Chapter 51: Lu Family's Fourth Elder!
"Yun'er, you must live a good life with Changsheng from now on, and listen to your husband's words, understand?"
"Changsheng, Yun'er is my granddaughter. I'm entrusting her to you now, don't let me down."
The Fourth Elder looked at Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoyun as she spoke.
Although this Fourth Elder was in her seventies or eighties and should have been a grandmother, she did not look old at all.
She wore a deep green elegant dress, her hair meticulously pinned up with a green jade hairpin, and her face was full and smooth, resembling a noblewoman in her thirties or forties.
Upon closer inspection, there were some white strands of hair at her temples and a few fine lines at the corners of her almond-shaped eyes. However, these white hairs and fine lines did not make her seem aged; instead, they added a strong, mature charm to her.
"Grandmother, please rest assured. Changsheng will definitely take good care of Yun'er and won't let her suffer any grievances."
Lu Changsheng spoke respectfully.
Even though this was a marriage of convenience, now that they were married and had consummated the union, he would naturally take it seriously and fulfill his responsibilities.
Lu Miaoyun also responded softly.
"Very good, very good. Grandmother believes in you. Work hard, and let grandmother hold her great-grandchildren soon."
The Fourth Elder held the couple's hands together and said with a smile.
Her expression was gentle and kind, and her tone was soft. However, due to her long tenure in a high position, there was a hint of authority in her words.
Lu Miaoyun blushed immediately at these words, lowering her head shyly.
Lu Changsheng, on the other hand, said straightforwardly, "Yes, Changsheng will work hard."
He also hoped Lu Miaoyun would become pregnant soon.
"Changsheng, I heard from Miaoge that you haven't had any formal instruction in talisman making, and you've relied on yourself to figure it out."
"Every month on the last day, I hold a class on talisman making. You should come and attend."
"If you have any questions, or problems with your cultivation, you can also come directly to find me."
The Fourth Elder continued speaking in a kindly tone, like a loving and affectionate elder.
As the person in charge of the Lu Family's talismans, she not only makes talismans herself but also teaches the younger generation of the Lu Family how to make talismans, trying to cultivate new talisman makers.
After all, no family would turn down having more talents like formation masters, alchemists, weapon smiths, or talisman makers; the more, the better.
However, these skills depend heavily on innate talent and have high thresholds. In the entire Lu Family, she had only taught Lu Miaoge successfully.
For someone like Lu Miaoyun, her granddaughter, she also tried teaching her talisman making, but Miaoyun simply did not have the talent for it; otherwise, she would have trained her up.
Lu Miaoyun being the second person to be matched with Lu Changsheng was also thanks to her own efforts.
As long as Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoyun got married, she would carefully guide and train Lu Changsheng, adding a Second Tier Talisman Maker to the Lu Family!
"Thank you, Grandmother,"
Lu Changsheng immediately cupped his hands respectfully and expressed his excitement.
He knew that the Fourth Elder in front of him was a First Tier Talisman Master and had reached the Ninth Stage of Qi Refining.
With her guidance in cultivation, there would naturally be no problems.
As for talisman making, though he might not need direct guidance, having the Fourth Elder's guidance as a cover could help him improve his talisman-making skills faster in the future.
Otherwise, having just become a medium-grade talisman maker, it would take him at least three to five years to reach the level of a high-grade talisman maker.
That timeframe would be too long.
If he had the Fourth Elder's guidance, he could potentially speed things up when necessary.
"We're all family; there's no need to be so formal."
"I am Miaoyun's grandmother, and from now on, I am also your grandmother. If you ever encounter any difficulties or face any challenges, don't hesitate to come to me."
"Grandmother still has some influence in the Lu Family,"
The Fourth Elder said with a gentle smile, her expression kind and affable.
"Yes, Grandmother,"
Lu Changsheng also showed a sincere smile.
The affectionate words, even though he knew there was some intention of winning him over, still warmed his heart and made him feel a sense of closeness.
Immediately, Lu Changsheng turned to the Fourth Elder and said, "Grandmother, Changsheng does have something to trouble you with."
"What is it?"
The Fourth Elder's expression remained gentle.
"Changsheng has a good friend named Li Feiyu, who initially came to the Lu Family with me to become a son-in-law."
"My friend is different from me. He is solely focused on cultivation, but now he is burdened with having to produce fifty children. So, I would like to ask you, Grandmother, if you could exempt him from having to produce fifty children, or at least reduce the number."
Lu Changsheng made his request.
He hadn't forgotten about his good friend Li Feiyu's situation. Initially, he wanted to discuss this with Patriarch Lu Yuanding, but because of the situation with Lu Miaohuan, he felt awkward approaching Lu Yuanding.
Now that he had the opportunity, he naturally brought it up.
"Such matters are difficult for me to interfere with," the Fourth Elder said thoughtfully. "But since you asked, I'll see what I can do to help."
This kind of matter wasn't a big deal for the Fourth Elder of the Lu Family. If she was willing, it was just a matter of saying a few words.
Moreover, since Lu Changsheng was making the request, it was even easier to accommodate.
Lu Changsheng now carried some weight in the eyes of the high-ranking members of the Lu Family.
Considering it was just a minor matter, she was willing to grant this favor to Lu Changsheng, allowing him to feel more grateful toward the Lu Family.
After all, Lu Changsheng's request wasn't unreasonable.
This request further elevated the Fourth Elder's perception and evaluation of Lu Changsheng. He was seen as a person with strong bonds and loyalty.
In the world of cultivation, having a sense of loyalty and emotional attachment might not be considered a strong point. However, from the Lu Family's perspective, the Fourth Elder would naturally want Lu Changsheng to be a person with strong bonds and loyalty.
"On account of you, Changsheng, I will release your friend Li Feiyu from the original contract, and waive all requirements regarding children," the Fourth Elder said. "But rules are rules, and our Lu Family does not support idlers."
"After waiving the child-bearing requirement, Li Feiyu will no longer receive any benefits or allowances from the Lu Family. He may continue to reside in the Lu Family, but he must contribute in some way."
"If he cannot accept these terms, then he must leave the Lu Family."
The Fourth Elder spoke with a mix of gentle kindness and a touch of commanding authority.
"Thank you, Grandmother," Lu Changsheng said, standing up and respectfully bowing. "I will speak to him about this matter later and get back to you with a response."
Lu Changsheng found this arrangement reasonable and felt it was enough.
Having been with the Lu Family for some time, he understood some of the family's situation.
While they had their own Spirit Vein blessed lands and businesses, they weren't overly wealthy.
For example, many collateral members of the Lu Family at Qingzhu Mountain had to work in refining materials, tending the bamboo groves, or harvesting the Green Spirit Bamboo in order to earn spirit stones.
In such circumstances, it would be impossible to keep idle individuals around. Providing an option to either work for the Lu Family or leave, while releasing him from the original contract without requiring any compensation, was already very generous.
Otherwise, under the terms of the original contract, if fifty children were not born within twenty years, Li Feiyu would have had to pay triple the resources and serve the Lu Family for ten years.
"Alright, just let me know your decision, and I'll discuss the matter with the Patriarch," the Fourth Elder said with a smile.
Afterward, Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoyun chatted with the Fourth Elder for a while before taking their leave.
As they left, the Fourth Elder gave them several boxes of pastries and spiritual fruits, making Lu Changsheng feel as though he was visiting family during the New Year.
Page 2 of 2
Chapter 52: Li Feiyu's Choice
After leaving the Fourth Elder's residence, Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoyun made their way to visit the Fifth Elder's residence to purchase some spiritual wine.
Lu Changsheng also wanted to ask if the nuptial wine they drank last night was also brewed by the Fifth Elder, as he found the taste quite pleasant.
"Changsheng, this is the Jade Bamboo Wine you wanted. It's made from our Lu Family's Jade Spirit Bamboo and has effects that nourish the body and relieve fatigue."
"This is Green Pear Wine, made from green pear fruit. It has similar effects to Jade Bamboo Wine but has a slightly more astringent taste. You can try it out."
"This is White Jade Hundred Flowers Wine, made from white jade spirit rice and dozens of kinds of flower fruits. It nourishes the body and calms the mind, with a rich, sweet, and long-lasting flavor."
"This is Ancient Millet Wine, made from ancient millet spirit rice…"
When the Fifth Elder saw Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoyun arriving to buy spiritual wine, he was very enthusiastic and brought out a variety of spiritual wines for Lu Changsheng to try.
These spiritual wines were all first-grade spiritual wines, categorized into low, middle, or high grades based on the quality of the ingredients and the fermentation time.
Brewing wine is different from alchemy; in addition to the raw materials, the greatest cost is the time involved.
Even if the raw materials for spiritual wine are ordinary, if they are stored in a place of spiritual energy, they can continuously absorb spiritual energy and warm, nourish, and ferment, making the spiritual energy in the wine richer and denser, and improving its quality.
Lu Changsheng tasted several kinds of spiritual wine and found that the Jade Bamboo Wine and White Jade Hundred Flowers Wine suited his taste the best.
He then asked Lu Miaoyun about her preferences in spiritual wine. She had similar tastes to him and preferred the White Jade Hundred Flowers Wine.
Lu Changsheng then expressed to the Fifth Elder his intention to purchase ten bottles of Jade Bamboo Wine and ten jars of White Jade Hundred Flowers Wine.
He also inquired whether the nuptial wine he drank last night was made by the Fifth Elder.
The Fifth Elder laughed and told Lu Changsheng that the nuptial wine was called Tiger Wolf Great Nourishment Wine. Drinking a little occasionally is good for both the body and cultivation, but drinking too much can actually be harmful to health.
Drinking a cup once every ten days or so is sufficient.
So Lu Changsheng decided to take a bottle of the Tiger Wolf Great Nourishment Wine with him.
He planned to use it to nourish the health of his wife and concubines.
The Jade Bamboo Wine and White Jade Hundred Flowers Wine he chose were both low-grade spiritual wines of lower vintage, priced at two spirit stones per bottle and three spirit stones per jar, respectively.
The Tiger Wolf Great Nourishment Wine, on the other hand, was five spirit stones per bottle.
In total, the cost came to fifty-five spirit stones, but the Fifth Elder generously offered Lu Changsheng a discount of five spirit stones.
After purchasing the spiritual wine, Lu Changsheng didn't stay long and took his leave with Lu Miaoyun.
However, he asked Lu Miaoyun to head back first while he went to Qingzhu Mountain Manor to discuss the earlier matter with Li Feiyu.
"Brother Changsheng!"
"Brother-in-law!"
"Brother Changsheng!"
"Brother Changsheng, did you come here for something?"
As Lu Changsheng arrived at Qingzhu Mountain Manor, several Lu Family disciples greeted him on the way.
Since Lu Changsheng had become a medium-grade talisman maker and had married Lu Miaoyun, the other disciples no longer saw him in a negative light.
In the Lu Family, where everything revolves around the family, Lu Changsheng was now seen as one of their own.
Even if some people didn't like him, they wouldn't be foolish enough to show it.
Moreover, Lu Changsheng's easygoing nature made it easy for him to get along with everyone. He never offended anyone, so people were generally happy to befriend Lu Changsheng, the talisman maker.
Although Lu Changsheng didn't know many of them personally, he would always smile and nod at those who greeted him and exchange a few words.
Upon arriving at Li Feiyu's residence, Lu Changsheng rang the doorbell.
One of Li Feiyu's wives opened the door.
Seeing that it was Lu Changsheng, she knew he was there to see Li Feiyu. She politely invited him into the living room, offered him tea, and then went to notify Li Feiyu.
"Changsheng, why did you come here?" Li Feiyu entered the living room shortly after.
"What? Can't I visit you for no reason?" Lu Changsheng replied with a grin.
Lu Changsheng laughed. "What's there to be busy with? I came here today because I have something to discuss with you."
Li Feiyu nodded with a smile. "What is it? What's on your mind?"
Lu Changsheng took a sip of tea and said, "It's about your requirement to have fifty children within twenty years."
Li Feiyu's expression changed instantly upon hearing this, his entire body tensing up with a look of surprise and anticipation as he watched Lu Changsheng closely.
He had previously said he didn't want to trouble Lu Changsheng, but over the years, the Lu Family had begun putting pressure on him to produce more children as part of his role as an immortal seedling.
Because of his relationship with Lu Changsheng, Uncle Fu had been relatively lenient with him, but he had still mentioned the matter a few times.
Under the pressure, Li Feiyu had already had five children, with two more on the way.
Lu Changsheng remained silent, observing Li Feiyu's anxious expression. He then took another sip of tea, letting out a contented sigh before speaking. "I didn't talk to the Patriarch about it."
Li Feiyu was taken aback.
Seeing Li Feiyu's reaction, Lu Changsheng chuckled. "I brought your situation up with the Fourth Elder, and she has agreed to your request."
Lu Changsheng explained the options the Fourth Elder had given Li Feiyu, without keeping him in suspense.
"Good, good, that's great!"
Li Feiyu exclaimed excitedly.
Being able to be released from the contract without having to pay any price or be compelled to have fifty children was already more than he could have hoped for.
He took a deep breath and sincerely thanked Lu Changsheng, "Changsheng, thank you so much for this!"
"There's no need for such formalities between us," Lu Changsheng said, waving his hand dismissively. "Feiyu, have you decided whether to stay with the Lu Family or leave?"
Lu Changsheng truly considered Li Feiyu a brother and was glad to be able to help him in this matter.
He had intended to speak to the Patriarch about it as soon as he became a medium-grade talisman maker, but because of the matter with Lu Miaohuan, he had been hesitant to speak up.
"Although the children belong to the Lu Family, they're still young, and I can't just walk away and leave them behind," Li Feiyu said thoughtfully. "I choose to stay and work for the Lu Family. Maybe later, when the kids are older and I've reached the mid-stages of Qi Refining, I can reconsider my options."
Lu Changsheng nodded, agreeing with Li Feiyu's decision.
At Li Feiyu's current Third Qi Refining Stage , it would be challenging to venture out as a rogue cultivator. Staying with the Lu Family for now seemed like the better choice. If he could, Lu Changsheng would be happy to assist Li Feiyu as well.
Lu Changsheng then joked, "With seven kids already, you might even find some with Spirit Roots! They might surprise you with their talent and guide you as a father."
Li Feiyu laughed and shook his head. "I don't hope for that. People say cultivation is wonderful, but when you walk the path of an immortal, you realize it's not as beautiful as it seems."
"If possible, I would prefer that none of them have Spirit Roots and could lead a peaceful, carefree life in the mundane world," he said.
Hearing Li Feiyu's words, Lu Changsheng raised an eyebrow in surprise. "That's not the kind of thing I'd expect you to say. Are you starting to regret embarking on the path of cultivation?"
This was not the Li Feiyu that Lu Changsheng remembered.
He recalled the time when Li Feiyu made the bold decision to forsake his position as the young leader of the Crimson Whale Gang to become a son-in-law in the Lu Family, motivated by his desire for immortality.
Li Feiyu had said, "Life is just a fleeting dream that lasts for less than a hundred years. If I see the opportunity for immortality, I can't miss it."
Now, hearing his friend talk about wishing his children could live a mundane life, Lu Changsheng couldn't help but be surprised by the change in attitude.
Chapter 53: Encouragement, Heavenly Demon Spirit Root!
"I don't regret it at all, but sometimes I wonder if it's worth it."
Li Feiyu shook his head slightly and said with some emotion.
People always grow. Having been with the Lu Family for over four years, he had his rough edges smoothed out and was no longer as full of vigor as before.
Lu Changsheng fell silent for a moment upon hearing these words.
He remembered his past self.
When he graduated, he was full of passion and drive, but a few years later, he gradually started to give up.
Li Feiyu's situation was even more severe.
In the mortal world, he was the young master of the Crimson Whale Gang and a top expert at eighteen years old. It's not an exaggeration to say he was a prodigy.
But upon entering the cultivation world and becoming the Lu Family's son-in-law, although he stepped onto the path of cultivation, his life revolved around having children, and he saw almost no hope in his cultivation journey.
How could such a life maintain its initial passion and sharpness?
Lu Changsheng stood up and patted Li Feiyu on the shoulder, saying, "Feiyu, I always remember the words you said at the beginning."
"When you chose to join the Lu Family, you said, "Life is but a dream, lasting only a century. Upon encountering a fate with immortals, it must not be missed."'
"You and I are lucky enough to have the Spirit Root. We can walk on the path of immortality and see scenery that ordinary people can't see. We are already luckier than ninety nine percent of people in the world."
"We must press on boldly and strive forward fearlessly to live up to the great gifts bestowed by the heavens!"
"The path to seeking immortals may be difficult and perilous, but it is merely a landscape along the journey of life."
"Stay true to your original intentions, forge ahead, and maintain consistency. Even if you fail, you will not regret it."
"Or else, possessing the fate with immortals and the Spirit Root, yet giving up on yourself and quitting halfway, ultimately leading a mediocre life—would you be content with that?"
Lu Changsheng looked at Li Feiyu and spoke up.
He didn't want to see his once vigorous and single-minded friend in the pursuit of immortality have his sharp edges smoothed down by this kind of life, lose his initial spirit, and ultimately lead a mediocre life.
Moreover, these words were not only for Li Feiyu to hear but also for himself. He always outwardly appeared to lack ambition, desiring nothing more than a stable life.
In reality, from the moment he awakened memories of his past life and learned about the existence of immortals in this world, he felt an endless yearning to cultivate immortality.
There's no particular reason for it. Immortals are what they are, and if there are immortals, one must seek them out. There's no reason required; there's no need for one.
However, he has a system by his side, allowing him to see hope and fill himself with optimism for his future!
Li Feiyu was shocked to hear Lu Changsheng's words.
He never expected that his friend, who had always shown no great ambition and only desired many wives, children, and grandchildren, would say something so profound and impactful.
Yet he knew that Lu Changsheng was comforting and encouraging him.
But the next moment, he suddenly remembered that during a gathering three years prior, Han Lin mentioned that Lu Changsheng had once ranked first in the Blue Cloud Sect's fourth assessment, the 'Heart Questioning Platform.'
The Heart Questioning Platform tested a person's dao heart, the state of mind, and determination in seeking immortality!
Lu Changsheng achieving first place made it impossible for him to truly lack ambition and give up seeking immortality.
"Of course, Changsheng knows he has a ninth-grade Spirit Root and has no way on the immortal path in this life, so he is seeking immortality in a different way."
"'By marrying and having children, he extends his quest for immortality through his descendants."
Li Feiyu thought to himself.
At that moment, he felt as if his mind was opened up.
If someone truly lacked ambition and was merely obsessed with women and procreation, how could he, shortly after joining the Lu Family, sell the flying sword he acquired, spending all his spirit stones on learning talisman making?
And within just four and a half years, he went from being a son-in-law to becoming a medium-grade talisman maker and marrying the granddaughter of a Lu Family elder!
This is clearly not something that someone lacking ambition and preoccupied with women could achieve.
If his good friend could do so well, how could he allow himself to fall behind?
Looking at Lu Changsheng, his gaze gradually became firm as he spoke, "Content? Of course, I am not content!"
"Changsheng, you are right. Seeking immortality is difficult. We are fortunate to encounter this fate with immortals; how could we give up easily?"
"Ordinary people seek fame, wealth, power, and beautiful companions, but we pursue becoming immortals and living forever. How could that be simple or easy?"
"Precisely because of this, we must strive even harder and have a heart that dares to try even when the outcome is uncertain!"
"Life is but a dream lasting only a century. Since we've encountered fate with immortals, how could we live out our lives in mediocrity?"
"Thank you, Changsheng!"
Li Feiyu spoke with a newfound vigor in his eyes, and a sharp flame burned within him.
"Why thank me?"
"I just don't want to see you lose your sharp edges and become dull before you even truly step into the cultivation world," Lu Changsheng said.
He didn't have many friends in this world, and if he were to count them, the only one was the person in front of him, Li Feiyu.
He hoped that Li Feiyu would be able to go further along the path of cultivation in the future.
"How could I, Li Feiyu, be defeated so easily?"
"Now that I'm no longer bound by a paper contract, once my child is older and I break through to the mid Qi Refining stage, I'll venture out and truly experience the world of cultivation."
"Otherwise, if I continue like this, I'm afraid I really will lose my sharp edges and become dull."
"If I end up as a pile of bones one day, I may need your help to take care of my wives and children."
Li Feiyu said with a carefree smile.
He was born in a Jianghu gang, and he was very open-minded about his own life and death, but he just couldn't let go of the people around him.
"Don't be in such a hurry to make a flag,"
Lu Changsheng said with a slight twitch of his mouth.
"What do you mean by making a flag?"
Li Feiyu asked.
"Nothing much. If anything happens, I'll take care of your wives and children!" Lu Changsheng smiled and shook his head.
Li Feiyu didn't pay much attention to these words, and the two continued to catch up.
Since Lu Changsheng had moved to Qingzhu Valley, the two of them hadn't had as many opportunities to chat.
Lu Changsheng took out a bottle of jade bamboo wine he had just bought from the fifth elder, and he and Li Feiyu shared the bottle.
After sharing a drink, Lu Changsheng didn't stay for long and soon left to go back to the fourth elder's residence to relay Li Feiyu's situation.
The fourth elder handled the matter efficiently and resolved Li Feiyu's situation the next day, freeing him from the contract he had signed with the Lu Family.
Under Uncle Fu's arrangement, Li Feiyu chose to become a spirit butcher because he had trained in martial arts and swordsmanship.
A spirit butcher is similar to a secular butcher but involves processing demonic beasts' corpses by skinning, deboning, extracting marrow, and retrieving cores.
Many demonic beasts require intricate processing after being hunted; otherwise, the materials can be wasted or damaged. In such cases, skilled spirit butchers are called upon to handle the dissection and collection of materials.
Since Li Feiyu decided to become a spirit butcher, the Lu Family naturally assigned an experienced mentor to guide him.
If Li Feiyu were a bit more skilled, he would have liked to join the Lu Family's patrol and hunting teams to hunt demonic beasts.
Seeing Li Feiyu free himself from fathering more children and begin learning a trade, Lu Changsheng felt at ease.
This was the most he could do to help him.
…
At the border between Qingzhou and Jizhou in Jiang Country, there was a precipitous, jagged landscape filled with thick, heavy fog, with bottomless cliffs.
The eerie winds howled through the gorge, and gray mist blanketed the area, creating an unsettling atmosphere.
The blood-red lake in the center had already dried up, leaving only a massive blood cocoon and a pile of bones.
The blood cocoon pulsed with a faint glow, resembling a quietly beating heart, breathing rhythmically in an eerie manner.
At this moment, the blood cocoon emitted a dull heartbeat sound, like the beating of a giant drum, causing the entire valley to tremble.
A moment later, a figure of an old man and a young man appeared in mid-air.
The young man wore a loose black robe, his head of jet-black hair tied up with a wooden hairpin. He was exceptionally handsome, with a captivating appearance, exuding an aura of an ageless, otherworldly ancient presence that didn't seem to belong to his age.
"No wonder it's a Heavenly Demon Spirit Root. It merged with the Demon Lord's blood so quickly, completing the baptism."
The young man looked at the blood cocoon and chuckled softly, exuding a strange charisma.
"Congratulations, Patriarch! Congratulations!"
The old man immediately bowed and congratulated.
The young man chuckled softly and raised his hand, pointing gently at the blood cocoon.
At once, the blood cocoon began to crack and shatter, turning into fragments of blood-red light, revealing the man wrapped inside.
The man appeared to be around twenty years old, with refined and handsome features. His skin was fair and delicate, but a crescent-shaped blood-red lotus mark faintly appeared on his brow, giving him an indescribable aura of malevolence.
He slowly regained consciousness and opened his eyes. His gaze was different from that of ordinary people, with dark, deep blood-red pupils that seemed to pierce the soul.
"Where am I?"
"I remember… I think I encountered mountain bandits, then jumped off a cliff…"
Qu Changge seemed to awaken from a dream, his blood-red eyes filled with confusion as he rubbed his brow.
But the next moment, he couldn't help but be shocked when he saw that his palms had become as white as jade, his nails were sharp and scarlet.
"What, what is this…"
Then he saw the surrounding pile of bones and was further startled, shocked beyond belief.
Before he could express his astonishment, a young man came to him and laughed loudly, "Today, you will become my disciple."
Chapter 54: Only Strength is Eternal!
Jiang Country, Qingzhou, Zhoushan Prefecture.
A young boy, a young man, and an old man appeared out of thin air in a desolate, dilapidated, overgrown courtyard.
"Is this my home? What happened to my home!?"
The young man looked at the dilapidated courtyard in front of him, frowning slightly.
It was clear that this courtyard had been uninhabited for a long time.
Qu Changge looked around the situation in front of him and couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding.
He quickly made a circle around the courtyard and then ran to the gate, confirming that this was indeed his home.
"How could my parents move? They were fine!"
"Even if they moved, it wouldn't make sense for them to abandon this house."
Qu Changge muttered to himself quietly, but his heart was filled with a sharp pain that caused his body to tremble. His dark red eyes glowed with a blood-red light, like half-dried blood.
He fought against the sharp pain in his heart and ran to the main street, asking passersby about what had happened to the Qu family.
However, when the people on the street saw his dark red eyes, they reacted like frightened rabbits, their faces changing drastically as they fled in fear.
Finally, a vendor, trembling in fear, spoke.
"The Qu family suffered some misfortune a year ago, and the entire family was killed. I've heard that the case has not been solved even now."
When he heard these words, it was as if a thunderbolt struck Qu Changge; his mind felt like it had exploded.
His legs buckled, and he half-kneeled on the ground, coughing up a mouthful of blood.
"No, no, no!!! That's impossible! It can't be true!!!"
He muttered in disbelief, his mind filled with images of his kind and loving parents, his sweet and innocent sister.
He could not believe that his parents, sister, Uncle Xu, and Aunt were all dead.
But now the truth was in front of him, and he could not find any reason to explain it away.
"Ah!!!"
Qu Changge let out a long howl, his eyes splitting and shedding two lines of blood tears, full of grief.
His expression was one of painful ferocity; the blood-red lotus mark on his brow intensified as strands of blood-red energy surged within him, causing a blood-red phantom of a three-headed, six-armed figure to appear behind him.
Most shockingly, his black hair turned white at a visibly fast pace.
"As expected of a Heavenly Demon Spirit Root; he hasn't even begun training, and yet the demon lord's blood has already awakened the demon blood within him."
The young man observed Qu Changge's state and smiled lightly.
"Patriarch, he might think we are responsible for this and harbor resentment?"
The old man asked cautiously.
"So what if he holds resentment? Resentment fuels motivation."
"Given this young man's potential, with dedicated cultivation, in at most a century, he can achieve the Heavenly Demon Body. What I want is for him to attain the Heavenly Demon Body as quickly as possible and master it to perfection."
The young man spoke calmly, his face always showing a faint smile.
At that moment, Qu Changge suddenly stood up from his kneeling position on the ground, panting heavily, breathing heavily, and trembling all over as he clenched his fists and walked out into the courtyard.
With a ferocious expression and blood-red eyes, he glared at the young man and old man and shouted, "Did you do this?!"
"Impudent!"
The old man rebuked him immediately, exuding a sense of authority that made Qu Changge feel like he was carrying a heavy burden and struggling to breathe.
The young man waved his hand dismissively and spoke to Qu Changge.
"Today, your master will teach you the first lesson: never act impulsively. You must think thrice before taking action."
"What is the point of impulsively questioning me like this?"
"What if I did it? What if I didn't?"
"Your behavior is foolish. Aside from your own incompetence and rage, it will only bring you trouble, and you will end up losing your life for no reason, achieving nothing."
"Remember, in this world, only your own strength is eternal!"
"You possess the Heavenly Demon Spirit Root and have been baptized with the demon lord's blood. You are a peerless talent in practicing the demonic path."
"What you should do now is endure, focus on cultivation, and once you have the strength, then investigate the truth and avenge your family."
"However, since it's your first offense, your master will forgive it."
The young man spoke in a calm tone.
"Now that you've seen your home, let's go."
After the young man finished speaking, the three of them transformed into a beam of divine light and disappeared from the courtyard.
…
Qingzhu Valley.
In an estate.
"When you are in a hurry, mind your own business; when encountering injustice, think about self-reliance."
"When the enemy stands, the first move is yours; choose harmony over conflict.
"The root of disaster lies in personal desires; accept your fate and then cultivate yourself."
Lu Changsheng was holding a wooden tablet, teaching Lu Ping'an, Lu Wuyu, and Lu Wuyou the classic three-character scripture.
"Husband, it's time to eat."
"What are you teaching them?"
At this moment, Lu Miaoyun came over to call Lu Changsheng to dinner.
"The kids are around three or four years old now, so I made up some things for them to read as an introduction to learning."
Lu Changsheng stood up with a smile, calling a group of young children inside to eat.
Lu Miaoyun knew that although her husband came from a humble background, he was very studious and often read books. So, it was normal for him to create some introductory phrases for the children to read. However, the sentences he created sounded a bit unusual to her.
She didn't dwell on it much, her bright face showing a sweet smile. She said, "For an introduction to learning, there is a Bailu Mountain Villa in Qingzhu Mountain, where scholars from the secular world have been invited. Husband, you can send Ping'an and the others there for learning."
"My husband is usually busy with other matters, so you can leave these things to me."
Lu Miaoyun spoke up.
"Maybe when they're a bit older, I'll send them all together next year."
Lu Changsheng nodded in agreement.
The Bailu Mountain Villa is inside Qingzhu Mountain, so it's not far away, so his wife and concubines can pick up and drop off the children every day.
After all, he doesn't have much time to teach these children, and he might not teach them very well himself.
Lu Changsheng doesn't have many high expectations for these children. As long as they grow up safely and don't cause trouble for him, that's enough.
He's not like most parents who hope their children will become outstanding individuals.
He doesn't have high expectations, as the system allows him to know which of his children have Spirit Roots.
Among this group of children, only two have Spirit Roots. The other children do not, so they will go into the secular world.
With him as their father, these children will already be better off than most ordinary people when they enter the secular world. Further effort can only take them so far.
Of course, he does have some requirements. He plans to have the children learn martial arts for strength and achieve martial arts mastery.
Then, they can start families and establish a martial arts family in the secular world, extending the Lu family line.
To be honest, with him as their father, achieving these goals isn't too difficult.
As for his two children with Spirit Root, Lu Changsheng doesn't have many demands for them, either.
After all, the quality of their Spirit Roots was already set.
He knows very well how difficult it is to pursue cultivation with such a Spirit Root.
And Lu Changsheng doesn't want his children to push themselves too hard or endure too much hardship, he believes that moderation is enough.
After all, one can't rush the process. The Lu family doesn't seek immediate success but instead focuses on a long-term future.
Lu Changsheng didn't think too much about it and went to the dining hall to eat with Lu Miaoyun and the children.
Page 2 of 3
Chapter 55: Jade Bamboo Rice, Mysticism!
There was a large revolving round table in the middle of the dining room, allowing the whole family to sit together.
Of course, the children were too young to sit at the table now, but when they grew older or if he had more wives and concubines, the table would no longer be enough to accommodate them all.
"Husband, this Jade Bamboo Rice has been cooked with spiritual fire for three hours by Little Qing. Try it and see how it tastes."
Once Lu Changsheng was seated at the head of the table, Lu Miaoyun brought over a small wooden bucket made of jade spirit bamboo and served him a bowl of rice.
Each grain of rice in the bowl was fresh green, exquisite, and translucent like agate jade, exuding a bamboo fragrance that was captivating and mouthwatering.
Lu Changsheng took a bite and found it left a lingering fragrance in his mouth.
After taking a couple more bites, he commented, "As expected of first-tier spirit rice, the taste is truly exceptional."
"You all should try it as well," Lu Changsheng said to his wives and concubines.
This Jade Bamboo Rice had just been delivered by the Lu Family the day before. It was part of the benefits Lu Family offered him for becoming a medium-grade talisman master.
After his promotion, his basic benefits did not change much.
In addition to the usual ten spirit stones, thirty pounds of spirit rice, and a bottle of Yellow Dragon Elixir per month, he now received an additional twenty pounds of the Lu Family's specialty, Jade Bamboo Rice, each month.
Jade Bamboo Rice had each grain as vibrant as jade.
It not only contained rich spiritual energy and tasted sweet and fragrant, but eating it long-term could also nourish the body, cleanse impurities, and purify the flesh.
Ordinary grains and vegetables would leave impurities in the body. This is why cultivators usually ate spirit rice.
Compared to regular spirit rice, Jade Bamboo Rice was of a higher grade, classified as first-tier spirit rice.
Even for the Lu Family, the annual production was quite limited.
Only the elders and special guest elders received a certain quota each month.
With Lu Changsheng's promotion to medium-grade talisman master and his marriage to Lu Miaoyun, the Lu Family provided him with twenty pounds of Jade Bamboo Rice each month.
In addition to the Jade Bamboo Rice reward, there was another change: by completing the Lu Family's assigned talisman-making tasks each month, he could earn an additional bonus of spirit stones.
Before, there were no bonuses for completing the tasks.
The bonus was not a lot, just ten spirit stones, but it was a fair amount.
If he could exceed the required tasks and produce additional talismans, the Lu Family would purchase them at market price, which was an indirect improvement in his treatment and a motivating factor.
Lu Changsheng had no objections to these changes and thought they were satisfactory.
After all, the Lu Family had given him Lu Miaoyun as his wife and a servant girl as part of her dowry, which was also a form of reward.
After spending several days together, Lu Changsheng had grown quite fond of Lu Miaoyun, his young wife.
Although she had the typical disposition of a young girl, she was sweet and sensible.
She didn't carry herself with an entitled demeanor and quickly integrated with his current wives and concubines, getting along harmoniously and showing qualities of a great wife.
Lu Changsheng was very pleased with this.
As the saying goes, a beautiful face is not as valuable as a clever mind, and a virtuous wife will support your ambition to soar to the heavens.
For Lu Changsheng at this point their appearance and physique were not his primary concerns.
An above-average appearance was sufficient, but the quality of their spiritual roots and moral character were the main factors.
"Thank you, Husband."
"Thank you, Husband."
"Thank you, Husband."
Upon hearing Lu Changsheng's words, his wives and concubines began eating.
However, there wasn't much Jade Bamboo Rice; only a small wooden bucket was cooked.
After Lu Changsheng took a large bowl, the others could only share a small portion for a taste.
At this time, Little Qing brought over a tray with the remaining dishes and placed them on the table. Being Lu Miaoyun's maid, her skills involved spiritual planting and cooking.
Although she was not a spiritual chef, her culinary skills were excellent—on par with top chefs in the mortal world.
So, after following Lu Miaoyun, she took on the role of a little chef in the household.
"There's still room, Little Qing, you can sit down and eat too," said Lu Changsheng. "I don't have so many rules here."
Little Qing looked at Lu Changsheng with her clear big eyes, showing a sweet smile on her face and responded crisply, "This servant isn't hungry."
"Little Qing, when husband asks you to sit down, you should sit down," Lu Miaoyun said.
Lu Miaoyun, who was beside him, knew her husband did not care much for formality or excessive rituals. She stood up and took Little Qing's arm, seating her beside her.
"Thank you, Young Master," Little Qing responded crisply and then served herself a bowl of rice and ate it in small bites.
…
Time flew by, and more than a month had passed.
With the daily nourishment from Jade Bamboo Rice and spiritual wine, Lu Changsheng could clearly feel his physical condition improving significantly.
However, there was still no progress in the Hundred Treasure Refinement Body Tempering Technique. Unfortunately, that was the nature of a Genuine Level body tempering technique.
Though powerful, the threshold for training is really high. It's very difficult to get started, and it has extremely high physical requirements.
Lu Changsheng's body had not been weakened by indulgence, which was already an achievement. Thus, he had a long way to go to improve his physical foundation.
To cultivate the Hundred Treasure Refinement Body Tempering Technique, he had to gradually nourish his body over time. At his current pace, he estimated it would take at least two or three years to achieve even a basic understanding of the technique.
Unless, of course, he obtained a magical artifact through a system lottery as he previously hoped. He could then integrate it into his body using the refinement technique and use it to nourish himself.
However, this possibility seemed far off. Recently, his twenty-first child was just born. To attempt the lottery, he would need to father nine more children.
Even after reaching a total of thirty children, there was no guarantee the system would reward him with a gift.
Regardless of whether the system would provide anything, Lu Changsheng remained focused on his primary goal: fathering children.
After over a month of effort, Lu Miaoyun successfully conceived.
Although female cultivators often experience a depletion of spiritual energy during pregnancy, which can hinder their cultivation, the high-ranking members of the Lu Family were delighted with the news.
To them, the more children the couple had, the more stable the marriage would be, further solidifying Lu Changsheng's ties to the Lu Family.
Lu Changsheng was also very pleased.
Given that Lu Miaoyun had a seventh-grade Spirit Root, there was a high probability that their children would inherit a Spirit Root as well.
In particular, considering the precedent set by Qu Zhenzhen, he was eagerly looking forward to the child in Lu Miaoyun's womb.
Following Lu Miaoyun's pregnancy, Patriarch Lu Yuanding and the four elders provided her with nourishing supplements.
In the world of cultivation, there is a mystical belief that if the mother has a healthy environment and receives adequate nourishment and spiritual energy during pregnancy, the child is more likely to possess a Spirit Root of higher quality.
While the veracity of this belief was difficult to confirm, Lu Changsheng, having the means, was willing to accept this mystical concept and take advantage of it.
He used some of his spirit stones to ensure his wives and children had access to spirit rice and spiritual vegetables daily.
Previously, the thirty pounds of spirit rice he received monthly from the Lu Family was far from enough for the entire family.
It was primarily allocated to him, and his wives and children only got to enjoy spirit rice and spiritual vegetables occasionally.
However, with the recent improvements in the Lu Family's benefits, the steady income from selling talismans through Hong Yi, and the gains from Niutou Mountain, Lu Changsheng could now allocate his resources to improve his wives' and children's diet.