Chapter 54: The Hidden Secrets of Stone City.

"Yes, this is not right."

"There's something fishy going on."

"Is Du Shaofu really that strong? I heard that An Hu has reached the Xiantian realm. Could Du Shaofu have already..."

Many people from the Du family immediately reacted upon hearing this, and many of them were shocked. To defeat An Hu in just two moves was definitely not something an ordinary Xiantian realm cultivator could accomplish.

In the study, Du Zhenwu sat upright, looking at Du Shaofu who had just walked in, and gestured for him to sit down. He said, "Shaofu, I want to ask for your thoughts on what happened yesterday."

"That An Hu was cursing me, so I beat him up. That's all there is to it." Du Shaofu replied, being more disciplined in front of his uncle.

"Beating up An Hu is no big deal. The Du family isn't afraid of the An family. We don't bully others, but we also can't let ourselves be taken advantage of. You understand, right?" Du Zhenwu glanced at Du Shaofu, feeling that he really didn't understand his nephew well enough over the past ten years.

"Yes, Uncle, you're right. I won't let others bully me in the future." Du Shaofu smiled.

"Alright, there's no one else here. Tell me what happened yesterday." Du Zhenwu glared at Du Shaofu, his expression becoming more serious.

"In fact, I don't know exactly what happened, but I feel that the Ye family's visit yesterday and the An family's visit today are not normal." Du Shaofu hesitated for a moment before speaking to Du Zhenwu.

Du Zhenwu's eyes showed surprise as he said to Du Shaofu, "Tell me, how is it not normal?"

"The Ye family was too热情. Ye Zijin, though young, is clearly a cold and proud woman, but she was overly热情 to me. The An family was too artificial. They said they came to cause trouble, but after making a fuss, they left. It's clear they weren't really there to cause trouble. And An Long is not simple. Even if the others in the An family didn't think of it, I believe An Long must know. Although I injured An Hu, we are both young, and the An family coming in a grand manner to cause trouble would only tarnish their reputation. Yet they still came, and when they did, it was just for show, like a performance."

Du Shaofu paused, his eyes flickering as he looked at Du Zhenwu. "When something is abnormal, there must be a reason. So, these things seem not normal."

Du Zhenwu listened to Du Shaofu, his eyes showing a ripple of surprise. He suppressed his astonishment and continued to ask Du Shaofu, "Good boy, it seems I underestimated you. Tell me, why did you fight yesterday? Was it just because An Hu cursed you?"

"Hehe."

Du Shaofu smiled slightly and said, "The girl from the Ye family was too热情. I couldn't bear to disappoint her, so I decided to be a bit more high-profile."

"That girl is not simple, even at her young age."

Du Zhenwu said lightly, then looked at Du Shaofu and continued, "The matter is indeed not simple. Stone City has been peaceful for so long, but it seems it's about to change. The Ye family has already become impatient. Do you want to know why?"

"I'm curious," Du Shaofu said, though he was somewhat puzzled, he was also quite curious.

Du Zhenwu continued to ask Du Shaofu, "Stone City is right next to the Beast Mountain Range, which is home to many demonic beasts, including some of the kings of the demonic beasts. However, no demonic beast has ever invaded Stone City, not even during the recent beast tide. Do you know why?"

Du Shaofu shook his head. During the recent beast tides, the ground shook and everything was destroyed, but no demonic beast entered Stone City.

"Because Stone City has a guardian demonic beast," Du Zhenwu said. Mentioning this demonic beast, his eyes also changed.

"A guardian demonic beast for Stone City?" Du Shaofu had never heard of this before.

"For many years, the kings of the demonic beasts in the Beast Mountain Range have not dared to step into Stone City. The forces outside Stone City that want to take control of it have not dared to act rashly. All of this is because of a guardian demonic beast, a Thunder Lion that is rumored to have already reached the Beast Duke level."

Mentioning the guardian Thunder Lion of Stone City, Du Zhenwu's eyes also showed a ripple of longing. The Beast Duke level was equivalent to the human Martial Duke level, a legendary strong existence. For him, it was currently an unattainable goal.

"Beast Duke level!"

Du Shaofu's eyes also lit up. The Beast Duke level was higher than the Pulse Spirit level. A demonic beast stronger than the King-Scaled Demon Tiger, its strength was unimaginable. Stone City actually had such a terrifying existence.

"According to legend, hundreds of years ago, an ancestor of the Ye family accidentally saved an injured Thunder Lion. Since then, the Thunder Lion has stayed with the Ye family and in Stone City, intimidating the demonic beasts at the edge of the Beast Mountain Range. For generations, the Ye family has used this to control Stone City and become the city's rulers," Du Zhenwu explained.

"I see," Du Shaofu roughly understood. With such a powerful demonic beast, how could the other families compete?

Du Zhenwu sighed slightly and said, "Unfortunately, the Thunder Lion is old and has not been able to advance further in cultivation. Its lifespan is nearing its end, and it seems to have an old injury that has never healed. This is why it has stayed with the Ye family. Now, with its age and injuries, its aura is weakening day by day. There are rumors that the Thunder Lion may fall during this period."

"Even at the Beast Duke level, there is a limit to one's lifespan."

Du Shaofu sighed. Even at the Beast Duke level, there is a limit to one's lifespan. Humans have a shorter lifespan than demonic beasts. A Martial Duke level human and a Beast Duke level demonic beast, the latter's lifespan is much longer. To defy the heavens and prolong one's life, one must constantly break through the constraints. Unfortunately, each breakthrough in cultivation is extremely difficult, and the higher the level, the harder it is to achieve.

"A Beast Duke level demonic beast, especially a Thunder Lion, has secret bones and essence blood that are treasures. Once it falls, it will cause a storm in Stone City. For years, many people have been watching the Ye family and the Thunder Lion." Du Zhenwu's eyes trembled. The secret bones and essence blood of a Beast Duke level existence are enough to drive people to madness. For years, these families have been preparing and waiting. Whoever gets the treasures left by the Thunder Lion will benefit greatly.

"Once the Thunder Lion falls, the Ye family will find it hard to hold on. The An family, Bai family, Qin family, and others will not miss such an opportunity." Du Shaofu was surprised. He remembered the battle between the Purple Flame Demon Phoenix and the Golden-Winged Great Peng in the Foggy Mountain Range, where the Sky Snake Sect, Mystic Yin Sect, and Mystic Symbol Sect all fought for the treasures. If the Thunder Lion falls, the families in Stone City will not let such an opportunity pass, and the Ye family will not be able to monopolize the benefits.

"Exactly. The Ye family knows that once the Thunder Lion has an issue, they won't be able to hold onto the benefits. So, they are testing to see who wants to compete." Du Zhenwu said.

Du Shaofu frowned and said, "I understand. No wonder the Ye family was so热情 to me. They want to pull the Du family in and find out who wants to deal with the Ye family the most. The Ye family is already making arrangements."

Du Zhenwu looked at Du Shaofu, his eyes showing surprise again. "Yes, the Ye family is indeed making arrangements. Last time, Ye Baolin came and secretly sent a message to me, wanting to ally with the Du family. When the time comes, they won't forget the Du family for the benefits of the Thunder Lion."

"Did Uncle agree?" Du Shaofu asked, raising his head.

"Could we refuse?" Du Zhenwu's lips curled into a slight bitter smile.

"The Ye family's methods are indeed clever."

Du Shaofu knew the Du family couldn't refuse. If they refused, it would be like telling the Ye family that the Du family also wants to deal with the Ye family. Now, with the Du family and the Ye family getting closer, the other three major families will certainly be wary of the Du family.

"In a month, the young generations of the five major families will compete. At that time, it might be a time of great change, and our Du family will find it hard to remain uninvolved. We have already been dragged into this whirlpool." Du Zhenwu sighed, his face showing worry.

"Uncle, what does this have to do with the competition among the young generations of the five major families?" Du Shaofu was puzzled.

"For generations, the Ye family has controlled Stone City, but there are many forces outside Stone City that want to take control. So, the Ye family cannot stand alone, even with the Thunder Lion. Other families naturally have complaints."

Du Zhenwu explained, "So, a long time ago, the Ye family arranged for a competition among the young generations of the major families every few years. The strongest one can enter the Thunder Pool to cultivate. Initially, only four families participated, and our Du family only gained the qualification to participate a few decades ago."

Du Shaofu was not unfamiliar with this. It was said that although the Du family has always lived in Stone City, it only officially rose to prominence a few decades ago, becoming one of the five major families. He had never heard of the Thunder Pool before and asked curiously, "What is the Thunder Pool?"

Du Zhenwu said, "The Thunder Pool is owned by the Ye family. It is said to open only every few years, and inside, there is a small amount of the Thunder Lion's essence blood. Cultivating in the Thunder Pool can forge one's body with thunder, which is extremely beneficial for cultivation. If one can enter the Thunder Pool to cultivate, their future is boundless. Over the years, the winners of the competition among the young generations of the major families have mostly been from the Ye family, so the Ye family's strength has always been greater than the other families. Unfortunately, our Du family has only recently risen, and none of our descendants have entered the Thunder Pool."

Du Shaofu's eyes flickered upon hearing this. Thunder forging, combined with his cultivation of the Golden-Winged Great Peng, might have even better effects, and there might be other benefits. The Thunder Lion is a terrifying existence at the Beast Duke level.

[PS: Xiao Yu seeks care, love, concern, support, collection, recommendation, coffee, and all kinds of support.]