Chapter 300: Chapter 188: Growth 2
Soon, the Jade Ruyi ascended high into the sky, emitting pulses of brilliant light.
The sight was like a cyan sun hanging high in the heavens.
In an instant, the world seemed to shift.
A thick fog spilled from the Jade Ruyi, surging toward the cultivators on the platform below. Any cultivator enveloped by the mist would instantly vanish, transported to the Changchun Secret Realm.
Lü Zhong held Yu Feng’Er close, guarding against any mishaps.
A wave of vertigo washed over them, and they reappeared on a White Jade Platform.
Cloud Qi billowed around them, accompanied by the howl of the wind.
Clearly, the White Jade Platform was located high in the sky.
Looking straight ahead, they could see a magnificent, golden palace complex. That was the Changchun Immortal Mansion. However, after countless years of exploration by Changchun Valley, the mansion was now just an empty shell. Anything and everything that could be moved had already been swept clean by the valley.
The Changchun Immortal Mansion only still existed thanks to the Founding Ancestor of Changchun Valley.
If not for Ancestor Changchun’s strict command before his passing—that not a single brick or tile of the Immortal Mansion be damaged—this majestic, floating palace would have been razed to the ground long ago by cultivators who’d scrape the land three feet deep, leaving not a single valuable scrap behind.
"The old rules still apply. You have no more than three hundred sixty ancient hours to explore. If you exceed this time limit and fail to reconvene at the Jade Platform, you’ll have the pleasure of staying in the Secret Realm for sixty years until it opens again." After stating the rules, Qing Shao ignored the crowd, gave her two companions a meaningful look, and transformed into an Escape Light, streaking down toward the clouds below.
The sound of footsteps came from the side. It was Lin Muyun, who apparently hadn’t given up.
"Fellow Daoist Lü, are you sure you won’t reconsider?"
The dispute between the Chengde Commerce Association and the Wangxi Commerce Association had caused quite a stir in Changchun Immortal City. It was through this incident that outsiders learned that Lü Zhong, the Master of Lintao Pavilion, possessed the strength to slay the Sword Cultivator Ma Cheng.
Furthermore, the disappearance of Zhang Xiyun, the Fake Pill Cultivator from the Zhang Family of Baihua Plateau, was also inextricably linked to him.
That was precisely why Lin Muyun had extended the invitation multiple times—he coveted Lü Zhong’s strength.
"My apologies, but I’d rather not get involved," Lü Zhong declined.
His words immediately drew the ire of a middle-aged man in a Jade Crown standing behind Lin Muyun. With a cold expression, the man said, "Fellow Daoist Lin, why waste your breath? Since Fellow Daoist Lü scoffs at such paltry benefits, we should just leave him be. No matter how strong that Blood Demon is, how can it possibly withstand the six of us combined!"
Previously, Lin Muyun had taken the initiative and successfully persuaded two others to join him.
"Well... all right, then." Seeing how resolute Lü Zhong was, Lin Muyun had no choice but to give up on his invitation.
After refusing Lin Muyun, Lü Zhong summoned his Wood Spirit Wind-controlling Ship.
They then flew off toward the location of the Purple Jade Spirit Marrow.
After passing through several layers of Cloud Qi, a vast mountain range appeared before them.
According to exploration records from over the years, the interior of the Changchun Secret Realm spanned thousands of miles and was filled with all sorts of complex terrain, including mountain ranges, rivers, plateaus, lakes, deserts, and even oceans. It was difficult to imagine what kind of immense power could have created such an astonishing Secret Realm.
"By the way, take this Spirit Sword."
Lü Zhong handed the Green Vine Spirit Sword he had obtained from Zhang Xiyun to Yu Feng’Er, wanting her to have more power to protect herself. After all, as far as he knew, she only had a single Lower-grade Spiritual Artifact Robe, and it was one of those purely for appearances. Its defensive capabilities were much lower than that of a normal Spiritual Artifact Robe.
"My love..." Yu Feng’Er was deeply touched.
A Spirit Sword like this was worth seventy or eighty thousand Spirit Stones at the very least.
An ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator would have to save for nearly a century to have a chance of affording a single Spiritual Artifact. Even Family Cultivators from wealthier backgrounds usually obtained their Spiritual Artifacts through inheritance.
She didn’t refuse.
Yu Feng’Er knew Lü Zhong’s character. He would never take back something he had given away.
Cradling the Green Vine Spirit Sword, Yu Feng’Er leaned her head on Lü Zhong’s shoulder. Watching the Cloud Qi drift past the sides of the Flying Ship, her heart felt as sweet as honey.
After flying for a full three ancient hours, they came upon a desolate, rocky wasteland.
Lü Zhong guided the Flying Ship down, landing it gently on the ground.
He summoned the Dragon and Tiger Banner, then turned to Yu Feng’Er and said, "The territory of demonic birds is up ahead, and we can’t go around it. We’ll have to cross this wasteland on foot. Your combat experience is so-so at best, so remember to stick close to me."
"I’ll do as you say." Yu Feng’Er held a talisman in her left hand and the sword in her right.
She stuck close to Lü Zhong, never straying more than three zhang from his side.
Seeing this, Lü Zhong breathed a sigh of relief.
’A rookie teammate isn’t scary,’ Lü Zhong thought. ’As long as they’re self-aware, they’re not a lost cause. With a bit more training, maybe she can even grow stronger.’
He considered that Yu Feng’Er was not yet sixty, which was considered young for a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator.
She still had a long life ahead of her; she couldn’t always live under his protection. There would come a time when she needed to stand on her own.
Thinking of this, Lü Zhong decided to train Yu Feng’Er.
He didn’t expect her to become as strong as him, rivaling a Top-tier Foundation Establishment cultivator, but at the very least, she shouldn’t be a complete weakling.
If her strength improved, it would also save him a lot of unnecessary trouble. At the very least, he could avoid the cliché scenario of her being taken hostage, forcing him to brave a deathtrap and risk his life to save her.
After hearing his proposal, Yu Feng’Er agreed.
’It’s such a relief to have a teammate who’s eager to improve!’ Lü Zhong thought happily.
...
In the time that followed, Lü Zhong steeled his heart and put Yu Feng’Er through a special training regimen.
"As long as you’re not about to die, don’t expect me to step in and save you!" he stated.
He had no other choice. If he let Yu Feng’Er expect his help, the training’s effectiveness would be drastically reduced. She had grown up sheltered in her family, experiencing next to no real hardship, which made it difficult to forge the resilient mindset essential for combat. Such a quality could not be cultivated without experiencing severe trials.
