CHAPTER 181: CHAPTER 180: FLOWERS IN THE GREENHOUSE (FOURTH UPDATE, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE)

"Lu Wuchen!"

"Wu Ming!"

After exchanging names, they said no more and entered the duel.

Wu Ming formed a Seal Technique, and suddenly Gang Qi surrounded his body, creating a defense; then he activated his flying sword, which transformed into a stream of light, stabbing forward.

Lu Wuchen used a Secret Technique, and his body transformed into twelve phantoms, shifting between reality and illusion, dodging the flying sword’s assassination.

Wu Ming quickly shook a bell, emitting Soul-Catching Sound with each ring.

Suddenly, Lu Wuchen’s expression became dazed.

Wu Ming maneuvered his flying sword to strike.

Just as it was about to pierce the forehead.

A shield appeared at the forehead, blocking the flying sword’s attack.

Lu Wuchen awakened and maneuvered his flying sword, the sword shadows flickering, launching successive attacks.

Swish, swish, swish!

On the arena, the flying sword flashed, phantoms shifted, and one Magic attack after another, both sides engaged fiercely in a vibrant, captivating battle.

But Lu Xuanji watched with a slight frown.

All show, no substance.

Both Lu Wuchen and Wu Ming’s techniques were crude, and their combat skills clumsy.

It’s not their fault; Qi Refining cultivators have short lifespans and spend most of their time enhancing their cultivation, accelerating their advancement; as for magic battles, they were studied briefly, lacking battle experience.

On the contrary, those loose cultivators, constantly struggling at the edge of life and death, though their death rate is high, if they succeed in reaching Foundation Establishment, they often have rich battle experience and techniques, with precise timing in combat.

Yet this is meaningless.

In terms of cost-effectiveness, enhancing cultivation speed is more important than being invincible at the same level.

There were once two cultivators who battled to a standstill, but a hundred years later, one reached Purple Mansion Peak, the other Golden Core Peak.

Is there still a need to compare, to duel?

It’s unnecessary!

Boom, boom, boom!

Both sides clashed, the fight becoming heated, but their True Essence was almost depleted.

The victor was about to be decided.

"Endless Celestial Fire!"

"Wind Meteor Kill!"

At that moment, both unleashed their attacks.

Boom, boom, boom!

When the magic dispersed, both had fallen, covered in blood.

Mana exhausted, almost ending in mutual destruction.

Fortunately, neither died.

"I’ll count to three; whoever stands up first wins. If neither stands, it’s a draw!" Liu Ruming said.

"Three!"

"Two!"

"One!"

At this moment, Lu Wuchen tremblingly stood up.

"Lu Wuchen wins!"

Liu Ruming declared.

Hearing the victory, Lu Wuchen collapsed again.

"All Things Rejuvenation Technique!"

Liu Ruming pointed a finger, casting a technique, and Vitality Power surged into Lu Wuchen and Wu Ming’s bodies, healing their injuries by seventy percent.

Both stood up, though still weak, their depleted True Essence not yet replenished.

They needed more rest to fully recover.

Off the stage, Lu Wuchen said, "Clan Leader, Lu Wuchen has accomplished the mission without disgrace!"

"Good!"

Lu Xuanji nodded, "Four Spirit Roots, poor aptitude, but it’s not impossible to achieve Purple Mansion, there’s still a sliver of hope. Don’t give up!"

"Thank you, Clan Leader!"

Lu Wuchen expressed gratitude.

Being Four Spirit Roots, in the past, it was impossible to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill in the clan; but after the Clan Leader took office and relaxed the rules, she qualified for credit to exchange for the Foundation Establishment Pill, successfully reaching Foundation Establishment.

She felt grateful to the Clan Leader.

Lu Wuchen stepped back.

"The second round, it’s the Lu Family’s turn to set the challenge?" At this moment, the Wu Family’s clan leader spoke.

"Alright!"

Lu Xuanji nodded, "Lu Xuanming, your turn!"

"Yes!"

Lu Xuanming, at Foundation Establishment sixth layer, nodded and stepped onto the stage.

The Wu Family’s clan leader dispatched another cultivator.

Both engaged in fierce combat again. These two cultivators had been at Foundation Establishment for a while, their grasp of Divine Secret Techniques, battle experience, and combat techniques surpassed Lu Wuchen and Wu Ming, making the battle less flashy but more straightforward.

But because it was straightforward, it was extremely perilous.

Just at the fifth attack, life and death were decided.

Screech!

A flying sword darted out, beheading Lu Xuanming at his Liang-Kuei position.

Simultaneously, the opponent was also blasted in the chest by magic, yet a flash of light blocked the fatal strike, though sustaining serious injury.

One dead, one seriously injured!

"Wu Yangming wins!"

Dan Chengzi announced the result, passing over an elixir.

Wu Yangming swallowed the elixir to heal.

A moment later, he stepped off the stage.

Reaching the Wu Family’s side, they cheered for him.

But on the Lu Family’s side, they were gloomy and somber.

Lu Xuanji looked around, seeing many Lu Family cultivators only worried, not deeply saddened, with only one woman weeping.

This was Lu Xuanming’s Dao Companion.

Lu Xuanming had fallen, and only his Dao Companion was mournful.

As for other Lu Family cultivators, there was concern, but not much sorrow.

Many cultivators had distant blood relations, beyond three generations, so naturally, the bond was thin, and there wasn’t much sadness.

"Condolences!"

Lu Xuanji stepped forward and said, "Little Daoist friend, how should I address you?"

"I am Sun Xiaoyue!"

The female cultivator replied.

"Are you a cultivator of the Sun Family?" Lu Xuanji asked.

"No, I’m just a loose cultivator, but later met my husband, developed feelings, and became Dao Companions!" The female cultivator said.

Lu Xuanji asked, "Do you have any children?"

"We have a child named Ye Dao’an, only five years old!" Sun Xiaoyue replied, tears welling in her eyes.

"Xuanming died for the clan. As his widow, the Lu Family will take care of you. You may choose to remarry freely; stay in the Lu Family freely. The child must remain in the Lu Family; we will raise him!" Lu Xuanji said, "There will be appropriate benefits as well."

"If you encounter difficulties, come to me; if I’m unavailable, find the Grand Elder!"

Lu Xuanji spoke, arranging compensation and support.

"Thank you, Clan Leader!"

Sun Xiaoyue said, wiping her tears and stepping aside.

Lu Xuanji nodded.

As the clan leader, this was all he could do.

The Cultivation Immortality Realm is never peaceful; you must battle loose cultivators, demon cultivators, demon cultivators, and other cultivation families.

Death is normal.

All he could do was ensure the families of the fallen were cared for, so they shed no tears while shedding blood.

"For the third sword duel, will the Wu Family’s clan leader set the challenge?"

Lu Xuanji asked.

"Legend has it, Lu Family geniuses, your talent is astounding, your aptitude monstrous; do you dare challenge me?"

At this moment, the Wu Family clan leader stood up, speaking coldly.

"You’re Purple Mansion third layer; Lu Xuanji is Purple Mansion first layer; there’s a huge gap. Is such a contest fair?" Liu Ruming interjected.

"Fair? It’s naturally unfair!"

The Wu Family clan leader nodded, "Yet where in the world is fairness? In the Cultivation Immortality Realm, anything can be sought, except fairness. I’m Purple Mansion third layer, but of middle-grade Purple Mansion; you’re Purple Mansion first layer, of upper-grade Purple Mansion. Our gap isn’t that big!"

"Surely, we don’t dare to fight?"

"Or is Lu Xuanji just a hothouse flower, all show, no use?"

...

PS: With no Chapters in reserve, it’s really frustrating; time to keep writing and build up reserves.