sinovels Chapter 189 Planning a Breakthrough
Chapter 189 Planning a Breakthrough
Chapter 189 Planning a Breakthrough
The martial law in Pinghu City was eventually lifted.
Shen Changzhu realized the reality: ever since that guy covered in magical artifacts escaped, it was impossible to catch up with him again.
Continuing martial law would only waste time and resources that would otherwise be wasted on their own businesses.
"Changzhu, Cui Jue comes from the Refining Peak and is the direct descendant of the Cui family. He must possess countless precious magical artifacts."
"Now that so much time has passed, he's probably already run away."
"If you continue with this martial law, we'll only lose more spirit stones. You should know, we've already lost thousands of spirit stones in just one day!"
"Sixth Uncle, I understand. I will lift martial law tomorrow, so you don't need to say anything more."
"Sigh, Changzhu, you're just too stubborn sometimes. Even if we kill Cui Jue, what then? Does our Shen family really want to go to war with the Cui family?"
The insects in each room had made this complaint many times, and even though Shen Changzhu had a gut feeling that Cui Jue had not escaped, he had no choice but to compromise.
Although this was probably a pointless effort in the first place.
In the end, apart from a few audacious thieves, Shen Changzhu caught nothing.
Watching the departing elders, Shen Changzhu crushed the porcelain cup in his hand to pieces: "These hateful insects actually dared to coexist with the Cui family!"
"The Beast Taming Peak and the Weapon Forging Peak have a long-standing feud, but both peaks belong to the Cloud Mist Sect. Why would they personally intervene? They must be using us as pawns to decide the outcome between our two sects, while you remain foolish and unaware, attempting only to survive by clinging to life!"
Shen Changzhu was panting heavily, wishing he could go out and kill all these clan elders, to make them understand whose sun rises over the Shen family every day!
Unfortunately, he couldn't do it. These damned insects had the protection of their ancestors, and they didn't take him seriously at all!
Lu Qingyun boarded a flying boat.
These flying boats were not all operated by the Shen family.
For Qi-refining families like the Shen family, the Yunxia Sect regularly sends flying boats to them.
"This is your credentials, sir. Please feel free to contact me if you require anything."
Lu Qingyun readily paid the spirit stones and accepted the voucher respectfully handed over by the flying boat manager. This time, he wouldn't have to be discriminated against by the Shen family on the flying boat like he was in his previous life, where discrimination would only allow him to go to the lower deck.
Now he's sitting in first class, which costs ten spirit stones per trip, and even the managers of the flying boat have to treat him with utmost respect.
However, as he boarded the flying boat, the sharp-eyed Lu Qingyun caught a glimpse of a familiar figure.
He was a middle-aged man who looked gloomy.
Lu Qingyun raised an eyebrow and quickly probed with his divine sense.
The wig on the man's head was quickly passed through.
He's bald!
"What a coincidence!"
No wonder it looked so familiar; it turned out to be an old acquaintance, Cui Jue.
Unexpectedly, this fellow did not run away, but waited for the Shen family to lower their guard before heading to the Yunxia Sect.
There's nothing better than kicking a man when he's down!
Lu Qingyun smiled, then flicked his finger, sending a burst of magical power from his fingertip, gently activating a wind spell.
Under the cover of divine sense, no one around noticed anything unusual.
"Hurry up, why are you taking so long to check a first-class ticket? If you can't get on the flying boat, then don't. There are other people waiting behind you."
The ticket inspector looked at Cui Jue, who was stiff all over, with disdain.
Cui Jue restrained himself, refraining from beheading the arrogant bailiff before him with a single sword stroke, and quickly and readily paid for the airship ticket.
He had finally managed to hide in Pinghu City under cover of darkness, where the Shen family's guard was relaxed, so he couldn't let all his efforts go to waste.
However, a sense of desolation inevitably arose in Cui Jue's heart. He, the eldest son of the Cui family, was now being looked down upon by such insignificant people.
Moreover, they had to go to the last-class cabin, which only transported the dregs of the monks.
But he had no choice. First-class cabins were much more strictly controlled than valet cabins. If he went there, he would surely be discovered to be wanted by the authorities.
Cui Jue silently endured the humiliation brought about by this disparity in status.
It wasn't until a sudden gust of wind blew by that I felt much cooler.
However, this refreshing feeling seems a bit too much.
Cui Jue could almost feel the wind caressing his bald forehead.
Everyone around him stared at him, trembling, and Cui Jue felt somewhat bewildered.
"Isn't my head covered by hair? Why does my scalp feel a little cold?"
Cui Jue's face stiffened, and he touched his head before realizing that something was wrong.
"Oh no, my hair is gone!"
Finally, one of the cultivators couldn't hold back any longer and shouted in panic, "The sworn barbarians are here! The sworn barbarians are here!"
The magic sword was drawn, and several people were cut down.
Cui Jue hurriedly activated the purple jade cloud-ascending shoes, transforming them into a purple rainbow as he fled out of the flying boat.
Lu Qingyun sipped his spiritual tea on the deck atop the flying boat, watching the commotion unfold below.
The waiter beside him respectfully poured him another glass.
Lu Qingyun waved for the waiter to leave, inwardly scoffing, "Although I don't want to cause any more trouble, you think you can just leave so easily after offending me? You're really dreaming."
The Shen family's investigation wasted an extra half hour of Lu Qingyun's time.
However, thinking of Cui Jue's pathetic state when he was chased and killed by several late-stage Qi Refining experts from the Shen family, Lu Qingyun suddenly felt his Dao heart become clear.
It's a pity I couldn't kill him with my own hands. I'll save him for when I break through to the next level and then settle accounts with the Cui family.
but.
-
Compared to Cui Jue's disheveled state.
The wasted half hour no longer seemed so important.
The Shen family's law enforcement cultivators came twice more.
Allowing Cui Jue, a wanted criminal, onto the flying boat was definitely a major mistake on their part. This time, they questioned everyone's identities carefully and even checked their magical abilities one by one.
"No wonder it's first class, it's those despicable earth merchants!"
After examining Lu Qingyun's magical attributes, the Shen family's law enforcement cultivators left with complex expressions.
Lu Qingyun smiled slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
This attitude only made the surrounding law enforcement cultivators grit their teeth even more.
The airship set sail, marking the end of our trip to Pinghu.
Lu Qingyun disembarked his flying boat at a base in the Yunxia Mountains beforehand, and did not go directly to the sect.
He is still wearing a human skin mask, and if this is discovered, it will inevitably cause more trouble.
Lu Qingyun arrived at the location he had previously scouted, scanned it with his divine sense, and then returned to his original appearance.
Half a day later, after killing a Thunder Leopard, Lu Qingyun faked the signs of a fight and immediately returned to Dan Peak.
Although it's uncertain whether anyone will come to investigate, it's always good to be on the safe side.
Danfeng.
Outside the cave, Chen Xiru's mansion gate finally opened.
Lu Qingyun pondered for a moment, then took out several Spirit-Boosting Pills and recorded several array formations and sword techniques into a blank jade slip.
"Junior sister, congratulations on initiating Qi into your body! You are now officially a cultivator!"
"I should thank you, Senior Brother. Without your guidance, I don't know how many more detours I would have taken."
Chen Xiru smiled.
"The path of cultivation may rely on others, but in the end it depends on oneself. Without one's own efforts, no matter how much external force there is, it is difficult to receive the favor of the Great Dao."
Lu Qingyun shook his head and took out a storage bag he had prepared in advance: "This time I took on a mission and left the sect, and obtained a lot of spiritual materials and treasures, including several formations, sword techniques, and some pills."
"If you need it, Junior Sister, I can give it to you on credit in advance. You can pay me back when you have more spirit stones later."
-
Lu Qingyun did not give these items directly to Chen Xiru.
He can't take care of her forever.
As mentioned before, one can only rely on oneself.
He has already given her a reliable cultivation technique, saving her from the covetousness of that True Immortal at the peak of the formation.
If we continue to give without giving, it will not be good. In the long run, it will also be detrimental to Chen Xiru's Dao heart.
"Brother Lu, thank you."
A crescent moon appeared at the corner of Chen Xiru's mouth.
She wasn't ungrateful; she knew that Lu Qingyun was deliberately helping her. In fact, when Lu Qingyun told her to buy on credit, she felt somewhat at ease.
Because of her low cultivation level, she had absolutely no way to repay Lu Qingyun's kindness.
Having spent so many days in the sect, she had come to understand what it meant for the Great Dao to be ruthless and scheming at every turn.
Lu Qingyun was willing to pull her out of the cage of Zhenfeng and bring her to Danfeng, and was willing to guide her onto the path of cultivation, never coveting her physique.
She already doesn't know how to repay these debts.
He handed the storage bag to Chen Xiru.
Lu Qingyun smiled and left Chen Xiru's cave.
He glanced in the direction of Senior Brother Sun, but this time he did not rashly scan with his divine sense.
It has now been confirmed that Senior Brother Sun is a useless piece of trash. Wasting energy on investigating him will not only yield nothing, but may also result in being corrupted by his evil influence.
"It seems I underestimated Senior Brother Sun."
Lu Qingyun glanced in the direction of Sun Cheng's cave. He was already being very careful, but he didn't expect that a male cultivator's shout would still reach his ears on the wind.
"The mere breaking of the magical artifact is not enough to stop his evil; he must be completely eradicated to restore peace to the world."
Outside Senior Brother Sun's cave.
Pei Shimei stood pitifully to the side.
"Junior Brother Ye, let's go. Let's not associate with this madman anymore. We used to suffer together, and even if we earned less spirit stones, it was worth it."
"But now you've changed. You no longer look me in the eye. Even after leaving Sun Cheng's cave, you're still eyeing those male cultivators' butts. Junior Brother Ye, you've changed. You're no longer yourself."
No, I haven't changed.
Junior Brother Ye's gaze was firm as he shook his head.
"My heart for the Dao has never changed. Only by satisfying Senior Brother Sun can I obtain more resources. One day, I, Ye Li, will also be able to reach the late stage of Qi Refining and become a powerful market steward."
"Everything now has been worthwhile. It's not me who has changed, but you, Junior Sister Pei!"
"To put it bluntly, you're just jealous that I get Senior Brother Sun's favor while you're the one who got dumped. You're just coveting the pills and spirit stones that Senior Brother Sun gave me, afraid that I won't share them with you."
Junior Brother Ye's eyes were cold and sharp.
"Junior Sister Pei, I have seen through you. From now on, we are severing all ties. In my heart, there will only ever be Senior Brother Sun."
"So everything you said before was a lie?"
Junior Sister Pei cried miserably.
"Good, now get lost and stop interfering with my love affair with Senior Brother Sun!"
"Ye Li, one day Senior Brother Sun will get tired of you. Maybe he's already eyeing some cultivator who's even more beautiful than you. Ye Li, I hate you. I'll be waiting for you and watching you fall to the bottom."
Inside the cave.
Lu Qingyun snorted coldly and tore the letter in his hand to shreds.
"That scoundrel Senior Brother Sun, even after his magic weapon was broken, he still wouldn't behave. He actually wanted me to be like Junior Brother Ye and have sex with him!"
"This is no ordinary cultivator; they must be dealt with severely!"
Lu Qingyun gritted his teeth and lit the spiritual fire, burning Senior Brother Sun's letter.
He even regretted secretly using magic to break Sun Cheng's magical artifact.
Unexpectedly, Sun Cheng not only did not restrain himself these days, but also sent a letter directly.
Tell him, dear Junior Brother Lu, that when Sun Cheng entered the sect, he only saw Junior Sister Chen and did not notice her beauty. Now he wants to invite Junior Brother Lu to his door to apologize. As long as he is willing to study the wonderful method of the Mysterious Female of Heaven and Earth with him, he is willing to give him twenty spirit stones as a reward.
Lu Qingyun took a deep breath and adjusted his breathing.
That's why he refrained from immediately rushing over and crushing Sun Cheng to death.
Fortunately, the other letter I received was much more normal.
It was a letter from Zhao Qingxuan, inviting him to meet at Mingyue Tower during his free time this week. She also included a storage bag full of pills and a thousand spirit stones as a gift.
Lu Qingyun pondered for a moment, then took out the jade talisman and told Zhao Qingxuan that they would meet in three days.
At the same time, he seemed to be deep in thought.
"It seems that the Zhao family has made most of the arrangements and is preparing to continue investing in me. That's perfect, I should demonstrate my Qi Refining Level 2 cultivation next time I go."
"In that case, with Zhao Qingxuan's help, I can persuade the Zhao family's half-step Foundation Establishment to cooperate with me, and then I can open that secret realm in the Great Jing Kingdom."
Lu Qingyun had been looking forward to that secret realm for a long time.
Because inside is a small seal of a true artifact, which normally only a Foundation Establishment cultivator can possess.
In the previous life, ten years later, that secret realm collapsed, and the small seal of the true artifact was destroyed, which made many cultivators feel very sorry.
Fortunately, with him intercepting it in this life, the small seal will certainly not be destroyed.
As he pondered, Lu Qingyun took out several streams of Qingyuan Spring water, activated the "Heavenly Profound Pill Technique," and gradually entered a meditative state.
In any case, strength is the foundation of oneself.
Even if you want to seize a lot of things, you must first improve your own strength.
This time, the Azure Spring will allow him to completely consolidate his cultivation at the early stage of Qi Refining. After meeting Zhao Qingxuan in a few days, he can then plan to break through to the middle stage of Qi Refining.
The Heavenly Profound Magic Power began to swirl around Lu Qingyun's body. As the magic power within Lu Qingyun's body continued to transform, this magic power gradually formed five vortexes of different colors.
It clearly corresponds to each of the five elements.
Of course, the brightest vortex was the cyan wood element vortex.
As he circulated his cultivation technique, Lu Qingyun continuously absorbed and refined the Azure Origin Spring before him, the cool sensation flowing from his palms to his surroundings.
Lu Qingyun suddenly felt his mind clear, and the previously obscure and difficult-to-understand subsequent cultivation methods of the "Heavenly Profound Pill Technique" became clear and visible.
Two days passed, and the amount of Qingyuan Spring in front of Lu Qingyun decreased until the last bit of Qingyuan Spring was swallowed and refined by Lu Qingyun, and the aura on his body suddenly changed.
The original overwhelming pressure from the early stage of Qi Refining had disappeared, replaced by a smooth and full one. Without careful examination, one might even mistake Lu Qingyun for an ordinary person.
"I never expected to have such an unexpected gain."
Lu Qingyun opened his eyes, stopped his hand seal, and looked up. He felt the Heavenly Profound Magic Power within his body, which was much more solid than before, and a look of joy appeared on his face.
"I originally thought that the claim that the Heavenly Profound Magic Power could make one's physique easier and create a Primordial Chaos was just a fabrication by the author of this technique. But I never expected that my refining of the Azure Origin Spring would actually greatly increase my affinity for water-attribute magic power."
Lu Qingyun raised his hand, and a light blue vortex of magical power appeared in his palm.
"Originally, I did not have a water-elemental spiritual root, so I was inevitably lacking in imitating water-elemental cultivators. But now that I have refined this Azure Origin Spring, even if I declare to the outside world that I have a true water-elemental spiritual root, I doubt anyone will question it."
Lu Qingyun activated the magic incantation again, changing it to the wood element.
Even with the amplification from the spiritual root, the emerald green vortex in his hand now seemed to be almost identical to the previous pale blue mana vortex.
"It seems I should find more spiritual objects of various attributes to refine. If I can truly cultivate this Lesser Primordial Body, even if my spiritual root is only of the lower grade, my cultivation speed will be comparable to that of a middle-grade spiritual root."
"At that time, we will have a much better chance of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage."
Calming his mind, Lu Qingyun put away the incantation.
"Now that my magical power is solidified, I have no further opportunity to advance beyond the initial stage of Qi Refining. My comprehension of the Heavenly Profound Pill Technique has also reached the next level. It is time for me to go and find Zhao Qingxuan to obtain more spiritual herbs and aim for the mid-stage of Qi Refining."
The next day.
Lu Qingyun left the cave and was heading to Mingyue Tower.
But then they saw Senior Brother Sun Cheng approaching with Junior Brother Ye and a group of followers.
"Junior Brother Lu, what's your thought about the matter I asked you earlier?"
Senior Brother Sun's voice became much softer. He leaned against Junior Brother Ye, made a delicate gesture with his fingers, and asked in a coquettish manner.
"Senior brother, please do not speak further. I have only the Great Dao in my heart and have no feelings for male pleasure or love. Although I do not know why you have become like this, please respect yourself."
Lu Qingyun suppressed his discomfort and said coldly.
"Junior Brother Ye, he yelled at me! Go and arrest him! Today I'll teach him a lesson he won't forget!"
"I feel wronged," Senior Brother Sun said, tears welling up in his eyes.
"Junior brother, I'm sorry."
As Senior Brother Sun stroked him, Junior Brother Ye shuddered and felt a chill run through his body. However, he couldn't refuse, fearing that Senior Brother Sun would cut off his spirit stones and pills, so he quickly put on a fierce expression.
"I think you should stop resisting and talk to us about the great principles of heaven and earth. Otherwise, fighting is unpredictable, and if I accidentally hurt you, it will upset Senior Brother Sun."
Ye Li gave a warning in advance, determined to ruin Lu Qingyun's face so that he could monopolize Senior Brother Sun's favor.
"No need for formalities, please leave."
Lu Qingyun snorted coldly and revealed an ancient-looking token.
"You actually joined the Zhao family?"
Ye Shidi and the others' expressions immediately changed.
Lu Qingyun offered no explanation. His magical power had already dissipated. He pushed aside Junior Brother Ye and flew away into the distance.
The group stood frozen in place, unsure whether to pursue or not.
If they pursued the matter, they feared the Zhao family would blame them; if they didn't, they feared Senior Brother Sun would punish them.
They could only stare longingly at Senior Brother Sun, hoping he could come up with a solution.
"You bunch of useless trash!"
Senior Brother Sun snorted, knowing he couldn't covet Lu Qingyun. After all, the Zhao family was not only untouchable by him, but even his uncle, the black-robed deacon Sun Yang, was someone he couldn't afford to offend. He could only angrily say to the crowd, "Since he's from the Zhao family, then let him go. Looking at your useless appearance, I'll have to teach you a lesson today!"
Junior Brother Ye smiled bitterly and followed Senior Brother Sun back to his cave.
Mingyue Tower.
The area was under martial law due to the Zhao family's control, and a sign prohibiting guests from entering was hanging in front of the building, indicating that something important was happening.
"Greetings, Senior Sister Zhao, Senior Zhao."
Lu Qingyun bowed respectfully, and Zhao Minglan served him tea.
The three sat cross-legged, and Lu Qingyun glanced at them.
Beside Zhao Qingxuan was an unfamiliar middle-aged man. He had a cold expression and wore a dark robe, and did not seem friendly.
Lu Qingyun frowned and glanced at his cultivation level. He was at the ninth level of Qi Refining, which meant he was quite a figure in the Zhao family.
However, if the Zhao family wanted to reach an agreement with him, why would they send someone who seemed to have ill intentions?
Lu Qingyun scanned Zhao Qingxuan with his divine sense and discovered that her cultivation had already entered the second level of Qi Refining ahead of schedule.
It seems this is yet another butterfly effect of my own rebirth.
-
In this life, Zhao Qingxuan did not choose to break through again at the Miscellaneous Service Peak in order to gain the favor of the cultivators at the Spirit Plant Peak.
"Senior sister, may I ask who this is beside you?"
Lu Qingyun calmed himself down and asked via telepathy.
Zhao Qingxuan glanced at Lu Qingyun, her expression unchanged.
"He is my uncle, Zhao Ruchan, the head of the second branch of the Zhao family. He has always been at odds with my father. I'm sorry, Junior Brother Lu, my family is not a monolithic entity after all."
Zhao Qingxuan gave a bitter smile.
"This time, I'm afraid we'll have to persuade my uncle or get my father to have more leverage so that we can give you the greatest support."
"You're saying he's the head of the second branch of the Zhao family?"
Lu Qingyun raised an eyebrow. If he remembered correctly, in his previous life, the second branch of the Zhao family had conspired with the Zhang family of Danfeng to try to seize power by taking advantage of the death of Zhao Qingxuan's father.
Therefore, it seems that things may change today.
"Junior Brother Lu...is there a problem?"
A sense of unease flashed through Zhao Qingxuan's mind, and she asked telepathically.
However, before Lu Qingyun could speak, Zhao Ruchan made a move.
"You're Lu Qingyun?"
Zhao Ruchan snorted coldly.
"I have already retrieved it from the sect. You have only been in the sect for a few days, yet you are able to refine low-grade pills with ease, and even attempt to refine mid-grade pills."
"I have spoken with each branch in detail. It seems that you and Zhao Qingxuan are colluding to try to swallow up the various branches of my Zhao family and seize their resources. If you leave on your own today, I can still give you some face. If you don't leave, I'm afraid I'll have to personally let you experience the consequences of deceiving my Zhao family."
Lu Qingyun's brows furrowed even deeper. The more he looked at Zhao Ruchan, the more it seemed like he was determined to make a move against him.
They immediately started criticizing him, without even trying to hear his explanation.
Lu Qingyun looked at Zhao Qingxuan, whose eyes also held a hint of seriousness, though she remained relatively calm: "My uncle said at home earlier that he didn't believe Junior Brother Lu could possess such mastery of alchemy, and strongly refused any cooperation between the Zhao family and Junior Brother Lu. Now that you're here, why not first see if Junior Brother Lu truly has the ability before making any plans?"
Zhao Ruchan remained unmoved and said coldly, "Qingxuan, why waste your breath? I am certain that this person is nothing but a liar. Once I capture him, I can find the evidence."
As he spoke, Zhao Ruchan showed no mercy, forming a hand seal and striking down at Lu Qingyun.
With just this one palm strike, it wasn't just about capturing Lu Qingyun; it was clearly about taking his life!
Lu Qingyun's eyes turned cold. He hadn't expected this person to go to such lengths to serve the Zhang family.
It seems he really overestimated the Zhao family. No wonder the Zhao family almost fell apart after Zhao Qingxuan's father died.
Just as Lu Qingyun was about to forcefully activate his divine sense to try to escape, a voice suddenly came, shattering the huge palm print inch by inch.
"Ru Chan, why the rush? No matter the outcome, we must first see his abilities. To act rashly is not the way to treat a guest."