It was a fine ambition, but in nearly a thousand years, no power had ever achieved it.

Or rather, whenever an expert from any power neared success, they would be unanimously targeted by the surrounding powers, suffering all manner of "accidents" that led to their failure or even their demise.

The upper echelons of these powers knew full well what combat strength on the level of a Nascent Soul True Monarch signified. No matter what, they could not allow another power to succeed; otherwise, they could not hope to preserve their own foundations.

At the family headquarters, within a magnificent palace, Patriarch Qi Songshou and several Elders were on the training grounds, watching the many disciples of the new generation spar and duel.

On the plaza, thousands of young men and women gathered in small groups. Some discussed cultivation theory, others sparred with fists and feet, some tested their Sword Skills, and others practiced various Divine Techniques. The entire area was buzzing with energy.

As the next generation carefully groomed by the family, these elite disciples had excellent Essence, Qi, and Spirit. There were quite a few promising talents among them who had reached the Late Middle Stage of Qi Cultivation.

"...These youngsters have quite the solid foundation. As long as they don’t meet an untimely end, reaching Foundation Establishment shouldn’t be much of a problem for them."

Seated on the high platform, Qi Songshou set down his teacup and remarked leisurely.

The family Elders seated with him all smiled and chimed in, their voices an endless chorus of fawning praise and compliments.

The family was prospering, and naturally, the Patriarch deserved the lion’s share of the credit.

Given Qi Songshou’s arrogant and intolerant nature, he might not pay attention to who flattered him, but he would certainly remember anyone who failed to do so.

After a moment, Qi Songshou asked, "Are preparations over at the Cangyu Islands and Li Long Continent nearly complete?"

An Elder replied, "Just about. In another two or three months, all parties should have finished stockpiling their war resources. Then, we can move against the Ling Family!"

Qi Songshou nodded and said with contempt, "A minor clan that only emerged recently... what right do they have to occupy an entire sea region? That prized territory should belong to our Qi Family!"

"The Patriarch speaks wisely!"

The Elders all chimed in, their faces wreathed in agreeable smiles.

In their eyes, the Ling Family’s strength was nothing special. Their foundation was far weaker than the Qi Family’s—and that was before you even considered the alliance of so many Golden Core powers.

Destroying this clan, carving up the resources and territory of the entire Feiyu Sea Region, and securing more room for their own family to grow—they could think of nothing more satisfying.

One of the Elders mused, "However, the Feiyu Sea Region is quite distant from our own lands. If we do manage to claim a piece of it, we’ll need to assign a sufficient force to garrison it."

Qi Songshou said, "That’s a given. When the time comes, Elder Songshan will be in charge. We’ll also select a group of disciples to go with him."

Before the Elder could reply, a Steward with a deathly pale face came hurrying from the distance. He rushed forward, bowed, and reported nervously,

"Patriarch, it’s terrible! Someone is causing trouble in the family’s Medicinal Garden! They not only stole a great deal of valuable Spirit Medicine, but they... they also killed the two Core Formation Elders who were guarding it!"

"What?"

Qi Songshou’s expression changed instantly. He exploded in a furious rage, "What blind fools are these?! How dare they target our Qi Family? Do they have a death wish?!"

"How outrageous! To dare and challenge the family’s prestige, we must teach them a lesson they won’t forget!"

The surrounding Elders echoed his righteous fury.

Qi Songshou said coldly, "Summon Elders Songtao, Songyun, and Songlin. Bring plenty of men. We’re all going to take a look."

Compared to Gu Binglong’s approach a few days prior, this Qi Songshou was clearly far more cunning. Furious though he was, he had no intention of underestimating his enemy.

Before long, four Golden Core cultivators, four True Pill Cultivators, and over twenty Pseudo Core Cultivators had all assembled. Led by Qi Songshou, they shot off toward the family’s Medicinal Garden, which was thousands of miles away.