Chapter 635: Hong Lian’s Shock, Journey to Jin Kingdom!

“After you stopped the beast tide, things have been pretty calm. Nothing major has happened over the years. The Yue Kingdom and Liang Kingdom are still in a stalemate.”

“From what I’ve heard, Liang Kingdom hasn’t launched any further attacks, probably because the Mirage Domain of Vast Sands is about to open.”

In the backyard of the City Lord’s mansion, Ling Zixiao, dressed in a blue palace robe, discussed the situation in the Jiang Kingdom and its surrounding nations with Lu Changsheng. She radiated elegance and grace.

“The Mirage Domain of Vast Sands.”

Lu Changsheng’s brow arched slightly.

Previously, Qingluan Zhenren had invited him to explore this secret realm. He didn’t expect that the Liang Kingdom would be preparing to go as well.

Then again, it made sense. A Nascent Soul secret realm like this—there’s no way the Liang Kingdom would miss out.

If someone were to seize the opportunity and grow stronger, or even birth another Nascent Soul cultivator, it could make up for the loss of True Lord Tiansha.

“Will the Heavenly Sword Sect be going to the Mirage Domain of Vast Sands?”

Lu Changsheng asked, guessing that if the Liang Kingdom was heading there, then the Yue Kingdom and Jiang Kingdom wouldn’t stay idle.

“The Mirage Domain of Vast Sands, being a Nascent Soul-level secret realm that only opens once every few centuries, is something no major power would want to miss. But these factions won’t disclose too much information.”

Ling Zixiao shook her head, explaining that if she wasn’t overseeing the Immortal City of Da Mengze and keeping an eye on surrounding nations, as a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, she’d never be privy to information about something like the Mirage Domain.

“If there’s anything else significant, it’s that the ten-year reprieve from the reclamation wars is up, and Jiang Kingdom will soon face a massive purge.”

Ling Zixiao seemed to recall something and continued.

“A ten-year reprieve.”

Lu Changsheng nodded slightly.

During the reclamation wars, the Four Great Immortal Gates had decreed that all clans and forces under their rule were forbidden from engaging in conflict.

That rule held for ten years after the war had ended, allowing weakened clans to recover their strength.

Now that ten years had passed, some families had grown stronger and needed better spiritual land, while others had suffered losses and could no longer defend what they had.

Thinking of this, the first thing that came to Lu Changsheng’s mind was the situation with the sisters Li Xingruo and Li Xingyue.

Those sisters had been forced to leave Nine Heavens Immortal City and seek refuge, becoming his concubines and giving birth to several children for him. Naturally, he couldn’t leave this matter unresolved.

In fact, once he had broken through to Core Formation, he should have taken both of them back.

But at the time, the decree forbidding conflict had already been issued. All family powers in Jiang Kingdom were prohibited from causing trouble.

Now that the ten-year rule was ending, it was time to help the sisters settle old scores and finally bring justice for the years of resentment.

“Zixiao, are you preparing to break through to Core Formation or…? I’ll be heading out soon, making a trip to the Jin Kingdom.”

Lu Changsheng asked Ling Zixiao.

“Jin Kingdom?”

Ling Zixiao instantly pieced together that her husband’s recent years of secluded cultivation were related to this trip to the Jin Kingdom.

After all, in all their years together, she had never seen him so dedicated to his cultivation.

“My Core Formation can wait, it’s not urgent.”

Ling Zixiao smiled gently, then asked, “Husband, is there an important reason for this journey to Jin Kingdom?”

“During the final days of the reclamation wars, the Master of the Heaven Corpse Sect, the Leader of the Five Poisons Sect, and True Lord Tiansha all showed up. In the process, the Five Poisons Sect leader discovered my connection with Nangong Mili.”

Lu Changsheng straightforwardly explained that this trip to Jin Kingdom was to visit Nangong Mili and their son Lu Minghuang.

Back during the reclamation wars, Lu Changsheng had made enemies of the Heaven Corpse Sect Master and the Five Poisons Sect Leader, and only now did he have the confidence to make this trip.

“That woman again.”

Ling Zixiao’s impression of Nangong Mili was less than favorable. She didn’t like her, but she understood her husband’s personality.

Since Nangong Mili was involved, and there was even a son in the Five Poisons Sect, it wasn’t something her husband could simply ignore.

However, when she heard that Lu Changsheng had gained enough strength to confront both the Heaven Corpse Sect Master and the Five Poisons Sect Leader, she couldn’t help but ask, “Husband, can you actually contend with Nascent Souls now?”

Although Ling Zixiao wasn’t sure of her husband’s exact level of power, she knew for sure he hadn’t broken through to Nascent Soul.

“I wouldn’t say I can kill them, but if it’s just holding my own, I shouldn’t have any trouble.”

Lu Changsheng smiled.

He had mastered the True Saint Skill of Brahma and Demons, reaching a quasi-fourth rank in body cultivation, and possessed indestructible elements. If he unleashed his Nine Treasures Dao Bone, he could temporarily enhance himself to the point of being able to rival the Heaven Corpse Sect Master.

In this state, combined with the Brahma Demon True Form and his Da Luo Sword Embryo, he would have enough strength to suppress the Heaven Corpse Sect Master.

Even if the Nascent Soul True Lord had more hidden cards, Lu Changsheng had his Three Treasure Incarnation, the Golden-Winged Roc, and a host of Spirit Seals at his side, including two fourth-rank charms cultivated through nurturing with twin-headed flood dragon materials.

Under these circumstances, if the Heaven Corpse Sect Master didn’t have enough tricks left, Lu Changsheng was confident he might even be able to kill him, provided he paid a sufficient price.

Judging from the Five Poisons Sect Leader’s powers in their last encounter, she wasn’t much stronger than the Heaven Corpse Sect Master. Moreover, with his Calamity Poison Body, Lu Changsheng had a natural resistance to venom and poison arts.

“To contend…”

Ling Zixiao’s eyes widened with disbelief.

The difference between each cultivation stage was like an insurmountable chasm.

A Core Formation cultivator standing up to a Nascent Soul Master was almost unheard of, existing only in myths and legends.

After all, just managing to escape with your life from a Nascent Soul cultivator was enough to earn widespread recognition, let alone fighting one face to face.

But she knew her husband was not one to boast carelessly.

The fact that he so casually mentioned this meant he was highly confident.

“Husband, you should still be cautious. Nascent Soul cultivators have many unpredictable methods.”

Though Ling Zixiao trusted her husband’s strength, a deep-rooted respect for Nascent Soul Masters made her give him a gentle reminder.

“Don’t worry, I’m aware.”

Lu Changsheng smiled and squeezed her hand reassuringly.

In addition to his offensive capabilities, he had life-saving items like his Substitute Life Charm and the Misty Dust Banner.

As long as he avoided directly entering the Five Poisons Sect’s territory and facing their Tier 4 forbidden formations, even if the Five Poisons Sect Leader and Heaven Corpse Sect Master attacked together, he could still make a clean escape.

“Besides, I don’t have a deep-seated grudge against the Five Poisons Sect Leader. She wouldn’t go as far as to call in both the Heaven Corpse Sect Master and the Grand Elder of the Yin Ghost Sect to deal with me.”

In the worst-case scenario, Lu Changsheng imagined a three-way ambush by all three of Jin Kingdom’s Nascent Soul Masters against him.

But he felt the likelihood of that happening was very slim.

Still, to be safe, Lu Changsheng called for Hong Lian.

“Husband.”

After two years in seclusion, Hong Lian had reached the sixth level of Core Formation.

“Hong Lian, I’m preparing to go on a trip, possibly facing Nascent Soul-level cultivators. I wanted to test my current strength against theirs.”

As the saying goes, ‘If power remains unknown, then might is immeasurable.’

In the past, Lu Changsheng had steered clear of Nascent Soul cultivators for one key reason: he knew they were strong but had no clear idea of just how strong.

The biggest benefit of the reclamation wars for him was firsthand experience of a Nascent Soul cultivator’s power.

Terrifying, surely, but not unbeatable! So, to counter any of their hidden tricks, Lu Changsheng sought Hong Lian’s opinion to better assess his combat prowess.

“Testing against a Nascent Soul Master?”

Unlike Ling Zixiao, Hong Lian had unshakeable faith in Lu Changsheng. Even mountains, said to be insurmountable barriers for ordinary cultivators, she believed he could one day conquer. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she replied, “Of course!”

Since the City Lord’s mansion wasn’t suitable for testing impressive spells, Lu Changsheng and Hong Lian quietly left for the depths of Da Mengze.

Though it wasn’t as vast as the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, this remote deep-sea region was perfect for testing magical powers with plenty of space.

After a long journey, they arrived at the expansive waters where mist blanketed the horizon and the sea stretched as far as the eye could see.

Here, the fog slightly obscured sight and interfered with one’s divine sense and magical power, but it wouldn’t affect their evaluations.

“You’re already familiar with most of my spells.”

With a casual lift of his hand, Lu Changsheng mobilized the Yin-Yang Qi Great Capture, conjuring a massive palm, a hundred feet tall, that radiated an oppressive might.

Hong Lian’s eyes sparkled with crimson flames as she assessed the aura. This spell had gained a weighty aura, like an ancient god mountain suppressing the heavens and earth.

As she immersed herself in its force, Hong Lian judged that such a spell could easily defeat top-tier Core cultivators, but it was still far from sufficient to truly duel Nascent Soul masters in a deathmatch.

Unfazed, Lu Changsheng chuckled softly. Suddenly, the nine treasures embedded in his body erupted with a fiery roar, propelling his strength to the peak of Core Formation.

Such a surge in power was effortless for Lu Changsheng, given his quasi-fourth rank physique and perpetual energy flow.

At the same time, his Yin-Yang Qi Great Capture intensified, the forces of primordial chaos and Yin-Yang coalescing, as if ready to grind the world beneath them.

“Boom!”

His Life-bound Treasure, the Yin-Yang Diagram, flew out, merging with the Yin-Yang Qi Great Capture. Thunderous rumbles echoed through the heavens, distorting the space around them as if it would collapse.

Even standing at a distance, Hong Lian found herself locked in place, unable to move her magic due to the oppressive force in the air.

“Husband, this spell is already on par with Nascent Soul-level attacks. You could last a couple of rounds for sure. But for a long-term battle? I’m afraid you’re not quite there yet.”

After experiencing the attack, Hong Lian recognized it as as powerful as a strike from a Nascent Soul cultivator. However, the problem was the inherent superiority of Nascent Souls—an all-encompassing power upgrade! Their domains transformed into realms, neutralizing most attacks while shielding them with protective barriers. Breaking through would be no easy feat.

Even if Lu Changsheng’s Yin-Yang Qi could penetrate the Nascent Soul domain, it wouldn’t crack their protective fields.

“Domains, huh?”

Lu Changsheng recalled how, when he faced the Deep Sea Devil Whale King, smashing Baifeng’s treasure on it had barely left a scratch, only a faint mark.

“Breaking through the body protections of Nascent Souls is extraordinarily difficult for a Core Formation cultivator. Conventional methods just won’t cut it. And that’s before we consider those who also cultivate body refinement.”

“You should have an idea by now after condensing your own domain, right? They’re even more convenient than a storage ring, capable of holding treasures and spiritual medicines. During battle, a Nascent Soul can instantly activate certain magical means or even refine treasures within their domain to recover.”

“Given that advantage, Nascent Souls aren’t afraid of prolonged battles, unless two Nascent Souls of equal strength fight to the death with full force.”

Hong Lian continued, explaining the differences and nuances of Nascent Soul cultivators.

“I understand.”

Lu Changsheng nodded slightly.

If upgrading from domain to realm didn’t take such an extraordinary amount of time, he’d already have done it to further improve his powers.

“But what about this?”

Lu Changsheng didn’t seem bothered by her words. With a flick of his hand on the Storage Belt, the Da Luo Sword Embryo appeared.

“Hmm?”

Hong Lian, with her profound spiritual sense, recognized at once that this unrefined, ancient-looking sword embryo was anything but ordinary.

“Buzz!”

The sword embryo in Lu Changsheng’s hand erupted into dazzling beams of world-splitting sword energy. It cleaved the seas before him, leaving behind sharp, lingering sword intent that refused to allow the waters to mend.

“This…”

Hong Lian’s expression shifted to one of pure awe.

That seemingly simple strike carried the same overwhelming force as the Yin-Yang Qi Great Capture.

If this sword was unleashed at full power, what kind of devastation could it wreak? “Husband, how much of your strength did you put into that strike?”

Hong Lian, full of admiration, couldn’t help but ask. She had never seen Lu Changsheng exhibit such a treasure before. Could he have been hiding this power all along?

“That was a normal strike. If I pushed it to the limit, it’d still drain me a fair bit. I wouldn’t be able to unleash many of them.”

Lu Changsheng answered truthfully.

The Da Luo Sword Embryo had terrifying potential.

But now, any extra force put into using it would quickly grind down his own reserves. It made more sense to rely on the Heaven Primordial Lotus and his quasi-fourth rank physique, allowing him to strike more frequently.

“But if I were to go all out…”

Lu Changsheng’s eyes narrowed slightly, his pupils glowing gold with an ‘卍’ symbol as a black flame began to flicker to life. Behind him, the hazy image of a three-headed, six-armed figure emerged.

The shadow grew more distinct by the second. Though its features remained blurry, its dark gold body shimmered, adorned with small dragon scales, a fusion of holy light and ancient magic. It carried an air of serene benevolence, yet also the power to destroy the world.

“A true body manifestation?!”

Hong Lian gasped in wonder.

This was a difficult technique, one that only a handful of Nascent Soul Masters managed to master.

But after a closer look, she noticed that this wasn’t truly the completed manifestation, at least not the kind she was familiar with.

Still, even though it wasn’t fully realized, the sheer aura coming from it—a mix of divine and demonic, of yin and yang—gave off an overwhelming feeling of both absolute creation and annihilation. It was terrifying.

The Da Luo Sword Embryo had already astonished her, but now witnessing the Brahma Demon True Form left Hong Lian utterly speechless.

“So this is what you’ve been cultivating during all those years?”

Hong Lian always knew that Lu Changsheng could convert various cultivation techniques, but seeing how his current energy was a mix of god, demon, and beast left her both amazed and a bit terrified.

These methods were simply beyond comprehension! “Indeed. This is a True Body manifestation. But it’s only in its early stage. It’s still a long way from the full transformation.”

Lu Changsheng smiled.

To fully cultivate the Brahma Demon Saintly Form, he needed to bring the Brahma Demon True Form to completion.

Without showing off further, he tossed the Da Luo Sword Embryo into the air—it expanded instantly, settling into his Brahma Demon True Form’s hands.

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—”

All six of the True Form’s arms swung the massive sword simultaneously, unleashing waves of incomparable sword light that pierced through the heavens, leaving a colossal chasm in the ocean below, reducing countless sea monsters to dust.

“Whoosh, whoosh—”

The pitch-black cracks in space surged with chaotic currents, threatening to swallow anything in their path.

“Buzz, buzz, buzz—”

Revitalized by his near-fourth-rank physique, Lu Changsheng’s blood and energy surged once again, forming a fearsome black spear in his hand, flickering with chaotic demonic energy that seemed to pierce through all creation.

“Swoosh!”

The Demonic Spear tore through the void, plunging into the rift and rendering swirling vortexes of pure destruction all around, accompanied by the echoing cries of a thousand demons.

“So? Is that enough?”

Lu Changsheng looked at Hong Lian and asked.

While his Nine Treasures Dao Bone had more to give, this was just a test.

Hong Lian didn’t speak, stunned by the display of Lu Changsheng’s techniques—the Da Luo Sword Embryo, Brahma Demon True Form, and Demonic Spear.

She was even more shocked by the fact that he showed no visible signs of exhaustion.

This proved that he hadn’t even reached his true limit! And to think, he hadn’t even reached the ninth level of Core Formation yet… he had likely just entered the latter stages!

Finally, Hong Lian broke her silence, her eyes brimming with admiration, her voice soft as she said, “Husband, your abilities are already enough to contend with certain Nascent Soul cultivators.”

“That sword strike you just showed me could match a Nascent Soul cultivator’s signature technique. Just be mindful—fights with Nascent Souls change rapidly. They’re no easy opponents. You should avoid being caught in their prolonged battles.”

Even though she knew he possessed the Heaven Primordial Lotus acting as a second core, Hong Lian still advised against prolonged engagements with Nascent Souls.

After all, a Nascent Soul’s mana reserves and regeneration far outclassed any Core Formation cultivator—not to mention their various unique techniques, and the fact that each Nascent Soul had their own set of treasures and items.

“Movement or escape talismans don’t work as well against Nascent Souls. They can lock down the surrounding space.”

Hong Lian reminded Lu Changsheng that, if things went south, his Da Luo Sword Embryo could shatter the spatial locks and give him a window to retreat.

If he wanted to slay a Nascent Soul, his best bet would be to use the Brahma Demon True Form and the Da Luo Sword Embryo to break their domain first, then follow up with the Demonic Spear.

During this time, other methods like the Heavenly Thunder Beads or third-rank charms could come into play.

Normally, Core Formation techniques couldn’t hurt Nascent Souls.

But even an impenetrable domain or shield had its limits. Though it could recover quickly, there would always be brief, vulnerable moments, and that’s when to strike.

Secondary tricks like his Three Treasure Incarnation or the Golden-Winged Roc could also seize such moments.

Given that he was heading to Jin Kingdom to face a poison-cultivating Nascent Soul and a corpse-cultivating Nascent Soul, Hong Lian offered her advice.

Poison cultivators specialize in attrition and territory-based battles, so Lu Changsheng would need to act fast and strike decisively, taking them out before they could set up.

When dealing with poisons and venomous insects, he would have to be especially careful. At the Nascent Soul level, venom was all-pervasive. The smallest slip could be fatal, and it was safer to retreat than risk prolonged exposure.

Corpse cultivators share some similarities with poison cultivators, but they often pair their mana with physical body refinement. That duality makes them particularly tricky.

However, corpse cultivators often dabble in dark magic that weighs on their spirits and emotions, making them vulnerable to mental attacks. Even if his spirit wasn’t as strong as his enemy’s, Lu Changsheng could still target their psyche.

“It’s true what they say—an elder is like treasure in the family.”

After hearing Hong Lian’s pointed advice on Nascent Soul suppression, Lu Changsheng felt much more confident about his trip to Jin Kingdom.

All that was left to lament was the limit of time.

If only he had a time chamber or some secret realm where time flowed differently, he could finish cultivating his various techniques in a heartbeat, and taking down a Nascent Soul would be child’s play.

“Nascent Soul cultivators are incredibly hard to kill because of their Soul Escape technique!”

“Once their spirit emerges from their destroyed body, they can speed through the void at several times the pace of any ordinary cultivator. Once inside the void, chasing them down becomes impossible.”

After finishing her strategic reminders, Hong Lian shifted the topic to tackling Nascent Soul cultivators.

She reiterated that even after destroying their physical bodies, Nascent Soul Masters could let their spirit escape to another plane of existence and then possess a new body.

“Yeah, I’ve seen it firsthand.”

Lu Changsheng recalled watching True Lord Xuanjian battle True Lord Tiansha, who had laid down countermeasures in advance to capture the latter’s escaping spirit.

Had True Lord Tiansha’s spirit merged with the void, there would’ve been no catching him.

Back during the early years of the Heaven Primordial Secret Realm, True Lords Xuanjian and Juejian laid an ambush for True Lord Tiansha, but the latter managed to escape by slipping into the void.

“Once they’re in the void, they can’t travel very far, right?”

Lu Changsheng asked curiously.

“Under normal circumstances, once they break into the void, they can sprint thousands of miles in an instant. But if they burn their own spirit essence, their speed increases exponentially. In the span of moments, they could cover tens—no, even hundreds of thousands of miles.”

“That said, most Nascent Souls avoid burning their essence. It impacts their ability to possess new bodies and their future cultivation stability.”

“Besides, while dwelling in the void, they’re exposed to the dangers of chaotic spatial currents, which can tear them apart.”

Hong Lian finished softly.

Lu Changsheng nodded. He recalled that True Lord Tiansha had tried to escape by possessing a new body, but his strength had been greatly diminished, prompting True Lord Xuanjian to use him as a stepping stone for his own advancement.

“Tsk, unlucky.”

Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but comment on how grim True Lord Tiansha’s fate had been.

Satisfied with his own assessment of his strength against Nascent Souls, Lu Changsheng returned to the City Lord’s mansion, feeling much better.

That night, he shared some ‘intimate moments’ with Hong Lian, which eventually left her exhausted and limp as a wet rag, her body drenched in sweat.

Lu Changsheng sighed internally. He realized that once his physique reached Tier 4, it might take a Core Formation-level partner to truly keep up with him.

A few days later, Lu Changsheng left Immortal City of Da Mengze and returned to Bihu Mountain.

Though the Lu Family now had two Core Formation practitioners, they remained low-key.

Some clans were eager to see if the Lu Family would take action against those that had wronged them now that the ten-year peace limit had expired, but there were no signs of movement.

“Husband!”

The first to welcome him home was Lu Miaoyun, who snuggled into is arms and told him about the family’s affairs over the last two years.

Lu Miaoge had mostly sequesteeed herself in cultivation. Meng Xiaochan, meanwhile, had taken her daughter Lu Baixi, along with Lu Linghe, on a journey.

Her thinking was that by taking her daughter, who was getting older, out into the world, it would help Lu Baixi gain experience and prevent her from being too naive.

During the whole trip, the three girls had stuck close together.

Lu Qingqi had also tagged along, joining Meng Xiaochan’s group.

“Haha!”

Lu Changsheng wasn’t worried in the least. With Meng Xiaochan, a Core Formation cultivator, watching over them, nothing serious would happen.

After all, in the Jiang Kingdom, Core Formation cultivators were the elite, the first among equals.

So long as they didn’t go looking for trouble, trouble wouldn’t find them.

Besides, with her daughter Lu Mengchan’s safety in mind, Meng Xiaochan wouldn’t dare take unnecessary risks.

“The family is doing well, and there’s no need to change anything. My sister Miaoge’s recent breakthrough to Core Formation has already stirred some attention from the Azure Cloud Sect. Though they won’t act against us outright, we shouldn’t give them any reasons to.”

In the wake of Lu Miaoge’s breakthrough, Lu hangsheng had gone out of his way to visit the Azure Cloud Sect master. From their subtle reactions, he sensed that they were beginning to show signs of apprehension.

It wasn’t hard to figure out that the Azure Cloud Sect wouldn’t be comfortable with the Lu family’s growth.

Lu’s meeting with Chu Qingyi during that time had also been about speaking with Yun Wanshang about easing tensions.

Honestly, Lu Changsheng wasn’t interested in that small patch of territory known as Azure Cloud Sect. He merely saw Bihu Mountain as a home base and a quiet place to raise children.

“Of course, Husband, I understand.”

Lu Miaoyun nodded gently, havig already guessed the Azure Cloud Sect’s stance.

While they wouldn’t openly provoke the Lu family in the short term, they would certainly be watching closely.

“Still, no need to overthink it. We don’t stir up trouble, but we’re not afraid of it either.”

Lu Changsheng smiled calmly.

One reason they hadn’t relocated yet was the inconvenience of moving. The other was that the Sumeru Tree King rooted in their spiritual grounds couldn’t be moved, nor could the Xuantian Spirit Vine that had been gathering fortune for years.

If the Azure Cloud Sect pushed things too far, he would simply rely on Immortal City of Da Mengze to apply some pressure.

“Of course, Husband, I’ll keep that in mind,”

Lu Miaoyun replied, her eyes fll of admiration and affection. She added that the Wang Family of Five Elements was in for trouble.

With the end of the ten-year peace period, not only were many families focusing on the Wang family’s territory, but one newly ascended Core Formation cultivator had his eyes on Five Elements Mountain.

Lu Changsheng thought about letting it be…

But then he remembered the deal he had struck with the Wang family patriarch back in the day. The man had been fair—he gifted them a high-grade magical treasure and a mid-grade treasure.

“Have Lu Jing ask one last time: if the remaining Wang family members are willing to give up Five Elements Mountain, they can relocate to Cangyun Mountain. If not, well then, that’s that.”

Lu Changsheng decided to offer the Wang family one final chance.

If they were still adamant about staying at their ancestral home, there was little more he could do.

“Also, have Jing ask if the Wang family is willing to sell any remaining family treasures.”

Lu Changsheng could easily forge magical treasures himself as a third-rank craftsman, but…

Crafting treasures required materials, time, and effort.

Judging from the Five Elements Mirror and the Five Elements Jade Pendant, the Wang family should have a few more pieces as part of a Five Elements treasure set.

If he could obtain them, future disciples cultivating the Five Elements Fusion Technique, including Lu Xuangen and Wang Yanjing, could use them to great effect.

“Treasures?”

Lu Miaoyun had heard that the ang family held a set of heirloom treasures, but she didn’t know the exact details.

“Yes, their founding patriarch was no ordinary cultivator. I suspect he left behind a set of treasures. Ask anyway—if they’re willing to sell, great, if not, no big deal.”

Lu Changsheng wasn’t interested in taking advantage of their plight. If they agreed to sell, he’d offer them the equivalent in Core Formation resources.

After all, thanks to his role as ruler of the Immortal City and his frequent visits to Da Mengze to hunt spirit beasts, he had amassed a vast collection of Core Formation materials.

“Alright.”

Lu Miaoyun nodded thoughtfully

With that matter settled, Lu Changsheng spent his time relaxing at home with his wives and children.

He briefly checked in on his son, Lu Qingyue.

Thanks to the Xuantian Spirit Vine, his cultivation was deep and pure. Lu Changsheng estimated that his chances of forming a perfect Dao foundation were five to six out of ten, though his son hadn’t gained too many insights yet.

That was to be expected.

If a mere Qi Refining cultivator could comprehend great insights from the vine in just three or four years, Lu Changsheng himself would already have mastered countless divine arts.

Lu Changsheng then gifted the Six-Eyed Bodhi Seed to Lu Miaoyun, explaining its effcts and suggesting that Lu Qingyue cultivate using it. When Lu Qingyue was ready to break through to Foundation Establishment, there would be no need for a report—he trusted his son to know when the time was right.

A month later, Lu Changsheng informed Lu Miaoge and the others thatthe would soon be heading to Jin Kingdom. If anything urgent occurred, they were to break the emergency talisman, and he would return immediately.

And after giving it some thought, Lu Changsheng decided not to bring the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror with him.

“Using the mirror in a fight would cripple me, it costs too much.” Also, the commotion caused by using the mirror could attract unwanted attention.

Besides, according to Hong Lian’s analysis, with his current power, he should be able to handle Nascent Soul Masters on his own.

Just before setting out for Jin Kingdom, Lu Changsheng didn’t forget his promise with Chu Qingyi.

Together, they sparred nonstop for seven days and seven nights.

And after this intense weeklong practice, Chu Qingyi’s second-grade gold core had finally ascended to the first-grade Immortal Golden Core! “We’re husband and wife, no need for thanks.”

In an underground palace, a disheveled yet captivating Sword Immortal, her face flushed and her hair in tousled waves, lay in Lu Changsheng’s arms as he spoke gently to her.

A few more days passed before Lu Changsheng and Chu Qingyi parted ways. With everything in order, Lu Changsheng finally set out on his journey to Jin Kingdom.