Chapter 21 The Great Road is Vast and Ruthless

Clang!

As the power of the Three-Talent Formation Flags fully awakened, the golden element transformed into countless sharp swords, piercing through the Ashfell family cultivators.

The wood element manifested as a web of massive vines, spreading out in all directions to entangle and restrict the movement of the Ashfell family cultivators.

Finally, the fire element infused itself into the swords and vines, amplifying the destructive force and relentlessly threatening the Ashfell family forces.

“Help me… Patriarch, save me!”

Within the confines of the Three-Talent Formation, screams echoed as one Ashfell family cultivator after another fell.

Even the First Elder and Second Elder of the Ashfell family were severely injured in an instant.

As for the cultivators below the Bone Tempering stage, they were completely annihilated within just two breaths.

Witnessing this carnage, the allied cultivators serving the Ashfell family broke out in cold sweat.

“Damn it! That’s a Level 1-grade artifact!”

Ashfell Lawrence’s face was ashen as he watched his kin being impaled by the golden swords, their bodies then reduced to ash by the fire element.

Wounded by the Fire Talismans, his condition was already at its worst.

Today, if he wasn’t careful, the entire Ashfell family force could be wiped out.

Without the cultivators to counterbalance Arius, their elite guards would be as insignificant as ants before him.

“Earth River Shield!”

Realizing the dire situation, Ashfell Lawrence wasted no time in revealing one of his trump cards.

He raised a crimson iron shield in his hand and placed two fragments of spirit stones onto its surface.

In the next moment, the iron shield emitted a faint glow, enveloping Ashfell Lawrence, as well as the First and Second Elders, in a protective barrier.

The Earth River Shield, too, was a Level 1-grade artifact.

“Hold the Earth River Shield steady and buy me fifteen minutes.”

“Once I recover to my peak, the De Molinos family will pay the price for this humiliation!”

Ashfell Lawrence’s voice was filled with rage as he addressed the two elders.

The Ashfell family’s losses were already devastating.

From the moment they arrived at Nezier Town, in just two breaths, they had lost nine cultivators.

Among those nine were many with the potential to break through to the Bone Tempering or even Organ Tempering stages—future pillars of the Ashfell family.

Now, those pillars had been utterly destroyed by Arius.

“Yes, Patriarch,” the First and Second Elders replied in unison.

Though they were gravely injured, they knew their only hope of survival was to buy time for Ashfell Lawrence.

If they failed to do so, death was inevitable.

Regret weighed heavily in the hearts of the two elders.

If they had known Arius would be this difficult to deal with, they would never have provoked the De Molinos family in the first place.

But now, it was too late to turn back.

Arius wouldn’t let them go, not after the grudges they had incurred.

From the Third Elder to the nine cultivators killed today, the feud between the De Molinos and Ashfell families had reached the point of no return.

The two elders gripped the Earth River Shield tightly, pouring all their strength into maintaining it.

Meanwhile, Ashfell Lawrence took out a pitch-black, eerie-looking pill and swallowed it without hesitation.

The pill was a Blood Pill, crafted from the essence blood of other cultivators.

Consuming it could rapidly heal injuries.

Over the years, the Ashfell family had slaughtered countless minor cultivation sects, using the blood of their cultivators to refine this pill.

Ashfell Lawrence had originally intended to use the Blood Pill to aid his breakthrough to the Level 1 Realm.

But now, faced with a life-or-death crisis, he had no other choice.

Fury burned in Ashfell Lawrence’s heart, reaching its peak.

To refine this Blood Pill, he had purchased a Fire Essence Stone, an expensive cauldron, and slaughtered dozens of cultivators.

Swallowing the pill now meant sacrificing years of effort and resources.

But Ashfell Lawrence quickly suppressed his anger, his expression returning to calm.

He cast a cold glance at the three cultivators from the Ashfell family’s allied factions, his eyes flashing with malice.

After dealing with Arius, he vowed to slaughter every minor sect and force within a hundred Miles of Purple River City. With their essence blood, he would refine another Blood Pill to replace the one he had just consumed.

Time was no longer on his side. Ashfell Lawrence’s lifespan was nearing its end, and if he didn’t break through to the Level 1 Realm, he would perish within a few decades.

After consuming the Blood Pill, Ashfell Lawrence’s injuries began to stabilize.

He, at the pinnacle of the Organ Tempering Realm, and wielding a Level 1-grade artifact, believed that he could outlast Arius in a battle of attrition.

If not for Arius’s sudden use of five Fire Talismans and the activation of the Three-Talent Formation, Ashfell Lawrence wouldn’t have been forced into such a precarious position.

Seeing Ashfell Lawrence recover at a rapid pace, Arius calmly retrieved three more spirit stone fragments.

Channeling their energy into the Three-Talent Formation Flags, the formation’s power surged to an even higher level.

“Go!”

With a flick of his hand, Arius sent out three Spirit Poison Bottles, which landed near Ashfell Lawrence and the two Ashfell family elders.

Boom!

As the bottles shattered upon impact, colorful, toxic mist spread rapidly across the area.

Ordinarily, the poison contained within would only have a numbing effect on cultivators below the Level 1 Realm.

But after being enhanced by the Mirror of Immortal Appraisal, the mist had become far more lethal, capable of threatening even Level 1 cultivators.

The poison not only numbed its victims but also corroded their very souls.

“Hold your breath! Retreat immediately!”

As the poisonous mist spread, Ashfell Lawrence’s instincts screamed danger.

Cultivators often possessed an acute sense of peril, and those at higher realms could even predict future events or deduce causality.

“…Heh… heh…”

But before Ashfell Lawrence’s warnings could take effect, the two Ashfell family elders were already paralyzed, their bodies limp as their souls sank into an illusory nightmare.

Seeing this, Ashfell Lawrence knew there was no saving them.

Not that he cared for them to begin with.

The only reason he had bothered to protect them earlier was to share the burden of the fight.

When it came down to it, his survival was all that mattered.

In the cultivation world, concepts like family and loyalty were meaningless.

The vastness of the Path left no room for sentimental ties—love and hatred were mere entanglements of mortals.

Abandoning the two elders without hesitation, Ashfell Lawrence raised the Earth River Shield.

He stopped healing his injuries, instead forcefully channeling his vitality, attempting to break free from the Three-Talent Formation’s range at any cost.

This desperate move would cost him decades of his lifespan, but Ashfell Lawrence didn’t care.

Staying alive was the only thing that mattered.

“The mountains and rivers are vast… this isn’t over yet!”

Even as he fled, Ashfell Lawrence couldn’t resist uttering a final threat.

In his mind, even in his weakened state, the protection of the Earth River Shield would ensure his survival. Arius couldn’t possibly stop him.

But before Ashfell Lawrence could finish his thought, Arius flung five more Fire Talismans into the air.

As the talismans activated, they ignited into brilliant orbs of flame, shining like miniature suns.

The intense heat radiated outward, so fierce that the surrounding rocks melted into molten slag.

 

Chapter 22: Carving out a dominant position for De Molinos family

Boom! Boom! Boom!

As the five Fire Talismans erupted with terrifying force, Ashfell Lawrence, the Ashfell family patriarch, attempted to evade while wielding the Earth River Shield.

But within the confines of the Three-Talent Formation, the elemental forces continued to impede his movements.

Moreover, he had inhaled some of the toxic mist released by the Spirit Poison Bottles.

The poison was now eroding his very soul, causing his vision to blur and the world around him to waver.

“If I want to leave, who can stop me?”

Ashfell Lawrence’s eyes gleamed with ruthless determination.

Drawing a short blade from his waist, he stabbed it deep into his thigh, forcing himself to remain conscious.

With the Earth River Shield in hand, he braced himself to take the full force of one Fire Talisman head-on.

The five talismans had sealed off all escape routes, leaving him no other choice if he wished to survive.

Inside the formation, Arius stood with tense muscles, sweat streaming down his face.

The battles between cultivators were always perilous, every step fraught with danger.

Ashfell Lawrence’s power far exceeded Arius’s, and his cunning and decisiveness made him a formidable opponent.

But that only steeled Arius’s resolve—he could not allow Ashfell Lawrence to escape.

From the moment he had used the Fire Talismans to wound him, to activating the Three-Talent Formation, every move Arius made was a gamble.

If Ashfell Lawrence managed to escape, even if the De Molinos family replaced the Ashfell family as the dominant power in the region, they would forever be haunted by an insidious and relentless enemy.

“You will die!”

Arius had no more Spirit Poison Bottles or Fire Talismans left.

Now, he could only rely on his own strength and the power of the Three-Talent Formation to end Ashfell Lawrence’s life.

Meanwhile, the three cultivators from the Ashfell family’s allied forces had long since fled.

Before escaping, they had also pulled back the auxiliary forces attacking Nezier Town, leaving behind only the Ashfell family’s core forces—guards and heavy cavalry—who continued their assault.

The allied cultivators had completely disappeared, vanishing like smoke.

They had already realized that the Ashfell family was doomed.

With so many of its cultivators killed, even if the Ashfell family avoided total annihilation, they would no longer be able to maintain control over the Purple River City.

Whether the Ashfell family fell or the De Molinos family rose, one thing was certain: retribution awaited them.

If the Ashfell family survived, Ashfell Lawrence would never forgive them for abandoning the fight.

If the De Molinos family took power, there was no guarantee they would accept these turncoats.

Fleeing far from the Purple River City, beyond the range of its influence, was the safest option.

Leaving their foundations and wealth behind was a small price to pay to escape total annihilation.

Outside Nezier Town, the Ashfell family’s heavy cavalry and guards launched wave after wave of assaults.

But after witnessing the deaths of their family cultivators and the retreat of their allies, their morale began to waver.

Despite their overwhelming numbers, the defenders of Nezier Town stood firm.

Though there were only a few hundred De Molinos family guards, the town’s thick stone walls were nearly impregnable.

The walls were constructed from massive blocks of Black Iron Rock, each weighing a hundred thousand kg and possessing a density comparable to refined steel.

It had taken the De Molinos family two centuries to build these walls.

Neither siege engines nor even Blood Tempering or Bone Tempering cultivators could breach them.

The only one capable of breaking through was Ashfell Lawrence, but he was now firmly held in check by Arius.

“Follow my command! Abandon the siege and kill the De Molinos family patriarch!!”

Inside the Three-Talent Formation, Ashfell Lawrence spat blood, his injuries worsening despite the protection of the Earth River Shield.

Even with its shielding power, the force of the Fire Talismans had partially penetrated, leaving him battered and bloodied.

Ashfell Lawrence was already severely injured. Although the Blood Pill had helped him recover to some extent, his condition remained dire.

The blow from the Fire Talisman had worsened his already critical state—unhealed wounds compounded by fresh ones.

More critically, Arius stood firm before him, refusing to let him escape the Three-Talent Formation’s deadly range.

The Earth River Shield, though a Level 1-grade artifact, was purely defensive in nature.

It had no offensive capabilities, leaving Ashfell Lawrence unable to mount a counterattack against Arius.

“Fellow Daoist, don’t push me too far…”

As the battle dragged on, Ashfell Lawrence’s aura weakened further, and a deep unease began to settle in his heart.

If this continued, he would undoubtedly fall.

He had already commanded the Ashfell family’s guards to abandon the siege on Nezier Town and focus on surrounding Arius.

But even the heavily armored cavalry, trained in martial arts, were annihilated the moment they stepped into the Three-Talent Formation’s radius.

The overwhelming forces of metal, wood, and fire crushed them into blood mist without mercy.

In the face of such carnage, the remaining Ashfell family guards hesitated to approach further.

Some tried to use crossbows, hoping to strike Arius from a distance.

But every arrow that entered the formation was ensnared by the vines of the wood element and flung back, causing even more casualties among their ranks.

From the walls of Nezier Town, on one of the watchtowers, the De Molinos family elder watched the battle with a worried expression.

“Patriarch… do you think the Old Patriarch might be in danger?”

“Those damned Ashfell family guards even dared to attempt a sneak attack on him. Despicable! Should I lead two hundred armored guards out of the town to help ease the pressure on him?”

The elder’s suggestion was met with a calm shake of the head from Simon.

“No need to rush,” Simon replied in a steady voice.

“The Old Patriarch is a cultivator. A mere group of mortal guards can’t possibly pose a threat to him.”

“If you charge out with two hundred guards, it will only be a futile sacrifice. You wouldn’t be able to help him at all.”

“This battle will be decided by the struggle between cultivators. Only by killing Ashfell Lawrence can we ensure the De Molinos family’s victory.”

“And if we win this battle, the De Molinos family will claim the Purple River City, replacing the Ashfell family as the dominant power within a hundred miles.”

As Simon spoke, his gaze shifted to the massive ballista mounted on the wall.

The weapon was capable of firing ten-thousand arrows, unleashing devastating force equivalent to hundreds of thousands pounds of impact.

Inside the Three-Talent Formation, Ashfell Lawrence was being relentlessly suppressed.

But even so, Arius was struggling to deliver the final blow.

Realizing this, Simon drew a deep breath, his eyes narrowing with determination.

“Prepare the Black Iron Arrow!”

Simon had made up his mind to use the ballista to assist the Old Patriarch.

With one well-aimed shot, he intended to end Ashfell Lawrence’s life and secure the De Molinos family’s place as the unchallenged ruler of the region.

At Simon’s command, hundreds of De Molinos family guards activated the ballista’s auxiliary mechanisms, painstakingly loading a massive, gleaming arrow onto its firing platform.

Creak… creak…

The sound of gears turning echoed across the battlefield as the guards worked tirelessly to wind the weapon.

The sinews of the ballista’s string, made from the tendons of a powerful beast, were slowly pulled taut.

 

Chapter 23 The battle for survival, only iron and blood

Boom!

As the ballista reached full tension, the ten-thousand-kg Black Iron Arrow shot out like a blazing comet, tearing through the air with an ear-piercing roar.

The arrow’s passage stirred terrifying gusts of wind, its sheer momentum seemingly capable of rending the heavens and obliterating all in its path.

“Old Patriarch, look out!!”

Seeing the massive arrow streaking toward Ashfell Lawrence, the Ashfell family guards cried out in alarm.

Trapped within the confines of the Three-Talent Formation, Ashfell Lawrence felt a chilling wave of terror surge through him.

His eyes widened in panic, and he desperately tried to dodge, but there was no escape.

The arrow’s speed was simply too overwhelming.

Were it not for the suppressive effects of the formation and Arius’s relentless assaults, even in his injured state, Ashfell Lawrence might have evaded the attack with ease.

But now, all he could do was watch as the massive arrow hurtled toward him with lethal precision.

In a desperate bid for survival, Ashfell Lawrence raised the Earth River Shield, positioning it in front of him with all his might.

At that moment, he even abandoned his efforts to fend off the elemental assaults of the Three-Talent Formation.

Being struck by the formation’s attacks would worsen his injuries, but taking a direct hit from the Black Iron Arrow would leave him utterly annihilated.

In the blink of an eye, the enormous arrow collided with the Earth River Shield.

A deafening crash rang out as violent energy rippled through the air, unleashing a tempestuous shockwave.

Upon impact, the arrow sparked violently, its massive frame twisting and deforming under the force.

The defensive power of the Level 1 artifact was indeed formidable.

Even when faced with the devastating might of the ten-thousand-kg Black Iron Arrow, the surface of the Earth River Shield remained unscathed.

Yet, while the shield had successfully absorbed the arrow’s piercing force, Ashfell Lawrence was far from unharmed.

The immense power of the arrow reverberated through the shield, transferring a devastating shockwave into Ashfell Lawrence’s body.

Blood poured from his seven orifices as Ashfell Lawrence clung desperately to the Earth River Shield.

The force of the impact drove him halfway into the ground, his body trembling under the strain.

In that moment, Ashfell Lawrence’s strength failed him. His injuries were too severe, his vitality rapidly dwindling, and the poison from the Spirit Poison Bottles continued to erode his soul.

He had lost.

In this duel with Arius, Ashfell Lawrence had been completely overwhelmed.

If he fell here, it would spell the end of the Ashfell family.

Gurgle… gurgle…

Blood bubbled in Ashfell Lawrence’s throat as he struggled to lift his head.

Watching Arius steadily approach, he no longer had the strength to resist.

Instead, he turned his head toward the Ashfell family guards and mustered the last vestiges of his strength to shout:

“Run! All of you, run!!”

“Return to Purple River City and order the clan to evacuate…”

“The Ashfell family’s legacy must survive! Ensure that our bloodline endures!!”

Ashfell Lawrence’s voice was hoarse and desperate, his words carrying an air of finality.

He knew that without him to hold the line, and with the massive loss of Ashfell family cultivators, the clan’s downfall was inevitable.

Even if the De Molinos family were merciful and chose to spare the Ashfell family, other factions long oppressed or destroyed by them would surely rise up to exact vengeance.

The Ashfell family had no shortage of enemies.

Though Ashfell Lawrence had spent his life ruthless and self-serving, in his final moments, he fulfilled his duty as the patriarch.

It was the last flicker of humanity from a dying man.

Boom!

Before Ashfell Lawrence could speak further, Arius struck with blinding speed.

In a flash, he seized the Earth River Shield, tearing it from Ashfell Lawrence’s grasp.

Then, with a powerful punch, he drove his fist into Ashfell Lawrence’s chest.

The sheer force of the blow sent a shockwave rippling outward, reducing Ashfell Lawrence’s body to a mangled heap of flesh.

A mist of blood erupted into the air as Ashfell Lawrence’s life came to an end.

“Old Patriarch!!”

The Ashfell family guards froze in horror, their faces pale as they stared at the blood-soaked remains of their leader.

Even the seasoned commanders among them were left dumbfounded, unable to process what had just occurred.

A few guards, overcome with fear, turned to flee.

But before they could take a single step, Arius moved like a shadow, snapping their necks with ruthless efficiency.

“Drop all your weapons. Anyone attempting to flee… dies!”

Arius’s voice was icy, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

Hearing this, every Ashfell family guard froze in place, not daring to make another move.

Several of the commanding officers immediately threw down their weapons, falling to their knees with terror-stricken faces.

They groveled, desperately begging Arius for their lives.

With their Old Patriarch and all their cultivators gone, the Ashfell family guards had lost their backbone entirely.

Even though there were still over ten thousand of them—enough to overwhelm Arius if they coordinated an escape—they no longer had the will to fight or the courage to flee.

Once a force loses its spirit and its courage, no matter how large its numbers, it becomes nothing more than a herd of sheep waiting for the slaughter.

Step. Step, step, step!

At this moment, the gates of Nezier Town creaked open.

Hundreds of De Molinos family guards poured out, their expressions transforming from the despair they felt earlier into newfound pride and vigor.

The death of the Ashfell family patriarch marked a decisive victory for the De Molinos family in this bitter conflict.

For the guards who remained loyal during these trying times, the future now looked brighter than ever.

“Bind them all. Lock their hands and feet!”

Arius’s voice was calm as he addressed his own guards.

With his command, the De Molinos family guards swiftly moved into action, using ropes and iron chains to restrain the Ashfell family’s surviving troops.

There was no resistance.

Not a single Ashfell family soldier dared to defy their captors.

“Old Patriarch,” Simon approached respectfully after ensuring the enemy was secured, “how should we deal with these people?”

Hearing this, Arius didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he asked in return,

“What do you think we should do?”

Simon glanced at the restrained Ashfell family soldiers. His gaze hardened, and his expression turned cold.

With a decisive gesture across his throat, he suggested,

“Kill them all!”

“These people are ultimately a threat to our family’s stability.”

“And when we take over Purple River City, we must not stop there. Every member of the Ashfell family—man, woman, child, elder—must also be wiped out without exception!”

“For the enemy, there must be no loose ends!”

As Simon spoke, his tone was eerily calm.

To him, the ten thousand Ashfell family soldiers and the tens of thousands of Ashfell family members in Purple River City were no different from weeds growing on a mountainside.

Hearing Simon’s words, some of the younger De Molinos family members couldn’t hide their unease.

One young girl stepped forward, her face full of defiance.

“Patriarch, they’re innocent,” she argued.

“If they no longer pose a threat to our family, why not spare their lives?”

As her words fell, Simon frowned, ready to reprimand her.

But before he could, Arius raised a hand, stopping him.

Arius’s gaze shifted to the younger members of the De Molinos family. His expression was calm but firm, and his voice carried the weight of authority as he spoke:

“You think all of this is cruel?”

“Let me tell you… this is the law of survival on this land.”

“If you find it cruel, then go and take a look outside Nezier Town.”

“Look at the villages razed to the ground by the Ashfell family. Look at the mountain people who were slaughtered.”

“Those people were innocent too. Did the Ashfell family spare them?”

“If the De Molinos family had not stood its ground today, your fathers, your siblings, your cousins… would already have been humiliated and killed.”

“To survive in a world as dark and ruthless as this, showing mercy and kindness to your enemies will only doom yourselves!”

“In the battle for survival, there is only one path—iron and blood!”

 

Chapter 24 Cruel Law, Kill All

Hearing Arius’s aged voice, the younger generation of the De Molinos family froze in place, stunned.

For years, they had lived under the protection of the family, never having experienced the brutal realities of power struggles and conflicts.

“Changge, organize a group to take the younger family members out to visit the villages around Nezier Town under our family’s protection,” Arius said, shaking his head slightly as he issued the command.

Only by facing the harsh truth directly could these young ones truly grow.

On the other side, as the Ashfell family guards overheard the conversation between Arius and Simon, they began to stir.

Terror spread across their faces, and they started shouting and thrashing, desperately trying to escape their bonds.

But it was far too late to resist or flee.

“No! Don’t kill me!”

“I’ll serve as a slave! I swear eternal servitude to the De Molinos family…”

“I have money—gold and silver—take it all! Just spare my life!!”

Sching!

The De Molinos family guards had already unsheathed their long blades, and the slaughter began.

Heads rolled one after another, and the sight of their comrades and fellow soldiers being slaughtered one by one was a mental torment for those Ashfell family guards still alive, waiting for their turn.

Many wept, collapsing in fear, some even losing control of their bowels and wetting themselves.

The younger De Molinos family members watching this gory scene couldn’t help but shut their eyes and cover their ears.

But Simon and the other senior family members immediately issued stern rebukes.

“Keep your eyes wide open! Look clearly and listen carefully!”

“Bloodshed? Brutality? I know what you’re thinking.”

“But remember this—those pitiful-looking enemies before you… these people were here to wipe out our De Molinos family. And not just that, they’ve already slaughtered several villages within our territory!”

“To pity the enemy and feel sorry for these butchers is the greatest weakness and foolishness!”

“If not for the Old Patriarch stepping in—if not for our family standing united—these enemies would not have stopped at a few villages. They would’ve bathed the entirety of Nezier Town and our De Molinos family in blood!”

An elderly matriarch, stooped with age, spoke sternly, her tone sharp and unyielding.

Ever since Arius began cultivating at Albigensians Sect, the De Molinos family had enjoyed a century of stability under the sect’s shadow.

But those hundred years of peace had caused many in the family to forget the harshness of this world.

Especially the younger generation—they had been too well shielded by the family.

The killing lasted for half a day.

Blood soaked the earth, pooling into rivers that meandered through the battlefield.

In the dim glow of the setting sun, the outskirts of Nezier Town reeked of blood, resembling a scene from hell.

“Reporting to the Old Patriarch, reporting to the Patriarch—the spoils of this battle have all been tallied!”

“We’ve collected 15,000 sets of armor, 15,000 blades and swords, 500 warhorses, and miscellaneous goods worth at least 50 kg of gold!”

“Our De Molinos family has lost 50 guards in this battle, with 20 seriously injured and 10 lightly wounded!”

A guard commander, his armor still stained with blood, bowed deeply in deference as he made his report to Arius and Simon.

Arius didn’t concern himself with the aftermath.

As the family’s Old Patriarch, he was not involved in day-to-day affairs unless they pertained to the family’s long-term development or major decisions.

“All fallen guards’ families are to be compensated with ten kg of gold each. The education of their children and the care of their parents will be fully covered by the family from this day forward,” Simon began, issuing rewards and measures to console the survivors.

“Seriously injured guards will be compensated with three kg of gold, and their children’s education and parents’ welfare will also be handled by the family.”

“Lightly injured guards will receive one kg of gold each.”

“All other guards are to be rewarded with five liang of gold each.”

After issuing the orders, Simon had the captured spoils of war loaded onto carts and transported back to Nezier Town.

As for the corpses of the slaughtered Ashfell family guards, they were set ablaze, reduced to ashes in a massive fire.

Meanwhile, Arius had already returned to his small courtyard.

From the Ashfell family cultivators, he had gained considerable resources this time around.

For instance, he had collected dozens of fragments of spirit stones.

There were also several scrolls of low-level cultivation techniques.

However, what Arius valued the most were two items he had obtained from the Ashfell family’s patriarch.

The first was a mid-tier Level 1 artifact—the “Earth River Shield.” Its defensive capabilities were exceptional.

If wielded by a cultivator at the early stage of Level 2 realm, it could easily withstand attacks from a mid-stage Level 2 cultivator.

The reason Arius had managed to kill the Ashfell family patriarch was largely due to the latter’s inability to fully unleash the shield’s potential, coupled with Arius’s meticulous tactics and the De Molinos family’s heavy ballista.

The second item was a unique manual titled “The Insect Nurturing Scripture.” As the name suggests, it was a technique for breeding and controlling venomous insects.

The scripture was incomplete, containing only the first half, but even this portion detailed methods to cultivate and command venomous insects up to Level 2 stage.

If upgraded and completed using the Mirror of Ascension, it might even reveal techniques for raising Level 5-level insects—a truly powerful and rare art.

Unlike standard Level 5-grade techniques, the Insect Nurturing Scripture offered a different advantage: cultivating a swarm of Level 5-level venomous insects could potentially overwhelm opponents of the same cultivation level.

Of course, Arius had no immediate plans to upgrade the scripture. For now, there was no urgency to use it until he reached Level 2 stage.

Insect control came with its own limitations—no cultivator could command insects more than two major realms higher than their own cultivation. Doing so would risk the insects turning against their master and causing disasters.

At Level 2 stage, cultivators could at most control insects at the fourth level stage, and even then, only a limited number.

Despite its risks, Arius found the scripture fascinating.

If he could raise venomous insects en masse, it would provide a formidable advantage. Against enemies, he wouldn’t even need to lift a finger; a simple wave of his sleeve could unleash swarms of insects to devour his foes until only bones remained.

The best part was that raising venomous insects required far fewer resources compared to cultivating spirit beasts or forging puppets. Both of these alternatives consumed immense resources to achieve the same effect.

The only drawback was that venomous insects were much weaker in single combat compared to spirit beasts or puppets of the same level.

Arius carefully stored away the Insect Nurturing Scripture. Once the De Molinos family fully occupied and stabilized its position in Purple River City, he planned to make another trip to the cultivator marketplace.

In the Blue Pavilion, he was confident he could find “insect eggs” for breeding.

In addition to acquiring insect eggs, Arius also intended to purchase specific materials for another crucial endeavor.

Once a cultivator reached Level 2 stage, they could begin crafting their own life-bound artifact.

Although the Three Talents Array Banner was a decent weapon in both grade and power, it wasn’t quite suitable to serve as a life-bound artifact.

The Earth River Shield, while a formidable defensive tool, was also unsuitable for this role. As a life-bound artifact, it lacked versatility and offensive potential.

A life-bound artifact would follow a cultivator throughout their long journey, growing alongside them and potentially evolving into a true immortal-grade weapon.

 

Chapter 25 Recruiting Guards and Enacting Laws

After organizing his various treasures and manuals, Arius sat down cross-legged on the floor. Taking out a fragment of a spirit stone, he began meditating to recover.

Though he had appeared to dominate the fight with the Ashfell family patriarch, the battle had left him with a severe depletion of blood essence. If he did not recover quickly, it could begin to erode his lifespan.

While Arius retreated into seclusion to recover in his secret chamber, Simon immediately convened all of the De Molinos family’s clansmen, vassals, and servants.

The recent battle had left the core strength of the Ashfell family in ruins.

What remained of the Ashfell family were a few scattered remnants—some loyal household servants and ordinary guards.

In terms of cultivators, the Ashfell family had little left: only a clan leader at the Bone Tempering Stage and a handful of Skin Tempering Stage cultivators.

Once these remnants were eliminated, the Ashfell family would be fully toppled.

For two full days, Simon worked tirelessly to assemble a proper guard corps.

Thanks to the spoils from their recent victory—armor, weapons, and other military equipment—the De Molinos family could now easily raise a standing force of over ten thousand guards, provided there were enough able-bodied men to conscript.

Of course, hastily assembled soldiers would not have the same combat capabilities as the elite guards trained over years.

But at this point, Simon was not aiming for elite soldiers. What he sought was momentum—a large, imposing force to solidify their presence.

The weakened remnants of the Ashfell family no longer posed a significant threat to the De Molinos family.

It was already a foregone conclusion that the De Molinos family would seize Purple River City as their own.

A massive army would serve as a symbol of power, intimidating nearby factions and declaring to the entire thousand-mile region surrounding Purple River City that the De Molinos family had risen.

Previously, the De Molinos family had struggled to maintain even a modest corps of several hundred guards due to economic limitations.

The lands around Nezier Town were impoverished and resource-scarce. All of the surrounding villages and Nezier Town itself amounted to fewer than 100,000 people in total. Of these, only a few thousand were able-bodied young men.

From these few thousand, the De Molinos family could barely muster several hundred soldiers at most.

But once they claimed Purple River City, everything would change.

The resources available in a territory spanning a mere hundred miles versus a thousand miles were worlds apart.

With control over Purple River City and the surrounding lands, the De Molinos family could easily support a standing force of over 20,000 soldiers while still meeting their annual tribute obligations to the Albigensians Sect.

“Reporting to the clan leader! After two days of recruitment, our De Molinos family’s guard corps now numbers 3,000 soldiers.”

“This is the limit of what we can recruit from Nezier Town and its surrounding areas.”

“Additionally, these 3,000 soldiers are all infantry. As for cavalry, it will be difficult to establish a proper unit in the short term…”

On the spacious training ground, rows upon rows of newly conscripted guards stood at attention, their black armor reflecting the sunlight. A De Molinos family elder stood beside Simon, reporting the current situation with a hint of helplessness.

“Only 3,000?” Simon sighed softly.

He had anticipated this outcome, but it still left him somewhat dissatisfied.

Hearing Simon’s comment, the elder shook his head and continued, bowing slightly:

“Under normal circumstances, if we were to exhaust every resource, the De Molinos family could recruit 7,000 to 8,000 able-bodied men from Nezier Town and the surrounding villages.”

“But due to the Ashfell family’s rampage, as well as the actions of their vassal forces, many of the nearby villages have been wiped out.

“Nezier Town’s population has been reduced by half.”

As he spoke, a flicker of rage crossed the elder’s face.

The mountain folk and villagers surrounding Nezier Town were vassals of the De Molinos family. Losing half of their vassals to slaughter filled him with fury.

“Clan leader, when do we march on Purple River City?”

“When the time comes, I vow to lay waste to the city for ten full days, until the streets run red with blood!”

The elder’s anger grew as he spoke, his eyes brimming with murderous intent.

The Aragon Kingdom, in name, was a unified nation.

But in practice, each region’s noble families and sects operated like independent kingdoms.

The struggles between families often escalated to towns and cities being razed, and such conflicts were considered routine.

As long as tribute was paid on time, higher authorities would typically not intervene, even if one faction completely annihilated another.

For instance, in Pyrenees County, unless a large-scale conflict between prominent families resulted in millions—or even tens of millions—of mortal casualties, the Albigensians Sect would turn a blind eye.

For a conflict between clans like the De Molinos family and the Ashfell family, even if tens of thousands of mortals perished, it would not catch the Albigensians Sect’s attention.

“Enough!”

Simon’s expression turned stern as he interrupted a heated exchange.

“When the De Molinos family takes control of Purple River City, we must win the people’s hearts. We need sufficient population for the De Molinos family to grow its industries and establish itself.”

“We are not the Albigensians Sect, which can afford to act arbitrarily by slaughtering cities. Without people, ruling an empty Purple River City would be meaningless for the De Molinos family!”

He paused, his tone sharp, as his gaze swept over the gathered elders and soldiers.

“We will cleanse the Ashfell family and a select few of their vassal forces—that will be enough!”

“Only a fool resorts to senseless slaughter when better options exist!”

Hearing Simon’s rebuke, the previously hot-headed De Molinos family elder bowed his head, not daring to speak further.

Simon rubbed his temples in frustration, turning his attention to the 3,000 newly recruited guards. He immediately began issuing a set of rules:

1. Upon entering Purple River City, no burning, killing, looting, or destruction of order would be tolerated.
2. The sword would only be raised against the Ashfell family and their confirmed vassals.
3. Anyone who violated these two rules—whether an ordinary soldier or a family elder—would be executed by slow slicing without exception.

Simon’s directives were not born out of compassion or weakness.

If an action served the family’s interests, he would not hesitate to raze cities or even destroy nations.

But at this moment, the De Molinos family’s immediate need was population to fuel its economy and production.

Population, not pointless bloodshed, was the key to their long-term development.

With that priority in mind, Simon knew it was critical to maintain discipline and reduce unnecessary killings.

Faced with Simon’s decisive reprimand, the previously vocal De Molinos family elder could only bow deeply, murmuring agreement.

“Clan leader,” another elder interjected cautiously, stepping forward. “When do we begin the march to take Purple River City?”

Mention of Purple River City sparked a wave of anticipation.

The gathered De Molinos family clansmen, including the newly recruited guards, all turned their gazes expectantly toward Simon.

Under their collective scrutiny, Simon remained composed. He didn’t give a direct answer but spoke instead with calm authority:

“No need to rush…”

“The Old Patriarch still requires time to recuperate.”

“Moreover, the path from Nezier Town to Purple River City is long and fraught with obstacles. We must first prepare sufficient supplies of food and equipment to ensure a smooth march.”

Finally, his tone grew firm as he repeated his earlier warnings:

“And let me emphasize once more! This campaign must adhere to two principles above all:

“First, no harm shall come to ordinary civilians unconnected to the Ashfell family.

“Second, looting and chaos are strictly forbidden. Violators—regardless of status—will be executed by slow slicing!”

Having issued his orders, Simon turned and left the training grounds, heading toward Arius’s small courtyard.

Ultimately, the timing of the march depended on the Old Patriarch.

Dealing with the Ashfell family’s remaining cultivators—especially their Bone Tempering Stage clan leader—required the patriarch’s personal intervention.

As he walked, Simon felt a pang of helplessness.

While the De Molinos family had overcome this immediate crisis, the lack of additional cultivators within their ranks was a glaring weakness.

He resolved that, once this campaign was over, he would immediately focus on finding children with spiritual roots to nurture.

The De Molinos family needed to raise more cultivators—desperately.

Otherwise, if every challenge relied solely on their Old Patriarch, it would only highlight their own incompetence as successors.

 

Chapter 26 Lunford City, Sending a Message to the Song Family

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Deep within the Ashfell clan’s territory in Purple River City, inside a grand, resplendent hall.

The patriarch of the Ashfell family sat on a wooden chair, his luxurious robe draping over him like flowing gold. His expression was dark, his lips sealed, as his piercing gaze swept over the many high-ranking members of the Ashfell clan gathered before him.

Moments ago, the devastating news of their defeat at Nezier Town had arrived, carried by the remnants of their vassal forces who managed to flee.

Now, chaos gripped Purple River City—and the Ashfell clan itself.

Mass migrations had already begun within the city. Amid the turmoil, rogue martial artists plundered and burned indiscriminately, while thieves took full advantage of the disorder to loot at will.

The Ashfell clan had lost control over Purple River City.

After all, the fall of Nezier Town could only mean one thing: the De Molinos family would soon descend upon Purple River.

Traditionally, conflicts between factions in this land often culminated in bloodshed, as victors razed the defeated to the ground to leave no roots behind.

“Patriarch,” one of the Ashfell elders, a cultivator at the Skin Refining stage, stepped forward, his voice tinged with fear. “Nezier Town is only a few hundred miles from Purple River City. It has been two days since the news reached us, and the De Molinos family could arrive at any moment.”

“We must act swiftly if we wish to preserve the clan. Our losses at Nezier Town—nearly twenty thousand armored guards and dozens of cultivators—leave us with no strength to resist. If we stay here, we face annihilation!”

His words sent ripples through the hall. The other elders and high-ranking members quickly chimed in, their voices trembling.

“Patriarch, the situation is dire. Our only option is to abandon Purple River City and relocate the clan immediately!”

“I suggest we leave a portion of our people behind as bait, to stall the De Molinos family and divert their attention,” an elderly woman with snow-white hair proposed coldly. “The rest of us should split into smaller groups and scatter in every direction. Survival, from here on, will depend on luck and the heavens’ mercy.”

Her words were chilling but practical, and the crowd murmured in reluctant agreement.

The Ashfell patriarch sighed deeply, his voice laced with despair. “It’s too late…”

He glanced at them all, his tone grave as he continued. “The forces surrounding Purple River City will never let us leave. The moment we step out of the city, we’ll be intercepted by those factions lying in wait.”

“Especially the independent cultivator sects who refused to align with our Ashfell clan. They won’t sit idly by and watch us flee. No… they’ll offer our blood and heads to the De Molinos family as a token of loyalty. That’s how they’ll survive in this brutal land.”

The patriarch’s words cast a heavy pall over the room. He leaned heavily against his chair, his strength seeming to drain from his body as he straightened up with great difficulty. His eyes swept over the room, meeting the panicked gazes of his clan leaders.

“Leaving now would only hasten our demise,” he said hoarsely.

“Do you know why?”

The hall fell silent. Most of the Ashfell leaders were bewildered, their minds too paralyzed by fear to comprehend his reasoning. Only a few remained calm, but even they could not decipher the patriarch’s cryptic words.

The patriarch sighed again, a flicker of melancholy crossing his eyes.

“Because of the De Molinos family…”

He paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in before continuing. “It is precisely because these factions fear the De Molinos family that they haven’t already stormed Purple River City to pillage our resources. They’re merely holding position, encircling us, ensuring no one escapes before the De Molinos family arrives.”

“In other words, as long as the De Molinos family’s shadow looms over us, not a single soul will leave Purple River alive.”

“Nearly twenty thousand armored guards and dozens of cultivators from the Ashfell clan… they haven’t returned. Their fate is already sealed.”

“With what little strength we have left, breaking out is impossible…”

“The Madden clan, Green clan, and Hoover clan all have Bone Tempering stage cultivators holding the line. Do you really think I alone can stand against at least three of them?”

The Ashfell patriarch’s voice echoed through the hall, his somber words silencing the room entirely.

Despair hung thick in the air. The Ashfell clan had truly reached the end of the road.

After a long pause, one of the elders finally spoke up, his voice tinged with both anger and regret.

“Our clan was arrogant… too arrogant and reckless…”

“When you sent the Third Elder to seize Nezier Town, I voiced my objections!”

“No matter how weakened the De Molinos family seemed, they once produced an Organ Refinement cultivator and maintained ties with the Albigensians Sect. Even if their current patriarch had poor talent and only managed to enter the sect with the Ascension Decree, then got expelled… who could guarantee they didn’t have other hidden strengths?”

“And now, look where we are! The Ashfell clan has brought ruin upon itself!”

“Our family’s foundation… destroyed by your greed!”

The elder trembled with rage as he spoke, his voice breaking with emotion. He looked as if he might collapse at any moment.

Yet no one, not even the patriarch himself, refuted his accusations.

Because he was right.

“The blame… the blame lies with me…” the Ashfell patriarch said through clenched teeth, his expression dark and weary. He did not shy away from responsibility. At this point, there was no purpose in denying it.

But in the next moment, his eyes flashed with determination, as if a sudden thought had struck him. His hoarse voice rang out.

“Pass my orders: summon every last ounce of strength the clan can muster… and fortify Purple River City!”

“I will personally write a letter to the Song family.”

“Our clan ancestor once did the Song family patriarch a great favor. If the Song patriarch is willing to mediate, we may yet save our clan’s legacy, even if we lose Purple River City.”

The hall erupted into a murmur of hope as the patriarch’s words sank in. The despair that had clouded the room began to lift, and the high-ranking members clung to this fragile lifeline.

Lunford City. The Song family.

This was a family that had once produced a Level 1 cultivator. Their power dwarfed the Ashfell clan’s several times over.

The Song family governed three cities, with Lunford City alone housing a population of 300,000. Their domain stretched across nearly 1 000 miles, with a population exceeding four million under their rule.

“Excellent!”

“If the Song family steps in, the De Molinos family wouldn’t dare move against us!”

“Patriarch, please send the letter quickly!”

One of the Skin Tempering cultivators, still young and full of potential, could barely conceal his excitement. His future was bright; he might yet reach the Blood Tempering or even Bone Tempering stage. Power, wealth, beauty—he had yet to enjoy life’s many pleasures. Naturally, he had no desire to perish alongside the Ashfell clan.

 

Chapter 27: Everyone Has Their Own Motives, the Ashfell Family Falls Apart

Most of the Ashfell clan’s higher-ups shared the same sentiment.

As the saying goes, “A bad life is still better than a good death.”

The Ashfell patriarch, hearing their agreement, wasted no time. He retrieved ink and paper and began drafting a letter.

He knew all too well that even if the Ashfell clan ancestor had once done the Song patriarch a great favor, it wouldn’t be enough on its own. For the Song family to intervene and help the Ashfell clan weather this storm, the Ashfell clan would need to offer an enormous price.

That was the way of the world—many were eager to add splendor to an already flourishing scene, but few would extend a helping hand in times of dire need.

Once the letter was complete, the patriarch called for a swift falcon, securing the message to the bird’s leg. Watching it take flight, soaring high into the skies, many of the Ashfell leaders felt the oppressive weight of despair lift—if only slightly.

Only the patriarch’s expression remained somber.

He cast his gaze over the gathered leaders, his voice raspy but firm as he spoke.

“That’s enough!”

“Make your preparations!!”

“Purple River City lies two thousand miles from the Song family’s domain. The falcon will need at least four days to deliver the message. Even if the Song family agrees to intervene and sends their cultivators, they’ll need additional time to mobilize.”

“In short, we must hold Purple River City for at least five days.”

The room fell into an uneasy silence.

Hold Purple River City for five days? If the De Molinos family descended upon them, they could likely breach the city in an instant.

It was no secret—nearly twenty thousand armored guards and dozens of Ashfell cultivators had already been annihilated by the De Molinos family. With what little strength the Ashfell clan had left, what could they possibly use to stop them?

“This is our clan’s final hope!”

“No matter the cost, we must hold out for five days!!”

The patriarch’s voice rang out again, this time filled with determination.

Though he had been shaken and despairing earlier, his composure had now returned. To have risen to the position of clan patriarch, he relied not only on his cultivation but also on a sharp mind and deep cunning—qualities that far surpassed the average Ashfell clansman.

Having briefly succumbed to despair, he was now calculating madly, seeking any chance to save the clan—and himself.

“Send people immediately to stabilize order in Purple River City!”

“Then spread the word among the city’s residents: if the De Molinos family takes the city, they will massacre everyone!”

“Mobilize the entire population—men, women, young, old—it doesn’t matter. Everyone must fight to defend the city with their lives!”

“Tell them this too: hold the city for five days, and the Song family will come to our aid!”

As the patriarch issued these commands, a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.

He intended to use the lives of ordinary people to stall the De Molinos family.

Purple River City had a population of 150,000. Even an Organ Tempering cultivator couldn’t slaughter them all in an instant.

Whether or not the Song family would intervene, the patriarch himself wasn’t certain.

But he needed to stabilize the morale of the people.

If he could rally their spirits and mobilize the entire city, then, in the worst-case scenario, the chaos might give him an opportunity to escape.

When the time came, if sacrificing the entire Ashfell clan—and even all of Purple River City—could ensure his survival, it would be worth it.

Such was the law of the cultivation world: “Better my friend dies than me.”

With the patriarch’s orders issued, the Ashfell leaders dispersed to carry them out.

Yet each one of them harbored their own motives, scheming and calculating their next moves.

In the days of the clan’s prosperity, they might have stood united, fighting together to conquer and plunder.

But now, as calamity loomed and the Ashfell clan teetered on the brink of collapse, each was consumed with the instinct to save themselves. How could they possibly concern themselves with anything else?

…

The scene shifted.

While the Ashfell clan scrambled to gather their remaining strength and prepare to defend Purple River City, outside a quiet courtyard where Arius resided, Simon cautiously knocked on the wooden door.

“Junior Simon seeks an audience with the Ancestor.”

After knocking three times, Simon stood still, refraining from any further action.

He knew well that his ancestor’s courtyard was shielded by an illusory formation crafted by cultivators.

If the ancestor was in the midst of cultivation, the formation would activate, rendering his knocks unheard no matter how persistent he was.

But if the ancestor had finished cultivating and was resting under the courtyard’s trees with a cup of tea, a response would surely come.

Standing outside the wooden gate, Simon felt tense, yet he neither dared leave nor recklessly push the door open.

As he waited nervously, a faint, aged voice drifted out from within the courtyard.

“So, it’s Changge… come in.”

The moment the words were spoken, the wooden gate creaked softly and slowly swung open on its own.

As the gate opened, Simon caught sight of a figure—a man with snow-white hair, standing with his hands behind his back.

Seeing him, Simon immediately straightened his posture, his expression full of reverence. He clasped his hands and bowed deeply.

“Greetings to the Ancestor.”

The figure was none other than Arius. After his battle with the Ashfell family’s patriarch and several days of recuperative cultivation, his strength had improved further, breaking through to the mid-stage of the Organ Tempering realm.

“Sit. Have some tea.”

“There’s no need for so much formality in front of me,” Arius said as he turned, casually waving a sleeve.

In an instant, a gust of force gathered, lifting a teapot into the air and pouring two cups of tea.

“Please, Ancestor…”

Although Arius carried himself without arrogance, Simon didn’t dare show the slightest slackness. He quickly picked up one of the teacups with both hands and offered it respectfully to his ancestor.

Arius accepted the cup casually, taking a seat in the grand armchair. He blew gently on the steaming tea before speaking in a calm tone.

“You’ve come to see me about entering Purple River City, haven’t you?”

Simon’s expression stiffened. He lowered his gaze in embarrassment and clasped his hands together as he replied.

“It is because of my incompetence that I’ve come to trouble the Ancestor…”

“The Ashfell family still has several cultivators remaining. Without your intervention, it will be difficult for our De Molinos family to secure Purple River City…”

“Moreover, the factions surrounding Purple River City are surely watching our De Molinos family closely at this very moment.”

“Only if the Ancestor acts once more can we suppress these factions and make them submit to our De Molinos family.”

As he spoke, Simon bowed his head even further.

Hearing this, Arius placed his teacup down, his gaze drifting toward the distant sky. After a brief pause, he spoke again, his tone indifferent.

“Whether it’s the remnants of the Ashfell family or the other factions around Purple River…”

“It doesn’t matter. I will act.”

“Pass the order—summon the family’s forces and depart for Purple River City immediately.”

“It’s time for the Ashfell family’s reign to come to an end.”

As the words left his mouth, Arius’s figure disappeared from the courtyard, vanishing as if into thin air.

By the time Simon snapped out of his daze, his ancestor was nowhere to be seen.

“Yes, Ancestor!!”

Simon’s face lit up with excitement.

With the ancestor’s approval and the thought of the De Molinos family finally taking full control of Purple River City, he could barely contain his emotions.

For centuries, the De Molinos family’s patriarchs had only dared to dream of gaining a foothold in Purple River City, carving out a small place for themselves.

But now, they would not just claim a piece—they would take the entire city and rule over a thousand miles of surrounding territory.

Though the De Molinos family’s current foundation was still lacking, with the ancestor presiding over them and Purple River City under their control, it was only a matter of time before the family rose to greater heights.

 

Chapter 28: Only with blood can we build our foundation

Hooooo—!!

The setting sun stained the sky blood-red as a long horn’s mournful call echoed across the land, carrying an air of somber resolve and deadly intent.

Outside Nezier Town, following Simon’s command, three thousand armored guards and a host of De Molinos family clansmen gathered.

“May the sword at my waist cut straight into Purple River.”

“This battle… will lay the foundation of our De Molinos family! The dawn of our rise begins here!”

“I, Simon, will lead the charge! Until we storm Purple River City and annihilate the remnants of the Ashfell clan!”

“If I, Simon, should fall, do not grieve. Do not stop. Press forward without hesitation and claim Purple River City!!”

At the forefront of the assembled army, Simon donned his armor and unsheathed his sword. His voice was steady, resonating with unshakable conviction.

Though their victory was assured with the Ancestor joining the fray, Simon still chose to place himself in danger.

This battle was not merely a conquest but a declaration—to the De Molinos family clansmen and their vassals alike.

It was about forging a sense of unity, a bond of loyalty, and a shared pride in the De Molinos family. True strength came not only from power but from cohesion within.

Simon wanted the De Molinos family to embody the spirit of the great factions of the land—a family whose members and vassals, upon venturing out into the world, could proudly declare their allegiance.

This was the soul of a true family.

This battle was also a lesson for the younger generations of the De Molinos family—a demonstration of the brutal reality of factional struggles and the merciless world they lived in.

The significance of this war extended beyond merely taking Purple River City. Simon was laying the foundation for the De Molinos family’s true legacy.

Of course, blood would be shed, and lives would be lost. Such was unavoidable.

Only through the baptism of blood and sacrifice could a faction ascend to true greatness.

“Move out!”

Simon, astride his horned beast, led the charge. Behind him, three thousand armored guards and numerous De Molinos family clansmen fell into formation, marching along the muddy road toward Purple River City.

At the rear of the procession were supply wagons and logistics personnel.

Meanwhile, the ferocious tiger-beast that Arius had subdued remained behind to guard Nezier Town.

The beast, having recently broken through to the early stage of Skin Tempering, was now officially classified as a demonic beast. Arius had also neutralized the residual effects of the Spiritual Suppression Powder, granting the tiger full autonomy over its powers.

Furthermore, it had entered into a spiritual beast contract with Arius, becoming his personal companion.

With the De Molinos family mobilizing most of its forces to claim Purple River City, leaving the tiger-beast to safeguard Nezier Town was the most prudent choice.

Although the cultivation factions and mundane forces within a thousand miles of Purple River dared not provoke the De Molinos family, bandits, outlaws, and desperados were a different story.

If Nezier Town’s defenses were left too weak, it was likely these marauders would ransack the town and flee before retribution could reach them.

“Roar!!”

As the De Molinos family’s forces departed, the tiger-beast let out a deafening roar, as if bidding them farewell and simultaneously issuing a warning to the surrounding lands.

Even with Nezier Town’s defenders gone, the tiger was still here.

Highly intelligent even before its breakthrough, the beast now possessed wisdom nearly equivalent to a human adult. Only its inability to speak distinguished it from a sentient being.

Its thunderous roar echoed through the mountains, tearing through the twilight skies, scattering insects and birds, and causing all creatures to retreat in fear.

“Guard Nezier Town well, and this will be your reward.”

“If you perform well, when I return, I will grant you an even greater reward,” Arius said, appearing suddenly behind the tiger.

Patting the tiger’s massive head, Arius produced a shard of spiritual stone and handed it to the beast.

The once-mighty and ferocious tiger, now clutching the shard between its teeth, lay down docilely. It resembled nothing more than a large, obedient black cat, allowing Arius to stroke its fur.

Its eyes gleamed with submission and eagerness as it wagged its tail continuously, seeking Arius’s favor.

A single shard of spiritual stone was sufficient for the tiger to take another step forward, advancing to the mid-stage of Skin Tempering.

And with Arius’s promise of more rewards upon his return, the tiger was more determined than ever to fulfill its duties.

With another one or two spiritual stone shards, the tiger-beast could likely advance to the peak of the Skin Tempering stage within six months.

After offering a few more instructions to the beast, Arius’s figure blurred, dissolving into countless afterimages before vanishing into the golden hues of the sunset.

Arius held the tiger-beast in high regard and was more than willing to invest resources to strengthen it further.

After all, with the spiritual beast contract signed, the tiger-beast was bound to him for life, incapable of betrayal.

A spiritual beast recognizing its master and forming a contract was not a mere bond—it was a binding causality.

Should the master fall, the spiritual beast would perish as well.

…

After leaving Nezier Town, Arius arrived at Purple River City in just one day.

However, he didn’t storm the city alone. Instead, he casually carved out a temporary cave dwelling within a nearby mountain range and began waiting patiently for the De Molinos family forces to arrive.

This battle was not only to conquer Purple River City but also to temper the De Molinos family clansmen and lay the foundation for the family’s future. As the family’s ancestor, Arius was more than willing to support this goal.

Of course, this approach would inevitably lead to casualties within the De Molinos family.

But after a century of peaceful development, the De Molinos family needed to face an external conflict.

On this vast land, no top-tier faction had ever risen to prominence without first enduring a baptism of blood.

Seated cross-legged within the hastily prepared cave, Arius retrieved a shard of spiritual stone and resumed his cultivation.

The De Molinos family’s forces would need at least three days to reach Purple River City.

In that time, Arius intended to push his cultivation further.

Even if he couldn’t break through to the late stage of the Organ Tempering realm, any improvement in strength would be worthwhile.

The path of cultivation demanded seizing every second. Only by doing so could one ascend the great path and strive for immortality.

Day and night alternated as time flowed steadily onward.

While Arius entered a deep state of cultivation and the De Molinos family forces steadily approached Purple River City, two thousand miles away, a city built into a mountainside stood silently under the starlit sky.

Its towering walls 33 meters, exuded an imposing presence.

Under the vast expanse of the Milky Way, the city appeared like a primordial beast, emanating a fearsome and awe-inspiring aura.

This was Lunford City—the seat of the Song family.

Upon receiving the Ashfell clan’s plea for aid, the Song patriarch wasted no time. He immediately convened the family’s upper echelon for deliberation.

The Ashfell clan’s ancestor had indeed once done him a favor, and the terms offered by the Ashfell clan were exceedingly tempting.

If the Song family agreed to intervene, the Ashfell clan promised to submit to them fully, offering up their entire accumulated wealth.

Moreover, the Ashfell clan’s former domain around Purple River City would be ceded entirely to the Song family.

Though accepting these terms might embroil the Song family in a factional conflict, the Song family had never been one to shy away from challenges.

Faced with such a tantalizing offer, the Song patriarch was eager to seize the opportunity.

However, any major decision—such as taking action—required the approval of the family’s various factions.

Despite being the patriarch, he lacked the authority to act unilaterally.

In the Song family, power was dispersed among numerous factions. Significant matters affecting the family were always subject to collective discussion and a formal vote.

 

Chapter 29 Four major factions, a divided interior

In the opulent and imposing Song family council chamber, numerous high-ranking members of the family sat on either side of the hall.

When the Song patriarch announced his intent to send forces to Purple River City and accept the Ashfell clan’s plea for help, a wave of opposition quickly arose from the assembly.

“Patriarch, I believe this matter requires careful consideration…”

An elder, tall and thin, clad in a regal purple robe, spoke in a measured but firm tone.

“That Ashfell clan had dozens of cultivators, including an Organ Tempering cultivator at the peak of their stage, yet they were still unable to stop the De Molinos family. Clearly, the De Molinos family’s strength and foundation are not to be underestimated!”

“Furthermore, the Sullivan family has been growing restless of late…”

“In such turbulent times, meddling in the Ashfell clan’s affairs would not benefit the Song family.”

The elder exuded an aura of authority, his presence oppressive. The energy of a late-stage Organ Tempering cultivator radiated from him, leaving those at the Skin Tempering and Blood Tempering stages struggling to breathe under its weight.

Every word he spoke carried a sense of dominance and command. He stood there like a human-shaped beast, radiating a power that could subdue any who opposed him.

This man was Song David, the third elder of the Song family.

Within the Song family, four major factions vied for influence.

The patriarch represented the most powerful faction, but Song David also led a significant faction of his own.

In addition to Song David, the first elder and second elder each commanded their own factions, leading to constant internal strife as they all sought to control the family’s future.

Despite the Song family’s outward prosperity, its internal divisions were severe. These rifts were the result of the fall of their Level 1 realm, which had left the four factions relatively balanced in strength.

The patriarch had long wished to resolve this division, but his efforts had consistently fallen short.

While his faction was the strongest, it was only marginally so, making it impossible to suppress the others completely.

The moment Song David finished speaking, the members of his faction voiced their agreement in quick succession.

“I also oppose meddling in the Ashfell clan’s affairs!”

“For the De Molinos family to drive the Ashfell clan’s patriarch to such a desperate state, their foundation may not match ours, but they are far from weak…”

“With the Song family already ruling over a domain of two thousand miles and controlling three cities with populations exceeding one hundred thousand each, we’ve reached our limit.”

“If not for the Sullivan family watching us like hawks, the Song family could certainly expand freely.”

“But the Sullivan family has been mobilizing troops and expanding their armored guard corps—clearly preparing to move against us!”

As dissent filled the chamber, the Song patriarch maintained a calm expression, though his anger simmered beneath the surface.

The so-called “Sullivan family threat” was merely an excuse. Song David’s faction opposed him because the patriarchal election was approaching.

If the patriarch succeeded in annexing the Ashfell clan’s wealth and territory in Purple River City, his re-election would be all but guaranteed.

This was an outcome Song David’s faction, and the other factions, were determined to prevent.

As the opposing factions voiced their objections, the patriarch’s supporters stepped forward to counter them.

“Third Elder, you’re overthinking this.”

“Preserving the Ashfell clan’s legacy while claiming their accumulated wealth is a trivial matter for the Song family…”

“Neither the Ashfell clan nor the De Molinos family can stand against the absolute strength of the Song family.”

“As for the Sullivan family? They’ve been restless for years, but with their limited power, they’re far from qualified to challenge us!”

Bang!!

The second elder, Song Andrew, slammed his hand heavily against the table, interrupting the patriarch’s supporters mid-sentence.

The second elder was a burly man, his muscular frame gleaming with a bronze sheen. The oppressive aura of a late-stage Organ Tempering cultivator surged from him, filling the chamber with palpable tension.

“That’s enough!”

“I, Song Andrew, firmly oppose going to Purple River City to aid the Ashfell clan!”

“Though the Song family is strong, as the saying goes, ‘He who fights too many battles will perish.’”

“We don’t even have comprehensive intelligence on the De Molinos family. Rushing to Purple River City without adequate preparation will only bring disaster upon us!”

Song Andrew’s sharp tone left no room for compromise, and he showed no regard for the patriarch’s authority.

The faction led by the first elder of the Song family neither supported the patriarch nor openly opposed him. They simply sat by, quietly observing the chaos unfold.

Witnessing this, the Song patriarch remained silent for a moment before finally losing his composure.

A powerful wave of energy erupted from him, the aura of a peak-stage Organ Tempering cultivator sweeping through the entire council chamber.

In an instant, the previously clamorous council fell into complete silence.

“Silence!!”

“I am still the patriarch of this family! I still sit in this position…”

“As long as I hold the reins of the Song family, its affairs will be decided by me.”

“The Ashfell clan’s accumulated wealth and the domain surrounding Purple River City—these are assets the Song family must claim.”

“This matter is settled.”

“Anyone who dares defy this decision will be treated as a traitor to the family.”

The patriarch’s voice was firm, unyielding, and laced with a chilling resolve that brooked no argument.

However, the other three factions remained indifferent to his declaration.

The second elder, in particular, glanced briefly at the patriarch before turning and walking out of the council chamber, his disdain evident in every step.

Following his departure, the high-ranking members of his faction also began filing out, one after another.

“Patriarch… I hope you succeed.”

“Let’s just hope you don’t botch this so badly that it brings shame upon the Song family,” the third elder sneered, his expression dripping with mockery.

After delivering his taunt, he too left the chamber with his faction’s members in tow, their departure exuding an air of defiance.

“Hah…”

“Getting old makes staying up late difficult,” the first elder yawned lazily as he rose from his seat. Supported by the high-ranking members of his faction, he began ambling toward the exit.

Just before stepping out of the chamber, the first elder paused and turned to look at the patriarch. There was a hint of something inscrutable in his gaze as he spoke.

“The position of patriarch… is not so easily kept.”

“Hehehe…”

With that, the first elder departed, his chuckles echoing softly in the emptying hall.

Once the leaders of the three opposing factions had left, three-quarters of the council chamber’s seats stood vacant.

As his gaze swept across the now-deserted room, the Song patriarch felt a bitter frustration rise within him. Yet, he suppressed the turmoil in his heart, speaking calmly and decisively.

“Purple River City must be taken.”

“If we can secure Purple River City and acquire the Ashfell clan’s accumulated wealth, along with the resources from the surrounding thousand-miles domain, the power of our faction will surge exponentially.”

 

Chapter 30: Entering Purple River City, the Road to Rise

“Fifth Elder, Seventh Elder…”

“I’ll need the two of you to handle this matter.”

“You are both Organ Tempering cultivators—your presence at Purple River City will be enough to intimidate the De Molinos family!”

As the Song patriarch spoke, his gaze settled on two middle-aged men with white-streaked hair seated at his side.

These two men were none other than the Song family’s Fifth and Seventh Elders.

As a family that had once produced a Level 1 cultivator, the Song family boasted a considerable number of Organ Tempering cultivators.

The patriarch’s faction alone included four such experts.

Altogether, the Song family had over ten Organ Tempering cultivators, a testament to its former glory.

Had it not been for the relentless internal power struggles over the years, the Song family’s territory would undoubtedly exceed the current two-thousand-Miles domain.

In fact, their influence had been shrinking steadily, encroached upon by rival factions.

Years ago, when the Level 1 ancestor was still alive, the Song family’s territory spanned four thousand li.

Since the ancestor’s demise, the Song family’s situation had grown increasingly precarious.

If the family failed to consolidate its internal factions and curb the division of power, its future would be dire—fragmentation at best, complete annihilation at worst.

The patriarch was well aware of the Song family’s plight. So too were the leaders of the various factions.

Yet none of them were willing to yield. None would relinquish their power or interests. Such is the nature of ambition.

“Understood, Patriarch!”

The Fifth and Seventh Elders did not hesitate. Upon receiving the patriarch’s command, they immediately mounted the swift beasts bred by the Song family and rode off into the night, bound for Purple River City.

Meanwhile, outside Purple River City, an imposing force had already arrived.

The banners of the De Molinos family fluttered proudly in the wind.

At the forefront, Simon gripped his longsword tightly, his gaze fixed on Purple River City. A glimmer of excitement flickered in his eyes.

Behind him, the De Molinos family clansmen and three thousand armored guards were equally eager.

Once they breached Purple River City, the De Molinos family would finally replace the Ashfell family and rise as the region’s new dominant force.

For the De Molinos family members and their vassals, this victory promised great rewards.

“Attack!!”

Simon raised his sword high and charged toward the city gates atop his horned beast.

Boom!

Seeing their leader charge ahead, the De Molinos family clansmen and the three thousand armored guards followed suit, roaring as they surged forward.

Siege weapons rolled into position. Battering rams smashed against the gates, cloud ladders were raised, and catapults were loaded with massive stones.

Thud!

Boulders arced through the sky, crashing into the city walls. Arrows rained down in a relentless storm, piercing the air with sharp, shrill cries.

Even with a relatively small force of a few thousand, the battle was nothing short of breathtaking.

Not far from the city, Arius stood calmly, holding the Three Talents Formation Flag in his hand. He made no move to intervene.

After all, Simon had insisted that this battle would forge the De Molinos family’s foundation, its soul.

It was a chance for the younger generations of the family to grow through the crucible of life-and-death combat.

The moment the siege began, the urgent pealing of bells echoed through Purple River City.

In the days leading up to the De Molinos family’s arrival, the Ashfell family had managed to restore order within the city and conscript several thousand new armored guards.

Under normal circumstances, attacking a fortified city required an attacking force several times, or even dozens of times, larger than the defending garrison.

But these conscripted guards—hastily assembled and poorly trained—were gripped by fear. Deep down, they were terrified of the De Molinos family.

As the first casualties fell around them, chaos broke out atop Purple River City’s walls.

Some guards screamed, others fled in panic.

“No! I want to go home… I don’t want to die!”

“Help me! Someone help me!”

“Ahhh!!”

The defenders’ cries of fear and despair filled the air, mingling with the chaos of the siege.

Amid the chaos, the remnants of the Ashfell family’s original armored guard—several hundred strong—had been turned into an enforcement unit.

Wielding steel whips and even long swords, they began slaughtering any of the conscripted guards who dared attempt to flee.

Blood sprayed across the walls, and the air was thick with the acrid stench of smoke and death.

Purple River City’s gates trembled violently, on the verge of collapse under the relentless pounding of the battering ram.

“Hold the line! Everyone, hold the line!”

“Anyone who retreats will be executed on the spot!!”

“If the gates are breached and the De Molinos family storms the city, none of you will survive…”

“Not only will you lose your lives, but your wives and daughters will be defiled, your fathers and sons slaughtered…”

“The only way to live is to stop the De Molinos family! Hold them off until the Song family reinforcements arrive—that is your only chance!”

A Ashfell family guard commander, his face scarred and brutish, roared at the trembling conscripts atop the city walls.

His threats were punctuated by action—anyone who stepped back even slightly was immediately decapitated by his blade.

Outside the city, the De Molinos family forces were also suffering heavy losses.

The De Molinos family’s three thousand armored guards were, like the Ashfell conscripts, poorly trained.

Yet, unlike the defenders, their morale was unshakably high. With each clash, they grew fiercer, their fervor bordering on madness.

They knew that even if they fell in battle, their families would be well cared for by the De Molinos family.

As for injuries? They didn’t fear them. The more grievous their wounds, the greater the rewards they would receive after claiming Purple River City.

“Two warriors, follow me onto the walls!”

Frustration etched into his face, a bearded De Molinos family elder clad in armor barked orders. He couldn’t stand the stalemate any longer; if the situation dragged on, even a victory would come at an enormous cost.

“I’ll go!”

“Me too!!”

“Cover us with the catapults!”

“Prepare the cloud ladders!”

Two De Molinos family armored guards, both martial artists, stepped forward. Their eyes met briefly, a shared resolve passing between them—a determination to do whatever it took.

Charging directly onto the walls was nearly a death sentence.

But it was also an opportunity to achieve glory.

They knew the odds of survival were slim, but if they made it back alive, they would return as heroes.

“Charge!!”

The two followed the De Molinos family elder up the cloud ladder, their resolve unshaken.

“A faction’s survival and growth always demand external conflict!”

“Blood, wounds, sacrifice… all of it is for the family’s legacy!”

“Only with a thriving family can we protect our clansmen. Only then can more of us live without the need to bleed, to suffer, or to die.”

The elder’s voice rang out even as three arrows pierced his body. Mortally wounded, he continued to impart his wisdom to the younger generation of the De Molinos family.

With his life, he demonstrated the harsh reality of the world. With his death, he taught them the meaning of factional struggles, the essence of the battle for survival.

From a distance, Arius watched as one clansman after another fell. He saw countless De Molinos family guards lose their lives in the assault. Even with his iron resolve, he felt a pang of pain and nearly stepped onto the battlefield himself.

Yet every time he approached, Simon shook his head, silently refusing his help.

For the De Molinos family to truly rise, they could not rely solely on Arius, the Ancestor, to handle everything.

After years of peace, the De Molinos family needed sacrifice, bloodshed—a harsh reminder of the struggle to survive.

The road to ascension demanded blood and fire. Without it, the family risked losing itself.

The younger generation, in particular, needed this lesson. Without it, they would grow complacent and indulgent, giving rise to spoiled and entitled heirs.

A rise built on such foundations would never last.