C11 The Abnormal Azure Spirit Armor

"Never mind, I'll take my time. Being too hasty can backfire," Lu Shaoyou remarked calmly. "I'll start with the defensive martial skill."

A Jade Slip materialized in his hand, containing the Azure Spirit Armor's defensive technique. Its rank was unknown to Lu Shaoyou, as Uncle Nan hadn't mentioned it.

With a hand seal, a faint current of Qi flowed into the slip, and a beam of light shot into Lu Shaoyou's forehead. Knowledge flooded his mind, and following the instructions, he activated the defensive skill. Instantly, he felt his Dantian Sea of Qi's spirit energy deplete by more than half. Around him, an extraordinary armor formed, shimmering with a pale yellow glow identical to that of the Spirit Emperor Beast's hide.

Observing the transformation, Lu Shaoyou surmised a connection to the Spirit Emperor Beast. Despite the Azure Spirit Armor's divine nature, the energy it consumed was significant. Moreover, the armor felt precariously fragile, as if it might disperse at any moment.

"The effects are astonishingly unique. It's unbelievable," Lu Shaoyou mused, realizing from the influx of information that the Azure Spirit Armor's defensive skill was exceptionally formidable.

The armor had two tiers. The first was the humanoid form, creating a beast-shaped carapace around his body. The second was the beast form, capable of manifesting a full bestial defense with unparalleled strength.

What astounded Lu Shaoyou most was that by infusing the blood essence from a Spirit or Demonic Beast, the armor could morph into the creature's form. Its sole drawback was the substantial amount of Spirit Qi it required.

The defensive prowess of a Demonic Beast Spirit Beast far surpassed that of a Martial Artist. By assuming a pure beast form, the Azure Spirit Armor's defense was significantly enhanced.

"This defensive skill is incredibly intricate. Who exactly is Uncle Nan? Everything he offers is extraordinary," Lu Shaoyou exclaimed. Despite the Yin Yang Spirit Martial Art and Azure Spirit Armor having their flaws, they were undoubtedly treasures.

He activated the Azure Spirit Armor's initial form and felt his internal Spirit Qi draining swiftly. He promptly retracted the armor, recognizing that his current strength was insufficient to sustain the second tier.

"Now I possess both offensive and defensive martial skills," Lu Shaoyou said with a slight smile, reflecting on his peculiar destiny. He had become both a Martial Artist and a Spiritual Cultivator.

"I think I'll take a stroll. Tonight, I'll be learning about pill refinement and weapon forging with Uncle Nan," he declared, stepping out into the afternoon.

The backyard was unusually quiet today; not a single servant was in sight. Lu Shaoyou had grown familiar with the area over the past few days. Without realizing it, he found himself at the garden separating the front and back yards. After a brief pause, he decided to explore.

In his memories, this garden was off-limits to ordinary people, accessible only to the Lu family's high-ranking servants. Yet, he was permitted entry.

With a moment's hesitation, he entered the garden. Despite the deep winter, cold-resistant plants lined the paths, their verdant foliage invigorating his spirit. Some plants even bloomed defiantly against the season, prompting a quiet admiration from Lu Shaoyou for the Lu family's resources. Maintaining such a garden surely came at a significant expense.

He strolled through the garden, enveloped in an unusual hush, as if the day's servants had all vanished. He surmised they must have gone to meet the young miss of the Dugu family.

Lost in thought, he was suddenly interrupted by peals of laughter ahead, signaling the approach of a crowd.

"Members of the Lu family," Lu Shaoyou deduced. Likely, they were from the main courtyard. His memory held the names of several from that area who delighted in tormenting him.

Wishing to avoid an encounter, Lu Shaoyou scanned his surroundings and spotted a towering tree, its lush foliage reaching about five meters high – perfect for concealment.

With a subtle channeling of his Spirit, he swiftly ascended the tree, the leaves forming a natural veil over his presence. Peering through the leafy screen, he saw a group of about a dozen people ambling through the courtyard's main entrance.

Lu Shaoyou's brow creased. Among the newcomers were seven youths, ranging from fifteen to twenty years old. He recognized them all. Leading the pack was his late half-brother, Lu Shaohu, who was a year his junior and never held Lu Shaoyou in high regard.

One youth, clad in green, was Zhou Haiming, the son of Lu Shaoyou's second aunt. His family resided within the Lu household year-round.

Beside him, dressed in a white robe with hair cascading over his shoulders, was the sixteen-year-old son of Lu Shaoyou's fourth uncle, Lu Shaoxiong.

The other young men were familiar to Lu Shaoyou as well; they were kin from the Lu family's side branches. As a martial lineage, the Lu family would select promising youths after their eighth year for training, a privilege Lu Shaoyou had been denied since childhood.

Among the young women, one caught Lu Shaoyou's eye. A nineteen-year-old with her black hair flowing down her back, she wore a red gown that accentuated her figure, and a simple yet elegant bracelet adorned her wrist. Her attire was understated but exuded a grace and nobility that was effortlessly appealing.

This girl was Lu Wushuang, the adopted daughter of Lu Shaoyou's uncle, who doted on her. In the Lu family's front courtyard, she alone treated Lu Shaoyou with kindness, occasionally gifting him food and clothing.

Another girl, about seventeen or eighteen, with golden hair loosely draped over her shoulders and a delicate bun at the nape of her neck, wore a gold hairpin studded with jewels. Her golden-brown eyes held a touch of pride. She was the daughter of a foster son of the Lu family's old patriarch. Though not a Lu by blood, she bore the surname and was known as Lu Mei.

Lu Mei typically spared Lu Shaoyou no attention, clearly not considering him worth her time. Behind them were several other young women, all of whom Lu Shaoyou recognized as daughters of the Lu family's collateral branches.

Surveying the Lu family members, Lu Shaoyou felt a fondness for Lu Wushuang alone, paying little mind to the others. His gaze then settled on a strikingly beautiful girl who stood encircled by the Lu entourage.

The young lady exuded an air of nobility, her attire lavish and her beauty striking. The sight had the Lu family's young men practically salivating.