Chapter 431: Yuan family, Sima family!
After Xie Ying and the others left, Lu Ruyi looked at her elder brother blankly and asked, “Elder Brother, your strength…”
Earlier, when she was stationed on Huaguo Mountain, she often sought advice from Lu Ping’an, and they even sparred many times, so she knew her elder brother’s strength was extraordinary.
But she never expected her elder brother’s strength to be so astonishing.
She had previously read some information about the six False Core Families and knew that Xie Ying, who had just been there, had the strength of a Foundation Establishment seventh or eighth layer.
Even if it was just a test and he didn’t go all out, her elder brother gaining the upper hand in a moment indicated that he possessed the strength of a Foundation Establishment Late Stage, or even Foundation Establishment Peak.
Doesn’t this mean her elder brother’s strength has surpassed their father’s!?
No, if Wangshu is so powerful, then Father, using the Symbol Array, might truly be able to suppress a False Core True Person, just as the rumors say.
“I had a small Breakthrough in Body Refining a few days ago.”
Lu Ping’an didn’t explain much, just smiled faintly.
He added, “Such battles are hard to gauge, it’s better to finish them quickly. If we encounter ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators later, I will cover you.”
“Ruyi understands.”
Lu Ruyi nodded, knowing that in the recent battle, it would have been difficult for her to intervene, and she might even have been a burden to her elder brother.
“Big Brother, Big Brother, why didn’t you use Mounting Mountain Fist?”
Lu Linghe, riding her Wind-Fire Wheels, came up to her elder brother and asked curiously.
She had been practicing fists with Lu Ping’an and wanted to see the practical application of this set of fist techniques.
“Xiao He wants to see the fist technique? Big Brother will use it next time.”
Lu Ping’an put away his Black Dragon Great Halberd and said with a smile.
He then walked to a luxurious carriage and handed the token given by the Xie Family to Ling Zixiao.
“Lingxi Xie Family, good. I will write back about the Xie Family’s matter later and let Lu arrange it as they see fit.”
Ling Zixiao took the token, examined it for a few moments, and smiled faintly, appearing elegant and dignified.
Then she looked at her son, Lu Lingxiao, and instructed, “Xiao’er, you also Cultivate the Hundred Refinements Treasure Body Technique. If you have any doubts about Body Refining, you can ask your elder brother for more guidance.”
Although she knew Lu Ping’an’s strength, she had never witnessed it.
Even she was somewhat surprised by the recent exchange.
“Ping’an has only been Cultivating for about forty years, hasn’t he?”
Ling Zixiao still remembered that Lu Ping’an had not been tested for Spiritual Root in his early years. When he first returned to Qingzhu Mountain, Lu Changsheng even asked her to teach and guide him on the Purple Yang True Art Cultivation.
Unbeknownst to her, he had grown to such a level, which was truly astonishing.
“Mother, your son understands.”
Lu Lingxiao nodded seriously.
He knew that in the Dao of Body Refining, he only had the Physical Body physique but lacked methods for applying strength.
Regarding Cultivation issues, Lu Ping’an never held back, offering guidance to his younger siblings.
In addition to guiding Lu Ruyi and Lu Lingxiao, Lu Ping’an also occasionally cared for his other younger siblings, several disciples from Qingzhu Mountain, and Lu Family disciples without Spiritual Roots.
After the Merchant Company arrived at its current destination, it stopped outside the other party’s mountain gate to conduct transactions.
Besides selling goods, the Merchant Company would also inquire if the other party had anything they wanted to sell, for acquisition.
This process made it very easy to find Opportunities.
Finding Opportunities doesn’t necessarily mean finding incredibly precious treasures.
For instance, items worth dozens or hundreds of Spirit Stones, but treated as scrap, and bought for a few Spirit Stones, would still count as finding an Opportunity.
Originally, the Merchant Company would also earn Spirit Stones by giving rides to people along the way.
However, this trip for the Lu Family Merchant Company was mainly to establish its reputation and open up trade routes, not entirely for profit, so they did not take on passengers.
Along the way, besides Yao Beasts, they occasionally encountered some bandits, mountain bandits occupying hilltops.
When encountering such situations, usually giving some Spirit Stones as a toll would suffice.
If there was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator present, simply leaking the Foundation Establishment Spiritual Pressure would resolve the issue.
As for killing them, they would not do so.
Doing business inherently emphasizes harmony for wealth.
Moreover, many of these bandits were from surrounding small Family forces.
If they were to kill these bandits at every turn, they would never be able to finish them off and would only add trouble for their own Family.
Seven days later.
The Merchant Company encountered another wave of attacks.
This time, three Foundation Establishment Cultivators came: one Foundation Establishment Late Stage and two Foundation Establishment Early Stage.
Unlike the Lingxi Xie Family before, this wave of enemies had no superfluous words; they immediately went for the kill.
If Lu Ping’an hadn’t been vigilant, some Lu Family disciples might even have been harmed.
Facing such a situation, Lu Ping’an did not hesitate or speak much, directly meeting them in combat.
Lu Ruyi and Lu Lingxiao also directly moved, each engaging a Foundation Establishment Early Stage Cultivator.
This business trip was precisely for Lu Lingxiao to gain experience and skill, so when a situation arose, he naturally took action.
“This Lu Family Merchant Company actually has three, no, four Foundation Establishment Cultivators? Why isn’t that Lu Family matriarch present?”
The Foundation Establishment Late Stage old man was inwardly shocked.
He hadn’t expected that after the Hongye Valley Market incident not long ago, a Foundation Establishment Stage Lu Wangshu emerged from Bihu Mountain, and now two more unknown Foundation Establishment Cultivators appeared.
However, what shocked him most was Lu Ping’an’s combat power.
Seeing that the opponent was not as rumored, he immediately wanted to leave and relay this news back to his Family.
But how could Lu Ping’an let him leave so easily? He engaged him in a fierce battle.
Beside them, Lu Ruyi and Lu Lingxiao were each fighting a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, constantly clashing.
These two Foundation Establishment Cultivators were not simple; they had a Foundation Establishment third layer Cultivation and were seasoned Foundation Establishment Cultivators with rich combat experience.
Lu Lingxiao had only recently broken through to Foundation Establishment, and his Foundation Establishment spell techniques were barely at the entry-level. He also lacked a handy Spiritual Artifact, relying entirely on his magic power Foundation, Annihilation Flame, and second-Rank Body Refining to fight the opponent to a standstill.
But his eye technique was astonishing, glowing with a golden luster, constantly discerning the opponent’s weaknesses to find opportunities, gradually gaining the upper hand.
As for Lu Ruyi, she had no advantage.
In fact, as the battle progressed, she gradually fell into a disadvantage, barely holding on with her Spiritual Artifact.
“Can’t continue this, let’s go!”
After a few rounds of fighting with Lu Ping’an, the Foundation Establishment Late Stage old man immediately abandoned the other two, activated a Talisman, and prepared to escape alone.
“Trying to leave!?”
Seeing this, Lu Ping’an said to his sister, who was riding the Wind-Fire Wheels in the distance, “Xiao He, watch closely.”
“Mounting Mountain!”
Lu Ping’an clenched his five fingers into a fist. On his towering physique, intricate, chain-like patterns spread, like Dragons and snakes moving, bringing boundless power.
An endless, surging Qi and blood suddenly erupted like a volcanic eruption, making the air heavy, as if a mountain had descended, pressing down on the old man in front of him, causing him to sink sharply.
His spine undulated like a great Dragon, unleashing a fist that gathered infinite power.
“Bang bang bang—”
The vast sonic fist power exploded the layers of air, then slammed into the old man who was trying to escape.
The terrifying force instantly shattered the old man’s defensive Magical Artifact, and his Physical Body suddenly exploded into a mist of blood.
“Hmm.”
Seeing the blood mist before him, Lu Ping’an suddenly realized that such a battle scene seemed a bit brutal for his younger sister.
Immediately, he clenched his large hand, as if grasping the air from all directions, causing the blood mist before him to completely dissipate.
“This, this, this…”
The other two Foundation Establishment Early Stage Cultivators had been observing the old man and Lu Ping’an’s situation, wondering when to retreat. Seeing this scene, they were instantly scared out of their wits.
What the hell!
Their leader was killed with one punch.
In an instant, the two felt as if they had fallen into an ice cellar, losing all will to fight.
Lu Lingxiao seized this opening. The Annihilation Flame in his hand transformed into a black fire bird, which violently blasted out, incinerating the old man before him.
“Spare me, Fellow Daoists, spare me!”
The man fighting Lu Ruyi quickly shouted loudly, begging for mercy, knowing that continuing the battle would only lead to death.
“Ping’an, ask them which Family force they are from?”
Ling Zixiao’s voice echoed in Lu Ping’an’s mind.
“Yes, Auntie.”
Hearing this, Lu Ping’an raised his hand to suppress the man and questioned him for information.
Faced with such a situation, the man dared not conceal anything, revealing all the information.
He stated that he was merely a Loose Cultivator named Zhou Datong, and he had heard of this job. Afterwards, regardless of success or failure, he would receive a Rank two Breakthrough Pill, which was why he took the job.
The old man before him was most likely from the Dayuan Mountain Yuan Family.
“One of the six False Core Families, Dayuan Mountain Yuan Family.”
“Loose Cultivator.”
Lu Ping’an, Lu Ruyi, and the others understood the Yuan Family’s intentions upon hearing this.
They deliberately sent two Loose Cultivators to probe. If there was any unexpected situation, the old man would abandon the two and escape alone.
Even if the two were captured and later exposed the Yuan Family’s involvement, such human testimony would not count for anything.
Moreover, the Yuan Family did not believe Bihu Mountain would dare to cause them trouble.
“Fellow Daoists, I truly don’t know much about this matter. I unintentionally offended your esteemed Family. This is all my belongings, which I offer as compensation.”
Zhou Datong pleaded, his heart filled with bitter regret.
“If you want to live, you can. Our Lu Family Merchant Company is newly established and in need of manpower.”
“As long as you sign a contract and serve as a guard for our Bihu Mountain for twenty years, you will be granted your freedom afterwards.”
Just then, a graceful and elegant voice rang out.
A woman in a lake-blue dress, with a dignified and elegant appearance, Ling Zixiao, walked out of the carriage, looking at Zhou Datong with a calm and composed expression.
Although Bihu Mountain now had many Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
However, establishing a Merchant Company still required manpower.
If they were to spend money to hire Guest Elders, with Bihu Mountain’s current reputation, they could indeed invite a few.
However, if we were to hire guards, the cost of offerings would be too high, and it’s not worth it at the moment.
Since there was now a Foundation Establishment Cultivator delivering himself to their doorstep, Ling Zixiao naturally wouldn’t be polite.
“Guard, twenty years.”
Upon hearing this, Zhou Datong’s expression immediately changed slightly.
For a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, twenty years wasn’t very long.
But the problem wasn’t the twenty years, but the fact that he would be a guard!
One must know that guards escorting merchant companies and goods, constantly traveling outside, was a dangerous job.
Especially now that the Bihu Mountain Lu Family was on the rise, being coveted by many forces, an accident could happen at any time.
“You have no choice now: die, or serve my Bihu Mountain for twenty years.”
Ling Zixiao’s beautiful eyes were bright, like autumn water, as she calmly and indifferently looked at Zhou Datong, giving him an indescribable sense of majesty and nobility.
“I am willing.”
Zhou Datong knew he had no choice now, and he agreed as if all the air had been let out of him.
Immediately, Ling Zixiao signed a Spiritual Contract with him and then took out a Blood Contract.
For Loose Cultivators like Zhou Datong, it was difficult for their cultivation to advance another step.
Therefore, choosing to give up Cultivation and pay some price, a second Rank Spiritual Contract would indeed be difficult to bind him.
But a Blood Contract was different.
This kind of Blood Contract was extremely overbearing; as long as the other party dared to betray and tear up the Blood Contract, it could directly cause the other party’s Dao Foundation to collapse.
In addition to the Blood Contract, Ling Zixiao also planned to go back and have Li Xingruo and her Lang Jun research whether there were any antidote pills that needed to be taken once every one or two years.
Only with such multiple safeguards could it be more stable.
“Blood Contract.”
Zhou Datong’s face turned pale when he saw the Blood Contract before him.
He knew that once he signed the Blood Contract, his life would be completely in the other party’s hands.
But in the current situation, he had no choice, and he eventually forced out his essence blood and signed the Blood Contract.
“As long as you serve my Bihu Mountain well, it’s not impossible to return your freedom early.”
“If you make meritorious contributions, let alone a second Rank Breakthrough Pill, even a second Rank Advanced Breakthrough Pill, my Bihu Mountain has them.”
Ling Zixiao put away the Spiritual Contract and Blood Contract, then said something lightly.
Then she elegantly returned to the carriage.
Although Zhou Datong knew these words were just a promise, he still gained a bit of hope in his heart and began to comfort himself.
He thought that the Bihu Mountain Lu Family was so extraordinary; besides the Lu couple, there was actually such a top Cultivator, and if he served well, he might really gain some benefits.
“Big Brother, next time, please don’t use your fist anymore; you’ll make people disappear.”
At this moment, Lu Linghe said to her Big Brother, feeling that the punch just now was too brutal.
“Alright.”
Lu Ping’an smiled somewhat awkwardly.
Lu Ruyi, who was next to him, glanced at Lu Lingxiao, somewhat silently.
It was one thing for Big Brother to kill a Foundation Establishment Cultivator with one punch.
This younger brother, who had only recently broken through to Foundation Establishment, had also killed a Foundation Establishment Cultivator without a Spiritual Artifact.
And herself…
As the merchant company continued to move forward, Ling Zixiao instructed her son, Lu Lingxiao: “Xiao’er, in the future, when you are in charge of Lu affairs, you need to remember the four words ‘combining kindness with severity’.”
“As for how to show kindness and how to exert severity, you will need to grasp that yourself.”
“Although this Zhou Datong has signed a Blood Contract, he has not yet submitted and lacks loyalty. During the journey ahead, you can try to combine kindness with severity to subdue him.”
“This severity can come from you, or it can come through your Big Brother…”
Ling Zixiao’s eyes were bright, as if she could see through the carriage, looking at Lu Ping’an and Zhou Datong.
Although her son had no interest in Lu affairs.
In her opinion, not having an interest and not understanding were two different concepts.
“Combining kindness with severity.”
Lu Lingxiao heard his mother’s words, looked at Zhou Datong on the beast of burden, and nodded, his mind recalling his mother’s appearance and demeanor when she faced Zhou Datong just now.
He suddenly realized that he seemed to have never seen this side of his mother at Lu.
At the same time.
Dayuan Mountain.
“Clan Chief, this is bad! The Fourth Elder’s soul tablet is shattered!”
The Yuan Family Elder guarding the ancestral hall came to report in a hurry.
“What? The Fourth Elder’s soul tablet is shattered? How is this possible?”
The Yuan Family Clan Chief’s eyes immediately widened upon hearing this, filled with disbelief.
His Fourth Elder had a cultivation of Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer, and his combat power was extraordinary; even a typical Foundation Establishment Peak Cultivator would find it difficult to kill him.
This trip out was just to test the strength and situation of the Bihu Mountain Lu Family Merchant Company, so how could he have died outside?
“The Lu Family only has two Foundation Establishment Cultivators. Even if they have hidden strength, they would only have three Foundation Establishment Cultivators. How could they have killed the Fourth Elder?!”
“Moreover, the Fourth Elder had also invited two Foundation Establishment Cultivators to assist him on this trip.”
The Yuan Family Clan Chief still couldn’t believe the news.
But after arriving at the ancestral hall and confirming that his Fourth Elder’s soul tablet was indeed shattered, he immediately informed Lu of the matter and then sent people to investigate.
Nine days later.
The Lu Family Merchant Company was traveling on the road.
“Hmm!?”
In the carriage behind a beast of burden, Ling Zixiao suddenly opened her beautiful eyes and looked at a compass in her hand.
This Formation compass was not used for setting up Formations, but for sensing Formations.
After all, during a business trip, it was possible that bandits might set up Formations in advance and lay an ambush.
If one were to enter a Formation set up by others, even if one’s strength was a Rank higher, it would still be very dangerous and passive.
“Ping’an, Ruyi, Lingxiao, be vigilant!”
Ling Zixiao immediately called out, ordering the merchant company to stop.
“Whoosh whoosh whoosh—”
Just then, a strong wind suddenly swept through the forest, whistling loudly.
“Buzz!”
In the sky, a yellowish-brown light suddenly flowed, and a huge profound yellow small mountain suddenly suppressed down from the air, its might extremely terrifying.
“Not good!”
Lu Ping’an became alert at the first moment, his entire body’s Qi and blood surged, and his tall and sturdy body soared into the sky, moving to lift the small mountain in the air.
“Wuwuwu—”
A light curtain formed around the carriages surrounding the beasts of burden at this instant.
However, facing this powerful aura, these beasts of burden still whimpered and wailed one after another.
“Whoosh!”
At the very first moment Lu Ping’an appeared, a golden arrow suddenly shot towards him, its aura sharp and pressing.
Even though she knew her Big Brother’s Body Refining was astonishing, Lu Ruyi still activated a second Rank Golden Light Talisman for him immediately.
“Clang!”
A metallic clang sounded from his body; the golden arrow struck the Golden Light Talisman with earth-shattering force, directly shattering the Golden Light Talisman.
“Boom!”
Lu Ping’an directly flung away the yellowish-brown small mountain above his head, and then his palm, like a millstone, slapped down suddenly, batting away the arrow that had broken through the Golden Light Talisman.
“Bihu Mountain Lu Family, what a Bihu Mountain Lu Family, it’s indeed extraordinary!”
“Lu Family’s eldest son, Lu Ping’an, it is rumored that your Body Refining is at the second Rank Middle Stage. Now it seems that the rumors are not only wrong but gravely mistaken; your Body Refining has long reached the second Rank Late Stage.”
“Tsk tsk tsk, your Lu Family is really good at hiding.”
“I originally thought Lu Wangshu was the pillar of your Lu Family, but now it seems that you, Lu Ping’an, are the true pillar of the Lu Family. No wonder Lu Changsheng dared to let you lead the merchant company.”
At this moment, four figures walked out, standing side by side.
One of them had a yellowish-brown small mountain suspended above his head, one held a bow and arrow, one held a feather fan, and another held a Formation Plate.
They all looked very young and had extraordinary temperaments.
Lu Ruyi, Lu Lingxiao, and Zhou Datong immediately came to Lu Ping’an’s side, looking at the four people before them.
“Hmm? Three Foundation Establishment Cultivators?”
“Interesting, it’s getting more and more interesting. No wonder your Lu Family has the confidence to establish a merchant company and cause such a big stir.”
The young man holding the feather fan paused, then laughed.
“Xuanwu Ridge Sima Family, Sima Four Heroes!”
Lu Ruyi looked at the four people before her and immediately recognized their identities.
The four were not only from the Sima Family but were also brothers born of the same mother.
It was extremely rare in the Cultivation World for four brothers from the same mother to all possess Spiritual Roots and all be extraordinarily talented, breaking through to Foundation Establishment.
Moreover, all four had considerable Opportunities and extraordinary strength, having once killed a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Great Cultivator.
They were quite famous not only in the Qingyun Territory but even in the Jiang Country Cultivation World.
Lu Ruyi didn’t expect the Sima Family to attack her merchant company so brazenly.
Unlike the Xie Family before, who only came to test them.
If her Family had enough strength, they might even apologize and discuss cooperation.
Although the Yuan Family directly went for the kill, they still concealed their identity information.
But the Sima Family before them, however, made no attempt to conceal themselves, openly coming to kill and intercept their merchant company. This was a complete disregard for her Family, showing no concern for their reputation.
“I heard that the Sima Family has some connections with the Jin Family. Given Lu’s relationship with the Jin Family now, it makes sense for the Sima Family to directly make a move,” Lu Ruyi mused inwardly, immediately relaying the information about the Sima Four Heroes to her Big Brother and Lu Lingxiao.
Then, seeing Zhou Datong beside her, she also explained the situation of the four to him.