For this harvest, Lu Yuan was not too excited, but of course, he was not disappointed either. Everything had been within his expectations.
"Store all the resources in the Treasury. As usual, aside from the monthly stipend, if the clan members want additional resources, they must exchange Merit for them."
"As for the other matters, make the arrangements yourself."
By now, Lu Changming had clearly become the chief steward of this new Lu Clan. Judging by his appearance, Lu Changming was enjoying it.
"Understood. I'll go make the arrangements now."
Lu Changming nodded and was about to leave when he suddenly thought of something and asked, "Brother Yuan, there are still fifty or sixty thousand youths in the clan. Should we hire some teachers for them?"
"Make the decision yourself. Changming, you're not young anymore. You should have your own judgment, and you should also shoulder the responsibilities you ought to bear. From now on, unless it's something major, you don't need to come to me." Lu Yuan spoke earnestly.
"Understood." Lu Changming did not refuse. They had all hovered on the brink of life and death countless times, so naturally, he would not act like a woman and fuss over every little thing.
Lu Yuan let out a breath and fell into thought.
By now, the Lu Clan had established itself in Qingling City, but the dangers lurking in the shadows still could not be underestimated.
The Lu Clan had many enemies: the Dark Immortal Hall, the Immortal Gu Family, the Feathered Immortal Dynasty, and the Blissful Heavenly Palace were all among them.
There would be even more enemies in the future.
Lu Yuan had to grow stronger himself, but he also had to make the clan members stronger.
"The road ahead is long and arduous."
Lu Yuan sighed softly.
At that moment, inside Qingling Star Travel.
Qing Wuji stood respectfully before Qingling Star Travel Director Qing Chuan.
"This kid certainly acts decisively. I truly hope the Lu Clan never returns. If that happens, Lu Yuan's blade can be used by us."
Qing Chuan sighed.
Confusion flashed through Qing Wuji's eyes. "Master, will the Lu Clan really return?"
Qing Chuan smiled. "Otherwise, what do you think? Five months ago, the Dark Immortal Hall sent one Emperor Venerable and five Dominators, joined by more than twelve Dominators from the other powers, to launch a thunderous attack on the unprepared Lu Clan. Yet in the end, only a few direct descendants and several hundred insignificant collateral clan members of the Lu Clan died or were injured."
"Especially at the final moment, Lu Ancestor actually erupted with Emperor Venerable-level strength. Then, without the slightest hesitation, he chose self-exile and preserved most of the Lu Clan's strength."
"With Lu Changkong, an Emperor Venerable, in the Lu Clan, they will have the power to protect themselves no matter which world they are exiled to. At the earliest, they will return in a thousand years; at the latest, ten thousand years. When that time comes, if Lu Yuan has not fallen, he will probably have become a top powerhouse who cannot be underestimated."
"Lu Ancestor was actually an Emperor Venerable." A trace of astonishment flashed through Qing Wuji's eyes.
"But Master, why did the Dark Immortal Hall attack the Lu Clan? And why did they even send an Emperor Venerable?"
Qing Wuji had countless questions in his heart. No matter how he thought about it, he could not figure out why the Dark Immortal Hall had targeted the Lu Clan.
"As for the reason, I don't know either. But it's no longer important. The Lu Clan and the Dark Immortal Hall are already mortal enemies locked in a fight to the death. Whether they know the reason or not is the least important thing to either clan." Qing Chuan spoke.
"But the Dark Immortal Hall has the Immortal Court, that colossal force, behind it. That is no secret. Would the Lu Clan dare to return?"
Curiosity flickered in Qing Wuji's eyes.
Qing Chuan gave Qing Wuji a half-smiling look and said, "The Dark Immortal Hall has a backer. Does the Lu Clan not have one?"
Time slipped silently through people's fingers.
In the blink of an eye, five days passed.
Inside Qingling Star Travel, dozens of vigorous young men, as radiant as the rising sun, had gathered in a spacious palace.
On the Dark Continent, there was no doubt that the five Supreme Powers were the strongest forces. Likewise, the strongest faction was undoubtedly the interest alliance centered around the five Supreme Powers.
These young men were the top prodigies among the various affiliated powers under Qingling Star Travel.
Every one of them was at least an Earth Saint, but Break Limit cultivators were still exceedingly rare among them.
Qing Wuji stood at the very front of the group. Whether in bearing or height, he towered above the rest. At that moment, his brows were slightly furrowed as he repeatedly looked toward the hall entrance, seemingly waiting for someone.
One of the prodigies noticed this and could not help asking, "Young Master Qing Wuji, whom are you waiting for?"
The others turned toward him as well, curious about who could make someone of Qing Wuji's status wait so expectantly.
Qing Wuji smiled. "I'm waiting for someone who can make you feel safe."
The moment he said this, everyone grew even more curious.
Just then.
A tall figure approached from outside the hall. Before he even arrived, a gentle voice reached everyone's ears.
"Sorry for the wait, everyone."
As the voice faded.
Everyone saw the newcomer.
In an instant, one of the prodigies widened his eyes and said incredulously, "He's... Lu, Lu Yuan!"
"What? It's Lu Yuan?!"
The crowd erupted. Along with their astonishment at the newcomer, a sense of security truly welled up in their hearts.
After all, Lu Yuan's reputation was simply too great.
Lu Yuan was absolutely an uncrossable mountain looming over the hearts of every prodigy on the Dark Continent.
Lu Yuan walked through the crowd and came to Qing Wuji's side. After nodding to Qing Wuji, he turned to face everyone and slowly said:
"Your sect elders have surely told you countless times what needs to be said and what you need to watch out for, so I won't repeat it. From now until we return from the Divine Martial Heavenly Ruins, everyone must obey my orders unconditionally, including Qing Wuji. If anyone dares to disobey me, as the leader, I have the right to kill them. If anyone is unwilling, you may leave the team immediately."
Everyone looked at one another, but no one withdrew.
Although they were all proud, they knew very well that Lu Yuan was not on the same level as them.
With Lu Yuan present, their safety would be greatly enhanced.
"Very good. It is my honor to explore with all of you. I hope that when we return, not a single one of us will be missing."
Lu Yuan revealed a gentle smile.
When a strong person showed kindness to the weak, the weak could easily develop a sense of closeness toward the strong.
To them, Lu Yuan was the strong one.
Thus, at that moment, everyone could not help but feel goodwill toward Lu Yuan.
If they encountered danger inside the Divine Martial Heavenly Ruins, Lu Yuan would definitely be the first person they sought for help.
Once the team had been organized.
Qing Wuji called out. He was the deputy leader.
Just then.
An old man in plain clothes appeared out of thin air inside the hall. He carried a sword on his back, while a huge red wine gourd hung from his waist.
In an instant, everyone, including Lu Yuan, felt suffocating pressure surge toward them.
The last time Lu Yuan had felt such pressure was before an ancestor of his own clan who was in the Master Realm.
Lu Yuan's heart tightened. The old man in plain clothes before him was definitely a terrifying powerhouse no weaker than a Dominator.
Dominators stood at the very pinnacle of the Dark Continent and even the Primordial Great Realm.
At its peak, the Lu Clan had only five ancestors in the Master Realm.
The standard for an Immortal Dao Lineage was possessing a powerhouse in the Master Realm.
In fact, the names of the one hundred and eight regions of the Dark Continent had been derived from the titles of one hundred and eight Master Realm powerhouses.
As he looked at the old man in plain clothes, Lu Yuan's eyes flickered.
A long sword on his back, a wine gourd at his waist.
"He's Sky-Pacifying Master, Sword Wine Old Ghost!"
The name of this Dominator surfaced in Lu Yuan's mind.
Qing Wuji quietly said from the side, "A Dominator and two Immortals will accompany us on this trip to the Divine Martial Heavenly Ruins. The two Immortals have already gone ahead to scout the way. In a moment, Senior Sword Wine will be sending us to the Divine Martial Heavenly Ruins."
Before you continue