Occasionally, spiritual birds and exotic beasts would weave through the forests, their cries echoing in the valleys, adding a sense of ethereal tranquility.

Tianxingzi, clad in a blue Daoist robe, stood upon a flying sword, circling above Xuelong Mountain.

His brows were furrowed, his expression slightly fatigued. Sent by Emperor Zheng Yi of Great Yu to recruit the Tang Family, he had suffered greatly due to the complex terrain and unpredictable weather of Xuelong Mountain.

The turbulent currents of spiritual qi between the peaks frequently disrupted his flight, and the dense forest left him struggling to find his direction.

"The Tang Family is hidden in such a perilous place, no wonder they are little known," Tianxingzi murmured to himself.

Yet, after days of searching, he finally found the stronghold of the Tang Family.

After presenting his visiting card, he was welcomed into the mountain gate by the Tang Family.

The initial pleasantries were rather lively, given that they were all cultivators.

However, when Tianxingzi formally stated his purpose, he received a cold reception and was placed in a side hall to rest.

At that moment, deep within Tang Family Castle in Xuelong Mountain, three elders were sitting together, discussing the purpose of Tianxingzi’s visit.

Tang Family’s Great Elder, Tang Zhen, with a serious face, was the first to speak, "We can’t easily agree to the recruitment by the Emperor of Great Yu. Our Tang Family has been secluded in Xuelong Mountain for years, living self-sufficiently and freely, why get involved in the Court’s disputes?"

"Besides, the Emperor of Great Yu is merely a mortal emperor, what qualifications does he have to command us cultivators?"

"And establishing this so-called Great Yu Immortal Dynasty, truly audacious!"

"However, Tianxingzi is, after all, a late-stage Qi Cultivation cultivator, we should persuade him gently and send him out of the mountain gate."

Second Elder Tang Yun, however, held a different viewpoint, saying, "Brother, the situation is changing now, if we could align with the Great Yu Immortal Dynasty, it might bring more resources and opportunities to the Tang Family."

"Moreover, years ago, when chaos reigned, our Tang Family supported King Shu, only to be ultimately overwhelmed by the Great Yu Army like a fierce storm."

"At that time, there were cultivators hidden within the Great Yu Army, what assurance do we have that if we refuse, the Great Yu Immortal Dynasty won’t take action? That’s what concerns me."

"Take action?"

Tang Zhen said coldly, "Our Tang Family is located on Xuelong Mountain, with difficult mountain paths and perpetual snow, even if it’s ten thousand soldiers, or fifty thousand, eighty thousand, or a hundred thousand, what of it?!"

Third Elder Tang Feng, lightly stroking his beard, contemplated for a moment then said, "Brother is not without reason, but our Tang Family is situated in a remote area, with high mountains and dense forests, difficult paths, and little contact with the outside world."

"Whether we align or refuse, it will have a significant impact on the Tang Family, if we offend that Emperor of Great Yu..."

The three expressed their opinions vigorously, arguing ceaselessly.

At this moment, a disciple hurried over, presenting a letter.

"Great Elder! This is a letter sent urgently from Uncle Seventeen of the Shu Region, extremely urgent."

"Hmm? What’s so urgent?"

Tang Zhen opened it and his face changed drastically, his eyes showing a hint of shock.

Tang Feng asked curiously, "Brother, what happened?"

"The Du Family of Beimang Mountain led numerous loose cultivators to assassinate the Emperor of Great Yu but failed, with over a hundred cultivators, including Du Fushan, fallen at Celestial Longevity Mountain."

"Du Family Ancestor Du Fushan, has fallen!"

"Foundation establishment cultivators from Star Island, have fallen!"

"Even the entire Du Family, slaughtered under the crime of ’assassinating the emperor’, their nine clans exterminated!"

This news was like a thunderbolt in the room.

"What? The Du Family actually went to assassinate the emperor!"

"Senior Du Fushan... did a foundation establishment cultivator just die like that?"

"Impossible! Could it be that the Great Yu Immortal Dynasty also had foundation establishment cultivators? To be able to kill Du Fushan?"

"The Du Family always had considerable strength, daring such an act of rebellion, yet met such an end!"

"It seems the Emperor of Great Yu’s strength is unfathomable, and his methods ruthless, we must handle this carefully."

The three fell silent, all with shock and worry in their hearts.

Subsequently, Tang Zhen said, "First, have someone stabilize Tianxingzi and dispatch people down the mountain to verify the truth of the matter."

"Meanwhile, I will go to the forbidden area of the back mountain to seek audience with the ancestor!"

Besides the three elders, the Tang Family of Xuelong Mountain also had an ancestor!

This ancestor, thirty years ago, was already a peak of Qi Cultivation cultivator.

For the past thirty years, he had been in retreat in the forbidden area of the back mountain, relying on the thousand-year persistent cold air of Xuelong Mountain to slow the loss of his lifespan.

At the same time, he was seeking the chance to break through to the foundation establishment stage!

Three days later, the disciples dispatched down the mountain hurried back with accurate information.

"The Du Family of Beimang Mountain was exterminated due to rebellion, and the loose cultivator Old Demon Feng from the foundation establishment stage has defected to the Great Yu Immortal Dynasty!"

Tang Zhen, after listening, gasped, "Old Demon Feng has always been solitary and arrogant, yet now has also defected to the Great Yu Immortal Dynasty, it seems the power of this Immortal Dynasty far exceeds our imagination."

Tang Yun sighed, "Indeed, if we refuse recruitment, I’m afraid the Tang Family might follow in the footsteps of the Du Family."

Tang Feng nodded and said, "At this point, we have no choice but to seek refuge with the Great Yu Immortal Dynasty. Perhaps we can still ensure the safety of the Tang Family."

"There’s no rush!"

Tang Zhen spoke again, "The Emperor of Great Yu harbors ambitions for the world, intending to swallow the entire Great Yu Cultivation Realm, so the treatment and stipends we receive should be quite favorable."

Two Foundation Establishment Cultivators have been killed in succession, and even the entire Du Family has been wiped out.

Now there are further rumors that the Zhou Family of Yongzhou Louguan Mountain and another Cultivation Clan, the He Family of Qingyun Mountain in Shuzhou, are on the verge of annihilation.

If the Great Yu Immortal Dynasty truly intends to act against them, what could they use to resist?

The most crucial thing is...

A few days ago, he sought an audience with the family patriarch.

He was shocked to find that the family patriarch was still...at the Peak of Foundation Establishment!

For thirty years, there had been almost no progress!

The natural defense of Xuelong Mountain can indeed fend off hundreds of thousands of mortal armies.

But for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, it’s as easy as walking on flat ground!

If they truly anger the Great Yu Immortal Dynasty, and they send just one or two Foundation Establishment Cultivators, the Tang Family would follow in the footsteps of the Du Family of Beimang Mountain.

Under such circumstances, they could only consider seeking refuge.

Meanwhile, Tianxingzi was still in the dark and unaware of the major events happening in the Capital City.

Soon, Tang Zhen and his group met with Tianxingzi again.

The three of them had grave expressions, and they looked at Tianxingzi with peculiar eyes.

Tianxingzi, puzzled, asked, "Why are you three staring at me like that?"

Tang Zhen was the first to ask, "Tianxingzi, do you not know?"

"Know what?"

"Celestial Longevity Mountain..."

"Big brother!"

Tang Feng interrupted Tang Zhen and asked with a smile, "Tianxingzi, the Emperor of Great Yu wishes to recruit us, and after discussion, we’ve come to a decision."

"But before that, I’d like to ask what would be the arrangement if our Tang Family were to pledge allegiance?"

Tianxingzi’s gaze flashed. Although unaware of what happened in the Capital, if they were considering allegiance, it must be significant.

He immediately said, "Your Majesty is dedicated to the Dao and also seeks to gather all cultivators of Great Yu, to unite the Cultivation Realm."

"Thus, for all cultivators who join our Great Yu Immortal Dynasty, the arrangement is as follows."

"As long as one is willing to assist our Great Yu and join us, all cultivators will be given Spirit Stone tributes according to their cultivation level each month!"

"For Early-stage Qi Cultivators, three Spirit Stones per month!"

"For Middle-stage Qi Cultivators, five Spirit Stones per month!"

"For Late-stage Qi Cultivators, twenty Spirit Stones per month!"

"Moreover, the Immortal Dynasty will issue bounty tasks, and those who complete them can earn corresponding bounties and Spirit Stones."

"And if willing to join our Great Yu, become a tributor of Great Yu, and leave a Soul Lamp, the benefits are doubled!"

Tianxingzi said, "In other words, if the three Elders are willing to join Great Yu and leave a Soul Lamp, each will receive forty Spirit Stones per month!"

"What? Forty Spirit Stones!"

"Where does the Great Yu Immortal Dynasty get so many Spirit Stones!"

"This can’t be a scam, can it?"

Tang Zhen and the others exclaimed with disbelief and shock in their voices.

Tianxingzi proudly said, "Why do you three refuse to believe? As long as you agree, I can have servants from the mountain bring the temporary agreement up immediately."

"How could our Majesty, with his heart for the world, deceive you all?"

"This..."

The three exchanged glances, and Tang Zhen again asked first, "What does our Tang Family need to offer?"

"It’s simple."

Tianxingzi replied, "Acknowledge the Great Yu Immortal Dynasty, become a part of it."

"At the same time, the entire Tang Family will relocate to the Capital City, where His Majesty will bestow a Spirit Peak as a Cave Mansion for the Tang Family!"

"The Tang Family disciples will become tributors of the Great Yu Immortal Dynasty and follow the orders of the Immortal Dynasty."

"It is His Majesty’s wish that henceforth, the entire Great Yu Cultivation Realm shall be under the Immortal Dynasty’s dominion!"