Chapter 273: Chapter 133: Xiao Xiyue’s Request_1 Ruyi County City. Inside the Lu Family estate, Wanxiang Garden. “Huff, huff, huff——” In the picturesque garden with its cobblestone paths, several martial masters were leading a group of children in martial arts practice, a morning exercise routine. Although these children were young, their movements were extremely agile as they swung their fists and kicked their feet. Wherever there was an issue, the nearby martial masters would immediately correct them, meticulous in every detail. A few of the children, around ten years old, created gusts of wind with their fists and feet as they moved—signs of their growing strength. A little farther away, Lu Changsheng, dressed in a blue robe with a jade-like countenance and a gentle expression, watched the children practicing martial arts. Now, under his arrangements, these children had begun martial arts practice to fortify their bodies. His eldest son, Lu Ping’an, due to his diligence in the martial path, had already cultivated internal qi. According to the secular martial arts circles, which divided martial prowess into categories such as Unranked, Third Grade, Second Grade, First Grade, and Innate, he was already considered a Second Grade expert. A Second Grade expert at the age of twelve was not unheard of in the secular martial arts circles, but it was exceedingly rare. Aside from a few individuals with exceptional talent, only descendants of cultivators could nurture children to such a level. After all, they were raised in lands with a Spiritual Vein, consuming Spirit Rice and Spirit Food. Their bodies contained little impurities. Such children learning martial arts were all seen as martial prodigies. Moreover, after sending these wives and children to the secular world, Lu Changsheng still regularly sent them Spirit Rice. However, such strength of a martial arts Second Grade expert was still beneath the notice of the system. Lu Changsheng checked his son Lu Ping’an’s panel information through the system. In the strength column, it still displayed a single character: ‘none’. Lu Changsheng didn’t mind this. If in the early days he harbored some hope of improving his own strength through his children’s martial practices, now, he did not entertain such thoughts much. He was more interested in them practicing martial arts for self-defense and maintaining good health. “Daddy, how well did I do!” After the morning practice session, Lu Wuyou cheerfully ran over to Lu Changsheng, calling out and asking with eyes full of adoration and dependency for her father. “You’re the one who always slacks off.” Lu Changsheng responded with a smile and ruffled his daughter’s hair. Then, with a Purification Art, he turned it into a breeze that dried and cleansed his daughter’s sweat-soaked clothes from training. Of course, he didn’t play favorites. He did the same for all the children. Witnessing this, the nearby martial masters were filled with reverence. “Alright, everyone’s tired, let’s go have a meal.” Lu Changsheng patted the children’s heads and led them to have breakfast. The breakfast was very rich and nutritiously balanced. After all, this was a time when the children were growing. In this aspect, Lu Changsheng never stinted; he also wasn’t short on money. After eating, Lu Changsheng took Lu Ping’an and the other children to the backyard to feed the Nine Netherhound. Raised for so many years, the Nine Netherhound had grown as robust as a bull. Its mouth full of intersecting sharp fangs and its body covered in jet-black fur that shone like satin. Last year, the Nine Netherhound had progressed to a First Grade Middle Stage Demon Beast. But for Lu Changsheng, it meant little. To expect the Nine Netherhound to give him a lift was clearly impossible. Unless he was willing to spend a vast amount of resources to cultivate the Nine Netherhound and accelerate its growth. But the cost was too great. Lu Changsheng, despite having plenty of spare cash, could not afford such expenses. He planned on raising it slowly. In the future, it would serve as his family’s guardian Spiritual Beast, to accompany his children and protect them on their journeys. … Six days later. “Dad, Uncle Hong is here!” While Lu Changsheng was chatting in the backyard with his wives and children, a little one ran over and exclaimed. “You guys keep playing, I’ll head over there.” Hearing this, Lu Changsheng guessed it might be Xiao Xiyue, Zhao Qingqing, and Han Lin who had arrived, so he left to greet them. After seeing Hong Yi, the latter indeed confirmed that Han Lin, Xiao Xiyue, and Zhao Qingqing had arrived and were outside the city. Hearing this, Lu Changsheng nodded and went with Hong Yi to receive them from outside the city. As the two approached the city gates, they immediately saw two women and one man—three figures coming their way. It was Xiao Xiyue, Zhao Qingqing, and Han Lin. Xiao Xiyue was dressed in pale moon-white, with long black hair cascading down to her waist. Her strikingly beautiful face had not changed much in the past ten years. Skin fair as jade, features delicate and elegant—she was breathtaking. But her overall appearance and demeanor had undergone an earth-shattering transformation compared to ten years ago. Back then, she was characterized by her forthrightness and vivacity. Her face wore a bright smile that was as warm as the spring sun, easily inviting favor from those around her. The current Xiao Xiyue, however, had a cool countenance; her aura was like that of the pure, untouchable moon shining high above—serene, noble, detached from the world. She was someone people would admire from afar, wary of approaching her without due reverence. Lu Changsheng, observing Xiao Xiyue’s transformation, felt somewhat astonished. He was curious about what she had encountered over the past ten years that had led to such a drastic change. Although she looked similar, she seemed like a completely different person. If it weren’t for her presence with Zhao Qingqing and Han Lin, Lu Changsheng would hardly be confident that this was Xiao Xiyue. Meanwhile, Zhao Qingqing and Han Lin, aside from appearing a few years older and more mature, had not changed much from ten years earlier. “Daoist Xiao, Daoist Zhao, Daoist Han.” Lu Changsheng did not ponder further but greeted them with a smile and a clasped fist. Hong Yi also seemed surprised by Xiao Xiyue’s change but did not scrutinize further. With an open and natural smile, he clasped his fists and said, “My fellow Daoists, you’ve been well, I trust.” “Daoist Hong, Daoist Lu.” Xiao Xiyue and her companions nodded to Lu Changsheng and Hong Yi, greeting them in return. They looked at Lu Changsheng, their eyes reflecting a similar surprise as they observed his demeanor, much like how Lu Changsheng and Hong Yi had reacted to seeing Xiao Xiyue.