Liuu Qingyun watched as the Lei and Wu families slipped out of the Task Hall in disgrace. A hint of schadenfreude crossed his face. Those two families usually carried themselves with such arrogance, and now they were slapped in the face by Fu Changsheng. Thinking of Fu Changsheng, Liuu Qingyun glanced at the dense pile of Soul Crystals on the registration table.

He wasn't slow to react.

Even now he could figure it out.

The complete annihilation of the Zhang and Qiuo families in the Ten Thousand Ghosts Abyss was surely related to the Fu Family. Otherwise, how could they have acquired so many Soul Crystals?

Today's Fu Family was no longer the proverbial stray dog that came to beg assistance from the Liuu Family seven years ago.

The reason the Fu Family could turn the tables in just a few short years was likely connected to that short-lived ghost Fu Changsheng had turned into. What sort of fortune had that little rascal encountered that turned his world upside down?

Liuu Qingyun lamented to himself,

"I should have decisively apprehended that kid back when Fu Changsheng first came seeking help."

With that, Liuu Qingyun curled his lip and left the Main Hall.

He wasn't the least bit afraid of the Fu Family right now.

No reason to be.

Though the Fu Family had snatched the Qingcheng Mountain resources that originally belonged to the Lei and Wu families, ostensibly becoming immensely rich, anybody could tell simply by thinking about how those two families had managed Qingcheng Mountain for over a hundred years that they wouldn't hand it over without a fight.

The Fu Family kids were still gloating over their triumph, blissfully unaware they held a life-taking talisman.

First came the Zhang Family, then the Lei and Wu families.

If the Fu Family could still persist after all that, Liuu Qingyun pledged to write his name backward.

By that logic...

He was indeed the one profiting effortlessly among the five great families of Anyang County.

Liuu Qingyun felt extraordinarily pleased.

In this Noble Family Grand Competition, no matter how he considered it, it was the Liuu Family that came out as the biggest winner:

"Fu Changsheng, that short-lived ghost, is still too naive."

As he stepped out of the Main Hall threshold,

Granny Yu's voice reached him from behind:

"Our Yu Family hasn't gained any trophies in the Ten Thousand Ghosts Abyss."

Liuu Qingyun's body trembled.

He abruptly turned around.

There stood Yu Qingru, joyfully congratulating Fu Changsheng on claiming the top spot in the Noble Family Grand Competition.

In a flash of insight,

he finally remembered:

"Damn it, I forgot Granny Yu and the late ancestor of the Fu Family were once lovers!"

Meaning,

the Yu Family was instrumental in helping the Fu Family claim victory.

First the Shangguan Family, now the Yu Family.

Fu Changsheng, that dead little rascal, must be stepping on a boatload of good luck, constantly encountering benefactors.

The Yu Family's overall strength was slightly superior to that of the Lei Family. With such an ally, the Fu Family had many more possibilities.

The smug look on Liuu Qingyun's face faded:

"The Fu Family really does cling on like a centipede that refuses to die."

To prevent the Fu Family from rising and seeking vengeance against the Liuu Family, he realized he must promptly advance his Foundation Establishment plan.

As long as he successfully achieved Foundation Establishment,

the Fu Family, the Yu Family —

They were nothing more than clay chickens and pottery dogs, not worth mentioning!

.....

Fu Changsheng collected the reward Spirit Stones from the Task Hall. After leaving with the Yu family members, he immediately entrusted them to Granny Yu:

"Granny Yu, as for the remaining three thousand Spirit Stones, would you come with me to the Fu Family, or should I deliver them to you in Pingshan County next time?"

"No rush, next time we meet, you can give them to me. Fellow Daoist Fu, please remember our promise of two to three years," Granny Yu said, cupping her hands in salute before departing with the Yu Qingru siblings from the premises of Ten Thousand Ghosts Abyss.

Meanwhile,

Fu Changsheng heard that all-too-familiar mechanical voice in his mind:

"Ding"

"You secured the championship in the Noble Family Grand Competition for the Fu Clan, garnering fame and securing exclusive access to Qingcheng Mountain resources, earnestly rewarded with 168 Clan Contribution Points."

The panel flickered with yellow light.

Suddenly, the Clan Contribution Points jumped from fifty-two to two hundred twenty.

Fu Changsheng was stunned.

He had never imagined that winning the Noble Family Grand Competition would bring such a massive reward of Contribution Points.

Upon realizing this, he was overjoyed.

With this,

he could draw prizes four times and redeem ten pieces of intelligence.

The chaotic landscape of the Ten Thousand Ghosts Abyss wasn't suited for lottery draws here, but acquiring intelligence would be very beneficial with Qingcheng opening in six months. If he could get useful information to prepare in advance, it would certainly be advantageous.

Of course, the most important thing was,

to ensure that his group could safely return to their clan grounds at Luofeng Mountain.

Within the Ten Thousand Ghosts Abyss,

one piece of intelligence indicated that Zhang Huanzhi had bribed a Tier One Tribulation Cultivator, with Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer, to ambush him along the Changliu River.

He had to confirm whether there were other ambushes along his return trip.

Just as he was about to exchange for intelligence,

a sudden message flashed in his mind:

"Ding"

"Your Clan Contribution Points have surpassed a hundred for the first time. Spend two hundred Contribution Points to partake in a Double Lottery. Would you like to draw?"

Double Lottery?!

Previously, he feared wasting Contribution Points if they remained unused beyond one hundred, so he always redeemed intelligence or drew prizes once they were nearing the limit.

But he hadn't expected that exceeding a hundred Contribution Points allowed for a Double Lottery!

He glanced around.

After having turned in a massive number of Soul Crystals in the Task Hall,

the four members of the Fu Family were already targets of loose cultivators, and six Foundation Establishment cultivators were stationed not far away—he dared not draw prizes now, quelling his excitement.

Preparations were made to hire some Guardians from the Task Hall to return to Luofeng Mountain,

when a familiar soft voice called from behind:

"Changsheng"

Fu Changsheng turned around,

meeting the beautiful phoenix eyes of Shangguan Hongyu:

"Miss Hongyu, what a coincidence! Are you heading into Ten Thousand Ghosts Abyss to hunt?"

Fu Changsheng glanced behind her.

No one from the Shangguan Clan followed behind.

Shangguan Hongyu gave a serene smile:

"I happen to be carrying out a family task nearby. Steward Yui informed me that you led the Fu Clan to victory in the Noble Family Grand Competition, so I came to offer my congratulations. Besides, I have business in Nanyang County; your Flying Ship could give me a ride."

Although Shangguan Hongyu's voice was not loud, loose cultivators nearby heard it clearly.

It was obvious that Shangguan Hongyu had come to offer protection to the Fu Family, fearing that someone might harbor ill intentions. Shangguan Hongyu herself was at the Peak of Qi Cultivation, and her father was a Veteran Foundation Establishment cultivator in the late stage. Who would dare provoke such tough customers?

Fu Changsheng wasn't foolish.

He was deeply grateful for Shangguan Hongyu's kindness.

The Shangguan father and daughter had extended a helping hand repeatedly, but with his current capabilities, he couldn't offer anything that might pique their interest. Still, he noted this favor in his mind, planning to repay it manifold in the future if given the chance.

After boarding the Flying Ship,

and a few more exchanged words,

Shangguan Hongyu advised,

"Changsheng, you've probably not had a good night's sleep these past three months in the Ten Thousand Ghosts Abyss. Rest and meditate; I'll handle the ship."

"Thank you, Miss Hongyu."

After expressing his gratitude, Fu Changsheng sat cross-legged.

Despite Shangguan Hongyu's accompaniment, to be safe, Fu Changsheng decided to exchange intelligence, and with a thought:

"Exchange Intelligence"

Buzz!

The panel quivered.

A surge of yellow light bubbled up.

Soon, lines of words appeared:

[1: On the back side of Qingcheng Mountain, Lei Family's ancestors planted Tier One Top-Grade Cloud Ridge Fruit, auxiliary herbs for Foundation Establishment Pill: Celestial Spirit Fruit and Illusion Heart Grass, which can be picked when the Qingcheng Mountain barrier opens in a year.]

[2: The Lei and Wu families have been cultivating Qingcheng Mountain for a hundred years, laying traps wherever Spiritual Objects grow. The Three-Transformation Cyan Lotus in the Deep Pool is guarded by a Tier One Peak White Python, a contracted Spirit Pet of an old ancestor from the Wu Family.]

[3: Your wife Meizhen will experience movement in her womb in three days; triplets are expected with phenomenal events occurring.]

[4: Shangguan Hongyu has accumulated enough Merit Points in the Shangguan Clan to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill in a month, and plans to seclude herself for a breakthrough. She is here specifically to say farewell.]

[5: ...]

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