Chapter 297: Qu Changge: This Must Be a Demonic Cultivator!?

Inside the palace on Tianyuan Peak.

The Lu Family had gathered for a reunion.

“I didn’t expect you and my stepmother to break through to Foundation Establishment so soon, Father.”

“I was planning to bring little Zhu’er home after I reached Foundation Establishment in a few years.”

Lu Qingshan said with a wide grin, his handsome face beaming with joy.

He then recounted his and his sister’s experiences over the years.

Deliberately putting on an air of nonchalance, he mentioned placing in the top thirty at the sect’s sword competition, defeating a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator while only at the seventh level himself.

“Hehe, not bad,” Lu Changsheng praised with a smile.

“Qingshan, are these competitions dangerous? Will you get hurt?” Lu Miaohuan asked, both proud and concerned after hearing her son’s stories.

She had been uneasy not seeing her son, but now felt relieved seeing Lu Qingshan doing so well.

“Of course there’s no danger, Mother. Don’t worry,” Lu Qingshan said confidently, radiating youthful energy.

Lu Qingzhu’s eyes were still slightly red from crying earlier.

She now calmly held onto her mother’s arm, leaning against her while listening to her brother’s tales.

She only spoke up occasionally, asking about their parents’ situation at home or playfully contradicting her brother.

“Qingshan, Qingzhu, are you allowed to go out often?”

“Since we’re here, I’d like to tour the Yue Kingdom and see the local customs,” Lu Changsheng said.

Besides accompanying his wives to visit their children, he also wanted to assess his son’s situation and decide whether to give him the Sword Piercing the Big Dipper Law Seed.

Seeing his son’s condition, he had a good idea already.

But since they were here, they couldn’t just leave after a brief meeting. The family should spend quality time together.

“Of course we can. I just need to inform Immortal Heron,” Lu Qingshan said excitedly.

“I haven’t had the chance to go out and have fun properly in years.”

Since Immortal Tian Yuan, the peak master of Tianyuan Peak, was often away and uninvolved in affairs, the siblings had a lot of freedom.

He then ran out of the palace to inform Immortal Heron. Lu Changsheng piloted a Spirit Boat, taking the family out of the Golden Sun Sect for sightseeing.

On the Spirit Boat, Lu Changsheng observed his son Lu Qingshan and thought to himself:

“Whether humble and generous or proud and arrogant, each person’s circumstances are unique. Character alone doesn’t determine good or bad. Though Qingshan has an innate sharpness and pride, he also possesses wit and cleverness.”

Sons like Lu Ping’an, Lu Xian’er, Lu Quanzhen, and Lu Yun weren’t arrogant or spoiled due to the family’s modest conditions when they were young.

But Lu Qingshan grew up pampered on Qingzhu Mountain, naturally developing some aristocratic airs.

Now possessing a Spirit Body and entering a sect, taken as a disciple by a Golden Core cultivator, he understandably had a sharp, proud edge.

Lu Changsheng didn’t think his son’s personality was problematic, just somewhat concerning.

Because such a personality could lead to major setbacks if he ever stumbled.

“However, this temperament might be perfect for the Sword Piercing the Big Dipper Law Seed. He might even cut through all obstacles on his cultivation path with a single sword strike in the future.”

Lu Changsheng exhaled softly.

In Jiang Kingdom’s Zhou Mountain Prefecture.

Qu Changge, wearing a loose black robe, had transformed his snow-white hair to jet black, simply tied up with a wooden hairpin. He walked down the street looking like an elegant scholar.

Soon, he arrived at a mansion with the characters “Qu Manor” above the entrance and walked in.

The guards at the gate seemed not to notice him, allowing him to move freely within the manor.

Qu Changge walked through the familiar courtyard, his expression somewhat dazed.

He then arrived at the graves and memorial hall in the back garden to pay his respects and burn incense.

“Zhenzhen probably still comes here regularly.”

“I wonder how Zhenzhen is doing now. Those children must be quite grown up by now.”

Qu Changge mused to himself, recalling when he last saw his sister years ago, already a mother with several children.

He sat alone by the graves for a long while before disappearing in a flash of light.

Days later, Qu Changge arrived outside Qingzhu Mountain.

“Hmm? What’s going on here?”

Qu Changge’s calm expression instantly turned cold, his eyes becoming dark and deep, mesmerizing to look at.

He clearly remembered his sister’s family living in this clan’s sacred grounds.

But now, he couldn’t sense even a hint of blood resonance, indicating his sister wasn’t there!

“Black Qiu!” he called out coldly, gazing at Qingzhu Mountain while flicking out a crystal-clear drop of crimson blood.

“Yes, Young Master!” A bald man in black armor, his face covered in demonic markings, appeared instantly and respectfully responded.

He quickly made hand seals, transforming the blood drop into a tiny dark red snake.

The small snake looked in two different directions.

“Young Master, there are people related to your bloodline in both these directions.”

“This direction has a stronger blood connection but is farther away. This direction has a weaker connection but is closer,” Black Qiu explained.

“In that case, let’s check out the closer one,” Qu Changge said, his cold expression fading back to calm indifference.

He swept the miniature snake into his sleeve, then shot off as a streak of light towards the Hongye Valley Marketplace.

“Hongye Valley Marketplace”

Hours later, Qu Changge looked at the Market name before him.

Through the Blood-Guiding Snake in his sleeve, he knew the person he was looking for was here.

He paid an Spirit Stone, gave a false name, and entered the Market.

Soon, he stopped in front of a shop.

It was a three-story building.

A sign hung above reading “Bihu Mountain Spirit Wine Shop.”

“Bihu Mountain Spirit Wine Shop?” Qu Changge looked at the shop and walked straight in.

The shop displayed various wines. A waitress immediately came forward to greet Qu Changge and ask what he needed.

“I’m just browsing,” Qu Changge said softly, walking further inside.

“Honored guest, I’m the shopkeeper. How may I assist you?” A young man who had been reading a book inside the shop saw Qu Changge, put down his book, smiled, and politely stood up to greet him.

“Zhenzhen.” Qu Changge was slightly startled as he looked at the young man in elegant blue robes with a refined, handsome face.

Even without the blood-guiding snake in his sleeve, he knew this was his sister’s son, his nephew.

Because the resemblance was too strong!

Especially the features around the eyes – the slightly elongated eye corners when smiling were exactly like his sister’s.

“Sir?” Lu Quanzhen called out, his expression unchanged, when he saw the man lost in thought.

“Haha, my apologies. I was just lost in thought for a moment. What kinds of wine do you have here?” Qu Changge asked in a gentle, amiable tone.

Much later.

“Lu Quanzhen,” Qu Changge walked out of the spirit wine shop with a smile.

During their brief chat, he found himself liking this nephew more and more.

But considering his current situation, he didn’t reveal his identity.

He planned to interact more, get familiar, and see what plans and aspirations his nephew had for the future.

Then, as an uncle, he could offer help if needed.

This was also one of the purposes of his return.

To see how his sister was doing and how his nephews and nieces were faring.

“Zhao,” Lu Quanzhen watched Qu Changge’s retreating figure, his eyes showing a thoughtful look.

“Bihu Mountain.” Qu Changge looked back at the large characters on the shop’s sign, intending to learn more about this Bihu Mountain.

From their conversation earlier, he knew his nephew was not only the shop’s manager but also the young master.

This made him curious about Bihu Mountain.

After all, besides knowing his brother-in-law was called Lu Changsheng, he knew nothing else.

Moments later, Qu Changge found a shop dealing in information and intelligence trading.

Upon entering, someone immediately approached and asked, “Fellow Daoist, are you here to inquire about information or intelligence?”

“Do you have any information or intelligence regarding Bihu Mountain?” Qu Changge, dressed in a loose black robe like a gentle and refined scholar, asked softly.

“Bihu Mountain? Of course we do!” The shopkeeper, a female cultivator in her forties, immediately responded enthusiastically.

“Many people, like yourself, come to our shop to purchase information related to Bihu Mountain.”

“If you’re interested in becoming a guest elder or an apprentice at Bihu Mountain, our shop has connections and can even make introductions for you,” the woman said.

“Oh? Is Bihu Mountain so famous?” Qu Changge asked, slightly surprised.

“You jest, fellow Daoist. Who in Hongye Valley Marketplace doesn’t know the great name of Bihu Mountain?” the woman said with a laugh.

“What kind of information does the fellow Daoist need?”

“All information about Bihu Mountain,” Qu Changge said.

“Certainly, certainly. Please wait a moment, fellow Daoist,” the woman said eagerly.

She then served Qu Changge tea and went to fetch the information about Bihu Mountain.

A moment later, she returned with a tray holding five Jade Slips and said, “Fellow Daoist, this is all the information about Bihu Mountain. The price is one hundred Spirit Stones.”

“Mm.” Qu Changge nodded, took out a mid-Tier Spirit Stone, then accepted the Jade Slips and began checking them one by one.

“Bihu Mountain, once the Yu Family’s territory, now belongs to the Lu Family.”

“The mountain lord, Lu Changsheng, was once a son-in-law of the Qingzhu Mountain Lu Family. When the Yu Family Patriarch interfered with his wife Lu Miaoge’s Foundation Establlshment, he killed three Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Yu Family, obtained Bihu Mountain from them, and established the Bihu Mountain Lu Family.”

“Mountain Lord Lu Changsheng has seven wives and forty-three concubines.”

As soon as Qu Changge saw the information about wives and concubines, his face turned cold, and the teacup in his right hand exploded into powder with a “bang.”

He had initially had a good impression of his brother-in-law.

Firstly, the man had renovated their old house and erected tombstones for his parents.

Secondly, twenty years ago, he had seen this brother-in-law once.

At that time, he was with Qu Changge’s sister, and they seemed deeply in love.

But now, seeing the information in the Jade Slip that his so-called brother-in-law had seven wives, over forty concubines, numerous maids, and two Dao companions,

He was shocked. The information about children was even more outrageous, stating only that the latest count was 180, with details unknown.

This reminded him of when he entered Qingzhu Mountain years ago and saw his sister and her husband with ten children.

Due to blood resonance, he thought only three were his sister’s, assuming the others were from different families.

Now it seemed all ten children were his convenient brother-in-law’s offspring.

“Damn it!” Qu Changge’s eyes flashed with coldness.

He could accept even three or four wives and concubines, understanding the practice.

But from the various information in the Jade Slip, he not only couldn’t accept it but even suspected his brother-in-law might be a demonic cultivator who practiced some Dual Cultivation and Essence Absorption technique.

Besides this, he couldn’t understand why a normal cultivator would marry so many wives and concubines.

Moreover, the number of children made him think of various demonic techniques.

In the Demonic Cult, there were many demonic methods to cultivate and improve using one’s own bloodline children!

Seeing Lu Changsheng’s rather legendary rise from a lower-Tier spirit root cultivator to his current status, he strongly suspected his brother-in-law might be a demonic cultivator!

In this situation, his sister must have suffered at his hands!

“Fellow Daoist, what’s wrong?” The female shopkeeper heard the “bang” and felt the shop’s temperature seemingly drop a few degrees. She shivered and asked Qu Changge.

“Nothing. I was just surprised by the deeds of this Bihu Mountain Lord Lu Changsheng,” Qu Changge said, trying to keep his voice neutral despite his impassive expression.

“Is all this information true?”

“Of course! This Mountain Lord Lu is very famous. How could there be any falsehoods about his deeds?” the woman immediately said.

“Fellow Daoist, you must be new to Hongye Valley Marketplace. If you don’t believe me, you can ask anyone here about Mountain Lord Lu’s deeds, and they’ll be able to tell you a thing or two.”

“Good,” Qu Changge nodded, his face somewhat gloomy.

He then tossed down a Spirit Stone and walked out of the shop, disappearing into the crowd.

“What a strange person,” the woman muttered, but still happily pocketed the Spirit Stone.

For her, it was a big income today. The customer not only didn’t haggle but even left a mid-Tier Spirit Stone.

In Yue Kingdom’s Golden Sun Market.

Lu Changsheng brought his wives and children to the Market for sightseeing.

The customs and practices in Yue Kingdom and Jiang Kingdom, being neighbors, didn’t differ greatly.

If there were differences, they’d be in living habits and architecture.

Speaking of differences, Yue Kingdom’s neighboring countries, besides Jiang Kingdom, included one called Wu Kingdom and another called Liang Kingdom.

These two countries had significant differences. Wu Kingdom had more body cultivators, with almost all commoners practicing martial arts, making it very prosperous in martial ways.

Liang Kingdom belonged to demonic forces, with a widely spread cultivation method involving integrating fierce beasts and demon beasts’ blood and souls into one’s body, cultivating through killing and devouring blood qi and killing qi.

Yue Kingdom, Wu Kingdom, and Liang Kingdom often had conflicts and wars.

Additionally, on Yue Kingdom’s northern border was a desert oasis.

An Immortal City called Black Desert was built in the oasis.

This Immortal City was different from Jiang Kingdom’s Qingluan Immortal City, Nine Heavens Immortal City, and Immortal City of Da Mengze. It was a chaotic, special zone.

The entire Immortal City was very mysterious. It was only known that a powerful, mysterious cultivator presided over it, influencing many surrounding cultivation countries and attracting numerous wanted cultivators, rogue cultivators, and evil cultivators who fled there when in trouble.

If Qingluan Immortal City attracted countless rogue cultivators due to the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range,

Then this ‘Black Desert Immortal City’ was formed by the law of the jungle and chaos.

“Tsk tsk tsk.”

Although Lu Changsheng had a general understanding of the Southern Wilderness cultivation world from his daily reading,

He didn’t know much about the specific situations between these countries.

Because in Jiang Kingdom, besides some information about neighboring Yue Kingdom and Jin Kingdom, it was rare to come across information about other countries.

So, Lu Changsheng took his wives and children from Golden Sun Sect to Golden Sun Market, then to other Markets and the secular world, touring and experiencing the customs of Yue Kingdom.

“Qingshan, come with me for a moment,” Lu Changsheng said to his son Lu Qingshan after they finished eating one day.

Having toured with his children for a month, he was ready to give his son the Law Seed and see its effects.

Moreover, having been out for so long, he was planning to return.

“Father, what is it?” Lu Qingshan had just finished eating and was about to have two more bowls when he heard his father and looked up to ask.

“I have something to discuss with you,” Lu Changsheng beckoned.

Hearing this, Lu Qingshan didn’t ask further and stood up to follow Lu Changsheng.

Lu Miaoge, Lu Miaohuan, and LL Qingzhu saw this but didn’t pay much attention.

They guessed Lu Changsheng was probably ready to return and wanted to give his son some parting words and instructions.