Chapter 443: Breakthrough, breakthrough, breakthrough, promotion!

Xuanwu Ridge, Sima family.

“Hmm, Thirteenth Sister is back!?”

Hearing the news, the Sima family head immediately rushed to the main hall with a look of pleasant surprise.

These past few days, the matter concerning their ancestor and Bi Lake Mountain had made him, the family head, feel like he was living through years, enduring great torment.

He had been waiting for news of success from Sima Qiuhua every moment.

Upon hearing that Sima Qiuhua had returned, his first thought was that their family’s issue had been resolved.

However, when he arrived at the main hall and saw that besides Sima Qiuhua, there were also two individuals wearing Qingyun Sect law enforcement robes, his expression slightly froze, realizing something was amiss.

“Thirteenth Sister.”

The Sima family head called out to Sima Qiuhua, who looked a bit weary, and then slightly cupped his hands towards the two Qingyun Sect disciples.

“You must be the Sima family head? This is a decree from our殿主 (Hall Master), concerning the handling of the grievances between your Xuanwu Ridge Sima family and the Lu family of Bi Lake Mountain.”

The two Law Enforcement Hall disciples exchanged glances, spoke up, and handed a decree to the Sima family head.

“Thank you, fellow Daoists.”

Even though the Sima family head realized something was wrong, he remained very polite.

He also took out ten mid-grade spirit stones from his storage bag and handed them to the two.

The two did not stand on ceremony and accepted the spirit stones.

After all, they had traveled a long way, and this was a small extra income.

After accepting the spirit stones, the two walked out of the main hall to wait outside, giving the Sima family head and Sima Qiuhua a chance to speak alone.

“This…”

When the Sima family head saw the contents of the decree, his body trembled violently, his face turned pale, as if struck by lightning.

Then, with disbelief, he looked at Sima Qiuhua beside him and said, “Thirteenth Sister, what is going on?”

“Originally, Master had already looked into this matter and even gotten True Master Chiyang’s nod…”

“But Lu Changsheng had saved True Master Caiyun’s disciple, Xiao Xiyue, years ago, which caused this matter to alarm True Master Caiyun, leading her to come out of seclusion and personally inquire…”

Sima Qiuhua said with a bitter expression.

She had previously received a message from her family and gone to seek an audience with her Master, Song Qingzhi.

She had thought that with her Master and Grandmaster’s approval, the matter was resolved.

Afterward, she could even rely on this achievement to gain some resource support from her family.

Who would have thought that it would alarm True Master Caiyun to intervene, causing her to be reprimanded by her Master, Song Qingzhi, and making her Senior Brother Song Cheng quite unhappy with her.

“True Master Caiyun personally inquired!”

Upon hearing this, the Sima family head’s pale face turned extremely grim.

The fact that the Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall personally intervened indicated that the matter was finalized and could not be changed.

Regardless of the punishment, their Sima family had to accept it!

Furthermore, if this matter were truly calculated, their Sima family had acted first and was not in the right.

“Moreover, after this incident, Lu Changsheng became a guest elder and供奉 (offering) of Caiyun Peak by virtue of being a third-rank talisman master, so…”

Sima Qiuhua sighed and continued.

Even though their Sima family suffered a great loss in this matter and felt extremely aggrieved, they could only accept defeat now.

If they dared to continue causing trouble for Bi Lake Mountain, it would be slapping True Master Caiyun in the face.

“This…”

The Sima family head’s face was pale, and he seemed to be completely drained, slumping into a nearby chair. After a long time, he recovered and said weakly, “Thirteenth Sister, I understand.”

This compensation not only severely damaged their Sima family’s vitality.

It also meant that the face their Sima family had lost could not be recovered.

In the future, whenever Bi Lake Mountain and Xuanwu Ridge were mentioned, this incident would be remembered, greatly affecting their Sima family’s reputation.

Reputation is intangible, untouchable.

But the indirect impact it brings should not be underestimated!

Furthermore, as the Sima family head, he also realized a very important issue.

That is, Bi Lake Mountain had grown to its current level in just a few short decades!

Originally, besides his Sima family, other family forces like the Yuan family of Great Ape Mountain, the Jin family of Golden Dragon Ridge, the Luo family of Floating Cloud Mountain, and even the Xu family of Beast Taming, would secretly trip up Bi Lake Mountain and suppress its rise.

But now, Lu Changsheng had attached himself to True Master Caiyun of the Qingyun Sect.

Then other families who wanted to move against the Lu family would have to weigh things carefully, at least not daring to act openly.

If there was no one to suppress and check them, with Bi Lake Mountain’s growth rate, it would likely become the foremost among pseudo-core formation families in a few decades, with hopes of advancing to a Core Formation aristocratic family!

At that time, who knew if Bi Lake Mountain would settle accounts with their Sima family!

The Sima family head felt incredibly heavy-hearted.

“I will go with you to see the ancestor and the family elders.”

Sima Qiuhua looked at her younger brother’s appearance and sighed.

Although this outcome could not be refused by the Sima family.

They still needed to inform the family ancestor and elders to discuss it together.

Putting aside everything else, mobilizing such a large sum of property required many arrangements.

“Thank you, Thirteenth Sister.”

The Sima family head said, cupping his hands.

If he had to report this alone, he might not be able to bear the ancestor’s wrath.

With Sima Qiuhua explaining, it would be much better.

Qingyun Sect.

After cultivating with Xiao Xiyue for a while, Lu Changsheng did not continue cultivating.

On the one hand, cultivation methods like the Sun-Moon Cycle Technique require moderation and should not be rushed.

On the other hand, after awakening the Taiyi Divine Soul, his five senses and six consciousnesses had become much sharper.

He always felt someone watching him from somewhere, suspecting it was True Master Caiyun.

So he felt that he was constantly moving around under the other party’s nose, and perhaps it would make this True Master unhappy.

After all, they had been communicating in depth for so long, and Lu Changsheng did not believe this True Master could calmly watch him cultivate with Xiao Xiyue every day.

However, Lu Changsheng did not leave the Qingyun Sect directly.

Instead, he went to Spirit Medicine Peak to spend time with Zhao Qingqing and see if they could conceive a second child.

Hundred Herbs Garden, on the bed.

Lu Changsheng held the beautiful woman and galloped.

Zhao Qingqing’s Wood Spirit Body was very compatible with the 《Treasure Cauldron Medicine King Scripture》.

After cultivating this method, she cultivated through spiritual flowers and herbs for a long time, not only progressing rapidly, but her body also carried a refreshing fragrance of spiritual medicine.

At this moment, the room was filled with a vibrant spring atmosphere and a captivating fragrance.

“Mmm!”

Zhao Qingqing let out a soft, delicate hum from her nose.

Her two fair and smooth jade feet, like bamboo shoots, kept swaying by Lu Changsheng’s eyes, and her ten tender jade toes curled and unfolded, stirring the heart.

After who knows how long, Zhao Qingqing was mesmerized, her jade body trembling.

“Lu Lang…”

Her beautiful eyes were half-closed, her clear and beautiful brows filled with tenderness and charm. Her limp body held Lu Changsheng, and she softly murmured with red lips, exhaling like orchids.

Her round and crystal-clear calves were soft and smooth, trembling non-stop, her ten white jade toes tightly curled, and the soles of her tender feet were flushed pink.

“Qingqing.”

Lu Changsheng looked at the beautiful woman’s appearance, gently stroking her warm and soft jade body, which was still unconsciously twitching.

After working hard in the Hundred Herbs Garden for half a month, Lu Changsheng checked on his sons Lu Yunlou and Lu Xingyue, and then returned to Bi Lake Mountain.

Although both of them had Foundation Establishment Pills, the matter of Foundation Establishment required careful preparation and brewing.

“Boom—”

Just as Lu Changsheng returned to Bi Lake Mountain, he felt a surge of pure magic power pour into his body out of thin air.

Based on the level of this magic power, he immediately guessed that his son Lu Ping’an had broken through.

During the battle with Sima Tong, Lu Ping’an had vaguely sensed a breakthrough opportunity.

So after returning home, he began to go into seclusion to break through to the fourth layer of Foundation Establishment.

【Name: Lu Ping’an】

【Lifespan: 61/253】

【Talent: Fifth-grade spiritual root】

【Cultivation: Third layer of Foundation Establishment】

【Ability: Body refinement compatibility (61%)】

“Hmm, not Ping’an?”

Lu Changsheng was a little surprised.

He didn’t expect that it wasn’t his son Lu Ping’an who broke through.

Currently, only a few of his children at home were around the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, and he checked on all of them.

【Name: Lu Quanzhen】

【Lifespan: 58/193】

【Talent: Fourth-grade spiritual root】

【Cultivation: Fifth layer of Foundation Establishment】

【Ability: Combat compatibility (67%)】

“Quanzhen has already broken through to the fifth layer of Foundation Establishment!?”

Lu Changsheng was a little surprised and astonished.

He remembered that his son Lu Quanzhen had only broken through to the fourth layer of Foundation Establishment four years ago.

According to this progress, it would take at least another two or three years, or even four or five years, to possibly break through.

“It seems Quanzhen must have had some opportunity.”

Lu Changsheng thought to himself.

For someone like Lu Quanzhen who had been outside for a long time, his cultivation improvement could be said to be mostly due to opportunities rather than diligent cultivation step by step.

Putting aside other things, just looking at his son’s lifespan and ability, one could tell that he had not fought and struggled little outside, and had even used quite a few life-burning methods.

“Children and grandchildren have their own fortunes.”

Lu Changsheng did not worry too much about Lu Quanzhen’s matter and returned to Bi Lake Mountain.

“Mountain Master!”

“Greetings, Old Ancestor Lu!”

Even after so long, there were still cultivators coming to Bi Lake Mountain to pay their respects.

When these people saw Lu Changsheng, they immediately showed respectful and reverent expressions, saluting, and many women showed admiration.

“Hmm.”

Lu Changsheng smiled and nodded in greeting, transforming into a ray of light and returning to Biyun Peak.

Upon seeing Lu Changsheng, Lu Miaoyun and Ling Zixiao spoke about Sima Tong’s matter.

Lu Changsheng roughly told the two women about how the matter was resolved.

And he stated that he had been listed as a guest elder and供奉 (offering) at Qingyun Sect.

Matters concerning the family’s businesses and trade caravans could resume after the people from Qingyun Sect’s Law Enforcement Hall arrived later and finalized the handling of this matter.

The news of him becoming a guest elder and供奉 (offering) of Qingyun Sect could also be revealed and spread outside.

“True Master Caiyun…”

Upon hearing this, Ling Zixiao looked at Lu Changsheng meaningfully.

She had thought before, who could Lu Changsheng find as a backer when he went to Qingyun Sect?

When she saw the Law Enforcement Hall coming before and heard that the Hall Master of Qingyun Sect’s Law Enforcement Hall was Xiao Xiyue’s Master, True Master Caiyun, she had a guess in her heart.

Now, hearing this, she was momentarily at a loss for words.

“Ahem, your husband encountered True Master Caiyun who was seriously injured years ago and saved her, so she is just returning the favor.”

“However, this matter can be subtly hinted at outside, saying that I saved Xiyue’s life.”

Lu Changsheng explained briefly.

However, when Ling Zixiao heard Lu Changsheng say he had saved True Person Caiyun, her expression became even stranger.

After all, she was well aware of Lu Changsheng’s skill in saving people.

She didn’t believe True Person Caiyun could have been saved by her husband and still remain innocent with him.

However, Ling Zixiao didn’t say much more.

She knew that even if there was something between them, it wasn’t convenient to spread it now.

Immediately, Ling Zixiao recounted the family’s affairs.

During this time, many families had come to visit them, expressing goodwill and seeking cooperation.

Not only Foundation Establishment families, but also several Pseudo-Core Formation families like the Xie family of Lingxi, the Feng family of Shenying Valley, and the Luo family of Fuyun Cave.

Even the Old Ancestor of the Yuan family from Dayuan Mountain, who had previously acted against them in secret, came in person.

“Since this Old Ancestor Yuan is willing to come forward voluntarily to apologize and make amends, the grievances between the two families can be temporarily set aside.”

Lu Changsheng heard this and pondered slightly.

With the matter of the Sima family, Bihu Mountain’s reputation was already established; there was no need to get entangled with the Yuan family again or create more complications.

Now that Old Ancestor Yuan had personally come to apologize and make amends, if they were to remain unforgiving despite being in the right, it would instead make them seem overbearing when word got out.

Moreover, Yun Wanshang had previously warned that there might be wars in the cultivation world in the future, so there was no need for them to fight everyone now; stable development was sufficient.

“This concubine also thinks so.”

Ling Zixiao smiled elegantly and took out a booklet, indicating that many families wished to form marriage alliances with them during this time.

Besides those who actively offered women to be Lu Changsheng’s concubines, most wanted to marry into the Lu family with disciples like Lu Ping’an and Lu Qingxuan.

“If there are rogue cultivators with good character and background who would be beneficial to our family, we can consider them.”

“As for Ping’an, Qingxuan, and the others, they can make their own decisions.”

Lu Changsheng looked at the booklet before him and said.

Although he didn’t mind taking in dozens more concubines.

But the women sent by these family forces were mostly at the Qi Refining stage, with spirit roots only reaching fourth or fifth grade at most.

Lu Laozu truly looked down on such women; it would be better to take in a few rogue cultivators or visit the Baiyu Tower if he had time.

Although most rogue cultivators didn’t have particularly good spirit root talent.

But rogue cultivators who could make a name for themselves actually didn’t have particularly bad spirit roots.

If the other party had good spirit root talent, was at the Foundation Establishment stage, had a clean background, and good character, Lu Laozu wouldn’t mind sacrificing his charm to win them over.

After roughly going over the family’s affairs, Lu Changsheng went to Bailian Peak to investigate the situation.

He checked how long it would take for the Earth Fire Vein here to mature, preparing to reforge True Person Baifeng’s destiny artifact.

This way, when going to the Tianyuan Secret Realm, he would have a few more trump cards.

But for this fire vein on Bailian Peak to advance, set up an Earth Fire Array, and form Earth Fiend Fire, it would take at least another year or two of nurturing.

“Ah, forget it, let’s make babies!”

Lu Changsheng sighed, gave up the idea of forging artifacts, and focused on making babies at home.

It must be said, having children after forming a Core is really difficult.

He had been diligent at home for so long recently, but only one concubine got pregnant.

This time at Qingyun Sect, he had cultivated diligently on Lingyao Peak for half a month, and he didn’t know if Zhao Qingqing had gotten pregnant.

Facing this situation, Lu Changsheng was not discouraged, believing that the Dao of Heaven rewards diligence; as long as he worked hard, there would definitely be results!

Lu Xingchen stayed at the Xie family of Lingxi for three days before bidding farewell and leaving.

Lingxi Lake was a long distance from Bihu Mountain; even traveling day and night would take more than half a month.

However, since it was rare for him to travel far, he was not in a hurry to return now, so he traveled and explored along the way to broaden his horizons.

On this day, night fell.

Lu Xingchen ordered the Iron Feather Eagle to find a mountaintop to land and rest.

Then, he skillfully sprinkled a layer of medicinal powder around to avoid attracting clustered demonic beasts.

Not long after he sat down, he suddenly heard sounds of fighting and demonic beast roars coming from the forest ahead, mixed with explosions and the dazzling light of spells.

Hearing this commotion, Lu Xingchen’s first thought was to get away.

However, considering that using his magic power at this time might attract the attention of demonic beasts, he immediately formed hand seals, circulated his vital energy, and merged into a nearby large tree, as if his entire being had become one with the tree.

Although the Precious Cauldron Medicine King Scripture was not skilled in combat, it had quite a few life-saving techniques.

By merging his form and vital energy with a large tree like this, ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators or demonic beasts would find it difficult to detect him.

After a moment, Lu Xingchen saw a young man in white being surrounded and attacked by more than ten vicious wolves with green fur.

“Azure Wind Wolves, low-grade bloodline demonic beasts. Did a mutated Wolf King appear?”

Lu Xingchen recognized that this pack of wolf demons belonged to the lowest level of clustered demonic beasts, mostly at the early or mid-stage of the first rank.

The leading Azure Wind Wolf’s fur had a hint of purple, indicating it likely underwent mutation due to an opportunity, which is why it advanced to the second rank great demon.

However, what surprised Lu Xingchen the most was that this young man in white, despite only having Qi Refining seventh-layer cultivation, was able to escape from this pack of wolf demons for so long.

After observing carefully for a while, this young man in white not only had exquisite spell techniques but also agile movements. Several times, he narrowly avoided the Azure Wind Wolf King’s killing intent as if by coincidence, escaping death by a hair’s breadth.

Lu Xingchen felt that if the young man in white faced the Azure Wind Wolf King alone, he might even be able to escape, but unfortunately, he encountered the wolf pack.

“Howl!”

Just as the young man in white was dodging the Wolf King’s wind blade, an Azure Wind Wolf pounced on him, sinking its sharp teeth into his shoulder, drawing blood profusely.

The young man in white, already somewhat weak and covered in wounds, immediately let out a pained groan. Then, he unleashed a spell, blasting the Azure Wind Wolf away.

But at this moment, other Azure Wind Wolves pounced one after another, making it difficult for the young man in white to struggle, and despair and pain appeared in his eyes.

“Alas.”

Lu Xingchen saw this scene and sighed.

Even though his family had taught him to avoid meddling in others’ affairs and causing trouble when traveling outside.

When encountering injustice, he should also act according to his capabilities and not be impulsive.

But having truly encountered it and seeing the situation before him, it was genuinely difficult for him to stand by and do nothing.

“Green Wood Entanglement!”

Lu Xingchen formed hand seals with both hands, and streaks of green-gold vines suddenly appeared from the ground, entangling the Azure Wind Wolves.

Then a vine wrapped around the young man in white and dragged him over.

“Roar!”

Seeing this, the Azure Wind Wolf King immediately looked at Lu Xingchen, let out a fierce roar, and formed wind blades around its body, charging towards him.

“Bang!”

Lu Xingchen quickly conjured a shield, which flowed with radiant light, blocking the waves of attacks.

Looking at the Azure Wind Wolf charging towards him, Lu Xingchen didn’t dare to hesitate. He quickly fled, holding the young man in white who was weak and almost unconscious.

Unless he used talismans, he was truly no match for this pack of Azure Wind Wolves.

Especially since he was also carrying a burden.

After fleeing for a long time, Lu Xingchen looked at the relentlessly pursuing Azure Wind Wolf King and knew that the other party was likely tracking him by scent.

“No, if this continues, it might attract other demonic beasts.”

Lu Xingchen pondered inwardly, and with a slightly pained heart, he took out a mid-grade Tier 2 Fire Talisman from his spatial ring and attacked the Azure Wind Wolf King.

Facing this attack, a patch of the Azure Wind Wolf King’s fur was scorched, and fear and apprehension appeared in its eyes. It gave up the pursuit.

“Whew!”

Seeing this, Lu Xingchen finally breathed a sigh of relief. He found a place to settle down with the young man in white and began treating his injuries.

Although he was not skilled in combat, he was quite adept at healing.

“Thank you…”

The young man in white, whose breathing was weak and erratic, said gratefully to Lu Xingchen.

But after speaking, his tense mind finally relaxed, and he immediately fell unconscious.

“Ah, what is this situation?”

Lu Xingchen looked at the young man in white in his arms and sighed helplessly.

On this day, Lu Changsheng was playing by Bishui Lake with Bai Ling, Qu Zhenzhen, and a few other women.

Suddenly, he felt a surge of pure magic power.

After a brief look, Lu Changsheng knew that this time his son, Lu Ping’an, had broken through.

Although this cultivation power was not much, it finally brought his cultivation to the current critical point.

Immediately after the lake excursion, Lu Changsheng came to the Sumeru Cave Heaven, sat cross-legged in the Longevity Hall, circulated his cultivation technique, and began to break through.

For Lu Changsheng, this kind of breakthrough was naturally a matter of course.

“Boom!”

A few days later, Lu Changsheng’s Qi Sea and Dantian boiled, Yin-Yang magic power surged, his Golden Core bloomed with brilliant colorful light, and Yin-Yang energy surged within his body.

After breaking through to Core Formation three years ago, Lu Changsheng finally took a small step in the early Core Formation stage, advancing to the second layer of Core Formation.

Being able to achieve this speed was largely thanks to the Yin-Yang Spirit Fusion Pills.

Otherwise, in these three years, besides dual cultivation, he hadn’t cultivated at all, and the boost from his children at home was limited due to the large difference in cultivation levels.

“Breaking through before the Tianyuan Secret Realm is not bad.”

Lu Changsheng walked out of the Longevity Hall with a pleased expression.

He routinely checked the situation of the Cave Heaven’s spirit vein, estimating that it would take another year or two to advance to a third-tier spirit vein.

However, compared to the spirit vein’s advancement, he was more looking forward to the birth of the Red Lotus.

Walking out of the Sumeru Cave Heaven and standing on the peak of Biyun Peak, one could see people coming and going at Biyun Mountain Manor.

The grand ceremony and gathering, previously announced under the pretext of Lu Wangshu’s Foundation Establishment ceremony, was about to begin, so many family forces were coming to Bihu Mountain.

Some family forces from further away would try to arrive as early as possible.

For these, Bihu Mountain would naturally arrange accommodation.

After arriving at the Lu family’s main residence, Lu Miaoyun told Lu Changsheng that Lu Chensha had looked for him the day before yesterday.

He said that the Black Water Flood Dragon Dao Soldiers were ready, and the first Tier 2 Black Water Flood Dragon Dao Soldier had advanced.