Chapter 798: Trials of Family and Fate

“Changsheng.”

Xiao Xiyue’s heart melted like ice turning to water as she saw Lu Changsheng; there were so many things she wanted to say to him.

Yet, with her senior sister and Master involved and in such public view, she held back and softly called him, her voice reminiscent of the serene and pure Guanghan Immortal.

Seeing his wife like that, Lu Wangshu slightly raised her chin, a hint of pride in her gaze as she coolly addressed her own father with a simple “Father.”

“Xiyue. Wangshu.”

Unperturbed, Lu Changsheng stepped forward with warm affection, taking Xiao Xiyue’s hand and gently massaging her silky tresses.

“Father, you’ve tousled my hair again,” Lu Wangshu cooed, already planning to ignore him for a while.

“Sister!”

Lu Linghe was very close to Lu Wangshu; she would address her directly as “Sister” and eagerly share the gains and sightings of these past days as soon as she saw her.

Lu Wangshu, ignoring her father, went off to talk with Lu Linghe and Lu Baixi, then curiously eyed the Golden-Winged Roc, wondering if this was yet another new younger brother. Just then, Lu Miaohuan entered the hall accompanied by her daughter, Lu Qingqi.

“Husband.”

Upon seeing Lu Changsheng, Lu Miaohuan’s heart surged with waves of longing and grievance.

She just wanted to know why he had been away for so long.

Over the years, not only had her elder sister, Lu Miaoge, gone to the front lines of the Yue Kingdom, but there was also news that her son, Lu Qingshan, had been ambushed and gravely injured by a Core Formation cultivator.

Faced with all this, she could do nothing—not even leave Lu Family of Bihu Mountain—feeling deeply aggrieved.

Seeing his wife so sorrowful and longing, Lu Changsheng sighed inwardly and stepped forward to comfort her.

At her words, Lu Changsheng immediately said, “Huanhuan, rest assured. Miaoge and Qingshan, as well as little Qingzhu, are not in serious danger.”

After returning to the Immortal City of Damengze and learning about the family’s situation, he calculated the fortune of his wife and children regarding the Liang-Yue War.

Although the chaos of war made the heavenly secret foggy, his fourth-rank divination still revealed that his wife and children were not facing dire peril.

Still, such warfare was inevitably dangerous, and he planned to visit the Yue Kingdom once he finished his current tasks.

As Xia Ziyue, Lu Ping’an, and others arrived one after the other, Lu Changsheng greeted each with careful concern.

“You must be Shouzheng, right?”

Not lingering too long with his wife, Lu Changsheng postponed sharing his longing and, turning toward the young man beside Lu Ping’an, said aloud.

The boy, about ten years old, dressed in a sleek blue-and-white martial outfit, was striking in appearance with a high, straight nose and eyes like cold stars. Bearing the features of both Lu Changsheng and Chu Qingyi, he sported a three-inch wooden sword at his waist, its hilt wrapped in ice-blue tassels.

“Are you really my son?”

The boy lifted his head and, with eyes as piercing as cold stars, addressed the handsome youth in a flowing cyan robe in a tone both calm and equal.

“Huh!?”

At the boy’s words, everyone in the hall turned to look at him.

Even Lu Ping’an was a bit surprised—never had he expected Lu Shouzheng to speak this way. He was about to speak on his behalf.

But Lu Changsheng waved him off with a smile and said, “Yes, I am indeed your father: Lu Changsheng, the master of Lu Family of Bihu Mountain.”

The boy nodded and said, “Mother told me about you.”

He then clasped his hands and bowed, “Your son, Lu Shouzheng, pays his respects.”

Yet his calm, unassuming expression gave no hint of reverence, as if he were facing a stranger.

Lu Changsheng looked at the handsome, youthful face before him and sighed inwardly.

He had long been prepared for such matters.

Chu Qingyi’s pregnancy—of which he had no knowledge.

He only learned of Chu Qingyi’s childbirth through a system notification while he was away.

He had been absent for the child’s early years, and it had been nearly nine years before father and son met for the first time.

Under such circumstances, how could there be genuine father–son affection?

Especially since Chu Qingyi had raised the boy from an early age, and four years ago, when she went off to the Yue Kingdom front lines, the two were separated and sent to be fostered at Lu Family of Bihu Mountain.

“So you really love swords?”

Lu Changsheng glanced at the wooden sword at his waist and asked softly.

“This was given to me by Mother. Since she practices swordsmanship, naturally I practice it too,” the boy replied calmly.

Lu Changsheng’s heart skipped a beat in discomfort and asked, “Haven’t you been training any sword techniques?”

It was obvious that the boy had only been cultivating a plain, attribute-free method.

“Mother never taught me any sword techniques,” he said.

Though Chu Qingyi possessed the Seven Luminary Sword Manual, she hadn’t passed it on.

Even though Lu Ping’an had once inquired about it and offered to teach him the Five Luminary Sword Scripture, the boy chose to wait for his mother’s return and focus on the attribute-free technique for now, making it easier to shift later.

“Since your mother practices the Seven Luminary Sword Manual and hasn’t taught you, allow me to instruct you in the art in a few days,” Lu Changsheng declared.

Unsure whether the boy was more suited to sword techniques or another method, he decided to oblige since the boy was eager to learn.

“Thank you, Father. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave,” Lu Shouzheng said with a respectful bow, his demeanor composed.

He then proceeded to greet everyone in the hall one by one before heading back to his quarters.

“Father, Shouzheng is rather independent by nature. I’ll keep an eye on him,” Lu Ping’an remarked to his own father.

Observing this, Lu Ping’an added, “Perhaps it’s because both you and Aunt are often away that Shouzheng tends to keep to himself—either reading or training.”

Nearby, Lu Wangshu, witnessing the scene, also told her father.

After learning that Shouzheng was the son of his father and Master Chu Qingyi, she was greatly shocked.

Never would she have imagined that her own father had fathered a child with her mother’s senior sister, Qingyi True Lord.

Recalling her mother’s instructions, she had planned to keep a closer eye on Lu Shouzheng.

But the boy was fiercely independent—after acquiring a spirit beast companion, his days were consumed by study, dining, the library, and his living quarters.

During such times, even if they greeted him, he would only offer a curt bow, never truly integrating with them as he focused solely on his own life.

“I feel I failed as a father,” Lu Changsheng murmured softly, aware that he had never been able to care for all his children adequately.

That was why he had tried his best to enhance the family’s benefits as compensation.

“How is your Core Formation progress coming along?” he asked, noting that his daughter had reached the peak of Foundation Establishment, ready to break through to Core Formation.

But looking at her, he sensed something was amiss and queried, “Where is your Xuanyuan Pearl?”

Years ago, he had given her the rare artifact—the Xuanyuan Pearl—which functioned like a second dantian for cultivators, storing and amplifying magical energy.

Judging by the flow of her magical energy, he realized the pearl was no longer on her.

“My preparations are almost complete. I intend to break through to Core Formation in another year. As for the Xuanyuan Pearl, I no longer need it, so I’ve given it to Lu Qingxian,” Lu Wangshu explained.

Having borne the Xuanyuan Pearl for years, she was well aware of its significance.

That’s why, when Lu Qingxian and the others headed for the front lines, she lent the treasure to them under the agreement that upon their return, he would share thirty percent of their gains with her.

“Very well. Later, Father will have something for you as well,” Lu Changsheng observed, reading the worry in his daughter’s eyes over Lu Qingxian and the others heading to the war zone.

If he were at home, he would have helped Lu Qingxian break through Core Formation rather than sending him to the dangerous front lines.

Thinking of his son, Lu Qingxian, his heart clenched as he calculated fate, sensing an ominous turn.

If he overcame it, he would advance further; if not, he risked a downfall.

Not only Lu Qingxian, but his daughter Lu Ruyi and son Lu Chensha faced similar risks.

The battlefield was unpredictable—no danger was absolute, nor was there any guaranteed good fortune.

Because of the matter with his son, Lu Shouzheng, and the front-line experiences of Lu Miaoge, Chu Qingyi, and Lu Qingxian, Lu Changsheng’s heart grew heavy, though he casually exchanged family pleasantries while recounting his own adventures abroad.

Lu Miaoyun and Lu Miaohuan, upon hearing of Lu Changsheng’s struggles amidst bouts with Nascent Soul cultivators in the Starry Sea and his descent into the Sealing Demon Realm, were deeply worried.

They never imagined that their husband would encounter so many hardships during his years away, to the point of fearing to return home.

“Husband, you have worked so hard these years,” Lu Miaoyun said, her eyes brimming as she gripped Lu Changsheng’s hand.

As his first wife from their youth, she knew he always reported only good news, shouldering every burden alone.

After so many years away, his return brought with it countless dangers.

Especially considering her husband had not yet broken through to Nascent Soul, yet had clashed with one.

She vividly remembered during the early pioneer wars when Lu Changsheng engaged the Heavenly Corpse Sect—with his face turning pale and weak afterwards.

Not only Lu Miaoyun but also Xiao Xiyue and Lu Wangshu, among others, were visibly moved, each realizing their father’s prolonged absence harbored deep reasons.

Through conversations with Lu Miaoyun, Lu Changsheng learned more about the current state of the Lu Family.

For instance, his daughter-in-law Qin Yi had attempted a Core Formation breakthrough at Biyun Peak last year and had only filed a report with the Heavenly Sword Sect half a year ago.

Amid pressures from both the Azure Cloud Sect and the Heavenly Sword Sect, the family had even begun some strategic adjustments—slowing down the pace of Foundation Establishment while focusing on quality improvements.

“Since Jing’er has formed nine levels of Foundation Establishment and her cultivation of the Five Organs Nurturing Technique is nearly complete, this Condensing Crystal Pill is for her,” Lu Changsheng declared.

Years ago at the Starry Sea, he had given all five of his Condensing Crystal Pills to Hong Lian.

One pill was for his son Lu Lingxiao, one as a reward for entering the Abyss Secret Realm for his daughter Lu Wangshu,

and the remaining three—one for Bai Ling’s breakthrough, one entrusted to Lu Miaoyun,

and the rest reserved for the Lu Family disciples possessing great potential such as Lu Qingxian, Lu Xingchen, Lu Qingxian, Lu Qingxian, and those like Lu Xuangen and Lu Xuanchong who harbored the talent for Core Formation.

Even though Wang Yanjing had the potential for Core Formation, she was reluctant to part with it, opting to wait and see.

For Lu Changsheng, it made no difference.

He held three pieces of Yusui Jinzhizhi, always ready to refine elixirs, and during his time at the Starry Sea, he had even acquired a Condensing Crystal Pill at an auction—making him far from short of pills.

Since his daughter-in-law not only possessed Core Formation potential but also bore a uniquely gifted grandson in Lu Xuangen, he wouldn’t hesitate to be generous.

When Xia Ziyue saw Lu Changsheng extend a Condensing Crystal Pill to her, she was taken aback, startled and bewildered, and then bowed, saying, “On behalf of Xingchen and Jing’er, thank you, Husband.”

Though she had been elevated from concubine to wife by Lu Changsheng, her status was still much lower than that of Lu Miaoyun and the others.

“This Condensing Crystal Pill is extremely precious. Why not receive it directly from Husband?” Xia Ziyue suggested, hesitant to accept such a rare pill.

“Alright, let’s go take a look at them later,” Lu Changsheng replied with a gentle nod.

Now that he had returned, he naturally wanted to inspect the condition of his children at home.

After a long exchange of words, he walked through Lu Family of Bihu Mountain with his wives, checking on each of his children.

“Greetings, Father!”

“I pay my respects, Great-Grandfather!”

“Hail, Mountain Lord! Hail, Immortal!”

The young disciples and cultivators of the Lu Family at Bihu Mountain all saluted Lu Changsheng, unaware of his long absence.

Firstly, as a Core Formation cultivator who had secluded for over a decade, it was quite normal.

Additionally, Lu Miaoyun would use her Thousand-Faced Fox Puppet to appear in Lu Changsheng’s guise at Bihu Mountain to confuse outsiders and stabilize the family’s situation.

“Father,” Lu Xingchen said as he and his wife, Wang Yanjing, came forward to pay their respects.

Seeing that his son Lu Xingchen’s cultivation was still at the eighth level of Foundation Establishment, Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but shake his head and said, “You must devote more time and energy to cultivation.”

Despite his son’s excellent talent—a third-grade Spirit Root—the stagnation in his progress indicated he had wasted too much time on alchemy or trivial matters.

“Jing’er, I heard from Ziyue that you are preparing for Core Formation?”

Lu Changsheng looked over at Wang Yanjing, noticing that her cultivation had long reached the peak of Foundation Establishment.

“Father, I have reached the ninth level of Foundation Establishment, so your elder brother passed on the Five Organs Nurturing Technique to me; however, I currently have no plans for Core Formation,” Wang Yanjing replied respectfully.

She had broken through the third level with the Five Organs Nurturing Technique but wasn’t certain about Core Formation.

After all, attempting Core Formation wasn’t a joke—failure could mean shattered Dao Foundations, reduced to a cripple, or even death.

“Keep this Condensing Crystal Pill; when your cultivation of the Five Organs Nurturing Technique reaches its pinnacle, you can attempt Core Formation,” Lu Changsheng advised, confident that as long as she avoided battling the top-grade golden core, she had a good chance to succeed.

Though Wang Yanjing was initially stunned by the precious pill, she couldn’t believe her luck as she glanced between Lu Changsheng and her husband.

“Father, this—this is too precious. Perhaps you should give it to Xingchen or Xuangen instead,” she stammered.

Her son Lu Xuangen, blessed with the Five Elements Body and making rapid progress in cultivation—already at the sixth level of Foundation Establishment—was poised to someday surpass Lu Xingchen.

With all the Lu Family’s secret techniques and resources, she believed her son would surely become a Core Formation cultivator and reclaim the Five Elements Mountain.

“Hehe, keep it. Both Xingchen and Xuangen will need guidance in the future. Once you break through to Core Formation, make sure they focus on their training.”

Lu Changsheng had long known that Lu Xingchen tended to obey his daughter-in-law’s every word, and he chuckled before adding, “If you need anything further, just speak with either Xingchen or Ziyue.”

Even though Lu Xingchen was already a second-rank top-tier alchemist, it would still be a long time before he could ascend to third-rank alchemy.

As with all aspects of cultivation—be it alchemy, artifact refining, or talisman making—these endeavors required a considerable investment.

But there was a shortcut.

Once Lu Xingchen broke through to Core Formation, his life would leap ahead; every technique from cultivation to refining would advance a level, making it easy to ascend as a third-rank alchemist.

After a round of inspection at Bihu Mountain, Lu Changsheng did not forget his eldest son, Lu Ping’an.

Noticing that his body refinement had barely improved—only at the second level of Core Formation—Lu Changsheng questioned, “With all your concern for the family, why haven’t you produced an heir by now?”

Lu Changsheng was at a loss for words.

Even though his son and Qin Yi had been married for eighteen years, there hadn’t been any news.

After marrying into Qingzhu Mountain, he had already fathered over a hundred children in eighteen years.

But upon learning that Lu Ping’an had been delving into the True Spirit Nine Transformations these past years, Lu Changsheng nodded slightly and said, “Later, go ask Jinpeng for a vial of True Spirit Vital Blood, and then begin your training.”

True Spirit Nine Transformations required True Spirit Vital Blood for cultivation.

At the moment, he possessed four major sources of True Spirit Vital Blood: the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale, the Soul-Taking Beast, the Golden-Winged Roc, and the Sumeru Tree King.

Since the Sumeru Tree King was a plant demon and unlikely to be used for cultivation anytime soon, the remaining three—the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale, the Soul-Taking Beast, and the Golden-Winged Roc—were quite promising.

Considering that Lu Ping’an excelled in both offense and defense but was a bit slow, he could start by practicing the transformation of the Roc to make up for his speed deficiency.

“Golden Roc?” Lu Ping’an recalled that his father had a golden roc at his side and was surprised to learn he possessed the legendary True Spirit bloodline.

“Yes. You should have seen Quan Zhen long ago. Later, pass on True Spirit Nine Transformations to him,” Lu Changsheng continued.

True Spirit Nine Transformations was a technique of concurrent cultivation. Once mastered, it allowed one to harness the True Spirit Transformation, morph into a true spirit form, utilize innate divine abilities, and undergo a complete rebirth through metamorphosis.

Lu Quanzhen, having not only broken through to Core Formation but also possessing a physique comparable to Lu Ping’an’s, naturally met the requirements for practicing this art.

“Yes, Father,” Lu Ping’an replied, recalling briefly having seen Lu Quanzhen in the hall earlier and nodding his assent.

“How is Shouzheng doing?”

Lu Changsheng knew that most of the time Lu Ping’an had been taking care of Lu Shouzheng.

After a brief hesitation, Lu Ping’an said, “Father, Shouzheng’s nature is strong. He’s not bad at heart; it’s just that with both you and Qingyi absent, that’s how it has turned out.”

He recalled his own journey from Qingzhu Mountain to Ruyi County City and back, understanding matters of this sort.

Especially now that the Talisman Lu Family was expanding and mortal cultivators often sent seedlings to Bihu Mountain, the young disciples from the Lu Family needed time to integrate.

“Mm.”

Lu Changsheng nodded as he contemplated and then decided to visit the boy.

Soon, he extended his divine sense and found someone in the library—Lu Shouzheng, who was quietly reading.

Seeing him approach, Lu Shouzheng put down his book, rose, bowed, and said, “Greetings, Father.”

“Mm.”

Lu Changsheng nodded lightly, showing no sign of trying to change his son’s independent nature despite meeting him several times already.

The father and son exchanged polite words like strangers, a courteous Q&A session.

After a long while, Lu Changsheng handed him the first volume of the Seven Luminary Sword Manual, eager to test his insight.

Usually, one with a Heavenly Spiritual Root wouldn’t lack insight.

However, even after receiving the manual, Lu Shouzheng strictly adhered to his daily schedule, dividing his time precisely among reading, dining, and training, never willing to disrupt his routine.

Even Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but admire how disciplined and self-planned this young man was.

His steadfast nature alone promised a bright future.

“Alright, if you run into any issues during your training, send me a communication talisman,” Lu Changsheng said with a gentle smile as he tossed one to his son, finding his behavior quite amusing before striding away.

“Father.”

Watching his father’s disappearing figure and then looking at the communication talisman in his hand, Lu Shouzheng remained calm, finding his father far more interesting than he had imagined in his childhood.

Earlier, the image of his father had always been grand and imposing in his mind.

But after arriving at Bihu Mountain and learning that his father was merely the master of the mountain—far different from the person his mother described—

and knowing that Lu Changsheng’s many wives, concubines, and children were in abundance, he felt his mother had been short-changed.

However, his mother had named him ‘Shouzheng’ hoping he would cultivate a virtuous character and uphold righteousness, never defying his parents.

And he had always adhered to her counsel: ‘Preserve yourself and be sincere.’

After seeing Lu Shouzheng, Lu Changsheng retired with his wives Lu Miaoyun, Lu Miaohuan, and Qu Zhenzhen for some intimate time.

As for Xiao Xiyue,

given her cold nature, she naturally wouldn’t share a bed with someone like him, and Lu Changsheng never forced the matter.

A few days later, Lu Changsheng arrived at Sumeru Cave Heaven, intending to meet with Xiao Xiyue.

But then he suddenly remembered something he had long forgotten and went to a secluded pavilion.

The pavilion was sparse and simple, containing only a crystal coffin,

the very crystal coffin where Bing’er sleeps.

Since the day he rescued her, aside from clinging to Lu Changsheng and playing games, Bing’er had spent her time lying in the ice coffin.

However, Bai Ling had informed Lu Changsheng that in the fourth year of his absence, Bing’er had inexplicably slept for over a year.

Fearing for her well-being, he had gone to check on her.

But she had only murmured about being extremely sleepy.

Ever since, Bing’er hadn’t woken up on her own—unless he opened the coffin and called for her.

Lu Changsheng carefully observed the coffin; nothing seemed amiss.

The only concern was that in earlier years, whenever he approached Bing’er, she would suddenly spring out of the coffin.

Gazing for a moment at the ice coffin, Lu Changsheng exhaled a soft sigh and left, planning to return later.

“Xiyue.”

Arriving at Xiao Xiyue’s cave residence, Lu Changsheng wasted no time; with deep affection he strode forward and embraced her ethereal form.

For these past days, Xiao Xiyue had been waiting anxiously for Lu Changsheng’s return—so much so that even the normally unperturbed Guanghan Immortal had grown flustered and irate.

Knowing this all too well, Lu Changsheng intended to first nurture their feelings before discussing other matters.

Afterward!

Afterward!

Afterward!

Normally demure and as pure as a moonlit night, Xiyue now lay sprawled on the bed, soft as silk.

Her exquisite face glowed with a sultry, flushed radiance as she breathed out softly, her body exuding a delicate, dreamlike warmth that defied description.

Her long, graceful legs trembled ever so slightly, and especially her tender, beautiful feet curled enticingly.

“What do you intend to do about your senior sister and Shouzheng?”

After a long silence, Xiao Xiyue recovered and asked Lu Changsheng, her eyes a mix of plaintive resentment and anger.

Yet even as her cheeks remained rosy, her tone was coquettish, as if teasing him in a playful banter.

“Xiyue, you know about my matter with your senior – she was gravely injured on the front lines after encountering the Flood Dragon Holy Son. How could I not help her? And yet, she became pregnant.”

Lu Changsheng had long expected his wife to ask; he forced a bitter smile and continued,

“Now that things are set, once your senior returns, I will go to the Azure Cloud Sect to formally propose marriage.”

But at these words, Xiao Xiyue couldn’t help but squeeze Lu Changsheng’s waist, feeling that he was shameless.

Though Lu Changsheng’s fourth-rank physique meant the pinch caused little pain, he nevertheless pleaded for mercy, admitting that the situation was irreversible and he would do his best to make amends.

“Hmph.”

Xiao Xiyue looked at him with a mix of sorrow and reproach, then continued, “Apart from your senior, is there anything else you want to say?”

Faced with her unwavering gaze, Lu Changsheng felt extremely guilty, wanting to confess everything yet unsure how to begin.

Recalling that Yun Wanshang was already pregnant—and that Xiao Xiyue would likely know—it made no sense to keep hiding the truth. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Actually, things between Caiyun True Lord and I are also a twist of fate.”

“Aha, so you really do have something going on with Master!”

At this, Xiao Xiyue exclaimed in a coquettish tone, squeezing Lu Changsheng even harder.

Though her love for him ran deep, at that moment she could hardly contain her emotions.

If it weren’t already one thing with her senior, now he also had a situation with her Master—

Xiao Xiyue could only stare at Lu Changsheng, waiting for his explanation.

Lu Changsheng was momentarily stunned.

Did Xiyue not know? In truth, he hadn’t planned to hide it from her any longer, and he murmured, “It’s a long story.”

“Then tell me slowly; we have plenty of time!”

Xiao Xiyue snorted coldly.

“???”

Lu Changsheng desperately wished to ask about the tender, loving Xiyue of old, but under her piercing gaze, he dared not press further. Clutching her jade hand, he sighed, “Xiyue, you must remember that when I entered Ruyi County City on Qingzhu Mountain, and later managed the shops in Jiulong Fang Market under the Azure Cloud Sect…”

“Mm,” Xiao Xiyue nodded slightly, recalling the outlines of his past adventures.

“During my first year going back to Qingzhu Mountain, on one of the return trips,” Lu Changsheng placed Xiyue’s hand on his chest, their eyes locking as memories from over a hundred years ago washed over him.

He didn’t speak of his extraordinary Nascent Soul Taiyi Spirit feats but recalled that one particular incident left an indelible mark.

“On my way back, I encountered two rogue cultivators. Although I managed to fend them off with talismans, my iron-feathered eagle was spooked, and I had to spend the night in the mountains.”

“In the deep of night, I suddenly heard terrifying sounds like landslides. I had no choice but to take refuge in a cave. After waiting a long time for the noise to cease, a lady dressed in a splendid, colorful gown suddenly appeared before me…”

Lu Changsheng spoke slowly, his voice fading into the past.