213: Chu Qingyao!!!

Long Ju, Heng Chu, Yu Ziqi, and the other great families exchanged glances.

What could they do? They were already here. There was no chance to regret it, as without Chu Yu, they couldn't cross the Southern Barbarian lands.

Long Ju, Heng Chu, Yu Ziqi, and the other families stood before the simple territory of the Chu Family, exchanging surprised and uncertain looks.

What could they do? They were already here; there was no chance to regret it.

After all, without Chu Yu, they couldn't cross the Southern Barbarian lands.

As night fell, the Chu Family's grand welcome banquet began.

Calling it a banquet was an overstatement; it was merely a few large pots set up in an open space, stewing unknown beast meat, with several jars of cloudy rice wine beside them.

Yet, Chu Yu acted as if he were hosting a true celebration, personally pouring wine for every guest, his smile so enthusiastic it bordered on fawning.

Long Ju stared at the greasy meat broth in his bowl, Yu Ziqi cautiously observed the expressions of the surrounding Chu Family members, while Heng Chu noticed that most of the so-called "Chu Family elites" were clad in tattered clothes, and their weapons were rusty.

Lu Chen sat in a corner, watching this farcical banquet, and finally understood why Chu Yu had ventured out alone to find help.

The more capable members of the Chu Family's younger generation had long perished in countless internal struggles and external wars. The only one left who could be considered presentable was a great general named Ying Bu — but this man, known as the "Foremost Warrior of Southern Chu," was currently sprawled drunkenly on a table, snoring loudly.

The only strategist, Fan Zeng, was an old man with white hair and beard, almost unnoticed in the crowd.

This showed how dilapidated the Chu Family's regime was.

At the banquet, Chu Yu suddenly stood up, slamming his bronze wine goblet heavily onto the table, making the candlelight in the hall flicker.

He surveyed his generals, his voice like a booming bell: "Today, I appoint Long Ju, Heng Chu, Yu Ziqi, Zhongli Mei, and Ji Bu as the Five Great Generals of Southern Chu! Each shall be granted a fiefdom and command military power. I shall share the world with you, my lords!"

Immediately, the clashing of weapons echoed from below the hall.

The five knelt: "Thank you, Young Lord!!"

Chu Yu was very satisfied. He nodded and continued.

"Zhang Xuan is appointed as the shaman priest, responsible for sacrifices, celebrations, and rituals to Heaven."

"Li Qingyao is appointed as the female drillmaster, primarily responsible for selecting and training a female sword corps!!"

Li Qingyao spoke: "Wait!"

Chu Yu frowned: "What's wrong? Wasn't this your suggestion?"

Li Qingyao smiled: "I want to announce something. I have already severed ties with Li Family Village, so, from today onwards, I will no longer be called Li Qingyao, but instead—Chu Qingyao!!"

Rumble!!

Lu Chen felt the entire world rumble and nearly vomited blood.

Chu Yu immediately showed concern, stepping forward to support the unsteady Lu Chen, and asked with worry: "Brother Lu, what's wrong!"

Lu Chen steadied himself and looked at Li Qingyao: "Say that again, what's your name?"

Chu Qingyao's face flushed under Lu Chen's burning gaze, and her voice became much softer: "From this moment on, I am Chu Qingyao!"

Lu Chen laughed inexplicably, haha, fate, what an ironic fate.

He never expected that he, a dignified Heavenly Dao, would fall into the vortex of fate.

Isn't this Chu Qingyao the Chu Qingyao who was the wife of Xiao Qitian, his Clone, in the fifth martial soul civilization!!

Back then, Lu Chen had even watched the exciting seven-day VIP footage of Xiao Qitian and Chu Qingyao's mutual devotion!!

He never expected her to be right in front of him now!!

He wondered if Xiao Qitian had Reincarnated, or perhaps, was he Xiao Qitian??

Is that why Chu Qingyao admired and adored him so much!!

Chu Qingyao blushed: "Brother Lu, what's wrong? Is there something inappropriate about my name?"

Lu Chen gave a wry smile: "No, nothing at all. It's a very beautiful name. I like it very much."

Chu Qingyao's heart blossomed with joy. She leaned forward slightly, her voice filled with unconcealable happiness: "It's good as long as Big Brother Lu likes it!"

A faint blush spread across her fair cheeks, and her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes, her whole being enveloped in a sweet and shy atmosphere.

Bai Jingjing stood by, a half-smile playing on her lips, and said sarcastically: "It's ~ good ~ as ~ long ~ as ~ Big ~ Brother ~ Lu ~ likes ~ it ~ ~ ~" Her voice trailed off with a slight upward inflection.

Bai Jingjing licked her lips, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes. No one can steal Lu Chen from me! This guy is destined to be a Son of Great Luck; as long as I hold onto him, I can ascend to Immortality with him!

Chu Yu then announced: "There is one more, most important thing, and that is, I announce that Lu Chen will become the Imperial Advisor of our entire Chu Territory! He will enjoy the same rights as I do!!"

As soon as these words were spoken, those who came from Feiyun City excitedly shouted: "Lu Chen! Lu Chen! Lu Chen!"

After all, the biggest reason Long Ju, Heng Chu, Zhongli Mei, and others came this time, besides being attracted by Chu Yu's charisma, was Lu Chen.

Lu Chen, at only thirteen years old, could kill a Late Stage Qi Refining cultivator! This was simply unprecedented and would never be seen again!!

Following such a Heaven-Defying person would surely bring great Opportunity.

The only old general of the Chu Territory—Ying Bu—sobered up instantly and was indignant!!

Ying Bu, at thirty years old, was also considered a martial arts prodigy, already at the ninth level of Transcendent.

Ying Bu roared: "Wait, Young Lord, what does this mean? We have followed you on campaigns, north and south, and haven't even gotten any military positions. These people arrive and immediately become great generals and drillmasters—that's one thing—but how can you appoint such a young child as Imperial Advisor? If this gets out, people will think our Chu Territory is playing house!!"

Long Ju was displeased: "Who are you looking down on? How dare you slander Brother Lu! If you have the guts, come and duel me!!"

Ying Bu's eyes, filled with fierce light, locked onto Long Ju: "Come on, who's afraid of who! Let you outsiders see the power of our Chu Family's old generals!"

"Enough! All of you, shut up!!!" Chu Yu roared in anger, releasing his full domineering aura. "Ying Bu, step back! Brother Lu is a Qi Refining Immortal; how can you question him! He only agreed to be Imperial Advisor after my earnest pleas!"

Ying Bu sneered, disbelieving: "He? Imperial Advisor!! I don't believe it!!"

Lu Chen wasn't angry. He casually raised his hand, summoned the dragon fiend spear from his Storage Pouch, and aimed it at a distant mountain peak.

Go!

Roar!

Dragon Roar Nine Heavens!

The Spiritual Qi of the dragon fiend spear condensed into a Dragon shape and struck the mountain peak.

Rumble!

It created a huge crater, and rocks tumbled down.

Thud!

Thousands of Chu Family soldiers knelt on the ground, shouting: "It's an Immortal Master! It's an Immortal Master!"

Ying Bu, however, watched Lu Chen with shock and unwillingness. To be so young and already cultivating Qi, and not just ordinary Qi Refining.

Spiritual Qi taking form—this was a technique of a Foundation Establishment Immortal Master. How could a Qi Refining cultivator also know it??!

It's too outrageous!!

An illusion, this must be an illusion!!