Chapter 307: Auspicious tree, Li sisters!
“Hiss, hiss, hiss—”
Beside the Spirit Eye Spring, the Nether Prison Demon Flower swayed continuously, blooming with a beautiful, enchanting glow.
As the flower stalk grew, roots covered in dark red thorns broke through the soil beside it, like venomous snakes, gradually filling the air with a bloody smell.
When the Nether Prison Demon Flower grew to about a zhang in height, its budding flower slowly bloomed, resembling a deep abyss, captivating and hiding endless horrors.
Seeing this, Qu Zhenzhen had already tightly clutched Lu Changsheng’s arm, a little scared.
Lu Miaohuan was much better than Qu Zhenzhen; her beautiful eyes carefully observed the Nether Prison Demon Flower before her.
She knew that with Lu Changsheng present, the Nether Prison Demon Flower would not harm her.
“Husband, is this demon flower a Second-Order Yao Plant?”
Lu Miaohuan asked.
She could sense a strong Demonic Qi from this Yao Plant.
“That’s right, this Nether Prison Demon Flower is currently a Second-Order Yao Plant, and as for its grade, it has already surpassed the level of a heaven and earth spiritual plant.”
“So, I’m not sure what changes will occur if you Cultivate the Heaven and Earth Longevity Method with this ‘Yao Plant,’ but there will be no danger.”
“If Miaohuan, you don’t like it, Husband will find another spiritual plant for you later.”
Lu Changsheng held his wife’s slender, jade-like hand and said softly.
According to his estimation, Cultivating the Heaven and Earth Longevity Method with the Nether Prison Demon Flower would definitely yield better results than with an ordinary heaven and earth spiritual plant!
However, Cultivating with a Yao Plant would face one problem: the Yao Plant’s instinctive consciousness!
It was like contracting a Yao Beast or refining a Gu, very troublesome and dangerous.
For a small Qi Refining Cultivator to refine a Second-Order Yao Plant into their Natal Spiritual Root and obliterate its consciousness was basically impossible!
Lu Changsheng dared to do this because the Yao Plant was obtained through the System’s lottery, so he wasn’t worried about the Yao Plant retaliating.
However, only he would be willing to give such a rare Heaven Rank Bloodline Yao Plant to his wife for Cultivation.
“Husband, I like it!”
Lu Miaohuan immediately said clearly upon hearing this.
Although the Nether Prison Demon Flower before her was somewhat intimidating, she thought it was fine.
She even felt that with such changes, its abilities were quite good.
She and Qu Zhenzhen had long known about the Heaven and Earth Longevity Method, having learned much about this Cultivation Technique from Lu Miaoyun.
They knew that once it was refined, they would not be able to leave the spiritual plant too far and would not be able to leave Bihu Mountain.
In the future, they would also be unable to Cultivate on their own, only able to improve their cultivation by cultivating spiritual plants.
Moreover, all the spiritual power in their bodies would transform into the plant power of the ‘Heaven and Earth Longevity Method.’
This resulted in their magical power having almost no destructive power, leaning towards health preservation and nourishing the Physical Body and Divine Soul.
The only use was to be able to control their ‘Natal Spiritual Root,’ which was the refined heaven and earth spiritual plant.
So, seeing the Nether Prison Demon Flower, she thought that if she refined it into her Natal Spiritual Root and controlled this Yao Plant, she might also have some combat power.
In the future, if the Family encountered danger, such as when Xiahou Demon attacked, she would also be able to help.
Of course, she also really liked the normal appearance of the Nether Prison Demon Flower.
If it always looked so terrifying, she would have to consider it.
For example, Lu Miaoyun’s Lingming Treasure Tree, not only did Qu Zhenzhen find it ugly, but she also thought it was a bit ugly.
“Husband, what’s inside this flower? Can it open up more?”
Lu Miaohuan looked at the Nether Prison Demon Flower’s abyss-like, not yet fully opened mouth and asked curiously.
“This flower is called the Nether Prison Demon Flower, and like its name, there is a prison inside.”
Lu Changsheng began to introduce the Nether Prison Demon Flower’s abilities.
As he spoke, he held the somewhat timid Qu Zhenzhen in his arms to avoid scaring her, then had the Nether Prison Demon Flower reveal its final form.
The half-opened flower fully bloomed.
The stamens inside were like crimson tentacles, covered with sharp, tooth-like thorns, and the mucus was like blood, emitting a strong bloody smell.
Even Lu Miaohuan couldn’t help but be shocked as she looked at the blooming Nether Prison Demon Flower, feeling that this flower was like a demon.
If she didn’t know that this was a spiritual plant prepared for her by Lu Changsheng, she wouldn’t dare stand before it like this.
“Husband, I want this one!”
Lu Miaohuan said without hesitation.
“Good, as long as Miaohuan, you like it.”
Lu Changsheng heard his wife’s words and said with a smile.
As he spoke, the Nether Prison Demon Flower before them returned to its original enchanting and beautiful appearance.
He was actually quite looking forward to his wife, Lu Miaohuan, refining the Nether Prison Demon Flower into her ‘Natal Spiritual Root.’
After all, the Nether Prison Demon Flower was a Yao Plant, different from ordinary heaven and earth spiritual plants.
Moreover, after Lu Miaoyun successfully Cultivated the Heaven and Earth Longevity Method, he Dual Cultivated with her and gained some characteristics of the Lingming Treasure Tree.
That is, after Dual Cultivation, his eyes became clearer, as if wiped with Lingming Pure Liquid.
This made him curious: if Lu Miaohuan refined the Nether Prison Demon Flower into her ‘Natal Spiritual Root,’ would he be able to gain some of the Nether Prison Demon Flower’s characteristics?
Lu Miaoge, who was beside them, didn’t say much when she saw this.
Although this Nether Prison Demon Flower was terrifying, she knew that Lu Changsheng would not let her sister be in danger.
“Since that’s the case, these two spiritual plants are decided.”
Lu Changsheng squeezed the soft hands of his two beloved wives.
Then he looked at Lu Miaohuan and said, “Oh, Miaohuan, I plan to have Xumi transplant the Nether Prison Demon Flower to Lake Heart Island.”
The Nether Prison Demon Flower required a lot of Spiritual Qi and magical power from Xumi in the Xumi Grotto-heaven.
Now that Lake Heart Island had a Second-Order Spiritual Vein, he naturally planned to move the Nether Prison Demon Flower there.
“Mm, okay.”
Lu Miaohuan nodded in response, not minding it.
At this moment, Lu Changsheng looked at his little wife in his arms and said, “Zhenzhen, you can refine the spiritual plant outside. Oh, have you thought of a name for this tree?”
“Mm.”
Qu Zhenzhen’s face showed a thoughtful expression upon hearing this.
After pondering for a moment, she looked up at Lu Changsheng and said clearly, “Husband, how about calling it the Auspicious Tree? It represents auspiciousness, good luck, happiness, and beauty!”
After speaking, she looked at Lu Miaohuan and Lu Miaoge, wanting to know what they thought of her name.
“Mm, not bad, this name is good. Auspicious and propitious, everything as you wish.”
Lu Changsheng chuckled and patted her head, praising her.
“This name sounds good.”
Lu Miaoge also smiled gently and praised it.
Upon hearing these words, Qu Zhenzhen’s face immediately broke into a happy smile.
Immediately, Lu Changsheng called Ling Zixiao, preparing to go to Lake Heart Island to take a look.
He had been home for so many days and hadn’t been to Lake Heart Island to see what was going on.
The group walked out of the Xumi Grotto-heaven and arrived at Lake Heart Island.
The entire small island was isolated by a Formation, appearing hazy.
This was just a simple Formation with no protective effect, only serving to block external scrutiny.
However, after entering it, Lu Changsheng felt that although the Spiritual Qi here reached Second-Order, it was very strained.
It was vaguely between First-Order and Second-Order.
“This is where your concubine connected the water vein beneath Bishui Lake with the Spiritual Vein beneath Biyun Peak.”
Ling Zixiao explained.
Currently, Bihu Mountain and Biyun Peak were the main sources of Spiritual Qi; not only was there the Xumi Tree King,
but also her, Lu Changsheng, Lu Miaoge, and Bai Ling, four Foundation Establishment Cultivators, making it quite strained.
So, she directed most of Bishui Lake’s Spiritual Vein’s Spiritual Qi towards Biyun Peak.
“Zixiao, you’ve worked hard.”
Lu Changsheng said to Ling Zixiao.
He had thought about this problem before.
With more and more Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the Family and the cultivation of spiritual plants, there would definitely be a problem of insufficient Spiritual Qi.
Now, the promotion of Bishui Lake to Second-Order temporarily solved this problem.
But in another ten or twenty years, as the children in the Family gradually reached Foundation Establishment, if their own Spiritual Vein could not advance further to Third-Order, this problem would definitely reappear.
At that time, they would probably have to find a new spiritual land and establish a branch Family.
“Ling Zixiao.”
“Ling Zixiao.”
Just then, from a courtyard, two women walked out and called out clearly to Ling Zixiao in the air.
One was sixteen or seventeen, the other twenty-three or twenty-four, both with bright eyes and white teeth, as beautiful as flowers, and very elegant.
Their appearances were seven or eight parts similar; they should be a pair of sisters.
“Hmm? Li Xingruo, Xiaoyu, why are you here?”
Lu Changsheng was slightly stunned when he saw the two women, asking with some surprise.
He knew these two women.
They were Li Xingruo and Li Xingyu, the sisters from Bao Dan Pavilion where he temporarily stayed when he went to Nine Heavens Immortal City.
Originally, after meeting the two women, he had thought of asking them to help him purchase and acquire some Materials in Nine Heavens Immortal City.
But because of his connection with Ling Zixiao, the matter of purchasing goods in Nine Heavens Immortal City was handed over to Ling Zixiao.
So, he had no further contact with the two women.
After all, he was just a passerby in their lives.
He also didn’t want to have too much contact and affect their lives.
Unexpectedly, at this very moment, the two women had actually come to his Family.
“Hmm?”
“Ah?”
Li Xingruo and Li Xingyu were both stunned when they heard Lu Changsheng’s words.
Then Li Xingruo looked at Lu Changsheng, her face filled with surprise, and asked somewhat uncertainly, “You… you are Ye Senior!”
“Ye Senior?”
Lu Miaoge and Lu Miaohuan both looked at their Husband.
They wondered when he had attracted young girls outside again.
“Cough, cough, it’s me.”
Under a pair of beautiful eyes, Lu Changsheng coughed lightly and nodded in response.
Then he looked at Ling Zixiao.
He knew without a doubt that the two women being here was related to Ling Zixiao.
He guessed that Ling Zixiao and the two women had probably been exchanging letters for the past few years, which was why she called them to Bihu Mountain.
He thought that Ling Zixiao hadn’t informed him about this matter for so many days, causing him to be somewhat caught off guard, which was clearly intentional.
He would definitely punish her well tonight!
“Lang Jun, Li Xingruo and Li Xingyu were invited by your concubine, and they are currently Guest Elders of our Bihu Mountain.”
“Li Xingruo is responsible for Alchemy, and Li Xingyu is an appraiser.”
Ling Zixiao’s raven-black hair was coiled up, and she wore a dark blue dress, a faint smile gracing her lips as she spoke with elegant composure.
“Welcome to Bihu Mountain.”
Lu Changsheng descended from the sky, looking at the two sisters before him with a gentle expression, like a spring breeze, saying, “My true name is Lu Changsheng. Ye Fan was the alias I used back then.”
“Greetings, Mountain Lord Lu.”
The two women looked at Lu Changsheng, who was dressed in a green robe and had an exceptionally handsome face, and called out with some restraint.
“Haha, no need to be so restrained and polite. I was out on business before and only returned these past few days.”
Lu Changsheng smiled faintly, letting out a soft chuckle, his voice gentle.
“How did you two get here?”
He continued to inquire.
“We encountered some trouble in Nine Heavens Immortal City, and then we received an invitation from Ling Zixiao, so we came over on an azure cloud spirit ship.”
Li Xingruo was no longer as reserved at this moment, her beautiful eyes clear as she spoke softly.
“Trouble…”
Lu Changsheng paused upon hearing this, then nodded with a smile, saying, “So that’s how it is. Since you’ve arrived, you can rest assured here. I still have some matters to attend to, and we can catch up later.”
“Later, I will host a welcoming feast for you two and also apologize for concealing my identity from you back then.”
With his wife watching from behind, he couldn’t very well continue chatting idly with the two women here.
He planned to ask Ling Zixiao about the situation later.
“Ye Senior, you are too kind.”
“Mountain Lord, please attend to your matters first.”
The two women quickly nodded in response.
In this situation, they also felt a bit awkward facing Lu Changsheng, not knowing what to say.
“Ling Zixiao, where have you planned the location for the heaven and earth spiritual plant?”
Lu Changsheng looked at Ling Zixiao and asked.
Immediately, Ling Zixiao led Lu Changsheng and the others to a central manor.
At this time, Lu Changsheng also briefly introduced the situation of the Li Xingruo and Li Xingyu sisters to his wife.
“Before I went out, I made a trip to Nine Heavens Immortal City…”
Lu Changsheng spoke, explaining the situation.
“As expected of our Mountain Lord Lu, he’s truly well-liked wherever he goes.”
Lu Miaohuan snorted lightly, pouting her red lips, and said in a sarcastic tone.
“Haha.”
Hearing this, Lu Changsheng didn’t retort, merely smiled, and wrapped his arm around Lu Miaohuan’s slender waist, saying softly, “Miaohuan, where are you planning to plant the Nether Prison Demon Flower?”
“Anywhere is fine with me, Husband. You can arrange it.”
Lu Miaohuan said.
Regarding a Second-Order Demonic Plant, she didn’t understand much.
“This manor is rich in Spiritual Qi, and plants can be grown anywhere. It mainly depends on where you, Miaohuan, find it convenient.”
Ling Zixiao, who was standing by, said this.
“Since that’s the case, how about planting it in the back garden?”
Lu Miaohuan looked around and finally pointed to the vibrant, colorful back garden in front, suggesting.
The Nether Prison Demon Flower is also a flower, and planting it in this garden is very suitable.
If anyone foolishly dares to cause trouble, they will be turned into flower fertilizer for the garden.
“Good, since my Miaohuan has spoken, then how about here?”
Lu Changsheng pointed to a specific spot in the garden.
After confirming, he transformed into a streak of light and soared into the sky, flying towards Biyun Peak to have Sumi transplant the Nether Prison Demon Flower.
Although Lake Heart Island was also within Sumi’s controllable range.
However, in most cases, Sumi would not extend his Divine Soul throughout the entire Bihu Mountain.
“Yes, Master.”
Sumi responded, his voice ethereal and soft.
But then.
“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—”
Mist surged on the Bihu Mountain Formation, countless azure and faint golden spiritual lights intertwined and flowed, and then a faint golden light pillar descended onto Lake Heart Island.
“Master, it’s done.”
Sumi’s voice echoed in Lu Changsheng’s mind.
“Good!”
Lu Changsheng immediately flew back to Lake Heart Island.
In the back garden, the Nether Prison Demon Flower had already been safely planted.
However, among the myriad of vibrant colors, the Nether Prison Demon Flower still stood out remarkably.
One could spot this beautiful, enchanting flower at a glance.
“Miaohuan, this Nether Prison Demon Flower will be entrusted to you from now on.”
Lu Changsheng said to his wife, Lu Miaohuan.
“Thank you, Husband.”
Lu Miaohuan’s face showed a mix of joy and anticipation.
“Zhenzhen, when you need to refine the Auspicious Tree on a daily basis, just call Sumi directly. This way, Sumi can directly take you to the top of Biyun Peak, and can also send you down.”
Lu Changsheng said to Qu Zhenzhen.
Although she was at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer and could fly with an artifact.
However, there was the Reversal of the Five Elements Formation up there, and Qu Zhenzhen flying alone on an artifact was a bit afraid of heights.
So, he told her to just call Sumi for pick-up and drop-off.
“Mhm, mhm, thank you, Husband.”
Qu Zhenzhen hooked her arm through Lu Changsheng’s and nodded in response.
“If you encounter any questions during your Cultivation of the Heaven and Earth Longevity Method, you can ask Yun’er for more guidance.”
“If you have any problems, come to me immediately, understand?”
Lu Changsheng continued.
The Nether Prison Demon Flower possessed spiritual intelligence and consciousness; if he encountered problems during Cultivation, he could directly ask.
Although the Auspicious Tree couldn’t be directly asked, he could learn about its situation through Sumi.
“Mhm, mhm.”
“Understood.”
Qu Zhenzhen and Lu Miaohuan nodded in response, smiles gracing their faces.
After arranging the spiritual plants for the two women, Lu Changsheng led everyone back to the Lu Family Mansion to ask Ling Zixiao about the situation with Li Xingruo and Li Xingyu.
Facing this matter, Ling Zixiao did not conceal anything, stating that in earlier years, she indeed had correspondence with the two women.
Her invitation for the two women to come was also because she learned that their situation in Nine Heavens Immortal City was not very good.
Although Li Xingruo was a top-tier Alchemist, the two sisters had no backing in Nine Heavens Immortal City.
In such circumstances, being wealthy and having her younger sister, Li Xingyu, as a weakness, led to many Cultivators in Nine Heavens Immortal City coveting the sisters.
This also included the Li family behind them.
Initially, things were fine, with the deterrence of Lu Changsheng, a Second-Order High Grade Alchemist, and some connections provided by Ling Zixiao.
But four years ago, a young master from a False Core Family took a liking to the two sisters.
Facing this situation, Lu Changsheng’s reputation from his early years at Bao Dan Pavilion had long since vanished, offering no deterrence whatsoever.
And as for Ling Zixiao’s connections, her friends couldn’t possibly help much with this matter; they merely informed Ling Zixiao of the situation.
So, after Ling Zixiao learned of it, she thought about it and invited the two women to Bihu Mountain.
“Although Li Xingruo is only a First-Order top-tier Alchemist, to my knowledge, she was already a top-tier Alchemist eight years ago. Now, she is only half a step away from Second-Order.”
“If she receives guidance and instruction from Lang Jun, I imagine it won’t be long before she can advance to Second-Order.”
Ling Zixiao said this.
As she spoke, a faint, knowing smile appeared on her face, “Moreover, your concubine mentioned Lang Jun’s situation in her letter back then. The fact that they are willing to come to Bihu Mountain shows they still trust and have a good impression of Lang Jun.”
“As long as Lang Jun takes good care of them on a daily basis, and later reopens Bao Dan Pavilion for them, Li Xingruo and the others won’t they be completely devoted to Lang Jun…”
“Cough, cough, what are you saying? I only treat them as Juniors. You didn’t even tell me about this beforehand.”
Lu Changsheng was somewhat speechless upon hearing Ling Zixiao’s words.
He thought to himself, ‘Is this how I am in my Dao Companion’s eyes? That things will just naturally happen after one meeting?’
“Hmph, Lang Jun, not only do you not thank your concubine, but you even blame me.”
Ling Zixiao glared at Lu Changsheng, speaking in an exasperated tone.
“Alright, alright, alright, it was Husband’s fault.”
Lu Changsheng immediately apologized.
Regardless of whether he had such an idea, Li Xingruo, at such a young age, being able to become a First-Order top-tier Alchemist, indicated excellent Alchemy talent.
With his careful guidance, she would likely become a Second-Order Alchemist in no time.
It was certainly a great thing for the Family to have an additional Second-Order Alchemist.
After all, it was not easy for an ordinary Foundation Establishment Family to invite a Second-Order Alchemist as a Guest Elder.
And his Lu’s current Medicinal Pill expenses were considerable.
“Now, my identity as a Second-Order Alchemist can pretty much be revealed to the outside world.”
At this moment, Lu Changsheng thought to himself.
He had long intended to let rumors spread that he was neglecting his main duties to research Alchemy, Puppets, and other crafts.
Now that so many years had passed, he felt he could add the title of Alchemy Great Master to his name.
After Lu Changsheng finished chatting with Ling Zixiao, he simply held a Family banquet in the evening, inviting the Li Xingruo and Li Xingyu sisters.
After many years apart, Lu Changsheng had transformed from the former Ye Senior into the Bi Hu Mountain Lord, causing the two women to still feel somewhat restrained.
However, with the familiar presence of Ling Zixiao and Lu Miaoyun, the atmosphere eased considerably.
During the process, Lu Changsheng also chatted casually, asking about the sisters’ situation over the years to open up the conversation.
Then, he discussed Alchemy matters with Li Xingruo.
Indeed, when the conversation shifted to topics like the Nine Heavens Immortal City and Alchemy, the two women immediately felt much closer to Lu Changsheng.
After eating and drinking their fill, Lu Changsheng stopped at that point, sending the two women back and stating that he would instruct them in Alchemy later.
Through this simple Family banquet, the relationship between everyone also became much more natural.