Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains-Chapter 87 - 073. How strong is Sikong Yue’s background? [Third Update]

Martial Arts upgrade... it was actually a Martial Arts upgrade...

In the silent room, the excitement within Hou Yuxiao's heart was beyond words. The key was that he had just fought Cheng Yue at the city gate and was worried about where to obtain more advanced Martial Arts. Now, Divine Lotus had given him such a tremendous surprise!

After a long while, his emotions finally calmed down. Hou Yuxiao didn't even think twice, he directly placed the martial arts memory of the Black Dragon Thirteen Forms into the fourth petal. The white cloud of merit above the Divine Lotus instantly began to disappear at a speed visible to the naked eye.

An exquisite flow of Martial Arts derivations instantly surged into his mind. The Black Dragon Thirteen Forms' nine in front and four behind seemed fast with multiple staff shadows, but the core essence was still to use one force to defeat ten, and it didn't deviate from the traditional principles of heavy weapons.

In the world of Martial Arts, all changes do not depart from their origins; in the end, it is about concentrating power at one point and then projecting it. Whether a Martial Arts technique is first-class or second-rate, or even of a higher rank, depends on the size of the force that can be deployed under the same level of cultivation.

The vigorous Qi in a Martial Artist's dantian is circulated through the Eight Extraordinary Meridians; thus, the level of Martial Arts depends on the number of Extraordinary Meridians that can be mobilized.

Martial Arts that can mobilize the twelve main meridians are called entry-level Martial Arts; within which, third-rate mobilize four meridians, second-rate eight, and first-rate twelve.

The Black Dragon Thirteen Forms, which originally could only mobilize four meridians, saw a gradual increase in the number of meridians that could be mobilized due to the derivations of Divine Lotus. Hou Yuxiao's expression also became brighter and brighter.

.........

The next day, February 7th, 1322 of the New Yu Era

After getting up, Hou Yuxiao did not notify anyone and left the house alone.

He had arranged everything for everyone yesterday; naturally, he also had his own matters to attend to.

If the streets of Tongling County could be described as bustling at night, then during the day, they were absolutely teeming with people. As soon as he left his residence and walked onto the street, Hou Yuxiao truly witnessed the prosperity of the prefectural city.

Stores lined both sides of the street, the road was about twelve meters wide, with four meters on the outer side for pedestrians and eight meters on the inside for horses. From time to time, groups of Martial Artists with swords on their backs and carts loaded with goods slowly passed by.

After all, it was in the prefectural city, and one never knew what tough characters might be encountered. Therefore, anyone riding a horse did not dare to go too fast.

Riding on the Black Cloud Colt, Hou Yuxiao attracted quite a few looks as soon as he hit the road.

Among these gazes, the malicious ones were in the minority. Most wise people either showed a cautious manner or an envious expression.

So young, riding a Black Cloud Colt worth seven to eight thousand taels, and with no visible fluctuations of qi and blood; this person must be either a wealthy second generation or a master.

Hou Yuxiao paid no attention to these gazes. After hitting the road, he headed straight towards the center of the street. After about one li, he stopped at a grand mansion that covered two to three hundred meters.

The plaque above the gate of the mansion read "Bai Mansion."

Hou Yuxiao did not pay any gratuity, but when the two servants at the gate saw the Black Cloud Colt he was riding, they prudently went in to report his arrival.

Soon, a hearty laugh resounding with strong energy came from inside.

"Master of Hou Family graces us with his presence, Mr. Bai regrets not coming out to meet you sooner..."

The man who walked out of the gate was a middle-aged man who wasn't any smaller than Hou Yucheng. With a face full of flesh and intricately knotted beards, already imposing with his stature, and with a height of over two meters, he stood there like a tower, exuding a strong sense of pressure.

It was hard to believe that this dark, burly man with the refined name of Bai Yunfan could have produced such a beautiful daughter as Bai Yujie.

"Patriarch Bai is too kind. If it wasn't for the Bai Clan's substantial support these past two years, where would the Hou Family be today? I, Mr. Hou, have been tangled in mundane affairs and have only managed to visit today. I am the one who should apologize!"

Hou Yuxiao responded courteously with a fist and palm salute, his tone respectful. This statement came sincerely from his heart, as Bai Yujie's role had been crucial in bringing continuous supplies back to the family from the city in the past two years.

Upon hearing Hou Yuxiao's sincere tone, the smile on Bai Yunfan's face grew even richer. Remembering the many news stories about Hou Yuxiao from Zhaoyang County that had reached him over the previous couple of months, his heart overflowed with joy, and he quickly pulled him into the mansion.

It wasn't until they reached the main hall of Bai Mansion and sat down opposite each other that Bai Yunfan's smile finally eased. He stared at Hou Yuxiao for more than ten breaths, nearly making him feel uneasy before he finally spoke in an admiring tone.

"The Thousand-Faced Handsome Man defeated the Tiger List master Tian Linong and exorcised the rank 782 Black Ape Demon from the Righteous Demon Extermination List; even the Divine Illumination Law King Ding Dian's young disciple ended up merely as a foil for Master of Hou Family. Now, your reputation is known throughout the entire county!"

Hou Yuxiao had not expected Bai Yunfan to start with that and his face instantly revealed a hint of helplessness as he waved his hand, "It's just luck. Patriarch Bai is too generous."

He could understand why Bai Yunfan was excited. The Bai Clan had helped the Hou Family in the past years, and now that Hou Yuxiao's name soared, it naturally was beneficial for the Bai Clan.

"I have come today for two matters. Firstly, besides bringing fifteen thousand pieces of Iron Ingot to the city this trip, in the future, as long as Patriarch Bai needs it, our Hou Clan will not sell to a second party,"

Although Bai Yunfan had anticipated it, his smile became even more pronounced upon hearing these words.

The iron ore reserves in Zhaoyang County might rank among the top in Tongling County, but previously, four families were mining there. Only the Hou Clan sold to them. Now with Zhaoyang unified and with Hou Yuxiao's words, the future iron ingots would definitely belong solely to the Bai Clan.

Before Hou Yuxiao could state the second matter, Bai Yunfan paused for a moment before preemptively speaking, "This second matter is for the promotion of the Hou Family to entry-level status, right?"

Hou Yuxiao nodded and said, "For this visit, I am hoping to trouble Patriarch Bai to introduce me to Head of Ding Sect. Is there a chance?"

Upon hearing that Hou Yuxiao wanted to meet the Head of Ding Sect, a glint of admiration flashed in Bai Yunfan's eyes, "It seems you've got a strategy already. I was just about to give you some advice!"

"I would appreciate any guidance from Patriarch Bai…" Hou Yuxiao was not arrogant; although he had a strategy, having someone to offer advice was definitely better, especially since Bai Yunfan was the head of a third-rate noble house and surely knew more than him.

Bai Yunfan nodded and stroked his beard, "Since you asked, let me tell you!

To advance the Hou Clan to entry-level status, firstly, procedurally, you can't avoid two people, which I assume you know about. Secondly, the Great Luo Sect is also a point you can't bypass!"

In Tongling County, the three greatest experts, Fan Longhe, Ding Dian, and Ding Buhai, who do you think is the one you must be most cautious of and must not offend?"

"Great Luo Sect, Ding Buhai!"

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Hou Yuxiao had already clarified this issue on his way here.

Fan Longhe and Ding Dian were not natives of Tongling County; they were merely appointed by the Holy Church to serve here, meaning they could be reassigned at any time.

In contrast, Ding Buhai was different. As the only second-rate force in the entire county, Great Luo Sect had been established in Tongling County for nearly a thousand years, with over ten thousand sect members and deeply rooted influence. As the sect master, Ding Buhai's power was overwhelming.

Moreover, unlike the previous two, he would never leave the prefectural city.

This made him the strongest local power. Even if the Hou family's advancement didn't require Ding Buhai's approval, Hou Yuxiao could not afford to overlook him.

"Of course, while you cannot offend Ding Buhai, that doesn't mean you can afford to offend Fan Longhe or Ding Dian either.

Fan Longhe commands thirty thousand mansion troops; although his personal power slightly falls short compared to Ding Dian and Ding Buhai, he is undisputedly the most powerful man in the entire county.

And Ding Dian himself is the number-one expert of the entire county, a true heir of the previous Holy Church and the Religious Protector King of the church, overseeing all judiciary matters of the county with an iron fist and impartiality—he's not someone to be trifled with!"

Upon hearing Ding Dian's name, Hou Yuxiao furrowed his brow. His greatest concern upon arriving in the prefectural city was this man. Now that Bai Yunfan brought him up again, a sense of irritation arose within him.

"You don't need to worry about Ding Buhai; I can help you handle him. You just need to pay, as for Fan Longhe and Ding Dian…"

At this, Bai Yunfan suddenly paused. Hou Yuxiao looked up and found him smiling slyly at him, which made him reveal a puzzled look.

"Tell me honestly, what is your relationship with the Saintess?"

......

Upon hearing the word "Saintess," Hou Yuxiao took a moment before realizing Bai Yunfan was referring to Sikong Yue, and hurriedly said, "During the Zhaoyang Disturbance, I had the privilege of handling a few things for the Saintess. Why does Patriarch Bai suddenly ask this?"

"Last year, after the end of the Zhaoyang Disturbance, the Saintess visited Tongling County to inspect. The Prefectural Governor of Xingnan Prefecture, Peng Yuhu, also came and invited the masters of our seven second-rate forces, including Great Luo Sect, to a banquet. Do you know what the Saintess said at the banquet?"

"What?"

"'Marquis Hou Yuxiao of Zhaoyang, a man of great promise, may become a mainstay of our Holy Church in the future; I hope everyone will provide more support to him!'"

......

Did that woman really praise him like that? Hou Yuxiao's expression revealed a hint of discomfort. He had made a fool of himself in front of Sikong Yue several times and assumed she must have looked down on him.

"So what if she praised me?"

Bai Yunfan saw Hou Yuxiao's indifferent expression and shook his head, pointing at him as he said, "You're still not taking this seriously, but do you realize how much trouble Sikong Yue's words have saved you?

Fan Longhe, Ding Dian, and Peng Yuhu all pledged on the spot to pay close attention to you. Your advancement is practically secure.

Even Ding Dian, whom you've offended so grievously, wouldn't dare to act blatantly against you. At most, he might just cause you some troubles, but he wouldn't dare to openly oppose you!"

...

"Sikong Yue's words carry that much weight?"

Hou Yuxiao was silent for a long while, still expressing doubts he could not suppress.

Bai Yunfan pondered for a long while, seemingly unsure how to explain to Hou Yuxiao. He finally slowly began, "Let me put it this way, throughout Yongzhou, all three paths and eight prefectures, there isn't another whose words carry as much weight as hers...

Hou Yuxiao abruptly stood up from his chair, his face showing shock, "Impossible; even if she is exceptionally talented, she is currently only a second realm grandmaster. Even if she can match Ding Dian and others, how could there be no one stronger than her in Rakshasa Holy Sect?"

"Of course, there are stronger individuals than her in the Holy Church, and not just a few, but none with a background stronger than hers!"

"What do you mean?"

"Her father is called Sikong Xingzhou…"

"What position?"

Hearing this name for the first time, Hou Yuxiao still appeared puzzled, looking at Bai Yunfan as he asked.

"Head of Rakshasa Holy Sect!"

Her father is the sect hierarch of Rakshasa, one of the ten main holy lands of the world.

Hou Yuxiao, who had just stood up, suddenly trembled. But before he could calm his emotions, Bai Yunfan casually dropped another remark, almost causing him to collapse to the ground...

"Besides, he is publicly recognized by the other nine great holy lands as 'the first under heaven'!"

......