Sky-Pacifying Master Sword Wine Old Ghost, Setting Off for Divine Martial Heavenly Void

For this gain, Lu Yuan was not overly excited, nor disappointed—it was simply within expectations.

"Deposit all resources into the Treasury. Same rules as before: aside from the monthly stipend, clan members who want extra resources must exchange Merit for them." "Handle the rest as you see fit."

By now, Lu Changming had essentially become the grand steward of this new Lu Family, and from the looks of it, he was thoroughly enjoying the role.

"Alright, I'll see to it right away."

Lu Changming nodded and was about to withdraw when a thought struck him. He asked, "Brother Yuan, there are still fifty to sixty thousand youths in the clan. Should we hire some teachers for them?"

"Make the call yourself, Changming. You're not young anymore—you should have your own judgment and shoulder your own responsibilities. From now on, unless it's a major matter, don't come to me." Lu Yuan spoke with earnest gravity.

"Understood." Lu Changming didn't argue. Both of them had brushed shoulders with death countless times; they wouldn't dither like women.

Lu Yuan let out a breath, lost in thought.

For now, the Lu Family had gained a foothold in Qingling City, but the dangers lurking in the shadows were still not to be underestimated.

The Lu Family had many enemies: the Dark Immortal Hall, the Immortal Gu Family, the Feathered Immortal Dynasty, and the Blissful Heavenly Palace—all of them.

In the future, even more foes would emerge.

Lu Yuan needed not only to grow strong himself but also to make his clan strong.

"The road is long and heavy."

Lu Yuan sighed softly.

At that moment, inside the Qingling Star Travel.

Qing Wuji stood respectfully before Qing Chuan, the Qingling Star Travel Director.

"That kid acts decisively. I truly hope the Lu Family never returns—if so, Lu Yuan could be a blade we wield."

Qing Chuan sighed.

A flicker of doubt passed through Qing Wuji's eyes. "Master, will the Lu Family come back?"

Qing Chuan smiled. "Otherwise, do you think that five months ago, in that battle, the Dark Immortal Hall sent out an Emperor Venerable and five Dominators, along with over twelve Dominators from other forces, to strike the unprepared Lu Family like thunder—and the final result was just a few core members dead and a few hundred inconsequential direct-line clansmen?"

"Especially at the critical moment, the Lu Ancestor erupted with Emperor Venerable-level power and then, without hesitation, chose self-exile, preserving the vast majority of the Lu Family's strength."

"With Lu Changkong as an Emperor Venerable, no matter which world they're exiled to, the Lu Family can protect themselves. In a short span of a thousand years, or a long one of ten thousand, they will surely return. By then, if Lu Yuan hasn't fallen, he'll likely be a top-tier powerhouse not to be underestimated."

"The Lu Ancestor was an Emperor Venerable." Surprise flashed in Qing Wuji's eyes.

"But Master, why did the Dark Immortal Hall attack the Lu Family, and even dispatch an Emperor Venerable?"

A thousand questions churned in Qing Wuji's mind. No matter how he thought about it, he couldn't fathom the Dark Immortal Hall's motive for targeting the Lu Family.

"As for the reason, I don't know either, and it no longer matters. The Lu Family and the Dark Immortal Hall are irreconcilable mortal enemies. Knowing the reason or not is the least important thing for both sides." Qing Chuan said.

"But the Dark Immortal Hall has the Immortal Court—a behemoth—behind it. That's no secret. Would the Lu Family dare to return?"

Curiosity gleamed in Qing Wuji's eyes.

Qing Chuan gave Qing Wuji a knowing, half-smiling look and said, "The Dark Immortal Hall has its backing. Does the Lu Family have none?"

Time slipped silently through people's fingers.

In the blink of an eye, five days had passed.

Inside a spacious hall of the Qingling Star Travel, several dozen spirited youths, radiant as the rising sun, had gathered.

On the Dark Continent, the most powerful forces were unquestionably the Five Supreme Powers, and the most formidable alliance was undoubtedly the interest group centered around them.

These youths were the top prodigies from the various vassal forces under the Qingling Star Travel.

Every single one of them was at least an Earth Saint, but those who had achieved Break Limit were still as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

Qing Wuji stood at the front of the crowd, towering above the rest in both bearing and stature. At that moment, his brow was slightly furrowed as he kept glancing toward the hall's entrance, as if waiting for someone.

A prodigy noticed this and couldn't help asking, "Young Master Wuji, who are you waiting for?"

The others turned to look, all curious about who could be worth Qing Wuji's eager anticipation.

Qing Wuji smiled. "I'm waiting for someone who can give you all a sense of security."

At those words, everyone grew even more curious.

Just then.

A tall figure strode in from outside the hall. Before he even arrived, a warm voice reached everyone's ears.

"Sorry to keep you all waiting."

As the voice fell.

Everyone saw the newcomer.

In an instant, a prodigy's eyes went wide, and he said in disbelief, "He's... Lu, Lu Yuan!"

"What? It's Lu Yuan?!"

The crowd erupted in clamor, surprise at the newcomer mingling with a genuine surge of security in their hearts.

After all, Lu Yuan's reputation was simply too immense.

Lu Yuan was undoubtedly an insurmountable mountain looming over the hearts of every prodigy in the Dark Continent.

Lu Yuan walked through the crowd, arriving at Qing Wuji's side. After exchanging a nod with Qing Wuji, he turned to face everyone and spoke slowly:

"Everything that needs to be said, everything that needs to be heeded—your sect elders have surely told you countless times, so I won't repeat it. From now until we return from the Divine Martial Heavenly Ruins, everyone must unconditionally obey my commands, including Qing Wuji. If anyone dares to defy my orders, as the team leader, I have the authority to kill. If anyone is unwilling, you may withdraw from the team right now."

Everyone exchanged glances, but no one stepped back.

Though each of them was proud, they all knew well that Lu Yuan was not on the same level as them.

With Lu Yuan present, their safety could be greatly enhanced.

"Good. I am honored to explore alongside you all. I hope that when we return, not a single one of us is missing."

Lu Yuan revealed a gentle smile.

When a strong man shows goodwill to the weak, the weak easily develop affinity for the strong.

To them, Lu Yuan was the strong.

So at that moment, everyone couldn't help but feel fondness for Lu Yuan.

If danger struck in the Divine Martial Heavenly Ruins, their first choice for help would undoubtedly be Lu Yuan.

After the team was assembled.

Qing Wuji called out once; he was the deputy leader.

It was at this moment.

An old man in plain cloth appeared out of nowhere in the great hall. He carried a sword on his back and a large red gourd of wine hung from his waist.

In an instant, everyone, including Lu Yuan, felt a suffocating pressure bearing down on them.

The last time Lu Yuan had felt such pressure was in the presence of an elder of his own clan at the Master Realm.

Involuntarily, Lu Yuan's heart tightened. This old man in plain cloth was undoubtedly a terrifying powerhouse no weaker than the Master Realm.

The Master Realm stood at the very pinnacle of the Dark Continent, even the Primordial Great Realm.

At its peak, a clan like the Lu family had only five ancestors at the Master Realm.

And the standard for an Immortal Dao Lineage was to possess a single Master Realm powerhouse.

In fact, the names of the one hundred and eight domains of the Dark Continent were derived from the titles of the one hundred and eight Master Realm powerhouses.

Gazing at the old man in plain cloth, Lu Yuan's eyes flickered.

A sword on his back, a wine gourd at his waist.

"He is the Sky-Pacifying Master, Sword Wine Old Ghost!"

The name of this Master surfaced in Lu Yuan's mind.

Qing Wuji then whispered from the side: "For this trip to the Divine Martial Heavenly Ruins, one Master and two Immortals will accompany us. The two Immortals have already gone ahead to scout. In a moment, Senior Sword Wine will send us to the Divine Martial Heavenly Ruins."