Starting From A Son In Law To Build An Long Lasting Family Chapter 1914: 498: What Is the Lu Family’s Purpose This Time?
Previously on Starting From A Son In Law To Build An Long Lasting Family...
"Looking for a sparring match with me?"
Lu Wangshu cast a glance toward Shangguan Poyun, positioned next to Purple Thunder True Man, and lightly creased her delicate brows before responding in a detached tone, "For years now, I've poured my efforts into talisman studies and lack prowess in battles. We'd better drop it."
Sparring against fellow cultivators at her level struck her as pointless and outright domineering.
Back in the day, the Shangguan patriarch had visited Bi Lake Mountain in pursuit of a chance and at least offered some wagers.
Purple Thunder True Man, however, showed no such courtesy, so she had no intention of consenting.
Not just squandering her talismans and mana, but accidentally shattering the foe's will, essence, qi, and spirit would unnecessarily provoke the Shangguan Family.
Though her clan fears nothing, Lu Wangshu shares Lu Changsheng's aversion to hassles in this regard.
"Hmm?"
The faces of Purple Thunder True Man and Shangguan Poyun stiffened a bit, caught off guard by Lu Wangshu's firm rejection.
It's well understood that geniuses often carry an air of arrogance.
Typically, when challenged by peers, they rise to the occasion.
Such clashes among prodigies foster growth on both sides.
Yet, through their sharp spiritual awareness, the pair detected a hint of indifference in Lu Wangshu's tone and bearing.
As though...
The prodigy before them, touted as the Divine Blade Shangguan Family's top hope for Core Formation, hardly merited her attention.
"Should you emerge victorious, this [Thunder Fire Gang Sha] becomes yours."
Shangguan Poyun turned over his palm, unveiling a bottle of deep violet porcelain, and declared with icy composure.
In standard exchanges among cultivators, wagers seldom appear.
They surface mainly when a junior challenges a senior, or a loser seeks a rematch against the winner, backed by treasures that qualify the duel.
Years ago, his bout with Lu Wangshu ended in near-death without the patriarch's aid, leaving him utterly routed.
Through the intervening time, he'd sharpened his blade intent, viewing Lu Wangshu as the ultimate grindstone for his Core Formation breakthrough!
"Poyun!"
Purple Thunder True Man at his side barked in a grave tone right away.
With Lu Miaoge and Lu Ping’an nearby, even if eager for a fight, he dared not act too boldly or overbearingly.
Besides, this [Thunder Fire Gang Sha], forged from Shangguan Poyun's acquired Nether Fire Sha and the family's Purple Thunder Gang Sha, ranked as the premier Core Formation spiritual item.
For the Core Formation attempt, it paired with the "Divine Thunder Saber Art" to summon divine thunder over earthly flames, boosting Shangguan Poyun's success odds by fifteen percent—a truly scarce treasure.
Yet the young man dared stake his dearest Core Formation aid!
"Thunder Fire Gang Sha?"
Lu Wangshu, unaware of its exact quality, knew even the basest Core Formation spiritual objects demanded tens of thousands of spirit stones.
Furthermore, numerous Lu Family members practicing fire or thunder arts could eventually trade this for contribution points.
"Wow!"
At her side, Lu Qingqi, Lu Qingye, and the rest caught sight of it and marveled at how effortlessly their big sister profited.
Invitations to spar came loaded with Core Formation spiritual items as initial bets.
For them, amassing such spirit stones might take a full decade.
"Very well, then. But my primary pursuit is talisman expertise, alongside puppet dual cultivation, and fighting isn't my forte. Employing a handful of puppets ought to be acceptable, right?"
A brilliant smile bloomed across Lu Wangshu's stunning features as she replied.
Once done, as if concerned about deterring her rival, she appended, "Rest assured, I won't apply talismans to myself for a talisman formation."
Though Shangguan Poyun proved mighty, she doubted his direct assaults surpassed Lu Lingxiao's.
"Agreed."
Shangguan Poyun replied promptly, his face locked in a chill mask edged with piercing vigor.
Purple Thunder True Man's countenance eased a touch at those words.
In the Jiang Country Cultivation Realm, who hadn't heard of the famed Upper Talisman Lu Family patriarch Lu Changsheng, a talisman prodigy who swiftly reached Core Formation and crafted Third Rank Superior Grade Talismans.
Thus, with Lu Wangshu as the cherished offspring of Changsheng True Master and Fairy Xi Yue, he'd never buy that she lacked a few Third Rank Talismans on her.
Third Rank Talismans in Lu Wangshu's arsenal would doom even a genius like Shangguan Poyun.
Even without gifts from Changsheng True Master, her status as a gifted Talisman Master meant decades of Second Rank Talismans would overwhelm Shangguan Poyun.
Truly, affluent Talisman Masters reign supreme in their rank.
"I remember Jiuxiao Immortal City has a battle arena nearby—shall we go straight there?"
Lu Wangshu pressed on, her voice and poise shedding the earlier casualness.
"Sure."
Flames of combat fervor sparked in Shangguan Poyun's gaze.
After two decades, victory would finally wash away his disgrace!
"Wangshu, stay vigilant; this fellow's essence, qi, and spirit seethe intensely, harboring unreleased blade momentum..."
Lu Ping’an, brimming with faith in Lu Wangshu, nonetheless warned her.
After all, as a prized heir of the Divine Blade Shangguan Family, Shangguan Poyun was no ordinary foe.
His keen, understated blade intent especially shone among peers.
For a Talisman Cultivator like Lu Wangshu, dual cultivation in body refinement or not, close-quarters combat posed real threats.
"Thanks, brother."
Lu Wangshu flashed a soft, confident smile in reply.
Before long, the group made their way to Jiuxiao Immortal City's combat arena.
....
Though Jiuxiao Immortal City once held the title of Jiang Country's premier immortal hub, its combat arena buzzed with energy even from mere Foundation Establishment duels.
Now, as Lu Wangshu and Shangguan Poyun's party drew near, crowds murmured in excitement and gathered to spectate the event.
The Divine Blade Shangguan Family, a Core Formation powerhouse tied to the Heavenly Sword Sect, commanded vast holdings across Jiuxiao Immortal City.
In past times, Shangguan Poyun had dueled famed prodigies and hosted arenas right here, building his renown.
Purple Thunder True Man needed no introduction.
While Changsheng True Master's glory outshone Purple Thunder True Man's in the Upper Talisman Lu Family, Jiuxiao Immortal City's folk favored the Divine Blade Shangguan Family more.