Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 389 Jiang Liang Returns
"Come, let me introduce Elder Hua!"

Leaving aside Hua Lun's thoughts for the time being, Li Qianxiong showed great enthusiasm: "Elder Zhao, you already know this. This is Elder Baizhang of Baizhangzhai, this is Master Qiu of Xianyuan Mountain Villa, this is Daoist Qingyang of Qingyang Temple, and this is Master Lingwu of Lingwu Sect. They are all highly accomplished hermits in our Pu County who have achieved Foundation Establishment!"

"Oh?"

Hua Lun was somewhat surprised, not expecting so many Foundation Establishment cultivators to come to Changyang Valley.

Although among these people, apart from the relatively young Master Qiu, the rest were all old men, and their cultivation levels were all inferior to his, once they reached the Foundation Establishment stage, they would be qualified to discuss the Dao alongside him.

He certainly wouldn't refuse to meet some new fellow Daoists, so he took the initiative to greet them.

The other Foundation Establishment cultivators dared not be presumptuous, and for a time the atmosphere was very harmonious.

The atmosphere changed slightly only when it was Master Lingwu's turn.

The reason was that Master Lingwu was staring intently at a man in a blue robe wearing a bamboo hat behind Hua Lun, completely ignoring Hua Lun's initiative to visit him.

As an inner elder of the Bailu Sect, Hua Lun was always treated with courtesy wherever he went in Pu County. Now, however, he was being neglected by an old man whose cultivation was inferior to his. How could he possibly save face?
Seeing Hua Lun's face grow increasingly gloomy, Li Qianxiong quickly tugged at Lingwu Shangren: "Brother Dao, do you know this person?"

Master Lingwu snapped out of his daze and was about to speak when the man in the blue robe stepped forward, removed his bamboo hat, and politely greeted him, "This unworthy disciple, Jiang Liang, greets Master!"

"Jiang Liang."

Master Lingwu had already guessed the other party's identity. Now that he heard him speak, he could no longer suppress the anger in his chest: "Since you have come to Changyang Valley, why didn't you come to see me first?"

Jiang Liang replied respectfully, "Master is in good health and longevity, and with my second senior brother taking such good care of you, I know you are doing well even though I was unable to pay my respects immediately. It is my eldest senior brother whose health is deteriorating and who urgently needs me to purchase some rare medicinal herbs for him, which is why I was unable to come and pay my respects in time."

Master Lingwu was slightly taken aback, then his face turned frosty: "Are you blaming me for expelling that rebellious disciple from the sect? Do you know that He Jing was willing to start a rebellion in order to seize the position of sect leader? Your second senior brother almost lost his life at his hands!"

Jiang Liang remained silent for a moment, then lowered his head: "Senior Brother has only himself to blame, and this disciple dares not blame Master in the slightest!"

"Then come back to Lingwu Sect with me!"

Master Lingwu strode forward, grabbed Jiang Liang's arm, and hissed, "Our sect is still here! What kind of behavior is this, wandering around outside? If outsiders see this, they'll think our Lingwu sect is full of infighting!"

As he spoke, he tried to pull Jiang Liang over.

But Jiang Liang gritted his teeth and remained motionless.

Master Lingwu flew into a rage and shouted, "Are you also going to betray your sect?"

"Disciples don't dare."

"Then come here!"

Master Lingwu's face turned grim, and he even used his magical power.

Now, Jiang Liang had no chance to fight back. Just as he was about to be dragged away, a large hand suddenly grabbed Lingwu Shangren's arm.

Master Lingwu suddenly turned around and looked directly at Hua Lun: "Elder Hua, what do you mean by this?"

Hua Lun suppressed his displeasure and said calmly, "President Jiang is traveling with me. I still have many questions to ask him. I understand that the Master is eager to learn from his disciple, but could you please give me the honor of discussing things with him for a few days?"

Upon hearing this, the Foundation Establishment cultivators present were all surprised and looked at Jiang Liang.

A senior inner sect elder of the dignified Bailu Sect actually wants to ask a junior Qi Refining cultivator for advice.
"Chairman Jiang?"

Master Lingwu frowned, noticing another important piece of information.

Hua Lun smiled enigmatically: "Could it be that even you, Master, don't know what your own disciple is doing? Jiang Liang is the president of the Spirit Serpent Merchant Guild, and a distinguished guest of both me and the White Dew Sect."

Upon hearing this, a look of surprise flashed across Lingwu Shangren's face. He stared at Jiang Lianghao for a while before finally releasing his hand.

At the same time, Hua Lun also released Lingwu Shangren's arm.

Li Qianxiong immediately smoothed things over, saying, "You've all been standing for a long time and must be tired. Why don't you go to Fengming Tower to rest?"

Master Lingwu remained silent.

Knowing that he was concerned about his reputation, Li Qianxiong gently nudged him from behind, and only then did Master Lingwu take a step.

The other Foundation Establishment cultivators exchanged glances and followed suit.

Jiang Liang, who was at the very back, smiled wryly at Hua Lun and said, "Thank you for helping me out, Elder Hua." "President Jiang, there's no need for that! By the way, is he really your master?"

Seeing Jiang Liang nod, Hua Lun said "Oh" and couldn't help but say, "Your master has quite a temper. It's a strange thing that he was able to raise such a humble and refined disciple like you."

After saying that, he patted Jiang Liang on the shoulder and said with great pride, "Don't worry, with me here, your master won't be able to touch a hair on your head. Don't be distracted, lest it affect the operation of the Chamber of Commerce."
-
Phoenix Pavilion.

In a luxuriously furnished room, Li Xiangming got up from the bathtub, surrounded by thick fog.

Cao Yanjun draped a plain white robe over him from behind.

Suddenly, she whispered, "Without that green robe, I feel there's something different about you."

Li Xiangming turned around in surprise: "What change?"

"Can't tell."

Cao Yanjun shook his head, then pondered for a few moments before saying uncertainly, "You've become a bit more energetic?"

Li Xiangming chuckled and gently stroked her delicate face: "Perhaps you've just gotten used to it. When I first saw your true face at Yuyuan, I also felt that you had changed a lot."

Cao Yanjun smiled; that experience was one she would never forget.

At this time, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in!"

Li Xiangzhen entered with his head down. The surroundings were filled with the scent of Hundred-Refined Incense, which made him slightly uncomfortable. However, he quickly reported, "Brother, Jiang Liang is back. He wants to see you!"

"Jiang Liang?"

Li Xiangming's heart stirred, and he took two steps forward.

Cao Yanjun pulled him back and reminded him, "The Foundation Establishment Ceremony is imminent."

"It doesn't matter!"

Li Xiangming waved his hand. The Li family had been preparing for three months, spending a great deal of money and manpower to create this unprecedented Foundation Building Ceremony for him, so he naturally attached great importance to it.

But the foundation building is already a fact, and some ceremonial matters are not as important as the Thousand-Jun Grass!
He had to see Jiang Liang as soon as possible—even if it was just to exchange a few words.

Soon, led by Li Xiangzhen, Li Xiangming arrived at a guest room in Fengming Tower and met Jiang Liang.

"Master Li."

Jiang Liang's posture was still as upright as ever, but his face had a few unkempt stubble marks, making him look somewhat weathered.

"Thanks a lot!"

Li Xiangming got straight to the point: "Tell me about the Spirit Serpent Chamber of Commerce."

"Yes!"

Jiang Liang organized his thoughts and recounted his observations and actions over the past period.

"I spent hundreds of spirit stones at the Herb Shop and soon met Hua Lun through the shopkeeper's introduction. Hua Lun was very interested in the spirit stones I had, so I took the opportunity to offer to buy the spirit herbs he had. Hua Lun was overjoyed and told me to wait for him. However, the spirit herbs he brought did not include the Thousand-Jun Grass. To save costs, I did some tricks in the caravan, pretending to be ousted from power and arranging for a new guild leader to take over. While denying the quality of Hua Lun's spirit herbs, I spread rumors in the Pushui Market that I would continue to buy spirit herbs in large quantities. Hua Lun was very anxious and personally came to me asking for my help to regain the position of guild leader."

"In short, he thought he had something on me and gradually began to trust me. He also believed that the Spirit Serpent Merchant Guild was a big spender. He not only brought spirit herbs for me to appreciate, but also personally took me to several small forces where he bought spirit herbs to see the goods. I tried to screen them and finally found this spirit herb in a place called Suyun Ridge."

After saying that, Jiang Liang took out a jade box from his sleeve and carefully opened it.

Li Xiangming recognized it at a glance as the Thousand-Jun Grass that he and Qingyang Daoist had been searching for.

"Okay!"

Li Xiangming was overjoyed and couldn't help but pat Jiang Liang on the shoulder: "Brother Jiang, I knew I hadn't misjudged you."

"Don't be too happy too soon."

Jiang Liang shook his head: "The two thousand spirit stones you gave me, apart from the daily operation of the Chamber of Commerce, were all spent on Hua Lun. We also pre-signed several large orders. The reason he came to Changyang Valley this time was not to attend your Foundation Establishment Ceremony, but because I was coming back. He was worried that I and the Spirit Serpent Chamber of Commerce would disappear forever!"

(End of this chapter)