Starting From A Son In Law To Build An Long Lasting Family Chapter 2026: 534: Auction Gains, Peach Blossoms! (part 2)

Lu Changsheng let out a quiet chuckle.

As the auction progressed, Lu Changsheng frequently placed bids whenever he spotted remarkable treasures of heaven and earth, catching the surrounding cultivators off guard. They certainly had not anticipated this Elder Xuanmu to possess such immense wealth.

Yet, reflecting on his status as a Third Rank Superior Grade Talisman Master, such financial strength was perfectly logical.

"Sea Coral Awakening Aromatic—not only does it boost one’s awakening, but it also aids in tempering heart demons. The bidding starts at one hundred thousand spirit stones!"

With the passage of time, the auction entered its final phase, featuring increasingly rare and high-end commodities.

Third Rank Lifespan Extension Pills, artifacts for overcoming tribulations, and spiritual materials for Nascent Soul development triggered intense bidding wars among the various factions.

This specific [Sea Coral Awakening Aromatic] was categorized as a heart-tribulation aid, holding some utility against the heart demons encountered during the Nascent Soul Tribulation.

Though its efficacy was modest—far below Lu Changsheng’s own [Demon Warding Detox Pill]—it still drew a crowd of eager bidders.

Lu Changsheng, too, cast his bid into the ring.

Nevertheless, such items targeting the heart tribulation attracted far too many individuals and influences into the fray. Having already exhausted a considerable fortune earlier, his willingness to spend such an exorbitant sum now was truly mind-boggling.

It led Lu Changsheng to sigh internally. Apart from someone with his substantial reserves, common loose cultivators—even if they chanced upon rare treasures—would hardly stand a chance against established powers. Even if they managed to secure the win, they would likely invite disaster, risking theft or death at the hands of their enemies.

Regardless, when a component for the Infant Transformation Elixir emerged, Lu Changsheng entered the bidding and emerged victorious.

Even though he currently lacked the full requirements for the elixir, he had a massive family with many wives and children; having these items on reserve for the future was a wise investment. There was no harm in collecting them whenever the chance presented itself.

"Elder Xuanmu, your financial capacity is truly staggering."

In the private room, a female cultivator in her thirties or forties, possessing refined features and a mature allure, gazed at him with a mischievous glimmer in her eyes.

"Elder Xue Mei, you flatter me. I have spent years meticulously saving, yet my coffers are nearly empty after today."

Lu Changsheng shook his head, noting the subtle, suggestive intent lingering in Elder Xue Mei’s gaze.

He was well aware that this Elder Xue Mei held significant mastery in the arts of Yin and Yang Dual Cultivation.

As a handsome and graceful Late Stage Core Formation Cultivator with such extraordinary wealth, it was evident that he had piqued her interest. However, Lu Changsheng felt no desire for such women. Even if they offered to bear his children without cost, he would still carefully evaluate the potential downsides.

It wasn’t just Elder Xue Mei; several others present, including Shen Yiren, viewed him with a shifted perspective.

The reason was quite straightforward: for a cultivator, wealth is often a reflection of their true strength and foundation. Without exceptional power, accumulating such vast riches would be an impossibility. For a practitioner of the Nourishing Life Technique like Lu Changsheng, boasting such immense prosperity seemed almost unbelievable.

"It appears Elder Xuanmu’s proficiency in the art of divination has likely surpassed the beginner's stage of the third rank..." Shen Yiren pondered silently.

Though she was the gentle, accessible Third Palace Master of the Goddess Palace, she was far from naive. She understood that cultivators traveling abroad frequently masked their true capabilities. In her view, Lu Changsheng, who focused on the Nourishing Life Technique and lacked combat expertise, likely stumbled upon these resources through unique fortunes. As a Third Rank Divination Master, encountering such opportunities was normal; otherwise, no one would devote their life to the study of divination. Yet, merely entering the third rank would hardly yield such staggering wealth.

Lu Changsheng maintained an air of relaxed nonchalance.

His extravagant spending served a dual purpose: meeting his actual needs and projecting a certain image. The core issue was that the Third Palace Master drew too many suitors. Despite his earlier display of skill, winning her heart with that alone was a tall order. Thus, after brief deliberation, he chose to show off a bit more to stoke Shen Yiren’s curiosity. Once a woman becomes curious about you, eager to peel back the layers and understand you further, everything that follows becomes much simpler.

The auction reached its conclusion before long.

Lu Changsheng had secured a bountiful harvest. Beyond the accessory for the Infant Transformation Elixir, he obtained a rare Fourth Rank Spiritual Material that could be used to upgrade Qian Zhuyan’s puppet frame.

Lu Changsheng and his party did not depart Penglai Immortal City immediately. In the coming days, several Nascent Soul Cultivators were expected to host private trading assemblies and similar gatherings within the city—one of the key reasons for his visit.

The following day, Lu Changsheng joined Shen Yiren at a trade fair organized by Penglai Island. The gathering was intimate, with barely twenty cultivators present, each displaying their goods and materials, explicitly stating their trade requirements.

"Vajra Sharira!?"

Lu Changsheng’s interest spiked when he spotted a third-rank Shariputra among the items. It held value not only for his daughter, Lu Linghe, but would also aid his progression in the "Brahman Demon True Saint Technique."

Without delay, he approached, identifying it as a third-rank superior-grade item. He offered a Nascent Soul-level spiritual object plus a small amount of extra compensation, successfully securing the Vajra Sharira.

"I once acquired a high-level secret technique that requires the assistance of a Vajra Sharira for cultivation. It seems my persistence has finally borne fruit," Lu Changsheng explained via sound transmission after noticing Shen Yiren’s surprise at his aggressive bidding.

"I see," Shen Yiren nodded briefly, refraining from prying.

At the fair, Lu Changsheng also acquired heavy water essence, various rare materials, and several second and third-tier skill inheritances. Though the Lu Family already boasted a rich heritage in the Hundred Arts, these new inheritances—provided they were unique—could be integrated into the family’s foundation.

"Hmm!?"

As they returned from the fair, Shen Yiren lifted her delicate hand to reveal a token; her normally calm and beautiful visage suddenly tightened with gravity.

"Third Palace Master, is something amiss?" This was the first time Lu Changsheng had witnessed such an expression on her.

"A gang of rogue cultivators is causing trouble just outside the Immortal City," Shen Yiren replied softly while glancing toward the city’s perimeter.

Even though Penglai Island remained a dominant power in the Starry Sky Sea, they were not without rivals, and such provocations were inevitable. Especially since the city had just hosted the decennial high-rank auction, rival forces’ Nascent Soul True Lords might be intentionally stirring trouble to undermine the city’s reputation and traffic.

"Would you like me to accompany you, Third Palace Master, and inspect the situation?"

Lu Changsheng offered immediately. Though he was a cultivator of the Nourishing Life Technique and not oriented toward combat, if Shen Yiren chose to investigate and he failed to offer support, it would hardly be beneficial for his standing. Furthermore, he had enjoyed various perks from the Goddess Palace lately; it would be improper to remain idle during such a crisis.

"That would be a bother for Daoist Xuanmu."

Shen Yiren did not decline. She sent out several messages before swiftly departing the city with Lu Changsheng to investigate.

Scarcely a hundred miles from the city, Lu Changsheng heard thunderous roars and felt the violent fluctuations of combat from a Late Stage Core Formation cultivator. Engaging in robbery so close by was a blatant insult to the city.

If Penglai Immortal City failed to respond with overwhelming force, its reputation and prestige would certainly suffer.

"Audacious rogue, how dare you commit such acts outside our gates!"

Shen Yiren tapped her spirit pet bag, summoning her mount—a Five-Colored Spirit Deer radiating a Third-Rank Late Stage aura. Cloaked in iridescent light, she charged toward the fray.

Despite her focus on the Nourishing Life Technique, as a Core Formation peak expert outfitted with top-tier treasures, her combat efficacy was significant.

Lu Changsheng frowned slightly, sensing something amiss. Considering Penglai Island had a Nascent Soul True Lord overseeing the auction, what kind of fool would dare cause chaos within this range!?

Subconsciously, he performed a quick divination. The heavens felt dim, clouded by a restrictive force actively obscuring the destiny of this location.

"A fellow diviner is masking the heavenly secrets; someone is systematically targeting Penglai Island!"

The realization struck him, and he prepared to return to the city to await developments. However, glancing at Shen Yiren riding ahead, he took a moment to calculate his own fortune.

Despite the obstruction of the celestial secrets, he was a Third Rank Top Level Divination Master, and he received a vague portent. There was neither extreme fortune nor imminent catastrophe—yet the omens indicated intense activity, conflict, and a significant rise in peach blossom luck involving the opposite sex.

"Peach blossoms..." Lu Changsheng squinted as he gazed at Shen Yiren’s back, deploying his flying artifact to cut through the air, ready to confront the mystery head-on.