Family Rise: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 568 Opening the Treasure Box, A Beauty's Gift, Taking the Initiative
a few days later.

Fu Changsheng and his son transformed into two streaks of light and arrived at the main peak of Tianlang Mountain, which dominates the Eastern Wilderness.

Having received the news, Ouyang Fei was already waiting outside the council hall on the mountaintop. Upon seeing Fu Changsheng, he immediately stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"Welcome, Patriarch!"

When his gaze fell upon Fu Changsheng, a hint of undisguised admiration flashed across his eyes.

Fu Changsheng's spiritual energy was perfectly balanced and contained, his aura as deep as the sea. Although he did not deliberately release his pressure, the immense spiritual pressure that he faintly exuded, as if he could break out of his cocoon at any moment, was clearly a sign that he had reached the peak of the fourth level of the Golden Core stage and was only one step away from breaking through to the fifth level!

How long has it been since?

The patriarch's cultivation speed is truly terrifying!
Ouyang Fei sighed inwardly and hurriedly welcomed the two into the hall.

After taking his seat, Fu Changsheng asked directly:
"Uncle Fei, has there been any movement from the Tianyin tribe lately?"

When the matter was brought up, Ouyang Fei's expression turned serious, and he immediately replied:

"Returning home, since the day our Supreme Elder failed his tribulation and his soul was destroyed, the entire Tianyin Tribe has been like frightened birds. They immediately activated their mountain-protecting formation and announced a period of seclusion, refusing all outside visitors. Their disciples are also not allowed to enter or leave at will. It seems they are determined to stay put."

"Oh? Fully activating the mountain-protecting formation?" Fu Changsheng tapped the armrest lightly with his fingers. "Do you know the details of this formation?"

Ouyang Fei's face showed a solemn expression:
"After extensive inquiries and combining some records, I have uncovered some of the background. The protective array of the Tianyin tribe is called the 'Nine Nether Profound Yin Fiend Soul Array.' It is said that it was not set up by them on their own, but rather that their ancestors accidentally discovered the ruins of an ancient sect and modified the array based on the remaining foundation of the ruins."

His tone carried a hint of apprehension:

"This formation can connect with the Yin veins underground and absorb the evil energy of the Nine Netherworlds, making it extremely powerful. Once fully activated, the evil energy within the formation's range will permeate, capable of eroding a cultivator's magic power and soul, and can continuously condense 'evil spirits' comparable to the combat power of a Golden Core cultivator for protection."

According to records.

At its peak, this formation could even briefly withstand attacks from early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators!
While the Tianyin tribe may not be able to unleash its full power now, their accumulated Yin energy over many years, combined with their strong defenses, makes them a formidable opponent. A direct attack would likely come at a very high cost.

After listening, Fu Changsheng's eyes flickered slightly. He pondered for a moment, then a meaningful smile appeared on his lips:

"Can it withstand a Nascent Soul cultivator? It's a tough nut to crack."

"Uncle Fei, continue to send more people to closely monitor all the movements of the Tianyin tribe, especially the energy fluctuation patterns of their great formation and the entry and exit of personnel. Even the slightest changes must be recorded and reported to me."

“Yes, Patriarch!” Ouyang Fei bowed and accepted the order.

Fu Changsheng chatted with Ouyang Fei for a few more minutes, then led Fu Yongren away from the council hall and headed towards the forbidden area in the back mountain.

……

Deep within the forbidden area of ​​the back mountain.

The totem of Sirius Howling at the Moon faintly appears on the dark rock wall, and an ancient and desolate aura permeates the air. Seven treasure boxes of different shapes, neither gold nor stone, float silently on an ancient stone platform, their surfaces covered with a thick layer of dust, yet unable to conceal the faint energy fluctuations within them.

Fu Changsheng's gaze swept over these treasures that had been dormant for countless years.

Finally, it landed on one of the boxes, which was entirely black and had a pattern of a giant wolf roaring towards the sky engraved on its surface.

The giant wolf's eyes seemed to be inlaid with two dark red gems, and even in the dim light, they shone with a bloodthirsty and wild light.

“Yongren,” Fu Changsheng said, his voice exceptionally clear in the silent forbidden area, “Go, open it.”

Fu Yongren took a deep breath and walked forward with steady steps.

On his bronze chest, the dark red mark formed from the Heart of Sirius seemed to sense something and began to heat up slightly.

He extended his broad palm, filled with a thirst for power and awe for the unknown, and slowly placed it on the cold, black lid. There were no locks, no mechanisms; the moment his palm touched the lid—

"Buzz!"

The entire black box trembled violently, and the ruby ​​eyes of the giant wolf totem on its surface suddenly burst forth with dazzling blood-red light! A desolate wolf howl, seemingly from the ancient wilderness and piercing through endless time and space, suddenly exploded from the box, causing the entire forbidden area to buzz!
next moment.

The box did not open; instead, it transformed into an extremely condensed energy stream composed entirely of dark red blood-red light. Like a burst dam or a miniature version of a raging wolf, it let out a joyful yet wild roar and charged towards Fu Yongren, instantly plunging into the wolf heart mark on his chest!
"Ugh—!"

Caught off guard, Fu Yongren let out a muffled groan of pain and shock as he was thrown backward by an irresistible force!

"Calm down! Accept it!"

Fu Changsheng's low shout was like a thunderclap, exploding in his ears with an undeniable calming power.

While in mid-air, Fu Yongren bit his tongue sharply. The sharp pain instantly brought him to his senses, and his years of honed willpower forcefully suppressed the excruciating pain and his instinctive resistance. He landed heavily, his feet shattering the rocks on the ground, managing to steady himself. He immediately sat cross-legged and began to fully circulate the "Heavenly Wolf Battle Body" technique!
What surged into his body was not the miraculous elixir or divine weapon he had imagined, but a vast, pure, and extremely ancient power of the wolf spirit's origin!
It carries the wildness of antiquity, the indomitable spirit to fight against heaven and earth, and a trace of the blessing will of the wolf clan's ancestors!

As soon as this power entered his body, it resonated with the False Infant Sirius Heart in his chest in an unprecedented way!
"Roar--!"

The unruly and rebellious energy within him, which had previously been difficult to tame and repeatedly backfired, became docile and submissive in the face of this more ancient and pure primordial wolf spirit power, just as a subject of a king had encountered! The remaining trace of the wolf's ferocity was no longer an obstacle; instead, it was perfectly integrated and assimilated by this blessing power, becoming a part of his own strength!

Daigo empowerment!

Fu Yongren felt as if his consciousness had been pulled into a vast, blood-red wasteland, where a colossal, towering phantom of a celestial wolf looked down at him, letting out a roar imbued with supreme Daoist wisdom. Countless insights into power, combat, and the origins of wildness surged wildly into his sea of ​​consciousness.

Driven by this vast power, his cultivation level surged at an unprecedented speed!

The Purple Mansion has six layers... seven layers... eight layers...

His meridians were widened, his dantian surged violently, and the condensed true essence became increasingly refined and substantial. The hidden injuries from his previous failed attempt to break through the bottleneck were instantly healed by this power, and his foundation was even strengthened.

The barrier that had trapped him for so long in the mid-stage of the Purple Mansion realm was utterly vulnerable in the face of this torrent and shattered instantly!

His aura surged, and the crimson light around him grew ever brighter, subtly coalescing into a more solid and majestic celestial wolf dharma image, enveloping him within it. The howl of the wolf emanated continuously from his body, no longer a painful roar, but a joyful cry brimming with power and complete control!

I do not know how long it has been.

The vast power of the wolf spirit's blessing finally subsided, completely merging into his limbs, bones, and soul.

Fu Yongren suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze flashing with a sharp, almost tangible light, and a blood-red wolf shadow seemed to flash deep within his pupils. He slowly stood up, his bones crackling as a surge of power, far surpassing anything he had ever felt before, coursed through him. The veins beneath his skin were visible, but they no longer appeared frenzied; instead, they exuded a powerful, aesthetically pleasing strength.

Peak of the Purple Mansion Realm!

Not only did he completely refine the false infant wolf heart and eliminate all hidden dangers, but his cultivation also broke through several minor realms, reaching the perfect level of the Purple Mansion Realm in one fell swoop!

It seems that the Golden Elixir Path is only a step away!
He felt the immense power surging within him like a mighty river, yet also as responsive as his own limbs, and the subtle connection he shared with the ancient wolf spirit. His face broke into an overwhelming surge of excitement. He abruptly knelt on one knee, his voice trembling slightly with immense joy and gratitude:
"Thank you, Father, for your kindness! I will never forget this grace!"

Looking at his transformed son, feeling the powerful aura that was both solid and imposing yet harbored a fierce and untamed nature, Fu Changsheng smiled with satisfaction. He stepped forward, personally helped his son up, and patted his son's strong, steel-like shoulder:

"Good! Good! As expected of my son, Fu Changsheng!"

His gaze swept over the remaining treasure boxes on the stone platform, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

at the same time.

A familiar mechanical voice rang out in his mind:
"Ding"

"You have granted your clan the blessing of the Ancient Sirius, increasing your clan's contribution points to 25,000."

The contribution value has increased again, which is good.

Fu Changsheng felt a slight joy in his heart.

Now that we've come to the Eastern Wilderness...

Next, he planned to visit the Luo family.

He couldn't always be on the defensive against Wan Longyuan, nor could he let the Azure Dragon remain hidden in the Five Elements Space.

"It's time to take the initiative!"

...

...

The city of Qixia, where the Luo family lived, was bathed in the warm morning light. The city was nestled against the mountains and beside the water, and was filled with spiritual energy.

Fu Changsheng rode his escape light, landing directly outside the grand yet elegant main gate of the Luo family. The Luo family seemed exceptionally different today. The vermilion gate was wide open, and a constant stream of carriages and horses passed by, with cultivators coming and going in an endless stream. Servants, dressed in brand-new clothes, hurried along with joyful expressions, busily hanging colorful ribbons and carrying spiritual fruits and fine wines, creating a festive and busy scene.

As soon as Fu Changsheng appeared, a sharp-eyed steward from the Luo family recognized this now renowned figure in Wuzhou. Not daring to be negligent, he immediately bowed to greet him and hurriedly informed the family.

A moment later, an old man dressed in the robes of a supreme elder of the Luo family, with a lean face and a profound aura, came out to greet them. The golden core spiritual pressure flowing around him was harmonious and natural, clearly indicating that he was a veteran Golden Core cultivator.

"Oh dear, I had no idea that Patriarch Fu would grace us with his presence. Please forgive my lack of hospitality!" The old man smiled broadly, cupped his hands in greeting, and spoke with great politeness. "I am Luo Yuanqing, temporarily in charge of the family's external affairs. Patriarch Fu's presence truly brings honor to the Luo family!"

Although Fu Changsheng's cultivation level is only at the peak of the fourth level of the Golden Core stage, his feat of reversing the nascent soul has already spread far and wide. No one dares to underestimate him because of his cultivation level. Moreover, the Fu family now has eight Golden Core cultivators, making them powerful enough to be treated as equals by any force.

Fu Changsheng smiled freely and returned the greeting, saying, "Fellow Daoist Luo, you flatter me. It is I who have taken the liberty of visiting and disturbing you. Seeing how lively your residence is, is there some great joyous occasion?" His gaze swept over the brightly decorated scene around him, his tone carrying just the right amount of curiosity.

Upon hearing this, Luo Yuanqing's smile grew even brighter. He stroked his beard and chuckled, "Patriarch Fu, you have excellent judgment! Thanks to the blessings of our ancestors, and the recent achievements of our clan members, my Luo family indeed has a joyous occasion on the horizon." He stepped aside to lead Fu Changsheng inside, his tone brimming with barely suppressed pride and joy:

"To be honest, Patriarch Fu, my Luo family has accumulated wealth over many years, and now our clan is thriving. We are only one step away from becoming a fifth-rank family!"

"Oh?" Fu Changsheng showed surprise and admiration at the right moment. "A fifth-rank aristocratic family? That's an extraordinary achievement! Congratulations!"

Luo Yuanqing's face was flushed, and he waved his hands repeatedly, but he couldn't hide the pride in his eyes: "Alas, I don't deserve such high praise from Patriarch Fu. To be honest, I'm still a bit short of the mark. The clan's foundation, industry, population, and merit points have all met the requirements. The only thing missing is the last Golden Core cultivator. Once that's done, it will be a natural progression to request the Immortal Dynasty to grant me a fifth-rank title!"

He lowered his voice, but it sounded even more eager:
"However, two of my clan's juniors who have reached the peak of the Purple Mansion realm have been in seclusion for many years, and they have also prepared the spiritual items needed to form their core. They are just waiting for the right opportunity to try to break through! At that time, my Luo family will truly be a fifth-grade family."

Upon hearing this, Fu Changsheng's smile widened, and he sincerely praised:

"I see! A deep foundation and accumulated strength are signs of a family's great prosperity! The Luo family's advancement to the fifth rank is a foregone conclusion. I, Fu, offer my congratulations in advance!"

He bowed respectfully, his tone sincere: "May the Luo family soon succeed in obtaining the Elixir, advance to the fifth rank, and bring glory to the family!"

Luo Yuanqing quickly returned the greeting, grinning from ear to ear: "Thank you for your kind words, Patriarch Fu! I will definitely send out invitations widely and hope that Patriarch Fu will do me the honor of joining me for a drink!"

"Definitely, definitely!" Fu Changsheng replied with a smile, then changed the subject and explained his purpose, "To be honest, I've come here specifically to visit Yongxuan. Is that convenient?"

Luo Yuanqing immediately realized: "So Patriarch Fu came for Yongxuan! Convenient, of course! Please come with me, I will take you to see Haitang and Yongxuan."

As he spoke, Luo Yuanqing warmly led Fu Changsheng through the brightly lit and festively decorated courtyard and corridors, heading towards the inner residence. Fu Changsheng followed behind, watching the Luo family bustling about with anticipation as they prepared for their advancement to the fifth rank, and murmured to himself:
"It seems we need to speed up our progress towards becoming a fifth-rank aristocratic family."

The intelligence he had previously obtained.

Fifth-rank aristocratic families possess the privilege of entering the Xuanling Realm.

The father is still trapped inside.

"Once the Seven Heart Begonia in my hand is refined into pills, the number of Golden Core cultivators will meet the requirements for advancing to the fifth rank."

Next.

These conditions include meritorious service to the imperial court and the family's spiritual lineage.

……

Inside a serene flower hall within the Luo family mansion, the aroma of tea wafted through the air. Fu Changsheng was exchanging pleasantries with Luo Haitang, thanking her for taking care of Yongxuan. Luo Haitang, as always, was forthright and generous, smiling and waving her hand, saying that Yongxuan's thoughtfulness was her good fortune.

Just then, a clear voice, filled with barely concealed joy, came from outside the hall:

"Father!"

Before the words were even finished, a figure gracefully swept into the hall—it was Fu Yongxuan. Dressed in the robes of the Luo family's Supreme Elder, her beauty remained unchanged, but her aura was vastly different. A harmonious and powerful spiritual pressure, far surpassing her former strength, naturally emanated from her, revealing that she had already reached the sixth level of the Golden Core stage! Her talent for the Myriad Spirits Body, under the Luo family's resource allocation and Luo Haitang's meticulous guidance, had been fully unleashed.

She strode up to Fu Changsheng, her eyes filled with affection and joy, and gave a graceful bow: "Daughter greets Father!"

A hint of surprise and pride flashed across Fu Changsheng's eyes. He raised his hand to help her up, saying, "Get up quickly. Not bad, not bad at all!" He nodded repeatedly, feeling gratified by the rapid progress of his daughter's cultivation and once again marveling at the extraordinary nature of the Myriad Spirits Body.

Luo Haitang smiled and said, "Yongxuan is a diligent and quick learner, and he has brought great honor to the Luo family. He recently broke through to the sixth level, which shocked many people."

Fu Yongxuan stood up and exchanged a few words of small talk with her father and adoptive mother. Then, her expression became more serious, and her tone turned earnest: "Father, you've come at the right time. I've been traveling recently and have heard some news from the Eastern Wilderness. I find it rather strange and was just looking for an opportunity to tell you." "Oh? What is it?" Fu Changsheng picked up his teacup, gesturing for her to continue.

“In the Eastern Wilderness, several tribes known for raising dragon-like spirit pets have recently suffered misfortune.” Fu Yongxuan frowned. “The spirit dragons and evil dragons that these tribes have raised for decades or even centuries have all been forcibly taken away by a group of mysterious people using various means. Some tribes had their mountain gates forcibly breached, while in others, the elders who guarded the spirit dragons mysteriously disappeared, along with the spirit dragons themselves… The methods were clean and efficient, leaving almost no clues, but the purpose was extremely clear: they were targeting those powerful dragon-like spirit beasts.”

She looked at Fu Changsheng with a hint of worry in her eyes: "I remember that you also raise a blue dragon, Father. Although it is not in the Eastern Wilderness, this matter is strange. You should be more careful."

Upon hearing this, Fu Changsheng paused slightly, a look of understanding and seriousness flashing in his eyes. He set down the teacup and nodded, "I understand. Thank you for informing me; I will keep it in mind." He pondered for a moment, then suddenly changed the subject, looking at Fu Yongxuan with a cautionary tone:

“Yongxuan, your cultivation is deepening day by day, and you have many opportunities to travel outside. But there is one place you must remember and never go near.”

"Where?" Fu Yongxuan asked curiously.

“Eastern Wilderness, Dragon Fallen Abyss.” Fu Changsheng slowly uttered the name, his voice lowered slightly, “I have recently heard some extremely secretive rumors that deep within Dragon Fallen Abyss, there may be… a real dragon trapped.”

"A true dragon?!" Fu Yongxuan and Luo Haitang beside him were both taken aback. A true dragon was a legendary creature, countless times more powerful and noble than a flood dragon!
Fu Yongxuan's eyes lit up instantly. Having a physique that naturally attracts all powerful spirit beasts, she almost blurted out, "Father, then we..."

"Don't even think about it." Fu Changsheng interrupted her directly, his expression unusually serious. "Even if the rumors are true, it is a trapped true dragon, which is far beyond what you and I can covet. The power of a true dragon far exceeds our imagination, and the place where it is trapped must be a place of great danger and peril. If we approach rashly, we may face annihilation."

He saw the fleeting eagerness in his daughter's eyes and emphasized, "Remember my words, never try it yourself! That's not an opportunity, it's a dead end."

Seeing her father's seriousness, Fu Yongxuan also restrained her thoughts and obediently nodded: "Daughter remembers, I will never go."

Seeing this, Fu Changsheng's expression softened slightly, but a deep light flashed in his eyes. He said calmly, "However, this news... might be 'unintentionally' known to those tribes in the Eastern Wilderness who are particularly interested in this kind of news. If they want to investigate, let them."

Fu Yongxuan and Luo Haitang were both intelligent people and immediately understood Fu Changsheng's meaning—to shift the blame and test the waters. This would satisfy their curiosity and allow them to investigate the true nature of the Fallen Dragon Abyss, while also transferring the risk to someone else.

"Father is brilliant." Fu Yongxuan smiled.

We gathered for a short while longer.

Just as Fu Changsheng was about to leave, Luo Haitang's beautiful eyes lit up, and with a sincere smile on her face, she stopped him, saying, "Patriarch Fu, please wait a moment."

Fu Changsheng stopped and looked at her with a hint of doubt.

Luo Haitang flicked her wrist, and a jade bottle appeared in her palm. A faint blue mist swirled around the bottle, emanating a cool and refreshing fragrance. She handed the bottle to Fu Changsheng and smiled:

"What Patriarch Fu said just now, regarding the secrets of the Fallen Dragon Abyss, is extremely valuable information for my Luo family. My Luo family has been stationed in the Eastern Wilderness for over a hundred years, and this information will be of great use to us."

She paused, then said in a relaxed tone, "This is the 'Sea Heart Barrier-Breaking Elixir,' which is quite helpful for breaking through minor hurdles below the sixth level of the Golden Core stage. However, for my current cultivation level, it's just a drop in the ocean, so keeping it is useless."

She pushed the jade bottle forward a little further, her smile bright and cheerful: "Since we are here today, I will present it to Patriarch Fu as a small token of my Luo family's gratitude and goodwill. Patriarch Fu, please do not refuse."

Upon hearing this, Fu Changsheng glanced at the bottle of spiritual liquid brimming with spiritual energy, then at Luo Haitang's sincere smile, and understood. This was Luo Haitang reciprocating his kindness, both to thank him for the important information and to further solidify the friendship between the two families forged through Yongxuan.

He smiled freely, without any pretense of refusal, and took the jade bottle: "Fairy Begonia is so kind, it would be impolite of me to refuse."

"You're too kind, Patriarch Fu." Luo Haitang's smile widened as she saw Fu Changsheng accept the gift. "Since our two families are related by marriage, there's no need for thanks. We should keep in touch more often in the future."

“Of course.” Fu Changsheng nodded, put away the jade bottle, and cupped his hands again. “In that case, I will take my leave.”

"Take care, Patriarch Fu." Luo Haitang and Fu Yongxuan saw him off together.

Watching Fu Changsheng's disappearing light, Luo Haitang smiled at Fu Yongxuan beside her and said, "Your father is truly a remarkable person. His cultivation is extraordinary, his knowledge is vast, and he handles matters with utmost care."

Fu Yongxuan smiled with pride, also happy that his father and adoptive mother got along so well. With that bottle of "Sea Heart Barrier-Breaking Elixir," his father would surely be able to break through to the fifth level of the Golden Core stage.

My father already possessed the combat power to slay a fake infant when he was at the fourth level of the Golden Core stage. When he breaks through to the late Golden Core stage one day, he will probably be the number one person below the Nascent Soul stage.

...

...

Inside the secret room of the Luo family in Qixia City, candlelight flickered.

A trusted elder of the Luo family handed a jade slip bearing a special mark to a man in black who was almost one with the shadows.

"Send this message to the Azure Dragon Tribe of the Eastern Wilderness through the most secretive channels. Make sure it appears as if it was leaked unintentionally, rather than as a deliberate transmission by my Luo family," the elder instructed in a low voice.

The man in black nodded silently, took the jade slip, and vanished like a wisp of smoke.

Several days later, in a noisy tavern on the outskirts of the Azure Dragon Tribe in the Eastern Wilderness.

Two drunken mercenaries are boasting about their recent "adventures".

"...Hey, let me tell you, that Dragon Fall Abyss...it's really weird!" A burly man with a full beard hiccuped as he lowered his voice, just enough for a few sharp-eared patrol members of the Azure Dragon Tribe at the next table to hear. "A few days ago...one of the fearless guys in our team...sneaked in to try and collect some Yin Sha Grass...guess what happened?"

His companion pressed on, "What happened? Did you run into another evil spirit?"

"What a load of nonsense!" The burly man waved his hand abruptly, his eyes filled with exaggerated fear and excitement. "He heard... a dragon's roar! A real dragon's roar! It came from the deepest part of the abyss... The sound... was old and painful... but the pressure was so terrifying it almost scared the shit out of him! He also saw... saw a fleeting glimpse... a huge golden dragon scale reflecting light! He scrambled back, half his soul gone, and he's still lying in bed talking nonsense!"

"You're kidding! There's a dragon in Dragonfall Abyss? And a golden one at that? That's a real dragon! It's been a legend for so many years, who has ever seen one?" His companion looked unconvinced.

"Believe it or not! Anyway... uh... I heard he wasn't the only one who heard it... it seems... it seems there's a big guy that's seriously injured... trapped down there..." The big man's voice grew softer and softer until finally his head lolled to the side and he slumped onto the table, "drunk" and passed out.

The members of the Azure Dragon Tribe at the next table exchanged a bewildered glance, their drunkenness instantly sobering them up. They dared not delay, immediately paying their bill and leaving, hastily reporting this fantastical yet horrifying news up the chain of command.

The message, after being passed through several intermediaries and embellished, became increasingly mysterious and unpredictable, eventually reaching the core council of elders of the tribe.

"Absurd!" an elder scoffed. "It must be a trick by those fire-wielding bastards from the Vermilion Bird Tribe! They want to lure us to our deaths in the Dragon Fall Abyss! Who doesn't know that place is a death trap? Even Nascent Soul cultivators who venture deep there never return!"

“But… the reports from below are very clear, and recently several mercenaries and exploration teams have indeed gone missing or gone mad near the abyss…” Another elder was more cautious.

The meeting was deadlocked, and the news was eventually brought before the tribe's supreme ruler, Chief Azure Dragon.

The Azure Dragon Chieftain was tall and imposing, his face bearing the dignified air of someone long accustomed to a high position, yet also a hint of barely concealed ferocity. The spiritual pressure emanating from him, at the Pseudo-Nascent Soul stage, was like a volcano about to erupt, restless and powerful. As he listened to the elder's report, especially upon hearing words like "severely injured true dragon," "golden dragon scales," and "trapped at the bottom of the abyss," his deep eyes suddenly flashed with a terrifying light!
He suddenly stood up from the throne covered with a complete dragon skin, his fingers trembling slightly with excitement.

"A real dragon...it's actually a real dragon?! And it's severely injured and trapped?" His voice was hoarse with extreme excitement. "Heaven is helping me! It's truly heaven helping me!"

His cultivation of the "Dragon Devouring Technique" had reached a bottleneck. If he could obtain the blood of a true dragon to assist him, his success rate in forming his Nascent Soul would increase by more than 50%! This was the opportunity he had been dreaming of!
"Prepare the carriage immediately! This chieftain will personally go to Dragonfall Abyss to confirm!" He almost roared the order, his ambition and desire burning his reason.

"Chief, please reconsider!" The elder who had previously voiced his opposition immediately stepped forward and urgently advised, "The Dragon Abyss is infamous, and that's no exaggeration! This matter is too suspicious. The timing of this news is too suspicious; it's highly likely that it's a trap set by the Vermilion Bird Tribe! You are of noble birth; how can you risk your life?"

"Yes, Chief! Even if the news is true, the dragon, though wounded, is still far beyond our comprehension. If we rush there rashly, we may only bring harm upon ourselves!"

"Chief, please put the tribe first!"

The elders all knelt down to dissuade them.

"Shut up, all of you!" Chief Azure Dragon roared, his fake infant's aura instantly enveloping the entire hall, causing all the elders to gasp in horror. His face wore an almost manic, obsessive arrogance.
"A trap? Hmph! Even if it's a trap, what do I, the chieftain, have to fear? What can those useless trash from the Vermilion Bird Tribe do to me?"

"The might of a true dragon? If it were at its peak, this chieftain would naturally retreat! But since it is severely injured and trapped, it is an unparalleled opportunity bestowed upon this chieftain by heaven! It is only right that I offer my dragon blood on the path to Nascent Soul!"

He glanced at the kneeling elders, his eyes filled with disdain: "This chieftain's lifespan is nearing its end. This is my last chance! No matter what, this chieftain must go and see it with my own eyes!"

He paused, a sly and arrogant smile spreading across his face, as if victory was already assured:

"As for the risks... you need not worry. If the information is accurate, I, the chieftain, will personally go to the Wilderness King's Court to ask my great-aunt, who is now an elder of the court, to come out of seclusion! With her mid-Nascent Soul cultivation in charge, even if that true dragon still has some strength, what waves can it stir up? At that time, the blood of the true dragon will belong to me, and since that true dragon is full of treasures, my great-aunt and the tribe will naturally also benefit!"

He seemed to already see himself bathing in dragon blood, achieving Nascent Soul in one fell swoop, and then leading the Azure Dragon tribe to annex the Vermilion Bird and dominate the Eastern Wilderness.

"This matter need not be discussed further!"

He made his decision with a wave of his hand, leaving no room for argument.

"Someone come here!" His deep voice echoed in the hall.

A blurry figure emerged from the shadows of the corner like a ghost, kneeling on one knee, its aura almost imperceptible. This was his shadow guard, his personal bodyguard.

"Go, 'invite' a few 'lucky ones' who recently returned from near Dragonfall Abyss." The Azure Dragon Chieftain's voice was icy. "No matter what method they use, this chieftain needs to know what they saw and heard. It needs to be quick, and... clean."

"Yes." The shadow guard's voice was dry and hoarse, devoid of any emotional fluctuation. His figure flickered and disappeared back into the shadows, as if he had never been there.

In the following days, within the territory of the Azure Dragon Tribe, the camps or residences of several mercenary groups and small expedition teams were attacked by a mysterious force. The target was clear: only those who had recently returned from the direction of Dragonfall Abyss and whose behavior was unusual or who were the subject of related rumors. Those who resisted were to be killed without exception; a climate of fear and unease gripped the area.

The news was strictly kept under wraps within a very small circle of the tribe's upper echelons.

Several days later, a blood-stained secret report was presented to the Azure Dragon Chieftain. It detailed the fragmented memories extracted from the minds of those "lucky ones" through brutal methods such as soul-searching and torture—distorted and terrifying dragon roars, fleeting glimpses of enormous golden scales, suffocating oppressive power, and bone-deep fear…

Although everyone's memories are vague and chaotic, and filled with strong subjective fear, all the fragments, when pieced together, vaguely point to the same astonishing fact: deep within the Dragon Abyss, there is indeed an extremely terrifying life form whose characteristics are highly consistent with those of the legendary dragon, and whose state seems to be extremely unstable.

"Hahaha! Heaven is on my side! It really is true!" Chief Qinglong gripped the secret report, trembling with excitement, his last trace of doubt vanishing. He even automatically ignored the immense terror contained within those fragmented memories, extracting only the information that was beneficial to him.

Having confirmed the news, the next step was to find a force strong enough to quell the situation. Although he was arrogant, he also knew that even a weakened camel is bigger than a horse, and a severely wounded true dragon was not something he, a mere novice, could easily handle.

"Prepare gifts! Bring the three-thousand-year-old 'Blood Dragon Ginseng' from the storeroom, and the box of 'Fire Refined Gold' we plundered from the Vermilion Bird Tribe last time!" Chief Azure Dragon shouted, full of vigor. "This chieftain will personally go to the Wilderness King's Court to pay my respects to my great-aunt!"

His face beamed with a confident smile: "My great-aunt has been stuck at the mid-Nascent Soul stage for a long time. With the help of a True Dragon artifact, she might be able to break through the bottleneck and reach a higher level! She will definitely not refuse such a great gift!"

...

...

The capital of the Eastern Wilderness, like a slumbering ancient beast, lies prostrate on the vast land. Its city walls soar into the clouds, and the walls are not made of ordinary bricks and stones, but of a huge obsidian that shimmers with a metallic luster and is engraved with countless mysterious runes, exuding a terrifyingly powerful and ancient aura.

Chief Qinglong put away his luxurious carriage with its eight dragon horses and boarded a relatively understated flying artifact—a shuttle-shaped flying boat, entirely dark blue and shaped like dragon scales. Even so, as he piloted the flying boat closer to the enormous city gate that resembled a gaping heavenly gate, he still felt as insignificant as a speck of dust.

The eight city gates correspond to the eight directions, each one magnificent enough to accommodate dozens of carriages traveling side by side. At this moment, long queues have formed outside the city gates, with cultivators, merchants, and envoys from various tribes of the Eastern Wilderness waiting in an orderly fashion for entry inspection.

Chief Qinglong toned down his arrogance from his time in the tribe, parked his flying boat in the designated area, and obediently joined the end of the line. His gaze swept over the guards entrenched at the city gates, and a chill ran through him.

These guards were clad in standard spirit armor, expressionless, with eyes as sharp as eagles, and the spiritual pressure emanating from them was clearly that of the Nascent Soul Realm! Moreover, their aura was condensed and profound, far surpassing that of ordinary tribes' Nascent Soul Realm members, clearly indicating that they were elites who had undergone rigorous selection and training.

What shocked him even more was that on either side of each city gate lay a terrifying beast, as large as a mountain and of various shapes! Some resembled giant lions, their manes like burning flames; some were like black tortoises, their shells naturally covered with Bagua diagrams; some were like winged tigers, their fangs bared and gleaming with cold light... They seemed to be dozing, but the pressure they unintentionally emitted enveloped the entire city gate area as if it were a tangible force, making all those queuing feel breathless and their souls tremble.

Nascent Soul level demonic beasts! And there's more than one!
Chief Qinglong secretly gasped, his previously inflated ego due to his sudden surge in strength instantly subsided. Before this royal capital, he, a tribal chief with only a Nascent Soul cultivation, was utterly insignificant.

Just then, a beam of light descended directly from the most magnificent city gate on the north side, without queuing. The guards, instead of stopping it, bowed in unison. As the light faded, three extraordinary figures were revealed. They didn't deliberately exude pressure, but their boundless aura, perfectly integrated with heaven and earth, filled all the cultivators who sensed them with awe.

"Nascent Soul True Monarch!" A suppressed whisper rang out from the group.

The three Nascent Soul True Monarchs didn't even glance at the queue of people. With indifferent expressions, they passed through a special passage under the respectful guidance of a guard leader and disappeared into the light curtain inside the city gate in an instant.

Chief Qinglong watched in disbelief, his throat dry. A Nascent Soul cultivator was an ancestor-level figure in his Qinglong tribe, requiring the entire tribe to offer sacrifices; yet here, they seemed commonplace.

He couldn't help but recall the ancient records of the tribe: the capital of the Eastern Wilderness was as deep as the sea, a place where dragons and tigers lurked. The Nascent Soul stage was not the pinnacle; within the deep palaces, forbidden gardens, and secret sect grounds, there were even Nascent Soul cultivators who had surpassed the Nascent Soul stage, cultivating in seclusion!

A Nascent Soul cultivator... that's someone who has truly touched the laws of heaven and earth, a veritable immortal on earth! A single breath from them could probably destroy countless fake infants like him.

The thought of potentially alarming such a being caused the Azure Dragon Chieftain's heart, which had been burning with excitement due to the news of the true dragon, to feel as if it had been doused with ice water. His arrogance vanished completely, replaced by an unprecedented level of caution and even... awe.

He took a deep breath, trying to appear more humble and unassuming. Here, he was no longer the powerful tribal chief who could command the wind and rain, but simply a "countryside relative" who had come to see his elders with a special purpose.

The procession moved slowly forward, and finally it was his turn. Two fake infants stepped forward, their eyes scanning him and his flying boat with lightning speed.

"Name, origin, purpose of entering the city." The guard's voice was cold and formulaic, carrying an unquestionable authority.

Chief Qinglong bowed quickly, trying to make his tone as respectful as possible: "I am Ao Cang, chief of the Qinglong tribe. I have come to the royal court to request an audience with my great-aunt, Elder Ao Qing. This is my identity token and visiting card." He presented the token he had prepared in advance and a visiting card made of extremely fine materials, exuding a faint fragrance of ambergris.

The guard took the token, carefully examined it, and then looked at Elder Ao Qing's name and mark on the visiting card. His cold expression softened slightly.

"So you're Elder Ao's clansman." The guard returned the token to him. "According to the rules, flying boats must be stored in storage artifacts and entered the city on foot. Unauthorized flying within the city is prohibited, and violators will be severely punished."

"Yes, yes, I understand. I would never dare to disobey the rules of the capital." Chief Qinglong replied repeatedly, carefully putting away the flying boat.

The guard then used a magic mirror to examine him, confirming that he was not carrying any prohibited items or concealing his presence, before waving him away: "Go in. Elder Ao's residence is in the West District; you can go there on your own."

(End of this chapter)