Chapter 406: Hunting the Demon King, a Chain Reaction!

Upon returning to the Spirit Control Sect riding his spirit beast, the white tiger, Daoist Master Tiger Roar tidied up slightly before heading to the highest palace on Yu Ling Mountain.

“Sect Master Brother, Sister Huoyu, are you both here?”

Upon entering the palace and seeing the Spirit Control Sect’s sect master discussing matters with a Golden Core cultivator, Daoist Master Tiger Roar was slightly surprised.

“Junior Brother Tiger Roar, weren’t you going to the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range? How did it go?”

The sect master noticed Daoist Master Tiger Roar’s spiritual energy was somewhat hurried and chaotic, indicating that he had recently experienced a fierce battle, so he asked.

“Sect Master Brother, I encountered a powerful Golden Core cultivator while I was fighting Fenglei Hou.”

Daoist Master Tiger Roar immediately told them about his encounter with Lu Changsheng.

“What? A Golden Core cultivator!”

“Another unknown Golden Core cultivator has appeared?”

The sect master and Huoyu were both shocked upon hearing this, exchanging stunned glances.

“Another one?”

Tiger Roar was visibly surprised by this and realized something was off.

“Sister Huoyu has just returned from receiving news from the Heavenly Sword Sect. Several Golden Core cultivators have infiltrated the Jiang Kingdom, likely aiming for the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm. We need to stay vigilant,” the sect master said in a deep voice. Then, with a serious expression, he asked, “Junior Brother, you said that this person suppressed Fenglei Hou with just one divine ability. Can you tell which faction he might belong to?”

Tiger Roar shook his head and said, “I don’t know. His divine ability seemed to contain traces of Yin-Yang Qi, somewhat resembling the methods of the Yin-Yang Sect. However, his powerful and righteous aura did not align with theirs.”

“Moreover, his spiritual power was immensely strong, with a hint of an eternal and indestructible quality. He might indeed be a Golden Core cultivator.”

“Otherwise, Fenglei Hou, even in a weakened state, could not have been so easily suppressed and captured by him!”

“I’ve never heard of such a powerful Golden Core cultivator from any known faction!” Tiger Roar’s expression grew more serious as he continued to speak.

Tiger Roar would not have been so astonished if Lu Changsheng had only caught Fenglei Hou by surprise and killed it.

But the fact that the other party apprehended and subdued Fenglei Hou so effortlessly truly frightened him.

“A Golden Core master…”

The sect master and Huoyu both had grave expressions upon hearing this.

A High-Tier Golden Core represents the pinnacle of its rank!

And this person might not only be a powerful Golden Core cultivator but also a genuinely formidable one. This could indeed be terrifying.

For such a figure to appear within the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, within the territory of our Spirit Control Sect, is truly concerning.

Moreover, this is happening during a sensitive period.

“It seems that the matter of the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm has been intentionally spread. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be powerful Golden Core masters coming to our Jiang Kingdom,” Huoyu said in a deep voice.

“Junior Brother Tiger Roar, did this person make any moves against you?”

The sect master looked at Daoist Master Tiger Roar and asked.

“He didn’t seem to harbor any ill intentions, but he did request a map of the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range and information about the demon kings, so we must be cautious,” Tiger Roar explained.

The sect was heavily damaged during the beast tide years ago.

Though they had recovered significantly due to the rich harvests from the beast tide, they couldn’t afford further disturbances.

“A map of the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range? Since this person doesn’t seem overtly hostile, let’s refrain from acting hastily for now,” the sect master said.

“I’ll send a message to the Heavenly Sword Sect immediately and see what they plan to do about this,” he added after contemplating for a long time.

Despite there being four great sects in the Jiang Kingdom, it’s essentially led by the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Given the escalating situation and the appearance of Golden Core masters, it’s crucial to see how the Heavenly Sword Sect intends to respond.

Whether to take the initiative, set a trap, or lure the enemy deeper.

Myriad Beasts Mountain Range.

Inside a cave.

“No wonder most Golden Core cultivators, even those who are Third-Tier formation masters, pill refiners, equipment refiners, or Talisman Masters, rarely earn a living through those skills in their daily lives.”

“With such power, they wouldn’t be interested in the hard-earned money from those trades.”

“At most, they’ll help friends, or juniors with refining items out of friendship, or use these skills for self-cultivation and enlightenment.”

Lu Changsheng cleaned up Fenglei Hou’s cave.

Besides acquiring Fenglei Hou’s Third-Tier spiritual veins and Thunderous Fiend ground veins, he also found a pile of Natural Treasures.

The Fenglei Crystals and these treasures alone were worth hundreds of thousands of Spirit Stones, excluding the spiritual vein core and Thunderous Fiend ground veins.

And that’s not to mention the rarity of Fenglei Hou itself.

As a Third-Tier demon king, Fenglei Hou was valuable in its entirety.

This is why Lu Changsheng preferred to use his great power to suppress and capture it with the Yin-Yang Dual Qi technique before killing it.

He wanted to keep the body as intact as possible.

Otherwise, the value would have been greatly diminished if its body was damaged.

“Although Fenglei Hou was a Third-Tier demon king and could be used to refine Blood Soul Divine Light, its abilities aren’t a good fit for me,” Lu Changsheng said.

He pulled out Daoist Tiger Roar’s Jade Slip and began considering which demon king to hunt next.

While Fenglei Hou was decent, its innate abilities were all offensive techniques.

Since he already had talismans, Third-Tier body tempering techniques, Thunder-Reinforced Dragon Flame, and Nine-Colored Calamity Light, he was not lacking in offensive means.

The same applied to defense.

He had body tempering techniques, Protective Divine and Yin-Yang Mystic Divine Lights, as well as Fourth-Tier Life-saving Talismans.

So, for him, choosing a divine ability to awaken his Taiyi Soul Body must be carefully considered to ensure it would be useful.

“Hmm, there’s the Hidden Void Rat King, a Third-Tier early-stage demon king with the innate ability to hide and blend with shadows. Unless it encounters a Nascent Soul True Lord, once it lies dormant, its presence is almost impossible to detect.”

“If I could gain this divine ability, it would be great. But finding this Rat King might be difficult.”

“Then there’s the Blazing Gold Toad, a Third-Tier mid-stage demon king whose innate ability allows it to swallow and refine heavenly flames, forming an unparalleled divine fire.”

“This also isn’t bad. If I gain this ability, my Thunder-Reinforced Dragon Flame might evolve further, but this Blazing Gold Toad resides with another Gold Toad.”

“Or perhaps, the Golden-Eyed Fire Ape, a Third-Tier mid-stage demon king whose innate divine ability, the Golden-Eyed Fire Eyes, not only has peerless offensive power but can also see through illusions and discern others’ weaknesses.”

“This ability is also worth considering. I lack such a method at the moment,” Lu Changsheng mused.

He continued to review the information about various demon kings in the Jade Slip.

It had to be said that the demon kings in the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range were not simple. Most of them had Earth-level bloodlines and innate Divine Abilities that were very tempting.

However, the Taiyi Soul Body could only use one Blood Soul Divine Light to awaken, so he had to pick only one demon king among them.

Besides considering himself, Lu Changsheng also pondered which demon king and innate ability would be suitable for his son, Lu Qingxian.

“The Sun-Moon Twin-Wing Butterfly, a Third-Tier mid-stage demon king with a mutated bloodline, possessing two innate Divine Abilities with combat strength comparable to a Late-Stage Golden Core cultivator.”

At this moment, Lu Changsheng came across a demon king’s information that strongly piqued his interest.

This demon king possessed both a powerful offensive and defensive divine ability.

According to the Jade Slip, this Sun-Moon Twin-Wing Butterfly’s abilities were Top-Tier.

Even most Late-Stage Golden Core cultivators would struggle to take down this Sun-Moon Twin-Wing Butterfly.

“I wonder if the Blood Soul Divine Light can help me comprehend both Divine Abilities?”

“Moreover, since this demon king has two Divine Abilities, the chances of me mastering its abilities should be much higher,” Lu Changsheng pondered.

Although the Taiyi Soul Body’s Blood Soul Divine Light typically grants the user the demon king’s divine ability, it’s not guaranteed.

There’s still a small chance of failure.

Lu Changsheng’s interest in the Sun-Moon Twin-Wing Butterfly was primarily because he wanted to help his son, Lu Qingxian, awaken the Taiyi Soul Body.

After all, with his current means, these dual Divine Abilities wouldn’t have much impact on him.

But if his son could master both a powerful offensive and defensive divine ability during Foundation Establishment, he would be nearly unbeatable.

“With my current means, it might be difficult to take down this Sun-Moon Twin-Wing Butterfly right now. I can keep it in mind as an option for later.”

Lu Changsheng wasn’t in a hurry about his son’s Blood Soul Divine Light.

After all, awakening the Taiyi Soul Body is a dangerous process, best tackled after reaching Foundation Establishment.

Right now, his son was still young and had plenty of time.

“Since that’s the case, I’ll start with the Golden-Eyed Fire Ape!”

After careful consideration, Lu Changsheng sat down cross-legged. He planned to launch an attack on the Golden-Eyed Fire Ape once his state was fully recovered.

Even though the Golden-Eyed Fire Ape was a mid-stage Third-Tier demon king, Lu Changsheng was confident he could kill it.

If it turned out to be too difficult, he’d simply retreat.

A month and a half later.

Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, the Divine Ape Ridge.

This was the territory of the Third-Tier demon king, the Golden-Eyed Fire Ape.

“Be careful,” Lu Changsheng, clad in the Void Robes, with an invisible sheen of protective light flowing around him, released the Thousand-Faced Fox Puppet. He sent it to lure out the Golden-Eyed Fire Ape so that he could strike at the right moment.

“Yes, master,” the Thousand-Faced Fox Puppet replied.

Then, with a ‘whoosh,’ it soared into the sky, releasing the spirit pressure of a Third-Tier demon king and launching random attacks in all directions.

“Roar!”

Not long after, a thunderous roar resounded.

A massive ape, several zhang tall, with crimson-gold fur, fierce fangs, and a powerful aura, appeared.

Its crimson-gold fur billowed in the wind, making it appear menacing. Its blazing golden eyes shone like two small suns, emitting searing, intimidating beams of fire.

“Swoosh—!”

The Thousand-Faced Fox Puppet dodged the two flaming beams, letting them hit a distant mountain peak, where they exploded and ignited roaring flames.

“You’re not a demon! Who are you? Why challenge me?” the Golden-Eyed Fire Ape roared, its blood pumping fiercely as a layer of blazing red fire ignited on its crimson-gold fur, making it seem ferocious.

“It saw through it so quickly?”

Lu Changsheng was surprised. He hadn’t expected the Golden-Eyed Fire Ape to recognize so swiftly that the Thousand-Faced Fox Puppet wasn’t a demon.

Back when he first encountered it, even with all his knowledge, he couldn’t immediately identify the Thousand-Faced Fox as a puppet.

However, without hesitation, he fully unleashed the power of the Nine Treasures Dao Bone.

After all, the Thousand-Faced Fox Puppet wasn’t suited for direct combat.

If it were injured by the Golden-Eyed Fire Ape, this trip would be a major loss for him.

“Boom, boom, boom!”

The Nine Treasures Dao Bone on his chest burst forth with dazzling divine light, making Lu Changsheng’s physical body, spiritual power, and Divine Sense erupt like a volcano. His cultivation jumped from the first to the fifth layer of Golden Core.

“Yin-Yang Dual Qi Seizes All!”

A stream of intricate Yin-Yang Qi surged out from Lu Changsheng’s crown, instantly transforming into a vast, hundred-zhang long hand, rolling forward to suppress the Golden-Eyed Fire Ape.

“Damn human!”

The Golden-Eyed Fire Ape’s eyes locked onto Lu Changsheng, its roar rumbling like thunder, stirring the blood within anyone who heard it.

Its massive body swelled up, becoming like a flaming mountain, attempting to tear apart the vast Yin-Yang hand covering the sky.

“Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh—!”

Simultaneously, nine Third-Tier Talismans transformed into golden light beams, sealing off the Golden-Eyed Fire Ape’s surroundings.

“Nine-Colored Calamity Light!”

Lu Changsheng had no intention of subduing the Golden-Eyed Fire Ape as easily as he had with Fenglei Hou. Instead, he wanted a quick and decisive battle.

“Boom!”

From Lu Changsheng’s chest, a radiant sun rose, forming a dazzling Nine-Colored Divine Light.

The divine light was vast and sacred, composed of countless tadpole-like talisman symbols. It emanated an aura of obliteration, circulating around Lu Changsheng, making him resemble a deity.

“Roar!!!”

As a demon beast with keen instincts, the Golden-Eyed Fire Ape sensed a deadly threat emanating from Lu Changsheng, sending shivers down its spine.

Its blazing golden eyes erupted with fiery red light, trying to break free from the Yin-Yang hand and avoid the oncoming attack.

However, in addition to the Yin-Yang hand, there were nine Third-Tier suppressing talisman barriers, and the Thousand-Faced Fox Puppet.

The Thousand-Faced Fox Puppet’s bewitching eyes shimmered, constantly disturbing the Golden-Eyed Fire Ape’s mind.

Its snowy-white fox tail coiled up, growing to several zhang, emanating a powerful aura as it rushed toward the Golden-Eyed Fire Ape.

Its primary methods were enchantments and illusions, but it didn’t lack combat power.

At that moment, Lu Changsheng stepped toward the Golden-Eyed Fire Ape, expressionless like a true immortal descending to the mortal world.

The blazing Nine-Colored Calamity Light on his chest shone brightly, obliterating everything in its path, turning the area around the Golden-Eyed Fire Ape into dust.

“Boom, boom, boom!”

In an instant, the Golden-Eyed Fire Ape’s crimson-gold fur, blazing with red flames, began disintegrating under the Nine-Colored Calamity Light, charring to black, as its flesh cracked open, seeping out pale gold blood.

Endless Calamity Light surged, densely packed with talisman symbols, as if the grand sound of the Dao echoed through it, drowning out the Golden-Eyed Fire Ape’s roar.

Its wails caused countless demon beasts in the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range to shudder in fear, crawling and howling, uncertain as to why this demon king was making such noise.

“What’s going on!?”

“It sounds like the roar of the Golden-Eyed Fire Ape King! Is someone fighting it?”

Some cultivators hunting demon beasts in the mountain range couldn’t help but look toward the source of the commotion.

All they saw was the towering figure of the Golden-Eyed Fire Ape being submerged by a dazzling Nine-Colored Divine Light, howling in pain.

In an instant, everyone felt their hearts tremble, shaking uncontrollably.

The presence was too terrifying, too overwhelming, making all of heaven and earth seem to quiver.

Even from a great distance, they felt an indescribable sense of dread.

Cultivators within closer proximity, even those in Foundation Establishment, dared not look directly at the divine light, feeling their eyes burn and sting.

The process didn’t last long.

In just half a quarter of an hour, the Golden-Eyed Fire Ape let out a final wail, its breath weak, and its massive body gradually shrank.

The sky darkened as the clearly marked Yin-Yang hand struck, pulling the Golden-Eyed Fire Ape, still engulfed in the Nine-Colored Calamity Light, out of the chaos.

“Let’s go!”

Lu Changsheng, slightly pale, grasped the small sphere of flowing Yin-Yang Dual Qi and quickly entered the Golden-Eyed Fire Ape’s cave with the Thousand-Faced Fox Puppet, quickly sweeping through it before leaving, without bothering to take the spiritual vein core inside.

It’s not that he didn’t want the spiritual vein core.

But his current condition was overstrained, and his body was in an overloaded state.

If another demon king or person arrived after the battle, it would be extremely troublesome and he’d be cornered in the cave.

So, he opted for a quick sweep and left, planning to return after recovering his condition to dig deeper.

“The Golden-Eyed Fire Ape King was subdued?”

“So quickly?”

“Was this person a Nascent Soul True Lord?”

“No, it shouldn’t be a Nascent Soul, but a powerful Golden Core cultivator!”

“I think I saw two figures; it should be two Golden Core masters!”

Many cultivators watching the now-quiet Divine Ape Ridge were deeply shocked, trembling uncontrollably.

Such power, such methods were truly astonishing.

They couldn’t believe that in such a short time, a Third-Tier demon king had been handled!

It’s well known these demon kings are generally stronger than cultivators of the same rank.

“We should leave quickly. If this person continues hunting demon kings in the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, he could anger the demon kings, sparking a beast tide!”

Some, upon seeing this scene, immediately gave up hunting demon beasts and prepared to leave the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range.

If a mad demon kings’ revenge was triggered, there would be no escape.

Unaware of the stir he had caused, Lu Changsheng continued.

He had never been to the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range before and only had a general understanding of the area, lacking specific details.

After a while, Lu Changsheng, accompanied by the Thousand-Faced Fox Puppet, hunted a Second-Tier great demon, claiming its dwelling and setting up a small Five Elements Reversal formation. He then took a pre-prepared set of pills.

“Boom, boom, boom!”

Lu Changsheng’s muscles and bones crackled loudly as his spiritual power receded like a tide. His face was pale, his breath weakened.

Under normal circumstances, the Nine Treasures Dao Bone enhancement wouldn’t be too burdensome for him.

However, using it at full capacity while unleashing the Nine-Colored Calamity Light had pushed even his Third-Tier tempered body to its limits.

Were it not for the Heavenly Yuan Treasure Lotus acting as a second dantian, his spiritual power would have been nearly drained.

“If I wasn’t fighting with all my strength, this is close to my combat limit.”

Lu Changsheng exhaled deeply, holding two High-Tier Spirit Stones as he sat cross-legged.