Chapter 307: Mining Vein Dispute, Golden Core Formation Phenomenon!

After checking on his children in Red Leaf Valley, Lu Changsheng left the Market town the next day.

He didn’t return to Bihu Mountain, but instead headed to the Azure Cloud Sect.

After all, he had been away for so long, it was only right to visit Xiao Xiyue and Zhao Qingqing upon his return.

Two days later, Lu Changsheng arrived at the entrance of the Azure Cloud Sect.

“Hmm, who should I send a message to?” he pondered.

Lu Changsheng took out the Yin-Yang Communication Talismans for Xiao Xiyue and Zhao Qingqing, feeling a bit stuck.

Although he was intimately involved with both women,

his relationship with Xiao Xiyue had always been kept secret, without an official title. Even Zhao Qingqing didn’t know about it.

If he were to send a message to Xiao Xiyue now, or to both women simultaneously, wouldn’t it reveal his special relationship with Xiao Xiyue?

But if he only sent a message to Zhao Qingqing, it would be unfair to Xiao Xiyue.

After all, Xiao Xiyue came first, and their relationship was closer.

“Sigh, indeed, having too many partners can be troublesome at times.”

Lu Changsheng sighed inwardly, thinking to himself, “Now that Wangshu is so grown up, there’s no need to keep hiding my relationship with Xiyue, is there?”

Back then, he was just a small Qi Refining cultivator, the son-in-law of Qingzhu Mountain, unworthy of Xiao Xiyue, a true disciple of an immortal sect.

He was also worried about not getting past her master’s approval, and even attracting trouble.

But now, with their child so grown up, Lu Changsheng felt there was no need to keep their relationship hidden anymore.

They could openly express it.

Although revealing their relationship might bring him some trouble,

he felt that keeping it hidden for so long had been unfair to Xiao Xiyue.

Moreover, revealing their relationship might not necessarily bring trouble, it could even have many benefits.

After all, if they officially became a couple, he would be the partner of a Golden Core cultivator’s disciple.

This title alone would be enough to make many people and family forces wary.

“Xiyue and I are in love, surely her master wouldn’t forcibly separate us?”

Lu Changsheng knew that if he wanted to formalize his relationship with Xiao Xiyue, the only issue would be her master, Caiyun Zhenren.

Such matters would definitely require her approval.

“This Caiyun Zhenren should be aware of my existence. Back then, she even helped me out of difficulty for Xiyue’s sake. I think she doesn’t have any objections to me.”

“Now if I come to propose marriage, even if she disagrees, it shouldn’t be too bad.”

Lu Changsheng pondered in his heart.

Now, he, Old Ancestor Lu, had quite a reputation in the Qingyun Region.

Aside from having many wives, partners, and children, in terms of appearance, cultivation, and talent, he was top-notch.

Even if this Caiyun Zhenren disagreed, it shouldn’t be too severe.

“I’ll ask for Xiyue’s opinion later.”

Having made up his mind, Lu Changsheng directly sent messages to both women, informing them of his arrival at the Azure Cloud Sect.

But Xiao Xiyue’s Communication Talisman showed no response, indicating she wasn’t currently at the sect.

“Gone out again, huh?”

Lu Changsheng raised an eyebrow, muttering to himself.

Through Ling Zixiao, he knew that Xiao Xiyue had been very busy these past two years, only visiting Bihu Mountain once.

But what she was busy with, Ling Zixiao didn’t know.

After all, without him around, both Ling Zixiao and Xiao Xiyue weren’t fond of communicating with others.

Half an hour later.

A green light flew out from the sect entrance.

“Dear Lu.”

Zhao Qingqing, dressed in an emerald green gown, tall and graceful, her jet-black hair in a bun with a slanted plum blossom jade hairpin, looked at Lu Changsheng with joy and smiles in her eyes.

“Qingqing.”

Lu Changsheng, in a cyan robe, handsome and smiling, called out clearly.

Then, the two entered the Azure Cloud Sect intimately.

“Who is that? How can he be so close to our sect’s aunt?”

A disciple guarding the mountain couldn’t help but ask in surprise.

Lu Changsheng had been waiting outside earlier, indicating he wasn’t a Azure Cloud Sect disciple.

And Foundation Establishment disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect rarely married outsiders, so it was very surprising.

“You don’t even know him? That’s Lu Changsheng, the Bihu Mountain Lord. I’ve heard…”

Another guard immediately spoke up, starting to gossip.

Although Lu Changsheng was somewhat famous, many people had only heard his name but didn’t know him personally.

Later, Lu Changsheng’s relationship with Zhao Qingqing as partners made him more well-known within the Azure Cloud Sect.

Lu Changsheng followed Zhao Qingqing to her Cave Dwelling’s herb garden.

The layout had changed quite a bit since her Foundation Establishment celebration.

Besides a few elegant pavilions and thatched cottages in the courtyard, most places were planted with spirit flowers and herbs, making the air very fresh.

Lu Changsheng knew this was because Zhao Qingqing had a Wood Spirit Body.

This Spirit Body was not only good at cultivating spirit plants, but long-term cultivation in such a place also had some beneficial effects on cultivation.

“Dear Lu, your journey to and from the Yue Kingdom must have been quite tiring?”

After arriving in the main hall, Zhao Qingqing poured tea and said softly.

She knew about Lu Changsheng’s trip to the Golden Sun Sect in the Yue Kingdom.

Back then, she had helped buy the spirit ship ticket for Lu Changsheng, knowing he returned after just over two years, without much delay on the journey.

“It was fine, just a bit boring on the spirit ship,”

Lu Changsheng chuckled, picking up the tea and telling her about some of his experiences in the Yue Kingdom.

After finishing the tea, Lu Changsheng moved closer and embraced the beauty, his eyes full of deep affection, saying in a low voice, “Qingqing, I’ve missed you.”

“Dear Lu…”

Zhao Qingqing met Lu Changsheng’s deeply affectionate gaze, her heart trembling, her body softening, her brows showing a hint of shy joy.

Although she and Lu Changsheng were partners,

their relationship still lacked the depth that comes with time, so she felt a bit awkward and uncomfortable with such intimacy.

Before she could say anything, her lips, moist like spirit fruits, were captured. Unable to speak, she could only wrap her arms around his neck, almost whispering, “I… I missed you too.”

A long while later.

“Dear Lu, it’s… it’s still daytime.”

Zhao Qingqing seemed to catch her breath, her breath fragrant like orchids.

Her usually elegant and calm jade face was flushed red, full of shyness.

It was still broad daylight, and to be like this in the main hall right after meeting, it truly made her feel shy.

“It will be dark soon.”

Lu Changsheng’s hands wandered, making Zhao Qingqing’s long, straight legs tremble slightly, her body soft and yielding.

“Let’s… let’s go to the room,”

Zhao Qingqing’s emerald green dress was in disarray, her voice trembling.

Hearing this, Lu Changsheng immediately carried Zhao Qingqing to a simple thatched cottage in the garden.

“Not this one… mmm…”

Zhao Qingqing wanted to say something more, her beautiful eyes misting over, her blushing face showing a hint of obedience.

“Ah, then which room did you mean, Qingqing?”

Lu Changsheng asked, feigning ignorance.

“Where I usually rest… mmm…”

Zhao Qingqing’s voice and even her body were trembling.

“Oh, I see. Then let your husband carry you there.”

Lu Changsheng lifted the beauty’s long, straight legs and walked towards the main room.

The immortal in the emerald green dress, being held like this, felt her heart tremble with embarrassment, even though no one else was around.

But at this moment, her body was soft and powerless. She could only choose to bury her face like an ostrich, shaking her head slightly, letting her black, beautiful hair come undone, cascading down like a waterfall, half-covering her jade face, tightly hugging her lover’s neck, not daring to speak.

Amidst the dizzying sensations, her two beautifully curved, round calves kept swaying, causing one embroidered shoe to slip off, revealing a jade foot wrapped in white silk stockings.

Through the thin white silk stockings, one could see the pink jade foot sometimes curling, sometimes tensing and arching, like a shy young girl.

As night gradually fell, a gentle breeze blew, making the spirit flowers and herbs in the garden rustle, their branches and leaves swaying continuously.

When the night deepened, a light drizzle began in the small courtyard, creating a sound like rain on banana leaves. The spirit flowers and herbs in the garden swayed in the wind and rain, covered with rolling jade beads of water.

Not far away, the water vat had somehow filled up, overflowing from the edges, dripping onto the wet, lush green grass on the ground.

In the simple and elegant room.

Zhao Qingqing’s face was flushed red, her black hair scattered like a waterfall, her body white and tinged with pink, covered in fine beads of sweat, lying in Lu Changsheng’s arms, her delicate mouth breathing softly, her brows showing a hint of contentment and relaxation.

“Qingqing, how have you been in the sect these past two years?”

After fully expressing two years of longing, Lu Changsheng embraced Zhao Qingqing’s fragrant shoulder, asking softly, letting the smooth, jade-like skin flow between his five fingers.

“As a spirit plant cultivator, I usually only need to…”

Zhao Qingqing, soft as silk and breathing fragrant as orchids, spoke softly.

As a Second-Tier spirit plant cultivator practicing nourishing techniques, she didn’t need to go on missions.

As long as she was willing, she could stay in the sect cultivating spirit plants and herbs without going on external missions.

As for her master, they maintained a normal relationship, giving each other some face.

After all, in the cultivation world, there was still some concept of respecting teachers and valuing the way.

If things got too ugly, it wouldn’t look good for either side.

Moreover, her master had only hoped for Zhao Qingqing to submit back then, and hadn’t gone too far.

The next morning.

Lu Changsheng and Zhao Qingqing went out to catch up with their good friend Han Lin and to see their children.

He had originally wanted to see his brother-in-law, Xia Zhaoyang, as well.

But he learned that this brother-in-law was at the ninth level of Qi Refining, striving for Foundation Establishment, and was mostly out on missions these days.

Regarding this, Lu Changsheng didn’t ask much.

He planned to give Xia Zhiyue three thousand Spirit Stones when he got back.

As a gesture of support from her brother-in-law, a small investment.

After all, Xia Zhiyue had given him three children, one with a Third-Tier Spirit Root, one with a Fifth-Tier, and one with a Sixth-Tier.

Under these circumstances, he was naturally willing to look after this brother-in-law.

Moreover, this brother-in-law had a decent character, a Fourth-Tier Spirit Root, and was in an immortal sect. If he could establish his foundation, it would be good for Lu Changsheng too.

As for Foundation Establishment Pills and spirit materials, he wasn’t wealthy enough for that yet.

“Friend Han, are you preparing for Foundation Establishment now?”

Lu Changsheng looked at Han Lin and asked.

“Foundation Establishment is hard to achieve, I dare not hope for it.”

“I plan to take a mission to the Qingyun Market Town next year to see if there’s any opportunity. If it happens, great; if not, I’ll go with the flow and seek a position in the sect.”

Although Han Lin was nearly fifty, he looked only in his thirties, wearing a loose, earth-yellow robe, with a dark complexion and an ordinary appearance, smiling plainly as he spoke.

“If I remember correctly, Friend Han, you’re only forty-nine now, still in your prime. If you work hard, there’s still hope for Foundation Establishment.”

Lu Changsheng said.

Back when he participated in the immortal sect’s examination, he was closest to Han Lin, so he knew about his age and situation.

“That’s right, but Foundation Establishment Pills are hard to find, and with my lower-Tier spirit root, even with a pill, breaking through to Foundation Establishment is very difficult. Why waste money and energy?”

“I’m already very content with how things are now.”

Han Lin grinned.

Lu Changsheng didn’t try to persuade him otherwise.

After all, everyone has their own aspirations.

Moreover, for cultivators with lower-Tier spirit roots, even with a Foundation Establishment Pill, there’s a 90% chance of failure, turning half a lifetime’s efforts into nothing.

As a Top-Tier first-Tier equipment refiner, as long as Han Lin didn’t gamble on Foundation Establishment or waste money recklessly, his life would be very comfortable.

“By the way, do you know about Friend Xiao’s current situation?”

Lu Changsheng continued to ask.

He had wanted to ask Zhao Qingqing yesterday if she knew about Xiao Xiyue’s situation.

But coming to see one woman and asking about another, he, Lu Changsheng, wasn’t the type to do such a thing.

“I don’t know about that. I spend most of my time refining equipment, so I have limited access to news.”

Han Lin shook his head.

He was the type who didn’t concern himself with matters outside his immediate circle.

Moreover, as a Qi Refining cultivator, he couldn’t access much news about Foundation Establishment matters.

“I’ve heard that the sect discovered a large mining vein, and Caiyun Zhenren is personally overseeing it, so Friend Xiao has been stationed outside all these years.”

Zhao Qingqing spoke up.

As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, she had some news channels in the sect.

“Mining vein? What kind of mining vein requires a Golden Core cultivator to personally oversee?”

Lu Changsheng was very surprised upon hearing this.

“I’m not too clear about what kind of mining vein it is, but it must be a rare one. The main reason is that this mining vein is in the Luoyun Mountain Range, and there might be conflicts with the Sunset Glow Sect.”

Zhao Qingqing said softly.

“Luoyun Mountain Range, I see.”

Lu Changsheng understood in his heart.

The Luoyun Mountain Range was at the border between the Azure Cloud Sect and the Sunset Glow Sect.

With this mining vein appearing in the Luoyun Mountain Range, there was a question of ownership.

Now that a Golden Core cultivator was personally overseeing it, it meant the two sects were likely competing for this mining vein.

Although the major immortal sects in the Jiang Kingdom’s cultivation world were all righteous forces, and would help each other if one sect faced danger,

they would still fight when conflicts of interest arose.

After some casual catching up and chatting, Lu Changsheng bid farewell to Han Lin and went with Zhao Qingqing to visit their children and check on their situation.

With Zhao Qingqing as their aunt, the two children were doing very well in the Azure Cloud Sect for now.

Especially Lu Xingyue, who was studying medicine. Zhao Qingqing could even give her some guidance.

After seeing the children, Lu Changsheng didn’t leave immediately, planning to stay at the Azure Cloud Sect for a few days.

After all, since he had come, it was natural to stay for a few more days and spend more time with them.

Five days later.

At the herb garden on Spirit Herb Peak.

Lu Changsheng was watching Zhao Qingqing cultivate and introduce various spirit flowers and herbs.

Just then.

“Whoosh whoosh whoosh—”

On a distant mountain peak, the sky and earth suddenly changed color.

Countless spiritual energies of heaven and earth suddenly gathered, like a tidal wave, forming a huge spiritual energy vortex.

This vortex kept expanding, spinning like a funnel-shaped tornado, with a faint, misty glow above it.

“Hmm? What’s happening?”

Lu Changsheng suddenly looked up.

“That’s Caiyun Peak. Looking at this phenomenon, it seems like someone is breaking through…”

Zhao Qingqing also looked towards the peak, frowning slightly.

“Breaking through? Could it be Golden Core Formation!?”

Lu Changsheng was shocked upon hearing this, also feeling that this scene was somewhat similar to Foundation Establishment, but on a much larger scale.

Not just them, at this moment, everyone in the Azure Cloud Sect was alarmed and looking towards Caiyun Peak.

“What a huge disturbance, what’s happening?”

“It’s the Golden Core Formation phenomenon. Someone on Caiyun Peak is attempting to form a Golden Core!”

“Caiyun Peak? Could it be Caiyun Zhenren’s disciple, Fairy Qingyi, attempting Golden Core Formation?”

“It was rumored that she was seriously injured and in seclusion for recovery. I didn’t expect her to be attempting Golden Core Formation!”

“Golden Core Formation phenomenon, how terrifying!”

“Hiss, looking at the intensity of this phenomenon, it seems she has passed the three trials of Golden Core Formation and is at the final step, condensing the elixir liquid!”

“If Fairy Qingyi successfully breaks through to Golden Core, then Caiyun Peak will have two Golden Core cultivators!”

“I wonder if Fairy Qingyi can successfully break through.”

“Fairy Qingyi has a clear sword heart, a first-Tier Spirit Root, and she cultivates our Azure Cloud Sect’s foundational technique, the ‘Cloud Peak Sword Technique’. She will definitely succeed in forming a Golden Core, and might even form a High-Tier Golden Core!”

“A High-Tier Golden Core? That’s too exaggerated. I think it would be amazing if she could form a True Core!”

Countless people in the Azure Cloud Sect looked at the spinning spiritual energy vortex in the sky that kept spreading, discussing enthusiastically.