Starting with a daily divination to build an immortal clan

Chapter 240 The Chess Player's Warning
As the group looked slightly puzzled, the Golden Core demon cultivator from Tian Tan Mountain spoke up.

"I have also heard that a True Monarch is stationed at the barrier between Yangnao Land and Danzhou. Since the person who came is from Danzhou, he must not be so simple."

"Patriarch Shen, do not let your guard down."

Upon hearing this, Shen Chongming bowed slightly to the people in front of him.

"Third Uncle, please receive this senior from Tian Tan Mountain first."

"Senior, fellow Daoists, let me go and take a look."

Shen Wen'an nodded and led the Golden Core cultivator from Tian Tan Mountain and the old man Jin to the Welcoming Immortal Platform. Shen Chongming then followed the guardian cultivator towards the outside of the Ren Shui Concealing Spirit Array.

"Master, the person is right there."

The two arrived outside the Renshui Concealing Spirit Formation. The cultivator guarding the formation pointed to the figure standing with his hands behind his back in the void and whispered.

Looking in the direction he pointed, Shen Chongming was filled with suspicion.

The figure in the cloud was quite unfamiliar.

Dressed in slightly worn hemp clothes and a straw hat, with no spiritual energy fluctuations, if it weren't for the fact that he was standing comfortably on a cloud and walking by the roadside, Shen Chongming would have thought he was just an ordinary old farmer.

But clearly, this was no ordinary peasant without any cultivation.

The other party's realm has clearly reached the point of returning to simplicity and authenticity, far surpassing my own!

Golden elixir?

Or...above the Golden Core stage!?

Shen Chongming's mind raced, considering many possibilities in an instant. However, his body did not slacken in the slightest. He hurriedly came forward and respectfully cupped his hands, saying, "Shen Chongming, the head of the Shen family, pays his respects to this senior."

"Young man, don't you recognize me?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than the old farmer on the cloud chuckled and opened his mouth.

Upon hearing this, Shen Chongming was immediately taken aback and carefully examined the old man's clothes and appearance once more.

A sense of familiarity immediately washed over him, instantly changing the expression on his face from confusion to astonishment!
"You are... that True Monarch senior at the barrier!?"

The old man in the straw hat nodded with a smile.

The two had met briefly many years ago.

At that time, Shen Wen'an had gained many benefits in Danzhou, but he did not want to return to Yangnao Land immediately. So he sent a telepathic message to Shen Chongming to go to the Danzhou barrier and give him the "Ligong Binghuo Refining Technique" and other things such as spirit crystals to take back.

Knowing that there was a powerful True Monarch at the barrier, Shen Chongming did not dare to look at him too much after arriving. In addition, the old man in the bamboo hat in front of him was just sitting on the boulder, his aura blending with the boulder.

He also never saw the old man's true appearance.

If the old man in the straw hat hadn't brought it up, he wouldn't have recognized the other person's identity at all.

Upon hearing the old man in the straw hat admit it, a huge wave of emotions surged within Shen Chongming!
Whether this powerful True Lord is friend or foe remains unknown. What is his intention in coming to the Shen family during Third Uncle's Golden Elixir Ceremony?

"Little fellow, is this how a prestigious Golden Core family treats its guests?"

"I've come all this way to offer my congratulations, and you expect this old man to just stand here in the air and suffer the cold wind?"

Seeing Shen Chongming standing there dumbfounded and not saying a word, the old man in the straw hat chuckled and spoke up.

Upon hearing this, Shen Chongming suddenly came to his senses.

Being attached to appearances...

Given the strength of the Nascent Soul True Monarch, if he wanted to target the Shen family, he wouldn't need to go through all this trouble. With a single palm strike, the entire Yunshui City would probably be reduced to ashes.

"Please forgive me, senior. I am truly shocked!"

"Please come in, senior!"

After bowing and apologizing, Shen Chongming quickly gestured for the other party to enter the formation.

On the welcoming platform outside the Shen family manor, Shen Wen'an, the Golden Core demon cultivator from Tian Tan Mountain, and Jiang Xiuqi sat facing each other, drinking tea and discussing the Dao.

Meanwhile, Old Man Jin, Hua Qing, and the others sat together with Luo Yao and a group of cultivators from Luoxia Mountain who had reached the Perfected Nascent Soul stage, chatting and laughing.

Shen Chongming led the old man in the bamboo hat out of the void.

Sensing his presence, Shen Wen'an slowly stood up and said, "Chongming is back."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiuqi and the Golden Core demon cultivators from Tian Tan Mountain also stood up, wanting to see who this mysterious figure who had come from Danzhou was.

Under the watchful eyes of the three, two figures descended from the clouds.

Upon suddenly noticing the attire of the old man in the straw hat beside Shen Chongming, Shen Wen'an was startled, and the teacup in his hand was instantly crushed.

"Young friend Wen'an?"

Jiang Xiuqi looked at him with a puzzled expression.

Shen Wen'an murmured, somewhat disoriented, "How could it be him?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Chongming and the old man in the bamboo hat arrived at the Welcoming Immortal Platform.

Shen Wen'an immediately suppressed his surprise and suspicion and quickly stepped forward to greet him.

Jiang Xiuqi and the Golden Core demon cultivator from Tian Tan Mountain behind him also clearly recognized the extraordinary nature of the old man in the bamboo hat, and followed him to the front.

"Greetings, senior."

At the edge of Yingxiantai, Shen Wen'an respectfully cupped his hands.

Seeing this, Luo Yao and Old Man Jin, who were not far away, were somewhat suspicious.

It should be noted that Shen Wen'an's current cultivation level is that of a Golden Core Sword Immortal. Only someone like Jiang Xiuqi, who is an elder and of similar cultivation level, can be worthy of being called "senior" by him.

The remaining unfamiliar Golden Core cultivators would probably only dare to address each other as fellow Daoists.

"Boy, we meet again."

The old man in the straw hat smiled and accepted the bow without hesitation.

"I have come here today on someone's behalf to present you with a congratulatory gift."

As they spoke, the old man in the bamboo hat took out a storage bag from his pocket and handed it to Shen Wen'an.

"The goods have been delivered; it's time for this old man to head back."

Before Shen Wen'an could say anything, the old man in the bamboo hat flickered and then disappeared into the breeze before everyone's eyes.

Seeing this, Jiang Xiuqi and the Golden Core demon cultivator from Tian Tan Mountain beside him were all astonished.

The old man in the bamboo hat could vanish without a trace in an instant, transforming into a gentle breeze – a feat no Golden Core cultivator could accomplish.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, that senior is...?"

After a moment's thought, Feng Changyou, the demon cultivator from Tian Tan Mountain, asked in a deep voice.

Jiang Xiuqi was also very curious about the old man's identity.

Shen Wen'an squeezed the storage bag in his hand, then handed it to Shen Chongming, and bowed to the two of them.

"That senior just now is the True Monarch powerhouse that Fellow Daoist Feng mentioned guarding the barrier."

Upon hearing this, the entire Yingxiantai fell silent instantly.

a long time--

"Good heavens... We were fortunate enough to witness a Nascent Soul True Monarch!"

The rat demon, Old Man Jin, swallowed hard, his face filled with disbelief.

Luo Yao and the others were still speechless with astonishment.

Luoxia Mountain is just a newly emerging Golden Core power. On weekdays in Danzhou, they can only see Golden Core cultivators at most. They have hardly ever seen Purple Mansion Realm cultivators, let alone Nascent Soul True Monarchs.

The old man in the straw hat who appeared on the welcoming platform just now was clearly an ordinary old farmer. No one associated him with such a great figure as the Nascent Soul True Monarch.

Jiang Xiuqi and Feng Changyou were also somewhat shocked.

In particular, when Feng Changyou recalled the words of that Nascent Soul True Monarch, a deep sense of doubt arose in his heart.

A Nascent Soul cultivator, entrusted by someone, traveled a long way to deliver a congratulatory gift to a newly promoted Golden Core Sword Immortal...

Could it be that the Shen family has such a terrifying hidden foundation?

The being capable of commanding a Nascent Soul True Monarch must be at least another Nascent Soul True Monarch, and in terms of strength, should be stronger than the old farmer-like Nascent Soul True Monarch from before.

With these guesses in mind, Feng Changyou's gaze toward Shen Wen'an changed once again.

"Third Uncle, this..."

Shen Chongming took the storage bag, but was interrupted by Shen Wen'an before he could say anything.

He smiled faintly and said, "Don't think too much. Almost everyone has arrived. Let the ceremony begin."

Shen Chongming cupped his hands in greeting and left with the storage bag.

……

After the Golden Elixir Ceremony ended, Shen Wen'an and Shen Chongming hurriedly arrived at the Blackwater Pavilion.

On the second floor, the three generations of a family sat together around a desk, with two storage bags in front of them.

“Grandpa, Third Uncle, this storage bag contains congratulatory gifts from the various affiliated clans under the Shen family, as well as fellow Daoists from Luoxia Mountain and Tiantan Mountain.”

"This storage bag..."

Shen Chongming picked up the storage bag given to him by the old man in the straw hat and looked at Shen Wen'an.

Shen Wen'an took the storage bag with a somewhat solemn expression.

"Father, the powerful Nascent Soul True Monarch who is stationed at the boundary between Danzhou and Yangnao is here today for the Dharma assembly."

"They said they were entrusted by someone to deliver this."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuan was somewhat surprised.

"Have you looked inside?"

Meeting his gaze, Shen Wen'an shook his head.

"Open it and take a look."

After Shen Yuan spoke, Shen Wen'an carefully opened the storage bag.

He then took out an ancient bamboo scroll and a jade slip.

The three of them stared at the two objects in front of them, all looking puzzled.

After a moment of silence, Shen Yuan slowly opened the bamboo scroll.

The bamboo slips contained not much information, but because they were all written in ancient characters, the meaning was difficult to decipher. It took Shen Yuan a long time to roughly understand what they meant.

He closed the bamboo slips, his brows furrowed.

"Grandpa, what does it say on it?"

Shen Chongming asked curiously.

Shen Yuan sorted out his thoughts and said in a deep voice, "The bamboo slip describes something called 'Dao Yuan'."

The Source of Tao?

Shen Wen'an and Shen Chongming both looked puzzled.

"I have seen this item in another book as well."

As he spoke, he took out the book that Shen Li had asked Jin Chan to deliver earlier and found the record about the Dao Source.

This book contains information that Shen Li overheard from two people trapped in the stone hall of the Illusion Dragon Mansion, using a puppet centipede.

The two men came from a faction in Zhongzhou called the Calamity Fire Sect.

"Father, does the bamboo slip say what the purpose of this 'Source of the Dao' is?"

Shen Wen'an pondered for a moment before speaking.

Shen Yuan shook his head slightly: "These bamboo slips are very ancient. They should have been passed down from ancient times. They're like a legend."

"but……"

His brow furrowed slightly as he looked at the jade slip.

Intuitively, Shen Yuan felt that this jade slip should also be related to the Dao Source.

After a moment's thought, he picked up the jade slip, inserted his divine sense into it, and examined it closely.

After a long while, his consciousness withdrew from the jade slip, his eyes flashed with a sharp light, and his aura changed slightly.

All indications suggest that his state of mind was greatly affected after reading the contents of the jade slip.

Seeing this, the uncle and nephew exchanged a glance. Just as Shen Chongming was about to speak, Shen Yuan's aura suddenly returned to calm, but a sneer appeared on his face.

"Interesting."

"The person behind this possesses extraordinary abilities. What virtue or ability does my Shen family have to deserve such favor?"

These strange words only added to the confusion between the uncle and nephew.

"Grandpa, what exactly is inside the jade slip?"

Shen Chongming couldn't help but speak up.

Shen Yuan slowly picked up the jade slip and handed it over.

"Three Immortals Mountain".

"The jade slip contains information related to the Three Immortal Mountains of the East Sea."

"According to the jade slip, the three immortal mountains in the East Sea are the most powerful immortal sects in ancient times, and it seems that there are powerful beings who have transcended the Nascent Soul True Monarch."

"Among the three immortal mountains, Beichen Immortal Mountain possesses the Dao Source Treasure 'Beichen Emperor Chariot', Hundong Immortal Mountain possesses the Dao Source Treasure 'Hundong True Script', and Kunwu Immortal Mountain possesses the treasure 'Nine Lights Treasure Tree'."

Upon hearing his words, Shen Wen'an's brows furrowed instantly.

"What is the purpose of that mysterious being behind the old man in the straw hat sending this thing to our Shen family?"

Shen Yuan's gaze was deep. After a moment of thought, he murmured, "It's a warning, and also a way to divert our attention."

Shen Wen'an was still puzzled.

Over the years, he has been single-mindedly focused on cultivation, unlike his father who has been constantly deducing the chess game of heaven and earth, and he doesn't understand what the person behind this grand game is plotting.

On the other side, Shen Chongming also finished reading the contents of the jade slip, his brows furrowed as he fell into deep thought.

After a long while, he suddenly spoke with a sharp glint in his eyes: "Grandpa, do you think that behind this game of chess in Yangnao Land, what those players are after is the Dao Source?"

After hearing this, Shen Yuan nodded with approval in his eyes and said, "Not bad."

He slowly stood up, walked to the chessboard beside him, and looked at the black and white pieces that had been played more than twenty times. He said in a deep voice, "This person sent these two things, perhaps he could also have guessed that I could deduce some things."

"The reason I call it a warning is that the recent actions of my Shen family have revealed some clues about what they are planning."

"But for some reason, they are unwilling to take action to destroy the Shen family."

"They brought this over taking advantage of Wen'an's Golden Elixir Ceremony, with the aim of drawing our attention to the Three Immortal Mountains of the East Sea."

Shen Chongming nodded and took over the conversation, saying, "They want to tell the Shen family that they have been planning things in Yangnao Land for a long time, and the Shen family cannot interfere."

"If you're bored, you'll focus your attention on the Three Immortals Mountain, right?"

Listening to their conversation, Shen Wen'an had a general idea of ​​what was going on.

After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Is the other party really that kind?"

Shen Yuan shook his head slightly: "Whether they are good or not is still unknown, but one thing is certain: the other party clearly knows that there are also Dao Source treasures in the Three Immortal Mountains, but they are willing to spend a huge price and waste a lot of time to try to obtain the Dao Source of Yangnao Land. This proves that the Dao Source treasures of the Three Immortal Mountains are definitely more difficult to obtain than the Dao Source of Yangnao Land."

"Grandpa, what should we do now?"

"When exactly did my Shen family discover their secrets?"

Shen Chongming spoke with a solemn expression.

He still doesn't understand which of the Shen family's actions "crossed the line" and made the other party believe that the Shen family had already discovered the secret of the "Dao Source".

Shen Wen'an, who was standing to the side, suddenly thought of something.

"It must have been my journey to the west back then."

As he spoke, he quickly turned to his father, Shen Yuan, and asked, "Father, what have you figured out about the things I brought back back back then?"

Shen Yuan remained silent.

He shared the same idea as Shen Wen'an.

Based on Shen Wen'an's experiences on his journey to the west and his own years of research and deduction, he had actually mastered quite a lot.

However, these things involved many levels that he himself did not understand, and he could not connect and understand them for a while.

But now that the other party has sent these two items, Shen Yuan suddenly understood a lot.

"The secret of Yangnao Land should have started back in the time of the Great Ying Immortal Mansion."

"If I'm not mistaken, the Dao Source must be related to the realm above the Nascent Soul True Monarch."

"The Great Lord of Daying in those days controlled the Yangnao Land and the Southern Frontier. He must have discovered the secret of the Dao Source and then made a lot of arrangements."

"Afterwards, this secret was leaked, which attracted a powerful enemy, and a great war broke out between the two sides."

"In the end, the spiritual veins of the Yangnao Land were destroyed, and the Daying Immortal Mansion was annihilated."

The uncle and nephew both looked disappointed when they heard his analysis.

According to this explanation, some things do seem to become clear.

"These...were all deduced by Grandpa?"

Shen Chongming looked at him with deep disbelief in his eyes.

For over a hundred years, since his grandfather Shen Yuan relinquished his position as head of the family, he has spent most of his time in the Blackwater Pavilion.

He was initially focused on cultivation, but after descending from the Southern Frontier, he became mysterious, and no one in his clan knew what he was researching.

Unexpectedly, he has now deduced the greatest secret of this Yangnao land.

Shen Yuan remained silent.

Over the years, he has deduced far more than these.

However, other things have not yet been specifically verified, so it is not appropriate to say them out for the time being.

"So, the entity behind this grand scheme in Yangnao Land has discovered the Great Ying True Lord's plan from back then, and is thus preparing to continue its pursuit of the so-called Dao Source?"

Shen Wen'an changed the subject.

The Dao Source is related to the secrets beyond the Nascent Soul stage, and the players behind the grand scheme of Yangnao Land are all at the Nascent Soul stage.

That all seems to make sense.

Including the old man in the bamboo hat, and the one who erased my memories west of Flame Lake City, these Nascent Soul True Monarchs spared no effort in their efforts, all for the secret of breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage.

For powerful individuals at their level, only benefits that could further enhance their strength would likely pique their interest.

"But... there's something else that's strange."

After a moment of silence in the room, Shen Chongming frowned and suddenly spoke, "In the eyes of those Nascent Soul True Monarchs, our Shen family was probably not even worth ants, was it?"

"Even if you, Third Uncle, have now broken through to the Golden Core Sword Immortal realm, you certainly do not have the qualifications to make them favor or fear you."

“The last time my third uncle went to Danzhou, that old man in the straw hat changed his ways and let you pass.”

"When you traveled west again, you stumbled upon their secret, but they only erased your memory and did not harm you in the slightest."

"At today's Golden Elixir Ceremony, the other party is willing to reveal the secrets of the Three Immortal Mountains in an attempt to divert the Shen family's attention."

"Why have you repeatedly indulged the Shen family like this?"

After Shen Chongming finished speaking, he looked at Shen Yuan.

He was genuinely curious about what extraordinary fortune the Shen family, who had only been involved in the cultivation world for a little over a hundred years, possessed that would allow them to receive such care from one or even several Nascent Soul True Monarchs.

Meeting his gaze and pondering his words, Shen Yuan fell into deep thought.

After a long while, Shen Yuan suddenly smiled.

He had already roughly guessed the other party's identity, but he still didn't quite understand how that old guy had managed to do it.

"Alright, you two don't need to waste your energy on this matter."

Shen Yuan waved his hand, stopping the two from pursuing the matter further.

Shen Chongming's gaze fell upon him, and he slightly cupped his hands in greeting, saying:

"Grandpa, please advise me on what my grandson and the Shen family should do next?"

Shen Yuan looked out the window with his hands behind his back. After thinking for a while, he said calmly, "Everything remains the same, but... we should indeed pay more attention to the matter of the Three Immortal Mountains in the East Sea."

Having been unaware of the secrets of the Three Immortal Mountains, he naturally didn't want to consider such distant matters. After all, the Shen family currently only had one Golden Core Sword Immortal, Shen Wen'an, making it somewhat unrealistic to contemplate realms beyond the Nascent Soul stage.

But now that we know, we can learn about it in advance.

How much or how little one knows will all become part of the family's foundation in the future.

Shen Chongming nodded slightly, and just as he was about to leave, Shen Yuan suddenly spoke again: "I have received news from Li'er that some mysterious forces that are in cahoots with the Suihuo Sect have been planning the Three Immortals Mountain matter for many years. If you go to investigate, you should be extra careful."

"I am worried that the forces behind the Fire Cult are stronger than those who are playing the game behind this grand scheme."

Upon hearing this, Shen Chongming's expression instantly turned serious, but he simply nodded and left Blackwater Pavilion.

"Father, should I take care of those two people at the Dragon Tamer's residence?"

When only the father and son remained in the pavilion, Shen Wen'an spoke in a deep voice.

The matter of the Dragon Tamer's Mansion has been delayed for too long, and Shen Li and the Snow Wolf King have been dragged on indefinitely.

After a moment's thought, Shen Yuan said, "We can go and take a look."

"My idea is to use those two to lure out that mysterious force that is searching for the Three Immortal Mountains."

"In this way, we might be able to learn some secrets about the Three Immortals Mountain from them, which will also help my Shen family avoid some detours."

Shen Wen'an nodded and said, "I understand."

"Let's go into the mountains now and take a look, but we won't show ourselves yet."

After bowing and leaving Blackwater Pavilion, Shen Wen'an transformed into a sword beam and flew towards Hidden Dragon Mountain.

……

Night falls in southern Xinjiang.

The rear hall of the main hall of the Yangquan Mountain sect.

Wearing a pink gauze dress and with bare feet, Wu Qianrou slowly walked towards Shen Chongxu, who was in seclusion on the bed.

With each graceful step, her alluring figure appeared and disappeared beneath the pink veil. This captivating and enchanting figure, combined with Wu Shi Qianrou's inherently noble and aloof appearance, created a striking contrast that made one's blood boil.

"Master~~"

Wu Qianrou came to the bedside and called out in a soft voice.

Shen Chongxu slowly opened his eyes, and upon seeing her like this, his brows suddenly furrowed.

"Do you really think that I actually enjoyed these things after I took the primordial yin from this body last time?"

Hearing his slightly cold words, Wu Qianrou's expression stiffened. She immediately took two steps back and stood respectfully to the side, saying, "Master, please forgive me, this servant..."

Shen Chongxu waved his hand: "We need to hurry up with the hunting. My cultivation has improved a lot, and it won't be long before I break through to the perfect state of the embryonic breathing stage."

"Before my cultivation reaches the Golden Core stage, I should stop thinking about useless things."

A hint of grievance flashed across Wu Shi Qianrou's face, but she dared not refute in any way and could only bow again and say, "Yes, Master."

"Alright, let's go back now."

Shen Chongxu paid no attention to its mournful expression. After waving his hand lightly, he forcibly put it into the Netherworld Furnace.

After he finished doing all this, he said in a deep voice, "Someone, go and summon Dong Yunbao to me."

The white-robed monk outside the room immediately responded and left.

A moment later, Dongyunbao hurriedly arrived at the door.

"The leader."

"come in."

Shen Chongxu spoke in a deep voice.

Dongyunbao, who was outside the door, pushed open the door and entered, bowing respectfully as he approached.

How is your brother doing lately?

Looking at the Dongyun Leopard, who had just reached the initial stage of fetal breathing, Shen Chongxu asked.

His elder brother was none other than Dong Yunhu, who was sent to Yangnao to deliver things to the Shen family.

Shen Chongxu's original intention was to have Wu Shi Qianrou kill Dong Yunhu as soon as he delivered the items, in order to prevent his identity from being exposed.

But by chance, the eldest brother Shen Chongming guessed his identity and sent Dong Yunhu with a letter.

The contents of the letter greatly reduced his murderous intent, and in the end he could only extract Dongyunhu's "Earth Soul", causing him to lose all his memories and become an idiot.

"Thank you for your concern, Master. My brother is much better recently."

Dong Yunbao respectfully cupped his hands in greeting.

Having lost his Earth Soul, Dong Yunhu didn't recognize him, but he did remember the matter of cultivation.

Aside from cultivating, he does crazy and foolish things all day long, running around aimlessly on Yangquan Mountain.

Shen Chongxu nodded slightly upon hearing this, then changed the subject, asking, "How's the investigation going on with that rare treasure that Fushan Kingdom and Tianjian City are fighting over?"

Dong Yunbao cupped his hands again and cautiously said, "Reporting to the sect leader, your subordinates have gathered some information these days, but it's hard to tell if it's true or false."

After saying this, he secretly glanced up at Shen Chongxu's expression.

Fortunately, Shen Chongxu was not angry about this.

"Tell me what news there is."

Dong Yunbao quickly cupped his hands and said, "This matter has been widely discussed in Fushan Kingdom."

"Some say that the treasure is related to some ancient legends and is a divine weapon used by ancient immortals."

"The rumors about that celestial weapon are quite detailed in the Fushan Kingdom, but I don't think they're entirely true."

"If it were truly a celestial weapon, how could it be the case that two Golden Core cultivators, Fushan Kingdom and Tianjian City, would be vying for it?"

Shen Chongxu closed his eyes slightly and did not speak.

Dong Yunbao continued, "Some people say that what the two Golden Core forces are fighting over is actually a broken stone sword."

"Of course, some people say it was a stone scabbard."

"However, it seems that neither the people of Tianjian City nor Fushan Kingdom have truly seen what that thing looks like, so there is still no definite news."

Shen Chongxu nodded slightly.

"So, the so-called extraordinary treasure is most likely a magical weapon?"

"It should be," Dong Yunbao replied, bowing slightly.

Magical weapons and blades...

Shen Chongxu pondered for a moment, then stopped thinking about it.

"Recently, many members of the sect have gone out to plunder. You can take ten percent of my share of resources and use it to improve your cultivation."

"If you still fall too far behind, don't blame me for taking away your position as the sect leader."

Upon hearing this, Dong Yunbao was taken aback at first, then overjoyed and cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you, Master!"

Having spent several years together, he understood Shen Chongxu's temperament.

These words, though seemingly harsh, were actually an urging for him to improve his cultivation level as soon as possible.

When members of the cult go out to plunder, they must hand over 20% of their spoils to the cult leader, and the remainder will be distributed among them.

Dong Yunbao was not as strong as Ming Zhengchu and the others, so he didn't get many resources each time.

Now that he has an extra ten percent of resources, he can catch up with the others in strength more quickly.

"Okay, let's go."

"Any definite news about that rare treasure must be promptly reported to me."

Shen Chongxu waved his hand, dismissing him.

"A magical weapon that two major Golden Core forces would fight tooth and nail for might really be a good thing."

After he left, Shen Chongxu slowly opened his eyes and murmured softly.

"However, for my Shen family, this item is far less useful than some inherited cultivation techniques."

As he spoke, his gaze involuntarily drifted towards the direction of Yangnao Land. After pondering for a long time, he took out an envelope from his pocket.

"I wonder how the Shen family has progressed in the various arts of cultivation?"

"My elder brother said in his letter that Xiu Bai's spiritual root quality isn't very good. I wonder how that kid's cultivation has been going lately..."

……

Yunzhong County City.

On the seventh floor of the tower, under the bright candlelight, Shen Xiubai was carefully studying the ancient bamboo slips in front of him.

Jiang Xiuqi, who was not far away, looked at the several sheets of paper in his hand with a strange expression.

"Xiu Bai Na".

After studying them for a while, Jiang Xiuqi put down the papers and called out softly.

Shen Xiubai did not take his gaze off the bamboo slips, but simply tilted his head slightly and hummed in response.

Seeing this, Jiang Xiuqi shook his head helplessly, then took the few sheets of paper and sat down in front of him.

"Xiu Bai, your idea of ​​a composite formation is still not quite feasible."

"The five elements generate and restrain each other."

"Your composite formation, on the surface, can satisfy the flow of the five elements, and the formations themselves can maintain a state of non-interference with each other."

"But in actual operation, it won't be like that."

"The spiritual energy in the array materials does not follow the route drawn by us array masters. The energy that escapes will interfere with other attributes."

"For example, the water-attribute spiritual energy in this Heavenly One Profound Water Trapping Array, once it overflows, will affect the Earth Fire Flame Dragon Array next to it."

"This kind of influence can, at best, greatly reduce the power of the Earth Fire Dragon Formation, and at worst, directly disrupt the spiritual energy circulation of the Earth Fire Dragon Formation and cause it to collapse."

"And here..."

Compared to Jiang Xiuqi, Shen Xiubai's knowledge of formations is mostly still based on theory.

The problem of spiritual interference can only be discovered when one personally sets up the formation.

As Jiang Xiuqi spoke, he circulated his spiritual energy and set up two very simple miniature arrays on his palm, demonstrating the problem of spiritual energy interference.

Shen Xiubai frowned slightly as he looked at the two miniature arrays in his hand.

"Won't it work?"

Jiang Xiuqi nodded and said, "It really won't work."

He paused slightly, hesitated for a moment, and then said earnestly, "Xiu Bai, your idea may actually work in the future, and it may be an opportunity for us array masters to shine."

"But it's not possible to do that right now, at least not yet."

"I think you can put the matter of the composite formation aside for now. At least you can master some single formations first, and at the same time improve your cultivation level."

realm?

Shen Xiubai was slightly taken aback, only then realizing that his cultivation level was only at the third level of Qi Refining.

Array masters also need a certain level of cultivation. If he wanted to set up an array now, the spiritual power stored in his body would probably not be enough to inscribe a complete Qi Refining Array.

After a moment of contemplation, he suddenly cupped his hands and said, "This junior remembers that you mentioned before, senior, that there was a fragmented spirit-gathering array diagram..."

"I wonder if I could have a look at it?"

Spirit Gathering Array?
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiuqi sighed inwardly, regretting that he had boasted about it like it was a treasure.

He obtained that incomplete spirit-gathering array diagram by chance in the market years ago.

The Spirit Gathering Array is an ancient formation. It is said that in ancient times, some cultivators would set up Spirit Gathering Arrays when building cave dwellings or when some immortal sects built mountain gates. This would continuously gather the spiritual energy of the surrounding heaven and earth spiritual veins into the area covered by the array, thus creating a blessed land.

However, the array diagram was severely incomplete, and despite his years of research, he was unable to complete it.

When Shen Xiubai mentioned it, it wasn't because he had any ulterior motives.

The only concern is that after finally pulling him out of the "composite formation" trap, he might fall into the "spirit gathering formation" trap.

In the end, his cultivation level couldn't be improved, and his lifespan was exhausted, all for nothing. He had wasted such a good talent in array formation.

"That ancient formation is quite obscure and difficult to understand. I have studied it for decades with little success. Xiu Bai..."

"This junior only wishes to observe and see if I can glean anything from it; I will not delve into it deeply," Shen Xiubai said, bowing with a piercing gaze.

Meeting his gaze, Jiang Xiuqi was momentarily at a loss for how to refuse.

"just looking?"

Shen Xiubai nodded slightly: "Just taking a look."

Jiang Xiuqi couldn't refuse him, so he got up, took a tattered piece of animal skin paper, and handed it to him, saying, "Based on my research over the years, this drawing is only 30% of the complete drawing, missing a full 70%."

"you……"

Before he could finish speaking, Shen Xiubai's attention was already focused on the array on the tattered animal skin in front of him.

Seeing this, Jiang Xiuqi shook his head slightly and did not continue to disturb him.

……

That night, in the mansion of the dragon tamer deep in Hidden Dragon Mountain.

After Shen Wen'an arrived here, he did not inform Shen Li and the Snow Wolf King.

He simply found a mountain peak overlooking the valley where the Dragon Tamer's mansion was located, sat down cross-legged, and waited quietly for the so-called reinforcements to arrive.

Inside the stone palace.

Ye Minghuang was meditating cross-legged, while Zhou Ji beside him couldn't calm down at all.

The three terrifying monsters in front of them had moved forward another ten or so feet, and were now less than twenty feet away from the two of them.

Clearly, as the resentment beneath the Dragon Platform was continuously absorbed by the three monsters, their strength was gradually increasing.

The intimidating power of the broken stone statue behind the two was greatly diminished.

"Why aren't they here yet...?"

"It's been months!?"

Zhou Ji looked somewhat dejected and kept muttering to himself.

Several months have passed since he sent a telepathic message to Wei Chengyu of the Suihuo Sect seeking help.

But reinforcements never arrived.

If they dragged this out any longer, the three monsters in front of them would grow stronger and stronger. Once they broke through the threshold and reached the Golden Core Realm, the only thing waiting for the two of them would be torn apart.

It doesn't matter if he dies, but Ye Minghuang beside him is a disciple of the True Lord, a true successor of the sect.

If he dies here, Bai Yu Zhenjun will be furious and it will surely implicate his family.

Looking back at Ye Minghuang, Zhou Ji sighed inwardly. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly felt the sound transmission stone in his arms vibrate.

"Ok?"

Zhou Ji was overjoyed and quickly took out the communication stone, activating it with his spiritual power.

Wei Chengyu's voice slowly emanated from the sound transmission stone.

After asking around and learning that only the two of them were still alive, Wei Chengyu became somewhat angry and told Zhou Ji to make sure to protect Ye Minghuang.

After all, they were disciples of a True Lord. If something happened and True Lord Baiyu found out that the two of them had asked him for help, he couldn't bear the wrath of a True Lord.

After Zhou Ji obsequiously agreed, he cautiously inquired when Wei Chengyu planned to come to their aid.

Wei Chengyu did not give a definite answer, only saying that a secret cave had been discovered on the return journey by the sea cliffs, and that he would come to rescue the two of them as soon as he could confirm it.

Outside the stone hall, the Snow Wolf King once again sensed the faint fluctuations from the communication stone and turned to look at Shen Li beside him.

"Miss, they've made contact with the outside world again."

Shen Li nodded; she had already learned all of this through the puppet centipede.

"So he is a disciple of the Nascent Soul True Monarch."

His expression was grave, and for a moment he felt that the matter was somewhat troublesome.

And that hidden paradise...

After pondering for a long time, Shen Li picked up a communication stone and planned to tell her family what had happened here.

But at that moment, a figure stepped through the air from the western mountain peak.

"Owner?"

Sensing the presence of the newcomer, the Snow Wolf King let out a soft exclamation and immediately fawned over Shen Wen'an, drooping its ears and wagging its tail excitedly.

"Owner."

Shen Wen'an smiled and patted his head.

Shen Li then came forward and bowed slightly, saying, "Third Uncle."

"Why are you here?"

Shen Wen'an nodded and descended from the void, looking towards the location of the stone hall in the distance.

"These two are involved in a big secret, and your grandfather asked me to come and take a look."

Upon hearing this, Shen Li asked curiously, "What did Grandpa deduce?"

Shen Wen'an did not answer, only saying that he would explain in detail when they got back.

"Third Uncle, these two have just made contact with the outside world again..."

She briefly recounted the conversation she overheard through the puppet centipede.

After a moment's thought, Shen Wen'an said, "It's alright, Third Uncle will wait for them here."

"You go back first."

Guessing that the reinforcements might be Golden Core cultivators, and considering that Shen Li was the darling of the Shen family and could not be allowed to fall, Shen Wen'an told her and the Golden Toad to go back first, while he and the Snow Wolf King would stay and guard the place.

Shen Li knew that staying behind might be a burden, so she didn't insist and flew towards Yunshui City with the Golden Toad and the Silver Thread Centipede.

Shen Wen'an and the Snow Wolf King waited on that boulder for more than ten days.

Late that night, a subtle fluctuation of spiritual energy suddenly emanated from the void above.

Shen Wen'an, who had been meditating with his eyes closed, slowly opened them and looked up at the night sky.

The snow wolf king beside him also raised its head in confusion.

With his strength at the peak of the embryonic breathing realm, he seemed not to have noticed anything unusual.

"Our distinguished guest has arrived. Let's go and see him."

As Shen Wen'an spoke, he stood up, his figure in a blue robe ascending the steps in the void before him.

"Damn it! How could there be a Golden Core cultivator here!?"

Under the moonlit night sky, an ancient bronze ship silently floated above the Dragon Tamer's mansion.

The bronze ship was shrouded in a strange power, its entire body ethereal, with almost no trace of its presence.

On the gunwale of the bronze ship, a dozen figures wearing bright red cloaks with flame marks on their backs stood silently behind Wei Chengyu.

Under their watchful eyes, a human and a demon were striding towards them from the forest below, their target clearly being them.

Wei Chengyu's face was gloomy as he quietly looked at Shen Wen'an.

His current strength has already reached the Golden Core realm!
"Dismantle the Fleeting Light and Shadow Formation."

With its whereabouts already discovered, it's futile for the bronze ship to continue consuming spirit crystals to maintain the ethereal array that conceals its aura and tracks.

It would be better to get straight to the point and see what the other party wants.

The great formation was dismantled, and a huge bronze ship suddenly appeared in the void above the heads of the human and the demon.

Upon seeing this, the Snow Wolf King's expression clearly showed some shock.

He had no idea when the enormous flying artifact appeared above him; he simply followed its master, Shen Wen'an, as he approached the void.

With each step he took, Shen Wen'an quickly reached a position level with the gunwale of the bronze ship.

When he saw Wei Chengyu on the ship, his brows furrowed instantly.

(End of this chapter)