Chapter 582: Pioneering Battle, The Heavenly Sword Sect Master’s Shock!

“Not here?”

Lu Changsheng waited for a while, seeing no response from the Communication Talisman, he slightly frowned.

However, since Nangong Mili was a Golden Core True Person, it was normal for her to be in seclusion or out on a mission.

Immediately, Lu Changsheng sent a message through the Heavenly Yuan Imperial Lotus to Meng Xiaochan, “Xiaochan.”

“Lu Lang? What’s wrong?”

Meng Xiaochan had just put their daughter to sleep and asked what was the matter.

“Your Master seems to be out of the sect. Should we wait or do you want to check?”

Though Meng Xiaochan had left the sect for over ten years, with Nangong Mili’s approval, she was still a true disciple of the Five Poison Sect.

Now, having returned as a Golden Core cultivator, it was a great piece of news for the Five Poison Sect.

“I’ll go check.”

Meng Xiaochan immediately offered to visit the Five Poison Sect. She told Lu Changsheng to look after their daughter since she would be hungry when she woke up.

“Be careful. Let me know immediately if anything happens.”

Lu Changsheng advised with concern.

“Mm~”

Meng Xiaochan responded with a delighted expression and then flew towards the direction of the Five Poison Sect using her Artifact.

“Daddy, when is Mommy coming back?”

“When are we going home? I miss Sister Linghe.”

Lu Mengchan, with her delicate and pale rosy face, hugged a black-and-white panda-like doll and asked Lu Changsheng.

Since she was young, she had been cared for by her mother, Bai Ling, and was not as close to her father, Lu Changsheng.

Having been away from home for so long, she especially missed her sister, Lu Linghe.

“Mommy will be back in a few days. Let’s go, Daddy will take you shopping.”

Lu Changsheng tried to nurture their father-daughter relationship by taking her to a market to buy toys, or even a little pet.

But in the market near the Five Poison Sect, most of the spirit pets for sale were poisonous creatures like snakes and scorpions. His daughter, Lu Mengchan, was nearly brought to tears just by looking at them.

“Your mother is a disciple of the Five Poison Sect, and you, having the Calamity Poison Body, are afraid of snakes and scorpions?”

Lu Changsheng was speechless, but seeing his daughter’s adorable and delicate appearance, he found it understandable.

After all, how could such a cute daughter like hers be fond of such creatures?

“Little White, get it! Little Fierce Xi! Little Lucky Mud!”

In the end, his daughter picked a few very visually pleasing pets, smiling with joy.

“Daddy, I also want a Rolling!”

She really liked Lu Linghe’s panda.

Because of this, Meng Xiaochan even made her a panda doll called Iron-Eating Beast.

“There’s no Rolling here. Daddy will try to get one for you later.”

Spirit beasts that looked similar to Iron-Eating Beasts were indeed rare.

But in this demonic land of Jin Kingdom, it was incredibly difficult to find such a spirit beast.

Just like that, after a few days of treating his daughter to good food and fun times, Meng Xiaochan finally returned.

She told Lu Changsheng that due to Jiang Kingdom’s pioneering war, Jin Kingdom was worried that their side of the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range might be affected.

Therefore, the three major demon sects of Jin Kingdom all assigned disciples to guard the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range to prevent a beast tide.

Nangong Mili, after leaving seclusion a few years ago, had gone to the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range to oversee it.

“Can the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range in Jiang Kingdom, which is so far away from Jin Kingdom, be affected?”

Lu Changsheng was a bit surprised.

He had crossed the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range before and knew how far apart the two kingdoms were.

For the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range near Jiang Kingdom’s Spirit Control Sect to impact Jin Kingdom, it seemed impossible.

But on second thought, Jiang Kingdom might be worried that Jin Kingdom would cause trouble, possibly driving some demon kings towards Jin Kingdom, or even causing a beast tide through hunting.

So faced with such a situation, Jin Kingdom also needed to prepare for any eventualities.

“Xiaochan, does the Five Poison Sect have any records on the Calamity Poison Body?”

Lu Changsheng continued to ask.

“There is some relevant information, but higher-level information needs higher permissions to access.”

Meng Xiaochan replied, “If I reveal I’ve achieved Golden Core, it could delay things because there might be more matters that need my attention, so I haven’t reported my breakthrough yet.”

If she remained as a Foundation Establishment true disciple, sect affairs could be postponed as long as her master, Nangong Mili, allowed it.

But once she broke through to Golden Core and became an elder, she would be directly under the sect master’s orders, required to follow the sect’s arrangements and lose some freedom.

“In that case, let’s visit the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range first.”

Lu Changsheng smiled.

However, in this trip to the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, he didn’t put both Meng Xiaochan and his daughter, Lu Mengchan, inside the Heavenly Yuan Imperial Lotus.

After all, the two of them had stayed there so long that his daughter had pitifully complained about being bored.

So the family of three headed towards the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range to enjoy the trip.

During the journey, Lu Changsheng cast a small spell on his daughter.

Even though all three had disguised themselves, in his daughter’s eyes, they still looked as they did before.

Jiang Kingdom.

Myriad Beasts Mountain Range.

“Boom boom boom—”

Countless talismans, techniques, and Artifacts flashed in the sky, while beast roars echoed from all directions.

Qi Refining cultivators formed battle formations, collectively activating their techniques.

Foundation Establishment cultivators assumed various roles. Some commanded formations; some observed the situation from the sky, supporting the formations; others formed assault teams to deal with troublesome Second-Tier demonic beasts.

False Core cultivators held the rear lines, ready to take swift, thunderous action in case a demon king appeared, or something went wrong.

The brutal war was like a merciless meat grinder, with a steady stream of demonic beasts falling, turning into minced flesh or charred remains.

“So this is war!”

In the Azure Cloud Sect’s pioneering team, Lu Xinghuo looked at the scattered corpses and the splattering blood, feeling overwhelmed.

Even though he had prepared himself mentally before coming, and the Azure Cloud Sect had even conducted simple training for them.

Facing such a scene, however, he was still shocked, deeply feeling the insignificance of individual strength.

Low-level Qi Refining cultivators, regardless of how well they’ve cultivated their techniques or how fearless they are, must obey orders, continuously channeling the world’s spiritual energy into the battle formations, sustaining their effects.

Foundation Establishment cultivators, no matter how skilled in fighting techniques they are, cannot fully exert their strength when facing the overwhelming beast tide.

They can only move forward step by step in coordination with other Foundation Establishment cultivators in their group.

“Boom boom boom—”

The Four Great Immortal Sects are well-prepared for this pioneering war, allowing them to hold the initiative and steadily advance the front lines.

As they moved forward, disciples gathered and cleaned up the demonic beast corpses to calculate battle achievements later.

If any cultivators were severely injured, there were specialists skilled in healing to treat them.

Just then, the ground began to shake violently, and a terrifying low roar, full of oppressive energy, rang out from the sky.

“Roar roar roar—”

The sound was terrifying, like countless giant beasts roaring in unison, creating powerful soundwaves that shattered rocks, broke trees, and sent countless birds and beasts fleeing.

Many demonic beasts seemed to be encouraged and rushed forward with renewed vigor.

But human cultivators, under this roar, found their blood churned and their heads splitting in pain.

Some battle formations were directly torn apart by the beast’s roar. The cultivators controlling the formation flags turned pale, were thrown back, spat blood, and some even died on the spot.

“It’s a Demon King!!!”

“Oh no, a Third-Tier Demon King is attacking!”

“The Demon King is starting to counterattack!”

Many cultivators realized what was happening, their expressions filled with fear.

Even though they had Golden Core cultivators and Nascent Soul True Lords on their side.

Most of them had never encountered a Demon King, and now facing a Third-Tier Demon King, they couldn’t suppress their fear.

“Be careful!”

Lu Qingxian was tasked with aerial observation and battle formation support.

Upon noticing a large flying stone heading toward him, he immediately used his Life-bound Spirit Tool—the Lightning Fire Staff—to unleash a destructive bolt of lightning that smashed the stone into dust.

Fortunately, this kind of large-scale attack was due to the Demon King’s aura. As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he could handle it.

But if it were a direct attack from the Demon King, he would be as helpless as a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

The next moment, he saw a massive, mountain-like wild lion slowly emerging ahead.

“So, this is a Third-Tier Demon King!?”

The strongest beast he had seen until now was his family’s Nine Abyss Mastiff.

It was nearly at the level of a quasi-Third-Tier.

But the Nine Abyss Mastiff had been slumbering for years, so it didn’t display its quasi-demon king aura to them.

Now, directly facing a Third-Tier Demon King, he finally understood the terrifying pressure it could exert!

And at that moment.

“Whoosh whoosh whoosh—”

Three beams of rainbow light shot forth.

Three Golden Core cultivators, seemingly prepared, immediately unleashed their magical treasures, surrounding the Lion King for an all-out assault.

Even though Third-Tier Demon Kings had some intelligence, they still preferred to fight alone, making it difficult for them to truly work together.

Even in counterattacks, they couldn’t plan and prepare like the Jiang Kingdom cultivators.

But with the appearance of a Demon King, a mini beast tide was triggered, and countless demonic beasts charged forward, clashing violently with the Jiang Kingdom cultivators.

“Ah!!!”

Some battle formations were directly shattered by the beasts, with the flag bearers and team members turning pale, spitting blood.

Though the Four Great Immortal Sects had distributed battle formation Artifacts to all the cultivators, there were varying qualities among them.

No matter how wealthy the Four Great Immortal Sects were, it was impossible to equip every cultivator with top-quality battle formation Artifacts.

Thus, apart from their own disciples and the elites from some noble families, most of the cultivators only had standard battle formation Artifacts.

These battle formations were not only weaker in power but usually had weaker team members, making them more vulnerable.

At this moment, some loose cultivators, seeing their team’s formation breaking apart, grew terrified and tried to flee, but were immediately stopped by other members.

The Four Great Immortal Sects had ordered that deserters would be slaughtered!

Abandoning the flag and fleeing would lead to their family or organization being held accountable afterward!

Though many loose cultivators were solitary and unattached.

The Four Great Immortal Sects would group them with family sect cultivators in the same team.

If someone in the team abandoned the flag and fled, the remaining members had to stop them, or they would all be punished!

So, under such circumstances, someone immediately stopped the deserters, stating that dying in battle was better than retreating!

“Kill!”

Lu Chensha and Lu Yunfei assembled an assault team. When faced with a powerful Second-Tier demon beast, they had to step up and eliminate it.

They heard a cry of despair not far away.

They saw a team overrun, with the flag bearer’s throat being torn by a Second-Tier leopard, blood gushing out continuously.

“Be careful!”

Lu Chensha immediately warned, releasing a Thousand-Legged Centipede adorned with a cyan ribbon to attack the leopard.

Due to the chaotic nature of war, it was hard to distinguish between demonic beasts and spirit pets.

So, all spirit pets fostered by cultivators were equipped with tokens issued by the sect to prevent accidental injury.

Compared to the Azure Cloud Sect, the Heavenly Sword Sect’s battlefield was much more aggressive.

In addition to the battle formations, many Foundation Establishment cultivators and elite disciples from Heavenly Sword Sect formed assault teams, with some even fighting individually.

They charged at the front lines, full of unstoppable momentum, their flying swords weaving through the battlefield.

Besides the Heavenly Sword Sect’s disciples, there were also elite assault teams formed by the sect’s subordinate forces.

But compared to the elite disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect, these teams were a level weaker in both power and morale.

“Hmm? Which force is that person from with such combat strength?”

After slaying a Second-Tier demon beast, Qin Yi noticed a young man not far away.

He was ruggedly handsome, with defined features, wearing a dark gold and red-embroidered top-tier Second-Tier robe, and holding a small golden tree in his hand, indicating his wealth and noble status, far from an ordinary loose cultivator.

His fighting style was unconventional and unique.

When a demon beast approached, he simply swung the small golden tree in his hand, igniting a fierce dark golden flame during the process.

But this attack was incredibly powerful.

The Second-Tier demon beast was instantly obliterated by a single strike, its blood splattering, or its body charred as it howled and flew back.

“Boom boom boom—”

Lu Mingfeng and several elite members of the Heavenly Sword Sect’s subordinate families formed a team. They were amazed when they saw Lu Lingxiao in his dark golden robe, exuding a powerful aura.

They knew their younger brother had extraordinary talent, but they didn’t know the specifics of his true strength.

It wasn’t until this pioneering war that they realized that aside from their eldest brother Lu Ping’an, their elder sister Lu Wangshu, and Lu Qingshan in the distant Yue Kingdom, they had another top-level genius in the family.

Not only had he reached the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment at a young age, but his combat power was also on par with the elite disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Especially his fighting style, full of imposing grandeur, was like a torch in the night, brilliant and dazzling.

If it weren’t for the no-dueling rule during the war, based on the aura Lu Lingxiao displayed, many Heavenly Sword Sect disciples would probably challenge him to a duel.

Lu Lingxiao’s expression remained cold, paying no heed to others’ gazes.

At first, he thought about killing the demons normally.

But facing the endless flow of demonic beasts, he felt he couldn’t fully utilize his skills.

Thinking of the purpose of his journey, he chose to follow his instincts.

This instinct came from the Law Seed of the Heavenly Son’s Vision he had fused with, from which countless battle experiences were inherent!

Indeed, this instinctive combat style was exceptionally suitable for such a battlefield.

His attacks were large and powerful, without flashy techniques, but each strike, though simple and brutal, had a magical effect.

He felt that if he could fully integrate these innate battle experiences into his instincts, his power could rise another level.

Although the pioneering war was intense, with the Four Great Immortal Sects investing most of their forces, the sects still operated as usual, with enough power remaining to hold the line.

Upon returning to the sect, Lan Ruoxue immediately went to the Great Hall to see the Sect Master, saying she had something urgent.

Moments later, she entered the Great Hall, cupping her fists in a salute, “Sect Master Brother!”

“Lan, what’s the matter? Did something happen?”

The Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect immediately noticed that Lan Ruoxue’s spiritual energy was chaotic and guessed that she had been injured.

“Sect Master Brother, I have something to report.”

Lan Ruoxue then explained the details of her mission.

She then, with a solemn expression, mentioned that she had encountered Yangming Zhenren on her way back.

“Yangming Zhenren!?”

Hearing this name, the Sect Master’s eyes narrowed, and the surrounding air seemed to be cut by two invisible blades.

This name was not unfamiliar to him.

After all, it was natural for the Heavenly Sword Sect to be concerned when a Golden Core cultivator suddenly appeared in the Jiang Kingdom’s cultivation world.

But unfortunately, this person was elusive, and with methods to conceal their tracks, even the Heavenly Sword Sect had no information on them.

He had even suspected that the new City Lord of the Immortal City of Da Mengze was Yangming Zhenren.

But when the Master of the Ten Thousand Lakes challenged the new City Lord, and based on his divine abilities, they dismissed that guess.

“Lan, are you sure this person is Yangming Zhenren?”

The Sect Master inquired.

Though they had heard the name, apart from the descriptions sent from the Yin Ghost Sect, none of them had ever seen Yangming Zhenren.

“There shouldn’t be any mistake. Judging by the information, Yangming Zhenren practices Yin-Yang Spiritual Energy and possesses a golden roc in the late stage of Third-Tier.”

“With these traits, there aren’t many people in the entire cultivation world who fit this description, especially appearing in our Jiang Kingdom.”

Lan Ruoxue said in a firm tone.

Upon hearing this, the Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect asked Lan Ruoxue to describe the situation in detail.

When he heard her describe how Lu Changsheng’s divine ability subdued Murong Zhui Feng and the Old Woman, his expression changed dramatically. He exclaimed in disbelief, “What, a single divine ability subdued Murong Zhui Feng and Old Woman!?”

Others might not know, but as the Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect, he was very familiar with the power levels of the surrounding forces.

Both of them were at the fifth and sixth levels of Golden Core.

Moreover, cultivators from the Heaven Corpse Sect were known for nurturing a Life-bound Corpse, making them the most powerful in their realm.

Yet these two, along with their corpses, equivalent to four Golden Core-level combatants, were subdued by one person with a single divine ability!

This strength matched that of the former True Lord Xuanjian and True Sword!

“The Hundred-foot Yin-Yang Palm, so it seems that the mysterious Golden Core that Tiger Roar Realman encountered in the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range was indeed Yangming Zhenren.”

The Sect Master quietly muttered, recalling some earlier information.

He then continued, “This person subdued Murong Zhui Feng and Old Woman with just one divine ability. It seems the information from the Yin Ghost Sect wasn’t exaggerated. The actual situation might have been even more remarkable.”

“However, after receiving compensation from the Yin Ghost Sect, he chose to retreat, which indicates he hasn’t yet broken through to Nascent Soul and is probably a peak Golden Core master.”

“But with such strength, why does he need Jade Marrow Golden Ganoderma?”

Upon hearing that he needed the Jade Marrow Golden Ganoderma, the Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect was puzzled.

Jade Marrow Golden Ganoderma was famous as the main ingredient in refining Condensing Crystal Pills.

But in his opinion, Yangming Zhenren shouldn’t be lacking in Condensing Crystal Pills.

Not to mention, in the past, he had obtained two Condensing Crystal Pills from the Yin Ghost Sect. With his level of power, he wouldn’t be short of any Condensing Crystal Pills.

After contemplating for a while, he let out a long breath and said, “Since this person has shown some goodwill towards us, I’ll arrange the matter of the Jade Marrow Golden Ganoderma.”

Despite not knowing why Yangming Zhenren needed the Jade Marrow Golden Ganoderma.

From the attitude he displayed, the Sect Master was inclined to engage in a transaction with him.

After all, if they could recruit a top-tier Golden Core expert for this pioneering war, it would be a great advantage for Jiang Kingdom.

Especially considering that Yangming Zhenren has a Late-Stage Third-Tier demon king as his spirit pet!