39: Expanding territory

"Execute the order!"

Wang Tianguang shouted in a low voice, a look of relief flashing in his eyes: "Our Wang Family has truly latched onto a colossal pillar! From now on, whoever dares to disrespect the Chen Family is an enemy of our Wang Family, and we will fight to the death!"

...Meanwhile, on Longevity Mountain, at the Yun Family.

The stone door of a secret chamber deep within the Yun Family burst open with a roar.

A white-haired old man stumbled out.

He violently spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his face extremely pale and weak.

He was precisely the stabilizing force of the Yun Family, the Early Golden Core Stage Old Ancestor who had been in secluded cultivation for many years.

"Old Ancestor!"

The Yun Family Patriarch, Yun Qing's father, quickly stepped forward to support him.

"Don't touch me!"

The Yun Family Old Ancestor pushed him away, looking towards Ninghai Town with eyes full of fear.

"Which Senior great power has arrived... why must he release such terrifying aura..."

He had just been attempting to Breakthrough the Bottleneck of Mid-stage Golden Core when that oppressive force struck him like a hammer, causing his mind to falter and his magical power to surge backward!

Not only did the Breakthrough fail, but his Foundation was also severely damaged.

"Issue an order, the Yun Family is to seal the mountain! Within ten years, all Yun Family disciples are forbidden from stepping half a step out of Longevity Mountain! Especially towards Ninghai Town, whoever dares to approach will be killed without mercy!"

...Unlike the astonishment of these local Families.

Some larger forces reacted to this aura with more complex emotions.

In Shangya Prefecture City, at the Taiyi Merchant Alliance's outpost.

A woman in a purple palace dress, with an elegant and noble demeanor, stood by the window.

She held a cup of spirit tea in her hand, but her brows were slightly furrowed.

It was Xu Zhengyue!

"Nascent Soul Realm... This aura is violent and pure, not like a Human Race Cultivator, but rather like some primeval exotic species."

She put down the teacup, a trace of thought flashing in her eyes.

"Ninghai Town... Chen Family..."

As a manager of the Taiyi Merchant Alliance, she was well aware of the movements of all major forces within the prefecture.

The Chen Family's recent prominence was too great, and they were also a key partner!

"First the Qingyun Immortal Sect, then intermarriage with multiple Families, and now, a suspected Nascent Soul Realm backer has emerged."

"A Family that rose from obscurity actually hides so many secrets."

"It's just that this Senior's style of conduct is a bit too ostentatious."

"Releasing such an oppressive force so recklessly, isn't he afraid of attracting the prying eyes of those truly top-tier forces?"

...Behind the Chen Family mountain.

The instigator, Chen Xu, did not know what kind of storm his unintentional action had stirred up in the outside world.

He merely stood with his hands behind his back on the mountaintop, gazing at the majestic Golden Armored Soaring Dragon prostrate at his feet.

"Master."

A deep, authoritative voice directly resounded in his mind.

Chen Xu could feel Mountain Suppressor's loyalty emanating from its Divine Soul.

But his expression at this moment was not good.

"Mountain Suppressor."

Chen Xu's voice was transmitted through the Divine Soul connection.

"This subordinate is here."

"Do you know how much trouble your actions just now will bring to me, and to the entire Chen Family?"

Chen Xu's tone carried a hint of severity.

The Golden Armored Soaring Dragon's huge head moved slightly.

A trace of confusion appeared in its golden eyes: "This subordinate was merely responding to Master's bestowal of a name, proclaiming your majesty to this world."

"Majesty is not proclaimed."

Chen Xu shook his head: "In this world, the most powerful force is the one hidden in the darkness. Your existence is the greatest secret of my Chen Family, and also the sharpest trump card."

"A trump card exposed to everyone's eyes is no longer a trump card, but a target that will attract countless covetous gazes and probes."

Mountain Suppressor fell silent.

Although it was a powerful Nascent Soul Realm Spirit Beast, its intellect was only nascent, and it did not understand the complex human mind.

"I don't need you to proclaim my majesty to the world."

Chen Xu's voice softened: "I need you to become the shadow guarding this Family. At the most crucial moment, deliver a fatal blow to the enemy. Do you understand?"

"...This subordinate understands."

Mountain Suppressor's voice was much lower, "Please punish this subordinate."

"No punishment is necessary, but don't let it happen again."

Chen Xu reached out and gently stroked its golden scales: "Now, restrain your aura and change your form. I need you to become a Spirit Beast that won't attract anyone's attention."

"Yes, Master."

Mountain Suppressor responded, and golden light flowed over its massive body.

Its mountain-like physique began to shrink at a visible speed.

The Nascent Soul Realm aura on its body, powerful enough to destroy heaven and earth.

Also, like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, it was completely restrained within its body.

A moment later, the majestic Golden Armored Soaring Dragon that had been there disappeared.

In its place was a male lion, a bit larger than an ordinary warhorse, with golden fur all over its body and bright, piercing eyes, looking quite magnificent.

This golden-eyed lion's aura was perfectly suppressed to the Late Foundation Establishment Stage.

It appeared precious, befitting the Chen Family's current status.

Yet it wasn't so astonishing as to cause unnecessary trouble.

"Very good."

Chen Xu nodded with satisfaction: "From now on, without my command, you must never reveal your true form."

With a thought, he put Mountain Suppressor, who had transformed into a golden-eyed lion, into the System space.

After finishing all this, he turned and walked towards his study... Inside the study, Chen Xu quietly closed his eyes, his Divine Sense like a vast net.

It instantly covered the entire Ninghai Town and extended further afield.

He could see that on the main road, Wang Tianguang's convoy was at a standstill!

On the face of this Late Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator, astonishment and ecstasy were intertwined.

He could even sense several powerful Divine Senses in Shangya Prefecture City scanning with surprise and uncertainty.

One of them carried a familiar elegance and scrutiny.

It was Xu Zhengyue of the Taiyi Merchant Alliance.

"A target..."

Chen Xu murmured to himself; what he had just said to Mountain Suppressor was also a reminder to himself.

The tallest tree in the forest is always the first to be felled by the wind.

The Chen Family tree had grown too fast, so fast that it had already attracted the wind.

However, with Mountain Suppressor, this Nascent Soul Realm trump card, as long as he didn't actively seek death, ordinary winds could no longer fell the Chen Family.

What needed to be done now was to transform the deterrence brought by this "accident" into tangible benefits!

At the same time, he also needed to find a reasonable explanation for this aura that had appeared out of thin air.

He opened his eyes, which were clear and bright.

He didn't need to explain.

Let others guess, fear, and revere.

Mystery itself was a powerful deterrent.

"Ding, it is detected that the host's Family already has considerable influence! Family promotion mission has been issued! Please check it yourself!"

And just then, Chen Xu heard the System prompt sound again!

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xu raised his eyebrows!

He hadn't expected that the appearance of Mountain Suppressor would bring about another wave of changes for the System.

This was good news!

"Check!"

Without another word, Chen Xu immersed his mind in the System panel... The next morning, the Wang Family's convoy turned around and returned to Ninghai Town.

This time, Wang Tianguang did not enter the Chen Family Mansion again.

He merely had the Wang Family steward send a gift list overnight by flying boat, which was three times heavier than the one for the previous wedding.

Leading the gifts was, remarkably, a thousand-year-old Blood Ginseng stored in a cold jade box.

Its immense medicinal power could be felt even through the jade box.

This item was one of the Wang Family's most treasured possessions!

It was reserved for Family disciples to use when attempting to Breakthrough to Golden Core.

In addition, there were large quantities of rare spirit ores, Spirit Beast cubs, and a new contract.

The Wang Family voluntarily offered another 10% of the profits from all joint ventures to the Chen Family.

"Patriarch, Patriarch Wang said that this is just a meeting gift for the young master, and he, the elder, will not disturb madam and young master's rest by entering."

The steward said respectfully, his gaze towards Chen Xu already filled with deep reverence.

Chen Xu calmly accepted the gift list and said faintly, "Thank my in-laws for me."

Not long after the Wang Family's steward left!

All Families with some renown in Shangya Prefecture sent gifts to congratulate the Chen Family on the birth of their son.

Their words were even more humble and their attitudes more respectful than before!

Chen Xu accepted all the gifts but met none of them.

The more profound and inscrutable he appeared!

The more outrageous the outside world's conjectures about the Chen Family became.

Some said that a certain Grand Elder of the Qingyun Immortal Sect stood behind the Chen Family.

Others said that Chen Xu had saved a wandering Nascent Soul Realm Loose Cultivator in his youth.

That Senior was now living in seclusion in the Chen Family.

Various rumors were rampant, but without exception, they all pushed the Chen Family's status to an unprecedented height.

The Chen Family of Ninghai Town, in everyone's eyes, had become the most unprovokable existence within a radius of several thousand li...

While the outside world was full of turmoil, the Chen Family Mansion was peaceful and harmonious.

The real changes occurred among the Family members.

In the early morning, Sun Xiaoyue woke from her meditation.

She felt refreshed and comfortable all over.

She was originally a Qi Refining Cultivator, and after failing Foundation Establishment, although she was able to continue Cultivating after marrying Chen Xu and recuperating!

She had, after all, missed the best age for Foundation Establishment.

She had always had some old ailments in her body, and her spiritual power circulation was often sluggish.

But today, she felt that those hidden pains that had troubled her for many years had vanished without a trace!

Even the magical power within her body had become much more active than before.

"This is..."

She joyfully looked inward and found that her Cultivation speed was indeed much faster than before!

The same change also occurred in every member of the Chen Family.

In the training grounds, Chen Qiming was practicing a Family-inherited boxing technique.

He had been stuck at the Qi Refining Bottleneck for two years, unable to Breakthrough.

But today, after completing a set of punches, he felt his whole body filled with power.

Several previously obscure and difficult-to-understand key points suddenly became clear.

Boom!

A wave of Qi exploded with him at the center, shaking the surrounding guards back repeatedly.

"I... I broke through?"

Chen Qiming stood stunned, feeling the even more powerful magical power within his body, his face full of disbelief... Inside Listening Rain Pavilion.

Chu Yuer opened her eyes, the cold Qi around her was more condensed than usual, and her cultivation had, remarkably, reached the peak of Qi Refining sixth layer, just a step away from the Late Qi Refining Stage.

It should be known that she had only broken through to the sixth layer of Qi Refining two months ago.

"So fast..."

She herself was startled; such a Cultivation speed was simply unbelievable.

Soon, several of the Chen Family's madams, as well as all core disciples including Chen Daoxuan and Chen Tongyuan, discovered their own anomalies.

Everyone gathered in the council hall, their faces filled with excitement and confusion.

"Father, what exactly is going on? I feel like my Cultivation speed is at least twice as fast as before!"

Chen Tongyuan was the first to ask.

Everyone's gaze was fixed on Chen Xu, who was seated at the head of the table.

Chen Xu picked up his teacup and gently blew on the hot steam.

A smile played on his face.

"No need to panic."

He put down the teacup and his gaze swept over his wife and children: "Our Chen Family Old Ancestor has manifested, bestowing blessings and protecting his descendants."

"From now on, all those of the Chen Family Bloodline will have Cultivation speed, Comprehension Ability, and injury recovery far surpassing ordinary people."

"This is Heaven's blessing upon our Chen Family; it is our Chen Family's Luck arriving."

Old Ancestor's manifestation! Family Luck!

This explanation, filled with mysterious allure, made everyone present believe it implicitly.

Besides the Family Head, who else possessed such heaven-defying abilities?

Seizing the moment while everyone's spirits were high, Chen Xu began to announce his new plans.

"For the Family to prosper, it cannot rely solely on one person's strength."

He looked at Chen Qiming, his most composed son: "Qiming, your temperament is steady. From today onwards, the Talisman paper and cinnabar in the Family treasury are yours to use freely. I hope that within ten years, you can become the Chen Family's second Profound Grade Talisman Master."

Chen Qiming's body trembled, and joy bloomed on his face. He immediately knelt down: "Your son will not fail Father's high hopes!"

Chen Xu then looked at Chen Lean, who was meticulous: "Lean, you are as careful as a strand of hair, suitable for delving into the Dao of Alchemy. From today onwards, you will follow me to learn Alchemy, and the Alchemy room next to the Talisman Hall will be entrusted to you."

"Thank you, Father!"

Chen Lean also knelt down excitedly.

Passing down the Family's skills and cultivating his own core team was a plan Chen Xu had set long ago.

After arranging these matters, his gaze finally fell upon his eldest and second sons.

"Dao Xuan, Tongyuan."

"Your sons are here."

"You two, one is already at Foundation Establishment Mid Stage, and the other has also reached Foundation Establishment. You are the pillars of our Chen Family. However, you have lived within the Family for too long, lacking true life-and-death tempering."

Chen Xu stood up and walked to a large map.

His finger pointed to a vast and boundless mountain range on the map.

"Flowing Cloud Mountain Range."

"This place is infested with Yao Beasts, and poisonous miasma is everywhere. For thousands of years, human traces have been rare, but because of this, countless Heaven And Earth Treasure that have long disappeared from the outside world have been preserved."

He turned his head and looked at his two sons.

"The Family's strength is growing rapidly, and the demand for various resources is also increasing. Relying solely on purchases and Spirit Medicine gardens is ultimately like a rootless duckweed. Sooner or later, there will be a day when we exhaust our resources."

"I have decided that three days from now, I will personally lead a team to the Flowing Cloud Mountain Range to open a new resource channel for the Family."

"You two will come with me."

Personally lead the team!

Chen Daoxuan and Chen Tongyuan exchanged glances.

They both saw excitement and solemnity in each other's eyes.

They knew this was both a trial and a test.

"Your sons obey!"

...Three days later, in the early morning.

On the back mountain square of the Chen Family Mansion, a flying boat, ten zhang long and made entirely of green spiritual wood, floated quietly in mid-air.

This was one of the gifts from the Wang Family, named "green feather boat."

It was a High Grade flying Magical Artifact, capable of traveling thousands of li a day.

Chen Xu, dressed in a tight outfit, stood with his hands behind his back at the bow of the flying boat.

Behind him stood Chen Daoxuan, Chen Tongyuan, and Chu Xuan, who had changed into a black night suit and wore an iron mask.

Behind Chu Xuan were ten Shadow Guards, similarly dressed and exuding a formidable aura.

This was the first time the Shadow Guards had followed the Family Head on such an important mission since their establishment.

Before departing, Chen Xu temporarily entrusted Family affairs to his wives and Guest Elder, Daoist Yuqing.

He came to the backyard, where Mountain Suppressor was lazily lying on the ground, its aura contained at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage.

It looked like a Spirit Beast pet of excellent quality.

Chen Xu publicly claimed that this was a gift from his friend, a "Nascent Soul Senior," to guard his home.

No one doubted this claim.

"Mountain Suppressor, after I leave, the Family's safety will be entrusted to you."

Chen Xu transmitted his voice through Divine Sense.

"Please rest assured, Master."

Mountain Suppressor's deep voice resonated in his mind.

With this great deity overseeing things, Chen Xu had no further worries.

He took one last look at the festive Chen Family Mansion, and with a movement of his body, he appeared on the flying boat.

"Depart!"

As he gave the order, the green feather boat glowed brightly, transforming into a green rainbow that soared into the sky.

In an instant, it vanished into the horizon.

On the flying boat, the gale was fierce.

Chen Tongyuan, riding such a large flying Magical Artifact for the first time, seemed somewhat excited, standing at the side of the deck, overlooking the rapidly receding mountains and rivers below.

"Father, we have never been to the Flowing Cloud Mountain Range. The situation inside is complex. Where should we look for resources?"

Chen Daoxuan stepped forward and asked.

Chen Xu did not answer, but with a thought, the System panel popped up.

【Family Mission Released: Expand Territory】

【Mission Description: Deep within the Flowing Cloud Mountain Range, there is an ancient Cultivator's Medicine Garden, protected by powerful Restrictions and Yao Beasts, undiscovered by anyone to this day. Please lead your Family members to explore it and obtain the rare Spirit Medicine within.】

【Mission Reward: Family Luck +500, Family Building [Spirit Gathering Tower] Blueprint x1, Host Cultivation +20 years.】

At the same time, a detailed map also appeared in Chen Xu's mind.

The map clearly marked the location of the Medicine Garden!

As well as several powerful Yao Beast territories that needed to be avoided along the way.

"Just follow me."

Chen Xu smiled slightly, controlling the flying boat to advance at full speed in the direction marked on the map... The green feather boat traveled through the clouds at an extremely fast pace.

Below were continuous, dark green mountain ranges, with ancient trees reaching to the sky. Occasionally, huge flying birds could be seen startled from the forest!

After sensing the magical power fluctuations emanating from the flying boat, they fearfully avoided it from afar.

The Flowing Cloud Mountain Range, this vast land, was both a treasure trove and a Forbidden Ground for most Cultivators in Shangya Prefecture.

It was not suitable for Cultivators to reside and Cultivate for long, yet it nurtured countless powerful Yao Beasts and rare spiritual plants.

"Father, we've already entered the heart of the Flowing Cloud Mountain Range, haven't we? The Demonic Qi here is clearly much stronger than in the outer regions."

Chen Daoxuan walked to Chen Xu's side, his expression much calmer than his brother's.

But he also carried a hint of curiosity.

He had Cultivated in the Qingyun Immortal Sect for many years, broadening his horizons!

He could better sense the hidden dangers in this mountain range.

Some areas even made his heart palpitate.

"This Flowing Cloud Mountain Range is said to have Fourth-tier, even Fifth-tier great Yao Beasts lurking in its depths, which even Golden Core True Person dare not easily venture into. Where is our target for this trip?"

Chen Xu stood with his hands behind his back at the bow, his gaze calmly fixed ahead, letting the fierce wind ruffle his robes.

"We're almost there."

He said lightly, without much explanation.

In his mind, the map provided by the System was incredibly clear!

It not only marked the final destination.

It also marked several red areas that needed to be bypassed.

Those were the territories of Third-tier Yao Beasts, equivalent to Cultivators in the Late Foundation Establishment Stage, so there was no need to stir up trouble.

Under his control, the flying boat avoided a valley emitting dense Demonic Qi.

It then bypassed a swamp covered in poisonous miasma.

This goal-oriented, clear-path method of travel deepened the doubts in Chen Daoxuan and Chen Tongyuan's hearts.

Father seemed to know this place like the back of his hand, as if he had been here many times.

Yet they knew that Father had barely left Ninghai Town these past years.

Another hour passed, and the green feather boat's speed slowly decreased.

It finally stopped in a basin surrounded by three towering peaks.

The flying boat landed, and everyone disembarked.

Before them was a massive cliff, a thousand zhang high, like a stone wall, blocking all paths.

The cliff was bare and barren, with only some weathered marks.

The Spiritual Qi here was sparse, making it look like a dead end.

"Family Head, there's no path ahead."

Chu Xuan stepped forward and said in a deep voice.

The ten Shadow Guards behind him remained vigilant, surveying their surroundings with grim expressions.

Chen Daoxuan and Chen Tongyuan also frowned.

They released their Divine Sense to investigate, finding the cliff to be ordinary rock, with no abnormalities whatsoever.

"Father, what are we doing here?"

Chen Tongyuan couldn't help but ask.

Chen Xu didn't answer. Instead, he slowly walked to the base of the cliff, extended his hand, and gently touched the rough surface of the rock.

He closed his eyes slightly, his Divine Sense probing within.

In the eyes of others, he seemed to be investigating something.

But in reality, he was merely making a final comparison between the map in his mind and reality.

After confirming its accuracy, he slowly opened his eyes, a smile on his face.

"This is not a mountain wall."

"But a Formation."

Formation?

Chen Daoxuan and Chen Tongyuan exchanged glances, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes.

They released their Divine Sense again, meticulously scanning the entire stone wall, but no matter how they looked, they couldn't detect the slightest trace of a Formation.

The texture of the stone wall and the flow of Spiritual Qi were no different from the surrounding mountains.

"Father, this... Your son is dull and cannot see any clues."

Chen Daoxuan had also learned some basic Formation knowledge in the Sect, but the scene before him had completely exceeded his cognitive scope.

To be able to arrange a Formation so naturally, merging it with the heavens and earth.

The methods of the Formation Master were simply unfathomable.

Chen Xu smiled calmly: "This is an ancient concealment Formation, connected to the mountain ranges and earth veins. After thousands of years of erosion, it has long merged with this world."

"It's normal that you can't see it."

He turned around, looked at his two sons, and continued: "One who could set up such a grand Formation must be at least a Golden Core True Person."

Golden Core True Person!

These four words sent a shock through everyone's hearts.

A relic left by a Golden Core True Person?

How many treasures must be inside?

The next moment, Chen Xu said no more, walking to a spot about ten zhang away from the stone wall and standing still.