Joking aside, Lu Li could also understand Lin Yin’s words.
Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivators could never fight alone.
Cultivating together, forging marriage contracts, and then producing a large family always brought greater benefits.
In the following days, Lu Li continuously absorbed knowledge about the Foundation Establishment stage, trying to make up for the dozen-year gap.
That Storage Bracelet of his had also been reforged by Lin Yin, allowing Lu Li, even as a man, to be sensed by other sects.
The True Yuan stored within could also unleash attacks at the late Foundation Establishment stage.
“Hoo…” On the morning a week later, Lu Li exhaled a mouthful of turbid breath, feeling the abundant True Yuan in his body, and couldn’t help clenching his fist.
“Cultivation speed as a man is also very fast; it’s just that I’m used to being a woman usually.” When Lu Li stood up, he heard somewhat hurried footsteps outside the main gate.
“Lu… Martial Uncle.” After pushing open the gate, Qing Luo, with a complicated expression, bowed to him. “Master Wanqiu said your Teleportation Array is almost ready.”
“Understood. But Qing Luo, you really don’t have to be so polite.” Lu Li looked at the somewhat nervous Qing Luo. “I’ve only been in the sect for three months.”
“No, this is what Master Wanqiu and True Master Lin instructed.” Qing Luo lowered her head. “And Martial Uncle Lu… is indeed exceptionally talented. Maybe by the time you return, you’ll be a Golden Core True Person.”
“Even so…” Lu Li looked at the wondrous flowers and herbs in the courtyard. They had been planted together just a few days ago. “Then I’ll leave these plants entirely in your hands.”
“… Disciple understands.” Qing Luo nodded, bowed, and returned to her room.
With a soft sigh, Lu Li mounted his Flying Sword and soared into the air.
Now at Foundation Establishment, his rapidly rising cultivation had greatly increased his speed.
In a flash, he arrived at the Market Square at the foot of the mountain.
His Foundation Establishment cultivation unconsciously released itself, and the two guards at the entrance bowed even more respectfully, leading Lu Li into the room.
This time, Shen Zhaoxue hurried over, even a little out of breath.
“… Sorry, Martial Uncle Lu, I’m late.” Shen Zhaoxue bowed deeply, then naturally stood to the side. “Have you come this time to discuss the expiration of the contract?”
“I have to go to the Northern Domain. I’m leaving everything to Qing Luo from now on.” As Lu Li spoke, Shen Zhaoxue was startled, then revealed a faint smile.
“As expected of Martial Uncle Lu. You’re really gentle with Qing Luo.”
“She was the one who brought me into the sect after all, and she’s helped me a lot these days.” Lu Li said. “I’m troubling you as well.”
“It’s only right. Martial Uncle Lu taking care of our Drunken Fragrance Pavilion has brought us great profit lately.” Shen Zhaoxue bowed again. “By the way, Martial Uncle Lu, Junior Sister Jiang has also come down the mountain recently. She should be arriving at the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion today.”
“Oh? Have our Sect Rules been revised recently?”
“Yes, thanks in large part to the battle between Martial Uncle Lu and a disciple back when you were at Qi Refining.” Shen Zhaoxue looked toward the window lattice. “At each Qi Refining layer—fourth, eighth, and twelfth—disciples can go down the mountain for half a year, one year, or three years to experience the vastness of the world.”
“I see…” As Lu Li marveled, he heard faint footsteps in his ear. “It seems she’s here.”
“Moonwhite Escort Agency.” Jiang Yuebai’s voice sounded from outside the door.
Shen Zhaoxue glanced at Lu Li. After Lu Li nodded, she answered softly.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and there was Jiang Yuebai with several Escort Guards.
“Ah… Lu Li… no, Martial Uncle Lu.” Jiang Yuebai immediately lowered her head.
“It’s fine. Jiang Yuebai, you were originally with the escort agency?” Lu Li had known that Jiang Yuebai had a family background, but he hadn’t expected it to be related to what he had done before.
“My family used to be, but I haven’t done as much as Martial Uncle Lu.” Jiang Yuebai waved her hands repeatedly. “And after the Yin Yang Sect revised its Sect Rules, the Three Sects and Four Gates also gradually relaxed. Some Qi Refining disciples needed to deliver goods. So I went down the mountain to inherit my family’s escort agency and started taking jobs from cultivators.”
“From that perspective, I still have to thank Martial Uncle Lu.” Jiang Yuebai bowed again. “Martial Uncle Lu, I heard you’re going to the Northern Domain for a Trial. There’s exactly a Talisman in my family—how about I give it to you as a gift?”
“Since Junior Sister Jiang is giving a gift, how can our Drunken Fragrance Pavilion fall behind?” Shen Zhaoxue called out, summoned the guard outside the door, and handed over a token. “Junior Sister knows that Martial Uncle Lu is good at planning and strategy, so I’ll give you the Qi Incense from the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion. I wish you a smooth journey.”
“Then I’ll gratefully accept.” Lu Li looked at the Talisman Jiang Yuebai had offered and the Jade Box brought by Shen Zhaoxue’s servant. “Then let’s meet again when I return from this Trial.”
“We respectfully see off Martial Uncle Lu!”
Taking the gifts from the two, Lu Li returned to the sect.
This time, he went directly to the Rear Hall that Su Wanqiu had mentioned.
Flying in the air, Lu Li gazed at the familiar Hundred Immortals Town, a mix of emotions in his heart.
On one hand, it was because the friends he had known in the past had grown distant from him.
On the other hand, he hadn’t expected to leave so soon.
“Junior Brother Lu, over here.” A blue light appeared—it was Su Wanqiu floating in the air on a Light Gauze. “Are you all prepared?”
“Basically no more issues.” Lu Li nodded, but unexpectedly, Su Wanqiu adjusted her direction and flew toward the great mountain in the north.
“This is?” Lu Li followed her curiously.
“The Teleportation Array is outside the sect, and it’s one-way.” Su Wanqiu explained. Seeing that Lu Li’s speed on his Flying Sword was not inferior to hers, her expression showed slight surprise. “Junior Brother Lu, why is your Flying Sword so fast?”
“Maybe it’s because of my Superior-grade Sword Spirit Root.”
“That’s true… Junior Brother Lu is usually in female form, so I, as your senior sister, overlooked that.” Su Wanqiu smiled slightly. “Although this Trial has little danger, it should be fine for Junior Brother, right?”
“Because it’s close to the Yao Race, right.” Lu Li nodded.
The Yao Race was a race similar to humans.
Many Beast Tides in history had been caused by them.
“Yes, but the Yao Race has millions of members; some have good relations with us, and some hate us to the bone.” As Su Wanqiu spoke, the two landed among the great mountains and gently passed through a blue light. “The reason for this trip is that some Yao Race members have indicated they want to negotiate. That’s why we need to send a Foundation Establishment cultivator.”
“Is it trustworthy?” Lu Li frowned.
“About forty to fifty percent chance. That’s why our Yin Yang Sect needs to act, and also why you need to go.” Su Wanqiu made hand seals repeatedly, and the Teleportation Array hidden among the grass and leaves emitted layers of mysterious light. “Master knows about the Trial, so you have the ability to protect yourself when facing the Yao Race.”
“And I also have a Sword Spiritual Root and master Sword Arts.” Lu Li watched as Su Wanqiu took a Spirit Stone from her Storage Ring and embedded it in the center of the Teleportation Array. “Is it done?”
“Yes. I wish Junior Brother Lu a smooth journey.”
“Thank you.” Lu Li stepped onto the Teleportation Array. As the mysterious light flickered, an unusual brilliance instantly covered his vision.
But just as his sight was about to disappear, a figure flashed behind Su Wanqiu, approaching like the wind.
“Senior Sister Su?!”
Subconsciously reaching out his hand, Lu Li felt heaven and earth spin, and a powerful force pulled him away from this place.
In an instant, Lu Li found himself standing at the center of the Teleportation Array again.
Snowflakes drifted down, and biting cold attacked him from all directions.
“… So this is the Northern Domain…” Lu Li exhaled a puff of hot air. “But what happened with Senior Sister Su just now?”
As he pondered, Lu Li took out the Mystic Token. Just as he was about to ask, the Mystic Token vibrated on its own, and a familiar voice came from it.
“Junior Brother Lu, have you arrived in the Northern Domain?”
“Yes, I think I have.” Lu Li reached out his hand, feeling the cold snowflakes landing in his palm. “But what just happened?”
“Ah, Senior Sister Cheng had something to discuss with me. Since we were talking for too long, Master called us to talk about the Sect Rules.”
“Junior Brother Lu, don’t be like me and bring too many people back to the sect.” Cheng Suwen’s gentle voice sounded. “But if you really want to bring someone, choose carefully.”
“… Please rest assured, Senior Sister Cheng.” With one matter settled, Lu Li felt much more at ease. He put away the Mystic Token, mounted his Flying Sword, and soared into the air.
Then, he saw a magnificent snow-covered giant city.