Chapter 440: Breakthrough! Breakthrough! Breakthrough! Advancement!

Xuanwu Ridge, Sima Family.

“Hmm, Thirteenth Sister has returned!?”

The Sima family head was overjoyed upon hearing the report and quickly rushed to the hall.

Ever since the troubles between his own ancestor and the Lu Family of Bihu Mountain, every day had been an ordeal for him.

He anxiously awaited good news from Sima Qiuhua.

Hearing that Sima Qiuhua had returned, his first thought was that their troubles had been resolved.

But when he entered the hall and saw that Sima Qiuhua was accompanied by two men and women dressed in the enforcement robes of Azure Cloud Sect, his expression darkened, sensing something was wrong.

“Thirteenth Sister.”

The Sima family head addressed the somewhat weary-looking Sima Qiuhua, and then respectfully greeted the two Azure Cloud Sect disciples.

“Are you the head of the Sima Family? Here is our Hall master’s decree regarding your Sima Family of Xuanwu Ridge and the Lu Family of Bihu Mountain.”

The two disciples from the Enforcement Palace exchanged glances and handed the decree to the Sima family head.

“Thank you, fellow Daoists.”

Though the Sima family head sensed something was amiss, he remained courteous.

He retrieved ten mid-Tier Spirit Stones from his Storage Bag and handed them to the two disciples.

The two disciples did not decline and accepted the Spirit Stones.

After all, they had traveled a long way, so a little extra reward was appreciated.

After receiving the Spirit Stones, the two disciples left the hall, giving the Sima family head and Sima Qiuhua some privacy.

“This…”

The Sima family head trembled violently when he read the decree, his face turning deathly pale as if struck by lightning.

He turned to Sima Qiuhua, disbelief evident in his eyes. “Thirteenth Sister, what is the meaning of this?”

“Originally, Master had intervened in this matter and even consulted Immortal Chiyang for approval.

However, Lu Changsheng once saved Caiyun Zhenren’s disciple, Xiao Xiyue, which led to Caiyun Zhenren’s involvement. This drew Caiyun Immortal out of seclusion to personally attend to the matter,”

Sima Qiuhua explained bitterly.

Previously, she had received a message from the family and went to seek an audience with her Master, Song Qingzhi.

She thought that with her master’s or grandmaster’s approval, the matter would be settled.

Afterward, she expected to be rewarded by the family for her efforts, receiving resources for her achievements.

But who would have thought that involving Caiyun Zhenren would result in her being scolded by her master, Song Qingzhi, and displeasing her senior brother, Song Cheng.

“Caiyun Zhenren personally intervened!”

The Sima family head’s pale face grew more troubled.

With the Enforcement Palace Hall master personally intervening, the matter was set in stone and could not be changed.

Regardless of the punishment, the Sima Family would have to accept it!

Moreover, if truth be told, it was the Sima family that initiated the conflict, so they were in the wrong.

“Furthermore, after the matter was handled, Lu Changsheng became a guest elder of Caiyun Peak due to his third-rank Talisman Master status, so…”

Sima Qiuhua sighed and continued.

Even though the Sima Family had suffered a significant loss and was left feeling frustrated, they had no choice but to accept the outcome.

If they dared to seek further trouble with Bihu Mountain, it would be equivalent to slapping Caiyun Zhenren in the face.

“This…”

The Sima family head, now pale and listless, slumped into a nearby chair. After some time, he finally spoke weakly, “Thirteenth Sister, I understand.”

This compensation would not only severely weaken the Sima Family’s vitality.

It also meant that they had lost face, and their reputation could not be restored.

In the future, whenever Bihu Mountain and Xuanwu Ridge were mentioned, people would recall this incident, severely damaging the Sima Family’s prestige.

Reputation is intangible and elusive.

But the indirect impact it brings is not to be underestimated!

Moreover, as the head of the Sima Family, he realized a critical issue.

Bihu Mountain had only taken a few decades to grow to its current level!

Originally, apart from the Sima Family, powerful families like the Yuan Family of Great Ape Mountain, Jin Family of Jinlong Ridge, Luo Family of Floating Cloud Mountain, and even the Xu Family known for Beast Taming would secretly try to suppress and hinder Bihu Mountain’s rise.

But now, with Lu Changsheng gaining Caiyun Zhenren’s support from Azure Cloud Sect.

Other families would hesitate to directly move against the Lu Family. At the very least, they wouldn’t act openly.

If no one suppresses or checks them, given Bihu Mountain’s growth rate, within a few more decades, they might become the leading False Core family with the potential to advance to a Core Formation family!

Who knows if Bihu Mountain would seek revenge on the Sima Family in the future!

The Sima family head was weighed down with a sense of deep foreboding.

“Let’s go meet with the ancestor and the elders together,”

Sima Qiuhua suggested, seeing her brother’s troubled expression.

Though the outcome was non-negotiable for the Sima Family.

They still needed to inform the family’s ancestor and elders and discuss the situation.

Not to mention, handling such a large sum of resources required proper arrangements.

“Thank you, Thirteenth Sister.”

The Sima family head expressed his gratitude with a bow.

It would be difficult to withstand the ancestor’s wrath if he reported this matter alone.

Having Sima Qiuhua explain things would make it a bit easier.

Azure Cloud Sect.

After Dual Cultivation with Xiao Xiyue, Lu Changsheng decided not to continue cultivating further.

On one hand, the Sun and Moon Reincarnation Sutra he practiced emphasized moderation and caution in cultivation.

On the other hand, ever since his Taichi Soul awakened, his five senses had become exceptionally sharp.

He had a constant feeling that someone was watching him, suspecting that it was Caiyun Zhenren.

Thus, he thought it would be better not to stay under her watchful eyes for too long, fearing that he might upset this Immortal.

After all, Lu Changsheng wasn’t naive enough to believe that after all their ‘intimate interactions’, Caiyun Zhenren could remain unconcerned as she watched him and Xiao Xiyue engage in Dual Cultivation day after day.

However, Lu Changsheng didn’t immediately leave the Azure Cloud Sect.

Instead, he went to Spirit Herb Peak to spend time with Zhao Qingqing, hoping to rekindle their relationship and perhaps conceive a second child.

In the bedding of the Hundred Herb Garden.

Lu Changsheng held his beloved close and they moved together.

Zhao Qingqing’s Wood Spirit Body harmonized perfectly with the Baoding Medicine King Scripture.

By cultivating this scripture, her progress was not only swift through long-term cultivation with spiritual flowers and herbs, but her body also exuded a refreshing fragrance of spiritual herbs.

In that moment, the room was infused with the breath of spring, filled with a captivating aroma.

“Oh!”

Zhao Qingqing’s soft, gentle hum echoed from her nose.

Her two jade-like feet, as smooth as bamboo shoots, playfully brushed against Lu Changsheng’s face, her ten delicate toes curling and relaxing, stirring his heart.

It’s hard to say how long they stayed like this, but eventually, Zhao Qingqing’s dazed eyes and trembling body signified that the moment had passed.

“Lu-lang…”

Her beautiful eyes half-closed, all that remained in her delicate brows were the softest feelings, as she feebly clung to Lu Changsheng, whispering tender words with lips so close they brushed his ear.

Her rounded, smooth legs trembled uncontrollably, and her ten tender toes of pale jade curled tightly, their arches blushing red.

“Qingqing…”

Lu Changsheng gently stroked the warm softness of her being, feeling the residual tremors of her body.

After half a month of quality time in the Hundred Herb Garden, Lu Changsheng visited his son Lu Yunlou and daughter Lu Xingyue before returning to Bihu Mountain.

Although they both possessed Foundation Establishment Pills, Foundation Establishment required careful preparation.

“Boom——”

Just as Lu Changsheng arrived at Bihu Mountain, he sensed a surge of pure Spiritual Energy entering his body.

Judging by the intensity of this power, he immediately guessed that his son Lu Ping’an had broken through.

During his previous battle with Sima Tong, Lu Ping’an sensed an opportunity for a breakthrough.

So after returning home, he entered seclusion and broke through to the fourth layer of Foundation Establishment.

【Name: Lu Ping’an】

【Life Span: 61/253】

【Talent: Fifth-Tier Spirit Root】

【Cultivation: Third Layer of Foundation Establishment】

【Skill Compatibility: 61%】

“Hmm, it’s not Ping’an?”

Lu Changsheng was somewhat surprised.

He hadn’t expected that it wasn’t his son Lu Ping’an who had broken through.

Now, within the family, only a few of his sons and daughters were around the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, so he checked on them.

【Name: Lu Quanzhen】

【Life Span: 58/193】

【Talent: Fourth-Tier Spirit Root】

【Cultivation: Fifth Layer of Foundation Establishment】

【Skill Compatibility: 67%】

“Quanzhen has already broken through to the Fifth Layer of Foundation Establishment!?”

Lu Changsheng was shocked.

He remembered that his son Lu Quanzhen had only broken through to the fourth layer of Foundation Establishment four years ago.

At this pace, it should’ve taken at least two or three more years, or even four or five years, to see another breakthrough.

“I guess Quanzhen must have had some kind of fortune.”

Lu Changsheng thought to himself.

Lu Quanzhen, who spent a long time outside, likely relied on serendipity to advance instead of meticulous cultivation.

Judging by his son’s lifespan and talent, it was clear that he had been fighting frequently, probably even using life-burning techniques.

“Every child has their own blessings.”

Lu Changsheng didn’t worry too much about his son Lu Quanzhen and returned to Bihu Mountain.

“Mountain Lord!”

“Greetings to Elder Lu!”

Even after so long, cultivators still came to Bihu Mountain to pay their respects.

Seeing Lu Changsheng, they displayed utmost reverence and respect, while many women gazed at him with admiration.

“Hmm.”

Lu Changsheng smiled and nodded, turning into a beam of light as he returned to Biyun Peak.

Lu Miaoyun and Ling Zixiao menioned the matter regarding Sima Tong when they saw Lu Changsheng.

He briefly discussed the resolution of the issue with them.

And added that he had accepted an honorary position as guest elder at the Azure Cloud Sect.

Concerning the matters related to the family’s business and caravans, once the Enforcement Palace from Azure Cloud Sect confirmed their actions, things could proceed as usual.

The information about his appointment as guest elder could also be shared with outsiders.

“Caiyun Zhenren…”

Ling Zixiao listened closely, with a meaningful look at Lu Changsheng.

She had previously wondered what kind of backer Lu Changsheng would approach at Azure Cloud Sect.

When she saw the Enforcement Palace arrive and heard about Caiyun Zhenren, Xiao Xiyue’s master, she had her suspicions.

Now that she heard it directly, she didn’t know what to think.

“Cough, cough, many years ago, I encountered an injured Caiyun Zhenren and saved her life. This is just her repaying that debt,”

Lu Changsheng explained briefly.

However, when Ling Zixiao heard that Lu Changsheng had saved Caiyun Zhenren, her expression turned slightly odd.

After all, she knew Lu Changsheng’s methods of ‘saving people’ all too well.

It was hard to believe that Caiyun Zhenren, after being saved by her own husband, could remain pure.

Still, Ling Zixiao didn’t say anything more.

She knew that even if something had happened, it wasn’t suitable to speak of it right now.

Ling Zixiao then reported the family matters.

During this period, many families had visited, expressing goodwill and seeking cooperation.

Not only Foundation Establishment families but even False Core families such as the Xie Family of Lingxi, the Feng Family of Divine Eagle Valley, the Luo Family of Floating Cloud Cave, and even the Yuan Family of Great Ape Mountain, who had previously acted against their family.

“Given that this Yuan Family ancestor is willing to personally apologize, we can temporarily set aside our grudges,”

Lu Changsheng thought for a moment before responding.

With the Sima Family incident, Bihu Mountain’s name had already spread far and wide; there was no longer a need to entangle themselves with the Yuan Family.

Now that the Yuan Family ancestor had personally come to apologize, if they continued to pursue the matter, it would make them seem tyrannical.

Moreover, Yun Wanshang had previously warned that war could break out in the cultivation world in the future, so it was better to lay low and develop steadily.

“I think so too.”

Ling Zixiao smiled gracefully and took out a booklet, mentioning that several families expressed their desire to form marital alliances.

Most offered their daughters to Lu Changsheng as concubines, while others sought marriages for Lu Ping’an, Lu Qingxian, and other Lu Family offspring.

“If there are respectable and well-backgrounded rogue cultivators that would benefit our family, it can be considered.”

“As for Ping’an, Qingxuan, and the others, let them make their own decisions,”

Lu Changsheng remarked as he browsed through the booklet.

While he didn’t mind taking in a few more concubines.

The girls brought by these families often had Qi Refining cultivation, with the best Spirit Root being fourth or Fifth-Tier.

Elder Lu didn’t think much of these, preferring a few rogue cultivators or maybe some time browsing the White Jade Tower.

Though many rogue cultivators lacked good Spirit Roots.

Those who stood out often had decent Spirit Roots.

If a promising rogue cultivator with Foundation Establishment cultivation, a clear background, and a good disposition appeared, Elder Lu wouldn’t mind using his charm to bring them in.

After reviewing the family affairs, Lu Changsheng headed to Hundred Refinements Peak to check the situation.

He wanted to see how much longer the fire vein needed to ripen, as he planned to reforge Bai Feng Immortal’s life-bound Magical Treasure.

This would ensure he had more tools at his disposal when venturing into the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm.

But it seemed the fire vein at Hundred Refinements Peak still needed a year or so to mature and form the Fiendish Earth Fire.

“Sigh, forget it. Let’s focus on having more children!”

Lu Changsheng sighed, giving up on the idea of forging a treasure and deciding to focus on family matters instead.

It was hard to believe how difficult it was to have children after reaching the Core Formation stage.

Despite his recent efforts at home, only one concubine had become pregnant.

His recent efforts at Spirit Herb Peak in the Azure Cloud Sect had lasted half a month, and he still didn’t know if Zhao Qingqing was pregnant or not.

Despite the situation, Lu Changsheng was not discouraged. He believed that hard work would eventually pay off; sooner or later, the results would come!

After staying at the Xie Family of Lingxi for three days, Lu Xingchen bid them farewell and went on his way.

With Lingxi Lake so far from Bihu Mountain, it would take at least half a month, even with day and night travel.

But since this was a rare trip, he wasn’t in a hurry to return and decided to take his time, sightseeing and gaining experience.

That night, as dusk fell.

Lu Xingchen instructed his Iron Feather Eagle to find a mountain to land on for rest.

He then skillfully scattered some medicinal powder around the area to keep away any gathering beasts.

Moments after he sat down, he suddenly heard sounds of fighting ahead in the forest. The roars of beasts and the blinding light of techniques clashed.

Hearing the commotion, Lu Xingchen’s first thought was to move away.

However, he hesitated, knowing that using magic now might attract the attention of beasts. So, he quickly formed seals with his hands and merged with a nearby tree, camouflaging himself perfectly within it.

Though the Baoding Medicine King Scripture was not focused on combat, it offered several life-saving techniques.

For instance, merging with a tree, making it difficult for ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators or beasts to notice him.

Soon after, Lu Xingchen saw a white-robed youth surrounded by over a dozen green-furred wolves.

“Green Wind Wolves, low-Tier bloodline beasts, is there a mutated wolf king among them?”

Lu Xingchen recognized the wolf pack as one of the weakest types of group beasts, most of which were in the early and mid-first rank.

But the leading Green Wind Wolf had some purple in its fur, suggesting it had undergone a mutation and advanced to a second-rank demon beast.

What surprised Lu Xingchen the most was that this white-robed youth, despite being only at the seventh layer of Qi Refining, had managed to survive against the pack for so long.

Upon closer inspection, the youth’s techniques were refined, and his movements agile as he narrowly escaped the wolf king’s attacks several times, nearly surviving by luck.

Lu Xingchen felt that if the youth were facing the Green Wind Wolf King alone, he might have escaped, but the wolf pack had left him no room to maneuver.

“Awooo!”

At that moment, one of the Green Wind Wolves pounced on the youth as he dodged the wolf king’s wind blade, sinking its fangs into his shoulder, causing blood to gush out.

Already weakened and covered in wounds, the youth groaned in pain before casting a technique that blasted the wolf away.

But soon, the other Green Wind Wolves closed in, leaving the youth with no way to struggle, his eyes filled with despair.

“Sigh.”

Seeing this, Lu Xingchen sighed.

His family’s teachings emphasized avoiding unnecessary trouble while traveling.

And assessing one’s ability before intervening in unfair situations.

But witnessing this scene, he found it hard to stand by and do nothing.

“Bluewood Bind!”

Lu Xingchen formed seals with his hands, causing strands of green-gold vines to suddenly emerge from the ground and bind the Green Wind Wolves.

Then, he used another vine to pull the white-robed youth towards him.

“Roar!”

The Green Wind Wolf King, seeing this, roared furiously and unleashed wind blades at Lu Xingchen.

“Bang!”

Lu Xingchen quickly summoned a shield, glimmering with light, to block the attacks.

Realizing he couldn’t handle the wolves with the injured youth in tow, he decided to flee.

Unless he used a talisman, there was no way to defeat the pack.

Especially while carrying this burden.

After running for some time, Lu Xingchen noticed that the Green Wind Wolf King was still hot on their trail, likely following by scent.

“This won’t work; attracting more beasts would be dangerous.”

Lu Xingchen hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly pulled out a mid-Tier fire talisman and launched it at the Green Wind Wolf King.

Facing the talisman’s power, the Green Wind Wolf King’s fur was scorched, and fear filled its eyes as it gave up the chase.

“Phew!”

Lu Xingchen finally breathed a sigh of relief, finding a safe place to settle down and treat the youth’s injuries.

While he wasn’t skilled in fighting, he excelled in healing techniques.

“Thank you…”

The white-robed youth weakly expressed his gratitude.

But after saying this, his tense body finally relaxed, and he slipped into unconsciousness.

“Sigh, what a situation…”

Lu Xingchen sighed helplessly, looking at the unconscious youth in his arms.

On this day, Lu Changsheng was accompanying Bai Ling and Qu Zhenzhen for a leisurely time at Bishui Lake.

Suddenly, he felt a surge of pure Spiritual Energy.

A brief inspection revealed that it was his son Lu Ping’an who had made the breakthrough this time.

Although the amount of Spiritual Energy wasn’t much, it finally allowed him to reach the current critical point in his cultivation.

After ending the lake outing, Lu Changsheng returned to Sumeru Cave Heaven, entered Hall of Everlasting Life, and began his breakthrough.

For someone like Lu Changsheng, such breakthroughs were natural and straightforward.

“Boom!”

A few days later, Lu Changsheng’s dantian was boiling with Yin-Yang Spiritual Energy. His Golden Core radiated brilliant rays, and his body was filled with the surging force of Yin-Yang.

After three years at the Core Formation stage, Lu Changsheng had finally taken a small step forward and advanced to the second layer of Core Formation.

This speed was all due to the Yin-Yang Spirit Integration Pill.

Otherwise, despite engaging in Dual Cultivation, he wouldn’t have achieved this, considering he hadn’t actively cultivated over those three years. Also, the cultivation boost from his children wasn’t much.

“Breaking through before entering the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm is good.”

With a satisfied expression, Lu Changsheng walked out of Hall of Everlasting Life.

As usual, he checked the spiritual veins in the cave heaven, estimating that it would take another year or so for them to reach the third rank.

However, he was more eager to see Hong Lian’s emergence than the spiritual veins’ advancement.

As he stepped out of Sumeru Cave Heaven, standing atop Biyun Peak, he could see the crowd coming and going at Bihu Mountain Manor.

The grand ceremony, using Lu Wangshu’s Foundation Establishment as an excuse, was about to begin, so many families were arriving at Bihu Mountain.

Those from distant families often arrived early.

For such cases, Bihu Mountain naturally arranged accommodations.

After arriving at the Lu Family Mansion, Lu Miaoyun told Lu Changsheng hat Lu Chensha had come looking for him the day before.

He reported that the first second-rank Black Water Flood Dragon Dao Weapon had been completed.