Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 492 Returning to Hanchuan
"Hey, what's the point of your expulsion? Do you think the disciples of the Hehuan Sect outside the sect recognize whoever occupies the sect as the sect leader and decides the fate of the world by issuing a proclamation?" Sheng Yuanyao was speechless.

Pei Chuyun instantly lost her previous seductive demeanor, smiling as she waved the list in her hand: "Directly dismissing them is of course useless, but if we follow the clues and control all these people, Xuan Nu will be all alone. As for their whereabouts, with the generous reward of top-grade pills, we'll find clues sooner or later."

"Is it really that simple?" Sheng Yuanyao asked doubtfully.

“The demonic path is ruthless, greedy for life and afraid of death, prioritizing profit over righteousness. Where is there true loyalty? If we’re talking about loyalty, it’s only loyalty to Xuan Nu’s strength, out of fear of retaliation.” Pei Chuyun sighed, “What I’m really worried about is that Xuan Nu won’t seek out anyone and will just hide away to cultivate alone. When she comes out of seclusion, it will be a real problem.”

No force can withstand the furious retaliation of a top-tier individual. Even if you can withstand it, being targeted by someone will eventually lead to the collapse of your entire force.

Moreover, Xuan Nu is no ordinary super-grade.

Shen Tang said, "If she wants to hide, there's nothing anyone can do. We've done the necessary searches and wanted notices; strengthening ourselves is the most important thing. Once we're strong enough, Xuan Nu won't even dare to show her face. If someone really wants to kill us, aren't they afraid of falling into a trap and being surrounded?"

Pei Chuyun smiled and said, "I was a little worried at first, but seeing the spiritual energy of Danxia Mountain, I'm not worried at all. Why would we need to go out and train when we have such a powerful spiritual mountain?"

Shen Tang said, "Sailing requires real combat experience, it's different."

"You believe him. I bet he's in Long Qinghuang's bed right now."

Shen Tang and Sheng Yuanyao were grinding their teeth together.

Everyone knows this guess is most likely correct. Even if she's pregnant and can't do anything, Lu Xingzhou will definitely go to visit her.

Shen Tang gritted his teeth, then turned and left: "Many hidden sects lurk in the Ten Thousand Mountains. The Charming Maidens' Joyful Union Sect has been here for a long time, so they should know where they are. Send them to deliver a proclamation, ordering these sects to come to Xia Prefecture to pay homage within seven days. Those who fail to do so will be punished as an example by the Charming Maidens' Joyful Union Sect."

The phrase "coming to Xia Prefecture to pay homage" reveals its ulterior motives. Subduing the reclusive sects has nothing to do with the Great Qian Dynasty; it's merely a matter of the Xia King's influence.

Gu Yiheng's biggest disadvantage compared to Gu Zhanting lies in this: he lacks Gu Zhanting's prestige, so it seems normal for others to do things against his will, and no one cares about his attitude.

If Shen Tang is like this, then naturally others are too.

Even before he ascended the throne, powerful sects like the Huanhua Sword Sect had already stopped obeying his summons. They would only come to offer congratulations casually, and their gifts were extremely perfunctory. This was only due to inertia; otherwise, it would have been normal for them not to come at all.

Only Lingtian Pavilion gave them some face because their son was an official in the court, but even they were Lu Xingzhou's people.

This is also a concrete manifestation of the decline in the Qi and blood that Ye Tinglan mentioned. The Great Qian Dynasty, which was originally quite powerful under Gu Zhanting's leadership, showed signs of decline almost overnight, and it didn't even take a month.

…………

While Shen Tang was building his business empire, Lu Xingzhou and Dugu Qingli finally bid farewell to Long Qinghuang and prepared to head to Dongyue Hanchuan.

The turning point was that after several days of intensive training, Dugu Qingli broke through to the first rank in battle, which meant it was time for her to leave.

The smoothness of her breakthrough even made Long Qinghuang a little apprehensive. It was certainly because the pills given by Lu Xingzhou were very effective, but Dugu Qingli's seemingly effortless breakthrough was still a bit too much.

Breaking through in battle is a protagonist's feat in fictional stories; it's something most people can't do. After all, breakthroughs require a calm mind, and what kind of person can remain so clear-headed during battle? Either they've got a cheat code, or they're incredibly detached and pure.

What kind of monsters and demons are around Lu Xingzhou...?

However, Lu Xingzhou has not made any progress in his cultivation these days, as he has devoted all his energy to practical combat training.

Although both are at the mid-level of the first rank, their current level is indeed much better than when they were being chased and attacked by Little White Hair a few days ago. However, the result is that they are now even less able to defeat Little White Hair after his breakthrough.

Those who hear it are heartbroken, and those who see it weep.

Ah Nuo was left behind and accompanied Long Qinghuang to see Lu Xingzhou off to the outskirts of the city. With tears in her eyes, she waved goodbye, saying, "Master, I won't miss you."

"Listen to what Master Long says." Lu Xingzhou bent down and pinched A Nuo's cheek: "Don't run around too much, or you might get kidnapped and sold by that old beggar. Dragon Cliff is one of the safest places."

Ah Nuo: "...I became immune to this kind of threat seven or eight years ago. Can you please stop being so old-fashioned?"

"Little thing, you think your master is old-fashioned now, huh?" Lu Xingzhou grinned. "If you're so capable, then grow up a bit. How can anyone talk to you with this little bean curd look?"

Ah Nuo muttered, "Isn't it just because he's afraid that Maha will target me?"

"It's good that you know." Lu Xingzhou said, "You've witnessed the Qian Yuan breakthrough and have gained experience. You can assist Master Long. It will be even more secure once she also reaches the Qian Yuan level."

"So you still care more about Little Dragon Man."

"...Is that the conclusion you drew from those words?"

"Is not it?"

Lu Xingzhou was furious: "Isn't your safety the most important thing? Do you think Maha is easy to deal with?"

Ah Nuo snorted and turned her head away from him.

There were still some tears in her big eyes.

No matter how much she complains, she has rarely been separated from her master in the past ten years, and she is extremely reluctant to part with him.

Not counting the separations of going their separate ways, the last time Lu Xingzhou and Ye Tinglan were separated was when they were trapped together in the icy depths of the Frozen Moon River. Afterwards, that scoundrel Lu Xingzhou, who valued his wife over his disciple, hid in the Frost Kingdom with Ye Tinglan for a long time, shamelessly leaving Ji Wenchuan to abandon A'nuo at Danxia Mountain.

This time it's frozen moon and cold river again.

Ah Nuo felt that the place was incompatible with her... Although she wanted to stay this time, Ah Nuo wanted to grow up. Lu Xingzhou then said to Long Qinghuang, who was smilingly watching the master and apprentice say goodbye, "I'm handing over the alchemy furnace to Ah Nuo. I think Ah Nuo's growth problems are related to her congenital deficiencies, which may be considered 'premature birth'. You can also contact her about this aspect and study it together with Ah Nuo."

Long Qinghuang smiled and said, "I know what I'm doing. I understand premature birth in sows."

Ah Nuo rode on Yu Yu and looked up at her together, both of their chubby faces filled with question marks.

Lu Xingzhou: “…”

Speaking of this, I suddenly realized that Yuan Muyu's divination might not be entirely accurate. She went to Danxia Mountain two years late. Shouldn't Anuo have been born two years later according to the normal timeline?
I don't believe Yuan Muyu has that level of talent. The image of her as an all-powerful older sister that I admired so much back then has long since collapsed.

The memory that surface now is of a pale, thin, and young child, completely naked.

Lu Xingzhou shook these inexplicable thoughts out of his mind, embraced Long Qinghuang and gently kissed her: "Wait for my news about the earthquake. I suspect it's related to the Ice Demon. Let's go check it out. Of course, it would be best if it was caused by something else. It's still not appropriate for Qingli to touch the Ice Demon right now."

"I understand." Long Qinghuang said softly, "If something is impossible, there's no need to force it. Even if we release the Ice Demon from the Abyss, we can still suppress it."

Even with the deepest reluctance, parting was inevitable. Lu Xingzhou said no more and took Dugu Qingli away on a cloud.

The original plan was to bring a few dragons, but in the end, we didn't.

It's not for any romantic getaway... If we consider these experiences as training, then of course we can't bring too many guards, otherwise the value of the training will be greatly reduced.

Looking back during the flight, Long Qinghuang and Anuo were still standing in the same place, gazing into the distance. As if they could sense his glance back, both of them waved.

Dugu Qingli said, "You can't bear to part with it?"

"of course."

"Logically speaking, your kind of love entanglements and cloying affections should be very detrimental to your cultivation. It's really strange."

Lu Xingzhou turned his head and glanced at her.

Dugu Qingli's face was as cold as frost: "What are you looking at?"

Are you trying to say that I'm one of them? No, I'm not!

Lu Xingzhou said, "Back in the Yuan Magnetic Cave, you and I had this kind of disagreement."

Dugu Qingli did not mince words: "As it turns out, I was in a state of turmoil for a long time after that incident, especially when your Shen Tang asked me a few questions, it almost made me fail to pass the third rank."

"But it's still broken."

"That's precisely because the ripples have been calmed; otherwise, it's hard to say."

"Are you really calm?"

"Otherwise what?" Dugu Qingli said coldly, "You're my master now, do you think you can flirt with me?"

Lu Xingzhou said, "Are you saying that if I weren't your master, it would be normal for me to flirt with you?"

Dugu Qingli remained calm: "If you weren't my master, there wouldn't be any moral issues with you saying these things. Whether I like to hear them or not is another matter."

Lu Xingzhou asked, "So, do you like listening to this or not?"

"If you don't love me, get out."

Who fed this robot to be so aggressive?

However, their conversation was still quite interesting because Lu Xingzhou had indeed expressed his desire to pursue Dugu Qingli. This underlying logic was still present in Dugu Qingli's database, and she herself did not deny that she was confused at the time.

Is it just that things aren't chaotic anymore?
Look at you, always ready to draw your sword and chop someone up. Do you even believe it yourself?

Lu Xingzhou didn't want to provoke the person who had killed him, and simply said, "Anyway, I still think that if you really become ruthless and heartless, and cultivate yourself to be like a block of ice or a sword, then you'd really be like an ice demon, not a human. The reason you were reborn as a human wasn't to become an ice demon again. Fortunately, the Tengyun Great Tribulation didn't turn you into that, or perhaps Huiyang would be closer?"

Dugu Qingli fell silent. This was perhaps the key reason why her master and Long Qinghuang both believed that this matter should be resolved beyond the level of a superior official. Only when it reached that level would the two have a greater resonance.

Right now, I'm still just a little white-haired girl in the eyes of my elders. No matter how aloof I am, my girlishness is still obvious, and I'm far from being as good as the Ice Lord.

So, is Ice Master really his direction?
It seems better to be a human than a human, at least you won't get your face covered in mud, and you can't actually kill him because of various emotions. Being a human is really difficult.

Lu Xingzhou had no idea that she had calculated this answer, and continued, "In any case, we are not heading straight for the Ice Demon this time, and you don't need to keep thinking about it. First, we need to investigate the earthquake situation. Come with me to the surrounding area to inquire and then we will make a decision."

Dugu Qingli said, "Then why don't we go find Ling Qixuan of the Ice Prison Sect?"

“There’s another one closer, one I know well.”

"where?"

"Hanlan City".

(End of this chapter)