Chapter 220

Chapter 220: Ambush

The Spiritual Pill Conference again consisted of a written examination and a martial skills competition. The written examination primarily tested everyone’s understanding of pill refinement knowledge and techniques.

Its content was not limited to first-level knowledge, even encompassing various ancient texts recording oddities and rare tales.

Therefore, to become a Pill Master, one not only had to master all manner of pill refinement skills and strengthen mental strength but also needed to read extensively and broaden one’s experience.

This was why Pill Masters were welcomed as esteemed guests and respected wherever they went.

Among the four major skills of cultivation, formation arts ranked first due to their practicality and power.

Potion ranked second, partly because of its universality and vastness.

As for the latter two, they varied little, though talismans were placed after artifact crafting solely because they were consumable items.

Seated in a round-backed chair, Zhou Luo had now transformed from an examinee into an examiner, truly causing envy among the Pill Masters below.

The written examination lasted one Shi Chen, after which specialized Pill Masters began reviewing the papers.

Although the Spiritual Pill Conference had been held several times, ultimately, no one’s score surpassed Zhou Luo.

None had in the past, and essentially none would in the future.

After the written examination, ten individuals remained, Lin Xin among them.

Her theoretical knowledge wasn’t solid enough, so she barely managed eighth place.

But during martial skills competition on the second day, this Third Young Lady proved rather surprising.

Though still only a middle first-level Pill Master, her relentless stubbornness and desire for perfection in all endeavors meant she had poured significant effort into pill refinement.

By the end of martial skills competition, she achieved an outstanding second-place result, surpassing the Lu Family’s Lu An, securely earning the opportunity to study within the Immortal Sect.

Lin Guang Ming, thoroughly vindicated, delighted in this for quite some time.

That evening, the Li Family hosted a banquet but did not invite the Lu Family.

The Li Family had always remained neutral among the five great families. Yet this act subtly conveyed a message.

They intended to align with the Lin Family.

On reflection, this was logical. Among the five great families, the Lin and Wang families were allied, while the Lu and Zhang families united.

In recent years, the Lin Family successively produced talents like Zhou Luo and Lin Xin. Furthermore, the Wang Family’s young lady had earned the Immortal Sect’s favor, becoming an Immortal Sect disciple.

Anyone discerning could perceive that within the next few decades, it would be the era of the Lin and Wang families.

The Li Family excelled at assessing the tides, hence they chose to stand with Lin and Wang without hesitation.

On the day after the banquet, Zhou Luo’s party was set to return to Maple Leaf City.

During their departure, he also met the concubine gifted to him by the Li Family.

She was a girl with bright eyes and white teeth, possessing an innocent appearance. Her attire was simple, her adornments plain, but her features were well-proportioned. Not as transcendent as Lin Xi and the others. Yet she remained pleasing to the eye.

Zhou Luo accepted the Li Family’s goodwill, bringing this woman named Li Ying aboard the flying boat.

Perhaps aware of Lin Xin’s status, Li Ying appeared extremely restrained. Head bowed, she maintained a humble demeanor throughout.

The group departed Panshi City, setting course toward Maple Leaf City.

After traversing a hundred li, the group emerged above a mountain valley.

Shoo—

Just at that moment, a piercing whistling sound abruptly pierced the air, accompanied by a frigid aura that swept over their faces.

Directly ahead of them, a large net thick with frost materialized out of thin air, hurtling towards them like a shroud.

Lin Guang Ming seemed to have anticipated this long ago. He gave a cold laugh, crushed the communication talisman in his right hand, and simultaneously activated the defense formation of the flying boat.

As it was a small flying boat, the formation wasn’t high-tier.

But it was still capable of blocking that magical artifact temporarily.

Aboard the flying boat, the others’ expressions changed slightly, especially the young couple and Li Ying, whose faces paled considerably as panic set in.

Watching Lin Guang Ming’s unperturbed demeanor, Zhou Luo merely brought out the Xuan Tian sword he had earlier.

Although he possessed the top-grade magical artifact ‘Shuo Feng’, it was better to lie low at a time like this.

Boom—

The net collided with the formation, producing a thunderous noise that made the entire flying boat shudder.

Below, Lu Chen led a group charging forth, each holding various magical artifacts. Without a word of exchange, they attacked directly.

“You Lu Family truly refuse to give up. We will obliterate you sooner or later,” Lin Guang Ming shouted sternly.

"Humph."

Lu Chen snorted coldly, sweeping his great blade to unleash a violent torrent of flame that crashed heavily onto the formation shield.

Over the past few years, the Lu Family had suffered immensely: first robbed by evil cultivators in their own city, then forced to forfeit a spiritual mine, and further crippled recently by the loss of two high-tier formation masters and numerous clan descendants during their failed assault on Jiang City.

With the ascending power of the allied Lin and Wang families, how could the Lu Family tolerate their rivals growing unchallenged?

Therefore, after the Spiritual Pill Conference, they conceived this ambush, summoning several clan elders to execute it.

But the Lu Family’s schemes were met by Lin Family’s readiness.

Just as the attack commenced, a contingent of cultivators surged from the distant horizon, all adorned in Lin Family attire. Leading them were Second Elder Lin Guang Xuan and Fifth Elder Lin Yan.

Seeing the Lin reinforcements arrive, panic washed over Lu Chen’s face, and he hurriedly commanded retreat.

Yet the Lin Family had successfully baited their trap; there would be no easy escape.

Second Elder Lin Guang Xuan took the lead, hurling a high-grade spiritual symbol. The talisman erupted mid-air with blinding light, sending countless radiant blades streaking towards the scattering Lu disciples.

With the tide turning abruptly, Lin Guang Ming turned to Zhou Luo beside him with a smile. “Well then? Rumor has it you advanced a realm. Care to test your mettle?”

Observing the fleeing Lu family members scrambling for cover, Zhou Luo tightened his grip on the Xuan Tian sword, his gaze darkening.

Then, he propelled himself forward in a leap. The longsword in his hand blazed with brilliant emerald spiritual energy as a vast sword intent surged forth.

One Lu cultivator, seeing that a mere Pill Master like Zhou Luo dared attack, promptly met the charge.

But regret followed swiftly.

Where the verdant light touched, countless vines crawled into existence from empty air, striking like venomous snakes. They instantly coiled around the him, binding him tight. Sword aura then descended, cutting him down.

This was the second form of the Five Elements Sword Technique: Green Vine Entanglement!

He had mastered it upon reaching the sixth level, and now this unfortunate soul served as his test subject.

To all watching, both Lu and Lin cultivators reacted with shock and disbelief at the terrifying pressure released by the sword art.

In their view, Zhou Luo possessed undeniable talent in alchemy but had never showcased any battle prowess.

Witnessing his combat capabilities for the first time proved astonishing.

They hadn’t expected his ability to be formidable.

No wonder he survived in the Longfeng Mountain range.

With one Lu disciple dispatched, Zhou Luo sheathed his sword.

His goal was achieved. This display would surely shift the Lin elders’ perception of him.

It would bolster the justification when claiming his future Elder position, ensuring they didn’t underestimate him.

Now that his Master Lin Zhi Shou likely didn’t have much time left, Zhou Luo needed to begin demonstrating his strength and capability.

Otherwise, trouble might brew later.

The Lin Family’s undercover sting proved immensely successful. The Lu forces suffered devastating losses; only a handful escaped, leaving them severely diminished once more.

“Zhou Luo, fine swordsmanship,” Second Elder Lin Guang Xuan remarked, turning to him with rare approval.

This Second Elder was straightforward and fair-minded; praise was not withheld where deserved.

Zhou Luo bowed respectfully. “Merely fortunate to learn a technique or two—nothing impressive.”

The Lu ambush had been a minor detour. Days later, the group returned safely.

Zhou Luo brought Li Ying back to Zhou Garden.

Her character mattered little to him. Being a newcomer concubine in unfamiliar territory, she likely couldn’t stir much trouble. He’d simply leave Lin Xi and Lin Jin Xuan responsible for disciplining her.

Welcoming the newcomer, his wives and concubines adopted an air of cordial composure—This left Li Ying feeling deeply unnerved and apprehensive.

On the very night Zhou Luo shared the room with Li Ying.

The moment their intimacy concluded, a notification sound abruptly rang in his ears.

[Congratulations, Host! Through unceasing effort, you have successfully impregnated your partner. Obtained one lottery opportunity.]