From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 305 Spending Money to Avoid Disaster, Watching the Tigers Fight

Outside the desolate marshland mountains.

A group of several hundred people floated high in the sky, gazing in the direction of Zhennan Prefecture.

The leader was Li Sanghong, a Nascent Soul cultivator in the early stages, and a member of the royal family of the Baiyue Immortal Dynasty.

Of the four or five hundred people he led, forty or fifty were at the Golden Core stage, and the rest were at the late Foundation Establishment stage.

The Baiyue Immortal Dynasty divided its forces into three routes, each led by one or two Nascent Soul Dao Lords, to launch a surprise attack on the Qianyuan Immortal Dynasty.

The celestial army led by Li Sanghong was headed to enter Daqian from Zhennan Prefecture.

"Further ahead lies Zhennan Prefecture within the Great Qian territory. Remember, everyone, do not indiscriminately kill innocent people or slaughter civilians. As for cultivation families and rogue cultivators, try to avoid killing them if possible. Our target is the Great Qian royal family and the Uzhu Nara clan!"

There is a reward for killing ordinary members of the royal family.

A hefty reward will be given for killing important members of the royal family, including Golden Core cultivators and princes!

Li Sanghong's voice was as loud as a bell, resounding through the air and clearly heard by everyone.

"Here!"

Everyone responded.

Led by Li Sanghong, the group then sped up and flew towards Zhennan Prefecture.

Before they set off, Li Sanghong had already instructed them: do not slaughter civilians, and do not kill immortal cultivation families or rogue cultivators.

Is it because they are overly kind-hearted and compassionate?
No, this was the result of multiple discussions between Li Sanghong and the other Nascent Soul Dao Lords before they set off.

Although they were after money, they were not wicked and evil cultivators. After all, they were members of the royal family of the Baiyue Immortal Dynasty, and they needed to maintain some dignity.

Secondly, their main enemy was the royal family of the Baiyue Xian Dynasty.

Thirdly, and most importantly: the Great Qian Dynasty is currently in chaos and not united. If the Baiyue Immortal Dynasty engages in rampant killing and resource grabbing, it will offend the cultivation families of the Great Qian and incur widespread wrath. At that time, the Great Qian royal family can rally support from various cultivation families and form a force to counterattack the Baiyue Immortal Dynasty.

Without external enemies, they fought amongst themselves.

If a significant external enemy emerges, they will unite to fight against it.

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.

On the border of Zhennan Prefecture.

Border guards are stationed in various places, both to guard against the monsters in the desolate mountains and to guard against unidentified people coming and going across the border of Daqian.

Besides the mortal soldiers stationed on the ground, there were also scattered cultivators hidden in the air.

A cultivator at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage patrolled high in the sky, looking around.

Just then, he detected an extremely faint fluctuation of divine sense.

"Who?"

Before he could react, he saw a crowd of people flying rapidly from the horizon.

"Oops!"

Before he could send a message through his talisman, Li Sanghong, who was more than ten miles away, killed him instantly with a single move.

Meanwhile, within Yunbian County.

"Something terrible has happened! Vice General Zhang's soul jade tablet has shattered!"

"Deputy General Zhang? What's he doing there?"

"Deputy General Zhang is in charge of aerial patrols along the border today!"

"Oops……"

In just a short while, several more cultivators patrolling in the air shattered their soul jade tablets.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack—!"

They immediately used talismans to send messages, relaying the news of the attack on Yunbian County to the government office and Xingyue Palace.

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.

Zhennan Prefecture.

Ancient Nancheng.

Prefect Lin Shengping received the news: "What? Yunbian County was attacked, and the deputy general, who was in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, died before he could send a message?!"

"The Immortal Dynasty of Baiyue!"

Who else but the Baiyue Immortal Dynasty could have attacked Zhennan Prefecture from the direction of Yunbian County?

The enemy is the Baiyue Immortal Dynasty, which is beyond the capacity of Prefect Lin Shengping to handle.

"They really know how to find opportunities."

Lin Shengping thought to himself.

The Zhennan Prefecture is in a bad situation recently. In order to advance to the Nascent Soul stage, the Carefree King sacrificed hundreds of Golden Core cultivators, which weakened the overall strength of the Zhennan Prefecture.

Hundreds of Golden Core cultivators! What does that even mean?
After so many years of recuperation in Zhennan Prefecture, thanks to the long lifespan of Golden Core cultivators, there are only less than four hundred Golden Core cultivators in total, including Golden Core cultivators from so many families and those rogue Golden Core cultivators.

Over a hundred Golden Core cultivators died in one fell swoop, that's nearly 30%!

Furthermore, with the old emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty passing away and the new emperor yet to ascend the throne, the country was in a state of leaderlessness, and the Baiyue Immortal Dynasty seized this opportunity.

"Prince Zhennan, Prince Xiaoyao, we can only rely on you!"

Lin Shengping sent a message to the two princes, informing them of the situation.

In Zhennan Prefecture, Xuan Tong, the Prince of Zhennan, held a slightly higher position because he received the most tribute from the imperial court.

Having advanced to the Nascent Soul stage at the cost of becoming a Golden Core True Person, Yi Ze is now a Nascent Soul Dao Lord and should shoulder the responsibility of fighting against the Baiyue Immortal Dynasty.

Besides, this world belongs to the royal family. If the royal family doesn't fight for it, who will?
After sending the message, Lin Shengping rushed back to the family's sacred ground as quickly as possible. Although the distance from Yunbian County to Gu Nan City seemed to be tens of thousands of miles, it was only a day's flight for a Golden Core cultivator.

If the Great Qian and Baiyue really go to war, Zhennan Prefecture will inevitably become a battlefield, and everyone in Zhennan Prefecture will be affected.

"Activate the defensive array!"

"Summon all clan members with True Spiritual Root or higher aptitude and cultivation below Golden Core level, quickly!"

Although this great battle is unlikely to affect the lives of so many of the Lin family members with low cultivation levels, Lin Shengping still has to be on guard.

He has to prepare for the worst-case scenario.

It is essential to leave a "seed" for the family. This way, even if the Lin family suffers a catastrophic disaster, they can quickly develop elsewhere.

Soon, led by two Golden Core cultivators, the Lin family's talented members with True Spirit Roots or higher fled to the north of Zhennan Prefecture. They also carried with them a considerable amount of family resources and cultivation manuals.

"As for me……"

Lin Shengping remained in charge of the family, with no intention of leaving. He was the family's strongest fighter, a Golden Core cultivator at the peak of his cultivation.

Unless a Nascent Soul Dao Lord personally arrives, the Lin family is safe as long as he is there.

He was quite old, and even if he died in battle, he wanted to live and die with his family.

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.

Star and Moon Palace.

Jade Spirit Pool.

A faint white mist lingered on the surface of the water, which was rich in spiritual energy.

Xuan Tong sat in the pool, with a beautiful woman in his arms, her skin as white as mutton fat jade, feeding him wine from a cup in her hand.

"This is the life of immortals! What use is the Nascent Soul? People are fighting tooth and nail now, and who knows when they'll die and disappear."

He harbored considerable resentment towards Prince Xiaoyao, Yi Ze, and disliked him.

He had always disliked Yi Ze's desperate efforts to earn credit. Knowing Yi Ze's ambition, he often openly and indirectly mocked him, saying that he would never be able to advance to the Nascent Soul stage even if he worked his whole life.

Who would have thought that Yi Ze, by clinging to the powerful King of Nanzhou, would actually break through to the Nascent Soul stage?

Just then, Xuan Tong's men rushed in, showing no regard for the two naked figures facing each other in the Jade Spirit Pool.

"what!"

The beauty in his arms quickly covered her chest.

Xuan Tong's face was filled with anger, and he was about to explode when he heard his subordinate urgently say, "Great news! My lord, something terrible has happened! The Baiyue Immortal Dynasty has attacked!"

what? !

Xuan Tong leaped out of the water with a splash, and a magical robe automatically appeared: "Where did this news come from?"

"The border guards reported that a mid-Foundation Establishment stage deputy general was killed instantly without a sound, before he could even send a message. A large number of patrolling cultivators will also be silently eliminated."

Prefect Lin also sent word, requesting that His Majesty take charge of the overall situation! "Summon all Golden Core cultivators under your command, quickly!"

Xuan Tong gave the order.

As the Prince of Zhennan, he was stationed in Zhennan Prefecture, the southernmost part of the capital, separated from the Baiyue Immortal Dynasty only by the Huangze Mountains. He was very afraid of death, so he had long been prepared. There were his confidants in the border guards, who would send him messages first in case of any situation.

In just a moment, more than thirty Golden Core cultivators gathered. A dozen or so Golden Core cultivators, however, had not yet arrived due to their distance.

Xuan Tong had no time to wait. He glanced at everyone and called out, "Zhao Wuji, Liu Haineng, Wu Yu... you come with me and protect me. The rest of you, stay at Xingyue Palace!"

He read out more than a dozen names in one breath.

Among them are those with great strength, such as Zhao Wuji, who is in the late stage of the Golden Core realm.

There are also those with high potential, such as the young Wu Yu.

These people followed him away, while the others stayed to guard the Star Moon Palace.

Take charge of the overall situation?

He had no interest in managing the overall situation; his first priority was ensuring his own safety.

Since the Baiyue Immortal Dynasty dared to come, it's highly likely they sent more than just a few Golden Core cultivators; there's a strong probability they also sent Nascent Soul Dao Lords.

Xuan Tong has no Nascent Soul Dao Lords by his side, and with only forty-odd Golden Core True Persons, it is impossible for him to defeat an enemy led by Nascent Soul Dao Lords.

He wasn't stupid; he knew that only a Nascent Soul Dao Lord could handle this situation.

"Let the Prince of Xiaoyao and the Prince of Nanzhou figure something out. I'll hide in the imperial city first."

Xuan Tong thought to himself.

Nowhere in the entire Qian Yuan Immortal Dynasty is safer than the Imperial City.

A dozen or so Golden Core cultivators escorted Xuan Tong away from the Star Moon Palace.

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.

High in the sky, a figure left a straight afterimage as it flew towards the ancient southern city.

He is none other than Li Sanghong.

Li Sanghong had already learned about the situation in Zhennan Prefecture through intelligence. The only Nascent Soul Dao Lord, Yi Ze, was not in Zhennan Prefecture, which meant that there was currently no Nascent Soul Dao Lord in Zhennan Prefecture, and he was invincible.

Therefore, he rushed to the Star and Moon Palace as quickly as possible.

Because he was so fast, no one else could catch up with him.

Those people can go and deal with other matters, but the Star Moon Palace must be dealt with as quickly as possible to prevent the Prince of Zhennan from escaping.

The straight-line distance from Yunbian County to Xingyue Palace is a full ten thousand miles.

If they go at full speed, it will take a Golden Core cultivator two or three hours.

Li Sanghong arrived within an hour.

He suddenly paused and took out a map. He had never ventured deep into Zhennan Prefecture, but with their intelligence capabilities, they could easily obtain maps and other information.

"The Star Moon Palace should be nearby."

He was looking up the location of the Star Moon Palace on the map.

He soon found the Star Moon Palace, which was only three hundred miles away.

He arrived a moment later, but unfortunately, he was too late. More than half an hour had passed since Xuan Tong received the message from the spirit talisman and led his men to escape.

Guarding the Star Moon Palace were more than thirty Golden Core cultivators.

Li Sanghong hovered in the air, looking down at him: "Which one is the Prince of Zhennan, or Wuzhuna La Xuantong?"

There was silence.

"Speak! Which one is the Prince of Zhennan?"

Still, no one spoke.

All the Golden Core cultivators present were overwhelmed by the aura of the Nascent Soul Dao Lord.

Li Sanghong's divine sense had already covered the Star Moon Palace, scanning it back and forth hundreds of times. He confirmed that the Prince of Zhennan was not among these people.

The Prince of Zhennan had already fled.

"Pity."

He shook his head helplessly. If he could capture or kill a prince of the Great Qian Dynasty, he would have made a great contribution.

Looking at the many subordinates of the Prince of Zhennan in front of him, he decided to spare their lives: "I am Li Sanghong of the Baiyue Immortal Dynasty! I have led my people here to overthrow the tyrannical rule of the Uju Nara clan."

You people have been deceived and used by the Prince of Zhennan. My clan has always been benevolent, so I will give you a chance to live: leave your stored treasures and depart.

Otherwise, I will consider you stubborn and incorrigible, and you will be executed without mercy!

However, his words did not lead to everyone's surrender; instead, they provoked resistance from several Golden Core cultivators.

"I swear to serve my lord to the death!"

"Defend the Star Moon Palace, kill!"

"rush!"

Five or six Golden Core cultivators launched an attack on Li Sanghong.

"Oh, you don't overestimate your capabilities."

Li Sanghong immediately retaliated, using his absolute advantage as a Nascent Soul Dao Lord to instantly obliterate the group. His reluctance to kill indiscriminately did not mean he was afraid to kill.

Those who have been driven to servility by Xuan Tong should be killed.

Among the remaining Golden Core cultivators, some attempted to scatter and escape.

"Leave your storage treasure behind!"

Li Sanghong shouted and severely injured another person.

Everyone else realized what was happening and hurriedly took out their storage pouches and other storage treasures: "Daoist Li, all my treasures are here. Thank you for your mercy, Senior Daoist!"

"Let's go."

Li Sanghong waved his hand.

"Thank you, Lord Xie Li."

The man apologized again, then turned and flew away.

Seeing that Li Sanghong hadn't attacked the man, they all relaxed and handed over their storage pouches to save their lives.

After leaving behind a large amount of resources and treasures, all that remained for Li Sanghong was the Star Moon Palace.

"The Star Moon Palace is the greatest treasure."

Li Sanghong's divine sense thoroughly explored the Star Moon Palace. This vast Star Moon Palace was full of treasures. The ground was inlaid with spirit stones, and the various flowers, plants and trees inside were all spiritual plants, as well as various precious materials.

Unfortunately, the Prince of Zhennan escaped, and he must have taken a large amount of treasure with him.

Indeed, Xuan Tong took all his most precious treasures with him when he left. However, since he left in a hurry and his storage pouch had limited space, he left behind a large amount of resources and treasures.

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.

When Li Sanghong confiscated the resources of Xingyue Palace.

Throughout Zhennan Prefecture, he led his Golden Core cultivators and late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators to various places to plunder treasures.

They have no interest in ordinary people.

Those poor people have nothing and are not worth their covetousness. Even wealthy merchants among mortals have at most some gold and silver, which are insignificant to cultivators.

These cultivators from the Baiyue Immortal Dynasty plundered mostly cultivator families.

After all, independent cultivators have very few resources and can't find any treasures to plunder.

At this moment, in the Yuanli County government office.

A late-stage Golden Core cultivator floated in the air, while below, resources from various government offices of the prefecture were being plundered.

The late-stage Golden Core cultivator, named Li Luoke, was also a member of the royal family "Li Family" of the Baiyue Immortal Dynasty.

The people around him, mostly Golden Core cultivators and late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, were often rogue cultivators or members of cultivator families from the Baiyue Immortal Dynasty, not all of them royalty. The saying goes, "Murder and arson bring wealth," and nothing is easier to acquire resources than plunder.

Therefore, they all followed the royal Li family to Daqian to fish in troubled waters and steal resources.

Those late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators were even more greedy for resources, wishing they could even take away the spiritually imbued floor tiles from the county government office.

Several corpses of county officials were left behind in various government offices, including the Demon Subduing Division.

(End of this chapter)