Spells Grinding: From Basic Sparks to Divine Arts

The reasoning behind the Lu family’s invitation was simple.

First, there was the bond of familiarity. Over the past year, both Lu Xian and Lu Anchen had grown close to Qin Lu. In matters of life and death, they wouldn’t leave a friend behind without a word.

Second, and perhaps more importantly, was Qin Lu’s combat prowess. Once they left the safety of the market’s defensive arrays, they would be exposed to the wilderness. Without a Foundation Establishment cultivator to guard them, the journey was fraught with peril.

Having a powerhouse like Qin Lu travel with them was the best insurance policy they could buy.

After hearing Lu Xian’s proposal, Qin Lu didn’t hesitate for a second.

“Done. We leave immediately.”

He had already been contemplating escape. Now that he knew a Golden Core powerhouse was coming to settle a blood feud, staying put wasn’t just risky—he would have to have a screw loose to remain.

Lu Xian nodded solemnly. “Then we shouldn’t delay. Shall we set off tonight?”

“Leaving is a given, but where exactly are we going?” Qin Lu asked.

Lu Xian hurriedly produced a scroll and unfurled it across the table. Across the top, bold calligraphy read: Flowing Cloud Prefecture Regional Map.

The map was detailed, marking the territories of various factions, ancient ruins, and major cultivation cities. Qin Lu spotted a small black dot on the western side labeled “Wuji Market.”

Lu Xian placed a calloused finger on their current location.

“We are here. West is impossible; the East Head Ridge blocks the path. With our cultivation, crossing that beast-infested mountain range is suicide.”

He slid his finger. “East is out of the question. That’s Wuji Sect territory, the heart of the coming war zone. It will be chaos.”

Qin Lu scanned the map, his gaze shifting north and south. Below Wuji Market, three large characters dominated the region: Combined Sword Sect.

That was Wang Shenzhi’s sect—a Golden Core power.

“What about heading south?” Qin Lu suggested.

“No,” Lu Xian rejected the idea instantly. “The Combined Sword Sect’s leader has close ties with Zhang Zhenyuan. They might reinforce the Wuji Sect. If we go there, we could walk right into the draft.”

“Then our only option is north.”

“Exactly.” Lu Xian pointed to a small black dot in the northern territories. “This is the domain of the Demon Slaying Sect. They are strictly neutral, and their operations target evil cultivators, not refugees. It’s the safest harbor.”

“The Demon Slaying Sect…”

Qin Lu muttered the name. He hadn’t heard much about them; their presence in the broader politics of Flowing Cloud Prefecture seemed low-key.

Lu Xian tapped a specific location within the neutral territory. “We can head to this market. It’s the most prosperous trade city in their region.”

Qin Lu leaned in. The label read: White Jade Market.

“Settled. We go there,” Qin Lu agreed.

He knew his knowledge of local geography paled in comparison to the experienced and well-versed Lu Xian. If the old appraiser said this was the spot, Qin Lu trusted his judgment.

“We’ll go back and pack. Let’s meet five miles past the North Gate tonight, between nine and eleven,” Lu Xian proposed.

“Agreed,” Qin Lu nodded. A thought struck him. “How many people are you bringing?”

The father and son exchanged a glance.

“We can’t make a scene,” Lu Xian said quietly. “I’m only bringing one trusted friend from the auction house.”

Lu Anchen added, “I’m bringing my two sworn brothers. And… Ruling.”

Qin Lu and Lu Xian both paused.

“Xu Ruling is willing to leave with you?” Lu Xian asked, surprise coloring his tone.

“Yes,” Lu Anchen said, his jaw set.

Qin Lu stood up, doing the mental math. “So, you have seven or eight people. I have a medium-sized Spirit Boat. It can seat twenty comfortably, thirty if we squeeze. We can all fly out together.”

“That would be perfect!” Lu Xian’s face lit up with relief.

They quickly finalized the details before the father and son took their leave to prepare.

Alone again, Qin Lu faced a new dilemma.

Who else should he take away from Wuji Market to escape this unwarranted calamity?

While Zhu Lian likely wouldn’t slaughter every low-level cultivator in the market, Qin Lu had no interest in betting his life on the mercy of a Golden Core ancestor. Leaving early was the only logical play.

“I have to tell Cao Yunxi and his family.”

“The Gu siblings need to know, too. They were involved in the Immortal Crane Sect raid. If they stay, they won’t survive the purge.”

“Then there’s my staff—Feng Xi, Steward Chen, Chu Xiaoyi…”

Qin Lu ran the numbers. “The Spirit Boat has enough room.”

He sighed softly. In the end, his circle in Wuji Market was small. Most people were just fleeting friends, ships passing in the night. In a crisis like this, he could only look out for his own.

He couldn’t save strangers. If the news leaked too widely, the resulting panic would block their escape. Caution was paramount.

Decision made, Qin Lu grabbed his coat and headed for Cao Yunxi’s home.

Since their massive windfall sharing the spoils with Qin Lu, Cao Yunxi had rarely ventured into the dangers of East Head Ridge. He had effectively retired to a life of domestic cultivation.

Cao Mo, meanwhile, had broken through to Qi Refining Level 4. He was now crafting intermediate talismans, a skill that had drastically improved the family’s finances. They were a world away from the days when they couldn’t scrape together a hundred Spirit Stones.

When Qin Lu arrived, Cao Yunxi and Qi Xiaofeng were home. Cao Mo was out manning his stall.

Qin Lu didn’t waste time with pleasantries. He dropped the bomb immediately.

“What? A Golden Core cultivator is attacking the market?!” The couple stared at him, aghast.

“Yes. I’m taking a group of friends and fleeing to the Demon Slaying Sect’s territory. Does your family want to come with me?”

The news stunned them into silence. The couple exchanged frantic, whispered words, the gravity of the situation sinking in.

A moment later, Cao Yunxi stepped forward, his eyes wet with gratitude.

“Brother Qin… at a time like this, you still thought of us? Thank you. We trust you. Our family will follow you anywhere.”

“Good.” Qin Lu smiled briefly. “Pack your essentials. Meet five miles outside the North Gate tonight, between nine and eleven.”

“We will be there on time. Guaranteed.”

Qin Lu gave them strict instructions to keep their mouths shut regarding the reason for their departure. Once he was sure they understood the stakes, he turned back toward the street.

He walked briskly to his next destination, stopping before the familiar courtyard of the Gu residence. He raised his hand and knocked.