Chapter 456: At This Age, Don’t Be Too Rash!

Misty Rain Market.

“This Misty Rain Market is a vassal of our Bihu Mountain. The Sima Family will not be allowed to act recklessly here.”

Lu Wangshu, dressed in a pink and white dress, her black hair flowing and her beautiful eyes like flowing moonlight, spoke coldly.

“Miss Lu, our Xuanwu Ridge does not wish to be enemies with your Bihu Mountain.”

“However, a disciple of the Sima Family has gone missing in the Misty Rain Market, and we’ve come to investigate. How can Bihu Mountain also interfere with this? It’s too domineering, isn’t it?”

Outside the Market, the elder of the Sima Family stood with his hands behind his back and spoke with a deep voice.

They initially planned to interrogate the Misty Rain Market but learned that the second master of the Market married Lu Changsheng as a concubine, so they avoided direct conflict and dropped the issue.

But now that Lu Changsheng is dead in the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm, the Sima Family won’t retreat on every matter. They want to regain some dignity.

Otherwise, people might think the Sima Family is afraid of Bihu Mountain!

“Domineering?”

Lu Wangshu’s flawless face showed disdain as she heard this and said, “At your age, you should stop making up excuses to deceive children.”

“I’ll leave it here: If you dare step into the Market today, face the consequences yourself!”

Her calm, clear voice was filled with undisguised contempt and mockery.

“Hiss, this Talisman Fairy really is overbearing!”

“She certainly has the capital to be so proud. So young, she already broke through to Foundation Establishment and killed five Foundation Establishment cultivators on her own.”

“But this person isn’t simple either. He’s an elder of the Sima Family and a Late-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. Even if her talismans are powerful, she’s still not his match, right?”

“When a tree stands out in the forest, the wind will destroy it.”

Many cultivators in the Misty Rain Market watched the scene and muttered in low voices.

Even the Market masters, Yan Lan and Yu Fei, exchanged glances, feeling that the girl from the Lu Family was far too arrogant.

Both of them had higher cultivation levels than Lu Wangshu.

One was at the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment, the other at the fourth.

But even they wouldn’t dare to be so disrespectful in front of this Sima Family elder.

“Hmph, you little girl dare to speak such arrogant words. I’ve eaten more salt than you’ve walked roads! If Lu Changsheng and Lu Ping’an said this, I’d believe it.”

The expression of the Sima Family elder darkened as he spoke.

At his age, reputation was everything.

Being provoked and looked down upon by a junior like Lu Wangshu made him quite angry.

Besides, Lu Ping’an and Ling Zixiao fought and killed the Sima Family’s Golden Core seed.

If he could seize this opportunity to cripple Lu Wangshu, he wouldn’t just avenge his grievance; it would bring unbearable pain to Bihu Mountain, perhaps even leading to its downfall.

However, he was very cautious, observing the surroundings to see if Lu Ping’an was hiding in the shadows.

“If my father and brother were here, would you dare say that? You would’ve been scurrying away or wouldn’t even dare to show your face, right?”

Lu Wangshu looked at the Sima Family elder with disdain, as if staring at a fool.

“Sharp-tongued little girl. Since that’s the case, I will teach you a lesson on behalf of your father!”

The Sima Family elder’s face twitched, and his voice grew colder, his gaze on Lu Wangshu now filled with killing intent.

“Old man, the road is dark and slippery at your age. Don’t be too rash, or you might not even know how you end up dead.”

Lu Wangshu crossed her arms and slightly raised her delicate chin, giving him a sidelong glance as she continued speaking.

“Hiss!”

“Hiss!”

“Hiss!”

The scattered cultivators in the Market, along with Yan Lan and Yu Fei, couldn’t help but take sharp breaths when they heard this.

Everyone knew that this Sima Family’s Fourth Elder was over a hundred, nearly two hundred years old.

And yet, here he was being warned by a junior like Lu Wangshu to watch his step, or he might not even know how he died.

It almost felt as if their roles had been reversed.

“You’re courting death!”

The Sima Family elder’s face turned as red as a pig’s liver. He was about to step into the Market and kill Lu Wangshu.

At one hundred eighty-seven years old, as an elder of the family, who wouldn’t show him respect?

Today, a little brat scolded him! If he didn’t teach Lu Wangshu a lesson, he’d become a laughingstock!

“Elder, enough, stop.”

“This girl is deliberately provoking you to draw you into the formation.”

“Lu Wangshu is proficient in Talisman Formation. She may have already set up a formation.”

The Sima Family disciple who had accompanied him quickly grabbed him and tried to persuade him.

“Get lost immediately, and stop barking outside our Market, disrupting our business. Or else––”

Lu Wangshu, as if she didn’t see the elder’s expression, continued to speak.

“Ah!!!”

The Sima Family elder could no longer hold back. He summoned a Magical Sword and charged at Lu Wangshu.

However, just as he charged menacingly toward the Market gate, Lu Wangshu formed a hand seal.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

At the Market’s entrance, beams of light shot into the sky.

Following that, talismans arranged in a sequence appeared, surrounding and suppressing the Sima Family elder.

“Sigh, I told you not to be rash. Why didn’t you listen?”

Lu Wangshu held a formation disc in one hand and the Nine-Nine Mystical True Lots talisman in the other, shaking her head.

Her face was as bright as jade, her beauty stunningly unequalled, but there was a sense of dread in the hearts of those watching.

“Isn’t she a Talisman Master? How does she also know Formation Techniques?”

“Could it be that Lu Wangshu’s mother, Ling Zixiao, is here too!”

“Talisman Formation is also a part of Formation Techniques. It can be set up in advance.”

“No, with these techniques, she’s definitely a Formation Master!”

“The arts of both talismans and formations are profound and vast. This girl is not just a Talisman Master, she’s also a Formation Master!”

The scattered cultivators in the Market, along with some others paying attention, whispered in astonishment as they witnessed the scene.

No one expected that Lu Wangshu was also a Formation Master!

Such talent is simply amazing!

The Nine-Nine Mystical True Lots held by Lu Wangshu shot out and continued to suppress the Sima Family elder within the talismans.

She then looked at the hesitant Sima Family disciples in the distance and calmly said, “Return and tell the Sima Family to prepare Spirit Stones and come ransom him.”

The Sima Family disciples, seeing the situation and noticing the imposing figures of Yan Lan and Yu Fei beside Lu Wangshu, eventually gritted their teeth and left.

“Hmm, that old man should be worth quite a bit.”

At this point, Lu Wangshu looked at the subdued Sima Family elder, her beautiful eyes curving into crescents as she laughed happily.

She knew that the Sima Family had paid 200,000 Spirit Stones, a spiritual land, and ten shops to ransom Sima Tong last time.

The Sima Family elder she had now subdued should be worth at least 100,000 Spirit Stones, right?

If she solely relied on drawing talismans as a source of income, how long would it take her to earn so many Spirit Stones? How would she ever have the money to cultivate Talisman Soldiers?

Besides, by suppressing people with talismans and then waiting for their family to ransom them, isn’t it just another way of selling talismans?

It’s just a different method, and the talismans are even more valuable this way.

In the crowd, a young man with an ordinary face but piercing eyes, his pupils seemingly glowing with a faint gold light, was watching this scene. He deeply looked at Lu Wangshu before putting a golden bean, the size of a chicken’s egg, back into his Spirit Pet Bag.

Lu Wangshu seemed to notice the young man’s gaze and made a simple gesture towards him.

Meanwhile.

Jin Kingdom, Black Mist Swamp.

The entire swamp was shrouded in a purple-black mist, like poison and miasma, strange and eerie.

As one ventured deeper into the swamp, the purple-black poisonous miasma grew thicker, seemingly corroding all life forms.

Deep within the swamp, amidst a chaotic stone forest shrouded in the toxic miasma.

A young man with a handsome face, dressed in a wide black robe, sat cross-legged in the toxic miasma, his body enveloped in swirling, endless poison miasma.

If one looked closely, they’d see that the poison miasma, which eroded life essence, was being absorbed into his body.

“Boom!”

After who knows how long, the young man in the black robe’s aura surged, causing his robes to flutter, as a purple-green flame ignited around him, making him appear like a burning purple-green sun.

“With the completion of the All-Poison True Body, not only is the toxic miasma in the outer area harmless, but it also provides me with a certain boost.”

“Given this, breaking through the encirclement and escaping this swamp shouldn’t be too difficult.”

The young man in the black robe tilted his head and looked towards the mountain range, muttering to himself.

“With the help of the poison Gourd and the Netherworld Poison Flame, I am confident that I can kill them all!”

Lu Quanzhen squinted his long eyes, which flashed with a cold gleam and killing intent.

He had been pursued earlier and had fled all the way to this Black Mist Swamp.

Eventually, it was thanks to his technique, the Kun Peng Devouring Heaven Demonic Technique, that he escaped danger and survived here in the swamp.

It is said that fortune and misfortune intertwine. While being chased by a swarm of poisonous insects, he accidentally stumbled into a mysterious cave, where he gained a serendipitous inheritance.

For this reason, his cultivation had directly broken through from the fourth layer of Foundation Establishment to the fifth, just a step away from reaching the peak of the fifth layer.

“Let’s go.”

Lu Quanzhen stood up and extended his palm towards a nearby boulder.

Immediately, a fierce, bloodthirsty golden silkworm crawled out from under the stone and landed in his hand and sleeve.

Then, he flew towards the direction from which he had entered.

Five Poison Sect.

A luxurious palace.

“Sister Xiaochan, I heard that a second Nascent Soul True Lord appeared in the Heavenly Sword Sect of the Jiang Kingdom.”

“Two Nascent Soul True Lords set a trap in the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm, almost killing True Lord Tiansha of the Heavenfiend Sect from the Liang Kingdom. Mother went to the Jiang Kingdom this time; she won’t be in danger, will she?”

Nangong Yaoyao knew her mother went to the Jiang Kingdom for matters related to the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm.

So, she had been constantly keeping an eye on news related to this.

Recently, however, hearing reports from the Jiang Kingdom, she became immensely worried about her mother’s safety.

“Yaoyao, don’t worry. I’ve already confirmed that Master’s Soul Lamp is fine, meaning she’s not in danger.”

Meng Xiaochan, seeing the girl’s face full of worry, stepped forward and gently stroked her soft, waterfall-like black hair, speaking softly to comfort her: “Now that the matter of the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm is over, it shouldn’t be long before Master returns.”

Apart from worrying about her master, she was also deeply concerned about Lu Changsheng.

After all, she knew that her master went to the Jiang Kingdom not just for the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm but also because of Lu Changsheng.

Now that the matters of the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm were settled and Master was unharmed, it meant that Master would surely seek out Lu Changsheng next.

“I hope that because of Yaoyao, Master will show mercy to Lu Lang.”

Meng Xiaochan sighed in her heart, praying silently.

“Mm, mm.”

Nangong Yaoyao smiled with a sweet smile and nodded when she heard that Meng Xiaochan said her mother’s Soul Lamp was fine.

But deep within her starry, dreamlike eyes, there was still a hint of worry.

“Sister Xiaochan, I remember that you once went with my mother to the cultivation world of the Jiang Kingdom to carry out a dangerous mission. Can you tell me more about it?”

At this time, Nangong Yaoyao looked at Meng Xiaochan, holding her jade arm, her big eyes blinking as she asked casually.

“Carrying out missions…”

When Meng Xiaochan heard this, she paused in her heart.

But she still replied with a pampering smile: “Alright~”

Da Mengze. The waves stretched into the distance, its waters rippling endlessly, as far as the eye could see.

Looking from afar, one could see many fishing boats, bamboo rafts, sampans, black awning boats, Spirit Boats, and even demon-hunting boats on the lake’s surface.

As the saying goes, those who depend on the mountain live by the mountain, and those who depend on the water live by the water.

Da Mengze’s waters were rich with resources, not only hosting many Spirit Fish but also many demon beasts.

So, not only did mortals come here to fish, but there were also many rogue cultivators and family powers grouping together to hunt demons.

At this moment, Fang Li stood on a black awning boat, lifting the fishing net she had put down yesterday. Her thin face was full of disappointment and frustration.

“No Spirit Fish again… It’s been three days at sea now. I’ve burned three exorcism incense sticks, but I’ve caught nothing.”

“If I continue to catch nothing, my mother’s illness…”

Fang Li tightened her lightly worn clothes and bit her lips.

She was a rogue cultivator living on White Whale Island.

Originally, her family life was quite good.

But half a year ago, her father and brother faced an accident while fishing at sea. When her mother heard the tragic news, she became ill with grief and fell seriously ill.

Faced with this situation, Fang Li could only fish at sea to make Spirit Stones.

But in the past six months, fishing only barely kept them afloat.

Watching her gravely ill mother, she tried venturing deeper into Da Mengze, but after burning three exorcism incense sticks, she still hadn’t caught any Spirit Fish, leaving her heart full of frustration and sorrow.

One stick of exorcism incense costs four low-Tier Spirit Stones.

Even with a discount for three, it still costs ten Spirit Stones, which is a considerable sum for her.

“Should I go a little deeper?”

Fang Li looked at the vast, endless lake and thought to herself.

But the thought made her nervous.

After all, the deeper she went, the more dangerous it would be.

If she encountered danger, then her mother…

Still, seeing the last stick of exorcism incense in her hand, she gritted her teeth and paddled further.

If she returned empty-handed, she would have nothing left.

After venturing a few more miles, she set down her fishing net and fish basket, waiting for the Spirit Fish to take the bait.

“If I could break through to the fourth layer of Qi Refining and learn the Water Repelling Technique and Water Arrow Technique, I could dive into the sea and fish, or even join a demon-hunting boat team.”

Fang Li looked at the burning exorcism incense in front of her, fantasizing about the future.

But as the day darkened, she glanced back toward White Whale Island, preparing to retrieve her net.

“Hmm… there’s a catch!”

As soon as she began lifting it, she realized she had caught something. She noticed something shimmering and hurriedly pulled the fishing net up with all her strength.

In the net, there were not only a few Spirit Fish but also a glittering blue-green lotus seat.

“What’s this? Could it be some kind of Spirit Tool?”

Looking at the lotus seat, Fang Li was stunned, her face full of joy.

Although she was a cultivator, she had never seen a Spirit Tool.

The only magical item she had ever seen was her father’s demon-hunting crossbow.

But at this moment, she could tell with one look that this lotus seat was far more precious than her father’s demon-hunting crossbow.

After pulling the lotus seat from the net, she held it and examined it closely, her hands trembling with excitement.

At that moment, she felt a mysterious, cool sensation flowing from the lotus seat, nudging the bottleneck she had no idea how long it would take to breakthrough. It began to stir.

“What is…!”

Fang Li was stunned, gawking in disbelief at the lotus seat in her hands.

Though her understanding of cultivation was limited.

She knew that any treasure capable of helping someone break through would be a supreme treasure!

“Is this an illusion?”

She swallowed her saliva.

Then pinched her arm. It hurt, so she knew this wasn’t an illusion.

“I actually found such a treasure.”

Fang Li felt a little dizzy from the sudden stroke of fortune.

She had heard stories as a child of people who found treasures and rose to prominence.

But she never imagined that something like this would happen to her.

“I must keep this lotus seat a secret.”

After a moment, Fang Li calmed down and clenched her fist.

She needed the lotus seat to cultivate and break through.

But also, as the saying goes, a man without sin can be framed if he bears treasure.

She knew that if the news of this treasure got out, it would bring endless trouble, maybe even lead the island lord to covet it.

Fang Li quickly pulled out a bundle and wrapped the lotus seat securely.

Then she put the Spirit Fish into her basket, her heart pulsing with excitement as she headed back toward White Whale Island.

“Splash! Splash! Splash—”

Fang Li noticed she had gone too far this time and the exorcism incense wouldn’t be enough to ensure her safe return.

She kept muttering to herself, hoping not to encounter any demon beasts.

But of course, when you worry about something, that’s exactly what happens.

“Splash! Splash! Splash—”

The lake surface suddenly erupted with splashes.

A three-foot-long, jet-black, sharp-mouthed demon fish leaped out, spitting several streams of water arrows from its mouth.

“Water Shield Technique!”

Fang Li quickly made a hand seal and conjured a Water Shield.

But as soon as the Water Shield formed, it was corroded and pierced by the water arrows, causing her black awning boat to spring a large hole, beginning to sink.

“It’s over!”

Fang Li knew that without her boat, she stood no chance against such a demon beast.

“Help! Treasure, please save me!”

Just then, she thought of the lotus seat she had obtained.

It had to be a treasure beyond even the Spirit Tools, maybe it could save her life.

“Hmm?”

Inside the Heavenly Yuan Imperial Lotus, Lu Changsheng sensed something and opened his eyes in surprise.

He didn’t expect the lotus seat, after floating here for so long, to be picked up by someone.

“A person? Well, I’ll ask for the location then.”

With a thought, a ripple spread around him, and he disappeared.

Chu Qingyi, who was next to him, suddenly looked surprised, not knowing what had happened to Lu Changsheng.

“I can’t believe I found such a treasure only to die here.”

Fang Li looked at the sharp-mouthed demon fish in front of her and held the lotus seat in front of her in despair.

But when she did, a figure suddenly appeared, tall and refined, dressed in a luxurious black robe.

“Swoosh!”

As soon as this person appeared, the sharp-mouthed demon fish attacking Fang Li was knocked back and plunged back into the water.

“Little girl, could you tell me where this place is?”

Lu Changsheng turned his head and asked Fang Li.

“Is this an immortal?”

Fang Li saw Lu Changsheng’s face, her mouth half-open, completely stunned, her eyes filled with amazement.

She had lived nearly twenty years and had never seen someone so handsome, like a person stepping out of a painting.

No, even the people in paintings couldn’t compare. He must be an immortal, right?

Could it be that the lotus seat she picked up was actually an immortal’s treasure?

Or could it be that this is the Artifact spirit of the lotus seat?

“Miss?”

Lu Changsheng saw her staring at him and sighed. He had already tried to suppress his charm, but it was still like a bright star in the night sky.

“Immortal, this is White Whale Island. My name is Fang Li, a rogue cultivator living on White Whale Island. Thank you, Immortal, for saving my life!”

Fang Li snapped back to reality and hurriedly spoke, her voice trembling with excitement.

“White Whale Island?”

Lu Changsheng frowned slightly, not knowing where that was.

He continued to ask if this was the Jiang Kingdom and if there were any famous large forces or islands nearby.

“Yes, Immortal. This is the Jiang Kingdom. The largest force here is the Immortal City of Da Mengze!”

Fang Li quickly replied.

“Immortal City of Da Mengze, Da Mengze.”

Lu Changsheng sighed with relief upon hearing that he was still in the Jiang Kingdom.

If he had breached the void and ended up in another cultivation kingdom, it would have been more troublesome to return.

With Immortal City of Da Mengze, it would take at most a month to get back if he traveled at full speed.

“Do you know where Immortal City of Da Mengze is?”

Lu Changsheng continued to ask.

Fang Li immediately felt embarrassed.

If it weren’t for her family’s recent troubles, she would have never left White Whale Island.

“In that case, I’ll go to White Whale Island first.”

Lu Changsheng decided to get a sea chart of Da Mengze, visit Immortal City, pick up some things, and then head home to propose to the Azure Cloud Sect.

He raised his palm and called the Heavenly Yuan Imperial Lotus from Fang Li’s hands.

Seeing this, Fang Li realized that this lotus seat must belong to him.

And, he wasn’t just some Artifact spirit; he was probably a Foundation Establishment grandmaster.

“Senior, please help save my mother. My father and brother were lost at sea, and my mother fell gravely ill from the heartbreak. Senior, you are extremely powerful; please save her.”

“Senior, if you can save my mother, I’m willing to serve you however you wish, to repay your great kindness!”

Fang Li gritted her teeth, knowing that she must seize this opportunity with a powerful expert and begged.

“It seems fate has brought us together, there’s no need to serve me.”

Lu Changsheng chuckled and walked forward, placing his palm on her head.

Instantly, using the Six Desires Demon Heart Manual, he erased her memories related to the Heavenly Yuan Imperial Lotus.

Then, he took her back to White Whale Island, retrieved a Storage Bag, and filled it with Spirit Stones, pills, talismans, puppets, and a technique to give her.

Lu Changsheng, the old ancestor, had been in very good spirits lately.

As fate had brought them together, he thought he might as well lend her a helping hand.

Besides, after she found the Heavenly Yuan Imperial Lotus, it wouldn’t be right for him to just take it and leave like that. It wouldn’t be proper for a Golden Core practitioner.

After buying a sea chart from White Whale Island, Lu Changsheng turned into a streak of light and flew away towards Immortal City of Da Mengze.

“Fortune has been granted; treasure must not be easily shown to others, lest it brings disaster. Take care!”

Fang Li held the Storage Bag, looking at the dazzling array of Natural Treasures inside. She lightly bit her lip, feeling that today’s experience was like a dream.

“I wonder if I’ll ever see this senior again and learn his name…”

She murmured in her heart, recalling everything, and suddenly realized she could no longer clearly remember the senior’s face.

All she could recall was that he wore a black, embroidered robe, was tall and slender, and had a handsome face, like an immortal stepped out of a painting.