Starting From A Son In Law To Build An Long Lasting Family Chapter 1857: 478: (3)
Previously on Starting From A Son In Law To Build An Long Lasting Family...
Lu Changsheng had assumed that once he escorted Lu Qingshan and his sister Lu Qingzhu back to Yue Country, the rest of his days would focus on locating Lu Ping’an.
Yet, the moment the women discovered Lu Ping’an’s breakthrough into Core Formation, they let out sharp intakes of breath in astonishment.
"There’s no need to hurry and announce this news right away."
Lu Changsheng declared openly.
While organizing a Core Formation celebration to display a household boasting four Core Formation experts, including the father and his sons as three of them, would undoubtedly boost the Heavenly Talisman Lu Family’s fame even higher.
Still, staging such an event could unsettle the Qingyun Sect.
Though he held no fear toward the Qingyun Sect, concerns lingered in his mind about the Heavenly Sword Sect, which dominated Jiang Country as its supreme power.
Furthermore, Lu Changsheng wished to avoid escalating tensions between the two clans too severely, as that would complicate matters for Xiao Xiyue and Chu Qingyi.
"Still, when trouble arises, one should act when necessary, and there’s no need to overly conceal one’s abilities."
Lu Changsheng went on to advise his son Lu Ping’an, worried that the young man might deliberately hide his strength to spare the family any potential strife."Father, I understand."
Lu Ping’an replied, his face lighting up with a wide grin.
...
Having conferred with his wife, Lu Changsheng returned the Sun and Moon Taiji Mysterious Light Mirror to the Mount Sumeru Cave Heaven, inspected the Xuanwood Vine’s condition, and then devoted his routine hours to being with his wives and concubines while mentoring and counseling his offspring.
A few days passed, and after wrapping up affairs at Bi Lake Mountain, Lu Changsheng set off toward the Qingyun Sect.
For one reason, to reunite with Xiao Xiyue and Chu Qingyi.
For another, since Xiao Xiyue had earlier transmitted a note to Bi Lake Mountain stating that the Qingyun Sect Leader desired a meeting.
"Greetings, Changsheng True Master!"
"Greetings, Elder Lu!"
As he arrived at the Qingyun Sect, every disciple he encountered stared at him with gazes brimming with reverence, esteem, and wonder, offering profound bows.
This deep respect stemmed not just from Lu Qingshan’s homecoming enhancing the Heavenly Talisman Lu Family’s standing, but chiefly from the beast tide incident at the Great Dream Marsh some eighteen months prior.
The Great Dream City Lord and his spouse had triumphed over a Fourth Rank Demon King, and as Deputy City Lord, Lu Changsheng had joined Lu Miaoge in subduing a Third Rank Demon King amid the chaos, turning it into a widely buzzing legend that greatly raised his rank and influence.
"Mm."
With a soft nod, Lu Changsheng swiftly arrived at the Qingyun Grand Hall and showed proper deference to the Qingyun Sect Leader.
"Changsheng True Master, please sit and relax. I’ll notify the Sect Leader without delay."
The disciple attending to him courteously guided Lu Changsheng into a nearby chamber and served him tea.
Moments later, footsteps echoed through.
A slender man dressed in Qingyun Taoist robes, carrying a calm and steady air, stepped inside, clasping his hands as he spoke, "Changsheng True Master, apologies for the wait."
"Greetings, Sect Leader."
Lu Changsheng returned the gesture with cupped hands, seeking details on the purpose of the summons.
"It’s nothing serious. I simply caught wind of the Great Dream Immortal City’s clash against the Fourth Rank Demon King and wished to get some insights from you, my fellow Daoist."
The Qingyun Sect Leader skipped idle chatter and dove right into the core issue.
"Sect Leader flatters me too much; as for the City Lord overcoming that Fourth Rank Demon King, I myself was left utterly speechless in shock."
Lu Changsheng anticipated the Sect Leader’s curiosity and shook his head while letting out a sigh.
"You once suggested that the Dream City Master could depart from the Immortal City someday?"
The Qingyun Sect Leader pressed on with questions, aiming to delicately sound out Lu Changsheng’s ties to the Great Dream Immortal City.
After all, whispers circulated that the Dual Cultivation Technique of Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge bore resemblances to the Dream City Master’s Magical Treasures.
Rumors also swirled that the Dream City Master pair excelled in joint cultivation methods.
"On that front, it remains exactly as I told the Sect Leader before, but after pursuing the Fourth Rank Demon King, the City Lord pressed me to craft a Fourth Rank Talisman at once, displaying keen insistence on the matter."
Lu Changsheng replied with gravity.
"Hastening a Fourth Rank Talisman..."
In the past, a request from the Dream City Master for a Fourth Rank Talisman might have made sense to the Qingyun Sect Leader.
Yet, given their ability to fell a Fourth Rank Demon King, why seek a Fourth Rank Talisman still?
Nevertheless, considering how the Great Dream City Master had vanished for ages following the slaying of a Fourth Rank Demon King, it likely came at a heavy price, rendering the need comprehensible.
He kept questioning Lu Changsheng in hopes of gleaning details.
However, Lu Changsheng offered vague answers, causing the Qingyun Sect Leader to mull over them deeply.
Indeed, being overly direct on sensitive topics would lack grace.
"Thank you, Changsheng True Master."
Fifteen minutes later, the Qingyun Sect Leader saw Lu Changsheng off from the hall, gleaning scant valuable intel.
Chiefly since inheritances of cultivation techniques count as private affairs for cultivators, making deep probes improper.
Particularly those involving the mysterious Dream City Master’s technique lineages.
"It appears this Qingyun Sect Leader holds the Great Dream Immortal City in higher regard than I expected..."
Upon leaving the Qingyun Grand Hall, Lu Changsheng eyed the Qingyun Sect’s Mountain Protection Array glowing with a crystalline sheen and reflected inwardly.
That said, it was hardly surprising.
The emergence of a force able to eliminate a Fourth Rank Demon King demanded the Qingyun Sect’s focus, as one of Jiang Country’s Four Great Immortal Sects.
"I can only ponder what stance the Heavenly Sword Sect will adopt?"
Unlike the Qingyun Sect, the Heavenly Sword Sect’s perspective carried the greatest weight.
Lu Changsheng pushed the thought aside and proceeded directly to Caiyun Peak’s Mingyue Residence.
...
Within a timeless cave mansion of elegant classical design, Lu Changsheng and Xiao Xiyue shared their deep yearnings.
Afterward!
"Xiyue, has Caiyun True Immortal ventured into the Vast Sand Illusion Realm?"
While cradling Xiao Xiyue’s ethereal form, Lu Changsheng softly brushed aside a few locks of her smooth hair sticking to her lovely features, and a sudden recollection prompted him to voice the question.
Though Yun Wanshang hadn’t appeared during his time in the Vast Sand Illusion Realm.
The sight of Xuanjian True Monarch commanding a group of Nascent Soul cultivators stirred thoughts of Yun Wanshang in him.
For years, Yun Wanshang had pursued chances for Nascent Soul advancement, and given the Vast Sand Illusion Realm’s status as a Nascent Soul-tier Secret Realm, it seemed likely she’d explore it.
"Probably not; the Sect Leader and Supreme Elder have attempted to reach Master, yet..."
Xiao Xiyue, her tresses tousled and stripped of her typical icy fairy poise, lightly nibbled her crimson lips, worry flickering in her stunning gaze as she answered.
"Did something happen to Caiyun True Immortal!?"
A chill gripped Lu Changsheng’s heart abruptly.
"The Master’s Soul Lamp remains intact for now, but... the sect has strived to connect with Master over years with no reply."
Xiao Xiyue’s eyes, limpid and flowing like a gentle brook, met Lu Changsheng’s as she murmured in a subdued tone.
Strangely, news of Yun Wanshang’s silence stirred a wave of anxiety and weight in Lu Changsheng.
But noticing the distress etched on Xiao Xiyue’s expression, he drew her close comfortingly: "It’s okay, Caiyun True Immortal possesses their own destiny; maybe they seized a Nascent Soul chance and entered seclusion for the breakthrough to Nascent Soul, thus staying out of touch."
"Mm..."
Xiao Xiyue snuggled silently against Lu Changsheng’s chest, offering no words, though concern shadowed her eyes.
In truth, the sect’s initial outreach to Master dated back eighteen years.
Not just lacking updates, but three years past, the Supreme Elder had enlisted Xuanjian True Monarch for a divination to locate Master, yielding nothing.
Yet these matters touched on sect confidences she couldn’t reveal to Lu Changsheng.
Meanwhile, beyond Bi Lake Mountain.
"So, this is the Bi Lake Mountain Lu Family?"
A shadowy form in a dark mask and ebony cloak, merging seamlessly with the gloom, gazed upon Bi Lake Mountain cradled amid peaks and waters, murmuring quietly.