"Stop the exchange!"

Patriarch Changsheng saw that the subsequent six pieces of intelligence provided insignificant information and immediately called a halt, as the clan contribution points had dropped to two hundred, which was the minimum exchange value for the Double Lottery.

He reread the first two pieces of intelligence.

Changsheng's lips curled slightly.

The Tier One Top-Grade Cloud Ridge Fruit is used by late-stage Qi cultivators to enhance their cultivation. It needs no processing into a Spirit Pill and can be consumed immediately after being picked. However, the fruit's properties are quite overbearing, and if cultivators below the late stage of Qi Cultivation recklessly consume it, there's a high chance of them exploding to death.

With this Cloud Ridge Fruit.

His mana would surely improve considerably.

The next moment.

Upon seeing the words "Foundation Establishment Pill auxiliary materials," a storm raged in his heart:

"The Lei and Wu Families have actually planted Celestial Spirit Fruit and Illusion Heart Grass on Qingcheng Mountain?!"

These are both Tier Two Spiritual Objects.

The spirit medicines used to refine Foundation Establishment Pills are usually controlled by the Court and High-Tier Noble Families, yet it's unknown how the Lei and Wu Families managed to find the seeds.

This is secondary.

The most crucial point is that since the Lei and Wu Families have planted auxiliary spirit medicines for the Foundation Establishment Pill, does it mean they already have the main ingredient, Water Ice Flower, in hand?

They're just waiting another year for the other two auxiliary ingredients, then they can seek out a Tier Two Alchemist to create the Foundation Establishment Pill.

Changsheng felt a chill down his spine.

If the Lei and Wu Families succeed in making Foundation Establishment Pills, then Anyang County will have another Foundation Establishment Clan. The two families will seek to be bestowed the title of Ninth-Grade Noble Family, and the next step would involve expanding their clan population.

As a result, the other noble families in Anyang County would either become vassals of the Lei Family or face extermination of their Qi Cultivators, forcing mortals to migrate to Leimang Mountain!

The Lei and Wu Families have silently plotted for over a hundred years; they certainly won't stop just because they've lost their lead. They will stop at nothing to secure these two auxiliary ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Pill on Qingcheng Mountain.

Changsheng took a deep breath in his heart:

"I must not let the Celestial Spirit Fruit and Illusion Heart Grass fall into the hands of the Lei and Wu Families."

In the Qingcheng Mountain expedition a year from now, he must plan and prepare meticulously.

After calming down, Changsheng continued reading the intelligence. After finishing the second piece of intelligence, a trace of doubt flashed in his eyes:

"Three-Transformation Cyan Lotus?"

This spirit medicine was unheard of to him.

Yet the Lei Family had a Tier One Peak Spirit Pet guarding it, suggesting it was quite valuable.

The Qingcheng Mountain expedition a year from now seemed to be filled with opportunities, but there was also great risk and uncertainty. Changsheng's mind quickened, strategizing on how to handle it.

Unknowingly.

He had crossed over Qilian Mountain and was approaching the Changliu River.

Shangguan Hongyu also rose to bid farewell.

Changsheng glanced at the distant Changliu River. According to intelligence, a Qi Cultivation Ninth-Layer cultivator known as Ghost Lame hid within:

"Miss Hongyu, since we're almost at the mountain gate, why not come up the mountain for a visit?"

"No, I have important matters to attend to."

Shangguan Hongyu's tone was firm.

Estimating his own combat power, Changsheng felt that cooperating with Autumn Cicada, who had mastered the high-tier technique Soul Vortex Wave, should handle a Qi Cultivation Ninth-Layer Ghost Lame without issue. He also wanted to use this opportunity to test the power of the Celestial Thunder Sword. With a pat of his storage bag, in a flash of dawn light, a white box with black stripes floated toward Shangguan Hongyu:

"Miss Hongyu, this is the Soul Condensing Incense I stumbled upon in the Ten Thousand Ghosts Abyss. It's said to be useful for assisting in Foundation Establishment."

Shangguan Hongyu and her father had been of great help to the Fu Family, but Changsheng never had the chance to properly repay them. He hoped this Concentration Incense would truly aid Miss Hongyu in successfully establishing a foundation.

If successful.

Then the Fu Family would have another Foundation Establishment cultivator as a support.

Upon seeing the Soul Condensing Incense, Shangguan Hongyu's eyes brightened, and her face lighted up with surprise and emotion. Though she intended to refuse due to its preciousness, the allure of the Soul Condensing Incense was too strong. With this item used alongside the Foundation Establishment Pill, her chances of success in establishing a foundation would rise to eighty percent:

"Thank you, Changsheng!"

Shangguan Hongyu gracefully accepted it.

In her heart, she silently promised to help Changsheng with all her strength in establishing his foundation in the future.

With that, the two bid each other farewell.

Shangguan Hongyu left on an immortal crane.

On the flying ship, Fu Changli suddenly burst into laughter:

"Patriarch, Miss Hongyu clearly has an immortal crane mount, yet claimed at White Spirit Mountain that she needed our flying ship for travel. I'd say her intentions lie not in just travel, but that Miss Hongyu actually has feelings for you. Patriarch, Sister-in-law Meizhen doesn't seem to be a demanding person, if you find it hard to ask her, should I help you ask Sister-in-law Meizhen about it?"

"Sister, don't speak nonsense."

Seeing the Patriarch's embarrassed face, Fu Molan quickly signaled with her eyes for her sister to stop talking.

Shangguan Hongyu came from a Ninth-Grade Noble Family and was the only daughter of the Shangguan Family's Grand Elder. She was preparing to establish a foundation. Once successful, the disparity between her and the Patriarch in terms of status would be vast, like clouds and mud. Even if they had mutual feelings, an alliance like this would be impossible.

Unless one day.

The Fu Family and Shangguan Family were equals, and the Patriarch's cultivation far exceeded Shangguan Feng's.

Fu Changli realized her words had been a bit forward, muttered something under her breath, and ceased speaking further.

The flying ship approached the Changliu River.

Fu Molan noticed Changsheng's expression suddenly grew stern and tense, his pupils contracting:

"Patriarch, is there an ambush in the Changliu River?"

"Uncertain, but better safe than sorry. When crossing the river, if an attack occurs, Sister will protect our brother, and Molan, you follow me to engage in battle."

"Yes, Patriarch!"

Upon hearing this, Fu Molan immediately patted her storage bag, and an ancient zither floated before her. Her cultivation technique was the Thousand Sounds Treasure Manual, excelling in rhythm attack.

Fu Changsheng dared not act carelessly.

As a Loose Cultivator, Ghost Lame's ability to cultivate to the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer surely held some astounding aspects in actual combat. Otherwise, he wouldn't risk offending Shangguan Feng just to take on Zhang Huanzhi's task, clearly having a full strategy for a safe exit from Anyang County.

Fu Changsheng felt somewhat nervous.

This was his first encounter with a Qi Cultivation Ninth-Layer cultivator after breaking through to the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer.

At that moment, he waved his sleeve, and the Hundred Ghosts Banner fell into his hand.

With a fierce wave.

A gust of eerie wind rose, and Autumn Cicada, dressed in white, floated beside him. She had been practicing in the ruins of the palace for nearly three months, mastering the High-Tier Technique "Soul Vortex Wave" to a minor achievement.

Everything was ready.

Fu Changsheng maneuvered the flying ship to start crossing the river, releasing his Divine Sense to stay alert to any movement in the river.

At first, there was nothing unusual.

But as the flying ship was about to cross the Changliu River, Fu Changsheng's Divine Sense suddenly detected faint mana fluctuations beneath the dock:

"Molan, on the dock, make a move!"

Before finishing his words.

He immediately altered his technique.

Two already formed Fire Dragons roared and dove toward the dock with astonishing speed. As they were about to reach the dock, their tails swung heavily, striking at Ghost Lame hiding there.

Ghost Lame never expected his hiding place to be discovered.

In haste.

The bowl in his hand hummed as it shot out from the water, clashing with the Fire Dragons.

Bang!

Sparks flew.

The bowl recoiled back.

The Fire Dragons continued their charge.

However, Ghost Lame seized this brief opportunity to shake his body, bursting out from the water with a splash, and stood on the dock.

At the same time, with a fierce wave of his Hundred Ghosts Banner, an eerie wind blew, and instantly, a ferocious ghost emerged from the banner, its body covered with the pained masks of countless vengeful souls, formed by devouring countless souls.

Fu Changsheng scanned with his Divine Sense.

His pupils contracted.

Because the ferocious ghost's cultivation level had reached Tier One Peak.

"Damn it!"

Fu Changsheng was utterly surprised.

Ghost Lame actually had such a hidden method:

"Autumn Cicada, make a move!"

"Yes, Master!"

Autumn Cicada was slightly excited, she activated her technique, thrusting her hands forward:

"Buzz!"

Strange soul power converged into rings, racing towards the diving ferocious ghost, whose mouth opened wide:

"Roar!"

Rolling sound waves poured out, crashing into Autumn Cicada's Soul Vortex Wave.

Boom!

The air vibrated.

The two soul powers diffused in the air.

They were evenly matched.

Capture the leader first to capture the bandits!

Seeing this, Fu Changsheng immediately commanded the Fire Dragons to intertwine head and tail, forming a Dharma Seal, and a Fire Spirit Pearl was quickly condensed, shooting towards Ghost Lame with lightning speed.

Ghost Lame hurriedly maneuvered the bowl to intercept.

When they collided.

"Explode!"

With Fu Changsheng's command.

Rumble!

The Fire Spirit Pearl exploded.

The terrifying explosive force instantly dissolved the bowl.

With his magical artifact destroyed, Ghost Lame groaned, madness flashing in his eyes, and he quickly activated a talisman in his hand. Cyan light surged and merged into his body, accompanied by an enraged scream to the sky, Ghost Lame's form unexpectedly grew to over ten feet tall. His eyes turned blood-red, and a wolf tail sprouted from his rear.

"Beastification!"

Fu Changsheng's pupils shrank.

Beastification was a Secret Technique typically wielded by the Southern Barbarians of the Eastern Wilderness.

Only the Southern Barbarians possessed such robust physiques to endure the fierce mana infusion during beastification.

"How does Ghost Lame know a Southern Barbarian's Secret Technique?!"

Meanwhile.

The aura of Ghost Lame had already risen to the Peak of Qi Cultivation!

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