Lu Yun has been at the peak as a commoner of the fourth level of the Mystery for a while. With the help of the golden elixir, it is not difficult for him to break through the fourth level.
He refocuses his energy and swallows another golden elixir. A powerful air flows into his lower abdomen, making him feel thoroughly remolded.
After a while, the vital energy filled in his lower abdomen slowly solidifies, which means that he has entered the fifth level of the Mystery!
Only then, he feels fatigued. He hasn"t slept since yesterday. Lu Yun decides to have a good sleep after his vital energy cultivation.
The next morning, the news comes that the eldest grandson of Clan Yi was killed.
Everyone talks about it. The clans strengthen the protection of their geniuses to avoid the same disaster. It is the time when the Sect of the Celestial Poles selects their disciples.
The talented youth of each clan either learn higher skills from martial art masters or be recommended to big sects to improve their skills. The latter is also a desirable way for the clan to be connected with big sects.
There are two major sects in the Southern State of Prosperity where Lu Yun lives. One is the sect of Artemisia, who recruits only female disciples. The other is the sect of the Celestial Poles, the biggest in the Eastern Continent.
Every five years, the sect of the Celestial Poles recruits disciples recommended by the clans and the royal family. There is only one opening for even the royal family.
Clan Lu has decided to give the chance to Lu Ji a long time ago because Lu Ji was the strongest among the younger generation of the clan.
Recently, two things bother Lu Ji.
One is that the eldest grandson of the clan Yi was killed. He is also scared. The second is that Lu Zixuan"s birthday is coming.
In previous years, Lu Zixuan never invited anyone.
The birthday present that Lu Ji sent every time was always relentlessly returned by her. Everyone knows that Lu Zixuan sooner or later will become Lu Ji"s wife.
Unfortunately, Lu Ji never managed to make Lu Zixuan smile.
Lu Yun does not have the time for such apprehensions. He is not the eldest grandson of his clan. Neither is he worried about being killed.
For the days after coming back home from the Mountain of Lunar Deities, he has been devoted to his vital energy cultivation, upgrading his boundless guide and improving his understanding of the Swan Qinggong.
Three days have pa.s.sed without being noticed. It is Lu Zixuan"s birthday.
On this day, Lu Yun gets up early. On the day of the temple fair when they spent the time together, Lu Zixuan told Lu Yun that he must come for her birthday this year.
The date is set at noon because she is afraid that Lu Ji and others will come to bother.
After practicing in the morning, Lu Yun takes a bath, changes into a set of refres.h.i.+ng clothes, tells his father where he is going and leaves for Lu Zixuan"s home.
Lu Zixuan"s parents are officials in Yidong City. She lives with her grandfather who is the third eldest of the clan. He is the only one who dares to be in confrontation with the patriarch Lu Yu.
In front of Lu Zixuan"s home, Lu Yun hesitates.
At this time, Lu Zixuan opens the door. The two look at each other for a moment.
She is in a blue dress today, very beautiful. When she notices Lu Yun staring at her, a flush comes to her cheeks.
"Why…, come on in!" she says.
"Okay," Lu Yun"s heart beats faster. It is the first time for him to enter her home.
Lu Zixuan pours a cup of tea for Lu Yun and says, "We are to cook together, then go to celebrate my birthday by the stream."
"I agree." Lu Yun replies with a silly smile.
Lu Zixuan gives him a look and starts the preparation.
It is not exaggerating to say that Lu Zixuan is the fairest in Yidong City. Even when looking at her was.h.i.+ng vegetables, Lu Yun is intoxicated.
"Zi Xuan!"
A voice very unpleasant to Lu Zixuan comes into the house. The one at the door is the last person she wants to see.
I asked your grandfather. He said that you are at home. Hurry up and open the door. Everyone is here to celebrate your birthday. I especially hired the chef from the Joy Tsin Lau Restaurant in Yidong City to cook for the celebration!" Lu Ji says.
Apparently Lu Ji is prepared. He has been planning a birthday party for Lu Zixuan since several days ago. He is prepared to officially inform the youth of the clan that Lu Zixuan is his woman.
Lu Yun says, "If you don"t open the door, it will be unfavorable for you, your grandfather and me."
Lu Zixuan utters a sigh and is obviously disappointed. She drops the vegetable in her hands to open the door.
The people come from outside are Lu Ji, Lu Qi, Lu Yu, Lu Mao, and a few of their followers. To set off Lu Zixuan"s beauty, Lu Ji brings several plain-looking girls as well.
At the sight of Lu Yun sitting leisurely inside, Lu Ji is immediately filled with anger.
For so many years, Lu Zixuan never invited a person for her birthday. He had thought that Lu Zixuan was cold to everyone.
If the one sitting inside were someone else rather than the notorious good-for-nothing of the clan, Lu Ji wouldn"t have been so angry.
Lu Yun takes a sip of tea calmly and says to the crowd, "Zixuan is going to invite you all. I arrived only a moment ago."
This is a lie, but a good way to smooth things over.
Because it is Lu Zixuan"s birthday, Lu Ji has to keep his temper. But at the bottom of his heart, he has already made a vow to make Lu Yun lick his boots after Lu Zixuan"s birthday party.
Otherwise, it is difficult for him to resolve his hatred.
At the banquet, all know that it is a delicate situation and sit a bit farther away from Lu Zixuan, leaving to Lu Ji the seat next to her. But Lu Yun takes the seat.
This makes Lu Ji tightens his fist. With sarcasm, he says "Lu Yun, a good-for-nothing like you deserves the seat?!"
Lu Ji is already furious. He can"t tolerate Lu Yun sitting next to Lu Zixuan. With his humble position in the clan, Lu Yun is not qualified for sitting next to him either, the young master of the clan.
Were it in the past, Lu Yun would definitely stand up in fear.
If so, Lu Zixuan will be so embarra.s.sed as not to insist on his staying at the party.
However, Lu Yun casts a cold look at Lu Ji. It seems that the conflict between the two can erupt at any moment. Lu Ji is shocked, saying to himself, "the good-for-nothing has become so courageous!"
Lu Zixuan touches Lu Yun"s foot under the table with great concern. But the nerd smiles at her. This scene makes Lu Ji"s face distorted.
"Lu Ji, are you here to make trouble today?" Lu Zixuan asks.
"I am here to celebrate your birthday for sure." Lu Ji answers moodily.
However, when he looks at Lu Yun with resentment, he finds that the other is looking at him in the same way.
Unbelievable!
Suddenly, Lu Ji comes up with a good idea. He is to defeat Lu Yun and let Lu Zixuan feel that it is the worst thing she has done having invited Lu Yun to her birthday party.
Lu Ji signals with his eyes at the crowd, and they immediately understand. Lu Qi says, "Lu Yun, you don"t have a chance to eat the food like this, do you? You must eat more today. Otherwise, you will have to wait for a year to have the food like this at Zi Xuan"s next birthday party."
"Ha ha ha!" The crowd bursts into laughter.
Lu Yun grins," The delicacies of Joy Tsin Lau Restaurant are delicious. I will have to eat there often."
"If it is your treat, remember to take me with you." Seeing the war between the two is inevitable, Lu Zixuan has to take her side. She decides to be on Lu Yun"s side.
"Of course, if you come with me, it will surely be my treat." Lu Yun says.
Lu Ji sneers and decides it is the right time.
He takes out a carefully prepared gift and says "Zixuan, happy birthday! Something small I prepared for you. Please accept it."
All his followers immediately understand and present the gifts they brought. These gifts are not as good as the one given by Lu Ji, but they are also very expensive.
Now, everyone is staring at Lu Yun.
Lu Ji"s leer in his smile is more and more intense. He says to himself, "Lu Yun, what can you come up with to compete against me?"