Halfway through the journey, the group stopped to rest; with a late-stage Qi Cultivator among them, they didn’t have to worry about many hazards lurking in the wilderness.
But just as everyone was sitting by the campfire eating, two streaks of light suddenly shot across one side of the ridge.
Seemingly alert to the group’s presence, they halted a hundred ters away, revealing their forms.
"Are you fellows cultivators from Platinum Immortal City?"
One had a face as handso as jade, wearing Daoist robes and beaming with kindness.
The other had a horse-like face, looking indifferent, as if unconcerned about anything.
Fang Yuan and the others sized up the newcors, unable to see through their tactics, but nodded, replying, "We are. And you two?"
"We’re cultivators from Youfang Immortal City. This is my brother, Cheng Nan; I’m Cheng Wu. We were passing by and noticed the lively campfire, so we thought we’d co have a look," Cheng Wu said, all smiles.
Fang Yuan nodded, "Suit yourselves, friends."
Out in the wild, no one knows what background a stranger might have, so everyone keeps their guard up.
Yet the two didn’t seem to care, not turning to leave, but instead kindled their own campfire a short ways off.
Fang Yuan glanced at Lu Chang’sheng, then at the others, exchanging looks—originally, they’d planned to dine quickly and move on, but this unexpected episode had occurred.
The two’s intentions were clearly suspicious; a fight could break out at any mont, so the group’s wariness was heightened.
Unexpectedly, after about an hour, those brothers stood up.
Cheng Wu smiled over at them, saying, "We have matters to attend to, so we’ll be on our way. Farewell, cultivator friends."
Lu Chang’sheng watched Fang Yuan clasp his hands, but felt sothing odd—their gazes on him seed a bit... lingering.
"So? What do you think?"
"Nothing unusual!"
After flying so distance, Cheng Wu looked to Cheng Nan, asking.
Hearing Cheng Nan’s reply, Cheng Wu nodded as if unsurprised.
"It’s rare for those monsters to co out; they mostly ignore cultivators at this level. It’s no wonder none of them are possessed."
Cheng Wu comnted.
"Let’s go. In Platinum Immortal City, I’d bet there are quite a few monsters waiting for us to root out. Here’s hoping we can hook a big one."
······
Lu Chang’sheng and his companions naturally knew nothing of the brothers’ identities or aims; after a day or two of caution, they returned to Platinum Immortal City.
Fang Yuan and the others went back to their clan; Lu Chang’sheng brought Li Nangua and Lu Chang’an ho to Lu Mansion.
"So this is the new house?" Li Nangua’s eyes looked a little dazed as she stood before Lu Mansion.
Though Platinum Immortal City couldn’t compare to Fuyun Mountain, she’d accepted missions in remote places before, and she understood how costly land in locations like this could be.
If you didn’t earn tens of thousands of spirit stones yearly, it would be hard to maintain a place this large.
And that was just one requirent—not only money, but strength and status were essential here.
"Yes, but this isn’t exactly pri real estate; the spiritual qi is lacking, so I usually stay with Ziyou over at White Cloud Pharmacy."
"Father, you sure turned things around fast," Lu Chang’an said with a wry smile.
In just a few short years, the family’s situation had multiplied several tis over.
Lu Chang’sheng chuckled, "It’s only the beginning. Don’t expect big changes so quickly in the future."
It wasn’t humility—just reality.
Lately, Lu Chang’sheng had noticed his cultivation in Immortal Techniques was slowing down a lot.
He realized that, the closer one got to the Foundation Establishnt threshold, the more talent was required. He’d only advanced so swiftly to late-stage Qi Cultivation thanks to never lacking top-grade Qi Storage Pills.
And, of course, shelling out for the Barrier-Breaking Pills.
Otherwise, he’d probably still be lingering at first or second level of Qi Cultivation.
But after reaching the fourth level, even the best Barrier-Breaking Pills fell short.
They still worked, just far more slowly than before.
This was the effect of Immortal Dao Root Bone.
This is why the Immortal Sects put so much stock in Root Bone.
And that’s why, even after Lu Chang’sheng hit mid-stage Qi Cultivation, White Cloud Cave Mansion’s higher-ups hadn’t changed their overall assessnt of him.
"Now that Nangua is back, I need to settle down, solidify Chang’sheng’s foundation. If not necessary, I won’t stick my neck out anymore."
Lu Chang’sheng mused inwardly.
Now that he was established, there was no need for further reckless risk-taking.
With the lady of the house returning, Lu Chang’sheng imdiately held a banquet at Lu Mansion for everyone to et Nangua as their hostess.
Fortunately, there weren’t many people at Lu Mansion these days—just a few dozen—so it was easy to arrange.
It was only a family gathering, so Lu Chang’sheng didn’t invite anyone from outside—just relatives and so servants.
During the feast, Lu Ziyou brought Lin Yin to pay respects to Li Nangua.
Over dinner, Li Nangua observed her daughter-in-law closely, finding her conduct proper and social skills high—she was quite satisfied.
"This daughter-in-law’s not bad,"
she said to Lu Chang’sheng.
"She’s got a head for the household, but whether she’s the best fit still needs observing," Li Nangua quickly slipped into her old manner from the Great Yuan era.
She wanted to help Lu Chang’sheng manage the ho front.
"Let the family handle things themselves; you should focus more on your cultivation," Lu Chang’sheng said.
"I know,"
Li Nangua replied softly.
She was already at sixth-level Qi Cultivation; one more step, and she’d reach late-stage, which would be a powerful asset for Lu Mansion.
Then there was Daoist Ruyi; Li Nangua poured her a drink personally, and the two chatted about past experiences.
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