Lu Jun's expression was solemn as he said in a deep voice, "Don't worry. In a few days, I'll head to the Ancient Capital and quell all the unrest."
Hearing Lu Jun's domineering words, the Nine Nether Empress stared at him for a moment before breaking into a charming smile. "Alright, I believe you."
Buzz—Buzz—Buzz!
Moments later, the mirror image slowly faded. Just before it disappeared, the Nine Nether Empress seemed to recall something and added, "Oh right, I do have some information regarding the White Tiger Totem."
The existence of totems was no secret to the upper echelons of Jiuzhou, especially dating back to the earlier Han and Tang periods.
Lu Jun's expression shifted, and he was overjoyed. His trip back to the Ancient Capital naturally included investigating matters related to totems.
After the Nine Nether Empress left, he did not immediately set out for the Ancient Capital. Instead, he returned to Pearl Academy and, before departing, spent several consecutive days with Ding Yumian, cherishing their time together.
Until seven days later, on the bed, Ding Yumian gently yet firmly pushed Lu Jun away and said softly, "A true man's ambition lies in all directions. How can you be so idle, indulging in bedchamber pleasures?"
Lu Jun had no choice but to get up, though he savored the memories endlessly. Over these past few days, the two women had been especially compliant, far softer in attitude than before. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to indulge so freely in their shared intimacy.
It seemed that after the battle against the Dragon Emperor, both Lu Mei and the other had grown worried that one day he might perish recklessly, giving rise to a sense of anxious attachment.
A bold thought suddenly arose in his mind—to press on with even greater effort, striving to one day soften all three women's attitudes and stage a scene of one dragon playing with two phoenixes.
At this moment, Lu Jun happily bid farewell to Ding Yumian, his face flushed, and gathered his companions: Professor Yuan, Feng Zhoulong, Jun Yaoyuan, Lu Weixi, Lu Mei, and Jiang Feng, a truly formidable lineup.
Among them, Qingyu did not move, remaining in the private territory of Manye Town in the Magic Capital to manage affairs and oversee the branch operations. Jun Yaoyuan, a Super Tier Blessing Element support, assisted in building the faction, allowing Lu Jun to act as a hands-off leader.
Additionally, Mo Fan and Lingling came along for the ride. They were not heading to the Ancient Capital but planned to hitch a ride and stop at the Qinling Mountains to explore the totem clues Lu Jun had provided, the Oath Tree and the Seven-Colored Divine Deer.
Lu Jun clicked his tongue in amazement. In the original timeline, after the Leng Jue incident, Mo Fan should have agreed to the Ancient King and gone to Africa to reverse-summon the Evil Abyss.
Yet now, he was already busy searching for totems ahead of time.
This direction was correct, as it would allow Mo Fan to access the Super Tier realm.
Thus, Lu Jun lent some assistance. He contacted Asharuya in Europe, asking her to help acquire a mysterious deer horn at auction and send it over, then resell it to Mo Fan.
This item contained a portion of totem power, currently in an incomplete and dormant state.
At Lu Jun's level, obtaining what he wanted was just a matter of a word—countless people would help. No unexpected issues arose.
His few days' stay in the Magic Capital was also to wait for this delivery.
Lu Jun also remembered the Feathered Tribe Ceremony in the Qinling Mountains, where Monarch-level avian demons from across Jiuzhou would gather. To reach the nine heavens above, one needed a Monarch-level avian summon. The bird that flew the highest would be crowned the Feathered Emperor, commanding all avian tribes.
In the original timeline, Mo Fan had relied on the Moon Moth Phoenix Totem to reach the high skies and find the Oath Tree.
However, now the timeline had advanced too much. The Feathered Emperor coronation ceremony had not yet begun, and the danger was not significant. With Mo Fan's strength, he could climb gradually and easily find it.
Lu Jun did not need to worry. The reason he helped Mo Fan also had other motives—for example, when Mo Fan found the Oath Tree, he could bring back some Oath Fruits for him as part of a trade.
Oath Fruits possessed endless mysteries, comparable to the imaginative power of the Psychic Element, capable of almost anything.
He wanted them, and any extras could be given to his sister, Ding Yumian, and Tang Yue.
After all, Lu Jun was, in a sense, already a major figure. Some troublesome minor matters could be handled by others, while he focused on the main path. This was the meaning of building a faction to facilitate his own cultivation.
"The Feathered Tribe Ceremony…?"
Lu Jun fell into thought, growing curious about the high cloud layers above the Qinling Mountains. What exactly existed in the nine heavens above Qinling? Why were Jiuzhou's avian tribes so eager to participate? What kind of being was the Feathered Emperor, and how strong was it?
All of these were unknowns. His eyes flickered, after handling matters in the Ancient Capital, he could go and investigate.
At Pearl Academy, as Lu Jun announced their departure, the others were indifferent, but Mo Fan was visibly excited, rubbing his hands together. "I've been waiting forever. It's been boring to death in the Magic Capital."
Lu Jun nodded and informed the Jiuzhou authorities. A dedicated aircraft was arranged to transport them.
However, before boarding, Lu Jun suddenly recalled something. His eyes flickered in thought, and he told the pilot to wait.
He wanted to make a trip to the Zhao Clan to see Zhao Manyan. Ever since they parted at the National Institute, they had not met for a long time. The other party had once said he would repay such great kindness in the future, yet until now he had not visited him, this major figure and friend, it was inevitably a bit suspicious.
Aside from that, Lu Jun also intended to find Old Zhao, the big financier, to ask for money. In truth, he himself was penniless, and the steward Qingyu only had a little over a billion on the books.
Not to mention researching Fusion Magic or forging Stardust Magic Tools, even establishing a base for the Military Strategy Manor might not have enough funds.
Lu Jun still held to the same idea to cooperate with the Zhao Clan, this international business giant, to obtain sales channels while also helping Old Zhao consolidate his position.
A monopoly business like Stardust Magic Tools existed in only two places in the entire world.
Hearing this, Mo Fan raised both hands in agreement and said sourly, "Damn, that guy Old Zhao, I heard he's about to inherit the Zhao Group as clan head. Now that he's becoming a big shot, he's forgotten us brothers. How long has it been since he last met us?"
The others present were not in a hurry, treating it as just a stop along the way.
Afterward, only Lu Jun and Mo Fan headed to the outskirts of the Magic Capital. It was said that a vast expanse of land there had been purchased by the Zhao Clan as their ancestral grounds.
When Lu Jun arrived at the gates of countless mansions and villas, it seemed the Zhao Clan had already known of his arrival. Several high-ranking members came out to receive him, extremely respectful.
Lu Jun sized up the three of them—two middle-aged men and one woman, all carrying the dignified bearing of esteemed elders.
Moreover, all three possessed powerful auras, each at the peak of the Super Tier.
"Three guest elders of the Zhao Clan, Bai Song, Lan Zhu, Qing Lan?"
Seeing this, Lu Jun suddenly spoke.
Qing Lan, the beautiful matron, showed surprise and said flatteringly, "In front of Commander Lu, we dare not claim the title of elders."
Unbeknownst to them, Lu Jun frowned deeply. He knew that in the future, when Zhao Jing attacked Fanxue Mountain, these three were accomplices.
It could be said they were not good people, and they belonged to the faction of Zhao Manyan's elder brother, Zhao Youqian.
If Zhao Manyan knew it was him who had come, as a friend, he would have personally come out to greet him, rather than sending these three who were not truly his own people.
"Something's wrong."
Lu Jun's heart turned cold. He remained motionless and said bluntly, "Where is Zhao Manyan? He's my friend, the one I want to see is him."
At his current level, there was no need to play along with false courtesy. Whatever schemes or plots there might be, he could smash through them with a single punch—why bother with social niceties?
As soon as these words were spoken, as expected, the expressions of the three Zhao Clan guest elders stiffened, and they were at a loss for words.
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