Chapter 115: Danger! I Must Prepare for the Worst!

“Extract!”

Lu Changsheng’s mind stirred, and he extracted the Xuan Yuan Bead from the system space.

In an instant, a jade bead the size of a chicken egg, emitting a bright blue light, appeared.

At the same time, detailed information about the Xuan Yuan Bead entered Lu Changsheng’s mind.

“This Xuan Yuan Bead is essentially a personal charging treasure.”

“For Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators, it not only replenishes energy but also enhances spiritual power.”

“However, in the hands of Core Formation true persons, the effect of this treasure is mediocre, only serving as an ordinary amplification tool.”

Lu Changsheng gazed at the Xuan Yuan Bead in his hand, thinking to himself.

He had a clearer understanding of the effects of this Xuan Yuan Bead.

“However, this effect is already extremely powerful, enough for me to use until the Core Formation Stage!”

“After I reach Core Formation, I can pass this Xuan Yuan Bead down to my children.”

“Unlike the Demonic Curse of Fate, this Xuan Yuan Bead is not a one-time use item; it can be passed down through generations.”

A smile spread across Lu Changsheng’s face.

In his opinion, this Xuan Yuan Bead was much better than the Demonic Curse of Fate.

Not only was it beneficial for personal use, but it was also an invaluable treasure for families and sects.

Many family forces would encounter times of decline.

At such times, the value of the Xuan Yuan Bead would be revealed.

It could stabilize a family’s Foundation Establishment, making it a pseudo-pill.

“I’m currently at the seventh stage of Qi Refining; I don’t know how much this Xuan Yuan Bead will amplify my power.”

Lu Changsheng didn’t think twice, lightly biting his tongue, and spitting out a mouthful of blood onto the Xuan Yuan Bead.

In an instant, the bead absorbed the blood, radiating a brilliant light. It transformed into a flowing light that entered Lu Changsheng’s body, flowing along his meridians to his Dantian.

Immediately, Lu Changsheng closed his eyes, sat down, and began to refine the Xuan Yuan Bead, allowing it to perfectly merge with his body.

A month later.

Spirit Talisman Pavilion, third floor.

“It’s no wonder it’s a system product, a third-grade treasure!”

“This Xuan Yuan Bead can store spiritual energy, equivalent to eight or nine times of my current amount!”

Lu Changsheng gazed inward, looking at the blue jade bead that had transformed into a seven-colored hue, his face filled with joy.

After refining the Xuan Yuan Bead, he could clearly feel the spiritual energy within his ‘second Dantian’.

Like his pill lake, the spiritual energy could flow unobstructed.

“With this Xuan Yuan Bead, I no longer need to worry about running out of spiritual energy.”

Lu Changsheng exclaimed with joy.

Then, his heart stirred slightly, and his two fingers came together, condensing the sword aura.

“The Spirit Release Technique can increase my power by about threefold through spiritual pressure.”

“If I were to use my full strength, this increase could be boosted even further.”

Lu Changsheng gazed at the sword aura in his hand, quietly sensing the changes in the spiritual pressure.

“No wonder the Xuan Yuan Bead can only make Qi Refining comparable to the late stage of Foundation Establishment, and Foundation Establishment comparable to a Fake Core Formation.”

“With this second Dantian, my spiritual energy far surpasses that of Qi Refining, almost rivaling Foundation Establishment.”

“However, in terms of quality, I still can’t compare to the great masters of Foundation Establishment.”

“But since I’m cultivating the Seven Stars Great Freedom Sword Technique, a Genuine Level technique, my spiritual energy foundation is far superior to that of my peers. When I reach the peak of Qi Refining, with the Xuan Yuan Bead’s support, I might not be weaker than the great masters of Foundation Establishment.”

Lu Changsheng’s eyes narrowed slightly as he thought to himself.

But he also thought that even when he reaches the peak of Qi Refining, he wouldn’t dare to challenge the great masters of Foundation Establishment with the help of a magical artifact.

Who would dare to challenge someone of a higher level?

He wasn’t the protagonist of a novel, after all.

Moreover, Lu Changsheng was very clear about his own shortcomings in terms of combat techniques.

He had too few techniques at his disposal.

Apart from the Seven Stars Sword Light, Seven Stars Sword Shield, and Seven Stars Sword Escape, he had only learned ordinary techniques like fireball and object manipulation.

He hadn’t learned any advanced-level attack techniques and could only rely on talismans.

“This Xuan Yuan Bead not only helps in combat but also provides significant assistance in other areas.”

“Now that I can create talismans, I don’t have to worry about spiritual energy consumption. I only need to consider the mental aspect.”

Lu Changsheng exclaimed with joy.

He usually had to worry about spiritual energy consumption when creating talismans, and would need to recover through meditation.

But now, with the Xuan Yuan Bead, he didn’t have to worry about running out of spiritual energy.

Moreover, the Xuan Yuan Bead would automatically absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to recover after consumption.

“Let me calculate the time… it’s almost time for the Immortal Sect’s assessment, isn’t it?”

At this point, Lu Changsheng suddenly remembered that according to the timeline, the Blue Cloud Sect’s Immortal Sect Assessment was approaching.

He had promised to send Xia Chaoyang to the Blue Cloud Sect to participate in the assessment.

“Never mind, it’s still a few months away. It’s not safe to go out now.”

“Let Hong Yi or Feiyu send Xia Chaoyang instead.”

Lu Changsheng thought for a moment and decided not to go.

Although he had the means to take care of himself, as long as he didn’t encounter Foundation Establishment great masters, he wouldn’t have any problems.

But it’s better to have one less thing to worry about.

Immediately, Lu Changsheng wrote a few letters and sent them to the Ruyi Region via the postal station.

Time passed day by day.

Before he knew it, another month had gone by.

During this time, the three maidservants from the White Jade Tower that Lu Changsheng had taken in also became pregnant.

As for these three maidservants, Lu Changsheng didn’t pay much attention to them, letting nature take its course.

After all, this kind of thing wasn’t urgent, and it would happen sooner or later.

If he really wanted to go crazy, he could use the Five Elements Inheritance Method in the Yin-Yang Harmony Technique to increase his chances of having children.

“Second Master, that Miss Su has come to place an order for Talismans again.”

On this day, Lu Changsheng was reading about cultivation history on the third floor when he heard Zhang Shan’s voice from outside.

“Okay, I’ll come down right away.”

Lu Changsheng nodded when he heard this.

This Miss Su, named Su Hongyu, was a major client of the Spirit Talisman Pavilion.

Over the past few months, she had purchased a large number of Talismans from the shop.

So, in this situation, he, as the shop owner, needed to entertain her.

When he arrived at the reception hall on the first floor, he saw a 27- or 28-year-old woman with a beautiful face, wearing a purple, elegant, and refined palace dress.

“Greetings, Fairy Su.”

Lu Changsheng smiled and bowed to her, his face radiant like a spring breeze.

“Master Lu, I’ve come to place an order for a batch of Talismans,” Su Hongyu said with a smile, her voice warm and gentle.

She then handed over a procurement list for the Talismans.

She wore a simple yet elegant palace dress, her face was gentle and refined, but her movements were full of charm and allure.

“No problem, it’ll take about half a month to prepare these Talismans,” Lu Changsheng said after looking at the list.

“Alright.”

Su Hongyu nodded, seemingly very pleased, and then signed the contract and paid the deposit.

After finishing all this, Su Hongyu looked at Lu Changsheng and smiled, saying, “Master Lu, I’ve discovered an ancient tomb outside, and I’m looking for some fellow cultivators to explore it with me. Would you be interested?”

“Thank you for the invitation, Miss Su, but I’m not skilled in combat, so I’ll have to decline.”

Lu Changsheng politely declined her invitation.

“To be honest, this tomb has a seal that’s difficult to break, which is why I need to find some fellow cultivators to explore it with me.”

“I’m worried that if I invite a powerful cultivator, they might be tempted by the treasures inside.”

“Master Lu, your cultivation level is not high, and you’re a member of the Lu Family, the owner of this Spirit Talisman Pavilion, so I trust you, which is why I’m sincerely inviting you.”

Su Hongyu slightly twisted her slender waist, lifted her legs, and spoke with a hint of seduction.

“Lu Changsheng is not capable, so it’s better not to participate. Thank you for your kind intentions, Fairy Su.”

Lu Changsheng continued to refuse.

At this moment, he felt a sense of vigilance in his heart.

Although he had done business with her several times, they hadn’t had much contact.

Her sudden invitation to explore the ancient ruins made him think twice.

As a seasoned man who had experienced countless battles, Lu Changsheng could sense that Su Hongyu had learned seduction techniques, and her behavior was intended to lure him.

Combining this with the recent situation of the Lu Family, Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but think more about it.

However, he didn’t care about such things.

Even if the other party was trying to deceive him, as long as he didn’t take the bait, it wouldn’t be a problem.

Moreover, Lu Changsheng was genuinely uninterested in exploring the ancient ruins.

He would rather go home and craft a few more puppets.

Not only would he earn some spirit stones, but the puppets could also enhance his Spirit Root and increase his strength.

“Since Talisman Master Lu isn’t interested, I can only look for someone else.”

Su Hongyu seemed a bit disappointed but didn’t force the issue, still smiling as she spoke.

Half a month later.

Zhang Shan told Lu Changsheng that Fairy Su had come again.

“Talisman Master Lu.”

Su Hongyu smiled and greeted Lu Changsheng.

This time, she wore a golden, luxurious palace-style robe with intricate, lifelike phoenix embroidery that shimmered with spiritual light.

At a glance, Lu Changsheng could tell that this was at least a high-quality, possibly even top-grade, spiritual robe.

However, Lu Changsheng thought that wearing such a flashy outfit was asking to be targeted.

“Wearing something so flashy, aren’t you afraid of being targeted?”

“Fairy Su, the Talismans you ordered are all prepared. Please take a look.”

Lu Changsheng didn’t bother to look and simply took out a stack of Talismans from his storage bag.

“I naturally trust Talisman Master Lu.”

Su Hongyu took the Talismans, glanced at them, and smiled.

After paying the remaining spirit stones, Su Hongyu continued, “I wonder if Talisman Master Lu has a Breaking Seal Talisman?”

“A Breaking Seal Talisman?”

“A Breaking Seal Talisman is a top-grade Talisman, extremely difficult to create.”

“I don’t know how many Fairy Su wants. If it’s just one or two, I can ask our family elder to create them.”

Lu Changsheng spoke up.

The Breaking Seal Talisman belongs to a top-grade, first-class Talisman, with a difficulty comparable to a second-class Talisman.

Even the Fourth Elders’ success rate in crafting a Breaking Seal Talisman is not high.

However, for Lu Changsheng, it’s not a big problem.

But it’s impossible for him to do this kind of business in the shop.

“The more, the better.”

Su Hongyu said so.

Then, she smiled sweetly at Lu Changsheng: “Talisman Master Lu, I’m buying this Breaking Seal Talisman For the last stage of the tomb exploration.”

“Talisman Master Lu didn’t join us earlier, which is a pity. This time, not only was there no danger, but I also gained a lot, enough to exchange for a new set of robes.”

Su Hongyu laughed and said.

“Then congratulations to Fairy Su!”

Lu Changsheng heard this and remained unmoved, smiling and cupping his hands in respect.

He then said: “As for the Breaking Seal Talisman, my shop can only provide one or two, and it’s indeed impossible to have more.”

Talismans like the Breaking Seal Talisman, due to the low success rate of crafting, didn’t bring in much profit for the Fourth Elder.

It’s mainly for the shop’s reputation that they craft a few for sale.

Su Hongyu saw that Lu Changsheng remained unmoved and later paid the deposit, chatted for a bit, and then left.

“There’s definitely a problem, definitely a problem, definitely a trap!”

After Su Hongyu left, Lu Changsheng returned to the third floor, thinking more and more that there was a problem with Su Hongyu.

She was luring him away from the city.

“Behind this Su Hongyu, there might even be a group of people who attacked Sister Miaoge.”

Lu Changsheng thought to himself.

But unfortunately, his strength was limited.

Otherwise, he could have followed the opponent and turned the tables, investigating the truth.

But he was, after all, only a Qi Refining minor cultivator, and it wasn’t necessary to take risks.

Time flew by, and more than two months passed.

During this time, Lu Changsheng added three Spirit Root servant girls from the White Jade Tower.

He got two of them pregnant.

As for the servant girls without Spirit Root, after six of them got pregnant, Lu Changsheng controlled them, not letting them get pregnant.

After all, they needed servant girls to do things and take care of the children.

During this time, Su Hongyu also came twice.

However, she didn’t invite Lu Changsheng to explore the tomb again.

Instead, she expressed her joy at gaining something from the tomb and invited Lu Changsheng to celebrate with a meal at a nearby restaurant.

As a major client and being in the city, Lu Changsheng accepted the invitation.

When they were half-drunk, with rosy cheeks, Su Hongyu poured her heart out to Lu Changsheng about her hardships as a Rouge Cultivator, drawing closer to him.

The second time was not long ago, when Lu Changsheng was invited to a Rouge Cultivator gathering.

He was told that this gathering, aside from trading goods and expanding connections, had a hidden purpose.

It was a place where some Rouge Cultivators who had no hope for Foundation Establishment, wanted to find a Dao companion to build a cultivation family, and would meet and play at this gathering.

She wanted to invite Lu Changsheng to participate in the fun.

Although Lu Changsheng was indeed a bit curious about this gathering, he had already determined that the other party was trying to deceive him, so he naturally wouldn’t agree and politely declined.

In the end, Su Hongyu could only leave with a resentful expression, like a person who had been wronged.

However, Lu Changsheng, who had experienced countless battles, remained unmoved in his heart.

It was as if he had been tempered and refined over the years in matters of love and relationships.

But it had to be said that the other party’s charming demeanor, combined with their captivating behavior, did make it difficult for people to refuse.

Unfortunately, they had encountered Lu Changsheng, who was experienced in battle and had his guard up.

That day.

On the third floor of the Spirit Talisman Shop, Lu Changsheng, surrounded by seven layers of fierce sword aura, suddenly opened his eyes.

“I’ve finally entered the Qi Refining eighth stage!”

Lu Changsheng looked at the seven-colored pill lake in his Dantian, and a joyful expression appeared on his face.

This breakthrough had come faster than he had expected.

Apart from the Pill being sufficient, it was also due to the upgrade of his Spirit Root and other factors.

“I’ve broken through to the Qi Refining eighth stage, and the limit of the Xuan Yuan Bead has also been raised. It’s truly mysterious.”

Lu Changsheng looked at the seven-colored flowing beads in his Dantian, and couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder.

After his breakthrough, the Xuan Yuan Bead had also changed, receiving an upgrade.

This upgrade would continue until the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage.

At that time, it would be the limit of the Xuan Yuan Bead’s amplification.

“However, at my current speed, I estimate it’ll take five or six years to break through to the Qi Refining ninth stage!”

The next moment, Lu Changsheng shook his head, estimating his cultivation speed.

Although this speed was already considered fast for a sixth-grade Spirit Root, Lu Changsheng still felt it was a bit slow.

After all, he had only been cultivating for less than ten years.

Six days later.

Lu Changsheng suddenly received a message from the Second Elder.

He was told to prepare and set off for Qingzhu Mountain three days later.

As for the Spirit Talisman Shop, he would ask someone to temporarily take care of it.

“Second Elder, what’s going on?”

Lu Changsheng heard the Second Elder’s words and immediately realized that something had happened.

According to the schedule, the Second Elder still had half a month before returning.

And usually, when he returned, it was never this urgent.

“I received a family letter, and many of our Lu Family disciples who went out to practice have been attacked.”

“And not long ago, the Chen Family directly attacked our Elder in the mining area, severely injuring him, so our family is recalling all personnel from outside!”

The Second Elder said in a deep voice.

“The Chen Family has made a move!?”

Lu Changsheng was shocked to hear this.

He immediately realized that the situation between the Chen Family and the Lu Family was finally about to explode.

This time, it was no longer a small skirmish.

Many Lu Family disciples had been attacked, and even the Elder in charge of the mining area had been severely injured.

This showed that the Chen Family was ready to confront the Lu Family head-on.

“No mistake, the Chen Family has been provoking us repeatedly, and although we’ve counterattacked, we haven’t been able to deter them. They know our ancestor’s situation is not good, which is why they dare to do this!”

The Second Elder’s face also looked unpleasant.

The Lu Family had been severely injured over ten years ago and still hadn’t fully recovered.

This wave of attacks had killed many Lu Family disciples, making the situation even more dire for the Lu Family.

After all, for a cultivation family, the continuation of their bloodline was extremely important.

“Don’t worry, Changseng, our Lu Family has stood tall on Qingzhu Mountain for hundreds of years, and we have our own foundation. We’re not afraid of the Chen Family.”

The Second Elder seemed to be afraid that Lu Changsheng would worry, so he spoke up.

“Second Elder, no matter what, I, Lu Changsheng, will stand with the Lu Family through thick and thin!”

Lu Changsheng didn’t care whether the Second Elder was trying to comfort him or not.

Now that the Lu Family was facing a crisis, he could have chosen to hide in Juilong Market.

But his wife and children were all in the Lu Family, and he had to go back this time.

“Good, good, good.”

The Second Elder also looked relieved when he heard this.

As the saying goes, “A horse’s strength is known after a long journey, and a person’s heart is seen over time.”

Lu Changsheng had only been in the Lu Family for ten years.

Now that the Lu Family was facing a crisis, his determination and attitude were truly admirable, making the Second Elder feel that he hadn’t misjudged him, and he was extremely relieved.

Then, the Second Elder told Lu Changsheng to prepare, and he would send someone to temporarily take care of the Spirit Talisman Pavilion the next day.

After the Second Elder left, Lu Changsheng went to the third floor and checked his storage bag.

He looked to see what else he needed to prepare.

“There are two hundred first-order mid-grade talismans, one hundred and fifty-six first-order high-grade talismans, and one hundred and nine first-order top-grade talismans.”

“I have fifty seven low-grade Talismans, eight medium-grade Talismans, and two second-order puppets, two first-order medium-grade puppets, and four first-order low-grade puppets.”

“I have three Yin Thunder Beads, a set of black blood needles.”

“I have two bottles of first-grade healing medicine.”

“I have a bottle of explosive pills, which can restore half of my spiritual power immediately after consumption and increase my cultivation.”

“I have a bottle of spiritual pills, which can clear my mind and strengthen my spirit after consumption!”

“As for magical weapons, I have two top-grade and five high-grade ones, and there’s nothing else to add.”

Lu Changsheng organized his inventory and thought about what else he needed to prepare.

But after thinking about it, it seemed like there was nothing else to add.

“My Talismans are all tailored to my needs, covering attack, defense, trapping, escape, and healing.”

“With the spiritual pills as a supplement, I can temporarily boost my spirit and use hundreds of Talismans without a problem.”

“Furthermore, I am currently at the eighth stage of Qi Refining and have the Xuan Yuan Bead. Not only is it comparable to a Foundation Establishment, but it is not an exaggeration to say that I am invincible under a Foundation Establishment.”

“Moreover, with the Xuan Yuan Bead, if I fully activate the Golden Light Brick Talisman, I can unleash 70-80% of its power, which ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators may not be able to withstand.”

Lu Changsheng calculated and felt that he wouldn’t have a problem even if he encountered Foundation Establishment great masters.

However, he had never worried about his own problems from start to finish.

He had always been thinking about how to keep his family safe in times of danger.

“If the Lu Family is really attacked, I’ll have a second-grade puppet by my side, a Talisman in one hand, and a stack of second-grade Talismans in the other. Even Foundation Establishment cultivators would have to give way.”

“After all, who would want to fight to the death without a deep grudge?”

Lu Changsheng thought to himself.

“It’s a pity I haven’t seen the Chen Family’s ancestor; otherwise, I could have used the Demonic Curse of Fate to take care of him.”

“But the current situation of the Lu Family isn’t just about killing the Chen Family’s ancestor; the problem lies within the Lu Family itself.”

“Even if the Chen Family is gone, the Yu Family, Bai Family, and Zheng Family will still come after us.”

“After all, in the cultivation world, weakness is the original sin, and without strength, one can’t even protect a single Spirit Vain.”

Lu Changsheng shook his head.

He knew that even if the Chen Family’s ancestor died, it wouldn’t solve the Lu Family’s crisis.

In the end, the Lu Family’s crisis stemmed from the Lu Family’s ancestor’s impending death and the lack of new Foundation Establishment great masters.

“Lu Yuanshan has been back from the Purple Mist Secret Realm for almost two years now.”

“But despite the time, the Lu Family has had no reaction, and no new Foundation Establishment great masters have emerged.”

“Is it that there’s no harvest, or did they ultimately fail to break through?”

Lu Changsheng muttered to himself.

For ordinary cultivators, even if they had gathered the Foundation Establishment pills and Foundation Establishment spiritual objects, the probability of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage was at most 50-60%.

But how many people could gather the Foundation Establishment pill and spiritual objects?

Most Rouge Cultivators relied on one or two Foundation Establishment spiritual objects.

Many Rouge Cultivators didn’t have anything and directly staked their lives, betting on a single thread of Foundation Establishment opportunity.

Even a cultivator family like the Lu Family, although they had some foundation, could only guarantee two or three Foundation Establishment spiritual objects.

“Now, it’s pointless to think about the Lu Family’s new Foundation Establishment cultivator. I must prepare for the worst.”

Lu Changsheng didn’t dwell on this thought.

He began to simulate scenarios in his mind, thinking about what would happen if the Lu Family’s ancestor died, and Foundation Establishment great masters came to kill him. How would he protect his wife, children, and himself?

Should he use the Talisman treasure first, or let the puppet go out to fight, and then use the Talisman to assist?

Or, when he used the Talisman treasure, would the treasure bone he had been nurturing burst out, giving him a chance to directly kill the Foundation Establishment cultivator?

Lu Changsheng continued to simulate and think.

Unfortunately, no one knew what Lu Changsheng was thinking.

Otherwise, they would be shocked and stunned, their faces pale with fright.

“Is this guy going to destroy other people’s doors?”

Otherwise, why would it be like this?

Most cultivators were only concerned with their own interests, and no one would risk their lives for others.

After all, everyone cultivated to live a better life, to live more freely and easily.