Chapter 434: The Lu Family Has Risen!

Misty Rain Market.

Countless cultivators watched in awe as Lu Ping’an rode away on his spirit bird, their hearts trembling.

Even though the Sima Patriarch was severely injured, his aura had dimmed, and his power was less than 60% of his peak.

But during that simple clash earlier, the overwhelming pseudo-core level spiritual pressure was very real.

Such a prominent pseudo-core Patriarch was being hunted down so miserably, suppressed, and captured.

Moreover, the cultivator who claimed to be from Bihu Mountain was dragging this pseudo-core expert like a common prisoner, showing no regard for anyone.

What’s the meaning of this?

Is this a show of force!?

Isn’t this too domineering?

“The Sima Family of Xuanwu Ridge is an established pseudo-core family. Isn’t Bihu Mountain worried about their retaliation?”

“Indeed, this action is blatantly slapping them in the face.”

“With such strength, why fear the Sima Family?”

“Since when did Bihu Mountain have such a pseudo-core Patriarch? This person doesn’t look like Lu Changsheng, the Lu Family Patriarch.”

“Watching his battle earlier, he seems more like a body cultivator than a spell cultivator.”

“A pseudo-core expert… I wonder if I will ever reach this realm in my lifetime!”

Many cultivators whispered among themselves, their hearts trembling.

Their eyes, filled with respect, awe, fear, and envy, followed the direction where Lu Ping’an disappeared.

“A few months ago, during the chaos at Hongye Valley Marketplace under Bihu Mountain’s territory, a daughter of the Lu Family, who inherited the Talisman Making Inheritance from Lu Family’s Patriarch, killed five Foundation Establishment cultivators by herself. And now, a figure like this has appeared.”

The Market master of Misty Rain Market, Yan Lan, looked at the departing Lu Ping’an with a face full of emotion.

As a Foundation Establishment cultivator and a Market master, she paid attention to many things in the cultivation world.

“That person just now looked somewhat like the eldest son of the Lu Family’s Patriarch from Bihu Mountain, Lu Ping’an.”

Beside her, the Market master Yu, dressed in a light blue dress with a cold yet beautiful temperament, spoke up.

“Lu Ping’an?”

Yan Lan was surprised. “Isn’t Lu Ping’an only at the mid-foundation stage?”

“I’m not sure, but his appearance seemed similar.”

Yu Fei gently shook her head and softly said, “If that person is really Lu Ping’an of Bihu Mountain, then Bihu Mountain is truly on the rise.”

“I remember the Lu Patriarch of Bihu Mountain is not even a hundred years old yet. If this man is Lu Ping’an of Bihu Mountain, at such an age and with such cultivation, doesn’t that mean he has a good chance of forming a Golden Core?”

Yan Lan’s eyes revealed a look of envy and yearning.

The two sisters had risen from loose cultivators and were now better off than 90% of other cultivators.

However, taking another step forward was as difficult as ascending to the heavens.

Seeing Lu Ping’an obtain such power at such a young age made their hearts fill with emotion.

“Sister, the Sima Family is extremely domineering. Today, when their pseudo-core Patriarch sought help from our Market and we didn’t intervene, they might take it out on us and cause trouble later.”

At this moment, Yu Fei’s eyes showed a hint of worry as she spoke.

Although their Misty Rain Market was somewhat well-known,

In front of a colossal force like the Sima Family, it was insignificant.

If the Sima Family really takes out their anger on them, they wouldn’t be able to bear that fury.

“That possibility exists.”

Yan Lan’s face turned slightly solemn as she said, “Fei’er, do you have any suggestions?”

Their Misty Rain Market had developed until now, not solely because of the sisters’ strength, but because they made allies widely and avoided other forces’ disputes.

“If that person truly is Lu Ping’an of Bihu Mountain, I think we can visit Bihu Mountain to pay our respects.”

After pondering for a moment, Yu Fei spoke up. “Once the Lu Family at Bihu Mountain rises to become a pseudo-core family, they will likely expand their influence.”

“If we take this opportunity to affiliate with them, Bihu Mountain will most likely welcome us and treat us generously.”

“Sister, you’re at the sixth stage of Foundation Establishment. If you had a High-Tier Breaking Stage Pill, you’d soon break through to the late Foundation stage.”

“Bihu Mountain has a Top-Tier pill refiner capable of making Foundation Establishment Pills and surely High-Tier Breaking Stage Pills as well.”

“Moreover, compared to the Sima Family, Bihu Mountain currently has a decent reputation. Recently, the Lu Family’s Matriarch, Lu Miaoge, even extended an iivitation to join alliances with other forces.”

As Yu Fei spoke, she paused and looked at her elder sister with a smile. “Besides, the Lu Patriarch of Bihu Mountain is widely known. If Sister wishes to…”

Before she could finish, Yan Lan playfully patted her sister on the head. “Are you teasing your sister? If that’s your idea, I won’t stop you.”

Afterward, she became serious. “In that case, Fei’er, prepare a gift and head to Bihu Mountain. Let’s see what Bihu Mountain’s attitude is.”

“Sister, be careful. If the Sima Family becomes aggressive, abandon the Market.”

Yu Fei, knowing her sister was at the Market, where the Sima Family might come seeking retribution, reminded her.

“Don’t worry. Unless a pseudo-core Patriarch arrives, no one can break through the Market’s defensive formations.”

Yan Lan smiled confidently.

Lu Ping’an was unaware of the chain reaction he had triggered at Misty Rain Market.

He was merely following his aunt’s instructions to make as much noise as possible.

Riding his spirit bird and dragging the Sima Patriarch behind him, Lu Ping’an swiftly flew toward the caravan’s camp.

On the way, some cultivators who had previously watched Lu Ping’an pursue the Sima Patriarch were unsure of what had happened, but they respectfully made way.

When Lu Ping’an returned to the Nine Linked Mountains area, dragging the Sima Patriarch behind him, all the spies watching the Lu Family caravan were stunned.

“This!”

“The Sima Patriarch was captured!”

All the cultivators were shocked and couldn’t believe it.

Earlier, from a distance, they had only seen the Sima Patriarch trapped by formations and talisman arrays and then escape in a miserable state.

But they hadn’t expected that the esteemed pseudo-core Patriarch couldn’t escape and was instead captured by Lu Ping’an.

This is unbelievable!

It’s known that subduing and suppressing an opponent of the same level is much harder than killing them.

“The Lu Family has produced a dragon!”

One cultivator, staring at the tall and burly Lu Ping’an on his spirit bird, spoke with a dry throat, his voice trembling.

These cultivators, from various forces, all knew of Bihu Mountain and Lu Ping’an.

At such a young age, with such strength, it was like a dragon emerging from shallow waters!

“I thought Lu Wangshu was the hope of this generation of the Lu Family. Who would have expected Lu Ping’an to conceal himself so deeply!”

“Lu Changsheng’s rise from a son-in-law to his current status is already the result of great fortune, but his son’s talent surpasses his own!”

“Damn, the Lu Family’s ancestral graves must be shining with golden light!”

“Lu Changsheng, Lu Ping’an, and Lu Wangshu—no matter how lucky the ancestral graves are, they must need a break by now.”

“And let’s not forget Ling Zixiao. Ever since she established Bihu Mountain decades ago, Lu’s Matriarch had never taken action. But when she did, she ambushed a pseudo-core expert!”

“Hurry and send word back. Prepare gifts for visiting Bihu Mountain!”

At that moment, everyone sent word back to their homes.

Some had already sent word, but now felt it was too slow. They hurriedly crushed emergency Communication Talismans or rushed back to their families.

“Big Brother!”

“Elder Brother!”

At the Lu Family caravan camp, Lu Ruyi, Lu Lingxiao, Lu Linghe, and the others rushed forward as soon as they saw Lu Ping’an return.

They all noticed Lu Ping’an’s chaotic aura and tired look and knew that chasing the Sima Patriarch hadn’t been easy.

“I’m fine.”

Lu Ping’an grinned. With a flow of spiritual power, he wiped away the dried blood on his hand and gently ruffled his younger sister Lu Linghe’s hair.

Then, turning to Ling Zixiao, he said, “Aunt, I didn’t fail you.”

“Ping’an, you’ve done well.”

Ling Zixiao looked at Lu Ping’an with pursed lips and in a soft voice.

Though she usually had no strong feelings toward most members of the Lu Family, she felt particularly proud of Lu Ping’an at this moment.

“Aunt, you’re too kind—this was my duty.”

Lu Ping’an briefly recounted his chase after the Sima Patriarch.

“Rest now. I’ve already contacted your father; he’ll come later.”

Ling Zixiao added.

Though the Lu Family caravan had no casualties in this battle, everyone was in poor condition.

She planned to return to Bihu Mountain to recuperate, avoiding further attacks from the Sima Family or other forces.

Meanwhile, Lu Ping’an’s actions against the Sima Family would have time to spread and cause a ripple effect.

“Father is coming?”

Lu Ping’an was momentarily stunned, then nodded and pointed to the unconscious Sima Patriarch. “Aunt, his condition is critical. If he isn’t treated, he might die or be crippled.”

When the Sima Patriarch was on the verge of detonating his core to self-destruct,

Fortunately, the Thousand-Faced Fox Puppet managed to disrupt him, allowing Lu Ping’an to suppress his power with a single punch.

Thus, the Sima Patriarch was in a dire state, barely clinging to life.

“Alright.”

Ling Zixiao summoned a Lu Family member to examine the Sima Patriarch.

This Lu Family member was a physician.

Upon seeing the Sima Patriarch’s condition, he couldn’t help but click his tongue.

“So this is the vitality of a pseudo-core expert.”

He sighed inwardly.

If it had been an ordinary cultivator, they would have died several times over from such injuries.

The doctor found himself powerless to do anything.

Seeing this, Ling Zixiao fed the Sima Patriarch a few pills to keep him alive.

They couldn’t let him die yet.

If he died, he would lose value.

After settling matters, the caravan rested on the spot.

Meanwhile.

At Xuanwu Ridge, the Sima Family.

“How is this possible?! Didn’t the Third Elder go with the Patriarch? Why has his Soul Tablet shattered!?”

The Sima Family Patriarch stared at the broken Soul Tablet in the ancestral hall, his face dark and grim.

Although the Sima Family had deep foundations,

They couldn’t bear losing five Foundation Establishment elders at once.

And these five were no ordinary Foundation Establishment elders!

Sima Bo and the other three—all had late Foundation Establishment-level strength.

The four of them together could even fend off a peak Foundation Establishment expert.

The Third Elder, Sima Tai, was at the eighth stage of Foundation Establishment, making him one of the Sima Family’s top combatants.

And now, they were all dead!

For the Sima Family, this loss was extremely severe, a devastating blow!

“Could it be that the Patriarch is in danger?”

The Sima Family Patriarch looked at the Soul Tablet of the Sima Patriarch, his brows furrowed, murmuring to himself.

The Third Elder had gone out with the Sima Patriarch.

If the enemy hadn’t been incredibly strong, there’s no way the Third Elder would have been killed right before the Patriarch’s eyes.

“Investigate! Send someone to check immediately! Contact the Patriarch and find out what happened to the Third Elder!”

The Sima Family Patriarch didn’t dare think too deeply, immediately ordering people to contact the Patriarch to find out what was going on.

Half a day later.

Nine Heavens Gale Layer.ale.

A towering figure with a rough face broke through the gale layer, descending silently to the Nine Linked Mountains area.

“Hmm?”

This figure was none other than Lu Changsheng, who had received word and rushed over.

Seeing Ling Zixiao and the others safe, and noticing many cultivators nearby observing this location, Lu Changsheng found a secluded spot. His face and figure blurred before returning to his true, peerlessly handsome form, an aura like an exiled immortal.

Moments later, Lu Changsheng, in a long green robe, tall and erect, with hands behind his back, arrived at the caravan’s camp, riding atop a purple flying shuttle.

“Father!”

“Greetings, Father!”

“Daddy!”

“Greetings to the Lu Patriarch!”

Everyone resting at the camp, upon seeing Lu Changsheng, cheered and bowed in joy.

“Hm.”

Lu Changsheng smiled and nodded.

Then his gaze fell on Ling Zixiao, whose demeanor was both beautiful and calm, and he asked, “Zixiao, what happened here?”

Though he had received the message,

The distance was too great, so the Communication Talisman couldn’t deliver precise information, leaving him unclear about the situation here.

“My Lord.”

Ling Zixiao, her breath still somewhat uneven, softly described the situation.

“The Sima Patriarch?”

Upon hearing his wife’s words, Lu Changsheng’s eyes narrowed as he looked toward the unconscious Sima Patriarch nearby.

He knew there would be many obstacles on this trade journey and had made multiple preparations in advance.

But he didn’t expect a pseudo-core Patriarch to step in.

“Ping’an, you’ve worked hard.”

Lu Changsheng let out a sigh of relief, walked over to his son, and patted him on the shoulder.

He was well aware of his son Lu Ping’an’s strength.

The Hundred Refined Body Technique had only broken through to the eighth layer.

Taking on a simple pseudo-core like Jin Zan was one thing.

But facing a pseudo-core like the Sima Patriarch, who possessed Divine Abilities and Magical Treasures, was out of reach.

“Ruyi, Xiaoyao, you’ve worked hard too.”

Lu Changsheng then looked at his other children and spoke warmly.

Then he turned to Zhou Datong and said, “As long as you do your job well, the Lu Family won’t treat its people unfairly.”

“Rest assured, Master Lu. I will not dare to harbor any disloyalty.”

Zhou Datong hurriedly said with respect.

At first, he was very reluctant.

But after witnessing Lu Ping’an’s strength and Ling Zixiao’s methods, he no longer had any thoughts of defiance.

“We’ll proceed according to Zixiao’s plan. Let’s head back first.”

Lu Changsheng didn’t speak much further. Together with Ling Zixiao, Lu Ping’an, Lu Lingxiao, and the others, he prepared to return.

As for the cargo, he left it to Lu Ruyi and Zhou Datong to transport to the nearest Market.

These storage boxes mostly contained transportation supplies, with a single box weighing tens of thousands of pounds.

Unless Lu Changsheng exerted his Golden Core power, he couldn’t carry everything back in one go.

However, the storage boxes had restrictions, so he wasn’t worried about them being stolen.

Seeing Lu Changsheng arrive and take Lu Ping’an, Ling Zixiao, and the others back, the other spies and cultivators observing the caravan scattered, hurrying back to report the news.

A few days later.

A piece of news spread, shaking the entire Qingyun Region, astonishing countless families, forces, and cultivators.

The Sima Family of Xuanwu Ridge had dispatched the renowned Four Talents of the Sima Family to ambush the Lu Family caravan, only for them all to be killed by the Lu Family.

Afterward, the Sima Family’s pseudo-core Patriarch, Sima Tong, went for revenge.

But the Lu Family’s Matriarch Ling Zixiao set up a grand formation and ambushed him, joining forces with the Lu Family’s eldest son, Lu Ping’an, forcing the Sima Patriarch to self-destruct his Magical Treasure to escape.

In the end, the Lu Family’s eldest son, Lu Ping’an, suppressed and captured the Sima Patriarch.

This news was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up a thousand waves.

Countless people were dumbfounded, unable to believe it, constantly discussing it, thinking it unbelievable.

“The Four Talents of the Sima Family—it’s said they once killed several late Foundation Establishment experts and repelled a peak Foundation Establishment expert. Even if they weren’t the core disciples of an immortal sect, they were still exceptional. And they were completely wiped out by the Lu Family!?”

“The Sima Family’s pseudo-core Patriarch was suppressed by the Lu Family—this is simply unimaginable!”

“Even with the formation ambush, this shouldn’t be possible!”

Though most people only heard of this battle and didn’t witness it,

It still stirred up a storm, spreading like wildfire. Many small families and rogue cultivator dens had cultivators talking about it.

Because the news was too shocking.

They were about to witness the birth of a new pseudo-core family.

And at this moment,

The Xie Family of Lingxi Lake, the Yuan Family of Great Ape Mountain, the Sima Family of Xuanwu Ridge, the Jin Family of Jinlong Ridge, and other pseudo-core families and Foundation Establishment families all stumbled in astonishment upon hearing the reports from their spies.

“Nearly Third-Tier Body Tempering!?”

“Third-Tier Talismans!”

“Talisman Formation technique!”

As they listened to the account of the battle between Ling Zixiao, Lu Ping’an, and the Sima Patriarch, they were all shocked beyond words.

Although this battle was a textbook case of favorable timing, terrain advantages, and human factors, with the Lu Family using every trick in the book,

No matter what, Lu Ping’an’s talent and strength at this age left everyone unable to stay calm.

Even if they weren’t concerned about Lu Ping’an’s current power,

They couldn’t ignore his future potential.

They often claimed their own prodigies had the potential to form a Golden Core or successfully establish a Golden Core.

But deep down, they all knew that the chances of forming a true Golden Core were slim.

What Lu Ping’an showed, however, was the genuine potential to succeed!

He wasn’t far behind the core disciples of an immortal sect!

Even if the Lu Family didn’t have the resources of an immortal sect, given enough time to grow, the probability of Lu Ping’an advancing to Golden Core was three or four times higher.

Once he forms a Golden Core, the Lu Family of Bihu Mountain will become a Golden Core family.

Though pseudo-core families are powerful and influential,

The difference between their status and a Golden Core family is like mud and clouds!

At Lingxi Lake, within the Xie Family.

“Who would have thought Lu Ping’an had hidden so much of his strength back then? Was the Lu Family intentionally fishing?”

Xie Ying couldn’t help but feel a chill after hearing the news.

He was thankful that his family hadn’t antagonized the Lu Family and that he had held back during the conflict with the Lu Family caravan.

Otherwise, the three of them might already be dead.

He immediately turned to his Patriarch, “Patriarch, prepare generous gifts. I’ll go to Bihu Mountain right away to offer congratulations!”

Previously, although the Xie Family of Lingxi Lake was willing to cooperate with Bihu Mountain, they had been maintaining some distance, waiting for Bihu Mountain to come to them.

Now, after hearing the news, they put aside all pretense, viewing the Lu Family of Bihu Mountain as equals, voluntarily going to offer congratulations.

At Great Ape Mountain, within the Yuan Family.

“What!? Sima Tong was suppressed and captured by Lu Ping’an of Bihu Mountain?”

The Yuan Family Patriarch was filled with suspicion and disbelief after hearing the report from his spy.

It must be known that the Yuan Family not only sent people to ambush the Lu Family caravan, but they were also involved in the previous Red Leaf Valley incident.

He immediately convened a family meeting to discuss the matter.

As they were discussing, a voice full of authority boomed.

“Since Bihu Mountain possesses such power, I shall personally visit them to apologize for the past.”

A middle-aged man with thick brows, a steady demeanor, and dressed in a purple brocade robe entered the council hall, speaking.

“Greetings, Ancestor!”

“Greetings, Ancestor!”

Upon seeing this middle-aged man, everyone in the hall greeted him.

This was Yuan Chengshan, the pseudo-core Patriarch of the Yuan Family.

“But…”

The Patriarch, elders, and others within the hall exchanged puzzled glances.

Although Bihu Mountain had a pseudo-core combatant, it didn’t warrant their Patriarch personally going to apologize.

“Now that Bihu Mountain and the Sima Family have become bitter enemies, there’s no need for us to get involved in their conflict.”

The Yuan Family’s Patriarch calmly explained.

As a pseudo-core family, the Yuan Family naturally didn’t fear Bihu Mountain.

However, the two families only had minor friction, and he didn’t want to escalate it to an all-out conflict.

It’d be better to sit back and watch Bihu Mountain and the Sima Family, or even the Jin Family, fight it out.

Of course, the only reason he was willing to put aside his pride and visit Bihu Mountain to apologize was that the Lu Family now had genuine pseudo-core combat strength, having subdued the Sima Patriarch.

If it had been just a Foundation Establishment family, there’s no way he, a dignified pseudo-core Patriarch, would apologize.

“The Ancestor is wise!”

Everyone in the council hall bowed respectfully to their Ancestor.