Hundreds of miles away, a middle-aged cultivator was leisurely flying east on a white crane.
He was dressed in a cloud-white scholar's robe, with a fair, clean-shaven face. He looked handsome, yet possessed a hint of effeminate charm.
This person was none other than Senior Zhao, Zhao Yanhua, a cultivator from the Zhao family, one of the ten great families of the Jiang Kingdom.
Suddenly, Zhao Yanhua, who had been resting with his eyes closed, snapped them open.
He raised his hand and grasped, a grayish-white aura swirling around it.
The next moment, a ball of fire appeared in his hand, and Xue Danping's voice came from within.
After listening, Zhao Yanhua couldn't help but show a look of pleasant surprise on his face. "It's the Wood Origin Fruit! Fortunately, I kept a close eye. Although I only heard fragments before, I still managed to plant the [Thousand-Pulling Technique] on that girl. Heh heh, it seems this treasure is destined for me."
After speaking, he showed a pensive expression, as if hesitant.
Not for long, he decisively said, "Forget it, this Wood Origin Fruit is worth me using the [Treasure-Seeking Art] one more time."
With his decision made, Zhao Yanhua's hand seals changed, and he chanted incantations.
At the same time, a yellow glow began to emanate from him. Behind him, the phantom image of a rat-like demonic beast slowly appeared, exuding a powerful, ancient aura.
As the phantom image of the demonic beast appeared, Zhao Yanhua's pupils turned a strange yellow.
He looked towards the southwest and let out a soft exclamation, "Why is there the aura of other clansmen besides the treasure's aura? I thought only I had come to Thousand Wave Lake..."
Immediately, the yellow light on his body trembled violently.
The giant rat phantom behind him seemed to become very agitated, roaring incessantly.
Zhao Yanhua exclaimed in shock, "No! The bloodline aura is so strong! Could it be the clan member I've been looking for!?"
His eyes suddenly lit up, and without hesitation, he urged his mount forward, speeding towards the southwest.
On the other side, Ning Fa had already rendezvoused with others on Black Rock Island.
Then, without hesitation, they rushed directly towards the Ning family in the northwest.
On the flying boat, Xiao Yu circled Ning Fa, her eyes shining.
"Uncle Fa, what good stuff is it? Hurry and let me see! This aura is truly intoxicating!"
Xiao Yu said, almost drooling.
Yun Ying's beautiful eyes were also fixed on Ning Fa. Although her expression remained calm, Ning Fa could still sense a hint of longing in her eyes.
Ning Fa's heart stirred. Yun Ying was a 幽木灵体, so the Wood Origin Fruit was likely of great significance to her.
However, he wouldn't rashly give it to her.
Just then, Ning Fa's expression changed drastically. He looked up sharply towards the east.
He saw a yellow escape light rapidly approaching.
Judging by its powerful spiritual pressure, it was clearly a Foundation Establishment Cultivator!
"Not good!"
Ning Fa instinctively thought it might be a Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Xue family, or even from the Chongyuan Society. His brow furrowed deeply.
Judging by the spiritual pressure, the opponent was only in the early stage of Foundation Establishment. With the White River Chariot Talisman Treasure in hand, he should be able to escape, so he wasn't too afraid.
The key was what to do about the others.
Ning Fa decided not to leave yet.
Their side wasn't weak, and they had several talisman treasures. With him, a master, leading them, they might be able to contend with the opponent.
At this moment, the others also noticed the Foundation Establishment Cultivator rapidly approaching, and their expressions changed.
At Ning Fa's command, Ning Yunhui sent out a special signal to request urgent reinforcements from the family.
The flying boat landed directly on a nearby deserted island, and everyone took out their magic tools, ready to face the enemy.
A moment later, the Foundation Establishment Cultivator arrived.
Seeing this person, Ning Fa couldn't help but be stunned, feeling greatly surprised.
He recognized this person as the Zhao family Foundation Establishment Cultivator he had met once before at Tianshui Market.
Back then, Xue Danping had been very polite to him, indicating his distinguished status.
Why was this person heading straight for them?
Zhao Yanhua looked at Ning Fa and the others, who were warily observing him, and his eyes swept across them quickly.
Then his gaze fixed on Xiao Yu.
Zhao Yanhua's face was filled with surprise and delight.
"We Ning family disciples are currently on a mission. I wonder if Senior has any instructions?"
Ning Fa first announced the Ning family's name, hoping to make the other party hesitant to act.
However, Zhao Yanhua ignored him and continued to stare intently at Xiao Yu.
Seeing this, Xiao Yu's face was filled with fear.
Ning Fa frowned and pulled Xiao Yu behind him.
Zhao Yanhua first showed displeasure, then replaced it with a smile he thought was friendly. He said, "Little friends, there's no need to be nervous. I'm here only to search for the bloodline of our Zhao family that has been lost out in the world."
Ning Fa frowned and said in disbelief, "Senior, are you referring to Xiao Yu?"
Zhao Yanhua suppressed his excitement and smiled, "That's right, it's the little girl behind you!"
Ning Fa initially found it incredible, but he immediately thought of Xiao Yu's extraordinary bloodline and believed him by more than half.
At this moment, Xiao Yu peeked out from behind him, her expression fearful yet somewhat strange, and said, "Uncle Fa, the aura from this person feels very familiar to me..."
Seeing this, Zhao Yanhua's expression became even more excited.
As he urged it on, the spiritual rat phantom behind him reappeared.
A powerful aura suddenly erupted, making everyone present feel like prostrating themselves in worship.
Ning Fa's expression changed drastically. At this point, he had no doubts left.
This spiritual rat phantom was exactly the same as Xiao Yu's.
At this moment, Xiao Yu couldn't help but emit a yellow light from her body, and a spiritual rat phantom also appeared behind her.
And although this phantom was small, it was much clearer than Zhao Yanhua's, and the ancient, powerful aura it exuded was also much stronger.
The next moment, the spiritual rat phantom behind Zhao Yanhua actually lowered its head slightly towards them.
It was as if it was showing submission.
Zhao Yanhua looked at Xiao Yu, or more accurately, the spiritual rat phantom behind her.
He was so excited that he was trembling all over, and he murmured, "The sacred beast bloodline is actually so potent! ... If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, it would be hard to believe!"
Then, he even wept tears of joy, saying, "Heaven truly blesses my Zhao family! The family's resurgence is in sight, resurgence is in sight!..."
Seeing Zhao Yanhua's excited and even frenzied appearance, Ning Fa narrowed his eyes.
It seemed that after tracing Xiao Yu's bloodline origin, her bloodline power had indeed greatly increased.
It was even of great importance to their Zhao family.
Zhao Yanhua finally managed to calm down. He looked at Xiao Yu with eyes as if she were a treasure and said softly, "Little girl, you are a member of our Zhao family. By calculation, I should be your grand-uncle. It must have been difficult for you in this remote place. Come back to the Zhao family with me. You will definitely become the apple of our Zhao family's eye."
Hearing this, Ning Fa frowned.
Xiao Yu, however, immediately said, "I don't want to! And I'm not any Zhao family member, I am a Ning family member!"
Zhao Yanhua's expression faltered.
Only then did he look properly at Ning Fa and the others. His eyes flashed, and he laughed heartily, "Since that is the case, then I shall go and visit your Ning family."