Chapter 797: Homecoming of the Mystic Family

Once it’s refined, it’s refined.

Lu Changsheng waved his hand calmly, his expression utterly serene as he said, “Get used to your current state; we’ll head back to Bihu Mountain later.”

His son had just completed the Demonic Fetus Transformation, his entire body surging with vital energy like a tumultuous ocean. Had he appeared in public, he’d have attracted too much attention.

“Thank you, Father.”

Lu Quanzhen couldn’t help but marvel as he watched his father remain completely unfazed about the Kunpeng hatchling.

After all, this was a true spirit hatchling.

Countless Nascent Soul cultivators in the Starry Sea coveted and fought over it, yet his father treated it as if it were nothing.

He handed the treasure from the Kunpeng egg over to Lu Changsheng, explaining that the egg’s shell membrane was a top-grade spiritual material—ideal for forging armor, defensive artifacts, and even for blocking out heavenly secrets.

In other words, a true spirit hatchling like this was a treasure in itself.

“Take a look and keep what you need; store the rest at home,” he said.

Although these treasures were extremely valuable, Lu Ancestor wasn’t short on artifacts.

It was his son, Lu Quanzhen—whose cultivation had advanced significantly—that now needed a few handy artifacts to bolster his strength.

After a brief word of instruction, Lu Changsheng left with his daughter, Lu Linghe.

However, he was eager to check his son’s Dao Body status—and trigger that rare lottery draw.

So he sent Lu Linghe to fetch Ling Zixiao and Lu Baixi while he quickly headed back to his cave residence.

“System!”

Lu Changsheng murmured silently as he opened his son Lu Quanzhen’s system panel.

【Name: Lu Quanzhen】

【Lifespan: 116/813】

【Talent: First-Grade Spirit Root, Kunpeng Body (Dao Body)】

【Cultivation: Core Formation, Level Six】

【Technique Compatibility: 89%】

“What!?”

Lu Changsheng was stunned as he glanced at his son’s attribute panel, utterly bewildered.

Could this really be his son, Lu Quanzhen? He recalled that in earlier years, with the aid of Lifespan Extension Pills after breaking through Core Formation, his son’s total lifespan was barely over 300 years.

But now it had soared to 813 years! Mind you, Core Formation cultivators typically enjoy about 500 years.

Except for a few top-tier health-preserving cultivators, even Longevity Fruits and Lifespan Pills rarely pushed one beyond 600 years.

For example, before he broke through Fourth-Rank Body Refinement—with his Chaos Body and Yin-Yang Dao Golden Core—and consumed various rank Lifespan Pills along with other natural treasures, his own lifespan barely exceeded 700 years.

Yet his son, Lu Quanzhen, had leaped to over 800 years!

If word got out, it would shock the entire Southern Desolation cultivation world—it was simply astounding. And that wasn’t all.

His son’s Spirit Root, once fourth-grade, had now jumped to first-grade.

His cultivation had advanced from Level Three to Level Six of Core Formation.

As for his body refinement, although the system didn’t show it, Lu Changsheng knew it had improved far beyond his cultivation level.

“Demonic Fetus Transformation. This is a true metamorphosis—a leap in life itself.”

Lu Changsheng marveled in awe.

Yet compared to his son’s Kunpeng Body, the improvement in his Spirit Root seemed utterly insignificant.

After breaking through Core Formation, unless one possessed a Heavenly Spirit Root, the impact of the Spirit Root on cultivation naturally diminished.

It paled in comparison to the potential of a perfect Dao Foundation, an Immortal Golden Core, and a Dao Body.

Now that his son had a Dao Body, whether his Spirit Root was first-grade or fourth-grade hardly made a difference.

“Remarkably, the Dao Body really seems to be as the legends say—without any hierarchical ranking.”

Lu Changsheng noted that after the Kunpeng Body, only the words ‘Dao Body’ appeared, prompting a slight raise of his eyebrow.

Records about the Dao Body in the cultivation world were extremely scarce.

Years ago, Hong Lian had mentioned that the Dao Body had no upper, middle, or lower levels.

Except for a few renowned supreme Dao Bodies, most were considered equal in strength.

In other words, the strength of a Dao Body depended entirely on its owner.

The same constitution, in different hands, could yield wildly different results.

“I wonder how this Kunpeng Body stacks up against my Chaos Body.”

Taking a deep breath, Lu Changsheng exhaled slowly, sat cross-legged, and prepared to merge the Kunpeng Body with his Chaos Body. “Fusion!”

At that moment, he felt a Kunpeng awakening within him—a surge like an endless sea that stirred boundless waves and shook the heavens and earth.

It then transformed into a majestic Peng bird, soaring upward nearly 90,000 miles—as if ready to split the heavens, create the world, and refine all things.

Majestic!

Grand!

Vast and irresistible!

In his early days of Spirit Body fusion, Lu Changsheng had never experienced anything like this.

With the system’s help, his Chaos Body became a blazing furnace, beginning to refine the Kunpeng.

Gradually, he gained a detailed understanding of his son Lu Quanzhen’s Kunpeng Body.

Based on its early form as a Kunpeng Demon Body, its attributes had been comprehensively enhanced.

Moreover, it now boasted affinities with wind, water, yin-yang, and space.

At first glance, it seemed ordinary.

Yet in other contexts, each of these elements equated to a top-tier, even supreme, Spirit Body!

One could say that the principle behind this Kunpeng Body somewhat mirrored Lu Changsheng’s Chaos Body—formed through the fusion of many Spirit Bodies.

However, his Chaos Body was broader, aspiring to merge countless bodies and bloodlines. Even with the system’s balancing help, the two constitutions still required meticulous compromise for a perfect merge.

Closing his eyes and sitting cross-legged, Lu Changsheng concentrated on integrating the yin-yang and spatial abilities of the Kunpeng Body into his Chaos Body.

When it came to abilities like wind, water, and the absorption of three attributes, even a slight shortfall was acceptable.

After all, despite practicing the Yin-Yang Creation Sutra, he had never attained a true Yin-Yang Spirit Body.

In fact, his Chaos Body—affected by the Dragon Roar Body and Yuanyang Body—was overly yang-heavy; merging the Kunpeng Body would undoubtedly elevate his Yin-Yang Creation Sutra to new heights!

Needless to say for the spatial attribute.

It is one of the core techniques of the Nascent Soul True Lords!

Although he had inherited a bit of spatial talent from his grandson Lu Xuanchong’s Void Spirit Body and his daughter Mu Que’s Tianfeng bloodline,

their enhancements were far too meager compared to the Kunpeng Body’s spatial capability. Time passed slowly.

Before he knew it, Lu Changsheng opened his eyes to see swirling yin-yang fish in the depths of his pupils.

“Kunpeng Body, what a Kunpeng Body—it’s as if it was made for me!”

Feeling the potent surge within his newly fused Chaos Body, Lu Changsheng laughed heartily, his state better than ever.

The Kunpeng Body was by no means inferior to his Chaos Body.

Thus, merging the two granted him an unparalleled boost—especially with the Kunpeng Body’s yin-yang properties.

He raised his hand slightly, and streams of yin-yang magical energy swirled around him, sketching a mysterious and profound Yin-Yang Dao Diagram.

He could clearly feel his magical energy flowing more naturally, as if merging seamlessly with the world’s yin and yang.

Whether refining earthly spiritual energy or unleashing techniques like Yin-Yang Qi Great Capture, Yin-Yang Mystical Radiance, and the Yin-Yang Chaos Mill, all his yin-yang abilities had been significantly enhanced!

Besides the major improvements in yin-yang and spatial attributes, every aspect of his Chaos Body had improved.

Notably, his Undying Golden Body!

The Kunpeng Body provided a tremendous boost to his physical form with its indestructible traits—he could clearly sense an entire level of enhancement in his bodily Qi, endurance, and self-healing.

“With my current strength—even without the Da Luo Sword Embryo or the Nine Treasures Dao Bone—I can directly suppress Nascent Soul cultivators!”

Feeling the surging power within him, Lu Changsheng was convinced that a single thought could forge a Heavenly Condensing Nascent Soul opportunity to shatter the Nascent Soul bottleneck.

If it weren’t for a Dao Body descendant already in his womb, he’d be looking for a chance to break through into Nascent Soul right now! He eagerly anticipated his next child—【Sword Embryo Dao Body】 Lu Yunxiao!

If his Chaos Body merged with a Sword Embryo Dao Body, it would be like fusing three Dao Bodies into one! He couldn’t even imagine how his natural talent and constitution would skyrocket. In fact, he felt that facing Yun Wanshang’s Nascent Soul tribulation, he could confront it head-on with his bare body! Moments later, Lu Changsheng regained his composure, sat cross-legged, and absorbed all the Qi and magical energy from Lu Quanzhen’s Demonic Fetus Transformation into his own cultivation.

His cultivation had reached its zenith, so he condensed the pure magical energy into a Nascent Core within the Qi Sea and Dantian Lake using his technique.

It was the Nascent Soul Condensation Art—the Yin-Yang Nascent Core method!

When breaking through into Nascent Soul, these Nascent Cores could be used to nurture the Nascent Soul spirit of the Yin-Yang Dao Golden Core!

Although the system didn’t display it, the feedback on bodily Qi confirmed that his son Lu Quanzhen’s physical improvements far surpassed his Qi Refining cultivation.

His physical prowess had likely leaped from a quasi-third rank to a late third rank.

The speed of this improvement was simply staggering! Yet for Lu Changsheng, who had already broken through Fourth-Rank Body Refinement, it was only average—far from enough to reach mid-Fourth Rank.

“Alas, I never had such conditions in my early years,” he lamented.

Lu Changsheng was filled with mixed emotions—joy for his son’s progress and a twinge of envy, knowing his son had a fortunate father.

Unlike him, who had painstakingly forged his own path all these years.

But fatherly love endures like a mountain.

Isn’t all his hard work meant to provide his wives and children with a better life—a smoother journey than his own? “Come on, system, show me the fruits of my labor! Draw now!”

Lu Changsheng silently murmured to himself.

In an instant, a rare grand roulette appeared and began to spin.

“Please, no cultivation techniques!”

Lu Changsheng looked at the spinning roulette with eyes full of anticipation and anxiety, hoping his efforts wouldn’t be wasted.

Moments later, a golden light settled on the ‘Natural Treasures’ section.

【Ding! Congratulations, Host, on obtaining an extraordinary treasure: the Cheng Lu Pan!】

【Rewards have been delivered to your system space. You may check them at any time.】

A pale golden emblem resembling a coiled-dragon pedestal emerged from the roulette, accompanied by a system notification sound.

“Extraordinary treasure?”

Lu Changsheng’s eyes narrowed as he examined the Cheng Lu Pan before him.

Though it wasn’t a cultivation technique,

as his insight grew, he gradually recognized the drawbacks of extraordinary treasures.

Their flaws were all too obvious.

Whether it was the Demonic Curse Life Book he acquired in his early years or the Myriad Spirits Bottle, they all felt mediocre—neither outstanding nor terrible.

【Cheng Lu Pan】

【Grade: Fifth-Rank】

【Description: Crafted by a Heavenly Daoist in imitation of ancient celestial emperors using Shoushan red copper, Tianhe star sand, and Nine Nether Mystic Ice, it gathers the primordial essence—known as Heavenly Dew. This dew, consumable by all, offers miraculous benefits such as marrow cleansing, physical fortification, potential amplification, and breakthrough assistance.】

“Heavenly Dew? Consumable by all?”

Lu Changsheng frowned as he read the description of the Cheng Lu Pan, thinking it was as he’d suspected—somewhat unremarkable and only moderately practical.

After all, effects like marrow cleansing, body strengthening, potential amplification, and breaking through bottlenecks could be achieved with other spirit pills and natural treasures.

A fifth-rank treasure that could only gather this type of Heavenly Dew—wasn’t that a waste?

Nonetheless, since the Cheng Lu Pan was a fifth-rank treasure, Lu Changsheng decided to extract it first to study it further.

With that thought in mind,

in an instant, a jade plate—half a person’s height and several zhang wide, resembling a coiled dragon cradling it—materialized before him, glowing with a translucent luster and faintly etched with endless starlight.

As the Cheng Lu Pan appeared, Lu Changsheng gained a deeper understanding of both this treasure and the so-called Heavenly Dew.

Heavenly Dew is the condensed essence of the primordial world.

It not only cleanses the marrow, strengthens the body, and amplifies potential, but also detoxifies, replenishes Qi and magical energy like Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Milk, and even refines the soul.

Consuming Heavenly Dew comes with no side effects,

and long-term use can enhance innate potential and solidify one’s foundation!

Moreover, Heavenly Dew can be used in alchemy, artifact refinement, and to nurture spirit plants and pets.

For instance, when alchemizing, adding Heavenly Dew can boost efficacy by 30%, turning each pill into a masterpiece.

In crafting artifacts, it can be used for quenching to enhance quality and spiritual aura.

And for nurturing spirit plants and pets, it directly rejuvenates them, speeding growth and boosting potential!

“This Cheng Lu Pan is far more versatile than the Myriad Spirits Bottle.”

Lu Changsheng stared at the luminescent Cheng Lu Pan, surprise flickering in his eyes.

While the Myriad Spirits Bottle—a fifth-rank treasure—was limited to nurturing spirit medicines and plants,

the Heavenly Dew from the Cheng Lu Pan could be used by cultivators for alchemy, artifact refinement, and even forging treasures.

It just goes to show that fifth-rank treasures aren’t all equivalent.

While the Myriad Spirits Bottle might be ordinary, the Cheng Lu Pan stood among the top-tier fifth-rank treasures.

However, compared to the Myriad Spirits Bottle, the Cheng Lu Pan had one drawback.

It doesn’t gather Heavenly Dew merely by being set down like the Myriad Spirits Bottle.

It must be placed in an area rich in natural spiritual energy, and it inevitably creates some commotion.

Moreover, according to its manual, the Cheng Lu Pan was in a normal state—gathering only ordinary Heavenly Dew.

To condense higher-grade Heavenly Dew, it needed to be positioned on a spiritual vein—ideally atop a towering platform or celestial tower linked by a grand formation to absorb the primordial essence.

Lu Changsheng was at a loss for words.

If he wanted to gather Fourth- or Fifth-Rank Heavenly Dew, he’d have to build such a tower to let the Cheng Lu Pan harvest the primordial essence from a circle spanning a million li.

But that would be like announcing to the world that he possessed a top-tier treasure—a fifth-rank item bound to attract mid- to late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators.

After all, as the description stated, this Heavenly Dew was truly extraordinary, possessing myriad miraculous benefits—a genuine heirloom treasure!

With a Fourth-Rank spiritual vein and a towering celestial platform continuously condensing Heavenly Dew, he’d effectively generate a daily influx of rare spirit pills and natural treasures.

“Forget Fourth-Rank veins or celestial towers—any significant activity might attract covetous Nascent Soul cultivators.”

Lu Changsheng shook his head in resignation as he looked at the Cheng Lu Pan.

For instance, he had concealed the Sumeru Tree King of Bihu Mountain behind layers of formidable formations.

But once the Cheng Lu Pan gathered high-grade Heavenly Dew, it would be nearly impossible to mask with any formation.

Even a Third-Rank Forbidden Array wouldn’t fool a passing Nascent Soul cultivator—they’d sense something amiss.

“But once I break through to Nascent Soul and elevate my formations to Fourth-Rank, I might consider it,” he mused.

Lu Changsheng pondered silently.

For now, he still worried about attacks from Nascent Soul cultivators.

But once he broke through to Nascent Soul, deployed a Fourth-Rank Forbidden Array, and wielded the 【Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror】, he was confident he could annihilate mid-stage Nascent Soul foes!

As for late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, he had never encountered one and couldn’t be sure.

Yet in the Southern Desolation and Northern Regions, no one claimed to have a late-stage Nascent Soul master guarding their territory.

After all, if granted such a treasure, why not put it to use?

Especially when the myriad benefits of Heavenly Dew could greatly bolster his family’s power!

Just the flawless effects—marrow cleansing, foundation consolidation, potential enhancement, and breakthrough assistance—were enough to elevate the Lu Family disciples by a level.

Moreover, higher-grade Heavenly Dew could even be used to refine his life-bound treasure, the 【Yin-Yang Diagram】, or to enhance the effects of pills.

Even now, some Lu Family disciples with poorer innate talent still failed during Foundation Establishment breakthroughs.

But if Heavenly Dew was infused into Foundation Establishment Pills and later taken as a supplement, Lu Changsheng could scarcely imagine how inept one would have to be to fail—a logic equally applicable from Foundation Establishment to Core Formation!

With Heavenly Dew, the probability of breaking through from Foundation Establishment to Core Formation could be increased by 20-30%!

“Once I break through to Nascent Soul, I’ll build a tower in the Immortal City of Damengze to gather Heavenly Dew! If anyone dares cause trouble, a couple of Nascent Souls will set them straight!”

Lu Changsheng contemplated deeply and made his decision.

Once he broke through to Nascent Soul, he was confident that with a mere wave he could subdue feeble Nascent Souls—especially with several Nascent Souls guarding his territory and the formidable 【Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror】 at his disposal. He recalled that earlier, among his children, seventy breakthroughs in Qi Refining only earned a single ordinary lottery draw.

Back then, with so many trivial matters, he hadn’t bothered with the draw—but now he pulled them all at once.

【Ding! Congratulations, Host, on obtaining a pill: the Fusion Spirit Pill!】

Lu Changsheng raised an eyebrow at the Fusion Spirit Pill.

He remembered that he had drawn one long ago for Ling Zixiao.

Now, although he was a top-tier Third-Rank alchemist capable of producing Fusion Spirit Pills, collecting such rare pill materials was no easy task.

“Not bad,” he mused.

For ordinary lottery draws, Lu Changsheng no longer held high hopes—if it was useful, that was enough.

Looking at the luminescent Cheng Lu Pan before him, he thoughtfully tucked it into his sleeve, and then the Misty Dust Banner appeared.

A cascade of five-colored radiant light swirled, forming ripples in the space around him, and he was suddenly above Xuan Whale Island.

Instead of meeting the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale, he clutched the Misty Dust Banner and flew deeper into Da Mengze.

Moments later, he entered a desolate sea of clouds, his magical energy surging as he held up the Cheng Lu Pan.

In an instant, the Cheng Lu Pan, reminiscent of a coiled-dragon pedestal, came alive—its dragon-like mouth inhaling the primordial essence all around.

“Huff, huff, huff—”

Countless streams of earthly spiritual energy and vital force surged toward the glowing jade plate held high by Lu Changsheng, like a reversed starry river.

Throughout this process, one could see the Cheng Lu Pan ascending in stages, forming phantom dragon silhouettes with starlight streaming.

“What a hassle,” he muttered.

After a quarter-hour, Lu Changsheng, tired of standing there, sensed a subtle movement behind him—when a three-headed, six-armed Buddha-Demon phantom appeared.

The Brahma Demon True Form spread its wings to catch the wind, while its six arms lifted the Cheng Lu Pan, and Lu Changsheng chanted hand seals as he directed his Chaos Body.

In an instant, he resembled a human-shaped Kunpeng, as if determined to refine the heavens and earth, drawing in spiritual energy from all directions into the Cheng Lu Pan.

Several days later, he looked at the Cheng Lu Pan in the Brahma Demon True Form’s hands and sensed an overwhelming surge of vital energy.

Although it was just a tiny droplet of liquid, it was brimming with an exquisitely pure, nascent energy.

“Is this Heavenly Dew!?”

Lu Changsheng inspected the droplet of luminous, blue, fragrant liquid before him and then, raising a finger, let it fly into his mouth.

Without the need for swallowing, the Heavenly Dew melted in his mouth and spread through every limb and bone, silently nourishing him.

It was merely an ordinary Three-Rank Heavenly Dew—of little benefit to Lu Changsheng—but in that fleeting moment, he was utterly astonished.

It was as if, during deep meditation when no breakthrough was forthcoming, a sudden epiphany awakened his entire being.

“A top-tier fifth-rank treasure like this can condense a Three-Rank Heavenly Dew in no time,” he marveled.

“If I can build a tower to continuously gather Heavenly Dew through a spiritual formation, I’d have an endless daily supply of rare spirit pills and natural treasures!”

“And such Heavenly Dew, with its myriad uses, could even bring about sudden breakthroughs—daily consumption might even spark insight in the dullest minds!”

Lu Changsheng looked at the Cheng Lu Pan with joy, fully aware of the treasure’s value.

And this was only Three-Rank Heavenly Dew; condensing Fourth-Rank Heavenly Dew would yield even greater benefits.

Previously, he had dismissed the time-consuming Brahma Demon True Form training, but with enough high-grade Heavenly Dew, he could master this supreme technique in no time!

For years, even his introductory Brahma Demon True Form had allowed him to contend with Nascent Soul cultivators.

If this supreme technique were fully perfected, he wouldn’t even need to act himself—his true form would suppress Nascent Soul foes effortlessly.

“I must keep the Cheng Lu Pan!”

After finishing the trial, he returned to Xuan Whale Island and handed the Cheng Lu Pan over to Lu Lingjing.

He signaled her to head to the deep sea to condense Heavenly Dew with it.

Though Three-Rank Heavenly Dew wasn’t particularly effective for him, it was incredibly rare for his wives and children.

And Lu Lingjing, being a Fourth-Rank Shapeshifting Demon King in the deep sea, had no reason to worry.

“If you want to feast, you can also keep the Heavenly Dew you gather,” he added.

Lu Changsheng noticed that the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale’s injuries hadn’t yet healed. Recalling the effect of the heavenly dew, he continued speaking.

“Alright, Master,” came the reply.

At that moment, Lu Lingjing transformed into his demon beast form. His massive body balanced the Cheng Lu Pan on his head, much like a tiny hat.

After parting ways with the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale, Lu Changsheng returned to the City Lord’s Mansion.

With Lu Quanzhen still adapting to magical energy, Lu Changsheng took his time over the next few days, deepening bonds with Ling Zixiao, Hong Lian, Meng Xiaochan, Bai Ling, and the others.

Half a month later, Lu Quanzhen emerged.

Clad in a cyan wide robe, his black hair was lightly pinned back with a wooden hairpin, and his deep-set eyes and statuesque demeanor gave him an air of refined elegance.

Although his appearance wasn’t as strikingly ethereal as Lu Changsheng’s, his presence was equally remarkable—a towering peak in an endless sea, exuding an enigmatic, boundless grandeur.

Even Ling Zixiao couldn’t help but be astonished at Lu Quanzhen’s progress, wondering what kind of opportunity had allowed him to achieve an upgrade comparable to advancing from Foundation Establishment to Core Formation.

Witnessing Lu Quanzhen’s refined aura upon emerging, Lu Changsheng nodded to Qian Zhuyan and departed, leaving her and the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale to maintain order in the Immortal City of Damengze.

Together with the Golden-Winged Roc, he took Lu Quanzhen, Lu Linghe, Lu Baixi, and Bai Ling back to Bihu Mountain.

In earlier times, the Golden-Winged Roc needed around ten days to travel between the Immortal City of Damengze and Bihu Mountain; now, three days were enough.

The only problem was that only cultivators with a Fourth-Rank Physique, like him, could withstand this swift escape speed; even his son, Lu Quanzhen, with his late third-rank body refinement, was under considerable strain.

As they neared Bihu Mountain, Lu Changsheng signaled for Golden Roc to assume human form, and the Misty Dust Banner materialized in his hand, bursting forth with a spectrum of radiant light that landed directly atop Biyun Peak.

“Finally, we’re home,” he declared.

Looking upon the endless, familiar mists, Lu Changsheng’s heart filled with a deep sense of ease.

Though he now possessed the Immortal City of Damengze, his heart still held a special bond for Bihu Mountain—a family legacy he helped build.

“Master,”

Lu Changsheng, enshrouded by the Reversed Five Elements Array and the Divine Wood Array, softly called out—a sound as ethereal as a gentle breeze and drifting clouds.

“Sumeru,” came the reply.

Lu Changsheng turned to look at the Sumeru Tree King, its entire form gleaming with a golden, jade-like radiance, and he smiled in response.

Counted among top-tier spirit pets, the Sumeru Tree King was undeniably their first True-Spirit-level companion.

For nearly a century, it had faithfully guarded Bihu Mountain.

Nowadays, the Golden-Winged Roc, the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale, and the Soul-Taking Beast had all ascended to Fourth-Rank, yet the Sumeru Tree King remained at late Third-Rank.

On one hand, its development was constrained by the growth of demonic vegetation and the spiritual veins of Bihu Mountain.

On the other, Lu Changsheng’s nurturing efforts for the Sumeru Tree King had also been modest.

Apart from the innate pure qi derived from early Di Liu Jiang, Third-Rank spiritual veins, and the Xuanmu Vine, it had essentially received no further nurturing.

Yet raising the Sumeru Tree King’s level was, in theory, rather simple.

One only needed to upgrade the Pocket Dimension’s spiritual veins and perfect its regulations.

Easy in theory, but far harder in practice.

Third-Rank veins were of little use now; Fourth-Rank veins were essential.

But as for Fourth-Rank veins, Lu Changsheng’s current mastery of the Dragon-Seeking Technique simply wasn’t sufficient to tap them—he dared not risk it.

And refining the Pocket Dimension rules required a blend of clear and turbid qi, which was no simple matter either.

Gazing at the Sumeru Tree King, Lu Changsheng suddenly observed that the subtle fortune of Bihu Mountain was rapidly surging.

As a Fourth-Rank Diviner, he knew well that this was the invisible aura generated by his and his companions’ return to Bihu Mountain.

As the head of Bihu Mountain, his prolonged absence had not only dragged down the family’s aura but also disrupted its momentum.

Now, not only had he returned, but he was also accompanied by Lu Quanzhen, a top-tier Core Formation cultivator, along with the Soul-Taking Beast and the Golden-Winged Roc, both Fourth-Rank Demon Kings.

The Soul-Taking Beast and the Golden-Winged Roc, being Lu Changsheng’s spirit pets, inherently belonged to Bihu Mountain, subtly enhancing its aura.

“At this rate, Bihu Mountain’s aura might soon outshine that of the Azure Cloud Sect,” he mused.

Lu Changsheng narrowed his eyes, aware that if Bihu Mountain’s aura became too dominant—exceeding that of the Azure Cloud Sect—it would definitely draw unwanted scrutiny.

Yet, being a Fourth-Rank Diviner and a top-tier Third-Rank Formation Master, he intended to conceal it for a while to sidestep any undue trouble.

If it became impossible to conceal, he would have to eventually reveal everything.

Lu Changsheng averted his eyes and looked at Lu Quanzhen, saying, “Quanzhen, come on. Let’s go see your mother first.”

Lu Changsheng had awaited Lu Quanzhen’s completion of Demonic Fetus Rebirth and adjustment before meeting his wife, Qu Zhenzhen.

After all, having sent Lu Quanzhen to the Starry Sea in his youth, coming back with what’s essentially just an egg would make him utterly unsure of how to face his wife.

“Mm.”

Lu Quanzhen gazed at the once-familiar yet now foreign Bihu Mountain and nodded with a touch of melancholy.

When he journeyed to the Starry Sea, the spiritual veins of Biyun Peak hadn’t reached Third-Rank—a stark contrast to the present.

But the thought of his mother stirred further emotions in him.

Uncertain if his mother would still be the same after decades, before they could descend from Biyun Peak, Lu Changsheng and Lu Quanzhen spotted two streaks of emerald light racing toward it.

“Husband! Ling’er! Quanzhen!”

The arrivals were none other than Lu Miaoyun and Qu Zhenzhen.

Lu Miaoyun, possessing a family core formation array, instantly sensed Lu Changsheng’s return through the Misty Dust Banner.

Meanwhile, Qu Zhenzhen sensed the aura of the Misty Dust Banner through her innate spirit plant, the “Auspicious Tree.”

“Miaoyun, Zhenzhen.”

Lu Changsheng immediately called out, “Miaoyun, Zhenzhen.”

Nearby, Lu Quanzhen, Lu Linghe, and Bai Ling also chimed in, “Greetings, Mother, Madam!”

“Greetings, Madam!”

“Sister Miaoyun, Sister Zhenzhen.”

Only the golden-haired Golden-Winged Roc, with his hair tied up high, scratched his head in confusion—unsure of what to say—before quickly clasping his hands and saying, “Greetings, Madam.”

“Husband, you’re finally back,”

Both women gazed at Lu Changsheng, their eyes glistening with deep longing.

Despite having communicated through the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror, not seeing him face-to-face had left them profoundly anxious.

“It’s my fault for causing you concern,” he murmured softly.

Lu Changsheng spoke gently as he stepped forward to console the two.

He longed for home, always mindful of his loved ones, never wanting his wife and children to be unduly anxious.

With many gathered around, the two women refrained from being overly affectionate; they simply nodded and walked alongside Lu Changsheng and the others toward the Lu Family Compound.

“Husband, who is this?”

Lu Miaoyun eyed the Golden-Winged Roc, asking in mild astonishment.

Despite the Golden-Winged Roc addressing him as “Madam” earlier, both she and Qu Zhenzhen had been fixated on Lu Changsheng.

Observing the Golden-Winged Roc’s youthful look, they even suspected he might be Lu Changsheng’s son from his time away.

After all, with Lu Changsheng away for years, it was only natural for his son to have grown so large.

And since the Golden-Winged Roc bore distinct demon traits unlike humans, the two women paid it little heed.

After all, didn’t Lu Baixi and Bai Ling also have non-human traits?

“This is Golden Roc.”

Noting his wife’s questioning glance, Lu Changsheng’s face twitched—a subtle confession that this was his golden-feathered pet, now in human guise.

“Husband, aren’t demon beasts supposed to transform into human form only after breaking Fourth-Rank?”

The two women stared in astonishment at the golden-haired youth, not daring to suspect he was a Shapeshifting Demon King—it was simply too astounding.

“Indeed—Golden Roc has ascended to Fourth-Rank, so it can transform,” Lu Changsheng chuckled.

Once more, the two women gazed in wonder at the Golden-Winged Roc.

A Shapeshifting Demon King was so rare that it was scarcely mentioned in texts, let alone depicted.

“Hey, Quanzhen, you’ve grown quite a bit taller,”

Then, Qu Zhenzhen eyed her son Lu Quanzhen and remarked, “But you also seem a bit slimmer.”

Lu Changsheng: “…”

Lu Quanzhen: “…”

Both father and son were left utterly speechless.

It was beyond them how Qu Zhenzhen had noticed that Lu Quanzhen had slimmed down.

“Zhenzhen, dear, your brother Quanzhen was essentially re-hatched from an egg by our father, so he’s grown taller.”

Lu Linghe quickly shared the amusing detail with Qu Zhenzhen.

“I forgot to fill you in, Xiao He.”

Lu Changsheng’s heart sank as both he and his son met the astonished looks from Qu Zhenzhen and Lu Miaoyun.

Lu Changsheng promptly explained, “Quanzhen was practicing a divine technique. Look at him—he doesn’t seem thinner at all; he’s even stronger than an average demon beast.”

As he spoke, he patted his son on the shoulder, the sound resonating with a firm, resonant thud.

“There’s such a divine technique?!”

Though being the primary matriarchs of Bihu Mountain granted them access to high-level news, their understanding remained limited, like inquisitive youngsters.

And so, the family arrived at the Lu Family Compound, full of light conversation and laughter.

Seeing Lu Changsheng’s return, Lu Miaoyun promptly went to alert the others.

She also told Lu Changsheng that Xiao Xiyue had arrived at Bihu Mountain months ago, staying there with something to discuss.

Lu Changsheng immediately felt that something was amiss.

Although Xiao Xiyue visited Bihu Mountain for short stays, she never fancied lingering.

Besides, with him being away these past days while Xiao Xiyue had stayed for months, it was clear something significant was at play.

And since important matters were not being directly relayed to him—a fact that already made him uneasy—Lu Changsheng instantly deduced Xiao Xiyue’s purpose for coming.

Even though Lu Ancestor had been busy decimating Nascent Souls and Fourth-Rank Demon Kings abroad, he had always held a respectful regard for his wife at home.