Family Rise: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 496 Conscription Order, Opportunity, Killing the Traitor
Huang Family Council Hall
Outside the hall, gongs and drums resounded, and the clansmen cheered and jumped for joy, celebrating Huang Yuehua's successful condensation of a fifth-grade golden elixir, and the Huang family's imminent promotion to a sixth-grade noble family. However, the atmosphere inside the hall suddenly froze due to a sudden summons.

"Snapped!"

Clan Chief Huang slammed his hand on the table, causing the teacups to overturn and spill tea. A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he sneered, "So, the Fu family! They're already trying to squeeze every last drop of blood out of us before my Huang family has even officially advanced to the sixth rank?"

The conscription order required the Huang family to gather twenty Purple Mansion cultivators and two hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators within ten days to assemble in Huizhou Prefecture, but did not specify the specific tasks.

"This is clearly a deliberate attempt to weaken my Huang family!"

The Third Elder snorted angrily, his eyes flashing with killing intent: "The Fu family is afraid that after we advance to the sixth rank, we will be on equal footing with them, so they are taking advantage of this last chance to bite us hard!"

The Fifth Elder smiled sinisterly: "Clan leader, since the Fu family is so greedy, then we don't need to be polite! Once we advance to the sixth rank, we can join forces with the Lei family and wipe out the Fu family!"

"The Lei family?" Clan Chief Huang narrowed his eyes and tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "Clan Chief Lei has already formed his core and is about to advance to the sixth rank. They and the Fu family are sworn enemies. If our two families join forces, the Fu family will surely perish!"

A glint of greed flashed in his eyes: "The Fu family owns businesses in three prefectures in Huizhou: spirit mines, spirit fields, and markets—each one a lucrative opportunity!"

Upon hearing this, the elders in the hall all showed signs of interest.

However, at this moment, the Grand Elder, who had been silent all along, slowly spoke—

"inappropriate."

His voice was deep, yet as calm as a still pool.

"The Lei family and the Fu family have a long-standing feud. Once Lei advances to the sixth rank, he will definitely target the Fu family first. Why should we rush to get involved?"

Clan Chief Huang frowned: "What does the Grand Elder mean?"

The elder squinted and said slowly, "The Lei family and the Fu family have a long-standing feud. Once the Lei family advances to the sixth rank, they will definitely be the first to attack the Fu family. Why should we rush into the fray?"

"But the Fu family's conscription this time is clearly intended to weaken us!" the Fifth Elder said unwillingly.

"Weaken?" The First Elder sneered. "How much can they weaken? Twenty Purple Mansion cultivators and two hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators? Our Huang family can afford that! But if we make a blood feud with the Fu family because of this, the Lei family will reap the benefits!"

His gaze was deep as he continued, "Although Fu Changsheng is dead, don't forget that behind the Fu family are Fu Yongxuan and Luo Haitang. Liu Meizhen, that woman, is also quite cunning. If we act rashly, we will only become pawns of the Lei family."

Clan Chief Huang frowned in thought, then nodded: "The Grand Elder is right. If we fight the Fu family to the death, the Lei family will be the only ones to benefit in the end!"

The First Elder smiled slightly, his eyes filled with deep calculation: "Therefore, we will comply with this conscription order. Not only will we comply, but we will also do it well, so that the Fu family cannot find any fault with it."

"Should we just swallow this insult?" The Third Elder was unwilling to accept it.

"Swallow it?" The Grand Elder sneered. "No, we're just waiting."

"What are you waiting for?"

"Let the Lei family make the first move," the First Elder said slowly. "When the Fu family and the Lei family are both severely weakened, we will then make our move and reap the benefits!"

A glint of light flashed in Chief Huang's eyes, and he laughed heartily:

"Good! The First Elder is a man of great foresight, let's do it this way!"

"The Fu family wants them, we'll give them to them. But—"

"Not a single elite cultivator will be sent."

"Let those old and frail people whose lifespans are nearing their end, and those whose foundations are unstable, take the challenge."

"If they die on the mission, it will save the family resources; if they come back alive, it will be a relief to the Fu family."

"As for the Fu family and the Lei family..."

A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and he sneered:
"Let them fight each other to the death first!"

Inside the Lei family's main hall.

A crimson gold scroll hovered in mid-air, radiating an irresistible pressure.

The three large, gilded characters "Conscription Order" on the scroll stung the eyes of the Lei family members.

"Asshole!"

Chief Lei, enraged, shattered the century-old black iron table with a single blow. The violent lightning energy raged within the hall, and several clansmen standing nearby were struck by the aftershocks, coughing up blood.

"The Fu family has some nerve! Fu Changsheng is dead, and Liu Meizhen, a widow, dares to issue a conscription order to my Lei family?!" The Lei clan leader's body crackled with lightning patterns, and he released his Golden Core aura without reservation, causing the entire hall to tremble.

The Grand Elder waved his hand, setting up a barrier to protect the clansmen with lower cultivation levels, and said in a deep voice:
"Clan leader, please calm your anger. The conscription order is an imperial decree, and the Fu family, as a sixth-rank aristocratic family, certainly has the right to conscript our vassal forces."

"fart!"

Lightning flashed in Chief Lei's eyes:
"I have already formed my Golden Core, and the document authorizing my advancement to the sixth rank will be issued soon! At that time, my Lei family will be on equal footing with the Fu family. What is Liu Meizhen then!"

The First Elder frowned, pointing to the faintly visible dragon pattern on the conscription order: "Clan leader, this bears the imperial court's seal. If we disobey, we will be defying the court. The Fu family even dared to impeach Li Wanhu of the Zhenshi Division, and successfully forced him to the Zhenmo Pass."

"What is Li Wanhu?!" Clan Chief Lei interrupted with a sneer. "He's nothing but a dog of the Grand Tutor's mansion. My grandson is the current Seventh Prince, a member of the imperial family! Does the Fu family dare to touch me?"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall fell silent, trembling with fear.

Since the patriarch's grandson inherited the title of king, the Lei family has indeed risen in status. However, the fact that the Fu family has been able to maintain its power even after Fu Changsheng's death clearly indicates that they have some unknown trump cards up their sleeves.

The First Elder took a deep breath: "Clan Chief, what is the Fu family's purpose in mobilizing so many combatants? Twenty Purple Mansion cultivators and five hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators—that's almost forty percent of our elite forces!"

Clan Chief Lei narrowed his eyes and sneered, "What's so hard to understand? The Fu family is afraid! They're afraid of retaliation after the Lei family advances to the sixth rank, so they're striking first, trying to weaken the Lei family's strength under the guise of conscription!"

He abruptly stopped laughing, his eyes flashing with cold light: "Send the order to muster the troops; I will personally lead the army!"

"Patriarch, please reconsider!" the First Elder exclaimed in alarm. "If you go personally, what if the Fu family..."

"What if what?" Clan Chief Lei glanced at him contemptuously. "Liu Meizhen is only a half-step Golden Core cultivator; I could kill her like a dog! This is a perfect opportunity to probe the Fu family's true strength."

The First Elder wanted to persuade him further, but Clan Chief Lei had already risen and swept his sleeves: "First Elder, please stay and guard the clan. I will take the Third Elder and Fifth Elder with me. Remember, the Lei family is no longer what it used to be; we have no need to grovel before the Fu family!"

After Clan Chief Lei left, the First Elder gazed worriedly at the gloomy sky outside the hall. He felt that the Fu family's summons this time was suspicious—Fu Changsheng had only been dead for a short time, yet Liu Meizhen dared to attack both the Lei and Huang families at the same time. Where did she get the confidence to do that?

"Elder," a trusted aide whispered, "the clan leader's ostentatious behavior... could it be..."

The First Elder shook his head with a wry smile: "Ever since the Clan Chief formed his Core, and with the Prince's Mansion backing him up, he has indeed become somewhat arrogant."

He recalled the scene a few days ago when Clan Chief Lei publicly humiliated Clan Chief Yun—simply because the latter was a step too slow in bowing, Clan Chief Lei struck him half to death with lightning magic. Such an arrogant attitude would inevitably bring disaster sooner or later.

He had to leave the Lei family a way out.
Meanwhile, at the Lei family's training ground, the Lei patriarch was selecting his troops.

"You, you, and you!" He casually pointed out twenty Purple Mansion cultivators, most of whom were rogue cultivators who had recently attached themselves to the Lei family. "You must arrive in Huizhou Prefecture within ten days. Those who are late will be punished according to clan rules!"

The selected cultivators had varying expressions. Some were eager to try, seeing this as an opportunity to make a name for themselves; many more were worried—the Fu family had last sent them to the Demon Suppression Pass when they were recruited.

"Clan leader, there's something I don't understand," the Third Elder asked cautiously, "What does the Fu family need so many people for?"

Chief Lei sneered, "Who cares what he does! I'll take this opportunity to let that widow Liu Meizhen know who the future ruler of Wuzhou is!"

He conjured a ball of purple lightning in his palm and hurled it into the sky. The lightning ball exploded, transforming into countless lightning snakes that reflected on his face, twisted by ambition.

"Remember, when you're on the Fu family's territory, stand tall! Anyone who disgraces the Lei family," he glared coldly at the crowd, "I'll make them wish they were dead!"

Two hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators responded in unison, their voices shaking the heavens. But beneath this outward display of power, undercurrents were already surging—several cultivators exchanged glances, clearly each with their own plans.

Clan Chief Lei was completely unaware; he was reveling in the pleasure of about to humiliate the Fu family. Ever since he formed his core, he had dreamed of seeing the Fu family tremble at his feet.

"Liu Meizhen," he licked his lips, a lewd glint in his eyes, "once I conquer the Fu family, I'll make you, a widow, know what the true power of a Golden Core is!"

...

Ten days later, outside Huizhou city.

The Lei and Huang families arrived almost simultaneously. Compared to the Lei family's arrogance, the Huang family members were much more low-key—their patriarch even led the team personally, with a respectful attitude.

"Old man Huang, you've got some sense," Chief Lei said mockingly from above, riding a giant thunder beast.

Chief Huang suppressed his anger and forced a smile, saying, "Chief Lei is joking. I was merely following orders."

Chief Lei laughed heartily, about to hurl a few more insults, when he suddenly sensed something and abruptly looked up.

On the city wall of Huizhou, a figure in pure white silently appeared. Liu Meizhen stood with her hands behind her back, her robes fluttering. Although she did not release any pressure, the thousands of cultivators below the city felt a chill run down their spines at the same time.

"Clan Chief Lei, Clan Chief Huang, you've come a long way, you must be tired." Her voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears. "The Fu family has prepared a camp; please enter the city to rest."

Chief Lei narrowed his eyes and suddenly urged the Thunder Beast to take off, flying directly to the same height as the city wall, where he confronted Liu Meizhen from a distance.

"Madam Fu, what a grand display!" He deliberately released his Golden Core aura, his voice booming like thunder. "I wonder what business the Fu family has of summoning us?"

Liu Meizhen remained expressionless, simply raising her hand slightly. An invisible barrier unfolded, completely dissolving the Lei Clan Chief's oppressive aura.

"Clan Chief Lei, please calm down," she said calmly. "The explanation will be given tomorrow. It is truly an honor for the Fu family that Clan Chief Lei has come in person."

Clan Chief Lei's face darkened. He had intended to give Liu Meizhen a hard time, but she hadn't expected her to so easily dispel his pressure. This was hardly a half-step Golden Core cultivator; she had clearly touched the threshold of the Golden Core realm!
"Hmph!" he sneered. "I'd like to see what tricks the Fu family can pull!"

Having said that, he urged the giant beast to descend, leading the Lei family into the city in a grand procession.

As night fell, Chief Lei flew into a rage in his tent.

"Have you found out anything? What exactly is the Fu family up to?!" He glared at the spies. "What use are you all?!"

"Reporting to the clan chief," a scout said tremblingly, "the Fu family is extremely tight-lipped, only saying that they are going to wipe out some remnants of demonic cultivators tomorrow."

"Bullshit!" Clan Chief Lei kicked over a table. "Do we need so many Purple Mansions to exterminate demonic cultivators? The Fu family is clearly going to deal with them."

He suddenly stopped, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. Could it be that the Fu family already knew about his secret dealings? Impossible! Only a few trusted confidants of the Prince's mansion knew about this.

“Clan leader,” the Third Elder said cautiously, “I’ve heard that the Fu family has recently been getting very close to the Imperial Envoy of Wuzhou.”

"The Divine Envoy?" Clan Chief Lei's pupils contracted. The Divine Envoy was responsible for monitoring all cultivators in the world, specifically dealing with demonic cultivators and evil spirits. If the Fu family truly had connections with the Divine Envoy...
Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, but he quickly regained his composure. What was there to be afraid of? With the Prince's Mansion backing him up, even the Imperial Guard wouldn't dare touch him!
"Pass down the order: everyone must increase vigilance, keep a close eye on the Fu family, and absolutely not let them play any tricks!" Clan Chief Lei sneered.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the tent. A Lei family cultivator rushed in, holding a blood-stained communication jade talisman in his hands.

"Clan chief! Urgent report from Demon Suppression Pass! All forty disciples we sent out... are all dead!"

"what?!"

Under the light of lightning, Chief Lei's face looked as ferocious as a demon.

That was Lei's most promising Foundation Establishment talent, the one who had the best chance of breaking through to the Purple Mansion realm. Who would have thought he'd be ruined by the Fu family?

"Liu Meizhen, I, the head of the Fu family, will make you pay for your crimes in blood!"

After arriving at Zhenmo Pass, Li Wanhu straightened his clothes, a humble smile on his face, and walked towards the Great Zhou camp. The camp was heavily guarded; he respectfully presented his identification token and was quickly led inside.

Seated in the tent was a Nascent Soul cultivator—Zhenyuan Zhenjun, whose aura was profound and whose gaze was piercing. Li Wanhu hurriedly bowed and paid his respects, adopting an extremely humble posture.

"Junior Li Wanhu has come to Zhenmo Pass to report for duty, and is willing to do his part in resisting the demons!" His voice was sincere, and his eyes shone with enthusiasm.

Zhenyuan Zhenjun nodded slightly and asked, "Zhenmo Pass is extremely dangerous. Why did you come here?"

Li Wanhu was prepared, and a resolute look appeared on his face: "This junior is determined to make a name for myself and serve my Great Zhou. Moreover, the demon race is rampant, and everyone has a responsibility to help. Although my strength is meager, I am willing to do my part."

Zhenyuan Zhenjun's gaze lingered on his face for a moment, as if scrutinizing him. Li Wanhu's expression was calm, with a perfectly timed hint of fervor and loyalty in his eyes.

"What are your thoughts?" Zhenjun asked calmly.

"I will follow Your Majesty's arrangements!" Li Wanhu immediately cupped his hands in greeting, then paused and added, "However, I once served in the Wuzhou Town Hereditary Bureau and am quite familiar with the local families. If Fu Changlei's team could be placed under my command, perhaps we could cooperate more effectively."

He spoke sincerely, as if it were purely for convenience. Zhenyuan Zhenjun didn't think much of it, assuming he wanted to form a group with acquaintances, and nodded in agreement: "Alright."

Immediately, Zhenjun ordered someone to fetch the dossier of Fu Changlei's squad and hand it to Li Wanhu.

Li Wanhu respectfully accepted the dossier, a humble smile on his face. He cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your kindness, True Lord. I will certainly live up to your expectations and lead Fu Changlei's team to serve the court."

Zhenyuan Zhenjun nodded slightly, his gaze indifferent: "Zhenmo Pass is dangerous. It is commendable that you volunteered. Fu Changlei's team is indeed remarkable. Lead them well and do not let their achievements go to waste."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will do my utmost." Li Wanhu bowed his head in response, but a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

After leaving the camp.

He opened the file, his eyes quickly scanning it, and he was shocked—Fu Changlei's team had been stationed at Zhenmo Pass for six years, and not a single one of the fifty Foundation Establishment cultivators had been lost! Not only that, Fu Qingyun and Fu Qingyun had both broken through to the Purple Mansion Realm, and the team had repeatedly made meritorious contributions.

He closed the file, his eyes flashing with cold light: "The Fu family caused me to lose my official position, and now they're doing quite well here? Heh... Since they've fallen into my hands, don't blame me for 'acting impartially'."

The next day, Li Wanhu, as the newly appointed commander, summoned Fu Changlei's squad for a speech. Standing on the high platform, with a warm smile on his face, he said in a loud voice: "My comrades have guarded the frontier for many years and have made great contributions. I am new here and will need to rely on you in the future."

Fu Changlei clasped his hands and said, "Commander Li, you are too kind. We will obey your orders."

Li Wanhu's smile deepened, and his tone became gentle: "Captain Fu, there's no need for such formality. I've heard that you're an excellent commander, with no casualties in the past six years, which is truly admirable. However..." He changed the subject and sighed, "Now that the demons are powerful, the court urgently needs to achieve merit. As soldiers, we should be more courageous and take the lead, not just seek stability."

Fu Changlei frowned slightly, but before he could speak, Fu Qingyun couldn't help but say, "Commander Li, you are mistaken. Although we did not lose any men, we slew quite a few demons, as clearly recorded in the merit book—"

"Qingyun!" Fu Changlei shouted, stopping him from continuing.

Li Wanhu's smile remained unchanged, but a sinister glint flashed in his eyes: "Young Brother Fu is young and impetuous, which is understandable. However, military orders are absolute. Now that I have taken command of this force, I must naturally prioritize the overall situation." He looked around at everyone, his tone suddenly becoming stern, "From today onwards, everyone must strictly obey my orders. Any disobedience will be punished according to military law!"

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines. Fu Changlei said in a deep voice, "Your subordinate obeys."

After everyone had left, Li Wanhu left Fu Changlei alone, patted him on the shoulder, and said with feigned concern, "Captain Fu, I know you're not convinced, but the situation is tense right now, and I'm doing this for everyone's good. You'd better cooperate with me and not make things difficult for me."

Fu Changlei nodded expressionlessly: "Commander, you are overthinking it. I will cooperate."

Li Wanhu smiled with satisfaction, but as he turned to leave, his eyes were icy cold: "Fu Changlei, let's... take our time."

Since Li Wanhu took over Fu Changlei's squad, he outwardly treated them well, frequently praising their achievements within the army and even actively securing extra cultivation resources for them. For a time, everyone in the army envied them, saying that Fu Changlei's team had met a benefactor.

On this day, all the commanders gathered in the council hall of the Great Zhou camp.

Zhenyuan Zhenjun said in a deep voice: "The scouts at the front have reported that the Demon Clan is setting up a blood sacrifice array in the Black Abyss Canyon. If they succeed, the Demon Clan will be able to continuously produce high-level combat power in the future. We need an elite team to infiltrate and sabotage it, but the canyon has special restrictions. Cultivators above the Purple Mansion level cannot enter. Only those at the Purple Mansion level and below can carry out the mission."

Upon hearing this, all the commanders fell silent.

Black Abyss Canyon is infamous for its ferocity; no one ever leaves once they enter. Even with great merit in a mission, no one is willing to send their elite troops to their deaths.

A glint flashed in Li Wanhu's eyes. He stood up, cupped his hands, and said righteously, "True Lord, your subordinate is willing to accept this mission!"

Everyone was surprised, and Zhenyuan Zhenjun nodded slightly: "Commander Li is very thoughtful. May I ask who you plan to send?"

Li Wanhu looked sorrowful and sighed, "This mission is dangerous. After much thought, I think Fu Changlei's team is the most suitable. Captain Fu practices lightning-based techniques, which are effective against demons. He is extremely powerful. His subordinates Fu Qingyun and Fu Qingyun are also very strong. If they are chosen to carry out the mission, the success rate will be the highest."

Zhenyuan Zhenjun pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Agreed."

After accepting the mission, Li Wanhu immediately summoned Fu Changlei's team, a gentle smile on his face and a sincere tone:

"Gentlemen, this mission is dangerous, but the merit is immense. If we succeed, the imperial court will surely reward us handsomely! After much thought, I believe only Captain Fu's elite team is capable of handling this task."

Fu Changlei frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "Commander Li, what exactly is the mission?"

Li Wanhu smiled slightly, took out a jade slip and handed it to him: "Go deep into the 'Black Abyss Rift', destroy a demon altar and stop them from cultivating high-level demons."

Fu Qingyun stood to the side, his eyes slightly cold, and said in a low voice, "Black Abyss Rift... that is the territory of the demon race. If a Purple Mansion cultivator goes in, he will have a nine-out-of-ten chance of dying."

Li Wanhu sighed, feigning helplessness: "That's why I specifically fought for this mission for you—if it were any other team, they probably wouldn't even have a sliver of hope. But Captain Fu's thunder magic is formidable, Qingyun has a special secret technique to assist him, and with Qingyun's swordsmanship, we might not be unable to succeed."

He patted Fu Changlei on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Captain Fu, I know you are all exceptionally strong. If you can make a contribution this time, not only will the imperial court reward you handsomely, but you may even be promoted exceptionally. Moreover, the True Lord has already agreed that if this mission is successfully completed, you can leave this bitter and cold place of Zhenmo Pass immediately."

Fu Changlei was silent for a moment, then a sharp glint flashed in his eyes: "Commander Li, we accept this mission."

Li Wanhu smiled with satisfaction: "Good! As expected of the elites of Zhenmo Pass!"

After Li Wanhu left, Fu Qingyun said coldly, "He was plotting against us."

Fu Changlei clenched his fist, lightning flashing between his fingers: "I know."

Fu Qingyun frowned: "Uncle Changlei, since you knew it was a trap, why did you still fall for it?"

Fu Changlei said helplessly, "This is a military order; we have no choice but to accept it!"

Li Wanhu's true colors have been revealed, and he will definitely try to make things difficult for them in the future. Rather than doing that, it's better to seize this opportunity.

Once the mission is successful.

They will then be able to leave Zhenmo Pass and escape Li Wanhu's clutches.

The massive bronze gate of the Demon Suppression Pass slowly opened with a muffled rumble, and a chilling demonic wind carrying a putrid stench rushed in, as if the howls of countless dead souls were echoing in one's ears.

Fu Changlei led the way, his body crackling with lightning, the oppressive aura of a late-stage Purple Mansion cultivator faintly visible, as he stepped out of the pass. Behind him were Fu Qingyun and Fu Qingyun, their gazes cold and their expressions indifferent. Further back were forty Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Lei family, each with a tense expression, their eyes filled with unease and fear.

The land beyond the pass had long been corrupted by demonic energy. The withered, black trees twisted like ghostly claws, and dark purple mist seeped from the cracks in the ground, writhing like living creatures. In the distance, low-level demonic creatures could be vaguely seen wandering, resembling rotting corpses but covered in sharp bone spikes. They appeared and disappeared in the mist, emitting chilling growls.

"This godforsaken place..." a Lei family cultivator cursed under his breath, sweat beading on his palms. "If we had just endured four more years, we could have gone back, but instead, we were sent here to die!"

The person next to him tugged at his sleeve, signaling him to shut up, and looked warily at the backs of the three members of the Fu family.

Fu Qingyun glanced sideways, a faint, cold smile playing on his lips.

—To die? No, this is his hunting ground.

……

After the group had been traveling for half a day, the fog thickened, and rustling sounds began to come from all around, like some kind of creature crawling among the bones.

"Be on guard!" Fu Changlei shouted in a low voice, lightning flashing in his palm and crackling with electric arcs all over his body.

In an instant——

"Roar--!"

Dozens of wolves-like monsters burst out of the mist, each over ten feet long, covered in black scales, with sharp bone spikes on their backs, menacing fangs, and bloodthirsty red eyes!
Tier 3 early stage monster - Bone-Eating Demon Wolf!
These demonic wolves were incredibly fast, with claws as sharp as knives that easily tore through the ground. The demonic energy they spewed was corrosive, capable of even eroding the protective aura of a Foundation Establishment cultivator!

"Form a formation!" The Lei family cultivators hurriedly gathered together and summoned their magical artifacts to defend themselves. However, there were too many demonic wolves, and several Lei family cultivators were instantly pounced on and fell to the ground, screaming as blood and flesh flew everywhere!
"You beasts, you're courting death!" Fu Changlei roared, lightning crackling in his palm as a bolt of lightning struck the pack of demonic wolves. However, these demons could teleport within the demonic mist, and the lightning only struck their afterimages!
Fu Qingyun's expression was solemn. He summoned a cyan flying sword, its light raining down, barely managing to repel a few demonic wolves. But more demonic wolves surged in from all directions, their eyes flashing with bloodthirsty red light, emitting low growls from their throats.

At this moment——

"Swish..."

Suddenly, several jet-black vines shot out from the ground, silently wrapping around the wolf's limbs and neck like venomous snakes, tightening instantly!

"Pfft——!"

The sound of flesh being shredded rang out, and the demonic wolf was devoured before it could even howl. As the vines retracted, they faintly glowed with a dark red light, wriggling slightly as if they had just had a good meal, before disappearing into the ground without a trace.

The Lei family members looked around in shock, only to see that Fu Qingyun remained calm, merely twitching his fingertips as if he were just casually making a hand seal.

"Keep moving forward." Fu Changlei glanced at it and said indifferently, as if he didn't care about the strange phenomenon just now.

The Lei family cultivators exchanged bewildered glances, their hearts filled with doubt and uncertainty, but they dared not ask any further questions and could only grit their teeth and follow.

When the outline of Black Abyss Canyon appeared in the mist, everyone's breath involuntarily froze.

The rock walls on both sides of the canyon were as black as ink, covered with strange blood-red patterns, like some kind of ancient blood sacrifice runes, faintly exuding a chilling sense of oppression. The bottom of the canyon was bottomless, and dense demonic energy surged like waves. A low roar could be faintly heard coming from the abyss, as if some enormous creature was sleeping.

"Is there really a way out here?" a Lei family cultivator asked in a trembling voice, his hand holding the magic weapon shaking slightly.

Fu Changlei narrowed his eyes, lightning flashing in his pupils. After a moment, he pointed to a relatively flat rock platform at the edge of the canyon: "Let's set up camp there first."
-
After settling in, Fu Changlei ordered the Lei family to send five people ahead to scout the way.

These five individuals were all at the half-step Purple Mansion cultivation level, considered elites within the Lei family, yet their faces were deathly pale. One of them gritted his teeth and said, "Commander Fu, this canyon is extremely dangerous; entering rashly might..."

Fu Changlei coldly interrupted: "Either scout ahead, or face military law."

The five dared not say another word and set off with gritted teeth.

However, not long after leaving the camp, the five men gathered in a secluded crevice to plot their scheme.

"Damn it, we're going to die anyway, might as well run away!" Lei Yuan, the leader of the Lei family cultivators, muttered, a ruthless glint in his eyes.

“But where can we escape to in this godforsaken place?” the other person hesitated.

Lei Yuan sneered: "If the five of us join forces and use the 'Thunderous Fusion Technique,' we can rival the Purple Mansion realm for a short time. As long as we avoid areas densely populated with demons, we might survive!"

"But what about the Fu family..."

"We can't worry about that anymore!" Lei Yuan gritted her teeth. "The Fu family is clearly trying to send us to our deaths! Rather than be cannon fodder, we'd rather fight for a chance to survive!"

The five quickly reached an agreement, immediately forming hand seals and surging with lightning spiritual power, their bodies radiating dazzling lightning.

"Thunderous Qi unites, rise!"

The five people's auras surged instantly, briefly rising to the Purple Mansion Realm! They dared not delay, transforming into five streaks of lightning and speeding away from the canyon.
-
Several days later, the five landed on a relatively safe stone platform. After confirming that there were no monsters around, they finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Hahaha! We escaped!" A Lei family cultivator laughed, his eyes filled with the ecstatic joy of surviving a calamity.

Lei Yuan also smiled: "Those idiots from the Fu family, do they really think we'd obediently throw our lives away?"

However, his smile suddenly froze.

"rustle……"

A faint scraping sound came from beneath their feet. The five looked down and were immediately horrified—

Before anyone knew it, their shadows began to twist and writhe, wrapping around their legs like living creatures!
"What the hell?!"

The five were terrified and hurriedly activated their lightning magic to strike, but the lightning struck the shadows and had no effect whatsoever, like a mud ox sinking into the sea!

"Escape? Escape to where?"

A detached voice came from the shadows.

Fu Qingyun walked out slowly, his black robes billowing even without wind, his eyes gleaming with a cold, eerie green light. He lightly raised his fingertips, and the shadows of the five people suddenly burst forth, transforming into tangible, pitch-black vines that tightly bound them!
"Fu Qingyun! You—!" Lei Yuan roared, struggling frantically, but the vines tightened their grip, the sharp barbs piercing their flesh and devouring their spiritual power.

"Don't waste your energy," Fu Qingyun said softly, a cold smile playing on his lips. "Every inch of shadow here is my territory."
-
"Form ranks! Fight to the death!" Lei Yuan's eyes were bloodshot as the five of them roared simultaneously, and lightning exploded!
"boom--!"

The raging lightning forcefully severed some of the vines, allowing the five to escape and quickly form the Lei family's secret battle formation—

"Five Thunderbolts Sky-Shattering Formation!"

Five pillars of lightning shot into the sky, intertwining in the air to form a huge lightning net that descended upon Fu Qingyun!
Fu Qingyun neither dodged nor avoided, but simply raised her hand slightly.

The ground suddenly cracked open, and countless black vines surged out like waves, colliding violently with the lightning net!
"Zizzi——!"

Lightning and demonic vines intertwined, erupting with a piercing shriek. The vines were scorched to ash by the lightning, yet they regenerated endlessly, while the power of the lightning net rapidly diminished!
"How is this possible?!" Lei Yuan was shocked. The combined lightning formation of the five of them was actually suppressed by the opponent alone!
Fu Qingyun's eyes blazed with green light, and vines suddenly burst forth, piercing through the lightning net like poisonous dragons, instantly binding the five people once again!
"what--!"

Amidst their piercing screams, the vines frantically devoured their flesh and spiritual energy, causing the five to rapidly weaken.
-
"Fu Qingyun! You dare kill us?!" Lei Yuan roared, his face contorted with rage. "Our Lei family patriarch has already condensed his Golden Core and is about to advance to the sixth rank! At that time, we will be on equal footing with your Fu family! If you dare to touch us, the Lei family will never let you off!"

Another person retorted sharply, "We have the Seven Princes' Mansions behind us! Does your Fu family intend to offend two major powers at the same time?!"

Upon hearing this, Fu Qingyun suddenly chuckled softly.

The laughter was chillingly cold.

"Finished?" He walked slowly to Lei Yuan, the vines wrapping around the other's neck and tightening slowly. "First, you are deserters, and according to the laws of Zhenmo Pass, you should be executed."

"Second..." He leaned down and whispered in Lei Yuan's ear, "If your Lei family and the Prince's Mansion want revenge, then come at me."

"Crack!"

The crisp sound of the neck bone breaking rang out.

Fu Qingyun stood up, looked at the five withered corpses on the ground, and with a flick of his sleeve, the vines wrapped around the five heads and retracted.

He turned and walked toward the camp, his black robes fluttering in the demonic wind, the vines in the shadows following him silently like faithful servants.
-
When Fu Qingyun returned to the camp and threw five bloody heads in front of the Lei family members, everyone froze on the spot, their eyes filled with fear.

"Deserter in the face of battle, die." He said softly, his gaze sweeping over the remaining Lei family cultivators. "Anyone else want to try?"

No one dared to answer.

Fu Changlei snorted coldly: "Now, go scout ahead."

This time, no one dared to disobey.

After the Lei family cultivators cautiously stepped into the canyon, Fu Qingyun whispered, "Uncle Chang Lei, these people can't be trusted."

Fu Changlei's gaze was cold: "It's alright."

If this mission succeeds, they will be able to leave Zhenmo Pass ahead of schedule.

And the Lei family...

There's no need to keep any of them.

The five Lei family cultivators, who were dispatched again, only dared to show their grief once they were far from the camp. The five who had just died were their kinsmen who had fought alongside them for many years. If they were still in Wuzhou, they would have already asked their clan leader to use Lei Yuan's reputation to exact revenge.

But now they are trapped here.

They dared not speak out against their anger.

"Cheer up, everyone." Lei Yuan lowered his voice, his gaze sweeping over the four people behind him. "We will definitely avenge Fifth Brother and the others in the future."

Lei Heng, the second son of the Lei family, clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white: "Those beasts from the Fu family. They knew it was a dead end ahead, yet they still sent us to our deaths."

"There's no use talking about this now." Lei Yue, the third son of the Lei family, took out an ancient bronze lamp from his storage bag. The wick ignited spontaneously without a flame, emitting a pale golden glow. "We must complete the mission first. Only by returning alive can we ask the clan leader to seek justice for our brothers."

“Third brother is right.” Lei Yuan walked in front, holding a “concealment talisman” in his hand. A pale blue halo enveloped the five of them, merging their aura with the demonic energy in the canyon.

"Stay close," Lei Yuan transmitted his voice secretly, his tone extremely tense. "The demonic energy here will corrode spiritual power; the concealment talisman won't last long."

Deep within the canyon, the ground suddenly became soft and sticky. Lei Yuan abruptly raised his hand to signal a halt and took out a bronze compass from his robes. The compass needle spun wildly, finally pointing to an almost invisible crack in the left rock wall.

"Go around it," he transmitted telepathically. "There's something underground."

The five men held their breath and circled around, but just as they were about to pass, Lei An slipped—

“Crack.”

A piece of gravel rolled down.

In an instant, the ground shook violently! Dozens of dark red vines burst forth from the soil, each vine covered with fine thorns, the tips splitting open to reveal sharp white teeth!
"Don't move!" Lei Yuan grabbed Lei Heng, who was about to draw his sword.

The five men stood frozen in place like statues, their breaths catching in their throats. The vines twisted and danced in the air, the closest one coming within inches of Lei An's face; he could even smell the blood emanating from it.

One breath. Two breaths
Finally, having lost its target, the demonic vine slowly retreated into the ground.

Lei An's back was soaked with cold sweat.

As they ventured deeper, faint sobs began to drift through the air. At first, they sounded like an infant crying, then gradually grew into a woman's lament, and finally transformed into a familiar sound—

"Ah Li, save me."

Lei Yuan trembled. It was the voice of his younger sister, who had been dead for ten years.

"Calm your mind!" Lei Yue suddenly made a hand seal, and the Demon-Repelling Lamp shone brightly. "It's a demonic sound that's seducing your soul!"

The five immediately bit their tongues, the sharp pain keeping them conscious. Lei Heng took out a string of prayer beads made of lightning-struck wood from his robes and softly chanted his family's calming mantra. With each bead, a faint ray of lightning flowed through their meridians, dispelling the invading demonic energy.

The youngest, Lei An, suddenly trembled all over. In his ears, the demonic sound transformed into the cough of his mother when she was seriously ill—his last memory before leaving home.

"Xiao An." Lei Yuan suddenly pressed his shoulder, her voice unusually gentle, "Your mother is still waiting for you to come back."

With reddened eyes, Lei An nodded and secretly touched the amulet on his chest—inside was a lock of his mother's hair.

When the five finally reached the deepest part of the canyon, the sight before them froze their blood—

An altar made of human skulls stood in the open space, green will-o'-the-wisps flickering in each of the empty eye sockets. Twelve demonic cultivators knelt around the altar; their skin was bluish-gray, bone spurs protruded from their backs, and the single horn on their foreheads gleamed with a cold metallic light.

The most terrifying one was the High Priest—it was twice the size of the other demons, and around its neck hung a necklace made of cultivators' hearts, each heart still beating slightly!
"That's Elder Liu from the Qingyang Sect?" Lei Yue's pupils shrank suddenly.

In the center of the altar, a Taoist priest in a green robe was suspended by iron chains piercing his collarbones, the insignia of an elder of the Qingyang Sect clearly visible on his chest. The priest's eyes were closed, but the slight rise and fall of his chest proved that he was still alive.

"They're feeding something with the flesh and blood of Purple Mansion cultivators," Lei Yuan's voice trembled as he transmitted the message.

The high priest slit his own wrist, dripping dark purple blood onto the altar. The will-o'-the-wisps in the skull's eyes suddenly surged, forming a blurry vortex above the altar. Within the vortex, a gigantic, blood-red vertical pupil could be vaguely seen, greedily gazing at the prisoners below.

Lei Heng suddenly tugged at Lei Yuan's sleeve and pointed to the back of the altar—there were dozens of mummified corpses piled up there, and judging from their clothing, they were all cultivators from various sects who had recently gone missing!

"Take a picture." Lei Yuan forced himself to take out the photo pod, his fingers trembling so much he could barely hold it.

Just as the video was recording the most crucial moment, Lei An suddenly slipped!
"Watch out!" Lei Yue reached out and grabbed him with lightning speed, but a piece of gravel had already rolled down—

"Gurgle"

The crisp sound was particularly jarring in the deathly silent canyon.

All twelve demons turned their heads at the same time!
(End of this chapter)