249: Never engage in internal strife!

Heavenly Star Immortal City

When Lu Ming emerged from Ink Talisman Pavilion, he still felt a touch of regret.

Old Man Zhou and his son ultimately didn't survive the last beast tide, leaving behind an orphaned mother and child in this vast Immortal City.

However, this was their family's choice, and Lu Ming found it difficult to comment, only saying that life is full of uncertainties.

As for the mother and child, Lu Ming made no extensive arrangements, simply allowing them to remain at Ink Talisman Pavilion.

With him, a Golden Core True Person, no one in this Immortal City would dare to bully them.

Afterward, Lu Ming summoned Zhou Yang and Dong Pingan, those two lads.

To his surprise, Zhou Yang had already touched the threshold of Foundation Establishment, and Dong Pingan had steadily entered Late-Stage Qi Refinement.

Lu Ming did not converse with them much, merely leaving behind some Cultivation resources and protective items before sending them away.

These items were already insignificant to him now, but for these two, they were rare, top-tier resources.

Lu Ming no longer needed their service, and their current cultivation level couldn't offer much help.

But Lu Ming was nostalgic; without affecting himself, he didn't mind giving a hand to these old acquaintances.

So he went to see Zhang Li and his wife, and seeing that they were doing well, he didn't disturb them.

Perhaps in their memories, they had long forgotten about Lu Ming.

Finally, Lu Ming went to the Black Armor Guard, and when he saw Yuan Hong again, the old brother's brows were etched with much more weariness.

But when asked why Sikong Ming was not seen, Yuan Hong's eyes dimmed, and after a moment of silence, he revealed the reason.

It turned out that after Lu Ming fled the Immortal City, Sikong Ming could have safely retreated to the Inner City, avoiding external conflicts.

However, his nature was fierce; seeing the Ji Family so wantonly slaughtering Loose Cultivators, he ultimately couldn't suppress the rage in his heart and resolutely gave up the safety of the rear, bravely charging towards the Ji Family Cultivators.

In that battle, he slew several high-ranking members of the Ji Family and saved many Loose Cultivators, but ultimately, he was outnumbered and died fighting valiantly.

At this point, Yuan Hong sounded somewhat indignant.

It turned out that among the Loose Cultivators saved by Sikong Ming, some turned around and defected to the Ji Family, even turning their weapons against Sikong Ming.

Yuan Hong felt it was extremely unworthy for the Commander, who had saved a group of ungrateful people.

Lu Ming listened, his heart also filled with sighs, but he said nothing more.

This was the Dao Sikong Ming chose; he sought benevolence and attained benevolence, without regret or resentment.

Lu Ming admired such people, but he would not become one.

As for those ungrateful people and Ji Family Cultivators... Lu Ming's eyes slightly chilled. He thought, 'Presumably, this group of people has already taken residence in the human emperor banner!' This could be considered avenging Sikong Ming's blood debt!

"Alas~"

With a soft sigh, a trace of loneliness suddenly welled up in Lu Ming's heart.

Old acquaintances were continuously falling, perhaps one day, he would truly be alone, traveling through this vast Cultivation World.

Moreover, as his cultivation grew higher, his secluded cultivation sessions would last for several years, even dozens of years, which Foundation Establishment Cultivators could endure.

But for Qi Refining Cultivators, almost half their lives would pass.

By then, how many old acquaintances would he have left?

However, this wisp of melancholy only lasted for a moment before Lu Ming dispelled it.

Anxiety? That doesn't exist!

Lu Ming never self-consumed!

It was others whose pace couldn't keep up with him, not his problem!

What's more, those old acquaintances and friends, upon learning of his becoming a Golden Core True Person, their attitudes had all become respectful and reserved.

Even Zhou Yang, who had followed him for over a decade, now appeared cautious in front of him.

Lu Ming could only shake his head and smile bitterly at this, feeling rather bored.

He had wanted to get along with them as an ordinary person, but what he received in return was alienation.

"So be it. Perhaps this is the price of growth. I can only blame myself for being too outstanding!"

As for his whereabouts in the Immortal City these past few days, he had not deliberately concealed them.

By now, his Golden Core cultivation placed him among that small group at the top of the pyramid in the Southern Wilderness Region; many things no longer needed to be hidden, and it didn't matter even if someone investigated him!

Anyway, all these past experiences were fake; what you saw was what Lu Ming wanted you to see... As for his true name, no one knew it!

Perhaps because of the golden book, he always harbored a deep taboo about revealing his name.

—

After bidding farewell to Yuan Hong, Lu Ming was about to head to the Scripture Pavilion, but his figure suddenly paused mid-air.

He raised an eyebrow; in his mental perception, the golden book in his Sea of Consciousness glowed faintly at this moment.

With a thought, the golden book in the Void Realm slowly unfolded, moving without wind.

On the Golden Core page, a brand new name was slowly condensing, shining brightly.

【Mu Han】

Late Golden Core Stage!

"I've been waiting for you!"

A strange curve appeared at the corner of Lu Ming's mouth.

Needless to say, this person must be Shen Yuan's mysterious Senior Brother at the Late Golden Core Stage.

By the way, where is Shen Yuan?

Lu Ming focused his Divine Sense and indeed saw the name originally belonging to 【Shen Yuan】 gradually fading until it vanished.

In its place was a soul imprint filled with resentment and chilling ghostly Qi.

Lu Ming extended his Divine Sense, lightly touching that soul imprint to sense it, and then his eyes immediately became strange.

"Banner Spirit?"

Good heavens! How much time had passed? Shen Yuan had actually been refined into a Banner Spirit!

"What a dramatic play of fellow disciples turning on each other."

One could guess what happened with their butt; demon Cultivators are just like that!

Lu Ming silently mourned for the unfortunate Shen Yuan for three seconds, then immediately became alert.

Shen Yuan himself was a Middle Stage Golden Core Cultivator; now that he had been refined into a Banner Spirit, Mu Han's strength would undoubtedly soar.

If he were to face this person, he must be fully prepared and not be careless in the slightest!

Thinking of this, Lu Ming no longer hesitated, taking a step forward, his shadow instantly disappearing.

In front of the Heavenly Star Immortal City Scripture Pavilion, Lu Ming's figure suddenly appeared without warning.

This scene startled the old man guarding the entrance, who nearly unleashed his spiritual power instantly.

But when he clearly saw the newcomer's face and felt the unfathomable aura, his expression changed drastically. He hurriedly rose and bowed in salute, his voice still tinged with panic.

"Junior Jiang Lai greets Immortal Master!"

"Oh?" Looking at the old Cultivator who used to ignore him, Lu Ming's playful mood arose, and he deliberately asked, "When have you ever seen this venerable one?"

"Uh... this..."

Old Man Jiang was immediately speechless, looking embarrassed. He had only given a routine greeting, never expecting this Immortal Master to be so serious.

"Hahahaha!" Seeing his expression, Lu Ming burst into laughter and didn't make things difficult for him anymore, striding directly into the Scripture Pavilion.

He didn't even show the tianxing token for this; the Restrictions in the pavilion automatically dispersed.

Perhaps this was the benefit of having high cultivation; many rules and regulations only applied to lower-level Cultivators, but for him, they were virtually nonexistent.

Perhaps this is why billions of beings struggle through the sea of suffering to climb the Immortal Dao!

What they pursue is nothing more than great freedom and unrestrained joy!