Zhang Shu’s expression was somewhat complicated.
She could hardly believe it. Her three-year promise with Lu Changsheng had only been about ten months, not even a year, yet Lu Changsheng had already ascended to Martial Saint.
Moreover, during this period, he had accomplished many significant feats that shocked the Holy Land.
"Friend Zhang Shu, the Void Divine Crystal clue you provided back then helped Brother Lu forge the Sacred Body, saving a lot of time."
"Although the three-year period hasn’t arrived, Brother Lu can visit your family once and help you deal with the Martial Saint threat."
Lu Changsheng still kept his promise.
He naturally had to fulfill what he promised to Zhang Shu.
A surge of joy filled Zhang Shu’s heart, but her expression remained somewhat complex.
Back then, she had come forward to propose forming a Daoist partnership with Lu Changsheng.
If Lu Changsheng had agreed back then, the Zhang Family’s crisis would have naturally been resolved.
With Lu Changsheng’s current vast reputation, which Martial Saint would dare threaten the Zhang Family?
Unfortunately, there were no "ifs."
Now that Lu Changsheng was already a Martial Saint, it was even more impossible for Zhang Shu to form a Daoist partnership with him.
"Thank you, Lu Saint."
Zhang Shu respectfully bowed.
No matter what, Lu Changsheng was willing to uphold his promise, relieving the Martial Saint threat for her, which put her mind at ease.
"No time to lose, let’s set out now."
Lu Changsheng also wanted to resolve Zhang Shu’s issue soon and then deliver the Heavenly Rain Creation Pill back to Heavenly Saint City.
"Please follow me, Lu Saint."
With that, Zhang Shu transformed into a streak of light and left Martial Saint Mansion.
Lu Changsheng followed her.
Zhang Shu’s speed was comparatively slower.
The two flew for over a month before reaching the place where Zhang Shu’s family was located, Xiao City.
"Lu Saint, up ahead is Xiao City."
"The Zhang Family is one of the Martial Saint families in Xiao City. However, since the fall of the Martial Saint Ancestor, no disciples have achieved Martial Saint. As such, in recent years, the Zhang Family has been in decline, even the top powers in Xiao City are precariously positioned."
"And Xiao City’s foremost power, the Xiao Family, not only has Martial Saints overseeing but also a constant emergence of Divine Power Martial Artists. The new generation of disciples even shows potential to achieve Martial Saint status. The entire Xiao City takes the ’Xiao Family’ as its name."
"The Xiao Family wants to swallow my Zhang Family, and I am their first step. They wish to forge an alliance and then, through me, slowly consume the Zhang Family."
"Once the Xiao Family marries me, they could even control my cultivation, preventing me from ascending to Martial Saint, thereby thoroughly subduing the Zhang Family."
Zhang Shu clarified the full story of the matter.
Indeed, this was still about the power struggle between forces.
Back when the Zhang Family also had a Martial Saint overseeing, it was a true Martial Saint family.
But after the Martial Saint fell, the Zhang Family still wanted to maintain its power.
Naturally, a price had to be paid.
However, even after paying a price, the Zhang Family could no longer sustain the scale of a top power in Xiao City.
The heart was willing but the strength was insufficient.
And just at this moment, the Xiao Family aimed to devour the entire Zhang Family.
The only reliance the Zhang Family had now was Zhang Shu.
After all, Zhang Shu had also entered the Martial Saint Mansion.
She was the Zhang Family’s best hope for becoming a Martial Saint.
If she achieved Martial Saint status, the Zhang Family could rise again.
Unfortunately, ascending to Martial Saint wasn’t so easy.
Even Zhang Shu herself lacked confidence.
Ultimately, to avoid becoming a sacrificial pawn, Zhang Shu had no choice but to rely on Lu Changsheng’s strength to resolve the Xiao Family threat.
Lu Changsheng understood the full story and immediately made a decision.
"Friend Zhang Shu, the matter between your Zhang Family and the Xiao Family is not something Brother Lu will interfere with."
"But Brother Lu will certainly resolve the issue he promised to Friend Zhang Shu. If Friend Zhang Shu is concerned about the alliance with the Xiao Family, Brother Lu will go and have a good talk with the Xiao Family. I’m sure the Xiao Family will stop forcing Friend Zhang Shu into an alliance with them."
"However, even if the Xiao Family agrees to Brother Lu not forcing you into an alliance, I fear that staying with the Zhang Family, you will eventually be sacrificed by the family. Brother Lu has a method that might grant you a certain level of freedom, sparing you from being sacrificed by the family."
Zhang Shu hurriedly asked, "What method?"
"Friend Zhang Shu can go to Heavenly Saint City and join the Holy Land Heavenly Sect."
"At that time, the Zhang Family won’t have much reach and can’t force you into anything."
"In the Holy Land Heavenly Sect, you can cultivate with peace of mind. The Xiao Family, considering the reputation of the Holy Land Heavenly Sect, won’t pressure the Zhang Family."
"Furthermore, you can cultivate peacefully in the Holy Land Heavenly Sect. Someday, there might still be a hope of ascending to Martial Saint!"
Lu Changsheng’s method was truly a win-win situation.
It not only helped Zhang Shu but also strengthened the Holy Land Heavenly Sect.
After all, Zhang Shu was capable of entering the Martial Saint Mansion, indicating her unquestionable talent.
She could definitely be regarded as a genius.
Even if she couldn’t achieve Martial Saint status in the Martial Saint Mansion after ten years, who could say she wouldn’t have a hope of achieving Martial Saint status if she cultivated freely in the Holy Land Heavenly Sect?
Once she became a Martial Saint, even without Lu Changsheng’s presence, there wouldn’t be any issues at all for the Holy Land Heavenly Sect.
Zhang Shu carefully considered the feasibility of this plan.
The times were different now.
The Xiao Family had already set their sights on the Zhang Family.
Even if Zhang Shu managed to avoid the situation with Lu Changsheng’s help this time.
What about in the future?
Without an alliance, the Xiao Family would still find ways to nibble away at the Zhang Family bit by bit.
And to maintain their influence, the Zhang Family would definitely think of all sorts of methods. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on novel✦fire.net
This might include sacrificing Zhang Shu.
Therefore, if Zhang Shu returned from the Martial Saint Mansion to the Zhang Family, it wouldn’t take long before she would be "sacrificed" in the name of the family due to various reasons.
Or forced into other alliances with major powers.