Chapter 26: Lu Fu

As the largest power in Wutai County, the Lu Family residence was not as luxurious as ordinary people might imagine—

At least from the entrance, it looked just like the main gate of a typical wealthy household:

Two stone lions, a main gate with side doors on both flanks, and a spirit wall painted with a scene of mountains behind the gate; apart from these, there were no other decorations, and it looked quite plain.

And in front of the gate stood an attendant whose clothing was far too ornate for a common servant.

The moment he saw Feng Zi, the other party walked over quickly, bowed, and said, "Master Feng Zi, the Eldest Young Master has already prepared a banquet."

As an attendant of the Lu Family, the other party should have already learned the basic information about Feng Zi.

To this, Feng Zi only responded indifferently: "Lead the way."

"Please follow me." The attendant said no more, turned, and walked into Lu Fu.

Passing through the spirit wall, Feng Zi discovered that his previous judgment had been somewhat rash:

A clear river flowed from west to east; judging by initial appearances, this river likely encircled the entire Lu Fu.

Dozens of exquisite houses and pavilions were situated within, hidden among rockeries and vegetation, not appearing abrupt in the slightest, but rather complementing each other perfectly.

Between them were bridges and corridors connecting every area, traversing the surface of the river, occasionally adorned with scrolls depicting winter scenes, fishing elders, and the like.

Even more extravagant was the fact that inside every single pavilion, there were stoves engraved with beast patterns, provided for the host and guests to keep warm!

What kind of luxury was this—even the ancient official families he knew of in his past life were no more opulent than this!

Although he thought this in his heart, Feng Zi naturally could not express such sentiments casually.

After pondering for a moment, he could only remark: "A new scene with every step; there truly is a whole world within..."

A correct, yet empty, statement.

Hearing this, the attendant only replied calmly: "You flatter me, sir."

As an attendant with some status within Lu Fu, the other party naturally understood that Feng Zi was, after all, a Martial Master and someone their Eldest Young Master considered a confidant, so he did not know how to respond.

Fortunately, this stretch of the journey was not long, and the awkward atmosphere did not last for long before the attendant stopped in front of a small courtyard:

"Eldest Young Master, Master Feng Zi has arrived."

The next moment, Lu Hanwen's eager voice came from within the courtyard: "Brother Feng Zi has arrived, please, come in quickly!"

Hearing this, the attendant immediately pushed open the courtyard gate and ushered Feng Zi inside.

To Feng Zi's surprise (or perhaps it was within his expectations), there were not many decorations in Lu Hanwen's small courtyard, only a few green bamboos planted.

Looking over, he saw Lu Hanwen sparring with Li Shou.

Feng Zi pressed down on the attendant's shoulder, signaling him not to continue disturbing Lu Hanwen, then quietly passed through the bamboo forest to observe the two sparring.

The two had perhaps been sparring for a long time; by the time he arrived, the duel had reached its climax—

Within ten rounds, Li Shou seized an opening and broke through Lu Hanwen's stance in one go!

Not until the two had decided the winner did Feng Zi speak up: "Brother Li Shou's final spear strike had quite the unstoppable momentum; brilliant!"

Afterward, he looked at Lu Hanwen and asked in confusion: "Is Brother Hanwen not in good form today?"

"Go to hell, my duel with Brother Li Shou has always been a fifty-fifty split." Lu Hanwen laughed and cursed upon hearing this.

Having spent a long time together, the other party had gradually let down his guard and airs.

Having said that, he instructed the attendants standing on both sides: "Since Brother Feng Zi has arrived, you may set the banquet."

Feng Zi followed the two into the room, recalling the matches during the Martial Assembly in his heart, feeling particularly puzzled: "But I remember that during the Martial Assembly, Brother Hanwen's fighting style was not as conservative as it is today?"

Hearing this question, Li Shou, who had sat down first, curled his lips and said: "You have the nerve to say that..."

Listening to Li Shou's tone, the other party seemed to be blaming him, which left Feng Zi quite confused: "Does this matter have to do with me?"

Lu Hanwen, sitting in the main seat, hurriedly explained: "Don't blame Brother Feng Zi—it was me who got carried away that day, so I just went all out and disregarded everything else.

"Brother Li Shou and I usually excel at steady, methodical fighting; caught off guard for a moment, I lost by half a move."

"So that's how it is." Hearing this, Feng Zi said nothing more:

It seemed Li Shou wasn't just throwing a tantrum, so he had better not say anything more.

Taking advantage of the time while the attendants were setting out the dishes, Lu Hanwen also noticed that the Qi and Blood Power within Feng Zi was even more full:

"Brother Feng Zi's strength is becoming increasingly formidable; I imagine you must already be at the Great Accomplishment of the Martial Master realm. It is time to consider the major matter of breaking through to the Transformation Realm."

Hearing these words, Feng Zi only modestly replied: "There should still be some distance to the Great Accomplishment of the Martial Master realm."

What he said was not a lie; after all, he was currently still in the Filled Realm, and to reach the Great Accomplishment of the Martial Master realm... it should still take at least three or four more days.

To this, Lu Hanwen only smiled and waved his hand: "Brother Feng Zi, do not try to fool me; you are clearly already at the Great Accomplishment realm!"

Hearing this, a trace of confusion arose in Feng Zi's heart:

He felt that his understanding of the realms seemed to have a slight discrepancy with these two.

So he asked calmly: "I won't hide it from you two, I have only focused on practicing my punches, and I am not yet aware of the divisions of the Martial Dao realms."

Regarding this claim, the two only assumed he was joking: "Brother Feng Zi, you love to joke—if you don't know the realms, then how did you become a Martial Master?"

To this, Feng Zi replied "sincerely": "I do not know either; I just practiced my punches day and night, and before I knew it, I had passed through the shackles of Broken Bone Rebirth."

Hearing this answer, Lu Hanwen and Li Shou looked at each other, unable to believe there was such a martial fanatic in the world.

But Lu Hanwen pondered for a moment, then picked up his teacup and explained: "We all know that the Martial Dao realms are divided into four major realms: Martial Artist, Martial Master, Transformation Realm, and Grandmaster.

"And within each major realm, it is divided into five minor realms: Initial Glimpse, Entry, Small Accomplishment, Great Accomplishment, and Fullness."

Are there only these five minor realms?

Hearing this, Feng Zi felt even more confused in his heart:

He clearly remembered that in his 【Diligence Can Make Up for Mediocrity】 talent, between Great Accomplishment and Fullness, there was another realm called "Filled," which was the realm he was currently in!

Feng Zi once suspected whether it was possible that these two were deceiving him.

But thinking about it carefully, such behavior had no meaning, and looking at their expressions, they truly believed this to be the case.

Could this be a hidden gift brought by his talent? Feng Zi pondered this in his heart.

But this was an isolated case; there was truly no point in continuing to delve into it, so it was better to set it aside for now...

Thus, Feng Zi temporarily suppressed this confusion in his heart, raised his teacup, and nodded slightly, saying, "Many thanks to you both for clearing up my doubts."

Lu Hanwen raised his teacup from afar and laughed, "Do not be so polite, it makes us seem like strangers—there are only the three of us here, feel free to set aside those formal rules!"

Li Shou did not speak, but he also silently raised his teacup.

Just like that, the three people present ate their food while exchanging insights on martial Dao cultivation, and the atmosphere of this private banquet gradually became lively.