Chương 60: Annihilating the Li Family Ancestor! Looting the Treasure Vault!

Looting the Treasure Vault!

Chapter Sixty: Annihilating the Li Family Ancestor! Looting the Treasure Vault!

Western Jianzhou.

A medium-sized mortal city—Qingshi City.

The original name of this city is long lost to history. Hundreds of years ago, after the Zhou family settled and rose to prominence here, becoming a renowned family of cultivators in the area, it was renamed Qing Shi City after its first ancestor.

The city has tens of thousands of residents, with crisscrossing streets and alleys and numerous shops, making it the most prosperous city in the vicinity.

More than half of the businesses in the city are inextricably linked to the Zhou family—grain shops, cloth shops, pharmacies, pawnshops… Zhou family signs can be seen everywhere.

To ordinary people, the Zhou family is the heaven of Qing Shi City.

But at this moment, the city is shrouded in sorrow.

The entire city was dressed in white.

White banners were hung in front of every household, and pedestrians on the street were all dressed in plain clothes. Even the usually noisy vendors were quiet and dared not shout their wares.

This is because Zhou Yong, the foundation-building ancestor of the Zhou family, has passed away.

The pillar that had supported the Zhou family for two hundred years has fallen.

The Zhou Family Compound is located in the very center of Qing Shi City, covering an area of several dozen acres. It features pavilions, towers, carved beams, and painted rafters, exuding an extraordinary grandeur.

At this moment, a funeral is being held in the courtyard.

The mourning hall was set up in the main hall of the front yard, surrounded by white curtains, flickering candlelight, and swirling incense smoke.

In the center was a fine coffin made of golden nanmu wood, the lid of which was half open. Inside, one could vaguely see an elderly man with white hair, his face peaceful, as if he were simply asleep.

In front of the coffin, various offerings were placed on the altar, and wisps of smoke rose from the incense burner.

The Zhou family members knelt on the ground, a dozen or so men, women, and children, all dressed in mourning clothes, sobbing softly.

The sound of weeping rose and fell, and a somber atmosphere enveloped the entire mourning hall.

Just then, a whooshing sound came from the horizon.

A white streak of light streaked across the sky at an astonishing speed, landing in the Zhou family compound in the blink of an eye.

It was the Divine Wind Boat.

Zhou Ding stood at the bow of the boat, dressed in a long blue robe, his face calm and expressionless.

Zhou Long followed closely behind and jumped off the boat.

"Greetings, Ancestor!"

The Zhou family members all stood up and bowed to Zhou Ding with the utmost respect.

Some people secretly looked up at the newly promoted Foundation Establishment Ancestor of the family, their eyes filled with awe and curiosity.

In the world of cultivation, only cultivation level matters, not seniority.

In terms of age, most of the people present were Zhou Ding's elders.

There were uncles, aunts, and even elderly clan elders with white hair. According to seniority, Zhou Ding should call them "uncle" or "paternal uncle".

At this moment, however, they could only respectfully address Zhou Ding as "Ancestor".

Because Zhou Ding is a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

He is the only Foundation Establishment cultivator in the Zhou family at present.

After Zhou Yong's death, Zhou Ding was directly regarded by the Zhou family as the new patriarch of the Zhou family, and no one raised any objections.

This is the rule of the cultivation world.

Cultivation determines everything.

Zhou Ding remained expressionless, his gaze sweeping over everyone before he nodded slightly in return.

He didn't say much and went straight to the mourning hall.

The Zhou family members quickly made way for them, lowering their heads and looking down, not daring to look directly at each other.

Zhou Ding entered the mourning hall and came to the coffin.

Inside the coffin, Zhou Yong lay quietly, his face serene, his eyes closed, as if he were simply asleep.

He looked at that aged face, and a complex emotion welled up in his heart.

This ancestor sacrificed everything for the family.

Now it has finally come to an end.

He paused for a moment, then took three incense sticks from the offering table, lit them, and respectfully placed them in the incense burner.

Then, he bowed deeply to the coffin.

Regardless, this old man sheltered the Zhou family.

He deserves to bow to them.

Upon seeing this, the Zhou family members' eyes flashed with complex emotions.

Some were gratified, some were grateful, and some secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Although the ancestor is dead, Zhou Ding still exists.

The Zhou family will not fall.

……

After the funeral, Zhou Ding led Zhou Long to a quiet room.

This is a quiet little courtyard, far away from the hustle and bustle of the funeral hall. Several clumps of green bamboo are planted around it, making it serene and elegant.

Zhou Ding sat down on the stone bench, his gaze falling on Zhou Long.

Zhou Long stood to the side with his head down, looking uneasy, wondering what his cousin was going to say.

After a moment, Zhou Ding spoke.

"I will not interfere in the affairs of the Zhou family."

His tone was cold and devoid of any emotion.

Zhou Long was stunned, and then his face turned pale.

He looked up at Zhou Ding in disbelief, his lips trembling, but no sound came out.

Zhou Ding remained calm as he met his gaze.

"Uncle-Master Zhou..." Zhou Long's voice was hoarse and trembling, "You... you mean..."

"I said, I won't get involved in the Zhou family's affairs."

Zhou Ding repeated it, his tone still indifferent.

Zhou Long's legs went weak, and he knelt on the ground with a thud.

"Uncle-Master Zhou! Please save the Zhou family!"

His voice trembled with tears, and his eyes reddened.

"With the Ancestor gone, the Li family is eyeing us covetously, and those forces with grudges against the Zhou family are also stirring. Without you in charge, the Zhou family... the Zhou family is finished!"

He knelt on the ground and kowtowed heavily, his forehead hitting the bluestone floor with a dull thud.

"Please save the Zhou family! Please!"

Zhou Ding looked at him, a complex emotion welling up inside him.

Zhou Long, his once spirited cousin, now kneels before him, humble as dust.

This is the world of cultivation.

Without cultivation, one is nothing.

He remained silent for a moment, then took out a jade bottle from his bosom and tossed it to Zhou Long.

Zhou Long caught it instinctively, and when he looked down, his pupils suddenly contracted.

"Foundation Pill!"

He gasped in disbelief.

Inside the jade bottle lay a pill the size of a longan, crystal clear and emitting a rich medicinal fragrance.

It was the Foundation Establishment Pill he had been dreaming of!

When he came out of the Crimson Forbidden Land, he obtained some spiritual herbs, but the Foundation Establishment Pills he exchanged for failed to help him establish his foundation.

He thought he would never have another chance in his life.

But now, another Foundation Establishment Pill has appeared before him.

Zhou Long's hands trembled, and his eyes flashed with a mixture of emotions: ecstasy, gratitude, disbelief...

He raised his head and looked at Zhou Ding, his lips trembling, but he couldn't say a word.

Zhou Ding looked at him, his tone still cold.

"My focus is on cultivation, and I have no interest in managing family affairs. This Foundation Establishment Pill is your last chance."

He paused, then looked directly at Zhou Long.

"If you fail again, then disband the Zhou family."

Zhou Long's body trembled, and a resolute look flashed in his eyes.

He took a deep breath and kowtowed three times to Zhou Ding.

"Yes, Uncle-Master Zhou. This disciple... will certainly not let you down!"

Zhou Ding nodded, said no more, and got up to leave.

……

After leaving Qing Shi City, Zhou Ding did not return to his cave dwelling, but instead boarded the Divine Wind Boat and headed north.

His target is Flying Cloud City.

Feiyun City is located eighty miles north of Qingshi City. It is about the same size as Qingshi City and is the territory of another cultivation family, the Li family.

The reason for the fall of the Zhou family patriarch was the dispute between the Zhou and Li families.

Zhou Ding had already learned the details of what happened from Zhou Long.

The Zhou family owns a shop in the market, which sells medicinal herbs and does quite well.

The Li family, envious, wanted to buy the shop at a low price.

The Zhou family naturally refused, and a dispute arose between the two sides, escalating from verbal arguments to a battle of wits, which eventually alarmed the ancestors of both families.

Zhou Yong and the Li family patriarch made a pact to determine the winner through a magical duel.

"In Huangfeng Valley, I Have a Demonic Beast Clone!" is currently sparking a reading frenzy on Cola Novels. Haven't you read it yet? The winner gets the shop, and the loser is not held accountable.

result……

Zhou Yong was no match for the enemy and was mortally wounded.

The Li family patriarch also served in Huangfeng Valley as an outer sect steward, with a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation level.

According to the rules of the sect, the sect will not intervene in such disputes between families as long as they do not involve the sect's fundamental interests.

In other words, Zhou Yong died in vain.

Zhou Ding stood calmly on the Divine Wind Boat, his gaze fixed on the north.

He didn't really have much affection for the Zhou family.

But he was ultimately surnamed Zhou, and the blood of the Zhou family flowed in his veins.

Zhou Yong died because he was outmatched; he had no reason to complain.

But the Li family patriarch...

A cold glint flashed in Zhou Ding's eyes.

He was neither a virtuous gentleman nor did he possess the magnanimity to repay evil with good.

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

This is the rule in the cultivation world.

……

Night falls.

Feiyun City was shrouded in night, with sparse lights and complete silence.

Zhou Ding concealed his aura and landed silently in a grove of trees outside the city.

He released Xiao Jin and communicated with him telepathically.

Xiao Jin understood immediately, then disappeared underground and used his Earth Listening Technique.

A moment later, Xiao Jin's feedback came through.

The location of the Li family compound, the location of the Li family patriarch, the distribution of guards, the location of the treasure vault, the distribution of array formations and restrictions... all appeared clearly in Zhou Ding's mind.

The Li Family Compound is located in the center of Feiyun City, covering an area even larger than the Zhou Family Compound, with pavilions and towers, exuding an extraordinary grandeur.

The Li family patriarch was currently meditating in a quiet room in the backyard, protected by an array. He was immersed in cultivation.

With the light of breaking the seal present, this so-called formation...

For Zhou Ding, it was practically useless.

"Let's go."

Xiao Jin emerged from the ground, its body shimmering with purple light, enveloping Zhou Ding within it.

The next moment, the man and the beast disappeared into the ground.

……

Deep underground, Zhou Ding, led by Xiao Jin, traveled silently through the land.

The surrounding area was filled with hard rocks and soil, but thanks to the earth-burrowing technique, these obstacles seemed to disappear.

A moment later, they arrived directly below the Li family compound.

Xiao Jin adjusted its direction and moved upwards.

Passing through layers of rock several meters thick, passing through the basement walls, passing through...

……

In the quiet room, the Li family patriarch sat cross-legged, cultivating with his eyes closed.

This was an elderly man with a gaunt face, white hair and beard, wearing a gray robe, surrounded by spiritual energy, and with a calm and steady demeanor.

Mid-stage of foundation building, genuine and high-quality.

Zhou Ding hid underground and used his divine sense to observe the old man.

He slowly took out the Wulong sword.

At the same time, with a thought, he manipulated Xiao Jin's actions.

The next moment, it suddenly sprinted upwards, instantly passing through the last layer of rock!

Suddenly, a crack appeared in the floor of the quiet room!

Two figures leaped out from within!

The Li family patriarch suddenly opened his eyes, his pupils shrinking sharply!

"who--" Before he could finish speaking, Zhou Ding had already lunged forward, and the Black Dragon Sword was aimed fiercely at his chest!

The Li family patriarch reacted extremely quickly, raising his hand to cast a defensive spell, instantly enveloping his entire body in a layer of earth-yellow light.

but-- The moment Wulongduo's claws touched the light shield, the yellowish-brown shield shattered instantly, as if it were made of paper!

"What?!"

The Li family patriarch was utterly terrified. Without a second thought, he retreated rapidly, simultaneously retrieving a talisman from his robes— The Li family patriarch stared wide-eyed at the pair of dark golden dragon claws on his chest, his eyes filled with disbelief.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but only spat out a mouthful of blood.

"You... you are..."

Zhou Ding remained expressionless and flicked his wrist.

The black dragon churned inside Li Jia's body, shattering his heart.

The patriarch of the Li family stiffened, and the light in his eyes quickly faded.

"The Zhou family... people..."

He managed to utter those words before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.

Zhou Ding withdrew the Black Dragon Spear, looked at the corpse on the ground, and remained calm.

He crouched down, took the storage bag from the waist of the Li family patriarch, and probed it with his divine sense.

Spirit stones, elixirs, magical artifacts, materials... lots of good stuff.

He nodded in satisfaction and put the storage bag away.

Then, he raised his hand and waved it, and a ball of Foundation Establishment True Fire landed on the corpse.

The flames spread instantly, engulfing the corpse.

Moments later, the Li family patriarch turned into ashes and left no trace.

Zhou Ding stood up and glanced around the quiet room.

No trace was left.

The next moment, they disappeared underground again.

……

The Li family's treasure vault is located three zhang underground.

Zhou Ding hid underground, observing the array formations and restrictions ahead through the purple light.

It was a yellowish-brown light shield that enveloped the entire treasure vault.

Runes flowed across the light shield, faintly emanating a heavy aura.

Judging from the fluctuations in the restriction, it is strong enough to withstand a full-force attack from a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Purple light shimmered around Xiao Jin, enveloping Zhou Ding.

The next moment, the two walked forward.

The moment the purple light touched the light shield, the seemingly indestructible barrier rippled like water, cracking open!

Zhou Ding and Xiao Jin crawled through the opening.

Throughout the entire process, the ban offered no resistance whatsoever, and didn't even issue any alarms!

Zhou Ding's lips curled up slightly.

The Light of Breaking the Restriction is indeed very useful.

The treasure vault was not large, about two zhang square.

Several rows of wooden shelves were placed around the perimeter, piled high with various items.

Spirit stones, elixirs, magical artifacts... there are many kinds.

Zhou Ding glanced over and was secretly surprised.

The Li family is far wealthier than the Zhou family.

But now, they all belong to him.

Without saying a word, he took out his storage bag and began to loot.

In just a few breaths, he looted the entire treasure vault, leaving not a single spirit stone behind.

Zhou Ding clapped his hands in satisfaction, glanced at the empty treasure vault, and turned to leave.

……

The night remained deep.

Zhou Ding stood atop a hill outside Feiyun City, looking back at the city shrouded in night.

The Li family compound was still brightly lit, and the guards were still patrolling, completely unaware that their ancestor had been reduced to ashes and that the treasure vault was empty.

Zhou Ding smiled slightly and turned to leave.

The Divine Wind Boat transformed into a white streak of light and disappeared into the vast night.

Soon after, the Li family will discover that their ancestor has disappeared and that their treasure vault has been looted.

Without the patriarch's protection and having lost the treasure trove, the Li family has completely declined.

They could no longer be enemies with the Zhou family.

As for the Zhou family...

Zhou Ding's gaze remained calm.

He has done what he was supposed to do.

Now, it's up to Zhou Long's own fate.

If the foundation building is successful, the Zhou family can continue to exist.

If it fails again...

Then let them fend for themselves.

He snapped out of his thoughts, urged the Divine Wind Boat forward, and sped towards the Taiyue Mountains.

Cultivating immortality and achieving eternal life.

That is what he pursues.