Chapter 590: So, Yangming Realman was Preparing for the End!

“Daoist Zhao, can you discern anything about this person?”

After leaving Cangling Market, the Heavenly Sword Sect Master transmitted this inquiry to the sickly scholar beside him.

“Sect Master, this person not only possesses a treasure that conceals heavenly secrets, but also utilized a divine technique to reverse the natural order, creating a chaotic and deep mess of fate.”

The sickly scholar slightly shook his head and sighed.

He had observed Lu Changsheng throughout, trying to glean some useful information.

But from the first glance, Lu Changsheng’s fate was chaotic and hard to decipher.

If he forced himself to calculate it, he would undoubtedly shorten his own lifespan and fortune.

“But judging by his appearance, it’s highly likely that this is not his true face.”

The scholar added this, feeling like he couldn’t walk away empty-handed without gaining any information.

“Indeed.”

The Heavenly Sword Sect Master nodded slightly, not surprised by this assessment.

For a top-tier cultivator with an unknown background suddenly appearing, it is likely they are a refugee or a wandering rogue from another region.

Such individuals would definitely disguise themselves and conceal their true identities when traveling.

Moreover, as a sect master and top sword cultivator, he also trained in heavenly eye techniques and could discern a bit of the person’s aura.

“Since he bears no ill will and has even taken the initiative to be friendly, there’s no need to delve deeper.”

The Heavenly Sword Sect Master remarked, recalling the divination True Lord had given him before coming.

Ambiguity mixed with danger.

This journey should be taken with caution; otherwise, the outcome could be unpredictable.

“Understood, Sect Master.”

The sickly scholar responded gladly.

As a diviner, unless it involved their own safety or opportunities, they were unwilling to pry into fate.

But often, there was no choice.

Back at Cangling Market.

In an antique inn’s private booth,

Lu Changsheng looked at Lan Ruoxue before him.

He hadn’t expected that after the Heavenly Sword Sect Master left, he’d be left with a mature and charming woman to accompany him.

What did this mean?

Was this a test?

Any leader would struggle with such a test!

Although Lu Changsheng was willing to sacrifice for his family and establish connections with the Heavenly Sword Sect,

his identity as Yangming Zhenren couldn’t be too deeply intertwined with the Heavenly Sword Sect, lest his true situation be exposed.

Moreover, Lan Ruoxue was not some naive woman despite her status as a Jindan Real Person.

“I’ve heard that Senior has some issues with the Yin Ghost Sect?”

Lan Ruoxue asked with a smile.

She didn’t stay behind just to accompany him; she had a task.

She wanted to know more about this Yangming Zhenren and whether he could be used by the Heavenly Sword Sect or if they could cooperate.

Given the situation in Jiang Kingdom—waging a war of expansion while guarding against Jin Kingdom and responding to the Yin Ghost Sect’s grand elder’s breakthrough—they were in dire need of top-level combat power.

If they could ally this Yangming Zhenren, it would be immensely beneficial to the Heavenly Sword Sect.

“Hmm.”

Lu Changsheng sipped his tea calmly and then looked directly at the beautiful woman in front of him. “What? Does your Heavenly Sword Sect want to ask me to deal with the Yin Ghost Sect?”

“Senior must be joking. Although the Yin Ghost Sect’s might lack a Nascent Soul True Lord, their foundations run deep, making them difficult to overcome.”

“Besides, the three major demonic sects of Jin Kingdom stand guard over one another. If one is attacked, the other two won’t stand by idly.”

Lan Ruoxue’s tone was gentle and soft, without the sharpness typical of a sword cultivator.

“However, the grand elder of the Yin Ghost Sect is on the verge of breaking through to Nascent Soul. As our sect understands it, he’s well prepared and highly likely to break through.”

“If he succeeds, he might come looking for trouble with Senior.”

Lan Ruoxue stated her concerns.

“I am a rogue cultivator with no ties, so even if that person breaks through to Nascent Soul, what could he do?”

“On the other hand, the Yin Ghost Sect can run, but their temple can’t hide.”

Lu Changsheng heard the underlying meaning in her words and replied indifferently, with a hint of disdain in his voice.

As long as his identity wasn’t exposed, what did he have to fear?

At worst, he could discard this identity and avoid Jin Kingdom altogether.

Plus, with such a large sect behind them, would they risk the consequences of attacking him without consideration?

Lan Ruoxue’s expression froze for a moment.

Inwardly, she thought, “This Yangming Zhenren is indeed arrogant and confident.”

Facing a nearly Nascent Soul cultivator and showing no fear.

But he does indeed have the strength to back up his confidence.

Unless a Nascent Soul True Lord personally took action and spent time and energy chasing him, killing such a top-tier cultivator would be no simple feat.

“Senior is correct.”

Lan Ruoxue knew persuading Lu Changsheng to join forces with them to stop the grand elder’s breakthrough would be difficult, so she changed the subject.

“Senior should be aware that our Jiang Kingdom is currently engaged in a war of expansion.”

“Would Senior be interested?”

Lan Ruoxue asked softly.

“A war of expansion.”

Lu Changsheng hadn’t expected an invitation to participate in the war.

However, if he were to fully engage, it might expose his differences.

Moreover, going to the frontlines would inevitably bring him into contact with top-tier Jindan and Nascent Soul cultivators.

“I have other things to do, and I don’t have the time right now. But once I’m done, if your Heavenly Sword Sect still needs help, I’m open to collaborating.”

Lu Changsheng didn’t entirely close the door.

If he obtained a rare treasure that could conceal his identity even from a Nascent Soul True Lord, he wouldn’t mind joining to make some gains.

“Alright, if Senior is interested, you can always visit our Heavenly Sword Sect or contact me.”

Lan Ruoxue’s voice was gentle. Her simple yet elegant appearance, unadorned by makeup, gave her a graceful and refined look.

“How long will this war of expansion last?”

Lu Changsheng seized the opportunity to gather more information from Lan Ruoxue.

“That is uncertain. It could take three to five years, or it might last over a decade.”

Lan Ruoxue answered.

Such a war aimed not only to seize spiritual land but also to cultivate it, establish strongholds, build markets, or set up cities.

“Three to five years, over a decade.”

Lu Changsheng nodded, confirming his earlier assumptions.

For Jindan Real Persons and Nascent Soul True Lords, such time was merely a long retreat.

“You mentioned earlier that the grand elder of the Yin Ghost Sect has a high probability of breaking through to Nascent Soul?”

Lu Changsheng returned to their previous topic.

Although he knew the Yin Ghost Sect had previously had a Nascent Soul True Lord, their lineage had become discontinuous. However, the claim of a high probability of breakthrough was still hard to believe.

Seeing Lu Changsheng’s interest, Lan Ruoxue eagerly explained, “Indeed, this grand elder of the Yin Ghost Sect had already reached the peak of Jindan fifty years ago.”

“He waited until now to break through to gather enough blood from myriad spirits through the Ten Thousand Ghost Blood Pool. It’s crucial for the breakthrough.”

“Perhaps Senior isn’t aware, but this Ten Thousand Ghost Blood Pool is one of the Yin Ghost Sect’s inherited treasures. The blood it gathers is not only beneficial for Jindan but also significantly aids in breaking through to Nascent Soul.”

Lan Ruoxue discussed.

Any force that could last thousands or tens of thousands of years had its own heritage.

These heritages ensured that top-tier cultivators would continue to emerge.

Even if there was a disruption, they could still maintain their standing.

“So that’s how it is.”

Lu Changsheng had heard of the Yin Ghost Sect’s inherited treasure, the ‘Ten Thousand Ghost Blood Pool’, before.

He knew it was the foundation upon which the Yin Ghost Sect stood shoulder to shoulder with the Five Poison Sect and Heaven Corpse Sect as the three major demonic sects.

But he hadn’t known it could also aid in breaking through to Nascent Soul.

Still, he had no intention of joining the Heavenly Sword Sect to directly confront the danger.

After all, when disasters strike, it’s the tall ones who should hold them off.

Two Nascent Soul True Lords from the Heavenly Sword Sect certainly wouldn’t sit idle.

Besides, the Jiang Kingdom had a neutral Nascent Soul, Qingluan Zhenren!

Although this person had just broken through to Nascent Soul, Lu Changsheng felt that his strength was extraordinary, making him a standout among Nascent Souls!

“If he does break through to Nascent Soul with the Ten Thousand Ghost Blood Pool and the Dao Soldiers of Ten Thousand Ghosts, his power will instantly rank among the veteran Nascent Souls, becoming extremely difficult to deal with.”

Lan Ruoxue continued, trying to persuade Lu Changsheng.

But Lu Changsheng remained unmoved.

However, this reminded him of an old treasure he had acquired—the Curse of the Demon!

Just by focusing his thoughts on someone through the book, he could curse them from afar. Within forty-nine days, their flesh would rot, and their soul would perish!

Although he hadn’t seen the grand elder of the Yin Ghost Sect, there were surely people in the Heavenly Sword Sect who had.

If he sold this treasure to the Heavenly Sword Sect, they could curse the person to death immediately.

But this treasure was too deadly.

Who knows, after obtaining it, the Heavenly Sword Sect might use it to curse the grand elder of the Yin Ghost Sect.

If that elder acquired this treasure, even he might be in danger.

Moreover, if he sold such a demonic treasure to the Heavenly Sword Sect, who knew if they might suspect him of being demonic, harboring apprehensions.

After all, a top-tier Jindan cultivator with the potential to reach Nascent Soul must be considered a significant threat in the eyes of the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Thus, the two chatted back and forth.

Lu Changsheng maintained his disguised identity as Yangming Zhenren, always calm and indifferent, touching on various topics just enough to show interest without revealing too much, avoiding Lan Ruoxue’s suspicions.

Three days later.

The Heavenly Sword Sect Master returned to Cangling Market, bringing the four kinds of spiritual materials Lu Changsheng required.

After the transaction, Lu Changsheng clasped his hands and said, “Farewell, Fellow Taoists.”

“Wishing you good fortune, Yangming Daoist!”

The Heavenly Sword Sect Master was in a pleasant mood after obtaining the two people from the Heaven Corpse Sect.

With them in hand, he could negotiate with the Heaven Corpse Sect to retrieve one of their senior brothers.

Watching Lu Changsheng turn into a beam of divine light and leave, the Heavenly Sword Sect Master turned to Lan Ruoxue and inquired if she had gleaned any information during their interactions over the past few days.

“Senior Brother Sect Master, this Yangming Zhenren likely isn’t a cultivator from Jiang Kingdom’s vicinity. Although he knows a bit about our Heavenly Sword Sect and surrounding regions, his knowledge isn’t extensive.”

“While he claims to be a rogue cultivator with no ties, I don’t believe that’s entirely true.”

“From our conversations, it’s apparent he harbors some fear of the Yin Ghost Sect. He doesn’t seem as carefree as he implies.”

As a Jindan cultivator, Lan Ruoxue’s keen mind matched her impressive cultivation.

Though their chats seemed simple, she meticulously analyzed Lu Changsheng’s words, gestures, and intentions.

“Hmm, according to intelligence, his enmity with the Yin Ghost Sect stems from them harming his wife and child. He is not entirely unburdened, nor without ties.”

“He obtained the Condensing Crystal Pills from the Yin Ghost Sect and then requested Jade Marrow Golden Ganoderma from us, indicating he likely has descendants to care for who require the Condensing Crystal Pills.”

The Heavenly Sword Sect Master analyzed.

“Busy with something, unafraid of Nascent Soul cultivators, preparing multiple Condensing Crystal Pills, and purchasing spiritual materials, forging Magical Treasures… Is he preparing to venture into the ‘Mirage Realm of Endless Sands’!?”

At that moment, a flash of insight crossed the Heavenly Sword Sect Master’s mind.

North of Yue Kingdom, a vast desert lies.

Three thousand years ago, a secret realm appeared there, named the ‘Mirage Realm of Endless Sands’.

This secret realm emerges every few hundred years, and those who venture in might find opportunities to ascend to Nascent Soul.

Once it appears, numerous Jindan and Nascent Soul cultivators flock to it.

According to the information he received, this secret realm could emerge in roughly ten years.

“With his strength clearly at the peak of Jindan, he has a good chance of breaking through to Nascent Soul.”

“For him, the Mirage Realm of Endless Sands is an opportunity to break through to Nascent Soul!”

“The majority of the spiritual materials he collected were to refine rare Magical Treasures. Perhaps he’s preparing to enter the Mirage Realm of Endless Sands.”

“If he’s collecting Condensing Crystal Pills and Jade Marrow Golden Ganoderma, he may be making preparations for his descendants, performing his last rites.”

The more the Heavenly Sword Sect Master thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.

After all, entering a Nascent Soul-oriented secret realm as a Jindan cultivator is a life-threatening endeavor.

Even a superbly powerful Yangming Zhenren with a Third-Tier Demon King would face extreme difficulty in seizing chances within that secret realm.

“If that’s so, we might have further opportunities to approach him.””

The Heavenly Sword Sect Master thought to himself, then turned to Lan Ruoxue, “Junior Sister Lan, this journey has been arduous for you.”

With that, he departed Cangling Market alongside Lan Ruoxue, returning to the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Lu Changsheng was unaware of the Heavenly Sword Sect Master’s conjectures.

If he knew, he would definitely curse under his breath, “You’re the one preparing your last rites; your whole family is preparing their last rites.”

After all, with his old ancestor system, why would he need to risk himself in a secret realm?

After traveling miles away from Cangling Market, he carefully checked his condition and aura once more. Only when he confirmed that everything was in order did he continue riding his Golden-Winged Roc towards Bihu Mountain.

When he was still miles away, Lu Changsheng directly activated the Michen Banner to return to Bihu Mountain.

“Husband!”

Now that Ling Zixiao wasn’t around, the core formation of Bihu Mountain’s great formation was held by Lu Miaoyun.

She sensed a strange fluctuation through the formation disc and immediately realized that Lu Changsheng had returned.

“Miaoyun.”

Lu Changsheng saw his petite wife and pulled her into an embrace.

After a brief moment of intimacy, Lu Changsheng signaled for Meng Xiaochan to emerge from the Heavenly Yuan Imperial Lotus.

As for his daughter, Lu Mengchan, she continued her sleep.

Lu Changsheng planned to stay at Bihu Mountain, using the forging platform to upgrade his innate Magical Treasure, the Yin-Yang Diagram, before heading back to the Immortal City of Da Mengze for refining pills.

In the following half-month, Lu Changsheng stayed on Bihu Mountain, spending time with his wives and children, attending to family matters, and upgrading his Magical Treasure.

“Whoosh—”

Inside the refining palace, the Thunder-Reinforced Dragon Flame ignited the local fire formation on the forging platform, unleashing a fierce jet-black flame.

“Buzz!”

With a thought, Lu Changsheng’s innate Magical Treasure, the ‘Yin-Yang Diagram,’ appeared and rested on the forging platform.

As the black-gold flames burned, the Yin-Yang Diagram gleamed with brilliant light, intertwining black and white energy, like a cosmic cycle of life and death.

Lu Changsheng fed the materials he obtained from Jin Kingdom, along with the three materials he acquired from the Heavenly Sword Sect, into the forging platform.

“Divine Machine’s Refining Art!”

Upgrading a conventional Magical Treasure is extremely troublesome.

It requires re-forging, carefully removing lower-grade materials, and re-engraving the treasure’s restrictions.

Any mistake could damage the treasure.

Thus, most cultivators either lay a solid foundation when forging or invest in rare treasures to slowly nurture and upgrade their Magical Treasures.

But to nurture a low-grade Magical Treasure to a mid-grade one would take decades if not centuries.

The technique ‘Divine Machine Hundred Refinement Technique’ that Lu Changsheng previously acquired was a top-tier path of refining. It boasted many Secret Techniques for refining.

Among them, a refining technique was exquisite beyond comparison.

As long as you understood the principles of the treasure, you could directly replace or condense lower-grade materials to upgrade the treasure’s quality.

“Buzz, buzz, buzz!”

Under the Divine Machine’s Refining Art, the spiritual materials began orbiting the Yin-Yang Diagram. A Seven-Colored Luminous Stone slowly disintegrated into colorful light, gradually merging with the diagram.

As it was Lu Changsheng’s first time using the Divine Machine’s Refining Art, he dared not be hasty and worked very slowly.

Over time, wisps of grey light seeped from the Yin-Yang Diagram.

Meanwhile, the colorful light emanating from the Seven-Colored Luminous Stone perfectly blended into the Yin-Yang Diagram.

Continuing with the order, Lu Changsheng methodically refined each of the five spiritual materials that could enhance the Yin-Yang Diagram.

After finishing the refinement, Lu Changsheng used similar materials to purify and elevate the previous lower-quality ones.

Ten days later.

Inside the refining palace.

“Huuuu.”

Lu Changsheng exhaled a breath, his face full of both exhaustion and satisfaction.

On the forging platform, the Yin-Yang Diagram emanated a profound aura, slowly landing in his hand.

Previously, this innate Magical Treasure barely reached the level of a high-grade Magical Treasure!

After his intense re-forging and upgrading, it was now only half a step away from being elevated to a top-grade one!

It hadn’t reached the top-grade not because of a lack of materials but because this grade was better suited to his current cultivation level.

If it had been upgraded to a top-grade, it would have been less ideal.

“This Divine Machine Refining Art is indeed extraordinary. Not only does it quickly elevate the quality, but it also nurtures the treasure’s spirituality.”

“The most challenging aspect of upgrading a Magical Treasure to a Spirit Treasure is nurturing enough spirituality to cultivate a treasure spirit!”

“Under normal circumstances, it would take at least a century to nurture this amount of spirituality.”

“But with this Divine Machine Refining Art, you can cultivate spirituality and a treasure spirit in the shortest time possible, as long as you provide enough spiritual materials!”

After experiencing the effects of the Divine Machine Hundred Refinement Technique, Lu Changsheng deeply understood its value for refining and equipment cultivation.

At his current cultivation speed, nurturing his treasures couldn’t keep up.

Without it, he might reach mid-level Nascent Soul before his Magical Treasure became a Spirit Treasure.

With this Divine Machine Refining Art, these issues were resolved.

After putting away the Yin-Yang Diagram, Lu Changsheng exited the refining palace and returned to Sumeru Cave Heaven to rest.

Although this refining technique was exceptional, it exerted a heavy toll on him.

After a few days of rest and rejuvenation, Lu Changsheng went to Azure Cloud Sect to check on Xiao Xiyue.

She had been retreating and cultivating over these many days.

After all this time, Xiao Xiyue had barely started mastering her Jindan divine abilities.

This was normal among most Jindan cultivators.

After a breakthrough, one needs to invest significant time in cultivating divine abilities and nurturing their innate Magical Treasures.

For someone like Xiao Xiyue, who could cultivate peacefully without worries, she was already fast when it came to her cultivation.

After their long separation, the couple tenderly reunited, lingering under the moonlight.

Afterward!

Afterward!

Afterward!

As the saying goes, time flies in cultivation. One day, a Sun-Moon Token appeared in Lu Changsheng’s hand with a message from his wife, Lu Miaoyun.

Husband, Hong Yi has passed away.

Three years ago, during your Jindan Ceremony, Hong Yi, looking frail and emaciated, dragged his weary body to attend. At that time, you already knew his days were numbered.

Now, having died of old age, it was only natural.

“Hong Yi has passed away. I should go send him off properly.”

Lu Changsheng said with some emotion.

While they hadn’t kept in touch much over the years,

Hong Yi was still one of his few good friends.

The Lu Family of Ruyi County had benefitted greatly from his care in their early years.

Now that he was gone, it was only right that he should pay his respects.

“I should go as well.”

Xiao Xiyue, blushing slightly, leaned into Lu Changsheng’s embrace, whispering her decision.

She had gradually lost touch with Hong Yi after she broke through to Foundation Establishment and cultivated the Supreme Forgetting Emotions Technique.

Had she not heard of his death, she wouldn’t have minded.

Now that she knew and with Lu Changsheng also going, she felt she should pay her respects as well.

“Alright.”

Though the attendance of two Jindan cultivators at a Qi Refining cultivator’s funeral would certainly cause quite a stir,

at their level of cultivation, they wouldn’t care what others thought.

After lingering for a bit more, the two left the Cave Dwelling.

Upon reaching the Azure Cloud Sect Mountain Gate, Lu Changsheng paused in his steps.

He had lost count of how many times he had come to the Azure Cloud Sect.

Yet, he vividly recalled his first visit.

At that time, he, Xiao Xiyue, Zhao Qingqing, Li Feiyu, Han Lin, and Hong Yi had been brought here for the entrance examination.

Xiao Xiyue, Zhao Qingqing, and Han Lin had been accepted into the Azure Cloud Sect, while he, Li Feiyu, and Hong Yi were not.

Eighty-one years had since passed.

Out of the original six, Hong Yi had passed away. Li Feiyu had disappeared, and Han Lin had gone to retire at a market, where he managed a refining equipment store.

Although Zhao Qingqing had reached Foundation Establishment, her potential was limited.

If she didn’t switch to the Heaven and Earth Longevity Technique, she might only reach False Core.

“What’s wrong?”

In her moon-white dress, Xiao Xiyue stood by Lu Changsheng’s side, radiantly beautiful, cold, and pure as she asked him.

“Nothing.”

Lu Changsheng shook his head and headed for Bihu Mountain with Xiao Xiyue before departing for Ruyi County.