Night had fallen.
Lu Yuanding led the group to rest in the wilderness.
One had to admit, these spiritual steeds were far superior to ordinary horses.
Lu Changsheng, who had experience riding, didn't feel the slightest fatigue even after an entire day of travel. These horses were clearly enhanced with spiritual energy.
"May I ask, Family Head Lu, how long will it take to reach Qingzhu Mountain?" a young man asked from among the group.
"These spiritual steeds cover a thousand miles a day. At this pace, it'll take just over half a month," Lu Yuanding replied calmly.
"A thousand miles a day?"
"Half a month?"
The youths exchanged glances, their expressions falling.
That was incredibly far.
Lu Yuanding, oblivious to their dismay, retrieved a small porcelain bottle.
"Half a month will pass quickly," he said. "These are Fasting Pills. One pill will suppress hunger for an entire month. Take one each."
He distributed the pills.
Lu Changsheng stared at the bean-sized brown elixir in his palm. Then, without hesitation, he swallowed it.
He had made his choice. Even if it were poison, he would have still taken it. Besides, the Lu Family had no reason to harm them.
After consuming the pills, some of the young men began cultivating in meditation. Clearly, they had already learned some basic techniques.
Li Feiyu, meanwhile, practiced martial arts on her own in silence.
Both she and Lu Changsheng had once dominated the martial world.
At just eighteen, they were considered top-tier experts among mortals.
The days passed with monotonous repetition.
Ride. Rest. Train. Repeat.
After half a month—
"Brace yourselves. We're about to arrive at Qingzhu Mountain," Lu Yuanding called out as he led the group on the final leg of the journey.
Though worn and weary, the group immediately perked up.
The hardship was about to end.
Lu Changsheng, too, appeared drained—but unlike the others, his instincts remained sharp. His years navigating the martial world had taught him the worst attacks came when the guard was down.
He exchanged a subtle glance with Li Feiyu and signaled her to remain vigilant.
Just then—
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Suddenly, dozens of crystalline ice spears erupted from the nearby earth, launching toward the group with terrifying force.
"No good, it's an ambush!" Lu Yuanding shouted, eyes narrowing.
He raised his palm, releasing blazing fireballs to intercept the incoming ice.
"Protect the seedlings!"
The five Lu Family cultivators reacted swiftly—erecting earthen walls, water screens, and other elemental defenses.
But there were too many ice spears.
Some pierced through the defense.
Thud!
A few youths were struck in the chest and fell lifeless from their steeds.
Lu Changsheng's eyes narrowed, but his expression remained calm.
"So this… is the cultivation world?"
"Doesn't seem much different from the martial world…"
"Hahaha! Lu Yuanding, did you think you could take those seedlings without the Chen Family's permission?"
A tall, middle-aged man in a crimson robe emerged from underground, followed by a dozen cultivators.
"Chen Shuisheng!"
Lu Yuanding's expression darkened.
He recognized him—the Patriarch of the Chen Family from Red Leaf Valley, their clan's old rival.
But he hadn't expected Chen Shuisheng to be so bold as to launch an ambush so close to Qingzhu Mountain.
Then again… this was the perfect time.
The recruits were tired. Their guards were down. An ideal moment for a strike.
Without delay, Lu Yuanding burned a Transmission Talisman, sending a flare for reinforcements.
"Quick! Engage and kill!" Chen Shuisheng barked.
He slammed his palms together, sending out wave after wave of ice spikes, while his subordinates targeted the seedlings with spells.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The air exploded with spiritual force.
The Lu Family fell into a defensive position, clearly outnumbered.
Their hands were tied—they had to protect the seedlings, giving the Chen Family a clear edge.
"In this world ruled by power," Lu Changsheng whispered to Li Feiyu,
"without strength, you're nothing. Life is as fragile as a blade of grass."
"Wuu wuu… Cultivation is too dangerous! I want to go home!"
"Please, let me go! I didn't sign up for this!"
"Run! Staying here is just waiting to die!"
Chaos spread among the seedlings.
Two broke formation and tried to flee.
But the moment they left the Lu Family's protective zone—
BANG!
CRACK!
They were instantly struck down by fireballs, wind blades, and ice spikes.
The message was clear:
Flee, and you die.
The others could only cower and pray the Lu Family could hold out.
Fortunately—
Whoosh! Whoosh!
A rush of spiritual energy tore through the sky.
Figures appeared in the distance, flying swiftly toward them.
Reinforcements.
"Retreat!" Chen Shuisheng ordered, face grim.
Without hesitation, the Chen Family fled into the forest, vanishing into the night.
"Father, are you alright!?"
A gentle voice rang out.
A young woman in a flowing white dress descended gracefully beside Lu Yuanding.
She was breathtaking.
With a delicate face, snow-white skin, and autumn-water eyes, her presence was ethereal. Her white robe fluttered in the wind, revealing slender, jade-like calves that shimmered under the moonlight.
It was as if a celestial maiden had descended into the mortal realm.
Even in the aftermath of blood and chaos, every eye was drawn to her.
"Miaoge, Father is fine. Just exhausted my spiritual power," Lu Yuanding said gently.
Lu Miaoge.
The name instantly etched itself into the minds of the surviving youths.
The rest of the Lu Family soon arrived and began tending to the aftermath.
Eight seedlings were dead.
Regrettable, yes—but not tragic.
The Lu Family had yet to invest resources in them, after all.
Soon after, with the skies clearing and the danger passed, the group continued their journey.
Finally, they reached Qingzhu Mountain—the land that could either be their cradle to ascension or their grave in obscurity.