Chapter 100

"Alas, my Flaming Heaven Piercing Spear! I’ve only had it for less than three months, and you little baldy have to compensate for it!"

Not far from Mount E, just a hundred miles away, one could see the dense ghostly aura and dark clouds over Mount Mang from a distance, and even faintly see countless ghosts darting through the dark clouds on a small mountain. On this mountain, the First Suanni, wearing a lion’s heaven-swallowing armor adorned with green lotus petals and flame patterns, sat on the ground with a green dragon sword hanging from his waist, groaning weakly as he looked up at the sky.

"Brother Suanni, what you wield is a halberd, not a spear!" Caiwei, the little monk with a pale face, looked at the First Suanni with a headache and sighed heavily. The dark golden bodhi beads in his hand, which faintly revealed the image of a bodhisattva preaching, were making a 'tapping' sound as they spun rapidly.

With a slight shake of the beads, a faint golden Buddhist light enveloped his entire body, making the handsome Caiwei look solemn and dignified, truly giving off the aura of a great monk. However, the hint of helplessness on his face revealed that he was still a monk struggling and full of confusion in the secular world, not yet an enlightened one in the Buddhist realm.

"I’d rather call it a spear!" The First Suanni stared at Caiwei with wide eyes: "Don’t you think using a spear is cooler? I’ve always liked using spears since I was young. I hate halberds, especially those two crescent-shaped blades. They look like weapons used by butchers!"

Liu Li, standing beside him, shook his head helplessly and looked at the First Suanni with a bitter smile: "Brother Suanni, all the weapons of the First Family’s direct descendants are custom-made by Mr. Three Tripods according to the secret methods in the 'Zhou Tian Dian Jiang Lu,' based on your bones, meridians, temperament, and characteristics. The Flaming Heaven Piercing Halberd is absolutely the most suitable weapon for you!"

"Custom-made! So everything about the future is already set in stone!" The First Suanni muttered with a deep sense of grievance: "Those old guys, don’t they know how to be flexible? The 'Zhou Tian Dian Jiang Lu' is indeed a marvel of the three realms, but we cultivators who defy heaven emphasize breaking through all obstacles and stagnation to ultimately achieve great liberation and freedom."

Sighing lightly, the First Suanni stood up, and his armor immediately clinked. He said in a deep voice: "Following the path left by our ancestors is indeed a shortcut to heaven and a broad avenue, but the scenery along this path is the same old view that our ancestors have seen! Even if we can reach the peak at a hundred times the speed of others by following this path, it’s still the peak that our ancestors once reached."

Lifting his head, he gazed at the boundless blue sky, watching the visible white waves of air caused by the Qingming wind at the highest point in the sky. The First Suanni clenched his fists and roared: "That’s just the peak our ancestors once reached. If we follow their path step by step, how can we surpass their former glory? The great path is endless, and what we seek is breakthrough!"

Caiwei and Liu Li exchanged glances and shook their heads, remaining silent.

The path left by the ancestors of the First Family, even if it determines the peak of this path, is the golden path that countless cultivators dream of! Should one say that the First Suanni and his peers are born in fortune but do not appreciate it, or that they have ambition and grand aspirations, worthy of admiration?

If they had such a ready-made path under their feet, almost ensuring that a young man with good potential could, after years of hard cultivation, have the opportunity to reach the level of a Great Immortal, or even advance further, would Caiwei and Liu Li, if they were honest with themselves, still be able to say the same words as the First Suanni? Perhaps they would already be joyfully following this path?

How many cultivators have been defeated and their souls scattered on the vast path, while the First Family has a nearly perfect path to heaven. To face the temptation of this path and loudly cry out for breakthrough, change, and liberation from its constraints, if this is not mere arrogance but a result of deep thought, has the First Family’s fortune already defied heaven?

These two generations of young people from the First Family, could they really be about to recreate the ancient glory of the First Family?

Could that legendary First Family really be about to rule the world again?

Recalling the records about the First Family and the ancient prehistoric times in the scripture hall, Caiwei and Liu Li couldn’t help but let their thoughts wander, feeling their blood boil, yet also filled with inexplicable fear!

Such a prosperous era, such a noble family, such a wondrous and magnificent scene!

Dozens of meters away, Jiang Yaoyao and Jiang Jiajia stood obediently beside a beautiful woman with white hair and a youthful face, each holding one of her arms. The woman wore a dark golden robe with bat patterns on the edges, symbolizing longevity and blessings. In her left hand, she held a nine-foot-long dragon-entwined staff made of white jade, her eyes gleaming with a silver light as she squinted and looked at Mount Mang.

"After a long time, these demons have been very active recently. What are your thoughts, fellow Daoists?" After a while, the woman asked the middle-aged men and elders beside her.

A silver-haired old man wearing a black robe with silver dragon patterns, a pointed hat, and a pair of thirty-six-section purple gold heavy flails hanging from his waist, grunted.

He retracted his gaze from the First Suanni, rubbed his large hawk nose, and the narrow, sharp eyes in his face suddenly flashed with cold light.

"Since Fellow Dao Jiang entered the Holy Path returned from the West, the matters we have been planning have already been leaked."

The old man with the hawk nose said coldly: "In recent days, we have continuously ambushed and killed 137 mining teams sent by the evil and heretical paths. They are collecting rare metals such as snake-patterned blue gold, ghost phosphorus steel, ten-thousand-foot deep abyss iron, and deep-sea Xuanming silver, as well as rare plants like the phoenix wood, arhat pine, and the eight-wind unmoving evergreen vine. These are all materials needed to forge flying celestial boats like the Floating Light Star Boat."

He slapped the handles of the heavy flails on his waist, and the old man with the hawk nose laughed coldly.

"Besides, several fellow Daoists responsible for guarding the ancient ice cave on Little Kunlun Peak have also killed 104 evil path cultivators in seven groups. They wanted to sneak into the ice cave to secretly collect the ice ghost silk sprayed by the ten-thousand-year-old ghost silkworm during its mating season. This is the main material for forging the starlight sails of flying celestial boats."

"Therefore, it can be inferred that these evil path cultivators have already found the method to forge flying celestial boats like the Floating Light Star Boat and are currently collecting materials." The old man with the hawk nose coldly snorted a few times and then looked at the woman: "What do you think, Grandma Mei?"

Grandma Mei nodded, the silver light in her eyes slightly dimming, and she said solemnly: "What Mr. Dahansheng said is exactly what we are worried about. You must know that the Evil Bone Path was a formidable evil force in ancient times, with eighteen kinds of flying magical weapons passed down in their sect. As long as the Evil Bone Path’s lineage is complete, it is not difficult for them to collect enough materials to forge their flying magical weapons."

Her eyes swept over the people beside her, and Grandma Mei said calmly: "In six months, it will be the time of the Mars Grand Conjunction, when the five immortal clans and nine immortal sects will join forces to restart the Mars Dao Field. This is a great virtue that benefits future generations for ten thousand years, and we cannot allow these evil and heretical paths to disrupt it."

She slammed her dragon-headed staff on the ground and said sternly: "Therefore, from now on, we must give these evil and heretical paths a painful lesson, making them behave and not dream of false hopes! Not to mention, they are also colluding with the evil and heretical paths from the West."

A light cough sounded, and a plump middle-aged man with a round, white face and a perpetual smile patted his belly. With two 'slaps,' ripples appeared on his belly, and he laughed loudly: "Fellow Daoists, when you say the Evil Bone Path is colluding with the Western demons, ha ha, that little guy Yin Xuege is actually an ally of my Jiang family!"

No one spoke, but they all looked at Mr. Dahansheng.

Mr. Dahansheng wiped his large hawk nose and looked at the plump middle-aged man helplessly.

"Jiang Chaofan, we all know how your Jiang family acts. But why are you becoming increasingly reckless? That Western blood demon is a traitor to our Eastern cultivation world. Transforming a human body into a blood demon is a heaven-defying act, and even the Western demons can’t tolerate them. Do you think there are no talented individuals in our Eastern cultivation world for your Jiang family to cultivate and win over?"

Jiang Chaofan bowed respectfully to Mr. Dahansheng and then smiled helplessly.

"The talented individuals in our Eastern cultivation world all have their own masters. Could Mr. Dahansheng make my Jiang family and the young people of the First Family sign an alliance that greatly benefits my Jiang family?" Jiang Chaofan smiled brightly, and a sense of satisfaction and happiness rolled off him, making those around him feel how comfortable and peaceful his life was.

"As for the young people of my First Family, don’t even think about it." Mr. Dahansheng grunted: "The five immortal clans are closely connected and are already allies. Signing another alliance with your Jiang family for our young people, what does that mean?"

Jiang Chaofan spread his hands and shook his head helplessly: "So, you all keep a tight grip on your young people, not leaving any for my Jiang family. We can only look outside for those with great fortune and potential, form good relationships, and see how their future turns out."

The group of cultivators all coldly snorted at Jiang Chaofan.

Everyone was well aware of the Jiang family’s style. Since ancient times, their own strength has been average. After all, their ancestor did not receive the true Dao Palace inheritance and was only an outer disciple, so the family’s immortal foundation was extremely limited.

However, by forming good relationships, the Jiang family’s outer disciples and outer elders were extremely powerful. A truly outstanding genius has the ability to establish a powerful clan. How many geniuses has the Jiang family cultivated? Over the years, the Jiang family has gradually prospered, and with the good relationships formed by their ancestors, the Jiang family has become one of the most powerful clans among the five immortal clans.

For example, Mei Yaoyin, the white-haired beauty surrounded by Jiang Yaoyao and Jiang Jiajia, was a Golden Core powerhouse cultivated and supported by the Jiang family three hundred years ago. Mei Yaoyin’s cultivation has now reached the peak of the Golden Core realm. As soon as the laws of heaven and earth are fully restored and the spiritual veins are completely reformed, she can easily break through the Golden Core realm and reach a higher level.

Now, Mei Yaoyin is the top outer elder of the Jiang family, and the Mei family has been intermarrying with the Jiang family for generations, making them practically one family.

The dragon-headed staff lightly tapped the ground, and Grandma Mei nodded to Mr. Dahansheng.

"Mr. Dahansheng, Yin Xuege is indeed a person favored by the Elder of the Holy Path. My Jiang family cannot touch him, and the young people of the five immortal clans can also give him a pass. As for his offense against the high monks of the Golden Buddha Temple, it’s up to the nine immortal sects to deal with him, and it’s up to his fate."

Mr. Dahansheng is one of the 'Twenty-four Solar Terms' of the third generation of the First Family.

Among the third-generation disciples of the First Family, there are twenty-four who are exceptionally outstanding. They are named after the twenty-four solar terms and are responsible for overseeing the various celestial paradises and blessed lands under the First Family, guarding the various mansions and residences, and protecting the various forbidden lands and secret realms. Each of them has profound cultivation and unfathomable powers, with the weakest being a Golden Core powerhouse.

Mr. Dahansheng, as his name suggests, acts like a harsh winter, being the most ruthless to enemies. He follows the ancient physical cultivation path secretly passed down by the First Family. His magical techniques are ordinary, but his divine strength can shake mountains and rivers, and his pair of heavy flails can split water and divide currents. With his divine strength and indestructible golden body, he can destroy all kinds of magic.

He is a renowned warrior among the five immortal clans, and this time, the five immortal clans sent Mr. Dahansheng as their leader. Therefore, even though Grandma Mei is the top outer elder of the Jiang family, she can ignore Jiang Chaofan, but she cannot ignore Mr. Dahansheng’s opinion.

After all, the matter of Yin Xuege is just an internal affair of the Jiang family, while the joint action of the five immortal clans and nine immortal sects is a major event for the entire Eastern cultivation world. The Jiang family cannot affect the overall layout of the Eastern cultivation world for the sake of their own interests, unless they want to be exterminated, which is impossible.

"Very well!" Mr. Dahansheng stroked the cold handle of his heavy flail and said coldly: "According to the prior agreement, the high monks of the Golden Buddha Temple will set up the Great Vajra Dragon Array to sweep away the ghostly aura. The Qianyuan Sect, Taibai Sect, Wujix Sect, and Jifada Sect will be responsible for ambushing the evil and heretical people. All the experts of our five immortal clans will join forces to attack the Evil Bone Path’s scripture hall and destroy their lineage and magical techniques!"

"Very good!" A deep and resonant voice came from a distance.

It was a fat monk over two meters tall, with a round and plump body, a waist circumference similar to his height, and skin like gold, reflecting a golden glow in the sunlight. Under his skin, a layer of pearl-like light faintly shone.

He wore a dark yellow monk’s robe, exposing his large belly, and in his left hand, he held a purple gold bowl about a foot in diameter, decorated with two dragons. The fat monk swayed as he walked towards them.

When he spoke, he was still over ten miles away from Mr. Dahansheng, but after saying four words and taking two steps, he was already in front of Mr. Dahansheng and the others. The experts of the five immortal clans did not dare to be negligent and bowed to the fat monk: "Greetings, Master Jinchan."

The fat monk’s long, straight eyebrows, like steel brushes, trembled, and the first of the three supervisors of the Golden Buddha Temple, the Fierce-eyed Vajra, Master Jinchan, glared and said coldly: "Mr. Dahansheng is right. Our Buddha is compassionate and likes to liberate all beings. Demons are also part of all beings. Since the blood demon has set foot on the land of our Eastern cultivation world, they should not think of returning."

He glared fiercely at Jiang Chaofan and Grandma Mei and scolded sternly.

"Your Jiang family must be more cautious in your actions! 'Righteousness' is not 'chaos,' not 'collusion,' and not 'protecting demons!' Whether you choose geniuses or elites, you must choose those with a clean background and good character!"

He took two quick steps towards Jiang Chaofan, and his large, round belly bumped into Jiang Chaofan’s equally large belly. Master Jinchan scolded sternly: "Look at what kind of trash you’ve been recruiting these years! The Western blood demon is one thing, but you’ve even recruited the descendants of the Yin clan! Have you forgotten that the Yin clan betrayed the path and became demons, and our Eastern Daoists united to attack them?"

"Such a demon family’s offspring, you Jiang family dare to collude with them? Do you want to abandon the righteous path and join the demons? This is simply outrageous. Do you have a clear conscience towards your ancestors?"

Master Jinchan’s words were extremely harsh, and Jiang Chaofan’s face alternated between red and white. Grandma Mei’s beautiful face was already