Chapter 220: A Test of Human Nature! A Death Flag!

At the Yu Family residence on Bihu Mountain.

“Lu Changsheng broke through to Foundation Establishment?”

The Yu Family head received this news, his eyes revealing shock and disbelief.

“I thought this Lu Changsheng was only at the seventh level of Qi Refining. How did he suddenly break through to Foundation Establishment?”

He muttered, his expression grave.

Half a year ago, their Yu Family had interfered at Qingzhu Mountain, constantly harassing and causing Lu Miaofeng to fail his Foundation Establishment.

Now, out of nowhere, Lu Changsheng had broken through to Foundation Establishment.

If he didn’t know such news couldn’t possibly be false, he wouldn’t have believed it at all.

“If this is true, it will disrupt our family’s plans.”

The Yu Family head mumbled to himself.

He then put away the letter and went to report to the family patriarch.

“Hmm? Lu Changsheng? That Second-Tier Talisman Master from the Lu Family has broken through to Foundation Establishment?”

Yu Jinyang, the Yu Family Patriarch, frowned upon hearing this news.

He hadn’t expected that just as the Lu Family’s fortune seemed to be running out, a Lu Changsheng would suddenly emerge.

They had been keeping an eye on Lu Changsheng, of course.

But they never imagined Lu Changsheng would break through to Foundation Establishment.

“Ning Yuan, don’t worry about this matter.”

“Since Lu Changsheng has reached Foundation Establishment, prepare a generous gift and deliver it personally.”

Yu Ninghu, standing nearby, chuckled and spoke.

“Elder brother, what do you mean by this?”

The Yu Family head was puzzled.

Although the Lu Family had no proof, they likely guessed it was the Yu Family who had interfered with Lu Miaofeng’s Foundation Establishment.

In this situation, the relationship between the two families had reached a freezing point.

The Lu Family simply dared not openly confront them.

“Hehe, if Lu Yuanzhong were well, he could live another hundred years. Lu Changsheng breaking through to Foundation Establishment would naturally be great news for the Lu Family!”

“But now, with Lu Yuanzhong’s body ravaged by poison and his life nearly at its end, what do you think? Once Lu Yuanzhong dies, won’t Lu Changsheng have other ideas?”

“After all, this Lu Changsheng isn’t from the main Lu Family line, but a son-in-law from another surname!”

Yu Ninghu spoke with a smile on his face.

“Well said.”

Yu Jinyang nodded approvingly at his grandson’s words.

This grandson not only had exceptional talent but also impressed him greatly in terms of character and how he handled matters.

If not for concerns that too many affairs would affect Yu Ninghu’s cultivation, the position of Yu Family head should have been his.

“Elder brother is wise!”

The Yu Family head immediately understood the reasoning upon hearing this.

Although the Lu Family now had Lu Changsheng, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, to stabilize their situation and boost morale,

Lu Yuanzhong’s life was nearing its end.

Once Lu Yuanzhong died, there would be no Foundation Establishment cultivators among the main Lu Family line.

As an outsider who had reached Foundation Establishment, would Lu Changsheng have thoughts of taking over the Lu Family of Qingzhu Mountain?

Or perhaps ideas of establishing his own sect?

This would be a huge test of human nature!

Moreover, he had been keeping track of information about Lu Changsheng, this Second-Tier Talisman Master.

He knew Lu Changsheng had one particular hobby.

Taking wives and concubines and having children!

With a harem of wives and concubines, he had over a hundred offspring!

This extensive branching of the family tree made his lineage a force to be reckoned with within the Lu Family.

When the time came and Lu Yuanzhong died, even if Lu Changsheng remembered the kindness of the Lu Family and didn’t try to usurp power,

What about his wives, concubines, and children?

With so many offspring, it’s impossible they wouldn’t have any ambitions!

When these children grew up, they would surely use their father’s influence and authority to compete with the main Lu Family descendants for resources and power.

In such a situation, over time, conflicts would inevitably arise, leading to a family split!

“But elder brother, are we just going to let Qingzhu Mountain fall into Lu Changsheng’s hands?”

The Yu Family head asked his elder brother.

Their Yu Family wanted to seize Qingzhu Mountain for themselves.

Even if Qingzhu Mountain split, it would be difficult for their Yu Family to benefit from it.

“Hehe, the Lu Family of Qingzhu Mountain and the Bai family of Hundred Bird Lake have been allies for generations. If the Lu Family splits and Lu Changsheng takes control, the relationship between the Bai and Lu families will end there.”

“Moreover, if we can think of this, I believe the Lu Family members can think of it too.”

“Perhaps we won’t even have to wait until Lu Yuanzhong’s death. Lu Changsheng’s lineage and the main Lu Family line may already be growing apart. That will be our opportunity.”

“This Lu Changsheng is also a Second-Tier Talisman Master. I’ve seen his information, and he truly has exceptional talent in Talisman Making!”

“Now that he’s broken through to Foundation Establishment, his future in Talisman Making is bound to be limitless.”

“If he’s willing to give up some benefits, why shouldn’t our Yu Family cooperate with him?”

“After all, once the Lu Family splits, Lu Changsheng won’t be able to control all of Qingzhu Mountain’s properties, mines, and resources. We can help handle these matters.”

Yu Ninghu spoke with a faint smile.

“Ninghu makes a good point.”

“Ning Yuan, pass down the order that our Yu Family members can try to befriend Lu Changsheng’s children.”

“This way, when Lu Changsheng takes power, we can work through his children.”

The Yu Family Patriarch nodded and said after listening.

“Yes, Patriarch!”

Yu Ningyuan wasn’t a fool to have become the Yu Family head.

Hearing his elder brother and the patriarch’s words, he understood the intricacies and knew what to do.

Now, the Lu Family of Qingzhu Mountain could clearly be divided into two factions.

Their Yu Family could suppress one faction while supporting the other when dealing with the two.

This would not only intensify conflicts but also prepare for the future.

“Patriarch, there’s a big issue with this Lu Changsheng.”

After Yu Ningyuan left, Yu Ninghu turned to his family patriarch and spoke.

“I’ve seen his information before. His cultivation level should have been at the seventh level of Qi Refining.”

“Even if he was hiding his strength or had a breakthrough, he should only be at the eighth level of Qi Refining. It’s absolutely impossible for him to directly break through to Foundation Establishment!”

“Moreover, I remember this Lu Changsheng has a low-Tier Spirit Root. He was initially rejected by the Azure Cloud Sect and became a son-in-law of the Lu Family.”

“It was only because of his exceptional talent in Talisman Making that the Lu Family took notice of him. He gradually rose and became a son-in-law of the Lu Family.”

“As a mere son-in-law with a low-Tier Spirit Root, even with exceptional talent in Talisman Making and limited cultivation resources, it’s impossible for him to cultivate to the Ninth Level of Qi Refining in just twenty years.”

“So there must be a big secret. He must have obtained some great opportunity!”

Yu Ninghu spoke with a serious expression.

When Lu Changsheng became a Second-Tier Talisman Master, he had paid attention and investigated Lu Changsheng’s background.

He felt there was something unusual about this person.

Now, seeing Lu Changsheng break through to Foundation Establishment, he was almost certain that Lu Changsheng had some big secret.

“Correct!”

“Back when the Lu Family allied with the Bai family to attack the Chen Family in Red Leaf Valley,”

“The reason Red Leaf Valley fell so quickly was because a guest elder of the Chen Family betrayed them.”

“This guest elder had a close relationship with Lu Changsheng, so this Lu Changsheng is far from ordinary.”

Yu Jinyang nodded and spoke.

As he spoke, a hint of killing intent flashed in his eyes.

He considered whether to find an opportunity to kill Lu Changsheng.

Otherwise, letting such a person continue to grow would be truly worrisome.

“Patriarch, we can’t do that.”

“Lu Changsheng’s sudden breakthrough to Foundation Establishment surely hides some unknown secret. He must have been concealing his true strength all along.”

“No one knows how much he’s been hiding. This trip away might have been a secret plan to break through to Foundation Establishment!”

“Moreover, as a Second-Tier Talisman Master, he must have many life-saving talismans.”

Yu Ninghu shook his head slightly when he saw the killing intent in his patriarch’s eyes.

In his view, Lu Changsheng’s ability to break through to Foundation Establishment must be due to some great opportunity.

He might even have obtained a rare inheritance.

In this situation, rashly attempting to assassinate him would be too risky.

If they failed to kill him, it would bring them a lot of trouble.

“Hmm, I understand that of course.”

“But we still need to keep a close eye on this Lu Changsheng. His growth is truly extraordinary.”

“A son-in-law with a low-Tier Spirit Root breaking through to Foundation Establishment in just over twenty years.”

Yu Jinyang said in a deep voice.

At the Bai family residence by Hundred Bird Lake.

“Lu Changsheng broke through to Foundation Establishment?”

The Bai family head narrowed his eyes as he looked at the letter in his hand.

“But this is also good news for our Bai family.”

“Feifei has already given birth to Lu Changsheng’s child.”

“If this child has a Spirit Root, and if the Spirit Root talent is good, our Bai family’s relationship with Lu Changsheng could improve further in the future.”

The Bai family head muttered to himself as he looked at the letter in his hand.

He then went to a small courtyard by the lake.

“What is it?”

A deep, rich voice sounded from a secret room in the courtyard.

“Brother Yang, Feifei just sent a letter saying that Lu Changsheng of Qingzhu Mountain has returned after breaking through to Foundation Establishment while away!”

The Bai family head spoke to the family’s newly advanced patriarch.

“Lu Changsheng? This person actually broke through to Foundation Establishment?”

“I always felt this person was extraordinary. Now it seems I was right.”

A man in his thirties, tall and well-built, wearing a black brocade robe embroidered with flying birds, walked out of the small courtyard.

He was Bai Yunyang, the newly appointed patriarch of the Bai family.

“Oh? Brother Yun, you’ve met this Lu Changsheng before?”

The Bai family head asked, somewhat surprised.

“When our family wanted me to marry Lu Miaoge, I met him a few tiies at Jiulong Market. I paid some attention to him then,” Bai Yunyang explained.

Back then, the previous Lu Family patriarch was nearing the end of his life. To maintain relations, the Bai family hoped he would marry Lu Miaoge..

Lu Miaoge not only had a Fiftt-Tier Spirit Root, but was also a High-Tier Talisman Master at a young age.

If he could marry her, it would benefit both the family and himself.

Unfortunately, Lu Miaoge expressed her desirr to focus solely on cultivation, with no interest in marriage. He had to return empty-handed.

Later, when he learned Lu Miaoge married Lu Changsheeg, he started paying attention to Lu Changsheng.

He felt that if Lu Miaoge was willing to marrr Lu Changsheng, the man must be extraordinary.

“I see. I didn’t know you and Lu Changsheng were once rivals in love, Brother Yun.”

The Bai family head and Bai Yunyang grew up together.

So even though the other had become the family patriarch, he could still joke around.

“Haha, we were hardly rivals,” Bai Yunyang said calmly.

“After all, we never competed for anything.”

He had indeed been impressed by Lu Miaoge back then..

But not to the point of dwelling on it because of a woman.

“Since Lu Changsheng has broken through to Foundation Establishment, our Bai family should prepare a gift.”

“Moreover, Feifei is now Lu Changsheng’s concubine and has borne him a child.”

“When you go, you can chat with Feifei and see what she thinks of Lu Changsheng.”

“After all, in the battle at Blackwater Pool, the Lu Family’s Patriarch Yuan Zhong was severely injured. His condition is poor now, and it’s uncertain how long he’ll live.”

Bai Yunyang spoke softly.

“Understood!” The Bai family head grasped the meaning behind his patriarch’s words.

At Centipede Ridge, in the Zheng Family.

“Lu Changsheng has broken through to Foundation Establishment.”

“It seems this old patriarch’s effort in swallowing his pride and sending little Wan to be Lu Changsheng’s concubine wasn’t in vain.”

The Zheng Family Patriarch muttered to himself upon receiving news of Lu Changsheng’s breakthrough.

“The Yu Family wants to swallow our Zheng Family’s assets. Now that Lu Changsheng has broken through, perhaps I can use Lu Changsheng, the Lu Family, and the Bai family to stir things up.”

He was well aware that his family had long been infiltrated by the Yu Family.

But the most tragic thing for a family is the lack of capable successors.

Like the Lu Family and Bai family, even if something happened to the patriarch, at least someone among the younger generation could attempt to break through to Foundation Establishment!

But in his Zheng Family, the old were too old, and the young were too young.

Currently, there wasn’t a single seed with the potential to break through to Foundation Establishment.

How tragic!

The Zheng Family Patriarch even suspected that some of their promising seeds might have fallen victim to the Yu Family’s schemes.

But even if he suspected or knew, it was useless.

He was old.

He didn’t dare to risk it all, knowing he couldn’t win.

Now he could only struggle on under the Yu Family’s protection.

At least after his death, the family’s Spirit Land could be preserved on the surface.

If the younger generation showed promise and someone broke through to Foundation Establishment, they might be able to regain control of Centipede Ridge from the Yu Family.

Not just the Yu Family, Bai family, and Zheng Family.

Many small family forces in the surrounding area received information about the Lu Family and Lu Changsheng.

“It’s a pity the Lu Family isn’t holding a Foundation Establishment ceremony. Otherwise, I would have sent my daughter to be Lu Changsheng’s concubine.”

“Hmph, your daughter may have a Sixth-Tier Spirit Root, but she’s plain-looking. Would Master Lu even be interested?”

“A Foundation Establishment cultivator and a Second-Tier Talisman Master…”

“I need to find out which of Master Lu’s children is favored. Maybe we can build a good relationship through that.”

Upon hearing of Lu Changsheng’s breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, these people immediately thought of offering their daughters.

After all, the previous families who sent their daughters to be this Master Lu’s concubines or maids had all given birth to his children.

If the children had Spirit Root talent and showed promise in the future, even if they couldn’t directly help their mother’s family,

Just this connection would be enough for them to gain many benefits.

Lu Changsheng was unaware of the outside situation.

These past two days, he had been at home accompanying his wives and concubines, caring for his children’s situations.

Of course, he hadn’t forgotten about the little girl, Bai Ling.

Regarding Bai Ling’s situation, he had collected relevant information in Nine Heavens Immortal City.

It was similar to what he had guessed.

There was a high probability that her ancestors had Demon race bloodlines.

The current situation was likely a case of ancestral bloodline regression.

But based on Bai Ling’s scale situation, Lu Changsheng couldn’t determine which Demon race bloodline she had regressed to.

He could only guess it was a snake Demon bloodline.

“Brother~”

Bai Ling was still as affectionate as ever towards Lu Changsheng, her voice sweet.

If Qu Zhenzhen’s personality was like a child who hadn’t grown up,

Then Bai Ling was even more so, with an extremely pure and innocent nature.

“Little Ling’er.”

Lu Changsheng naturally pulled her into his arms, kissed her fair forehead, then rubbed her little head.

Over a year had passed, and this little girl hadn’t grown much taller, but her figure had become increasingly graceful.

Curvaceous, with enticing lines.

Especially the young girl’s slender waist.

A perfect embodiment of what you’d call a snake-like waist!

“Hmm, does Little Ling’er have something to say?”

Lu Changsheng chatted casually with Bai Ling, caring about her situation.

Seeing Bai Ling hesitant to speak, her face blushing, he asked.

“Brother, Little Ling’er is eighteen now.”

“Brother said before… when I turn eighteen, I can… marry brother.”

Bai Ling clutched her white dress with both hands, slightly raising her delicate head. Her white teeth gently bit her moist red lips, her large watery eyes full of hope as she looked at Lu Changsheng, speaking timidly.

Ever since Lu Changsheng had taken her in, she had been fond of him.

But she was too young then and didn’t understand much.

When she was fourteen or fifteen, she gradually began to understand.

She looked forward to taking her relationship with Lu Changsheng a step further.

To be like the sisters at home, able to bear little babies for Lu Changsheng.

But Lu Changsheng never brought up this topic.

Finally, she mustered up the courage to ask if brother liked her.

At that time, seeing Bai Ling’s expression, Lu Changsheng knew it was a young girl’s first love.

So he said to wait until she was a bit older, after eighteen.

This promise made Bai Ling look forward to and wait for this day.

A few days ago, when Lu Changsheng returned, she was full of joy and expectation, but brother never took the initiative to bring it up.

So, after much thought and tossing and turning, she finally decided to gather her courage and speak up.

“Uh…”

Hearing this, Lu Changsheng also remembered that it had been seven years since he took Bai Ling in.

Because she was so young then, and considering her physical condition, he had always kept her by his side.

This led to him developing somewhat of a father’s mentality towards her.

“Haha, so Little Ling’er is getting impatient.”

Lu Changsheng looked at the little girl before him, face full of shyness, so pitifully adorable that she seemed about to cry just from speaking. He said with a smile.

He pinched her smooth, fair, and exquisitely beautiful cheek.

Seven years had passed, and the once little girl had now grown into a beauty that could topple a nation.

Even among his harem, few could match Bai Ling’s beauty.

Her delicate and pure face was truly a natural beauty.

There was a sense of otherworldly purity about her, as if she didn’t belong to the mortal world.

Her large eyes, clear as black and white, were like peach blossoms, misty with tears, looking charming and bewitching, captivating one’s heart.

A face both pure and alluring.

A graceful figure, curvaceous in all the right places.

A demeanor so pitifully adorable and obedient.

These three traits in one person made her every move and expression incredibly enchanting.

Lu Changsheng felt that only a man like himself could face Bai Ling’s charm without being moved.

Looking at the young girl’s blushing face, her eyes like dewy peach blossoms, seemingly about to drip water, Lu Changsheng said with a light laugh, “Little Ling’er, how about this: once brother finishes the matters at hand, I’ll marry you. Is that okay?”

As soon as he said this, he paused slightly.

He felt like his words sounded like he was raising a death flag.

“Mm-hmm~”

Hearing this, Bai Ling nodded vigorously, her face beaming with joy.