“Exactly, Ancestor need not worry. Senior Sun and Senior Mo have had a friendship with our Fu Family for over a century and will surely arrive on time. Their current high status in the Devilflame Sect is inseparable from our Fu Family’s strong support. Moreover, we have married the two most outstanding women of our clan to them as concubines—how could they possibly not come?” Beside the pale-faced middle-aged man, a thin-browed elder in brocade robes also spoke respectfully.
“It’s not that I’m worried about Senior Sun and Senior Mo not coming. It’s just that, for some reason, the closer we get to the birthday celebration, the more unsettled I feel, as if something major is about to happen. I can’t help but worry! Has our Fu Family offended any powerful figures or major sects recently?” The Fu Family Ancestor stroked his long beard, his eyes flickering with cold light as his earlier smile vanished without a trace.
Hearing this, the people in the hall exchanged uneasy glances.
After a long silence, the pale-faced man cautiously replied, “Ancestor, as you know, although our Fu Family has flourished and grown powerful over the years, we have also offended countless families and minor sects. The most hostile toward us are the Qin and Hu Families. Could they be plotting something?”
“It shouldn’t be them. Those two families could once rival our Fu Family, but now they have few high-level cultivators left—how could they possibly stir up trouble?” The Fu Family Ancestor shook his head coldly. But after frowning, he hesitated and added, “However, if they were to join forces or ally with other hostile minor sects and launch a surprise attack during this opportunity, they could indeed deal a heavy blow to our Fu Family. Back then, to curry favor with the Devilflame Sect, our Fu Family killed many of their resistance-minded cultivators. Now, the Qin and Hu Families have been forced to abandon their foundations and go into hiding, harboring deep hatred for us. It’s not impossible for them to attempt this.” The Fu Family Ancestor’s expression darkened.
“Then, Ancestor, what do you suggest?” the brocade-robed elder asked cautiously.
“Appear relaxed but stay vigilant! Double the guards at all posts! Keep the defensive formation active around the clock without pause! Especially keep an eye on rogue cultivators with unclear backgrounds!” The Fu Family Ancestor leaned back abruptly, closing his eyes, yet his voice remained steady as he issued a series of commands.
“Yes, I will arrange it immediately!” The pale-faced middle-aged man bowed and hurried out to carry out the orders.
The other Fu Family juniors remaining in the side hall, sensing the Ancestor’s foul mood, stood frozen in place, not daring to breathe too loudly.
“Tianyun, summon your Third Uncle and have him bring the Ironback Sacred Beast in a spirit beast pouch to accompany me at the birthday celebration. Only he can command our family’s guardian beast,” the Fu Family Ancestor suddenly added.
“What? Ancestor, didn’t you say earlier that Third Uncle is at a critical stage in his cultivation and shouldn’t be disturbed for this celebration?” The brocade-robed elder couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.
“Hmph! That was then, this is now! While we cultivators cannot truly predict fortune or misfortune, sometimes our instincts prove eerily accurate. For caution’s sake, we must prepare. I’d rather be overly cautious than risk our Fu Family facing a calamity.” The old man snorted coldly.
“Yes, I will go and summon Third Uncle from seclusion.” Seeing the Ancestor’s rising anger, the brocade-robed elder quickly bowed and left as well.
Still unsatisfied, the Fu Family Ancestor issued several more commands before finally feeling somewhat at ease.
In his mind, with so many precautions in place, even if trouble arose, they would be well-prepared.
Outside Purple Path Mountain, on a barren hillside, a group of over twenty rogue cultivators had gathered. They pointed at the purple mist in the distance while whispering among themselves.
Han Li stood alone among them, silently observing his surroundings like any other solitary rogue cultivator.
The sheer number of Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators in the Yuanwu Kingdom was somewhat surprising to Han Li. Those attending the Fu Family Ancestor’s birthday celebration were likely only a small fraction. Back in the Yue Kingdom, aside from the seven major sects, rogue cultivators who reached Foundation Establishment were rare. Though the Yuanwu Kingdom was slightly larger, the difference shouldn’t be this stark. Yet, in just over a century, the situation had changed dramatically, giving Han Li a sense of the shifting tides of time.
Unbeknownst to Han Li, before the conflict between the righteous and demonic sects, most Foundation Establishment Pills were controlled by sects and families, making it nearly impossible for rogue cultivators to break through. But the chaos a century ago saw many sects and families destroyed, their treasures scattered. While most were claimed by other factions, a significant number of Foundation Establishment Pills fell into the hands of lucky rogue cultivators. This led to a sharp increase in Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators across nations, forming a notable force. Some even seized the opportunity to form Golden Cores.
However, whether it was the righteous or demonic sects or the Heavenly Dao Alliance, their strategy toward these rogue cultivators was to either absorb or suppress them. As a result, while the number of high-level rogue cultivators surged, they remained fragmented and unable to unite into a significant power.
As Han Li pondered this, seven or eight streaks of red light shot across the sky, landing nearby. The light faded, revealing a group of men and women dressed in fiery red robes.
At the forefront were two Core Formation cultivators—one with a pockmarked face and a gourd at his waist, the other plain-looking but with piercing cold eyes. Each had a beautiful female cultivator clinging to their arm, followed by four disciples at the Foundation Establishment level.
“It’s the Devilflame Sect!” The rogue cultivators on the hillside stirred, some murmuring in recognition.
“That’s Protector Sun and Protector Mo of the Devilflame Sect, responsible for external affairs. The two women beside them are the famous Fu Family Twin Beauties, said to be their concubines now,” a more knowledgeable rogue cultivator whispered to his companions, careful not to be overheard by the Devilflame Sect members.
With Han Li’s spiritual sense, he heard every word clearly. His gaze lingered briefly on the two Core Formation cultivators before sweeping over the women beside them—indeed, both were stunningly beautiful.
The Devilflame Sect members ignored the rogue cultivators entirely. One of their disciples stepped forward, sending a transmission talisman into the mist before respectfully returning to his seniors’ side.
Moments later, the purple mist churned, parting to reveal a path. Several Fu Family receptionists emerged, their expressions respectful.
Han Li seized the moment to study the Fu Family disciples closely before calmly averting his gaze.
The Devilflame Sect group entered the mist, which closed behind them.
Over the next hour or two, envoys from other families and cultivators from minor sects arrived one after another, all escorted into the mist by Fu Family members.
Finally, after a long wait, a middle-aged steward emerged from the mist, wearing an apologetic expression.
“We sincerely apologize for keeping you all waiting so long. This is not out of disrespect, but due to limited space in Fu Family Fort. To avoid overcrowding, we could only invite you in on the day of the celebration. Rest assured, all guests who have come to sincerely celebrate our Ancestor’s birthday will be treated equally. A banquet has already been prepared in the main hall. Please follow me inside.”
The steward’s smooth words dispelled much of the rogue cultivators’ discontent. After exchanging glances, they followed him into the mist without further complaint.
Han Li walked calmly at the rear of the group but soon vanished without a trace, unnoticed by those ahead or the Fu Family disciples monitoring the formation—as if he had never entered at all.
Inside the fort, several Fu Family Foundation Establishment cultivators stood in a lavishly decorated hall, warmly greeting early arrivals to ensure no one felt neglected.
The guests numbered over two hundred—some had arrived that day, others days earlier. Now, on the day of the celebration, they gathered to await the Fu Family Ancestor’s appearance.
Given the Fu Family’s soaring influence in the Yuanwu Kingdom, the minor family members and rogue cultivators showered them with praise. Even envoys from larger families and cultivators from minor sects wore smiles as they mingled with the Fu Family members.
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