Chapter 490: Lu Changsheng: Give Me An Explanation!
by xennovel“Sizzle—”
In the sky, a blood-red streak of light shot forward, rolling onward, brimming with ominous energy.
A brilliant golden light repeatedly struck the blood-colored streak, causing endless blood to rain down from the sky, corroding the earth.
“Dammit!”
Ghost Bat looked pale, his blood-red robes were torn.
Since breaking through to Golden Core Formation, it had been many years since he’d suffered such severe injuries, or been humiliated in such a miserable way.
Not only had he used his calamity substitution technique today, but he also had to burn his essence blood.
Even though his blood path technique made recovery easier compared to other cultivators, it would still take him years to fully recover.
“Pfft—”
Golden claws shot out, tearing through the heavens, imprisoning space, almost ripping Ghost Bat apart, with crimson blood splattering.
“Hurry! Hurry!”
Ghost Bat looked toward Yin Ghost Sect ahead, never before feeling such a short distance as this one so distant.
“Wooo—”
Just then, Ghost Bat suddenly heard the wailing of ten thousand ghosts. His cold eyes turned joyous, “Sect Master!”
A tall, stern man with deep-set eyes, an aquiline nose, and sharp eyes, dressed in black brocade, rode a blood-stained black ghost boat toward them.
“Great Elder!”
The Yin Ghost King was startled, his face full of shock.
He knew the strength of his sect’s Great Elder well.
Even he, as the sect master, would not be a match.
Yet now, the Great Elder of Yin Ghost Sect had been so miserably battered by a golden roc.
Furthermore, the Great Elder had just left the sect, hadn’t he?
How could he have ended up in such a sorry state in such a short time?
“Yin Ghost Boat, suppress!”
The Yin Ghost King did not hesitate, his late Golden Core power surged. The black ghost boat under his feet roared like ten thousand ghosts, exerting its terrifying aura as it hurtled toward the Golden-Winged Roc.
This Yin Ghost Boat is a Top-Tier Magical Treasure!
Wherever it passed, the heavens collapsed and the earth crumbled. An endless stream of ghostly apparitions appeared, terrifying all who encountered them.
“Tianpeng’s Dragon-Snatching Technique!”
The Golden-Winged Roc summoned a roaring true dragon phantom above its head, radiating an unmatched ferocity.
It faced the ghost boat without fear, and its gleaming, metal-like claws struck out. The Roc and the True Dragon together seemed set to sever the heavens and the earth.
“Boom! Boom! Boom!”
Two terrifying forces clashed, causing massive waves to sweep through the sky.
From a distance, it looked like a titanic battle between a golden ocean and dark ghostly energy, crafting a scene set to destroy the world.
“Let’s go! Don’t get entangled with it!”
Ghost Bat hurried onto the Yin Ghost Boat, his face pale, and quickly urged the Yin Ghost King.
This Golden-Winged Roc is too fierce!
His innate Magical Treasure, the Netherworld Blood Pool, was already cracked.
Even though the Yin Ghost Boat was sturdier than the Netherworld Blood Pool, it couldn’t suppress the Golden-Winged Roc.
If the battle continued, even the Yin Ghost King might be gravely injured.
The Supreme Elder is currently in seclusion, preparing to break through to Nascent Soul.
If both of them were seriously injured, the entire Yin Ghost Sect would be left dangerously vulnerable, potentially affecting the Supreme Elder’s breakthrough.
“Go!”
Without needing further persuasion from Ghost Bat, the Yin Ghost King was already prepared to retreat.
Underfoot, the ghost boat trembled as blood marks ran across it, forming eerie, terrifying patterns as it sped towards Yin Ghost Sect.
However, there was no way the Golden-Winged Roc would let them leave so easily.
At this moment, not only was it Lu Changsheng’s order, but it also wanted to maintain its fierce aura, unwilling to stop until the two were pulverized and swallowed whole.
“Boom! Boom! Boom—”
Golden killing light continuously erupted, its power soaring to the heavens, relentlessly bombarding the Yin Ghost Boat. Each blow shattered the void and shook the heavens and earth.
If it were any ordinary Magical Treasure, it would’ve been torn to shreds by now.
“Great Elder, what is going on!?”
The Yin Ghost King poured his Golden Core energy into the Yin Ghost Boat, anxiously questioning his Great Elder.
He needed to understand how they had provoked such a supreme demon king.
“I don’t know either.”
Ghost Bat’s face was ashen, his blood-red robes dimmed and tattered, nearly destroyed.
He felt utterly helpless, unable to fathom how he had provoked someone like Lu Changsheng.
“I am the Yin Ghost Sect Master. I am not aware of how our Yin Ghost Sect has offended you!?”
Yin Ghost King shouted toward the Golden-Winged Roc.
While the Supreme Elder of the sect could be called upon to suppress this golden roc,
In these few moments of confrontation, he realized the Golden-Winged Roc was incredibly fast!
Even using the Yin Ghost Boat, there was no way to shake it off.
In this situation, unless the sect set up a trap to contain it, there was no chance to prevent its escape.
Otherwise, if it chose to run, there would be no way to stop it.
The Golden-Winged Roc remained silent.
It was only responsible for displaying its might. Negotiations were not its concern.
“Boom! Boom! Boom—”
Covered in brilliant golden light, blinding as a radiant sun, it continued to unleash its boundless ferocity, pounding the Yin Ghost Boat with deafening noise.
Moments later, the Golden-Winged Roc and the Yin Ghost Boat clashed before a dark, ghostly mountain range shrouded in mist.
This was the Yin Ghost Sect’s mountain gate.
“What’s going on!?”
“Who dares cause trouble at Yin Ghost Sect!?”
“What’s happening today? First, a Golden Core cultivator sneaked into the sect, causing the Ghost Concubine and the Ghost Shadow Elder to leave. And then after that, the Great Elder and Sect Master even left the sect?”
The Yin Ghost Sect cultivators immediately noticed the terrifying aura covering the sky.
Some of the patrolling Qi Refining cultivators felt their entire bodies grow heavy, trembling uncontrollably as their breath became labored.
At this level of combat, even from a distance, the mere release of power was an overwhelming pressure.
“Not good! That’s the Sect Master’s Yin Ghost Boat!”
A False Core Realman sitting at the mountain gate saw the Yin Ghost Boat, his heart filled with terror and disbelief.
He could never have imagined that their sect master could be beaten back to the gates.
This… this…!
It was absolutely horrifying, beyond comprehension!
“Activate the mountain-protecting formation immediately!”
The False Core Realman swiftly regained his composure and shouted.
He then took out a token and poured his energy madly into it.
“Boom! Boom! Boom—”
In an instant, the entire Yin Ghost Sect roared, endless ghostly energy surged, sealing off the entire sky.
Although the Yin Ghost Sect’s array was a Fourth-Tier Forbidden Grand Formation, due to its high energy consumption, it usually only operated at the third tier.
However, using the terrain to their advantage, its power was still far beyond that of a typical Third-Tier formation.
Now, with it running at full capacity, its power surged incredibly fast. Endless demonic clouds and ghostly fog appeared, ghosts and specters flickered under the sealed sky.
“Buzz!”
A Golden Core Realman took over the array’s control. Hand seals continuously formed in his hands, making a green-faced, fanged, mountain-sized ghost king appear amidst the endless ghost fog.
A Forbidden Grand Formation of this level required a Golden Core Realman or a Top-Tier third-level formation master to fully operate.
“Roar! Roar! Roar—”
The ghost king roared, unleashing a deafening sound that contained a terrifying aura, raising a chilling wind.
“Ah! My head hurts!”
“Cover your ears quickly!”
This roar did not harm the Golden-Winged Roc, but it left many of Yin Ghost Sect’s disciples pale-faced, clutching their ears, and even some bodies exploded.
This attack wasn’t meant for them, but the terrifying sonic wave was too overwhelming, some collateral damage was inevitable.
The ghost king’s blood-red eyes exuded endless brutality and dominance, like an infernal sea of blood from hell.
In his hand appeared a simple, dark hell spear, like a lord of the underworld, aiming to kill the Golden-Winged Roc.
“Buzz! Buzz! Buzz—”
The spear tore through space, forming terrifying vortices, creating a netherworld to suck other souls into it.
At that moment, the ghost generals and soldiers gathered like an army, forming a torrent of ghostly energy, pressing toward the Golden-Winged Roc.
“Tianpeng Dragon-Snatching Glyph Array!”
The Golden-Winged Roc’s body gleamed, it burned like a blazing sun. The Tianpeng Dragon-Snatching Glyph Array above it shone, releasing an unparalleled light.
Although it lacked a Golden Core domain, this divine ability, the Tianpeng Dragon-Snatching Glyph Array, suppressed all domains and phenomena!
“Clang!!!”
The golden claw entwined with a true dragon phantom clashed with the black hell spear, causing an ear-piercing metallic sound.
The true dragon roared!
Ghosts wailed and gods cried!
The void exploded with continuous thunder!
Golden dragon scales and black hell spears clashed fiercely, twisting and weaving, in an inextricable struggle.
Terrifying energy shockwaves ravaged heaven and earth, tearing space apart and shattering the earth below.
But as the struggle continued, the true dragon phantom on the Golden-Winged Roc’s claw gradually dimmed.
“Keek!”
The Golden-Winged Roc realized it couldn’t outlast this formation’s ghost king.
But its unwilling ferocity was triggered, burning with golden flames.
“What kind of bloodline beast is this? How is it so terrifying!?”
“It looks somewhat similar to a Golden-Winged Roc…”
“Could it be a bloodline atavism of the Golden-Winged Roc!?”
Many of the Yin Ghost Sect’s cultivators were shocked by this sight, dumbfounded.
Even the Yin Ghost King and Ghost Bat trembled with fear as they looked at this Golden-Winged Roc.
It was too terrifying!
You must know, this is a Fourth-Tier formation!
While this ghost king’s strength might not equal a Nascent Soul True Lord,
It was still comparable to the lower levels of the Nascent Soul realm, practically a pseudo-fourth tier power!
Yet this Golden-Winged Roc could face the ghost king head-on, it was simply terrifying!
“Fellow Daoist, I’m not sure how my Yin Ghost Sect offended you. Perhaps there is some misunderstanding?”
The Yin Ghost King suppressed his anger, speaking toward the Golden-Winged Roc.
Although being attacked at their gates was highly humiliating.
He knew that keeping this Golden-Winged Roc would not be easy unless they dared to fight to the death.
The Golden-Winged Roc still remained silent, its fierce aura was overwhelming.
“This demon king is likely someone’s bonded beast. We may have to wait to understand the situation.”
The nearby Ghost Bat clutched his chest, his pale face said anxiously.
He sensed that his Ancient Blood Bat was rushing towards them, arriving soon.
“Bonded beast…”
The Yin Ghost King’s face turned even more solemn.
To be able to control such a bonded beast, his master’s strength had to be terrifying.
Earlier, he had noticed that the Great Elder’s Ancient Blood Bat was no longer with him and had sensed something was wrong.
In no time, an enormous black vortex funnel swirled across the sky, as if it would crush the heavens and everything below.
Closer inspection revealed a strong figure standing at the center of the vortex, with starlight flowing beneath.
“Golden Peng, return!”
Lu Changsheng shouted toward the Golden-Winged Roc, which was engaged with the Yin Ghost Sect’s formation.
His sharp spirit could sense the terror of the formation before him.
Its energy was boundless and vast!
Even with his Void Robes, disruption light, and dozens of Third-Tier barrier-breaking talismans, he wasn’t sure he could break this Fourth-Tier formation.
However, the Yin Ghost Sect was only using the formation power against the Golden-Winged Roc, not fully engaging or deploying their full strength, confirming his suspicions.
As long as he demonstrated enough power, the Yin Ghost Sect would be wary of a full confrontation.
Without absolute certainty that they could kill him, they wouldn’t risk a death match.
The Golden-Winged Roc reluctantly screeched, clashing one last time with the Netherworld Spear, causing another explosion, shattering the void and sending pulsating energy waves in all directions.
Then, it turned into a streak of golden light and returned to Lu Changsheng’s side, its ferocity unrivaled.
“Hiss!”
“Hiss!”
“Hiss!”
All the Yin Ghost Sect cultivators seeing this were stunned, their faces filled with disbelief.
This supreme demon king was actually someone’s mount!
What…what is this world coming to!
However, when they noticed the slowly rotating black vortex funnel above Lu Changsheng’s head, their hearts tightened.
They feared that if it weren’t for the sect’s protective formation, their bodies and souls would have been crushed to bits.
“Squeak! Squeak—”
Elsewhere, the Ancient Blood Bat fearfully avoided Lu Changsheng and the Golden-Winged Roc, flying towards Yin Ghost Sect.
Despite its speed being no less than Lu Changsheng’s,
It feared arriving first and being cornered by the Golden-Winged Roc and Lu Changsheng.
“Who are you?”
The Yin Ghost King stood on the ghost boat in his black brocade, filled with dignity, and spoke deeply.
“I am Yangming. Your sect’s Ghost Demon Realman, a Golden Core stage cultivator, shamelessly attacked my son, leaving his foundation half-ruined. I’m here to demand an explanation!”
Lu Changsheng, in his dark brocade robes, with the Wuxiang Treasure Wheel burning like a golden sun in his mind, stood tall on the Golden-Winged Roc, exuding a steady and imposing aura.
“What!?”
“Ghost Demon Realman?”
Both the Yin Ghost King and Ghost Bat were stunned, utterly confused.
They couldn’t believe this person was here because of Ghost Demon Realman.
You mean you did all this for Ghost Demon Realman!?
Ghost Bat felt utterly aggrieved.
He had just seen Lu Changsheng suppressing the Ghost Concubine and Ghost Shadow Realman, thinking Lu Changsheng was aligned with Chu Qingyi, intent on attacking the sect.
It turns out you’re here for Ghost Demon Realman!
“Buzz—”
Lu Changsheng gently raised his hand, and Chu Qingyi and Lu Quanzhen emerged from the Heavenly Yuan Imperial Lotus, appearing on the Golden-Winged Roc.
“Hmm!?”
Chu Qingyi and Lu Quanzhen were both surprised by the scene before them.
They hadn’t expected Lu Changsheng to have fought all the way to the gates of the Yin Ghost Sect.
This was a blatant provocation for any sect!
But seeing that the Yin Ghost Sect’s protective formation was fully activated, yet no one had attacked, they realized that something was off.
Lu Changsheng had just crossed swords with the Yin Ghost Sect. The fact that there was no further fighting indicated that negotiations were ongoing.
Chu Qingyi’s sharp eyes noticed Ghost Bat standing on the Yin Ghost Boat.
Seeing the Yin Ghost Sect’s Great Elder, pale-faced, his blood-red robes dim and tattered, her heart filled with doubt.
No doubt, she thought, this was Lu Changsheng’s handiwork.
Lu Changsheng had actually driven Ghost Bat to such a miserable state. No wonder the Yin Ghost Sect was willing to negotiate.
If they lacked confidence in dealing with Lu Changsheng, harboring enmity would indeed be a seed for future disaster.
“Hand over Ghost Demon Realman!”
Lu Changsheng spoke again, his cold voice resounding like thunder between heaven and earth.
“You’ve suppressed two of our Golden Core cultivators and now demand the handover of someone else. Isn’t that too tyrannical!?”
Ghost Bat’s voice was chilling.
Even though he was furious with Ghost Demon Realman, the latter was still his sect’s Golden Core cultivator.
If they capitulated to someone right at their doorstep and handed over Ghost Demon Realman, the Yin Ghost Sect would be a laughingstock.
In such a case, how could other disciples still be loyal? How could guest ministers and patrons be willing to join the sect?
“Tyrannical? Your Yin Ghost Sect shamelessly attacked my son, tried to kill my wife, and yet you call me tyrannical!?”
“Since you refuse to give me an explanation, don’t blame me for being unkind!”
Lu Changsheng sneered coldly. “From now on, if I see anyone from the Yin Ghost Sect, I’ll kill them on sight. I’ll destroy all your properties and annex every last one!”
When facing the Yin Ghost Sect, he indeed had no other means.
But if they had the guts to attack outside, they’d better not ever leave their sect.
“Why is he making things up again?”
Chu Qingyi’s face had been serious, but hearing Lu Changsheng’s words, her heart skipped a beat. She shot him a slightly annoyed look.
But upon seeing Lu Changsheng’s dark eyes, his calm demeanor as he single-handedly confronted the Yin Ghost Sect, she bit her lip and lowered her head.
She hadn’t known this side of him…
“What the hell…”
The Yin Ghost Sect cultivators looked sullen at these words. If Lu Changsheng didn’t care about appearances, then how could any of them dare to leave the sect?
“Fellow Daoist, aren’t you taking our Yin Ghost Sect a bit too lightly!?”
The Yin Ghost King’s face darkened, his late Golden Core energy surged.
The Golden Core Realman managing the sect’s protective formation noticed this and poured all his energy into the array, the sky rolling with demonic clouds, sealing the heavens.
The green-faced ghost king, holding the hell spear, snarled, watching Lu Changsheng with terrifying force.
“Boom!”
Yet Lu Changsheng remained unafraid. His vast power surged, the Yin-Yang Mixed Hole Great Millstone above him crushed the sky, tearing a hole through the demonic clouds, letting the light shine through.
“Since I dared to come to your Yin Ghost Sect, I have confidence in my abilities. Hand over Ghost Demon Realman!”
Lu Changsheng’s face remained calm, his voice cold.
The Yin Ghost King and Ghost Bat looked extremely displeased.
The Golden-Winged Roc alone was enough to make them helpless, requiring the protection of the sect’s formation!
And Lu Changsheng exuded a dangerous aura.
Knowing that he had come to their gates as a challenge, they understood he was no ordinary opponent.
In this situation, they would have to bring the Supreme Elder out of seclusion to be certain they could deal with Lu Changsheng.
But the Supreme Elder was in deep retreat.
Even if he emerged, it wasn’t certain he could suppress Lu Changsheng and the Golden-Winged Roc.
Moreover, Lu Changsheng held two of their Golden Core Realmen captive!
For any sect, Golden Core Realmen were invaluable, representing top combat power!
Losing two Golden Core Realmen would be a heavy blow to the Yin Ghost Sect, especially in such critical times.
“Call for Ghost Demon Realman!”
After a brief internal struggle, the Yin Ghost King ordered.
“Yes, Sect Master!”
A False Core Realman immediately responded and hurried to Ghost Demon Realman’s Cave Dwelling.
Moments later, Ghost Demon Realman appeared at the gate, his face pale, his power still somewhat unstable.
He had barely escaped an attack from Old Demon Zhentian, returning to the sect and was still recovering.
He had never imagined someone would come knocking, demanding an explanation.
His sect was one of the three great demon sects in Jin Kingdom! Who dared cause trouble!
“Hmm!?”
As he saw Lu Quanzhen on the Golden-Winged Roc, his eyes narrowed in shock. He never expected Lu Quanzhen to come seeking trouble.
“Ghost Demon Realman, they say you attacked his son and crippled his foundation. Is this true?”
The Yin Ghost King looked at Ghost Demon Realman seriously as he asked.
“Reporting to the Sect Master, this boy killed my son, so I acted against him.”
Ghost Demon Realman’s voice was hoarse as he bitingly replied.
“Yangming Daoist, your son caused this. How can you blame my sect!?”
The Yin Ghost King immediately responded, his voice chilling.
“Hmph! If this old dog hadn’t provoked my son first, would any of this have happened?”
“Moreover, I wouldn’t have interfered in their conflicts. He pursued my son, meriting death. Even when he sent more than a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators after my son, I said not a word!”
“But for a Golden Core cultivator to attack my son and cripple his foundation, is that not crossing the line?”
“Since you can’t follow the rules, don’t blame me for ignoring them!”
While speaking, the Yin-Yang Mixed Hole Great Millstone above Lu Changsheng’s head rumbled violently, stirring the heavens and tearing apart the sky, its momentum immense and terrifying.
“Keek!”
The Golden-Winged Roc seemed to sense his master’s anger, screeching towards the heavens. The Tianpeng Dragon-Snatching Glyph Array wove into countless golden feathers like a vast golden ocean, its aura overwhelming, its killing intent boundless.
Hearing these words, many Yin Ghost Sect disciples thought Ghost Demon Realman had gone too far.
Battles between juniors should be settled on their level.
If everyone used their seniority to bully the young, there was no point in raising future generations.
Moreover, for his son to survive against so many similarly leveled cultivators, he must be an outstanding talent.
For such a talent to have his foundation half-crippled, it was no wonder he was enraged.
At this moment, many Foundation Establishment disciples in the Yin Ghost Sect were worried and fearful.
They feared Lu Changsheng would ditch fairness and start hunting them down simply due to rank.
If that were the case, none of them would dare to leave the sect.
“Yangming Daoist, you can’t put it like this. Your son killed the son of our sect’s Ghost Demon Realman and several of our Yin Ghost Sect disciples. Doesn’t your side bear some responsibility?”
“While Ghost Demon Realman may have been wrong, but as a parent, you should understand the pain of losing a child. How about Ghost Demon Realman provides compensation and apologizes to your son? What do you say?”
The Yin Ghost King sought to defuse the situation, turning the focus onto the personal conflict between Lu Changsheng and Ghost Demon Realman.
This way, the sect’s reputation wouldn’t take too much of a hit afterward.
Ghost Demon Realman’s face darkened but he dared not say anything.
Under another roof, one had to lower their head.
Given the enormous trouble he had caused the sect, if this grudge weren’t settled, Lu Changsheng might still harbor a vendetta, leaving his future uncertain.
“Do you think I lack the means or the compensation?”
Lu Changsheng’s face remained indifferent.
“Of course, I believe you don’t need it, but it’s just a small compensation for your son’s suffering.”
“Naturally, if there are any other terms you wish to negotiate, you may speak up.”
The Yin Ghost King sensed that Lu Changsheng, despite his overwhelming momentum, must have a goal in coming here.
Moreover, he noticed that Lu Quanzhen’s aura was disordered, and his eyes were bloodshot, as if invaded by demonic energy, hinting that Lu Changsheng might seek their side’s assistance.