Starting From A Son In Law To Build An Long Lasting Family Chapter 1913: 497: Heavenly Talisman Lu Family! (part 2)
Previously on Starting From A Son In Law To Build An Long Lasting Family...
He actually intended to trick them out of their parents' legacy and compete for resources meant for Foundation Establishment.
"Whoosh!"
Right then, a streak of escape light from a Foundation Establishment cultivator showed up at the mountain entrance, turning into an old fellow with snow-white hair but a vibrant and energetic look.
"Little Ruo, Little Yu!"
The old man glanced at the two sisters, then shifted his gaze to Lu Wangshu and the rest, particularly fixing on the robust and towering Lu Ping’an, his eyes narrowing sharply.
Over thirty years back, near the Purple Shadow Secret Realm, he had witnessed Lu Ping’an and been struck by this heir of the Lu Family who bested Shangguan Jiuyang. He never imagined that this long-missing heir would show up too.
Quickly acting as if he hadn't noticed him, he cupped his hands and declared, "This old man is Li Yunhui. I've come to pay respects to Fairy Lu and all fellow Daoists."
"Uncle Hui, Little Yu and I returned this time solely to bring my parents with us."
Li Xingruo’s face eased up a lot upon spotting the old man.
Even though Lu Miaoge and Lu Wangshu were there, she could easily find an excuse to wipe out the Li Family if she spoke up.Yet in those days, it was thanks to support from someone in the clan that she managed to depart Great Cliff Mountain alongside her sister.
This elder standing before them had provided her with considerable care back when she was junior.
Moreover, after all these years of bitterness, she had already seen through it all and moved on, understanding that those initial incidents had exposed the shallow nature of family bonds to her.
"Sigh, as long as you're faring well, that's what matters."
The old man eyed the numerous Foundation Establishment experts in front of him, let out a heavy sigh, fully aware that the clan had mistreated the two sisters long ago.
After so much time, he couldn't gauge the sisters' moods anymore, so he held back from saying too much and simply activated the Mountain Gate Grand Formation.
...
Half a day passed, and Li Xingruo gathered a few old mementos before departing Great Cliff Mountain together with Lu Wangshu, Lu Miaoge, and the others.
"Patriarch..."
The Li Family patriarch along with a handful of elders turned to Li Yunhui, hoping to hear his take on everything.
"Sigh, the clan requires a thorough overhaul."
While Li Yunhui had backed the two sisters early on, it was mainly to honor their parents by looking after them somewhat.
With the sisters back now, the fact that they weren't punishing the Li Family was already an act of mercy—how could anyone expect to cozy up to them still?
The cultivators of the Li Family let out sighs blending dread and sorrow.
They were relieved that the Li sisters chose not to settle scores, yet mourned the lost chance to leverage that tie.
Should they manage to ally with the Heavenly Talisman Lu Family, forget about trade deals or real aid—even just the association would guarantee the Li Family at Great Cliff Mountain decades of calm.
"Aunt Xingruo, aren't you heading to the Zhao Family?"
Once they got back to Jiuxiao Immortal City, Lu Wangshu questioned Li Xingruo.
"So much time has gone by; let's leave it alone."
Before arriving, Li Xingruo figured there was no point in making a scene.
Had she nursed that resentment all along, she wouldn't have held off this long.
"Alright."
Observing this, Lu Wangshu gave a nod upon hearing her reply, though he quietly messaged Lu Qingye to alert the Zhao Family about their arrival.
Even if his aunt opted against pressing the issue, now that they were here, they couldn't simply brush it off.
Otherwise, should rumors spread, folks might assume their clan was a pushover!
A few days on, the word made its way to the Zhao Family atop Mo Yu Mountain.
"Damn it!"
A False Core Patriarch from the Zhao Family, grasping the full story, flew into a panic and rage at once, rushing to select valuables from the clan's vault to use as an apology offering.
"In a mighty clan like ours, booming and full of life, troubles can sneak up without you even noticing..."
A few Zhao Family elders voiced their thoughts, overcome with terror.
They were thankful the Heavenly Talisman Lu Family acted with integrity, unlike certain tyrannical sects full of arrogance.
"The former patriarch of the Heavenly Talisman Lu Family, Changsheng True Master, has a reputation for being mild-mannered, but that Talisman Fairy Lu Wangshu spotted near Great Cliff Mountain earlier has quite the fiery disposition."
"Exactly, and beyond this Talisman Fairy, there's also Changsheng True Master's spouse, the Lu Family's Lady, Lu Miaoge, who joined..."
After hearing about Lu Wangshu, the Zhao Family dove into their intel sources for deeper details.
Soon after hitting Foundation Establishment, she gained fame by obliterating five Foundation Establishment foes right outside her family's market using a talisman array.
Later, amid the clashes between the Lu Family and big clan powers in the Qingyun Domain, be it the Jin Family at Golden Dragon Ridge or the Sima Family at Profound Martial Ridge, this Talisman Fairy's role stood out.
She even tagged along with Lu Ping’an straight to the Jin Family's doorstep, pummeling their Mountain Protection Array with talismans and dropping fierce warnings.
On top of that, there's some jaw-dropping gossip.
Years past, at Changsheng True Master's Core Formation fest, the Divine Blade Shangguan Family's ancestor dragged their top talent Shangguan Poyun along to stir trouble.
In the end, Shangguan Poyun—touted as the Shangguan Family's best shot at Core Formation—nearly got shredded by Lu Wangshu’s Talisman Formation, a downright scary sight!
Thus, for a young woman like this, born to dual Core Formation parents, gifted beyond measure, and quick to temper, they held real fear.
"Old Zhao Dongfu of Mo Yu Mountain offers respects to Miao Ge True Man, all Fairies, and Daoists."
The very next day, the Zhao Family's ancestor showed up in person to atone, his tone meek as he handed over his lavish prepared gifts, his gaze showing traces of remorse.
Even as a False Core Immortal himself.
Confronting Lu Miaoge, a True Elixir Cultivator, he wouldn't dare act superior.
After all, only those at False Core grasp how vast the divide is between False Core and True Elixir.
This divide outstrips even the one between True Elixir and a top-tier Gold Core.
A True Elixir, even if flawed, merely lags in mana and prospects against a Golden Core, but still counts among Nascent Soul ranks.
False Core folks, however, lean on Demon Cores and forced advances, offering no path forward, and to many elite cultivators, they don't qualify as true Nascent Soul beings.
"Pretty sharp, aren't you."
Lu Wangshu, clad in a lavish pink-and-white robe, looked stunning and poised with elegance.
There was no call for flaunting power or chasing vengeance outright.
Given the Heavenly Talisman Lu Family's current fame, a mere whisper could draw ninety percent of Jiang Country's clans to show up, apologize, and clear old debts.
Even Li Xingruo, Li Xingyu, and Lu Qingqi couldn't hold back sighs seeing the Zhao Family ancestor's submissive stance before them.
They truly felt the immense power behind those four words: Nascent Soul Immortal.
...
After handing the Zhao Family's apology treasures to Li Xingruo, the party kept enjoying themselves across Jiuxiao Immortal City.
As Jiang Country's former top Immortal City, Jiuxiao Immortal City remained vibrant and buzzing with energy.
Still, just then, a group of unexpected visitors approached them.
"Greetings, Miao Ge True Man, and greetings to the young friends."
Two decades prior, the Divine Blade Shangguan Family played a key role in sparking the war, enabling them to birth a second Nascent Soul Immortal and secure their Great Clan standing even after their Nascent Soul Patriarch's demise—unlike what befell the Five Elements Royal Family.
"Greetings, Purple Thunder True Man. Might I inquire about the reason for your coming?"
Though the Heavenly Talisman Lu Family and Divine Blade Shangguan Family shared past bad blood.
Thanks to Lu Changsheng's efforts, the two clans now harbored no ill will and even maintained friendly ties. When 'Purple Thunder True Man' held his ceremony, the Lu Family sent over a suitable present.
"Haha, upon learning that Miao Ge True Man and the young friends have reached Jiuxiao Immortal City, we of the Shangguan Family, as your hosts, must of course come to welcome you."
"Furthermore, it's on account of this disappointing youth from our clan, who suffered defeat at Young Friend Wangshu's hands before and now seeks a rematch duel now that he hears True Man and Young Friend Wangshu are present."
Purple Thunder True Man gestured toward Shangguan Poyun, who bore the Thunder Blade.
Lu Miaoge and Lu Ping’an turned their eyes to Shangguan Poyun.
Ninth Level Foundation Establishment realm!
His frame radiated a fierce but restrained saber intent.
He was probably planning to sharpen his Essence, Qi, and Spirit through endless duels, push his Saber Intent to its zenith, and then charge into Core Formation like a raging tempest.
In the midst of this, Purple Thunder True Man also cast a look at the sturdy and imposing Lu Ping’an.
His cultivation base, mana, and vital energy were all veiled by a subtle Qi barrier, rendering him tough to read.
"Has this man advanced to Core Formation?"
Purple Thunder True Man mused inwardly.
More than thirty years ago, this Lu Family heir had hit Quasi-Third Rank in Body Refining.
For years he'd stayed hidden, and now with no hint of magical aura, fully concealed, it sparked this instinctive guess.
"One clan, four Core Formations!"
Dwelling on this idea, even Purple Thunder True Man felt a jolt of alarm.
Sure enough, if Lu Ping’an had indeed entered Core Formation, the Heavenly Talisman Lu Family would boast four Nascent Soul Cultivators, elevating them to a peak power beneath the Four Great Immortal Sects!
Most crucially, every one of the Heavenly Talisman Lu Family's four Nascent Soul Cultivators was remarkably youthful.
Unlike his own Divine Blade Shangguan Family, which appeared to have two Nascent Soul Immortals, but where the elder patriarch bore grave wounds from the war's start, leaving him mere decades to live.
To counter this, they poured resources into grooming Shangguan Poyun and similar prospects for Core Formation, aiming to gain one or two extra Nascent Soul Cultivators for the clan!