Chapter 1

"Luoshizhu, up ahead is the Taiyue Mountain Range. In about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, we will arrive at my master’s cave. You should calm your mind and not lose your manners in front of our ancestor."

Liu Jing stood at the head of the flying boat, speaking gently to a plain-looking, fair-skinned young man.

"Master Liu, don’t bother with him. He’s just a fake spirit root, a useless person."

"Yes, yes, Master Liu, tell us about the Ancestor who has reached the Core Formation stage."

"Is the Ancestor very fierce?"

Looking at these lively young people, Liu Jing shook his head helplessly and said, "You will know when you see the master," and then fell silent.

Lu Hong, who was being excluded by his companions, paid no attention to it. He continued to observe the two rows of oars extending from the spirit boat.

"The spirit boat is flying in the air, and there’s no spiritual energy flowing from the oars. What use are they? Could this boat be amphibious?"

Unable to figure it out, Lu Hong decided to give up for the moment. He smoothed out his hair, which had been tousled by the wind, and tidied up the Huangfeng Valley school uniform he had just received.

It had been a year since he had crossed over. Lu Hong had long since adapted to acting as a fourteen-year-old boy and had fully accepted this strange yet familiar world.

Past events were not to be mentioned. In this life, Lu Hong was a collateral disciple of the Li family of the Yue Kingdom, possessing a pseudo spirit root lacking in wood, and had practiced cultivation since childhood.

This time, he was able to join Huangfeng Valley, one of the seven major sects in the Yue Kingdom, entirely because his ancestor, Li Huayuan, served as an elder in the valley. He could recommend five junior cultivators from the clan to join the valley every ten years.

Originally, with Lu Hong’s qualifications, he would not have had such an opportunity. After all, the Li family was a large clan that had been passed down for hundreds of years, and the combined number of direct and collateral clan members was enough to fill a city. However, in this round, there were only four junior cultivators with good qualifications, so Lu Hong was selected.

As a fan of the ordinary, Lu Hong naturally knew who Liu Jing and Li Huayuan were. Before boarding the boat, he had asked the ancestor how many disciples he had. Liu Jing had replied that he had seven, and he was the third.

After Han Lao Mo reached the Foundation Establishment stage, he became Li Huayuan’s eighth disciple, meaning that Han Lao Mo was either still tending the medicinal garden or had not yet entered the valley.

After entering the valley, I must find an opportunity to investigate the Hundred Herbs Garden to plan my future.

Looking at the four young men and women not far away, who were chatting and laughing, unaware of the dangers of the cultivation world, Lu Hong constantly reminded himself to follow the righteous path of cultivation that Han Lao Mo had taken: prioritize stability, plan carefully before acting.

Don’t ask too many questions; asking is just being cautious.

Since I’ve made the decision, I’ll act immediately. Lu Hong quietly stood behind the four companions and planned the fastest escape route.

......

Li Huayuan’s cave was behind a curtain of water, elegantly decorated with the sounds of birds and the fragrance of flowers, exuding a strong aura of spiritual energy, truly allowing Lu Hong to experience the grandeur of the immortal world, making him even more eager to cultivate.

"These are the pills for strengthening the foundation. Each of you take a bottle. After entering the valley, cultivate diligently and do not cause trouble. If any of you can reach the Foundation Establishment stage, I will take you as a disciple. Now, go."

Li Huayuan was neither warm nor cold to Lu Hong and the others. After meeting them and giving them the pills, he dismissed them.

His words also implied that they should not misuse his name before reaching the Foundation Establishment stage.

The four young people were still somewhat fearful and aggrieved, but Lu Hong understood the reason.

Li Huayuan had been at the Core Formation stage for at least several decades. Even if he only recommended five people every ten years, the number of clan members he had recommended to the valley had reached double digits. However, none of his disciples were from the Li family, showing how disappointed he was with his clan’s younger generation.

Meeting them was just a formality.

In the cultivation world, where the strong prey on the weak, how could he pay attention to those who had not reached the Foundation Establishment stage?

"Ancestor, since I learned that I could cultivate in Huangfeng Valley, I have been overjoyed every day and grateful every night for your kindness. Therefore, I boldly present the spirit medicine that has been cultivated for generations in my family."

For an early-stage Qi Condensation cultivator to meet a Core Formation cultivator was itself a great opportunity. Lu Hong had been well-prepared, having convinced his grandfather to let his grandson take a chance.

"Hmm, filial piety is commendable, but ordinary spirit medicines are useless to a Core Formation cultivator. You don’t need to bring them out."

Li Huayuan stroked his long beard, his expression calm, and was unmoved by Lu Hong’s flattery.

Old man, you really don’t give anything away until you see the rabbit. Today, I’ll show you what the ‘true fragrance’ law is!

"Forgive my ignorance, but I didn’t know that even a 500-year-old Purple Sunflower..."

"What did you say?! A 500-year-old Purple Sunflower?! Bring it here for me to see!"

Li Huayuan was pleasantly surprised. If it was really a 500-year-old Purple Sunflower, it would be very useful for him.

The pills made from this flower would not only aid his cultivation but also replenish the essence he had lost from refining iron essence for decades.

Lu Hong did not delay, taking out a jade box from his storage bag.

Li Huayuan extended his right palm, and the jade box was sucked into his palm.

"Good! Good! This medicine is excellent! You are a clever young man. Tell me, what do you want? Don’t say you have no requests, that’s nonsense."

After checking the Purple Sunflower, Li Huayuan was very satisfied and spoke to Lu Hong with much more warmth.

"To be honest, Ancestor, I want a few bottles of White Lotus Pills and a set of water-element spirit arrays."

Lu Hong did not hide his desires; he wouldn’t let the lion owe him a favor.

"White Lotus Pills? Ha ha, you are quite like me. Here, take these. I will also give you 100 spirit stones to power the spirit arrays."

Li Huayuan waved his sleeve, and the spirit items flew into Lu Hong’s storage bag with a glow.

……

After leaving Li Huayuan’s cave, Liu Jing took Lu Hong and the others through the Huangfeng Valley’s disciple recruitment process. When it came to assigning duties, he deliberately left Lu Hong until last.

"Is there anything you need, Master Liu?"

Lu Hong was a bit puzzled. Liu Jing was a righteous person who hated evil and would not covet what he had just obtained.

He probably wouldn’t, right?

"Luoshizhu, I must thank you. My master, several decades ago, lost a bet and was forced to refine iron essence, which damaged his essence. As his disciple, I have been worried about this.

Although you didn’t know about it, you have helped me resolve a matter of the heart."

Liu Jing patted Lu Hong’s shoulder, finding the new disciple quite likable.

Ah? So that’s what he wanted to say.

Actually, I not only know about this, but I also know that your master will lose again soon.

"Your willingness to sacrifice your family’s spirit medicine for cultivation shows a strong resolve. I have reserved a leisurely duty for you to facilitate your cultivation. Follow me."

I really did judge a gentleman by my own low standards.

After hearing Liu Jing’s words, Lu Hong felt a bit guilty and developed a good impression of him.

When the cold wind blew as he was being carried through the air, a bright idea flashed in his mind, and his eyes widened.

Brilliant!

This method is perfect for befriending people with a suspicious nature. Learned, learned!