Chapter 325: Return – Wei Shanhai's Shock

"Cang County... we’re finally back," Ma Gu said, gazing ahead at the city gate with Wei Zian beside him, their faces alight with emotion.

Though they had traveled through Zhong Zhou and witnessed countless magnificent cities—some even rivaling the legendary ruins of Qinglong City and Sheng Cheng—nothing stirred their hearts quite like this modest little town.

"It’s Young Master An of the Wei Family! And his master, Ma Gu!"

"Could it be? The Young Master An has returned! I heard they were on a journey of cultivation!"

"What are those two steeds? They look utterly extraordinary!"

"Such a powerful aura—these horses radiate Qi and Blood Power far stronger than any ordinary Bone Forging cultivator!"

Lu Qing’s carriage had already drawn attention. The two Dragon Blood Stallions, in particular, were impossible to ignore. Their majestic forms alone were enough to captivate the onlookers. But it was the aura they exuded—thick, fierce, and overwhelming—that sent shivers down the spines of those nearby. Even average Bone Forging cultivators felt dwarfed.

Naturally, the spies stationed at the city gate took notice.

And so, when Wei Zian and Ma Gu stepped down from the carriage, the news spread like wildfire.

"Is this where Lu Gongzi’s family lives?" Hu Ze Zhi and Hu Lao San peered out through the carriage window, eyes wide with curiosity.

"My master and I don’t live in the county town. Zi An and Ma Ye are the ones who reside here," Lu Qing chuckled.

"Old Doctor, should we enter the city first, or head straight to Jiuli Village?" Despite being already within the county town, Ma Gu still asked for Lu Qing’s opinion.

Lu Qing paused, then said, "Let’s go into the city first. I have something I need to discuss with Wei Lao Qian Bei."

"Then let’s stay at my home!" Wei Zian brightened instantly.

Xiao Yan, hearing this, felt a spark of joy. She hadn’t seen her aunt in ages—her heart had been aching with longing.

Ma Gu guided the carriage slowly toward the city. The gate guards dared not stop or search it. After all, the carriage bore the Wei Family’s insignia. Who in their right mind would dare challenge the Wei Family’s carriage?

The journey was smooth. They arrived at the Wei Family ancestral residence, where Wei Da Zong Guan already stood at the front gate with a group of servants, waiting.

The spies at the gate had already relayed the news. The Wei Family had known of their return long before they arrived.

"Hai Shu, I’m back!" Wei Zian leapt down from the carriage, voice trembling with emotion.

"Welcome back, welcome back. You’ve grown taller, stronger," Wei Da Zong Guan smiled warmly, his eyes filled with paternal pride.

But as he sensed Wei Zian’s Qi, a flicker of unease crossed his face. He couldn’t detect the Young Master’s cultivation level at all. His aura was completely veiled, obscured as if wrapped in dense fog.

Still, Wei Da Zong Guan showed no sign of surprise. Instead, he turned toward the carriage with deep respect.

"Respectfully, Chen Laodaifu, Lu Xiao Langjun."

Lu Qing and Ma Gu had stepped down.

"No need for such formalities. We’ll be a temporary burden again, I’m afraid," Old Doctor chuckled.

"Chen Laodaifu, that’s too kind. The master and The Lady of the Wei Family would be overjoyed to have you visit," Wei Da Zong Guan replied quickly.

Wei Zian then briefly introduced Hu Lao San and his daughter. Upon hearing they were guests from Qinglong City, Wei Da Zong Guan stiffened slightly—no longer treating them as ordinary visitors. He bowed respectfully.

After exchanging pleasantries, the group entered the mansion. The servants had already removed the threshold to allow the carriage to pass unimpeded.

But when they laid eyes on the two Dragon Blood Stallions, Wei Da Zong Guan was stunned anew.

He had personally selected the horses that pulled the carriage when Lu Qing first set out. They were legendary steeds, chosen from the finest of the thousand-mile racehorses. Yet, in just a short time, they had transformed—now sporting jade-like horns, their Qi radiating so powerfully that even Wei Da Zong Guan felt humbled.

If he hadn’t recognized the distinctive markings on their flanks, he would have doubted his own eyes. How could these two magnificent beasts have once been the same horses he’d picked?

Clearly, something extraordinary had happened during their Zhong Zhou journey.

The transformation of the horses alone told Wei Da Zong Guan that this trip had been anything but ordinary.

"By the way, Hai Shu, where are Father, Mother, and Ancestor?" Wei Zian finally asked, his voice laced with quiet concern. He’d been back for a while, yet hadn’t seen his parents.

"Your father sensed something and entered seclusion a few days ago—he hasn’t emerged yet. As for The Lady of the Wei Family, she went to Qing Le Fang this morning to listen to music. I’ve already sent word of your return. She should be back soon," Wei Da Zong Guan replied.

The words had barely left his mouth when urgent footsteps echoed from outside.

Moments later, Wei Fu Ren burst into the courtyard, her face glowing with surprise and joy.

"Mother!" Wei Zian leapt up from his seat.

He took a step forward, about to rush into her arms—then froze. He was no longer a child. He stopped himself just in time.

But to his shock, his mother ignored him entirely, rushing straight to Xiao Yan and pulling her into a tight embrace.

"Xiao Yan! You’re back! Let me see—have you been sunburned? Did you suffer out there?"

The sudden, warm hug caught Xiao Yan off guard. But as she felt the genuine care in Wei Fu Ren’s arms, her eyes welled up with tears.

"I’m not sunburned, Auntie. And I had my brother with me—I wouldn’t have suffered," she whispered softly.

Wei Fu Ren studied her face, relieved to see no signs of sun damage. A smile spread across her lips.

"I knew you’d be safe with your brother. But did you miss me, Xiao Yan?"

"Yes, I missed you so much," the little girl admitted, her voice bright. "I even brought you a gift!"

"Really? Then I’ll have to take a good look at it later," Wei Fu Ren said, still smiling.

Just then, a quiet, slightly plaintive voice came from beside her.

"Mother… I’m back."

Wei Fu Ren turned. Her younger son stood there, eyes slightly narrowed, a hint of playful annoyance on his face.

She smiled, gently patting his shoulder. "Good. You’ve grown more composed. I can see you’ve matured."

Wei Zian blinked. He’d forgotten how often, in the past two years, his mother had visited the Jiuli Village villa just to see Xiao Yan. She’d treated the girl like her own daughter—sometimes even more than she treated him.

He was grateful he hadn’t thrown himself at her. Otherwise, the embarrassment would’ve been unbearable.

Wei Fu Ren studied her son. Aside from being a bit darker, he showed no wounds—only a stronger, more robust build. She exhaled in relief. His journey had been safe.

She composed herself and turned to Old Doctor and Lu Qing, bowing slightly.

"Respectfully, Young Master and Old Doctor. My son’s growth is thanks to your care and guidance."

Old Doctor chuckled. "The Lady of the Wei Family, don’t be so formal. I’m no teacher—I’m just an old man. In truth, it was Zi An who looked after me these past months."

"Old Doctor, you’re too modest. I know my son well. If he truly learned to serve someone, it’s because you taught him," Wei Fu Ren said, not entirely convinced. She knew her son’s nature—though improved, he was still far from being a servant.

Old Doctor merely smiled and let it go. The truth would come out soon enough.

After more small talk, Lu Qing suddenly asked, "The Lady of the Wei Family, where is Wei Lao Qian Bei? I haven’t seen him."

"He’s been staying at Jiuli Village since you left," she replied. "He rarely comes back to the county town."

Lu Qing’s heart gave a jolt.

He understood. Wei Shanhai had returned to Jiuli Village to fulfill his promise—to protect the village, as he had vowed.

"Lu Xiao Langjun, is there something urgent you need to speak with Ancestor? Should I send someone to summon him?" Wei Fu Ren asked, noticing Lu Qing’s silence.

Lu Qing hesitated, then nodded. "Yes, please. Tell him… Lu Qing has urgent matters. I must speak with Wei Lao Qian Bei immediately."

Wei Fu Ren saw the seriousness in his expression. She knew that if Lu Qing was this grave, the matter must be extraordinary.

Without delay, she said, "I’ll send word right away."

She didn’t need to go herself. A single command to Wei Da Zong Guan was enough.

Within moments, an eagle falcon shot from the Wei Family Residence, spiraling into the sky before darting swiftly toward Jiuli Village.

Once that was done, Lu Qing introduced Hu Lao San and Hu Ze Zhi to Wei Fu Ren.

Upon learning they were from Qinglong City, her expression sharpened with respect. Though she was from a small town, as the matriarch of the Wei Family, she had read countless scrolls. She knew well the reputation of the first gate of the world—the legendary fame of Qinglong City.

They were still chatting when, after about half an hour, a figure landed silently in the courtyard.

"Lu Xiao Langjun and Chen Ye have returned?" The deep, resonant voice came from outside the door, filled with delight.

"Ancestor!" The Wei Family servants bowed in reverence.

"Ancestor, you’re back!" Wei Fu Ren greeted with equal warmth.

"Yes, I just received the message from the residence. As soon as I heard you were back, I came straight away," Wei Shanhai chuckled.

"Wei Lao Qian Bei."

"Wei Old Man."

"Wei Ye Ye."

Lu Qing and Old Doctor rose to greet him.

Hu Ze Zhi and her father exchanged glances, stunned. They had not expected such a powerful Xian Tian Jing Qiang Zhe to live in this remote little town.

"Chen Ye, I thought you’d be gone for at least a year. But only three months have passed, and you’re already back?" Wei Shanhai said, amazed, yet puzzled.

He looked intently at Lu Qing and Old Doctor.

Though his own cultivation had advanced over the past two years, he still could not sense their cultivation levels. Their auras felt deeper, more mysterious than ever.

"An unexpected event occurred. We returned sooner than planned," Lu Qing said with a smile.

"Ah, I see." Wei Shanhai nodded, but didn’t press further. Instead, he asked, "You mentioned in your message that you had urgent matters to discuss. What is it?"

Now, Lu Qing’s expression turned serious.

"Ancestor, this matter is of great importance. May we speak in private?"

Wei Shanhai, seeing the gravity in his face, grew solemn.

"Very well. Let’s go to the Secret Room."

He led Lu Qing and Old Doctor to his private training chamber.

Once inside, he closed the stone door.

"Lu Xiao Langjun, this room is my sanctuary. It’s the most secluded place in the residence. You may speak freely now."

But then, a sudden, strange aura erupted from Lu Qing, enveloping the entire chamber.

"Domain? Lu Xiao Langjun… you’ve mastered this technique? You’ve broken through to Xian Tian Jing?!"

Wei Shanhai’s face twisted in shock.

Over the past two years, he and Old Doctor had often sparred. He had studied the mysteries of the Domain. He recognized it instantly.

Yet he was stunned. Not because Lu Qing had reached Xian Tian Jing—after all, Lu Qing had long since surpassed Hou Tian Jing Wan Man. That breakthrough was expected.

But mastering the Domain? That was beyond comprehension.

Wei Shanhai had tried to understand it himself. He had even studied Old Doctor’s Domain, but failed utterly—no clue, no insight, nothing.

And now, Lu Qing—only a few months later—had not only mastered it, but did so with flawless purity, not just at the Domain Yi level, but the complete form.

Even knowing Lu Qing was a genius, a prodigy blessed with great Qi Yun, such rapid progress still left Wei Shanhai speechless.

"Merely a fortunate breakthrough," Lu Qing said, smiling. "I apologize for the sudden display. There are ears on the walls. The matter I wish to discuss is of the utmost secrecy."

Wei Shanhai took a deep breath, his mind settling.

"Lu Xiao Langjun… what is so important that you’d go to such lengths?"

He had never seen Lu Qing so cautious—so willing to seal off sound and aura with a Domain.

The thought of what could be so dangerous it warranted such precautions chilled him.

"Ancestor," Lu Qing said, voice low and grave, "the matter concerns the Giant Cauldron you brought back all those years ago."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end