Reunion with Qingxuan

The two sat down inside, Guan Qiaozhi deftly served them tea and water.

"Talismans Master Lu lives a secluded life in the city, raising turtles and growing grass; his days are quite leisurely."

Mu Maode took off his bamboo hat, glanced at the beautiful and delicate Guan Qiaozhi, and felt inexplicably depressed and melancholy.

"Senior Mu, you flatter me. I am but a Rogue Cultivator with only some clumsy skills, unworthy of the title of recluse."

Lan Chang'an said humbly.

The two drank the spiritual tea and chatted for a while.

Many years ago, Mu Maode stepped down from his position in the Lineage, handing over the position of family head to a young and vigorous Qi Refining Ninth Layer.

"If Senior Mu has any instructions, you can send someone to deliver them; there's no need for you to come in person."

Lan Chang'an guessed that Mu Maode's visit must have something to do with him.

"Talismans Master Lu, my Mu Family has a favor to ask of you."

Mu Maode composed himself, speaking solemnly and adopting a humble demeanor.

"Beg me?"

Lan Chang'an asked himself honestly, what could he, a seemingly weakling at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, possibly do to help the Mu Family?

The Mu Family needs a favor from you.

Upon hearing this, Lan Chang'an guessed Mu Maode's purpose in coming.

In recent years, friction has gradually arisen Maple Leaf Huang Family and the Mu Family, resulting in casualties among the younger generation.

Overtly and covertly, the Huang Family has been suppressing the Mu Family's businesses, framing them, stirring up trouble, and escalating the conflict.

The Mu Family tried their best to be tolerant.

However, the Huang Family's goal was to annex the Mu Family, and there was no way to avoid it.

Sooner or later, war will break out between the two tribes.

In the surrounding area, the only powerful cultivation force that had ever supported the Mu Family was the Beast Taming Zhou Family.

Zhou Qingxuan, the beast-taming genius of the Zhou Family, owes Lan Chang'an a favor.

Over the years, Zhou Qingxuan has become Foundation Establishment cultivator and has secured a place in the Beast Taming Zhou Family.

"Senior Mu, Zhou Qingxuan did indeed owe me a favor in her youth. But so many years have passed, and Zhou Qingxuan has become Foundation Establishment senior; she may not acknowledge the childish words she spoke in her youth."

"It's probably unrealistic to expect me to form alliances and persuade Zhou Qingxuan."

Lan Chang'an spoke methodically.

It's perfectly reasonable to use a favor to help the Jade Moon Lake Mu Family.

However, he was unwilling to directly intervene in the conflict between the two tribes and get caught in the vortex.

Mu Maode smiled wryly, "I am well aware that a small favor from years ago could hardly influence the decisions of the Zhou Family's higher-ups. Now, with the conflict between the Beast Taming Zhou Family and the Ten Thousand Swords Zhuo Family escalating, they have no spare capacity to attend to us."

"This time, I'm not contacting you to persuade the Zhou Family to offer protection."

He softened his tone and explained the reason:

"We'd like to privately purchase a Second-Order Spirit Beast from the Zhou Family. We don't need Second-Order Spirit Beast in its prime; an old or weak Second-Order Spirit Beast with a short lifespan is acceptable."

After listening, Lan Chang'an pondered for a moment and said, "If it's just a private connection, it's worth a try. But I can't guarantee success, and I won't participate in the actual transaction."

"Talismans Master Lu only needs to contact Zhou Qingxuan privately to facilitate this deal. Whether it succeeds or not, it's a token of the Mu Family's goodwill."

Mu Maode forced a smile across his age-spotted face and handed over a bag containing Spirit Stone.

Looking at the nearly 100-year-old man.

Lan Chang'an came from Lineage in his Previous Life and understood the hardships and difficulties involved.

Cultivation Lineage are bound together by blood ties and kinship.

When you are born in the clan, you receive cultivation from childhood, learn immortality and arts, marry wives and concubines, and your descendants flourish on this land, devoting your life's blood to this place.

This is a cultivator from a Lineage!

They are inextricably linked to their Lineage, bound together for life.

"I was once a member of the Mu Family; I'm just putting in a good word for them. This bag of Spirit Stone is really unnecessary."

Lan Chang'an declined repeatedly, refusing to accept the Spirit Stone.

Mu Maode was greatly relieved. Although Lan Chang'an had left the Mu Family, he had not misjudged him back then.

At least he's not a heartless and ungrateful person.

"A large-scale auction is being held in Yellow Dragon Immortal City recently. Zhou Qingxuan, representing the Beast Taming Zhou Family, is preparing to sell a batch of spirit beasts and their cubs."

"She is currently at the Zhou Family's residence in the inner city. You should go and contact her privately. If I were to go there myself, I fear it would arouse the Huang Family's suspicion."

Mu Maode explained the situation.

He had been relegated to a secondary role in the Mu Family for many years, and with his lifespan nearing its end and his body failing, he was not highly regarded by the Huang Family.

If they appeared at the Zhou Family's residence, that would be a different story.

"Senior Mu, please be careful."

The two discussed some details, then Mu Maode put on his bamboo hat and got up to leave Water Moon Residence.

Lan Chang'an did not rush into action.

He bathed and burned incense inside the house, using medicinal liquid to remove the scent of his Spirit Pet from his body.

Zhou Qingxuan possessed an extraordinary talent for beast taming, something Lan Chang'an had witnessed firsthand when she was still a young girl.

Logically, this woman could at most determine what kind of spirit beast she was raising by smell, but it would be difficult to ascertain the actual cultivation level of the Mystic Water Turtle.

However, we must still be cautious.

The secrets and risks of the Cultivation World are relative.

If Lan Chang'an were Foundation Establishment cultivator, the Mystic Water Turtle's somewhat unusual growth wouldn't be a major problem.

The Beast Taming Zhou Family, possesses many secret techniques for raising spirit beasts, so why would they fear being coveted?

If one is Nascent Soul True Lord, there is no need to worry about the secret of the Evergreen Art being exposed.

Two days later.

Lan Chang'an left the Mystic Water Turtle in the separate courtyard, entrusting it to Guan Qiaozhi for care.

He entered the bustling inner city alone.

He used his Divine Sense to scan the surroundings and confirmed that no one was following him.

Lan Chang'an disguised himself at the inn, using Body Refinement Art to adjust his muscles and bones, transforming himself into a young man in brocade robes.

He then regulated his breathing through the Evergreen Art.

An experienced person might be able to see through a disguise, but not the true appearance.

Half an hour later, Lan Chang'an arrived at the Zhou Family's residence.

A cultivator at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer cannot be ignored by the guards at the Zhou Family's residence.

"My surname is Lu. I am an old acquaintance of Elder Zhou Qingxuan of the noble family. Please help me convey this message; this is a token."

Lan Chang'an took out an envelope, along with five Spirit Stone, and handed it to the gatekeeper.

Inside the envelope was a High-Grade Talisman called "Frostfall".

After waiting for a while...

"Is it Young Master Lu? My master summons you in."

A maid from the Zhou Family came out and led Lan Chang'an into the residence.

The Zhou Family's residence was a large mansion, capable of housing over a hundred people.

Before long, we arrived at a quiet little courtyard.

The maid invited Lan Chang'an into the room.

This is a Quiet Chamber, filled with the gentle fragrance of sandalwood, accompanied by the delicate scent of a woman, like a lotus in bloom.

A beautiful young woman in a yellow dress sat Meditation Cushion on the futon at the head of the table.

More than twenty years have passed since we last met, Zhou Qingxuan still looks as youthful as ever, with a more beautiful appearance and temperament than before. She has lost some of her playfulness and cunning, and appears more dignified and radiant.

"Junior Lan Chang'an greets Senior Zhou."

After entering the room, Lan Chang'an bowed respectfully, removing his disguise beforehand, as it would be disrespectful otherwise.

"Lan Chang'an? I remember you, you Turtle Talisman Master."

Zhou Qingxuan chuckled lightly, revealing a mischievous expression, breaking her dignified demeanor.

Lan Chang'an felt a strange thought: This woman's expression hadn't changed much; she probably had almost forgotten her own name and was relying on the "Turtle Talisman Master" connection to help her remember.

"I am deeply honored that Senior Zhou still remembers me!"

"Speak, what do you want from me?"

Ignoring Lan Chang'an's flattery, Zhou Qingxuan spoke in a flat tone, showing no intention of reminiscing.

Lan Chang'an was not surprised at all.

If he were Foundation Establishment elder, he wouldn't be interested in exchanging pleasantries with Qi Refining junior.

"Reporting to Senior Zhou, the Jade Moon Lake Mu Family wishes to privately purchase a Second-Order Spirit Beast from a noble family. They are willing to accept an old or weak Second-Order Spirit Beast with a short lifespan."

When dealing with cultivators of high status, one should get straight to the point and be concise.

"Second-Order Spirit Beast?"

Zhou Qingxuan sneered, "Each Second-Order Spirit Beast represents the Zhou Family's foundation. Besides, our clan is currently locked in a standoff with the Ten Thousand Swords Zhuo Family and desperately needs combat power."

"Lan Chang'an, how dare you even ask such a question?"