Protect Our Patriarch

……

Just as Wang Zong'an watched in trepidation, Liu Ruolan had already walked past Celestial Maiden Tianyan and Wang Shouzhe, arriving in the sky above.

She stood there, her gaze cold as she glanced at Cao Youqing, and casually pointed with her slender jade-like finger.

"Buzz~~"

A tremor seemed to echo through the void.

A gigantic humanoid Dharma Aspect suddenly appeared behind her.

Compared to before, the outline of this Dharma Aspect had become slightly clearer. The female figure, which bore a striking resemblance to Liu Ruolan, wore flowing celestial robes and fluttering sashes, exuding an aura of immense power and majesty, making one's heart tremble with fear.

With the blessing of this Dharma Aspect, Liu Ruolan herself seemed to transform into a celestial maiden, exuding an unparalleled grace and beauty.

This was the might of the Primordial Water Dao Body.

Compared to Cao Youqing's Heavenly Thunder Spirit Body, the mere presence of Liu Ruolan's Primordial Water Dao Body's Dharma Aspect overshadowed Cao Youqing, diminishing her domineering Purple Sky Thunder Sword Intent.

At the same time, a torrent of Primordial Water Spiritual Qi surged like a tsunami, quickly condensing at her slender, jade-like fingertip, collapsing inward, and then collapsing again.

In an instant, the vast ocean of Primordial Water Spiritual Qi was condensed into a tiny droplet the size of a soybean, trembling as if it were an ordinary water droplet.

With a flick of her finger, the droplet floated towards Cao Youqing's Purple Sky Thunder Sword Intent.

"Boom!"

As the "water droplet" touched the sword intent, the immense Primordial Water Spiritual Qi exploded, shattering the Purple Sky Thunder Sword Intent like a burst silver bottle.

Even the space around them trembled and roared, the explosion causing one's eardrums to ache and heart to tremble.

"Ugh!"

Cao Youqing was struck as if by a heavy blow, spitting blood as she was sent flying dozens of meters through the air before she could barely stabilize herself.

She stared at Liu Ruolan in horror.

Who was this woman? How could this be possible!?

Everything happened in an instant.

Not only was Cao Youqing shocked, but even Celestial Maiden Tianyan's pupils contracted, filled with disbelief.

Cao Youqing, who had unleashed her full power, was repelled in one move by this mysterious woman. The strength of this mysterious woman was simply too formidable!

"Mother..."

Wang Zong'an murmured as he looked at the domineering yet beautiful figure in the sky. As expected of his mother, still so powerful and imposing!

"Mother?"

Celestial Maiden Tianyan was momentarily stunned, her gaze towards Liu Ruolan becoming somewhat evasive and flickering.

So, she was the legitimate wife of Young Master Shouzhe!

In the sky.

Without giving Cao Youqing a chance to react, Liu Ruolan struck again. With the blessing of her Primordial Water Dao Body, every move she made was imbued with the overwhelming power of the Primordial Water Heavenly Dao.

Especially over this vast ocean, the power of her Primordial Water Dao Body was brought to its peak.

Cao Youqing, despite being a prodigy of the Saintly Land with a cultivation at the eighth level of the Celestial Realm and possessing unfathomable strength, could only defend against Liu Ruolan's attacks without any means to counterattack.

"This... this... So the legitimate wife of Young Master Shouzhe is this powerful? To have a Primordial Water Dao Body at the Celestial Realm, she must be an extraordinary prodigy. With her cultivation at the peak of the third level of the Celestial Realm, she can suppress Cao Youqing! It seems she is no ordinary prodigy."

Celestial Maiden Tianyan watched the fierce battle in the sky from a distance, swallowing nervously and glancing weakly at Wang Shouzhe.

No wonder, despite her repeated hints to become Young Master Shouzhe's concubine, he had always skillfully evaded.

With such a formidable wife at home, how could he dare take a concubine?

For a moment, Celestial Maiden Tianyan's beautiful eyes darted around, plotting something unknown.

"Liu Ruolan! So you are Liu Ruolan, the true hidden prodigy of the Wang Clan, no wonder you could give birth to such an extraordinary daughter like Wang Liyao."

Cao Youqing shouted angrily as she was beaten, her voice filled with both rage and despair, "But if you think you can defeat me, you are mistaken."

"Let me show you the true Purple Sky Thunder Intent I comprehended during my fifteen years in the Land of Thunder Punishment! Even if you are a prodigy, your cultivation is too weak!"

As Cao Youqing shouted, her aura surged once more, and bolts of purple lightning, like purple flood dragons, coiled around her body.

The intent of the lightning even tore through the air, invading the water.

In an instant, fish, shrimp, and crabs floated to the surface of the water~

"What a strong Purple Sky Thunder Intent." Celestial Maiden Tianyan's face changed slightly, "Although Cao Youqing is somewhat impetuous, her talent and comprehension are indeed remarkable. With her current understanding of the Purple Sky Thunder Intent, there is almost no obstacle for her to enter the Purple Mansion Realm in the future. What a pity... what a pity... Huh, Young Master Shouzhe, Zong'an, aren't you worried?"

Worried?

Wang Shouzhe and his son exchanged a glance, seeing the calmness in each other's eyes. They both shook their heads simultaneously, not worried at all.

The one who should be worried was probably Cao Youqing.

At the same time.

Cao Youqing's Purple Sky Thunder Intent reached its peak.

The frenzied Purple Sky Thunder Intent finally condensed into a Purple Sky Thunder Sword, carrying an aura of destruction as it slashed towards Liu Ruolan.

That sword caused the sky to tremble and the space to shake, as if it could shatter a small mountain into pieces.

At this moment.

"Interesting."

Liu Ruolan seemed to take things seriously, her eyes changing as a bone-chilling coldness emanated from her.

"Clang~"

A clear sword cry echoed.

From her waist, a slender soft sword suddenly unsheathed, falling into her hand in an instant.

It was a long, slender soft sword, appearing as if forged from flowing water, with intricate runes slowly floating on its blade, looking extremely mysterious.

This sword was named "Ruoshui Sword," a replica of the divine treasure "Ruoshui True Spirit Sword."

After Liu Ruolan ascended to the Celestial Realm, Wang Shouzhe had spent several years searching for a suitable treasure for her, finally acquiring this water-element soft sword at an auction.

However, due to Liu Ruolan's already formidable combat prowess, ordinary techniques were enough to overpower her peers, this sword had never been truly unsheathed until now.

With the sword in hand, Liu Ruolan's aura became sharply intense.

With a flick of her wrist, a water-like sword intent emerged.

Suddenly, everything fell silent.

Time seemed to freeze at this moment.

The turbulent waves on the sea, the flying arcs of electricity, all seemed to encounter an irresistible force, freezing in mid-air.

Even Cao Youqing's seemingly world-destroying Purple Sky Thunder Sword Intent froze in the air.

The water-like sword intent sliced through the air, colliding with the Purple Sky Thunder Sword Intent in an instant.

"Boom~~~!!!"

A massive explosion erupted, the overwhelming power bursting forth.

The seemingly frozen space-time finally returned to normal at this moment.

The terrifying shockwave swept across, Cao Youqing's body trembled, her Thunder Sword almost slipping from her hand, and she was sent flying, crashing into the sea.

At the same time, blood began to spread in the water.

Clearly, this strike had severely injured Cao Youqing.

The scene fell silent.

Wei Wenxun's eyes widened, sweat pouring from his head in fear.

They were all early-stage Celestial Realm cultivators, how could there be such a vast difference? If he had taken that strike, he would have been shattered to pieces.

Fortunately, he hadn't clashed with the Wang Clan when he was the garrison commander of Changning. The Wang Clan had such a terrifying hidden card...

Celestial Maiden Tianyan's mouth, under her veil, was wide open, her eyes round with disbelief.

Even Wang Shouzhe and his son were taken aback, realizing that their wife/mother had become even more powerful.

It was truly infuriating to compare oneself to others. Despite being a prodigy, she didn't seem to put much effort into cultivation... yet they could never catch up to her!

Was the [Innate Dao Embryo Spirit Seed] from the Shenwu Royal Dynasty really that powerful?

The father and son couldn't help but fall into deep self-doubt.

After this.

With her ultimate move broken, Cao Youqing lost the will to fight. Severely injured, she emerged from the water and used a secret technique to escape.

But in the vast Qingluo Sea, it seemed like Liu Ruolan's Primordial Water Dao Body's domain. No matter how Cao Youqing tried to escape, she couldn't get away from Liu Ruolan.

Not to mention, with Wang Shouzhe's usual meticulous planning, how could he not have more contingencies?

Beneath the surrounding sea, Wang Shouzhe had long planted water vines. No matter where Cao Youqing fled or what method she used, she would be intercepted. And that moment was enough for Liu Ruolan to catch up.

Two quarters of an hour later.

Cao Youqing was slain on the sea dozens of miles away, the prodigy of the Saintly Land falling in the Qingluo Sea.

Not long after.

Liu Ruolan, having collected the spoils of war, gracefully returned to Wang Shouzhe's side.

Wang Shouzhe and Wang Zong'an hurriedly approached, speaking to their wife/mother with concern and care.

"You've worked hard, my dear. Are you hurt? Is there any discomfort? Ah~ Such a villain, leave them to me in the future, no need to trouble yourself."

"Mother, it's my fault for being incompetent, not having enough cultivation, and making you handle these scoundrels personally. Don't worry, I will train harder to protect you."

The father and son flattered her skillfully, one after another, constantly pushing the boundaries of human decency.

Suddenly!

Liu Ruolan's cold eyes turned to Celestial Maiden Tianyan, scrutinizing her from head to toe.

Wang Zong'an's heart skipped a beat, sensing trouble.

Although Celestial Maiden Tianyan had repeatedly expressed her desire to be his father's concubine, she had helped his father and the clan during this crisis. If his mother killed her, it would be...

At the same time, Wang Zong'an received a signal from his father's eyes.

Alright!

In such a situation, only I, the young clan leader, can mediate.

Wang Zong'an steeled himself, preparing to speak up for Celestial Maiden Tianyan, but she moved even faster, suddenly darting to Liu Ruolan's side.

Wang Zong'an was so frightened that he stopped breathing.

No, no, could it be? Celestial Maiden Tianyan, after witnessing his mother's strength, still dared to approach her, was she seeking death?

Unexpectedly, the situation took an unexpected turn.

"Sister, you're so powerful, so domineering." As soon as she reached Liu Ruolan, Celestial Maiden Tianyan acted like a little bird, coquettishly saying, "I was worried about you earlier~~ but who would have thought, how could that wretch Cao Youqing be your match?"

"Sister, your move just now was so impressive. Little Tianyan felt like she saw a celestial maiden descending, unparalleled in beauty and grace. I wonder how many lifetimes of fortune Young Master Shouzhe must have accumulated to marry a celestial like you."

"Sister, your skin is so good, do you use the Wang Clan's skincare products? Ah, you don't? Boohoo~ It's really infuriating to compare oneself to others~ Sister, you are naturally beautiful, truly incomparable to us mere mortals..."

Her expression, her demeanor, her words, were even more sycophantic and shameless than Wang Shouzhe and Wang Zong'an.

Wang Zong'an's eyes widened in shock, and even the usually calm Wang Shouzhe was stunned and bewildered.

A quarter of an hour later.

Liu Ruolan was comfortably flattered. The two women chatted intimately, discussing skincare, cooking, and other domestic topics.

Under Celestial Maiden Tianyan's flattery, Liu Ruolan's "culinary goddess" bloodline was stirred, and she began inviting Celestial Maiden Tianyan to visit the Wang Clan, promising to cook for her...

Wang Shouzhe and his son exchanged glances, amazed by Celestial Maiden Tianyan's tactics.

Could she be planning a roundabout way to achieve her goal?

……

Following Cao Youqing's death, a few days later, the "Ancestor Kunhao" of the Cao Clan was also killed in a three-on-one battle at the edge of the Qingluo Sea.

Compared to Celestial Realm cultivators, Purple Mansion Realm cultivators had much stronger survival abilities, especially an old ancestor like "Ancestor Kunhao" who had lived for hundreds of years and had countless hidden cards. Naturally, killing him was much more difficult.

Defeating him with three against one was already quite an impressive feat.

Not long after.

This news spread throughout Longzuo Commandery and Longyuan Commandery, even reaching Qing'an Commandery and other places.

Purple Mansion Realm cultivators were already rare, and cases of them dying in internal conflicts were even rarer, aside from natural death due to old age or falling in outer region battlefields. Moreover, along with Ancestor Kunhao's death, there was also the prodigy Cao Youqing from the Saintly Land.

Naturally, this sparked widespread discussion and attention.

However, Commandery Governor Taishi Ankang of Longzuo Commandery had already prepared, submitting evidence to the capital and the Saintly Land to prove that Ancestor Kunhao and Cao Youqing had committed crimes first, leading to their deaths, while Wang Shouzhe and others were merely "defending themselves."

The investigation and developments will not be detailed here.

To most people, this news was just a topic of conversation over meals.

However, for the Cao Clan of Longyuan Commandery, it was a devastating blow.

While the clan was still in mourning, crises followed one after another.

Former rivals bared their fangs, beginning to suppress and bully the Cao Clan. Former allies, those with some sense, avoided them to avoid being implicated, while those without scruples began to kick them while they were down, trying to take advantage.

Whether the Cao Clan could survive this crisis was uncertain, but their decline was already inevitable.

Conversely, as the ultimate victors, the Qian Clan of Longzuo Commandery and the Wang Clan of Changning saw their prestige soar in Longzuo and Longyuan Commanderies, even surpassing other local Purple Mansion Clans in the short term.

……

At the same time.

Beyond Monan Commandery, it was no longer the territory of the Great Qian.

Crossing the vast outer region grasslands and deserts, heading north, one would reach a vast forested area.

Beyond this forested area, heading further north, one would reach a relatively flat and less complex plateau known as the "Northern Desert Plateau."

On this plateau lived a people who survived by hunting and herding, calling themselves the "Kuyeswa."

In their language, "Kuyeswa" means "Children of the Sky and Earth."

The Kuyeswa revered the golden-winged roc and the ancient wolf as their totems, believing themselves to be descendants of these sky and earth kings, favored by both sky and earth.

In the Great Qian, they were known by another name—"Northern Desert Barbarians."

The Northern Desert Barbarians were a vassal state of the Great Qian, acknowledging the Great Qian as their suzerain. Every ten years, they would send trade caravans to the Great Qian, and the Great Qian would also send trade caravans to the Northern Desert.

Many popular breeds of cattle and horses in the Great Qian, such as the Northern Heavy Crossbow Horse and Northern Beef Cattle, trace their lineage back to the Northern Desert Barbarians, being hybrids of local and Northern Desert breeds.

Correspondingly, the Great Qian's influence on the Northern Desert Barbarians was immense.

The crown princes of the Northern Desert, upon becoming crown princes, would go to the Lingyun Holy Land in the Great Qian to study for decades before returning to inherit the throne.

Over thousands of years, the Great Qian's culture had deeply rooted itself in the Northern Desert.

One of the most obvious signs was that even in ordinary Northern Desert households, one could find many exquisite items and fabrics from the Great Qian. On the dressing tables of royal women, one could even find skincare products from the southern Great Qian.

Even cultivators who didn't speak the barbarian language wouldn't face much communication barrier in the Northern Desert. Most ordinary barbarians could speak some accented official language of the Great Qian, enough to get by with some guessing and stumbling.

The Northern Desert Barbarians no longer solely relied on herding for survival, having developed a unique system of farming and animal husbandry. The tribespeople mostly lived in scattered settlements across the plateau.

At the center of the plateau was the power center of the Northern Desert Barbarians, the location of the Northern Desert Royal Court.

This was also the most prosperous place in the Northern Desert. Although no city was built due to environmental constraints, there was a massive camp, with the royal tent situated within.

One day.

As dusk approached, the sky was painted a brilliant red by the setting sun, and even the ancient trees and colorful totem flags in the camp were bathed in a gentle hue.

A gigantic silver-gray wolf lay lazily at the camp gate, half-closed eyes dozing.

The cold wind of the Northern Desert seemed to have no effect on it, its breath causing the surrounding spiritual energy to ebb and flow like tides, intimidating anyone who saw it.

Unintentionally invoking the power of heaven and earth was something only Purple Mansion Realm and above experts could do, and for a fierce beast, it required at least the seventh rank.

This wolf was a seventh-rank or higher fierce beast.

Suddenly.

The wolf's ears perked up.

At the same time, its eyes opened, dark purple pupils filled with hostility, staring into the distance.

In the distance, near the horizon, a shadow was slowly approaching in the setting sun.

After a moment, the wolf seemed to confirm something, shook its ears, and lay back down, closing its eyes to continue dozing.

As it got closer, it became clear that the approaching shadow was the corpse of a gigantic Northern Desert yak.

Even lying down, the yak was at least two stories high, its fur thick like several layers of blankets.

In front of the yak, a group of young people were dragging its corpse, chatting and laughing as they walked.

The most noticeable among them was a tall, fair-skinned girl in thick fur clothing.

She walked proudly at the front, surrounded by young people who looked at her with admiration.

This girl was none other than Wang Lici, who had been away from home for a long time.

Wang Lici was only two years younger than Wang Shouzhe, now in her late fifties, almost sixty. She had already ascended to the Celestial Realm when she first arrived at the Northern Desert Plateau.

With the abundant supply of fierce beast meat on the plateau, her strength had grown rapidly. Over the past five years, she had reached the mid-to-late stages of the first level of the Celestial Realm. In another three to five years, she would likely ascend to the second level.

The only regret was that despite the formidable fierce beasts on the plateau, and even with her master Yunyang personally hunting a seventh-rank wild giant yak for her, her bloodline aptitude had not improved significantly, still remaining at mid-grade.

However, according to her master Yunyang, the fact that her bloodline could still improve was already a great fortune.

For others, after becoming a great prodigy, further enhancing their bloodline would require high-grade pills of the seventh, eighth, or even ninth rank, or treasures of equivalent level. Such items were extremely rare and costly. Even a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator, or a Divine Realm expert, would have to spend a fortune to obtain them.

But Wang Lici, with her innate Glutton bloodline, could continue to improve her bloodline aptitude.

Over the years, Wang Lici had become well-acquainted with the young people of the Northern Desert Barbarians due to her frequent hunting trips and her approachable nature. Many young people enjoyed accompanying her on hunts, and the spots for her hunting parties were highly sought after.

"Lici Senior, I want to join you on the next hunt."

"Lici Senior, please take me next time."

Laughing and chatting, the group of young people unknowingly approached the royal camp.

However, before they could enter, a loud explosion erupted from within the camp.

Two figures, one chasing the other, burst out of the camp and began fighting in the sky.

One was a tall, robust woman in rough armor, yet strikingly beautiful. She wore thick braids and wielded two giant axes, exuding an aura of a war goddess.

This woman was the current queen of the Northern Desert Barbarians, who had studied in the Great Qian's Holy Land in her youth.

Her strength was formidable, each swing of her axes seemed to tear the sky apart.

The other was an elderly man with white hair and beard, dressed in a gray robe, barely able to defend himself, looking extremely disheveled.

"Yunyang Junior Brother, you've lived off me for years, eating and drinking at my expense, and you won't even spar with me?" The queen's voice was thunderous, matching her striking appearance.

"Please, Queen Senior, have mercy." Yunyang cried out while desperately defending himself, "You're a Divine Realm expert, bullying a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator like me? If you're so capable, go fight Langya. Remember how arrogant he was?"

"Do you think I don't dare to fight Langya?" The queen put away her axes and began pummeling Yunyang with her fists, "I'm planning to take my daughter to the Holy Land soon, and I'll find a chance to beat Langya up."

"Daughter? I thought you never married because you liked... Where did this daughter come from? I've never seen her. Could it be..." Yunyang's curiosity got the better of him even as he cried out in pain.

"Hehe~ Yunyang Junior Brother, you're still as easy to provoke. Let me satisfy your special needs!"

"Senior, I was wrong! I really was wrong."

Meanwhile, a row of young Northern Desert children peeked out from a trench, watching the spectacle with great interest. So the queen had such a past, and that old man Yunyang was quite resilient, taking so many hits from the queen.

Among the children was Wang Lici, who watched her master being beaten with sympathy. Her master was enduring this for her bloodline's sake.

She remembered that the queen had been quite fond of her in the first couple of years... But in recent years, the queen had started challenging her master frequently, often hinting at their poverty and suggesting that Yunyang should take her to the Han Yue Immortal Dynasty to broaden her horizons.

These hints were very familiar to Wang Lici.

Whenever she heard such hints, she knew it was time to move again.

However, in two months, it would be the "New Moon Festival," a once-in-thirty-years event on the Northern Desert Plateau. During this time, the power of the moon would be at its peak, and many young wolves with excellent bloodline potential would be born in the wolf packs.

She needed to figure out how to snatch a few wolf pups from the wolf king to raise as mounts for her younger relatives back home~

Five days after the New Moon Festival at the Northern Desert Royal Court.

Yunyang and Wang Lici, carrying large bags and followed by a pack of young wolf pups, stood at the edge of the Northern Desert Royal Court.

They were full of energy, looking quite spirited.

"Girl, did you enjoy the Northern Desert Royal Court?"

"Yes, it was fun. The queen even gave me many gifts before we left."

"Once we cross this vast ice field and then the ocean, we'll reach the famous Han Yue Immortal Dynasty, which is even more fun."

"Yay~~" Wang Lici howled excitedly, "Han Yue Immortal Dynasty, here comes Miss Lici! Wait for me~ Awooo~"

"Awooo~" The wolf pups howled along with her.

……

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