Chapter 277: Red Lotus’s Past, Ancient Talisman’s Effect!

“Hong Lian only hopes that the young master can give Ruyin a chance.”

Hong Lian said with a slight sigh.

She knew Lu Changsheng couldn’t possibly let Xu Ruoyin go now.

After chatting with Xu Ruoyin and learning about Lu Changsheng’s various actions, she made some judgments.

She believed Lu Changsheng wasn’t some evil or demonic old monster reborn. His character seemed decent.

So, she also did some mental preparation for Xu Ruoyin, helping her get ready.

After all, though they were in a tough spot now, life is like that. If you can seize opportunities, you can turn challenges into chances!

Xu Ruoyin calling out to Lu Changsheng showed she had made a decision.

“Hehe.”

Lu Changsheng chuckled when he heard this.

Then, with a half-smile, he looked at Xu Ruoyin and said, “I happen to need a maid in my Cave Dwelling. For Hong Lian’s sake, if she behaves and performs well, I’ll keep my word. She won’t be mistreated.”

“Thank you, young master.”

Hong Lian curtsied gracefully, not saying more.

“Don’t you have any conditions of your own?”

Lu Changsheng raised an eyebrow, feeling that Hong Lian was too agreeable.

Or rather, her attitude was unbelievably good, and the process of winning her over was too smooth.

Logically, as a powerful soul of a Nascent Soul True Lord, shouldn’t she be full of pride?

But the Hong Lian before him showed no pride. She even seemed somewhat humble, making him feel a bit uneasy.

“Hong Lian hasn’t made any contributions to the young master yet. I dare not ask for too much.”

“Besides, I believe the young master won’t mistreat me in the future, just as he promised to restore my body and return me to my peak.”

Hong Lian spoke in an elegant and gentle voice.

She wore a gorgeous palace dress, a pearl crown on her head, her face exquisite and perfect, giving off a divine and noble aura.

But now, in front of Lu Changsheng, she was like a maid, giving him a strong sense of achievement.

“Good, Hong Lian, don’t worry. When the time is right, I’ll restore your body.”

Lu Changsheng nodded and smiled.

He thought to himself, truly befitting a powerful soul.

This attitude, knowing when to advance and retreat, really made him feel good, increasing his favorability.

“By the way, Hong Lian, what was your peak cultivation level before? Where are you from? Why did you end up in this situation?”

Lu Changsheng asked.

Though his main purpose in winning over Hong Lian was thinking of her becoming the mother of his children,

Now, she was still in a soul state without a physical body, so she needed to have other uses.

If nothing else, Hong Lian’s experience and strength would be excellent for teaching his children.

Currently, Lu Miaoyun and Ling Zixiao wer mainly in charge of the children’s cultivation.

Though they could do it, to be honest, it wasn’t that great.

“In response to the young master, at my peak, I was at the late stage of Nascent Soul, from the Vermilion Bird Palace in the Northern Plains cultivation world.”

Hong Lian said softly, “As for how I ended up in this situation…”

“Back then, a disciple of my sect discovered a mysterious Cave Dwelling, suspected to be the ruins of the ancient Feather Ice Palace.”

“I led the sect’s disciples to fully explore and decipher this ruin. As a result, the Ice God Palace came to attack. In this great battle, we accidentally broke open the ruin’s restrictions.”

“As soon as the ruin opened, countless treasure lights shot to the sky, driving both sides completely mad, and we started killing each other.”

“Thinking back now, there was a mysterious force affecting our minds and consciousness.”

“So during this great battle, I was severely injured. For some reason, instead of stopping the fight, my Nascent Soul fled into the void, and I chose to self-destruct it.”

“But at the moment I self-destructed my Nascent Soul, a mysterious force captured my soul. When I woke up, I found myself in this Ancient Beast Taming Talisman, awakened by the little girl Xu.”

Hong Lian didn’t hide anything, slowly explaining how she ended up in this situation.

She still couldn’t understand what had happened to her at that time.

Not just her, everyone present at that time was severely affected, leading to such an intense and tragic battle.

Otherwise, let alone Nascent Soul True Lords,

Even Golden Core True Persons wouldn’t fight to the death in an evenly matched situation.

After all, everyone cultivates for longevity.

Once reaching Golden Core True Person, one can enjoy 500 years of life. Why fight to the death with others?

So, she also wanted to see if Lu Changsheng, this powerful senior, knew what had happened to her.

“Late stage Nascent Soul! Northern Plains cultivation world? Vermilion Bird Palace, Feather Ice Palace, Ice God Palace? Self-destructing Nascent Soul? Waking up in an Ancient Talisman!”

Lu Changsheng’s expression was surprised and doubtful after hearing Hong Lian’s words.

He had never heard of the Northern Plains cultivation world or the three sects.

However, from the names, he roughly guessed that this Northern Plains cultivation world was similar to the Southern Wilderness cultivation world.

As for Hong Lian’s cultivation level, late stage Nascent Soul, it also surprised him a little.

After all, the current top cultivator in Jiang Kingdom, Li Duanxuan, was probably only at the early or middle stage of Nascent Soul!

Yet the Hong Lian before him was a Late-Stage Nascent Soul great cultivator!

This was astonishing.

But Hong Lian’s experience made him sigh.

A Late-Stage Nascent Soul great cultivator, due to a fight over an ancient ruin, ended up self-destructing her Nascent Soul in a great battle.

This was simply outrageous.

“So Senior Hong Lian ended up in this situation for this reason.”

Xu Ruoyin, who was beside them, only now learned about these things.

Hong Lian hadn’t told her before why she ended up in this situation.

“Hong Lian, is this Northern Plains cultivation world similar to the Southern Wilderness cultivation world?”

Lu Changsheng asked curiously.

“Hm?”

Hong Lian was surprised and doubtful when she heard this.

She didn’t expect Lu Changsheng not to know about the Northern Plains cultivation world.

“How could a reincarnated powerful being like the young master not know about the Five Great Cultivation Realms!?”

“Could it be… he’s not from the Five Realms? But from beyond them?”

“But I’ve never heard of other cultivation continents beyond the Five Realms?”

“However, looking at his expression, he seems truly unfamiliar with this information, even very surprised by it.”

“Could it be…”

Hong Lian’s thoughts kept turning as she observed Lu Changsheng’s reaction.

She didn’t continue to ponder and explained to Lu Changsheng, “That’s right, the Northern Plains cultivation world and the Southern Wilderness cultivation world both belong to one of the Four Great Cultivation Realms.”

“Besides the Southern Wilderness and Northern Plains cultivation worlds, there are also the Eastern Sea Cultivation World, Western Desert cultivation world, and the Central Plains continent!”

Hong Lian said.

“Eastern Sea, Western Desert, Southern Wilderness, Northern Plains, Central Plains.”

Lu Changsheng nodded thoughtfully when he heard this.

He just learned how vast the cultivation world was.

As far as he knew, the Southern Wilderness cultivation world alone had hundreds of cultivation countries.

Jiang Kingdom was just a small corner in the entire Southern Wilderness cultivation world.

And besides the Southern Wilderness, there were actually four more cultivation worlds this big.

He didn’t ask further.

After all, he was only at the Foundation Establishment stage now, not even having left the Jiang Kingdom cultivation world. Places beyond the Southern Wilderness were too distant for him.

“Hong Lian, don’t worry. When the opportunity comes, I’ll help you solve the mystery from back then and avenge you.”

Lu Changsheng said.

Though he was just a small Foundation Establishment cultivator, having the system gave him the confidence to say this to a Nascent Soul cultivator.

“Thank you, young master.”

Hong Lian was slightly stunned by Lu Changsheng’s composed and confident demeanor, still pondering his situation.

“That’s it, it must be like this. Legend has it that some ancient powerful beings, to break through their realms, incarnate in the mortal world, reincarnate and recultivate their path!”

“The young master must be like this, wanting to walk a path similar to that ancient Central Plains Saint King, all memories sealed, only the Dragon Emperor’s body and the Central Plains Saint King’s way turned into instinct, as the goal of this life!”

“Though memories are sealed, like an ordinary cultivator, this temperament and bearing are clearly not something ordinary people can possess.”

“This also explains why he spent so many years in the mortal world before!”

“It must be that as his true spirit gradually awakens, he’s able to retrieve the methods prepared in his previous life, slowly rising to power.”

Hong Lian pondered, feeling more and more certain about her guess of Lu Changsheng’s situation.

This made her somewhat happy.

After all, serving a ruler is like being with a tiger.

Facing an old monster reincarnated from a powerful being, she was truly a bit uneasy.

Afraid of displeasing him in some way, making Lu Changsheng unhappy.

But if he had incarnated in the mortal world, reincarnated without memories of his past life, it would be much easier for her to get along with him.

During this time, she could also try to build a closer relationship with Lu Changsheng.

“Hong Lian, what skills do you possess? What are you good at?”

Lu Changsheng asked.

Besides having the insight of a Nascent Soul True Lord to guide the children’s cultivation, he wanted to see what else Hong Lian knew and could teach.

“Young Master, I have some knowledge in Beast Taming, formation techniques, pill refining, Equipment Refining, and Talisman Making.”

Hong Lian said softly.

“Some knowledge?”

Lu Changsheng raised an eyebrow, asking for details.

“Top-Tier Third-Tier beast tamer, High-Tier Third-Tier pill refiner, Mid-Tier Third-Tier formation master, low-Tier Third-Tier equipment refiner, and low-Tier Third-Tier Talisman Master.”

Hong Lian replied.

As a Nascent Soul cultivator with a lifespan of a thousand years,

she naturally spent time studying various skills besides cultivation.

Many skills that were difficult for Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators

were much easier for Nascent Soul cultivators to master.

Lu Changsheng: “???”

Wow, you really fooled me.

You call this “some knowledge”?

At this moment, Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but marvel, truly befitting a Nascent Soul True Lord, so knowledgeable!

She had advanced five skills to the third grade! Covering all four main cultivation arts.

He wanted to ask if Hong Lian, in her current soul state, could set up formations, refine pills, or forge equipment.

But he decided to ask that later and said, “Hong Lian, you should know something about my situation, right?”

“I know a bit.”

Hong Lian nodded.

“With so many children at home now, I don’t have much time to teach them cultivation and skills. So I’d like to entrust this task to you.”

Lu Changsheng said after a moment’s thought.

“Hong Lian will certainly not disappoint you and will teach the young masters and misses well for you, Young Master!”

Hong Lian hadn’t expected Lu Changsheng to trust her so much, giving her such an important task right from the start.

After all, Lu Changsheng was pursuing the path of the Central Plains’ Sacred King, establishing a family dynasty. These children were the foundation.

The cultivation and education of these children were extremely important.

If she could teach and nurture these children well, it would be a great achievement.

Earlier, she had been wondering how to prove her worth to Lu Changsheng.

Now that Lu Changsheng had entrusted her with such an important task, she felt relieved.

“Good, since that’s settled, I’ll trouble you with the children’s cultivation matters in the future.”

Lu Changsheng said.

He planned to reorganize the family’s Scripture Library and let Hong Lian oversee it.

Or have Lu Miaoyun use the Ancient Talsman to teach the children.

“Yes, Young Master.”

Hong Lian curtsied gracefully.

Then she said, “Young Master, the Ancient Talisman my soul resides in is called the Ancient Beast Taming Talisman.”

“It helps in nurturing spirit beasts. If Young Master’s pets need training, you can entrust them to me.”

“However, this Ancient Beast Taming Talisman is very compatible with Ruyin. If possible, I hope Young Master can keep it with Ruyin.”

Hong Lian explained.

Beside them, Xu Ruoyin felt touched hearing that Senior Hong Lian still cared for her, feeling even more guilty towards Hong Lian.

“Ancient Beast Taming Talisman? Nurturing spirit beasts?”

Lu Changsheng’s eyes lit up with joy upon hearing this.

He had just been wondering if Hong Lian, as a Top-Tier Third-Tier beast tamer, knew how to nurture the Cold Jade Mysterious Turtle, Nine Abyss Mastiff, and Six-Winged Golden Silkworm.

Unexpectedly, Hong Lian volunteered information about a Ancient Beast Taming Talisman that could help nurture spirit beasts.

“We’ll do as you say regarding the Ancient Beast Taming Talisman.”

“Can you tell me more about its specific effects and uses?”

Lu Changsheng asked.

Although he recognized the Ancient Talisman as a treasure, he didn’t want to keep it on himself.

He had many secrets.

If he carried the talisman, wouldn’t Hong Lian see everything, leaving him with no privacy or secrets?

After all, though Hong Lian had pledged allegiance, he didn’t fully trust her yet and needed Sumeru to keep watch constantly.

“Thank you, Young Master.”

Hong Lian felt touched seeing Lu Changsheng agree so readily.

She made this request partly to protect Xu Ruoyin through the Ancient Talisman.

On the other hand, the talisman’s choice of Xu Ruoyin made her suspect some predestined connection.

She said, “Currently, the Ancient Talisman only has two effects: taming spirit beasts and nurturing them. That’s why I call it the Ancient Beast Taming Talisman.”

“The talisman likely has other secrets. For example, the ‘Beast Scripture’ cultivation method that Miss Xu practices came from this talisman.”

Hong Lian explained, holding nothing back.

“Taming spirit beasts, nurturing spirit beasts, Beast Scripture.”

Lu Changsheng raised an eyebrow.

Though the talisman’s two effects sounded simple, he found them very powerful.

Because most Dao weapons were made from spirit beasts!

This talisman could tame and nurture spirit beasts, making it a supreme treasure for cultivating Dao weapons!

Thinking of his Black Water Flood Dragon Dao Weapon, he asked, “Hong Lian, can this talisman nurture Dao weapons too?”

“As long as it’s a spirit beast-type Dao weapon, it can be nurtured. However, the talisman also consumes energy.”

“If nurturing too many Dao weapons, we might need to trouble Young Master to provide Spirit Stones and Natural Treasures to replenish the talisman’s energy.”

Hong Lian explained in her melodious voice.

“That’s not a problem, as long as it can nurture them.”

Lu Changsheng didn’t mind spending Spirit Stones and Natural Treasures.

He smiled and said, “I currently have a Dao weapon being nurtured at home. I’ll trouble you with it later, Hong Lian.”

“By the way, may I take a look at that Beast Scripture?”

Through Xu Ruoyin, he guessed this cultivation method involved spirit beasts.

He currently had four spirit beast pets!

The Cold Jade Mysterious Turtle and Nine Abyss Mastiff seemed useless due to their slow growth.

If this method could enhance one’s talent through spirit beasts, he could have his children practice it.

They could use the spirit beast pets he got from the system’s lucky draw to cultivate this method.

“Of course, Young Master. Please.”

Hong Lian said softly.

Then she brought the Ancient Beast Taming Talisman to Lu Changsheng’s brow, emitting colorful light. A cultivation method appeared in Lu Changsheng’s mind.

After a while.

“Beast Scripture, this cultivation method is truly profound.”

Lu Changsheng sighed after briefly reviewing the method, amazed by its profundity.

It was completely different from the other methods he had obtained.

If cultivated normally, it was just an ordinary-Tier method.

But this method could evolve!

By forming contracts with spirit beasts, the method could evolve and increase in grade!

Moreover, the method would tailor itself based on the spirit beast type, becoming highly compatible and beneficial for breaking through bottlenecks!

The stronger the spirit beast’s bloodline potential, the greater the method’s improvement!

For example, contracting an earth-Tier bloodline spirit beast would make this method almost like a tailored unorthodox-Tier method.

If one could contract a heaven-Tier bloodline spirit beast, the method could rise to orthodox grade!

If one could contract a true spirit, the method could advance even further!

This made Lu Changsheng realize that this method’s upper limit might even surpass orthodox-Tier methods!

If he cultivated it himself and contracted the Sumeru Tree King, it might surpass orthodox grade.

However, Lu Changsheng had no intention of cultivating this method himself.

First, this method was very difficult to cultivate.

Not only did one need to comprehend the method, but also all its accompanying techniques and Divine Abilities, which would take a lot of time.

Cultivating this method would be far less efficient than cultivating his Seven Luminaries.

Second, cultivating this method required spending a lot of time nurturing spirit beasts.

Not only did he lack the leisure time,

but the current family spiritual veins couldn’t even support Sumeru’s growth.

So using the Sumeru Tree King to cultivate might be beneficial now but would become a burden later.

Third, this method clearly had a better cost-performance ratio for the children to cultivate.

Fourth, Lu Changsheng still had some expectations for the High-Tier lucky draw methods from the system.

He had already obtained an orthodox-Tier method from the ordinary lucky draw.

The methods from the High-Tier lucky draw would clearly be above orthodox grade, no weaker than this Beast Scripture!

“This method is good. Are there any restrictions on cultivating it?”

Lu Changsheng asked Hong Lian after withdrawing his Divine Sense.

“Young Master, as long as one’s comprehension is sufficient, it’s fine. Of course, having a good aptitude in Beast Taming would be even better.”

Hong Lian replied.

“Alright, let’s leave it at that for now.”

“Come with me to get the Dao weapon.”

Lu Changsheng said without further questions.

“Yes, Young Master.”

Hong Lian agreed, then her faint figure dispersed into red light points, returning to the Ancient Beast Taming Talisman.

The Ancient Talisman quietly fell before Lu Changsheng.

Lu Changsheng reached out and grasped the Ancient Talisman.

The material of this Ancient Talisman was unknown.

It wasn’t like jade or gold nor was it like stone or wood. It felt oddly soft and pleasant to hold.

Holding the Ancient Talisman Lu Changsheng left the Sumeru Cave Heaven and went to his fish farm.

Xu Ruoyin felt empty inside as she watched Lu Changsheng take the Ancient Talisman and leave.

Remembering Hong Lian’s attitude towards Lu Changsheng she felt an indescribable sense of frustration and discomfort.

It was as if her beloved had been taken away and she was powerless to stop it. She had to watch her beloved sacrifice herself to please others and even during the process she had to…

It felt like her heart was being cut with a knife!