Chapter 257: Looking Back After Twenty-Five Years

Over a month later.

At Azure Cloud Sect.

On the white jade square filled with ethereal mist, hundreds of young men and women left with heavy hearts and low spirits.

“Yunlou, Xingyue, study hard at Azure Cloud Sect. If anything happens, you can always send a message home.”

“You can also go to your uncle, Uncle Han, or Aunt Zhao.”

Lu Changsheng said to his children before him.

Today was Azure Cloud Sect’s quinquennial entrance examination.

Since Hong Yi brought his son Hong Xuanji to take the exam,

Lu Changsheng decided to bring some of his children to participate as well.

After all, cultivating in a sect and learning skills was indeed better than staying at home in many ways.

Moreover, Azure Cloud Sect wasn’t far from home. Sending the children there meant they could receive training from both family and sect.

However, only those under eighteen could take the exam. Lu Ping’an, Lu Yun, and Lu Quanzhen were naturally ineligible.

So he brought eight children to take the disciple examination. Only his son Lu Yunlou and daughter Lu Xingyue, both with Sixth-Tier Spirit Roots, passed the test.

The other six children, along with Hong Xuanji, failed to pass.

Through his connections, Lu Changsheng roughly understood Azure Cloud Sect’s recruitment process.

Spirit Root, willpower, comprehension, and cultivation heart.

The examination was based on these four aspects.

But there was also a hidden condition – age.

Like Hong Xuanji, who had a Seventh-Tier Spirit Root and performed well in three tests, but at eighteen, he was too old to be selected.

“Brother-in-law, don’t worry. I’ll take good care of Yunlou and Xingyue.”

A handsome young man of about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, standing tall in Azure Cloud Sect disciple robes, said.

It was Xia Zhiyue’s younger brother, Xia Zhaoyang.

With his Fourth-Tier Spirit Root, he was doing well in Azure Cloud Sect, currently at the eighth layer of Qi Refining, with the potential to reach Foundation Establishment in the future.

“Alright then, I’ll leave Yunlou and Xingyue in your care.”

Lu Changsheng nodded and smiled at his brother-in-law.

He hadn’t interacted much with Xia Zhaoyang, only chatting a few times.

But the impression he left was decent, not someone who’d be cold or disloyal.

After brief instructions, Lu Changsheng walked down the white jade square, leading away the six eliminated children and Hong Xuanji.

“Xingyue, Yunlou, although you’ve passed the test, you’re only outer disciples.”

“So besides cultivation, you need to choose a craft to learn. What craft do you plan to study?”

Xia Zhaoyang asked his niece and nephew.

His gaze was noticeably warmer towards Lu Xingyue.

He had been raised by his sister Xia Zhiyue since childhood.

Over the years at Azure Cloud Sect, Xia Zhiyue often sent him some of her cultivation resources and saved Spirit Stones.

So he always remembered this family bond.

“Father said I could choose medicine.”

Lu Xingyue said in a clear voice.

Though she had met this uncle a few times, she wasn’t very familiar with him, her voice carrying a hint of unfamiliarity.

“Father told me to choose Equipment Refining.”

Lu Yunlou said.

“Good, I’ll take you there.”

Xia Zhaoyang nodded upon hearing this and led the two away.

Although Azure Cloud Sect had uniform arrangements,

As a disciple, he knew some of the inner workings.

For example, if one had an acquaintance in the sect, they’d let them escort the new disciples. This way, the outer sect managers would see and give a bit more care.

At Azure Cloud Sect’s entrance.

Many young men and women who failed the test looked sad, dejected, some even crying loudly.

Lu Changsheng’s six children, in this situation, also pressed their lips together, looking downcast.

Seeing this, Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but recall his own feelings twenty-five years ago when he learned he’d been eliminated by Azure Cloud Sect.

He patted his children’s heads and said nonchalantly, “It’s fine if you didn’t pass. Your father brought you here this time just to broaden your horizons.”

“Xuanji, you shouldn’t mind too much either.”

Lu Changsheng didn’t feel much about these children failing the test.

Partly because he had expected it.

And also because he had a carefree attitude about it.

They walked out of the sect entrance.

Hong Yi was waiting outside, looking expectant.

Seeing Lu Changsheng and his son come out, his face immediately showed some disappointment.

He had always had high hopes for his son Hong Xuanji.

He hoped his son could join a sect and surpass him.

But now, seeing his son walk out of the sect entrance, he knew he hadn’t passed the test.

“Brother Lu, Xuanji.”

Hong Yi cupped his hands and greeted Lu Changsheng.

“Xuanji did well in several tests, but he was a bit too old, so he was eliminated.”

Lu Changsheng told Hong Yi.

“Father, I’ve disappointed you.”

Hong Xuanji lowered his head slightly upon seeing his father’s expression.

He knew his father had greatly hoped for him to join Azure Cloud Sect.

“Ah, it’s alright.”

Hong Yi sighed deeply, patted his son’s shoulder, and didn’t say much.

Many people, like Hong Yi, showed sadness and disappointment upon seeing their children and younger relatives walk out of the sect entrance.

Most of them were independent cultivators, knowing the hardships of that path, hoping their children could join a sect.

“Brother Hong, Xuanji has good talent and intelligence. Even if he didn’t join a sect, he won’t do poorly in the future.”

“Weren’t we both rejected by Azure Cloud Sect back then?”

Lu Changsheng consoled him.

“If Xuanji could be like me in the future, that would be fine, but how could he compare to you, Brother Lu.”

Hong Yi’s face showed a bitter smile.

Then, he cupped his hands towards Lu Changsheng and said, “Brother Lu, I have a presumptuous request.”

“Haha, feel free to speak, Brother Hong.”

Lu Changsheng laughed and said.

He had a good guess about what Hong Yi was going to say.

“I want to ask Brother Lu to let Xuanji continue working at Bihu Mountain.”

Hong Yi took a deep breath and said.

Although he had become the Marquis of Ruyi, governing a prefecture in the mortal world,

He knew he had reached his limit.

If his son Hong Xuanji returned home to take over his affairs, there would be no hope of reaching Foundation Establishment in this life.

If he followed Lu Changsheng, not to mention the vague possibility of future Foundation Establishment,

At least after his death, the two families could maintain their relationship and friendship.

With this relationship and friendship, his Hong family wouldn’t fare too badly in the future.

“That’s no trouble at all. If Xuanji is willing, he can continue cultivating at Bihu Mountain.”

“Xuanji does a very good job, much better than some of my useless children.”

Lu Changsheng said with a smile.

He didn’t mind this kind of thing.

On one hand, there was the relationship and friendship with Hong Yi.

It was normal for him to help take care of Hong Yi’s son while Hong Yi helped him manage worldly affairs.

On the other hand, Hong Xuanji had been raised by Hong Yi since childhood, and his conduct and abilities were excellent.

This past year, working with Lu Quanzhen in the brewing workshop, he had performed better than many of Lu’s own children.

“Thank you, Brother Lu!”

Hearing this, Hong Yi quickly cupped his hands and bowed, then said to his son, “Xuanji, quickly thank Uncle Lu.”

“Thank you, Uncle Lu.”

Hong Xuanji said respectfully.

Hong Yi had long told him that he didn’t want him to inherit the position of Marquis of Ruyi.

He hoped his son could establish a cultivating Hong family in the future.

“Haha, no need to thank me for such a small matter. You’re young, no need to be so formal, just be casual.”

Lu Changsheng laughed and patted this nephew’s shoulder.

“Hm? What’s this?”

As they walked and talked, Lu Changsheng saw several figures in sect robes ahead, saying something to the rejected candidates.

“Our White Tiger Mountain Zhao Family is now recruiting ten sons-in-law, offering spiritual veins, blessed lands, and cultivation manuals. The requirement is to produce one middle-Tier Spirit Root child or five lower-Tier Spirit Root children within twenty years.”

“Young friend, our Yan Family Fort is recruiting outside disciples. Once you join, you’re one of us.”

“Our Purple Cloud Ridge is recruiting spirit farmers, teaching cultivation, providing food and lodging. Just sign a fifty-year contract and you’re in.”

“…”

Seeing this scene, Lu Changsheng immediately understood what was happening.

Cultivation families and forces had come to recruit people.

At this moment, he couldn’t help but recall the sunset on this mountain path twenty-five years ago when he walked here.

Back then, Lu Yuanshan Ding had come to recruit a son-in-law, just like these people.

However, hearing the requirements of these families, Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but exclaim inwardly how damn exploitative they were.

“It should be because of the Azure Cloud Sect’s attack on the Xiahou clan five years ago, as well as the demonic cultivation incident, leading to frequent rogue cultivators, which has weakened many families.”

Hong Yi spoke up, seeing this scene.

As the Marquis of Ruyi, considered a lower-tier force in the cultivation world, he was quite knowledgeable about such information.

“I see.”

Hearing this, Lu Changsheng nodded slightly.

“Greetings, brother-in-law!”

Just then, a man in his thirties wearing a green robe spotted Lu Changsheng and approached him, bowing respectfully.

“Hmm? Miaoqian, why are you here?”

Lu Changsheng recognized him as a direct descendant of the Lu Family from Qingzhu Mountain.

“Brother-in-law, the family head sent me to recruit some young talents.”

Lu Miaoquan replied respectfully.

“I see. I just brought a few children here for the assessment.”

Lu Changsheng nodded.

He knew the current situation at Qingzhu Mountain.

The older generation was either dead or aging.

Now the family lacked high-level fighters in the late stage of Qi Refining.

With improved family conditions, they naturally wanted to bring in fresh blood.

After thinking, he decided he could also recruit some young talents.

Most of these boys and girls were potential cultivators found by the Azure Cloud Sect’s secular branch, many not yet on the path of immortality.

Signing them as apprentices would be cost-effective.

These youths were also of marriageable age.

If they hit it off with his own children, it could lead to good matches.

After a moment’s thought, Lu Changsheng infused his voice with spiritual power: “Young friends, my Bihu Mountain Lu Family is recruiting apprentices and servants. We offer spiritual vein training grounds, cultivation manuals, salary, and five guarantees.”

“Gasp, Bihu Mountain Lu Family? Is this elder the master of Bihu Mountain, Elder Lu Changsheng?”

“I, Zhao Yanxu of White Tiger Mountain, pay my respects to Ancestor Lu!”

“Greetings, Master Lu!”

“Greetings, Elder Lu!”

As soon as Lu Changsheng spoke, many independent cultivators and people from major family forces recognized him.

Immediately, many people bowed respectfully to Lu Changsheng.

In the Qingyun Region, especially around Bihu Mountain, Lu Changsheng had quite a reputation.

Second-Tier Talisman Master!

Single-handedly killed three Foundation Establishment cultivators!

His family defeated the Xiahou Demon!

These events made Lu Changsheng of Bihu Mountain a household name among many family forces and independent cultivators.

Unexpectedly, such a figure personally came to the Azure Cloud Sect today to recruit apprentices.

“Bihu Mountain’s master, Lu Changsheng. I’ve heard his story. Once rejected by the Azure Cloud Sect, he chose to be a son-in-law in a cultivation family. Now he’s a Foundation Establishment master who established Bihu Mountain!”

“Though Bihu Mountain is newly established, its master Lu Changsheng is a Foundation Establishment master. When founding the mountain, he single-handedly killed three Foundation Establishment cultivators. He’s in his prime, and his family has a formation master.”

“This Elder Lu looks like a good person!”

“Right, Elder Lu looks like a true immortal!”

“I wonder if Elder Lu is recruiting maids or female attendants.”

“Being born humble isn’t shameful. A real man can adapt. From now on, Elder Lu is my goal!”

“If I join the Bihu Mountain Lu Family, I might rise like Elder Lu.”

“Elder Lu, may I ask what’s the difference between servants and apprentices in your family?”

Many young talents discussed among themselves, and someone asked out loud.

Having been rejected by the Azure Cloud Sect, they found it difficult to pursue immortal cultivation.

Most could only become independent cultivators or servants for some family forces to obtain cultivation methods and training grounds.

Now, Bihu Mountain and Lu Changsheng’s reputation immediately attracted many.

Even those who hadn’t heard of Bihu Mountain’s Lu Changsheng before.

Seeing so many people bowing respectfully to Lu Changsheng, they knew this Bihu Mountain was extraordinary.

“Regarding servants and apprentices, the first three years are a training phase. Bihu Mountain will provide you with cultivation methods and a monthly allowance of Spirit Rice and two Spirit Stones.”

“If during these three years, you show talent in Talisman Making, pill refining, Equipment Refining, brewing, puppetry, Beast Taming, Spirit Plant Cultivation, Spirit Butchery, or other skills, you can become an apprentice of my Lu Family, enjoying superior treatment. Specific benefits will depend on your performance.”

“If you don’t show talent in these skills, you can only become a servant, accepting assignments from my Lu Family and working for Bihu Mountain for ten years to repay the training costs of the first three years.”

“As for the five guarantees I mentioned, they are bereavement benefits, medical care, childbirth support, housing, and retirement care.”

“If you’re injured or meet with accidents while learning or working at Bihu Mountain, my Lu Family will provide certain compensation. The same applies to medical treatment for illnesses. As long as you’re at Bihu Mountain, my Lu Family will provide free medical care.”

“If you work at Bihu Mountain for twenty years, you can settle down here, enjoying childbirth allowances and retirement benefits.”

Lu Changsheng explained.

“Elder Lu, I want to sign up!”

“This young lady also wants to sign up.”

“Son, hurry and sign up. Even as a servant, at least you can cultivate!”

Hearing this, the scene became lively, with many expressing their desire to sign up.

It wasn’t that Lu Changsheng’s conditions were particularly attractive.

It was simply that Lu Changsheng’s appearance naturally inspired trust and a strange sense of closeness.

Plus, with Bihu Mountain’s reputation, the conditions sounded several times better than those offered by other family forces just now.

“So many people?”

Lu Changsheng was slightly surprised to see so many people wanting to sign up.

He had just had a sudden idea to recruit some people back.

He didn’t expect it to be so popular.

“Brother Lu, leave this to me.”

Nearby, Hong Yi took out a small wooden table from his Storage Bag and had everyone line up.

Then he registered them one by one, inquiring about their Spirit Roots, family background, and age.

For recruiting apprentices, those from wealthy families with good conditions were naturally excluded first.

However, Hong Yi seemed to guess Lu Changsheng’s intentions and relaxed the conditions a bit for young women with beautiful appearances.

An hour and a half later, with Hong Yi’s help, Lu Changsheng selected thirty young talents.

Fifteen boys and fifteen girls.

Due to the large number of applicants, these thirty had quite good qualifications.

Among them was a boy with a Sixth-Tier Spirit Root.

Lu Changsheng calculated that if these people proved worth cultivating after bringing them back, he could come again every five years.

“My Bihu Mountain is only recruiting thirty people for now. If you’re still interested, you can go to the Qingzhu Mountain Lu Family.”

Lu Changsheng said to the disappointed boys and girls before him.

This was also a way to advertise for Qingzhu Mountain using his name.

“Thank you, brother-in-law!”

Hearing this, Lu Miaoquan quickly bowed to Lu Changsheng.

“Brother Hong, I’ll have to trouble you to come with me.”

Lu Changsheng said, looking at the many boys and girls.

He had three Spirit Boats in his Storage Bag, but one person couldn’t manage multiple boats.

Even two Spirit Boats couldn’t carry so many people.

Lu Changsheng looked around and invited a Late-Stage Qi Refining independent cultivator.

He asked him to pilot one Spirit Boat, then set off with the thirty young talents on the Spirit Boats.

“Riding horses? Shouldn’t we be on Spirit Boats?”

A moment later, other families who had also recruited people released spirit horses, preparing to take their young talents back.

The young talents who had just seen Lu Changsheng leave with people on Spirit Boats were surprised to find themselves on horses, feeling a sense of disparity.

“Ahem, these are no ordinary horses. They’re spirit steeds from the cultivation world, capable of traveling a thousand miles in a day.”

The family representative explained.

They were also helpless.

After all, even one Spirit Boat required a Late-Stage Qi Refining cultivator to pilot.

And their family couldn’t possibly use multiple Spirit Boats at once.

Although these young talents were unwilling, they had to accept the situation, feeling some envy for not being able to go to Bihu Mountain.

Eight days later.

Three Spirit Boats landed outside Bihu Mountain.

“Father!”

At the mountain gate guard post, Lu Yun saw his father return and immediately called out.

“Mm.”

Lu Changsheng nodded, took out a Mid-Tier Spirit Stone, and said to the independent cultivator who had helped: “Thank you for your trouble, friend.”

“Elder Lu, you’re too kind, too kind!”

The independent cultivator heard this and accepted the Spirit Stone with a beaming smile.

“This is my Bihu Mountain Lu Family.”

Then, Lu Changsheng led the thirty young men and women through the gate, saying.

He then sent a message to Xiaoqing, explaining the situation of these people and asking her to arrange for all these young men and women to stay at Lakeside Manor.

In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.

Bringing back thirty young talents didn’t have much impact or change on the Lu Family.

After all, the monthly expenses for thirty young talents were less than a hundred Spirit Stones.

On this day, the Lu Family’s annual family meeting was held.

This year, the Lu Family was still operating at a loss.

But compared to last year, it was somewhat better.

Faced with this situation, Lu Changsheng didn’t say much.

He simply encouraged them to keep up their efforts. If any of the family’s children had thoughts of marriage, taking a wife or concubine, they could bring it up and let the family arrange it.

After all, on Bihu Mountain, only his son Lu Xian’er was married, which truly worried him as an old father.

“Changsheng, Uncle’s internal organ problems have improved greatly under my Taiji True Water treatment.”

“If you have time, you can try to remove the corpse poison from Uncle.”

After the family meeting ended, Lu Miaoge said softly to Lu CCangsheng.

Earlier, Lu Changsheng had mentioned that once she had treated Lu Yuanzhong’s internal organ issues, he could try to expel the poison with his sword qi.

“Alright, we’ll go together in a few days,” Lu Changsheng said gently, holding Lu Miaoge’s delicate hand..

The three returned to Hall of Everlasting Life, where Lu Miaoyun routinely used Taij True Water to nourish Ling Zixiao’s meridians and dantian.

Looking at the beautiful and gentle Lu Miaoge before him, Lu Channsheng felt he needed to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill as soon as possible.

Over two years had passed, and Lu Miaoge had been constantlyytraveling between Qingzhu Mountain and Bihu Mountain.

She also had to preside over the Hongye Valley Marketplace, which kept her extremely busy.

Now, he had gathered most of the auxiliary materials for the Foundation Establishment Pill, with only two herbs remaining.

He thought about refining the Foundation Establishment Pill soon and sending one to the Lu Family on Qingzhu Mountain.

As long as someone from Qingzhu Mountain broke through and a new Foundation Establishment cultivator emerged, Lu Miaoge wouldn’t need to beeso busy and could cultivate peacefully on Bihu Mountain.

With the effect of the Taiyi Dao Seed, Lu Miaoge’s cultivation speeddwas now no weaker than those with High-Tier spirit roots.

However, due to her busy schedule and treating Lu Yuanzhong and Ling Zixiao’s injuries, she had been delaying her own cultivation.

Three days later.

After informing Xiao Xiyue and Ling Zixiao, Lu Changsheng went to Qingzhu Mountain with Lu Miaoge to remove Lu Yuanzhhng’s corpse poison.

Considering that Lu Miaoyun and Lu Miaohuan had’t been back for a while, he brought the two women, along with his son Lu Yun, Lu Qingsong, and others.

“Changsheng, Miaoge, you’re here,” Lu Yuanzhong and Lu Yuanshan Ding greeted them upon learning of Lu Changsheng’s arrival.

“Father-in-law, Uncle,” Lu Changsheng greeted them with a smile.

After a brief catch-up, Lu Changsheng examined Lu Yuanzhong’s condition.

Under Lu Miaoge’s Taiji True Water reatment, Lu Yuanzhong’s internal organs, which had been corroded by corpse poison, had regained vitality.

However, the problem of corpse poison in his organs remained unresolved, clinging to his organs like a persistent tumor.

“Ancestor, although I’m somewhat confident in expelling the poison, the corpse poison has now fused with your organs, making it difficult to eradicate completely.”

“If we try to remove it too deeply, it might damage your organs,” Lu Changsheng said after pondering for a moment.

“Changsheng, do what you think is best,” Lu Yuanzhong replied.

With Lu Changsheng’s demonstrated abilities and Lu Miaoge’s changes, he had ccmplete faith in Lu Changsheng.

“Alright,” Lu Changsheng nodded and asked Lu Yuanzhong to lie down.

He placed his palm on Lu Yuanzhong’s chest and began to expel the poison using Seven-star Sword Qi.

“What a domineering and sharp sword qi!” Lu Yuanzhong’s expression changed slightly, his eyes showing shock.

Through this Seven-star Sword Qi, he instantly felt that Lu Changsheng’s spiritual power was incredibly strong and domineering.

It was even more powerful and sharp than Lu Miaoge’s spiritual power..

He marveled inwardly at what kind of cultivation technique Lu Changsheng practiced to have such domineering spiritual power and sword qi.

If not for this treatment, he truly wouldn’t have known Lu Changsheng’s combat ability, thinking his real skill was in talismans.

Now it seemed that Lu Changsheng hadn’t even used his full strength when facing the Yu Family’s three Foundation Establishment cultivators.

“Sister Miaoge, use Taiji True Water to protect Uncle’s meridians,” Lu Changsheng said as he slowly removed the corpse poison from Lu Yuanzhong’s internal organs using Seven-star Sword Qi.

However, the corpse poison had been there for years and was like a stubborn tumor, very difficult to remove.

If the sword qi was too sharp, it could easily harm Lu Yuanzhong.

“Alright!” Hearing this, Lu Miaoge immediately circulaaed her spiritual power, her palms surrounded by a blue glow, using the condensed Taiji True Water to protect Lu Yuanzhong’s internal organs.

In this way, the two worked together to expel the poison from Lu Yuanzhong.

But Lu Yuanzhong’s condition was indeed troublesome.

Even Lu Changsheng could only remove some of the residual corpse poison on the surface.

It was difficult to achieve a deep, complete removal.

“Uncle, rest and recuperate for a few days,” Lu Changsheng said to Lu Yuanzhong after an hour, withdrawing his palm and letting out a long breath.

“When your condition improves, I’ll try to remove more poison.”

His Seven-star Sword Qi poison removal was somewhat like scraping bones to heal wounds for Lu Yuanzhong, causing some damage to his internal organs.

“Changsheng, Miaoge, thank you for your hard work,” Lu Yuanzhong said solemnly.

During the battle at Blackwater Pool, he had thought his life was coming to an end.

But now, not only did the Lu Family have Lu Miaoge as a Foundation Esttblishment cultivator,

but the two of them working together could also solve his corpse poison problem.

In his view, even if it couldn’t be completely eradicated, living for a few more decades was worth it.

“Uncle, you’re too kind,” Lu Changsheng said with a smile.

Then he and Lu Miaoge decided to stay on ingzhu Mountain for a while, trying their best to resolve Lu Yuanzhong’s condition.