Chapter 82: Cultivation of the Celestial Maiden

On a peak surrounded by lush pines and soaring waterfalls, there stood numerous palaces.

Inside a majestic palace at the peak, it was deserted except for one captivating woman in a colorful dress.

“Master.”

At this moment, a graceful woman in white robes entered the grand hall.

Her beautiful eyes were lively as she respectfully bowed to the woman in the colorful dress, her voice sweet and soft.

“Xiyue, you’ve arrived.”

Seeing her disciple, Yun Wanshang turned around, her exquisite face breaking into a gentle smile.

She looked at Xiao Xiyue and said sternly, “Xiyue, I’ve gathered the materials to refine the Red Dust Pill, but I must ask you once more, have you truly decided?”

“You have a Fourth-Tier Spirit Root and a Lunar Spirit Body. Even without the Supreme Forgetting Emotions Technique, you could still potentially form a Golden Core.”

Yun Wanshang said this.

She had gone out this time to collect Purple Spirit Liquid for her disciple, to refine a pill.

Hearing this, Xiao Xiyue lightly pursed her lips, her charming face turning serious.

Then, she looked determinedly at Yun Wanshang and bowed, “Master, Xiyue has made up her mind and won’t regret it!”

“Sigh.”

Seeing Xiao Xiyue’s serious expression, Yun Wanshang sighed internally.

She wondered whether bringing up the Supreme Forgetting Emotions Technique to her disciple was right or wrong.

This Supreme Forgetting Emotions Technique was a technique she had once found in a secret realm.

Though powerful, it had clear side effects.

Cultivators would gradually become indifferent, unaffected by emotions or attachments.

Usually, Xiao Xiyue was lively and clever, winning her affection. But once she mastered the Supreme Forgetting Emotions Technique, she might become an entirely different person.

However, Yun Wanshang did not try to dissuade her.

Nodding slightly, she said, “Alright, since you’ve decided, I will ask Elder Yun to refine the Red Dust Pill for you.”

She understood that despite Xiao Xiyue’s exceptional talent, forming a Golden Core was only a possibility.

But mastering the Supreme Forgetting Emotions Technique would guarantee not just the potential but the certainty of forming a Golden Core.

Provided she survived, she would definitely form a Golden Core.

She might even go further.

This was why she allowed Xiao Xiyue the choice of this Supreme Forgetting Emotions Technique.

The sky was a clear blue, vast and bright.

A black-feathered Iron Feather Eagle soared through the air.

“This delay of three or four days, I wonder if I can still make it?”

Lu Changsheng sat cross-legged on the Iron Feather Eagle, anxiously anticipating the birth of Lu Miaoyun’s child.

Based on his calculations, he should have returned in time for the birth.

But being ambushed and trapped in a cave for three days and nights cost him precious time.

He didn’t even know if Lu Miaoyun had given birth yet

Just then.

Suddenly.

Lu Changsheng felt a mysterious and profound stirring within him.

This was a familiar feeling.

It was the tremor of a Spirit Root!

Lu Changsheng looked into the distance toward Qingzhu Mountain, his face lighting up with joy.

At that moment, he seemed to hear a baby’s distant cry.

“My child… my child is born.”

This mysterious tremor made him feel a deep connection.

He knew Lu Miaoyun had given birth, hi child was born.

And this child did not disappoint him.

The child had a Spirit Root!

“This time, the tremor from the Spirit Root is more intense than before.”

Lu Changsheng pondered the recent tremor.

With three children already possessing Spirit Roots, three times enhanced, Lu Changsheng could sense slight differences in their Spirit Root boosts.

He had pretty much confirmed their Spirit Roots.

One Ninth-Tier Spirit Root, two Eighth-Tier Spirit Roots.

Now, this child was likely to have a Seventh-Tier Spirit Root.

Just like Lu Miaoyun!

“Whew!”

At this moment, Lu Changsheng exhaled deeply, gazing towards Qingzhu Mountain, eager to return.

Half a day later.

The Iron Feather Eagle landed outside Qingzhu Mountain.

Lu Changsheng retrieved the Iron Feather Eagle into his Spirit Pet Bag, pulled out his Identity Token, and flew towards his home.

“Husband!”

“Husband!”

“Daddy, Daddy!”

“Daddy’s back!!!”

As soon as Lu Changsheng entered the manor, his wives and children playing in the courtyard saw him and shouted joyfully.

“Husband, Sister Yun’r gave birth today. It’s a boy.”

One of his wives approached and informed Lu Changsheng.

“Good, let me see Yun’r.”

Lu Changsheng nodded and quickly headed to a courtyard.

There, he saw Lu Miaoyun cradling a swaddledbaby, her face radiating maternal love.

Qu Zhenzhen and a few other wives watched over the child, chatting with her.

“Husband!”

The women were delighted to see Lu Changsheng return.

Lu Changsheng nodded slightly, then turned to Lu Miaoyun, “Yun’r, I’m sorry,I encountered some trouble on the way and returned late.”

He had promised Lu Miaoyun he’d be back beforethe child was born.

Although he planned to make it, the unforeseen events delayed him by half a day.

He felt somewhat guilty in his heart.

“It’s alright, Husband.”

Lu Miaoyun, still weak from chldbirth, looked a bit pale.

She held no grudge against Lu Changsheng and asked, “Husband, what trouble did you encounter? Was there any danger?”

“Just some small-time robbers, but with the talisman Grandmother gave me, there was no real danger.”

Lu Changsheng replied with a smile.

“Robbers!?”

Lu Miaoyun and the other womenwere startled, their faces filled with fear.

They knew the world of cultivation was dangerous.

There were many who preyed on the weak, robbing and killing for treasures.

Such people were known as robbers.

Those who became robbers often had some strength and methods.

They didn’t expect their husband would encounter robbers on his way back.

They knew their husband wasn’t very high-level.

He had just broken through to the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining and hadn’t experienced much combat.

“Husband, traveling back and forth every month is too dangerous.”

“With Sister Miaoge around, it’s alright, but if you’re alone, you might run into danger.”

“Why don’t you tell Grandmother and stop returning every month? Or wait until Second Elder comes home, and you can come back with him.”

Lu Miaoyun’s face showed concen.

Lu Changsheng felt warmed by her words.

He had been considering this as well.

Thinking of taking Lu Miaoyun, Qu Zhenzhen, and te other wives to Jiulong Market.

Traveling back and forth each month could be dangerous.

Even with a Sixth Layer of Qi Refining, having Top-Tier talismans, he wasn’t afraid of ordinary robbers.

But what if he encountered a Foundation Establishment cultivator?

And ran into accidents again.

What if a stroke of luck becomes a stroke of misfortune?

So, for safety, Lu Changsheng decided not to travel as much.

He planned to stay safely at Jiulong Market.

“We’ll discuss this later, let me see our child.”

Lu Changsheng smiled, planning to discuss it with the Fourth Elder later.

Then, he looked at the child in Lu Miaoyun’s arms.

As both he and Lu Miaoyun were cultivators.

The child was notably cute and good-looking.

With sparkling eyes and smooth, delicate skin, not reddish or wrinkled.

Holding the child in his arms, Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but smile.

He could feel he’d favor this child a bit more.

“Indeed, it’s hard to treat everyone equally. Favoritism is inevitable.”

Lu Changsheng sighed inwardly.

He had predicted this. With more kids, he couldn’t treat them all equally.

When it was just Lu Ping’an, Lu Wuyou, Lu Wuyu, and Lu Xile, it was manageable.

But with more children, besides those who pleased him, he naturally favored the ones with Spirit Roots.

“Husband, you should name this child.”

At this point, Lu Miaoyun said softly, seeinghis joy.

“A name?”

Lu Changsheng pondered and smiled, “Let’s call him Lu Yun.”

“Cloud implies noble aspirations, broad vision, glorious future, and sounds like Yun’r’s name.”

With more kids, choosing names became harder.

He became more casual in naming.

“Lu Yun.”

Hearing this name, Lu Miaoyun’s eyes sparkled wit tenderness, and she gazed lovingly at Lu Changsheng.

Then she smiled at the baby, “You’ll be called Lu Yun, Yun’r.”

“Now Husband has a big Yun’r and a little Yun’r.”

One wife teased.

“What big Yun’r and little Yun’r? To me, there’s only one Yun’r.”

Lu Changsheng embraced Lu Miaoyun.

Hearing this, Lu Miaoyun blushed shyly, leanng sweetly against him as the others giggled.

And so, Lu Changsheng stayed with Lu Miaoyun, Qu Zhenzhen, and te others.

He only found time to himself the next day.

He went to his study and began meditating.

To see how much his son’s Spirit Root had enhanced his cultivation speed.

After an hour of cultivation.

Lu Changsheng sensed a roughly twenty percent increase in his speed.

This confirmed his son had a Seventh-Tier Spirit Root!

“The cultivation speed of a Seventh-Tier Spirit Root is about thirty percent faster than an Eighth-Tier, and breaking through bottlenecks is easier!”

“As this child grows, enhancing his Spirit Root, mine will reach Seventh-Tier too!”

“If Zhenzhen’s child next month also has a Spirit Root, mine might directly advance!”

“Then breaking from the Sixth to the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining will be easier, rather than grinding for years.”

Lu Changsheng’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

After an hour, his Qi Sea Dantian showed little change.

Making him sigh at the difficulty of breaking into the Late-Stage.

He recalled when breaking from the Third to the Fourth Layer took over a year.

Breaking from mid-stage to Late-Stage would be harder, likely taking years.

Yet Lu Changsheng was already content.

Without this stroke of luck, breaking from the Fourth to the Sixth might’ve taken ages.

He had just ascended in three days, making him a bit reluctant to strive.

Fondly recalling those intense three days and nights.

“If that had lasted ten or fifteen days, could I have reached the peak?”

Lu Changsheng wondered.

But he knew it wasn’t possible.

It’s not about one’s will; such growth isn’t simple.

“Ah, Lu Changsheng, how can you think like this?”

Recognizing his folly, he chided himself.

“Even if I gain strength this way, breaking realms, how would it help?”

“Such gains would mismatch my cultivation, leading to shaky foundations!”

“Only by stepping steadily, one step at a time, growing through effort, can one prevail!”

“Everything is fleeting. Only marriage and childbirth offer lasting progress!”

Lu Changsheng introspected, dismissing temptation, embracing his path!

“Breathe. Stay true, and you’ll endure.”

He inhaled deeply and exhaled.

Then took out his talisman-making tools, aiming to craft a Top-Tier talisman!

His prior obstacles in crafting high-grade talismans were his cultivation.

Now at the Sixth Layer’s peak, this challenge was resolved.

Smoothing talisman paper, he wielded an Artifact Talisman Pen, lightly dipped in spiritual ink.

As internal spiritual energy flowed into the pen, its tip brimmed with light.

The pen moved like a serpent, each stroke fluid as water.

Soon after, Lu Changsheng lifted his hand.

On the paper, electric arcs danced.

A Tier-One High-Grade Talismen, the Thunder Summoning Talisman, was complete!

Previously, drawing this talisman was challenging.

He had to be meticulous, extra cautious to avoid mistakes.

Now, it was as effortless as eating or drinking.

“With my current Sixth Layer realm, I can draw three or four High-Grade Talismans consecutively.”

Experiencing the usage of spiritual energy, he murmured.

Before, crafting one Thunder Summoning Talisman drained him.

Now.

He took another sheet, starting a Tier-One Top-Tier Talisman: the Thunder Light Talisman!

Drawing the Thunder Light Talisman, he became more focused.

The pen exuded spiritual aura, sketching patterns and luminous paths.

Yet, before halfway through, a ‘fizz’ sounded, smoke rising.

“Sudden breakthrough to the Sixth Layer’s peak—it takes getting used to.”

Lu Changsheng shook his head.

He immediately identified the issue.

First, the Mid-Tier Artifact Talisman Pen was a bit lacking for Top-Tier talismans.

Second, his energy control needed work.

Thus, these combined led to instability in the pattern, causing failure.

But these weren’t insurmountable; practice would solve it.

Sensing his energy, he decided to hold off.

He’d try again once he recovered.

At the Sixth Layer, crafting them was plausible.

But only one at a time, there was no rush.

Having crafted one High-Grade Talismen and half a Top-Tier, he felt the drain.

And it wasn’t urgent.

Heading out, he planned to visit the Fourth Elder about his travels.

But was told the Fourth Elder was visiting him, checking on his great-grandchild.

He proceeded to the courtyard.

Finding the Fourth Elder lovingly holding Lu Yun, chatting with Lu Miaoyun.

“Grandmother.”

Lu Changsheng approached, bowing slightly.

“Changsheng, you’ve come.”

The Fourth Elder nodded to him, “I heard Yun’r said you encountered robbers on your way back?”

“Yes, but with your talisman, nothing serious happened.”

Lu Changsheng replied.

“Grandmother mulled it over; traveling alone is risky.”

“Even with talismans, it’s not wholly safe.”

“Hence, I’ve thought you should stay, no more Jiulong Market trips. Let someone else manage the shop.”

The Fourth Elder began.

She sent him to Jiulong Market for experience.

But constant travel risked peril.

So, she’d prefer he stay at Qingzhu Mountain.

Lu Changsheng was stunned.

He expected she’d suggest less frequent returns.

Surprised she suggested no more outings.

Before, he might’ve loved staying.

Content to quietly practice there.

But now, enjoying Jiulong Market’s benefits, he favored staying there.

Otherwise, being stuck at Qingzhu Mountain meant no access to materials or people.

“Grandmother, I prefer going to Jiulong Market—the experience is valuable.”

“But I’d like to move Yun’r and the others there, and return with Second Elder.”

Lu Changsheng shared his thoughts.

Lu Miaoyun mentioned Second Eler returned periodically.

“That works. Given your talent in talismans, there’s little more I can teach, and no need for monthly returns.”

“Discuss Yun’r’s move with her; going with Second Elder is fine.”

“He returns every six months—it’s adequate.”

The Fourth Elder pondered and nodded.

She understood his wish.

At his age, who’d want to stay isolated?

Lu Changsheng discussed plans with the Fourth Elder, Lu Miaoyun, Qu Zhenzhen, and ohers.

Finalizing arrangements.

He resolved to stay for Qu Zhenzhen’s delivery before returning.

Meanwhile, Lu Miaoyun and Qu Zhenzhen woud rest at Qingzhu Mountain.

Their children, Lu Ping’an, Lu Wuyou, and Lu Wuyu, recently sent to White Deer Manor for studies.

Leaving now would mean no childcare.

Lu Changsheng settled at Qingzhu Valley, waiting for the birth.

Meanwhile, testing the Hundred Refined Body Technique.

It proved worthy as a powerful Body Technique.

Even its first layer made his body like an Artifact, able to withstand countless challenges!

He dreamed of acquiring a technique for strengthening organs.

Ideally, one that turns kidneys into an endless furnace!

In a flash, a month passed.

That day, Lu Changsheng fed the Nine Abyss Mastiff.

Now over a meter tall, its black fur shone, its fangs sharp, its vertical brow eye captivating.

Lu Changsheng sensed its remarkable growth.

His earlier thoughts of letting it grow on its own seemed feasible.

Suddenly, Qu Zhenzhen cried out in pain, indicating the baby was coming.