Once I enter the pass, great Confucian scholars will surely debate the classics for me.

As Gu Daozhao finished speaking, nineteen spells containing the power of rules landed on A-Jie and his group of nineteen people. In an instant, no matter how the surrounding zombie horde attacked, they could not even scratch A-Jie.

The nineteen people were protected by the rules, completely eliminating any external harm.

Although Ah Jie and Ah Hu had a lot of flesh torn off, they managed to survive.

Upholding the rules—this is the way of rules that Gu Dao Zhao studies.

Because he was previously a royal guard, he is the most suitable person to study the rules of protection.

As for whether he loves it or not, he's just a royal guard with a mission; he has no right to love it.

He is the embodiment of the rules of protection. Any spells and supernatural powers he releases contain the power of the rules of protection. It is impossible for this group of zombies, who are ranked as evil, to break his 'Enemy Attack Protection Without Damage' technique.

The nineteen people quickly reorganized the defensive line at the front, and each used their magic to temporarily stop the surging tide of corpses.

Seeing this, Gu Daozhao coldly said, "Mr. Faceless, since we are cooperating to kill Zhou Qingfeng, and danger is encountered in the process, is it really okay for you to just stand by and watch? Don't my brother's life matter?"

Yan Wenjiu's hoarse voice came from under the mask: "I will make my move when the time is right; that man just now was Yang Jianxin's eldest son, the eldest son of the Yang family. If we catch up with him, we will know where Zhou Qingfeng is."

Upon hearing this, Gu Daozhao cursed under his breath and immediately shouted, "Withdraw! Don't linger in battle!"

With the protection of their rules, A-Jie and A-Hu, these cultivators at the Devouring Fiend Realm, calmly and methodically dealt with the siege of the zombie horde, retreating in an orderly fashion and chasing after the direction Yang Da-Lang had fled.

Two flowers bloom, one branch each.

Inside the Yang family ancestral hall, Zhou Qingfeng was discussing with Madam Yang how to eliminate this group of evil-level zombies. With the array talisman by their side, they could be completely unaffected by the array and maintain absolute air superiority and speed.

The problem is that these special, evil-level zombies are extremely difficult to kill. After discussing it for a while...

Zhou Qingfeng suggested, "If fire can't burn them to ashes, why not try freezing these zombies? Although it won't kill them, it can quickly make their bodies lose their vitality, and then you can slowly smash their bodies into countless pieces of flesh and blood to burn."

Madam Yang's eyes lit up: "Great idea! Commander Zhou is indeed wise and powerful. This method is a bit troublesome, but it seems to be able to completely kill this group of evil-level zombies."

Zhou Qingfeng smiled slightly: "Be careful when handling it, don't leave a single drop of blood or a scrap of meat."

Madam Yang looked solemn: "Thank you for your guidance, Commander Zhou. I know what to do now."

Zhou Qingfeng remained silent. He wouldn't have said a word unless Madam Yang insisted on asking.

Madam Yang summoned Yang Erlang and ordered him to gather the remaining members of the clan who were at the Devouring Fiend Realm and to try a new method to kill the lone Fiend-level zombies.

Upon hearing this, Yang Erlang immediately accepted the order to select elite members of the Food Demon Realm from the existing two hundred or so members of the Yang clan.

At this moment, with the help of the guards at the gate, Yang Dalang returned to the ancestral hall safely. He exchanged a few words of concern with his mother and learned that his third brother had died. He couldn't help but feel a pang of grief.

However, the situation is urgent now, and the family is in danger of collapse. Yang Dalang has no time to grieve. He must take on the big picture, share his mother's burdens, and protect the remaining clansmen and the Yang family village that has been passed down for hundreds of years.

He then recounted his encounter with the outsiders: "Mother, this group of outsiders infiltrated Yangjia Village. They have ill intentions. I just ran into them, and they attacked me without hesitation, intending to capture me alive."

"However, it was thanks to their appearance that the horde of zombies was drawn away, which allowed me to escape quickly."

Upon hearing this, Madam Yang felt utterly exhausted: "The Yang family is already on the verge of collapse, and now there is an invasion from outside. Beset by internal and external troubles, could tonight be the end of the Yang family?"

Yang Dalang calmly said, "Mother, don't worry. Rest here and leave the rest to me. After tonight, Yang Family Village will still be Yang Family Village, and nothing will change."

Madam Yang was taken aback. Looking at her eldest son's resolute face, she felt gratified: "Eldest son has grown up and can stand on his own. I believe you can lead the Yang family through this crisis."

After speaking, Madam Yang took her eldest son's hand and walked to the center of the ancestral hall. Facing the ancestral tablets, she glanced at the surviving clansmen present and slowly said, "Ancestors above, Commander Zhou is here to bear witness."

"As Yang Jianxin's legal wife and acting head of the family, I solemnly announce that Yang Tianqing, the eldest son of the former head of the Yang family, Yang Jianxin, is virtuous and talented and capable of undertaking great responsibilities. He officially succeeds to the position of head of the Yang family today."

After speaking, a flash of blue light appeared in Madam Yang's palm, and a magic pestle appeared: "Yang Tianqing, receive the patriarch's token!"

This array pestle is the core element controlling the Heavy Locking and Solidifying Evil Fiend Array. It also represents the patriarchal symbol of the Yang family, which has been passed down for hundreds of years. Without the patriarchal symbol, there is no legitimate legitimacy.

Yang Dalang was taken aback, then immediately knelt down and accepted the pestle with both hands.

None of the Yang clan members present raised any objections.

Since Yang Dalang was the eldest son of the Yang family and the first in line to inherit the throne, he naturally possessed the rationality and legitimacy to succeed to the throne. Although it was a bit hasty for him to take the throne in front of the coffin, it was an expedient measure in urgent circumstances.

The Yang family is now in dire straits, beset by external enemies and internal strife. In this predicament, they urgently need a core leader to step forward and lead the family in the fight.

In this situation, Yang Dalang's succession as the head of the family was a mixed blessing. As the head of the family, he had to take on the mission of saving the family from its crisis. If he succeeded, he would be recorded in the family history; if he failed, he would become a sinner for all time.

Yang Dalang did not back down because of the difficulties and dangers. He stood up with his pestle in hand, raised the pestle high, and said loudly: "Uncles, brothers and sisters, my Yang family has been passed down for 451 years. Now we have reached the moment of life and death of our family. Those who are willing to follow me to turn the tide, please stand up!"

As soon as the words fell, more than two hundred clansmen, regardless of their cultivation level, stood up. Whether male or female cultivators, they all wanted to contribute their strength to the clan: "We are willing to live and die with the clan."

Upon seeing this, Yang Tianqing's eyes reddened. Holding his vajra, he clasped his hands and looked around. After taking a deep breath to calm himself, he said firmly, "Everyone, I, Yang Tianqing, will live up to your expectations. I will defend the family's honor to the death and stand with you through thick and thin. Please believe in me and follow me. Let us welcome the arrival of victory together."

Upon hearing this, the crowd's morale soared, and they all responded: "We swear to follow the patriarch to the death and protect the family!"

Seeing that the people's hearts were with him, Yang Tianqing turned to Zhou Qingfeng and said, "Commander Zhou, may I have a word with you in private?"

Zhou Qingfeng raised an eyebrow, pondered for a moment, and then nodded in agreement.

Yang Tianqing gestured with his hand, leading Zhou Qingfeng to the quiet room, and then closed the door.

"Congratulations, Brother Yang, on assuming the position of family head," Zhou Qingfeng said with a smile and a fist salute.

Upon hearing this, Yang Tianqing knelt down and said, "I beg the Fourth Young Master to save my Yang clan. I am willing to submit to the Fourth Young Master."

Zhou Qingfeng stood with his hands behind his back, narrowed his eyes, and said, "Are you representing yourself, or the Yang family?"

Yang Tianqing remained kneeling, his tone firm: "I am the head of the family."

These four words alone have already expressed Yang Tianqing's attitude.

If he is the head of the family, then he has no personal identity.

Any decision, thought, or attitude of the head of the family directly represents the family. Personal will is unimportant, or rather, from the moment one becomes the head of the family, the individual ceases to exist.

Zhou Qingfeng was rubbing his hands inside his sleeves, considering whether or not to help the Yang family.

Because the safety of the Yang family has absolutely nothing to do with me.

I just happened to get involved. It's already good enough that I gave the Yang family a couple of pointers. If they really want me to help, they have to show enough sincerity. Otherwise, why should I help them?

The new leader of the Yang family is clearly smarter than the old one. He knows that with the Yang family facing internal and external difficulties, it is unlikely that the family can survive this crisis with its current strength alone. So he simply has the entire family submit to him.

Once he accepts the Yang family's allegiance, as a subordinate family of the Zhou family, he certainly cannot stand idly by when they encounter a crisis, and he will naturally be dragged into it.

The question is, is it worth it?

To resolve the current crisis facing the Yang family, the old cripple must personally intervene to eliminate both external enemies and internal troubles in one fell swoop. However, every time the old cripple takes action, he is eroding the goodwill they have built up.

The old cripple had no subordinate relationship, no vested interests, and was not an ally of the Zhou family.

The bonds of kinship will eventually run out.

At that point, either the relationship between the two parties will break down, or one will have to repay the favor owed.

Zhou Qingfeng pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Not enough."

Yang Tianqing slowly raised his head and looked at Zhou Qingfeng. He knew that the Fourth Young Master had no shortage of affiliated families. There were too many families that wanted to rely on the Fourth Young Master, but they were either too weak or had ulterior motives.

Now the Yang family can attach themselves to whatever they want, so why should the fourth young master have to accept it?

"My Yang family has been operating in Jianta for hundreds of years. We have deep roots and extensive connections. We have friends in all walks of life. Moreover, my Yang family is full of talented people. We have people in the military, business world, government, and even some gangs. My Yang family can help the Fourth Young Master in many ways."

Zhou Qingfeng said, "It's still not enough."

“My Yang family is willing to offer all the wealth accumulated over hundreds of years to the Fourth Young Master.”

Zhou Qingfeng said calmly, "I don't lack money; what I lack are things that money can't buy."

Upon hearing this, Yang Tianqing was filled with inner turmoil and his face showed a pained expression. He took out a scroll from his storage ring and presented it to the young master: "Fourth Young Master, this is an opportunity I obtained by chance when I was traveling in the East Sea in my early years. I originally intended to keep it for myself, but now I am willing to offer it to you. Please accept it with a smile."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng became interested and took the scroll in his hand to examine it. The scroll's exterior was gleaming with gold on both sides, with a bluish hue in the middle, and was engraved with white patterns and tiny cipher text.

Upon unfolding the scroll, one finds it filled with densely packed cryptic text, which is completely incomprehensible.

"What is this?" Zhou Qingfeng could sense the extraordinary nature of this scroll. It was made entirely of evil-grade materials, making it an evil-grade magic artifact in itself. Not to mention the information recorded in the coded text, it must be something extraordinary.

Yang Tianqing clasped his hands and said, "The Dragon Bone Scripture."

Zhou Qingfeng's mind raced as he tried to recall the contents of the Five Turbid Treasure Appraisal Record.

The answer came soon.

The Dragon Bone True Scripture and the Five Turbid Treasures Appraisal Record do indeed contain records of this.

[In this defiled and evil world, there exists a dragon of ethereal echoes from ancient times.]

Only cultivators at the Devouring Fiend Realm who possess the Dragon Bone True Scripture may ascend the Echoing Dragon.

The Echoing Dragon periodically takes its passengers on a journey along the Ancient Path of Gods. The departure time and location are unknown, but the Dragon Bone Scripture will reveal the time and location three years before the Echoing Dragon's departure.

[During their journey retracing the Ancient Path of Godhood, the 108 passengers will receive the inheritances of powerful figures from ancient times and a wealth of legendary cultivation resources. Finally, the Echoing Dragon will transport all passengers back to their origin.]

At that time, the Dragon Bone Scriptures possessed by the 108 passengers will once again vanish into thin air, scattered throughout every corner of this turbid world. Who will obtain them will depend entirely on luck.

[If anyone possessed the Dragon Bone Manual, no one would sell it; it simply wouldn't appear on the market.]

This special ticket represents limitless possibilities: the unparalleled legacy of ancient powerhouses, invincible ancient treasures, lost forbidden techniques and supernatural abilities, and various legendary cultivation resources.

Anyone who can traverse the entire Investiture of the Gods Ancient Path and return will one day be ranked among the elite.

Therefore, whenever a copy of the Dragon Bone Manual appears in the public eye, it immediately stirs up a bloodbath. From royalty to rogue cultivators, everyone goes mad in their struggle for the manual, resulting in rivers of blood.

hiss……

Zhou Qingfeng took a deep breath and couldn't help but click his tongue: "Tsk, Patriarch Yang, you're just handing over such a huge opportunity like this. Don't you feel bad? This is the ticket to becoming a top expert."

Yang Tianqing looked bitter: "It hurts, but compared to the survival and continuation of the family, such material possessions are something that can be given up with a bit of grit. Besides, if we want to rely on the Fourth Young Master, we have to show some sincerity."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng nodded slightly and decisively accepted the Dragon Bone Scripture. Then, with a smile, he reached out to help Yang Tianqing up and said, "Patriarch Yang, from now on, your affairs are my affairs."

Yang Tianqing breathed a sigh of relief and clasped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you, Fourth Young Master."

In fact, Yang Tianqing did not lose out. This action saved his family and broadened his path by attaching himself to the four young masters of the Sword Tower. Although he lost the Dragon Bone Scripture, the Yang family will become even stronger in the Sword Tower in the future.

Moreover, obtaining the Dragon Bone Scripture doesn't automatically make you a top expert; it's merely a special ticket.

Even if he manages to embark on the Path of Godhood, he may not be able to return alive.

The two had a pleasant conversation and left the quiet room together.

Zhou Qingfeng was overjoyed because he had unexpectedly gained a tremendous opportunity and taken the Yang family as his lackeys. Although there were many benefits, there were also drawbacks.

In the future, if the Yang family encounters problems they cannot solve, or is bullied and needs Zhou Qingfeng's help, Zhou Qingfeng will have to personally step in to support the Yang family and resolve the troubles.

For example, right now, the Yang family, a vassal family, is facing a predicament both internally and externally, and it needs the Zhou family, a lord family, to step in and solve the problem.

Yang Tianqing stepped forward, glanced around, and said, "Our patriarch has already discussed the matter with Commander Zhou. Commander Zhou is willing to lend a hand, and I believe that with his help, we will definitely be able to overcome this difficulty."

Zhou Qingfeng nodded with a smile and declared to the public: "From today onwards, the affairs of the Yang family are my affairs, Zhou Silang's affairs. Rest assured, everyone, this commander will do his best to assist the Yang family in eliminating internal troubles and quelling external enemies!"

P.S.: This is a long chapter of 4,200 words. Please give me a reward, a free gift, a good review, follow me for more updates, and follow me.