Chapter 233: Use your Bihu Mountain sacred land as compensation!
In the Yu Family Ancestral Hall, the lights flickered.
“How is this possible, how is this possible!?”
Yu Ninghu, who was usually steady, knelt on the ground, his eyes bloodshot, looking at the three shattered jade tablets before him.
Yu Ningyuan, standing beside him, also looked solemn, pacing around the broken jade tablets, his face filled with sorrow and grief.
With Yu Jinyang and the other two now fallen, the entire Yu Family was left with only Yu Ninghu as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.
Although a Family with a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator overseeing it is usually enough to stabilize the situation,
the sudden demise of Yu Jinyang and the other two filled them with immense panic.
They simply couldn’t understand how their Old Ancestor and the other two could have suddenly perished.
“Old Ancestor and Jun-di, they went to Qingzhu Mountain, how could they all have died at once?!”
“Even if Lu Changsheng has an extraordinary Opportunity, he is just a Cultivator who just broke through to Foundation Establishment; how could he have killed Old Ancestor and the other two?!”
“Even if Lu Yuanzhong fought with his life on the line and fully activated the Qingzhu Mountain Family Formation, it would be impossible to achieve that.”
“Moreover, given Lu Yuanzhong’s current condition, fully activating the Formation to suppress an enemy would surely lead to his death, and Lu Miaoge, who is currently undergoing Foundation Establishment, would also be severely affected, leading to a failure in her Foundation Establishment.”
“Therefore, the Lu Family absolutely could not have done this, nor do they have the ability to kill Old Ancestor and the others!”
Yu Ninghu’s mind raced, analyzing the situation.
In his understanding, his Old Ancestor and the other two could absolutely not have died at the hands of the Lu Family.
His Old Ancestor, Yu Jinyang, was a Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Great Cultivator, possessing astonishing strength.
The Second Old Ancestor, Yu Yuanshan, was an old-brand Foundation Establishment Cultivator at the third level of Foundation Establishment!
As for the Lu Family, Lu Changsheng and Lu Yuanzhong, even counting Bai Yunyang, the Old Ancestor Bai, there were only three Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
Among the three, two had only recently broken through to Foundation Establishment.
Although Lu Yuanzhong, this Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator, had broken through to Foundation Establishment many years ago,
the corpse poison had entered his organs, and he was on the verge of death, even weaker than an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator.
Under such circumstances, how could they have killed his Old Ancestor and the other two?
“Could it be… Old Ancestor and the others encountered a Demonic Cultivator on the way!?”
Yu Ninghu pondered for a long time, considering this possibility.
“If it was a Demonic Cultivator…”
His face became grim, and the more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed.
Although Xiahou Demon’s movements were strange and elusive,
their strength was beyond doubt.
Moreover, their Yu Family had participated in the Blackwater Pool battle back then.
If his Old Ancestor and the other two had coincidentally encountered Xiahou Demon on their way to Qingzhu Mountain and suffered a tragic end, it would make sense.
“If it truly was Xiahou Demon’s doing, they might very well make a move on Bihu Mountain.”
Yu Ninghu mumbled to himself, his expression heavy.
Xiahou Demon acted domineeringly, only seeking plunder and destruction.
If they truly killed his Old Ancestor, using his Old Ancestor’s identity jade tablet, they might be able to secretly infiltrate Bihu Mountain.
The news of Feng Family Fortress being annihilated overnight by Demonic Cultivators was still vivid in his mind.
“Yuan-di, quickly issue an order to activate the Formation, completely seal off Bihu Mountain, and forbid anyone from entering or leaving!”
“At the same time, send someone to Qingyun Sect, stating that there are traces of Xiahou Demon, and that Xiahou Demon is very likely to attack our Bihu Mountain.”
Yu Ninghu immediately stood up and said to Yu Ningyuan, the Yu Family Head.
“Yes, Big Brother.”
Yu Ningyuan’s eyes were bloodshot, and he gritted his teeth in response, then walked out of the ancestral hall to make arrangements.
“Oh, vast heavens, why are you so unkind to my Yu Family!”
Yu Ninghu looked at the shattered jade tablets, clenching his fists, his face full of unwillingness.
His Yu Family had struggled for several generations, and now, with four Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators in the Family, two of whom were in their prime, the future was promising!
Meanwhile, Centipede Ridge Zheng Family, Qingzhu Mountain Lu Family, and Bai Family of the Hundred Birds Lake were all in decline.
In at most ten years, his Yu Family could annex these three Families, and the Family had hopes of advancing further!
But today, all the Yu Family’s efforts had turned to dust.
“Old Ancestor, rest assured, I will surely uphold the Family!”
Yu Ninghu looked at the jade tablets before him, took a deep breath, his eyes showing determination, then stepped back, bowed deeply, and said solemnly.
He then turned and walked out of the ancestral hall.
Before this, he and Yu Jinyang had secretly undergone Foundation Establishment in Nine Heavens Immortal City.
This was to prevent too many Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the Family from being eyed by other Families.
So he had always been quietly cultivating in the Family.
Except for the core Family members, he had never revealed his breakthrough to Foundation Establishment to outsiders.
But from this moment on, he had to step forward and shoulder the heavy responsibility of the Family!
Five spirit boats shuttled through the clouds.
“Changsheng, how do you plan to deal with the Yu Family?”
“Although we have the moral high ground, destroying Bihu Mountain at this time might attract people from Qingyun Sect.”
“Moreover, if you want to establish a Family, you must consider the Family’s reputation.”
“If we seize Bihu Mountain and act too ruthlessly, it might easily draw some criticism and displease neighboring Families, which would be unfavorable for the Family’s future development.”
“Furthermore, many Yu Family disciples are still outside; if we cannot cut the grass by the roots, we will also face the Yu Family’s furious retaliation.”
On the spirit boat, Lu Yuanzhong spoke to Lu Changsheng.
Now that Yu Jinyang, Yu Yuanshan, and Yu Ningjun, the three great Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Yu Family, were dead,
seizing Bihu Mountain, in his opinion, was indeed not difficult, just a matter of time.
But the current period was very sensitive.
If they caused such a stir and went too far, those Yu Family members outside, or other Family forces, might report it to Qingyun Sect.
When Qingyun Sect arrived to handle such matters, they wouldn’t care about justice, or who was right or wrong.
Instead, they would uphold the dignity of the sect!
Moreover, many Yu Family Cultivators were still outside managing businesses.
Once Bihu Mountain was seized, they would be completely irreconcilable with the Yu Family, and would face the Yu Family’s furious retaliation.
“Zixiao, what do you think?”
Lu Changsheng pondered for a moment, then asked Ling Zixiao.
He had naturally thought of this issue.
Seizing and occupying another Family’s spiritual land was certainly simple and convenient, a one-step solution that could save countless troubles.
But similarly, it also came with many troublesome issues.
First and foremost were morality and the Family’s reputation.
After all, a lone wolf or a rogue cultivator could disregard rules.
But choosing to establish a Family, with dependents, required considering one’s reputation and the Family’s standing.
Otherwise, acting eccentric and domineering, with a poor reputation, would not only easily invite trouble but also be detrimental to the Family’s development.
Currently, he had the moral high ground.
But if he were to kill off all the Yu Family members, his reputation might suffer, appearing too ruthless.
After all, unless it truly reached an irreconcilable point, most people believed in leaving a way out for future encounters.
Moreover, most of the Yu Family Cultivators were currently outside.
If he occupied Bihu Mountain and killed the Yu Family Cultivators within Bihu Mountain, he would be completely irreconcilable with the remaining Yu Family members.
If it were just him alone, he naturally wouldn’t worry about these minor characters.
But he had one hundred and fifty-seven weaknesses.
So he had to consider this aspect.
After all, he established Family forces precisely to provide his children with a better environment for growth.
And not to add trouble to his children’s future.
“Heh heh, when did we say we were going to forcibly occupy Bihu Mountain?”
Ling Zixiao chuckled upon hearing this.
She looked at Lu Changsheng and the other two, a graceful, faint smile on her face, and said softly, “The three Yu Family members have repeatedly offended Qingzhu Mountain, causing the Lu Family to fail in Foundation Establishment before, and now they are disturbing Miaoge’s Foundation Establishment.”
“Such behavior naturally means the Yu Family can only offer compensation, using Bihu Mountain as compensation.”
“As for how to deal with the Yu Family members…”
Ling Zixiao paused slightly as she spoke.
Her bright, intelligent eyes, clear as autumn water, turned to Lu Yuanzhong and said, “Fellow Daoist Lu, if I’m not mistaken, there’s a spiritual land about a hundred li away from Bihu Mountain, named Xiao Jing Mountain.”
“The Ji Family of Xiao Jing Mountain is a vassal force of the Yu Family, a Qi Refining Family.”
“We can simply buy Xiao Jing Mountain and gift this spiritual land to the Yu Family, allowing them to settle there.”
“Under such circumstances, I believe Qingyun Sect, the surrounding Families, or even the Yu Family members outside will have nothing to say.”
Ling Zixiao’s tone was light, elegant, and composed.
“Xiao Jing Mountain.”
“Let the Yu Family settle in Xiao Jing Mountain.”
Lu Yuanzhong and Bai Yunyang immediately understood the meaning behind Ling Zixiao’s words upon hearing this.
This was to draw a line and trap the Yu Family in Xiao Jing Mountain.
“Indeed, about a hundred li from Bihu Mountain, there is indeed a small Qi Refining Family.”
“Gifting Xiao Jing Mountain to the Yu Family as their Family land would be a good idea.”
Lu Yuanzhong smiled and nodded upon hearing this.
To be honest, he was somewhat unwilling to annihilate the Yu Family.
After all, once such a thing was done, his Qingzhu Mountain would also be implicated, facing accusations from Qingyun Sect and retaliation from the Yu Family.
Even without Yu Jinyang, Yu Yuanshan, and Yu Ningjun, the three Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators, the Yu Family’s overall strength still exceeded that of Qingzhu Mountain.
If these Yu Family Cultivators targeted his Qingzhu Mountain, it would worsen the Lu Family’s already difficult situation.
“Alright, then we’ll proceed as Zixiao suggested.”
Lu Changsheng said upon hearing this.
He felt that Ling Zixiao’s suggestion was indeed excellent.
Use the Xiao Jing Mountain spiritual land to trap these Yu Family members.
This way, the Yu Family Cultivators outside will be hesitant and have misgivings.
As for the hatred between the two families? Revenge?
To be honest, at that time, it wouldn’t be him who had to worry about these things, but the Yu Family.
After most of the day.
“Chang Sheng, Bihu Mountain is just ahead.”
On the spiritual boat, Lu Yuanzhong pointed forward and said to Lu Changsheng.
“Bihu Mountain.”
Upon hearing this, Lu Changsheng injected his magical power into his eyes and gazed down at the sea of clouds.
He had always known about the Bihu Mountain Yu Family.
But he had never been to Bihu Mountain.
As the spiritual boat approached, looking down from high in the sky, he finally saw the general outline of Bihu Mountain.
It was much larger than Qingzhu Mountain, covering tens of thousands of acres.
Surrounded by continuous mountains, there was a vast, emerald-blue lake in the center, shrouded in mist.
Under the hazy Formation, a towering peak, reaching straight into the clouds, was visible.
Bihu Mountain, with its lake and mountain, was abundant in spiritual fish.
Lu Changsheng still remembered when he went to Nine Dragon Market with Lu Miaoge to eat at their friend Yu Maocheng’s Jade Dining Hall.
The restaurant’s signature dish, Chixue Carp, originated from Bihu Mountain.
“Not bad.”
Lu Changsheng nodded in satisfaction.
This Bihu Mountain was about to become his own spiritual land!
In the future, he could live a life of creating children, planting trees, farming, raising fish, and raising children here.
And at the same time.
“Not good, everyone be vigilant!”
“Activate the Great Formation at full power!”
Inside Bihu Mountain, the Yu Family members had already received orders and were on high alert, patrolling and guarding.
Seeing five spiritual boats flying towards their home, their expressions immediately changed, and they began to send signals, activating the Family’s Bishui Tianqing Great Formation at full power.
“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—”
The originally faint mist around Bihu Mountain visibly thickened, turning an emerald blue, with fish-like runes flowing through it, exuding powerful magical Spiritual Pressure.
“This Great Formation should be High Grade Second-tier.”
Ling Zixiao immediately recognized the grade of the Yu Family’s Great Formation and spoke.
“High Grade Second-tier.”
Lu Changsheng looked at the Great Formation before him.
He knew that the most troublesome aspect of taking over a Family’s power was their Family Great Formation.
“I saw Formation tokens in the Storage Pouches of the three Yu Family members earlier, which I assume are for this Bihu Mountain Great Formation.”
“Later, we can use the Formation tokens to affect the Great Formation’s operation.”
“If the Yu Family doesn’t have a Formation Master or a Foundation Establishment Cultivator overseeing and controlling the Great Formation, then it shouldn’t be difficult for Lang Jun to use several Forbidden Breaking Talismans to assist me in breaking through the Great Formation’s weak points.”
Ling Zixiao spoke, saying so.
“Good.”
Lu Changsheng was immediately relieved upon hearing Ling Zixiao say this.
“Hmm?”
Lu Yuanzhong and Bai Yunyang, who were nearby, both looked at Lu Changsheng and Ling Zixiao with some surprise upon hearing this.
They hadn’t expected the Yu Family’s Family Great Formation to sound so simple in their mouths.
“Zixiao is a Formation Master.”
Lu Changsheng briefly introduced her.
Since Ling Zixiao was currently weak, he hadn’t introduced much information about her before.
“So that’s how it is.”
Upon hearing this, the two cupped their hands slightly, and their gazes towards Ling Zixiao immediately became much more respectful.
Among the hundred arts of Cultivation, Formation can be ranked among the top three.
This skill is difficult to learn and master.
Without extraordinary talent or being a child of a powerful Family, it’s hard to get started and achieve anything.
So, upon hearing that Ling Zixiao was a Formation Master, they naturally showed a few more points of respect.
“I merely have a slight understanding.”
Ling Zixiao smiled faintly and said calmly.
As she spoke, the five spiritual boats landed in front of Bihu Mountain.
“Where is the Yu Family Head!”
Lu Changsheng and Lu Yuanzhong exchanged glances, stepped forward, and shouted.
In an instant, the four of them unleashed their Foundation Establishment might.
“These, these, these many Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators!?”
“It’s Old Ancestor Lu, Old Ancestor Bai!”
“What are they doing at our Bihu Mountain?”
The Yu Family members were horrified and panicked when they saw the four Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators approaching with ill intentions.
The next moment, a streak of light flew out from Bihu Mountain.
He looked at the situation outside, his eyes also wide with shock.
“How is this possible!?”
Yu Ninghu was shocked as he looked at the formation outside.
He immediately understood that his three Old Ancestors had not died at the hands of the Xiahou Demon, as he had initially guessed.
Instead, they had died at the hands of Lu Changsheng and others from Qingzhu Mountain.
“I am Yu Ninghu. May I ask what brings the four of you to my Bihu Mountain?”
Yu Ninghu took a deep breath, looked at the four people in front of him, and bowed respectfully.
Regardless of whether his Old Ancestors had died at the hands of the four people in front of him, the current situation was against him, and he had no choice but to bow his head.
“Hmm? The Yu Family actually has another Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator?”
Lu Changsheng was somewhat surprised to see Yu Ninghu.
According to the information they had, the Yu Family currently only had three Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators.
But now, three Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators had been killed, and there was still another one.
“Yu Ninghu, I heard he died prematurely outside, but I didn’t expect him to secretly Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment and remain hidden in the Lu Family.”
“The Yu Family hides so deeply!”
Lu Yuanzhong immediately recognized Yu Ninghu and introduced him to Lu Changsheng and Ling Zixiao via spiritual transmission.
He also hadn’t expected the Yu Family to still have a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator overseeing them.
This made Lu Yuanzhong feel that it might be difficult to force the Yu Family to surrender Bihu Mountain and confine themselves to Xiao Jing Mountain as planned today.
He exchanged glances with Lu Changsheng, stepped forward, and said, “Your Bihu Mountain Yu Family has repeatedly offended my Qingzhu Mountain!”
“A year and a half ago, your Yu Family Old Ancestor Yu Jinyang, Yu Yuanshan, and Yu Ningjun came to harass and attack Qingzhu Mountain when my clan’s Lu Miaofeng was attempting to Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, causing my clan’s Lu Miaofeng to fail his Foundation Establishment!”
“This time, when my clan’s Lu Miaoge was attempting to Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, your Yu Family came to cause trouble again and interfere with her Foundation Establishment!”
“Therefore, we have come here to demand an explanation from your Yu Family!”
Although Lu Yuanzhong’s corpse poison had entered his organs, his voice, amplified by magical power, was full of vigor and incredibly resonant.
“Old Ancestor Lu, what are you talking about? When did my Yu Family ever do such a thing? Is there some misunderstanding?”
Yu Ninghu suppressed his emotions, kept his voice level, and spoke.
Even at this moment, he refused to believe that his three Old Ancestors had been killed by Lu Yuanzhong and the other three.
He thought that Lu Yuanzhong and the others had learned of his Old Ancestors’ demise and wanted to take advantage of the situation to extort him.
But the next moment.
“Swish, swish, swish—”
Three corpses flew out from Lu Changsheng’s Storage Pouch.
They were precisely the corpses of Yu Jinyang, Yu Yuanshan, and Yu Ningjun!
All three corpses were covered in blood, with distorted faces.
There were even charred spots everywhere, indicating a miserable and desperate death.
“Old Ancestor!”
“Old Ancestor!”
“Old Ancestor!”
In an instant, everyone in Bihu Mountain gazed at the three corpses, their eyes splitting with rage, their expressions horrified, crying out in sorrowful shouts.
Among them, only a small portion knew of the demise of Yu Jinyang and the others.
Many Yu Family disciples were unaware of the deaths of Yu Jinyang and the others.
Upon seeing the three corpses and the formation outside, they felt both anger and sorrow, along with a surge of panic.
“Old Ancestor”
Yu Ninghu looked at the three corpses, his eyes crimson, his fists clenched, his body trembling.
Magical Qi auras still lingered on these three corpses.
Furthermore, he saw his Old Ancestor’s Scarlet Sun Golden Wheel, Second Ancestor Yu Yuanshan’s Sun and Moon Wheel, and Yu Ningjun’s Thousand Jun Staff appear from Lu Changsheng’s Storage Pouch.
None of these things could be faked; they told him that his Old Ancestors had indeed died at the hands of Lu Changsheng and the others.
“With both human and material evidence, what else does your Yu Family have to explain?”
Lu Changsheng, in his green robe, spoke calmly and indifferently.
“Fellow Daoists, there might be a misunderstanding in this matter.”
“Our Bihu Mountain and your Qingzhu Mountain and Hundred Birds Lake are allies, jointly operating the Hongye Valley Market, so how could we do such a thing? There must be some misunderstanding!”
“However, as for the specific details, I have been in seclusion and am not clear.”
“Nevertheless, as long as Fellow Daoist Lu is willing to return the bodies of my ancestors and my younger brother, my Yu Family is willing to offer compensation.”
Yu Ninghu’s fists were clenched inside his sleeves, and he tried his best to remain calm as he spoke.
He knew that the Lu Family had come with such a powerful force, clearly well-prepared.
Today, if their Yu Family didn’t pay a heavy price, this matter would not be resolved peacefully.
“In that case, let the Bihu Mountain spiritual land be your compensation for this matter.”
Lu Changsheng said calmly.