"Brother, this wood carving was discovered by one of my clan members in the Ancient Wood Secret Realm. Its Tier is simply too highâeven I canât refine it. I suspect it might be a Tier Two Treasure."
"Let me see..."
Li Changâanâs interest was piqued. He took the wood carving in his hand and attempted to refine it.
But he quickly felt a sense of resistance.
Even with his power, refining this wood carving proved to be strenuous.
âThis thing really is a Treasure.â
Li Changâan observed it carefully.
The Wood Sword Intent emanating from the carvingâs surface was identical to that of his Small Yi Mu Sword Array.
The difference was that this carving had several dozen small swords etched into it, far more than just nine.
Counting carefully, he found there were exactly eighty-one!
âCould it be? The Great Yi Wood Sword Array actually exists?â
Li Changâan thought to himself.
The Small Yi Mu Sword Array was the most unique Magic in his possession. It was clearly only a Top Grade Technique, yet it allowed him to fight opponents of a higher rank.
This remained true even after he reached the Foundation Establishment Stage.
Long ago, he had guessed that the Small Yi Mu Sword Array was merely a simplified or incomplete version of a much more powerful Sword Array.
Now, the appearance of this wood carving confirmed his suspicions.
âIf the power of the Small Yi Mu Sword Array is so astonishing, what will the Great Yi Wood Sword Array be like?â
Li Changâan was filled with anticipation.
However, the wood carving was incredibly difficult to refine.
By his estimation, it would still take a month to refine it completely.
"Xu Yang, Iâll accept this wood carving. Take me to see your clan."
"Yes, yes! Brother, please follow me!"
A look of joy spread across Xu Yangâs face.
Based on his understanding of Li Changâan, these words meant that he would see this matter through to the end.
A short while later, Li Changâan summoned his Tier Two Flying Ship. He had Xu Yang and his granddaughter board, then asked Xu Yang to point the way.
The Xu Clan Territory was not far from the Cui Ping Mountain region, located in the adjacent "Fire Cloud Mountain" region.
At the Flying Shipâs Speed, a round trip would only take a few hours.
But it had taken Xu Yang and his granddaughter four or five days to reach Changqing Mountain, their hearts in their throats the entire way, terrified of encountering Tribulation Cultivators or rogue Demon Beasts.
On the way back, Xu Yang asked hesitantly, "Brother, Foundation Establishment... what does it truly feel like to reach Foundation Establishment?"
"You cast the cornerstone of the Great Dao and pave the road to eternal life."
Li Changâan smiled and began to describe the feeling of Foundation Establishment.
Before they knew it, the Xu Clan Territory was already in sight.
The clanâs territory was situated atop a very small Tier One Middle Grade Spirit Vein.
Li Changâan briefly scanned the area with his senses and found that the entire Xu Family had only about twenty Cultivators. Most were in the Early Stage of Qi Refining, with very few having reached the Middle Stage of Qi Refining.
Xu Yangâs Cultivation at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer already made him the strongest in the Xu Family.
He immediately flew down and called for his clanâs disciples to come out and give Li Changâan a grand welcome.
However, the "grand" welcome was rather meager.
"We pay our respects to the Changqing Ancestor!"
The numerous Xu Clan Members bowed in unison, their respectful shouts echoing as one.
Li Changâan gave a slight nod, descended from the Flying Ship, and walked into the Xu Familyâs main hall.
He did not put the Flying Ship away.
Leaving the Flying Ship there was a deterrent, as it signified the presence of a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator.
"Xu Yang, when is the Blood Shadow Monsterâs disciple coming?"
"In three days."
"Good. Iâll rest here for three days, then. Find me a private chamber."
Li Changâan didnât want to be disturbed; he only wanted to focus on refining the wood carving.
Xu Yang immediately made the arrangements.
Not long after, Li Changâan entered the private chamber and casually set up a Tier Two Array.
...
ăThat night.ă
In another private chamber.
Numerous Xu Clan Members were gathered.
"Father, can this Elder Li really solve our clanâs problem?"
"What if Elder Li is no match for the Blood Shadow Monster? What will we do then?"
"We really should have gone to the Fire Cloud Ancestor..."
They all spoke at once, none of them optimistic about Li Changâan.
After all, Li Changâan was only at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment.
The Fire Cloud Ancestor, on the other hand, was a long-famous figure at the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.
In comparison, they were naturally more willing to put their faith in the Fire Cloud Ancestor.
Xu Yang said in a low voice, "A small clan like ours is no different from an ant in the Fire Cloud Ancestorâs eyes. Even if we offered him a Treasure, he wouldnât necessarily help us."
"Grandfather, that wood carving is a fine item. If we had just presented it to the Fire Cloud Ancestor, he definitely would have intervened. Itâs not like he hasnât helped the Qi Refining Clans under his protection before."
The voice of the green-robed young woman, Xu Nianqiu, was crisp and clear.
She still didnât understand.
Why did they have to take such a risk, traveling a thousand miles to find Li Changâan instead of seeking out the nearby Fire Cloud Ancestor?
Faced with the doubts of his descendants, Xu Yang let out a deep sigh and offered no further explanation.
"Trust in Brother. He can definitely help us overcome this crisis."
...
ăThree days later.ă
The Blood Shadow Monsterâs disciple did not appear.
He had noticed the Tier Two Flying Ship hovering over the Xu Clan Territory.
âA Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator has come to the Xu Family? Could it be Daoist Fire Cloud?â
His expression turned ugly. He had no choice but to retreat and find his master to back him up.
Before long, a streak of blood-red light tore across the sky, descending upon Fire Cloud Mountain at the very center of the region.
Immediately after, a strange cackle echoed.
"HEH HEH HEH... Fire Cloud, I have business with you!"
"Blood Shadow Monster!"
Daoist Fire Cloud appeared, clad in red robes, his body radiating the aura of the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.
He frowned, staring at the Blood Shadow Monster.
"What is your business?"
"Fire Cloud, a Qi Refining Clan under your protection has offended my disciple. I intend to annihilate them, and Iâve come to inform you first."
"What?"
Daoist Fire Cloudâs expression instantly darkened.
This old monster had come to his territory and, without so much as a discussion, declared his intent to wipe out one of his subordinate powers. He was being utterly unreasonable.
"Blood Shadow, are you tired of living?"