Chapter 321: Nine Nether Earth Python, The Seal of Death Reaches Perfection!

Xu Chuan smiled faintly upon hearing this.

He knew it would be like this.

Having stayed by Xu Chuan's side for so long, Moyue's way of doing things was becoming more and more like his.

Soon after, Xu Chuan brought Chen Changge to a guest room to heal his injuries.

Within the Xu Residence, aside from the areas divided among the various branches, there were also public guest courtyards.

The room was simply yet elegantly furnished. Xu Chuan placed Chen Changge on a bed covered with a purifying jade mat.

True Lord Green Wood had once judged that for Chen Changge to awaken, he would need the stimulation of a soul-type pill of the same caliber as a High-Grade Soul Nourishing Pill.

This statement was not wrong.

However, Xu Chuan had other methods.

Xu Chuan stood quietly before the bed for a moment. He half-closed his eyes, and the aura around his body suddenly became ethereal and profound.

He slowly raised his hand, his fingertips swirling with a strange radiance woven from grayish-white and vibrant green.

The light was not blinding, yet it seemed to contain the ultimate truth of vegetation withering and blooming year by year, the endless cycle of life and death of all things.

Pressing his fingers forward in a point, that radiance flowed like a gentle trickling stream, slowly entering the center of Chen Changge's brow.

Time trickled by.

An hour later, Chen Changge's tightly shut eyelids twitched. A faint groan escaped his throat, his eyelashes fluttered, and he finally managed to open a narrow slit with great difficulty.

"Daoist Friend Xu?" Chen Changge's voice was hoarse and dry. He was incredibly astonished upon seeing the person before him clearly.

"Where am I?"

"A guest room in the Xu Residence. I brought you back from the Heavenly Azure Sect. Although I woke you up, your injuries..."

Xu Chuan did not say any more.

Chen Changge was also perfectly aware of his own condition.

"I have troubled you, Daoist Friend Xu."

"May I ask how you ended up in such a state?"

Chen Changge briefly recounted his experience, mentioning the Pole Star Flower during his explanation.

"Although I was lucky enough to discover the location of the Pole Star Flower, there was a peak Tier 3 Demonic Beast guarding the area. I exhausted all my trump cards and even detonated my natal magic treasure to narrowly escape with my life."

"To escape from a peak Tier 3 Demonic Beast is indeed rare."

Cupping his fists, Chen Changge asked, "Daoist Friend Xu, do you have a way to cure me?"

Xu Chuan remained silent.

Seeing this, Chen Changge guessed that Xu Chuan probably had a method, but the price would not be small, which was why he hesitated.

A resolute look flashed in his eyes as he immediately said, "If you are willing to save me, Daoist Friend Xu, I am willing to disclose the location of the Pole Star Flower.

There are five Pole Star Flowers in total, but only two are fully mature. The rest look quite young."

Xu Chuan still remained silent.

Chen Changge continued, "Furthermore, I am willing to have a Soul Restriction placed upon me. From now on, this life will belong to you."

Xu Chuan looked at him with an expression of surprise. "Daoist Friend Chen, why go so far?"

He offered a dismal smile. "Actually, when I planned to leave the Heavenly Azure Sect this time, I originally intended to seek refuge with you, Daoist Friend Xu."

"Although the Heavenly Azure Sect is declining, they are still the number one power in the Heavenly Azure Prefecture, and their heritage remains. Why would you need to seek refuge with my Xu Family, Daoist Friend Chen?"

"Are you willing to hear the truth, Daoist Friend Xu?"

"Please speak, Daoist Friend Chen. I am all ears."

"After experiencing the War of the Two Prefectures, I believe the Heavenly Azure Sect's providence is exhausted. There is no longer any possibility of them continuing their glory. I originally wanted to leave the Green Wood Sect, but the Heavenly Azure Sect suddenly decided to merge the Three Sects.

The Three Sects were vassals to begin with, so they could not resist and were easily merged.

Subsequently, the Mo Family, the Xu Family, and the Lei Family all built cities one after another.

The Heavenly Azure Sect appeared to merge seven cities to form a resistance, but that doesn't fundamentally solve the problem.

Today, the four major powers of the Heavenly Azure Prefecture fight both openly and in secret. It seems the Heavenly Azure Sect is first, the Mo Family is second, the Xu Family is third, and the Lei Family is last.

But in my eyes, the Xu Family holds the greatest hope of becoming the future Lord of Heavenly Azure Prefecture."

Xu Chuan's pupils slightly shrank. "Brother Chen, aren't you overestimating my Xu Family?"

Chen Changge suddenly said, "Did the Mo Family Ancestor's Nascent Soul Formation have something to do with you, Daoist Friend Xu?"

"Why do you say that?"

"It is merely my guess. The last time the Jade Bamboo Secret Realm opened, you were invited to meet with him. In the few years that followed, the Mo Family Ancestor successfully formed his Nascent Soul. There must have been a corresponding Nascent Soul Formation Opportunity within the Jade Bamboo Secret Realm."

"You are that certain, Daoist Friend Chen?"

"It might have been a coincidence, but recent events have made me certain."

"Oh? What events?" Xu Chuan was intrigued and wanted to see what evidence he had.

"In the struggle between the four powers, the potential of your Xu Family is clear to the other three. The Lei Family can't do anything to your Xu Family. As for the Heavenly Azure Sect, their Grand Elder is heavily injured and unable to act.

But the Mo Family Ancestor never suffered any serious injuries.

If it were me, unless the Xu Family had some sort of leverage over me—such as something related to my Nascent Soul Formation, where I had sworn an oath not to attack the Xu Family...

Otherwise, even if I wouldn't attack openly for the sake of saving face, I would definitely act in secret to eradicate your Xu Family's prodigies one by one.

Only then could I ensure they wouldn't pose any threat to the Mo Family in the future.

Connecting this to the previous coincidences, I am certain that the Mo Family Ancestor's Nascent Soul Formation is related to you, Brother Xu."

Xu Chuan smiled lightly. "Even if your guess is correct, Daoist Friend Chen, my Xu Family doesn't have a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator. No matter how strong I am or how many prodigies our Xu Family has...

...we ultimately cannot become the Lord of Heavenly Azure Prefecture.

After all, if a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator truly disregarded everything to wipe out a faction, they could absolutely achieve it."

"Therefore, I deduce that the Xu Family must have a hidden trump card. Even if not right now, in the near future—within a few years, or at most a decade—you will definitely have a way to contend with a Nascent Soul cultivator.

If it takes any longer than that, both the Heavenly Azure Sect's Grand Elder and the Mo Family Ancestor won't be able to resist striking out.

Even if the Mo Family Ancestor cannot act personally, he could easily hire someone else.

The struggle to become the Lord of Heavenly Azure Prefecture will inevitably reach a fever pitch at a certain stage. When that time comes, it will either be a fight to the death, or one faction will grow too dominant, forcing the others to submit.

Back when the Jade Bamboo Secret Realm opened, you must have foreseen the situation we have today. I suspect that the Heavenly Azure Prefecture's assault, and even the scenario where both sides suffer utter defeat, were all part of your calculations.

According to my understanding of you, you shouldn't have exerted so much effort in the War of the Two Prefectures. After all, it had little to do with your Xu Family.

If your ambitions did not lie in the Heavenly Azure Prefecture, you could have just relocated your entire family. After all, your Xu Family's foundation here is shallow, and you don't have that many clansmen.

With your divine abilities, alongside the other prodigies of the Xu Family, carving out a bloody path to escape wouldn't have been difficult."

Pausing for a moment, Chen Changge looked at Xu Chuan and said, "I believe that the future Heavenly Azure Prefecture will belong to the Xu Family. That is why I was determined to leave the Heavenly Azure Sect, to avoid suffering the calamity of the fish pond in the future.

If I were to fall in this chaotic Heavenly Azure Prefecture, I fear my Chen Family would struggle to find a way to survive.

Our hundreds of years of foundation would be cut short right then and there."

Xu Chuan's eyes flickered slightly. He never expected Chen Changge to be able to guess to such an extent. He had truly underestimated the man's intellect in the past.

Naturally, Xu Chuan always acted with caution and was confident he had left no evidence. Everything Chen Changge said could only be speculation.

However, his reasoning was impeccably logical and tightly woven. If he were to spread this information...

...it would inevitably cause immense trouble for the Xu Family.

For a fleeting moment just now, a flash of killing intent even crossed Xu Chuan's heart.

"Daoist Friend Xu, I am already a dying man, which is why I laid everything out without any reservations. If I can be fully cured, staying with the Xu Family will be my only path."

Chen Changge saw this point very clearly.

Xu Chuan was not accustomed to leaving future troubles for himself. Even if it was a Daoist friend he used to call a brother and had quite a bit of friendship with, if they truly threatened the Xu Family, he would show absolutely no mercy.

"You exaggerate, Daoist Friend Chen. As for curing you, although I am not absolutely certain, I do have a twenty or thirty percent chance. The key, however, lies in finding the Pole Star Flower.

Your soul trauma is far too severe. Without a Pole Star Pill, I can at most extend your lifespan by a few years."

Hearing this, Chen Changge's expression filled with joy, and a heavy stone in his heart finally dropped. He immediately cupped his fists and said, "Thank you, Daoist Friend Xu."

Xu Chuan agreed to save Chen Changge not only because his words posed a threat to the Xu Family and he needed to be firmly controlled, but also because he valued his talent and harbored the intention of taking him in.

In a few months, Moyue would undergo his tribulation transcendence, and the Xu Family would truly begin to show their prowess.

Although Ye Fan was the City Lord of Cloudstream City, his main focus was still his own cultivation. Handling the affairs of Cloudstream City relied heavily on Wu Zhuqi and the other members of the Wu clan.

But their strength was ultimately too low, and they were unable to suppress the situation.

Going forward, the affairs of Cloudstream City would only increase.

If Chen Changge submitted to the Xu Family from now on, he could serve as the Deputy City Lord of Cloudstream City and handle its administrative duties.

"Then please place the Soul Restriction on me right now, Daoist Friend Xu, to show my sincerity."

Xu Chuan looked at Chen Changge and smiled faintly. "Let's wait until your soul injuries are completely healed. Right now, your divine soul is already on the verge of shattering.

It is only being maintained by my power. You wouldn't be able to withstand a Soul Restriction."

"Thank you for your concern, Daoist Friend Xu. Then I shall tell you the location of the Pole Star Flower right away."

Chen Changge briefly explained the location of the Pole Star Flower, as well as the strength and signature moves of that demonic beast. Not long after, he felt a wave of drowsiness wash over him.

With the Dao Rhyme of Life and Death exhausted, Chen Changge fell into a deep slumber once more.

Xu Chuan made his move and began healing his injuries.

The injuries to his physical body and internal organs would be troublesome for others, but the Dao that Xu Chuan comprehended was naturally exceptionally adept at healing.

Therefore, they were repaired in less than four hours.

That sinister, cold death aura coiled within his Dantian was slightly more troublesome. After all, it was the innate divine ability of a peak Tier 3 Demonic Beast. It took almost half a day to completely clear it out.

'His Dantian is damaged. If it's not cured, even if his soul trauma recovers, his cultivation will slowly drop over time.'

Xu Chuan let out a soft sigh. "Forget it. He will have to uphold the facade of my Cloudstream City in the future, anyway. It won't do if he doesn't have the strength of a Golden Core."

Moreover, with Chen Changge's Heavenly Spiritual Root aptitude, once his injuries fully healed, he would be capable of cultivating to Golden Core Perfection in the future.

A future subordinate at the Golden Core Perfection level was more than worth Xu Chuan refining a Life and Death Pill for him.

Coincidentally, the Xu Family had also gathered a set of materials for a Life and Death Pill.

After meditating and regulating his breath for several hours, Xu Chuan went into seclusion to refine pills. Spending a day or two of effort, he concocted a furnace of Life and Death Pills.

There were seven pills in total: four high-grade pills, two mid-grade pills, and one low-grade pill.

The difficulty of this was slightly higher than that of the Withered Glory Pill.

A high-grade Life and Death Pill, besides repairing Dantian damage, also possessed the effect of expanding the Dantian's sea of qi. It was also considered a fairly good fortune.

Of course, this pill could only be taken by someone whose Dantian was damaged. If an uninjured person swallowed it, it could even cause their own Dantian to rupture.

Because there was only one set of materials, Xu Chuan deliberately left behind the roots of the supplementary spirit grasses and planted them in the Xu Clan's Grotto-heaven.

Accumulating them bit by bit like this, the medicine garden within the Xu Clan's Grotto-heaven would undoubtedly become the foundation for the Xu Clan's future cultivation.

After finishing the pill refinement, Xu Chuan brought Moyue along and headed toward the Black Wind Mountain Range together.

On the way, Xu Chuan instructed, "You do not need to fight this time. You only need to suppress it with your True Dragon Pressure.

It is a peak Tier 3 Nine Nether Earth Python. Although it is weaker than you, its strength is quite extraordinary. Its innate divine ability carries Netherworld death aura, making it extremely troublesome to deal with.

If you get injured, there will definitely be complications on the ninth day of the ninth month."

"Got it," Moyue replied with a serious expression. "Then can you handle it alone?"

"Even without you, I could still kill it. But having your True Dragon Pressure suppress it will make things a lot easier for me."

"Of course, True Dragons are the head of all myriad spirits!"

"Once dragon might is released, ten thousand beasts bow their heads!"

Moyue proudly lifted his head.

Besides that, Xu Chuan also felt that this trip might be an opportunity for himself.

Ever since the great battle concluded, the condensing speed of the Origin Life and Death Seal had become extremely slow. Now, although both the qi of life and the qi of death were approaching Great Accomplishment, at this pace, it would probably still take several years of effort.

But the Nine Nether Earth Python possessed pure death aura. If he absorbed its death aura, perhaps the path of the qi of death could reach Great Accomplishment.

As for the qi of life, he had also found a chance for Great Accomplishment.

Several days later, deep within the Black Wind Mountain Range.

This place was shrouded in grayish-black miasma year-round. Ancient trees were gnarled, their branches and leaves twisted like ghost claws. Light could barely penetrate, and the air was thick with the stench of rot and a faint bloody tang.

Following Chen Changge's directions, Xu Chuan arrived at the edge of a hidden, secluded valley.

The bottom of the valley was eerily silent. In the center lay a small patch of Star Nether Grass, which grew by absorbing the earthly yin fiend energy from the laylines.

At the very center, two strange plants, about a meter tall, stood quietly blooming. Their entire bodies looked as though they were carved from black jade, yet tiny starlight-like specks of silvery-white radiance flowed between their leaves and branches.

These were precisely the mature Pole Star Flowers.

Surrounding them were three jade-green plants; they were the immature Pole Star Flowers.

The mature Pole Star Flowers emitted a soft glow. They were the only holy objects within this secluded valley heavy with yin fiend energy, radiating an incomparably pure spiritual qi.

Not far away was an Earthly Fiend Nether Pool, brimming with filthy yin fiend matter.

That was exactly the habitat of the Nine Nether Earth Python.

Xu Chuan patted his Spirit Beast Pouch. A streak of deep blue radiant light shot out, transforming into a three-meter-long deep blue flood dragon that hovered in front of him.

As the concentration of Moyue's True Dragon bloodline increased, his scales had also morphed into their current deep blue hue.

Xu Chuan suspected that if his bloodline concentration continued to rise, he might completely transform into a black flood dragon.

"Wait here. Once the Nine Nether Earth Python appears, erupt with your True Dragon Pressure."

"No problem."

Following that, Xu Chuan patted his Yin Corpse Pouch. Five peak Tier 3 Profound Yin Blood Corpses flew toward the secluded valley, but before they could even get close to the patch of Star Nether Grass...

The nearby Earthly Fiend Nether Pool erupted with a deafening boom, sending countless drops of dark green pool water splashing in all directions.

A colossus over sixty meters long burst out of the nether pool. Its torso was as thick as a palace pillar, covered in heavy, dark iron-like scales, with the edges of each scale gleaming with a cold, metallic luster.

Its triangular head was enormous and hideous, and its pair of vertical pupils were a murky dark yellow, flashing with cruel and cunning light as they narrowed and widened.

'So this is the Nine Nether Earth Python. It truly is a ferocious demonic beast!'

The Nine Nether Earth Python flicked its tongue, drawing up strands of grayish-black netherworld death aura, before opening its gaping maw to snap at the blood corpses.

The five Profound Yin Blood Corpses formed an array, concentrating their power into the blood corpse at the very front.

Its blood fiend hostile energy instantly doubled, and its body swelled to three meters tall. With a furious roar, its fists, wrapped in thick bloody light like two massive hammers, viciously smashed toward the face of the Nine Nether Earth Python!

Although the Profound Yin Blood Corpses were all at peak Tier 3, a single blood corpse was absolutely no match for the Nine Nether Earth Python. It was only by concentrating the power of all five blood corpses that they could barely withstand it.

"Roar!"

Moyue's pale gold vertical pupils suddenly shrank. His body transformed into a flood dragon over a hundred meters long. A vast and majestic True Dragon Pressure, originating from an ancient bloodline, crushed down mercilessly on the Nine Nether Earth Python like an invisible tsunami!

While the Nine Nether Earth Python possessed the bloodline of an ancient vicious beast and might not fear the might of a flood dragon, it still couldn't ignore True Dragon Pressure.

Its vertical pupils rolled back, quickly noticing the situation high up in the sky. With a piercing hiss, it immediately launched itself into the air, charging toward Moyue.

However, its tail was grabbed simultaneously by the five blood corpses. Under their immense combined strength, it unexpectedly found itself unable to shake them off right away.

Seeing this, Xu Chuan flicked his sleeve robe. A Soul-Gathering Banner, black as ink and shrouded in dense yin soul fiend energy, whistled out. It instantly expanded, fluttering noisily in the wind.

As he formed a hand seal with one hand, the Soul-Gathering Banner flared with brilliant black light.

A peak Tier 3 Blood Fiend Ghost King, towering at nine meters tall and draped in Black Armor, charged out with a deafening roar.

Immediately afterward, a dense throng of yin souls of various shapes poured out like a black tide, among which were five early Tier 3 yin generals clad in iron armor and exuding a chilling aura.

Coordinating with the Blood Fiend Ghost King, all the yin souls let out synchronized shrieks. These screams acted like countless sharp spikes stabbing directly into the Nine Nether Earth Python's sea of consciousness.

It caused the beast to let out an agonizing hiss on the spot.

Losing strength in its body, it was immediately swung around by the Profound Yin Blood Corpses, spun into the air, and then violently hurled away, crashing into the opposite mountain cliff.

"Bang!"

Countless shattered rocks cascaded down with a clatter.

Right on its heels, three snow-white skulls, each about three meters in size, flew out from Xu Chuan's Storage Ring.

These skulls all let out eerie cackling laughs as they hurtled straight toward the Nine Nether Earth Python.

Existing somewhere between a divine ability and a magic treasure, they were incomparably bizarre and capable of breaking through the Nine Nether Earth Python's tough scales.

Seeing Xu Chuan deploy method after method, each terrifying enough to easily kill a Golden Core Perfection cultivator or an ordinary peak Tier 3 Demonic Beast, Moyue was amazed.

However, the Nine Nether Earth Python was truly vicious and powerful, possessing almost no obvious weaknesses.

Its strength was formidable, its scales tough, and its own body exuded yin fiend death aura. If not for the blood corpses who felt no fear, any ordinary cultivator would have likely run for their lives long ago.

Even a True Lord at Golden Core Perfection, armed with a High-Grade Magic Treasure, would likely not dare to casually provoke it.

"Your trump cards... aren't there a bit too many? And they're all these vicious, fiendish items. If I didn't spend so much time around you, I would definitely think you were a demonic cultivator."

"Stop flapping your gums. Don't let up on the True Dragon Pressure."

As Xu Chuan spoke, he flicked his sleeve robe, sending six Formation Flags flying out to hide in the four corners of the secluded valley.

A short while later.

Clouds and mist sprang up as a Tier 3 grand array was successfully deployed.

Xu Chuan left behind a cloud-and-mist substitute. Concealing his aura and using the fog to turn invisible, he stealthily made his way toward the Pole Star Flowers.

If he were to gather them openly, the Nine Nether Earth Python would definitely charge at him regardless of the cost, and might even just destroy all the Pole Star Flowers directly.

Activating the cloud and mist illusionary array, Xu Chuan set up a mirror illusion around the perimeter of the Pole Star Flowers, making the Nine Nether Earth Python believe they were perfectly untouched.

He then harvested the large patch of Star Nether Grass and all five Pole Star Flowers.

He physically entered the Xu Clan's Grotto-heaven and planted them.

The reason he took the Star Nether Grass as well was because the Pole Star Flower could only grow quickly by absorbing the aura of the Star Nether Grass.

And Star Nether Grass would only grow in places that possessed an earthly fiend yin vein.

That was exactly why the Pole Star Flower was so incredibly rare.

After hastily planting them, Xu Chuan exited the grotto-heaven, preparing to join forces with the blood corpses and the Ghost King to execute the Nine Nether Earth Python.

Only then could he safely harvest the earthly fiend yin vein here and transplant it into the Xu Clan's Grotto-heaven.

At this moment, the Nine Nether Earth Python was under heavy siege. The scales across its body were shattered in numerous places, and foul blood flowed freely. Yet, it only grew increasingly berserk.

It thrashed its body madly, its iron tail sweeping horizontally to obliterate large swathes of yin souls. Its thick trunk slammed into the mountain rocks, causing them to crack and shatter.

Its netherworld death aura erupted with full force, transforming into waves of grayish-black death tides that violently clashed with the Blood Fiend Ghost King's yin qi, the blood corpses' blood fiend qi, and the assorted attacks of the skulls.

The entire secluded valley erupted in deafening roars, the very space trembling slightly. Such an intense battle even began to affect the stability of the Cloud Heaven Illusionary Array.

Faint cracks had already appeared on the barriers of the array space.

After all, this was only an early Tier 3 grand array, so its trapping effects were limited.

It wouldn't necessarily be able to trap a lone Nine Nether Earth Python, let alone withstand the continuous collision of four similarly powerful forces. The resulting waves of energy shockwaves were truly horrifying.

Although the Nine Nether Earth Python was at a disadvantage, its vitality was astonishing. To kill it completely would likely take a considerable amount of time.

A dark gleam lit up between Xu Chuan's brows. Thirty-two divine sense silver needles converged together, forming a divine sense awl that viciously stabbed into the Nine Nether Earth Python's sea of consciousness.

Who knew how many Pole Star Flowers it had devoured? Its soul was incredibly strong, and the effect of a single silver needle was barely noticeable. That was why Xu Chuan chose to converge the power of his Divine Sense Secret Method into one spot.

While the ghost shriek attacks of the Blood Fiend Ghost King and the other yin souls were also powerful, they were ultimately not as profound as Xu Chuan's method. Focusing on a single point to break the surface, it directly tore through the Nine Nether Earth Python's divine soul defenses.

The Nine Nether Earth Python let out an agonized howl, its spirit descending into total chaos. Its body thrashed uncontrollably, and several Profound Yin Blood Corpses were unfortunately struck by its sweeping iron tail and sent flying.

With a flip of his hand, Xu Chuan summoned the Azure Dragon Treasure Umbrella.

With a mere thought, twenty-eight flying swords shot out in unison, dancing across the sky. In just a breath or two, they directly condensed into the Sword of the Azure Dragon.

Xu Chuan's divine sense was comparable to Golden Core Perfection, and the quality of his mana matched Golden Core Perfection. Moreover, he could easily split his divine sense into thirty-two strands, allowing him to manipulate the Sword of the Azure Dragon with effortless grace.

It was enough to unleash the power of this sword array to its absolute limit.

"Die!"

Letting out rolling dragon roars, the Sword of the Azure Dragon plummeted toward the chaotic Nine Nether Earth Python.

The Claw of the Azure Dragon, boasting power comparable to a strike from a Nascent Soul, forcefully tore open the beast's sturdy head with supreme sword qi, executing it in a single blow.

Moyue watched with his heart pounding in fear, secretly thinking, 'That strike would probably be enough to heavily injure me.'

'Before achieving shapeshifting, perhaps it's best not to refer to myself as this seat in front of Xu Chuan?'

'Just in case he decides to thrust that thing at me one day...'

Seeing the life aura of the Nine Nether Earth Python completely dissipate, Xu Chuan finally let out a long breath.

Glancing at the Cloud Heaven Illusionary Array on the verge of collapsing, he remarked lightly, "Demonic beasts truly are harder to kill than cultivators, especially demonic beasts with such powerful bloodlines."

Xu Chuan landed beside the Nine Nether Earth Python and sat cross-legged. He summoned the Origin Life and Death Seal from his Dantian. It hovered above the python, devouring the dense death aura it radiated.

Over four hours later.

The black half of the Origin Life and Death Seal turned completely corporeal, exactly as Xu Chuan had anticipated.

'All that's left is the side for the Seal of Life. Once both are fully corporeal, this will be a divine ability magic treasure at the level of a High-Grade Magic Treasure.'

'It matches perfectly with the Dao I currently comprehend.'

'The power it can unleash will likely be even stronger than an ordinary High-Grade Magic Treasure!'

'Furthermore, as my comprehension of the Dao of Life and Death deepens, its power can continuously increase. It could even become a Top-Tier Magic Treasure, or possibly a Spirit Treasure.'

The corners of Xu Chuan's lips curled up slightly. He swept a glance over the Nine Nether Earth Python, then set to work completely dismantling its carcass: the core, scales, fangs, snake eyes, snake gall, venom sac...

In the end, only a snake skeleton remained!

This snake skeleton was also a treasure for forging demonic dao Dharma Tools. It could be used to refine dozens of magic treasures, and could even serve as the main material for a High-Grade Magic Treasure.

The bone powder could even be used as a supplementary material for concocting certain pills.

Fully satisfied, Xu Chuan sorted and stored everything, sending it into the Xu Clan's Grotto-heaven.

Next, he recalled the Blood Fiend Ghost King and the rest, then began extracting the earthly fiend yin vein here.

Rumble!

The secluded valley instantly violently shook, but the commotion was isolated by the array, preventing it from spreading outward.

A moment later.

A gray earthly fiend yin vein, about a foot long, lay across Xu Chuan's palm.

"To think it's a mid-grade Tier 3 earthly fiend yin vein. No wonder so much Star Nether Grass grew here, and why a Nine Nether Earth Python claimed this territory."

Demonic beasts were much more sensitive to spirit veins than cultivators.

Wherever a Tier 3 demonic beast roosted, there was bound to be a spirit vein of at least Tier 2 or above.

Xu Chuan entered the Xu Clan's Grotto-heaven again, demarcated an area, and settled the earthly fiend yin vein into place. Then, he transplanted the previously planted Star Nether Grass and Pole Star Flowers over to it.

The Star Nether Grass, which had been somewhat listless, instantly regained its vigor. Because the Pole Star Flowers relied on the Star Nether Grass to survive, they too blossomed with renewed vitality.

"This trip has been a complete success."

Xu Chuan formed a hand seal and collected the Formation Flags of the Cloud Heaven Illusionary Array. Beckoning Moyue back into the Spirit Beast Pouch, he then brought up a streak of azure light and flew toward the edge of the Black Wind Mountain Range.

Several days later, he finally returned to Cloudstream City.

Then, he arranged for someone to gather the remaining supplementary materials for the Pole Star Pill.

Out of the nine spirit medicines needed for the Pole Star Pill, the Xu Family had six of the eight required beyond the main ingredient, the Pole Star Flower. It took more than half a month to gather the remaining two.

This was largely due to the Heavenly Azure Sect, who were also collecting materials for the Pole Star Pill.

Afterward, Xu Chuan opened his furnace to refine the pills.

Two days later.

"Good luck." Xu Chuan smiled faintly. "To think I directly produced eight Pole Star Pills. There are six high-grade pills, and the remaining two are mid-grade."

He pondered for a moment and ultimately chose to feed Chen Changge a high-grade Pole Star Pill.

This could also be considered a type of investment!

Xu Chuan placed the high-grade Pole Star Pill into Chen Changge's mouth and used his fingers to send in a wisp of true essence to help dissolve it.

As the pill slid down his throat, it immediately transformed into pure soul origin power, shooting straight into Chen Changge's sea of consciousness. The power was gentle and profound, like a spring breeze brushing over frozen earth, or moonlight washing away grime, completely enveloping his practically riddled soul.

Chen Changge's complexion gradually regained a healthy glow, and the gloomy energy knotted between his brows slowly dissipated.

Thus seven days passed, day and night cycling around.

A robust fluctuation of divine sense emanated from Chen Changge's body. Compared to the past, it appeared much more profound and resilient.

On the bed, Chen Changge's eyelashes quivered, and his eyes suddenly snapped open.

At first, there was still a trace of disorientation in his gaze, but clarity soon returned entirely, his face filling with joy.

"My divine sense has actually reached the mid-stage Golden Core level!"

This was the wonder of a high-grade Pole Star Pill. Aside from healing injuries, it also fortified one's foundation and nourished the soul. Chen Changge could be considered to have received a blessing in disguise.

Chen Changge abruptly rose to his feet. Facing Xu Chuan before the bed, he bowed deeply and said solemnly, "Thank you for saving my life, Daoist Friend Xu. Only because of you was I able to receive this blessing in disguise and have my divine sense advance to the mid-stage."

"Don't be so quick to thank me. Now that your soul trauma is healed, it is time to fulfill your promise. I am not someone who will hesitate to strike just because of past friendship."

"I understand. Since I have spoken, I will not regret it." Chen Changge's eyes were resolute. "Daoist Friend Xu, please begin."

Xu Chuan immediately laid down a Soul Restriction deep within his divine soul.

This restriction would conceal itself automatically, capable of deceiving even ordinary Nascent Soul divine sense probes. If someone tried to force their way deeper, the restriction would self-destruct, annihilating his divine soul.

"It's done."

Chen Changge opened his eyes, cupped his fists, and said, "Master."

"There's no need for that. We shall still address each other as Daoist friends. I don't want others knowing about our master-servant relationship."

"I understand. Everything will be as you say, Daoist Friend Xu."

Xu Chuan gave a slight nod. Then, he took out another pill and handed it to Chen Changge. "This pill is called the Life and Death Pill. It is a wondrous pill from ancient times used to repair the Dantian. Its effects are incredibly powerful, more than enough to restore your Dantian's foundation.

Moreover, this is a high-grade pill. It can even expand your Dantian's sea of qi, making your foundation even more robust."

Chen Changge's eyes lit up. "Thank you for the pill, Daoist Friend Xu. If you have any orders for me in the future, please speak plainly."

"Once you are completely recovered, you will take up the post of Deputy City Lord of Cloudstream City and handle its many administrative duties."

Chen Changge nodded, but then frowned. "Making it public like this, if the Heavenly Azure Sect finds out, won't they come looking for trouble?"

"It doesn't matter. I will shoulder everything. You only need to wholeheartedly manage the affairs of Cloudstream City. Once you recover, I will arrange for someone to hand over the relevant duties to you."

Chen Changge nodded slightly.

"Right, there is also the matter of your Chen Family; you must make arrangements for that as well. Their submission to the Xu Family doesn't need to be made public, but every Family Head and First Elder must be informed, and it must be passed down from generation to generation.

This is to prevent them from harboring treacherous thoughts in the future.

If that day comes, my Xu Family won't show any mercy."

"I understand. I will definitely handle this matter well. You don't have to worry, Daoist Friend Xu."

"Then hurry up and recover here in this room. Once your injuries are healed, send me a message."

Five days later.

Chen Changge was completely rid of his severe illness, and his imposing aura was stronger than ever.

This was his rebirth, and also the rebirth of the Chen Family.

He sent a message to Xu Chuan, and Xu Chuan told him to come to his courtyard. Tossing him a token, Xu Chuan said, "This is the token of a Guest Elder of my Xu Family. You can use it to freely pass through the defensive formations of the Inner City and Outer City.

However, you cannot pass through the formations of the Xu Residence."

The formations around the Xu Residence were all set up by Xu Mingxian back in the day. Without him, it was impossible to forge a corresponding access token.

Following that, he summoned Ye Fan and Wu Zhuqi.

"Honored Master, you called for me?"

Ye Fan arrived, bowed in greeting, and was surprised when he saw Chen Changge. "Daoist Friend Chen, your injuries have fully healed?!"

"All thanks to Daoist Friend Xu."

Shortly after, Wu Zhuqi also arrived at the courtyard.

Xu Chuan said, "I called the two of you here this time because I have a matter to assign. Starting today, Daoist Friend Chen will join the Xu Family and become our Guest Elder.

In addition, he will serve as the Deputy City Lord of Cloudstream City and be responsible for the city's affairs. Zhuqi, going forward, you will assist the Deputy City Lord in managing these matters.

As for you, Ye Fan, just devote all your energy to cultivation. With Daoist Friend Chen helping you shoulder the burden, you won't need to step forward for the vast majority of things."

Ye Fan's expression lit up with joy. He immediately cupped his fists and laughed, "Honored Master is wise."

He had originally been worried about what would happen if he and Xu Deyue went out adventuring in the future, and Wu Zhuqi was unable to suppress everyone if something happened in Cloudstream City.

They couldn't exactly have Xu Chuan handle it personally.

Xu Deling frequently stayed at the Heavenly Plume Sect. Elder Fire Cloud and Elder Green Cliff were only focused on their own Dao of Artifacts and Array Dao, completely ignoring the affairs of the City Lord's Mansion.

Now, he could finally leave home with complete peace of mind.