Chapter 913 - 691: Joining the Liu Family
Lu Yiming watched until his eyes blurred and his mind soared, his spirit thoroughly shaken.
After a long while, he finally turned toward his grandfather Lu Zhongshan, gently shook his head, and a trace of bitterness surfaced on his face.
Liu Yiyun was already a Golden Body Realm Body Refining Master, a Tier Two Cultivator.
The hierarchy in the Cultivation Realm was strictly ordered.
If the Lu Family were to raise the matter of a marriage alliance again, it would be no different from a fool’s daydream, merely inviting others’ ridicule.
...
"Yiyun, good, good! You truly did not let Grandpa down."
After sending off the Lu family grandfather and grandson, Liu Mingzhi kept only his granddaughter back, his face unable to hide his gratification and pride.
Seeing with his own eyes that his granddaughter’s cultivation had borne fruit, he felt his face was aglow with honor.
Not only had Liu Yiyun’s Spiritual Flood Dragon Power broken through to the Golden Body Realm, she had also found a Magical Treasure highly compatible with her Cultivation Technique, and mastered a set of fierce Whip Techniques—truly like a tiger growing wings.
As she was now, even facing an Early Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator, she still possessed the strength to fight.
As for ordinary Qi Cultivation Cultivators, before her they were no different from ants.
"This Spiritual Flood Dragon Whip, and that exquisite set of Whip Techniques, were all passed on to you by your Master?"
Liu Mingzhi asked.
"Mm!"
Liu Yiyun nodded vigorously, light flashing in her eyes: "Grandpa, Master is cold on the outside but warm on the inside. Oh, and this whip was personally forged for me by Master!"
Hearing this, Liu Mingzhi’s heart moved.
"This whip..."
He took the Spiritual Flood Dragon Whip, carefully stroking and examining it.
The whip’s body felt slightly heavy in the hand, the scale patterns were fine and delicate, and the flow of Power within it was exceptionally smooth.
Clearly, the smith’s craftsmanship was extremely superb.
"Your Master is also an Artifact Refiner?"
"But of course!"
Liu Yiyun lowered her voice, carrying a hint of proud satisfaction.
"From what Yiyun can see, Master’s Artifact Refining ability is probably even more brilliant than that of Old Master Gu in our clan."
Old Master Gu was an Honored Guest Tributor employed by the Liu Family, a Tier Two Middle Grade Artifact Refiner.
"Spirit-Body Dual Cultivation, and yet possessed of such attainment in Artifact Refining..."
Liu Mingzhi murmured softly to himself, a look of deep thought flashing through his eyes.
"This Master of yours is indeed a rare character."
It was just that this person, though a Qin Country Cultivator, was of mysterious origin.
Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivation, Golden Body Realm at its peak, and in addition a superb hand in Artifact Refining.
How could such a person have been so obscure and unknown in Qin Country before?
One could only say that among Loose Cultivators crouched hidden dragons and tigers; in the wilds there were also lost pearls.
Liu Mingzhi then carefully inquired about Guo Shiyan’s daily life.
Liu Yiyun told him that her Master was a thorough Ascetic.
Aside from cultivating, he simply buried himself in tinkering with all sorts of strange objects.
What she did the most on ordinary days was to carry the Jade Scroll shopping lists her Master gave her, running about between various shops in the city to purchase materials.
"Oh, right."
Liu Yiyun recalled something: "Master also passed a rough Body Refining Technique to Xiangcao."
In her view, the method Xiangcao cultivated was mediocre and unremarkable, and its progress slow.
She did not know that the Nine Revolutions True Spirit Transformation prized the foundation above all; in its early stages it focused on tempering, its effects slow to show, but its grade was far beyond what her Spiritual Flood Dragon Power could compare to.
"Yiyun, find an opportunity to invite your Master to our home as a guest."
Liu Mingzhi pondered for a moment, then spoke: "Grandpa ought to thank him in person, after all."
"Alright! Leave it to Yiyun!"
Liu Yiyun agreed readily.
She suddenly asked in a soft voice: "Grandpa, will Lu Yiming still come in the future?"
Liu Mingzhi glanced at her and said irritably: "After being treated like that by you today, how would he still have the face to come again!"
"Oh..."
Liu Yiyun’s face showed a trace of regret: "Actually, Lu Yiming is quite a decent person."
...
A few days later, Shen Xuan, accompanied by Liu Yiyun, once again arrived at Dongming Mountain.
In the reception hall, Spirit Tea fragrance drifted.
Liu Mingzhi’s face was all smiles, appearing even more kindly and warm than the last time.
After a few cups of Spirit Tea and a brief exchange of pleasantries, Liu Mingzhi cut to the chase.
"I hear from Yiyun that Fellow Daoist Guo lives alone in Mingyan Immortal City, renting a Second-class Mansion? Is this not somewhat wasteful?"
Liu Mingzhi’s tone was sincere: "Our Liu Family of Dongming Mountain is currently recruiting Tributor Honored Guests from outside. Why not consider taking up residence with our Liu Family, Fellow Daoist Guo?"
"Not only could you exclusively enjoy a Spirit Vein Cave Mansion of Tier Two Upper Grade, you would also receive a small annual stipend to aid your cultivation needs."
"Guo thanks Old Master Liu for his great favor."
Shen Xuan showed a contemplative look, as though weighing it: "Guo by nature is aloof, not skilled at socializing, unwilling to mingle with outsiders. If I were to take residence with your noble clan, I fear that..."
This was in fact part of his plan.
Using the Liu Family as a springboard to approach the Bright Flame Sect’s upper echelons.
But he could not appear too eager; it was best to wait for the other side to take the initiative to sweeten the offer, so that he could grasp more initiative.
"I’ve heard Fellow Daoist Guo is adept in the Path of Artifact Refining?"
Liu Mingzhi asked.
"I merely know a little superficial work; it’s just a hobby I like to study in my idle hours."
"Artifact Refining consumes an enormous number of Spirit Stones. The annual rent for a Second-class Mansion in Mingyan Immortal City runs two to three thousand Spirit Stones as well."
Liu Mingzhi shook his head, speaking heart-to-heart: "Why waste that money, Fellow Daoist Guo? As long as you take residence with our Liu Family and occasionally give some guidance to the clan’s youths in their cultivation, you can enjoy the Spirit Vein, and also receive annual Tributor pay. Is this not the best of both worlds?"
Seeing that Shen Xuan seemed somewhat moved, Liu Mingzhi threw out his key bargaining chip.
"So that you know, our Liu Family Ancestor, Ming Liu True Master, currently serves in the Bright Flame Sect’s General Affairs Hall, humbly occupying the position of Vice Hall Master."
His tone carried a trace of pride.
"All our Liu Family Tributor Honored Guests may be treated as clan disciples, and can take on Bright Flame Sect missions to earn Sect Contribution Points, which can then be used to exchange for various Spiritual Objects from the Sect."
He paused, lowering his voice: "If one’s Sect Contribution Points are sufficient, even Golden Transformation Pills and Core Formation Spiritual Objects can be exchanged."
Shen Xuan appropriately displayed a look of shock.
"Old Master Liu means that if Guo renders meritorious service, he too can exchange Golden Transformation Pills from the Bright Flame Sect?"
"Naturally!"
Liu Mingzhi said proudly: "Our Ancestor presides over some of the General Affairs; this matter lies within his scope of authority."
The Sect foundations of Qin Country were far more profound than those of Song Country.
Even a True Pill True Master could only hold a deputy post in the General Affairs Hall.