Chapter 130: Uncle is Back!

Cultivators didn’t attach much importance to worldly etiquette.

After paying respects to the ancestral tablet of the Lu Family, each person lit three sticks of incense, and the ceremony came to an end.

As the crowd began to disperse, Lu Changsheng was about to leave when Lu Yuanzhong, the newly promoted Ancestor, called out to him.

“Changsheng, how’s your cultivation progress?”

Lu Yuanzhong’s face was refined and elegant, bearing some resemblance to Lu Yuanding.

Lu Changsheng knew that this Ancestor was none other than his uncle, Lu Yuanding’s older brother.

So, he should address him as Uncle.

However, in the Qingzhu Mountain sect, once one achieved Foundation Establishment, their seniority would automatically be elevated to that of an Ancestor.

“I’ve reached the sixth stage of Qi Refining, Uncle,” Lu Changsheng replied. “I estimate it’ll take me about three more years to reach the peak of the sixth stage.”

He had only recently announced his breakthrough to the sixth stage of Qi Refining, so he didn’t dare say more.

“Very good,”

Lu Yuanzhong said with a gentle nod.

After sizing Lu Changsheng up for a moment, he took out a jade booklet.

“I’ve heard you’re cultivating the Longevity Technique. This Jade Wood Technique is an Advanced Level technique treasured by the Lu Family. Take it and cultivate it.”

“If you have any questions, you can ask Yuanding, who also cultivates this Jade Wood Technique.”

Lu Changsheng was taken aback by Lu Yuanzhong’s words.

He hadn’t expected the ancestor to give him a technique.

Due to Lu Yuanzhong’s busy schedule in Hongye City over the past year, they hadn’t had much interaction.

They had only met briefly twice before.

But now, with the passing of the Lu Family ancestor, Lu Yuanzhong was showing him kindness.

“Thank you, Uncle!”

Lu Changsheng immediately expressed his gratitude.

Although he already possessed the Seven Stars Great Freedom Sword Technique and didn’t need this Jade Wood Technique, it was still a kind gesture.

After all, as far as he knew, the Lu Family’s most powerful techniques were a few Advanced Level techniques.

Now, Lu Yuanzhong was willing to give him a technique, which meant he was already considered one of their own.

“Remember, this technique can only be cultivated by yourself and cannot be passed on to others,”

Lu Yuanding warned.

“Don’t worry, Uncle, I understand,”

Lu Changsheng replied with a nod.

After so many years in Julong Market, he had gained an understanding of the cultivation world.

He knew why advanced techniques were so rare and scarce.

The sources of these techniques were limited to immortal sects, families, and rogue cultivators.

Immortal sects, as the largest suppliers, prohibited the sale of advanced techniques to prevent the loss of excellent disciples and cheap labor.

As for cultivation families, who would be willing to sell their foundation and livelihood?

They would also follow this rule, not letting their techniques leak out, and share a cup of soup.

Rogue cultivators were the same.

It was impossible for them to be selfless and sell advanced techniques openly, at most, they would make private deals.

So, most rogue cultivators wanted to obtain high-level techniques and legacies, either through chance encounters or by choosing to join a cultivation family or immortal sect.

This was almost a rule in the cultivation world.

Primary-level techniques and first-class legacies were readily available and could be purchased with spirit stones.

But if you wanted to advance further, you needed opportunities, or you could only try to join a powerful force and be exploited.

This was also why Yu Family’s third young master had offered advanced techniques and Foundation Establishment insights to lure Lu Changsheng.

“Alright, you can go now,”

Lu Yuanzhong said, patting Lu Changsheng’s shoulder.

“Yes,”

Lu Changsheng replied and bowed slightly before leaving.

“Lu Changsheng,”

Lu Yuanzhong murmured to himself, watching Lu Changsheng’s departing figure.

He recalled the Lu Family ancestor’s last words, which had placed great importance on Lu Changsheng, and let out a soft sigh.

Three days later.

The second elder notified Lu Changsheng to return to Julong Market.

“Changsheng, do you want me to take care of the Spirit Talisman Pavilion?”

Lu Miaoge asked in a gentle voice, holding her daughter Lu Qingzhu.

She had just given birth and was almost fully recovered, so she wanted to help Lu Changsheng with his workload.

“No need, SIster Miaoge, you should focus on your cultivation and learn Talisman with grandmother.”

“If you go to the market, you’ll be distracted and hinder your cultivation, and Qingzhu is still young and needs your care.”

Lu Changsheng smiled and pinched his daughter’s soft, white cheeks.

Lu Miaoge’s talisman crafting skills are currently at the stage between a Top-Rank Talisman Master and a Grand Talisman Master.

So he didn’t want his wife to run around for him.

“Okay,”

Lu Miaoge replied with a gentle smile.

After giving birth, her elegant face always radiated a warm, maternal smile.

She continued, “Changsheng, Hongye Market will open in a few months, and the family plans to open a Talisman store there. I’ll go and manage it.”

“If you think Julong Market is too far, I can go to Julong Market, and you can come to Hongye Market.”

Lu Miaoge spoke with a gentle tone, still warm and caring like a sister and a mother.

“Sister Miaoge, the ancestor, gave me a store in Hongye Valley, and I was thinking of opening a Talisman store there.”

“So, for Julong Market, I plan to let Grandma find someone to manage it later.”

Lu Changsheng thought for a moment.

The Lu Family ancestor had rewarded him with a store and a cave in Hongye Valley.

Now that the market was about to open, Lu Changsheng didn’t want to simply collect rent from the store and cave.

He wanted to open a Talisman Store, taking advantage of the market’s opening to occupy a good position.

After all, Hongye Market was just opening, and it was a good time to seize the market.

The child was also growing up, and in a few years, they would start cultivating, which would require a lot of expenses.

Having a Talisman Store would provide a stable income.

“Open a Talisman Store?”

Lu Miaoge paused slightly upon hearing this.

Then, she nodded and said, “It’s possible, with your Talisman technique, you can already open a store.”

“But you should discuss this with Grandma.”

Not long ago, Lu Changsheng had further improved his Talisman technique, demonstrating the skills of a first-class Talisman grandmaster.

With this level of technique and the Lu Family’s supply channels, supporting a Talisman Store wouldn’t be a problem.

“I’ve already discussed this with Grandma and plan to talk to her again later.”

“Alright, the second elder is waiting for me, Sister Miaoge, I’ll go now.”

Lu Changsheng said.

He didn’t say much to Lu Miaoge.

He kissed his daughter and wife on the cheek, then waved and left.

He arrived at the Qingzhu Mountain gate, boarded the second elder’s spirit boat, and headed towards Julong Market.

Two days later, Lu Changsheng returned to Julong Market.

As soon as Lu Changsheng arrived home, Xia Ziyue rushed to him with a joyful expression.

“Husband, I think I’m pregnant!”

Two months ago, she had broken through to the fourth stage of Qi Refining.

After Xia Ziyue broke through to the fourth stage of Qi Refining and actively requested it, Lu Changsheng had stopped using contraception.

But they didn’t know if it was due to bad luck or the effects of the Spirit Body, but it had taken so long for Xia Ziyue to become pregnant.

“Let me take a look?”

Lu Changsheng smiled and placed his head on Xia Ziyue’s belly.

He immediately confirmed that she was indeed pregnant.

“Ziyue, you should rest at home from now on.”

Lu Changsheng gently stroked her soft, black hair and said warmly.

Although Xia Ziyue only had a seventh-grade Spirit Root, her Spirit Nurturing Body made him quite expectant about this child.

He could sense that his Spirit Root was almost at the threshold of advancing from sixth-grade to fifth-grade.

If he could get a sixth-grade Spirit Root, it would directly promote his sixth-grade Spirit Root to fifth-grade.

If he could get a fourth-grade Spirit Root like Xia Chaoyang’s, it would be a huge leap forward.

“Okay.”

Xia Ziyue nodded obediently.

Lu Changsheng thought about his plan to open a Talisman Store in Hongye Market.

Lu Changsheng came to Gao He’s house next door and knocked on the door.

“Uncle Lu.”

The door was opened by a seventeen or eighteen year old girl with a clear and elegant face, wearing a moon-white embroidered dress.

It was Gao Xiaoya, Gao He’s daughter.

The former little loli had grown into a beautiful young woman.

“Is your father at home?”

Lu Changsheng asked.

“No, Uncle Lu, do you have something to discuss with my father?”

Gao Xiaoya tilted her head and asked.

“I don’t have anything specific, just tell your father that I need to talk to him when he gets back.”

Lu Changsheng smiled and said.

“Would you like to come in for a cup of tea, Uncle Lu?”

Gao Xiaoya asked politely.

“No, I still have things to attend to.”

Lu Changsheng waved his hand and said.

Night fell, and Gao He finally returned home.

As soon as he arrived, he came to ask Lu Changsheng what was going on.

Lu Changsheng asked, “Brother Gao, you should know about Hongye Market, right? The Qingzhu Mountain Lu Family, the Green Lake Mountain Yu Family, the Wugong Ridge Zheng Family, and the Bai Family of Hundred Birds Lake have all established a market there.”

Gao He nodded, knowing that Lu Changsheng was referring to the market established by the four families.

“I’m planning to open a Talisman Store in Hongye Market, so I was wondering if you’d be interested in going there to be the store’s Talisman master?”

Lu Changsheng asked directly.

Although Lu Changsheng was going to open a Talisman Store in Hongye Market, he knew that managing a store was not an easy task, especially in the initial stages.

He needed someone to help him manage the store, and Gao He was a reliable person he had known for many years.

Gao He was a laid-back person who didn’t have grand ambitions, just wanting to raise his daughter and live a peaceful life.

As a Talisman master in Julong Market, his life was already quite stable.

Going to Hongye Market would definitely be less stable.

“If you’re willing, you’ll only need to manage the store, refine some Talisman scripts, and bring along some apprentices. I won’t interfere with the store’s affairs,”

Lu Changsheng continued.

“As for your salary, I’ll increase it by 50% based on your current salary, and I’ll also give you a second-grade Spirit Vain cave at a low rent.”

“This way, you and your daughter will also benefit from the cultivation aspect,”

Lu Changsheng said.

Gao He was tempted by the offer, especially the 50% salary increase and the second-grade Spirit Vain cave.

For an ordinary rogue cultivator, it was difficult to obtain a second-grade cave, so Gao He had no reason to refuse.

He smiled and nodded, his face filled with joy.

“Alright, it’s settled then.”

“Hongye Valley’s market will be open in a few months, and I’ll let you know when the time comes, Brother Gao.”

Lu Changsheng nodded in agreement.

“Alright, no problem.”

Gao He nodded as well.

“Brother Gao, how’s your progress with high-grade Talismans?”

Lu Changsheng asked.

Gao He had also become a high-grade Talisman master, but the specifics were unclear.

Although they had chatted about Talismans before, it wasn’t a frequent topic.

“I’ve got a 50% success rate with the Golden Light Shield Talisman, and only 30% with the Willow Branch Sweet Dew Talisman. As for the Hundred-Mile Invisibility Talisman, it’s only 10%.”

Gao He shook his head and sighed.

Upon hearing this, Lu Changsheng immediately offered to help and guide Gao He in his Talisman crafting.

After all, Gao He was now his employee.

So, taking some time to guide him wouldn’t be a waste.

Moreover, this would also allow Gao He to better serve him in the future.

Three months passed in the blink of an eye.

During this time, the Fourth Elder also learned about Lu Changsheng’s plan to open a Talisman shop in Hongye Valley.

She didn’t say much about it, but instead supported Lu Changsheng’s idea.

After all, having a Talisman crafting technique and not using it to open a shop would be a waste.

She even invited a Talisman master to take over the shop in Julong Market.

This allowed Lu Changsheng to return to Qingzhu Mountain and rest.

In the practice room of Qingzhu Valley, Lu Changsheng sat cross-legged, cultivating his energy.

Seven layers of sharp sword energy surrounded him, making his body feel cold.

“Whoosh!”

“I’m about three to four months away from reaching the Qi Refining ninth stage.”

Lu Changsheng let out a gentle breath, concluding his daily cultivation.

He could clearly feel that his spiritual energy would be complete in a few months, allowing him to break through to the Qi Refining ninth stage.

For him, going from the Qi Refining eighth stage to the ninth stage was a mere formality, a natural progression.

After finishing his cultivation, Lu Changsheng went to his study to create Talismans.

After drawing a top-grade Talisman talisman and two high-grade Talisman talismans, Lu Changsheng came to the courtyard to accompany his wives, concubines and children.

Lu Qingshan and Lu Qingzhu had already learned to walk.

As a child with a spiritual body, Lu Qingshan didn’t seem any different from ordinary children.

He was just a bit more lively and active.

This made Lu Changsheng think to himself, “My son will probably have a strong personality like his mother when he grows up.”

If he turned out to be as stubborn as his mother, it would likely cause trouble for him as a father.

At this time, Lu Changsheng received a message.

Hongye Valley’s market would be open in ten days.

“Ten days.”

Lu Changsheng nodded slightly upon hearing the news.

He wrote a letter to inform Hong Yi and Gao He about the opening of Hongye Valley’s market.

They would prepare to head over once the market opened.

Although it was just the beginning, and there wouldn’t be many cultivators, it would still take some time for the market to gain popularity.

However, opening a shop required advance preparation.

On a majestic, solemn, and eerie high platform…

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…”

Golden flagpoles stood around the platform, with black flags embroidered with various, vivid, and lifelike demonic patterns.

The flags fluttered, transforming into rolling demonic energy, causing the demonic shadows to appear, eerie and terrifying.

At this moment, the young man with a head full of white hair, a cold and stern face, suddenly opened his eyes.

His eyes were deep and profound, with a half-moon lotus pattern on his forehead.

The half-moon lotus was crimson, as if dripping with blood, giving off an aura of wild and fierce energy, like a crazed dragon or tiger.

“Qiguo, Samoya, Bore Samoya, Qiguo Bore Samoya…”

The white-haired young man suddenly spoke, reciting a long, mysterious, and ancient incantation.

His low, humming voice caused the three-headed, six-armed blood-colored shadow behind him to slowly appear.

The blood-colored shadow also seemed to be reciting an incantation, making the sound gradually become more eerie and grand.

It was as if countless voices were mixed together, causing the platform to continuously shake, with the demonic shadows on the flags submitting to the three-headed, six-armed blood-colored shadow.

“Not bad, not bad at all. You truly haven’t disappointed me.”

At this time, a young man wearing a black, wide-sleeved robe, with an ancient, eerie, and handsome face, appeared on the platform.

He looked down at the white-haired young man, and a smile appeared on his face, and nodded in satisfaction.

“You once promised me that if I could establish the foundation of the Heavenly Demon Dao, you would let me return once.”

The white-haired young man, with a calm and indifferent expression, looked at the young man and said in a slightly hoarse voice, “Since I have promised, I naturally won’t go back on my word.”

The black-robed youth laughed lightly and called out, “Hei Qiu.”

In an instant, a rolling, dark, and sinister energy emerged, taking the form of a muscular, black-armored man with intricate, black, magical tattoos on his body. His facial features were deeply etched with evil intentions.

“Hei Qiu pays his respects to the Ancestor!” the bald-headed man said, his body’s magical tattoos seemingly moving like small snakes, giving off an extremely terrifying feeling.

However, when he saw the black-robed youth, he immediately knelt down and bowed, like a devout worshiper.

“You will accompany the Young Master on a trip to Jiang Country,”

The black-robed youth said calmly.

As soon as he finished speaking, his entire body slowly disappeared from view.

“Young Master, I don’t know when you will set off for Jiang Country,”

The bald-headed man said, looking at the spot where the youth had disappeared, and then turning to look at Qu Changge on the high platform, with a flattering smile on his face.

The smile seemed extremely out of place on his terrifying face.

“Jiang Country,”

Qu Changge paused for a moment, his eyes flashing with strange colors.

Then he said in a hoarse voice: “Now.”