Chapter 132: Cultivation Breakthrough, Spirit Root Advancement!

Qu Changge and the man in black armor walked along Qingzhu Mountain.

The two seemed invisible to the Lu Family guards.

Following the Blood-Guiding Snake, Qu Changge arrived at White Deer Manor.

Immediately, he saw a group of Lu Family members picking up children from school.

In the crowd, he instantly spotted a woman in her twenties with a gentle and beautiful face, dressed in pink and white.

The woman, carrying a child, walked alongside a young man in a green robe.

Around them were eight or nine children, chatting and laughing.

Even after ten years without seeing each other, Qu Changge recognized the woman in pink and white as his sister, Qu Zhenzhen.

“Zhenzhen!”

He called out in his heart.

But he did not utter a sound.

Afraid of disturbing her peace.

“I can’t believe the little girl is now a mother.”

Qu Changge watched Qu Zhenzhen cradling her child, talking and laughing with the man, full of tenderness as she spoke to the children beside her.

In his deep, silent eyes, emotions of happiness, relief, heaviness, timidity, and confusion emerged.

He could tell his sister was living well here.

Not only did she look happy and content, but she had also embarked on the path of cultivation.

Though her cultivation was a bit low, only at the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining.

Then, he looked over at Lu Changsheng.

He realized that this must be his brother-in-law.

His first impression of his brother-in-law was positive.

One, for erecting a monument for his parents and refurbishing Qu Mansion.

Another was his handsome appearance, worthy of his sister.

When he spoke with his sister and child, he appeared gentle, with the demeanor of a husband and father.

He glanced at Lu Changsheng’s cultivation.

He found he couldn’t discern Lu Changsheng’s level.

He didn’t mind.

After all, the world of cultivation had many spells and Artifacts concealing one’s true power.

Having such an Artifact meant his brother-in-law had a significant status in the family.

He also used spells to avoid being noticed by Lu Changsheng.

To prevent Lu Changsheng from detecting his presence.

“Are all these children Zhenzhen’s?”

Qu Changge looked at the children with the couple and paused.

Most of them were around five or six, with the oldest being about eight or nine.

He remembered he had been gone for just ten years.

In ten years, his sister couldn’t have had that many children.

He took a closer look.

He sensed a blood connection with only the baby in Qu Zhenzhen’s arms, an eight or nine-year-old boy, and a six or seven-year-old girl.

He knew these were his sister’s three children.

Seeing there were just three, he nodded slightly.

If she had ten in ten years, he might have had thoughts of bringing a knife.

“Only one of these children has a spirit root?”

Qu Changge looked at the children he felt connected to, focusing on Lu Quanzhen.

Qu Zhenzhen had four children in total.

The first, Lu Quanzhen, and the third, Lu Miaozen, had spirit roots.

However, Lu Miaozen wasn’t school-aged and was playing at home.

“I wonder how this child’s spirit root is.”

Qu Changge thought.

Even though he had been forced into endless cultivation all these years.

He had a basic understanding of the cultivation world.

It was crueler than the mortal realm.

A world of survival of the fittest.

If his nephew’s spirit root was average, he feared he would face many hardships in cultivation.

“Sigh.”

Qu Changge sighed.

His heart had long grown numb and still.

But at this moment, he couldn’t help but feel emotional.

Worrying about his sister’s life and his nephew’s fate.

He shook his head slightly, deciding not to dwell on it.

Knowing his current situation, he couldn’t help anyone else.

Watching Qu Zhenzhen and the others laugh as they walked further away, he closed his eyes.

“Let’s go.”

Qu Changge opened his eyes with determination.

He turned and walked out of Qingzhu Mountain.

Having seen his sister and assured she was well, he felt at ease.

He knew his current state.

Having too much contact with her would only harm her.

He needed to live well and improve himself.

Until he had the power to control his destiny.

No matter how dangerous the future, this was his only choice.

As his master said.

In this world, only one’s power is eternal!

A gentle breeze swayed the bamboo, creating a feeling of comfort and tranquility.

As Qu Zhenzhen talked to Lu Changsheng, she seemed to sense something.

She suddenly turned her head to Qu Changge’s direction.

But saw nothing.

“Zhenzhen, what is it?”

Lu Changsheng asked Qu Zhenzhen.

“Nothing.”

Qu Zhenzhen lightly shook her head, dismissing the feeling.

Lu Changsheng was unaware of Qu Changge’s visit.

His daily life continued with cultivation, talisman making, and spending time with his wives and children.

The only new activity was refining the Nine-Treasure Jade Ruyi.

It was indeed a superb treasure.

Refining it was hundreds of times harder than the Black Dragon Pearl.

Even with the Xuan Yuan Pearl, spending hours daily, it would take two to three years.

Though this was a long time, he eagerly anticipated the results.

Two months flew by.

“Lu Changsheng, I think I’m pregnant again.”

This day, Lu Miaohuan came to Lu Changsheng.

She said she’d only have one child, but now, a year after the first, she was pregnant again.

She looked a bit troubled and upset.

“Did you forget to use spirit force to expel it?”

Lu Changsheng paused and asked.

Even when not planning for children, they often engaged in dual cultivation.

Given the circumstances, if he didn’t control it and Lu Miaohuan forgot to expel it, pregnancies could happen.

“What should I do now?”

Lu Miaohuan pouted innocently.

“If you’re pregnant, let’s have the baby. This will be the last one.”

Lu Changsheng gently caressed her head with a soft smile.

“Okay!”

Lu Miaohuan nodded earnestly.

After spending time with the Second Young Miss, Lu Changsheng noted the month-end approach.

He rode the Iron Feather Eagle to Hongye Valley Marketplace.

The market had been open for over three months.

But it was still quiet, the streets were empty.

The low foot traffic meant his Ping’an Talisman Hall was struggling.

If the shop wasn’t his, he’d be losing money in this situation.

Not only were there few visitors.

All major shops offered discounts for reputation, with prices at 60-70%, leaving no profit.

Lu Changsheng checked his shop’s accounts.

“Sigh, after deducting costs, we only made thirty-one Spirit Stones this month.”

“It’s not enough to cover rent, even at a loss.”

“Luckily, foot traffic will pick up in a year or two, and profits will rise.”

He looked at the month’s accounts, feeling helpless.

This made Gao He a bit anxious.

The newly opened market lacked traffic and promoted discounts.

A shop on Main Street earning just thirty Spirit Stones monthly was embarrassing.

Lu Changsheng waved off his concern.

Knowing this was normal.

Lu Miaoge’s Lu Family’s Talissan Shop faced the same issues.

Her shop’s position and brand made it slightly better.

Then, he went to Qingzhu Lu Clan’s Talisman Shop to dual-cultivate with his wife Lu Miaoge..

A month later.

In the practice room on Qingzhu Mountain.

Lu Changsheng sat cross-legged, practicing the Seven Luminaries Great Freedom Sword Manual.

Suddenly, his Dantian’s Qi Sea surged with spirit energy.

Sword energies surrounded him, sharp and powerful, as a spiritual pressure spread.

“Ninth Layer of Qi Refining.”

Lu Changsheng opened his eyes, showing a slight smile.

He wasn’t particularly surprised by the breakthrough.

Practicing the Seven Luminaries Great Freedom Sword Manual gave him an idea of his progress.

This breakthrough felt natural and smooth.

Lu Changsheng looked inward at his seven-colored Dan Lake, feeling the changes.

His spirit energy increased by about 30%.

As his cultivation advanced, the Xuan Yuan Pearl began to rotate.

The treasure also improved as his cultivation grew.

“With the Xuan Yuan Pearl, I might contend with ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators now?”

Lu Changsheng thought of the enhanced spirit energy with the pearl’s support.

From his past experiences in Red Leaf Valley.

He felt he could hold his own against Foundation Establishment experts now.

He might even defeat one if he used all his means.

But he had no intention of doing so.

Picking fights with Foundation Establishment cultivators would be reckless.

He remembered the Chen Family Ancestor’s desperate gamble with a Thunder Bail.

Without absolute power, one could easily get hurt from such battles.

“At my current pace, I might be ready for Foundation Establishment in three to five years.”

“With Foundation Establishment Pill and spirit materials, it’s almost certain for me.”

Lu Changsheng calmed his spirit energy and stretched his body.

Opening the door, he left the practice room.

Having spent much time on the breakthrough, it was late.

He gazed at the moonlight, with no mood for moon-gazing or sentiment.

He went to Lu Miaoyun’s room.

Seeing her asleep, he lifted the quilt and got into bed.

Hugging her, he slowly drifted to sleep.

Six days later.

Lu Changsheng’s 102nd child was born.

The child had a spirit root.

He was the 24th of his children with a spirit root.

The child’s birth brought a profound feeling to Lu Changsheng.

He knew his spirit root advanced!

Upgraded from Sixth-Tier to Fifth-Tier Spirit Root!

Lu Changsheng wasn’t surprised by the spirit root upgrade.

Previously, he sensed his spirit root on the verge of advancement.

One more Sixth-Tier spirit root could trigger the upgrade.

Now, with the children’s spirit roots and the newborn’s Seventh-Tier spirit root.

His spirit root naturally advanced.

“System.”

Lu Changsheng silently called.

[Name: Lu Changsheng]

[Identity: Son-in-law of the Lu Family at Qingzhu Mountain]

[Cultivation: Ninth Layer of Qi Refining]

[Lifespan: 30/156]

[Talent: Fifth-Tier Spirit Root, Metal-attribute spiritual body (Middle Spiritual Body)]

[Techniques: Hundred Refined Body Technique, Seven Luminaries Great Freedom Sword Manual, Yin-Yang Harmonization Technique, Immortal Grace Technique]

[Skills: Seven Luminaries Sword Light, Seven Luminaries Sword Shield, Seven Luminaries Sword Escape.]

[Items: Nine-Treasure Jade Ruyi, Golden Light Brick, Peach Blossom Gu, Black Dragon Pearl, Curse of the Demon, Substitute Life Charm, Xuan Yuan Pearl, Second-Tier Puppet.]

[Crafts: Talisman Making (Tier Two), Puppetry (Tier Two)]

[Pets: Nine Abyss Mastiff, Six-Winged Golden Silkworm]

[Offspring: 102/107]

“Fifth-Tier Spirit Root, now the same as Sister Miaoge’s, closer to a Heavenly Spirit Root.

“Also assists me in Foundation Establishment.”

Lu Changsheng smiled at the spirit root level in the system panel.

He noticed the Metal-attribute spiritual body.

Over time, he felt it improving with his son, Lu Qingshan’s growth.

“Perhaps the spiritual body fully develops at eleven or twelve.”

Lu Changsheng thought.

He pondered another issue.

He now possessed the Metal-attribute spiritual body.

What if a child with the same was born?

Would the Metal-attribute spiritual body elevate to a higher level?

If two conflicting spiritual bodies were born, what then?

Would their clash cause issues in his body?

Lu Changsheng’s mind wandered.

He felt he’d only know after a second spiritual body child was born.

He looked at the system panel, seeing his age.

Realizing he was already thirty.

“Thirty years old, at the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining. In Qingzhu Mountain’s cultivation family, I’m like a genius.”

He muttered to himself.

Yet he wasn’t overly proud.

At thirty and Ninth Layer, in Qingzhu Mountain’s family, he’s a genius.

But in the Spirit Sect, he’d be average.

He’s not concerned about this.

He focused on steady progress.

He was already pleased with this speed.

He aimed for long-term success.

Starting with nothing, a Ninth-Tier Spirit Root, he began with just a system.

In twelve years of hard work, he achieved this much, feeling satisfied.

“They say thirty is standing. Seven wives, eleven concubines, twenty-four maids, 107 children, I guess this counts.”

Time passed quickly, and half a year went by.

Due to quality over quantity, he only had five more children in six months.

Notably, Xia Zhiyue’s child was born.

With a Sixth-Tier Spirit Root.

Now, a Sixth-Tier Spirit Root child was quite good.

Of over a hundred children, just twenty-five had spirit roots.

Only Lu Qingshan had a Middle-Tier Spirit Root.

Xia Zhiyue’s child was the second with a Sixth-Tier Spirit Root.

But during the pregnancy, he didn’t let her overstrain to nurture the child.

Otherwise, he thought she might have birthed a Fifth or Fourth-Tier child.

Due to her mother’s fate, he wouldn’t deplete her essence.

He decided not to have Xia Zhiyue have more children soon, letting her rest and cultivate.

Waiting till she reached Late-Stage Qi Refining.

He even considered if she reached Foundation Establishment, she might have an Upper-Tier Spirit Root child.

“About a month until the ten-year promise.”

“I wonder how Feiyu is.”

After daily cultivation and talisman crafting.

He remembered the ten-year promise was in a month.

He was curious about Han Lin, Xiao Xiyue, and Zhao Qingqing’s situation.

Curious about their progress in the Spirit Sect over ten years.

He also thought about how Li Feiyu had no news during his long journey.

Over half a month passed.

As Lu Changsheng prepared to head to Ruyi County City for their gathering.

He received a letter.

From Li Feiyu.

The letter described his current situation, indicating all was well.

With the talismans and Spirit Stones Lu Changsheng gave, he reached the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining.

Currently exploring an old Cave Dwelling with someone, and might not make the ten-year promise.

He sent the letter in advance.

In case he didn’t return in time, not to worry.

And asked Lu Changsheng to inform Han Lin, Xiao Xiyue, and Zhao Qingqing.

“Sigh, Feiyu ultimately took this path.”

Lu Changsheng sighed at the letter.

He had guessed Li Feiyu might take a path like Xia Long.

Hunting spirit beasts, exploring old caves, seeking resources.

Or it was a common path for cultivators without patronage.

However, this path was risky.

One danger could mean the end.

He couldn’t dissuade him.

Not everyone could live peacefully to grow strong.

Feiyu probably didn’t come due to the growing gap among them.

Li Feiyu was once promising among mortals.

But ten years ago, he had the worst situation among the six.

Now, after ten years, he was still struggling. His pride couldn’t handle it.

“Sigh.”

Lu Changsheng sighed again, hoping Feiyu was well.

He ignited the letter with a flame.

He informed his wives, then rode the Iron Feather Eagle to Ruyi County City.