Chapter 262: I Previously Contracted a Third-Tier Spirit Beast!

“The remnants of those bandits from the Hongye Valley Marketplace?”

“Sending a bell? Blood for blood, have a nice trip to the underworld?”

Lu Changsheng frowned as he listened to Lu Miaoyun’s words and examine the bronze bell in his hand, sensing the lingering power of a late Foundation Establishment cultivator.

He wondered if this was how bandits operated these days.

In this situation, should he shout, “Except for Golden Core cultivators, who dares to mess with our four great families? Daring to curse me with a bell, investigate this at once!”

“Yun’er, did you see who delivered this bell?” Lu Changsheng asked.

“Little Yu was guarding the mountain gate when this bell crashed down in front. No one was seen,” Lu Miaoyun replied.

“So it’s likely the work of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.”

Lu Miaoyun added, gently pursig her lips.

“Hmm.” Lu Changsheng nodded thoughtfully upon hearing this.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator doing such a thing and deliberately leaving traces of late Foundation Establishment power on the bronze bell was clearly no mere prank.

While Lu Changsheng didn’t take this incident seriously and even thought the culprit might be a bit unhinged,

This wasn’t aimed at his Bihu Mountain.

It targeted the Hongye Valley Marketplace and the four great families!

So, Lu Changsheng was somewhat worried about Qingzhu Mountain and Lu Miaoge..

After all, if the enemy really had a late Foundation Establishment cultivator, it posed a certain danger to Qingzhu Mountain and Hongye Valley Marketplace.

Especially the Hongye Valley Marketplace.

The Market was always open to outsiders, and it would be troublesome if Foundation Establishment bandits infiltrated.

“Yun’er, send a message to Qingzhu Mountain, Hundred Bird Lake, and the Zheng Family. Ask for their thoughts,” Lu Changsheng said after some consideration.

If his family received such a thing, the other three families must have too.

“Yes, husband.” Lu Miaoyun nodded and went to et a Communication Talisman.

Lu Changsheng then took the bronze bell to ask Ling Zixiao and Xiao Xiyue for their opinions.

“This person’s boldness either means they’re bluffing or they’re exceptionally powerful, completely disregarding our families,” Ling Zixiao said calmly after examining the bell.

Knowing Lu Changsheng’s strength, she wasn’t worried about this matter.

Moreover, her condition had improved significantly after years of treatment.

Combined with the renovated family formation, she feared nothing short of a Golden Core cultivator’s attack.

“Changsheng, if you need, I can report this to the sect and request them to send someone to investigate,” Xiao Xiyue said softly.

Though the Azure Cloud Sect wouldn’t usually interfere unless things escalated,

They would send someone if she reported it.

“These people dare to act like this, so they’re clearly not afraid of the Azure Cloud Sect intervening,” Lu Changsheng said.

“Besides, the sect would at most send one or two Foundation Establishment cultivators to oversee the investigation, right?”

After the incident with the Xiahou Demon, he knew the sect would handle such matters.

But they usually only dealt with things after they happened.

After all, major incidents in their territory would be a loss of face for the Azure Cloud Sect.

But if nothing had actually happened yet, and it was just a bell sent as a threat, it would be extremely difficult to get the sect to send someone to resolve it.

The cultivation world was vast, and with the enemy yet to show themselves, investigation would be challenging.

The Azure Cloud Sect likely wouldn’t bother.

“Yes, in such cases, the sect usually sends Foundation Establishment cultivators to investigate or oversee,” Xiao Xiyue said, gently biting her lip.

“These bandits might be audacious and arrogant, but they’re certainly not fools,” Ling Zixiao said.

“Their boldness means they’re not afraid of the Azure Cloud Sect’s investigation. We’re in the dark while they have the advantage. We can only wait for them to reveal themselves.”

“I’m not worried about this matter. I’m mainly concerned about the situation at Qingzhu Mountain, Hundred Bird Lake, and Sister Miaoge’s condition,” Lu Changsheng said.

“This is indeed troublesome,” Ling Zixiao nodded slightly.

She raised her jade arm to support her chin, then thoughtfully said, “My lord, I see three possibilities for this bandit’s actions.”

“One is that they possess absolute strength and completely disregard us, using this method for revenge.”

“After all, many madmen like to use such methods to show off when seeking revenge.”

“Another possibility is that they’re bluffing.”

“This person’s identity is that of a bandit remnant from ten years ago. The fact that they didn’t show themselves then means their cultivation was at most peak Qi Refining. Even with opportunities, they’d be at most mid Foundation Establishment after ten years.”

“With such strength, they’re not quite capable of revenge, so they use these tactics to intimidate and harass us.”

“The third possibility is that they’re using this method to confuse us, making us anxious and vigilant for a while. Then, when we let our guard down, they’ll launch a surprise attack on Hongye Valley Marketplace or one of our families.”

Ling Zixiao explained slowly.

“I think there’s another possibility,” Xiao Xiyue said, her face cold and noble.

“From the current information, this bandit remnant likely isn’t alone. They want revenge on Hongye Valley Marketplace and the four families behind it.”

“But in the Qingyun Region, wiping out someone’s family without reason would be seen as an evil act, especially attacking the Market.”

“So it’s difficult for these people to attack the Market and all four families simultaneously. They can only target one of them.”

“But once they make a move, the other families will be on alert, and the Azure Cloud Sect will send people.”

“So even if they have absolute strength, it would be troublesome to continue destroying the remaining families. They’d have to flee and hide under the sect’s pursuit.”

“Their actions, apart from being arrogant and pretentious, might also be a way to make the four families confer, or arrange more forces in Hongye Valley Marketplace, and then seek revenge?”

Xiao Xiyue analyzed.

“It’s possible,” Ling Zixiao nodded slightly after hearing Xiao Xiyue’s words.

Lu Changsheng listened to both women, pondered for a moment, then turned to Ling Zixiao and asked, “Zixiao, how’s your injury situation now?”

“Don’t worry, my lord. My body has improved significantly. If we encounter a situation like the Xiahou Demon from before, I can handle it now.”

“Moreover, we have Cultivator Xiao, the Golden Armored Bean Mother, and Second-Tier puppets at home. If you want to go to Qingzhu Mountain and Hongye Valley Marketplace, you can do so without worry.”

Ling Zixiao smiled softly upon hearing Lu Changsheng’s words.

Though her face was still a bit pale, it wasn’t as bloodless as before.

Under the treatment of the Nine Treasures Dao Bone, her meridians and dantian had limited recovery, but her overall condition had clearly improved.

“Changsheng, you should still be careful if you go to Qingzhu Mountain and Red Leaf Valley,” Xiao Xiyue said.

“If necessary, I can request someone from the Azure Cloud Sect to oversee Qingzhu Mountain.”

She knew Lu Changsheng had extraordinary abilities.

He was able to kill Meng Yibai, who was at mid Foundation Establishment, right after breaking through to Foundation Establishment himself.

But she wasn’t clear about Lu Changsheng’s true strength.

In this situation where the enemy was hidden and they were exposed, she didn’t want Lu Changsheng to take risks.

“Don’t worry, Xiyue,” Lu Changsheng smiled slightly, holding Xiao Xiyue’s hand.

He then said to Ling Zixiao, “That’s not what I meant. Zixiao, remember I mentioned wanting you to set up a formation on top of Biyun Peak?”

He had always wanted to plant the Sumeru Tree King.

But considering Ling Zixiao’s physical condition, he hadn’t brought up this request.

Now facing this situation, he thought if Ling Zixiao’s body had recovered enough, he’d plant the Sumeru Tree King.

This way, he wouldn’t have to worry about his home being vulnerable when he was away.

Although with Xiao Xiyue, Ling Zixiao, the Golden Armored Bean Mother, Third-Tier Talismans, and Second-Tier puppets at home, they were unlikely to face any danger.

But Ling Zixiao’s body had just started to improve, and he didn’t want her condition to worsen due to any circumstances.

Moreover, Xiao Xiyue would be leaving next year.

“Of course I remember. As long as it’s not setting up a large-scale formation, my current condition won’t be greatly affected,” Ling Zixiao said with a warm smile, feeling touched.

“What kind of formation does my lord want?”

“This formation should mainly conceal the situation on the mountaintop and hide Third-Tier beast aura,” Lu Changsheng said.

“Third-Tier beast aura!?” Ling Zixiao and Xiao Xiyue were both shocked to hear this.

Third-Tier beast aura meant the aura of a Third-Tier beast king!

Such level of beast would be a clan’s guardian spirit beast anywhere!

Lu Changsheng saying this, did it mean he had a Third-Tier spirit beast?

Both women looked at Lu Changsheng with surprise and doubt.

Seeing the uncertainty in the two women’s beautiful eyes, Lu Changsheng chuckled, “That’s right. By chance, I contracted a Third-Tier tree king back then.”

“Currently, this tree king is inside a special treasure. Once released, it won’t be able to move.”

“So I thought, Zixiao, since you can set up formations now, if you could conceal its aura, we could place it at the top of Biyun Peak.”

“This way, I won’t have to worry about any dangerous situations at home.”

Lu Changsheng said with a smile.

“A Third-Tier beast king.”

Ling Zixiao and Xiao Xiyue were stunned upon hearing this, unsure of what to say.

Even though they knew Lu Changsheng had great fortune, luck, and many secrets, he was far from ordinary.

But contracting a Third-Tier beast king as a spirit beast at the Foundation Establishment stage was simply too astonishing.

This was a beast king, after all!

Getting such a powerful being to submit and become a contracted spirit beast was as difficult as ascending to immortality.

Especially given the power disparity, with Lu Changsheng only at Foundation Establishment.

With such a Third-Tier spirit beast guarding the family, Lu Changsheng could easily claim to be from a cultivator family!

However, hearing Lu Changsheng’s words, the two women understood the issue.

Tree king!

Unlike plant demons and beasts with feathers, scales, or insects, plant-type spirit beasts couldn’t move freely without taking human form.

So contracting such a plant-type spirit beast would have a relatively weaker deterrent effect.

It might even invite trouble because of this.

“My lord, how strong is this Third-Tier beast king?” Ling Zixiao asked Lu Changsheng after recovering from her shock.

“It’s hard for me to describe, but among Third-Tier beasts, it’s considered quite strong,” Lu Changsheng said after a moment’s thought.

Although he wasn’t clear about the Sumeru Tree King’s exact strength,

The four words ‘low-level true spirit’ describing the Sumeru Tree King’s grade said it all.

For beasts with heavenly bloodlines, reaching Third-Tier was equivalent to a cultivator forming a High-Tier Golden Core.

So as a true spirit, the Sumeru Tree King might not match a Nascent Soul cultivator, but it should be unrivaled among its peers, right?

“If it’s just concealing the tree king’s true form and aura, I can modify the ‘Five Elements Reversal Formation’ to achieve that,” Ling Zixiao said after some thought.

“But once the tree king takes action, there’s no way to hide its aura.”

“That’s good enough. This is just a precaution anyway,” Lu Changsheng said with a smile.

Although exposing the Sumeru Tree King would likely cause trouble,

If it came to such a dangerous point, there would be no choice.

After all, exposing the tree king was better than having their home invaded.

Moreover, with the Sumeru Tree King and his own strength through the Nine-Treasure Jade Ruyi comparable to a Golden Core stage, unless a Nascent Soul True Lord or a major sect attacked, there shouldn’t be any great danger.

“Plus, I might be able to call upon a Golden Core cultivator,” Lu Changsheng thought of the promise he had from a Golden Core cultivator.

Though twenty years had passed, he wasn’t sure if that Golden Core cultivator would still honor their agreement.

Besides these, he also had his connection with Xiao Xiyue.

Her master seemed quite nice, willing to help when he encountered trouble at the Azure Cloud Sect before.

If it really came to that point, he might be able to seek refuge with the Azure Cloud Sect through this connection.

Calculating all this, Lu Changsheng suddenly felt that if he fully revealed his strength, he might even be able to carve out his own territory in the Qingyun Region.

But he only entertained these thoughts briefly.

Unless absolutely necessary, he wouldn’t expose everything.

After all, wasn’t steady growth the best option?

“Alright, in that case, I’ll set up a small ‘Five Elements Reversal Formation’ here,” Ling Zixiao said.

“I’ll weaken the formation’s defensive, prohibitive, and entrapment effects, simplifying and strengthening the concealment, illusion, and confusion effects. This should hide the Third-Tier tree king’s presence.”

After speaking, she looked at Lu Changsheng and said, “But my lord, you need to consider one thing. If this tree king absorbs spiritual energy, it might drain the entire Biyun Peak’s spiritual veins.”

“I’ve already thought of that issue. You needn’t worry, Zixiao,” Lu Changsheng said with a smile upon hearing this.

“Then I’m relieved. However, we’ll need you to prepare some materials for the formation, my lord.”

Ling Zixiao said with a gentle smile.

“Alright, no problem,” Lu Changsheng nodded, then asked Ling Zixiao what materials were needed and how long it would take to set up.

“With two more formation masters at home, it won’t take long to cover Biyun Peak’s summit. About ten days should do it.”

“Good, that’s fine,” Lu Changsheng nodded, checking which materials were missing, then prepared to go out in disguise.

He planned to visit Qingzhu Mountain and Hongye Valley Marketplace to purchase all the materials.

Meanwhile, at Jiulong Market, in a small courtyard:

“The bell has been sent to the Four Major Families. Let them fall into disarray for a while. When the time is right, we’ll raid the Hongye Valley Marketplace.”

“By then, the Foundation Establishment cultivators from the four families will surely come to help. We can kill them all at once, avenging Brother Yu’s parents!”

Tao Xiaolan, wearing a peach-colored dress, said. To help her partner overcome his grudge, she planned to recreate the events of that year.

“It’s a pity the Yu Family has already fallen. I wanted to cut that person into a thousand pieces to honor my parents’ spirits!” Fang Yu said hatefully.

Among the Four Major Families, he hated the Yu Family the most.

It was the Yu Family Patriarch who had intercepted his parents back then. Otherwise, his parents might have had a chance to escape.

As for the nameless sword cultivator who killed his parents, although he hated them, this hatred had nowhere to go.

He planned to investigate that person’s information and seek revenge once his strength improved further.

“I’ve inquired a bit about these four families. We should be especially careful of that Lu Changsheng from the Lu Family of Bihu Mountain,” said a middle-aged man with a pale face and delicate features.

“This man once used a Talisman Formation to kill three Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Yu Family. Although it was only one mid-stage and two early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, we shouldn’t underestimate him.”

Although they didn’t think much of the Hongye Valley Marketplace and the Four Major Families,

As former bandits who had roamed far and wide, they still maintained necessary caution.

After arriving at the Hongye Valley Marketplace, they had also gathered some information about the Four Major Families.

“Talisman Formations? Those are indeed extraordinary.”

“Years ago in the Yue Kingdom, I encountered a young man from the Beast Talisman Sect. He deployed a bunch of talismans, forming a beast Talisman Formation that nearly made this old monk fall into his trap.”

A burly, bald man with a scar on his head said.

“Oh? Second Brother, you actually encountered such a situation? What cultivation level was that young man to nearly trip you up?” Fang Yu asked curiously upon hearing this.

He knew how formidable this second brother of his was, having just broken through to late Foundation Establishment.

But he already had the physical prowess of a late Foundation Establishment cultivator.

“That young man was only at early Foundation Establishment then, but he deployed over a hundred talismans at once, forming a strange beast. If this old monk didn’t have the Vajra Tyrant Body and a Talisman Treasure for protection, I might not have been able to break his formation.”

The bald man rubbed the scar on his head, recalling with lingering fear.

“Talisman Formation techniques are indeed powerful, but this method has a fatal flaw!” said the Burly Man in Red Robes sitting domineeringly in the main seat.

He propped his thick, strong legs up on the table and continued, “All the power of these formations lies in the talismans. Ordinary cultivators don’t go around snatching them, and talismans are bought with money. How many can one draw themselves?”

“So, this method can only be used as a trump card, a life-saving technique. That kid using a formation to kill three Foundation Establishment cultivators shows it was his trump card.”

“Only a few years have passed, how many talismans could he still have? So we just need to pay extra attention to this kid when the time comes.”

“But the fact that this kid has such an inheritance is good news for us. This kind of Talisman Formation inheritance is worth quite a bit of money!”

The Burly Man in Red Robes, built like a mountain, took out a wine jug, took a swig, and said loudly.

“Hehe, a Talisman Formation inheritance, this old monk will have to study it well,” the bald man said upon hearing this.

“That’s not all. I’ve done some digging, and this guy’s fortunes are quite extraordinary,” said the pale-faced middle-aged man with an effeminate smile.

“Kekeke, it seems thanks to Fifth Brother’s luck, we’ve encountered a fat sheep,” the others chuckled sinisterly.

“Not to mention anything else, this kid’s luck alone makes our trip worthwhile, brothers.”

A small, thin old man in black robes with a gloomy face cackled loudly.

As the group chatted, the whole hall filled with merry laughter.

At Qingzhu Mountain, in Qingzhu Hall.

“Changsheng, why don’t I go to the Hongye Valley Marketplace to keep watch, and let Miaoge stay at home?” Lu Yuanzhong said to Lu Changsheng.

“Uncle, there’s no need for that. Here are four Second-Tier Communication Talismans. If you encounter any trouble, message me right away. I’ll come quickly.”

Lu Changsheng thought the suggestion wasn’t bad, but decided to refuse.

After all, he had a good idea of Lu Yuanzhong’s combat ability.

Even without his injuries affecting his power, at his peak, he was quite average.

Though Lu Miaoge was only at the Firrt Level of Foundation Establishment,

She practiced the Supreme Kindness Water Technique and had formed a perfect Dao Foundation, her spiritual power was strong.

Plus, she had the Second-Tier talismans, Third-Tier Talismans, and Talisman Treasures he’d given her.

With this strength, she could easily handle someone at mid Foundation Establishment.

She might even be able to kill a weak late Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Even if she couldn’t win, she could escape using the talismans.

“Alright, Changsheng. You be careful too,” Lu Yuanzhong nodded, not saying more.

Earlier, when Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge treated him, he reaaized their spiritual power was much stronger than his.

If he wasn’t afraid of losing face, he’d have asked to spar with them to see the difference in their abilities.

“Don’t worry, Uncle,” Lu Changsheng nodded.

Then he went to pay respects to his father-in-law Lu Yuanshan Ding and the Fourth Elder.

Over the years, Lu Yuanshan Ding had aged considerably, his hair now mostly white.

Looking at his father-in-law, Lu Changsheng felt quite emotional.

He still remembered when Lu Yuanshan Ding brought him back to the Lu Family from the foot of the Azure Cloud Sect mountain.

After paying respects to both, Lu Changsheng prepared to leave.

At this moment, not far away, a woman was supporting a very old, hunched man. They were talking about something.

The old man saw Lu Changsheng and called out, “Greetings, Sect Master Lu.”

“Uncle Gui,” Lu Changsheng stopped, smiling and nodding to the old man.

This elder was once the manager of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion at Qingzhu Mountain Estate, who had taken good care of him in the past.

“Greetings, Sect Master Lu,” the woman beside him bowed respectfully, her eyes complex as she looked at Lu Changsheng.

“Miss Xiaoyue, it’s been a while,” Lu Changsheng nodded slightly, knowing she was Uncle Gui’s granddaughter.

He chatted briefly with them, then took out a bottle of body-nourishing pills from his Storage Bag to give to Uncle Gui.

Though Uncle Gui was at the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining, years of hard work had taken a toll on his body.

These pills could help him live a few more years.

“Please accept these. You took good care of me back then, Uncle Gui.”

“And please pass these two bottles to Uncle Fu and Uncle Lu for me,” Lu Changsheng said, taking out two more bottles for the other two managers.

“Thank you, Sect Master Lu!” the two thanked him, watching Lu Changsheng’s departing figure with great emotion.

They never expected the former son-in-law would remember their past kindness after becoming a sect ancestor and mountain lord, showing such humanity.

Arriving at the Hongye Valley Marketplace, Lu Changsheng met Lu Miaoge and told her about he robber cultivators.

Lu Miaoge had already receivee the news and said she’d increased patrols and vigilance in the Market for this period.

Then, Lu Changsheng asked Lu Miaoge to help gather all he materials needed for setting up arrays at home from the Hongye Valley Marketplace.

This way, he wouldn’t need to visit other Markets.