Chapter 378: Victory, First Son of the Lu Family!
by xennovel“Bihu Mountain’s Lu Ping’an?”
Tao Jizhong and his companions had never heard of this name.
Currently, on Bihu Mountain, only Lu Changsheng, Ling Zixiao, Lu Miaoyun, and Lu Miaoge wereknown due to their public responsibilities.
Lu Ping’an remained unnoticed, never doing anything noteworthy, so not many knew him.
Of course, it didn’t help that Lu Changsheng had so many children that people couldn’t keep track of them all.
“Alright, as you wish then!”
Tao Jizhong didn’t hesitate. He stepped forward, treading through the air, and shouted at Lu Ping’an.
Aside from dealing with the Liu Yan issue, Tao Jizhong was here to probe White Tiger Mountain’s situation.
With Lu Ping’an stepping up, he realized that Lu Changsheng probably placed him in White Tiger Mountain as a hidden trump card.
Though he didn’t understand where Lu Ping’an’s confidence came from to speak like that.
Still, he was confident in his own strength!
“Big brother, be careful.”
Lu Qingsong heard what his brother said but didn’t respond.
In the world of immortal cultivation, the strong prey on the weak, and looking for evidence is a joke.
The other party came this time because they felt White Tiger Mountain was unguarded.
If Liu Yan were at Bihu Mountain, would they dare to be so arrogant and come asking for people?
The only thing bothering him was that his brother was too lenient; even after winning, he let them go without demanding compensation!
His gaze narrowed as he looked at the three outsiders with an indifferent expression.
“Mhm.”
Lu Ping’an smiled and patted his brother’s shoulder. Black dragon energy surged through him.
Immediately, a sleek, hardened silver armor appeared on his tall and robust body, emanating a cold gleam, giving him an imposing and powerful presence.
“Wow!”
Lu Linghe, seeing her big brother’s armor, couldn’t help but exclaim, “Big Brother, it looks great!”
Knowing her brother was about to fight, she clenched her small fists and said in a childish voice, “Big Brother, good luck!”
“Alright.”
Lu Ping’an rubbed his little sister’s head, smiling warmly.
The other White Tiger Mountain cultivators looked at Lu Ping’an with surprise and shock.
They didn’t expect the usually low-key eldest son to be a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
“He hid it so well.”
“Bihu Mountain actually has another Foundation Establishment cultivator!”
“No wonder Old Ancestor Lu was at ease leaving White Tiger Mountain to Lu Qingsong, a Qi Refining cultivator. It turns out it was because of this eldest son.”
“Could it be that when the bandits attacked years ago, the eldest son was the one who dealt with them?”
The guest-clan cultivators observing White Tiger Mountain, especially those from the Ning and Mo families, were horrified as they saw Lu Ping’an, towering in silver armor.
Bihu Mountain now had five Foundation Establishment cultivators: Lu Changsheng, Lu Miaoge, Ling Zixiao, Zhao ingqing, and Lu Miaoyun.
And now, the eldest son had also broken through to Foundation Establishment!
Such strength was astonishing.
Even across the entire Qingyun region, they couldn’t be underestimated!
Moreover, the fact that Lu Ping’an only stood out in a critical moment added to the mystery. Who knows what other hidden powers Bihu Mountain had!
“Please, fellow Daoist.”
Lu Ping’an stepped out of White Tiger Mountain, standing firm in the air, staring at Tao Jizhong with a spine as straight as a mountain.
“Awroo!”
At that moment, the Nine Abyss Mastiff growled menacingly at the three visitors. Its massive body exuded ferocity as it stood by Lu Ping’an’s side, its sharp white teeth gleaming ominously.
Lu Ping’an had the closest bond with the Nine Abyss Mastiff in the entire Lu Family.
They had grown up together, from Qingzhu Mountain to Ruyi County, to Bihu Mountain, then White Tiger Mountain, often sparring with each other.
Seeing Lu Ping’an about to face three opponents, the Nine Abyss Mastiff stepped forward to protect its master.
“So this is your confidence?”
Tao Jizhong glanced at the terrifying Nine Abyss Mastiff, his expression tense, thinking the two were planning to attack together.
Over the years, the Nine Abyss Mastiff had made a name for itself at White Tiger Mountain.
Everyone knew this spirit beast was as strong as a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator.
“In our duel, Little Black won’t interfere.”
Lu Ping’an gently shook his head and ordered the Nine Abyss Mastiff to step back.
“Alright.”
Tao Jizhong narrowed his eyes, said no more, and summoned a purple-red flying knife, unleashing a sharp attack to test Lu Ping’an’s strength.
He wanted to see where this early Foundation Establishment cultivator got the confidence to challenge him!
“Clang!”
Lu Ping’an extended his right arm, clenched his five fingers, and a Black Dragon Halberd appeared in his hand. He swung it forward.
The heavy, mountain-like pressure made the void seem to collapse as the purple-red flying knife was sent flying.
“A body-tempering cultivator!”
Tao Jizhong immediately understood where Lu Ping’an’s confidence came from.
Despite only having early Foundation Establishment cultivation, his body-tempering skills were quite formidable.
Moreover, the black halberd in his hand was no ordinary Spirit Tool.
“No wonder you dared to challenge me; you’ve got some strength. In that case, I won’t hold back!”
Tao Jizhong let out a long cry, and five identical flying knives appeared before him, cutting through the air from different directions toward Lu Ping’an.
Lu Ping’an’s Black Dragon Halberd, dark as ink, sharply contrasted with his silver armor.
As the halberd swung in the air, its overwhelming, mountain-like momentum made him appear both majestic and fearsome.
“Clang, clang, clang!”
The Black Dragon Halberd roared like a jiao, emanating an ocean-like terrifying aura that knocked back all six flying knives.
“This!”
Tao Jizhong’s face tightened; he didn’t expect Lu Ping’an’s body-tempering strength to be so overwhelming, effortlessly deflecting his attack.
The two Foundation Establishment cultivators accompanying Tao Jizhong were equally astonished.
Other people might not know Tao Jizhong’s strength, but they knew it well.
He had been at mid-Foundation Establishment for a long time, and his six Purple Yin Flying Knives had seen the blood of many Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Yet now, one early Foundation Establishment junior held him back.
“With this strength, why bother being polite? Just finish him off; why pretend to be so reasonable?”
Lu Qingsong looked at his brother’s back and thought.
Although he’d seen his brother kill a Foundation Establishment cultivator with a single arrow before, proving his brother wasn’t weak,
seeing his brother, as a body cultivator, not taking the initiative and letting the opponent strike first, he shook his head.
At that moment, Lu Ping’an took the initiative to attack.
He thrust forward with the Black Dragon Halberd, the dark blade cutting through the air menacingly.
“Clang, clang, clang—”
Tao Jizhong rapidly formed seals with his hands, commanding his six flying knives to create a mysterious formation and shoot toward Lu Ping’an, trying to block his attack.
At the same time, he pulled out a bronze mirror, which crackled with violet arcs of electricity as it aimed at Lu Ping’an.
Lu Ping’an faced this assault without fear. His silver armor shimmered, and he kept advancing, swinging the Black Dragon Halberd as he walked through the air.
“Boom, boom, boom—”
With each swing of the halberd, each step of his silver boots, there was a deep rumbling sound in the air.
It seemed as if he wasn’t treading on the void, but on a drum, leaving everyone trembling with fear.
“Damn it!”
Tao Jizhong watched Lu Ping’an draw closer, his face looking grim, realizing that he had encountered a tough opponent today.
“Purple Thunder Flame Sword!”
With a long howl, Tao Jizhong formed a seal with his hands, and the six purple-red flying knives combined into a massive, purple-red sword.
“Sizzle!”
The sword was enveloped in a layer of dark red flames with purple arcs of lightning dancing across it as it thrust toward Lu Ping’an.
“Wind and Thunder Slash!”
Lu Ping’an watched the incoming strike, and threads of wind and thunder wrapped around his Black Dragon Halberd, emanating a fearsome aura.
Then, the halberd slashed forward like a jiao awakening, with wind and thunder surging.
“Boom, boom, boom!”
The halberd and sword collided, sparks flying everywhere. Lightning arcs flashed blindingly, and everyone present felt a powerful electric current that made their hair stand on end.
Immediately after, the Purple Thunder Flame Sword trembled, its arc and flames fading as it split back into six flying knives, which flew backward.
“Boom!”
Tao Jizhong, confronted with the aftermath of the Black Dragon Halberd’s shockwave, quickly used the bronze mirror to shield himself.
But the sudden impact made it hard to defend as he was sent flying, vomiting blood.
One of the Foundation Establishment cultivators next to him rushed into the sky, using his magic to catch Tao Jizhong and, with a wary expression, said to Lu Ping’an, “Fellow Daoist, we admit defeat. We’ll leave now!”
“Do you want to continue, fellow Daoist?”
Lu Ping’an looked at Tao Jizhong and asked.
“Fellow Daoist, your strength is formidable. I admit defeat. As you said, let’s end it here.”
Tao Jizhong spoke with a pale and weak face.
As a longtime Foundation Establishment cultivator, to be easily defeated by an early Foundation Establishment junior was a blow to his pride.
However, after their brief exchange, he had gauged Lu Ping’an’s capabilities.
With his strong body and two High-Tier Spirit Tools, he was powerful and invulnerable head-on.
Unless one avoids direct confrontation from the start and engages in a prolonged battle of attrition, there’s a chance of winning.
But as a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator, if he had to drag out a fight with an early Foundation Establishment junior, even if he won, it would be shameful.
Still, having learnt this information was enough.
Tao Jizhong consoled himself.
“Thanks for letting me win.”
Lu Ping’an said as he put away the Black Dragon Halberd and cupped his hands in greeting.
“Hiss, that was too easy!”
“I didn’t know the eldest son was this powerful!”
“Bihu Mountain’s Lu Ping’an.”
“Good thing I never harbored any ill will.”
The White Tiger Mountain cultivators were all shocked by the scene, staring at Lu Ping’an in disbelief.
Especially the earlier White Tiger Mountain members from the Zhao Family and several others.
They hadn’t realized Lu Changsheng hid so much.
He left a son behind to guard White Tiger Mountain.
If any of them had harbored ill intentions and tried to make a move on White Tiger Mountain, they would have been in big trouble.
“Seventh Brother, take over.”
Just then, Lu Qingsong assessed the situation outside and handed the formation disc to Lu Xian’er. Holding the Vermilion Bird Ring Talisman Treasure, he flew out of White Tiger Mountain.
He looked indifferently at the three who were about to leave, “Elder Tao, are you really going to leave just like that?”
“Hmm?”
Everyone looked at Lu Qingsong, not knowing what he intended.
Even Lu Ping’an was somewhat puzzled as he looked at his brother.
“Big brother, you can’t just let them go so easily. If word gets out, others will think White Tiger Mountain is easy to push around.”
“And Aunty specifically told us that if the Jin family or the Longguang Merchant Guild came, we didn’t have to be polite.”
Lu Qingsong immediately explained to his brother via voice transmission.
He knew his brother was generous and didn’t want to escalate things too much.
But now that they had the upper hand, how could he just let the three of them leave so easily!
“What else does Lord Lu need?”
Tao Jizhong looked at Lu Qingsong and asked in a deep voice.
“Since the matter with Liu Yan is settled, shouldn’t you give us an explanation for causing trouble at White Tiger Mountain?”
“Otherwise, if word gets out, others will think White Tiger Mountain is a place they can come and go as they please.”
Although Lu Qingsong was only a Qi Refining cultivator, he faced the three Foundation Establishment cultivators fearlessly.
With his big brother around, the Nine Abyss Mastiff, the family’s grand formation, and his own life-saving talismans and treasures, he had nothing to fear.
His words made not only the three from Tao Jizhong’s side,
but also White Tiger Mountain’s cultivators exchange looks with surprise.
They hadn’t expected their lord to be this domineering.
A Qi Refining cultivator demanding an explanation from three Foundation Establishment cultivators?
“Xuan Yu, Xiao Xiao,”
Lu Xian’er, seeing this, immediately activated the mountain-protecting formation and prepared his son and the household guards.
Besides Lu Ping’an, White Tiger Mountain also had Lu Xian’er’s two Second-Tier Puppets and a guard unit.
Each member of this guard unit was equipped with a Top-Tier First-Tier Puppet, making them a force to be reckoned with!
“An explanation, what kind of explanation does Lord Lu want?”
Tao Jizhong was boiling with anger, his face dark. He tried to suppress the fury in his heart.
If Lu Ping’an had said this, he wouldn’t be so angry.
But for a negligible Qi Refining cultivator to dare speak to him in such a manner!
“Sever your arm, and this matter will be resolved.”
Lu Qingsong said coldly.
“You brat, courting death!”
Tao Jizhong immediately erupted in anger, his Foundation Establishment spiritual pressure surged, and he was about to attack Lu Qingsong.
Not only him, but the other two Foundation Establishment cultivators also activated their spiritual power.
“Hmph!”
Lu Ping’an snorted coldly, holding his Black Dragon Halberd. His towering figure clad in silver armor stood in front of his brother, facing the three.
Although he didn’t want to escalate the situation,
in this scenario, he couldn’t just stand by and watch.
“Boom!”
White Tiger Mountain’s grand formation roared, resembling a fierce tiger lurking, watching the three from above.
“What, do you really want to fight? This is White Tiger Mountain’s territory!”
“Since you dared to come here and cause trouble, you should be prepared for the consequences!”
“If you don’t give White Tiger Mountain an explanation today, I will report this to my father, and we will go to your Longguang Merchant Guild to demand one!”
“When that happens, severing an arm will be the least of your problems!”
Lu Qingsong infused spiritual power into the Vermilion Bird Ring Talisman Treasure, releasing its formidable aura, and spoke coldly.
“Awroo!”
The Nine Abyss Mastiff nearby also glared at the three, baring its terrifying fangs and growling, shaking them to the core.
Seeing the situation, the three looked extremely displeased.
Who would have thought a minor issue would leave them in such a passive position today.
Without Lu Ping’an, a mere Qi Refining cultivator like Lu Qingsong wouldn’t dare speak to them this way; they’d have slapped him into oblivion.
But now, the situation left them in an awkward position.
“These Spirit Stones are our apology for this matter.”
Finally, one of the Foundation Establishment cultivators took a deep breath, pulled out a Storage Bag, and tossed it to Lu Qingsong.
“Not enough!”
Lu Qingsong accepted the Storage Bag without even looking inside and directly replied.
“A Foundation Establishment bandit once caused trouble at White Tiger Mountain. He ended up a corpse for three months!”
“Today, I’m letting you off by just asking you to sever an arm, that’s already giving the Longguang Merchant Guild face!”
“Even if we can’t keep all three, we can still leave one or two behind.”
The Vermilion Bird Ring Talisman Treasure in Lu Qingsong’s hand had been fully activated, ready to unleash at any moment.
The three were left stiff with fear.
“Fine, fine, fine, Lu Changsheng truly has worthy successors. I’ll admit defeat today!”
Tao Jizhong glared coldly at Lu Ping’an and Lu Qingsong.
A flying knife appeared, and he severed one of his arms. Blood splattered, his face pale as his aura weakened.
“Hmph, scram.”
Lu Qingsong snorted, watching the scene.
If he was more certain or less worried about overdoing it, he would have left the three at White Tiger Mountain.
The three said nothing more and quickly left White Tiger Mountain, using their Spirit Boat.
With one arm severed, Tao Jizhong needed to return quickly if he wanted to reattach it, though it would be costly.
“Big brother, thank you for your hard work.”
Lu Qingsong let out a long breath and spoke to Lu Ping’an.
He couldn’t deny he was nervous about the situation earlier.
“It’s fine.”
Lu Ping’an shook his head and said, “When dealing with Foundation Establishment cultivators, you need to be more cautious and not confront them directly.”
Although Lu Qingsong had Talisman Treasures.
The enemy could have used a secret technique, and Lu Qingsong might not have had time to use them.
“Hehe, I wouldn’t dare without you here.”
Lu Qingsong chuckled, speaking candidly.
Then the two brothers and the Nine Abyss Mastiff returned to White Tiger Mountain.
At that moment, everyone present looked at Lu Ping’an and Lu Qingsong with a new level of respect.
Especially in front of the Foundation Establishment cultivator, Lu Ping’an.
“Brother Song.”
Liu Yan looked at Lu Qingsong with some guilt, knowing she had caused this whole situation.
“It’s okay.”
Lu Qingsong replied softly.
“Big brother, I want to train with that too!”
Lu Linghe ran over to her big brother, her eyes gleaming eagerly as she stared at the Black Dragon Halberd, which was taller than she was.
“Alright, once you’ve mastered your fist techniques, I’ll teach you.”
Lu Ping’an replied with a smile.
Although he preferred using his fists over the halberd.
His father, Lu Changsheng, had crafted an entire set of Spirit Tools for him, suggesting he use this halberd and golden bow regularly.
Lu Ping’an didn’t stay long and took his sister, Lu Linghe, back to the mountain to continue her fist training.
Soon after, news from White Tiger Mountain spread.
Nearby families and sects were shocked. Countless people learned about Bihu Mountain’s Lu Family’s eldest son, Lu Ping’an!
“Early Foundation Establishment defeated mid-Foundation Establishment? Impossible!”
“Lu Ping’an dual-trained in body-tempering and also had weapons crafted by his father, Lu Changsheng. His combat power is astonishing!”
“Tao Jizhong, I’ve heard of him. He’s known as the ‘Violet Blade,’ an experienced Foundation Establishment cultivator. To be defeated by a junior? Forced to sever his arm!”
“Hiss! Years ago, Bihu Mountain Lord Lu Changsheng, not long after reaching Foundation Establishment, killed three Yu Family Foundation Establishment cultivators single-handedly! Now, Lu Ping’an, his son, had defeated a seasoned mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator!”
“The rise of Bihu Mountain’s Lu Family is unstoppable!”
“They say White Tiger Mountain had no Foundation Establishment cultivators stationed there, but they hid it so well!”
“It looks like Jinlong Ridge’s Jin Family will be uneasy!”
Many cultivators discussed this breaking news.
Jinlong Ridge, Jin Family.
“Lu Family’s eldest son, Lu Ping’an. Early Foundation Establishment, mid-stage Second-Tier Body Tempering.”
The Jin Family Patriarch looked at the news in front of him, his expression incredibly serious.
They hadn’t expected that a mere probing would uncover such startling information.
“Body tempering requires not only substantial resources but also vast amounts of time and effort. Did Lu Ping’an grow this strong through luck or outstanding talent?”
The Jin Family Patriarch muttered to himself.
If it was an ordinary rogue cultivator, it wouldn’t be that surprising, just another lucky encounter.
But this was Lu Changsheng’s son, making him wonder more deeply.
A few years back, he’d heard troubling news.
Lu Qingshan from the Golden Sun Sect had outdone his peers at the Heavenly Sword Sect’s challenge!
“First, it was Lu Qingshan, and now Lu Ping’an. What kind of absurd luck does Lu Changsheng have? Did his ancestors’ tombs start glowing?”
The Jin Family Patriarch took a deep breath, his eyes showing envy.
He then signaled to convene a family meeting to discuss how to respond.
Qingzhu Mountain, Lu Family.
“Lu Family’s eldest son, Lu Ping’an, defeated Tao Jizhong, forcing him to sever his arm!”
Lu Yuanshan Ding, Lu Munian, and others were astonished to hear the news.
They didn’t expect another child of Lu Changsheng to break through Foundation Establishment.
Especially Lu Yuanshan Ding.
He still remembered when the news of Lu Changsheng’s first son came, and as the family head, he praised him.
Now that child was a high and mighty Foundation Establishment cultivator, filling him with mixed emotions.
“Lu Qingshan, Lu Ping’an, Lu Changsheng’s luck is unbelievable.”
Some high-ranking members of the Lu Family familiar with Lu Qingshan couldn’t help but marvel at Lu Changsheng’s fortune.
After all, a family’s good fortune was represented by the emergence of just one Foundation Establishment seedling.
But Lu Changsheng produced not just one, but two extraordinary sons, Lu Qingshan and Lu Ping’an.
Such thoughts echoed outside of Qingzhu Mountain as well.
Families and forces at Hundred Bird Lake, Centipede Ridge, Ironwood Mountain’s Mo Family, Xishan’s Ning Family, and beyond shared the same sentiments.
A family can’t rely solely on the older generation!
Having new blood and seeing the younger generation rise is essential for rapid growth.
Up until now, Bihu Mountain’s fame and prestige rested mainly on Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge..
But with Lu Ping’an stepping forward, everyone knew Bihu Mountain had a future. The Lu Family’s second generation was making themselves known.
Moreover, with Lu Changsheng being less than seventy years old, the shock was palpable.
It wasn’t just other families learning this.
When White Tiger Mountain’s news reached Bihu Mountain, many Lu clan members were shocked and doubtful.
For someone like Lu Qingshan or Lu Quanzhen, their Foundation Establishment breakthroughs wouldn’t have surprised them.
But Lu Ping’an was always so low-key.
That he suddenly became a Foundation Establishment cultivator with such remarkable strength filled them with awe and motivated them to strive harder.
Lu Family concubines, envious of Lu Lanshu, hoped their children could one day reach Foundation Establishment and become famous like Lu Ping’an.
“Good job!”
Lu Miaohuan smiled with pride upon hearing that her son and Lu Ping’an had forced a Foundation Establishment cultivator to sever his arm.
After all, a Qi Refining cultivator intimidating a Foundation Establishment cultivator was something to be proud of for life.
“Yun’er, send news of your brother Ping’an to Ruyi County. Tell your Aunt Lanshu, bring her to Bihu Mountain, and have Xingyang prepare for the Foundation Establishment ceremony.”
“Once your father finishes his seclusion, we’ll set a date for your big brother’s ceremony.”
Lu Miaoyun instructed her son,Lu Yun, upon hearing the news.
She had asked Lu Changsheng about Lu Ping’an’s Foundation Establishment ceremony years ago.
But Lu Changsheng suggested waiting a few years or until the news of Lu Ping’an’s breakthrough became known.
Now that the situation had escalated, the Foundation Establishment ceremony could be arranged.
Moreover, as this news spreads, it will surely make other families wary.
It’s the perfect opportunity to invite other families to the ceremony to declare their stance, showing that peace is still the priority and that harmony brings wealth.
“Yes, Mother.”
Lu Yun nodded.
Even he was awed and envious upon hearing the news.
“I wonder if I will live to see my own breakthrough to Foundation Establishment.”
Lu Yun pondered, knowing that with all his effort, he might only have one chance to reach Foundation Establishment before sixty.
But with his Seventh-Tier Spirit Root, the odds of success, even with a Foundation Establishment Pill, were only twenty or thirty percent.