Chapter 130: The Brother-in-Law Returns!

Cultivators do not place as much emphasis on formalities as the secular world.

After offering incense three times to the ancestral tablets of the Lu Family Patriarch, the ceremony concluded.

The crowd gradually dispersed.

Just as Lu Changsheng was about to leave, the newly appointed Patriarch Yuan Zhong called out to him.

“Changsheng, how is your cultivation progressing?”

Lu Yuanzhong had a scholarly appearance, somewhat resembling Lu Yuanshan Ding.

Lu Changsheng also knew this Patriarch Yuan Zhong was his father-in-law Lu Yuanshan Ding’s biological brother.

Therefore, he should address this patriarch as Uncle-in-law.

However, in cultivation families like the one on Qingzhu Mountain, once successful in Foundation Establishment, one’s status elevates to patriarch.

“Replying to the patriarch, my current Qi Refining is at the sixth layer. It may take another three years to reach the peak of the sixth layer.”

Lu Changsheng said.

He had only publicly declared his sixth layer Qi Refining level two years ago, so he naturally dared not say more.

“Very good.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Yuanzhong nodded slightly.

After scrutinizing Lu Changsheng briefly, he took out a Jade Scroll.

“I heard you practice the ‘Everlasting Spring Method’. This ‘Green Wood Technique’ is a high-grade technique treasured by the Lu Family. Take it for your cultivation.”

“If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can also ask Yuanding since he also practices this Green Wood Technique.”

Lu Yuanzhong said.

Lu Changsheng was a bit surprised by this.

He didn’t expect that Lu Yuanzhong would call him over just to give him a technique.

Since Lu Yuanzhong had been busy at Red Leaf Market for over a year,

he hadn’t interacted much with the newly appointed patriarch.

They’ve only met twice briefly.

Never thought that right after the passing of the Lu Family Patriarch, he expressed goodwill towards him.

“Thank you, patriarch!”

Lu Changsheng immediately offered a respectful thanks.

Although he had the Seven Luminaries Great Freedom Sword Manual, rendering the Green Wood Technique unnecessary,

it was at least a gesture of goodwill.

After all, as far as he knew, the Lu Family’s most precious techniques were just a few high-grade ones.

Now that they were willing to give him one, they considered him as one of their own.

“Remember, this technique is for your own cultivation only. Do not pass it on to others.”

Lu Yuanshan Ding reminded.

“Rest assured, patriarch. Changsheng understands.”

Lu Changsheng nodded in agreement.

Having stayed at Jiulong Market for so many years, he had come to understand the cultivation world’s scarcity of technique inheritances.

He understood why these cultivation inheritances were so rare and lacking.

Because the sources of techniques and skills in cultivation come from Spirit Sects, families, and rogue cultivators.

Spirit Sects, as the largest suppliers, banned the sale of advanced techniques under their jurisdiction to retain exceptional disciples and cheap labor.

As for cultivation families, who would sell their core techniques and means of livelihood?

They were also willing to abide by this rule to prevent these inheritances from leaking to gain some share.

The same applied to rogue cultivators.

They wouldn’t altruistically offer advanced techniques for sale, at most in secret trades.

Thus, for most rogue cultivators seeking high-level techniques,

they either needed fortuitous encounters or good talent to join a cultivation family or a power under a Spirit Sect.

This matter is pretty much a rule in the cultivation world.

Basic techniques and first-tier skill inheritances are accessible; you can buy them with some Spirit Stones.

But to go further, without opportunities, you can only try to join a force and be exploited.

That’s why the third young master of the Yu Family tried to tempt Lu Changsheng with advanced techniques and Foundation Establishment insights.

“Alright, you can get back to your tasks.”

Lu Yuanzhong didn’t say much more, patting Lu Changsheng’s shoulder.

“Yes.”

Lu Changsheng bowed slightly and left.

“Lu Changsheng.”

Watching Lu Changsheng’s departing figure, Lu Yuanzhong seemed momentarily lost in thought, silently repeating the name in his heart.

He recalled Lu Family Patriarch’s instructions before his death, noticing their emphasis on Lu Changsheng, and sighed softly.

Three days later.

The Second Elder notified Lu Changsheng to return to Jiulong Market.

“Changsheng, should I go oversee the Talisman Shop?”

Lu Miaoge, holding her daughttr Lu Qingzhu, said softly.

She had almost recovered after giving birth, so she wanted to share some of Lu Changsheng’s burdens.

“It’s alright, Sister Miaoge. You should stay home to cultivate and learn talisman-making from Grandmother.

If you go to the market, your focus might be divided, delaying your cultivation, and Qingzhu is still young and needs your care.”

Lu Changsheng smiled and pinched his daughter’s fair cheek.

Lu Miaoge was transitioning ffom a high-tier Talisman Master to a Talisman Master level.

So he didn’t want his wife to run back and forth, busying herself.

“Alright.”

Lu Miaoge replied with a gentte smile.

Since her pregnancy and childbirth, her once ethereal face constantly radiated a maternal warmth.

Continuing, she said, “Changsheng, the Red Leaf Market will open in a few months. The family plans to open a talisman shop there and have me oversee it.

If you find Jiulong Market far, I can go there while you come to Red Leaf Market.”

Lu Miaoge continued, speakingggently as always, like a sister or mother.

“Sister Miaoge, the patriarch once gave me a shop in Red Leaf Valley. I plan to open a talisman shop there as well.

I plan to have Grandmother find someone to manage Jiulong Market.”

Lu Changsheng considered this.

The Lu Family Patriarch rewarded him with a shop and a Cave Dwelling in Hongye Valley Marketplace.

As the market was about to open, he didn’t want to rent them simply.

He planned to open a talisman shop there.

After all, the newly opened Red Leaf Market was a good time to seize the market.

His children were growing, and in a few years, they’d start cultivation.

Their future expenses would be substantial.

Owning a talisman shop would provide a stable income.

“Open a Spirit Talisman Shop?”

Hearing this, Lu Miaoge paused briefly..

She then nodded, “Yes, with your talisman-making skills, you can open your own shop.

But you should inform the Fourth Grandmother.”

Recently, Lu Changsheng’s talisman-making skill had advanced, showing skills of a first-tier Talisman Master.

With this level of skill and the Lu Family’s supply channel, supporting a talisman shop wouldn’t be a problem.

“I’ve already spoken with Grandmother and plan to discuss it further then.

“Alright, Second Elder is waiting for me, Sister Miaoge, I’ll go ahead.”

Lu Changsheng said.

He didn’t say much more to Lu Miaoge..

He kissed his daughter and wife on their cheeks and waved goodbye.

At the Qingzhu Mountain gate, he boarded the Second Elder’s Spirit Boat heading toward Jiulong Market.

Two days later.

Lu Changsheng returned to Jiulong Market.

Upon arriving home, Xia Zhiyue greeted him with joy.

“Husband, I think I’m pregnant.”

Two months prior, she had advanced from the Third Layer of Qi Refining to the Fourth.

After she reached the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining and insisted, Lu Changsheng stopped avoiding pregnancy.

Yet, neither luck nor her Spirit Body had allowed pregnancy until now, after all this time.

“Are you pregnant? Let me see.”

Lu Changsheng asked, smiling, placing his head on Xia Zhiyue’s belly.

Immediately confirming she was indeed pregnant.

“Zhiyue, you should rest well at home from now on.”

Lu Changsheng gently patted her soft black hair.

Though Xia Zhiyue’s Spirit Root was only Seventh-Tier, her Spirit Body raised his expectations for this child.

He sensed his Spirit Root was nearing the threshold between Sixth-Tier and Fifth-Tier.

A Sixth-Tier Spirit Root could elevate his Sixth-Tier Spirit Root to Fifth-Tier.

If the child had a Fourth-Tier Spirit Root like Xia Zhaoyang, it’d be fantastic.

“Okay.”

Xia Zhiyue nodded gently.

Thinking about opening a Spirit Talisman Shop in Red Leaf Market.

Lu Changsheng went next door to Gao He’s house and knocked.

“Uncle Lu.”

The door was opened by a 17 or 18-year-old girl, with a fair face dressed in a moon-white embroidered dress.

She was Gao He’s daughter, Gao Xiaoya.

The former little girl had grown into a graceful young woman.

“Xiaoya, is your father home?”

Lu Changsheng asked.

“No, what’s up?”

Gao Xiaoya tilted her head, asking.

“Nothing much, just tell him I need to see him when he returns.”

Lu Changsheng smiled.

“Got it, Uncle Lu. Would you like to come in for tea?”

Gao Xiaoya politely asked.

“No thanks, I have things to do.”

Lu Changsheng waved.

As night fell, Gao He returned.

He came over to ask Lu Changsheng what he needed urgently.

“Brother Gao, you know about Red Leaf Market, right?”

Lu Changsheng asked.

“Of course, it’s the market established by Qingzhu Mountain’s Lu Family, Bihu Mountain’s Yu Family, Centipede Ridge’s Zheng Family, and Hundred Bird Lake’s Bai family.”

Gao He nodded.

Being a Talisman Master, he had information channels.

Thus, he knew about the destruction of Red Leaf Valley and the establishment of the market by the four major families.

“I plan to open a talisman shop there. Are you interested in being the overseeing Talisman Master?”

Lu Changsheng got straight to the point.

Although he intended to open a shop,

he knew from years of managing the talisman shop in Jiulong Market that running it alone was difficult.

Especially initially, there would be many things to handle.

He couldn’t manage it all alone.

He needed to hire someone.

Given his long acquaintance with Gao He, he knew Gao He was reliable despite sometimes indulging in entertainment.

He could trust him.

So Lu Changsheng wanted to hire Gao He to manage the shop.

“Overseeing Talisman Master.”

Gao He didn’t immediately respond, showing a thoughtful expression.

He preferred stability.

He had no great ambitions, just wanted to raise his daughter and live peacefully.

His current life as an overseeing Talisman Master at a spirit talisman shop was quite stable.

Going to Red Leaf Market likely wouldn’t be as stable.

“If Brother Gao agrees, all you need to do is manage the shop, refine some talismans, and train apprentices.

“I won’t interfere much in the operations.

“In terms of salary, it’ll increase by fifty percent from your current income. Moreover, at Red Leaf Market, I have a second-tier spiritual vein Cave Dwelling I can rent to you for a low price.”

“This will help you and Xiaoya greatly in cultivation.”

Lu Changsheng continued.

To hire someone, he naturally had to offer a reasonable price.

Otherwise, why would someone agree to work for him?

“Brother Lu, you give me no reason to refuse.”

Gao He laughed heartily, his face appearing plumper.

Just increasing his salary by fifty percent tempted him.

The second-tier spiritual vein Cave Dwelling left him with no reason to refuse.

For regular rogue cultivators, a chance to get a second-tier dwelling without joining a force is rare.

“Alright, that settles it then.

“Hongye Valley Marketplace will open in a few months. I’ll let you know when.”

Seeing his agreement, Lu Changsheng nodded.

“Alright, no problem.

Gao He nodded.

“Brother Gao, how are you doing with high-grade talismans?”

Lu Changsheng asked.

Gao He had advanced from a mid-grade Talisman Master to a high-grade one.

He wasn’t sure of the specifics.

Though they had over the years discussed talismans, it wasn’t frequent.

“The Golden Light Shield Talisman has a fifty percent success rate, whereas the Ganlu Talisman is only thirty percent. The Hundred Mile Escape Talisman is just ten percent.”

Gao He sighed.

Upon hearing this, Lu Changsheng offered to discuss and guide him in talisman creation.

After all, he was his family’s overseeing Talisman Master now.

So spending time guiding him wasn’t an issue.

Also, through this method, Gao He could better handle work for him.

In a blink of an eye, three months passed.

During this time, the Fourth Elder learned of Lu Changsheng’s plan to open a talisman shop in Red Leaf Valley.

She didn’t oppose it but supported it.

With his talisman-making skills, it’d be a shame to rent out the shop.

She arranged for a Talisman Master to manage the Spirit Talisman Shop in Jiulong Market,

allowing Lu Changsheng to return to Qingzhu Mountain to rest.

In Qingzhu Valley, in the practice room.

Lu Changsheng sat cross-legged, five hearts toward the sky, meditating.

Seven sharp swords qi circled around him, exuding a cold feeling.

“Whew!”

“It’s about three to four months to the Ninth Level of Qi Refining.”

Lu Changsheng exhaled deeply, ending today’s routine cultivation.

He could clearly feel his spiritual power reaching completion soon, ready for the Ninth Level of Qi Refining.

Reaching from the eighth layer to the ninth layer wasn’t a problem for him, just a matter of time.

Leaving the practice room, Lu Changsheng went to the study for routine talisman drawing.

After drawing one Top-Tier talisman and two High-Grade talismans, Lu Changsheng joined his family in the courtyard.

Lu Qingshan and Lu Qingzhu could already walk.

As a Spirit Body holder, Lu Qingshan seemed normal,

like any ordinary child.

His only difference was a lively, active nature.

Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but worry if his son’s temperament would follow his mother’s.

If he became like the Second Young Miss, he’d probably cause many troubles for him.

Just then, Lu Changsheng received a message.

Hongye Valley Marketplace would open in ten days.

“Ten days.”

Lu Changsheng nodded upon hearing this news.

He wrote letters to inform Hong Yi and Gao He.

Preparing to go when Red Leaf Market opened.

Though initially there wouldn’t be many cultivators,

it required time for foot traffic to build.

Also, store openings needed scheduling and preparation.

Upon a solemn, eerie high platform.

“Whoosh whoosh whoosh——”

Golden flagpoles surrounded the platform.

Each black flag depicted different lively demon shapes.

The flags flapped wildly, turning into magic energy, showing demon shadows.

At that moment, a cold-faced, white-haired youth on the platform suddenly opened his eyes.

His eyes dark and deep, a half-moon lotus pattern emerged on his forehead.

The half-moon lotus looked blood-red and wicked, surrounding him with a powerful aura

“Chikado Samoye, Prajna Prajna Samoye, Chikado Prajna Samoye…”

The white-haired youth chanted a long, mysterious mantra.

His low, humming voice caused a three-headed six-armed red figure to appear.

This red figure also seemed to chant, making the sound eerie and grand.

Numerous voices blended, shaking the platform, and the demon flags bowed to the red figure.

“Not bad. As expected of my disciple, you didn’t disappoint me.”

At that moment, a black-robed, youthful yet wise-eyed, devilishly handsome boy appeared on the platform.

He looked at the white-haired youth with a satisfied smile, clapping.

“You promised me that if I formed the Heavenly Demon Dao Foundation, you’d let me return.”

Qu Changge said hoarsely, looking at the youth.

“Since I promised, I won’t break it.”

The black-robed boy laughed gently, then softly called, “Black Qiu.”

Soon, a rolling cloud of demonic energy appeared like a black snake.

It morphed into a muscular, black-armored man with demonic tattoos.

“Black Qiu pays respects to the master!”

His tattoos moving like snakes gave a terrifying feel.

Yet, facing the black-robed boy, he kneeled reverently.

“Accompany the young master to Jiang Kingdom.”

The black-robed boy stated plainly.

As he finished speaking, he slowly vanished.

“Young master, when will you depart for Jiang Kingdom?”

The bald man turned to Qu Changge, smiling obsequiously.

In contrast to his fearsome appearance.

“Jiang Kingdom.”

Qu Changge paused, his eyes like an abyss.

He rasped, “Now.”