Transform into ancestral tablets and create a supreme immortal clan.

"They're just relying on the power of their talisman!" Gu Hanjiang roared through his soul, filled with resentment.

Shen Shichu stood before him, looking down at Gu Hanjiang, who was bound like a dumpling and struggling futilely in the air, and shook his head.

"Fellow Daoist Gu, in the path of cultivation, strength is paramount."

This superior-grade talisman is also part of my strength.

"It doesn't sound good if word gets out that you, a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, were defeated by someone like me, who's only at the early stage."

He paused, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes: "However, the Shen family no longer cares about this reputation."

He reached out and grabbed the storage bag from Gu Hanjiang's waist, then carefully searched his body for any hidden markings or communication devices, taking them all.

"I'm sparing your life today to save face for Seven Star Mountain," Shen Shichu said, his tone turning cold.

"The Shen family has no intention of being enemies with Seven Star Mountain, but they are not afraid of any provocation."

If any uninvited guests trespass on our territory and disturb our ancestor's peaceful cultivation... then they won't just be "invited" out like this.

"Get out!"

Having said that, he flicked his sleeve, and with a sudden swing, he flung the Spirit-Binding Rope binding Gu Hanjiang far away from the mountain like a stone.

Gu Hanjiang was tightly bound, and most of his magic power was also restricted. He could only fall in a messy parabola towards the distant mountains and forests, and it was unknown what kind of damage he would suffer.

Shen Shichu didn't even glance at it, turning back into the formation. The light barrier of the mountain-protecting formation slowly closed, isolating the inside from the outside.

Back in the council hall, several elders immediately surrounded him, their faces filled with worry.

"Patriarch, such humiliation of Gu Hanjiang will likely not be tolerated by Seven Star Mountain, and the Gu family will certainly not let the Shen family off the hook..."

"The Gu family is powerful, and with the Ninth Ancestor still in seclusion, isn't it too risky?"

Shen Shichu waved his hand, his gaze steady: "It is precisely to establish our authority through this."

"With our ancestors back, the rise of the Shen family is now unstoppable."

"To remain silent only invites others to spy on you."

Today's minor punishment serves as a warning, demonstrating talent without creating a fatal enmity.

Seven Star Mountain is not a monolithic entity. If that old bastard Gu Hanjiang wants to use this opportunity to cause trouble, Seven Star Mountain may not cooperate. Moreover…”

He gazed into the depths of the valley, his eyes filled with awe and confidence: "With our ancestors here, what is there to fear from petty villains?"

"What we need most right now is time."

Once the Nine Yang Ancestor achieves his Golden Core, the clan's disciples will grow up...

Within this vast area spanning thousands of miles around Beipan Mountain, it remains to be seen who will rise and fall.

Upon hearing this, the elders recalled the unfathomable ancestor in the valley, and their slight unease gradually subsided, replaced by a burning anticipation.

Inside the secluded bamboo house in the valley, Shen Xiao stood with his hands behind his back by the window, as if he could see everything that had just happened through the array.

He smiled slightly, seemingly satisfied with Shen Shichu's handling of the situation.

"Courageous and resourceful, knows how to leverage external forces, not bad," he muttered to himself.

"Seven Star Mountain... I hope you'll be sensible."

Otherwise, I wouldn't mind adding a few more stepping stones to the Shen family's rise to power.

The Four Great Immortal Sects are nothing to be as unattainable as they seem.

It just takes some time.

Shen Xiao withdrew his gaze and looked at the quiet room not far away, filled with spiritual energy.

Shen Mubai was consolidating his newly acquired top-grade spiritual root within it, his aura growing steadily and rapidly.

"The seeds have been sown, and the storm is about to come." Shen Xiao's eyes were as deep as the starry sky.

"It's time to stir up this water."

He turned around and slowly walked towards the meditation room, preparing to further instruct Shen Mubai on his cultivation.

The growth of a family requires top-notch combat power, as well as capable successors.

Another three months have passed.

A faint streak of light quietly flew out from the Cao family's territory.

It did not fly towards the Shen family, nor towards Seven Star Mountain, but turned south and disappeared into the vast wilderness.

Nestled among these mountains and valleys are numerous families of cultivators, both large and small.

Almost simultaneously, news of Shen Jiuyang's "old injury recurring and seclusion to consolidate his realm," as well as vague rumors of the possible appearance of Gu Zongyi's belongings in Black Wind Ravine, began to spread quietly in several small towns around Beipan Mountain, like ink drops in water.

The wind on Beipan Mountain seemed to carry a hint of impending storm.

Thousands of miles away, several streaks of light, like cold lightning, pierced the sky, heading straight for Beipan Mountain.

The elderly man at the head of the group had a sinister face and a burning, obsessive gaze; he was none other than Gu Hanjiang.

Behind him were several elders from ancient families, who were at least mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Gu Hanjiang stroked a "Floating Firefly Secret Token" in his hand, which had been unsealed and looked unusually ancient, and muttered to himself, his voice like the friction of metal against stone.

"The Shen family, the Golden Core cultivator, Gu Zongyi, that good-for-nothing, died under suspicious circumstances..."

In any case, my destiny lies with the Shen family!

The ancient cultivators in the group were all reinforcements brought by Gu Hanjiang.

It seems that Gu Hanjiang hasn't learned his lesson yet; he truly becomes more courageous with each setback!

……

Inside the Shen family council hall, Shen Muge, dressed in red, exuded a languid air and charm in every move she made!

His entire being exuded an aura of three parts coldness, three parts sharpness, and four parts sinister charm.

Over the past few months, he has traveled among the various cultivation families in the surrounding area.

It is like a ghost, appearing and disappearing without a trace.

They successively "visited" several vassal families of the Cangwu Ancient Family.

Not only did they acquire a large number of spiritual objects and cultivation resources, but they also caused these small cultivation families to have no peace every day.

The previously relatively stable situation among the cultivation families has become increasingly chaotic.

As a result, the Cangwu Ancient Family had to devote a great deal of energy to the project, making it difficult for them to focus their attention on Beipan Mountain.

Upon returning to the Shen family, he immediately offered spiritual items to Shen Xiao, in exchange for many good things from Shen Xiao.

Among them, the one he cherished most was a top-grade talisman called "Heavenly Light Divine Needle".

The power of a talisman depends on the grade of the original magic weapon and the amount of power it draws from it.

In the cultivation world of Southern Chu, most of the talismans and treasures are special jade talismans that seal the power of the original magic weapon within a restricted area.

It can be used multiple times.

It is the most treasured item for Foundation Establishment cultivators.

The Heavenly Light Divine Needle Talisman that Shen Xiao bestowed upon Shen Muge was itself a top-grade magic weapon.

The main body is made by refining the true essence of the metal and earth elements, supplemented by a variety of high-grade refining materials.

They are shaped like bluish-green needles, as fine as cow hair, and are extremely numerous.

They can fly out in formation, appearing like clouds and rain from afar, but chillingly sharp up close.

It can penetrate armor and devour spirits, and is specifically effective against all kinds of defensive magic treasures and protective auras.

The needle can slip through an opening and attack from both inside and outside, shattering the body and destroying the soul; it has extremely strong penetrating and disintegrating capabilities.

His top-grade Heavenly Light Divine Needle Talisman was produced by Shen Xiao's system.

As long as the spiritual power is abundant enough, it can unleash nearly 50% of the magic weapon's power when fully activated, which is extremely powerful.

Even with Shen Muge's current cultivation level and magical power, she is far from being able to fully unleash it.

But having this treasure also gave Shen Muge a tremendous amount of confidence.

In order to properly activate this talisman, Shen Muge even exchanged for a bottle of millennium-old spiritual milk so that he could replenish his spiritual power at any time.