Chapter 348: line with translation of chapter title

Inside the palace, finally, Old Master Fu led Lu Xun to meet all his old comrades.

Lu Xun also received many meeting gifts from Old Master Fu's old comrades.

"Hahaha, Old Fu, long time no see."

At this moment,

Another influential figure arrived.

This person wore a red robe, embroidered on it with a fiery vermilion bird.

He is from the Vermilion Bird Hall.

From the aura he revealed, his strength is likely also at the Eight Realms.

"Hall Master Yin, you've come at just the right time, Lu Xun, come, let me introduce you—this is Hall Master Yin of the Vermilion Bird Hall; Hall Master Yin is no ordinary figure, he often enters stars to extract some spiritual substances."

After Hall Master Yin arrived, Old Master Fu directly introduced Lu Xun to him.

"Sister, did you really make things clear to Grandfather?"

This scene made Fu Xue secretly send a voice transmission to Fu Yue.

"Mm, I already made it clear to Grandfather last time."

Fu Yue replied.

"Why then is Grandfather putting in so much effort... could he have forgotten?"

Fu Xue was puzzled.

Upon hearing that, Fu Yue also felt a bit worried.

She also noticed the same thing.

Old Master Fu is getting a bit too into the act.

Is he really treating Lu Xun as his grandson-in-law?

If we follow the plan she discussed with Old Master Fu, she and Lu Xun would pretend to be a couple, and Old Master Fu would simply introduce Lu Xun briefly to his old comrades in the palace.

Finally, Lu Xun would present a gift to boost Old Master Fu's face.

But now, Old Master Fu is actually introducing Lu Xun to his old comrades one by one.

Such an introduction amounts to Old Master Fu using his personal connections and face to open doors for Lu Xun and expand his network.

His old comrades thus have no choice but to present meeting gifts.

These meeting gifts are not light in weight.

Take the Spiritual Bamboo Talisman that Old Yang gave—it equals an eighth‑grade spirit talisman; if sold, it would fetch at least several thousand cubic Dark Energy.

Such items are more often priceless.

Because very few of them leak to the outside world.

Most Eight Realms cultivators who make these things choose to give them to their descendants, only selling them when they are truly short of money.

Thus Old Master Fu has incurred a debt of favors.

Later, if his old comrades recommend outstanding descendants to him, he will have to repay this favor.

That's that.

Now, even upon Hall Master Yin of the Vermilion Bird Hall arriving, the first thing Old Master Fu thought of was to introduce Lu Xun to him.

Hall Master Yin is not one of Old Master Fu's old comrades.

He is a rising star who broke through to the Eight Realms in just over a hundred years.

In terms of talent and potential, he far surpasses the batch of cultivators that Old Master Fu's generation brought into the Earth‑Core Secret Realm.

Their relationship is not bad, but it hasn't yet reached the level of old comrades.

But upon meeting, Old Master Fu directly introduced Lu Xun to him.

If he weren't truly treating Lu Xun as the Fu family's son‑in‑law, he could never do such a thing.

Thus Fu Yue naturally suspects that Old Master Fu has gotten too deep into the act.

Moreover, if Old Master Fu keeps introducing him like this, the whole world will likely find out.

Originally, this matter was confined to his old comrades' circle and wouldn't spread too widely.

But if it continues,

it will end badly.

Fu Yue wanted to remind Old Master Fu.

But with so many Eight Realms cultivators present, Fu Yue's voice transmission might be detected by others.

So Fu Yue could only watch helplessly.

When Old Master Fu's gaze swept over, she would desperately try to remind him with her eyes.

But Old Master Fu simply wasn't looking at her.

This left Fu Yue feeling quite helpless.

"Old Fu, happy birthday! Today is really a good day—I'm here to offer my birthday greetings!"

Another influential Eight Realms cultivator arrived.

He is an Eight Realms cultivator from the Black Tortoise Hall.

"Hall Master Shi, please take a seat quickly, let me introduce you..."

Old Master Fu still did the same as before: after a brief greeting, he introduced Lu Xun to him.

"What, Lu Xun is your grandson‑in‑law?"

Hall Master Shi showed a look of surprise.

He is the vice hall master of the Black Tortoise Hall; Lu Xun's name is naturally known to him, and he has even seen Lu Xun in secret.

He naturally knows of Lu Xun's monstrous talent.

When Lu Xun seized first place in the Heavenly Dao Battlefield, the Stone Hall Master was also quite surprised.

He had already pretty much gotten over the surprise he should have felt.

Who would have thought, here he was again greatly surprised by Fu Lao Yezi's words.

Lu Xun, unexpectedly, became the Fu family's grandson-in-law.

"Haha, actually it's not yet an official grandson-in-law; he and Xiao Muqian are still discussing it, and he hasn't yet formally come to propose."

Fu Lao Yezi said happily.

"Fu Lao, you really are quick this time; accepting such a dazzling talent into your sect, your Fu family now has added wings like a tiger."

The Stone Hall Master is good with words; one sentence praised two people.

"Lu Xun, first meeting, please accept this meeting gift."

Then he also presented the meeting gift.

Fu Lao Yezi had especially recommended it; if no meeting gift were given, it would ultimately be somewhat improper.

"Grandfather, you still need to entertain guests; I'll take Lu Xun to see my mother."

Fu Yue finally couldn't hold back and decided to take Lu Xun away.

If this continues.

If this were to spread to the whole world, everyone would know.

Then it would be impossible to wrap up completely.

As soon as Fu Yue spoke, the overly immersed Fu Lao Yezi seemed to finally react.

"Good, Xiao Yue, first take Lu Xun to see Xiu Zhen."

Fu Lao Yezi agreed.

"Seniors, please enjoy yourselves; I'll take Lu Xun and be right back."

After Fu Yue politely greeted everyone present, she then pulled Lu Xun away.

After leaving through the rear gate of the largest palace, Fu Yue and Fu Xue led Lu Xun toward a small hill a hundred meters high in the back.

"Teacher, these meeting gifts..."

"Since it's given to you, just keep it."

Fu Yue had no intention of taking back the meeting gift.

Lu Xun therefore accepted it with a clear conscience.

This time he gave Fu Lao Yezi such a precious longevity pill; accepting this small meeting gift is fine.

Soon, the three crossed the small hill and entered a secluded small valley.

No wonder they say the Fu family is extravagant.

Although it is the clan's land located in Xuanji City, it nevertheless has mountains, water, and a valley.

In the depths of the valley, a clear, shallow stream meandered quietly, its water murmuring softly like a whisper.

The streambed stones, polished smooth by the flowing water, glistened faintly in the sunlight.

Being there, one would feel as if in a rural stream ditch, completely forgetting that this is thousands of kilometers above ground in space.

At the stream's end, a clear waterfall poured down the cliff, droplets scattering and refracting into fine silver specks in the sunlight.

The waterfall isn't wide, yet it has its own lively charm, its water babbling like a cheerful country tune.

By the waterfall stood a thatched cottage, its eaves low, its reed walls mottled, like an old scroll soaked by the years.

"Hehe~ hehe~"

A rhythmic wooden fish sound came from the grass hut.

The sound was very faint, drowned out by the waterfall's noise.

If it were an ordinary person, they would surely not hear it.

For Lu Xun, however, it was no problem.

Fu Yue landed lightly outside the grass hut.

"Mom."

Fu Yue called out softly.

"Squeak~"

The door opened.

"Lu Xun, come."

Fu Yue took the initiative to link arms with Lu Xun.

Pretending to be intimate with Lu Xun.

On the way here, she had told Lu Xun about it.

Since this time we're pretending to be lovers, we can kill three birds with one stone, accomplishing three things at once.

The first is naturally on Fu Lao Yezi's side.

The second is her father's side.

The third is their mother.

Fu Xue's strong aversion to her father is partly because of their mother.

After her father's past-life memories awakened and he seemed to become a different person, the one who was hurt the most was actually the mother of the two girls.

Their mother came from a great family on the moon, and she and her father once loved each other to death.

It was precisely this love that made her especially wounded.

Perhaps grief greater than heart-death, their mother has been secluded here for many years, rarely going out.

So, Fu Yue hopes that by pretending to be lovers with Lu Xun, she can rekindle their mother's hope for life and get her to go out.

Anyway, it's come to this, so Lu Xun will naturally go along with her.

The two of them entered the thatched hut hand in hand.

Inside the thatched hut, the furnishings were extremely simple: just a bed and a futon.

The bed was nothing more than a simple wooden bed.

Just looking at this thatched hut, it's hard to imagine that it's the residence of the wife of a Nine Realms powerhouse.

The mother of the two girls sat cross-legged on the futon, tapping a wooden fish.

Seeing the three enter, her hand finally stopped moving, and she lifted her gaze.

Her gaze was utterly calm, so calm that even seeing Lu Xun and Fu Yue holding hands caused no ripple.

It was like the surface of the most still water.

"Mom, I've brought Lu Xun back. He's my boyfriend; Father has already met him and is very pleased."

Fu Yue spoke up, briefly introducing Lu Xun's identity.

"Boyfriend?"

The mother of the two girls slightly lifted her eyes, her gaze like autumn water sweeping over Lu Xun's face.

Her glance lingered only a moment, yet it seemed to see right through him.

She said nothing, merely lowering her eyelids again, and the wooden fish in her hand began to sound rhythmically once more.

"Mom~"

Fu Yue drew out the syllable, her red lips unconsciously pouting, her tone tinged with the coquettishness typical of a daughter.

"What do you mean by this? Won't you even say a word to Lu Xun?"

Fu Yue feigned displeasure.

"He's not your boyfriend."

The mother spoke, but her words came as a shock to Fu Yue.

"Mom... you actually figured it out?"

"Mom, what are you saying? How could Lu Xun not be my boyfriend?"

Fu Yue would naturally not admit it.