Chapter 168: Encountering a Girl You Like, Bring Them All Back

Time flew by, and another half year had passed.

During this time, Lu Changsheng’s life remained monotonous yet fulfilling.

Every day, he practiced cultivation, crafted talismans, made dolls, and dual cultivated with Xiao Xiyue.

Over the year, he had nine more children, bringing the total to one hundred and thirty-eight.

After so much Dual Cultivation, Xiao Xiyue’s Dao Foundation was almost restored.

In the cave, with a low roar and a soft moan, Lu Changsheng and Xiao Xiyue finished their cultivation.

They quietly embraced each other, savoring the afterglow.

“Changsheng, if we do this two or three more times, the cracks in my Dao Foundation will be repaired.”

Xiao Xiyue leaned into Lu Changsheng’s arms, her face flushed, and spoke softly.

These two or three times naturally referred not only to Dual Cultivation but also to the repair of the Dao Foundation by the Yin-Yang energy.

“Let me see.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Changsheng held Xiao Xiyue’s wrist and used his Divine Sense to examine her Dao Foundation.

The cracks on the Dao Platform were almost invisible.

“It seems it’s almost there. Xiyue, didn’t you say before that my Yin-Yang energy not only repairs the Dao Foundation but also resonates with yours, causing a transformation?”

“Can you now feel how long it will take to transform?”

Lu Changsheng played with the smooth, full, and creamy skin, asking while building a snowman.

“I feel that when my Dao Foundation is completely restored, it will undergo some kind of change.”

Xiao Xiyue said.

“Oh, such good news. Congratulations, Xiyue.”

Lu Changsheng smiled lightly.

“Changsheng, aren’t you worried that once my Dao Foundation is repaired, I will leave you?”

Xiao Xiyue pouted slightly, looking at Lu Changsheng’s casual demeanor.

“I said I would respect all your choices.”

Lu Changsheng spoke sincerely.

“Hmph, Xiyue doesn’t believe it. Lu Lang must be saying one thing but thinking another, believing I can’t escape your grasp.”

Xiao Xiyue snorted softly.

Her mind was sharp and perceptive. After spending so much time with Lu Changsheng, she knew he was not someone willing to let go easily; he had a strong possessive and domineering nature.

Saying this was just to comfort herself and not feel uncomfortable.

“Of course, respect is respect, but my love for Xiyue cannot be let go so easily.”

Lu Changsheng smiled warmly.

As the two chatted tenderly, a system prompt sounded in Lu Changsheng’s mind.

“Congratulations to the host, the first offspring has broken through to Martial Dao Innate, gaining the passive effect: Increased reproduction probability by 5%. You have earned a lottery chance!”

With the system prompt, a surge of blood energy flowed into Lu Changsheng’s body.

This innate martial artist’s power didn’t significantly enhance Lu Changsheng, who had cultivated the Hundred Refined Body Technique to the fourth level.

The improvement was minimal.

However, compared to the feedback from Lu Xian’er and Lu Quanzhen when they completed the introduction of Qi into the body, it was much stronger.

“Ping’an has broken through to Innate?”

Lu Changsheng thought.

He knew it was his son Lu Ping’an who had broken through to Martial Dao Innate.

When he visited Ruyi County before, Lu Ping’an mentioned that in a few months, he would break through to Martial Dao Innate.

Now, considering the time, it was about right.

But what Lu Changsheng didn’t expect was that his child’s breakthrough to Martial Dao Innate would also have a system achievement reward.

Previously, when the children practiced martial arts, there was no system prompt, and their strength on the panel was shown as ‘none.’

He once thought that there was no system achievement reward in this regard.

Now, with the system prompt, he realized that achieving Innate in Martial Dao was the condition to trigger the achievement reward.

“It seems that in the system achievements, breaking through to Innate in Martial Dao is considered the entry, corresponding to the introduction of Qi into the body for cultivators.”

“For ordinary people, achieving Innate in Martial Dao is very difficult, but for me, as long as I’m willing to spend money and the children are willing to practice, they can generally achieve Innate in Martial Dao by the age of twenty.”

“Indeed, system achievement rewards can’t be solely reliant on having children; I also need to cultivate them.”

Lu Changsheng thought to himself.

He had his children practice martial arts, partly to enhance his martial strength.

But as his own strength increased, this idea faded somewhat.

Cultivating his children in martial arts was more about strengthening their bodies.

In the mundane world, they would have the strength to protect themselves in case of danger.

“Previously, it was the probability of offspring with spiritual roots; now, it’s the probability of reproduction.”

“Every time a cultivator breaks through a realm, it becomes harder to reproduce.”

“I wonder how effective this 5% increase in probability is.”

“And this probability increase should be just my individual increase.”

“But as a cultivator’s strength increases, it becomes harder to reproduce, not just for male cultivators but also for female cultivators.”

Lu Changsheng looked at the system prompt of a 5% increase in reproduction probability and pondered.

He knew that every time a cultivator broke through a major realm, it became harder to reproduce.

But he couldn’t judge how much harder it became.

And there was no recorded information in the cultivation world about this.

After all, everyone cultivates different techniques, condenses different Dao Foundations, and has different circumstances, so the final results can vary.

Not many cultivators would study such matters.

“Changsheng, what’s wrong?”

At this moment, Xiao Xiyue saw Lu Changsheng slightly lost in thought and asked.

“It’s nothing; I just thought of something.”

Lu Changsheng heard Xiao Xiyue’s voice and immediately came back to his senses, smiling lightly.

Xiao Xiyue didn’t ask further.

The two continued chatting for a while and then fell asleep in each other’s arms.

The next day, Lu Changsheng left Xiao Xiyue’s cave and went to his family’s Peace Talisman Hall.

Although he didn’t come often, he had his own quiet room and talisman room on the third floor.

“System, draw a lottery.”

After reaching the quiet room on the third floor, Lu Changsheng silently commanded.

Immediately, the system lottery wheel appeared.

“Start the draw.”

Then, a golden light quickly spun on the lottery wheel.

After a while, the golden light slowly stopped at ‘Other.’

“Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Gu insect ‘Hope Gu’!”

“The reward has been issued to the system space, and the host can check it anytime.”

A thumb-sized light cluster pattern appeared from the large wheel, accompanied by a system prompt.

“Gu insect, Hope Gu?”

Lu Changsheng raised his eyebrows at the reward.

With the Peach Blossom Gu as a precedent, he instinctively felt the Gu insect would be good.

After all, among the more than twenty lottery items before, the Peach Blossom Gu was considered a good reward.

It not only improved his appearance and temperament but also subtly enhanced his peach blossom luck.

It could also guard the sea of consciousness, immune to other Gu insects’ effects, and resist Divine Sense attacks.

“But the name Hope Gu sounds a bit strange.”

Lu Changsheng murmured to himself, unable to guess the Gu insect’s effect from the name.

He immediately focused his mind on the system space.

“Gu insect: Hope Gu.”

“Quality: Heavenly Spirit Gu.”

“Description: A miraculous Gu insect born naturally between heaven and earth. It can enlighten mortals and give birth to spiritual roots. As long as there is hope in the heart, miracles will happen.”

“Enlighten mortals and give birth to spiritual roots!”

Lu Changsheng was stunned by the description of the Hope Gu.

Long ago, he had searched through books for information on mortal cultivation and the birth of spiritual roots.

But there were no records on this.

He knew that enabling mortals to cultivate was impossible.

As for treasures that could give birth to spiritual roots in mortals, they could only be encountered after reaching the Nascent Soul stage.

Although he had thought about obtaining such treasures through the system to enable mortals to cultivate, he didn’t hold much hope.

After all, having hope would lead to disappointment.

Of course, Lu Changsheng couldn’t deny that he didn’t have a deep obsession with this.

“Hope Gu.”

“A ray of hope?”

Lu Changsheng thought of the time when he took Lu Ping’an and the others to test their spiritual roots.

After finding out they had no spiritual roots, the children returned home with disappointed faces.

Then Lu Ping’an looked up at him with hopeful eyes.

Asking if it was impossible to become a cultivator without spiritual roots.

“Is this Hope Gu for enlightening one person?”

Lu Changsheng focused his mind and extracted the Hope Gu from the system.

Instantly, the thumb-sized light cluster Hope Gu appeared in his hand.

Detailed information about the Hope Gu entered his mind.

Like the Peach Blossom Gu, it could only be used on one person to enlighten and give birth to spiritual roots.

As for the quality of the Spirit Root born, it depends on each person’s situation and is greatly influenced by their physical condition and their strong desires.

Besides opening the acupoints and giving birth to a Spirit Root, the Hope Gu has another effect.

It allows a person to forcefully stimulate their potential when facing a desperate situation, as long as the hope in their heart remains unextinguished.

“Hoo!”

“Let’s give this Hope Gu to Ping’an.”

Lu Changsheng looked at the Hope Gu in his hand and exhaled softly.

He planned to give the Hope Gu to his eldest son, Lu Ping’an.

This was his first son.

He had raised him since childhood and had poured a lot of affection into him.

Moreover, this son had always been a source of comfort and satisfaction for him.

Now, Lu Ping’an was diligently practicing martial arts and had broken through to innate martial arts. He won a lottery and happened to draw the Hope Gu, which made Lu Changsheng feel that there was a divine will in the dark.

“However, the Hope Gu can open the acupoints of ordinary people and give birth to a Spirit Root, which is too shocking.”

“If I give the Hope Gu to Ping’an to open his acupoints now, it might bring trouble.”

“Moreover, it’s not about lack but about inequality.”

“The Hope Gu is only one, it can only give one person a Spirit Root.”

“The other children originally thought that Spirit Roots were innate and accepted reality. If they saw Ping’an with a Spirit Root now, they would probably feel unbalanced and resentful.”

“So the matter of the Hope Gu must not be exposed.”

Lu Changsheng took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

He knew that many of his children had dreams of cultivating immortality.

Or rather, being born in Qingzhu Mountain, growing up in such an environment, and being influenced by what they saw and heard, how could they not want to become cultivators?

But because Spirit Roots are innate, if they didn’t have a Spirit Root, they could only accept reality.

If they saw him giving Lu Ping’an a Spirit Root now, it would be easy for them to feel unbalanced.

Even his wives and concubines would feel uncomfortable in their hearts, even if they didn’t say anything.

“Ping’an has now broken through to innate and is preparing to travel. It’s a good opportunity to temper him.”

“I’ll decide whether to give him the Hope Gu after observing the situation.”

“As for the Hope Gu, it’s better not to let anyone know about it.”

“After all, it’s impossible to be completely fair.”

Lu Changsheng didn’t think too much about it.

He was no longer the person who would be easily sentimental about these matters.

He had already planned how to handle the Hope Gu.

He planned to wait until Lu Ping’an had traveled and been tempered before deciding whether to give him the Hope Gu.

Moreover, what he thought was that if he used the Hope Gu to open Lu Ping’an’s acupoints and give him a Spirit Root, from then on, this eldest son would have to live under another identity and could no longer appear before the world as Lu Ping’an.

“An innocent man gets into trouble because of his wealth.”

“I also need to visit Ruyi County later.”

Lu Changsheng took out a Jade Box, put the Hope Gu in it, and placed it in his Spirit Pet Bag.

When Lu Ping’an said he wanted to go out for training, he told him to break through to innate first.

Now that he had broken through to innate, he naturally wouldn’t say much.

But since his son was going out, as an old father, there were naturally some things to explain.

After informing Lu Miaoge and Xiao Xiyue, Lu hangsheng rode the Iron Feather Hawk back to Qingzhu Mountain.

In Qingzhu Mountain, he handled some trivial matters and stayed for half a month before taking Bai Ling to Ruyi County.

Bai Ling’s cultivation had now reached the third level of Qi Refining.

It was estimated that it wouldn’t be long before she broke through to the fourth level of Qi Refining.

This speed was truly astonishing.

Lu Changsheng estimated that his previous guess that Bai Ling had a Top-Tier Spirit Root was underestimated.

Based on Bai Ling’s cultivation speed, it was feared that she could cultivate to the peak of Qi Refining and prepare for Foundation Establishment in her early twenties.

“Xiao Ling’er, do you find it boring to stay in Qingzhu Mountain every day?”

The Iron Feather Hawk spread its wings and flew, and Lu Changsheng asked Bai Ling.

“No, everyone here is very nice. Sister Yun, Sister Zhenzhen, Sister Ziyue, they all treat me very well.”

“And Ruyi, Xiaoru, Qingshan, Xiaozhu, they often play with me.”

Bai Ling immediately said happily.

In her view, Qingzhu Mountain was simply a paradise on earth.

Not only did the people here not dislike or reject her, but they also liked her very much, cared for her, and played with her.

So during the more than a year she had spent in Qingzhu Mountain, Bai Ling’s personality had also become much more cheerful.

She was no longer as socially anxious as before, not getting nervous and scared when meeting people.

Of course, this cheerfulness was currently limited to Lu Changsheng’s manor.

She only behaved this way with Lu Changsheng’s wives, concubines, maids, and children.

When she stepped out of the manor and faced other people in Qingzhu Mountain, her personality became silent and reserved again.

But it was already much better than before.

“That’s good. If you have any problems, you can directly tell your Sister Yun.”

“If it’s inconvenient, you can also tell your brother directly.”

Lu Changsheng smiled as he looked at Bai Ling’s happy face.

He rubbed her small head, which had two buns.

This had become a habit of his.

And Bai Ling also very much enjoyed being affectionately rubbed on the head by him.

Three days later, the two arrived in Ruyi County.

Walking on the bustling streets of Ruyi County, seeing the bustling crowd, the little girl immediately became a bit nervous and held Lu Changsheng’s hand tightly.

“Brother is here.”

Seeing this, Lu Changsheng gently squeezed her fair little hand and smiled warmly.

Looking at Lu Changsheng’s handsome face, extraordinary temperament, and gentle smile, Bai Ling pursed her small lips, and her nervousness dissipated a lot.

Only with Lu Changsheng did she dare to walk on such a crowded street.

If she were alone, she wouldn’t dare to go out into such a crowded place.

“Master.”

“Miss.”

The two arrived at the Lu mansion.

The butler and guards at the mansion gate immediately saluted.

“Hmm.”

Lu Changsheng nodded and took Bai Ling into the mansion.

“Father, Father!”

“Husband, Ling’er!”

Back home, naturally, there was a lively scene.

All the wives, concubines, and children came to pay their respects.

Now, the first batch of children had grown up a lot.

They were no longer as affectionate as when they were young, jumping into his arms and asking for hugs.

As for the younger batch of children, because they spent less time together, they were relatively less affectionate with Lu Changsheng, their father.

They respectfully saluted this father.

After briefly greeting and caring for his wives and children, seeing that almost everyone had dispersed, Lu Changsheng looked at his son, Lu Ping’an, who had been standing by the side.

“Ping’an, why are you standing there in a daze? Do you have something to say to Father?”

Lu Changsheng chuckled.

He knew that his son wanted to tell him about breaking through to innate martial arts.

But there had been too many people around, so he hadn’t had a chance to speak.

“Father, I broke through to innate!”

Lu Ping’an immediately grinned.

“Breaking through to innate, not bad, not bad, as expected of my son.”

“I remember you still have more than a month before you turn sixteen.”

“Tsk tsk tsk, breaking through to innate martial arts before sixteen, you’re considered a genius in the jianghu.”

Lu Changsheng patted his son’s shoulder and laughed.

At the same time, he sized up his son.

Because he had practiced martial arts since childhood, Lu Ping’an’s posture was very graceful.

But he didn’t look overly strong, giving a sense of being strong and powerful.

He was about 1.75 meters tall, just a little shorter than him.

It was estimated that in two more years, he would catch up with him.

His appearance couldn’t be considered handsome, only clean and neat.

He only resembled his father in outline now.

This was entirely due to Lu Changsheng practicing the Immortal Grace Technique and improving with the Peach Blossom Gu.

Moreover, Lu Ping’an’s appearance had a touch of firmness and ruggedness in his cleanliness.

While Lu Changsheng was handsome and elegant, like warm jade.

The father and son had completely different temperaments.

“Hehe, it’s all thanks to your training, Father.”

“If I didn’t eat spiritual rice and spiritual meals every day, how could my martial arts progress so quickly?”

Lu Ping’an scratched his head and grinned.

“Previously, you said you wanted to go out and travel. I told you to break through to innate first.”

“Now that you’ve broken through to innate, I naturally won’t stop you. Do you have any plans in mind?”

Lu Changsheng sat down with his son and asked.

In fact, he wasn’t very reassured about Lu Ping’an going out to travel.

Because this son’s character was broad and honest.

Under Lu Lanshu’s education, although he had become a bit more smooth and adaptable, he was still straightforward.

“I don’t have any big plans. I plan to visit Grandpa Li’s house first.”

“Master Zhao, Master Mu, Uncle Li, and Uncle Hong all said the jianghu is dangerous. Before, Uncle Li told me that if I want to travel, I should first go to the Red Whale Gang to see the dangers of the jianghu. Then, I can decide if I want to go far away.”

Lu Ping’an spoke honestly.

“It’s good that you think this way. Going to the Red Whale Gang to gain some experience is also good.”

Lu Changsheng nodded after hearing this.

Because of their relationship with Hong Yi and Li Feiyu, the three families have had more interactions.

The Red Whale Gang, under Hong Yi’s care, has been thriving and handling the affairs of the jianghu for the Ruyi Marquis Manor.

It’s not bad for Lu Ping’an to train at the Red Whale Gang. At least he can gain some experience.

Otherwise, letting his son run around randomly would make him, as a father, uneasy.

“Dad, you still need to tell mom about this.”

Lu Ping’an scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed.

“What, your mom doesn’t want you to travel after hearing about it?”

Lu Changsheng laughed upon hearing this.

His wife, Lu Lanshu, had the temperament of a noble lady and naturally didn’t like their son fighting.

Especially since Lu Ping’an was the eldest son, she always hoped he could read more books and learn how to manage the household.

Initially, it was Lu Changsheng who insisted all the children practice martial arts for health. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have allowed Lu Ping’an to immerse himself in martial arts.

“I mentioned it to mom before. Not only did she refuse, but she also said I’m not young anymore and asked what I thought of Little Sister Xue’er.”

“But I’ve always seen Little Sister Xue’er as my own sister.”

Lu Ping’an said helplessly.

The Little Sister Xue’er he mentioned was Li Xue’er, Li Feiyu’s daughter.

She was two years younger than Lu Ping’an, well-behaved and sensible, and liked by Lu Lanshu.

So she also wanted this little girl to be her daughter-in-law.

“But your mom is right. You’re not young anymore.”

Lu Changsheng touched his chin upon hearing this.

In this world, getting married at sixteen is normal.

Although Li Xue’er is still a bit young, Lu Lanshu brought up the topic to settle it in advance.

“Dad.”

Lu Ping’an’s face turned gloomy upon hearing this.

“Alright, alright. I’ll talk to your mom later.”

“But you really should consider it. If you don’t like Xue’er, that’s fine. After all, you grew up together.”

“In the future, when you travel in the jianghu, if you meet a girl you like, bring them all back, understand?”

Lu Changsheng said with a smile.

Although having grandchildren adds to his own benefits,

and it might even trigger system achievements and rewards,

Lu Changsheng wouldn’t force his children to get married and have kids.

If they want to, that’s great.

He fully supports and rewards them.

If they don’t want to, he won’t force them and will let things happen naturally.

“Yes, dad.”

Lu Ping’an felt helpless when his dad talked about this.

“Don’t look so dispirited. I’m not forcing you, just telling you not to miss out on the right person.”

“Let’s go, I’ll go with you to talk to your mom.”

Lu Changsheng saw his son’s expression and lightly slapped his head.

He suddenly understood how his parents felt when they urged him to get married.

Now, he’s not anxious about Lu Ping’an not getting married.

After all, he’s still young.

He has many children.

But if the kids were older and he only had one or two, he might feel anxious.

Then the two of them went to the backyard.

“Lanshu.”

Lu Changsheng looked at his wife, Lu Lanshu.

Lu Lanshu was the same age as him.

They had been married for nearly seventeen years.

Her appearance hadn’t changed much; she still looked like she was twenty.

Having taken beauty pills and regularly consuming spiritual rice and food, her skin was fair and beautiful, and her face was radiant without many signs of aging.

Her figure was slender and graceful, not showing that she had given birth to three children.

“Husband, Ping’an.”

Lu Lanshu saw her husband and son and walked over gracefully.

Her hair was styled in a high bun with a jade hairpin.

She wore a light blue palace dress, looking dignified and elegant.

As the wife of Lu Changsheng, she managed the affairs of the Lu mansion, giving her a noble and graceful demeanor.

“Lanshu, I already know about Ping’an’s matter.”

“He’s not young anymore. Since he wants to travel, let him go.”

Lu Changsheng held his wife’s hand and spoke gently.

He understood his wife’s thoughts.

She hoped Lu Ping’an could inherit the family business.

Lu Lanshu glared at her son upon hearing this, making Lu Ping’an lower his head, not daring to look at his mom.

She bit her lip and said, “Husband, I really don’t feel at ease with Ping’an going out.”

“The jianghu is full of fighting and killing.”

She didn’t entirely oppose Lu Ping’an traveling because she wanted him to get married and inherit the family business early.

She also knew that, with his personality, he might suffer outside and felt uneasy.

“Lanshu, I understand your thoughts. You hope Ping’an can be safe and sound. I also hope he can always be safe and sound, which is why I named him Ping’an.”

“But one day, the fledgling eagle must soar into the sky and face the abyss and storms alone. This is a necessary part of growing up.”

“Although Ping’an doesn’t have to experience these things, if he wants to, it’s a good thing.”

“This way, I can entrust more matters to him in the future.”

Lu Changsheng smiled gently and said to his wife.

After some discussion between the couple, Lu Lanshu agreed.

Although she felt very reluctant,

since Lu Changsheng had spoken, she couldn’t refuse.

After all, Lu Changsheng was the head of the family.