Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 309 Come forward
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone turned to look back.

Two young cultivators flew over.

The leader, dressed in a dark black robe, appeared exceptionally simple and dignified. He stood tall and had an extraordinary air about him. His eyes were sharp as lightning. After scanning the surroundings, he finally fixed his gaze on Zhang Min: "The Ouyang family has a far-reaching reputation. Is this reputation built on bullying a weak woman?"

Ouyang Tai frowned, but before he could speak, Ouyang He roared, "You snot-nosed brat, who are you to dare speak ill of my Ouyang family?"

Li Xiangren raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze falling on Ouyang He's missing arm. He deliberately showed a look of surprise, which was undoubtedly rubbing salt into Ouyang He's wounds.

Ouyang He was so angry that his face turned ashen. His magical power surged, and he took a step towards Li Xiangren with a menacing aura.

If it were an ordinary early Foundation Establishment cultivator, they would probably have been filled with fear in the face of Ouyang He's imposing aura.

But Li Xiangren simply smiled calmly, and the golden flying sword behind him shot out and stood in front of him, its sword light dazzling.

The two sides are locked in a fierce battle, which could erupt at any moment.

Just as the tense atmosphere reached its peak, Ouyang Tai spoke up in time to stop them: "He'er, stop!"

Upon hearing this, Ouyang He was stunned for a moment, but still reluctantly withdrew his hand.

At this moment, Ouyang Tai's voice continued: "What brings this esteemed disciple of Hengyue Sect here?"

Hengyue Gate?
Ouyang He was startled and quickly turned around.

But Ouyang Tai was staring intently at another person in the sky.

Being so closely watched by the Ouyang family gave Han Yunhao a headache.

He originally came to pursue Li Xiangren, but he didn't expect Li Xiangren to stop halfway and interfere in the affairs of the Ouyang family.

As a prominent Golden Core clan in Hao County, the Ouyang family held a superior position and was naturally acquainted with the Hengyue Sect, which was also a Golden Core force.

However, this familiarity is by no means a loving relationship.

Many years ago, when the Ouyang family was at its peak, the Hengyue Sect was just a small sect.

Now, however, he has become the overlord of Hao County, surpassing the Ouyang family.

The Ouyang family was naturally unwilling to accept this and regarded Hengyue Sect as their hypothetical enemy.

Hengyue Sect was also worried that the rise of the Ouyang family would threaten their own position.

Therefore, the relationship between the two sides is very delicate, and there are quite a few conflicts.

But overall, the number of collaborations was much greater.

For example, Ouyang Tai, who held a high position of power, visited Hengyue Gate many times to discuss important matters.

Ouyang Tai had met most of the inner disciples of Hengyue Sect once.

Not to mention, they had just met not long ago.

At the time, due to the great distance and Ouyang Tai's eagerness to get on his way, he only glanced at Han Yunhao briefly and did not recognize the relatively unfamiliar man.

But now that they were face to face, Ouyang Tai immediately thought of Hengyue Sect.

That's why Han Yunhao felt troubled.

If no one recognizes him, he can simply walk away.

Once the identity of the Hengyue Sect disciple is exposed.

He represents more than just his own stance.

He turned a blind eye to the dire state of Green Cloud Cave, which went against the strategy followed by Hengyue Sect and would likely damage the sect's image.

However, if he intervenes, it will lead to a conflict with the Ouyang family.

This is also an extremely sensitive matter.

"Li Xiangren, you've given me a real challenge."

Yun Hao inwardly groaned, but remained outwardly calm. He cupped his hands in greeting to Ouyang Tai and said politely, "Yun Hao and Brother Li from Dangui Mountain were traveling together, exchanging skills and enjoying ourselves immensely, when we unexpectedly encountered Senior Ouyang and all of you fellow practitioners here. My apologies for my disrespect."

Han Yunhao was clearly not one to suffer in silence. When he saw that Li Xiangren had tricked him into coming to Green Cloud Cave, he immediately pointed out Li Xiangren's background and emphasized the word "exchange of skills".

Ouyang Tai was a shrewd old man; how could he not understand Han Yunhao's subtext?

This was a subtle way of telling him that Hengyue Sect had come here for the Li family of Danggui Mountain, not for Green Cloud Cave.

As long as Hengyue Sect doesn't interfere with the Enlightenment Spring, everything is fine.

Ouyang Tai nodded slightly, about to speak, when Han Yunhao immediately followed up with his second question: "Although Green Cloud Cave is located in a corner of the Luoyang Mountains, it participated in the Liangfu Alliance decades ago and gained the recognition of many like-minded people. I wonder why it has fallen to this state?"

Han Yunhao's tone carried a hint of doubt, but his gaze was fixed intently on Ouyang Tai, as if trying to pierce through his soul. In an instant, Ouyang Tai's face turned unusually grim.
The Liangfu Alliance refers to a place called Liangfu Tower near Hengyue Sect. Every twenty years, Hengyue Sect holds an alliance meeting here, inviting all the major and minor cultivation forces in Hao County to participate. Its purpose is nothing more than to demonstrate the power of Hengyue Sect and make the cultivation world of Hao County acknowledge Hengyue Sect's dominant position.

Of course, you can't say that publicly.

The banner that Hengyue Gate raises is one of good neighborliness and mutual support.

In addition, there was an underlying rule in the Liangfu Alliance.

Only those cultivation forces that join the Liangfu Alliance are considered the legitimate cultivation forces in Hao County. For example, Green Cloud Cave, although not a famous or righteous sect, still belongs to the "righteous path".

Even if a sect like Mangjiao (牉教) is very popular, it is still considered an unrecognized "heretical sect".

The Ouyang family was also a member of the Liangfu Alliance, and should have helped each other with the Green Cloud Cave.

But now, they are harming the disciples of Green Cloud Cave.

This would naturally violate the alliance.

However, the Liangfu Alliance was loose to begin with, and there were quite a few opposing forces among them. Even the Hengyue Sect could not possibly integrate the entire cultivation world of Hao County into one force, let alone resolve the conflicts among these nominal "allies".

Therefore, the supposed good neighborliness of the Liangfu Alliance was actually a joke.

Cases like the Ouyang family, where the strong bully the weak, are numerous.

Since Hengyue's whip was too far away, he had no choice but to pretend to be deaf and dumb.

But it wasn't always that Hengyue Sect remained silent.

In essence, Hengyuemen really wanted to maintain order in Haoxian County.

Only when Hao County is stable can their position be secure.

Amidst constant turmoil and the emergence of numerous heroes, the Hengyue Sect's situation has become increasingly precarious.

Perhaps it was precisely because Li Xiangren saw this that he dared to intervene in the crisis at Green Cloud Cave.

As expected, faced with the potential threat from the Ouyang family and the need to uphold the prestige of the Hengyue Sect, Han Yunhao chose the latter.

Ouyang Jue, standing to the side, said with displeasure, "Fellow Daoist Han, have you thought it through before making an enemy of the Ouyang family?"

"No!"

Han Yunhao quickly shook his head and said humbly, "My master always taught us to value harmony. You are all pillars of Hao County and my seniors. I would never dare to be your enemy."

"However, it is true that Green Cloud Cave and my Hengyue Sect are friendly neighbors. Although I don't know why your two families are fighting so fiercely, I believe there must be a misunderstanding. Once I have investigated, I will give you all a satisfactory answer."

Han Yunhao used a feigned retreat to advance, declaring that he was the middleman and would never stand up for Green Cloud Cave.

However, this middleman came from Hengyue Sect. If he stood in their way, could the Ouyang family still step over him to deal with Green Cloud Cave?
Moreover, Han Yunhao even brought up his master, Master Hongyun.

The Ouyang family has Golden Core cultivators, but True Person Hongyun is also a Golden Core cultivator.

Now, it was the Ouyang family's turn to be in a dilemma.

Ouyang Jue and the others exchanged glances, and finally focused their attention on Ouyang Tai.

Although Ouyang Tai was not the most outstanding expert in the family, he was highly experienced and held a prestigious position. Most of the Foundation Establishment cultivators present were his juniors.

However, a struggle flashed across Ouyang Tai's face, and he hesitated to make a decision.

Reason told him that the Ouyang family could not clash with Hengyue Sect, not only because of the difference in strength, but also because the two families were cooperating more and more closely.

Once the relationship deteriorates, the pain becomes excruciating.

However, this operation resulted in neither rescuing Ouyang Zhen nor avenging Ouyang He, nor finding the Enlightenment Spring; it can be said that they gained nothing.

If we can't get any information out of the Green Cloud Cave disciples now, we'll just have to leave in disgrace.

Then the Ouyang family will lose face, and his position in the family will also be shaken.

Soon, he will be labeled as "incompetent".

Thinking about this, Ouyang Tai felt extremely uncomfortable.

Although families share the same bloodline, they work together to help outsiders.

But the internal competition and power struggles are just as intense.

He stared at Han Yunhao for a long time before finally speaking slowly: "Fellow Daoist Han, I'm afraid this matter is not up to you."

(End of this chapter)