Chapter 159: Changsheng, Would You Like to Join the Cloud Peak Sect?
by xennovelThree days later, a spiritual boat landed outside Qingzhu Mountain.
Lu Changsheng brought Bai Ling and Granny Zhao into Qingzhu Mountain.
Now, as an elder of the Lu Family, Lu Changsheng could easily bring two people into Qingzhu Valley.
A simple explanation sufficed, no need for further registration.
“Husband, who are these two?”
Lu Miaoyun asked, looking at Bi Ling, who was holding Lu Changsheng’s hand and looking timid.
Lu Changsheng used to bring women home often.
But in recent years, he hadn’t brought anyone back.
Seeing Bai Ling now, she even thought Bai Ling might be Lu Changsheng’s daughter from outside.
After all, with so many maids, it was plausible for her husband to have a few children she hadn’t met.
“Yuner, this is Bai Ling.”
Lu Changsheng explained Bai Ling’s situation to Lu Miaoyun.
But he didn’t go into detail.
He just said he had saved Bai Ling while passing through a village.
He found out she had spiritual roots and good talent, so he brought her back to Qingzhu Mountain.
Lu Miaoyun, being smart and maried to Lu Changsheng for many years, immediately understood some of his words.
She knew that for Bai Ling to be valued by her husband, she must be special.
Maybe she would even become her little sister in the future.
She quickly settled Bai Ling and Granny Zhao in the manor.
Three days later, Lu Yuanshan Ding came to find Lu Changsheng.
He informed him that the Four Major Families would hold an auction at Hongye Valley Marketplace in three months.
The Lu Family would provide a batch of top-notch talisman materials.
The Bai Family would offer a batch of high-quality spiritual birds.
The Yu and Zheng families would also provide high-quality resources.
Moreover, the four families invited other families, forces, and rogue cultivators to the auction.
“Father-in-law, these are the Top-Tier talismans I’ve prepared.”
“They are all Top-Tier talismans.”
Long before, Lu Yuanshan Ding had discussed with him, so Lu Changsheng knew his intention and took out a stack of Top-Tier talismans.
These talismans were rare among Top-Tier talismans.
“Good, good, Changsheng, you’ve worked hard.”
Lu Yuanshan Ding looked at the talismans and smiled with satisfaction.
He patted Lu Changsheng’s shoulder and said, “Don’t worry, the family will compensate you according to your contribution.”
“I am an elder of the family now. It’s my duty to contribute.”
Lu Changsheng smiled.
First-Tier Top-Tier talismans and Second-Tier talismans were rare for ordinary cultivators.
Usually, people had to make reservations to buy them.
But for him, the cost was just a few Spirit Stones.
Lu Yuanshan Ding was deeply moved by this.
After all,
In his eyes, although Lu Changsheng was good at making talismans, he was still a First-Tier Talisman Master.
He hadn’t been promoted to a Second-Tier Talisman Master.
Making so many Top-Tier talismans wasn’t easy.
It must have taken a lot of time and effort.
Maybe he even lost money making these talismans.
He looked at Lu Changsheng with emotion and said, “Changsheng, I heard from Miaoge that she broke through to the ninth layer of Qi Refining because you gave her a pill.”
“Your intention is good, and I’m happy as her father, but you should also think more about yourself.”
“With so many wives and children to support, your expenses are already high. Don’t spend so much in the future.”
Lu Yuanshan Ding spoke earnestly to Lu Changsheng.
Initially, he was unhappy that Lu Changsheng married his two daughters.
But over time, seeing how well Lu Changsheng treated his daughters,
And not treating them as mere childbearing tools, his unhappiness gradually faded.
He began to see Lu Changsheng as a half-son.
So he hoped Lu Changsheng would practice well.
Not waste resources and delay himself.
He also heard about Lu Changsheng’s efforts in raising children.
As long as the children had spiritual roots, he would buy them pills for foundation building.
All wives and children ate spiritual rice and food daily.
This made him shake his head.
Even though Lu Changsheng was a Talisman Master with a hundred acres of spiritual fields rewarded by the Lu Family, a spiritual talisman shop, and a cave mansion in Hongye Valley Marketplace, he couldn’t sustain such expenses.
“I understand, Father-in-law. That pill was a coincidence. I don’t need it now, so I gave it to Sister Miaoge.”
Lu Changsheng smiled.
“Well, your intention is good, but focus on your cultivation.”
“When you become a Second-Tier Talisman Master, save more Spirit Stones. Maybe you can buy a Foundation Establishment Pill and try to break through.”
Lu Yuanshan Ding said.
He knew about Lu Changsheng’s breakthrough to the late stage of Qi Refining.
Breaking through to the late stage of Qi Refining in his thirties, even with a Ninth-Tier spiritual root, he had a chance to attempt Foundation Establishment.
Although the chance was slim,
It was still a chance.
“Father-in-law, you know I have no big ambitions, so I don’t aim for the elusive Foundation Establishment.”
“Instead of spending so many Spirit Stones on the slim chance of Foundation Establishment, I’d rather spend them on the children.”
“Maybe one of them will reach Foundation Establishment in the future.”
Lu Changsheng grinned.
He knew Lu Yuanshan Ding meant well.
Saying that spending all his Spirit Stones on wives and children would drag him down.
But he couldn’t explain it clearly, so he continued with this excuse.
“Sigh, as long as you know what you’re doing.”
Lu Yuanshan Ding sighed and stopped persuading.
He chatted, “Time flies. In two years, Qingshan and Qingzhu will be at the age to test their spiritual roots.”
“I think Qingshan has potential. He should have spiritual roots, and good ones.”
Lu Changsheng smiled in agreement.
Among his many children, he had high hopes for Lu Qingshan.
Not only did he have Mid-Tier spiritual roots, but he also had a Geng Metal body.
He had real potential!
“Sister Miaoge has a Fifth-Tier spiritual root, so Qingzhu’s root should be good too.”
Lu Changsheng added.
Though his son was impressive, he couldn’t forget his little daughter.
Especially in front of his father-in-law.
“Hehe.”
Lu Yuanshan Ding smiled at this.
But there was still some worry in his eyes.
After all, it was common for children of spiritual root parents to lack spiritual roots.
In a flash, over a month passed.
During this month, Lu Changsheng had three more children.
Notably, five days ago, Bai Ling completed spirit induction and broke through to the First Level of Qi Refining.
In just over a month, without any pills, she broke through to the First Level, surprising Lu Changsheng.
He couldn’t help but marvel at the talent gap among people.
It made him more hopeful about raising this little girl.
In the training room,
“I’ve condensed another drop of liquid Qi.”
Lu Changsheng opened his eyes and exhaled.
“My cultivation depends on Dual Cultivation and pills. It feels like I’m taking the wrong path.”
“But with the Seven Luminaries Heart Lamp burning Qi, removing poison, and refining my foundation, my Qi is still righteous, not an evil path.”
Lu Changsheng looked at the liquid Qi in his dantian and sighed.
He left the training room and informed his wives before heading to Hongye Valley Marketplace.
He had been home for a while and needed to help Xiao Xiyue with the Yin-Yang energy.
With over a month before the auction at Hongye Valley Marketplace,
Lu Miaohuan and Lu Miaoyun expressed their desre to visit.
“I’ll handle some matters and come back to take you all.”
Lu Changsheng said to his wives.
After comforting them, he rode his Iron Feather Eagle to Hongye Valley Marketplace.
Walking in the Market, Lu Changsheng noticed a significant increase in the number of people.
More disciples from the Four Major Families patrolled the Market.
It was clearly due to the upcoming auction.
“If any demonic cultivators or evil cultivators caused trouble now, the Market would take years to recover.”
“But with the Yu Family’s ancestor overseeing things, and the ancestors of the four families coming, no one would dare cause trouble.”
Lu Changsheng thought.
He knew managing a Market wasn’t easy.
He went to his shop, “Peace Talisman Hall,” and asked Gao He about the shop’s situation and checked the accounts.
Now, excluding the Top-Tier talismans he provided, the shop made about two hundred Spirit Stones a month from selling and buying low-Tier talismans, talisman paper, and spiritual ink.
This wasn’t much, but it was decent.
Including the three Top-Tier talismans he provided each month, he had eight hundred Spirit Stones.
After chatting with Gao He and learning that his Top-Tier talismans were very popular and well-received, Lu Changsheng decided to increase the number from three to five per month.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to make more money.
It’s just that his talismans were limited.
Every time he went into seclusion or got busy, he had no time to make talismans.
He could only use his stock.
Moreover, he had to provide a batch of talismans to the Lu Family every month.
If he supplied his shop in large quantities while also providing for the Lu Family, it would seem like his success rate in making talismans was too high.
So he could only take it slow.
Once he revealed himself as a second-level Talisman Master, he would gradually increase the number of Top-Tier talismans.
After looking over the accounts and seeing that his shop was gradually getting on track and making a profit, Lu Changsheng didn’t worry too much.
He planned to send the children over for training in a few years.
Then, Lu Changsheng went to the Lu Family talisman shop to chat and dual cultivate with his wife, Lu Miaoge, to strengthen theii relationship.
After spending time with Lu Miaoge, Lu Changsheng wenttto the cave area to accompany Xiao Xiyue.
Among his many wives and concubines, Dual Cultivation with Xiao Xiyue was the most enjoyable and effective.
With the help of his Yin-Yang energy, Xiao Xiyue’s Dao Foundation finally showed some results.
The cracks in her Dao Foundation were partially repaired.
Lu Changsheng and Xiao Xiyue estimated that about thirty more sessions would completely fix the cracks.
Afterward.
Afterward.
Afterward.
“Xiyue, the Hongye Valley Marketplace will hold an auction soon. Take these talismans and auction them off for me.”
Lu Changsheng, holding Xiao Xiyue, took out a stack of second-level talismans from his Storage Bag.
He didn’t have many Spirit Stones, only over six thousand.
Most of them were gained from Meng Yibai.
But Spirit Stones were not very useful.
With an auction coming up, Lu Changsheng planned to sell a batch of talismans.
After all, his second-level talismans were difficult to sell in the Hongye Valley Marketplace.
In other large Markets, they could only be sold at sixty to seventy percent of their value, so the auction was better.
“Second-level talismans?”
Xiao Xiyue was surprised to see Lu Changsheng take out about twenty talismans.
She then asked, “Changsheng, did you make these talismans yourself?”
She knew Lu Changsheng was a Talisman Master.
But she didn’t know his level of skill.
She only heard from Hong Yi during the ten-year agreement that Lu Changsheng was a Top-Tier Talisman Master.
Seeing so many talismans made her think Lu Changsheng made them himself.
“Some I made, and some were gifts from kind people.”
Lu Changsheng said.
Xiao Xiyue knew about his Yin-Yang Five Elements Dao Foundation for breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, so he didn’t mind revealing more.
After all, he wasn’t just living off others.
If he wanted to bring a girl home, he had to show some strength and charm.
“Changsheng, your talisman skills have reached the Second Level!?”
Xiao Xiyue was surprised and amazed.
Azure Cloud Sect’s outer disciples had to learn various immortal arts.
Inner disciples and core disciples could choose their specialties.
So she knew how hard it was to reach the Second Level in any immortal art.
In Azure Cloud Sect, ninety percent of disciples spent decades to advance an art to the Second Level.
But Lu Changsheng, in over ten years, not only broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage but also became a second-level Talisman Master. It was astonishing.
Every immortal cultivator’s energy was limited.
Dividing energy to practice other arts would inevitably delay cultivation.
That’s why Azure Cloud Sect required outer disciples to learn various arts, but inner disciples could choose.
“Why are you so surprised about a second-level Talisman Master?”
Lu Changsheng noticed Xiao Xiyue’s surprised look and smiled lightly, speaking calmly.
He felt a bit pleased inside.
It’s said that wealth not flaunted is like wearing brocade at night.
Even after years of cultivation, Lu Changsheng still felt like an ordinary person.
He still liked young and beautiful fairies and wanted to show off.
Unfortunately, conditions didn’t allow it. To be safe, he had to hide these desires.
Now, he could only show a little in front of Xiao Xiyue.
“I was just surprised by your talent in making talismans.”
Xiao Xiyue smiled, her beautiful eyes filled with admiration for Lu Changsheng.
In this world of the strong preying on the weak, most people had a certain admiration for strength.
And Lu Changsheng was already her beloved.
Seeing her beloved excel made her feel different.
“After breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, my spiritual sense increased greatly, which helped me reach the Second Level in Talisman Making.”
Lu Changsheng said modestly, shaking his head with a smile.
Although it wasn’t true, spiritual sense did help in making talismans.
Or rather, having spiritual sense made everything easier.
If a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator was willing to spend time studying various arts, they would be much better than ordinary cultivators.
“But it’s still your innate talent in this area.”
Xiao Xiyue’s eyes curved into crescents as she spoke.
Then she seemed to think of something and asked, “By the way, Changsheng, what are your future plans?”
“Plans?”
Lu Changsheng didn’t expect Xiao Xiyue to ask about his plans.
He thought for a moment and said, “I don’t have big ambitions. Getting here was due to some luck and opportunities.”
“If I had to plan, I would say I plan to find a spiritual land and establish my own immortal cultivation family once the children grow up.”
Lu Changsheng said.
“Find a spiritual land and establish a family.”
Xiao Xiyue nodded thoughtfully.
She knew Lu Changsheng liked children and had many.
Planning to establish his own family made sense.
“To establish a family, you first need a spiritual land.”
“Most spiritual lands in Jiang Kingdom are already occupied. You’d have to go to places like Da Mengze, Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, or other countries’ borders, harsh places.”
“Have you considered joining Azure Cloud Sect?”
Xiao Xiyue asked.
Hearing Lu Changsheng had second-level talisman skills, she thought of inviting him to join Azure Cloud Sect.
It wasn’t to recruit for Azure Cloud Sect.
She just thought Lu Changsheng, now at the Foundation Establishment stage, could consider a better environment.
In Jiang Kingdom, Azure Cloud Sect was one of the top three immortal sects under the Heavenly Sword Sect, a good place.
“Join Azure Cloud Sect?”
Lu Changsheng raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, with your second-level talisman skills, you could join Azure Cloud Sect as a guest elder.”
“Azure Cloud Sect has many spiritual veins and blessed lands for rent or sale.”
“Once you join Azure Cloud Sect and have enough years and contributions, I could ask my master to help you get a top spiritual land.”
Xiao Xiyue said softly.
“Joining Azure Cloud Sect only requires second-level skills?”
Lu Changsheng asked.
He wasn’t against joining Azure Cloud Sect.
After all, it was good to have a powerful backing.
Joining Azure Cloud Sect would make things easier and safer.
He had heard about joining Azure Cloud Sect through skills while at Qingyun Trading Company.
Now Xiao Xiyue mentioned it too.
And the idea of getting a top spiritual land through Azure Cloud Sect made him interested.
After all, he had looked into spiritual lands before and knew it was hard to get a good one.
Renting or buying from a sect was a good way.
“Of course not. Second Level is just the threshold.”
“Azure Cloud Sect holds an art competition every three years.”
“This competition recruits formation masters, alchemists, Artifact refiners, and Talisman Masters. Passing the test allows one to join Azure Cloud Sect as a guest elder.”
“But I’m sure you can pass the test with your talent.”
Xiao Xiyue smiled.
“I see.”
Lu Changsheng nodded.
He didn’t expect Azure Cloud Sect to recruit talents this way.
This made him think of the previous recommendation by the Qingyun Trading Company. Was it also done this way?
“By the way, I heard that the Qingyun Trading Company can recommend people to join the Azure Cloud Sect. Is it through this Hundred Arts Conference?”
Lu Changsheng asked.
“Yes, the Azure Cloud Sect recruits talent from outside, but they can’t accept just anyone.”
“They must have a clean background, so there’s a screening process. You can either become a guest official under the Azure Cloud Sect and pass many tests, or be recommended by an elder of the Azure Cloud Sect as a guarantor.”
“As long as you are willing, I can handle this recommendation.”
Xiao Xiyue spoke.
“There’s no rush for this for now.”
“I shouldn’t reveal my skills in talisman crafting yet.”
“And it’s also inconvenient to reveal my cultivation. So, if I want to enter the Azure Cloud Sect through talisman crafting, it’ll have to wait a few years.”
Lu Changsheng thought for a moment and said.
“Got it.”
Xiao Xiyue understood and nodded with a smile.
Lu Changsheng had been helping her all this time, and she wanted to help him too.
Thinking about the preparations she made before leaving the mountain, her cheeks turned slightly red.