Chapter 377: Third Stage Body Tempering, Longguang Merchant Guild Attacks!

In a quiet dark chamber.

Lu Changsheng slowly opened his eyes.

He saw that his clothes were neat, and no one was beside him.

Everything that happened before felt like a dream.

But Lu Changsheng knew very well that these past days were not a dream, they were real.

“Is it over just like that?”

“Aren’t the Yin-Yang Dual Qi still necessary?”

Feeling the power flowing within his body, Lu Changsheng felt inexplicably lost and disappointed.

“You need to cultivate. The Storage Bag next to you contains spiritual herbs and pills.”

A cold, pleasant voice, laced with the authority of a superior, suddenly echoed.

“Hmm?”

Lu Changsheng was startled by the words and saw an ordinary Storage Bag lying next to his pillow.

He picked up the Storage Bag and looked inside.

It was full of Natural Treasures that nourish the body and precious pills.

“???”

His face stiffened as he stared at the spiritual herbs and pills.

While this kind of Dual Cultivation is good for him and brings benefits.

Especially considering the other party’s status, appearance, and position, it’s actually his gain.

But what does this behavior make him, Lu Changsheng?

Humiliation!

It’s sheer, blatant humiliation!

Someday, Lu Changsheng will make that person realize, his second brother is invincible in this world!

However, as a true man can bend and stretch, he’ll endure what others can’t.

Lu Changsheng calmly took some spiritual herbs from the Storage Bag and consumed them.

In a few days, he will have to continue with the Dual Cultivation, so it’s necessary to replenish his body.

Moreover, the elder’s gift cannot be refused.

The other party is his elder, his Master.

Rewarding him richly for his hard work, what’s wrong with that?

It’s not like it’s a compensation for service afterward.

In another dark chamber within the Cave Dwelling.

The Spirit Eye Spring, like a large bath, filled the air with thick misty spiritual energy.

Yun Wanshang’s black, shiny hair cascaded down like a waterfall, and her flawless fairy-like body was submerged in the rare Spirit Eye Spring, quietly sensing her condition.

Although she didn’t obtain Spirit-Connecting Essence to refine her True Core this time.

She did, however, successfully complete the Pure Maiden Reincarnation Technique by cultivating the Sun and Moon Reincarnation Sutra.

The only problem was that Lu Changsheng’s cultivation was still too low.

Even after many days of Yin-Yang fusion, her Pure Maiden Reincarnation Technique still couldn’t advance further.

To progress further, she requires more prolonged Yin-Yang fusion and the cyclical passage of time.

But such matters can either occur once or countless times.

After taking the first step, Yun Wanshang found it easier to face Lu Changsheng.

After all, it’s all for the sake of the Dao!

How could matters of trivial affection and emotional entanglements compare to forming a Nascent Soul?

And after these days of riding him, her thoughts became much clearer too.

“I wonder if his words are true.”

Yun Wanshang thought of Lu Changsheng’s earlier words, that his Dao Foundation could produce an aura similar to Spirit-Connecting Essence.

If it truly has a similar effect, her half-step Golden Core could smoothly advance to a High-Tier Golden Core or even a One-Tier Golden Core. Then, forming her Nascent Soul would no longer be out of reach, and she might become the Jiang Kingdom’s second Nascent Soul True Lord!

“Half a month.”

Yun Wanshang glanced at the neighboring chamber where Lu Changsheng was, then closed her beautiful eyes and continued soaking her flawless fairy-like body in the Spirit Eye Spring.

“The Yin-Yang Dual Qi has been restored; should I remind him?”

One day, Lu Changsheng found that his Yin-Yang Dual Qi had recovered. He wondered if he should remind his Master.

But then thought about her clearly reserved attitude.

She always stiffened during their union, despite the cold tone of her voice, so he decided not to remind her.

After all, when the time comes, she will come to him on her own.

Otherwise, if he reminded her himself, wouldn’t it make him seem like he’s enjoying it too much?

Unknowingly, some time had passed. Lu Changsheng heard a sound and opened his eyes.

But just as he tried to see, everything went dark, and he couldn’t move his body.

“Damn, it’s happening again!”

Lu Changsheng was speechless.

Even though he was willing to cooperate, was this really necessary?

Soon, he felt himself being stripped bare.

And then, a fragrant and sweet pill entered his mouth.

The soothing fragrance filled him, and the sensation of a soft, supple body made his blood start to boil and stir his desire for battle!

After a long while, Lu Changsheng felt someone riding him.

Yun Wanshang’s stunning, blushing face was perched gracefully on Lu Changsheng’s waist.

As the Yin-Yang Dual Qi entered her body, she immediately sensed the aura of Spirit-Connecting Essence within it.

This strand of Yin-Yang Dual Qi spiraled around her True Core.

Adding a faint golden pattern to her True Core which already shimmered with some Golden Core Dao Rhythm!

“This…”

Yun Wanshang tilted her head slightly, her mesmerizing eyes filled with surprise.

She looked down at Lu Changsheng.

As it turns out, just as he said, the Dao Foundation could indeed generate an aura similar to her Spirit-Connecting Essence.

In this aura, aside from her own Spirit-Connecting Essence, she also sensed a Yin-Yang origin.

“Back then, Xiao Xiyue asked me to refine a Golden Crow Pill.”

Yun Wanshang remembered when Xiao Xiyue asked her to refine a Golden Crow Pill to repay a favor.

Saying it would help Lu Changsheng forge a Sun and Moon Dao Foundation.

But it seems that for some unknown reason, Lu Changsheng didn’t forge a Sun and Moon Dao Foundation.

Instead, he formed this supreme Dao Foundation that is even more extraordinary!

Thinking about the Yin-Yang origin in this strand of Dual Qi, containing Xiao Xiyue’s essence, Yun Wanshang’s heart trembled with an inexplicable thrill.

Lu Changsheng, of course, wasn’t aware of Yun Wanshang’s thoughts.

However, due to the darkness and his lack of Divine Sense, his body was extremely sensitive to touch.

He could clearly sense the other person’s body tensing through the clues he could observe.

“This Yin-Yang Dual Qi shouldn’t cause any trouble, right?”

Lu Changsheng had a sudden pause in his heart.

He knew how extraordinary his Yin-Yang Dual Qi was.

For Foundation Establishment and Golden Core Formation cultivators, it was the most supreme spiritual essence!

If he publicized this effect, a multitude of female Golden Core cultivators would come to knock him out.

Now, allowing Yun Wanshang to use this Yin-Yang Dual Qi also posed some risk.

But considering that she had no ill intentions towards him, and she helped bring about this Yin-Yang Dual Qi, Lu Changsheng chose to trust her.

“Activate the Sun and Moon Reincarnation Sutra.”

A moment later, Lu Changsheng heard Yun Wanshang’s suppressed, cold voice.

Though he wanted to protest, Lu Changsheng reluctantly activated the Sun and Moon Reincarnation Sutra with a bitter yet dutiful spirit.

This Dual Cultivation lasted for three days and three nights.

Although Lu Changsheng sealed part of his blood essence and power.

This level of Dual Cultivation still did not cause him any harm.

In fact, when he woke up, he felt his power become even more extensive.

However, upon waking up, just like before, there was no one around, his clothes were neat, and there was a Storage Bag beside him. Lu Changsheng sighed.

What does all of this mean!

Although he enjoyed himself somewhat.

But being so passive the whole time is really dull.

At least let him take the initiative once or twice.

After a moment of silence, Lu Changsheng pitifully asked, “Senior, how much longer do you need to cultivate?”

Although he didn’t mind helping her with her cultivation.

But wasn’t he supposed to have any resistance, wasn’t he too complacent?

If so, wouldn’t it make him seem too casual, not at all reserved?

“Three months.”

After a moment, Yun Wanshang’s cool voice echoed.

Although three months wouldn’t allow her True Core to advance to the Golden Core.

But it’s enough to further advance her Pure Maiden Reincarnation Technique.

Besides, it’s not like she’s imprisoning Lu Changsheng here to help with her cultivation.

She’s just borrowing his help for a while.

Hearing this, Lu Changsheng didn’t ask more.

He took a spiritual herb from the Storage Bag and began replenishing his vitality.

Dual Cultivation didn’t affect anything else.

But due to frequent Dual Cultivation, his vitality was genuinely a bit difficult to replenish this time.

Just like that, three months passed.

Lu Changsheng was either recovering his cultivation or in Dual Cultivation.

He started feeling numb.

It wasn’t that the Dual Cultivation wasn’t enjoyable.

The other party’s identity, status, looks, and so on were all very exciting to him.

But the problem is, it’s been three whole months.

Every time she blinded his eyes and perception, then fed him a pill.

This process of being ridden with no control, what’s there to enjoy?

Damn it, times could change, and soon he might not be so lowly anymore.

One day, he will blind her eyes, gag her mouth, and then…

As soon as Lu Changsheng had this thought, he felt a rush of excitement.

And immediately, he suppressed his mischievous thoughts, for fear that Yun Wanshang might notice.

After all, her cultivation level is unfathomable, and her Divine Sense might very well catch his emotions and thoughts.

If she knew he had such thoughts, he would be doomed.

“When the time comes for cultivation, I will contact you through this Jade Slip.”

“And by the way, I don’t want anyone else to know about this.”

Yun Wanshang’s voice was cold, noble, and indifferent.

Lu Changsheng looked at the Storage Bag and the Jade Slip in front of him and naturally understood what she meant.

Knowing that this cultivation was not yet over.

She didn’t want Xiao Xiyue to know about it.

“Don’t worry, Senior, I won’t breathe a word to anyone.”

Lu Changsheng said in a somewhat weak voice.

When the two first met back then, he had said something similar.

Only now, after more than three months of Dual Cultivation, both had become more indifferent towards each other.

“Good that you understand.”

“I won’t take advantage of you. If you encounter any problems or require any Golden Core spiritual resources, you can come to me.”

Yun Wanshang continued.

Soon after, Lu Changsheng sensed a Divine Light Beam leave the Cave Dwelling.

“…”

Lu Changsheng watched Yun Wanshang disappear, his mouth twitching.

If he ever had any issues or needed Golden Core resources, he could look for her?

What does that mean?

Does she think he’s a freeloader?

Lu Changsheng has always lived righteously, always relying on himself. When has he ever been such a person?

“Phew!”

Lu Changsheng took a deep breath and stopped thinking about it, leaving the Cave Dwelling.

After surveying his general surroundings, he returned to Bihu Mountain.

Three days later, Lu Changsheng arrived home.

Although he had gone out without informing anyone and had been away for so long, the family only expressed simple concern and didn’t ask for details.

Lu Changsheng briefly inquired about the family’s current state, then went to Hall of Everlasting Life.

He unleashed a colorful Divine Light Beam from his hands, placing it in front of his chest, releasing the sealed blood essence and power.

“Boom!”

In an instant, terrifying blood essence and power surged, rolling thunderously.

Lu Changsheng realized that his power was already approaching the peak of Foundation Establishment.

And his physical body was ready to break through to the Ninth Level of the Hundred Refined Body Technique!

“Third Stage Body Tempering, I’ve waited long for this day!”

Lu Changsheng’s lips curled up as he immediately activated his cultivation technique and began breaking through the Ninth Level of the Hundred Refined Body Technique.

The Hundred Refined Body Technique is just an auxiliary body tempering technique, not his primary body cultivation path.

So, breaking through the realm didn’t require Third-Tier spiritual veins; it was enough as long as the physical body reached the corresponding level.

“Rumble!”

In an instant, endless divine light burst out from Lu Changsheng’s body, flowing around him.

A powerful force surged through his limbs and bones, roaring like a river breaking its banks.

But soon, Lu Changsheng realized an issue.

This Hall of Everlasting Life of his was made of ordinary materials.

Although it was reinforced with formation techniques.

Now breaking through to the Third Stage of Body Tempering might not leave the Cave Dwelling in ruins.

It would still severely disrupt those in the hall, like Lu Miaoge, Ling Zixiao, Bai LLng, and others.

“Sumeru…”

Lu Changsheng called out.

“Yes, Master.”

Sumeru, always on standby 24 hours a day, instantly responded, its voice ethereal and distant.

A terrifying power formed an invisible barrier around Lu Changsheng.

Seeing this, Lu Changsheng nodded in satisfaction and continued to focus on breaking through the Ninth Level of the Hundred Refined Body Technique.

“Thump, thump, thump—”

With his blood essence surging and divine light flowing, Lu Changsheng’s heart began to beat faster.

Like a divine drum being struck, it boomed loudly, creating terrifying waves of pressure around him.

After a long time, Lu Changsheng’s face twisted in pain.

His entire body seemed shattered, ground to dust, and then pieced together again.

Every drop of blood, every muscle, was going through a thousand rounds of refinement.

The Ninth Level of the Hundred Refined Body Technique, Third Stage Body Tempering, was tempering the body to the level of Magical Treasures!

This was a transformation, a step up in life!

“Boom, boom, boom—”

“Clang, clang, clang—”

Roars and bangs erupted non-stop within Lu Changsheng’s body, like an ancient volcano erupting.

In the distance, it seemed like countless divine artisans were refining his bones and muscles, making loud clanging sounds.

The process was immensely painful.

Even though Lu Changsheng was mentally prepared, the pain was unbearable, a relentless cycle of agony.

However, through this tempering, every inch of his skin, every piece of his flesh seemed to radiate as if forged from divine metal, shining with vibrant light.

At the same time.

A Spirit Boat arrived outside White Tiger Mountain.

On it were an old man, a burly man, and a woman.

The old man, dressed in a purple brocade robe, loudly called out toward White Tiger Mountain, “Where is the master of White Tiger Mountain?”

“Who are you? Why have you come to White Tiger Mountain?”

Before long, Lu Qingsong arrived at the mountain gate with the Nine Abyss Mastiff, looking at the trio on the Spirit Boat, and addressed the purple-robed old man in a deep voice.

“I am Tao Jizhong, an elder of the Longguang Merchant Guild. A year ago, our guild’s young master was harmed by a demoness. According to our investigation, this woman is hiding in White Tiger Mountain. Master Lu, hand over the demoness immediately!”

The old man stood tall, looking down at Lu Qingsong from above and said coldly.

As he spoke, a frightening pressure of power from the sixth level of Foundation Establishment spread out.

“What demoness? This master knows nothing of it. Is the Longguang Merchant Guild using this as an excuse to cause trouble at White Tiger Mountain?”

Lu Qingsong’s expression remained calm as he spoke.

He knew the person being referenced was his Dao companion, Liu Yan.

After Liu Yan had confessed earlier, he had investigated and found out the matter seemed to be exactly as she had said.

“This woman is named Liu Yan, and she currently serves as a guest elder at White Tiger Mountain.”

“Our Longguang Merchant Guild has no enmity with Bihu Mountain; we don’t wish to damage the harmony. Master Lu, hand over the demoness now to avoid conflict between our two forces.”

Tao Jizhong continued to speak, his tone hostile.

He naturally knew the details after coming here.

And he was aware that the demoness who killed their guild’s young master likely had close ties with Lu Qingsong.

Thus, he was here partly to test White Tiger Mountain.

After all, back then, no one knew exactly how White Tiger Mountain shot down a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and it left everyone stunned.

“Liu Yan?”

Lu Qingsong’s eyes narrowed slightly at those words.

He quickly realized that the other party was well-prepared, and pacifying the situation wouldn’t be easy.

“Indeed, there is such a guest elder at White Tiger Mountain.”

“But this master has never heard of such a matter, and White Tiger Mountain has its rules.”

“As long as one’s background is clean and they are not a rogue cultivator or evil cultivator, entering White Tiger Mountain means receiving White Tiger Mountain’s protection, and past grievances are resolved.”

“So, whether or not this person is involved, White Tiger Mountain has nothing to do with it, Elder Tao. Best you leave.”

Lu Qingsong was merely at the Qi Refining stage, but when faced with a Foundation Establishment elder like Tao Jizhong, he showed no fear.

After all, his father had stated that there was no need to fear the Longguang Merchant Guild.

Just recently, after returning to Bihu Mountain, Aunt Zixiao had heard about this and even mentioned that the Longguang Merchant Guild was primarily under the Jin Family.

So, if the Longguang Merchant Guild came looking for trouble, there wasn’t any need to be afraid, and they could even take the initiative to confront them.

“So, it seems White Tiger Mountain wishes to oppose the Longguang Merchant Guild!”

Tao Jizhong’s tone turned cold.

“Bihu Mountain has always valued peace and cooperation, never provoking others, but neither does it fear anyone.”

“If the Longguang Merchant Guild seeks trouble, Bihu Mountain will not flinch!”

Lu Qingsong responded coldly.

After witnessing his big brother shoot down a Foundation Establishment cultivator with a single arrow, he truly didn’t fear the other party.

“Fine, fine, fine! How courageous! Truly audacious!”

Tao Jizhong looked at White Tiger Mountain and sneered, “It seems White Tiger Mountain truly wishes to go against the Longguang Merchant Guild!”

In an instant, the aura of Foundation Establishment cultivators from the three people on the Spirit Boat spread out.

Although there were only three Foundation Establishment cultivators, it was extremely terrifying for a White Tiger Mountain with just a rank two spirit beast.

Just then, a tall, burly youth with a righteous expression and a thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl on his shoulder strode out of White Tiger Mountain.

“Big brother.”

Seeing Lu Ping’an approaching, Lu Qingsong immediately felt reassured.

“Mm.”

Lu Ping’an set down his sister, Lu Linghe, and addressed the three outsiders, “Liu Yan is now a guest elder of White Tiger Mountain. If we were to hand her over just at your word, how would others view White Tiger Mountain?”

“Instead, how about this? Let’s fight. If you win, I’ll turn her over to you. If I win, the matter ends. How about it?”

Lu Ping’an had already heard much of what was happening and was aware of Liu Yan’s situation.

Not to mention her connection with his brother.

Even without that connection, there was no way they would hand her over.

After all, she had sought refuge at White Tiger Mountain, becoming their guest elder.

If a family or power couldn’t protect someone, it would be hard to recruit guest elders in the future or have anyone willing to join.

Now that the three were blocking the entrance, they should offer a solution; directly resorting to violence wouldn’t make sense, so why not settle it with a duel?

In both the secular jianghu and the cultivation world, this was a common way to resolve grievances.

“Who are you?”

Outside White Tiger Mountain, Tao Jizhong, standing on the Spirit Boat, looked over Lu Ping’an and asked.

“Lu Ping’an, of Bihu Mountain.”