In the blink of an eye, six months passed.
News spread wildly in the Markets around the Immortal City.
The sect was about to establish a new Tier Three Immortal City in the Western Border, with branches of the Alchemy Alliance, Punishment Hall, and Resources Department set to open there.
In the future, this place would rival Fenghua Immortal City as a major Cultivation Town.
In the debate hall at the core area of the Alchemy Alliance, Wu Lingshuang was holding a Jade Scroll, reporting on the business resources allocation plan to Chen Sheng.
She wore a moon-white long dress, with a trace of excitement between her brows:
"My lord, the price of Spiritual Materials in the Western Border has risen by thirty percent, especially the 'Profound Iron Stone' and 'Spirit Pattern Bricks' required for Foundation Establishment City construction, which are in short supply."
"Should our business..."
Chen Sheng lightly tapped his finger on the map on the table, where the location of the new city in the Western Border was circled in cinnabar:
"The Immortal City must be built, and it must be well built."
"A Tier Three Immortal City is not only a barrier for the sect to consolidate its interests in the Western Border but also a core for attracting cultivators and revitalizing resources."
"Next, you will gather various resources from our business towards the Western Border and also secure ten storefronts in the new city for future transit business of Elixir Materials."
There was a hint of joy in Wu Lingshuang's eyes, and she quickly bowed and replied:
"Shuang'Er understands, I'll make arrangements right away."
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At that moment, the Communication Golden Order on Chen Sheng's waist suddenly lit up, and a message with bone-chilling coldness flowed into his mind.
Chen Sheng's eyes instantly became sharp, and his gentle aura vanished, waving at Wu Lingshuang:
"You may leave first, and we'll discuss the business later."
Seeing his solemn expression, Wu Lingshuang did not dare to ask more, hurriedly bowed, and left the hall.
Chen Sheng quickly walked to the Communication Array in the hall, with light flickering at his fingertips, soon summoning Yu Linqing.
He removed the True Inheritance Golden Order from his waist, and as he injected mana, the Order burst into dazzling golden light:
"The Alchemy Alliance, Luo, and Xu families colluded with Demon Cultivators to refine Blood Pills using Spiritual Objects like Blood Marrow Flowers, with irrefutable evidence."
"You will take my Order, immediately mobilize the Immortal City Guard Army, and surround all the mansions and territories of the two families. If there is any resistance, eliminate them without mercy, and exterminate the resisting clans!"
Yu Linqing took the Golden Order, with his heart suddenly tightened.
The Luo and Xu families were not ordinary Foundation Establishment Clans.
The Luo family head, Luo Lie, was a Late-Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator, skilled in Tier Two High Grade Fiery Sun Swordsmanship, who had once slain a Tier Two Late-stage Demon Beast.
The Xu family head, Xu Kun, was renowned for his defense, holding a Tier Two Top Grade Spiritual Artifact, the "Profound Turtle Shell".
More importantly, both families had thrived in Fenghua Immortal City for hundreds of years, with marital ties with over a dozen families surrounding the Qinghua Sect.
They could even connect with the direct lineage of the Lin Family of Nine Refinements, thereby indirectly linking to Master Fake Pill.
But seeing the unquestionable authority in Chen Sheng's eyes and the faintly appearing golden vertical pupil.
Yu Linqing dared not hesitate even a bit, knelt with a thud, and clasped his fists:
"I accept the order! I will not fail my mission!"
"Go, and return quickly."
Chen Sheng waved his hand to signal him to leave, while he turned and headed towards the garrison mansion.
On one hand, to report this matter to Dragon Void Daoist, and on the other, the garrison mansion had the master guarding it, which was the safest place to prevent the other party from acting out of desperation.
...
Half an hour later, on the outskirts of Fenghua Immortal City.
The Tianfeng Mountain Range, where the Luo Family Territory was located, was shrouded in Spirit Light, with a thousand Immortal City Guard Army members wielding Magical Artifacts, surrounding the mountain range.
Leading them was a Perfection Cultivator dressed in Black Armor, none other than the garrison commander of Fenghua Immortal City, Zhao Wu.
Suspended in mid-air, his voice echoed like thunder throughout the mountain range:
"Luo Lie! You colluded with Demon Cultivators and privately refined Blood Pills, committing heinous crimes! Surrender immediately, open the array swiftly, or your Luo family will be flattened today!"
Inside the array, Luo Lie stood on the rooftop of the great hall in the family territory, with a face full of bloodlust, a chaotic aura around him, and dark red blood stains on his robe. His eyes were full of madness at the moment:
"Zhao Wu! Don't just spout lies! My Luo family has always been loyal to the sect generation after generation, how could we collude with Demon Cultivators?"
"Whether there was collusion can be verified through a search!"
Zhao Wu snorted coldly, raising his hand to signal the Guard Army to prepare to break through the array.
Luo Lie felt his heart sink—his clan not only harbored Demon Cultivators but also had over a dozen outstanding juniors he lured into practicing the Demon Dao cultivation technique, "Blood Shadow Technique."
Once discovered, the entire family would face utter ruin. Gritting his teeth, he suddenly raised his head and let out a long howl, causing the blood in his body to surge:
"Since you give no way to live, then let's fight to the death!"
As he said this, he formed hand seals, unleashing a Demon Technique. His hair quickly turned gray before the naked eye, while his Spiritual Power abruptly increased.
He drew the Spirit Sword from his back, and the sword emitted a dazzling red light, with a sharp screech that tore through the air, charging toward the Guard Army outside the array.
"Stubborn fool!"
A flash of coldness crossed Zhao Wu's eyes, as he suddenly summoned a palm-sized Golden Cauldron.
The surface of the Golden Cauldron was covered with Runes, emitting a faint golden light, precisely the Talisman Treasure "Demon Suppression Cauldron" bestowed by the Punishment Hall.
The moment Luo Lie saw the Golden Cauldron, his pupils shrank abruptly:
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"Talisman Treasure!"
He never expected Zhao Wu to come with a Talisman Treasure in hand.
The power of a Talisman Treasure far surpasses that of an ordinary Spiritual Artifact, and even a Perfection Cultivator might not withstand a single strike.
"Die!"
Zhao Wu shouted in a low voice, injecting mana into the Cauldron.
The Golden Cauldron instantly expanded to a size of a meter, carrying a suppressive force that bore down on Luo Lie's head.
Luo Lie raised his sword to resist, and at the moment the Spirit Sword collided with the Golden Cauldron, a crisp "crack" sounded, the Fiery Sun Sword broke instantly.
The Cauldron's momentum was undiminished, smashing onto Luo Lie, shattering his Protective Spiritual Light.
His entire body was flung back like a kite with a broken string, colliding heavily with the grand array of the family territory, spewing blood, his aura instantly waning.
"Capture him!"
At Zhao Wu's command, the Guard Army immediately rushed forward and subdued Luo Lie.
The Luo Family members inside the formation saw their clan leader captured and instantly lost the courage to resist, laying down their weapons and surrendering.
Only a few who practiced demonic cultivation techniques attempted to break out, only to be slain on the spot by the Guard Army.
...
Meanwhile.
In the Xu Family Territory, the scene was quite different.
Xu Kun stood inside the council hall, exuding a faint zombie qi — he practiced the demonic cultivation technique "Profound Yin Celestial Corpse Technique."
Though it could enhance his cultivation, it also made his aura chilly and cold.
At this moment, he looked at the Guard Army surrounding the hall with a face full of grief: "What can be done?"
Beside him stood two demonic Foundation Establishment Early-stage cultivators with blue-faced fangs, who were liaisons sent by the Demon Sect.
Both were also panicking at the moment, hurriedly advising:
"Fellow Daoist Xu, as long as there's life, there's hope! Quickly lead your clan to break through the encirclement. Our sect has a hidden base in the Western Border Miasma Forest where you can temporarily avoid trouble!"
Xu Kun was silent for a moment, and suddenly a determined look flashed in his eyes:
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"It seems this is the only way."
He nodded slowly, then suddenly bit his tongue and sprayed blood, summoning the Tier Two High Grade Spiritual Artifact "Lesser Yang Essence Wheel."
The Essence Wheel carried a scorching spirit light, like a blazing sun, smashing towards the two demon cultivators.
"You!"
Caught off guard, one of the demon cultivators was immediately blasted apart by the Essence Wheel, splattering blood all over the hall.
The other one reacted slightly faster but also had an arm severed by the Essence Wheel, screaming in pain and trying to flee.
Xu Kun, with a cold gaze, manipulated the Essence Wheel to fly again, decapitating that demon cultivator.
He carried the two heads of the demon cultivators to a few clan elders and spoke with a slightly hoarse voice:
"It is all my fault for being too greedy, colluding with demon cultivators, foolishly attempting to use demonic cultivation techniques to break through to the Golden Core Great Dao, implicating the entire family."
"After my death, blame everything on me, claim that I was bewitched by demon cultivators and practiced forbidden techniques in secret."
Xu Kun placed the heads on the table and took out a jade scroll from his sleeve:
"Find all the clan members who practiced demonic cultivation techniques, abolish their cultivation, and expel them from the family records."
"Take my head and this jade scroll to the Li Clan of Qingxuan to seek aid."
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"You can offer the Tier Two Top Grade Spirit Vein in the Western Border to the Li Clan and ask them to plead with the sect for clemency, preserving the Xu Clan's heritage."
After speaking, without waiting for the elders to react, he suddenly controlled the Lesser Yang Essence Wheel to slice toward his own neck.
The head rolled to the ground, the eyes still wide open, seemingly gazing at the future of the Xu Family.
In the council hall, the clan elders looked at Xu Kun's body with faces full of grief, yet knowing this was the only path to survival for now.
They held back their tears and began following Xu Kun's instructions, clearing out the clan members who practiced demonic cultivation techniques, preparing to seek aid from the Li Clan.
...
Within the stationed residence.
Dragon Void Daoist was scanning a jade scroll with his divine sense, the "Profound Yin Condensation Pill Technique," the very demonic secret technique offered by the Xu Clan.
He looked disdainful:
"Another technique to seize the Pill, riddled with flaws, truly a demon technique."
Dragon Void Daoist casually tossed it to Chen Sheng.
Chen Sheng scanned it with his divine sense, noting the various requirements, and his heart stirred.
Zhao Wu was standing in front of Dragon Void Daoist, reporting the progress of the siege:
"Venerable, Luo Lie has been captured, and Xu Kun committed suicide, offering the heads of two demon cultivators, requesting the sect's forgiveness."
Dragon Void Daoist gently nodded, a trace of approval flashing in his eyes:
"Well done, you must eradicate the roots when cutting weeds. Luo Lie must be severely interrogated to uncover if he has any other demon cultivator accomplices."
"As for the Xu Family, considering their initiative to purge internally, they can be dealt with leniently."
Zhao Wu responded:
"Understood."
...
A hundred miles west of Fenghua Immortal City, in a valley named Cyan Willow Valley, resided an inconspicuous small family — the Liu Clan.
The spiritual qi in the valley was sparse, just enough for Qi Cultivators to practice, and the Liu Clan comprised only over thirty members, with their strongest being the clan leader, Liu Shan, at Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer.
They usually lived by planting low-tier spirit grain and gathering herbs.
That evening, Liu Shan stood respectfully outside the hall in the clan territory, bowing to a plump elderly man dressed in a black robe.
The elder's face was round but exuded a sinister aura, with a cultivation level at Foundation Establishment Perfection, and he had a black token hanging at his waist, a symbol of his connection to a demonic hideout.
Liu Shan bowed his head, his voice tinged with flattery:
"Senior, these are this month's 'Blood Marrow Grass,' totaling fifty jin, all dried as per your request."
The plump elder was named Elder Mo, a leader of demon cultivators lurking around Fenghua Immortal City, and the Liu Clan was one of his secretive "Blood Source Bases."
——In his ambition to break through to Foundation Establishment, Liu Shan had been tempted by Elder Mo's demonic Foundation Stealing Technique.
He not only regularly provided the spirit grass needed for cultivating the demon technique but also secretly kidnapped loose cultivators from the market for Elder Mo to refine Blood Pills.
Elder Mo, however, did not take the spirit grass; instead, he raised his hand to touch the token at his waist, which was emitting faint black qi, a warning signal that a hideout had been destroyed.
His usually squinting eyes suddenly widened, and a chill of murderous intent flickered in his gaze, though his tone remained calm:
"Clan Leader Liu, are you aware that the 'Black Stone Stronghold' on the eastern side was raided by the Immortal City Guard Army today?"
Liu Shan panicked, hurriedly replying:
"Senior... Senior, I did not know! The affairs of Black Stone Stronghold have nothing to do with us in Cyan Willow Valley. We have always followed your instructions without any mistake!"
"No mistakes?"
Elder Mo suddenly laughed, a piercing and grating sound:
"Two of my trusted aides died at the Xu Family Territory today, and the Immortal City has begun a thorough investigation of demon hideouts."
"Do you think this little Cyan Willow Valley can remain hidden for much longer?"
Liu Shan's face turned deathly pale, and he fell to his knees with a thud:
"Spare me, Senior! I am loyal to you, begging you to take us with you! As long as we can survive, I am willing to serve you loyally!"
Elder Mo looked at his terrified appearance, his eyes filled with even more murderous intent. He had always sought not "loyalty," but rather "pawns" that wouldn't jeopardize his secrets.
Now, with the hideout exposed, the Liu Clan not only had lost their value but could also become a lead for Fenghua Immortal City's investigations—keeping them would only cause more trouble.
"Loyalty?"
Elder Mo slowly raised his hand. His fat palm appeared to move slowly, yet it carried an irresistible suction force, instantly grabbing Liu Shan's head.
Liu Shan didn't even have the chance to scream before feeling his vital essence being drawn out like a tide, his vision gradually blurring until he completely lost consciousness.
Elder Mo let go, and Liu Shan's body instantly shriveled like dehydrated wood, casually tossed and colliding with a pillar in the hall, making a dull thud.
"What a waste, two hideouts developed with difficulty, exposed so quickly!"
He snorted coldly, his voice full of impatience:
"This place cannot be stayed in for long, retreat!"
As Elder Mo's words fell, with a wave of his hand, seven or eight black phantoms flew out from his sleeve, flitting ghost-like through the clan territory.
Wherever the phantoms passed, shrill screams echoed, as Liu Clan's people, whether old or young, had their essence blood drained, falling to the ground as dried corpses.
Blood stained the stone slabs red, the rich scent of blood mingling with the black qi, casting a sinister aura over the entire Cyan Willow Valley.
In the time it took to burn an incense stick, the once lively Liu Clan territory had become a desolate ruin.
Elder Mo stood amid the corpse pile, inhaling deeply as if savoring the bloody aroma.
He raised his hand, summoning two ghostly pale, hollow-eyed Ghost Child puppets he had refined from spirit children, incredibly strong and capable of concealing their presence.
The Ghost Child puppets carried a small black sedan chair in front of Elder Mo seamlessly.
Elder Mo bent over and entered the sedan chair, and as the curtain fell, his voice came from inside:
"Go, to the Western Border Miasma Forest, to rendezvous with the Venerable."
The Ghost Child puppets carried the sedan smoothly, heading out of the valley, soon disappearing into the twilight.
...