Chapter 187 187. Zhou Xueyi
Lu Yao flipped through the newspaper in his hands.
The headlines were all about the fierce battles between the great powers, but one piece of news caught his attention.
He saw in the accompanying black-and-white photo a very "fun" thing—
It looked like a diamond-shaped iron coffin, with machine guns and cannons mounted on both sides; it was the "Mark I" tank!
This strangely shaped tank was impressively crushing barbed wire and charging over trenches.
It was the first type of tank to officially participate in a war and had only 5MM of armor.
"Thin skin, big filling, it would definitely be fun to strafe with a Fire God Cannon."
Watching the bustle and not minding the trouble, Lu Yao truly wished these warring powers would all go down together, considering the main battlefield was in the West.
Nevertheless, the emergence of the tank also raised his vigilance. War is the best catalyst!
The mutual slaughter of intelligent beings ignites their full potential.
Next, various new weapons, such as airplanes, poison gas, tanks, and new artillery, would be successively developed.
He absolutely couldn't delay in becoming stronger!
~~~~~~~
As soon as he thought of this, Lu Yao hurriedly called over the sisters to give him a massage and knead his feet.
Although massages are nice, they also have a downside—making one reluctant to cultivate oneself.
You slog it out for half a month, yet it doesn't compare to the heavenly touch of the sisters' hands in just twenty minutes, and naturally, a person would lose the motivation to endure the hardship of cultivation.
After having his back massaged and feet kneaded, Lu Yao felt incredibly refreshed and then, as a way of returning the favor, he helped the two sisters practice the 'Art of the Dragon Slayer Manual' in the pavilion.
Liao Yashuo, the one with the larger chest, lay on the stone table, her body going limp from the stimulation of her junior brother's technique and couldn't help but exclaim:
"Probably only our family is full of Spirit Refining Experts."
Lately, Liao Qe had frequently visited the National Martial Arts Association and now revealed precise data: "In all of Yunzhou with 2 million people, barely five are in the Marrow-Cleansing Realm, two in the Focused Spirit, and only Daoist Zhou He in the Fetal Breath."
"Are we included in that number?"
"Yes, we're included."
"Spirit Refinement... it is indeed rare."
The group chatted away, and without realizing it, they finished the massage. Liao Qe quickly helped wipe the sweat off her beloved.
It took a good while before Liao Yashuo got up, and the stone stool she had sat on was covered in damp spots, even though she had already subtly wiped it.
Lu Yao didn't show any reaction, but Liao Qe pointed at the marks and burst into laughter, showing no consideration for her sister's dignity.
Liao Ya's face turned red from top to bottom, and she immediately went after her sister to chase and punch her, the two girls running away, laughing and playing.
~~~~~~~~
After messing around for a while, Liao Qe ran back, giggling, "Sister sweats a lot; it must be because they're too big."
"Isn't it a bit mean to tease her like that?"
"I just can't help it~"
"You're getting cheekier and cheekier."
Lu Yao wrapped the girl in his arms, letting her sit on his lap, and the two embraced slowly enjoying the effects of the 'Art of the Dragon Slayer Manual'.
The power would continue to diffuse for several hours.
Just then, a Paper Crane awkwardly flew through the sky towards the pavilion.
Three Spiritual Sparrowhawks curiously circled around it, not understanding what it was.
Lu Yao quickly gave a whistle, telling them not to attack, as it was clearly Daoist Zhou He's messenger.
"Actually, he could just phone..."
After moving to a new home more than 10 kilometers away from the Taoist Temple, this Paper Crane had flown to the point of exhaustion, far from the graceful appearance it had during previous flights.
Lu Yao opened it and saw it read:
[Lu, my friend, I hope all is well. Three days ago, Zhou Xueyi successfully advanced to the Marrow-Cleansing Realm, and I would like to invite you to join us in celebration tomorrow.]
"Zhou Xueyi... Marrow-Cleansing? Ah~ It must be Zhou Lao's Immortal Crane!"
Liao Qe was beside him and instantly realized what was going on. Zhou Lao's Immortal Crane had broken through!
"Even has a name and surname... seems like true love indeed. Let's go together tomorrow," Lu Yao quipped, seizing the moment, "I can also ask Zhou Lao about the Fetal Breath matter~"
~~~~~~~~~
Early the next morning, they drove to the "White Cloud Observatory," this time bringing along three Spiritual Sparrowhawks.
He wanted them to meet their "spirit bird senior" and also have "spirit bird breeding expert" Zhou Lao check if there were any oversights in his own animal training.
They parked the car at the Taoist Temple and walked towards the back mountain.
Upon reaching Zhou He's residence, they hadn't expected to find it so lively with many people present. Besides Yu Yanmei and Fu Fangsheng, Li Pei was also there.
There were also several people Lu Yao did not recognize. They had all come to congratulate the Immortal Crane on its advancement, which showed just how much Zhou Lao valued this event.
Seeing Lu Yao arrive, he hurriedly introduced him, saying, "Lu, my young friend, your timing is perfect. I have a few like-minded friends to introduce you to. This is Zhao Sanduo from Zhili..."
Pointing to a bald monk, he continued, "This is Monk Ben Ming from Fahua Temple."
One with a fist salute and the other with a Buddhist greeting, said:
"Mei Fist Zhao Sanduo, in the Blood-Exchange Realm, a pleasure to meet you!"
"I am Monk Ben Ming, also in the Blood-Exchange Realm."
The two men were puzzled, unsure why Zhou He would introduce them first. By convention, he should've introduced the young ones who had advanced to the Marrow-Cleansing Realm. Could it be…
Indeed, Lu Yao saluted with a fist and said, "I am Lu Yao, on the Martial Path in the Marrow-Cleansing Realm and Spirit Refining Oblivion, a pleasure to meet you!"
Zhao Sanduo and Monk Ben Ming immediately understood – the young man before them was an expert of the Spirit Refining Oblivion!
Zhao Sanduo quickly expressed his admiration, "Brother Lu, you are truly commendable at such a young age. I am quite ashamed in comparison."
According to the martial arts world's customs, if one doesn't claim to be in the Spirit Refinement Realm when stating their status, it's assumed they are at the basic "Focused Spirit" level.
Monk Ben Ming laughed heartily, "Young benefactor, you've got quite the affinity for enlightenment. Just make sure my master doesn't see you, or he'll definitely want to pull you into monastic life~"
Being able to have a close relationship with Zhou He meant they were certainly not difficult to get along with, and in no time, the atmosphere warmed up.
Li Pei watched Lu Yao conversing effortlessly with several high-level individuals, admiration flickering in her eyes, and it seemed she had not given up on her plans for an "alliance through marriage."
~~~~~~~
After the group had chatted for a while, Zhao Sanduo called out, "Right, where's your Immortal Crane? Bring it out for everyone to see." Continue reading on empire
Monk Ben Ming chimed in, "A spirit bird advanced to the Marrow-Cleansing Realm is quite rare, today is a good day to witness one."
Zhou He coughed and took out a Wisdom Spirit Pill, then blew a loud, clear whistle that carried far into the distance...
But nothing happened, and only the rustling of leaves in the wind could be heard.
After a long wait with no sign of the Immortal Crane, the atmosphere grew quiet...and awkward.
Zhou Lao's face hardened as he took out a bottle of Wisdom Spirit Pills and opened the cap.
Only then did a beautiful, snowy figure arrive belatedly from the horizon.
The Immortal Crane, already two meters tall with a wingspan of nearly four meters, landed with an elegance that captivated all.Nôv(el)B\\jnn
It snatched up the jade bottle, tilted its head back to swallow all the pills, and then flew off...
The entire episode was cool and detached, without so much as a glance at the crowd. One couldn't help but wonder who was actually the master in the relationship with Zhou He.
The scene became somewhat awkward, and Zhou He repeatedly bowed, saying, "Thank you all for coming, on behalf of Xueyi, I thank everyone."