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, he'd dedicate the leftover days to tracking down Lu Ping’an.
Yet, the moment they discovered Lu Ping’an’s breakthrough into Core Formation, a group of women inhaled sharply in astonishment.
"No need to hurry and announce this news for now."
Lu Changsheng declared openly.
While organizing a Core Formation celebration to display a household boasting four Core Formation experts, including father and sons as three among them, would undoubtedly boost the Heavenly Talisman Lu Family’s fame even higher.
Nevertheless, staging such an event could unsettle the Qingyun Sect.
Though he held no fear toward the Qingyun Sect, concerns lingered about the Heavenly Sword Sect, Jiang Country’s dominant force.
Besides, Lu Changsheng preferred not to let tensions between the families escalate too far, sparing Xiao Xiyue and Chu Qingyi any discomfort.
"Even so, when challenges come, it’s best to respond appropriately, without hiding your strengths too much."
Lu Changsheng went on to advise his son Lu Ping’an, worried he might deliberately downplay his powers to prevent burdening the clan."Father, I get it."
Lu Ping’an replied, flashing a wide grin.
...
Following a chat 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 things up at Bi Lake Mountain, Lu Changsheng made his way to the Qingyun Sect.
For one reason, to reunite with Xiao Xiyue and Chu Qingyi.
For another, Xiao Xiyue had earlier transmitted a note to Bi Lake Mountain stating that the Qingyun Sect Leader wished to meet him.
"Greetings, Changsheng True Master!"
"Greetings, Elder Lu!"
As he arrived at the Qingyun Sect, disciples en route fixed their gazes on him with profound respect, envy, and reverence, offering deep bows.
This level of deference 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 Lu Changsheng, serving as Deputy City Lord, had joined Lu Miaoge in subduing a Third Rank Demon King amid the fray, sparking widespread buzz that greatly raised his prominence and rank.
"Mm."
Lu Changsheng gave a soft nod and soon arrived at the Qingyun Grand Hall, where he showed proper respects to the Qingyun Sect Leader.
"Changsheng True Master, please sit and relax. I’ll notify the Sect Leader at once."
The disciple attending him courteously guided Lu Changsheng to a nearby chamber, serving him tea.
Shortly thereafter, footsteps approached.
A slender man dressed in Qingyun Taoist robes, exuding a calm air, stepped inside, clasping his hands as he said, "Changsheng True Master, apologies for the delay."
"Greetings, Sect Leader."
Lu Changsheng returned the gesture, then asked about the purpose of the summons.
"It’s no big issue. I simply caught wind of the Great Dream Immortal City’s clash with the Fourth Rank Demon King and hoped to get some insights from you, Daoist friend."
The Qingyun Sect Leader skipped chit-chat and dove right in.
"The Sect Leader flatters me too much; as for the City Lord overcoming the Fourth Rank Demon King, even I was left utterly stunned."
Lu Changsheng anticipated the Sect Leader’s curiosity and shook his head with a sigh.
"You once suggested the Dream City Master might depart the Immortal City down the line?"
The Qingyun Sect Leader pressed on, subtly fishing for Lu Changsheng’s ties to the Great Dream Immortal City.
After all, whispers suggested that Lu Changsheng’s and Lu Miaoge’s Dual Cultivation Technique bore resemblances to the Dream City Master’s Magical Treasures.
The Dream City Master pair were also said to excel in joint cultivation methods.
"On that front, it remains 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 without delay, displaying keen interest there."
Lu Changsheng answered gravely.
"Hastening a Fourth Rank Talisman..."
In the past, a request for a Fourth Rank Talisman from the Dream City Master might have made sense to the Qingyun Sect Leader.
But given their ability to fell a Fourth Rank Demon King, why seek a Fourth Rank Talisman still?
That said, considering the Great Dream City Master’s prolonged absence post-victory over the 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 responses, leaving the Qingyun Sect Leader deep in thought.
Indeed, being overly direct on sensitive topics lacked grace.
"Many thanks, Changsheng True Master."
Fifteen minutes later, the Qingyun Sect Leader saw Lu Changsheng off from the hall, having gleaned scant valuable intel.
Mainly because cultivation technique lineages count as private affairs for cultivators, making deep probes improper.
Particularly those linked to the mysterious Dream City Master.
"Looks like 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 sect’s Mountain Protection Array gleaming like polished glass and mused inwardly.
Still, that made perfect sense.
With a force now capable of defeating a Fourth Rank Demon King entering the picture, the Qingyun Sect, one of Jiang Country’s Four Great Immortal Sects, naturally had to take notice.
"I wonder what stance the Heavenly Sword Sect will take?"
Relative to the Qingyun Sect, the Heavenly Sword Sect’s perspective carried far greater weight.
Lu Changsheng pushed the thought aside and proceeded directly to Caiyun Peak, Mingyue Residence.
...
Within a timeless cave mansion of elegant antiquity, Lu Changsheng and Xiao Xiyue shared their pent-up affections.
Afterwards!
"Xiyue, has Caiyun True Immortal ventured into the Vast Sand Illusion Realm?"
Embracing Xiao Xiyue’s ethereal form, Lu Changsheng softly brushed aside strands of her smooth hair sticking to her lovely features, then recalled a matter and voiced it.
Though he hadn’t spotted Yun Wanshang in the Vast Sand Illusion Realm.
Observing Xuanjian True Monarch with multiple Nascent Soul cultivators had sparked thoughts of Yun Wanshang.
Yun Wanshang had pursued Nascent Soul prospects for years, and the Vast Sand Illusion Realm, a Secret Realm suited for Nascent Soul, seemed a likely destination for her.
"Likely not; the Sect Leader and Supreme Elder have attempted reaching Master, yet..."
Xiao Xiyue, her locks tousled and stripped of her typical icy fairy poise, lightly nibbled her crimson lips, worry flickering in her stunning eyes as she replied.
"Has something occurred to Caiyun True Immortal!?"
Lu Changsheng’s heart clenched abruptly.
"Master’s Soul Lamp remains intact for now, but... the sect has sought contact with Master over years with no reply."
Xiao Xiyue, her gaze limpid like a winding brook, looked toward Lu Changsheng and murmured softly, her tone subdued.
Strangely, news of Yun Wanshang’s silence stirred unease and weight in Lu Changsheng’s chest.
But noting the distress on Xiao Xiyue’s expression, he drew her close comfortingly: "It’ll be fine; Caiyun True Immortal possesses their own destiny—maybe they seized a Nascent Soul chance and entered seclusion for Nascent Soul breakthrough, hence the lack of word."
"Mm..."
Xiao Xiyue snuggled silently into Lu Changsheng’s embrace, falling quiet, though concern lingered in her eyes.
After all, the sect’s initial outreach to Master dated back eighteen years.
Not only no updates, but three years prior, the Supreme Elder had enlisted Xuanjian True Monarch for divination to locate Master, yielding nothing.
Yet these matters touched on sect confidences she couldn’t reveal to Lu Changsheng.
At the same time, beyond Bi Lake Mountain.
"So this is the Bi Lake Mountain Lu Family?"
A shadowy figure in a dark mask and ebony cloak, merging seamlessly with the gloom, gazed at Bi Lake Mountain cradled amid peaks and waters, murmuring quietly.