Starting From A Son In Law To Build An Long Lasting Family Chapter 1916: 498: What Is the Lu Family’s Purpose This Time? (part 3)

In this manner, following a quarter-hour deadlock between the pair, Lu Wangshu gently touched her storage bag, summoning four metallic puppets that gleamed with a profound sheen across their forms.

"Puppets, four Second Rank Puppets!"

A voice rang out in astonishment right away.

"She's deploying puppets now, turning it into five versus one—victory seems assured."

"As a Talisman Master, this Lu Fairy poses a grave threat up close, so employing puppets as guards makes perfect sense."

"Those puppets must be at Second Rank Superior Grade, aren't they? Such extravagance."

"Ridiculous, being a Talisman Master with Nascent Soul Immortal parents, how could she ever be short on funds? That storage bag might even hold Third Rank Talismans or Third Rank Puppets."

Numerous cultivators gazed upon Lu Wangshu atop the arena, her robe billowing gracefully, her beauty captivating, her poise refined, their hearts swelling with both admiration and resentment.

Indeed, her exceptional aptitude and appearance, combined with her elite family lineage, stirred envy in all who beheld her.

"Divine Thunder Saber Art!"

Having witnessed Lu Wangshu's prowess with puppets and talismans, Shangguan Poyun understood he couldn't shatter her barriers, rendering defeat inevitable.

Therefore, at that instant, he unleashed everything, his form surging with saber intent as the thunder blade gripped in his hand erupted fiercely, like thunder from the heavens igniting earthly flames, stretching to two or three zhang in length, his presence now rivaling that of a False Core Cultivator!

Confronted by this onslaught, Lu Wangshu could no longer afford restraint.

With a heavy heart, she directed her puppets to advance, while the talismans hovering in the sky quivered and launched in unison.

"Crash——"

Simultaneously, she activated the luminous white jade bracelet on her wrist, unleashing a brilliant glow.

This bracelet, a supreme exotic treasure, had yet to reveal its complete might earlier.

Now, driven to its utmost by her, even Shangguan Poyun, fortified by a saber cultivator's resolve, found his focus wavering slightly, his mana thrown into disarray.

Seizing this fleeting opening, Lu Wangshu swiftly formed hand seals, repeatedly crafting ethereal talismans that assembled into an array, soaring forth to bind Shangguan Poyun.

"Boom Boom Boom!"

Shangguan Poyun's saber intent, fused with his Essence, Qi, and Spirit, remained resolute and unyielding, carrying an unstoppable force.

Yet Lu Miaoge, Lu Ping’an, Zilei True Man, and several observing Foundation Establishment cultivators discerned the telltale marks of his impending loss.

Though he had grasped the upper hand at first, he now found himself on the defensive. Without piercing Lu Wangshu's assault, reversal seemed utterly out of reach.

"This Talisman Fairy proves far from ordinary, subduing Shangguan Poyun solely through her personal skills and puppets, without resorting to the renowned 'Talisman Sea Tactics' favored by Talisman Cultivators."

"Deploying puppets hardly qualifies as an even match."

"In duels and battles, fairness has never been a factor. Back in the day, Shangguan Poyun erected this arena, bolstered by the cultivation methods he honed and the life-bound spiritual artifact crafted with aid from the Shangguan family..."

Among the onlookers, some deemed that even a triumph for Lu Wangshu would lack true glory, whereas others argued that victory stood on its own, with familial resources and heavenly treasures counting as integral to one's power.

Who would ever hold back their finest assets or limit themselves to your level just to even the odds?

"I lost."

After yet another quarter-hour of impasse, Shangguan Poyun grasped that only forbidden arts like "Demonic Sword Art" or "Blood Burning Blade" could breach Lu Wangshu's barrage.

However, during arena spars without deep grudges, fighters rarely risked life-and-death struggles.

Furthermore, with Lu Miaoge and Zilei True Man overseeing from nearby, they would step in should genuine peril arise.

Additionally, he detected that Lu Wangshu retained hidden reserves and aces up her sleeve.

Even employing the Life Burning Saber Technique might fail to claim victory over her.

Such a defeat, for a Nascent Soul Seed of the Shangguan family, would tarnish their esteemed reputation.

"I concede."

Upon hearing his words, Lu Wangshu, appearing utterly drained, cupped her fists in response.

She then stored away her puppets, now bearing minor scars.

Typically, she avoided clashes with foes, given her fighting style that invariably drained fortunes regardless of the method.

"Outmatched this time, I'll seek a rematch in the future."

Shangguan Poyun, echoing the storied forebears of the Shangguan lineage, accepted defeat gracefully, hurling the [Thunder Fire Gang Sha] toward Lu Wangshu with a frosty gaze.

Yet a flicker of reluctance lingered in his eyes.

For years past, he had toiled endlessly to acquire this [Thunder Fire Gang Sha].

Zilei True Man observed Shangguan Poyun descending from the arena, weary in body, and inquired: "Poyun, shall I retrieve that Gang Sha for you?"

This Thunder Fire Gang Sha boosted Shangguan Poyun’s Core Formation odds by one and a half percent.

For cultivators of thunder or fire affinities, it offered merely a one-percent edge.

"My thanks, Uncle, but losing this bout reveals my need for further honing. I'll seek another on my next venture out."

Shangguan Poyun's face stayed composed, his Essence, Qi, and Spirit unbroken.

Were he prone to crumbling so readily, he would never have risen to his current stature.

Acknowledging his shortcomings now, he resolved to train even fiercer.

As for the forfeited Core Formation Spiritual Object, it would fuel his drive to refine himself more rigorously!

"Excellent, that's the spirit of my Shangguan family's Qilin Child!"

Zilei True Man, pleased by his response, clapped his shoulder before advancing with respect, cupping his hands and declaring: "Changsheng True Master and Miao Ge True Master excel at raising their offspring, with prodigies arising successively in the clan—truly a sight to behold with envy."

"True Man overstates our merits."

Lu Miaoge replied mildly, her bearing serene as still waters, engaging in courteous exchange.

Acting as host, Zilei True Man then extended an invitation to Lu Miaoge, Lu Wangshu, and their companions for a feast at Jiuxiao Immortal City's grandest eatery, extending warm welcome.

Though they had initiated the challenge against Lu Wangshu, their conduct remained impeccably gracious, so Lu Miaoge accepted without hesitation.

"I've learned that True Man arrived due to the troubles involving Xiaoya Mountain’s Li Family and Mo Yu Mountain’s Zhao Family. Our Shangguan family wields considerable sway in these parts; if True Man requires aid, we stand ready to assist on your behalf."