Starting From A Son In Law To Build An Long Lasting Family Chapter 1914: 498: What Is the Lu Family’s Purpose This Time?

"Seeking a sparring bout against me?"

Lu Wangshu cast a glance toward Shangguan Poyun, positioned next to Purple Thunder True Man, and lightly knitted her elegant brows before responding coolly, "I’ve devoted myself to talisman studies for many years and lack prowess in fighting. Better to drop the idea."

For her, engaging in a match with peers at the same level felt pointless, nothing more than outright domination.

Back in the day, when the Shangguan family head visited Bi Lake Mountain in pursuit of a chance, he had at least offered some proper wagers.

Yet this Purple Thunder True Man showed no such courtesy, so of course, she had no intention of accepting.

Not just that, it would squander her talismans and spiritual power, and if she accidentally shattered the foe’s willpower, essence, qi, and spirit, she’d stir up needless enmity with the Shangguan Family.

Though her clan held no fear, Lu Wangshu shared Lu Changsheng’s aversion in this matter, steering clear of complications whenever possible.

"Hmm?"

The faces of Purple Thunder True Man and Shangguan Poyun stiffened a bit, caught off guard by Lu Wangshu’s firm rejection.

After all, geniuses typically carried a streak of arrogance.

When challenged by fellow talents, they tended to rise to the occasion.

Such clashes between prodigies often spurred growth on both sides.

Still, through their sharp spiritual perception, the pair detected a hint of indifference in Lu Wangshu’s tone and bearing.

As though...

The prodigy they faced, touted as the Divine Blade Shangguan Family’s top hope for Core Formation, scarcely merited her attention.

"Should you triumph, this [Thunder Fire Gang Sha] belongs to you."

Shangguan Poyun turned over his palm, unveiling a bottle of profound purple porcelain, and declared with icy calm.

Typically, bets didn’t feature in cultivator spars.

They only surfaced when a junior challenged a senior, or a loser sought to redeem themselves against a winner, complete with treasures as stakes and the right to duel.

Years ago, during his bout with Lu Wangshu, without the family head’s timely save, he’d have perished by her strike, enduring a total rout.

Through the passing years, he sharpened his blade intent, viewing Lu Wangshu as the ultimate grindstone for his Core Formation breakthrough!

"Poyun!"

Purple Thunder True Man at his side barked in a low, stern tone right away.

With Lu Miaoge and Lu Ping’an nearby, even if a spar was desired, he wouldn’t risk coming across as too overbearing.

Besides, this [Thunder Fire Gang Sha], forged from Shangguan Poyun’s acquired Nether Fire Sha and the clan’s Purple Thunder Gang Sha, ranked as the premier aid for Core Formation.

During the advancement to Core Formation, it could pair with the "Divine Thunder Saber Art" to summon divine thunder pulling earth fire’s force, boosting Shangguan Poyun’s success odds by a full fifteen percent—truly invaluable.

Yet he dared wager this supreme Core Formation treasure!

"Thunder Fire Gang Sha?"

Though Lu Wangshu remained unaware of its exact quality, the lowest-grade Core Formation spiritual items still demanded tens of thousands of spirit stones.

Furthermore, numerous Lu Family members practicing fire or thunder arts could one day trade this for hefty contribution points.

"Wow!"

At her side, Lu Qingqi, Lu Qingye, and the rest caught sight of it and marveled at how effortlessly their big sister raked in gains.

Folks were approaching her for duels with Core Formation spiritual objects right off the bat as prizes.

For them, scraping together that much in spirit stones could take a full decade.

"Very well then, I’ll agree. But my focus lies in talisman expertise, alongside puppet dual cultivation, and I’m no expert in battle. It’s acceptable if I deploy a handful of puppets, right?"

A dazzling smile bloomed across Lu Wangshu’s stunning, refined features as she replied.

After her words, as if concerned she might intimidate the challenger into backing out, she quickly appended, "Rest assured, I won’t apply talismans to myself for a talisman array."

Shangguan Poyun might be powerful up close, but she doubted his direct assaults could surpass Lu Lingxiao’s.

"Agreed."

Shangguan Poyun replied without hesitation, his face locked in a cold mask with an edge of sharpness.

Purple Thunder True Man’s tension eased a touch at those words.

In the Jiang Country Cultivation Realm, everyone knew the legendary status of the Upper Talisman Lu Family’s founder Lu Changsheng, a talisman genius who ascended to Core Formation soon after and crafted Third Rank Superior Grade Talismans.

Given that, with Lu Wangshu as the cherished offspring of Changsheng True Master and Fairy Xi Yue, no one would doubt she carried multiple Third Rank Talismans.

Should Lu Wangshu unleash Third Rank Talismans, even a genius like Shangguan Poyun would fall short.

Even without Third Rank ones from Changsheng True Master, her fame as a gifted Talisman Master meant she likely stocked plenty of Second Rank Talismans over decades—enough to overwhelm Shangguan Poyun.

Truly, affluent Talisman Masters dominated utterly within their rank.

"I remember Jiuxiao Immortal City has a fighting platform nearby; shall we go there immediately?"

Lu Wangshu pressed on, her voice and posture shedding the earlier detachment.

"Sure."

Battle fervor flared in Shangguan Poyun’s gaze.

After two decades, he’d at last wash away that humiliation!

"Wangshu, stay vigilant; this fellow’s essence, qi, and spirit are surging intensely, harboring an unreleased blade force..."

Despite trusting Lu Wangshu’s abilities, Lu Ping’an offered a warning all the same.

Shangguan Poyun, as a prized heir of the Divine Blade Shangguan Family, was no ordinary figure.

His keen, concealed blade intent especially shone among equals.

For a Talisman Cultivator like Lu Wangshu, even with body refinement as a secondary path, close-quarters combat posed real threats.

"Thanks, brother."

Lu Wangshu returned a soft, confident smile.

Before long, the group made their way to Jiuxiao Immortal City’s combat arena.

....

Though Jiuxiao Immortal City once reigned as Jiang Country’s premier immortal hub, the arena—usually seeing just a handful of Foundation Establishment duels—was buzzing with activity.

Now, as Lu Wangshu and Shangguan Poyun’s group drew near, crowds buzzed with excitement and chatter, flocking to behold the event.

The Divine Blade Shangguan Family, a Core Formation powerhouse allied with the Heavenly Sword Sect, controlled vast holdings in Jiuxiao Immortal City.

In bygone times, Shangguan Poyun had dueled countless famed rivals and even hosted challenges here, building his renown.

Purple Thunder True Man went without saying.

While Changsheng True Master’s glory from the Upper Talisman Lu Family outshone Purple Thunder True Man’s, in Jiuxiao Immortal City, the Divine Blade Shangguan Family commanded greater familiarity.