Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Since the establishment of the Liu Family’s ancestral land, it has been protected by a Second Tier Late Period Array.

Over thousands of years, generation after generation of array prodigies within the family have optimized and supplemented it, especially the current Liu Family Ancestor whose talent in arrays is astounding. On the foundation of the existing Clan Protection Array, a Ring Array and a Repeating Array were set up, turning the Liu Family Clan Protection Array into a comprehensive Grand Array that combines defense, illusion, and slaughter.

If all arrays are activated, even a True Pill Master might risk falling within.

Thus, previously Qin Henian’s numerous provocations ended in vain.

The Liu Family also did not regard him as a threat.

However, this time, faced with the incessant presence of cultivators outside the ancestral land, the Liu Family feels a sense of crisis.

”Who could it be?” Liu Changgeng’s fierce, triangular eyes had stayed open for a month, now bloodshot.

A month ago, to probe at the traitor, he deliberately spread the false news of Liu Jingchun’s execution.

The next day, it was exposed publicly.

However, after spreading the false news, he activated some secret arrays to monitor several people, and there was no anomaly with any of them; they could be ruled out.

This made him more paranoid; over the month, he tried almost every conceivable method.

At the clan hall that day, they dug three feet into the ground and checked for any spirit insects, spiritual birds, and eavesdropping talismans.

In the subsequent meetings, they changed locations every time.

Yet, the contents of the meetings would be publicly revealed the following day.

He now felt his Divine Soul was lacking, suspecting whether some supreme cultivator beyond Core Formation was observing him.

But given the Liu Family’s resources, which Nascent Soul True Monarch would care for it?

Impossible for some mortal-playing expert to be deliberately teasing them, right?

”Father, the real issue now isn’t the leak; nobody believes those actual plans being spread. The biggest problem is the rumor,” Liu Xianlong’s eyelids twitched intensely.

”Can a Life Extension Technique? Core Formation Holy Pill? If my Liu Family had such divine objects, why take such risks?”

”How could anyone believe these rumors?”

”Qin Henian! It must be Qin Henian, that old dog; the so-called other person is certainly a ploy orchestrated by him.”

...

Typically, for such rumors, the Liu Family could simply open their gates and let the Biyun Sect investigate openly, then they would collapse on their own.

However, the trouble is, currently it is the critical period for the ancestor’s breakthrough. The ancestor previously suppressed himself and personally went to the Biyun Sect to dispel their doubts, to secure an interruption-free decade from them.

Now, they dare not let a True Pill Master from the Biyun Sect come to investigate.

”What’s the Biyun Sect’s current stance?” Liu Changgeng turned to the clan elder responsible for maintaining sect relations.

The elder uttered a cold snort: ”Humph, they’re all playing dead!”

The sect certainly doesn’t want the Five Great Clans to gain strength; back then, they played dead during the clan’s internal conflict since they wished to see Liu Jingchun, a prodigy, not reach Core Formation.”

”Even now, should they know it’s a rumor, they would not intervene immediately; not until half of our clan’s foundation is gone might they act.”

”The ancestor’s foresight had seen through their intentions long ago, and that’s why he decided to burn the bridges.”

...

”Enough, what’s done is done, there’s no point in complaining, let’s discuss how to deal with this calamity,” Liu Changgeng slammed the table to halt the grievances.

One elder suggested, ”Since Qin Henian that old cur wants Liu Jingchun, why not give him Liu Jingchun?”

Liu Changgeng shook his head: ”Qin Henian cares for Liu Jingchun, but others care for the Life Extension Technique and Core Formation Holy Pill! Furthermore, if Liu Jingchun leaves the clan, who can guarantee he won’t retaliate? If he speaks of the ancestor’s divine skill, the sect will certainly not stand idly by.”

”Father, why not endure till the end? Just last five years, and when the ancestor emerges, settle all scores then,” Liu Xianlong impatiently suggested.

”Indeed, what Xianlong says makes sense. The current Upper Sect’s Supreme Elder cherishes his reputation, and the Sect Leader prefers to keep a low profile, they likely won’t act on such evidence-lacking matters.

Aside from Qin Henian, it’s just a rabble.

At worst, bear the loss and activate more arrays.

With the current resources within the clan, enduring five years is entirely possible,” echoed another elder.

”Endure?” Liu Changgeng shut his eyes tightly, his temples throbbing furiously.

The current situation is such that clarifying the rumors seems nearly impossible.

And even if they could take down Qin Henian, another instigator might emerge soon after.

The key is, unless they could lure Qin Henian into the clan and eliminate him with a Killing Array, they fundamentally lack the ability.

”Ultimately, it’s still a matter of insufficient strength!” Liu Changgeng sighed deeply.

If they had the Biyun Sect’s power, even if they could openly have a True Pill Ancestor in charge, what fear would such rumors bring? It might only attract more allies.

”We have no choice but to endure!” Liu Changgeng finally made his decision.

[If the Liu Family truly lacked the Life Extension Technique and Core Formation Holy Pill, they could allow the Upper Sect to investigate, why endure like this?]

On that day, the Liu Family’s top members’ conspiracy was once again exposed publicly, further deepening the outside world’s suspicion.

This left Liu Changgeng and a few other Liu Family leaders in despair, this time they had moved their secret meeting to near the ancestral graves, yet it was still leaked.

------------

”Old Dog Liu, yet to show yourself? Are you truly going to destroy the Liu Family’s millennium foundation at your hands?” Qin Henian stood imposingly outside the Liu Family’s ancestral land.

His previous campaigns were fought alone.

But now, an army stood behind him.

He knew, everyone behind him awaited him, this test stone, to first test the Liu Family’s prowess.