Family Rise: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 512 Taking stock of the spoils, assigning fiefdoms, and ascending to the celestial realm.
As night deepened, the Fu family's residence in Huizhou was brightly lit.

The victory banquet was held in the square in front of the ancestral hall. Hundreds of sandalwood tables were arranged in a circle, with a bonfire burning in the center, the firelight illuminating the joyful faces of the clansmen. Maids moved among them, serving up dishes of spiritual food and wine, and the air was filled with the aroma of spiritual fruits and roasted meat.

Fu Changsheng sat in the main seat, with Liu Meizhen and several clan elders beside him. He raised his cup, looked around at everyone, and said loudly, "Today, my Fu family has been granted the title of Yulin Prefecture, all thanks to the concerted efforts of everyone. This cup is a toast to our ancestors!"

"Homage to our ancestors!" the crowd responded in unison, raising their cups in a toast.

After several rounds of drinks, the banquet was in full swing.

Fu Yongning, holding the wooden flying squirrel, was excitedly blushing as he talked to Liu Shuang beside him. Fu Molan chatted and laughed quietly with several female cultivators, occasionally covering her mouth and chuckling. Fu Yongxuan also returned from the Chiyang Stone Mine and sat with Fu Yongyao. The two of them glanced at the outer edge of the banquet from time to time—there, Han Ping was hunched over, exchanging toasts with several mine managers. It seemed ordinary, but there was always a hint of incongruity.

Fu Changsheng took everything in view, his fingertips tapping lightly on the table in a subtle rhythm.

This is a coded message for the shadow guards.

Sure enough, in the shadows surrounding the banquet, several figures, almost blending into the darkness, moved silently, blocking all escape routes.

"Manager Han." Fu Changsheng suddenly spoke, his voice not loud, but it silenced the entire room.

Han Ping stiffened almost imperceptibly, then forced a fawning smile and trotted forward: "What are your orders, Master?"

Fu Changsheng toyed with his wine cup, a half-smile on his face: "I've heard you're a skilled brewer, why don't you offer me a pot today?"

Han Ping's forehead was beaded with sweat as he said with a forced smile, "How dare I, an old man, show off my rudimentary skills before the master of the house..."

"Is that so?" Fu Changsheng suddenly raised his eyes, a cold glint flashing in them. "Then where did this 'Blood Soul Brew' come from?"

Before he finished speaking, a golden light flew out from his sleeve and shot straight into Han Ping's arms!
"boom!"

A jade pot in Han Ping's arms shattered, and scarlet liquid splashed out, corroding the ground and producing wisps of black smoke!
The whole place was in an uproar!

Han Ping's expression changed drastically. His hunched body straightened abruptly, and his cloudy eyes flashed with a sharp light: "As expected of the head of the Fu family, I was right to be able to hide it from you!" His voice was no longer as humble as before, but instead cold and piercing.

Fu Yongxuan's sword was already three inches from its sheath, and he said in a cold voice, "It really is you, Mo Huaiyuan!"

"Hahaha!" Han Ping—no, Mo Huaiyuan—laughed loudly, his face contorting and shifting before finally settling into a sinister middle-aged expression. "Since you've seen through me, then I won't pretend anymore!"

He suddenly ripped his outer robe apart, revealing a blood-red robe underneath, with a hideous ghost head embroidered on the chest!
"Elder Huanxi Sect!" a clansman exclaimed.

Mo Huaiyuan sneered, "Fu Changsheng, do you think these ambushes can do anything to me?" He made hand seals, and black energy surged around him. "Heart-Eating Gu, activate!"

however--

Nothing happened.

Mo Huaiyuan's expression froze, and he made another hand seal, but there was still no response.

"Looking for this?" Fu Yongrui emerged from the shadows, carrying a blood-red cloth bag covered with talismans. "Your Gu worms were wiped out by my Dark Hall long ago."

"Impossible!" Mo Huaiyuan's pupils shrank sharply. "My Gu formation is extremely well concealed, how could you possibly..."

Fu Changsheng slowly rose to his feet, his imposing aura like a mountain crashing down: "Mo Huaiyuan, you have been lurking in my Fu family for more than ten years. Do you really think I was completely unaware?" With each word he spoke, his imposing aura grew heavier. "From the first moment you stepped into the abandoned mine tunnel, you were already caught in the trap."

Mo Huaiyuan's face turned ashen, then he suddenly grinned maliciously: "Fine! Very well! But do you think this will do anything to me?"

Mo Huaiyuan chuckled sinisterly, his hunched body suddenly straightening up, his bones cracking with each movement. He formed hand seals, and a pink mist surged around him, instantly filling the entire area with a sweet, cloying fragrance.

A pink ribbon flew from his sleeve, coiling towards Fu Changsheng like a serpent. Embroidered with mandarin ducks with intertwined necks, the ribbon exuded a captivating aura.

"Acacia Silk!" a clansman exclaimed.

Fu Changsheng snorted coldly, and the Lotus Lantern shone brightly with azure light. Nine azure lotuses bloomed around him, completely blocking the incoming pink silk. However, the silk seemed to be alive, moving and weaving among the azure lotuses, searching for an opening.

"Father, be careful!" Fu Yongyao shouted, waving the array flag in her hand, and the Four Symbols Demon-Sealing Array was activated instantly. The illusory images of the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise appeared, enveloping the battlefield.

Seeing this, Mo Huaiyuan calmly took out a string of bells from his pocket. With a crisp "ding-a-ling," the formation trembled slightly. The sound of the bells seemed to possess a magical power, causing one's blood to surge.

"The Soul-Capturing Bell!" Fu Changsheng's pupils contracted slightly. "Yaoyao, guard your mind!"

Fu Yongxuan drew his longsword, its light flashing like lightning, aiming straight for Mo Huaiyuan's throat. The old demon sneered, his figure suddenly becoming illusory, leaving behind afterimages in his wake.

"Joyful Sect Movement Technique - Thousand Illusions of Phantoms!"

The sword light pierced through the afterimage, and Mo Huaiyuan's true form appeared three zhang away. He formed hand seals, and dozens of silver needles as thin as cow hair suddenly flew out from the pink mist.

"Love's threads entwine the bones!"

Fu Changsheng turned the Lotus Lantern, and a blue lotus bloomed, deflecting all the silver needles. However, several still pierced through the defense and shot towards Fu Yongyao.

"Big sister, be careful!" Fu Yongxuan flashed, his sword flashing like a curtain, knocking the silver needles away. But one of them grazed his arm, and a wave of heat instantly spread throughout his body.

"Hahaha!" Mo Huaiyuan laughed loudly, "Having been poisoned by my love potion, let's see how long you can last!"

A cold glint flashed in Fu Changsheng's eyes, and the Lotus Lantern suddenly transformed into a three-foot-long green sword. "Yongxuan, step back!" he shouted sharply, the sword pointing directly at Mo Huaiyuan.

The two exchanged dozens of blows in an instant, their sword energy crisscrossing and their powdery mist churning. Although Mo Huaiyuan was old, his movements were unpredictable, and he always managed to evade fatal attacks at the last second.

"The Fu family head truly lives up to his reputation," Mo Huaiyuan sneered. "However, the real show has only just begun!"

He suddenly bit his tongue, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the Hehuan Silk. The silk instantly swelled, transforming into a sky full of red gauze that enveloped the entire battlefield.

"The Heavenly Net of Bliss!"

Within the red veil, countless graceful figures appeared and disappeared, their seductive music penetrating the very soul. Fu Changsheng felt a blur before his eyes and saw Liu Meizhen beckoning to him.

"An illusion?" He felt a chill run down his spine, and the Lotus Lantern shone brightly, dispelling the illusion. But in that moment of distraction, Mo Huaiyuan had already closed in and struck him in the chest with a palm.

"boom!"

Fu Changsheng hastily accepted the attack and was forced back several steps.

"Father!" Upon seeing this, Fu Yongyao hurriedly changed his formation. The four illusory images transformed into chains, wrapping around Mo Huaiyuan.

The old demon snorted coldly, and the Soul-Capturing Bell rang again, causing the array chains to break inch by inch. Taking advantage of the opportunity, he summoned a pink folding fan, and with a gentle wave, countless peach petals shot towards Fu Changsheng like sharp blades.

"The Peach Blossom Fan!"

Fu Changsheng turned his sword and knocked all the petals off.

"Hahaha! Patriarch Fu, do these treasures of mine meet your standards?" Mo Huaiyuan laughed triumphantly.

Fu Changsheng suddenly laughed: "The magical treasures of the Joyful Sect are indeed extraordinary, but," his eyes sharpened, "it's time for me to take them!"

Obviously.

Just now, Fu Changsheng only used his opponent as a practice sparring partner after his breakthrough, and did not really use his full strength.

Fu Changsheng lit the Lotus Lantern.

Suddenly, the Lotus Lantern shone brightly, and the three prohibitions were combined!

The green lotus, the green blade, and the clear light merged into one, transforming into a pillar of light reaching the heavens.

Mo Huaiyuan's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly summoned all his magical treasures to defend himself. The Hehuan Silk, the Soul-Capturing Bell, and the Peach Blossom Fan formed a pink barrier in the air.

"boom!"

The two forces collided, creating a shockwave. When the dust settled, Mo Huaiyuan was seen kneeling on the ground, his magical artifacts shattered, and blood streaming from the corner of his mouth.

Mo Huaiyuan's pupils constricted sharply, incredulous.

He had cultivated for nearly a thousand years, and his mid-stage Golden Core cultivation level was considered a strong figure in the cultivation world. However, the Fu Changsheng in front of him, who was only at the second level of the Golden Core stage, had a much higher level of magical power purity than him!

"This...this is impossible!" His voice trembled, and a hint of fear finally flashed in his eyes.

Fu Changsheng stood with his hands behind his back, the Lotus Lantern hovering before him, its azure light making him appear like a celestial being. He spoke calmly, "The methods of the Joyful Sect are nothing more than this."

"Stop your arrogance!" Mo Huaiyuan roared, and three streaks of black light suddenly shot out from his sleeve. "Soul-Destroying Needles, go!"

These three black needles, as thin as cow's hair, were his trump card for survival, specifically designed to destroy a cultivator's soul. However, Fu Changsheng simply flicked his sleeve, and a purple divine light surged from his body, causing the three Soul-Destroying Needles to vanish instantly, like mud oxen entering the sea.

"What?!" Mo Huaiyuan's face turned pale, and he turned to run away.

“It’s too late.”

Fu Changsheng sighed softly, and the Lotus Lantern suddenly transformed into a beam of azure light, like a rainbow piercing the sun, instantly penetrating Mo Huaiyuan's chest. The old demon froze, looking down at the bowl-sized blood hole in his chest, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"I...I am..."

Before he could finish speaking, a phantom soul burst forth from the top of his head, attempting to escape. Fu Changsheng snorted coldly, and the divine light of the Netherworld Heavenly Dragon Temple within his body blazed forth, an invisible suction force firmly locking onto that soul.

"No! Let me go! I'll do it."

The pleas for mercy abruptly ceased, and Mo Huaiyuan's soul had been absorbed into the temple. A flash of divine light appeared on the right-hand stone wall, revealing an eighth, ferocious face. Seven Golden Core souls were already struggling in agony around the stone wall; once the number reached fifty, the Path to Yin and Yang would be opened.

There was silence.

Fu Yongxuan's hand holding the sword trembled slightly. He had achieved the Core Formation earlier than his father, yet he now deeply felt the gap between them. The power of that sword strike far exceeded his comprehension.

Fu Yongyao's eyes gleamed with admiration. She had been somewhat arrogant after awakening her Heavenly Fox bloodline, but now she realized that compared to her father, she was nothing more than a firefly compared to the bright moon.

Fu Yongfu didn't even notice when the spiritual food spoon in his hand fell to the ground, while Fu Yongjing, Fu Yongpeng, and the others were even more excited.

They are proud to have such a father!
"The patriarch is mighty!"

"The Fu family will prosper!"

Cheers erupted one after another, and the clansmen's faces were flushed, wishing they could immediately go into seclusion and cultivate diligently. Several young disciples were so excited that they trembled all over; today's battle had shown them the true demeanor of a strong person.

With such a powerful patriarch in charge, how could the Fu family not rise to prominence?
Fu Changsheng put away the Lotus Lantern and turned to look at his clansmen. The sharpness in his eyes had faded, replaced by his usual gentleness.

"That's all for today. Gentlemen, please continue your feast."

His casual words sent a profound and unspeakable shock through everyone present. This was their patriarch, a peerless expert who could suppress a Golden Core demon with a mere flick of his wrist!
Among those present, Liu Meizhen was the most composed.

She murmured:
"It's time to form the Core!"

at the same time.

A familiar mechanical voice echoed in Fu Changsheng's mind:
"Ding"

"You have slain a Golden Core cultivator from the far west, gaining 10,000 family contribution points."

Followed by.

The family contribution value on the panel has changed to 15,000.
"Now we can continue to deduce the other techniques."

Currently, his cultivation of the "Nine Heavens Star Technique" and the "Great Evolution Technique" has stagnated due to the lack of subsequent cultivation methods.

Just the two.

He hadn't yet decided which one to analyze first.

After all, once selected, it will consume tens of thousands of contribution points.

In the far west, there is the Joyful Sect.

The Crimson Serpent Fairy stood quietly by the window in the side hall of the Golden Cloud Palace, holding a newly delivered jade slip in her hand. Outside the window, the twilight of the far west was as red as blood, casting flickering light and shadow on her profile.

The message in the jade slip was very simple—

"Mo Huaiyuan has perished, killed at the Fu family banquet; his soul and spirit have been annihilated."

“Fool.” Her fingers tightened, and the jade slip cracked with a “crack”.

To strike when someone is hosting a banquet? And in the heart of the other family's territory? This is practically writing "I'm courting death" on his forehead! She could even imagine the scene—Mo Huaiyuan thought he had seized a golden opportunity, but little did he know he had already stepped into Fu Changsheng's carefully laid trap.

"Senior Sister?" Zi Ling stood at the door with a teacup in her hand, startled by her rare loss of composure.

The Crimson Serpent Fairy took a deep breath and crushed the shattered jade slip into powder: "Prepare the flying boat; I wish to see the Sect Leader."

-

Inside the Hall of Joy
Master Huanxi sat upright on his black jade throne, and surprisingly, he wasn't furious after hearing the report. He lightly tapped the armrest with his fingers, then suddenly chuckled softly: "A little over ten years, and you've reached the second level of the Golden Core stage."

The Crimson Serpent Fairy keenly noticed a glint of greed in the sect leader's eyes.

"As expected, he possesses a great treasure." Master Huanxi suddenly stood up, a map materialized from spiritual energy flying from his sleeve. "A secret report from the Immortal Alliance indicates that an unexplored Nascent Soul Cave Heaven seems to have been discovered on the border of the Great Zhou Dynasty." He pointed towards Wuzhou. "Those old monsters in the Immortal Alliance are already getting restless."

The Crimson Serpent Fairy immediately understood the key point: "Once the war begins, the sect leader can use the power of the Immortal Alliance to personally go to Great Zhou?"

"Indeed." Venerable Huanxi stood with his hands behind his back, his voice so steady it sent chills down one's spine. "No matter how monstrous Fu Changsheng is, can he possibly contend against a fake Nascent Soul cultivator? I will personally extract his soul and refine his golden core!"

He spoke casually, yet the temperature in the hall plummeted. As the Crimson Serpent Fairy bowed in acknowledgment, she caught a glimpse of the blood-red incantation embroidered on the sect leader's sleeve—a sign that the secret technique was nearing completion.

“Keep an eye on the Fu family.” Master Huanxi tossed over a storage ring. “Inside are newly crafted ‘Mother-Child Sky-Gazing Mirrors.’ The mother mirror remains within the sect; find a way to get the child mirror into the Fu family.”

The Crimson Serpent Fairy accepted the ring, and a quick scan with her divine sense sent a jolt through her. This was an evil artifact crafted from the essence and blood of millions of living beings, a thousand Foundation Establishment cultivators, and nearly a hundred Purple Mansion cultivators; it could spy on the movements of a target from tens of thousands of miles away.

"Remember, I want Fu Changsheng alive!"

Wuzhou, Huizhou Prefecture.

After the banquet, Fu Changsheng returned to the secret room alone.

He waved his hand, setting up several protective barriers to ensure no one could spy on him, before taking out Mo Huaiyuan's storage bag. This old demon had cultivated for nearly a thousand years; he must have many valuable items hidden on him.

"Snapped!"

The storage bag was unsealed, and items were poured out onto the ground.

The first thing that caught his eye were three jet-black jade slips, their surfaces entwined with blood-red patterns, radiating a chilling aura. Fu Changsheng scanned them with his divine sense, his brows slightly raised:

"The Blissful Treasure Mirror? The Dual Cultivation Technique for the Golden Core Realm of the Joyful Sect."

He skipped over the explicit cultivation diagrams and went straight to the core content. Although this cultivation method followed the path of absorbing and replenishing the body, the part about refining the golden core was quite unique, especially the concept of "yin and yang harmony," which actually resonated with the Dao of Heaven.

"There are some things we can learn from them."

Fu Changsheng put away the jade slip and looked at the second jade slip. This jade slip was pink, and its surface was engraved with a pair of mandarin ducks with their necks intertwined—it was the "Heavenly Net of Bliss" spiritual technique that Mo Huaiyuan had used!
"High-level illusion magic, when used in conjunction with love poison, is quite powerful."

He recalled the sea of ​​red gauze at the banquet; if it weren't for his strong divine sense and the protection of the Lotus Lantern, he probably would have fallen victim to it. If this spiritual technique were used on the battlefield, it would be enough to cause a large number of low-level cultivators to kill each other.

The third jade slip caught Fu Changsheng's eye:
"The Blood Soul Nourishing Spirit Technique?"

This is a rare secret technique for healing the soul, and the method for refining the "Blood Soul Pill" recorded within is exactly what he urgently needs! Mo Lan, Yong Ning, and Qing Yun have suffered damage to their souls due to injuries sustained in their early years, and this technique may be able to help them recover.

"It was an unexpected delight."

Fu Changsheng carefully put away the jade slip and continued to count it.

Several bottles of pills caught his attention—one of them was labeled "Heart-Clearing Pill," the antidote to the poison of passion; the other, "Blood Soul Pill," had only three pills left, which should be the soul-healing medicine that Mo Huaiyuan had prepared for himself.

"The quality is good, but it's a pity there aren't enough."

In addition, the storage bag also contains:
The stack of talismans mostly contained concealment and escape techniques;

A low-level magic weapon, seemingly used to disguise one's identity;
A blood-red token, with the word "Joy" engraved on the front and Mo Huaiyuan's name on the back;

Three high-grade spirit stones and several hundred mid-grade spirit stones;
What concerned Fu Changsheng the most was an unopened letter, sealed with the seal of the Joyful Sect.

He opened the letter; inside were only a few short lines:
Huaiyuan:
The plan has changed, and the action is temporarily suspended.

The sect leader will soon be from the Immortal Alliance—

The rest of the text was deliberately erased, leaving only a few blurry words, such as "start war" and "ascension".

"Immortal Alliance? Ascension?"

Fu Changsheng seemed to be deep in thought.

It seems the Joyful Sect has grand ambitions, and Mo Huaiyuan is merely one link in that chain. He put the letter away, intending to study it carefully later.

Finally, his gaze fell upon an exquisite jade box. The box was engraved with intricate restrictions, using Mo Huaiyuan's divine sense as the key. Now that the old demon was dead, the restrictions had weakened considerably. "Open!"

Fu Changsheng channeled chaotic energy through his fingertips, easily breaking through the restriction. Inside the box lay a thumb-sized, blood-red crystal, its interior seemingly filled with flowing liquid, radiating an eerie life force.

"This is... Blood God Crystal?"

Fu Changsheng's pupils contracted slightly. This crystal was rumored to be formed from the essence of an ancient blood demon, containing immense blood energy, making it an excellent material for body cultivation.

"Unfortunately, it's mine now."

He closed the jade box with satisfaction and carefully sorted and put away all the items. This time, killing Mo Huaiyuan not only eliminated the hidden danger, but also brought him more gains than expected.

Especially the "Blood Soul Nourishing Technique" and Blood God Crystal.

Just now.

A familiar mechanical voice echoed in his mind:
"Ding"

"You have acquired numerous high-level cultivation techniques, spiritual arts, and magical treasures for the family, and have earned 10,000 family contribution points."

Followed by.

The family contribution value on the panel has been changed to 25,000!

"If we accumulate more experience, we should be able to deduce the incomplete cultivation technique."

Fu Changsheng's gaze fell on his storage bag, where a tightly sealed box came into view: "It's time to give this [Acquired Sword Embryo] to Yongxuan."

...

"Father!" Fu Yongxuan, dressed in white with a sword at his waist, stepped into the courtyard with a heroic air.

Fu Changsheng turned around, his face appearing exceptionally gentle in the moonlight: "Xuan'er, you've had a hard time these past years."

Fu Yongxuan was taken aback, then laughed heartily, "Father, what are you saying! Protecting the family is simply my duty."

A hint of relief flashed in Fu Changsheng's eyes. This daughter was most like him in temperament—straightforward and fierce, yet also loyal and devoted. She had been transferred by the family to guard the mines shortly after she reached the Core Formation stage, and had remained there for over twenty years without complaint.

"Xuan'er, you take this."

Fu Changsheng then took out a silver-white jade box from his sleeve. The box was engraved with profound sword patterns, and as soon as it appeared, all the swords in the pavilion trembled slightly.

"This is..." Fu Yongxuan's pupils contracted slightly. As a sword cultivator, she could feel the astonishing sword intent emanating from the box.

Fu Changsheng lightly tapped his fingertip, and the jade box opened with a click. A dazzling silver light shot into the sky, illuminating the entire Sword Pavilion. Floating inside the box was a three-inch-long silver sword blank, as transparent as crystal, with what appeared to be a flowing galaxy within.

"A congenital sword embryo," Fu Changsheng said softly, "can be integrated into the golden core to nurture a natal sword pill."

"A sword embryo born from the day after tomorrow?!" Fu Yongxuan exclaimed in shock, her hand holding the box trembling slightly. As a sword cultivator, she knew all too well the preciousness of such a rare treasure—a priceless artifact capable of driving the entire cultivation world mad!

"Father, this is so precious, I..."

"There's no need for such formalities between us, father and daughter. Just take it; one should not refuse a gift from an elder!"

"Thank you, Father. I will certainly live up to your expectations!"

Fu Yongxuan accepted the jade box with trembling hands. Sensing her presence, the sword embryo took flight on its own, circled her three times, and finally hovered in front of her brow, emitting a cheerful sword cry.

"This item is indeed destined for you," Fu Changsheng said with a smile. "Begin refining it now, and I will protect you."

Fu Yongxuan took a deep breath, abandoning her affectations. She sat cross-legged, the sword embryo slowly sinking into her dantian in rhythm with her breathing. In an instant, her sword energy surged, and her robes fluttered without wind.

"Concentrate your mind and guide the sword embryo to merge with the golden core." Fu Changsheng's voice was steady and powerful.

Fu Yongxuan did as instructed. Upon introspection, the sword embryo swirled around her golden core like a swimming fish, and with each rotation, a wisp of silver light merged into the core. Gradually, fine sword patterns appeared on the surface of her golden core, radiating a sharp sword intent.

Suddenly, the sword embryo trembled violently, releasing a powerful sword aura. Fu Yongxuan groaned, a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth—the sword embryo had rebelled!

"Don't force it." Fu Changsheng placed a palm on her back, channeling chaotic energy into her. "The sword embryo has a spirit; it must be treated with sincerity."

Fu Yongxuan understood and stopped forcibly suppressing it, instead slowly releasing her own sword intent. Her sword intent was pure and upright, as sharp as frost. Sensing this aura, the sword embryo gradually weakened its resistance.

Three hours later.

"Zheng——!"

A clear, resonant sword cry echoed through the sky. Fu Yongxuan suddenly opened her eyes, her pupils seemingly shimmering with sword light. As she opened her mouth, a silver sword pellet, about an inch long, flew out, tracing a mysterious trajectory in the air.

"We did it!" she exclaimed, looking at her father with delight.

Fu Changsheng nodded in satisfaction: "Let's test its power."

With a thought, Fu Yongxuan's sword pellet instantly transformed into a hundred streaks of sword light, cascading like a silver river. The testing stone inside the Sword Pavilion was instantly pulverized, while the ground remained completely unharmed—her control over sword energy was exquisitely refined!
"My sword comprehension has increased several times, and the power of my sword techniques has doubled." Fu Yongxuan felt the changes within his body and couldn't hide his excitement. "Father, this sword embryo is amazing!"

Fu Changsheng patted his daughter's shoulder: "Take good care of yourself. In time, you will surely surpass your godmother's achievements."

“Father.” Fu Yongxuan’s eyes were slightly red. She knew how precious this gift was, and she understood her father’s expectations for her.

"Silly girl." Fu Changsheng ruffled her hair, just like he did when she was little. "Remember, sword cultivators should speak their minds directly. You have a fiery temper, which is good, but you must also understand the principle of balancing strength and gentleness."

Fu Yongxuan nodded emphatically.

Fu Changsheng stood with his hands behind his back, gazing intently at the northern horizon. The night breeze ruffled his robes, and moonlight cast soft shadows on his sharply defined profile.

“Xuan’er,” he suddenly spoke, his voice low, “your father will soon depart for the northern frontier to carry out a secret imperial order.”

Fu Yongxuan, still immersed in the joy of the sword embryo's fusion, immediately straightened his back upon hearing this: "Your daughter is willing to accompany Father!"

Fu Changsheng turned around, a complex look flashing in his eyes: "Do you know how dangerous this journey is?" He slowly revealed the truth, "The appearance of the 'Mysterious Netherworld Realm' in the Northern Frontier could very well trigger a war between the Northern Frontier and the Great Zhou. My journey there will not only require me to explore the realm, but also to face the open and covert attacks of various forces."

The room fell silent for a moment, with only the night breeze passing through.

Fu Yongxuan suddenly smiled, a smile as bright as her newly acquired sword pellet: "Father, are you worried that your daughter will hold you back?" She flicked her finger, and the sword pellet drew a silver arc in the air. "With this sword embryo's assistance, I'm confident I can be of help!"

Looking at his daughter's eager expression, Fu Changsheng couldn't help but think of himself when he was young. He shook his head and chuckled, "You..." His tone was tinged with helplessness, yet also with pride.

“Father, rest assured,” Fu Yongxuan’s expression suddenly turned serious. “Your daughter is not reckless. These years of experience in the Luo family have taught me to assess situations.” She patted the longsword at her waist. “Moreover, the path of swordsmanship is inherently about seeking breakthroughs amidst life and death.”

Fu Changsheng pondered for a moment, then finally nodded: "Alright, but this mission is for ten years, so I won't be setting off for the time being. You should familiarize yourself with the sword embryo first, and I'll head there after I've finished dealing with the matters concerning the new fiefdom in the clan."

...

...

After the banquet, Fu Yongyi returned to his small courtyard under the moonlight. The bamboo in the courtyard rustled. As soon as he opened the door, his wife He Qingru hurriedly came to greet him and waved to activate the isolation array.

"Husband!" He Qingru's eyes shone with excitement. "Today, the patriarch was granted the title of Yulin Prefecture, and the clan will surely redistribute fiefdoms. You've explored so many mines for the clan over the years; shouldn't you at least receive a prefecture this time?"

Fu Yongyi took off his outer robe and hung it on the rack. Upon hearing this, he frowned slightly: "Qingru, let's not mention this matter again."

"Why didn't you mention it?" He Qingru asked anxiously. "Even Yongqing and his wife received Huixi County, and you've done the same all these years..."

“I am an adopted son,” Fu Yongyi interrupted her, his voice low but firm. “If it weren’t for my father’s help back then, I would have died at my stepmother’s hands long ago. I am already extremely fortunate to have achieved what I have today; how dare I hope for a fiefdom?”

He Qingru stamped her foot in frustration: "How can you be so stubborn! Without the income from our fiefdom, when will we ever be able to gather enough spiritual materials for Core Formation?" She lowered her voice, "Even if not for yourselves, you should think of the children!"

Fu Yongyi walked to the window and gazed at the swaying bamboo shadows in the courtyard. In the moonlight, his sharply defined profile appeared exceptionally resolute.

“Qingru,” he said slowly, “I, Fu Yongyi, act only to have a clear conscience. My father treated me like his own son. If I coveted the fiefdom, how would I be any different from my stepmother who murdered me back then?”

He Qingru's eyes reddened with anger: "You're such a blockhead! Who in the clan doesn't know your mining skills? How much profit have the veins you've discovered brought to the family over the years? What's wrong with asking for a fiefdom?"

“That’s precisely why we can’t put Father in a difficult position.” Fu Yongyi turned around, his gaze sharp. “Father has many sons; the bestowed land should first be given to his direct descendants. If I were to compete for it, wouldn’t outsiders laugh at the Fu family’s adopted son for being greedy?”

He Qingru wanted to argue further, but seeing her husband's unwavering gaze, she knew further persuasion was futile. She slumped into a chair, muttering, "But what about your Core Formation artifact? Where will the children's cultivation resources come from?"

Seeing this, Fu Yongyi softened his tone slightly: "Qingru, remember, the Fu family has been incredibly kind to us. Greed will only bring shame upon yourself. I promise you, we'll explore another new mine next spring. If we're lucky..."

"All you do is draw pictures of cakes to satisfy your hunger!"

...

...

After returning from the banquet, Fu Yongpeng sat alone in the stone pavilion in his courtyard, his fingertips lightly tapping the table, his brows furrowed.

"We're triplets, yet Yongqing received Huixi County, Yongjing's cultivation far surpasses mine, and what about me?" He sneered, a hint of resentment flashing in his eyes, "At the half-step Purple Mansion realm, I haven't accomplished a single feat. In Father's eyes, am I still his son?"

The more he thought about it, the more agitated he became. He took a big gulp of spirit wine, but the spicy liquid did nothing to extinguish the fire of jealousy in his heart.

"Just because I am the legitimate son, I should have a fiefdom!"

He abruptly stood up and paced back and forth in the pavilion. He knew that based solely on his current cultivation level and achievements, his father would never easily grant him a fiefdom. After all, the Fu family always rewarded people based on merit, not bloodline.

"No, I have to think of something..."

Suddenly, his eyes flashed, and a sinister smile appeared on his lips.

"Oh, and Lin'er too!"

His son, Fu Qinglin, was born when auspicious omens appeared in the sky, with the phantom of a qilin shining upon the mansion—a very auspicious sign.

"If we tell Father about Lin'er's aptitude and ask Mother to lend a hand..." Fu Yongpeng thought it was feasible more and more.

He immediately turned around and strode towards the inner courtyard.

……

The head of the house.

Liu Meizhen sat at her desk, carefully studying a scroll of elixirs. Although she was over a hundred years old, she still looked like she was in her twenties, with a gentle and composed air about her.

“Mother.” Fu Yongpeng bowed respectfully, a fawning smile on his face.

Liu Meizhen looked up and nodded slightly: "Yongpeng, it's so late, is there something you need?"

Fu Yongpeng feigned hesitation and sighed, "Mother, I've recently encountered a bottleneck in my cultivation and haven't been able to break through to the Purple Mansion realm. I'm very anxious about it."

Liu Meizhen put down her book and said gently, "Cultivation cannot be rushed. Your father also accumulated knowledge and experience before achieving his breakthrough. You only need to cultivate diligently, and your day of breakthrough will come."

“Yes, Mother is right,” Fu Yongpeng replied, bowing his head. He then changed the subject, “but I think that having a fiefdom as a base would be more beneficial for cultivation. Besides—” a calculating glint flashed in his eyes, “Lin’er is exceptionally talented; it would be a real pity if he didn’t have sufficient resources to nurture him.”

"Lin'er?" Liu Meizhen frowned slightly. "Didn't you say he only had three spiritual roots?"

A fleeting look of embarrassment crossed Fu Yongpeng's face: "Reporting to Mother, fifteen years ago when Madam Wu gave birth, a strange phenomenon of a Qilin appeared in the sky. Fearing it would arouse jealousy, I never made a sound about it."

"What?!" Liu Meizhen sat bolt upright, a cold glint in her eyes. "You actually concealed the unusual signs of your grandson's birth for over ten years?!"

Fu Yongpeng's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly explained, "My son was just worried—"

"What are you worried about?" Liu Meizhen interrupted coldly. "Are you worried about harm from the clan, or that we, as his grandparents, have mistreated him?"

The temperature inside the room plummeted. Fu Yongpeng's forehead was beaded with sweat; he never expected his mother to react this way.

Liu Meizhen stood up, looking down at him: "Yongpeng, you've always been calculating. I thought you were just competitive, but I never imagined you'd even scheme against blood ties." Her fingers trembled slightly within her sleeve. "You've come today to use your grandson to gain a fiefdom?"

"Your son wouldn't dare!" Fu Yongpeng knelt down with a thud. "Your son only—"

"Enough." Liu Meizhen turned away, flicking her sleeve. "Don't mention the matter of the fiefdom again. Go back to the Cliff of Repentance and seclude yourself for another five years."

Fu Yongpeng was struck dumb, kneeling on the spot. He had originally intended to use his son's exceptional talent to ask for a fiefdom, but his plan had backfired, angering his mother instead!

"Mother, please calm down! Your son knows he was wrong!" He hurriedly kowtowed, but all he heard was a loud creak of the beaded curtain in the inner room, and Liu Meizhen's figure had already disappeared.

...

...

When Fu Yongpeng kicked open the door, Wu was embroidering a blue phoenix at her desk. Amidst the flurry of needlework, she heard the noise and, without looking up, coldly said, "Where have you been drinking again, coming back reeking of alcohol?"

"Snapped!"

The embroidery frame was swept to the ground by Fu Yongpeng. Only then did Wu look up and see her husband's ferocious face; her brows furrowed immediately: "What's wrong with you?"

"It's all your fault, you shameless woman!" Fu Yongpeng grabbed her collar. "You said you'd use Lin'er to ask for a fiefdom, and now look what's happened, even your mother—"

"Let go!" A cold glint flashed in Wu's eyes, and the pressure of a half-step Purple Mansion suddenly erupted. Fu Yongpeng was caught off guard and was forced back three steps, knocking over the flower stand behind him.

Amidst the sound of shattering porcelain, Madam Wu slowly rose, smoothing the wrinkles in her clothes: "Fu Yongpeng, you'd better be more sensible before you speak. Using Lin'er to demand a fiefdom? Does such a despicable idea even deserve to come out of my mouth?"

Fu Yongpeng's face turned ashen: "It wasn't you that day—"

"All I said that day was that Lin'er should see his grandparents more often!" Madam Wu sneered. "You were the one with the dirty thoughts, and now you've backfired and are blaming me?"

The pale moonlight outside the window cast a somber glow on the couple's faces. Fu Yongpeng's chest heaved violently, and he suddenly grabbed a teacup and smashed it to the ground: "You wretch! If your Wu family hadn't been declining, why would I be in this situation—"

"Shut up!" A short sword suddenly slid from Wu's sleeve, its tip pointed directly at Fu Yongpeng's throat. "Even if my Wu family is in decline, it's not up to a piece of trash like you, a mere half-step Purple Mansion cultivator, to slander us!"

The sword's edge was chillingly sharp, and Fu Yongpeng's pupils contracted sharply. He was then shocked to realize that his usually docile wife's eyes were now filled with disgust.

"Very well!" he laughed angrily. "Since you look down on me, then get out of here and go back to your Wu family today!"

Madam Wu sheathed her sword and turned to leave. At the doorway, she suddenly stopped: "Fu Yongpeng, remember this—I will take Lin'er back to the Wu family to be raised. Otherwise, he'll learn his father's incompetent rage!"

"boom!"

The teacup shattered on the bluestone floor, and Fu Yongpeng's forehead veins bulged: "You dare step out of this door and try!"

Madam Wu sneered, her hands already forming a magic seal: "I'm taking Lin'er back to the Wu family today! Can you stop me?"

Before she could finish speaking, the courtyard gate suddenly swung open. Four Fu family shadow guards, dressed in black, filed in. The leader clasped his hands in a salute: "By order of the Old Madam, we have escorted Young Master Qinglin to see the Patriarch."

Fu Yongpeng's expression changed drastically: "Now? In the dead of night?"

The Shadow Guard Commander remained expressionless: "The Patriarch has just emerged from seclusion and, upon hearing of his grandson's situation, specifically ordered an immediate meeting."

Behind the screen inside the room, a boy of about twelve or thirteen years old timidly peeked out. Fu Qinglin was handsome with striking features, and a red birthmark on his forehead was particularly noticeable in the moonlight.

"Father, Mother"

Madam Wu quickly shielded her son behind her, saying, "No! Lin'er has never..."

"The old lady specifically instructed," the Shadow Guard commander suddenly revealed a jade token, "that if the young mistress is worried, she may come along."

The atmosphere in the courtyard instantly froze. Fu Yongpeng stared intently at the token representing the family's highest authority, his nails digging deeply into his palms—his mother was determined to completely thwart his plans to use his son against him!
"Very well!" he suddenly grinned maliciously. "Since Father wants to see him, then go." Turning to his son, he snapped, "Remember what you should and shouldn't say in front of your grandfather!"

Fu Qinglin shuddered in fright, and Madam Wu immediately pulled her son into her arms: "Why are you scaring the child?" She took a deep breath and straightened her clothes: "I'll go with Lin'er."

The guards made way. Just as the mother and son were about to step out of the courtyard, Fu Yongpeng suddenly said in a sinister tone, "Wu Qingyue, do you think you can get away with this by sending your son to his father?"

Wu paused, but didn't turn around: "At least it's better than staying here and watching you use your own flesh and blood as bargaining chips."

Under the moonlight, Fu Yongpeng's face was horribly distorted. After everyone had left, he suddenly overturned the table and took out a blood-red jade slip from a hidden compartment. On the back of the jade slip, a hideous ghost head pattern was faintly visible in the moonlight.

"You forced me to do this."

Meanwhile, in the main hall of the Fu family ancestral home, Fu Changsheng was gazing at his grandson kneeling below. The cinnabar birthmark on the boy's forehead faintly revealed a qilin pattern in the candlelight.

"Indeed, he possesses the innate Qilin Dao Body." Fu Changsheng sighed softly. "Yongpeng certainly kept it a secret well."

Liu Meizhen sat to one side, her eyes filled with both affection for her grandson and a hint of coldness: "If he hadn't been so clever today, this child would probably have been wasted."

Fu Qinglin shifted uncomfortably, then suddenly asked in a low voice, "Grandfather...did my father do something wrong?"

The room fell silent.

Fu Changsheng and his wife exchanged a glance, then slowly squatted down to be at eye level with their grandson: "Lin'er, remember this. In the Fu family, fame and fortune must be earned through one's own efforts." He then tied a smooth jade pendant around the child's waist. "Starting tomorrow, you will begin your cultivation journey with Aunt Cuizhi."

(End of this chapter)