"Vast Mountain Range was high and forested, its terrain steep and perilous. The mountains were thick with noxious miasma, breeding insects and snakes, with demonic beasts appearing and disappearing. Even if I only entered the outskirts, it would still be dangerous.
Are you truly going into the mountains yourself to hunt Ice Rabbits and gather Ice-Cold Purple Ganoderma?" Xu Zhiyuan narrowed his eyes slightly, gazing into the distance at the blood-red sunset steadily sinking westward as he spoke slowly.
"Without tempering myself through life-and-death trials, even if I receive medicinal aid and break through the barrier to eventually step into the Ninth Rank and become a Grandmaster, I fear I would only remain stuck at the Ninth Rank," Xu Shixiong said.
"Good! Truly worthy of being my grandson, Xu Zhiyuan's grandson!" Xu Zhiyuan suddenly opened his narrowed eyes.
"Rest assured, Grandfather. One day, I will surpass the Ninth Rank and live up to your high expectations," Xu Shixiong said confidently.
Xu Zhiyuan's eyes revealed satisfaction, but he soon seemed to recall something, and his expression dimmed somewhat.
"What a pity. You have no immortal root. Otherwise, even if I had to offer up the foundation passed down through our family, I would still seek a place for you at an immortal sect."
"Once I become a Grandmaster, I can still battle cultivators," Xu Shixiong said proudly.
Newborn calves feared not tigers!
But what did you know of the difference between Immortal and Mortal?
Hearing this, Xu Zhiyuan's lips curved into a bitter smile. His eyes narrowed again as he gazed absently at the sunset, which was about to sink completely behind the western mountains, and no one knew what he was thinking.
"Recently, the Lin and Ding Families, along with the Hegemon Blade Sect, have grown increasingly rampant. They even slandered us, claiming we killed the lord of Wu Family Fortress. Is Grandfather truly going to keep indulging them?" Xu Shixiong asked.
"There is no rush. The Lin and Ding Families and the Hegemon Blade Sect have established themselves in Li City for many years. Though they have no Grandmasters overseeing them, they have many clansmen and disciples, including quite a few formidable Great Martial Masters. If they truly joined forces and united against our Xu Family, given my current condition, the best outcome would be mutual destruction.
It would be better to wait another year or so. That fruit should be ripe by then. Once I consume one, my vitality, blood, and inner strength will be fully restored.
When you return from the Vast Mountain Range, if you can enter the Eighth Rank, then temper yourself for another year or so before consuming that fruit, with your talent and foundation, there is at least a fifty to sixty percent chance that you will break into the Grandmaster realm in one stroke.
When that time comes, our Xu Family will have two Grandmasters. Dealing with those three factions will be much easier. For now, let them jump about as they please," Xu Zhiyuan said.
"This grandson understands," Xu Shixiong replied respectfully.
Hegemon Blade Sect.
Secret chamber.
Seated separately as host and guests were the three great powers of Li City: Hegemon Blade Sect Master Gong Zhonghou, Lin Family Head Lin Zhaonan, and Ding Family Head Ding Bangcheng.
"The Xu Family ambushed and killed Wu Yueli several months ago. Now, over these past few days, they have issued a conscription order, summoning only Great Martial Masters close to us. They have gone too far! I wish we could rise up today and wipe out the Xu Family!" Lin Zhaonan said angrily.
"No matter how old Xu Zhiyuan is, he is still a Grandmaster. Even if the three of us attacked together, we would not be his match. We have endured for so many years already; there is no need to rush now. It will not be too late to destroy the Xu Family after Chushan comes down the mountain from his training," Ding Bangcheng said.
"Has there been any news from Chushan's side?" Lin Zhaonan suppressed his anger and asked, though his eyes were fixed on Gong Zhonghou.
"I invited you here today precisely to discuss Ding Chushan," Gong Zhonghou said.
"Please speak, Brother Gong." Lin Zhaonan and Ding Bangcheng immediately straightened in their seats, their eyes shining as they stared at Gong Zhonghou.
"Some days ago, I secretly sent someone bearing a token to Myriad Spiral Mountain Spirit Blade Sect, where he met Chushan. Chushan has now cultivated to the Second Layer of Qi Refining.
However, he has no seniority or backing within the sect. If he remains there with his talent, he will likely only be able to stay in the outer sect, tend Spirit Grain fields, cultivate slowly, and build up his seniority.
If that continues, let alone the Foundation Establishment Realm, he will have little hope of even reaching the middle or later stages of Qi Refining. Thus, Chushan intends to report to an outer-sect steward after this season's Spirit Grain harvest and request permission to enter the mortal world for training and development," Gong Zhonghou said.
"That is perfect. Once Chushan returns to Li City, we will destroy the Xu Family, consolidate every force and resource within and beyond Li City, and fully support his cultivation.
As long as Chushan succeeds in cultivation, our descendants will have hope of entering the path of cultivation. Every sacrifice will have been worthwhile," Ding Bangcheng said.
"Exactly, exactly. Did Brother Gong not say that, according to the Art of Geomancy inherited by your master's lineage from the Spirit Blade Sect, the earth qi behind the Xu Family's mountain suddenly became active this year? There is a strong possibility that a Spirit Vein flows through that place.
If that is true, once we destroy the Xu Family, we can reclaim Spirit Grain fields there. Then Chushan will no longer need worry about cultivation resources," Lin Zhaonan said.
To resist the Xu Family and avoid being defeated one by one, the three families had always maintained traditions such as intermarriage.
Ding Chushan was Ding Bangcheng's legitimate grandson and also Lin Zhaonan's legitimate maternal grandson.
At the same time, Ding Chushan's parents were Gong Zhonghou's personal disciples, making him Gong Zhonghou's grand-disciple.
It could be said that Ding Chushan alone tied together the interests of all three families.
"Do not think that with Chushan acting, you can simply sleep easy over the matter of destroying the Xu Family. In the cultivation world, the Second Layer of Qi Refining can only be considered the very lowest level of cultivator. His magical power is limited, and so are the spells he can cast.
If martial artists are prepared, then let alone a Ninth-Rank Minor Grandmaster, even the three of us may not necessarily lose to Chushan.
However, cultivators' methods are unfathomably varied. They can also use external objects such as talismans and magical artifacts to unleash powerful killing moves. If a Grandmaster is unaware beforehand and unprepared, killing him would not be difficult.
Therefore, Chushan's matter must be kept strictly secret. Not the slightest hint can leak out. Otherwise, if Xu Zhiyuan becomes wary, matters will become troublesome," Gong Zhonghou said solemnly.
"Rest assured, Brother Gong. To this day, only the three of us and his parents know that Chushan entered the Spirit Blade Sect to cultivate. No one else knows, not even the clan elders!" Ding Bangcheng said in a deep voice.
Ji Family.
An antique study carrying the faint scent of medicinal herbs.
Ji Family Patriarch Ji Yuanzhen held a sandalwood box. Looking at the six pills lying quietly inside, his hands trembled slightly and his expression was filled with excitement.
"Good, good! As expected of the peerless pill-refining genius of our Ji Family. You actually succeeded in refining the Phoenix Cry Pill, which has been lost for who knew how many years!
What a pity. The ingredients required for the Phoenix Cry Pill are exceedingly precious, so it cannot be refined in large quantities. Li City's situation is also chaotic now, giving our Ji Family no chance to develop in peace. Otherwise, with this pill's aid, why would we need fear being unable to restore the Ji Family's former glory?" Ji Yuanzhen said, both delighted and wistful.
"Since Li City's situation is so chaotic, why don't we relocate elsewhere?" Ji Wenyue asked.
"The Ji Family has vast holdings and has cultivated its roots in Li City for many years. How could relocating elsewhere be easy? Besides, a mighty dragon cannot suppress a local snake. If we go elsewhere and start anew, who knew how much blood our Ji Family's descendants would have to shed before we could gain a foothold?
We shall take things one step at a time. We are merchants, and we value harmony as the source of wealth. If Li City's turmoil truly drags the Ji Family completely into it, then we may indeed have no choice but to leave our homeland."
After speaking, Ji Yuanzhen took a Phoenix Cry Pill from the sandalwood box.
"This Phoenix Cry Pill is for you. Over these days, cultivate diligently and nourish yourself well. In another year or so, take this pill. Given your age and martial talent, you may have a chance to break through the Sixth-Rank barrier in one stroke and become a Sixth-Rank Great Martial Master."
"This granddaughter still needs one more," Ji Wenyue said after accepting the Phoenix Cry Pill. She hesitated briefly before speaking.
"You girl, though your contributions have been immense, you cannot open your mouth like a lion like this. Besides, one Phoenix Cry Pill is enough. Taking another will have little effect," Ji Yuanzhen said.
"This granddaughter understands," Ji Wenyue said.
"Do you intend to give it to that life-saving benefactor?" Ji Yuanzhen's expression changed slightly.
There were no particularly outstanding descendants among the Ji Family's younger generation. Though Ji Yuanzhen had relinquished his position as family head, he was still the one truly in charge of the Lineage.
Over less than a year, Ji Wenyue had withdrawn vast amounts of silver and medicinal supplies to give Xia Daoming. Naturally, this could not escape Ji Yuanzhen's notice.
He had once summoned Ji Wenyue in private and questioned her. Only then did he learn that the man was her lifesaving benefactor.
Since he was her lifesaving benefactor, Ji Yuanzhen had stopped asking further questions.
But the Phoenix Cry Pill was no trivial matter. Now that Ji Wenyue wanted to give one to Xia Daoming as well, Ji Yuanzhen could no longer remain calm.
"Yes, Grandfather," Ji Wenyue replied.
"Although that man saved your life, over the past half year, you have already given him more than enough. It would even be enough to make a Sixth-Rank Great Martial Master serve our Ji Family.
This Phoenix Cry Pill is no trifling matter. It nearly exhausted the medicinal ingredients our Ji Family had treasured for years, and we only managed to refine six of them. You cannot give another to him." Ji Yuanzhen shook his head.
"Since that is the case, this granddaughter shall take her leave." Seeing that her grandfather disagreed, Ji Wenyue did not force the matter. She gave a slight bow and turned to leave.
"Come back!" Seeing Ji Wenyue be so decisive, Ji Yuanzhen's heart stirred, and he called her back.
"Does Grandfather have anything else?" Ji Wenyue turned and asked.
"Are you planning to give your own Phoenix Cry Pill to that man?" Ji Yuanzhen asked.
Ji Wenyue lowered her head and remained silent.
"You..." Seeing this, Ji Yuanzhen pointed at Ji Wenyue, looking deeply disappointed that she refused to strive for better.
"Without Brother Xia, there would be no me. Besides, he is a true gentleman! He is twenty-five now and cannot delay any longer on the martial path, while this granddaughter is only eighteen. Delaying my breakthrough by one or two years will not have much impact," Ji Wenyue said, lifting her head.
Her gaze was resolute.
"Forget it. Take another Phoenix Cry Pill with you!" Ji Yuanzhen said helplessly as he looked at Ji Wenyue's determined face.
"Thank you, Grandfather! I knew Grandfather loved Yue'er the most!" Delighted, Ji Wenyue stepped forward, grabbed her grandfather's arm, and gently shook it.
"Enough, enough. But let me tell you this solemnly: as the Ji Family's peerless pill-refining genius, you concern the prosperity and survival of the Ji Family. In the future, you may only take a husband into the family. You will absolutely never marry out.
As for your Brother Xia, since he saved your life, it is only right that you repay him generously. But you must not have any other entanglements with him, unless he is willing to marry into our Ji Family!" Ji Yuanzhen said sternly.
"I know, Grandfather. I'm still young!" Ji Wenyue said, her face faintly flushed as a complicated glimmer passed through the depths of her beautiful eyes.
"Eighteen is no longer young!" Ji Yuanzhen said, a trace of worry hidden deep within his aged eyes.
These days, quite a few forces had already come to propose marriage, including the Xu, Lin, and Ding Families and the Hegemon Blade Sect.
Fortunately, those who came from the four major powers to propose were not the people holding real authority, so Ji Yuanzhen could still turn them away.
The day the heads of those four powers, or the sect master himself, came to propose, matters would become difficult.
For now, Ji Yuanzhen kept these matters suppressed and did not wish for Ji Wenyue to be distracted.
Today's update is complete.
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