Family Rise by Daily Intelligence

Chapter 66: Chapter 66: Breakthrough, Soul-Calming Talisman

”Ding”

”You’ve dealt a significant blow to the Zhang Family with a clever strategy, avenging the repeated humiliation caused by their provocations, earning sixty-two Clan Contribution Points.”

Huh?!

Fu Changsheng looked at the panel where the Clan Contribution Points had skyrocketed to sixty-four, and was momentarily stunned. He didn’t expect that inflicting serious damage on the Zhang Family would also yield Contribution Points.

This is a pleasant surprise.

With that, he can draw a lottery once and exchange for seven pieces of intelligence.

Indeed, a stroke of unexpected joy.

Returning to the Secret Chamber.

He harvested all the new buds from the Black Spirit Tea, then carefully placed it back into the box and handed it over to his elder brother Fu Changren.

”Patriarch, this... is this the legendary Tier One High-Grade Black Spirit Tea Tree?”

He observed the old roots of the tea tree, which looked mottled and worn.

It must be over a hundred years old, a true ancient tea stump.

Fu Changren was both shocked and delighted. Right away, he intended to set up a Spirit Gathering Array to plant the tea tree, but Fu Changsheng stopped him:

”Elder brother, please first call over the third brother, fourth sister, and others to the council hall, I have something important to announce.”

It was the first time Fu Changren had seen Fu Changsheng with such a solemn expression, and he quickly complied.

As Fu Changren departed.

The familiar mechanical sound echoed in Fu Changsheng’s mind once more:

”Ding”

”You’ve added a Tier One High-Grade Black Spirit Tea Tree to the clan and earned twenty-four Clan Contribution Points.”

Meanwhile.

The Clan Contribution Points on the panel shot up from sixty-four to ninety-eight.

The smile at the corner of Fu Changsheng’s mouth deepened.

By the afternoon.

Even the fourth sister, Fu Changli, returned to the clan from the Yanyang Woodland. Once everyone was gathered, Fu Changsheng spoke:

”The reason I’ve called you all here today is to discuss the Noble Family Grand Competition. Unlike previous years, this year the competition will be held at Ten Thousand Ghosts Abyss, and our Fu Family is grouped in the same area as the Zhang Family. Each of the five great families chooses four participants. Besides myself, take a look at who might be best suited for the remaining three spots.”

”Patriarch, count me in.”

Fu Molan was the first to speak.

She had already reached Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer and mastered the Dragon Transformation Technique and Ascension Step.

No one had any objections.

Fourth sister Fu Changli also raised her hand:

”Patriarch, although I’m only at Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer, I have the Cyan Wolf Demon as my mount and can command the Silver-Spotted Poison Snake in battle. Moreover, the Illusory Jade Peak Bee King has almost fully recovered—it is at Tier One Peak. With its assistance, our odds are better.”

Beside them, Liu Runzhi also wished to participate.

But Fu Changsheng gently refused:

”According to the rules, participants must be members of the Fu Clan, or Dao Companions of a Fu Clan member.”

Liu Runzhi was merely a family retainer.

Once Molan left.

The Hundred Treasures Pavilion in the marketplace would need someone to tend to it, with Liu Runzhi being the most appropriate.

Liuu Meizhen gently touched her belly, sighing:

”I just found out I’m pregnant, or else I could have been included.”

In the Fu Clan, only Fu Changren and Fu Changli were left.

Fu Changren was a Spirit Plant Cultivator, while Fu Changli was always immersed in brewing wine—neither had any battle experience. Fu Changren spoke up first:

”Count me as the last one.”

Fu Changren had poor aptitude, and being busy with miscellaneous affairs, he hardly ever cultivated, remaining at Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer. Fu Changli, too engrossed in brewing, was also stuck at Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer.

Fu Changsheng glanced around at everyone.

Seeing no objections, he decided:

”Alright, then for the journey to Ten Thousand Ghosts Abyss in half a year, I’ll go along with Molan, fourth sister, and elder brother. In the meantime, third brother, put the brewing on hold and head to Yanyang Woodland to take over from fourth sister. Runzhi, take over Molan’s shop, and Meizhen, you and Nanny Liuu help with the clan’s miscellaneous affairs and manage the Spirit Field.”

”The four participants will focus on closed-door cultivation for the next six months.”

”You can freely use the Blood Spirit Pills Meizhen made before. Try to advance your cultivation in the last half-year and refine the Magical Artifacts Runzhi helped create.”

The group discussed for a bit longer before dispersing.

After Fu Changsheng returned to his Secret Chamber.

He looked at the Clan Contribution Points on the panel and instantly thought:

”Exchange for a lottery draw!”

Buzz!

The panel shuddered as a flood of yellow light surged.

As the Clan Contribution Points reduced to thirty-eight, an ancient box appeared in his sleeve.

It had been a long time since his last draw.

Fu Changsheng was more excited than usual:

”I wonder what I’ll draw this time.”

He took a deep breath.

The box opened.

Inside, an ancient book came into view.

Upon opening it.

He saw the words ”Tier One Top-Grade Soul-Calming Talisman.”

Fu Changsheng was overjoyed:

”It’s a Soul-Calming Talisman!”

The Soul-Calming Talisman is ideal for dealing with ghost entities.

With the art of crafting this talisman.

The expedition to Ten Thousand Ghosts Abyss undoubtedly gained an asset.

Once his excitement subsided.

Fu Changsheng realized the time was extremely tight. He had to break through to the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation within half a year using Black Spirit Tea and also produce Tier One Top-Grade Soul-Calming Talismans,

”Hoo—”

He activated his cultivation technique.

After exhaling a mouthful of turbid air.

Fu Changsheng placed a piece of Black Spirit Tea leaf in his mouth; Black Spirit Tea doesn’t require roasting and is best consumed directly upon harvest.

Once the Black Spirit Tea went down.

It quickly transformed into a gentle medicinal power that spread throughout his body.

.....

In cultivation, years pass like days.

In the blink of an eye, two months slipped by.

The True Qi in Fu Changsheng’s Dantian, under his guidance, circulated rapidly through the Heaven and Earth Bridge. A slight crack was heard as the originally unbreakable bottleneck silently broke through.

After consuming a Black Spirit Tea leaf.

He smoothly advanced to Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer.

He sensed it.

Realizing the Dantian seemed expanded, capable of holding more than double the True Qi from before:

”No wonder cultivators say the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer is a watershed.”

The more True Qi the Dantian can hold.

The stronger the magic one can wield, and Dharma Combat would last longer.

Simultaneously.

The refined True Qi had a faint reddish hue.

Fu Changsheng suppressed his breakthrough joy in his heart and began diligently studying the Soul-Calming Talisman after stabilizing his cultivation.

The Soul-Calming Talisman, being a Tier One Top-Grade Talisman, required a lot of True Qi to craft. If he hadn’t reached the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation, he wouldn’t be able to sustain the entire process of crafting the talisman.

After rehearsing countless times on the sand table.

He took a deep breath.

Only then did Fu Changsheng start wielding the pen at the talisman table.

Bang!

Bang!!

Burnt odors filled the secret chamber as talismans turned to waste paper scattered all over, yet each failure failed to dampen Fu Changsheng’s enthusiasm. He carefully recorded each failure in the jade scroll.

Finally.

Three months later.

As he completed the final stroke.

The talisman glimmered with a dark spirit light, completing the Soul-Calming Talisman instantly:

”Tier One Top-Grade Talisman Maker!”

Fu Changsheng’s face was filled with satisfaction.

His months of day and night practice were well worth it.

He recorded the successful experience. Without putting down the brush, he continued crafting.

Time flew by.

Soon, it was the date of the Noble Family Grand Competition.

Fu Changsheng set aside the Talisman Brush, murmuring:

”It’s time to emerge from seclusion!”

However.

Before entering Ten Thousand Ghosts Abyss.

His gaze fell on the intelligence panel, speaking without hesitation:

”Exchange for intelligence!”