Chapter 67: Chapter 67: Wang Hui, Leave

The violent Spiritual Qi surrounding Lu Zhao slowly calmed after his breakthrough, and the fierce winds raging inside the room quietly ceased. He gradually opened his eyes, a brilliant light shining within them. A potent Spiritual Pressure, characteristic of the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer, silently spread from him like ripples on water, filling the entire stone chamber and causing the air to stagnate for a moment.

He let out a long, silent breath of turbid air. About a foot from his body, the breath condensed into a faint white arrow of Qi that lingered for a long time before dissipating.

After another hour of silent meditation to regulate his breathing, he completely stabilized his Cultivation, which had been slightly unsteady after just breaking into the seventh layer. With a flicker of his Heart Spirit, a screen of light only he could see slowly unfolded before his eyes:

Name: Lu Zhao

Cultivation: Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer (Middle-Grade Water Spirit Root)

Lifespan: 32/120

Main Cultivation Method: "Little Spirit Rain Technique"

Magic: Other spells at Great Success, Thousand Overlapping Waves Skill (Minor Achievement), Thousand Threads Technique (Four Divine Silks)

Puppetry (Tier One Middle-Grade):

Flowing Cloud Sparrow (Success Rate: 75%)

Ice Mouse Puppet (Success Rate: 85%)

Ironwood Guard (Success Rate: 50%)

Ice Wind Wolf Puppet (Puppet Core) (Success Rate: 16%) (Puppet Body) (Success Rate: 40%)

Water Spirit Turtle Puppet (Puppet Core) (Success Rate: 13%) (Puppet Body) (Success Rate: 25%)

Looking at the panel, a long-absent smile lifted the corners of Lu Zhao’s mouth. ’I’ve finally broken through to the Late-stage Qi Cultivation! This means I can finally, truly set foot in the vast Cultivation Realm.’

As for his destination, that had been decided two years ago—the Bixia Marketplace.

Choosing this place was, in truth, a choice made out of necessity. As for the legendary Xuan Yang Immortal City, not only did Lu Zhao have no way of knowing any concrete information about it, but he was also completely unaware of the dangers along the way. All he had were baseless rumors. More vexingly, he didn’t even have a map to Xuan Yang Immortal City.

In contrast, the Bixia Marketplace was a completely different story. After six years of discreet inquiries, Lu Zhao had not only gathered a great deal of reliable information but had also unexpectedly obtained a rather detailed map. The map clearly marked the locations of major marketplaces along the route and even specifically noted which areas were known to have Tier Two Demon Beasts.

Furthermore, Lu Zhao had gleaned a lot of news from several Cultivators who had actually been to the Bixia Marketplace, giving him a solid understanding of the basic situation there.

What moved him the most was a piece of news about the Bixia Sect. It was said that during the "Bixia Assembly," held once every ten years, the Sect would also recruit some older Wanderers at its discretion. Lu Zhao calculated that the next grand event should be in seven years.

Not only that, but he had also heard that many Wanderers in the Foundation Establishment Stage resided in the Bixia Marketplace. This was undoubtedly good news, as it meant the Bixia Sect had at least a welcoming attitude toward Wanderers in the Foundation Establishment Realm. Even if he ultimately failed to join the Sect, establishing himself and cultivating in the Marketplace was still a secure fallback plan.

As twilight stained the horizon like thick ink, Lu Zhao took one last look at the stone chamber he had lived in for six years, then walked hurriedly toward the Market North District.

Lu Zhao stopped before a worn wooden door. The KNOCK KNOCK of his rapping was especially clear in the deepening twilight.

The door creaked open, revealing Chen Fang’s face, which was tinged with fatigue but still gentle. "Is that you, Little Zhao? Come in, quickly. Brother Yun, Little Zhao is here!"

Inside, the lamplight was dim and flickering. Wang Yun, whose figure had grown plump, spun around at the sound of her voice, his face breaking into a familiar smile. "Hey! Perfect timing! Come, sit. I was just lamenting how dull it is to drink alone!"

Before he had even finished speaking, a light little figure emerged giggling from behind Chen Fang and trotted a few steps to leap toward Lu Zhao.

It was a little girl of about three or four, with chubby pigtails and big, dark eyes like water-soaked black grapes reflecting the flickering lamplight. This was Wang Hui, the child who had tested as having a Middle-Grade Wood Spirit Root. Her aptitude far surpassed her parents’ Lower Grade roots, making her the treasure Wang Yun and his wife cherished in the palm of their hands.

"Uncle Lu! Uncle Lu!" the little girl cried out in her childish voice, her two chubby little hands outstretched, her small face full of trust and expectation.

"Oh, Little Hui!" Lu Zhao bent down almost instinctively. With a practiced motion of his arm, he scooped the small body up and held her securely in his embrace. "Mm, you’ve gotten heavier again. Such a good girl!"

The lifted girl’s eyes immediately curved into smiling crescents. With his free hand, Lu Zhao familiarly gave her soft cheek a gentle pinch.

"Look at you!" Wang Yun shook his head and chided with a laugh, his tone full of helpless indulgence. "You spoil this girl rotten!"

Wang Hui clung to Lu Zhao’s neck, wriggling her little body and refusing to get down. She snuggled her head into his chest, making Lu Zhao let out a low chuckle.

"Here, open your mouth." His other hand habitually reached into his Storage Bag and fished out two finger-sized, wax-paper-wrapped pieces of honey candy. A sweet fragrance quietly spread through the air. He carefully placed one in the little girl’s palm and skillfully peeled back a corner of the other, popping it into her eagerly opened mouth.

"Mmm! Thank you, Uncle Lu!" the little girl mumbled her thanks with a full mouth, her eyes shining brightly as she contentedly savored the sweet taste.

Chen Fang came forward with a smile to take her daughter. "You little rascal, pestering your Uncle Lu for candy again! Go play over there." She gently placed Wang Hui on a small wooden stool in the corner. With the candy in her mouth, the little girl quieted down.

Wang Yun pulled over a wide stool and sat down shoulder-to-shoulder with Lu Zhao. He then picked up the wine jug and filled the cup in front of Lu Zhao to the brim.

"Come on, come on! It’s rare for you to visit. We brothers will drink well tonight!" He wiped his mouth, his smile hearty and sincere.

Setting down the wine jug, Wang Yun patted his slightly bulging belly, a look of understanding in his eyes. "Are you out of materials again? I knew it! Don’t worry, I got a tip. A few days ago, someone spotted a few beasts over at Tiger Leaping Stream to the east... Tomorrow morning, I’ll..."

Lu Zhao listened quietly, his gaze resting on Wang Yun’s face. The sharp angles of his past had been replaced by soft flesh. Although his eyes still held a hint of their former sharpness, the keen edge of the Demon Hunter had long since rusted and worn smooth.

He was nearly fifty, with a Lower Grade Spirit Root, and had exhausted his Heart Power just to barely scrape his way to the threshold of the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer. With a cold, desperate chasm lying before him, Wang Yun had long since extinguished any thought of valiant progress.

This was especially true since Wang Hui’s birth. From the moment she was tested and found to have a Middle-Grade Spirit Root, a heavier responsibility had settled on his shoulders—to protect this tender immortal sprout and see her grow up safely. He no longer dared to make his living by licking blood from a blade’s edge.

"There’s no need, Brother." Lu Zhao sighed silently in his heart and gently shook his head, his tone still steady. "It’s not about that."

Wang Yun faltered for a moment, tilting his head. The candlelight flickered in his eyes, now filled with curiosity. "Oh? So you came just to see your sister-in-law and me?" His smile widened, full of pure delight. "Well, that’s even more reason to have a good drink! It’s rare for you to think of us. Come on, let’s toast to that!" He had clearly taken Lu Zhao’s visit for a casual social call.

"Brother," Lu Zhao said, not touching the wine bowl. His voice grew low, even taking on a hint of roughness. "I really do have something to discuss."

"Something to discuss?" The smile on Wang Yun’s face faded slightly, and he unconsciously leaned forward. "What is it? Just say it! Are you going to play games with your big brother?"

Lu Zhao’s hands, resting on his knees, unconsciously curled into fists. He met Wang Yun’s searching gaze, his Adam’s apple bobbing almost imperceptibly in the shadows.

"Brother," he finally said, his voice quiet. "I’m leaving the Zhou Family Marketplace."

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