134: Shen Zhou's Ambition
"Qifei, go to Courtyard No. 9 and call Qishan as well. That damn fellow, I don't even know if he's reached the second layer!"
Lu Yuyu turned and instructed Lu Qifei. The latter had successfully reached the Qi Refining stage three months ago and had also practiced an unranked Spell, the Light Body Technique, making him perfect for running errands.
"Alright."
Lu Qifei nodded, his feet moving like the wind as he ascended the stone steps of the Green Bamboo Courtyard, passing through the bamboo forest and the sea of peach blossoms.
Although the Lu Clan tried its best to be fair, Zhu Yueli only had one talented seedling so far, Lu Qishan, who was expected to secure a place within the Lu Clan.
She took him away directly, and Lu Yucheng and the others could only pretend not to see.
Because Zhu Yueli was at Qi Refining Perfection and Zhu Yuejiao was also at Qi Refining Perfection—though both were only at the tenth layer and found it difficult to progress further.
However, they were both Foundation Establishment candidates hand-picked by Lu Chen, so it was only right for them to enjoy some privileges in the Lu Clan. Moreover, Lu Qishan rising early would also benefit the Lu Clan.
Just like Lu Yujing, even though he was only at the Early Stage of Qi Refining and should have lived in the Junior Courtyard, who would actually be pedantic about such matters?
The true teacher of Lu Yujing and the others was Lu Chen, followed by Lu Yucheng and the others, who were directly responsible for their instruction.
Absolute fairness would instead be unfair to geniuses.
"Heh, you guys actually dared not to invite us to your gathering. Are you looking down on female Cultivators?"
Lu Yushu led Lu Qijin and the others down the mountain, stopping Lu Yuyu and his group who were preparing to head to the Family cafeteria.
"Aunt Shushu, it's one thing if they didn't invite us to their banquet, but not even inviting Aunt Shushu is just too much!"
"Exactly, exactly."
Lu Qijin and the others chimed in one after another, making cold sweat break out on Lu Yuyu's forehead.
If one were to ask who the little tyrant of the Junior Courtyard in their generation was, it wasn't him, nor anyone else, but precisely Lu Yushu.
Not only was her cultivation a level higher than theirs, but her talent was also upper-grade Four Spiritual Roots. Crucially, her mother was Li Qingshu.
One of the other two Li sisters. In terms of connections, Lu Yushu could look up to Yu Yao and down to Lu Yuzhi.
Of these two, the former controlled the allocation of Family resources, while the latter handled Family punishments. Among Li Qingshu's children, her talent was the highest, and she was renamed 'Shu' directly, showing how much she was doted upon.
This was a proper little tyrant in the making.
"Not at all, not at all, you are most welcome..."
Lu Yuyu gave a forced laugh, feeling a faint ache coming from the Storage Pouch in his robes.
His original budget was only five or six Spirit Stones, but now the number of people had nearly doubled. More importantly, with Lu Yushu there, the cost would likely rise toward twenty Spirit Stones.
Damn it, he didn't have that many Spirit Stones. Was he, a dignified man... going to have to go back to his mother tonight to cry about being poor and sell his misery?
It seemed he really would have to... the Family cafeteria allowed credit, but not for too long... instantly, he couldn't even maintain his forced laugh, and his expression stiffened.
"How about... how about we forget it, Clan Uncle?"
Lu Qilin couldn't bear to watch. His Clan Uncle looked too pathetic; it was obvious he didn't have enough Spirit Stones in his pocket.
He didn't want to have to use credit just for a meal... that would be too embarrassing.
"Forget it, as if I'd let you pay!"
Lu Yushu curled her lip in disdain and led her little sisters past the group of poor men, walking forward with large strides.
"When a Junior makes a Breakthrough, how can an Elder not show some appreciation? Today's meal is on me!"
Lu Yushu's voice drifted back from a distance.
"Oh ho!"
Lu Yuyu and the others widened their eyes, looking at each other as their eyes suddenly lit up.
Who didn't know that Lu Yushu's pockets were bulging? Why did people think all the female Cultivators of this batch were willing to hang out with her? It was because she had Spirit Stones in her pocket; money makes everything easier.
With two Elder siblings who were Elders and held important positions, Lu Yushu had never lacked Spirit Stones.
"Damn, we have to eat until her heart bleeds!"
Lu Yuyu whispered, looking at his many brothers with an expression as wretched as could be.
"Damn right!"
The brothers spoke in unison, then with fawning smiles plastered on their faces, they caught up to Lu Yushu and the others, showering them with free compliments.
Shen Zhou raised an eyebrow, his eyes constantly flashing. He considered himself no weaker than anyone else, but one by one, the Lu Clan children were succeeding in Qi Refining.
They were becoming true Cultivators, while few of the clansmen with external surnames had achieved a Breakthrough.
Among the external disciples, although Shen Zhou was a leader, his natural talent wasn't particularly outstanding. Some of his brothers had already broken through, while he still had some distance to go.
At this moment, watching the laughing Lu Clan members, he deeply understood a principle.
Dharma, Wealth, Companions, and Land—he had the Dharma and the Land, but his hands were empty of Wealth.
His gaze passed through the crowd, landing on the spirited Lu Yushu ahead... If he could win her over, he would have not only Wealth but also a Companion. Combined with the connections behind Lu Yushu, perhaps even his Dharma and Land could be upgraded by several levels.
In that case, the Great Dao would be within reach.
As for marrying into the Lu Clan and having children take the Lu surname, he had been mentally prepared for this since he joined the Lu Clan.
Was he supposed to find another external clansman as a Dao Companion and then give birth to a slave for the Lu Clan?
Only a fool would choose to be a servant when there was a chance to be a master... So what if the children were named Lu? Was it a big deal? Would they not be his children just because they were named Lu?
Constantly psyching himself up, Shen Zhou put on a bright, sunny smile and squeezed to the front of the crowd.
"Brother Lin, after your Breakthrough, what Spells do you plan to choose?"
Upon successful Qi Refining, external clansmen could choose two unranked Spells, while those of the Lu Clan could choose three.
Although unranked Spells were very weak, they served to train a Cultivator's ability to cast and use techniques, and were mandatory in the Lu Clan.
"I already have a draft in mind: the Fireball Spell, the Spirit Rain Spell, and the Light Body Technique."
Seeing Shen Zhou ask, Lu Qilin didn't suspect anything and spoke with a smile.
Over the course of a year, they had already become like brothers, so it was normal to care about each other.
"Oh? Brother Lin has a plan..."
Shen Zhou forced a smile.
"Haha, naturally. First, I'll train my fire control. The Spirit Rain Spell can enhance my foundation. Once I reach the Middle Stage of Qi Refining, I want to learn Alchemy!"
Lu Qilin's eyes were full of ambition.
The Spirit Rain Spell was exclusive to Spirit Plant Farmers, capable of summoning a small patch of dark clouds to drop spiritual rain.
Entry was simple, and mastery wasn't hard. The only requirement was the high consumption each time it was cast. As a practice Spell, frequent casting helped increase a Cultivator's mana capacity.
"Lin'er's idea is good. When the time comes, I'll also practice Alchemy. We, uncle and nephew, will go together to ask my Fifth Brother to be our master!"
Lu Yuyu raised an eyebrow and chimed in.
Compared to fighting and killing, he preferred his elegant Fifth Brother. Moreover, an Alchemist was the most noble profession. Once he became an Alchemist, who wouldn't have to bow respectfully to him?
With just a few words, he could make others risk their lives for him, which was much safer than going up to fight others himself.
"Hehe, I want to learn Talisman Crafting from Sister Yao. When the time comes, I'll use Spirit Talismans to trade for your Medicinal Pills. You're not allowed to cheat me!"
Lu Yushu's smile was brilliant, her eyes full of hope.
"Does no one want to learn Artifact Refining?"
Lu Qifeng teased, a smile on his face.
"Tch! Artifact Refining is both tiring and troublesome. Go refine them yourself!"
Lu Yuyu's expression was disdainful.
The external disciples following them had eyes and hearts full of envy.
They also wanted to learn Immortal Artss, but the conditions were harsh, and even their personal freedom would be restricted—this was something the Lu Clan had explicitly told them.
They suddenly felt very envious of their Lu Clan companions. While they could still be noisy together now, perhaps one day they would have to bow and salute Lu Yushu and the others... Lu Yushu looked back and glanced at Shen Zhou with a puzzled look... She noticed that this person's gaze seemed to have been on her the whole time... She smiled to herself and didn't pay it any more mind.