The sudden triggering of a task caught Lu Fan by surprise.
However, for him, having a task was a good thing as the rewards could help him quickly improve his Qi cultivation level.
So, leaning against the crimson carved window, Lu Fan rubbed his hands together, feeling a sense of anticipation in his heart.
It felt like scratching a lottery ticket.
I wonder what task will come out this time?
His consciousness entered the "Task" interface.
In the next moment, a dazzling light converged, and a bunch of prompts popped up.
Besides the familiar main task, Lu Fan's gaze fell directly on the newly appeared side tasks.
"Task Description: As a powerful being who will create a fantasy world, you need extensive knowledge and profound foundation."
"Side Task 1: Perform deductions on the five sets of Blood Manipulation techniques or martial arts moves (Current Progress: 05)."
"Side Task 2: Build an influential force from scratch (Current Progress: Not Started)."
"Side Task 3: Rescue 'Discarded Disciple' Nie Changqing from the Daoist assassins and gain his loyalty."
...
These three side tasks hit Lu Fan like three hammers, leaving him a little dumbfounded.
After reading them, he fell into deep silence.
These three tasks could be done simultaneously, but each of them was not simple.
Just talking about the first task, deducing the five sets of Blood Manipulation techniques meant that he had to find at least five different techniques and use Qi to deduce them.
As for the issue of Qi, it wasn't a problem. With Lu Fan's current Soul Strength attribute of 65, he could exchange it for 60 strands of Qi. He was financially well-off.
What concerned him was... where to find so many Blood Manipulation techniques?
And then there was the second task.
Building an influential force from scratch...
You know it's starting from scratch, so why bother with an influential force?
What does it mean to have an influential force?
Mysterious, high and mighty, overlooking all living beings, possessing top-notch martial prowess and power of intimidation, that's what an influential force means.
However, Lu Fan also understood that to create a world, the first thing he needed to do was build his own force. Only then could he break free from limitations and fully unleash his abilities.
Lu Fan rubbed his head with a headache.
But it was easier said than done. Although the Five Phoenix Continent was only a low-martial world, it was by no means simple.
Not to mention the many mysterious sects in the Hundred Schools of Thought, just talking about the Great Zhou Dynasty, Lu Fan's current power was simply unable to contend with it.
Even with the help of his maid Nian Zhuo, who was a Grandmaster, it still wasn't enough.
Lu Fan took a deep breath and his gaze became focused. Surprisingly, it was the third task that piqued his curiosity.
"Discarded Disciple Nie Changqing? Rescue him and gain his loyalty..."
Lu Fan pondered with a thoughtful look.
Compared to the first two tasks, this one seemed much simpler.
This Nie Changqing was the butcher from Beiluo City who had been pulled into the "Missionary Platform." Lu Fan was quite confident about this.
It was already late at night.
Not thinking about this task anymore, Lu Fan yawned and stretched lazily.
He smiled at the maids outside the window.
"Ladies, early to bed and early to rise is good for the skin."
Lu Fan chuckled.
And then he disappeared from the window.
Nian Zhuo, who was sitting cross-legged on the roof tiles, blinked her long eyelashes, opened her eyes, her features as beautiful as a painting. Lu Fan's words echoed in her ears, and she smiled gently, lips slightly pursed.
In the distance, Yi Yue put away her whip, her skin slightly flushed, covered in fragrant sweat.
Ni Yu mumbled in her sleep, her chin slipping off the lunchbox, jolting her awake.
...
One night passed without a word.
The next day, under the bright sunshine, it shone through the red-carved windows.
Lufan opened his eyes and got out of bed.
Just as he made a move, Nianzhao, who was waiting outside the door, pushed it open and entered.
Yue followed behind, holding an umbrella, while Niyu carried a copper basin filled with freshly boiled hot water.
"Is Master awake? We are here to help with your morning routine," Nianzhao said with a gentle smile.
Yue carried a wooden tray with a pile of salt and a bowl of clear porridge and side dishes on it. The salt was for washing, while the porridge and side dishes were for breakfast.
Everything was just right.
Lufan grinned.
This small life... seems a little messy.
After washing up and having breakfast, Nianzhao pushed Lufan, who was sitting in a wheelchair, out of the room. Niyu held an umbrella, while Yue followed gracefully by his side.
In the garden, Luchangkong, dressed in a long robe, was watering the flowers and plants. The aura of bloodshed that had once surrounded him had dissipated, leaving no trace of its killing intent.
The sound of wooden wheels rubbing against the ground made Luchangkong stop what he was doing.
"Dad, is the matter with the besieged city resolved?" Lufan asked as he sat in the wheelchair, his legs covered with a woolen blanket, smiling.
Luchangkong looked at Lufan deeply.
"Thanks to Nianzhao, otherwise... this time, Beiluo City would have been devastated," Luchangkong sighed.
This time, he had been careless. If not for Nianzhao's help, once Dantai Xuan broke through Beiluo City, it would have torn open the last line of defense of the Da Zhou Dynasty and marched straight to the imperial capital. The consequences would be unimaginable.
"Nianzhao told me that she was able to break through to the Grandmaster level because of 'spiritual energy.' Is there really such a thing as spiritual energy in the world?" Luchangkong narrowed his eyes and asked.
He had contemplated this question all night, but as a martial artist, he didn't believe in immortals.
"Of course, there is spiritual energy. Nianjie's breakthrough is proof, isn't it?" Lufan raised his eyebrows.
"Dad, I have obtained a celestial opportunity, I can walk and even cultivate. This is a good thing." Luchangkong also smiled, wiping off the water stains from his hands.
"Obtaining a celestial opportunity... of course, it is a good thing. However, Fanger, I have to warn you not to trust others easily. You need to learn how to protect yourself," Luchangkong said seriously.
Celestial opportunity? Is there really such a thing in the world?
He was worried that the changes in Lufan might be due to Yin-Yang practitioners or some mysterious sects from various schools plotting against him.
"I understand, Dad," Lufan nodded. He knew what Luchangkong was worried about, and he didn't explain. Explaining would only make things more complicated.
He placed his finger on the woolen blanket and tapped lightly.
Suddenly, Lufan looked up at Luchangkong.
"Dad, I have a request," Lufan said.
Luchangkong raised an eyebrow, "What is it?"
"I want to build my own power," Lufan said calmly.
Hmm?
A glint flashed in Luchangkong's eyes.
Is this young master, who holds celestial fortune, finally going to enter this chaotic world?
"Dad, the world is about to be in chaos. I need to build my own power... um, for self-preservation," Lufan thought for a moment and felt that self-preservation was a sufficient reason. He couldn't say it was to cause trouble, right?
He was weak and powerless, so it made sense to build his own power for self-preservation.
"The world is indeed about to be in chaos... Behind the seemingly simple betrayal of martial arts masters, there must be a hidden force manipulating everything," Luchangkong took a deep breath.
"Isn't Nianzhao enough?" Luchangkong looked at Lufan. With Nianzhao, one should be enough.
While Nianzhao's strength was not on par with top-level martial arts masters, she was enough to dominate among ordinary first or second-stage martial arts masters.
Nianzhao remained silent. She was very wise. When Young Master and Old Master were talking, she only needed to listen obediently.
"Not enough. Nianjie's cultivation is only in the second stage of Qi Dan Realm... there is still a long way to go," Lufan shook his head.
As soon as he said this, Nianzhao's expression slightly changed. She was extremely confident in her own cultivation. The second stage of the Qi Dan Realm was enough to contend against four second-stage martial artists. How strong!
Lufan's words made her feel a bit disappointed and a little dissatisfied.
Luchangkong narrowed his eyes.
"Qi Dan Realm?"
"Qi Dan Realm is the first level of cultivation for cultivators. Taking Nianjie's Dantian as an example, it can only accommodate nine strands of spiritual energy. With each additional strand, the cultivation increases by one stage," Lufan explained.
Luchangkong fell silent.
What Lufan said was a completely new system of cultivation, which had shaken him to some extent. He couldn't understand it.
After a long time, he finally let out a sigh.
"Fanger, so-called spiritual energy is like a mirage. It may just be temporary and disappear after using it. A strong physique is the most fundamental... Like me, I never cared about spiritual energy. I only relied on my own blood and Qi, and built up my current family business."
"We martial artists don't believe in immortals or Buddhas. We only believe in our own blood and fists," Luchangkong earnestly told Lufan.
Nianzhao, standing behind Lufan's wheelchair, hesitated to speak.
She wanted to refute Master's words.
However, Lufan raised his hand, gesturing for Nianzhao to hold back her words.
Lufan smiled as he looked at his father.
He didn't argue or explain.
He grabbed Luchangkong's hand.
"Activate permission... release spiritual energy."
"Target: Luchangkong."
Buzz...
A sudden gust of wind blew through the garden.
Luchangkong's robe fluttered in the wind.
His gaze suddenly sharpened.
He could feel a strange energy flowing into his body through his arm, merging with his blood and Qi, surging throughout his body, and condensing in his lower abdomen Dantian.
It was as if the shackles that bound his body had been shattered by the spiritual energy.
Luchangkong's spirit... surged crazily.
The flowers and plants in the garden were torn apart.
Nianzhao stepped forward and protected Lufan.
Niyu hid behind Yue, her eyes wide open, filled with excitement and curiosity.
After a long time.
The aura on Luchangkong faded.
He maintained a calm expression, hands behind his back, looking at Lufan with a complex gaze in his eyes.
"Dad, how does it feel?" Lufan sat in the wheelchair and asked.
Luchangkong remained calm. He had to adhere to his principles, uphold his belief that blood and Qi were superior, and stay true to himself.
He had to remain unmoved amidst the storm.
He...
After hesitating for a moment, his words changed their tone as they reached the tip of his tongue.
"This spiritual energy... is really amazing! It's so cool!" he said. "Son, can you give me another strand?"
Looking at the spirited Luchangkong, Lufan opened his mouth.
"...