"Fifth Brother... it's good enough!" Xu Jie walked over to Sui Yan and patted him firmly on the shoulder. "In this world," he said comfortingly, "very few people can match Xu Luo's level of attack power. Besides, didn't you just hear what Elder Ling said? Xu Luo's final attack was already comparable to a Sword Saint's!"
"No, you don't understand." Sui Yan sighed softly. "When I was setting up the array, there were two materials described in the books that I just couldn't find. I had to substitute them with two others that had similar properties. It's clear now that was the source of the problem. Otherwise, even a full-power strike from a peak Sword Saint would never have been able to break through!"
"Are those materials impossible to find?" Xu Jie asked.
Sui Yan said, "At the very least... I've never even heard of them."
At that moment, Xu Luo walked over. Looking at Sui Yan, he said, "The array is honestly good enough. I gave it everything I had and still couldn't break it. As for that little crack... don't take it to heart. The power of my Dharma Heaven and Earth is far beyond that of an ordinary person!"
"Third Brother, don't worry. I will find those two materials! I swear I'll find them!"
Sui Yan was a persistent man; otherwise, he never would have mastered the Mechanical Skill so completely in such a short time.
The commotion attracted the attention of many onlookers. Some even thought the Xu Family was under attack and rushed over to see the excitement. But when they arrived, there was nothing to see, and no one knew what had happened. They wanted to ask around, but the Xu Family had already gone back inside, leaving the crowd to depart in disappointment.
But secrets don't stay secret for long. News that the Xu Mansion possessed a perfect defensive Grand Array slowly began to spread.
The Xu Family wasn't concerned about this. They knew the news would get out sooner or later anyway.
Sui Yan didn't stay at the Xu Family estate for long before taking his leave. He wasn't rushing off to find the two materials, but rather to go back and prepare the plans for the Underground City.
That was a massive undertaking, and it would be impossible without thorough preparations beforehand.
Huangfu Chongzhi was also preparing to leave, but Xu Luo stopped him. Xu Luo took out a large quantity of Spirit Medicine from his person, many of which had already become sentient!
The sight left Huangfu Chongzhi dumbfounded. In front of this pile of Spirit Medicine, the normally composed young man was like a child who had just seen a beloved toy he had long been waiting for.
"Third Brother... you... where did you get so many Spirit-Connecting Treasure Medicines? This... this is impossible! Spirit-Connecting Treasure Medicines... they're supposed to stay far away from humans! Even if you manage to get one, it will escape unless you kill it!"
Huangfu Chongzhi stared at the pile of treasured medicines radiating with Spiritual Qi, practically drooling.
If anyone saw the Supreme Emperor of Cangqiong looking like this, their jaws would drop to the floor.
"These treasured medicines... they followed me out of that Small World on their own..." Xu Luo briefly explained to Huangfu Chongzhi how he had collected the medicines in the Small World.
"I didn't dare leave them here before, but now the Xu Family's defenses are so strong, and we have a place to plant them. Plus, with a top-tier Alchemist like you here... I think these Spirit Medicines will be of much greater use in your hands."
Xu Luo spoke, then added, "You can use the Spirit Medicine, but don't harm them..."
"I understand... Of course, I understand... You don't have to stress this point with me. These Spirit Medicines are truly sentient treasures. How could I ever bear to harm them?"
The excited look on Huangfu Chongzhi's face made Xu Luo's skin crawl. 'Big Brother seeing Spirit Medicine is exactly like Second Brother seeing good Refining Materials... or Fifth Brother seeing anything related to mechanisms.'
"That's good. I've already prepared a Spirit Field in my courtyard at the Xu Mansion. I'm sure you have more experience than I do when it comes to planting these Spirit Medicines," Xu Luo said.
"Third Brother, I know you're about to face a great deal of danger. Don't worry about things here at home! I will take good care of your family for you. I'll work with Second Brother and Fifth Brother to create a perfect defense." Huangfu Chongzhi looked at Xu Luo with a serious expression. "I didn't dare make any grand promises to you before, but... now, with so many Spirit-Connecting Treasure Medicines, you can rest assured. If you're gone for a year, I guarantee that when you return, you will see a whole group of Transformation Realm Powerhouses! If you're gone for three years, I guarantee that when you return, you will see a whole group of powerhouses at the Peak of Transformation Realm!"
"Are you sure?" Xu Luo looked at Huangfu Chongzhi, a stir of excitement in his heart. Having witnessed the power of the Mechanical Skill, he was now filled with anticipation for the Pill Scripture, which was said to be on the same level.
"Absolutely!" For someone with Huangfu Chongzhi's composed personality to say something like that, it was clear he was brimming with confidence.
"You might not know this, but Second Brother has also completely mastered the Casting Skill. The only thing he's lacking now are various materials for Top-Grade Refining. Once he gets those materials... creating an Unparalleled Divine Soldier won't be just a dream!" Huangfu Chongzhi said. "I'll use the Royal Family's influence to search for those Refining Materials!"
Xu Luo nodded. "With good brothers like you all here, I have nothing to worry about."
"We're proud of you, too! Third Brother, you have to take care of yourself," Huangfu Chongzhi said softly, patting Xu Luo's shoulder.
He could imagine all the things Xu Luo was about to face, but he was powerless to help him directly. All he could do was ensure Xu Luo could leave without any worries for what he left behind.
And accomplishing even that was no easy feat.
Xu Luo then handed Huangfu Chongzhi a large number of pine nuts... which gave Huangfu Chongzhi another huge surprise.
"Third Brother... your experiences these past few years... are truly astonishing! You've grown to a level that we can't even comprehend. Keep working hard. I believe you'll reach even greater heights!"
Huangfu Chongzhi left with Xu Jie, Little Fatty, and the others. Xu Luo remained alone in his room and said to Master Mao, who had just returned from outside, "Miaomiao, this time... don't leave with me. Just stay here and cultivate."
"Be your guard cat?" Master Mao lay on the table and rolled his eyes in a very human-like way. "This Master... has indeed been very busy lately."
"People have guard dogs; I've never heard of a guard cat," Xu Luo laughed. "I can sense that you're currently undergoing a bloodline purification and have reached the most critical stage..."
"How do you know?"
Master Mao looked at Xu Luo warily. "Were you spying on This Master?"
"Get lost. If I had time for that, I'd rather spy on my women... Ugh." Xu Luo's mouth twitched, and he glared at Master Mao. "You've dragged me down to your level."
"AAAAH! Then how did you know This Master was at a critical stage?" Master Mao roared, baring his teeth at Xu Luo. He even extended his incredibly sharp claws threateningly. "Tell me, or I'll scratch you!"
"I can just feel it," Xu Luo said flatly, ignoring Master Mao's threat. "Don't tell me you've been running around outside all day looking for a female Heaven-Swallowing Fox."
"Bullshit! This Master has no interest in the opposite sex right now! Unlike you, marrying so many little minxes at once. What's so great about them, anyway?! AAAAAH!"
"Seriously, though, will you stay? When Big Brother refines Elixirs, I'll have him set a portion aside for you," Xu Luo said earnestly.
Master Mao thought for a moment, then said, "Alright, since you put it that way, This Master will help you watch the house for a while. It's no big deal. More importantly... This Master feels like the gap between us is getting wider and wider! I can barely even help you anymore. When will This Master finally be able to ride on your head... Ahem, meow..."
Xu Luo rolled his eyes at Master Mao for his slip of the tongue and couldn't be bothered to respond. He then sent a voice transmission to Master Tao: 'Do you want to stay?'
Master Tao refused on the spot. 'This Master has no desire to stay here! You promised me you'd help This Master find the Fountain of Eternal Youth!'
"Fine, then you can stay by my side. At critical moments, you can still provide me with some peaches," Xu Luo said.
'Damn you! This Master is not your supplier!' Master Tao fumed.
"Oh? Looks like you've learned quite a bit during your time in the secular world. You even know the word 'supplier' now," Xu Luo teased.
'Who is This Master Tao? Back in my day...'
Xu Luo couldn't be bothered to listen to Master Tao's bragging and had someone summon Phoenix and the other women.
The atmosphere in the room was somewhat heavy. The women knew Xu Luo was about to leave, and their spirits were low.
"A few days ago, I killed those people who came from the Ancient Race." Xu Luo looked up at the women before him. "I believe their people will find out about this soon and come looking for us."
"But didn't Sui Yan say our family's defensive Grand Array can block a Sword Saint...?" Huangfu Shishi bit her lip, looking at Xu Luo with a pleading expression.
"But I have to increase my own strength as quickly as possible. It's true that the Black Tortoise Array can block a Sword Saint's attack, but we can't just hide here forever." Xu Luo sighed softly. "I don't want to leave you all either."
"Qiqi, Xu Luo is right. The only way to truly fear no one is to possess great strength yourself!" Phoenix said softly.
Lianyi nodded. Looking at Xu Luo, she said gently, "Don't worry. Leave the family to us. If you can, come back as soon as possible."
"All the major sects are gathered over at the East Sea now. You must be careful when you go!" Huangfu Shishi wasn't an unreasonable woman; her heart was just reluctant to let him go.
"I will," Xu Luo replied.
"We'll train hard at home, too. Maybe by the time you come back, we'll have become Sword Saints!" Phoenix said, telling a joke to lighten the heavy atmosphere.
At that moment, no one in the room could have imagined that Phoenix's casual joke would one day become a prophecy.
"Sword Saints... that would be great. When those people come, you can just kill them and drive them out!" Xu Luo said with a laugh.
"Yeah, we'll beat them so badly they piss their pants!" Phoenix said.
"Sister Phoenix, you're cursing!" Qiqi reminded her.
"It feels good to talk like this!" Phoenix laughed, trying her best to hide the tears that had already welled up in her vibrant eyes.
...
That night, Xu Luo had another long talk with his parents and older brother.
Early the next morning, Xu Luo had already left the Imperial Capital. The entire Xu Mansion was silent as he departed. Xu Luo activated his Shaking Light Step and strode into the sky, disappearing from sight.
Only after he disappeared over the horizon did the Xu Mansion suddenly seem to come to life. In courtyard after courtyard, people emerged from their rooms to gaze at the sky, their faces filled with sorrow.