Chapter 103: Is This How I Get Romantic Luck?

Inside the Talisman Shop.

Lu Changsheng sat cross-legged with a solemn expression, focusing towards the heavens.

The spiritual lake within his Qi Sea Dantian surged, flowing through his meridians and limbs.

The originally pure white spiritual energy in the Dan Lake gradually took on some color.

Seven phantom swords occasionally appeared above the Dan Lake.

“Phew!”

Lu Changsheng opened his eyes and exhaled a murky breath.

“Though the Return Yuan Technique is trash, it does have its merits.”

“Its spiritual power is balanced and neutral, allowing for smooth transitions to other techniques.”

“If I practiced another technique, converting my spiritual power to Seven-star Sword Qi would be harder, possibly regressing my cultivation.”

Lu Changsheng introspected on the spiritual power in his Qi Sea Dantian, pondering to himself.

He just attempted to switch to the Seven Luminaries Great Freedom Sword Manual.

He aimed to convert his cultivation from the Return Yuan Technique to the new technique’s power.

The process went smoothly.

Although there was some loss of power, it wasn’t significant.

“In about three to four months, I can fully convert all my spiritual energy into Seven Luminaries spiritual energy.”

“The Seven Luminaries Great Freedom Sword Manual lives up to its reputation as a top-tier technique, producing spiritual energy three to four times denser and markedly more intense.”

“When my energy is fully converted, it could match the eighth or even ninth layer of Qi Refining.”

“This kind of solid foundation will make breaking through Foundation Establishment easier!”

Looking at the spiritual energy in his Dan Lake, Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but feel excited.

His aim for a good technique was to solidify his foundation.

Ensuring he could go further in the future.

Now with this proper technique, his foundation will be solid.

“If my seventh layer Qi Refining can barely match the ninth layer, does that mean I can challenge higher levels in the future?”

“No, whenever I faced enemies, they were always stronger, and battles don’t rely only on cultivation.”

Lu Changsheng thought to himself and then shook his head.

He suddenly felt that such an aggressive combat technique wasn’t really suitable for him.

On one hand, he always preferred kindness and disliked violence.

On the other hand, in fights, he relied on external tools.

Rather than on his cultivation level.

Given this, techniques focused on health maintenance or escape might suit him better.

However, having already started, he wouldn’t reconsider now.

He also thought health-focused or escape techniques weren’t necessarily better for him.

As his cultivation improved, conflicts on the path would be unavoidable.

During Qi Refining, he managed by relying on things obtained from the system.

As his cultivation level increased, charms, puppets, and treasures would aid him less.

They wouldn’t let him easily challenge foes like before.

In such times, actual cultivation strength would matter more.

Noticing the darkening sky outside.

Lu Changsheng stood up and left the Talisman Shop to head home.

Meanwhile.

Opposite Lu Family’s Talisman Shop, in a tavern.

A girl wearing a purple dress with a lovely face sat by the window.

With a fair lotus-like arm propped against her cheek, she gazed outside, bored.

Her eyes lit up when she saw Lu Changsheng walking out of the shop.

“I paid a high price to restore the Locking Emotion Gu. Don’t disappoint me.”

Watching Lu Changsheng, she murmured softly.

She then raised her palm.

Revealing.

A blood-red, inch-long gu worm emerged from her white, tender palm.

“Little guy, it’s up to you now.”

She told the Locking Emotion Gu.

The worm seemed to understand, nodding its tiny antenna.

Seeing this, she smiled, clenched her fist, and left the inn.

Over time, she had figured out Lu Changsheng’s habits.

Mainly going between the Talisman Shop and his residence.

She checked it out.

Noticed that the street he takes home is usually empty.

The perfect place for action.

Though in the market there are risks.

However, one is less wary there, making it easier.

If she acted outside the market, Lu Changsheng’s talisman stacks would bombard her.

Recalling when she was nearly killed by his talismans.

Yet thinking soon Lu Changsheng would love her uncontrollably, she felt relieved.

“What could be more satisfying than making a former foe fall for you irresistibly?”

The girl in the purple dress smiled, looking at Lu Changsheng’s back.

Once he entered the alley, and no one else was there, she called out.

“Comrade Lu, please wait!”

“Hm?”

Lu Changsheng heard someone call him.

Paused and looked back.

Saw a lovely girl in purple waving and approaching.

“Hm? Young lady, you called me?”

Lu Changsheng looked at her, a bit puzzled.

“Yes, I heard you’re a Talisman Master and need your assistance.”

The girl in purple smiled and approached.

“What is it?”

Lu Changsheng was surprised at her words.

Though him being a Talisman Master wasn’t a secret, he didn’t know her.

A stranger asking for his help was odd.

“Well…”

She began, her eyes suddenly shone with purple light.

Mesmerizing and soul-captivating, making Lu Changsheng momentarily dazed.

But then a pure aura from his Cold Jade Amulet awakened him.

“Not good!”

Realizing something was amiss.

The purple-skirted woman was up to something!

She had just used some spell on him.

He immediately activated his robe and amulet’s protection.

But at that moment.

A piercing sensation bit his neck.

Like something took a bite.

His heart skipped a beat.

But then.

“Boom!”

His Peach Blossom Gu erupted with overwhelming willpower.

Its aura, like a volcano, a mighty beast facing a challenge!

Suppressing his turbulent heart.

An unseen pink peach blossom mark appeared on his forehead, glowing brilliantly.

“Hiss, hiss!”

With his Peach Blossom Gu’s aura unleashed, a soft chirping arose.

He heard a faint buzzing sound.

Saw a blood-red bug fleeing from his neck.

Lu Changsheng wrapped it in spiritual energy, grabbing it like an eagle.

Then, taking out a stack of talismans, he faced the girl in purple.

“Hiss!”

The girl in purple gasped.

Staring incredulously at Lu Changsheng.

Unsure what went wrong.

What happened to the Locking Emotion Gu.

Feeling a powerful will from her gu worm that startled her heart.

Their eyes met, interrupting her thoughts.

In that gaze, she felt an emotion growing.

An odd fondness for Lu Changsheng sprouting in her heart.

How could this be!?

Realizing this emotion originated from the gu’s reversed effect.

She knew herself well enough.

Even though Lu Changsheng was handsome, she wasn’t swayed by looks.

Yet never felt such emotions before.

“The gu must have backfired!”

Suspecting the Peach Blossom Gu’s reversal.

Lu Changsheng’s spiritual power must have repelled her gu’s power.

Desperation forced her away.

With fear, she realized her feelings for him were intensifying.

“This isn’t possible!”

The Locking Emotion Gu was nearly a Heavenly Spirit Gu, how could it backfire like this?

Lu Changsheng couldn’t possibly have such treasures or a Heavenly Spirit Gu!

Realizing this made her fearful.

Yet, looking at him, she felt an unbidden closeness.

A dread filled her heart, for she knew the gu’s potency.

Once bitten, one would unconditionally love her.

With time, this passion would deepen.

Eventually, one would love her so much, even willing to die for her!

Now with the gu’s reversal, she would love Lu Changsheng uncontrollably.

“Haah!”

Before thinking further, Lu Changsheng’s talismans attacked.

Though public fighting was forbidden, he had to retaliate.

“I must run, far away!”

“Escape the Locking Emotion Gu’s reach!”

Seeing the attack, she quickly shielded herself.

Deflecting with charms, pressing through his assault.

Escaping as a blur.

With fear, she fled, leaving the gu in his hands.

Now, she could only escape before the gu’s effect clouded her mind.

Fleeing far from him.

Over time, near him, she’d fall deeper in love.

So much she’d let him kill her willingly.

Seeing her vanish, Lu Changsheng considered pursuit but refrained.

She was too fast, and he decided against using talismans in busy streets.

“Who was she, and why attack me suddenly?”

His thoughts lingered on her actions.

Did he offend her unknowingly?

“Perhaps my past dealings caught someone’s eye?”

He pondered.

But it seemed unlikely they’d act publicly.

Turning back.

He examined the blood-red worm he captured.

“What’s this insect? A gu worm?”

He looked at the trembling worm, slightly puzzled.

“Could she have tried cursing me with it?”

Recalling its bite and his Peach Blossom Gu’s protection.

He suspected as much.

He knew of gu worms’ hierarchical suppression, like spirit beasts.

With his Peach Blossom Gu, he was immune to many gu effects.

Other gu worms would challenge the Peach Blossom Gu, triggering its instinctive repulsion.

The recent events matched his knowledge.

At this time.

A faint wave emanated from his Peach Blossom Gu.

Indicating he gained romantic luck.

“Romantic luck?”

“Out of nowhere?”

He felt puzzled.

Not understanding its origin.

“Wait, from that girl?”

Remembering the fleeing purple girl.

“I’ve just met her, where’s this luck from?”

“The gu must’ve linked us romantically.”

“No prior connection, yet now…”

He was baffled.

Unraveling her situation was impossible.

“I once read about a gu named Love Gu.”

“It’s a parental gu, seeding targets with Love Gu, binding them for life.”

“Could it be… that worm was the Love Gu?”

“Her gu failed due to my Peach Blossom Gu?”

Lu Changsheng pondered over the blood-red worm.

Despite sounding ridiculous, he couldn’t find other explanations.

Barely plausible, but it’s what he suspected.

Otherwise, he was clueless.

“If true, it’s absurd.”

Shaking his head, he considered the Peach Blossom Gu might be overpowering.

Romantic luck arriving uninvited.

Before meeting her, it was already here.

“Though, Love Gu works differently.”

“It needs to seed targets, keeping them bound.”

“This worm feared my Peach Blossom Gu and fled, unlike Love Gu.”

“Or a gu like it?”

Studying the worm again, he compared it to his readings.

“Forget it, I won’t dwell on it.”

Checking his neck wound.

A minor, near-healed bite mark.

Acknowledging the worm’s power.

Knowing his refined body was as tough as Artifacts.

Yet it broke through his defense.

“Peach Blossom Gu brings odd luck, for better or worse.”

“Misfortune’s a risk, yet benefits outweigh drawbacks.”

“It brings romantic luck and gu immunity.”

“Were it otherwise, the situation would be dangerous.”

“A curse like that would ruin me.”

Reflecting on his odd luck with gu.

“Immortal cultivation’s full of unpredictable risks.”

“Vigilance is key, even where conflict’s forbidden.”

Breathing deep, he acknowledged his recent carelessness.

“Still, how should I handle this bug?”

He wondered about managing the captive worm.

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