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“The situation doesn’t look good.”

Sitting cross-legged on the turtle\'s broad back was a refined, handsome man dressed in white robes. Lan Chang\'an observed the desolate, nearly ruined market below.

Lan Chang\'an was heading to Jin Yun Valley to find Zhang Tieshan and negotiate for the Core Dissolution Technique.

Although Bamboo Leaf Mountain Market, and the Mu Family by Feiyue Lake, were not on his direct path, they were in roughly the same direction.

Before leaving Liang Kingdom, Lan Chang\'an planned to visit these familiar places and see an old friend from his younger days, Li Erqing.

Lan Chang\'an had spent more than ten years cultivating at Bamboo Leaf Mountain Market when he was in the mid Qi-Refining stage. He had guarded a shop there, quietly drawing talismans and accumulating a solid foundation.

It was in this market where he had his first romantic encounter with a female cultivator, sharing a beautiful and fleeting relationship.

The prosperity of the auction back then was vivid in his mind.

Even the Profound Water Turtle was successfully hatched in this very market.

“Could you be Senior Lan...?”

A man in green robes, at the early Foundation Establishment stage, cautiously gazed at Lan Chang\'an from inside the remnants of a second-rank formation that surrounded the market.

“You know of me?”

Standing a hundred zhang away, Lan Chang\'an glanced at the man who didn’t dare to exit the formation. He guessed this was the market’s guardian cultivator.

“My name is Zhao Gang. I’m a newly promoted Foundation Establishment cultivator from Jin Yun Valley. When I was younger, I once saw Senior Lan at Huanglong Immortal City.”

The green-robed Foundation Establishment cultivator spoke respectfully, positioning himself as a junior.

Although both were Foundation Establishment cultivators, there was a vast difference in their strength and status.

Lan Chang\'an was almost a century older than him, so it was perfectly natural to address him as “Senior.”

“What’s happened recently in Bamboo Leaf Mountain?”

Lan Chang\'an asked casually.

The shops in the market were mostly destroyed, and scorch marks and dried blood were visible everywhere.

“Replying to Senior Lan, not long ago, the Maple Leaf Huang Family was wiped out in a night raid by enemy cultivators from Feng Kingdom, leading to the further collapse of Bamboo Leaf Mountain Market. It was ransacked by rogue cultivators and others from nearby.”

“After that, enforcers from the sects arrived and restored order. Currently, the market is guarded by myself and Foundation Establishment cultivators from nearby cultivation families,” the green-robed cultivator explained the events that led to the destruction.

“Cultivators from Feng Kingdom are running wild even this deep into our territory?”

Lan Chang\'an’s tone turned cold with anger.

Although the area around Bamboo Leaf Mountain wasn’t the heartland of the Liang Kingdom, it was still well within the interior and far from the frontlines.

“Sigh, the main issue is that the frontlines are strained. The major sects are trying their best to hold the enemies off, but inevitably, some slip through.”

The green-robed cultivator smiled wryly.

Lan Chang\'an already understood the reason behind this.

About a month ago, on the frontlines, Liang Kingdom’s sects had suffered another minor defeat, creating several openings in their defenses.

Now, small groups of elite enemy cultivators had infiltrated the Liang Kingdom, striking at the rear to plunder wealth and resources.

They specifically targeted mid- to small-sized cultivation families, spiritual veins, spiritual vein sites, and poorly-guarded markets.

These small groups of enemy elite cultivators, mostly at the Foundation Establishment stage, spread out to disrupt the Liang Kingdom’s logistics and create chaos.

Having grasped the situation, Lan Chang\'an prepared to leave and head toward Feiyue Lake.

Seeing his intent to leave, the green-robed cultivator, looking anxious, bowed deeply and requested:

“Senior Lan, the sect’s forces are tied up at the frontlines. We are severely lacking enforcers in this area. I humbly request your assistance in guarding this region. I believe the elders of Jin Yun Valley would not fail to reward you generously.”

“I have urgent matters to attend to. I’m afraid I cannot help.”

Lan Chang\'an refused without hesitation.

On his journey, he had already encountered sect patrols several times, and this was not the first time he had turned down such requests.

He had even seen ordinary, lone cultivators being forcibly conscripted by the sect.

As a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator with a strong reputation, Lan Chang\'an’s turtle mount alone was enough to deter sect enforcers from troubling him.

Besides his connections with sect elders, the enforcers he encountered along the way were mostly weaker than him and treated him with courtesy and respect.

Seeing Lan Chang\'an decline, the green-robed Foundation Establishment cultivator was slightly disappointed but quickly understood, recalling the stories he had heard about the reclusive "Turtle Talisman Master."

“Senior Lan, perhaps you might be willing to sell us some talismans?”

The man had a flash of inspiration and proposed.

“That can be arranged.”

This time, Lan Chang\'an nodded, agreeing.

A short while later, another Foundation Establishment cultivator from the market flew out to join them.

The two Foundation Establishment cultivators made a deal with Lan Chang\'an, purchasing a dozen or so of his lesser-quality second-rank talismans.

In addition, they bought a slightly damaged mid-grade second-rank puppet.

Nowadays, Lan Chang\'an rarely carried puppets below superior-grade second-rank.

Before leaving Wuqi Mountain, he did not take away the batch of early puppets that were always on guard at Little Turtle Peak, which included two second-rank puppets.

These would help protect Qi Feng during his vulnerable pre-Foundation Establishment period.

...

“By the way, is Elder Zhang currently in Jin Yun Valley?”

Before leaving, Lan Chang\'an asked.

In recent months, he had written letters to Zhang Tieshan, expressing his intent to visit, but he hadn’t received any replies.

Lan Chang\'an suspected that Zhang Tieshan was on the frontlines and had never received the letters.

“I’m not sure. I left the sect two months ago and didn’t see Elder Zhang at that time.”

The green-robed cultivator’s gaze flickered, giving a vague reply.

Lan Chang\'an understood. As a sect disciple, the man likely wasn’t allowed to reveal the whereabouts of high-ranking members.

Lan Chang\'an flew off on his turtle, deep in thought.

“It seems Zhang Tieshan is indeed not in Jin Yun Valley recently, likely serving on the frontlines or completing an external mission.”

Lan Chang\'an felt a headache coming on. Even if he went to Jin Yun Valley, he might not be able to meet Zhang Tieshan anytime soon.

Going to the frontlines to find him?

Lan Chang\'an wasn’t foolish enough to do that and immediately dismissed the idea.

As a late-stage Foundation Establishment talisman master, going to the frontlines would be like feeding himself to the wolves.

He would most likely be conscripted by the sect elders.

“I’ll wait for six months at most.”

Lan Chang\'an quickly made up his mind.

Sects often rotated their cultivators on the frontlines. If someone was injured too severely, they might return to the sect to recover and take on duties guarding the rear.

Zhang Tieshan had been on the frontlines for quite some time, so there was a decent chance he would return within six months.

Moreover, Lan Chang\'an could also ask his acquaintances within the sect to send a message to the frontlines, attempting to contact Zhang Tieshan.

...

By midday, Lan Chang\'an arrived at the shimmering waters of Feiyue Lake.

It was the middle of the night, and the Mu Family of Feiyue Lake was heavily guarded, their defensive arrays fully activated.

Before Lan Chang\'an even approached, he detected the hidden vigilance arrays.

Any fluctuation in spiritual power near the Mu Family’s territory would immediately alert them.

By the lakeside, Mu Family cultivators patrolled with serious expressions, not letting their guard down for a moment.

Clearly, the recent annihilation of the Maple Leaf Huang Family had sent shockwaves through the region, putting the Mu Family on high alert.

It wasn’t just the Mu Family.

With the sects’ resources stretched thin, their control over the region had weakened significantly, leaving many local cultivation forces feeling vulnerable, fearing they might be the next target.

“The Mu Family’s clan-protecting formation was reinforced by Fairy Shi years ago. With proper defense, even a squad of enemy Foundation Establishment elites would find it difficult to breach it quickly.”

After observing the situation for a while, Lan Chang\'an nodded in approval.

Compared to the nearby markets and cultivation families, the Mu Family’s defensive arrays were far superior.

Since it was late and a sensitive time, Lan Chang\'an refrained from disturbing anyone.

The next morning.

Lan Chang\'an, riding his Profound Water Turtle, formally visited the Mu Family of Feiyue Lake.

The person who came to greet him wasn’t Li Erqing, but a familiar figure.

“Uncle Lan.”

It was a graceful and familiar voice, tinged with a hint of surprise.

Mu Bingyun, dressed in a loose black robe, approached with a smile. Her appearance hadn’t changed much; she still looked like she was in her late twenties, though more mature and composed.

Her voice no longer carried the girlish tone of years past but instead had the poised and magnetic quality of an experienced female cultivator. Despite her calm demeanor, there was still the unmistakable dignity of a Foundation Establishment Ancestor in her bearing.

“Bingyun, you’ve made significant progress.”

As they drew closer, their eyes met, and Lan Chang\'an maintained a calm smile.

Mu Bingyun’s emotions briefly fluctuated before she quickly regained her composure. She smiled gracefully, exchanging pleasantries with ease.

“The Profound Water Turtle has grown so large that it can now carry people in flight?”

Soon, Mu Bingyun’s attention shifted to the massive turtle, her eyes sparkling with delight as she approached and stroked its huge head.

The Profound Water Turtle recognized Mu Bingyun and affectionately nudged her hand.

Afterward, Mu Bingyun climbed onto the turtle’s back, and the two of them rode it back to Moonheart Island, where her cave-dwelling was located.

“Li Erqing isn’t at the family?”

“Uncle Erqing is patrolling the surrounding areas with Jin Yun Valley’s enforcers, searching for enemy cultivators.”

Through their conversation, Lan Chang\'an learned that Mu Bingyun was currently the only Foundation Establishment cultivator guarding Feiyue Lake.

Lan Chang\'an wasn’t in a rush to see Li Erqing.

Since he would have to wait for Zhang Tieshan to return, staying as a guest at the Mu Family for a while wasn’t a problem.

In addition to defending the family, Mu Bingyun, a seasoned second-rank talisman master, also took on many talisman-drawing tasks for Jin Yun Valley.

Thanks to her connection with Zhang Tieshan, neither of Feiyue Lake’s Foundation Establishment cultivators had been sent to the frontlines, though many of the family’s mid-to-late-stage Qi-Refining members had been.

Mu Bingyun had reached the Foundation Establishment sixth level, and through years of practice, she had already touched the threshold of a second-rank superior-grade talisman master.

In her cave-dwelling, the two spent the morning chatting over tea, their conversation continuing until sunset.

During this time, Mu Bingyun excused herself from all family duties.

Lan Chang\'an gave her a few pointers on cultivation and talisman-making, but nothing beyond what was appropriate for her current level.

When night fell, Lan Chang\'an got up to leave, not wishing to stay in Mu Bingyun’s cave.

“Uncle Lan, there’s no need to be so reserved. Back when I was attacked by the Night Fisherman, I stayed overnight in your cave-dwelling as well.”

Mu Bingyun smiled warmly, her expression calm and poised.

“There’s no need. The Mu Family has plenty of guest rooms. As a Foundation Establishment ancestor, you should maintain your dignity and image.”

Lan Chang\'an waved her off with a smile.

At that moment, he noticed the change in Mu Bingyun’s demeanor. She no longer had the youthful uncertainty of a young girl and could now confidently manage her family’s affairs, including her personal emotions.

“Then please stay as our guest for a few days at Feiyue Lake, Uncle Lan.”

Mu Bingyun didn’t insist and arranged for Lan Chang\'an to stay in a private courtyard on Moonheart Island.

...

Over the next two weeks, Lan Chang\'an stayed as a guest on Moonheart Island.

Because of his status, he only visited the lakeside courtyard where he had lived during his Qi-Refining days once, just to reminisce.

Mu Bingyun occasionally came to visit him, but she always left before sunset.

Even so, Lan Chang\'an’s Fake Dan-level spiritual sense occasionally picked up some gossip from around the island.

Then, one day, Li Erqing finally returned to Feiyue Lake.

“Big Brother Lan!”

The white-bearded Li Erqing rushed to Lan Chang\'an’s courtyard as soon as he returned to the family, unable to hide his excitement.

It had been years since the war had cut off most contact between Lan Chang\'an and the Mu Family, so Li Erqing hadn’t seen him in a long time.

Li Erqing looked much older now, well into his fifties. His smile deepened the lines on his face, his once plump features now more weathered and showing his age.

Lan Chang\'an realized that Li Erqing’s prime years were behind him, and he was transitioning into old age.

“Erqing, you’ve been supporting the Mu Family all these years without returning to the Li Family of Snow Plum Mountain. That’s impressive.”

Lan Chang\'an patted his shoulder, feeling proud of his old friend.

“Big Brother Lan, you haven’t changed at all over the years.”

Li Erqing gazed at the ageless, familiar figure of the white-robed man standing before him, a swirl of complex emotions running through his heart.

Not only had Lan Chang\'an’s appearance remained unchanged, but he had also reached the late-stage Foundation Establishment.

Who would’ve thought that back in the Qi-Refining stage, Li Erqing had once surpassed Lan Chang\'an in cultivation and had even been the first to advance to Foundation Establishment?

But now, Li Erqing was stuck at the peak of the early Foundation Establishment stage, unable to progress any further.

“Alas, if I had known earlier, Little Brother would also cultivate the life nurturing technique back then,” Li Erqing lamented.

“Haha, staying young isn’t just about cultivating a life nurturing technique. You need to maintain a good mindset and steadily improve your cultivation.”

“That’s easier said than done.”

“And of course, it also helps if you take a Youth Retaining Pill like your Big Brother did.”

Lan Chang\'an added with a smirk.

Li Erqing: "..."

In the courtyard’s main hall.

Lan Chang\'an and Li Erqing talked late into the night, reminiscing about the past, discussing their descendants, and worrying about the war.

During the conversation, Li Erqing frequently mentioned the name Li Congren, unable to hide his pride.

Lan Chang\'an had to admit that Li Congren had indeed become quite capable.

He had led a branch of the family to establish a stronghold in a remote, harsh land, creating a respectable cultivation family in just a few decades.

The Li Family of Snow Plum Mountain had rooted itself in the northwest of the Liang Kingdom, forming close ties with the Beast Taming Zhou Family, while also building business relationships with merchants from neighboring countries.

When Lan Chang\'an prepared to go to Jing Kingdom to form his core, he would need to rely on Li Congren’s connections to make the journey easier.

However, Lan Chang\'an had not mentioned this to Li Congren in their correspondence, though he had hinted at it indirectly years ago.

...

“By the way, how is Mu Jiuan doing these days?”

Lan Chang\'an suddenly remembered Li Erqing’s ninth son, Mu Jiuan, who had been taken as a disciple by a Core Formation cultivator in his youth and later joined the Golden Sun Sect of Feng Kingdom.

Now, it was the Golden Sun Sect and its affiliated forces leading the invasion of the Liang Kingdom.

Golden Sun Sect had two Nascent Soul True Monarchs and was one of the oldest sects in the neighboring cultivation nations.

“Jiuan, he...”

Mentioning Mu Jiuan, Li Erqing’s face clouded with hesitation.

A flash of understanding passed through Lan Chang\'an’s mind.

“If it’s difficult to talk about, you don’t have to. I understand,” he said.

After knowing Li Erqing for over a hundred years, there were many things he was willing to share with Lan Chang\'an.

“This matter... I haven’t told anyone else, not even Bingyun or Congren...”

Li Erqing took a deep breath, as if making a decision, and set up a soundproofing barrier around them.

He sensed that with Lan Chang\'an’s wisdom and experience, his friend had likely guessed part of the truth from his earlier reaction.

Seeing this, Lan Chang\'an added another layer of isolation around them.

“Jiuan has infiltrated the Liang Kingdom. He contacted me in secret.”

Li Erqing’s voice was low, his forehead beaded with sweat as he revealed the long-held secret.

Even though Lan Chang\'an had suspected it, he couldn’t help but be shocked!

“Jiuan said that Liang Kingdom is doomed to lose this war... and that I should make my decision soon.”

“Have you... given him an answer?”

It wasn’t hard to guess why Mu Jiuan had reached out to his father.

“Betraying Liang Kingdom’s cultivation world and colluding with enemy sects... I dare not do such a thing.”

Releasing this long-held secret seemed to lift a great weight off Li Erqing’s shoulders.

His current decision was critical to the Mu Family’s survival, and the pressure he was under was immense.

If he chose to collaborate with the enemy and bide his time, he could ensure the family’s survival when the Golden Sun Sect arrived, possibly even receiving great rewards.

But if he refused, Mu Jiuan might not have the ability to protect the entire Mu Family when the time came, and at best, he could only save his closest kin.

If the Liang Kingdom sects discovered their betrayal, the Mu Family would face total annihilation.

Lan Chang\'an sighed, refraining from commenting on Li Erqing’s choice.

As an outsider, he couldn’t offer any advice.

No matter what choice was made, the risks and uncertainties were enormous.

...

Three days later.

Lan Chang\'an left Feiyue Lake, riding his turtle.

The night before his departure.

Lan Chang\'an, Li Erqing, and Mu Bingyun had gathered in the family’s forbidden grounds for a long and private discussion.

Once again, Lan Chang\'an made a deal with the Mu Family.

This time, the transaction involved a quasi-third-rank talisman, a high-quality second-rank puppet, and one Youth Retaining Pill.

The Youth Retaining Pill wasn’t for Mu Bingyun, but as a possible offering for the future.

If the day came when the Golden Sun Sect attacked, the Youth Retaining Pill, delivered through Mu Jiuan’s connections, could be offered to curry favor with the sect’s higher-ups.

This was the only strategy Lan Chang\'an had suggested, or rather, a fallback plan.

The transaction was priced at cost, and before leaving, Lan Chang\'an quietly gifted Li Erqing a talismanic treasure.

Ordinary talismanic treasures were no longer a significant asset to Lan Chang\'an.

Activating his magical treasure prototype or using his body refinement technique for a close-range strike could rival the power of most talismanic treasures.

Years ago, Lan Chang\'an had given Zhao Siyao a treasure talisman. To avoid drawing attention, this time he opted for a different approach.

...

After flying thousands of li from Feiyue Lake.

Lan Chang\'an looked toward the direction of Jin Yun Valley, still a few days away. He wasn’t sure if he’d be able to contact Zhang Tieshan.

According to Li Erqing, Zhao Siyao was currently in Jin Yun Valley, preparing for Core Formation.

As Lan Chang\'an passed over a bay, a sudden sense of foreboding washed over him.

The Profound Water Turtle beneath him shuddered slightly, as if reacting to the tension in the air.

“What a strong killing intent.”

Lan Chang\'an caught a faint whiff of blood in the air.

Looking down at the bay, he saw a cultivation family’s residence on a second-rank spiritual vein.

The formation was broken, buildings lay in ruins, and smoke still lingered in the air.

“Could it be...?”

Lan Chang\'an’s face darkened, recalling the fate of the Maple Leaf Huang Family, and immediately veered off course.

After flying for half a li, he felt a Fake Dan-level spiritual sense lock onto him.

“Heh heh, seems we’ve found ourselves an interesting little fish.”

An old voice echoed from near the ruined family estate.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Six or seven Foundation Establishment cultivators rushed out from behind the dunes, where a concealment array had been hiding them.

These Foundation Establishment cultivators were all elites, their spiritual power far purer than those of Liang Kingdom’s sects. Most of them were in the mid-to-late Foundation Establishment stage.

In addition, there was a Fake Dan Immortal who had yet to reveal themselves.

“Cultivators from Feng Kingdom?”

Lan Chang\'an’s brows furrowed. He had encountered a group of elite enemy cultivators, likely the ones responsible for wiping out the family below.

“Tsk tsk, riding a second-rank Profound Water Turtle? This one must have some background.”

The six or seven Foundation Establishment cultivators surrounded him, smirking as if they had cornered a stray fish.

Lan Chang\'an, still under the watchful spiritual sense of the unseen Fake Dan Immortal, was trying to pinpoint their location.

Just then, a voice broke the silence:

“...Uncle Lan, is that you?”

A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator from Golden Sun Sect suddenly gasped, his face filled with shock and disbelief as he stared at the white-robed man on the turtle’s back.