Starting From a Son in Law to Build a Long Lasting Family
Chapter 732: Rongyue Island, hidden spirit!
Shen Yiren led Lu Changsheng to the heart of the Goddess Palace to choose an Immortal Cave with a Spiritual Vein.
The third-tier top-grade Spiritual Vein Immortal Caves near Shen Jianjia and Shen Yiren’s residences were already occupied, so Lu Changsheng simply chose a more secluded small island for peace and quiet.
“Rongyue Island has been without an owner for many years, and now, apart from the planted spiritual fields and Spirit Medicine, not many people manage it.”
“After the identity procedures are completed, I will have Mama Ma provide some Disciples for Fellow Daoist to choose from as managers and attendants.”
For a Core Formation Immortal Master like Lu Changsheng, the Spiritual Vein Immortal Cave provided by the Goddess Palace included an entire mountain peak or a small island.
Not only could he Cultivate daily, but he could also open up spiritual fields, medicinal fields, and even raise a few Spirit Beasts.
Therefore, in such cases, the Goddess Palace would also provide some Disciples to serve as managers and servants to help handle miscellaneous affairs.
“Thank you, Third Palace Master.”
Immediately, Lu Changsheng and Shen Yiren went to Rongyue Island to inspect it.
The entire small island, spanning three to four li, was covered with large tracts of silver maple trees, and its overall color was milky white; at night, it seemed to merge with the moonlight, hence its name, Rongyue Island.
“Greetings, Third Palace Master! Greetings, Xuanmu Elder!”
Under Shen Yiren’s guidance, Lu Changsheng toured the island. The Cultivators on the island all knew that they had welcomed a Late Stage Core Formation Guest Elder!
Everyone looked at Lu Changsheng with immense respect.
After confirming his residence, Shen Yiren took Lu Changsheng to process his identity token, introducing him to the Goddess Palace’s situation and recommending several executive Elders of the Goddess Palace.
However, at the Core Formation level, most Cultivators either enter secluded Cultivation or are busy with affairs, so under normal circumstances, the Goddess Palace, including Shen Yiren, only had three Late Stage Core Formation cultivators presiding.
“Today, I’ve truly troubled the Third Palace Master. Once Ye is settled, I will host a banquet and cook to express my gratitude.”
After finishing up and seeing that it was late, Lu Changsheng smiled at Shen Yiren and said.
Through their interactions today, the two had naturally grown closer.
So, Lu Changsheng expressed his gratitude not by giving a gift, but by preparing to host a banquet and cook himself, further strengthening their relationship.
Although his spiritual culinary skill was only at the second-tier top-grade.
Aside from professional third-tier spiritual chefs, this level was more than sufficient.
If he were to display a third-tier spiritual chef’s skill, it would be too much.
“Does Fellow Daoist Xuanmu also excel in spiritual cuisine?”
Shen Yiren said with surprise in her beautiful eyes.
Although the Dao of spiritual cuisine was quite extensive, not many high-level Cultivators would waste time on it.
Even she only spent a little time on it when she was idle, gradually developing an interest to Cultivate her temperament.
“The Third Palace Master is joking.”
Lu Changsheng smiled gently and said softly, “It’s just that in my early years, when I hunted Yao Beasts outside, to satisfy my own cravings, I did a little research, and then in my daily life, I used it to Cultivate my temperament. It’s not comparable to the delicacies outside, so I hope the Third Palace Master won’t dislike Ye’s poor cooking when the time comes.”
“How could I? This humble one is very much looking forward to Fellow Daoist’s cooking.”
Shen Yiren covered her mouth and chuckled, her beautiful eyes sparkling as she spoke, showing a newfound interest in Lu Changsheng’s cooking, wanting to see how good he was.
After parting with Shen Yiren, Lu Changsheng returned to his Immortal Cave on Rongyue Island.
He had no intention of re-planning the island’s large Formation.
He simply took out a set of third-tier Formation given to him by a kind person from his storage ring and covered the Immortal Cave area to prevent privacy from being spied upon.
However, with a Nascent Soul-level Divine Soul and Qian Zhuyan guarding the home, under normal circumstances, no one would be able to spy on his Immortal Cave’s situation.
After setting up the Formation, Lu Changsheng released Qian Zhuyan from his Spirit Beast bag, indicating that she should usually stay home and forge Puppets.
Half a month later, Mama Ma sent a list, stating that Lu Changsheng could select some individuals to serve as housekeepers, general laborers, or Disciples.
Although the Goddess Palace was named after a goddess, it did not only recruit female Disciples.
However, in terms of gender ratio, female Cultivators accounted for over seventy percent.
Therefore, the list mostly consisted of female Cultivators, with only a few males.
Lu Changsheng looked at the list, where each Disciple not only had detailed information but also included images of their appearance.
It felt like browsing the Baiyu Tower in his early years.
After all, the Goddess Palace sent so many beautiful female Cultivators to serve as housekeepers and maids; Lu Changsheng found it hard to believe there were no other intentions.
However, for these Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment Disciples with ordinary talent, being able to become a manager or attendant for a Late Stage Core Formation Guest Elder was also an Opportunity.
“Hmm!?”
At this moment, when Lu Changsheng saw a Disciple named “Song Yudie” on the list, a sudden, inexplicable sensation, a premonition, surged in his heart.
“Song Yudie, Inner Sect Disciple of the Goddess Palace, concubine daughter of the Song family of Penglai Island, Fourth Grade Spiritual Root, Early Stage Foundation Establishment cultivation.”
Lu Changsheng looked at Song Yudie’s information but couldn’t find anything special about her.
But according to the premonition from his third-tier top-grade divination, this woman was definitely not ordinary.
“This one will do.”
Lu Changsheng said to Mama Ma.
Seeing that Lu Changsheng had chosen one and was not planning to choose any more, Mama Ma said with some surprise, “Xuanmu Elder, why not choose a few more to meet together? What about other maids and general laborers?”
“No need. There are still some people on the island, and one manager is enough.”
Lu Changsheng said with a gentle smile, his tone refined and amiable.
This Mama Ma was an old member of the Goddess Palace and possessed Core Formation cultivation, so Lu Changsheng showed great respect.
Mama Ma heard him, did not insist, and said that the person would arrive later, and if he had any matters, he could directly find her.
After Mama Ma left, Lu Changsheng began to use his fingers to calculate Song Yudie’s situation, but there was no indication of good or bad fortune.
“What’s going on? Could it be that the premonition just now didn’t come from this woman?”
Lu Changsheng frowned, wanting to trace back the feeling he had just experienced, but he found it difficult to grasp.
“Forget it, I’ll see when she arrives later.”
A moment later, Lu Changsheng stopped his calculations, not wanting to waste his mental effort.
At this very moment, on an outer peak of the Goddess Palace, a group of Foundation Establishment Disciples were gathered together.
“Junior Sister Song, I didn’t expect a Young Miss from a prominent family like you to choose a position as an attendant or housekeeper.”
A beautiful woman looked at a tall, attractive, and taciturn woman not far away, saying with a half-smile.
The woman called Junior Sister Song blinked her eyelids, glanced at her, and did not reply.
“This is a Late Stage Core Formation Guest Elder. What’s wrong with competing for such a position?”
A man who admired Junior Sister Song immediately spoke up to defend her.
“Indeed, to serve and work beside a Late Stage Core Formation great Cultivator can be considered a blessing cultivated over several lifetimes.”
“That reasoning is correct, but Junior Sister Song is different from us…”
Other fellow Disciples nearby, seeing the situation, either helped speak up or teased and mocked.
The reason was simple: no matter where, there were factions.
Positions like serving and attending to others were mostly competed for by ordinary Disciples of the Goddess Palace.
However, Song Yudie came from one of the Core Formation families that were affiliated with Penglai Island, belonging to a family of Disciples.
Generally, no matter how a family Disciple who joined the Goddess Palace was, they wouldn’t lower their status to compete with ordinary Disciples for serving positions.
However, Song Yudie was the illegitimate daughter of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Song family, and when she was brought back, it even caused discord between her parents.
Fortunately, she was found to have a Fourth Grade Spiritual Root and was sent by her father to Cultivate in the Goddess Palace.
But her identity as an illegitimate daughter and her taciturn personality led her to not fit into the circle of family Disciples, and she lacked common topics with ordinary Disciples, so she was not very well-liked.
Just as everyone was chatting and laughing, a dignified middle-aged man walked over and spoke, “Where is Song Yudie?”
“Hmm!?”
The Cultivators present all looked towards Song Yudie, who was meditating with her eyes closed not far away.
“Steward Luo.”
Song Yudie immediately opened her eyes, stepped forward, and cupped her hands in a bow.
“Junior Sister Song, Xuanmu Elder has already chosen you to be the manager of Rongyue Island. Please pack and prepare; you will report to Rongyue Island later.”
Steward Luo looked at Song Yudie, who had an excellent appearance and figure, and said kindly.
Although a Guest Elder was not comparable to a core Elder.
A Late Stage Core Formation Guest Elder was still a colossal figure to them.
Becoming the manager for such a Guest Elder was equivalent to latching onto a golden Opportunity!
Moreover, a great Core Formation cultivator usually went into secluded Cultivation, so as long as they handled a few trivial matters, they wouldn’t be too busy or delay their Cultivation, and they could even gain considerable power!
The greatest hidden benefit of serving such an Elder was that if the latter was pleased, simply bestowing some Spirit Pills or Spirit Medicine, or some benefits within the rules, would be enough to save them years of struggle!
Even if they encountered a stingy Elder, as long as the latter was satisfied and gave a good evaluation during their service, they would have priority in competing for the Sect’s core resources in the future.
This was also why so many Foundation Establishment Cultivators competed for positions serving and attending to others.
“What, already chosen?”
“Don’t they usually choose multiple people?”
“Yeah, don’t they usually choose multiple people and then pick one?”
The Cultivators in the field heard this and were filled with surprise and doubt.
“Congratulations, Junior Sister Song.”
“As expected of Junior Sister Song, she was chosen by Xuanmu Elder at first glance.”
Immediately, some congratulated Song Yudie, their eyes filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment.
Becoming the manager of a Late Stage Core Formation Guest Elder directly would not only improve their welfare and treatment but also their status within the Sect.
Some female Disciples scrutinized Song Yudie’s appearance and figure, thinking to themselves that they weren’t bad either, wondering how the latter was superior to them.
But since the matter was already decided, they dared not question it in the slightest.
“Thank you, Steward Luo. I will go and pack up and prepare now.”
Upon hearing this, Song Yudie immediately cupped her hands in thanks, her expression joyful as she went back to pack and prepare, feeling as if she were dreaming.
She hadn’t expected to be chosen so directly.
The next day, Song Yudie arrived at Rongyue Island to take up her post.
Lu Changsheng sized up Song Yudie before him. The Peach Blossom Gu in his Sea of Consciousness awoke, transmitting a faint, indistinct message.
It indicated that he had formed a peach blossom connection with her, which would be of some slight help to him.
“It seems this woman is indeed extraordinary.”
Although Song Yudie’s appearance and figure were quite good, belonging to the upper echelon, the Peach Blossom Gu had been with him for a hundred years and wouldn’t awaken merely for good looks.
There was a high probability that she possessed a relatively strong peach blossom fortune.
Or… she was a ‘husband-prospering’ type!
“I usually need to seclude myself for Cultivation and Talismans. You can take full responsibility for the island’s affairs. Only notify me if there’s something you can’t resolve.”
Lu Changsheng did not appear overly eager, speaking with a gentle expression.
“Hmm?”
Song Yudie was stunned and a little bewildered to see Xuanmu Elder being so easy to talk to.
“Please rest assured, Xuanmu Elder, Yudie will surely manage Rongyue Island well.”
She quickly regained her composure, bowed respectfully, her voice filled with joy.
“Go on, then.”
Lu Changsheng waved his hand, signaling her to leave.
Song Yudie walked out of the courtyard, still a little bewildered and dizzy.
She couldn’t understand why Xuanmu Elder had chosen her.
In terms of ability, she hadn’t shown anything yet.
As for appearance…
Xuanmu Elder’s gaze when he looked at her just now was clear and gentle, without any hint of greed or covetousness.
Instead, it was she who, upon seeing the handsome and elegant Xuanmu Elder, felt an involuntary sense of closeness towards him.
“Did I meet Xuanmu Elder before? Or did Xuanmu Elder meet me?”
Song Yudie pondered, but couldn’t recall anything. She stopped overthinking and went to handle some island affairs.
Seeing Song Yudie leave, Lu Changsheng’s divinatory copper coin appeared in his palm. Using a wisp of her hair as a medium, he began to divine and calculate.
This wisp of hair was what he had just plucked from Song Yudie.
With his Cultivation and methods, it was incredibly simple to pluck a strand of hair from a Foundation Establishment Cultivator’s head without them noticing.
Using this wisp of hair, Lu Changsheng divined and calculated, roughly understanding his previous premonition.
The latter very likely possessed some kind of Opportunity treasure, which would be a not-so-small Opportunity for him.
“Treasure… an innate spiritual body?”
One cannot fully divine everything.
Moreover, most of the time, the卦象 (divinatory trigrams) are only a general outline and not very precise, unless a great price is paid.
But through the faint sensation from the Peach Blossom Gu just now, Lu Changsheng instantly guessed that this Opportunity might be due to her possessing some kind of Dual Cultivation innate spiritual body.
Only then would the Peach Blossom Gu sense the peach blossom fortune!
“It’s a pity my current target is Third Palace Master…”
Lu Changsheng was still thinking about how to further his relationship with Third Palace Master Shen Yiren, so he could only temporarily set Song Yudie aside.
After all, he had only just become a Guest Elder of Goddess Palace.
If he were to immediately make a move on a Goddess Palace Disciple, it would greatly damage his reputation if word got out.
If Shen Yiren found out and thought he was a philanderer, it would be a huge loss.
Moreover, according to the divination and the Peach Blossom Gu’s subtle sensing, even if Song Yudie possessed an innate spiritual body, it wouldn’t be very rare; at most, it would be a high-grade spiritual body.
In such a situation, her Cultivation at Foundation Establishment Early Stage wouldn’t be of much help to him.
Time flew by. Unbeknownst to him, Lu Changsheng had been a Guest Elder of Goddess Palace for a month now.
He had naturally adapted to this new identity.
One day, Third Palace Master Shen Yiren came to visit.
Besides catching up, she also delivered the first batch of Talismans Materials to his Immortal Cave.
In addition, Shen Yiren also brought two Disciples with considerable Talismans talent, hoping he would provide guidance in his free time.
As the head of a faction and a Guest Elder of Qingyun Sect, Lu Changsheng was already familiar with such matters.
He knew that Disciples sent over like this were, on one hand, hoping for his guidance and teaching.
On the other hand, it was to see if he would take a liking to them and accept them as Named Disciples.
This would not only Cultivate Sect Disciples but also strengthen his bond with Goddess Palace.
“Please rest assured, Third Palace Master.”
Lu Changsheng said with a smile, chatting and drinking tea with her, then using the previous “Gongzhi Medical Dao Essentials” as a talking point.
He expressed that he had recently read the book and gained some new insights.
Shen Yiren instantly became interested, and the two conversed happily.
Lu Changsheng did not finish the conversation all at once.
Half an hour later, he expressed some lingering interest and suggested that since he had promised to host a banquet and cook before, why not do it today.
Otherwise, he would be busy drawing Talismans for a while and wouldn’t know when he would be free again.
“In that case, Fellow Daoist Xuanmu, I’ll trouble you.”
Seeing Lu Changsheng act so polite and enthusiastic, Shen Yiren nodded.
Lu Changsheng did not take out the precious ingredients from his storage ring but instead instructed Song Yudie to send some ingredients over.
“Coincidentally, my residence had prepared some excellent ingredients earlier. Fellow Daoist Xuanmu, please wait a moment.”
Shen Yiren said immediately upon hearing this, unwilling to take too much advantage.
“Third Palace Master, just don’t blame Ye for wasting your ingredients.”
Lu Changsheng did not refuse, saying so.
Occasionally letting the other party contribute something, or asking for small favors, helps to improve the relationship between two people.
“How could I?”
Although she knew Lu Changsheng was joking, Shen Yiren still playfully glared at him, full of charm.
After Shen Yiren brought the ingredients, Lu Changsheng began to display his culinary skills.
Although his cooking skills were only at the second-tier top level, the precise control of a Nascent Soul-level Divine Soul over heat and ingredients was enough to elevate the food’s quality by a level.
Even Shen Yiren, watching him, couldn’t help but have her beautiful eyes gleam with admiration, exclaiming repeatedly.
“These are just ordinary dishes, Third Palace Master. Please try them and see if anything doesn’t suit your taste.”
After finishing each dish, Lu Changsheng immediately invited Shen Yiren to taste it.
“Fellow Daoist Xuanmu’s Spirit Chef level already surpasses many Spirit Chefs in Goddess Palace. I’m afraid if I get used to your cooking, I won’t be able to eat anything else in the future.”
Shen Yiren’s eyes curved into crescent moons as she praised him with a smile. She felt some admiration for Lu Changsheng before her, not expecting him to actually possess such culinary skills.
Although her words were an exaggeration, being able to elevate his cooking to such a degree by only spending some leisure time indicated astonishing talent and Comprehension Ability.
“It’s mainly because Third Palace Master’s ingredients are good.”
Lu Changsheng did not say anything about cooking more for her in the future; their relationship had not reached that point yet.
After a long while, a table of Spirit Food delicacies was prepared, and the two began to dine.
Lu Changsheng also didn’t forget the main business: he wanted to use Goddess Palace to inquire about information regarding the Nascent Soul Pill.
“Third Palace Master, I wonder if your palace, or Penglai Island, has any high-level Cultivator trade fairs?”
The best way to learn about the Nascent Soul Pill was to constantly participate in high-level auctions or high-level Cultivator trade fairs.
However, such auctions were usually held once every ten, or even several decades.
As for high-level Cultivator trade fairs, only those within the current circle knew about them, requiring channels.
Although Lu Changsheng was a high-level Cultivator, he hadn’t cultivated any personal connections or channels, so he wasn’t aware.
“High-level Cultivator trade fair?”
Shen Yiren ate with great elegance. Hearing his question, she pondered slightly and said, “Penglai Island does have a high-level Cultivator trade fair, but it’s held alongside an auction and won’t open for another three years. If Fellow Daoist Xuanmu is interested, I can remind you then.”
“As for other small trade fairs organized by Core Formation cultivators themselves, I’m not very clear about those.”
As the Third Palace Master of Goddess Palace, she wouldn’t usually attend such small trade fairs.
“I wonder if these high-level auctions and trade fairs have Nascent Soul resources or Nascent Soul-forming Spirit Objects?”
Lu Changsheng spoke as if chatting about daily life, refilling Shen Yiren’s cup with fruit wine.
“Yes, there are…”
Shen Yiren said with a faint smile, indicating that such high-level auctions, besides Core Formation cultivators, also attracted rare Nascent Soul True Lords.
Therefore, rare resources, even top-grade Nascent Soul Spirit Objects, were often seen.
“However, these top-grade Nascent Soul Spirit Objects are usually fiercely contended for by many Cultivators, leading to very high premiums.”
Shen Yiren knew the difficulties of Loose Cultivator.
They often fought and struggled for one or two Nascent Soul Spirit Objects, or served large factions, spending their savings.
“If Fellow Daoist wishes to Breakthrough to Nascent Soul, and is missing any Nascent Soul Spirit Objects that need to be purchased or exchanged, I might be able to help.”
As the Third Palace Master of Goddess Palace, Shen Yiren still held considerable power.
She had a good impression of Lu Changsheng and, believing he had the potential to Breakthrough to Nascent Soul, was willing to offer support as an investment.
“Ye thanks Third Palace Master in advance.”
Lu Changsheng immediately raised his wine cup and said, then continued to chat casually, asking if the Nascent Soul Pill would be available in Star Constellation Sea.
“Aside from the Dan Alliance, under normal circumstances, the Nascent Soul Pill rarely circulates.”
Shen Yiren said softly.