Chapter 406: Lu Family Visit

A few days passed in the blink of an eye.

These past few days, Lu Xun has been preparing the betrothal gifts.

The engagement naturally comes with the betrothal.

The items brought during the proposal also count as part of the betrothal gifts, but the formal betrothal gifts are of a higher grade.

"Teacher, is this enough?"

"Hmm, enough."

The expenses for the betrothal gifts are naturally covered by the Fu family.

Old Master Fu was very generous, sweeping his hand and giving Lu Xun a full thirty thousand cubic units of Dark Energy.

Thus, adding the previous twenty thousand cubic units of Dark Energy, Lu Xun's total betrothal gifts reach fifty thousand cubic units.

This number, even in a great family like the Fu's, is not a small sum.

Even for a marriage alliance between great families, the usual betrothal gifts are only twenty to thirty thousand cubic units of Dark Energy, not too much.

Old Master Fu, however, gave Lu Xun plenty of face.

So that even if Lu Xun were just acting, he would still have ample dignity.

Of course, Old Master Fu hopes even more for the pretense to become real.

If Lu Xun could truly marry Fu Yue and Fu Xue, he would be willing even to pay money himself.

Once the betrothal gifts are ready, the next step is the formal engagement.

"Have the Lu family arrived?"

However, when Fu Yue and Lu Xun returned to the Fu residence, they discovered that guests had arrived at the Fu household.

These guests were none other than members of the Lu family.

"Auntie, Old Master Lu himself has come, saying he wishes to discuss our families' marriage matters."

A junior named Fu Ling explained the situation.

"Marriage matters? Is that Lu Chen still not prepared to give up?"

Fu Yue furrowed her brows.

"Auntie, I heard the Lu family wants to form a marriage alliance with our younger generation..."

Fu Ling said.

This time, Old Master Lu's purpose remains to form a marriage alliance.

However, after Old Master Fu publicly promised to marry Fu Yue and Fu Xue to Lu Xun, the Lu family's goal changed.

No longer targeting the middle-aged generation like Fu Yue and Fu Xue, but the younger generation.

That is, the Fu family's generation in their twenties and thirties.

"Has the Old Master agreed?"

Fu Yue asked.

"I don't know; they're still discussing."

Fu Ling shook her head.

"Lu Xun, come on, let's go take a look."

Fu Yue pulled Lu Xun toward the Main Hall.

As for Fu Xue, she has not shown herself these past few days.

Soon, they arrived at the Main Hall.

Just as they entered, Lu Xun heard laughter coming from inside.

In the center of the Main Hall sat Old Master Fu, and beside him was an old man who bore a fair amount of immortal wind and Dao bone.

And on either side of the Main Hall were some younger juniors.

Lu Xueqi and Lu Chen were also present.

Upon seeing Lu Xun arrive, Lu Xueqi and Lu Chen both cast their gazes upon him.

Lu Xueqi's gaze, though not greatly disturbed, was no longer the same as when she first saw Lu Xun.

After all, the two had already done the most intimate things because of the love poison.

Lu Chen gave Lu Xun a sideways glance, then turned his face away, his chin slightly raised, his neck forming an arrogant arc, like a grey swan unwilling to bow its head.

"Lu Xun, you've come at just the right time; come, let me introduce you—this is Old Master Lu, a Dao-United Grandmaster."

Old Master Fu called Lu Xun over and began introducing Old Master Lu.

"Greetings, senior."

Lu Xun naturally would not neglect his manners.

Old Master Lu narrowed his eyes, carefully examining Lu Xun from head to toe; a hint of approval gradually rose in his gaze, then he stroked his beard and slowly nodded, saying: "Not bad, indeed a fine talent, Old Fu—your move is truly swift as the wind, leaving my Lu family's daughter no room to maneuver."

"Hahaha, Old Lu, although my cultivation is not as high as yours, my eye for people is absolutely accurate; back when I first saw Lu Xun, I immediately approved of him as a dragon-quick son-in-law."

Old Master Fu laughed loudly.

He originally harbored some dissatisfaction toward Old Master Lu.

After all, after the Lu family rose to prominence, he had proposed a marriage alliance between the two families, only to suffer a cold rebuff.

However, this time Old Master Lu personally visited and gave Old Master Fu ample face, so Old Master Fu's mood naturally improved.

"Young friend, since this is our first meeting, please accept this greeting gift."

Old Master Lu smiled, stroking his beard, and presented a greeting gift.

After glancing at Old Master Fu, Lu Xun chose to accept it: "Thank you, senior."

"Old Fu, what do you think of our two families' matter?"

Only then did Old Master Lu continue to ask Old Master Fu.

"The younger generation's affairs should be left to them to decide; this old bone of mine won't last many more years, and if I interfere too much, I'll draw resentment."

"Old Master Fu was pleased, yet he was impervious to persuasion."

"Old Master Lu felt somewhat helpless."

"After his breakthrough into the Nine Realms, his cultivation was higher than Old Master Fu's, but the Lu family's overall standing was still inferior to the Fu family's."

"Old Master Fu's son is actually at the peak of the Nine Realms."

"The peak of the Nine Realms and the Nine Realms themselves are two different concepts."

"The gap between them is even greater than the gap between the Nine Realms and the First Realm."

"Old Master Lu's desire to reach the peak of the Nine Realms is not so easy; it still requires a long time."

"Otherwise, why would Old Master Lu think of marrying into the Fu family?"

"Then let the young people gather properly; perhaps they'll find someone they like."

"Old Master Lu had no choice but to settle for second best."

"Alright, Xiao Ning, let them begin."

"Yes, Father."

"Fu Ning replied respectfully."

"Under his arrangement, a troupe of Moon Clan musicians quietly entered the hall."

"Soon after, the notes of the Cold Jade Flute sounded slowly, their pure tone like frost, flowing through the hall."

"Among the Lu family's younger generation, a young woman with bright eyes and white teeth stepped out slowly and stood at the center of the crowd."

"She parted her vermilion lips slightly, her voice like a clear spring striking jade:"

"\"Lu Jia, twenty-five years old this year, her cultivation has reached the first level of the Four Realms; I ask for your guidance. \""

"As soon as this woman appeared, some of the Fu family's younger generation felt stirred."

"\"I'll come meet you. \""

"A youngster in his twenties could not hold back and flew out."

"\"Fu Zichen, twenty-six years old, second level of the Four Realms, you make the first move. \""

"That youngster gazed at his opponent with fiery eyes and said:"

"\"Please excuse me. \""

"After Lu Jia finished speaking, she formed hand seals and launched an attack."

"\"Is this a martial arts matchmaking? \""

"Lu Xun watched curiously."

"This time, Old Master Lu brought many younger members when he came calling."

"Obviously, he was preparing for a martial arts matchmaking with the Fu family."

"Among these great clans, marriage alliances ought to be a common occurrence."

"This holds true across time and place, both ancient and modern, Chinese and foreign."

"After Old Master Lu advanced to the Nine Realms, he began seeking marriage alliances with Nine Realms families; it's unclear whether he has some scheme or simply wants to strengthen the Lu family's influence."

"As he watched, he happened to notice Lu Xueqi again."

"Lu Xueqi remained as she was when Lu Xun first saw her, dressed in white and holding her sword, a hint of coldness in her brow."

"She was intently watching the fight between the two in the center."

"It seemed she sensed Lu Xun looking at her; Lu Xueqi lifted her head, just meeting his gaze."

"After exchanging a glance, Lu Xueqi averted her gaze as if nothing had happened."

"\"Impressive, we'll call this round a draw. \""

"A few minutes later, the sparring between Lu Jia and Fu Zichen came to an end."

"Fu Zichen had a slight edge, but when victory was imminent he voluntarily withdrew, showing a bit of grace."

"\"Junior Sister Jia, today the weather is clear and pleasant; why not accompany me on a tour of Jade Instrument City to take in the finest scenery of the mortal world? \""

"Immediately afterward, Fu Zichen extended the invitation."

"Lu Jia hesitated a moment, then agreed."

"\"Teacher, is this settled? \""

"Lu Xun quietly sent a mental transmission to Fu Yue."

"\"It's still far from being settled; it's not that simple. \""

"Fu Yue shook her head."

"The sparring between the younger generations of the two families continued."

"Lu Xun gradually noticed a pattern."

"The Lu family sent out a woman first, then the Fu family sent out a woman, and they alternated in this way."

"After the sparring, usually the male side would issue an invitation; if the other party agreed, the two would leave the arena."

"If they disagreed, they would simply call it off."

"\"Teacher, have you ever participated in such a martial arts matchmaking before? \""

"Lu Xun continued the mental transmission."

"\"No, this is something some great clans have recently taken up; our family rarely takes part, and if Old Master Lu hadn't come in person, Grandfather would not have agreed. \""

"Fu Yue replied."

"Lu Xun understood."

"Old Master Fu belongs to the more enlightened sort, willing to respect the wishes of the younger generation."

"But other great clans are not necessarily like that."