Yuan Ming knew clearly that if he hadn't been practicing the Nine Elements Technique, his cultivation speed with his Four Spirit Roots would have likely been even slower.

The reason for this was, naturally, that although his absorption speed of Spiritual Energy improved after entering the Foundation Establishment Stage, the amount of Spiritual Energy required for cultivation increased even more.

He estimated that as his cultivation continued to improve, this issue would become increasingly evident.

In light of this, in order to enhance his cultivation speed as much as possible, it seemed he would still need to rely on elixirs and Spirit Incense for assistance.

Feeling a twinge of pain at the cost, Yuan Ming took out a Foundation Establishment Stage Elixir from his Storage Ring and swallowed it with closed eyes, then took advantage of the elixir's effects before they dissipated to re-enter cultivation.

Without any further incidents, half a month later.

It had passed midday, but the sky remained a murky grey, and the rumbling sound of thunder echoed among the countless clouds.

The river was tumultuous and the muddy waves hit the boat's side, causing the vessel to rock.

On the deck, Fifth Brother Wang and his son bustled about, and only after some effort, they managed to moor the boat to the dock and cast the anchor.

"Alright, Da Gou, go and inform the passengers that we've arrived at Thunder City," Fifth Brother Wang wiped the sweat from his forehead and turned to his son.

His son nodded, but as he turned around, he saw Yuan Ming already stepping out from within the cabin.

"Young Master, the boat has arrived; do you think we could settle the fare now..." Fifth Brother Wang rubbed his hands together.

Yuan Ming nodded and casually tossed a bag of silver coins to him, which was considerably more than the previously agreed amount.

Fifth Brother Wang was profusely grateful, promptly gesturing to his son to set up the plank to facilitate Yuan Ming's disembarkment.

With the silver coins in hand, Fifth Brother Wang counted them twice, then looking up and seeing Yuan Ming still smiling at him, he couldn't help but ask, "Does the distinguished guest have any other business?"

Yuan Ming spoke, "Call your family over here, I have an additional reward for the care you've shown me along the way."

Fifth Brother Wang immediately summoned his wife and children, beaming as they stood before Yuan Ming. Yuan Ming lifted the Soul-Attracting Bell and gently rang it with a "ding dong" sound.

Fifth Brother Wang's family felt dizzy for a moment and then regained consciousness.

In his hands, Fifth Brother Wang held a pouch of coins, utterly confused, and upon looking around, he exclaimed, "Oi, what's happened, how did we get to Thunder City?"

...

The structure of Thunder City was completely different from that of the Capital.

The somewhat narrow streets undulated, higher in the middle and lower on the sides, with a gutter running along each side. Each household had built a small stone bridge over the gutter in front of their door, creating a connection to the street and adding a touch of "little bridges and flowing water homes."

The surrounding dwellings were tall and compact, with white brick walls connected in succession and blue roof tiles curving like crescent moons. Rainwater slid down the bricks and tiles, dropping just so into the gutters and stirring ripples.

At the end of the gutters was a broad river where numerous small boats with wooden awnings were moored. An ancient stone bridge straddled the river, with the occasional boat passing underneath and the clear sound of paddles creaking in the water.

Yuan Ming moved swiftly through the streets and soon arrived in front of a large and elegantly decorated mansion.

Bright red lanterns hung grandly at the gate, their light shining through the paper and illuminating the "happiness" character on them.

Underneath the plaque that read "Xu Family," the wide gates were open, and two house servants dressed as young lads stood guard, their faces full of smiles.

Behind them, waves of laughter, the clinking of glasses, and playful shouts of children echoed from behind the screen walls, creating a lively atmosphere.

As Yuan Ming watched this scene brimming with worldly life, memories from his childhood flashed through his mind, and an indescribable warmth welled up in his heart. However, he was well aware that since he had embarked on the Immortal Path, his connection to such mundane affairs would likely become less frequent in the future.

He composed himself, used an Illusion Technique to change his appearance, and approached the two servants to inquire, "Excuse me, is there a celebration today in the Xu Family?"

"Indeed, today our second young master is getting married, and the master has ordered that anyone is welcome to come and have a cup of celebratory wine. Would you, sir, care to join in and share the joy?" The servant enthusiastically invited, seeing that Yuan Ming appeared dignified and respectable.

"Then I shall not refrain," Yuan Ming nodded and followed the servant into the Xu Mansion.

His visit here was not on a whim but because the Xu Family was related to his mother's line. By genuine relations, the second young master getting married today was his cousin.

Having visited the Thunder Province with his mother as a child, Yuan Ming somewhat remembered the way. However, his knowledge of Thunder City's Cultivation World was limited. If he wanted to join the Shengye Sect, he would have to start by learning about the situation from his uncle's house.

But to prevent the Chang Chun Temple from discovering his whereabouts, he didn't immediately reveal his identity.

Yuan Ming was led by the house servant to a side hall to sit. Once the servant left, Yuan Ming swiftly applied an Illusion Technique to conceal his presence and donned a cloak to mask his aura, then quickly left the side hall.

Soon, he found his uncle in the study of the Xu Mansion.

"Big brother, do you think mother won't be returning today?" asked a clean-shaven middle-aged man within the room.

A man with a mustache sat before him, calmly sipping tea as he listened to Xu Rong's lament.

"Your son's marriage is hardly a major event; if Mother doesn't want to return, let her be. Why are you so anxious?"

These two men were none other than Yuan Ming's third uncle, Xu Rong, and his eldest uncle, Xu Fan.

"Alas, it's not easy for the family to have some good news, and now Mother won't return, neither will Second Brother nor Fourth Sister. Isn't that quite boring?" Third Uncle Xu Rong grumbled.

"You, how old are you now, yet you still act like a child," the eldest uncle sighed.

At that moment, the voice of a third person suddenly came from outside the study.

"Hehe, Third Uncle, don't be in such a hurry. Haven't I come back?" A handsome young man pushed the door open and looked at Xu Rong with a beaming smile.

"Oh! Tian has returned. Eh, why just you? Where is your grandmother?" The eldest uncle stood up, joyfully looking at the handsome young man and then, puzzled, glanced behind him.

Yuan Ming, who was secretly watching from the sidelines, recognized that this person was Xu Fan's son, his cousin Xu Tian.

Unlike the two uncles, Xu Tian had faint traces of spiritual energy fluctuating around him, clearly a cultivator at the Qi Refining Third Level.

"Grandmother just went into seclusion not long ago and couldn't come back conveniently. She sent Junior Sister Luo with a gift to come back with me," Xu Tian said with a smile.

A petite and cute young girl peeked out from behind him. With her hair tied in a ponytail and a naive smile on her delicate, baby-faced features, she immediately elicited a sense of affection from anyone who saw her.

Like Xu Tian, she was also a cultivator, but with a cultivation level at the Qi Refining Second Level.

"Uncles," the girl greeted with a bow.

"Let me introduce you, this is Luo Xing'er, Grandmother's newly accepted disciple. She may possibly be Grandmother's last disciple," Xu Tian introduced.

Upon introduction, Xu Fan and Xu Rong promptly responded with a polite greeting, not daring to show any negligence.

Although they were her elders, they were mere mortals without a Spirit Root, and thus unavoidably showed restraint in the presence of cultivators.

However, Luo Xing'er didn't seem to mind at all. Instead, she eagerly began to ask questions.

"Uncles, I heard that you have a nephew named Yuan Ming, is that right?"

As soon as these words were spoken, not only were Xu Fan and his brother taken aback, but even Yuan Ming, who was watching in secret, was slightly startled.

"Yes, the son of Fourth Sister's family does have that name. Do you know him, Miss Luo?" the eldest uncle asked in return.

"Of course I do! Now, in the entire Da Jin Cultivation World, who hasn't heard his name!" Luo Xing'er's eyes shone bright as she spoke excitedly.

She then narrated the story of Yuan Ming challenging the State Preceptor at the abdication ceremony and ultimately avenging his grudge by killing the Great Jin National Master.

"Yuan Ming killed the National Master? This... won't implicate us, will it?" the eldest uncle asked with a pale face after listening.

"Dad, the matters of the Cultivation World won't involve the secular world," Xu Tian said helplessly.

"Uncle, were you close to Yuan Ming when he was a child? Can you tell me some stories about him?" Luo Xing'er persistently inquired.

The aunts and uncles of the Xu family knew little after Yuan Ming's mother had married out and seldom returned. Thus, Xu Fan and his brother hesitated for quite some time and eventually could only recall a few anecdotes of Yuan Ming's childhood fame gained from writing storybooks.

Luo Xing'er quickly lost interest in inquiring about Yuan Ming, but suddenly, she seemed to remember something and pleaded with Xu Tian to take her to the house where Yuan Ming's mother had stayed when she visited her family.

Unable to refuse her, Xu Tian could only call for a servant to show her the way, while he stayed behind.

"I remember Yuan Ming disappeared three years ago on a mission to the Southern Border; how has he suddenly returned and caused such a stir?" Third Uncle watched Luo Xing'er leave and expressed his doubts.

"I'm not sure about the specifics. These are all rumors brought back by cultivators from our Sect who attended the abdication ceremony. They say that when Cousin Yuan Ming disappeared years ago, it was the dark deed of the National Master. But unexpectedly, that disaster turned into a blessing. After cultivating for three years in the Southern Border, he returned at the Foundation Establishment stage and sought revenge on the National Master," Xu Tian shook his head and explained.

"Foundation Establishment stage... How does that compare to your grandmother?" the eldest uncle asked, not very familiar with the Cultivation World.

"Grandmother is also at the Foundation Establishment stage; she should be around the middle level," Xu Tian remarked.

Yuan Ming's two uncles fell silent, their faces showing a touch of concern.

"Initially, our Sect was unaware of the connection between Grandmother and Yuan Ming. But once someone uncovered it, the Sect's attitude towards Grandmother and me changed instantly. Even an elder who previously didn't get along with Grandmother started to send quite a few gifts, all smiles," Xu Tian added.

"These past days, I've also been inquiring about Cousin's feats. Now, not just Junior Sister Luo, but I myself am profoundly impressed by him," Xu Tian said, admiration apparent on his face.

"Does that mean Yuan Ming killing the National Master is actually a good thing for our Xu family?" the eldest uncle stroked his goatee.

"Not entirely so. The Sect behind the National Master, Chang Chun Temple, has a huge influence. Not only has my cousin offended them, but he has also caused them to lose face. We're likely to face many troubles in the future. That's why Grandmother went into seclusion, aiming to increase her cultivation level and have more influence in the Sect to provide my cousin with protection. We shouldn't worry too much. With Yuan Ming having achieved Foundation Establishment Cultivation at such a young age and even defeating the Great Jin National Master, his future prospects are boundless. He will surely become a powerful aide for our family," Xu Tian said with a sigh.

The two uncles continued to discuss the impact Yuan Ming's actions might have on the family's future.

Having overheard the conversation for a while, Yuan Ming quietly departed.

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