Chapter 581: Yangming Realman: I Helped You, How Do You Intend to Repay Me?

Lu Changsheng didn’t extract the Break-Demon Pill from his system space.

After the Golden-Winged Roc rested for ten days, they resumed their journey.

While crossing the border, Lu Changsheng keenly noticed an increase in sensory formations and patrol cultivators along the way.

However, the border was vast and could not be completely sealed off.

The patrols could only monitor low-level cultivators. With large groups, it would be hard to detect prepared Foundation Establishment or Golden Core True Persons.

“These formations and patrols must belong to the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Four Great Immortal Sects.”

“It seems not only are the Liang Kingdom and Yue Kingdom at war, but tensions are also rising between the Jiang Kingdom and the Jin Kingdom.”

Lu Changsheng felt an undercurrent building as he pondered.

But this wasn’t surprising.

If not for the battle in the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm eighteen years ago, and True Lord Xuanjian’s defeat of the Heaven Corpse Sect Leader and the Five Poison Sect Master fifty-nine years ago, the Jiang Kingdom and the Jin Kingdom might have been at war long ago.

And that’s only two of the conflicts he knew about between these nations.

Over the years, the Jin Kingdom and Jiang Kingdom have likely clashed in secret on many occasions.

“Now that the Jiang Kingdom is mobilizing to clear land in the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, it would be strange if the Jin Kingdom didn’t react.”

“Moreover, based on previous intel, the Liang Kingdom might employ distant diplomacy and close combat, using the Jin Kingdom to restrain the Jiang Kingdom.”

Lu Changsheng muttered, thinking of the Supreme Elder from the Yin Ghost Sect.

There were rumors about fifteen years ago that this person was in seclusion, attempting to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, with a decent chance of success.

So many years have passed with no news; whether or not the breakthrough occurred remains unknown.

If this person succeeded, the Jin Kingdom would gain another Nascent Soul True Lord, and that could stir up trouble.

“If that old ghost didn’t break through, then I’ll take Quanzhen and visit the Yin Ghost Sect again.”

Previously, Lu Changsheng received some compensation from the Yin Ghost Sect and then left.

But the grudge between his son and the Ghost Demon Realman hadn’t been fully resolved.

He planned to wait for Lu Quanzhen to break through to Golden Core Formation, then take him along to settle the score, making it his first Golden Core battle!

Of course, if the Supreme Elder of the Yin Ghost Sect had broken through to Nascent Soul, then they would discuss it later.

As they continued their journey, Lu Changsheng suddenly sensed a sharp Golden Core spiritual pressure flying quickly towards him.

“Hmm?”

Lu Changsheng frowned slightly, immediately activating his spiritual energy and using his Divine Ability—Reversal Yin-Yang Glazed Wall!

A layer of Yin-Yang Glazed Light covered him and the Golden-Winged Roc, concealing their presence. Then, the Yin-Yang Light reversed, causing both of their auras to vanish, as if they disappeared from the world.

Soon, Lu Changsheng saw a mature woman in her thirties, with a refined face and disheveled skirt, flying on sword light towards the Jiang Kingdom.

Behind her, a ferocious Yasha Corpse was chasing relentlessly.

This woman wasn’t afraid of the Flying Yasha.

However, behind her was a billowing cloud of grey-black corpse energy, emitting a rotting stench.

On top of the swirling corpse energy stood a blue-grey-faced muscular man and a hunched old woman with a cane.

“Heavenly Sword Sect, Flying Snow Sword, Lan Ruoxue, the Master of Little Qin.”

“These two should be cultivators from the Heaven Corpse Sect.”

As a Golden Core True Lord of the Jiang Kingdom and the Lord of the Immortal City of Da Mengze, Lu Changsheng had a general understanding of the Jiang Kingdom’s Golden Core True Lords.

He identified this mature woman as a Golden Core cultivator of the Heavenly Sword Sect. His daughter-in-law, Qin Yi, was originally her registered disciple.

After Qin Yi passed the Jianmen Pass test and became a true disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect, she seemed to have formalized it.

As for the two people with the corpse energy, Lu Changsheng didn’t recognize them.

But judging by the third-level corpse charm and their spiritual energy, he guessed they were Golden Core True Lords from the Jin Kingdom’s Heaven Corpse Sect.

“This Lan True Person should be able to escape. Should I intervene?”

Lu Changsheng could tell that Lan Ruoxue still had some strength left. As long as she reached the Jiang Kingdom’s border, someone would assist her.

If he intervened, news of it would likely spread to the high echelons of the Jin Kingdom, causing unnecessary trouble during his trip there.

“No, wait. I, Yangming Zhenren, am a righteous vagabond cultivator. I hold a grudge against the Yin Ghost Sect. What’s wrong with not liking demonic cultivators?”

“Besides, reducing the number of Golden Core True Lords in the Jin Kingdom lowers the chances of war between the Jiang and Jin Kingdoms. I might delay it by a few years.”

After some thought, Lu Changsheng decided to take action.

After all, he was still a cultivator of the Jiang Kingdom.

With the current tension, if he suppressed two Golden Core True Lords from the Heaven Corpse Sect, it would deal a significant blow to the Jin Kingdom.

As for the consequences, if necessary, he could use the Michen Banner to return home directly.

With the wealth of two Golden Core True Lords, he could afford the return ticket.

Deciding quickly, he unleashed his sunshades with the Nine Treasures Dao Bone, radiating brilliant talismanic light.

“Boom!”

Golden Core Seventh Layer!

Golden Core Eighth Layer!

Golden Core Ninth Layer!

Lu Changsheng’s spiritual energy soared. The Reversal Yin-Yang Glazed Wall shattered. In his Qi Sea Dantian, his Yin-Yang Golden Core trembled as it radiated vast, mysterious light.

“Who are you!?”

“Who’s there!”

In an instant, Lan Ruoxue and the two demonic Golden Core True Lords felt a chill and looked up.

Above the clouds, a majestic Golden-Winged Roc perched, exuding an overwhelming and domineering aura.

On the Roc’s back stood a middle-aged man of extraordinary elegance and prowess, hands behind his back.

He was dressed in a black brocade robe, with a tall and noble aura. Just one glance at him conveyed a sense of immovable stability, as if he were a towering mountain or an endless ocean.

However, the next moment, they sensed an overwhelming surge of spiritual energy from the clouds.

“Kaboom!”

It was as if thunder clapped in the sky. A massive Yin-Yang hand, intertwined and textured, appeared out of nowhere and descended upon the two demonic cultivators.

“Not good!”

Both demonic cultivators realized something was wrong. They cried out, raising their spiritual energy to its peak.

Amidst the billowing black mist under the man’s feet, a bronze coffin shot into the sky as a third-level corpse charm appeared, howling like a demon.

The old woman slammed her cane down, chanting incantations as black mist swept around her, forming sharp black blades that sliced through the air, creating a hurricane.

The Flying Yasha that had been fighting Lan Ruoxue also roared towards the sky, letting out sonic waves and whipping up fierce winds.

Their combined force struck the Yin-Yang Grand Capture.

However, their expressions changed as they realized the Yin-Yang Grand Capture ignored their attacks and the corpse charm, continuing its descend without losing any momentum.

A sense of bewilderment washed over them.

What kind of technique is this!?

Immediately afterwards.

“Run!”

Only one thought crossed their minds.

Flee quickly, they couldn’t fight this!

But at that moment, the Yin-Yang giant hand bent its five fingers slightly, seemingly twisting the very air around them, creating a chaotic force that enveloped the two.

The main effect of the Yin-Yang Grand Capture was to capture and imprison!

In an instant, they felt an enormous force pressing down on them.

At Foundation Establishment Level Five and Six respectively as Golden Core True Lords, they found themselves unable to break free, no matter how they struggled with their spiritual energy.

“Who is this man!? When did the Jiang Kingdom produce such a terrifying Golden Core cultivator with such powerful abilities!?”

Their throats went dry as they saw fear, despair, and panic in each other’s eyes.

Since their Golden Core breakthroughs, it had been a long time since they felt this kind of helplessness.

But facing Lu Changsheng’s Yin-Yang Grand Capture, they felt an indescribable sense of despair and powerlessness.

“Who-who is this man!?”

Not just them; even Lan Ruoxue, upon witnessing the boundless might of the Yin-Yang Grand Capture, was struck with fear and disbelief.

This was terrifying!

Such tremendous spiritual energy and divine power… She had only seen them in True Sword, who was on the verge of breaking through to Nascent Soul.

“Ah!!!”

“Break it! Break it!”

The man and the old woman howled into the sky, roaring as they tried desperately to break free.

But in the next moment.

“Buzz!”

The Yin-Yang Grand Capture suddenly clenched, as if one could hear the sound of their bones and flesh shattering.

“Ah!”

“Mercy, senior! Mercy, senior!”

The two screamed in pain, immediately begging Lu Changsheng for mercy.

Though they were said to be expert cultivators, with dignity and backbone.

But dignity wasn’t something that could keep you alive.

They had worked hard to reach this stage in cultivation, so how could they be willing to die so easily?

“Yin-Yang Divine Ability, third-level Golden Roc… You’re Yangming Zhenren! Senior Yangming, please spare us! Our Heaven Corpse Sect has never offended you!”

At this moment, the old woman glanced at the Golden-Winged Roc at his feet, and cried out in realization.

“Yangming Zhenren!?”

Hearing this, Lan Ruoxue also suspiciously looked at Lu Changsheng.

Although the incident where Yangming Zhenren had confronted the Yin Ghost Sect was only known to the upper echelons of the Jin Kingdom.

As a Golden Core True Lord of the Heavenly Sword Sect, on a mission in the Jin Kingdom to gather intel, she had still heard of Yangming Zhenren.

According to the information from the Heavenly Sword Sect, Yangming Zhenren had also appeared in Jiang Kingdom and the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range years ago.

Years ago, the Monster King of the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range caused a great commotion and almost triggered a beast tide, likely due to this Yangming Zhenren.

She didn’t expect to encounter this elusive Yangming Zhenren here, and that he would assist her.

Lu Changsheng ignored the two pleas for mercy, raising his hand as the Yin-Yang flow turned into mist, engulfing them.

In the next instant, the Wuxiang Treasure Wheel appeared in his palm, and he opened the Wuxiang Domain to suppress them and their Corpse Kings.

“Thank you for your assistance, senior!”

Lan Ruoxue, realizing the battle was over, suppressed the shock in her heart and respectfully saluted.

Although she was also a Golden Core True Lord.

However, from the power of his Divine Abilities, it was clear that she and Lu Changsheng were completely on different levels, so she addressed him as senior.

“Although I despise the demonic scum from the Jin Kingdom, since I’ve helped you solve your problem, how do you intend to repay me?”

Lu Changsheng, in his black robe, looked at Lan Ruoxue with a calm demeanor and asked.

Right now, he wanted his existing disguise to be seen as both righteous and somewhat rogue. It wouldn’t make sense to show goodwill to the Heavenly Sword Sect without expecting something in return.

So, in this situation, it was natural to ask for compensation for solving someone’s problem, right?

Besides, even a sage once said, ‘Those who do good deserve something in return.’

Otherwise, in the long run, who would be willing to help others?

“Repay…”

Lan Ruoxue paused, feeling her heart skip.

Although Yangming Zhenren had acted against the Heaven Corpse Sect and the Yin Ghost Sect, it didn’t mean he was a righteous person.

If he harbored ill intentions towards her, she wouldn’t have the strength to resist.

Just as she was about to bite the bullet and hand over her Storage Bag, Lu Changsheng’s voice resounded again: “Do you have Jade Essence Golden Ganoderma?”

Lan Ruoxue was stunned for a moment and then replied, “Senior, Jade Essence Golden Ganoderma is a key ingredient for refining Condensing Crystal Pill. It’s extremely rare. I don’t have any such spirit medicine.”

After a moment of thought, she added, “If Senior needs it, I can apply to the sect and see if I can trade one for you.”

Giving Lu Changsheng a Jade Essence Golden Ganoderma wasn’t just about repaying for her life.

She also wanted to use this opportunity to get to know Yangming Zhenren, understand his background and establish a connection.

If she could form a connection with this top-tier Golden Core master, giving up a Jade Essence Golden Ganoderma would be worth it.

“Apply to the sect,”

Lu Changsheng squinted his eyes, guessing her intentions.

Meeting with a Golden Core True Lord of the Heavenly Sword Sect was one thing, but entering the sect or facing the Nascent Soul True Lord of the Heavenly Sword Sect was something he certainly wouldn’t do.

But at this time, he was in urgent need of Condensing Crystal Pills.

If he could obtain a Jade Essence Golden Ganoderma, he could almost complete the materials for refining the Condensing Crystal Pill. Then, he could ask Hong Lian to start the process, or wait until he improved his own pill refining skills.

“Then give me something as token. I’ll find you in the Heavenly Sword Sect when I have time.”

After thinking it over, Lu Changsheng decided to use this woman to build a bridge to the Heavenly Sword Sect.

In the future, if he needed something, he could use this identity to contact her.

“This is my token. I will await your visit at any time, senior.”

Lan Ruoxue pulled out a token from her Storage Bag and sent it to Lu Changsheng using her spiritual energy.

“Good.”

Lu Changsheng accepted the token, and without another glance, he spurred the Golden-Winged Roc into a fierce wind, vanishing in an instant.

“Phew…”

Watching Lu Changsheng leave, Lan Ruoxue took a deep breath, slowly exhaling, feeling like she was in a dream.

“Golden Core Peak, Late-Stage Third-Level Beast King.”

Recalling how he single-handedly suppressed two Golden Core True Lords and two third-level Corpse Kings with a single Divine Ability, she couldn’t help but feel deeply shocked.

If this man teamed up with his Spirit Pet, it would take at least Nascent Soul True Lords to subdue them.

“The Yin Ghost Sect actually provoked such a terrifying existence…”

Lan Ruoxue’s thoughts raced for a moment, but she soon continued back on her sword light, planning to report the incident.

After flying several hundred miles, Lu Changsheng instructed the Golden-Winged Roc to find a place to rest for a few days, and he prepared to deal with the prisoners.

“Pretending to be powerful comes at a price… If I had just used the Yin-Yang Diagram for close combat, why would I have wasted so much spiritual energy?”

Feeling a slight soreness in his meridians and Dantian, Lu Changsheng sighed inwardly.

The best choice earlier would have been to use the Yin-Yang Grand Capture in combination with the Yin-Yang Diagram to lock down the battlefield.

Then, he and the Golden-Winged Roc could have engaged in close combat for a quick victory.

But unfortunately, he chose the flashy approach.

Fortunately, with his Late-Stage third-level physique, the aftereffects of such an outburst wouldn’t be significant.

He would just need ten to fifteen days without exerting too much effort to recover.

After releasing the two demonic cultivators from the Wuxiang Domain, Lu Changsheng quickly used the sealing light from the Nine Treasures Dao Bone to lock their Dantians and spiritual energy, then activated the Six Desires Demon Heart Manual to extract some information from them.

However, both were mid-stage Golden Core True Lords, so getting precise information from them was not easy and took a lot of effort.

Soon after, Lu Changsheng confirmed that the two were indeed Golden Core True Lords from the Heaven Corpse Sect.

They had been chasing Lan Ruoxue due to discovering a hidden agent of the Jiang Kingdom planted by the Heaven Corpse Sect.

After laying a trap with the agent, they waited for someone from the Heavenly Sword Sect and eventually lured in Lan Ruoxue.

“It seems that other nations are not the only ones planting hidden agents in the Jiang Kingdom. The four great immortal sects led by the Heavenly Sword Sect are also planting agents in the Jin, Yue, and even Liang Kingdoms.”

Lu Changsheng pondered this for a moment before asking them if the Supreme Elder of the Yin Ghost Sect had broken through to Nascent Soul, and if they knew anything about the seven major demonic sects.

The two knew nothing about the Supreme Elder’s situation in the Yin Ghost Sect.

As for the seven demonic sects, they only provided basic information, with no details about a demonic war.

“Sigh!”

Lu Changsheng rubbed his aching forehead, unleashing two Suppressing Divine Talismans to hold down their souls and consciousness before placing them back into the Wuxiang Domain.

If he killed them, the Heaven Corpse Sect would know immediately, affecting his trip to the Jin Kingdom, so it was best not to act rashly.

Even though this choice had risks, and the Heaven Corpse Sect could figure out a rough idea of the situation and location through their soul lamps or sect tokens.

But Lu Changsheng possessed the Heavenly Yuan Imperial Lotus and the Genealogy, which could suppress divination and fate calculations, leaving him unafraid.

“It’s a shame that the Heaven Corpse Sect has Nascent Soul True Lords. Otherwise, selling these two could get me two or three Condensing Crystal Pills.”

Lu Changsheng then sorted through the Storage Bags and Storage Rings of the two demonic cultivators.

Surprisingly, they were very poor, possibly because all their resources were spent on refining corpses.

Aside from five demonic magical treasures, two third-level Yin Corpses, and seven second-level Yin Corpses, the pills, talismans, natural treasures, and other items were probably only worth a million Spirit Stones.

“Hmm, what’s this!?”

At that moment, Lu Changsheng opened a Jade Box from the old woman’s Storage Ring and found a piece of withered and yellowish vine root.

This vine root vaguely resembled the Xuantian Spirit Vine.

But it was entirely yellow and withered, with little sign of life, in stark contrast to his vibrant and Dao Rhythm-filled Xuantian Spirit Vine.

Upon closer inspection, aside from the appearance, the intricate patterns on this root seemed like a kind of Dao Rune, indicating it was no ordinary plant, at least close to a fourth-level vine.

“Could it be a weakened version of the Xuantian Spirit Vine?”

After examining it for a while, Lu Changsheng put the vine root away, intending to ask Hong Lian about it later.

After resting for a few days, Lu Changsheng visited his wife Meng Xiaochan and daughter Lu Mengchan in the Heavenly Yuan Imperial Lotus, relaxing his mind. Then, he continued his journey on the Golden-Winged Roc.

As he approached the Jin Kingdom’s border, he noticed that the Jin Kingdom had also set up many sensory formations and restrictions.

It seems the Jin Kingdom is just as worried about Jiang Kingdom cultivators infiltrating as Jiang Kingdom is.

But Lu Changsheng urged the Golden-Winged Roc to slow down. As long as they didn’t encounter top-tier Golden Core True Lords or Nascent Soul Realmen head-on, they should be fine.

Half a month later, Lu Changsheng arrived several hundred miles outside the Five Poison Sect and activated the Communication Talisman he shared with Nangong Mili.