Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery

Beast Spirit Immortal City.

Here, a grand welcome ceremony was taking place.

Ninety-nine pure black heavenly horses spread their wings to clear the way, ninety-nine black dogs led the way on the ground, and nine hundred and ninety-nine black sheep encircled both sides.

These heavenly horses, black dogs, and black sheep, all had the aura of foundation-building, with sleek and shiny fur and majestic appearances. There was not a single wound on their fur.

On the outskirts, there were thousands of horses, cattle, sheep, and dogs, most at the Qi Practicing Realm, with Foundation Method levels not rare amongst them, led by a considerable number of Golden Pellet Realm lead horses, lead sheep, and lead dogs, neatly lined up on the outside.

These represented wealth and symbolized the Hei Clan's prosperity and flourishing state.

At the center, many black crows circled and flew in formation, occasionally flapping their wings in unison, their cries echoing loudly, their Dao essence spreading, welcoming the esteemed guests with an ancient ceremony that had persisted for ten thousand years.

Surrounded enthusiastically by numerous divine beasts and spirit birds in the middle were two cultivators, one old and one young.

The elder's appearance was lean and clear, his expression stern.

The young cultivator sat upright with a handsome appearance, impeccable from every angle, occasionally responding to the surrounding black crows with standard etiquette, captivating many female black crows with his charisma.

Not just because of his appearance and Golden Pill Peak cultivation base,

but even more so because he was the elite of the Northern Plains' Righteous Dao, the prodigy of the Rule Mountain Iron Family, one of the Twin Elites of the Orthodox and Demonic alliance—Ruleson!

If one could earn his favor, even as a concubine, the chance of forming a Nascent Soul would increase significantly.

"Uncle, the Hei Clan's direct lineage... seems indeed to have declined," Ruleson said, his face wearing an impeccable, gentle smile, but his transmitted voice carried a hint of disgust, instinctively loathing any disruption of the rules.

"The Hei Clan's 'Divine Crow Welcoming Gesture' has erred fifty-seven times in less than a quarter of an hour's time!"

"Most of these black crows are surely not of the direct lineage's bloodline, otherwise such clumsy mistakes would be impossible," he declared decisively.

Direct lineage, collateral lineage—in terms of appearance and cultivation base, there is no difference, but those familiar can see the huge gap between the two at a glance, especially the cultivators from within the family.

It is the immense difference in lifestyle, identity, and education.

"Indeed," the stern-looking elder sighed lightly: "Heaven Transformation Immortal has sent me the events inside the Luoxu Clan ruins. These collateral mixed-blood Goldens tried to join hands to slaughter all direct lineage Goldens. Fortunately, our clan's talented Guichi intervened... Alas, in the end, he was still slain by an unknown Nascent Soul freak, a Tushan sword cultivator."

A cold murderous intent flashed in his eyes.

If such a Nascent Soul Monk existed hundreds of years ago, the Rule Mountain Iron Family would have already convened a large number of Nascent Soul Monks to besiege and grind the Nascent Soul to ashes, fulfilling the rite of the Righteous Dao.

Now... they were simply not capable of doing so.

Always having a large number of Nascent Souls stationed at the borders of the Great Sun Sword Sect and the Great Sun Sect, they no longer had the spare strength to deploy a large number of Nascent Souls to other matters, even if it concerned the ancestral Golden Emperor Map.

"Uncle, do not worry. It is nothing but an old freak who shamelessly snatched opportunities from the younger generation," Ruleson smiled: "Once I advance to Nascent Soul, I will spend a hundred years tracking and finding him, to use his head and Nascent Soul to uphold the Iron Family's name."

"Remember well these incidents," the stern elder nodded.

This was the Iron Family's way of survival.

Even if they could not accomplish it, they must try their best, even at the cost of death. Only in this way could they maintain the trust of the Righteous and Demonic families for thousands of years, and the continuous offerings.

"We welcome Rule Axe True Monarch, honored by your presence!"

In front of Beast Spirit Immortal City, the hooked-nose Divine Crow Immortal came ten miles out of the city to meet them, his respectful smile accompanied by a deep bow from a great distance.

Only when the two Iron Family members approached did he dare to look up, his posture as lowly as a junior's.

Normally, such actions would not be necessary.

As an Immortal of Nascent Soul and a clan leader, his status was even higher than that of Rule Axe True Monarch.

"Divine Crow, why go to such lengths?" the stern old cultivator Rule Axe True Monarch expressed no pleasure but frowned: "According to etiquette, you should not have done so. Could it be that you too are of mixed blood, ignorant of the proper rites, and not of the direct lineage?"

This accusation was very serious.

It was equivalent to openly insulting someone as a mongrel.

If this was two hundred years ago, it would be regarded as an insult to the family's honor and could provoke warfare between the two great families.

"Direct lineage, collateral lineage..." Divine Crow Immortal looked up, not angry but sighing lightly: "Isn't it all the blood of the ancestors? We share the same surname, so why bother to further distinguish you and me?"

Rule Axe True Monarch and Ruleson's expressions froze, their faces becoming exceedingly grim.

This was a denial of the Iron Family's perseverance for tens of thousands of years and its very foundation!

And he said it in public, in front of a large audience.

"Our ancestor..." Around them, Hei Louxi and other collateral Golden Pellets showed gleeful expressions, bowing their heads vigorously to suppress the excitement in their hearts.

Rule Axe True Monarch gave the Divine Crow Immortal a deep look, maintaining proper etiquette in public without losing composure or acting out of the ordinary.

On behalf of the Iron Family, he strictly adhered to the etiquette and proceeded with the welcome ceremony.

After spending several hours and completing the incense offering and worship in front of the ancestors, they finally sat down at a table, dismissing those around them.

Three cups of steaming tea wafted their fragrance, filling the air with scent.

But at this moment, no one had the leisure to experience the tea.

"Divine Crow, have you truly made up your mind?"

Rule Axe True Monarch spoke slowly, "The distinction between collateral and direct lineages is the foundation of a clan. If it is as you say, then in the Northern Plains, who doesn't carry the blood of one or two ancestors? After tens of thousands of years, the bloodlines have already spread throughout the Northern Plains."

"This is fundamental!"

"The very foundation of our existence!"

"Fundamental? Indeed, it is."

Divine Crow Immortal gave a bitter sigh, "At my birth, I was but a Three Spiritual Roots; had I not been born into the direct lineage, and my father not been the previous Hei Clan Immortal, sacrificing a great number of collateral Dual Spiritual Roots Cultivators and Sky Spiritual Root Cultivators in a blood sacrifice to enhance my aptitudes, I would not even be a Golden Pill now, but dead for many years, my bones long decayed."

"All of this was thanks to my direct lineage status."

"You two, how could I bear to let all this go?"

Rule Axe True Monarch and Guichi's expressions eased slightly, empathizing with the sentiment.

Regarding the current clan system, they held deep feelings, not tolerating others to defile or trample upon it.

"But what about the Great Sun Sect?"

"What about the Great Sun Sword Sect?"

Divine Crow Immortal's expression turned cold, his voice suddenly rising, "Their Nascent Soul Monks are being born faster than ours. If this continues, in a few hundred, a thousand years, the extinction of our clans is almost certain!"

"Do you just sit by and watch this happen?"

"Or are you saying that your Iron Family can defect? Could the Great Sun Sect tolerate the existence of your family, the leader of the Righteous Dao? Without our clans, can your Iron Family even survive?"

Rule Axe True Monarch remained silent.

Reform,

That was what all enlightened members of the Northern Plains clans unanimously agreed upon, but the interests involved were too significant, and the difficulties immense.

And the greatest difficulty

came from their very own Iron Family!

This was their standing foundation, the vow of worship maintained for tens of thousands of years; how could they so lightly breach it?

"From henceforth, the Hei Clan is willing to double the offerings."

Divine Crow Immortal's expression softened, and he earnestly said, "I implore the Iron Family to consider the bigger picture. The time has come when changes must be made, not just for the Hei Clan, but also for the Tianrendao Yin's, Ice Snow Palace Mu Family, Joyous Union Sect Liu Family, and other internal Immortals of the Nascent Soul who are brewing reforms and accepting the collateral lineage to expand our core cultivator population."

"Especially the Ice Snow Palace Mu Family, even more radical than my Hei Clan. A disciple from the collateral lineage, Mu Tiansnow, has already subdued the Ice Snow Saint, officially ruling over both the direct and collateral lineages of the Golden Pill within the Mu Family; only the name remains to be determined."

"Please, fellow Daoist,"

he bowed deeply, "for the greater good of the Northern Plains clans, spare the Hei Family this once."

Rule Axe True Monarch remained silent.

Divine Crow Immortal maintained his prostrate position, unwilling to rise.

The two thus stood at an impasse for a long time.

It lasted for days, without any change, without any compromise.

"Fellow Daoist,"

Rule Axe True Monarch let out a long sigh and spoke slowly, "Reform is perhaps inevitable, but the Rule Mountain Iron Family has enjoyed tens of thousands of years of direct lineage offerings and must act accordingly, else we cannot regain the trust of the Northern Plains families."

"I truly cannot concede, I am sorry, fellow Daoist."

"What are you implying..."

Divine Crow Immortal suddenly raised his head, his face full of disbelief.

"What I mean is,"

Rule Axe True Monarch's face showed a trace of ferocity, the Mid-stage of the Nascent Soul's heavy pressure unfolded in its entirety, with a cold killing intent, "Rebellious mixed blood, they must all die!"

"If one appears, kill one."

"If two appear, kill both!"

"Until a slaughter unfolds, those who do not submit shall all die. My Iron Family's Nascent Soul Monks and any daring Nascent Soul Monks will be annihilated together. A few Nascent Souls must die; only thus can we fulfill the Iron Family's millennia-old pledge."

"Divine Crow, as an old friend, I ask you."

Rule Axe True Monarch fixed his gaze on Divine Crow Immortal, "Will you personally execute all the rebellious Golden Pills, or shall we fight it out, with our blood and death proving that my Iron Family, no matter when or where, is upholding the rites of the Northern Plains, willing to sacrifice the lives of Immortals of Nascent Soul to do so?"

"Fellow Daoist, must it come to this... "

Divine Crow Immortal's hand trembled.

"It must be so."

"A millennia-long offering requires a resolution; otherwise, no one will be convinced, including you in the future."

Rule Axe True Monarch's expression was indifferent, "Not just with your case, but also with the Ice Snow Palace Mu Family, the Yin's, and the Joyous Union Sect - any collateral lineage who wishes to rise and reform must do so over the corpses of my Iron Family's Nascent Souls. There can be no exceptions."

"Some people must die, some Nascent Souls must perish."

"I ask you once again,"

"Will the reform begin with you, or what?"

Rule Axe True Monarch spoke coldly.

"This..."

Divine Crow Immortal showed a look of struggle, remaining silent for a long time.