Chapter 577: Nangong Yaoyao’s Rapid Progress, Lu Qingshan Battles the Pseudo Core!

After the Dao Companion Ceremony, Lu Changsheng didn’t return to the Immortal City of Da Mengze immediately.

Instead, he stayed at Bihu Mountain to accompany his wives, concubines, and children. His daily routine included making babies and refining the ‘Sun-Moon Token’.

In just three months, the frontier war will formally begin.

At that time, the Lu Family disciples will join the main force of the Azure Cloud Sect to head to the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range.

So, taking advantage of this time, he refined one Sun-Moon Token for each person, to make it easier to stay in contact and check their safety in the future.

On this day, suddenly, a dense surge of spiritual energy flooded into his body.

“Has someone reached the ninth level of Foundation Establishment? Is it Qingshan?”

Through this surge of spiritual energy, Lu Changsheng immediately knew that one of his children had reached the ninth level of Foundation Establishment.

“It seems that the war between Liang Kingdom and Yue Kingdom granted Qingshan significant opportunities; otherwise, it would have taken him a few more years to break through.”

He instinctively opened the system panel and glanced at his son’s info.

[Name: Lu Qingshan]

[Lifespan: 68/217]

[Talent: Sixth-Tier Spirit Root, Metal-Attribute Spiritual Body (Mid-Tier Spirit Body)]

[Cultivation: Foundation Establishment, Level Eight]

[Talent Compatibility: Sword Dao Compatibility (101%)]

“Hmm, it’s not Qingshan!?”

Lu Changsheng was somewhat surprised.

Among his children, besides Lu Qingshan, only Nangong Yaoyao had reached the eighth level of Foundation Establishment.

But Nangong Yaoyao had just recently broken through, so how could she have reached the ninth level of Foundation Establishment so soon?

Lu Changsheng’s heart skipped a beat, and he opened his daughter Nangong Yaoyao’s status panel.

[Name: Nangong Yaoyao]

[Lifespan: 55/283]

[Talent: Second-Tier Spirit Root, Immaculate Heavenly Fragrance Body (Top-Tier Spirit Body)]

[Cultivation: Foundation Establishment, Level Nine]

[Talent Compatibility: Charm Techniques Compatibility (99%)]

“It’s really Yaoyao!?”

Lu Changsheng was astonished.

When Nangong Yaoyao had previously broken through to the eighth level of Foundation Establishment, he already thought she was progressing too quickly.

He didn’t expect that she would have now broken through to the ninth level of Foundation Establishment.

Fifty-five years old and at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment, this speed of cultivation is simply incredible!

Although, with the aid of massive resources, pills, and natural treasures, Lu Changsheng could also push any one of his children rapidly to the ninth level of Foundation Establishment.

But normally, no one would do that.

His daughter Nangong Yaoyao had joined the Immortal Lotus Sect, under the tutelage of a Nascent Soul True Lord, who would definitely not engage in such practices as forcefully speeding up growth.

“Has Yaoyao encountered some trouble? Or… is the foundation of the demonic Seven Sects far beyond what I imagined?”

Lu Changsheng narrowed his eyes, secretly pondering.

Given what had happened with his son Lu Quanzhen, he couldn’t help but be concerned with his daughter’s rapid cultivation speed.

After all, the Immortal Lotus Sect is not a righteous sect.

It’s one of the Seven Demonic Sects that once swept over most of the Southern Wilderness.

During this time, he had collected some information on the Seven Demonic Sects, and none of these sects were easy to deal with.

The Immortal Lotus Sect claims to spread the doctrine of immortal lotus enlightening the world and delivering all beings, yet their cultivation techniques are extremely sinister and can corrupt one’s mind.

Once corrupted by the Immortal Lotus Sect, one would become an eternal slave, willingly dedicating everything!

During the demonic war in the past, there were even Nascent Soul True Lords from righteous sects who, upon being corrupted by the Grand True Lord of the Immortal Lotus Sect, switched sides on the battlefield, persuading their disciples to join the Immortal Lotus Sect and enjoy eternal blessing in their Pure Land.

So, when his daughter joined such a demonic sect, Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but worry.

“It’s about time I made a trip to the Jin Kingdom.”

At this moment, Lu Changsheng thought of the mother of his children, Nangong Mili, who was far away in the Jin Kingdom.

The two had been separated for more than ten years.

Now, his daughter Lu Mengchan was already six years old. It was time to consider her cultivation path.

So, he planned to take his daughter Meng Xiaochan for a trip to the Jin Kingdom to see if the Five Poison Sect had any information on the Calamity Poison Body or related inheritances.

As he drifted in thought, Lu Changsheng recalled his eldest son Lu Ping’an, who had traveled far away, and his son Lu Qingshan, who was in the Yue Kingdom.

Earlier, he had used the Sun Moon Yin-Yang Profound Light Mirror to check, and Lu Ping’an was no longer in the Jiang Kingdom’s cultivation world, most likely heading to the Yue Kingdom or Wu Kingdom.

Since using the Sun Moon Yin-Yang Profound Light Mirror consumed too much spiritual energy and essence, Lu Changsheng didn’t observe his son’s situation more closely.

As for Lu Qingshan, he thought about the four- to five-year-long war between the Yue Kingdom and the Liang Kingdom.

Although according to intelligence, Nascent Soul True Lords had yet to directly confront each other in this war, the intensity of the fighting was high.

Lu Qingshan, as a true disciple of the Golden Sun Sect and a Foundation Establishment prodigy, and as a warrior who grows stronger through battle, would definitely be sent to the battlefield.

“Ah, each generation must forge its own path.”

After a moment, Lu Changsheng exhaled lightly and continued to refine the Sun-Moon Token.

The fledgling eagle must eventually fly into the sky, facing the abyss and the storms on its own.

Just like this upcoming frontier war.

Even if he could oversee the front lines or ask the Azure Cloud Sect to take care of his children, trying to arrange safer positions for them.

Such actions would only protect them temporarily and not for a lifetime.

Moreover, the Lu Family had only recently risen to become a Golden Core family. The children and disciples heading to the frontier war were all filled with ambition, determined to carve out a future for themselves and bring glory to the family.

If he were to interfere, it would diminish their motivation and weaken their Dao Hearts.

Immortal Lotus Sect.

At the White Lotus Peak, a serene and exquisite palace stood, beautifully decorated yet still elegant.

“Boom!”

The palace doors burst open.

A crisp sound of high-heeled shoes echoed.

Moments later, a woman dressed in pure white lotus robes, demure and serene, gracefully emerged.

“So stunning.”

The two women guarding the door were momentarily stupefied by the young miss’s beauty, as if they were witnessing a heavenly fairy descending to the mortal world.

With her ethereal grace, seductive yet dignified figure, and the fragrance of a blossoming sacred lotus, one couldn’t help but feel ashamed and instinctively bow to her beauty.

“Congratulations, Young Miss, on refining the Immortal Bone and advancing your strength further!”

The two women immediately bowed respectfully and offered their congratulations to the lotus-robed woman.

They had joined the Immortal Lotus Sect together with Nangong Yaoyao years ago and became her maids.

After all these years, they had grown to admire and wholeheartedly serve their mistress.

After all, in just a few years, Nangong Yaoyao not only rapidly advanced in cultivation but also passed the White Lotus True Lord’s test and mastered the supreme inheritance of the Immortal Lotus Sect, creating the Immortal Lotus Pure Land.

Now, having refined the Immortal Bone of the Eastern Vastness, her foundation and potential had advanced further. She was undoubtedly destined to compete for the title of Saintess in the future!

“Has anything happened during this time?”

Nangong Yaoyao’s features were delicate, with ethereal beauty, her black hair tied with a silk ribbon, and her cheeks faintly blushing, embodying the essence of pure temptation, like a flawless world-cleansing flower.

“True Lord has spoken, saying that the Tomb of the Three Kings will soon open. After you exit seclusion, you might gain some benefits from visiting there.”

The maid Huowu respectfully responded.

“The Tomb of the Three Kings.”

Nangong Yaoyao knew this was a secret realm that had appeared ten years ago.

It was rumored to be the burial site of three Fourth-Tier Demon Kings who had assumed human form.

Countless experts and forces had ventured there to seek treasures.

By now, it should have been thoroughly looted by major forces, leaving it for the younger generation to explore and compete.

“If that’s the case, get ready, and join me on the trip.”

Nangong Yaoyao looked calm, knowing that this was also one of her Master’s tests.

Since joining the sect, from her meetings with her senior sister to entering the Immortal Lotus Pool to refine her Dao Foundation, competing with her fellow disciples, and even obtaining the Immortal Bone of the Eastern Vastness, all these had been arranged by her Master.

No matter what, she had to seize every opportunity.

Only then could she stand out in the Immortal Lotus Sect!

After a long while, Nangong Yaoyao, along with her maids Huowu and Liu Yin, left the palace.

As the disciple of White Lotus True Lord, her conduct outside also reflected on her Master’s reputation.

Therefore, her palanquin was already prepared.

Three white jade-scaled dragonhorses, resembling dragons with pure white scales, were harnessed to an exquisitely elegant palanquin, symbolizing purity and nobility, waiting quietly.

Nangong Yaoyao lifted the curtain and gracefully entered the palanquin.

Her two maids attended to her by the side.

“Roaar—”

The three dragonhorses roared lowly, exuding a powerful aura typical of a Third-Tier Demon King. They crushed the sky as they traveled through the teleportation formation, heading to the Tomb of the Three Kings.

“My Junior Sister really is something.”

A woman with an ethereal aura, untouched by dust, watched the departing White Lotus Palanquin and murmured softly.

Although her face bore a charming smile, the obsidian-like depth in her eyes held an indescribable chill.

Yes, not a gentle, clear, and holy, nor a coy and seductive gaze.

But an infinite coldness, as if it would freeze one’s soul for eternity.

Being a disciple of White Lotus True Lord, she knew all too well that her Master intended to groom a Saintess!

Once this Junior Sister broke through to the Golden Core Formation stage, she would have to compete with the rest of them.

And after years of nurturing by their Master, she could already sense a hint of danger from this Junior Sister, hinting that this future competition would be fierce.

Yue Kingdom.

Ever since the war between Liang Kingdom and Yue Kingdom began, the border defences have been gradually strengthened. Every day, people patrolled and watched over key checkpoints, monitoring the movement of various forces.

Though the border line was too vast to be sealed completely.

It mainly targeted large-scale infiltration of enemy cultivators or the defection of local forces, moving entire clans, and so on.

At this moment, on the northern battlefield, Lu Qingshan led a team patrolling a valley swamp.

A faint mist drifted through the air, occasionally pierced by the roars of spirit beasts.

This kind of valley in the mountain range, inhabited by spirit beasts, served as a natural defence line during wartime.

After patrolling and finding no traces of cultivators’ spiritual energy within a few miles, Lu Qingshan decided to turn back.

Yet, for some reason, he felt a vague and inexplicable irritation in his heart.

He furrowed his brow and looked around, sensing nothing wrong, then activated the gathering sense talisman.

Just then, the sound of a quarrel broke out in the distance.

“I saw this spiritual herb first!”

“Hmph, finders keepers!”

It seemed as though a man and a woman were arguing over a spiritual herb.

Lu Qingshan frowned; was a single spiritual herb really worth arguing over?

He turned into a beam of sword light, flying over to them, and then coldly asked, “What’s going on?”

“Senior Brother Qingshan, it’s nothing.”

The man, knowing the temper of their captain, suppressed his displeasure and replied quietly.

“I saw this Seven Star Grass too; it should be divided evenly.”

The woman, feeling wronged, retorted.

Seeing them bickering over a Seven Star Grass, the irritation in Lu Qingshan’s heart seemed to ignite like a wildfire.

Taking these useless people on patrol was bad enough, but now they were stirring up trouble!

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.

However, the next moment, he realized something was off.

As a Sword Cultivator with a clear Sword Heart, he was always acutely aware of his mood and mental state.

While he did find these people cumbersome, there was no reason for him to be so enraged.

Moreover, by this time, these people should have known his temper well and wouldn’t be bickering over a Seven Star Grass in front of him.

“Something is wrong here!”

Lu Qingshan’s suspicion deepened and he immediately crushed a jade talisman, then yelled at the two in front of him, “Stop arguing! There’s something wrong here!”

“There’s no one here, what could be wrong!”

“Give me the Seven Star Grass!”

Not only Lu Qingshan, but these two also showed signs of agitation, even their eyes were bloodshot.

“Clang!”

A sword hum echoed as Lu Qingshan clenched his Magical Sword, his stance exuding an overwhelming sword intent that seemed to tear the heavens and shift the sun and moon.

Under this sword intent, the two’s faces immediately turned pale, feeling as if they were surrounded by a chilling sword aura, like falling into an ice cave, their hair standing on end and their skin stinging.

“Lu Qingshan, how dare you draw your sword against me!”

The woman was caught between fear, anger, and disbelief as she spoke.

“Say one more word, and I’ll kill you!”

Lu Qingshan’s eyes blazed with two sharp beams of sword light as he coldly responded.

Upon hearing this, the woman felt as though two swords had pierced through her soul. She staggered back, tripping over herself, and fell, unable to speak.

“Show yourself!”

Lu Qingshan’s expression turned icy as he looked in one direction. His Magical Sword hummed, releasing sharp golden sword light that crisscrossed through the air, carving deep grooves into the ground around him.

“Clap! Clap! Clap!”

The crisp sound of clapping shattered the silence.

A rotund man appeared, his figure wide and round, with a smiling face, clapping his hands.

His eyes, no more than two slits, twinkled as he looked at Lu Qingshan and praised, “As expected of the Seven Absolute Sword, Lu Qingshan, you are indeed extraordinary.”

“To remain composed and detect something amiss under the influence of my Bewildering Mind Technique, it’s truly impressive.”

The fat man beamed with a friendly aura, giving off a mixed feeling of ridiculousness and imposing presence.

Yet, seeing this man, Lu Qingshan and his companions turned pale.

A False Core True Person!

The rotund man before them was clearly a demonic cultivator at the False Core stage!

Though the word ‘pseudo’ was attached, even Foundation Establishment cultivators couldn’t stand against him!

“Run!”

Lu Qingshan, decisive in action, crushed a distress jade talisman and shouted.

Even if he disliked these people, they were his subordinates, and it wouldn’t be right to abandon them and flee alone.

Plus, he suspected that this person’s target was most likely himself.

“Trying to escape? Too late!”

Since the fat man had dared to show himself, it naturally wasn’t due to the assurance of an easy victory. Instead, it was because he knew he had been discovered and intentionally revealed himself to stall for time, to perform his technique!

“Whoosh!”

In an instant, his slit-like eyes opened, like two vortices, his oversized robes billowing as a gust of wild wind swept through.

An indescribable mist of illusions surged, rushing towards Lu Qingshan and his men.

Lu Qingshan’s emotions fluctuated wildly, beyond irritation and anger, he even felt waves of sorrow, grief, distress, anxiety—all emotions made his mind restless and agitated.

The two people beside him were in worse condition, their eyes bloodshot as they glared at each other, seemingly ready to attack.

“This is a False Core cultivator from the Scarlet Sect!”

Lu Qingshan recognized that this man was from Scarlet Sect, one of the Four Great Demonic Sects in Liang Kingdom.

Their cultivation techniques focused on manipulating and influencing others’ emotions—anger, sorrow, joy, love, anger, aversion, and fear.

Lu Qingshan suppressed his emotions with sword intent, then his thoughts connected to the Law Seed in the sea of consciousness between his brows.

Although normally communicating with this ‘Sword Piercing the Big Dipper’ had no effect,

During times of danger or spiritual attacks, he could rely on this Law Seed to stabilize his mental state.

Indeed,

As his emotions were stirred, the Law Seed emanated an aura of fearlessness and sword energy that seemed to swallow the stars.

“Kill!”

With a clear mind, Lu Qingshan charged at the fat man in front of him.

As his Magical Sword slashed, three more sharp flying swords appeared, forming a torrential wave of sword energy.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

At the same time, a thunderous sound boomed across the heavens, attempting to dispel the fat man’s bewitchment technique.

But after all, he was only a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Even with mastery over techniques like ‘Sword Qi Like a Rainbow’ and ‘Sword Qi Thunder Sound’, which made his combat power far surpass that of ordinary cultivators, he couldn’t completely dispel the technique’s effect.

“What!? How are you unaffected!”

The fat man frowned in disbelief upon seeing Lu Qingshan unaffected by his technique.

Immediately, his False Core-level spiritual energy surged, and a golden bowl appeared above his head, neutralizing all the sword energy before continuing to unleash his technique.

“Senior Brother Qingshan!”

“Ugh, ugh, ugh—”

The man and woman by Lu Qingshan’s side now bore ferocious expressions, eyes bloodshot, as though they were about to attack Lu Qingshan, but they managed to hold onto a shred of clarity, thanks to the sword energy thunder sound effect.

Seeing that the two wouldn’t hold out much longer, Lu Qingshan slashed with his Magical Sword, sending them flying several feet away and knocking them unconscious, then charged at the fat man once more.

In the process, three more flying swords emerged from his Storage Bag, all controlled by him simultaneously, forming a sword formation to engage the fat man.

“What an impressive Seven Absolute Swordsman. No wonder the sect placed a hefty bounty on your head!”

The fat man’s eyes narrowed as he saw the seven flying swords coming his way. The golden bowl above his head expanded to a giant size, gathering a massive amount of dark golden light as it smashed down towards Lu Qingshan like a small mountain.

“If that’s the case, let’s see what a False Core cultivator is capable of! Metal-Attribute Sword Formation!”

Knowing how difficult it would be to escape, Lu Qingshan’s eyes glinted with a fierce light. He activated a Third-Tier protective talisman and then formed a sword seal, preparing to engage the fat man head-on.

Over the years, he had killed more than ten Foundation Establishment cultivators at the later stage and defeated several at the peak.

But he had never fought a False Core cultivator before!

“Clang, clang, clang—”

The seven flying swords hummed sharply, resonating with each other. The swords multiplied, forming streams of sword light that ignored the descending golden bowl, heading straight for the fat man.

“Hmm!?”

The fat man was shocked, not expecting Lu Qingshan to be so audacious as to engage him directly.

Although he was a False Core cultivator, he dared not meet the full power of Lu Qingshan’s sword formation head-on.

His False Core-level spiritual energy surged as his oversized robe expanded and took on a reddish-yellow glow, inflating like a cloak.

This robe was also a Magical Treasure!

“Boom—”

Suddenly, an alloy puppet appeared in front of Lu Qingshan. It held up a shield and clashed with the golden bowl, creating a deafening boom.

However, it was only a Top-Tier Second-Tier puppet. Under the pressure from the Magical Treasure, its shield cracked, its legs sank into the ground, and its glow dimmed.

“Dagen Gold Sword Qi, Sword Formation, kill!”

Lu Qingshan’s robe fluttered, his expression stern. The seven flying swords and thirty-six swords formed by the sword formation crisscrossed like a tidal wave, overwhelming the fat man.

The Zhoutian Xingdou Sword appeared in Lu Qingshan’s hand.

“So what if you’re a False Core cultivator? Take this, if you can!”

He boldly wielded the embryo as a melee weapon, channeling his spiritual energy as a sharp beam of sword light shot out.

“Boom!”

Within the endless sword light, a brilliant starry sea appeared. The light of the fat man’s robe dimmed as fine cracks spread across it.

The fat man’s blood surged violently within his hefty, trembling body. His expression was one of terror as he looked at Lu Qingshan.

The latter’s attack was already on par with a False Core cultivator.

And this person was only at the eighth level of Foundation Establishment!

If he broke through to the ninth level and reached the peak of Foundation Establishment, wouldn’t his aura surpass even mine!?

“This kid must not be allowed to live!”

Seeing that Lu Qingshan showed no sign of being affected by his technique, the fat man retrieved a Third-Tier talisman from his pocket and activated it.

Then, he poured all his spiritual energy into the golden bowl, gathering divine power as the bowl pressed down on Lu Qingshan.

Lu Qingshan relied on his Third-Tier protective talisman, ignoring the golden bowl, and aimed to strike down the fat man within the sword formation.

After all, despite their differences, they were still a Foundation Establishment cultivator and a False Core cultivator.

If it came to a drawn-out confrontation, there was no way he could outlast the other party. To win, he had to act swiftly!

“Boom!”

The Zhoutian Xingdou Sword made another cut, widening the cracks in the fat man’s robe as his face grew pale.

But Lu Qingshan didn’t fare well either.

Under the golden bowl’s attack, the protective light of his Third-Tier talisman shattered, his blood churned, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

He activated another protective talisman, using the Second-Tier puppet to shield himself from the golden bowl while continuing to direct the flying swords to ravage the fat man.

However, faced with Lu Qingshan’s fierce assault, the fat man coughed up blood, his resolve wavering.

But now he was trapped within the sword formation, unable to break free immediately.

“Boom!”

Spiritual energy surged within the fat man as he abandoned his offensive and focused solely on driving his golden bowl to smash the sword formation, aiming to exhaust Lu Qingshan.

“Heh!”

Seeing this, Lu Qingshan chuckled coldly, knowing that the fat man’s skills had reached their limit.

However, considering that False Core True Persons wielded a wide array of techniques, it was possible he had a hidden trick ready.

He swiftly reached into his Storage Bag and clutched a Thunder Bail and a Third-Tier attack talisman, prepared in case the fat man tried something desperate.

Then, just as the fat man broke through the sword formation, Lu Qingshan unleashed the Thunder Bail and activated the Third-Tier attack talisman.

“Boom!!!”

An earth-shattering noise echoed.

Under this terrifying barrage, the fat man’s robe tore apart, his body charred and bleeding profusely.

“Lu Qingshan!”

His face twisted with rage, not expecting this so-called sword cultivator to resort to such lowly tactics!

The golden bowl over his head flared with dazzling light, crashing down towards Lu Qingshan with the force of a thunderstrike.

“Is the vitality of False Core cultivators really this tenacious!?”

Lu Qingshan’s face constricted. He hadn’t anticipated that the fat man’s vitality would be this stubborn. He quickly positioned the Top-Tier Second-Tier puppet in front of him.

“Boom!”

The Top-Tier Second-Tier puppet was utterly destroyed under the attack of the golden bowl.

Even Lu Qingshan stumbled back several steps from the aftershock.

He gritted his teeth and wielded his Zhoutian Xingdou Sword, directing its sharp sword energy like a rainbow to carve a foot-long cut into the fat man’s body, making blood gush out.

“Boom!”

The golden bowl swirled, gathering tremendous power, and pressed downwards once again.

But Lu Qingshan had already seen that the fat man was at his limit. With a cold expression, he activated another Third-Tier protective talisman, enveloping himself in golden light, and continued to slash with his Zhoutian Xingdou Sword.

“How do you have so many Third-Tier talismans!”

The fat man’s face was filled with reluctance.

Even if Lu Qingshan was a sect’s Foundation Establishment prodigy, how could he have so many Third-Tier talismans!?

What on earth is this kid!?

However, at this moment, there was no time to ponder further. The endless starry sword light completely shredded his protective aura.

In the same instant, seven flying swords appeared out of nowhere. With a ‘squelch,’ the fat man’s fat head tumbled to the ground.