79: Chapter 79 The Arrival of the Two Families

After Luo Qian's reminder, Su Xuanjing slowly calmed down.

These children truly did not know the full extent of their father's abilities.

Since obtaining the High-Tier Breath Concealment Art, the cultivation level their father displayed had remained at the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining. Their father could see through their true cultivation, yet they could not discern his cultivation Realm.

Whether it was Alchemy, Talismans, Formations, or Puppetry Art, Spells, or swordsmanship, their father was proficient in everything.

With such a vast and varied array of cultivation arts gathered in one person, no one would believe he was merely at the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining.

Perhaps even the eldest brother, the strongest in the Family, might not be a match for their father.

Su Xuanjing sat back down in her chair. Once calm, her mind became as clear as a mirror. Upon careful consideration, she realized that in fact, either choice carried risks.

Only the plan to stay and defend the Family was more prudent.

Currently, with the two nations at war outside and Robber Cultivators running rampant, their Father and Mother's whereabouts were difficult to trace. A hasty search would be like fishing for a needle in a haystack. If they divided their forces to search, not only would it increase the risk of Family members getting separated, but it would also weaken the Family's defenses.

Conversely, if everyone held firm to the Family Foundation, the only variable would be the safety of their Father and Mother.

Given their father's capabilities, this was far more reassuring than having his children venture out alone.

Having thought it through, Su Xuanjing felt a particular admiration for her second brother's mind.

No wonder Father had entrusted the Family to Second Brother to manage.

She needed to calm down and think before she could sort out her thoughts, yet Second Brother could remain unaffected by emotions and judge the pros and cons of both plans at a glance.

"I understand. We'll do as Second Brother says."

Su Xuanjing agreed to Su Xuanming's plan, but the look of worry on her face did not diminish.

"It's good that Third Sister can understand. Fifth Sister, don't be sad either. Father and Mother are capable people. Perhaps they'll be back in a few days."

Su Xuanming rubbed Su Xuanling's head and comforted her in a low voice.

In the following days, the Su Family kept a close watch on events outside.

News of the war between the two nations had spread completely, and the topics discussed by the Cultivators of Qingyuan all revolved around this matter.

The armies of Great Qi and Great Wei were fighting simultaneously in several counties, causing displaced commoners and fleeing Cultivators to spread throughout Great Wei's territory.

Many people made their way to Qingyuan and were surprised to find the place quite peaceful. Thus, a county town reduced to ruins by a beast tide inexplicably attracted more and more refugees.

Seizing this opportunity, Su Xuanming selected some capable individuals from among the refugees to recruit into the Su Family. He also hired a group of temporary laborers from them to help rebuild and expand the Su Family estate.

Some worked diligently, grateful for the Su Family's kindness.

There were also those without eyes who attempted moral blackmail, trying to take more advantage of the Su Family.

When encountering such situations, An Ziyao, regardless of whether the other party was a Mortal or a Cultivator, would step forward and slap them until they behaved.

Similar incidents were occurring simultaneously in the territories of various families in Qingyuan. Qingyuan was gradually becoming chaotic.

Today, two groups of strangers arrived in Qingyuan. They made no attempt to conceal their powerful cultivation auras, and their faces bore intense killing intent, startling those around them into quickly moving away.

"This ruined city is the former Qingyuan County?"

The gray-haired old man standing at the front, with his hands behind his back, said, "It's more lively than expected. Have you found the location of the Su Family?"

"Reporting to the Old Ancestor, it has been found. The cluster of buildings ahead is the Su Family estate."

A disciple of the Fang Family bowed with clasped fists. When mentioning the words 'Su Family,' the killing intent in his eyes nearly overflowed.

"What a Su Family!"

The middle-aged man dressed in purple and gold brocade robes next to him said coldly, "The entire Qingyuan has become ruins, yet they remain unscathed. They certainly have some capability. No wonder they are so arrogant, daring to even kill the offspring of my Zhong Family!"

Fang Qing said expressionlessly, "They merely used Formations to protect their Family. To withstand a beast tide, it must at least be a second-tier defensive Formation. Eliminating the Su Family will indeed be somewhat troublesome."

"Leave this matter to my Zhong Family. A mere second-tier Formation is child's play!" Zhong Ling said disdainfully.

The two groups were precisely the Fang Family and the Zhong Family from Yunmeng Ruins.

Their clan members had gone out for training and had not returned for a long time. After investigation, it was discovered they had encountered servants of the Su Family some days ago, and then all trace of them was lost.

There was no doubt it was the doing of the Su Family. Thus, the two families came seeking revenge simultaneously!

In their hearts, they looked down upon the insignificant Su Family, but they still called upon the only Late Stage Qi Refining Cultivator in their families.

This trip was solely to destroy the Su Family, settling old and new grudges together.

The Fang Family's Old Ancestor and the Zhong Family's head came together. No matter how many tricks an Eighth-Rank Family might have, they could not turn the heavens upside down!

At this moment, a Zhong Family Cultivator who had been gathering information walked over and reported, "Family Head, I just learned that there is a Foundation Establishment Cultivator stationed in Qingyuan County."

"A Foundation Establishment Cultivator?"

Hearing this, Zhong Ling was quite surprised: "There's actually a Foundation Establishment Cultivator staying in such a place? Could it be that the Su Family dared to kill members of our two families because they have the support of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator?"

Foundation Establishment Cultivators have an immense demand for Spiritual Qi and rarely stay in small county towns.

Moreover, with their spending power, they can easily reside in a Cultivation Market.

If they cannot bear to leave their Family, they can take offspring with Spiritual Roots to live in the Cultivation Market, leaving the rest of the clan outside.

The Fang Family and Zhong Family were like this.

Therefore, the fact that a ruined place like Qingyuan County, destroyed by a beast tide, still had a Foundation Establishment Cultivator stationed there truly exceeded the expectations of both families.

The Zhong Family Cultivator reporting the news added, "I heard this Foundation Establishment Cultivator intends to establish a Qingyuan Market and has organized various major families to build it together. The Su Family is one of the participants."

These words caused the expressions of both Fang Qing and Zhong Ling to darken simultaneously.

Zhong Ling frowned, his tone carrying a mix of wariness and resentment: "The Su Family is one of the main forces in establishing the market. If we destroy the Su Family without prior notice, it will definitely provoke dissatisfaction from this Foundation Establishment Cultivator."

Fang Qing's eyes flickered. After pondering for a moment, his expression returned to its usual steadiness. He said calmly, "Then let's first talk with this Foundation Establishment Senior. At worst, our two families can help, making up for the Su Family's share of the labor force."

Zhong Ling's tense expression relaxed slightly. After weighing the options, he slowly nodded.

The two of them immediately set off for the Jiang Family to meet Jiang Wuyu.

"You say the Su Family killed your people, so you want to destroy the Su Family?"

Learning the purpose of their visit, Jiang Wuyu smiled with interest.

"I'm afraid that won't do. I just announced I would work with everyone to establish a market, and then the Su Family gets wiped out right after. If I, the Foundation Establishment Cultivator stationed here to oversee the market, do nothing, how would others view me?"

Hearing this, Zhong Ling knew there was room for negotiation.

Because Jiang Wuyu's focus wasn't on the market's labor force, but on others' perceptions, worried about losing the Jiang Family's prestige.

"This matter is easily handled. Our two families have just cause for destroying the Su Family. Although Senior Jiang may be soft-hearted and wish to protect the Su Family, faced with greater righteousness, you would have to reluctantly give them up. In the end, the Su Family got what they deserved. What fault is there with you, Senior?"

Zhong Ling revealed a fox-like smile.

After hearing this, Jiang Wuyu's smile matched his exactly: "Good, I like hearing that. However..."

"Destroying the Su Family is possible, but all their belongings must remain!"