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The cooperation was settled, and Xu Feng was informed to report to Xu Family Courtyard three days later. The Xu family was located in Minghu City, making it easy to find.
After bidding farewell to Lu Liang, Xu Feng spent some time in Minghu City, replenishing his supply of pills and talismans. He also purchased some precious seeds for future needs. After completing these tasks, Xu Feng checked into an inn, waiting for the day he would start working at Xu Family Courtyard.
At the inn, Xu Feng spent a few coins to inquire with the attendant about the specific location of the Xu family and the situation of various factions in Minghu City.
The cultivation sects in Minghu City were complex and numerous, with more than ten major ones. The Xu family and Yue Family were the strongest and also two rival factions. Due to their comparable strength, they had been in conflict for many years without either side gaining the upper hand. The Xu family's reputation was better than that of the Yue Family; as the saying goes, those who are virtuous attract help. Therefore, it was easier for the Xu family to hire experts compared to the Yue Family. However, the Yue Family had a formidable alchemist who produced a large quantity of pills, making their foundation very solid.
As one of the five famous cities in Zheguo, Minghu City had a unique feature: the Duel Arena. In all other cities, private fights were prohibited, but here there was a solution for conflicts among cultivators. If both parties agreed, they could resolve their grievances in the Duel Arena, where life and death were left to fate.
Both the Xu family and Yue Family had already lost over ten junior disciples in the Duel Arena. It was inevitable; young people tend to be impulsive.
Three days passed quickly, and Xu Feng appeared at the entrance of Xu Family Courtyard early in the morning. The courtyard was not just any ordinary place; it spanned over ten miles, with more than twenty entrances. After searching for a while, Xu Feng finally found a side door to enter.
Along with Xu Feng were thirteen cultivators: five at the Late Stage of Golden Core and eight at Nascent Soul Stage. Each one looked fierce and intimidating, making Xu Feng seem like an odd honest person among them.
Soon after, Lu Liang came out. An Azure Eye Cultivator at the Late Stage of Nascent Soul angrily said, "Lu Daoist friend, what do you mean by this? We are Golden Blade Disciples; are you looking down on us by making us enter through a side door?" The others echoed his sentiments with angry glares.
The invited cultivators were arranged to enter Xu Family Courtyard through a side door, which was seen as a great disrespect among cultivators.
Lu Liang's face turned red from embarrassment as he realized he was in the wrong. He said, "Everyone calm down. I mentioned before that you all have a chance to become Golden Blade Disciples, but not right now. Therefore, you can only enter through the side door. Please don't be anxious; this is a rule of the Xu family..."
Another cultivator interjected, "I've been in Minghu City for so many years; how come I've never heard of this rule? Who established it?"
"I did." A more menacing voice came forth as two young women emerged from Xu Family Courtyard. The woman behind seemed cautious and appeared to be a follower of the one in front.
The leading woman had an elegant figure and a face like a peach blossom; no one would believe that such a fierce voice had come from her lips. Lu Liang stepped aside and called out, "Elder Sister."
Elder Sister? Xu Ruchu!
This elder sister is not just any famous person; you may not know where the Xu Family Courtyard is, but you must know that the Xu family has an elder sister, and getting on her bad side can lead to trouble. Since she was favored by the family head, she was given a private army. If she takes a disliking to someone, she will have them beaten half to death outside the city. Even disciples of the Yue Family avoid her.
The angry cultivator was startled into silence by Sister Xu's shout and muttered, "So it’s Sister Xu’s rules; no wonder it makes sense." More than a dozen people became obedient after being yelled at by Xu Ruchu.
Xu Fengxin observed Xu Ruchu, noting her light yellow clothing and the two-meter-long whip she held. This whip was specially crafted and classified as a Superior Magical Artifact. Although she only possessed Mid Stage of Nascent Soul strength, many Late Stage of Nascent Soul cultivators had been beaten by this whip.
"What are you looking at?" Sister Xu snapped at Xu Feng, her beautiful eyes glaring at him.
Xu Feng quickly replied, "Elder Sister, please don’t be angry. I just wanted to ask where you got that outfit made; I would like to order one for my younger sister."
Xu Ruchu stared at Xu Feng and then burst into laughter, saying, "Your strength is lacking, but you sure know how to talk."
The other cultivators wished they could slap themselves; they envied how clever he was to flatter the elder sister right away. This guy would have good luck in the future and at least wouldn’t suffer.
Lu Liang felt a pang of jealousy as his gaze toward Xu Feng changed significantly. Flattering others was originally his strong suit, but now Xu Feng had stolen his thunder. He thought to himself that he needed to be careful not to let Xu Feng take away his opportunities.
Xu Ruchu tapped her whip in her hand and paced as she said, "To be honest with you all, this recruitment by the Xu family is my personal idea. You will follow me and work for me; if I do well, so will you."
The cultivators exchanged strange glances and fell silent. Xu Ruchu continued, "If you regret it now, it's not too late. I won’t force you to join; with our Xu family's strength..."
Just as Lu Liang was about to signal Xu Ruchu to stop, the Azure Eye Cultivator interjected, "Sister Xu is talented and beautiful; being able to work for her is a great fortune for us cultivators. I have matters at home and cannot stay away for long; I must take my leave." With that, the Azure Eye Cultivator turned and left. He hadn’t officially joined yet and could come and go freely.
Xu Ruchu raised her jade hand and said, "Go ahead."
"The younger generation's abilities are lacking, and I do not wish to trouble you, elder sister."
"Go ahead."
"I have recently reached a bottleneck in my cultivation and need to meditate and comprehend."
"Go ahead."
"…"
"Go ahead."
"…"
"Go ahead."
"Go ahead."
……
Xu Ruchu's repeated insistence to go ahead made her expression increasingly grim. In the end, out of the thirteen summoned, only Xu Feng remained standing there.
"What do you have to do? Never mind, you can go as well." Xu Ruchu waved her hand in disappointment. She was aware of her reputation; although she hadn't done anything wrong, it was truly difficult to find someone willing to work with her. Who wouldn't fear her whip? One wrong move and they would be struck.
Xu Feng said, "I am willing to join the Xu family and hope to become a Golden Blade Disciple, serving elder sister."
Xu Ruchu unexpectedly looked at Xu Feng and said, "My temper... isn't that bad. I'm glad you can stay. Your strength isn't enough, so you can just follow me around for now. I'll treat you like an Outer Sect disciple of the Xu family, and you won't need to participate in that matter."
Xu Feng sensed that this invitation wasn't the Xu family's intention and guessed a bit about what was going on. He asked, "May I ask what this matter is, elder sister?"
Xu Ruchu replied, "If you're willing to follow me, then I won't hide it from you. The reason I brought you here is that I want you to help me seize something. If we succeed, you can choose to stay or leave, and if you decide to leave, I'll give you a batch of spirit stones."
Xu Feng realized that it was similar to what happened at Pingyang Valley; they were being recruited to fight. No wonder the people being invited looked fierce and intimidating. It was difficult for Sister Xu to gather a dozen or so people through persuasion and trickery, leaving only Xu Feng as the sole Golden Core Cultivator.
Xu Feng said, "Elder sister, I have a request that may be unreasonable. If you agree, I would be willing to risk my life for you."
Lu Liang shouted, "Xu Feng, you're just a Golden Blade Disciple! What qualifications do you have to negotiate with elder sister?"
However, Xu Ruchu said, "You only have Golden Core Stage cultivation. Going with me on this matter might be perilous for you. Why don't you listen and see if I can agree?"
Xu Feng replied, "I need a place rich in Spiritual Energy for long-term seclusion to break through to the Nascent Soul Stage. I hope that after we succeed in our task, elder sister can provide me with such an opportunity. If we fail, I will seek another way."
Xu Ruchu laughed and said, "You want to exchange your life for a chance to cultivate in seclusion?"
Xu Feng responded, "Elder sister is exaggerating. My strength may not be enough to accomplish this task, but I still have the ability to protect my life." Since Xu Ruchu's highest recruit was at the Nascent Soul Stage, the difficulty of this task would likely be around that level. As long as there were no Divine Separation Stage cultivators involved, there should be a good chance of success.
"Alright, I accept your request," Xu Ruchu said. "Regardless of whether we succeed or fail, I will prepare a Cave for you to cultivate in." Xu Feng was the only one left from this group and didn't seem unpleasant; providing a Cave was already planned out beforehand; it just needed more time without interruptions during his cultivation.
Xu Ruchu turned to Lu Liang and said, "Take him inside and make the necessary preparations while waiting for my instructions." She then walked into the courtyard, and her beautiful attendant hurriedly followed her. Perhaps due to not moving for too long, her legs felt a bit numb; she stumbled slightly at the door but managed not to fall. Upon seeing Xu Feng watching her, she shot him a fierce glare—indeed, one becomes like those they associate with...
Lu Liang hadn't expected Xu Feng would stay; he initially didn't think highly of Xu Feng's abilities but now found him to be the last one left without any choice. Lu Liang led Xu Feng into the Xu Family Courtyard, turning through countless twists and turns before arriving at a building against the mountain.
Lu Liang let Xu Feng stay in a room on the second floor and said, "This room was originally for you all, but now it belongs to you alone. Xu Feng, you're quite lucky. The eldest sister isn't actually a bad person; she just has a temper... which is fine. You only need a place to meditate. Once you finish this matter, if you can come back alive, then it will be accomplished."
Xu Feng asked, "Is it convenient for you to tell me what this matter is, Senior Lu?"
Lu Liang replied, "I don't know about this matter either. I'm just responsible for finding people for the eldest sister. I won't be involved in the actual work. The eldest sister has her own group of people; bringing you in is just to increase the odds of success. However, this time, the eldest sister will have to rely entirely on her own strength." Xu Feng's abilities had already been completely overlooked in his eyes.
Lu Liang briefly explained a few things and then left.
The room was only a temporary arrangement; aside from a stone bed, there was nothing else. Xu Feng sat on the bed, organizing his thoughts.
The pursuit by the Xiaoyao Sect had temporarily come to an end; they might not be able to find him so far away. Xu Feng was already part of the Xu family, and even if they found him, the Xiaoyao Sect's strength was inferior to that of the Xu family. Without the Xu family's consent, they wouldn't dare to act recklessly.
The Five Elements had already reached Great Achievement. Now, the main priority was to find a quiet place for meditation. Only large forces could provide a sufficiently rich spiritual energy environment for seclusion that was also secure and undisturbed. Originally, he planned to go to the Pingdao Sect and use Shen Gongzi's connections to secure a place for meditation; however, that was also full of uncertainties. Xu Ruchu was impulsive, but such people keep their promises. Once she finished her business, there was an eighty percent chance he could get a cave for meditation.
Xu Ruchu was going to steal something but didn't know what it was or from whom it would be taken; all of this would only be revealed once they arrived there.
Xu Feng activated his Five Elements Power and immersed himself in cultivation.
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