Chapter 517 - 32: The Xia Family’s Old Ancestor

There were nine great Middle-Aged Noble Families in the Mingxiao Domain, but only the Xia Family and the Ji Family had a Tribulation Realm Great Power presiding over them in the current era.

Fang Cheng brought the Qianhuan Immortal Mansion to a halt in mid-air, surrounded by floating clouds and thousands of auspicious rays of light.

Seated within the Immortal Mansion, he gazed into the distance at a towering mountain whose peak pierced the clouds. Atop the summit was a palace complex, resplendent with dazzling light and iridescent streams of color, exuding an extraordinary aura.

This mountain was the Xia Family’s Ancestral Land.

The Xia Family’s members had used this mountain as their center, building palaces and gardens, carving out Cave Mansions and medicinal gardens. They cultivated and prospered, forming a massive sphere of influence on par with an entire Immortal Sect.

Inside the Immortal Mansion, Fang Cheng took out a formal letter of request and handed it to the Wuxie Child. "Go, deliver this letter and ask Patriarch Xia to come out for a meeting."

The child accepted it respectfully, obediently walked out of the Immortal Mansion, and transformed into a streak of Demonic Light, heading straight for the Xia Family Immortal Mountain.

Before he could even get close to the Immortal Mountain, two dark beams of light descended from the sky, blocking his path.

A voice shouted, "Who goes there? How dare you trespass on the Xia Family Immortal Mountain?"

The child stopped his Escape Light and took a closer look. He saw two Cultivators in ornate black robes. Their gazes were bold and sharp, like eagles or falcons, and they carried themselves with an impressive air, but their Cultivation was somewhat lacking—they were only at the Life Soul Realm.

He smiled faintly. "I serve the Resentment Demon Monarch. By my master’s command, I am here to deliver a formal request and invite your patriarch out for a meeting."

The two Xia Family guards were already wary, unable to see through the child’s Cultivation. Now, hearing the name of the Resentment Demon Monarch, they were startled.

Back when the Feathered Immortal Tree appeared in the Illusory Sun Sea, the Resentment Demon Monarch had come out on top, sweeping aside masters like Yang Yi, Pei Juxian, Xia Guming, and Yan Zongdao. His fame had shaken the lands, and he was known as one of the strongest Cultivators below the Tribulation Realm in the Mingxiao Domain.

’What is his purpose in coming to the Xia Family?’

The two exchanged a glance. Displaying the composure and dignity befitting a Tribulation Realm family, they unhurriedly accepted the letter. As they looked at it, they saw calligraphy that twisted like dragons and snakes, its sharp aura piercing their eyes. A grim demonic intent emanated from it, assaulting their very souls and making it impossible to look for long.

"Wait here for a moment while we go back and report," one of the Xia Family Cultivators said sternly.

Immediately, one stayed behind while the other took the letter and flew back toward the Xia Family Immortal Mountain.

The child nodded, gazing at the Xia Family Immortal Mountain with a curious, innocent expression.

A short while later, a dark Profound Light descended from the mountain’s peak, arriving before them in an instant.

The newcomer was a tall, white-haired old man in black robes. His posture was ramrod straight and his expression was stern. The moment he appeared, his gaze fell upon the child.

Then, he frowned slightly.

Even with his level of Cultivation, he couldn’t see through the child’s...

’Could he have some kind of treasure concealing his aura?’

The old man had a Mid-stage Dharma Phase Cultivation. He was one of the Xia Family Elders, a man of great prestige and authority.

The first person the Xia Family Cultivator with the letter had sought out was this very Elder.

Only by going through this Elder could the letter reach the Patriarch.

After reading the letter, the Elder had sneered and decided to come out personally.

Now, looking at the child, he asked coolly, "Where is your master? If he wishes to see our Patriarch, why doesn’t he come in person?"

The child paused for a second, then revealed an incomparably pure smile. "My master is unwilling to enter the mountain, so he has specifically requested that your patriarch come out for a meeting."

The Elder snorted. "The esteemed Patriarch of the great Xia Family is not someone who can be summoned at will. Go back and tell your master to return at this time tomorrow. If he has business, he can discuss it directly with me."

"This..." The child’s face showed a troubled expression.

The Elder said indifferently, "I have heard of your master’s reputation, but he is not a Tribulation Realm Great Power yet. Such posturing might work elsewhere, but to expect the Xia Family to play along is truly arrogant."

With that, not wanting to waste any more time, he turned to leave.

The child sighed softly. "Fellow Daoist, please wait."

The Elder, displeased, turned his head and stared at him.

The child cupped his hands in a fist-and-palm salute. With a serious expression, he said, "Fellow Daoist, if I cannot invite your patriarch out, this humble child will be too ashamed to face my master."

The Elder sneered, "What has that to do with me?"

As he spoke, a dark light flared around him, and he flew toward the Immortal Mountain.

With a helpless look, the child extended a small hand and pointed. There was no grand display, no fluctuation of Magical Power, yet a bizarre scene unfolded.

A pale golden bubble abruptly appeared around the black-robed Elder, enveloping him and holding him in place.

The Elder’s expression changed. He immediately summoned his Magical Artifacts, trying to break free. But after a few flashes of light, the golden bubble slowly shrank to the size of a palm and flew back to the child.

Trapped inside the bubble, the Elder struggled with all his might, but he could not escape.

The Xia Family guard on duty watched this scene with wide eyes, his Dao Heart nearly shattering.

One must understand, this Elder was ranked among the top five in the Xia Family’s Elder Council. He was highly respected, astonishingly powerful, and famous throughout the entire Mingxiao Domain.

But bizarrely, today he had been subdued by a mere child in a single move!

Not daring to delay for a second, he immediately activated a Spell. A crimson light shot into the sky and exploded with a BOOM.

An alarm.

Outside the Xia Family Immortal Mountain, the restrictive light of the Mountain Protection Array burst forth, enveloping the entire mountain tightly.

Tossing the golden bubble in his hand, the child said to the Xia Family Cultivator, "Go back and tell your patriarch that if he still doesn’t come out, I’ll feed this Elder to the Demon Beasts."

The Cultivator glanced at the Elder, who was now only an inch tall inside the bubble, then hurriedly turned and flew toward the Immortal Mountain.

「At the same time.」

On the Immortal Mountain, numerous Xia Family Cultivators were alarmed. Dozens of Escape Lights flew out. Among them, two contained Dharma Cultivators, while the Cultivators following behind were all at the Life Soul Realm.

The child couldn’t be bothered to waste his breath explaining. He simply raised his hand and pointed repeatedly.

Outside the Xia Family Immortal Mountain, pale golden bubbles suddenly appeared in the sky, trapping every nearby Xia Family Cultivator inside.

The massive Xia Family Mountain Protection Array was completely unable to block the child’s Divine Techniques.

With a grasp of his small hand, the golden bubbles all shrank and began to fly toward him, outside the Mountain Protection Array.

Just then, a dark light appeared on the Grand Array and spread out in an instant. The golden bubbles collided with the array’s light and burst with a series of POPS. The Xia Family Cultivators inside were freed. They stabilized themselves, still shaken, and looked outside in horror.

"Which Fellow Daoist has come to my Xia Family to amuse themselves with these juniors?"

An ancient voice echoed from the peak of the Xia Family Immortal Mountain.

The child’s expression turned serious. "I am the attendant of the Resentment Demon Monarch," he said solemnly. "I have come to deliver a formal request on behalf of my master."

Silence fell upon the mountain peak.

A moment later, another dark beam of light flew down from the mountain and landed before the child.

This was a middle-aged man wearing a tall crown and a black Imperial Robe.

He looked at the child, a trace of fear in his eyes, and said in a mild tone, "I am the Patriarch of the Xia Family. Where is your master?"

The child looked Xia Guming up and down, then smiled. "My master is in the Qianhuan Immortal Mansion. Fellow Daoist, please follow me."

"Please, release my clan’s Elder," Xia Guming said.

The child said, "Oh," and casually tossed the golden bubble in his hand to Xia Guming.

Xia Guming accepted the golden bubble with a complex expression. He turned, cupped his hands, and held it up. A dark light descended from the sky, swept up the golden bubble, and vanished without a trace.

The child watched with curiosity. "It seems your Xia Family ancestor has a Two-Tribulation Cultivation. I wonder when he will undergo the Third Celestial Tribulation?"

Hearing such a question posed in a naive, childlike tone, Xia Guming had a sudden epiphany and guessed the child’s origin.

"You’re the manifestation of the Ancient Demon Egg left behind by Ascendant Qianhuan?"

The child smiled slightly and nodded in confirmation.

Xia Guming sighed inwardly. He cupped his hands and said, "Please, lead the way."

...

Not long after, the child and Xia Guming arrived before the Qianhuan Immortal Mansion.

Xia Guming walked into the Immortal Mansion and saw Fang Cheng sitting leisurely on a jade mat. He stepped forward to offer his respects, and they exchanged a few simple pleasantries.

He said, "I had originally agreed with you, Fellow Daoist, to gather two Tier Five Flying Swords within six months. Who would have thought that after the six months were up, you did not arrive. After waiting for a long time, I entered secluded cultivation until today."

"You are indeed a man of your word, Fellow Daoist. I was occupied with other matters and could not arrive in time. I hope you will forgive me," Fang Cheng said with a gentle smile.

"You are too kind, Fellow Daoist."

As he spoke, Xia Guming took out two jade boxes and placed them before him. In a low voice, he said, "Your Sword Technique is divine, Fellow Daoist. These two Tier Five Flying Swords are also extraordinary items. Please, appraise them."

Fang Cheng opened the Sword Boxes one by one. Upon seeing the Flying Swords within, a satisfied expression appeared on his face.

...