316: Defy fate and extend life for a thousand years! Retreat!

A year’s time, fleeting by!

The night was as dark as ink, so thick it seemed capable of devouring everything.

Inside the main hall of the Lu family mansion, the faint candlelight flickered, its dim light casting two silent and lonely figures on the walls.

On the main seat, Lu Jiahe sat with his back straight, but his knuckles were slightly white from gripping the armrest tightly.

Years had mercilessly carved deep furrows into his brows, each line narrating the vicissitudes of the past.

However, at this moment, these deep furrows on his face could not conceal the intense shock in Lu Jiahe’s eyes.

Lu Xuan, standing before him, was dressed in black, his eyes like an unfathomable deep pool, calm yet subtly turbulent.

After a few breaths, Lu Xuan slowly spoke.

“Father, tomorrow, this child will enter secluded cultivation.”

Lu Xuan’s voice was neither high nor low, steady and powerful, yet it was like a heavy hammer carrying immense force, striking directly at Lu Jiahe’s heart.

And every word that followed was weighty.

“This secluded cultivation, in the short term, will be for decades, in the long term… a century, or even a millennium!”

As soon as the words fell, Lu Jiahe’s reaction was violent and swift; he suddenly stood up and quickly strode to Lu Xuan’s front.

Lu Jiahe’s aged hand trembled slightly, filled with reluctance and worry.

It seemed as if he wanted to firmly grasp his son in front of him, but then stopped mid-air, ultimately just falling weakly.

He gazed intently at his son’s face, his gaze like a sharp blade.

It was as if he wanted to use this last gaze to engrave his son’s appearance forever in the deepest part of his Soul.

“A century… a millennium?”

Lu Jiahe’s aged body swayed slightly, as if all his strength had been drained by these brief words.

A hundred years, for a Mortal, was a lifetime.

Not to mention the elusive thousand years!

— Could he still live to see the day his son emerged from secluded cultivation?

This thought coiled around his heart like a venomous snake, making Lu Jiahe’s breathing momentarily cease.

He stared fixedly at Lu Xuan, his gaze almost greedily tracing his son’s outline, as if to engrave every inch of his features deep into his Soul.

— Would this… be the last time?

This son, who had made him proud his entire life, this only pillar that kept the Lu family standing, this… child he had watched grow up since he was small.

His throat worked, Lu Jiahe wanted to say something, but in the end, he just slowly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, all emotions had been suppressed.

He reached out and pressed heavily on Lu Xuan’s shoulder, his voice hoarse but firm.

“Go.”

“The Lu family still has Yunqing and Yunan; you don’t need to worry so much.”

In fact, Lu Jiahe had vaguely guessed the arrival of this day in his heart long ago.

During this year, Lu Xuan tirelessly and meticulously guided all the younger generations of the Lu family in their Cultivation.

Whether they were ordinary disciples with mediocre Aptitude, or Martial Artists with decent talent like Lu Qingqing and Shen Yuan, all of them diligently Cultivated day and night under his guidance, not daring to slack off.

From that moment on, Lu Jiahe already understood that his son was arranging a path for his departure.

He was truly leaving this time.

“Father, do not worry.”

Lu Xuan gently curved his lips, revealing a reassuring smile, his voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable firmness, “This child will definitely return.”

Lu Xuan’s words still echoed leisurely in the hall.

The next second, black and gold light suddenly erupted from his eyes.

The light was dazzling and brilliant, like a star suddenly rising from the abyss, so dazzling that it was impossible to look at directly, instantly attracting all attention.

Immediately after, Lu Xuan slowly raised his hand, and on his palm, a phantom and sacred Small World emerged faintly.

Looking closely, mountains and rivers crisscrossed within it, majestic mountain ranges undulated continuously, and rushing rivers flowed endlessly.

The sun, moon, and stars hung high in the sky; the sun emitted scorching light, the moon cast a cool silver glow, and the stars twinkled with mysterious Shimmer.

All things in heaven and earth revolved orderly within this small phantom world, like a miniature universe, mysterious and profound.

“This is…?”

Lu Jiahe’s pupils sharply constricted, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief, his lips trembling slightly.

He could barely believe what he was seeing.

Although he had already seen many incredible things from his son.

But facing such a miraculous scene, he couldn’t help but sigh with emotion.

A strand of golden light, so bright it was almost dazzling, like a nimble wisp, quietly peeled away from that wondrous phantom world.

This pure golden light was entwined with the aura of the power of creation.

It seemed gentle, yet it seemed to contain endless vitality and immense power.

This was—the power of creation!

The Origin of all things, the most fundamental source of power in the world!

Only a powerful expert who has successfully condensed a Small World and reached the Realm of an Earth Venerable Realm Master can control such supreme power!

And at this moment, these powers of creation of the world.

Are intertwining and complementing each other with the power of life rules generated by Lu Xuan's Undying and Unextinguished Martial Dao Cultivation Technique, which he has Cultivated for many years.

The two combined into one, actually transforming into a wisp of supreme vitality capable of reversing life and death and changing heaven and earth!

“This power of creation can extend Father’s Lifespan by a millennium.”

Lu Xuan’s expression was calm, but his eyes showed concern, and he gently tapped his fingertip.

That wisp of golden light, containing endless mysteries, like a nimble swimming Dragon, joyfully entered Lu Jiahe’s glabella.

“It can also… protect my Lu family from decline for a thousand years!”

In an instant, a wondrous change occurred, and dazzling, brilliant light bloomed around Lu Jiahe.

The golden light was warm and gentle, as if it were the source of life.

Lu Jiahe’s originally aged skin quickly regained vitality at a speed clearly visible to the naked eye.

The loose skin gradually became firm and smooth, and the traces left by time disappeared little by little.

His head full of white hair also gradually faded, regaining its dark and lustrous color.

Finally, even the wrinkles on his face smoothed out rapidly like melting ice and snow.

His entire person seemed to have become more than ten years younger, turning into a middle-aged man of about forty.

Lu Jiahe felt the surging powerful force within his body, feeling the vitality of life spreading wantonly in every corner of his body.

His heart was filled with shock and emotion, and his eyes involuntarily became slightly moist.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but his throat seemed to be choked by something, and he couldn’t make a sound for a moment.

After a long while, Lu Jiahe finally spoke with difficulty: “Xuan’er, you must be extremely careful in your secluded cultivation.”

Lu Xuan nodded lightly, his voice low but firm: “Father, take care.”

Previously, Lu Xuan used the power of creation to meticulously transform the Cultivation Physique of the younger generation of the Lu family, including Lu Qingqing and Shen Yuan.

Lu Xuan’s power of creation was extraordinary and miraculous.

Through the shaping of this power of creation, their Martial Dao Aptitude had been completely transformed.

Although their Martial Dao Aptitude could not be called unprecedented, it was an undeniable fact that they had entered the ranks of first-rate Geniuses.

Given time, Outer Strength Grandmaster, Divine Abode True Person… these Martial Dao Realms would no longer be out of reach for them.

With the strength of the growing younger generation of the Lu family, protecting the Lu family would be more than enough.

However, Lu Xuan only gave the power of creation, which could change fate and extend Lifespan, to his father alone.

— It wasn’t that he was unwilling, but that he couldn’t!

Within Lu Xuan’s own Small World, he was like a creator.

He could control life and death, and the Lifespan of all things in the world could be decided by his single thought, easily controlled.

However, how easy was it for this Heaven-Defying power to shake the operating rules of the real world?

How could the Heavenly rules of this great real world allow Lu Xuan, a mere Earth Venerable Realm Master, to easily alter them?

Lu Xuan’s eyes darkened slightly, and he felt the almost depleted power within him.

Merely extending his father’s Lifespan by a thousand years had already cost him a heavy price—

That wisp of the power of creation had almost drained the rule power of Lu Xuan’s inner Small World, leaving him in an unprecedented state of weakness.

Even more terrifyingly, Lu Xuan clearly perceived…

This great real world was rejecting him!

As if his previous action had broken some established balance, attracting the “displeasure” of the world.

Lu Xuan was very clear in his heart!

Ever since he stepped into the Realm of Earth Venerable Realm Master, in the ethereal, an invisible malice seemed to shroud his entire being.

It was as if the longer he stayed, the stronger the world’s hostility became.

— If he were to forcefully extend the Lifespan of others against the heavens again…

“Next time, what descends… will probably be the legendary Heavenly Tribulation.”

Lu Xuan certainly didn’t want to taste the flavor of this great world’s Heavenly Lightning Tribulation.

If things went wrong, he might end up with a tragic outcome of death and Dao dissipation.

Lu Xuan’s eyes flickered, silent for a moment, then he suddenly lifted his robe, knelt on both knees, and bowed deeply to his father.

Immediately, Lu Xuan’s figure gradually blurred, turning into specks of starlight that dissipated between heaven and earth.

Only a wisp of clear wind brushed past, rustling Lu Jiahe’s dark hair.

Lu Jiahe stood alone in the empty hall, gazing at the direction his son disappeared, remaining motionless for a long time.

In the silent hall, the dim candlelight flickered gently, stretching Lu Jiahe’s shadow long, very long…

The very next day after Lu Xuan left.

Early in the morning!

Rumble—

At this moment, above Qingyun County, deafening drums and music suddenly resounded.

An endless and mighty procession, like divine soldiers descending from the sky, suddenly appeared above the sky of Qingyun County.

A golden imperial carriage pulled by nine crimson flaming steeds broke through the clouds, followed by thousands of elite Imperial Palace guards!

Each Xuan-armored guard walked through the air, every step causing the air within a hundred li radius to vibrate and fluctuate.

Outside the Lu family’s main gate, Lu Jiahe, hearing the commotion, his expression slightly changed, immediately led the entire Lu family, old and young, rushing out the door.

As soon as Lu Jiahe led his people out the gate, he was stunned by the grand display before his eyes, his pupils contracting sharply.

Three important figures in purple-gold court robes had already descended from the sky.

The woman in the middle wore a Phoenix coronet and robes of rank, the “Xingyue” jade pendant hanging from her waist emitted a clear radiance, and nine black divine bird phantoms circled around her body.

— It was none other than the most prominent person in the Great Xia Imperial Dynasty today, the Great Xia Empress’s sister, Princess Xia Xingyue!

The moment Princess Xingyue saw Lu Jiahe about to perform a kneeling bow, her expression changed drastically.

In an instant, Princess Xingyue gently raised her jade hand, and a gentle Qi burst forth, supporting Lu Jiahe, who was about to kneel.

“Lord Lu, you mustn’t!”

Just as Princess Xingyue approached Lu Jiahe, her fingertip touching the elder’s arm.

Princess Xingyue suddenly sensed that within Lu Jiahe’s body, there was a surge of vitality that made her entire being tremble!

Immediately after, Empress Xia Xingyue quickly withdrew her finger, her gaze like a falcon, and swiftly shot a look at the newly appointed Left Prime Minister.

The Left Prime Minister instantly understood, and without hesitation, quickly pulled out a dark black scroll from his In arms.

Seeing this, everyone was startled, clearly recognizing it as the imperial decree symbolizing the Great Xia Emperor!

The new Left Prime Minister’s hand, holding the imperial decree, trembled continuously.

The golden patterns on the dark black scroll were actually the “Mountains and Rivers Society Map” personally drawn by the Empress.

An imperial decree of this magnitude had only appeared once in two thousand years.

That was the imperial decree bestowed by the Holy Ancestor of the Great Xia Imperial Dynasty!

As the Left Prime Minister solemnly unrolled the imperial decree, straightened his back, his voice loud and clear.

Every word, resounding in all directions, he tremblingly read out the contents of this imperial decree.

By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees—

Lu Jiahe of the Lu family is hereby conferred the title of Duke of An Guo of Great Xia, effective immediately.

Henceforth, upon seeing Us, there is no need to perform the kowtow ritual; the Duke of An Guo is specially conferred the title of Prince of a different surname, styled Prince Zhennan.

Prince Zhennan has the right to intervene in all matters concerning the Southern Region!

There is no need to report to the Imperial court; his authority to act is equivalent to Our personal presence.

Awarded ten portions of Heavenly Spiritual Objects from the Blessed Land, and the nine-pattern Moon-grade sacrificial artifact, the Xuanbird Scepter!

In addition, numerous Heavenly Spiritual Objects, rare treasures, and exotic gems are all bestowed upon Prince Zhennan…

Furthermore, his descendants shall inherit the title of Prince Zhennan in perpetuity, enjoying the honor of a Prince, and may establish their own mansion and appoint their own advisors.

All direct descendants of the Lu family are granted the distinction of being graduates of the Great Xia Academy and may enter the Imperial court as officials without undergoing the Martial Arts Competition, being assigned important positions according to their talents.

Additionally, collateral relatives of the Lu family also receive numerous rewards; male members are granted noble titles, and female relatives are granted titles of nobility.

Furthermore, in-laws within three generations of the Lu family are all granted peerages of the fifth rank or higher.

Within the Southern Region, they may independently enclose land and establish businesses, and all imperial taxes levied shall be exempted.

The following content, this Great Xia Left Prime Minister, painstakingly read out for half an incense stick’s time.

However, when the contents of the imperial decree were fully read out.

Even the Great Xia Left Prime Minister, a Martial Artist of the God Palace Realm, felt a deep sense of shock, fear, and bewilderment!

Such overwhelming honor!

The Empress had conferred titles upon almost all relatives connected to the Lu family.

The content of this imperial decree was practically on the verge of bestowing honors upon the Lu family’s poultry and dogs.

It was practically explicitly stating.

This land of the Southern Region belongs to your Lu family; you can do whatever you want.

The power of life and death rests with Lu Jiahe, this Prince Zhennan, Duke of An Guo.

Everyone present, except for Princess Xingyue who knew the contents of the imperial decree beforehand, all showed expressions of extreme shock, just like the Left Prime Minister.

Where was the Empress bestowing rewards?

This was clearly an announcement to the entire Great Xia Imperial Dynasty that the Southern Region would henceforth bear the surname Lu!

…

Deep within a continuous mountain range rarely visited by people.

Lu Xuan, dressed in black, sat cross-legged in a slightly deep mountain cave.

Host: Lu Xuan

Realm: Earth Venerable Realm Master

Cultivation Technique: Burning Heaven Blade Technique 10/9, Close Distance to the Horizon 10/9, Undying and Unextinguished 10/9.

Points: 500,000

Solving the Yao Beast Nether Python provided Lu Xuan with a total of 300,000 System points.

Heavenly Origin detected, extract?

World Rule Origin detected, extract?

“Next, we’ll see about these fourteen ten-pattern sun relics.” Lu Xuan murmured softly, his voice echoing leisurely in the cave.

“And this azure wood divine staff, which surpasses the ten-pattern sun relic.” Lu Xuan added, his gaze slowly opening as he looked at the Void Realm before him.

In the Void Realm before Lu Xuan’s eyes, fourteen ten-pattern sun relics floated quietly, each in a different form.

Among these sacrificial artifacts, a azure wood divine staff was particularly striking.

It was surrounded by a faint, almost imperceptible emerald green light, and its wooden texture seemed to contain endless vitality; one could tell at a glance that it was no ordinary item.

“Extract!”