Chapter 246: Return to Rong Cheng

「Chu Youqing and Murong Wan have returned to Rong Cheng? 」

On the flying vessel, Lu Xun started looking at his phone.

After the High Martial Era arrived, phones naturally underwent changes.

Cultivators' phones use super durable batteries; Lu Xun stayed with the Ancient God for several months, and the charge remained strong.

Over these months, Chu Youqing sent Lu Xun quite a few messages.

She would send a message every so often, telling Lu Xun about her cultivation progress.

Occasionally she would also chat about other things.

For example, things she bought while shopping together with Murong Wan.

Sometimes, Chu Youqing would also express her longing for Lu Xun.

It's impossible for Chu Youqing not to worry given how long Lu Xun has been away this time.

It's also impossible for her not to miss him.

Besides Chu Youqing, Murong Wan rarely sent Lu Xun a few messages.

She had never before taken the initiative to message Lu Xun.

At most, when Lu Xun sent her messages, she would reply with something like an "en".

In the past, she wouldn't even bother replying.

Seeing this, Lu Xun's prolonged absence this time has also worried Murong Wan.

Chu Youqing's most recent message came just yesterday.

She and Murong Wan have both returned to Rong Cheng.

The reason for returning to Rong Cheng is related to Chu Youqing's father.

After so long, Chu Youqing's father has still not awakened.

Yesterday, Chu Yuping experienced another mishap.

His vital aura rapidly faded.

This frightened Chu Youqing's mother badly.

Murong Yan also had no good idea, and hastily notified Chu Youqing.

Only then did Chu Youqing rush back to Rong Cheng.

As for Murong Wan, after learning of this, she also followed Chu Youqing.

After all, Murong Yan is her sister, so Murong Wan still cares about this matter.

「Why aren't you replying to messages? 」

After Lu Xun sent messages to Chu Youqing and Murong Wan, neither girl replied.

I don't know what they're busy with.

Thus Lu Xun placed a call to Chu Youqing.

「Lu Xun, you've finally come back! 」

The call finally went through.

Hearing Lu Xun's voice, Chu Youqing seemed especially happy.

Lu Xun detected a hint of fatigue in her happiness.

「Youqing, how is your father? 」

Lu Xun asked with concern.

「It's a bit troublesome; his vital aura is about to disappear completely. 」

As soon as she mentioned her father, Chu Youqing's voice instantly sank.

「Wait until I finish handling my affairs, then I'll come to Rong Cheng to see. 」

「Mm, okay, thank you, Lu Xun. 」

Lu Xun's words gave Chu Youqing something to rely on.

After hanging up, Lu Xun picked up his phone and sent another message to Ran Bing, informing her about the Yao Xing matter and telling her to be careful.

「Got it, junior apprentice, I'll be careful. 」

After receiving the message, Ran Bing quickly replied.

「There really is a mark! 」

More than an hour later, in the Grand Void Secret Realm, Lu Xun's gaze narrowed.

This is the headquarters of the Clear Void Palace.

In the Clear Void Palace there is a Profound Mystic Light Mirror that can reveal some hidden markings.

The Ancient God indeed left a mark on his body.

This mark is too formidable; not only did Lu Xun fail to notice it, but Fu Xue, Fu Yue, and even the Vice Hall Master of the Northern Dipper Hall also didn't detect it.

Fortunately, it was revealed by the Profound Mystic Light Mirror.

Otherwise, the Ancient God could possibly track Lu Xun through this mark.

Although the Ancient God hasn't yet broken free, who knows what the future holds?

Lu Xun currently doesn't know that after his escape, the chaotic power he left behind was regarded by the Ancient God as a treasure and wholly taken away.

At that time, Lu Xun basically had no spare time to retrieve those chaotic forces.

He also couldn't retrieve them.

If he had retrieved them, without chaotic power to isolate the Ancient God's aura, how could Babala use the banishment spell?

「All right. 」

「Thank you, Palace Master. 」

No need for formalities; the higher-ups summoned us for a meeting, Elder Fu, Lu Xun—I won't keep you any longer.

The one examining Lu Xun was the Vice Palace Master of the Qingxu Palace.

An Immortal Cultivator at the Eighth Realm.

During this period, most of the Eighth Realm cultivators on Lan Xing have returned.

A meeting?

In that case, the high-ranking officials of Lan Xing attach great importance to the matter of Yao Xing.

All right, Lu Xun, I also have to go attend to my duties; you may move about freely, but be careful—recently there have been demonic cultivators active on Lan Xing.

After leaving the Tai Xu Secret Realm, Fu Yue also had to go attend to her duties.

On this trip, Lu Xun found no opportunity to increase affection.

However, Fu Yue's affection naturally rose by one point, reaching 81%.

This left Lu Xun somewhat puzzled.

With Yao Xing's invasion imminent, Chu Youqing's father is also in a rather perilous state; her affection can only be addressed later.

After Fu Yue departed, Lu Xun took out the Star Sea Flying Vessel and flew toward Rong Cheng.

Demonic cultivators have surfaced again?

Lu Xun murmured softly.

These years the demonic cultivators have remained well hidden, but now they are beginning to show their heads.

This indicates they have been developing quite well in the shadows.

These fellows may be preparing to take advantage of the opening of the Heavenly Dao Battlefield, when many strong ones on Lan Xing are restrained, to launch a major move and then seize the opportunity to join the demon race.

Demonic cultivators, Yao Xing, and the continually attacking insect tribe.

Lan Xing nowadays is indeed lively.

In his thoughts, the flying vessel drew ever closer to Rong Cheng.

Rong Cheng appeared within Lu Xun's field of vision.

Unbeknownst to him, Lu Xun had left Rong Cheng for over a year.

This was his first return to Rong Cheng in over a year.

Over that year and more, Rong Cheng has not changed much.

But Lu Xun himself has undergone a tremendous transformation.

He is no longer that merely handsome but otherwise useless student who was unknown in Rong Cheng.

But rather a genius renowned throughout the Eastern lands.

"Father, Mother, son has not brought shame upon you."

As he neared Rong Cheng, with his eyesight he could see his parents' tombstones from several dozen kilometers away.

Lu Xun couldn't help but feel a touch of sorrow.

If his parents were still alive, seeing how successful he is today would surely make them very happy.

"Meow~"

It seemed to sense Lu Xun's emotion; the little white in his arms gave a soft cry and rubbed its little head against him.

Lu Xun gently stroked its head.

The flying vessel drew even closer to Rong Cheng.

Above Rong Cheng, several flying vessels were also on patrol.

As Lu Xun flew nearer, one flying vessel came over.

"Yo, it's Xiong'er."

On the vessel, Captain Ning saw Lu Xun and his face instantly filled with a smile.

Lu Xun took three seconds to finally recall his identity.

After Lu Xun initially killed the second-rank assassin and shadow clansmen who came to assassinate him, the Martial Manor dispatched Captain Ning to handle the matter.

Captain Ning's strength is at the Third Realm.

To the former Lu Xun, that was unattainably high.

Nowadays, however, it is far from sufficient.

Although Captain Ning does not know how terrifying Lu Xun is now, even a few months ago Lu Xun was already someone he could only look up to.

Thus, Captain Ning's address for Lu Xun changed to "Xiong'er."

He is considerably older than Lu Xun.

Calling him "Xiong" would seem somewhat fawning and awkward.

Adding the suffix "er" makes it much better.

This is the art of language.

"Captain Ning, greetings."

Lu Xun did not put on airs.

"Xiong'er, do you still remember me?"

Captain Ning was overjoyed.

Lu Xun actually still remembered him.

This made him feel especially honored, and he decided to personally escort Lu Xun.

Although Lu Xun's strength does not require an escort, doing so would give him more face.

"Lu Xun has returned to Rong Cheng?"

Moreover, Captain Ning also sent a message to notify the Martial Manor's personnel.

Commander Wang immediately set out, bringing many people to welcome him.

"Brother Lu, we'll take you to the Chu family."

Upon learning that Lu Xun was going to the Chu family, Commander Wang immediately decided to escort him there.

Seeing his enthusiasm, Lu Xun found it hard to refuse.

Thus, under the escort of Commander Wang and many Martial Manor personnel, Lu Xun proceeded to the Chu family in a grand procession.