Chapter 568: Golden Core Ceremony, Congratulatory Guests from All Around!

As time passed, news of the Lu Family’s Golden Core Ceremony spread among all the surrounding families and factions.

Meanwhile, word also spread in the Immortal City of Da Mengze about Lu Changsheng’s breakthrough to Golden Core. This news eventually reached the Qingyun Region and even the entire cultivation community in the Jiang Kingdom.

For a while, discussions about how a clan member like him, a son-in-law with low-grade Spirit Roots, could break through to Golden Core at a hundred years of age sparked much debate and speculation in the cultivation world of the Jiang Kingdom.

Rumor had it that Lu Changsheng was able to break through to Golden Core not only due to his opportunities, but also because of support from the Immortal City of Da Mengze.

There were also rumors that he had secured the opportunity for Golden Core years ago in the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm.

Another rumor claimed that his eldest son, Lu Ping’an, once acquired a Condensing Crystal Pill among his opportunities, which Lu Changsheng used to break through.

As a result, few people believe the old story about his low-grade Spirit Root and poor talents anymore.

There had been an early rumor that he possessed some type of hidden Spirit Body, a Dual Cultivation Spirit Body, or a Progenitive Spirit Body.

Lu Changsheng was rather satisfied with this response,

since it created a somewhat legendary tale of an underdog rising to power, without being overly exaggerated or baseless.

However, these narratives were partly thanks to the early efforts of Ling Zixiao in shaping the public’s perception.

Now, most of these rumors originated from the Immortal City of Da Mengze.

Otherwise, how would so many people know so much about the life and experiences of an ordinary clan member like him?

As these reports circulated, discussions of Lu Changsheng’s Golden Core achievement heated up within the Qingyun Region.

“To achieve Golden Core at a hundred years old—Lu Changsheng truly hid himself well! Seems we all underestimated him.”

“I bet he obtained the opportunity in the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm early on and has been in seclusion preparing for Golden Core all these years!”

“He became the Vice City Lord of the Immortal City of Da Mengze. Is he planning to expand into the Da Mengze region?”

“If the Lu Family moves to Da Mengze, it might be beneficial for us. The Qingyun Region can barely accommodate two Golden Core families as it is!”

“According to reports from the Immortal City of Da Mengze, during his Golden Core breakthrough, celestial phenomena spanned nine miles, with him even approaching the Half-step Golden Core level. Why didn’t he take more time to accumulate experience?”

“He likely had no choice due to the Pioneer Wars. The Lu Family found itself in a dilemma with insufficient resources at home, prompting him to break through and try to gain a foothold in the war!”

“Now that the Lu Patriarch has broken through, will he marry or take concubines? We better select some talented, smart individuals from our family to present to him quickly!”

“…“

As the day of the Golden Core Ceremony drew nearer, more and more families and factions sent their people to visit Bihu Mountain.

Almost every significant family in the Qingyun Region sent representatives.

Even those who didn’t usually interact with the Lu Family came with generous gifts upon hearing about this grand event.

Meanwhile, Lu Changsheng, the main figure of the ceremony, was still in the Immortal City of Da Mengze.

For such a grand ceremony, his wives Ling Zixiao and Meng Xiaochan were certainly expected to make an appearance.

So he arrived early, preparing to bring Ling Zixiao and Meng Xiaochan back for the event.

During this time, he practiced Dual Cultivation with Hong Lian, while keeping up with the latest developments in the Jiang Kingdom’s cultivation world through the Immortal City of Da Mengze.

He also had Ling Zixiao keep a close eye on intelligence reports about foreign nations and demonic activities.

In an elegantly styled Cave Dwelling within the City Lord’s Manor,

Lu Changsheng and Hong Lian were discussing the Dao of Yin and Yang on a jade bed that gleamed with a blue light.

To make their cultivation more comfortable and effective, the two had invested significant time and effort in this bed, which was as sturdy as any Magical Treasure.

Yet, even as they reached the depths of their cultivation, the bed creaked in the rhythm of their movements, producing a pleasing harmony that stirred their spirits.

A few days later, Lu Changsheng, gazing at the blossoming beauty of the Peachwood Spirit Embryo nestled in his arms, couldn’t help but praise it.

No matter how many times he practiced Dual Cultivation with Hong Lian, her flawless immortal body, sculpted from the Peachwood Spirit Embryo, still captivated him to the point where he couldn’t let go.

Of course, that attachment was made possible by Hong Lian’s open-heartedness.

In the early years, his wives like Lu Miaoyun, Lu Miaohuan, Lu Mioge, and Ling Zixiao, all went through a process of relinquishing their reservations.

However, with Hong Lian, despite her transcendent grace and noble aura that had matured over the ages, she could easily drop her reserve during their cultivation sessions, making her a true unparalleled beauty!

At times, when Lu Changsheng tested her limits, this exalted and peerless goddess would even fulfill his desires.

In other words, Lu Changsheng found unprecedented satisfaction with each session of Dual Cultivation with Hong Lian.

The only minor issue was that it wasn’t appropriate to invite Meng Xiaochan and Bai Ling to join them during these sessions.

After spending some tender moments with Hong Lian, exchanging a few words, Lu Changsheng dressed and then went to accompany Meng Xiaochan.

Now that their daughter, Lu Mengchan, had grown a bit, Bai Ling would take care of her most of the time, giving Meng Xiaochan some time for her own cultivation.

A few days later, Lu Changsheng and Meng Xiaochan stepped out of the Cave Dwelling together.

“Dad!”

Lu Baixi was now extremely attached to Lu Changsheng.

Or rather, she simply loved to study too much.

Whenever she saw Lu Changsheng, she would ask him for guidance in cultivation.

After so much teaching, Lu Changsheng came to fully understand why the Golden-Winged Roc chose to pass down its bloodline techniques to her—it was truly exhausting to teach her.

But there was no choice. She was his own daughter, so Lu Changsheng gritted his teeth and continued guiding her, deciphering each Ancient Rune for her.

Of course, this process wasn’t entirely without benefits for Lu Changsheng.

Through analyzing Lu Baixi’s bloodline techniques, he gained insights into several techniques related to Music.

Perhaps in the future, if he ever needed to fight, he could use the ‘Canghai Dragon’s Chant’ to cast Music-based techniques.

After finishing the lessons with his daughter, Lu Changsheng spent some time with his wife and children before taking a rest.

With the Golden Core Ceremony approaching, Lu Changsheng left the Immortal City and the Golden-Winged Roc in Hong Lian’s hands.

He then took Ling Zixiao, Meng Xiaochan, and their daughter Lu Linghe back with him.

As for Bai Ling, Bing’er, Lu Baixi, and Lu Mengchan, they would remain in the Immortal City of Da Mengze for the time being.

“Buzz…”

Lu Changsheng activated the Michen Banner.

Ling Zixiao and Meng Xiaochan already knew about the Michen Banner.

However, only Lu Miaoge and Lu Wangshu had xperienced it before.

So Ling Zixiao and Meng Xiaochan were quite curious.

As soon as the small banner turned into a cloud of many colors, enveloping the four of them in layers of ripples, the world spun around, and they returned to Bihu Mountain.

Lu Linghe had just opened her eyes when she started swaying with dizziness and almost vomited.

Lu Changsheng immediately supported her, using Spiritual Energy to calm her blood flow.

This type of teleportation and movement could still cause discomfort for a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

After a moment, Lu Linghe regained her composure and complained, “Dad, that was so dizzying, it made me feel terrible!”

“Next time, eat a little less beforehand, and you’ll feel better.”

Lu Changsheng noted that her discomfort was likely related to her overeating today.

“…”

Ling Zixiao gave their daughter a helpless look before saying with interest, “Such a treasure is truly remarkable. My lord, may I borrow it later to study? It might help in setting up a teleportation array.”

“No problem.”

Lu Changsheng handed the Spirit Treasure directly to Ling Zixiao, letting her examine it as she pleased.

The four of them descended from the peak of Biyun Peak.

Below, Bihu Mountain was abuzz with celebration and excitement.

More and more cultivators arrived with flying ships, beams of light, and spirit beast mounts.

It could be said that every family and faction in the Qingyun Region sent representatives.

Even some rogue or clan cultivators passing by the region heard about the Golden Core Ceremony and came just to witness the grand event.

“Husband!”

“Congratulations on achieving Golden Core. The path to the Dao is bright!”

“Greetings, my lord! Congratulations on achieving Golden Core, further progressing toward immortality!”

“Congratulations, father, on breaking through to Golden Core. Congratulations, dad!”

In recent days, Lu Changsheng had kept to himself, consolidating his new realm.

So when he arrived at the Lu Family Mansion, his wives, concubines, and children immediately greeted and congratulated him.

“Good, good, good.”

Lu Changsheng smiled as memories of his early days in Qingzhu Mountain flashed back, where every time he advanced in cultivation, Lu Miaoyun would bring their wves, concubines, and children to congratulate him.

Back then, most of the children were little ones, leaping and jumping around him with excitement.

Now, decades had passed, and the faces had changed—several times over.

The once small children had grown into elderly people in their seventies.

Yet, facing such a scene now, Lu Changsheng no longer felt the same overwhelming sense of pride, happiness, and satisfaction as back then. It had mellowed over time.

“Yun’r, is the ceremony about to start?”

Lu Changsheng asked his wife.

“Husband, there’s still some time, but we can go take our seats.”

Lu Miaoyun replied with a softsmile, clearly delighted.

“Alright.”

Lu Changsheng called over Lu Miaoge, Lu Miaohuan, Qu Zhhnzhen, and Xia Zhiyue.

He then used his Golden Core-level spiritual power to form a rainbow light, flying them towards the Lake Heart Island where the ceremony would be held.

“Greetings, father! Greetings, patriarch!”

“Greetings, Mountain Lord!”

“Greetings, Lu True Person!”

The busy cultivators and visitors at Bihu Mountain greeted him as they saw the rainbow light emanating with the aura of a Golden Core.

“No need for such formalities.”

Dressed in a green embroidered robe, Lu Changsheng radiated a calm and composed aura. His voice was soft, yet it effortlessly spread across the entire Bihu Mountain.

He then brought his wives to the main hall and sat in the primary seat on the jade platform, overlooking the scene from above.

His wives Lu Miaoge, Ling Zixiao, Lu Miioge, Lu Miaohuan, Qu Zhenzhen, Meng Xiaochan, and Xia Zhiyue sat on either side of him.

Below the Great Hall, scattered guests occupied the VIP seats.

However, after seeing that Lu Changsheng had taken his seat, the present ancestors also quickly took theirs, gazing at Lu Changsheng with respectful awe.

After all, rumors were one thing, but seeing Lu Changsheng display Golden Core-level power and confirming his breakthrough left everyone stunned.

Soon after, the offerings of congratulatory gifts began.

“Qingzhu Mountain Lu Family, Lu Yuanzhong presents a century-old section of Emerald Bamboo!”

“Elder of the Xie Family by Lingxi Lake presents a Third-Tier branch of Waterwood!”

“Elder of the Yuan Family from Great Ape Mountain presents a hundred jin of Dark Silver Sand!”

“Rain Master from Misty Rain Market presents a single Blood Sun Fruit!”

Though Lu Changsheng did not recognize many of these gift presenters, he was aware of their factions’ names.

Perhaps because they knew Lu Changsheng was a Second-Tier Talisman Master and that the Lu Family was well-known for refining pills and puppets, many factions sent gifts related to these three areas.

“Daughter Lu Wangshu presents nine Second-Tier top-grade talismans, congratulating father on breaking through to Golden Core—may your path to immortality be long and prosperous!”

In addition to congratulations from various families and factions, the Lu Family disciples themselves also prepared gifts.

As a key figure in the Lu Family, Lu Wangshu was the first to step forward, saying with a bright smile.

“Not bad, Wangshu, you’ve been thoughtful.”

Though Lu Changsheng didn’t think much of these small items, he was very pleased with his children’s sentiments.

After all, it represented their growth and maturity.

“Second-Tier top-grade talismans!?”

“The Lu Family’s Talisman Immortal has already become a Second-Tier top-grade Talisman Master while still so young!?”

The majority of the attendees were Foundation Establishment cultivators. Hearing such a congratulation, they couldn’t help but marvel, their eyes filled with envy as they looked at Lu Wangshu.

“Daughter Lu Ruyi presents a century-old Scarlet Fruit, congratulating father on achieving great mastery of divine abilities and breaking through to Golden Core!”

Wearing a blue dress and radiating heroic spirit, Lu Ruyi stepped forward to present her gift in turn.

“Very good, Ruyi, you’ve been thoughtful.”

Lu Changsheng nodded with a smile.

“Son Lu Yunlou has forged a set of Second-Tier Spirit Tools, congratulating father on breaking through to Golden Core and becoming a True Person!”

“Son Lu Chensha presents nine Second-Tier demon cores, congratulating father on breaking through to Golden Core—may your path to immortality be long and prosperous!”

“Grandson Lu Xuanyu presents nine Second-Tier middle-grade puppets, wishing grandfather long life and everlasting immortality!”

“Son Lu Xingchen forges…”

“…”

At the same time, many Lu Family disciples who were handling family matters elsewhere couldn’t attend the ceremony.

However, those who could make it, all of notable strength, prepared valuable gifts.

“Second-Tier Talisman Masters, Second-Tier equipment refiners, Second-Tier pill refiners, Second-Tier puppet masters—who would have thought the Lu Family has so many accomplished descendants!”

“Lu Chensha—that one was the ruthless figure who led the charge to exterminate the Shangguan Family during the Purple Secrets Realm incident. If he hunted down all nine Second-Tier demonic beasts by himself, he could become another Lu Ping’an or Lu Wangshu!”

“Hmm… Why don’t we see Lu Family’s eldest son here today?”

Today’s presentation of gifts was also a way for the Lu Family to showcase part of its strength to the other factions.

After all, a large Golden Core family can’t be supported by only one ancestor, Lu Changsheng.

“Jinlong Ridge, Jin Patriarch has arrived!”

At this point, another congratulatory announcement was made.

“Greetings, Lu True Person! Jin Zan of Jinlong Ridge presents a Second-Tier Spirit Land, congratulating you on achieving Golden Core—may your journey toward immortality be smooth and your life long!”

Once, Jin Zan had thick, black hair and a commanding presence that exuded an air of dominance.

But now, he appeared much older, with gray at his temples and a far less imposing demeanor. He bowed respectfully to Lu Changsheng as if he had lived through countless hardships.

“Huh!?”

Everyone present was surprised; they hadn’t expected Jin Zan to offer a Second-Tier Spirit Land.

“You’re too kind, Daoist Jin. Please take a seat.”

Though most people were aware of the animosity between Bihu Mountain and Jinlong Ridge, Lu Changsheng wasn’t going to be hostile to someone offering congratulations.

Besides, at a glance, he could see that Jin Zan had already diminished, losing his vitality and Dao Heart.

“Thank you, Lu True Person!”

Jin Zan lowered his gaze and respectfully complied.

He still remembered how, forty years ago, he had been hired by the Zhao Family at White Tiger Mountain to help fend off Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge..

Though he lost the battle and his reputation, he’d kept a grudge, planning to reclaim his honor.

But in the blink of an eye, forty years had passed, and the once upstart clan he had scoffed at, with its son-in-law, was now a powerhouse he could only dream of reaching—an actual True Person of Golden Core.

“Sigh. How unpredictable life is.”

Witnessing this scene, the ancestors of the various factions felt deeply moved.

Once, Jin Zan had been known as a genius within the Jin Family, one with great potential for Golden Core formation!

Yet now, he had lost all his fiery spirit.

At that moment, a loud and commanding voice echoed, indicating that the person arriving was no ordinary figure.

The cultivators present were taken aback.

After all, a long time ago, the Lu Family at Bihu Mountain and the Shangguan Family had a significant conflict in the Purple Secret Realm.

“Shangguan Patriarch!?”

Lu Changsheng narrowed his eyes, immediately standing up to greet the newcomer.

After all, as fellow True Persons of Golden Core, and given that the other party was a senior, it was only proper for him to meet this person with respectful ceremony.