Above Mirror Lake.
A streak of azure light descended beside Xu Mingxian and Xu Mingshu.
Xu Mingxian and the others were already waiting to the side. Xu Hei and Xu Bai were also present.
"Father," Xu Mingxian and Xu Mingshu bowed with cupped hands.
Xu Chuan gave a slight nod, his gaze turning toward the Tree King's clone.
Seeing Xu Chuan, the Tree King stroked his beard and smiled faintly. "I trust you have been well, Daoist Friend. To break through to the Mid-stage Golden Core in just over half a year is truly worthy of congratulations."
"Congratulations, Father," Xu Mingxian and Xu Mingshu said, their faces lighting up with joy as they cupped their fists in a smiling salute.
Xu Chuan replied, "Thank you for your concern, Senior. I was already at a bottleneck in my cultivation realm last time. Through secluded cultivation within the clan, I was fortunate enough to break through.
By the way, may I ask why Senior has summoned us?"
"The matter was a success, but unfortunately, its current situation is rather special. I have already settled it in a certain location, and it cannot be moved for the time being.
I have given it a name—Xu Huai.
It is now a member of my Xu Family.
If you do not believe me, here is proof for Senior to inspect."
Saying this, Xu Chuan took out a single leaf and presented it to the Tree King's clone.
The Tree King frowned slightly. He had initially felt somewhat displeased upon hearing that the sprout had been taken into the Xu Family, but when he sensed the aura emanating from the leaf, his pupils abruptly shrank.
Connate Dao Rhyme?!
This was not a Dao Rhyme that could be produced just by absorbing ordinary Connate Spirit Objects.
It had to be true connate good fortune!
To think the Xu Family was actually willing to bestow such an opportunity upon it!
The Tree King was shocked. He could confirm that the aura on this leaf indeed belonged to his descendant, yet it had now transcended the realm of ordinary Spirit Wood.
Although incomplete, he was certain that his descendant was mutating toward becoming a connate Spirit Wood.
Spirit Wood born of connate origins was incredibly rare even during the Ancient Era.
Even in a Connate Secret Realm, which would birth a massive amount of Connate Spirit Objects and even connate qi every time it opened, the appearance of a true connate Spirit Wood was almost impossible.
Let alone a connate Spirit Wood that had developed sentience.
'With such good fortune, Little Huai's future achievements will far surpass my own. Perhaps being bound to the Xu Family is not a bad thing after all.'
'Unfortunately, the connate good fortune is still too scarce to support his complete transformation. However, his current grade is already far beyond that of ordinary Spirit Wood.'
"Senior, is there a problem?" Xu Chuan asked, seeing that the Tree King had been silent for a while.
The Tree King's clone shook his head. "It is indeed my descendant. You have nurtured him well, far beyond my expectations. He even has a one-in-ten-thousand chance of transforming into a connate Spirit Wood."
"A connate Spirit Wood?"
"You did not know?" The Tree King was taken aback.
"Changes have indeed occurred in Little Huai that even I cannot explain. I ask Senior to enlighten me."
The Tree King's clone stroked his beard and explained, "The leaf you brought me possesses Connate Dao Rhyme, though it is extremely obscure.
Unless they are of my kind, cultivators like you would need to be at least at the Mid-Stage Nascent Soul to even detect it.
Connate Spirit Wood is also a connate object, but because it possesses life, it is extraordinarily rare.
Of course, when I refer to life, I do not mean it possesses sentience.
It is just like an ordinary tree.
It is incredibly difficult for Spirit Wood like us to develop sentience, let alone a connate Spirit Wood.
I do not know if you have ever heard of the Profound Heaven Immortal Vine or the Profound Heaven Immortal Tree, but they are forms of connate Spirit Wood, and highly unique ones at that.
Even if it is not the dawn of the Ancient Era, they can still appear randomly."
Xu Chuan's eyes widened in astonishment. "Senior, are you saying that Little Huai has a chance to become a Profound Heaven Immortal Tree?"
"It is highly improbable. Fellow Daoist Xu, you should not get your hopes up. It does not even have a one-in-ten-thousand chance of becoming a regular connate Spirit Wood, let alone a Profound Heaven Immortal Tree.
Unless you transplant it into a newly birthed realm.
Only under the baptism of the laws of Heaven and Earth and connate qi would it have a chance of succeeding.
But how could that be possible?"
Xu Chuan was utterly stunned.
Wasn't the Xu Clan's Grotto-heaven a newly birthed realm? Moreover, it was a growing grotto-heaven, meaning every expansion was equivalent to a connate baptism!
'No wonder Xu Huai looks increasingly miraculous!'
'If he can become a Profound Heaven Immortal Tree, wouldn't there be a chance to birth a Profound Heaven Treasure?! And a Profound Heaven Treasure born from a sentient Profound Heaven Immortal Tree at that!'
Xu Chuan was ecstatic in his heart, but he did not show the slightest hint of it on his face.
"Furthermore, even if you did succeed, you would never live to see the day he fully matures. The growth cycle of a connate Spirit Wood like the Profound Heaven Immortal Tree is measured in millennia.
For it to reach full maturity, it would take at least two to three hundred thousand years.
Some even require a million years."
"A million years?!" Xu Mingshu could not help but exclaim in shock upon hearing this.
Xu Mingxian, on the other hand, kept his gaze withdrawn, his thoughts unreadable.
Xu Chuan forced a bitter smile. "It seems this one was thinking too much. Such a Spirit Wood is not something an ordinary person can control."
"It is good that you understand, Fellow Daoist Xu. This matter cannot be forced." The Tree King's clone continued, "As for our previous transaction, we are now even.
However, since Xu Huai is now a member of your Xu Family...
I will naturally still look after the Tiger King and the Flood Dragon King. I only hope that you, Daoist Friend, will nurture Xu Huai well.
With the Connate Dao Rhyme he currently possesses, he is comparable to the connate spirit bodies of your human race or the true spirit bloodlines of the Demon Race. In the future, he has a chance to break through to the Soul Formation Stage.
If he succeeds, it will be a great boon to your Xu Family as well."
"I understand. Since he is a member of my Xu Family, this one will not abandon him. He will be nurtured as a Core Clan Member of the Xu Family."
"Thank you. The Great Tribulation is not far off; it is already close at hand. Your Xu Family must be careful."
"Senior, I have one more matter to ask about. Regarding the Ancient Battlefield, have you ever entered it?"
"You know of it?"
"I heard about it from a senior of my human race."
The eyes of the Tree King's clone rippled slightly as he said, "The various factions currently have an agreement that only cultivators below the Mid-Stage Nascent Soul can enter the Ancient Battlefield.
But if a major opportunity were to appear inside, those at the Mid-Stage Nascent Soul and the Grand Cultivators would naturally be unable to sit still."
"How does one enter the Ancient Battlefield?"
"The Great Tribulation generally lasts for a month. A month later, a celestial phenomenon will appear in the sky above the Land of Imprisonment. It is an inverted mirage of the Ancient Battlefield. Charging into it will take you there.
The Ancient Battlefield will remain open for three months.
Three months outside is equivalent to three years inside.
After three months, everyone will be forcibly expelled."
Pausing for a moment, the Tree King added, "However, do not imagine the Ancient Battlefield to be some wonderful place. It is absolutely the greatest peril zone in the entire Heavenly South!
It has birthed countless ferocious Ghostly Creatures, bizarre Demonic Beasts, and demonic entities.
The most numerous among them are monsters called Chi. They only possess strength equivalent to the Early-Stage Golden Core, yet they are incredibly difficult to kill.
They can only be harmed through the use of Divine Abilities.
Attacks from Magic Treasures cannot deal true damage to them.
Most of the time, they appear in hordes.
If you wish to enter, you must think twice before acting."
"Can those Ghostly Creatures and monsters be harmed by Spiritual Sense Attacks?"
"Not the Chi. They possess almost no sentience and rely purely on instinct. Most of the others can be affected, but keep in mind that many Ghostly Creatures inside are highly adept at soul attacks."
"Thank you for clarifying, Senior. Do you have any more detailed information regarding the creatures within the Ancient Battlefield?"
"It seems you have made up your mind to enter?"
"Yes."
"Very well. I shall tell you everything I know, including some of the most perilous environments and danger zones within the Ancient Battlefield.
Of course, that is merely a fraction of what lies within."
"Thank you, Senior."
Xu Chuan, Xu Mingxian, and Xu Mingshu all cupped their hands in a respectful bow.
Using his divine sense to transmit his thoughts, the Tree King's clone imparted all he knew to Xu Chuan.
"Fellow Daoist Xu, the Ancient Battlefield holds great secrets. Some things may look like opportunities, but they are actually deadly traps. Do not let greed cloud your vision."
"I understand."
Knowing that was all that needed to be said, the Tree King gave a slight nod.
In an instant, his figure transformed into countless motes of green light and dissipated into the air.
"Let's go. It is time for us to return."
"Yes, Father," Xu Mingxian and Xu Mingshu acknowledged, cupping their fists.
Xu Chuan then looked at Xu Bai and Xu Hei, offering a faint smile. "I will leave the gateway to the Azure Sea Forest in your hands. Moyue has already broken through and become a Shapeshifting Great Demon.
My Xu Family will also do everything in our power to help you reach this realm."
"Uncle Xu, you can count on me, Xiao Bai! With the pills Master sent, I am confident I can break through to the late stage of the Third-Tier in just over a decade.
No one will be able to snatch the guarding rights of the Cloud Gold Mountain Range from us!"
Xu Chuan chuckled. "If you get the chance to be recruited into the Hundred Thousand Mountains, do not miss it. The deeper our understanding of them, the easier it will be for the Xu Family to attack them in the future.
However, do not let yourselves be corrupted by their sugar-coated traps."
"Don't worry! Even if they offer me a few wives, I would never betray the Xu Family!"
"We are leaving."
Xu Chuan gave a light laugh before departing from the Azure Sea Forest alongside Xu Mingxian and Xu Mingshu.
Xu Bai immediately returned to the Cloud Gold Mountain Range.
Upon returning to the Jade Cold Pool...
Xu Chuan instructed Xu Mingxian, "Rest for two days, then make a trip to the Immortal Martial Alliance Headquarters in Guangling Commandery. Set up a Tier 3 Low-Grade defensive grand array for them."
"Yes, Father," Xu Mingxian nodded without the slightest hesitation.
"Father, we will take our leave then."
Xu Mingshu and Xu Mingxian excused themselves simultaneously.
Two days later.
Xu Mingxian set off for the Immortal Martial Alliance Headquarters.
The Elders of the Immortal Martial Alliance had been eagerly awaiting his arrival.
Due to his aloof nature, Xu Mingxian did not try to get close to them. After a few polite words, he immediately set to work on the task Xu Chuan had assigned him.
If they were in the Heavenly South, it wouldn't even take Xu Mingxian three or four days to set up Tier 3 Formations.
Unfortunately, the Immortal Martial Alliance Headquarters lacked the support of a Spirit Vein, which greatly increased the difficulty of setting up the grand array.
Fortunately, it still only took him a little over ten days.
Escorted respectfully by a group of Immortal Martial Alliance Elders, Xu Mingxian departed.
The very next day.
The Guangling Branch finally returned to Dongxi.
A fleet of Magic Skiffs arrived, ferrying them away.
In less than half a day, the place was completely emptied out.
As for the ownership rights of the abandoned territory, they were temporarily handed over to the Immortal Martial Alliance to manage.
Initially, in order to expand rapidly, they had taken the opportunity to establish the Guangling Branch.
As for the merger...
It had been decided long ago, the moment Xu Chuan learned of the impending Great Tribulation.
In the future, to continue growing and thriving in the Heavenly South, they would establish new branch lineages at the appropriate time.
Their return at this time...
Was not just because the Great Tribulation was drawing near, but also because the Annual Sacrifice was less than two months away.
The Xu Family would be hosting the Clan Competition.
The scale of this event would be unprecedented. Anyone residing in Dongxi was eligible to participate, and it would be divided into two tiers.
Those under one Jiazi in age, and those under Two Jiazi.
The top thirty-two competitors in both tiers would receive bountiful rewards!
On the third day after the Guangling Branch returned...
An indifferent voice echoed across a radius of hundreds of miles.
"From this day forth, the Dongxi Xu Clan is Sealing the Mountain. Anyone who trespasses without reason shall die!"
The voice was condensed and did not dissipate, rippling out into the distance.
In Clear River City, the closest settlement to Dongxi, the hidden spies of various factions were utterly shocked upon hearing the proclamation.
Many of them, along with quite a few Rogue Cultivators, rushed out of Clear River City and hurried to the outskirts of Dongxi to observe from afar.
"Dongxi is gone?" a Qi Refining Rogue Cultivator muttered blankly while hovering on his flying sword.
"You must be joking, Daoist Friend. How could Dongxi just disappear? The way this humble monk sees it, this must be the result of a formation, such as an Illusory Array!"
"I see. But why would the Xu Clan go to such great lengths? Even if they are Sealing the Mountain, there is no need to completely obscure their very existence, right?"
"That, I do not know."
News of the Dongxi Xu Clan Sealing the Mountain spread rapidly.
In just a few short days, it reached Great Wei, Great Liang, and Great Jin, making its way to the ears of those Golden Core Cultivators.
Naturally, they instantly guessed the Xu Family's reasoning for doing so.
However, they merely sneered in derision and paid it no further mind.
Because they knew playing such tricks was useless. A Tier 3 Low-Grade Illusory Array under the divine sense of Mid-to-Late Stage Golden Core Cultivators...
Could easily be seen through with a casual sweep.
To truly survive the Great Tribulation, they had to hold out for over a month.
It could only be said that the ignorant were always short-sighted.
They never could have imagined that the formation Xu Mingxian had set up was actually a Tier 3 High-Grade composite grand array.
Unless one actively trespassed into the formation, even someone at Golden Core Perfection might not detect it relying solely on Spiritual Sense Probing.
Some tried to trespass into Dongxi, wanting to investigate what was going on.
But they never came back out.
Not even their corpses remained.
This outcome made it even more terrifying.
After this happened several times in succession, no one dared to test the Dongxi Xu Clan ever again.
Meanwhile, inside Dongxi...
Because the Annual Sacrifice was fast approaching, the matter of the Xu Clan Competition had become the talk of the town, stirring up a lively clamor.
The details of the Clan Competition were posted everywhere on bulletin boards.
Every household in Dongxi was fully informed, and the entire clan was buzzing with excitement.
In a certain courtyard within the Xu Clan Main Estate, the faint hum of a sword could be heard.
Xu Chongjian gently stroked the ancient sword resting in his lap, the War Intent in his eyes blazing like a roaring fire fueled by boiling oil.
"The Youth Tournament... It looks like I will finally be able to go all out in a match against Brother Fei this time."
He muttered to himself, the sword qi surrounding his body drawn but unreleased, yet it was already enough to cause the temperature in the Quiet Room to plummet.
After acquiring the fragmented pages of the Sword Scripture from the Lei Family, Xu Chuan had handed them over to Xu Chongjian for him to comprehend.
To Xu Chongjian, it was like finding a priceless treasure.
This Sword Scripture seemed to illuminate the path of the Sword Dao for him.
In just over half a month, his progress in the Sword Dao had advanced by leaps and bounds.
"There is still a month and a half left. Perhaps I will be able to comprehend a sliver of the Sword Dao True Intent... No, I definitely will!"
"Without this Sword Dao True Intent, I will still suffer defeat at Brother Fei's hands."
Last time, he had lost before even getting to fully witness Xu Chongfei's Divine Ability.
The True Intent of a Divine Ability could only be rivaled by another True Intent of a Divine Ability!
Meanwhile, on the other side...
Xu Chongfei was currently boasting in front of Xu Deyue and Ye Fan. "Dad, Mom, rest assured! Your son will definitely bring home the championship in this Youth Tournament!"
His youthful vigor and sharp competitive edge were on full display.
"Stop acting so cocky!" Ye Fan scolded with a laugh. "It's not as if you have no rivals in the Xu Family. Although Wenjing's path in the Dual Cultivation of Dharma and Body still lacks a bit of polish, and he hasn't reached the second tier in body refinement...
Through bitter physical conditioning over the past few months, his Physique is now in no way inferior to that of any peak first-tier Demonic Beast, and his physical strength is shockingly immense.
Furthermore, he achieved Foundation Establishment Perfection not too long ago.
It will not be easy for you to defeat him."
"Since you think so highly of him, Father, then I just have to defeat him to prove you wrong!" Xu Chongfei retorted indignantly.
Xu Deyue shook her head with a soft smile. She knew Ye Fan was just spurring Xu Chongfei on, but she made no move to stop him.
Though the Xu Family was deeply united, internal competition was still essential.
This was the only way to maintain the clan's vitality.
She then looked over at Chen Yulian, who was standing nearby, and said, "Yulian, you should participate as well. See how our Xu Clan Competition compares to the Chen clan's competition."
"Yes, Mother. Your daughter-in-law understands."