404: Chapter 403 The Wu Family

"First, immediately dispatch those in the clan who are eloquent and well-connected, carrying heavy gold and generous gifts, to rush to the Heavenly Sword Sect and the major top Sects in the Southern Region to personally plead for protection. Even if we can only obtain a shred of Sect favor, it might be enough to deter that Golden Core Cultivator and secure a chance of survival for our Wu Family."

"Second, secretly select young descendants and core Bloodline Disciples within the clan who have outstanding talent and the best Foundation, prepare resources, and arrange for elite confidants to secretly escort them away from the Family to hide and cultivate in other lands. No matter what the final outcome of the Wu Family is, we must preserve the Legacy fire of the Wu Family and ensure our Bloodline remains unbroken."

"Third, secretly mobilize all the savings and treasures of the Wu Family, send people to secretly search everywhere for Loose Cultivator Golden Core Cultivators, offer them extremely generous gifts, make heavy promises, and plead for these experts to take action, mediate and resolve the grievance, or directly counter that Golden Core Cultivator who is causing trouble."

Once these three strategies were set in motion, both offense, defense, and retreat paths were prepared. There was a method for survival, a fallback plan, and a move to break the deadlock, instantly revitalizing what was originally a hopeless situation.

Upon hearing this, the people in the main hall had their eyes light up, the previous panic and confusion dissipated for the most part, and their hearts instantly settled.

Compared to a single, extreme countermeasure, implementing all three strategies in parallel was undoubtedly the most stable and comprehensive choice at the moment.

On the main seat, the gloom in Wu Feng's eyes was swept away, his tightly knitted brows slowly relaxed, and he nodded repeatedly, deeply approving in his heart.

"Grand Elder, this plan is comprehensive and marvelous, covering every aspect. It is the only optimal solution for our Wu Family right now!"

He no longer hesitated and immediately gave orders in a deep voice, entrusting full authority: "This matter concerns the survival of the entire clan, so I will leave it to the Grand Elder to fully coordinate and dispatch. Quickly arrange the personnel to execute the three strategies separately, and do not delay even a bit!"

"This old man accepts the order!" The Grand Elder bowed and accepted the order, not daring to hesitate. He turned and walked quickly out of the discussion hall, immediately setting about deploying the clansmen and assigning tasks.

The clansmen inside the hall also dispersed to attend to their respective duties. The originally chaotic and desperate Wu Family finally found a glimmer of survival in this desperate situation, and everyone from top to bottom began to busy themselves.

But just shortly after the Grand Elder left, rapid footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall. A guard rushed into the main hall and bowed to report: "Family Head! There is a Heavenly Sword Sect Cultivator at the door, claiming to be an old acquaintance of Senior Brother Wu Yong, who has come specifically to pay a visit!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Feng's heart stirred slightly, and a glimmer of expectation flashed in his eyes.

Now that the Wu Family was at a critical juncture of life and death, a Heavenly Sword Sect Cultivator visiting was undoubtedly an unexpected joy. Perhaps this was a noble person Senior Brother Wu Yong had met outside, who might be able to provide assistance to resolve the Wu Family's crisis.

He dared not delay, hurriedly stood up, and personally walked quickly towards the mansion gate to welcome them.

But when he walked out of the mansion gate and saw the figure standing outside, the eager smile on his face instantly froze, and the expectation and excitement in his eyes completely faded away.

Standing in front of the gate was a young man, whose Spiritual Qi fluctuations were weak, his Realm clearly exposed, being only at the Foundation Establishment cultivation level.

The threat the Wu Family currently faced was an extermination threat from a Golden Core powerhouse. The arrival of one Foundation Establishment Cultivator was completely powerless to reverse any situation; never mind contending against a Golden Core expert, he didn't even have the qualifications to intervene.

In an instant, the anticipation in Wu Feng's heart completely fell through, his full joy turned entirely to indifference, and even carried a hint of disappointment.

But the other party was, after all, a Disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect and an old acquaintance of his son, Senior Brother Wu Yong, so etiquette could not be abandoned.

Even though he held no hope in his heart, he still suppressed the desolation in his eyes, maintained the dignity of a Family Head, and politely raised his hand in a gesture of invitation.

"Fellow Daoist, you have come from afar, it has been hard on you. Please follow me into the mansion for a chat." After saying this, Wu Feng brought Qin Changsheng into the Wu Family mansion with a somewhat perfunctory attitude, already not regarding this so-called old acquaintance as any hope for salvation in his heart.

Not long after, Wu Feng brought Qin Changsheng into the living room.

The entire hall was elegant and orderly, with simple and ancient furnishings, yet it lacked any warm or welcoming atmosphere.

Wu Feng raised his hand to signal a servant to serve tea. Before long, a maid brought two cups of clear tea and placed them gently on the table. The tea was clear, the fragrance faint, which fulfilled the basic etiquette of hospitality.

However, from beginning to end, Wu Feng's attitude was extremely indifferent, without a shred of warmth.

His posture was straight, his expression distant, and his eyes had no ripples; it was entirely the polite attitude of dealing with a stranger, not taking this Foundation Establishment Cultivator who claimed to be Senior Brother Wu Yong's friend to heart at all.

Qin Changsheng took all of this in, and there was not a shred of surprise or displeasure in his heart.

At this moment, he only revealed Foundation Establishment cultivation, his aura was ordinary, with nothing outstanding.

The Wu Family was in a life-and-death crisis of extermination by a Golden Core, and Wu Feng was full of anxiety and despair, so naturally, it was impossible for him to have expectations or treat a seemingly ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator with enthusiasm.

He deliberately concealed his true Golden Core Foundation and supreme combat power in order to act low-key and wait for the right moment, so he did not mind Wu Feng's cold attitude at all.

The hall was quiet for a moment, and Wu Feng was the first to speak, his tone indifferent, with a somewhat casual inquiry: "Is Fellow Daoist the good friend my son, Senior Brother Wu Yong, met in the Sect?"

Qin Changsheng nodded slightly, his expression calm, and replied in a peaceful tone: "That is correct. I cultivated with Senior Brother Wu Yong in the Heavenly Sword Sect, and we were quite close, so we can be considered old friends."

Wu Feng gave a soft "Mm" and did not show any reaction.

After all, his son, Senior Brother Wu Yong, had long since died in battle before the Zhenyao Pass.

Just at this moment, a burst of rapid footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall. A Wu Family guard rushed into the living room, his expression full of wild joy, and he bowed to report excitedly: "Family Head! Great joy! The Grand Elder has brought Old Ancestor Zhang!"

"Old Ancestor Zhang?!" Hearing these three words, Wu Feng, who had originally been indifferent and calm, suddenly shuddered. The aloofness and indifference on his face instantly faded, replaced by extreme surprise and excitement, and his eyes instantly lit up with immense radiance.

This Old Ancestor Zhang was a renowned powerhouse in the nearby territory. Three years ago, he successfully broke through the shackles and achieved the Golden Core Dao, being one of the few Loose Cultivator Golden Core powerhouses in the surrounding area.

He usually lived in seclusion to cultivate, rarely concerning himself with worldly trifles, and possessed extremely strong connections and strength.

Currently, the Wu Family was deeply trapped in a deadly situation of extermination, and what they feared most was being crushed by a Golden Core Cultivator. If they could obtain the protection and assistance of this Golden Core Old Ancestor to mediate and resolve the grievance, or to take action and counter that Golden Core Cultivator who was causing trouble, the Wu Family would, in all likelihood, be able to avoid this catastrophe of destruction!

Finding a glimmer of survival in a desperate situation, the gloom that had been accumulating in Wu Feng's heart for many days was swept away. He could no longer sit still, stood up abruptly, his expression eager and respectful: "Quickly, follow me to welcome him!"

He had no time to spare for Qin Changsheng in the hall; his heart and eyes were entirely on Old Ancestor Zhang who had come to help, and he walked quickly towards the outside.

Qin Changsheng sat in his original seat, his expression calm, quietly watching Wu Feng's hurriedly departing back, his eyes without ripples, silently observing everything.

A moment later, a heavy and steady sound of footsteps approached from afar, accompanied by a vast and mighty Spiritual Qi Pressure that slowly enveloped the entire courtyard.

Wu Feng followed closely beside the Grand Elder, respectfully leading the way, and the group slowly walked into the center of the living room courtyard.

The person in the lead was an old man dressed in embroidered robes, his white hair tied up, his face vigorous, his brows naturally carrying majesty, his posture upright, walking with the stride of a dragon or tiger, with an extraordinary bearing.

His body was surrounded by thick and steady Golden Core Spiritual Qi, and the invisible Pressure spread heavily, causing the surrounding air to stagnate slightly, making people feel awe from the bottom of their hearts.

Behind Old Ancestor Zhang followed several Cultivators with steady auras, all of whom were Personal Disciples he had carefully cultivated. Each of them had not-weak cultivation, condensed auras, and attended by his side, making Old Ancestor Zhang appear even more esteemed in status and towering in might.

Old Ancestor Zhang's gaze swept indifferently across the hall, and it fell at the first moment on Qin Changsheng, who was sitting peacefully in a side seat.

At this moment, all the Wu Family members and servants in the hall were bowing their heads, filled with awe, but only Qin Changsheng sat still, his posture steady, his expression calm. Facing him, a dignified Golden Core Old Ancestor, he actually had no intention of standing up to salute.

Seeing this, a clear trace of dissatisfaction instantly flashed in Old Ancestor Zhang's eyes.

He had cultivated to Golden Core three years ago and presided over one region. Usually, no matter where he went, the surrounding Cultivators and heads of families would all respectfully kneel and humbly salute; never had anyone dared to be so arrogant and rude in front of him.

A mere junior who only revealed Foundation Establishment cultivation dared to sit steadily in his original seat, ignoring his arrival, which immediately made him feel a bit displeased.

His footsteps paused slightly, Old Ancestor Zhang's brows sank slightly, and his tone carried a condescending indifference and questioning: "Who is this person?"

Wu Feng's heart tightened upon hearing this, fearing that Qin Changsheng's rudeness would offend this Golden Core powerhouse. He hurriedly stepped forward, his face full of smiles, and explained hurriedly: "Old Ancestor, please forgive me. This is a fellow Sect member and friend that my son, Senior Brother Wu Yong, met in the Heavenly Sword Sect, who came specifically to visit today."

"A fellow Sect member and friend from the Heavenly Sword Sect?" Upon hearing this, Old Ancestor Zhang just sneered, and a cold snort resounded through the hall, his tone full of contempt and disdain.

"It is just a Foundation Establishment greenhorn. Now that the Wu Family has provoked a Golden Core mortal enemy and the entire Family is in imminent danger, he happens to come here. Is he courting death, running here specifically to die?"

The words were harsh and arrogant, not putting Qin Changsheng in his eyes at all, entirely the posture of an elder looking down upon an ant.

After speaking, Old Ancestor Zhang did not look at Qin Changsheng again. He slightly released his Golden Core Pressure, walked straight forward, and unceremoniously sat down on the Family Head's main seat at the very top of the hall.

That was originally Wu Feng's position, representing the authority of the Wu Family Head, but in front of a Golden Core powerhouse, Wu Feng dared not have the slightest objection, nor did he dare to reveal even half a word of dissatisfaction.

Wu Feng and the Wu Family Grand Elder on the side hurriedly put on full smiles, their postures extremely respectful, repeatedly apologizing, fearing that a stalemate would make Old Ancestor Zhang displeased and delay the Wu Family's life-saving matter.

At the same time, the two hurriedly ordered the servants to remove the previous ordinary clear tea and quickly fetch the top-grade Spiritual Tea treasured by the Wu Family, brewing it themselves and serving it cautiously.

The misty Spiritual Tea fragrance slowly dispersed, and top-grade Spiritual Qi lingered in the hall.

Wu Feng and the Grand Elder stood respectfully to the side, being as sycophantic and respectful as possible, pinning all their hopes on this Golden Core Old Ancestor.

Facing Old Ancestor Zhang's mockery and contempt, Qin Changsheng, sitting in his original seat, remained calm, without anger or annoyance, his eyes without a single ripple, just silently watching this farce before him.

At a glance, he could tell Old Ancestor Zhang's cultivation was merely just First Layer of Golden Core.

Moreover, the mana in his body was not much, and the quality of his Golden Core was the most basic white core.

Such a Golden Core Cultivator, Qin Changsheng could destroy with just a single Spell.

Old Ancestor Zhang held the celadon teacup, took a slow sip, lightly tasted the tea fragrance on the tip of his tongue, his posture lazy and arrogant.

He did not speak for a long time, invisibly making the atmosphere in the hall increasingly tense. Wu Feng and the Wu Family Grand Elder were anxious in their hearts, not daring to urge him, and could only wait quietly.

A moment later, Old Ancestor Zhang slowly put down the teacup, swept his indifferent gaze toward the two, and got straight to the point, his tone carrying an indisputable strength: "There is no need for extra polite words. Let us talk directly about the remuneration for this action."

Hearing this, the Wu Family Grand Elder hurriedly stepped forward, bowed and cupped his hands, his attitude extremely sincere: "Old Ancestor, rest assured, as long as you can take action to protect our Wu Family, resolve this Golden Core death-crisis, and keep our Wu Family safe, our Wu Family is willing to donate half of our Family property, offering it all as the Old Ancestor's remuneration!"

Half the Family property was already the limit of the Wu Family's sincerity, enough to exhaust half of the Family's accumulation, which was the cultivation Foundation saved up over several generations.

However, facing this generous gift, Old Ancestor Zhang's expression did not fluctuate at all. He just raised his teacup again, his eyelids drooping slightly, neither nodding in agreement nor refusing, with a look of indifference.

A deadly silence instantly enveloped the entire scene. The Wu Family Grand Elder's heart sank, instantly understanding that the other party was not satisfied with this remuneration, and hurriedly braced himself to ask in a low voice: "I do not know what remuneration the Old Ancestor finds satisfactory? Our Wu Family will definitely do our best to satisfy you."

Old Ancestor Zhang was silent for two breaths, then indifferently spat out two words, his tone cold and overbearing: "Eighty percent."

Once these words were spoken, it was like a thunderbolt falling. Wu Feng and the Wu Family Grand Elder both froze in place, their complexions changing in unison. They subconsciously looked at each other, their eyes full of extreme hesitation and difficulty.

If they handed over eighty percent of the Family property, it would be equivalent to the Wu Family having all its Foundation and heritage stripped away.

The remaining twenty percent of resources would not be enough to support the operation of the entire Family. The clansmen would have no way to continue their cultivation, industries would wither, resources would be exhausted, and in the future, although the Wu Family might exist, it would completely degenerate into a last-rate small clan, with no chance of rising again, nearly existing in name only.

"This..." The Wu Family Grand Elder's lips trembled slightly, not knowing how to answer for a moment, his heart full of conflict and pain.

Wu Feng's complexion was also very unsightly.

Seeing the two hesitant and showing difficulty, a trace of impatience instantly flashed in Old Ancestor Zhang's eyes.

He gave a cold snort, suddenly released his Golden Core Pressure, stood up abruptly, waved his robes, and said in a cold and resolute tone: "Since you are unwilling to part with your Family property, then this favor, this old man will not help."

After speaking, he made a gesture to turn around, intending to take his Disciples and leave, flicking his sleeves. At this moment, Wu Feng and the Grand Elder completely panicked, their faces turning as pale as paper.

Currently, the Wu Family only had this last straw for survival. Once Old Ancestor Zhang let go and stopped caring, half a month later, the entire clan would be wiped out, and no amount of Family property would have any meaning!

Which was lighter and which was heavier was instantly clear.

Wu Feng dared not hesitate any longer, hurriedly stepped forward, and shouted urgently to hold him back: "Old Ancestor, please stay! Our Wu Family is willing to give eighty percent of our Family property! We will offer it all!"

To preserve the lives of the whole clan, they could only painfully cut off their Foundation, abandoning eighty percent of their Family property in exchange for a glimmer of survival.

Hearing the reply, Old Ancestor Zhang's departing footsteps suddenly stopped, his expression softened slightly, and he slowly turned back and sat down on the main seat again.

He sat steadily, but did not mention the remuneration and protection matter again. His gaze suddenly turned, falling onto Qin Changsheng, who was sitting peacefully to the side, the disgust and dissatisfaction in his eyes not concealed at all.

A moment later, he raised his hand and pointed at Qin Changsheng, his tone carrying an irresistible command, and he said indifferently: "This old man is by nature not fond of others sitting rudely; it is an eyesore. This person, your Wu Family must drive him away immediately."

Wu Feng's face was instantly covered with a rich look of embarrassment and guilt, his heart filled with mixed feelings, feeling all sorts of unpleasantness.