Chapter 612: Chapter 612: Five Poison Sect Master’s Scheme, Fourth-Tier Monster Core Acquired!

Nangong Mili heard this, her long, beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, thoughtful as she called a maid to watch her son.

“Minghuang, mommy has some matters, I’ll play with you later.”

She pinched her son’s chubby little face, then walked gracefully out of the Great Hall, riding a divine rainbow towards the Five Sacred Hall.

“Greet the Sect Leader!”

Nangong Mili arrived at the Five Sacred Hall, bowing in respect.

Even though her status in the Five Poison Sect had risen due to her connection with Yangming Zhenren and her daughter Nangong Yaoyao, she dared not show the slightest disrespect to her sect’s leader.

“Come in!”

A young but commanding voice came from within the hall.

“Heavenly Spider Envoy greets the Sect Leader!”

Nangong Mili entered the Great Hall and, seeing the Five Poison Sect Master seated above, bowed again with utmost respect.

“Do you know why I have summoned you?”

The Five Poison Sect Master had a face like beautiful jade, ornate in detail, wearing a silver crown with eyes full of wisdom beyond their young appearance.

“Sect Leader, is it about the Jiang Kingdom’s land-clearing war?”

From her sect leader’s expression, Nangong Mili guessed that the trip to Jiang Kingdom did not go smoothly.

“I went with the Heaven Corpse Sect Master and True Lord Tiansha to Jiang Kingdom, confident of success, but Yangming Zhenren unexpectedly intervened.”

“This person intercepted the Heaven Corpse Sect Master, causing the plan to fail, and True Lord Tiansha was slain.”

The Five Poison Sect Master said expressionlessly.

According to the plan, if Jiang Kingdom was heavily damaged, they could gain a share from Yue Kingdom.

Later, joining forces with Liang Kingdom to strike Jiang Kingdom and seize enough resources would give them a chance to advance further.

However, due to Yangming Zhenren, the plan encountered unexpected issues, and the master herself suffered injuries difficult to recover from in less than three to five years.

“What!? How is this possible?”

Nangong Mili trembled upon hearing this, her beautiful and charming face full of shock and disbelief.

She knew Lu Changsheng was formidable, nearly invincible below the Nascent Soul stage when combined with the Golden-Winged Roc.

But a Golden Core fighting against a Nascent Soul? That’s impossible!

A Golden Core cultivator escaping alive from a Nascent Soul True Lord would already be considered top-grade and worth boasting about, causing a huge stir.

But to battle against a Nascent Soul as a Golden Core, what a concept! She couldn’t imagine it.

Even holy sons and daughters of the seven demonic sects would find it hard to achieve, wouldn’t they?

“Please forgive the Sect Leader. I was unaware of this matter, there may be some misunderstandings involved.”

Nangong Mili hurriedly knelt to apologize and request forgiveness.

She knew this action related to Jin Kingdom’s future trajectory and her sect leader’s opportunity for breakthrough.

After all, at the Nascent Soul stage, relying on hard cultivation was far too hard. One either needed to travel for opportunities or plunder in war.

Now with the plan foiled, it indicated disruption.

“I am not here to question you. I just want to know why Yangming Zhenren is helping Jiang Kingdom?”

The Five Poison Sect Master spoke in a softened tone.

Without the relationship with Nangong Yaoyao, even if Nangong Mili was truly loyal to the Five Poison Sect, she would’ve directly punished her, even going as far as soul searching.

But after witnessing Yangming Zhenren’s methods, she suspected he was either a Nascent Soul cultivator fallen from grace or had indulged in Nascent Soul possession.

In either case, he was not comparable in his prime.

In such a scenario, who knew if she had placed any of his restraints or contingencies on Nangong Mili.

To act against Nangong Mili would alert and provoke a formidable enemy.

It was better to use Nangong Mili to probe and see if opportunities could be derived from him.

Moreover, Yangming Zhenren was only at the Golden Core stage now. If she could control him, she might annex the Heaven Corpse Sect and the Yin Ghost Sect.

“Sect Leader, I’m not aware either. But he was in Jiang Kingdom early on, possibly tied to Heavenly Sword Sect or Jiang Kingdom’s forces.”

Facing a Nascent Soul True Lord, Nangong Mili dared not lie nor could she, responding respectfully.

“Oh?”

The Five Poison Sect Master’s eyes narrowed, her pupils shimmering with a five-colored light as she looked at Nangong Mili and said, “Tell me more about Yangming Zhenren and how you came to know him.”

Nangong Mili’s expression wavered slightly as thoughts about Lu Changsheng flooded her mind, beginning to recount them.

Just then, a clear, cool airflow surged into her consciousness from nowhere, clearing her hazy awareness but not breaking her from this state.

“This is a divine ability!”

Nangong Mili instantly realized the Sect Leader had used a bewitching technique on her. Although not a soul search, it still probed her true self.

She barely had time to wonder why her mind had a refreshing sense, naturally recounting her dealings with Lu Changsheng.

“To report to the Sect Leader, when you challenged True Lord Xuanjian, Xiaochan and I went to Jiang Kingdom on a mission, where Yun Jianfeng’s layout in Nine Heavens Immortal City gravely injured us.”

“Xiaochan and I narrowly escaped but were seriously wounded and comatose.”

“Xiaochan grew up in Jiang Kingdom and knew Yangming Zhenren, so she asked him to save me. But he was both righteous and evil, saving me through dual cultivation, resulting in my conceiving Yaoyao.”

“After waking up, I returned with Xiaochan without seeing him again until the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm, where he reappeared and saved me from Jiang Kingdom’s Four Great Immortal Sects and then came to Jin Kingdom to visit Yaoyao. Xiaochan was also taken by him.”

“Three years ago, Yangming Zhenren visited Jin Kingdom because Xiaochan broke through Golden Core and lacked subsequent techniques, so she went to the Five Poison Sect to seek those techniques.”

Nangong Mili broadly disclosed her history with Lu Changsheng.

Although now her mind was clear, many things left traces that the Five Poison Sect Master could verify; she dared not lie excessively.

“Xiaochan was taken by this person.”

The Five Poison Sect Master’s eyes narrowed, capturing several key pieces of information.

Yangming Zhenren knew Meng Xiaochan before Nangong Mili and then asked Nangong Mili to bear a child for him.

It’s known that top cultivators in the immortal world, unless their lifetime is nearly up, generally don’t leave offspring.

The reason is simple.

Children can easily become weaknesses, burdens, targets for others.

But Yangming Zhenren did the opposite.

Moreover, a few years ago, when she summoned Nangong Mili, she noticed the latter was pregnant again.

Apart from having two children, she remembered the chaos at the Yin Ghost Sect was also because of a child.

“Why does Yangming Zhenren keep having children but not tend to them? He doesn’t appear to be dying and needing heirs.”

The Sect Leader was puzzled.

She thought for a moment, then asked Nangong Mili: “I remember your disciple, Meng Xiaochan, has a spirit body?”

Nangong Mili’s situation was somewhat known to her; she possessed the Yin Allure Physique.

But Meng Xiaochan was only a Foundation Establishment cultivator early on, not catching her eye, so she didn’t pay attention.

“To report to the Sect Leader, Xiaochan possesses a Thousand Silk Wan Du Body.”

Nangong Mili replied respectfully.

These details were all recorded; a sect roll could easily reveal them.

“Yin Allure Physique, Thousand Silk Wan Du Body.”

“Yin Allure Physique aids dual cultivation, the gathered Profound Yin Jade Fluid helps break bottlenecks and enhance foundations. But the Thousand Silk Wan Du Body provides no benefit to others.”

“Could it be Yangming Zhenren is solely using spirit-bodied women to bear spirit-bodied offspring for practicing divine abilities and secret techniques?”

The Five Poison Sect Master mused about Nangong Yaoyao’s Immaculate Heavenly Fragrance Body.

Parents with high cultivation could have offspring with relatively good talent.

If the parents also had spirit bodies, the likelihood of having spirit-bodied offspring was considerably higher.

Many techniques and divine abilities in the cultivation world allow the absorption of spirit body essences.

Some techniques can cultivate through bloodlines without outright plunder.

Yangming Zhenren, if a fallen Nascent Soul demon possessed or reincarnated, originally being Nascent Soul mid-stage or later, might have these means; it would barely make sense.

“When Yangming Zhenren visited Yaoyao, did he do anything? Did Meng Xiaochan have another child?”

The Five Poison Sect Master continued her inquiries.

“Yangming Zhenren did nothing to Yaoyao; he took her to the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range to foster father-daughter feelings and gave her a spirit-infused Gu. Xiaochan had a daughter with him.”

Nangong Mili replied courteously.

“It seems that’s what it is. When Yangming Zhenren faced Yan Wujiang, his spiritual abilities restrained corpse demons and dark arts, indicating he may not be practicing demonic arts to the extent of blood sacrifices or extreme measures.”

The Five Poison Sect Master nodded slightly, gathering further details from Nangong Mili about Yangming Zhenren’s conduct and character.

A few moments later, an image of a man both righteous and wicked, domineering and uninhibited, fiercely protective, formed in her mind.

“I recall you have another child with Yangming Zhenren. Let’s take a look.”

The Five Poison Sect Master continued.

“Sect Leader, please forgive me!”

Nangong Mili heard this, her body trembled, face pale, pleadingly speaking.

Although she often complained about this son, he was carried for a year and a half, with deep affection.

“Rest assured, I only want to see.”

The Sect Leader wasn’t concerned about Nangong Mili regaining awareness.

This type of mind-bewitching divine ability merely perturbed the surface consciousness.

Involving someone’s deep consciousness risked awakening them.

But from this, it was clear Nangong Mili had fallen for Yangming Zhenren, and the Sect Leader suspected he had used some means on her.

Otherwise, for a woman like Nangong Mili, it would be hard to fall in love and bear children for a man.

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

Though worried, facing the Sect Leader left her powerless to resist.

She knew the Sect Leader’s power didn’t require deception.

A moment later, they arrived at the Heavenly Spider Peak’s Great Hall.

“This child also possesses a spirit body!?”

Seeing Nangong Minghuang, the Sect Leader immediately noticed his amber-like golden eyes, taken aback.

Nangong Mili’s daughter, Nangong Yaoyao, had the top-grade Immaculate Heavenly Fragrance Body.

Now, her son was similarly exceptional.

“Does this child have any spirit body?”

The Sect Leader asked Nangong Mili.

“Sect Leader, I don’t know.”

Nangong Mili shook her head.

She believed her son had a spirit body, but observed over two years, no spirit body traits were evident.

Hearing this, the Sect Leader approached to inspect Nangong Minghuang.

“Chi Chi Chi—”

Suddenly, a clear, solemn sound erupted from the jade cicada on Minghuang’s shoulder.

From this cicada sound, the Sect Leader sensed an aura intimidating insects, beasts, and spirits, warding off evil.

This was somewhat similar to Yangming Zhenren’s spiritual ability used against the Heaven Corpse Sect Master.

“What is this?”

The Sect Leader’s eyes shone with a crystal-like glow, examining the jade cicada.

“Back then, I linked the crystal cicada Gu with Minghuang’s life to enhance its potential, intending it as a future life-bound Gu worm, but it mutated.”

Nangong Mili immediately explained.

“This child is not simple. It doesn’t seem like a special constitution, but is a bit like fairy roots.”

To cultivate, one must have a spirit root.

Besides spirit roots and special spirit bodies, certain other factors exist. Some grand divine ability users might have abilities naturally infusing into their bloodline, passed to offspring, like spirit beasts.

Such extraordinary traits are termed as fairy roots or fairy bones.

Cultivators training under ancestral heritage find achieving results much easier.

“This child seems to have inherited abilities from Yangming Zhenren’s divine abilities or techniques. Normally, divine abilities of a late Golden Core Realman can’t pass through bloodline, only Nascent Soul cultivators might have a chance.”

“So this suggests Yangming Zhenren likely fell from a Nascent Soul True Lord to Golden Core, explaining why he shows Nascent Soul level combat strength now, directly facing Yan Wujiang!”

“Besides, with Nangong Mili’s firstborn being a top-tier spirit body and the second having fairy roots, it further points to his exceptional past, likely a late Nascent Soul monster!”

“Is he having offspring merely to refine divine techniques or secret arts? A layout? Or is he leaving a bloodline legacy because he can’t return to his prime, awaiting a true successor?”

The Sect Leader pondered, finding Yangming Zhenren increasingly mysterious!

Beside her, Nangong Mili was slightly alarmed seeing her Sect Leader focusing on her son.

After a moment of thought, the Sect Leader lightly tapped, extracting a drop of heart’s blood from Minghuang, telling Nangong Mili: “Heavenly Spider Envoy, if Yangming Zhenren visits, notify me. Tell him I bear no ill will and wish to meet him.”

Finishing her words, disregarding Minghuang’s tears, she vanished.

“Yes, Sect Leader!”

Nangong Mili’s beautiful, bewitching face turned somewhat pale, bowing towards the outside, then holding her son softly, she soothed, “Don’t cry, don’t cry.”

Her son lost a drop of heart’s blood, practically granting the Five Poison Sect Master control over his life.

Not only her son Nangong Minghuang.

As the Heavenly Spider Envoy of the Five Poison Sect, any betrayal would let the Sect Leader shatter her soul using her life lantern.

Even with her sixth-layer Golden Core cultivation, attempting resistance would harm her soul source, ruining her path.

“Lu Changsheng”

Before this, she hoped her son, Nangong Minghuang, would grow up in the Five Poison Sect under her guidance.

Now, she wished Lu Changsheng would take her son away.

With her daughter Nangong Yaoyao’s relation, the Sect Leader wouldn’t act against her, but it was uncertain with her son Nangong Minghuang.

“What was that aura earlier?”

At that moment, Nangong Mili recalled the clear breath in her soul’s sea when the Sect Leader used her mind-bewitching divine ability.

No matter how she examined her soul sea, she couldn’t find a trace of that aura.

“Could it be that man’s remaining countermeasure?”

Nangong Mili lightly bit her red lips, her heart longing for Lu Changsheng’s arrival.

But he had just contended with the Heaven Corpse Sect Master; coming to the Five Poison Sect could be exceedingly dangerous.

Especially with the Five Poison Sect’s Gu poison techniques being unpredictable.

If the Sect Leader used a love Gu on Lu Changsheng, such means—

“Ah,”

Nangong Mili paused, realizing Lu Changsheng seemed unafraid of such tactics.

His aura had a powerful Gu worm influence; ordinary worms were ineffective, possibly even backfiring.

However, she worried because the Sect Leader was a Nascent Soul cultivator, and even Lu Changsheng might struggle against a fourth-tier Gu worm.

“Nangong Minghuang, Yangming Zhenren”

The Five Poison Sect Master looked at the heart’s blood in her hand, lost in thought.

She had taken Nangong Minghuang’s heart blood not to threaten Yangming Zhenren through the child.

It was simply to use the blood as a medium to understand Yangming Zhenren’s situation and possibly acquire useful information.

“If he was initially Nascent Soul mid to late stage before, he must have top-grade opportunities and natural treasures!”

“Controlling him could not only grant me great opportunities but a step forward, even capturing the Heaven Corpse Sect and the Yin Ghost Sect to continue plotting during the upcoming great tribulation, reaching the summit!”

The Five Poison Sect Master’s small face showed indifference, her eyes radiating a five-colored light.

The Five Poison Sect’s techniques are not suited for frontal combat with equals, possibly weaker in one-on-one disputes.

But with preparation or strong versus weak, it provides significant advantages, leaving opponents defenseless!

“However this Yangming Zhenren is, he’s currently a Golden Core cultivator. As long as he hasn’t reached Nascent Soul, I have a chance.”

The Five Poison Sect Master spat out a colorful scorpion-like Gu worm.

This Gu is named Seven Absolute Gu.

It can transform into Strength Gu, Qi Gu, Heart Gu, Poison Gu, Dark Gu, Slave Gu, or Love Gu.

Love Gu can only be used once on one person.

Even a Nascent Soul True Lord will be affected by it.

All these years, she had neither opportunity with Nascent Soul nor interest in ordinary cultivators.

Upon seeing Yangming Zhenren now, she began to have ideas.

By inviting him via Nangong Mili, lulling him into a sense of security, she could take action and was confident of controlling him.

“Though this Yangming Zhenren cultivates both flesh and spirit, his physique is extraordinary, naturally resistant to Gu poison, so I must prepare thoroughly.”

The Five Poison Sect Master was extremely cautious, treating Yangming Zhenren as a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Meanwhile, in the Jiang Kingdom, in the Nine Heavens Gale Layer.ale.

“Is Mili being soul-searched by the Five Poison Sect Master? This fluctuation should be similar to my Six Desires Demon Heart Manual—a mind-bewitching technique to inquire about me.”

On the Golden-Winged Roc, headed to the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, Lu Changsheng sensed it and glanced at the Lu Clan Genealogy.

Once recorded in the genealogy, if one’s soul is searched or seized, it maintains clarity and warns.

After sensing the warning, Lu Changsheng noticed it was from Nangong Mili.

Though not formally married to Nangong Mili, once connected through offspring, she could be recorded.

“With Yaoyao and me, the Five Poison Sect Master should refrain from acting against Mili. This is likely an inquiry about me, then planning against or approaching me for cooperation, or threats.”

Lu Changsheng knew the Jin Kingdom’s three major demonic sects were not united, mainly cooperated for interests.

This battle, while injuring the Five Poison Sect Master, probably wasn’t a huge loss.

Previously, during his visit to the Yin Ghost Sect, the Five Poison Sect Master did not pursue, and even had Nangong Mili invite him.

“If I stay away, Mili should be temporarily safe. Yet heading to Jin Kingdom now, I’m not that Five Poison Sect Master’s match.”

Lu Changsheng narrowed his eyes, taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly. He planned to confront the Five Poison Sect after himself breaking through the late Golden Core stage, when he could contend with Nascent Soul cultivators.

“I’ll venture to Jin Kingdom to acquire a demonic path Golden Core and refine the True Saint Method of Brahma Demon; that’ll further boost my power.”

Although the subsequent cultivation of this technique demanded immense resources, once mastered, it would boost his strength by another level.

Earlier, Lu Changsheng had not been overly concerned.

Now, entering the Nascent Soul level, he acknowledged his cultivation fell short, and any additional power was welcome.

“But it mostly hinges on the upcoming draw.”

More than the True Saint Method of Brahma Demon, Lu Changsheng anticipated his son Lu Quanzhen’s breakthrough.

If he drew Nascent Soul level power, the crisis would be resolved.

“No, I shouldn’t expect too much. The more I anticipate, the more likely I’ll be disappointed.”

Lu Changsheng tucked away the genealogy, standing on the Golden-Winged Roc as he surveyed the direction of the mountain range battle line.

Six days later, Lu Changsheng reached the front line outpost and activated Qingluan Zhenren’s Communication Talisman.

Upon receiving a response from the talisman, he rode the Golden-Winged Roc to the Qingluan Immortal City outpost.

“Greetings, Yangming Zhenren!”

“Greetings, Yangming Zhenren!”

After the battle with the two-headed flood dragon, Jiang Kingdom’s top cultivators all knew Yangming Zhenren.

Even Foundation Establishment cultivators, if they didn’t know Yangming Zhenren by sight, had heard the name, aware of the Golden-Winged Roc.

“Comrade Yangming.”

Shortly after, clad in a lavish turquoise robe with a glass crown, resembling a noble prince, Qingluan Zhenren appeared, her starry eyes appraising Lu Changsheng.

Less than a month and this Yangming Zhenren’s injuries have healed?

Even after her battle with the two-headed flood dragon, her body hadn’t fully recovered, requiring considerable rest.

And the divine abilities and secret techniques Lu Changsheng had exploded with, including the fourth-tier spirit-nurturing talisman, would surely have caused severe repercussions and side effects.

“Comrade Qingluan.”

Lu Changsheng smiled and cupped his fist.

“Please come in, comrade.”

Qingluan Zhenren gestured for Lu Changsheng, the two entering a pavilion to converse.

“About the previous battle, you should know that disclosing more information increases risks.”

“Zhenjun and I divined, and the omens were inconsistent, mostly pointing favorably, so we didn’t share any details, to not affect the big picture. I hope you understand.”

Qingluan Zhenren explained to Lu Changsheng.

Divination isn’t absolute; variables can always arise.

Revealing information also risks being deciphered by others.

“Haha, I understand completely.”

Through Hong Lian, Lu Changsheng learned a lot about divination.

He understood that any action following divination could trigger unknown variables.

But Qingluan Zhenren, a Nascent Soul cultivator, was willing to explain, which sufficed for him.

How could he demand an explanation from her?

If he reached the ‘tape stage,’ naturally, he’d have a say.

But now, being addressed equally by the other party already gave him face.

Besides, Qingluan Zhenren and True Lord Xuanjian didn’t anticipate much trouble back then. He and Xiao Xiyue merely guessed that the demonic path would intervene.

“Here is your fourth-tier monster core.”

At that moment, Qingluan Zhenren offered a jade box, within which lay a fist-sized, perfectly round core, glowing with a verdant light and exuding venomous demonic energy.

It was the monster core of the two-headed flood dragon!

“Thank you, Comrade Qingluan!”

Seeing the core, Lu Changsheng’s eyes sparkled with delight.

For him, this core was the trip’s greatest harvest!

“Haha, it’s your due.”

Qingluan Zhenren replied with a carefree laugh, “Before, True Lord Xuanjian hoped to meet you at the Heavenly Sword Sect, but I declined for now. I hope you understand.”

“How could that be problematic? Thanks for handling it, Zhenjun. The one promise we made earlier still stands.”

Lu Changsheng, more wary of True Lord Xuanjian, preferred avoiding contact.

Concerning the three promised favors, he wasn’t particular.

After all, upon advancing to Nascent Soul, he wouldn’t bother Qingluan Zhenren and preferred gaining goodwill.

Gaining mutual respect as fellow cultivators was more beneficial than one or two small promises, wasn’t it?

Qingluan Zhenren noticed this, mildly surprised.

Understanding he was proactively establishing goodwill, signaling satisfaction with their cooperation.

“Oh, then thank you, Comrade Yangming.”

Qingluan Zhenren laughed, liking interactions with reasonable people.

Yet her perception of reward was also justified.

Previously, seeking True Lord Xuanjian about the fourth-tier monster core and securing it, she’d already exerted considerable effort.

“Earlier, as you represented our Immortal City, here’s your calculated battle contribution; you can exchange it for respective natural treasures.”

Qingluan Zhenren presented a jade slip.

Previously, she invited Lu Changsheng to represent Qingluan Immortal City against the demon kings.

In their final battle, the nine-headed demon king and two three-tier flood dragons were taken by Lu Changsheng.

Of the seven remaining demon kings, five were attributed to Lu Changsheng’s effort, thus accredited to Qingluan Immortal City.

“Could I exchange for more fourth-tier flood dragon blood and dragon skin?”

Lu Changsheng queried, pondering over the jade slip.

Following this battle, he realized he needed more conventional trump cards, considering nurturing four-tier talismans through ‘talisman-nurturing methods.’

Culturing four-tier talismans required four-tier materials—talismans and grant ink as raw materials, enhancing them.

The two-headed flood dragon, as a fourth-tier demon king—the scales, skin, blood, could refine four-tier talismans and grant ink.