Starting From A Son In Law To Build An Long Lasting Family Chapter 2205: 594: 2-in-1 (5)

"Master."

Lu Changsheng, concealed by the Inverted Five Elements Formation and the Divine Wood Great Formation of the Sumeru Tree Dynasty, uttered a soft greeting. His voice was ethereal and misty, like a gentle breeze and drifting clouds, creating a melodious sound.

"Sumeru."

Turning his gaze towards the Sumeru Tree King, whose form resembled gold and jade radiating a crystalline light, Lu Changsheng responded with a smile.

When considering premier spiritual pets, the Sumeru Tree King was undoubtedly his first true spirit-level companion.

For close to a century, it had faithfully guarded Bi Lake Mountain.

While the Golden-Winged Heavenly Peng, the Sea Splitting Mystic Dragon Whale, and the Soul-calling Beast had all ascended to the Fourth Rank, the Sumeru Tree King remained in the Third Rank Late Stage.

Its growth was hindered, in part, by its nature as a demon plant and the limitations of Bi Lake Mountain’s spirit vein.

Furthermore, the extent of Lu Changsheng's direct nurturing of the Sumeru Tree King was also a contributing factor.

Aside from the initial Emperor’s Flowing Magma, the Third Rank spirit vein, and the innate pure qi unintentionally formed by the Xuanwood Vine, it had received minimal supplemental care.

However, elevating the Sumeru Tree King's rank is, in essence, quite straightforward.

The key lies in reinforcing the Cave Heaven Spirit Vein and perfecting the Cave Heaven Rules.

While simple in concept, its execution presents considerable difficulty.

For the Sumeru Tree King, the existing Third Rank spirit vein offers diminishing returns; a Fourth Rank spirit vein is now essential.

Yet, a Fourth Rank spirit vein is beyond the capabilities of Lu Changsheng's current Dragon Seeking Art to excavate, nor would he dare to proceed recklessly.

As for the pure and impure qi required to establish the Cave Heaven Rules... that too is not a simple matter.

His attention then fell upon the mysterious destiny of Bi Lake Mountain, which he observed was rapidly amplifying.

As a Fourth Rank Divination Master, he immediately recognized this surge as a consequence of their return to Bi Lake Mountain, generating this auspicious aura.

His extended absence as the Lord of Bi Lake Mountain had not only caused the clan's fortune to wane but also disrupted its inherent momentum.

Now, not only had he returned, but Lu Quanzhen, a peak Nascent Soul cultivator, and the Golden-Winged Heavenly Peng, a transformed demon king, were also back.

As Lu Changsheng's spiritual pet, the Golden-Winged Heavenly Peng inherently belonged to Bi Lake Mountain, and its presence would subtly contribute to the mountain’s prosperity.

"If this trend continues, Bi Lake Mountain's intangible fortune might even rival Qingyun Sect's."

Lu Changsheng narrowed his eyes slightly, contemplating the potential consequences. Should Bi Lake Mountain's fortune grow excessively and surpass that of Qingyun Sect, it would certainly attract unwanted attention from other powerful factions.

However, wielding mastery as a Fourth Rank Divination Master and a Third Rank Top-Level Formation Master, he intended to employ subtle concealment techniques to preemptively avoid unnecessary entanglements.

If concealment proved impossible, then a direct confrontation would be the only recourse.

Lu Changsheng shifted his gaze from the Sumeru Tree King to Lu Quanzhen, stating, "Quanzhen, let us proceed. Firstly, we shall pay respects to your mother."

The reason Lu Changsheng had waited for Lu Quanzhen to conclude his Demon Fetus Transformation and stabilize his condition was also to facilitate a reunion with his wife, Qu Zhenzhen.

Failing to do so would have made it difficult to face his wife, especially after sending Lu Quanzhen to the Starry Sky Sea years prior and now returning with a child.

"Understood."

Lu Quanzhen surveyed the familiar yet altered landscape of Bi Lake Mountain with a touch of emotion, nodding gently.

When he had departed for the Starry Sky Sea, the Bi Yun Peak spirit vein had yet to reach the Second Rank; the transformation now was monumental.

Yet, thoughts of his mother stirred a complex mix of emotions within him.

He wondered if, after all these years, his mother would still be the same person he remembered...

However, before Lu Changsheng and Lu Quanzhen could descend Bi Yun Peak, they observed two streaks of emerald-green light ascending towards them.

"Husband! Ling'er, Quanzhen!"

The approaching figures were Lu Miaoyun and Qu Zhenzhen.

Lu Miaoyun, possessing a family core array plate, had received immediate notification of Lu Changsheng's return through the Michen Banner.

Meanwhile, Qu Zhenzhen detected the spiritual treasure's qi mechanism via her lifespan spiritual plant, the Auspicious Tree.

"Yun’er, Zhenzhen."

Lu Changsheng swiftly called out to the two women.

Beside him, Lu Quanzhen, Lu Linghe, Bai Ling, and the others also chimed in, calling out, "Greetings, Mother, Aunt!"

"Greetings, Aunt!"

"Sister Yun, Sister Zhenzhen."

Only the Golden-Winged Heavenly Peng, its golden hair meticulously tied up, appeared perplexed. Scratching its head, unsure of the appropriate address, it eventually cupped its hands and offered, "Greetings, Madam."

"Husband, you have finally returned..."

Gazing upon Lu Changsheng standing before them, a wave of longing brought tears to the eyes of the two women.

Despite having communicated through the Sun and Moon Taiji Mysterious Light Mirror, their faces were etched with worry from not seeing him in person.

"It pains me that I've caused you such worry," Lu Changsheng said with a gentle tone, stepping forward to offer comfort.

The thought of returning home often occupied his mind, burdened by numerous concerns and the desire to alleviate his wife and children's anxieties.

With many eyes upon them, the two women refrained from any overt displays of affection. They simply nodded, their gazes soft, and accompanied Lu Changsheng and the others towards the Lu Family Mansion.

"Husband, who is this?" Lu Miaoyun inquired, her eyes falling upon the Golden-Winged Heavenly Peng with a touch of confusion.

Although the creature had addressed her as 'Madam,' both she and Qu Zhenzhen had been fixated on Lu Changsheng's presence.

Observing the Golden-Winged Heavenly Peng's youthful guise, they couldn't help but wonder if it was their husband's offspring from another union.

After all, Lu Changsheng had been away for many years, making it plausible for a son to have reached such an age.

The non-human characteristics of the Golden-Winged Heavenly Peng, reminiscent of the Demon Race, went unnoticed by the two women.

Did not Lu Baixi and Bai Ling also possess similar traits?

"This is Jin Peng," Lu Changsheng replied, his skin tingling slightly at his wife's questioning gaze. He explained that the golden peng bird beside him had indeed transformed into its human form.

"Husband, don't demon beasts typically need to reach the Fourth Rank before they can assume human form?" The two women observed the golden-haired youth with amazement, their thoughts far from a transformed demon king, as such an idea seemed too extraordinary.

"Indeed, Jin Peng has ascended to the Fourth Rank, which allows for this transformation," Lu Changsheng chuckled lightly.

A fresh wave of astonishment washed over the two women, their eyes filled with curiosity as they re-examined the Golden-Winged Heavenly Peng.

Tales of transformed demon kings were rare, even in ancient texts, let alone any visual depictions.

"Oh, Quanzhen, you've really grown taller," Qu Zhenzhen commented, scrutinizing her son, Lu Quanzhen, from head to toe. "But it seems you've also become a bit slender."

Lu Changsheng: "..."

Lu Quanzhen: "..."

Both father and son were left utterly speechless by the observation.

They couldn't fathom how Qu Zhenzhen perceived Lu Quanzhen as slender.

"Aunt Zhenzhen, Brother Quanzhen was re-hatched by Father from an egg, which is why he grew taller," Lu Linghe interjected cheerfully, sharing the peculiar anecdote with Qu Zhenzhen.

"I had forgotten to brief Xiao He on that," Lu Changsheng thought inwardly, feeling a sense of unease.

The father and son then found themselves facing the stunned expressions of Qu Zhenzhen and Lu Miaoyun.

Lu Changsheng hastily clarified, "Quanzhen was practicing a divine skill at the time. Look at Quanzhen, how could he be slender? He's far more robust than any ordinary demon beast."

As he spoke, he patted his son's shoulder, eliciting a faint, metallic resonance.

"Is there truly such a divine skill?" While the two women were considered the primary consorts of Bi Lake Mountain, possessing access to numerous profound legacies, their knowledge still had its limits, much like curious younglings.

In this manner, the family engaged in lighthearted conversation and laughter as they proceeded towards the Lu Family Mansion.

Upon seeing Lu Changsheng's safe return, Lu Miaoyun promptly went to spread the news.

She also informed Lu Changsheng that Xiao Xiyue had arrived at Bi Lake Mountain several months prior and had been residing there, intently searching for him.

"..." Lu Changsheng's heart sank with a sudden sense of disquiet.

Though Xiao Xiyue occasionally paid brief visits to Bi Lake Mountain, she had never shown inclination for prolonged stays.

Given his prolonged absence and Xiao Xiyue's extended residency, it was evident that a matter of significant importance was at play.

However, such a crucial issue not warranting prior communication felt peculiar...

Lu Changsheng, already burdened by a tinge of guilt, instantly surmised the true reason behind Xiao Xiyue's prolonged visit.

Even if Lu Ancestor was currently occupied with vanquishing Nascent Souls and slaying Fourth Rank Demon Kings, he consistently held a profound respect for the wives of his family.