Chapter 262: Chapter 129: Li Feiyu Departs, the Lu Family Ancestor Passes Away!_3 The Azure Phoenix Immortal City is located on the southern border of Jiang Country, close to the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, and borders Yue Country. Not only can one go to the mountain range to temper oneself and hunt demon beasts for money, but one can also go to Yue Country to interact with Yue Country cultivators. At ordinary times, many Yue Country cultivators gather in the Azure Phoenix Immortal City, which is considered a holy land for loose cultivators. Many loose cultivators who aspire to make a name for themselves will go to the Azure Phoenix Immortal City to take their chances. But likewise, such a place is incomparably dangerous. The level of danger is estimated to be tens of times that of the Nine Dragons Market. Every year, countless cultivators are buried in the wilderness, unknown. “The cultivation world is so vast; one must see it.” 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖 “I heard the Azure Phoenix Immortal City is a holy land for loose cultivators, and as a loose cultivator myself, naturally, I should go and see.” “I’m not saying I’ll make something big out of it, but at least I’ll witness the cultivation world.” Li Feiyu said with a smirk. He had made inquiries about the Azure Phoenix Immortal City and naturally knew its dangers. But danger and opportunity coexist. For an ordinary loose cultivator, if one wishes to rise above others, this is the best place. Otherwise, with his Seventh Grade Spiritual Root, rolling in the secular world or small marketplaces, it would be difficult for him to achieve much in this lifetime. “There’s a year and a half left in our ten-year pact; will you come then?” Lu Changsheng inquired. Previously, Hong Yi had written to inquire of Xiao Xiyue, Zhao Qingqing, and Han Lin about the ten-year pact. All three had agreed, expressing that they would get together at that time. “I should be, I’m not planning to head directly to the Azure Phoenix Immortal City, but instead to travel around first.” “After attending the pact, then I’ll truly head to the Azure Phoenix Immortal City.” Li Feiyu didn’t hide his thoughts either. He knew the Azure Phoenix Immortal City was extremely dangerous. And he wouldn’t just head there blindly. Although he had gained considerable understanding of the cultivation world over the years, he had not truly stepped into it. Most of his time was spent on Qingzhu Mountain, and his knowledge of the cultivation world wasn’t direct enough. He planned to spend this next year and a half facing and adapting to the cruelty of the cultivation world. “Changsheng, if I don’t come back by then, please help take care of my home.” Li Feiyu continued to speak. He had said this before. But now, just before leaving, he said it again. “I’ve agreed to this, but I believe that situation will not arise.” Lu Changsheng nodded slightly, without the mood for jokes. He took out a stack of talismans, a First Grade Middle Grade puppet, three hundred spirit stones, and a storage bag. “Feiyu, take care of yourself; keep these things for self-defense.” “When you return, we’ll drink and revel together.” Lu Changsheng said this. Li Feiyu was his first friend in this world. He had even saved his life once. Now that the other was about to venture out for training experiences, one could imagine how hard and dangerous it would be. Naturally, he hoped his good brother would have smooth sailing. “This! It’s too precious; I can’t accept it.” Li Feiyu immediately shook his head when he saw the nearly hundred talismans, a puppet, and so many spirit stones. When he was in Qingzhu Mountain, relying on his own hard work, he could earn five or six spirit stones a month. Now in the secular world, by teaching Lu Changsheng’s children and working with Hong Yi, he earned an average of about ten spirit stones a month. What Lu Changsheng was offering was a considerable sum of money for him. “If you still consider me a brother, then keep it.” “I can afford it now, and you will need some magic artifacts when you go out. Use these spirit stones to buy a few artifacts for self-defense.” Lu Changsheng spoke with a solemn expression. Li Feiyu was only at the forth level of his Qi Refinement. Even though he had the strength of a Martial Dao Innate grandmaster. But against a cultivator in the Energy Refinement Middle Stage wielding magic artifacts, he could easily suffer. If he had talismans and magic artifacts by his side, he would be much safer. He didn’t offer his own magic artifacts because, apart from the Green-Face Sword and a few others, all were of high-grade or exquisite quality, which Li Feiyu couldn’t utilize. “Okay, I’ll just owe you then.” Li Feiyu, looking at Lu Changsheng’s expression, took a deep breath and nodded earnestly. Then he said with a carefree attitude, “Don’t worry, Li Feiyu began adventuring through the world at the age of twelve, traveling to all corners; it’s not that easy for me to stumble and fall.” “Just to repay this debt, I will also make sure to live well.” Li Feiyu said this. Subsequently, the two chatted for a long time. More than a decade of cultivation life had many memories worth reflecting upon. Especially since this might be the last time the two of them talked. The next day, Li Feiyu called Hong Yi over, and the three of them had a meal together before parting ways. At the moment of departure, Hong Yi also presented a lower-grade Flying Sword to Li Feiyu, advising him to take good care of himself. “Sigh.” Lu Changsheng watched Li Feiyu’s retreating figure and sighed deeply. His heart was laden with the heavy feeling associated with life’s separations and death’s finality. “With the Talisman and Puppet by his side, and relying on Feiyu’s own strength and means, he should be able to fight against cultivators at the Energy Refinement Late Stage, or at least escape.” “Moreover, in the Cultivation World, anything can happen. From cliff-diving to find treasures to accidentally entering the secret realm of an ancient cultivator’s cave, who knows, Feiyu might just stumble upon an opportunity.” Lu Changsheng consoled himself in his heart. He didn’t indulge too much in sorrow or sentimentality. He discussed with Hong Yi about the Red Leaf Valley Market. It would be almost half a year before it would be completed and open. He had already alerted the Lu Family about the matter of the market’s entry spots. However, as for the shops, only ordinary ones with mediocre locations were available to them. The desirable shop locations had been mostly retained by the four major families or allocated to other powers. Lu Changsheng learned that to establish the Red Leaf Valley Market, the Lu, Bai, Yu, and Zheng families had all invested a great deal of thought and energy. Not only had they made expenditures to appease Qingyun Sect, but they had also semi-gifted some shops and cave dwellings to certain powers. To this, Hong Yi minded not the slightest. Because for the better shops, the Ruyi Marquis’s Mansion lacked enough Spirit Stones and simply couldn’t afford them. If it weren’t for the light cast by Lu Changsheng, they might not have even secured such an ordinary shop. … In the blink of an eye, another two months had passed. On this day, The Second Elder sought out Lu Changsheng and informed him that he must immediately return to the Family. The Lu Family Ancestor had passed away! “The Ancestor has passed away.” In the past, Lu Changsheng had seen hints of the deathly aura upon the Lu Family Ancestor and knew his end was near. But he hadn’t expected it to come so swiftly, so suddenly. Recalling how just a year ago this elder had presided over his wedding, he couldn’t help but feel emotional. “The Ancestor had always hoped to see the Red Leaf Valley Market completed, to take a good look at it, but sadly, he didn’t make it to that day.” The Second Elder said with a sad expression. Those high within the Lu Family ranks understood the Lu Family Ancestor’s health more acutely than Lu Changsheng. After the great battle at Red Leaf Valley, the Lu Family Ancestor knew his days were numbered and had started making arrangements for after his demise. His only lingering regret was his wish to see the Red Leaf Valley Market. Yet in the end, the Lu Family Ancestor did not live to see that day. Soon after, Lu Changsheng followed the Second Elder and several Lu Family Disciples back to Qingzhu Mountain. The Lu Family Disciples gradually returned to Qingzhu Mountain. All over the mountain, everyone’s mood was somber with sorrow. Cultivation families are maintained through the bonds of blood and kinship. All of the Family Disciples, from a young age nurtured by the family, practicing cultivation, marrying, bearing children, spreading branches and leaves, all on this land. And the Lu Family Ancestor was the sky within the hearts of all Lu Family Disciples. Now with the Ancestor’s passing, it was natural for all to be engulfed in profound grief. Several days later, in the Lu Family ancestral hall, “Alas… the Ancestor lived a life of diligence, dedicated to our family… Now that his soul has returned to the heavens and earth, we the younger generations of the Lu Family are filled with inconsolable sorrow…” Lu Yuanding mourned with a face full of grief. He spoke of the Lu Family Ancestor’s contributions and merits to the Family. After the eulogy was delivered, Lu Yuanzhong stepped forward. He escorted the Lu Family Ancestor’s spirit tablet into the ancestral hall, then lit three sticks of incense, and bowed solemnly. He announced loudly, “Lu Yuanzhong of the Lu Family bids farewell to the Ancestor as his soul returns to the heavens and earth!” “The Lu Family Disciples bid farewell to the Ancestor as his soul returns to the heavens and earth!” “The Lu Family Disciples bid farewell to the Ancestor as his soul returns to the heavens and earth!” “The Lu Family Disciples bid farewell to the Ancestor as his soul returns to the heavens and earth!” At this moment, all the Lu Family Disciples together echoed the call, bowing in salute. “This must be the transmission of the family bloodline, right?” “Compared to the Loose Cultivators who are like duckweed in the wind, the Lu Family Ancestor was able to pass away at home and be buried in the Family Spirit Land, his spirit tablet placed in the ancestral hall with his life’s achievements recorded in the family records. His life can be considered fulfilled…” “After all, not all cultivators can live long and prosperous lives. It is through this manner that one’s bloodline, one’s spirit, continues to be passed down and endure.” Lu Changsheng also bowed and chanted along, his emotions stirred. He began to understand why family ties in this world were so deep. On one hand, it’s maintained by the bonds of blood and kinship. On the other, it’s about how one is irrevocably bound to the family from the moment of birth, bound for life. Within the entire Family, everyone is striving for a shared goal, a common belief.