Chapter 149 - 145: Xu Family’s Gains and the Northern Plains’ Situation
Chapter 149: Chapter 145: Xu Family’s Gains and the Northern Plains’ Situation
’An *Array Dao Introduction*...’ A glint flashed in Lu Zhao’s eyes. This was a remarkably complete inheritance for Tier One Arrays! From Non-Tiered Guard Arrays and Dust Avoidance Arrays, to Tier One Lower-Grade Spirit Gathering Arrays and Defense Arrays, then to the Tier One Middle-Grade "Black Water Profound Turtle Formation," and even Tier One High-Grade Arrays—they were all included!
The Arrays were illustrated and had detailed annotations. He now understood where those Array Discs had come from—the Xu Family had a Tier One Middle-Grade Array Master! That was certainly an unexpected bonus.
The Array Dao was vast and profound. While not his primary focus, he knew the basics and was approaching a Tier One Lower-Grade level. If he used this Jade Scroll as a foundation to become a Tier One Array Master, it would be an enormous help for everything from defending his immortal cave and Puppet Refining to exploring dangerous ruins in the future. ’This Jade Scroll is incredibly valuable!’
After putting away the Jade Scroll, Lu Zhao’s gaze fell upon three jade boxes arranged neatly inside the bag. He opened the first, and a clear, pure, and refreshing fragrance, so potent it felt tangible, instantly diffused through the air. Lying in the box was a fruit the size of a longan, entirely pale yellow and covered in natural, cloud-like patterns.
"A Nourishing Spirit Fruit!" Lu Zhao’s heart skipped a beat. This was the first time he had ever seen the fruit itself, but he was certainly no stranger to the Pill for which it was the main material—the Nourishing Spirit Pill.
Even consuming the fruit raw had a miraculous effect, nourishing and strengthening one’s Divine Sense. However, to maximize its benefits, it had to be refined into a Nourishing Spirit Pill.
But refining a Pill wasn’t so easy; the main material alone wasn’t enough. Lu Zhao’s mind raced, and he made an instant decision: ’While eating it directly is a terrible waste, it’s the most efficient option for me right now.’
He then opened the other two jade boxes one after another. Inside, to his surprise, were two more identical Nourishing Spirit Fruits!
’Three of them?’
Lu Zhao was a bit surprised. A thought flickered through his mind, and he quickly reviewed the memory fragments from Xu Cheng. It turned out the three Nourishing Spirit Fruits were loot from when the Xu Family traveled north and robbed a small merchant caravan. A helpless smile played on Lu Zhao’s lips. ’Just as I thought. In this cruel Cultivation Realm, most Cultivators won’t pass up a chance to act as Tribulation Cultivators.’
Suppressing his thoughts, he continued taking inventory. In the bag were two more Magical Artifacts whose Spirit Light was obviously stronger than the others: a crimson Flying Sword with a flame pattern and a small, red shield that also radiated fiery energy. Both were top-quality among Tier One Middle-Grade items.
As for Lower Grade Spirit Stones, there were just over two hundred. The rest was an assortment of miscellaneous Talismans, Pills, and other trinkets.
The remaining Storage Bags contained the "public assets" he had plundered from the Xu Family’s treasury, secret vault, and the personal stashes of several Core Elders. He had already done a quick inventory before, so he didn’t inspect them closely now, instead just sorting and organizing everything.
His final estimate broke down into several parts. The first part consisted of nearly one thousand Lower Grade Spirit Stones he had on hand, plus the items he planned to sell—Magical Artifacts, Talismans, Pills, and ordinary Spiritual Materials. Selling everything was expected to bring in another two thousand Lower Grade Spirit Stones, making the total value of this first part around three thousand Spirit Stones.
The second part consisted of things Lu Zhao could use himself: the Black Water Profound Turtle Array Plate, and a few high-quality Tier One High-Grade spiritual materials with compatible attributes.
The third part comprised items extremely difficult to find in the outside world. This included the Tier One Array Inheritance Jade Scroll, three Tier One High-Grade Nourishing Spirit Fruits, and a piece of Tier Two Middle-Grade Jade Cold Iron. Such items were hard to purchase with Lower Grade Spirit Stones, especially the Jade Cold Iron.
’The entire accumulated wealth of a Qi Cultivation Clan. Not bad,’ Lu Zhao thought. ’Especially the Jade Cold Iron and the Tier One Array inheritance. And yes, the Nourishing Spirit Fruits were a welcome surprise.’
As for selling these items, he certainly wasn’t stupid enough to do it in Northern Wilderness County. That would be the same as revealing his identity. Lu Zhao had already made up his mind—he would go back to Bixia Marketplace.
After taking stock of all his gains, he spent the next half a month changing his appearance and aura daily. He frequented crowded places like the Marketplace’s teahouses, taverns, and street stalls, keeping his ears open.
Just as he had expected, the annihilation of the Xu Family in Qingshi Town sparked some discussion and speculation among the Wanderers for the first few days. All sorts of theories circulated—a revenge killing, a fight over treasure, a random act by a passing Tribulation Cultivator.
But after only seven or eight days, the gossip quickly faded. In a chaotic place like Northern Wilderness County, the fall of a small Qi Cultivation clan was like a pebble tossed into a lake—it barely made a ripple. The chatter in the Marketplace soon moved on to new conflicts, newly discovered mineral veins, or rumors about some big shot.
The weight on Lu Zhao’s mind finally lifted. However, another matter now made him hesitate—whether he should make a stop in Northern Plains County on his way.
From Liuu Family Marketplace, it would take about a month to reach the territory of the Zheng Family in Northern Plains County. He wasn’t planning to confront them directly; he just wanted to gather intelligence on their recent situation. His greatest fear was that the Zheng Family’s Foundation Establishment Ancestor would run out of Lifespan, leading to the family being carved up and absorbed by other powers. If that happened, the object of his blood feud would disappear, and he would lose the chance to claim his revenge personally.
Just as he was wavering, a notice was suddenly posted in the Liuu Family Marketplace, and Liuu Family Cultivators began proclaiming its message repeatedly on the main streets.
"News from Northern Plains County! The Zheng Family Ancestor has severely wounded the Lin Family’s Elder Ancestor outside their clan estate! The situation in the Northern Plains is now stable, and the turmoil is ending! Fellow Daoists from the Northern Plains who have fled your homes, you can now return in peace!"
The news was like a boulder crashing into a placid pond, creating a major stir within the Marketplace. The Wanderers from Northern Plains County, in particular, erupted in discussion. Some were ecstatic, while others remained skeptical.
Standing in the crowd, Lu Zhao listened to the Liuu Family Cultivator’s impassioned declaration, an almost imperceptible, mocking smile playing on his lips. He knew the Liuu Family’s intentions perfectly well—they were tired of the constant influx of refugees from the Northern Plains and were using this "good news" to persuade some to go back.
’Severely wounded the Lin Family’s Elder Ancestor?’ Lu Zhao was doubtful. He quietly slipped away from the crowd and ducked into the Black Market. After paying a steep price of fifty Spirit Stones, he acquired a Jade Scroll from an old man there, one that detailed the recent events in Northern Plains County.
Leaving the Black Market, Lu Zhao returned to the Xiake Inn. He shut the door to his room, set up a Restriction, and immersed his Divine Sense into the Jade Scroll. A moment later, a look of understanding dawned on his face, quickly replaced by a cold, murderous intent.
’What a cunning bastard, that Old Ghost Zheng!’ The Jade Scroll detailed the Zheng Family Ancestor’s scheme. He had feigned that his Lifespan was at its end and his aura was decaying, announcing a life-or-death seclusion. This baited the Lin Family, who were eager to make a move. As expected, the Lin Family’s Elder Ancestor couldn’t hold back and, while "inspecting family properties," was ambushed. The Zheng Family Ancestor, who had been lying in wait and was in far better shape than rumored, launched a surprise attack. Caught completely off guard, the Lin Family’s Elder Ancestor was gravely injured.
After this battle, the Lin Family’s strength was crippled, and they wouldn’t dare make a move against the Zheng Family anytime soon. The Huang Family, who had been lurking with their own sinister intentions, also retreated into silence. The Zheng Family’s vicious, bloody counterattack had actually managed to temporarily stabilize the balance of power in Northern Plains County.
’He can still ambush one of his Foundation Establishment Peers... It seems that old bastard has at least five more years of Lifespan!’ Lu Zhao calculated inwardly, the tension in his heart finally easing. ’Five years... That’s enough time. Enough for me to grow stronger. Enough to prepare completely.’
’Zheng Family... just you wait.’ Lu Zhao gazed toward Northern Plains County, a cold light flashing in his eyes before vanishing. He put away the Jade Scroll. Since the Zheng Family wasn’t in any immediate danger of collapsing, he no longer needed to head to Northern Plains County for now.
「Two months later.」 When the Bixia Sect’s massive, iconic Cyan Feathered Eagle descended slowly onto the open ground outside Liuu Family Marketplace, Lu Zhao boarded it with other sect members who had finished their tasks. As the Cyan Feathered Eagle beat its wings and took flight, leaving the desolate scenery of Northern Wilderness County far below, Lu Zhao stood on the edge of its back. He cast one final, deep gaze toward the distant horizon where Northern Plains County lay—a place where the clouds hung low under a dim, obscure light.
The biting, high-altitude wind whipped his robes, making them snap loudly. His lips were pressed into a thin line, and a cold light gathered in the depths of his pupils, as if he could already envision the future day when the Zheng Family would be drenched in blood.
’When I return...’ he murmured to himself, his killing intent coalescing, contained but not unleashed.