142: Master Hongfu! Dong Xuan'er!

Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Two: Martial Aunt Hong Fu! Dong Xuaner!

The green wind boat was extremely fast, like a streak of green lightning tearing through the sky, as it sped toward Huayuan Peak in the depths of the Taiyue Mountain Range.

Lu Qiu stood at the bow, his green robes fluttering, as thoughts swirled in his mind.

His Revered Master Li Huayuan had suddenly summoned him, and his tone was different from usual, leaving Lu Qiu with much to ponder.

Combining his vague memories of the original story with the current situation in the State of Yue—which seemed calm but was actually surging with undercurrents—he had a faint inkling of what was happening.

An hour later, the familiar valley hidden by a massive waterfall came into view.

The silver-white waterfall still roared as it cascaded down from a hundred-zhang cliff, crashing into the deep pool below and kicking up a mist that refracted brilliant rainbows in the sunlight.

Mist filled the air and Spiritual Qi permeated the surroundings; this was the entrance to Li Huayuan's Immortal Cave, "Green Wave Cave."

Lu Qiu lowered his Escape Light and was about to take out a Sound Transmission Talisman to trigger the Restriction.

Just then, another slightly lighter green Escape Light streaked through the air from a different direction at a similar speed, landing steadily in front of the waterfall only a few zhang away from him.

As the Escape Light dissipated, a Face familiar to Lu Qiu was revealed—slightly dark skin, ordinary features, and a steady, reserved gaze. It was Han Li.

Their gazes met in mid-air, both seeing a clear flash of surprise in each other's eyes.

Summoned at the same time?

It seemed that whatever "important matter" their Master Li Huayuan spoke of was likely no small thing, requiring him to see both of them at once.

Lu Qiu's Divine Sense flickered, sensing the spiritual power fluctuations emanating from Han Li. He had already reached the Middle Stage Foundation Establishment, and his aura was still somewhat unstable, clearly having just broken through recently with his Realm not yet fully consolidated.

He couldn't help but feel a hint of surprise.

In the original story, Han Li only broke through to the Middle Stage Foundation Establishment after the Six Demonic Sects invaded the State of Yue and he experienced a series of life-and-death battles and escapes.

Now the timeline seemed to have shifted forward. It appeared that the wings of the "butterfly" he represented had more or less influenced the fortunes of this "Old Devil Han."

Perhaps he had fewer near-death experiences than in the original story, but he might have gained other opportunities or pressures.

"Senior Brother Lu, were you also summoned by Master?" Han Li spoke first, his voice calm, but his eyes also held a hint of doubt.

Lu Qiu nodded. "Indeed. Did Junior Brother Han also receive a Sound Transmission Talisman?"

"Yes."

Han Li responded and then tentatively asked, "Does Senior Brother know why Master has summoned us this time?"

He was always cautious; whenever faced with an unknown situation, he always wanted to probe for more information.

Lu Qiu shook his head, his expression normal. "I don't know either. However, once we go in and see Master, we will naturally understand."

Although he had some guesses, this matter involved the private affairs of a Core Formation Senior Martial Uncle and was not yet settled, so it was naturally inconvenient to say much to Han Li.

The two spoke no more, each taking out a pale yellow Sound Transmission Talisman. After infusing them with magical power, they simultaneously sent them toward the roaring water curtain.

The Talismans disappeared into the water curtain like stones into the sea, only stirring a faint, imperceptible ripple.

A moment later, amidst the rumbling sound of water, the thick waterfall curtain suddenly parted silently, revealing a passage only wide enough for a few people to pass through.

Immediately afterward, a middle-aged Cultivator wearing the standard green robes of Yellow Maple Valley, with an honest Face and a steady temperament, walked out of the passage. It was Li Huayuan's eldest Disciple—Yu Kun.

"Junior Brothers, it has been a long time." Yu Kun smiled and cupped his hands toward Lu Qiu and Han Li.

"Greetings, Eldest Senior Brother." Lu Qiu and Han Li did not dare to be negligent and quickly returned the greeting.

"No need for such formalities. Quickly follow me inside. Master, Mistress, and an honored guest have been waiting for a long time." Yu Kun stepped aside to clear the passage, gesturing for the two to enter.

However, just as Lu Qiu stepped past him, Yu Kun's footsteps suddenly halted. His gaze fell upon Lu Qiu with shock and uncertainty, scanning him up and down.

"Junior Brother Lu, you... you are at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage?!" Yu Kun's voice was filled with shock, and even carried a hint of unconcealed envy and disbelief.

He remembered clearly that when Lu Qiu joined the sect a few years ago, he had only just successfully established his foundation.

How long has it been?

Less than ten years, by any count, right? To go from the Early Foundation Establishment Stage all the way to the Late Foundation Establishment Stage!

Such cultivation speed was simply unheard of!

An ordinary Cultivator, even a Genius with Dual Spiritual Roots, would often need over a dozen or even twenty to thirty years of hard work to go from the Early Stage to the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment. During that time, they would also need the assistance of Medicinal Pills and lucky opportunities.

As for Yu Kun himself, it had taken him a full fourteen years just to break through from the Early Stage to the Middle Stage!

The Late Stage was still nowhere in sight.

"Senior Brother has a keen eye." Lu Qiu's expression was calm, and he smiled faintly, his tone indifferent as if he were speaking of something trivial. "While traveling abroad, I was fortunate enough to encounter some opportunities and happened to obtain a few bottles of high-quality Medicinal Pills. That is why my cultivation progressed a bit faster. It was truly a stroke of luck."

"So that's how it is!" Hearing this, the shock in Yu Kun's eyes lessened slightly, replaced by deep envy and sighing. "Junior Brother truly has profound fortune. It is truly enviable!"

Beside them, Han Li also gave Lu Qiu a deep look. He knew very well that this Senior Brother Lu had many secrets, acted decisively, and had unfathomable methods. It was impossible for him to have such terrifying progress just by relying on "a few bottles of pills."

But being cautious by nature, he naturally would not ask more, merely burying this surprise and inquiry deep in his heart.

The three said no more and passed through the passage behind the waterfall, entering the interior of Green Wave Cave.

Inside the valley, the scenery remained the same. The Spiritual Qi was several times denser than outside, swirling as a faint white mist.

Pavilions and buildings were elegantly distributed along the mountain walls and stream banks. Various rare flowers and exotic herbs in the Spirit Medicine garden were vibrant, emitting a refreshing fragrance. Occasionally, immortal cranes and spirit deer would stroll leisurely, making it look like a paradise on earth.

Only today, the atmosphere in the valley seemed slightly different from its usual quiet and peaceful self, faintly carrying a hint of gravity and solemnity.

Before they had gone far, someone came toward them from around a corner of the path.

This person was tall with a Face that carried a bit of arrogance. It was Li Huayuan's sixth Disciple, Wu Xuan.

"Greetings, Sixth Senior Brother!" Lu Qiu and Han Li stopped at the same time and cupped their hands in respectful greeting.

However, Wu Xuan only gave them a cold glance. His gaze lingered on Lu Qiu and Han Li for a moment before he let out an unconcealed cold snort. His Face showed blatant annoyance and displeasure; he didn't even bother with pleasantries, directly brushing past the three and walking away quickly, his back radiating irritation.

A flash of doubt and confusion appeared in Han Li's eyes.

He told himself that since joining the sect, he had very little interaction with this Sixth Senior Brother, let alone offending him. Why was the other's attitude so hostile?

Lu Qiu, however, understood clearly. Combined with his previous guesses, he was now even more certain.

It was likely because of Martial Aunt Hong Fu choosing a Dao Companion for Dong Xuaner.

This Wu Xuan was probably one of the "candidates" Li Huayuan had initially recommended to Hong Fu, but he had clearly failed to catch Martial Aunt Hong Fu's eye.

Now that Li Huayuan had turned to summon himself and Han Li, Wu Xuan was naturally extremely dissatisfied, feeling he had lost Face. He might even think they had "stolen his Opportunity," and thus vented his resentment directly on them.

Lu Qiu couldn't be bothered to care about such petty emotions stemming from jealousy.

In the world of cultivation, strength was paramount. Now that he was already at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage and his Divine Sense was comparable to Core Formation, while Wu Xuan was only at the Early Foundation Establishment Stage, the gap between them was already like clouds and mud. As long as the other didn't actively seek death by provoking him, he would treat him as if he didn't exist.

"Junior Brother Wu... he has been a bit frustrated with his cultivation lately and is in a bad mood. Please don't take it to heart, Junior Brothers." Yu Kun tried to smooth things over with some embarrassment from the side, then changed the subject. "Let's go quickly. Revered Master, Mistress, and the honored guest shall not be kept waiting."

The three didn't delay any further and headed straight toward the most grand guest hall in the center of the valley, with its green tiles, white walls, and upturned eaves.

The hall doors were wide open, and the light inside was bright. Before even stepping in, one could sense several powerful auras. Two of them belonged to Core Formation Cultivators; although their Spiritual Pressure wasn't intentionally released, the invisible pressure from their level of existence was still clearly discernible.

Lu Qiu and Han Li exchanged a glance, straightened their robes, and stepped inside.

The interior of the hall was spacious, with simple and elegant furnishings. Two people sat at the head of the hall.

On the left was Lu Qiu's Revered Master, Li Huayuan.

He was still dressed in a simple gray Daoist robe, with white hair and beard, but his complexion was ruddy, and he looked energetic. A sharp light occasionally flickered in his eyes, giving him an air of natural authority.

On the right sat a beautiful woman in a light purple Palace Dress, with her hair in a high bun and a gentle, elegant appearance. She was Li Huayuan's Dao Companion.

Compared to when Lu Qiu first saw her years ago, her Face was now ruddy, and there was no trace of illness in her expression. Instead, she looked radiant; clearly, her old injuries had completely healed, and her cultivation seemed to have even improved.

Beside the main seats, another seat was set up, where a beautiful woman in a bright red dress sat.

This beautiful woman looked to be in her thirties, with a lovely Face, fair skin, and a lingering charm.

But between her brows, there was a natural coldness and aloofness that kept people at a distance, as if she were eternal, unmelting ice.

She just sat there quietly, not intentionally releasing any pressure, yet she possessed a heart-palpitating majestic air and a faint sharpness that permeated the air, making the temperature in the entire hall seem to drop a few degrees.

It was the other Core Formation Cultivator of Yellow Maple Valley, known for her cold temperament and formidable strength—Martial Aunt Hong Fu!