Family Rise: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 532 Promotion, Two Pride Masters, Slaying the Golden Core

"I..." Wu Ling'er lowered her head, "I am from the Black Witch Village of the Northern Frontier, and now..."

Fu Changsheng understood her concerns. The Great Zhou and the Northern Frontier had always been enemies, and she had almost completely lost her cultivation; the difference in their power was immense. He sighed softly and stepped forward to take Wu Ling'er's cold hand: "If it weren't for your sacrifice, we wouldn't have been able to leave the Land of No Return. I promised to heal your injuries; would you be willing to return to the Great Zhou with me?"

Wu Ling'er raised her head, tears glistening in her eyes: "But what about my identity?"

“I don’t care,” Fu Changsheng said firmly. “All I know is that you are an important person to me.”

The bamboo shadows swayed, and sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling the two of them. Wu Ling'er bit her lip, struggling internally for a long time, before finally nodding emphatically: "I do. From now on, I am no longer Wu Ling'er of Black Witch Village, but simply Ling'er who follows Brother Fu."

Fu Changsheng smiled with satisfaction. Just then, he felt a warmth emanating from his storage bag. Upon taking it out, he found it was the sensing jade talisman given to him by the imperial court, now emitting a soft, bluish light.

"The entrance to the Mysterious Netherworld?"

He then realized that he was in a huge barrier. Looking ahead, it was obviously leading to the outside, and there was another barrier behind him. This barrier was shimmering with a dark blue ripple, and ancient runes flowed on its surface, which was also the direction indicated by the sensing jade talisman.

In other words.

The inner barrier is the entrance to the Xuanming Secret Realm!

A spell was cast upon the inner barrier, but it was immediately repelled by an ancient force. The imperial jade talisman trembled violently before the barrier, its azure light pointing directly inward.

Fu Changsheng laughed heartily:
"Haha, it's truly a case of 'searching high and low without finding it,' and the quest to find the entrance to the secret realm has been completed just like that!"

After returning.

Successfully completed the task.

He could then run for the position of Archangel.

The system should then award another special lottery draw, which, combined with the previous two, will make it a total of three draws.

He turned to look at Wu Ling'er, whose pale cheeks were gilded by the sunlight filtering through the bamboo leaves. He couldn't help but smile and say, "Ling'er is truly someone who brings me good fortune."

Wu Ling'er's ears burned at his words: "Brother Fu, you just know how to make fun of Ling'er!"

To cover his embarrassment, he stepped forward, leaped over Fu Changsheng, observed the barrier for a moment, and then said:

"The inner layer is an ancient formation, at least of the fifth rank, requiring Nascent Soul cultivation to support it." She turned to the outer barrier, a glint of light in her eyes. "But this Vajra Subduing Demon Formation, I should be able to break it within a month."

Fu Changsheng was taken aback upon hearing this: "You understand formations?"

A confident glint appeared on Wu Ling'er's pale face: "Back in Black Witch Village, I was a fourth-tier array master, specializing in barrier-type formations."

"A fourth-tier array master?!" Fu Changsheng's eyes gleamed with excitement, as if he had found a priceless treasure. "My Fu family is in dire need of such talent!"

There are only four fourth-tier array masters in the clan—Uncle Yu, Yaoyao, Qingru, and Fairy Tianyin—and now they have found a fourth one in this lawless land!

Wu Ling'er felt flustered under his intense gaze: "Brother Fu, please don't look at me like that."

"I'm sorry." Fu Changsheng composed himself and pointed to the outer barrier. "Do you need my help to break through this outer barrier?"

Wu Ling'er observed carefully for a moment, then suddenly knelt down and began to draw on the mud with her fingers: "The Vajra Subduing Demon Formation has a total of one hundred and eight array eyes, arranged according to the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Fiends." Her fingertips flashed with spiritual light, and in the blink of an eye, she drew a precise array diagram, "But due to years of neglect, only seventy-two array eyes remain in good working order."

Fu Changsheng watched her calculations flow smoothly, secretly praising her. Suddenly, Wu Ling'er drew a circle at a certain point: "This 'Heavenly Wound Star' position is the key. If you can use wood-type spiritual power to impact it at the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), it can trigger a chain reaction."

She then pointed to seven more points: "Then, break through them in order from 'Greedy Wolf' to 'Broken Army,' no more than nine points per day, otherwise a backlash will be triggered." She looked up with a bright smile, "If coordinated properly, it can be broken through in a little over a month!"

"Today, let's break through the 'Heavenly Secret' position first." She pointed her finger at a certain spot in the barrier.

Fu Changsheng focused his mind and gathered his energy, the Azure Dragon Sword hovering in front of him. As Wu Ling'er's clear "Release" rang out, the sword light, like a rainbow piercing the sun, accurately struck its target. The barrier rippled instantly, and the array's core shattered in response.

"Perfect!" Wu Ling'er clapped her hands excitedly, then became serious again. "Next is the 'Heavenly Courage' position."

Sometimes, when faced with complex situations, a faint light would emanate from her fingertips, drawing graceful trajectories in the air. Fu Changsheng noticed the gleam in her eyes as she explained, a stark contrast to her usual timid demeanor.

On the twenty-ninth night, with a bright moon and few stars, before the final array formation, Wu Ling'er pressed down on Fu Changsheng's sword-wielding hand: "Wait, there's a trap with this 'Heavenly Investigation' position." She squinted and observed for a long time, then suddenly smiled, "The array setter is incredibly cunning, disguising the main array eye as an ordinary node."

She took out three spirit stones and arranged them in a triangle: "Brother Fu, shatter these three empty positions simultaneously later, and the true array core will naturally appear."

When the Azure Dragon Sword split into three sword lights and struck simultaneously, the barrier suddenly trembled violently, and a hidden golden rune indeed appeared at the center.

"Now!" Wu Ling'er shouted.

Fu Changsheng unleashed a full-force sword strike, shattering the runes instantly. The outer barrier crumbled like broken glass, dissipating into countless points of light.

"We did it!" Wu Ling'er cheered and jumped into Fu Changsheng's arms, then blushed and pulled away, "I'm sorry, I was just too happy."

Fu Changsheng laughed loudly, casually ruffling her hair: "I'm the one who should apologize; I underestimated our Master Ling'er back then."

Under the moonlight, the girl's eyes were curved in a smile. Who would have thought that such an amazing talent for array formations was hidden beneath her delicate appearance?
Fu Changsheng took out three sets of clothing from the Miao village in northern Xinjiang from his storage bag, and handed one of the dresses embroidered with indigo patterns to Wu Ling'er: "Change into this, so as not to attract attention."

After the three of them had changed, Fu Changsheng carefully examined Wu Ling'er—the girl wore a silver moon crown, and the colorful sash around her waist accentuated her slender figure. Her pleated skirt bloomed like a flower as she turned, making her truly resemble a charming Miao girl. He couldn't help but smile and say, "This suits you better than the clothes of the Great Zhou Dynasty."

Wu Ling'er spun around on the spot, her silver bells jingling: "Brother Fu looks good in this too!"

Fu Changsheng let her do as she pleased, and only asked after she stopped, "Are you familiar with this place?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Ling'er's bright eyes dimmed. She shook her head, the tassels beneath her silver crown swaying gently: "Master never lets me leave the village. If it weren't for the village chief forcing a fourth-tier array master to go to the Xuanwu Dead Zone, I'm afraid I would..."

"fine"

The two then set up a new set of array flags at the entrance to conceal it before leaving the area.

...

...

After traveling along the mountain path for half a day, suddenly a strong fluctuation of spiritual energy and a woman's delicate shout came from ahead.

Wu Ling'er paused, tugged at Fu Changsheng's sleeve, and whispered, "Brother Fu, there are people fighting magic up ahead!"

Fu Changsheng scanned the area with his divine sense, his brows furrowing slightly. Not far away, a lewd-looking male cultivator at the late-stage Purple Mansion realm was manipulating a flying fork wreathed in black mist, grinning maliciously as he approached a pair of twin female cultivators. The two women were beautiful, but their faces were pale, their clothes stained with blood; they were clearly at their last gasp.

"Hahaha, why are you two fairies struggling? Just obediently become my furnace, and you'll suffer less!" The male cultivator licked his lips, his eyes filled with lewdness.

Seeing this, a flash of anger crossed Wu Ling'er's eyes, and she whispered, "Brother Fu, save them!"

Fu Changsheng nodded slightly. In the information he had exchanged, these twins were the key to their safe escape. He quickly took out a silver mask from his storage bag, put it on to cover his face, and then said to Wu Ling'er, "You take Yongxuan and hide first. I'll be right back."

Wu Ling'er nodded, then quickly hid in the bushes nearby, carrying the unconscious Fu Yongxuan.

-

"Whoosh!"

A streak of cyan sword light suddenly pierced through the air and struck the black flying fork precisely, knocking it back several feet.

The lewd-looking male cultivator was startled and turned around abruptly. He saw a blue-robed cultivator wearing a silver mask standing with his hands behind his back. His aura was restrained, yet he gave people a sense of unfathomable depth.

"Who are you? How dare you meddle in my business?!" The male cultivator narrowed his eyes, realizing that Fu Changsheng's cultivation level was also at the Purple Mansion Realm. He immediately felt reassured and sneered, "Since you've delivered yourself to my doorstep, don't blame me for killing you and robbing you!"

Fu Changsheng smiled faintly and said calmly, "You can give it a try."

"You're courting death!" the male cultivator roared, and the black flying fork suddenly split into three streaks of dark light, which came toward Fu Changsheng in a triangular formation!

Fu Changsheng neither dodged nor avoided; with a flick of his sleeve, the Azure Dragon Sword transformed into a streak of green light, rushing forward like a swimming dragon.

"Qiang! Qiang! Qiang!"

Three crisp collision sounds rang out, and the black flying fork was actually cut in half by a single sword strike, losing all its spiritual light!

The male cultivator's expression changed drastically as he realized he had kicked a hornet's nest. He hurriedly summoned a small blood-red shield and shouted sharply, "Two fairies, this person is up to no good. Why don't we join forces to deal with him first, and then talk about other things!"

The twin female cultivators exchanged a glance, and one of them said coldly, "Shameless scoundrel, who wants to join forces with you!" The other looked at Fu Changsheng and said gratefully, "Thank you for saving me, fellow Daoist!"

Seeing that his provocation had failed, a sinister glint flashed in the male cultivator's eyes. He suddenly pulled out a blood-red talisman and crushed it!

"boom!"

A burst of blood-red light erupted, transforming into countless fine, hair-like blood needles that swept over Fu Changsheng and the twins!

Fu Changsheng snorted coldly, forming a hand seal with one hand. A layer of azure spiritual energy shield suddenly appeared around him, blocking all the blood needles. At the same time, he flicked his sword finger, and the Azure Dragon Sword instantly transformed into a blur, aiming straight for the male cultivator's throat!

The male cultivator was horrified. His blood-red shield spun wildly in an attempt to defend himself, but the Azure Dragon Sword was unstoppable. It pierced through the shield and aimed straight at his brow!

"Fellow Daoist, spare my life! I am the son of the Great Elder of the Blood Witch Village. If you kill me, you will be relentlessly hunted down by the Blood Witch Village!" the male cultivator cried out in terror, his previous arrogance completely gone.

Fu Changsheng's eyes were icy cold. A cold glint flashed in Fu Changsheng's eyes, and his right hand, with its five fingers forming a claw, suddenly gripped the top of the lewd male cultivator's head!

"Ah—!" The male cultivator let out a shrill scream, his whole body convulsing like a leaf. Fu Changsheng's divine sense was like a knife, brutally tearing through the opponent's sea of ​​consciousness defenses, and a large number of memory fragments flooded in like a tide.

Yunshan Village, Nascent Soul Ancestor's Border Defense Array, Blood Witch Village Collusion
Three breaths later, the male cultivator foamed at the mouth and collapsed to the ground, his soul and spirit extinguished. Fu Changsheng shattered the corpse with a flick of his hand and turned to look at the terrified twins.

"Thank you so much for saving us, senior!" The girl in the pale yellow dress led her younger sister, Yingying, to a graceful bow. Silver bells jingled in her hair. "This junior is Bai Zhi from Yunshan Village, and this is my younger sister, Bai Wei."

Fu Changsheng removed his mask, revealing a gentle smile: "My surname is Fu. I'm passing through this area with my sister in search of a doctor." He then beckoned towards the woods, "Ling'er, bring Yongxuan here."

Wu Ling'er carried the unconscious Fu Yongxuan out of the bushes. The twins, seeing the girl's deathly pale face, exclaimed in shock, "This is...!"

"You recognize this disease?" Fu Changsheng's gaze sharpened.

Bai Zhi nodded, and after obtaining Fu Changsheng's consent, she gently touched Fu Yongxuan's brow. A shimmering white light emanated from her fingertips. She exchanged a glance with her sister, then untied the brocade pouch from her waist. "Your sister's injuries are extremely complicated to heal. I've heard from our elders that it seems only the Holy Maiden of Xuan Yin Village in the entire Northern Frontier has the ability to treat her."

talking.

Bai Wei took out a celadon bottle: "This is the Moon Dew from our Yunshan Village. It can keep her safe for at least five years."

Wu Ling'er quickly took the medicine, checked it, nodded to Fu Changsheng, and then carefully fed it into Fu Yongxuan's mouth. After a moment, the girl's pale face did improve slightly, but she still showed no signs of waking up.

"I cannot express my gratitude enough," Fu Changsheng said solemnly, clasping his hands in thanks. "Could you two please point me to the location of Xuan Yin Village?"

The twins suddenly looked troubled at the same time.

Xuan Yin Village is under the jurisdiction of Shuang Yue Village. Shuang Yue Village and Yun Shan Village are irreconcilable enemies, so the two have established border defenses at their respective borders.

The sisters must never set foot in Xuan Yin Village.

“We sisters can lead the way!” Bai Wei suddenly interjected, ignoring her sister’s tugging at her sleeve. “Senior saved our lives, and the people of Yunshan Village value gratitude above all else! However, we sisters can only escort Senior Fu to the border. After that, everything will depend on Senior Fu.”

We arrived at Xuanyin Village.

Ahead lies the fiefdom of Yulin Prefecture.

They will then be able to return home smoothly. As for seeking treatment from the Holy Maiden of Xuan Yin Village, that's unrealistic. There will always be alternatives after returning to the Great Zhou.

Fu Changsheng cupped his hands in greeting: "Then I'll trouble you two young ladies."

Several days later, the group arrived at the border outpost. On the steep cliff, a black stone fortress stood majestically, its banners fluttering in the wind. Eight cultivators clad in blood-red armor stood before the fortress, the leader of whom was clearly a cultivator at the early stage of the Golden Core realm.

"People from Blood Witch Village?" Fu Changsheng frowned slightly and asked in a low voice.

Bai Zhi's expression was grave: "Last month's border garrison rotation... I didn't expect it to be them."

Wu Ling'er nervously gripped Fu Changsheng's sleeve. Fu Changsheng patted her hand reassuringly, secretly preparing the Azure Dragon Sword.

"Halt!" the Blood-Armored Commander shouted sternly. "This is a heavily fortified border area; unauthorized personnel are not permitted!"

Bai Zhi stepped forward, revealing a cloud-patterned jade pendant: "Bai Zhi and Bai Wei of Yunshan Village are on our grandmother's orders to travel to Xuanyu Mountain to seek medicine. This is our travel permit."

The commander took the jade pendant and examined it, but his gaze swept suspiciously over Fu Changsheng and the other two: "Who are they?"

“These are our distinguished guests, Master Yao and his sister,” Bai Zhi said calmly.

The commander sneered, "Recently, spies from the Great Zhou have infiltrated. Everyone must undergo inspection!" He then reached out to grab Wu Ling'er.

After some investigation, no abnormalities were detected.

When it was Fu Yongxuan's turn to fall unconscious, Fu Changsheng subtly moved forward, perfectly positioned to shield him: "My lord, please understand, my sister is frail and cannot withstand any fright."

Just as the atmosphere was becoming increasingly tense, Wu Ling'er suddenly coughed lightly: "My lord, the array patterns on the jade pendant at your waist seem somewhat disordered."

The commander was taken aback upon hearing this, and subconsciously reached for the jade pendant at his waist—his defensive magic weapon.

Wu Ling'er continued timidly, "If a trace of fire elemental power is injected into the 'Tianxuan' position, the effect should be even better."

The commander tried it with some skepticism, and the jade pendant immediately shone brightly. His expression softened instantly: "Little girl, you know about formations?"

"I know a little bit about it." Wu Ling'er lowered her head and twisted the hem of her clothes.

The commander's attitude improved noticeably. After a few more questions, he finally waved them through: "Go on! Remember you must return within a month, or you'll be treated as a spy!"

After passing the checkpoint and traveling another hundred miles, Bai Wei finally couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice, "Ling'er is amazing! She got that villain to let us through with just a few words!"

After passing through a dense ancient forest, the terrain gradually began to descend. Bai Zhi pointed to the valley faintly visible to the north: "That's the territory of Xuan Yin Village. A few hundred miles further east is..."

Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly turned around alertly: "Someone's following us!"

Fu Changsheng had already suspected it, but feigned surprise: "Could it be someone from the Blood Witch Village?"

Bai Wei nervously grabbed her sister's arm: "Could it be that the commander just now changed his mind?"

“It wasn’t him.” Fu Changsheng scanned the woods behind them with his divine sense. “Three mid-stage Purple Mansion cultivators, their cultivation methods are different from the one from before.”

Wu Ling'er suddenly suggested in a low voice, "There's a natural maze ahead; I can make some modifications."

Fu Changsheng nodded approvingly: "Good idea. Miss Bai, you go first, we'll follow later."

After the twins had gone some distance, Fu Changsheng and Wu Ling'er quickly set up an array in the forest. Wu Ling'er took out several array flags from her bosom and deftly drew array patterns on the ground with her fingers.

“Use the ‘Small Heavenly Circuit Maze Formation’ in conjunction with the terrain,” she explained as she set it up. “Once they step into this area, they’ll be stuck in place for two hours.”

Half an hour later, the two caught up with the Bai sisters. Bai Zhi looked at them questioningly: "Is it resolved?"

"We've shaken them off for now," Fu Changsheng said casually, without mentioning Wu Ling'er's formation.

As the sun set, the group reached the last mountain ridge. Bai Zhi pointed ahead: "That's Xuan Yin Village!"

Fu Changsheng looked in the direction she was pointing. He only needed to pass through Xuan Yin Village to set foot on the territory of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

"Brother Fu," Wu Ling'er suddenly called out softly, her eyes filled with worry.

Bai Zhi stood on the mountain ridge, her skirt fluttering gently in the evening breeze. Gazing at the distant Xuan Yin Village where smoke curled from its chimneys, she suddenly stopped.

“Senior Fu, we’ll stop here.” She turned around, her silver ornaments shimmering in the afterglow. “The Xuan Yin Village territory lies just down the mountain ahead.”

Bai Zhi gently shook her head and took out a brocade pouch embroidered with cloud patterns from her bosom: "This is the remaining Xuanbing Jade Marrow, which can sustain us for another three years." She stuffed the pouch into Wu Ling'er's hand.

"Grandmother's birthday is approaching, we must hurry back." Bai Zhi pulled her younger sister back two steps.

Bai Wei followed her sister in bowing: "Yunshan Village will never forget your life-saving grace, senior."

Fu Changsheng returned the greeting with clasped hands: "Take care, ladies."

...

...

a few days later.

Fu Changsheng stood on the mountain ridge, gazing at the distant lights of Xuan Yin Village, his brow slightly furrowed. Wu Ling'er, holding the unconscious Fu Yongxuan, stood beside him and whispered, "Brother Fu, are we really going to cross Xuan Yin Village?" "Yes," Fu Changsheng nodded, taking out a yellowed sheepskin map from his robes. "Intelligence indicates there's a secret path here that can bypass Xuan Yin Village's patrols."

Wu Ling'er took a closer look and found that the map marked a winding path that passed between two mountain peaks and led directly to the border of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

“But…” Wu Ling’er hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.

Fu Changsheng understood her concerns and reassured her, "Don't worry, I won't let you take any risks. I've repeatedly rehearsed this route; it's the safest."

As night fell, the three quietly descended the mountain by moonlight. Fu Changsheng walked in front, his divine sense extending outwards as he vigilantly surveyed the surroundings. Wu Ling'er followed closely behind, carrying Fu Yongxuan on her back, her steps as light as a cat's.

After passing through a dense bamboo forest, a narrow mountain stream appeared ahead. The stream babbled and shimmered silver in the moonlight.

“This is it,” Fu Changsheng said in a low voice. “Walk three miles along this mountain stream, and you can avoid the patrol range of Xuan Yin Village.”

The three of them cautiously stepped into the mountain stream. The water was icy cold, reaching above their ankles. Wu Ling'er shivered, but gritted her teeth and persevered. Seeing this, Fu Changsheng took out a cloak from his storage bag and draped it over her shoulders.

"Thank you, Brother Fu." Wu Ling'er smiled sweetly.

Just then, Fu Changsheng suddenly raised his hand to signal a halt. He frowned and whispered, "Someone's coming."

A rustling sound came from the distant woods, and several dark figures could be vaguely seen moving about. Wu Ling'er nervously grabbed Fu Changsheng's sleeve.

Fu Changsheng quickly looked around and found a recess in the rock wall on his right. "Come with me." He pulled Wu Ling'er inside.

Before long, a group of cultivators dressed in black passed by from above. The leader was a middle-aged man with a sinister face and a blood-red jade pendant hanging from his waist.

"It's the Xuan Yin Village patrol!" Wu Ling'er whispered in Fu Changsheng's ear, her warm breath brushing against his earlobe. "The one leading them looks like the Seventh Elder of Xuan Yin Village!"

Fu Changsheng's gaze sharpened. The Seventh Elder was at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm; if he were discovered, the consequences would be unimaginable.

As the patrol team gradually disappeared into the distance, Fu Changsheng was about to breathe a sigh of relief when suddenly, Fu Yongxuan on his back let out a faint groan.

"Oh no!" Fu Changsheng's heart tightened.

Sure enough, the Seventh Elder, who had already walked some distance, suddenly turned around and shouted sharply, "Who goes there!"

Without hesitation, Fu Changsheng scooped up Wu Ling'er and Fu Yongxuan and sped off into the depths of the mountain stream.

"Chase!" the Seventh Elder roared, leading the patrol team in hot pursuit.

The mountain stream grew narrower and narrower, with towering cliffs on both sides. Fu Changsheng ran as fast as he could, pondering a solution. Suddenly, his eyes lit up; a fork in the road appeared ahead.

"Ling'er, hold Yongxuan tight!" Fu Changsheng shouted in a low voice, and suddenly turned to the path on the right.

The Seventh Elder and the others followed closely behind, but at the bend, Fu Changsheng suddenly stopped, took out several array flags from his storage bag, and quickly set up a small maze array.

"Let's go!" After making the arrangements, he pulled Wu Ling'er along and continued forward.

A short while later, the Seventh Elder's furious roar came from behind: "Damn it, it's a maze!"

Wu Ling'er couldn't help but chuckle, "Brother Fu is amazing!"

Fu Changsheng, however, remained vigilant: "This is merely a temporary measure; they will soon break through our defenses and catch up. We must speed things up."

The three hurried along the mountain stream and finally reached the exit before dawn. Ahead lay a wide plain, and the boundary marker of the Great Zhou Dynasty could be faintly seen in the distance.

"We've arrived!" Wu Ling'er exclaimed joyfully.

However, just as they were about to step out of the ravine, a blood-red light curtain suddenly descended from the sky, blocking their path.

"Want to leave? Not so easy!" The Seventh Elder's cold voice came from behind.

Fu Changsheng turned around and saw that the Seventh Elder had caught up with more than a dozen cultivators and surrounded them.

"Spies from the Great Zhou dare to trespass on the territory of my Xuan Yin Village!" the Seventh Elder sneered. "Today, you will not leave alive!"

Fu Changsheng shielded Wu Ling'er and Fu Yongxuan behind him and said in a deep voice, "We're just passing by and mean no harm."

"Enough with the nonsense!" The Seventh Elder waved his hand. "Take him down!"

More than a dozen cultivators attacked simultaneously, unleashing various spells at Fu Changsheng and his companions.

A cold glint flashed in Fu Changsheng's eyes, and his internal magical power transformed into a streak of azure light, sweeping outwards. The sword energy, like a dragon, shattered all the incoming spells.

"A Golden Core cultivator?!" The Seventh Elder's expression changed, then he sneered, "No wonder you were so arrogant. However, today you won't escape!"

Having said that, he summoned a blood-red longsword, its blade wreathed in eerie black energy, and slashed it toward Fu Changsheng.

Fu Changsheng dared not be careless, and his Azure Dragon Sword met the attack, clashing with the blood-red longsword.

"clang!"

The clang of metal against metal was deafening. Fu Changsheng felt a chilling force travel up the blade, and his arm went numb.

"Hahaha, you've been hit by my Profound Yin Evil Qi, let's see how long you can last!" The Seventh Elder laughed loudly.

Fu Changsheng snorted coldly, circulating the Azure Emperor's Longevity Technique within his body to dissolve the invading evil energy. At the same time, he secretly transmitted his voice to Wu Ling'er: "Ling'er, I'll hold them off. You take Yongxuan and leave first!"

"Alright!" Wu Ling'er knew that staying would only be a hindrance. "Brother Fu, be careful!"

With a thought, Fu Changsheng sent out a beam of azure light, which transformed into a three-zhang-long azure dragon, roaring as it charged toward the Seventh Elder.

When the Seventh Elder saw Fu Changsheng summon the Azure Dragon, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he quickly grinned maliciously: "A mere dragon that has just entered the fourth rank dares to be presumptuous in front of me!"

He suddenly slapped the blood gourd at his waist, and billowing black mist gushed out of the gourd's mouth, transforming into dozens of ferocious Yin Sha ghost pythons that roared and pounced on the Azure Dragon!

"Roar—!" The azure dragon roared angrily, its body coiling around itself, lightning surging around it, and it spewed out a pillar of azure lightning, instantly turning several ghost pythons into black smoke.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Fu Changsheng leaped forward, his Azure Dragon Sword transforming into a streak of green light, aiming straight for the Seventh Elder's throat!
"A mere trick!" The Seventh Elder sneered, his blood-red longsword blocking the attack. The swords clashed, unleashing a blinding burst of spiritual light.

"clang--!"

The shockwave exploded, sending Fu Changsheng staggering back several steps, his arm slightly numb. The Seventh Elder, after all, was a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, and his magical power was far greater than Fu Changsheng's.

"Boy, you may have some skill, but you will die today!" The Seventh Elder sneered, his hands forming hand seals. The blood blade suddenly split into nine blood-red blade shadows, which came crashing down like the fangs of a demon!

"Heavenly Punishment Thunder Spear!" Fu Changsheng shouted, lightning condensed in his palm, and a spear wrapped in purple-gold lightning appeared out of thin air, which he hurled out!

"boom--!"

The lightning spear pierced the sky like a meteor, instantly shattering the three sword shadows, its momentum undiminished, and thrust straight at the Seventh Elder's chest!
"What?!" The Seventh Elder's pupils shrank, and he hurriedly summoned a bone shield to defend himself.

"Crack!" The bone shield was pierced by the lightning spear and exploded! The Seventh Elder groaned, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth, and a solemn look finally appeared in his eyes.

"This kid actually possesses such a powerful lightning-type magic weapon?!"

He dared not be so careless any longer, so he bit his tongue hard and spat out a mouthful of blood essence. The blood mist condensed in the air into a strange blood-colored talisman!
"Mysterious Yin Blood Fiend Curse!"

The talisman burned and transformed into a three-zhang-tall blood-red ghost king with a blue face and fangs, wielding a giant axe and roaring as it cleaved down at Fu Changsheng!

Fu Changsheng's eyes sharpened, and he summoned the Lotus Lantern. A wisp of blue flame ignited in the wick, and in an instant, blue light bloomed, transforming into a huge blue lotus phantom that forcefully blocked the Blood Demon King's giant axe!
"The Lotus Lantern?! You actually possess such a protective treasure?!" The Seventh Elder exclaimed in shock.

"Now!" Fu Changsheng shouted.

The Azure Dragon had been poised to strike, its body coiled around the ground before it suddenly swooped down, its claws like knives, viciously grabbing at the Seventh Elder's back!
"Get out of my way!" the Seventh Elder roared, slashing at the Azure Dragon with his sword, but was stopped by Fu Changsheng's sword!
"Your opponent is me!" Fu Changsheng sneered, and the Heavenly Punishment Thunder Spear condensed once more, which he hurled out fiercely!

"court death!"

The Seventh Elder, enraged, laughed coldly. His bloodthirsty aura erupted, and the pressure of a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator crushed down like a tangible force. Within a hundred feet radius, the vegetation withered instantly, and cracks appeared in the ground.

"A mere early-stage Golden Core cultivator dares to be so arrogant before me!"

He stomped his foot on the ground, and the blood-red longsword swelled in the wind, transforming into a three-zhang-long (approximately 10 meters) giant blade. Countless hideous ghost faces appeared on the blade, emitting a piercing shriek. Before the strike was even unleashed, the sharp blade energy had already plowed a deep trench in the ground.

"Bloodthirsty Soul Slayer!"

The giant blade cleaved down with earth-shattering force, tearing the air apart with a deafening roar. Fu Changsheng's pupils constricted sharply; the power of this strike far exceeded his expectations! Without hesitation, he summoned the Lotus Lantern, which blazed with brilliant azure light, forming a nine-layered lotus barrier above his head.

“BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!”

The blade flashed, shattering eight layers of barriers in succession, the final lotus flower barely managing to block the fatal blow. Fu Changsheng felt a sweet taste in his throat, and a trickle of blood escaped from the corner of his mouth. A full-force attack from a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator was indeed extraordinary!

The Seventh Elder grinned maliciously, forming a hand seal. His crimson longsword suddenly split into hundreds of fine, hair-like blood threads, coiling towards him from all directions. "Taste my Thousand Threads of Blood Fiend! Each thread contains deadly poison; touch it and your bones will turn to dust!"

"Roar--!"

Suddenly, the azure dragon soared into the sky, its body blazing with lightning patterns. It opened its mouth and spewed out a thick, azure lightning bolt, vaporizing the blood wherever it passed. However, dozens of bolts still managed to break through the lightning net, aiming directly for Fu Changsheng's vitals!
"Heavenly Punishment Thunder Spear!"

Fu Changsheng clenched his fists, and a purple-gold lightning spear materialized in his palms. His movements were as swift as lightning, the spear transforming into a sky full of lightning shadows, shattering all the incoming blood streaks. Each strike was accompanied by deafening thunder, and the aftershocks shattered the rocks within a radius of several miles.

The Seventh Elder's expression changed slightly. Suddenly, he bit his tongue, spitting out a mouthful of blood essence: "Mysterious Yin Blood Transformation Technique!"

The blood mist instantly condensed into nine blood shadow clones identical to him, each radiating the aura of the early Golden Core stage. The ten figures simultaneously formed hand seals, unleashing a torrential downpour of blood, each drop weighing a ton!

“Boom—!”

The ground was smashed into countless deep craters, and Fu Changsheng and the Azure Dragon dodged in a sorry state. A drop of blood grazed Fu Changsheng's arm, instantly corroding a bloody hole. The Azure Dragon's scales were also corroded, making a sizzling sound, and it let out a painful roar.

"Hahaha! Now you know how powerful a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator is, right?" The Seventh Elder's true form weaved through the blood shadows, his voice echoing from all directions: "Today, I'll let you taste a fate worse than death!"

A cold glint flashed in Fu Changsheng's eyes, and he suddenly tossed the Lotus Lantern into the air. The lamp's wick flared violently, transforming into a rain of fire that swept back towards the Blood Shadow clone. At the same time, he formed a hand seal, and a beam of purple divine light shot out.

The power of the divine light momentarily stunned all of the Seventh Elder's clones. In that instant of vulnerability, Fu Changsheng and the Azure Dragon simultaneously launched their deadly attacks!

"Thunder!"

The azure dragon's scales stood on end, and countless bolts of lightning erupted from its body, transforming into a gigantic net of lightning covering a hundred feet. The Seventh Elder's blood shadow clone was trapped in the lightning net, letting out a shrill scream.

Fu Changsheng transformed into a streak of azure lightning, merging with the Heavenly Punishment Thunder Spear, and charged straight at the Seventh Elder's body with blinding lightning!
"No--!"

The Seventh Elder hastily summoned an ancient bronze mirror, its surface revealing a hideous demonic eye. However, the lightning spear moved with unstoppable force, shattering the demonic eye instantly and reducing the ancient mirror to fragments!

"Pfft!"

The moment the lightning spear pierced the Seventh Elder's chest, the Azure Dragon's tail lashed out like a steel whip, shattering his protective blood aura. The Seventh Elder coughed up blood, and fear finally appeared in his eyes.

"You're only at the early stage of the Golden Core realm. How could you possibly be..."

"it's over."

Fu Changsheng let out a cold shout, and all the lightning power accumulated in the lightning spear suddenly erupted. In the blinding lightning, the Seventh Elder's physical body disintegrated inch by inch, and his golden core was swept into Fu Changsheng's storage bag by a beam of green light.

at the same time.

A pitch-black ghost burst forth from the lightning, letting out a shrill scream: "You brat! My Xuan Yin Village will fight you to the death!" The ghost transformed into a wisp of black smoke and tried to escape.

A cold glint flashed in Fu Changsheng's eyes.

A thought.

The Heavenly Dragon Temple in the underworld suddenly trembled. An ancient and boundless divine light shot out from between his brows, enveloping the fleeing ghost like a net.

"No—what is this?!" The Seventh Elder's ghost was terrified, struggling to break free from the divine light. Within the divine light, the faint outline of a majestic temple could be seen, its stone walls carved with countless celestial dragon totems.

"Retract!" Fu Changsheng shouted, and divine light swept the struggling ghost back into his body. In the Netherworld, the Heavenly Dragon Temple shone brightly, and the Seventh Elder's ghost was forcibly suppressed on the stone wall, transforming into a new, ferocious relief, standing alongside the previously sealed souls.

At the same time, Fu Changsheng flicked his sleeve and pocketed the storage bag that the Seventh Elder had dropped. The Azure Dragon circled back, its dragon eyes still crackling with lightning, and warily scanned its surroundings.

On the other side, the dozen or so Purple Mansion cultivators had already been overwhelmed by the swarm of Spirit Devouring Insects. Screams rose and fell, and in the blink of an eye, only one young cultivator remained standing there, frozen in place—his spiritual weapon had fallen to the ground at some point, and his legs were trembling like leaves.

"Monster! Monster!" The young cultivator stared at Fu Changsheng, his face drained of color, his lips trembling. "Seventh Elder is a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator...you...you actually..."

He witnessed the entire process: the blue-robed cultivator with the silver mask, possessing only early-stage Golden Core cultivation, held his own against the Seventh Elder; every swing of the spear crackling with purple-gold lightning caused the heavens and earth to change color; and finally, that mysterious golden light directly suppressed the Seventh Elder's soul.
This is something that ordinary Golden Core cultivators simply cannot do!
The young cultivator suddenly knelt down, his forehead slamming heavily against the rock: "Senior, spare my life! I was only following orders and had no intention of being your enemy!" Blood seeped from his forehead, but he dared not wipe it away.

Fu Changsheng snorted coldly, flicked his finger, and a beam of purple divine light shot through the air.

The young monk immediately turned and ran.

The purple aura, however, was as swift and elusive as lightning, instantly catching up with the cultivator. The man seemed to sense something, turning back in alarm, only to find the divine light already at his brow—

"No! Senior, please have mercy—"

"puff!"

Divine light pierced through his head, the cultivator froze, the life force in his eyes quickly dissipated, and his body crashed to the ground.

Fu Changsheng raised his hand and took his storage bag into his own pocket. Then, with a flick of his sleeve, a blue flame swept out and burned all the corpses to ashes.

at the same time.

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

"You have killed a Golden Core cultivator and more than a dozen Purple Mansion cultivators from the Northern Frontier, gaining 20,000 family contribution points."

The azure dragon roared, its body shrinking as it coiled around Fu Changsheng's arm once more. Fu Changsheng put away the Heavenly Punishment Thunder Spear and the Lotus Lantern, his gaze sweeping across the battlefield. After confirming there were no more survivors, he flashed away, chasing after the direction Wu Ling'er had gone.

Deep in the dense forest, Wu Ling'er carried Fu Yongxuan on her back, her steps hurried among the ancient trees. Her face was pale, and fine beads of sweat glistened on her forehead, but her eyes were unusually determined.

"Brother Fu... please be alright..." she murmured to herself, glancing back every now and then, afraid that pursuers might be closing in from behind.

Suddenly, the shadows of the trees ahead swayed, and a figure in blue appeared like a ghost. Wu Ling'er's heart tightened, and she instinctively took a half step back, already clutching a formation flag in her hand—

"Ling'er."

A familiar voice rang out, and Wu Ling'er looked up sharply. She saw Fu Changsheng arriving through the air, his gentle eyes visible beneath his silver mask.

"Brother Fu!" Her eyes welled up with tears, and she quickly took two steps forward. "Are you alright? Those people..."

Fu Changsheng removed his mask, revealing a handsome face with a faint smile on his lips: "Don't worry, it's all taken care of."

"Solved?" Wu Ling'er was taken aback, then her eyes widened. "But that was the mid-stage Golden Core realm! Brother Fu, you..."

"Yes, I killed him." Fu Changsheng said calmly, as if he had only done a trivial matter.

Wu Ling'er gasped, her heart pounding. A mid-stage Golden Core cultivator was enough to intimidate a powerful figure. Yet Fu Changsheng, with only an early-stage Golden Core cultivation, had actually killed him—a cultivator far beyond his level?!
She stared blankly at Fu Changsheng, suddenly realizing that this man was even more unfathomable than she had imagined.

"What's wrong? Are you scared?" Fu Changsheng waved his hand in front of her eyes when he saw her in a daze.

Wu Ling'er snapped out of her daze, her cheeks flushing slightly. She quickly shook her head, "No, no! I just..." She bit her lip and whispered, "Brother Fu, you're really amazing."

Fu Changsheng chuckled and ruffled her hair. "Let's go, let's get out of here first."

Wu Ling'er nodded.

She suddenly felt that meeting Fu Changsheng in this life was perhaps her greatest opportunity.

A man like Fu Changsheng is destined for greatness. And she, perhaps, can truly find her place by his side.

“Brother Fu,” she suddenly said.

"Um?"

"I..." She raised her head, her eyes shining with determination, "I will definitely work hard to restore my cultivation so that I can be of help to you in the future!"

Fu Changsheng was slightly taken aback, then laughed heartily: "Alright, I'll be waiting."

(End of this chapter)