Lan Wuying

It took another twenty-odd days, and Lu Ming had learned both [Whirlwind Sweeping Leaf Leg] and [Great Demon Punishing Palm].

With the help of low-grade Origin Stones, his realm had also reached the Peak Early True Qi Realm.

He didn't feel any signs of a breakthrough yet, so he decided to go out and take on more missions.

He arrived at the Mission Hall, intending to challenge missions with higher difficulty this time.

After looking around, he found that there were no suitable missions among the Level 1 and 2 tasks; they either took too long or had low rewards.

So, he finally chose a Level 3, One-Star mission, which was a guard duty.

Mission Brief: The renowned great thief Lan Wuying has set a date, and will soon attempt to steal the Liu family's ancestral cultivation technique. He has left a message: if he fails, he will not harm a single hair on their heads; if he succeeds, he will annihilate their entire clan.

Content: Guard the Liu family's ancestral cultivation technique. If guarding fails, help resist Lan Wuying.

Intelligence: Lan Wuying is the successor of Xiao Zan, a great thief who roamed several kingdoms decades ago. His current realm is Mid True Qi Realm, and he is skilled in movement techniques.

Recommendation: Suitable for those in the Mid True Qi Realm who are skilled in movement techniques.

Reward: 300 contribution points, 150,000 silver taels, 100 low-grade Origin Stones.

Lu Ming felt his speed was not slow, and he was confident he could contend with, or even kill, someone in the Mid True Qi Realm.

So, he accepted it directly.

"Look quickly, he's only in the Early True Qi Realm, yet he dares to accept a Level 3 mission meant for those in the Mid True Qi Realm."

Lu Ming's actions immediately drew the attention of those nearby.

"Resist Lan Wuying, huh? I've seen this mission before. They say his movement techniques are so fast you can't even see his shadow. Against such speed, even a slight delay means death."

"He chose this mission either because he's overconfident or he's seeking death."

Lu Ming ignored these comments and went straight to the counter to register.

"Are you sure you want to accept this mission?"

The registering Elder looked at Lu Ming with surprise. He had clearly received instructions from above to pay attention to this person.

He had to give the reminder.

Lu Ming nodded firmly, "Elder, I am sure."

The registering Elder still hesitated. Although he knew Lu Ming was not weak, capable of killing enemies beyond his realm even in the Inner Qi Realm.

But he also heard that Lu Ming relied on speed, and this Lan Wuying was clearly not slow either.

There might be an accident.

"Let him go."

Just then, a voice transmission suddenly came into his ear. He recognized it as the Sect Master's.

He was somewhat puzzled why the Sect Master would be paying attention here. Was this kid really that highly regarded?

However, with orders from above, he dared not disobey and began the registration.

"Be careful."

"Thank you, Elder."

Lu Ming said gratefully and left quickly.

The Liu family was a minor, unranked family located in the southwest of the Zhao Kingdom. Although their family head was in the Late True Qi Realm, he was already old, and it was uncertain how much strength he could exert.

Therefore, upon receiving the message from the great thief Lan Wuying, they immediately sent people to various major sects to request aid by issuing missions.

The Liu family, though not large, had some savings.

Moreover, this was a crisis that threatened their very existence; if they didn't use it now, they never would.

Thus, Old Patriarch Liu did not begrudge the expense.

However, while Old Patriarch Liu wasn't pained by the cost, his son, Liu Qing, felt a bit of a sting.

Liu Qing asked, "Father, sending missions only to those three Seventh-Rank sects should have been enough. Why did you also send them to some Eighth and Ninth-Rank sects?"

"Isn't that just a waste of money?"

"Foolish!"

"No matter how much those Eighth and Ninth-Rank sects fall short of the great Seventh-Rank sects, they are still stronger than us unranked families. You must never speak such disrespectful words again in the future."

The young man immediately lowered his head, "Father is right to scold me."

Seeing that his son was still a bit unconvinced, Old Patriarch Liu added:

"Qing'er, you must understand that this is a crisis that threatens our entire clan. The disciples of those Seventh-Rank sects may not necessarily look favorably upon our meager offerings."

"Therefore, we need to cast a wide net. As for the money, once the family is destroyed, we will have nothing left, and we might even lose our lives."

"Father, you say, is this sudden message real? If someone is just playing a joke, wouldn't we be rushing around for nothing?"

Old Patriarch Liu shook his head, "There's no mistake. The message bears a plum blossom insignia, which is Lan Wuying's mark."

"The last time, a family didn't believe it and was annihilated by him."

"In short, it's better to be safe than sorry."

Liu Qing spoke again, "Didn't the letter say he was coming to steal our family's cultivation technique? Why don't we destroy it, so he has nothing to steal? Wouldn't that mean he fails?"

After he finished speaking, there was no response for a long time. He looked up and saw his father looking at him as if he were an idiot.

This made him feel a little embarrassed. "Father, did I say something wrong again?"

Old Patriarch Liu sighed, lamenting that the Liu family had no successors. He explained:

"Then he will capture those who know the family's cultivation technique. You are the only heir in our family, and although your father and I are old, we are still at the Late True Qi Realm. So, he can only capture you."

Liu Qing was startled by this and quickly waved his hands. "Then we can't destroy it, absolutely not."

He knew his own limitations. He was almost thirty years old and had only just broken through to the Early True Qi Realm.

He was no match for Lan Wuying.

Seeing his son's demeanor, Old Patriarch Liu felt even more disappointed. If the other party had shown even a shred of defiance, he would have felt a little better.

To think he was so useless.

Just as he was sighing, a servant suddenly ran in. "Reporting to the Patriarch, a young hero has arrived outside, claiming to be an Inner Sect disciple of Kaishanmen."

Old Patriarch Liu immediately stood up. "Quick, invite him in!"

As time passed, only one day remained until the date Lan Wuying had set for the theft. He would make his move tomorrow.

To the Liu Patriarch's delight, three Grade 7 sects, excluding Wuji Sect, had disciples who accepted the mission. Both Nine Heavens Sect and Jade Luo Sect had sent representatives.

Additionally, five people from other Grade 8 and 9 sects had arrived.

The representative from Nine Heavens Sect was a tall young man wearing yellow robes, whose cultivation was at the Mid True Qi Realm.

At this moment, he was speaking to the female disciple from Jade Luo Sect with a frivolous expression.

"Junior Sister Jiang, if that Lan Wuying really dares to come tomorrow, just hide behind me. I can deal with him with a single palm strike."

The female disciple from Jade Luo Sect was wearing a fitted outfit, dressed very heroically, and wielded a long sword. Her cultivation was also at the Mid True Qi Realm.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Brother Chen, but I don't need your protection. Also, as we belong to different sects, addressing each other as 'Junior Sister' is not appropriate."

"Then I shall call you Miss Ruoshui."

"You shouldn't underestimate Lan Wuying. According to intelligence from our Nine Heavens Sect, his master, Xiao Zan, is likely a remnant of the Demonic Cult's Ghost Vein, and his movement techniques are exceptional."

"So, it's better for you to hide behind me. Otherwise, you might end up like these disciples from lower-tier sects, with a very high chance of not returning."

"What did you say?!"

His words immediately provoked dissatisfaction among the disciples from other sects who had arrived.

These individuals, hailing from various Grade 8 and 9 sects, were enraged upon hearing their sects and themselves being insulted.

"What? You're not convinced?"

The Nine Heavens Sect disciple took a step forward, and a surge of energy erupted from him, spreading out like ripples on water, forcing everyone to retreat.

"This is the Primordial Gold Jade Art!"

Sensing the immense true energy suddenly emanating from the opponent's body, everyone was shocked. They clearly recognized the power of this cultivation technique.

Moreover, judging by the display, the opponent had cultivated this technique to a considerable level.

Even Jiang Ruoshui, the female disciple from Jade Luo Sect behind him, showed a look of surprise.

As far as she knew, this cultivation technique was no simple matter. Although it was only of Human-grade Peak Stage, in some aspects, it was already on par with Earth-grade initial level cultivation techniques.

Especially the true energy cultivated through it was domineering and profound.

When fighting opponents, it not only provided endurance but also made every move and strike incredibly powerful.

Disciples from many sects had suffered losses due to this cultivation technique from the Nine Heavens Sect, including Jade Luo Sect.

Therefore, this cultivation technique was extremely famous.

"You have some discerning taste."

The Nine Heavens Sect disciple proudly retracted his true energy and scanned the crowd. Everyone averted their gaze, not daring to meet his eyes.

Only one person, after lowering his head, had a deep gaze, lost in thought.

"Everyone, everyone, the banquet is ready. Please come with me to dine."

At this moment, Old Patriarch Liu hurried over. The arrival of so many sect disciples made him both happy and worried.

The happiness was self-evident. The worry stemmed from the fact that these young disciples were all arrogant and competitive.

If any serious incidents occurred within their home, it would be difficult to explain.

So, upon hearing about the conflict, he rushed over to mediate.

However, he was surprised to find upon his arrival that they hadn't completely erupted into a fight, but had instead been subdued by the Nine Heavens Sect disciple.

This made him even more delighted, as the stronger the reinforcements, the greater the confidence in dealing with Lan Wuying.

However, he certainly wouldn't show his delight, as it would offend the other sects.

So, he used the excuse of a banquet to lead them away.

Although the faces of the disciples were grim, feeling that their dignity had been compromised, there were no further conflicts.

They followed the guidance and walked towards the banquet hall.

However, at this moment, another servant led another person in.