Chapter 508: Lu Changsheng’s Teaching, Wither and Prosperity Technique!

“Please.”

Lu Ping’an stood tall and motioned with his hand.

His body seemed to bulk up instantly, a faint treasure-like light flowing over him. He looked as if he was forged from solid steel, exuding an indestructible aura.

“Screech!”

A platinum sword light tore through the sky, sharp and fierce like a long rainbow suddenly appearing out of nowhere, slashing the heavens.

“Clang!!!”

Lu Ping’an didn’t move, his treasure-lit hand lashed out, clashing with the sword light. A piercing sound of metal rang out, sparks flying everywhere, and the sword light shattered.

Seeing this, Lu Qingshan’s Magical Sword trembled in his hand, sword light radiating everywhere, covering several meters around him.

At the same time, he lightly tapped his Storage Bag, summoning a flying sword that looked both golden and bamboo-like, which shot toward Lu Ping’an like a swimming dragon.

Two flying swords, one attacking, one disturbing, hidden with killing intent, were intricately profound.

Faced with such an attack, Lu Ping’an remained completely still.

His body shone brilliantly like a golden armor cloaking him, letting the sword light recklessly strike him.

Then, his right arm suddenly surged like a dragon. Swift as an eagle pouncing on a rabbit, he directly grabbed the Heavenly Xin Bamboo Sword that moved like a swimming dragon.

“Buzz buzz buzz——”

The Second-Tier flying sword struggled in Lu Ping’an’s grip, trembling as if it was wailing.

“What?”

Lu Qingshan’s expression changed slightly upon seeing this.

This Heavenly Xin Bamboo Sword was a flying sword he had won in the sect’s sword competition back in the day.

Although it was only a mid-Tier Second-Tier, it was among the best of flying swords, its power surpassing many High-Tier Second-Tier flying swords.

But now, it was directly held in Lu Ping’an’s hand barehanded.

For a sword cultivator, if someone seized their flying sword, they were already halfway defeated!

“Qingshan, your elder brother indeed specializes in Body Tempering. You can use some real tricks. With me watching, there’s no need to hold back too much.”

Lu Changsheng, dressed in a luxurious black robe, stood with his hands behind his back, saying with a light laugh.

Sparring and a life-and-death fight are not the same. You can’t go all out, or you might find it hard to pull back.

But Lu Ping’an cultivates the Hundred Refined Body Technique, flawless from head to toe, countering all sorts of flashy tricks.

So this sparring is a test to see if Lu Qingshan’s sword can break through Lu Ping’an’s defenses.

“Since that’s the case, I won’t hold back!”

Lu Qingshan took a deep breath, his eyes sharp as a sword, his expression serious.

In an instant, his aura surged, soaring into the sky like a world-shaking divine sword, chilling air spreading everywhere, unstoppable, intent on tearing apart the heavens and the earth.

Ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators facing this kind of terrifying sword intent would lose heart and lose some of their momentum.

But Lu Ping’an’s expression remained steadfast, steady and firm, unaffected. He released the Heavenly Xin Bamboo Sword from his hand.

His towering physique seemed like a boiling volcano, brewing a great horror, rumbling.

In theory, Lu Qingshan didn’t stand a chance to defeat him.

But even a lion uses its full strength when hunting a rabbit.

This is not only his principle but also a show of respect for his younger brother, Lu Qingshan!

“Clang, clang, clang——”

Lu Qingshan formed seals with both hands, summoning five more flying swords that shot into the sky, exuding sharp, cutting-edge auras.

“Big brother, watch out!”

Lu Qingshan’s gaze turned cold, and he shouted.

Seven flying swords trembled, their sword qi soaring, killing intent that could shake the world accompanied by rolling thunder.

It was as if a chilling, murderous intention had suddenly appeared between heaven and earth.

At this moment, even though Lu Ping’an’s body was unparalleled, he felt a cold, slicing intent from the invisible sword qi.

“Hundred Refined Battle Armor!”

His body roared, and a golden armor appeared on his treasure-lit body, adding even more majesty and dominance to his tall and strong frame.

“This kid has some real skills.”

A faint smile appeared in Lu Changsheng’s eyes.

From the techniques Lu Qingshan used, he saw a bit of the Seven Luminaries Star Sword Formation’s essence.

Only, its effect was much simplified, with added techniques such as Sword Qi Like a Rainbow, Sword Qi Manifestation, and Sword Qi Thunder Sound.

If nothing else, just these exquisite techniques were enough to outshine his peers.

But he still had confidence in his son, Lu Ping’an.

“Whoosh whoosh whoosh——”

Seven flying swords slashed toward Lu Ping’an one after another, the sky filled with sword light like fierce waves, each one higher than the last, making it hard to predict and almost impossible to defend against.

“Clang, clang, clang!”

Lu Ping’an’s face remained calm as he unleashed his golden fist, bursting with brilliant light. A black dragon roared, wind and thunder surged, breaking through layer upon layer of sword light.

Lu Qingshan’s seven flying swords continued to tremble, spewing sharp sword rays, slashing one after another.

Each sword light and wave of qi was mesmerizing, sharp, and dazzling, forming a terrifying sea of sword qi.

“Clang, clang, clang——”

Lu Ping’an stood tall within the sea of sword qi, his body bathed in golden divine light, like an unparalleled war god. His two fists moved freely, dispersing the sky full of sword light.

This is the Hundred Refined Body Technique.

His whole body had no weak points, tougher than any Artifact or Spirit Tool.

Lu Qingshan saw this and his sword lights roared, intertwining into a terrifying web, continuing to assault Lu Ping’an, whose sword qi seemed to split the heavens.

“Boom boom boom——”

The two clashed head-on, terrifying waves of Spiritual Energy sweeping through the entire back mountain, causing Biyun Peak to tremble slightly.

“What’s that commotion?”

“Someone’s fighting, I can feel some sharp sword qi!”

“That, it seems to be Qingshan’s sword qi!”

“Is Qingshan sparring with someone?”

The back mountain, where Lu Family disciples trained and sparred.

Though it was still early, the commotion from Lu Ping’an and Lu Qingshan’s battle attracted quite a few people’s attention.

If it weren’t for the Formation Techniques suppressing the Spiritual Energy ripples, the two’s sparring would have been felt by everyone at Biyun Peak, maybe even Bihu Mountain.

“Hiss, it’s big brother! Qingshan is dueling with big brother!”

“Big brother is fighting Qingshan barehanded, is this the strength of a quasi-Third-Tier Body Tempering!?”

Some curious Lu Family disciples rushed over, seeing the two sparring from a distance, and exclaimed.

Lu Changsheng waved his hand, releasing an invisible force that pushed everyone out of the back mountain, forming an invisible screen.

“It’s early, go meditate or sleep, why join the commotion.”

Lu Changsheng spoke, his calm, gentle voice reaching everyone’s ears.

His son, Lu Qingshan, has a proud personality. If he lost to Lu Ping’an in a spar, he’d have to accept it, but if everyone watched him lose, it would hurt his pride.

That’s why Lu Changsheng only called Lu Ping’an and Lu Qingshan.

Otherwise, this sparring could’ve been shown to other Lu Family disciples, helping them curb arrogance and foster caution.

“Father, we just heard the commotion and wanted to check it out.”

“Yeah, we’re just curious.”

Some Lu Family disciples shouted, curious about Lu Ping’an and Lu Qingshan’s duel.

“This level of combat is not something you should meddle in, go back.”

Lu Changsheng stood with his hands behind his back, speaking calmly, as he continued to observe his two sons’ sparring.

At this moment, Lu Qingshan also realized that his current methods couldn’t break Lu Ping’an’s body, so he prepared to use his final technique.

“Geng Metal Sword Formation!”

He quickly formed a series of seals, causing the seven flying swords to tremble, splitting into thirty-six identical flying swords, bursting with brilliant sword light, savagely slashing toward Lu Ping’an.

Within Lu Ping’an’s body, a constant rumbling and roaring could be heard as treasure light flowed, his body clad in golden armor gleaming with an indestructible luster.

“Boom boom boom——”

His fists were like the most dazzling divine iron, smashing out with ferocity, causing two black dragons to faintly emerge, giving off an overwhelming aura, sending the approaching flying swords clanging and flying.

“Geng Metal Instant Sword Technique! Great Freedom Sword Qi!”

Lu Qingshan’s robes fluttered, his expression sharp, his body radiating with sword light, resonating with the seven flying swords, causing thirty-six flying swords to simultaneously slash at Lu Ping’an, engulfing him entirely.

“Wind and Thunder—Mountain Splitter!”

Lu Ping’an’s blood surged within him, like the roar of thousands of troops, a billowing column of blood smoke rushing to the sky, like a coiled black dragon.

His massive body shone with golden light, exuding an indestructible aura.

He punched out, endless wind and thunder rolled, the black dragon atop his head roared, forming a dragon-shaped massive axe of thunderous power, slashing out with his fist.

“Buzz buzz buzz——”

Lu Qingshan saw his seven flying swords trembling, and the thirty-six flying swords they had split into began to break apart.

Then, a violent and overwhelming divine power surged, covering him as the wind and clouds swirled.

If he weren’t a sword cultivator, immune to various pressures due to merging with the bull star, he would’ve been unable to move and could barely breathe.

“It’s just a spar between brothers, there’s no need to go further.”

Lu Changsheng saw the effect was almost achieved and appeared in front of Lu Qingshan.

With a raised hand, Lu Ping’an’s punch and the dragon-shaped massive axe suspended between heaven and earth instantly dissipated like a breeze.

“Qingshan, are you okay?”

The treasure light on Lu Ping’an’s body faded away as he looked toward Lu Qingshan with concern.

In normal sparring, he certainly wouldn’t use too much force.

But just now, his father had transmitted a message, asking him to go all out, not just defend.

“I’m fine.”

Lu Qingshan exhaled a long breath, his face slightly pale.

Apart from not going for the kill just now, he had exerted all his strength, consuming quite a bit.

Thinking about how he hadn’t been able to break Lu Ping’an’s defenses, or even block a single punch, Lu Qingshan felt mixed emotions.

Years ago, when they met in the Purple Secrets Realm, they were both at the Ninth Level of Qi Refining.

But now, he himself had reached the Sixth Layer of Foundation Establishment, surpassing Lu Ping’an by two layers.

But on the path of Body Tempering, the opponent had directly reached the quasi-Third-Tier level, completely overwhelming him.

One must know that advancing in Body Tempering is far more difficult than in Qi Refining, and the opponent was still cultivating in both!

“Father, I lost. Big brother’s strength is far beyond mine, I can’t judge how he compares to other False Core cultivators.”

Lu Qingshan wasn’t someone who couldn’t accept defeat, so he spoke up.

“Oh?”

Lu Changsheng noticed that his son didn’t seem to be discouraged and smiled: “I thought you’d be dejected.”

“It’s just one victory or defeat. I’m not so easily discouraged, besides, who can remain undefeated forever?”

Lu Qingshan put away his flying swords and spoke calmly.

Though confident in his strength, he never considered himself invincible.

Moreover, with Lu Ping’an possessing quasi-Third-Tier Body Tempering, while he was only mid-level Foundation Establishment, the difference in their strength was normal.

But thinking about the widening gap between them did leave Lu Qingshan feeling a bit downhearted.

“It’s good you think this way. Geniuses are as common as fish in the river, never underestimate the world.”

Lu Changsheng nodded approvingly and spoke.

“Father, I know you think I am too arrogant and wanted to give me a lesson. But I often remind myself to reflect and not underestimate the world.”

“But it’s easier said than done, so I rarely make enemies.”

Lu Qingshan wore a carefree green sword robe, speaking with a bit of helplessness.

He managed to come this far not just by relying on talent, but by being aware of his own personality.

His Master, Immortal Tian Yuan, had also pointed it out a few times.

But since childhood, he had been exceptionally talented, becoming the disciple of a Golden Core Immortal, and after acquiring a Law Seed, he soared to the sky, unrivaled among his peers.

Given such circumstances, it was hard not to develop this personality.

“As a sword cultivator, it’s normal to have some sharpness and arrogance, and you have the strength to back it up.”

“But your arrogance is not reckless or overbearing. It’s a fearless, confident arrogance that dismisses others.”

Lu Changsheng shook his head lightly and spoke.

“This kind of arrogance can make you gradually look down on others, even when facing monstrous talents, leading to negligence.”

“Just like your elder brother. If you met him elsewhere, would you believe he could grow to this level in just a few decades?”

Lu Changsheng glanced at Lu Ping’an and spoke.

“…”

Lu Qingshan remained silent.

As Lu Changsheng said, unless he already knew about Lu Ping’an’s feats, it would have been hard for him to believe someone could grow this fast.

Lu Changsheng sighed lightly and continued: “You say you rarely make enemies?”

“Then let me ask you, if your family’s brothers or sect members felt resentful or jealous of your behavior, would you care?”

“No.”

Lu Qingshan replied softly.

“You wouldn’t care, and even if you noticed, you wouldn’t take it to heart.”

“You would just think they’re a bunch of clowns. If they dared to act, you would just kill them with one sword stroke.”

Lu Changsheng patted his shoulder and said: “In the Golden Sun Sect, you are under the protection of the sect. Even if your fellow disciples harbor resentment, they wouldn’t dare act.”

“But what about cultivators from other sects?”

“This world is never short of geniuses, but how many can truly reach the Golden Core and Nascent Soul stages, and become the heroes we know?”

“Many top talents fall on the way, dying young, ending up as just piles of bones!”

“Perhaps many people you once looked down on might gain an opportunity, mature late, and rise unexpectedly!”

“Let’s not talk about anyone else, just look at your elder brother. He had a hidden Spirit Root, wasting 20 years in the mortal world. But now, he’s far stronger than you. If you had made an enemy of someone like him, how would you handle it if he came looking for trouble?”

Lu Changsheng spoke earnestly.

Having sharpness and vigor is a good thing.

As a sword cultivator, Lu Qingshan follows the path of moving forward bravely and relentlessly, so it’s necessary to have this bit of sharp spirit.

But as always, being too rigid can make one break easily!

If he encountered any unforeseen circumstances in the Yue Kingdom, there was nothing his father could do.

Just like with Lu Quanzhen.

If he hadn’t coincidentally traveled to the Jin Kingdom, Lu Quanzhen’s fate would still be uncertain.

He didn’t want to hear bad news about Lu Qingshan or find him half-crippled in the future.

“Father, I understand your point.”

Lu Qingshan took a deep breath and said.

He understood these things well.

But hearing them from his father still moved him.

“Father, after I break through to the Seventh Layer of Foundation Establishment, I’ll spend three years honing my Sword Heart.”

He looked at Lu Changsheng in front of him and spoke solemnly.

“As long as you understand.”

Lu Changsheng patted his shoulder and spoke warmly.

There wasn’t a need to say too much about this.

“I’ve told you before, the sharpness of the Sword Dao, if pursued too much, makes it easy to break. Sometimes, you should hide the blade in its sheath, show dullness to others, and use its sharpness for yourself.”

“I have here a sword technique that you might want to study, it should help.”

Lu Changsheng took out a Jade Slip from his Storage Ring and handed it to Lu Qingshan.

Back then, True Lord Tianyuan entrusted all his inheritance to him, asking him to find a successor.

His inheritance was broad, similar in some ways to his Yin-Yang Creation Sutra.

It values balance, versatility, and covers many aspects.

Among True Lord Tianyuan’s inheritance was a set called ‘Tianyuan Sword Technique.’

This sword technique was different from many others.

It doesn’t pursue offense or sharpness.

It values understanding, recognizing subtleties, discerning creation, and even touches upon numerology and fate.

In battle, it appears unsophisticated and lacking sharpness. But when it identifies the opponent’s flaws and energy, it becomes earth-shattering, with unmatched power!

This sword technique is hard to master unless one is exceptionally talented and quick-witted.

But Lu Changsheng found it perfect for Lu Qingshan’s current needs.

If he could study and master it, it would greatly benefit him.

As for the rest of True Lord Tianyuan’s inheritance, it wasn’t suitable for Lu Qingshan.

“Thank you, Father.”

Lu Qingshan took the sword technique and smiled.

Then, with a mischievous grin, he said: “Father, I see that both big brother and Lingxiao are cultivating the same Body Tempering technique, right? It looks good, could you teach me too?”

“…?”

Lu Changsheng glanced at him and said: “You’re a sword cultivator, why would you want to cultivate that technique?”

“Didn’t you say not to underestimate the heroes of the world?”

“So I thought, cultivating the body a bit more, learning some techniques, I could also temper my state of mind.”

Lu Qingshan spoke seriously.

During their sparring, he noticed that Lu Ping’an’s Body Tempering technique was extraordinary.

And both Lu Ping’an and Lu Lingxiao cultivated in both body and magic, yet their progress in Body Tempering was so fast. It must be related to this technique, so he was interested in learning it.

“Alright, Ping’an, teach Qingshan.”

Lu Changsheng didn’t mind too much and asked Lu Ping’an.

“Yes, Father.”

Lu Ping’an smiled and asked if Lu Qingshan wanted to rest first.

He could see that Lu Qingshan had consumed a lot of energy during the fight, with some disruption in his Spiritual Energy.

“Sure, I’ll ask big brother in a couple of days.”

Lu Qingshan said calmly.

Lu Changsheng snapped his fingers, lifting the invisible barrier around the back mountain.

“Father, what’s your cultivation level now?”

Lu Qingshan asked curiously.

Earlier, seeing his father’s techniques, he knew that he wasn’t just a newly broken-through Seventh Layer Foundation Establishment cultivator as rumored.

He must have broken through to Golden Core!

“What do you think?”

Lu Changsheng asked in return.

“It shouldn’t be Nascent Soul yet, right?”

Lu Qingshan scratched his chin, testing the waters.

“You really dare to think that. I’m just an ordinary Golden Core.”

Lu Changsheng shook his head.

“Heh heh, Father, you’re really not ordinary. Just breaking through to Golden Core would shock countless people if it got out!”

Lu Qingshan smiled widely.

Although Lu Changsheng said he was an ordinary Golden Core, he thought his father was being humble.

But given his father’s conditions, breaking through at his age already made him a Top-Tier genius.

“Hiss…”

Lu Qingshan suddenly paused, feeling that his father was the true unparalleled genius here.

He couldn’t help but give him a sidelong glance.

But his ability to sense and understand Sword Heart had no effect in front of Lu Changsheng. He couldn’t sense any of his father’s energy.

Some Lu Family disciples outside the back mountain, seeing the fight stop, were curious about who won.

But seeing what his father did earlier, making it clear he didn’t want them to know, they didn’t dare to ask.

They only speculated that Lu Ping’an, with his record of defeating the Sima Family ancestor, most likely won.

Otherwise, Lu Qingshan would be too monstrous.

That would mean a Sixth Layer of Foundation Establishment could defeat a False Core cultivator!

“Husband.”

“Ping’an, Qingshan.”

When Lu Changsheng brought Lu Ping’an and Lu Qingshan back to the Lu Family Mansion, Lu Miaoge, Lu Miaohuan, and aafew other women immediately came forward with concern.

They had sensed the commotion from the back mountain and knew what had happened.

Not far away, Lu Wangshu and others were also very curious, wondering how the duel between the two brothers went.

“Miaoge Sister, Miaohuan.”

Lu Changsheng didn’t mention the sparring, chatted a bit, and then took Lu Miaoge to help Lu Quanzhennheal.

“This…”

Lu Miaoge was surprised upon eeing Lu Quanzhen’s condition.

She never expected Lu Quanzhen to be this seriously injured after this trip.

His condition wasn’t much better than what Ling Zixiao had suffered in the past.

“Don’t let Zhenzhen find out about this.”

Lu Changsheng briefly explained Lu Quanzhen’s situation.

Then, with Healing Divine Light and Lu Miaoge’s Taiji True Water,,they began to heal Lu Quanzhen.

Under their dual healing, Lu Quanzhen’s condition immediately improved significantly.

“Thank you, Father, and Auntie.”

Lu Quanzhen, looking pale and bloodless, politely thanked them.

“Quanzhen, have you gained any insights while recovering in the Spirit Vine?”

Lu Changsheng asked curiously.

“Father,”

Lu Quanzhen indicated that he had managed to comprehend a Secret Technique during his time.

He named it Wither and Prosperity Technique.

Once activated, he could make himself seem as if he was dead, his breath entirely gone, like a withered tree, similar to the Turtle Breath Technique.

With regular practice, it could also minimize his consumption of vital energy.

Additionally, when heavily injured, he could forcefully stimulate his life potential.

“Wither and Prosperity Technique.”

Lu Changsheng thought the technique was good.

Although not extremely profound, within the realm of Foundation Establishment techniques, it was at the top.

He said that he was willing to place it in the family’s Scripture Library for other Lu Family disciples to practice.

“Yes, Father.”

Lu Quanzhen nodded and continued, saying that he felt the way of withering and prosperity was somewhat similar to the Kun Peng Devouring Heaven Divine Demonic Technique he was cultivating, one righteous, the other demonic.

But all this time, he still couldn’t grasp its essence.

“Withering and Prosperity, righteous and demonic.”

Lu Changsheng pondered for a moment and then used his knowledge of the Yin-Yang Creation Sutra to explain the Yin-Yang Dao to him.

“Yin and Yang interact, confirming each other. All things are born of it.”

Lu Quanzhen felt deeply moved by his words.

He thought that if he could fully comprehend this, practicing the Yin-Yang Five Elements Kun Peng Technique later would be much simpler.

Lu Changsheng didn’t speak much more to him. Such things needed to be understood personally.

“Little Ling’er.”

After leaving Lu Miaoge, Lu Changsheng wenttto Sumeru Cave Heaven to visit the pregnant Bai Ling.

Calculating the time, it was almost three years since Bai Ling had become pregnant.

But there still weren’t any signs of birth.

This made Lu Changsheng look forward to the child more and more.

After spending time with Bai Ling, Lu Changsheng went to see Meng Xiaochan.

He told her that their wedding was set for two months later.

If she was bored during this time, he’d open a special chamber at Bihu Mountain for her to develop poisons or raise Gu Worms.

“Thank you, Lu Lang.”

Meng Xiaochan was incredibly delighted upon hearing about the wedding.

She had been waiting for this day for so long.

After taking care of many things, Lu Changsheng finally found Hong Lian, ready to help his son Lu Qingshan reforge his ‘Zhoutian Xingdou Sword Embryo.’