Starting with the titmouse, seventy-two transformations

Chapter 340 The Du Family's Foundation Falls into the Valley

Bohai Commandery.

The Du family, Wanghailou, Yuntaotang.

Du Xingheng wore an indigo-blue cloud-patterned long robe, over which was a dark blue light gauze straight-cut jacket with red gold trim and silver thread embroidery of flying sprays of waves.

When the hem of her robe fluttered slightly, the darkly embroidered long waves seemed to be illuminated by the moonlight, shimmering and surging, almost bursting out of her clothes.

The Canglang Robe is a treasure-level artifact capable of calming the seas and suppressing waves. It has been passed down in the Du family for hundreds of years, and only the head of the family has ever been allowed to wear it.

Du Xingheng is the head of the Du family in this generation.

He sat on a gray and white tridacna shell couch, covered with a complete snow-white bear skin, which was more than ten feet long and still exuded a fierce aura.

At each of the four corners of the hall stood a small tree-like coral, each seven or eight feet tall, with gnarled and twisted branches, displaying a vibrant mix of red, yellow, green, and blue.

Hanging from the outstretched branches are incense burners of various sizes shaped like animal skulls, with smoke rising brightly inside and the unique fragrance of ambergris lingering for a long time.

A short while later, a middle-aged man in his forties followed the butler in.

The middle-aged man looked about five or six parts similar to Du Xingheng, and was also dressed in a dark blue brocade robe, holding a jade string in his hand.

Each bead is plump and full, like seawater solidified, with wisps of milky white flakes rising from the deep blue. When you pluck it, it makes a sound like waves crashing against rocks, deep and heavy.

Du Xingwu, the eldest son of the Bohai Du family, is the fourth son in this generation and is Du Bingyan's biological father.

"Big brother."

Du Xingwu entered the hall, bowed his head and greeted Du Xingheng with a humble and proper manner, leaving no room for criticism.

"Fourth brother is here, have a seat."

Du Xingheng glanced at him, pointed to the jade stool beside him, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly spoke:

"Bingyan has been studying at Shuiyue Nunnery for many years and has not returned. How has she been lately?"

"it is good……"

Du Xingwu smiled and replied, then lowered his head to fiddle with the beads, thinking to himself:

"Bingyan has been learning martial arts on the mountain since she was a child. For more than ten years, my elder brother has never inquired about her. Why did he suddenly ask about her today..."

It's probably related to the recent rumors about a 'fate with immortals'.

Those rumors about "instant immortality," "eternal life," and "resurrection" sound obviously fake, but there's no guarantee that someone with ulterior motives won't incite them.

"Three men can make a tiger; many voices can melt metal; accumulated slander can destroy a person. Even jumping into the mighty Longjiang River won't clear your name."

He sighed inwardly, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes.

Recently, the family's Jihai Hall branches in various places have been frequently attacked, and many have even been massacred.

Fortunately, the clan quickly organized an elite counterattack and joined forces with several in-laws to kill a large number of opportunists, thus curbing the trend and gradually calming the situation.

However, if this matter is not completely resolved soon, it will attract worldwide attention, and even a family of Du's size will not be able to withstand it.

"Back then, she followed Abbess Jingyue into the Qingyuan Cave ruins... Recently, some people below have said that they have seen her in the Yanzhou area of ​​Heilongjiang."

Du Xingheng spoke slowly, his face obscured by the smoke of ambergris, indistinct and only a outline visible:
"It's been years, have you written to me?"

"Never."

"You, you spoil her too much. You haven't seen her for years and haven't even sent a letter. Aren't you afraid that the father-daughter relationship will fade? Sending her up the mountain to learn martial arts back then was far too early..."

"Alas, a daughter is no longer under her father's control once she grows up."

Du Xingwu sighed, his mind racing as he pondered the meaning behind his elder brother's words.

Aristocratic families have always been adept at speaking in a roundabout way, using objects to describe people, and people to illustrate events, employing subtle and indirect methods to imply deeper meanings.

It requires careful and repeated contemplation to grasp the implied meaning and unspoken message.

"On the surface, my elder brother is talking about Bingyan and me, but in reality, he's inquiring about the 'fate to immortality'!"

Du Xingwu's eyes were gloomy, and he paused briefly while fiddling with the beads before returning to normal.

Even the patriarch is asking about this matter, which shows that this issue may have already been brewing in the clan, but it just hasn't erupted yet.

But he really didn't know!
Even news about his daughter came from rumors.

He pursed his lips, considering how to respond, when Du Xingheng's words rang in his ears again:

"I called you here because I have some good news to share with you."

Du Xingheng leaned back, inhaled the ambergris, and his eyes darted around:

"The Ancestor has awakened." The Ancestor...awakened?
Du Xingwu frowned, then quickly realized what he meant and his spirits lifted.

As the eldest son of the Du family, he had heard that there was an ancestor in the clan whose achievements were astounding, and who had become famous six hundred years ago.

That was at the end of the last spiritual tide revival. The Du family produced a peerless genius who, at the tender age of twenty, was invincible throughout the six states.

He also slew sea monsters and giant beasts at sea, bound dragons in the vast ocean, and stained the blue waves with blood for 30,000 miles, a battle that shocked the world.

Thus, the "Bohai Du Family" brand was established.

For the next six hundred years, its power remained undiminished, protecting the Du family and ensuring their continued prosperity and wealth.

Six hundred years have passed, the spiritual tide has dried up, and most of the old stories have become strange tales told by storytellers.

The legendary feat of the Du family patriarch in slaying the dragon in the blue sea has become seen by the world as "self-praise" and "embellishment."

Which powerful clan or martial arts holy land in the world doesn't have one or two such stories?

It's all boasting, nothing but boasting.

But just in case...

Is it true?

At least, Du Xingwu knew that most of the stories about his ancestor were true.

The dragon pearl from the young dragon that was slain back then is located in the deepest part of the family's treasure vault.

There is also the Divine Bow that Startles the Waves, the bowstring of which is made of dragon sinew.

Over the years, despite the changing times, the clan's prodigies have continued to emerge generation after generation, which is inseparable from the dragon blood that remained from back then.

In addition, over the past six hundred years, the Du family has faced several catastrophic disasters, but each time the ancestor awoke from a state of suspended animation to slay powerful enemies and help his descendants overcome the calamities.

There are many families like the Du family in the world.

And this... is the foundation upon which powerful clans and martial arts sects have passed down their traditions for hundreds and thousands of years, allowing them to calmly observe the changing world.

The ancestor is the Du family's greatest source of confidence.

His awakening from a state of suspended animation means that the Du family can easily overcome this hurdle.

Even if the world looks on us with disapproval, we can withstand it!

Du Xingwu breathed a sigh of relief, then heard Du Xingheng say again:
"I have ordered Xiao Wu and the others to lead the elite of the Bolang Guard to meet Bingyan and the others."

"Thank you, brother."

Du Xingwu was delighted and stood up to thank Du Xingheng with a cupped-hand salute.

"We're family, no need for formalities."

Du Xingheng smiled faintly, his gaze passing over Du Xingwu and landing on the coral tree behind him.

It is about eight feet tall, with gnarled branches, resembling a graceful young girl playing with shadows, and its crimson color is like congealed blood.

"When she returns, go to the Dragon Binding Hall...to see the Ancestor."

Swish!
Du Xingwu's forehead instantly broke out in a cold sweat, his face turned deathly pale, and his lips twitched, his voice filled with pleading:
"Big brother..."

"...This is the ancestor's intention."

Du Xingheng shook his head helplessly, then got up and left.

As we passed each other, he stopped and said:

"Also... don't leave Tingtao Pavilion recently, wait for Bingyan to return, so that you and your daughter don't miss each other."

This is... a house arrest!
Du Xingwu's face was full of bitterness, as if he had aged ten years in an instant.

A divine destiny, a divine destiny... My dear girl, how could you be so unlucky as to have received such a worthless divine destiny?!
……

at the same time.

In Deer Head Valley, a fierce wind howled, stirring up dust and mud, and a sandstorm swept through the air, obscuring the sun.

As soon as Liu Sheng landed with Du Bingyan in his arms, a gust of cold wind materialized out of thin air and blew towards him.

Like a rusty bone-scraping knife, every cut draws blood.

"Oh!"

(End of this chapter)