"Sister Ling, what brings you here?"
Ye Fan and Xu Deyue asked in unison.
"I heard the Liu clan is hosting the Cloud Lake Gathering here, so I came to take a look." Xu Deling glanced at Ye Fan, noticing his somewhat unstable aura. "Are you injured?"
"Just a minor scratch. I swallowed a Wound-Healing Pill and will recover soon. The opponent was at Foundation Establishment Perfection, so he isn't having an easy time either," Ye Fan replied casually.
Xu Deling swept her gaze over the crowd, her eyes landing on Yun Yi.
Among everyone present, aside from Ye Fan, he was the only one with an unsteady aura.
"Are you the one who injured my Xu Family's member?" Faint gold surfaced in Xu Deling's eyes as a wave of pressure descended upon Yun Yi, bringing him unimaginable strain.
"What, do you think our Xu Family has no one to stand up for us? You purposely picked a fight with someone of a lower realm."
"Ye Fan, how many moves did you exchange?"
Xu Deling looked back at Yun Yi and declared, "You and I are in the same realm. Take one move from me, and we can consider this matter settled."
A middle-aged man stepped forward and cupped his fists. "Master Ling, it was all a misunderstanding earlier. Junior Brother Yun is also heavily injured. Why not do me a favor and let this go?"
"Who are you? Why should I do you a favor?" Xu Deling retorted without a shred of politeness.
"I am Wang Chuan, a disciple of the Jiaocang Sect, currently ranked seventh on the Genius Ranking."
"Never heard of you. Do you want to take a move from me as well?"
Seeing Wang Chuan's embarrassment, the people in the pavilion curled their lips into amused smiles, their gazes collectively landing on the two of them.
Wang Chuan felt his cheeks burn. The shame of losing face instantly transformed into fury, his expression turning so gloomy it seemed to drip water. "I was just hoping to seek guidance from Master Ling! If I offend you, please do not blame me!"
"Enough talking, just make your move!"
Xu Deling's voice was cold and clear, completely devoid of hesitation.
Choked by her words, Wang Chuan's anger flared even hotter. With a wave of his right hand, a Battle Saber gleaming with a black light materialized out of thin air.
The blade was covered in dense, intricate patterns, and a baleful aura swirled around it like black mist. It was precisely the One-Pattern Magic Tool that made him famous, the Baleful Blood Blade.
Relying on this blade and the Frenzied Blood Blade Art, he had secured his spot as seventh on the Genius Ranking.
Striking out in extreme rage, he channeled the blade art. The baleful aura grew increasingly dense, chilling the surrounding air.
"Take my blade! Frenzied Baleful Slash!"
As his shout fell, Wang Chuan swung the blade.
The blade's light, wrapped in rolling baleful aura, shot straight for Xu Deling's face like black lightning. The move was ruthless, leaving no room for mercy.
Seeing this, the crowd held their breath.
After all, Wang Chuan's Frenzied Blood Blade Art was exceptionally overbearing, making it difficult for an ordinary cultivator at Foundation Establishment Perfection to resist.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have reached the seventh rank on the Genius Ranking with just a One-Pattern Magic Tool.
"Junior Sister Deling, be careful!" Yan Yue exclaimed.
Hearing this, quite a few people revealed strange expressions.
It seemed this Master Smith from the Yan family had come specifically for Xu Deling.
Xu Deling did not panic. She narrowed her eyes slightly, then suddenly snapped them open.
Two clusters of pale golden flames ignited within her pupils.
This was exactly the Fire Emperor's True Pupil Divine Ability!
Although she had not truly mastered this Pupil Technique yet, Xu Deling had comprehended the Divine Ability to a certain extent, allowing her to unleash a portion of its Divine Ability Power.
When the True Pupils activated, the pale golden flames in her eyes abruptly transformed into two slender lines of fire, shooting out like golden rainbows and flying straight toward the black blade light.
Midair, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the two lines of fire suddenly drew close to each other. With a hum, they merged into one, forming a much thicker golden pillar of fire.
Immediately after, a clear and resonant cry of a phoenix echoed, resounding across the shores of Cloud Lake.
The crowd felt their eardrums vibrate, and even the surface of the lake rippled with fine waves.
The merged flames instantly swelled, bursting into the sky and condensing into a pale golden fire phoenix with a wingspan of over three meters!
The fire phoenix spread its wings, its tail feathers swaying like liquid gold. The flames surrounding its body were scorching but not blinding, exuding a sacred majesty as it swooped down to meet the blade light entwined in baleful aura.
Sizzle—
The moment the fire phoenix collided with the blade light, the golden flames and black baleful aura fiercely intertwined. Piercing noises rang out as the aura was scorched, melting away rapidly like ice and snow under a blazing sun.
Then, the phoenix let out another clear cry. Without losing any momentum, its figure dove down like an arrow released from the bowstring. Its sharp, golden claws glowed with scorching heat, aiming straight for Wang Chuan's heart.
Seeing this, Wang Chuan's face paled drastically as he broke out in a cold sweat.
The might of the fire phoenix shattering his baleful strike had already struck fear into his heart. Watching it lunge directly at him, he didn't dare to be the least bit careless.
Without time to think, his left hand heavily slapped the Storage Pouch at his waist. An earthen-yellow spiritual light instantly flew out, transforming midair into a square shield about a meter wide.
"Block!"
Wang Chuan shouted urgently, his hands quickly forming hand seals.
A thick earthen-yellow halo rippled across the shield, rising to meet the fire phoenix's claws.
As the claws clashed with the shield, the earthen-yellow Light Screen instantly flickered erratically.
The very next moment, it shattered on the spot.
Clang!
Two deep claw marks were gouged into the surface of the shield. Then, a massive force crashed into Wang Chuan, sending him flying backward as he violently spat out a mouthful of blood.
Witnessing this scene, the pupils of everyone present shrank rapidly.
"How is this possible?!"
"Wang Chuan is at Foundation Establishment Perfection and ranked seventh on the Genius Ranking! How could he fail to block even a single Magical Art?!"
Beneath her veil, Liu Yue's beautiful eyes gazed at Xu Deling, who stood calmly in the center of the venue. Her expression turned unusually solemn.
After a moment, she parted her red lips and uttered two words: "Divine Ability."
Though the two words were spoken softly, they slammed into the hearts of the crowd like a heavy hammer.
Xu Deling glanced down at the distant Wang Chuan and said indifferently, "If you lack the strength, don't jump out so casually."
Then, she turned to Yun Yi. "Your turn."
"Take one move from me, and I'll let you leave safely."
Yun Yi was caught in a situation where he couldn't back down. In the end, he grit his teeth and agreed, "Fine!"
This time, Xu Deling did not use the Fire Emperor's True Pupil. She merely incorporated a trace of Divine Ability Power into her spell, yet its might was equally not to be underestimated.
With a single strike, she sent his defensive Dharma Tool flying and inflicted heavy injuries on his body.
The two Fellow Brothers from the Jiaocang Sect had no face left to stay, so they departed immediately.
"Junior Sister Deling," Yan Yue stepped forward to greet her.
"Yan Yue?"
"So you are Sister Deling. My older brother constantly talks about you. Today, I've finally met you in person. You are truly beautiful, and your strength is terrifyingly profound.
Sister Deling, are you also going to participate in the Prodigy Grand Assembly?"
Yan Fengwu asked with a beaming smile.
Many people perked up their ears, equally curious.
They hadn't expected the Xu Family to have another Prodigy with even more outstanding Innate Aptitude, someone who had already comprehended Divine Ability Power, alongside Xu Deyue.
There were very few people in the entire Heavenly Azure Prefecture capable of this, and most were older generation Foundation Establishment experts over a hundred and twenty years old.
Core Formation was incredibly difficult. One either needed pills that aided in forming a core, or to find a Connate Spirit Object. The alternative was to comprehend a Divine Ability and walk the path of Divine Ability Core Formation.
The first two methods relied on external items and depended entirely on Opportunity.
Therefore, once most Foundation Establishment Cultivators reached Foundation Establishment Perfection, they would seek out suitable Divine Ability methods to study, rather than pinning all their hopes on pills and Connate Spirit Objects.
Some Foundation Establishment Cultivators with immense talent could comprehend Divine Ability Power, but it had been several centuries since the Heavenly Azure Prefecture produced someone who successfully completed a Divine Ability Core Formation.
A genius like Xu Deling would undoubtedly secure a spot on the Prodigy Roll.
As for how far she could go, that was impossible to predict.
After all, the world was never short of geniuses.
Xu Deling scanned the crowd. "I don't really like fighting and killing. I won't join the excitement of the Prodigy Grand Assembly. It's enough for my sister Deyue to go."
She did not yet know that Xu Mingxian would also be participating.
"What a pity." Liu Yue smiled gracefully. "Could it be that Master Ling's age no longer meets the requirements for the Prodigy Grand Assembly?"
"You could think of it that way."
Hearing this, Liu Yue asked no further questions.
Xu Deling looked at Yan Yue. That burning gaze felt somewhat familiar to her.
So long ago that she had almost forgotten it.
'Youth is always bitter,' she couldn't help but recall a phrase Xu Chuan once said.
'So Grandfather was referring to him. Does he have feelings for me?'
Xu Deling knew that since Xu Chuan hadn't spoken up, he was leaving the decision to her.
However, she truly had no interest in romance at the moment, hence her completely cold attitude.
There were many single cultivators in the Heavenly South.
The weaker one's strength, the more importance they placed on offspring.
Because when they lacked the power to change their own or their family's circumstances, having enough descendants meant there was always a chance of producing a genius or two.
Who could then assist them, or lead the family to prominence.
Xu Deling's arrival and display of strength instantly made her the center of attention at the Cloud Lake Gathering.
Even the organizer, Liu Yue, was slightly overshadowed.
Of course, most of the people currying favor with Xu Deling did so in hopes she would custom-forge a Dharma Tool for them.
After all, Ye Fan's ability to fight a Foundation Establishment Perfection expert like Yun Yi at only the Sixth-Layer Foundation Establishment, while sustaining only minor injuries, was largely thanks to the custom Dharma Tool Xu Deling had forged for him.
"You are all too polite, Daoist Friends. However, in a few days, I will be traveling with my Honored Master, Perfected Person Fire Cloud, so I am afraid I won't be able to help anyone.
Please take these items back.
If you truly wish to find a compatible Artifact Pattern Dharma Tool, you can visit the Immortal-Ascension Pavilion in town. You might find something there."
The gathered geniuses were inevitably a little disappointed.
"Junior Sister Deling, where are you and Senior Fire Cloud heading?"
"I don't know," Xu Deling answered. "However, Daoist Friend Yan Yue, please refrain from calling me 'Junior Sister'. We are not of the same sect, and it might cause misunderstandings."
"It was a slip of the tongue on my part. Please don't take offense, Fairy Ling," Yan Yue smiled apologetically.
Xu Deling then sent him a direct voice transmission: "If Daoist Friend Yan Yue is looking for a Dao companion, you shouldn't waste your efforts on me. The women of the Xu Family rarely marry outside the clan."
Before long, Xu Deling departed.
Yan Yue stared blankly at her retreating figure.
Yan Fengwu patted Yan Yue's shoulder and sighed softly, "Big brother, this woman is too arrogant. You won't be able to handle her."
Yet Yan Yue seemed not to hear, muttering under his breath, "Fairy Ling is still so heroic and breathtakingly beautiful in red.
Not only is her Artificing mastery profound, but her comprehension, Innate Aptitude, and strength are also so formidable.
She is truly a peerless and extraordinary woman!"
Seeing his obsession, Yan Fengwu couldn't help but roll her eyes, her lips twitching. "Big brother, your little sister is also wearing red today."
Hearing this, Yan Yue turned and glanced at her. "How could you possibly compare to Fairy Ling?"
"You cycle through the same few looks over and over again. Even if you aren't tired of them, I am."
"You!" Yan Fengwu bared her teeth at him, grumbling inwardly, 'Are you still the big brother who doted on me since we were young?'
'A man in love is truly terrifying!'
'A man with unrequited love is even worse!'
"Alright, go ahead and continue mingling with these geniuses. I'm already fully satisfied having seen Fairy Ling today, so I'll be heading back first."
With that, he said his goodbyes and left.
The Cloud Lake Gathering gradually returned to normal as attendees exchanged pointers, shared information, and socialized.
Ye Fan and Xu Deyue also gathered a lot of information through their conversations, including news about powers outside the Heavenly Azure Prefecture.
The Xu Family was wholly focused on developing Cloudstream Town and currently had no intentions of expanding beyond the Heavenly Azure Prefecture.
Thus, they knew very little about the outside world.
There were a total of eight prefectures in the Northwest Region of the Heavenly South, and the Heavenly Azure Prefecture possessed the weakest overall strength among them.
Almost every prefecture had a Nascent Soul Power overseeing it.
However, in places like the Profound Moon Prefecture where the Profound Moon Sect was located, there were two other major Nascent Soul Powers besides the sect itself.
One was a sect, and the other was an aristocratic family.
Almost all of these geniuses knew of the Nascent Soul Powers, but it was impossible for them to know every single Golden Core Power.
Because there were simply too many large and small Golden Core Powers.
As for Foundation Establishment powers, they weren't even worth mentioning to outsiders.
Despite the minor disruptions midway, the Cloud Lake Gathering was considered an overall success.
Around mid-afternoon.
The Cloud Lake Gathering concluded, and the geniuses began to depart one after another.
"Fairy Liu, the two of us shall also take our leave. Farewell." Ye Fan and Xu Deyue cupped their fists before soaring into the sky, flying toward Cloudstream Town.
They were the last to leave.
In the blink of an eye, the bustling Cloud Lake South Bank was left with only the Liu siblings and the many servants of the Liu clan.
"Sister, how was the harvest?" Liu Feng asked.
Beneath her veil, Liu Yue's beautiful eyes rippled slightly. "I've mostly achieved my goals. Currently, there are three people who might be able to lend me a hand."
"Who?"
"Wen Chong, Gao Zheng, and Qiao Song."
"Wen Chong is a disciple of the Heavenly Azure Sect who has always admired you, so it's normal for him to agree. Gao Zheng and Qiao Song both hail from Golden Core Aristocratic Families in the Seven Heavenly Azure Cities.
Are you sure they will help?"
"The Gao and Qiao families each only have a single Golden Core Perfected Being, and both are getting on in years. The entire facade of their families relies on them holding out. The more desperate they are, the easier they are to persuade.
Of course, our alliance is built on mutual benefit, and it may eventually dissolve over mutual benefit. I'm well aware of that."
"As long as you understand, sister. Father and Grandfather have high expectations for you. They hope our Liu clan can produce another Golden Core cultivator."
Pausing, Liu Feng added, "Have you never considered the Xu Family, sister?"
"Speaking of the desperate need for a Golden Core Perfected Being, the Xu Family might be developing well, but if they want to truly secure everything they have now, their clan must produce an Immortal Cultivator at the Golden Core Stage.
After all, a Golden Core network is just a network. When push comes to shove, only your own family can be relied upon."
"The Xu Family..."
Hearing this, Liu Yue's clear eyes flickered. "The Xu Family is too surprising. Their foundation appears weak, yet it's surprisingly deep.
If Xu Deyue can reach Foundation Establishment Perfection a year from now, I will formally invite her before the Secret Realm Trial."
"They are indeed unfathomable. To think they had hidden a genius who comprehended Divine Ability Power. From her essence, energy, and spirit, she should also be of the younger generation.
But I wonder why she doesn't want to participate in the Prodigy Grand Assembly.
Could it be that Master Ling is confident she can achieve Core Formation on her own?"
"I don't know. How the Xu Family thinks has nothing to do with us. Our Liu clan has our own schemes to consider."
"You're right, sister."
Ye Fan and Xu Deyue returned to the Xu Residence and gave Xu Chuan a brief recounting of the Cloud Lake Gathering.
Hearing their report, Xu Chuan smiled faintly. "A single Prodigy Grand Assembly has stirred the dynamics of the entire Heavenly South. Underneath this calm surface, who knows how many undercurrents are surging.
However, the number of Prodigy positions is strictly limited.
For most, their schemes will ultimately amount to nothing."
"Honored Master is correct."
Xu Chuan looked at Ye Fan and smiled faintly. "If you can reach the Seventh-Layer Foundation Establishment in a year, you can also give it a try."
"Really?!" Ye Fan asked in pleasant surprise.
"Your foundation is already deep. Advancing to the Seventh-Layer Foundation Establishment will put you on par with Ninth-Level Foundation Establishment cultivators. Coupled with the Two-Pattern Magic Tool Deling crafted for you, fighting normally against someone at Foundation Establishment Perfection won't be an issue."
"Thank you, Honored Master."
"However, just treat this Prodigy Grand Assembly as a personal Trial. There's no need to risk your lives for the so-called title of Prodigy."
"Yes."
Ye Fan and Xu Deyue bowed with cupped hands.
Xu Deling watched them with a light smile from the side. She planned to stay at the Xu Residence for three days before departing with Perfected Person Fire Cloud.
Over these few days, she rarely engaged in cultivation.
Instead, she strolled around and observed the surroundings.
Cloudstream Town, the mines, the Spirit Fields, and Cloud Lake—she visited them all.
'If Father and Second Uncle were to come here and see everything the Xu Family has achieved in the Heavenly South, they would undoubtedly be astonished.'
'No, perhaps not.' Xu Deling shook her head and chuckled self-deprecatingly. 'By staying by Grandfather's side, they've long since tempered a Dao Heart that remains unmoved by external matters.
They might feel that possessing all of this is only natural.'
Three days later.
In the faint glow of the morning light.
Xu Chuan and the others watched as Xu Deling and Perfected Person Fire Cloud departed.
Before she left, Xu Chuan handed Xu Deling a Storage Pouch containing various pills, including the Heavenly Spirit Pills and Spirit-Purifying Pills needed to break through to the Golden Core stage.
"Grandfather, where are Sister Ling and Senior Fire Cloud traveling to? Outside the Heavenly Azure Prefecture?" Ye Fan asked.
"Perhaps even farther. Senior Fire Cloud mentioned he wanted to help Deling find a certain Opportunity. If this trip goes smoothly, by the time she returns, she might only be a single step away from the Golden Core realm."
Xu Deyue declared, "Sister Ling will definitely not be trapped by the bottleneck of the Golden Core realm!"
The corners of Xu Chuan's lips lifted slightly. "You all should focus on your cultivation as well. Put your cultivation methods aside for now. Fei'er is still young; even if he begins his cultivation a few years later than the descendants of ordinary aristocratic families.
Our Xu Family can still help him progress faster than anyone else!"
"Yes, Grandfather (Honored Master)."
————————————
Summer passed, and autumn arrived.
Heavenly Azure Mountain Range.
The location of the Chen Clan ancestral land.
Scattered nearby were several families affiliated with the Green Wood Sect.
Most of their ancestors had produced Golden Core Perfected Beings, but they had subsequently fallen into decline. Even so, their strength and foundation were deeper than those of standard Foundation Establishment Clans.
At this moment.
Moonlight, cold as frost, draped over the blue-grey courtyard walls of the Chen Clan ancestral land.
A pale cyan Light Screen remained hidden in the darkness, emitting a faint spiritual glow under the moonlight. Like an invisible barrier, it securely shielded the Chen Clan ancestral land.
Suddenly, a black shadow darted out of the forest, landing about ten meters away from the formation.
The newcomer wore a dark robe, their face obscured by shadows, with a faint, ephemeral black mist drifting around their body.
With eyes like torches, he locked his gaze onto the depths of the Chen Clan ancestral land, killing intent churning within his eyes.
"Chen Changge, you ruined my plans back then! You hide in the Green Wood Sect where I can't kill you, so I'll collect the lives of your Chen clan members as interest first!"
This person was none other than the Ancient Demon, Yeluomo!
Seven years had passed since he miserably fled the Heavenly Azure Prefecture, and now he had finally returned.
Yeluomo raised his hand, curling his five fingers into a claw. Black mist condensed in his palm, transforming into pitch-black talons.
His figure flickered, pouncing at the Light Screen like a phantom. The talons tore through the air with a whistling sound as they clawed viciously at the surface of the screen.
Bang!
The talons clashed against the Light Screen. The pale cyan spiritual light suddenly flared, firmly blocking the black mist on the outside.
Yeluomo felt a massive force rebound against him, numbing his arm. He was forced two steps back, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes. "When did this Chen clan set up Tier 3 Formations?
And a mid-grade Tier 3 formation at that!
Even the Sect-Protecting Grand Formations of the Green Wood Sect and the other two sects are only mid-grade Tier 3!"
Yeluomo was incredibly shocked, but after a second thought, understanding dawned on him. "They must have exposed me, claimed the merit, and then, terrified of retaliation, hired someone from the Heavenly Azure Sect to install this formation.
However, the Heavenly Azure Sect is surprisingly generous, actually gifting a mid-grade Tier 3 formation to a clan that barely possesses a Golden Core cultivator!"
He glared viciously at the Chen Clan ancestral land, then flickered away, transforming into a black shadow that vanished into the forest.
Because he was well aware that in his current state, he couldn't possibly break through this formation.
And if his presence were exposed, it would spell trouble.
The anomaly in the formation didn't go unnoticed.
Chen family Guards, gripping their Dharma Tools, rushed to the scene immediately.
"I clearly heard a commotion, so why is no one here?" a Guard asked in confusion.
"Perhaps it was a passing Demonic Beast that accidentally bumped into the formation's Light Screen. With this mid-grade Tier 3 grand array protecting us, who would dare invade our Chen family?!"
"True. Even a Golden Core Completion Stage Cultivator wouldn't be able to break this formation easily. Still, we must be careful. Ancestor Changge offended that Ancient Demon. As long as that Ancient Demon lives, our Chen family cannot relax for a single day!"
A short while later.
The patrol squad left to inspect other areas.
Yeluomo began hunting human Immortal Cultivators in the Heavenly Azure Mountain Range, occasionally preying on Demonic Beasts as well.
However, compared to Demonic Beasts, the divine souls of human Immortal Cultivators were far more delicious to him.
Cloudstream Town.
The Huang Family.
Main hall.
"Big Brother Huang, it's been over a month since my husband went to Eagle Beak Ridge. He told me before he left that he'd be back in half a month at most. Could you help me look for him?"
A female Qi Refining cultivator pleaded with Huang Tianba, her face drenched in tears.
"Yuniang, please rest assured. Brother Lu is one of my best friends from the past, so I won't ignore this. However, you know my status is different now.
I must first obtain the Xu Family's permission. After all, a trip like this will take more than just a day or two.
Once the Xu Family gives their approval, I will let you know and then head to Eagle Beak Ridge.
But whether I can find him, and whether he is dead or alive, will depend entirely on luck."
"I understand. Thank you, Big Brother Huang! Thank you so much!"
After Li Yuniang left, Huang Tianxiong walked in.
He had heard their entire conversation from outside the door.
"Big brother, are you really going?" Huang Tianxiong frowned at Huang Tianba. "Eagle Beak Ridge isn't exactly a dangerous place for a Mid Foundation Establishment Immortal Cultivator like Lu Shan.
If he hasn't returned in over a month, he's either trapped or dead.
Furthermore, it's hard to say if he's even at Eagle Beak Ridge."
"I know, but he was a close brother from our days in the Demon Hunting Squad, and he's helped us before. Dead or alive, since Yuniang came to beg us, we must go take a look.
We do what we can and leave the rest to fate."
"Then I'll accompany you, big brother. Let's bring a few extra people; it will make searching much easier."
"Mn," Huang Tianba nodded slightly.
Nowadays, the Huang Family held considerable influence in Cloudstream Town, meaning they could mobilize quite a few men.
"By the way, big brother, it seems there have been several people who went missing in the Heavenly Azure Mountain Range recently, just like Lu Shan. I heard people discussing it outside at noon."
Huang Tianxiong's gaze narrowed. "Do you think something unexpected happened in the Heavenly Azure Mountain Range?"
Pausing for a moment, he continued, "Tomorrow, you should report this to the Xu Family in passing. If the number of missing people continues to rise, it will cause panic."
Huang Tianba nodded again. "I understand."
The next day.
Huang Tianba headed to the Xu Residence.
He met with Steward Wu Zhuqi. First, he asked for seven or eight days of leave to visit the Heavenly Azure Mountain Range. Second, he reported the disappearance of several cultivators in the mountains.
"Missing?" Wu Zhuqi was slightly taken aback. "Are you sure they aren't dead?"
"I don't know the exact details," Huang Tianba replied. "I just felt something was off, so I came to report it."
"I approve your trip to Eagle Beak Ridge to find your man. However, since you feel there's an anomaly, be careful. Make thorough preparations before heading out so you don't end up losing your own life."
"Thank you, Steward Zhuqi."
Hearing this, Wu Zhuqi nodded.
Huang Tianba then cupped his fists and departed.
Wu Zhuqi immediately arranged for personnel to conduct a detailed investigation into the missing Immortal Cultivators of Cloudstream Town.
Four hours later.
The information on all the individuals who had died or gone missing over the past month landed in his hands.
"Nine cultivators. Two Qi Refining and one Early Foundation Establishment cultivator are confirmed dead, their remains having been recovered. As for the rest—a Demon Hunting Squad and that Lu Shan—their fates remain unknown.
The destination of that Demon Hunting Squad was only three or four kilometers away from Eagle Beak Ridge."
Looking at the information on the paper, Wu Zhuqi did indeed detect a hint of abnormality.
This incident could be a coincidence. Perhaps it was a case of murder and robbery where the Perpetrator fled afterward, or maybe a powerful Demonic Beast had appeared.
The probability of this posing a threat to the Xu Family or Cloudstream Town wasn't high.
However, the Xu Family's rule was that any matter involving risk must be prevented in advance, and no one was allowed to act on their own authority.
Many disasters often stemmed from thoughts like, 'I think this person isn't worth mentioning,' or 'I feel there's no need to take this matter to heart.'
If families could correctly assess the risks of certain matters and individuals—choosing to Cut the Weeds and Dig Up the Roots to eliminate future troubles—they might be able to survive much longer.
Wu Zhuqi immediately escalated the issue to Ye Fan.
After deep consideration, Ye Fan relayed the news to Xu Chuan.
"A Demon Hunting Squad and a Mid Foundation Establishment Immortal Cultivator named Lu Shan went missing near Eagle Beak Ridge?"
Xu Chuan muttered softly, then utilized the Minor Star Divination Art to deduce the life and death of Lu Shan and that Demon Hunting Squad.
Half a cup of tea's time later.
"They're all dead," Xu Chuan said calmly. "As for their corpses, they are most likely gone."
"Destroying the corpses to eliminate evidence," Ye Fan mused. "Then there is a high probability they encountered a powerful Demonic Beast or Immortal Cultivator, though the culprit has likely already left.
Brother Tianba and his group are destined to make a wasted trip."
"Something is wrong. My divination suggests this matter is faintly connected to me."
Xu Chuan was slightly taken aback. He didn't know these people at all. Even if they were residents of Cloudstream Town, there shouldn't be any karmic connection to him.
Thinking of this, Xu Chuan divined the fates of Huang Tianba and his brother.
"The trip to Eagle Beak Ridge for the brothers, Huang Tianba and Huang Tianxiong, shows great peril. There is a possibility of death."
"What?!" Ye Fan exclaimed in shock.
"Why is it connected to me again? This is truly bizarre."
Xu Chuan wanted to divine the Perpetrator's identity, but worried the person might be tied to significant karma, leading to backlash if he forced the deduction. He decided to wait until tomorrow when he had a daily exemption from backlash to deduce the truth.
"Honored Master, what exactly is happening?" Ye Fan asked in concern.
"They won't reach Eagle Beak Ridge that quickly. We'll speak of this tomorrow," Xu Chuan said, waving his hand.
"Yes, Honored Master." Ye Fan cupped his fists and took his leave.
The next day.
Right after midnight.
Xu Chuan commenced his divination.
A short while later.
He opened his eyes, furrowing his brow. "So it's him who has returned!"
"No wonder it's slightly connected to me!"
The 'him' Xu Chuan spoke of naturally referred to Yeluomo. If he hadn't asked Chen Changge to test him back then, Yeluomo wouldn't have ended up in his current state.
"Even though he is still at Foundation Establishment Perfection, he cannot be compared to any ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator. He can definitely fight an Early-Stage Golden Core cultivator," Xu Chuan murmured to himself. "In terms of combat power, with Moyue around, suppressing him won't be an issue.
But we will only get one chance to capture him!"
He guessed Yeluomo had probably visited the Chen family already. Realizing his current strength was insufficient for revenge, he intended to recover his power first.
He might even use someone close to Chen Changge as bait—such as Xu Chuan himself—to lure him out of the sect.
"Yeluomo is indeed a hidden danger. Since his whereabouts are known, he must be killed. Otherwise, once he truly recovers, our Xu Family will be in for a hard time!
Furthermore, our Xu Family must be the ones to handle this personally!"
If Xu Chuan was going to deploy Moyue, it wouldn't be appropriate for outsiders to be present.
"Ye Fan," Xu Chuan sent a voice transmission directly to Ye Fan. "Immediately send a message to Huang Tianba's group. Tell them not to go to Eagle Beak Ridge for now. They should wait until they receive another message from you before moving out."
Although Ye Fan was puzzled, he followed the instruction.
Afterward, Xu Chuan sent a transmission to Xu Mingxian, instructing him to refine the top-tier Grade 2 Formation Flags for the Seven Stars Demon-Sealing Formation.
Heavenly Azure Mountain Range.
Huang Tianba received the Communication Talisman.
Fortunately, they had just entered the mountain range and hadn't traveled far. Combined with the fact that it was dangerous to move through the mountains at night, they were still within the talisman's transmission range.
"Big brother, who sent you a message?" Huang Tianxiong asked, surprised.
With a solemn expression, Huang Tianba replied, "It's Elder Ye. He told us to hold off on going to Eagle Beak Ridge and remain on standby. We are to wait for his notification before moving out."
With that, Huang Tianba retrieved a Communication Talisman from his Storage Pouch and replied, acknowledging receipt.
Hearing this, Huang Tianxiong's pupils contracted. "The Xu Family's intervention means this matter concerning Lu Shan is far from simple. Big brother, are we really still going to Eagle Beak Ridge?"
Huang Tianba sighed softly. "It's no longer up to us. Since Elder Ye didn't tell us to return, it means we'll still be making the trip in a few days."
"Could we ask what exactly happened?"
"I don't think that's necessary. The Xu Family doesn't typically appreciate unnecessary questions when they handle matters. If it's truly important, they wouldn't tell us even if we asked, and it would only cause displeasure.
I know you're worried about the danger we might encounter, second brother, but the Xu Family has treated us well. They saved your life and our third brother's life.
Our Huang Family has also sworn to follow the Xu Family.
If they tell us to go east, we cannot go west.
Besides, having interacted with the Xu Family for years, we should know their character. They aren't the kind of family to treat human life like grass."
"True," Huang Tianxiong let out a faint sigh. "But sometimes I really miss the old days in the Demon Hunting Squad, fighting for our lives against Demonic Beasts and Immortal Cultivators in the mountains."
"Are you sure you could still adapt to that?" Huang Tianba laughed heartily. "There's no telling how many people in town envy our Huang Family."
To gain, one must be willing to sacrifice!
We follow the Xu Family and enjoy our current resources, wealth, and status. The price we must pay is absolute obedience to their commands.
The Xu Family isn't an ordinary Foundation Establishment Clan. Playing games of feigned compliance or harboring double loyalties in front of them will only lead to a dead end."
"I understand, big brother," Huang Tianxiong said. "I just hope this trip to Eagle Beak Ridge goes smoothly without any accidents."
Five days later.
Huang Tianba received another message from Ye Fan, after which the two brothers set off for Eagle Beak Ridge.
About two days later.
They arrived at Eagle Beak Ridge and began their search for Lu Shan.
"Big brother, I hope we find Lu Shan quickly. I just have a very bad feeling about this."
"We'll search for two days at most. If we can't find him, we will return and inform Li Yuniang of his death."
"Mn." Huang Tianxiong nodded.
At that very moment, from a mountain peak about three kilometers away, a black-robed figure was observing them with divine sense.
The Huang brothers remained completely oblivious.