Chapter 616: Sword Embryo Effect, Nine Abyss Mastiff Breaks Through Third Tier!

Da Mengze’s misty waters stretched endlessly like an infinite ink painting.

As one ventured further, the water’s surface was gradually enveloped in gray mist, the boundless waters seeming to merge with the horizon.

Despite the increasing dangers deeper into Da Mengze, cultivators endlessly braved it, hunting for monsters and treasure.

“Splash——”

Waves fiercely surged as two Foundation Establishment cultivators frantically surfaced, appearing battered with torn robes.

The middle-aged man among them had his right arm bitten off by a monster, blood drenching his attire.

“Cough, cough!”

The man, pale as paper, gave a bitter smile and said, “Younger Sister Fu, quickly leave and ignore me. If we delay longer, more monsters might attack. You should escape.”

He resisted the pain, commanding an artifact to fend off the pursuing monster for the woman.

“Brother Yun, as husband and wife, we share life and death. I won’t let you talk nonsense. If you die, I won’t live alone!”

The woman solemnly insisted, guiding the man to flee with her light.

However, with one being at early Foundation Establishment and the other mid, they couldn’t rival the monster behind them.

Suddenly, an awe-inspiring sword light shot down from the sky, brilliant and bright as the sun.

The two faced this sword light, unable to look directly as their eyes ached, bodies frozen, skin feeling slashed.

Next, a gentle, ethereal voice sounded by their ears.

“Such deep affection between husband and wife is commendable.”

The couple opened their eyes.

The unparalleled sword light had vanished like an illusion.

But the infinite sea before them seemed cut open, filled with an indescribable terrifying sword energy.

The monster that had chased them was reduced to powder, leaving only a shimmering demon core floating.

“This, this, this,”

The two looked at each other, seeing relief and indescribable shock on each other’s faces.

“Thank you, Senior!”

“Thank you, Senior!”

They swallowed saliva, quickly bowing to the sky in gratitude.

After collecting the demon core, they still found it unbelievable, feeling as if in a dream.

After all, a high-ranking cultivator saving them and granting fortune seemed like a storybook tale.

They never imagined such an event would happen to them.

“Brother Yun, it’s your arm.”

The woman looked at the man’s severed arm with some heartache.

For cultivators, bodily damage can affect breakthroughs in cultivation levels.

“It’s just an arm, no big deal.”

The man smiled pale-faced, then guided the woman quickly back to the island with his light.

“Tsk, the world of cultivation still holds genuine love.”

High above, Ancestor Lu in a dark robe, tall and straight, held an ancient looking and rough sword embryo, sighing.

The sword strike just now was casually unleashed by him.

For such casual acts, if encountered, Ancestor Lu was still willing to intervene.

Moreover, such touching love was worth the intervention of Ancestor Lu, the god of pure love.

“This sword embryo is interesting. While inactive, it’s unremarkable. But with infused spiritual energy, it blooms with unparalleled sword light, even allowing an ordinary cultivator to wield it like a top sword master!”

Lu Changsheng looked at the sword embryo in his hand, very satisfied.

This sword embryo seemed ancient and unremarkable, even rough.

Yet, once spiritual energy was infused, it burst with dazzling sword light, difficult to view directly.

Deep in Da Mengze, with no one around, Lu Changsheng began to fully activate the sword embryo.

“Buzz——”

The ancient dim sword embryo trembled, its etched patterns began to flow mysteriously, emitting dazzling brilliance brighter than the sun.

Even Lu Changsheng felt his eyes ache from the sword dao essence intertwined on the sword embryo.

“Slash!”

Lu Changsheng slashed with the sword embryo, sending sword light like a rainbow across the sky, splitting the sea with sword energy sharp enough to slay a Third-Tier Demon King.

“Wow, what a sword embryo! What a sword embryo!”

Lu Changsheng looked at the gradually dimming sword embryo, eyes full of joy.

Although this sword embryo isn’t a magical treasure, nor forged into a supreme spirit treasure, in Lu Changsheng’s eyes, it surpasses many supreme spirit treasures.

Because at this stage, he truly couldn’t use supreme spirit treasures.

Even medium and high spirit treasures were hard for him to use.

But this sword embryo was different! Although it consumed more spiritual energy than regular treasures or spirit treasures, it requires no usage threshold.

Even a Foundation Establishment cultivator with this sword embryo could use some of its power with spiritual energy.

In other words, this sword embryo, even if not forged into a supreme spirit treasure, can serve as a high-potential, high-ceiling spirit treasure! “Although its power consumption is higher than ordinary spirit treasures, its power surpasses many. In my hands, it is not weaker than an ordinary spirit treasure.”

Lu Changsheng kept waving the sword as his second dantian’s Heavenly Yuan Imperial Lotus trembled, spiritual energy pouring out.

Dazzling sword light shone throughout, illuminating the heavens and earth, stirring massive waves.

Any cultivator seeing this would think a supreme sword master was using sword dao divine abilities.

Yet now, Lu Changsheng used no sword techniques or divine sword dao abilities, purely activating the sword embryo’s power.

“Whew!”

After a while, Lu Changsheng, slightly breathless and fatigued, stopped, becoming increasingly fond of the sword embryo.

Holding this sword embryo was like possessing a top sword manual.

Lu Changsheng felt even that executing his ‘Seven Luminaries Great Freedom Sword Manual’ was less straightforward than using this sword embryo’s essence.

“Though I attained the ‘Seven Luminaries Great Freedom Sword Manual,’ and can be considered a sword cultivator, compared to sword cultivators like True Lord Xuanjian, I’m still quite lacking.”

“If this sword embryo were in the hands of a sword cultivator like True Lord Xuanjian, it would become a true supreme divine weapon.”

Lu Changsheng is very self-aware of his sword dao level.

Although he surpassed many sword cultivators with the ‘Seven Luminaries Great Freedom Sword Manual,’

he still trails behind top sword cultivators.

For instance, in the same realm, he might not match his son Lu Qingshan in ‘Seven Luminaries Great Freedom Sword Manual.’

In the previous duel with the two-headed flood dragon, he witnessed True Lord Xuanjian’s sword dao level.

Neat and tidy, without any flashy moves, utterly severing all techniques all at once!

To elevate his sword dao to that level with his ‘Seven Luminaries Great Freedom Sword Manual’ passed down from the system, he would need to accumulate and settle for at least a century.

He needs to forge his path in sword dao, realizing his own sword intent!

“But it’s sufficient. If I had this sword embryo in my previous encounter with the Heaven Corpse Sect Master, even if I couldn’t kill him, I could defeat him.”

Lu Changsheng recalled his earlier battle with the Heaven Corpse Sect Master.

At that time, the Yin-Yang Mixed Hole Great Millstone couldn’t break through the opponent’s life-bound spirit treasure’s defense.

But this innate sword embryo in his hand equals spirit treasure embryos, some inferior spirit treasures.

At that time, his state had already reached half-step Nascent Soul. If he exerted all his strength, he could unleash power of a medium-grade spirit treasure with this sword embryo.

“Hmph, when I arrive at the Jin Kingdom, if he dares provoke me, I’ll test the sword on him!”

Lu Changsheng lightly hummed, feeling with a sword in hand, he had the world under control.

“Moreover, refining it later would enhance its power even more.”

Although refining would cause the sword embryo to absorb his spiritual essence, affecting its potential as a supreme spirit treasure or nurturing a sword embryo dao body,

Lu Changsheng now liked it more and found it increasingly handy, planning to keep using it.

After all, over the decades, apart from the Yin-Yang Diagram he created, he had no truly handy treasures.

Now, this sword embryo stirred his excitement.

“Besides, this sword embryo will later be used to nurture a sword embryo dao body. What’s the harm in absorbing some of my spiritual essence? It might even inherit more characteristics of the Chaos Body.”

Lu Changsheng didn’t mind at all.

Having a good treasure, why shouldn’t a father use it first? He wouldn’t forge it into a supreme spirit treasure, but use it to nurture a sword embryo dao body.

But to nurture a sword embryo dao body, unless incredibly lucky, would take decades.

During this time, it shouldn’t just gather dust, though it can be used without refining.

But without refining, its power would be a bit lacking, and the cultivation world is full of techniques, including some that steal treasures.

What if one day he encountered such a cultivator, who during a fight stole his sword embryo, leaving him no place to shed tears.

“With this sword embryo, once I break through to late Golden Core and upgrade my divine abilities, I can head to the Five Poison Sect!”

Having witnessed a Nascent Soul True Lord’s power, Lu Changsheng felt breaking through to late Golden Core might barely contend.

Now with this innate sword embryo, he felt more confident.

Or rather, facing Nascent Souls like True Lord Xuanjian or Qingluan Zhenren with dao soldiers or quasi-fourth-tier spirit beasts, he had no confidence,

but facing early-era Nascent Souls like Heaven Corpse Sect Master or Five Poison Sect Master, he had some assurance.

Even if losing, he could retreat unscathed!

“If during this time at home another sword dao spirit body emerged, it would be even better.”

Lu Changsheng thought of the boost the ‘Ethereal Body’ gave him before.

If he got a sword dao spirit body now, even the weakest, he could quickly elevate his sword dao one level, enhancing the innate sword embryo a bit.

“Even without it, it doesn’t matter. Once the sword embryo dao body is born, I’ll be a true supreme sword cultivator!”

Lu Changsheng twirled the sword embryo in a flourish, then returned to the Immortal City of Da Mengze.

Back at the City Lord’s Manor, Lu Changsheng frowned, feeling as if he forgot something.

He pondered for a while, then looked enlightened.

Seeing the lottery draw was too exciting at the time, he forgot to check on his son Lu Quanzhen.

“System.”

Lu Changsheng silently called in his heart, opening his son Lu Quanzhen’s system interface.

[Name: Lu Quanzhen]

[Life: 80/320]

[Talent: Fourth-Tier Spirit Root, Kun Peng Demonic Body (Superior Spirit Body)]

[Cultivation: Golden Core Level One]

[Talent: Battle Compatibility (72%)]

“Tsk tsk tsk, an eighty-year-old Golden Core cultivator, spreading this should shock the Jiang Kingdom.”

Looking at his son’s interface, Lu Changsheng felt a sense of achievement.

In the cultivation world of Jiang Kingdom, forming a Golden Core before a hundred is considered talented.

And his son Lu Quanzhen is just eighty.

However, Lu Quanzhen’s Condensing Crystal Pill and Golden Core formation resources were provided by him, making it easier than even the Spirit Sect true disciples, saving much time.

Otherwise, under normal circumstances, acquiring Condensing Crystal Pill and Golden Core resources would take at least ten to twenty years.

“But why only a lifespan of three hundred twenty, when Foundation Establishment to Golden Core should grant five hundred years of life.”

“A high-tier Golden Core would add ten to twenty more years to life.”

Looking at his son’s lifespan, Lu Changsheng frowned slightly.

His lifespan growth has slowed to normal levels.

“Was it due to burning life potential before, or a technique issue?”

Lu Changsheng pondered.

Lu Quanzhen’s physical issue was resolved by him, but lifespan couldn’t be regained.

Breaking through to Golden Core might have had some impact.

Also, there’s the issue of techniques.

Cultivators’ lifespans are always affected by their techniques.

Those cultivating wood or water-based life-nourishing techniques live longer.

Those cultivating metal, fire, thunder, or aggressive techniques tend to have shorter lives.

Lu Quanzhen’s ‘Kun Peng Devouring Heaven Divine Demonic Technique’ is undoubtedly domineering, with abilities that indiscriminately devour and assimilate all spirits’ essence, naturally having costs.

“Given this demonic art, a lower lifespan is barely acceptable.”

“Moreover, two hundred forty years is enough.”

Lu Changsheng figured that with his son Lu Quanzhen’s temperament and talent, he could reach peak Golden Core around two hundred age.

Then, with his father’s support, reaching Nascent Soul shouldn’t be a problem.

But recalling Lu Quanzhen’s earlier reckless life-burning antics, he slightly frowned.

If the latter keeps playing like that, even more lifespan wouldn’t suffice.

“Forget it, children have their own fortunes.”

Lu Changsheng decided not to worry further.

If he had to worry about everything, how could he ever manage? Considering that Lu Quanzhen had just broken through to Golden Core, still needing to stabilize his realm and cultivate divine techniques, Lu Changsheng was not in a hurry to visit and continued to cultivate at the Immortal City of Da Mengze.

In the blink of an eye, over half a year passed.

Lu Changsheng finished refining the innate sword embryo, forming a close bond.

“This sword embryo contains a strand of sword dao essence, embracing various sword intents, truly all-encompassing.”

“Since that’s the case, let’s call it ‘Da Luo,’ meaning vastness and boundless inclusiveness!”

Lu Changsheng looked at the simple, unadorned innate sword embryo, slightly pondering before naming it.

During this time, he continually refined the sword embryo, gaining numerous insights in sword dao.

If before, he thought he needed to settle for hundreds of years to catch up with True Lord Xuanjian,

now with the Da Luo Sword Embryo, perhaps a century might suffice.

Of course, he hadn’t deeply interacted with True Lord Xuanjian to know his exact sword dao power, just his feeling.

These sword dao insights could later be discussed with Chu Qingyi.

If encountering a female cultivator with a superior sword dao spirit body someday, Lu Changsheng could discuss sword dao insights with her for seven days and nights.

“Tsk, this is foundation, it must be slowly accumulated.”

Lu Changsheng sighed, storing the Da Luo Sword Embryo in the crafted sword case, and then returned to the Heaven and Earth Binding Shadow Belt, spending time with his wives and children.

After all, while cultivation is important, accompanying his wives and teaching his children shouldn’t be neglected.

“Bang bang bang——”

Lu Changsheng went to the martial arts field in the City Lord’s Manor’s back courtyard, seeing two lively young girls sparring.

One wore a red battle robe, with a high ponytail, her fists glowing with golden Buddhist energy, striking boldly.

The other, in a white battle robe, only eleven or twelve, resembled a humanoid spirit beast cub, matching the red-clad girl, her fists flowing with immaculate platinum light.

Nearby, a woman in a white flowing dress, with pure yet alluring looks, and a golden roc bird watched.

Due to Lu Changsheng’s limited time and energy, the girls had grown up, so keeping them home was impractical. He let the Golden-Winged Roc instruct them.

Though the Golden-Winged Roc didn’t understand human physique cultivation techniques, the Tian Peng race’s combat instincts were in their blood.

Its legacy technique, the ‘Heavenly Demon Sacred Slaughter Technique,’ was top-tier killing art.

So Lu Changsheng had it teach only combat methods, leaving the two daughters to practice and spar.

The sisters, one with a charming, cute, heroic look, the other like a divine masterpiece, now looked like beasts, bursting the air with powerful strikes, creating a striking contrast.

Normally, no one would believe these two adorable girls were Foundation Establishment cultivators with Second-Tier physiques.

“Brother!”

“Father! Father!”

Bai Ling, seeing Lu Changsheng arrive, immediately called out happily.

The sisters stopped sparring.

Lu Linghe was slightly panting, full of lively energy and cuteness.

Lu Baixi stood composed, like a girl from a painting, indescribably beautiful, pure and graceful, without signs of sparring with Lu Linghe.

“Xiao He, Xiao Xi,”

Compared to Lu Linghe, daughter Lu Baixi was less enthusiastic, having a calm and quiet nature.

But perhaps due to complementary traits, the sisters got along well.

At daughter Lu Linghe’s suggestion, the two advanced toward their father.

Although Lu Changsheng never practiced physique techniques or hand-to-hand combat,

Being a Golden Core cultivator with Fiery-Eyes, his daughters’ moves were like snails to him. Thus, shortly after, Lu Changsheng earned their admiration, then guided and taught them.

After meal, Lu Changsheng took them, Bai Ling, and Meng Xiaochan for a stroll.

Lu Changsheng checked on the Splitting-Sea Profound Whale in the deep sea.

However, it hadn’t changed much after consuming a Fourth-Tier Monster Core for less than a year.

Fully refining the monster core and advancing bloodline would take ten to twenty years.

For spirit beasts, this speed is extraordinary, but for Lu Changsheng, it’s a bit slow.

“Rest well.”

Lu Changsheng had the Splitting-Sea Profound Whale take them around Da Mengze, then let it return to the deep sea to slumber.

For spirit beasts, sleeping aids in refining and consuming the energy of Fourth-Tier Monster Cores.

Half a month later, Lu Changsheng received a letter from his wife Lu Miaoyun, indicating the Nin Abyss Mastiff could advance to Third Tier.

“It’s time to return.”

Lu Changsheng thought, having been in the Immortal City of Da Mengze for quite some time.

He then took Lu Miaoge, Bai Ling, Lu Linghh, Lu Baixi, and the three sisters back home.

Without saying the children were like siblings helping each other, maintaining strong relations, they should meet often.

Lu Baixi hadn’t returned to Bihu Mountain for a long time since coming to the Immortal City of Da Mengze.

As for Lu Mengchan, she had only been to Bihu Mountain once since birth.

And she was sealed in the Spirit Eye Spring by Lu Changsheng.

With his wife and daughters, Lu Changsheng didn’t rush the journey, leisurely enjoying the scenery.

After over half a month, they returned to Bihu Mountain.

Hearing that Big Brother Lu Ping’an hadn’t returned, Lu Linghe felt disappointed.

At home, she’s very fond of Big Brother Lu Ping’an.

However, being lively and cheerful, she soon took Lu Baixi and Lu Mengchan to play.

“Hehe.”

Lu Changsheng, holding Lu Miaoge and Bai Ling, watchhd this scene, looking at Bihu Mountain with a gentle smile.

This was the result of his more than eighty years of striving.

From a poor youth choosing to be a son-in-law to becoming a renowned Golden Core True Person in Jiang Kingdom’s cultivation world, founding the prosperous Heavenly Talisman Lu Family in Bihu Mountain.

Seeing this, he felt all his hardships and perseverance were worth it.

“Husband, Sister Miaoge, Ling’er.”

Lu Changsheng and the women arrived at the Lu Family Mansion. Lu Miaoyun, Qu Zhenzhen, and ohers immediately welcomed them.

After a brief chat, Lu Changsheng and the women went to the Sumeru Cave Heaven.

They saw the Nine Abyss Mastiff coiled before the Hall of Everlasting Life, its huge body sleek and shiny.

Upon seeing Lu Changsheng, it got up and approached, growling quietly.

Even knowing it was soon advancing to Third Tier, Lu Miaoge couldn’t help but mmrvel.

Once, the Nine Abyss Mastiff was just a little wolf cub and now was on the brink of becoming a Third-Tier Demon King.

“For you.”

Lu Changsheng patted the wolf head of the Nine Abyss Mastiff, then took out two Golden Core formation treasures for it from his Storage Ring.

Next, he picked a spot for it, setting up a ‘Demonic Fiend Array,’ signaling it to breakthrough here.

“Howl!”

The Nine Abyss Mastiff howled, rubbing its head against Lu Changsheng’s arm, then entered the Demonic Fiend Array, starting to channel its bloodline and demonic energy.

Compared to cultivators breaking through to Golden Core, monsters making a breakthrough to Third Tier is simpler.

There’s no core formation tribulation, just evolving the demon core to a monster core.

But monsters know to prepare, raising their essence to a peak state.

“Quanzhen.”

After watching for a while, Lu Changsheng summoned Lu Quanzhen, who was in seclusion.

“Greetings, Father, Mother, Aunt!”

Soon, Lu Quanzhen came out from the Hall of Everlasting Life, in a flowing black robe, with a graceful, refined look, bowing to Lu Changsheng and others.

“Quanzhen, congratulations on your Golden Core breakthrough.”

Lu Changsheng scrutinized his son, then asked with a smile: “What grade is your Golden Core?”

“Thanks to Father’s help, I was fortunate to condense a First-Grade Golden Core!”

Lu Quanzhen bowed, saying.

Beforehand, he was confident about forming his Golden Core, even likely a high-tier one.

But once he began, he realized forming a high-tier Golden Core wasn’t that simple.

Without the Condensing Crystal Pill, Five Elements Spirit Fruit, Solar Essence, Taiyin Essence, and the Spiritual Traveling Whale’s life essence, forming an Immortal Golden Core would’ve been impossible.

And at the final stage of core formation, all his accumulated negative emotions suddenly erupted into a heart demon.

Due to practicing the Kun Peng Devouring Heaven Divine Demonic Technique, his heart demon was especially severe, with all the repressed darkness, worries, guilt, and killing intent flooding his mind.

If not for the Sumeru Tree King helping him quickly overcome the heart demon, he’d have trouble even handling it himself, as well as being affected under certain conditions.