Return to Golden Cloud

"Brother Lu, you finally came!"

Li Ergou, dressed in a bright red robe, came out to greet him, spreading his arms as though he wanted a warm embrace.

Lan Chang'an looked somewhat disgusted and merely patted him on the shoulder.

Compared to several years ago, Li Ergou's face had grown rounder, his belly slightly swollen, and his skin was no longer as dark as before.

Though he was clearly not yet thirty, at a glance he looked like a prosperous country squire.

"Changqing, this is my wedding gift."

Lan Chang'an took out two Talismans, both high-quality Wind Speed Talismans that Li Ergou had begged him for several years ago.

Nowadays, the Mu Family cultivators all addressed Li Ergou as "Changqing" or "Li Changqing."

"Haha! Big Brother, just eat and drink as you please when you come. Why bring gifts?"

Li Ergou's eyes lit up. He swiftly accepted the Talismans and led Lan Chang'an to the main table inside.

Immortals and mortals were worlds apart. None of Li Ergou's relatives had come, and he regarded Lan Chang'an as his own elder brother.

Though Li Ergou had reached the Qi Refining Fifth Layer ahead of him, his respect for Lan Chang'an remained unchanged, and he was as close to him as he had been ten years ago.

"You should go attend to things first, groom."

Lan Chang'an waved his hand.

Over the past dozen years, Li Ergou had completely integrated into the Mu Family and fathered descendants with spiritual roots for them.

He had also risked his life for the Mu Family on the battlefield and even broken a leg.

In the eyes of the Mu Family clansmen, he was a trustworthy and worthy son-in-law, practically one of their own.

Quite a few people came bearing gifts. Aside from the bride's relatives, some were clansmen familiar with Li Ergou.

"Have you heard about Mu Yinglan? She used to be one of the flowers of our Mu Family. She returned to visit her family a few days ago, and what a grand display it was! A Qi Refining Late-Stage cultivator personally escorted her."

"Tsk, tsk. Mu Yinglan married into the Beast Taming Zhou Family. With a great tree to lean against, she could enjoy the shade. She truly made the right move."

The conversation at the neighboring table caught Lan Chang'an's attention.

Mu Yinglan was the Mu Family girl with spiritual roots whom they had once wanted to match with Lan Chang'an. It had failed, and she had even developed a grudge over it.

Lan Chang'an had heard something of Mu Yinglan's marriage.

Three years ago, after the conflict between the two clans.

The relationship between the Jade Moon Lake Mu Family and the Beast Taming Zhou Family had gradually grown closer, replacing the Zheng Family's former position.

Faced with the rising Huang Family, the Zhou Family had grown wary.

The Maple Leaf Huang Family had three Foundation Establishment cultivators in one generation and stood united. If they continued developing, they might threaten the Zhou Family's standing in the future.

By contrast, the Mu Family was the weakest, and its territory now bordered that of the Huang Family.

The Beast Taming Zhou Family did not want the Huang Family to annex the Mu Family and grow even stronger, so they began considering supporting the Mu Family.

That was the backdrop behind Mu Yinglan's marriage into the Zhou Family.

In truth, Eldest Miss Mu Xiuyun had been the ideal marriage candidate.

However, after the Medicine Garden Mole Incident, Mu Xiuyun had advanced to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer and publicly declared that she would not marry.

Mu Xiuyun's cultivation was formidable, and she was also an experienced first-rank Talisman Master. The Mu Family higher-ups did not want such outstanding talent to leave, so they supported her decision.

If she did not marry out, she could still take in a husband later.

It was said that Mu Yinglan had voluntarily taken Mu Xiuyun's place and married the second son of one branch of the Zhou Family.

And she was his principal wife.

For Mu Yinglan, it was quite a climb up the ladder!

"That girl really knows how to hold a grudge."

Thinking of something, Lan Chang'an could not help but smile.

A few days earlier, when Mu Yinglan had returned home to visit family, she had deliberately circled back and forth near Lan Chang'an's courtyard.

To be fair, she truly carried herself with the bearing of a noble lady from a great clan.

Lan Chang'an understood Mu Yinglan's competitiveness and desire to climb higher. Seeing her live a better life, he was happy for her.

That night, Li Ergou married the pair of flower-like sisters, Mu Caiwei and Mu Cailin, into his household.

Overjoyed, he held one in each arm.

That sight left several of the former Immortal Seedlings feeling bitter, and even some of the Mu Family's younger members envied him greatly.

Li Ergou had achieved what he had today entirely through having children.

He had been the first to marry and have children, receiving generous additional rewards.

He had been the first to have descendants with spiritual roots, obtaining a Qi Refining Mid-Stage Breakthrough Pill.

After that, he had fathered several more sons and daughters.

His fertility was clearly far greater than that of cultivators at the same level.

He had also risked his life for the Mu Family.

For such a worthy son-in-law who had completely integrated into the family and could produce children so well, the Mu Family naturally wished to cultivate him and add a few more "burdens" onto his shoulders.

An ordinary man would have long since sunk into the mortal dust of beauty.

Yet Li Ergou could pull himself free, never once slackening in his cultivation.

Lan Chang'an found that rather unexpected.

In truth, Li Ergou had managed it because he had been influenced by Lan Chang'an, the bitter cultivator in the neighboring courtyard.

Even when changing his name, Li Ergou had taken Lan Chang'an as his model.

Three days after taking concubines.

Li Ergou came to find Lan Chang'an on his own initiative and took out a letter.

"Zhao Siyao asked us to gather at Golden Cloud Valley within half a year."

"Yes, I received a letter as well."

Lan Chang'an nodded.

Since there was no urgency, Li Ergou had not mentioned it during the previous days of his concubine-taking celebration.

"Brother Lu, what do you think? Should we lend Zhao Siyao some support?"

Li Ergou followed his advice.

Over the past year, Zhao Siyao had subtly revealed to them the difficulties she faced in competing for the position of Core Disciple.

This time, she had invited them to Golden Cloud Valley. Her meaning was obvious without words.

Lan Chang'an said, "We can help, but we must act according to our means."

"How much does Big Brother plan to contribute?"

"One hundred Spirit Stones."

Lan Chang'an raised one finger.

"Sigh, I can only spare fifty Spirit Stones at most. My Er Shun has begun cultivation now, and that requires Spirit Stones..."

Li Ergou said helplessly.

"That is already quite a lot." Lan Chang'an smiled.

Li Ergou had a family, after all, and his expenses were greater.

"Big Brother still has it easy! Talisman Masters can earn money, and you do not have so many burdens."

After discussing it, the two made their decision.

The next day, they rode Spirit Colts and departed from the Mu Family residence.

"Twelve years."

Lan Chang'an looked back at the shimmering, magnificent Jade Moon Lake, and he found himself feeling a faint attachment to the place.

The last time he had gone out had been nine years ago.

Not leaving Jade Moon Lake for nearly ten years was extremely rare even for true members of the Mu Family.

He had been cooped up within the clan for so long.

This time, Lan Chang'an naturally had some needs to address.

First, the Spoils of War in his Storage Bag had made him rich beyond measure, and he needed to find a place to fence them.

They mainly came from killing Ge Alchemist.

The precious medicinal herbs sealed inside those Jade Boxes alone were worth more than a thousand Spirit Stones.

Second, the Cloud Sand Body Refining Art he had cultivated these past two years required first-rank Spiritual Sand Stones. By absorbing the essence of the minerals, it tempered his body from without and within.

There were not many first-rank sandstones available for purchase within the family, and their quality was mediocre.

While going out to fence the stolen goods, Lan Chang'an intended to buy a large batch of high-quality Spiritual Sand, preferably enough to store for more than a decade.

Body Refinement Techniques were cultivation methods that consumed both time and wealth.

Most cultivators simply did not possess that kind of wealth; or if they did, they lacked the energy to cultivate it alongside their main path.

Though Body Refinement Techniques could greatly strengthen the physique, cultivators generally relied on long-range methods. Magical treasures and divine abilities were the true royal road.

Aside from stronger survivability and close-range combat ability, Body Refinement Techniques had no especially outstanding advantages.

Thus, few cultivators practiced body refinement.

Yet Lan Chang'an had a long lifespan, abundant free time every day, and sufficient wealth at present. He possessed the conditions to cultivate a Body Refinement Technique alongside his primary path.

One month later.

The two rode Spirit Steed Horses to Hengshui Prefecture.

They first went to the Royal Marquis Estate to meet up with Lin Yi.

Lin Yi had also received Zhao Siyao's invitation.

"Haha! I've been waiting for you two for ages! Come, taste my Yunfeng Tribute Tea."

Lin Yi smiled heartily and personally poured the tea.

Lin Yi wore a loose robe and kept a beard at the corners of his lips. His temperament was steady, yet he had lost none of his affability.

Lan Chang'an had nearly forgotten the arrogant Young Marquis of old, clad in brocade and fine robes.

Two years ago, Lan Chang'an had dealt with Lin Yi.

Lin Yi had established the Hidden Immortal Pavilion and once visited the Mu Family residence, where he had bought a batch of Talismans from Lan Chang'an.

Now, the Hidden Immortal Pavilion had basically entered a stable course.

Lin Yi had advanced to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer, recruited several Rogue Cultivators, and gathered a group of secular martial arts experts.

The following day.

The three rode Spirit Colts toward Golden Cloud Valley.

For Qi Refining Realm cultivators, using these semi-spirit-beast Spirit Colts for travel saved effort and was convenient.

For long-distance travel, they were superior to flying on artifacts.

One month later.

Lan Chang'an and the other two arrived at Golden Cloud Valley.

Golden Cloud Valley lay at the heart of towering mountains. Under the blazing sunlight, those mountain ranges rich in metallic minerals reflected faint golden radiance onto the clouds, outlining a solemn immortal sanctuary where "mountains and clouds met in a line of gold."

The three arrived beneath the mountain gate.

They looked up at the lofty immortal cultivation sect above them.

Lin Yi and Li Ergou felt complicated emotions—reverence, longing, and unwillingness.

This place had once been the land of their failure.

Lan Chang'an remained calm as still water, neither humble nor overbearing, as he approached the mountain gate.

He took out a token and asked the gatekeeping disciple to report their arrival.

About half an hour later.

Zhao Siyao, dressed in a moon-white gown, flew over atop a Cloud Kerchief and descended gracefully before them.

With a Phoenix Hairpin in her hair and immortal robes floating around her, she was breathtakingly beautiful and possessed a naturally aloof, immortal air.

Lan Chang'an and the other two froze for a moment.

Nine years apart had made Zhao Siyao so beautiful it was suffocating. She seemed like a fairy from a painting, untouched by the smoke and fire of the mortal world.

"Three Daoist friends, it has been a long time. Have you been well?"

Zhao Siyao's beautiful, intelligent eyes were clear and cool as spring water. As they swept over Lan Chang'an and the other two, a trace of surprise appeared in them.

Li Ergou and Lin Yi had changed greatly.

Yet Lan Chang'an's appearance had scarcely changed at all. He was still that eighteen-year-old youth.

Handsome and detached from the mundane world, tranquil as water.

"Daoist Zhao, are all the female disciples in your sect as beautiful as celestial maidens like you?"

Li Ergou came back to his senses and grinned. He was no longer as shy as before, when even a glance from the young Zhao Siyao would make him blush.

"If Daoist Li is interested, I can introduce you to two someday."

Zhao Siyao smiled softly, her laughter crisp as bells.

The four chatted as they walked.

It was as though they had returned to their youthful days, when they had entered Golden Cloud Valley from here to undergo the immortal sect's examination.

Zhao Siyao led the way ahead, entering Guest Peak within Golden Cloud Valley and taking seats in a pavilion.

"Please, the three of you, have a seat."

Zhao Siyao sat calmly at the seat of honor. She lightly gathered her sleeve, revealing hands soft and fair as jade, then used spiritual power to draw over teacups and plates of spiritual fruit, which landed one after another on the small tables before them.