Chapter 537: Thirty Breakthroughs in the Ninth Level of Qi Refining, and a Challenge!

The Azure Cloud Sect’s announcement of the start of the clearing war shook its entire territory.

“Ten years of clearing war. As long as you register, you will receive techniques and pills. But how grand will this clearing project be!?”

Many rogue cultivators and small family forces were both fearful and excited, expecting great anticipation.

After all, looking back at the cultivation history of the Jiang Kingdom, every clearing war saw the rise of countless rogue cultivators.

Even now, some who earned merit in past clearing wars have secured spiritual lands and established families.

“If a man doesn’t strive now, when? A lifetime of being a rogue cultivator ends now. I’ll seize this opportunity for my descendants!”

“Why must we wait ten years?”

“Brothers fight a tiger together, father and son go to war. Chuan’er, I will go with you!”

“Perform well in the clearing war, and you might even be rewarded with spiritual land. No more wandering, no more instability!”

“As a failed descendant who lost my ancestral foundation, today I follow in my ancestors’ footsteps and aim to secure a future in the clearing war. Ancestors, please bless me!”

“Based on contributions in the clearing war, the treasure vault will be opened. Exceptional performers can even join the Azure Cloud Sect and exchange for Foundation Establishment Pills or Golden Core treasures!”

The news spread rapidly, and countless rogue cultivators and small family forces, full of zeal, headed to register under the Azure Cloud Sect.

Although the clearing war is full of bloodshed and danger.

To people like them, it is still a huge opportunity!

The larger family forces had already heard the rumors.

Seeing the issued clearing orders at home, they all sighed.

Clearing war requires a large number of cultivators to kill and expel demonic beasts, clear the ground veins, and establish formations.

Therefore, the first batch of cultivators faces the most hardship and danger.

Daily dangers abound, making stable cultivation nearly impossible.

If something unexpected happens, like a beast tide, poisonous stings, or a demon king’s attack, it could lead to massive casualties.

And these family forces, who received the clearing orders, are basically part of the first batch.

Old family forces even know that if they get too arrogant in peacetime, the Four Great Immortal Sects will take this chance to suppress them, assigning them perilous tasks in the clearing war.

But even knowing this, they can’t resist!

The clearing war has the absolute suppression and appeal of the Four Great Immortal Sects!

And it serves the grand cause of expanding the Jiang Kingdom’s territories, seizing spiritual veins, and strengthening the nation’s power. Who dares to resist!?

Soon, the clearing orders of the Heavenly Sword Sect, Azure Cloud Sect, Sunset Glow Sect, and Spirit Control Sect spread throughout the Jiang Kingdom.

At that moment, everyone realized that this clearing war was much larger than they had imagined.

It wasn’t just clearing their own territory; it was a nation-wide effort of the Jiang Kingdom’s cultivation world!

“It seems that this clearing war is related to True Sword!”

“Now, with two Nascent Soul True Lords in the Heavenly Sword Sect at their peak, naturally, they would clear territories and compete for spiritual vein resources!”

Everyone guessed that this clearing war was tied to the second Nascent Soul True Lord of the Heavenly Sword Sect.

But forces like the Beast Taming Xu Family, Five Elements Wang Family, Shangguan Family, Danxia Mountain, and Phantom Sound Gate are aware.

Not only is it related to True Sword, but it is also in preparation for the ongoing war with the Yue Kingdom!

War between the Yue Kingdom and Liang Kingdom is inevitable.

The Jiang Kingdom is certain to participate.

Thus, clearing toward the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range is also about seizing spiritual vein resources to strengthen the nation!

After the clearing war, the Jiang Kingdom’s cultivation world’s strength might increase rather than deplete, leading to rapid development!

Of course, some speculate that the Jiang Kingdom’s focus on the clearing war is also a way to show that they don’t want to engage in battles between other nations.

As everyone discussed the clearing war, another earth-shattering piece of news swept through the Jiang Kingdom’s cultivation world.

The Jiang Kingdom’s top rogue cultivator!

The Lord of Qingluan Immortal City!

Immortal Qingluan has broken through to the Nascent Soul stage and has returned in triumph to take charge of the Qingluan Immortal City!

Moreover, Qingluan Zhenren intends to expand Immortal City and recruit rogue cultivators for the clearing war!

“What, Immortal Qingluan has broken through to Nascent Soul!?”

“This, this is the first rogue cultivator breakthrough to Nascent Soul in our Jiang Kingdom’s cultivation world in a thousand years!”

“Not just a thousand years. Who knows when the last rogue cultivator Nascent Soul True Lord was.”

“Isn’t Immortal Qingluan over four hundred years old and on the brink of failure? How could she…?”

“Immortal Qingluan, no, Qingluan Zhenren, who rose from a rogue cultivator to this stage, is not someone we can easily guess!”

“When Qingluan Zhenren left years ago, Qingluan Immortal City was cleaned by the Jiang and Yue Kingdoms. Now that she’s back, why is there no movement?”

“Qingluan Immortal City used to be a holy land for rogue cultivators in the Jiang Kingdom, but after the lord left, it began to decline. Now that she has advanced to Nascent Soul and returned, it’s great news for us rogue cultivators!”

“Indeed! Instead of registering with the Four Great Immortal Sects for the clearing war, it’s better to head to Qingluan Immortal City!”

After centuries of laying low, Qingluan Zhenren’s reputation and evaluation among rogue cultivators in the Jiang Kingdom and even the Yue Kingdom are impressive.

Compared to the Immortal Sects, they are more accepting of Qingluan Zhenren as the top rogue cultivator!

Especially considering the stark contrast between Qingluan Immortal City under her early rule and the last decade!

In no time, countless rogue cultivators flocked toward Qingluan Immortal City to register for the clearing war!

Bihu Mountain.

Lu Miaoyun and Lu Miaoge were hocked when they heard about Qingluan Zhenren’s breakthrough.

They had long known Immortal Qingluan broke through to Nascent Soul and returned.

They didn’t expect her to show up now and take charge of Qingluan Immortal City.

“Could the quick decision to start the clearing war be related to Qingluan Zhenren?”

“It seems Qingluan Zhenren reached a certain agreement with the upper echelons of the Jiang and Yue Kingdoms.”

“In that purge years ago, Qingluan Zhenren’s direct lineage was merely ousted, not eradicated. It’s probably related to this.”

“For Qingluan Zhenren, now that she’s returned, she should first establish her position rather than directly oppose the upper echelons of the Jiang and Yue Kingdoms. Gaining benefits from past events is already enough.”

“Indeed, for this clearing war, Qingluan Immortal City openly recruiting rogue cultivators is like directly competing with the Four Great Immortal Sects for people. Obviously, this was allowed by the Heavenly Sword Sect.”

The Lu Family discussed the matter.

Since Lu Changsheng kept a close eye on the situation in Qingluan Immortal City, they knew that soon after Immortal Qingluan left, the city was purged.

All core interests and power were divided and controlled by forces from the Jiang and Yue Kingdoms.

Even Bai Feng Immortal who managed the city at the time was merely a puppet of the Purple Light Sect from Yue.

After Bai Feng Immortal died, the higher-ups of both nations might have been wary, so they didn’t appoint a new city lord. Instead, several families and trade associations took control together.

“If the early members of Qingluan Zhenren’s lineage return, they will likely be given important positions.”

At this point, Lu Miaoyun thought about Li Feyu, her husband’s friend, and spoke up.

Years ago, Li Feiyu helped Lu Changsheng purchase materials in Qingluan Immortal City and kept in touch via letters.

When Qingluan Immortal City was about to undergo changes, Li Feiyu even sent a letter warning them.

But after the great purge in Qingluan Immortal City, she never heard from Li Feiyu again or received any letters.

“If he was part of Qingluan Zhenren’s direct lineage, he would indeed be used well.”

“But since Immortal Qingluan started as a rogue cultivator and has always been alone, she probably doesn’t have many true confidants and trusted followers.”

Lu Miaoge said softly..

Though Qingluan Zhenren is renowned in the Jiang Kingdom, she has kept a low profile for the past century.

Years ago, during the beast tide, she battled three great demon kings alone, shocking the Jiang Kingdom!

In Lu Miaoge and others’ memoriee, the most frequent rumors about Qingluan Zhenren early on involved being seriously injured.

Qingluan Zhenren suffered grave injuries while entering a relic Cave Dwelling, venturing into a secret realm, or deep within the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range.

When faced with challenges, provocations, or crises, she would always boldly face them and fight back with force.

After chatting for a while, they instructed the family to closely monitor intelligence from various forces and the latest movements of Qingluan Immortal City.

Lu Changsheng, however, remained unaware of these outside events.

In recent days, he had been focusing entirely on Meng Xiaochan’s attempt to form a Golden Core in the Hall of Everlasting Life.

As time passed, Meng Xiaochan safely passed the three hurdles of Golden Core Formation and began condensing the elixir liquid.

By this point, Lu Changsheng could already see that Meng Xiaochan’s Golden Core Formation was almost certain!

As a true disciple of the Five Poison Sect and with her Thousand Silk Wan Du Body, Golden Core Formation was already highly probable!

Now, with the Condensing Crystal Pill and the Five Elements Spirit Fruit, failure was impossible.

What remains to be seen is the quality of the Golden Core; what grade it will be in the end!

“Sumeru.”

Lu Changsheng called out to Sumeru, signaling it to stabilize the energy of heaven and earth.

As for using the Yin-Yang Creation Sutra to help Meng Xiaochan refine the energy of heaven and earth, he didn’t intervene.

Such things are best done when the other party is running out of strength.

Now that things are stable, if he intervenes, it might end up backfiring.

During this time, a system notification sounded in Lu Changsheng’s mind.

[Congratulations, Host, thirty of your children have broken through the Ninth Level of Qi Refining. You have gained a lottery chance!]

But looking at Meng Xiaochan forming her Golden Core before him, Lu Changsheng didn’t get distracted by the lottery.

That day, Bai Ling brought her daughter, Lu Baixi, to the Hong Lian Hall.

At less than a year old, her daughter was the size of an average two or three-year-old.

Now, at three years old, she was almost the size of a five or six-year-old child.

Her small face, expressionless, was delicate and exquisitely crafted, with a white-gold snake mark on her forehead.

“Scales?”

When Hong Lian saw Bai Ling coming and heard why she was here, she was slightly surprised and looked at Lu Baixi.

“Yes, I noticed today that Baixi is starting to develop scales too.”

Bai Ling said, clearly concerned.

Today, she suddenly saw thin, white-gold scales appearing on her daughter.

Although she also developed such scales when she was young, she learned to control and master them once her bloodline awakened.

But since her daughter had no scales at birth, she immediately sought guidance from Hong Lian.

“Come here, Baixi.”

Hong Lian looked at Lu Baixi’s elbow, her fair skin as if covered with a layer of crystalline gauze, like thin scales.

If you didn’t look closely, you wouldn’t even notice them.

She took Lu Baixi’s small hand and examined her situation.

Lu Baixi was extremely healthy.

A complete monster cub, with strength no less than that of a peak-stage first-level body cultivator.

“It seems Baixi’s true spirit bloodline is gradually awakening. When she grows older, she may gain control over it.”

Hong Lian said after a moment of contemplation.

She had little experience with true spirit bloodlines like Lu Baixi’s.

She knew that their bloodline potential awakens gradually as they grow.

The earlier the extraordinary signs appear, the stronger the bloodline potential.

“Thank you, Senior Peach God.”

Upon hearing this, Bai Ling expressed her gratitude and felt much more at ease.

Even though she knew her daughter’s condition wasn’t severe, she couldn’t help but worry.

Afterward, she took her daughter outside to play with the other children.

Yue Kingdom, in a market.

“Qingshan, what’s this?”

An elder of the Golden Sun Sect looked at a man in a green robe with a longsword at his waist, Lu Qingshan, in surprise and suspicion.

In the past, merely standing still, Lu Qingshan emanated an unparalleled sword aura.

From afar, you could feel his sharp sword intent!

Now, he seemed to be like a treasured sword concealed in its sheath.

Though you could tell he was a sword cultivator, there was no trace of his former sharpness.

The elder couldn’t figure out what had happened to Lu Qingshan.

Had he restrained his sword intent, or had he suffered setbacks, causing his sword intent to dull?

“Elder Xiao, did the sect summon me for something?”

Lu Qingshan, facing the Foundation Formation stage elder from his sect, appeared very casual.

“Qingshan, the Heavenly Sword Sect, Shura Sect, and Heavenfiend Sect geniuses have come to challenge our sect, so the Sect Master has urgently called you back.”

Elder Xiao quickly explained.

“Oh?”

Lu Qingshan raised his sword-like eyebrows and asked for more details.

He had been traveling with his sister, Lu Qingzhu, sharpening his Sword Heart, and had not kept up with current events.

“The geniuses from those four sects are all top-notch. Recently, both Fire Luo Sect and Beast Talisman Sect have been defeated by them, and now they’ve come to challenge our Golden Sun Sect, so we must give it our all.”

Elder Xiao’s face grew more serious as he explained.

After speaking, fearing Lu Qingshan wouldn’t understand the gravity of the situation, he added, “Especially the genius from Beast God Mountain. He’s at the eighth level of Foundation Establishment but has fused with a Demonic Tiger, possessing strength equivalent to the peak of Foundation Establishment. Zhao Yan of Fire Luo Sect was completely defeated by him.”

Friction between the Yue Kingdom and Liang Kingdom had been ongoing.

Now, with the appearance of these four sect geniuses in the Yue Kingdom, it was clear they intended to dampen the Yue Kingdom’s spirit.

Although the Yue Kingdom could theoretically kill the challengers.

That would be seen as unsportsmanlike.

However, facing them head-on, especially after Fire Luo Sect and Beast Talisman Sect were defeated, put enormous pressure on the Golden Sun Sect.

“Tsk, they seem formidable.”

Lu Qingshan chuckled.

He had some impression of Zhao Yan.

A core disciple of the Fire Luo Sect with a cultivation at the Ninth Level of Foundation Establishment.

Being a full level higher, yet utterly defeated, indicated quite a gap in strength.

“In that case, let’s head back. I was just about to return to the sect.”

Lu Qingshan smiled, ready to meet the talents of the Liang Kingdom.

“Good.”

Elder Xiao didn’t have much confidence in Lu Qingshan.

But the Sect Master’s instructions were clear.

Even if they lost, they had to maintain the sect’s dignity and not lose badly!

Immediately, he summoned a treasure ship and, together with Lu Qingshan and Lu Qingzhu, returned to the Golden Sun Sect.

Seven days later.

When they returned to the Golden Sun Sect, they heard the geniuses from the four sects of the Liang Kingdom had arrived and won several duels.

The ring was completely occupied by the geniuses from the Liang Kingdom, openly challenged any disciple from the Golden Sun Sect.

“This kind of challenge is too unfair. These five from the Liang Kingdom come from the top talents of the four sects, practically making it four-on-one!”

“And those people have cultivation levels up to the eighth level of Foundation Establishment, clearly preventing anyone at the peak of Foundation Establishment from intervening.”

“If someone at the peak of Foundation Establishment steps in, even if they win, it’s an unjust victory.”

“This challenge was long-planned and prepared!”

When Lu Qingshan and Lu Qingzhu arrived at the arena square, they saw it was already surrounded by disciples.

Most of the Golden Sun Sect disciples looked angry and frustrated.

“Master, you’re here too?”

At this moment, Lu Qingshan saw a familiar, beautiful woman in a red dress, her black hair loosely flowing, leaning on a giant Gourd.

Though he had a master.

His master was unreliable, seldom present in the sect, so even meeting her required luck.

Immortal Tian Yuan had a voluptuous figure, full of warmth, holding a wine Gourd and drinking without any decorum. Wine even dripped down her chin, soaking her ample bosom.

Upon hearing him, she lazily glanced at Lu Qingshan and Lu Qingzhu and said, “Qingshan, Xiaozhu, you’re back.”

“Master.”

Lu Qingzhu and Lu Qingshan approached and respectfully bowed.

“Master, how strong are they?”

Lu Qingshan asked.

“Not simple at all. Like that kid from Beast God Mountain, I even suspect they used some secret technique to forcefully elevate his strength.”

Although Immortal Tian Yuan was rather eccentric, as a Golden Core Immortal, her insight was sharp.

“Oh?”

Hearing this, Lu Qingshan glanced at the ring with no intention of stepping in yet.

After all, what’s the point of entering now?

Only at a crucial moment should he step in and easily defeat the five of them, showcasing his strength.

As for losing? Lu Qingshan hadn’t considered that.

It wasn’t even within his realm of thinking.

“Have you made any progress from honing your Sword Heart?”

Immortal Tian Yuan took a sip of wine, noticing the change in Lu Qingshan’s sword intent.

“A slight insight. But don’t worry, Master. Defeating them should be no problem.”

Lu Qingshan said casually.

Immortal Tian Yuan: “…”

She thought that Lu Qingshan had truly changed.

But listening to his tone now.

It was clear that his Sword Heart and sword intent had advanced, becoming steadier.

But at his core, he was still the same arrogant and confident Lu Qingshan.

“If you want to challenge them, go ahead, but be careful.”

Immortal Tian Yuan no longer felt the need to lecture her disciple.

She even hoped that through this battle, Lu Qingshan would truly understand that there’s always someone stronger out there.

As for winning, apart from the person from Beast God Mountain, she believed Lu Qingshan had a fifty-fifty chance against the rest.

“No rush. Let’s watch first.”

Lu Qingshan grinned.

Immortal Tian Yuan heard this and didn’t mind, letting him be.

“Boom, boom, boom——”

At that moment in the arena, another genius from the Golden Sun Sect took the stage. After battling for over ten rounds, he was struck by a genius from the Scarlet Body Sect, coughing up blood, and was thrown off the stage.

Moments later, another Golden Sun Sect genius stepped up, slightly winning against a Heavenfiend Sect genius, only to be easily defeated by a Beast God Mountain genius.

“They’re indeed formidable.”

Watching this, Lu Qingshan stroked his chin.

That Beast God Mountain cultivator seemed to have a Demonic Tiger spirit aiding him in every move, making it impossible for a Ninth Level of Foundation Establishment cultivator to break through his momentum.

“If the Golden Sun Sect is this weak, we won’t waste any more time. Let’s move on to the Purple Light Sect and Mixed Origin Sect.”

At that moment, the disciple from Beast God Mountain spoke in a low, hoarse voice filled with the scent of blood and slaughter.

“Arrogant!”

“How dare you look down on us!”

“You have no idea how vast the heavens are!”

Immediately, countless Golden Sun Sect disciples shouted in rage.

“Tsk, they’re truly arrogant.”

Lu Qingshan shook his head.

But the more they acted this way, the better it was for him to showcase his strength.

This return home had put him under considerable pressure.

Not only did he have a monstrous elder brother.

Even among his siblings, Lu Lingxiao and Lu Wangshu, each one of them was showing exceptional talent.

And then there was Lu Quanzhen.

They had only briefly greeted each other and didn’t talk much.

But with his clear Sword Heart, he could sense that Lu Quanzhen’s cultivation was not low, certainly above the late stage of Foundation Establishment.

Yet his body seemed to carry a heavy aura of blood and death.

In such circumstances, it was impossible to say he felt no pressure.

But feeling pressure and wanting to quickly improve his strength meant he needed more than just effort; he needed resources!

Now, with the Liang Kingdom challengers at their doorstep, it was clearly a test, a preparation for the war between the two nations.

All he had to do in this battle was to showcase his talent and strength, and he could ride this fame to obtain more resources from the sect, breaking through to the Golden Core stage as quickly as possible!

As long as he broke through to the Golden Core stage, he could shine in the war between the two nations and further elevate his status.

By then, he might even receive resources from the Five Great Immortal Sects of the Yue Kingdom and become a Nascent Soul candidate!

“Brother.”

Lu Qingzhu looked at her brother, her beautiful eyes filled with concern.

“Xiaozhu, do you still doubt your brother?”

Lu Qingshan playfully ruffled his sister’s hair.

Then, looking at Immortal Tian Yuan, he asked, “Master, if I accidentally kill them, what will be the consequences?”

These three years of traveling and honing his sword had been a period of sword nurturing, tempering, and concealing!

Now, if he drew his sword with full force, it would be earth-shattering!

“…?”

Immortal Tian Yuan was left speechless.

The battle hadn’t even started, and he was already worried about whether the sect could handle the aftermath of killing the challengers?

His deep-rooted arrogance and confidence were truly ingrained!

“I’ve always heard that you, Lu Qingshan, are incredibly arrogant. Now I see it firsthand.”

“If you can kill even one of them, the sect will reward you generously!”

At that moment, a clear and dignified voice rang out.

A man dressed in Golden Sun Sect robes, slender and authoritative, strode forward.

He was the Sect Master of the Golden Sun Sect.

“Greetings, Sect Master!”

“Greetings, Sect Master!”

Lu Qingshan and Lu Qingzhu immediately bowed and saluted.

“Sect Master, you flatter me. As a disciple of the Golden Sun Sect, it is my duty to uphold the dignity of the sect!”

“This person has the audacity to challenge our sect. As a disciple, I will naturally defend the sect’s honor and teach them a lesson!”

Lu Qingshan replied with a serious expression.

“Lu Qingshan, how confident are you?”

The Sect Master looked at Lu Qingshan and inquired.

Being challenged like this, he felt deeply humiliated as the sect master and hoped someone could restore their pride.

But he also knew that Lu Qingshan was a sword cultivator!

For sword cultivators, losing is the worst thing!

And losing completely!

If beaten, their spirit and Sword Heart would be damaged, and their path might be half-ruined.

He was confident in Lu Qingshan beating the disciples from the Shura Sect and Heavenfiend Sect.

But against the challengers from the Scarlet Body Sect and Beast God Mountain, he had no assurance.

After all, Lu Qingshan had only just broken through to the Seventh Level of Foundation Establishment.

Compared to them, he was still behind by quite a bit.