Chapter 109 - 100: Meridian Passage
[Name: Lu Yuan]
[Age: 17]
[Cultivation Technique: Third-Grade Cultivation Skill, Wind and Thunder General-Slaying Saber Technique (60,134/50,000 to Enter the Stance). Spend 10,000 Skill Level points to upgrade the Cultivation Technique?]
[Third-Grade Cultivation Skill: Tiger Subduing Posture, Blood Movement (10,912/30,000 to Perfection)]
[Fourth-Grade Cultivation Skill: Blood Refining Golden Bell Shield (10,916/30,000 to Perfection)]
[Second-grade Array: One-Character Long Snake Formation (28,492/50,000 to Enter the Stance). Additional Effects: Defense Enhancement, Chasing Kill].
[Second-Grade Cultivation Skill: Torrential Rain Arrow Skill (19,372/50,000 to Enter the Stance)]
Looking at the Cultivation Techniques on his status panel, the corners of Lu Yuan’s mouth couldn’t help but curve upward.
In just two months, his strength had improved by leaps and bounds.
’After I return, I should be ready to reach the Meridian Passage realm. My other Cultivation Techniques can probably be upgraded a level as well.’
One shouldn’t underestimate these Cultivation Technique upgrades. Practicing a high-grade Cultivation Technique provided an explosive boost to one’s strength.
It would greatly increase his combat prowess.
"Upgrade."
Lu Yuan spoke softly. The next moment, the Wind and Thunder General Slayer Saber began to upgrade, and all sorts of insights about the saber skill flooded his mind.
His body also began to undergo a subtle change.
A moment later, a sense of clarity washed over his mind.
HAAAAH!
Lu Yuan let out a long, turbid breath.
[Cultivation Technique: Fourth-Grade Cultivation Skill, Spring and Autumn Saber Skill (134/1,000 to Minor Achievement)]
’I finally got another Fourth-Grade Cultivation Skill.’
He thought to himself before getting up and looking outside.
By now, the sky had already darkened.
Lu Yuan pushed the door open and walked out. He saw that Zhou Xiong had already returned and was standing guard outside with a few men.
’He’s a Personal Guard Centurion, after all. He certainly has a sense of responsibility.’
Lu Yuan walked a few steps and pushed open the door to the adjacent room. He saw that his mother, Madam Lu, was also awake. Having been rescued by him, she looked much more spirited than when they had first reunited.
Perhaps it was because she had seen her son.
"Mother, I’ve already ordered someone to bring us food. Let’s eat something. We’ll set out early tomorrow morning. What do you think?" Lu Yuan asked softly.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Madam Lu smiled warmly at her son. "You can make the arrangements. I’ll listen to you. Don’t let me delay your important business."
Although she was just a common woman, she had lived in the Zhang Family for many years.
She could naturally tell that her son was no ordinary person.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!
Just then, a knock came from outside, followed by the waiter’s voice. "Sir, the meal you ordered is ready."
"Come in," Lu Yuan said calmly.
Then, the waiter, dressed in plain cloth, walked in carrying a food box.
He placed the dishes on the table one by one.
’Although there was meat and vegetables, it’s a far cry from the meals Zhou Hongling used to prepare.’
’But since we’re away from home, there’s no room to be picky.’
After Lu Yuan, his mother, and An Niang sat down, they began to eat.
Madam Lu’s gaze never left her son.
After suffering the pain of losing her son, seeing him again was a gift from the heavens for her.
After they finished eating, An Niang served tea. Only then did Madam Lu look at her son and ask softly, "Yuan’er, what position do you hold in the Northern Border?"
During the day, she had been focused entirely on her son, paying no attention to anything else. Even when Lu Yuan was speaking with Zhou Hong, she had remained in the room, tidying up, with no intention of coming out to greet them.
Now that she was sitting with her son, she was naturally curious.
"Mother, I am now a Captain in Icefield Fortress of the Northern Border. It’s a rank similar to Zhang He’s. It’s more than enough to support you. From now on, we’ll put down roots in the Northern Border."
"Mm, as long as I’m with you, I don’t mind where we live. But, you’re already seventeen this year, right? You’ll be eighteen after the New Year. It’s time to start a family. Is there a young lady you’re fond of?"
"Mother, let’s talk about this later. I’m not in the right mindset for that right now." Lu Yuan felt a headache coming on.
Hearing her son’s words, Madam Lu said softly, "When your father was your age, he already had you. It’s best to marry as soon as possible."
She was anxious to hold a grandchild.
After all, Lu Yuan was the only heir of the third branch. Now that his father was gone, she, as his mother, naturally had to urge him on.
Lu Yuan could only give a helpless, bitter smile.
However, Madam Lu knew when to stop and didn’t press the matter further.
After the mother and son chatted for a while, Lu Yuan got up, returned to his room, and resumed his cultivation.
’Things in the Northern Border must be very complicated now. If I have enough strength, things will be easier to handle in the future. Otherwise, facing the oppression from those nobles, I’m afraid Wu Han’s territory will be difficult to protect.’
He placed a Blood Coagulation Elixir in his mouth and began to cultivate.
The night passed uneventfully. Early the next morning, his Personal Guards began to return one after another.
Just after dawn, Lu Yuan had a quick breakfast with his mother, helped her into the horse-drawn carriage, and they began their journey back.
Because they now had an extra carriage, and at their current pace they would likely reach the Northern Border as winter set in, Lu Yuan also purchased some cotton-padded clothes and dry rations along the way.
It wasn’t until almost noon that the group finally left the city gates, heading straight for the Northern Border.
At the same time, within the Zhang Family estate, Zhang Hong was sitting in the main hall. He spoke to a young man standing respectfully below, "Has the third branch left?"
"Reporting to you, Milord, they have already left the city," the young man replied immediately and cautiously, not daring to hesitate.
He was a scout the Zhang Mansion had sent to observe Lu Yuan’s family.
Zhang Hong nodded, signaling for the man to leave. He then turned to his younger brother, Zhang He, and said, "This time, I want you to personally send someone to the Northern Border and investigate what this Lu Yuan has been up to."
"Is that necessary? He has already left the family. Besides, no matter what he’s done, can it possibly compare to Zhe, our Commandery Prince Consort?"