Chapter 292: Imperial Essence Fluid, Bai Ling Breaks Through to Foundation Establishment

“If you encounter any issues, feel free to talk to me. You’re welcome to visit Bihu Mountain anytime.”

Lu Changsheng said warmly.

He didn’t suggest Zhao Qingqing return to Bihu Mountain with him.

For one, she was clearly better off at the Azure Cloud Sect for now. Besides, she could easily visit Bihu Mountain later.

Also, as cultivators at the Foundation Establishment realm, there was no need to bring her home as a wife.

Since they were now fellow practitioners, they could hold a Dao companion ceremony in the future.

In fact, Lu Changsheng hoped his wives and Dao companions could achieve their own success, not necessarily at Bihu Mountain.

As for having children, it would happen naturally when the time was right.

“Alright~”

Zhao Qingqing responded softly.

The couple cuddled and chatted for a while before getting up, dressing, and leaving the room.

Although Zhao Qingqing had just experienced her first time, as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, she wasn’t too worn out.

Moreover, with her Wood Spirit Body and wood-attribute cultivation technique, her recovery was exceptional.

“Hmm?”

Hong Yi was surprised to see Lu Changsheng and Zhao Qingqing walking together, looking intimate.

Though he had noticed Zhao Qingqing’s fond gaze towards Lu Changsheng yesterday, he hadn’t expected such closeness so soon.

He had his suspicions but didn’t ask.

He knew it wasn’t his place to pry into such matters.

It was like how he had sensed the unusual relationship between Lu Changsheng and Xiao Xiyue years ago.

“Brother Lu, Fellow Daoist Zhao.”

Hong Yi greeted them with a hearty smile.

“Brother Hong, I’m going to see my children before leaving. Would you like to come with me or wait here?”

Lu Changsheng asked Hong Yi.

“Please go ahead, Brother Lu. Just let me know when you’re ready to leave.”

Hong Yi replied.

“Alright.”

Lu Changsheng nodded and went with Zhao Qingqing to visit his children.

Although Zhao Qingqing had other matters to attend to, they weren’t urgent.

Besides, it would be inconvenient for Lu Changsheng, as an outsider, to wander around the Azure Cloud Sect alone.

“Tsk.”

Hong Yi watched Lu Changsheng and Zhao Qingqing leave in a flash of light, feeling quite impressed.

He recalled the ten-year agreement when Xiao Xiyue invited Lu Changsheng to experience the mortal world, and their relationship gradually grew closer.

Now, it was the same with Zhao Qingqing.

“But when did they… become Bihu Mountain’s honored guests? Or perhaps… Foundation Establishment?”

Hong Yi pondered briefly before shaking off the thought.

Back then, when he saw Xiao Xiyue asking Lu Changsheng to experience the mortal world, he had felt a twinge of jealousy.

But now, seeing Lu Changsheng with Zhao Qingqing, he only thought Lu Changsheng was impressive.

“Daddy, Aunt Zhao.”

“Father, Aunt Zhao.”

With Zhao Qingqing leading the way, Lu Changsheng soon met his children, Lu Yunlou and Lu Xingyue.

The siblings were both wearing Azure Cloud Sect disciple robes.

One was beautiful and graceful, the other handsome and upright.

Looking at the pair before him, he couldn’t help but think of his children Lu Qingshan and Lu Qingzhu, who had left for the Golden Sun Sect.

The children before him lived closer and had visited home two years ago.

But his children in a distant country hadn’t been seen for nine years.

Lu Qingshan and Lu Qingzhu were even a year older than Lu Xingyue, and must have grown up by now.

“How have you been in the sect these years?”

Lu Changsheng looked at his children and asked gently.

“Daddy, we’re doing great in the sect. I’ve broken through to the fifth layer of Qi Refining, and I recently became a mid-Tier medical cultivator!”

Lu Xingyue’s face lit up with joy as she eagerly shared her progress.

Lu Yunlou also spoke up.

But his personality was more reserved, and he spoke less. He was at the fifth layer of Qi Refining and only a low-Tier equipment refiner.

While chatting with his children, Lu Changsheng had thought about calling Xia Zhaoyang for a meeting, but learned that his brother-in-law was away on a mission.

He understood this situation. Azure Cloud Sect affairs were generally divided into external and internal duties.

People like Zhao Qingqing and Han Lin were part of the internal staff, not skilled in combat.

They mostly stayed in the sect to cultivate and handle internal affairs, focusing on production for the sect.

While others like Xiao Xiyue and Xia Zhaoyang, who focused solely on cultivation and weren’t skilled in crafts, often chose external missions.

For example, they might oversee Marketplaces or join the Enforcement Palace or Battle Hall.

After a brief visit with his children, Lu Changsheng mentioned that if they needed anything, they could always find Zhao Qingqing.

Now that Zhao Qingqing had broken through to Foundation Establishment and became the manager of the herb gardens, she held considerable power and status, even higher than Xia Zhaoyang, an inner disciple.

After visiting his children, Lu Changsheng didn’t linger. He left with Hong Yi on a Spirit Boat, returning to Bihu Mountain.

In the blink of an eye, three months passed.

During this time, Ling Zixiao had decided on her cultivation technique, choosing to practice the Twelve Heavenly Demon God Scripture.

She chose this technique partly because she liked it.

Also, compared to the Vermilion Bird Sky Burning Scripture, this technique suited her better.

After such a long period of cultivation, Bai Ling had finally refined her spiritual energy to perfection and was ready to attempt the breakthrough to Foundation Establishment.

“In just sixteen short years, she’s ready to break through to Foundation Establishment.”

Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but marvel at her talent and speed, remembering that it had only been sixteen years since he had taken in Bai Ling.

He couldn’t help but sigh when he thought about how none of his many children had yet broken through to the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining in their cultivation.

He could only hope that his two precious daughters and his son Lu Xingchen, with his Third-Tier Spirit Root, would grow up and show more promise.

For Bai Ling’s Foundation Establishment, he had made preparations well in advance, including a Foundation Establishment Pill.

As for the breakthrough, it would take place in the Sumeru Cave Heaven.

The cave heaven not only had the Spirit Spring Eye but also Sumeru to provide spiritual energy.

So she could directly attempt the breakthrough to Foundation Establishment in the Sumeru Cave Heaven without attracting attention from others or other forces.

To prepare for Bai Ling’s breakthrough, Lu Changsheng had Sumeru gather spiritual energy in advance, raising the spiritual energy in his cultivation cave to the peak of the second rank, almost forming a visible mist.

“Little Ling’er, are you ready?”

In the Cave Dwelling, Lu Changsheng held the Hegemon Beast Taming Talisman and asked Bai Ling gently.

He held the Beast Taming talisman for two reasons. First, to use Hong Lian to observe Bai Ling’s blood mutation.

Second, to use his cultivated Black Water Flood Dragon Dao Weapon to assist Bai Ling, helping her convert natural spiritual energy and ensure a successful breakthrough to Foundation Establishment.

“Brother, I’m ready.”

Bai Ling’s delicate and pure face was filled with determination.

Having been at Bihu Mountain for so many years, she understood what Foundation Establishment meant.

She knew that once she broke through to Foundation Establishment, she might be able to help her brother.

Then, under Lu Changsheng’s watchful gaze, she closed her black and white peach blossom-like eyes and silently circulated the Black Dragon Scripture.

After an unknown amount of time, sensing she had reached the peak state her brother had described, she didn’t hesitate and swallowed the high-quality Foundation Establishment Pill.

“It’s starting.”

Lu Changsheng watched Bai Ling intently.

First came the three barriers of Foundation Establishment, starting with the Blood Barrier.

Countless streams of spiritual energy gathered, rushing towards Bai Ling’s body.

Lu Changsheng wasn’t worried about this stage at all.

On one hand, the Black Dragon Scripture cultivated both body and spirit, tempering the physical body during cultivation.

On the other hand, due to Bai Ling’s bloodline, her body with its scales was much stronger than normal, soft yet tough, full of flexibility.

Even Miaoyun and Qu Zhenzhen often needed to call on other concubines when facing him.

But Bai Ling, though appearing soft and timid, could endure…

Sure enough, under the wash of spiritual energy, Bai Ling showed no unusual signs, allowing it to flow through her.

As time passed, the spiritual energy gradually entered her meridians and dantian, gathering towards her sea of qi, beginning the Spiritual Power Barrier.

Lu Changsheng was also confident about the Spiritual Power Barrier.

Although his family had the means to use pills and they practiced Dual Cultivation, Lu Changsheng had always been strict about building a solid foundation.

Moreover, Bai Ling’s cultivation technique, the Black Dragon Scripture, was a Top-Tier unorthodox method that built an extremely solid foundation.

However, to be absolutely sure, Lu Changsheng called out to the Beast Taming talisman: “Hong Lian.”

“Yes, Master.”

Hong Lian’s elegant voice responded.

In an instant, a water-attribute energy spread throughout the Cave Dwelling.

It was the aura of the Black Water Flood Dragon Dao Weapon from the Beast Taming talisman.

These Dao Weapons had been transformed by Lu Changsheng through the ‘Black Water Flood Dragon Curse’ into Black Water Flood Dragon Dao Weapons, and were subtly practicing the ‘Black Water Flood Dragon Curse’, their energy in line with the Black Dragon Scripture.

So the Beast Taming talisman using them to absorb and release spiritual energy was equivalent to helping Bai Ling refine the surrounding natural spiritual energy.

As time passed, Bai Ling began the third barrier of Foundation Establishment, the Divine Sense Barrier.

“Little Ling’er.”

Lu Changsheng called out softly.

Bai Ling immediately opened her eyes, looked at Lu Changsheng, and quickly swallowed the ‘Jade Soul Flower’ prepared beside her.

Although Bai Ling might not need the ‘Jade Soul Flower’, a Foundation Establishment spirit material.

But since they had the means, Lu Changsheng was willing to take this extra precaution.

After swallowing the ‘Jade Soul Flower’, Bai Ling quickly closed her eyes again, focusing on her breakthrough and circulating her technique.

“Boom!”

After an unknown amount of time, a roar echoed in Bai Ling’s mind, her spirit transforming. It was as if a third ‘eye’ had opened between her brows.

Through this eye, even with her eyes closed, she could clearly see her surroundings and even herself sitting cross-legged.

Bai Ling didn’t lose focus. Following Lu Changsheng’s teachings, she used her Divine Sense to control her body and spiritual power, pressing down on her dantian and sea of qi.

This caused her spiritual energy to liquefy into spiritual power, transforming her dantian lake into a true lake, raising the Dao platform and shedding her mortal body!

“The three barriers of Foundation Establishment, passed.”

Lu Changsheng quietly watched this process.

With the completion of the three barriers of Foundation Establishment, the final step began.

The surrounding spiritual energy started to swirl frantically, forming a vortex of spiritual energy outside Hall of Everlasting Life.

All the spiritual energy in the Sumeru Cave Heaven converged towards this spot.

“The three barriers of Foundation Establishment have been passed.”

In the cave heaven, Ling Zixiao and Lu Miaoge sensed this movemenn, knowing that Bai Ling had begun the final step of her Foundation Establishment.

At this moment, they stopped their cultivation, allowing Sumeru to gather all the spiritual energy in the cave heaven towards Bai Ling, supporting her breakthrough.

In the Cave Dwelling, Lu Changsheng had been watching Bai Ling’s breakthrough with a bored expression.

Just then, a mysterious tremor accompanied by a system prompt suddenly sounded.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host, the number of spirit root offspring has reached fifty, granting one specified drawing opportunity!]

Lu Changsheng knew that one of his concubines had given birth to a spirit root child.

From this tremor, he knew that this child’s spirit root was ordinary, probably only a Seventh-Tier spirit root.

This was normal, after all. Even with both parents having spirit roots, it only relatively improved the children’s spirit roots.

It wasn’t possible for every child to have a middle-Tier or even High-Tier spirit root.

“Just a specified drawing?”

Lu Changsheng felt a bit disappointed when he saw this draw.

Since it had finally reached this round number, he had hoped this achievement might give him a high-level draw or something.

“Well, a specified draw it is. Which category should I choose?”

Lu Changsheng sighed lightly, wondering what to draw.

In the early years when specified draws appeared, he had leaned towards techniques.

But now, he had drawn quite a few rewards from the system and wasn’t sure which to choose.

“In that case, let’s use the process of elimination.”

“First, eliminate techniques and magical treasures, then skills. As for spirit beasts, that’s not urgent either.”

Lu Changsheng pondered silently.

Techniques were what he needed least right now.

Although system techniques often turned out to be small gems, he really didn’t have much need for them at present.

As for magical treasures, thanks to Xiahou Wuwo’s sponsorship, he wasn’t short on those either.

Regarding skills, although he still wanted to master formations and Equipment Refining to become more versatile, the randomness was too high.

In terms of spirit beasts, over the years, Xu Ruoyin had been obedient and content being a tool, helping Hong Lian with pill refining, Equipment Refining, and Formation Techniques. Lu Changsheng was planning to give her a spirit beast.

But this wasn’t urgent, and there was no need to waste a specified draw on it.

“The randomness of pills is too high, but treasures and other categories seem quite good.”

After some thought, Lu Changsheng made his decision.

Although these two draws were also full of randomness, system products were always of high quality.

Especially items like the Peach Blossom Gu, Hope Gu, Golden Armored Bean Mother, Law Seed, and Ghostly Head from the Netherworld in the ‘other’ category all seemed quite good to him.

“In that case, let’s go with ‘other’!”

Having made his decision, Lu Changsheng silently thought: “System, draw, specify ‘other category’!”

In an instant, the draw screen appeared before him.

From the original golden light rotating through seven areas, it changed to a dizzying array of various heavenly and earthly treasures.

There were heavenly and earthly treasures, as well as wines, Spirit Liquids, Gu Worms, corpse refinements, puppets, and many other miscellaneous items, including a lot that Lu Changsheng couldn’t even recognize.

It could be said that the ‘other’ category encompassed far too many things.

A moment later, the draw wheel stopped.

A viscous liquid with golden threads appeared, accompanied by the system prompt.

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining: Imperial Essence Fluid!]

“Imperial Essence Fluid? What’s this?”

Lu Changsheng raised an eyebrow at his drawn reward.

Immediately, information about the Imperial Essence Fluid appeared in the system space.

[Imperial Essence Fluid]

[Grade: Third-rank]

[Description: Formed from the essence of heavenly and earthly moonlight. Plants and trees that receive it can gain spirituality and transform into demon plants. It greatly nourishes demons, ghosts, and spirits, can increase cultivation, and enhance spirituality.]

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

Although this Imperial Essence Fluid mainly benefited demons, ghosts, and spirits.

But his guardian spirit tree was a demon plant!

Moreover, besides the Sumeru Tree King, he also had the Lingming Treasure Tree, the Bizarre Prison Demon Flower, a heavenly and earthly spirit plant, and a demon plant.

“If Sumeru wants to nurture a companion spirit plant, it needs to consume its origin life force.”

“With this Imperial Essence Fluid, could it make up for its consumption and nurture a companion spirit plant…”

Lu Changsheng pondered silently.

He hadn’t yet refined the Bizarre Prison Demon Flower for Lu Miaohuan.

On one hand, he was planning to take Lu Miaohuan on a long trip to the Golden Sun Sect once Ling Zixiao was a bit better.

On the other hand, he was also wondering if he could draw another spirit plant.

This way, Lu Miaohuan and Qu Zhenzhen could choose at the same time for cultivation, showing that he, as a husband, wasn’t too partial.

After all, Lu Changsheng still had considerable affection for his first little wife who he had brought home.

He didn’t immediately extract the item, continuing to watch Bai Ling who was breaking through to Foundation Establishment.

He planned to study this Imperial Essence Fluid after Bai Ling completed her breakthrough to Foundation Establishment.

Time passed, and after an unknown period, a Foundation Establishment spiritual power aura suddenly spread from Bai Ling’s body, dantian, and sea of qi.

“Foundation Establishment successful.”

Lu Changsheng’s spirit lifted at the sight.

“Master!”

At this moment, Hong Lian transmitted to Lu Changsheng.

Immediately, Lu Changsheng came to Bai Ling’s side, placing his palm on her lower abdomen to check her current condition.

Hong Lian also extended her soul force to examine Bai Ling’s situation.

As a third-rank beast tamer and Nascent Soul True Lord, she had previously only determined that Bai Ling had a mutated demon race bloodline.

But she wasn’t sure about the specific situation.

“Brother~”

Bai Ling felt a bit shy seeing her brother like this right after her breakthrough.

At this moment, in her dantian, the Black Dragon Dao Foundation rose, bursting with endless radiance, as if a black dragon was roaring, washing her marrow and hair, flushing every inch of her flesh and body.

“This…”

Lu Changsheng and Hong Lian looked at Bai Ling’s internal condition with surprise.

Because during the process of the Black Dragon Dao Foundation shedding her mortal body, Bai Ling’s blood, meridians, and bones were all emitting a white glow, like the color of her body scales.

This white glow combined with her spiritual power, allowing Lu Changsheng to see the circulation path of the Black Dragon Scripture, which, like Lu Miaoge’s Supreme Kindness ater Technique, showed some inexplicable changes.

Not only that, Lu Changsheng also noticed that Bai Ling’s crystal-clear, smooth scales now had a hint of sudden white-gold color.

Her pure white, delicate skin became even more flawless, no less perfect than Lu Miaoge’s skin..

“Hong Lian, what’s going on?”

Lu Changsheng asked Hong Lian.

The more he interacted, the more he realized that this little girl he had picked up was extraordinary.

“Master… Bai Ling’s condition is certainly an awakening of her demon race bloodline, a blood regression mutation, there’s no doubt about it.”

“But this bloodline is extremely extraordinary. I even suspect that this bloodline might be from some true spirit.”

Hong Lian said softly.

“True spirit bloodline!?”

Lu Changsheng was shocked to hear this.

He knew that even beast demons with a trace of true spirit bloodline were extremely rare, basically Heaven-Tier beast demons.

And Bai Ling, as a human, actually had a true spirit bloodline. Isn’t this too astonishing?

“That’s right. Before meeting you, Master, I had never seen a true spirit level beast demon.”

“But in the world, one can still find some beast demons or humans with diluted inherited true spirit bloodlines.”

“I once heard that in the Central Plains continent, there are several great families with true spirit bloodlines, known as ‘True Spirit Families’.”

“Bai Ling might have a diluted true spirit bloodline, but due to blood mutation and regression, she has activated some of her bloodline power.”

Hong Lian voiced her speculation.

“True Spirit Families?”

Lu Changsheng was surprised to hear this.

He could understand some beast demons having traces of true spirit bloodline, but how could humans have true spirit bloodline flowing in their bodies?

He knew that the more powerful and higher the bloodline grade of a beast demon, the harder it was to transform.

For a true spirit to transform, it would be extremely difficult.

Moreover, it was already hard for humans and demon races to have offspring. To have offspring without transformation, the scene was unimaginable.

“Are these True Spirit Families descendants of humans and true spirits?”

Lu Changsheng asked curiously.

“I’m not sure about that either. I’ve only heard that such True Spirit Families exist.”

Hong Lian said softly.

“Alright, as long as it’s not something bad, it doesn’t matter.”

Lu Changsheng didn’t dwell too much on this true spirit bloodline issue after hearing this.

He had checked with Hong Lian this time because he had heard her say earlier that in Bai Ling’s case, her bloodline power would awaken a bit with each major realm breakthrough, and there might be some changes that could be examined.

After Bai Ling completed her rebirth, Lu Changsheng saw that even her blood had gained a hint of white-gold radiance.

He couldn’t help but wonder, if her bloodline power continued to awaken, would Bai Ling’s blood, meridians, and bones completely turn white?

“Brother~”

Bai Ling looked at Lu Changsheng, her black and white peach blossom-like eyes misty, shy yet expectant, her voice sweet and soft.

Logically, after cultivating the Black Dragon Scripture and breaking through to Foundation Establishment, she should have gained a more imposing aura after rebirth.

But Bai Ling had become even more pure and charming.

Though she gave off an otherworldly, pure aura, her every smile and frown was full of charm and allure, captivating one’s heart.

Lu Changsheng knew that Bai Ling’s bloodline power had overwhelmed the changes brought by the technique.

Even the technique’s circulation path had shown some self-adaptation due to her bloodline power.

Seeing her pure yet seductive little face full of expectation for his praise and reward, Lu Changsheng immediately kissed her moist, delicate lips.

His hand gently caressed her crystal-clear, smooth, perfect, seemingly fragile skin.

Although Bai Ling’s scales had gained a hint of white-gold color, their texture hadn’t changed much, feeling even smoother and more pleasant to touch.

With a rustle of clothes, a graceful, curvaceous jade body appeared, as if wrapped in a white-gold scaled soft armor, full of bewitching and wild charm, inexplicably making one feel hot.

Lu Changsheng didn’t mind Hong Lian’s presence in the Beast Taming talisman.

When he first made a move on Xu Ruoyin, he would have Ling Zixiao or Lu Miaoyun take the Beast Tamig talisman away.

But later he thought, Hong Lian wasn’t an outsider either.

Since she was there, let her be. Playing with her chosen ‘destined girl’ in front of ‘grandfather’ seemed to have a unique flavor.

Lu Changsheng embraced Bai Ling’s extremely tempting small waist.

Only after experiencing it would one know how flexible, how breathtaking this flat, slender, firm waist was.

“Mmm…”

With a soul-stirring, tender moan, the flawless jade body undulated and swayed, the crystal-clear scales emitting a white-gold light gradually suffused with a pink glow, appearing dreamlike.