Chapter 225: A Spark of Hope, News of Zhao Qingqing!

“Huff, huff, huff—”

Lu Ping’an felt as if a mountain was pressing down on him. His heart pounded, and he could barely breathe.

Inside him, light surged like a river, filled with an indescribable pressure that threatened to crush him.

But his father’s words, especially “persevere,” made him grit his teeth and hold on.

Never before had his father spoken to him in such a serious tone.

This was the first time his father had spoken to him so earnestly, telling him to hang in there!

Though straightforward by nature, he wasn’t stupid!

He knew his father’s words today must have a deeper meaning!

This was a test!

A test from his father!

So, he had to persevere. He couldn’t let his father down!

“Looks like a Sixth-Tier Spirit Root at best.”

Lu Changsheng watched as the light in his son’s body grew brighter, accompanied by a mysterious feeling. He let out a soft sigh.

He could tell Lu Ping’an was nearing his limit.

“For a regular person to awaken, a Sixth-Tier Spirit Root is quite good.”

Lu Changsheng mused to himself.

He knew that with the Hope Gu awakening, a low-Tier Spirit Root was normal.

For Lu Ping’an to have a Sixth-Tier Spirit Root was already impressive.

Moreover, through the system, he knew the true power of the Hope Gu wasn’t just in awakening Spirit Roots in ordinary people!

Rather, as long as hope existed, miracles could happen!

As long as the host’s flame of hope didn’t die out, the Hope Gu could unleash its power, igniting potential and grasping at a sliver of hope!

Whether facing dire situations, powerful enemies, or breaking through realms, it could have some effect!

Otherwise, a heavenly Gu that could only awaken Spirit Roots would seem quite ordinary.

“Huff, huff, huff—”

Lu Ping’an clenched his fists tightly. Veins bulged on his cheeks and arms like small snakes.

As his Spirit Root improved from low to middle grade, the light in his body blazed like the sun, almost bursting through his skin.

His bones crackled loudly.

It felt as if his meridians and flesh were being destroyed, suffocating him, making it hard to breathe.

It seemed that if this continued, he might die!

At the same time, a gentle spring breeze seemed to caress his body and mind.

It made him feel tired and lazy, wanting to empty his mind and give up.

“Lu Ping’an!”

A black-clad girl appeared in his mind, shouting at him.

She seemed to be telling him to give up, to stop persevering.

The fear of death!

The instinct to give in!

These began to fill his heart.

“I can’t hold on anymore.”

His tense body and mind seemed ready to give up at this moment.

But as soon as this thought appeared, it was like a bolt of lightning jolting Lu Ping’an awake.

No!

I can’t give up!

This is Father’s test!

I must persevere!

Hold on!

This might be about my destiny in cultivation!

Lu Ping’an clenched his teeth and held on.

At this moment, his inner longing and desire for cultivation were ignited.

Pain and laziness, persistence and obsession, all clashed within him.

“Hm?”

Lu Changsheng was surprised to see Lu Ping’an still gritting his teeth and persevering.

By all accounts, achieving a Sixth-Tier Spirit Root should have been his limit.

He didn’t expect him to still be hanging on.

It seemed his son’s willpower was quite impressive.

“Boom!”

A mysterious tremor spread out.

He knew Lu Ping’an’s Spirit Root had improved to fifth grade.

In that instant, the light in Lu Ping’an’s body exploded.

It made him feel as if he was soaking in a hot spring, warm and relaxed. His pores opened, and a layer of impurities was expelled from his body.

This process, though it seemed long, was actually very brief.

The whole thing took less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

“Father, what just happened?”

Lu Ping’an came to his senses, feeling a bit dazed.

He looked at his hands, then at his father.

The previous pain and visions seemed like an illusion.

Now he felt light, incredibly comfortable, and full of energy.

He knew his martial arts had just advanced another step.

From the recently broken through Innate Grandmaster, he had reached Great Innate Grandmaster.

That is, the peak of martial arts.

But he felt that what his father had just done to him wasn’t as simple as breaking through in martial arts.

“It’s nothing. You actually had a Spirit Root, it just wasn’t detected before.”

“Later, come with me to Qingzhu Mountain.”

Lu Changsheng flicked his finger, casting a Cleanse spell to clean the impurities from his son’s body.

He hadn’t expected that using the Hope Gu would also stimulate Lu Ping’an’s potential, advancing his martial arts further.

Now, Lu Ping’an had reached the limit of martial arts.

However, this Great Innate Grandmaster strength was quite ordinary.

It was equivalent to a cultivator’s small success in body refinement.

Just with an added innate energy.

“What? I have a Spirit Root!?”

Lu Ping’an was stunned upon hearing this, his face showing surprise and disbelief.

He never thought he’d have a Spirit Root.

But thinking of what just happened, he looked at his father and said, “Father, is this Spirit Root… did you just…”

“You do have a Spirit Root. When we get to Qingzhu Mountain, I’ll teach you cultivation.”

Lu Changsheng stood up, patting his son’s broad shoulders.

“Yes, Father. I understand.”

Lu Ping’an pressed his lips together and said solemnly.

Although he didn’t know much about cultivation,

He knew a thing or two.

Giving someone a Spirit Root was like defying the heavens.

Today, no matter what, it was just that he had a Spirit Root that hadn’t been detected before.

“Hmm, the five elements of the Spirit Root are balanced. That’s good.”

Lu Changsheng placed his hand on Lu Ping’an’s shoulder, using his Divine Sense and spiritual power to examine his Spirit Root.

Everyone’s Spirit Root contains all five elements.

But most people have one element that’s stronger.

So people usually choose cultivation methods based on their strongest element.

But Lu Ping’an’s Spirit Root had all five elements equally balanced, all just reaching the fifth grade.

This Spirit Root attribute would be very effective for cultivating the “Five Luminaries Star Birth and Death Sword Classic” from the “Seven Luminaries Great Freedom Sword Manual”.

“Father, what grade is my Spirit Root?”

Lu Ping’an looked at his father, curious.

He knew Spirit Roots were divided into nine grades.

So he was curious about his own.

“Hmm, your Spirit Root is seventh grade.”

Lu Changsheng thought for a moment before speaking.

Although a Fifth-Tier Spirit Root didn’t seem high to him now,

Relatively speaking, it was quite good.

So he decided to state a lower grade.

“Seventh grade.”

Lu Ping’an nodded upon hearing this, not feeling disappointed.

To him, having a Spirit Root and being able to cultivate was already very satisfying.

His father had only a Ninth-Tier Spirit Root and had progressed step by step to his current achievements.

With his Seventh-Tier Spirit Root, what was there to be unsatisfied about!

As long as he worked hard, he would surely make a name for himself in the cultivation world!

After resolving Lu Ping’an’s situation, Lu Changsheng didn’t make a big announcement about it.

He only told his wife, Lu Lanshu, that he had just discovered their son Lu Ping’an had a Spirit Root.

It must have been undetected when he was young, or the Spirit Root was hidden, so he planned to take him back to Qingzhu Mountain.

“What? Ping’an has a Spirit Root!?”

Lu Lanshu was stunned upon hearing this, feeling as if she’d been hit by a pie falling from the sky.

She knew her son didn’t have a Spirit Root, so she had always wanted him to manage the Lu Family’s worldly affairs.

But her son wasn’t interested in that and lacked common sense, which worried her.

She never expected Lu Changsheng to tell her now that their son had a Spirit Root.

She felt an unexpected joy.

“Husband, are you sure…”

Lu Lanshu covered her mouth with both hands, her voice choked with emotion.

“Of course it’s true.”

“I’ll have Ping’an come back often. You’ll see for yourself then.”

Lu Changsheng said softly.

Lu Lanshu felt a wave of joy. Looking at her son, she began to instruct him to listen to his father and to Aunt Miaoge.

She knew Lu Miaoge was the eldest dauggter of the Lu Family, with an extraordinary status.

If her son could gain the favor of the main wives in the family, he would have a better life on Qingzhu Mountain.

“Mother, I understand. Don’t worry.”

Lu Ping’an replied seriously.

“You’re all grown up now. I won’t say much more.”

Lu Lanshu looked at her son with a smile, her heart full of joy.

She knew her son had always been favored by Lu Changsheng.

Now that he had a Spirit Root, he surely wouldn’t suffer on Qingzhu Mountain.

After a moment, she hesitantly asked Lu Changsheng, “Husband, since Ping’an has a Spirit Root, do you think Ningjing, Anning, and Anran… might have Spirit Roots too?”

These were all her children.

She bore six children for Lu Changsheng.

But none of these six children had a Spirit Root.

“Later, gather all the children in the backyard. I’ll check them again.”

Lu Changsheng pondered for a moment before speaking.

Lu Ping’an having a Spirit Root was definitely something that couldn’t be hidden.

He planned to take Lu Ping’an back to Qingzhu Mountain and tell Lu Lanshu about it. He never intended to hide it.

Since that was the case, he might as well recheck all the children in the family.

Yet thinking about these children, who would have hope only to be disappointed, he sighed softly.

“Thank you for your efforts, husband.”

Lu Lanshu immediately said, excitedly going to share the news.

Since he was back in Ruyi County.

Lu Changsheng naturally also wanted to see Hong Yi and inquire about his son Lu Quanzhen’s situation.

But the Marquis of Ruyi told Lu Changsheng that Hong Yi and Lu Quanzhen were out on a mission.

He said he’d immediately send someone to relay a message to Hong Yi.

The next day.

Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge checked the Spirit oots of all the children in the Lu Family backyard.

But after checking, they didn’t detect anyone with a Spirit Root.

This disappointed the children and several wives and concubines.

Seeing this, Lu Ping’an bit his lip, feeling heavy-hearted.

He was almost certain that his Spirit Root was due to his father, Lu Changsheng.

Thinking of his father’s favoritism towards him, he felt a weighty sense of responsibility.

Lu Changsheng stayed in Ruyi County for five days.

That day, Hong Yi and Lu Quanzhen arrived at the Lu mansion, travel-worn.

“Congratulations on breaking through to Foundation Establishment, Senior Lu.”

“Son greets Father. Congratulations on breaking through to Foundation Establishment!”

The two arrived at the Lu mansion and immediately cupped their hands to Lu Changsheng.

“Haha, Brother Hong, we’ve known each other for so many years. No need for such formalities.”

Hearing Hong Yi’s address, Lu Changsheng knew he had received news of his Foundation Establishment breakthrough.

After all, the Hongye Valley Marketplace was near Qingzhu Mountain.

And the Ruyi Marquis Manor had shops in the Hongye Valley Marketplace.

Upon receiving such news, it would naturally be transmitted back immediately.

“I was being too formal. Please don’t mind, Brother Lu.”

Hong Yi smiled upon hearing this.

But his behavior still showed some restraint, full of respect and awe.

After all, this was a Foundation Establishment cultivator!

He really hadn’t expected that the farm boy he looked down upon over twenty years ago would now achieve Foundation Establishment!

Back then, six of them went to the Azure Cloud Sect for the immortal sect examination.

Three were accepted into the Azure Cloud Sect, three were rejected.

Lu Changsheng had the worst Spirit Root talent among everyone.

Yet now, the person with the worst Spirit Root had broken through to Foundation Establishment. It really made him sigh at how unpredictable life could be.

But he was also grateful for his past decision to befriend and invest in Lu Changsheng.

“Take this pill.”

Lu Changsheng glanced at his son Lu Quanzhen.

Seeing his chaotic energy, he likely had some minor injuries.

He flicked out a bottle of healing pills from his Storage Bag, telling his son to take them.

“Father, it’s just a small injury. It’ll heal in ten days to half a month.”

Lu Quanzhen accepted the pills, saying respectfully.

“When I tell you to take it, just take it. We don’t need you to save money at home.”

Lu Changsheng said.

“Brother Lu, it’s my fault this time. We went out to capture a bandit cultivator, thinking it was a sure thing.”

“But that person actually had a spirit beast hidden in the shadows, which ambushed your nephew Quanzhen.”

Hong Yi quickly explained.

“It’s fine. How can one avoid injuries all the time?”

“These things can teach a lesson.”

Lu Changsheng waved his hand, saying this.

Then he told Lu Quanzhen to go tend to his injuries.

“Son takes his leave.”

Lu Quanzhen, hearing this, knew his father probably had something to discuss with Hong Yi, so he immediately excused himself.

Then, Lu Changsheng brought out some wine and chatted casually with Hong Yi, asking about his son Lu Quanzhen’s performance these past two years.

He also inquired about some situations in the Lu Family.

Faced with these questions, Hong Yi naturally didn’t dare to hide anything and recounted Lu Quanzhen’s performance over these years in detail.

He said that at first, he didn’t dare let Lu Quanzhen do anything dangerous, just some odd jobs.

But Lu Quanzhen had a steady personality and handled all assigned tasks methodically.

Later, he began to handle some affairs, all in an orderly and proper manner.

In the past half year or so, he had been taking Lu Quanzhen to participate in some missions to capture bandit cultivators and beast hunts.

Lu Quanzhen had shown both courage and wisdom, decisive in his actions.

“Brother Hong, don’t just pick out the good things to say.”

Lu Changsheng raised an eyebrow hearing this.

He knew his son was mature for his age and very opinionated.

But he hadn’t expected him to receive such high praise from Hong Yi.

“Brother Lu, how could I deceive you about such things?”

“Your nephew Quanzhen is indeed exceptional in these aspects.”

Hong Yi said with a bitter smile.

Then, he flattered, “I suppose it’s because he’s been under your influence since childhood that nephew Quanzhen has such capabilities.”

“If that’s the case, then let him continue to hone his skills under your guidance for a few more years, Brother Hong.”

“His mother worries about him daily. I was thinking, if he couldn’t adapt, we’d bring him back early and arrange for him to manage business in the Market.”

Lu Changsheng nodded slightly and said.

He had originally thought that if his son Lu Quanzhen’s performance was average, there would be no need for him to keep fighting here.

He’d return with him to Qingzhu Mountain and have him handle some affairs at the Hongye Valley Marketplace.

But since his son indeed had talent in this area, he’d let him continue to gain experience under Hong Yi.

“Rest assured, Brother Lu. I will certainly take good care of nephew Quanzhen!”

Hong Yi raised his cup and said respectfully.

He had originally wanted to marry one of his Spirit Root-possessing daughters to Lu Quanzhen.

But now that Lu Changsheng had broken through to Foundation Establishment, he felt a bit embarrassed to bring it up.

He decided in his heart to have his daughter work hard and let Lu Quanzhen bring up the matter to his father.

“Then I’ll trouble you, Brother Hong.”

Lu Changsheng nodded, raising his cup in return, and also inquired about Hong Yi’s current situation.

Since Hong Yi was helping him handle various matters, it was only right for him to reciprocate and help solve some issues for Hong Yi as well.

As they chatted, the conversation turned to Li Feiyu, Han Lin, Zhao Qingqing, and Xiao Xiyue.

Li Feiyu had gone to Qingluan Immortal City. In all these years, apart from two letters, there had been no contact.

Except for Xiao Xiyue, Lu Changsheng also had no contact with Han Lin and Zhao Qingqing.

However, Hong Yi had maintained contact with Han Lin and Zhao Qingqing, even having quite a bit of business dealings with them.

For instance, if the two needed to collect certain materials or information in their sects, they could ask Hong Yi to handle it.

And if Hong Yi had any needs, he would write to the two to inquire, creating a mutually beneficial relationship.

During their conversation, Hong Yi told Lu Changsheng about the recent situations of the two.

Han Lin showed some talent in Artifact refining and was now an upper-Tier Artifact refiner with Qi Refining eighth level cultivation.

Zhao Qingqing had reached Qi Refining Ninth Level and was preparing for Foundation Establishment.

“Looks like in a few years, Fellow Daoist Zhao might also break through to Foundation Establishment.”

Lu Changsheng said with a smile.

He remembered that Zhao Qingqing had a Wood Spirit Body and was taken as a disciple by an outer sect elder of the Azure Cloud Sect.

She might be able to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill and break through to Foundation Establishment.

“It’s not that simple.”

“Several years ago, Fellow Daoist Zhao asked me to keep an eye out for news about Foundation Establishment spirit items.”

“She said her contributions weren’t enough to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill in the sect, she could only choose to exchange for a ‘Meridian Protection Pill’.”

“When the time comes, she can only rely on Foundation Establishment spirit items to impact Foundation Establishment.”

Hong Yi shook his head and sighed.

“Oh? Doesn’t she have a master?”

“Won’t her master help and support her?”

Lu Changsheng was surprised to hear this.

In the cultivation world, the master-disciple relationship was not inferior to the parent-child relationship.

So as a master, most would support and help their disciples.

“I’ve heard a bit about this. Fellow Daoist Zhao’s master has a grandson who is an inner sect disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect.”

“When she initially took Zhao as a disciple, she wanted to match Zhao with her grandson.”

“But Zhao was unwilling, so their master-disciple relationship isn’t good. Otherwise, with the care of a master who is an outer sect elder, Zhao might have been able to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill.”

Hong Yi sighed as he spoke.

“Indeed, it seems one can’t escape from human nature and worldly affairs anywhere.”

Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but shake his head and sigh upon hearing this.

He had originally thought that since Zhao Qingqing awakened a Wood Spirit Body and was taken as a disciple by the outer sect elder managing the herb gardens of the Azure Cloud Sect, her future Foundation Establishment was promising.

He didn’t expect that she still couldn’t escape from human nature and worldly affairs, being coveted by others.

After chatting for a long time, Hong Yi bid farewell to Lu Changsheng.

Then, Lu Changsheng asked his son Lu Quanzhen if he planned to return with him or stay here.

“If Mother sees I’m injured, she’ll surely start fretting.”

“I’ll visit you and Mother at Qingzhu Mountain in a few days,” Lu Quanzhen said.

That was his response.

He wasn’t afraid of much, except his mother’s worrying.

If she saw he was hurt, she’d worry and stop him from going out.

Then, if she cried to his father about it, his father might agree with her.

“Alright, you’ve always been sensible. Do as you see fit,” Lu Changsheng nodded, not pushing the matter.

He didn’t force the issue.

He continued, “If anything seems risky, or if you’re out on a mission, take Nine Abyss with you for backup.”

“Nine Abyss?” Lu Quanzhen was puzzled.

Lu Quanzhen was confused.

“I mean Little Black,” Lu Changsheng explained.

He clarified.

When he first brought the Nine Abyss Mastiff home as a playmate for the children, he gave it the nickname ‘Little Black’.

So most of the children didn’t know its real name, Nine Abyss Mastiff.

“Little Black doesn’t seem very close to me,” Lu Quanzhen said, scratching his head.

He said this while scratching his head.

He knew his father’s spirit pet was powerful.

But Nine Abyss was only close to Lu Ping’an, Lu Wuyou, and Lu Wuyu, who grew up with it.

It wasn’t very friendly with him.

“I’ll have a word with it,” Lu Changsheng said.

He stated.

He took Lu Quanzhen to meet Nine Abyss, telling it to listen to Lu Quanzhen from now on.

He also gave Lu Quanzhen a Spirit Pet Bag and three bottles of Spirit Nourishing Pills.

He told him to feed Nine Abyss regularly and keep it in the Spirit Pet Bag when traveling.

“Thank you, Father!” Lu Quanzhen bowed gratefully.

He bowed and expressed his thanks.

After settling all family matters, Lu Changsheng boarded his Spirit Boat with Lu Miaoge, Lu Ping’an, and thh children, heading back to Qingzhu Mountain.