The Lv family steward introduced himself as Lv An and cautiously struck up a conversation with Mo Tiange along the way, telling her about the situation of the Lv family on Nanjie Island.
It turned out that there was a large island in the northeastern part of Yunzhong, divided into northern and southern parts by a shallow strait running through its middle. The North Island was extremely large and had several decent Spirit Veins, which had attracted a few small to medium-sized sects to settle there.
Moreover, Yunzhong was different from the Tianji Region—it was well-connected everywhere, with no place off-limits. There were many people hunting sea beasts along the coast. Because the North Island had Spirit Veins, many sea beasts gathered nearby, making it a very lively place.
However, the South Island was only one-tenth the size of the North Island and had only such weak Spirit Veins that small and medium-sized sects and large cultivation families disdained it. Usually, few people came here. The Lv family, whose strength was neither great nor small, had settled in this place.
This island was said to be the northernmost place in Yunzhong, thus called Beiji Island, but it was further divided into South Island and North Island. Therefore, the people of the South Island called their own place Nanjie Island.
Only after hearing this explanation did Mo Tiange understand that "Nanjie" did not mean this island was the southern pole of Yunzhong.
And this name, Nanjie Island, was only known to the Lv family and the residents here. Outsider cultivators generally only went to the North Island and had no idea there was also a South Island here.
After finishing the story about Nanjie Island, Lv An asked about Mo Tiange's origins. Mo Tiange claimed she was just a Loose Cultivator who traveled around because she had no chance to advance. Since Yunzhong was vast and she roughly knew some things about Yunzhong, and this Lv An was merely the steward of a small cultivation family living in a remote corner, he didn't find anything amiss.
From Lv An's words, Mo Tiange learned that the Lv family's Old Master was an Early-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, already over two hundred years old. Apart from him, there were also a few juniors with exceptional talent. All members of the Lv family practiced Immortal Methods, and there were quite a few Qi Refining cultivators. However, these stewards and guards were just minor figures in the Lv family, all of commoner origin. Through their cultivation up to now, they had only achieved Spiritual Qi tempering of the body.
Mo Tiange also knew that commoners cultivating to become Immortals never succeeded. Without a Spirit Root, they could hardly retain Spiritual Qi. Through effort and elixirs, they could at most reach the first layer of Qi Refining. At that level, they could only use some crude Immortal Methods to stay free from illness and disaster. However, even reaching the first layer of Qi Refining was exceedingly rare. Most people couldn't even attain that realm and remained unable to shed their mortal bodies.
From Lv An's words, Mo Tiange could see that cultivation was indeed extremely prevalent in Yunzhong. Any family with some wealth would inevitably practice cultivation.
Unable to discern her cultivation level, these people cautiously inquired if she was a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Not wanting to draw attention, Mo Tiange tacitly agreed. Seeing this, they were very happy and asked many questions about cultivation along the way. Seeing these commoners so fervent about cultivation, Mo Tiange gave them some pointers. Her explanations were simple and easy to understand, yet hit the mark precisely. These people had sudden enlightenment and were immensely grateful to her.
Before long, they arrived at the Lv family mansion. Lv An personally led her into the large compound and reported to the chief steward. That chief steward was a low-level cultivator with a Spirit Root. Originally indifferent to Lv An, he immediately changed his attitude upon seeing Mo Tiange, respectfully inviting her into the guest hall, treating her with great ceremony, and ordering someone to quickly inform the Old Master.
Mo Tiange had now restrained her spiritual aura, pretending to be only at the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment level—from Lv An's words, she learned that although the cultivation level in Yunzhong was higher than in the Tianji Region, high-level cultivators were still few. Core Formation and Nascent Soul cultivators traveling outside were extremely rare. Late-Stage Foundation Establishment would neither attract too much attention nor be considered shallow in cultivation, thus avoiding unnecessary trouble.
The arrival of a "Foundation Establishment" cultivator had long been sensed by the spiritual sense of the Lv family's Old Master. Just as the Lv family's chief steward was about to send someone to invite him, the Lv family's Old Master had already emerged from the backyard.
Although called Old Master, this person looked only about forty years old, dressed meticulously and glowing with vitality, clearly skilled in maintenance. Upon seeing Mo Tiange, he was startled, then, coming to his senses, his attitude became even more polite. He stepped forward to greet Mo Tiange: "Fellow Daoist, I am Lv Qingdong. Fellow Daoist's visit to my Lv family, I failed to welcome you from afar, my apologies, my apologies."
Mo Tiange returned the greeting, neither too warmly nor too coldly, and smiled slightly: "So you are Fellow Daoist Lv. My surname is Mo, my Daoist name is Qingwei. I am a Loose Cultivator who came here unexpectedly while traveling and happened to meet your family members. I have come to disturb your esteemed residence, please forgive me."
"Not at all, not at all." Seeing Mo Tiange's amiable attitude—not the type of cultivator who looked down on lower-level cultivators just because of higher cultivation—the Lv family's Old Master Lv Qingdong was delighted and even more enthusiastic. "We are both righteous path cultivators; meeting is fate. Fellow Daoist Mo is too polite. Please, have a seat."
The two exchanged greetings and sat according to host and guest. Lv Qingdong ordered good tea and entertained her very warmly.
After drinking tea, Lv Qingdong carefully observed Mo Tiange, rather surprised by her youth. After all, it was difficult for Loose Cultivators to cultivate; few could achieve Foundation Establishment, and even fewer could reach Late-Stage Foundation Establishment. Yet she looked only about twenty, with extraordinary bearing and such cultivation level, she seemed more like a disciple of a great sect.
Thinking this, Lv Qingdong piled on a smile and asked politely: "Fellow Daoist Mo has outstanding demeanor and such profound cultivation, yet is only a Loose Cultivator. It truly fills this Lv with admiration."
How could Mo Tiange not hear the probing intent in his words? She merely smiled slightly and said: "Fellow Daoist Lv is too polite. That I could cultivate to this realm is also thanks to the blessings of my elders. When I first entered the path of Immortals, I had an elder watching over me. If not for that, I'm afraid I would still be lingering at Qi Refining now."
"Oh?" Hearing this, a flash of understanding passed through Lv Qingdong's eyes, and his smile widened. "So that's how it is. However, Fellow Daoist Mo being able to cultivate to Late-Stage Foundation Establishment shows extraordinary talent. It truly makes someone mediocre like me envious."
"Not at all, just luck." Mo Tiange still smiled, her face showing not a hint of pride.
Seeing this, Lv Qingdong thought even more highly of her and asked again: "I wonder where Fellow Daoist Mo cultivated before? Did you come to Nanjie Island for important matters? Although my Lv family is not a great cultivation family, we have been here for several hundred years. Perhaps we can be of help to Fellow Daoist."
"Fellow Daoist Lv is too polite." Mo Tiange smiled slightly. "To be honest, since I set foot on the Immortal path, I followed that elder wandering everywhere. Later, that elder passed away, and I traveled alone, always without a fixed abode. This trip to Nanjie Island was just an accidental intrusion while traveling, startling your family members. I truly apologize."
"Fellow Daoist Mo is too polite, what does that matter?" Lv Qingdong paused, then smiled. "So it seems Fellow Daoist is fated with our Lv family! Although our Nanjie Island and Beiji Island are connected, few cultivators come and go. It's rare for a fellow Daoist to visit. As the host, I, Lv, must entertain you well!"
Afterward, Lv Qingdong chatted with her with boundless enthusiasm.
Mo Tiange knew why Lv Qingdong was so enthusiastic with her. The difference between Early-Stage Foundation Establishment and Late-Stage Foundation Establishment was not small. Since the Lv family was only a small cultivation family, Lv Qingdong probably hadn't met many Late-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. Naturally, he wanted to build good relations with her and seize the chance to exchange ideas about cultivation.
Mo Tiange considered that although the cultivation techniques she practiced were different from ordinary people's, they were all cultivators and had common points. Guiding an Early-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator wouldn't be a problem, so she calmly accepted Lv Qingdong's hospitality.
The two talked for a good while, discussing the Dao of cultivation. Then Lv Qingdong ordered the Lv family's sons and nephews to come pay their respects.
Mo Tiange met them one by one and found that a few actually had quite good Spirit Roots. She followed up with a few words of praise, making Lv Qingdong feel very honored.
Among the Lv family's juniors, there was a young girl, said to be just eighteen years old, already at the seventh layer of Qi Refining. She was the most favored granddaughter of Lv Qingdong.
Hearing Lv Qingdong introduce this junior with a tone of pride, Mo Tiange knew this girl was deeply doted on. She followed up with praise: "Your granddaughter, at such a young age, already has such cultivation. Her future prospects are certainly bright."
Although this contained an element of politeness, it wasn't nonsense. Back then, she herself had reached the seventh layer of Qi Refining at seventeen, but that was thanks to Second Uncle using the Ye family's accumulated resources to boost her. The highest cultivation in the Lv family was only Early-Stage Foundation Establishment, clearly not comparable to the Ye family of those days. Yet they still had to maintain such a large family. But this girl's cultivation was not inferior to hers back then, showing her aptitude was quite good.
Hearing her praise, Lv Qingdong grinned from ear to ear, repeatedly saying: "Not at all, not at all, Fellow Daoist Mo is too polite."
This Lv family girl, Lv Qiongying, however, showed no fear. She stared at Mo Tiange for a good while, then smiled and said: "This Senior is so young, she looks like an older sister."
Hearing this, Lv Qingdong hurriedly scolded: "Don't talk nonsense. Senior's cultivation is profound, she just looks young... How can you be so disrespectful?"
Mo Tiange could hear the implication in Lv Qingdong's words: although her appearance was young, her actual age was uncertain. She wasn't the type of woman who cared about age or looks. Hearing this, she just smiled slightly, not displeased.
But Lv Qiongying pouted and said: "Grandfather, you don't understand. I said Senior looks like an older sister because Senior is both young and beautiful. Calling her 'Senior' seems to make her old. Calling her 'older sister' is better!"
"You child..."
Mo Tiange smiled and said: "Fellow Daoist Lv need not blame your granddaughter. Your granddaughter praises me as young and beautiful, how could I be displeased?"
Hearing this, Lv Qingdong glared at Lv Qiongying, expressed apologies again, then said: "This child has been spoiled since childhood. Although her words aren't very respectful, her heart is good."
Mo Tiange saw a faint hint of pride on his face and secretly found it amusing. This Lv family Old Master, although apologizing for his granddaughter, actually thought his granddaughter was very good.
Afterward, the Lv family held a banquet. After eating and drinking, they discussed many more matters of cultivation. Finally, they invited Mo Tiange to stay at the Lv family for some days.
Mo Tiange intended to gather some information about Yunzhong from the Lv family, so she agreed. That Lv family girl, Lv Qiongying, under Lv Qingdong's instruction, accompanied Mo Tiange during her stay.
Mo Tiange clearly understood Lv Qingdong's calculations. In the cultivation world, although a cultivator's gender wasn't very important, there were still differences. Interactions between female cultivators were easier than between male cultivators. By having his granddaughter accompany Mo Tiange, he hoped the two would become closer, allowing her to give more guidance to his granddaughter.
Giving some pointers to a Qi Refining stage girl was just a trivial effort for her. And no matter how clever Lv Qiongying was, she was just a young girl. It would be easier to gather information from her mouth, so Mo Tiange herself was quite pleased with this arrangement.
After the banquet, both host and guests were happy. Mo Tiange was then accompanied by Lv Qiongying to the guest quarters.