Walker Of The Worlds

Chapter 2638  Rise Of The Shanxi Imperial Family

For spirit beasts, enduring the effects of the formation array was impossible, even for a second. For the two brothers, it was nothing short of a miracle that they remained unaffected. However, as they hovered on the brink of death, they inadvertently discovered a loophole in the arrayʼs design.

The formation array had a specific technicality: it only targeted those who were alive.

Because the brothers were on the verge of death and their souls had begun to leave their bodies, the array failed to register them as living entities. Moreover, since their near-death state wasnʼt caused by the array itself, their souls were not swept away like the others.

In this unique state, the brothersʼ souls were able to hear the voices of guidance—voices intended only for those who overcame the array through their own strength. The inheritance trial, designed for immortals with indomitable minds or skilled formation masters, was never meant to be attempted by those below the Immortal Realm.

Yet, by exploiting the arrayʼs flaw, the brothers achieved what even some immortals had failed to do. The trial was infamous for its difficulty, even among immortals. While they wouldnʼt perish instantly, they would endure excruciating agony and struggle to find a way to overcome the array. Failure meant death, and their souls would be swept away by the array—fate unknown, unimaginable, and deeply feared.

The voices, capable of guiding even immortals, became a tremendous boon for the brothers, who were mere Dao Treading Realm cultivators at the time. Their cultivation advanced rapidly, unimpeded by ordinary limitations.

In just a thousand years, they ascended to the Immortal Realm.

Despite their monumental progress, the brothers kept their cultivation hidden, including their past as Dao Treading Realm cultivators. They knew that revealing their strength would hinder their plans.

To maintain their secrecy, they continued their humble lives as patrolling soldiers, periodically changing identities to feign death. This charade allowed them to protect their family by creating the illusion that they had perished, ensuring their enemies remained unaware.

Their parents, too, benefited from their newfound knowledge, advancing to the Dao Shell Realm—a level that granted them a long lifespan. Over time, the family grew, with new siblings joining the brothers in their pursuit of strength.

Within a thousand years, an entirely new clan had formed in the shadows under the rule of Overlord Ban Gui.

Ban Gui, a First Tribulation Stage Immortal, posed a significant threat. The brothers knew that openly displaying their strength would alarm him and likely lead to their demise.

Although the brothers had the option of joining an Immortal Sect—given their exceptional talent enhanced by the voicesʼ guidance—they refrained. Doing so would secure their familyʼs safety but prevent them from accessing the inheritance ground whenever needed.

Moreover, they realized that the inheritance ground offered resources and knowledge rivaling, if not surpassing, what Immortal Sects could provide. Upon reaching the Immortal Realm, they met one of the requirements to access the inner areas of the inheritance ground.

There, they discovered abundant cultivation resources, powerful treasures, and weapons capable of dealing with formidable foes. With these, they possessed everything necessary to challenge Overlord Ban Gui.

In a single night, they executed their plan.

The brothers killed Ban Gui and razed his fortress to the ground. However, this was only the beginning of their mission.

Having suffered under the rule of Overlords and City Lords, the brothers understood that countless others shared their plight. They were among the fortunate few to have survived such oppression, and now that they wielded power, they vowed to break the cycle of suffering.

Mobilizing their siblings, they established control over Ban Guiʼs fallen territory. Thus, the Shanxi Clan was truly born.

With the inheritance groundʼs resources, the clanʼs members quickly grew stronger, with many ascending to the Immortal Realm. The Shanxi Clan expanded rapidly, taking over neighboring territories with remarkable speed.

Their rise left everyone stunned—it all happened within a month.

The Immortal Sects, caught off guard, had no idea how such a transformation could occur so swiftly. By the time their disciples were dispatched to investigate, the Shanxi Clan had seized control of over a hundred territories.

Conversations with the people revealed an unexpected truth: this wasnʼt a mere hostile takeover—it was a rebellion.

The oppressed masses, long suffering under the Overlords and City Lords, fervently supported the Shanxi Clan. Their loyalty was unwavering.

What began as a clanʼs rise quickly evolved into a kingdom, with the Shanxi Clan becoming the Shanxi Royal Family.

A few thousand years later, they ascended further, transforming into the Shanxi Imperial Family.

The Immortal Sects couldnʼt even oppose the Shanxi Imperial Family, for they had more than enough immortals to stand their ground. If they all fought, the losses would not be worth it, for it would be a Pyrrhic victory.

As such the status of the Shanxi Empire became unshakable. Thankfully for the Immortal Sects, the Shanxi Empire didnʼt seem as opposed to them and their enmity was mostly with the Overlords and City Lords. What they were more surprised by were the fact that the Shanxi Imperial Family actually managed to establish a good control over the region and improve its security. The threat of the beasts reduced when all the cities and territories worked together to subjugate them.

Better response systems were built and armies would be dispatched to help. And when beast waves happened, there were better disaster relief organizations to help them get through it.

And through the overall nurture and benefit of the populace, they too grew stronger and contributed further to the cause, improving everyones safety.

The Overlords often had infighting and they only thought about themselves, because of which they could never work together. This prevented them from truly creating a safe haven for everyone. The minstrels sang of this, spreading the facts far and wide, further improving the image of the Shanxi Empire and the Shanxi Imperial Family.

”Huuu...” Lin Mu took a breath as he finished the book, feeling quite impressed by the two brothers feat.