NOVEL NEXT Chapter 157: The Effects of the Seven Stars Heart Lamp
Chapter 157: The Effects of the Seven Stars Heart Lamp
Time flew by, and four months had passed in the blink of an eye.
In the cultivation room, Lu Changsheng sat cross-legged, wearing a long blue robe, and meditating.
In front of him, an ancient lamp hovered, emitting a soft, gentle glow.
The lamp’s body was a bronze color, with seven glittering gemstones embedded around it, resembling seven small stars, radiating a soft, gentle light.
“The Seven Stars Heart Lamp is done!”
Lu Changsheng suddenly opened his eyes, gazing at the ancient lamp in front of him.
He could clearly feel that this ancient lamp was one with him and connected to his mind and spirit.
This was his destined spiritual weapon!
Although it was only a low-grade spiritual weapon, its power far surpassed that of ordinary spiritual weapons.
Moreover, it could be stored within his body and nurtured with one’s own Dantian’s spiritual energy to gradually increase its power and quality.
And when faced with danger, the spiritual weapon could even issue a warning and protect him.
The only drawback was that if the spiritual weapon was damaged, he would also suffer some injury.
Lu Changsheng stretched out his hand and held the ancient lamp in his hand.
It felt warm and smooth to the touch, like holding a warm jade.
He subtly moved his spirit, injecting his power into the lamp, and the seven gemstones on its surface suddenly burst into a dazzling light, like seven stars rotating, with a golden flame appearing at the center.
Under the starlight and golden flame, Lu Changsheng appeared spotless and otherworldly.
“Hah!”
Lu Changsheng held the ancient lamp and blew on it gently.
Instantly, the lamp’s flame flickered, and a thread of sword energy emerged, swirling around him.
This thread of sword energy was fierce and majestic, encircling Lu Changsheng, transforming into a sword energy dragon, a sword energy tiger, and a sword energy shield.
“Although its power is only equivalent to a single strike from a Foundation Establishment cultivator…”
“But with the Xuan Yuan Bead by my side, I don’t have to fear the power consumption. In an instant, I can unleash a hundred threads of sword energy. Even a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator would struggle to defend against it.”
“If it’s a group battle, facing Qi Refining cultivators would be a one-sided massacre.”
Lu Changsheng gazed at the threads of sword energy surrounding him, feeling the pressure of the spiritual weapon’s power.
He then moved his spirit, and the sword energy dissipated, the Seven Stars Heart Lamp transforming into a stream of light that entered his body, flowing along his meridians to his Dantian.
Forging a real spiritual weapon and condensing the Seven Stars Heart Lamp’s power were two completely different experiences.
Now that the spiritual weapon was within him, Lu Changsheng felt a sense of mystery.
“I wonder how effective this Seven Stars Heart Lamp is in concentrating spiritual energy.”
Lu Changsheng thought about the effects of the Seven Stars Heart Lamp in condensing spiritual energy.
This was also one of the lamp’s most powerful effects.
He took out two silver coins from his storage bag as fuel for the Seven Stars Heart Lamp.
Immediately, the lamp’s golden flame ignited, and then entered the Dnatian lake.
The liquid spiritual energy within the Danian lake began to churn, as if it was boiling.
Time passed slowly.
After a long while, the lamp oil was exhausted, and the Dantian lake returned to calm.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, I spent two silver coins, but I didn’t see any effects at all. I only felt a faint sense of refined spiritual energy.”
“According to the Seven Stars Great Freedom Sword Technique, using the Seven Stars Heart Lamp to refine spiritual energy can increase the foundation of spiritual energy by 30%. This 30% increase would require burning over 100 kilograms of heavenly silver, which is equivalent to 10,000 to 20,000 spirit stones.”
Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but shake his head in dismay.
The Seven Stars Heart Lamp usually used spiritual energy as fuel to stimulate battles, remove pill toxins, guard the heart, and repel external demons.
But if you want to condense the foundation of your spiritual energy, you need to use heavenly silver as fuel.
One spirit stone was equivalent to one or two kilograms of heavenly silver.
If he wanted to burn over 100 kilograms of heavenly silver, that would be equivalent to 10,000 to 20,000 spirit stones.
Even Lu Changsheng was shocked by this number.
“However, increasing the foundation of spiritual energy by 30% is not only beneficial for the foundation, but also for the Core Formation probability and quality. This spirit stone is worth the cost.”
“Moreover, the price of 100 spirit stones for one or two kilograms of heavenly silver is the price I paid at the Blue Cloud Commercial Hall.”
“If I were to purchase it myself, I could at least save 20-30%.”
Lu Changsheng thought to himself.
He wasn’t in a hurry to condense the foundation of spiritual energy with heavenly silver.
This was something that could be done when he had a surplus of spirit stones.
Or, he could wait until he had a stable foundation and then slowly purchase the heavenly silver.
Besides, this was a long-term project that couldn’t be rushed.
“It’s about time I went out. If I stay in seclusion for four months, my family will think something has happened to me.”
Lu Changsheng casted a cleaning spell, tidied up the cultivation room, and put away the ‘Heavenly Curtain Five Elements Array’. He then walked out of the room.
“Husband!”
“Father!”
Outside the courtyard, Qu Zhenzhen was telling a story to their children.
When they saw Lu Changsheng, they immediately looked surprised and delighted.
“Zhenzhen, I’ve worried you.”
Lu Changsheng knew that his long seclusion would have worried his wives.
“Is your cultivation going smoothly, husband?”
Qu Zhenzhen, wearing a pink and white dress, looked lovely and concerned as she asked.
“Of course, my cultivation has been smooth,” Lu Changsheng replied with a smile, gently patting his little wife’s back.
After all these years, Qu Zhenzhen was still very attached to him.
However, since having children, she would focus her thoughts and energy on them when he was away.
“Congratulations, husband.”
Qu Zhenzhen heard his words and immediately congratulated him with a happy face.
She had been on Qingzhu Mountain for many years, and had also gained some understanding of cultivation.
Lu Changsheng knew that he had broken through to the seventh stage of Qi Refining, which was equivalent to breaking through the late stage of Qi Refining.
In Qingzhu Mountain, breaking through to the late stage of Qi Refining was considered a high level of achievement.
“Congratulations, Father.”
“Congratulations, Father.”
The two little ones also chimed in with congratulations.
“What story was Mother telling you?”
Lu Changsheng looked at the two children, took out two spirit fruits from his storage bag, and handed them over, ruffling their hair as he asked with a smile.
Qu Zhenzhen had four children, and the youngest was already six years old.
This made Lu Changsheng feel that time was passing quickly.
He still remembered the three-year agreement, and how he had brought Qu Zhenzhen back to Qingzhu Mountain from the broken temple.
The two little ones chattered excitedly with Lu Changsheng.
As Lu Changsheng emerged from seclusion, his other wives came to congratulate him, asking about his breakthrough to the late stage of Qi Refining.
After reuniting with his family, Lu Miaoyun told Lu Changsheng that the Lu Family clan meeting had already been held.
Because he was in seclusion, they didn’t disturb him.
This year’s clan meeting marked a new generation of leaders in the Lu Family.
Lu Miaochang took over as the new Patriarch, Lu Yuanding became the family elder, responsible for the family’s finances and assisting the new Patriarch in managing the family.
Lu Miaoge also became a family executive, preparing to take over as a future elder.
Lu Changsheng’s position as an elder was also confirmed.
However, due to his age and generation, he was ranked last, as the ninth elder.
As an elder, he would receive a corresponding increase in family benefits and treatment.
As for the specific duties of an elder, Lu Changsheng needed to go find the new Patriarch, Lu Miaochang, to understand the details.
“Ninth Elder.”
Lu Changsheng heard his ranking and couldn’t help but smile.
“Husband, the transmission talisman you gave me had a message last month.”
Lu Miaoyun also mentioned that a woman had come to find Lu Changsheng last month.
She had chatted with her for a while, and when she knew Lu Changsheng was in seclusion, she went to Hongye Valley.
“Miaoyun, thank you for your hard work.”
Lu Changsheng heard this and nodded, knowing that Xiao Xiyue had arrived.
However, he still had a lot of things to attend to and didn’t hurry to rush to Hongye Valley.
He first went to find Lu Miaochang to understand the specific duties of an elder.
Lu Miaochang told Lu Changsheng that the main tasks involved Talisman-related matters.
Then there was the cultivation of Talisman Dao disciples, as well as the financial management of various Talisman shops in the major cities, and some miscellaneous tasks.
After listening, Lu Changsheng directly rejected the Talisman shop’s proposal, letting the Lu Family manage it themselves.
He didn’t want to get too involved in the Lu Family’s core interests, and he didn’t have the leisure time for it either.
After all, he didn’t even have time to take care of his own shop.
After chatting for a bit, Lu Changsheng went to Qingzhu Mountain to inform Uncle Fu, saying that he would start teaching in three days.
After finishing these tasks, Lu Changsheng returned home to accompany his wife and concubines, continuing his baby-making hobby.
Before he knew it, half a month had passed.
During this half-month period, Lu Changsheng barely practiced cultivation, focusing on making baby instead.
As for how many babies he made, it would take some time to find out.
“Hmm?”
On this day, Lu Changsheng suddenly felt a surge of pure spiritual energy entering his body.
“What is this?”
Lu Changsheng was somewhat astonished, unsure where this spiritual energy came from.
After a while, he reacted, realizing that his son, Lu Xianzhi, had broken through to the second stage of Qi Refining.
“However, this bit of spiritual energy is like a drop in the ocean compared to my current level.”
Lu Changsheng lightly shook his head.
He then slightly concerned himself with his son’s progress, told his wife, and said he needed to go to Hongye Valley Market.
Before going to the market, Lu Changsheng went to visit his father-in-law, Lu Yuanding.
It wasn’t that there was anything wrong, he just wanted to take his daughter Lu Qingzhu to see her mother.
Since Lu Miaoge was often busy in Hongye Valley Market, this daughter was either taken care of by Second Miss Lu Miaohuan or Lu Yuanding.
Not long ago, Lu Qingzhu and Lu Qingshan were both taken by Lu Yuanding.
“Father-in-law.”
Upon arriving at Lu Yuanding’s residence, Lu Changsheng immediately saw Lu Yuanding, who was taking care of his grandchildren.
His son Lu Qingshan was chasing a white goose with a small wooden sword, full of energy.
His daughter Lu Qingzhu was held in Lu Yuanding’s arms, watching Lu Qingshan chasing the geese quietly.
“Changseng, you’ve come.”
Lu Yuanding, holding his granddaughter, smiled at Lu Changsheng.
He was originally quite busy, but after stepping down from the Patriarch position, he had more leisure time.
As for the elder’s matters, it mainly depended on himself.
As long as he was willing to delegate power, he wasn’t too busy, so he had the leisure time to take care of the children.
“Dad, ah!”
Lu Qingshan, who was chasing the goose, saw his father Lu Changsheng coming, and he took a step forward with his short legs and slashed with a sword.
Lu Changsheng saw this and, with a swift motion, grabbed his son’s neck, lifting the mischievous child up.
“Grandpa, grandpa, save me!”
Lu Qingshan immediately cried out for help to his grandfather.
“Dad.”
Lu Qingzhu, who was in Lu Yuanding’s arms, looked at Lu Changsheng, as if it took her a while to recognize her father, which made Lu Changsheng feel ashamed.
After all, children at this age had poor memory, and he hadn’t spent much time with them.
“Father-in-law, I’m preparing to go to Hongye Valley Market, so I thought I’d bring Qingzhu to see Miaoge.”
Lu Changsheng put down his son and explained his intentions.
“Okay, Changsheng, I know you’re busy now, but when you have time, please spend more time with Miaoge and Wan’er.”
Lu Yuanding nodded in response.
“I understand.”
Lu Changsheng and Lu Yuanding chatted for a bit before he picked up his daughter.
Looking at his daughter’s white and tender skin, her chubby little face, he couldn’t help but kiss her twice, saying, “Qingzhu, let’s go see Mom.”
Every time he saw his daughter’s little face, he couldn’t resist kissing her twice.
“Dad, I want to see Auntie too!”
Lu Qingshan, hearing this, also shouted loudly.
He really liked Aunt Lu Miaoge.
Because Auntie always bought him delicious food and toys.
Lu Changsheng glanced at his son.
To be honest, he didn’t really want to bring this son out.
Mainly because this son was too lively and needed constant supervision.
Unlike his daughter Lu Qingzhu, who was quiet and well-behaved, not noisy or troublesome.
“Alright, since you want to go, let’s go together.”
Thinking that he hadn’t spent much time with this child, Lu Changsheng still nodded in agreement.
Lu Yuanding, seeing Lu Changsheng wanting to take both children, said he would also go to Hongye Valley Market to take a look, accompanying Lu Changsheng.
Although Hongye Valley Market was relatively close, he still wasn’t at ease with two children under four years old being taken out by Lu Changsheng alone.
Hearing this, Lu Changsheng naturally couldn’t say anything.
With Lu Yuanding around, at least there was someone to help take care of the children, which would be less of a headache for him.
Immediately, the two of them, each carrying a child, rode on a steel-feathered eagle towards Hongye Valley Market.
Half a day later, they arrived at Hongye Valley Market.
The current Hongye Valley Market was bustling with people.
Lu Yuanding told Lu Changsheng that the four major families were planning to hold an auction every year, starting next year, to attract more Rouge Cultivators.
They also hoped that Lu Changsheng could bring out some high-quality, top-grade Talisman artifacts to auction off.
“Auction, okay.”
Lu Changsheng, hearing this news, nodded in agreement.
Hongye Valley Market has been open for three years now, and the number of visitors has almost reached a bottleneck.
To attract more cultivators, they naturally need to bring out some attractive offers.
Otherwise, with the current security guarantees of Hongye Valley Market, and the lack of large shops like Blue Cloud Commercial Hall and Myriad Treasures Pavilion, the attraction was indeed limited.
As they walked and chatted, they arrived at the ‘Qingzhu’s Lu Spirit Talisman Shop’.
“Dad, Changsheng.”
Lu Miaoge saw Lu Changsheng and Lu Yuanding coming, carrying two children, and smiled.
Then, the group took the children to stroll around the market and have fun.
After a while, after eating, Lu Yuanding gave the couple some space, taking the two children back to the Lu Family’s large courtyard.
Hongye Valley was initially divided among the four major families, with the Lu Family taking the largest share, occupying almost 40%.
So, the Lu Family people in Hongye Valley Market didn’t lack a place to live.
“Changsheng, Miss Xiao is here again, and I have arranged for her to stay in the previous cave dwelling.”
After returning to the Spirit Talisman Shop, Lu Miaoge said to Lu Changsheng.
“Sister Miaoge, thank you for the trouble.”
Lu Changsheng replied warmly.
Previously, Xiao Xiyue had lived in Hongye Valley Market for half a year, and Lu Miaoge knew about her existence.
Moreover, with Lu Miaoge’s intelligence, she must have also seen the relationship between the two, which wasn’t just a simple cultivator’s friendship.
“Changsheng, has Miss Xiao successfully established her Foundation?”
Lu Miaoge asked.
Through Lu Changsheng’s previous messages, she knew about Xiao Xiyue’s Foundation Establishment.
But Xiao Xiyue was a quiet and cold person, and even with interactions, the two didn’t chat much.
“Yes, she has successfully established her Foundation, but for further cultivation, she still needs my help, so she’s come again.”
Lu Changsheng replied.
“Foundation Establishment.”
Lu Miaoge’s face showed a hint of envy and admiration when she heard about Xiao Xiyue’s successful Foundation Establishment.
As a cultivator from a cultivators family, becoming a Foundation Establishment was everyone’s dream, nurtured and taught from a young age.
However, most people would gradually realize that Foundation Establishment was too far away from them.
Lu Miaoge knew that she had some chances of achieving Foundation Establishment, but it was still uncertain.
“Sister Miaoge, I have a gift for you.”
Lu Changsheng saw the look in Lu Miaoge’s eyes.
He naturally knew that Lu Miaoge was dedicated to cultivation and had always dreamed of breaking through to Foundation Establishment one day.
Saying this, he took out a porcelain bottle from his storage bag.
“Gift?”
Lu Miaoge heard this and smiled, taking the porcelain bottle to examine it.
“This is… a Three Yang Pill?”
Looking at the pill inside the porcelain bottle, Lu Miaoge’s expression was one of surprise and doubt.
“That’s right, it’s the Three Yang Pill, also known as the ‘Small Foundation Establishment Pill’.”
“Sister Miaoge, if you take this Three Yang Pill, you should be able to directly break through from the Qi Refining 8th Stage to the Qi Refining 9th Stage.”
Lu Changsheng smiled as he said this.
He had prepared the Foundation Establishment Pill for Lu Miaoge, so there was no need to wait until the Qi Refining was complete to take it.
The effect would be the same even if taken now.
“You can keep this Three Yang Pill for yourself.”
Lu Miaoge smiled faintly, her face radiant and gentle, extremely captivating.
Although she didn’t know where Lu Changsheng had gotten this Three Yang Pill, she knew how precious it was.
If sold on the market, one pill would be worth at least three to four thousand spirit stones.
Even as a first-rank Talisman Master, she couldn’t afford such a precious pill.
After all, not every Talisman Master had a 100% success rate like Lu Changsheng, and didn’t need to spend spirit stones to buy materials to practice making talismans.
“I’ve already taken one, and this one is specially for you, SIster Miaoge.”
Lu Changsheng smiled and said.
He had anticipated that Lu Miaoge would refuse, so he had prepared his words.
“Thank you, Changsheng.”
Lu Miaoge looked into Lu Changsheng’s eyes, which were shining with tenderness, and no longer refused.
“We’re husband and wife, and have long since become one, so what’s the need for thanks?”
Lu Changsheng smiled and continued, “If you want to take the pill and go into seclusion, I can watch the shop for you.”
“Father, Qingzhu and Qingshan are here, let’s talk about it later.”
Lu Miaoge said softly.
As if remembering something, she said, “Oh, Changsheng, your friend Li Feiyu came by earlier, but didn’t wait for you to return, and left something for me to give to you.”
“Something?”
Lu Changsheng was surprised to hear this.
Before long, Lu Miaoge took out a storage bag from the room and handed it to Lu Changsheng.
Lu Changsheng opened the storage bag and saw that it contained a pile of spirit stones.
There were almost two hundred spirit stones.
And there was also a letter.
Lu Changsheng opened the letter and read it.
“Hmm.”
After finishing the letter, Lu Changsheng let out a soft sigh.
The letter was a farewell note.
Li Feiyu had written that he had made an appointment with someone to go to Qingluan Immortal City, so he wouldn’t wait for Lu Changsheng anymore, and they would catch up later.
The two hundred spirit stones were a part of his spare spirit stones, so he was returning them first.
As for the remaining spirit stones, he would bring them back next time he returned from Qingluan Immortal City.
He also told Lu Changsheng not to worry, and that he would come back when he had time.
Then he wrote about some trivial matters and his experiences in the cultivation world.
“Ah, Feiyu is still the same, not willing to owe anyone.”
Lu Changsheng sighed and shook his head.
He didn’t need these two hundred spirit stones now.
But these two hundred spirit stones were probably all that Li Feiyu could spare.
“Changseng.”
Lu Miaoge also knew that Li Feiyu was one of Lu Changsheng’s few good friends.
The two of them came to the Lu family together and had a close relationship.
“Sister Miaoge,” Lu Changsheng said, “I’m fine, just a bit sentimental.”
Lu Changsheng didn’t hide anything from his wife, including Li Feiyu’s affairs.
Sometimes, having someone to talk to and share feelings with could greatly improve one’s mood.
He himself had many secrets, so he wouldn’t hide ordinary matters from his wife.
“Sister Miaoge, it’s getting late.”
After chatting for a while, Lu Changsheng looked at his wife’s gentle and beautiful face, and suddenly said, “Let’s go to the room.”
He then supported his wife’s shoulders, kissed her tender and soft lips, and took her to the room.
“Okay, let’s go.”
Lu Miaoge didn’t expect her husband to suddenly do this, and her eyelashes trembled slightly before she wrapped her arms around her husband’s neck and whispered.