"Seven people discovered, all at Qi Refining perfection."
"Looking at their direction, they should be leaving the Misty Forest. They must have gained quite a harvest."
On a certain ancient tree, a green-robed middle-aged cultivator turned to look at the person beside him, "I'll continue monitoring here. You go report to Young Master Mei and the others."
The other person silently departed.
In the Misty Forest, both divine sense and divine consciousness didn't work well.
Not as effective as some skilled at detection techniques.
The green-robed middle-aged cultivator was a hundred meters away from Xu Mingxuan and the others. He believed that in this environment, he definitely wouldn't be discovered.
Xu Mingqing transmitted without showing any emotion, "Third Brother, there are two people a hundred meters ahead to the left. One left, they should have discovered us and went to notify their other accomplices."
"I know." Xu Mingxuan immediately transmitted to Xu Mingshu.
The numbers weren't large, not easily detected.
They served as a perimeter warning.
Xu Mingxuan believed their strength was formidable enough in the secret realm, but it was still hard to guarantee the opponents didn't have overwhelming numbers.
If they discovered large groups, they should naturally avoid their edge.
"Eight people are coming. In a few dozen breaths they'll arrive.
One person's aura far exceeds the others. Should be Foundation Establishment," Xu Mingshu transmitted.
Sure enough, several dozen breaths later.
People burst out from all directions around Xu Mingxuan's group, blocking all their routes.
Six of them wore vermillion red tight-fitting garments with an ink plum blossom embroidered on their chests, belonging to the same family. The other three appeared to be defectors from different families.
The leader was a slender young man holding a plum blossom fan. The fan ribs were crafted from jade essence, should be a superior-grade magical artifact.
Whether Great Wei, Great Liang, or Great Jin, those capable of commissioning top-tier magical artifacts could be counted on one hand.
Probably wouldn't exceed five in total.
Such people could be called artifact refining grandmasters.
Not so easy to hire.
"Which faction are you from, why do you block our path?" Xu Mingxuan stepped forward and cupped his fists.
"Great Liang, Mei family!" The leading youth's eyes were arrogant, the plum blossom fan in his hand gently swaying.
He had just probed with divine consciousness, seeing the seven were truly at Qi Refining perfection, and immediately felt disdain in his heart.
Another flock of sheep. Wonder how many can escape this time.
They had previously encountered those from Great Wei and Great Jin, but it was difficult to completely annihilate them, after all they lacked array disc type artifacts for containment.
"The Mei family, one of Great Liang's seven great second-rank aristocratic families?"
"Precisely!" The leading youth said indifferently, "Hand over all the materials, spirit herbs, and identity tokens you've found, then kneel and kowtow.
If this young master is satisfied with your kowtowing, it's not impossible to spare your lives."
Xu Mingqing sneered coldly, "Dressed so gaudily, and acting so effeminate, just looking at you makes one sick."
The plum blossom fan snapped shut. The Mei family's leading youth immediately erupted with Foundation Establishment pressure, focusing it on Xu Mingqing.
However, Xu Mingqing's divine sense had long since transformed into divine consciousness, not at all weaker than his.
This pressure was completely ignored.
Seeing the other party's calm demeanor, the Mei family's leading youth suddenly frowned.
How is this possible?
Though I just advanced to Foundation Establishment, how could a Qi Refining cultivator ignore my divine consciousness power?
Could it be…
An ominous feeling rose in his heart.
The other Mei family members also displayed their auras, attempting to form an encirclement.
Just at this moment, from Xu Mingxian's sleeve robe, the Four Symbols array disc shot out four beams of light. A layer of four-colored light barrier rapidly spread in all directions.
"Not good!"
The Mei family's leading youth immediately leaped up, wanting to escape this place.
However, Xu Mingxuan had already affixed two Swift Movement Talismans. In a flash, he blocked his path, simultaneously instantly casting a middle-grade spell, forcing him to use the plum blossom fan to block horizontally.
Under the impact force, his figure retreated several steps.
At this time, the four-colored light barrier completely sealed.
"You're playing pig to eat tiger?" The Mei family's leading youth gritted his teeth.
"And haven't you been using power to bully others?"
"Let us leave, if we fight to the death, several of you will die too!" The Mei family's leading youth gritted his teeth, "Additionally, I'll give you three thousand-year spirit herbs!"
"Unfortunately, we want everything on your bodies," Xu Mingqing grinned.
"Seeking death, kill them all!"
Fierce intent suddenly appeared in the Mei family leading youth's eyes, knowing this couldn't end well.
He immediately erupted with first layer of Foundation Establishment pressure, withdrew the plum blossom fan, reached out to draw a flying sword flowing with azure light, emanating wind-attribute top-tier magical artifact aura.
As the sword body hummed, it transformed into an azure rainbow piercing straight toward Xu Mingxuan's face.
Xu Mingxuan didn't retreat but advanced, summoning the Five Spirits Casket. When the casket lid opened, five superior-grade flying swords of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth flew out, hovering around his body according to the Five Elements positions.
"Five Elements Circulation!"
He called out lowly. The five swords' spiritual light interweaved, condensing into a five-colored sword net, forcefully receiving the opponent's top-tier magical artifact.
The azure rainbow crashed into the net, stirring up cascading spiritual light.
The Five Elements Sword Formation rotated like a wheel, actually blocking the top-tier flying sword's momentum. The sword cries shook leaves tumbling through the forest.
"You're not Qi Refining perfection!"
The flying sword reversed and returned, grasped in the Mei family leading youth's hand, immediately engaging in close combat.
Just at this moment, five people suddenly cried out in pain.
The next moment, their heads were severed by flying swords.
The speed was so fast, like lightning and flint.
Then Xu Mingshu waved the Black Evil Banner in her hand. The Black Fiend Flood Dragon burst forth. From Xu Mingqing's storage bag flew three Azure Jade Swords, forming a Three Talents Sword Formation momentum.
Above Xu Deyue's head, the Cold Soul Moon Wheel's silver light blazed brilliantly. Throughout the array formation space, the temperature rapidly dropped.
Additionally, there were Xu Deheng and Zhou Zongyun controlling superior-grade artifact flying swords for support.
Though the remaining three had superior-grade defensive magical artifacts for protection, in just over a dozen breaths, they were slain.
In moments, only the Mei family's leading youth remained.
He appeared crazed, roaring in disbelief, "This is impossible. They were also considered top-tier Qi Refining perfection cultivators. How could they be so utterly vulnerable!"
Xu Mingxuan, Xu Mingshu, and Xu Mingxian simultaneously erupted with Foundation Establishment auras.
Extinguishing his last straw of survival!
"Then let's die together!"
He still had one ultimate weapon, a Heavenly Thunder Orb. If struck, even Foundation Establishment middle stage would be severely wounded near death but just at this moment, three condensed divine consciousness Startling Spirit Thorns viciously stabbed into his sea of consciousness.
Each one was sufficient to injure Foundation Establishment middle stage divine consciousness.
He immediately clutched his head and screamed. The magical artifact in his hand dropped to the ground. He couldn't even withdraw items from his storage bag.
An azure light pierced through his heart!
The group separately collected souls and essence blood. Xu Mingxuan collected their identity tokens and organized the items in their storage bags.
Besides nine identity tokens carved with the character "Liang," there were also three Great Jin tokens and five Great Wei tokens.
Three thousand-year spirit herbs, over a dozen spirit herbs of several hundred years age, both common and rare, various materials, five Foundation Establishment Pill main ingredients, just enough for one complete set.
Also over ten superior-grade magical artifacts, various superior-grade magical artifacts, one top-tier flying sword.
Seven or eight superior-grade talismans.
Various cultivation methods, including a complete wind-element Foundation Establishment technique, obtained from the Mei family's leading youth.
Finally was a black round bead filled with violent, heart-palpitating thunder power.
Xu Mingxuan's fingers pinched this round bead, murmuring, "If this person had brought out this Heavenly Thunder Orb at the start, it would have been enough to break open a gap.
Or severely wound several of them."
"Indeed, Father was right. In this secret realm, if killing intent arises, we must act without hesitation, crushing and withering the opponent.
The Mei family as a second-rank aristocratic family had ultimate weapons like Heavenly Thunder Orbs. If it were a Golden Core family, the leader would definitely have talisman treasures."
"We still need to be cautious, cannot be careless."
After the others finished, Xu Mingxuan informed them about the Heavenly Thunder Orb.
Even Xu Mingshu and Xu Mingxian felt lingering fear.
Though they had means to resist some of the power, the others might be severely wounded or even instantly killed just from the aftershock.
"First rest here for two hours," Xu Mingxuan said.
Then the Xu family members all withdrew lower-grade Divine Sense Pills, meditating to recover their divine consciousness.
Divine consciousness recovery was far slower than spiritual power.
To fully recover would take at least until tomorrow.
Therefore, they could only rely on pills.
Divine Sense Pills no longer had the effect of increasing divine sense or divine consciousness for them, but still had the effect of recovering divine sense.
Only the Xu family with their vast wealth could use such pills to speed up divine consciousness recovery.
Xu Mingshu released red-spotted insects for vigilance.
Two hours later.
After their divine consciousness consumption recovered, they set off again, rushing out of the Misty Forest.
Half a day later, they encountered another group.
They didn't rashly approach. Xu Mingshu used spirit insects as eyes, then said in surprise, "It's the Lei family and a group of demonic cultivators. The Lei family is at a disadvantage. Already three or four people have died.
Currently the demonic cultivators have seven people, including two Foundation Establishment. The Lei family only has Lei Xiaoyun at Foundation Establishment. Of the remaining four, one should be from another family."
"Let's go over. Just drive away the demonic cultivators. No need to deliberately expose our strength."
"Third Brother speaks reasonably," Xu Mingxian agreed.
They immediately rushed over quickly.
As Xu Mingxuan and the others approached, someone on the demonic cultivators' side frowned, "People are coming?"
"Brother Lei, don't panic. We've come to assist you," Xu Mingxuan called out loudly.
Lei Xiaoyun's expression brightened. The Xu family members were all formidable.
"You're lucky!" The two Foundation Establishment cultivators on the demonic cultivators' side exchanged glances and immediately called for the others to leave.
Just as they left on the front foot, Xu Mingxuan and the others arrived on the back foot.
"Brother Mingxuan, thank you for arriving in time. Otherwise, we would have been in trouble this trip," Lei Xiaoyun cupped his fists.
Xu Mingxuan waved his hand, "You're too polite. We happened to encounter you. Since our two families are allied, how could we possibly ignore the Lei family falling into danger?"
Lei Xiaoyun smiled slightly, glancing at the other Xu family members, "Your Xu family actually didn't lose a single person. Truly enviable."
"My Xu family is cautious and careful, always avoiding people."
Always people coming to find us!
"Looking at your direction, you seem to have just come from the depths. How was the harvest?"
"So-so. Many Foundation Establishment demon beasts, not easy to handle."
"No choice. After experiencing so many trials, spirit herbs in the outer areas have decreased considerably. We were just planning to venture deeper in these last half month. Want to come along?"
"No thanks. The outer areas are more suitable for our Xu family."
Lei Yunxiao pondered for a moment then raised his head, "Alright, Lei won't force you. However, the outer area battles are quite brutal. Be careful yourselves."
"Thank you for the warning, Brother Lei. We take our leave!"
Xu Mingxuan and the others immediately departed.
A Lei family middle-aged man beside Lei Xiaoyun said, "Being able to safely retreat from the depths, the Xu family's capabilities aren't small. Do you really believe they had no harvest?"
"What, you want to attack?" Lei Xiaoyun turned to glance at him, "Don't forget, we all made Dao heart oaths.
If the Xu family didn't have some ability, would the family head value them?
Moreover, if not for the Xu family arriving in time this time, scaring away the demonic cultivators, I'm confident I could escape, but could you all really survive?"
"I was wrong." That Lei family disciple immediately said shamefully.
"Let's go. Go deeper again to find some materials and spirit herbs. The Lei family must occupy at least one position in the top ten!"
Lei Xiaoyun immediately led them toward the depths but Xu Mingxuan and the others hadn't walked for half an hour when they were blocked by that group of demonic cultivators from before.
Seeing that none among Xu Mingxuan's group were Foundation Establishment cultivators, they felt it was easier to handle them, so they turned to target them instead.
"Kekeke~"
A black-robed Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator grinned viciously at Xu Mingxuan and the others, "You ruined our good business earlier, so repay us with the things on your bodies and your lives!"
"Fourth Sister, Fifth Brother, see, I told you they'd definitely come find us."
Xu Mingshu smiled beautifully, "Our Xu family's luck is indeed good."
"Something's strange!" Another blood-robed Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator stroked his chin.
As soon as the words fell, Xu Mingxian employed the same tactic, deploying the Four Symbols formation, covering a radius of over a li.
The black-robed demonic cultivator was stunned, then immediately burst into laughter, "I've seen stupid people, but never this stupid, actually trapping themselves!"
The blood-robed Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator's brows furrowed tightly. He warned, "Be careful, they're somewhat unusual. I sense the auras of many demon beasts and cultivator essence blood on them."
"Cultivator essence blood? Could they also cultivate blood path techniques? Doesn't look like it!"
The black-robed Foundation Establishment cultivator said, "Brother, you're overthinking."
"Capture them, we'll split evenly, and we can both enter the top ten!"
"Attack!"
They immediately charged toward Xu Mingxuan and the others.
Xu Mingxuan, Xu Mingshu, and Xu Mingxian had long been prepared.
They simultaneously launched Spirit Condensing Technique attacks on the two Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators. Xu Mingqing's group of three did the same.
Very few people cultivated divine consciousness attack methods. They had no defenses at all. Five people immediately fell for it.
Xu Mingshu immediately released Xu Ying and Xu Bai.
Violent purple thunder and azure fire enveloped all the demonic cultivators. Three demonic cultivators who suffered the Spirit Condensing Technique died on the spot.
The other two Qi Refining demonic cultivators were also severely wounded, slapped to death by Xu Bai, one palm each.
Xu Mingshu's Black Fiend Flood Dragon, Xu Mingxuan's Five Elements Sword Formation, and the Four Symbols phantoms controlled by Xu Mingxian all surged toward the remaining two Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators.
Their expressions were terrified. They never imagined that a randomly encountered team would have such terrifying foundation.
Just upon contact with the attacks, the two were sent flying.
"Foundation Establishment might!"
"Two Foundation Establishment demon beasts, and you three are all Foundation Establishment. Which Golden Core family are you from?"
"No, the three great Golden Core families don't have beast taming methods. Your attire also doesn't match any family in my memory."
The Xu family, ruthless with few words.
Seven people plus two great demon beasts all attacked frantically.
They simply couldn't withstand it. They simultaneously employed secret techniques and swallowed Blood Burning Pills, but only lasted the time it took to drink a cup of tea longer.
Xu Ying's purple thunder and azure fire power had considerable restraint against them.
The Four Symbols phantoms were also endlessly regenerating.
They couldn't even approach the Xu family members.
"Then let's die together!"
The two immediately attempted to self-destruct.
Xu Mingxuan, Xu Mingshu, and Xu Mingxian again employed the Spirit Condensing Technique, interrupting their self-destruction.
Their auras rapidly declined, even falling below Foundation Establishment.
They were directly slain by Xu Deyue and Xu Mingqing.
Xu Mingxuan checked around, beaming with joy, "This harvest is even greater than last time. They must have killed at least two groups before."
"Today let's find a place to rest. We'll set off again tomorrow."
"Mm."
The others all agreed.
The further along, the fewer people encountered, but often the greater the harvest.
Xu Mingxuan's group encountered two more groups who delivered themselves to the door.
Still complete annihilation, great victory.
"Just a few days left." Xu Mingxuan looked at Zhou Zongyun, "Fellow Daoist Zongyun, check where Fairy Xuehua is now. Let's rendezvous and wait to exit."
"Good idea." Zhou Zongyun immediately withdrew a jade pendant and employed a secret technique.
"Eh, Xuehua isn't far from us, just over ten li away."
"Let's go see."
When Xu Mingxuan and the others arrived, they happened to see two groups in confrontation.
Great Wei and Great Jin's Golden Core families.
Ye Xuehua happened to be in the Cao clan's group.
"Xuehua!" Zhou Zongyun called out.
Ye Xuehua turned to look, her expression brightening slightly, "Elder Zongyun."
"Xu family members?" Cao Yulong's eyes swept over, immediately frowning, "Not one dead?"
The Cao family had over a dozen people enter the secret realm, but through repeated battles with other nations' cultivators or demon beasts, four or five had also died. However, now wasn't the time to dwell on the Xu family.
The Sima family was the greater enemy.
"Sima Xiangyan, now take a look. Which side has the numerical advantage!" Cao Yulong's eyes revealed determination, declaring resolutely, "If you want to fight, my Cao clan will oblige!"
Sima Xiangyan scanned Xu Mingxuan's group, his brow slightly furrowing.
After consulting with the other two Foundation Establishment cultivators, he decided to give up battling the Cao family.
With the trial nearing its end, without complete certainty, it was better to wait until after the trial ended and first send out what they had in hand.
"You're lucky!"
Sima Xiangyan flicked his sleeve robe, leading the Sima family members and their followers away.
The crisis lifted and only then did Zhou Zongyun step forward, "Xuehua, with only two or three days until the trial ends, we're preparing to leave the Misty Forest. Want to come with us?"
Ye Xuehua thought about it and nodded, "Alright."
Cao Yulong's brow furrowed, "Fairy Xuehua, have you thought this through? In these last few days, battles are especially frenzied. Following the Xu family, if you encounter similar situations, the Xu family can't provide protection.
Perhaps they'll even need you to risk your life blocking danger!"
Ye Xuehua naturally knew the strength of the Xu family members.
At least in this secret realm, they should be considered one of the strongest parties.
Right now they were just concealing their cultivation, not wanting to draw too much attention.
"Thank you for the warning, Fellow Daoist Cao. Xuehua knows what she's doing. Thank you for your care this time. Farewell!"
Ye Xuehua walked directly to Xu Mingxuan and the others' side.
Cao Yulong watched that cold and aloof back, a trace of fierceness flashing in his eyes.
"Farewell." Xu Mingxuan cupped his fists toward Cao Yulong and the others, then left this place.
"Brother Yulong, this Ye Xuehua really doesn't give you face. Should we chase after them..."
Speaking thus, he made a throat-slitting gesture.
Cao Yulong thought about it and raised his hand, "No need. When she encounters danger, she'll have her time to regret."
As for death, a Foundation Establishment cultivator in the secret realm wasn't so easily killed.
He had witnessed Ye Xuehua's strength. Not much weaker than himself, just that the trump cards in her hand weren't as good as his.
After this trial ended, his father would naturally facilitate their marriage.
"A mere Zhou family, they wouldn't dare oppose my Cao clan!"
Half an hour later.
Zhou Zongyun suddenly asked, "By the way, Xuehua, how did you end up with the Cao family people?"
"I previously encountered a Foundation Establishment demon beast and was injured. Cao Yulong and the others appeared and helped me. They invited me, and after thinking it over, I traveled with them.
These days I've also harvested quite a bit."
"I see." Zhou Zongyun nodded slightly and smiled, "After exiting this time, the ancestor will surely be very pleased."
"I won't disappoint Master!"
Suddenly, Xu Mingshu's brow furrowed. She spoke, "Someone's following us."
Everyone turned to look.
After a moment, she continued, "It's the Sima family."
Hearing this, Xu Mingxuan and the others all frowned tightly.
Not out of fear but because the Sima family was a Golden Core family with deep foundation.
Moreover, they had thirteen or fourteen people, strength in numbers. Once conflict arose, Xu Mingxuan and the others would inevitably erupt with full strength.
If they couldn't kill them all, the Xu family would have endless troubles.
Even if they killed them all, marks might be left on their bodies, discovered by the Sima family after exiting.
Thus, great disaster would befall the Xu family.
Hoping for the Cao clan to protect the Xu family, the hope was slim.
"Go, leave quickly first!"
Xu Mingxuan and the others immediately released flying swords for sword flight.
"Interesting. They could discover our tracks several li away even outside the Misty Forest. This Xu family is quite interesting. They must have harvested quite a bit.
Kill them, and our Sima family's trip should be complete."
"A mere Great Wei third-rate family. I'll take a few people and make a trip," another Sima family Foundation Establishment cultivator said.
"Cousin Xiangru, even when hunting rabbits, a lion uses its full strength. Those who've survived until now mostly have some trump cards."
"Cousin Xiangyan speaks true."
They also pursued via sword flight.
"They're still following," Xu Mingshu said.
"Go to the Black Swamp. The environment there is harsh, filled with toxic miasma. If the Sima family still follows, we'll settle them there."
A trace of fierceness flashed in Xu Mingxuan's eyes.
Everyone fell silent.
Leaving the Misty Forest, they immediately piloted superior-grade magical vessels, racing at extreme speed toward the Black Swamp.
"See where you can run!" Sima Xiangyan and the others followed closely behind.
Several hours later, the Black Swamp already appeared before their eyes.
Xu Mingxuan immediately instructed everyone to take superior-grade Hundred Herbs Pills, also giving one each to Zhou Zongyun and Ye Xuehua.
With this pill, even in the depths, they could stay for nearly half a day.
"Cousin Xiangyan, they've entered the Black Swamp."
"Everyone first take antidote pills. Continue pursuing. I want to see where they can run!"
Entering the Black Swamp's depths.
Here the toxic miasma was even more concentrated yet Sima Xiangyan and the others still pursued inside.
Moments later, they discovered Xu Mingxuan's group was no longer fleeing but had stopped in place, waiting for them.
"Finally stopped running?" Sima Xiangyan sneered coldly at Xu Mingxuan's group of eight.
"Sima Xiangyan, do you think you have victory in your grasp?" Xu Mingxuan said coldly, "We didn't want to provoke you Golden Core families.
But you're truly going too far!"
"A mere Foundation Establishment family, what if we bully you?!"
They immediately burst into wild laughter.
Sima Xiangyan continued, "In the Wuhua Secret Realm, apart from the Cao family and Liu family, our Sima family has never regarded anyone else!"
"Our Sima family is heaven!"
"Then today, these heavens can collapse!"
As the words fell, Xu Mingxian activated the array disc, deploying the Four Symbols formation, covering a radius of several li.
Four-colored radiance surged in the sky, condensing into seven or eight-zhang Four Symbols phantoms. The Four Symbols' roaring sounds shook the wilds.
The Five Spirits Casket appeared behind Xu Mingxuan. The spirit casket opened, Five Elements flying swords hovering before him, sword edges pointing directly at Sima Xiangyan and the others.
The Black Evil Banner was held in Xu Mingshu's hand. With a light wave of her elegant hand.
Black clouds gushed forth, condensing into the Black Fiend Flood Dragon.
Ye Xuehua held the Azure Wood Sword. The sword body resonated with the Azure Wood Sword. Sword qi swept in all directions.
Xu Mingqing's group also stood ready in strict formation.
Xu Mingxuan transmitted to everyone, "Remember to critically wound them. Severing hands and feet is also acceptable. Leave the final strike to Mingshu's spirit insects."
Xu Mingshu understood completely.
Though these were all her cultivated little darlings, to avoid having marks from the Sima family left on their bodies, she could only sacrifice some spirit insects.
"As expected, all are formidable. Kill them all. That female sword cultivator is mine!"
Xu Mingxuan blocked Sima Xiangru, Ye Xuehua crossed swords with Sima Xiangyan, while Xu Mingshu dealt with the remaining person.
"You're not Qi Refining?!" Sima Xiangru and another Sima family Foundation Establishment cultivator discovered upon engaging that Xu Mingxuan and Xu Mingshu's strength was extremely formidable.
Definitely not the strength Qi Refining stage cultivators should possess.
"Foundation Establishment stage?!"
"Guessed right!" Xu Mingshu patted her spirit beast bag, "And I'll give you two more Foundation Establishment demon beasts!"
Xu Ying and Xu Bai made their domineering entrance.
Eagle cries rang through the vast sky, tiger roars shook the wilds.
They didn't join the siege but turned to deal with the others.
The Sima family geniuses were very strong.
Xu Deyue and Xu Mingqing together could only handle one person but Xu Mingxian condensed the Four Symbols, easily entangling four people.
The remaining five, Xu Ying dealt with two, Xu Bai dealt with two.
Xu Deheng and Zhou Zongyun dealt with one.
Half a cup of tea later.
Xu Ying was first to critically wound two people. Purple lightning struck their bodies, leaving them on the verge of death.
Immediately after, the Sima family's battle line began collapsing completely.
The one battling Xu Deheng and Zhou Zongyun was struck by Xu Ying's purple lightning.
In a flash, Xu Deheng severed both his hands and legs.
Tens of thousands of red-spotted insects suddenly emerged from Xu Mingshu's body.
Buzz buzz buzz~
The sight made Sima Xiangru and the others' eyes change but these spirit insects didn't attack them. Instead, they devoured the critically wounded.
Ten thousand insects devouring flesh.
For a time, miserable screams rose and fell.
In moments, there was no more sound then one after another Sima family Qi Refining perfection cultivators were slain.
Whenever someone wanted to use some secret technique or trump card, a Spirit Condensing Technique would stab over, interrupting them.
Another half cup of tea later.
Only three Foundation Establishment cultivators remained from the Sima family.
What they faced were six Foundation Establishment cultivators and four Qi Refining perfection cultivators.
Even Foundation Establishment middle stage would perish here today.
"You're the Zhao family? No, you must be from Great Wei. When did Great Wei produce such a terrifying aristocratic family!
Could the Cao clan all be blind?!
Actually letting you grow to this extent right under their noses!"
Sima Xiangyan's expression was crazed.
"But to kill me, dream on!"
"Cousin Xiangru, Cousin Xiangyin, hold them off for a moment!"
"I'll use a talisman treasure to kill them!"
Sima Xiangyan patted his storage bag. A small black halberd flew out, hovering before him. He immediately formed seals repeatedly, and dark radiance blazed.
Sima Xiangru and Sima Xiangyin exchanged glances, both about to employ secret techniques. However, Xu Mingxuan's group had been waiting for this.
The Spirit Condensing Techniques from all six Xu family members stabbed toward their sea of consciousness.
Whether employing talisman treasures or secret techniques, all were interrupted at this moment.
Immediately after, Xu Ying shook both wings. Endless purple thunder and azure fire fell upon their bodies.
They had no time to summon defensive magical artifacts for protection. Only the superior-grade robes on their bodies automatically defended.
Xu Mingxuan and Xu Mingqing controlled flying swords to hack at their hands and feet.
The robes' protective light shields directly exploded.
The three cried out in pain.
They were directly reduced to human sticks.
Ye Xuehua formed sword fingers. The Azure Wood Sword whistled past, piercing through all three of their dantians.
Their immortal foundations destroyed, they had now become cripples.
They couldn't even use spiritual power to self-destruct.
Xu Deyue flicked her sleeve robe. Three strands of cold qi shot forth, freezing everything below their heads.
At the same time, Xu Mingxuan flicked his fingers. Three True Essence Pills entered their mouths, keeping them clinging to their last breath.
"Good, everyone withdraw from the grand formation."
In the formation, only tens of thousands of red-spotted insects remained.
"Mingshu, proceed."
Xu Mingshu immediately had the red-spotted insects bite into the three's bodies until their auras completely vanished.
Wisps of barely perceptible auras lingered on those red-spotted insects.
"Third Brother, you guessed right. There really is a problem."
Xu Mingshu exclaimed upon discovering those black auras.
Xu Mingxuan looked at Xu Mingxian, "Annihilate all those spirit insects."
Xu Mingxian nodded.
In just moments, all tens of thousands of red-spotted insects perished.
Next was organizing this battle's harvest.
Xu Mingxuan didn't even let anyone touch their storage bags. Instead, he opened them from a distance, extracting the items, then completely incinerated all the storage bags.
The Sima family members' harvest was enormous. Though Foundation Establishment Pill main ingredients weren't as much as the Xu family's, with only over twenty stalks, the other magical artifacts, spirit herbs, and so on were about the same.
Demonic Dao magical artifacts, Xu Mingxuan wanted none, including that talisman treasure which he also disregarded.
Foundation Establishment Pill materials, spirit herbs, magical artifacts, and so on, he divided one quarter to Ye Xuehua.
With these, plus her previous harvest, ranking in Great Wei's top five was more than sufficient.
"A whole talisman treasure, just buried deep here. What a waste.
This is an ultimate weapon sufficient to deal with Foundation Establishment late stage!"
Seeing Xu Mingxuan sink the talisman treasure and other items into the Black Swamp, Xu Mingshu immediately felt regret.
"Compared to my Xu family's safety, even dharma treasures must be abandoned!" Xu Mingxian said.
"Just complaining. Don't be so serious! How could Fourth Sister not know what's important?" Xu Mingshu said.
Moments later, Xu Mingxuan pulled Zhou Zongyun and Ye Xuehua aside.
"Today we annihilated a Golden Core family's direct descendants. This matter is extremely dangerous. To prevent any contingency, I need you two to make soul oaths. If violated, your souls will immediately dissipate."
The two exchanged glances, both agreeing without much hesitation.
Don't look at how the Xu family's foundation was currently strong, but before a Golden Core family, it truly wasn't much.
Moreover, if this matter were exposed, his Zhou family would also be completely destroyed.
"Thank you!" Xu Mingxuan cupped his fists.
This matter concluded and everyone searched around the Black Swamp and discovered over a dozen rare spirit herbs.
Afterward, they went to Lava Valley, finding seven or eight fire and yang attribute spirit herbs, plus many materials.
This trip to the Wuhua Secret Realm.
If they could bring things out, the Xu family's foundation would increase several fold.
Especially many precious spirit herbs and materials difficult to find in the outside world.
In the blink of an eye, only half a day remained until the trial ended.
The aristocratic family disciples still alive all headed toward the exit.
The Xu family happened to encounter Great Liang's Zhao family on the road.
"Could this be the Zhao family?" The Zhao family's leading youth's gaze condensed slightly, vigilantly saying, "Who are you?"
"We are Great Wei's Xu family. My father is acquainted with your Zhao family's Elder Qingyan and Elder Guan'an."
The Zhao family's leading youth didn't quite believe it.
Xu Mingxuan smiled and withdrew a token.
Seeing it, this person was immediately surprised, "It truly is Elder Qingyan's token!"
He immediately cupped his fists in apology, "I am Zhao Sheyan. I was offensive earlier. I hope Fellow Daoist Xu won't blame me."