Voluntary Surrender

Lan Chang'an was a beginner in Puppet.

That evening, Mu Renlong and Li Erqing secretly visited the lakeside courtyard with the Spirit Stone they had collected.

"Daoist Lu, these are the Spirit Stone for purchasing Foundation Establishment."

Mu Renlong handed over a Storage Bag.

Lan Chang'an opened the bag and took a look. Inside were twenty Middle-Grade Spirit Stone and three thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stone.

"This is Foundation Establishment, please take a look."

Lan Chang'an handed the White Jade Porcelain Bottle to Mu Renlong.

Mu Renlong confirmed it was correct, then bowed respectfully.

"Daoist Lu, the Jade Moon Lake Mu Family will remember what happened today!"

The transaction was successfully completed.

The Mu Family obtained the much-needed Foundation Establishment, Lan Chang'an quietly made a fortune.

Doing this big business deal alone in the Mu Family is theoretically risky.

Lan Chang'an dared to do this not only because of his understanding and trust in the Mu Family, but also because of his strength.

He was confident: even if the two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Mu Family joined forces, they would not be a match for him.

Mu Renlong should have some strength, while Li Erqing is considered a relatively weak Foundation Establishment Realm.

Not to mention the Mu Family, even the Huang Family, with four members at the Foundation Establishment, Lan Chang'an wasn't particularly afraid of them; protecting himself wouldn't be a problem.

"Daoist Lu, we will discuss and devise a plan regarding the ownership of this Foundation Establishment as soon as possible. We will inform you of the chosen recipient at that time."

Before leaving, Mu Renlong said solemnly.

Two days later.

Li Erqing flew back from Moon Heart Island and told Lan Chang'an who had obtained the Foundation Establishment Pill.

"Master, Mu Chengji."

Lan Chang'an wasn't surprised to learn of the chosen candidate.

Mu Chengji is similar in talent to Mu Xiuyun, but is ten years younger.

He was Mu Renlong's favored nephew, and had worked diligently and conscientiously in the Lineage for many years.

He had a higher success rate using the Foundation Establishment than Mu Xiuyun.

"Brother, actually, as Second-Order Talisman Master, the Eldest Miss has made tremendous contributions to the Lineage and has more seniority than Mu Chengji. She has every opportunity to win this Foundation Establishment."

Li Erqing said with a complicated expression.

"Alas, but the Eldest Miss voluntarily gave up the opportunity!"

"She gave up on her own?"

Lan Chang'an sighed softly and remained silent for a long time.

He understood Mu Xiuyun's choice.

Leaving aside numerous factors.

Mu Xiuyun is first and foremost a Lineage cultivator, prioritizing the interests and overall situation of her Lineage.

Personal feelings and needs come second.

For the sake of her Lineage's interests, she was prepared to marry into the Maple Leaf Huang Family if they had been sincere.

More than twenty years ago, I already knew that Lan Chang'an was going to leave.

Mu Xiuyun tried to persuade him to stay and marry into the family, but she never mentioned leaving the Lineage with Lan Chang'an. Instead, she became even more determined in her Daoist beliefs.

Compared to women who elope for love without considering the consequences, Mu Xiuyun is more rational and mature.

This is what Lan Chang'an appreciates about her, and there's no need to worry about any future entanglements.

Three days later.

A female visitor arrived at the lakeside courtyard.

As Foundation Establishment cultivator, Lan Chang'an was not allowed to be approached by ordinary cultivators of the Mu Family, even if it was just a temporary place he stayed.

"Senior Lu, I am Mu Bingyun, and I have come to pay my respects on behalf of my master."

A pretty young girl in a green dress stood in front of the courtyard gate, her voice as melodious as a nightingale's song.

The girl's skin was as white as snow, and her beauty was as pure as jade; her skirt fluttered in the wind, like a light cloud emerging from a mountain peak.

"Please come in."

The courtyard gate opened, and a gentle male voice came from inside.

Mu Bingyun moved gracefully into the courtyard and saw some scattered Puppet parts.

A gentle and handsome young man in a white robe sat before the stone table. He waved his hand, placing down the teapot and teacups, gesturing for her to sit down.

Mu Bingyun sat down awkwardly, her eyes clear and bright as she sized up this elder who appeared to be about the same age as herself.

You can call me Uncle Lu.

Lan Chang'an looked at the familiar-looking, aloof girl with a gentle expression.

Mu Bingyun bears a striking resemblance to the Eldest Miss from back then.

Mu Xiuyun has a more gentle and refined temperament, while Mu Bingyun is slightly more aloof.

"Senior Lu, my master asked me to pass on a message: she appreciates your kindness."

Mu Bingyun did not change her form of address, and Qingyan gave a polite, slight smile.

Lan Chang'an didn't care about the little girl's stubbornness or any prejudice.

Mu Xiuyun had her disciple reply, indicating that she was aware that Lan Chang'an had fought for her ownership of the Foundation Establishment Pill.

"My master asked me to give this Jade Cylinder to you."

Mu Bingyun then said, "Here's a Jade Cylinder."

Lan Chang'an took the Jade Cylinder, scanned it with his Divine Sense, and found a set of Second-Order Talisman Master's inheritance inside.

It includes Mu Xiuyun's lifelong insights into talisman art, and also summarizes the content of other Talisman Master lineages.

"Bingyun, please convey my gratitude to my master. This Jade Cylinder is very useful to me."

Lan Chang'an put away the Jade Cylinder and told a white lie.

"Um."

Mu Bingyun held the teacup in her delicate hands, but didn't drink a drop.

"By the way, when should I visit my master?"

Lan Chang'an said seemingly unintentionally.

"No... no need! My master said he doesn't want to be reminded of those things that might upset him."

Mu Bingyun panicked, as if she had stepped on a nail.

She feared that Lan Chang'an would disregard her objections and insist on seeing her master.

Lan Chang'an understood; Mu Xiuyun didn't want to face her younger self.

Her female disciple, whose appearance and temperament rivaled hers in her youth, visited Lan Chang'an as if Mu Xiuyun herself were present.

"Mu Bingyun, you're very beautiful! You must have many suitors."

Lan Chang'an praised.

"I am determined to become Foundation Establishment cultivator and I do not trust any man."

Mu Bingyun blushed slightly, feeling a little embarrassed by the praise from the rumored inspirational Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Suddenly.

She realized that Lan Chang'an's praise of her beauty wasn't just directed at her.

She represents her master.

To be precise, it represents one's mentor when they were young.

Looking at the handsome man before her, whose face had never aged.

Mu Bingyun felt a certain resonance, a strange sadness welled up in her heart, and her eyes reddened.

"Bingyun, I'll be here recently. If you have any questions about cultivation or talisman drawing, feel free to come and ask me."

Lan Chang'an confessed.

"Yes, Uncle Lu."

Mu Bingyun changed her form of address, spoke softly, bowed, and left.

Lan Chang'an stood with his hands behind his back in the courtyard, watching the graceful and elegant young woman's retreating figure.

As you wished, all that remains in my memory are your most beautiful voices and appearances.

Lan Chang'an felt relieved and gave up the idea of visiting Mu Xiuyun.

To live a long life, one must possess a detached mindset.

He can calmly face all sorts of passersby throughout the long years.

Like watching a series of movies, you can immerse yourself in them, yet also detach yourself from them.

He had no regrets towards the Mu Family, nor did he owe Mu Xiuyun anything.

He had changed Mu Xiuyun's fate twice, once at the Mu Family's Medicine Garden and once at Bamboo Leaf Mountain Market.

Lan Chang'an had deduced that Mu Xiuyun had failed to Foundation Establishment once, which affected her foundation; even if she took a Foundation Establishment to try again at the age of seventy, she would most likely fail and suffer a great loss of vital energy, affecting her lifespan.

Therefore, he entrusted the right to obtain the Foundation Establishment to Mu Xiuyun herself.

Mu Xiuyun made a rational choice that aligned with the overall interests of the Lineage, deciding to serve as Second-Order Talisman Master, contributing her talents and nurturing future generations within the clan.

The following two weeks.

Mu Bingyun came over two or three more times to ask Lan Chang'an for advice on cultivation and talisman techniques.

The little girl was very focused, observing Lan Chang'an's every word and action, as if she were a recorder.

She would occasionally stare at him, completely absorbed in his presence.

During this time, Lu Chang'an inquired about the surrounding spiritual veins and dojos from the Mu family's higher-ups.

As Lineage cultivators, the Mu Family pays attention to Spirit Vein Dao Field.

In recent years, the number of new generation cultivators in the Mu Family has increased dramatically, and the Spirit Vein of Jade Moon Lake are barely enough, so new Spirit Vein are needed.

Lan Chang'an obtained the Spirit Vein information collected by the Mu Family.

"In the Cultivation World of the Liang Kingdom, Spirit Vein Dao Field are a scarce resource. Only sects and powerful cultivation Aristocratic Clan have surplus Spirit Vein to rent or sell."

Lan Chang'an unfolded a map and began to draw on it with a pen.

"Fox Valley, Second-Order High-Grade Spirit Vein, belongs to the ' Blazing Fire Palace '."

Lan Chang'an drew a small circle on a Spirit Vein point in the northwest of the central part of the Liang Kingdom's cultivation map.

"This Spirit Vein Dao Field is neither too close nor too far from Yellow Dragon Immortal City, the Beast Taming Zhou Family, Golden Cloud Valley, and Blazing Fire Palace."

Lan Chang'an was quite tempted.

The location of Fox Valley suited his tastes.

A separate Spirit Vein Dao Field offers greater privacy than Yellow Dragon Immortal City.

Safety and convenience are also important.

Fox Valley is the Spirit Vein Dao Field of the Nascent Soul level power, Blazing Fire Palace. It is close to the heart of the Liang Kingdom and is safer than Spirit Vein Dao Field in the border areas of the Liang Kingdom.

It's not far from Yellow Dragon Immortal City, the Beast Taming Zhou Family, Golden Cloud Valley, making it convenient for Lan Chang'an to obtain cultivation resources and maintain his existing connections and collaborations.

"However, the Spirit Vein in Fox Valley is expensive to rent or sell, and the minimum lease term is twenty years."

Lan Chang'an shook his head; even with his current net worth, he couldn't afford it.

Second-Order High-Grade Spirit Vein is somewhat of a waste for someone in the Foundation Establishment Early Stage.

"No rush, there are many other options."

Owning one's own Spirit Vein Dao Field, planting spiritual herbs and fruits, raising spirit beasts, refining elixirs and drawing talismans—this is a dream that many cultivators can only dream of.

Another two weeks passed.

Lan Chang'an sensed the unusual movement of the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.

Above Moon Heart Island, the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi slowly gathered, about to form a small vortex of Spiritual Qi.

"The time is almost right."

Lan Chang'an knew that the current patriarch of the Mu Family was attempting to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, which would attract attention.

Back in the room.

He took out a Talisman and infused it with a drop of blood and Law Power energy.

The Talisman was activated, and a white-robed man sitting cross-legged appeared in the room.

Only upon closer inspection could one discover that the man in white was merely an illusion, his aura identical to that of Lan Chang'an.

"Illusion Truth Talisman, a second-tier illusion-type Talisman."

Lan Chang'an had informed Li Ergou beforehand that he would be in seclusion to meditate and did not want to be disturbed.

That night, Lan Chang'an sneaked out of the Mu Family's residence without anyone noticing.