I am in Yellow Maple Valley, and I have a demonic beast clone!

"The ancestor summoned me most likely to force me into the Crimson Forbidden Land." Zhou Ding's eyes flickered as he quickly analyzed the pros and cons.

As a lower-class family of cultivators, the rise and fall of the Zhou family depended almost entirely on Zhou Yong.

Zhou Yong himself revealed that he only had a dozen or so years left to live.

Once he passes away, if no new Foundation Establishment cultivator is born in the Zhou family, they will immediately fall from grace, lose their status as a family of immortal cultivators and their many privileges, and become an ordinary rogue cultivator family. They may even be divided up and swallowed up by enemies or those who covet them.

Therefore, Zhou Yong urgently needs a new Foundation Establishment cultivator to emerge from the younger generation of his family.

However, his own influence is limited, and he can probably only obtain one Foundation Establishment Pill from the sect at most, and even that is not guaranteed to be successful.

Therefore, sending promising and skilled members of the clan into the Crimson Forbidden Land to fight for their lives in exchange for more Foundation Establishment Pills is the most direct, and perhaps the last, solution.

In Zhou Yong's eyes, Zhou Ding was one of the most suitable "chess pieces"!

"I already have the Foundation Establishment Pill, there's no need for me to take any more risks," Zhou Ding thought with a sense of rejection.

But to directly disobey the orders of a Foundation Establishment stage elder, who is also the elder of one's own family?

The consequences are unpredictable.

The other party may not kill him directly within the sect, but they have plenty of ways to make things difficult for him or use their family influence to put pressure on him.

If he were to betray Huangfeng Valley and the Zhou family and become a rogue cultivator... his life would be even more difficult. He would not only face a lack of resources and ever-present dangers, but he might also face covert "pursuit" or bounties from Huangfeng Valley or the Zhou family.

After careful consideration, a resolute glint flashed in Zhou Ding's eyes.

"Fine! Since there's no way to avoid it, why not go?"

He examined himself: he was at the Great Perfection of the 13th level of Qi Refining, possessing two drops of liquid mana essence, his mana was pure and close to that of Foundation Establishment, and his spiritual sense was even stronger than that of an ordinary early Foundation Establishment cultivator!

He possesses numerous powerful magical artifacts and talismans, such as the Ink Scale Armor, Golden Light Blade, Heavenly Thunder Spear, and Golden Spear Talisman, as well as Little Gold, a top-tier level one demon beast clone with Earth Listening Technique, Earth Escape Technique, and Black Spirit Claw, as his trump card!

With such strength, as long as one doesn't intentionally seek death or fall into a certain death trap, it's not impossible to survive in the Crimson Forbidden Land, and even gain something.

"However, even if I'm forced to go, I can't miss out on the benefits I'm entitled to." Zhou Ding's gaze fell on the ashes of the communication talisman in his hand, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

The patriarch forced him to work for him, surely he wouldn't just make empty promises and not give him any "pay for his life"?

……

Luo Ling Peak is one of the spiritual peaks in Huangfeng Valley where some Foundation Establishment cultivators reside. Its spiritual energy is even richer than that of Xuankun Mountain.

Following the instructions of the talisman, Zhou Ding arrived at a secluded bamboo forest on the west side of the peak, where a plaque read "Tingzhuxuan" (Listening to Bamboo Pavilion), which was Zhou Yong's residence within the clan.

Upon entering the main hall, Zhou Ding discovered that two people had already arrived.

The man and woman were both members of the Zhou family, and he knew them both.

The girl's name is Zhou Xue. She is eighteen years old, with a beautiful appearance and possesses both water and wood spiritual roots. She has excellent aptitude and has already reached the twelfth level of Qi Refining. She is the outstanding young generation of the Zhou family and is highly valued by the family.

The boy's name is Zhou Long, he is sixteen years old, Zhou Xue's younger brother, he has three spiritual roots, his cultivation level is tenth level of Qi Refining, and his personality is somewhat eccentric.

According to seniority, both of them are Zhou Ding's cousins.

"Cousin Zhou Ding." When Zhou Xue saw Zhou Ding, she nodded slightly, her expression calm, but her eyes held a subtle distance and a hint of superiority.

Zhou Long simply called out "Cousin" casually before looking away, appearing somewhat absent-minded.

Zhou Ding nodded in return, understanding the meaning in his heart.

Zhou Xue and Zhou Long's parents are still alive, and their father is the current head of the Zhou family, so resources are naturally tilted towards them.

Zhou Ding's parents died early, and he occupied a portion of the family's cultivation resources, which inevitably caused resentment between the brother and sister. There was not much affection between the three of them.

The atmosphere in the hall was somewhat silent, with the three of them each lost in their own thoughts as they waited quietly.

About half an hour later, an old man dressed in a brown Taoist robe, with a thin face and slightly cloudy eyes, but still exuding the majesty of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, slowly walked out from the back hall. It was Zhou Yong, the patriarch of the Zhou family.

His gaze swept over the three people in the hall, and when it fell on Zhou Ding, a clear look of surprise flashed across his eyes. Then, a gentle smile appeared on his face: "You are... Zhou Ding? Not bad, not bad! Your aura is deep and your foundation is solid. It seems you haven't been slacking off in the valley. You're better than I expected."

"You flatter me, Ancestor. I am unworthy of such praise," Zhou Ding said respectfully.

Since he came to reap benefits, he naturally didn't hold back.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xue and Zhou Long, who were standing nearby, both showed expressions of confusion.

Zhou Xue frowned slightly. In the past, when the ancestor summoned her, he mostly praised her for her dual spiritual roots. Why was he so kind to Zhou Ding, who only had three spiritual roots, today?

Zhou Yong sat down in the main seat, and the gentleness on his face quickly faded, replaced by solemnity.

He got straight to the point: "I have summoned the three of you here today to discuss a major matter concerning your own paths to enlightenment, as well as the future survival of my Zhou family."

Zhou Ding thought to himself, "Just as I expected."

"You should know that the 'Bloody Forbidden Land' will be opened soon." Zhou Yong's voice carried a heavy pressure.

Zhou Xue and Zhou Long's expressions both changed, clearly indicating that they had guessed what was going on.

Zhou Yong glanced at the three men and slowly said, "My lifespan... is at most fifteen years."

These words struck the three of them like a heavy hammer, and Zhou Xue and Zhou Long's faces immediately showed shock and fear.

"The Zhou family must produce another Foundation Establishment cultivator before I pass away! Otherwise, once I'm gone, the family will lose a Foundation Establishment cultivator to lead it, and the consequences will be unimaginable..."

Zhou Yong's voice carried a hint of weariness yet unwavering resolve: "Of course, if all three of you can reach the Foundation Establishment stage, then my Zhou family will surely rise again and truly establish itself in the cultivation world of Yue Kingdom!"

Zhou Ding remained silent.

From the perspective of the family and the ancestors, this move, though cold-blooded, is a helpless choice to continue the family line and protect future generations, and is therefore understandable.

Zhou Yong continued, "Over the years in Huangfeng Valley, I've managed to gain some influence. I've spent a lot of favors and savings, and finally... I managed to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill from the sect."

He flipped his hand and took out a sealed jade bottle similar to the one in Zhou Ding's arms, placing it on the coffee table beside him.

"Foundation Pill!"

Zhou Xue and Zhou Long's gazes instantly became incredibly intense, their breathing quickened, and they stared intently at the jade bottle.

Zhou Yong then changed the subject: "However, even with dual spiritual roots, a single Foundation Establishment Pill doesn't guarantee success in establishing one's foundation. Moreover..."

His gaze swept over Zhou Long and Zhou Ding: "For those with three spiritual roots, the success rate of using a Foundation Establishment Pill is even more slim."

Zhou Xue's excitement faltered slightly.

"therefore."

Zhou Yong's voice suddenly rose, carrying an undeniable tone, "I hope that all three of you—will participate in this Bloodstained Forbidden Zone! For the Zhou family, and for yourselves, fight for a future!"

Zhou Xue's face turned pale, and Zhou Long showed fear.

The Bloodstained Forbidden Land is infamous; how could they not know that?

"Of course, I won't let you take the risk for nothing."

Zhou Yong softened his tone: "This Foundation Establishment Pill will be a reward for your courage. Whoever emerges alive from the Crimson Forbidden Land, and... brings back the most valuable and numerous spiritual herbs, will have this Foundation Establishment Pill belong to them! I will personally protect them and assist them in establishing their foundation!"

His gaze sharpened as he swept over the three men in turn: "Well? Are you willing to gamble this for the Zhou family?"

The hall was completely silent.

Only Zhou Yong's words, like a cold brand, were etched into the hearts of the three.