The group followed Xu Chuan, winding their way downward through a hidden passageway within the Xu Residence that was heavily layered with restrictions.
The passageway was profound and deep, and the spiritual qi gradually grew denser.
Aside from Xu Chuan and Xu Mingxian, everyone else was setting foot in this place for the first time.
Ye Fan, Xu Deling, and Xu Deyue already knew the general situation, so their expressions remained fairly calm.
On the other hand, Mei Yun, Xu Chongfei, and Chen Yulian could hardly conceal their curiosity and shock.
"Just where... is this place down here?" Xu Chongfei could not help but whisper to Ye Fan beside him.
Ye Fan kept his eyes facing forward and simply replied, "Just follow along. You will find out soon enough."
Before long.
The view ahead suddenly opened up.
The high, expansive dome was inlaid with spiritual light stones, illuminating the area as brightly as daytime.
The most shocking sight was the teleportation plaza in the center of the space, measuring nearly a hundred meters in diameter and surrounded by towering runic stone steles!
"This place is the teleportation plaza that our Xu Family expended painstaking effort to build."
Xu Chuan's voice echoed across the spacious plaza, clearing the doubts of those arriving for the first time. "Today, using this array, I will take you all to a certain place."
He turned his gaze toward Mei Yun and Chen Yulian. His tone was mild but carried an unquestionable solemnity. "Our destination on this trip concerns the fundamental secrets of my Xu Family.
"Since you two have entered the doors of my Xu Family, you must swear a grand inner demon oath.
"You must guarantee that you will absolutely never leak anything you see or hear today, nor any related matters you learn hereafter, to anyone outside the Xu Family.
"Can you do this?"
Chen Yulian glanced at her husband, Xu Chongfei, beside her. Seeing him nod slightly with a solemn expression, she hesitated no longer.
Mei Yun's expression also turned serious.
Both of them knew that this was a core secret of the Xu Family, something highly unusual.
Chen Yulian took the lead, stepping forward and forcing out a drop of essence blood from her fingertip. As it hovered before her, she swore a solemn oath: "With the Heavenly Dao above and my inner demons as witness!
"I, disciple Chen Yulian, swear here and now that I will never reveal what I see and hear today, nor anything I subsequently learn regarding the Xu Family's ancestral land, to anyone who is not of the direct line or a core member of the Xu Family!
"Should I violate this, I am willing to suffer inner demon backlash, have my Dao foundation utterly destroyed, and let my soul fall into eternal damnation!"
Mei Yun closely followed, swearing an equally harsh oath: "I, disciple Mei Yun, swear that I will never betray my honored master, my sect, or the secrets of the Xu Family in this life. I will keep my lips sealed about the matters of the ancestral land learned today and hereafter. Should I violate this, let heaven and earth reject me, and let my Great Dao be severed!"
With the oaths established, the essence blood melded into the void.
A faint, almost imperceptible binding force of heaven and earth vaguely descended before quickly fading away.
A mortal might not be bound by such oaths, but an immortal cultivator, lacking special means, would find it fundamentally impossible to break them without facing unimaginable consequences.
Seeing this, Xu Chuan gave a slight nod. "Step into the array, all of you."
The group complied, stepping into the core area of the teleportation array.
Unable to mask his excitement, Xu Chongfei muttered, "We are finally returning to the ancestral land!"
Chen Yulian, however, furrowed her delicate brows and asked softly, "Husband, where is our Xu Family's ancestral land? Is it still in the Northwest Region?"
"I do not know either."
Xu Chongfei replied with a smile, "I was born in the Azure Dragon Prefecture and raised in the Azure Dragon Prefecture. Today is my first time returning as well.
"However, my parents once told me that our Xu Family is also one of the most powerful clans in the ancestral land."
"It seems the Xu Family's ancestral land is filled with experts like clouds."
"It might even exceed your expectations."
Xu Chongfei offered a mysterious smile, choosing not to directly reveal the situation of the Dongxi Xu Clan.
"Then I am truly quite looking forward to it."
Chen Yulian's eyes rippled with anticipation.
The Cloudstream Xu Family was renowned across both the Azure Dragon and Greedy Wolf Prefectures, and now they even held the reins of power in the Azure Dragon Prefecture.
Several members of the Xu Family were top-tier prodigies!
What kind of magnificent sight would the Xu Family's ancestral land be?!
Hearing this conversation, Mei Yun also felt a surge of curiosity in his heart.
Xu Mingxian's fingers flew rapidly, forming one exquisite array seal after another, adjusting the teleportation distance and direction.
After all, a teleportation array had not yet been established on the other end.
Otherwise, it would not be this troublesome; they could have simply activated the teleportation array directly.
The runes on the black stone steles flickered and flowed, causing the spatial fluctuations to tremble slightly.
A moment later, he nodded at Xu Chuan. "Father, the coordinates are set, and the distance is calibrated. We can teleport at any time."
Xu Chuan stood before the crowd, his robes fluttering without any wind. "Begin the teleportation."
"Activate!"
Xu Mingxian let out a low shout, pouring vast amounts of mana into the teleportation array.
The entire teleportation array suddenly erupted with a brilliant yet non-blinding incandescent light, completely swallowing everyone within the formation!
An intense spatial tearing sensation washed over them as the light and shadows twisted and morphed before their eyes.
By the time the light dissipated and the feeling of solid ground returned beneath their feet, the surrounding scenery had drastically changed.
Before them lay a vast, sprawling wasteland.
The sky was a pale expanse, and the soil was barren, dotted sparsely with drought-resistant thorny shrubs.
The most prominent change was the spiritual qi of heaven and earth. It had become extremely thin and impure, nowhere near as abundant and pure as in the Azure Dragon Prefecture.
"The spiritual qi here... is incredibly thin."
Chen Yulian could not help but frown slightly, murmuring to herself.
Mei Yun felt the same way; even the circulation of mana within his body seemed a bit sluggish.
Xu Chuan, Xu Mingxian, Ye Fan, and the others, however, kept normal expressions, unsurprised by this environment.
Xu Chuan's Nascent Soul level divine sense quietly unfurled, instantly covering a radius of nearly one hundred kilometers.
He quickly locked onto his target.
About seventy-five kilometers to the northwest, there lay a vast forest with noticeably vibrant vitality, enveloped by a semi-transparent light screen flowing with ancient runes.
"Everyone, come with me."
After saying this, Xu Chuan was the first to take to the air, flying toward the northwest.
The others hurriedly followed.
Fifteen minutes later, the forest shrouded by the grand array was right before their eyes.
Ancient trees towered into the sky in lush abundance. It formed a stark contrast with the surrounding wasteland, resembling a giant emerald embedded in a yellowish-brown canvas.
"Finally... we are back."
Xu Chuan hovered in the air, gazing down at the familiar silhouette of the forest, and let out a soft sigh.
The faces of Xu Mingxian, Ye Fan, Xu Deling, and Xu Deyue also involuntarily revealed expressions woven with nostalgia and deep emotion.
"Honored Master, the forest ahead appears to be enveloped by an extremely formidable grand array."
Mei Yun's perception was sharp, and he spoke up to warn him.
"Your master knows."
Xu Chuan gave a slight nod. His gaze landed on an exceptionally tall ancient tree at the edge of the forest, its branches twisted and knotted like dragons.
As if sensing their arrival, the surface of the ancient tree's trunk suddenly glowed with a soft green light.
The motes of light converged, quickly coalescing into a blurry human figure that transitioned from ethereal to solid.
It was the phantom image of an old man dressed in a plain green robe.
He possessed a gaunt, austere face and eyes as deep as ancient wells.
His entire being radiated a natural aura that felt entirely at one with the surrounding forest.
Looking at this phantom image, a faint smile graced Xu Chuan's lips as he spoke softly, "Senior Tree King, it has been a long time."
"A little over thirty years is but the snap of a finger to this old man."
"However, you all have truly given this old man a pleasant surprise."
Among those present, only Xu Chuan sensed the Tree King's divine sense.
It was indeed at the Nascent Soul level.
Furthermore, it was stronger than his own Nascent Soul divine sense.
At least at the peak of the mid-stage.
This indicated that the Tree King's strength was at the mid-stage of the fourth tier. Within the domain of the Azure Sea Forest, he could even rival a late-stage fourth-tier shapeshifting great demon!
He truly was an old monster!
To think he used to pretend to be at the late-stage of the third tier.
His disguise was completely blown!
Xu Chuan did not make any sudden moves, so it was impossible for the Tree King to know that Xu Chuan's divine sense had currently reached the Nascent Soul level.
"However, you must think this through. This area has already been enveloped by a fourth-tier grand array, the Heaven-Sealing Array. It only allows entry, not exit!
"Once you enter, you can only wait for this tribulation to pass before having a chance to leave."
Xu Mingxian stared intently at the Heaven-Sealing Grand Array. Flashes of array patterns glinted in his eyes as he transmitted his voice: "Father, it is indeed a fourth-tier formation, though it should merely be low-grade four-tier."
"Can it be broken?"
"It would be very difficult to completely shatter it. However, if you give me half a month, opening a gap would not be hard. Still, breaking the array at such a critical juncture might alert the demon race!"
"Hmm. We will speak of this later."
Xu Chuan's lips curled up slightly. He said to the Tree King, "The roots of my Xu Family are here. Our return this time is to evacuate our clansmen."
"That makes sense. With your return, the Dongxi Xu Clan will no longer be an ordinary aristocratic family."
"In this upcoming tribulation, you all should possess some degree of self-preservation."
Under the Tree King's spiritual sense probing, the one with the highest cultivation was Xu Deling at the mid-stage Golden Core, while the rest were at the early-stage Golden Core.
Facing this great tribulation, it could only be said that they had the ability to protect themselves.
After all, he knew what kind of terrifying entities would appear during the great tribulation.
Demonic cultivators at the late-stage Golden Core and Golden Core perfection from the Black Water region, numerous cultivators from Heavenly South, and peak third-tier demonic beasts from the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
Because those demonic beasts all possessed powerful ancient bloodlines, they were far stronger than ordinary Golden Core completion stage cultivators!
They could rival True Lords at the Golden Core perfection who possessed divine abilities, perhaps even True Lords with divine ability perfection!
As for fourth-tier great demons and early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, they would not participate in this great tribulation, but they would definitely enter the Ancient Battlefield once the tribulation passed.
"Since you have made up your minds, this old man will not stop you."
"Many thanks, Tree King," Xu Chuan said, cupping his fists.
The others quickly followed suit.
The phantom figure then merged back into the tree trunk and vanished from sight.
Throughout the entirety of the Azure Sea Forest, every single tree acted as his limbs and eyes.
"Let's go. We enter!"
Xu Chuan took the lead, charging into the Heaven-Sealing Grand Array. Following closely were Xu Mingxian, Xu Deling, Ye Fan, and Xu Deyue, and finally, Xu Chongfei and the others brought up the rear.
The group made their way in the direction of Dongxi.
Along the way, with a subtle shift in his thoughts, Xu Chuan split off a wisp of his divine sense and sank it into the Xu Clan's Grotto-heaven.
He proceeded to pull his eldest son, Xu Mingwei, inside as well.
Within the Xu Clan's Grotto-heaven.
"Father." The divine sense phantom of Xu Mingwei cupped his fists and bowed to Xu Chuan.
"We will arrive at Dongxi within two hours."
"What?!"
Xu Mingwei first froze in place as if he had misheard. In the next moment, unbelievable ecstasy blossomed on his face, causing even his ethereal body to tremble slightly from sheer excitement.
"Father! You... you have all already returned?! Where are you now?!"
"We are currently in the Azure Sea Forest."
Xu Chuan smiled faintly and instructed, "There is no need to alarm too many people and cause a huge commotion.
"Just notify the few core members.
"Wait for us by the Jade Cold Pool.
"We will quietly slip into Dongxi from the direction of the Broken Fang Mountain Range.
"Once we have settled in, you can officially announce the news that I have 'emerged from seclusion.'"
"Yes! Father! Your son will see to it right away!"
Xu Mingwei forcefully suppressed the surging excitement in his heart, though his voice still trembled a bit.
His father's return meant far too much!
Not daring to delay, his divine sense phantom immediately withdrew from the Xu Clan's Grotto-heaven.
The core area of the Dongxi Xu Clan.
Xu Mingwei's main body abruptly opened his eyes, a sharp light shooting out from them while immense joy lingered on his face.
He immediately took out a specially crafted communication jade talisman.
He then sent out the news of Xu Chuan's return and their subsequent arrangements.
'Big Brother is looking for me?'
Inside a cultivation quiet room.
Xu Mingyuan was currently comprehending the path of runes.
Feeling the communication jade talisman vibrate, he immediately raised his hand and tapped a sliver of spirit power onto it.
This type of jade talisman was only possessed by the few core members of the Xu Family.
A beam of white light shot out, manifesting a line of text in mid-air.
"Father is about to return. Hurry and wait at the Jade Cold Pool!"
Xu Mingyuan sprang up from his seat. His normally steadfast face was now completely covered in shock and excitement.
His lips parted slightly as he muttered, "Father is coming back so soon?!"
The massive surge of pleasant surprise battered his mind, causing him to temporarily lose his composure.
But he quickly recovered himself.
Taking a deep breath, he forced down his surging emotions.
With a blur of his silhouette, he vanished from where he stood, heading straight toward the Jade Cold Pool.
When Xu Mingxuan received the message, he was also cultivating. Upon reading it, his spiritual qi circulation nearly went haywire.
He stared wide-eyed at the text floating in mid-air, a tangible glint bursting from his pupils.
"Father is returning?!"
"Big Brother isn't tricking me, is he?"
Xu Mingxuan found it somewhat hard to believe.
However, in the very next moment, his body transformed into a streak of light and darted out.
Xu Mingshu, Xu Mingqing, and Xu Dezhao also saw the transmitted message.
Their reactions were largely identical.
They were all shocked at first, then overjoyed. Without any hesitation, they dropped whatever tasks they were handling and rushed toward the Jade Cold Pool at top speed.
This place had originally been where Xu Chuan spent his years cultivating in quiet seclusion.
After his departure, the area had essentially been sealed off.
Even Xu Mingwei and the others rarely visited.
Dense mists drifted by the shores of the Jade Cold Pool, exuding a chilling cold qi.
In just a few minutes.
The five brothers—including Xu Mingyuan, Xu Mingxuan, and Xu Mingwei—along with Xu Dezhao all gathered there.
"Father, Second Uncle, Third Uncle, Aunt, Sixth Uncle."
Xu Dezhao greeted them one by one.
By now, everyone present could scarcely hide their excitement and anticipation.
"Big Brother, was your message from just now true?"
"Father, Mingxian, and the others... are they finally coming back?!"
Xu Mingxuan couldn't resist confirming it once more.
"Why would I lie to you?" Xu Mingwei offered a warm smile before sweeping his gaze over the rest. "Just moments ago, Father personally informed me through the Grotto-heaven."
Xu Mingxuan exhaled a long breath. "Good thing it isn't a dream."
"Why didn't Father invite us all into the Grotto-heaven together? Why did he only seek you out, Big Brother?" Xu Mingshu said with a hint of jealousy.
"Mingshu, stop being sour," Xu Mingyuan said with a chuckle. "If you could break through to the Golden Core on your own, Father would surely regard you highly as well."
Hearing this, Xu Mingshu could not help but sigh. "The Golden Core is far too difficult."
"With True Spirit Root Aptitude in this kind of spiritual qi environment, there is barely any hope of pushing for Foundation Establishment on your own, let alone the Golden Core.
"I'll just honestly wait for Father to carry me up."
Xu Mingxuan sighed ruefully and added, "Father has been gone for over thirty years.
"Even we are already a hundred years old, and our descendants have spanned several generations.
"No, wait. Old Sixth is still relatively young, and his children are all still small."
"Third Brother, are you trying to mock me for marrying late?" Xu Mingqing replied with a smile.
"That wasn't my intention. I was purely lamenting how fast time flies."
Xu Mingxuan offered a teasing smile. "Father, Mingxian, and the others have all formed their Golden Cores. Second Brother, it should be our turn next, right?"
Xu Mingyuan replied, "Don't drag me into this. I'm preparing for Divine Ability Core Formation. By condensing a Divine Ability Seed through the path of runes, it will be a massive help in my subsequent comprehension of the Talisman Dao."
"Third Brother, I'm sorry to say, but your younger brother is also just one step away from Divine Ability Core Formation," Xu Mingqing laughed.
"So it's just me and Mingshu who are the useless ones, huh?" Xu Mingxuan threw his hands up in defeat.
"Hey, Third Brother, don't drag me down with you. Even though I'm no good at comprehending divine abilities, with all my spirit beasts added together, even Big Brother is a notch weaker than me!"
Xu Mingxuan put on a highly exasperated expression. "Fine, fine, fine! Out of our entire generation, I'm the biggest failure!"
The group erupted into roaring laughter.