81: Chapter 81 Lu Yuanze, Half-Step Golden Core

Another three days passed.

Xiao Tongguang took Su Xiaojing as his eighteenth concubine and made it public.

No Cultivator within the Sect voiced any objection.

After all, Su Xiaojing was willing.

The old husband and young wife were in perfect harmony, a truly well-matched pair.

Chen Xuan, whose bones no longer existed, didn't say anything either.

Who would go out of their way to offend a Foundation Establishment Elder?

At the concubine-taking ceremony, countless Disciples and Elders came and went, offering congratulations to the pair.

However, Xiao Tongguang's wives and concubines gave no Face to this youngest side chamber; not a single one attended the ceremony.

...

Inside Donglin Fortress.

Within the courtyard residence.

On an antique tea table, wisps of green smoke curled, and the fragrance of tea filled the air.

Xu Changsheng and Xie Wantang sat facing each other, savoring tea.

'Tanger, are you preparing to attempt Foundation Establishment tomorrow?'

'Mm, I feel my Dantian, Divine Soul, and physical body are all in excellent condition. The chance of successfully establishing my Foundation is at least eighty percent.'

'Since that's the case, I'll stand guard for you as well.'

'Pfft.'

Xie Wantang laughed so hard her body shook, splashing tea from her cup.

'Husband Xu, why are you learning from Crimson Rainbow's ways? I've already said I don't need any of you.'

'Don't worry. Senior Du has already returned to Donglin Fortress to guard Tanger. When the time comes, she will also activate the fortress's second-grade Formation. There shouldn't be any major issues.'

Xu Changsheng responded with a smile: 'Let's hope so.'

The intelligence screen before him projected onto Xie Wantang's jade-like Face.

[Today's Intelligence (Black): Half-Step Golden Core Lu Yuanze]

[The real 'Lu Yuanze' is not dead. Instead, by cultivating the Reverse Death into Life Foundation Establishment technique, he successfully established his Foundation. Through soul extraction and blood sacrifice, his cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds, reaching Half-Step Golden Core. He never dared to target families with established names and reputations, yet he was inexplicably framed by the Zhou Family for deposing Zhou Qian. He has decided to come in a few days to perform a blood sacrifice on Donglin Fortress, demanding an explanation.]

'Alright, I'll head back first. This is for you.'

Xie Wantang set down her teacup and handed over a jade token.

'I will attempt Foundation Establishment in the main hall of the Xie Family's compound. If Husband Xu wishes to observe, use this to enter through the side door.'

The sleeve of her robe brushed past, carrying the faint scent of begonia blossoms.

Standing on the threshold, she glanced back: 'This jade token is the only one, just for Husband Xu. Don't lose it.'

Xu Changsheng felt the lingering warmth on the jade token, a warmth spreading in his chest.

He thought to himself: 'She trusts me this much?'

In the world of Cultivation, allowing others to observe during one's own Realm Breakthrough is an extremely high-risk act.

If the observer suddenly harbors malicious intent and launches a surprise attack...

At best, the Breakthrough fails, causing severe damage to tendons and meridians.

At worst, it leads to Qi Deviation or even death.

The long-unseen black intelligence screen also gradually faded away.

Xu Changsheng's expression gradually turned cold.

'Lu Yuanze's true self? He's actually still alive?!'

A chill slowly crept up his spine.

'And he plans to blood sacrifice all the Cultivators in Donglin Fortress? Staying here would be certain death.'

He began to consider his next course of action.

If he were alone, he could simply slip away quietly.

But if he were to leave just like that, the destruction of the Xie Family and Xie Wantang's death would be inevitable.

He didn't consider himself a good person, but he was certainly not heartless.

Xie Chengming, who had once oppressed him within the Xie Family, had already been personally executed by him.

Now, under Xie Wantang's orders, the entire Xie Family, from top to bottom, treated him with great respect.

Furthermore.

He genuinely wanted to observe Xie Wantang's Foundation Establishment process up close.

Simulating and experiencing the key stages, process, and difficulties of Foundation Establishment would help him avoid many pitfalls when it was his own turn.

With this thought in mind.

Xu Changsheng made a decisive decision. He walked out of the courtyard gate and called out to stop Xie Wantang.

'Tanger, please wait.'

'What is it?'

'I just felt unsettled, as if unexpected changes are coming. I suggest you find Senior Du and ask her to increase her vigilance.'

...

Three days later.

Xie Family main hall.

Thirty meters away.

Xie Family clansmen formed three concentric circles, tightly packed, leaving no gaps.

The entire area was silent.

At the edge.

A young child's voice piped up: 'What is everyone doing here?'

'Watching the Clan Chief attempt Foundation Establishment.'

'What's Foundation Establishment?'

'How to explain... It basically means becoming stronger. If the Clan Chief succeeds, we won't have to stay cooped up in this stifling Donglin Fortress anymore. We can go seek revenge on the Lai Family!'

'Really? Then I want to establish my Foundation too! I want to become strong. My parents both died at the hands of the Lai Family.'

'Alright, alright. Keep your voice down. Don't disturb the Clan Chief.'

Inside the main hall.

Xu Changsheng watched Xie Wantang seated cross-legged on a golden cushion, his expression unsettled.

At this moment, a vortex of Spiritual Qi several meters wide slowly rotated above the hall. Xie Wantang's Foundation Establishment was progressing smoothly, about to reach the step of condensing Qi into liquid.

Despite his indirect hints, Xie Wantang paid them no mind and still chose to proceed with the Breakthrough.

After all, he hadn't stated things definitively. He couldn't outright say that within a day, or a few days at most, a powerful evil Cultivator would come to sacrifice the city.

He sighed softly.

'At least it raised the Zhou Family's alertness somewhat.'

He still had a Plan B.

The Blazing Sun Fire Binding Array.

The incomplete third-grade Formation left behind by Chu Nangui.

Beneath his sleeve, his fingers tightened around a vibrant, blood-red crow feather.

'I didn't expect I'd actually get to use you.'

Feeling the astonishing Spiritual Qi ready to burst forth from within the feather.

'It's definitely not just Low Grade third-tier! It should be at quasi-fourth-grade level.'

Xu Changsheng had faced a Golden Core True Person before. The move Jiang Junjie used back then was far less intimidating than this crow feather.

'It should be enough to deal with a quasi-Golden Core level Lu Yuanze.'

His mind calmed slightly.

'Boom!'

A sudden loud explosion sounded outside the hall.

'What's happening?'

Xie Wantang's Divine Sense transmission reached his ears.

'Could your premonition be true?'

Instantly, her Qi became unstable, and the surrounding Spiritual Qi vortex suddenly scattered chaotically.

Xu Changsheng was prepared.

'Tanger, don't worry. I already have a countermeasure. Promise me, no matter what, don't give up on your Foundation Establishment.'

With that, he walked towards the side door.

'Husband Xu...'

Xie Wantang glanced back, her eyes filled with worry.

'Trust me.'

Xu Changsheng responded with a smile and left the main hall.

Seeing this.

Xie Wantang finally steadied herself, gazing at his tall, retreating figure.

Recalling the path she had walked with Xu Changsheng, hadn't they overcome every danger they faced?

'I believe.'

Her breathing gradually stabilized, and she closed her eyes once more.

Arriving outside the hall.

A massive, sky-covering yellow light curtain rose from all directions.

The azure, clear sky was cut off behind the earthen yellow barrier.

Countless Cultivators took to the streets, immediately creating a bustling, noisy scene.

Yet, not a single member of the Xie Family moved, their attention still fixed on the hall where Xie Wantang was.

For them, Xie Wantang's Foundation Establishment was the Family's only hope.

Several Elders bowed respectfully to Xu Changsheng: 'Greetings, Guest Official Xu.'

He nodded in acknowledgment.

He arrived at the city gate.

On the high wall, he saw Zhou Qian confronting a Cultivator floating in mid-air not far away, accompanied by several guards.

The figure was identical to the painted skin in Xu Changsheng's Storage Pouch.

It was indeed Lu Yuanze.

Zhou Qian roared angrily: 'Lu Yuanze, my mother will certainly avenge the grudge of you destroying my Dao foundation. Wait for it with your neck clean.'

Below the high wall stood numerous Zhou Family Cultivators and Loose Cultivators watching the spectacle.

'Lu Yuanze, you are but a single person. How can you possibly stand against our hundreds of Cultivators and Senior Du? We advise you to surrender quietly.'

A roguishly handsome smile tugged at the corner of Lu Yuanze's mouth.

'Mother? Senior Du? Are you talking about this?'

He reached behind him and pulled out a 'caramel-colored large apple,' holding it up for everyone to see.

The atmosphere instantly froze!