Chapter 558: Technique Upgrade, Great Wilderness Dragon Armor, Divine Machine Hundred Refinement Technique!

A few days later.

“Xiaoyao, you’ll just need to practice your Dragon-Seeking Technique more.”

Watching his son’s skill finally advance to Second-Tier, Lu Changsheng didn’t stay long and left with his daughter Lu Linghe and Lu Baixi.

The little ones were excited about underwater exploration with their siblings, but Lu Changsheng ignored their requests.

Back at the City Lord’s Manor, Lu Changsheng wondered if he should send his son Lu Lingxiao to the wilderness wars.

Compared to Da Mengze, the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range would be a better fit for his son.

After all, his son trained in fire techniques, and Da Mengze was an endless water region, weakening his powers by 30% underwater and restricting his combat abilities.

Going to the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range would allow him to fully display his skills.

“Xiaoyao may have broken through to Foundation Establishment, but outside of the family, very few know about it; he could easily disguise himself to participate in the wilderness wars.”

Lu Changsheng contemplated deeply.

His son Lu Lingxiao had acquired the Heavenly Son’s Vision Law Seed and was born with immense combat experience, which he needed to hone through constant battle.

His Heavenly Son’s Vision Art could observe mountain and earth veins but was also affected in Da Mengze.

Going to the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range for tempering would be much more beneficial.

Moreover, while dangerous, the wilderness wars also offer opportunities; his son might rise on his own efforts.

“Although the wilderness wars are brutal, they are also a chance for advancement.”

“Once I reach Golden Core Formation, or if Xiyue does, we can go to the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range to oversee and prevent accidents.”

“Also, Hong Lian once mentioned, though Heavenly Spirit Roots have no bottleneck before Golden Core Formation and can increase the probability of reaching Nascent Soul, the chances of breakthrough aren’t higher than ordinary Spirit Roots.”

“Many with Heavenly Spirit Roots have it easy early on, making their Nascent Soul breakthrough even harder.”

Lu Changsheng considered discussing this with Ling Zixiao.

For his daughters Lu Linghe, Lu Baixi, Lu Qingqi, he was happy to keep them at home.

But his sons Lu Lingxiao, Lu Quanzhen, Lu Qingxian, even Lu Ping’an, and Lu Qingsong, with moderate talents, he wanted them to go out and stand on their own.

“The wilderness wars…”

Ling Zixiao understood and thought deeply about Lu Changsheng’s idea.

Though concerned about her son, she knew that only by facing the abyss and storms alone could an eagle transform into a mighty bird soaring nine thousand miles high.

If she kept her son sheltered at home, he would struggle to truly grow.

“Husband, the Immortal City of Da Mengze could also recommend cultivators to the Heavenly Sword Sect to join the wilderness wars.”

Ling Zixiao suggested after a moment of thought.

Although Immortal City wasn’t forced to enlist, the Heavenly Sword Sect had encouraged Da Mengze cultivators to partake in the wars.

Previously, Immortal City had already issued such a summons for Da Mengze.

Besides the usual application methods, Immortal City can recommend talented cultivators to the Heavenly Sword Sect.

If these cultivators perform well in the wilderness wars, the Heavenly Sword Sect will reward Immortal City.

“We’ll ask Xiaoyao’s opinion later. There’s no rush—I’ll handle it after Xiyue reaches Golden Core Formation.”

Lu Changsheng said casually, not in a hurry to decide.

The wilderness wars weren’t going anywhere; he could always join later.

“System, draw a prize.”

After finishing his tasks, Lu Changsheng remembered his lottery.

Now, regular draws didn’t mean much to him, so he was quite indifferent.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for acquiring Second-Tier Poison Crafting Skill!]

[Reward has been placed in the system space. The host may check at any time.]

“Poison crafting?”

Lu Changsheng raised an eyebrow.

He never expected to get Poison Crafting after acquiring the Calamity Poison Body.

But a Second-Tier Poison Crafting Skill was of little use to him.

What use is a Second-Tier poison?

To serve as desserts for his daughters?

If he needed to craft poisons, Meng Xiaochan’s mother was much better suited.

“Hmm?”

However, upon checking the system space, he noticed some additional information in the Poison Crafting Skill.

[The host, possessing more than ten skills, can choose to convert this skill into experience for other skills.]

“Hmm, that’s interesting.”

Lu Changsheng smiled, seeing this information.

He had many skills, but not all were practically useful.

However, if a few of them reached Third-Tier or even Fourth-Tier, they would become quite effective.

“Should I upgrade Talisman Making, Pill Refining, or Dragon-Seeking?”

Lu Changsheng considered his current skills.

For Talisman Making, there wasn’t much to say.

Although he could create Third-Tier Talismans, they were only mid-grade.

If he could increase it to top-grade Third-Tier, it would save him a lot of time and energy.

For Pill Refining, reaching top-grade Third-Tier would make crafting Condensing Crystal Pills much more manageable.

And Dragon-Seeking was also quite important.

Currently, his Dragon-Seeking Technique could easily extract Second-Tier spiritual veins, but for Third-Tier veins, the energy loss was much greater.

After all, extracting spiritual vein energy always involves some depletion.

Forcibly extracting Third-Tier spiritual veins resulted in significant waste.

He originally planned to give it a break, not excavating any veins for a while.

But since acquiring the ‘Sun Moon Yin-Yang Profound Light Mirror,’ which consumed a lot of spiritual energy…

To maximize the mirror’s power, Lu Changsheng wanted to upgrade his family’s spiritual veins to top-grade Third-Tier, or even near Fourth-Tier.

“Spiritual veins take time—I currently don’t have any to spare for extracting them.”

“As for Pill Refining, gathering all the materials for the Condensing Crystal Pills might take time, so I’ll focus on upgrading Talisman Making first.”

“In a few more years, when I reach Golden Core Formation, I’ll be known mainly for Talismans. I can’t remain a mid-grade Third-Tier Talisman Master, can I?”

After some thought, Lu Changsheng decided to upgrade his Talisman Making.

In an instant, the poison crafting skill transformed into a massive amount of Talisman Making experience.

A long while later…

“Relying on the system is truly the fastest.”

Lu Changsheng opened his eyes, let out a long breath, and felt satisfied.

Originally, he had spent considerable time and effort just to become a mid-grade Third-Tier Talisman Master.

But thanks to converting the poison crafting skill, he instantly reached top-grade Third-Tier Talisman Master, even solidifying his foundation in Talisman Making.

“My Talisman Making should improve—I won’t be able to teach my children otherwise.”

Feeling joyful, Lu Changsheng went to his study, picked up a Talisman Pen, and attempted to craft a top-grade Third-Tier talisman.

As for the Ultimate Third-Tier Talismans, he didn’t have the appropriate talisman paper or spiritual ink for that.

Even if he had the raw materials, it wasn’t worth crafting talisman paper and spiritual ink for something unnecessary.

“I should also consider crafting a new Talisman Pen soon.”

Feeling the surge of inspiration that he hadn’t experienced in years, Lu Changsheng nodded contentedly.

Currently, top-grade Third-Tier Talisman Pens weren’t very valuable to him.

He had enough beast materials to craft several top-grade Third-Tier Talisman Pens.

Shortly after, Lu Changsheng left the study and asked Ling Zixiao to acquire some top-grade Third-Tier talisman paper and spiritual ink from Immortal City.

He also had some raw materials and asked Ling Zixiao to find someone to help process them into talisman paper and spiritual ink.

Time flew by—a month passed in the blink of an eye.

One day, Lu Changsheng sensed a Communication Talisman.

The message was from his wife, Lu Miaoyun, informing him thattheir son Lu Ping’an had come out of seclusion.

“It’s time to head back.”

Lu Changsheng stretched, got up from the embrace of his beloved ones, instructed Hong Lian, Ling Zixiao, and Meng Xiaochan, then left with Qu Zhenzhen and Lu Miaoge for Bihu Mountain..

This time, he was not just going to check on Lu Ping’an but also to help Xiao Xiyue form her Golden Core.

Her Golden Core Formation was imminent, and he needed to spend more time aligning the ‘Yin-Yang Dao Seed’ with her.

He also brought Lu Miaoge along, as her son LL Qingxian was preparing for Foundation Establishment.

Once he broke through to Foundation Establishment, he could awaken the Taiyi Soul Body, and Lu Miaoge needed to witness ii.

Ten days later.

The three returned quietly to Bihu Mountain.

“Ping’an, show me your strength now.”

Lu Changsheng immediately summoned his son Lu Ping’an.

After refining the Great Wilderness Dragon Spine, Lu Ping’an exuded a primal, ancient dominance that shook the hearts of those nearby.

“Father, be careful.”

Lu Ping’an spoke deeply, revealing that his strength had significantly increased after obtaining the Great Wilderness Dragon Spine.

He clenched his fist, his blood energy soaring as if a giant ancient dragon emerged from his spine, towering above with countless fierce beasts bowing in submission.

“Boom!”

This punch was terrifying, instantly bringing Lu Ping’an’s body strength, which had just broken through to the Third-Tier, to the peak of early Third-Tier.

“Good, good, good.”

Lu Changsheng nodded in satisfaction, thinking that the Great Wilderness Dragon Spine was indeed extraordinary. He then asked about the other ability—the Great Wilderness Dragon Armor!

As Lu Ping’an’s blood energy surged and his breath became heavier like thunder, a dragon pillar coiled around his nose and mouth.

“Roar!”

With a dragon’s roar, a golden dragon-shaped shadow emerged from his spine, covering his body.

As his bones crackled and his body grew taller, dragon scales the size of a palm rapidly surfaced, forming a fearsome dragon armor.

A double-horned helmet resembling a dragon’s head slowly appeared and settled on his head.

At that moment, Lu Ping’an appeared as a dragon-man, his body robust and filled with explosive power.

Just standing there, he emanated a pressure that felt like moving mountains and collapsing skies.

“Not bad.”

Lu Changsheng admired his son’s appearance and signaled Lu Ping’an to continue.

“Boom!”

With another punch, the skies darkened as his long black hair fluttered like a cape, radiating an intense sense of oppression.

In this state, Lu Ping’an’s strength directly reached mid Third-Tier!

However, the most fearsome aspect was the Great Wilderness Dragon Armor, which continuously supplied strength, forming an absolute defense.

Lu Changsheng tested it—early Golden Core stage divine abilities were completely nullified by the Dragon Armor.

Even mid Golden Core stage divine abilities and treasure attacks caused only minor damage and couldn’t break through.

Only those at the late Golden Core stage had a chance of shattering the armor!

“Very good!”

Lu Changsheng nodded in satisfaction.

With the Great Wilderness Dragon Spine, Lu Ping’an could remain undefeated against anyone below the late Golden Core stage.

However, the Dragon Armor provided limited energy and would strain the body afterward.

Besides the armor and the power boost to the physique, the Great Wilderness Dragon Spine was constantly nourishing his flesh, bones, muscles, and organs.

Since it was only partially refined and hadn’t fully merged yet…

The Dragon Spine added an extra layer of the Hundred Refined Body Technique’s effect, continuously enhancing his physical body.

“At your current strength, early or even mid Golden Core cultivators are no match for you.”

“But since you haven’t fully merged with the Great Wilderness Dragon Spine, consider this ability a trump card—never reveal it lightly.”

Lu Changsheng patted his son’s shoulder and advised.

Although the Great Wilderness Dragon Spine was refined, like a Magical Treasure, it could still be stolen.

So, keeping this ability hidden as a killing move was essential.

“Father, I understand.”

Despite his simple-mindedness, Lu Ping’an knew better.

“As for a Magical Treasure, I’ll leave that to you—I’ll craft you a Sun-Moon Token in the coming days.”

Lu Changsheng said.

Although he had hunted many spirit beasts, he didn’t have the proper materials to forge a Magical Treasure.

Besides, Lu Ping’an didn’t really need a Magical Treasure; his own fists were more straightforward.

Then, using the Sun Moon Yin-Yang Profound Light Mirror, he crafted the Sun-Moon Token he had planned.

Three days later.

On Biyun Peak.

Lu Changsheng tossed an ancient token, one side golden, the other silver, to Lu Ping’an.

“Try injecting your spiritual power.”

“Huh?”

Lu Ping’an looked at the ancient token in his hand, confused, but obediently injected his spiritual power.

The ancient token, though plain, gleamed with radiant sun and moon light as soon as spiritual power flowed in.

Seeing this, Lu Changsheng returned to the Sumeru Cave Heaven, in Hall of Everlasting Life, and addressed the Sun Moon Yin-Yang Profound Light Mirror: “Ah Wu.”

“Buzz!”

The mirror’s surface displayed Lu Ping’an holding the token, his face full of confusion.

“Hmm.”

Lu Changsheng nodded slightly, then looked at the Sun-Moon Token in his hand.

He could use the mirror-actuated ‘server’ to communicate directly with Lu Ping’an by using the token as an identifier and anchor point.

This time, however, he was testing the communication between the terminals.

“Dingdong!”

The Sun-Moon Token glowed, and Lu Changsheng transmitted a message through it, establishing communication with Lu Ping’an’s token: “Ping’an.”

“Huh?”

On Biyun Peak, Lu Ping’an was startled by the token’s voice: “Father?”

“Yes, this token can facilitate real-time communication.”

Lu Changsheng spoke to his son as if on a phone call.

After explaining, he activated the device’s function, enabling video transmission.

In an instant, a small, hand-sized screen projected an image of Lu Ping’an, who looked bewildered.

“Father, what is this?”

Lu Ping’an gaped at the screen formed by the token, utterly confused.

The cultivation world had Message Talismans, Parent-Child Communication Talismans, and Shadow Stones.

But he had never seen anything like this—it wasn’t a voice transmission, nor was it like a Shadow Stone; it was real-time communication.

“This is a communication token I crafted. It currently has two functions for messaging and video transmission.”

Lu Changsheng explained with a smile.

Satisfied with the basic functions, he then looked at the Sun Moon Yin-Yang Profound Light Mirror: “Ah Wu, does handling this kind of information overload you?”

“No, it doesn’t.”

The Artifact spirit girl appeared with a blank expression and replied.

“What if there are thousands or even tens of thousands of these interactions simultaneously?”

Lu Changsheng inquired further.

The communication strength of the Sun-Moon Token primarily depended on the ‘server’—the Sun Moon Yin-Yang Profound Light Mirror.

“As long as it’s within the observation range, there’s no issue with information transfer. The only concern is the higher spiritual energy consumption from continuous video transmission.”

That’s what Ah Wu said.

“Only increased spiritual energy consumption?”

Lu Changsheng nodded thoughtfully.

His biggest worry had been about data transmission—whether the Artifact spirit of the Sun Moon Yin-Yang Profound Light Mirror could handle it when dealing with large numbers of transmissions.

Now it seemed the Artifact spirit was far more powerful than he’d imagined.

“If I mark each token, can you identify and process it immediately?”

Lu Changsheng continued his questioning.

With only two tokens, communication was simple.

However, once each member of the Lu Family had one, they’d need identifiers for instant communication—a ‘contact list’ of sorts.

And the identifiers needed anti-counterfeit encryption.

The Sun-Moon Token would only activate with the correct bloodline and spiritual power signature to prevent unauthorized usage.

This was why Lu Changsheng hadn’t engraved names or even Bihu Mountain’s name on the token.

“I can, but constantly doing so increases spiritual energy consumption.”

Ah Wu responded.

As a supreme spiritual treasure, its Artifact spirit and abilities surpassed any imagination.

However, with Lu Changsheng wielding it, its power was limited by the spiritual veins and heaven and earth spiritual energy around them.

“That’s manageable.”

Lu Changsheng immediately injected Lu Ping’an’s blood and spiritual power into the Sun Moon Yin-Yang Profound Light Mirror, allowing Ah Wu to remember his signature and mark the Sun-Moon Token.

Without Lu Ping’an’s spiritual power injection, the token wouldn’t activate.

Moreover, it would alert the Sun Moon Yin-Yang Profound Light Mirror, indicating the token had fallen into someone else’s hands.

Lu Changsheng also placed a ‘self-destruct’ restriction in the token, which Ah Wu could trigger if needed.

Having researched this method for several days, Lu Changsheng looked at the Sun-Moon Token in his hand.

When he injected his spiritual power, a contact list appeared.

Apart from Lu Ping’an, the rest were blank.

These blank users represented future additions; the Sun Moon Yin-Yang Profound Light Mirror would update them with names for easy communication.

To prevent family members from disturbing each other, Lu Changsheng added another restriction that allowed the token’s owner to select ‘online,’ ‘busy,’ ‘closed-door cultivation,’ or ‘resting’ statuses.

After all this, Lu Changsheng even considered adding a ‘friend circle’ function.

Lu Family members out on missions could share their insights, records of slaying beasts, mysterious treasures they encountered, or even details of secret realms.

However, each additional function would increase the Sun Moon Yin-Yang Profound Light Mirror’s energy consumption.

Considering the current state of his family’s spiritual veins, Lu Changsheng temporarily shelved these ideas.

He planned to revisit them once their spiritual veins reached the appropriate level.

Then, perhaps, someone could start a dungeon run, open a live broadcast, and others could watch.

“Go see the world, and come back if you ever feel homesick.”

Having completed the Lu Family’s communication token 1.0, Lu Changsheng gave his son a reassuring pat on the shoulder with a smile.

“Father, don’t worry! I won’t let you down!”

Lu Ping’an, eyes moist with emotion, knelt to bid farewell.

He was only planning to go on a long journey, yet his father had spent so many resources, helped him breakthrough, and even gave him the ‘Great Wilderness Dragon Spine,’ a celestial treasure.

Moreover, his father still wasn’t at ease, spending countless hours creating the Sun-Moon Token for him.

All this weighed heavily on his heart, filled with profound gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility.

“Although I hope you all achieve great things—reach Golden Core or even Nascent Soul—I mostly want you to be safe and sound.”

Lu Changsheng looked at his son, lifting him up, and softly spoke.

Unbeknownst to him, the baby he once held in his arms, the young child who’d asked if they couldn’t cultivate without a spirit root, had grown this much.

How far his son would go from here depended on himself now.

“Father, don’t worry.”

Lu Ping’an said, then donned the mask his father had given him and quietly left Bihu Mountain.

His reputation in the Jiang Kingdom was too large to reveal his true face while traveling.

After leaving Bihu Mountain, Lu Ping’an made his way to Ruyi County, where he paid respects to his mother and then headed to a remote forest to bid farewell to Su Jiuer.

Every time he visited his mother, he also visited this girl next door.

However, her Old Woman didn’t allow her to go out, nor did she permit him to bring anyone along.

Otherwise, he would have introduced his younger sister Lu Linghe to her—he was sure they would get along well.

“Hmm? Jiuer? Jiuer!”

When Lu Ping’an arrived at the bamboo grove where Su Jiuer lived, he didn’t find her.

He searched the forest, eventually finding a purse in the valley where they used to go.

Inside was a letter saying she had left.

She had wanted to say goodbye to Lu Ping’an in person, but her Old Woman was in a hurry, so she left without saying farewell. She was deeply sorry.

She thanked Brother Ping’an for accompanying her all these years and wished him all the best, unburdened and happy, with Sister Qin, becoming a couple of celestial beings.

“…”

Holding the letter in his hand, Lu Ping’an was overwhelmed with emotions.

After all those years together, he knew Su Jiuer’s background wasn’t simple and that she wasn’t a cultivator from the Jiang Kingdom.

He had expected her to leave eventually, but he hadn’t anticipated it would happen while he was preparing for a long journey, leaving them no time to say goodbye.

“Jiuer, I wish you safe travels.”

Lu Ping’an took a deep breath, said quietly, returned the letter to the purse, and left with firm steps.

The girl, who once held innocent feelings for him and whom he treated as a sister, might return, but they were destined to remain mere passersby.

After Lu Ping’an left, Lu Changsheng resumed his business.

Instead of going to the Azure Cloud Sect, he summoned Xiao Xiyue to Bihu Mountain to help her and Lu Miaoge with their cultivatton.

For Xiao Xiyue to properly assimilate the ‘Yin-Yang Dao Seed,’ they exchanged insights during Dual Cultivation sessions.

Time passed quickly—three months went by.

[Congratulations, host! A hundred descendants have completed Qi initiation and started their journey on the immortal path. You have gained a bloodline effect: Descendants’ comprehension increased by 3%. One high-level lottery chance awarded!]

“A hundred in Qi Refining?”

Lu Changsheng felt a wave of nostalgia hearing the system prompt.

In the past, he had fathered children frequently. But as his cultivation advanced, his focus on quality over quantity had slowed down the process.

He remembered well that seventy of his children reached Qi Refining some twenty years ago.

“System, draw a prize.”

After reflecting momentarily, Lu Changsheng mentally commanded the system to draw a prize.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, for obtaining the technique ‘Divine Machine Hundred Refinement Technique’!]

[Reward has been placed in the system space. The host may access it anytime.]