Turbulent Situation

Lu Wangchuan took out the letter and found the reason within.

His elder sister had given birth—a son.

In this feudal society, the significance of bearing a son was naturally extraordinary. A mother gained status through her child, and a son could elevate a woman of humble origins like his sister, raising her standing considerably.

Thus, she now had a bit more financial freedom.

Beyond that, his sister also wrote in the letter that the situation outside was growing chaotic again, urging him to come to her so she could take better care of him.

Lu Wangchuan merely sighed. He would go only after he had grown stronger.

A person should know their place. As a brother propped up by his sister, her husband's family surely wouldn't welcome him. There was no need to invite humiliation.

Even if they didn't mind, without money or status, it was best to avoid visiting relatives too often—it only bred annoyance.

Besides, the Chen family was vast and wealthy, with many martial artists, possibly even some on par with him. His sister's safety wasn't a concern. He should focus on raising his cultivation first.

Only by becoming stronger could he better protect her.

He handed Xiao Yue a banknote for daily expenses and stashed the rest away as reserves.

With that done, he hurried to the Longtai Merchant Guild.

As his cultivation advanced, his breakthrough speed would only slow. Even with the finest resources, he couldn't defy the heavens and break through faster than Blood Solidification Realm. His next breakthrough would take at least a year.

At this point, he had to consider boosting his actual combat power through equipment.

For instance, buying a fine sword.

"You're saying a good sword costs several thousand taels of silver?"

Hearing Lao Tan's quote, the corner of Lu Wangchuan's mouth twitched violently.

"Of course. A fine sword isn't just about precious materials—its crafting requires immense effort. First, you need an experienced master craftsman, then countless rounds of forging and tempering. The process is elaborate, so the price naturally skyrockets."

Lu Wangchuan didn't suspect him of lying. After all, swords in this world weren't like those from his past life. A good sword was extremely particular about materials and craftsmanship.

When facing high-level martial artists, such as those above Bone Forging Realm, whose physiques were greatly enhanced, ordinary iron weapons could hardly inflict fatal wounds.

To maximize combat effectiveness, a good sword was essential.

But this thing was far too expensive. He wasn't some whale who dumped cash into the game—he was just an ordinary grinder (poor bastard)!

He'd rather spend those thousands of taels of silver on materials to refine into Spirit Elixir for cultivation.

It seemed this path wasn't for him.

Lao Tan noticed his disappointment and comforted him:

"I can't help it either. I've heard there's been activity stirring in Qing Zhou again. Goods like fine swords are in high demand, and prices are soaring or even doubling. In the old days, with one or two thousand taels, I could've gotten you a top-grade, exquisite sword!"

"Forget it. Just give me an ordinary sword for now. Also, prepare another batch of the materials from before."

"No problem. But the herbs have gone up in price too, so—"

"Money's not an issue. Just get the materials ready."

"Right away."

Shopkeeper Tan scurried off to prepare his order, while Lu Wangchuan let out a deep sigh. It would be a lie to say he didn't feel the pinch—he wasn't wealthy enough to be that carefree—but he had no choice. He couldn't just stop cultivating!

Whenever war broke out, prices rose, and the common folk always suffered.

Truly, in prosperity, the people suffer; in ruin, the people suffer.

After collecting the materials, Lu Wangchuan headed to the Martial Hall. He had grown quite familiar with Lu Xianyuan by now, so he came to exchange insights every few days.

Though Lu Xianyuan had never explicitly taken him as a disciple, he had helped him immensely.

For instance, over the past few months, he had been teaching him combat techniques, sharing worldly experience, and explaining various martial arts routines to help him counter them.

No matter how powerful the Light Screen's point allocation was, it couldn't grant him this invaluable experience.

He truly was a good teacher and friend.

When Lu Wangchuan arrived at the Martial Hall, he was surprised to find a crowd gathered around a corpse, murmuring among themselves.

The corpse bore unmistakable traces of the Limitless Sword Dao—a single, precise strike through the heart. It had to be Lu Xianyuan's work.

"What happened?"

He stepped forward to ask, and the crowd replied:

"This man was a spy from the Black Lotus Society. He tried to poison the Martial Hall's cafeteria. Instructor Lu discovered him and killed him with one strike."

Lu Wangchuan's heart sank. He quickly made his way to Lu Xianyuan's courtyard.

Lu Xianyuan was lounging in an armchair, lazily soaking up the sun. Before Lu Wangchuan could even ask, he explained casually:

"This is the Black Lotus Society's usual tactic. Before attacking a city, they send people to poison the local experts. The Society was scattered before, and everyone let their guard down. Now, this is happening in multiple cities, and quite a few experts have fallen for it.

It won't be long before the Black Lotus Society regroups and starts conquering cities again."

Lu Wangchuan nodded.

If even Lu Xianyuan said so, then the Black Lotus Society's return was truly imminent.

"Enough of that. If it happens, no one can stop it. How's your Limitless Sword Dao coming along?"

"To answer your question, Mentor, I've just cultivated to the third layer."

As usual, Lu Wangchuan concealed one layer. He needed some secrets of his own.

But Lu Xianyuan's eyes lit up, and he sighed with deep feeling:

"With talent this good, it would be a shame not to go to an Immortal Sect. This time, the Black Lotus Society is making a comeback, and you'll inevitably have to leave Jianghai City. Have you thought about which Immortal Sect to join?"

"Your disciple does not know. I hope Mentor can enlighten me."

"The Great Wilderness has three thousand regions, and each region has three thousand provinces! The number of sects is beyond counting. However, we are located in Da Qian, which occupies thirteen provinces. There are seven sects and twelve schools in total. Sects are of a higher rank, schools a step lower. The most renowned, the Divine Water Sect and the Heavenly Martial Sect, are both excellent choices.

The Divine Water Sect has hundreds of peaks. I was once a Peak Master of a small peak there. Betrayed by a petty man, I lost my peak and felt I had failed my ancestors, so I left the sect and came to Jianghai City. But I still have some connections within the sect. If you are willing to go, I can write a letter of introduction for you."

Lu Wangchuan naturally knew about Lu Xianyuan's affairs in the Divine Water Sect. He understood that writing a letter of introduction would require his mentor to swallow his pride, and a warmth surged in his heart.

"Thank you, Mentor. Your disciple is willing to go to the Divine Water Sect."

Sects were fraught with danger. Going alone, he would likely suffer many hardships. Having some support would be far better.

Moreover, Lu Wangchuan did not want to waste this kindness from Lu Xianyuan. Though they had no formal master-disciple title, they shared the substance of one!

Lu Xianyuan nodded.

"Your Limitless Sword Dao has already reached the third layer. Why don't I see a treasured sword?"

Lu Wangchuan answered truthfully.

"Treasured swords are too expensive. Ordinary swords are of little use, and decent ones cost thousands of silver taels at the very least. Your disciple has only a small amount of silver, which must also be spent on materials to brew medicinal decoctions. So I plan to make do with an ordinary sword for now."

Lu Xianyuan sighed.

"Martial artists drain wealth. For you to have come this far is no small feat. It's been hard on you. Go back and cultivate for now. The Black Lotus Society won't be attacking anytime soon. Before then, do your best to raise your cultivation as much as possible."

"Yes."

Lu Wangchuan took his leave. As soon as he was gone, another figure stepped into the courtyard. His hair and beard were white, with tiger-like eyes and bushy brows. He was the current head of the Dragon Tiger Martial Hall, and the only Heavenly Being in all of Jianghai City and the several cities around it!

A Heavenly Being was a powerhouse beyond the Physical Body Realm!

I hope everyone can give a few more recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Thank you all.