Under the flying autumn rain, the sky was gloomy.
The carriage carrying everyone departed from Shengjing and then traveled north along the Central Province official road, passing through several major cities in the Central Province.
After the tide attack, these cities were all reduced to ruins and began to be rebuilt after the disaster.
By now, their general outline had temporarily regained its original appearance, but the atmosphere in the cities was heavy, and the pressure was low.
This was mainly due to the open and covert struggles between Sects, each fending for themselves and guarding against each other, leading to mutual antagonism and a strange atmosphere.
It was like a stack of building blocks, originally piled together haphazardly, maintaining a delicate balance, calm and stable.
But with the annihilation of the Li Family, coupled with the destruction of some other Sects during the great disaster, this balance was completely broken.
Now, all Sects wanted to profit, and naturally, they began to draw their swords.
“After the disaster, the Li Family was almost visited by all the Central Province Sects, which caused several conflicts, and the Li Family's ancestral property has not been completely divided even now, which shows how profound the heritage of a thousand-year Sect can be.”
Cao Jinsong said in a low voice.
“When a whale falls, all things live,” Ji You offered a fitting analogy.
“What is a whale?”
“A large fish in the sea, enormous in size, whose dead body is enough to sustain an entire ecosystem.”
“This analogy is quite apt.”
The pressure in the city was low, rain fell outside the window, and with the gloomy sky, it was a perfect time for a nap.
At this moment, apart from Cao Jinsong and Ji You, everyone else in the carriage was asleep.
Ding Yao slept directly opposite Ji You, her fair feet almost reaching into Ji You's embrace.
On the other side, Lu Qingqiu was also curled up in the corner of the carriage, but her almond eyes were half-open, observing Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu.
Undoubtedly, these were the people who had approached her before the New Year Festival last year, asking her many questions like 'Is it big?' and 'Does it hurt?'
Their serious and earnest demeanor was like that of a personal maid from the main wife's household.
The Lu Family Sisters had always believed Yuan Caiwei was the main wife, and had invited her to many banquets, hoping to build a good relationship with her in advance.
However, she was certain that these two women were not Yuan Caiwei's companions.
Moreover, the Dan Sect's daughter had a gentle nature, and should not have trained such arrogant companions.
Grumble—
As the carriage continued, Cao Jinsong maintained his posture of lifting the curtain to look out, and soon saw a familiar city in the distance: “To the south is Ru Long's ancestral land, which seems to be occupied by the Sun Family now.”
Ji You raised his eyes: “The Sun Family?”
“A small Family in the Central Province, not even comparable to the Bai Family. Such Sects don't have the ability to contend for the legacies of the fallen Sects, they can only pick up scraps. The Sun Family has a large number of people, so they took the Bai Family's ancestral land.”
“Small Sects have more people instead?”
Cao Jinsong nodded: “For such Sects, the opportunity to climb up is to continuously procreate, hoping that the Family can give birth to some exceptionally talented children, leading to a resurgence. Thousand-year Sects, on the other hand, intentionally control their reproduction due to internal strife.”
After hearing this, Ji You lifted the curtain and poked his head out, handing a tael of silver to the coachman ahead: “Please take a detour ahead, go to the northeast side of Lin Yuan City.”
“Alright, honored guest.”
“Thank you.”
Cao Jinsong watched him sit back, silently exchanging a glance, and his heart had a rough idea.
The Bai Family was in Lin Yuan City. This Rebellious Disciple was planning to go to the Bai Family.
Going to the Bai Family at this time was certainly not to congratulate the Sun Family on acquiring a large piece of land. It was most likely to help Bai Rulong reclaim his ancestral land.
Old Cao felt he had grasped the Rebellious Disciple's train of thought and gently stroked the long sword beside him.
After entering the Innate Realm, his strength had greatly increased, and he had not yet had a chance to strike. The Dao Sword in his hand was already somewhat eager for battle.
The carriage traveled north and soon arrived at Lin Yuan City.
Just as when Ji You left this place, it was still a ruin.
The two looked out through the lifted curtain, and the Bai Family's ancestral land quickly came into their sight.
Looking from afar, the ruined courtyard was filled with young Disciples, clearing broken bricks.
The courtyard wall and gate tower in the southwest corner had been rebuilt, and the collapsed front courtyard hall was also under repair.
Under the falling rain, there was a temporarily built wooden shed on the west side of the courtyard's rockery, where thirteen people sat, drinking and eating meat while monitoring the progress of the construction.
These people all had Spiritual Qi fluctuations around them. The strongest one was in the early Integration Realm, already middle-aged, while the rest were slightly younger. A small portion were in the Tong Xuan Realm, and the remaining were all at Junior Third Realm Completion.
“The people under the shed should be from the Sun Family. You don't need to act later, I alone will suffice as your master.”
“Do what?”
“???”
Cao Jinsong's brow furrowed slightly: “Aren't we here to help Ru Long reclaim his ancestral land?”
Ji You curled his leg: “Bai Rulong's Dao Heart is out of control right now, he probably can't stay in his old home. Besides, he has no money. Even if you snatch it back for him, what can he do? He'd still be guarding a pile of ruins.”
“Then why did we take a special detour to come here?”
“To check the progress of the construction, and then we'll talk after they've finished repairing it.”
“???”
Cao Jinsong was stunned for a moment, thinking, 'Wait for the Sun Family to repair the house before snatching it?' Damn it, I really can't keep up with your thought process, my Rebellious Disciple.
Ji You looked out the carriage window at this moment: “Look at these selfless people, how kind. Just thinking about their diligent help, I feel their faces have become much kinder.”
“It has to be you—”
“Let's go, let's go see the Du Family again.”
“???”
Ji You pointed to a place further north: “I went to the Du Family when I came to save Ru Long. It's not far from here.”
After a long silence, Cao Jinsong widened his eyes: “You're inspecting the Du Family's project too?”
“Why not?”
“What's your relationship with Du Zhu?”
“Du Zhu and I entered the Academy in the same year, studied together for five years. Although there were constant frictions in the early stages, we gradually grew to admire each other through subsequent contests, confided in each other for years, and were as close as brothers. This is well known throughout Tianshu Academy.”
Ji You showed a hint of melancholy: “Now the Du Family has fallen into an abyss of no return due to a hint of greed, and their clan has perished. But whether as a classmate or a brother, Ji is responsible for preserving their ancestral land, even if it means death.”
Cao Jinsong opened his mouth, only a 'damn it' remaining.
What the hell, 'heart-to-heart and close as brothers'? Back then, it was Du Zhu and his group who most fiercely called him a 'country bumpkin'.
So now that there's no one to refute it, it's your turn to make a fortune.
“It's a pity the Li Family is too far, otherwise I could have visited them too.”
“No one from the Li Family was in Tianshu Academy,” Cao Jinsong couldn't help but remind him.
Ji You immediately waved his hand after hearing this: “No problem, I can always share stories I make up on the spot.”
Cao Jinsong's beard bristled: “The Du Family and Bai Family are fine, but the Li Family is different. The Li Family has countless in-Law Sects. Even if you make up a foster relationship, how could it be closer than theirs? Your idea won't work.”
“No, they wouldn't dare.”
“?”
“The Li Family was listed as the main culprit for the chaos in the world, but whether there were other allied Sects assisting them is still unclear to the Six Great Immortal Sects. In principle, these in-Law Sects are all under suspicion. At this time, what they are most anxious about is to distance themselves from the Li Family, and they would never dare to use this as an excuse. But I am different.”
Ji You looked calmly at Cao Jinsong: “I was the one who severed the Heavenly Dao sacrifice.”
Upon hearing this, Cao Jinsong instantly understood.
Indeed, it was still unconfirmed whether this chaos of the Heavenly Dao only involved those Sects on the list, and their in-Law Sects were naturally under suspicion.
Even if someone was close to the Li Family, or even had their Bloodline intertwined, for the sake of distancing themselves, they wouldn't dare to speak up.
But Ji You was different. Even if he said the Li Family Old Ancestor was his godfather, no one would suspect him based on that.
Because in the end, he was the one who severed the Heavenly Dao sacrifice, revived the Sacred Artifact, and stopped the chaos.
“It's just a pity for my close friend, Chu River—”
“???”
“Chu River was kind-hearted and generous, but he was used in this disaster. As his godfather, I should handle his affairs. It's just a pity that Youzhou is now occupied by barbarians, so I can't preserve that Chu City for him.”
“Chu River is truly blessed to have you as his godfather.”
As Cao Jinsong spoke, he suddenly saw a golden light in Ji You's eyes, as if he had sensed something. After a slight pause, he also spread his Divine Sense.
“A battle?”
Ji You nodded: “And an Innate Realm expert is involved.”
“With such a high-Realm expert present, it seems it's still for the Li Family's inheritance. Those inherited secret treasures are now ownerless and have been constantly contested. It is said that the Liu family of Central Province previously obtained an inherited secret technique from the Li Family and had kept it hidden at home for over a month, but it was still broken into and taken away.”
As soon as Cao Jinsong finished speaking, he felt a chill wash over him, and saw that Ji You had already disappeared from the carriage.
After a moment of stunned, Old Cao couldn't help but smack his lips, thinking that he should be more careful with his words in the future.
His Rebellious Disciple couldn't tolerate the phrase 'inherited secret treasure' at all.
“Chase after them!”
“Whoever snatches that Instant Kill Finger Seal secret technique first will become a core Disciple of my Wang Family and receive personal instruction from the Family Head!”
“Yes!!!”
In the dark mountains and forests, magnificent Spiritual Qi gathered like a current, constantly raging amidst the autumn rain.
Hundreds of Disciples from the Wang Family of Central Province rampaged through the valley, fiercely fighting with the Gan Family Disciples, with flashing blades and Sword Qi.
Among them, Wang Rong, an Elder of the Wang Family in the Innate Realm, wielded a thunder Law and fiercely battled Gan Wei, an Elder of the Gan Family who had conjured a fiery palm.
Amidst the intertwining thunder and fire, trees in the forest snapped, and the wet ground seemed to be torn apart, constantly splashing.
The Instant Kill Finger Seal of the Li Family is also a killing technique, which was comprehended by a Li Family Patriarch three hundred years ago.
It is said that the Dao can only be understood intuitively and not expressed in words, but after a hundred years of evolution by that Li Family Old Ancestor, this Finger Seal technique gradually became transmittable.
Simply put, even if Li Family Disciples could not fully comprehend the ins and outs of the Heavenly Dao Law within it, they could still practice this Finger Seal technique.
This is the charm of a transmittable spell, and also its preciousness.
This secret scripture was engraved on an iron scroll, which was now obtained by the Gan Family. Since then, it had been hidden, intending to be taken back home.
Who knew it would still be exposed under the pursuit of the Wang Family.
For this reason, Gan Wei and his Family Disciples could only continuously block the attacking Wang Family from behind, while another Elder, Gan Hui, held the iron scroll, attempting to continuously shake off the pursuit.
"Boom!!!"
The explosive sound of spells constantly rang out under the dark clouds, and blood mixed with rain gathered in the river valley into a pink ribbon-like stream.
Gan Hui had no time to worry about his Family Disciples. He could only hold the iron scroll and rush forward, with abundant Spiritual Qi constantly gathering beneath his levitating feet, leading him into a canyon.
His destination was naturally not this easily attacked and difficult to defend place, but to cross this canyon and allow the Gan Family Disciples behind to use the terrain to cover their retreat.
However, just as Gan Hui suddenly stomped the ground and leaped towards the cliff ahead, he suddenly felt a trace of aura.
Before he could react, he saw a Dao Sword pressing down with a roar.
Suddenly, Gan Hui's pupils contracted, and a pair of fiery palms rose up, meeting the sword with a scorching killing intent.
He had already sensed that aura, but his Divine Thought determined that the opponent was not strong, so the best way was naturally to kill him and then continue along his original planned route.
But just as he flipped his palm, he noticed a hint of strangeness.
Because the aura emanating from the figure approaching him was like that of a monstrous Vicious Beast, carrying an oppressive might that made it difficult to look up.
And the falling rain at this moment was trembling across the sky.
"Boom!!!!
The heavy sword pressure descended abruptly. Gan Hui almost felt a tremor rising from within his body. His hands, imbued with flames, instantly felt an intense pain, and then he was directly knocked off the cliff.
The powerful Sword Qi pressed him down, shattering the rocks beneath him, and he plummeted into a deep pit.
In just an instant of confrontation, Gan Hui knew he was no match for him.
He immediately rolled to his feet, intending to retreat, but before he could take half a step, he was grabbed by the shoulder.
The iron scroll he had been holding in his arms was instantly taken back by the opponent, and the scorching aura made it difficult for him to even think of resisting.
Ji You, with his face covered by a silk handkerchief, reached down, took the gourd from the opponent's waist, then directly flung Gan Hui off the cliff, his body still roaring with Qi.
After the battle between Heavenly Dao Sacrifice and Chu Xian, although he was severely injured, he also unexpectedly crossed a major Realm.
After a long time, when he made his move, his strength, speed, and Physical Body strength were all far superior to before, giving him the feeling that he could split the sky with a single sword.
Seeing this scene, the Gan Family Disciples who had followed him all stopped, looking up with a hint of panic.
"Where are they? Chase them!"
"Elder, they've entered the valley, seemingly trying to use the terrain to suppress us!"
"Does that Gan Family really think our Wang Family has no tricks up its sleeve?!"
Wang Rong sneered, and as he stepped into the valley, he directly took out a palm-sized pagoda.
This was a Magical Artifact of the Wang Family, and also a Family heirloom, refined by generations of Old Ancestors, possessing supreme power.
Facing this great change, he specifically brought out this item, intending to seize a bright future for the Wang Family.
At this moment, the palm pagoda emitted golden light, which Wang Rong fiercely launched with his surging Spiritual Qi-filled palms, carrying a surging oppressive force directly into the valley.
From a distance, the palm pagoda erupted with golden light that tore through the night, continuously expanding, making Wang Rong instantly reveal an arrogant expression of having the situation under control.
But just as the killing intent surged down into the valley, the bright golden light that illuminated all directions suddenly disappeared, and the world returned to darkness, causing the Wang Family Disciples' eyes to instantly freeze.
After the instant kill, Wang Rong was enraged, and with his Qi surging, he roared and charged into the valley.
Damn Gan Family, they actually had a hidden move, enduring for so long!
However, when he rushed into the valley, a hint of surprise appeared in his eyes.
Because in his imagination, the Gan Family must have used some unknown means to suppress his Wang Family's pagoda, and by now should have already rushed out of the valley.
But what he didn't expect was that the Gan Family members were still in the valley.
Gan Hui, who was carrying the iron scroll, was also there, but his right arm hung low, and he was sitting disheveled in a pile of rubble, with blood still on the corner of his mouth.
Wang Rong suddenly noticed everyone's gaze at this moment, so he looked up, his gaze gradually becoming serious.
He saw a figure standing with a sword on the not-so-high hill ahead.
The cold autumn rain continuously fell from the sky, but before it could reach him, a sizzling sound was heard, and then it rapidly vaporized into steaming white mist.
That person stood amidst the surging white mist, his body exuding a terrifying aura.
Ji You at this moment looked down at the crowd in the valley, his entire body roaring with Sword Qi.
His initial ideal was to be a bandit, robbing the rich to help the poor, and living a life of luxury.
But later, due to various circumstances, his beautiful life plan went astray. He was forced to enter Tianshu Academy, toiled for several years, and suppressed that bandit heart within him.
Of course, this was also due to insufficient strength in the early stages.
Now, after five years of detours, he had not forgotten his original aspiration and finally embarked on the profession he loved.
"This tree is mine, this road is mine. If you want to pass, leave your storage gourd."
" ? "
Wang Rong looked at Gan Hui at this moment: "Who is he?!"
Gan Hui clutched his chest, suppressing the constantly churning Qi and blood, and said sharply: "What do you think?"
That figure was so young, yet his aura was overwhelmingly powerful. There were only a few such people in Qingyun.
"Where's my pagoda?"
"He took it."
Wang Rong instantly conjured a ball of thunder: "Let's team up!"
It was fine if they didn't get the Instant Kill Finger Seal, but the problem was his pagoda was also gone. Losing an expensive ancestral Magical Artifact,
he wouldn't be able to explain this when he returned.
As his voice fell, Gan Wei, who had been pursuing Wang Rong, instantly raised a pair of fiery palms. He didn't speak, but it was considered a response to the suggestion of teaming up.
Seeing this, Wang Rong immediately raised his body, filled with wind and thunder, and charged towards the hill with Gan Wei.
The auras of the two collided, and the powerful force instantly dispersed the rain flying everywhere, causing the Disciples of the two Families in the valley to exclaim repeatedly.
At this moment, Ji You suddenly leaped from the cliff, and a majestic Sword Qi soared into the sky.
A powerful sword pressure descended like a mountain. Before the sword even arrived, Wang Rong and Gan Wei's eyes were wide with terror, and their hearts trembled wildly.
With a thud, both the thunder Law and the fire spell were instantly extinguished, and the two figures were directly sent flying out from the exploding surge of Qi.
But before they could land, Wang Rong was caught by an iron hand, and the storage gourd at his waist was instantly snatched away.
Amidst the falling rain, the Wang Family Disciples were the first to retreat, followed closely by the Gan Family Disciples who also fled outwards.
With a clang, the sound of an iron saber being drawn rang out, and the Disciples of the Qin Family, Wei Family, and Jiang Family of Central Province roared in.
The Qin Family Elder at the forefront directly swung his saber, stopping the Wang Family Disciples who were running at the very front.
What was being contended for tonight was not only the iron scroll of the Instant Kill Finger Seal, but also some other transmittable secret techniques of the Li Family, as well as Family heirloom Magical Artifacts.
The Qin, Wei, and Jiang Families were not powerful Sects, but in order to seize this opportunity to secure a future for their Families, they had long since united, forming a formidable fighting force.
They had just snatched the Wind and Rain Banner, a transmittable Magical Artifact of the Li Family, from the Zhang Family. Now they immediately came to snatch the iron scroll of the Instant Kill Finger Seal, but unexpectedly saw everyone retreating, so they grabbed one person to inquire.
"Where is the iron scroll of the Instant Kill Finger Seal?!"
"It's - it's in the valley!"
The Qin Family Elder released the Disciple and waved his hand behind him: "Disciples of the three Sects, follow me quickly!"
As his voice fell, the Disciples of the three Families immediately followed Elder Qin, rushing towards the valley.
Seeing this scene, the Wang Family Disciple whose neck had been grabbed earlier gasped twice, then pursed his lips as he watched their rushing figures.
Hmm, go, just go, each of you will return without a storage gourd.
