Establishing a Clan in the Eastern Wilderness: A Daily Divination, Cultivating Longevity in a Grotto

Chapter 112 Escaping to safety, another general joins the fight.

The Blood Demon Stone trembled violently, emitting a piercing buzzing sound, as if it were wailing. The golden light grew stronger and stronger, locking the Blood Demon Stone firmly in place and slowly dragging it into the Heavenly Book.

The Heavenly Book space began to tremble.

The sky outside the thatched hut, which had been a hazy gray, was now transformed by a dramatic change in weather. Golden bolts of lightning crackled in the void, and golden dragon shadows darted through the clouds. On the ground, golden lotuses sprouted from the soil, radiating brilliant light.

Flowers rained down from the sky, golden lotuses sprang from the ground, golden dragons roamed the sky, and purple clouds came from the east.

In the very center of the Heavenly Book space, a huge golden vortex slowly formed, swallowing the Blood Demon Stone.

The Blood Demon Stone struggled and wailed within the vortex, unable to break free. Its color gradually faded from blood red to dark red, then to deep gray, and finally vanished into nothingness.

The golden vortex gradually dissipated, and the Heavenly Book Space returned to calm.

A line of text appeared on the celestial book:

[The Heavenly Book Space is evolving—]

Current progress: 1%

The Blood Demon Stone has been refined, and the Heavenly Book space will be gradually upgraded. New features will be unlocked upon completion of the upgrade.

Li Changsheng exited the Heavenly Book Space, confirmed that no one was around, and then moved with Shen Qing to another secret cave.

When Li Changsheng pushed the door open and came in, Li Changle quickly got up and went to greet him. She first scanned Li Changsheng's body to make sure he was not injured before she breathed a sigh of relief.

"Brother, you're finally back!"

Li Changsheng stepped aside, and Shen Qing slowly walked in from outside the door. He had changed into a clean robe, but his face was still frighteningly pale, his cheekbones were prominent, his eyes were sunken, and he walked with unsteady steps, as if he might collapse at any moment.

Seeing his appearance, Li Changle quickly moved a chair over: "Sit down, don't stand."

Shen Qing glanced at her, nodded, but didn't sit down. His gaze swept anxiously around the cave, his lips moved a few times, and finally he asked the question that had been weighing on his mind all the way: "Benefactor, could you please help me rescue my father!"

"Your father is being held under house arrest by the Zhuo family in a villa in the northern suburbs of Yunshan County," Li Changle interjected. "It's a three-courtyard house, surrounded by array formations. There aren't many guards, but they're all late-stage Qi Refining cultivators. I didn't dare approach the house to see what was going on inside, for fear of alerting them."

Shen Qing suddenly raised her head: "I'm going to save him."

As he spoke, he tried to stand up, but his body swayed and he almost fell over.

Li Chang Le quickly caught him, scolding, "With your frail body, you can barely walk, how can you possibly save me?"

Shen Qing gritted her teeth, her eyes red-rimmed, her voice hoarse: "I suffered in the mining area for four years, and my father was imprisoned by them for even longer—he's old and his health isn't as good as mine. Every day I wait, he suffers one more day—"

"That's why we can't rush it," Li Changsheng continued, his tone resolute. "Going now would be suicide. Your father has been imprisoned there for decades; one more day won't make a difference."

Shen Qing knew Li Changsheng was right, but the burning urge in her heart was something she couldn't suppress.

Li Changsheng looked at him and softened his tone: "I said I would save you and your son, and I will. But guess what I found when I came back?"

"What?"

"The Zhuo family's mining area is in complete chaos." Li Changsheng's lips curled up slightly. "The Zhuo family is in turmoil right now. The mining area is under lockdown, and the overseers are searching everywhere for people. The news has already reached the Zhuo clan chief. When I came back, I saw a spiritual light shining in the direction of the county town. It must be that the Zhuo clan chief went there personally."

Li Changle's eyes lit up: "So the Zhuo family's attention is all on the mining area now?"

"Yes." Li Changsheng nodded. "With such a big incident in the mining area, the Zhuo family must be in complete chaos. Even if the guards at the villa aren't transferred, they won't be able to focus on them. This is the perfect opportunity to make a move."

He paused, then looked at Shen Qing: "I'm ready. We'll go rescue your father tonight."

Shen Qing was taken aback, then suddenly stood up. This time he didn't sway; it was as if he had suddenly gained strength: "I'll go too!"

"You stay." Li Changsheng pressed down on his shoulder and pushed him back into the chair. "The poison in your body hasn't been completely cleared yet; going there would only be a burden. Little sister, stay too and take care of him."

Although Li Changle wanted to help, she knew her brother was right, so she nodded and said, "Brother, be careful."

Li Changsheng took out several pills and talismans from his storage bag and placed them on the table: "Leave these for Shen Qing. Take one Detoxifying Pill every day for seven days, and the blood toxins in his body will be completely cleared. Take good care of yourself and wait for my return."

.

Before leaving, Li Changsheng's consciousness sank into his sea of ​​consciousness.

"Today's divination result is 'open'."

The celestial book shimmered with yellow light, and the deduced characters slowly emerged:

[The Divination for Rescuing Shen Tieshan]

The Zhuo family's villa, named "Yi Garden," is in reality an elaborately crafted cage. Within the courtyard lies a second-tier, low-grade "Four Symbols Spirit Locking Array," based on the power of the four symbols—Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise—to seal off the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. The array's core is located on the artificial hill in the back garden.

At the bottom, four peak Qi Refining cultivators take turns guarding the area, changing shifts every four hours. A hidden "sensing bell" is located within the formation; once an outsider enters, the bell will ring, alerting the entire courtyard.

Shen Tieshan was imprisoned in a secret chamber beneath the artificial hill. The chamber's walls were constructed of "mysterious iron and refined gold," each three feet thick, rendering them impervious to ordinary magical artifacts. The entrance to the chamber was protected by an "Eight Trigrams Spirit-Locking Array," which could only be activated with a specific frequency of spiritual energy. The Zhuo family delivered food and water every three days, delivered by Zhuo Jiu, a trusted confidant of the Zhuo clan chief and a peak Qi Refining expert skilled in poisons.

The divination indicates that at midnight tonight, Zhuo Jiu will enter the secret chamber to deliver food. This is his only chance to enter. Zhuo Jiu possesses a "Mysterious Iron Token," which can open the stone door to the secret chamber.

Li Changsheng opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in them.

"At midnight, Zhuo Jiu."

"6

It's almost midnight.

Li Changsheng used his Shadowless Step technique to silently sneak up near the villa.

He didn't approach rashly, but first circled the perimeter to confirm the patrol routes. The courtyard wasn't large, but the density of guards far exceeded his expectations—three patrol teams of cultivators patrolled the outer wall in shifts, each team consisting of five people, all at the late stage of Qi Refining. The walls were covered with sensing runes; any touch would trigger an alarm.

"A net of heaven and earth," Li Changsheng thought to himself.

Just as midnight arrived, footsteps echoed in the distance. A thin, grim-faced middle-aged man carrying a food box walked from the end of the alley. It was Zhuo Jiu.

Li Changsheng held his breath and waited for Zhuo Jiu to pass by before his figure flashed out like a ghost. The Shadow Killing Sword was silently drawn from its sheath, its blade transforming into a phantom, precisely piercing into the back of Zhuo Jiu's neck—not a fatal wound, but one that sealed his spiritual meridians.

Zhuo Jiu didn't even have time to make a sound before his body went limp and collapsed.

Li Changsheng dragged him behind a tree, bound him with a spirit-binding rope, and sealed his dantian with a spirit-suppressing talisman. He took the Xuan Tie token from Zhuo Jiu's body, circulated the Chaos Yuan Scripture, and used the Disguise Technique to transform into Zhuo Jiu's appearance—this was a new ability he had comprehended after breaking through the fifth level of Qi Refining. The Chaos Spiritual Power encompassed all things, and the Disguise Technique was genuine.

He picked up the food box and walked to the main gate of the villa.

Above the door was a bronze mirror, reflecting his face—Zhuo Jiu's face. A row of runes ran along the lower edge of the mirror, a formation for identifying the person. Li Changsheng affixed the Xuan Tie Token to the mirror and poured spiritual energy into it. The mirror lit up, the runes swirled, and after a moment, the door opened silently.

Li Changsheng stepped in.

The interior of the villa appeared even more formidable than the exterior. The courtyard was deserted, but at least seven or eight figures lurked in the shadows.

He didn't look around, but walked straight to the back garden. A divination showed that Zhuo Jiu's route for delivering food was from the main gate to the rockery in the back garden, without stopping in between.

Along the way, he felt several divine senses sweep over him, but they only touched him briefly before withdrawing. Zhuo Jiu was the trusted confidant of the Zhuo clan chief, and had been delivering food for decades without ever making a mistake; the guards were already used to it.

The stone gate suddenly burst open.

The secret room was not large, about two zhang square.

In the very center of the secret chamber, a refining furnace, about half the height of a person, stood quietly.

In front of the furnace, an old man was bowing his head, holding an iron hammer in his hand, and hammering on a red-hot iron billet.

His hair was gray and disheveled, hanging loosely over his shoulders. His face was full of wrinkles, his eyes were sunken, and his cheekbones were high, just like Shen Qing's.

Shen Tieshan.

Second-tier weapon refiner.

Li Changsheng stood at the door, not in a hurry to go in. He scanned the entire secret room with his divine sense to confirm that there were no hidden restrictions before stepping inside.

"Shen Tieshan," he called softly.

The old man paused for a moment, but didn't look up. He just asked in a hoarse voice, "Just leave the food and water at the door."

"I'm not here to bring you food or water."

The old man's hand stopped completely. He slowly raised his head, his cloudy eyes looking at Li Changsheng, first blankly, then gradually becoming sharp.

"Who are you?" His voice was no longer hoarse, but carried a suppressed wariness.

"The people who came to save you."

Shen Tieshan remained silent for a moment, then suddenly sneered, "Changing tactics again?"

"Four years ago, you sent my son to the mining area, saying it was for training. I knew he was a hostage. I obediently stayed here to refine weapons, and I didn't make a mistake for four years. What are you trying to test now?" He stared at Li Changsheng, his gaze like a knife. "My son is still in your hands. I won't run away. Stop with your tricks."

Li Changsheng offered no explanation, but instead took out a jade pendant from his robes and handed it to the old man.

"This was given to me by Shen Qing."

Shen Tieshan took the jade pendant, and the moment his fingers touched the warm, smooth jade surface, he froze. He turned the pendant over and saw that the blue lotus carved on the back was one he had carved himself; he could feel the patterns of the lotus petals even with his eyes closed.

"Qing'er—" The old man's hands began to tremble violently, and his eyes suddenly reddened.

"I've already rescued Shen Qing," Li Changsheng said.

Shen Tieshan abruptly raised his head, his eyes filled with shock: "Why did you save us, father and son? What do you want?"

"I need a weapon refiner," Li Changsheng said bluntly. "Our Li family lacks a weapon refiner who can refine second-tier magic weapons."

Shen Tieshan was stunned for a moment, then gave a wry smile.

"I'm not using you as a tool," Li Changsheng explained, looking at him. "I'm here to rescue you, not to capture you. After you're out, you can leave as you please. If you're willing to help our Li family refine weapons, I'll pay you. If you're not, I'll send you and your son away to a safe place to settle down. I won't force you."

Shen Tieshan stared at him for a long time.

He had spent so many years in the Zhuo family and had seen far too much hypocrisy. Not a single word those people had said to him was true. But this young man's eyes were as clear as mountain spring water, showing not a trace of scheming.

"What's your name?" Shen Tieshan asked.

"Li Changsheng. The Li family of Qinglan Mountain."

"Walk."

At worst, we'll just go back to square one.

Mo Yu used the Shadowless Technique to conceal his figure.

I had just stepped out of the courtyard.

A sharp whistle rang out.

Li Changsheng instantly activated the Wind Escape Talisman, and the two figures vanished from their original spot. Several miles later, Li Changsheng rode on the Crimson Feather, which soared straight up into the sky.

After an incense stick had burned, they arrived at the mountain forest.

Li Changsheng cast a spell, causing a crack to appear in the light barrier. He stepped aside to let Shen Tieshan go in first.

Inside the cave, the lights were on.

Shen Qing was sitting in a chair when he heard footsteps. He looked up and called out, "Father—"

Shen Qing suddenly stood up, his body swayed and he almost fell, but he didn't stop and staggered towards the door.

Shen Tieshan saw him too, and tears welled up in his cloudy eyes. He opened his arms and hugged his son who rushed towards him.

"Qing'er—Qing'er—" The old man's voice choked with emotion, tears streaming down his wrinkled face. "You've lost weight—"

You've suffered—

Shen Qing's tears fell instantly. In his four years working in the mines, he hadn't shed a single tear. He hadn't cried when he was beaten, cursed, or trampled underfoot. But now, holding his father, he trembled with sobs, unable to speak.

"Father—I thought you were dead—I thought you were long gone—"

-

"Alive, alive." Shen Tieshan patted his son's back, his voice trembling. "Dad is still alive, and you're alive too. We're both alive."

The father and son embraced and wept bitterly.

Li Changsheng stood at the door, but did not go in.

Li Changle came out from the inner room, carrying a bowl of hot porridge. When she saw the father and son embracing and weeping at the door, her nose tingled and her eyes reddened. She placed the porridge on the table, stepped back to Li Changsheng's side, and quietly tugged at his sleeve.

"Brother," she whispered.

Li Changsheng didn't say anything, but gently patted his little sister's head.

After a long while, Shen Tieshan finally released his son and helped him sit back down in his chair. He turned around, walked to Li Changsheng, and bowed deeply.

"Chief Li, I will never forget your life-saving grace."

"No need for such formalities, Elder Shen." Li Changsheng reached out to help him up. "As I said, I saved you and your son because I have a favor to ask of you."

Shen Tieshan straightened up, looked at him solemnly, and said, "Clan Chief Li, please speak freely. As long as it can be done, I, Shen, will have no objections."

.

Li Changsheng said solemnly, "Master Shen, I don't need you to risk your life. I need you to help me repair a magical artifact."

Shen Tieshan paused for a moment, then nodded emphatically: "Alright! Don't worry, benefactor. I, Shen Tieshan, may not have many other skills, but I'm an expert at crafting magical artifacts. Just give me the materials, and I can craft any magical artifact for you!"

Li Changsheng nodded and took out a token from his pocket, handing it to him: "This is the Li family's identity token. From today onwards, you and your son are members of the Li family. When we return to Qinglan Mountain, I will arrange accommodations for you. Master Shen, focus on refining your weapons, and Shen Qing, focus on recovering from your injuries. If you need anything, just ask."

Shen Tieshan accepted the token, holding it in both hands, tears streaming down his face.

The next morning, Li Changsheng, along with the Shen family father and son and Li Changle, flew towards Qinglan Mountain on the Crimson Feather.

On Chi Yu's back, Shen Tieshan looked at Yunshan County gradually receding below and remembered something. He said, "My benefactor, there is something I need to tell you."

"What is it?"

"The Blood Demon Stone in the Zhuo family's mining area wasn't buried there by chance. I overheard the Zhuo clan chief talking to someone while I was refining weapons in the underground chamber. They deliberately placed it there."

Human intervention?

What is the Zhuo family up to?!

at the same time.

Within the sea of ​​consciousness, the Heavenly Book trembled slightly:

[Recruiting one Tier 2 weapon refiner. Current family fortune value: 16600/20000]