Chapter 195: I Decline to Accompany You

Watching Lan Xue ultimately failed to break into the top three, stopping at fifth place.

The Yi Shui Cold Ice Mirror granted her an unbreakable defense.

But controlling it consumed immense energy.

When Watching Lan Xue faced opponents one minor realm higher than her, especially those wielding powerful offensive magic treasures, victory was nearly impossible.

The four ranked above Watching Lan Xue were all Qi Refining eighth-layer cultivators.

Two of them came from powerful backgrounds with vast wealth and high-grade offensive magic treasures; Watching Lan Xue's true qi and magic power paled in comparison, making it impossible for her to sustain her defensive artifact for long, so she conceded defeat.

Yet the champion was not one of these two, but a Qi Refining eighth-layer cultivator who possessed only one mid-grade offensive magic treasure and one mid-grade defensive magic treasure.

This person's magic power was pure and abundant, his control over spells and artifacts refined and masterful, his battle experience extensive; even without formidable magic treasures, he ultimately defeated opponents of the same realm who wielded high-grade artifacts—a surprising dark horse.

The selection for the inner sect disciples of Qingyuan Sect had concluded.

Although Watching Lan Xue failed to enter the top three, her unexpected rise to fifth place, especially the sudden appearance of the Yi Shui Cold Ice Mirror, made her a more prominent dark horse than the champion.

Logically, Xia Daoming and the others should have reached Wanluo Xianshan in two days.

Mo Mo Ru Jun had only just entered Qingyuan Sect.

When Xia Daoming saw Mo Mo Wenbo, he was secretly startled.

"Oh!" Mo Mo Wenbo's eyebrows twitched slightly at the news, his gaze sharpening as he looked at Xia Daoming.

Mo Mo Yongzhi sent Mo Mo Ru Jun back to the family not only hoping she might secure an opportunity in the Wanluo Secret Realm, but also to show the family Mo Mo Ru Jun's growth, so they would increase their investment in her.

After praising his granddaughter, Mo Mo Wenbo turned his gaze to Xia Daoming.

"Grandfather, Father just told me you broke through two days ago! Sun Nu congratulates you, may you soon form a Golden Core and become a terrestrial immortal!" Mo Mo Ru Jun knelt and kowtowed with a beaming smile upon seeing Mo Mo Wenbo.

Upon learning his granddaughter had returned to the family accompanied by a fellow sect member, Mo Mo Wenbo personally received them that same day.

To Xia Daoming's utter disbelief, while he sat in meditation, Mo Mo Ru Jun had flown in the wrong direction.

"Hmm! You're a martial and cultivation dual-practitioner, with martial arts reaching Grandmaster level—no wonder my aunt insisted you accompany Mo Ru Jun on this journey!" Mo Mo Wenbo said, his tone cold and condescending, as if Xia Daoming were merely a retainer of the Mo family.

Moreover, Watching Lan Xue didn't possess just one high-grade defensive artifact—she had two other mid-grade artifacts as well.

——

As the Qingyuan Sect inner disciple selection concluded and rumors about Watching Lan Xue spread wildly, a leaf-shaped flying vessel appeared above Wanluo Xianshan.

But Mo Mo Wenbo had many legitimate grandchildren, and as a granddaughter, Mo Mo Ru Jun received few cultivation resources; once, when Mo Mo Yongzhi returned to the family, Mo Mo Ru Jun's father begged her to take Mo Mo Ru Jun to the Qingyuan Sect for cultivation.

Yet in the end, all speculation concluded that Watching Lan Xue must have accidentally entered the ruins of a deceased cultivator's cave during an outing and acquired this vast inheritance.

But before Xia Daoming, she refused to admit she'd flown off course, nor would she land to ask for directions; relying only on vague directional sense, she turned and continued flying.

With Mo Mo Yongzhi's cultivation support and Mo Mo Ru Jun's own considerable cultivation talent, she was already at Qi Refining ninth-layer at age twenty-five, with potential to reach Foundation Establishment.

The Mo family had a long lineage; several years ago, when Xia Daoming visited the Tianqing Market in the west, he'd heard rumors that the Mo family had four Foundation Establishment cultivators—all at early Foundation Establishment.

But Xia Daoming showed no reaction; instead, he took out the letter Mo Mo Yongzhi had entrusted to him.

In the end, after all the detours, the originally two-day journey stretched into four days.

How could Xia Daoming possibly afford it?

Even if he'd somehow obtained one, he'd hoard it himself—how could he possibly give it to Watching Lan Xue?

Otherwise, with Watching Lan Xue's ordinary background and mere Qi Refining seventh-layer cultivation, there was no way to explain the origin of her three artifacts.

When Xia Daoming awoke from meditation and reminded Mo Mo Ru Jun she'd flown off course, she reacted as if deeply insulted, insisting she hadn't, claiming she'd never forget the location of her own family.

Thus the mountain earned its name, Yun Gai.

Mo Mo Wenbo took the letter, his expression showing surprise and confusion.

Because he realized Mo Mo Wenbo was not, as rumored, an early Foundation Establishment cultivator, but a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"Grandfather, this is Xia Daoming, a newly recruited outer sect disciple of Qingyuan Sect. Auntie Ceng insisted he come along, saying he should guide me!" Mo Mo Ru Jun introduced him, her tone dripping with reluctance and disdain for Xia Daoming.

"Hah! It's been years—I didn't realize my Mo Ru Jun had grown so big! Come, rise, let Grandfather take a good look!" Mo Mo Wenbo helped Mo Mo Ru Jun up, studied her closely, then laughed heartily: "Excellent, excellent! At such a young age, already Qi Refining ninth-layer, with pure and condensed true qi and magic power—you're destined for Foundation Establishment!"

Mo Mo Ru Jun flew further before finally realizing she'd flown off course.

Seeing Mo Mo Ru Jun's words, Xia Daoming didn't bother arguing and let her continue piloting the flying vessel.

Yun Gai Mountain consisted of about ten peaks, covering a vast area, each peak towering so high that nearly half of every peak was shrouded in clouds.

As for Xia Daoming, those in the know like Ma Ma Tianliang had suspected, but quickly dismissed the idea.

"Oh!"

Soon, his sharp gaze shifted to a hint of surprise.

After all, Xia Daoming was merely a martial Grandmaster equivalent to Qi Refining peak, while Watching Lan Xue's mirror—even Foundation Establishment early or mid-cultivators needed years of savings to afford.

"Lord Mo, this is a letter from Mo Zhanglao, entrusted to me for delivery."

After the selection, outer sect disciples and even many inner sect disciples were discussing Watching Lan Xue, speculating about the origin of her defensive artifact.

Xia Daoming subtly frowned, disliking this man.

But it was merely a touch of surprise.

Mo Mo Ru Jun was the legitimate granddaughter of Mo Mo Wenbo, the current head of the Mo family.

Once Mo Mo Ru Jun reached Foundation Establishment, she would naturally repay the family.

Besides, he wasn't in a hurry to reach Wanluo Xianshan.

As for Mo Mo Yongzhi, who served as the outer sect's Spirit Field Hall Elder in Qingyuan Sect, Xia Daoming had never heard mention of her, so he didn't know.

Logically, given familial closeness, the letter should have been delivered by Mo Mo Ru Jun herself.

Unfolding the letter, Mo Mo Wenbo glanced over it, his eyebrows knitting slightly, a flicker of displeasure crossing his face.

Seeing her grandfather frown, Mo Mo Ru Jun's heart leapt with joy; after hesitation, she ventured cautiously: "Grandfather, do we have any spare entry tokens? If not, perhaps it's not absolutely necessary for Xia Daoming to enter the secret realm with me."

"Such entry tokens are always in short supply—how could we have extras?" Mo Mo Wenbo replied offhandedly, then fell into thought.

Xia Daoming secretly sneered.

He knew Mo Mo Yongzhi meant well, but the Mo family might not appreciate it—perhaps even resent her for overstepping, or accuse her of siding with outsiders and giving away family interests.

But Xia Daoming merely watched calmly.

He'd honored Mo Zhanglao's face; if her own family refused to honor her, there was nothing he could do.

Soon, Mo Mo Wenbo made his decision and summoned a steward.

"Mo Changsheng, arrange lodging for Xia Daoming."

After instructing the steward, Mo Mo Wenbo turned to Xia Daoming: "You've traveled far—I'll have the steward show you to your quarters to rest. If you need anything, just ask him. As for entering the secret realm, I'll make my own arrangements."

"I defer to your hospitality, but please inform me promptly of your plans for entering the secret realm—if I'm not needed, I'll leave to attend to other matters." Xia Daoming replied calmly and respectfully.

"I'll inform you." Mo Mo Wenbo nodded, then gestured for him to leave.

Xia Daoming nodded and turned to depart.

As he turned, his peripheral vision caught Mo Mo Ru Jun wearing a smug expression.

Xia Daoming smiled inwardly, not taking it to heart.

After Xia Daoming left.

Mo Mo Wenbo summoned the clan elders.

"Since Mo Mo Yongzhi made this suggestion, it wouldn't be wise to outright refuse her," said one elderly elder.

"But if we follow her suggestion, we'll not only lose a token for free, but also have to give half the opportunities to him—it just doesn't sit right," said another elder.

"Indeed, we have plenty of suitable candidates within the clan—why must we give opportunities to outsiders? And let him direct Mo Ru Jun? Then the credit for any gains will be his," added another elder.

"Refusing Aunt Mo's suggestion isn't wise. But this is ultimately the Mo family's affair, and she remains a Qingyuan Sect disciple—we should have our own judgment. How about this: let the man enter with Mo Ru Jun, but he gets only two-tenths of the opportunities." Mo Mo Wenbo, seeing the elders divided, spoke up.

He had only just become a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator two days ago, brimming with confidence; moreover, he already had someone in mind for this matter—Mo Mo Yongzhi's sudden letter directly arranging family affairs irritated him as head of the family.

But Mo Mo Yongzhi's strength and status were formidable; Mo Mo Wenbo couldn't simply dismiss her suggestion outright.

That's why he'd specifically gathered the elders to deliberate.

Some of these elders were blood-related more closely to Mo Mo Yongzhi.

"I think this is best—it doesn't offend Mo Mo Yongzhi, nor does it give away too much of our Mo family's interests," the first elder who spoke said.

The others all nodded in agreement.

"But what if that outer sect disciple refuses?" suddenly asked another elder.

"Mo Mo Ru Jun said he has no background—he was merely a lone cultivator. No matter how skilled, he's still just a Grandmaster; this matter doesn't require his consent. If he refuses, even better—we'll have an excuse to report back to Aunt Mo," Mo Mo Wenbo said.

"Exactly. A Grandmaster is the pinnacle of martial arts—he's destined to stop here. His cultivation path is only Qi Refining seventh-layer; Foundation Establishment is impossible. Thus, he's of no real value to our Mo family," another elder chimed in.

Soon, Mo Mo Ru Jun came to find Xia Daoming.

"Daoming, come with me to see Grandfather," Mo Mo Ru Jun said, looking at Xia Daoming with the air of a victor.

Seeing Mo Mo Ru Jun's expression, Xia Daoming secretly rejoiced.

He'd long disliked this woman and didn't want to accompany her.

If the Mo family refused, he could easily explain his return to Mo Zhanglao.

Seeing Xia Daoming's face light up at the news of meeting her grandfather, Mo Mo Ru Jun internally sneered in contempt.

Hmph, this fool must think Grandfather has good news for him!

Accompanied by Mo Mo Ru Jun, Xia Daoming soon met Mo Mo Wenbo again.

Mo Mo Wenbo didn't beat around the bush—he told Xia Daoming he could accompany Mo Mo Ru Jun into the secret realm, but he would receive only two-tenths of the opportunities.

"Mo Zhanglao said I'd get five-tenths—that's why I came, honoring Mo Zhanglao's face. Now you, Lord Mo, say five-tenths is too much and offer only two? Then I cannot accept. If so, I won't trouble you further—I take my leave!" Xia Daoming, hearing this, had no patience to argue; by the end, he bowed and turned to leave.

"Hey, Xia Daoming, stop! What kind of attitude is that?" Mo Mo Ru Jun coldly pointed at Xia Daoming, rebuking him.

Mo Mo Wenbo's face darkened.

He hadn't expected that he, the head of the Mo family and a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator, would be treated with such insolence by Xia Daoming—a mere Grandmaster and Qingyuan Sect outer sect disciple—who didn't even bother to negotiate, simply turning away.

What annoyed Mo Mo Wenbo most was that Xia Daoming claimed he came only because of Mo Zhanglao's face—as if, without Mo Mo Yongzhi's influence, he'd never deign to seek this opportunity from the Mo family.

"I have no attitude. If we can't agree on terms, staying here is pointless—I'll leave." Xia Daoming replied as if it were perfectly reasonable.

After speaking, Xia Daoming looked at Mo Bowen with a puzzled expression and asked, "Master Mo, does this mean I'm not involved in this matter, yet I still can't leave?"

"You!" Mo Mo Ru Jun turned pale with rage, yet had no grounds to accuse him.

"Of course you can leave; this matter was an oversight on our Mo family's part—don't take it to heart. You've gone out of your way for nothing this time; here are twenty spirit stones as compensation—take them." Mo Bowen pulled out a small bag containing spirit stones and said.

"Thank you, Master Mo, for your generosity. But I've already said—I'm doing this out of respect for Mo Zhanglao, not for any other reason. Keep your spirit stones. Goodbye!" Xia Daoming bowed to Mo Bowen, then turned and left.

"This Xia Daoming, this Xia Daoming, has such audacity and temper—I'll tell my great-aunt grandmother when I get back!" Mo Mo Ru Jun stamped her foot in fury.

"Hmph, this boy is indeed arrogant! If not for his status as a Qingyuan Sect disciple and being sent by your great-aunt grandmother, I would've crushed him with a single palm just now to teach him a lesson!"

"But don't go complaining about this—it might make your great-aunt grandmother think you're stirring up trouble. I'll write a letter explaining everything and send it to your great-aunt grandmother." Mo Bowen said with a grim expression.

——

Jin Jin Guifeng.

As usual, golden osmanthus petals rained down, filling the air with fragrance.

But the number of people entering and exiting the mountain gate had increased significantly.

The people working in the valley were now mostly low-level Qi Condensation cultivators, whereas previously they had been mostly martial masters.

The battle over three years ago not only established the Lu family's status as a Foundation Establishment clan but also allowed them to expand their territory and gain numerous benefits.

Since then, the Lu family had been extremely selective in recruiting followers, which ironically attracted even more wandering cultivators to join them, leading to rapid growth over the past three years.

But great trees attract strong winds; although the Lu family now appeared prosperous beyond comparison to its former Qi Condensation clan days, conflicts and disputes with neighboring Lingdao Sect and the Xie family had gradually increased.

On this day, a flying boat flew toward Jin Jin Guifeng from the direction of Guiyun Mountain.

Guiyun Mountain had once belonged to the Dai family, a Qi Condensation clan, but after their failed siege of Jin Jin Guifeng over three years ago, it fell into Lu family hands.

On the flying boat, Lu Lu Ziying stood tall and imposing, facing the wind.

At just twenty-one years old, Lu Lu Ziying had already reached Qi Condensation Level Nine, her spiritual energy pure and powerful, barely a step away from full Qi Condensation.

Originally possessing a mature appearance, she now bore the marks of time and hardship, radiating the calm authority and decisive ruthlessness of a seasoned general, making it nearly impossible to guess her true age.

Once, Lu Lu Jinglong, fearing Lu Lu Ziying's brilliance might draw unwanted attention, wisely forbade anyone in the clan from revealing her true age.

Lu Lu Ziying had been obscure until her rise over the past three years.

With Lu Lu Jinglong's ban in place, combined with her naturally mature looks and composed demeanor, even most members of the Lu family didn't know her real age—they assumed she was in her late twenties or early thirties.

A Qi Condensation Level Nine cultivator around thirty was impressive in the Wanluo Immortal Mountains, but not astonishingly extraordinary.

No one would target Lu Lu Ziying specifically.

But if she were a twenty-one-year-old Qi Condensation Level Nine cultivator, some Foundation Establishment factions in the Wanluo Immortal Mountains might grow uneasy and secretly eliminate her, violating the unwritten rules.

Standing beside Lu Lu Ziying were a middle-aged man and woman.

The man was at Qi Condensation Level Four, and the woman at Level Five.

They kept glancing back at Guiyun Mountain, now shrinking into a distant dot, their faces filled with pain and resentment.

Lu Lu Ziying did not turn around, but her expression grew heavy.

"Look! That flying boat is moving incredibly fast—could it be a Foundation Establishment elder traveling?" Suddenly, the middle-aged woman pointed toward Guiyun Mountain in astonishment.

Hearing this, Lu Lu Ziying turned and looked, her expression changing instantly; she immediately altered course and accelerated.

She realized the flying boat was heading straight toward her.

Foundation Establishment cultivators were the most powerful figures in the Wanluo Immortal Mountains.

When flying in the air, one must yield to such elders.

"Foolish girl, why are you avoiding me?" At that moment, the flying boat suddenly accelerated, and a familiar voice rang out.

"Master Shu!" Lu Lu Ziying's face lit up with disbelief and joy.

Her own flying boat had already come to a stop.

Soon, another flying boat appeared dozens of zhang away, and standing at its bow was none other than her beloved and revered Master Xia.

"Come aboard!" Xia Daoming said.

As he spoke, his flying boat hovered beside Lu Lu Ziying's.

His vessel was not only faster but also larger, capable of accommodating six people—it had been seized from a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

As for the mist-shrouded flying boat that concealed its presence, Xia Daoming still kept it, but now found it too slow.

"Master Shu!" As soon as Lu Lu Ziying stepped onto Xia Daoming's flying boat, she dropped to her knees to bow deeply.

This sight sent shivers through the middle-aged couple, who hurriedly prepared to follow suit.

Lu Lu Ziying possessed extraordinary cultivation talent; a year and a half ago, she reached Qi Condensation Level Nine and became a clan elder.

She held a prestigious position within the clan.

The couple behind her were wandering cultivators who had joined the Lu family recently; they farmed spirit fields for the Lu family, essentially acting as tenant farmers, and had never met Xia Daoming.

"No need for such formalities!" Xia Daoming waved his hand, and a force gently lifted Lu Lu Ziying and the couple.

The wandering cultivators exchanged a look of surprise.

For as soon as Xia Daoming released his spiritual energy, they realized he was only at Qi Condensation Level Seven.

But Lu Lu Ziying's heart was in turmoil—her admiration for her master had reached unimaginable heights.

She knew well that her master had only begun cultivating in recent years.

Logically, his path should have been far harder than those who started as children, with a much slower and more difficult beginning.

Yet here he was, already at Qi Condensation Level Seven, just a few years later.

Lu Lu Ziying seriously doubted whether her master would soon surpass her.

"Yes, Master Shu!" Lu Lu Ziying suppressed her shock and replied respectfully.

Then she gestured to the two behind her and introduced them: "Master Shu, this is Zhen Zhen Gongyu, and this is Hu Jing—they are a wandering cultivator couple who now help the Lu family farm spirit fields."

"Ah, Master Zhen and Madam Hu, a pleasure to meet you!" Xia Daoming smiled and bowed in greeting.

The couple were overwhelmed with awe and immediately bowed deeply in return, addressing him as "Senior."

Xia Daoming was slightly startled to hear the middle-aged couple call him "Senior," but he quickly smiled and accepted the title.

"Lu Ziying, where have you come from, and where are you headed?" Xia Daoming asked.

"Master Shu, I've just returned from Guiyun Mountain and am now heading back to Jin Jin Guifeng. May I ask where you're going?" Lu Lu Ziying replied, then asked in turn.

"I came to the Wanluo Immortal Mountains precisely to go to Jin Jin Guifeng." Xia Daoming smiled, then studied Lu Lu Ziying closely and added with delight: "Excellent, excellent—your spiritual energy is pure and powerful; you're nearly at the peak of Qi Condensation."

"It's all thanks to your guidance, Master Shu, that I've reached this point," Lu Lu Ziying said.

Xia Daoming waved his hand with a smile and asked, "How has the Lu family been lately? Is everything going well?"

"Everything has been quite good, Master Shu," Lu Lu Ziying replied respectfully.

"I don't think so," Xia Daoming said, glancing at the hesitant Zhen Zhen Gongyu and Hu Jing.

Lu Lu Ziying paused for a moment, then said: "There have been a few more issues lately, but the Lu family can still handle them."

"Oh? Tell me—start with your trip to Guiyun Mountain. You're now a clan elder; unless it's something important, you wouldn't need to go yourself." Xia Daoming raised an eyebrow slightly and said calmly.

At the mention of Guiyun Mountain, Zhen Zhen Gongyu and Hu Jing's faces clearly showed pain and indignation.

Lu Lu Ziying weighed her words carefully before replying: "It's not a major matter—last year, we discovered an untamed spirit field near Guiyun Mountain. Since it had never been cultivated, we offered Zhen Zhen Gongyu and Hu Jing incentives to reclaim it.

Half a year ago, they finally finished cultivating the land, enriched the soil, and planted spirit rice seeds. Recently, the rice began to head out—when suddenly the Qu family from Tingfeng Shanfeng claimed the field belonged to them.

This should have been simple: the land is closer to Guiyun Mountain, and the area was once inhabited by the Dai family; even though it's near Tingfeng Shanfeng, the ownership should be clear. Besides, we've been cultivating it for over a year, and they never objected before.

But Tingfeng Shanfeng is a vassal of Lingdao Sect, and this time, Lingdao Sect sent an official disciple to mediate. So our clan leader sent me to negotiate."

"So in the end, you gave the spirit field to the Qu family?" Xia Daoming said.

"How did you know that?" Lu Lu Ziying asked in surprise.

(End of Chapter)