Chapter 40: Family Legacy
Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Family Legacy
One day later, Lu Zhao arrived at the Guest Minister Pavilion. Inside, it was the opposite of its usual tranquility, bustling with people. Even a dozen or so Late-stage Qi Cultivation Honored Guest Elders, who were rarely seen, were present.
A tense, anxious feeling permeated the air. Low whispers merged into a buzzing background noise, mostly discussing words like "conscription," "war preparations," and "Pill prices rising." The moment Lu Zhao stepped inside, he was enveloped by this strange atmosphere.
The Steward on duty was the same one who had first led him to Cyan Rattan Stream. His brows were tightly knitted as he was surrounded by several people.
Upon seeing Lu Zhao, he forced a formulaic smile and pushed through the crowd to walk over quickly. "Mr. Lu, you’ve come at the right time. This is the Restriction Jade Talisman for your new cave mansion. It’s located at Bing Seven in the Cold Bamboo Garden."
A smooth, warm Jade Talisman was stuffed into Lu Zhao’s hand. Spirit Light flowed across its surface, and it was carved with the characters "Bing 7".
"The Cold Bamboo Garden?" Lu Zhao was slightly taken aback. That was a residential area near the Core Area of the Marketplace, exclusively for Middle-Grade Honored Guest Elders. The Spiritual Qi there was much stronger than in his small courtyard, which lacked a Spirit Vein.
"Yes,"
the Steward spoke rapidly, with a tone that brooked no argument. "The family is preparing for war, so all Spiritual Lands must be reallocated.
Your original residence has been reclaimed. This is the new arrangement. Bing Seven is a Tier One Lower Grade Spirit Vein Cave Mansion, which should be sufficient for you.
The Jade Talisman will guide you to its specific location. Go and get settled quickly. Don’t wander around for the time being, and await further orders." After speaking, he hurriedly turned away again.
Lu Zhao clutched the Jade Talisman and quietly exited the clamorous Guest Minister Pavilion.
Following the Jade Talisman’s guidance, he passed through a grove of Spiritual Bamboo that was a lush, vibrant green and exuded a cool aura. A stone chamber built into the mountainside appeared before him. The stone door was heavy, with faint Array Patterns visible on its surface.
When the Jade Talisman was inserted into the groove, the stone door slid open silently. The space inside was slightly larger than his chamber at Cyan Rattan Stream and was divided into an inner and outer room.
The outer room was simply furnished with only a stone table and a few stone stools. The inner room was a Cultivation Quiet Chamber. In the center of the floor was carved a basic Spirit Gathering Array Pattern. Wisps of Spiritual Qi, purer than that at the Cold Pool, were emanating from the Spirit Stone at the Array Hub, filling the room.
A Cold Jade Bed was placed beside the Spirit Gathering Array. It was cool to the touch, which helped calm the mind. In the corner was a small, stone bookshelf. Other than that, there was nothing else. It was simple yet practical, and the Spiritual Qi concentration was indeed at the Tier One Lower Grade level.
Lu Zhao closed the stone door behind him and activated the simple Avoidance Warning Array. He walked to the center of the Quiet Chamber but didn’t rush to meditate. Instead, he sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion beside the Cold Jade Bed and closed his eyes to focus his mind. With a slight stir of his thoughts, the familiar screen of light quietly appeared in his Sea of Consciousness:
Name: Lu Zhao
Cultivation: Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer (Middle-Grade Water Spirit Root)
Lifespan: 25/120
Main Cultivation Method: "Little Spirit Rain Technique"
Magic: Others at Great Success, Thousand Threads Technique (Three Divine Threads), Thousand Overlapping Waves Skill (Entry Level)
Puppetry (Tier One Lower Grade):
Flowing Cloud Sparrow (Success Rate: 40%)
Ice Mouse Puppet (Success Rate: 50%)
Ironwood Guard (Success Rate: 20%)
After half a year of cultivation at Cyan Rattan Stream, and consuming eighteen Ice Jade Pills and Vessel-Protecting Pills, his Cultivation had advanced a step. The five streams of pale blue True Qi in his Dantian were now as condensed as mercury, surging with the faint sound of tides.
However, the greatest gains were not just in the improvement of his Cultivation, but also in the advancement of his Magic and Puppetry.
The Thousand Threads Technique could now stably differentiate into three tenacious ’Divine Threads,’ and his control range had extended to over two hundred yards.
As for the Thousand Overlapping Waves Skill, he could now control and stack five Water Spirit Waves. Although its power was slightly weaker than the Ice Cone Technique, with just one more step forward, its might would be no less. Moreover, in the long run, its potential far surpassed that of the Ice Cone Technique.
Regarding his Puppetry, the results were evident in the six silent Ironwood Guards lined up neatly in his Storage Bag.
This was the culmination of half a year of hard work, and also his ’foot in the door’ and ’Protective Talisman’ for the turbulent times ahead.
The news from the Marketplace was chaotic, but one piece caught his attention: because the Zhou Family was preparing for war on a large scale and hoarding basic Refining Materials, the prices of some materials specifically for Puppets had actually dropped, due to a temporary shift in demand or adjustments in supply channels.
’An opportunity!’
A sharp glint flashed in Lu Zhao’s eyes. ’War means consumption, and a huge demand for all kinds of Magical Artifacts and Puppets. Ironwood Guards, top-tier Tier One Lower Grade Puppets that excel in both offense and defense with their tough hides, are consumables on the battlefield and, more importantly, a hard currency for survival. With material prices loosening now, this is a godsent opportunity to sell my stock for Spirit Stones and then buy up the next batch of materials at rock-bottom prices!’
Inside the Nine Abyss Pavilion, the Shopkeeper was frowning at his ledger. When he saw Lu Zhao enter, a trace of familiar warmth finally appeared in his murky eyes.
"Kid Lu, what a rare sight. Since we last saw each other at Cyan Rattan Stream, it seems your Cultivation has improved again," the Shopkeeper said, putting down his ledger and motioning for Lu Zhao to sit. "What good stuff have you brought this time? An Ice Mouse Puppet or a Flowing Cloud Sparrow?
Things are chaotic outside now, and both of those are in high demand. Even if you set up a stall yourself, you could sell them for a high price."
Lu Zhao didn’t waste words and simply waved his hand. His Storage Bag flashed faintly, and an almost eight-foot-tall Ironwood Guard, as silent as a mountain, stood imposing in the center of the Quiet Chamber.
Profound Iron Arm Armor, an Ironwood Trunk, Earth Yellow Spirit Patterns... A heavy, oppressive aura instantly filled the air.
"This is..." The Shopkeeper shot up from his Grandmaster’s Chair, his withered fingers subconsciously stroking the Ironwood Guard’s cold arm armor, feeling the immense power and intricate Spirit Patterns contained within. "You... you actually managed to refine this Wood and Stone Puppet!"
He circled the Puppet, examining it carefully, his eyes shooting out sharp glints of light. "Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! The structure is stable, the Spirit Patterns are complete... Kid, with craftsmanship like this, you’re probably not far from reaching Tier One Middle-Grade!"
He looked up at Lu Zhao with a mix of emotion and a complex, scrutinizing gaze. "An important Artifact like this... if you put it up for sale in the Marketplace, those family stewards and caravan leaders rushing to arm their guards or replenish their forces would probably fight to the death for it. Someone would pay nearly a hundred Spirit Stones for one! Are you sure you want to come to an old man like me?"
Lu Zhao met the Shopkeeper’s gaze with a calm expression. "Shopkeeper, this item may be in high demand right now, and I might earn more by selling it at a stall. But you have always supported and guided me. From the Wind Pattern Stone to the Magical Artifact, and then that Small Thunder Shock Talisman last time... I remember this kindness."
He paused, his tone sincere. "I am not a shortsighted person. What I seek is not a momentary windfall, but a long-term, stable channel for selling my goods and a relationship of trust. I believe in the reputation of the Nine Abyss Pavilion. I’ll leave this Ironwood Guard with you. You set the price; I trust you won’t let me take a loss."
The Shopkeeper stared fixedly at Lu Zhao, emotions swirling in his murky eyes—relief, sentimentality—which finally resolved into a long sigh, mixed with a heartfelt laugh. "Good! Good kid! This old man wasn’t wrong about you!"
He clapped a heavy, withered hand on Lu Zhao’s shoulder. "Eighty Spirit Stones apiece! That price isn’t the highest right now, but its advantage is that it’s stable and long-term! However many you have, this old man will take them all!"
Lu Zhao quickly calculated in his mind: ’The cost to refine one Ironwood Guard is about fifty-five Spirit Stones. At eighty Spirit Stones, that’s a profit of twenty-five per puppet. Six of them would mean a net profit of one hundred and fifty Spirit Stones. It wasn’t the windfall of nearly one hundred Spirit Stones per puppet that I might have gotten, but just as I said, what I’m seeking is a stable, long-term partnership and a quick return of capital. The most important thing right now is to get the Spirit Stones and then go sweep up those discounted materials!’
"Done!" Lu Zhao nodded decisively.
After handing over the six Ironwood Guards, a heavy four hundred and eighty Spirit Stones landed in his Storage Bag. Just as Lu Zhao was about to leave to purchase materials, the old Shopkeeper, Zhou Kang, stopped him.
"Kid Lu," the Shopkeeper’s voice grew low, the smile vanished from his face, and was replaced by a rare desolation. "This might be... the last time you see this old man at the Nine Abyss Pavilion."
Lu Zhao froze, turning around in astonishment. "Shopkeeper, why would you say that? Where are you going?" He had a faint, ominous premonition.
A complex emotion flickered in the Shopkeeper’s murky eyes—helplessness, determination, and, hidden deeper, an imperceptible, tragic heroism.
"Where else could I go?"
His withered fingers unconsciously rubbed the inconspicuous Cyan Jade Ring on his left thumb—Lu Zhao knew it was the symbol of a core Steward of the Zhou Family.
"To the battlefield."
Those three words were like an Ice Cone, piercing Lu Zhao’s ears. He couldn’t believe it. "You... at your age, and with your Cultivation... why must you go to the front lines?" ’A Late-stage Qi Cultivation is nothing more than slightly stronger cannon fodder on a real battlefield.’
"Why?" The Shopkeeper gave a bitter laugh, his smile filled with desolation. "For the family, and for my grandson." He gazed at the gloomy sky outside the window, as if he could see through the clamor of the Marketplace to the smoke of war spreading in the distance.
"The family’s conscription order has been issued. All core stewards with any Cultivation must be assigned to logistics or the reserve forces.
"I, Zhou Kang, have received a century of the Zhou Family’s support and accepted this grace. Now that the family is in trouble, how can I shrink back?"
His voice grew lower, carrying an undeniable weight. "As for my grandson, his talent is decent. He has been selected by the family to be trained as a reserve for the Cloud Pattern Cavalry."
"If these old bones of mine go to the front lines to fight and earn some extra merit, perhaps... perhaps that can spare him some danger and earn him a little more favor within the family in the future."
He turned his head and looked at Lu Zhao, his gaze blazing, as if a final flame was burning in his murky eyes. "Kid, the Cultivation Realm has always been this cruel."
"We are merely helpless, pushed along by the great tide of events. For a family to rise or fall, for a bloodline to continue, someone always has to fight, to struggle, to bleed and die."
"Remember my words: improve your strength! In these chaotic times, the only thing that can ensure your survival and allow you to control your own destiny is the power you hold in your hands! Don’t be like this old man, who has no choice in the end." The last few words were as soft as a mosquito’s buzz, yet as heavy as a mountain.
Lu Zhao stood frozen, looking at the old man before him who had helped him so much. On that wrinkled face, all that remained was the calm of one facing death and an infinite concern for the younger generation.
An indescribable, complex emotion surged in his heart—a sense of powerlessness against fate, but also a fierce impulse to break free from all shackles!
He took a deep breath, suppressed the turmoil in his heart, and gave Shopkeeper Zhou Kang a deep, formal bow. "Shopkeeper, I will take your teachings to heart. I wish you a safe journey!"
Zhou Kang accepted his bow calmly. He waved his hand, his voice regaining some of its usual indifference. "Go on, kid. Live well, and keep practicing your Puppetry. After the war is over, perhaps someone new will take over the Nine Abyss Pavilion."
Lu Zhao straightened up, took one last look at the old man who was both a teacher and a friend, then turned and strode out of the Nine Abyss Pavilion. The clamor of the Marketplace rushed to meet him, but his heart felt ice-cold.
The gears of war had begun to turn, and no one could escape. He clutched his Storage Bag. Inside were four hundred and eighty Spirit Stones, but more than that, they were the key to greater power.
’These chaotic times are coming. Only strength is a reliable pillar!’ His gaze swept over the stalls with discounted materials, and his steps became incredibly firm.