Chapter 180: The King of the Xumi Tree Creates His Own Cave

Lu Changsheng and Qu Zhenzhen stayed in Ruyi County for half a month.

During this time, the marriage of their son Lu Wuyu was also arranged.

The bride was Li Feiyu’s daughter Li Xue’er.

Previously, Lu Lanshu wanted her son Lu Ping’an to marry Li Xue’er.

Li Xue’er was not only beautiful but also had a good personality.

They had watched her grow up.

Moreover, Lu Changsheng and Li Feiyu were good friends, so they naturally wanted to matchmake.

But Lu Ping’an had no such thoughts and had left.

Now Lu Qing’er asked her son Lu Wuyu about Li Xue’er.

Both Lu Wuyu and Li Xue’er had no objections and were satisfied with each other.

Seeing them both agree, Lu Changsheng decided on the marriage.

Most marriages in this world were like this.

Mutual affection was rare.

Mutual satisfaction was considered good.

The two families set an engagement date and picked an auspicious day for the wedding, six months later.

At the engagement, Lu Changsheng met Li Feiyu’s father, Li Zhengyang.

Sixteen years had passed; the once imposing and authoritative leader of the Red Whale Gang had become a grey-haired old man.

He looked somewhat ill.

“Greetings, Uncle Li.”

Lu Changsheng stepped forward to greet.

“Greetings, Immortal Master Lu.”

Li Zhengyang looked at the handsome Lu Changsheng, who still appeared to be in his twenties, even more otherworldly than a decade ago, and bowed respectfully.

When Lu Changsheng first came to the Red Whale Gang, Li Zhengyang saw that he was extraordinary.

Over the years, his guess was proven right.

The Marquis of Ruyi, the heir of the Marquis, and the wandering cultivators attending the engagement banquet all showed great respect to Immortal Master Lu.

“I am friends with Feiyu. Now my son Wuyu and Xue’er are getting engaged, making us even closer. So, Uncle Li, no need to be so formal. Just call me Changsheng.”

Lu Changsheng smiled at Li Zhengyang.

Seeing Lu Changsheng’s humility, Li Zhengyang sighed with emotion.

He thought his son had made a good friend.

He then called Lu Changsheng “nephew” and introduced his eldest son, Li Feihong, the current leader of the Red Whale Gang.

While chatting and confirming the marriage, Li Zhengyang asked about his son Li Feiyu.

When Li Feiyu left, he only said he was going to the immortal world without much detail.

Lu Changsheng only mentioned that Li Feiyu was fine and training in an immortal city.

He then gave Li Zhengyang a bottle of healing pills.

He could tell that Li Zhengyang’s poor health was due to overtraining or an internal injury in his youth.

The engagement banquet made the Lu mansion very lively.

It was the first engagement and upcoming wedding in the Lu Family.

“I wonder how Ping’an is doing.”

“It’s been over a year, and he hasn’t written home.”

Seeing Lu Wuyu engaged and set to marry in six months, Lu Lanshu thought of her son Lu Ping’an.

“Ping’an said he would be away for no more than three years. He should be back in a year or two.”

Lu Changsheng comforted her.

He knew his wife still disapproved of Lu Ping’an’s departure.

Now that she mentioned it, he also thought of his eldest son.

He wondered where Lu Ping’an was and how his travels were going.

Jiang Kingdom, Jiangzhou, Guangling County.

“The White Tiger Demon should be on this mountain.”

Passing through a village, Lu Ping’an heard of a man-eating white tiger on the mountain.

The villagers were afraid to hunt because of it.

So he decided to see for himself and help the villagers.

As he reached halfway up the mountain, he heard a deafening roar.

He followed the sound into the mountain.

Soon, he saw a ferocious white tiger, about ten feet tall, chasing a girl in black.

But it wasn’t just a one-sided chase.

The girl in black was an immortal cultivator.

As she ran, she attacked the tiger with a black Flying Sword.

The tiger was covered in blood, roaring madly and ready to devour.

“This white tiger should be the Demon the villagers mentioned. It has indeed become a Demon beast!”

Seeing the huge white tiger, Lu Ping’an was shocked.

He knew it had surpassed the wild beast level and become a Demon beast.

But his Nine Abyss Mastiff was more ferocious than this tiger.

So he wasn’t afraid of the terrifying tiger.

“Watch out!”

He saw the tiger extend its sharp claws, pinning down the girl’s Flying Sword.

Its tail then stretched out like a long stick, striking the girl.

Caught off guard, the girl was hit hard and flew back with a muffled groan.

Seeing this, the tiger opened its bloody mouth and charged at the girl.

“Not good!”

Lu Ping’an quickly took out a Fireball Talisman and focused, launching a fireball at the tiger.

“Boom——”

The fireball hit the tiger accurately.

The tiger fell to the ground, howling in pain, its body burned and charred.

“Roar!”

The tiger, covered in blood and burns, looked at Lu Ping’an with red eyes and roared angrily, pouncing again.

“Secret Technique—Primordial Chaos!”

Facing the pouncing tiger, Lu Ping’an took out a Golden Light Talisman, making golden light appear around him.

He roared, his muscles bulging, and punched hard.

“Boom——”

The tiger’s attack made Lu Ping’an’s legs sink, and the golden light dimmed.

But Lu Ping’an’s powerful punch made the tiger howl in pain, with the sound of bones breaking.

“Die!”

The girl seized the moment, forming a spell, and her Flying Sword slashed at the tiger’s neck.

She aimed to decapitate the tiger with one strike.

“Slash!”

But the sword didn’t cut through; it got stuck in the tiger’s bones, making it roar in agony.

“Secret Technique—Primordial Chaos.”

Lu Ping’an’s true energy surged, and he stepped forward, his fists like dragons, attacking the tiger.

One punch!

Two punches!

Three punches!

“Boom boom boom——”

Moments later, the tiger howled and its eyes dimmed.

“Hello, thank you for your help.”

“My father’s surname is Qin, and my mother’s surname is Yi, so my name is Qin Yi.”

The girl in black approached and introduced herself to Lu Ping’an without expression.

Hearing this, Lu Ping’an grinned and said, “Hello, my father’s surname is Lu, and my mother’s surname is also Lu, so my name is Lu Ping’an.”

“Pfft.”

The girl, who had no expression, suddenly laughed.

But the laugh made her cough up blood.

The tiger’s attack had hurt her badly.

“Are you okay? I have healing medicine.”

Lu Ping’an took out a porcelain bottle and offered a pill to the girl.

“You already used two talismans to save me. I owe you a favor.”

“So I can’t take this pill. I also have no money to repay you.”

The girl knew it was a spiritual pill, not a common one.

She thought this boy was foolish.

He had no Qi but had talismans and pills.

And he generously offered them to a stranger.

“I just wanted to help. You don’t need to repay me.”

“You don’t need to repay the pill either.”

Lu Ping’an smiled and waved his hand.

The girl looked at him, feeling conflicted and pained.

She then said, “I, Qin Yi, don’t owe favors. I’ll take the pill, and you take the tiger demon. That way, we’re even.”

“I said you don’t need to repay. And what would I do with the tiger demon?”

Lu Ping’an shook his head.

“The tiger Demon can sell for more than twenty Spirit Stones, and you don’t want it.”

“Weren’t you hunting the tiger demon?”

The girl looked surprised.

“No, I heard about the man-eating tiger and came to help the villagers.”

Lu Ping’an smiled.

The girl looked at him as if he were a fool.

She had never met such a person.

She didn’t know him but was willing to spend talismans to help and give him free pills.

The purpose of going up the mountain was because she heard a white tiger was eating people.

“No matter what, I, Qin Yi, never owe anyone. Take this tiger demon, and we are even.”

Qin Yi’s small face was tense, expressionless, and continued speaking.

She already considered Lu Ping’an as a fool from a rich family and didn’t want to take advantage of him.

“The girl said this tiger Demon is worth over twenty Spirit Stones.”

“My pills and talismans aren’t worth that much.”

“If you feel bad about it, sell the tiger Demon and give me the equivalent Spirit Stones.”

Lu Ping’an saw her resolute expression and said this.

He used to train with the Red Whale Gang and knew some prices in the cultivation world.

He knew his two talismans and one pill were worth seven Spirit Stones.

The girl heard this and was tempted.

It took her a lot of time and effort to hunt this tiger demon.

Besides, she was reluctant to give all the Spirit Stones to someone else.

Splitting them now, at least she would gain something.

Also, she wouldn’t owe anyone a favor.

“Fine. There is a scattered cultivator gathering place on Mount Cangya, five hundred miles away.”

“Come with me. I’ll sell this tiger Demon and split the Spirit Stones.”

“If you can’t go, give me an address, and I’ll send the Spirit Stones later.”

The girl spoke crisply and clearly.

“A scattered cultivator gathering place.”

“Fine, I’ll go with you.”

Lu Ping’an’s eyes lit up at her words.

He had always been very interested in cultivation.

But knowing he had no spiritual roots, he never mentioned it at home.

Now hearing about a scattered cultivator Market, he was curious and wanted to see it.

Soon, after the girl rested and healed, they set off together.

Time flew by, and half a year passed in the blink of an eye.

Two months ago, the excitement of the Heiyun Mountain ruins had cooled down.

It was just a small secret realm.

So, in half a year, it was explored and cleared out, becoming barren.

The Lu Family gained nothing from this exploration and lost two cultivators.

One Late-Stage Qi refining and one mid-stage Qi refining, a significant loss.

But Lu Changsheng heard from Lu Yuanshan Ding that the Bai Family had good gains from the ruins.

They might have a chance to produce a new Foundation Establishment.

The Lu Family was happy to see this.

Because the Bai Family was friendly with the Lu Family.

The Bai Family Ancestor only had over ten years of life left.

If they couldn’t produce a new Foundation Establishment, they would face the same danger as the Lu Family did.

Also, the cooperation of the four families in Hongye Valley Marketplace would face problems.

【Congratulations to the host for reaching 150 offspring, earning a high-level lottery draw】

Lu Changsheng’s 150th child was born that day.

This child had no spiritual roots.

But as soon as the child was born, a system prompt sounded.

“High-level lottery draw!”

Lu Changsheng was delighted to hear the system prompt.

He thought he would need 200 children for another lottery draw.

Unexpectedly, 150 was enough.

And it was a high-level lottery draw.

He was very pleased.

After all, the last high-level lottery draw gave him a Lingbao.

Although it was a bit inferior and had no spirit, it was still a Lingbao.

It made his Hundred Treasures Body Refining Technique progress rapidly.

He estimated that in another year, he could break through the Fifth Layer.

By then, he could refine the Lingbao into his life treasure bone.

“System, draw!”

Without hesitation, Lu Changsheng silently commanded.

He wanted to see what he could get from this high-level lottery draw.

Ordinary lottery draws no longer surprised him.

Immediately, a high-level lottery wheel with only four sections appeared.

As Lu Changsheng’s mind moved, the draw started.

Soon, the golden light slowed down and stopped at the ‘Spirit Pet Treasure’ section.

“Another Spirit Pet Treasure?”

Lu Changsheng’s heart skipped a beat as the golden light stopped.

【Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the spirit pet: Sumeru Tree King!】

【The reward has been issued to the system space and can be viewed at any time】

A golden jade divine tree pattern appeared on the lottery wheel, accompanied by a system prompt.

“Spirit pet, Sumeru Tree King?”

Lu Changsheng frowned at his reward.

He immediately knew he had drawn a spirit pet of the world tree type.

“I wonder if this Sumeru Tree King needs to be cultivated like the Nine Abyss Mastiff and the Six-winged Gold Silkworm.”

“If it needs to be cultivated, even with its true spirit bloodline, it’s very useless to me now.”

Lu Changsheng thought as he looked at his lottery reward.

His first lottery draw gave him the Nine Abyss Mastiff, now a mid-stage first-Tier beast.

It might take another year or two to advance to the late first-Tier.

Even though the Nine Abyss Mastiff was stronger than other beasts of the same rank.

But now, it was just a guardian beast for the Lu mansion.

The second draw gave him the Six-winged Gold Silkworm, stronger than the Nine Abyss Mastiff.

But he didn’t know how long it would take to grow the second pair of wings.

After raising it for eight or nine years, it was still at the peak of the first order.

So, Lu Changsheng had low expectations for spirit pets.

He looked at the Sumeru Tree King in the system space.

【Spirit Pet: Sumeru Tree King】

【Grade: Low-level True Spirit】

【Description: Once, Lotus Lantern Buddha obtained half a ‘world tree’ branch, planted it on Mount Sumeru, and nurtured it. It now has Third-Tier strength, nurturing a world within it, self-contained and everlasting.】

“A branch of the world tree, now with Third-Tier strength, nurturing a world within, self-contained and everlasting!”

Lu Changsheng was shocked by the Sumeru Tree King’s description.

Third-Tier strength meant this Sumeru Tree King didn’t need slow cultivation like the Nine Abyss Mastiff and Six-winged Gold Silkworm.

It had the strength of a core formation stage cultivator!

Moreover, this Sumeru Tree King nurtured a world within, self-contained and everlasting.

This ability thrilled Lu Changsheng.

In the cultivation world, there is a type of treasure called ‘Cave Heaven Treasure.’

These treasures contain a small world, serving as a secret realm for cultivators and spirit beasts.

They can form spiritual veins by transplanting treasures like ‘Spirit Eye Springs.’

These treasures can be used as a mobile cave, for cultivating, planting spiritual herbs, and farming spiritual fields.

And now, this Sumeru Tree King had such an effect, nurturing a world within, self-contained and everlasting.

“This Sumeru Tree King’s inner world can be the core place of my future family.”

“I wonder if it can transform into a human form.”

“If it can’t, it must be planted in a spiritual vein.”

“Considering its strength, it needs at least a Second-Tier, maybe even a Third-Tier spiritual vein.”

Lu Changsheng didn’t extract the Sumeru Tree King from the system space.

Just by reading the description, he knew it was much greater than the Lingming Treasure Tree.

Once extracted, it would be visible.

If it couldn’t transform, such a divine plant would attract the attention of the Azure Cloud Sect and the entire Jiang Kingdom cultivation world.

The higher the grade of a spirit beast, the harder it is to transform, so he felt it probably couldn’t transform.

“It seems I must speed up establishing my family and securing a spiritual land.”

“Only by having my own family and land can I safely plant this Sumeru Tree King.”

“Then, the family will have a core formation stage monster guarding it, allowing for peaceful development.”

Lu Changsheng took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

He knew the Sumeru Tree King had to be planted at his home, hidden by formations.

Otherwise, such a plant would cause trouble.

“Before, Xiyue wrote to ask if I would attend the Hundred Arts Conference, and I chose to delay.”

“It seems I must participate in the next Hundred Arts Conference and enter the Azure Cloud Sect this way, then find a good spiritual land through the sect.”

Lu Changsheng murmured to himself.

Now, for acquiring the family’s spiritual land, he preferred to go through the Azure Cloud Sect route.

He wanted to see if he could obtain a prime spiritual land through the Azure Cloud Sect.

If that didn’t work, he would consider the Hongye Valley Marketplace.

After all, the Hongye Valley Marketplace had so many families investing heavily and numerous family forces stationed there.

Trying to acquire it through the Lu Family would also cost him dearly and wouldn’t be easy.

“I currently have over 200 Second-Tier Spirit Talisman in reserve, and the upcoming Spirit Talisman for the Lu Family and Ping’an Talisman Hall are ready.”

“Once this marriage trip for Wuyu is over, I can almost set off for Nine Heavens Immortal City.”

“In Nine Heavens Immortal City, after purchasing the materials for the ‘Nine-Nine Xuan Zhen Strategy,’ Third-Tier talisman materials, and Second-Tier alchemy materials, my overall strength will increase by another level.”

“By then, Sister Miaoge will also be ready to prepare for Foundation Establishment.”

“I can also take this opportunity to announce that I’m going to the Immortal City for Foundation Establishment, thus revealing my Foundation Establishment strength.”

“Afterwards, I can use Xiyue to get a spot to participate in the Hundred Arts Conference, enter the Azure Cloud Sect, and obtain spiritual land.”

“By that time, my children will be about grown and can help me manage the family.”

“The only thing missing for the family establishment is an array. If I haven’t drawn an array by then, I’ll invite an array master from the Azure Cloud Sect and then study some simple arrays myself.”

Lu Changsheng was calculating his future plans in his mind.

After making talismans for most of the past six months, he had already accumulated over 200 Second-Tier Spirit Talisman.

Due to material reasons, most of these talismans were lower or middle-Tier Second-Tier talismans, with only a small portion being upper-Tier talismans.

But that was already enough.

If he were to use all these talismans at once, Lu Changsheng felt that even a fake Dan Realm expert would surely die.

Therefore, this upcoming trip to Nine Heavens Immortal City would be basically safe.

“In half a month, it’s time for Wuyu’s wedding. I should probably go over there.”

Lu Changsheng stopped thinking, got up, and walked out of the study.

In the courtyard, Lu Miaoyun and a few children ere feeding a large bird that looked like jade.

This large bird was the Green Jade Luan Bird that had hatched not long ago.

Since it was newly hatched, it couldn’t be used as a mount for a while.

So Lu Changsheng generously said he would give it to Lu Miaoyun, making her very hapy, while Qu Zhenzhen and Lu Miaohuan, his other concubines, were envious.

“Yun’er, Wuyu’s wedding day is approaching. Call Zhenzhen and Huanhuan, and let’s all go together.”

Lu Changsheng said to Lu Miaoyun.

After all, it was his first son’s wedding, and as his father, he naturally had to attend.

And Lu Miaoyun, Qu Zhenzhen, and L Miaohuan, as his main wives, should also participate in such an event.

“Yes, husband.”

Hearing this, Lu Miaoyun immediately handed he bird feed to the children and went to inform Qu Zhenzhen and Lu Miaohuan.

The other children, upon hearing this, also expressed interest and wanted to go together.

But Lu Changsheng’s Spirit Boat could only carry twelve people.

So, he decided to bring his sons Lu Yun, Lu Huaizhen, Lu Qingshan, and Lu Qingzhu, among others.