Three days later.
Following the method imparted by Black Wind, Xu Chuan refined several Natal Jade Talismans.
He handed one of them to Black Wind and then dismissed him.
The Xu Family's rise to become the masters of Heavenly Azure Prefecture was just around the corner. Planting Black Wind as a hidden chess piece would allow the Xu Family to secretly come into contact with the many mysteries of Heavenly South.
It also served as preparation for future dealings with factions outside of Heavenly Azure Prefecture.
With Black Wind's top-tier concealment methods, it would be extremely difficult for anyone to detect him, short of a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator.
Soon after.
Xu Chuan summoned Xu Deling and Xu Deyue, handed them their Natal Jade Talismans, and instructed them on the talismans' crafting method.
"From now on, when you are outside and need me, trigger the talisman as a signal. Deyue, activate it six times in rapid succession. Deling, you do it seven times. I will then pull you into the Xu Clan's Grotto-heaven.
"Fifteen thousand kilometers, that is truly impressive! I will take it back and study it to see if I can refine a corresponding communication token," Xu Deling exclaimed in pleasant surprise.
"That is a good idea. After all, refining this jade talisman requires Third-Tier spirit jade as a material, making it unsuitable for widespread use. If you can thoroughly understand it, you can popularize it as a communication Dharma Tool.
That would be of great use to our Xu Family in the future," Xu Chuan declared.
"Do not worry, Grandfather. I will do my absolute best," Xu Deling smiled gracefully. She then turned to Xu Deyue and added, "Deyue, I have already refined Ye Fan's two Magic Treasures. Please bring them to him."
"Thank you, Sister Deling."
Although Ye Fan possessed a Third-Tier Physical Body, Mid-Grade Magic Treasures could still be of immense help at critical moments. Preparedness Prevents Calamity.
In the blink of an eye, it was late August.
Less than half a month remained until the Ninth Day of the Ninth Month.
Lei Wuji held several Clan Meetings and finally managed to persuade the entire Lei Family to fully support Cloudstream City.
He arrived at the Xu Residence in Cloudstream City.
Xu Chuan received Lei Wuji in the main hall.
"It seems Daoist Friend Lei has successfully persuaded your entire clan. How truly rare," Xu Chuan noted calmly.
"The facts are laid bare for all to see. My Lei Family originally just wanted to Sitting on the Mountain to Watch Tigers Fight, but we overthought things. If a war between factions truly broke out.
Our Lei Family would inevitably be the first to suffer the blow.
At best, our family's Heritage would be severely damaged. At worst, multiple Golden Core Stage Cultivator clan members would die, and we would not even be able to preserve our title as a top-tier Golden Core Aristocratic Family."
Lei Wuji sighed softly.
"Daoist Friend Lei, your foresight is quite good. I believe that under your leadership, the Lei Family will certainly grow and prosper, and perhaps even take a step further to become a Nascent Soul Noble Family in the future!"
"Haha, then I must thank Daoist Friend Kurong for your auspicious words."
"Then for the next ten years, Daoist Friend Lei will be a Guest Elder of our Xu Family. I will arrange for someone to select a quiet courtyard for you in the Inner City."
"For the next ten years, I look forward to the Family Head's guidance."
With a ten-year pact established, both men swore their oaths.
Once the time was up, the oaths would naturally dissolve.
Xu Chuan informed everyone else of Lei Wuji becoming a Guest Elder of the Xu Family for the next ten years.
Xu Deling personally came over to escort him to the Heavenly Plume Sect, requesting True Lord Yanzhen to step in and forge High-Grade Magic Treasures.
After all, Heavenly Azure Prefecture was the poorest and weakest among the Eight Prefectures of the Northwest. The other prefectures all had at least high-tier Third-Tier Blacksmiths capable of forging High-Grade Magic Treasures.
But with the establishment of the Heavenly Plume Sect, Mo Wentian's Nascent Soul Formation, and the rise of the Xu Family, this series of events ensured that Heavenly Azure Prefecture's foundation of top-tier experts was no weaker than the other prefectures, save for Profound Moon and Cangshan.
Of course, there was still some disparity in their overall Heritage.
By the shores of Grand Harmony Lake.
The water sparkled with rippling light, and the distant mountains resembled dark painted brows.
The scars left by the great war between the two prefectures in the past had long been covered by lush vegetation and newly sprouted Spirit Grass and plants, cleansed by years of wind and rain, and nourished by Spiritual Qi.
All that remained were a few subtle changes in the terrain and the remnants likely buried deep at the bottom of the lake.
Two streaks of light drifted down from the horizon, revealing the figures of a young man and woman.
The man appeared to be in his early twenties. He was tall and slender, wearing a brocade robe interwoven with crimson and azure cloud patterns.
He had a handsome face, with sharp eyebrows slanting up into his hairline. His bright, expressive eyes carried a hint of unrestrained freedom in their gaze.
He was Xu Chongfei.
The woman by his side was naturally his wife, Chen Yulian.
She wore a moon-white wide-sleeved immortal dress embroidered with faint purple lotus patterns. Her flowing skirt fluttered in the breeze, exuding an elegant, otherworldly aura. Her cascading black hair was partially pinned up with a simple jade hairpin, while the rest draped smoothly over her shoulders.
Chen Yulian had a beautiful, refined face with skin as pale as snow. Her features were delicate and soft, especially her bright eyes, which were as clear as water.
The couple walked side by side, resembling a pair of celestial immortals.
"Lian'er, this is Grand Harmony Lake," Xu Chongfei said, pointing at the vast, misty lake before them. "The opposite shore is the territory of Greedy Wolf Prefecture."
"Once we reach Core Formation, how about we go travel around the other prefectures?"
Chen Yulian covered her mouth and chuckled. "We are only at Early Foundation Establishment. Core Formation is still a long way off for us!"
"Besides, Core Formation is no easy feat. Our Chen Family has only luckily produced one Golden Core Stage cultivator in the past two hundred years."
"How can our Xu Family be compared to ordinary aristocratic factions?!" Xu Chongfei flashed a proud smile. "Have you not heard the recent rumors spreading everywhere about my great-grandfather's divine prowess?
It is truly a pity that we missed seeing the scene of his grand battle with the Grand Elder of the Heavenly Azure Sect."
"Homesick?"
"I do miss home quite a bit," Xu Chongfei admitted openly without any awkwardness. "But it is fine. A good man should travel the world to broaden his horizons."
"Is that so?" Chen Yulian's lips curled up slightly. "Husband, after we finish touring this place, let us return to Cloudstream City."
Xu Chongfei turned to look at her, and seeing her expression, he coughed lightly and said, "Since you miss home so much, my lady, going back is not out of the question."
"My entire Chen clan moved to Cloudstream City, and I still do not know how they are doing now."
"If anything happens, just tell our father. He is the City Lord; it should not be a big deal for him to pull some strings for his in-laws."
Chen Yulian rolled her eyes. "Careful acting like that, or you will get beaten again. The Xu Family has strict rules and prohibits reckless behavior. Besides, I heard my great-grandfather is also the Deputy City Lord, so there is no need for your father to look after them."
Pausing for a moment, she continued, "I heard that Father has already broken through to the Golden Core Stage, and his strength is comparable to Great-Grandfather when he first reached Core Formation. His combat power is astounding, enough to rival a Late-Stage Golden Core cultivator.
Husband, do you feel a lot of pressure?"
"What pressure?"
"Father and Mother are both Prodigies who achieved Divine Ability Core Formation. If you only become an ordinary Golden Core cultivator in the future..."
"I won't," Xu Chongfei vowed confidently. "You are not entirely clear about the Xu Family's Heritage. Mother and Father are Prodigies, and I will be one in the future as well.
Divine Ability Core Formation will not stump your husband!"
Although Chen Yulian had married into the Xu Family, her knowledge was indeed limited. At the very least, she was not permitted to know about certain true core Cultivation Methods and Secret Arts, which could not be revealed even to one's spouse.
Unless it was approved by several Core Members of the Xu clan.
For example, Ye Fan, Xu Deling and the others, as well as Second Generation members like Xu Mingxian.
If any of those Cultivation Methods or Secret Arts were leaked, it would cause A Great Disturbance.
With Xu Chongfei's Innate Aptitude, he was destined to receive top-tier nurturing, and he would certainly become one of the core decision-makers of the Xu clan in the future.
Chen Yulian offered a faint smile, not paying it too much mind.
Then, Xu Chongfei added, "Right, on our way here, there seemed to be a Marketplace a few miles away. Why don't we go take a look?"
Chen Yulian nodded, and the two immediately headed toward the Marketplace.
This market took its name from Grand Harmony Lake and was called the "Great Harmony Market."
The couple walked along the market streets. On both sides, there were many vendors who had set up stalls on the ground. A good number of them were selling Dharma Tools or fragments of Dharma Tools inscribed with Artifact Patterns.
There were even some shouting and hawking fragments of Magic Treasures.
Aside from that, there were local specialties from Grand Harmony Lake, such as spirit shell pearls, spirit plants from the lake, Spirit Fish, and Demonic Beast carcasses.
"Since we have decided to go home after leaving this place, let us stay here for a few more days. We can pick out some gifts to bring back for Father, Mother, Aunt, and Great-Grandfather."
"I will listen to my husband."
The two settled into an inn within the market.
Two days later.
As the night ended and day broke, before the morning light could fully pierce through.
A deep, muffled sound suddenly echoed from underground, like a giant beast rolling over or a heavenly drum beating low.
The entire surface of Grand Harmony Lake rippled without any wind. Waves formed on their own, and chaotic circles of ripples spread outward, growing faster and more frantic by the second.
"A disturbance in the earth vein?"
Inside a quiet room at the inn, Xu Chongfei, who had been drinking tea and discussing the Dao with Chen Yulian, abruptly stood up, his face filled with shock and doubt.
Chen Yulian also sensed the abnormal tremors beneath her feet. She exchanged a glance with her husband, both seeing the grave expression in the other's eyes.
Before they could investigate further, a sudden change occurred!
From the unfathomable depths at the center of Grand Harmony Lake, a boundless radiance violently erupted!
At first, it was merely a chaotic mass of colorful light beneath the lake's surface. In the blink of an eye, it shattered the watery veil, transforming into a majestic, multicolored pillar of Spiritual Qi nearly a hundred meters wide that forcefully pierced through the sky above the lake!
"Boom!!!"
Only then did the true, thunderous roar spread across the wilderness, shaking everyone's eardrums to the point of tearing and making their minds sway.
The pillar of light connected Heaven and Earth, as solid as a glazed jade column, yet it constantly swirled and transformed.
Red, orange, yellow, green, azure, blue, purple... myriad colors churned, merged, and separated within it, evolving into various phantom illusions of auspicious beasts and immortal flowers.
Dao Rhyme permeated the air, profound beyond words.
Drawn by this, the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi within five hundred kilometers completely went berserk!
Visible tides of seven-colored spiritual energy howled in from all directions.
Like A Hundred Rivers Return to the Sea, they frantically poured into the heaven-piercing pillar, fueling its might and causing its radiance to burn even brighter, nearly eclipsing the breaking dawn.
The space around the light pillar appeared distorted. Streaks of colorful clouds centered around the pillar, spreading across the sky like the most dazzling brocade, covering countless kilometers of the heavens.
However, beneath this wondrous spectacle lay great terror!
A majestic Pressure—originating from the origin of Heaven and Earth, vast, endless, and coldly inviolable—spread outwards along with the eruption of the light pillar!
This Pressure did not merely target divine sense; it acted directly upon the physical bodies and souls of all living beings!
Within fifty kilometers, whether it was the first-tier creatures in the lake, the Qi Condensation Cultivators seeking an Opportunity in the area, or even some Early Foundation Establishment cultivators with shallow foundations, all of them violently shuddered!
"Argh—!"
"No—!"
Scattered screams of agony rang out, only to be instantly drowned by the even louder rumbling of Heaven and Earth.
The protective spiritual lights of those Qi Condensation Cultivators shattered like paper, their bodies entirely unable to withstand the crushing force of this terrifying Heaven and Earth power.
With a series of squelches, they all burst into clusters of grim, vibrant blood mist, their bodies and souls instantly annihilated!
The Foundation Establishment Cultivators slightly further away bled from their seven orifices. With their Meridians on the verge of tearing, they frantically pushed their Mana to flee even further away, looking utterly wretched.
Grand Harmony Lake spanned five hundred kilometers.
The Great Harmony Market was fifty kilometers away, so it was not heavily affected.
But the commotion was simply too massive. All the cultivators had already been startled by the earth-shattering Celestial Phenomenon and the terrifying fluctuations of Spiritual Qi. They rushed out of their dwellings and gathered in the open spaces by the lake.
Some stood on the ground, while others hovered in mid-air. All of them looked up at the sky, dumbfounded, their faces plastered with shock and horror.
Xu Chongfei and Chen Yulian were among them.
Xu Chongfei subconsciously shielded his wife behind him, his body swirling with crimson and azure spiritual light.
He stared at the magnificent light pillar connecting Heaven and Earth, along with the sky full of colorful clouds, his eyes filled with unprecedented shock. "What is happening? How can there be such a massive disturbance?!
Even a cultivator's Nascent Soul Formation wouldn't be like this, right?!"
Chen Yulian tightly gripped her husband's arm, her beautiful face illuminated by the shifting colors of the clouds. She whispered, "According to Ancient Classics, only the appearance of a Connate Secret Realm could possibly trigger a Spirit Qi Tide and manifestation of laws of this magnitude...
I am afraid a Connate Secret Realm is about to open at the bottom of Grand Harmony Lake!"
"A Connate Secret Realm?!" Xu Chongfei muttered to himself. "Even my great-grandfather and the others have never witnessed a Connate Secret Realm, yet I have managed to encounter one."
"Husband, do not celebrate too early. A Connate Secret Realm is both an Opportunity for great fortune and a feast of slaughter!"
"According to the Ancient Classics of my clan, every time one opens, countless cultivators invariably perish inside. However, soon after, some people also soar into the sky.
Moreover, judging from this disturbance, this might be a level-three Connate Secret Realm!"
"Connate Secret Realms are divided into that many levels?" Xu Chongfei looked over in surprise.
"Naturally. Based on the cultivation realm of those allowed to enter, the Cultivation World categorizes them by assigning one level per realm. Level-three means it allows Golden Core Stage cultivators to enter.
And this Connate Secret Realm, which has affected the Spiritual Qi within a five-hundred-kilometer radius, should be capable of accommodating those at Golden Core Perfection!"
"I see. You are truly knowledgeable, my lady. I cannot compare."
Xu Chongfei smiled faintly, then looked toward the colorful spiritual energy pillar shooting into the clouds, his gaze full of fiery passion.
This was an incredible Opportunity!
The cultivators in the market were already in an uproar, a boiling cauldron of intertwined emotions—horror, fanaticism, and greed.
"My heavens! A Secret Realm! A Connate Secret Realm has appeared!"
"With such might... it must be a rumored level-three Connate Secret Realm. A Connate Secret Realm of this caliber likely has not appeared in our Heavenly Azure Prefecture for hundreds of years."
"Indeed, this is a massive Opportunity! However, anyone within fifty kilometers has probably suffered a disaster. With such terrifying Pressure, even a Golden Core cultivator couldn't force their way within five kilometers of it."
"A great Opportunity! But also a great danger!"
Everyone had their minds entirely captured by this wondrous spectacle of Heaven and Earth, the likes of which they had never seen in their lives.
The light pillar stood tall between Heaven and Earth, with colorful clouds swirling across the sky and Dao Rhyme spreading like ripples, making their hearts yearn and minds wander.
"With a disturbance this massive, covering it up is likely impossible. Cultivators five thousand kilometers away should be able to sense it.
In just a few days, countless Immortal Cultivators will definitely swarm over!
Who knows, a large number of demonic cultivators from Greedy Wolf Prefecture might also come over."
Because Grand Harmony Lake was situated at the border between Heavenly Azure Prefecture and Greedy Wolf Prefecture, it was relatively remote, and the number of cultivators here was small.
It was practically impossible to easily send a message to the bustling areas where cultivators congregated.
By the time the major factions of the two prefectures found out, it would be at least seven or eight days later, and some might not even make it in time for this fortuitous encounter.
"Haha, this disturbance—it is a Connate Secret Realm!"
"The opening of a Connate Secret Realm contains endless opportunities. If I can obtain just a fraction of them, I will definitely step into the Golden Core stage!"
"Hahaha, to think that I, a Perfected Person, wandered here in my free time and actually stumbled upon the opening of a Connate Secret Realm. This fortune is surely fated for me!"
A massive number of Foundation Establishment Cultivators from both prefectures within five thousand kilometers, along with a scarce few Golden Core cultivators, rushed toward Grand Harmony Lake.
Streak after streak of light tore across the sky, a sight rarely seen in ordinary times.
Cloudstream City.
Xu Residence.
Under the Withered Glory Tree.
"A Connate Secret Realm has opened?!" Xu Chuan suddenly opened his eyes, a rare look of joy flashing in them. "No wonder the Ninth Day of the Ninth Month is suitable for Moyue's Tribulation Transcendence.
With the opening of a Connate Secret Realm, I am afraid that over ninety percent of the Golden Core cultivators in Heavenly Azure Prefecture will go fight over the realm's opportunities.
It was obscure and difficult to calculate before, because it was concealed by the laws of Heaven and Earth.
Now that the Secret Realm has opened, I can accurately deduce the situation."
Xu Chuan immediately activated Heavenly Secret Dao Derivation.
A moment later.
"Grand Harmony Lake. To think it is over there. It seems that this time, not only will Heavenly Azure Prefecture be dragged in, but many demonic cultivators from Greedy Wolf Prefecture will also head there.
It will be another storm of blood and slaughter."
Xu Chuan sighed with emotion, then smiled faintly and muttered to himself, "However, Chongfei and his wife certainly possess deep fortune. To think they are actually near Grand Harmony Lake right now.
Even I have never witnessed the spectacle of a Connate Secret Realm opening!
This Secret Realm can accommodate Golden Core cultivators, even those at Golden Core Perfection, so the commotion is far from small. I have heard that when such a realm opens, Heaven and Earth Pressure shrouds the area, causing space itself to distort.
Entering it within a short time will definitely be impossible."
Xu Chuan immediately deduced the specific time they could enter.
"About ten days. Then having Deling, Ye Fan, and the others hurry over now is just perfect. They can secure the greatest opportunities.
However, seizing the fortune is easy; holding onto it is the hard part.
Then I will use this Connate Secret Realm to let my Xu Family formally stand at the pinnacle of Heavenly Azure Prefecture!"
Moyue's Tribulation Transcendence was in half a month.
After surviving the Lightning Tribulation, with the flight speed of a Fourth-Tier flood dragon, he would certainly arrive just in time for the tail end of the event.
Whenever a Connate Secret Realm opened, it lasted anywhere from three to nine days.
For one at the Golden Core level, it would last for at least five days or more.
"Then I should first prepare the healing Pills for after the tribulation. Among what my Xu Family currently possesses, the only thing effective on a Fourth-Tier flood dragon is the Bone Generation Pill, which uses Withered Glory fruit as the main ingredient."
Even in ancient times, this was a top-tier Third-Tier healing Pill, rumored to possess the miraculous ability to bring the dead back to life and grow flesh on bare bones.
It also had decent healing effects for Nascent Soul Stage cultivators.
The Xu Family had gathered all the Pills that used Withered Glory fruit as the primary material. Although they only had two portions of Bone Generation Pills due to their rarity, it was more than enough.
His mind made up, Xu Chuan immediately sent a message summoning Ye Fan and the others, as well as True Lord Fierce Sun and the rest from the Heavenly Plume Sect.
In the main hall of the Xu Residence.
Everyone was surprised by Xu Chuan's sudden, urgent summons.
Shortly after.
Xu Chuan walked into the hall and sat directly in the master seat.
"Honored Master, could your urgent summons mean that the Heavenly Azure Sect is coming to attack us again?"
"What are you thinking?" Xu Chuan chuckled lightly. "I called you here for a good thing—a massive Opportunity. However, there are also immense risks involved. It depends on whether you are willing to go."
"What is it?" Lei Wuji asked curiously.
"A Connate Secret Realm has opened, and there is a high probability that it is a Connate Secret Realm that permits cultivators at Golden Core Perfection to enter."
"What? A Connate Secret Realm?!" Lei Wuji stood up abruptly, a look of utter disbelief on his face. "This truly is a massive Opportunity! Family Head, is what you say true?"
He quickly added, "But why has there been no news in Heavenly Azure Prefecture?"
"When such a Connate Secret Realm opens, it must be accompanied by earth-shattering tremors and a world-shocking Celestial Phenomenon. That would be far more massive than the phenomenon of Nascent Soul Formation!"
"Grandfather, where did the Secret Realm open?" Xu Deling firmly believed him without a doubt.
Xu Chuan did not answer directly. Instead, he swept his gaze over the crowd, his lips curling up slightly as he said, "Our Xu Family will definitely be going this time, but Elder Fire Cloud, Elder Green Cliff, and Elder Chen, you can decide for yourselves whether to go or not.
After all, the danger this time is quite substantial.
As for the Lei Family and the Heavenly Plume Sect, if you wish to go, my Xu Family will collect a certain compensation.
My Xu Family will not claim your Connate Spirit Objects, but of the Spirit Grass and Materials you gather, my Xu Family will have the right of first refusal to select thirty percent as compensation.
Consider it the price for informing you in advance.
Elder Lei, Daoist Friend Fierce Sun, what do you think?"
Lei Wuji remained silent, while True Lord Fierce Sun and True Lord Yanzhen exchanged glances.
A moment later.
True Lord Fierce Sun said, "If Daoist Friend Kurong's information is true, then I will agree to these terms."
"I will also agree to this on behalf of the Lei Family," Lei Wuji chimed in.
"Excellent." Xu Chuan gave a slight nod, then continued, "Elder Lei, you, Elder Fire Cloud, and the others are all Guest Elders of my Xu Family.
Our Xu Family will not be unreasonable. Of your gains in the Secret Realm, fifty percent will go to the Xu Family, and fifty percent you will keep for yourselves. How about it?"
Perfected Person Fire Cloud stroked his beard and laughed. "For this old man, even seventy or ninety percent would not matter. After all, obtaining a Dao of Artifacts Inheritance is enough to benefit me for a lifetime.
Not to mention that the Materials I normally use for forging are also provided by the Xu Family."
"Fire Cloud is right," Perfected Person Green Cliff echoed. "Whatever the Family Head wishes is fine, even if it is a bit higher."
Chen Changge cupped his fists and smiled. "My life was saved by the Family Head, so logically everything should belong to the Xu Family. But because I still have the Chen Family behind me, I will accept the fifty-fifty split as the Family Head proposed."
Since the other three Guest Elders had stated their positions, Lei Wuji naturally could not object either.
However, the Lei Family was different. Aside from him, they had several other Golden Core Stage members. This news would undoubtedly allow the Lei Family to gain the upper hand.
Sharing a portion with the Xu Family was naturally within reason.
Furthermore, the Lei Family had already agreed to a ten-year arrangement to follow the Xu Family's deployment.
If that were not the case, the Xu Family definitely would not have included the Lei Family. If they could not seize the initiative and went late, they would likely miss this Opportunity entirely.
Xu Chuan had clearly considered the circumstances of each faction when making this decision.
"Since everyone agrees, I will not keep it a secret anymore. The location where the Connate Secret Realm has appeared is Grand Harmony Lake. Prepare yourselves today and set out.
You should be able to make it in time for the Secret Realm's full opening."
Lei Wuji and True Lord Fierce Sun naturally understood his meaning.
Connate Secret Realms all had periods of instability. Only when they completely stabilized could anyone enter.
"Thank you, Daoist Friend Kurong," True Lord Fierce Sun said. "The three of us do not need to prepare and can set off with Junior Sister and the rest."
Chen Changge added, "The same goes for me. A Connate Secret Realm of this scale is far too dangerous for anyone below Foundation Establishment. The rest of my Chen clan will not participate."
"I need to return to the Lei Family first. Everyone can set off ahead of me, and we will regroup at Grand Harmony Lake."
With that, Lei Wuji cupped his fists in farewell and rushed back to the Lei Family at full speed.
Xu Chuan stated, "Then you all should go on ahead. Ye Fan, Deyue, Chongfei and his wife are currently there. If you go early, you can enter together with them."
Ye Fan and Xu Deyue looked at each other, their eyes revealing pleasant surprise. They hadn't expected to receive concrete news about Xu Chongfei at this time.
"Understood, Honored Master. We will depart right now!"
At this moment, Xu Deling asked curiously, "Grandfather, are you not going?"
"Do not worry, I am not in a hurry."
Xu Deling instantly recalled Moyue's Tribulation Transcendence in half a month. That was the true major event for the Xu Family.
Only when the Xu Family produced a Nascent Soul Level combatant could they truly stand on equal footing with the other two families and thoroughly expand their clan.
Once the Connate Secret Realm opened, the attention of all Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators would likely be drawn to it.
At that time, no one would interfere when Moyue underwent the Lightning Tribulation.
Even if the spies of other factions inside Cloudstream City learned of it and sent the news back, there would be no one to take charge of the situation.
'No wonder Grandfather chose the Ninth Day of the Ninth Month. Grandfather truly is becoming more and more omniscient,'
Xu Deling thought to herself. She then smiled and cupped her fists, saying, "Grandfather, we will go on ahead then."
Xu Chuan nodded. "Gather more Spirit Grass and spirit minerals. There might be quite a few items that are virtually extinct in the outside world."
"Understood."
Xu Deling, Ye Fan, Xu Deyue, Perfected Person Fire Cloud, and the others all set off.
Xu Chuan returned to his courtyard and continued to meditate under the Withered Glory Tree.
Moyue popped his head out and asked, "Xu Chuan, are we not going to that Secret Realm?"
"Of course we are going!" Xu Chuan looked over with a faint smile. "However, it will take about ten days for it to fully open. Combined with the time the Secret Realm remains open, it is enough to last until your tribulation is over.
Toilfully searching for items can hardly compare to just robbing others!"
"So that is what you are plotting!" Moyue's dark golden dragon pupils instantly lit up. "I like it!"
"Once I achieve Shapeshifting and we make a massive killing in this Connate Secret Realm, the Xu Family will truly leap to become the absolute top faction in Heavenly Azure Prefecture.
Given time, replacing the Heavenly Azure Sect will be as easy as flipping a hand."
"I still need to carefully consider this matter, figuring out how to maximize our Xu Family's interests. Heavenly Azure Prefecture is too small. If we completely tie ourselves down to it, it will actually be to our detriment."
"What do you mean?"
"A completely stable rear base is beneficial for development. If there are constant internal conflicts or invasions from other prefectures, how can we accelerate our growth?"
"A completely stable rear base..." Moyue pondered, then suddenly realized something and exclaimed in surprise, "You are not thinking of copying the model and establishing another Immortal Martial Alliance, are you?"
"Why not?" Xu Chuan's lips curled up slightly. "The Immortal Martial Alliance over there is developing extremely rapidly. Although it is only half of Great Wei, its foundation is already approaching the level of the entire Great Wei before.
Moreover, our Xu Family has reaped the greatest benefits, absorbing countless Immortal Cultivation and Martial Dao talents, and our resource reserves are flowing in endlessly."
"I am indeed not too clear on the exact situation with the Immortal Martial Alliance, but hearing you say that, it really does make some sense.
By twisting all the factions in Heavenly Azure Prefecture into a single rope, with your Xu Family as the bellwether, you could mobilize the entire prefecture's strength. That level of authority is something the former Heavenly Azure Sect could never compare to.
When there are resources, everyone profits together, while your Xu Family takes the lion's share. When there is danger, all the factions in Heavenly Azure Prefecture shoulder it together, greatly reducing the risk.
Unless it is a top-tier faction overseen by a Late-Stage Nascent Soul Grand Cultivator, there is simply no way to resist the power of an entire prefecture. Basically, no one would dare invade Heavenly Azure Prefecture."
Xu Chuan looked at him with new eyes, uttering a soft hum of surprise. "We have not spoken for a while, and it seems your intellect has grown quite a bit. To think you actually saw through to this layer."
"It is a trivial matter." Moyue waved his claw and grinned. "With just a quick turn of my brain, I can easily figure out exactly what you are thinking!"
"Stop grinning, your mouth is almost stretching to the back of your head. Prepare yourself well. In half a month, it will be your shining moment!"
Moyue rubbed his claws together, his eyes brimming with excitement. "I have waited for this day for more than a sixty-year cycle."
"No, I have waited for thousands of years!"
With that said, Moyue returned to rest and build up his energy.
To form an alliance similar to the Immortal Martial Alliance, the Xu Family needed to possess absolute strength and a sufficient voice of authority.
Over at Grand Harmony Lake.
For three days and nights, the pillar of Spiritual Qi did not rest. Colorful clouds filled the sky, and the Spirit Qi Tide surged unceasingly across five hundred kilometers.
It was as if Heaven and Earth were exclusively drawing out a long, magnificent prelude to the emergence of this Secret Realm, proclaiming it in all directions.
By the hour of the rabbit on the fourth day, the Celestial Phenomenon finally approached its end.
The magnificent, hundred-meter light pillar connecting to the heavens saw its radiance shift from extreme intensity to a gentle glow, and its solid form gradually turned ethereal.
The phantom images of immortal palaces and auspicious beasts swirling within the pillar faded one after another, returning to a chaotic mass of colorful light.
The five hundred kilometers of clouds spread across the sky were slowly gathered up as if by an invisible hand. The colors faded away, transforming into ordinary morning mist and clouds, curling as they dissipated.
Once the pillar of light completely vanished, all that remained in the center of Grand Harmony Lake was the bubbling, churning water, forming a deep, dark vortex nearly three kilometers in diameter.
It rotated slowly, its depths unfathomable.
Faint, residual seven-colored spiritual lights flickered in the depths of the vortex's eye, making it look like a portal to another realm.
At the same time, a more eerie and unpredictable spatial fluctuation silently spread in all directions, centered around the massive vortex.
Wherever the fluctuation touched, the lake water distorted, the light refracted, and the air emitted faint crackling sounds, like fragile glass constantly cracking and barely mending itself.
The moment the Celestial Phenomenon settled, the cultivators who had been suppressing themselves for a long time immediately grew restless.
The lake shore was packed with people, a dense, dark crowd.
In just three days, the number of cultivators who had rushed over after hearing the news was well over a thousand!
Qi Condensation Cultivators formed the majority, but there were also quite a few at Foundation Establishment. There were even five or six figures exuding tyrannical auras, either standing alone on mountaintops or hovering in mid-air—all of them were shockingly Golden Core cultivators!
Right now, all of them stared fiercely at the vortex in the center of the lake.
"The phenomenon has dispersed! The portal has appeared!"
"The Opportunity is right before our eyes! Charge!"
It was unknown which excited Rogue Cultivator in the Qi Condensation stage shouted, but several impatient streaks of light shot out from the crowd, diving straight for the vortex in the center of the lake!
"Hmph, fools courting death."
An Early-Stage Golden Core Rogue Cultivator hovering in mid-air, clad in a black robe, sneered coldly upon seeing this.
Sure enough, just as those streaks of light closed within several hundred meters of the vortex's edge, the seemingly peaceful space around them violently distorted!
Invisible spatial folds rippled like water waves, yet they were as sharp as blades!
"Pfft!"
"Argh—!"
The miserable screams came to an abrupt halt.
The leading two Foundation Establishment Cultivators, along with their Flying Swords, were like tofu crashing into invisible blades. In an instant, they were sliced apart and crushed by the distorted spatial power, exploding into two clouds of blood mist!
The few people behind them were horrified. They desperately activated their Dharma Tools to protect themselves, but they were still caught by the violent spatial fluctuations, their protective spiritual lights shattering inch by inch.
They spewed mouthfuls of blood and were blasted backward, crashing heavily onto the shore. Their bones and tendons snapped, leaving them on the verge of death.
"The space has yet to stabilize. Forcing your way in now is no different from courting death."
A female Early-Stage Golden Core cultivator shook her head slightly, her voice cold and clear.
However, not all Golden Core cultivators possessed such patience.
A fierce-looking Late-Stage Golden Core brute, surrounded by a lingering baleful aura and seemingly a notorious Rogue Cultivator, actually had his vicious nature roused by this sight.
"How can mere spatial shockwaves stop me?!"
He let out a wild laugh as an earth-yellow protective astral aura flared up around him. Bringing out a thick, heavy tortoise shell shield, he transformed into a streak of yellow light and fearlessly charged straight at the vortex!
His momentum was ferocious, far beyond what the previous few people could compare to.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, the yellow light barged into the unstable area.
At first, the tortoise shell shield shone with intense spiritual light, actually managing to block the outer spatial folds and slowly push forward for over a hundred meters.
A look of joy had just appeared on the brute's face—
"Hum!"
From the center of the vortex, a visible, brilliantly colorful spatial ripple suddenly spread outward. It was not fast, but it swept out with an irresistible Dao Rhyme.
"Not good!"
The brute's expression changed drastically, and he frantically pushed his Mana.