Lingyuan Immortal

Chapter 943 The Liu Family's Predestined Fate Opens the Mysterious Capital

The second master of the Liu family's bushy beard trembled slightly, and his tiger-like eyes were wide open, as if he were nailed to the spot.

He swallowed hard a few times, then strode forward and, with a flick of his sleeves, knelt deeply on the ground: "Senior Chen, your presence at my humble abode is an honor for me. I am deeply sorry for failing to greet you properly!"

This bow was like a boulder thrown into a lake, causing all the surrounding cultivators to gasp in astonishment.

The son of the newly promoted Nascent Soul Ancestor of the Liu Clan is so noble that, regardless of his identity, his cultivation level at the late Golden Core stage alone is enough to establish a sect in Jiangdu Prefecture.

At this moment, he actually treated the Taoist priest with the respect due to a junior, not even bothering to wipe the dust off his own long robe that was covered in the dust from the blue bricks.

"Senior Chen? Who is this master?"

Just as everyone was pondering the identity of the person before them, Chen Mu lightly flicked his wide sleeves, and a gentle breeze lifted the person up: "It was just a matter of fate, no need for formalities."

He then looked at the timid little girl and said with a light laugh, "Youning, this child is offering you candy, are you going to accept it or not?"

Perhaps sensing the gazes of everyone, the girl became even more nervous, but compared to before, she also showed a hint of embarrassment.

Shi Yangyou, who was standing nearby, was very perceptive and noticed that as Chen Mu asked questions, Huang Dachun and his wife dared not even breathe loudly.

His heart softened, remembering how his parents, when they were alive, had also treated him and his siblings as their everything.

He gently patted the little girl's head: "Little sister..."

The little girl then looked up, her fingertips trembling slightly as she accepted the candy, and whispered as softly as a mosquito's buzz, "Thank you."

Seeing this, Chen Mu chuckled and said, "He has the heart of a child."

These words seem to refer to a young child, yet also to a little girl.

The pale-faced Huang Dachun and his wife finally breathed a sigh of relief and quickly stepped forward to pull their son back.

Huang Dachun was about to bow again to apologize, but Chen Mu gently waved his hand to stop him, saying, "Since we are destined to meet, then come with me into the mansion."

"what?"

Huang Dachun was stunned and didn't quite understand.

The beautiful woman's face lit up with surprise and she urged him to bow in gratitude. Only then did he snap out of his daze, and his towering body shook the blue bricks as he fell to the ground.

The timing of this visit to the mansion is extraordinary. You should know that Master Liu is entertaining guests in the inner palace. If you can take this opportunity to accompany him and pay your respects, the benefits will be as boundless as the ocean...

Looking around, one sees that everyone's eyes are shining with lust, and those burning gazes almost burn holes in one's clothes.

Several people whispered among themselves, wondering how this Taoist priest could have the authority to make decisions and even grant permission to enter the mansion on behalf of the master.

The second master of the Liu family responded, scrutinizing Huang Dachun's face closely, and asked with his hands clasped, "Are you a fellow practitioner of the Tianma Sect?"

“Indeed! I am Huang Dachun, the master of the Tianma Sect. It’s surprising that Second Master Liu knows me…”

Huang Dachun hurriedly returned the greeting, but before he could finish speaking, Master Liu interrupted him with a smile.

With a flick of his wide sleeve, this "aristocrat" immediately had a servant in blue lead the three from Tianma Gate toward Chuihua Gate.

Master Liu personally followed behind the Taoist surnamed Chen, walking with the utmost respect, like a child following his master, his robe always lagging behind by half a step.

The guests in the hall were even more astonished than before upon seeing this.

Suddenly someone lowered their voice and said, "Could it be that person from the Azure Tide Pavilion...?"

The unfinished words struck like a thunderbolt, instantly stunning the entire audience.

When everyone looked at Huang Dachun again, their eyes were filled not only with envy, but also with a hint of sour jealousy. How could such an opportunity have fallen into this person's lap?

Huang Dachun laughed loudly, looking at the straight bluestone official road in front of him. His meridians felt as if they were being bathed in a spring breeze. He then lifted his young son high and gave him a heavy kiss on his tender cheek.

But the child's dark eyes were fixed like cold stars, staring straight ahead.

He followed the gaze and happened to see the little girl also turn her head slightly to look at him.

He was taken aback, his gaze shifting as he pondered. After a moment, he patted the child's bottom with his large, fan-like hand and said, "You little devil!"

He then led his family and followed the servants in blue robes of the Liu family into the inner palace, drawing envious glances from everyone present.

The green-crowned cultivator who had started the trouble earlier was now pale and ashen-faced. Although no one stepped forward to question him, everyone had already seen his clownish behavior.

His plan to use this opportunity to curry favor not only failed, but he was also left standing on the steps in public.

He slowly turned his head to look around and found that everyone was keeping their distance from him. He had no choice but to shrink his neck like a quail and flee hastily, stepping into the shadows of the wall...

In the main hall of the Liu family's inner residence, maids dressed in maroon vests flitted about like butterflies, carrying gilded lacquer trays and serving cups of wine.

Liu Hongyun, dressed in a dark gold pine-patterned brocade robe, held a jade cup in his hand and was chatting and laughing with Li Konghong and others who had come to offer their birthday wishes. His wide sleeves swayed slightly with his gestures, and his snow-white beard fluttered gently in the warm breeze.

The room was filled with laughter; although the banquet had not yet begun, the atmosphere was already harmonious.

Suddenly, the beaded curtain under the eaves was rolled up, and a young man in black robes hurried into the main hall.

Seeing that the patriarch was surrounded so tightly that there was no gap, the young man was so anxious that sweat beaded on his forehead. He disregarded etiquette and called out loudly, "Clan Leader—"

The laughter and chatter abruptly ceased the next moment, and Li Konghong and the others immediately stepped back three paces.

Liu Hongyun frowned slightly, and after the disciple whispered a few words in his ear, the Nascent Soul cultivator who had led the Liu family for hundreds of years suddenly stood up, his expression excited, and strode down the high platform: "Hurry up and come with me to welcome him!"

The young men in the room hurriedly straightened their hats and lined up, which made Li Konghong and the others look at each other in bewilderment. They couldn't help but wonder, who has come to greet us like this?
Although they were unaware of what was going on, they all tacitly straightened their clothes and followed the group out.

Regardless of who has come here, since even Liu Hongyun is acting this way, it's not appropriate for them, the younger generation, to remain seated on the high platform...

A large entourage of "Jiangdu leaders" marched out and greeted the guests on the hundred-step bluestone path outside the main hall.

Just around the corner, a simple Taoist robe suddenly came into view.

The footsteps stopped abruptly, and dozens of gazes, as if drawn by invisible threads, all focused on the Taoist priest.

The canaries under the eaves suddenly fell silent, with only the sound of the copper bells on the eaves trembling gently in the wind.

"Senior Chen!"

Liu Hongyun was clearly much more excited, his steps never faltering, until he reached Chen Mu and bowed deeply: "Since our last parting, I have had no chance to see you again, senior. I wonder how you have been lately?"

Chen Mu smiled faintly, nodded, and then said, "Today happens to be Patriarch Liu's birthday, so I should naturally express my gratitude."

With a light flick of his wide sleeves, a jade bottle floated out from his sleeves, its flowing emerald color making everyone's beards and eyebrows appear green.

"This is the Azure Venerable Pill, uniquely refined by the Azure Tide Pavilion. It is presented as a congratulatory gift. Patriarch Liu, please do not find it offensive."

Chen Mu's voice was clear and melodious, like jade striking a mountain stream, making the floating elixir bottle seem like nothing more than an ordinary object.

However, Li Konghong and the others had already stared wide-eyed, their Adam's apples bobbing up and down as if swallowing hot coals.

It should be noted that this elixir uses Dao traces as a guide and is refined with thirty-six kinds of spiritual wood. It is one of the few elixirs in this world that is made primarily with Dao traces.

Its rarity surpasses even that of the finest Dao traces!
This single sentence has already revealed its value.

The fact that the Taoist priest could offer this item as a birthday gift made his identity clear.

It must be the True Lord of the Upper Sect who brought about the Liu Clan's current prosperity...

"Senior Chen, you are too kind. Your presence is already a great honor for me." Liu Hongyun personally accepted the pill bottle, then stepped aside to personally guide him, saying, "Please, Senior!"

Before he finished speaking, Li Konghong and the other cultivators split into two rows like the receding tide.

Chen Mu would not presume to overstep his bounds, so after exchanging pleasantries with the host in the main hall, he gestured for Liu Hongyun to leave.

Liu Hongyun was a perceptive person, and immediately gave a wink to the servant to leave, leading Chen Mu into the quiet room in the back hall.

After the boy served the spirit mist tea, he cupped his hands and asked, "Senior, is there something important you wish to discuss with me?"

Chen Mu gently stroked the teacup, a faint smile playing on his lips amidst the rising steam: "There is indeed something I wish to discuss with Patriarch Liu."

Liu Hongyun's expression turned serious: "Senior, please speak freely."

Chen Mu gently knocked on the table, and Shi Yang and his sister, who were waiting outside the screen, responded and entered.

He chuckled and said, "Patriarch Liu, let's see what you think of these two."

Liu Hongyun had previously thought he was just an ordinary Taoist boy, but upon hearing this, he was secretly surprised and immediately focused his attention to observe him closely.

Although the brother and sister had not yet entered the Dao, they exuded a subtle spiritual energy. Upon closer inspection, one couldn't help but clap one's hands in admiration: "Raw jade and pure gold, their Daoist bones are innate! Such talent would be outstanding even in the Great River Pavilion..."

Previously, Shi Yangyouan had said that his aptitude was not as good as Shi Yangzongtian's, but we should also consider who Shi Yangzongtian is. He was able to cultivate to the Dao Inquiry Realm in a small world with incomplete Daoist charm. Even with Lan Yan's guidance, his aptitude is still evident.

Although the brother and sister were slightly inferior, in Liu Hongyun's eyes they were already cultivation prodigies that appeared only once in a century.

Chen Mu nodded and smiled, saying, "In that case, how about we let these two unpolished gems join your household?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Hongyun abruptly stood up once more: "Senior, is what you say true?"

He was extremely interested, as the Liu family, a nascent Nascent Soul clan, was beginning to take shape and was just the time when its wings were growing stronger.

If we can take these two talented siblings under our wing and nurture them, they might be able to carry the Liu family banner in just a few years.

He glanced at his brother and sister, who stood as still as pines, while a thousand thoughts raced through his mind.

As for the concerns about including someone of a different surname in the genealogy, he had long since put them aside, thinking to himself that when he grew up, he would choose a handsome man from the Liu family to marry him, so why would he have to worry about not being able to integrate bloodlines?
At that time, they will have received the kindness of being raised and formed a marriage alliance, so how will they be different from the direct descendants?

Chen Mu remained unmoved: "Patriarch Liu, please do not respond so hastily. This matter is of great importance and requires careful consideration before proceeding, so as not to fail these two promising talents for cultivation."

Liu Hongyun's heart skipped a beat, and he asked in a low voice, "Senior, do you mean... that the two of them have some other hidden agenda?"

Chen Mu nodded and immediately explained the cause and effect to him.

"Born in a minor realm, a vassal of a foreign race, and inheriting the legacy of a powerful being from the outside world..."

With each sentence Liu Hongyun heard, his palms broke out in a cold sweat. This sounded... so mysterious.

If the person in front of him hadn't been Chen Mu, he probably wouldn't have believed it at all...

Chen Mu didn't rush for an answer, but picked up his teacup and began to sip.

Shi Yang and his sister stood respectfully with their hands at their sides, while the young man frowned slightly, quietly awaiting the result.

Before long, Liu Hongyun's eyes, which had flickered with light several times, returned to calm, and he said solemnly, "Although my Liu family is not a prominent family, we still have lofty ambitions even among humble people."

"The two siblings are entangled in many karmic tribulations, but this also proves that they have a bright future."

"Senior Chen's act of sending the two of them to my Liu family is a sign of his high regard and great favor for my Liu family..."

He bowed deeply and said earnestly, "If they are willing, I will certainly nurture them with my own blood and sweat..."

Chen Mu's lips curled slightly as he looked intently at Shi Yangyouan: "Are you all willing to stay here and cultivate?"

Before coming, Shi Yangyouan had already thought it through. Given the situation of the siblings, what choice did they have?

Furthermore, Chen Mu wouldn't make a choice lightly; Liu Shi is currently the most suitable option.

Thinking of this, he bowed to Liu Hongyun and said, "This humble one, You'an, greets the family head."

Shi Yangyouning followed closely behind and repeated it in a low voice.

Seeing this, Liu Hongyun stroked his beard and laughed heartily. He personally helped the two up and said softly, "No need for formalities. From now on, just call me Grandpa Liu..."

With this matter settled, Chen Mu felt a sense of relief.

A moment later, Liu Hongyun summoned his attendants and instructed them, "Take these two to the side hall to wait. When the birthday banquet begins, I will personally show them to the cultivators of Jiangdu, so that my fellow cultivators may know that from this day forward, my Liu clan has gained two more outstanding young talents..."

As he was about to depart, Shi Yangyouan suddenly knelt down and performed a deep, respectful bow to Chen Mu, speaking earnestly: "Years will pass, and I do not know when I will be able to pay my respects to your esteemed presence again. I only wish you a smooth journey and good health..."

With a gentle flick of his sleeves, Chen Mu lifted the young man up in a wisp of breeze: "Focus on your cultivation, and we will meet again someday."

The boy's eyes were slightly red as he solemnly took his younger sister's hand and left through the door.

Liu Hongyun nodded repeatedly as he watched the boy's retreating figure, seemingly quite pleased with his innocent and childlike nature.

Chen Mu smiled, then suddenly changed the subject, saying, "There's one more thing..."

Liu Hongyun immediately straightened his expression and listened attentively with his hands clasped in respect.

"Does Patriarch Liu know of any places where demonic energy and spiritual energy coexist? Unclaimed wastelands would be even better..."

Chen Mu slowly stated his request: with this matter settled, the most urgent task now was to incubate the blue duck embryos.

According to his deduction, this dormant embryo, which has been dormant for thousands of years, needs to be slowly nurtured in a treasure land where the energies of demons and spirits intertwine, so as not to damage its original essence.

However, such nurturing often takes years, so if it is an unclaimed land, it can avoid a lot of trouble, which is the best choice.

Upon hearing this, Liu Hongyun fell into deep thought, his knuckles unconsciously tapping the table.

Although Qingzhou is dotted with spiritual springs, the demonic aura has long been cleansed by the immortal sects. Even the Azure Wood Dragon raised by the Biluo Chaosheng Pavilion is a tamed spirit beast, ultimately unsuitable for the needs of the immortals...

After pondering for a long time, he finally replied slowly, "Senior Chen, if we follow your requirements, Dongdu is probably not an option, but the neighboring Xuandu seems to meet your needs."

"Xuan Du?"

"Exactly."

Liu Hongyun nodded: "My knowledge is limited, and I don't know the specifics of Xuandu. But it's a notorious no-man's-land, with a chaotic mix of sects like a hundred rivers flowing into one. There are even demon cultivators who have proclaimed themselves mountain lords and water deities. If you go to Xuandu, senior, you might be able to get what you want..."

Chen Mu lowered his eyes and remained silent. He naturally knew more about Xuandu than the head of the Liu family.

I originally thought I could resolve this locally, but it seems I'll have to go through all this trouble eventually.

"That's fine..."

Thinking of this, he stood up and took out a communication jade talisman: "Patriarch Liu, if there are any important matters in the future, you can use this talisman to send a message."

Liu Hongyun was overjoyed. He had thought that the fate between Liu and the other party had ended, but he never expected that the brother and sister would rekindle it today.

He solemnly accepted the jade talisman, and when he looked up again, he saw only the sunlight filtering through the carved window lattice and wisps of tea smoke rising from the table. There was no trace of the Taoist priest...

……

(End of this chapter)