This Sword Cultivator is Somewhat Dependable

Lu Qingshan smiled and said, "Master Fang Qian, it's not that I'm unwilling to prove it to you, but the Grade A reward isn't a Cultivation Technique Jade Slip..."

Upon hearing this, a gleam flashed in Fang Qian's eyes, but he continued to probe, "If it is not a Cultivation Technique Jade Slip, then could it be?"

Lu Qingshan understood the underlying meaning in Fang Qian's words and nodded, "Just as you have discerned, before entering the Ruin Realm I was merely in the Qi Refining Realm. Within less than a day in the Ruin Realm, I had advanced to Foundation Establishment.

This is the reward for the Grade A evaluation in the Ruin Realm. As for the specifics of what it is, I am not at liberty to disclose."

He was not willing to reveal the existence of the "Returning Ruins Scripture".

But he didn't mind trying to secure an extra Ruin Realm spot for the Lu Family.

Fortunately, no one knew the exact process of Foundation Establishment within the Ruin Realm.

Thus, advancing to Foundation Establishment became his best pretext.

He was not afraid of being exposed, because the rule in the Ruin Realm was that only one Grade A would emerge.

Once he secured Grade A and received the inheritance of the "Returning Ruins Scripture," no matter how well the cultivators performed afterward, at most they would achieve just below Grade A.

If no one else could receive Grade A evaluation thereafter, then no one would be able to verify what he had claimed.

That is to say, there was no possibility of his pretext being debunked.

...

All the cultivators who were paying attention to Lu Qingshan were moved by his words.

The highest rating reward in the Ruin Realm, which could help a Qi Refining Cultivator break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, carried a significance that caused great upheaval in their minds.

At any time, Foundation Establishment Cultivators were the backbone of their respective families.

Moreover, the more Foundation Establishment Cultivators in a family, the higher the probability of producing a Golden Core Cultivator.

Golden Core Cultivators were the crucial criteria for determining a family's strength.

The reward for Grade A evaluation in the Ruin Realm trial could directly influence the rise and fall of a family.

"Young friend, your words are indeed true, at least in my view, without a doubt, this Qi Refining Realm trial in the Ruin Realm is dominated by your Lu Family. and I think no one here disagrees," Fang Qian, quick-witted, seeing his concern addressed, was the first to speak up in favor of the Lu Family.

He planned in his heart to seek the Lu Family privately and ensure a thorough deal to extract the key information about the Grade A evaluation from the Lu Family's hands.

So he was also willing to show some favors toward the Lu Family.

—In his heart, Lu Qingshan's attaining the Grade A evaluation must be due to some shortcut he discovered.

Otherwise, how could this young lad overpower so many cultivators from thirty-six families by such a margin?

He certainly didn't believe it.

The leading Golden Core Cultivators from each family were also astute, reacting quickly and echoing in agreement.

Their thoughts were aligned with Fang Qian's.

After all, they couldn't win the championship anyway, so letting the Lu Family take the crown wouldn't hurt their interests—the Ke Family would be the losers.

Since it wouldn't be their turn anyway, they might as well curry favor with the Lu Family now and then later approach them to discuss the Ruin Realm, which would also make it easier.

The leading Golden Core Cultivator from the Ke Family, regarding the Ruin Realm spot slipping through their fingers, showed no irritation or urgency, but rather smiled, "If a cultivator from the Lu Family could survive so long within the Ruin Realm, let alone breakthrough to Foundation Establishment with the help of the Ruin Realm's reward, even if there was no breakthrough, my Ke Family would have no objections to the Lu Family claiming victory."

It's hard to fight against public anger, and even the powerful Ke Family did not want to go against so many families present at that moment.

Besides, the Ke Family also had plans to negotiate with the Lu Family regarding the Ruin Realm, and giving up a few Ruin Realm spots to the Lu Family was hardly a concern.

Even the Ke Family, the only one with conflicting interests, stating that the Lu Family won the Qi Refining Realm trial in the Ruin Realm meant that the matter was settled.

...

Fang Qian cheerfully took out forty Fourth Grade Spirit Stones and handed them to Lu Zhou, "Master Lu Zhou, this is your winning bet."

With a pay-out of twenty to one, as Lu Zhou had bet two Fourth Grade Spirit Stones, naturally, he ended up winning these forty Fourth Grade Spirit Stones.

Under normal circumstances, Fang Qian would certainly be sore at heart.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

But now, not only did he give up the forty Fourth Grade Spirit Stones readily, but he even felt somewhat pleased.

Lu Zhou, that old fellow, had profited from this transaction of Spirit Stones and, with this connection, he would have more confidence when privately dealing with the Lu Family compared to others.

...

After confirming the Lu Family's victory, everyone seemed to leave nonchalantly.

As for the subsequent petty squabbling, only the respective families were clear.

The Qingsha Wood Boat.

Lu Qingshan stood outside Lu Zhou's room.

"Great Elder?"

"Come in," came the muffled voice from inside the room.

Lu Qingshan gently pushed the door open and realized it wasn't locked at all, understanding dawned on him.

The Great Elder was intentionally waiting for him.

Seeing Lu Qingshan enter, Lu Zhou didn't speak. He looked left and right, then finally spoke sarcastically, "No wonder you dared to claim you didn't need the Lu Family's resources to support you. It's because your capabilities are quite significant.

Grade A, dominating over all Qi Refining Cultivators of the thirty-six great families. No, not just dominating, more than just a rank above.

To advance to Foundation Establishment at the age of fifteen, a hundred days to establish foundation, impressive indeed.

Could it be that in a little while, you will advance to Golden Core?"

In response to Lu Zhou's mockery, Lu Qingshan was not embarrassed, "Great Elder, you flatter me too much. Such praise might not be appropriate."

Lu Zhou looked frustrated and exasperatedly said, "Not appropriate, you also know it's not appropriate!

I can understand a young man's desire to stand out, but do you realize that a tree that stands out in the forest might be easily blown down by the wind?

Once the families return and investigate, finding out you've reached Foundation Establishment at just fifteen, then you will become a thorn in their eyes.

Although on the surface, the thirty-six Cultivator families of the Ruin Realm Alliance appear united, the dirty tricks behind the scenes are inevitable, do you understand?

There's only so much resource in Zhenjiang Prefecture; if the Lu Family becomes stronger, then it will occupy more resources, naturally other families will have to give up some of theirs.

This is a battle of interests, in the face of such conflicts, no one would want to sit by and watch your rise, even the Liu Family, who has good relations with our Lu Family, would feel the same.

The wolves circle, and the lamb has long been devoured. In the Cultivation World, no powerful force is truly benevolent.

Your brilliance is too pronounced, soon enough, various schemes from different families both overt and covert might target you!"

Lu Zhou furrowed his brows, pondered for a moment then said, "For the following period, I think it's best for you to stay and cultivate in seclusion within our Lu Family's blessed land, and momentarily refrain from leaving the Lu Family.

Let the situation calm down a bit before we discuss further matters."

Although Lu Zhou appeared to be chastising him, Lu Qingshan understood the concern in his words.

However, he couldn't comply with Lu Zhou's words, so he could only apologetically say, "Great Elder, I came here to tell you that I will not be returning with you to the Lu Family this time."

Lu Zhou's face stiffened, "What do you mean by this? Do you understand how dangerous your situation is now, if not returning to the Lu Family, where will you go?"

Lu Qingshan smiled slightly, "Great Elder, I'm fully aware, as you said. However, I do have my own reliance, and not returning to the Lu Family because I have important matters to attend to in Zhenjiang City."

"Zhenjiang City?" Lu Zhou frowned, examining Lu Qingshan, "Have your own reliance?"

Lu Qingshan with a mysterious face, "Great Elder, could it be that you forgot what I mentioned earlier about the Knowledge Guard Pavilion..."

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhou was visibly shaken and murmured, "If it's the Knowledge Guard Pavilion... no wonder you, normally so calm, would display such sharpness this time..."

Lu Zhou was very aware of the strength of the Knowledge Guard Pavilion, if Lu Qingshan had their protection, then there indeed wasn't much to worry about.

Seeing Lu Zhou thinking along the lines he had intentionally suggested, Lu Qingshan nodded in satisfaction within his heart.

"Alright, since you have your own plans, I won't say more. I will take it upon myself to deliver you to Zhenjiang City on my way," Lu Zhou finally decided very straightforwardly.

On the journey back to the Lu Family from the Grand Speech Mountains, where would it possibly pass by Zhenjiang City?

Lu Qingshan knew Lu Zhou was worried, fearing something might go wrong on the way, and thus made a detour to send him to Zhenjiang City himself.

As for Lu Zhou's kindness, Lu Qingshan did not refuse.