Chapter 237: New Golden Core

"Five hundred years ago, some people already left."

"How many times has this kind of thing happened?" Xu Chuan asked, his expression solemn.

"It started over three thousand years ago. As for who proposed this plan, my level is too low to have access to such information," the Wood Clone of the Ancient Locust Tree King replied.

"Perhaps it was a Shapeshifting Great Demon, or perhaps it was your human immortal cultivators or demonic cultivators, or maybe it was the result of a joint discussion between all three parties.

"Otherwise, this place would not have become a battlefield for the three major factions.

"Experiencing similar events over and over again... it is like an inescapable cycle of reincarnation."

Xu Chuan slowly closed his eyes, his heart filled with a profound sorrow.

A moment later.

He cupped his hands toward the Wood Clone. "Thank you for telling me the truth, Senior."

"Despair, a bottomless despair!"

"But this junior firmly believes that out of the fifty Great Daos, there is always a silver lining. Are you not the path to survival for my Xu Clan, Senior?"

"As for this cycle," Xu Chuan looked up at the sky, "this junior also believes that one day, someone will wield a sword to sever this cycle, so that the tragedy will no longer continue!"

"You are a remarkable person. I feel that you might be carrying some kind of great providence," the Wood Clone remarked.

"Senior overpraises me. Regarding the transplanting matter, this junior still has a question. The place where my Xu Clan resides has thin spiritual qi. I fear it will be unable to supply it with abundant spiritual energy and nourishment."

'I should squeeze out whatever benefits I can get,' he thought.

The Wood Clone smiled. "That is not a problem."

He took out an ink-colored potted plant from out of nowhere. The bronze pot contained earthy-yellow spirit soil brimming with spiritual qi, and a locust tree sapling was planted in it.

"I have already prepared this. You just need to carry it with you and drip a drop of spirit liquid into it every once in a while, until it fully awakens its intelligence and becomes a tree demon.

"When that time comes, you can simply bring it back to me."

"Senior, this soil..."

"I exchanged it from a certain demon race. It is called Profound Yellow Spirit Soil. Rumor has it that it was formed when a wisp of innate profound yellow energy fell into the mud. It can accelerate the growth of spiritual plants.

"Even when it becomes a Tier 2 tree demon, it will still have a significant effect."

Xu Chuan was slightly disappointed. He took the ink-colored potted plant, glanced around the area, and asked, "Does Senior have any other instructions?"

"None for now."

"Then, may this junior borrow this treasured land to cultivate for a period of time?"

"Suit yourself."

The wood-element spiritual qi here was abundant, enough to speed up his cultivation by several margins.

Xu Chuan chose a bluestone, sat cross-legged, and silently cultivated.

The ink-colored potted plant was placed beside him.

Moyue communicated with Xu Chuan telepathically, telling him to contact him if anything happened, and then returned to Mirror Lake himself.

The purpose of this trip had been fully achieved.

Having won over the Fox King and the Tree King, plus their own Flood Dragon King Moyue, the Xu Clan's Foundation Establishment cultivators at least would not have to worry about encountering Tier 3 demonic beasts attacking them.

As for the rest, he could not force the Fox King and the Tree King to provide protection.

——————————

Meanwhile.

The battle for the spirit stone mine at the Great Wei border grew increasingly fierce.

Dozens, if not over a hundred Late-Stage Qi Condensation cultivators from both countries had died, and seven or eight Foundation Establishment cultivators from each side had fallen in battle.

Great Jin had also received the news.

Many Great Jin cultivators were itching for action.

Right at this moment.

The ancestor of the Xue Clan broke through to the Golden Core Stage. Upon hearing of this matter, he headed to the Great Wei border.

Seeing the high death toll, the immortal cultivators of Great Wei and Great Liang finally decided to determine the ownership of this medium-sized spirit stone mine through a competition.

That was right. Investigations had revealed that the spirit stone mine here was a medium-sized one.

Golden Core Stage cultivators were all paying attention in secret.

It was just that, given their status, it was inconvenient for them to personally take the field.

They all wanted to monopolize this spirit stone mine.

Great Wei and Great Liang agreed on three matches, divided into the 9th Layer of Qi Condensation, Early Foundation Establishment, and Mid Foundation Establishment.

Each side had five candidates for every match to fight a king-of-the-hill style battle. The one left standing on the arena at the end would be the winner.

In the first Qi Condensation battle, Great Wei won by a narrow margin.

In the second Early Foundation Establishment battle, Great Liang secured a tragic victory.

But halfway through the third match, the sky within a five-kilometer radius suddenly turned blood red, leaving everyone bewildered and uncertain.

"Why did the sky suddenly turn red?"

"Blood aura... Everyone be careful. A demonic cultivator practicing blood demonic dao cultivation methods has barged in," an elderly Late Foundation Establishment man warned.

Everyone's hearts jolted, and they immediately went on high alert.

"Impossible. For blood aura to cover such a large area, it is absolutely not something a Foundation Establishment stage demonic cultivator can achieve!"

As soon as those words fell, bursts of eerie, terrifying laughter echoed through the surrounding sky.

"Hehehe!"

"This ancestor just broke through to the Golden Core, and I immediately discover a medium-sized spirit stone mine. This mine rightfully belongs to me!"

Hearing the words "broke through to the Golden Core," all the immortal cultivators present turned pale.

"Someone broke through to the Golden Core?!"

"And it is actually a demonic cultivator from Great Jin!"

On the arena.

As the blood aura surged, a violent hurricane suddenly arose, sweeping up the crimson blood aura into a vortex and sending crushed stones flying across the stage.

The cultivators from both Great Liang and Great Wei felt as if their chests had been struck by a heavy hammer. Their bodies froze before they were blown away by the fierce wind, tumbling off the arena.

The crowd watched as countless streaks of blood aura condensed in the center of the arena, ultimately transforming into a human figure that looked like a young man in his early twenties.

His hair was like clotted blood, cascading down to his waist. Every strand gleamed with a bizarre, glass-like red light. Even without wind, it moved on its own, as if beads of blood were rolling down the strands. The moment they touched the ground, they evaporated into wisps of blood mist.

His face was as pale as powder yet possessed a lustrous bloody tint, as if carved from blood jade. The tips of his eyebrows slanted sharply toward his temples, and the corners of his eyes held a natural crimson hue.

His eyes resembled blood glass. As they darted around, tiny blood veins seemed to swim within his pupils.

He wore dark-patterned blood brocade, with intertwined blood lotuses embroidered along the hem.

He swept his gaze over the crowd and coldly snorted.

Instantly, countless waves of crimson blood aura erupted violently from his body, like ten thousand stampeding horses or a soaring fire dragon.

The crowd dared not meet his eyes. They immediately bowed and greeted, "We pay our respects to Senior."

"This ancestor is taking this spirit stone mine. Do any of you have an objection?"

His voice boomed like a great bell, yet carried a youthful, crisp wickedness that sliced through the howling wind and pierced straight into everyone's eardrums.

As his words fell, Golden Core pressure, wrapped in the malicious yin energy of the blood demonic dao, suddenly swept in all directions.

The crowd below the stage felt a sudden heavy weight on their shoulders, as if a thousand-pound boulder was pressing down on them. Those with weaker cultivation staggered and fell to their knees, their faces turning a ghastly, paper-white shade.

Even the Foundation Establishment immortal cultivators clenched their fists until their veins popped. Their throats tightened so much they could not spit out a single word. Only fear and unwillingness filled their eyes.

Suddenly.

The crowd felt the oppressive pressure abruptly vanish.

At some unknown point, several figures had appeared in the sky.

To the east was the Golden Core Ancestor of the Cao Clan. To the south was the Emperor of Great Liang, the Golden Core Ancestor of the Liu Clan. Beside him floated a mass of clouds and mist, with a dark shadow vaguely visible within.

"Ancestor!"

"Your Majesty!"

The people of Great Wei and Great Liang bowed to the two respectively, looking at them as if they were saviors.

"Hiding in the shadows one by one... what, deciding to all show up at once now?" The blood-robed youth sneered.

"A mere newly advanced Golden Core, do you really think you are invincible in this world?" the Liu Clan Ancestor scoffed, his expression hostile.

"Want to kill me?" The blood-robed youth laughed loudly. "Under my Blood Evasion, if this ancestor wants to leave, none of you can stop me!"

"Moreover," he suddenly shouted in all directions, "Brother Sima, are you just going to watch helplessly as our Great Jin people are bullied?!"

"Hahaha, it really is you, Daoist Friend Xue! You actually managed to live an extra hundred years relying on a secret method, and even successfully achieved Core Formation?!

"Incredible! Truly incredible!"

In the western sky, a dark silhouette suddenly arrived.

It was none other than the ancestor of the Great Jin Sima Clan.

In the blink of an eye, the Golden Cores of Great Wei, Great Liang, and Great Jin had all assembled.

The blood-robed youth swept his gaze over the few people in the sky and smiled wickedly. "Since everyone who should be here has arrived, why share this spirit stone mine with the rest? How about our five factions divide it equally?"

The expressions of many aristocratic families simultaneously changed.

They had paid a massive price to fight for this mine.

Was it all going to be for nothing in the end?!

The Cao Clan Ancestor and the Liu Clan Ancestor exchanged a glance. If their two sides joined forces, combined with the Zhao Clan's Tier 3 demonic beast, suppressing the Sima Clan's Golden Core and the Xue Clan's Golden Core would not be a big problem.

But...

"What, Daoist Friend Cao and Daoist Friend Liu, do you two want to join forces?" The blood-robed youth's lips curled up slightly. "Do you really want to form a grudge with us over a few spirit stones?

"If we tear up all pretenses, it will end badly for all our families.

"As for the other aristocratic families, could they possibly rebel against us?!"

Ultimately, this medium-sized spirit stone mine was divided equally among the Cao Clan, Liu Clan, Zhao Clan, Sima Clan, and Xue Clan.

The rest of the Foundation Establishment aristocratic families all met with a dismal end.

The news that the Xue Clan Ancestor had extended his lifespan by a hundred years and finally achieved Core Formation spread throughout Great Wei, Great Liang, and Great Jin.

In terms of Golden Core level strength alone, Great Jin instantly leaped to become the strongest, followed by Great Liang, with Great Wei at the bottom.

Upon hearing this news, the Dongxi Main Branch and the Guangling Branch of the Xu Clan both wore solemn expressions.

Simply because the Xue Clan and the Xu Clan also had a few grudges.

Although it was merely a grudge involving a Xue Clan elder, given the conduct of demonic cultivators, now that they were a Golden Core aristocratic family, they might just come and stir up trouble.

The members of the Xu Clan had inherited Xu Chuan's personality, being extremely cautious in both action and thought.

Even if there was only a slight hint of a problem, they would plan for it in advance.

Dongxi.

"Mingshu, make a trip to the Azure Sea Forest to find Grand Elder Moyue. Have him inform Father of this matter. The situation is changing too fast now. We need him to return and take command."

"Understood, Second Brother."

Xu Mingshu immediately departed, riding the Purple Lightning Azure Flame Eagle.

Although Xu Ying was at the peak of mid-Tier 2, its dual lightning and fire attributes meant its strength was not the least bit weaker than a late-Tier 2 demonic beast. Combined with Xu Bai, who was a true late-Tier 2 beast...

She herself was in the Mid Foundation Establishment stage. With the tens of thousands of red-spotted spirit insects and over two thousand iron-devouring flying ants she had cultivated thus far, she was capable of rivaling a seventh-layer Foundation Establishment immortal cultivator.

Just over two days later.

She arrived at the Azure Sea Forest and blew a dragon whistle.

This whistle was exclusively used to contact Moyue.

Otherwise, the scope of the Azure Sea Forest was too large, making it hard for the Xu Clan to find him. Moreover, this place was teeming with demonic beasts and extremely dangerous.

Acting too recklessly would only get oneself killed.

In Mirror Lake.

Moyue opened his eyes and muttered to himself, 'The Xu Clan is looking for me?'

He did not overthink it. He burst out of Mirror Lake, soaring through the clouds and mist as he flew into the distance.

Having won over the Three-Tailed White Fox and struck a deal with the Ancient Locust Tree King, he could roam freely throughout the entire Azure Sea Forest.

Even the Three-Tailed White Fox would not dare casually trespass into the Ancient Locust Tree King's territory.

"Little Mingshu, why are you here? Do you want me to take you to the Cloud Gold Mountain Range again so that stupid cat of yours can cultivate?"

Spreading his divine sense, Moyue quickly found Xu Mingshu.

"Uncle Moyue, something might happen at home. Someone in Great Jin has advanced to the Golden Core, and it belongs to the Xue Clan, a family that has past grievances with our Xu Clan."

"The ones practicing the blood demonic dao?" Moyue thought for a moment. "I have some impression of them. It seems it was because you saved a Zhao Clan immortal cultivator."

"First the Cao Clan, then the Sima Clan, and now the Xue Clan." Moyue was speechless. "Is your Xu Clan trying to make enemies out of the whole world?"

"Uncle Moyue, stop joking around and quickly notify my father. Second Brother is worried that people from Great Jin might come to cause trouble. He wants Father to return and take charge of the situation."

"Little brat, have some respect for your elders!" Moyue bared his teeth at her, then mentally contacted Xu Chuan.

Xu Chuan woke from his cultivation. Hearing what Moyue told him, his brows slightly furrowed, and he replied, "Bring Mingshu over to pick me up. And you will come back to the Xu Clan with me first."

After finishing the communication, Xu Chuan, holding the ink-colored potted plant, walked up to the Ancient Locust Tree King and bowed. "Senior Tree King."

"What is it?" A muffled voice rang out. With a flash of green light, the Wood Clone appeared.

"There is trouble within my clan. This junior plans to take his leave."

"What sort of trouble?"

"It involves a Golden Core Stage faction. This junior needs to return and hold the fort."

The Wood Clone looked at Xu Chuan, then glanced at the sapling in the pot, and sighed softly. "Are you hoping to ask for my help?

"I will not involve myself in the disputes of you humans.

"However, since we just finalized our transaction, I cannot simply watch you meet an untimely end either."

With that, the entire ancient locust tree blossomed with emerald brilliance.

A short moment later, a severed branch flew toward Xu Chuan.

"This branch contains my full-strength strike. It can at least injure a Mid Golden Core immortal cultivator. It will dissipate after one use. Make good use of it yourself.

"This is the extent of the help I can offer you!"

"Thank you, Senior!"

Xu Chuan was overjoyed in his heart.

A Mid Golden Core stage cultivator, as described by the Tree King, likely meant an existence possessing magic treasures.

It seemed the true strength of the Ancient Locust Tree King was absolutely comparable to the peak of Tier 3.

Realm was one thing, combat power was another.

Much like how humans relied on various external tools, where an Early Foundation Establishment cultivator slaying a Late Foundation Establishment cultivator was not completely abnormal.

It was just that such treasures were mostly precious and exceptionally rare.

Not long after.

Moyue arrived. Xu Chuan left with him and returned to Dongxi.

Xu Chuan summoned Xu Mingwei, Xu Mingyuan, and the rest of the core Foundation Establishment members of the Xu Clan.

"Father, this child did not mean to disturb your cultivation. It is just that Great Jin has gained another Golden Core, and it belongs to an aristocratic family that has some grudges against our Xu Clan.

"Following the typical conduct of demonic cultivators, now that Great Wei's influence is weak, they might no longer have any scruples. There is a high chance they will trespass into Great Wei to look for trouble with our Xu Clan."

Xu Mingyuan said with a solemn expression, "Back then, the Sima Clan suffered from a lack of evidence and was wary of Great Wei's Cao Clan, so they did not dare send people openly to interrogate us.

"The Xue Clan is the same.

"If they unite and apply pressure, the Cao Clan will likely turn a blind eye.

"They might even be delighted to see such a situation."

Xu Chuan looked at Xu Mingyuan and smiled faintly. "Mingyuan, your considerations are very thorough. Then, tell us your arrangements."

"This child feels we must make preparations in advance. If the Sima Clan and Xue Clan really send people, we kill them!"

"And then?"

"If a Golden Core comes, it would be best if we can kill them. If not, we still need to intimidate everyone!" Xu Mingyuan said. "Our Xu Clan is no longer the Xu Clan from decades ago.

"I believe our Xu Clan's foundation, prestige, and network are already enough to support a Golden Core aristocratic family.

"This is the perfect opportunity to propel our Xu Clan to the very top tier of aristocratic families in one fell swoop."

Hearing this, Xu Chuan expressionlessly swept his gaze over the others and asked indifferently, "What are your thoughts?"

"Father, I agree with Second Brother's idea!" Xu Mingwei declared. "If no one comes to bother us, our Xu Clan can continue to conceal our strength and bide our time as always.

"But if anyone dares reach their claws toward us, we chop them off!"

Xu Mingxian stated calmly, "Although I have not fully comprehended Tier 3 formations yet, top-tier Tier 2 trapping formations are not an issue. Even a Golden Core would have to expend a certain amount of effort to break through."

"Father, as long as the people coming from the Sima Clan and Xue Clan are not Golden Cores, leave them to us. Ah Ying is enough to match a Late Foundation Establishment immortal cultivator, and Xiao Bai can fight someone at Foundation Establishment Perfection.

"There is also Big Brother's archery and Second Brother's peak-grade talismans.

"If worse comes to worst, we can also call Xiaoyao over. Even if it is four or five Late Foundation Establishments plus seven or eight Mid Foundation Establishments, we can kill them all together."

Xu Dezhao interjected, "Aunt, Elder Xiaoyao needs to hold down the fort at the Guangling Branch. Calling him over would not be appropriate, right?"

"The demonic dao has always been selfish. If our Xu Clan truly attracts a Golden Core, it will definitely be out of interest for our peak Tier 2 flood dragon," Xu Mingyuan deduced.

Watching them discuss the matter, Xu Chuan suddenly felt a sense of relief, as if he could finally let go.

"Then we will do as you say." A faint smile lifted the corners of his lips. "Any immortal cultivator below the Golden Core stage will be handed over to you.

"If a Golden Core comes, then we will make them the stepping stone for our Xu Clan!"

Xu Mingxian set up another layer of the clan protection grand array and refined top-tier Tier 2 formation flags.

The rest continued cultivating as usual.

Three months later.

The Xue Clan of Great Jin hosted their Golden Core Grand Ceremony, sending out invitation cards far and wide.

The Xu Clan also received one.

However, Xu Chuan had no intention of going.

In the past, if they had received such an invitation, they would have had to force themselves to attend even if there were dangers.

Not going would simply give the Golden Core aristocratic family an excuse to make things difficult.

A month later.

The families that had received the invitations headed over one after another.

The Zhao Clan had not wanted to go, but since the Xue Clan members had visited them last time, they had to send someone over to make an appearance no matter what.

Xue Clan's Third Elder, Xue Wuxiu, had originally planned to humiliate the Xu Clan. He even intended to find an excuse to kill any Qi Condensation disciples that might have tagged along.

But who would have thought that the Xu Clan would not show up at all!

It truly infuriated him to the point where his face turned blue.

"Brother Wuxiu, today is precisely your Xue Clan's moment of glory. Who angered you to such an extent?"

The newcomer was the head of the Sima Clan, holding a cultivation of the seventh-layer of Foundation Establishment.

"Ah, Brother Sima." Xue Wuxiu cupped his fists. "Naturally, it is someone ignoring my Xue Clan. We sent them an invitation card, yet they dared not to come today!"

"Oh?" The Sima Clan head was momentarily surprised. "There is an aristocratic family with guts that big?"

"But I see that the Cao Clan, the Liu Clan, and the Zhao Clan all sent representatives."

"It is the Xu Clan," Xue Wuxiu said, staring at the Sima Clan head.

"That Xu Clan from Great Wei?!" The Sima Clan head's eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing this. "They indeed have a lot of nerve."

"According to the information I have gathered, the Xu Clan has been repeatedly causing the Cao Clan to suffer setbacks in Great Wei. They maneuvered through alliances and merged forces, reeling in a bunch of ants to form some sort of alliance.

"It made the Cao Clan hesitant to act against them out of fear of collateral damage, preventing them from making any rash moves."

"Such a thing actually happened?!" Xue Wuxiu's face revealed a look of astonishment. "Then the Cao Clan truly is going downhill. If it were in our Great Jin and someone dared to provoke us like that, we would simply annihilate their entire clan.

"Aristocratic families are like spring bamboo shoots; even if you wipe out one batch, they will pop up on their own the following spring."

"That is why the turmoil in our Great Jin has never ceased. I reckon this is also why Great Wei and Great Liang resist our demonic cultivators entering their borders.

"Once discovered, they will yell for us to be beaten and killed."

Xue Wuxiu remained silent.

A short while later, recalling something, he said, "Brother Sima, I remember your Sima Clan also seemed to have some enmity with the Xu Clan, correct?"

"There is indeed a matter I wish to interrogate them clearly about. My son Sima Xiangyan and his group all perished in the Wuhua Secret Realm. Both the Xu Clan and the Cao Clan encountered my son's squad.

"They are the most suspicious ones.

"But there is absolutely no evidence. After all, they do not have our Sima Clan's secret method imprints on them, nor do they possess any dharma tools refined by our Sima Clan.

"Otherwise, our Sima Clan Ancestor would have slaughtered them right then and there.

"Later, I sent people to quietly infiltrate Great Wei to investigate the Xu Clan's secrets, but unfortunately, they completely disappeared.

"In the end, we could only drop the matter."

"I can only say the Xu Clan members are extraordinarily meticulous," Xue Wuxiu sneered. "Brother Sima, I am willing to bet that your Sima Clan members dying in the secret realm was likely the Xu Clan's doing."

"Do you have proof?"

"Proof? Since when do we demonic cultivators need proof to do things?!" A hint of ruthlessness flashed through Xue Wuxiu's eyes. "We just need to grab one of the people from back then and search their soul!"

The Sima Clan head remained silent, pondering over the idea carefully.

"Back then, the Sima Clan was wary of Great Wei's Cao Clan, so you did not dare aggressively send men into Great Wei to look for trouble with the Xu Clan.

"But now, our Great Jin has the strongest strength on the Golden Core level.

"Great Wei is only propped up by a single Golden Core.

"If our two families openly join forces to head to the Xu Clan, while also notifying the Cao Clan beforehand, do you think the Cao Clan will turn a blind eye?

"They will just let us suppress the Xu Clan."

The Sima Clan head mused, "The Xu Clan is not weak. They are not inferior to a first-rank family."

"But their foundation is shallow, is it not? They are mostly at the first-layer Foundation Establishment. There are probably only two or three Mid Foundation Establishment members. The only thing to be wary of is that peak Tier 2 flood dragon.

"Each of our families can send out one Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator to keep that flood dragon in check.

"Then we dispatch four Late Foundation Establishment and eight Mid Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"If the Xu Clan refuses to cooperate with a soul search, we strike immediately. Even if the Xu Clan has a high-grade Tier 2 formation, it will not hold out for long.

"Brother Sima, I have heard the Xu Clan possesses an abundance of cultivation resources, even surpassing the accumulation of a first-rank family."

The Sima Clan head considered it and felt that Xue Wuxiu's method was viable.

As long as the Cao Clan tacitly agreed not to intervene, and their two families mobilized a combat force exceeding a first-rank family, even if they could not eradicate the Xu Clan, they would definitely reap some gains.

Operating in Great Wei's territory, they also needed an ample justification.

And it just so happened that both their families possessed this justification.

"Alright. I will discuss this matter with the clan elders once I return. After all, deploying such a large fighting force is not something I can decide alone," the Sima Clan head agreed.

"That is only natural." Xue Wuxiu nodded with a smile. "Then I shall await Brother Sima's good news."

Xue Wuxiu was the biological younger brother of the First Elder, holding monstrous authority within the Xue Clan.

As long as he persuaded his older brother, deploying these people from the Xue Clan would not be an issue.

As for the Xue Clan's Golden Core Ancestor, he had not even shown his face at the Golden Core Grand Ceremony hosted by his own clan, proving his indifferent disposition.

The success rate of Xue Wuxiu's plan was extremely high. It would have succeeded against any first-rank family in Great Wei.

Thus, five or six days later.

The Sima Clan and the Xue Clan met up to discuss the details of the matter.

As for the attack target, it would be Dongxi, where the Xu Clan's main branch was located.

After all, the Xu Clan members who entered the Wuhua Secret Realm were basically all in Dongxi. Moreover, the Xue Clan's invitation card was addressed to Xu Chuan. If they wanted to assign blame, they had to seek out Xu Chuan.

Hence, they chose Dongxi.

Half a month later.

The Cao Clan received a letter from the Xue Clan.

"First Elder, this is a letter sent by the Great Jin Xue Clan for you to open personally. The Xue Clan messenger said they will wait for your reply in the Imperial City."

Cao Dezhang glanced at it. He took the letter, opened it, and read. Instantly, his pupils contracted slightly. Then, raising his brows, he sneered, "Has the Xu Clan's good luck come to an end?"

"The Sima Clan and the Xue Clan are actually joining forces to hold them accountable."

"The matters stated are quite reasonable."

"Xu Clan, it is not that my Cao Clan is doing nothing. Who told you to be so audacious as to offend three Golden Core factions?"

Cao Dezhang immediately penned a letter and handed it to the guard. "Give this to the Xue Clan messenger."

"Yes, First Elder."

The Xue Clan messenger returned to Great Jin with the letter.

Seeing the contents of the letter, Xue Wuxiu burst into a hearty laugh. "Go invite the Sima Clan head over."

Half an hour later.

The Sima Clan head arrived.

"Brother Sima, look. This is the reply from the Cao Clan's First Elder."

The Sima Clan head took it and scanned it. It read: [Since there are grudges, you may naturally come to resolve them. But if you strike at any other aristocratic family, my Cao Clan will definitely hunt you down to the ends of the earth!]

"The Cao Clan is still as calculating as ever. Regardless of whether we succeed or fail, relying on that last sentence, the Cao Clan can completely extricate themselves without incurring any karma."

Xue Wuxiu chuckled. "So, Brother Sima, when do we strike?"

"Seven days from now, on the twenty-sixth of the ninth month, we will set off for Great Wei together!"

"Excellent! How satisfying!" Xue Wuxiu burst into loud laughter. "Then the twenty-sixth of the ninth month it is!"

Meanwhile, over in Dongxi.

At the Jade Cold Pool.

A drop of Vitality Spirit Liquid condensed at the tip of Xu Chuan's finger and dripped onto the locust tree sapling in the ink-colored potted plant.

Its verdant aura swirled, swiftly absorbing the drop.

Then, the sapling shook its few tender leaves, appearing to be extremely comfortable.

"Its spirituality is not weak, but it is still far from awakening its intelligence." Xu Chuan sighed faintly. "It seems this transaction will not be easy either."

Finishing today's task, Xu Chuan gathered a wisp of vitality from all the flora and spiritual plants around the Jade Cold Pool to replenish himself.

He then cultivated quietly until midnight.

'Another neutral hexagram? Could it be the Xue Clan isn't planning to come?'

'Logically speaking, if they allied with the Sima Clan, it should look like a guaranteed victory in their eyes, allowing them to plunder my Xu Clan.'

'Hurry up and come. I have waited so long that the flowers are about to wither!'

'I cannot let down our Xu Clan disciples' eager desire for battle this time.'

After this matter concluded, Xu Chuan planned to officially hand over the main authority of the Xu Clan. He would cultivate with all his might until he reached Foundation Establishment Perfection, and then he would head to the Southern Heaven Region.

He had already selected the candidate for First Elder.

In his early years, he had considered having his eldest take over, but ultimately, his second son Xu Mingyuan was more suitable.

As for Xu Mingwei, he planned to secretly establish a group of Dao Protectors and make him their leader.

As for the people joining the Dao Protectors, besides their leader, not even the First Elder or the Family Head would know their true identities.

Their duty would be to protect the clan's young saplings, guard the clan's peace, and ensure the eternal continuation of the Xu Clan's orthodox legacy.

Other than that, there was no need to change anything else.

Xu Chuan's plans were his way of preparing for future trouble.

The Xu Clan still had a long road ahead. He did not know if they would remain as harmonious in the future as they were now, or if struggles for power and factional strife would arise.

Casting aside his distracting thoughts, Xu Chuan continued to cultivate.

On the seventh day.

'They are here! They are here!'

Reading the intelligence contained in the hexagram, Xu Chuan remained calm and composed.

'Two Foundation Establishment Perfection, four Late Foundation Establishment, eight Mid Foundation Establishment, and sixty immortal cultivators at the eighth or ninth layer of Qi Condensation.'

'Indeed, it is a posture that acts as if victory is already in their grasp!'

"Mingwei."

Xu Chuan sent a voice transmission to Xu Mingwei. "Make a trip to Guangling. Tell Xiaoyao, Mingxuan, Elder Qingfang, and all Xu Clan members who have reached the Late-Stage Qi Condensation or higher to return to Dongxi."

Hearing this, Xu Mingwei knew the enemies were coming.

Furthermore, judging from this mobilization, it was going to be a tough battle.

"Yes, Father."

Xu Mingwei did not hesitate in the slightest and immediately set off for Guangling.

Xu Chuan also notified Xu Mingyuan, Xu Dezhao, and Xu Chonghui, instructing them to make preparations today.

At the hour of the Sheep.

As the shadow on the sundial shifted, the mountain winds around Dongxi suddenly converged.

A group of people arrived from the distant sky, stopping outside the Dongxi grand array.

They were all dressed in either black robes or blood robes.

They were not in a hurry to attack. Instead, they sent out a young man in a black robe who shouted, "Tell your Xu Clan's First Elder and Foundation Establishment elders to come out! The Great Jin Sima Clan and Xue Clan have come to visit!"

"What are people of Great Jin doing coming to my Great Wei?"

The black-robed young man had barely finished speaking when Xu Chuan's voice echoed out in response.

Following that, streaks of light flew to the front of the grand array's light curtain, confronting the cultivators of the Sima Clan and the Xue Clan.

Since they were being courteous before resorting to force, the Xu Clan was not in a hurry to make a move either.

The Xu Clan's lineup was truly not weak. There were nine public Foundation Establishment stage cultivators including Xu Chuan, plus Xu Chonghui and the others at Peak Qi Condensation.

Behind them stood the elite disciples of the Xu Clan, including disciples from the De generation and Chong generation, disciples from vassal families like the Zhou Clan, rogue cultivators, and immortal seedlings recruited from Yuehu Commandery.

Every single one of them was at Late-Stage Qi Condensation or above, numbering fully fifty or sixty people.

Besides them, there were also over fifty Grandmasters.

Xue Wuxiu cast a sweeping glance and a cold sneer appeared on his lips. "What is the use of merely having some more Grandmasters? One Mid Foundation Establishment cultivator is enough to block two or three Early Foundation Establishment cultivators, and a Late Foundation Establishment cultivator can handle two or three Mid Foundation Establishments.

Sending the extra Foundation Establishment cultivators to deal with these martial artists will be nothing more than a massacre."

"My Great Wei does not welcome demonic cultivators!"

"This is a personal grievance, irrelevant to the stances of righteous and demonic paths. The Great Wei Imperial Cao Clan has also permitted us to come and resolve this personal grievance."

The head of the Sima Clan added, "Once the matter is settled, we will not stay in Great Wei for a moment longer!"

"Borrowing your hands to strike at my Xu Clan sounds exactly like a decision the Cao Clan would make. But a personal grievance?" Xu Chuan smiled faintly. "Your lineup proves that it is not as simple as a mere personal grievance."

The Sima Clan head replied, "This is Great Wei territory, after all. We naturally have to be careful. Bringing a few more people is just for our own peace of mind."

Saying that, he continued, "I will not waste words on nonsense. Let me ask you this: in the Wuhua Secret Realm, did my son, Sima Xiangyan, die at the hands of your Xu Clan members?"

"Inside a secret realm, all sides fight for survival. Once out of the secret realm, all grudges are erased. What does your Sima Clan intend to accomplish by bringing up old matters now?"

"Just say yes or no. If you refuse to speak, once we break through your Xu Clan's grand array, I will definitely capture one of your people and perform a soul search!"

Xu Chuan cast a cold glance at him, then turned to look at Xue Wuxiu. "Elder Xue, for what purpose has your Xue Clan come?"

"My Xue Clan is a dignified Golden Core aristocratic family. We sent you an invitation card, yet you turned a blind eye to it. Do you place no importance on my Xue Clan?"

"I must go just because someone invites me? What kind of logic is that?

"My Xu Clan is not a vassal of your Xue Clan!

"Even if the lord of Great Wei, the Cao Clan, invited me, I, Xu, would still have the right to refuse."

"I have heard that you, Xu Chuan, have a tongue as glib as a reed and are eloquent in speech. It truly is so!" Xue Wuxiu sneered. "Under the orders of my Xue Clan Ancestor, I am here to bring you, Xu Chuan, to the Xue Clan to beg for forgiveness!"

Not wanting to be outdone, the Sima Clan head chimed in, "Under the orders of my Sima Clan Ancestor, I am to take all your Xu Clan members who participated in the Wuhua Secret Realm back to my Sima Clan for questioning!"

"If you disobey, we will capture you by force!" The two spoke in unison.

To this, Xu Chuan simply replied calmly, "Those who offend my Xu Clan..."

"Will be killed!"

"Killed!"

"Killed!"