Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 231 This situation is settled. Heading to the Ten Thousand Mountains to advance to a higher realm?
a few days later.

The "Moon Mausoleum Alliance" has begun operation.

Since it was everyone's first time doing this, they were all figuring things out and getting familiar with the process at the same time.

Three or four days later, initial results were seen.

The academy also began to recruit qualified students from various families.

No members of the Xu clan attended the school, but Xu's vassals, such as Chen, Bai, Li, Gu, Wu, Ge, and Zhou, all had students enrolled.

After all, no matter how well the academy trains students, it can't compare to the first-class training provided by the Xu family.

It is close to the second-level training level.

More importantly, Xu Chuan didn't want anyone to discover that the Xu family's disciples had somehow become cultivators at the mid-stage of Qi Refining while pursuing the path of martial arts.

Those in the main lineage of Dongxi are bound by a divine oath, preventing them from revealing this information.

As time goes on.

The "Moon Mausoleum Alliance" is operating more and more smoothly and is gradually getting on the right track.

The disciples either patrolled or went out on missions.

The Task Hall will calculate the rewards for disciples' tasks.

The Alchemy Pavilion and the Weapon Forging Pavilion recruit people with immortal skills to enter their respective pavilions and engage in alchemy and weapon forging, thus becoming self-sufficient.

The academy's curriculum includes martial arts courses, combat courses, as well as courses in pharmacy and blacksmithing.

The Immortal Academy offers courses in magic, combat, and various immortal arts.

There are also differences in the clothing between the Martial Arts Academy and the Immortal Arts Academy.

The disciples of the Martial Arts Academy mainly wear black, while those of the Immortal Arts Academy mainly wear light blue.

Invitations to the ceremony have been sent out.

We are just waiting for the first day of the twelfth lunar month for everyone to come.

The Li family of Taiyuan.

The Li family patriarch received an invitation letter, which read: "In view of the repeated attacks on Yuehu Guangling by demonic cultivators, our Xu family, in order to fight against the demonic cultivators, unites the martial arts families and immortal cultivation families of the two counties to establish the 'Yueling Alliance'."

The grand ceremony at Yueling will be held on the first day of the twelfth lunar month.

We cordially invite the Li family to attend the ceremony at the ancestral home of the Wei clan in Guangling.

"Unify martial arts families and immortal cultivation families?"

"The Moonlit Alliance?!"

"What is the Xu family trying to do? Are they fighting against the demonic cultivators or against the Cao family?"

After pondering for a moment, the Li family patriarch invited several Foundation Establishment elders to discuss the matter.

“The Xu family is now in a cooperative relationship with us, so we can’t refuse them this favor,” said a Foundation Establishment elder.

"Shall we send one Foundation Establishment disciple and two Qi Refining Perfection disciples over?" the Li family patriarch asked.

"can."

The others also agreed.

The royal family of Langya.

They had a similar arrangement.

At the same time, they were also very interested in what the so-called "Moon Mausoleum Alliance" founded by the Xu family was like.

Some people form alliances, but their hearts are not at odds.

Some people only care about their own interests.

Some people use the guise of alliances to actually annex the other party.

Therefore, the Great Wei had very few true alliances with cultivation families, and even those that did were mostly Qi Refining families.

It's just small-scale stuff, nothing more than a means of survival.

The Xu family, however, unites the martial arts of the two prefectures and all the immortal cultivation families, something that no ordinary person can do.

The Langya royal family considers themselves the overlords of Langya Prefecture, but they don't have that kind of influence. Even if they agree under the pressure of the royal family, it's only a superficial agreement.

The imperial city, the Lei family.

"Master, the Xu family is causing trouble again." Lei Hekong entered Lei Yunchao's study with an invitation in his hand.

Lei Yunchao looked up at him and asked, "What do you mean by this?"

"Master, see for yourself."

Lei Hekong handed over the invitation.

Lei Yunchao glanced at it, his pupils suddenly contracting, and he whispered, "The 'Moon Ridge Alliance'?!"

"Yes, it's about unifying the martial arts and cultivation families of the two prefectures. Even the Cao family couldn't do that. Judging from the Xu family's actions, they really intend to compete with the Cao family."

Moreover, they made a very impressive show of fighting against demonic cultivators!
Haha, the Cao family had nothing to say and couldn't find any fault with it.

Lei Yunchao glanced at Lei Hekong speechlessly and muttered to himself, "So the Xu family spread those rumors and made it known to everyone in the Great Wei Dynasty in order to pave the way for this matter."

With demonic cultivators running rampant, he had even more legitimate grounds to act!
It's beyond reproach!

Then he chuckled softly, "The Cao family has really shot themselves in the foot this time."

"However, I am very curious, how did Xu Chuan determine that the Cao family would send a lot of people to Yuehu County? And how did he manage to make the Cao family's Grand Elder suffer a setback?"

"After all, it's a peak second-tier dragon!" Lei Hekong grinned and said, "This is much stronger than an ordinary peak second-tier demonic beast. I'm afraid the Cao family would need to mobilize all their Foundation Establishment cultivators to completely suppress and kill it."

However, the Cao family is unlikely to take action rashly.

"Any action taken risks the loss of a large number of Foundation Establishment cultivators."

As he spoke, Lei Hekong's expression turned serious, and after a moment he said gravely, "If they make another move, it will likely be a fatal blow!"

“Xu Chuan is so perceptive, he knows without you having to remind him,” Lei Yunchao said. “And now he has unified all the martial arts and cultivation families in the two prefectures.”

The power that the Xu family can mobilize far exceeds that of any of our first-class families.

It's only been a little over thirty years!
It's a pity, though. Even if we defeat the Cao family, what good will it do? We still can't escape this prison.

Lei Hekong remained silent, then sighed slightly, remembering something, and said, "By the way, Patriarch, the clan records state that after each demonic calamity, the main branch would send people to take away a group of disciples who survived the calamity and had good talent."

Do you think this is true?

"Perhaps," Lei Yunchao turned to look at him and said, "Who knows?"

"After all, a Foundation Establishment cultivator only lives to be 240 years old. With longevity-enhancing pills, they can live an additional 20 or 30 years."

Lei Hekong said, "I hope it's true. At least we can get some people to leave."

“Once they grow up, they will have more say in the main lineage, and perhaps they will be able to mobilize more forces to take our branch away from here.”

The Jiang, Wang, and Lin families, as well as the Cao family, all had ancestors who were trapped here a thousand years ago and failed to leave in time.

Five hundred years ago, during the "demonic calamity," representatives from all four main branches of the family came, but only a handful of clansmen were taken away.

A few moments.

Lei Yunchao chuckled again: "Enough talk. Since you're interested in the 'Moon Ridge Alliance,' then take a few members of the Lei family to attend the ceremony."

"Thank you, Master."

The Cao family, a royal family.

Upon hearing this news, Cao Defeng merely smiled coldly and said, "Just send someone to offer your congratulations."

"Yes, Great Elder."

After Cao's disciple clasped his hands in a fist salute and left, he muttered to himself, "So what if we gather a multitude of ants?"

"Decades later, won't everything turn to ashes anyway!"

"Let you be smug for now."

More than ten Foundation Establishment cultivators, peak second-tier dragons, and a second-tier high-grade formation, along with all the martial arts and Qi Refining families in the two prefectures.

With such a strong foundation, the Xu family's rise to power is already assured.

The other prominent families who received invitations from the Xu family were shocked and horrified by the Xu family's methods, but in the end, they were filled with admiration.

In just a few decades, it has come to this point.

For a thousand years, the Xu family has reigned supreme in the Great Wei Dynasty!
--------

In the blink of an eye.

December 1st.

Foundation Establishment families and even many Qi Refining families gathered at the "Moon Mausoleum Alliance" headquarters.

"This formation is quite impressive!"

Li Yuanxing, a Foundation Establishment Level 4 cultivator from the Li family, murmured softly.

Two young disciples beside him asked curiously, "Elder, what kind of grand formation is this?"

"I don't know." Li Yuanxing shook his head as he looked at them. "The formation is very complex, how could I possibly know everything? But this elder can tell that it should be a second-tier high-grade formation, or even more than just a simple defensive formation."

Even my Li family patriarch couldn't easily set up such a formation.

"The Xu family actually has such a master of formations?"

Looking at the grand formation, Li Yuanxing thought to himself, "No wonder the Xu family wanted the Li family's formation inheritance; they must want to learn from it so that the formation master can improve his formation skills."

"Fellow Daoist Yuanxing, it is you who have come to the Xu family to attend the ceremony this time."

A middle-aged man approached from a distance, wearing a blue robe with a faint glow on its surface, indicating it was a high-quality robe.

"Fellow Daoist Zhenyan, your Wang family has come too."

Li Yuanxing clasped his hands in a fist salute and smiled.

The young disciples of the Li family beside him also bowed in respect.

"The Xu family has extended an invitation; how could my Wang family refuse?"

"Haha, you're absolutely right, let's go together."

The two arrived at the entrance of the great formation.

"Please have the two seniors and your clan disciples leave their names. This is for registration; our Grand Elder of the Moon Mausoleum Alliance said this is to prevent any trouble."

"Who is your Grand Elder?" Li Yuanxing asked.

"It is the First Elder of the Xu family."

“That’s true. If he doesn’t take the position, who else is qualified to be the Grand Elder of the Alliance?” Wang Zhenyan smiled and then had someone sign the document.

As they stepped into the formation, someone called out loudly, "Elders of the Li family from Taiyuan have arrived!"

"An elder of the Langya Wang family has arrived!"

As soon as Li Yuanxing and his group entered, someone led them to the square.

When they arrived, many prominent families were already present in the square.

Each restaurant has fixed seating arrangements, arranged in tiers.

The Li and Wang families are top-tier families of the third rank, so they naturally rank at the top, and the two families are right next to each other.

"There are quite a few Qi Refining families present. What is the Xu family up to?" Wang Zhenyan transmitted his voice to Li Yuanxing.

"Who knows? If he had played by the rules, it would have been very difficult for him to bring the Xu family to its current state in just a few decades."

Now, even the Cao family is probably somewhat wary of them.

"The ruthless young master of the Liu family of Longjiang has arrived!"

"The family tradition of Yunshan Feng and Qingyang arrives!"

"Both of them have reached the Foundation Establishment stage!"

"When the Xu family auctioned the Jade Mushroom Pill last time, I thought it was just an exaggeration. Now it seems that the Jade Mushroom Pill is indeed very effective!"

Many Foundation Establishment families looked on with envy when they saw the young Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Liu and Feng families.

Those who have reached the Foundation Establishment stage in their early 60s are likely to advance to the late stage of Foundation Establishment in the future.

"Elder Lei of the Lei family from the Imperial City has arrived!"

"Elder Jiang of the Jiang family from the Imperial City has arrived!"

"Elder Lin of the Lin family from the Imperial City has arrived!"

At the entrance, people were constantly calling out names.

More and more people in the square are cultivating immortality.

Halfway through the event, the Xu family members also made their appearance.

The three members of the Xu family are Xu Chuan, Xu Mingwei, and Xu Mingxuan, while the two members of the Zhou family are Zhou Qingfang and Zhou Zongyun.

Several people sat side by side in the front row.

"Fellow Daoists, I thank you all for coming to witness the establishment of my 'Moon Mausoleum Alliance'. Nowadays, demonic cultivators are rampant and have repeatedly attacked and killed people in Guangling and Moon Lake counties."

To deal with those monstrous demon cultivators, Xu had no choice but to unite the strength of everyone involved.

At that moment, a voice announced from outside the formation: "The steward of the Cao family of the royal family has arrived!"

Lei Hekong and the others were slightly surprised that only a steward had come.

A few moments.

The Cao family steward approached Xu Chuan and his companions.

His Qi cultivation has reached perfection.

"Senior Xu, I, Cao, have come on the orders of the Grand Elder of my Cao family to congratulate the establishment of the 'Moon Mausoleum Alliance'."

My eldest elder also hopes that after the establishment of the "Moon Mausoleum Alliance," the two counties of Guangling and Moon Lake will suffer less harm.

Xu Chuan clasped his hands in thanks and said with a smile, "Thank you very much, Senior Cao."

"Please take a seat."

"No, I have other matters to attend to and cannot stay any longer."

"Then I, Xu, will not see you off."

"Senior Xu, please wait."

The Cao family steward came and went in a hurry.

This truly surprised everyone present.

After a stick of incense.

Almost all the representatives have arrived.

The Xu family introduced the "Moon Mausoleum Alliance" system to everyone, and soon arrived at the academy.

"This is the academy established by my 'Moon Mausoleum Alliance,' existing independently of the alliance. It is dedicated to training martial artists and cultivators. Although it basically only trains them up to the seventh level of Qi Refining, it can lay a solid foundation for them."

Then he introduced the courses offered at the academy.

When the four arts of alchemy, weaponry, array formation, and talisman were mentioned, many aristocratic families' eyes lit up.

“The academy holds an entrance examination for students every year. After passing the examination, students can enroll by paying tuition.”

A member of a prominent family asked, "Senior Xu, may I ask if the recruitment of disciples is limited to your Guangling and Yuehu prefectures only?"

Xu Chuan shook his head and chuckled, "Not so. Rogue cultivators, disciples of noble families, and ordinary people—anyone from the Great Wei can come to study here."

"If a student completes primary school and university, what level can they reach?"

“That can’t be generalized,” Xu Chuan said. “People’s aptitude and comprehension vary. The requirement for primary school is that the student is under twenty years old, and those who can break through to the fourth level of Qi Refining can go directly to university.”

As for why it's twenty years old, it's because primary school is mainly for children who start cultivating from the age of seven or eight.

Generally speaking, if one starts at this age, even with a pseudo-spiritual root, there is still hope of reaching the fourth level of Qi Refining before the age of twenty.

Those with mixed spiritual roots should be able to enter university by the age of sixteen or seventeen. Although it cannot be guaranteed that everyone will reach the seventh level of Qi Refining after six years of university, some people can still do so.

As for true spiritual root aptitude, it must be even more outstanding.

If any of you are interested, you are welcome to participate in my academy's assessment next February.

The tuition for primary school is 20 spirit stones per year, and for university it is 120 spirit stones per year. Tuition can be paid every six months, and students can withdraw at any time if they are not satisfied.

Everyone began to weigh the options in their minds.

For families of the fourth rank or above, pseudo-spiritual roots are basically abandoned, as they receive little resources. Reaching the second or third level of Qi Refining by the age of twenty is already considered a rare achievement.

As for breaking through the mid-term bottleneck, it's considered early to be in your thirties or forties.

If a family provides full support, it is possible for someone with pseudo-spiritual root aptitude to break through to the fourth level of Qi Refining before the age of twenty, but the resources required will inevitably be far higher than the tuition fees of the academy.

They started school at age seven and continued until age twenty.

Thirteen years would only yield 260 spirit stones, roughly the cost of breaking through with a mixed spirit root.

However, if someone with mixed spiritual roots is sent to the academy...

Reaching the seventh level of Qi Refining in one's twenties is absolutely genius-level, at least for a Qi Refining family.

There aren't many people who can reach the level of true spiritual root at this age.

Of course, this is also because most Qi cultivation families lack resources.

Some of the best resources cannot be bought even with spirit stones, as they are mostly controlled by Foundation Establishment families in various prefectures and rarely come into the public eye.

Many Foundation Establishment families changed their expressions.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, are you trying to undermine our various counties?"

“Fellow Daoist, you have no such words. My academy’s gates are wide open, and students are free to come and go. Even after graduation, we will not force them to stay.”

Disciples from Qi Refining families are welcome to enroll, as are disciples from Foundation Establishment families.

"If I'm not mistaken, the various Foundation Establishment families don't seem to value those with aptitudes below True Spiritual Root much. In that case, what's wrong with spending some spirit stones or resources to send them to my academy? Or is it that none of your families want those with low aptitude to grow up?"

Xu Chuan's words left him speechless.

If we answer, wouldn't that cause division within our own ranks?

Today, this news has spread throughout the counties, and it seems that many noble families will have no choice but to send people over.

Not coming would only earn them the reputation of suppressing less capable members of their clan.

"Xu Chuan's methods are as sharp as ever," Lei Hekong thought to himself.

However, each institution has limited resources, so it is impossible to be fair. If the resources were given to the academy, it might cultivate a genius or teach one of the four arts of alchemy, weapon crafting, array formation, or talisman making.

That would be an incredibly good deal!

"For students from disadvantaged families, the academy has also introduced a work-study program to alleviate some of their financial burden. Those who excel academically can also receive scholarships."

This is going to open up a huge path for those from poor families!
Everyone was shocked!

"Looking across the entire Wei Dynasty, encompassing all living beings, Fellow Daoist Xu, what a spirit you possess!" Lei Hekong laughed heartily, "I, Lei, am convinced."

"Next February, my Lei family will definitely send a younger generation of our family here. You must train them well."

The Lei family spoke up.

Many prominent families, no longer holding back, began to speak up.

Xu Chuan smiled slightly upon seeing this.

The final step in this game has finally been decided.

The academy connects with many Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining families in the Great Wei, even if only a quarter or a fifth of the families send people.

When they grow up, they become disciples of the academy.

Twenty years later.

The academy's disciples are spread throughout the entire Great Wei Dynasty, including major aristocratic families.

Then the Cao family would truly have no chance of harming the Xu family again.

Xu Chuan wouldn't gamble that the Cao family wouldn't touch the Xu family for now, because they might have other ideas in a few years.

Therefore, he could only try his best to plan and strategize.

February next year.

Disciples from various aristocratic families enrolled in the school.

If the Cao family makes another move, it will threaten the interests of almost all the powerful families in the Great Wei.

What is the trend?

This is the real trend!

So what if the Cao family are the rulers of this great Wei?
The numerous powerful families are the true foundation of the Great Wei!
More than an hour later.

Each family departed.

Over the course of several days.

This news spread throughout the entire Great Wei.

Countless people yearn for it.

The Cao family of the imperial city.

Upon hearing this, Cao Defeng immediately flicked his sleeves, creating a gust of wind that sent items in the room tumbling about.

The sharp wind left scratches on the door frame and doorposts.

"What a Xu Chuan!"

"What a fine academy!"

"They actually came up with such a plan!"

This matter has spread like wildfire throughout the Great Wei, and the Cao family is powerless to stop it.

"Cao Jinsheng, go and select a group of people with low aptitude to send to the academy next year. Doesn't the Xu family want to cultivate them? Let them help our Cao family cultivate this bunch of good-for-nothings!"

"Yes, Great Elder!"

Cao Jinsheng clasped his hands in a fist salute and left immediately.

He had barely left when he went to see Cao Dezhang, the second elder of the Cao family.

"Did the Grand Elder really tell you that?"

Cao Dezhang's lips curled up slightly, "It seems that Cao Defeng has really been angered by Xu Chuan."

"Indeed, after suffering repeated defeats at their hands, who wouldn't be angry?"

"However, Xu Chuan's plan is indeed good. It can win over the hearts of the aristocratic families. Go and arrange the establishment of my Cao Family Academy."

"Uncle, this..." Cao Jinsheng looked at Cao Dezhang, his face showing hesitation.

Cao Dezhang raised his hand and said, "It's alright. I will bring it up at the clan meeting in a few days. If this plan is feasible, it's time for Cao Defeng, who has been sitting in the position of Grand Elder for more than 20 years, to move over."

Cao Jinsheng's eyes flashed with two sharp glints.

If Cao Dezhang were to become the Grand Elder, it would be of great benefit to their lineage.

After all, the Grand Elder wields the most power in the Cao family.

Second only to the ancestor.

"Uncle, please feel free to ask me anything, and I will do my best to handle it."

Cao Dezhang smiled slightly, "Come closer and listen."

While the various prefectures were abuzz with discussions about the Moonlit Academy and the Cao family was locked in a power struggle among internal factions, Xu Chuan didn't even have time to celebrate the New Year's Eve before heading to the "Ten Thousand Mountains" with Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingshu.

The journey alone will take nearly half a month.

The "Ten Thousand Mountains" are extremely dangerous, and one can only proceed with extreme caution there.

At any given moment, a dozen or so Foundation Establishment level demonic beasts would attack them.

"Xu Chuan, the 'Ten Thousand Mountains' is a force of the demon race in the Southern Tianyu Region, and it is a Nascent Soul force comparable to your humans."

Thousands of years ago, there were three royal families: Suanni, Jiuyouque, and Zhuyan, each with a fourth-order transformed demon.

Of course, they all live deep within the sacred mountains of the "Ten Thousand Mountains" and do not easily appear on the outskirts.

Xu Chuan's pupils shrank upon hearing this. "How could there be such a large demon clan force in this place? Does that mean we are in constant danger of annihilation if we live here?"

"Actually, I suddenly remembered a rumor a few days ago that this area of ​​your Great Wei, Great Liang and Great Jin is actually called the Prison Land."

They are all human beings raised in the "Ten Thousand Mountains".

Every so often, the "Ten Thousand Mountains" would host a "blood feast," drawing forth all the surrounding third-tier demon races.

Xu Chuan's face immediately turned pale.

The news was like a devastating blow, lingering in his mind.

Upon noticing this, Xu Mingwei immediately asked, "Father, what's wrong?"

"Yes, why did your face suddenly turn pale?" Xu Mingshu was also very surprised.

Xu Chuan glanced at them, his expression returning to normal, and said calmly, "It's nothing, let's continue on our way."

Afterwards, he continued to communicate with Mo Yue on a spiritual level.

"Why didn't you say that before?!"

"I'm getting a bit old, so I don't remember many things clearly anymore."

Mo Yue has always hated admitting that he is old, but at this moment, in order not to anger Xu Chuan, he used it as an excuse.

"Although the 'Demon Calamity' has a great impact, it is not limited to your imprisoned area, and it is not even the focus."

The demonic cultivators primarily target families that cultivate immortality.

But the "blood feast" is a truly devastating disaster for you.

Before I was sealed away, there were no so-called Great Wei, Great Liang, or Great Jin forces here.

Therefore, I think your Xu family should make plans as soon as possible.

"If you recover to the third rank, how many members of my Xu family can you escort away from this cage?"

"Sneaking away a few people should be fine, but there are too many."

“Families like the Cao family, which are all Golden Core cultivators, should know this, otherwise they would have left long ago.” Mo Yue continued, “Human Golden Core cultivators are not easily let go by demonic beasts.”

However, if I were to secretly take a few away, it should be possible.

"Aren't the major powers in the Southern Region going to do anything about it?"

Mo Yue said, "Just like how you humans raise demonic beasts, it is normal for demonic beasts to raise humans, but it is rare to see such a large-scale occurrence."

But considering the power of the demon race in the "Ten Thousand Mountains", it's understandable.

There are only two or three comparable ones in the Southern Region.

As for those that surpass it, they're probably just the rumored dominant forces.

But they are high and mighty, just like the Cao family of your Great Wei. Why would they care about the life-and-death struggles between the various prefectures? In fact, they would love to fan the flames to weaken you.

"To wage war against such a demonic force, or even to ignite a war between the human and demon races throughout the entire Southern Heavenly Region, would result in far more deaths than just this few."

A few moments.

Xu Chuan's voice came with a soft sigh, "But this matter is too hopeless."

"The Cao, Liu, and Sima families, even with Golden Core cultivators, couldn't escape. What future awaits my Xu family?"

He paused, then asked, "When will the 'Blood Feast' erupt?"

"I don't know, it's at least not once every few hundred years, maybe once every thousand years," Mo Yue thought for a moment and replied.

"If a cycle lasts for thousands of years, wouldn't that be similar to the timeframe of the next demonic calamity?"

This is yet another piece of terrible news!
Mo Yue sighed and said, "Xu Chuan, you have to make the sacrifice. Take the elite of your Xu family and leave. Once you reach the Tiannan Region, I believe that with your abilities, you can definitely make the Xu family rise again."

"I understand, I'll consider it," Xu Chuan said. "The most important thing right now is to help you recover your third-tier strength."

The "Ten Thousand Mountains" seem to stretch from the ends of the earth, with peaks spanning tens of thousands of miles like sleeping ancient beasts, lying across the universe.

The vast primeval forest, stretching for thousands of miles, acts as an invisible barrier, separating the inner and outer worlds into two completely different realms.

The mountain ranges are crisscrossed, with the main ridge resembling a giant dragon raising its head. Its spine appears and disappears in the clouds and mist, and the gray-brown mountain bodies reveal the traces of millions of years of wind and frost erosion.

Countless branches radiate outwards from the main vein, some like the claws of a fierce beast, others like the vines of a giant python, cutting the earth into folds of varying depths.

Xu Chuan and the other two were deeply shocked as they gazed at the boundless landscape.

Ancient trees tower in the mountains, their trunks so thick that several people need to encircle them, their bark cracked like old dragon scales, and their branches and leaves so lush that they block out the sun.

"Looks like I'll have to walk."

Xu Chuan turned to the two of them and said.

Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingshu nodded slightly, and the three of them swooped down into the forest below.

The dappled sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves, preventing the place from appearing too dark.

"Hold your auras. Ming Shu, send the spirit insects out to thoroughly search the surroundings."

"I understand, Father."

Although this place is only on the edge of the "Ten Thousand Mountains", Xu Chuan's fear of this place is even greater than that of the Cao family.

No amount of caution is ever too much.

Half a day later.

Only then did they truly enter the "Ten Thousand Mountains".

Through the vision and senses of the spirit insects, Xu Mingshu discovered many demonic beasts.

Most of them are in the mid-to-late stages of Tier 1.

"Don't worry about first-tier demonic beasts, unless there are spiritual herbs or trees nearby."

Xu Mingshu nodded.

"Father seems unusually cautious today," Xu Mingwei said, looking at Xu Chuan with curiosity in his eyes.

"Is that so?" Xu Chuan turned to look at him, then smiled and said, "I just learned some information about this place from Mo Yue."

This is far more dangerous than places like the "Forest of Qinghai" and the "Valley of Ten Thousand Snakes."

"I see." Xu Mingwei didn't doubt it too much and accepted the explanation.

night.

Poor visibility.

Since their divine senses could not be easily dispersed to explore, the group sat in meditation on the tree, while the spirit insects kept watch.

This continued for half a month.

As they ventured deeper, the spiritual energy became increasingly concentrated, surpassing even the concentration of spiritual energy in the Azure Cold Pool.

The quantity of medicinal herbs and other similar items is constantly increasing.

The monsters they encountered became increasingly powerful.

Xu Chuan was extremely cautious. He would only make a move if there were only a few second-tier demonic beasts within a radius of about 100 miles. Otherwise, he would rather let them go.

But as we delve deeper...

You can often encounter groups of five or six or more second-tier monsters.

Although they are all only at the early stage of the second tier, it is not suitable for them to make a move.

"No wonder the 'Ten Thousand Mountains' is called a forbidden area. Even cultivators who have reached the Foundation Establishment stage dare not venture here casually. If they make a little noise, they will be besieged by second-tier demonic beasts."

The bigger and longer the commotion lasts, the harder it will be to leave the "Ten Thousand Mountains."

Xu Mingshu sighed with emotion.

Xu Mingwei said, "With Father's caution and your spirit insect's detection, it won't be long before we find a suitable peak second-tier demon beast target."

However, these "Ten Thousand Mountains" are indeed extremely dangerous; we cannot stay long or venture too deep.

Xu Chuan nodded slightly.

Unfortunately, the effectiveness of the "Daily Divination" is greatly reduced when it is placed in the wild, and it almost only provides auspicious or inauspicious divination results without any specific information.

It's actually very difficult to predict good or bad fortune.

Because Mo Yue was with them, Xu Chuan's divination results these days were all just chance encounters.

But the key point is that Xu Chuan did not want to rely on Mo Yue's power before finding a peak second-tier demon beast. If he had acted according to the divination, he would probably have been fighting all along.

They were even surrounded and attacked by first- and second-tier monsters, and had to flee in a sorry state.

Seven or eight days later.

Xu Chuan and the other two walked.

Suddenly Xu Mingshu said, "Father, there doesn't seem to be any demonic beasts around ahead, but there are quite a few spiritual flowers and herbs."

"When things are unusual, something strange must have happened!"

"Investigate more carefully."

"I understand, Father."

Xu Mingshu manipulated the spiritual herbs and carefully searched the surrounding area for miles, but found no trace of the demonic beast.

Suddenly.

Xu Mingshu's expression changed, and she transmitted her voice, "Several red spot worms suddenly died."

"Do you know what kind of death it was?" Xu Chuan asked.

"I don't know, but we lost contact with them near an ancient willow tree that was three or four zhang tall."

"Ancient willow?!" Xu Chuan lowered his head and pondered for a moment before saying, "Could it be that the willow tree has already transformed into a demon?"

"Send some more spirit insects over there, and have some observe from a distance."

"it is good."

Xu Mingshu did as instructed.

Oh!

Through the red-spotted insects in the distance, she discovered that all the spirit insects that approached the willow tree were pierced from behind by the tender willow branches, and their bodies withered and died instantly.

“Father, that willow tree is very strange; it sucks the life force of living beings.”

"Apart from that, even when it launched an attack, I couldn't detect its true strength; it was perfectly concealed."

Xu Chuan said, "Trees are extremely difficult to develop intelligence, but if they do, they are mostly gifted. I guess their ability to hide is their talent."

Wood-type monsters are already known for their strong vitality, and wood spirits are even more so.

It is his instinct to grow by absorbing nutrients from the earth or other living beings, and to draw upon life force.

“The talents of demonic beasts are indeed incredibly diverse,” Xu Mingwei said. “It would be incredibly difficult for us humans to comprehend such wood-type moves.”

"It is most likely at the peak of the second tier. Even if it is not, its boundless vitality is perfectly suited to the secret technique that I am currently cultivating."

I can borrow its vitality to increase my strength.

Xu Mingshu asked curiously, "If it's at the peak of the second tier, how much will Father improve by refining it?"

Xu Chuan smiled calmly and looked at her, saying, "I am currently at the late stage of the fifth level of Foundation Establishment. If I can fully refine it, I should be able to break through to the sixth level of Foundation Establishment and reach the late stage of the sixth level."

"Directly advancing to a minor realm?!"

(End of this chapter)