Starting with the creation of the Immortal Clan through the compilation of the family genealogy.

Chapter 163 The Ten-Year Limit! Can Fate Be Defied?

Seeing Meng Xihong's embarrassed yet forcedly composed expression, Xiao Yan leaned forward slightly on his dragon throne, and a rare smile appeared in his insightful eyes.

"Never mind, they're just worthless trinkets. You've received what I promised you, and you've agreed to my conditions."

"So, what are your plans for this 'Divine Martial Army'?" Xiao Yan asked, his smile fading.

Meng Xihong already had a plan in mind, and immediately said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, the quality of an army is more important than its quantity. I humbly request Your Majesty to select three thousand of the most determined and fearless elite soldiers from the Po Jun Camp to form the core of the Shenwu Army."

"The Broken Army Camp?" Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow, neither confirming nor denying. "The soldiers there are all my precious darlings. You really dare to ask."

"Only true veterans, battle-hardened elites, can unleash the full power of the *Furnace Classic*." Meng Xihong said neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"Your Majesty, I assure you that within three years, I will return to you three thousand weapons of war capable of directly confronting cultivators in the mid-to-late stages of the Golden Core realm!"

"Three years?" A terrifying glint finally flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes.

“Three years!” Meng Xihong said decisively.

"Good!" Xiao Yan slammed his hand on the armrest of the dragon throne, his voice echoing in the empty Qilin Hall.

"I'll give you three years! These three thousand elite soldiers of the Broken Army Camp are yours! All resources within Qingzhou are at your disposal!"

"I have only one request: three years from now, I want to see with my own eyes the Divine Martial Army of my Great Li Dynasty twist the head off the Northern Border Demon General!"

"According to the order!"

"As for your son..." Xiao Yan's tone softened, "With the blessing of the nation's fortune, your son can be guaranteed to be safe and sound within ten years."

As for the 'Nine Revolutions Reincarnation Flower' atop Cloud Peak, there's no need to rush. You have ten years to prepare; once your cultivation is complete, you can seek it out later.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" A huge weight that had been hanging over Meng Xihong's heart for years finally fell to the ground at this moment.

"but."

Xiao Yan's sudden change of tone made Meng Xihong's heart jump into his throat again.

"Although I have temporarily sealed the curse between your son's brows with the fate of the nation, its connection with that evil emperor has not been severed."

It's like a lighthouse, a compass.

As long as it still exists, the Annihilation Holy Sect might be able to roughly sense its location through secret techniques.

Meng Xihong's expression changed instantly.

"Your Majesty means..."

“What I mean is,” Xiao Yan’s voice turned cold, “you think you’ve caught a big fish, but little do you know, you yourself are the most conspicuous bait on the hook.”

"Although you won a great victory in the battle of Black Wind Mountain, you were also completely exposed to the sight of the Annihilation Holy Sect."

They may not be able to do anything to you now that you have the protection of the dynasty, but they will be like sharks smelling blood, gathering from all directions to Qingzhou, gathering around your Tianyan Sect.

"They will do everything they can to uncover your secrets."

Xiao Yan stood up, walked down the dragon platform step by step, and came to Meng Xihong, speaking slowly and deliberately.

"I can give you soldiers, power, and resources. But since you've chosen to cooperate with me, you must be prepared."

“From the moment you stepped into this Qilin Palace, you and your Tianyan Sect have been standing at the center of the storm.”

"Meng Xihong, are you ready?"

Inside the Qilin Hall, you could hear a pin drop.

Meng Xihong remained silent for a long time, so long that Xiao Beichen thought he would be overwhelmed by the sudden pressure. But he suddenly raised his head and smiled self-deprecatingly.

"I... I have no way out, do I?"

There were no vehement defenses, no grand pronouncements, only a calm statement.

A barely perceptible hint of approval flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes.

To be able to accept reality and calm one's mind in such a short time, this person's character is indeed extraordinary.

"It's good that you understand." Xiao Yan's voice returned to its calm tone. "I'm telling you this not to scare you."

Rather, I want you to know that you and I are now in the same boat. The curse on your son is the 'anchor' that the demonic emperor nailed into this world from the void, and the destiny of my Great Li Kingdom is the 'mountain' that suppresses this 'anchor.'"

"If the mountain collapses, the anchor will surely move, and what will follow is a disaster that will overturn this world."

"Ten years is the longest I can buy for you. After ten years, the power of the seal on the nation's destiny will gradually weaken, and that coordinate will become clear again."

At that time, whether you want to become food to be swallowed whole by the demon, or a stubborn rock that can crush its fangs, is entirely up to you.

"I will certainly live up to Your Majesty's trust!" Meng Xihong's voice was firm and powerful.

"Go ahead." Xiao Yan waved his hand. "Royal brother, see Sect Leader Meng off. If he is in a hurry to return to the sect, activate the teleportation array for him again."

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Xiao Beichen replied, gesturing for Meng Xihong to proceed.

As he walked out of the Qilin Hall and through the deep, quiet palace corridors, Meng Xihong remained silent. He could almost feel that behind the seemingly peaceful sky above him, a pair of invisible, cold eyes were gazing at him indifferently across endless time and space.

Just as they were about to leave the palace gates, Xiao Beichen spoke in a low voice: "Sect Leader Meng, regarding my elder brother's words, you..."

"Your Highness, rest assured, I understand." Meng Xihong interrupted him, his voice hoarse, tinged with a self-deprecating weariness.

"From Wufeng County to Yunni Township, and then to this Yunmeng Marshland, has my Meng family ever had a truly smooth journey?"
It's just jumping from one thin sheet of ice to an even thinner one. To my shame, sometimes I wonder if I, Meng, have some kind of cursed constitution, that trouble finds me wherever I go.

Upon hearing these words, Xiao Beichen revealed a smile, a smile that softened his imposing demeanor and made him appear more approachable.

"A constitution that attracts disaster?" He repeated the word, shook his head, and looked at Meng Xihong with deep eyes. "Sect Master Meng, you are wrong. It's not that you have a constitution that attracts disaster, but that this stagnant pool, which has been dormant for thousands of years, cannot tolerate a pebble like you."

He paused, his tone becoming serious: "My brother values ​​you not only because of the 'Brightening Furnace Classic.' Your very existence is a variable."

And now, this game needs a variable like you to break the deadlock. If you need anything, feel free to contact me via private message.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After leaving the palace, Meng Xihong declined the private residence arranged by Xiao Beichen and instead brought Meng Yanqing and Meng Yan'an back to the hidden teleportation array.

Eager to go home.

He couldn't wait to tell this wonderful news to his wife, who was worried about their son day and night.

Seeing Meng Xihong's anxious look, Xiao Beichen shook his head with a smile: "Sect Master Meng, do you know that the spirit stones required to activate this Ten Thousand Mile Universe Teleportation Array once are enough to buy half of Qingyang County? I've made an exception for you three times in a year. Your influence is greater than that of a prince like me."

Upon hearing this, Meng Xihong solemnly bowed deeply to Xiao Beichen.

"Your Highness's great kindness will be forever remembered by Meng Xihong. If there is ever a need for my Tianyan Sect, I will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

A flash of light, and the three figures disappeared into the teleportation array.

The next moment, in the Yunmeng Great Swamp, at the outer gate of the Tianyan Sect.

Holding the sleeping Meng Yan'an in his arms, Meng Xihong felt the familiar scent and the tension in his heart finally eased.

(End of this chapter)