Chapter 281: Celestial-Tier Spirit Plant, Bizarre Prison Demon Flower!

Bihu Mountain.

Lu Family Mansion, meeting hall.

“Currently, our family has 316 members, 3 Foundation Establishment cultivators, 4 Late-Stage Qi Refining cultivators, 34 mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators, and 16 early-stage Qi Refining cultivators.”

Lu Changsheng sat calmly in the main seat, listening to his wife Lu Miaoyun’s summary.

Without realizing it, his Lu Family members had already exceeded 300 people.

Moreover, among the 316 family members, there were 57 cultivators!

This ratio was quite astonishing!

The reason for having so many cultivators at the mid-stage Qi Refining level was entirely due to his 21 wives and concubines all being at this cultivation level.

As for the children, currently 13 had broken through to mid-stage Qi Refining, and 16 were at early-stage Qi Refining.

“This year’s total income is 31,143 Spirit Stones, with expenses of 35,665 Spirit Stones. Family salaries account for 70% of the expenses.”

Lu Miaoyun continued to report

In the hall, when everyone heard about the negative balance and losses again, their expressions became somewhat heavy.

After all, it had been over four years, and Bihu Mountain was still in a state of loss, unable to turn a profit.

The reason for the losses and main expenses were clear to everyone present.

Lu Changsheng himself didn’t feel too strongly about this, thinking that achieving this much in four years wasn’t bad.

After all, in his view, expenses related to family-building and childrearing were necessities, and in the long run, it would all be profitable.

However, these family expenses didn’t include costs for the ‘Divine Tree Formation’, ‘Vast Sea Formation’, training Dao Soldiers, and so on.

Otherwise, the expenses would be even more exorbitant.

“Income has improved compared to last year. We’ll strive to break even next year.”

Lu Changsheng chuckled lightly, tapping the table as he said, “Next, I have two things to discuss.”

“Our family has been in a semi-closed mountain state for these years, making it inconvenient to manage many of our businesses and properties.”

“So, starting this year, family members who are eighteen years old and have broken through to the fourth layer of Qi Refining can apply to go out and manage business operations.”

Lu Changsheng looked at his wives, concubines, and children as he spoke.

“Apply to go out and manage business operations?”

Some Lu Family members exchanged glances, their eyes showing delight.

Although no one had mentioned it during these four years of mountain seclusion, some Lu Family members still had complaints in their hearts.

After all, at this age, they were in their prime years, full of longing for the outside world, naturally wanting to go out and see more.

Not to mention gaining experience, having grown up on Qingzhu Mountain and Bihu Mountain from a young age, with a bunch of family rules and constraints, they were bound to feel bored and yearn for the outside world.

Moreover, many wives, concubines, and children who heard this knew it was another opportunity to perform well.

“As for going out for experience, one needs to break through to the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining before applying.”

Lu Changsheng continued.

Previously, Lu Quanzhen had proposed wanting to go out for experience, and he definitely wasn’t the only one with such thoughts.

So he directly set the rules, setting the cultivation requirement at the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining.

For the current children in the family, this cultivation level was neither too high nor too low, with an age around 25 years old, also having a certain amount of life experience.

“Lastly, it’s about the matter of the family head.”

Lu Changsheng looked at the children below and spoke.

Currently, family affairs were divided quite finely, with everyone having their own duties. Trivial matters were generally coordinated and handled by Lu Miaoyun.

Some major decisions were made by him and Ling Zixiao.

But now that the family had decided to open up the mountain gates, whether it was family trivial matters or business dealings with other families, there needed to be one person, that is, the Lu Family head.

“Family head!?”

Hearing this, many concubines and children looked at each other with surprised expressions, then turned to look at Lu Ping’an, Lu Quanzhen, and Lu Yun.

Although the Lu Family didn’t emphasize too much distinction between main and secondary wives’ children.

In the eyes of most concubines and their children, there was still this kind of distinction.

After all, although Lu Changsheng treated all children equally in terms of benefits and treatment, in daily life, there was still obvious favoritism.

Like Lu Ping’an, Lu Quanzhen, and Lu Yun were all born to the main wife, and being relatively older, they were favored by Lu Changsheng. Most people guessed that the family head would be chosen from among them.

“Currently, the first family head of our Lu Family will be Lu Yun.”

Lu Changsheng didn’t bother with any voting, directly looking at his son Lu Yun as he spoke.

Choosing Lu Yun was partly because his sons Lu Ping’an and Lu Quanzhen had no intention of becoming family head.

On the other hand, it was also about capability.

Although Lu Yun lacked initiative and decisiveness, under Lu Miaoyun’s guidance, he didnt do poorly in handling affairs.

As family head, with the help of his mother Lu Miaoyun in the early stages at least there wouldn’t be any problems.

Moreover, this son wasn’t without merits.

At least he was diligent and obedient, setting an example in terms of marriage and childbearing.

Now he already had one wife, three concubines, and had given birth to three children.

Although he couldn’t compare to his father in this regard.

But among these children with spirit roots, he was already doing quite well.

“Thank you, Father. I will not disappoint Father’s high hopes or everyone’s expectations!”

Hearing this, Lu Yun took a deep breath, standing up with a mix of joy and nervousness as he cupped his hands and said.

Although the family head of a cultivator family was different from that of a secular family.

Becoming family head was equivalent to half-giving up the path of immortality, having to spend a lot of time on daily trivial matters, basically with no hope of reaching Foundation Establishment.

But the identity, status, and power of the family head were undeniable.

“Congratulations, Brother Yun!”

“Congratulations, Brother Yun!”

“Greetings to the family head!”

Immediately, people began congratulating Lu Yun.

“Mm, perform well.”

“The position of family head lasts for five years per term, with a maximum of four terms.”

“I will judge based on performance during the term. If done well, there will be heavy rewards and continued tenure. If not done well, I’ll directly replace you, understand?”

Lu Changsheng spoke.

His choice of Lu Yun as family head, besides the factor of Lu Miaoyun, was also because tere weren’t many suitable children to choose from at present.

If Lu Yun’s abilities really weren’t up to par or he wasn’t suitable, he would still replace him, selecting from other children.

After all, in his eyes, there really wasn’t much distinction between main and secondary wives’ children in this aspect. Becoming family head mainly depended on ability.

“Yes, Father!”

Lu Yun took a deep breath and nodded in response.

He had already known about these things in advance from his mother Lu Miaoyun and was mentally prpared.

“This family meeting will end here. If you have any other matters, you can come directly to me.”

Lu Changsheng looked at his wives, concubines, and children as he spoke.

“Yes, husband, father!”

Everyone in the hall stood up and respectfully responded.

Then, Lu Changsheng left the hall with several of his wives.

As the family meeting ended, Bihu Mountain became lively.

Lu Changsheng also spent time with his wives, concubines, and children during this period, discussing arrangements for sending children out.

After all, when sending children out, priority was given to places like Hongye Valley Marketplace and Jiulong Market, which were close to Bihu Mountain.

Besides this, he also asked Hong Lian to refine Identity Tokens for the family.

Allowing all Lu Family members to sense each other’s locations, communicate, seek help, and verify identities through Jade Tokens when outside.

Moreover, during this time, he also spent more time nurturing the Third-Tier Talismans he was preparing for his children.

“Young Master, how do you like this design?”

On this day, ‘Xu Ruoyin’ handed the refined Identity Token to Lu Changsheng.

The token was about three fingers wide, seemingly made of gold and jade, with touches of emerald green around the edges.

One side was engraved with a mountain and sea pattern, while the other side had a ‘Lu’ character, elegant yet simple.

This token could sense the presence of others within a hundred miles and allow simple communication within a thousand miles.

If Lu Changsheng wished, he could use Hong Lian’s Ultimate Tracking Technique to locate the position of the token.

“Not bad. Just add a simple identifier to each token for easy distinction.”

After examining it for a few moments, Lu Changsheng had Hong Lian add a simple identifier to the ‘Lu’ character side, and that settled it.

There were thirteen children in the family who met the requirements to apply for going out.

But currently only six had applied to go out, so he wasn’t in a hurry about refining the tokens.

At Hong Lian’s pace of refining one token every three to five days, it would be enough.

Having roughly arranged and dealt with family matters, Lu Changsheng remembered that the auction results from White Jade Tower should be out.

He then went out and came to White Jade Tower in Jiulong Market.

“Young Master Ye, please come in.”

“Of the four maids you previously auctioned at our White Jade Tower, apart from number 66 which failed to sell, numbers 69, 77, and 98 were all successfully bid on.”

“I wonder if Young Master Ye would like to confirm?”

The manager of White Jade Tower saw Lu Changsheng and immediately spoke enthusiastically.

In Jiulong Market, someone who could spend nearly 50,000 Spirit Stones to buy maids was definitely a big customer, so he was very enthusiastic.

“Number 66 failed, huh.”

Lu Changsheng raised an eyebrow upon hearing this but didn’t pay much attention to it.

He then paid the remaining balance for the other three maids.

Since these three maids also needed to be transported from other places by White Jade Tower, it would take over a month.

Regarding this, Lu Changsheng confirmed the details and then bid farewell, stating that he would come to pick them up himself when the time came, no need to deliver them home.

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

“This is the Substitute Life Charm Father has refined for you. Apply a drop of blood from your brow and essence blood on it.”

“If you encounter a life-or-death crisis, you can activate the talisman to escape.”

“The matter of this talisman must absolutely not be disclosed to outsiders, understand?”

Lu Changsheng looked at each of his children before him, his expression serious as he spoke sternly.

This talisman of his was called the ‘Avatar Talisman’, ranked as a lower Third-Tier item.

Its effect was somewhat similar to his Substitute Life Charm, able to link with one’s blood essence and soul. When danger is encountered, it forms an avatar puppet to take the blow, then teleports one a thousand miles away.

However, its effect was far inferior to the Substitute Life Charm, at most able to withstand a strike from a Golden Core cultivator.

Moreover, unlike the Substitute Life Charm, it couldn’t substitute for calamities or ward off certain unavoidable methods.

But for these children, it was already more than enough.

They were all going to Markets to manage businesses. Unless they encountered some formidable rogue cultivators, they likely wouldn’t need to use these talismans.

“Yes, Father!”

This was the first time they had seen their father with such a stern expression.

Knowing the gravity of the matter, they didn’t dare to be careless and all made Heart Demon Oaths.

Then, looking at the talisman in their hands, which resembled a purple dragon scale inscribed with mysterious tadpole-like text, they were all delighted.

After all, they all knew that their father was a Top-Tier Talisman Master with a resounding reputation, so such a Substitute Life Charm must be extraordinary.

Seeing his children one by one use the ‘Avatar Talisman’, Lu Changsheng gave a few instructions and then left.

As dawn broke in the east, the morning light was dim.

At the top of Biyun Peak, the highest point of Bihu Mountain, stood an ancient tree dozens of zhang tall, its entire body golden and jade-like, with crystalline light flowing through it.

This place was the restricted area of Bihu Mountain, where the Ancestral Grandmother cultivated, easily overlooking the entire scenery of Bihu Mountain.

At this moment, atop the ancient tree, a man and a woman were engaged in an act that brought both shame and pleasure.

Lu Changsheng had Xu Ruoyin hold onto a branch while he supported her from behind, firm and supple.

“Mmm~”

Xu Ruoyin wore a red gauze robe, her two smooth and beautiful legs like jade pillars, forced to stand on tiptoes, occasionally raising her heels, causing her fair toes to turn red.

“Miss Xu, do you like it this way?” Lu Changsheng teased.

After spending so much time together, he naturally couldn’t resist and had plucked this fruit that was Xu Ruoyin.

Perhaps it was due to his daily training, or maybe Ling Zixiao’s brainwashing, but Xu Ruoyin had gradually accepted her fate. During one occasion when he and Ling Zixiao were intimate after drinking, she voluntarily offered herself.

Faced with such a situation, Lu Changsheng naturally wouldn’t pretend to be a gentleman.

In the days that followed, Xu Ruoyin essentially became like Ling Zixiao’s personal maid, helping to serve and allowing Lu Changsheng to indulge freely.

And on ordinary days, Lu Changsheng could have Xu Ruoyin cooperate with some play that he couldn’t do with his wives.

“Mmm… I… I like it…”

Xu Ruoyin was forced to grip the branches of the Sumeru Tree, her beautiful eyes tightly closed, her fiery red hair dancing wildly, her mouth emitting stuttering sounds.

At this height, the two could see the fishermen fishing on Bishui Lake and some scattered cultivators and apprentices practicing on Lake Heart Island.

“What do you think, would they see us? Or imagine what we’re doing up here?”

Lu Changsheng gazed at the vast expanse of Bishui Lake, his hands roaming over smooth skin as he spoke softly.

Although Xu Ruoyin knew that under the ‘Five Elements Reversal Formation’, those below absolutely couldn’t see up here, as her misty beautiful eyes opened and closed, looking at the scenery below, her body still tensed up, a sense of indescribable excitement welling up in her heart.

Finally, with a crisp sound, Xu Ruoyin moaned and cried out, her voice tinged with a hint of sobbing as her body went limp, her hands dropping powerlessly.

Seeing this, Lu Changsheng thought to himself that despite being at the Ninth Level of Qi Refining, Xu Ruoyin’s body was still a bit weak.

He gave her jade buttocks a pat, embraced her delicate body, and changed positions to continue.

Just then, a system prompt sounded.

[Congratulations to the host for having thirty offspring complete Qi initiation and step onto the path of immortality. Blood lineage effect obtained: 5% increase in spirit root probability for offspring. One chance for drawing lots obtained!]

“Hmm? Thirty already?”

Lu Changsheng heard this system prompt and paused inwardly.

There was no prompt when it reached twenty-five, so he had guessed this might happen.

Hearing the system’s gift, Lu Changsheng was in a great mood. Supporting the graceful waist, he thrust forward vigorously, venting the joy in his heart.

The beauty’s jade body trembled, shaking and quivering, completely defeated, sweet spring surging.

It wasn’t until the sun was high in the sky that Lu Changsheng sent Xu Ruoyin back to rest, while he himself went to the talisman room to start drawing lots.

‘System, draw lots!’

Lu Changsheng silently commanded in his heart.

Instantly, a light red big wheel appeared, glowing with golden light and starting to spin for the lottery, then stopping on the ‘pet’ column.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the spirit pet: Bizarre Prison Demon Flower!]

[The reward has been deposited in the system space, the host can check it at any time]

An image of a flower, completely pitch-black with blood-colored mist surrounding it, emerged from the big wheel, accompanied by a system prompt.

“Bizarre Prison Demon Flower, a spirit plant?”

Lu Changsheng’s eyes lit up when he saw this reward.

Although he had no interest in pets, spirit plant pets were absolutely an exception.

After all, through the Sumeru Tree King, he knew that this kind of spirit plant could also be used to cultivate the ‘Heaven and Earth Longevity Technique’.

Immediately, Lu Changsheng looked at the system space.

[Spirit Beast: Bizarre Prison Demon Flower]

[Grade: Celestial-Tier Upper]

[Description: Transformed from the soul of a Fifth-Tier great demon from the netherworld, nourished by the blood of countless living beings, it feeds on flesh, blood, and souls. Its belly contains a prison that can imprison living beings. Currently possesses Second-Tier strength]

“Hiss, Celestial-Tier Upper!? Possesses Second-Tier strength!?”

Lu Changsheng’s face showed delight as he looked at the grade and description of the Bizarre Prison Demon Flower before him.

Both this grade and strength made him feel that this Bizarre Prison Demon Flower was quite good.

If there was a problem to speak of, it was that it looked a bit evil.

“Nourished by the blood of living beings, feeds on flesh, blood, and souls.”

“Does this mean that this flower doesn’t really need spiritual veins or spiritual energy, just enough flesh and blood?”

“If so, planting this Bizarre Prison Demon Flower wouldn’t add too much pressure to Bihu Mountain’s current situation.”

“I wonder if this flower can be used to cultivate the ‘Heaven and Earth Longevity Technique’.”

Lu Changsheng muttered to himself as he looked at the spirit plant in the system space.

He planned to give this spirit plant to Lu Miaohuan, or perhaps Qu Zhenzhen, to cultivate the Heaven and Earth Longevity Technique.

Through Lu Miaoyun’s cultivation of th Heaven and Earth Longevity Technique, he knew that after refining a ‘Heaven and Earth Spirit Plant’ into one’s innate spirit root, apart from affecting the spirit plant’s growth to some extent, there wouldn’t be any other major problems.

And as a spirit plant with Celestial-Tier bloodline, the Bizarre Prison Demon Flower would definitely meet the requirements for cultivating the ‘Heaven and Earth Longevity Technique’.

If used to cultivate the Heaven and Earth Longevity Technique, its effect might be even better than the Lingming Treasure Tree.

“But this Bizarre Prison Demon Flower might be more suitable for Huanhuan?”

Lu Changsheng stroked his chin.

This Bizarre Prison Demon Flower, whether in appearance or description, seemed a bit demonic.

Given Qu Zhenzhen’s personality, she might be scared just looking at it, let alone daring to feed it flesh and blood.

Although Lu Miaohuan might not necessarily like it, she was obviously much better than Qu Zhenzhen and probably wouldn’t mind this aspect too much.

“If I let Sumeru nurture another companion spirit plant, then both Huanhuan and Zhenzhen’s spirit plants would be resolved.”

Lu Changsheng let out a long breath.

He planned to choose a time to plant this Bizarre Prison Demon Flower and let Lu Miaohuan and Qu Zhenzhen take a look.

Half a month later, Lu Changsheng came to Jiulong Market.

It had been about three months, and his three maids had long since been delivered.

Lu Changsheng looked at the three maids before him.

Similar to Shao Yuyao, Xiao Yueru, and others from before, all three were of superior appearance and figure, but their eyes were lifeless, filled with numbness.

The only difference was that among these three, two women possessed Fifth-Tier spirit roots, and one possessed a Sixth-Tier spirit root.

“Fifth-Tier spirit roots, huh.”

Lu Changsheng felt quite emotional inwardly.

He still vividly remembered the first time he came to White Jade Tower, only able to afford maids with Ninth-Tier spirit roots.

At that time, middle-Tier spirit roots seemed completely out of reach for him.

But after years of hard work and struggle, women with middle-Tier spirit roots were now just a moderate expense for him.

There were even female cultivators with middle-Tier spirit roots actively seeking him out.

“Wealth, companions, methods, and location – no wonder wealth comes first. Tsk tsk, money can indeed make ghosts turn millstones.”

After a brief sigh, Lu Changsheng indicated that there was no problem and took the three back to Bihu Mountain.

During this time, Manager Xia also upgraded Lu Changsheng’s membership.

He stated that with a higher membership level, future auctions would have an increased number and quality of maids available.

This surprised Lu Changsheng, as he hadn’t realized that even auctions were divided into levels.

He then inquired with Manager Xia about the prices fetched by the previous few High-Tier spirit root maids.

The other party didn’t conceal anything, stating that number one was sold for 150,000 Spirit Stones, and number two for 160,000 Spirit Stones, leaving Lu Changsheng amazed.

He felt that there were more wealthy people than he had imagined, but with such financial resources, they definitely weren’t Foundation Establishment cultivators, they must be Golden Core realm true immortals!