NOVEL NEXT Chapter 155: My Son Has the Talent of a Martial Saint!
Chapter 155: My Son Has the Talent of a Martial Saint!
Lu Changsheng realized that Bai Ling and Zhao Baozhu had just experienced a great upheaval and were physically and mentally exhausted, so he didn’t directly head to the Ruyi Region.
The journey from here to the Ruyi Region would take around three to four days, which was too demanding for the two ordinary people.
They found a town to rest in and let the two of them take a break and have a good meal. With Zhao Baozhu’s help, Bai Ling changed into a beautiful and elegant white dress with a celestial pattern.
Her raven-black hair was tied up in two ponytails, making her look like a lovely porcelain doll. “Brother,” she said, looking timid and weak as she came to Lu Changsheng’s side, her eyes full of hope as she showed off her new clothes.
However, she was still very nervous, her small hands clutching the hem of her dress, making her look like a frightened little rabbit, evoking a sense of pity.
“Little Ling’er is so cute,” Lu Changsheng said with a smile as he looked at Bai Ling’s timid and weak demeanor.
He rubbed her little head, making her small face break into a happy and joyful smile.
“Let’s go eat,” he said, and then took Bai Ling’s hand, leading her to dinner.
Just then, Lu Changsheng noticed the scales on Bai Ling’s wrist and examined them carefully.
When Bai Ling saw Lu Changsheng looking at the scales on her wrist, her face suddenly turned pale. She quickly pulled down her sleeve to cover her wrist, her small body shaking and her voice trembling with fear as she said, “Brother, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.
Lu Changsheng saw the little girl’s fearful and anxious expression, her voice trembling with a hint of tears, and he couldn’t help but sigh.
He knew that over the years, the little girl had been ridiculed and ostracized because of these scales, making her extremely sensitive about this aspect, and it had become a conditioned response.
He gently squatted down and looked at the girl’s fearful and self-deprecating face, carefully lifting her sleeve to examine the white snake scales. “How could this scare anyone? These scales are very beautiful,” he said in a gentle tone.
As he spoke, his palm gently stroked the scales. The white scales blended perfectly with her fair skin, making it almost impossible to notice unless one looked closely.
The scales felt slightly cool to the touch, but not uncomfortable, and were very smooth.
The little girl, who had been full of fear and anxiety, was stunned by his words.
Ever since the scales had grown on her body, even her grandmother had been afraid of her. Later, a boy in the village had seen the scales on her arm and called her a monster, causing the villagers to think she was a monster too.
She had even thought of cutting off the scales with a knife, but every time she did, the wound would bleed profusely, and the scales would grow back soon after, without even leaving a scar.
It was only after her grandmother comforted her that she gradually accepted the scales.
But these scales were still a thorn in her heart, and she usually covered them with clothes, not wanting others to see them.
Lu Changsheng was the first person to say that these scales, which made her feel self-conscious and afraid, were very beautiful.
At this moment, the little girl’s timid and weak heart felt a strange sensation.
Her black and white eyes, like peach blossoms, were filled with tears, and she looked at Lu Changsheng with a timid and weak expression, saying, “Brother, you really don’t think they’re scary?”
Lu Changsheng looked at Bai Ling’s black and white eyes, and for a moment, he saw a hint of enchantment and charm.
It made his heart flutter, and he almost lost his composure.
“Ah…”
If he hadn’t checked with his divine sense several times to confirm that the other party was just an ordinary little girl, Lu Changsheng would have thought that she was using some kind of charm.
However, this charm disappeared in an instant.
The black and white eyes only showed a pitiful and weak expression.
The charm just now seemed like an illusion, as if it didn’t exist.
“How could it be scary? I think it’s very beautiful,” Lu Changsheng said, smiling gently and warmly.
He was even more surprised by the situation, and he couldn’t believe that he, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, had almost lost his composure in front of her.
He didn’t look at her for too long, knowing that the little girl still couldn’t adapt.
He pulled down Bai Ling’s sleeve and then rubbed her little head, smiling and saying, “Little Ling’er, don’t worry too much about what others think.”
“Brother said it’s beautiful, so it’s beautiful, okay?”
Listening to Lu Changsheng’s gentle words, Bai Ling seemed to be basking in the warmth of spring, and her heart felt calm and peaceful.
She nodded vigorously.
“Let’s go eat,” Lu Changsheng said, taking the little girl’s hand to go eat.
Outside the room, Zhao Baozhu watched this scene, feeling a sense of relief.
She didn’t know what the immortal had seen in Bai Ling.
Wouldn’t he be disgusted because of Bai Ling’s situation?
But at this moment, she felt that the scales on Bai Ling’s body shouldn’t be a bad thing.
Otherwise, the immortal wouldn’t have taken a liking to her.
The three of them then went to a private room to eat.
Facing a table full of delicious food, Bai Ling and Zhao Baozhu were both stunned, looking a bit awkward.
Lu Changsheng, on the other hand, let them eat freely, chatting with them and asking about some things.
Through their conversation, Lu Changsheng also gained a general understanding of Bai Ling’s situation.
She was eleven years old this year.
She had lost her mother at the age of two and her father at the age of five.
After that, Bai Ling was taken in by Zhao Baozhu.
No one knew why, but at the age of seven, Bai Ling discovered that scales were growing on her wrists.
Later, scales also grew on her neck, shoulders, and legs.
These white scales made her very anxious and afraid.
However, these scales didn’t cause any abnormalities in her body.
On the contrary, they made her skin become whiter and more delicate, and her physical strength was much greater than that of her peers.
“Seven years old.”
Lu Changsheng’s heart skipped a beat when he heard this age.
In the cultivation world, children could detect their Spirit Root at around five or six years old.
The Spirit Body was more complex, and some people were born with it, while others were similar to Spirit Root.
Some people didn’t awaken their Spirit Body until they were in their forties or fifties, or even needed a certain trigger.
It makes sense that the seven-year-old’s Spirit Body awakened, causing the scales to grow.
However, Lu Changsheng had also read many books about the Spirit Body and had never heard of a case like Bai Ling’s.
“The cultivation world is vast and unpredictable.”
“She not only has a charm that can affect me, but she can also conceal her Spirit Root, which is absolutely not simple.”
Lu Changsheng didn’t think too much about it and decided to take care of her for now.
He would teach her cultivation later.
After eating, Lu Changsheng noticed that Bai Ling had a big appetite, even bigger than that of an adult.
At this time, Bai Ling also noticed that Lu Changsheng hadn’t eaten much.
She had been eating slowly, but the table was already filled with leftovers, and her small face turned red with embarrassment.
“Immortal, the girl’s appetite is also bigger than usual.”
“It’s a pity that she couldn’t eat her fill while following me.”
Zhao Baozhu spoke up.
“No problem, being able to eat is a blessing, and Ling’er can eat more, and we can order more if it’s not enough.”
Lu Changsheng waved his hand and smiled at Bai Ling.
The little girl was currently in a stage of rapid growth, and being able to eat more was definitely a good thing.
Then he looked at Zhao Baozhu and said, “Zhao Baozhu, you don’t need to call me ‘Immortal’ anymore, you can just call me ‘Old Master’ from now on.”
Earlier, when they entered the city, Lu Changsheng had noticed that Bai Ling lacked a sense of security and had some social anxiety.
When people on the street looked at her, her small body would tremble, and she would show fear.
Lu Changsheng guessed that this was a leftover symptom from her past in the village.
He also planned to continue letting Zhao Baozhu take care of her, and the two of them would live together.
He would observe Bai Ling’s situation for a while and then take her to his Lu Manor.
“Yes, Old Master.”
Zhao Buba nodded hastily in response.
After eating their fill and resting for a night, Lu Changsheng prepared provisions for the two of them on the road and then drove the flying boat, continuing towards Ruyi Region City.
Four days later, the spirit boat stopped outside Ruyi Region City.
Lu Changsheng, accompanied by Bai Ling and Zhao Buba, disembarked from the spirit boat.
“Is Brother’s home here?” Bai Ling asked timidly, looking at the majestic and grand city in front of her.
“That’s right, from now on, you and Zhao Buba will temporarily reside here,” Lu Changsheng replied with a smile, taking out a transmission talisman to send a message to Hong Yi.
One of the messages was to ask Hong Yi for help with arrangements.
The other was to catch up after a long time apart.
Then, as if he had thought of something, Lu Changsheng’s body glowed with a burst of white light, revealing his true appearance.
Before this, Lu Changsheng had been using a disguise.
Even when they rested during their journey, he didn’t reveal his true appearance.
“Brother,” Bai Ling exclaimed, her eyes wide open in surprise as she saw Lu Changsheng’s true face.
Zhao Buba, standing beside her, was also shocked, thinking to herself that he was indeed a true immortal, and she had never seen anyone as handsome as him.
“Brother usually conceals his face,” Lu Changsheng chuckled, then took Bai Ling’s small hand and walked towards Ruyi Region City.
“Brother is so handsome,” Bai Ling said, her face flushing slightly as she looked up at Lu Changsheng, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ruyi Region City was bustling with people coming and going, but Lu Changsheng used his magical powers to suppress his aura, reducing his presence.
However, even with his reduced presence, his handsome face, tall and upright posture, and extraordinary demeanor still caught the attention of many women on the street, making them stop and stare.
Bai Ling walked beside Lu Changsheng, feeling anxious and nervous as she looked around at the crowds, tightly gripping his hand.
Before long, Hong Yi arrived quickly.
“Brother Lu, who is this?” Hong Yi asked, looking at Bai Ling, who was being led by Lu Changsheng, with some surprise.
He was already used to Lu Changsheng bringing girls over, but this one looked too young to be a daughter, and too old to be a concubine.
“Hehe, this is my adopted sister, Bai Ling. I plan to temporarily settle her here, and I need your help to take care of her,” Lu Changsheng explained, briefly introducing Bai Ling and Zhao Buba’s situation.
“I see,” Hong Yi replied, not asking any further questions after hearing the explanation.
Not far from the Lu residence, a quiet and secluded courtyard was arranged for Zhao Buba and Bai Ling.
A servant girl and an elderly woman were also assigned to attend to the two of them.
“Brother Lu, have you just returned from traveling?” Hong Yi asked Lu Changsheng after settling the two of them.
“Yes, how did you know?” Lu Changsheng replied, raising an eyebrow.
“Five months ago, Brother Li returned once,” Hong Yi said.
“I saw that you hadn’t come over, and I happened to be free, so I went to Hongye Market with Brother Li, but Miss Lu said you had gone traveling.”
Lu Changsheng’s expression changed upon hearing this, and he asked, “Did Feiyu return?”
“Where is he now? Is he still in Hongye Market or has he left?”
Lu Changsheng’s eyes widened as he asked these questions.
Five months ago was exactly the time when he and Xiao Xiyue had left Hongye Market.
He didn’t expect that Li Feiyu would return at the same time.
“Brother Li returned to bid farewell and then headed to Qingluan Immortal City, so he left after a month,” Hong Yi said with a sigh.
Hong Yi admired Li Feiyu’s determination. He had given up on unrealistic cultivation dreams after being eliminated from the immortal sect and was now focused on inheriting his father’s Marquis Ru Yi title and breaking through the Qi Refining stage in his lifetime.
Li Feiyu, on the other hand, had been struggling in the cultivation world for many years and was still full of energy.
Now, he was venturing into Qingluan Immortal City, a sacred site for Rouge Cultivators, which left Hong Yi in awe.
“Qingluan Immortal City,” Lu Changsheng sighed.
Li Feiyu had mentioned before that he was going to venture into Qingluan Immortal City, but Lu Changsheng didn’t expect that Li Feiyu would return after training in other places.
However, Li Feiyu’s return coincided with Lu Changsheng’s own journey to establish his Foundation, which meant they didn’t get to meet again.
“Brother Li must have experienced a lot this time,” Hong Yi said.
“And with Brother Li’s character, he might be able to make a name for himself and build a foundation for immortality.”
Hong Yi, who knew about Lu Changsheng’s close relationship with Li Feiyu, offered words of comfort.
He then started talking about Li Feiyu’s changes, saying that Li Feiyu was indeed extraordinary and had made significant progress in his cultivation, breaking through to the sixth stage of Qi Refining after two years of training.
However, as Lu Changsheng listened to these words, his mood only grew heavier.
In the cultivation world, if one wants to rapidly increase their cultivation, it’s all about spiritual medicine, pills, and opportunities.
Li Feiyu, however, didn’t plan to obtain resources through spiritual farming or butchery. He was going to stake his life on it.
After chatting for a long time, the two of them parted ways.
As Lu Changsheng walked back home, he gazed at the endless, rolling waves of the canal behind the Lu Manor, and let out a deep sigh.
“The world is like a tide, and people are like water; I can only sigh at the few who return from the Martial World.”
When he returned home, Lu Changsheng, who was filled with emotions, saw his children and realized that time had passed quickly.
The older kids had grown to be as tall as his shoulders.
“Ping’an, do you have any plans for the future?” Lu Changsheng asked, embracing his son Lu Ping’an’s shoulders.
He knew that as a father, he had been somewhat neglectful.
Except for when the kids were young, he had been more attentive.
As the children grew older, he had become less concerned.
He would only occasionally show interest and ask a few questions.
“I remember you saying, ‘Read ten thousand books, travel ten thousand miles.’ I want to go out and take a look around in a few years,” Lu Ping’an replied, scratching his head, looking a bit embarrassed.
After all, his parents were still around, and it wasn’t suitable for him to go on a long journey.
As the eldest son, he felt that this behavior was not quite right.
But since his father had asked, he wouldn’t hide his thoughts.
“It’s okay to go out and take a look around.”
“Wait until you break through to the Innate Master, then you can go out,” Lu Changsheng said.
These kids were actually lacking in freedom.
When they were young, they had been confined to Qingzhu Mountain.
As they grew older, they were restricted to the Ruyi Region city.
Their daily routine was just reading and practicing martial arts, with little time for going out.
It was normal for them to want to go out and take a look around.
He wouldn’t stop them from doing so.
After all, the kids were growing up, and it was time for them to be independent.
This was also a necessary part of growing up.
As for why he mentioned the Innate Master, it was because Innate Master warriors could use their Heavenly True Qi to activate a low-grade or medium-grade Talisman.
When Lu Ping’an goes out to travel the world, he would feel more at ease.
Lu Ping’an’s face lit up with excitement as he said, “I’ll try to break through to the Innate Master within three years at most.”
He had recently become a top expert in the martial arts world.
Taking it a step further, he would become an Innate Master in the Martial Arts World.
So, in his opinion, his father’s requirement wasn’t difficult to achieve.
“Not bad, my son Ping’an has the talent of a martial saint!” Lu Changsheng exclaimed, patting his son’s shoulder with a smile.
When Li Feiyu was 18, he had already become a top expert, which was considered a genius.
Now, his own son had achieved the same feat at the age of 13.
However, Lu Changsheng was aware that his son’s martial arts talent and aptitude weren’t the main factors.
It was three parts practice and seven parts eating – relying on his old father’s wealth.
“Martial saint, Father, is that a martial arts realm above the Innate Master?” Lu Ping’an asked, his curiosity piqued.
He had heard that martial saints could rival some cultivators.
Now, hearing about this martial saint, he was filled with wonder.
He wanted to know if martial saints could be as powerful as cultivators.
“Should be, right?” Lu Changsheng replied casually.
He was just making things up, not knowing what a martial saint was.
He didn’t expect his son to take it seriously and ask if there was such a martial arts realm.
However, seeing the look in his son’s eyes, he roughly understood what his son was thinking.
Although the children had accepted the reality of not having a Spirit Root and being unable to cultivate, they still had fantasies about it in their hearts.
He let out a soft sigh and changed the subject, “Ping’an, do you lack anything, like an Innate Pill to help you break through to the Innate Master realm?”
“If I’m not around, you can directly ask Uncle Hong for it, don’t be shy.”
“Also, when you go out, don’t just leave without saying goodbye, remember to write a letter to me.”
Lu Changsheng said to his son.
“Don’t worry, I know,” Lu Ping’an nodded.
Lu Changsheng patted his son’s shoulder.
He was still quite confident in his eldest son, who had a straightforward personality and would listen to his words.
“No worries, no regrets, what are your plans for the future?” Lu Changsheng asked, looking at his other children.
“Dad, I also want to travel the world, but I don’t know how many years it will take me to break through to the innate level. How about I go with Brother Ping’an?”
Lu Wuyou said with a smile.
“That’s if your brother Ping’an is willing to take you with him.”
“And besides, your brother Ping’an hasn’t even gone on a long journey himself, so he’ll have to take you along as a burden,” Lu Changsheng said with a smile, responding to his daughter’s words.
“No worries, little sister. If you want to travel the Martial Arts World, I’ll go out first and take a look, and then come back to accompany you,” Lu Ping’an said immediately.
As the eldest son, under Lu Lanshu’s education, he still had a strong sense of responsibility.
“Hehe, thanks, Brother Ping’an,” Lu Wuyou said, immediately wrapping her arm around Lu Ping’an’s arm, and giving Lu Changsheng a playful pout, making him laugh.
“You won’t want to travel the Martial Arts World too, will you?” Lu Changsheng asked, looking at Lu Wuyu.
“Second brother wants to be a county magistrate in the future, governing a region and benefiting the people,” Lu Wuyou immediately chimed in.
“Not bad, that’s a great idea. In a few years, I’ll talk to Uncle Hong about it, and you can learn from him,” Lu Changsheng said to his second son.
He still recognized Hong Yi’s character and thought that the children could learn something from him.
So, Lu Changsheng chatted with his children about their current lives, their futures, and their ideals.
He didn’t forget about Bai Ling either.
In the past few days, he had made time to visit Bai Ling and cultivate their feelings.
He also brought her to meet his daughters, so they could become friends and play together, making it easier for her to integrate into the family.
After staying in Ruyi Region city for ten days, Lu Changsheng returned to Qingzhu Mountain, amidst the reluctance of his family.
Lu Changsheng’s five-month-long trip without news had naturally worried his wives and concubines.
If it weren’t for Lu Miaoge’s reassurance, saying that Lu Changsheng was traveling with a good friend, they would have thought he had encountered an accident.
Now, seeing Lu Changsheng return, they were all concerned and asked him questions.
Lu Changsheng had to spin a good yarn, explaining what had happened on his journey, until late at night, when he finally managed to placate his wives and concubines.
After spending several days placating his wives and concubines, Lu Changsheng began to focus on his children.
Like his son Lu Xianzhi, who was now practicing breathing exercises and starting to cultivate, Lu Changsheng naturally offered encouragement and gave him a set of magical clothes and a low-grade flying sword as a reward.
He hoped that Lu Xianzhi would cultivate diligently and quickly reach the Qi Refining third stage.
This scene made the other siblings envious, and many wives and concubines secretly hoped that their own children would strive harder.
But the second child with a Spirit Root, Lu Quanzhen, was only ten years old.
He still had over a year to go before he could start cultivating.
Lu Changsheng looked at his children, his heart filled with anticipation.
He didn’t know how to calculate the achievement points for the kids who have cultivated Qi into their bodies.
Or maybe when the kids reach the middle or late stages of Qi Refining, there will be achievement rewards.
Later, Lu Changsheng chatted with the kids, talked about their interest, and paid attention to their situation.
Thanks to the overall atmosphere of the Lu Family and Lu Miaoyun’s care for the children, these kids, regardless of their personalities, at least didn’t have any obvious flaws and were still manageable.
The real problem was that the children of the concubines and servant girls were relatively less close to him, their father.
Instead, they had more reverence for him.
Lu Changsheng understood the situation.
He couldn’t treat his wives and children equally, and often had to consider their Spirit Roots or their mothers when dealing with them.
So, even though he was usually very casual with the kids, he didn’t have much interaction with them, which naturally made them less close to him.
Under the influence of the overall atmosphere and their mothers’ teachings, the kids formed an awe-inspiring image of him in their hearts.
However, Lu Changsheng knew that he couldn’t change this situation.
He currently had 117 children.
Among them, 28 had Spirit Roots.
Even if he only focused on the kids with Spirit Roots, he still didn’t have the time and energy.
All he could do now was to pay more attention to the kids and try not to let them develop any flaws.
After chatting with his wives and children, Lu Changsheng also remembered his Golden Armor Bean Mother.
He dug a hole in his courtyard, poured in some second-grade spiritual soil, and planted the Golden Armor Bean Mother.
He also asked Lu Miaoyun to take care of it and water it regularly.
After all, this thing would sprout quickly, and it couldn’t be planted in a spiritual pet bag.
Although Lu Miaoyun didn’t know what kind of seed it was, she remembered her husband’s instructions and would take good care of it.
Next, Lu Changsheng focused on having babies in Qingzhu Mountain.
He planned to wait for Xiao Xiyue’s message and then travel between Qingzhu Mountain and Hongye Valley.