Chapter 845: A Family Reunion of Cultivators

“Dad, you’re back.”

“Dad, you finally returned!”

Lu Ping’an and Lu Wangshu displayed completely different expressions and tones when they saw their father.

The former maintained a composed look with a hint of delight, formally clasping his hands in greeting.

His tall, imposing figure exuded a deep, powerful aura as solid as an abyss.

The latter, less formal and half teasing, half affectionate, called out with pouting red lips and a radiant, inviting expression.

“Mm.”

Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but smile at the way his daughter’s eyes sparkled with anticipation over her Core Formation progress.

He turned to his son Lu Ping’an and asked with genuine concern, “Ping’an, how is Xiao Qin doing now?”

Upon hearing this, Lu Ping’an’s strong, determined face lit up with a broad smile. He grinned and said, “Dad, Yi Yi should give birth in about two months.”

Even though he wasn’t overly obsessed with having offspring,

ever since Qin Yi’s pregnancy, the thought of soon becoming a father filled him with an indescribable joy that came straight from the heart.

“Then I’ll delay my seclusion so I don’t miss my nephew’s full-moon celebration,”

Lu Wangshu teased with a smile from beside him.

She had always been very close to both Lu Ping’an and Qin Yi and had long known approximately when the nephew would be born.

“Hehe.”

Lu Changsheng looked at his son’s beaming expression and was suddenly reminded of the time when his late wife Lu Lanshu was pregnant with Lu Ping’an.

Even though he was merely a son-in-law back then and shared no deep bond with her,

the news of her pregnancy had stirred unprecedented excitement and joy in his heart.

Especially when the cries of newborn Lu Ping’an filled the air — the moment he cradled his son, his emotions soared to their peak.

Unknowingly, 126 years had passed.

That infant, once chubby and wrinkled, swept high in his arms, had grown into a revered Core Formation cultivator, almost untouchable by the world, and was now about to have children of his own.

This was the true legacy of the family!

Sadly, his wife Lu Lanshu, who lacked a Spirit Root, had long passed away, unable to witness this moment.

“I acquired a Corpse King Pearl during my travels; it will aid your cultivation. Keep it.”

Lu Changsheng tossed the Corpse King Pearl to his son and then added, throwing a Storage Pouch, “There are also some cultivation resources inside, more than enough for your practice.”

“There are also a few Spirit Medicines that benefit the fetus; you can give them to Xiao Qin.”

Currently, his son Lu Ping’an was based at home, and his cultivation resources were rather limited.

Now that the harvest was bountiful, Lu Changsheng was not one to be stingy.

“Dad, my resources are still enough,”

Lu Ping’an quickly explained, making it clear that the supplies his father had provided earlier had not yet been exhausted.

“If it’s for you, just accept it — that’s all,”

Lu Changsheng waved his hand dismissively.

He made it a point to provide as much as possible whenever he was able.

This was to avoid the hassle of running around when he was too busy to remember these matters.

“Big Brother, why are you still being so polite with Dad?”

Lu Wangshu said with a cheerful, teasing smile.

She had never held back with her father.

Being a third-rank talisman maker, she wasn’t short of money—in fact, she was something of a Lu Family tycoon.

But having to work hard for every coin made her feel that her father’s direct assistance was far more effective.

Boom!

Despite her words, facing such a daughter who didn’t appreciate the hardships of supporting a family, Lu Changsheng lightly rapped her on the head in mild reproach.

Then, tossing both the Corpse King Pearl and the Storage Pouch into his son’s hand, he said, “I have other matters to attend to outside. Consider this an early gift.”

“Thank you, Dad.”

While his father always appeared indifferent about money,

Lu Ping’an could keenly feel how much his father had been busy and running about over the years.

In such circumstances, being the eldest Son blessed with so much from the family yet unable to help his father eased the family’s burdens weighed heavily on his heart.

It was common in other families for children to venture out, earn resources, and support the clan.

Yet here, his father treated him like a child by continually showering him with abundant cultivation resources.

“Train well, and later I have something I need you to handle,”

Lu Changsheng patted his son’s shoulder, knowing how responsible he was.

He planned to take his son on some errands later.

For instance, when dealing with the situation at Qisha Sect, he intended to bring Lu Ping’an along.

On his journey to Jin Kingdom to settle matters with Yin Ghost Sect, his son Lu Quanzhen had helped out with the logistics, which eased his burden considerably.

He believed that taking one or two capable children along on such missions could be of great help.

“Yes, Father,”

Lu Ping’an responded, comforted by his father’s words and determined not to worry too much.

He planned that when his own child was born and when Lu Wangshu and his other siblings broke through Core Formation, he would set off with Qin Yi to help ease the family’s pressures or even head to the frontlines of war.

Over the years, he had kept a close eye on the Liang-Yue War’s situation.

He knew that after Yue Kingdom’s crushing defeat, Jiang Kingdom would be in grave danger.

As the Lu Family of Bihu Mountain currently stood as the top clan in Jiang Kingdom, they would inevitably be affected.

By then, it wouldn’t be as simple as his younger brother Lu Qingxian leading a support team.

The entire family would be drawn into the war of the cultivation world.

Lu Changsheng then inquired about Lu Ping’an’s cultivation progress before turning to his daughter and smiling, “Wangshu, have you sensed your second Heavenly Dao Core Formation opportunity?”

Judging by the eager look in her eyes, he guessed that she had made progress but hit a bottleneck.

“Dad, I have completely grasped the secret of the Heavenly Dao Core Formation opportunity.”

“Just give me some time, and I can adjust my state to the point of sensing the Heavenly Dao chance.”

Lu Wangshu’s clear, melodious voice chimed in as she spoke with a touch of pride in her pretty, expressive eyes.

Though she wasn’t constantly in the state of Heavenly Dao Core Formation like her father claimed,

her refined cultivation of ‘Clear Dao Heart’ allowed her to effortlessly enter a state of sudden enlightenment.

In that state, whether it was her cultivation techniques, talisman art, or even her understanding of formations, alchemy, or artifact refining, everything would progress dramatically.

Thus, Lu Wangshu had glimpsed some of the profound mysteries of Heavenly Dao Core Formation.

She could actively capture, sense, and align with the Dao, achieving unity between man and heaven.

“Oh?”

Lu Changsheng asked with pleased curiosity about the results of her recent practice and how she managed it.

Although his daughter had been mischievous since childhood, frequently pestering him for favors,

she had never once disappointed him.

Not only did her cultivation and talisman art remain top-notch, upholding the family’s renowned heavenly talisman legacy, but she often delivered pleasant surprises.

Immediately, Lu Wangshu demonstrated her enlightened state before her father.

Observing his sister’s progress, Lu Ping’an couldn’t help but express his admiration.

Talent-wise, Lu Wangshu wasn’t the most outstanding in the family,

but her comprehension was certainly among the best!

She had rapidly advanced to a third-rank talisman maker during the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Moreover, she had experience in alchemy, artifact refining, puppetry, formations, music, and even spiritual plants.

At this point, what was holding down her talisman art wasn’t her insight but her cultivation level!

Once she broke through Core Formation, it would be like shattering shackles, and her talisman art would leap forward!

Lu Changsheng quietly observed her current state.

He noticed that she had initially entered the mystical realm of Blood Talisman Spirit Body and the profound state of the ‘Nine-Nine Profound Talisman Sutra’,

and then communicated with heaven and earth through talisman patterns, merging with the Dao and achieving the state of unity between man and nature.

It was an esoteric process.

Talisman art itself was formed by mimicking the patterns of the heavenly laws through spirit lines.

Now, by harnessing her own talisman art, Lu Wangshu was able to leverage even more of the forces governing the universe.

In this state, she was highly likely to achieve the Immortal Golden Core!

“Excellent.”

Lu Changsheng praised her with a smile, aiming to push her potential to the limit.

Immediately, he handed her the gift he had prepared—the Butterfly Transformation Gu.

His daughter was well aware of such rare gu.

Not only had Lu Changsheng given her and Lu Qingzhu a small gu in her early years,

but she had also picked up plenty of information about venomous gu from Meng Xiaochan.

Had it not been for the Lu Family library’s records and the facilities for refining gu, she might even have attempted to refine one herself.

“This gu is called ‘Butterfly Transformation’, symbolizing metamorphosis from a cocoon to a butterfly. It assists in achieving Nirvana, enhancing cultivation, and unlocking innate potential.”

Lu Changsheng explained.

It was an exceedingly precious gu.

Originally, after Ah Youduo obtained the Gu God Cauldron, it was among the first batch of gu refined to cultivate trusted aides.

But on hearing that Lu Changsheng needed Heaven Mending Pills and other refined elixirs, they induced this Butterfly Transformation Gu early.

“Enhance innate potential!”

At these words, Lu Wangshu’s eyes shimmered as she carefully inspected the Butterfly Transformation Gu.

Her cultivation, magical energy, and foundation had reached the pinnacle,

and to progress further she needed only the elixirs that boost innate potential!

Having been blessed since childhood,

thanks to her father’s rise and the constant flow of medicinal baths, her innate potential was nearly maxed out.

Ordinary natural treasures were now useless to her.

“Thank you, Daddy. I knew you’d always look out for me,”

Lu Wangshu said affectionately, wrapping her arms around her father’s arm with a charming, obedient tone.

“Hehe.”

Lu Changsheng, used to his daughter’s temperament, lightly patted her hand, and two Porcelain Vials appeared.

They were Heaven Mending Pills obtained from the Yin Ghost Sect and Heaven Corpse Sect.

He handed one to Lu Ping’an and the other to Lu Wangshu.

“This is a… Heaven Mending Pill!”

Lu Wangshu gasped as she opened the vial.

Lu Ping’an recognized that his own vial also contained a Heaven Mending Pill.

“Dad, the Heaven Mending Pill offers limited benefit to my progress. Please give it to someone who needs it more.”

Looking at the Butterfly Transformation Gu and the Heaven Mending Pill in her hands, Lu Wangshu pressed her pink lips and spoke.

Though she often sought Spiritual Stones or talismans from her father,

she was no naive young lady oblivious to the hardships of the world.

She knew how precious resources were.

Casually asking Dad for Spiritual Stones or talismans never troubled her.

After all, her father was a Nascent Soul True Lord.

A single high-grade Spirit Stone was worth as much as a million lower-grade ones.

In such circumstances, being given tens or even hundreds of thousands of Spirit Stones was enough for years of expenditure.

For her father, drawing talismans was as easy as eating and drinking, hardly like the arduous process she endured.

Yet for a rare elixir like the Heaven Mending Pill, she was well aware of its limitations.

She knew that many in the family needed it more than she did.

Both Lu Wangshu and Lu Ping’an initially declined the pill.

They felt that having reached Core Formation, even if the Heaven Mending Pill upgraded their Spirit Root to top grade, it would be only marginally beneficial.

“Never mind. Just take it,”

Lu Changsheng said, pleased by his children’s modesty.

He believed both of them could make use of the Heaven Mending Pill, especially Lu Wangshu.

Since he was providing such luxury to his daughter, he would spare no effort to ensure it was fully utilized.

However, seeing his son’s resolute expression, he sighed and transmitted, “Ping’an, if you truly think you don’t need it, then see who in the family does.”

To be honest, many in the family required Heaven Mending Pills.

Faced with such a dilemma, he was quite conflicted about how to distribute them.

After a brief exchange, Lu Changsheng began to assess his daughter’s talisman art progress.

Noticing that her talisman art was being held back by her cultivation level, he didn’t delay any further in helping her refine the Butterfly Transformation Gu.

Three days later, Lu Wangshu successfully refined the Butterfly Transformation Gu.

The butterfly-like gu trembled softly, exuding a hazy, multicolored mist as it circled around her, enveloping her completely.

In the interplay of light and shadow, a pair of ethereal butterfly wings seemed to unfurl behind her, dreamlike and surreal.

“Sumeru,”

Lu Changsheng noted that his daughter’s metamorphosis into her butterfly form required time, so he instructed the Sumeru Tree King to keep an eye on her.

Then he proceeded to prepare the Ten Thousand Spirit Blood.

This premium Ten Thousand Spirit Blood from True Lord Mingsha was of exceptionally high grade.

Even though Lu Wangshu had reached a third-rank in body refinement techniques, her body couldn’t handle it without proper dilution.

Moreover, this Ten Thousand Spirit Blood was not only meant for Lu Wangshu but also for Lu Linghe, Lu Baixi, as well as Lu Shouzheng, Lu Yunxiao, Lu Chensha, and Lu Xingchen.

“Ah, back in my Foundation Establishment days, I never had such advantages,”

Lu Changsheng lamented, using spirit liquid and Spirit Medicine to continually dilute the Ten Thousand Spirit Blood.

After preparing the diluted Ten Thousand Spirit Blood, he went to check on his other children.

“Daddy, you’re back,”

Lu Linghe, who was sparring with Lu Baixi in the courtyard, shouted in delight upon seeing Lu Changsheng.

“Daddy, where are Meng Meng and Lu Minghuang?”

After a short while, Lu Linghe inquired.

Although Lu Baixi and Lu Mengchan didn’t get along very well,

Lu Linghe was an outgoing child who got along with everyone, and he was especially close to Lu Mengchan and Lu Minghuang.

“Meng Meng and your Aunt Xiaochan are training in Jin Kingdom, preparing to break through Core Formation, and Lu Minghuang is also staying there for a while,”

Lu Changsheng explained warmly to his daughter.

“Daddy, what is Jin Kingdom like? I heard it’s a demonic cultivation kingdom with the Five Poisons Sect, Heaven Corpse Sect, and Yin Ghost Sect. Aunt Xiaochan was once a disciple of the Five Poisons Sect.”

Lu Linghe’s interest was instantly piqued, and she began to inquire about the situation and the state of Jin Kingdom.

“Jin Kingdom isn’t much different from our Jiang Kingdom. If you’re interested, next time Daddy can take you to have a look around,”

Lu Changsheng said, noting that Jin Kingdom was now stable enough for visits.

“Thank you, Daddy,”

Lu Linghe nodded happily, showing no particular aversion to the demonic path.

She believed that good and evil were determined by people, not by the cultivation techniques or sect lineages.

After all, her mother Ling Zixiao’s cultivation method belonged to the demonic path these days.

And her Full True Brother’s cultivation method was also of the demonic kind.

Soon after, she chattered excitedly about the war in Yue Kingdom, mentioning that the Liang-Yue War was raging fiercely. She added that Brother Qingxuan had recently rushed to the frontlines and that Big Brother often talked about wanting to see the battle up close.

She wasn’t particularly interested in war,

but having heard so much about its brutality, she felt compelled to witness it for herself.

Lu Changsheng hadn’t expected that the details of the Liang-Yue War had spread so widely—his daughter Lu Linghe was well aware of every nuance.

This all spoke volumes about how deeply the war was affecting Jiang Kingdom.

“This is very dangerous. Once you break through Core Formation, Daddy will find time to take you see it,”

Lu Changsheng said, not wishing his children to witness too much of the war’s cruelty.

Yet, looking into his daughter’s pure, wide eyes, he nodded in agreement.

“Daddy, what about Little Roc King?”

Lu Baixi also inquired about his good friend.

Lu Changsheng suddenly recalled the Golden-Winged Roc hidden within the Heavenly Yuan Lotus and brought it forth.

“Master, is there something you need?”

The moment the radiant, golden roc appeared, it inquired if Lu Changsheng required its help.

Upon hearing that Lu Baixi was seeking it, the massive creature shimmered with golden light and transformed into a lean, armored young man,

whose cold, steely features belied any hint of youth.

“Xiao Creek, did you need something?”

The Golden-Winged Roc’s voice, though crisp and cool, carried a note of concern as it addressed Lu Baixi.

Lu Baixi promptly sought its advice on cultivation matters.

Lu Changsheng: “???”

Unlike his other children, Lu Baixi was often dour and seemed disinterested in most things.

Even when it came to his own father, he rarely showed any signs of amusement.

But now, facing the Golden-Winged Roc, he actually appeared pleased.

Moreover, whereas before his sisters would normally consult their father on cultivation, he now directly turned to the Golden-Winged Roc.

For a moment, Lu Ancestor felt a twinge of envy.

However, he knew that Lu Baixi had always been self-conscious about his stunted physical development.

Thus, he found that the Golden-Winged Roc—although older—appeared more approachable to her after transformation.

Lu Changsheng planned to arrange another meeting between Lu Lingjing and Lu Baixi in the near future.

“Golden Roc, go check on Chensha and Phantom Mink.”

After seeing that the two had finished their conversation, Lu Changsheng dismissed the Golden-Winged Roc.

Then, he spat a cauldron’s mouthful of fully diluted Ten Thousand Spirit Blood to help his two daughters perform bone-cleansing and body refinement.