I've already reached the Nascent Soul stage, and you're saying I didn't time travel?

Chapter 137 Unexpected Opportunity
Whether we fail to find the treasure or discover any information, these are all things that can be predicted beforehand.

Some of the Zhao family's treasures were probably given away ahead of schedule.

After the Han and Zhang families defeated the Zhao family, they must have plundered even more thoroughly.

Even if some other scattered individuals remained, with the drastic change in terrain, the entire Zhao family was scattered and likely lost somewhere.

But it's alright, he still has a way to salvage the situation.

Qi Xuan took out a seal and a talisman.

The seal is made of hard, special materials and has undergone special refining. Now only a small, broken piece remains, indicating that it must have been subjected to a violent explosion.

At the bottom of the seal, a complete "昌" character remains, along with a small fragment of the "天" character.

If nothing unexpected happens, this seal must be the personal item of Zhao Lingyun's father, Zhao Tianchang, the head of the Zhao family. It was used to seal certain clan policies and to communicate with the outside world, and it was imbued with the person's aura to prevent counterfeiting.

Normally, this small seal is of little use except for the occasional need for stamping.

But at this moment, it has become an extremely important key item.

Besides the seal, the talisman he took out was none other than the Shadow Talisman he had previously obtained from the bronze guaranteed draw.

The Echo symbol allows you to recall images from a certain point in the past.

Talismans related to time are generally top-tier precious talismans.

As for this Echo Talisman, its difficulty in crafting is among the highest of all second-grade talismans, with an extremely high probability of failure. Only a third-grade talisman maker can guarantee its success.

However, although the Echo Talisman is powerful and looks very special, its second-grade rank still has considerable limitations.

The most obvious point is that the backtracked images are relatively random, and it cannot be guaranteed that they will be the images you need.

For example, a brick on the ground, from the time it was cast into a brick to the time it ended up here, spans hundreds of years. The Echoing Talisman may randomly rewind to a certain point in time, and it is impossible to completely specify the point in time that you need.

However, on the other hand, the timing of the Echo Rune's rewind is closely related to the state of the item itself.

For example, if an object is broken, the images it recalls are very likely related to the circumstances under which it broke.

In addition, the second limitation is that the longer the time that the echo symbol travels back, the more serious the disturbance of spiritual energy at the scene, the higher the level involved, and the shorter the duration of the image.

If we were to try to rewind time to the Golden Core stage, we might only see his face flash by in the illusion of history, rendering the entire Recall Talisman completely ineffective.

Fortunately, the target of this regression is at most the late Foundation Establishment stage, and with the Broken Seal as a key item, it should be able to last for a little while, right?

Qi Xuan nervously wrapped the broken seal with a Shadow Talisman.

After the talisman was activated, a hazy phantom seemed to appear on the seal.

In an instant, countless images seemed to flash across the phantom, each containing a seal. Finally, when the seal suddenly became perfectly intact, the phantom ceased its shifting and solidified completely, transforming into a real scene presented before him—

"...The Han and Zhang families have come knocking on our door. Since they dare to make a move, they must have already made preparations. Mo Yuan, you must take the Nine Aperture Spirit True Plate to the family's secret place immediately. We must not let this treasure for nurturing fall into the hands of the Han and Zhang families!"

The scene shows an antique house surrounded by a noisy environment, with screams, shouts, and sounds of fighting filling the air.

A middle-aged man in a purple robe, holding a jade plate, handed the plate to a slightly younger man in a red robe.

Upon seeing the seal hanging from the waist of the middle-aged man in the purple robe, Qi Xuan immediately recognized him as Zhao Lingyun's father, Zhao Tianchang, the head of the Zhao family.

Then it's not hard to imagine the identity of the red-robed man opposite him; he must be his third brother, Zhao Lingyun's third uncle, the Foundation Establishment cultivator Zhao Moyuan.

"Big brother, what are you going to do?"

Zhao Moyuan asked anxiously:
"Why don't we go together? Second Brother is out there right now. As long as the three of us brothers are safe, even if the clan is wiped out, it won't matter! As long as we're alive, we can always fight again!"

Zhao Tianchang refused in a deep voice:
"I promised my father that I would protect the family. As the patriarch, anyone can leave in the face of the crisis of the extinction of the clan, but I cannot!"
You and Yuehong should lie low in the family's secret base and manage things carefully. You might be able to rebuild the family business in the future. Hurry up and leave!

As he spoke, Zhao Tianchang shoved Zhao Moyuan forward violently.

"Big brother!"

"Go!"

"Hahaha, none of you are leaving!"

Almost the instant the words were spoken, a loud bang suddenly exploded.

The hard and tough wall shattered instantly, and amidst countless broken wood fragments, a three-foot square stone seal rushed towards them.

There was a crisp sound of "pop".

The enormous stone seal was suddenly whipped away by a section of purple lightning whip.

"Han Longhua! Are you determined to fight to the death with the Zhao family?!"

The stone seal flew backward, shrank, and landed in the hand of a middle-aged man with white hair.

Han Longhua, holding the stone seal, said with a smile:
"The fish may die, but the net may not necessarily break. Am I right, Brother Xinglan?"

Another young man in fine clothes beside him said indifferently:

"If our two families mobilize at the same time and still can't take down the Zhao family, people will laugh us to death."

Zhao Tianchang's face suddenly turned gloomy:
"Zhang Xinglan, when has our Zhao family ever offended your Zhang family? Why are you pressing us so hard?!"

“Brother Tianchang, you’re not right about that.”

Han Longhua said in a sarcastic tone:
"The Zhang family is determined to replace the Nangong family's position. You've already married your daughter into the Nangong family and chosen to form an alliance with them. Isn't this a provocation to the Zhang family? If everyone chooses to rely on the Nangong family, what chance will the Zhang family or our Han family have?"

"We are merely engaging in a marriage alliance; we have no intention of opposing anyone. Why can't we all coexist peacefully?!"

"Peaceful coexistence?"

Han Longhua chuckled to himself:
"Brother Tianchang is as naive as ever. If you just look at the outside world, do you think this is a scene of peaceful coexistence?"

How many cultivators were driven insane by the disease? How many families were wiped out by the disease?
Heaven and earth are cruel, bringing us into this era of scarce resources and rampant disease.

Only by fighting hard can one survive and ensure the continuation of one's family!

The Zhao family has brought this situation upon itself under your leadership; it is entirely their own fault.

Now is the time for you to pay the price!

Before he finished speaking, he raised his hand and struck out the stone seal, aiming straight at Zhao Tianchang.

Zhao Tianchang struck the stone seal with his thunder whip.

On the other side, Zhang Xinglan rushed towards Zhao Moyuan behind him.

Zhao Tianchang, brandishing his whip, tried to stop them and shouted loudly:

"Go quickly!!"

Zhao Moyuan gritted his teeth, affixed the talisman, and instantly fled into the distance.

Zhang Xinglan frowned and also picked up a magic talisman, seemingly intending to track down the suspect.

Just then, Zhao Tianchang suddenly darted off to the other side.

Upon seeing this, Han Long's portrait seemed to recall something, and his expression suddenly changed drastically:

"Stop him!"

"He's going to the cicada breeding area!!"

Zhang Xinglan's expression also changed, and he immediately stepped in to stop him.

But Zhao Tianchang's speed was unbelievably fast.

The three fought and chased, but Zhao Tianchang still crashed headfirst into the chaotic cicada breeding area.

In the breeding area, two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Zhao family were battling against six Foundation Establishment cultivators who were attacking, using formations as a means of defense.

The formation was teetering on the brink of collapse under the attack of six Foundation Establishment cultivators, and could crumble at any moment.

Just then, upon seeing Zhao Tianchang rushing towards them at high speed, the two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Zhao family were overjoyed.

Almost the instant he rushed into the formation, Han Longhua and Zhang Xinglan, who were chasing after him, attacked together.

Two incredibly powerful magical artifacts slammed into the formation.

With a loud bang, the already crumbling formation collapsed on the spot, and the two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Zhao family who were manipulating the formation were immediately seriously injured and forced to retreat.

"You all go, leave this to me!"

As he spoke, Zhao Tianchang stuck two magic talismans on the backs of the two men, one in each hand, and threw them away.

Without Han Longhua and Zhang Xinglan giving any orders, four of the six Foundation Establishment cultivators behind them split up and chased after the two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Zhao family.

Only Zhao Tianchang remained in the arena.

The air was filled with the constant buzzing of cicadas, which climbed densely in the tree cage.

He stood alone in the center of the breeding area, calm and composed, showing no trace of his previous impatience.

Seeing this, Han Longhua and Zhang Xinglan's expressions both became somewhat solemn.

"Isn't it strange that the breeding area hasn't been breached so quickly despite the presence of an inside agent?"

Zhao Tianchang smiled and continued:
"As the Zhao family's most core asset, the defense of the cicada breeding area is naturally not so simple."

Besides the two sets of formations that are visible to the outside world, there is a third set set up below, which only I know about.

Unfortunately, the formation passed down through generations has lost much of its power over the years.

Otherwise, how could you possibly break through in such a short time with just a few Foundation Establishment cultivators?

Han Longhua took a deep breath and forced a smile, saying, "Brother Tianchang, let's talk this out. There's no need to fight to the death."

Although your Zhao family suffered considerable losses this time, your Foundation Establishment combat power is still intact, and the Nether Cicada breeding area was not destroyed. We can still talk, can't we?

"Talk?"

Zhao Tianchang laughed in extreme anger:

"What are we going to talk about? How you plan to divide up all of the Zhao family's resources? How you plan to eradicate the Zhao family completely?!"

Do you know why our Zhang family agreed to join forces with the Han family?

Zhang Xinglan's question immediately caught Zhao Tianchang's attention.

"Clan Chief Zhao, you must have heard of the Yuchi family, right?"

"The Yuchi family? A Golden Core family, huh? Nobody's ever heard of them?" Zhao Tianchang sneered. "You wouldn't be saying that this joint attack on my Zhao family was authorized by the Yuchi family, would you?"

Unexpectedly, Zhang Xinglan nodded and said:

"It is not bad, nor is it far off."

"As a Golden Core family, the Yuchi family once had a Golden Core cultivator in their ancestor, who was once unparalleled in his prowess. However, after that Golden Core cultivator was summoned by the upper sect and died in the great battle, the Yuchi family's prestige plummeted and declined. Until recently, another prodigy emerged, Yuchi Wujing, who was only 150 years old but had already reached the Foundation Establishment stage and is now making an attempt to reach the Golden Core stage."

"With the Duotian Sect now closed off, there are very few Golden Core cultivators in the outside world, and each of them is a powerful figure in their own right. Our Shenqiu Domain doesn't even have a single Golden Core cultivator."

If Yuchi Wujing can attain the Golden Core stage, then not only will the small Nangong family be no match for him, but the entire Shenqiu Domain will be unification.

All the spiritual herbs and materials will be under our control and redistributed.

We were the first to pledge allegiance to the Yuchi family and serve them; naturally, we will benefit from it in the future.

We may not survive the illness or disaster, but we will definitely live to the end!

Zhao Tianchang sneered:

Do you believe what you're saying?

"If you didn't believe me, why would I be here?"

How can you be sure the Yuchi family won't go back on their word?

"They had already sent us a batch of calming pills in advance."

"You were bought off with a batch of calming pills? You're willing to risk your lives for them?"

"And the Dew of Essence."

"Condensed Dew?"

Zhao Tianchang suddenly frowned.

Zhang Xinglan said in a deep voice:

"The Condensing Dew is a precious medicine that they imitated based on the Mind-Stabilizing Pill. After we had people test the medicine, we found that it had an extremely strong effect on suppressing the symptoms, almost as strong as the Mind-Stabilizing Pill."

This means that even if the Duotian Sect has closed its gates and the supply of the Dingshen Pill has been cut off, we can still find similar medicines to replace it, which can greatly extend the lifespan of our family.

Why don't we risk our lives for them?
What's the difference between serving the Yuchi family and serving the Duotian Sect?
"Oh, there are differences. The Yuchi family is weaker, so they are more generous to us and cede more benefits. They are not as arrogant and domineering as the Duotian Sect, resorting to trickery and extortion."

Zhao Tianchang, however, disagreed:

"Among all the great alchemists in the Duotian Sect, they only managed to develop one kind of Mind-Stabilizing Pill."

If the Mind-Stabilizing Pill were so easy to counterfeit, there would be more than just this one precious medicine after so much time has passed.

"Is it possible that the counterfeiting of the Mind-Stabilizing Pill is actually not difficult, but the Heaven-Seizing Sect does not allow counterfeiting, so they advertise it as such?"

Zhang Xinglan said meaningfully.

Zhao Tianchang's expression froze slightly.

Then he added:
"Then what does this have to do with your attack on my Zhao family?"

"What merit or ability does my Zhao family have to warrant the Yuchi family sending both of you to join forces against us?"

Faced with Zhao Tianchang's questioning, Zhang Xinglan calmly replied:

"A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime."

"The main ingredient for refining Condensed Dew is the Netherworld Cicada Spirit Liquid."

"Of course, if it were just the Netherworld Cicada Elixir, the Yuchi family wouldn't have bothered with you. They could have just traded it with you."

"It's a pity that the cultivation treasure your Zhao family possesses, the Nine Aperture Spirit True Plate, is also of great use in refining the Condensed Dew."

“These two items are extremely important to any family. I’m sure Chief Zhao wouldn’t be willing to give up either of them. We have no choice but to come and take them ourselves.”

Zhao Tianchang suddenly burst into laughter:
"After making so many excuses, isn't it all just about seizing the Zhao family's treasures?!"

"That is indeed the case, and we do not deny it."

Zhang Xinglan nodded and said:

"But the situation is different now. You sent away the Nine Aperture Spirit True Plate, so it's a little troublesome to find it now."

The important thing is that we haven't been able to successfully occupy this cicada breeding area. If you destroy it, it will delay the refining of the Condensed Dew.

Now, Chief Zhao, no, Brother Tianchang, you are qualified enough to sit at the table.

If you're willing, we might be able to negotiate and come up with a solution that you can accept.

You can't expect to continue the entire family's existence just by relying on this little bit of Ghost Cicada Elixir, can you?
You and I both know that was just waiting to die. Now that a new path has opened up, why not give it a try?

Zhao Tianchang seemed moved, but a hint of hesitation flashed in his eyes.

But just as a hint of smugness appeared in Zhang Xinglan's eyes...

The next second, Zhao Tianchang suddenly and abruptly self-destructed.

As he self-destructed, the scene completely collapsed.

Qi Xuan stared silently at the broken seal, as if he could still see Han Longhua's astonished and bewildered expression, and Zhang Xinglan's face full of exasperation.

Without a doubt, the seal was destroyed in Zhao Tianchang's self-destruction.

If nothing unexpected happens, the entire cicada breeding area should be blown to pieces.

Han Longhua and Zhang Xinglan, who were closest to the explosion, were likely seriously injured in the blast.

After remaining silent for a while, Qi Xuan roughly sorted out the thoughts in his mind.

Zhao Tianchang's self-disclosure was decisive and ruthless, suggesting he had long seen through the hypocrisy behind Zhang Xinglan's invitation.

They would rather suffer mutual destruction than give up the Netherworld Cicada Elixir to them.

The Ghost Cicada Elixir is basically finished now.

The Nine Aperture Spirit True Plate was taken to the family's secret place by Zhao Moyuan, and it is unknown whether it can be protected.

Regardless, the Han and Zhang families' objective of attacking the Zhao family has been at least half destroyed.

So, can the Yuchi family continue to refine the Condensed Dew?
It should still be able to be refined, otherwise where did the first batch of Condensed Dew come from?
Moreover, he always felt that Zhang Xinglan was not telling the whole truth and had not revealed many key details.

Furthermore, Yu Chi Wujing, who is about to attain the Golden Core stage, is also of great interest.

Nangong Wuji had previously stated that the higher one's cultivation level, the more severe the negative effects of the illness.

Before breaking through, Nangong Yaohua was still able to control himself, but not long after breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, he immediately mutated into a monster.

The Yuchi family could not possibly be unaware of these things.

How could they prevent Yuchi Wujing from falling ill after achieving the Golden Elixir, thus endangering the entire family?
How can we ensure that Yuchi Wujing is not affected by his illness and can safely advance to the Golden Core stage?

Qi Xuan had a vague guess that this was related to the Yuchi family having the Han and Zhang families collect the Netherworld Cicada Spirit Liquid or the Nine Aperture Spirit True Plate.

It's not just for making Essence Dew; it likely has other uses as well.

However, that's all in the past, and it would be difficult to uncover the truth now no matter how much we investigate.

Even if he has the opportunity to visit the Yuchi family in the future, he may not know what happened back then.

Two hundred years is far too long; many secrets have been completely buried by time.

Even a powerful talisman like the Reflection Talisman might not be able to capture it.

After a brief moment of reflection, Qi Xuan focused his attention on the next steps.

The Nine-Aperture Spirit True Plate, a treasure for nurturing, was taken by Zhao Moyuan to the family's secret location, but it is uncertain whether it can be preserved.

After all, judging from Zhang Xinglan's demeanor at the time, he had a way to continue tracking.

Faced with the pursuit of the Han and Zhang families, unless that family's secret location is extremely hidden or extremely dangerous, there is a high probability that they will succeed in taking it over and it will fall into the hands of the Yuchi family.

"You can't expect me to steal things from Golden Core cultivators, can you?"

Qi Xuan rubbed the goosebumps on his arms and immediately dismissed the terrifying thought.

After thinking it over, he decided to continue investigating along the line of Zhao Moyuan. If this third son of the Zhao family was capable enough to avoid being caught by the other party, wouldn't that be a happy ending for everyone?
Qi Xuan immediately prepared to leave, but after glancing around, his gaze suddenly faltered slightly.

"I never expected such an opportunity."

(End of this chapter)