"Lu Changsheng really was terrifying beyond measure."
From the Recording Stone, Li Xuan had also witnessed the grand sight of Lu Changsheng wiping out the entire Youmo Sect with a single strike, and his heart could not help but tremble in shock.
Judging by Lu Changsheng's strength, he was at least at high-level Mahayana. It seemed that even after breaking through to the Mahayana Stage, he would still have to bow and scrape before the Lu Family.
"By the way, has Ping'er already set off back to the capital with Lu Jiuyuan?"
Li Xuan turned to look at the hidden agent beside him.
"Your Majesty, the Princess and Young Master Lu are already on their way back to the capital. By the estimated time, they will need another three days."
A figure emerged from the void at the side and replied to Li Xuan with utmost respect.
Li Qingping had informed him when Lu Jiuyuan agreed to participate in the Hundred Nations Grand Competition, so it was not strange that he knew this news.
"However, Little Friend Lu is only in the Foundation Establishment Realm. If he goes to the Hundred Nations Grand Competition, I fear he will lose terribly. Better find an excuse to have Young Master Lu withdraw on his own."
Thinking of Lu Jiuyuan's cultivation, Li Xuan shook his head helplessly. Li Qingping had previously told him that Lu Jiuyuan could defeat someone at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage while at the Qi Refining Peak.
But this was the Hundred Nations Grand Competition. His opponents would not fight him at the same realm. Although he had now broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, he was still far from enough for the competition. Golden Core Stage cultivators were everywhere.
Yet Li Xuan would never have imagined that Lu Jiuyuan, who was about to reach the capital, would bring him a tiny taste of a transmigrator's shock.
At the same time, aboard the Thousand Mile Shuttle, Li Qingping felt somewhat bored and went out onto the deck to look outside.
"Xiao Qing, how much longer until we reach the capital?"
"Miss, we've only returned to Blackwind Ridge for now. It will still take about five days to return to the capital."
Xiao Qing, standing beside Li Qingping, hurriedly replied.
"Five days? Young Master Lu has been in seclusion for so long already. I wonder when he will finally emerge?"
Looking toward the cultivation chamber on the ship, Li Qingping sighed.
When they had first boarded the Thousand Mile Shuttle, Lu Jiuyuan had said he sensed an opportunity for a breakthrough. He had then entered the cultivation chamber and begun cultivating in seclusion. Five days had already passed, yet there was still no sign of movement.
Thousand Ghost King was also on the deck, taking in the scenery. A rare smile appeared on his face as he looked toward the distant ruins of the destroyed Youmo Sect.
He had already sensed that the trace of a servant's mark King Youmo had placed upon him had vanished. This meant he no longer had to endure King Youmo's restraints.
Long Aotian was also on the deck. He was currently coiled up asleep in the little nest Li Qingping had arranged for him, while a trace of Golden Core Stage cultivation radiated from his body.
Back at the Lu Family, Long Aotian had refined a portion of the Dragon Blood, and his cultivation had naturally broken through to the Golden Core Stage. After breaking through, he had been surprised to discover that the owner of that drop of Dragon Blood had possessed cultivation as high as the Tribulation Crossing Stage in life.
That also meant this drop of Dragon Blood was enough to allow Long Aotian to break through to at least the Nascent Soul Stage.
So although Long Aotian appeared to be sleeping, he was actually refining the Dragon Blood within his body, his cultivation slowly rising.
Rumble, rumble. From within the cultivation chamber, thunderous sounds continuously erupted from Lu Jiuyuan's body. This was caused by his Dao Foundation constantly solidifying.
At last, as the solidification of his Dao Foundation reached a new level, Lu Jiuyuan's cultivation finally stabilized at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.
"Breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage in barely over a month... I wonder whether this speed disgraces transmigrators."
Opening his eyes, Lu Jiuyuan's pupils seemed to contain another world. He clenched his fists, confirming his realm, then rose to his feet and pushed open the cultivation chamber door.
Creak.
"Young Master Lu, did you successfully break through to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage?"
Li Qingping looked at Lu Jiuyuan, unable to conceal the delight on her face after hearing the sound.
"Yes. Since we'll soon be participating in the Hundred Kingdoms Competition, it's necessary to be a little stronger."
Lu Jiuyuan spoke with a serious expression. Although he did not know what sort of people would participate in the Hundred Kingdoms Competition, greater cultivation was still greatly beneficial to him.
"Hey, Aotian, wake up."
Lu Jiuyuan then looked at Long Aotian, who was sleeping nearby, and casually flicked out a strand of spiritual energy to startle him awake.
The awakened Long Aotian wore a look of annoyance.
"Ow, what are you doing, Master?"
"Nothing. I was just making sure you were still alive. Alright, continue cultivating."
Lu Jiuyuan said this with a serious face. His expression nearly made Long Aotian believe him, but then he remembered that Lu Jiuyuan had signed a Heavenly Dao Contract with him. How could he possibly not know whether he was alive or dead?
But there was nothing he could do. After all, Lu Jiuyuan was his master, so he could only indulge him.
Watching Long Aotian sink back into sleep with an indignant expression, Li Qingping could not help covering her mouth and letting out a soft laugh.
"Jiuyuan, you're so bad. He was sleeping so soundly."
"Bad? I only wanted to tell him not to sleep for too long. It isn't good for his body."
Lu Jiuyuan spoke with some surprise, though his expression was rather amusing and made people unable to hold back their laughter.
"Alright, where are we? About how much longer do we have?"
Cultivation knew no passage of time. While in seclusion, Lu Jiuyuan had no idea how long he had cultivated.
"This is Blackwind Ridge, a world of demonic beasts. Humans rarely enter it, but the strongest demonic beasts are only at the Nascent Soul Realm, so there's no need to worry."
Li Qingping spoke with a proud expression. Her Thousand Mile Shuttle was a genuine top-grade Earth Grade flying treasure, personally gifted to her by Li Xuan on her eighteenth birthday.
It could withstand ferocious beasts at the Nascent Soul Stage. Naturally, those at the Nascent Soul Realm were nothing to fear.
"Mm."
Lu Jiuyuan nodded, but Thousand Ghost King at the side seemed to sense something and could not help shaking his head.
"It can withstand ferocious beasts at the Nascent Soul Stage, but what if it's one at the Void Refining Stage?"
"The Void Refining Stage? Then it definitely can't block it."
Li Qingping blurted it out without a second thought, but only after speaking did she realize what he meant. Her expression turned rather unsightly.
"Senior, do you mean a ferocious beast at the Void Refining Stage has approached?"
"Mm. I'll go deal with it."
Thousand Ghost King shook his head. His cultivation technique mainly involved absorbing an enemy's blood and vitality to rapidly increase his cultivation, but after Lu Jiuyuan subdued him, Lu Jiuyuan had forbidden him from doing so.
But now he would be absorbing the blood and vitality of a ferocious beast. Lu Jiuyuan should not say anything about that, right?
"Make it quick. Come back soon."
Lu Jiuyuan naturally understood Thousand Ghost King's thoughts, so he spoke lightly. He did not oppose Thousand Ghost King absorbing blood and vitality; it merely depended on whose blood and vitality Thousand Ghost King was absorbing.
"Yes, Young Master."
After speaking, Thousand Ghost King leaped from the deck and quickly vanished from Li Qingping and the others' sight.
Before you continue