Several days later.
The Moon Tomb Alliance began its operations.
Since everyone was encountering this for the first time, they were all feeling their way around and getting familiar with the process.
Three or four days later, initial results were already visible.
The Academy also began recruiting eligible students from various families.
While there were no Xu Clan members, the vassals of the Xu Clan, such as the Chen, Bai, Li, Gu, Wu, Ge, and Zhou families, all had people enrolling.
After all, no matter how good the Academy's training was, it could not compare to the first-tier cultivation provided by the Xu Family.
It was only close to the second-tier cultivation level.
More importantly, Xu Chuan did not want people to discover that the younger generation of the Xu Clan, who were supposedly walking the Martial Dao, had somehow become mid-stage Qi Condensation immortal cultivators along the way.
As time passed.
The operations of the Moon Tomb Alliance became smoother and gradually got on track.
Disciples either went on patrols or headed out to complete tasks.
The Mission Pavilion settled the task rewards for the disciples.
The Pill Refining Pavilion, Artifact Refining Pavilion, and others recruited people possessing Immortal Arts, assigning them to their respective pavilions to concoct pills, forge artifacts, and achieve self-sufficiency.
As for the Academy courses, the Martial Dao Institute offered Martial Arts Courses, Combat Courses, as well as classes for Apothecaries and Artificers.
The Immortal Dao Institute had Arcane Arts Courses, Spell Dueling Courses, and classes for the various Immortal Arts.
There were also differences in the attire between the Martial Dao Institute and the Immortal Dao Institute.
Disciples of the Martial Dao Institute primarily wore black attire, while those of the Immortal Dao Institute mainly wore pale cyan.
The invitations to attend the ceremony had already been sent out.
They only needed to wait until the first day of the twelfth month for the various families to arrive.
Taiyuan Li Clan.
The Head of the Li Clan received the invitation, which read: "Given that Yuehu and Guangling have repeatedly suffered attacks from demonic cultivators, our Xu Family has integrated the Martial Dao clans and immortal cultivation families of the two commanderies to establish the Moon Tomb Alliance in order to combat the demonic cultivators.
On the first day of the twelfth month, the Moon Tomb Ceremony will be held.
We sincerely invite the Li family to come to the former Wei Clan Ancestral Land in Guangling Commandery to attend the ceremony."
"Integrating the Martial Dao clans and immortal cultivation families?"
"The Moon Tomb Alliance?!"
"What is the Xu Family trying to do? Are they combating demonic cultivators or opposing the Cao Clan?"
The Li Clan Head pondered for a moment before inviting several Foundation Establishment elders to discuss the matter together.
"The Xu Family is currently in a cooperative relationship with us. We have to give them face," a Foundation Establishment elder said.
"Then should we send one Foundation Establishment cultivator and two peak Qi Condensation disciples over?" the Li Clan Head suggested.
"Acceptable."
The others also agreed.
Langya Wang Clan.
They made similar arrangements.
At the same time, they were quite curious to see what this so-called Moon Tomb Alliance established by the Xu Family looked like.
Some alliances were outwardly harmonious but inwardly divided.
Some only wanted to seek benefits for themselves.
And some used the guise of an alliance when they actually wanted to annex the other party.
Therefore, there were very few immortal cultivation families in Great Wei that truly formed alliances. Even if there were, they were mostly Qi Condensation clans.
It was small-scale squabbling, merely for the sake of survival.
Yet the Xu Family had integrated all the Martial Dao and immortal cultivation families of two commanderies. This was not something an ordinary person could accomplish.
The Langya Wang Clan considered themselves the hegemon of Langya Commandery, but even they lacked this kind of rallying power. Even if the local families agreed under the Wang Clan's coercion, it would only be an alliance in name but divided at heart.
Imperial City, Lei Clan.
"Family Head, the Xu Family is stirring up trouble again." Lei Hekong entered Lei Yunchao's study, holding an invitation.
Lei Yunchao raised his eyes and looked over. "What do you mean?"
"Family Head, see for yourself."
Lei Hekong handed the invitation over.
Lei Yunchao glanced at it, his pupils suddenly contracting as he whispered, "The Moon Tomb Alliance?!"
"Yes, and they are integrating the Martial Dao and immortal cultivation families of two commanderies. Even the Cao Clan lacks this kind of boldness. Looking at how the Xu Family is acting, they genuinely intend to compete with the Cao Clan.
"Moreover, their banner is flown high and proud: combating demonic cultivators!
"Haha, the Cao Clan has absolutely nothing to say, nor can they find any faults with it."
Lei Yunchao looked at Lei Hekong speechlessly and muttered, "So the Xu Family spread those rumors, making it known to everyone in Great Wei, all to pave the way for this matter.
"With demonic cultivators running rampant, his cause becomes even more righteous!
"Leaving people with no room for criticism!"
Then, he chuckled lightly, "This time, it can be said that the Cao Clan lifted a rock only to drop it on their own feet."
"However, I am very curious. How was Xu Chuan certain that the Cao Clan would send a large number of people to Yuehu Commandery? He even made the Cao Clan's First Elder suffer a loss."
"It is a Tier 2 Peak flood dragon, after all!" Lei Hekong grinned. "This is much stronger than an ordinary Tier 2 Peak demonic beast. I'm afraid the Cao Clan would need to deploy all their peak Foundation Establishment cultivators to thoroughly suppress and kill it.
"However, the Cao Clan probably won't make a move rashly anymore.
"As long as they attack, they run the risk of losing a large number of their Foundation Establishment clansmen."
As he spoke, Lei Hekong's expression grew serious. After a moment, he said heavily, "If they act again, I'm afraid it will be a lethal blow!"
"Xu Chuan's mind is so meticulous; he knows this without you reminding him," Lei Yunchao said. "And now he has integrated all the Martial Dao and immortal cultivation families of two commanderies.
"The power his Xu Family can mobilize now far exceeds that of any of our First-Rank families.
"And it has only been a little over thirty years!
"It's just a pity. So what if he defeats a rival like the Cao Clan? In the end, he still cannot walk out of this Land of Imprisonment."
Lei Hekong also fell silent and sighed softly. Remembering something, he said, "Right, Family Head. The Clan Annals once recorded that after every Demon Tribulation, the main branch would send someone to take away a batch of disciples with good talent who survived.
"Do you think this matter is true?"
"Perhaps." Lei Yunchao turned to look at him. "Who knows."
"After all, Foundation Establishment cultivators only live for two hundred and forty years. Even with longevity-enhancing pills, they would only live an extra twenty or thirty years."
Lei Hekong said, "I hope it is true. At least, the more that can leave, the better."
"Once they grow up, they can gain more speaking authority within the main branch. Perhaps then they can mobilize more power to take our branch away from this place."
The Imperial City Jiang, Wang, and Lin Three Families, as well as the Cao Clan, were all trapped here by their ancestors a thousand years ago. They failed to leave in time and became imprisoned here.
During the Demon Tribulation five hundred years ago, the main branches of all four families sent people, but they only took away a very sparse number of clansmen.
A short while later.
Lei Yunchao laughed freely. "We've spoken too much. Since you are interested in the Moon Tomb Alliance, then take a few younger members of the Lei Family and go attend the ceremony."
"Thank you, Family Head."
Imperial Clan Cao Family.
Upon hearing this news, Cao Defeng simply sneered and said, "Just dispatch someone at random to go and offer congratulations."
"Yes, First Elder."
After the Cao Clan disciple cupped his fists and left, he muttered to himself, "So what if you gather a multitude of ants?"
"Decades later, won't everything still turn to ash!"
"I'll let you be smug for now."
More than ten Foundation Establishment cultivators, a Tier 2 Peak flood dragon, a Tier 2 High-Grade Great Formation, along with sweeping up all the Martial Dao and Qi Condensation clans of two commanderies.
With such a foundation, the Xu Family's great momentum had already been established.
The other aristocratic families who received the Xu Family's invitation were all shocked and horrified by the Xu Family's methods, which ultimately turned into admiration.
In just a few short decades, they had reached such a stage.
For a thousand years of Great Wei, the Xu Clan reigns supreme!
————————
In the blink of an eye.
It was the first day of the twelfth month.
The Foundation Establishment Aristocratic Families and even the numerous Qi Condensation clans all gathered at the Moon Tomb Alliance's headquarters.
"This grand array is extraordinary!"
Li Yuanxing, a Fourth-Layer Foundation Establishment Cultivator representing the Li Clan, muttered in a low voice.
The two young disciples beside him asked curiously, "Elder, what kind of grand array is this?"
"I don't know," Li Yuanxing said, shaking his head as he looked at them. "The grand array is highly complex; how could I possibly know everything about it? But this elder can tell that it should be Tier 2 High-Grade, and perhaps not merely just a defensive array.
"Even our Li Clan Ancestor would not be able to easily set up such a formation."
"The Xu Family actually has such a Grandmaster Formation Master?"
Looking at the grand array, Li Yuanxing thought to himself, 'No wonder the Xu Family wanted my Li Clan's Formation Inheritance. It must have been for reference, to allow that Grandmaster Formation Master to improve their proficiency in formations.'
"Daoist Friend Yuanxing, so it is you attending the ceremony at the Xu Family this time."
A middle-aged man walked over from nearby. He wore an Azure Moon Robe with faint fluorescence flowing over its surface; it was likely a High-Grade Magical Robe.
"Daoist Friend Zhenyan, your Wang Clan has also come."
Li Yuanxing laughed and cupped his fists.
The young Li Clan disciples beside him also bowed in greeting.
"With the Xu Family's invitation, how could our Wang Clan refuse to give them face?"
"Haha, you are absolutely right. Let us go together."
The two men arrived in front of the grand array's entrance.
"Seniors and the disciples of your clans, please leave your names here to sign in. Our Moon Tomb Alliance's First Elder said this is to prevent any disturbances."
"Who is your First Elder?" Li Yuanxing asked.
"It is the Xu Family's First Elder."
"That makes sense. If he doesn't take the position, who else is qualified to be the First Elder of this alliance?" Wang Zhenyan smiled and immediately had his people sign their names.
As they stepped into the grand array, someone announced loudly, "Elder of the Taiyuan Li Clan has arrived!"
"Elder of the Langya Wang Clan has arrived!"
Right as Li Yuanxing and the others entered, someone guided them toward the plaza.
By the time they arrived, many aristocratic families were already present in the plaza.
The seating for each family was fixed, arranged according to their tier.
The Li Clan and Wang Clan were third-grade top clans, so they naturally sat near the front, and the two families were placed right next to each other.
"There really are quite a few Qi Condensation clans here. What is the Xu Family trying to do?" Wang Zhenyan sent a sound transmission to Li Yuanxing.
"Who knows? If he played by common sense, it would have been very difficult to bring the Xu Family to their current situation in just a few short decades.
"Nowadays, even the Cao Clan is probably a bit wary of them."
"The Heartless Young Master of the Longjiang Liu Clan has arrived!"
"Feng Qingyang of the Yunshan Feng Clan has arrived!"
"Both of them have stepped into Foundation Establishment!"
"During the last auction held by the Xu Family for the Jade Marrow Pill, I thought they were just exaggerating. Now it seems the efficacy of that Jade Marrow Pill truly is extraordinary!"
Many Foundation Establishment Aristocratic Families revealed envious expressions when they saw the young Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Liu and Feng families.
Foundation Establishment cultivators barely over sixty years old had a high probability of stepping into Late Foundation Establishment in the future.
"Elder Lei of the Imperial City Lei Clan has arrived!"
"Elder Jiang of the Imperial City Jiang Clan has arrived!"
"Elder Lin of the Imperial City Lin Clan has arrived!"
At the entrance, names were continuously being announced.
The number of immortal cultivators in the plaza grew rapidly.
When more than half the attendees had arrived, the members of the Xu Family also made their appearance.
There were three people from the Xu Family: Xu Chuan, Xu Mingwei, and Xu Mingxuan. From the Zhou family, there was Zhou Qingfang and Zhou Zongyun.
The group sat in a horizontal row at the very front seats.
"Daoist Friends, I thank you all for coming to witness the establishment of our Moon Tomb Alliance. Demonic cultivators are currently running rampant, having repeatedly attacked both Guangling and Yuehu commanderies.
"To deal with those detestable demonic cultivators, I had no choice but to integrate the strength of the masses as a countermeasure."
At this moment, an announcement rang out from outside the array: "A deacon of the Imperial Clan Cao Family has arrived!"
Lei Hekong and the others were slightly surprised. They actually only sent a deacon?
A brief moment later.
The Cao Clan deacon arrived before Xu Chuan and the others.
He possessed the cultivation base of Peak Qi Condensation.
"Senior Xu, under the orders of our Cao Clan's First Elder, I have come to congratulate the establishment of the Moon Tomb Alliance.
"Our First Elder also hopes that after the Moon Tomb Alliance is established, Guangling and Yuehu commanderies will suffer fewer infringements."
Xu Chuan cupped his fists and smiled. "Thank you, Senior Cao."
"Please, have a seat."
"No need. I still have matters to attend to, so it is inconvenient for me to stay long."
"Then I will not see you out."
"There is no need to see me off, Senior Xu."
The Cao Clan deacon came in a hurry and left in a hurry.
This genuinely surprised everyone present.
After an incense stick's time.
The various families had almost all arrived.
The Xu Family guided everyone around, introducing the system of the Moon Tomb Alliance, and soon arrived at the Academy.
"This is the Academy established by our Moon Tomb Alliance. It exists independently from the alliance and is dedicated to training martial artists and immortal cultivators. Although it primarily only nurtures them up to the 7th Layer of Qi Condensation, it can lay a solid foundation for them."
He then proceeded to introduce the Academy courses.
When he mentioned the Four Immortal Arts of Pill, Artifact, Formation, Talisman, many aristocratic families' eyes lit up.
"Every year, the Academy holds a recruitment assessment. Once passed, one only needs to pay the tuition fees to enroll."
Someone from an aristocratic family asked, "Senior Xu, may I ask if this disciple recruitment is restricted only to your Guangling and Yuehu commanderies?"
Xu Chuan shook his head and chuckled lightly. "Not at all. Rogue cultivators, disciples of various aristocratic families, commoners—as long as they are people of Great Wei, they can come to study."
"If a student completes both the Primary School and the University, what level can they reach?"
"That cannot be generalized," Xu Chuan replied. "People's aptitudes and comprehension vary. The Primary School's requirement is to be under twenty years old; those who can break through to the 4th Layer of Qi Condensation can directly advance to the University.
"As for why twenty years old, it is because the Primary School is mainly targeted at children who begin their cultivation around seven or eight years of age.
"Generally speaking, if they start at that age, even those with Pseudo Spirit Roots have hope of reaching the 4th Layer of Qi Condensation before they turn twenty.
"Those with Miscellaneous Spirit Roots should be able to enter the University by age sixteen or seventeen. After six years of University, although I cannot guarantee everyone will reach the 7th Layer of Qi Condensation, a portion of them will still be able to achieve it.
"As for those with True Spirit Root Aptitude, they will undoubtedly be even more outstanding.
"If anyone is interested, you may come and participate in our Academy's assessment next February.
"The Primary School tuition is twenty Spirit Stones per year, and the University is one hundred and twenty Spirit Stones per year. Payments can be made semi-annually, and if you are unsatisfied, you can withdraw at any time."
The crowd began to weigh the options in their hearts.
For aristocratic families ranked Grade Four and above, individuals with Pseudo Spirit Roots were essentially given up on. They received barely any resources, so reaching the Second and Third Layer Qi Condensation by age twenty was already a rare feat.
As for breaking through the mid-stage bottleneck, managing it by thirty or forty was considered early.
If a family provided their full support, it was possible for someone with a Pseudo Spirit Root to break through to the 4th Layer of Qi Condensation before twenty, but the resources spent would inevitably be far higher than the Academy's tuition fees.
Enrolling at seven and studying until twenty.
Thirteen years would only cost two hundred and sixty Spirit Stones, which was about the same consumption required for a Miscellaneous Spirit Root to break through.
And if a Miscellaneous Spirit Root was sent into the Academy.
Reaching the 7th Layer of Qi Condensation in their twenties would definitely be considered genius-level, at least for a Qi Condensation Family.
Even those with True Spirit Roots rarely reached that stage at such an age.
Of course, this was also because most Qi Condensation clans severely lacked resources.
Some top-tier resources simply could not be bought even with Spirit Stones. Most of them were controlled by the Foundation Establishment Aristocratic Families of the various commanderies, rarely trickling down.
Many Foundation Establishment Aristocratic Families underwent a change in expression.
"Daoist Friend Xu, are you trying to poach from the foundations of our various commanderies?"
"What are you saying, Daoist Friend? Our Academy's doors are wide open. Students are free to come and go, and even when they graduate, we won't force them to stay.
"Disciples of Qi Condensation clans can come to study, and the disciples of Foundation Establishment Aristocratic Families are equally welcome."
"If I am not mistaken, none of the Foundation Establishment Aristocratic Families place much importance on those with aptitudes below True Spirit Root. Since that is the case, what is wrong with spending some Spirit Stones or resources to send them to our Academy?
"Or is it that your respective families do not want those junior family members with low aptitude to grow and develop?"
The moment Xu Chuan spoke, he left them utterly speechless.
If they answered, wouldn't it cause a rift within their own families?
With this news spreading across the commanderies today, many aristocratic families probably wouldn't have a choice but to send people over.
If they didn't, they would earn the reputation of suppressing their less talented clansmen.
'Xu Chuan's methods are as sharp as ever,' Lei Hekong thought inwardly.
However, since every family had limited resources, absolute fairness was indeed impossible. If they handed these youths over to the Academy, and it truly managed to nurture a genius or someone who mastered one of the Four Immortal Arts of Pill, Artifact, Formation, Talisman.
Then it would be an incredible bargain!
"For students facing financial difficulties, the Academy has also launched a Work-Study Program to alleviate some of their pressure. Outstanding students can even receive a Scholarship."
This was opening wide the Path of the Poor Scholar!
Everyone was thoroughly shocked!
"Casting your gaze across Great Wei to encompass all living beings—what magnificent spirit, Daoist Friend Xu!" Lei Hekong laughed heartily. "I, Lei, concede in admiration."
"Next February, our Lei Family will definitely send our junior family members over. You must groom them well."
With the Lei Family speaking up.
Many aristocratic families discarded their reservations and chimed in one after another.
Seeing this, the corners of Xu Chuan's lips curled up slightly.
The final step of his scheme had finally settled into place.
Using the Academy, he linked together the many Foundation Establishment and Qi Condensation clans of Great Wei. Even if only a quarter or a fifth of the families sent people.
Once they grew up, they would be disciples of the Academy.
In ten or twenty years.
The Academy's disciples would be spread across all of Great Wei and its major aristocratic families.
The Cao Clan would truly lose any possibility of acting against the Xu Family.
Xu Chuan wasn't going to gamble on the Cao Clan leaving the Xu Family alone for the time being. Who knew if they might scheme against them again in a few years?
So he could only layout plans and scheme as much as possible.
Next February.
When the disciples of the various families enrolled.
If the Cao Clan acted again, it would mean encroaching upon the interests of almost every aristocratic family in Great Wei.
What was true momentum?
This was true momentum!
So what if the Cao Clan was the Lord of Great Wei?
The numerous aristocratic families were the true foundation of Great Wei!
Over an hour later.
The various families departed.
Over the next few days.
This news spread across the entirety of Great Wei.
Countless people yearned for it in their hearts.
Imperial City Cao Clan.
Upon hearing this news, Cao Defeng immediately flung his Sleeve Robe, whipping up a fierce gust of wind that blew the objects in the room all over the place.
The sharp gales carved multiple scratch marks into the doorframes and pillars.
"What a Xu Chuan!"
"What an Academy!"
"To think he could actually come up with such a strategy!"
This matter had already caused an uproar in Great Wei, and the Cao Clan was powerless to stop it.
"Cao Jinsheng, go select a batch of youths with poor aptitude and send them to the Academy next year. Doesn't the Xu Family want to nurture people? Let them help our Cao Clan nurture these trash!"
"Yes, First Elder!"
Cao Jinsheng cupped his fists and departed at once.
Right after leaving, he immediately went to find the Cao Clan's Second Elder, Cao Dezhang.
"Did the First Elder truly say this to you?"
The corners of Cao Dezhang's mouth rose slightly. "It seems Cao Defeng is truly infuriated by Xu Chuan."
"Well, suffering repeated defeats at his hands, who wouldn't be furious?"
"However, this strategy of Xu Chuan's is indeed not bad; it can win over the hearts of the aristocratic families. Go and make arrangements for the establishment of our Cao Clan's Academy."
"Uncle, this..." Cao Jinsheng looked at Cao Dezhang with a hesitant expression.
Cao Dezhang raised a hand. "It's fine. In a few days, I will propose this at the Clan Meeting. If this plan proves viable, then Cao Defeng should get his ass off the position of First Elder that he's sat on for over twenty years."
Two sharp rays of light shot from Cao Jinsheng's eyes.
If Cao Dezhang became the First Elder, it would be of immense benefit to their branch.
After all, in the Cao Clan, the First Elder's authority was the most robust.
Second only to the Ancestor.
"Uncle, if you have any orders, simply command me. This nephew will definitely do his utmost to carry them out."
Cao Dezhang smiled slightly. "Come here and lend me your ear."
While the various commanderies were engaged in Widespread Discussion over the Moonlight Academy, and the Cao Clan was locked in fierce internal factional struggles for power, Xu Chuan didn't even have time to celebrate the Annual Sacrifice before heading to the Hundred Thousand Mountains with Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingshu.
Just the journey alone would take nearly half a month.
The Hundred Thousand Mountains were incredibly dangerous; one could only tread with the utmost caution there.
At any slight misstep, they could be besieged by more than ten Foundation Establishment demonic beasts.
"Xu Chuan, the Hundred Thousand Mountains is a faction of the demonic race in the Southern Heaven Region, and it's on par with your human Nascent Soul Powers.
"Thousands of years ago, there were three royal families: the Suanni, the Nine Nether Sparrow, and the Zhuyan, all possessing Tier 4 Transformed Grand Demons.
"Of course, they all live in the Holy Mountain deep within the Hundred Thousand Mountains and will not easily appear on the periphery."
Hearing this, Xu Chuan's pupils shrank. "How could there be such a massive demonic race power in this place? Doesn't that mean we live here at constant risk of annihilation?"
"Actually, a few days ago, I suddenly remembered a rumor. It says that this entire region encompassing your Great Wei, Great Liang, and Great Jin is truly named the Land of Imprisonment.
"You are all human mortals kept in captivity by the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
"Every set period of time, the Hundred Thousand Mountains will launch a Blood Food Feast, and all the surrounding Tier 3 Demonic Race Powers will surge out."
Xu Chuan's face instantly lost all color.
This news was like a death knell lingering in his mind.
Xu Mingwei noticed this and immediately asked, "Father, what's wrong?"
"Yeah, why has your face suddenly turned so pale?" Xu Mingshu was also astonished.
Xu Chuan snapped out of it and glanced at them. His expression returned to normal as he said faintly, "It's nothing. Let's keep moving."
Then, he continued communicating telepathically with Moyue.
'Why didn't you mention this earlier?!'
'I'm getting on in years, aren't I? There are many things I don't remember clearly anymore.'
Moyue always hated admitting that he was old, but right now, not wanting to anger Xu Chuan, he used it as an excuse.
'Although the Demon Tribulation has a massive impact, it doesn't just target your Land of Imprisonment. This place isn't even its main focus.
'The demonic cultivators mostly target the immortal cultivation families.
'But the Blood Food Feast is a truly apocalyptic disaster for all of you.
'Before I was sealed, there were no so-called Great Wei, Great Liang, or Great Jin factions here.
'Therefore, this seat thinks your Xu Family should make preparations early.'
'If you recover your Tier 3 strength, how many members of my Xu Family can you escort out of this cage?'
'Sneaking away with a few people shouldn't be a problem, but if it's too many...'
'Those Golden Core Aristocratic Families like the Cao Clan should all be well aware of this, otherwise they would have left long ago.' Moyue then continued, 'The demonic beasts won't easily let human Golden Core Stage Cultivators pass.
'However, if this seat secretly takes a few people to leave, it should be manageable.'
'Do the major powers of the Southern Heaven Region just ignore this?'
Moyue replied, 'Just like how you humans domesticate demonic beasts, it's naturally normal for demonic beasts to raise humans. It's just rare to see it on such a massive scale.
'But considering a demonic race power like the Hundred Thousand Mountains, it becomes expected.
'There are only a sparse two or three powers in the Southern Heaven Region that can rival them.
'As for any that surpass them, those would likely be the legendary hegemon-level forces.
'But they stand high above everything, just like the Cao Clan of your Great Wei. Why would they care if the factions in the commanderies live or die? They're probably eager to be Fanning the Wind and Lighting the Fire to weaken you all.
'Starting a war with such a demonic race power, or even triggering a war between humans and demonic beasts in the Southern Sky Region—when that happens, the death toll won't be limited to just these few people.'
A short while later.
Xu Chuan's soft sigh was heard. 'But this situation is far too despair-inducing.'
'The Cao Clan, Liu clan, and Sima Clan—even with Golden Core Stage Cultivators, they can't escape. Then where is the path forward for my Xu Family?'
Pausing for a moment, he asked again, 'How often does the Blood Food Feast erupt?'
'I'm not sure. At the very least, it's not once every few centuries. Probably once a millennium,' Moyue thought for a moment before replying.
'If it's a thousand-year cycle, wouldn't that coincide with the next Demon Tribulation?'
This was simply another piece of terrible news!
Moyue sighed. 'Xu Chuan, what must be abandoned must be abandoned. Take the elites of your Xu Family and leave. Once you reach the Southern Heaven Region, I believe that with your methods, you will definitely be able to make the Xu Family rise again.'
'I understand. I'll think about it,' Xu Chuan said. 'The most pressing matter is to first help you recover your Tier 3 strength.'
The Hundred Thousand Mountains seemed to stretch from the very ends of the world. The tens of thousands of miles of peaks and ridges resembled a slumbering primordial behemoth, lying across the universe.
The virgin forest, spanning hundreds of miles wide, acted as an invisible barrier, completely severing the inner and outer worlds into two distinct domains.
The mountain ranges crisscrossed, with the main vein resembling a giant dragon raising its head. Its spine faded in and out of the clouds and mist, while the gray-brown mountain bodies bared the scars of aeons of wind and frost erosion.
Countless branch veins radiated in all directions from the main vein, some like wild beasts extending their claws, others like giant pythons entwining vines, carving the earth into deep and shallow folds.
Xu Chuan and the other two looked at the boundless sight, feeling an overwhelming sense of awe in their hearts.
Ancient trees towered into the sky amidst the forest. Their trunks were so thick that it would take several people to encircle them, their bark was as cracked as the scales of an ancient dragon, and their branches and leaves were so luxuriant they blotted out the sun.
"It seems we can only go on foot."
Xu Chuan turned his head and said to the other two.
Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingshu nodded slightly, and the trio dived toward the forest below.
Dappled sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves, ensuring the place wasn't entirely dim.
"Conceal your auras. Mingshu, send your Spirit Insects out to conduct a blanket search of our surroundings."
"Understood, Father."
Although this place was just the edge of the Hundred Thousand Mountains, Xu Chuan's wariness towards it surpassed even his wariness of the Cao Clan.
No matter how careful they were, it was never too much.
Half a day later.
They had finally truly entered the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
Through the sight and senses of her Spirit Insects, Xu Mingshu discovered quite a few Demonic Beasts.
Most were at the mid-to-late stages of Tier 1.
"Ignore the Tier 1 Demonic Beasts, unless there are Spirit Grass or Spirit Wood nearby."
Xu Mingshu nodded.
"I feel like Father is exceptionally cautious today." Xu Mingwei looked at Xu Chuan with curiosity in his eyes.
"Is that so?" Xu Chuan turned to look at him, then smiled. "I just learned some information about this place from Moyue.
"This place is vastly more perilous than the likes of the Azure Sea Forest and Ten Thousand Serpent Valley."
"I see." Xu Mingwei didn't harbor too many suspicions and accepted the explanation.
Night fell.
Visibility was poor.
Coupled with the fact that they couldn't casually spread their Divine sense to investigate, the group meditated and cultivated in the trees while the Spirit Insects stood guard.
This continued for half a month straight.
As they delved deeper, the Spiritual Qi became increasingly dense, having already surpassed the concentration at the Jade Cold Pool.
The quantity of Spirit Grass and similar resources continuously increased.
Consequently, the strength of the Demonic Beasts they encountered also grew stronger.
Xu Chuan was exceptionally cautious. Unless they encountered a situation where there were hardly any Tier 2 Demonic Beasts within a mile, he would rather pass than strike.
However, as they went deeper.
They would frequently run into packs consisting of five or six Tier 2 Demonic Beasts or more.
Although they were only at the early stages of Tier 2, it still wasn't suitable to make a move.
"No wonder the Hundred Thousand Mountains are called a forbidden zone. Even Peak Foundation Establishment Cultivators wouldn't dare barge in casually. Make even a slightly large commotion, and you'll be besieged by Tier 2 Demonic Beasts.
"The greater the commotion and the longer it lasts, the harder it will be to leave the Hundred Thousand Mountains alive."
Xu Mingshu sighed emotionally.
Xu Mingwei, on the other hand, said, "With Father's caution, plus your Spirit Insects' scouting, it won't be long before we definitely find a suitable Tier 2 Peak Demonic Beast target.
"However, this Hundred Thousand Mountains is truly extraordinarily dangerous. We still cannot stay for long, nor can we go too deep."
Xu Chuan nodded slightly.
Unfortunately, the utility of Daily Divination was drastically reduced in the wild. It offered little more than basic hexagrams of fortune or disaster, devoid of specific intelligence.
And fortune and disaster were notoriously difficult to predict definitively.
Because Moyue was following by their side, the divination results Xu Chuan received these past few days all pointed to occasional Opportunities.
But the crucial point was that until he found a Tier 2 Peak Demonic Beast, Xu Chuan didn't want to rely on Moyue's power. If he truly acted according to the hexagrams, they probably would have been fighting non-stop by now.
They might have even ended up besieged by Tier 1 and Tier 2 Demonic Beasts, forced to flee in a sorry state.
Seven or eight days later.
The trio led by Xu Chuan was walking.
Suddenly, Xu Mingshu spoke up, "Father, there doesn't seem to be a single shadow of a Demonic Beast in the area ahead, but there are quite a few spirit flowers and Spirit Grass."
"When things are abnormal, there must be something strange going on!"
"Investigate more carefully."
"Understood, Father."
Xu Mingshu controlled her Spirit Insects to carefully investigate the surrounding miles, but she found no traces of any Demonic Beasts.
All of a sudden.
Xu Mingshu's expression shifted as she sent a sound transmission: "A few Red-Spotted Bugs suddenly died."
"Do you know how they died?" Xu Chuan asked.
"I don't know, but they lost contact near an Ancient Willow tree that's about ten to thirteen meters tall."
"An Ancient Willow?!" Xu Chuan lowered his head in thought. A moment later, he said, "Could that willow tree have already become a demon?"
"Send a few more Spirit Insects over, and have some observe from a distance."
"Alright."
Xu Mingshu did as instructed.
Soon after.
Through the Red-Spotted Bugs in the distance, she discovered that the Spirit Insects approaching the willow tree were pierced through the back by tender willow branches, their bodies instantly shriveling up and dying.
"Father, that willow tree is extremely bizarre. It sucks dry the vitality of living creatures."
"Other than that, even when it launched an attack, I couldn't sense its exact strength. Its concealment is absolutely perfect."
Xu Chuan said, "It is incredibly difficult for trees and the like to gain sentience, but if they do, they mostly possess extraordinary innate talents. Its concealment ability is likely its innate talent.
"Wood-attribute Demonic Beasts inherently possess robust vitality, and a Tree Demon even more so.
"Drawing nutrients from the earth or living creatures to grow—sucking out vitality must be its basic instinct."
"The innate talents of Demonic Beasts are truly all sorts of bizarre," Xu Mingwei remarked. "It would be unimaginably difficult for us humans to comprehend a wood-attribute technique like that."
"There's a high probability it is at the Tier 2 Peak. Even if it isn't, its majestic vitality perfectly suits a Secret Art that I am currently practicing.
"I can borrow its vitality to enhance my strength."
Xu Mingshu asked curiously, "If it is at the Tier 2 Peak, how much could Father's cultivation increase by refining it?"
Xu Chuan smiled calmly and looked at her. "I am currently at the Late-Stage Fifth Layer Foundation Establishment. If I can refine it completely, I should be able to break through to the Sixth-Layer Foundation Establishment and reach the Late-Stage Sixth Layer Foundation Establishment level."
"Directly raising a minor realm?!"