Chapter 427: Intercepted Midway, The Xie Family of Lingxi!

“The Dao is fifty, Heaven leaves forty-nine, with one hidden away. Talisman formations and many arrays often have much in common.”

Ling Zixiao spoke slowly, instructing his son.

His son, Lu Lingxiao, showed great talent in array mastery.

Even though he didn’t spend much time on it, he was already quite skilled.

With his son’s eyes possessing uncommon talents in eye techniques, he only needed to find the weak points of a Talisman Formation during battle, and then use the destructive power of the Exploding Flames to break it. Against Lu Wangshu, he might stand a chance.

“But Sister has many puppets. If they get close, I might be surrounded by them.”

“And Sister is very strong. Last time when I visited her, she punched through the entire rear mountain.”

At this moment, Lu Linghe, who was nearby, spoke up.

She was very close to Lu Wangshu and knew many of her sister’s techniques.

So she kept advising her brother not to challenge her sister.

“.”

Ling Zixiao found himself speechless after hearing this.

He thought that Lu Wangshu, as his own daughter, was indeed beyond common reasoning.

He knew the disadvantages of Talisman-based cultivators, so his husband must also be aware.

Maybe he had already made up for such weaknesses for this precious daughter.

With this in mind, Ling Zixiao looked at his son with a bit of disappointment.

Why was he so stubborn and overly competitive?

Didn’t he know that crying children get the candy?

His father had always favored those who showed softness over resistance.

But his son took after her in personality, so she couldn’t say too much. She merely comforted him by saying, “It’s okay, Xiaoyao. Sparring with your sister Wangshu regularly is beneficial.”

“But after sparring, if there’s anything you don’t understand, go ask your father.”

Even though it was likely that her son wouldn’t be a match for Lu Wangshu.

In one’s cultivation journey, having such a talented sister as a competitor was advantageous and would motivate him.

Moreover, it’s not like her husband would be so biased as to watch their son constantly be bullied by their daughter, right?

“Brother, actually, Sister is really nice. Just flatter her a bit.”

Lu Linghe, standing beside them, spoke for her sister.

“What your brother and sister are doing is motivating each other. They’re not really fighting.”

Ling Zixiao smiled gently and rubbed her daughter’s head.

This daughter was innocent and lively, and everyone at Bihu Mountain doted on her.

Although Lu Wangshu often teased Lu Linghe, she still took good care of her little sister daily.

Otherwise, Lu Linghe wouldn’t have gotten along so well with her.

“Oh, okay.”

Lu Linghe nodded her little head in partial understanding.

After they finished eating, Ling Zixiao asked if there were any intelligence-selling shops at the Market, gaining some information regarding the Hongye Valley Marketplace.

“It seems this journey will be even more troublesome.”

Ling Zixiao looked at the information and smiled faintly.

Then, after giving a few instructions to her children and Lu Ruyi, she left the Market.

The caravan did not enter the Market. They were stationed outside, with Lu Ping’an standing guard.

“Aunt, Ruyi, Lingxiao, Xiaohe.”

When Lu Ping’an saw Ling Zixiao and the others, he immediately called out.

“Big Bro, I brought you something delicious.”

Lu Linghe, who was very close to her big brother, Lu Ping’an, grinned as she handed him a packed meal box.

“Thank you, Xiaohe.”

Lu Ping’an said with a smile.

“Ping’an, I heard some news at the Market…”

Ling Zixiao stepped forward and shared the information from Hongye Valley Marketplace and her speculations, indicating that a False Core-level force might get directly involved and that they should be extra cautious.

“Aunt, I understand.”

Lu Ping’an was slightly surprised by Lu Wangshu’s combat power, but then he nodded seriously.

The caravan then set off, with Lu Linghe chatting and eating with her big brother.

“Big Bro, let me tell you, this is super yummy, so I ordered two portions.”

“Big Bro can’t finish it all, so I’ll share some with you.”

“Ah, I’m already full. Well, okay, I’ll eat just a little more, just a little.”

The caravan left the Market, heading toward a Qi Refining small family.

Trading with small families didn’t yield much Spirit Stones, but doing business is all about accumulating bit by bit.

Also, making deals with these small families could lead to cooperation, picking up travelers along the way, or other profit-making opportunities.

That day, the caravan passed through a forest trail, only to see three figures standing ahead, blocking the road with swords drawn on horseback.

“May I ask, is this Bihu Mountain Lu Family Changqing Merchant Guild?”

The man in the middle spoke up.

He was around thirty, with a heroic face, sword-like eyebrows, and a deep, powerful voice.

Lu Ping’an stepped out of the cart and exchanged a look with his sister, Lu Ruyi, then seriously asked, “I am Lu Ping’an of Bihu Mountain. Who might you be, sir?”

“Xie Ying of the Xie Family, from Lingxi Lake.”

The man with the sword-like eyebrows replied loudly.

“Lingxi Lake? The Xie Family, one of the six major False Core families in the Qingyun region?”

“Xie Ying, the fifth elder of the Xie Family—Xie Ying!?”

Hearing this, both Lu Ping’an and Lu Ruyi tensed up slightly.

The other members of the caravan also reacted similarly. Knowing they had encountered a False Core family blockade made them uneasy.

“The name of the Bihu Mountain Lu Family is well known in my Lingxi Lake.”

“But there is an unwritten rule between our families: If you want to establish a merchant guild, you must have the strength to back it up.”

“So today, I, Xie Ying, represent my family to challenge you and see your Divine Abilities.”

“If you prove sufficiently skilled, the Xie Family will not only support your Lu Family’s merchant guild but will also apologize for today’s rudeness.”

“But if you lack that strength, it would be better to retreat now. There are other forces blocking your way up ahead, and they might even set ambushes and strike in the dark.”

Xie Ying eyed Lu Ping’an up and down, speaking loudly.

The Xie Family originally didn’t want to interfere in the Lu Family’s merchant guild affairs.

But after hearing about the Hongye Valley Marketplace incident, they realized that Bihu Mountain was no ordinary place.

So they came to test the strength of Bihu Mountain.

If Bihu Mountain housed more than just the False Core-level Lu Changsheng couple and the near-Foundation Establishment Peak-level Lu Wangshu but also possessed other high-level combat strengths, then Bihu Mountain would qualify as a False Core-level force.

In that case, since the Xie Family’s Lingxi Lake was far from Bihu Mountain, there would be no need for enmity, and instead, deep cooperation could be pursued.

“How does Xie Daoist plan to test us?”

Lu Ping’an, tall and sturdy, took a step forward and replied.

He didn’t mind the directness with which the other side stated their purpose.

After all, it’s easier to dodge an open attack than a hidden one.

He preferred fair, open combat to the underhanded methods others might use.

“I’ve heard that this caravan is led by both you, Daoist Lu, and the esteemed lady of your Lu Family?”

“There’s no need for anything fancy, just defeat us three here, and that’ll suffice.”

Xie Ying responded.

He already had thorough knowledge of Lu Ping’an’s strength.

He was in the early Foundation Establishment stage, but because of his Second-Tier body tempering, his combat power was on par with some mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators.

With the help of Spirit Tools, he could even rival some in the late Foundation Establishment stage.

As for Ling Zixiao’s strength, he was less certain.

But considering the Hongye Valley Marketplace incident, the Xie Family suspected that Lu Changsheng wouldn’t have dared to send the two if they were as simple as they seemed on the surface.

“My Aunt doesn’t like to fight. It will be me…”

Lu Ping’an began to speak, intending to face all three opponents himself.

But Lu Ruyi immediately interjected, “Brother.”

“Let us, as siblings, accept Xie Daoist’s challenge together.”

Understanding that his sister was here to gain experience, Lu Ping’an quickly changed his words.

“Certainly.”

Xie Ying looked over at Lu Ruyi and nodded with a smile.

He had already noticed her when she walked out.

He didn’t recall any information about such a Foundation Establishment cultivator from Bihu Mountain.

“Three Foundation Establishment cultivators? No wonder they are so confident.”

“It seems Bihu Mountain has been hiding many Foundation Establishment cultivators. Now, they can’t sustain their numbers, so they’re rushing to establish a merchant guild and auctioning Foundation Establishment Pills.”

Xie Ying thought to himself.

At this moment, Lu Lingxiao and Lu Linghe stepped out of the carriage, observing the situation before them.

If their mother hadn’t spoken, Lu Lingxiao would have already wanted to take action.

“Big Bro, Ruyi Sister, go get them!”

Lu Linghe, dressed in a red combat outfit and standing on two Wind-Fire Wheels, cheered, dispelling the tension.

“Alright.”

Lu Ping’an smiled at Lu Linghe.

Then, he sent a voice transmission to Lu Lingxiao, “Lingxiao, keep watch here.”

Though the others appeared forthright, he wasn’t going to let his guard down.

“Don’t worry, Big Bro.”

Lu Lingxiao nodded.

Ling Zixiao maintained her graceful demeanor as she remained seated in the carriage, calmly observing the situation outside.

She didn’t intend to take action on this trip.

Firstly, her cultivation level was low, only at the fourth stage of Foundation Establishment.

Secondly, her cultivation technique, the ‘Twelve Heavenly Demon Gods Technique,’ required her to silence anyone witnessing her full strength.

Of course, Lu Changsheng had already assured her of Lu Ping’an’s combat strength, so there was no need for her to intervene.

Moments later, Lu Ping’an’s robust body was infused with the power of the Black Dragon Technique. His large frame was covered in a shining silver armor, and a Black Dragon Halberd appeared in his hand.

Beside him, Lu Ruyi, tall and graceful, donned golden armor that shimmered with a flow of divine light as she summoned a small golden sword.

“Brother, Dad said that when you return home, you’ll also get this kind of armor. You’ll look so cool wearing it.”

Lu Linghe admired the armor worn by Lu Ping’an and Lu Ruyi, grinning at Lu Lingxiao.

She really liked this kind of armor.

But Dad said she couldn’t use it yet or make good use of it anyway, so they’d make her one tailored to her when her cultivation level was higher.

“Yeah.”

Lu Lingxiao nodded slightly.

He wasn’t particularly eager for this kind of armor.

Instead, he anticipated the other Spirit Tool that his father mentioned.

“Xie Daoist, please.”

Lu Ping’an addressed the three Xie family members.

In silver armor, wielding the Black Dragon Halberd, his straight back exuded a heroic and dignified presence.

“Lu Daoist, please.”

Xie Ying’s eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Lu Ping’an, then glanced at the other two, signaling for them to unleash their Artifacts and rise into the sky.

“Roar!”

Suddenly, Xie Ying’s hands began to form seals. A surge of water vapor filled the air, materializing into a ferocious flood dragon that charged straight at Lu Ping’an.

The other two, one wielding a small drum, clapped their hands together, summoning waves of water-thunder strikes, all aimed at the two siblings.

As they flew through the air, these water-thunder waves began to merge with the water vapor dragon, amplifying their power.

These two cultivators practiced similar techniques, so their combined attack was far stronger than usual.

The last man wielded a blue flying sword, heading straight for them.

“Ruyi, support from the back!”

Faced with such an offense, Lu Ping’an, with his massive build, stepped forward.

“Boom!”

His formidable physique, like that of a demon beast, unleashed a pressure in the air that seemed to make the very atmosphere heavier.

With the Black Dragon Halberd in hand, it radiated dazzling brilliance as it was swung down.

Though he was officially known as a mid-Second-Tier body refiner, it was clear that this trip might require more than just holding back.

His father had already instructed him not to hold back too much.

So, with this first strike, Lu Ping’an immediately pushed his body tempering to the seventh tier.

However, the eighth tier, which approached the third tier of body tempering, was too shocking, and he still exerted restraint.

“Boom!”

His Black Dragon Halberd cleaved through the water vapor dragon, cutting it cleanly in half.

Next, the halberd, wrapped in a cyclone of wind and thunder, dispersed the water-thunder strikes and shattered the blue flying sword.

“What kind of body is this!?”

Seeing the physical energy emanating from Lu Ping’an, Xie Ying couldn’t help but twitch his eyelids.

Immediately, he began forming more seals, gathering the shattered water vapor in an attempt to form a silver dragon cascade, aiming to entangle Lu Ping’an’s Black Dragon Halberd.

“Buzz—”

Lu Ping’an gripped the halberd tightly, spun it quickly, and let out a fierce metallic hum, dispersing the silver dragon.

His powerful blood energy surged like breaking a dam, causing his silver armor to glisten faintly with golden treasure light.

“Booming—”

Winds and thunder roared around Lu Ping’an. Standing tall, his blood energy towered into the sky like smoke from a thousand troops, rushing toward the three Xie family members.

“This…”

Lu Ruyi, watching this spectacle, wielded her flying sword with a slight sense of bewilderment.

Where am I? What am I supposed to do?

My big brother alone broke the assault of all three. How can I support him?

It’s more like my big brother is the one supporting me.

But Big Brother is too amazing…

“Wow, Big Brother is awesome!”

Lu Linghe clapped excitedly, seeing Lu Ping’an like this.

Though she was a bit puzzled as to why her big brother didn’t just punch through everything like she would’ve.

“So this is the Eighth-Tier of the Hundred Refined Body Technique. I wonder if Sister Wangshu’s talismans can break Big Brother’s physical body?”

Lu Lingxiao gazed thoughtfully at his brother’s imposing figure, contemplating.

“Big Brother is so powerful!”

“Gasp! That must be Top-Tier Second-Tier body refining!”

“Uncle Ping’an’s strength is…”

Other Bihu Mountain Lu Family and Qingzhu Mountain Lu Family disciples were equally stunned at this sight, followed by joy and excitement.

Knowing that having Lu Ping’an on this journey made the trip seem secure.

“The Bihu Mountain Lu Family, what a formidable Bihu Mountain Lu Family! No wonder they dared to establish a merchant guild now!”

Seeing Lu Ping’an’s unstoppable might, Xie Ying’s face shifted slightly, filled with seriousness.

He formed more seals as he released his life-bound Spirit Tool, the ‘Cold Pool Pearl,’ which emitted a frigid, divine light.

This cold energy blended with his hand seals, forming swirling ice dragons that shot toward Lu Ping’an.

“Boom, boom, boom—”

Lu Ping’an’s expression remained calm as he swung his Black Dragon Halberd, each strike heavy as a mountain, shattering the ice dragons into pieces that scattered into a shower of ice shards and vapor.

Watching Lu Ping’an, who was as domineering as a god or demon, rushing toward him, Xie Ying immediately called out, “Daoist Lu, I concede!”

He could see that defeating Lu Ping’an wasn’t easy, not without risking his life.

But there was no enmity between the two families, no need to risk escalating the conflict.

Besides, his purpose in coming here was to gauge Bihu Mountain’s strength.

Lu Ping’an had already proven that Bihu Mountain had combat power comparable to a False Core family.

Aside from the mighty Lu Changsheng couple, who could rival False Core cultivators,

There was also Lu Ping’an, a body-refining cultivator with genuine late Foundation Establishment combat strength!

Unlike Lu Wangshu, who relied on talismans and other external tools.

Moreover, Bihu Mountain seemed to have at least ten Foundation Establishment cultivators, something not to be taken lightly, earning the Xie Family’s recognition.

“Daoist Xie, you concede.”

Lu Ping’an’s upright and heroic face revealed a faint smile as he spoke.

“Daoist Lu, I apologize for any offense today. Here’s a small token from my Xie Family; please accept it.”

Xie Ying took out some Brocade Boxes from his Storage Bag and handed them to Lu Ping’an.

“Daoist Xie, you’re too kind.”

Lu Ping’an knew that accepting this gift meant the matter was settled and reached out to accept the boxes.

“Daoist Lu, if your family ever requires cooperation in business, you can always come to my Xie Family at Lingxi Lake.”

“Here’s the token of Lingxi Lake. Send someone with this token to my Xie Family whenever you need assistance.”

Xie Ying continued, handing over a token.

“Thank you very much, Daoist Xie.”

Lu Ping’an nodded, accepting the token and inspecting it.

One side was inscribed with the characters ‘Lingxi,’ and the other side bore the character ‘Xie.’

“I’ve heard that Daoist Lu has yet to marry? The Xie family has many virtuous and graceful women. If Daoist Lu is interested, I could…”

Xie Ying, looking at Lu Ping’an, suddenly spoke.

He had seen basic information about Bihu Mountain before.

He remembered that Lu Ping’an, the eldest son of the Lu Family, was still young, barely sixty years old.

While sixty years old in the early Foundation Establishment stage was average,

This would be astonishing with mid-Second-Tier body refinement.

After all, body refinement is much more challenging than Qi Refining, requiring an immense amount of time and effort.

Given Lu Ping’an’s current body refining strength, he likely experienced considerable serendipity.

In the future, he might even break through to the False Core level with his body refining prowess!

If the two families could forge a marriage alliance early, it would be greatly beneficial to the Xie Family.

“Uh… For now, I’m focused on my cultivation and haven’t considered marriage.”

Lu Ping’an’s expression twitched slightly, not expecting such a sudden topic change from Xie Ying.

“Alright, Daoist Lu is welcome as a guest at my Xie Family anytime. Our families should maintain close ties.”

Though slightly disappointed, Xie Ying was still very polite.

He hinted that other prominent families might target Bihu Mountain soon, and Lu Ping’an should remain vigilant.

He even hinted that the Hongye Valley Marketplace incident might involve the Sima Family.

After chatting for a while longer, Xie Ying exchanged more pleasantries with Lu Ruyi, paid his respects to Ling Zixiao, and then left.

“The Bihu Mountain Lu Family, with its eldest son, Lu Ping’an.”

“The Lu Couple of Bihu Mountain are comparable to False Core cultivators, and Lu Changsheng’s Talisman Arrays could even threaten, if not kill, lesser False Core cultivators.”

“Now, Lu Ping’an has emerged, with body refining expertise. This Bihu Mountain Lu Family’s rise can no longer be stopped.”

Standing on his Spirit Boat, Xie Ying was full of emotions as he thought more and more about how extraordinary Bihu Mountain was.

He even suspected that Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge were far from ordinnry.

After all, Lu Changsheng’s daughter, Lu Wangshu, with her Talisman Making Inheritance, already had such formidable combat prowess.

Perhaps it’s like the old rumor said, that Lu Changsheng could threaten or even kill lesser False Core cultivators with Talisman Arrays alone.

“Don’t speak of this to others.”

At that moment, Xie Ying addressed his nephew and the family’s Retainer Elder with a warning.

Though he wished to foster good relations with Bihu Mountain, he was also eager to see the other major forces clash with Bihu Mountain.

Especially the Sima Family and Yuan Family.

These two old False Core families were always domineering and didn’t want to see another False Core family rise.

After suffering losses at Hongye Valley Marketplace, they might act ruthlessly this time.

If Bihu Mountain and these two families entered a fierce conflict, his Xie Family would undoubtedly benefit.

“Earlier, I didn’t go all out, and it’s likely that Lu Ping’an didn’t either.”

“As for that Lu Family’s matriarch, aside from when Lu Changsheng seized Bihu Mountain from the Yu Family, she hasn’t intervened since. Now, she’s gone to oversee the caravan—there’s no way she’s simple.”

Xie Ying pondered, even looking forward to seeing what would happen when other forces crossed paths with the Lu Family’s caravan.

If both sides went all out and the sparks flew, things would indeed get interesting.