The borders of the Great Yuan region were still shrouded in a lingering haze, but for cultivators like Lu Chang’sheng, it posed no real obstacle. Plenty of loose cultivators streamed into the mist. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Soon, Lu Chang’sheng found his way back to Lu Family Village. Unlike how he remembered it, the place now no longer resembled a village at all.

Lu Chang’sheng and Nangua’s group moved swiftly, and in no time reached the Lu Family Manor, where two members of the Fang Family were standing guard.

The moment they saw Lu Chang’sheng and his companions, a hint of shock flickered on their faces.

Unable to contain himself, one of them stepped forward to ask, "Alchemist Lu, what realm have you reached now? Why can neither of us see through your cultivation?"

It was a bit abrupt to inquire about someone’s cultivation level, but Lu Chang’sheng didn’t mind. He just smiled and told them he was merely in the late stage of Qi Cultivation.

Though the two had been stationed here for decades, upon hearing this answer, their faces filled with wistfulness.

As for their own Fang Family, there was only one person at the late Qi Cultivation stage.

During these decades, upheavals in the Great Yuan region had cut off their Sound Transmission Shell, so the two had no idea about changes back in the Fang Family.

After Lu Chang’sheng told them, both were instantly overjoyed. The only regret was that Fang Yuan had already gone to the Taiyuan Domain; with their strength at just mid Qi Cultivation, there was no way they could cross multiple domains, so it would be a long time before they could meet again.

Lu Chang’sheng gifted them each some elixirs, repaying their years of dedicated service, and their faces bloomed with smiles. After Lu Chang’sheng reunited with the members of Lu Mansion and the pair opened the jade vials, their grins only grew wider.

Although Great Yuan’s spiritual energy had gradually returned over these decades, the scarcity of resources still left the two lagging in cultivation. Still, they knew with their own talent, even in the Spirit Realm, there’d be no great breakthroughs. Now, with Lu Chang’sheng’s pills, those few resentments faded from their hearts.

After all, at the root of the matter, it was the Fang Family’s desire to cultivate ties with Lu Chang’sheng; their decades-long stay here stemmed from Fang Family policy.

Next, Lu Chang’sheng and Nangua’s group met the eldest brother, Lu Haozi.

Now, the Lu Mansion had become a sizable martial arts clan; though Lu Haozi’s martial progress was slow, he had reached the True Qi Realm and prolonged his life somewhat. Still, he was over a hundred, and his life of indulgence in women had left his body feeble and elderly.

When Lu Chang’sheng saw him, Lu Haozi was already bedridden, unable to move, and a white-haired woman sat at his side caring for him.

On the aged woman’s face, Lu Chang’sheng could see echoes of Xinghua.

He recalled how, in middle age, his brother married Xinghua’s daughter as a concubine, and yet, after all was said and done, it was she by his side at the end.

Lu Chang’sheng couldn’t help but sigh—first love truly is the most beautiful.

Lu Haozi might have been stuck in bed, but his mind was still clear. Chatting with Lu Chang’sheng, he had grown much more sentimental.

Speaking of their mother, upon hearing she had passed away soon after arriving in the Spirit Realm, a trace of sorrow surfaced in his eyes.

"Life, sickness, death—they’re part of being human. Mother’s heart was always with Father, so perhaps she’s at peace," Lu Chang’sheng recalled her smile before she went, healthy and free of illness—wasn’t this also her wish?

Lu Chang’sheng fed his brother a Longevity Pill, but knew all too well that, in Haozi’s current state, only those pills could keep him alive for now.

Of course, improving his cultivation would help, but Haozi’s Martial Arts Root Bone was lacking, and his lifelong indulgence had left his body riddled with damage. Repairing it at this stage would be nearly impossible.

Lu Chang’sheng explained this, and while Haozi seemed disappointed, after thinking it over, he accepted it.

"Who doesn’t dream of longevity? But if fate decrees otherwise, let it be," he said.

Lu Haozi turned to Hu Xiu’Er at his side and said, "Xiu’Er, go tell them—no matter what business they have, everyone is to come home."

Hu Xiu’Er nodded and left the room.

That woman, once a daughter of a noble family, now carried herself with the authority of a matron. In contrast, Ma Xiaocao had lost her standing.

Lu Chang’sheng saw Ma Xiaocao outside the door. She no longer had that village woman’s aura, but compared to Hu Xiu’Er, she still fell short.

"Second Master!" she called urgently, bowing to Lu Chang’sheng, and quickly told several young boys and girls at her side to come greet him.

She knew well—Lu Mansion’s stability depended not on Lu Haozi or any of the Lu family, but the Second Master before her.

If she could build a good relationship with him, her own branch would benefit greatly.

Lu Chang’sheng smiled and nodded.

Ma Xiaocao wasn’t allowed into the room, proof she’d lost Haozi’s favor, but, from her clothes and her spirits, it was clear Hu Xiu’Er hadn’t mistreated or oppressed her.

So, he had no intention of meddling further.

After seeing the Lu Mansion’s kin, Lu Chang’sheng made a special visit to the nearby forbidden grounds, home to the White Ape.

"The White Ape passed away twenty years ago; its descendants now lead the troop,"

said the Lu Mansion martial artist who accompanied Lu Chang’sheng to the site.

Lu Chang’sheng was moved, and learned from their conversation how the ape had died.

In theory, an Innate-level White Ape shouldn’t have met its end so soon, but during the years Lu Chang’sheng was away in the Spirit Realm, the White Ape fought monsters to protect the Lu Mansion, and its old wounds finally caught up to it, cutting its lifespan short.

Hearing this, Lu Chang’sheng felt deeply grateful, and during his stay at Lu Mansion, he took extra care of the young White Ape.