Top-Class Comprehension: Start with Basic Fist Techniques Chapter 1295 383: Lu Changsheng's Return, All of Lu City Trembles! Beneath the Immortal, All Are Ants!
Previously on Top-Class Comprehension: Start with Basic Fist Techniques...
This situation is not unprecedented.
Throughout the preceding months, the Qi Family’s established associates have progressively severed their business ties.
Their justifications are invariably peculiar.
Qi Yutang clenched his jaw, enunciating each word, "Hmph, are they not simply kicking us while we are down? Once the ancestor makes their triumphant return, these very individuals will be clamoring for renewed cooperation."
However, this time, Qi Guangmao remained uncharacteristically silent, refraining from any outburst.
He fell into a deep contemplation.
Three years have elapsed.
It has been over three years since Lu Changsheng's departure.
Yet, not a single word has been heard from him.
A daunting question now looms: what if Lu Changsheng cannot return?
What would be the ultimate fate of the Qi Family?
Would they simply revert to their prior standing?
No, it is far more probable that their decline would be even more severe than a mere regression.
On the last occasion the Qi Family faced peril in Zhang City, they possessed the means to liquidate their assets and preserve their lineage through relocation.
But in the present circumstances, where could the Qi Family possibly flee?
They might face complete annihilation before even reaching a sanctuary.
Qi Guangmao deliberated intently upon their predicament.
He concluded that there was no viable recourse.
Indeed, the Qi Family currently stands without any feasible options.
Not a single member has attained the Ancestor Realm.
Should Lu Changsheng be unable to return, should he perish within the Blood Swamp Mountain Range,
the consequences for the Qi Family would be catastrophic!
"If only a single individual among us had reached the Ancestor Realm, the Qi Family would not be languishing in such dire straits," he lamented.
Qi Guangmao shook his head grimly.
"Yutang, you must select a few of the most promising younger members of our family."
"We must ensure a remnant, a 'fire seed,' survives for the future of the Qi Family..."
Qi Guangmao's somber pronouncement caused Qi Yutang's eyes to widen in disbelief.
"Father, has the situation truly become this dire?"
Qi Yutang could scarcely conceive that his father was contemplating the absolute worst-case scenario, making arrangements for the family's ultimate survival.
He was already ensuring a contingency for the Qi Family's future.
From his perspective, their current difficulties were merely business-related setbacks.
Even if their commercial activities ceased entirely, the members of the Qi Family would not face starvation.
How could this possibly equate to a moment of life and death?
Qi Guangmao offered no further explanation.
Although Qi Yutang had gained considerable experience over the years,
certain profound understandings could only be attained through personal tribulation.
The precarious situation was not confined to the Qi Family alone.
Other prominent clans,
even the revered Immortal families, were susceptible to annihilation overnight; how much more so the Qi Family?
Qi Yutang gritted his teeth.
He had no choice but to comply with his father's directive and initiate the necessary preparations.
From his father's grave pronouncements, Qi Yutang began to grasp that the Qi Family was once again teetering on the precipice of a life-or-death crisis.
Absolute vigilance and unwavering resolve were paramount.
Time, relentless and swift, marched onward, and several more months transpired.
The Qi Family's circumstances continued to deteriorate with each passing day.
Their situation worsened progressively, a daily decline.
As more time elapsed, other influential powers became increasingly aware that Lu Changsheng had indeed departed from the Qi Family's sphere.
Initially, their actions were subtle and indirect.
They cited various pretexts to suspend business collaborations.
However, they refrained from escalating their actions too overtly.
The current situation was markedly different.
These factions, witnessing Lu Changsheng's continued absence despite their probing, employed a wider array of tactics.
His persistent non-appearance spoke volumes.
It became increasingly evident that Lu Changsheng was no longer within the confines of the Blood Swamp Mountain Range.
Consequently, these various powers began to openly pursue the complete dismemberment of the Qi Family's influence and assets.
It was at this critical juncture that Qi Guangmao strategically disseminated a piece of crucial information.
He announced that the Qi Family's esteemed "Old Ancestor Lu" had ventured into the Blood Swamp Mountain Range in pursuit of an Immortal Vein and was expected to return to Lu City imminently.
This revelation sent ripples of shock and speculation through all involved parties.
"What, Old Ancestor Lu journeyed to the Blood Swamp Mountain Range to seek an Immortal Vein and achieve a breakthrough?"
"This intelligence originates from the Qi Family itself. Could this be a ploy to deceive us and gain precious time?"
"Considering the Qi Family's current precarious state, it would be entirely logical for them to attempt a delaying tactic. But to what end? Even if they manage to postpone the inevitable by a single day, they will still be dismembered. After all, the Qi Family lacks any members in the Ancestor Realm. How can they possibly sustain their presence in Lu City for long?"
"Perhaps the delay is genuine, and Old Ancestor Lu's breakthrough in the Blood Swamp Mountain Range is also factual. If Old Ancestor Lu indeed went to the Blood Swamp Mountain Range for a breakthrough, three years is a relatively short period. This duration alone does not conclusively disprove the claim. traveling from our Lu City to the Blood Swamp Mountain Range, even utilizing an Immortal Treasure for acceleration, takes an Ancestor Realm cultivator at least three years."
"However, a place such as the Blood Swamp Mountain Range is notoriously dangerous; once entered, egress is fraught with peril. Even True Immortals have met their end there. The success rate of achieving an Immortal Realm breakthrough while seeking an Immortal Vein in such a location must be incredibly low."
"It is highly probable that Old Ancestor Lu has met his end and will never return..."
A considerable number of individuals harbored strong doubts about Lu Changsheng's return.
As for the possibility of a breakthrough to the Immortal Realm?
While not entirely impossible, the odds were exceedingly slim.
Considering that among those who ventured into the Blood Swamp Mountain Range to seek breakthroughs in the Ancestor Realm, the success rate of reaching True Immortal and emerging alive was incredibly low, nearly one in ten thousand!
How could the Old Ancestor Lu of the Qi Family possibly achieve such a feat?
Despite these varying opinions,
several factions chose not to believe it, even escalating their pressure on the Qi Family.
However, some factions opted for a wait-and-see approach.
These observant powers understood how to navigate such situations.
Their inherent caution and meticulousness were well-known.
They would never reveal their hand while the situation remained ambiguous.
After all, they had weathered many storms over the years.
If they were to completely absorb the Qi Family, what would be the ultimate consequence?
If they managed to claim only a portion of the Qi Family's resources, there would be no significant loss.
It was wiser to bide their time.
What if Lu Changsheng made a triumphant return?
Or perhaps even achieved an Immortal breakthrough?
One must prepare for every eventuality, not just the most probable one.
While the Blood Swamp Mountain Range was fraught with peril, it had also been the stage for numerous miracles.
Qi Guangmao found himself facing an unenviable predicament.
Qi Yushu bit her lip, her complexion growing visibly pale.
Qi Yutang's face flushed crimson, betrayal evident in his expression.
The Chen Family had just arrived, bearing a marriage proposal.
Specifically, the ninth son of the Chen Family's patriarch desired to wed Qi Yushu.
If this were a simple matter of marriage, it would be easily understood.
For the Qi Family, securing an alliance through marriage was a viable strategy.
However, the crux of the matter lay in the demands presented by the Chen Family.
Qi Yushu was expected to bring with her at least one-third of the Qi Family's accumulated wealth as her dowry.