Chapter 340: Repeat the reward and go to the Ziyou Secret Realm!

In a certain valley.

A tall and burly figure was practicing martial arts.

He had thick black hair and a robust physique. Under the sunlight, his body seemed to flow with a faint golden luster, as if cast from gold.

“Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!”

The man’s fists and feet danced, and with every movement, the air was filled with fluctuating whooshing sounds.

The nearby trees and giant rocks shattered under the force of his fists and feet, like exploding dynamite, constantly bursting into sand, wood chips, and flying dust.

Although Lu Ping’an had already reached the peak of the Martial Dao, with no further progress possible, he still maintained the habit of practicing martial arts.

One reason was the habit he had formed since childhood.

Another was that many Martial Dao Moves and techniques, in his opinion, were very suitable for close-quarters combat and could have unexpected effects against Cultivators, so he persisted in practicing and integrating them.

The final reason was that he found the process of his martial arts practice could accelerate the efficiency of refining the Magic Treasure within his body, which was equivalent to a form of Cultivation.

“Mountain Split!”

After practicing for a long time, Lu Ping’an’s breathing suddenly changed, like the roar of a Dragon and an elephant. His breathing was heavy, like a mountain, and his entire body’s flesh, blood, tendons, and bones resonated, his five internal organs rumbling.

Then, his right arm’s fist shot out like a Dragon and snake rising from the ground, striking out fiercely.

If someone were to observe with a Spiritual Eye technique, they would see a giant axe seemingly appearing faintly behind Lu Ping’an, chopping down forward.

“Booming sound— ”

In an instant, the mountain in front emitted an earth-shattering sound under the surging, continuous power of this punch, reverberating throughout the entire valley and startling the birds and beasts into screaming.

After a long time, the dust dissipated, and the mountain appeared as if it had been split by a giant axe, revealing a ten-foot-long, huge gully that was still scorching hot and charred.

“Finally, I can fully control it.”

Lu Ping’an exhaled a hot breath. His towering and robust body now exuded a wild and domineering Aura that inspired awe.

This punch was something he had comprehended through nourishing his Treasure Bone.

Using the Treasure Bone as a medium, his spirit and body became one, thereby borrowing some of the power and Aura of the Magic Treasure within his body.

Previously, due to his insufficient Physical Body, he was unable to do so and could not control this power.

Now, in the Late Stage of Qi Refining, with the Hundred Refinements Treasure Body Technique breaking through to the fifth layer, he finally mastered this power through continuous familiarity.

“Ping’an Gege, Ping’an Gege”

Just then, a clear female voice rang out.

A small figure in a red dress, looking lively and adorable, ran towards him, calling out.

“Jiu’er.”

Seeing Su Jiu’er, Lu Ping’an immediately reined in his Aura, turned his head, and called out with a smile.

Because he had been saved by the young girl before and had accidentally killed her pet, he felt very apologetic.

So, seeing Su Jiu’er alone and seemingly lonely, he stayed there to chat and entertain her.

Whenever he had free time, he would practice martial arts, slowly familiarizing himself with and integrating the power of the Hundred Refinements Treasure Body Technique.

As they spent more time together, their relationship improved significantly.

He treated her as a younger sister, and she, at some point, started calling him ‘Ping’an Gege’ all day long.

“Ping’an Gege, Xiaobai gave birth! She had three little Xiaobai.”

Su Jiu’er’s eyes curved into crescents, and her small face was full of joy as she spoke to Lu Ping’an.

“Oh, let’s go take a look.”

Lu Ping’an said with a smile.

Because Su Jiu’er’s life was truly too monotonous and boring.

Every day, she would just look at flowers and plants, tease crickets and insects, or just wander around the mountain forest.

So Lu Ping’an caught a few Yao Beasts for her, and cultivated a vegetable patch and a pond.

This way, she would at least have something to do; she could feed the Yao Beasts, plant and water vegetables, watch frogs in the pond, and fish every day.

Although these things were trivial and boring, for Su Jiu’er, they were full of fun, and she was very happy and content every day.

Soon, the two arrived at the small bamboo forest where they lived.

After Lu Ping’an’s cultivation and improvements, it had gained a bit more of a lived-in feel.

Then, they came to a stone-built nest, where two white tigers lay.

Seeing Lu Ping’an, the two tigers immediately showed fear.

Although Lu Ping’an had learned about basic Beast Taming knowledge, he only knew it.

So, to subdue these two tigers, he still used the most ancient and simple method, fighting them for half a month straight.

This resulted in the two tigers fearing Lu Ping’an to their very bones whenever they saw him.

At this moment, one tiger could be seen lying exhausted, with three newly born tiger cubs drinking milk.

Neither of them disturbed them; they just watched the two tigers quietly.

After a long while, Lu Ping’an took one of the tigers, Dabai, to hunt.

“It’s been about half a year, hasn’t it?”

That night, Lu Ping’an, Xiao An, and Su Jiu’er looked at the stars in the night sky.

He remembered that he had been here for almost half a year.

He actually had the idea of going home a long time ago.

After all, he had told his father that he would return home once he broke through to Qi Refining stage seven.

But then he felt that if he left, Su Jiu’er would be very lonely and sad on her own.

Lu Ping’an took a deep breath, feeling that this matter had to be spoken sooner or later.

He couldn’t stay here with her forever.

He clenched and unclenched his fists, gathering his courage, and looked at the young girl, saying, “Jiu’er.”

“What’s wrong, Ping’an Gege.”

Su Jiu’er sat squatting on the ground, hugging her knees, looking at Lu Ping’an with a smile.

“Well, that, that…”

Lu Ping’an looked at the young girl’s cheeks and suddenly didn’t know how to speak.

He scratched his head and said apologetically, “Actually, I still have some things to do, so I can’t stay here forever.”

Upon hearing this, Su Jiu’er’s heart trembled, and she felt a wave of disappointment.

After a moment, she quietly said, “Ping’an Gege, will you come back to see Jiu’er in the future?”

Although she was simple-minded, she understood in her heart that Lu Ping’an couldn’t stay with her forever.

He would have his own things to do, just like her parents had things to do.

“Yes, I will come back to see Jiu’er when I have time.”

Lu Ping’an nodded quickly.

He planned to deal with the Loose Cultivators who had ambushed him before, then return home.

When he went to Nine Heavens Immortal City, he would come to visit this younger sister.

“Ping’an Gege, you’re not allowed to lie to me. Come see me when you have time. Let’s pinky swear.”

The young girl’s eyes seemed to sparkle with bright light as she extended a fair, tender finger and said seriously.

“Okay.”

Lu Ping’an grinned, extended his finger, and pinky swore with the young girl.

“Ping’an Gege, when are you planning to leave?”

After the pinky swear, Su Jiu’er’s eyes narrowed with a smile, appearing moist and bright in the night.

“Hmm, in a few days, I guess.”

Lu Ping’an thought for a moment and said, deciding to spend a little more time with Su Jiu’er.

“Okay, okay, Ping’an Gege, please take good care of yourself then. Grandma said it’s very dangerous outside.”

Although Su Jiu’er was very disappointed, she still tried her best to appear natural.

She knew that if she showed too much sadness, it would affect him.

That night, they talked for a long time. Only when Grandma reminded Su Jiu’er to go to sleep did she return to the bamboo house to rest.

Lu Ping’an also returned to his room to rest.

“Lu Ping’an.”

Just then, an old woman with white hair, a wrinkled face, and a snake-entwined staff appeared in the room.

“Grandma.”

Lu Ping’an looked at the old woman and called out.

After spending so much time together, he knew that this Grandma was an Immortal Cultivator.

But he didn’t know her name or her cultivation Realm.

He only knew that she was looking after Su Jiu’er.

Otherwise, he had previously considered whether to take Su Jiu’er home so that she wouldn’t be too lonely and bored.

“If you leave here, you must not reveal anything about Jiu’er.”

The old woman’s voice was ancient as she said this.

“Please rest assured, Grandma, I will certainly not reveal anything about you and Jiu’er.”

Although Lu Ping’an was a bit simple and honest, he was not foolish.

He knew that Su Jiu’er and Grandma must have some secret, which was why they lived here.

After thinking for a moment, he made a Heart Demon vow in front of her.

Because words alone were not enough, and for Cultivators, this vow was very solemn.

“Good, you can come and see Jiu’er when you have time.”

Seeing this, the old woman’s voice softened a bit, and then she disappeared.

Through half a year of observation, she had seen that Lu Ping’an was straightforward and not a malicious person.

Otherwise, even if he was suspected to be a descendant of a True Monarch, she would not have easily let him leave.

However, through half a year of observation, she felt that Lu Ping’an did not resemble a descendant of a True Monarch at all.

He was more like a Mortal Martial Artist who had obtained a great Opportunity and Legacy.

Otherwise, how could someone who had embarked on the immortal Dao still practice crude Mortal martial arts every day?

Seven days later.

Lu Ping’an bid farewell to Su Jiu’er.

He wanted to say something, but felt that anything he said would be superfluous.

In the end, he just scratched his head and softly said, “Jiu’er, take care.”

“Ping’an Gege, this is a Peace Talisman I made. I hope everything goes well for you and you stay safe!”

The young girl’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, she smiled and nodded, then took out a Talisman pouch.

“Thank you, it’s very beautiful.”

Lu Ping’an took the Talisman pouch and said seriously.

He had noticed a few days ago that the young girl was clumsily making the Talisman pouch, clearly putting a lot of thought into it.

“I’m leaving.”

He took a deep breath and waved his hand.

“Okay, okay.”

Lu Ping’an strode forward without looking back, knowing that Su Jiu’er was surely watching him.

But at this moment, he couldn’t help but recall his farewell with Qin Yi back then.

At that time, he, like Su Jiu’er, was seeing the other person off.

However, at that time, the two of them were separated by the boundary between Immortals and Mortals.

She was going to Heaven Sword Sect, tens of thousands of miles away, while he chose to return home to inherit the Family business, so there was basically no chance of meeting again in the future.

But now, he was not saying goodbye forever!

Immediately, Lu Ping’an turned around and said loudly with a smile on his face, “Jiu’er, don’t worry, I’ll come back to see you when I have time!”

“Ping’an Gege, have a safe journey!”

The young girl’s face broke into a smile.

“Phew!”

At this moment, Lu Ping’an felt much more comfortable and relieved in his heart.

Then, with a push of his foot, his entire body moved like an afterimage towards the cliff and the ruined temple from before.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, three months passed.

Originally, Lu Changsheng had planned to take Lu Wangshu to Falling Cloud Mountain Range during this time to visit Xiao Xiyue.

However, due to the Purple Nether Secret Realm, Lu Qingshan and Lu Qingzhu returned home, so this matter was naturally postponed.

He planned to take his daughter, Lu Wangshu, out for a stroll after the Purple Nether Secret Realm matter was concluded.

As the opening of the Purple Nether Secret Realm drew closer, many Family forces and Loose Cultivators headed towards it.

During this time, the sales of Medicinal Pills, Talismans, Puppets, and Magical Artifacts increased, but not excessively.

One reason was that everyone knew about the Purple Nether Secret Realm in advance and would prepare accordingly.

Another reason was that although many people were going to the Purple Nether Secret Realm, when spread out, it seemed rather ordinary.

However, the sales of Bihu Mountain’s Puppets had indeed seen a significant increase in recent months.

In a side hall of the Puppet workshop.

Lu Changsheng was currently crafting a custom Puppet for his beloved daughter.

His daughter, Lu Wangshu, was helping to look after the children, playing with Lu Lingxiao and Lu Linghe.

“Biu!”

Lu Wangshu made a gesture towards Lu Linghe, and the little sprout paused, then let out an “Ah, awooo” and fell to the ground.

Lu Lingxiao, sitting nearby, watched this scene with disdain and speechlessness, finding the two of them too childish, and seriously observed his father engraving the spiritual patterns.

But Lu Linghe was having a blast, then called out “Sister, sister” with a face full of excitement, asking Lu Wangshu for candy.

“Wangshu, too much candy is bad for your teeth.”

Lu Changsheng looked at the two sisters and reminded them.

“Father? How can a Cultivator have bad teeth?”

Lu Wangshu revealed her pearly white, neat teeth.

Then, with a flick of her index finger and thumb, she flicked a candy into her sister’s mouth and said, “Right, Xiao He.”

“Mhm, mhm.”

Lu Linghe nodded repeatedly.

Seeing this, Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but wonder.

Was it a good thing or a bad thing that he had Lu Wangshu spend more time with this brother and sister pair? Would she lead them astray?

He felt it was necessary to seriously consider this issue.

After a long while, Lu Changsheng finished polishing a Puppet component, then stood up, signaling the end of his work.

Although he was crafting a Puppet for his daughter.

Such a massive undertaking would take at least one or two years to complete.

Lu Changsheng led his children out of the Puppet workshop and returned to the Lu Family Mansion.

“Husband, I saw a woman today whom I think would be quite suitable for Quanzhen…”

Upon seeing Lu Changsheng, Qu Zhenzhen immediately stepped forward to share with him.

Because of the Purple Nether Secret Realm, Lu Changsheng had not allowed Lu Quanzhen to return to White Tiger Mountain to take charge, instead entrusting the matters of White Tiger Mountain to his son, Lu Qingsong.

And during these days, Qu Zhenzhen’s daily nagging about marriage began anew.

After all, among their four children, Lu Yuzhen, Lu Caizhen, and Lu Huaizhen had all already married.

Now, only their eldest son, Lu Quanzhen, remained, so she naturally paid close attention to him.

“Mhm, alright, Zhenzhen, you can make the decisions on this. As long as Quanzhen agrees, I’ll immediately go propose the marriage.”

Lu Changsheng said with a smile, completely unwilling to get involved in this aspect.

“But Quanzhen is hiding from me again, I don’t know where he went.”

Qu Zhenzhen said, feeling a bit wronged.

Two months ago, Qu Zhenzhen finally refined the Auspicious Tree into her Natal Spiritual Root.

The effect was slightly less than Lu Miaoyun’s, and her cultivation only increased to Qi Refining stage eight.

However, her overall appearance still changed quite a bit.

Not only did she look a bit younger, but she also gained a touch of ethereal and natural Aura.

That night, Lu Changsheng attempted Dual Cultivation with Qu Zhenzhen to see what special effects he could gain from the Auspicious Tree.

As soon as the Dual Cultivation ended, Lu Changsheng’s mind became completely serene, free of distractions, as if he had entered a sage-like state.

Because of this, he immediately gave up Dual Cultivation with Qu Zhenzhen using the Charming Cotton Technique; otherwise, who could endure it long-term?

“Hehe, it’s a good thing that Quanzhen is dedicated to Cultivation. It doesn’t matter if he marries later; let him be.”

Lu Changsheng said casually.

Although he encouraged his children to have offspring.

He still maintained a laissez-faire attitude.

After all, if his children were willing to diligently Cultivate, he would still support them.

“But getting married doesn’t affect Cultivation, does it?”

Qu Zhenzhen said.

Although she had heard that getting married would hinder Cultivation.

Her own husband had many wives and concubines, and a house full of descendants, yet he didn’t seem to be affected in the slightest.

So, this rumor was clearly false!

“Hehe, children and grandchildren have their own fortunes. If Zhenzhen likes children so much, we can have a few more then.”

Lu Changsheng embraced his little wife and whispered in her ear.

“Husband~”

Upon hearing this, Qu Zhenzhen’s cheeks immediately flushed with shyness.

They were an old couple, their children were already so grown, yet they were still having children.

However, Qu Zhenzhen then thought of what was written in books: if both parents were powerful, the children born would also be intelligent and formidable, with extraordinary talent.

If she could become a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator like Sister Miao Yun in the future, and have children with her husband, perhaps they could be as outstanding and talented as Qingshan.

At this moment, she felt a bit of anticipation.

After all, her husband truly liked children.

And it was evident that he tended to favor children with extraordinary talent a bit more.

On this day, a System prompt sounded in Lu Changsheng’s mind.

【Congratulations, Host! One hundred of your descendants have broken through to Martial Dao Innate, gaining the Bloodline effect: Probability of descendants having Spiritual Roots increased by 3%, and gaining one lottery chance!】

“Hmm? It’s changed from ‘probability of reproduction’ to ‘probability of descendants having Spiritual Roots’…”

Lu Changsheng noticed the change in the System’s Bloodline effect this time.

Previously, the Bloodline effect was the probability of his own descendants reproducing.

Now it had become the probability of his descendants having Spiritual Roots.

“3%, that’s not bad.”

Lu Changsheng did not think this probability was small.

On one hand, it could still be improved in the future.

On the other hand, the probability for Mortal descendants to give birth to Spiritual Root descendants was simply too low.

Currently, his Lu Family’s third generation numbered over two hundred and forty people.

But among them, only nineteen children possessed Spiritual Roots.

The reason was simple: in terms of childbearing, even with policy encouragement, the main force of reproduction was currently the secular branch, the children without Spiritual Roots.

Here at Bihu Mountain, only Lu Yun, Lu Xianzhi, and a few other relatively obedient children had married early and had offspring.

Few of his other children chose to marry.

Lu Changsheng vaguely understood that it was likely because of him, their father, who had achieved such accomplishments even with a Nine-Rank Spiritual Root.

Therefore, even his children with Low Grade Spiritual Roots still held a bit of a Foundation Establishment dream, trying their best while they were young.

“But one hundred, and it’s still just a normal lottery.”

Lu Changsheng felt a bit uninspired seeing that it was only a normal lottery.

After experiencing multiple Advanced lotteries, he was gradually starting to look down on normal lotteries.

However, since the ‘contribution fee’ had arrived, he naturally wouldn’t waste it.

“System, lottery.”

As his voice fell, the System’s big turntable spun rapidly.

Then it slowly stopped at the ‘Medicinal Pill’ section.

【Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have received one bottle of Purple Mansion Pill!】

【Reward has been issued to System space, Host can view it at any time.】

A Medicinal Pill icon emerged from the big turntable, accompanied by a System prompt.

“Purple Mansion Pill? The System can give duplicate rewards from the lottery?”

Lu Changsheng raised an eyebrow.

He had participated in the lottery over forty times.

This was the first time he had received a duplicate reward.

【Medicinal Pill: Purple Mansion Pill】

【Quality: Third-tier】

【Description: Can cleanse the Divine Soul, purify the Physical Body, and strengthen Divine Sense and physique.】

“It’s indeed exactly the same, but this Purple Mansion Pill is still quite good.”

Lu Changsheng mused, looking at the Purple Mansion Pill in his System space.

Although this Purple Mansion Pill was not as good as the Ningjing Pill.

But with ten pills in a bottle, it could still be considered a top-tier Medicinal Pill.

Back then, after he consumed ten Purple Mansion Pills, not only did his Physical Body improve, but his Divine Sense also increased from Early Stage Foundation Establishment to Late Stage Foundation Establishment!

This improvement was by no means small!

“Now that Quanzhen and Qingshan are about to Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, this Purple Mansion Pill can be given to them then.”

Lu Changsheng thought to himself.

The effect of this Purple Mansion Pill on his current Physical Body and Divine Sense was limited, so it would be better to give it to his children.

Anyway, when his children consumed it and broke through their Realm, it would also feed back to him.

Immediately, Lu Changsheng extracted the Purple Mansion Pill from the System space and placed it in his storage ring.

“Calculating the time, the Purple Nether Secret Realm should be opening soon.”

Lu Changsheng thought of the Purple Nether Secret Realm and prepared to send Lu Quanzhen there.

As for Lu Qingshan, his Master, Immortal Master Tian Yuan, had previously stated that she would come to pick him up, so there was no need for him to send him.

Immediately, Lu Changsheng gave some instructions to Lu Miaoge, Ling Zixiao, and Lu Qingshan, then took Lu Quanzhen and left Bihu Mountain, heading towards Violet Cloud Gorge, where the Purple Nether Secret Realm was located.

The journey from Bihu Mountain to Violet Cloud Gorge was not very far.

Heading north, it was about a month’s journey by spirit boat.

Just as Lu Changsheng was sending Lu Quanzhen to the Purple Nether Secret Realm.

In a mountain range.

“It seems to be this direction, right? Xiao An, take a look, I haven’t gone the wrong way, have I?”

Lu Ping’an, tall and robust, dressed in a grey martial attire, rode a black spirit horse, holding a map and examining it, asking Xiao An beside him.

Xiao An looked at the map for a long time, then nodded, indicating that it should be correct.

“Since it’s correct, then let’s continue!”

Lu Ping’an immediately put away his spirit horse and continued on his journey.

Three months ago, he had relentlessly investigated and killed several Cultivators who had ambushed him earlier.

During this time, he heard news of the Purple Nether Secret Realm opening.

Lu Ping’an had naturally known about the famous Purple Nether Secret Realm for a long time.

He knew that this Secret Realm was most famous for producing the main Spirit Medicine for Foundation Establishment Pills, the heavenly spirit fruit!

Thinking of his current strength, a thought immediately arose in his mind: to go to the Purple Nether Secret Realm.

To see if he could gain anything and find a few heavenly spirit fruits.

This way, not only would he have hope for Foundation Establishment in the future.

He could also prepare Foundation Establishment Pills for his aunts, younger brothers, and sisters at Lu.

Therefore, he bought a map and changed his plan from going home to heading to the Purple Nether Secret Realm.