My Dreams Connect to Ancient Times-Chapter 245 - 71: First Beat the Elders, Solve the Trouble at the Source

Lifting his cup, Lu Xuan took a sip and nodded slightly.

'Hmm, it tastes pretty good.'

Beside him, Chen Xue, whose curiosity had gotten the better of her, couldn't hold back any longer. While sipping her drink, she asked:

"Brother Lu, what were you and the portly owner talking about... It sounded so strange."

Lu Xuan chuckled softly.

"The tavern owner and I are old acquaintances. We met long ago, and we got along quite well."

"Is that so?" Chen Xue muttered under her breath. "Then... then why did the owner say he was scared of seeing your face...?"

Beside them, Chen Wang chuckled and gently tapped Chen Xue on the head.

"That's enough. Stop prying and just drink your drink!"

"Oh!" Chen Xue shrank back and obediently complied. Chen Wang and Chen Shan quickly put the little episode behind them, and the four of them fell into casual conversation.

Chen Xue took a large gulp of her drink, let out a satisfied burp, and said:

"Brother Lu, do you have any plans after graduation? I'm thinking of joining the Federation, see if I can snag a government post or something down the line..."

"Me?" Lu Xuan thought for a moment, then said with an amused smile, "I plan to join the Federation, too. But I want to abolish the entire conglomerate system and return a little peace and quiet to the world."

The expressions of the three drinkers froze.

A moment later, Chen Wang hurriedly glanced around. Only after making sure no one was paying attention to them did he let out a sigh of relief.

"Xiaolu, you can't just say things like that, not even in a tavern where people are just shooting the breeze... If the wrong person hears you, it could spell disaster!"

Seeing this, Lu Xuan just smiled serenely and offered no further explanation.

The four of them chatted and laughed for a while longer. Estimating that it was about time, Chen Wang stood up and said:

"Well, Elder Chu and the others should be back by now. Shall we go and see?"

Lu Xuan glanced at the bustling Uncle Zhu behind the counter, gave a slight nod, and left a wisp of his Divine Thought to stand guard in the tavern before following Chen Wang and the others out. They headed toward the three-story building they had been in earlier.

As they reached the entrance of the small building, they could already hear voices in discussion. As expected, Elder Chu and the others had returned.

"Elder Chu, shouldn't we go back to East Sea City for your breakthrough? This is the Land of Blood Evil, after all. If we return to the city, even if those people find you, they won't be brazen enough to launch an assault in broad daylight."

"I disagree. I think it's best for Elder Chu to make his breakthrough right here. The chaotic aura from the Immortal Blood will help mask it. Even if the breakthrough creates a disturbance, it won't be significant enough to draw their attention."

Lu Xuan's expression turned pensive. As the threads of Cause and Effect shifted, he understood. 'So, this is my 'tribulation.''

'Chu Shuangtian once did me a favor, and now he faces a tribulation of his own. To repay that kindness and settle the karmic debt, I must face this tribulation in his place...'

'But in truth, Elder Chu is only a Grandmaster. The strongest enemy he could face would be a Celestial Human, at most. Even if things escalated and eventually drew out an Earth Immortal, well...'

'All I can say is, the Karma Tribulation is far too rigid, scaling this ordeal to my level as a Five-Tribulation Earth Immortal.'

He almost chuckled but didn't give it much thought. To him, this Karma Tribulation was nothing more than a vacation and a chance to visit old acquaintances.

'Once this tribulation is resolved, the timing should be about right. It'll be time to travel to the Spring and Autumn Years to ride an ox and preach the Dao, and to see the First Emperor before he has fully risen to power.'

As his thoughts wandered, Lu Xuan recalled the Nine Dragons Pulling the Coffin that had crashed atop Mount Taishan, his expression turning thoughtful.

By now, Chen Wang and the other two had also heard the conversation inside. Their expressions grew somber, but they said nothing and simply pushed the door open to enter.

"Old Chen, you're back?"

A familiar voice rang out, and Chu Shuangtian laughed heartily.

"You've got to say something to Old Wu and Old Xue for me. They've been nagging me to no end..."

"What's that supposed to mean?" the Grandmaster known as Old Wu said indignantly. "Aren't we trying to come up with a plan for you, you old coot?"

"Right, right..." Chu Shuangtian chuckled.

Chen Xue and Chen Shan both bowed respectfully to the three elders.

"Greetings, Elder Chu, Elder Wu, Elder Xue."

"Alright, how many times have I said it? No need for all these formalities... Hm?"

Chu Shuangtian's voice trailed off as he stared at the familiar young man following the three from the Chen Family, his expression freezing in shock.

Old Wu and Old Xue looked surprised and also turned their curious gazes toward Lu Xuan. The former asked with a puzzled look:

"And this is...?"

"We met him on the way here. His name is Lu Xuan. He's also here to explore the Immortal Pit, so we brought him along. It seems he's an old acquaintance of Old Chu's," Chen Wang answered cheerfully. He then looked at the astonished Elder Chu and asked:

"What's the matter, Old Chu? Why so surprised?"

"Lu..." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Chu Shuangtian didn't answer. He simply shot to his feet, his expression grave as he cupped his fists in a formal salute.

"Lu Xiaoyou, it has been a long time."

Lu Xuan smiled and nodded.

"Elder Chu. It must have been half a year. How time flies..."

Chu Shuangtian nodded eagerly in agreement, leaving the others watching in stunned confusion.

They didn't recognize Lu Xuan, but Chu Shuangtian certainly did. When this Lu Xiaoyou first revealed his extraordinary talent, Chu Shuangtian had tried to recruit him.

But not long after, he learned of Lu Xiaoyou's terrifying deeds—slaying the chosen prodigies of the Demon Race and aiming his blade at Celestial Humans and Earth Immortals...

Most critically, rumor had it that this Lu Xiaoyou was on very close terms with the Eldest Princess of Longque Technology!

Chu Shuangtian's heart skipped a beat. Under the stunned gazes of the three Grandmasters and the Chen Family Siblings, he bowed to Lu Xuan.

"Lu Xiaoyou, you surely didn't come all this way for the Immortal Pit. Your purpose here is...?"

Lu Xuan smiled serenely, returned the bow, and said:

"I happened to be passing by. Guided by Cause and Effect, I encountered Grandmaster Chen and his companions. When I learned you were here, Elder Chu, I made a special trip to visit an old acquaintance."