Clan Cultivation: My Intelligence Updated Daily

Chapter 312 Disciple's Journey, Spiritual Vein Advancement

At the foot of Qingya Mountain.

Two girls stood side by side, with a young man in black holding a sword behind them.

Wang Menghan had already successfully established her foundation half a year ago, but Zhang Lingyu did not immediately send them to Tianliu City for training. Instead, he had them stay in the clan to consolidate their cultivation and learn magic.

Now that the magic has been learned and the corresponding protective artifacts have been bestowed upon them, there's no need to obstruct them anymore.

To be honest, even though Zhang Lingyu supported their decision to go down the mountain for training, he was still worried about them before they actually set off.

After Zhang Yuanlin finished giving his instructions, he called the three of them to his side and said earnestly:

"This is your first time going on a long journey for training. Although you are all Foundation Establishment cultivators, I still have to give you some advice. The Ten Thousand Spirits Mountain Range is a good place for training. I'm not worried about dealing with demonic beasts, but you should be careful of those cultivators."

"Never trust others easily. Your three-person team is already excellent, so don't get involved with other people."

He looked at Mo Wuyai behind him and continued:

"Wuya, you have more experience in dealing with people and can distinguish right from wrong. Don't blindly obey them just because they are vassal cultivators. You also need to stand up for important matters."

"Please rest assured, sir, I understand." Mo Wuyai bowed and nodded in agreement.

"Master/Clan Leader, rest assured, we know what we're doing and will never approach the inner perimeter of the Ten Thousand Spirits Mountain Range." Wang Menghan and the other person did not show any impatience and listened to the instructions attentively.

They were not complacent because they were already Foundation Establishment cultivators; on the contrary, they were even more cautious.

In Yingchuan County, a Foundation Establishment cultivator is already a local overlord, but outside, they are nothing.

"That's good. I'm getting on in years, so I hope you don't mind my rambling. Oh, and remember to use the Shapeshifting Technique when you're training in the Wanling Mountains, so as not to expose your identity and attract unwanted attention."

Zhang Lingyu's concerns were not unfounded. Firstly, he feared that their true nature would be discovered, and secondly, he worried about their appearance.

Wang Menghan and Zhang Yuanyao are both stunningly beautiful. The three of them are alone in an unfamiliar place and are bound to attract the attention of unscrupulous people. Even if they are given various treasures for protection, accidents are still bound to happen.

It's better to be on the safe side.

"I understand."

"Good to know. These are three mid-grade fifth-rank talismans. One for each of you three. If you encounter a demon king or a Golden Core cultivator, they can save your lives in a critical moment."

Seeing the three talismans handed over by Zhang Lingyu, the three dared not accept them this time.

A mid-grade fifth-tier talisman—this is priceless. Song Siyu gave two when she repaid a debt of gratitude, and three months ago Zhang Yuanhua asked the Chen family to send five more, making a total of seven.

The seven talismans are the family's trump card for preserving its heritage. If they take three of them at once and encounter any trouble, wouldn't they become the biggest sinners?

"Chieftain, please take it back! We absolutely cannot accept such a treasure!"

"Yes, yes, we're not going deep into the inner reaches of the Ten Thousand Spirits Mountain Range, so we don't need this at all!"

Seeing the three's panicked expressions, Zhang Lingyu took a firm stance, forcefully shoving the food into their hands and scolding them, "This is the result of a joint discussion within the family. You are all the future pillars of the family; how can you afford to fail?"

"Besides, everything is peaceful now. What crisis could the family possibly face? Even if there were, the Grand Elder could return within a day. Furthermore, once the spiritual veins have been upgraded and the protective mountain array has been set up, we can hold off Golden Core cultivators for a few days."

The news of Zhang Yuanhua's Core Formation was not a secret among the family's upper echelons, but the lower-ranking members were unaware of it. This action was taken to prevent the news from leaking out.

However, most of the major powers have already found out the truth, just like the Li family personally visited and inquired a month ago.

"Yes...we understand."

Wang Menghan and the other two couldn't refuse, so they had no choice but to accept the talisman.

"Once you arrive in Tianliu City, go find your grandfather Xingfu to learn about the situation in the city and the Wanling Mountains. If you encounter any difficulties, you can go directly to him. You should also know my two close friends, Lin Qing and Chen Xiaomeng. If necessary, you can ask them for help."

"If you really can't solve the problem, then ask the clan for help. While you are away training, remember to send a message back to the clan every month to let them know you are safe."

"I understand. Master, you weren't always so fussy. I'm off now. I'll see if I can bring back a mistress, a woman like Senior Song."

"What are you saying, little girl? Mind your own business!"

Zhang Lingyu laughed and scolded, and when he felt he had said enough, he watched the three of them bow solemnly before riding the wind away.

As the three points of light on the horizon gradually disappeared, he suddenly felt an urge to chase after them, but he stopped himself just as he took a step.

"Sigh, I'm still worried. Luckily, Senior Yue is still in Tianliu City right now. I'll send him a message later and ask him to keep an eye on things secretly."

As he pondered, Zhang Yuanlin stood beside him, stroking his beard and smiling, "What's wrong? Still worried? Should I call them back?"

"Second Grandfather is joking. I just feel that you are getting old and understand how you felt when I left to gain experience."

"You're still old, so what are we then, immortal old monsters?"

Zhang Yuanhua laughed and scolded, "Instead of thinking about this, why don't you hurry up and find a few more people and have more kids? Can't you see how worried Menghan is about you?"

"Isn't Second Grandfather the same?"

"Hey kid, you're asking for a beating. I'm practically half-buried, and you're still looking for trouble? If word gets out, we'll become the laughingstock of the whole county!"

Seeing that the conversation had gone astray, Zhang Lingyu quickly changed the subject, saying in a deep voice, "Let's not talk about this anymore. My great-grandfather sent a message to the clan five days ago, saying that he has found someone who will come to Qingya Mountain in the next few days to help us advance our spiritual veins."

"That's right, that's the important thing."

With Zhang Yuanhua's 300,000 spirit stones, the pressure on the clan was greatly reduced, and the clansmen no longer needed to contribute their own spirit stones.

Zhang Lingyu is currently only one step away from the peak of Foundation Establishment, and the advancement of his spiritual veins is imminent.

"For the next few days, all clansmen should leave the area around Qingya Mountain and return after the advancement."

As they were talking, Zhang Yuanli hurriedly came to report: "Clan leader, Second Elder, there are five cultivators who claim to be from Linhai County waiting in front of the mountain gate. The First Elder has arranged for them to be received in the side hall. He specifically asked me to inform you."

"What you say comes true; the speed is pretty fast."

Zhang Lingyu nodded slightly, her expression unchanged, and said, "Understood. The Second Elder and I will go now. You can go about your business."

"This junior takes his leave." Zhang Yuanli wisely didn't ask any further questions, bowed, and turned to leave.

Without hesitation, the two rode the wind to the mountaintop together.

......

Inside the side hall, Zhang Xingyao was chatting and laughing with five people from Linhai County. When he saw Zhang Lingyu and the other person enter, he stood up to greet them: "Lingyu, Second Uncle, you've arrived."

He then introduced:

"Let me introduce you. These five are from the Zhou family of Shuihua in Linhai County. The Zhou family has been practicing array formations for generations and is quite famous. The one in the middle is Zhou Qitai, and the rest are his family members."

"So it's the Zhou family of Shuihua."

The Zhou family of Shuihua is a major Foundation Establishment family in Linhai County. The cultivators in the family specialize in array formations and make a living by selling array flags and array plates. Many families and sects will seek them out if they need to build or repair array formations.

Of course, this is not the main business; their main business is to work for forces such as the Yongjia Chen family that engage in intercontinental trade.

The East China Sea is treacherous, and those transcontinental treasure ships and spirit ships are usually inscribed with many formations to ensure the hull is sturdy and to resist the invasion of demonic beasts.

Although the bulk of the profits weren't theirs, it was their turn to assist in setting up fifth-tier and higher formations, as well as lower-tier formations.

Moreover, the treasure ships would undergo maintenance after each voyage, requiring a great deal of manpower.

If you were to ask them for help when you were trying to advance your spiritual veins normally, who knows when you would have to wait!

Zhang Lingyu glanced at them; Zhou Qitai was at the late Foundation Establishment stage, while the rest were at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. It seemed the Zhou family was quite powerful. She smiled and bowed, saying:

"My name is Zhang Lingyu. I greet you all. Please forgive me if there has been any inadequacy in our hospitality!"

"I've long heard of Clan Chief Zhang's reputation; I must have met you in person!" Zhou Qitai adopted a very humble attitude, as if they were the ones asking for a favor.

With all the guests and hosts present, the two sides exchanged pleasantries for a while before getting down to business. Zhou Qitai clasped his hands and said, "I have come to the main peak of your noble family to assist in the advancement of the spiritual veins at the request of True Person Qingyuan. Since the advancement is not something that can be accomplished in a day, I may have to stay here for a few more days. I hope you will understand."

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, you're too kind. The matter of the spiritual vein is of utmost importance. We've waited for so many years, surely we can wait a few more days?"

"Yes, yes, Fellow Daoist Zhou, if you need anything, just let me know."

Zhou Qitai stroked his beard and smiled:

"In that case, we will trouble you, nobleman. Starting tomorrow, we will set up spirit-gathering arrays in the four cardinal directions of Qingya Mountain and at the nodes of the spiritual veins. This may take several days. During this period, we ask that your clansmen temporarily leave this mountain and return after the advancement is completed."

"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Zhou, we have already made the arrangements."

"That's good. Also, I observe that the spiritual vein of this mountain is of the second-tier upper grade. To advance to the third-tier lower grade, at least one million spirit stones will be needed. Of course, this is not an exact number and may fluctuate. I hope you will prepare accordingly."

"Regarding the matter of the noble's advancement to a higher spiritual vein, the five of us have already signed a Netherworld Blood Pact with True Person Qingyuan. Please rest assured, we will not reveal the matter of the spiritual vein node."

The location of a spiritual vein node has always been a core secret of a faction.

If leaked, it would inevitably shake the foundation of sects and families. Nemesis only needs to destroy the spiritual vein node to cause the earth dragon to turn over, and without the other party taking action, countless people will be killed or injured.

Furthermore, the mountain-protecting formations are all built according to the nodes of the spiritual veins, and once they are destroyed, they will no longer be effective.

Therefore, without the Netherworld Blood Pact, families like the Zhou family, which set up formations for other forces, would have been wiped out countless times.

"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Zhou, my Grand Elder has already explained this matter in a message."

"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Zhou, my Grand Elder has already explained this matter in a message."

Zhang Lingyu nodded with a smile and called Zhang Yuanli, who was waiting outside the hall, in, instructing him, "Yuanli, these five fellow Daoists are honored guests of my household. You must quickly select the best cave dwellings for them and not neglect them."

"Yuanli understands. Please, the five seniors, follow me."

As Zhou Qitai and his group of six left, Zhang Lingyu and the other two exchanged a knowing glance and went off to make their own arrangements.

One day after the order was given, the people of Qingya Mountain finished their own affairs and came down the mountain. They did not leave, but waited silently at the foot of the mountain, looking forward to this great feat of spiritual vein advancement.

Meanwhile, apart from the Foundation Establishment cultivators guarding the border, all the other Foundation Establishment cultivators from the families were sent back to guard the area around Qingya Mountain in case of any unforeseen events.

Besides the Zhang family, the other vassal families also heard the news and, led by their patriarchs, watched from a distance.

"A third-tier spiritual vein, I wonder when my family will be able to possess such a spiritual mountain."

"Keep dreaming. First, upgrade your sect to the second tier."

The advancement of the spiritual vein is not only related to the Zhang family, but also to their own destiny.

As for why the Zhang family did this, they could guess a thing or two: they wanted to use the entire clan's resources to prepare for Zhang Lingyu's Core Formation.

Once the Core Formation is successful, it will certainly not restrict the Foundation Establishment of their respective cultivators.

Moreover, the other party is also a pill refiner and can refine Foundation Establishment Pills, so there will be no need to go to Yanxing County to buy them.

Such rumors have been circulating for quite some time, and the fact that Mo Wuyai and Xu Haisheng were forced to establish their foundations is a good example of this.

Five days later, after Zhou Qitai and his group of five had set up all five spirit-gathering arrays, the advancement of the spiritual veins officially began.

With the activation of the Spirit Gathering Array, an invisible, immense suction force, like a giant whale swallowing and spitting, emanated from Qingya Mountain, causing violent disturbances in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth within a radius of dozens of miles.

The spiritual energy scattered throughout the mountains, forests, and streams transformed into visible streams of pale blue energy, rushing in from all directions and surging wildly towards Qingya Mountain.

At the same time, the Zhang family Foundation Establishment cultivators, who were guarding the key nodes of the formation, slapped their storage bags at their waists in unison. One by one, the azure spirit stones shattered in mid-air, turning into a torrent of powerful and pure spiritual energy that flowed into the formation patterns beneath their feet.

Under the frenzied absorption of the spirit-gathering array and the infusion of massive amounts of spirit stones regardless of cost, the entire Qingya Mountain region was in constant turmoil.

A muffled rumbling sound came from inside the mountain, as if an earth dragon were turning over.

Most astonishingly, the concentration of spiritual energy in this place is climbing at an unprecedented speed.

At first, it was like a light mist, then it transformed into a babbling brook, then it rose like clouds, and finally it became so thick that it seemed to turn into a drop of spiritual liquid.

These phenomena are just the beginning; it will take at least ten days to half a month for them to fully stabilize.

On the thirteenth day, Zhou Qitai, who was presiding over the core of the formation, suddenly opened his eyes, looked at the man standing not far away, and smiled, "Congratulations, Clan Chief Zhang, your noble Qingya Mountain has been promoted to a third-grade low-level spiritual vein!"

Zhang Lingyu nodded with a smile. At this moment, the spiritual energy density of Qingya Mountain had reached the standard of the third-grade lower level, which could be considered as fulfilling the minimum conditions required for Core Formation.

The upgrade of the spiritual veins cost a total of over 1.1 million spirit stones, which was more than expected, but fortunately it was all within a controllable range.

"Now that the spiritual veins have been upgraded, we can return and report to True Immortal Qingyuan!"

Zhou Qitai pressed the jade talisman to remind the other four to put away the spirit-gathering array and prepare to leave. However, Zhang Lingyu took out several jade boxes from her storage bag, bowed, and said, "Thank you for your help this time, Fellow Daoist Zhou. Please accept this small gift."

He didn't refuse, skillfully putting it into his storage bag, and smiled:

"It is our duty. If any noble family needs to upgrade their spiritual veins or set up formations again, they should simply send a message to my family."

"We will definitely do our utmost to help!"

......

......