Liu Qiumei faithfully replied, "As you mentioned, no Golden Core Ancestors have yet appeared at the conference."
"Among the Golden Core forces, only the Heaven-Facing Sect and the Shenxiao Palace are present, but they are led by Crystallization Cultivators."
At this point, Liu Qiumei paused, then added a sentence.
"Hengyue Sect and Cyan Mountain Sect are also participating. From the Cyan Mountain Sect, the Sect Leader, Lu Changfeng, and Lu Zhiwei are present."
Mentioning the Cyan Mountain Sect and Hengyue Sect, Liu Qiumei’s implication was clear.
These two sects, after all, were founded by Golden Core Ancestors, so there must be Golden Core Techniques circulating within them.
"Cyan Mountain Sect..." Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on novel·fire.net
Upon hearing this, Elder Jiang’s eyes slightly focused, showing some interest.
"From the Cyan Mountain Sect, it’s the Lu Brothers and Sisters, isn’t it?"
"Master wishes to exchange for a Golden Core Sword Cultivation Technique. Among those present, only the Cyan Mountain Sect seems capable of meeting this demand."
"But the response we got from Lu Yuanshan was a refusal to trade."
Liu Qiumei was somewhat helpless.
"If they are unwilling, so be it."
"May I ask, what are the current cultivation levels of the Lu Brothers and Sisters?"
Mentioning the three of Lu Yuanshan, Elder Jiang showed some interest, remembering Lu Ping.
This encounter from the Qingli Sea had arrived in Chu Kingdom, and by chance, met Lu Ping while killing a Golden Core Demon Beast in the Southern Wilderness to obtain the Demon Pill for refining Foundation Establishment Pills. It was truly a case of friendship through conflict.
At that time in the Chu Kingdom, all the Golden Core Ancestors moved in the same circles and it was through Lu Ping’s introduction that she met some other Golden Core Ancestors.
She had a good impression of Lu Ping, her old friend.
"Disciple observed closely. Lu Yuanshan’s cultivation is at the Fourth-Layer Foundation Establishment, Lu Zhiwei at the Third-Layer Foundation Establishment, and Lu Changfeng... still in Qi Cultivation Great Perfection."
"Disciple traded a Foundation Establishment Pill with Lu Yuanshan for a portion of Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk, likely intended for acquiring a Foundation Establishment Pill for Lu Changfeng."
Elder Jiang nodded slightly upon hearing this and murmured, "Two at the Foundation Establishment, one about to Foundation Establish..."
"It seems that Elder Lu has not yet emerged from seclusion. Otherwise, with his nurturing, it wouldn’t make sense for the three siblings to still be lingering in the Foundation Establishment Stage after more than thirty years."
"Yes, the Cyan Mountain Sect in its early years also faced many trials and tribulations, so to have preserved their legacy is already quite commendable."
Liu Qiumei sighed, "This time we only managed to obtain one Foundation Establishment Pill. Once Lu Changfeng returns, there’s no knowing whether the Foundation Establishment will be successful."
"This is not for you and me to worry about. I still have a few Foundation Establishment Pills here. If by chance Lu Changfeng fails in establishing Foundation, I can always trade another one to them."
Saying this, Elder Jiang also sighed.
"Over thirty years ago, during that Qi Kingdom Secret Realm expedition, there was a conflict of interest between Hengyue Sect’s Elder Jin and Elder Lu, which led to an internal struggle."
"Although I had quite a rapport with Elder Lu, due to the power Elder Jin wielded and the presence of three other Golden Core Ancestors glaring nearby, I did not intervene to assist Elder Lu promptly."
"Fortunately, Elder Lu, through his astonishing capabilities, successfully killed Elder Jin, thereby averting a crisis."
"When we delved deeper into the Secret Realm, I only intervened to help Elder Lu because two Golden Core Ancestors from Yu Su Sect of Qi Kingdom harbored malice and launched a surprise attack on Elder Lu."
"That incident sparked severe internal strife. Though in the end, Elder Lu and I repelled those two Golden Core Ancestors, Elder Lu himself sustained severe injuries, making him incapable of fighting for a short period."
"Subsequently, after the exploration of the Secret Realm ended, I invited Elder Lu to Nine Cold Mountain to recuperate, but was declined, so I had to trade him some Healing Divine Medicine instead..."
Unconsciously, Elder Jiang brought up this secret from those years.
And it was after this Secret Realm expedition ended that the news of Hengyue Sect’s Elder Jin being killed spread from Nine Cold Mountain, causing an uproar.
Hengyue Sect, having lost their sole Golden Core Ancestor, consequently began to decline, and held an even deeper grudge against Cyan Mountain Sect.
Due to the severe injuries, Elder Lu closed himself off upon returning to Cyan Mountain Sect and has not been heard from since.
It’s unknown what his current condition is.
Cyan Mountain Sect has also kept silent on this matter.
"Qiumei, this time, since Cyan Mountain Sect was willing to trade a bottle of Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk with us for a Foundation Establishment Pill, it’s a bargain for us."
"By rights, if Cyan Mountain Sect requires a Foundation Establishment Pill, I could have, out of regard for Elder Lu, gifted one for free."
"The Spirit Medicine nurtured on Nine Cold Mountain can be used to refine several furnaces of Foundation Establishment Pills every thirty years, so the Foundation Establishment Pills are not rare for us."
"Elder Lu is a person who acknowledges and repays favors. When he emerges in the future, Nine Cold Mountain must continue to maintain good relations with him."
"Pay particular attention to the situation at Cyan Mountain Sect and, in the near future, monitor Lu Changfeng’s Foundation Establishment progress, understood?"
Liu Qiumei nodded heavily, "Disciple understands."
"Hmm, you may keep this Cyan Wood Longevity Scripture. Practice with it when you have spare time."
Liu Qiumei’s face lit up with joy.
"This technique was always meant to be passed on to you. My intention was not to use it to exchange for Cyan Mountain Sect’s Sword Cultivation inheritance, but rather to add some flair to the Trade Conference."
"Alas, the strength of Chu Kingdom’s Cultivation Realm is somewhat lacking, unable to even exchange for such a technique."
"Master, it isn’t that Chu Kingdom’s Cultivation Realm is lacking, rather your cultivation is already supreme in this world..."
"Your flattery skills are just like your Third Junior Sister’s. Did you learn from her?"
Liu Qiumei smiled sheepishly.
Having left the territory of Nine Cold Mountain on a Flood Dragon Boat, the three of Lu Yuanshan became even more vigilant.
Within Nine Cold Mountain’s territory, although there was a strict order from Elder Jiang forbidding cultivators from engaging in combat, it was still necessary to be cautious.
Now, leaving the confines of Nine Cold Mountain, the trio’s wariness intensified.
Even though Lu Zhiwei had refined her Lifebound Flying Sword, the Taiyi Celestial Ruins Sword, allowing her to roam freely amongst early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Lu Yuanshan was no slouch either and could confidently face off against those Fifth-Layer Foundation Establishment.
Nevertheless, carrying Foundation Establishment Pills and some treasures, they were prime targets in the eyes of others.
Moreover, those attending the Trade Conference were mostly Foundation Establishment Cultivators, with quite a few Crystallization Stage seniors.
If a fight broke out and they had to contend with several late-stage Foundation Establishment opponents, it could indeed be troublesome.
Should any Crystallization Cultivators decide to take action, well...
In such a situation, Lu Yuanshan reckoned they had no chance and he would not be so arrogant as to fight with Crystallization Cultivators. Rather, he would choose to flee, leaving behind the Foundation Establishment Pills if necessary, for preserving life was most important.