Jiang Yuechu waved her large sleeve.
The golden seal and nine Flying Swords turned into streaks of light and were all swept into the bag.
Tying the bag shut, she casually hung it at her waist.
Jiang Yuechu nodded slightly, her gaze falling on the elderly man bowing before her. "You are thoughtful."
Seeing the girl accept the items, Lu Gexian's heart, which had been in his throat, finally settled back into his stomach.
It was good that she accepted them.
Willingness to accept gifts meant that this karmic bond had been established.
Thinking of this,
The wrinkles on the old man's face smoothed out, and he smiled with increasing respect and humility. "Your Excellency overstates it. These are but mere worldly possessions. To be worthy of Your Excellency's Dharma Eye is their fortune, and even more so a blessing for my Lu Family."
That being said,
Lu Gexian took the opportunity while bowing to size up the woman before him once more.
Killing a Demon Emperor's Primordial Spirit with bare hands.
In the entire Eastern Region, when did such a figure appear?
Although he held the title of Family Head, he had been focused on secluded cultivation all these years, leaving the clan's affairs to several Clan Elders.
He was completely in the dark regarding this sudden, formidable person.
Not knowing her background... his heart could not be at peace.
Lu Gexian straightened up and, choosing his words carefully, probed, "This old man has been in seclusion for many years and is somewhat ill-informed. May I ask where Your Excellency's Immortal home is located? If there is an opportunity in the future, the Lu Family will surely prepare a generous gift and visit to express our gratitude."
Jiang Yuechu glanced at him. "Great Tang."
"Uh..."
Great Tang?
What on earth is that?
Is there a Dao Lineage by that name in the Eastern Region?
Just as Lu Gexian was feeling awkward and unsure how to smooth things over...
Whoosh—
The sound of wind suddenly rose.
Three streaks of light galloped over from the direction of the floating pavilion.
In an instant, they landed at the edge of the deep pit.
They were the late-arriving Lu Changfeng, Wang Ziyu, and Running Ox.
As soon as Lu Changfeng landed, his gaze was fixed intently on the devastated pit.
Then he looked at the Girl in Black Robes, whose aura was steady and whose hair wasn't even slightly disarrayed.
His Adam's apple bobbed with difficulty.
Even though he had seen that earth-shattering scene from afar...
But now that he was close, the lingering, brutal Evil Qi still made his scalp tingle.
Wang Ziyu, however, was much more composed.
By now,
As long as something world-shattering like an Ascending the Tower stage Cultivator defeating a Chess Player didn't happen, he could remain unfazed.
As for Running Ox,
The fellow's legs were still a bit weak upon landing; fearing the Demon Emperor wasn't completely dead, he didn't dare get too close.
He only dared to hide behind Wang Ziyu, peeking out.
Seeing them arrive, Lu Gexian hurried to meet them and whispered a warning, "Changfeng, watch your words. This person is..."
Lu Changfeng took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart, and stepped past the Old Ancestor to walk forward quickly. "Lady, your Divine Might is awe-inspiring; Changfeng is filled with admiration. I was negligent before; please forgive me."
Seeing this,
Lu Gexian was slightly taken aback.
Wait... so you know each other?
Jiang Yuechu said softly, "As Cultivators, it is our duty to act when we see such demons causing trouble. Moreover, I already had a request for the Lu Family, so there is no need for excessive thanks."
Seeing that the girl was not a murderous god who would kill at the slightest provocation...
Several Lu Clan Elders who had been afraid to approach now gathered around.
One of them spoke up first, bowing to Jiang Yuechu. "I had long heard reports from the mountain managers that a distinguished guest had arrived, but I never imagined it would be an Immortal figure like you, Lady. We were blind and failed to recognize your greatness; we have been negligent, truly negligent!"
Another Clan Elder chimed in, "Indeed, indeed! You have slain demons and protected our Lu Family. For such kindness, whatever you need, our Lu Family will provide without hesitation!"
"..."
Seeing this,
Lu Gexian felt utterly miserable.
Wait.
Are you guys for real?
You'd long heard... if you'd long heard, why didn't you tell him?
Just moments ago, you were all shrinking back like quails; why didn't I see you being so silver-tongued then?
You just like to bully this old man who just came out of seclusion, don't you?
After some pleasantries, someone finally couldn't hold back.
The Clan Elder who spoke first asked, "Changfeng, after all this talk, we still don't know what this lady is seeking? Tell us so we can consider it and not neglect our distinguished guest."
"Yes, yes."
Another Clan Elder quickly added, "Lady, please feel free to speak. While our Lu Family may not be a top-tier aristocratic Family, we have some influence here in the south of the Great Marsh. As long as you speak, we will do our utmost."
Lu Changfeng pursed his lips, glanced at the calm girl, and then at the eager Clan Elders.
He took a deep breath and slowly uttered three words.
"Golden Body Technique."
"..."
As soon as these words were spoken,
The previously noisy Clan Elders all froze.
As members of the Lu Clan, they knew exactly what the Golden Body Technique was.
This technique seemingly allows a Cultivator's strength to increase rapidly, letting them dominate a region, but once they leave the place of incense offerings, they become like rootless duckweed, at the mercy of others.
For small Sects living hand-to-mouth, or Loose Cultivators whose Lifespan is nearly at its end and want to take a final gamble, it might hold some appeal.
But this person before them... a formidable figure who could kill a late-stage Ascending the Tower demon with a casual gesture...
How could she possibly be interested in such unorthodox methods?
For a moment, everyone looked at each other, and the atmosphere became somewhat strange.
Lu Gexian suddenly snapped out of it, his old face darkening as he glared at Lu Changfeng.
"You brat!"
"Did you use some sweet talk to deceive the lady?!"
Having said that, he quickly turned to Jiang Yuechu and said apologetically, "Lady, do not listen to this boy's nonsense! This Golden Body Technique was a cultivation method used by our Lu Family in the past. It seems like a shortcut to heaven, but in reality, it has endless hidden troubles!"
"Our Lu Family's ancestors are a cautionary tale. If not for this, how would our Lu Family have fallen to our current state?!"
The old man spoke with sincere emotion, fearing that this benefactor would step into a fire pit.
Lu Changfeng stood to the side, his expression somewhat helpless.
How was he the one deceiving her?
Even if he were to deceive her... why would he bring out something like the Golden Body Technique, which the Family had long discarded into the dustbin of history?
Hearing this, Jiang Yuechu's impression of the Lu Clan improved significantly.
Regardless of whether they were saying this because she had just killed Demon Emperor Crimson Heaven with her bare hands...
To be able to offer such a frank warning instead of just handing over the item to get it over with showed that the Lu Family, at least, were not ungrateful or short-sighted people.
She shook her head, her voice cold and clear. "Family Head Lu, you worry too much."
"Young Lord Lu did not deceive me. This technique is indeed what I require."
Seeing that the girl's expression did not seem fake, Lu Gexian and the Clan Elders exchanged glances, all of them filled with confusion and incomprehension.
"To be honest, this technique is not for my own use, but for the sake of the Great Tang's national destiny."
Great Tang?
The several people looked at each other.
Seeing everyone's expressions, Wang Ziyu finally couldn't help but speak up.
"It's normal that you haven't heard of it."
"The Great Tang is a mortal Dynasty located countless miles to the east of the Great Marsh."
Even he himself...
Only learned of such a place after following his Master here.