A hundred lifetimes of cultivation, merely seeking immortality in the cultivation world.

Chapter 204 Blood Sacrifice Competition

In order to completely annex the Cui family, Shen Changzhu did not even bother with the strategy of surrounding the three sides and leaving one side open this time. He was determined to completely destroy the Cui family and plunder everything they owned.

Only through slaughter can he better seize the Cui family's wealth and prevent his hard work these past few days from falling into the hands of those two elders.

On the banks of Qiyang, unlike the fighting and killing below, the two half-step Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Cui family faced off against the half-step Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Shen family.

Although they belonged to two different families, at this moment, looking at the battlefield below, their eyes were filled with indifference.

They sat cross-legged, surrounded by young boys serving them. Beautiful maids, their skirts billowing, played the zither. Before them was a silver mirror, reflecting the scene of the Qiyang Mountain battlefield.

"Cui Yong, you are truly capable. Now you have led the Shen family to attack us. You have truly lived up to the kindness of the Cui family in raising you."

The gaunt, goatee-covered old man spoke first, his face sinister, his words filled with hatred, and his murderous intent surging towards the young man in blue opposite him.

This person was none other than Cui Ze, one of the two members of the Cui family who were at the half-step Foundation Establishment stage.

He couldn't help but hate it, for the Cui family's excellent situation had been completely destroyed by Cui Yong.

Even if many of the later-stage Qi Refiners died, and even if the Shen family's plans failed, it wouldn't have caused them any serious damage.

Even if they offended the Zhao and Zhang families, those three, who were at the half-step Foundation Establishment stage, were enough to crush the Shen family.

But Cui Yong betrayed them. He sided with the Shen family and became a traitor to the Cui family, leading the Shen family to attack Qiyang Mountain!

"Old ghost, why waste your breath? If the Cui family had any chance of winning, I certainly wouldn't have sided with the Shen family. But your main branch's eldest son, Cui Jue, has acted against the grain, causing the Zhang and Zhao families to become our enemies and exposing all the clan's hidden forces. Now, instead of reflecting on your own foolishness, how dare you criticize me here?"

Cui Yong and Shen Shi, both at the half-step Foundation Establishment stage, sat together. Upon hearing Cui Ze's words, they were completely unconcerned, and Cui Yong smiled sarcastically.

"What's more, over the years you and Cui Tao have made things difficult for me quite a bit. Don't be fooled by the fact that my cultivation level is the same as yours, both at the half-step Foundation Establishment stage. Just because I come from a branch lineage while you two come from the main lineage, you have repeatedly oppressed me."

"I have worked for the Cui family for so many years and protected a few juniors. That is enough to repay your so-called upbringing. As for the rest, it has nothing to do with me."

"you!"

Cui Ze's eyes were bloodshot, and he wished he could kill the traitor in front of him with his own hands. At this moment, his hatred for Cui Yong was even greater than that for the two half-step Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Shen family.

Even so, he still refrained from making a move.

Cui Tao and the two Shen family members remained silent, their eyes indifferent, seemingly letting this farce unfold.

"In comparison, let's talk about serious matters. The demise of the Cui clan is now inevitable. I'm afraid your invitation to set up this chess game outside the mountains is not for conflict."

Cui Yong smiled dismissively.

"After all, the family has forgotten that you can regenerate. Wouldn't it be terrible if you were to waste your lives here?"

"What you said is indeed correct."

Cui Tao took a sip of tea, his eyes still cold, looking at Cui Yong as if he were a complete stranger.

Suddenly, he said calmly, "Since the outcome of this war is already predetermined, even if we fought, it would only have allowed others to benefit. Even if you hadn't betrayed the Shen family, under the pressure from the Zhao and Zhang families, my family would have perished sooner or later."

Cui gave a cold laugh.

"Rest assured, both of you. Since we are willing to hold talks here, we naturally have our sincerity."

Both Shen Wanzhong and Shen Wanding, who were at the half-step Foundation Establishment stage, had their eyes beaming with smiles.

"Regardless of the success or failure of these juniors, our karmic ties will dissipate upon our parting in Qiyang today. Our gathering here is merely to determine the amount of supplies you two can take with you based on our agreement and the survival of these juniors."

"Fellow Daoist is fair, and I naturally have no objection to this."

Cui Tao said calmly.

Next, the group agreed on the rules for placing the pieces and finalized other matters concerning the battle of Qiyang. The discussion was almost complete.

Cui Ze composed himself and nodded slightly.

Cui seemed oblivious to the situation, while the two half-step Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Shen family wore kind smiles on their faces.

The zither resonates, and celestial music accompanies the ears.

Several people, peering through the magic mirror, waited for the people below to decide the winner.

Meanwhile, the Cui and Shen families below were completely unaware that they had been used as playthings by these half-step Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Even though Cui Ze repeatedly vowed to take revenge on Cui Yong for betraying the Cui family, he didn't care at all about their lives.

Yes, from beginning to end, neither of the two families, both at the half-step Foundation Establishment stage, ever intended to engage in a bloody battle.

As Cui Yong said, these so-called family members can have as many children as they want, as long as they are still alive.

Why risk their lives for a family that doesn't matter? Even if they leave Qiyang, they'll only lose some supplies.

With his half-step Foundation Establishment cultivation, he is treated as an honored guest wherever he goes.

Shen Changzhu was completely unaware of all this, and had no idea that all his little actions and his hidden cultivation level had been thoroughly exposed to the eyes of the half-step Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"Your head of the Shen family is quite capable; no wonder he was able to persuade Cui Yong to join the Shen family."

Cui Tao nodded slightly.

Cui Yong glanced at Shen Changzhu sideways and remained silent.

"If we hadn't investigated this ourselves today, I wouldn't have known that Changzhu had so many thoughts on his mind."

Shen Wanzhong smiled.

"Clearly he's at the seventh level of Qi Refining, yet he's pretending to be at the fifth level."

"It's a pity that he's too preoccupied with his own thoughts and doesn't seem to care about you at all."

Cui Ze said in a sinister voice.

"It's normal for children to have more ideas as they grow up. Not to mention Changzhu, your child also has his own ideas and doesn't understand the spirit of loyalty and righteousness towards the family at all."

Shen Wanding said with a kind and gentle expression.

Cui Ze followed Shen Wanding's gaze and snorted coldly.

The reason Shen Wanding was referring to was that Cui Jue was hiding in the Qiyang Mountains, waiting for an opportunity to escape.

He seemed to have completely given up on the idea of ​​fighting the Shen family. He didn't even consult his ancestors. He only wanted to find a gap in the Shen family's formation so that he could take the opportunity to escape.

Lu Qingyun pinched his fingers slightly, on the one hand urging his divine sense to carefully search the current situation of the Qiyang battlefield, and on the other hand constantly thinking of countermeasures.

The actions of those few half-step Foundation Establishment cultivators by Qiyang Mountain did not escape his detection. At this moment, their idea of ​​using the battlefield below as a chess piece to divide the Cui family based on the outcome of the battle was completely clear to him.

Lu Qingyun scanned the entire battlefield.

It must be said that Shen Changzhu truly deserves to be called the wise and enlightened leader who revitalized the Shen family. The first-grade superior small Hunyuan Formation set up by the Shen family members completely enveloped Qiyang Mountain.

Not only could the Cui family inside not get out, but it was also difficult for him outside to get in.

If they force their way in, they will inevitably trigger the formation and alert the few half-step Foundation Establishment cultivators by Qiyang Mountain.

-

Even though he has just begun to explore the supernatural power [Refining Light], with his mere Qi Refining Level 6 cultivation, it is still impossible for him to directly confront these half-step Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"It seems we have no choice but to stir up trouble and create chaos before we can fish in troubled waters."

After a moment's thought, Lu Qingyun devised a plan.

Although Shen Changzhu's formation was watertight, it was not without its weaknesses.

After all, he was not a supreme being who could calculate everything without fail, change people's hearts, or manipulate cause and effect.

At this moment, the Small Hunyuan Formation seemed impeccable, but the people in charge of the various formation nodes were not so reliable.

The entire Small Chaos Array has six array nodes. Three of them are guarded by Shen Changzhu and his trusted confidants, while the remaining three are entrusted to Shen Bucai and several other elders who are in the late stage of Qi Refining.

Leaving aside the other locations for now, when Lu Qingyun's gaze fell on the western node of Qiyang Mountain where Shen Changzhu was located, a smile immediately appeared on his lips.

This is because the two low-level cultivators stationed here have the most, making the situation the most chaotic. Shen Changzhu is also the most greedy among the many elders of the Shen family.

He naturally wouldn't dare to release the core members of the Cui family directly.

However, his greedy nature drove him to secretly send people to contact the Cui clan members in the formation, cleverly and secretly releasing the family members of each branch of the Cui clan in exchange for some spirit stones as a reward.

This place is also where those half-step Foundation Establishment cultivators turn a blind eye, since the Shen family's half-step Foundation Establishment cultivators are only after money, unlike Shen Changzhu, who has the idea of ​​fighting to the death.

This is the best place to break through.

A sharp glint flashed in Lu Qingyun's eyes.

Several half-step Foundation Establishment cultivators were watching Shen Changzhu's side. Even if he used his divine sense to conceal it, as long as he made a commotion, they would definitely take it seriously.

As for Shen Bucai, if he is severely injured or killed in one blow during the intense fighting between the two sides, it will inevitably trigger a riot among the Cui family members in the mountains, who will try to escape from here.

That was the perfect opportunity for him to infiltrate Qiyang Mountain and secretly plunder the Cui family's treasury.

Nowadays, many half-step Foundation Establishment cultivators are no longer in the mountains.

As long as he can break through this small Hunyuan Formation, everything in Qiyang Mountain will be at his disposal.

Meanwhile, the battle line has been slow to advance.

Lu Qingyun wasn't in a hurry, but Shen Changzhu's brows were already furrowed.

-

"Pass down the order: immediately dispatch the clan elders to perform a blood sacrifice on those captured villains as planned, and launch a fierce attack on the eastern side of the mountain range!"

"We must break through the Cui family's defenses in one fell swoop. Today, I want to see the heads of Cui Jue and his son."

"Changzhu, although you are the head of the family, if we do this, we will inevitably be held accountable by the sect. What should we do if the sect questions us?"

An elderly family member looked grim.

The Yunxia Sect nominally forbids all demonic practices by its subordinate families, and if anyone dares to violate this rule, the sect will send out disciples from the Punishment Hall to investigate.

However, Shen Changzhu didn't take it seriously and sneered, "We have the backing of Beast Taming Peak, how can we compare with those small clans? Which high-ranking cultivator in the sect doesn't regard their disciples as resources? Why is my family different? Does my family not have any Foundation Establishment cultivators?"

"I have already consulted with the two gentlemen on this matter, so you need not discuss it further."

The old man could only sigh and relay the order.

next moment.

Accompanied by hundreds of screams, streaks of blood suddenly appeared on the east side of the Small Hunyuan Formation. The hastily captured mortal prisoners were quickly killed by the Shen family disciples and sacrificed at the eastern hub of the formation.

In an instant.

The formation's power surged, crushing the enormous, blood-red magic millstone as it rolled towards the Cui clan. In just a few breaths, dozens of Cui clan disciples were crushed by the millstone.

Seeing the Cui family's defeat becoming apparent, Cui Ze sneered: "Impressive tactics, you two are truly impressive. As expected of a prestigious family, with a history spanning a hundred years, you still possess such methods."

"It's just that the younger generation acted recklessly. Once this matter is settled, I, Shen, will definitely practice vegetarianism and chant Buddhist scriptures to help these benefactors who are seeking rebirth in the Pure Land to be liberated."

Shen Wanzhong smiled compassionately.

"They are all mortal villains plundered from the surrounding countries. They were destined to die under torture. Now that they can be used by my Shen family and seek rebirth in paradise, it is actually their good fortune."

Shen Wanding nodded.

Cui Tao responded coldly.

Shen Wanding and Shen Wanzhong spoke nicely, but upon closer inspection, these people were not heinous criminals at all; they were clearly pitiful commoners arbitrarily seized by the local government.

They were all bewildered and helpless, and were killed one by one by the Shen family.

Seeing that the Cui family was at a disadvantage, if they were to lose to the Shen family now, they would probably have to give away 90% of their family property as agreed. Cui Tao slightly raised his finger and cast a spell on the jade pendant at his waist.

Suddenly, Cui Ao, the father of Cui Jue who was in charge of the Cui family's defense, turned cold.

He looked at the exposed breach on the east side of Qiyang Mountain and said coldly, "Pass down the order to each branch to send disciples to perform a blood sacrifice to protect the safety of the Cui clan."

Following Cui Ao's orders, and under the supervision of several late-stage Qi Refining cultivators, dozens of members of the Cui clan's branch were immediately pushed to the eastern front.

"Cui Tao, how dare you!"

Upon seeing this, Cui Yong's expression suddenly changed.

The reason was that the first branch of the Cui family to offer sacrifices was none other than Cui Yong's own descendants and relatives, all of whom were his grandsons and great-grandsons.

"What is there to be afraid of?"

Cui Tao said calmly.

Cui Yong was about to lash out, but Shen Wanding stopped him first. He smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist, they are just some offspring. Why get so angry? Once this matter is accomplished, whichever of my Shen family women you fancy, I will personally act as matchmaker for you."

Cui Yong glanced at Cui Tao, and instead of being angry, he smiled.

Because of Cui Ao's orders, not only were his descendants forced to perform blood sacrifices, but Cui Tao himself was also completely disregarded.

Many members of the Cui clan's collateral branches, as well as those with low cultivation levels, were forced by Cui Ao to voluntarily jump into the blood sacrifice formation.

It wasn't that they didn't want to resist; it was simply that all their children were controlled by Cui Ao and forced to undergo blood sacrifices so that only they themselves would die.

If they dared to resist, their entire family would be sacrificed by Cui Ao and other late-stage Qi Refining cultivators.

In an instant, talismans flew from both sides, and the Cui clan's mountain-guarding formation lit up with a blood-red light, intertwining with the Shen clan's offensive once again, unleashing a violent roar.

"Fellow Daoist Cui, as expected of a sword cultivator, is able to so easily sacrifice his own family. His killing intent is indeed chilling."

Shen Wanzhong couldn't help but sigh.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, we are all in the same boat."

Cui Tao didn't take it seriously.

Heaving smoke and dust billowed on the eastern side of Qiyang Mountain, accompanied by a thick stench of blood spreading in all directions.

"It's time!"

Seeing the two sides locked in a fierce battle on the east side, a sharp glint suddenly appeared in Lu Qingyun's eyes, and he then lunged towards Shen Bucai's direction.