A hundred lifetimes of cultivation, merely seeking immortality in the cultivation world.

Chapter 211 Seize the Day

Upon hearing Lu Qingyun's words, Chen Xiru knew that Lu Qingyun had always cared about her cultivation, and felt a surge of joy. However, when she thought of the Zheng family of Pingyang, she couldn't help but feel worried: "I am not unaware of what you said, Senior Brother. When I first entered the sect, Senior Brother gave me this cultivation method, and I learned about the Zheng family of Pingyang."

"It is said that this family is a Qi Refining family, with several late-stage Qi Refining experts and those suspected of being half-step Foundation Establishment. Although my senior brother is exceptionally talented and has the support of the Zhao family, the Zheng family is probably not an easy opponent."

"Senior brother, perhaps we should just let this matter go... Actually, even if I didn't cultivate, I would be content to be a mortal."

""

Chen Xiru forced a smile, but when she mentioned Zhao Shi, she paused slightly, revealing her worry.

Lu Qingyun's biggest support right now is the Zhao family. As the betrothed of the Zhao family's eldest daughter, the entire outer sect is wary of Lu Qingyun.

But how could Zhao Shi possibly target Zheng Shi, who possessed the half-step Foundation Establishment skill, from the spiritual veins of Pingyang, for the sake of a mere early-stage Qi Refining cultivator like her and her ambiguous relationship with Lu Qingyun?

Even if Zhao's eldest daughter agreed, it would likely damage Lu Qingyun's future if word got out.

"No need for that, junior sister."

Lu Qingyun stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze steady and confident, his clothes fluttering in the wind, shining like a god.

"We cultivators have little time for sentimental attachments or hesitations."

"Not to mention that I have no intention of finding a Daoist partner, and my marriage contract with the Zhao family is just a mutually beneficial arrangement. Even if I wanted to borrow a half-step Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Zhao family for your sake, they would not stop me. On the contrary, they would fully cooperate."

"Besides..."

Lu Qingyun paused, and his aura suddenly changed, becoming as imposing as a lone pine tree, exuding the transcendent aura of a late-stage Qi Refining Perfection cultivator.

"So what if he's only at the half-step Foundation Establishment stage? With my current strength, dealing with a rogue cultivator at the half-step Foundation Establishment stage, while not a sure thing, is still a piece of cake."

Late stage of Qi Refining! Perfected!!

"Senior brother, you've broken through again?"

Chen Xiru blinked, her mouth agape, finding it unbelievable that in just over a month, Lu Qingyun's cultivation level had reached a level she could only dream of.

If I remember correctly, Senior Brother Lu has only been cultivating for less than two months!

Such terrifying talent is probably no better than that of the legendary Foundation Establishment disciples.

Lu Qingyun had naturally planned this matter long ago. Before he went into seclusion, he had discussed with Zhao Qingxuan what to say to prevent others from spying on them.

So he smiled and calmly said, "It wasn't all my doing. It was just a matter of sacrificing some potential and using the Zhao family's resources to forcefully promote him."

"Did they sacrifice some potential...?"

Chen Xiru's eyes dimmed, feeling that this was more real, yet she couldn't help but feel sad for Lu Qingyun.

She even felt guilty because she felt that Lu Qingyun's sacrifice of his potential was because of her.

"I'm sorry, senior brother..."

"No need to apologize. Every cloud has a silver lining. It's just a small part of the foundation. I'm still young, and I'll find a way to make up for it."

"Moreover, this sacrifice of potential for breakthrough was a choice I had planned in advance. The world situation is becoming increasingly turbulent. Although various clans and tribes are still loyal to our sect, there are quite a few who have secretly surrendered to the demonic sect. Coincidentally, the Zheng clan of Pingyang is one of them."

Lu Qingyun remained calm and composed, his voice steady and undisturbed, as the wind on the mountaintop still rustled his clothes.

"Therefore, only by taking the first step can one stand out from the crowd, make moves ahead of time, and gain more benefits, in order to... the eternal Great Way."

Chen Xiru looked up and met Lu Qingyun's calm eyes. Her heart skipped a beat, and she tightened her grip on the hem of her clothes.

Lu Qingyun turned around, avoiding his gaze, and quietly said, "The Great Dao is ruthless. Even though our karmic connection can protect you for a time, if you wish to reach a higher realm, you still need to work hard on your own, Junior Sister."

"The cicada and the turtledove, clinging to the elm and the oak, can never expect the roc to soar ten thousand miles south. If one does not cherish the Great Dao, even if one is the direct descendant of a True Person or from a family of Golden Elixir cultivators, one will only return to ashes. The only thing one can pursue in this world is the Great Dao, and only those who walk with one another on the Great Dao are true friends. All other matters are merely the pursuit of what one desires. Junior Sister should know this."

However, she was not discouraged. Instead, she instantly understood the Dao Heart, her eyes brightened, and she bowed respectfully, saying, "Thank you very much, Senior Brother. Xiru has learned a lot."

"In that case, let's go to Pingyang. As the saying goes, there's no time like the present. When it comes to cultivation, we should seize the day."

Lu Qingyun nodded slightly.

Chen Xiru hesitated for a moment, then asked, "But senior brother, wouldn't it be too obvious if we went directly to Pingyang?"

"Simple."

Lu Qingyun turned around and smiled.

"All I need to do is accept a quest at the edge of the Cloud and Mist Mountains. Come to think of it, I should still be at the early stage of Qi Refining according to the sect registration."

Chen Xiru opened her mouth, but hesitated to speak.

The two walked together to the Danfeng General Affairs Hall.

Upon seeing that it was Lu Qingyun, the cultivators in the General Affairs Hall quickly and mechanically processed his departure from the sect.

So, after Lu Qingyun left, the disciple couldn't help but roar, "Damn it, it's that lucky kid again!"

"Not only does he live off women, but he also refuses to continue his cultivation with the Zhao family. Instead, he spends his days traveling, sightseeing, and playing around with women."

"Isn't Zhao Qingxuan going to do anything about it?"

In an instant, everyone was united in their hatred. Far away on the southern cliff, Zhao Qingxuan quickly learned of this from the gossipy members of the Zhao clan. Her phoenix eyes narrowed, and she said coldly, "Junior Brother has his reasons for speaking so much. How dare mere ordinary disciples speak ill of our noble families? Do they think that just because our family is weak, we can be bullied?"

"Pass this down immediately, ordering him to slap himself thirty times under supervision. If he doesn't learn his lesson, he'll be expelled from the General Affairs Hall next time!"

Now, although Zhang Tianlie is now in the Zhang family, he is still paying close attention to the movements of the Zhao family and Lu Qingyun. Now he heard that Lu Qingyun is not diligently cultivating, but instead is spending time with Chen Xiru and has gone far away to the Yunxia Mountains.

He couldn't help but feel moved: "I knew that Junior Brother Lu had me in his heart. He knew that I was the wise master he could serve, and he chose the Zhao family only out of necessity."

"Now it seems like he's just traveling around and playing with women, but in reality he's imitating the ancient Immortal Han True Lord Xu Yuanzhi who entered the Great Wei Immortal Kingdom without paying homage. Junior Brother Lu is indeed a pure and noble gentleman. He has not let me down, and I will certainly not let him down either. When we conquer the Zhao Clan in the future, I will definitely bring him under my command."

Lu Qingyun left the sect, took Chen Xiru with him, and in a secluded place, put on a human skin mask, rode a flying shuttle, and traveled tens of thousands of meters.

We passed countless towering mountains and mighty rivers along the way. After half a day, the view suddenly opened up before us.

at this time.

Pingyang is now right before our eyes.

Among the Zheng family members, Zheng Zhizhuo had a gloomy look in his eyes and paced back and forth. For some reason, he had been feeling uneasy since noon yesterday.

Zheng Tianxuan was summoned to his side. As Zheng Zhuo's chosen successor, he was still quite satisfactory to Zheng Zhuo at this time. Therefore, the two, one a grandfather and the other a grandson, were quite friendly and respectful.

"Grandpa, has something happened?"

Zheng Tianxuan bowed respectfully. Seeing Zheng Zhizhu pacing back and forth, looking uneasy, Zheng Tianxuan's heart skipped a beat. He suppressed his arrogant demeanor and asked in a low voice, "Could it be that something has happened to the Bai family?"

"Old Ghost Bai is nothing but a skeleton in a tomb. He has repeatedly possessed the bodies of his own descendants, and his soul is no longer solid. If he were to come out and confront me, I would easily kill him to appease my ancestors in the netherworld."

"Then... has there been some change in the upper sect?"

Zheng Tianxuan guessed.

"If the Bai family has invited a high-ranking cultivator from a higher sect to become our enemy, should we prepare in advance, or perhaps strengthen our ties with the Demonic Sect?"

"They've been making a lot of moves lately, and the various factions are converging. Judging from the situation over a hundred years ago, they'll probably target Yunxia sooner or later. I think we should join the Demonic Sect and wipe out the Bai family in one fell swoop."

"I'm afraid this is not the right time. If the upper sect finds out that we have betrayed Yunxia, ​​they will take swift and decisive action."

Zheng Zhizhuo said.

"grandfather..."

Zheng Tianxuan said unwillingly, wanting to continue trying to dissuade him.

"Alright, let's leave the matter of the Demonic Sect here. My family also has spies in Yunxia. Elder Li Fulai has already indicated that the Upper Sect has absolutely no chance of sending a half-step Foundation Establishment cultivator in the near future. The General Affairs Hall has no such mission. If the Bai family manages to persuade any half-step Foundation Establishment cultivator to come down, Li Fulai will definitely find out immediately."

"Worrying about the emperor is nothing but needless anxiety."

Zheng Zhizhuo stared at Zheng Tianxuan for a long time before his eyes narrowed.

"What I'm really worried about is whether the location of the secret realm my family recently discovered will change. If the old ghost of the Bai family were to quietly steal that secret realm, which is obviously of extremely high level, it might actually cause me harm."

"Therefore, my sudden decision may be for this very reason. I am getting old, and having you serve as the acting clan leader these few days can be considered as giving you a test in advance. One day, the entire Zheng family will still be handed over to you."

"grandfather!"

Zheng Tianxuan immediately burst into tears, extremely excited, and repeatedly promised that he would take good care of the Zheng family and would not let Zheng Zhuo down.

Zheng Zhi gave some more instructions, but Zi Guang kept staring in Zheng Tianxuan's direction. After Zheng Tianxuan had completely left, he looked at the hidden door to the side and said indifferently, "Tiansheng, come out."

Zheng Tiansheng, the sixth son of the Zheng family, came out with a grin. He scratched his head and said lazily, "Grandpa, what are you up to now? I think Tianxuan is quite good. Why did you call me aside? If he finds out I was listening in, he'll be angry with me."

"You wretched child, always so lazy and listless, do you really intend to live such a lazy and unambitious life forever?"

Zheng Zhizhu snorted coldly and kicked him.

"So what if I'm lazy? Do you think I don't know what my talent is? Even if I cultivate for a lifetime, it would be a miracle if I could reach the ninth level of Qi Refining. I think you're the one who's gone astray, old man."

Zheng Tiansheng was displeased. He glared angrily and questioned them, then said smugly, "Cultivator? What a load of crap! Since the path to the Great Dao is hopeless, you should be like me, arm in arm with a woman, strolling along the lake. That's how the world will be at peace!"

"Have you said enough?"

Zheng Zhizhuo glanced at him, and Zheng Tiansheng quickly shut up, letting out an awkward laugh.

"I know you're usually lazy, but I also know that although you're lazy, you're actually very meticulous. Although Tianxuan is quite resourceful, his arrogant personality, like a snow-covered mountain and a solitary Emei, is too strong. He's not mature enough now, too stubborn, and he doesn't care about others at all when he does things."

Zheng Zhizhuo spoke indifferently, and tossed a dark-colored token with an inlaid border to Zheng Tiansheng.

"Therefore, after I leave, you shall take charge of the family's secret guards, monitor their movements, and if they act improperly, you may..."

"Alright, sir, I understand. I will keep an eye on the Zheng family and make sure nothing goes wrong. You can go in peace now."

""

Zheng Tiansheng took it, rolled his eyes at Zheng Zhuo, and interrupted him halfway through his sentence, speaking without restraint.

"However, since you've made me do this heavy task, shouldn't you at least give me a few more spirit stones as an offering?"

"You bastard!"

Upon hearing such absurd words, Zheng Zhizhuo was enraged and wanted to whip the person.

It goes without saying what this brat wants the spirit stones for. However, as soon as he took out the spirit weapon whip, Zheng Tiansheng had already hidden at the entrance of the cave, cautiously peeking from outside. Clearly, if he dared to raise the whip, he would immediately drop the token and run away.

"Your monthly allowance will be increased by five hundred; go and deposit it into the treasury!"

With a cold expression, Zheng Zhuo wrote a note and threw it at Zheng Tiansheng.

Zheng Tiansheng received approval, chuckled, hid the token in his waistband, and went down the mountain.

As Zheng Tiansheng gradually went further and further away.

Zheng Zhizhuo's face darkened again.

The sons were all useless, either dying young or being incompetent failures. The grandsons were two decent ones, but one only thought about getting his spirit stones and playing with women, while the other wanted his spirit stones but also hoped for his early death.

How could he feel at ease?

They were completely unaware that as long as the Bai family remained, the Zheng family would be in grave danger, and could be destroyed by the Bai family at any moment.

Zheng Zhizhuo stared at the path that Zheng Tiansheng and Zheng Tianxuan had taken down. After arranging things at home, the sinister and suspicious feelings in his heart intensified.

In fact, compared to Yunxia Shangzhen and the Bai family, he was more suspicious of Zheng Tianxuan. The old ghost of the Bai family and his own family had a tacit understanding that the secrets of the two families' cultivation techniques would not be exposed to outsiders unless absolutely necessary.

Meanwhile, Li Fulai and others from the Yunxia Upper Sect were acting as inside agents, sending out intelligence, but there was no response whatsoever.

The only thing worth considering is not the secret realm, but his seemingly respectful grandson Zheng Tianxuan. If this boy really colludes with the demonic sect and wants to send him to his death ahead of time, how should he deal with it?

After much thought, the only option is to temporarily retreat to the secluded mountain retreat, escape this inexplicable whim, find out the root cause of the matter, and then make a final judgment.

Moreover, is Zheng Tiansheng really that well-behaved?

Was his laziness an act, or was he feigning shortsightedness to deceive him, knowing he wouldn't be chosen to succeed as the family head?

Zheng Zhizhuo pondered to himself, his withered fingers tapping incessantly on the stone table, his expression growing increasingly indifferent.

Outside of Pingyang, Lu Qingyun finally arrived.

It was dusk the following day, and the setting sun cast long shadows on the two of them, revealing two reflections.

Pingyang is still some distance from Yunxia, ​​after all, it is located on the western frontier. Seeing this familiar scene before him, Lu Qingyun smiled.

"Junior sister, this is the place. It is one of the three spiritual lands in the Great Germany today, the location of the Pingyang spiritual vein."

Chen Xiru looked over and suddenly saw the spiritual fields and courtyards on the western mountain, and the cascading waterfall and immortal abode on the eastern mountain. The sound of the rushing water could be heard even from far away outside the spiritual veins.

-

"It is no different from the main campus, but the scenery is quite beautiful. The waterfall in the mountains and the fairy palace above the waterfall are truly magnificent."

",