Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 232 Cultivation Soars, Three Trials of the Academy

"A wood spirit is a once-in-a-millennium occurrence!"

"Moreover, the cultivation method I practice is a complete high-level wood-type cultivation method, which can be cultivated up to the Nascent Soul stage, and it just so happens that such a secret technique is recorded."

Xu Chuan explained with a smile, "This secret technique is extremely difficult to cultivate, but I happened to have also comprehended the technique of absorbing life force, so I successfully cultivated it in a short time."

Ordinary trees, even spirit trees, are of little use; they can restore my vitality, but they cannot elevate my cultivation level.

Only the life force of this sentient wood spirit is most compatible with this secret technique.

"Father is lucky!" Xu Mingwei praised with a smile, then pondered, "However, even if it cannot move easily, if it is a peak second-tier wood demon, I'm afraid none of us can hurt its body."

"Indeed, even if a Foundation Establishment cultivator at the peak of cultivation uses a top-tier magic weapon, it's unknown how long it would take to kill him."

Moreover, wood spirits are inherently troublesome.

This is a tough battle; only Mo Yue can take action, while we wait on the sidelines to provide support.

"Won't there be a lot of noise?" Xu Mingshu asked.

"I was prepared for this long ago."

As he spoke, Xu Chuan patted his storage bag, and six array flags flew out, circling around him, each flag surface shimmering with silver light.

"After trading a lot of second-tier array materials with the Li family in Taiyuan, Mingxian refined the Six Harmonies Absolute Sealing Array."

This formation is a second-tier superior trapping formation.

Once set up, it will be like a prison inside, where virtually no sound will escape.

"So that's what he's been tinkering with lately. Turns out he's been crafting array flags for his father to use when he goes out," Xu Mingshu grinned.

“Not only that,” Xu Chuan said. “By the time we get back, his Star Array will probably be set up by then.”

At that time, starlight will fall and transform into spiritual energy.

Over time, the spiritual energy in our Dongxi Cave will become increasingly concentrated.

"I remember he was trying to comprehend the Dao of the third-order formation?" Xu Mingwei asked in surprise.

"Third-order formations are not so easy to comprehend. The higher one's understanding of second-order formations, the greater the chance of comprehending third-order formations."

He recently encountered a bottleneck in comprehending third-order formations, so he wanted to break through to other categories by understanding more second-order formations.

“No wonder you wanted to trade with the Li family of Taiyuan for their array formation inheritance.” Xu Mingwei nodded and said, “Father, you really have good intentions.”

Xu Chuan grinned, "Stop flattering me, get ready."

"Within the great formation, there is no need for any concealment; just use all available means."

"Yes, Father," the two replied, clasping their hands in greeting.

Xu Chuan nodded.

He stepped back about ten feet with his toes touching the ground, his palms fluttering like butterflies, forming more than ten hand seals in an instant. His finger shadows overlapped like flowing rainbows, without making the slightest sound of breaking through the air.

Russia.

A sudden burst of blue light appeared, and six array flags shot out swiftly, landing in six directions and disappearing into the four corners of the world.

Once the Six Harmonies Sealing Formation was completed, the chirping of insects and rustling of leaves could still be heard outside the formation, but the energy inside remained condensed and did not leak out, and even thunder could not penetrate it even slightly.

"The great formation is complete, covering an area of ​​about one mile in radius."

With that, he patted the spirit beast pouch and said calmly, "Old dragon, time to get to work!"

A beam of blue light shot into the sky, instantly growing into a dragon several dozen feet long.

Frost clung to the dragon's horns, and the moon shone on its scales; the overwhelming pressure of a second-tier water-elemental peak power emanated from it.

The ancient willow tree demon, which had been indifferent, suddenly felt an intense pressure coming on, and its hundreds and thousands of dark green willow branches swung wildly as if a demon were dancing wildly.

Gusts of sharp wind swept across the area like blades, carving furrows into the ground.

Some of them flew high into the sky and landed on Mo Yue's body without even creating a spark.

Mo Yue grinned, revealing sharp, white dragon teeth, and wisps of cold air poured out, causing the surrounding temperature to drop sharply.

"A mere wood spirit!"

As he opened his mouth, countless blue lights condensed in front of him, instantly transforming into hundreds and thousands of ice spikes that shot towards the Ancient Willow Wood Demon!
The willow branches of the ancient willow demon reached high into the sky, twitching continuously as if countless long whips were being lashed out. The speed was so fast that Xu Chuan and the others could only see afterimages.

Only Xu Mingwei had good eyesight; under his pale golden pupils, he clearly saw the ancient willow wood demon's attack.

Countless icicles were smashed to pieces.

The Ancient Willow Wood Demon's defenses were virtually impenetrable.

"Let's do it." Xu Chuan said calmly. He rushed towards the ancient willow wood demon, stopped when he was two or three hundred meters away, and gently tapped the pill furnace that was half a person tall.

The alchemy furnace rose into the air, and with a flick of the lid, countless flames of fire erupted forth, transforming into waves of flame that swept over the ancient willow wood demon.

Fire magic is extremely lethal to wood spirits.

The ancient willow tree spirit could only extinguish the flames by separating individual willow branches.

Then they discovered the culprit: a willow branch suddenly extended, transforming into a spear, and thrust straight towards Xu Chuan's head.

"I thought it was far enough."

Xu Chuan immediately flipped his palm, and the True Yang Pearl appeared on his right palm. Warm light flowed around it, blocking the thorny willow branch three feet away.

Then he made a hand seal, and the alchemy furnace shone brightly with a red light.

Immediately afterwards, a phoenix several meters in size appeared, spewing flames at the willow branch that was piercing Xu Chuan.

The flames transformed into blades, cleaving the willow branches away.

The scorching heat burned the willow branches.

However, the surface of the willow branches has a flowing green light and a very strong ability to recover, almost instantly.

"Such a strong vitality!"

Xu Chuan exclaimed in surprise, feeling that this ancient willow tree demon would probably reach the third level in seven or eight years.

at the same time.

West of the ancient willow.

Xu Mingwei drew his bow to its fullest extent, channeling his early Foundation Establishment stage two magic power into the top-tier treasure bow. As the bowstring hummed, the arrow pierced the air, its shaft enveloped in sharp golden light, heading straight for the trunk of the wood demon tree.

Jin Kemu.

Xu Mingwei's incredibly sharp metal-type attack alerted the ancient willow wood demon to the threat, causing it to split off more willow branches and intertwine them, eventually forming a wooden shield.

Boom~
The arrow struck the wooden shield, producing a violent roar.

The wooden shield was pierced, but the arrows were also entangled and blocked by several branches.

"Let's see how many arrows you can block!"

Xu Mingwei fired three more arrows in quick succession!

The ancient willow tree demon immediately flung away the black arrow from before to intercept the three arrows this time.

But Xu Mingwei made a hand seal and touched the precious bow with one hand. The arrow circled twice in the air and flew directly back behind Xu Mingwei.

South.

Xu Mingshu also released the Purple Thunder Azure Fire Eagle and the White Tiger, and instructed them: "Ah Eagle, Little White, be careful, those wood demon branches are dangerous, don't get entangled."

"Ah Eagle, you attack from the sky! Use the purple lightning and blue fire to strike it! Little White, stay by my side. If any willow branches attack, cut them down for me."

"Yes, Master!" Xu Ying and Xu Bai replied simultaneously.

"Wow!"

Xu Ying flapped his wings, and a flash of purple light appeared as he soared into the sky. Purple arcs of electricity crackled around his body, and the blue flames above his head surged even more intensely.

Subsequently.

Streaks of purple lightning mixed with blue flames fell.

Thunder and fire raged, their power was truly terrifying.

Now, Xu Ying and Xu Bai are both at the peak of the early stage of the second tier, comparable to a cultivator at the third level of Foundation Establishment, but their actual combat strength is no less than that of cultivators at the fifth or sixth level of Foundation Establishment.

Xu Mingshu then raised her hand and waved the Black Fiend Flag. A large cloud of black clouds surged from the flag, condensing into a Black Fiend Dragon, which also attacked the Ancient Willow Wood Demon.

Several willow branches pierced through the air, but the white tiger's claws grew to several feet in length, wielding golden rays that severed the willow branches in two.

Besieged from all sides.

The ancient willow tree spirit had to part with many willow branches to block it.

Mo Yue seized the opportunity, causing the number of ice cones to surge.

The ancient willow tree spirits couldn't stop them all; many pierced directly into its main trunk, spreading cold air and quickly freezing.

A stream of green light flowed, constantly resisting the chill.

This wood spirit is extremely terrifying. If Mo Yue were to make a move, it would likely be entangled and bound by countless willow branches in close combat, and might even have its life force drained if it were accidentally pierced.

Even now, the Ancient Willow Wood Demon is still at a disadvantage.

Mo Yue was eager to unleash a powerful attack with his Golden Core.

"Be patient. No matter how tight the Ancient Willow Wood Demon's defenses are, there will always be loopholes. We all have pills to recover, so even if we besiege it for a day or two, it won't matter."

Half a day passed in the blink of an eye.

Seeing that the Ancient Willow Wood Demon had a weakness, Xu Chuan immediately unleashed his strongest attack along with Xu Mingwei, Xu Mingshu, and Xu Ying, finally creating an opportunity for Mo Yue.

Mo Yue instantly condensed a long spear of ice, its power extremely terrifying, feeling enough to freeze a Foundation Establishment cultivator in an instant.

Because most of the willow branches of the ancient willow tree spirit were attracted by Xu Chuan and his group.

Very few could intercept this icy spear.

The spear pierced through the thick willow branches and went straight through its main shaft.

The ancient willow tree spirit immediately let out a series of low hisses, and all the willow branches swung wildly as if in a frenzy.

Xu Mingwei combined the three arrows into one, his pale golden eyes fixed on the target, and after a short while, he seized a sliver of an opening.

A surge of arrow-like intent erupted, merging with the arrow itself.

The arrow actually pierced through its shaft and even came out through it!

Even Mo Yue was surprised. Although the ancient willow tree demon was injured by it and its formation was disrupted, the defense of its trunk was still extremely strong.

Although metal-type power has an advantage over wood-type power, the difference between the two is so great that the advantage is not so obvious.

"Continue!" Xu Chuan shouted. "We can't give him time to recover!"

Another half day passed.

The trunk of the ancient willow tree spirit was broken by their attacks.

Its intelligence completely vanished.

This is the weakness of this type of wood sprite: those below the third rank cannot move.

If the trunk breaks, there's basically no hope of saving it.

When Xu Chuan and his group arrived, they faced the hard tree trunk and finally relied on Mo Yue's dragon claws to dig out the demon core.

After Xu Chuan put it away, he said to the others, "I need to use his corpse to enter seclusion for at least half a month. Ming Wei, you will temporarily control this Six Harmonies Absolute Sealing Formation. Here is the hand seal."

After Xu Chuan passed on the control hand seals, he sat cross-legged on the ancient willow and began to use the secret techniques in the "Wood Emperor Scripture" to frantically absorb the life force contained within it.

Although it died, only its intelligence dissipated, but the life force within its wooden body did not dissipate so easily.

After mastering the hand seals, Xu Mingwei manipulated the Six Harmonies Sealing Formation, shrinking its range to a radius of 100 meters.

Half a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

A burst of vitality emanated from Xu Chuan, and the surrounding weeds and other plants began to grow wildly.

This is only a small amount leaked out, and the amount inside Xu Chuan's body will only be more concentrated.

His cultivation level progressed from the late stage of the fifth level of Foundation Establishment to its peak, and then broke through to the sixth level of Foundation Establishment, gradually improving until he finally reached the peak of the sixth level of Foundation Establishment.

Xu Chuan originally estimated that it was just an ordinary second-tier peak wood demon, but its foundation was only a hair's breadth away from breaking through to the third tier.

Therefore, Xu Chuan's prediction was inaccurate.

However, a few days later...

Xu Chuan did not wake up.

"Brother, didn't Father say he would be in seclusion for half a month? It's been several days already." Xu Mingshu's eyes were filled with anxiety.

"Don't worry, Father's breathing is steady. If I'm not mistaken, he should be trying to take this opportunity to break through to the seventh level of Foundation Establishment. After all, Father has the Void Refining Pill."

"Yes, how could I not have thought of that?" Xu Mingshu's worried expression turned to relief, and she even looked forward to it.

Two or three hours later.

Xu Chuan patted his storage bag, and a pill flew out, instantly disappearing into his mouth.

After a stick of incense.

"Break it for me!"

A surge of spiritual energy suddenly erupted from Xu Chuan's body, transforming into ripples that spread outwards.

When he opened his eyes, two beams of emerald blue light shot out.

A moment later, he let out a long breath, a slight smile appearing on his lips, and muttered to himself, "Late stage of Foundation Establishment, finally broken through!"

"Congratulations, Father, on successfully breaking through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment!"

Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingshu bowed to Xu Chuan and offered their congratulations.

To progress from the early to the late stages of Foundation Establishment in just over a decade is something even a person with a Heavenly Spiritual Root aptitude couldn't achieve without a large number of auxiliary pills.

As for Ren Xiaoyao, based on his current cultivation progress, it will take him another five or six years to reach the late Foundation Establishment stage.

Xu Chuan glanced at the corpse of the ancient willow tree demon, which was now devoid of any vitality.

Mo Yue flew out of the spirit beast pouch, transforming into a size of several feet, and hovered in front of Xu Chuan, saying, "Let's see if there's any wood core. If I'm not mistaken, there should be enough wood core to refine a wood-type magic weapon."

Xu Chuan searched for a while and indeed found Mu Xin.

"The luster is somewhat dim." Mo Yue leaned closer to take a look. "It must be because you absorbed a lot of its life force. It's a pity that it can only be used to refine magical artifacts now."

"I'll take it back and have Ling'er refine the Hundred Herbs Needle."

"What kind of magical artifact is this?" Xu Mingshu asked curiously upon hearing this.

"This is a set of top-tier magical artifacts recorded in the cultivation method I practiced. It belongs to the category of hidden weapons and consists of thirty-six pieces, each as fine as a hair."

Once it enters a person's body, it will travel with the blood and completely disrupt their meridians.

If it penetrates the internal organs, all five organs will be pierced.

If it finally enters the brain, death is inevitable.

In addition, it will continuously draw life force from others.

"What an insidious magical artifact!" Xu Mingshu blurted out.

Xu Chuan laughed and scolded, "Who cares if it's insidious or not? Anything that can subdue and kill is a good magic weapon!"

The next day.

Xu Chuan and the others put away the array flags and searched for top-tier demonic beasts again.

February 2nd arrived in the blink of an eye.

Today is the day when the Moonlit Academy is recruiting students.

There will be a recruitment opportunity every six months.

Therefore, although there were quite a few people who came this time, many of them were just there to observe.

"Look, that's the Lei family's Foundation Establishment cultivator. Everyone said they were going to send their juniors to the Moonlit Academy, but I didn't expect it to be a Foundation Establishment cultivator personally sending them."

Someone retorted, "The journey is so long, if you don't build your foundation, are you going to practice Qi cultivation? Aren't you afraid of something happening on the way?"

"Those who came are probably just those with poor aptitude, so there's nothing to regret."

"That's the Feng family over there, the Liu family over there, and also the Li family of Taiyuan and the Wang family of Langya."

One by one, the established families were basically pointed out by outsiders.

"The test will now begin. Please be quiet. Participants, please line up and proceed in an orderly manner," an academy instructor announced.

Xu Mingxuan was also watching from the side.

Lei Hekong walked over and said, "Fellow Daoist Mingxuan, where are your elder brother and father? They didn't come to the academy for enrollment? Aren't they afraid the Cao family will cause trouble?"

"Making trouble? I'm right here!" Xu Mingxuan smiled faintly.

Lei Hekong's lips twitched.

Okay, what you said makes a lot of sense.

"Where did they go?" Lei Hekong asked again.

"While my Xu family has the trump card of the Flood Dragon while we are in seclusion in Dongxi, the rest of our Foundation Establishment strength is still too weak. We should naturally hurry up and cultivate."

"That's true." Lei Hekong nodded slightly.

the other side.

The assessment has already begun.

"What is your name? How old are you? What is your background?"

"Lei Shihao, nine years old, from the Lei family of the imperial city."

"Go over there for the tests. If you pass them all, you can become a primary school student." Lei Shihao cupped his hands in greeting and walked towards the testing area.

"Next!"

"Fellow Daoist Mingxuan, what do you think of the younger generation of my Lei family?"

"With his imposing presence and outstanding talent, he is destined to become a pillar of the Lei family in the future."

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Mingxuan, you're too kind. That's one of my grandsons. Although he has a pseudo-spiritual root, your academy should still nurture him properly."

Xu Mingxuan said, "Fellow Daoist Lei is joking. The academy's training is one aspect, but the main thing is to look at the students' own perseverance and Dao heart."

As for other matters, my Xu family can guarantee that the students trained at the academy will be treated equally.

My father once said that those who are nurtured in the academy should strive for what they deserve.

However, those who take the lead may not necessarily have the last laugh; perseverance and a steadfast heart are also standards that we practitioners should measure.

If one possesses both, their future prospects are limitless.

Lei Hekong pondered these words for a long time, then smiled and said, "As expected of Fellow Daoist Xu Chuan, his foresight is extraordinary."

Xu Mingxuan smiled faintly and clasped his hands in greeting.

The two looked toward the academy's assessment test.

The assessment has three stages. The first stage tests talent: for martial artists, it tests physical constitution, and for cultivators, it tests spiritual root.

The second test is perseverance. Martial artists need to withstand the pressure of gravity, while cultivators need to withstand the pressure of the mind. Both of these can be achieved through formations.

Thirdly, examine your own heart.

There are three questions to ask in the Inquiry Formation.

First, ask for their real name; second, ask for their purpose; third, ask for their true intentions.

As long as it doesn't harm the Xu family or the academy, it will generally pass.

Xu Chuan originally wanted to test his comprehension as well, but he didn't have a good way to do it, so he had to give up.

"Lei Shihao, first test, pseudo-spiritual root aptitude, low grade."

All students' tests will be recorded, compiled into files, and stored in the academy.

Next is the second level.

"Lei Shihao, please move to the center of the left-hand formation."

Lei Shih-hao did as instructed.

"Are you ready? This is a deterrent formation. The longer you can hold out, the better your willpower is. If you can't hold out, just kneel down," the instructor beside the formation said kindly.

Lei Shihao nodded and said, "Ready."

Then, the mentor infused his magic power to activate the formation.

next moment.

Lei Shihao then felt a pressure rising from the void and entering his mind, as if a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator was exerting divine pressure on him.

Each three breaths advances to a higher level.

Nine breaths later, the power suddenly increased, causing Lei Shihao's thin body to tremble slightly.

Up to sixteen breaths.

Lei Shihao could no longer hold on and collapsed to his knees.

In an instant, all the pressure vanished without a trace.

"These two tests are quite interesting. I wonder how my grandson did?" Lei Hekong said casually.

At this moment, the instructor shouted, "Lei Hekong, the second challenge, perseverance is above average."

"Hmm, just above average. Could it be that each level is nine breaths?"

Xu Mingxuan smiled faintly: "Nine breaths or less is considered low-grade perseverance, nine to eighteen breaths is considered medium-grade, eighteen breaths or more is considered high-grade, and thirty-six breaths or more is considered super-grade."

"I see."

"The third test is the test of the heart. Lei Shihao, please stand in the middle of this formation."

"Yes."

Lei Shih-hao did as instructed.

As the array lit up, a thin layer of blue mist rose and surrounded him.

In just three breaths, the light disappeared.

"Lei Shihao, come out. You've passed the third test, reaching the intermediate level of Dao Heart." The instructor stroked his beard and smiled faintly. "If you're willing, from today onwards you will be a member of the academy."

"However, remember to pay your tuition. You can pay every six months or every year. After paying, you will receive the corresponding academy token and uniform robe."

"Thank you, mentor."

Xu Mingxuan pointed to the payment counter not far away, "Fellow Daoist Lei, if you need to pay, please go over there."

"No rush. My Lei family has three more disciples. We can pay the fees together after they all pass the test."

Xu Mingxuan smiled gently.

This side is a primary school test.

Meanwhile, university tests are also being conducted simultaneously, with the same assessment content, but the judgment standards are higher.

In addition, there is a test of cultivation level.

The academy has set up an array that can disable breath-concealing spells and magical artifacts, called the Breath-Breaking Array.

In the blink of an eye, more than a dozen people were assessed, but none of them received a top rating.

More than half an hour later.

Suddenly, a Dharma boat appeared out of nowhere.

"It's someone from the Cao family!"

"Are they here to cause trouble again?"

"No, look, there are eight or nine-year-old children next to you. Maybe they also want to enroll in school."

"Has the Cao family changed their ways?"

Many members of prominent families were surprised and suspicious.

As they approached, the people in line made way for them.

A dozen or so children from the Cao family were lined up at the very front, and even the instructors who were recording them were terrified when they saw it.

This is the Cao family, a royal family!
In name, the entire Wei Kingdom belonged to the Cao family.

The mentor's Adam's apple bobbed, and he slowly spoke, "How should I address you? How old are you, and what is your background?"

"Cao Zhenlin, ten years old, comes from the royal Cao family."

"Go in and test, next."

One by one, the Cao family members entered the test. After they were all recorded, the other members of the aristocratic families started queuing up again.

Lei Hekong muttered, "The Cao family's visit is not well-intentioned."

"As long as you pass the assessment, my academy will accept anyone who comes." Xu Mingxuan said calmly, as if he didn't care at all.

"Cao Zhenlin, you have failed the third challenge!"

"Cao Zhenming, failed the third challenge!"

"fail!"

"fail!"

"Cao Zhenyan, you have passed the third test. Your Dao Heart is of low quality."

"fail!"

"fail!"

The Cao family steward's face was ashen. Of the thirteen Cao family disciples tested, only one passed, and not even a mediocre rating was given.

The members of the prominent families watching from the sidelines all had smiles on their faces.

"The Cao family has really made a fool of themselves this time."

The Cao family steward glared angrily and shouted, "Is your Moon Ridge Alliance provoking the royal family of Great Wei?"

The instructors in charge of the test immediately broke out in a cold sweat and fell silent.

Xu Mingxuan walked over with a smile, "Steward Cao, this statement is truly unreasonable!"

"Could it be that they simply don't want to accept the outcome?"

"Why don't you take a look at the results of the previous test takers? There were quite a few who received low ratings. As for why they failed, you'll have to ask them what they were instructed to do before they came here."

"What do you mean by that?" The Cao family steward frowned.

"My academy has three trials. The first trial tests talent and aptitude, which is predetermined and almost impossible to change. It cannot be faked."

The second test is about perseverance, which depends entirely on your own persistence.

The third test is a matter of conscience. First, ask for your real name to prevent fraud. Second, ask for your purpose; if you have ulterior motives, you will be eliminated. Third, ask for your true intentions.

If you can pass the first two questions, the question about your true feelings, you can basically pass all the others, though the evaluations will differ.

Xu Mingxuan smiled and continued, "If you come simply to study, you can generally pass. Our academy welcomes all who come."

"Steward Cao, do you intend to allow the sole person who passed to enter my academy?"

The purpose of this event was to disrupt the order of the academy. If only one person enters, what is the point?
"Since the Moonlit Academy doesn't welcome us, then let's give up!"

"let's go!"

Deacon Cao then led his men away again in the blink of an eye.

"This is the first time my Moonlit Academy has recruited students."

"A total of 36 primary school students and 13 university students were enrolled."

Xu Mingxuan said, "Today's recruitment ends here. The first half of the year's study period will last until the end of July, and August will begin as a rest period."

Those families who wish to bring their children back to their clan can do so until the start of school on September 1st.

The second half of the year ends on December 21st.

The entrance examination will be held on the second day of September.

If any of you are interested, you may send your clan disciples to participate. Even if you pass the test, you may not be admitted to my Moonlit Academy.

At worst, we can treat it as a test of our clansmen's talent for cultivation.

Our Grand Elder once said, "The path of cultivation is not merely about one's innate talent or spiritual aptitude. There are countless paths, and each has its own destiny."

"Alright, everyone, you may all leave now."

The group returned to their respective counties.

The Cao family harbored ill intentions, and with only one member passing the examination at the Moonlit Academy, they immediately became the laughing stock of the various prefectures.

Another thing that is often talked about is the three stages of the examination at the Moonlit Academy.

The more they thought about it, the more they felt that the academy's assessment made perfect sense, and many of them considered sending their disciples to the academy to take the test.

However, not a single student with a top-tier evaluation has emerged.

If a genius recognized by the clan can obtain a top rating in all three trials of the Moonlit Academy, he must be a true genius.

Even if that's not the case, you can still focus on strengthening the areas that are lacking.

------------

Time flies.

June arrived.

Somewhere in the "Ten Thousand Mountains".

"Xu Chuan, we have gathered more than two sets of materials. Let's quickly use the Five Elements Reverse Elixir Technique. It might be enough to restore me."

Xu Chuan shook his head and refused, then smiled and said, "No rush. We've already collected two peak second-tier demon cores of Water and Wood for the third set of materials. It won't be too late to help you after we find Fire, Earth, and Metal."

After all, one success is always better than many, and who knows if the effect will be less effective the second time.
If that's the case, then we might have to collect it a fourth time.

Mo Yue hovered in mid-air, pondered for a long time, and then sighed softly, "Fine, I'll listen to you."

These days.

Xu Chuan and his companions explored during the day and cultivated at night.

The inner cores of some second-tier demonic beasts were fed to the Black Tiger, White Tiger, and Purple Thunder Azure Fire Eagle.

They are making extremely rapid progress.

Both the White Tiger and the Purple Thunder Azure Fire Eagle have entered the mid-stage of the second tier, and their demon cores have not yet been fully digested. Once they succeed, they may be able to approach the peak of the mid-stage of the second tier.

Black Tiger is also approaching the peak of the early stage of the second tier.

According to the realm classification, he has surpassed his master, Xu Mingwei.

"No wonder the Spirit-Controlling Families in Daliang are so powerful. As long as they have powerful bloodline demon beasts and provide enough demon cores and demon beast resources, they can cultivate a second-tier demon beast in a dozen years."

A campfire was lit, and the three sat in a circle, their faces illuminated by the red light.

Beside Xu Mingshu lay a white tiger that had shrunk in size, and she kept stroking its body, which made it very enjoyable for it.

Upon hearing this, Xu Chuan smiled faintly and said, "That's not quite right."

“A powerful demonic beast may only appear once every few decades. Of course, the more demonic beasts the Zhao family cultivates and the larger the scale, the higher the chance of their birth.”

Just like cultivators among us humans who are born with exceptional spiritual roots.

"However, demonic beasts have long lifespans. Once a second-tier demonic beast is born, it can live for three or four hundred years. If one is willing to spend resources, one might be able to cultivate a third-tier demonic beast."

"It's probably much easier for a human to produce a Golden Core cultivator than for us humans," Xu Mingwei said.

Afterwards, Xu Mingshu asked again, "Father, we've been away for half a year now. Do we really have to wait until we've collected three sets of materials before we return?"

Xu Chuan nodded. "Don't worry, everything is fine at home."

"Unless something extraordinary happens, the Cao family won't touch the Xu family before the 'Demon Calamity,' after all, the Xu family is not something the Cao family can easily mess with."

Xu Chuan would consult the oracle about his family's situation every so often, and the result was always a neutral one.

Now, the Xu family only needs to improve gradually.

As for how to deal with the "Demon Calamity" and the "Blood Feast," we still need to figure it out gradually.

Seven or eight days later.

Xu Chuan and the other two walked.

Suddenly, Xu Mingshu stopped and looked at Xu Chuan with surprise, saying, "Father, three or four miles ahead, there are cultivators fighting with demonic beasts."

"Which force is it from?"

"They are all accompanied by spirit beasts, so they should be from the Zhao family of Spirit Control. There are six people in total: one at the peak of Foundation Establishment, two at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, and three at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment."

As for the opponents, they should be peak second-tier wood-attribute monsters, along with a dozen or so second-tier monsters and more than twenty late-stage first-tier monsters.

Several members of the Zhao family, the Spirit Masters, have been injured and entangled by second-tier demonic beasts, while first-tier demonic beasts are attacking from a distance or launching sneak attacks.

Xu Chuan stroked his chin and calmly analyzed, "They probably wanted to surround and kill a peak second-tier demonic beast, but couldn't resolve it quickly, which attracted nearby demonic beasts."

"Should we make a move?"

"The Zhao family's goal is the same as ours, but we are helping Mo Yue recover, while they are probably trying to cultivate a third-tier demon beast."

Xu Chuan paused for a moment, then continued, "The world is too chaotic now. If another Golden Core family were to emerge, it would be beneficial in the future in the face of the great calamity."

Moreover, the Zhao family is also an ally of the Xu family.

After saying this, the group immediately set off.

"Ancestor, what should we do now? If we continue, we will attract more and more second-tier demonic beasts."

The old man from the Zhao family, who had reached the eighth level of foundation building, said with a worried expression.

This person was none other than the Fifth Elder of the Zhao family, whom Xu Chuan had met during his trip to Xuan Yue Peak.

At this moment, the Zhao family patriarch was fighting a peak second-tier wood-type demon beast not far away. They seemed to be evenly matched, but upon closer observation, it was clear that he was at a disadvantage.

The other five Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Zhao family had to deal with more than a dozen second-tier demonic beasts while also guarding against sneak attacks from Qi Refining demonic beasts.

Fortunately, the late-stage Foundation Establishment elders each managed to entangle the three second-tier demonic beasts.

The surrounding spirit beasts also entangled with one.

Otherwise, it wouldn't be as simple as just a few people getting injured.

"Damn beast! If I weren't busy, I could have killed all twenty-odd first-tier demonic beasts in no time!" a Foundation Establishment stage elder cursed inwardly.

The Zhao family patriarch glanced at the situation of the others and sighed inwardly, "It seems that luck is not on the side of the Zhao family. Otherwise, the last encirclement and suppression would not have failed, and this time there would be no more problems."

There was clearly only one peak-stage second-tier wood-type demon core left!

Just as he was about to speak, intending to help everyone escape from this place.

A curtain of light rose around them.

The light flowed and instantly covered it as if a giant, upside-down bowl were hanging over it.

(End of this chapter)