From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 252 A careless word leads to the destruction of one's clan's protectors.

Yang Zhen's news quickly spread throughout Yuanli County.

His appointment as a celestial official in the government office was due to the last selection of celestial officials, which was only seven or eight years ago, and everyone still remembers his name.

The death of a young celestial official was met with regret by all, who lamented that "heaven is jealous of talent."

With Yang Zhen's spiritual root and status, he is bound to have a bright future.

Unfortunately, he died in his early twenties, his cultivation path cut short.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Ru'an Mountain.

Xu Yiqing heard about Yang Zhen's murder.

"It's really weird."

He was puzzled, feeling that something was amiss.

A few months ago, Yang Zhen's father came to him, saying he wanted to go to Gu Nan City to find Yang Zhen.

I don't know what happened after that.

The next time he heard news of Yang Zhen, it was that he had died in the desolate mountains.

"How could the government send a spirit official with a strong earth elemental root, whom they painstakingly selected, to a dangerous place? Yang Zhen is several years younger than me, only twenty-four or twenty-five years old..."

Xu Yiqing thought to himself, "What a pity."

With Yang Zhen's aptitude and potential, this is the period when his cultivation level is rapidly improving.

We should at least wait until he's in the mid- or late-stage Foundation Establishment phase before carrying out the mission; how can we let him die like this?

"It seems that having good spiritual roots is not necessarily a good thing. The most important thing in cultivation is to live long enough. As long as you live, even if your cultivation progresses slowly, you can still reach a higher realm."

While lamenting Yang Zhen's death, Xu Yiqing also sensed something amiss.

But he couldn't figure out exactly what was wrong.

Given his age and experience, he never imagined that the celestial official of the government office would be possessed by someone as soon as he arrived at the government office.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Ancient Nancheng.

The sacred site of the Wuma family.

Yang Zhen, also known as Wuma Haoqian, practiced a secret technique to change his appearance and physique, thus returning to his original form.

To be precise, it's just a face that looks a lot like my old face, but even more handsome.

He was only fifteen or sixteen years old when he possessed the body, and his appearance and physique were not yet fully formed. He did not know what he would look like as an adult in his twenties.

At this time, the Wuma family was holding an internal debate on magic and philosophy.

Don't underestimate this competition just because it's an internal family contest; the rewards are so generous that they could drive any Foundation Establishment cultivator in the outside world crazy.

The Wuma family is a Golden Core family that has been developing for ten thousand years. It is one of the top five families in the ancient southern city. The strength and foundation of its family are unimaginable to ordinary families. Even a Golden Core family like the Tuoba family is far inferior to the Wuma family.

Because of the large number of people in the tribe, some important resources can only be awarded to those who perform well.

This competition is to select the most talented young members of the clan as a reward.

The requirement for participation is that participants must be under thirty years old, and the competition is divided into two levels: Qi Refining Stage and Foundation Establishment Stage.

The difference in strength between Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment is too great; there is no need for them to compete against each other.

The rewards differ between the two levels; the rewards for combat during the Foundation Establishment stage are much more generous.

Inside the arena formation.

Wuma Haoqian, full of vigor, bowed before the battle: "I am Wuma Haoqian, please give me your guidance."

He had already won one game.

Returning to the Wuma family would allow him to participate in the clan's internal magical combat competition; otherwise, he wouldn't be qualified. The rewards within the clan were far better than the treatment of a celestial official in the government office.

In the government office, not every person with a strong earth elemental root can advance to the Golden Core stage.

Within the Wuma family, those with Earth Spiritual Roots are almost guaranteed to break through to the Golden Core Realm, and may even reach the mid-Golden Core or late-Golden Core stage. This is the foundation of a great family.

"My name is Wuma Xuanling. Please enlighten me. I've never heard of you before. You won beautifully just now."

They were all young members of the clan, and the duel was a friendly competition that was not too brutal, so they had time to chat.

Those who can reach the Foundation Establishment stage at a young age are all well-known in the Wuma family. However, none of the participants in this magical contest, nor the onlookers, had ever heard of Wuma Haoqian.

"My parents are very strict. I had been in seclusion for several years before, and I only came out to participate in this competition."

Wuma Haoqian made up an excuse for himself.

"Ok."

After this incident, Wuma Haoqian became famous within the clan.

The two began their battle.

Wu Ma Haoqian had just advanced to the third level of Foundation Establishment, one level higher than his opponent.

He wielded a heavy sword that was over ten feet long and as wide as a door panel, possessing immense power.

The opponent is a Foundation Establishment Level 2 cultivator, a sword-controlling cultivator, capable of controlling three flying swords simultaneously.

The fighting styles of cultivators who wield heavy swords and those who control flying swords are completely different.

The heavy sword moves straight and powerfully.

The flying sword is small and exquisite, and its trajectory is unpredictable.

The two sides fought back and forth, a dazzling display of skill. The onlookers gasped in amazement, exclaiming how thrilling it was.

In the end, Wuma Haoqian won easily, protected by his armor and magical artifacts, and was not afraid of the flying swords.

The opponent also had a protective magical artifact, but it couldn't withstand the power of the heavy sword more than a few times.

Even among the Wuma family, there aren't many cultivators under the age of thirty who have reached the Foundation Establishment stage; most are at the early Foundation Establishment stage.

With Wuma Haoqian's strength, there are only one or two people who can match him.

The contest of skills continued.

Its brilliance far surpasses that of the selection of celestial officials by the government office.

In the final battle, Wuma Haoqian fought fiercely with his opponent, ultimately winning by a narrow margin.

Having won first place in this magical contest, Wuma Haoqian's fame soared.

He no longer needs to worry about the resources needed to break through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage; the reward for winning this competition is enough to allow him to easily advance to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"It feels so good to be back with my family."

Wu Ma Haoqian received the reward and returned to his residence.

"Who?"

Behind him, someone was following at a distance.

He realized he was being followed and turned around.

"Tianlin?"

It was his friend, Fan Tianlin.

However, this "friend" is someone who is actually Yang Zhen's friend.

"Let's go somewhere where no one is around to talk."

With a cold expression, Fan Tianlin and the other man arrived at a secluded spot.

"Aren't you being a bit too hasty? It's only been a few years! Can't you wait until your loved ones have passed away and your reputation has faded before returning to the family? If you do this, everyone in Yuanli County will know about it. What will become of you then?"

Fan Tianlin came to question him. Wuma Haoqian's return was too hasty and easily aroused suspicion.

"Sigh, I didn't want to either, but his family is so difficult to get along with, I can't stand it. Unlike you, you come from a family of cultivators, it's much easier for you than for me."

Wu Mahaoqian felt that Fan Tianlin was talking without understanding the situation.

He was suffering terribly in the government office, which is why he wanted to fake his death and escape as soon as possible.

"Now that things are easy for you, have you thought about what will happen to me?"

Of the two celestial officials from Yuanli County to the prefectural government office, Yang Zhen is dead, leaving only Fan Tianlin.

"Don't worry, you won't be found out."

Wu Ma Haoqian comforted her.

"..."

Fan Tianlin knew he couldn't do anything about it; he was just venting his frustrations. With Yang Zhen in trouble, his status made him even more vulnerable to being mistreated.

How have you been lately?

He chatted with Wuma Haoqian.

"It's great. Using a secret method to transform into this appearance gives me status and prestige in the family. I don't have to hide it anymore. It's wonderful."

"..."

The two chatted idly for a while, and Fan Tianlin felt envious of Wu Mahaoqian.

Recently, Fan Kongye sent him a message via a talisman, telling him to go back home more often.

Fan Kongye's time is running out; he only has a few years left to live.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Soon after.

Yuanli County, the towering Ling Mountain.

Unable to refuse, Fan Tianlin returned to visit his great-grandfather, Fan Kongye, the head of the Fan family.

As he approached the end of his life, Fan Kongye aged rapidly, growing older every year.

His hair was completely white, his vital energy was depleted, and his cultivation level had regressed from the ninth level of Foundation Establishment to the eighth level, and was still declining.

After visiting his family for two days, Fan Tianlin prepared to say goodbye and leave.

Fan Kongye saw him off.

"Tianlin, do you still remember this hill? I taught you swordsmanship here when you were a child."

Fan Kongye recalled with deep emotion, pointing to a mountain peak.

“Great-grandfather, of course I remember.”

"..."

Fan Kongye paused for a moment, then chuckled a few times: "Thinking back to how you used to be, you were really cute, funny, and a little mischievous."

His eyes were unfocused, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

What I just said was a test.

The information about the government offices and the imperial court came from rumors he had heard long ago.

He didn't believe it at the time.

But Fan Tianlin's unusual behavior after becoming a celestial official stirred up his memories. The more he thought about it, the more suspicious everything seemed.

Especially the recent death of Yang Zhen made him realize something was amiss.

After testing him just now, he was even more certain that the Fan Tianlin in front of him was not his great-grandson.

The person who taught Fan Tianlin swordsmanship was not Fan Kongye, but Fan Tianlin's grandfather.

So, who is the person in front of you?

Fan Kongye fell into deep thought.

Did he possess Fan Tianlin's body? Or was he a powerful cultivator reincarnated and starting anew?
Fan Kongye didn't know the specific reason, let alone why "Fan Tianlin" would come back.

The secret behind his ability to transform into Fan Tianlin so quietly should not be underestimated.

"Great-grandfather, next year will be your 250th birthday. I will come back on time to celebrate with you."

As they parted, Fan Tianlin said this.

"Hey~~"

Fan Kongye gave a perfunctory reply, and as he watched Fan Tianlin turn and fly away, he suddenly spoke up: "Tianlin, wait a minute."

"What's wrong, Great-Grandpa? Is there anything else you want to say?"

"..."

Fan Kongye looked at the person before him, wondering why he was putting on such a convincing act. But he was nearing the end and didn't want to die so confusedly.

Can you tell me the truth?

He spoke slowly.

"What truth?"

"Your identity."

Upon hearing these four words, Fan Tianlin's expression changed drastically.

He was Wuma Chenyang, who had possessed Fan Tianlin's body. With his cultivation at the third level of Foundation Establishment, the old and frail Fan Kongye could kill him with a flick of his hand.

For many years, he has felt guilty.

Even though Wuma Boyi told him that this was the rule of the cultivation world: top families enjoy resources from the lower classes, and it has been so since ancient times.

Seeing that his plan had been exposed, Fan Tianlin feared that Fan Kongye would harm him, so he turned to flee.

"Wait a minute~~"

Fan Kongye showed no intention of making a move: "I just want to know the truth, I won't hurt you."

It wasn't that he was suddenly kind-hearted; rather, he knew that Fan Tianlin must be someone he couldn't afford to offend.

Fan Tianlin, still shaken, retreated to a distance, his eyes filled with barely suppressed fear: "Clan Chief Fan, it's not that I intended to deceive you, but rather that I need this identity."

"You need the identity of a celestial official in the government office? Why?"

Fan Kongye misunderstood.

"No, it's because my possession of another body cannot be exposed."

Seize the body?

Fan Kongye gleaned the key information from his words and exclaimed, "Is it for the spiritual root? Indeed, the aptitude of the earth spiritual root is truly enviable."

He lived to be 250 years old and was very knowledgeable.

He had a deeper understanding of the rarity of earth spirit roots.

When the Fan family was born with their spiritual root, he felt not only joy but also deep worry, fearing it might not be a blessing for the Fan family. In the early years, he deliberately kept Fan Tianlin's spiritual root a secret from the Fan family.

"What was your identity before you possessed that body?"

he asked.

"..."

Wuma Chenyang remained silent for a long time before whispering, "Clan Chief Fan, do you really want to know?"

"Yes, I promise I won't hold a grudge. When a person is about to die, they just want to die knowing why."

"Since that's the case, then I'll tell you. I used to be a member of the Wuma family, and I don't have any spiritual roots."

Wuma Chenyang was young and felt guilty towards the Fan family, so he spoke up.

His words, however, brought even greater trouble to the Fan family.

The Wuma family?!
Fan Kongye stood there, stunned. What level of family was this?

The Fan family was one of the top Foundation Establishment families in Yuanli County, but in front of the Wuma family, they were like cats and dogs in front of an elephant.

The Wuma family, without any members with spiritual roots, possessed Fan Tianlin, who had an earth spiritual root.

"Hu~~"

Fan Kongye let out a long breath. With such a disparity in family power, it was no wonder that Fan Tianlin's earth spirit root was coveted.

No one knows what methods the other party used to steal the earth's spiritual root without anyone noticing.

"You can go now. From now on, you can be Fan Tianlin, or you can be yourself, it's up to you."

Fan Kongye waved his hand.

"..."

Wuma Chenyang gave Fan Kongye a deep look, then turned and flew away. He had no experience in handling such matters and couldn't understand why Fan Kongye was so magnanimous in the face of the murderer who killed his clansmen.

If it were him, he would definitely kill the murderer who possessed his clansmen without hesitation to avenge them.

However, he now faces another problem: Prefect Lin Shengping has instructed him that his identity must not be exposed.

Now that he's been exposed, what should we do?
He didn't know what to do, so he could only tell his grandfather, Wuma Boyi.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

A few days later.

Late at night, on the towering Ling Mountain.

Fan Kongye stared blankly at the night sky, gazing at the countless stars.

"Clan Chief Fan~"

A sudden voice appeared in Fan Kongye's mind.

He abruptly turned his head and gazed into the distance. This person's cultivation level was unfathomable; he must be a Golden Core cultivator, and one of the most advanced among them.

"Come~"

The man called to him.

Facing a Golden Core cultivator, Fan Kongye did not disobey and followed the man's divine sense to fly away from the Ten Thousand Ren Spirit Mountain.

It wasn't until he reached a remote place dozens of miles away that Fan Kongye saw the person ahead shrouded in a layer of dark clouds.

"Xiao Xiu Fan Kongye greets Senior."

"Do you know who I am?"

The person's voice came from the clouds, and it was not disguised.

"Who are you?!"

Fan Kongye had just guessed that it was a Golden Core cultivator from the Wuma family, but he remembered this voice; it belonged to Lin Shengping, the current Prefect of Zhennan Prefecture!

Could it be?

The possession was even orchestrated with the involvement of the Prefect?!
"Your Excellency the Prefect?"

His voice trembled, as if he had seen the sky collapse.

The Fan family has never done anything outrageous in its development. He is currently the deputy director of the Demon Subduing Division of Yuanli County, having risen through the ranks step by step. There were other celestial officials in the Fan family before him.

Why would the prefect be involved in the possession of his great-grandson?
"You're the one who discovered the Wuma family brat?"

Lin Shengping did not show himself, but spoke from within the dark clouds.

"Yes, yes, I discovered it by accident."

Fan Kongye's voice trembled; he had only one thought at that moment: to save the Fan family.

He had previously let Wuma Chenyang go, thinking it was wise not to offend the Wuma family. But he didn't know that simply knowing this secret would bring him enormous trouble.

"Did you tell someone?"

"No, no, absolutely not. I am the only one in the Fan family who knows about this. I haven't told anyone else."

Fan Kongye did not tell anyone.

"Then you know what to do?"

"..."

After hesitating for a few moments, Fan Kongye said repeatedly, "I know. I am willing to offer my soul for you to search, to prove that I have not told anyone about the Wuma family."

After speaking, Fan Kongye unleashed his divine soul secret technique.

He has a secret method to protect his soul, ensuring that he is not subjected to soul-searching.

But now, he is willing to cut himself off from the world and offer up his soul.

He was going to die anyway, so it was worth it for him to protect the Fan family with his own life.

A wisp of his soul flew out from his sea of ​​consciousness, and his body fell from the sky.

With his Foundation Establishment cultivation, he certainly couldn't achieve the separation of his soul from his body. It was clear that his soul was about to dissipate and be absorbed and searched by Lin Shengping.

In fact, Lin Shengping did not intend to kill Fan Kongye.

Given the power of the Fan family, he wouldn't be ruthless enough to exterminate such a stable and large family.

He needed to maintain order in Zhennan Prefecture, and families like the Fan family were crucial to that.

He could spare Fan Kongye's life as long as Fan Kongye could guarantee he wouldn't reveal the secret. Of course, the risk was that he would keep a close eye on the Fan family, and if the news leaked out, the Fan family would be in danger.

Lin Shengping digested Fan Kongye's soul and confirmed that he had not sent the message out.

This secret ends here.

The secret of the Lin family's body-snatching formation, though called a secret, is actually known to quite a few people.

Similar exposures have occurred repeatedly.

However, no one dared to tell anyone.

This incident proves why. No one dares to reveal this secret unless they want to die. It concerns their own fate and that of their family; the more people who know, the more people will die.

Lin Shengping only needs to ensure that the selection of immortal officials in Zhennan Prefecture is operating normally, and that a continuous stream of people with earth spirit roots are selected for the prefectural office.

Next, Lin Shengping needs to find a reasonable explanation for Fan Kongye and Fan Tianlin's situation.

This was the most troublesome thing for him.

As for what the Fan family might speculate about afterward, we can only let them be, as long as they don't know the secret of the Body-Seizing Array.

Fan Kongye's situation is easy to explain; given his age, he died of old age.

Wuma Chenyang will not return to the Fan family; he will also return to the Wuma family.

(End of this chapter)