The Siblings Reunite

"Naturally, we should take the initiative."

"The White Bone Demon Sect deliberately spread rumors to sow discord within and outside the Mystic Origin Sect, clearly indicating their intention to start a war. Under these circumstances, the Mystic Origin Sect's initiative to wage war serves two purposes: first, to dispel external rumors and stabilize morale; and second, to reclaim the 'Three Talents Pure Tranquility Ring'."

Certainly.

Another reason is that everyone outside believed the two Supreme Elders of the Mystic Origin Sect were seriously injured, but the Mystic Origin Sect now had a way to treat them. A surprise attack might just remove this thorn in the side of the White Bone Demon Sect!

"White Bone Demon Sect".

"Heavenly Wander Mountain".

"Mystic Origin Sect".

Demons, monsters, and the righteous path stand in a tripartite balance, yet they also check and balance each other.

Just as the two Supreme Elders of the Mystic Origin Sect stumbled upon the White Bone Demon Sect's True Person refining a treasure and immediately went to 'cause trouble' without a second thought, the White Bone Demon Sect, having seized the Mystic Origin Sect's precious treasure and seeing the Mystic Origin Sect's only two Spell Gathering Realm True Person severely injured, would not let go of this rare opportunity and would surely beat the dog while it was down.

A war between the two factions is inevitable.

Rather than being passive, Mystic Origin Sect should take the initiative.

"Is the Three Talents Pure Tranquility Ring really that important?" Lu Qingyu, puzzled.

"This is the most precious treasure of the Mystic Origin Sect, a perfect combination of Celestial Phenomenon, Earth Spirit, and Object Spirit, possessing power comparable to a seventh-tier Law Artifact. Now that two of them have been lost, only the 'Object Spirit' remains in the hands of the True Person leader. How could the sect be willing to accept this?"

Lu Qingfeng shook his head.

The loss of these priceless treasures was a huge blow to the Mystic Origin Sect. Retrieving the 'Celestial Phenomenon' and 'Earth Spirit' treasures would be even more difficult.

After listening, Lu Qingyu finally understood why her elder brother was so certain that there would be a battle. Her expression immediately changed slightly. "In a major battle between the two sects, elder brother is Alchemist. Shouldn't he be exempt from the battle?"

"Need not."

"The Mystic Origin Sect has not yet reached the point of mobilizing Alchemist to fight on the front lines."

Lu Qingfeng smiled.

The benefits of practicing weapon crafting and alchemy are now becoming apparent.

Disciples from peaks like Jade Pillar Peak and Silver Frost Peak are inevitably sent to fight the Demonic Sect once war breaks out. Even disciples from other halls are required to be on the front lines.

Only in the Artifact Refining Hall and the Pill Convergence Hall, weapon refiners and Alchemist do not need to move; they can simply stay in the sect to refine weapons and pills.

Even if the Mystic Origin Sect were to perish, the two halls would still be the last to die.

"That's good."

Upon hearing this, Lu Qingyu finally smiled.

"But--"

"Once the war breaks out between the Mystic Origin Sect and the White Bone Demon Sect, both realms will surely be thrown into chaos, and all sorts of demons and monsters will emerge. At that time, even Gathering Immortals Island may not be safe, and your second brother, in such a remote place as the Gathering Cloud Mountains, may not be able to Zhou Quan either."

Lu Qingfeng's expression turned slightly serious.

The Mystic Origin Realm was originally suppressed by the Mystic Origin Sect, which kept demons and monsters at bay. Even when they did appear, it was only minor skirmishes, and they dared not Zhang Yang. But once a war breaks out, the Mystic Origin Sect will focus all its energy on the White Bone Demon Sect, and its control over the Mystic Origin Realm will inevitably weaken.

A single hair can affect the whole situation.

If the Mystic Origin Realm cannot be at peace, the Gathering Cloud Mountains will not be able to stay out of it either.

"Are you going to hide again?"

Lu Qingyu stared at Lu Qingfeng with her big eyes.

"No need this time."

Lu Qingfeng's expression froze for a moment, then he quickly waved his hand.

"Need not?"

"That--"

Now it was Lu Qingyu's turn to be surprised.

It's not always the case that when faced with danger, the first thing to do is hide and wait until things calm down.

"Come with me Sunset Glow Sect in a few days," Lu Qingfeng changed the subject and said directly.

"Good."

"It's been a long time since I've seen my second brother."

Lu Qingyu blinked and nodded in agreement.

Gathering Cloud Mountains.

Several years ago, the Scarlet Rainbow Sect, the Demon-Slaying Fort, and the Golden Billows Sect were successively destroyed and declined, leaving the Sunset Glow Sect as the only dominant force.

It was originally coveted by foreign enemies.

Unexpectedly, first, Sunset Glow Sect, a Lu Qingfeng elder of the Luoxia Sect, who was known as the "Dual Mastery of Alchemy and Artifice" in the Gathering Cloud Mountains, joined the Mystic Origin Sect and became a True Disciple. Later, Zhou Yuan, the sect leader of the Sunset Glow Sect, returned, accompanied by three Spirit Void Cultivators, who have been guarding the Sunset Glow Sect ever since.

Then.

With the Sunset Glow Sect secure, no external enemy dared to invade.

In just three or four years, the Sunset Glow Sect stabilized most of the Gathering Cloud Mountains and brought the mortal cities controlled by the Scarlet Rainbow Sect and other three sects under its control, resulting in a surge in its strength.

It is showing signs of rising to prominence.

This day.

Four Yellow-Robed Monster cultivators walked through the Gathering Cloud Mountains, each looking disheveled, yet their faces showed joy.

"We really made a fortune this time."

"Exactly! Who would have thought that two True Qi Realm Demon Dao cultivators would actually have five Spirit Stones on them!"

"I don't know where this Demon Dao cultivator came from. He's only at the True Qi Realm, but he has quite a few tricks up his sleeve. That white-faced guy's Doghead Nail was really vicious and hard to defend against. If it weren't for Junior Brother Lu helping to block it, I would have been done for!"

The three of them were talking casually.

The last person smiled and said, "Senior Brother Feng is the most promising Foundation Establishment candidate among the four of us in the next year or two. I'm counting on Senior Brother to advance to Foundation Establishment, so I'll naturally do my best to help him."

Upon hearing this, the three exchanged a glance and burst into laughter.

Zhang Ye looked at Feng Bai and nodded repeatedly, saying, "Junior Brother Lu is right. Senior Brother Feng could have tried to break through to the Foundation Establishment long ago, but he was just trying to play it safe. He has accumulated quite a bit of wealth over the years. If he asks Elder Guqin for a few Blazing Sun Pill, his breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment stage will be a sure thing. We will all have to rely on his help in the future."

Feng Bai listened, feeling both joy and unease. He sighed, "Foundation Establishment is extremely difficult. Countless seniors, both inside and outside the sect, are stuck at this hurdle. I've been wandering in the Ninth Heaven for six years, and I wouldn't dare say I'm 100% certain."

"If even Senior Brother Feng has no confidence, then aren't we all hopeless?"

Qian Yunhai's thieving appearance and rat-like eyes immediately dispelled Feng Bai's anxiety when he opened his mouth.

Lu Qingshan stood to the side, watching his three friends, Feng Bai, Zhang Ye, and Qian Yunhai, discuss Foundation Establishment.

A hint of worry lingered between his brows.

Emerging from the Weeping Marsh and settling in the Sunset Glow Sect, nine years have passed in the blink of an eye. Six years ago, during the first minor competition at the Sunset Glow Sect, Lu Qingshan had recently advanced to the Third Layer True Qi Realm.

More than six years have passed.

Lu Qingshan became more mature and steady, with a resolute face. His journey of slaying demons and monsters and venturing across the north and south forged a temperament completely different from that of someone who followed his elder brother.

Carrying a long sword on his back, he walks with the stride of a dragon and the gait of a tiger, having completely integrated into the world of cultivation. He exudes a youthful vigor while also bearing a hint of vicissitude.

While honing their skills in the outside world, they also diligently cultivated themselves.

Unfortunately, his Root Bone is limited, and he only just advanced to the Sixth Layer True Qi Realm a few days ago. To reach the True Qi Realm Peak and then attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment, it will take at least another ten years.

Taking things one step at a time, Lu Qingshan didn't envy Feng Bai and the others.

He kept his head down, pondering the rumors he had heard recently—

"The Gathering Cloud Mountains are located on the edge of the Mystic Origin Realm. In the past two months, the frequency of Demon Dao cultivators appearing has been much higher than before. It seems that the rumors are true. The two Supreme Elders of the Mystic Origin Sect were severely injured by the Northern Demonic Sect. With a great battle imminent, these Demon Dao and monsters have become rampant."

"I wonder how my elder brother and Qingyu are doing."

The White Bone Demon Sect deliberately spread the news that two of the Mystic Origin Sect's Grand Elders were seriously injured, and the news spread to every corner of the Mystic Origin Realm, even reaching the Gathering Cloud Mountains. Lu Qingshan, who was traveling outside, was well-informed. He also personally sensed the recent frequent appearances of demons and monsters, which seemed poised for a storm.

He couldn't help but worry about his elder brother and younger sister who were far away in the Mystic Origin Sect.

While pondering.

We have reached Brocade Cloud Peak ahead.

"Brocade Cloud Peak seems unusually lively today."

Qian Yunhai looked at the bustling Brocade Cloud Peak and exclaimed in surprise.

Lu Qingshan looked up and saw that Brocade Cloud Peak was indeed more lively than usual, with each disciple's face showing excitement and anticipation.

Zhang Ye was standing nearby, about to pull one of his disciples over to ask, when suddenly, a loud shout came from one of the mountain gates—

"Elder Deng Zhuo of the Ice Jade Sect has come to pay a visit to Master Lu."

"Elder Yu Sheng of the Canghai Palace has come to pay a special visit to Master Lu."

"Elder Liu Qing of the Flying Flower Pavilion has come to pay a special visit to Master Lu."

Three people stood respectfully outside the mountain gate in succession, presenting their visiting cards.

"Ice Jade Sect".

"Canghai Palace".

"Flying Flower Pavilion".

These are all prominent sects outside the Gathering Cloud Mountains, whose strength surpasses that of the Sunset Glow Sect. Deng Zhuo of the Ice Jade Sect, Yu Sheng of the Canghai Palace, and Liu Qing of the Flying Flower Pavilion are also renowned Spirit Void Cultivator, whose reputations are no less than that of their sect leader, Zhou Yuan.

They actually came to pay homage to the mountain together?

"Master Lu!"

Feng Bai, Zhang Ye, and Qian Yunhai exchanged glances and then turned to look at Lu Qingshan.

"Big brother is back."

Lu Qingshan looked up at the mountaintop, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Peak Rain Mountain.

"Big brother, why are you back?"

Upon their long-awaited reunion, Lu Qingshan could not hide his joy, but asked a question.

"Of course there's something on my mind, otherwise why would I have come back just to see you?" Lu Qingyu glanced at her second brother and said crisply.

"Hey-hey."

Lu Qingshan smiled sheepishly, not caring at all.

"You haven't even been to the Profound Origin Water Realm for over three years, and you still have the nerve to laugh."

Lu Qingyu was furious.

Upon hearing this, Lu Qingshan hurriedly took out a jade box from his Storage Bag and handed it to Lu Qingyu, saying, "This is Ice Epiphyllum, which blooms every night at midnight. It's extremely beautiful."

"Showy but impractical."

As Lu Qingyu spoke, she reached out and took the jade box, unable to resist opening it to look inside.

Inside, the Ice Epiphyllum buds were about to bloom, resembling ice crystals, and a faint fragrance could be smelled. Even before they bloomed, they already surpassed countless ordinary flowers.

"Nice."

Lu Qingfeng glanced at it and nodded in approval.

Lu Qingshan stared at Qingyu, and seeing the joy in her eyes, he smiled and said, "At midnight, the Ice Epiphyllum blooms, and it is even more beautiful when viewed against the night sky, just like an ice beauty."

"Cannot be eaten or used."

Lu Qingyu closed the jade box and carefully placed it into her Storage Bag. Then she took out two jade pots from the Storage Bag and handed them to Lu Qingshan, saying with a smirk, "This is Pure Essence, the top-grade wine of the Feather Immortal Pavilion. Gathering Cloud Mountains is too remote, you probably haven't tasted it before."

"Pure Essence?"

Lu Qingshan took it and took a swig.

"It tastes good."

"It tastes good."

Lu Qingshan's eyes lit up.

The Pure Essence is indeed a rare and exquisite wine, with a rich and delicious aroma, and its price is quite high.

For someone like Lu Qingshan to gulp down a whole bottle in one go costs 730 Spirit Stone, which is extremely extravagant. Even according to the prices in the Mystic Origin Realm, a bottle of Pure Essence is worth one and a half Spirit Stone, which is equally extravagant for a True Qi Realm cultivator.

However, this was the first big bargain Qingyu had ever found, and she was happy to share it with her second brother without feeling any remorse.

Only after Lu Qingshan finished drinking did he pretend nothing had happened and casually recount the true value of the Pure Essence and how he had "brilliantly" snagged the bargain.

"Belch!"

"This—it's so expensive?!"

Lu Qingshan let out a hiccup, his eyes wide open. Lu Qingyu, seeing this, became even more smug.

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