Immortality begin with Alchemy Grandmaster Chapter 2832 - 1047: Flowing Waves of the Suppressed Sea, Sea Patrol Yaksha (Part 2)

Within the chamber, a few familiar visages were present, or more accurately, family members.

Zhou Yuwei, Zhou Yu Hao, Zhou Yuqi, and their cousin, Lin Qingtong, were all there.

Each of them had, over the years, successfully ascended to the Foundation Establishment stage and subsequently joined Houtu Hall as disciples.

The second senior brother had seen fit to assign them to his own squad, both for convenience and for their protection.

As Zhou Fuqiu's gaze swept over the assembled individuals, a subtle unease rippled through the crowd.

Zhou Fuqiu's lips quivered slightly as he uttered a single, significant phrase.

"Let's depart!"

...

Liubo Mountain, a significant peak situated a hundred miles from the vast expanse of the sea.

The formidable mountains here habitually gathered clouds, and with every gust of the sea breeze, a swirling tempest of fog would arise, mimicking the very motion of the ocean waves.

Thus, the locality earned its name: Liubo Mountain!

Zhou Fuqiu's arrival was met with an exceptionally grand reception, orchestrated by the leader of the forces stationed at the mountain.

A remarkable assembly of six Golden Core Ascendant Masters convened to welcome him. This not only signified profound respect but also underscored the esteemed position held by talents originating from the Tian Nan Dao Palace.

Presiding over this reception was Jidu, a cultivator at the Golden Core Late Stage, hailing from a prominent Cold Family.

Following the elaborate welcome extended to Zhou Fuqiu, Jidu commenced his detailed explanation of Liubo Mountain's specifics.

The territory spanned a vast eight hundred miles, characterized by its immense scale and rugged terrain.

Despite its proximity to the sea, it remained a formidable stronghold, easily defensible and exceedingly challenging to assault.

The defense of this strategic location was jointly managed by six Golden Core masters, supported by a contingent of over ten thousand Lower Order Cultivators.

Zhou Fuqiu listened intently to Jidu's exposition while simultaneously scrutinizing the various intricate details of Liubo Mountain's layout.

He observed that the cultivators stationed here sported dissimilar attires, each bearing distinctive clan insignia.

"It appears to be just as it was in the past," Zhou Fuqiu mused, "much like my own Zhou Family. These are cultivators dispatched by the various prominent families of the Tian Nan Continent, engaged in crucial sea patrol missions."

Zhou Fuqiu's thoughts drifted to his parents, who had once undertaken similar perilous duties and, tragically, met their demise.

Abruptly!

Zhou Fuqiu halted his advance at the base of the mountain, where a luminous Array Light Curtain enveloped the entire area.

"What manner of place is this?" he inquired, his brow furrowed.

Master Jidu extended his hands in a gesture of uncertainty, replying, "I possess no knowledge of this. Sea Suppression City has explicitly forbidden us from interfering with these local Arrays; their sole directive is for us to maintain the vigilant guarding of Liubo Mountain."

Zhou Fuqiu's frown deepened. "If this falls under our jurisdiction for defense, how can an unknown entity be present here?"

He reached out a hand, intending to test the Light Curtain's integrity.

However, it proved to be extraordinarily resilient, rendering any attempt at breaching it utterly futile.

Zhou Fuqiu emitted a soft snort, and his Qi Power underwent a swift transformation, manifesting as a wisp of dark aura that swirled ominously around his fingertip.

Hiss, hiss...

Beside him, Master Jidu's countenance shifted subtly. Even he, a venerable Golden Core Late Stage Cultivator, felt a palpable sense of peril emanating from this young individual before him.

What was this peculiar black aura?

Just as Zhou Fuqiu prepared to exert his full might to shatter the formidable Big Formation, the Light Curtain abruptly fractured, revealing a sufficiently large aperture for a single individual to pass through. A figure then emerged from within.

With merely a single, piercing glance, the figure fixed a malevolent glare upon the two men.

"Have you not received the explicit order from Sea Suppression City to refrain from meddling with the local Array? Concentrate solely on your guarding duties!"

Jidu appeared to recognize the newcomer and quickly interjected, "My sincerest apologies, Senior Brother. Friend Zhou is newly assigned for mobile support and is not yet privy to these matters."

Zhou Fuqiu raised an eyebrow, recalling his second senior brother's brief mention before departing Sea Suppression City regarding the guarding of certain local Arrays.

So, that was the reason?

He took a step back, ceasing the outward flow of his Qi Power.

"Junior Brother Zhou Fuqiu, paying respects to you, Senior Brother!"

The man's eyes widened slightly as he inquired, "Are you indeed Zhou Fuqiu from the Tian Nan Dao Palace?"

"Precisely!"

"Ah, it is Junior Brother Zhou. I am Lian Yuanshan. Let us foster greater communication in the days ahead. Regarding today's incident, you bear no fault for your lack of knowledge. Simply exercise greater caution in future endeavors."

Following this brief exchange, Lian Yuanshan re-entered the Array's confines.

The atmosphere fell into a profound silence, punctuated only by the lingering Spirit Qi emanating from the dissipating Array Light Curtain.

"Let us proceed!" Jidu whispered, seemingly hesitant to disturb the individual concealed within.

Zhou Fuqiu nodded in agreement, falling into step behind Jidu.

After they had put a considerable distance between themselves and the Array, Zhou Fuqiu finally articulated his nascent confusion.

"Master Jidu, your cultivation realm far surpasses that of Senior Brother Lian Yuanshan. Why, then, do you address him with such profound respect?"

Master Jidu let out a sigh. "He is a direct disciple of the Daoist Sect of the Rotten Stalemate Mountain Range, not to be equated with us who are nominally affiliated with the Tianyuan Daoist Sect but have never set foot within the Rotten Stalemate Mountain itself; we are merely regular family cultivators."

Zhou Fuqiu was momentarily stunned but soon grasped the underlying significance.

"No wonder that individual's demeanor shifted so drastically upon confirming my affiliation with the Tian Nan Dao Palace."

The Tian Nan Dao Palace is indeed a branch of the Tianyuan Daoist Sect, meaning its disciples are inherently part of the greater Daoist Sect. Furthermore, individuals with exceptional talent like myself are highly likely to ascend to the Daoist Ancestral Court within the Rotten Stalemate Mountain Range, ultimately becoming a genuine True Disciple of the Daoist Sect!

That address of "Junior Brother Zhou" was offered with complete sincerity, devoid of any pretense!

Master Jidu steered the conversation, inquiring, "Additionally, did you not notice his clan insignia?"

Zhou Fuqiu recalled the symbol he had briefly seen, a design of several intertwined wavy lines that strangely emanated a profound Daoist aura.

This particular clan emblem...

Understanding dawned on Zhou Fuqiu instantly.

Long ago, the Central Continent was home to countless clans, each distinguished by its unique family insignia.

Most individuals would pay little heed to remembering such a vast array of emblems.

However, twelve specific emblems were historically documented, ensuring they were etched into everyone's memory.

This was because these twelve emblems signified the twelve colossal families that had perpetually held dominion over the Tianyuan Daoist Sect.

The Twelve Great Houses!

And the emblem featuring interconnected lines, the one he had just observed, was unequivocally one of them.

Zhou Fuqiu exclaimed, "The Lian Family from Lian Yuanshan!"

Master Jidu extended his palms, confirming, "Precisely, it is indeed one of the Twelve Great Houses, the Lian Family. They are also the ancestral lineage of our Daoist Sect's current Liancheng Ancestor!"

It was now clear why Master Jidu had displayed such deference and humility towards someone whose cultivation realm was significantly lower than his own.