Becoming an Immortal and Ancestor, Starting from the Clan-protecting Divine Beast

71: Chapter 71 The Mysterious Iron Mine, Soaring to the Heavens and Displaying Divine PowerThe Chen Family once again fell into a period of calm. However, this peace did not last long. In the third month after Chen Zhuxiao emerged from seclusion, two major events occurred.

The first was that the Guest Elder hired by the Chen Family successfully broke through to the Foundation Establishment Realm and developed thoughts of leaving the Chen Family, sending a letter of resignation to Luoyun Mountain.

By the time the Chen Family had processed this, the Guest Elder had already left Liming Town, wandering the world. Fortunately, he harbored no ill intentions.

Upon hearing the news, Chen Zhuxiao explained his own thoughts to Ji Wanqing, then took up his sword and descended the mountain. He stationed himself at the Liming Market, taking over the position left vacant by the departing Guest Elder and becoming one of the many Cultivators the Chen Family had stationed there.

However, his jade-like handsome appearance and transcendent aura attracted no small amount of trouble. The courtyard where he lived was besieged daily, with female Cultivators from several nearby towns who were interested in him flocking there.

It wasn’t until Chen Zhuxiao, having lost all patience, manifested his Major Achievement Sword Intent that he managed to intimidate the somewhat frenzied crowd of female Cultivators.

Still, a portion chose not to leave. Instead, they took up residence in inns not far from Chen Zhuxiao’s courtyard, planning to outlast him.

Among these people were some from major Foundation Establishment Families. Their Aptitude might be average, but their looks weren’t bad, and they were quite confident in themselves.

There were also those with good Aptitude and decent looks, who believed Chen Zhuxiao was the perfect choice for a Dao Companion or even a husband, willing to offer themselves without asking for anything in return.

Rumors even spread that a noble lady from the Commandery City was interested in Chen Zhuxiao, hoping to meet him once to see if he was suitable.

Of course, Chen Zhuxiao’s heart was set on the peerlessly beautiful young woman Mo Li, whom he had met once before. He had not the slightest interest in these common, powdered ladies. On the contrary, he felt they were disturbing his Cultivation.

Thus, he returned to Luoyun Mountain. Instantly, all the clamor and chaos vanished, prompting him to sigh with feeling that the mountain was indeed quiet and suitable for secluded Cultivation.

Unlike the foot of the mountain, where the aura of the Mortal World was too heavy, entangled with various interests and conflicts, making it easy to get trapped—detrimental to Cultivation.

Apart from this matter, the other major event was that a disciple from the Liu Family, a minor Qi Refining vassal Family subordinate to the Chen Family, discovered a mineral vein while out training.

The location was seventy thousand li east of Liming Town.

To the four directions of Liming Town: east leads to the Tianli Mountain Range, west to Liyang Town, south to Liquan Town, and north to Liyuan Commandery City.

This mineral vein being located east of Liming Town meant it was difficult for people from other towns to discover. The possibility of the Chen Family quietly swallowing it up alone was very high.

Upon learning this news, Ji Wanqing immediately left Luoyun Mountain to verify it.

After repeated verification, it was confirmed to indeed be a mineral vein. Moreover, it was a Mysterious Iron vein, of considerable scale, approaching ’large’ grade.

Mysterious Iron is one of the many primary materials used for forging first and second-grade Magical Artifacts, and it is quite valuable.

If it were a large-scale Mysterious Iron vein, it could even give birth to Mysterious Iron Essence Stone, which carries a trace of spirituality and can be used to forge third-grade Spiritual Artifacts.

If the Chen Family could secure this vein, the Family’sheritage (Foundation/accumulated resources) would experience a wave of growth, and resources in all aspects would become much more abundant.

A mineral vein represents a continuous,endless (endless) stream of Spirit Stones—virtually a treasure basin within the Cultivation World, comparable to gold in the mortal Realm, extremely valuable.

”Lady Chen, Opportunity waits for no one. This is a Mysterious Iron vein approaching large-scale. Even major Foundation Establishment Families would covet it,” an elderly Cultivator said to Ji Wanqing, a hint of urgency in his tone.

He was the Clan Chief of the Liu Family, the minor vassal Family of the Chen Family—Liu Zhun Yong. With cultivation at the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining and an age of nearly a sixty-year cycle, he was considered an older Qi Refining Cultivator.

”Since this Mysterious Iron vein was discovered by your Liu Family, my Chen Family will not monopolize it. How about this: my Chen Family takes eighty percent, and your Liu Family takes twenty percent?”

Ji Wanqing pondered for a moment. A Mysterious Iron vein approaching large-scale was something the Chen Family could not possibly pass up.

However, this vein was discovered by a subordinate vassal Family. The Chen Family naturally could not swallow it all; they had to share a portion. This would demonstrate the integrity befitting the main Family.

Otherwise, in the future, who would dare report discoveries like mineral veins to the Chen Family? It would be better to mine them secretly on their own.

”Too much, too much! My Liu Family doesn’t even have a single Late Stage Qi Refining Cultivator. How dare we claim twenty percent?” Liu Zhun Yong repeatedly waved his hands, his old face wearing a look of trepidation. ”We only hope Lady Zhou can agree to one request. My Liu Family can forgo even a ten percent share.”

”Oh?” Ji Wanqing looked at Liu Zhun Yong in surprise. A Mysterious Iron vein approaching large-scale—even a mere twenty percent share would be enough to overwhelm the Liu Family. Yet, the Liu Family didn’t want it?

”State your request. If it’s not excessive, I can agree on behalf of Fufeng.”

”Thank you, Lady Zhou.” Liu Zhun Yong cupped his hands in salute, then called over a little girl who seemed carved from pink jade. With large, blinking eyes, she stood timidly behind him.

”This is my granddaughter, Liu Luojun. She has an 8.9-inch Spiritual Root, mid-to-high Aptitude, with an affinity for the earth element.”

”The Cultivation Techniques of my Liu Family are crude, and our resources are meager. I fear it would bury her natural Aptitude.”

”Therefore, this old man wishes to exchange the twenty percent share of the vein for an Opportunity—the Opportunity for Luojun to Cultivate on Luoyun Mountain.”

Upon hearing this, Ji Wanqing walked over to the little girl, gently stroked her head, and said in a gentle tone, ”Are you willing to come with me to Cultivate on Luoyun Mountain?”

Her gentle,gentle (refined and kind) temperament made Liu Luojun feel close to her. The girl actively reached out and took the hand Ji Wanqing offered, saying in a low voice, ”Luojun is willing.”

Before Ji Wanqing arrived, Liu Zhun Yong had spoken to her extensively, especially emphasizing that if Ji Wanqing asked anything, she must not refuse but agree.

For the Liu Family, a Cultivation seedling with an 8.9-inch Spiritual Root was absolutely of paramount importance—a Genius not seen in the Family for a hundred years.

After a series of discussions, Liu Zhun Yong pushed aside all dissenting opinions and decided to send Liu Luojun to Cultivate on Luoyun Mountain, even if it meant the Liu Family received none of the Mysterious Iron vein.

What he valued differed from the rest of the Liu Family. For a Family to prosper, a figure with Aptitude and cultivation far surpassing others must emerge to lead the Family out of the mire and develop and grow.

In Liu Zhun Yong’s eyes, the present Chen Family already showed signs of the potential to dominate Liming Town.

Not to mention the town-guarding Old Ancestor Yuan Feng, the middle generation had Chen Fufeng, a Peak Qi Refining Cultivator. The younger generation had Chen Zhuxiao, a Qi Refining Prodigy famous throughout the towns. Their future rise seemed inevitable.

Perhaps, in the future, the Chen Family could even become a great Purple Mansion Family, entering Liyuan Commandery City and watching theWind and Cloud (winds and clouds; events) of the entire commandery with a smile.

By that time, his Liu Family would have struck it rich. With Liu Luojun’s Aptitude, given sufficient resources, achieving Foundation Establishment would not be difficult.

As long as Liu Luojun could successfully establish her Foundation, it would prove that the decision Liu Zhun Yong made was correct and farsighted.

He was gambling—staking the future of the Liu Family, betting that the Chen Family could break their shackles and transform into a Dragon in a single leap!

...

After finalizing a series of mining arrangements, Ji Wanqing brought Liu Luojun back to Luoyun Mountain.

From then on, another courtyard on the mountain had an owner: Liu Luojun of the Liu Family, with her 8.9-inch Spiritual Root.

Currently, the Chen Family only possessed one earth-attribute Cultivation Technique: the fourth-grade ”Art of Concealing and Accumulating Spring Earth.” If Liu Luojun were to Cultivate, she would have to choose this technique.

However, a fourth-grade technique was not bad. Many Loose Cultivators could only practice third-grade techniques. Basically, fourth-grade was theTop (top-tier) technique that forces at the Foundation Establishment level could access.

The Chen Family was a special case. Several of the main lineage disciples had their own Opportunities, Cultivating fifth or sixth-grade techniques, giving them a Foundation andheritage far surpassing other Chen Family Cultivators.

It is worth mentioning that Liu Luojun’s age was similar to Chen Zhuyuan and Chen Zhuhong. The three quickly became familiar with each other.

Previously staying with the Liu Family, the resources Liu Luojun could access were limited, and her progress in the Nurturing Origin Realm was very slow.

After arriving at the Chen Family, having Spirit Rice and Yao Beast meat with every meal, her progress became astonishingly fast.

This was the disparity between a major Family and an ordinary Family—not only in terms of Cultivation Techniques and Spells but also in Cultivation resources, which were simply incomparable.

A few days later, Chen Zhuxiao descended the mountain with Hei Shui, personally taking charge of guarding the Mysterious Iron vein to deter petty individuals and daring, death-defying Loose Cultivators.

Currently, the Chen Family had too few usable Cultivators, and even fewer high-level ones—only him and Chen Fufeng. It somewhat gave the feeling of having too few Clones for the tasks at hand.

After Chen Fufeng emerged from seclusion and successfully broke through to Foundation Establishment, Chen Zhuxiao intended to suggest that his father recruit several more Guest Elders to alleviate the Chen Family’s current shortage of Cultivators.

Time passed quickly. Chen Zhuxiao had been stationed at the Mysterious Iron vein for four months. A full year had passed since Yuan Feng entered closed-door Cultivation for his evolution.

Chen Zhuyuan and Chen Zhuhong turned nine years old. The twelve-year deadline drew closer, stirring a sense of urgency within Chen Zhuxiao.

”Three years is more than enough for me to break through to Foundation Establishment and consolidate my Realm a bit,” Chen Zhuxiao exited his Cultivation state, exhaling a streak of lightning that illuminated the pitch-black chamber.

Feeling somewhat restless and agitated, he stood up, pushed open the door, and walked out to begin inspecting the Mysterious Iron vein.

During the four months of guarding the Mysterious Iron vein, it wasn’t as if nothing had happened.

During that period, over a dozen groups of Loose Cultivators and Robber Cultivators mistakenly entered the area. After warnings proved futile, Chen Zhuxiao decisively took action. Sword lights intertwined with thunder, and he slaughtered them all beneath his sword, leaving none alive.

In terms of decisive killing, within the entire Chen Family, he was second only to Yuan Feng, even surpassing his own father, Chen Fufeng.

”Hmm?”

Just as Chen Zhuxiao finished his inspection and prepared to return to continue his seclusion, he noticed something unusual.

*Whoosh!*

A flash of lightning transformed into a sharp Sword Qi, slashing towards the seemingly empty Void Realm.

*Thud!*

A muffled grunt echoed as blood splattered. Adisheveled (disheveled) black figure fell from the air, a large gash torn across its chest, with astonishing electric arcs dancing around the wound.

”Who are you? Why were you hiding, secretly spying on my Chen Family’s mineral vein?!”

Chen Zhuxiao spoke coldly, lightning surging around him. Anartistic conception (Concept) of annihilating the Nine Heavens and vast cosmos, of eradicating evil demons across the nine provinces, spread out.

AMagic Sword (magical sword) composed of lightning shot into the high sky at a speed breaking the sound barrier. Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled; countless bolts of thunderburst (crackled). A majestic sword intent transmitted through a thousand-zhang space, as if patrolling the heavens.

The black figure’s pupils contracted violently. This Qilin Son of the Chen Family was only at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining, yet he could evoke such an intense sense of mortal threat in him, a Peak Qi Refining Cultivator from a major Family. Truly extraordinary.

As the black figure was contemplating, Chen Zhuxiao pointed his fingers like a sword. Divine Thunder spiritual power transformed into a slurry of lightning, forming a bright,Brilliant (resplendent) thunder sword. In an instant, he slashed out dozens of strikes towards the black figure.

The Dao of Divine Thunder—the ultimate speed among all thunders!

”Xu Earth Town Barbarian Pass!”

The black figure roared,earthy yellow (earthen yellow) spiritual power churning around him. He summoned a smallearth yellow (earthen yellow) cauldron, its mouth inverted,Falling (cascading) down a waterfall-like flow of Thick Earth spiritual power.

*Boom! Rumble!*

Aearth yellow (earthen yellow) city wall, dozens of zhang in length, materialized. The plaque above the gate bore the two large characters ”Zhenman” (Town Barbarian). It continuously drew in theEarth Qi (earth qi) contained within the surrounding earth, growing increasingly solid andHeavy (massive).

The next moment!

A series of dozens of zhang-longThunder Sword Light (lightning sword lights) streaked across the Void Realm, striking theearth yellow (earthen yellow) city wall. They hacked it full of pits and craters,earth yellow (earthen yellow) spiritual power splattering everywhere.

”Town!”

The black figure let out a longHowl (shout). The smallearth yellow (earthen yellow) cauldron above his head shone brilliantly, theearth yellow (earthen yellow) spiritual powerGushing (gushing) from its mouth reaching an extreme, flowing out like water.

*Hum!*

Theearth yellow (earthen yellow) city wall flashed with light, instantlyRestored to its original state (restored to its original state). The Thick Earth radiancediffuse (permeating) it grew even more solid and profound, exerting immense pressure. The surrounding Void Realm rumbled and trembled.

Subsequently, an ear-splitting dragon’s roar resounded. Theearth yellow (earthen yellow) city wall transformed, becoming a hundred-zhang great Dragon. It opened its maw and lunged straight for Chen Zhuxiao.

”Fall!”

Chen Zhuxiao placed one hand behind his back, the other pointed like a sword. His entire body was enveloped inblazing (blazing) lightning, as if clad in azure thunder armor, divine andmajesty (majestic).

As his words fell, thunderExplosion (crackled) in the high heavens. Streaks of ten-zhang lightning danced wildly like dragons and snakes, illuminating the dark night sky.

*Whoosh!*

An extremely dazzling sword light descended from the sky, carrying unparalleledpower (might). Divine Thunder spiritual power surged like tides, as if an immortal deity from the Nine Heavens was enraged, descending divine punishment to chastise a sinner.

Sixth-grade Divine Thunder Spell: Heavenly Sword’s Divine Punishment Sweeps the Cosmos!

*Boom!*

The lightningMagic Sword (magical sword) slashed down from the firmament. A several-tens-of-zhang-longThunder Sword Light (lightning sword radiance), bearing a sword intent to annihilate all, sliced through the Void Realm, cleaving theearth yellow (earthen yellow) great Dragon in two. The ensuing wind blast sent surrounding massive stones flying.

*Clang!*

The smallearth yellow (earthen yellow) cauldron above the black figure’s head grew to the size of a small mountain,crossbar (blocking horizontally) in front of him. ItHard (stubbornly) withstood the strike of theThunder Sword Light (lightning sword radiance), instantly becoming covered in cracks and losing its luster.

But it wasn’t over. Chen Zhuxiao gripped a lightning sword in his hand, his eyes turningDeep Blue (deep blue). Blazing thunderExplode (exploded). One after another,sword energy (Sword Qi) shot out, fast as lightning,No reaction time (giving no time to react).

Theearth yellow (earthen yellow) cauldron summoned by the black figure couldn’t even last three breaths. With a *boom*, itExplode (exploded). Hundreds offragments (fragments) shot out, punchingpit (craters) into the ground one after another.

Ah!

A sword light swept past. The black figure’s right leg was severed and sent flying. A gush of hot blood spurted out. The lightningCohesion (condensed) on it crackled and popped,The electricity was pitch black. (electrocuting the severed leg until it was pitch black),Black smoke billowed out (emitting black smoke).

A large hand composed of lightning gripped the black figure’s head and lifted him up. An icy,ruthless (ruthless) voice echoed in his ear: ”Speak. Who sent you? What is your purpose?”

The black figure spat out a mouthful of blood mixed with内脏fragments (organ fragments), threw his head back, and laughed loudly: ”Well done, Chen Family! Well done, Chen Zhuxiao! The higher your Chen Family climbs, the moremiserable (miserably) you will ultimately die.”

As he spoke, a brilliant lightLight up (lit up) within his Qi Sea Dantian. Aearth yellow (earthen yellow) jade talisman appeared out of thin air. An aura at the level of Foundation Establishment PeakSpread out (spread out),oppression (oppressing) the Void Realm until it seemed tosolidification (solidify).

Chen Zhuxiao’s gaze sharpened. [Huan Ting] (vast thunder) instantly appeared in his hand. Purple Mansionclever idea (spiritual essence) bloomed,Stir (scattering) the dark clouds within a thousand-li radius. Bright moonlightspill (spilled down) from the sky.

”Foundation Establishment Peak... truly impressivemeans (methods)!”

Before his words even finished falling, theearth yellow (earthen yellow) jade talismanDecomposed with a bang (violently disintegrated). The Foundation Establishment Peakmagic power (magical power) contained withinbreak out (erupted). Aearth yellow (earthen yellow) great mountain,Vertical and horizontal (spanning) a thousand zhang,Horizontal (straddled) theSky (azure sky),Crowded (filling) the firmament.

But unfortunately, what Chen Zhuxiao held in his hand was a spiritual sword—and no ordinary one, but a Divine Thunder spiritual sword.

*Zheng!*

A sword cryResounding through the heavens (resounded through the highest heavens). ABrilliant (resplendent) sword lightCut through (sliced through) the Void Realm, nearly cleaving the sky above in two, as if a Divine Being were making a move. Itspower惊天地 (might shook heaven and earth). The night sky for a thousand liIt almost turned into daytime. (almost turned to daylight).

As everythingCalm and peaceful (calmed down), theearth yellow (earthen yellow) great mountain vanished. The black figure was also annihilated along with the sword light, leaving not evenslag (dregs) behind—worse thanDead without a complete body (dying without a whole corpse).

After a while, Hei Shui and several Cultivators from the Liu Family arrivedArriving late (belatedly), stunned by the scene before them.

Before them lay aHuge and deep (vast, deep, and long)ravines (chasm),It can’t be seen at all (its end not visible at a glance). Anclever idea (spiritual essence)Over (transcending) the Foundation Establishment Realmdiffuse (permeated) within it, with occasionalLightning arc (lightning and electric arcs)jump (jumping).

One could even seeLei Ling (thunder spirits) composed of lightningLight (light)jump (leaping) within the chasm, quitesupernatural (mysterious and extraordinary).

Chen Zhuxiao paid no heed to Hei Shui or the Liu Family Cultivators. He walked to where the black figure had turned toPowder (dust) andStop (stopped),meditation (pondering deeply) for a long time.

”Foundation Establishment Peak... Cultivating Xu Earth again... Among the surrounding several towns, it seems only... Could it be...”