Chapter 91: Seventh Layer of Qi Refining, Draw!

Two days later.

A flying boat landed outside Qingzhu Mountain.

Lu Changsheng, along with his six family members and some from the Second Elder’s group, disembarked the boat and entered Qingzhu Mountain.

As they walked, some people noticed Lu Changsheng holding a baby, while Lu Miaoyun and Qu Zhenzhen hadslightly protruding bellies and were also holding babies. This naturally sparked curiosity and hushed discussions.

“Why did Lu Changsheng and Sister Miaoyun each bring a baby back?”

“They must be their own children.”

“I remember they didn’t have babies with them when they left.”

“Didn’t Lu Changsheng go to the Market to manage the shop? Did he have a child while away and bring it back?”

“They really can have kids anywhere, can’t they?”

“Haven’t you heard? Lu Changsheng loves having children. Look, Sister Miaoyun and Qu Zhenzhen are pregnant again.”

“Wow, when it comes to having kids, I only admire Lu Changsheng!”

“If the Family Head had recruited more immortal seedlings like Lu Changsheng back then, think how much new blood he could add to our Lu Family.”

Many Lu Family disciples commented.

“Whoa, doesn’t Lu Changsheng have to have fifty kids? Why is he trying so hard?”

“You can tell he genuinely loves having kids!”

“I still need thirty-eight kids. Do you think if I ask Lu Changsheng to help me, he would agree?”

Some immortal seedlings whispered upon witnessing this scene.

Lu Changsheng was unaware of the curiosity and discussions of others, and even if he did, he wouldn’t care.

After all, they weren’t saying anything bad, and he indeed liked having kids.

Once home, Lu Changsheng settled the three babies.

He checked on his thirty-third and thirty-fourth children.

Though babies all look similar and having so many doesn’t feel like much,

as their father, he had to check on them after returning home.

Later, Lu Changsheng gave the beauty pills and other gifts he had bought to his wives and concubines.

“Thank you, husband!”

“This is too precious!”

“You’ve spent too much, husband.”

“Thanks to Sister Miaoyun!”

The wives and concubines were overjoyed upon receiving the gifts and hearing the effects of the beauty pills, their faces full of gratitude.

They hadn’t imagined Lu Changsheng would give them such precious pills.

To them, these were like celestial pills!

Some of the concubines were so moved, they burst into tears.

The first wives and concubines married to Lu Changsheng were all common women from the Lu Family.

At first, they married Lu Changsheng simply due to the family’s praise and the idea of contributing to the family.

Some even entertained the idea of rising in status through their children.

Hoping to bear children with Spirit Roots.

They didn’t have any major expectations for Lu Changsheng as a husband.

Never did they think Lu Changsheng would rise from a breeding son-in-law to his current status.

Elevating them along with him.

To live a life they once couldn’t dream of.

Now that Lu Changsheng had come this far, they felt a bit inferior, knowing they weren’t worthy of him.

Yet, Lu Changsheng’s attitude towards them hadn’t changed.

He still gave them such precious gifts, naturally moving them to tears of joy.

They felt marrying Lu Changsheng was the most correct choice in their lives.

“Why the tears now?”

Lu Changsheng hadn’t expected to provoke such a reaction with his gift and immediately comforted them.

“Husband, you treat me so well, it’s overwhelmingly touching and joyous.”

Lu Yuzhu said, her face full of emotion.

“You’re my wives and concubines. Who else should I treat well if not you?”

“This is just the beginning. Life will get better, and so will you and the children’s lives.”

Lu Changsheng wiped her tears gently, saying softly.

Though these wives and concubines weren’t exactly ones from humble beginnings, Lu Changsheng wasn’t the type to forget old loves for new ones.

He remained pragmatic about his responsibilities.

Since they were his wives and mothers of his children, he fulfilled his responsibilities.

His words once again deeply moved the other wives and concubines.

Lu Miaoyun and Qu Zhenzhen wer also deeply touched.

After all,

this world was inherently a feudal society where the strong prey on the weak.

While Lu Changsheng had many wives and concubines, his behavior and conduct earned him the reputation of a man who respected women.

After comforting and soothing his wives, Lu Changsheng had the children who could walk line up to receive their gifts one by one.

“Thank you, Dad!”

“Mua, thank you, Dad!”

The children were all smiles with gifts to play with and eat.

As for the ones too young to walk or talk, still in swaddling clothes, Lu Changsheng made pendants from Warm Sun Jade and hung them on the babies.

Having accomplished these tasks, Lu Changsheng beamed, full of joy and feeling immensely fulfilled.

“Life like this, what more could I ask for?”

Suddenly, Lu Changsheng felt a slight tremor from his dantian.

His bottleneck at the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining showed signs of loosening.

Lu Changsheng was immediately delighted.

Realizing that his moment to advance from the mid-stage to Late-Stage Qi refining had come.

He quickly informed his wives and hurried to his training room to attempt the breakthrough to the late stage of Qi refinement.

Lu Changsheng took out a bottle of Qi Refining Powder from his Storage Bag and swallowed it.

He then held two Spirit Stones, closed his eyes, calmed his mind, and began using the Return Yuan Technique to attempt the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining.

As the Qi Refining Powder settled in, his dantian felt like boiling water, exuding a faint spiritual pressure.

With the Return Yuan Technique guiding the spiritual energy through his dantian and meridians, it followed a complete operational path, causing an overwhelming surge and increased spiritual pressure.

Time seemed to slip away.

“Boom!”

Lu Changsheng’s body shook violently, releasing an invisible dust.

At that moment, he seemed ethereal, his body light and clear.

The Seventh Layer of Qi Refining was accomplished!

He calmed his internal excitement and slowly pacified the surging spiritual energy within his meridians.

After some time, his energy stabilized.

“The Seventh Layer of Qi Refining, I’ve finally entered the late stage of Qi Refining!”

Lu Changsheng opened his eyes, full of delight and sparkles.

Reaching the Seventh Layer signified his entry into the late stage of the Qi Refining period.

In the entire Lu Family, this kind of cultivation was extremely rare.

Only Lu Yuanshan Ding and the senior elders of the Lu Family had such power.

Among his peers, Lu Changsheng only knew of Lu Miaoge..

Maybe a few other Lu Family disciples at most.

“In cultivation, there are countless methods, not just intense practice; different people have different paths.”

“Some focus on secluded cultivation; some venture out, experiencing life and death for breakthroughs; others observe the world’s chaos to find their breakthrough chance.”

“And today, that’s sort of what happened to me.”

“After all, breaking through the bottleneck in cultivation also requires a clear mind and personal spiritual growth.”

In this moment, Lu Changsheng gained some insight.

He often read about cultivation paths in books.

But such things seemed mysterious and abstract.

Yet, upon seeing the happy faces of his wives and children, he also felt mentally fulfilled, loosening his bottleneck of the Sixth Layer.

Bottlenecks and breakthrough opportunities seemed intangible.

Yet, in this world, they really existed.

Much like the common concepts of Heart Demon Oaths, karma, and luck in the cultivation world!

Lu Changsheng didn’t dwell on it much, closing his eyes again to quietly feel the changes post-breakthrough.

The spiritual energy flowing through his meridians was not only more abundant but also clearer.

His Qi Sea Dantian, previously a trickle, now expanded like a small lake.

This was the Dan Lake!

A symbol of the late stage of Qi Refinement, where spiritual energy forms a lake!

Upon reaching the peak of Qi Refinement, when the lake becomes a sea supporting a Dao Platform, one can truly shed the mortal coil and establish a Dao Foundation, becoming a Foundation Establishment grand cultivator!

“The Seventh Layer of Qi Refining not only enhances spiritual energy but also sharpens the mind!”

Lu Changsheng felt rejuvenated, his thoughts clearer and his body lighter.

This was a person’s mental and spiritual strength.

Breaking through the Qi Refining phase into the Foundation Establishment phase involved three major stages.

The final was the transformation of the mind, birthing a Divine Sense!

Thus allowing one’s spirit to extend beyond oneself.

Benefiting cultivation, combat, and many other endeavors.

“With my current cultivation level, I can try drawing Second-Tier talismans.”

Lu Changsheng mused.

While at the Sixth Layer, given the right talisman materials, he could draw Top-Tier talismans.

Now, having broken through to the Seventh Layer, his mind and spiritual energy surged greatly.

He felt confident about drawing Second-Tier talismans, estimating success odds at seventy or eighty percent.

“However, not only are Second-Tier talisman materials costly, they aren’t as readily available as First-Tier talisman paper and spiritual ink.”

“And if I want to draw Second-Tier talismans, my current Mid-Tier Artifact Talisman Pen is inadequate. I’d need at least a Top-Tier Artifact talisman pen.”

Lu Changsheng shook his head.

He knew he was still missing one crucial thing for drawing Second-Tier talismans.

Money!

Without thinking much, he stood up, flicked his robe, and smiled lightly, saying, “In less than seven years, I’ve broken through to the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining. Not bad!”

“All my years of perseverance have not been in vain!”

Lu Changsheng nodded in satisfaction, ready to leave the training room.

But just as he was about to open the door, Lu Changsheng paused.

He double-checked if his spiritual energy was completely concealed by his Artifacts and the jade pendant given by the Colorful Dress Woman.

After all, to the outside world, he was still at the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining.

Having just broken through, the most he could claim was the Fifth Layer.

Showing the Seventh Layer would be inexplicable.

Once certain, Lu Changsheng opened the door and left the training room.

Outside the courtyard, all the wives and concubines awaited him.

Lu Changsheng had mentioned feeling an insight and trying to break through, so they had all come to wait.

Hoping to share in their husband’s joy right after his breakthrough.

“Husband!”

“Husband!”

“Husband!”

All the women’s eyes focused on Lu Changsheng, calling out in unison.

Seeing their faces full of love, admiration, and concern, Lu Changsheng chuckled lightly, saying, “Just a small step in cultivation.”

With his handsome face, Lu Changsheng spoke calmly and composedly.

“Congratulations on breaking through to the Fifth Layer, husband!”

Seeing Lu Changsheng like this, Lu Miaoyun immediately expressd her joy, the first to congratulate him.

“Congratulations, husband, on your breakthrough!”

“Congratulations on advancing in the immortal path!”

“Congratulations, Dad!”

“Congratulations, Dad! Dad is amazing!”

The other wives and concubines followed Lu Miaoyun’s lead, teaching thir children to bow and congratulate Lu Changsheng.

Seeing this, Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but laugh heartily, “Good, good, for my breakthrough to the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining today, we must celebrate well!”

That night.

All of Qingzhu Mountain was shrouded in darkness and silence.

Only Lu Changsheng’s home in Qingzhu Valley was lit up, celebrating his breakthrough with his wives and concubines.

The next day.

Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoyun set out to visit th Fourth Elder.

After all, with their return, they had to pay their respects to the old lady.

Upon arriving at the Fourth Elder’s residence, they coincidentally ran into the Second Elder leaving.

“Second Grandpa.”

“Second Elder.”

Lu Changsheng respectfully clasped his hands in greeting, smiling widely.

Wondering silently if this Second Elder might be quite cunning.

Given that as soon as he returned to Qingzhu Mountain, the Second Elder hurried to talk to the Fourth Elder about his actions at Jiulong Market.

But he, Lu Changsheng, acted righteously and wasn’t afraid of anyone speaking behind his back!

“Changsheng, Yun’r, you’re here.”

Upon seeing Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoyun arriving, the Fourt Elder wore a kind smile.

After a brief chat, she began to assess Lu Changsheng’s talisman-making skills.

Regarding talisman-making, Lu Changsheng’s performance was roughly the same as last time.

He demonstrated the Frost Talisman skillfully, while another mid-tier talisman was just getting started.

After last time’s progress and using the Spirit Body as a reason, the Fourth Elder was much more accepting of Lu Changsheng’s advancements.

Observing that his progress over the past six months was similar to the previous four.

She couldn’t help but wonder if his slower progress this time was due to less time spent with his wives.

But as a senior, it wasn’t appropriate for her to inquire.

It didn’t suit her to say, “Changsheng, if your body can handle it, more time with your wives wouldn’t hurt. I’ll explain to Yun’r.”

“Not bad, not bad.”

“Changsheng, at this rate, you could become a High-Tier Talisman Master in just a year!”

The Fourth Elder said, full of joy and satisfaction.

“I’ll surely do my best,”

Lu Changsheng replied.

This was his plan too.

He was preparing to showcase High-Tier talisman skills in about a year.

Advancing his original schedule by about a year.

After all, claiming a Spirit Body, it’s reasonable his speed improved slightly.

“Changsheng, you still need to focus on cultivation and remain diligent.”

“Though at the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining you can draw Top-Tier talismans, it’s still somewhat strenuous. Ideally, breakthrough to the Fifth Layer soon.”

The Fourth Elder glanced at Lu Changsheng’s spiritual energy.

But found his spiritual energy concealed and couldn’t see it at a glance.

She didn’t mind and didn’t look again.

Knowing he must have some treasure that hid spiritual energy.

Such things are quite normal when out and about.

“Grandma, Changsheng just broke through to the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining yesterday.”

Hearing this, Lu Changsheng knew the Fourth Elder couldn’t see his cultivation due to the Artifacts and Colorful Dress Woman’s jade pendant concealing it, and he responded subtly.

Not hiding the breakthrough from yesterday, as there was nothing to conceal.

With the Ninth-Tier Spirit Root, taking a year and eight months to break from the Fourth to Fifth layer, while slightly exaggerated, was plausible.

“What, you’ve already broken through to the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining?!”

The Fourth Elder was somewhat surprised upon hearing this.

After all, Lu Changsheng not only had the Ninth-Tier Spirit Root.

But also invested much of his time and energy in talismans, managing a shop, and romantic affairs.

In this context, breaking through to the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining so quickly was rather impressive.

“Yes, Grandma.”

“Changsheng knows he lacks talent, so he’s never slacked off in cultivation.”

“In my spare time, I’ve crafted some talismans, sold them to a former friend, and placed some in the Talisman Shop to earn Spirit Stones, which I’ve used to buy pills for cultivation.”

Lu Changsheng disclosed his dealings with Hong Yi and selling talismans at the Talisman Shop.

Since he never intended to hide these from the Lu Family, he wasn’t worried about them finding out.

“Good, good, knowing you haven’t neglected your cultivation, Grandma is relieved.”

“These are minor matters you’ve handled well. If you have any cultivation issues, feel free to ask Grandma. If you need help, just say so.”

The Fourth Elder said with a face full of reassurance.

She vaguely guessed Lu Changsheng’s Spirit Body might aid his cultivation speed.

Though not shocked by the speed, she didn’t investigate further.

In the cultivation world, everyone has secrets, and there’s no need to pry into everything.

She then began to instruct and guide Lu Changsheng in talisman-making.

To her, teaching Lu Changsheng talisman-making was also an enjoyment.

After all, training such an apprentice was very rewarding and fulfilling.

Especially thinking about the future, fostering a Second-Tier Talisman Master made her even fonder of Lu Changsheng.

In the blink of an eye, three days passed.

Lu Changsheng returned to Jiulong Market with the Second Elder.

Initially, he planned to take Lu Lanshu or the Lu Qing’er and Lu Zi’er sisters to Jiulong Market.

However, the ladies expressed their desire to stay home with the children with only three months left before the spiritual test.

Hearing this, Lu Changsheng didn’t press the matter.

He then took two other wives to Jiulong Market.

“Brother Lu, how many wives and concubines do you have?”

Upon arriving at Jiulong Market, Yu Maocheng noticed Lu Changsheng with two unfamiliar women and couldn’t help but ask.

“Not many, just five wives, nine concubines, two favored concubines, and fifteen maids.”

Lu Changsheng replied.

“Am I an idiot for asking?”

Hearing this, Yu Maocheng wondered why he even asked,

and gave himself a couple of slaps.

“Brother Yu, don’t be like that, Brother Yu.”

Lu Changsheng quickly pulled him back.

Once back home, Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but shake his head.

Thinking if he wanted to stay friends with Yu Maocheng, conversations about such topics should be avoided.

He then counted the Spirit Stones he had.

A total of 205 Spirit Stones.

“Sigh, I’m poor!”

Lu Changsheng sighed deeply.

Every month’s expenses were significant.

Plus, he had spent too much on gifts for his wives and children recently, leaving him with barely any savings.

“Seems like I’ll have to visit the White Jade Tower later.”

“As for the Second-Tier talisman matter, it will have to wait.”

Seeing his limited number of Spirit Stones, Lu Changsheng decided to put off visiting the White Jade Tower and drawing Second-Tier talismans for now.

In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.

The last of the four maids Lu Changsheng had purchased previously successfully conceived.

Bringing the total number of Lu Changsheng’s children to fifty.

“The Lu Family is indeed principled. They gave twenty years to have the fifty required children.”

Lu Changsheng marveled at fulfilling the Lu Family’s condition in just over six years.

Though he was no longer a son-in-law of the Lu Family.

Otherwise, with his efficiency, Lu Yuanshan Ding, the Lu Family Head, would publicly praise him greatly.

Another month passed.

Lu Changsheng’s thirty-sixth, thirty-seventh, thirty-eighth, and thirty-ninth children were born.

“I wonder if there’ll be a reward for the fortieth child?”

Anticipating the birth of his next child in a few days, Lu Changsheng was filled with expectation.

Nine days later.

Upon the birth of the fortieth child, a system notification rang out.

“Congratulations, Host, on reaching forty offspring. You’ve earned a chance to draw a prize!”