Eternal Life as False Emperor-Chapter 154 - 122: Tuoba Clan

"Why is the concentration of spiritual energy starting to weaken?"

Yunmeng Marsh.

The wind stirs the clouds, mist lingers.

In the depths of the rarely-trodden Yunmeng Marsh, countless small islands are scattered.

Unlike what outsiders imagine, the depths of Yunmeng Marsh are not barren.

Instead... there is a city here!

A city located on a large island in the depths of Yunmeng Marsh, named Yunmeng Island.

At the very center of the island is a mountain shrouded in mist.

And beneath the mountain is a large city with a population of hundreds of thousands.

This is Yunmeng Marsh.

It is the territory of the Tuoba Clan, also a land free from the Great Yu Law.

Atop Yunmeng Mountain, the Tuoba Clan Leader, Tuoba Wufeng, was lost in thought as he gazed at the Cloud Dream Stone.

This is the spiritual object refined by the ancestors of the Tuoba Clan of Yunmeng Marsh a thousand years ago, not only serving as the hub for the Tuoba Clan's array but also used to monitor the concentration of spiritual energy in Yunmeng Marsh.

Since the spiritual energy tide and the severing of the immortal path over three thousand years ago, the Tuoba Clan has been in seclusion, sealing off Yunmeng Marsh and not venturing out for a millennium, concentrating the clan's effort on refining numerous sealing arrays to limit the flow of spiritual energy.

However, as over three thousand years have passed, the protective array of the Tuoba Clan of Yunmeng Marsh has decayed significantly, and the spirit stones have been exhausted.

According to the calculations of senior cultivators, there are more than seven thousand years left until the revival of spiritual energy.

This is a period that would lead countless cultivators to despair.

Yet, unexpectedly, the Cloud Dream Stone, which had been standing at the core of the Tuoba Clan's array, suddenly showed a hint of fluctuation a few years ago.

At the bottom of the originally bluish-green Cloud Dream Stone, strands of green appeared!

The clan members guarding the core Cloud Dream Stone were startled and quickly informed the Clan Leader.

They initially thought it was something like moss.

Upon further examination, it turned out to be the Cloud Dream Stone's original color!

According to ancient records, the bluish-green color is the intrinsic color of the Cloud Dream Stone.

And the Cloud Dream Stone changes according to the richness of the surrounding spiritual energy.

The green color indicates that the spiritual energy's concentration has reached a certain level.

Based on the estimation of the clan's only Array Master, one of the three Great Elders, Tuoba Wuying, the spiritual energy in Yunmeng Marsh is currently two to three times denser than before!

At that time, the entire Tuoba Clan, all seven cultivators, wept with joy and sorrow.

They believed that the revival of spiritual energy had arrived!

And as time went on, this belief grew stronger.

Because the green hue on the Cloud Dream Stone deepened, indicating that the richness of the spiritual energy in Yunmeng Marsh's air continued to increase.

Over the past three years, according to Array Master Tuoba Wuying's estimates, the spiritual energy in Yunmeng Marsh is now about five times richer than it was before!

This density of spiritual energy has reached the common richness level in the cultivation realm from over three thousand years ago!

For the Tuoba Clan cultivators whose progress had been stagnant for years, this was undoubtedly a significant event.

However...

Since last month, the green mark on the Cloud Dream Stone has been fading, and the richness of the spiritual energy inside Yunmeng Marsh has visibly weakened.

This matter has directly alarmed the Tuoba Clan Leader, Tuoba Wufeng.

Tuoba Wufeng appeared to be a burly man, yet slightly hunched, with a face full of wrinkles, but his eyes remained sharp.

One could imagine that in his youth, he was a decisive and ruthless cultivator.

Now, upon noticing the fading color of the Cloud Dream Stone, which represented a decline in spiritual energy richness, his expression turned grim.

"Wuying, what exactly is the reason for this?"

Nearby, Tuoba Wuying, an elder in grey attire with even more wrinkles, resembling an old farmer who had spent a lifetime in the fields, replied with a wry smile, "Clan Leader, I don't know either."

"I only discovered the signs of spiritual energy dissipating last month, so I quickly activated the Mountain Protection Array to try and slow its dissipation, which helped, but only slightly."

"Currently, the Mountain Protection Array is activated with the minimum daily consumption, just barely keeping pace with the rate of spiritual energy dissipation."

"I doubt this situation can be sustained for long."

Tuoba Wufeng frowned and asked, "What on earth happened? Why did the spiritual energy increase for no apparent reason, and then decrease similarly without cause?"

"Outside Yunmeng Marsh, has anything happened?"

Tuoba Wuying shook his head, "The clan's disciples should be returning soon."

Just then, the distant clouds and waters parted slowly, and a large ship 'squeezed' its way in.

Immediately, a young man on the ship's deck flickered, and a mist formed beneath his feet, lifting him as he swiftly flew toward Yunmeng Mountain.

"It's Qingtong, he's back!"

"To the assembly hall!"

"Should we call Qingying?"

"Yes, summon her. She just completed her secluded meditation, and this matter also concerns her."

"Alright!"

Soon, seven figures appeared in the Tuoba Clan's assembly hall. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

The main seat was occupied by Clan Leader Tuoba Wufeng, with one of the elders, also the Array Master, Tuoba Wuying, seated to his left.

Beside Tuoba Wuying was Tuoba Qingtong, who had just returned from outside Yunmeng Marsh.

Tuoba Qingtong, appearing to be in his thirties, had bright eyes and a respectful demeanor.

Next to him was another young man, looking slightly younger with a round face and a calm complexion.

Zhao Qingshang, originally a civilian under the Tuoba Clan, fortunately discovered to possess a spirit root, was taken in as a disciple by the Tuoba Clan.

On Tuoba Wufeng's right sat an elderly woman appearing to be around sixty.

The second elder of the Tuoba Clan, proficient in alchemy, Tuoba Wugou.

Beside her sat an exceptionally beautiful young lady in her early twenties.

Clad in a lake-green palace dress, she had an oval face with porcelain-like skin, her smooth hair flowing gently down her back, almost reaching the ground.

Her entire presence exuded a strong water spirit energy, even causing a slight dampness in the surrounding air.

Tuoba Qingying, the strongest of the young generation in the Tuoba Clan, also the most gifted!

Beside Tuoba Qingying sat a little girl appearing to be twelve or thirteen years old.

Despite her young age, she sat upright, trying hard to maintain composure, her round face flushed with rosy hues.

These seven people were the remaining cultivators in the Tuoba Clan today!

The Tuoba Clan has a heritage spanning over three thousand years, and the bloodline within the clan remains pure, thanks to intermarriage within the clan.

By maintaining this practice, the offspring not only have a high probability of possessing spirit roots, but it also strengthens the bloodline relationship among the clan members.

Among the seven Qi Cultivation Stage cultivators in the Tuoba Clan, only Zhao Qingshang is an outsider.

Yet, he married a woman from a branch of the Tuoba Clan and became part of the family.

Within the Yunmeng Marsh, the Tuoba Clan is like heaven!

"Qingtong."

Tuoba Wufeng spoke first, "Speak of the information you have gathered."

"Yes, Uncle Ancestor."

Tuoba Qingtong respectfully replied, "Over the past month, I have investigated, passing through Jiangzhou, Xuzhou, Yuezhou, and other places, and have not discovered any unusual occurrences."

"I have asked several peers, and nothing peculiar related to the heavens and earth has manifested."

"However, I have heard of several mundane matters, which might be related to the increase in spiritual energy density?"

"Oh? What matters?"

Tuoba Qingtong continued, "Currently, the Great Yu Imperial Family has produced a ruler who not only suppressed domestic refugee rebellions but also expelled the invading Wu Country, even occupying two major states of the Wu Country."

"Oh?"

Tuoba Wufeng showed interest, "Has the Zheng Clan produced such a person? It seems there is still some fortune involved, but why mention that it relates to the spiritual energy revival?"

Tuoba Qingtong said, "I have received information that the Great Yu Imperial Family originally had only one Innate Realm Martial Artist, the commander-in-chief of the Dragon-soaring Army, Xu Mujun."

"This person, being from the military, possesses immense close combat capabilities and is surrounded by a hundred thousand strong Dragon-soaring Army, making him the most formidable warlord in Great Yu currently."

"About four years ago, the Prime Minister of Great Yu, Yang Xuansu, plotted rebellion and secretly invited the Vice Tower Master of Mayfly Tower, Fire Spirit, to take action, but both were defeated by him, and till now, they are healing in secret!"

"Fire Spirit?"

Tuoba Wufeng frowned, "That person is just like me, also a ninth-layer Qi Cultivation Stage cultivator! Xu Mujun could severely injure Fire Spirit, it seems he must have used some means!"

"Continue."

"Yes!"

Tuoba Qingtong continued, "Since then, the Innate Realm Martial Artists in Great Yu have emerged like bamboo shoots after rain. According to my investigation, there are at least four Innate Realm Martial Artists now in the capital city."

"Nanyue County has one."

"Jiangzhou's Tianlong Temple has one."

"Tianlong Temple? The place of Fayuan, that loose cultivator?"

"Indeed." Tuoba Qingtong said, "However, it is heard that Fayuan was invited by His Majesty Great Yu a few months ago to the capital to expound the scriptures. The Innate Realm Martial Artist should be another person."

"I see, is there more?"

"Yes!"

"There is another Innate Realm Martial Artist at the East Sea."

"In Shuzhou, the Shushan Sword Sect has also produced an Innate Realm Martial Artist!"

"Wu Country is also heard to have several."

"Anyway, since four years ago, the number of Innate Realm Martial Artists in this world has been increasing more and more, at least exceeding ten."

"Innate Realm Martial Artists..."

Tuoba Wufeng murmured, "The martial path can reach the divine; martial artists can attain strength not inferior to our Qi Cultivation Stage cultivators at the highest point."

"Could it be that something unexpected has happened, causing the number of Innate Realm Martial Artists in the world to increase?"

"Some hidden secret realm entrance collapsing? The fusion of Little Sumeru World? Or the emergence of an ancient sect?"

"Regardless, the Great Yu Imperial City is the root cause of the incident. It seems it needs investigating."

Beside him, Tuoba Wugou suddenly said, "Clan Leader, do you recall, last year Great Yu sent a delegation wanting to marry a woman from the Tuoba Clan, but we refused."

"Elder, the Zheng Clan of Great Yu is but a mortal, what qualifications do they have to marry a woman of the Tuoba Clan!"

Tuoba Qingtong suddenly spoke, his eyes fiery as he looked at Tuoba Qingying.

"Moreover, recently, outside Yunmeng Marsh suddenly a large number of soldiers were stationed, and many are secretly exploring the map of Yunmeng Marsh. It seems it is all the trickery of Emperor Zhengyong!"

"I am aware."

Tuoba Wufeng replied coldly, "Nowadays the celestial paths are severed; every cultivator descendant may possess spirit roots, they must not be allowed to flow out casually."

"What about the Zheng Clan of Great Yu? If we wish, the mere royal family is no match!"

"Moreover, the Wang Family contacted me a few days ago."

"The Wang Family?"

"The Wang Family, who assisted the Zheng Clan in establishing this nation?"

"What are they after?"

Tuoba Qingtong suddenly spoke, "By the way, Grandfather, I have also uncovered news that the Datong Wang Family was exterminated by Emperor Zhengyong!"

"No wonder, the Datong Wang Family is merely the exoteric face of the Wang Family, their true members are lurking in the shadows, no wonder they suddenly reached out to me, aiming to overthrow this Great Yu world!"

Tuoba Wufeng murmured, "Could it be that the Great Yu Imperial City is truly connected to the recent spiritual energy revival?"

At this moment, Tuoba Qingying suddenly stood up, with a crisp voice said, "Uncle Ancestor, I'm a bit tired, I'll leave now."

"Qingying... forget it, you may go then, consolidate your realm early on."

"Yes!"

Tuoba Qingying withdrew, pulling on Tuoba Lingyun's little ear, and they left together.

"Ouch, Aunt, slow down, my ear hurts, I'll go, can't I…"

Watching the two women leave, the few people in the grand hall exchanged strange glances.

Tuoba Wuying hesitated, "Clan Leader?"

"No worries."

Tuoba Wufeng said, "Qingying holds a Celestial Spirit Root, her talent is astonishing, truly the future cornerstone of prosperity for the Tuoba Clan."

"She has no interest in worldly matters, solely devoting herself to the Dao, let her be."

"Regardless, I must ascertain the source of this spiritual energy and keep it within Yunmeng Marsh!"

"Even if I have to employ the Blood Sacrifice Array, the heaven and earth spiritual energy must be intercepted!"

"Blood Sacrifice Array... Clan Leader?"

"Ha ha ha..."

Tuoba Wufeng laughed grimly, "The Wang Family is stirring trouble secretly, they must have contacted numerous people; why can't we covertly interfere?"

"Mere mortals, after decades of turmoil, those who perish are replaced by another generation within decades."

"Qingtong, instruct the disciples from other clans to collaborate with the Wang Family to instigate the upheaval. I will find out what exactly the Zheng Clan of Great Yu is up to!"

"Yes, Grandfather!"