Protect Our Patriarch-Chapter 61Book 5: : Conspiracy of True Magic

……

Qi Hongzhao couldn't contain his excitement, his previously stern face now blossoming into a smile. "Our Yinsha lineage is on the brink of resurgence! Little Demon Lord, heh heh, you never saw this coming, did you? My disciple Ruobing might just give you a run for your money."

Beside him, Wang Long Yan asked timidly, "Master, what is this about...?"

"This, haha, it's a long story." Yinsha Demon Lord Qi Hongzhao, prompted by Wang Long Yan's question, finally calmed down from his uncontrollable excitement. He pulled Wang Long Yan aside to sit and began explaining, "My dear disciple, you should know that our Yinsha Sect's founding ancestor was originally expelled from the True Demon Hall, right?"

"Yes," Wang Long Yan nodded.

"But others only know part of the story," Qi Hongzhao explained. "Our Yinsha lineage's ancestor was forced to leave the True Demon Hall after failing to compete for the 'Nether Fiend True Demon Scripture' and suffering exclusion."

As he spoke, he recounted in detail the schemes and plots that led to the ancestor's loss of the True Demon Scripture, the opponent's despicable actions, and the unfair treatment he endured.

Wang Long Yan listened silently without commenting.

Qi Hongzhao's account was clearly embellished, and given the nature of oral transmission, who knew how much truth there was in it. Such stories were best taken with a grain of salt.

However, one thing was certain: the Yinsha Sect was originally a branch of the True Demon Hall and was not weak.

Fortunately, after Qi Hongzhao rambled on for a while, he finally got to the point: "Even though our ancestor left the True Demon Hall, he never gave up hope. He always dreamed of one day returning to the True Demon Hall to reclaim the Nether Fiend True Demon Scripture."

"Unfortunately, the competition for the True Demon Scripture is fierce. To have any chance of winning, one must have at least a top-tier B-grade aptitude. Our Yinsha Sect is located in a remote area, and we haven't had any disciples qualified to compete for the True Demon Scripture since. Naturally, this matter was shelved. But this has been the obsession of successive sect masters of our Yinsha Sect. Who would have thought that after more than ten thousand years, hope would be rekindled in my generation."

"Master," Wang Long Yan's face showed uncertainty, "Are you saying that I can compete for the True Demon Scripture in the Demon Dynasty?"

"Of course," the Yinsha Demon Lord nodded matter-of-factly. "The True Demon Scripture of the True Demon Hall is called the 'Nether Fiend True Demon Scripture.' Our Yinsha lineage's 'Yinsha Compendium' is derived from the Immortal Scripture and is one of its core inheritances. Since you practice the 'Yinsha Compendium,' you naturally have the qualification to compete for the True Demon Scripture."

Wang Long Yan was taken aback.

Only then did she realize that she had been stuck in a mental rut.

The Great Qian was a splinter from the Immortal Dynasty, and many of its rules and customs originated from there. The scrutiny for inheritance qualifications was strict, and unless one was a legitimate disciple of the Immortal Palace with a traceable lineage of several generations who had rendered meritorious service to the Immortal Palace, inheriting the Immortal Scripture was impossible.

But the Demon Dynasty was different.

The Demon Dynasty valued strength above all. As long as one's cultivation technique was compatible, anyone could compete for the True Demon Scripture.

Of course, the prerequisite was sufficient strength to win the competition. Otherwise, the cost of failure was severe, and the competition was often filled with underhanded tactics, making it far from harmonious.

Unlike the fair and harmonious competition in the Immortal Dynasty, where even after losing, one could still amicably remain the head of a sacred land, such a scenario was rare in the True Demon Hall.

As Qi Hongzhao continued, he grew excited again. "That Little Demon Lord is highly regarded in the Demon Dynasty, with exceptional aptitude. After inheriting his lineage's compendium, he reached top-tier A-grade and now has no rivals in the True Demon Hall. Your previous aptitude was good, but the gap between you and him was too great. I thought even if you competed, the hope was slim, so I didn't mention it. But now it's different."

He looked at Wang Long Yan, his eyes filled with excitement and anticipation. "Your aptitude has now reached the pinnacle of top-tier B-grade. Once you fully inherit our 'Yinsha Compendium' and are nourished by the compendium's power, your aptitude will surely reach A-grade. You might even surpass the Little Demon Lord. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If you succeed, you can take over the True Demon Hall and become the next Demon Lord!"

"Our Yinsha Sect can also become the rightful heir of the True Demon Hall again!"

It was clear that this matter had long been a sore point for successive sect masters of the Yinsha Sect. Even with Qi Hongzhao's temperament and cultivation, his excitement and agitation were evident when discussing this matter, almost without restraint.

In his excitement, he stood up and led Wang Long Yan outside. "Come, come, I'll pass the compendium to you now. Once you return, focus on your cultivation. When you reach the Divine Realm, I'll take you to the Immortal Dynasty to compete with the Little Demon Lord and reclaim the True Demon Scripture!"

The True Demon Scripture, like the Immortal Scripture, selected its inheritors from among Divine Realm cultivators, and Wang Long Yan's current cultivation was not yet sufficient.

As Wang Long Yan followed him outside, she still had doubts in her heart. "But Master, our foundation in the Demon Dynasty is weak. If we really compete, we might not have the advantage, right?"

"Don't worry about that," Qi Hongzhao laughed heartily. "Although our Yinsha Sect has declined, we still have some old connections in the Demon Dynasty and the True Demon Hall. Besides, the current Demon Lord has been strong for so long, not everyone is willing to see his direct heir, the Little Demon Lord, take the throne." freeweɓnovel.cѳm

"There's still time. I'll start paving the way for you now. By the time you break through to the Divine Realm, everything should be ready."

Hearing this, Wang Long Yan felt much more at ease.

The unexpected consequences of her aptitude improvement might not have been foreseen even by Shouzhe. Once she returned, she must inform the family as soon as possible so Shouzhe could prepare in advance.

Thinking of this, she suddenly remembered something. "By the way, since Master intends to pave the way for me, I can recommend someone to you. She's an expert in this field."

"She's someone I met by chance during my training, a disciple of the Cha Nu Yin Demon lineage of the True Demon Hall. Because the Yin Snake Demon Concubine and others betrayed the True Demon Hall, she doesn't dare to return and is now wandering. She helped me a lot during my training, so I brought her back."

"Very well, since she's recommended by you, I'll make good use of her." Qi Hongzhao agreed without hesitation. "At worst, she can hide her identity."

In his good mood, Qi Hongzhao was ready to agree to anything Wang Long Yan suggested. Even if Wang Long Yan asked him to pass the position of sect master to her right now, he might just agree.

As they spoke, the figures of the master and disciple gradually disappeared into the snow.

The morning light bathed them, as if coating them with a layer of gold, creating a halo of hope.

……

Far away, Wang Shouzhe was still unaware of the events unfolding at the Yinsha Sect.

But life within the Wang Clan continued.

To Wang Shouzhe, the hard work in developing the family business was to ensure a better life for the clan members.

The Wang's Clan School was still located by Zhuhui Lake, covering a vast area with a beautiful and spiritually rich environment.

It was divided into elementary, intermediate, and advanced education districts. Apart from the reserved spots for Wang clan members and allied families, those who could pass the entrance exams were outstanding individuals from commoners or small families.

Wang Fugui rode the Yuan Shui Old Turtle to the school dock, walking unhurriedly toward the intermediate education district. Though only ten years old, he had been studying there for a year.

His steps were steady and vigorous, each one seemingly measured, exuding a natural authority, like a young emperor walking among mortals.

"Good morning, Young Master Fugui."

The young boys and girls, full of spirit, looked at Wang Fugui with eyes filled with respect and admiration.

"One hundred and thirteenth brother, one hundred and thirteenth uncle, one hundred and thirteenth grandfather, Fugui."

These were the various ways his family addressed him.

Wang Fugui nodded to each, greeting his elders first. However, due to the large number of people at the clan school, excessive greetings were not encouraged.

Otherwise, a whole day could be spent just exchanging pleasantries among relatives.

"Fugui, come here," a lively girl's voice called from a corner.

Wang Fugui's face froze as he saw a pretty little sapling waving its branches at him from the garden corner. Beside it floated a cloak-like "artifact" with a strong milky scent, clutching a large milk bottle, and a rectangular military shield.

They were the newly born Dao artifact "Wang Baoli" and the Divine Spirit Artifact Wang Tank.

As the eldest son of the Wang Clan's main line and the family's legal heir, Wang Fugui held a high status, and there were few people he feared.

But this one in front of him made Wang Fugui run over immediately, nodding and bowing, "Greetings, Ancestor Aunt Lixian." He then greeted, "Baoli, Tank."

The pretty sapling was one of Wang Lixian's avatars, specifically for attending school.

Unfortunately, she had sent off batch after batch of classmates but had yet to graduate from the intermediate school, now reduced to being in the same class as Wang Fugui.

"This time, I got a bit distracted during the monthly break and didn't finish my homework. I'll leave these assignments to you," Wang Lixian said, piling a heap of homework onto Wang Fugui and patting his shoulder with her tender branches. "This ancestor has high hopes for you. Don't let me down."

Wang Fugui said with a mournful face, "Ancestor, if Ancestor Grandfather finds out, I'll be in big trouble."

"How could Father possibly know?" Wang Lixian put her branches on her hips, looking around. "Baoli, will you report this?"

"Woo woo woo~" Wang Baoli shook vigorously, almost dropping the milk bottle.

"Tank, will you report this?"

"No, no, no, I won't," Wang Tank shivered and quickly denied it. Though loyal to the master, offending Miss Lixian, one of the master's beloved daughters, would make life difficult in the clan school.

Nowadays, Wang Lixian was one of the two old-timers at the Wang's Clan School. Even the other old-timer, who often skipped classes to hunt for food, didn't have her level of prestige.

"Fugui, don't forget your roots," Wang Lixian said earnestly, patting his shoulder. "The reason you became extraordinary and have a chance to court the little princess of the Immortal Dynasty is because I used the hard-earned essence of heaven and earth to cleanse you while you were still in the womb, laying a solid foundation."

"But Ancestor Grandfather said it's mainly because of my high bloodline," Wang Fugui said weakly. "Ancestor Lixian, you just added the finishing touch. And I'm not dating Yun Mengyu."

"I don't care. If you don't help me with my homework, I'll beat you up," Wang Lixian said, raising her branches and losing patience with her gentle approach, revealing her true nature.

"Woo woo ya ya~" Wang Baoli, clutching the milk bottle, cheered on the side.

"Is Ancestor Aunt Lixian threatening me?" Wang Fugui's face suddenly turned serious.

"So what?" Wang Lixian huffed. "Can't I threaten you?"

"No, no, no, next time, please be more direct with your threats," Wang Fugui lay down in the pavilion, picking up the homework and writing furiously. "Let's not beat around the bush."

"..." Wang Lixian.

Suddenly.

A massive shadow loomed over the pavilion.

It was a sixth-order Yao Earth Giant Bear, wearing a pair of oversized, scholarly glasses.

After being captured by the Wang Clan, it became a student at the clan school and later graduated due to its excellent performance. Though it still couldn't speak, it had become one of the school teachers.

Among the Wang Clan's spiritual beasts, this Yao Earth Giant Bear was the best learner.

Wang Lixian, Wang Fugui, and the others' expressions changed drastically. "Oh no, it's Teacher Bear."

……

Meanwhile.

In Shouzhe's Small Courtyard.

Wang Shouzhe was having tea with his seventh brother, Wang Shouye.

Over the years, Wang Shouye had developed quite well.

With the status of a direct disciple of the Pill Cauldron Master and the support of abundant resources from the Wang Clan, his alchemy skills had surpassed even his master's.

Currently, he was nominally the head of the Wang Clan's alchemy company, but he preferred to immerse himself in the profound art of alchemy rather than manage the company.

Over the years, thanks to his outstanding achievements, he had received the Wang Clan's full support. After multiple bloodline enhancements, he reached the level of a great prodigy and recently broke through to the extraordinary realm.

"Fourth Brother," Wang Shouye said, "since you used the advanced version of the Marrying Blood Gu to enhance my bloodline, I've experienced a significant leap in both spiritual awareness and understanding of the Heavenly Dao. I feel ready to start learning to refine sixth-grade treasure pills."

"Moreover, I've been stuck at the peak of the Celestial Realm for some time now. It's the perfect opportunity to advance to the Purple Mansion Realm, where I can awaken the seventh bloodline and easily handle most sixth-grade treasure pills, even the Wuji Baodan."

Sixth-grade treasure pills!

The starting price for a single sixth-grade treasure pill was a million top gold. Among them were the renowned Tongling Baodan and Wuji Baodan.

The former was an auxiliary main pill for advancing to the Purple Mansion Realm, while the latter significantly improved bloodline aptitude, making it a dream treasure pill for most Basalt cultivators.

"Good, good," Wang Shouzhe said with satisfaction. "Shouye, your hard work over the years has paid off. Your achievements in alchemy are truly admirable."

The difficulty of refining sixth-grade treasure pills was immense, theoretically requiring at least a Divine Realm alchemist to begin.

However, as a Purple Mansion Realm extraordinary, his bloodline, spiritual awareness, and understanding of the Heavenly Dao were not inferior to an ordinary Divine Realm cultivator. Being able to refine sixth-grade pills was understandable.

In the entire Great Qian, only the head of the Xuandan Pavilion of the Sacred Land's Alchemy Peak, Yuan Dan Daoist, could refine sixth-grade treasure pills.

The Wang Clan's current supply of Wuji Baodan and the Lingyuan Treasure Pills consumed monthly by Emperor Longchang and Jiang Zhencang were all crafted by Yuan Dan Daoist.

Previously, the Wang Clan's alchemy company could only produce fifth-grade spiritual pills, such as Refining God Pills, Ascension Pills, and Xisui Dan.

Soon, Wang Shouye would become the second person in the Great Qian capable of refining sixth-grade treasure pills.

This made Wang Shouzhe feel that the Wang Clan was no longer what it used to be, standing tall in all aspects.

"Fourth Brother, there's another matter I'd like to discuss with you," Wang Shouye said respectfully. In his heart, no matter his achievements, he was far from matching his fourth brother.

He still remembered the scene from years ago, on a small boat in Zhuhui Lake, looking at his fourth brother's back, so tall and majestic. It was his fourth brother who held up the declining Wang Clan, providing a safe haven for them, the younger siblings and future generations.

With such a brother as a role model, Wang Shouye had been diligent from a young age, determined to share his brother's burdens.

"Old Seven, we are brothers. Speak freely," Wang Shouzhe joked in a good mood. "Even if you want to take a concubine and end up getting beaten by your sister-in-law and the other sisters-in-law, your fourth brother will help you... get beaten together!"

"Cough, cough, I have no such intention," Wang Shouye coughed repeatedly, downing two cups of tea before continuing. "Speaking of concubines, my senior sister Gu Hanyu has remained unmarried all these years. When I asked her why, she said that after meeting Master Wang Shouzhe, such a rare man, no one else could catch her eye."

"Cough, cough, let's not talk about this. Get to the point," Wang Shouzhe changed the subject.

"The thing is," Wang Shouye said concisely, "my master, the Pill Cauldron Master, was a self-taught talent, but he had a remarkable opportunity in his youth. However, due to his aptitude and resources at the time, he couldn't fully utilize it, and it's been on his mind ever since. Now, my master has brought it up again, hoping I can fulfill his unaccomplished wish."

Wang Shouzhe's expression turned serious. "Becoming a self-taught talent is no easy feat, and it must have been an extraordinary opportunity. But if even the Pill Cauldron Master couldn't handle it, could it be..."

"Yes, my master says it's a sacred land relic with clues to a compendium. However, the sacred land is near the Northern Zhou Kingdom."

"Northern Zhou Kingdom? Although it's also a country derived from the Immortal Dynasty, it doesn't have close ties with our Great Qian," Wang Shouzhe said, sipping his spiritual tea and pondering. "A wild compendium, especially an alchemy-related one, is crucial for our Wang Clan. We must plan carefully."

As the brothers were talking.

Suddenly.

A bear's howl echoed from outside, "Awoo awoo~~~," a mournful cry as if it had suffered a great injustice.

Wang Shouzhe and Wang Shouye rushed out.

They found the Yao Earth Giant Bear, serving as a teacher at the clan school, "thumping" as it ran towards them, followed by a tree with outstretched branches, a cloak jumping up and down, and a timid shield.

"Big Dumb Bear, you, you, you, stop right there, you really told... ah, Father..." Wang Lixian's voice trembled.

……