Chapter 242: Forty Spirit Root Descendants! Time to Draw Lots!
by xennovelTen days later.
Three Azure Cloud Sect Enforcement Palace cultivators arrived at Bihu Mountain.
Lu Changsheng recognized one of them as Chu Tiange.
They came to investigate after receiving Lu Changsheng’s letter.
“This is indeed a Yin Corpse cultivated by the Xiahou Demon. It’s already at the mid-stage of the second rank.”
A middle-aged man with a square face and stern features examined the second-rank Yin Corpse.
After a moment, he stood up, cast a Cleanse spell on himself, and asked Lu Changsheng, “Fellow Daoist Lu, could you describe what happened that day?”
“Zixiao, please tell Wei Enforcer about the incident,” Lu Changsheng said to Ling Zixiao beside him.
“That night…” Ling Zixiao began.
Her face was pale and delicate, looking weak but still maintaining a dignified and elegant demeanor.
She spoke softly, recounting the events of that night.
She only mentioned using a certain secret technique regarding her physical condition.
Then, relying on her life-saving Third-Tier Talisman, she managed to defeat the attacker.
“The Bihu Qingtian Formation and Third-Tier Talismans,” Wei Sheng nodded thoughtfully.
Before coming, he had already learned about Bihu Mountain, Lu Changsheng, and Ling Zixiao.
He knew that Ling Zixiao was a formation master.
With a second-rank formation and Third-Tier Talismans, she could indeed defeat the Xiahou Demon.
Moreover, Ling Zixiao’s current condition and the aftermath of the battle made him imagine how fierce the fight must have been.
“Fellow Daoist Lu, I now understand the general situation,” Wei Sheng said.
“This person is likely one of the Xiahou Demons we’re hunting, Xiahou Wuxu.”
“Regarding the Yu Family’s collusion with demonic cultivators, we’ll investigate and verify the matter, then give you an answer.”
“Considering the possibility of the Xiahou Demon seeking revenge on your family, if you need, I can apply to the sect to arrange someone to guard Bihu Mountain.”
Wei Sheng’s expression remained stern, but his words and actions were very polite.
This politeness was due not only to Lu Changsheng and Ling Zixiao’s status,
but also because of Lu Changsheng’s relationship with Xiao Xiyue, his own palace master.
After all, he knew about the previous incident at the Recording Palace and was aware that his palace master knew Lu Changsheng.
This connection alone was enough to make him change his attitude.
“Arrange someone to guard?” Lu Changsheng asked, surprised by this treatment.
He inquired, “Would this guard be a False Core cultivator?”
“Even in our Azure Cloud Sect, False Core cultivators are limited. We can only try to arrange Foundation Establishment disciples,” Wei Sheng shook his head.
False Core cultivators were high-level combat strength even for Azure Cloud Sect.
They were needed to guard important Markets or territories, handling affairs, and couldn’t be spared for small family clans.
Applying for someone to guard for Lu Changsheng was already a favor due to his relationship with the palace master.
Otherwise, normal families couldn’t get such treatment unless they paid a hefty price.
“I happen to have a good friend in Azure Cloud Sect. Could she be arranged?” Lu Changsheng asked casually.
He wouldn’t want an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator to guard his family.
But if Xiao Xiyue could come, that would be perfect.
“Well…” Wei Sheng’s first instinct was to refuse.
Applying for someone to guard was already special treatment, and now Lu Changsheng was being picky?
But hearing Lu Changsheng mention a friend, he immediately guessed it was Xiao Xiyue.
Thinking of Lu Changsheng’s mysterious relationship with his palace master, he pondered for a moment and said, “I can’t decide this. Fellow Daoist Lu, you can ask your friend to apply to the sect herself.”
“Alright, I’ll ask her later,” Lu Changsheng replied.
“Very well. Fellow Daoist Lu, if you receive any news about the Xiahou Demon in the future, you can send us a message anytime.”
“And if we have any relevant information, we’ll inform you as well.”
“Regarding this incident, if we confirm it was Xiahou Wuxu, our Azure Cloud Sect will issue the bounty reward.”
Wei Sheng nodded and said.
“Thank you for your trouble, Fellow Daoist Wei,” Lu Changsheng cupped his hands and said.
After settling most of the matters, Wei Sheng and his two companions left with the Yu Family members.
“With this incident, the Yu Family issue is mostly resolved,” Ling Zixiao said softly.
“Even if there are Yu Family cultivators hiding outside, they can only live in anonymity now.”
“Mm,” Lu Changsheng nodded.
However, in his view, the hidden Yu Family cultivators were still a problem.
After all, his family had so many children.
They couldn’t stay in Bihu Mountain forever and would eventually go out.
This was why most family forces rarely engaged in life-and-death conflicts.
Because such matters, once started, had to be dealt with thoroughly, leaving no loose ends.
“But the Nine-Nine Mysterious Talisman Scripture has several life-saving talismans like the ‘Substitute Life Charm’.”
“When I’m more proficient in drawing Third-Tier Talismans and gather the necessary materials, I can make some for the children.”
Lu Changsheng thought to himself.
Then he wrote a letter to Xiao Xiyue about the family guard matter.
On the vast Bishui Lake.
Lu Changsheng and Qu Zhenzhen sat in a small boat, holding jade bamboo fishing rods, angling.
Beside the boat, Lu Wangshu, wearing a pink brocade dress, squatted on the Cold Jade Mysterious Turtle, holding a miniature fishing rod, imitating fishing.
Seeing her rod start to sink, Lu Wangshu happily shouted, “Dad, Mom, I’ve got another fish!”
“Little Wangshu is so amazing!” Qu Zhenzhen smiled and encouraged her, helping Lu Wangshu pull up the rod.
Then she put the spirit fish from the hook into a nearby fish basket and said to Lu Changsheng, “Husband, look, Wangshu has caught more than you.”
“Hehe, fishing is mainly about cultivating one’s mind. As long as you’re happy, why care about how many fish you catch?” Lu Changsheng’s mouth twitched as he stubbornly replied.
Then he looked at Lu Ping’an, Lu Xian’er, and Lu Yun, who were fishing with nets on a large boat in the distance, and shouted, “You guys, keep it down and stay farther away! You’re scaring away my fish!”
“Dad, we’re already so far away. How can you blame us?” Lu Yun immediately protested.
“You little rascal,” Lu Changsheng said with feigned annoyance.
Then he looked at his own fishhook, puzzled why no fish were biting.
“Husband, Feifei is about to give birth,” Lu Miaoyun arrived, flying on cloud ribbon, and informed Lu Changsheng.
She said that the child in concubine Bai Feifei’s womb was about to be born.
“Alright,” Lu Changsheng immediately set off with Qu Zhenzhen and Lu Miaoyun to check.
But his daughter Lu Wangshu was still enthusiastically fishing.
Lu Changsheng immediately called Lu Xian’er over, asking him to watch his precious daughter and make sure the fish didn’t pull her into the lake.
At Biyun Peak, in the Lu Family Mansion, Lu Changsheng and several wives chatted while waiting outside the delivery room.
He was quite expectant about the child in Bai Feifei’s womb.
If this child had a Spirit Root, it would be his fortieth child with a Spirit Root.
The system would likely give a lucky draw opportunity.
Time passed slowly.
About half an hour later, a mysterious tremor occurred, accompanied by a system prompt.
[Congratulations to the host for reaching 40 Spirit Root descendants. You’ve gained one lucky draw chance!]
“This child not only has a Spirit Root but also a good one. It should be a Fifth-Tier Spirit Root.”
Lu Changsheng immediately judged the child’s Spirit Root situation through this tremor.
This greatly improved his mood.
Soon after, the delivery room door opened.
“Congratulations, Master! It’s a young master!” the midwife came out of the room, carrying a swaddled, delicate baby, smiling as she congratulated Lu Changsheng.
As Lu Changsheng was a Foundation Establishment cultivator and Bai Feifei was at the sixth level of Qi Refining, the newborn was pink and cute.
“Good, here’s your reward!” Lu Changsheng took out ten low-Tier Spirit Stones from his Storage Bag as a reward.
“Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master!” The midwife’s face bloomed like a chrysanthemum.
She was originally just an outside cultivator in the Lu Family.
But since being assigned as the midwife for Lu Changsheng’s family, her life had become prosperous.
Not only was her work easier, only delivering for Lu Changsheng’s family, but she also often received red envelopes and bonuses.
When Lu Changsheng moved to Bihu Mountain, she came along, and now her whole family relied on her for their livelihood.
“Feifei, you’ve worked hard,” Lu Changsheng said.
After looking at his son for a few moments, Lu Changsheng went into the room and spoke softly to Bai Feifei.
Though he had over a hundred children now, he no longer felt much excitement about these things.
Still, he knew he should show the proper attitude.
Moreover, this child not only had a Fifth-Tier Spirit Root but also came with system dividends, putting him in a good mood.
“My dear husband, it wasn’t difficult.”
Bai Feifei felt somewhat flustered by Lu Changsheng’s comforting words.
When she gave birth to her first child, Lu Changsheng wasn’t even home.
Now, as a Foundation Establishment cultivator and master of Bihu Mountain, he had waited outside the delivery room and immediately came in to check on her, offering words of comfort. It truly made her feel cherished.
After chatting briefly with Bai Feifei and telling her to rest well, Lu Changsheng left.
“System.”
Lu Changsheng arrived at the top of Biyun Peak and focused his mind, using the system to find information about his newborn child.
[Name: Lu Yunfei]
[Lifespan: 1/78]
[Talent: Fifth-Tier Spirit Root]
[Cultivation: None]
“It really is a Fifth-Tier Spirit Root.”
“Apart from Ping’an, our Lu Family finally has a second child with a Fifth-Tier Spirit Root.”
Lu Changsheng let out a light breath, a faint smile on his face.
Having a Fifth-Tier Spirit Root meant this child had the potential to reach Foundation Establishment in the future.
“But to upgrade my Fourth-Tier Spirit Root to Third-Tier, I still need a child with a Fourth-Tier Spirit Root.”
“Otherwise, trying to slowly accumulate progress is too difficult.”
Lu Changsheng thought about his own Spirit Root.
He was full of expectations for the children of his six wives, especially the one in Nangong Mili’s womb.
“Bai Feifei’s child has been born, what’s going on with the child in Nangong Mili’s womb?”
At this moment, Lu Changsheng thought again about the child in Nangong Mili’s womb, wondering about its situation.
“System, draw lots!”
Without further thought, he mentally commanded and began the lottery.
He wanted to see if this draw could get him some rare pills or Natural Treasures to solve Ling Zixiao’s physical problems.
Although Ling Zixiao had started recovering under his and Lu Miaoge’s treatment,,
he still felt somewhat guilty towards her and wanted to make it up to her, helping her recover quickly.
The familiar system wheel appeared, then golden light flowed and rotated rapidly.
Under Lu Changsheng’s expectant gaze, the golden light stopped on ‘Skill’.
[Ding! Congratulations, host has obtained Second-Tier wine-making skill!]
[Reward has been deposited in the system space, host can check at any time]
A light orb in the shape of a wine pot appeared from the wheel, accompanied by the system’s voice.
[Second-Tier wine-making skill: After use, directly comprehend max-level Second-Tier wine-making skill and corresponding wine encyclopedia.]
“Wine-making?”
Lu Changsheng frowned slightly upon seeing this draw’s reward.
As his strength and status improved, he gradually lost interest in the hundred cultivation arts.
Because even if he mastered these skills, using them would be very time-consuming.
Just like now, he had mastered Second-Tier talisman crafting, Second-Tier puppetry, Second-Tier Spirit Butchery, and Second-Tier pill refining.
But he alone couldn’t focus on doing so many things.
As for passing it down and teaching his children,
skills like these weren’t easy to teach and were very time-consuming.
“Well, wine-making it is.”
“At least it’s a Second-Tier skill.”
“Besides, wine can be a product for factory assembly lines.”
“With this Second-Tier wine-making skill, I can not only brew Second-Tier wine for myself but also add a wine industry to the family business.”
Lu Changsheng pondered, thinking to himself.
Then he looked at the light orb in the system space and used it on himself.
Suddenly, a flood of knowledge and information poured into his mind.
‘Introduction to Wine-Making’
‘Basic Wine-Making Encyclopedia’
‘First-Tier Wine-Making Encyclopedia’
‘Second-Tier Wine-Making Encyclopedia’
‘Drink the Strongest Wine, Love the Most Beloved Person’
‘Drink Different Wines, Savor an Elegant Life’
After a while,
The knowledge and information about wine-making poured into Lu Changsheng’s mind like enlightenment.
It made him thoroughly understand the brewing, purification, fermentation, storage, and other aspects of spiritual wines.
“Indeed worthy of a Second-Tier skill.”
“Even though it’s just a minor path among the hundred cultivation arts, it’s still so complex.”
“Spirit fruit wine, Spirit Rice wine, spirit grain wine, spirit herb wine, special spirit wines…”
Lu Changsheng quietly digested the wine-making knowledge in his mind.
Having often drunk the Lu Family’s Jasper Bamboo Wine and White Jade Hundred Flowers Wine before, he had learned quite a bit about wine-making through the Lu Family’s fifth elder.
But now with the Second-Tier wine-making skill, Lu Changsheng realized how crude and rough the Lu Family’s previous wine-making had been.
“This wine-making can actually be considered a branch of pill refining.”
“Compared to pills, spirit wines excel in taste and can be used for entertaining guests and creating atmosphere.”
“Moreover, their effects are more gentle than pills, basically non-toxic, without side effects, unlike pills which can have toxins and even develop resistance if taken too much.”
“Given Zixiao’s current physical condition, we can only adjust slowly and can’t use strong medicine. If I can blend and brew spirit wines suitable for her, it might help her recovery.”
Lu Changsheng pondered, thinking that as a top Second-Tier wine maker, he could fully customize wines according to Ling Zixiao’s physical condition.
This would certainly help significantly with her body’s recovery.
Then, Lu Changsheng contemplated Ling Zixiao’s situation, organizing his thoughts.
He then took out brush and ink, writing down various spiritual herbs, materials, and tools, asking the Ji Family to purchase them for him.
With previous lessons learned, he naturally wouldn’t run around recklessly now.
For any tasks, he would directly assign them to the nearby Ji Family.
And the Ji Family was quite willing to handle such matters.
Half a month later, after receiving Hong Yi’s reply, Lu Changsheng asked Lu Miaoge to take Lu Ping’an o Ruyi County to bring some Lu Family members to Bihu Mountain.
Considering safety concerns and caring for so many family members, Lu Changsheng directly spent three thousand Spirit Stones and a Second-Tier high-quality talisman as payment to request a Foundation Establishment escort from the ‘Tianwei Escort Agency’.
Two Foundation Establishment cultivators, three Late-Stage Qi Refining cultivators, and one grandmaster martial artist escorting ordinary people throughout the journey – such a grand gesture was no small matter.
This added another reputation of being wealthy and generous to Lu Changsheng’s name.
However, Lu Changsheng did this intentionally.
Through this method, he outwardly revealed that he had become a Second-Tier high-quality Talisman Master.
And in the Hongye Valley Marketplace, his Ping’an Talisman Hall would add one high-quality talisman every three months.
The journey from Ruyi County to Bihu Mountain wasn’t far.
Traveling by Spirit Boat, it was about a four-day journey.
This trip was very safe and encountered no dangers or troubles.
Faced with this situation, the escort leader was also very polite.
He stated that since they hadn’t encountered any dangers and the task was too simple, he refunded two thousand Spirit Stones to Lu Changsheng.
“Escort Leader Lu, how could I accept this?”
Lu Changsheng spoke up.
Knowing that his family had a Second-Tier Talisman Master and Second-Tier formation master, he understood the other party was using this method to build a good relationship.
“Master Lu is too kind. If you have such needs in the future, we can cooperate more often.”
Lu Haijin looked to be in his forties, tall and strong, not only with Foundation Establishment cultivation but also a body tempering cultivator.
Cultivators who could open escort agencies and work as escorts generally had outstanding combat abilities.
“Of course. In a month, my Lu Family will hold its clan establishment ceremony. If Escort Leader Lu is free, you’re welcome to attend then.”
Lu Changsheng said politely.
He knew that in the future, he would inevitably have to deal with such escort agencies frequently.
After all, currently in his family, apart from himself and Lu Miaoge, they lacked high-eed combat power.
In the future, many matters and outside business would require the use of escorts.
“Alright, I will certainly attend at that time.”
Lu Haijin said.
As escorts, they naturally had to prepare many life-saving measures for their role in protecting people and escorting them safely.
And talismans could be said to be one of the best choices for cultivators.
Being able to get acquainted with Lu Changsheng, such a Second-Tier high-quality Talisman Master, and obtain a stable source of talismans was a great thing for them.
After seeing off Lu Haijin, Lu Changsheng settled his wives and children who had been brought over.
Although wives, concubines, and children all came on this trip, not many ultimately planned to stay on Bihu Mountain.
Because many children had grown up on Qingzhu Mountain from a young age, they roughly knew the situation on Bihu Mountain.
Having now seen the prosperous outside world, many didn’t want to stay on Bihu Mountain.
Or they felt that without a Spirit Root, they would always be out of place on Bihu Mountain.
Lu Changsheng was well aware of this situation, so he let them choose for themselves.
That day, Lu Changsheng received a reply from Xiao Xiyue.
She expressed difficulty in securing a formation master from within the Azure Cloud Sect.
To invite a Top-Tier Second-Tier formation master, Lu Changsheng would need to use the Cloud Peak token.
However, she mentioned she could arrange for a Top-Tier First-Tier formation master.
If Lu Changsheng needed one, she could bring them along when attending his clan establishment ceremony.
“Use the Cloud Peak token to invite someone from the Azure Cloud Sect.”
Lu Changsheng pondered these words.
He didn’t mind using the Cloud Peak token to invite a formation master to rearrange Bihu Mountain inside and out.
But this Cloud Peak token was obtained through his identity as Han Li, the rogue cultivator.
If used, he wasn’t sure if it would bring more trouble.
“Let’s wait until Xiyue arrives to decide,” Lu Changsheng thought.
He replied to Xiao Xiyue after some consideration.
He planned to settle this matter when Xiao Xiyue came for the clan establishment ceremony.
Then, he could also ask Meng Yibai about Immortal Lady Meng and thank her master.
The letter didn’t mention the clan’s guardian. Xiao Xiyue likely hadn’t received his later letter yet.
Lu Changsheng wasn’t in a hurry. He planned to ask about everything when the time came.