"So those people who rushed over earlier, including Elder Yan's group, were all for that treasure that might appear?" Lu Sheng grasped the key points from Yan Kai's account.

"You could say that," nodded Yan Kai. "With monsters running amok in this world, we exorcists also came to protect the peace in this land."

Lu Sheng smiled. He didn't know how much credibility those words held. After pondering a bit, he asked again, "That is to say, this matter has ended just like this? Jiulian City will have no further issues in the future? No more ghosts, mishaps or unexplained deaths?"

Yan Kai didn't understand Lu Sheng's intention with this line of questioning, but he considered briefly before answering sincerely: "That's right. The treasure has been taken away, far from Jiulian City. This poor Daoist is also hurrying over to see if I can lend a hand anywhere. As for the deaths... with the external forces gone, I presume Jiulian City will revert to its initial uneventful state."

Duan Rongrong couldn't help but interject: "That thing's run off towards the central plains now. Everyone's chasing after it. Who'd be willing to remain in this tiny city?"

Yan Kai reached out to nudge Duan Rongrong to mind her words. He cupped his fist towards Lu Sheng, "Young Master Sheng, I didn't end up helping much this trip and won't be taking the money. If fated, we shall meet again."

"How can that do? Elder Yan would have me break my word?" Lu Sheng's expression turned severe as he said earnestly.

With a wave of his hand, he called out, "Come, bring the notes of payment!"

A waiting servant girl outside immediately carried in an exquisite small wooden box.

Lu Sheng took the box and placed it on the table before everyone, opening it. Inside was a thick stack of banknotes.

"This is Elder Yan and company's payment. Although nothing happened this time, Elder Yan and Lady Zhu helped my family locate the missing person. This accomplishment is worth taking this sum," stated Lu Sheng solemnly again.

"Then I shall gladly accept!" Before Yan Kai could refuse, Duan Rongrong instantly reached to stuff the notes into her pocket. "I'll take Big Sis Zhu's share out to give to her later!"

Zhu Feng revealed a helpless expression. Clearly the three had grown familiar with each other.

Seeing this, Yan Kai could only smile wryly as he cupped his fist to return the propriety.

"Elder Yan, have a safe journey!" Lu Sheng saw them off no further.

With Yan Kai leading, the three turned and exited the guest hall, walking out of the residence.

Lu Sheng stood at the back, watching their retreating figures from afar. For some reason, an indistinct feeling of loss welled up in his heart. It was like a world he wished to reach was leaving him behind.

He remained motionless in the guest hall for over half an hour even after Yan Kai's group disappeared.

"Young Lord?" Little Bao timidly walked in and called out to him. "It's time to eat."

"Oh!" Lu Sheng awoke from his daze, raising his head to look outside.

He tidied his clothes briefly before following Little Bao towards the dining hall.

Inside the dining hall, many seats were already filled.

Lu Quanan sat at the head with Steward Zhao unexpectedly sitting next to him. With another look over, Lu Sheng noticed the few martial arts instructors who left with Steward Zhao earlier had also returned.

"Your eldest brother sent word that Jiulian City's lockdown has been lifted. You can now freely enter and exit," said Lu Quanan softly. But this good news didn't uplift his mood because Lu Qingqing's seat nearby was empty while she herself obediently sat beside Second Mother Liu Cuizhu being spoonfed like an obedient child. Drool continuously dribbled from the corner of her mouth. She clearly no longer resembled a normal person.

Most of the others were also not in the mood for eating. After that massive explosion coupled with those bladed and armed Jianghu wanderers traveling past their home, everyone saw the great commotion.

Now there were only worries in their hearts.

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"The dishes have turned cold. Go ahead and eat, hurry and eat," said Lu Quanan seeing everyone had lost appetite. He took the initiative picking up his chopsticks first. "Steward Zhao is back and the residence is safe. Everyone..." As he spoke, grief rose in his heart and he couldn't help letting out a deep sigh.

Steward Zhao witnessed this. Helplessness and guilt also churned in his heart. The Lu family had sponsored him for so many years yet he was not present during their most critical juncture, even if his absence was due to official orders. When their entire group was maneuvered to some hills near the frigid North Ocean only to circle around before returning without encountering anything or any events whatsoever!

What was the point of that operation!?

"Now that the embargo has been rescinded, it signifies everything has ended. Although the conclusion was rather abrupt and sudden, since it's over, everyone still has to keep living on," said Lu Sheng. "Have the guards reinforce their vigilance and add more patrols, that should suffice."

"Big brother Sheng is right. Let's hurry and eat while it's still warm... The cold food won't taste as good," said Lu Yingying softly, agreeing from her seat.

"Who are you calling big brother Sheng?! It's 'Eldest Brother'! All you know is eating!" Fifth Aunty sitting beside her wanted to hit Lu Yingying before recalling they were at the dining table. She forcefully held herself back.

Lu Yingying shrunk her neck, not daring to make another peep.

Only then did the family quietly begin eating.

There wasn't much else to say after the meal. Lu Sheng returned to cultivating his inner qi. He sat cross-legged on his bedstead regulating his breathing for over an hour until his vital essence reached peak roundness.

"Deep Sapphire!" He recited mentally within.

The modifier interface immediately surfaced.

Lu Sheng raised his eyes to look closely. The Dark Destruction section of the modifier had already reached the second level. Just one more level would enable reaching the strongest third level.

According to the technique's manual, the trainable levels capped at third level. Although there were another two levels below that for a total of five levels, Lu Sheng reviewed them previously. He felt they didn't perfectly connect with the preceding levels so they were very likely tacked on later by another person. He didn't dare cultivate such an evidently modified and thus unreliable technique.

Eyes still closed, Lu Sheng evened his breathing as he focused his will to press the 'Modify' button below the interface upon seeing Dark Destruction's current status.

The entire modifier instantly flashed once.

"Raise Dark Destruction level by one," Lu Sheng recited in his mind.

Clank.

The moment the sound faded, he saw Dark Destruction gradually blurring before clearing up again, now at third level.

"So this is third level?" After waiting briefly without sensing any changes in his body, Lu Sheng began closely investigating the dark destructive qi within him and finally discovered it was concentrating at an extremely gradual pace.

If the levels before were like black fog, then the current miasma was slowly coalescing into black water droplets.

"Doesn't seem to consume too much," Lu Sheng muttered doubtfully opening his eyes. "Could it be that I'm already..."

Pfft! Suddenly he spurted a mouthful of blood, dyeing his chest crimson. The reek of gore instantly permeated the room.

Lu Sheng felt his whole body go fiery hot as he let out a bitter laugh. "And here I assumed there'd be no reaction this time. To think otherwise..."

He shook his head and started earnestly perceiving the changes within.

Elevating Dark Destruction to third level caused Lu Sheng to recuperate for a full month plus at home before he could move freely like before. His original Jade Crane Skill played a huge role during this time, continuously accelerating his injuries' recovery.

Starting from that day, there indeed were no more reports of bizarre incidents occurring in Jiulian City. After Yan Kai's group left, the city resumed its former liveliness and mundanity as if everything passed like a dream.

Except for Lu Qingqing who had now become a fool.

During this time, Lu Quanan once again brought up his plans for Lu Sheng to head over to Lianshan City.

"I've already prepared everything. Our Lu family has a residence in Lianshan City you can stay at. The imperial examinations are also about to start this year. Little Sheng, you're fond of martial arts. You can try testing for a martial posting which would make entering officialdom much more convenient in the future."

"Martial post..."

"Of course a civil posting would be better. Feel free to decide for yourself if you don't wish to do anything over there. I can arrange for you to manage one of our shops with all the income as your personal stipend," said Lu Quanan. Clearly everything was already arranged.

"Jiulian City is still too small. I've already registered you at Dongshan Academy over there. Whether you want to go the civil or martial path, that will be your decision." After finishing, he couldn't help letting out a deep sigh himself. The things that happened in Jiulian City somewhat dampened his spirits. No matter how much money one had, when it truly counted, the only reliable ones would still be your own people.

"Dongshan Academy..." Lu Sheng roughly grasped his father's meaning. Sending children away to study like this was a roundabout way of studying abroad that only wealthy households could afford.

"Young Master Zheng Xiangui and his sister will be going too along with you and Yingying. Yiyi and Chenxin will attend another academy together."

Lu Sheng contemplated briefly before nodding in agreement. Jiulian City was truly too tiny for him now. So small that he couldn't even find any stronger mystic arts at the moment, only able to practice such third-rate Saber Technique of the Black Tiger. Lianshan City was different. If the Red Whale Gang was truly the strongest gang nearby, they would undoubtedly have a base there.

"When do I set off then?" he inquired.

Lu Quanan considered, "You can decide for yourself when to leave. I'll have your uncle send people to escort you."

"I think... I'll take a look around the city first," sighed Lu Sheng. He had learned some martial arts from quite a few masters in the city. Protocol dictated he ought to visit and bid them all farewell before a long departure.

Lu Quanan nodded permitting him to handle things.

Dragging his not fully recovered body after just elevating his inner qi, Lu Sheng set off early next morning to circle Jiulian City by carriage.