Jiulong Market.
Jade Feast Pavilion.
Inside a private room, Yu Maocheng was having a meal and drinking wine with Lu Changsheng.
âBrother Lu, the current situation of the Lu Family doesnât seem too optimistic. Do you have any ideas or plans?â
After drinking three cups of wine, Yu Maocheng spoke up.
âWhat ideas or plans can I have? This matter is like a heavy burden on my shoulders, and itâs not up to me to worry about it.â
âWhy are you mentioning this, Brother Yu? Are you saying that thereâs no way out?â
Lu Changsheng raised an eyebrow, sensing that Yu Maocheng had something on his mind.
Today, Yu Maocheng asked him to drink and came to this private room. He felt that the other party had something to say.
Now he heard it, and he thought it was true.
âWhat way can I have?â
âItâs just that the Yu Family has taken a liking to you, Brother Lu, and wants me to act as a mediator.â
âIf youâre willing to join the Yu Family, theyâre willing to marry one of their familyâs daughters to you.â
âAs for the conditions and treatment, you can negotiate.â
Yu Maocheng took a bite of his food, smiled wryly, and spoke truthfully.
âI, Lu Changsheng, have been with the Lu Family for a long time, and my wife and children are all in the Lu Family. How can I betray my family like this?â
Lu Changsheng waved his hand.
âNo need to be polite, Brother Yu. The Yu Family knows that weâre acquainted, so they asked me to act as a mediator. Thereâs no other meaning to it.â
âIâll punish myself with a cup of wine.â
Yu Maocheng immediately raised his wine cup and spoke, apologizing.
âI naturally understand.â
Lu Changsheng nodded slightly, not taking it to heart.
He knew that Yu Maocheng was just a mediator.
The Yu Family had asked him to be a mediator, and he couldnât refuse.
âVery well, Iâll give the Yu Family a reply later.â
âHowever, Brother Lu, youâve become a high-grade Talisman master at such a young age, with exceptional talent in the Talisman path. I estimate that the Yu Family wonât give up easily, and theyâll send someone to recruit you again.â
Yu Maocheng spoke, his tone unintentionally laced with envy.
Earlier, when the Yu Family had asked him to be a mediator, he was still a bit surprised.
When he learned that Lu Changsheng was a high-grade Talisman master, he was shocked.
He had thought that Lu Changsheng was only a medium-grade Talisman master.
He didnât expect Lu Changsheng to have advanced to a high-grade Talisman master.
He was amazed by Lu Changshengâs talent in the Talisman path and understood why Lu Changsheng could marry and take concubines without the Lu Family saying anything.
Because this kind of status is completely incomparable to a son-in-law from a cultivation family like him.
âAlright, thanks for the reminder, Brother Yu.â
Lu Changsheng nodded, also understanding the implication behind Yu Maochengâs words.
It meant that the Yu Family would send someone to introduce him to their family members later.
So, this was a heads-up in advance.
âActually, as a friend, I think you should consider this aspect, Brother Lu.â
âItâs not about betraying the Lu Family, but you should think about your own future.â
âIf the Lu Family situation really doesnât work out, you should think about your own backup plan.â
Yu Maocheng took a sip of wine and spoke.
âThis matter, weâll talk about it later.â
âItâs still too early to discuss this now.â
Lu Changsheng let out a soft sigh.
In his escape plan, he had naturally considered his backup plan.
If the Lu Family really couldnât hold on, Lu Changsheng planned to take his wives and children and flee to a small town, where they could live in seclusion for a few years.
After a few years, he would reveal his high-grade Talisman master skills and choose to join a powerful organization like the Blue Cloud Commercial Hall.
As for the Yu Family, a cultivation family like that was not in his consideration.
After all, not all cultivation families were as upright as the Lu Family.
He wanted to find a place where he could live comfortably and at ease.
Moreover, after what happened with the Lu Family, if he joined a cultivation family in the future, he would definitely not fit in and would be ostracized.
It was better to join a commercial hall or a sect, which would be more relaxed and carefree.
âYes, there is no rush for this kind of thing.â
âWith Brother Luâs Talisman making skills, he can stand out anywhere.â
Yu Maocheng nodded and didnât continue to talk about this topic.
Half a month later.
Lu Changsheng was drawing Talismans in the Spirit Talisman Pavilion.
Zhang Shan told Lu Changsheng that Yu Maocheng was looking for him.
âBrother Yu, whatâs the matter?â
Lu Changsheng went downstairs and asked Yu Maocheng.
âItâs what I said last time, the Yu Family will send someone to recruit you.â
âToday, the Third Young Master of the Yu Family has come, and Iâm here to invite you to meet him.â
Yu Maocheng said.
âThe Third Young Master of the Yu Family?â
Lu Changsheng didnât know this Third Young Master of the Yu Family.
But being called the Third Young Master, he must have a high status in the Yu Family.
âDonât you want to go and meet him?â
âEven if you donât plan to join the Yu Family, you can still go and meet him.â
Yu Maocheng said.
After finishing, he lowered his voice and said, âBesides, from what I know, this Third Young Master has a bad reputation, so itâs better not to offend him.â
âOkay, Iâll go with you to meet him.â
Lu Changsheng smiled lightly and nodded.
He knew that if he didnât go, Yu Maocheng would be in trouble.
Moreover, Yu Family sent a young master here, and it was impossible for him to come here and not see anyone and just leave.
If he didnât go this time, he would come to find him later, so he might as well meet him.
âI feel like these cultivation families are trying to dig up the roots of the Lu Family.â
Lu Changsheng suddenly thought of the Bai Familyâs young master pursuing Lu Miaoge.
It seemed that the Bai Familyâs young master didnât necessarily like Lu Miaoge, but was trying to show sincerity and get Lu Miaoge to join the Bai Family.
âAh, itâs really like a collapsing wall, and everyone is pushing.â
âNow the Lu Familyâs ancestor hasnât died yet, and itâs already like this. If the Lu Familyâs ancestor were to dieâŠâ
Lu Changsheng couldnât help but think to himself.
He felt that the cultivation world was more ruthless than he had imagined.
Soon, Lu Changsheng and Yu Maocheng arrived at the Jade Feast Pavilionâs second floor private room.
The private room was already set up with fine wine and delicacies.
âFriend Lu, nice to meet you.â
A handsome young man with a gentle face, wearing a blue-green robe, looked at Lu Changsheng and nodded.
âIâve seen Young Master Yu.â
Lu Changsheng also knew that this was the Third Young Master of the Yu Family, and slightly nodded.
âBrother Lu, I still have some matters to attend to, you chat with the Third Young Master.â
Yu Maocheng introduced them and then excused himself.
Now that he had brought Lu Changsheng here, he wouldnât stay, and bid farewell.
âOkay.â
Yu Ningyuan slightly nodded and gestured for Yu Maocheng to leave.
Then, he made a inviting gesture, asking Lu Changsheng to sit down.
âFriend Lu, please sit.â
âI invited you here today, Iâm sure you know the reason. But itâs not urgent, you can just listen.â
âEven if it doesnât work out, just treat it as a friend and get to know each other.â
Yu Ningyuan smiled and poured wine for Lu Changsheng.
âItâs a fortunate thing to be able to meet someone as talented as Young Master Yu.â
âIâll drink first.â
Lu Changsheng saw that the other party was being so polite, and naturally wouldnât offend him, smiling and finishing the wine in one gulp.
âGood wine!â Lu Changsheng exclaimed.
This wasnât just a polite phrase.
Lu Changsheng didnât drink much wine, only Jade Bamboo Wine and White Jade Hundred Flowers Wine.
But at this moment, he could clearly feel that this wine far surpassed the Jade Bamboo Wine and White Jade Hundred Flowers Wine he had drunk before.
It was nourishing to his spiritual power and mind, and was likely a top-grade spirit wine.
âHeh heh, this is a specialty spirit wine from Green Lake Mountain, called Baishu Spirit Wine,â Yu Ningyuan said.
âIt has a good nourishing effect on the mind, and as a Talisman master, you can drink more of it.â
âIf you like it, I have another bottle on me, and you can take it back to try.â
Yu Ningyuan said with a smile.
âYoung master Yu is too polite, I donât deserve such treatment,â Lu Changsheng said, waving his hand.
Seeing this, Yu Ningyuan didnât push the matter further and started chatting about other topics.
He asked Lu Changsheng about the situation in the Lu Family and his daily life.
He also talked about the current situation in the Yu Family and introduced himself.
If Lu Changsheng didnât have a system guiding him, he would have been tempted by Yu Ningyuanâs words.
After all, the Yu Family had two Foundation Establishment great masters, and there was a possibility of a third one emerging within ten years.
The overall strength and prospects of the Yu Family far surpassed those of the Lu Family.
If Lu Changsheng was willing to join, his future would be limitless.
After chatting for a while, Yu Ningyuan took out a bottle of spirit wine and three jade boxes, placing them on the table.
The three jade boxes were opened, and inside were a Talisman pen, ten crystal clear medium-grade spirit stones and a high-level breaking pill.
âThis is a small token of goodwill from the Yu Family,â Yu Ningyuan said.
âThese resources are enough to help you cultivate to the late Qi Refining stage!â
âMoreover, if youâre willing to join our Yu Family, weâre willing to give you one of our daughters as your wife.â
âOnce you make sufficient contributions, our Yu Family can even bestow upon you an Advanced Level technique and impart Foundation Establishment insights.â
âI think the Lu Family canât offer you such benefits, can they?â
Yu Ningyuan said with a faintly confident smile.
Lu Changsheng looked at the spirit wine, talisman pen, ten medium-grade spirit stones, and high-grade breaking pill in front of him, and couldnât help but feel that the Yu Family was making a big move.
This Talisman pen was an extremely high-quality magical treasure, and with the ten medium-grade spirit stones and one high-grade broken pill, it was equivalent to a value of over three thousand spirit stones.
It was indeed a big move.
He understood that the Yu Family was willing to spend so much because they saw his potential in the Talisman path.
He knew that his future wasnât just limited to being a high-grade Talisman master, but he could become a second-grade Talisman master.
Otherwise, a high-grade Talisman master wouldnât be worth the Yu Familyâs investment.
Moreover, they would give him a daughter as his wife and bestow upon him an Advanced Level technique.
In a cultivation family like this, the stronger they were, the fewer their direct descendants would marry out.
Like Yu Ningrong, who was married to Yu Maocheng, was only a collateral descendant of the Yu Family.
âI apologize, Young Master Yu, but I, Lu Changsheng, have been in the Lu Family since I was young, and everything I have today is thanks to the Lu Familyâs nurturing. I really canât do something that would betray my family,â Lu Changsheng said with a apologetic smile.
If he were an ordinary cultivator, he would indeed find it hard to refuse such an offer.
After all, it included wealth, a wife, and techniques, as well as the backing of the Green Lake Mountain Yu Family.
Especially the high-grade technique and Foundation Establishment insights, which would be a huge killer move for an ordinary cultivator.
Even though all cultivators knew that their hopes of reaching Foundation Establishment were slim.
But when he heard about Foundation Establishment, he couldnât help but feel a surge of excitement.
After all, Foundation Establishment was the dream of countless cultivators!
Even if there was only a slight chance, they would go crazy for it.
As soon as these words were spoken,
Yu Ningyuanâs face, which had a faint smile of confidence, suddenly froze.
He looked at Lu Changsheng with a puzzled expression.
He didnât expect that Lu Changsheng wouldnât be tempted by his offer.
He actually refused him!
To think that he had accepted the task, seen the conditions offered by the family, and even expressed doubts.
He felt that the conditions were too good to be true.
It was only after the family told him about Lu Changshengâs talent in the Talisman path that he reluctantly accepted.
But he never thought that Lu Changsheng would refuse him at this moment.
It was hard for him to understand what was going on.
âFriend Lu, you might not be very clear about the current situation of the Lu Family.â
âI can tell you directly, the Lu Familyâs ancestorâs lifespan is only about three to five years from now.â
âAnd the Lu Family has no way to obtain the Foundation Establishment pill, absolutely no way to produce new Foundation Establishment great masters. Even when they sent people to the Purple Mist Secret Realm, they didnât gain anything.â
âSo in this situation, the Lu Familyâs destruction is already predetermined.â
âWhy botherâŠâ
Yu Ningyuan spoke up, his tone no longer polite.
However, before he could finish speaking, Yu Ningyuanâs face revealed a look of sudden realization.
He understood why Lu Changsheng refused him.
âI understand, Friend Lu, it must be because of your wife and children, right?â
âBecause your wife and children are all in the Lu Family!â
âDonât worry, if you join my Yu Family, when the Lu Family is destroyed, my Yu Family will step in and do our best to protect your wife and children.â
âAnd Iâve also heard that you like women, and youâre unhappy if you donât have a woman by your side. Coincidentally, Iâm the same way.â
âIf youâre willing to join the Yu Family, Iâll let you enjoy my thirty-six concubines and seventy-two maidservants.â
Yu Ningyuan smiled confidently.
â.â
Lu Changsheng was speechless when he heard this.
He was stunned by this Yu Familyâs third young master.
He didnât know whether to call this Yu Familyâs third young master bold or something else.
It was hard to keep up with the otherâs train of thought.
âFriend Lu, how about this?â
âIn the worst case, Iâll let the children born in the future call you their godfather!â
âOr if you really like them, I can give you a few of them.â
Yu Ningyuan thought he had seen through Lu Changshengâs thoughts and was confident in his approach.
He also thought that he had made a big sacrifice to get Lu Changsheng to join the Yu Family, and when he returned to the family, the family would definitely reward him well.
âLu has no intention of betraying the Lu Family for the time being, and I would like to thank Master Yu for the hospitality.â
Lu Changsheng didnât know what to say.
He felt that he couldnât communicate with this Yu Familyâs young master.
If the other party was still polite and courteous like before, it would be like doing business with a friend.
But this was really hard to deal with, and he didnât know what to say, so he stood up to leave.
âLu Changsheng, youâŠâ
Yu Ningyuan looked at Lu Changsheng, who didnât know what was good for him, and his expression turned slightly angry, wanting to say something.
But thinking that they were still in the city, he ultimately didnât say anything.
He only let out a cold snort and put the things on the table back into his storage bag.
âBrother Lu, Iâm really sorry this time.â
He saw Lu Changsheng walk down the stairs alone.
Yu Maochengg, who was waiting downstairs, also guessed the outcome.
Knowing that the conversation wasnât very pleasant, he apologized with a bow.
âItâs nothing.â
Lu Changsheng also bowed, didnât say anything, and left the Jade Feast Pavilion.
âI donât know if what Yu Familyâs Third Young Master said was true or false.â
After leaving the Jade Feast Pavilion, Lu Changsheng thought about the words spoken by Yu Familyâs Young Master.
About the current situation of the Lu Family.
He knew that the Lu Familyâs situation was not optimistic.
But the Yu Familyâs Young Master said that the Lu Family was almost on the verge of collapse.
Even hinting that if the Lu Familyâs Patriarch were to die, not only the Hongye Valley Chen Family, but also the Green Lake Mountain Yu Family, would come to divide the spoils.
âRegardless of whether that Yu Familyâs Young Master was telling the truth or not, I must make arrangements for my wives and children.â
Lu Changsheng thought to himself.
He wasnât too concerned about himself, as he had the ability to protect himself.
The main consideration was still the wives and children.
If the Lu Family were to face a crisis, how would he bring all his wives and children to safety?
At this moment, Lu Changsheng clearly understood why most cultivators were solitary.
Because in most cases, being alone and walking the great path was indeed far superior to being burdened with family.
As for himself, it couldnât be said that he was burdened with family anymore.
It could be considered a small family migration.
However, since he had chosen this path, the path of multiple wives and children, Lu Changsheng naturally wouldnât complain about the trouble at this time.
Feeling that his wives and children were too many.
âAh, power, in the end, itâs still a matter of power.â
âIf I had Foundation Establishment power, these things wouldnât be a problem.â
Lu Changsheng let out a light sigh, deeply feeling the importance of power.
His current power was only enough to protect himself.
He was still unable to protect his wives and children.
âIâll think about the wivesâ aspect in two months when I return to Qingzhu Mountain, and see how to arrange it.â
âRather, I just met that Yu Familyâs Young Master, and I should tell the Lu Family about it.â
âOtherwise, if the Lu Family finds out later, who knows what kind of suspicion might arise.â
Lu Changsheng thought to himself.
Like the time the Bai Familyâs Young Master pursued Lu Miaoge, and that Yu Familyâs Young Master who offered a high price to poach people, he felt that the Lu Family would likely face many such things.
Since he had encountered it, he should still tell the Lu Family about it, to avoid any misunderstandings later on.
After all, itâs just a few words to clarify things.
Night fell.
Lu Changsheng left the Spirit Talisman shop and headed to the Lu Familyâs East District mansion.
He paid his respects to the Second Elder and recounted the events of the day.
âChangseng, you have a good heart.â
The Second Elder smiled and patted Lu Changsheng on the shoulder upon hearing his words.
âThe Yu Family sent people to poach you, and they must have offered a hefty price. You didnât budge, which shows that we, the Lu Family, didnât misjudge you.â
âYou can rest assured, our Lu Family has stood tall on Qingzhu Mountain for hundreds of years, and itâs not that easy to bring us down.â
The Second Elder spoke with confidence.
âSecond Elder, without the Lu Family, there would be no Lu Changsheng today.â
âI will definitely stand with the Lu Family through thick and thin!â
Lu Changsheng said with determination.
He didnât care whether the Second Elderâs words were true or false; the Lu Familyâs situation was either good or bad.
As long as he was still part of the Lu Family, he had to maintain the proper attitude.
âGood, good, your heart is in the right place, thatâs enough.â
The Second Elder nodded in satisfaction and patted Lu Changsheng on the shoulder again.
Meanwhile, in Dream Immortal CityâŠ
âQingzhu Mountainâs Lu Family Patriarch only has a few years left to live.â
Meng Xiaochan received this news, her eyes flickered, showing a thoughtful look.
She then left her cave dwelling and departed from Dream Immortal City.
In the blink of an eye, more than a month had passed.
The Yu Familyâs Third Young Masterâs affair was just a small interlude for Lu Changsheng.
It didnât have much impact on his life.
He still practiced cultivation every day, crafted talismans, went to work, and helped Xiao Qing with her dual cultivation.
Although he was helping Xiao Qing, he also benefited from it.
After all, this kind of thing was just a hobby, and cultivating happily could still improve his cultivation.
Under his slight control, Xiao Qing didnât get pregnant.
However, two other maidservants did get pregnant.
Lu Changsheng didnât pay much attention to it.
After all, he couldnât just stop having children because the Lu Familyâs situation was unfavorable, could he?
These maidservants in Jiulong Market wouldnât be affected by the Lu Familyâs affairs.
On this dayâŠ
Lu Changsheng was meditating on the second floor of the Spirit Talisman shop when he suddenly heard an urgent voice.
âSecond Master, itâs not good. The first master was seriously injured and is unconscious. She may not be able to survive!â