From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 278 A Century-Old Feud

"She possesses celestial plants, as well as countless spirit stones and elixirs..."

Yan Yijin lingered and hesitated at the entrance of the cave.

He coveted Liu Rushi's resources, but dared not act rashly.

This decision is crucial, as it will determine the course of his future life.

Killing Liu Rushi means he will never be able to return to Zhennan Prefecture.

Liu Rushi and all his subordinates are dead. If he is the only one alive, no matter what he did, his fate is destined to be grim. It's not up to the Prince of Zhennan to deal with him; if Zhao Wuji knew, he wouldn't let him live.

The Qian Yuan Immortal Dynasty is very large, with thirty-seven other prefectures besides Zhennan Prefecture.

Yan Yijin could live in seclusion in another place under an assumed name.

However, he has family, and his descendants live in a first-tier spiritual land in the ancient southern city.

He had few members in his clan. His first wife was a Qi Refining cultivator who failed to reach the Foundation Establishment stage and died decades ago. He never remarried. He had about a hundred blood relatives among his descendants.

"If I don't show up, it will be as if I died with Liu Rushi in the desolate mountains. My children and grandchildren will be fine. It's just that I will never see them again."

Yan Yijin considered the consequences of betraying Liu Rushi.

They left their hometowns, changed their names, and could no longer see their families.

Is this a big price to pay?

How does it compare to the opportunity of achieving the Golden Elixir?
In the blink of an eye, Yan Yijin made a comparison: without a doubt, he wanted the Golden Core!
He believed that no Foundation Establishment cultivator could resist the temptation of a Golden Core opportunity; the price of "not being able to see family" was too small.

Reaching the Golden Core Realm and becoming a Golden Core True Person extends one's lifespan to five hundred years, granting them a revered status respected by everyone in the cultivation world...

"The difference between Foundation Establishment and Golden Core is too great."

Over the years, he had been at Liu Rushi's beck and call, acting like a servant to her, all in an effort to climb the social ladder and become the powerful Prince of Zhennan.

However, as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he had no presence in front of the Prince of Zhennan, and even if he met the Prince of Zhennan, he would not be given a second glance.

He was disheartened and had long since resigned himself to his fate, only wanting to follow Liu Rushi to gain more resources and benefits to leave for his clansmen and future generations.

"If I were a Golden Core cultivator, everything would be different."

"When I first followed Liu Rushi, she was still a Qi Refining cultivator. I followed her like a servant, obeying her orders. In just over ten years, she has already reached the ninth level of Foundation Establishment."

Why? Why?!

Yan Yijin believed that Liu Rushi had only managed to "seduce" the Prince of Zhennan by practicing demonic charm techniques, which led the Prince to invest resources in her.

The resources consumed by someone with four mixed spiritual roots reaching the ninth level of Foundation Establishment at such a young age are unimaginable.

Actually, if Liu Rushi isn't in a hurry, the Prince of Zhennan will give her the opportunity to obtain a Golden Elixir in a few years.

She was too impatient; upon hearing that there was a chance to obtain a Golden Core in the Desolate Marsh Mountains, she brought Zhao Wuji with her.

It is precisely this disparity that has led Yan Yijin to lack loyalty to Liu Rushi over the years, driven only by distorted self-esteem and jealousy.

"Can't wait any longer..."

He realized he could no longer hesitate.

Giving the two more time to recover increases Yan Yijin's risk of failure.

Taking advantage of Liu Rushi's injury and severe damage at the eighth level of Foundation Establishment, this was the perfect opportunity for him to betray and launch a sneak attack.

"For the Golden Elixir!"

He made up his mind and went into the cave.

Looking back on his life, he seized every opportunity to climb the social ladder, betraying when necessary, being ruthless when required, and humbling himself when necessary...

It hasn't been easy to get to where we are today.

"Old Yan, didn't I tell you to guard the cave entrance? What are you doing coming in?"

Liu Rushi was healing her injuries when she noticed Yan Yijin approaching. Startled awake, she rolled her eyes reproachfully, looking impatient.

Yan Yijin bowed and said, "This old servant remembered that there is a second-grade Spring Breeze Pill in my storage pouch, so I came to offer it to Your Majesty."

"No, I have it."

Spring Breeze Pill is the finest of the second-grade healing pills, and one pill is worth ten thousand spirit stones.

Liu Rushi had no shortage of this kind of elixir.

"I apologize for disturbing you, I will take my leave now."

Yan Yijin slowly retreated.

Liu Rushi closed her eyes again and began to heal her injuries.

The moment she lowered her guard, Yan Yijin pointed his fingers like a sword, and white sword energy burst forth from his fingertips, shooting towards Liu Rushi's lower abdomen.

"Oh!"

Liu Rushi was, after all, at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment, and her dantian and spiritual platform were solid and could not be easily destroyed. However, she was currently circulating her energy to heal her injuries, and her protective spiritual garment had already been shattered. She had been ambushed, and her dantian had violently trembled.

"Pfft~~"

Her spiritual energy surged backward, raging through Liu Rushi's meridians. She spat out a mouthful of blood, opened her eyes, and exclaimed in horror, "Old Yan, you?!"

Yan Yijin's eyes were filled with cold killing intent. He unleashed the "Two Elements Sword Finger Technique," his hands unleashing a barrage of sword energy that shot towards Liu Rushi's vital points.

The Foundation Establishment Stage 8 cultivator next to him, who was seriously injured but had taken a elixir to stabilize his condition, was awakened.

"Yan Yijin, what are you doing? Stop it!"

"Noisy!"

Yan Yijin shifted his target, his sword energy flying towards his companion at the eighth level of Foundation Establishment. In his view, this person posed a greater threat than Liu Rushi, who was at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment.

The man was too badly injured; he couldn't withstand more than a few sword strikes before the sword energy pierced through his forehead.

Next up is Liu Rushi.

Liu Rushi's injuries were not serious. After all, she was at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment. Even if her combat ability was not strong, she would not be a lamb to the slaughter. She was favored by the Prince of Zhennan and had many treasures to protect her life.

"You dog of a lackey, how dare you kill your master after eating the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard?"

She cursed under her breath as she took out several life-saving talismans from her storage pouch. These talismans were quite powerful, possessing the lethality of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"I am a slave? Then what about you? You are nothing but the plaything of the Prince of Zhennan."

A burst of light shone from Yan Yijin's body.

The light faded, revealing the armor he was wearing.

"Golden Light Spirit Armor" is the most precious armor-type spirit weapon among defensive spirit weapons, and it is a high-grade spirit weapon. Originally, it was a reward that Liu Rushi gave to Yan Yijin before coming to the Desolate Marsh Mountains, in recognition of Yan Yijin's loyal service to her for more than ten years.

The superior-grade spiritual artifact she bestowed upon Yan Yijin was used against her in return.

In an instant, the energy fluctuations from the talisman erupted in the narrow cave and intertwined with the dense, rain-like white sword energy.

Rumble rumble~~
Rocks crumbled, the mountain collapsed, rocks and soil flew everywhere, and dust billowed.

Yan Yijin and Liu Rushi flew out of the collapsed cave and continued their fierce battle.

Moments later, Liu Rushi, who was at a disadvantage, turned and fled.

After using up several protective talismans, she was no match for Yan Yijin.

"Shhhhhh!"

The white sword energy relentlessly pursued Liu Rushi.

Finally, a sword aura pierced through Liu Rushi's dantian from behind.

The little spiritual energy remaining in his body flowed out like deflated air.

Liu Rushi's flight became unsteady, and she wobbled and plummeted towards the ground. Knowing she wouldn't survive, she took out a communication talisman from her storage pouch.

Unfortunately, using the communication talisman takes time, and she didn't have time to activate it before a sword aura pierced through the talisman in her hand.

"Want to send a message? Heh."

Yan Yijin would never allow her to pass messages to others.

He put away Liu Rushi's storage pouch and turned her body into ashes.

He successfully assassinated Liu Rushi, but he was also greatly exhausted and injured. The talismans Liu Rushi used to save her life were quite powerful, almost breaking through Yan Yijin's golden spiritual armor.

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.

At this moment, on Liuli Mountain.

Xu Zhongxu is currently engaged in a battle of wits with a Foundation Establishment level eight cultivator from the Baiyue Immortal Dynasty.

The Xu family members had been hiding in a cave on the outskirts of Liuli Mountain, hoping to leave when there were fewer enemies outside.

During this period, there were constant reports of battles taking place outside.

Battles raged on all sides. Golden Core cultivators clashed with Golden Core cultivators, Foundation Establishment cultivators clashed with Foundation Establishment cultivators... magical fluctuations were everywhere.

Amidst the chaos, the Xu family noticed that most people were heading deeper into Liuli Mountain. Taking advantage of the fact that there were few people around, they decided to leave Liuli Mountain.

As soon as they appeared, they were discovered by a Foundation Establishment Level 8 cultivator from the Baiyue Immortal Dynasty.

This person was extremely confident in his own strength. Seeing that although the Xu family had many members, their overall strength was not strong, so he thought of swallowing up the resources of the Xu family.

He wields two enormous hammers, charging around recklessly, and can also cast earth magic.

"How unlucky to run into someone who's good at controlling vines."

At this moment, he looked troubled as he faced the overwhelming giant wisteria.

He wielded a pair of top-grade spiritual weapons, the "Ten Thousand Jun Mystic Rock Hammers," his hammering technique exquisite and capable of splitting mountains and shattering the earth. He wore a rock armor he had conjured himself, its defensive power comparable to a top-grade defensive spiritual weapon.

He can also use earth-based spells such as meteors for ranged attacks.

His specialty is close-quarters combat. Once he gets close, even a Foundation Establishment Stage 9 cultivator with a high-grade defensive artifact cannot withstand a few heavy hammer blows from him.

He just killed an enemy at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment, and he only consumed some spiritual energy.

However, Xu Zhongxu was skilled at manipulating giant wisteria vines, whose sprawling tendrils were over a hundred feet long and several feet thick. Under his onslaught, his opponent, wielding a heavy hammer, was like a mosquito toyed in the palm of his hand, unable to get close.

"Oh!"

The heavy hammer struck the vines, causing them to vibrate violently and be thrown apart.

However, there were many vines, and the other vines lashed out at the enemy like giant whips.

The enemy was sent flying, but before he had gone far, another vine lashed out from behind.

The enemy was trapped in a space filled with vines, struggling to break through.

He couldn't see Xu Zhongxu at all; all he saw were endless vines stretching between heaven and earth.

"I'm not fighting anymore, I'm retreating!"

He used his meteorite technique, and dozens of huge rocks, each three zhang in diameter, rained down from the sky, attempting to blast an escape route for him.

"Want to escape? It's too late."

Xu Zhongxu did not want to let the other party leave.

Now that the battle has reached this point, all he wants to do is kill the enemy.

Suddenly, thorny vines with sharp spikes sprouted from the man's body, binding him like ropes.

The rock armor on his body is the "soil" from which Xu Zhongxu's thorny vines grew.

"WTF?"

He was shocked, never expecting Xu Zhongxu to have this trick up his sleeve.

Specializing in hammer techniques, he was well-suited for wide-ranging close-quarters combat. Various close-range skills and physical techniques were useless against these vines.

He broke free, but even more vines appeared.

And those huge, purplish-brown vines, like giant pythons, came swarming in.

……

"Quickly take his storage pouch, let's go."

Xu Xiaoniu said.

This Liuli Mountain is too dangerous; we can't stay here long. He even wanted Xu Zhongxu to let the other party leave and not to linger.

"it is good."

Xu Zhongxu accepted the resources from the other party, took a spiritual pill to restore his spiritual power, and flew with the Xu family towards the outside of Liuli Mountain.

He expended a great deal of energy in this battle, depleting most of his spiritual power.

Killing a Foundation Establishment Stage 8 cultivator who is of a higher level is not so easy for him.

His fighting style was exactly what countered his opponent's, but even so, it took a lot of effort to kill him.

A moment later, they flew away from Liuli Mountain.

"Finally safe."

After leaving Liuli Mountain, the number of people around was noticeably sparse, and it took a long time to see a single person.

The various battle fluctuations also receded into the distance.

"It's time to go home."

The Xu family members were all very happy and satisfied that they were able to return safely without any one of them being injured.

They don't care how much resources they can acquire; being able to return home is the greatest reward for them.

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.

"There's someone over there."

The Xu family flew dozens of miles away, passing by the desolate mountain where Yan Yijin and Liu Rushi had just fought.

They saw the collapsed mountain and the traces of a battle.

"A major battle has just taken place here."

"Don't cause any more trouble, let's go."

They encountered several people along the way, but they all tacitly kept their distance from each other and did not cause any trouble.

"Wait~~"

Xu Xiaohou recognized the man: "What a small world!"

That person was Yan Yijin, who had just disposed of Liu Rushi's body, collected the resources, and was preparing to leave.

Yan Yijin had expended a considerable amount of energy, swallowed a spiritual pill, and prepared to take the immortal spiritual plants to a remote place for secluded cultivation.

Once he has used up all the resources in Liu Rushi's storage pouch and refined the immortal spiritual plants, he will be close to reaching the Golden Core realm when he emerges from seclusion.

He looked in the direction of the Xu family from afar, not recognizing them at first, only thinking that nothing unexpected might happen.

The resources he carried were too valuable for him to be discovered by anyone.

"Why are you here?"

He didn't want to interact with others, but those people came to him on their own initiative.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be someone with whom they had a past grudge!
"The Xu family!"

He thought to himself, this is bad.

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.

"Brother, he's all alone, this is a great opportunity!"

Xu Xiaohou didn't want to miss this opportunity for revenge.

Their feud with Yan Yijin had a long history, spanning several decades, and they happened to meet in this desolate mountain range.

If it were in Zhennan Prefecture, they would find it more difficult to take action.

When they met Yan Yijin before, his companions were all in the late Foundation Establishment stage, and there was also a Golden Core cultivator.

Now he's all alone!
"Zhongxu, you..."

Xu Xiaoniu certainly wanted to avenge his son Zhongyao, but among them, only Xu Zhongxu could fight Yan Yijin.

In terms of cultivation level, Xu Zhongxu had only recently advanced to the seventh level of Foundation Establishment.

Yan Yijin has been at the seventh level of Foundation Establishment for many years, and his foundation is even more profound.

Furthermore, Xu Zhongxu had just fought a major battle and was quite exhausted.

"Uncle, he just went through a big battle too. Judging from the marks on his body, he's even more exhausted than me. Let's do it, we can't miss this opportunity!"

Xu Zhongxu knew what Xu Xiaoniu was worried about.

The feud between the Xu family and this person should be settled; this is a golden opportunity.

"We outnumber him, what are we afraid of? Kill him!"

Xu Likun gritted his teeth and said, "That's my father's killer."

With everyone in agreement, Xu Xiaoniu no longer hesitated.

"Let's settle this century-old feud today!"

Several people flew forward.

(End of this chapter)