Liu Family

At the center of Willow City stood a massive manor, with the two large words "Willow Manor" displayed before its gates.

As the young lord of the Liu Domain, the moment Liu Bai stepped through the gates, a group of servants led by the old steward came forward to welcome him.

"Welcome home, Young Lord!"

All the servants and guards around them bowed in unison.

He had been here for over a year now, but Liu Bai had not actually spent much time at home. He was still somewhat unaccustomed to having so many people kneel before him.

"Rise. Uncle Liu, is Father and everyone else home?"

Hearing Liu Bai's question, the old steward, Uncle Liu, immediately smiled. "When the Patriarch heard that you had returned, he went to wait in the main hall. The Old Patriarch, Second Master, and Third Master are there as well..."

As one of the most ancient families in the Nine Domains, the Liu Family naturally had far more members than the Mu Family. Liu Father's generation alone had three brothers, each of whom possessed considerable strength.

"Grandfather has come out of seclusion too?" Liu Bai was slightly surprised.

Ever since his grandfather, Liu Jingshan, had passed the position of Domain Lord to Liu Bai's father, Liu Qingtian, he had rarely shown himself.

According to Liu Bai's memories, his grandfather should have reached the peak of the Divine Soul Realm and was now attempting to break into the Three Heavens Realm.

Striding quickly into the main hall, Liu Bai saw the four Liu Family men seated within. His grandfather, Liu Jingshan, was thin-faced and dressed in a gray robe, yet his entire body radiated an imposing aura. One glance was enough to feel the immense pressure he gave off.

As a peak Divine Soul Realm expert, he was truly the number one figure in the remote Northern Spirit Realm. He was also the greatest reason the Liu Domain could be called the foremost of the Nine Domains.

The three Liu brothers were all generally thin in build. Third Master Liu Ming in particular was as gaunt as Liu Jingshan, but his hands resembled Eagle Claws, clearly revealing his exceptional skill with them.

"Greetings, Grandfather, Father, Second Uncle, Third Uncle," Liu Bai said, saluting them directly.

"Hahaha, Bai'er is back. Come, sit."

Liu Jingshan's eye sockets were deeply sunken, making him appear somewhat gloomy. His taut face carried a sharp, chilling air, but the moment he saw Liu Bai enter the hall, much of that coldness faded. A gentle smile appeared between his brows.

In Liu Bai's memories, as the foremost member of the Liu Family's third generation, he had always been deeply cherished by the family elders, who had spared no effort in nurturing him.

Beside him, Liu Qingtian had just opened his mouth, seemingly about to ask something, when he suddenly paused. Then he said in surprise, "Eh? You brat, have you broken through to the Spirit Movement Realm?"

Liu Zong and Liu Ming also looked toward Liu Bai in surprise. Sure enough, they could sense spiritual energy fluctuations emanating from within him.

"I only just broke through," Liu Bai said calmly.

Breaking through to the Spirit Movement Realm only now was hardly something worth being proud of in his eyes.

Liu Jingshan, however, nodded happily. "Very good. Only by entering the Spirit Movement Realm can one be considered to have truly embarked on the path of cultivation. Your Second Uncle also broke through to the Divine Soul Realm a few days ago. It seems our Liu Family is growing stronger and stronger!"

Liu Bai suddenly understood. No wonder all four of them had such obvious joy on their faces today. His Second Uncle had actually made a breakthrough.

Liu Bai looked at the Second Uncle seated opposite him. Sure enough, he could sense the faint yet terrifying spiritual energy fluctuations coming from him.

He must indeed have broken through only recently. He still could not fully control his own aura.

"Congratulations, Second Uncle." Liu Bai clasped his hands with a smile.

"Haha, congratulations to us both! Your breakthrough into the Spirit Movement Realm is also a major occasion worthy of celebration!"

Liu Zong was clearly extremely excited.

Within the cultivation system of the Great Thousand World, the Divine Soul Realm was considered a watershed. That was because Divine Soul Realm cultivators possessed a special ability: refining Spirit Beast Cores for their own use.

This could greatly increase a cultivator's strength.

If Liu Bai remembered correctly, his father, Liu Qingtian, seemed to have refined the core of the high-level Spirit Beast, the Thunder Scale Beast. It ranked one hundred and thirty-third on the Earth Ranking of the Myriad Beast Record.

The Myriad Beast Record was a catalog that documented countless Spirit Beasts throughout the Great Thousand World. It was divided into two lists: the Heavenly Ranking and the Earth Ranking.

Those able to enter the Heavenly Ranking were all Divine Beasts or super Divine Beasts. Such beings were exceedingly rare not only in the Northern Spirit Realm, but even throughout the entire Great Thousand World.

As for the top hundred on the Earth Ranking, all were powerful Spirit Beasts whose strength rivaled the Three Heavens Realm. They were also known as Heavenly Beasts, and they were the ultimate goal pursued by countless cultivators.

Though the Thunder Scale Beast was not among the top hundred, it was still considered one of the strongest among all high-level Spirit Beasts. Thus, with the Thunder Scale Beast's core, Liu Qingtian, who was only at the middle stage of the Divine Soul Realm, was invincible among those of the same level.

In the entire Liu Family, only the Old Patriarch, Liu Jingshan, possessed a Heavenly Beast-level Spirit Beast Core. That alone had made him the strongest person in the entire Northern Spirit Realm, showing just how greatly the grade of a Spirit Beast Core affected a person's strength.

"Second Uncle, have you decided which Spirit Beast Core to fuse with?"

Liu Zong looked troubled upon hearing the question.

"The family does have several high-level Spirit Beast Cores in storage, but none of them are particularly satisfactory..."

High-level Spirit Beast Cores were not easy to find. After all, such beasts were comparable to Divine Soul Realm experts. The stronger they were, the harder they were to capture.

Of course, such items could also be acquired through other means, such as major trading houses or auctions.

But leaving aside the fact that such trading houses and auctions never came to a remote place like the Northern Spirit Realm, even if they did, the number of Spirit Coins required would be astronomical. It might not even be worth the price.

Seeing this, Liu Jingshan pondered for a moment before saying, "As for Old Second's beast core, in a few days, I'll personally lead a group to Black Nether Abyss. We should be able to find a suitable high-level Spirit Beast there."

Everyone present was startled by the Old Patriarch's words.

Liu Qingtian spoke up at once. "Why should you go personally, Father? I'll take Old Second there instead."

Liu Zong and Liu Ming also spoke up to dissuade him.

Liu Jingshan directly shook his head. "This concerns Old Second's Spirit Beast Core. There can be no carelessness. Besides, Black Nether Abyss is the most dangerous forbidden ground in the Northern Spirit Realm. You have not been there many times. If you rashly venture deep inside and get trapped, the consequences will be serious!"

Liu Bai did not speak at that moment. His thoughts remained fixed on the Black Nether Abyss his grandfather had mentioned.

If he remembered correctly, the Nine Nether Sparrow that had failed its tribulation should now be deep within Black Nether Abyss, shouldn't it?

He wondered whether the Liu Family had obtained the map related to finding the Nine Nether Sparrow at this point in time. Without that map, charging in recklessly would be no different from seeking death.

Of course, even if there were a map, Liu Bai would not set his sights on the Nine Nether Sparrow...

That thing was simply too dangerous for him right now. He did not have Mu Chen's mysterious black page to suppress the Nine Nether Sparrow's True Spirit. Even if he successfully obtained its core, the creature might directly seize his body.

With a cheat that let him level up by killing monsters, there was absolutely no need for him to take such a risk.

Still...

Although he was unwilling to seek death by going after the Nine Nether Sparrow, Black Nether Abyss was still worth visiting. After all, he needed to kill monsters for experience.

And what could be more enjoyable than having a group of high-level experts carry him while he leveled up by killing monsters...

With that thought, Liu Bai spoke directly. "Grandfather, I want to go to Black Nether Abyss with you."

The moment those words left his mouth, the Liu Qingtian brothers, who had been thinking of ways to dissuade their father, froze.

"Shut up! Do you even know what kind of place Black Nether Abyss is?" Liu Qingtian had yet to persuade his old father, and now his son had jumped out to cause trouble. His tone immediately became far harsher.

Liu Zong also tried to persuade him. "Bai'er, you're still young. Going to Black Nether Abyss would indeed be too dangerous. But if you want to hunt Spirit Beasts for training, why not take some guards to Four Radiance Mountain? There are plenty of low-level Spirit Beasts there, and it's safe enough."

Liu Bai said nothing, but his expression clearly showed that he had no intention of compromising.

Liu Jingshan showed no intention of stopping him. Instead, he looked at his eldest grandson with a smile in his eyes. "Tell me what you're thinking."

Naturally, Liu Bai could not say that he wanted to kill monsters for experience. He merely said, "There is no special reason. I just want to see what truly vicious Spirit Beasts are like. After all, you have taught us since childhood that the path of cultivation is never smooth. It can only be good to witness some of the cruelty of the outside world early on."

"Besides, with you there, Grandfather, I don't think there will be any great danger..."

"Hahaha, good! With such resolve, you are worthy of being Liu Jingshan's grandson!"

"But... are you truly prepared?"

"The Spirit Beasts of Black Nether Abyss are nothing like the tame creatures you have seen before. If you're scared out of your wits then, don't blame your grandfather for teaching you a lesson!"

Liu Bai pondered for a moment. Whether it was his past life as an ordinary young man or his current life as the Liu Family's young lord, raised in luxury and protected by everyone within a greenhouse, strictly speaking, he had never experienced a true battle of life and death.

To suddenly fight vicious Spirit Beasts was bound to make him nervous. It would have been impossible for Liu Bai to say he was not afraid.

But he also knew that he would have to take this step sooner or later. Thus, facing his grandfather Liu Jingshan's stern gaze, he still nodded firmly.

"Very well. In three days, we depart for Black Nether Abyss!"

With the Old Patriarch making the decision, even Liu Qingtian, the Domain Lord, could not oppose it. Still, he cast a worried glance at his troublesome eldest son...

"You brat, you came back for Spiritual Arts, didn't you? Come with me..."

With that, Liu Qingtian headed straight toward the rear courtyard of Willow Manor. After bidding farewell to his grandfather and the others, Liu Bai hurriedly followed.

Compared to Mu Chen, who had caused enormous waves in the Spirit Road, Liu Bai still lacked some sharpness and killing intent. After all, how could someone known as Blood Calamity possibly lack a murderous nature?

That was why Mu Chen had remained so decisive and ruthless after returning to Northern Spirit Academy. Clearly, that year of training in the Spirit Road had played a crucial role.

Following Liu Qingtian through the rear courtyard, they eventually stopped before a stone door guarded by layer upon layer of sentries. A vast surge of spiritual energy emerged from Liu Qingtian's palm print, then transformed into streams of light that spread across the stone door.

Standing behind him, Liu Bai felt those powerful spiritual energy fluctuations and could not help raising an eyebrow. His old man truly deserved to be called a Divine Soul Realm expert. His spiritual energy was actually this powerful.

He wondered just how powerful true Three Heavens Realm cultivators were... As for those at even higher levels, Liu Bai could not come into contact with them yet, so he did not pay them any mind.

"Creak."

While Liu Bai was lost in thought, the heavy stone door before them had already begun to slowly open, its deep creaking sound echoing through the air.

As the stone door opened, a long-sealed smell rushed out. Liu Qingtian casually waved a hand, then stepped inside. Liu Bai naturally followed closely behind.

Beyond the stone door was a secret chamber. Dim firelight illuminated the surroundings, and rows upon rows of stone shelves came into view.

Scrolls of Jade Slips rested atop those shelves, faint glimmers of light flickering from them.

"All right. These are the Spiritual Arts our Liu Family has collected over the years. Take a look and choose whichever one you wish to cultivate."

Liu Bai glanced at his old man. Clearly, this was a test of his judgment. If he chose a poor one, that stingy old man would definitely seize the chance to lecture him...

But Liu Bai could only say that his father was overthinking it...

Stepping forward, Liu Bai casually picked up a Jade Slip. With a sweep of his gaze, glowing words emerged upon it.

Mortal Grade High Rank Spiritual Art, Azure Cloud Art.

The next instant...

"Ding. Mortal Grade High Rank Spiritual Art—Azure Cloud Art discovered. Record it?"

The corner of Liu Bai's mouth twitched slightly as he thought to himself, Don't record it!

It was only a Mortal Grade Spiritual Art. There was no need to waste time on it, even though recording Cultivation Methods themselves had no effect on his system.

Spiritual Arts in the Great Thousand World were generally divided into Cultivation Methods, Attack Spiritual Arts, defensive Spiritual Arts, and so on. These various types of Spiritual Arts were broadly classified into three grades: God Tier, Spirit Grade, and Mortal Grade, with each grade further divided into high, mid, and low ranks...

For a remote place like the Northern Spirit Realm, God Tier Spiritual Arts were out of the question. They had never appeared here at all.

Even Spirit Grade Spiritual Arts rarely surpassed the Spirit-grade Mid-tier within the Nine Domains, so Liu Bai had not set his expectations too high.

He examined several more Spiritual Arts in succession.

Spirit Breaking Sword Art, Mortal Grade High Rank.

Savage Mountain Strength, Mortal Grade High Rank.

Wind Howl Remnant Cloud Art, Spirit Grade Low Rank.

At last, he found a Spirit Grade Low Rank one, only to discover that it was an incomplete scroll. Liu Bai shook his head speechlessly, then looked at his father beside him and could not help saying, "Stop hiding things. Take out the truly good stuff..."

"Hmph, you brat do have an eye for things..." Liu Qingtian curled his lips, then walked to the deepest part of the chamber and raised a hand to press against an ordinary-looking wall.

Rumble...

The wall trembled, and then a hidden compartment three feet wide appeared within it.

The compartment had three levels, with three jade boxes on each level. Clearly, the Liu Family's truly powerful Spiritual Arts were all stored here...