"Do the rest of you Fellow Daoists feel the same?" The Cao family head scanned the crowd.
Immediately, four aristocratic families sided with the three great first-rank families.
Though the Cao clan was powerful, the other families were not truly made of clay to be molded by them.
Complying with ordinary matters was one thing, but when it concerned the family's foundation, naturally everyone wanted to take their chances.
"Since that's the case, then let this matter be settled thus."
While the Foundation Establishment cultivators from various families discussed, the first round of elimination on the platforms had progressed more than halfway.
Xu Mingxuan, Xu Mingshu, Xu Mingxian, Xu Deyue, and Xu Deheng had all passed the first round.
Only Xu Mingqing had yet to compete.
Before long, it was Xu Mingqing's turn.
"Xu family brat, you really did let me encounter you. I said if we met at the assembly, I'd let you know my true strength."
It was nothing more than a superior-grade magical artifact but Liu Wufang's strength was truly just mediocre. Even with a superior-grade magical artifact, Xu Mingqing was confident of victory.
If something really went wrong, he would use his superior-grade magical artifact.
The Azure Jade Sword was a superior-grade artifact set.
The three artifacts were nearly identical, and using a single one presented no problem.
The match began.
Liu Wufang formed sword fingers, and a black flying sword trailing faint spiritual light shot toward Xu Mingqing like a comet.
Xu Mingqing immediately formed seals, condensing the Wood Shield Technique, and with a flick of his sleeve robe, sent out a superior-grade defensive magical artifact, blocking it before himself.
As he had predicted, the black flying sword shattered through the wood shield, but was ultimately blocked by the defensive artifact.
His heart settled somewhat.
Xu Mingqing formed seals again, instantly casting the middle-grade wood-element spell, Entanglement.
This forced his opponent to divert part of his attention to deal with the spell, then he released a superior-grade flying sword for controlled attacks.
Though Liu Wufang clearly had a superior-grade magical artifact, he lacked any powerful spell techniques or moves worthy of being trump cards, and immediately fell to a disadvantage.
Suddenly, Xu Mingqing instantly cast a middle-grade wind-element spell, enhancing his own speed, while simultaneously patting his storage bag and withdrawing two middle-grade wind-element talismans, affixing them to his calves.
Spell technique combined with talismans, Xu Mingqing's speed on this small platform was like teleportation.
In the blink of an eye, he breached within a zhang of Liu Wufang, grasped his flying sword, and using the momentum of his speed, struck away the superior-grade magical artifact from his opponent's hand with one sword strike.
Then he raised his hand, condensing several wood thorns, their sharp points pressing against Liu Wufang's forehead.
Beads of sweat immediately formed on Liu Wufang's forehead. He looked at Xu Mingqing with disbelief, bit his teeth, and finally lowered his head, "I concede."
Xu Mingqing didn't even bother to glance at him, turned and descended from the platform, walking toward Xu Mingshu and the others.
Compared to Wang Zhonghua, the power of the superior-grade magical artifact controlled by Liu Wufang was only fifty or sixty percent of his, let alone compared to his subsequent fire flood dragon.
The more a superior-grade magical artifact matched one's own talents and cultivation methods, the stronger the power it could unleash.
Many technique manuals recorded powerful spell moves, but not everyone could successfully cultivate them.
Inside the Condensed Fragrance Pavilion.
The Foundation Establishment cultivators chatted and laughed, but almost every one of them had split off a strand of divine consciousness to monitor the platform battles.
The Liu family head looked at Xu Chuan, "Brother Xu, congratulations on all six from your Xu family advancing to the second round. Indeed, as Fellow Daoist Cao said, your guidance is truly excellent.
My Liu family disciples are completely no match for your Xu family disciples."
"Brother Liu jests. It was merely fortunate. Recently in the southern district marketplace, my son was defeated by a Wang family genius.
If he truly faced the Liu family's carefully cultivated geniuses, I'm afraid he'd be defeated within a dozen exchanges."
The Liu family head smiled faintly and raised his wine cup toward Xu Chuan.
Xu Chuan accompanied him in drinking.
The first round of elimination ended.
Naturally, some families had all members advance, like the first and second-rank aristocratic families' disciples and Cao clan disciples.
Among third-rank families, there were the Taiyuan Li clan and Langya Wang clan.
As for fourth-rank families, only the Xu family achieved this.
The Zhou family had five participants, with two eliminated.
Half an hour later, the second round of elimination began.
This round, the probability of encountering powerful geniuses increased considerably.
Many people struggled through battles before finishing.
Xu Mingxuan faced Wang Zhonghua of the Imperial City Wang family.
"Brother Wang, please show mercy," Xu Mingxuan said with a light smile and cupped fists.
"Rather, Brother Xu should do so."
Wang Zhonghua was full of wariness toward Xu family members. After the marketplace platform battle last time, he had guessed that Xu family members were likely hiding their true strength.
This young Xu Mingqing, even at his age in Qi Refining, would likely be no less formidable than himself when bursting forth with full power.
As for Xu Mingxuan, Xu Mingshu, Xu Mingxian and the others, they were all veteran Qi Refining perfection cultivators.
Their trump cards would only be stronger.
Therefore, Wang Zhonghua erupted with his strongest power from the start.
The flying sword transformed into a flood dragon, its dragon roar shaking the nine heavens!
Its power appeared even three parts stronger than when he had battled Ye Xuehua previously.
"Truly worthy of being an Imperial City Wang family genius," Xu Mingxuan thought secretly. "I won't be able to avoid revealing some of my strength."
The abundance and purity of his spiritual power far exceeded others at the same realm by thirty percent.
Using a superior-grade magical artifact at full power would likely approach the might of other Qi Refining perfection cultivators wielding superior-grade magical artifacts.
Moreover, the "Five Elements Spirit Formula" had cultivation method-specific moves, three in total.
They were respectively Five Elements Mutual Generation, Five Elements Circulation, and Five Elements Unity.
Xu Mingxuan had only cultivated the first two. The former could convert spiritual power into a single attribute, increasing power by another thirty percent.
The latter was a defensive move, drawing on the concept of Five Elements circulation and endless rebirth. Attacks of the five elements would have their power reduced by thirty percent out of nowhere.
The final Five Elements Unity, if combined with the Five Spirits Casket's Five Elements Sword Formation, could even severely wound or kill Foundation Establishment cultivators without top-tier magical artifacts in hand.
"Five Elements Mutual Generation, transform to water!"
At the same time.
"Zheng~"
Along with a sword cry, a sapphire blue flying sword flew from Xu Mingxuan's sleeve robe. The flying sword emanated the power of a superior-grade magical artifact.
Under the pure and surging water-attribute spiritual power, the flying sword suddenly transformed into a ten-zhang water flood dragon, even more mighty and magnificent than Wang Zhonghua's seven or eight-zhang fire flood dragon.
Additionally, water overcame fire.
The two flood dragons clashed. In just moments, Wang Zhonghua fell to a disadvantage.
He had thought he valued Xu family members highly enough, but hadn't expected them to hide so deeply.
Both the abundance and purity of their spiritual power far exceeded ordinary cultivators at the same realm.
He barely managed to hold on for several dozen breaths before the fire flood dragon was defeated, reverting to a crimson flying sword that stuck into the platform.
"I concede!"
Wang Zhonghua left the platform in a daze.
In the Condensed Fragrance Pavilion.
The Lei family head smiled, "Brother Xu, your own son is indeed outstanding, his spiritual power far exceeding the ordinary. After entering the secret realm, might our two families form an alliance?"
"Xu would desire nothing more, only afraid it won't be easy to meet."
Upon entering the secret realm, everyone would be randomly teleported.
"No matter. Our two families can agree not to attack each other."
Having seen Xu Mingxuan's battle, he felt the Xu family's potential was indeed considerable, not just Xu Mingwei alone possessing strong combat power.
Among the Lei family participants in the assembly, those truly confident of defeating Xu Mingxuan numbered only three or four.
Moreover, if the opponent still had trump cards, that would be hard to say.
Xu Mingxian had good fortune and didn't encounter powerful genius enemies. However, Xu Mingshu encountered Feng Qingyang of the Feng family.
The current Feng Qingyang had already mastered the final move of the "Great River Sword Formula," Rivers Entering the Sea.
Sufficient to compare with the Liu family's Liu Wuqing, he was someone the Feng family placed high hopes in.
"Unlucky!" Xu Mingshu pursed her lips, murmuring in a low voice.
"Fairy Xu seems unwilling to encounter Feng."
"I've heard of Brother Feng's battle with my elder brother."
"Feng also yearns to battle Brother Mingwei again. Unfortunately, the opportunity was lacking. However, the Fairy's graceful bearing when she slew the Taishu family's direct elder in Tongshan Commandery also made Feng view her differently.
Please enlighten me without reservation, Fairy."
"Gladly." The corner of Xu Mingshu's mouth twitched slightly.
It seemed she could only bring out the Black Evil Banner.
Fortunately, the Black Evil Banner was no longer her strongest trump card now.
Touching the spirit beast bag at her waist, her heart immediately settled considerably.
When the Black Evil Banner emerged, the top-tier magical artifact immediately shocked the entire venue.
The Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Condensed Fragrance Pavilion were all secretly astonished.
The Imperial City Wang family head, having had a family genius eliminated earlier, seemed somewhat displeased, "Fellow Daoist Xu, what grand generosity, actually bestowing even top-tier magical artifacts.
Could it be your Xu family has so many top-tier magical artifacts that there's nowhere to store them?"
How did you know?
Xu Chuan internally complained, but outwardly smiled lightly and waved his hand, "Family Head Wang truly loves to jest. Could it be that recently your clan's Wang Zhonghua was defeated and you feel unwilling?"
The Wang family head snorted coldly and no longer bickered with Xu Chuan.
The others were also happy to watch the excitement.
Not one person believed what the Wang family head said.
Like the Cao clan and the three great first-rank families' leading disciples, they certainly had top-tier magical artifacts as trump cards in hand.
In case they successfully broke through to Foundation Establishment in the secret realm, the difference between Foundation Establishment cultivators with and without top-tier magical artifacts was extremely vast.
Xu Mingshu defended herself fully with the Black Fiend Flood Dragon.
Feng Qingyang attacked wildly with several successive moves but only by using his final move, Rivers Entering the Sea, could he break through her protective methods.
Yet it completely failed to injure Xu Mingshu.
Although Feng Qingyang still had considerable spiritual power remaining, he knew that with this top-tier magical artifact that integrated attack and defense, he had no possibility of victory.
He immediately lowered his head and cupped his fists, "Feng concedes."
Xu Mingshu hadn't displayed the Black Evil Banner's exquisite techniques, merely using its protective ability to force her opponent to concede, making disciples from various aristocratic families extremely wary.
But some also speculated that Xu Mingshu couldn't unleash the top-tier magical artifact's mysteries, which was why she merely used it for protection.
"I yield."
Both immediately descended from the platform.
Xu Deheng and Xu Deyue hadn't encountered core members of aristocratic families, so they achieved victory using spell techniques, magical artifacts, talismans and other methods.
In everyone's eyes, these two seemed rather ordinary compared to the other Xu family members.
Xu Mingqing eliminated a core member of the Dongguo family.
The opponent's strength wasn't weak, so Xu Mingqing could only deploy one Azure Jade Sword.
His magical artifact, cultivation method, and bloodline all originated from the same source.
When erupting, the power far exceeded ordinary people, and he could divide his consciousness into four, operating as one.
With this advantage, he barely defeated the Dongguo family member.
Those who could become leading figures of various families absolutely weren't weak. Either their spiritual power was pure, or abundant, or they had excellent comprehension and had cultivated technique manual moves to great completion.
If Xu Mingqing hadn't cultivated the "Nine Flames Formula," he would likely need to deploy the Azure Jade Sword Formation to achieve victory.
After all, his own cultivation time was too short. Of the moves recorded in the "Azure Wood Green Spirit Formula," he had only mastered one.
First round, all Xu family members passed through, nothing unusual.
But the second round's difficulty increased considerably, yet the Xu family still didn't lose a single person.
Among third and fourth-rank aristocratic families, only the Xu family achieved this.
Many Foundation Establishment cultivators were all shocked and suspicious.
Cao Jinde selected two people from the one hundred two to eliminate from the top hundred, and said, "Now those eliminated all have one resurrection challenge opportunity. You may select any person among the top hundred.
As long as you achieve victory, you can replace them.
However, the same person cannot be challenged consecutively.
One incense stick later, resurrection challenges begin."
In two rounds of competition, strong cultivators inevitably met, resulting in elimination.
The Wuhua Secret Realm was for competing against Great Liang and Great Jin cultivators. Naturally, they wanted to select the strong to enter.
Some people had self-awareness and gave up challenging.
But people like Liu Wufang, Feng Qingyang, Wang Zhonghua, and Dongguo Jin naturally wouldn't give up this resurrection opportunity.
The opportunity came only once, so everyone challenged those they were confident against but some still capsized in the gutter.
For example, those who challenged Xu Mingxian, Xu Deheng, and Xu Deyue.
Because their performance in the first two rounds was ordinary, they were targeted.
Now they also employed superior-grade magical artifacts.
Only then did everyone feel things were normal.
With the Xu family's foundation, producing five or six superior-grade magical artifacts certainly presented no problem.
After all, even a top-tier magical artifact had appeared. Would they lack a few superior-grade magical artifacts?
In the Condensed Fragrance Pavilion.
An aristocratic family member smiled, "Brother Xu, your family disciples are truly skilled at hiding their strength. Unless absolutely necessary, they never reveal their trump cards."
"How could this count as trump cards? Only that top-tier magical artifact is worth mentioning."
Xu Chuan sighed again slightly, "It's just that with her realm and strength, it's somewhat difficult to unleash its full power."
The resurrection matches ended.
Today's competitions concluded.
Tomorrow would begin the top ten competition.
…
Night.
The Xu family courtyard.
Several core Xu family members gathered in one room.
Xu Chuan scanned Xu Mingshu and the others, smiling faintly, "Today's performance was acceptable. Against what kind of people, reveal what kind of strength.
Now that the top hundred positions are determined, as for tomorrow's rankings, there's no need to care about them.
If you encounter tough opponents, directly concede.
After tomorrow, there should be three days of rest and preparation, then proceed to the Wuhua Secret Realm.
After entering the secret realm, prioritize regrouping. When encountering any enemies, don't hold back at all. Directly display your strongest power. If unable to prevail, immediately flee."
The next day at the third quarter of the hour of chen.
The Wuhua Dharma Assembly top ten competition.
Xu Deheng and Xu Deyue stopped after one round, Xu Mingqing, Xu Mingxian, and Xu Mingxuan stopped after two rounds, Xu Mingshu stopped after three rounds.
It was just that spiritual power consumption was too great, unsustainable.
Ye Xuehua also stopped after three rounds.
In the third round, she encountered the Cao family's leading figure, Cao Yulong.
After briefly exchanging moves, she chose to concede.
Cao Yulong vaguely felt something special on her person seemed to be attracting him.
"Could it be she's also..."
Cao Yulong remained silent. After this assembly ended, he went to find his father, who was the current Cao family head.
"Yulong, you're saying that Zhou family girl is suspected to have earth spiritual root aptitude?"
"Your son dare not be certain, but even if there's only a fraction of possibility, we must investigate clearly."
The Cao family head nodded, "You're right. Our Cao clan currently has two or three people with earth spiritual root aptitude, but not one is an earth spiritual root female cultivator.
If we can have two more earth spiritual root cultivators unite, then through secret methods, their offspring would have a sixty percent chance of having heavenly spiritual roots.
Thus, my Cao family could hope to produce another Golden Core cultivator."
"Father, should I dispatch people to investigate this woman's information?"
The Cao family head raised his hand, "Even if families produce earth spiritual root aptitude individuals, they mostly keep it secret. To know whether someone has earth spiritual roots just through divine consciousness probing, only Golden Core stage cultivators can do it."
"Father wants to request the ancestor's intervention?" Cao Yulong's eyebrows rose.
"You needn't consider this matter. Focus on preparing for the secret realm journey. If that Ye Xuehua truly has earth spiritual root aptitude, your father will strive to have you marry her."
"Thank you, Father. Your son will take his leave first."
Internal competition within the Cao clan was fierce. Currently, setting aside Cao Yulong, there were two other earth spiritual root aptitude individuals, but both had long since achieved Foundation Establishment.
One had reached late Foundation Establishment, one was middle Foundation Establishment. However, both had already taken wives.
Therefore, Cao Yulong's hopes were great.
The Cao family head dispatched people to investigate Ye Xuehua's information later, he came to the Cao clan's underground palace.
This was the place with the most concentrated spiritual energy in the entire Imperial City.
After all, the entire spirit vein was near the palace. However, extremely strong prohibitions were set around the spirit vein. Even Foundation Establishment perfection couldn't easily shake them, preventing sabotage.
Cultivating quietly here, apart from the Cao family's Golden Core ancestor, were several Foundation Establishment perfection cultivators.
"Ancestor, Shengming has important matters and requests an audience," Cao Shengming stood at the palace gate and cupped his fists.
After a moment, from within the palace came an aged yet vigorous voice, buzzing beside his ear.
"What matter?"
"In this Wuhua Dharma Assembly, we discovered a female cultivator suspected of having earth spiritual roots, from a fourth-rank aristocratic family in Yuehu Commandery. I wish to request the ancestor personally investigate."
A moment later, the palace gates slowly opened.
An old man with completely white hair and beard walked out, with a youthful face and vigorous eyes, his expression indifferent.
Cao Shengming hurriedly bowed, not daring to look directly.
"Lead the way."
"Yes."
Cao Shengming brought the Cao family's Golden Core ancestor to above the Zhou family courtyard, pointing down, "This is where the Zhou family temporarily resides."
The Cao family Golden Core ancestor's divine consciousness extended out.
Soundlessly, he investigated everyone in this place.
Even Zhou Qingfang didn't detect it.
Of course, for Foundation Establishment cultivators, if Golden Core divine consciousness deeply probed, they would still be discovered.
Qi Refining stage cultivators might not necessarily notice.
After all, divine sense was relatively much weaker than divine consciousness.
After a moment, the corner of the Cao family Golden Core ancestor's mouth rose, he stroked his beard and smiled, "Excellent aptitude!"
"Earth spiritual root, and also the Azure Wood Sword Body. She should be cultivating the 'Azure Wood Sword Formula,' an excellent seedling for sword cultivation!
If born in a Golden Core family and fully cultivated, she should have a thirty to forty percent chance of condensing a Golden Core."
"The ancestor evaluates her so highly?"
"With the demonic tribulation descending, some individuals with powerful aptitude will always be born. This woman should have some fortune, but for my Cao family's continuation, she's destined to become a sacrifice."
"Shengming understands. I will spare no cost to have this woman marry into my Cao family and give birth to a heavenly spiritual root prodigy for our clan!"
The Cao family Golden Core ancestor nodded slightly.
Suddenly, he gave a light exclamation.
"Which aristocratic family resides in the adjacent courtyard?"
"It's the Xu family, from the same Yuehu Commandery as the Zhou family. Their rise has been extremely rapid. In merely thirty years, they've gone from a Qi Refining family to nearly third-rank aristocratic family status."
"Oh." The Cao family Golden Core ancestor was slightly surprised.
"Additionally, recently it was reported that Xu Chuan's youngest son and that Ye Xuehua have already formed a marriage contract."
"Handle this matter as you see fit."
"Yes, Ancestor." Cao Shengming asked again, "Ancestor, do you feel something is wrong with the Xu family? I've heard the Xu family has a woman also quite outstanding, jointly called the Yuehu Twin Beauties with Ye Xuehua."
"Not so. Rather, in this courtyard, there should be an array formation grandmaster with decent attainments."
"It can't be?!" Cao Shengming was suddenly shocked. "I've heard Xu Chuan excels in the pill Dao. Those here are either his descendants or disciples cultivated by the Xu family.
The oldest is only around sixty years old.
There shouldn't possibly be a figure like an array formation grandmaster, right?"
The Cao family Golden Core ancestor glanced coolly at Cao Shengming, "Can matters of the cultivation world all be judged by age?"
"Those with heavenly spiritual root aptitude can achieve Foundation Establishment in their teens. Reaching Foundation Establishment perfection at sixty or seventy is very normal. Becoming a Golden Core cultivator just past one hundred is entirely possible."
"As long as talent is outstanding, someone possessing array formation grandmaster attainments while still in Qi Refining is not impossible."
Cao Shengming broke out in a cold sweat, nodding repeatedly, "Ancestor's instruction is correct. Shengming was too presumptuous."
The Cao family Golden Core ancestor continued, "Here there's a newly arranged divine consciousness isolation prohibition that can block Foundation Establishment divine consciousness probing. Even this ancestor cannot breakthrough without leaving traces."
"Someone with such array formation attainments is absolutely an array formation grandmaster."
"In a few days, when departing for the 'Wuhua Secret Realm,' I'll investigate the Xu family members again."
"Thank you, Ancestor."
Cao Shengming cupped his fists again, but when he raised his head, the Cao family Golden Core ancestor's figure was already gone.
He looked at the Zhou family courtyard, then looked at the Xu family, his brow furrowing slightly.
"Xu Chuan is a top-tier pill Dao grandmaster. Rumor has it the Xu family has an artifact refining grandmaster. From the fact that all Xu family participants this time have superior-grade magical artifacts, that person should be able to refine superior-grade magical artifacts.
I just don't know to what degree their artifact Dao attainments have reached.
Now there's additionally someone who possesses array formation grandmaster standards while still in Qi Refining.
No wonder the Xu family developed so quickly to nearly third-rank aristocratic family status. After this Wuhua Trial, they'll likely become a third-rank family."
"If allowed to develop, in the future they'll definitely have hope of becoming a first-rank family!"
Cao Shengming's heart immediately produced the idea of suppressing the Xu family in the secret realm.
"These six participants should be the Xu family's most elite. If most of them perish, it can at least delay the Xu family's development by several decades."
When aristocratic families developed to a certain degree, it depended on the number of geniuses in the clan.
Only these geniuses had hope of advancing to Foundation Establishment.
Xu Chuan had already been sufficiently careful, but merely being glanced at once by the Cao family's Golden Core ancestor, he was placed on the Cao clan's key watch list.
His alert status was no less than first or second-rank aristocratic families.
The next day, Xu Chuan brought Xu Mingwei and several others to the Lei family.
The purpose was to discuss alliance matters.
The secret realm was full of dangers. Being able to reduce one enemy was naturally good.
Six people from the Xu family would enter the secret realm, while the Lei family had eight. The weakest was only slightly inferior to Wang Zhonghua.
"Brother Xu, then let's have the children all make oaths. During this secret realm journey, our two families are allies, mutually assisting each other."
"Naturally."
Both sides made oaths before Xu Chuan and the Lei family head.
Xu Chuan took the opportunity to request a map of the secret realm, producing eight middle-grade True Essence Pills.
The Lei family head thought for a moment and agreed.
The Zhou family, including Ye Xuehua, had three people enter.
Compared to the Lei family, their two families had a closer relationship.
Seeing that Ye Xuehua and Xu Mingqing now had a marriage contract, Xu Chuan also made a copy for the Zhou family.
Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
Morning.
A huge war vessel appeared above the platform.
This vessel was over a hundred zhang long and thirty-some zhang wide. The hull was constructed from spirit wood combined with spirit iron. Many places gleamed with cold metallic luster. The prow was carved with an azure luan spreading its wings ready to fly.
Dozens of portholes opened on both sides of the hull.
Three towering masts stood atop the vessel, hanging dark sails embroidered with the Cao clan's golden dragon pattern. They billowed without wind, snapping loudly.
Cao Shengming proclaimed loudly, "Those in the top hundred of the assembly, board the war vessel. Each force may have one Foundation Establishment cultivator accompany them. Others may not board.
If anyone trespasses, death!"
Xu Chuan said to Xu Mingwei, "You all remain in the Imperial City and wait for our return. I fear someone might attack you on the journey back."
"Yes, Father."
Seeing this, Zhou Qingfang also had the Zhou family members remain in the Imperial City.
Everyone boarded the war vessel.
The sky suddenly darkened.
An indescribable heavy pressure suddenly descended like Mount Tai pressing down.
Everyone, including Foundation Establishment cultivators, felt their bodies sink, breathing became labored. Most Qi Refining cultivators even had their legs go weak, nearly kneeling on the ground.
However, after a moment, this pressure disappeared without a trace.
Everyone looked up in unison. Above the clouds, a blue-gray figure walked through the air, feet not touching the ground, robes fluttering.
The person wore a simple green cloth Daoist robe, his features gaunt, yet his eyes were as deep as an abyss.
Though he didn't deliberately emanate spiritual light, merely standing in the air caused the heavenly and earthly spiritual qi to stagnate.
"Greetings, Ancestor!"
Cao Shengming led the Cao clan disciples in bowing first, their attitude extremely respectful.
Hearing this, everyone bowed in unison, also calling out, "Greetings, Ancestor!"
The Cao family Golden Core ancestor's gaze swept over everyone, neither pleased nor angry.
Xu Chuan vaguely felt a strand of divine consciousness probing himself.
"Is it the Cao family ancestor?!"
His divine consciousness approached Foundation Establishment perfection, which was why he could faintly sense it. His heart was alarmed, but his surface remained calm, as if unaware.
"Depart."
The Cao family Golden Core ancestor's aged yet powerful voice sounded.
He waved his right hand lightly.
Instantly, the dark clouds in the sky dispersed and sunlight reappeared.
The dark sails on the masts blazed with light. The azure luan's eyes at the prow flashed with spiritual light. This huge war vessel transformed into a stream of light and flew toward the Imperial City's southeast direction.
Its speed was comparable to Foundation Establishment middle or late stage full-force flight.
After Cao Shengming settled each family's rooms, he went to the Cao family Golden Core ancestor's quiet chamber.
"The Xu family has no earth spiritual root aptitude geniuses, but that Xu Chuan concealed his realm and cultivation."
"Could he be third layer of Foundation Establishment?"
"Approximately fourth layer of Foundation Establishment middle stage."
"Foundation Establishment middle stage!" Cao Shengming was shocked beyond measure. "He's only been Foundation Establishment for over a decade. My Cao clan's earth spiritual root clan members' cultivation would barely match this, perhaps even slightly inferior."
"With large quantities of superior-grade True Essence Pills, this is also normal." The Cao family Golden Core ancestor continued, "Besides this, his divine consciousness is also not weak."
"This..." Cao Shengming didn't know how to evaluate.
"Keep this in your heart, and withdraw."
Cao Shengming nodded slightly and cupped his fists, "Yes, Ancestor."
"No wonder the Xu family disciples all like to hide their strength. It's like this at the root."
Cao Shengming was quite shocked that Xu Chuan had reached Foundation Establishment middle stage, but quickly returned to normal.
After all, no matter how strong the Xu family was, before the Cao clan they were still not worth mentioning.
At the same time, Xu Chuan's room.
Xu Mingxian, Xu Mingshu, and the other six were all here.
"Father, why did you summon us?" Xu Mingxuan asked.
Xu Chuan scanned them, sighing slightly, "The Cao clan has probably already set their sights on our Xu family."
They looked at each other, showing expressions of incomprehension.
"Today, the Cao family's Golden Core ancestor deliberately probed with divine consciousness. I vaguely sensed it. Likely you all experienced the same.
My Foundation Establishment middle stage cultivation should be exposed.
On the surface, the Cao clan shouldn't act rashly. After all, our Xu family has no major conflicts of interest with the Cao clan. But in this Wuhua Secret Realm, the Cao clan might try to eliminate several of you."
Xu Mingxian pondered, "Then we'll meet soldiers with generals, water with earth."
Xu Chuan nodded at these words, "If the Cao clan truly troubles you, you can fight back, but unless absolutely necessary, don't personally kill Cao clan disciples.
Perhaps those who kill them will have imperceptible aura marks left on their bodies."
Saying this, he looked at Xu Mingxuan, then continued, "Your spiritual perception is keen, so this judgment is entrusted to you."
"Yes, Father." Xu Mingxuan cupped his fists.
"As for those from other nations, there's no need to worry. The Zhao family of Great Liang, if you encounter them, you can befriend them."
Xu Chuan also handed the token Zhao Qingyan had given him to Xu Mingxuan.
If one day they truly couldn't remain in Great Wei, they could seek refuge in Great Liang.
As for Great Jin, demonic cultivators occupied much of it, too chaotic, unsuitable for the Xu family.
One day later, the cloud layers ahead gradually dispersed, and a secluded valley embraced by three strange peaks suddenly came into view.
This valley was shaped like an inverted jade bowl. At the valley bottom, streams babbled. Misty spiritual qi shrouded it like light gauze.
The three mountain peaks encircling the valley all exceeded a thousand zhang in height. The left peak was covered with ancient pines, their waves of sound rising. The middle peak had craggy strange rocks. The right peak was covered with white snow, its summit wreathed in clouds and mist.
"Above this valley should be where the Wuhua Secret Realm is located."
Everyone stood on the war vessel's deck, looking around in all directions.
The Great Wei war vessel stopped several dozen zhang above the middle peak.
At this time, above the left and right peaks, a huge vessel was already moored at each location.
Above the left peak was a black war vessel, its sails embroidered with the vigorous character "Jin." Above the right peak was a crimson war vessel, clearly Great Liang's war vessel.
The decks of both war vessels were also filled with cultivators.
"Fellow Daoist Cao, your Great Wei is last to arrive again. No wonder you're last place every time."
A strange laugh came from the Great Jin war vessel.
"Fellow Daoist Sima, don't speak too confidently. The demonic cultivators on your Great Jin side, it's not just my Great Wei cultivators who find them displeasing.
Isn't that right, Fellow Daoist Liu?"
"If demonic cultivators dare extend their hands to my Great Liang, we'll kill one for every one we see!"
"Well said!"
The Cao family Golden Core ancestor laughed heartily.
The Sima family Golden Core ancestor snorted coldly, "Then let's see the outcome of this trial!"
"You two, what are we waiting for? Let's act together and open the secret realm entrance!"
As his words fell, everyone saw three figures shoot forward like meteors in front of the war vessels.
Three Golden Core pressures simultaneously emanated.
The cloud layer above the secluded valley was instantly torn apart, sunlight pouring down like golden arrows.
Three strands of Golden Core spiritual power with different attributes shot skyward, converging directly above the valley. Where the light pillars passed, the heavenly and earthly spiritual qi violently surged.
A layer of pale purple membrane appeared.
"Buzz——"
The instant the three-colored light pillar struck the purple light membrane, golden runes on the membrane suddenly lit up, twinkling like stars.
The runes flowed backward along the light pillars, resonating with the spiritual power of the three Golden Core cultivators, emitting a deafening buzz.
A moment later.
"Crack——"
A crisp shattering sound rang out. A tiny crack opened on the purple light membrane.
Immediately after, the crack rapidly expanded, finally transforming into a circular entrance dozens of zhang in diameter. Rich ancient spiritual qi gushed out from the entrance.
"The secret realm entrance will remain open for three months. Enter quickly!"
"Yes!"
Three hundred people cupped their fists in unison, then all rose on flying swords, rushing toward the entrance.
In the span of several dozen breaths.
Only a group of Foundation Establishment cultivators remained on the deck.