Chapter 912 - 691: Settling into the Liu Family
Even for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, it is a great supplement.
"Brother Lu, you’re being too polite! Between you and me, there’s no need for such expense. Let’s not make it a habit!"
Liu Mingzhi beamed and accepted the Jade Box.
Sitting across from him was Lu Chongshan, the Clan Elder of the Lu Family in Qingtian Mountain, an old friend he had known for many years.
This time, he brought juniors along, and the intention was clear.
"By the way."
Lu Chongshan stroked his beard and smiled: "Where is your Yiyun girl? Yiming mentioned her often, childhood playmates that haven’t seen each other for a long time, he misses her dearly."
Beside him sat the young Lu Yiming, just twenty-three years old, at the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer.
In the Cultivation Clans of Qin Country, he was already of the age to discuss marriage.
This young man’s talent was quite good, possessing a Middle Grade Fire Spirit Root, and besides cultivating the family’s fire technique, he also practiced Body Refining.
With the family’s support, if everything went smoothly, he was hopeful of reaching Foundation Establishment.
Lu Chongshan’s purpose here was indeed to let Liu Mingzhi see his grandson and pave the way for future marriage proposals.
"That Yiyun girl."
Liu Mingzhi sighed lightly when hearing this: "She recently apprenticed under a renowned master and is arduously cultivating in Mingyan Immortal City. Even for me, it’s rare to see her."
Knowing Lu Chongshan’s intentions made his feelings a bit complex.
"Oh? I’ve heard Yiyun is passionate about Body Refining and has made considerable progress?"
Lu Chongshan followed up: "My Yiming also practices this path; he might as well consult with Yiyun, and exchange pointers, wouldn’t it be splendid?"
"Progress isn’t the right word."
Liu Mingzhi shook his head: "In Qin Country, any cultivator with some conditions usually engages in Spirit-Body Dual Cultivation. But the norm is to prioritize Spirit Techniques with Body Refining as a supplement. But this girl has reversed the priorities, which might not be beneficial for long-term cultivation."
This also represented the opinion of most Clan Elders from the Liu Family.
They did not support Liu Yiyun, at such a young age, emphasizing Body Refining and attempting risky breakthroughs.
After all, her spirit root was decent, and she had hope for Foundation Establishment.
In the Cultivation Realm, the number of medium to high-tier Female Cultivators was relatively scarce.
A Foundation Establishment Female Cultivator usually held a more crucial position in the family than a male cultivator of the same tier.
Typically, the strength of a Female Cultivator’s Dao companion needed to be one or two small realms higher than hers, possibly crossing one great realm.
In Qin Country, many Core Formation True Masters’ Dao companions were Foundation Establishment Female Cultivators.
"Apprenticed under a renowned master? Who might they be? Are they teaching Body Refining or Spirit Techniques?"
Lu Chongshan’s brow furrowed, asking in a deep voice.
An uneasy premonition rose quietly within him.
"Indeed a revered figure, skilled in Spirit-Body Dual Cultivation, proficient in both."
Liu Mingzhi responded vaguely, without elaborating.
This was a private matter of the Liu Family, especially since the "Fellow Daoist Guo" was low-key and disliked social interactions, so he wouldn’t speak more on it.
The two chatted for a while longer.
Lu Chongshan made a gesture, Lu Yiming stood, respectfully seeking advice from Liu Mingzhi on cultivation difficulties.
Liu Mingzhi casually offered some guidance, and Lu Yiming immediately acted as if he had gained sudden insight, praised Liu Mingzhi’s "guidance" effusively, and repeatedly thanked him.
"Your Grandpa Liu has a reputation for his fire technique cultivation. Your Uncle Qiuning achieved Foundation Establishment Perfection under his careful tutelage at a young age and is a Core Formation Seed within the Bright Flame Sect."
Lu Chongshan praised alongside.
Lu Yiming’s face brimmed with reverence, like gazing up at a great mountain.
But Liu Mingzhi waved his hand, sighed lightly: "Brother Lu overcommends me. The Bright Flame Sect is full of talents, Qiuning is but an ordinary member among them."
Speaking of his son, a trace of hidden anxiety glimmered in his eyes.
Liu Qiuning had been adventuring outside for more than a decade now, without any word.
Though the ancestor said his soul token remained unbroken, indicating no threat to his life, such prolonged silence still left Liu Mingzhi uneasy.
Just then, a clear and cheerful voice sounded from outside the hall:
"Grandpa, I’m back!"
As soon as the words fell, a red-clad, spiritful Liu Yiyun entered the hall like a flame.
"Yiyun greets Grandpa Lu."
She performed a tidy bow and then looked towards Lu Yiming, smiling confidently: "Yiming, you’ve come too?"
The two knew each other since childhood, her demeanor natural, without much restraint.
"Yiyun."
Lu Yiming responded, but his expression slightly froze.
The Liu Yiyun before him was completely different from the gentle, obedient image he remembered.
Her posture was upright and spirited, exuding a tenacious aura, vigorous and lively, like tough grass growing toward the scorching sun.
Lu Chongshan’s eyes narrowed, his gaze sharp as lightning, sweeping over Liu Yiyun.
"Yiyun, this Body Refining technique of yours..."
The tone carried inquiry.
Liu Yiyun’s lips curved into a smile of unabashed pride: "With the full support of my master, I’ve fortunately broken through to the Golden Body Realm."
At these words, the room fell silent.
Lu Chongshan and Lu Yiming’s expressions changed drastically, filled with shock.
Liu Mingzhi was momentarily stunned, then joy washed over his features.
"Did you truly break through? Let’s go to the Demonstration Arena, let grandpa have a good look!"
At the Demonstration Arena, Liu Yiyun wielded a long whip of dark silver with hidden scale patterns, the Tier Two Magical Treasure Spirit Flood Dragon Whip, specially crafted for her by Shen Xuan.
She practiced a set of "Spirit Flood Dragon Whip Technique," also taught by her master.
Its power induction was highly unique, a wave-driven transmission of force: power began at the heel, traveled through the leg, waist, back, shoulder, arm, connecting each segment, ultimately converging at the tip of the whip.
Like a tidal wave cascading, layer after layer advancing, twisting the power of the entire body’s blood, muscles, and bones into one, exploding thunderously.
With just a flick of her wrist, the Spirit Flood Dragon Whip seemed to come alive instantly!
The whip’s body soared like a silver flood dragon, flexibly changing, making sharp, piercing wind sounds like a howl.
As the whip shadows flew, silver lights dazzled the eyes, sometimes thrusting deftly like a spiritual snake, sometimes sweeping broadly like a flood dragon’s tail.
Even more oddly, where the whip’s body passed, the air faintly emitted a deep groan, as if accompanied by a true flood dragon’s chant.