Chapter 167: Lord of Tenglong Mansion [Combined Two Chapters]

"Have you heard any news about your master, or Luo Ying and Wei Shu?" Master Chen Chen Dingyan asked, his face dark with worry.

"Report, Master, none yet," replied a bald man.

This bald man, Yong Jian Dong, was Luo Li's eldest disciple and had reached Qi Refining peak.

He usually handled affairs for Luo Li's faction.

"Are you certain your master went to watch the battle near Jin Jin Guifeng last night?" asked an old woman with a hawk-like nose and a fierce expression.

She was Car Car Jianzhuo, another Elder of Lingdao Sect.

"Yes, I confirmed it personally with my fellow disciples, including Luo Luo Yuangui," Yong Jian Dong replied.

Luo Luo Yuangui was Luo Li's son, Luo Ying's biological father, and a Lingdao Sect disciple—unremarkable, over sixty, having spent much spirit stone and medicinal herbs, yet still only at Qi Refining fifth layer, with no hope of reaching Qi Refining late stage.

After receiving this confirmation, both Car Car Jianzhuo and Chen Chen Dingyan fell silent, their faces grim.

"For some time now, your master and Luo Ying have been closely watching the Lu family's affairs on Jin Jin Guifeng, and all dealings between our side and the Lu family have always been handled by your brother Wei Shu.

Even if your master didn't go to watch the battle last night, given what's happened, they should have returned by now. Could it be…?" Yong Jian Dong's eyes flickered with concern, and he dared not speak further.

"Lu Lu Jinglong broke through to Foundation Establishment and slaughtered many last night; your master and Luo Ying vanished right after—it's naturally worrying.

But your master is a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and Luo Ying and Wei Shu are no slouches. Few in Wanluo Xianshan could silently take them. They're unlikely to have met with misfortune," Chen Chen Dingyan cut in, waving his hand.

"Then how should I respond to the Dai and Wu families? They're both at Youren Peak, frantic with worry," Yong Jian Dong said, secretly relieved, bowing to seek guidance.

In Lingdao Sect, the Master's line holds Qianren Peak, Elder Car's line holds Zuoren Peak, and Elder Luo's line holds Youren Peak.

Hearing this, Chen Chen Dingyan looked up at Car Car Jianzhuo.

"With Elder Luo missing, I think we should drop this. No need to anger the Lu family over two already crippled Qi Refining families," Car Car Jianzhuo said.

"The Lu family used to pay tribute to us annually and always deferred to our wishes. Now that they've produced a Foundation Establishment cultivator, if we do nothing, outsiders may think Lingdao Sect fears them—and that would damage our prestige," Yong Jian Dong hesitated, then bowed.

When the elder retainers of the Dai and Wu families rushed to the sect gate, they had brought Yong Jian Dong a substantial gift.

Yong Jian Dong also knew well: the Dai family dared launch such a large-scale attack on the Lu family only because they were secretly encouraged and pushed by his own Youren Peak faction.

"The Dai and Wu families took advantage of the Lu family's weakness, striking while the iron was hot—this is the act of petty villains. Now they've been crushed; if Lingdao Sect protects them, won't we be laughed at for failing to distinguish right from wrong?" Car Car Jianzhuo sneered coldly.

She knew perfectly well that last night's battle had been orchestrated by Luo Li, who sought to swallow the entire Lu family.

Had the Lu family truly been crippled, she would have had no interest in intervening.

But now that the Lu family had produced a Foundation Establishment cultivator and Luo Li had vanished, she had no intention of cleaning up Luo Li's mess.

"I agree with Elder Car. The consequences are entirely the Dai and Wu families' own doing. Let them settle it with the Lu family themselves—we won't interfere," Chen Chen Dingyan decided quickly, speaking firmly.

"Understood," Yong Jian Dong said, his expression shifting slightly, but he bowed and left reluctantly.

After Yong Jian Dong departed.

Chen Chen Dingyan frowned. "If Luo Li truly met with misfortune, the power behind the Lu family may be far more formidable than we thought."

"Hmph, Lingdao Sect isn't to be trifled with! But if Luo Li really perished, he broke the rules by first attempting to exterminate the Lu family—and without proof, we can't touch the Lu family. Let's wait and see how things develop," Car Car Jianzhuo said.

"That's all we can do. For now, keep your disciples in check. Avoid conflicts with Lu family members, and don't interfere in their pursuit of vengeance," Chen Chen Dingyan said.

"I understand," Car Car Jianzhuo nodded.

At the same moment, the Xie family.

In the council hall, the atmosphere was equally heavy.

The Xie family had four Foundation Establishment cultivators, though all were merely early stage—so they wouldn't give up the ripe prey of the Yan family just because the Lu family had produced one Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Besides, giving it up would damage the Xie family's prestige.

But the sudden emergence of a Foundation Establishment cultivator in the Lu family was far from good news for the Xie family, who had never been friendly with them.

The Xie family convened a meeting of clan elders to remind everyone to take the Lu family seriously, monitor them closely, and not grow careless.

On the northern edge of Wanluo Xianshan, the Meng family's reaction differed from Lingdao Sect and the Xie family; their territory was separated from the Lu family's by the vast Lingdao Sect's domain, with no direct conflict of interest.

Upon hearing the news, the Meng family immediately sent a Foundation Establishment clan elder with a congratulatory gift to Jin Jin Guifeng to offer their felicitations to Lu Lu Jinglong.

The Meng family's congratulations signaled the Lu family's formal entry into the ranks of Foundation Establishment families.

Several days later.

The Lu family began formally taking over the territories and assets of the Dai, Wu, and Lou families.

Lu Lu Jinglong did not exterminate them; he allowed the three families to relocate from northern Wanluo Xianshan.

Of course, they had to leave behind everything they owned—including their cultivation manuals.

Though Lu Lu Jinglong spared them, rumors said they were ambushed by multiple bandit cultivators on Wanluo Xianshan during their flight, and only a few escaped alive.

When Xia Daoming and Lu Lu Jinglong heard this, their moods grew complicated.

After the Jin Jin Guifeng battle, the Lu family's territory and assets expanded rapidly, and manpower became immediately scarce.

This created an opportunity for the Lu family's secular branches.

Secular Lu family members who had previously had no chance at cultivation were now granted access to the Immortal Opportunity Hall to seek their fate.

Some disciples whose martial arts had stagnated were transferred to Wanluo Xianshan, where they could eat spirit rice and consume medicinal herbs, advancing their cultivation.

Of course, the main Lu family didn't offer these opportunities for free.

They had to mine for the Lu family, till spirit fields, stoke furnaces, and guard shops in the Stone Pillar Forest marketplace…

And the Lu family collected twenty percent of the income from all these enterprises for Xia Daoming.

This meant that even if Xia Daoming did nothing, he now had steady income streams from Li Cheng and northern Wanluo Xianshan.

For Xia Daoming, who had recently plundered two Foundation Establishment cultivators and several Qi Refining late-stage cultivators, this income was trivial.

But it was stable and continuous.

Of course, the Lu family still had great potential for growth.

After the Jin Jin Guifeng battle, the Lu family not only absorbed new territories and assets but also began attracting smaller factions, minor families, and lone cultivators who voluntarily came to pledge allegiance.

Especially after news of Elder Luo's disappearance spread, even more came.

But Lu Lu Jinglong had been instructed by Xia Daoming: better to have none than to take in the unworthy.

Only those who cultivated sincerely, behaved properly, and had good reputations were accepted after review.

By raising their standards and rejecting the flood of applicants and their benefits, the Lu family's reputation grew even stronger.

Many began to realize—from this decision and from the Lu family's decision to spare the Lou family and others, rather than exterminate them—that this new Foundation Establishment faction might differ from Lingdao Sect, the Xie family, and the Meng family.

The Lu family seemed more humane and rule-abiding.

Otherwise, why would they reject the wealth and manpower offered at their door? Why spare the Lou family instead of wiping them out?

As a result, more small factions, especially lone cultivators, grew restless.

Lone cultivators had no resources, no patrons, and unless they stumbled upon a great opportunity and became powerful, they were the lowest, most oppressed class on Wanluo Xianshan.

So many still sought a reliable patron, hoping to find shelter beneath a great tree.

But in today's cultivation world, if you sought shelter under their tree, they only saw you as a free laborer or cannon fodder.

Thus, most lone cultivators preferred to endure their miserable existence rather than serve a corrupt master.

But the Lu family seemed different.

Whether they truly were different remained to be tested.

So most small factions and lone cultivators who were tempted chose to wait and observe, refusing to rush into allegiance.

Lingdao Sect, the Xie family, and the Meng family were all satisfied with the Lu family's reluctance to expand aggressively.

Though they hadn't expanded their territory, the Lu family's rapid development momentum in such a short time pleased both Xia Daoming and Lu Lu Jinglong immensely.

After all, the Lu family had only just risen, and their opportunities were already exceptional.

Having just become a Foundation Establishment faction, they had legitimately seized the assets and territories of several Qi Refining families, saving the Lu family countless years of effort in accumulating their initial capital.

With the Lu family's situation stabilized and no immediate threats, Xia Daoming decided to leave Wanluo Xianshan and travel far to Qingzhou.

He now held over twelve thousand spirit stones in cash alone.

If he added the value of his unused magic treasures, talismans, and elixirs intended for sale, his total spirit stone wealth certainly exceeded twenty-five thousand.

Holding such a vast sum idle was a waste.

So Xia Daoming needed to return to Qingzhou, find a large marketplace, and exchange his spirit stones and surplus goods for Qi-Initiating elixirs suitable for enhancing the cultivation of Martial Masters and low-level Qi Refiners—along with potent medicines to strengthen his meridians.

Upon hearing Xia Daoming planned to travel to Qingzhou, Lu Lu Jinglong immediately produced over two thousand spirit stones, entrusting him to procure elixirs suitable for himself and his Qi Refining disciples.

For the former Lu Lu Jinglong, spending over two thousand spirit stones at once would have been unimaginable—he'd have had to sell off ancestral property to gather such a sum.

But after consecutive victories at Hansing Valley and Jin Jin Guifeng, though the dead were minor figures, their accumulated spoils were substantial; the Lu family had grown rich, and with daily income from Hansing Valley, Lu Lu Jinglong had finally enjoyed a rare moment of wealth and extravagance.

This time, Xia Daoming did not go to Yan Yang Ridge marketplace, but chose another large marketplace in Qingzhou.

Last time, Zi Shan from the Lingrui Pavilion had accidentally brushed against his clothes while guiding him, leaving behind a faint fragrance that led to him being hunted by a Foundation Establishment cultivator—and ultimately gained him a windfall.

Logically, he should return to Lingrui Pavilion to properly repay Zi Shan.

But out of caution, Xia Daoming ultimately abandoned the idea.

He couldn't be certain whether Zi Shan's superior was a bandit gang or just a few individuals.

If it were only a few, it would be simple.

But what if it was a full bandit gang?

Returning would be walking straight into a trap!

So Xia Daoming decided it was best to quit while ahead and repay Zi Shan another time.

This marketplace trip, Xia Daoming didn't linger as he had last time.

He spent half a day disposing of his unwanted loot, another half purchasing what he and the Lu family needed, then departed swiftly and quietly.

As he left the marketplace, he followed his previous strategy: sprinting for miles before slowing down.

This time, no bandits came after him.

This left Xia Daoming with a strange feeling—as if something was missing from his life.

He traveled through dust and hardship back to Jin Jin Guifeng.

The Lu family is all well.

Every Lu family disciple wore joyful, satisfied smiles, standing tall and proud, brimming with confidence, as if they had fully emerged from the shadow of the Cold Star Valley battle.

Lu Lu Ziying's cultivation base had advanced further; she must have taken many tonics during this time, making her even taller and more robust.

When Xia Daoming stood before her, he felt considerable pressure.

After returning to Jin Jin Guifeng, he stayed only one night; the next day, Xia Daoming departed Jin Jin Guifeng.

Accompanying him were Lu Ye and his wife.

Lu Lu Yunjin was studying at the Immortal Connection Hall and was still in a critical phase, so he could not accompany them for now.

Lu Lu Ziying had originally wanted to go too.

But now she was effectively Lu Lu Jinglong's direct disciple, and Lu Lu Jinglong frequently gave her personal instruction, hoping she would soon reach Qi Refining peak.

Last time Lu Lu Jinglong attempted Foundation Establishment, he used only one Foundation Establishment Pill; the second one was reserved for Lu Lu Ziying, to be given once she reached Qi Refining peak.

Moreover, the Lu family was currently in urgent need of talent.

Lu Lu Ziying was now the most vital core disciple of the Lu family, being cultivated as a clan elder and bearing heavy responsibilities.

In the end, Lu Lu Ziying stayed behind.

Knowing this journey to Li City would be long and their next meeting might not come for years, Lu Lu Ziying, though only seventeen, had always appeared decisive and mature in public—but before Xia Daoming and the others, her inner fragility surfaced.

On the day of departure, thinking of all the kindness Xia Daoming had shown her, and facing the long separation ahead, she wept, her tears like pear blossoms drenched in rain.

Seeing Lu Lu Ziying weep like pear blossoms drenched in rain, Xia Daoming wanted to open his arms and embrace her, to comfort her properly—yet seeing her increasingly strong, towering frame, and remembering his own thin limbs, he dared not reach out, and could only offer gentle words of reassurance before turning away, leaving her tearful and reluctant.

——

Ten days later.

Xia Daoming returned to Li City with Lu Ye and his wife.

The reunion between master and disciple, and among fellow sect members, was deeply moving.

But Lu Ye and his wife did not stay long in Li City.

First, their son Lu Lu Yunjin was still cultivating at Jin Jin Guifeng; second, when Liang Liang Jingtang was overjoyed by their return, after a few days he grew annoyed by Lu Ye's behavior—Lu Ye, like Master Yuchi Xiao and others, sometimes flaunted his True Person cultivation before him; third, Lu Lu Huiyun disapproved of Lu Ye frequently visiting Yao Hua Pavilion to listen to music.

Thus, after seven days in Li City, they bid farewell and returned to Muzhou's Wanluo Xianshan.

As honored guests, Lu Ye and his wife were hosted by Xia Daoming and his wife for these days; fellow sect brothers and sisters also gathered frequently for meals and music, leaving them no time for rest.

After Lu Ye and his wife left, everyone's life seemed to return to normal.

The next day.

Xia Daoming specially arranged a meeting with Liang Liang Jingtang and others from Tenglong Mansion, as well as Ji Yuanzhen and his son Ji Ji Shouli.

"I recently opened the Eight Extraordinary Meridians and have officially begun cultivating." Once everyone arrived, Xia Daoming spoke.

"You've become a cultivator! You've actually become a cultivator! Ha! I, Liang Liang Jingtang, now have a cultivator as a disciple! Does that mean Tenglong Mansion is now a cultivation faction?"

"You've become a cultivator! Then, could Wen Wu Yue also have a chance? And your children certainly will—so I, Ji Yuanzhen, now have descendants with the potential for cultivation!"

Upon hearing this, Liang Liang Jingtang and the others were first stunned, then overwhelmed with excitement.

Watching their excitement, Xia Daoming's heart felt complex and tinged with regret.

When one man attains the Dao, even his dogs and chickens ascend.

Xia Daoming never intended to elevate dogs and chickens—but he truly wished to lead Liang Liang Jingtang and the others to the Dao together.

Yet now he understood it was nearly impossible.

They were all too old.

As the saying goes: ice three feet thick does not form in a single day.

If the Eight Extraordinary Meridians were not cleared and nourished in childhood, one might still awaken them if young—but if too old, it was nearly impossible.

Even Xia Daoming himself had consumed five Tongxuan Spirit Fruits before successfully awakening.

And even if one succeeded in awakening, because the meridians had been dried and blocked for so long—like muscles shriveled from lack of blood flow—it was extremely difficult to restore them to vitality, width, and strength.

Precisely because of this, though Xia Daoming succeeded in awakening and easily drew spiritual energy into his body thanks to his powerful spiritual sense, it was hard to quickly generate true qi and magic power to fill even the first meridian—he could barely sustain it for one incense stick before unbearable pain struck.

This was still with his powerful spiritual sense aiding him; for others, it would be far harder.

Unless one possessed exceptional cultivation talent.

In the cultivation world, there is a saying: even a Golden Core elder would not attempt to awaken a thirty-year-old child.

In Tenglong Mansion, only Gu Ren, one year younger than him, might still have a slim chance—everyone else was beyond hope.

At least, with his current strength, Xia Daoming could not lead them onto the Dao.

Even Gu Ren's chances depended on whether Ji Wen Wu Yue and Liu Liu Qiaolian succeeded in awakening.

This time, Xia Daoming spent twelve thousand spirit stones to acquire ten Tongling Spirit Fruits.

If Ji Wen Wu Yue and Liu Liu Qiaolian awakened successfully and any Tongling Spirit Fruits remained, out of fellow disciple ties, Xia Daoming would not begrudge giving the leftovers to Gu Ren for a try.

But for Xia Daoming to spend vast sums again to buy extra Tongling Spirit Fruits for Gu Ren? That was out of the question.

After all, Tongling Spirit Fruits were extremely expensive—even with his current wealth, he could not afford to waste them.

"The Dao of cultivation is best begun early. I paid a great price just to barely enter the path—and even now, I don't know how far I'll go."

"But I've at least carved out a path for our descendants in the cultivation world, and obtained several cultivation scriptures. After further cultivation and a firmer foundation, I plan to establish an Immortal Connection Hall beneath Tenglong Mansion."

"Select children under ten from your descendants to enter the Immortal Connection Hall and seek their fate. If they comprehend the cultivation method and draw spiritual energy into their bodies, they will become disciples of the Ascension Hall." Xia Daoming quickly set aside his regret and spoke solemnly.

At his words, the entire council hall fell silent, save for heavy, uneven breathing.

Once, the Dao of cultivation had been a path to another world—unreachable.

Now Xia Daoming told them their children and descendants had a chance to enter it.

For a moment, none could process this earth-shattering news.

"Dao Ming, you mean… my sons and daughters now have the qualification to cultivate? I could become the father of a cultivator?" After a long silence, Zhu Zhuo Xingji, father of many children, swallowed hard, voice hoarse.

"Correct." Xia Daoming nodded, then paused, his expression apologetic. "But, Xu Shixiong, Master, Old Master, Uncle Ji—you're all past thirty. With my current ability, I cannot lead you onto the Dao."

"Gu Ren might still have a sliver of hope—but the cost is high, and failure is likely. With my current strength, I can only try my best to arrange it."

"Dao Ming, you've thought of us too much! You helped us become Martial Masters, and now you've given our descendants a chance at immortality—this already exceeds our wildest dreams. How could we dare hope to walk the Dao ourselves?" Zhu Zhuo Xingji stared blankly for a long moment before regaining composure, his tone solemn.

"Yes, Dao Ming. I was once a useless man, yet now I'm a Martial Master—I'm already deeply satisfied. I never dared dream of cultivation, let alone hope for it, especially when the cost is so high and the chance so slim. Don't consider me—use the resources where they're truly needed." Gu Ren added solemnly.

"Some things cannot be measured by resources or cost, Xu Shixiong Gu. I won't make false promises—everything depends on circumstances," Xia Daoming said.

Hearing this, Gu Ren's eyes reddened, and he could not speak a word.

The hall fell silent again.

After a long while, Liang Liang Jingtang spoke solemnly: "Dao Ming, the position of Tenglong Mansion's head was long overdue to pass to you. Starting today, I formally bestow it upon you."

"Master, you're a legendary Martial Master, barely past sixty—why pass the position to me? You know I'm devoted to the Dao; I have no time to manage Tenglong Mansion," Xia Daoming replied, startled, then smiled wryly.

"You don't need to manage daily affairs—but the position must be yours from now on," Liang Liang Jingtang said firmly.

"Dao Ming, since you plan to establish the Immortal Connection Hall and Ascension Hall beneath Tenglong Mansion, you're effectively founding a sect. The head position must be yours."

"As for daily management, rest assured—we'll handle everything. Only truly unresolvable matters will be brought to you," Ji Yuanzhen added seriously.

With that, Ji Yuanzhen stood.

Everyone immediately understood and rose as well—even Liang Liang Jingtang—then bowed and clasped hands toward Xia Daoming: "We pay our respects to the Mansion Head!"

Watching their unified bow, Xia Daoming inwardly sighed wryly.

Is this forcing me to wear the yellow robe?

But now, he knew further refusal would seem insincere.

After all, these people—including his master—were all cultivated by him.

With Tenglong Mansion now teaching the Dao, even Ji family members would join—only he could hold this position.

And Tenglong Mansion would become a force between the mortal and cultivation worlds under his control.

With this direct force, and the Lu family's allied troops at Wanluo Xianshan, even if he later joined Qingyuan Sect, he could use them to continuously gain resources and intelligence, and have them handle tasks he couldn't do himself.

PS: Today's update combines two chapters—over six thousand characters. Update complete. Please support with monthly tickets and subscriptions.

(End of Chapter)