42: What if I force you to stay today?

Third Uncle stepped into the depths of the lava cave, and when his gaze touched the nine nether earth core fire lotuses scattered like stars by the lava pool, his breath hitched abruptly!

A surge of uncontrollable ecstasy instantly flooded his face; he almost held his breath as he began to carefully harvest these nine nether earth core fire lotuses.

Each stalk shimmered with a lively, spiritual firelight.

In his eyes, these were all main ingredients for refining the fire origin pill.

They were all treasures.

Liu Yan sat cross-legged on a rock a little further away where the temperature was moderate.

As soon as she began to circulate her Cultivation Technique, her beautiful eyes snapped open, filled with astonishment:

"The Fire Spiritual Power in this place... is actually this pure and vast!

It is several times denser than the core cultivation room of the Hehuan Sect!"

She immediately immersed herself in it, greedily absorbing this rare Opportunity, while a faint red halo appeared around her body.

As a Peak Foundation Establishment expert, Liu Yu felt the effects of this place most intensely!

The moment the dense fire-attribute Spiritual Qi entered her body, it was like a spark thrown into a pot of oil!

The fire poison that had long been dormant in her body was instantly triggered, like a hibernating Vicious Beast being awakened, violently battering the suppression barrier she had painstakingly constructed!

She groaned, her face instantly flushing red, and a trace of pain and horror flashed in her eyes!

The strength of the Spiritual Qi here was enough to trigger the fire poison that even her Peak Foundation Establishment could not fully suppress!

If she took two more breaths, the violent fire poison would likely break through her constraints, dragging her into a state of eternal damnation, and might even trigger the Core Formation tribulation that she was struggling to suppress right then and there!

She dared not delay, immediately circulating her Spiritual Power to form a pale golden light membrane on her skin, forcibly isolating the infiltration of external Spiritual Qi.

Cold sweat had already quietly soaked her temples.

Liu Yu's heart surged; after the tremendous shock came an indescribable ecstasy!

This place was simply a supreme treasure land for fire-attribute Cultivators!

She looked sharply at her daughter Liu Yan, only to see her like a fish in water amidst the dense Spiritual Qi, her cultivation base steadily climbing at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"Yaner!" Liu Yu's voice carried a hint of imperceptible excitement. "The richness of the Spiritual Qi here is rare in the world!

You should just Cultivate here; there is no need to return to the Hehuan Sect!"

She then locked her gaze like a torch onto Lu Yang:

"Alchemist Lu, this place is also of great benefit to your fire-attribute Foundation!

Both of you should stay here and Cultivate diligently. With the help of the improved flawless fire origin pill, achieving the Nascent Soul Dao in the future is not a fantasy!

My Family will definitely do everything in its power to support you!

Stay, what do you think?"

This was the biggest bargaining chip Liu Yu threw out, and it was also a temptation she believed Lu Yang could not refuse.

Now, the Family possessed nearly half of the industries in Jiangzhou City, the molten fire stone vein, and the improved ancient pill recipe.

Now they had even discovered this cultivation Holy Land. With multiple opportunities combined, if they cultivated with all their might, achieving Nascent Soul would definitely not be a pipe dream!

But it was a pity that he was a Five-Element Mixed Spirit Root.

It was not something that could be broken through by cultivating just one Spiritual Root.

Lu Yang felt the surging Fire Spiritual Power within the cave; his heart was indeed moved, but it instantly turned into firm resolve.

He met Liu Yu's scorching gaze, shook his head slowly, his eyes clear and persistent:

"Family Head Liu's kindness is greatly appreciated; I, Lu, am extremely grateful.

However, I possess a Five-Element Mixed Spirit Root.

No matter how abundant the fire spirit is here, it can only nourish one of them.

If the other four Spiritual Roots are not tempered with corresponding Opportunities, my cultivation will ultimately be a castle in the air.

To break through Foundation Establishment, or even climb to higher Realms, one must Cultivate all five elements together, advancing side by side!

Although this place is a treasure land for the fire element, it is not the end of my Dao path.

In the Hehuan Sect, the Five-Element Cultivation Techniques are complete, and there are many who Cultivate them together.

That is where my five spirits can ascend. I hope Family Head Liu will be understanding."

Lu Yang politely declined Liu Yu's good intentions.

"Hmph!"

Liu Yu's expression suddenly turned gloomy. A terrifying pressure belonging to the Peak Foundation Establishment spread out like a physical substance, as if the air itself had solidified!

She took a step forward, her phoenix eyes filled with menace, locking onto Lu Yang:

"Five-Element Mixed Spirit Root?

I think you are just making excuses!

It is clear you do not want to take responsibility for Yaner and just want to leave!"

Liu Yu's expression was very ugly.

This old-looking man had actually refused her good intentions twice.

She did not even mind marrying her daughter to an Old Man,

yet he, Lu Yang, kept refusing; it was truly being ungrateful!

What if I... force you to stay today?!"

That pressure pressed down on Lu Yang's shoulders like a mountain, causing his breath to hitch and his face to turn slightly pale.

Lu Yang felt a secret chill in his heart and quickly spoke, his tone sincere with a touch of self-deprecation:

"Family Head Liu, please calm your anger!

For those who Cultivate, the pursuit of longevity and the Dao should be the focus; the seven emotions and six desires are all shackles.

Furthermore, I, Lu, am unrestrained by nature and do not like to be bound; my Aptitude is mediocre, and I look like an Old Man, so I am truly not a good match for Senior Sister Liu.

Please, Family Head, withdraw your order."

Third Uncle, who was busy harvesting herbs, sensed the sudden change in atmosphere. His figure flashed, blocking in front of Lu Yang, sharing some of the pressure, and he quickly advised:

"Sister-in-law, please calm your anger! Revered Master aims for the Peak of Alchemy; his Dao path is solitary, and it cannot be forced!"

He turned to Lu Yang and said respectfully: "Revered Master, please do not belittle yourself! With your heaven-defying Alchemy skills, you will surely be a giant in the field of Alchemy one day!

My Family only wishes to build a good relationship with you. In the future, if you have any commands, the Family will spare no effort, even with the power of the entire clan!"

Liu Yan also stopped Cultivating, stepped forward quickly, grabbed Liu Yu's arm, her eyes filled with pleading:

"Mother! Do not do this! Senior Brother Lu... he has his own Dao path."

Seeing that Third Uncle and her daughter were both trying to persuade her, the indignation Liu Yu felt because her daughter was rejected eased slightly.

Her original intention was not to really force him to stay, and now, taking the Opportunity, she slowly retracted that oppressive pressure.

Seeing this, Lu Yang timely threw out a compromise:

"Family Head Liu, although I, Lu, cannot stay for long, I am willing to maintain a good relationship with the Family.

In my opinion, if not, I am willing to serve as a Guest Elder Alchemist for the Family, refining a furnace of flawless fire origin pill for the Family every month.

You just need to send someone to the Hehuan Sect to find me and collect the pills every month.

At the same time, if Alchemist Third Uncle has any doubts in the path of Alchemy, he can come along, and I, Lu, will definitely teach everything I know, without holding anything back."

"Refine fire origin pill?" A bright light flashed in Liu Yu's eyes!

An Alchemist who could stably provide a flawless third-rank elixir was of immeasurable value!

This temptation instantly outweighed her anger.

She suppressed her emotions, weighed the pros and cons, and although her voice remained cold, it had softened: "... Very well.

Since that is the case, let Yaner go to find you once a month.

In addition to the spirit plant needed for refining, the Family will prepare an equal portion, which Yaner will bring to you to express our gratitude.

I only hope Alchemist Lu will keep his promise."

As Liu Yu spoke, the contract was officially set.

Lu Yang cupped his hands: "Many thanks to Family Head Liu for your great understanding.

Since Senior Sister Liu is staying in the Family to Cultivate, it is inconvenient for me, Lu, to disturb you for long; I will set off to return to the Sect tomorrow."

Originally, Lu Yang was just accompanying Liu Yan back to get the Pill Formula.

Now that it was in hand, if the other party was not returning to the Sect, then his staying here was not the right thing to do.

Moreover, the Sect Grand Competition was about to begin, and he had to hurry back as soon as possible.

Liu Yan, who was on the side, heard this and realized that Lu Yang was leaving tomorrow; her heart was filled with mixed feelings.

She had originally insisted on returning to the Sect as well.

But how could the Sect's resources be as abundant as the Family's?

And since it was her mother's words, how could she dare not obey?

Although she was happy to be able to see Lu Yang every month, the melancholy of the impending departure was even stronger.

Lu Yang noticed Liu Yan's low mood.

So he walked up to Liu Yan and said gently:

"Senior Sister Liu, I will entrust the Young Blazing Sun Tiger Cub to you.

The little guy seems to like it here very much, and I hope Senior Sister will take good care of it.

After two days of observation, I discovered that this little guy is no ordinary Yao Beast;

perhaps when it grows up, it will be a great help to your Family!"

Liu Yan suppressed her sorrow and solemnly agreed: "Junior Brother, rest assured, I will definitely take good care of it."

After talking for a while longer.

Because the temperature in the lava cave was scorching hot, Cultivators without a Fire Spirit Root needed to constantly circulate their energy to resist it and could not stay for long.

After the cub seemed to have absorbed enough Earth Vein Qi and let out a satisfied hiccup,

everyone took their harvest and retreated from the depths of this strange mineral vein.