Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant

"Strange, isn't it said that Rongmeng City is governed jointly by the Xiao Family, Red Blood Mansion, and the Wen Family?"

"Why does it seem like the Wen Family and the Red Blood Mansion are making no moves at all?"

After entering Rongmeng City.

Wang Qingyang started to wander around the city.

She dared not be too conspicuous, so as not to attract attention, after all, her visit was solely to find out more about the situation of Family Master Xiao.

However, Rongmeng City was not very large, aside from the areas where mortals congregated, it only spanned a little over thirty miles.

For a cultivator, barring areas that were off-limits, it did not take long to tour around smoothly.

But she also noticed some abnormalities here.

For instance, most of the stores owned by the Wen Family and the Red Blood Mansion in the city were inexplicably closed.

The number of rogue cultivators in the city was also dwindling, making it seem somewhat desolate.

Though the residences of the Wen Family and Red Blood Mansion were surrounded by formations, their gates were firmly closed, and almost no cultivators were visible.

Only the Xiao Family seemed to be operating as usual.

"There's something fishy!"

She keenly felt that there might be some issues here.

She did not casually inquire with others, as being in Rongmeng City, it was hard to say who might belong to the Xiao Family.

After making several rounds at a market where rogue cultivators were trading goods, she finally asked a rogue cultivator selling Class I talismans about the Wen Family and the Red Blood Mansion.

"Oh, it's said that recently an abandoned estate of a sect was discovered outside, and both families went there not long ago. Some people from the Xiao Family also went, but since the Xiao Family is larger and more powerful, they still left some members in the city."

The response somewhat alleviated Wang Qingyang's suspicions.

Yet, a shadow still lingered in her heart.

Deliberately or otherwise, she began to sidestep her inquiries towards the information about Family Master Xiao.

However, in response to Wang Qingyang's questions, the rogue cultivator began to remain tight-lipped.

It was only after Wang Qingyang managed to trade some elixirs for the cultivator's talismans that the cultivator revealed a bit of information.

"The Family Master Xiao has always been reclusive and is said to be in seclusion..."

"The Xiao Family hasn't occupied Rongmeng City for very long; originally, this place belonged to a family under the Yan dynasty. The Xiao Family was under their administration but turned the tables after heavenly changes a hundred years ago..."

Wang Qingyang pondered thoughtfully.

...

Xiao family estate.

The red-faced Golden Core Practitioner, looking at Wang Qingyang in the bronze mirror, revealed a trace of a cold smile.

Just then, a voice came from behind:

"Second uncle, what are you laughing at?"

A younger-looking Golden Core Practitioner quickly stepped out, bearing some resemblance to the red-faced practitioner.

"It's Yanping."

Seeing the approaching young cultivator, the red-faced Golden Core Practitioner nodded slightly, then pointing at Wang Qingyang in the mirror, he laughed:

"Ha ha, I'm laughing at this female cultivator who thinks she's clever for concealing her cultivation base and sneaking in, unaware that her true cultivation level is completely clear to my eyes."

"Even funnier is that she happened to come at a time when we're in need of people."

Hearing this, Xiao Yanping's brow furrowed slightly:

"Second uncle, are you sure this person has no connections? Don't catch someone from a major sect."

The red-faced Golden Core Practitioner scoffed:

"Even if it's someone from a major sect, what can they do?"

"I heard that not long ago, the primitive Demonic Sect was swept through by someone, breaking their Sect Protection Array, showing that major sects are no big deal! Once the Family Master breaks through the prohibition and retrieves the secret cache, we might even match the major sects! Establishing a dynasty is also a possibility."

Hearing the red-faced Golden Core Practitioner's words, Xiao Yanping relaxed, his face revealing a look of longing:

"If that's really the case, our Xiao Family will finally rise."

The red-faced Golden Core Practitioner nodded, then asked with concern:

"Why are you out here? How far has the family head progressed now?"

Xiao Yanping shook his head, "The Wen Family and Red Blood Mansion have been cost-effective for maintenance for so long, it's just slightly lacking, but if this Golden Core female cultivator can fill the gap, it should be more than enough. I came out to bring some more people back."

The red-faced Golden Core Practitioner promptly urged:

"Then why hesitate? Let's capture her now!"

Xiao Yanping, however, hesitated: "But if we take action inside the city..."

"The Wen Family and Red Blood Mansion have almost been exhausted; it's probably hard to keep this a secret for much longer, the issue is whether to reveal it sooner or later."

The red-faced Golden Core Practitioner shook his head in disapproval.

"This... then I'll go and talk to the family head about this, and find more people to ensure there is no failure!"

Xiao Yanping was finally persuaded, pondered a moment, and then declared.

...

"Something's not right here."

Wang Qingyang couldn't help but look around once more.

Apart from the sounds of mortals working in the mining area.

Only a few middle or low-tier rogue cultivators remain in the entire cultivator district.

This only intensified the unease in Wang Qingyang's heart.

And it hastened her decision.

"Better leave this place first, after leaving, I'll gather more information about the Xiao Family from the surrounding cities before making a decision."

Wang Qingyang reflected inwardly.

She had never quite understood the true purpose of her master sending her to find this Family Master Xiao.

Considering what she knew of her master's character, it did not seem likely for him to have any association with the Xiao Family, which leaned towards the Demon Dao.

Yet, he had sent her to find the family.

"Is there another hidden reason... or is my master testing me?"

After much thought, she eventually decided to return the same way, preparing to leave the city outskirts.