NOVGO.NET Chapter 231 - 231
Chapter 231: Climbing the Mountain
The Lu Family's Mid-Grade World was vast in scale.
Within this world, the territory was divided into ten major areas.
The area Lu Xunxian had previously entered was the Public Realm--the zone where Outer Clan Disciples were permitted to enter and accept missions.
Of the remaining nine areas, eight belonged to the eight branches, each housing one of the eight great main branches.
As for the last area, it was the forbidden grounds where the Lu Family's Peak Dao Venerable patriarch resided. Aside from the Branch Masters, no ordinary family member was allowed to set foot inside.
Before long, Lu Fenggu led Lu Xunxian to the entrance of the Desolation Branch.
As he produced his Identity Token, the Desolation Branch's Restriction Seal opened.
"Let's go, follow me in."
With that, Lu Fenggu pulled Lu Xunxian inside without a second thought.
Upon entering the Desolation Branch, the concentration of Dao Power was noticeably richer--at least twice as dense as outside.
"Worthy of being a main branch's territory. Even the Dao Power is more concentrated than outside."
Lu Xunxian couldn't help but be somewhat impressed.
But Lu Fenggu was unperturbed.
"What are you sensing Dao Power for? We haven't reached the level where we need to cultivate Dao Power yet. Come on, let's go see the Branch Master first."
The Dao Realm contained not only Dao Power, but also Immortal Power and Spiritual Energy.
Most importantly, the Immortal Power and Spiritual Energy within the Dao Realm were far denser than in the Immortal Realm or the Lower Realm.
As a result, any living being born in the Dao Realm, as long as their talent wasn't abysmally low, could cultivate to immortality.
On the way to their audience with the Desolation Branch Master, Lu Xunxian spotted several hundred Immortal Emperors, and even over a dozen Dao Practitioners.
Noticing the surprise in Lu Xunxian's eyes, Lu Fenggu puffed up with pride.
"Our Desolation Branch may not be the strongest of the eight main branches, but our strength is nothing to scoff at. What you're seeing right now isn't even a tenth of our branch's true depth."
"Fair enough. You are one of the Dao Realm's top ten forces, after all."
Lu Xunxian didn't argue the point.
After reaching the Immortal King Realm, cultivators became undying and imperishable unless killed by external forces. And they were Immortal Kings of the Lu Family--how could they possibly fall without reason?
Thus, the Lu Family's Immortal Kings would only grow more numerous and more powerful over time.
Before long, Lu Fenggu led Lu Xunxian to the base of a towering mountain.
The mountain soared to staggering heights, shrouded in a thick mist that lent it an air of profound mystery.
Standing before the mountain, Lu Fenggu cupped his fists toward it and spoke with deep respect.
"Junior Lu Fenggu requests an audience with the Branch Master!"
Shortly after Lu Fenggu's voice faded, the dense mist atop the mountain began to disperse, clearing a path.
"Enter."
A voice echoed from within the mountain.
Only then did Lu Fenggu straighten up and turn to Lu Xunxian.
"Let's go. The Branch Master is willing to see us."
With that, Lu Fenggu headed toward the summit, and Lu Xunxian followed close behind.
But the instant Lu Xunxian set foot on the mountain, a mysterious force acted upon him, stripping away his Early Immortal Emperor cultivation and reducing him to the state of an ordinary mortal.
Of course, if Lu Xunxian revealed his true Mid Dao Venerable cultivation, this force would have no effect whatsoever.
Sensing Lu Xunxian's surprise, Lu Fenggu quickly explained.
"This is a measure the Branch Master set up. Anyone who wishes to see him must climb to the summit in a mortal body. Otherwise, if just anyone could come see him whenever they pleased, he'd be exhausted."
"Makes sense. Let's go."
Lu Xunxian wasn't particularly fazed and immediately began striding toward the summit.
Lu Fenggu froze for a moment, then hastily called out.
"Wait up!"
And scrambled to follow.
The mountain was immensely tall--tens of thousands of feet high.
Lu Xunxian didn't find it particularly taxing. Even before he had begun cultivating, his physical constitution had been remarkably strong. Walking thirty miles in a day had been nothing, let alone climbing a mountain.
Lu Fenggu, on the other hand, was gasping for air behind him.
"Would you slow down a little!"
"Haven't you ever trained your body?"
Lu Xunxian stopped and looked back at Lu Fenggu with some surprise.
Lu Fenggu had the decency to look embarrassed.
"That stuff is just too exhausting. I couldn't keep it up."
"You... just hurry up."
Lu Xunxian was utterly exasperated, but in the end he slowed his pace and waited for Lu Fenggu.
After all, he didn't know the Branch Master. Only Lu Fenggu did.
And so, because of Lu Fenggu, it took them a full three days to reach the summit.
Upon arriving at the top, Lu Fenggu collapsed on the ground in a heap.
"Can't walk... I really can't walk anymore. If I'd known it was this exhausting, I never would have come."
At that moment, his legs felt like they no longer belonged to him.
Lu Xunxian, by contrast, looked perfectly composed--his expression calm and his breathing entirely steady.
Looking at Lu Fenggu sprawled on the ground, Lu Xunxian could only feel exasperation. This was the caliber of the Lu Family's Kin Disciples?
After glancing at Lu Fenggu, Lu Xunxian turned his attention to the summit.
Not far away stood a small wooden cabin--presumably the Branch Master's residence.
"Are you ready yet?"
After roughly half an hour, Lu Fenggu finally recovered, his complexion looking considerably better.
"Ready, ready. Let's go--that's the Branch Master's dwelling right there."
He pulled himself to his feet, looked around, and quickly zeroed in on the nearby cabin.
Judging by Lu Fenggu's reaction, Lu Xunxian's brow furrowed tightly. Had this fellow never actually met the Branch Master before?
But before he could ask, Lu Fenggu was already heading toward the cabin--only for a wave of intense soreness to hit him the moment he took a step, leaving him gritting his teeth and wincing.
Watching his reaction, Lu Xunxian grew even more exasperated.
Was this really a Kin Disciple of the Lu Family?
Fortunately, Lu Fenggu quickly adjusted and began shuffling toward the cabin step by agonizing step.
Another half hour passed before the two finally stood before the little wooden cabin.
Looking at the door, Lu Fenggu raised his hand and knocked, then bowed and spoke.
"Branch Master, we've arrived."
"Come in."
A kindly old man's voice drifted from within, and the door swung open.
Inside, the cabin was the picture of simplicity--nothing but a small table.
Seated before the table was a white-haired elder, brewing tea.
Lu Fenggu entered first, and Lu Xunxian followed close behind.
As they approached the elder, an incredibly rich tea fragrance wafted over. Just a single whiff made Lu Fenggu feel his cultivation realm loosen ever so slightly.
Lu Xunxian, however, recognized it immediately. This was no ordinary tea. It was Dao Comprehension Tea.