A large dark green turtle, riding waves and escaping into the sky, is near Zhuye Shanfang City.
"The situation is not optimistic."
On the back of a broad turtle, a gentle and handsome male cultivator in white sat cross-legged, looking at the depressed and almost semi-ruined Zhuye Shanfang City.
Lu Changan went to Jinyun Valley on this trip, preparing to trade the secret method of transforming elixirs with Zhang Tieshan.
Although Zhuye Shanfang City and even Feiyue Lake Mujia are not the only way to go, they are in the general direction.
Before leaving Liang Kingdom, Lu Changan planned to revisit his old place and meet his old friend Li Erqing, whom he met when he was young.
In Zhuye Shanfang City, Lu Changan practiced here for ten years when he was in the middle stage of Qi refining, guarding the shop, silently drawing talismans, and accumulating knowledge.
In this city, he went to Wushan for the first time in his life with a female cultivator he had a crush on and experienced a wonderful time.
The prosperity of the auction back then is still vivid in my mind.
Even the black water turtle was successfully hatched in this city.
"Your Excellency is Senior Lu..."
In the broken second-level formation of Zhuye Mountain, a man in Tsing Yi who was in the early stages of foundation building looked at Lu Changan cautiously.
"Do you know Mr. Lu?"
Lu Changan was a hundred feet away and glanced at the man in green who didn't dare to go into battle easily. He was probably the monk guarding Fang City.
"I am Zhao Gang, a new foundation builder in Jinyun Valley. I met Senior Lu in Huanglong Immortal City when I was young."
The man in Tsing Yi Zhuji regards himself as a junior and appears to be very respectful.
Although the two are both foundation-building monks, their cultivation and status are very different.
Lu Changan is nearly a hundred years older than him, so it is normal to call him senior.
"What happened in Zhuye Mountain recently?"
Lu Changan asked casually.
Most of the shops in the city were destroyed, leaving scorch marks and dried blood everywhere.
"Senior Huilu, a few days ago, the Maple Leaf Huang Family was attacked and exterminated by enemy monks at night, which caused Zhuye Shanfang City to further lose control and was robbed by Jie Xiu and surrounding monks..."
"The sect's law enforcement monks arrived and stabilized the situation. Now, this city is guarded by me and the foundation-building monks from the surrounding immortal cultivating families." The foundation-building man in green clothes stated the cause and effect.
"The monks lurking in Feng Kingdom are so rampant?"
Lu Changan said angrily.
Although the area around Zhuye Mountain is not considered the hinterland of Liang Kingdom, it is still in the interior area and is far away from the front line.
"Well, the main reason is that the front line is tight. Several major sects try their best to intercept, but it is inevitable that some fish will slip through the net."
Qingyi Zhuji smiled.
Lu Changan actually knew the reason.
A month ago, on the frontline battlefield, the Liang Guo sect suffered another small defeat and opened some gaps.
Nowadays, some small groups of enemy elite monks sneak into the rear of the battlefield in Liang Kingdom to plunder wealth and resources.
Targeted at small and medium-sized immortal cultivating families, spiritual dojos, and markets where sects are not strictly guarded.
These small groups of elite monks from the enemy country mainly focus on the foundation building period and disperse their actions, aiming to destroy Liang's logistics and create chaos.
After learning about the situation, Lu Changan prepared to leave and headed to Feiyue Lake.
The Qingyi Zhuji looked worried, bowed and begged:
"Senior Lu, now the sect's power is being affected by the frontal battlefield. There is a lack of law enforcement personnel in the surrounding area, so I ask you to help guard it. In terms of remuneration, I believe Elder Jinyungu will not treat Senior Lu badly."
"Lu has something urgent, and I'm sorry that there's nothing I can do for you."
Lu Changan refused mercilessly.
On the way, he met the monks from the sect who had interrogated him several times. This was not the first time he refused the same request.
He has also seen ordinary monks who were left alone being forcibly recruited by the sect.
Lu Changan was in the late stage of foundation building and had a good reputation. He traveled on a big turtle, and the monks from the sect who were checking on him on the road did not dare to embarrass him.
Regardless of the relationship between the sect elders, most of the law enforcement monks he encountered on the road were not as good as him in terms of cultivation and superficial strength, and they behaved more politely and followed the rules.
Qingyi Zhuji was a little disappointed, but when he thought about the rumors about the "Turtle Talisman Master", he felt relieved.
"Senior Lu, can you sell some talismans to me?"
He had an idea and suggested.
"Yes." Lu Changan nodded and did not refuse this time.
Not long after, another foundation-building monk flew out of the city.
Two foundation-building monks made a deal with Lu Changan.
Lu Changan sold a dozen of the second-level talismans that were of poor quality.
At the same time, a defective second-level mid-level puppet was also sold.
Nowadays, there are very few puppets in Lu Changan's body that are lower than the second-level high-grade.
Before leaving Wuqi Mountain, he did not take away the batch of early puppets that had been guarding Xiaogui Peak all year round, including two second-level puppets.
There are formations and puppets for self-defense, allowing Qifeng to survive the weak period before foundation building.
…
"Elder Zhang of your sect, is he in Jinyun Valley now?"
Before leaving, Lu Changan asked.
In recent months, he wrote to Zhang Tieshan, saying that he wanted to visit, but he did not receive a reply.
Lu Changan suspected that Zhang Tieshan was on the frontline battlefield and did not receive the letter.
"Not sure. This junior came out of the mountain gate two months ago and did not see Elder Zhang."
Qingyi Zhuji's eyes flickered, but he did not give an accurate reply.
Lu Changan knew very well that as a monk in the sect, he did not dare to easily reveal the specific whereabouts of high-level officials.
Lu Changan flew away from Zhuye Mountain on a turtle and pondered for a moment.
"It seems that Zhang Tieshan is indeed not in Jinyun Valley recently. He is most likely fighting on the front line or performing other outing missions."
Lu Changan had a headache. Even if he went to Jinyun Valley, he might not see Zhang Tieshan in the short term.
Go to the front line to find Zhang Tieshan?
Lu Changan was not that stupid and denied it directly.
A veteran Talisman master like him in the late stage of foundation building who goes to the front line is no different from a meat bun fighting a dog.
It is very likely that he was recruited by the elders of the sect.
"Wait half a year at most."
Lu Changan made a decision quickly.
Sect monks often take turns when they go to fight on the front lines.
If the injury is too serious, he may return to the clan to recuperate and be responsible for guarding the rear area.
Zhang Tieshan should have been on the front line for a long time. The possibility of returning within half a year is not small.
In addition, Lu Changan can also ask the sect's foundation-building monks he knows to send a message to the front line and try to contact him.
…
Most of the day later.
Lu Changan arrived at the magnificent Feiyue Lake.
It was late at night, the Mu family in Feiyue Lake was heavily guarded, and the formation was in an activated state.
Before Lu Changan got close, he discovered the hidden warning formation.
Once there is a fluctuation in mana and the territory is close to Feiyue Lake, the Mu family will notice it.
By the side of Feiyue Lake, the Mu family monks on patrol looked guarded and did not dare to take it lightly.
Obviously, the genocide of the neighboring "Maple Leaf Yellow Family" sounded the alarm to the Mu family.
It’s not just the Mu family.
Due to the sect's shortage of manpower and serious decline in control, the surrounding immortal cultivating forces are in danger of becoming targets.
"The Mu family's clan-protecting formation was arranged and modified by Master Fairy back then. When prepared, even if a team of foundation-building elites from the enemy country came, it would be difficult to conquer it in a short time."
Lu Changan looked at it for a moment and nodded secretly.
Compared with the surrounding Fangshi and Xiuxian families, the Feiyue Lake Mu family's formation protection is the strongest.
Because it was late at night and at a special time, Lu Changan did not interrupt rashly.
Early next morning.
Lu Changan took a Xuan Shui Turtle and visited Mu's house in Feiyue Lake.
The foundation-building ancestor who came out to greet Lu Changan was not Li Erqing.
"Uncle Lu."
It was a beautiful, graceful and familiar figure, with a hint of surprise in her voice.
Mu Bingyun was wearing a dark, loose robe, and her appearance had not changed much. She looked about twenty-seven or eighty-years-old, but she looked more mature and steady.
Its timbre is not as girlish as it was back then, but it still has the magnetic sweetness of a dignified female cultivator, and its charm does not lose the majesty of the foundation-building ancestor.
"Bingyun, I haven't seen you for many years, we've made a lot of progress."
When they came closer, the two met each other's eyes. Lu Changan looked calm and smiled.
Mu Bingyun's mood fluctuated slightly, but she regained her composure in an instant, pursed her lips and smiled, and talked calmly.
"The black water turtle has grown so big that it can fly and carry people?"
Soon, Mu Bingyun was attracted by the big turtle in front of her, her starry eyes filled with light, and she happily stepped forward and touched the huge head of the Xuan Shui Turtle.
Xuan Shuigui met Mu Bingyun and rubbed her hand affectionately.
Later, Mu Bingyun also sat on the back of the black water turtle and returned to the cave on Yuexin Island with Lu Changan.
"Li Erqing is not in the clan area?"
"Uncle Erqing cooperates with the law enforcement monks of Jinyun Valley to patrol the surrounding areas to inspect the enemy monks."
After talking, Lu Changan learned that in the Feiyue Lake tribe, only Mu Bingyun was in charge during the foundation building period.
Lu Changan was not in a hurry to see Li Erqing.
Anyway, we have to wait for Zhang Tieshan to come back, so it doesn't hurt to stay at Mu's house for a while.
In addition to guarding the clan territory, Mu Bingyun, as a second-level senior talisman master, shared a lot of talisman-drawing tasks for Jinyun Valley.
Coupled with Zhang Tieshan's relationship, the two foundation builders from Feiyue Lake did not go to the front lines to participate in the battle, but many clansmen in the middle and late stages of Qi Refining were sent.
Mu Bingyun has reached the sixth level of foundation building. After years of honing her talisman skills, she has reached the threshold of a second-level high-grade talisman master.
In the cave, the two of them drank tea and chatted from morning till sunset.
During this period, Mu Bingyun resigned from all affairs within the clan.
Lu Changan gave Mu Bingyun some advice in terms of cultivation and drawing talismans, but it did not exceed his own level of cultivation.
Seeing that it was getting late, Lu Changan stood up and left, not wanting to stay in Mu Bingyun's cave.
"Why should Uncle Lu avoid taboos? Back then, Bingyun was attacked by fishermen in the dark night, and she also stayed in Uncle Lu's cave."
Mu Bingyun smiled sweetly and said calmly.
"It's not necessary. The Mu family has many guest rooms. As the ancestor of the clan, you must maintain your own majesty and image."
Lu Changan waved his hand.
At this time, he noticed the change in Mu Bingyun's mentality. She was no longer as young and anxious as the girl she once was, and could handle family affairs, including personal feelings, calmly.
"Then Uncle Lu will be a guest at Feiyue Lake for some time,"
Mu Bingyun did not force herself and arranged a separate courtyard dojo for Lu Changan on Yuexin Island.
…
In the next half month, Lu Changan was a guest on Yuexin Island.
Due to his different status, Lu Changan only visited the small lakeside courtyard where he lived during his Qi refining period once.
Mu Bingyun visits Lu Changan from time to time and will leave voluntarily after sunset.
Even so, Lu Changan's fake elixir-level consciousness occasionally caught individual rumors on Yuexin Island.
Until this day, Li Erqing returned to Feiyue Lake.
"Brother Lu!"
Li Erqing, a gray-bearded man, the first thing he did as a Hui clan was to go straight to the other courtyard where Lu Changan stayed, unable to conceal his surprise.
In recent years, due to the impact of the war, Lu Changan and Feiyue Lake have not had much contact, and he has not seen Li Erqing for many years.
Li Erqing has aged a lot. He is over 50 years old. When he smiles, the accumulation of nasolabial folds on his face becomes more and more obvious.
That slightly rounded face vaguely shows his former wealth.
Lu Changan realized that Li Erqing's youthful days were in the past and he was transitioning to his twilight years.
"Er Qing, you have been assisting the Mu family these years. You did not go to the Li family in Xuemei Mountain, but you impressed my eldest brother."
Lu Changan patted his shoulder and said happily.
"Brother Lu, after all these years, you have remained almost unchanged."
Li Erqing stared blankly at the youthful and familiar man in white in front of him, feeling very complicated.
Not only does Lu Changan's appearance remain unchanged, he has also been repaired to the late stage of foundation construction.
Who would have thought that during the Qi Refining Stage, his cultivation level was once ahead of Lu Changan's, and he was the first to advance to the Foundation Establishment Stage.
Now, Li Erqing's cultivation is stuck at the peak of the early stage of foundation building, and it is difficult to make any progress.
"Oh, if I had known earlier, I would have cultivated my life skills back then." Li Erqing said angrily.
"Haha, your eldest brother's appearance is not only due to his health-preserving skills, but also his good attitude and steady improvement in his cultivation."
"This is so difficult."
"Of course, you have to take a beauty pill like a big brother."
Lu Changan changed the subject and said.
Li Erqing:......
In the hall of the other courtyard.
Lu Changan and Li Erqing chatted until late at night, reminiscing about the past, gossiping about future generations, and worrying about the war situation.
During the conversation, the name Li Erqing mentioned most often was "Li Congren", and he could not hide his pride.
Lu Changan had to admit that Li Congren was indeed very successful.
He led a clan of people to expand in remote and cold places, and in just twenty or thirty years, he created a powerful immortal cultivating family.
The Li family of Xuemei Mountain, based in the northwest of the Liang Kingdom, had good relations with the Zhou family, who controlled beasts, and had contacts with merchants from neighboring countries.
Lu Changan is planning to go to Jing State to form elixirs, and he will have to use Li Congren's channels to gain convenience.
Regarding this matter, Lu Changan did not mention it to Li Congren in his letters, but had made some insidious remarks a few years ago.
…
"By the way, what's Mu Jiuan's situation now?"
Lu Changan suddenly remembered that Li Erqing's ninth son "Mu Jiu'an" was accepted as a disciple by the Danjie monk when he was young, and later joined the Jinyang Sect of the Feng Kingdom.
Now, the main force invading the Liang Kingdom is Jinyang Sect and its affiliated immortal cultivating forces.
The Jinyang Sect has two Nascent Soul Lords and is the oldest sect in the surrounding immortal cultivation countries.
"Jiu'an..."
When Mu Jiu'an was mentioned, Li Erqing looked hesitant and stopped talking.
Lu Changan had a flash of idea and made a guess.
"If it's inconvenient, don't tell me. Brother understands your difficulties."
Li Erqing and Lu Changan have known each other for more than a hundred years, and they are willing to open their hearts to him about many things.
"I have never told anyone about this matter, including Bingyun and Congren..."
Li Erqing took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind, and set up a layer of restrictions in place.
He realized that with Lu Changan's intelligence and life experience, he might be able to guess some of the truth of the matter from his reaction.
Upon seeing this, Lu Changan reinforced another layer of isolation and restriction.
"Jiu'an has lurked in the Liang Kingdom and has contacted me secretly."
Li Erqing lowered his voice, sweat dripped from his forehead, and told the secret deep in his heart.
Even though Lu Changan had some guesses, he couldn't help but be moved!
"Jiu'an said that Liang will definitely lose in this war! Let me make a decision early..."
"Have you...ever promised?"
Mu Jiuan secretly contacted his father for what purpose, Lu Changan didn't even have to think about it.
"Betrayal of the Immortal Realm of Liang Kingdom and collude with the enemy's sect is something I would not dare to do."
After telling the secret in his heart, Li Erqing felt relieved.
Li Erqing's current decision is related to the life and death of the Mu family, so one can imagine the pressure he is under.
If he colludes with the enemy and waits for an opportunity, then the Jinyang Sect will come and kill him. Not only will he be able to save his family, but he will also get a big reward.
If he disagrees, Mu Jiu'an will not be able to save the Mu family at that time, and at most he can save his close relatives.
Assuming that the incident occurs and is discovered by the Liang Guo sect, the Mu family will face catastrophe.
Lu Changan sighed and made no comment on Li Erqing's decision.
As an outsider, he cannot give advice.
No matter which choice you choose, there are huge risks and variables.
…
Three days later.
Lu Changan left Feiyue Lake and rode on a turtle.
The night before leaving.
Lu Changan, Li Erqing, and Mu Bingyun had a long discussion in the family's forbidden area.
Lu Changan and the Mu family made another deal.
This deal involves a quasi-third-level talisman, a top-level second-level puppet, and a beauty elixir.
That Beauty Pill was not for Mu Bingyun to take, but for the future.
One day in the future, if the Jinyang Sect comes to kill him, and through Mu Jiu'an's relationship, offering the Zhuyan Pill can please the Jinyang Sect's senior dignitaries.
This is the only strategy given by Lu Changan, or it is a retreat.
Lu Changan basically calculated the above transactions based on cost price.
In addition, before leaving, he secretly gave Li Erqing a talisman.
Ordinary talismans are no longer considered a powerful means for Lu Changan today.
When he activates the rudimentary form of a magic weapon or a close attack from the Body Refining Technique, it is comparable to ordinary magic weapons.
Lu Changan had previously given Zhao Siyao a talisman. In order to avoid the attention of interested people, he changed the method this time.
…
Fly thousands of miles out of Feiyue Lake.
Lu Changan looked in the direction of Jinyun Valley. There were still a few days to go, and he didn't know if he could contact Zhang Tieshan.
I heard from Li Erqing before that Zhao Siyao was in retreat in Jinyun Valley recently, preparing to form elixirs.
Passing by an inlet, Lu Changan suddenly felt something.
The Xuan Shui Turtle under the seat was inexplicably trembling.
"What a strong evil spirit."
Lu Changan faintly smelled a hint of blood.
Overlooking the inlet below, there is a cultivating family with second-level spiritual veins.
In the broken formation, the pavilion collapsed, but the fire was not extinguished.
"Could it be..."
Lu Changan's expression changed slightly. Thinking of the Maple Leaf Huang family's destruction, he immediately took a detour.
After only walking around half a mile, he noticed the lock of a fake elixir-level consciousness.
"Haha, I found an interesting little guy."
The old voice came from near the inlet of the exterminated family.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Sixty-seven figures of the foundation-building stage flew out from the sand dunes covered by the shielding formation next to the inlet.
These foundation-building monks are all elites of the same level. Their skills are pure and pure, surpassing several major sects in the Liang Kingdom. They are mainly in the middle and late stages of foundation-building.
In addition, there is also the fake Dan real person who has not shown up.
"Fengguo monk?"
Lu Changan frowned slightly. He unexpectedly encountered a group of elite cultivators from an enemy country. It seemed that they had just wiped out a family of cultivators.
"Tsk, tsk, with a second-level black water turtle as a mount, this guy should have some background."
Sixty-seven Foundation-Building monks surrounded him, with jesting expressions on their faces, as if they had caught a fish that had slipped through the net.
Lu Changan was targeted by the fake Dan real person in the dark, and planned to determine the opponent's location first.
At this moment, a sudden voice came:
"...Are you Uncle Lu?"
A young man from the Jinyang Sect who was in the late stage of foundation building was stunned and lost his voice. He looked at the man in white on the back of the turtle with a confused expression.