Chapter 700: Talisman Lu Family!

“Please inform them that Li Xingruo and Li Xingyu have returned.”

Li Xingruo gazed at the towering Daya Mountain before her, her expression a complex blend of emotions as she stepped forward.

Time can dull many memories.

It had been nearly seventy years since she left Nine Heavens Immortal City and headed to Bihu Mountain.

For mortals, that span would be a full lifetime.

And during that time, she had completed one of life’s most important roles: becoming a mother.

Her two children, lacking Spirit Roots, even had children of their own, becoming grandparents.

In light of these circumstances, her feelings towards her early family had faded significantly.

Her only lingering thought was to bring her parents’ memorial tablets back home and have her daughter Lu Qingli properly manage the name of Baodan Pavilion.

“Li Xingruo, Li Xingyu?”

The guards stationed at the mountain gate did not recognize the Li sisters.

However, with their discerning eyes, they noted the luxurious attire of the group and assumed they were esteemed visitors connected to their family. They clasped their hands and said, “Please wait a moment. I’ll go inform them right away.”

Moments later, a middle-aged man in his forties rushed over. Upon seeing the mature-looking Li Xingruo and Li Xingyu, his eyes widened in shock as he said in a low voice, “Li Xingruo, Li Xingyu, you still have the face to return!”

Years ago, the sisters had a falling out with the family, showing no regard for the family elders and leaving in a huff over a trivial argument.

Afterward, they caught the eye of a son from the Zhao family and had the gall to leave Nine Heavens Immortal City on a spirit ship, much to his chagrin. He even blamed their family for it.

In his view, if the sisters had obeyed the family’s arrangements back then, not only could they have produced a second-tier alchemist but also aligned themselves with the Zhao family.

Especially considering that the Zhao family had risen during the frontier wars twenty years ago, they would most likely elevate to a Core Formation family within a century! However, as soon as he finished speaking,

“Smack!”

A crisp sound echoed.

A stunning woman with delicate features, dressed in a pink gown, stepped forward. She flicked her elegant wrist, sending the middle-aged man sprawling.

Tilting her chin slightly, her expression regal and indifferent, she spoke, “Barking dogs should be slapped!”

As her words fell, the aura of an eighth-layer Foundation Establishment spread out: “Talisman Lu Family’s Lu Wangshu visits to pay respects to my aunt and to honor my parents. Where is the elder of the Li family? Come out and greet us promptly!”

“Talisman Lu Family!”

Stunned by the slap, the middle-aged man, who was about to rage and retaliate, froze in disbelief.

Though the Li family was merely a Foundation Establishment clan, they were well aware of the renowned Talisman Lu Family, hailed as the number one cultivating family in Jiang Kingdom!

In addition to the famous elder Changsheng Zhenren, there was the esteemed Myouga Zhenren; Lu Ping’an, who defeated the Shen Family of Blades; and Lu Qingshan, who joined the Golden Sun Sect and slain a third-tier Demon King—then there was Lu Wangshu.

Not only was she exceptionally talented and the inheritor of Changsheng Zhenren’s Talisman Art legacy, but she was also Changsheng Zhenren’s favored daughter with Xiyue Fairy of the Azure Cloud Sect!

“Did they marry Changsheng Zhenren?”

Li Jiangping immediately surmised what was happening, his heart filled with panic.

Although the grudges of the past few decades had faded, many of the older generation who dealt with these matters had long passed away.

Knowing that the other side had connected with the Talisman Lu Family made it far too easy for them to obliterate the Li family.

Especially with the presence of this favored daughter of Changsheng Zhenren and her two companions, it clearly indicated the elder’s intentions.

The thought of their clan being noted by a Core Formation master sent waves of dread through Li Jiangping, his body trembling uncontrollably.

As Lu Wangshu spoke and released her spiritual pressure, the Lu family members who accompanied her, Lu Linghe and Lu Qingqi, promptly followed suit.

Lu Qingli, Lu Qingye, and Lu Qingning, coming along with their mother, all released their Foundation Establishment pressures.

Though they weren’t as skilled as Lu Wangshu, both Lu Linghe and Lu Qingli were still in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.

“Foundation Establishment! So many Foundation Establishment cultivators!”

Li Jiangping and the other patrolling cultivators gulped dryly.

While the Li family was an old Foundation Establishment clan, they had suffered significant setbacks from the frontier wars, leaving only three Foundation Establishment cultivators in the entire clan.

Therefore, seeing this gathering of Foundation Establishment powers before him left him utterly dumbfounded.

With all the grievances between their families, was it truly necessary to stir such a hornet’s nest? Even in a family feud, mobilizing so many Foundation Establishment cultivators seemed excessive?

At that moment, Li Jiangping suddenly noticed a stunning woman beside Li Xingruo and Li Xingyu. She appeared to embody the merged essence of ethereal beauty and elegance, dressed in a simple white gown, her aura remarkable, like water that surpasses the world, almost as if she were isolated from it.

While she hadn’t released any magical pressure, her faint magical aura made him uneasy, reminding him somewhat of the matriarch of the Talisman Lu Family, Lu Miaoge.

Instantly, he dropped to his knees with a thud, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead as he stammered, “I didn’t know Miss Lu and the esteemed members of the Talisman Lu Family had arrived. I apologize for not welcoming you properly!”

He then turned to Li Xingruo and Li Xingyu, forcing a smile more painful than tears as he said, “Xingru, Xingyu, welcome back! The family has missed you both over the years and worried about your well-being.”

.

Both Li Xingruo and Li Xingyu exchanged a look, stunned into silence.

They recognized Li Jiangping before them.

In the years when their parents were alive, he had treated them well, but after their parents passed unexpectedly, many in the family revealed their true natures.

Some even tried to swindle their parents’ inheritance to claim Foundation resources.

“Whoosh!”

Just then, a stream of Foundation Establishment light arrived at the mountain gate, revealing an elderly man with white hair yet a spirited demeanor.

“Xiao Ruo, Xiao Yu!”

The old man looked at the sisters, then at Lu Wangshu and the others, especially at the tall and robust Lu Ping’an. His eyes narrowed.

More than thirty years ago, outside the Ziyou Secret Realm, he had met Lu Ping’an before and remembered this son of the Lu family well. Who would have thought the Lu family’s eldest son, who had gone silent for decades, would return as well?

Acting as if he did not see them, he bowed respectfully, saying, “Old man Li Yunhui pays respects to Miss Lu and all esteemed friends.”

“Uncle Hui, my sister and I are only here to take our parents’ remains home.”

Li Xingruo spoke gently upon seeing the elderly man.

Although she could summon reasons to destroy the Li family with Lu Miaoge and Lu Wangshu at her side, she was still grateful to the elder for his past kindness.

After all, she and her sister were allowed to leave Daya Mountain because someone had supported them.

This elder had looked after them well in the past.

Moreover, after so many years of grudges, she had long since let it go, believing that her early experiences had clarified her understanding of false family ties.

Sighing softly, she said, “As long as you are well, it’s enough for me.”

The elder gazed at the crowd of Foundation Establishment cultivators before him and sighed quietly, knowing that the family had wronged the sisters many years ago.

Now that so much time had passed, he could not gauge the sisters’ feelings and dared not say more, releasing the mountain gate barriers.

Half a day later, Li Xingruo gathered some of her former belongings and left Daya Mountain with Lu Wangshu and Lu Miaoge.

“Grandfather!”

Li family leader and several elders looked at Li Yunhui, wanting to ask for his opinions on the matter.

“Sigh, the family needs a good tidying up.”

While Li Yunhui had supported the sisters in the past because of their parents, it was merely a favor.

Now that the sisters had returned and had not blamed the Li family, it was already a gesture of goodwill. How could they ask for more?

The Li family cultivators were filled with dread and regret upon hearing this.

They were relieved that Li Xingruo and her sister didn’t seek retribution, yet they lamented that this bond would not be of any use.

If they could manage to get close to the Talisman Lu Family, not only would they enjoy practical benefits in cooperation, but even just the connection would ensure their family’s continued stability for decades.

“Aunt Xingru, aren’t you heading to the Zhao family?”

Once they returned to Nine Heavens Immortal City, Lu Wangshu turned to Li Xingruo.

“So much time has passed, it’s better left alone.”

Before coming, Li Xingruo believed there was no need to create any troubles.

If she had held onto resentment all this time, she wouldn’t have reached this moment.

“Alright then.”

Seeing her response, Lu Wangshu nodded but whispered to Lu Qingye about relaying their visit to the Zhao family.

While their aunt was forgiving and not concerned about it, they themselves couldn’t let this slide easily.

Otherwise, word would spread, and people might think their family could be easily bullied! Days later, news reached the Zhao family of Moyu Mountain.

“Damn that brat!”

One of the Zhao family’s fake Core elders, having learned the details of the situation, instantly turned furious. He quickly rummaged through the family treasury for treasures to send an apology.

“Our family is large and prosperous, so we sometimes don’t realize when trouble comes knocking.”

Several elders of the Zhao family voiced their feelings, relieved and filled with foreboding.

Thank goodness the Talisman Lu Family holds a relatively upright reputation and isn’t a tyrannical sect.

“I hear that the Talisman Lu Family’s elder Changsheng Zhenren is known for his good temperament. But the Talisman expert Lu Wangshu who previously appeared outside Daya Mountain isn’t known for her temper.”

“Exactly. Plus, besides this Talisman expert, Changsheng Zhenren’s wife, Lu Myouga, also arrived.”

The Zhao family quickly gathered intel on all matters concerning Lu Wangshu.

Not long after breaking through Foundation Establishment, she famously slaughtered five Foundation Establishment cultivators using talisman formations outside their own market.

Later, whenever the Lu family contended with major families like the Jin family of Golden Dragon Ridge or the Sima family of Xuanwu Ridge, Lu Wangshu was always part of those shocking instances.

She even once blocked the Jin family’s door with Lu Ping’an and recklessly threatened their mountain gates with her talismans, showing tenacity.

Moreover, there was another shocking piece of news.

During Changsheng Zhenren’s Core Formation celebration, the son of the Shen Family of Blades led a band of elites against her, yet almost lost his life in the confrontation with Lu Wangshu’s talismans. It was truly terrifying! As a result, they genuinely feared this fiery and talented lady who had achieved dual Core Formations for her parents and held extraordinary abilities.

“Old fool from Moyu Mountain, Zhao Dongfu, pays respects to Myouga Zhenren and all esteemed friends.”

The next day, an elder from the Zhao family approached to offer sincere apologies, his tone humble as he presented their prepared gifts, his eyes reflecting a hint of sorrow.

Although he was a fake Core Formation cultivator, he didn’t dare show any disrespect toward Lu Myouga, a true Core Formation master.

After all, only a fake Core cultivator could truly understand the vast difference between fake and true Core cultivators.

This gap was even wider than that separating true Core cultivators from those of high-grade Golden Core.

While true and even flawed Core cultivators were only slightly inferior to Golden Core in magical energy and potential for the future, they were still recognized among Core cultivators.

Fake Core cultivators, on the other hand, had relied on Demon Cores to break through without any potential for further growth. In the eyes of many high-level cultivators, they did not even qualify as genuine Core cultivators.

“You have quite some awareness, don’t you?”

Lu Wangshu, dressed in a luxurious pink gown, her features exquisite and her demeanor graceful, maintained a calm yet authoritative stance.

She didn’t need to show off or demand justice personally.

With the Talisman Lu Family’s current reputation, simply releasing word of their presence was enough to prompt ninety percent of Jiang Kingdom’s families to arrive in person to apologize and ease grudges.

Even Li Xingruo, Li Xingyu, and Lu Qingqi couldn’t help but feel moved at the sight of the Zhao elder’s deferential attitude.

They were coming to deeply realize the weight held by the term ‘Core Formation cultivator’.

After the Zhao family extended their admittance to Li Xingruo, the group continued their tour of Nine Heavens Immortal City.

Once the number one immortal city in Jiang Kingdom, Nine Heavens Immortal City remained remarkably bustling and lively.

But just then, the group encountered some unexpected guests.

“Greetings, Myouga Zhenren, greetings to all esteemed friends!”

Twenty years ago, the Shen Family of Blades made many contributions during the Frontier Wars, leading to the emergence of their second Core Formation master. This ensured their family wouldn’t lose status as a major clan in the same way the Wang family had.

“Greetings, Zilei Zhenren. May I ask what brings you here?”

While there had been some enmity between the Talisman Lu Family and the Shen Family of Blades in the past, thanks to Lu Changsheng’s efforts in mediating, there was no ongoing animosity between the families, and even their relationship had improved. The Lu family had even prepared a gift for Zilei Zhenren’s celebration.

“Hehe, I heard that Myouga Zhenren and esteemed friends have come to Nine Heavens Immortal City, and as hosts, the Shen Family had to come meet you.”

“Additionally, my incompetent junior wishes to challenge your friend Lu Wangshu to a duel after losing to her years ago.”

Zilei Zhenren gestured to the young man beside him, who carried a thunderous blade.

Lu Myouga and Lu Ping’an turned to face this young man.

Ninth-level Foundation Establishment! His entire being radiated a sharp, suppressed blade aura.

He probably hoped to build up his spirit and sharpen his intent through constant challenges, thus pushing himself to break into Core Formation.

In this exchange, Zilei Zhenren’s gaze slipped to the tall, robust Lu Ping’an.

His cultivation base and magical energy concealed by an invisible force made him impossible to read.

“Could it be that this person has broken through to Core Formation?”

Zilei Zhenren mused internally.

More than thirty years ago, Lu Ping’an had already reached semi-third-tier body cultivator status.

Having been lost to the public eye for years, his lack of any magical energy now made Zilei Zhenren unable to discern any further—and so, he speculated as such.

“A family with four Core Formations!”

The realization made even Zilei Zhenren feel shaken.

After all, if Lu Ping’an had genuinely broken into Core Formation, the Talisman Lu Family would possess four Core Formation masters and a third-tier Spirit Beast—truly a top-tier power beneath the four great sects! More importantly, all four Core Formation masters of the Talisman Lu Family were incredibly youthful.

Unlike the Shen Family of Blades, which while appearing to have two Core Formation masters, their elder had been incapacitated during the frontier wars and had only a few decades left.

Precisely due to this, they placed great hopes on their junior Zilei Zhenren and others, striving to cultivate one or two more Core Formation cultivators for their family.