Chapter 366: The Path of Insect Taming, the Fourth Elder’s Passing!

Bihu Mountain, Lu Family School.

“The world of cultivation is full of dangers. A single mistake can lead to death and the dissolution of one’s Dao. How should we respond to avoid danger? Lu Chensha, you answer first.”

The teacher looked at an eleven or twelve-year-old boy with red lips, white teeth, and a handsome face.

“First, avoid unnecessary trouble. Don’t get involved with strange people or events. The best way is to stay at home and never go out.”

Lu Chensha stood up and said this.

“Hahaha.”

“Never go out for your entire life.”

“If you want to cultivate, unless you have the legendary Heavenly Spirit Root, you won’t succeed without opportunities and fortuitous encounters.”

A boy in the school laughed.

“Second, you need trump cards and techniques. The world of cultivation is so dangerous that you must have enough hidden cards and methods to deal with dangers and troubles of the same level.”

“Third, always be ready to run. Even if you go out seeking opportunities, never risk your life.”

Lu Chensha ignored the others’ looks and continued.

He had asked his father this question years ago, and this was his father’s response.

“Hmm.”

The teacher paused for a moment and said, “What Lu Chensha said makes sense. Although cultivation requires ambition, you must prioritize your safety.”

After class, Lu Chensha went alone to the Lu Family library.

Lu Changsheng loved reading in his early years, learning about the world of cultivation. He believed that all his children should read more books.

So, he brought home all the common books from the cultivation world and the Market, placing them in the library.

It could be said that the Lu Family’s library had more books than most bookstores in the Market.

Lu Chensha liked to come to the library to read whenever he had free time.

But he didn’t really like reading.

On one hand, he was somewhat introverted, with few friends, and liked to be alone.

On the other hand, his distant mother had told him to always listen to his father and try to win his favor. So, he wanted to impress his father by reading.

“Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul—these abilities are truly mysterious. Unfortunately, I’m only in the Qi Refining stage, just starting to learn. Forget it, these old topics are not worth my time.”

Lu Chensha casually flipped through a book, saw a journal about cultivation stages, and shook his head with a sigh.

He had already initiated Qi into his body, so he naturally knew the major stages of cultivation.

But he also knew that reaching the Foundation Establishment stage was extremely rare.

Even though he had a Fifth-Tier Spirit Root and decent talent, he didn’t dare say he could reach Foundation Establishment in the future.

“The Path of Insect Taming: Gathering swarms of insects, numbering in the thousands, to destroy cities and fortresses invincibly. Millions of fierce insects can topple the heavens.”

“Gold-Eating Insects are a fierce insect species that gather in swarms, capable of devouring metals and spiritual energy, extremely dangerous. They are impervious to water and fire and prefer to gather in spherical formations.”

“Nine Yin Plague Bees are born in places of extreme Yin. They are a mutated ancient bee species that can spray purple miasma. Their stingers, the Nine Yin Stingers, cause instant death.”

“Filthy Spirit Worms are a type of parasitic insect that feeds on the spiritual and mental energy of others. When attacked by Divine Sense, it releases a special toxin to attack the source.”

“Heaven-Devouring Locusts, Blood Jade Spiders, Iron Fire Ants, Red Flame Scorpions—eh, my Thousand-Legged Centipede is also listed here?”

Lu Chensha found this unknown insect handbook quite interesting.

He cultivated a technique called the ‘Beast Scripture,’ and he would follow the path of Beast Taming in the future.

And insect taming was very similar to Beast Taming, even considered a branch of it.

Moreover, when he began cultivating, his mother had sent him a Thousand-Legged Centipede with an earthly bloodline.

It was because of this that he realized his often absent mother was no ordinary person.

After all, obtaining a demon beast with an earthly bloodline was not something an ordinary person could accomplish.

“Unfortunately, my Thousand-Legged Centipede isn’t a fierce insect that gathers in swarms. Otherwise, according to this book, even a Qi Refining cultivator with hundreds or thousands of fierce insects could kill a Foundation Establishment cultivator.”

After reading the book, Lu Chensha sighed.

“Chensha.”

At that moment, a gentle voice suddenly sounded in Lu Chensha’s ear.

He turned around abruptly and saw a handsome young man in a green robe standing not far away.

His body trembled, and he immediately bowed, saying, “Father, your son greets you.”

“Are you interested in the path of insect taming?”

Lu Changsheng looked at his son and asked.

This son had a Fifth-Tier Spirit Root, inheriting some of Xu Ruoyin’s Beast Taming talent.

So, when Hong Lian was teaching the Lu Family children to cultivate, she said this child had good talent in Beast Taming.

She also took special care of him and taught him how to cultivate the Beast Scripture.

Xu Ruoyin even sent him a Thousand-Legged Centipede with a middle-Tier earthly bloodline.

“I just happened to see it and wanted to learn more.”

Lu Chensha wasn’t sure why his father had come to find him and felt a bit uneasy.

“If you’re interested in the path of insect taming, you can study it.”

Lu Changsheng smiled warmly, and a silver-gray pouch with sinister patterns and a red thread appeared in his hand.

“This pouch is called the Insect Nest Pouch, perfect for housing spirit insects. Just place the flesh and blood of demon beasts into the pouch, and it will automatically form blood and flesh pills, speeding up the growth and reproduction of the spirit insects.”

“If you’re interested and perform well in insect taming, this pouch will be yours in the future.”

Lu Changsheng tossed the pouch to his son as he spoke.

Insect taming could be considered a branch of Beast Taming.

If his son showed talent in insect taming, Lu Changsheng planned to give him this Insect Nest Pouch.

After all, this pouch reminded him of the Ancient Beast Taming Talisman and Xu Ruoyin.

Xu Ruoyin had been at the Beast Taming Xu Family for many years and couldn’t be by Lu Chensha’s side, so as his father, he naturally had to show some concern.

Moreover, if this son could master the Beast Scripture, he was worth focusing on.

“The Insect Nest Pouch, the path of insect taming.”

Although Lu Chensha didn’t know why his father suddenly brought up insect taming,

But looking at the silver-gray pouch in his hand, he didn’t hesitate and immediately bowed, saying, “Thank you, Father. I won’t disappoint you.”

“Hmm.”

Lu Changsheng nodded, then asked about his son’s cultivation and daily life.

He told him to find Lu Yun to help purchase insect eggs and gave him an extra fifty Spirit Stones per month for raising insects.

Afterward, Lu Changsheng returned to Biyun Peak.

This matter was just something he did casually.

Whether this son could succeed would depend on his own efforts.

A year later.

Sumeru Cave Heaven, Hall of Everlasting Life.

A powerful force surged from the Cave Dwelling, and the invisible spiritual pressure had already surpassed the Foundation Establishment stage, like a False Core master.

“Just as I expected. At this rate, even before I finish converting to the Yin-Yang Creation Sutra, I’ll reach the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment thanks to my children.”

Lu Changsheng opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as swords.

In recent years, he had spent most of his time converting to the Yin-Yang Creation Sutra.

But with the cultivation boost from his children and the gradual improvement of the Sun and Moon Reincarnation Sutra, his progress was still remarkably fast.

He quietly felt the power within him.

With the enhancement from the Xuan Yuan Pearl, his power was no different from that of a False Core master.

It was even stronger than some weak False Core masters.

But his Xuan Yuan Pearl had now reached its limit.

Even if he continued to improve, this Xuan Yuan Pearl would not bring any further enhancement.

“It’s already impressive that it could boost me this much.”

“If I break through to Core Formation, this Xuan Yuan Pearl will probably be just an ordinary enhancement treasure.”

Lu Changsheng exhaled deeply, planning to pass down this Xuan Yuan Pearl as a family heirloom after he broke through to Core Formation.

After all, for a Foundation Establishment cultivator, this item was a Top-Tier treasure.

Then, Lu Changsheng closed his eyes again and continued meditating to stabilize his newly attained power.

Five days later, Lu Changsheng walked out of the Cave Dwelling and looked at the ‘Heavenly Yuan Treasure Lotus’ in the Spirit Eye Spring.

Besides the Heavenly Yuan Treasure Lotus, there were also three Heavenly Yuan Lotuses.

Two years ago, Xiao Xiyue had sent him two more.

But Lu Changsheng was fully focused on nurturing the Heavenly Yuan Treasure Lotus, so the three Heavenly Yuan Lotuses hadn’t changed much.

“It seems this Heavenly Yuan Treasure Lotus won’t advance to the Heavenly Yuan Imperial Lotus before I reach Core Formation.”

“Should I just use the ‘Heavenly Yuan Treasure Lotus’ for now and wait until I cultivate the ‘Heavenly Yuan Imperial Lotus’ for a replacement?”

Lu Changsheng looked at the Heavenly Yuan Treasure Lotus in front of him, rubbed his chin, and pondered.

Although it would be best if it could advance to the Heavenly Yuan Imperial Lotus,

But the Heavenly Yuan Treasure Lotus was sufficient for his current needs.

“Let’s nurture it for another three years, then harvest it and cultivate the next one.”

Lu Changsheng thought to himself as he walked out of Sumeru Cave Heaven to visit Xia Zhiyue at the Lu Family Mansion.

Three months ago, Xia Zhiyue gave birth to her first child after reaching Foundation Establishment.

Unfortunately, the child only had a Fifth-Tier Spirit Root.

This made Lu Changsheng, who had high expectations, sigh slightly.

But then he remembered that the Nurturing Spirit Body was just an ordinary Spirit Body.

The fact that all the children had Spirit Roots and their quality had improved was already remarkable.

How could it be possible to have a High-Tier Spirit Root with every birth?

Back then, having Lu Xingchen was already a stroke of good luck.

So, Lu Changsheng planned to wait until he broke through to Core Formation before having another child with Xia Zhiyue.

On one hand, the child born at that time would undoubtedly have better talent.

On the other hand, Xia Zhiyue had already given birth to five children.

He couldn’t keep making her have children just because of her special constitution.

Moreover, after reaching Foundation Establishment, giving birth would take a toll on Xia Zhiyue’s body, requiring proper care and recovery.

Qingzhu Mountain.

Since Lu Changsheng established the Lu Family on Bihu Mountain, Qingzhu Mountain had also been thriving.

Although only Lu Yuanzhong and Lu Munian, two Foundation Establishment cultivators, guarded the family,

After years of development, the family’s new blood and core strength had been replenished.

And with the Foundation Establishment Pills Lu Changsheng half-sold and half-gave five years ago, Qingzhu Mountain could cultivate a third Foundation Establishment cultivator anytime they wanted.

But Lu Yuanzhong was very cautious about the third Foundation Establishment cultivator in the family.

With him and Lu Munian guarding the family, there would be no worries for a hundred years.

So, he believed that the third Foundation Establishment cultivator must be ambitious and aggressive, not just a guardian!

Only in this way could Qingzhu Mountain advance further in the future, rather than always relying on Bihu Mountain.

In a small courtyard filled with Qingling Bamboo in Qingzhu Valley,

The Fourth Elder was lying on a deck chair, basking in the sun.

She was already one hundred and twenty-four years old.

Although Qi Refining cultivators could live up to one hundred and twenty years, very few actually reached this age.

If not for the Second-Tier Longevity Pill given by Lu Changsheng, she would have struggled to live to this age due to the time and effort she had spent on Talisman Making in her younger years.

Now, regardless of her age or status, she was undoubtedly the matriarch of Qingzhu Mountain.

“I miss Changsheng and Yun’r.”

The old woman lying on the deck chair squinted her cloudy eyes, her vision blurry, and mumbled softly.

“Matriarch, what did you say?”

A younger member of the Lu Family, who was attending to her, leaned over and asked.

The Fourth Elder slightly turned her head, looked at the young one beside her, and said weakly and tiredly, “I miss Changsheng and Yun’r. I want to see Changsheng and Yun’r.”

Lu Xuanya, who was beside her, knew she was talking about her grandfather and grandmother.

But her grandfather rarely left the house and only occasionally visited Qingzhu Mountain.

As for her grandmother, for some unknown reason, she hadn’t visited Qingzhu Mountain in nearly twenty years.

If it weren’t for the good relationship between the two families, she would have suspected that her grandmother and Qingzhu Mountain had a falling out, which was why she never visited.

She was about to say that her grandfather and grandmother weren’t at Qingzhu Mountain and might not come for some time.

But when she saw the old woman’s withered face flushing slightly and her cloudy, lifeless eyes brightening, as if pleading with her, she hesitated.

Her father, Lu Yun, had told her and her siblings to visit Qingzhu Mountain often to keep the matriarch company, knowing that the Fourth Elder didn’t have much time left.

Seeing the matriarch in this state made her think of the phenomenon known as the ‘final radiance of the setting sun.’

“Matriarch, please wait. I’ll go notify Grandfather and Grandmother to come over.”

The girl’s heart trembled, her eyes reddened, and she said with pursed lips.

Then she hurried to inform Lu Yuanshan Ding and the others at Qingzhu Mountain and sent a message to her father.

Bihu Mountain.

Lu Changsheng was refining pills when his son, Lu Yun, came to report.

A message had come from Qingzhu Mountain—the Fourth Elder was at the end of her life and wouldn’t last much longer.

“Has your mother received the news?”

Lu Changsheng paused for a moment and asked.

Birth, aging, sickness, and death are part of life.

Over the years, he had often visited Qingzhu Mountain to see the Fourth Elder.

He could clearly see that her life was nearing its end.

Now, that day had finally come.

“I haven’t informed Mother yet,”

Lu Yun said solemnly.

He knew his mother couldn’t leave Bihu Mountain because of her cultivation technique.

If she learned that her grandmother was dying but couldn’t go to see her one last time, she would be heartbroken.

“I’ll go ahead first.”

Lu Changsheng took a deep breath and said.

He planned to go to Qingzhu Mountain to see the Fourth Elder one last time and bring her to Bihu Mountain.

His wife, Lu Miaoyun, had been raised bythe Fourth Elder from a young age, and they were very close.

If they couldn’t see each other one last time before parting forever, it would leave an indelible mark of sorrow and bitterness in her heart, even potentially causing a heart demon.

“Yes, Father.”

Lu Yun understood his father’s intention.

The next moment, he saw his father leave the pill refining room and transform into a streak of light, flying away from Bihu Mountain.

“Sigh.”

Lu Yun watched his father leave, sighed deeply, and felt a bitter sadness in his heart.

Cultivation, cultivation—after all, one cannot escape life and death.

“The stronger a cultivator becomes, the more they must endure.”

“But in the end, I’ll probably outlive my parents too.”

Lu Yun looked at the blue sky, feeling a wave of sorrow.

A cultivator’s life is not only filled with countless life-and-death battles but also many separations from loved ones.

That’s why, as cultivators age, their hearts grow colder.

It’s not in their nature.

It’s because they’ve experienced too much.

An hour later.

Lu Changsheng arrived at Qingzhu Mountain, riding the Starlight Disk.

“Uncle, Uncle-in-law!”

Many people were already waiting at the mountain gate.

When they saw Lu Changsheng, they immediately stepped forward and greeted him respectfully.

“Hmm.”

Lu Changsheng didn’t exchange pleasantries with them. He simply greeted them and went straight to the Fourth Elder’s courtyard in Qingzhu Valley.

“Changsheng, Uncle.”

“Changsheng, you’re here.”

Lu Yuanshan Ding and the others were a bit surprised by Lu Changsheng’s speed when they saw him arrive.

At that moment, Lu Miaoge had also arrived frrm the Hongye Valley Marketplace and was using Taiji True Water to nourish the Fourth Elder’s body.

But the Fourth Elder’s face was withered, and she was not only shrouded in a twilight aura but also filled with a heavy death energy.

This was the end of her lifespan. Without Top-Tier life-extending Natural Treasures, there was no way to save her.

“Changsheng.”

When the Fourth Elder saw the young man before her, who was as elegant as jade and as sturdy as a pine tree, her cloudy eyes glimmered with a bit of light. Her voice was hoarse and aged as she shakily reached out her withered hand.

“Grandmother, I’m here.”

Lu Changsheng felt a heavy heart as he stepped forward and held the Fourth Elder’s hand.

Even though he had long known this day would come and had been mentally prepared for this scene,

Seeing the elderly woman on the brink of death still filled his heart with an indescribable sadness.

“Changsheng, don’t be sad. Grandmother is content to have lived to this day, to see you and Yun’r, and the family in such a state. I’m very happy.”

The Fourth Elder’s eyes were cloudy, her mouth moved, and she kept saying, “You and Yun’r, Miaoge must live well. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to see the day you become a great cultivator. Xiaoyun has a kind heart; as his father, take good care of him.”

“If Qingzhu Mountain faces difficulties in the future, if you can, help them out a little.”

Although she lived only one hundred and twenty-four years,

At that age, she had experienced many things.

She had witnessed the rise and fall of the family, watched as her children, elders, and peers passed away one by one.

Now, there was no one left in Qingzhu Mountain who had grown up with her.

So, the only people she still cared about were Lu Changsheng, Lu Miaoyun, and the family tha had raised her.

“Grandmother, don’t worry. I will take good care of Yun’r, Miaoge, and Xiaoyun.”

“As long as I, Lu Changsheng, am here, Qingzhu Mountain will always be here!”

Lu Changsheng held the old woman’s hand and solemnly promised.

Lu Yuanshan Ding, Lu Yuanzhong, and the others felt heavy-hearted as they heard this, sighing to themselves.

Even at this moment, this old woman did not forget the family.

Although with Lu Changsheng’s character and the relationships with Lu Miaoyun, Lu Miaoge, and Lu iaohuan, the two families would maintain their ties.

But this old woman, dragging her decaying body, still left her last words at the moment of death.

“Yun’r… Yun’r…”

As she spoke, the Fourth Elder suddenly looked up, searching for her granddaughter, Lu Miaoyun.

She knew that Lu Miaoyun couldn’t leave BihuMountain due to the Heaven and Earth Longevity Technique.

But at this moment, she was no longer clear-minded and just wanted to see her granddaughter one last time before she died.

“Grandmother, I’ll take you to see Yun’r now.”

Lu Changsheng took a deep breath and said to Lu Yuanshan Ding and Lu Yuanzhong, “Because of the Heaven and Earth Longevity Technique, Yun’r cannot come here. I will now take Grandmother to see Yun’r and say goodbye.”

Then, he looked at Lu Miaoge and said, “Sister MMaoge, you stabilize Grandmother’s life force. We’re going now.”

“Alright.”

Although the Fourth Elder didn’t have much time left and shouldn’t be moved,

They all knew about the Heaven and Earth Longevity Technique, and that Lu Miaoyun couldn’t leave BihuMountain.

If the Fourth Elder couldn’t see Lu Miaoyun one last time befor they parted in life and death, it would leave a deep regret in their hearts, difficult to resolve.

“Grandmother, we’re going to see Yun’r now.”

Lu Changsheng activated the Starlight Disk and then had Lu Miaoge hold the Fourth Elddr as the three of them turned into a streak of starlight and shot away.

“This… what kind of treasure is Changsheng stepping on? Such incredible speed.”

“This speed…”

Lu Yuanzhong, Lu Yuanshan Ding, Lu Munian, and the others were all stunned by Lu Changsheng’s flying speed, exchanging surprised glances.

Because this flying speed was beyond their understanding.

But they didn’t speculate too much. After some discussion, Lu Yuanshan Ding led some people to Bihu Mountain, while Lu Munian went to the Hongye Valley Marketplace to stand guard.

Previously, when the Hongye Valley Marketplace was attacked by demonic cultivators, Lu Yuanzhong was seriously injured. So, they worried that if word got out that no Foundation Establishment cultivator was guarding the Market, bandits might come to loot it.

Bihu Mountain.

“Grandmother…”

When Lu Miaoyun saw the Fourth Elde, she was overwhelmed with grief and couldn’t stop crying.

The old woman was the person she was closest to.

In recent years, she hadn’t been able to leave to visit Qingzhu Mountain and could only have her children visit the old woman on her behalf.

And the old woman, growing older, didn’t like to travel much and rarely came to Bihu Mountain. So, in recent years, they hadn’t seen each other much.

Now, seeing each other again, it was already a final farewell.

“Yun’r…”

The Fourth Elder held her granddaughter’s hand and softly repeated her name, telling her to take care of herself and saying similar things to Lu Yun, Lu Yu, and their siblings.

She had no more regrets, only an attachment to her family and descendants.

As night fell.

“Buzz!”

Lu Changsheng watched as the old woman on the bed peacefully closed her eyes, her final breath leaving her body. He sighed.

He took a few steps back and bowed deeply.

“Grandmother!”

Lu Miaoyun and the others saw his and, looking at the old woman, their eyes reddened, and they wept bitterly.

Then, following the Fourth Elder’s last wishes, they took her body to the Qingzhu Mountain ancestral hall for a grand funeral.

The funeral was very grand.

It didn’t seem like they were mourning a Qi Refining cultivator.

Not only was Bihu Mountain draped in white, but many Foundation Establishment families from the surrounding area also came to pay their respects.