Chapter 288

Chapter 288: Battle at the Spiritual Mine

At the Lin Family’s spiritual mine, specifically within the new spiritual mine where Zhou Luo had previously been located.

Xu Changsheng, missing an arm, bore a weathered face and watched the dazzling bombardment from outside striking the protective formation with a worried frown. Thundering booms echoed continuously.

"Nephew Xu, the main family is also besieged."

Zhou Chang Le, clutching a top-grade magical artifact, approached him with a furrowed brow.

Dressed in a green robe now, Zhou Chang Le looked resolute. Some of his former ethereal aura had faded, replaced by an air of sharp martiality.

Throughout his time at the mine, constant conflict had honed him. By relying on the spiritual vein, he had already reached the ninth level of Qi Refinement.

Originally, Zhou Luo had arranged for them to be there precisely so his children could improve more efficiently on the spiritual vein.

Yet, no one anticipated the Lin Family would collapse this swiftly. Rumor said the Wang Family internally unified and was rushing reinforcements, but precisely when that aid would arrive remained unknown.

Now, the spiritual mine had become an isolated island.

Fortunately, Zhou Chang Le, Zhou Shiling, and Xu Changsheng’s formations were present, otherwise it would have fallen long ago.

"If things truly become untenable, our only retreat will be towards Jiang City," Xu Changsheng concluded.

Originally, Zhou Luo’s instructions were that if the mine couldn’t be held, they should fall back to the family residence. But now Maple Leaf City was surrounded. Escaping meant their path lay solely towards Jiang City.

Because Zhou Luo had written in a letter: once Maple Leaf City fell, they were all to head for Jiang City. Even if the Lin Family perished, Jiang City itself would remain safe.

Xu Changsheng didn’t know the source of his confidence, but he chose to trust it unconditionally.

"Nephew Xu, retreating isn’t an issue. Although our sect wishes to stay uninvolved, Master still provided Little Sister and me with some means of escape," Zhou Chang Le stated firmly, his eyes ablaze.

He and his sister were both Immortal Sect disciples, having even become disciples under a Golden Core master, yet the Qingyuan Sect seemingly favored letting the long-life families vie against each other.

Given the trend of the times, the most they could likely do was temper themselves during this conflict.

With their status as Qingyuan Sect disciples, the Lu Family certainly wouldn’t dare trouble them regardless.

And he held confidence in being able to lead his brothers to safety.

"Good. Let’s wait a few more days then. I’ll make the arrangements," Xu Changsheng decided.

The formation couldn’t hold out much longer; they needed to depart quickly.

Late that night, a bright moon hung high.

The Lu Family cultivators temporarily halted their assault, granting everyone a brief respite.

Zhou Luo’s eldest son, Zhou Chang An, approached Xu Changsheng and informed him of the evacuation plans.

"Chang An, how can you position yourself at the rear?"

Studying the arrangements, Xu Changsheng spoke with deep concern.

According to the plan, those with higher cultivation bases, such as Zhou Chang Le and Zhou Shiling, would naturally cover the rear.

Even if captured by the Lu Family, their safety was practically guaranteed out of deference to the Immortal Sect.

They were the optimal choice.

"Nephew Xu, as the eldest brother, guarding the rear is my duty," Zhou Chang An declared, his tone grave and resolute.

Now nearly forty years old, his bearing carried the steadiness of middle age, his gaze unwavering.

Because he possessed a Ninth Grade spirit root, even with the support of Qi of Innate Origins, after decades of cultivation, he had only barely entered the sixth layer of Qi Refinement. Thus, his lifespan was far shorter than Zhou Luo’s lengthy life, making him appear somewhat mature.

Though emotionally and logically, letting Zhou Chang Le and Zhou Shiling cover the rear was the most correct choice, as the eldest brother, his heart just couldn’t allow his younger siblings to charge ahead of their elder brother.

Moreover, it wasn’t that he lacked the ability; after all, father had given him a top-quality symbol.

"Have you truly thought this through?" Xu Changsheng said while gazing at him seriously.

If the other insisted, he wouldn’t refuse, as he trusted that he wasn’t the kind of person who bluffed foolishly.

"Yes, don’t worry, Uncle Xu, it will be fine," Zhou Chang An nodded.

"Very well, you’re exhausted today, go and rest; we’ll make arrangements tomorrow."

Xu Changsheng said nothing more and picked up the formation disc, ready to set up a few defensive formations to block the enemies, which would buy time during the retreat.

Zhou Chang An left the room but did not return to his own chamber; instead, he headed toward the outside.

Though late at night, the Lu Family hadn’t attacked again, and there were specialized personnel on duty, he still felt uneasy.

Each night, after completing a patrol to confirm everything was fine, he would return to his room to rest.

"Young Master Chang An."

Passing several cultivators, they all bowed respectfully to him.

They were cultivators originally from the spiritual mine, now fully subdued by Xu Changsheng and his group, completely obedient.

They understood that only by following them could they have a sliver of hope for survival.

"Any issues tonight?" Zhou Chang An asked.

"Reporting to Young Master, everything is the same as usual," they replied.

Zhou Chang An nodded, then moved toward the side.

The spiritual mine’s layout remained unchanged from before: a pavilion stood at the mountain’s base, where Xu Changsheng and Zhou Luo’s descendants lived.

On the mountain, apart from some ordinary miners, there were also family cultivators and guards.

But the mine covered a vast area, so without the formation established by the Great Elder lurking nearby, Lu Family cultivators would have likely stormed in from elsewhere by now.

Nightly, cultivators patrolled all sectors.

The goal was to ensure the formation hadn’t been tampered with.

Zhou Chang An strolled along the mountain path, his footsteps echoing in the silent woods.

He meticulously inspected each location, determined to avoid any lapse.

Just then, he collided with several family cultivators striding toward him in haste.

"Halt," Zhou Chang An frowned.

The three men paused stiffly, faces flashing panic, as they abruptly stopped.

"Young Master Chang An!"

"Were you on patrol?"

Zhou Chang An observed them walking with heads low and hurried steps; it seemed blatantly careless.

Their hearts thudded; one quickly blurted, "Young Master Chang An, we’ve just finished patrolling and are changing shifts."

"Changing shifts?"

Zhou Chang An hesitated, scrutinizing them; he noticed their uneasy demeanor, hinting at wrongdoing.

Dread pooling inside, he started forward.

The three hastily blocked his path: "Young Master Chang An, we’ve already checked that area; no problem there."

"Scram!"

Zhou Chang An barked sharply, unleashing his sixth layer of Qi Refinement cultivation.

Startled, they ducked aside, heads bowed, expressions troubled.

Zhou Chang An stepped ahead, ready to investigate further.

Whoosh—

Suddenly, a streak of flame hurtled straight at him.

Alerted, Zhou Chang An promptly summoned the high-quality magic sword Zhou Luo had gifted him and stabbed forward.

Golden spiritual energy surged out, fierce sword light blazing in the night sky as it clashed with the assault.

Enemy attack!

Jolting to full awareness, he shot an angry glare at the three.

Realizing their scheme was exposed, they hardened their hearts and lunged at him in unison.

Unable to crush the communication talisman in time, Zhou Chang An scrambled to defend himself.

In an instant, the four fought fiercely there.

Under cover of darkness, more figures charged toward the spot.