

"The idea is good..."

"I'm afraid that people are never satisfied and that a snake can swallow an elephant. With Bai Xuanjiao's current strength, let alone annexing the entire Yunzhou, he would have a hard time resisting even a slightly stronger fifth-tier power."

"At that time, all our cultivation will be buried with the leader's ambition."

"Go away."

Among the group, a young man dressed in a silver-gray brocade robe sneered as he finished speaking and turned to leave the hall.

Just then, a disciple of the White Prophet Church suddenly appeared at the door and blocked his way.

"Guardian Yu, the leader requests your presence."

The young man frowned slightly upon hearing this.

The others in the hall watched with glee as he was led to the backyard by the disciple.

"What an idiot..."

"You've only been here a few days, and you haven't even figured out the leader's temper yet, but you dare to spout nonsense here."

"What a waste of such a handsome face. I was planning to have some fun with him in a while..."

The only woman in the hall scoffed.

The others remained calm and didn't say anything unnecessary; they all got up and walked outside.

Clearly, they all knew what fate awaited the Dharma Protector.

(End of this chapter)