Chapter 267: Luofu Mountain

When Wang Yu arrived below the tribulation clouds, Wei Hao, his corpse aura merged with his magic power, had his demonic corpse standing behind him, roaring continuously at the gradually dissipating lightning tribulation. The demonic intent soaring into the sky was astonishing.

"Hahaha, my path is complete! What joy!!"

Wang Yu quickly approached and offered his congratulations.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Wei, on achieving your goal."

It was unclear when they had started addressing each other as "senior brother" and "junior brother," a more intimate term. Wei Hao, seeing him approach, couldn't stop smiling.

"Not at all, Junior Brother Wang. This time, I owe it all to your generosity."

"There's no need to mention it further, Senior Brother. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement."

"Very well."

With a thought, Wei Hao stored the demonic corpse into a dark, black pearl. He explained: "This is the Nine Nether Pearl, containing a vast amount of nether essence, which can help this corpse transform into a Nine Nether Demonic Corpse. Once successful, it might truly be able to compete with a Corpse King!"

"Oh?" Wang Yu was slightly curious.

"I remember Wei Shanze has a trump card called the Six Styles of Nether Demonic Fist. Is the Wei family's Nascent Soul ancestor from the Five Yin Peak — the Nine Nether Demon Lord?"

"Indeed." Wei Hao nodded.

"That is my direct lineage's Grand Ancestor. Wei Shanze's lineage entered the Savage Ghost Peak and follows the Savage Nether Demon Lord."

"So that's it." Wang Yu immediately understood. So the Wei family had two Nascent Soul ancestors, establishing two distinct lineages? No wonder they competed for the true disciple position on different peaks.

"Without further delay, we've already wasted some time waiting for this Nine Nether Pearl. Junior Brother Wang, please follow me. I'll introduce you to the people on my side."

"Alright."

Next, after leaving the tribulation area, Wei Hao introduced him to the experts who would participate in the mission to seize the Earth Spirit Fruit.

"Junior Brother, this is Wei Xianglong, a peak Core Formation cultivator and also my second uncle. He looked after me since I was young and is skilled in offensive divine abilities."

Seeing this, Wang Yu quickly greeted the broad-boned yet slightly thin elderly man: "Junior Wang Yu greets Senior."

"No need for formalities." The man waved his hand, speaking politely yet intimately: "Young friend, you've given Wei Hao a great opportunity. If you wish, you may simply call me Second Uncle."

"Second Uncle." Wang Yu readily complied.

"Ay—" The elder's smile immediately became a bit more genuine. In his eyes, Wang Yu possessed infinite potential, no less than Wei Hao, and perhaps even slightly superior, especially in terms of fortune. Having such a genius as a friend, there was no reason not to treat him well. Furthermore, in this mission to seize the Earth Spirit Fruit, Wang Yu had the right to claim one first. Clearly, he had no idea that this "genius" originated from a crippled spirit root.

Wei Hao was pleased by this. He had already intended to forge a good relationship with Wang Yu, and he had instructed his people beforehand to greet him.

"Junior Brother, these are Wei Yuyu, Wei Yuting, and Wei Yuzhen. All three are at the seventh layer of Core Formation, proficient in battle formation combined attacks, and skilled in defensive counter-attacks."

"Should danger arise, hide between these three. Unless a Nascent Soul cultivator intervenes, we would not fear even three or four ordinary peak Core Formation cultivators."

"I greet the three Seniors."

"No need to be so polite, young friend."

After exchanging greetings, they were formally introduced.

With Wei Hao and Wang Yu themselves, they now had six people, covering both offense and defense. What was missing...?

"—Wei Ying!"

"At your service."

A figure, unlike the others, suddenly appeared in sight, kneeling on one knee, shrouded in ghostly qi. Wei Hao said with a slightly complicated expression: "Wei Ying is also a peak Core Formation cultivator, skilled in stealth and speed. Whether for sneak attacks or seizing the Earth Spirit Fruit, he will play a crucial role."

"Once successful, he can quickly lead us away from danger."

Seven people, all set!

Wei Hao and Wei Ying seemed to have a special relationship. Since the former didn't elaborate, Wang Yu didn't inquire further, figuring that leveraging their strength was the right move. As for whether the value of the trade was equivalent, it depended on one's perspective. In terms of spirit stones alone, Wang Yu would certainly be at a loss. For Wei Hao, who had lost his Natal Corpse and suffered severe vitality damage, a demonic corpse was something he would willingly trade even for a top-grade Core Formation spiritual item! And the eleven purple-gold peaches were resources obtainable only through influence; Wang Yu, on his own, couldn't buy them at the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion or Golden Full Tower, as they simply wouldn't sell them to him. Furthermore, the Earth Spirit Fruit and the assistance of these people were not things he could acquire simply by asking. Wang Yu considered it worthwhile, even a huge profit, because he gained time!

What Zhuo Shouqing said last time had put immense pressure on him. Before confronting Zhuo Shouyun and Fu Xiao, he had to form his Golden Core and then advance a significant distance beyond that; otherwise, he would have no confidence to face them head-on.

"Get ready, we're setting off!"

Mount Luofu.

Also known as Sword Qi Mountain, it spanned nine hundred li and boasted three third-tier spirit veins. The He family, who resided there, was a top-tier Golden Core family. They possessed a full twelve Core Formation cultivators, and their Luofu Twelve Sword Formation was reputed to be able to contend with a Nascent Soul cultivator. Among them, Old Ancestor Luofu had displayed his prowess during the Righteous-Demonic War over three hundred years ago! He had once slain three cultivators of the same realm in a single battle, earning him widespread renown. He was no petty tyrant from a small region; his strength, even within major sects, could rank him among the top thirty inner sect elders.

With such power, it was illogical for them to give up an Earth Spirit Fruit that had fallen into their hands. Unfortunately, the He family of Mount Luofu faced too many and too diverse enemies. A peak Core Formation cultivator from the Netherworld Gate, hidden among them, unexpectedly launched an insidious attack, resulting in several of the Luofu Twelve Immortals sustaining serious injuries. The standoff had dragged on for nearly a month, with the number of confronting Core Formation cultivators approaching thirty. Any further delay would undoubtedly lead to dire consequences.

At this moment, within the He family compound on Mount Luofu.

The Conference Hall.

In addition to the twelve Core Formation cultivators, many influential Foundation Establishment elders also participated in the discussion. This was not the first such meeting to be held in the past month. The attitude of the He family cultivators had shifted from initial steadfastness to increasing weakness.

"Old Ancestor, this matter cannot be delayed any longer. That storage bag should contain sixteen Earth Spirit Fruits. How about we take twelve and offer four to others?"

Old Ancestor Luofu remained silent for a moment, then spoke: "My second and third brothers, and I, have all reached the peak of Core Formation. Earth Spirit Fruits are useless to us, but they can help you all."

"If they are all used to cultivate Jian'er, he might be able to lead our He family of Mount Luofu to even greater heights!"

He Qiujian, the most talented among the He family's new generation, had successfully formed his Golden Core just recently, having turned one hundred and fifty years old. If he could obtain sixteen Earth Spirit Fruits, he would surely break through to the mid-Core Formation stage in a short time, granting him more time in the future to aspire to the Nascent Soul realm, and significantly increasing his chances. He was the thirteenth "Old Ancestor"-level figure of Mount Luofu.

Hearing that Old Ancestor Luofu insisted on not retreating because he wanted to "cede" the Earth Spirit Fruits to He Qiujian, a previously heavily injured Core Formation sixth-layer cultivator said indignantly: "Old Ancestor, Jian'er broke through to Core Formation at such a young age and is highly arrogant. He will certainly have his own opportunities in the future. The Earth Spirit Fruits... I will not give them up!"

"You—"

"Eighth Elder!"

"Zi'ang..."

"Silence!!" Old Ancestor Luofu roared in anger, silencing everyone.

He Zi'ang looked up, staring at the Old Ancestor, and said firmly: "I, He Zi'ang, am only a little over four hundred years old today. If I can use the Earth Spirit Fruits to break through to the late stage, why wouldn't I have a chance to form a Nascent Soul in this lifetime?"

Everyone simultaneously paused, not because they were shocked by his ambition, but because... he was absolutely right! This was a problem that family powers inevitably faced: not suffering from scarcity, but from inequality. He Qiujian might be a genius, but wasn't I, He Zi'ang, also a genius in my youth? Wasn't I also the hope for the family's further advancement?!! Although two hundred years separated them, for cultivators, both were in their prime, and their futures were uncertain. How could he be willing to give up precious resources that he desperately desired to a junior? It wasn't even a matter of life or death.

In fact, He Zi'ang was not the only one with this thought. Among the twelve Core Formation cultivators of Luofu, apart from the first three, the remaining nine had not reached the peak realm. They all needed Earth Spirit Fruits for assistance, but one or two wouldn't be enough. It was most suitable for two to three people to divide the sixteen Earth Spirit Fruits. All of them could achieve significant progress.

Just as Old Ancestor Luofu was agonizing over the decision, a report suddenly came from outside the hall: "Elders, Old Ancestors, those Core Formation cultivators have begun attacking the Luofu Sword Formation!"

"Damn it, let's go!"

"Today, this matter must be resolved."

Meanwhile, outside Mount Luofu.

Wang Yu, Wei Hao, and the others were concealed by Wei Ying's magic, watching from afar as the cultivators continuously expended their magic power, eroding the sword formation's strength. In the center of the formation was a shimmering golden storage bag, illuminated by a spell cast by an unknown person. Inside that item were the Earth Spirit Fruits.

"These people are truly insidious, to use such a method. With such a dazzling treasure light, whoever takes it first will become the target of everyone else." Wei Hao rubbed his chin as he spoke.

Wang Yu, however, pointed at the sword formation and said: "This formation is difficult to break. When there weren't so many Core Formation cultivators initially, they should have been able to directly retrieve and refine the treasures."

"At that point, the deed would have been done, and the Earth Spirit Fruits consumed. These people would have naturally dispersed. So why have they dragged it out until now?"

"This is something you wouldn't understand." Wei Hao chuckled strangely. "The smaller a family is, the fewer resources it has, and the harder they are to divide. Old Ancestor Luofu couldn't subdue everyone, so none of them trusted another to retrieve the items."

"In such situations, harmony only prevails when there is one supreme power dominating many strong ones."

"Take my Wei family as an example: when the Nine Nether Demon Lord was in charge, everyone in the Wei family obeyed him, even sacrificing their own interests to follow Grand Ancestor's commands."

"After the Savage Nether Demon Lord broke through, he established his own lineage, not competing with the main Wei family. Their cooperation allowed him to take control of Savage Ghost Peak. Junior Brother, do you understand the principle behind this?"

Wang Yu was not foolish; with a slight hint from Wei Hao, he understood the underlying principle. Simply put, authority was too decentralized. They lacked a Nascent Soul Old Ancestor who could make the final decision! When a power was small, it was primarily troubled by resources, leading to conflicts. When a power grew large, low-tier resources were no longer an issue, but top-tier resources still required competition. Like nested dolls, almost all powers would encounter this problem. If the Wei family could produce a third Nascent Soul, the fragmented situation would converge again, allowing them to collectively seek Nascent Soul-level resources. The intricacies of this principle were difficult to explain in a few words.

"Internal disagreements, then... surprisingly logical."

(End of chapter)