"Ancestor, the Sima Family sent someone over earlier to inquire about this matter. It seems all the people they dispatched have also perished."
Xue Wulei spoke up once more.
"That is to be expected. The cultivators sent by both families were equal in strength. If all the disciples of our Xue Clan died, the same naturally goes for the Sima Family."
Xue Lingshang's tone was indifferent as he continued, "From now on, you have full authority to manage clan affairs. There is no need to report trivial matters like the deaths of disciples to me."
"Understood, Ancestor."
Xue Wulei cupped his hands in a respectful salute before turning and leaving.
A short while later.
The heavy stone doors of the cave rumbled open, and a bloody shadow darted out.
With a wave of his hand, the entire cave was enveloped by a faint red layer of a Formation Restriction.
As for the Xue Clan..."
The corners of Xue Lingshang's lips curled up into a wicked smile. "What does it matter even if they all die?"
"With a long life of five hundred years ahead, the worst that can happen is that I simply establish another clan!"
"As for Great Wei, it indeed has been a long time since I last visited."
Xue Lingshang abruptly transformed into a streak of crimson light, piercing through the sky like an arrow released from the bowstring, disappearing into the clouds in the blink of an eye.
Great Wei.
Guangling Commandery.
Outside the Xu Clan's Guangling Branch.
"A Tier 2 High-Grade Great Formation, using the local earth veins as its foundation. It would be difficult for anyone but a peak Grandmaster Formation Master to set this up."
After examining the azure light barrier for a moment, Xue Lingshang muttered to himself, "If the Xu Clan set up a Tier 2 High-Grade sealing formation, then those little brats from my Xue Clan truly would have had a hard time escaping."
"Never mind. It is impossible to sneak into a Tier 2 High-Grade Great Formation silently. I will go take a look at the Moon Tomb Alliance instead."
Even a Golden Core Stage cultivator would need to strike two or three times to break open a Tier 2 High-Grade defensive formation.
Obstructed by the grand array, Xue Lingshang was unable to scout the entire Xu Clan branch.
Therefore, he headed to the Moon Tomb Alliance.
However, the situation was the same when he arrived there.
The entire Moon Tomb Alliance was shrouded in a formation. There was only one entrance, guarded by four Late-Stage Qi Condensation disciples. They needed to control the formation tokens to open the gateway.
A moderately sized Marketplace had already formed around the Moon Tomb Alliance's station.
Earlier, the Guangling Commandery Market had entirely relocated here.
Xue Lingshang found a tavern in the Marketplace and tossed a Spirit Stone to a waiter. The young man promptly spilled everything about the establishment, structure, and development of the Moon Tomb Alliance.
"The Alliance Leader's faction operating the alliance, the Law Enforcement Hall independently handling discipline, and the Council of Elders holding high status but only possessing the power to appoint and dismiss key alliance positions.
What an excellent three-way standoff, mutually checking and balancing one another.
This Xu Chuan certainly has a very sharp mind.
Then there is the Academy plan. By starting with the disciples of poor aptitude from various aristocratic families, he greatly reduced the resistance in the hearts of those families.
If the Academy's training proves effective, the aristocratic families might eventually send in their core disciples.
Once many core disciples from Great Wei's various aristocratic families become Academy disciples, they will naturally become Allies with the Xu Clan when they take power."
Xue Lingshang clicked his tongue a few times. "The Xu Clan is digging up the foundation of Great Wei. I cannot believe the Cao Clan can actually tolerate this!"
"Ah, that makes sense. The Demon Tribulation will arrive in a few decades. The Cao Clan likely wants to finish off the Xu Clan during the Demon Tribulation, right?"
"With the Xu Clan's current foundation, if it matches the scale of the last Demon Tribulation, surviving will not be difficult. I wonder if the Xu Clan has seen through this layer of scheming."
He pondered for a moment, deciding that since the Xu Clan had only risen for a few decades, they would not be privy to such deep secrets.
Across Great Wei, Great Liang, and Great Jin, those who knew of this were at least the rulers of second-rank families, and their clans must have existed for over five hundred years.
"A Demon Tribulation that occurs once every five hundred years..."
Xue Lingshang's expression suddenly turned solemn as he muttered to himself, "This place is like a massive cage. Since I, the Ancestor, have broken through to the Golden Core stage, I must find a way to leave this place.
The world outside is vast and boundless. I can simply rebuild my clan when the time comes."
In just a few moments, Xue Lingshang had already laid out a perfect life plan for himself.
Step one: annihilate the Xu Clan and plunder their resources, which would serve as the foundation for establishing a new clan in the future.
Step two: forge a blood-path Magic Treasure to enhance his strength, and cultivate the Blood Shadow Clone Secret Method to improve his life-saving abilities.
Step three: break out of this cage.
As for where to break out from, Xue Lingshang still needed to think it over carefully.
As far as he knew, there were only three possible exit routes: the Azure Sea Forest, the Hundred Thousand Mountains, and the Black Prison Swamp.
"The Azure Sea Forest and the Black Prison Swamp are relatively easier.
But there are at least several Tier 3 Demonic Beasts there, and powerful Demonic Beasts above the mid-Tier 3 stage definitely exist."
"I will take my time. I still have several decades to plan!"
After staying in Guangling Commandery for two days, he learned much about the Xu Clan's style of doing things from the mouths of many.
"They never provoke others, even if the other party is a mere Qi Condensation Clan. They open up promotion channels for the bottom-dwelling ants. Their recruitment is strict, and the clan's treatment is excellent."
Xue Lingshang shook his head and chuckled lightly. "Strict with themselves yet kind to others, building a wide network of connections to harvest prestige and loyalty. The Xu Clan is trying to build a thousand-year aristocratic family!"
"If they were not in this cage, it might actually work. Unless the Cao Clan crushed them with a single finger while they were weak, they will not be a match for the Xu Clan.
The current Xu Clan is no longer an existence the Cao Clan can easily touch. Even if a Golden Core Aristocratic Family wants to exterminate the Xu Clan, they would inevitably have to pay a certain price."
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. "The more I understand the Xu Clan, the more interesting I find them. If I had not already chosen them as my target, I truly would want to see what heights the Xu Clan could reach in a few decades.
Whether they could truly stand as equals against the Cao Clan!"
Of course, Xue Lingshang also understood the danger of such an aristocratic family.
Since he was going to deal with the Xu Clan, he naturally had to crush them to death while they were still weak.
He was not like the Cao Clan, hesitating over this and that, only to ultimately nurture a tiger cub into a beast!
"However, what Xue Wulei said was indeed correct. Despite all the rumors about the Xu Clan, there is very little confirmed news about their true strength and foundation.
The Tier 2 Peak Flood Dragon also seems to be just a rumor. Apparently, only one person from the Cao Clan has ever seen it."
After some thought, Xue Lingshang decided to pay a visit to the Cao Clan.
It was impossible for the Xu Clan to have a Golden Core Stage Cultivator. However, since they supposedly had a Tier 2 Peak Flood Dragon, and the people of the Xu Clan were so adept at biding their time, Xue Lingshang harbored doubts about the flood dragon's true grade.
If the Xu Clan's flood dragon was not Tier 2 but Tier 3, then it would be very difficult to deal with.
Its strength would absolutely be vastly superior to his own!
It might even be able to rival peak third-layer Golden Core cultivators equipped with Magic Treasures, like the ancestors of the Cao Clan, Sima Family, and Liu Family.
As for him, at best, his life-saving abilities were strong enough that they could not easily do anything to him.
Before confirming his opponent's trump cards, Xue Lingshang would not easily strike. This was the fundamental reason he had managed to survive until today.
In other words, he only fought those he could beat!
Great Wei Imperial City.
Cao Imperial Palace.
"Halt! Those who are not members of our Cao Clan are forbidden from entering!"
A 9th Layer of Qi Condensation guard shouted, stopping Xue Lingshang.
Xue Lingshang cast a fleeting glance at him. Instantly, a heavy Pressure crashed down onto the guard. His soul trembled, and he fell directly to his knees.
"G-Golden Core..."
The other guards were struck with horror, their faces instantly draining of all color.
"I am in a good mood, so I will not bicker with you juniors. Go pass on a message. Tell them that Xue has come to visit your Ancestor."
"Y-yes, yes! This humble one will go inside and report right away."
However, just as his voice fell...
Sensing the Golden Core Pressure, the Cao Clan Ancestor, who had suddenly awakened from his secluded cultivation, transmitted his voice: "Xue Lingshang, instead of consolidating your realm in your own clan, what are you doing running over to my Cao Clan?"
"Daoist Friend Cao, I have traveled thousands of miles. Are you not even going to invite me inside for a cup of tea?"
"Bring him to the guest hall!"
The Cao Clan Ancestor's voice suddenly resounded through the surroundings.
"Yes, Ancestor."
Soon after, a guard led him over.
With a Golden Core cultivator visiting, the Cao Clan Ancestor naturally had to appear. Firstly out of respect, and secondly, out of vigilance.
After all, the other party was a lawless demonic cultivator.
"Speak. Why have you come here?" Cao Jiyi, the Cao Clan Ancestor, demanded.
Xue Lingshang picked up his teacup, took a gentle sip, and smiled faintly. "Why must you be so guarded, Daoist Friend Cao? No matter how lawless I might be, I would not dare act recklessly in the Cao Clan's main headquarters."
"I should think you would not dare!" Cao Jiyi snorted. "If you have a matter to discuss, speak directly. I am too lazy to sit here trading idle nonsense with you."
"Since Daoist Friend Cao is busy meditating to break through a bottleneck, I will not delay your time. Call over your Cao Clan's former First Elder. I have a matter to ask him about."
"Cao Defong? What do you want with him?"
"I merely wish to ask a question. Once I have my answer, I will take my leave."
Cao Jiyi shot Xue Lingshang a glance, then promptly sent a voice transmission to Cao Defong.
A moment later.
Cao Defong stepped into the guest hall. He bowed and cupped his hands sequentially to Cao Jiyi and Xue Lingshang. "Greetings, Ancestor. Greetings, Senior Xue."
"Defong, Xue Lingshang has something to ask you. Just answer him truthfully."
"Yes, Ancestor," Cao Defong responded with cupped fists before turning to Xue Lingshang. "What does Senior Xue wish to ask this junior?"
"It is regarding the Xu Clan. You once led people to lay siege to the Xu Clan, correct?"
Cao Defong's expression turned a bit strange, but he still nodded. "That is indeed the case."
"Did you exchange blows with that Tier 2 Peak Flood Dragon of the Xu Clan?"
"I did. However, it was only a brief exchange of two or three rounds. Upon realizing I was no match, I immediately chose to flee."
"Did the Xu Clan intentionally let you go?"
Cao Defong shook his head. "I do not think so. This junior used a Hundred Mile Talisman to escape. Otherwise, I would have likely been severely injured by that flood dragon."
"Are you certain it was a Tier 2 flood dragon? Could it possibly have been a Tier 3 Demonic Beast?"
Cao Defong was taken aback. "Tier 3? If it had been Tier 3, this junior fears I would not have been able to withstand even a single strike, let alone have the strength left to escape."
"A Tier 3 flood dragon... even I might be injured taking a direct hit from it, much less a Foundation Establishment cultivator." Cao Jiyi frowned. "You want to move against the Xu Clan?"
"Is there a grudge between you two?"
Xue Lingshang smiled as he looked at Cao Jiyi. "Even if there were no grudge, what does it matter? We cultivators seek the Dao and eternal life; we naturally should not be bound by restrictions."
"My Great Wei is not Great Jin!" Cao Jiyi said coldly. "If you want to stir up chaos, go back to your Great Jin!"
"Hahaha."
"It was just a joke. Do not be angry, Daoist Friend Cao!"
Xue Lingshang continued, "There is naturally a grudge, and it is not a small one."
"Daoist Friend Cao has been deeply immersed in secluded cultivation. You probably do not know the specifics regarding the Xu Clan. I heard your Cao Clan has repeatedly suffered losses at their hands.
Even if one day your Cao Clan is suddenly replaced by the Xu Clan, I would not find it surprising."
"What is going on?!"
Upon hearing this, Cao Jiyi turned to Cao Defong and interrogated sharply.
Cao Defong did not dare hide anything. He recounted the entire cause and effect of their dealings with the Xu Clan and even confessed their plan to wait for the Demon Tribulation to clean up the Xu Clan.
"To think the Xu Clan has grown so fast, and there is a life-and-death blood feud between us... Then they truly cannot be left alive."
After a moment of consideration, Cao Jiyi looked at Xue Lingshang. "Since Daoist Friend Xue wishes to strike, it would be inconvenient for my Cao Clan to make a move. After all, the Xu Clan is still nominally a subordinate aristocratic family of my Cao Clan.
Furthermore, they have kept to their duties and have not stirred up trouble.
They pay their Spirit Tax on time every year, and the Moon Tomb Alliance established by the Xu Clan does the same."
"As long as I can confirm the Xu Clan does not possess a Tier 3 Demonic Beast, I will naturally take action in a few days."
Cao Jiyi nodded slightly. "However, I must state upfront: my Cao Clan wants forty percent of the Xu Clan's resources!"
"Brother Cao is truly skilled in business. Your Cao Clan is doing nothing but turning a blind eye, yet you wish to take forty percent."
"The Xu Clan's resources were accumulated within the territory of my Great Wei. Allowing you to take sixty percent is already giving you face. Otherwise, you can go target some aristocratic family in your Great Jin instead.
Or you could go to Great Liang and see if Liu Qiankun will agree to let you butcher the strongest aristocratic family in his territory."
"Heh." Xue Lingshang chuckled. "Then Daoist Friend Liu would likely chase me to the ends of the earth."
After a brief silence, Xue Lingshang ultimately agreed.
Having received the answer he sought and the Cao Clan's promise, he subsequently departed from the Great Wei Imperial Palace.
Cao Defong spoke up, "Ancestor, the Xu Clan's foundation definitely exceeds that of any first-rank family. Are we really going to let him have it so cheaply?"
Cao Jiyi cast him a cool glance, which made his hairs stand on end, prompting him to hurriedly lower his head.
"A tiger cub has already grown up. Given the Xu Clan's current trajectory, do you know what level they will reach in a few decades?
If we wait until then to strike, how heavy a price will my Cao Clan have to pay? Can you calculate that accurately?"
"Since that old demon Xue is tempted, we will just let him take the shot. If he truly manages to eradicate the Xu Clan, my Cao Clan can finally rest easy.
Otherwise, in the next five hundred years, it is hard to predict who will become the Lord of Great Wei!"
"This disciple understands," Cao Defong said, bowing his head and cupping his hands.
Cao Jiyi's figure blurred and vanished from sight.
To him, breaking through to the Mid-stage Golden Core was the most crucial matter.
If he had to worry about every little thing and make all the decisions, what use was the Cao Clan at all?
Xue Lingshang left the Imperial City and headed for Yuehu Commandery.
At this point, his confidence in annihilating the Xu Clan was as high as ninety percent, yet he still refrained from striking rashly.
On the very day Xue Lingshang spied on Dongxi, Xu Chuan had already become aware of it.
However, since the other party seemingly had no intention of acting immediately, he held his forces back and observed.
A few days later.
Xu Chuan received the result of his divination, which indicated that Xue Lingshang intended to forge blood corpses and incite chaos in Yuehu Commandery.
He saw through Xue Lingshang's plan at a glance. It was nothing more than an attempt to force the Xu Clan members outside to suppress the turmoil, thus dividing them up to be dealt with piecemeal.
"To think a dignified Golden Core demonic cultivator would have such a personality!"
Xu Chuan felt a wave of helplessness. After pondering for a moment, he muttered to himself, "So be it. After all, I am facing a Golden Core Stage Cultivator; the assistance others can provide is limited.
But if I use myself as bait, Xue Lingshang will definitely come looking for me."
As the founder of the Xu Clan, capturing him would naturally reveal all the clan's hidden secrets.
After giving it some thought, he crushed the Divine Sense Jade Tablet given to him by the Zhao Family.
He was gambling that the Zhao Family would send the Black Cloud Spirit Leopard to assist.
Almost instantaneously...
The Family Head of the Zhao Family, thousands of miles away, sensed the shattering of the Divine Sense Jade Tablet.
"The Xu Clan is calling for backup?!"
He immediately summoned the Zhao Clan Ancestor and several Foundation Establishment Elders, informing them of the situation.
"Ancestor, Xu Chuan has called for aid. Who should our Zhao Family dispatch?"
The Zhao Clan Ancestor considered it for a moment and said, "I will personally make the trip with the Black Cloud Spirit Leopard."
"Ancestor, you are going personally? And bringing Lord Black Leopard?" the Fifth Elder of the Zhao Family asked in astonishment.
"The Xu Clan has a Tier 2 Peak Flood Dragon, which is enough to settle the vast majority of issues. Furthermore, their foundation is in no way weaker than a first-rank family's.
For them to ask for help, it must definitely involve a Golden Core cultivator."
"Our Zhao Family does what it says. The Xu Clan has shown our clan great kindness, so we must assist them with everything we have."
"Since it likely involves a Golden Core cultivator, it would be useless for the rest of you to go."
"Yes, Ancestor."
The Zhao Clan Ancestor immediately summoned the Black Cloud Spirit Leopard and hurried toward Great Wei with it.
Fourteen hours later.
Xu Chuan departed from the Xu Clan estate.
Tonight, Xue Lingshang would give up surveilling the Xu Clan and begin forging blood corpses.
Therefore, Xu Chuan could not drag things out until nightfall.
Moreover, if night fell and Xue Lingshang detected the arrival of the Zhao Family, given his cautious nature, he would not act rashly even with Xu Chuan using himself as bait.
"Hmm, Foundation Establishment Stage, and so young?"
Xue Lingshang watched a young man step out from the grand array.
"First Elder," a disciple noticed him and immediately cupped his hands in greeting.
"Mm, I am heading out for a trip. All of you, patrol diligently and do not slack off."
"We disciples will definitely not disappoint the First Elder's expectations. We absolutely will not let a single fly slip into Dongxi."
Xu Chuan nodded slightly. With his hands clasped behind his back, he took to the sky and flew into the distance.
'So he is Xu Chuan!' A glint of bloodlight flashed across Xue Lingshang's eyes. 'Nearing a hundred years old, yet he looks this youthful. How did he manage that?
I cultivated a Blood Demon Dao technique and broke through to the Golden Core stage, which is the only reason my appearance reverted to that of my youth.
Xu Chuan is the founder of the Xu Clan. If the Xu Clan harbors any secrets, they are surely with him!'
Xue Lingshang immediately chose to trail him silently.
He watched as Xu Chuan arrived deep in the Broken Fang Mountain Range. Seeing no one around, Xu Chuan patted his Storage Pouch, and a sinister, ghost-aura-infused Soul Banner instantly flew out.
In an instant, the sharp, piercing wails of countless ghostly creatures seemingly echoed throughout the forest.
The Soul Banner swelled against the wind, growing over three meters tall.
Its pole was crafted from the bones of a Foundation Establishment Demonic Beast, glowing entirely with an eerie green phosphorescence. A hundred deeply carved ghost patterns coiled around the shaft, making it look as though countless hair-thin phantom shadows were writhing within the grooves. It felt like ice to the touch and instilled a bone-chilling cold at a mere glance.
The banner itself was woven from dark satin soaked in the blood of tens of thousands of vengeful souls. It billowed without any wind, embroidered with nine profound, sinister runes.
Tiny, fragmented ghost shadows floated and sank along the edges of every rune.
Atop the banner hung a bronze skull, its eye sockets burning with two clusters of spectral blue fire. The skull's jaw opened and closed ever so slightly.
Ghostly aura steamed around the banner, morphing into wisps of black smoke that twined around the cloth. Every flutter provoked a fiercer cacophony of ghost wails in the surroundings. It was incredibly demonic and terrifying.
Seeing Xu Chuan secretly refining a Ghost Dao Dharma Tool here, Xue Lingshang felt a surge of astonishment.
'Where did this Xu Chuan acquire a Top-Grade Magical Artifact of the Ghost Dao? Even in Great Jin, one would be hard-pressed to find a few tools more formidable than this one.'
'Regardless, it is certainly an excellent treasure.'
The corners of his lips quirked upward, and he abruptly stepped out from the shadows, saying, "I have heard the Xu Clan has always styled itself as part of the Righteous Path. I never expected the Xu Clan's First Elder to covet a Ghost Dao Dharma Tool and secretly refine it in the dark."
"Who is there?!"
Xu Chuan swept his hand over his Storage Pouch. Seven Formation Flags shot out, landing in scattered positions around him.
"Formation Flags? Judging by their aura, they are at least Tier 2 High-Grade array flags. But they are of no use against me."
The metallic scent of blood drifted over, followed closely by a crimson silhouette appearing a short distance in front of Xu Chuan, staring at him with a pair of eerie, blood-red pupils.
Xu Chuan's hands blurred as he formed hand seals.
The next moment, a grand array's barrier of light rapidly closed in around them.
Xue Lingshang merely watched with a faint smile. In his eyes, Xu Chuan was already a dead man.
He only held back from striking immediately because Xu Chuan still had value—the secrets of the Xu Clan needed to be squeezed out of him.
"Everyone says you, Xu Chuan, are merely at the Mid Foundation Establishment stage. But you are at the 9th Layer of Foundation Establishment... The rumors are far too wildly off the mark.
However, if I, the Ancestor, had not seen it with my own eyes, I would have found it hard to believe. An Immortal Cultivator who reached Foundation Establishment a mere twenty years ago has already cultivated to the 9th Layer?
Even someone with Heavenly Spiritual Root Aptitude would struggle to achieve such a feat."
"Are you the Xue Clan Ancestor?"
"Have you seen me before?"
"I have seen the Sima Clan Ancestor. Not long ago, the Sima Family and the Xue Clan invaded my Xu Clan. I knew long ago that a Golden Core Stage Cultivator would eventually descend upon us.
I simply did not know which family's Golden Core cultivator it would be."
Xu Chuan spoke calmly.
"Your true strength is at the 9th Layer of Foundation Establishment. That means the other Foundation Establishment cultivators in your clan have also hidden at least two or three minor realms of cultivation, correct?"
Without waiting for Xu Chuan to answer, Xue Lingshang continued, "In that case, relying on a trapping formation, you did indeed possess the strength to annihilate all of them.
And you came here seeking to rely on a demonic path Dharma Tool to boost your strength to resist me? Or were you hoping to use this Dharma Tool as a bribe?"
"Senior Xue, you are indeed very cautious. But cautious people inevitably have an arrogant side."
Now that his opponent had entered the formation, this scheme was already half-successful.
Xu Chuan had not expected the other party to show themselves this easily either.
"Senior has spoken at length; why not hear my analysis?" Xu Chuan said, unbothered. "You did not come to avenge the Xue Clan disciples, but rather to plunder my Xu Clan.
You could have arrived at my Xu Clan much earlier, but you undoubtedly conducted extensive investigations. You must have visited the Cao Clan to verify my Xu Clan's strongest trump card.
Trailing me here today, and then revealing yourself—it means you felt victory was already in your grasp, correct?"
Xue Lingshang's brow furrowed slightly. He seemed to sense that something was amiss.
"Then take a guess, Senior. Did this junior just happen to venture out, or did I come out deliberately?"
"Empty bluffs! Once I, the Ancestor, capture you, I will have plenty of ways to make you confess the Xu Clan's secrets!"
Before his voice faded, a thick, foul-smelling gust of wind abruptly swept in.
Then, a colossal blood-red palm coalesced into reality. Its five fingers curved like claws, descending upon Xu Chuan's face with bone-biting yin chill. Its speed was like a phantom, reaching his eyes in less than an instant.
Roar!
Suddenly...
The thunderous roar of a dragon echoed out, vibrating the giant bloody palm until it shattered directly into a cloud of blood mist.
Moyue finally surged out from Xu Chuan's Spirit Beast Pouch. His form expanded wildly, transforming into a massive flood dragon spanning dozens of meters in the blink of an eye.
He coiled in the air above Xu Chuan's head, his dark gold, slit-like pupils locked tightly onto Xue Lingshang. Moyue unleashed a terrifying sonic boom at him, the sound waves rippling outward layer upon layer.
Xue Lingshang's figure shot back over a hundred meters. Disbelief washing over him, he gritted his teeth and hissed, "Tier 3... Flood Dragon!"
"You actually prepared everything in advance and lured me here?
But how is that possible? How did you know I was keeping watch near the Xu Clan? How did you know I would definitely follow you?"
"Could it be that you can foresee the future?!"
Following that, he began cursing profusely, "That bastard Cao Jiyi actually let his clansman set me up!"
Xu Chuan swiftly backed out of the grand array and offered a serene smile. "Senior, you guessed wrong on that point. When the Cao Clan's First Elder came to attack my Xu Clan, our trump card was indeed a Tier 2 Peak Flood Dragon."
"It broke through? Such a coincidence?!"
Xu Chuan went on, "Originally, this trump card was reserved for the Cao Clan. However, the world changes too quickly. Since Senior is willing to act as a pawn to test the waters...
...then this junior has no choice but to use Senior's life as a stepping stone for my Xu Clan."
"You want to kill me?"
Xue Lingshang's breathing suddenly grew heavy, and his pale, powdered-looking face rapidly turned a livid green.
The muscles in his cheeks twitched uncontrollably, his jawline clenching into a cold, hard edge.
His brows abruptly drew together, looking like two unsheathed, freezing blades.
Cold light violently erupted from his eyes, flashing with a bizarre blood-glow that slithered around like a living creature.
"A Tier 3 Flood Dragon might be strong, but it has only just entered that realm!"
Before Xue Lingshang's furious roar had even faded, his left hand formed a seal that bloomed like a blood lotus. His right hand pointed out like a sword. The blood mist boiling around him and the explosive surge of blood-煞 Spirit Power morphed into streams of crimson rainbows that wrapped around his fingertips. Faintly, the shrieks of vengeful spirits could be heard.
In an instant.
Over a dozen blood-red spears materialized out of thin air.
The spear shafts were coiled with countless fragmented phantoms of resentful souls, their spiderweb-like ominous patterns radiating a bone-piercing red light.
The moment they appeared, the surrounding air became foul-smelling and scorchingly hot. Carrying the shrill whistle of tearing winds and the wails of ghosts, they shot toward the flood dragon Moyue like a torrential rainstorm.
Moyue opened his massive maw, similarly condensing dozens of Frigid Ice Spears. With absolute precision, they collided with the blood-red spears.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The sky was filled with nothing but blood mist and ice shards.
Xue Lingshang truly never imagined that, despite hunting geese all his life, a goose would end up pecking out his eye.
Yet deep down, he was extremely puzzled. 'Does Xu Chuan really have foresight? Could he truly predict my arrival and prepare for it?'
Taking advantage of the blood mist and ice shards shrouding the battlefield, Xue Lingshang immediately sought to strike, break through the formation's lockdown, and flee.
He had absolutely no intention of fighting a Tier 3 Flood Dragon. He had just broken through to the Golden Core stage. He had five hundred years of life left and still needed to escape this cage.
He still held wild ambitions; he wanted to become a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator!
Xu Chuan naturally saw through his thoughts, as Xue Lingshang shared some personality traits with him. Safety first—if he could not win, he would naturally run.
He was seen forming hand seals and chanting:
"Dubhe opens, the Greedy Wolf howls!
Tianxuan turns, Giant Door locks!
Tianji cracks, Fortune Star shines!
Tianquan suppresses, Scholar Star decrees!
Yuheng shifts, Pure Blade strikes!
Kaiyang flashes, Martial Light glimmers!
Yaoguang falls, Broken Army summons!"
Following the incantation, the hand seals he formed shifted continuously until the very end.
"Seven Stars Seal Demons—Seal! Seal! Seal!"
The faint golden light barrier encompassing the area violently rippled. The four stars corresponding to the Big Dipper—Tianshu, Tianxuan, Tianji, and Tianquan—were the first to create ripples, overflowing with a cyan radiance like rushing water.
In the blink of an eye, the three stars of Yuheng, Kaiyang, and Yaoguang followed closely.
Seven streaks of cyan light intertwined on the light barrier, forming the shape of a dipper's handle. Immediately after, they plummeted through the air with a swoosh, materializing into seven cyan chains as thick as a child's arm.
The surfaces of the chains were engraved with dense, profound runes. Radiating a burning cyan light, they slithered toward his body like spirit snakes.
Meanwhile.
Several of Xue Lingshang's attacks crashed against the grand array's light barrier, only to cause violent tremors without the slightest hint of cracking.
"This is not Tier 2 High-Grade; it is a Tier 2 Peak Formation!"
Great shock crashed over Xue Lingshang's heart. He truly never expected that the peak Grandmaster Formation Master he speculated the Xu Clan possessed was actually an existence comparable to a Formation Grandmaster!
Being able to set up a Tier 2 Peak Formation meant there was a very high chance they could set up a Tier 3 Formation.
A Tier 2 High-Grade Formation could be broken open by a Golden Core Stage cultivator with a few attacks, but a Tier 2 Peak Formation would likely require dozens of consecutive strikes.
With a Tier 3 Flood Dragon right beside him, it was utterly impossible for him to escape easily.
"Hmm, chains?"
While Xue Lingshang's mind was reeling, a chain had already wrapped around his left arm.
The faint cyan light instantly brought a burning sensation to his arm.
"Demon-Suppressing Chains?!"
"This is a Demon-Sealing Formation?!!"
Without a second thought, Xue Lingshang condensed a blood-red blade light in his right hand and slashed the chain apart.
When he looked up, six more chains were already snaking toward him, with the severed one quickly regenerating and following right behind.
Inside a Tier 2 Peak Demon-Sealing Formation, if he were entangled by all seven chains, even if he were not completely sealed, his demonic cultivation techniques would not be able to display even half their strength.
"To think you anticipated things to this extent in advance."
"Even a lion uses its full strength to catch a rabbit. Let alone the fact that you are the lion here, and my Xu Clan is just the soft, little white rabbit."
Afterward, Xu Chuan sent a voice transmission: "Moyue, no need to push him too hard. I am going to find another helper to secure this further."
"He is just trash who recently entered the Golden Core stage, and he is trapped in a Demon-Sealing Formation to boot. Why would I need any helpers?" Moyue replied.
"When this kind of person is pushed to the brink, they can be incredibly ruthless. If a Golden Core Stage Cultivator self-destructs inside this formation, you would suffer heavy injuries even if you survive. You might even fall in cultivation realm again."
Moyue considered this. "Fine. I will follow your arrangements."
Xu Chuan left immediately.
Noticing his departure, Xue Lingshang continuously repelled the encroaching Demon-Suppressing Chains while attempting to bewitch Moyue. "A dignified Tier 3 Flood Dragon, a powerhouse of the demon race, is actually taking orders from a Foundation Establishment human.
Do you not feel ashamed, sir?"
Moyue did not say a word.
Xue Lingshang tried again, "Lord Moyue, no matter what the Xu Clan promised you, I can offer you ten times that amount. How about it?
The things a Golden Core Stage cultivator can accomplish far exceed what a Foundation Establishment cultivator can do."
"Ten times?"
Moyue did not mind humoring Xue Lingshang for a bit. "Do you know what the Xu Clan promised me?"
"Please speak plainly, Lord Moyue."
Not long after Xu Chuan left, the Zhao Clan Ancestor and the Black Cloud Spirit Leopard arrived at the Dongxi clan grounds.
"So this is Dongxi, the clan grounds of the Xu family main lineage?" the Zhao Clan Ancestor commented. "It is indeed a secluded place."
The Black Cloud Spirit Leopard said, "Little cultivator, there is not a single trace of an intense battle having taken place here. Have you been played?"
He knew perfectly well that the Xu Clan had a Tier 3 Flood Dragon. If even that dragon encountered danger, then his coming here probably would not be of much help anyway.
"Daoist Friend Xu would not be so careless as to mix up his priorities," the Zhao Clan Ancestor reasoned. "Lord Black Leopard, spread your Divine sense and see if you can discover anything."
"Fine."
The Black Cloud Spirit Leopard spread its Divine sense. Before long, it detected a Foundation Establishment aura radiating from the airspace above the forested mountain range behind the Xu Clan grounds.
"He is over there."
The Black Cloud Spirit Leopard brought the Zhao Clan Ancestor along to find Xu Chuan.
"Daoist Friend Xu," the Zhao Clan Ancestor called out.
"Daoist Friend Zhao, you have arrived."
Seeing the Black Cloud Spirit Leopard, Xu Chuan thought to himself that the Zhao Family truly had not disappointed him.
The Zhao Clan Ancestor stated, "Daoist Friend Xu, upon arriving, it seems we did not find any traces of battle at your Xu Clan..."
Xu Chuan did not conceal the truth, smiling faintly as he replied, "The one who came is Great Jin's newly advanced Golden Core Stage cultivator, the Xue Clan Ancestor. Facing a Golden Core cultivator, how could I dare let him fight indiscriminately within my Xu Clan grounds?
Would that not plunge the lives of my people into absolute ruin!"
"The Xue Clan Ancestor, Xue Lingshang?!" The Zhao Clan Ancestor's face filled with horror. "Then where is he right now?"
"He has been trapped by me inside a Demon-Sealing Formation."
"A Tier 2 Demon-Sealing Formation can trap a Golden Core Stage cultivator?"
"Naturally not. But with a helper constantly interfering from the side, it will not be that easy for him to escape."
The Zhao Clan Ancestor's expression shifted unpredictably. After musing for a short moment, he asked, "Daoist Friend Xu, you called our Zhao Family over... Did you want us to help drive Xue Lingshang away?"
"No. Today, I intend to slaughter a Golden Core!"