193: Place

“Patriarch, Elder Beihai has returned.”

“Oh?”

“Please, quickly!”

Inside the Zhou Family Great Hall.

Zhou Licheng had just finished discussing the establishment of the War Hall with Zhou Xiukang and Zhou Xiuyun.

He instructed Zhou Xiukang and Zhou Xiuyun to arrange the subsequent Awakening Rituals for the Zhou Family Disciples who lacked talent.

After the two withdrew.

Zhou Licheng had just sat down, picked up his teacup, and was about to rest for a moment, when a Disciple of the Affairs Hall entered to report.

Zhou Licheng's eyes lit up, and he didn't even have time to drink the tea in his hand before he hurriedly stood up, placing the teacup on the table.

He then gave instructions to the Disciple of the Affairs Hall.

The Disciple of the Affairs Hall left to carry out the order.

Zhou Licheng paced back and forth.

Not long after.

A middle-aged man, dressed in a crimson spirit robe with simple embellishments and a snake-patterned token at his waist, strode in.

This middle-aged man had distinct facial features, gentle eyes, a smile on his lips, and a dignified appearance.

He was none other than Beihai, the Deputy Head of the Zhou Family's Dao Protection Hall and a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Since his Breakthrough to the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment.

Beihai had grown even younger, exuding the demeanor of a handsome and elegant middle-aged man.

“Patriarch.”

Elder Beihai walked in, saluted Zhou Licheng, his voice calm and gentle, and Zhou Licheng quickly went to greet him.

“Elder Beihai, please, quickly take a seat.”

Zhou Licheng gestured, leading Elder Beihai to the sandalwood table at the head, and the two sat on opposite sides.

“Someone, bring tea.”

Zhou Licheng instructed the Disciple waiting outside.

Upon hearing the command.

The attending Disciple was already prepared, and two steaming cups of spirit tea were placed before them.

“Elder Beihai, please.”

Elder Beihai returned the salute with a smile, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

“Good tea.”

Elder Beihai's eyes lit up.

Zhou Licheng was slightly pleased; this was new spirit tea collected by the family. He then also picked up his teacup and took a sip.

“Patriarch, things are looking promising.”

Elder Beihai took another light sip, then put down his teacup and said.

Zhou Licheng gestured, indicating for Elder Beihai to continue.

After the Jiang Family Patriarch visited last time, he presented a map of Yingyang Commandery.

Under Mo Xuan's instructions.

Zhou Licheng had sent Elder Beihai with Disciples of the Dao Protection Hall to Yingyang Commandery to investigate the situation and see if there was a suitable place for the current Zhou Family to establish its base.

“The various forces in Yingyang Commandery have received the news from the Jiang Family.”

“Among them, Foundation Establishment Cultivator and Qi Refining Cultivator forces and Cultivators haven't had any particular reaction, some even seem quite pleased.”

“They must have heard of our clan's reputation.”

“This is all thanks to the Patriarch's excellent governance of the family.”

Elder Beihai slowly explained.

“Only Longevity Valley, the Jinhe Zhang Family, and the Mountain River Sect, these three forces with Golden Core True Persons presiding over them, show a hint of unease.”

“Haha~”

Zhou Licheng chuckled and nodded, not surprised.

Waking up one morning to such a massive change.

The Zhou Family's forceful arrival, especially to find territory, naturally made them fear that the Zhou Family would covet their own land.

At that time, they would have to choose between enduring humiliation and retreating, or stubbornly resisting.

“I have visited all three of these families, and in terms of Spiritual Qi richness, they are not much different from our clan.”

Elder Beihai continued.

“There is one place, though, that should meet our clan's needs, but it's a bit troublesome.”

As Elder Beihai spoke, he took out a map from his Storage Pouch and spread it flat on the sandalwood table.

On it, there were not only the mountains, terrain, and clan forces of Yingyang Commandery, but also many markings.

This was a compilation of information Elder Beihai had gathered through his own investigations and those of the Disciples of the Dao Protection Hall.

One area was heavily circled.

“Ten Thousand Poisons Marsh...”

Zhou Licheng murmured aloud.

“What is special about this place?”

After looking over the entire map, his gaze returned to the circled area, and Zhou Licheng asked Elder Beihai.

“The concentration of Spiritual Qi in this Ten Thousand Poisons Marsh is significantly stronger than in our clan, but it is filled with various poisonous miasmas.”

“Not to mention ordinary Qi Refining Cultivators, even I cannot stay there for long.”

Elder Beihai explained.

“Furthermore, it contains all sorts of poisonous herbs, insects, and beasts, with dangers everywhere. Normally, only Cultivators from Longevity Valley, for rare medicinal ingredients, issue decrees, which then prompts Cultivators to venture inside to explore.”

“There is also a rumor that a Golden Core Realm Five-Colored Heavenly Scorpion resides within this Ten Thousand Poisons Marsh.”

“But its veracity is unknown.”

After Elder Beihai finished speaking, he picked up his teacup and took a sip.

Zhou Licheng listened to Elder Beihai's words without speaking, until Elder Beihai finished.

He took the marked map in his hand and examined it carefully.

Indeed, only this Ten Thousand Poisons Marsh could meet his Uncle Xuan's needs.

“This should be the place chosen by the Jiang Family.”

Zhou Licheng pondered in his heart.

The Jiang Family choosing Yingyang Commandery was certainly not without purpose.

“Let's go, follow me to see Old Ancestor.”

Zhou Licheng stood up and invited Elder Beihai.

Elder Beihai's heart tightened, his expression became solemn, and after tidying himself up slightly, he nodded.

The two left the Great Hall and headed straight for Feiyue Peak Summit.

At the summit.

“Uncle Xuan.”

“Old Ancestor.”

Zhou Licheng and Elder Beihai arrived beneath the giant tree, bowed, and spoke.

Mo Xuan awoke, slowly poking his head out.

“What is it?”

A low voice sounded.

“This is the situation Elder Beihai has investigated.”

Zhou Licheng tossed the map in his hand into the air, opening it.

Then, he gestured to Elder Beihai.

Elder Beihai nodded slightly, taking a step forward.

He briefly organized the information he had just told Zhou Licheng and recounted it unhurriedly.

A moment later.

“Poisonous miasma, Five-Colored Heavenly Scorpion...”

Mo Xuan nodded, and with a thought.

An azure blue pearl, adorned with faint white cloud-like patterns, appeared before the two, emitting a soft treasure light. Even with its power restrained, it still caused Zhou Licheng and Elder Beihai's magical power to surge involuntarily.

The precious bead floated down, coming before Elder Beihai.

“You, take my precious bead to the Ten Thousand Poisons Marsh. When you arrive, you only need to summon the precious bead.”

Mo Xuan instructed Elder Beihai.

“Yes, Old Ancestor.”

Elder Beihai was excited in his heart, and quickly bowed respectfully, holding the precious bead in his hands.

Mo Xuan nodded, then retracted back into the giant tree.

Zhou Licheng and Elder Beihai, carefully holding the precious bead, descended from the Feiyue Peak Summit.

Within the Zhou Family.

“Patriarch, there's no time to lose, so I shall depart immediately.”

Elder Beihai bowed to Zhou Licheng.

Zhou Licheng returned the bow, not saying much.

With the Old Ancestor's precious bead in hand, there was naturally no need to worry.

Elder Beihai held the precious bead lightly in his left hand.

With a wave of his right hand, a giant, earth-yellow sword, the size of a door panel, appeared.

Looking at this giant sword, which he used to love immensely.

He then respectfully glanced at the precious bead he held in his left hand.

Elder Beihai inexplicably felt a slight disdain for the giant sword.

“This isn't my fault, a fourth-tier Magic Treasure...”

Elder Beihai muttered to himself, seemingly communicating with the door-panel-sized giant sword before him.

Without further thought, Elder Beihai's body flickered, and he stood steadily on the giant sword.

He formed a hand seal, and magical power surged out.

“Go, Giant Earth Sword!”

Elder Beihai silently chanted in his heart.

The earth-yellow giant sword trembled as it flew up, heading in the direction of Yingyang Commandery.

In the sky.

A streak of earth-yellow light flashed, not moving quickly.

A faint, yet incredibly powerful Aura emanated from the earth-yellow light.

“Hiss~”

“Which esteemed expert is this?”

Below, in the air, Qi Refining Cultivators and Foundation Establishment Cultivators who encountered it were all greatly shaken, frantically getting out of its way.

On the trembling earth-yellow giant sword.

Elder Beihai held the precious bead in one hand, and his other hand was clasped behind his back.

His crimson robe fluttered in the wind, a smile on his lips.

He truly looked like an Immortal Master who had attained the Dao.

“Even with one hand behind my back, who in this world can oppose me?”

Elder Beihai was full of vigor and confidence.