Chapter 461: Yun Wanshang: Qingyi, You Have Fallen for Him!

“Qingyi greets Master!”

Chu Qingyi approached the Hall of Colorful Clouds and bowed respectfully.

Moments later, the grand doors of the palace swung open with a loud boom.

A noble woman, with a graceful presence and wearing a magnificent colorful robe, emerged.

“Qingyi, you have returned.”

Yun Wanshang saw Chu Qingyi standing before her and a gentle smile appeared on her dignified face.

Just by observing her disciple’s energy and spirit, she could tell the trip had yielded significant gains.

But in the next moment, her brows knitted slightly.

From Chu Qingyi’s body, she sensed a faint but familiar aura.

This aura closely resembled the one Lu Changsheng had back then—an aura of Yin-Yang Dual Qi and magical power.

“This…”

Yun Wanshang’s heart sank slightly, and a sense of foreboding spread within her.

She knew her greatest fear had come true.

“Master, I’m sorry to have worried you these past days.”

Chu Qingyi spoke up.

“Come inside first. Earlier, when I saw your Soul Lamp flicker, I asked True Lord Xuanjian to divine your situation. He said your fate was intertwined with both calamity and fortune. Observing you now, it seems you’ve had quite a fortunate encounter.”

Yun Wanshang took a deep breath, calming her emotions, and spoke in a gentle voice.

Hearing this, Chu Qingyi’s heart fluttered.

It was more than just a small fortune.

Originally, she had dissolved her half-step Golden Core, only to form a rare Second-Tier Golden Core.

Just half a step away from advancing to the First-Tier Immortal Golden Core!

She had even obtained a top-tier Sword Dao inheritance—the ‘Seven Luminaries Great Freedom Sword Manual.’

Thinking of these things, Chu Qingyi’s mind became a tangled mess, and Lu Changsheng’s image surfaced in her thoughts.

She steadied her mind as she entered the Great Hall and spoke softly, “Master, during the secret realm, I used a secret technique and divine ability, but was gravely injured, which caused my True Core to be damaged.”

“However, by a stroke of luck, I dissolved and re-formed my True Core into a Second-Tier Golden Core.”

Chu Qingyi explained.

She had been raised by Yun Wanshang from childhood and couldn’t bring herself to lie.

Moreover, condensing a High-Tier Golden Core is something her master would likely notice sooner or later.

“Condensing a Second-Tier Golden Core!?”

Yun Wanshang’s expression showed surprise.

For a True Core to shatter, dissolve, and then re-condense into a Second-Tier Golden Core is nothing short of astonishing.

And all of this had happened to her disciple.

Especially since her disciple had only been at the half-step Golden Core state, making such a transformation nearly impossible.

Achieving this while severely injured was practically a death sentence.

Yet her disciple not only succeeded in dissolving and re-forming her core but even advanced to a Second-Tier Golden Core!

“No wonder True Lord Xuanjian predicted great fortune after severe calamity.”

Yun Wanshang exhaled deeply, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

Though this was something to celebrate.

That familiar aura she sensed from her disciple made her uneasy.

Because the more serious this was, the stronger her sense of foreboding became.

“I heard that you were saved by a Golden Core swordsman?”

Yun Wanshang’s bright eyes were clear and gentle, yet occasionally sharp as a sword, as if they could pierce into one’s heart.

Though her disciple was exceptionally talented with a clear Sword Heart, she never hid anything from her.

Thus, she could clearly see the anxiety beneath Chu Qingyi’s calm expression.

“Yes.”

Chu Qingyi nodded, saying, “It was he who saved me, allowing me to condense my Second-Tier Golden Core.”

Although Lu Changsheng had said she could share their encounter with her master.

She felt it was too shocking and chose to keep it a secret.

“Sigh.”

Yun Wanshang sighed inwardly, shaking her head slightly.

Her disciple had matured, even starting to keep secrets from her.

She picked up a teapot and poured a cup.

With a finger flick, the cup landed steadily in front of Chu Qingyi. Then she poured herself a cup and spoke softly, “Yier, your heart is disturbed.”

“Having such a fortuitous encounter is indeed a cause for joy. As your master, I’m pleased, but you’re clearly troubled by something.”

Yun Wanshang looked at her disciple and said calmly.

Though she had a rough idea about the situation between the two.

She still wanted to ask, perhaps hoping to find a way to resolve it.

“Master…”

Chu Qingyi’s body trembled as her heart was revealed, biting her lip, unsure of how to explain her experience.

Seeing her disciple’s reaction, Yun Wanshang felt a surge of anger.

After all, Chu Qingyi was born with a Sword Heart.

From the beginning of her cultivation, her dedication to the Sword Dao far surpassed any pursuit of external matters, never disturbed by worldly possessions or emotions.

This clear pursuit allowed Chu Qingyi to progress smoothly in her cultivation, breaking through to the Golden Core at such a young age.

But now, her disciple was clearly troubled by external matters, and her Sword Heart had become clouded.

Thinking of how her disciple Xiao Xiyue had already been led astray by Lu Changsheng, losing her Dao Heart.

And now, another disciple she’d raised was being influenced by the same person. This clouding of her Sword Heart ignited a furious rage within Yun Wanshang, making her want to strike him down.

“This swordsman—could it be Lu Changsheng!?”

Yun Wanshang’s expression became stern and noble, her voice cold.

“Master, how did you know?”

Chu Qingyi was stunned, puzzled.

She hadn’t expected her master to know the swordsman was Lu Changsheng.

How could this be?

Had her master already known who he was, which was why Lu Changsheng said she could tell her master?

“So it really is him!”

Yun Wanshang’s expression turned solemn.

Though she had guessed, getting confirmation still shocked her.

After all, fifty years ago, this little thief was only at the Fourth Level of Qi Refining.

Now, fifty years later, he’s broken through to the Golden Core!

This growth rate was simply astounding!

Forget about him being a rogue cultivator.

Even looking across the entire Azure Cloud Sect, or the entire Jiang Kingdom’s cultivation world, this was unprecedented! It shattered a millennium-old record in the Jiang Kingdom!

“Has that thief returned!?”

Yun Wanshang asked coldly, wanting to march to Bihu Mountain and give Lu Changsheng a couple of sword strikes to vent her anger.

For the past few months, she had been concerned about her disciple Chu Qingyi and her situation with him.

Now that her disciple had returned.

But her worst fears had also come true!

“He should be returning around now?”

Chu Qingyi answered uncertainly.

But when she saw her master’s expression darken, she quickly added, “Master, it’s all thanks to Lu Changsheng. Without him, I might never have been able to see you again.”

Hearing her disciple speak up for him, Yun Wanshang became even more annoyed, nearly crushing the teacup in her hand.

However, she was not one to act irrationally. She suppressed her anger and asked, “Tell me the whole story between you two.”

“Yes, Master.”

Chu Qingyi pursed her lips and began to recount her experiences in the secret realm—being saved by Lu Changsheng, entering the Heavenly Yuan Imperial Lotus, and meeting True Lord Tianyuan.

“Bang—”

When Yun Wanshang heard about the ‘Sun and Moon Reincarnation Sutra’ being used for healing, the teacup in her hand shattered with a loud ‘bang’ as it was crushed into powder.

An overwhelming aura, as deep and heavy as a mountain, filled the Great Hall, making the air itself seem to freeze.

“Master, this wasn’t Lu Changsheng’s fault.”

Seeing this, Chu Qingyi knew her master was furious and hurried to explain.

“I know that!”

Yun Wanshang’s expression turned cold as she looked at her disciple, her heart in turmoil.

At that moment, she was at a loss for words.

She had hoped the entanglement between the two was shallow.

But it seemed they knew each other’s innermost secrets, deeply intertwined!

However, hearing the full story, though she was angry, she also felt a bit relieved.

Relieved that she had allowed Lu Changsheng to enter the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm, giving Chu Qingyi this opportunity.

Otherwise, with the upheaval in the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm, even if Chu Qingyi had survived, her Golden Core might have shattered, ending her pursuit of the Dao.

But thinking how this thief had not only led her disciple Xiao Xiyue astray but now also affected Chu Qingyi, she was infuriated and wanted to take it out on him.

Calculating it all, the three of them had been affected by this thief.

Wait, no—she had been in control the whole time—how could she have been affected by this little thief!

“Then Lu Changsheng used the ‘Sun and Moon Reincarnation Sutra’ and another secret technique to heal me, restoring my meridians and forming my Golden Core using True Lord Tianyuan’s Nascent Source and precious medicines.”

Chu Qingyi finished explaining, now that her master had calmed down.

She didn’t mention the final journey to the Immortal City of Da Mengze.

She only said that after breaking through to the Golden Core and stabilizing her realm, she rushed back.

“This little thief’s luck is unmatched. The Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm had such drastic changes that even a Nascent Soul True Lord nearly fell, but the greatest opportunity landed in his hands!”

Yun Wanshang took a deep breath, calming her emotions, her expression grave.

When the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm was opened, they thought it was mostly cleared out, leaving just the Heavenly Stele.

They hadn’t touched the stele before because it was supporting the secret realm.

And they planned to study it after the inheritance was exhausted.

No one expected that beneath the Heavenly Stele lay True Lord Tianyuan’s body and his Heavenly Yuan Imperial Lotus!

True Lord Tianyuan had roamed the Southern Wilderness in his day, largely thanks to that lotus, which was a top-tier treasure!

Moreover, it also housed Tianyuan’s inheritance!

Hearing that Lu Changsheng had asked True Lord Tianyuan to save Chu Qingyi, using up his Nascent Source and precious medicines to restore her Golden Core, Yun Wanshang sighed.

She finally understood why her disciple was acting this way.

After all, Chu Qingyi was still human and not just a sword; she had emotions and desires!

After experiencing such an ordeal, how could she not be touched? How could she remain as detached and untouched as before?

Having raised Chu Qingyi herself, she knew her disciple was still holding something back.

It didn’t take a genius to figure out that this little thief had used flowery words to deceive her disciple!

Thinking about this, flames of anger surged in Yun Wanshang’s heart.

He deceived her in the past, then deceived her disciple Xiao Xiyue, and now deceived Chu Qingyi!

Did he think her lineage was easy to bully!?

“Yier, have you fallen for him?”

Yun Wanshang took a deep breath and asked.

To be truthful, she didn’t know how to handle this situation.

She could offer guidance in cultivation.

But in matters of the heart, what could she offer? She was trapped in it herself.

So she wanted to nip this in the bud if it was just budding.

Otherwise, all three of her disciples…

Yun Wanshang felt a surge of anger. Why didn’t she strike that thief down with a sword when she had the chance?

“Master, I don’t know.”

Chu Qingyi shook her head, replying.

This question had crossed her mind many times on the way back, but she didn’t have an answer.

“Your heart is troubled. When you find peace, the answer will come naturally.”

Yun Wanshang sighed, “If you find no peace now, go to the Jin Kingdom.”

“I’ve heard that the Supreme Elder of Yin Ghost Sect is preparing to ascend to Nascent Soul Stage. Go investigate and see if there are any movements from the Five Poison Sect or the Heaven Corpse Sect as well. Use this as a way to temper your Sword Heart.”

“When your heart is as calm as still water, you will have your answer.”

Yun Wanshang advised gently.

Given how well she knew Lu Changsheng, she was sure he would come back to entangle with Chu Qingyi.

Yet, seeing the situation between the two, she didn’t know how to intervene.

Since both had already reached the Golden Core stage, they weren’t children anymore.

If they truly had feelings for each other, as a master, she couldn’t break them apart.

So she thought to give her disciple something to focus on.

On one hand, it would prevent meeting Lu Changsheng.

On the other hand, keeping busy would keep her mind occupied, free from emotions.

If these feelings were just a small spark, they could help extinguish them over time.

“Yes, Master.”

Chu Qingyi replied, pressing her lips together.

But after speaking, she added, “Master, could you help cover up Lu Changsheng’s situation?”

“Also, I owe him a great debt. If he encounters trouble during my trip to the Jin Kingdom, I hope Master can assist him on my behalf.”

She knew Lu Changsheng’s situation was too shocking.

If word gets out, many would covet his secrets, just like the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm.

Even if Lu Changsheng feared nothing, he still had his family to consider.

“Aside from looking handsome, what else does he have that makes you speak up for him?”

Yun Wanshang was displeased by this and said.

Her foolish disciple had been led astray. Now she was about to leave, yet she didn’t care about her master or inquire about the sect and secret realms, but was concerned about that little thief.

And with how thick-skinned that man was, if he got into trouble, he would probably run straight to the Azure Cloud Sect.

…”

Chu Qingyi paused, her expression turning strangely.

She felt her master held a strong grudge against Lu Changsheng.

Her master had given the ‘Sun and Moon Reincarnation Sutra’ to both him and her sister disciple, and had even agreed to their relationship. Shouldn’t she favor him?

But considering his relationship with her sister disciple, she sighed inwardly and said quietly, “He did save my life, after all. I can’t repay such a debt with ingratitude.”

“If he gets into trouble because of me, I’d feel guilty.”

Chu Qingyi explained.

“Enough, I get it. You don’t need to worry about this. I’ll handle it.”

Yun Wanshang said, feeling horribly vexed.

She was getting tired of hearing the name Lu Changsheng.

Especially when something like this had come up. How would she explain it to Xiao Xiyue?

“Thank you, Master.”

Chu Qingyi noticed her master’s frustration and moved closer to massage her shoulder, speaking softly.

“Later, you should meet with Senior Brother Sect Leader. When it comes to the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm and the High-Tier Golden Core, don’t explain too much, just say you got lucky.”

Yun Wanshang’s expression softened slightly and she advised, “As for Lu Changsheng, just say he’s an old friend from your past experiences outside, and don’t elaborate.”

As a Golden Core cultivator of the Azure Cloud Sect, they didn’t have to account for everything.

Although expressing that she had a High-Tier Golden Core could earn her more resources.

It wasn’t something to announce immediately.

It could attract unnecessary trouble, like being noticed by hostile cultivators.

“Understood.”

After chatting for a bit, Yun Wanshang sent Chu Qingyi off to rest.

She then remained standing alone for a long while in the empty Grand Hall. She let out a deep sigh and sent a voice transmission to Xiao Xiyue, “Xiyue, come see me.”

“He finally returned.”

Lu Changsheng, dressed in a black robe, his body radiating a subtle aura, looked at the familiar Bihu Mountain below and smiled softly.

He didn’t return openly.

Instead, he quietly entered Bihu Mountain.

After all, Chu Qingyi should be returning around this time as well.

If they arrived together, it might draw unwanted attention.

It was better to check in on the situation at home first.

“Hmm!? Is this… Husband has returned!”

At Biyun Peak, in the Lu Family Mansion, Ling Zixiao felt a stir in her heart.

Moments later, she heard Lu Changsheng’s voice transmission.

“The Sumeru spiritual vein has finally advanced to the Third Rank!?”

As soon as Lu Changsheng entered Sumeru Cave Heaven, he sensed a surge of pure, potent spiritual energy.

The small world had expanded from just one or two miles to about five miles in circumference.

“Changsheng, you’re back.”

At Hall of Everlasting Life, Lu Miaoyun, dressed in a plainwhite dress with a temperament as calm as water, walked out, looking at Lu Changsheng with joy.

Even though they knew Lu Changsheng was fine, seeing that he had been away for so long still worried them.

“Miaoge-jie, I made you all worry.”

Lu Changsheng immediately stepped forward and embraced his wife, holding her close, inhaling her fragrant scent, and spoke softly.

“Older Brother!”

At the same time, Bai Ling, with a rounded belly, and Bing’er also came out of Hall of Everlasting Life, calling out joyfully and rushing toward Lu Changsheng.

“Ling’er, Bing’er.”

Lu Changsheng embraced the two women.

It had been almost a year since Bai Ling became pregnant.

However, she didn’t show any signs of delivering.

Lu Changsheng didn’t worry about it.

After all, the longer the pregnancy, the stronger the child’s talent.

Given that both parents had taken the ‘Yin-Yang Spirit Integration Pill,’ it would be a problem if the pregnancy didn’t last two or three years.

Soon, Ling Zixiao, Lu Miaoyun, and Qu Zhenzhen alo arrived at Sumeru Cave Heaven, all looking at Lu Changsheng with happiness.

“Husband, why didn’t you bring another sister home this time?”

Ling Zixiao looked around Lu Changsheng and asked curiously.

“?”

Lu Changsheng immediately held her delicate hand, speaking with a serious expression, “What do you take me for? I just got delayed, that’s why I’m only coming back now.”

“Really? I heard from Daoist Friend Xiao that a Golden Core swordsman rescued Fairy Qingyi at the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm. I thought Husband had been busy healing Fairy Qingyi all this time.”

Ling Zixiao, dressed in a lake-blue gown with her jet-black hair arranged in a bun, said with a smile, her tone teasing.

“Hehe.”

Lu Miaoyun and Qu Zhenzhen covred their mouths, smiling at this.

Lu Miaohuan looked at her husband disdainfully. Every time he left, he couldn’t help but flirt with other women.

“Ahem.”

Lu Changsheng didn’t argue back. He cleared his throat lightly and said, “Fairy Qingyi is Xia Zhiyue’s junior sister. How could I just stand by and watch?”

After saying this, he immediately changed the subject, “Zixiao, has anything happened at home during this time?”

“After the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm ended, there were rumors that you had fallen in the secret realm. Wangshu and Ping’an went to Jinlong Ridge to assert dominance and intimidate others.”

“The Sima Family tried to provoke and test us, so Wangshu and Lingxiao went to the Misty Rain Market, where they suppressed one of the Sima Family elders.”

“The caravan has encountered some problems, but by slowing progress and relying on the family’s puppets, the situation is relatively stable.”

“As for the compensation we received from the Sima Family, Crane Ming Mountain, we currently lack the resources to manage it. Other forces are also hesitant to help, so we’ve just let it be for now.”

They sat down in a nearby pavilion, and Lu Miaoyun spoke, recounting te family affairs during his time away.

“Not bad, Wangshu has really grown up.”

Lu Changsheng listened as his household matters were resolved systematically by his children and was very pleased.

Especially his daughter, who usually played around and acted lazy, had been the most diligent and active during this time. As a father, Lu Changsheng was highly gratified.

In his memory, this daughter was still a little girl who would cling to him and act cute.

But unknowingly, she had grown up to be capable of handling things on her own.

“Two months ago, Yunlou returned, having successfully broken through to the Foundation Establishment. Xingyue failed to establish her foundation, but fortunately, after taking the Foundation Establishment Pill, her foundation wasn’t damaged.”

“Hong Xuanji tried to break through to Foundation Establishment a month ago but failed. He may take two to three years to recover.”

Lu Miaoyun continued.

“I see.”

Lu Changsheng nodded slightly. He was aware of his son Lu Yunlou’s successful breakthrough.

But he hadn’t known that his daughter Lu Xingyue had failed.

It wasn’t too surprising.

Lu Xingyue only had a Sixth-Tier Spirit Root. Even cultivating the ‘King of Medicine Manual’ was challenging for her, and her nature was only average.

Hong Xuanji was similar; despite his decent nature, he only had a Seventh-Tier Spirit Root.

However, his son Lu Yunlou had a Sixth-Tier Spirit Root and managed to break through to the Foundation Establishment on his first try, which showed promise.

“For Xingyue, let her rest well, and I’ll check on her when I return.”

After some thought, Lu Changsheng said.

His daughter had an aptitude for Spirit Plant Cultivation and had already advanced to the second rank. As Xia Zhiyue’s daughter, Lu Changsheng wanted to give her another chance.

“Understood.”

Lu Miaoyun nodded in agreement

They also favored giving Lu Xingyue another chance.

“Now that the Sumeru spiritual vein has advanced to the Third Rank, Yun’r, later, organize the family’s affairs.”

Lu Changsheng continued, instructing Lu Miaoyun to arrange for the oncubines at the Ninth Level of Qi Refining to undergo Foundation Establishment.

At this stage, directly establishing Foundation Establishment through marriage was challenging.

Besides, most of those seeking marriage were driven by profit and couldn’t be trusted immediately; precaution was necessary.

It was better to nurture the concubines who had remained loyal over the years and possessed the talent for Foundation Establishment within the family.

With the Sumeru Cave Heaven’s spiritual vein advancing to the Third Rank, the family could support more Foundation Establishment cultivators without worrying about a lack of spiritual energy.

“Understood, Husband.”

Lu Miaoyun had long known her usband had such plans in mind.

But since the family’s spiritual vein couldn’t support so many Foundation Establishment cultivators, the plan had been delayed.

Lu Changsheng chatted with his wives for a while, and upon learning that there were no major issues at home, he took them all into the Hall of Everlasting Life.

“Damn dog of a man! Damnable dog man!”

In the Wuxiang Domain, Nangong Mili cursed endlessly after seeing the outside situation through the ‘Psychic Gu Insect.’

She simply couldn’t figure out how this dog of a man had broken through to the Golden Core.

Before, when she was trapped in the Wuxiang Domain, she saw what had happened between Lu Changsheng and Chu Qingyi.

After Chu Qingyi left, he kept coming back to torment her.

And now again, he was doing the same after she checked the outside world.

“Are you an animal!?”

Nangong Mili really wanted to ask this.

At this moment, she understood how Lu Changsheng had managed to have so many children.

If he kept at it, how could he not have many offspring?

“Does this dog man have the same idea about me…?”

Nangong Mili suddenly felt fear, chills running down her spine.

Though, with her cultivation level, she could completely expel or suppress him.

But who knew what tricks this man had up his sleeve.