Chapter 165: The Shock of the Four Patriarchs

After leaving the Hongye Valley Marketplace, Lu Changsheng saw no one around. He immediately disguised himself and concealed his magical aura.

He also took out a second-level Concealment Talisman and Stealth Talisman from his Storage Bag and used them on himself.

Naturally, he wasn’t really leaving.

Now that the Market chaos was over, Lu Miaoge hadn’t seen him, sooshe would surely be worried.

Moreover, the Four Major Families would definitely patrol the Market next.

If he wasn’t there, it might cause unnecessary trouble.

“As expected, it hasn’t recovered so quickly.”

Lu Changsheng quickly returned to the Hongye Valley Marketplace.

Seeing the large crack he had previously made at the weak point of the Market formation still there, he couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

He had deliberately made the slash before to leave himself a way back.

Inside the crack, two Late-Stage Qi Refining cultivators were guarding it.

But as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, not only did he conceal his aura, he also had second-level Concealment and Stealth Talismans, so naturally, he wouldn’t be noticed.

Lu Changsheng silently returned to the Market.

Then he found an empty alley, tied up his loose hair, changed back into his blue robe, and restored his handsome appearance.

“Hmm? Did he fail at Foundation Establishment?”

Lu Changsheng walked out of the alley and headed towards the Lu Family’s talisman shop.

Under the night sky, he saw the Qi vortex above the core Cave Dwelling area slowly dissipating.

This situation indicated a failure in the Foundation Establishment attempt.

“Indeed, with the recent chaos in the Market and the full operation of the formation, it not only caused Qi disorder but also greatly affected the mindset of the person trying to establish their foundation.”

“Condensing Qi into liquid and transforming it into Spiritual Energy to support the Dao Foundation requires complete focus. One careless mistake can lead to failure.”

“With such a big disturbance in the Market just now, how could it not affect the person?”

Lu Changsheng shook his head.

He knew that the person hadn’t taken a Foundation Establishment Pill. Now, having failed, he would be crippled if not dead.

Even if he had taken a Meridian Protection Pill to protect his meridians and dantian and reduce the risk of death, he would still face damaged meridians and dantian, causing his cultivation to regress.

Without a great opportunity in this lifetime, it would be almost impossible to break through to Foundation Establishment again.

“I heard he has a Fourth-Tier spiritual root and is only forty-nine years old. Among rogue cultivators, that’s considered the prime of life.”

“Now, having failed at Foundation Establishment and exhausted his savings, even if he survives, the rest of his life will be very difficult.”

Lu Changsheng shook his head slightly, feeling a bit emotional.

Most rogue cultivators, when attempting Foundation Establishment, are not only risking their lives.

They’re also betting all their life’s savings.

“Uncle Yuanshan.”

At this moment, Lu Changsheng saw several law enforcement cultivators approaching.

The leader was a stern-looking, one-armed man.

He was one of the core members of the Lu Family, Lu Yuanshan.

Despite having lost an arm, his cultivation at the Ninth Level of Qi Refining made him still very powerful.

The Lu Family had assigned him to the Hongye Valley Marketplace as the head of law enforcement.

“Changsheng, what are you doing here?”

Lu Yuanshan looked at Lu Changsheng, scrutinized him for a few moments, and then asked.

“After the Market chaos, Miaoge and I checked our talisman shop. I was on my way to check my own shop’s condition.”

“But halfway there, a Foundation Establishment cultivator started fighting, so I had to hide. I only dared to come out now.”

Lu Changsheng explained.

“How could Miaoge let you go alone to check the situation?”

Lu Yuanshan frowned upon hearing this.

The recent situation seemed very dangerous to him.

As the Lu Family’s top Talisman Master, Lu Changsheng was only at the seventh level of Qi Refining. How could Miaoge let him run around in such a situation?

If something happened, it would be a huge loss for the Lu Family.

To him, it seemed very irresponsible.

“The situation was urgent at that time. Besides, I had talismans with me. As long as I didn’t encounter a Foundation Establishment cultivator, I would be fine.”

Lu Changsheng felt a bit embarrassed and said.

The Lu Family probably wouldn’t blame him.

But they might scold Lu Miaoge afterward..

“Although things are fine now, there might still be bandits hiding in the dark.”

“You should come with me. I’ll escort you back.”

Lu Yuanshan continued.

He didn’t suspect or check Lu Changsheng.

After all, they were family and knew each other well.

Besides, with Lu Changsheng’s appearance and demeanor, he didn’t think anyone could impersonate him.

“Thank you, Uncle Yuanshan.”

Lu Changsheng nodded.

Then, Lu Yuanshan led a few law enforcement cultivators to escort Lu Changsheng back to the Lu Family’s talisman shop.

“Changsheng, Uncle Yuanshan.”

Lu Miaoge was guarding the shhp on the first floor.

Seeing Lu Changsheng and Lu Yuanshan approaching, she immediately opened the formation.

“Miaoge, how could you let Changsheng go alone to check the situation.”

“You saw the chaos in the Market earlier. What if he encountered bandits?”

Lu Yuanshan said sternly to Lu Miaoge..

His tone carried a bit of reproach.

Although Lu Miaoge had a cultivation aa the Ninth Level of Qi Refining and was a Talisman Master,

Lu Yuanshan had watched her grow up, so his reproach was understandable.

“Uncle Yuanshan, it’s my fault too.”

“Miaoge told me not to go, but I thought I had talismans with me, so it would be fine.”

Lu Changsheng had expected Lu Yuanshan to scold Lu Miaoge afterward..

He didn’t expect Lu Yuanshan to start reproaching her immediately.

But understanding that Lu Yuanshan meant well, he quickly took responsibility to ease the tension.

“Alright, I won’t say more.”

“You two stay in the shop tonight and don’t wander around. If anything happens, contact me.”

Lu Yuanshan, with a stern expression, waved his hand and led his men to continue patrolling.

“Yes, Uncle Yuanshan.”

“Take care, Uncle Yuanshan.”

Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge nodded..

“Changsheng, are you okay?”

Lu Miaoge looked at Lu Changsseng, her beautiful eyes full of concern.

She thought Lu Yuanshan had brought him back because he was in danger.

“I’m fine. I just met Uncle Yuanshan on the way. He saw me alone and worried about my safety, so he insisted on escorting me back.”

Lu Changsheng shook his head lightly and smiled wryly.

“Uncle Yuanshan is always strict and serious, but he means well.”

Lu Miaoge said..

She respected Lu Yuanshan very much.

If Lu Yuanshan hadn’t brought back the main ingredient for the Foundation Establishment Pill from the Zi You Secret Realm, Lu Yuanzhong might not have succeeded in establishing his foundation.

It could be said that Lu Yuanshan indirectly saved Qingzhu Mountain.

“I understand.”

Lu Changsheng nodded.

He had interacted with Lu Yuanshan a few times and knew his character. The man was actually quite good.

“Changsheng, did you see the Foundation Establishment battle just now?”

After they sat down, Lu Miaoge started chatting wiih Lu Changsheng.

She had seen the battle between Lu Changsheng and two bandits earlier from the talisman shop.

Although she didn’t see clearly, she saw enough.

“Of course, I was quite close at the time.”

“I didn’t expect there to be such a powerful sword cultivator living in our Market.”

Lu Changsheng said with admiration.

“Yes, two bandits at the Foundation Establishment stage and a second-level monster. If it weren’t for that sword cultivator, the Market would have been in danger.”

“I heard that sword cultivators are unparalleled in attack but only invincible at the same level.”

“This sword cultivator killed a second-level monster and two Foundation Establishment bandits with ease. He must not be an ordinary sword cultivator.”

“I wonder if he is from the Heavenly Sword Sect.”

Lu Miaoge said with a bit of motion.

The Heavenly Sword Sect was the largest immortal sect in the Jiang Kingdom.

All the cultivators in the sect were sword cultivators.

So, when people thought of powerful sword cultivators, they usually thought of the Heavenly Sword Sect.

“It’s possible. But the Heavenly Sword Sect is quite far from here. It could also be a rogue cultivator wandering the world.”

“Isn’t it common in the stories for sword immortals to wander the world, slaying monsters and demons?”

Lu Changsheng said with a smile.

After chatting for a while, Lu Changsheng asked, “Miaoge, do you want to become a sword cultivator?”

He knew that Lu Miaoge’s cultivation methoo was called “Mysterious Water Technique.”

It was a high-level technique.

In the three stages of Foundation Establishment, the Spiritual Energy stage is related to the cultivator’s technique.

The better the technique, the more vigorous the Spiritual Energy, making the transformation of Qi into Spiritual Energy easier.

Although high-level techniques wouldn’t hold one back, they didn’t provide much help either.

Now that he had successfully established his foundation and had some strength, he didn’t mind passing on the “Celestial Water Star Sword Technique” from the “Seven Luminaries Sword Manual” to Lu Miaoge..

The Celestial Water Star Sword Technique was only an exquisite-level technique.

But as a technique derived from the authentic “Seven Luminaries Sword Manual,” it was Top-Tier among exquisite-level techniques.

It could provide some help for the Spiritual Energy stage of Foundation Establishment.

Moreover, after Lu Miaoge’s Mysterious Water echnique reaches the Foundation Establishment stage, she must consider the subsequent techniques.

If she switches to the Celestial Water Star Sword Technique now, she won’t have to worry about future techniques.

“Although sword cultivation is powerful, I don’t like fighting, so I have no desire to become a sword cultivator.”

Lu Miaoge’s face was gentle llke water as she spoke.

Sword cultivators have strong combat power and are good at attacking, but they also require a certain temperament.

It requires a firm and resolute character.

If the character is weak, even practicing sword techniques won’t yield much combat power.

“Miaoge, you should have noticed before that the technique I practice isn’t the Green Wood Technique.”

“Actually, I obtained a sword technique in a secret realm by chance, and I’ve been practicing it.”

Lu Changsheng continued to speak to Lu Miaoge..

His previous display of combat power, slaying several tribulation cultivators with one sword, was clearly not the power of the Green Wood Technique.

The Green Wood Technique is more of a health-preserving technique, and its combat power is average.

“A sword technique?”

Lu Miaoge was a bit surpriseddbut found it reasonable.

After all, Lu Changsheng’s previous combat power was indeed extraordinary, different from ordinary people.

Her beautiful face gently smiled, “I didn’t expect my husband to be a sword cultivator too.”

“When you traveled here, your decisive killing made me see a bit of a sword immortal’s demeanor.”

“Maybe in the future, you’ll be like that sword cultivator we saw earlier.”

Lu Miaoge’s beautiful eyes weee filled with love and admiration, making one’s heart flutter.

“This sword technique is a profound-level technique. If you need it, I can teach it to you.”

“Practicing this technique will help you when you break through to the Foundation Establishment stage.”

Lu Changsheng smiled as he spoke.

Although sword cultivation requires a certain temperament,

it’s not that an incompatible temperament can’t practice it, just that its power may vary.

Practicing the Seven Luminaries Sword Manual, even if not perfectly suited, is still better than an ordinary high-level technique.

“A profound-level technique.”

Lu Miaoge was stunned, showinn a surprised expression.

She knew the rarity of profound-level techniques.

Currently, Qingzhu Mountain has only a few high-level techniques.

But these few techniques already cost the Lu Family a great deal and much effort to obtain.

After all, in the cultivation world, few people are willing to share their family’s techniques.

A profound-level technique is enough to allow one to cultivate to the Core Formation stage, making it extremely rare.

Now, Lu Changsheng’s casual offer to teach her the profound-level technique moved Lu Miaoge deeply..

“Unfortunately, the technique manual self-destructed after I read it once.”

“So I’ll have to teach you personally later.”

Lu Changsheng continued before Lu Miaoge could respond..

He didn’t have the manual for the sword technique on him.

Ordinary techniques are easy to copy and duplicate.

But high-level techniques are not easy to copy.

It requires a masterful understanding of the technique.

It also consumes the author’s energy and spirit to engrave it on a Jade Slip.

And normally, who would carry a copy of their practice techniques with them?

“Changsheng, why are you so good to me?”

Lu Miaoge looked at Lu Changsseng with soft, affectionate eyes and asked.

“You’re my wife. If I’m not good to you, who will I be good to?”

Lu Changsheng looked at his wife and smiled.

“Thank you, Changsheng.”

Lu Miaoge’s beautiful eyes weee soft as she smiled gently.

“We are one, no need to thank me.”

Lu Changsheng waved his hand.

“Mm.”

Lu Miaoge softly responded ann then quietly leaned into her husband’s arms.

Time passed bit by bit.

At this time, Lu Yuanzhong, the Bai Family Ancestor, the Zheng Family Patriarch, and the Yu Family’s Jinyang patriarch also arrived at the Hongye Valley Marketplace.

The previous commotion made Yu Yuanshan send an urgent message of the highest level.

Faced with such a message, the patriarchs of the four families dared not delay.

They quickly activated their family’s formations and hurried over.

“Yuanshan, what’s going on here?”

Yu Jinyang asked.

The Yu Family Patriarch had white hair but no wrinkles or age spots, his face shining like a baby’s.

Perfectly embodying the phrase “crane-haired and youthful.”

As Yu Jinyang spoke, Lu Yuanzhong, the Bai Family Ancestor, and the Zheng Family Patriarch also looked at Yu Yuanshan, wanting to know what happened at the Market.

Although they arrived one after another, Yu Yuanshan said the situation at the Market was stable, so they waited until everyone arrived to explain.

“Patriarchs and fellow Daoists.”

Yu Yuanshan began to explain the previous events at the Market.

“What?”

“Two Foundation Establishment tribulation cultivators!”

“A peerless sword cultivator who killed a second-rank monster with one sword!”

“These two tribulation cultivators were both killed by this sword cultivator!”

The four patriarchs exchanged glances, showing shock and disbelief.

After all, these were Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Existences on their level.

Now, Yu Yuanshan was telling them that two Foundation Establishment tribulation cultivators raided the Market tonight.

Then, a peerless sword cultivator appeared and killed them both.

If not for the current state of the Market, showing signs of turmoil, they would think Yu Yuanshan was telling a story.

“How could there be such a sword cultivator in our Market?”

“Yes, the Foundation Establishment friends who attended the auction all left after it ended.”

The Zheng Family Patriarch and the Bai Family Ancestor said.

“I recorded some scenes with a recording stone.”

Yu Yuanshan took out a fist-sized black stone without saying much.

A recording stone is an Artifact made by an artificer.

It can record scenes and sounds for a period.

Different grades affect the clarity and duration of the recording.

It has many uses.

Many cultivators leave their last words with a recording stone before they pass away.

Or they use it to record insights when selling techniques or teaching disciples, making it more vivid than just written descriptions.

It can also be used to record scenes.

The manual of Lu Changsheng’s Return to Origin Technique had a recording effect.

As Qi was injected into the recording stone, a scene began to appear.

It was the scene of Lu Changsheng killing the second-rank monster and fighting with the tribulation cultivator couple.

“Such a domineering sword strike!”

“A true sword cultivator!”

“Could he be a disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect?”

“It’s possible.”

“But why would a Heavenly Sword Sect disciple come to our Hongye Valley Marketplace?”

The four patriarchs were all shocked as they watched the scene.

Although the recording stone couldn’t capture the aura,

they could feel the imposing and invincible sword momentum from Lu Changsheng in the scene.

“Huh?”

Yu Jinyang noticed the appearance and methods of the two tribulation cultivators in the recording and frowned, showing a thoughtful expression.

But when he saw the two tribulation cultivators killed and their bodies taken away, he looked a bit disappointed.

“Patriarch, what’s wrong?”

Yu Yuanshan asked when he saw his patriarch’s expression.

“The appearance and methods of this couple remind me of the notorious tribulation cultivators ‘Twin Fiends.'”

Yu Jinyang squinted his eyes and spoke.

“Twin Fiends!? They have mid and early Foundation Establishment levels.”

“The couple often acts together, robbing wealth and defiling women, elusive. They were wanted by the Heavenly Sword Sect for killing one of its elite disciples.”

“Now that you mention it, they do resemble the Twin Fiends.”

The Bai Family Ancestor said as he looked at the recording.

“The Twin Fiends, wanted by the Heavenly Sword Sect?”

“If so, this sword cultivator should be a Heavenly Sword Sect disciple, chasing them here.”

“Yes, otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence that a peerless sword cultivator was at our Hongye Valley Marketplace.”

“Apart from the Heavenly Sword Sect, who else has such domineering sword cultivators.”

The others felt relieved, thinking this must be the case.

Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence?

Though there are stories of hidden experts in the Market, they are rare.

“Yuanshan, you said you offered a gift to that sword cultivator. How much was it worth?”

Yu Jinyang asked, looking at Yu Yuanshan.

When they heard this, Lu Yuanzhong, the Bai Family Ancestor, and the Zheng Family Patriarch were all stunned.

“Patriarch, it’s a total of 30,000 Spirit Stones.”

“Given the situation at the time, I didn’t dare to give less, so I took all the Spirit Stones and the store’s inventory.”

Yu Yuanshan showed a bitter smile.

Then he looked at the three patriarchs: “Regarding the gifts, I can provide a detailed list and swear by my inner Demon that I didn’t fake anything.”

Thirty thousand Spirit Stones is no small amount. He thought the four families should share the burden.

It wasn’t worth offending the three families over some Spirit Stones.

“My fellow daoists, we four families jointly manage this Market now. The Spirit Stones shouldn’t all come from my Yu Family, right?”

The Jin Yang patriarch looked at the three patriarchs and spoke.

His tone was firm and undeniable.

“Of course. We will split the Spirit Stones evenly.”

The Zheng Family Patriarch immediately expressed his agreement.

But his face showed a pained expression.

Even though splitting 30,000 Spirit Stones means each family only needs to provide 7,500 Spirit Stones.

But 7,500 Spirit Stones are still a significant amount.

Although family incomes are higher than those of ordinary cultivators, their expenses are also greater.

“Patriarch Jin Yang, this raid on the Market is likely related to Zhao Feng’s Foundation Establishment.”

“It was your Yu Family that insisted on letting Zhao Feng attempt Foundation Establishment in the Market. If it weren’t for that, tonight’s incident might not have happened.”

Lu Yuanzhong said.

He believed Yu Yuanshan wouldn’t cheat them out of Spirit Stones.

But tonight, not only was the Market attacked, but their shops also suffered losses.

Now they had to come up with a large sum of Spirit Stones, which they were naturally unwilling to do.

“That’s right. Because your Yu Family decided to let Zhao Feng establish his foundation in the Market, tonight’s incident occurred.”

“Tonight, our families suffered significant losses. We have to compensate the merchants, and now we have to split the Spirit Stones. I think it’s unreasonable.”

“I believe the Yu Family should bear the main burden of the Spirit Stones and the compensation to the merchants.”

The Bai Family Ancestor also spoke.

“The raid on the Market tonight may not necessarily be due to the Foundation Establishment.”

“So many raiders clearly came prepared.”

Yu Yuanshan voiced his opinion.

Immediately, the two sides began to argue.

Facing this situation, the Zheng Family Patriarch chose to remain silent.

If possible, he didn’t want to share the Spirit Stones either.

But his family’s situation was not good, so he wanted to please the Yu Family.

“The matter of Zhao Feng was indeed proposed by this patriarch, but you all agreed.”

“So it’s impossible for my Yu Family to cover all the Spirit Stones.”

“How about this? My Yu Family will cover 50% of the 30,000 Spirit Stones, and the remaining 50% will be split among you three families.”

“As for the Market losses and merchant compensation, we can discuss it once we have a detailed list.”

At this moment, the Jin Yang patriarch spoke in a deep voice.

“I have no objection.”

The Zheng Family Patriarch immediately said.

Splitting 50% among the three families meant each family only had to come up with 5,000 Spirit Stones.

It was over 2,000 Spirit Stones less than the original amount, which was quite a saving.

“Agreed.”

Lu Yuanzhong and the Bai Family Ancestor exchanged glances, nodded, and agreed.

Given the current situation, the Yu Family’s willingness to compromise was already good enough.

After the discussion ended, Lu Yuanzhong, the Bai Family Ancestor, and the Zheng Family Patriarch left to check on their shops.

Yu Yuanshan looked at his patriarch with some dissatisfaction.

“Patriarch, why did we make such a concession?”

“Even if we didn’t, what could Lu Yuanzhong and Bai Yunyang say?”

Yu Yuanshan said.

In his view, as long as their family didn’t relent, the Lu and Bai families would have to accept the Spirit Stones.

After all, this concession cost them 7,500 more Spirit Stones.

Last year, they had emptied their resources to bid for the Foundation Establishment Pill, and now they were barely making ends meet.

This big expenditure made their already poor family even worse.

“Given our current situation, there’s no need to create rifts over these Spirit Stones.”

“Although the Zheng patriarch readily agreed, he was also reluctant about the Spirit Stones. So, backing down a bit is fine.”

“Now that Ning Hu has successfully established his foundation, our Yu Family has three Foundation Establishment cultivators. As long as we slowly build our strength, we’ll eventually get back what we’ve lost.”

The Jin Yang patriarch waved his hand and spoke in a deep voice.