The intentions had been clearly expressed, so Governor Wen and Du Wenlan exchanged a few pleasantries before rising to leave.
After seeing them off, Liao Ya ca running over excitedly and said, "The two officials brought many dicinal herbs and even ambergris."
Lu Yao smiled and said, "I'll learn how to make ambergris myself soon."
The fragrance was of no use to him, but the two won had quite a need for it.
With her eyes sparkling, Liao Ya stared unwaveringly at her junior brother and said admiringly, "You're a big shot now, even third-grade officials have to co and curry favor with you."
"Just forging relationships in advance."
Lu Yao saw it clearly; he was now equivalent to a top-tier technical talent, definitely to be courted and flattered by all manner of people.
He felt sowhat elated after being showered with praise by two third-grade officials. He actually dared to audaciously wrap his arm around his senior sister's waist, teasingly saying,
"Senior sister~, let's go inside so I can give you a massage with the marvels of Fetal Breath, guaranteeing you'll feel fantastically comfortable."
Liao Ya pushed his hand away and scolded, "Are you crazy? Liao Qi is still at ho!"
But the thought that her sister had reached the Marrow-Cleansing Realm just overnight made her quite expectant of her junior brother's massage; she bit her lip and said,
"When my sister is not at ho, you can do it for then. It's just a massage, no funny business allowed!"
"Rest assured, senior sister, I am a true gentleman who would not think of misconduct!"
~~~~~~~~
The following days were all about dealing with a continuous stream of visitors coming to pay their respects.
The visitors were a mixed bunch, including guilds, clans, and peers from the Martial Faction, all exceedingly sycophantic and eager to please—just to leave a good impression for future dealings.
So were blunt: as long as Great Master Lu was willing to help them break through their current realm, money or secret manuals were theirs for the choosing!
Others were sneaky, bringing along their beautiful daughters/disciples, their purposes obvious. For a ti, the threshold was bustling, filled with fragrant breezes.
Unfortunately for them, the person receiving these guests was the Head of Liao Family Fist—Master Liao Liao Ya.
The Liao Family Sisters were among the most top-tier beauties judged by their appearances alone. Master Liao didn't even have to rely on her charm; her beauty alone overawed all living creatures, leaving a group of won to walk away dispiritedly.
~~~~~~~~
While most people were handled by Liao Ya with just a few nonchalant words, there were so "old connections" that had the opportunity to et with Lu Yao directly.
Among them was Duan Pei of the Thunderclap Martial Arts Hall. This man had made a special trip to warn them when Barrett first showed his power by targeting Master Pang, and the Liao Family was indebted to him.
Now, the Marrow-Cleansing Realm master of the hall was staring absentmindedly at the exquisite garden.
"Back then, I was only focused on the Liao Family's eldest lady, completely overlooking the real dragon. Who could have thought that sickly boy would soar to the heavens so suddenly."
He shook his head to dispel his random thoughts. Leveraging the goodwill of past days, Duan Pei beca the first local bigwig of Yunzhou to et with Lu Yao.
~~~~~~~~
By the lakeside pavilion, Lu Yao was folding paper.
Being dexterous was a basic quality for Spirit Refining, and in no ti, a lifelike paper crane appeared in his hands.
Lu Yao played with the paper crane for a while, then tossed it into the air.
The paper crane fluttered its wings, circling the pavilion four or five tis before plopping down to the ground.
Lu Yao shook his head, dissatisfied. The ones made by Old Zhou could fly more than ten kiloters.
From a distance, Duan Pei witnessed this scene and was both astonished and envious! The wonders of Spirit Refinent were indeed like the thods of Immortals, able to turn paper into sothing seemingly alive!
In the background, one could faintly hear a young girl saying, "Zhou He has cultivated the Fetal Breath for dozens of years, and you think you can match him after only two days? You must be dreaming..."
Duan Pei looked closely and saw that it was the Liao Family's eldest daughter, with the second daughter by her side.
The two won had rosy lips and white teeth, with skin so smooth and luminous it seed to flow. Their vitality was far beyond that of Organ Refining, embodying a stature of "strong bones and abundant qi and blood."
"They have all reached the Marrow-Cleansing Realm!" Duan Pei was astounded beyond asure, for he knew the realms of the two won from before. Within a year, they had all cleansed their marrow, which must undoubtedly be attributed to the miraculous abilities of that Spirit Refinent Master.
Duan Pei suppressed the excitent in his heart and slowly approached.
At that mont, three sharp cries rang out from the sky, and three majestic Spiritual Sparrowhawks swooped down, surrounding and fluttering their wings, attempting to nudge their master's hand for a massage.
Seeing this, Duan Pei wasn't too surprised. A Spirit Refining Expert, being wealthy was already an essential attribute, and keeping three Spirit Birds was nothing out of the ordinary. However, what happened next drove him to envy to the point of madness!
He saw Lu Yao extend his arms to both sides, massaging the three Sparrowhawks.
The Sparrowhawks rolled their eyes back and stuck out their tongues, lying on the table as if their souls had soared to the heavens in sheer bliss.
Duan Pei's jealousy was palpable; this was a massage from a Spirit Refinent Master! And it was being wasted on three birds!!!
Who knows how many Martial Artists would be willing to bankrupt themselves, paying any price just to be touched a few tis!
At this mont, Duan Pei suddenly understood the saying deeply—when one man gains enlightennt, even his pets ascend to heaven!
He quickly approached to pay his respects to the newly-risen "Great Master Lu".
~~~~~~~~~
When Lu Yao saw soone approaching, he smiled and said, "Hall Master Duan, long ti no see."
Duan Pei bowed to the ground, "I dare not, I have seen Great Master Lu!"
Lu Yao gestured with his hand for the visitor to take a seat.
Duan Pei didn't even dare to sit. Running a martial arts hall in Yunzhou might not guarantee proficiency in martial arts, but one must obviously excel in human relations.
He was acutely aware of the gap in status between himself and the person before him, and wouldn't dare waste the master's ti, he got straight to the point:
"Great Master Lu, on behalf of the Martial Faction of Yunzhou, I have co to congratulate you on advancing to the Spirit Embryo Breathing Realm!
If there is anything at all that doesn't suit you, this humble one, as well as all eighteen martial arts halls of the Yunzhou Martial Faction, are all willing to toil on your behalf!"
His words carried a posture so low, indicating his willingness to be of service without ntioning any conditions.
Lu Yao smiled and said nothing, picking up a piece of paper and beginning to fold a paper airplane.
Duan Pei remained bowed down and hastily added, "Regarding the troublemakers within the Martial Faction, we have already dealt with them ourselves, ensuring no one dares to engage in such heaven-defying and immoral acts like opium consumption."
The paper airplane was ready, and Lu Yao touched it thrice before tossing it. The plane swiftly glided over the surface of the lake, disappearing into the distance beyond sight.
"Hall Master Duan has good intentions, if there is ever a matter, I will naturally give you my orders."
Duan Pei's face lit up with joy, promptly saying, "Great Master Lu, please don't be polite, just give your commands."
Lu Yao nodded and took a sip of his tea.
Duan Pei quickly got up to take his leave.
~~~~~~~~~
After he left, Liao Ya said, "He ca for his only son. His son's talent is ager; without external help, he will at most be an Organ Refiner in this lifeti."
Lu Yao nodded. He had co to realize that the status afforded by the Fetal Breath Realm was extraordinary, not because it was particularly miraculous or powerful, but mainly due to its unparalleled "auxiliary cultivation" abilities, which could guarantee the continuity of a lineage. Those who approached him were mostly interested in this aspect.
Liao Qe's eyes widened in surprise and she said, "Wait a second! Listening to Duan Pei's words… has Lu Yao beco the honored emperor of Yunzhou's Martial Faction? Able to order the Martial Faction of Yunzhou around at will!?"
Liao Ya nodded and explained, "Pretty much. He ca representing dozens of martial arts halls in the city.
They were smart to know that they don't amount to much individually, but by coming together, they could perhaps earn brother's high regard. After all, our Liao Family has three who have reached the Marrow-Cleansing Realm."
Lu Yao folded another paper airplane and threw it. Discover stories at empire
In a world where extraordinary powers exist, once you have power, wealth and influence naturally fall into your hands.
And countless people are eager and willing to serve you!
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