Chapter 268

When Wang Yu arrived beneath the tribulation clouds, Wei Hao stood there, his corpse aura fused completely with his spiritual power. Behind him, the demonic corpse roared ceaselessly at the gradually dispersing lightning tribulation. The demonic intent rising skyward was astonishingly fierce.

“Hahaha! My Dao is accomplished! What great joy!”

Wang Yu quickly stepped forward and offered congratulations.

“Congratulations, Senior Brother Wei, on achieving your wish.”

At some point, the two had begun to address each other as brothers in a closer manner. When Wei Hao saw him approach, his grin widened.

“Not at all. This time, I owe much to you, Junior Brother Wang.”

“This was a matter of mutual benefit, Senior Brother. There’s no need for thanks.”

“So be it.”

With a thought, Wei Hao stored the demonic corpse into a pitch-black bead. He explained, “This is the Nine Nether Pearl. It contains vast amounts of Nether Fiend Qi and can help this corpse evolve into a Nine Nether Demonic Corpse. Once perfected, it might even rival a Corpse King.”

“Oh?”

Wang Yu showed a hint of curiosity. “I remember that within the Wei family, Wei Shanze has a trump card known as the Six Forms of the Nether Demon Fist. The Wei family’s Nascent Soul ancestor comes from Five Yin Peak—the Nine Nether Demon Lord, correct?”

“Indeed,” Wei Hao nodded. “That is my lineage's distant ancestor, the great-grandfather. As for Wei Shanze’s branch, they joined Barbarian Ghost Peak and descend from the Nether Demon Barbarian Lord.”

“I see.”

Understanding dawned on Wang Yu. So the Wei clan had two Nascent Soul cultivators, which meant the lineage had split into two branches. No wonder they competed for true inheritance positions on different peaks.

“There’s no time to waste. We already delayed some days waiting for this Nine Nether Pearl. Junior Brother Wang, come with me. I’ll introduce you to our team.”

“Alright.”

After leaving the tribulation site, Wei Hao brought Wang Yu to meet the experts participating in the operation to seize the Earth Spirit Fruit.

“Junior Brother, this is Wei Xianglong. His cultivation is at the peak of Core Formation. He’s my second uncle and has watched over me since childhood. He excels in offensive divine abilities.”

Seeing the broad-shouldered but slightly gaunt elder, Wang Yu immediately bowed respectfully. “This junior, Wang Yu, greets Senior.”

“No need for formality.” The man waved his hand, his tone courteous yet warm. “Young friend, since you’ve given Wei Hao such a great opportunity, you may call me Second Uncle if you wish.”

“Second Uncle.”

Wang Yu followed smoothly.

“Ah.”

The elder’s smile became even more genuine. In his eyes, Wang Yu’s potential was boundless, not inferior to Wei Hao’s, and perhaps even greater, especially in terms of fortune.

To have such a genius as a friend was something to be cherished. Moreover, in this mission to seize the Earth Spirit Fruit, Wang Yu was entitled to claim one fruit first.

Clearly, the elder did not know that this so-called “genius” possessed Wasted Spiritual Roots.

Wei Hao was pleased by this. He had already intended to form a stronger bond with Wang Yu and had arranged these introductions beforehand.

“Junior Brother, these three are Wei Yuyu, Wei Yuting, and Wei Yuzhen. All are at the seventh layer of Core Formation. They specialize in battle formations and joint attacks, excelling in defense and counterattacks.

“If we encounter danger, hide among them. Unless a Nascent Soul expert intervenes, even three or four peak Core Formation cultivators attacking together won’t be a threat.”

“Greetings, seniors.”

“Young friend, no need for courtesy.”

After exchanging formalities, they were acquainted.

With these, plus Wei Hao and Wang Yu, the group now numbered six, with both offense and defense covered. Only one more was missing.

“Wei Ying!”

“Here.”

Unlike the others, a shadowy figure suddenly appeared and knelt on one knee, ghostly aura swirling all over.

Wei Hao’s expression grew slightly complicated. “Wei Ying is also at the peak of Core Formation. He excels in stealth and speed. Whether for ambush or for seizing the Earth Spirit Fruit, his role is critical. Once we secure the fruit, he can carry us swiftly away from danger.”

Seven people—complete.

There seemed to be a special connection between Wei Hao and this Wei Ying. Since the latter did not elaborate, Wang Yu also did not ask. Borrowing this alliance was the right move for him.

As for whether the exchange between them was equal in value, that depended on the person.

In pure spirit stones, Wang Yu had certainly suffered a loss.

For Wei Hao, who had lost his Life-Bound Corpse and suffered heavy injuries, the demonic corpse was worth exchanging even for a supreme-grade Core Formation spiritual item.

As for the eleven Purple-Gold Peaches, those were resources obtainable only through influence. Wang Yu could never have bought them himself from the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion or the Golden Full Tower—they simply would not sell them.

Including the Earth Spirit Fruit and these elite cultivators’ assistance, none of it was something he could have acquired just by asking. In his eyes, the trade was worth it, even a great gain—because it bought him time.

Zhuo Shouqing’s words from last time had placed immense pressure on him.

Before facing Zhuo Shouyun and Fu Xiao, he had to condense his Core and increase his strength significantly;

otherwise, he would have no confidence to face them head-on.

“Prepare yourselves. We move out!”

...

...

Luofu Mountain.

Also known as Sword Qi Mountain, it stretched across nine hundred li, containing three third-rank spiritual veins. The He family that occupied it was a top-tier Golden Core family.

They possessed twelve Core Formation cultivators and had laid down the Luofu Twelve-Sword Formation, said to rival a Nascent Soul cultivator. Their Luofu Ancestor had once shone brilliantly during the Great War between righteous and demonic sects over three hundred years ago.

In one battle, he slew three cultivators of the same realm and made his name known far and wide.

This was no minor local tyrant;

his strength was such that even among inner sect elders of major powers, he would rank within the top thirty.

With such strength, any Earth Spirit Fruit that fell into their bowl would never be taken out again.

What a pity.

The enemies that the He Clan of Mount Luofu had provoked were far too many, and far too varied.

Among them, a Core Formation cultivator from the Yellow Springs Monastery had hidden himself in secret. He suddenly launched a sinister attack, causing several of the twelve Luofu True Personages to suffer serious injuries.

The confrontation had already dragged on for nearly a month. The number of opposing Core Formation cultivators was now close to thirty. If it continued any longer, the outcome would surely be disastrous.

At this moment, within the He Clan’s ancestral land on Mount Luofu.

In the Meeting Hall.

In addition to the twelve Core Formation cultivators, there were also many Foundation Establishment elders in authority who joined this discussion. Over the past month, such meetings had been convened more than once.

The He Clan’s attitude had shifted—from their initial firmness to increasing weakness.

“Ancestor, we can’t afford to delay this matter any longer. There should be sixteen Earth Spirit Fruits inside that storage pouch. What if we keep twelve and offer four to appease them?”

The Luofu Ancestor was silent for a moment before speaking.

“I, along with Second and Third Brother, have all reached the peak of Core Formation. The Earth Spirit Fruits are of no use to us, but they can assist you all greatly.

“If they are all used to nurture Jian’er, perhaps he can lead our He Clan of Mount Luofu to an even higher level.”

He Qiujian, the most gifted talent among the new generation of the He Clan, had just turned one hundred and fifty years old and had already successfully condensed his Golden Core.

If he could obtain the sixteen Earth Spirit Fruits, he would surely be able to break through to mid Core Formation in a short time, gaining a much longer window to reach Nascent Soul in the future. His chances would be far greater.

He was the thirteenth “Ancestor-level” figure of Mount Luofu.

Upon hearing that the Luofu Ancestor was refusing to retreat because he wished to “give” the Earth Spirit Fruits to He Qiujian, one of the severely wounded Core Formation sixth-layer elders objected angrily.

“Ancestor, Jian’er reached Core Formation at such a young age. His temperament is proud. In the future, he will have his own opportunities. As for the Earth Spirit Fruits… I refuse to yield!”

“You—”

“Eighth Elder!”

“Ziang…”

“Silence!!”

The Luofu Ancestor roared, forcing everyone into silence.

He Ziang raised his head and stared at the Ancestor, speaking firmly.

“I, He Ziang, am only a little over four hundred years old. If I can rely on the Earth Spirit Fruits to break through to late Core Formation, why should I not also have the chance to form a Nascent Soul in this lifetime?”

Everyone was momentarily stunned, not by his spirit, but because… what he said was true.

This was precisely the dilemma that all family sects faced—not the fear of scarcity, but the fear of unfair distribution.

He Qiujian might be a genius, but when He Ziang was young, had he not also been a genius? Had he not also been the hope for the clan’s advancement?

Though more than two hundred years separated them, for cultivators, both were still in their prime. The future remained uncertain.

To demand that he surrender such precious resources—resources he would risk his life to obtain, to a junior? How could he possibly agree?

Especially when this was not even a life-and-death situation.

In truth, He Ziang was far from the only one with such thoughts.

Among the twelve Luofu Core Formation cultivators, aside from the top three who had reached the peak, the remaining nine had not yet done so. They all required the Earth Spirit Fruits as assistance, though one or two alone would not suffice.

It would be most suitable for two or three people to divide the sixteen fruits among themselves.

All of them could make significant progress that way.

Just as the Luofu Ancestor was struggling to decide, a transmission suddenly came from outside the hall.

“Elders, Ancestors, those Core Formation enemies have started attacking the Luofu Sword Formation.”

“Damn it, move!”

“Today, we must resolve this matter once and for all.”

At the same time, outside Mount Luofu.

Wang Yu, Wei Hao, and several others were hiding under the concealment of Wei Ying’s spell, watching from a distance as the cultivators continuously exhausted their spiritual power to wear down the sword formation’s strength.

At the center of that formation was a storage pouch gleaming with dazzling golden light, covered by some unknown spell. Inside that pouch lay the Earth Spirit Fruits.

“These people are truly devious,” Wei Hao said, stroking his chin. “They’ve actually come up with such a method. That treasure light is so eye-catching—whoever grabs it first will immediately become the target of everyone’s attacks.”

Wang Yu, however, pointed toward the sword formation.

“This formation is not easy to break. At the start, when there weren’t so many Core Formation cultivators, they could have directly taken and refined the treasures.

“If they had done so, the rice would already be cooked, and the Earth Spirit Fruits would be in their bellies. Everyone would have dispersed by now. Why drag it out this long?”

“You don’t understand,” Wei Hao replied with a strange smile.

“The smaller the clan, the scarcer its resources, and the harder it is to distribute them. The Luofu Ancestor cannot suppress everyone. None of them trust one another to take the treasure.

“In this kind of situation, only when one overwhelmingly strong individual dominates can harmony be maintained.

“For example, in my Wei Clan, when the Nine Nether Demon Lord was in charge, every member obeyed his commands completely. Even if it meant sacrificing personal benefit, we would still follow Great-Grandfather Xuan’s orders.

“After the Nether Barbarian Demon Lord broke through, he established his own branch, not competing with the main Wei line. The two cooperated, and through that alliance, he gained control of Barbarian Ghost Peak. Do you understand the principle now, junior brother?”

Wang Yu was no fool. With only a few words from Wei Hao, he grasped the meaning behind it.

Simply put, the clan’s authority was too fragmented.

They lacked a Nascent Soul Ancestor who could make the final decision. When a power is small, its main struggle is over limited resources, which inevitably breeds conflict.

When a power grows large, low-level resources are no longer scarce, yet high-level resources still require competition. It is like a nesting doll, this problem recurs at every stage.

If the Wei Clan could produce a third Nascent Soul cultivator, the separated branches would once again unite, working together to seize resources of the Nascent Soul level.

Such matters could not be explained clearly in just a few sentences.

“Internal division, hmm… surprisingly reasonable.”