46: Chapter 0046 Signs of Foundation Establishment

The Chen Family Ancestral Land.

The Forbidden Ground that serves as the vital point for activating the Great Clan Protection Array.

Chen Qingshan and Chen Yuanyu lay in ambush, concealing their cultivation auras.

"Yu'er, you're being too reckless. I could grit my teeth and endure the matter of the foundation establishment pill, but for you to offer yourself as well, it truly breaks your father's heart!"

"As long as it saves the Chen Family, any sacrifice I make is worth it."

"It's right to give your all for the Family, but giving up the foundation establishment pill to help someone else—was that not poorly thought out? Besides, with only one foundation establishment pill, he might not necessarily succeed."

"Who said there was only one? He already had one himself."

Chen Qingshan was dumbstruck.

He immediately recalled the auction.

"So he was the Fellow Daoist from Private Room Thirteen; no wonder he was so bold."

"Exactly! If he truly succeeds in Foundation Establishment, do you think I'll still be at a loss?"

Chen Qingshan immediately shook his head.

He couldn't be happier.

"Certainly not a loss. Yu'er, you've performed a great service for the Chen Family by recruiting a Foundation Establishment son-in-law."

Chen Yuanyu's pretty face flushed red.

Then she shook her head again.

"Father, you're mistaken. I'm only fit to be his maidservant; whether he'll even take an interest in me is hard to say."

"Why a maidservant?! How could you not be good enough for him?"

Chen Qingshan was incredibly frustrated.

He knew very well how excellent his daughter was; she would surely achieve Foundation Establishment in the future. Why should she be someone else's maidservant?

"Father, you're mistaken again. Senior Gu is different from other men; he is indifferent to women."

"Oh! Then I understand. It turns out it's just your unrequited wish."

Chen Yuanyu did not argue.

Because Gu Huan had explicitly rejected her.

Just then.

A figure in black stealthily sneaked into the Ancestral Land.

The father and daughter immediately fell silent, their expressions turning extremely grim.

The Chen Family had entered a state of combat readiness. The Ancestral Land was linked to the Great Clan Protection Array and was closed to outsiders during critical moments. This meant that the person sneaking in now, aside from Clan Chief Chen Qingshan, could only be a high-ranking member with close blood ties to him.

The person in black hadn't expected an ambush here.

Just as they were about to destroy the vital point of the Great Clan Protection Array, Chen Qingshan launched a furious sneak attack, using his strongest killing move right from the start.

"Beast! Die!"

"Ah!!"

A length of thorn, resembling a spear, instantly pierced through the vital heart of the person in black. Blood gushed from the wound, dripping down the thorn onto the ground.

"Cough, cough!"

The person in black coughed a few times and collapsed unwillingly.

Once the Great Clan Protection Array was damaged, the Chen Family would suffer heavy casualties. No matter what, they couldn't let the person in black succeed.

Fuming with rage, Chen Qingshan immediately stepped forward and tore off the mask from the person's face, his body trembling uncontrollably.

"It's actually Third Uncle?"

Chen Yuanyu approached, unable to bear the sight.

She suddenly thought of Lin Jinpeng's group; their appearance by the Qingyuan River was likely no coincidence. Someone must have secretly tipped them off, alerting the Lin Family to set an ambush.

If Gu Huan hadn't happened to pass by and save her life, her fate would have been tragic, and the Chen Family would have been plunged into eternal damnation.

Boom!

Boom!

The Chen Family's grounds suddenly shook violently.

Chen Qingshan and Chen Yuanyu's expressions changed drastically as they realized the situation had shifted.

Just then, a man who bore some resemblance to Chen Qingshan rushed into the Ancestral Land in a panic.

"Big Brother, this is bad! The Lin Family is attacking!"

"Quickly, help me activate the Great Clan Protection Array."

The three of them combined their efforts.

They activated the great array.

Array patterns drifted and flickered as auroras shone. A massive light screen, resembling an inverted jade bowl, slowly condensed over the Chen Family, successfully blocking the Lin Family's subsequent offensive.

First, destroy the array.

Then, follow up with an attack.

The plan was tight; the Lin Family was clearly well-prepared.

"Ah! Big Brother! Third... Third Brother is dead!"

"Stop shouting! He deserved to die. He actually colluded with the Lin Family to destroy the Great Clan Protection Array, nearly causing the extermination of the Chen Family."

At the same time.

Chen Yuanyu handed a Storage Pouch to Chen Qingshan.

The latter wiped away the Restriction and searched through it for a moment. He angrily threw out several thousand Spirit Stones and a piece of paper with black ink on white—conclusive evidence of the crime.

"Yu'er, stay here and watch the array, replenishing the Spirit Stones as needed. I'll go outside to see what's happening. Also, drag him out quickly so he doesn't defile the blessings of the Chen Family Ancestral Land."

Chen Qingshan acted with swift decisiveness.

He quickly brought the situation under control.

...

On the other side.

The Lin Cultivator Family were all dressed in purple.

They had mobilized the entire Family's strength to launch a genocidal strike against the Chen Family.

The Great Clan Protection Array, which should have vanished, slowly condensed before everyone's eyes. Leading them, Lin Yunhu couldn't help but grit his teeth.

"That Chen Third is truly a piece of trash; he made me give five thousand Spirit Stones to the Chen Family for nothing."

"Clan Chief, should we fight or retreat now?"

A member of the Lin Family asked.

They were undecided.

"Fight, of course! Chen Qingshan has chickened out and activated the Great Clan Protection Array immediately, which means they don't have the strength to fight us to the death. That old ghost's Lifespan is nearly at its end and he was injured in my ambush; now is the perfect opportunity to eliminate the Chen Family and unite Qingyuan Mountain."

"Pass down my order: attack with everything we've got! Break the array and plunder to your heart's content. All the Spirit Stones, businesses, and women will belong to our Lin Family."

The order was given.

The offensive was earth-shaking.

Multicolored Spells poured out frantically, creating ripples across the surface of the light screen.

...

Three days later.

The Spirit Stone supply at the Chen Family Ancestral Land was running low.

Chen Qingshan immediately summoned the Chen Family members to urgently collect Spirit Stones and personally escorted them to the Ancestral Land.

"Father, how is the situation outside?"

"The situation is grim. The Lin Family is determined to eradicate us and continues to attack, but compared to a few days ago, the intensity has weakened."

Chen Yuanyu nodded helplessly.

Hiding behind the Great Clan Protection Array was far too passive; there was very little they could do.

"These are the Family's last Spirit Stones; they should last for about three more days."

"Yu'er, listen to your father's advice. If the Great Clan Protection Array fails and that person hasn't succeeded in Foundation Establishment, run as far as you can. Do not come back unless you have the power to seek revenge."

Chen Qingshan spoke with heavy-hearted sincerity.

He could die, and the Chen Family could be destroyed, but the Family's spark must not be extinguished.

"Father, I understand."

Chen Yuanyu sighed softly.

Gu Huan was in seclusion attempting Foundation Establishment, and there had been no movement yet. It was agonizing.

Just then.

The Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi above the Chen Family surged, gathered, and swirled like something possessed, forming a massive Spiritual Qi vortex dozens of zhang long that continuously delved deep into the ground.

"Father, this is...?"

"Signs of Foundation Establishment. What a terrifying commotion."

The father and daughter walked out of the Ancestral Land to watch, their faces filled with excitement.

The appearance of the Signs of Foundation Establishment meant that Gu Huan was on the verge of success, just one step away.

"Father, the Signs of Foundation Establishment are too obvious; the Lin Family definitely won't ignore them. We can't let them interfere with Senior Gu's Foundation Establishment. Go quickly and organize everyone to prepare for battle."

The Old Ancestor was injured, and his combat power was greatly diminished.

Whether the Chen Family could survive this calamity now rested entirely on Gu Huan.

Boom!

Boom!

The Lin Family's offensive grew even more ferocious. Even Lin Yunhu, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, could no longer sit still; he absolutely could not stand by and watch the Chen Family produce another Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

"Cough, cough!"

"Go now. Gather the Chen Family descendants to prepare for a fight to the death."

The Ancestor of the Chen Family gave up on his healing. Though his body was hunched and weak, he was still the most powerful Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the Chen Family.

"Yes, Old Ancestor."

Chen Qingshan was surprisingly calm as he bowed deeply toward the figure that had suddenly appeared in the Ancestral Land.

Regardless of victory or defeat after this battle.

The Old Ancestor would surely reach the end of his natural life.

"Members of the Chen Family, hear my command! Seize the time to rest and build your strength. Prepare for a fight to the death against the enemy!!"

...