Chapter 644: Yangming Zhenren, I’ve Been Waiting for You!

In the Abyss of Ten Thousand Demons, Lu Changsheng and the Five Poisons Sect Master moved cautiously, concealing their auras to avoid attracting too many demonic beasts.

Yet, despite their efforts, it was inevitable that some demonic beasts would appear, lunging at them.

“Splat!”

Wielding the Da Luo Sword Embryo, Lu Changsheng swiftly cut down a third-tier demonic beast, cleanly retrieving its demon core and valuable materials.

If a fourth-tier demonic beast appeared, they would immediately flee.

Had his strength been greater, Lu Changsheng might have considered the Abyss of Ten Thousand Demons a decent place to hunt fourth-tier demonic beasts.

Though the blood and demon cores of these beasts were tainted, their value significantly reduced.

However, these beasts lacked intelligence, and with the right traps set in advance, they were easier to kill than ordinary fourth-tier demon kings.

After a month of tense travel, Lu Changsheng and the Five Poisons Sect Master finally emerged from the Abyss unscathed.

“Whew!”

Upon seeing daylight again, Lu Changsheng exhaled a long breath of relief.

He realized the greatest threat in the Abyss wasn’t the beasts themselves, but the overwhelming demonic energy, baleful aura, and ghostly qi that permeated the place.

Ordinary Core Formation cultivators wouldn’t last long in such a foul environment, let alone fight off demonic beasts.

As he and the Five Poisons Sect Master prepared to leave, Lu Changsheng’s eyes suddenly narrowed as he looked in a certain direction. “Who’s there?”

“Yangming Zhenren, I’ve been waiting for you.”

A ripple in the air appeared, and a middle-aged man with a hideous face, dressed in a dark red ghost robe, stepped out and addressed Lu Changsheng.

Noticing the Five Poisons Sect Master’s pale face and disordered aura, the man’s brows furrowed, especially seeing her standing so close to Yangming Zhenren.

“True Lord Mingsha, the Grand Elder of the Yin Ghost Sect!”

Lu Changsheng had never met him before, but recognized him at a glance.

Given his past grudges with the Yin Ghost Sect, he had done some research on the mysterious Grand Elder, knowing his appearance well.

Although the man’s appearance and aura had changed somewhat,

the ghostly qi and the resentful energy swirling around his power made his identity unmistakable.

“Master, this is True Lord Mingsha, the Grand Elder of the Yin Ghost Sect. He must have learned of our trip to the Abyss and waited here for us based on that information,” the Five Poisons Sect Master explained through voice transmission, her expression grave.

She made it clear that she hadn’t tipped him off.

“Hmm.”

Lu Changsheng could tell that True Lord Mingsha had come with ill intentions. His expression remained calm as he said, “What business do you have waiting for me here?”

“Business? Do you, a mere Core Formation cultivator, think you’re qualified to call me ‘friend’?”

True Lord Mingsha’s face contorted with disdain, his eyes like dark abysses flickering with ghostly flames. His wide mouth revealed sharp, beast-like teeth as he sneered, his voice chilling to the bone.

“Years ago, while I was on the verge of reaching Nascent Soul, you stormed into the Yin Ghost Sect, causing us great humiliation. More recently, you joined the Heavenly Sword Sect of Jiang Kingdom and sabotaged our plans. What do you think I’m here for?”

His gaze grew colder, the dark red robe billowing ominously as a terrifying field of ghostly energy spread around him, turning the atmosphere into a hellish scene.

With those words, he swung his sleeve, and a blackened hand shot out toward Lu Changsheng, unleashing a torrent of Nascent Soul-level power.

“Whoooooosh!”

The wind howled, and ghostly wails filled the air. Lu Changsheng suddenly felt as though he had been pulled back into the Abyss of Ten Thousand Demons, surrounded by countless wrathful spirits and razor-sharp gusts of wind.

“Clang!”

With a narrowed gaze, Lu Changsheng drew the Da Luo Sword Embryo and slashed forward, shattering the ghostly wind and spirits in an instant. “So, you’re relying on your strength to settle old scores? Then let’s see what you’ve got!” he said coolly.

He had already anticipated that this Grand Elder of the Yin Ghost Sect would cause trouble when he came to Jin Kingdom.

What he hadn’t expected was that Mingsha would actually lie in wait for him in the Abyss!

If not for subduing the Five Poisons Sect Master and breaking through to the ninth level of Core Formation, he might have been in bad shape after leaving the Abyss, easy prey for Mingsha’s ambush.

“No wonder you can hold your own against Yan Wujiang. You’ve got some skill!”

True Lord Mingsha’s eyes darkened as Lu Changsheng effortlessly shattered his technique. His gaze shifted to the Da Luo Sword Embryo, becoming more serious.

He turned to the Five Poisons Sect Master and barked, “Five Poisons Daoist, this man is in league with the Heavenly Sword Sect of Jiang Kingdom! What are you waiting for? Help me take him down!”

As he spoke, an eerie blood-red bone sword appeared in his hand, surrounded by swirling ghostly souls, and shot toward Lu Changsheng.

In an instant, the sky darkened with dense black fog, filled with the piercing wails of countless spirits. A ghostly hand, cold as death, emerged from the mist, reaching to tear Lu Changsheng apart.

“Yangming Zhenren is my ally. But it seems you, True Lord Mingsha, are rather bold, attacking without so much as a word!”

Despite her injuries, the Five Poisons Sect Master stood firm. With a gentle grasp of her pale hand, a five-colored flag appeared, the aura of Nascent Soul-level power sweeping through the black fog.

Behind Lu Changsheng, his Brahma Demon True Form manifested, and with a swing of the Da Luo Sword Embryo, a brilliant sword light pierced the heavens, clashing with the ghost hand and the bone sword. The resulting explosion echoed like a thunderclap, unleashing a terrifying wave of power.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

The ghostly energy, like smoke and mist, sought to corrode Lu Changsheng’s body, but it was immediately dispersed by his Brahma Demon True Form.

“This guy is really something! No wonder he’s so arrogant.”

Though True Lord Mingsha had only recently broken through to Nascent Soul, his strength was on par with the Five Poisons Sect Master.

Or perhaps it was more accurate to say that the Five Poisons Sect Master’s abilities were heavily restrained by Lu Changsheng.

His Chaos Body, which included the Kunpeng Demon Body, Calamity Poison Body, Immaculate Heavenly Fragrance Body, and Bai Xi bloodline, all provided resistance to poison.

In this situation, combined with his near-fourth-tier physical body, Lu Changsheng’s poison resistance was nearly maxed out.

“A True Form? And that sword… it must be a top-tier spirit treasure!”

True Lord Mingsha’s expression grew serious, recognizing that Lu Changsheng was far stronger than he had anticipated.

He then turned to the Five Poisons Sect Master. “Five Poisons Daoist, this man sabotaged the alliance between Jin and Liang Kingdoms, leading to True Lord Tiansha’s capture by the Heavenly Sword Sect. Are you really going to help him?”

Though the intelligence had suggested the two had a close relationship, he had not expected the Five Poisons Sect Master to side with Lu Changsheng so openly.

“I don’t recall any alliance stipulating that I couldn’t make new allies!”

The Five Poisons Sect Master’s voice turned cold.

Though the three sects had an agreement, she knew full well what Mingsha’s true intentions were.

Back in the day, the Yin Ghost Sect had been the strongest of Jin Kingdom’s three demonic sects.

Had it not been for the unexpected death of their previous Nascent Soul ancestor, the Yin Ghost Sect wouldn’t have kept such a low profile in recent years.

Now that True Lord Mingsha had broken through to Nascent Soul and possessed the treasure [Ten Thousand Ghost Blood Pool], there was no way he would be content with the old distribution of power.

“So, it seems there was more to that failed campaign in Jiang Kingdom than meets the eye. No wonder True Lord Tiansha ended up in the hands of the Heavenly Sword Sect.”

“Very well, I’ll report this to Beast God Mountain and Tiansha Sect. You’d better watch your back, Sect Master!”

Though the Five Poisons Sect Master was injured and not at her peak, with Lu Changsheng’s help, True Lord Mingsha wasn’t confident he could defeat them both.

Moreover, the current timing was crucial for him, and he couldn’t afford to take a major loss. He wasn’t willing to risk a life-or-death fight.

With a billow of his dark red robe, he vanished into the sky like a wraith.

Lu Changsheng held the Da Luo Sword Embryo but did not give chase.

Though his strength had risen to the ninth layer of Core Formation, killing True Lord Mingsha was still beyond his reach.

Without the influence of the Abyss, Mingsha could easily tear open space and escape into the void.

Besides, having just left the Abyss, Lu Changsheng wasn’t at his peak either.

“Ah Youduo, will this cause trouble for you?”

Lu Changsheng turned to the pale-faced Five Poisons Sect Master, his voice calm.

He didn’t care about the Yin Ghost Sect, Beast God Mountain, or Tiansha Sect. He was a lone wolf and would leave Jin Kingdom soon.

However, the Five Poisons Sect was based in Jin Kingdom, and crossing the Yin Ghost Sect might bring them unwanted trouble.

“Mingsha just wants an excuse to redistribute power. Beast God Mountain’s forces are tied up in Yue Kingdom; they won’t have time to meddle in Jin Kingdom’s affairs.”

“Besides, Yan Wujiang isn’t stupid. He knows Mingsha wants to use his Nascent Soul breakthrough to restore the Yin Ghost Sect’s former glory. He won’t just take Mingsha at his word.”

Though her tone was firm, there was a trace of worry in the Five Poisons Sect Master’s eyes.

Regardless, she would still have to give an explanation to the Heaven Corpse Sect and Beast God Mountain regarding her relationship with Yangming Zhenren.

If Mingsha persuaded Beast God Mountain, the Five Poisons Sect might be in danger once Liang Kingdom freed up its forces.

“But Master, you should also be cautious of the Heavenly Sword Sect after this.”

The Five Poisons Sect Master offered a quiet warning.

Though the Heavenly Sword Sect had previously been willing to cooperate with Yangming Zhenren, this incident could change things.

“I’m aware.”

Lu Changsheng had already seen True Lord Xuanjian’s strength and was wary of the Heavenly Sword Sect, avoiding too much contact with them.

Now that they knew of his alliance with the Five Poisons Sect Master, he would be even more cautious.

“By the way, Ah Youduo, I’ve heard that the Yin Ghost Sect’s treasure [Ten Thousand Ghost Blood Pool] is extremely powerful. How does True Lord Mingsha compare to you?”

Lu Changsheng asked, curious about the true strength of True Lord Mingsha.

“Though he only recently broke through to Nascent Soul, his Nascent Soul quality is a notch above mine. If he uses the Ten Thousand Ghost Blood Pool, I wouldn’t stand a chance.”

The Five Poisons Sect Master replied, her expression solemn.

Back then, both she and the Heaven Corpse Sect Master had assumed that True Lord Mingsha would only reach Human Path Nascent Soul.

But they hadn’t expected that he had concealed his strength all along, secretly forming an alliance with Beast God Mountain to push for an Earth Path Nascent Soul breakthrough.

Though he didn’t succeed, he was still at the pinnacle of Human Path, just a step away from Earth Path.

“Oh?”

Lu Changsheng inquired further about the details of this treasure.

“The Ten Thousand Ghost Blood Pool has been cultivated by the Yin Ghost Sect for millennia. It not only commands an army of ghost soldiers but also houses a fourth-tier Ghost King!”

“In the past, Mingsha couldn’t control the Ghost King and could only project its power to barely match Nascent Soul cultivators. Now that he’s broken through, I suspect he can fully command the Ghost King.”

The Five Poisons Sect Master revealed the secret of this treasure.

“A fourth-tier Ghost King!?”

Lu Changsheng raised an eyebrow, instantly understanding how Mingsha could rival Nascent Soul cultivators even at the peak of Core Formation.

With a treasure like that, it was akin to Qingluan Zhenren, who commanded an army of Dao soldiers and a top-tier spirit pet! Wait, no—Qingluan’s pet was only a near-fourth-tier beast. Who knows if it has advanced by now?

“But to summon such a treasure and control a fourth-tier Ghost King, Mingsha must sacrifice the blood of ten thousand spirits and even his own essence blood, so he wouldn’t use it lightly.”

“Besides, when he faced Nascent Soul tribulation, he used the Ten Thousand Ghost Blood Pool to resist the lightning, damaging its core. It won’t be at full power for some time.”

The Five Poisons Sect Master continued, revealing secrets known only to a select few Nascent Soul cultivators.

“I see.”

Lu Changsheng nodded slightly, understanding that the Ten Thousand Ghost Blood Pool was similar to his Da Luo Sword Embryo—usable, but not at its full potential.

Based on what the Five Poisons Sect Master had said, it became clear why the Yin Ghost Sect had once been the strongest of Jin Kingdom’s three demonic sects.

With such a powerful treasure anchoring their foundation, they were far stronger than the Five Poisons Sect and the Heaven Corpse Sect.

Afterward, he learned more about the Yin Ghost Sect and the Heaven Corpse Sect from the Five Poisons Sect Master.

During their time in the Abyss, most of their efforts had been spent on dual cultivation to heal, so they hadn’t discussed these matters.

The Five Poisons Sect Master didn’t hold back, revealing many secrets of the three sects, including the fact that both the Five Poisons Sect and the Heaven Corpse Sect had once had equally powerful legacies.

However, during the Great Calamity that swept across most of the Southern Desolation, the three sects had been severely weakened, forcing them to sign an alliance and jointly control Jin Kingdom.

“The Seven Demonic Sects.”

Lu Changsheng muttered the name, then asked the Five Poisons Sect Master why True Lord White Lotus had come to the Five Poisons Sect to take Nangong Yaoyao as her disciple.

“Master, I signed a contract with True Lord White Lotus and swore an oath to my heart demon, so I cannot speak of it.”

Though the Five Poisons Sect Master had previously broken her contract with Lu Changsheng,

that had only been a low-level contract. The one with True Lord White Lotus was much more binding.

If she broke it and True Lord White Lotus sensed it, the consequences would be dire.

“No problem.”

Lu Changsheng didn’t press further, changing the subject.

However, given his current role, he made sure not to ask too many naive questions, lest he raise the Five Poisons Sect Master’s suspicions.

After all, it had only been two months since he planted the Seven Desires Love Gu in her.

While the Five Poisons Sect Master was certainly influenced, she wasn’t completely under his control yet.

During this time, he had been careful to maintain a high and mighty persona in front of her.

“Buzz!”

As they flew on the Golden-Winged Roc back to the Five Poisons Sect, Lu Changsheng suddenly felt a surge of power flow into him from afar.

Though it was like a drop in the ocean to him, he knew it meant one of his children had just broken through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment.

But before long, another surge of power followed half an hour later, flowing into his dantian.

“Hmm?”

Lu Changsheng’s brows furrowed. Could one of his children have encountered a fortuitous opportunity?

He thought back to his son Lu Quanzhen’s experience years ago and immediately checked the current situation of his late-stage Foundation Establishment children.

[Name: Lu Ping’an]

[Lifespan: 94/373]

[Talent: Fifth-Grade Spirit Root]

[Cultivation: Foundation Establishment, Ninth Layer]

[Compatibility: Body Refining (99%)]

“Ping’an?”

After checking on his other children, including Lu Lingxiao and Lu Wangshu, Lu Changsheng turned his attention to his son, Lu Ping’an, in surprise.

Given that Lu Ping’an had been possessed by another soul, shouldn’t he still be in grave danger? How had he suddenly broken through to the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment?

And he had leaped from the seventh layer to the ninth in a single breath.

“Could the soul possession have failed, and Ping’an benefited from it instead?”

As Lu Changsheng knew, Nascent Soul cultivators couldn’t possess others indefinitely. Each attempt drained their essence.

If a Nascent Soul cultivator attempted more than three possessions, their soul would be at risk of collapse.

If the Nascent Soul was too damaged, it would prematurely lead to the destruction of the spirit body.

“Even then, such a breakthrough shouldn’t have taken this long, nor should it have been so sudden.”

Lu Changsheng frowned, sensing that something was off.

Still, seeing Lu Ping’an’s breakthrough and the absence of any signs of imminent danger, Lu Changsheng felt a weight lift from his heart, knowing his son was safe for now.

He planned to visit Yue and Wu Kingdoms later to track down his son.

Meanwhile…

In the Jiang Kingdom, at Bihu Mountain…

“Grandmother, the Wang family is on the verge of collapse. They’re willing to offer up the [Five Elements Sword] in exchange for your family’s assistance.”

A mysterious cultivator had come to visit Wang Yanjing that day.

The visitor was an elder of the Wang Family of Five Elements.

With the restrictions on frontier wars lifted, the Wang Family had been slowly devoured, and recently, a Core Formation cultivator with a grudge against them had seized the chance to settle old scores, aiming to take control of Five Elements Mountain.

With their family on the brink of destruction, the once-proud Wang Family was now a crumbling wall, teetering on the edge of collapse.

Many years ago, the Wang Family’s ancestor had left a will, stating that if the family faced a great calamity, they could seek help from the Talisman Lu Family by offering the [Five Elements Sword].

Though the Wang Family was reluctant to part with their treasured artifact, they had no choice but to send an elder to Bihu Mountain in secret, bearing the sword to request aid.

“The Azure Cloud Sect warned my husband not to interfere with matters under the jurisdiction of the Luoxia Sect, so he instructed you to write a letter to the Wang Family.”

Lu Miaoyun said softly.

She had been keeping tabs on the Wang Family’s situation for some time but hadn’t expected their crisis to escalate so quickly.

Just a few decades ago, they had been a powerful Core Formation family, but now they were on the verge of extinction.

“Thank you, Grandmother. I’d like to go back with the elder to see for myself.”

Wang Yanjing, her face pale, bowed deeply.

Though she had been betrayed by a family traitor in her youth, she had grown up in the Wang Family of Five Elements and still felt a deep connection. She couldn’t bear to stand by and watch her family perish.

“You won’t be able to do much. I’ve heard that, aside from Master Huang Yuan, many other sects and clans, including the Beast Taming Xu Family, are eyeing the Wang Family’s lands.”

Lu Miaoyun sighed softly, tryig to dissuade her.

Though Wang Yanjing was a powerful cultivator at the peak of the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment, she was powerless against such overwhelming odds.

“I’ve been away from home for many years. No matter what happens, I need to go back and see it with my own eyes. Otherwise, I won’t have peace of mind.”

Wang Yanjing bit her lip, her voice quiet but resolute.

Though she had long since given up on her family, hearing that they were on the brink of extinction still filled her heart with unease.

“Sigh.”

Lu Miaoyun, herself from a famly of cultivators, understood Wang Yanjing’s feelings all too well.

With the Wang Family sealed off and on the verge of collapse, Yanjing, once the family’s Core Formation seed, would carry a heavy burden if she didn’t go.

After some thought, Lu Miaoyun gestured for Wang Ynjing to wait and went to see Lu Miaoge in the Sumeru Cave eaven.

“What’s the matter, Miaoyun?”

Lu Miaoge had been focused onncultivating divine abilities and techniques in Bihu Mountain for years.

“Sister Miaoge,”

Lu Miaoyun quickly explained te situation with Wang Yanjing, adding, “My husband suggested writing a letter to offer some help, but now that the Wang Family is besieged and their lands sealed off, Yanjing will likely develop a heart demon if we stop her from going.”

“I was thinking, maybe we could send Xingchen along with Xiao Hei to accompany her. They don’t need to interfere with the Wang Family’s affairs, just lend a hand and help evacuate some people.”

With Lu Changsheng away, Lu Miaoyun naturally came to L Miaoge for advice on such matters.

After a moment of thought, Lu Miaoge, her voice as gentll as water, said, “In that case, let Xingchen take Xiao Hei and go with Yanjing.”

After all, Wang Yanjing had given birth to Lu Xuangen, a Nascent Soul seed, and was herself a potential Core Formation cultivator in the Lu Family.

Given these circumstances, ignoring her plight would be heartless, especially since she had always been loyal to the family.

Not to mention Yanjing herself, they also had to consider Lu Xingchen and Xia Ziyue.

Xia Ziyue had given birth to six children for the Lu Family, and Lu Xingchen, with the best talent among them, was highly regarded. Xia Ziyue’s fondness for Wang Yanjing, who had given her a good grandson, was well known.

“Alright.”

Lu Miaoyun smiled warmly, agreing with Miaoge’s decision.

Though the Nine Nether Mastiff, a third-tier demon king, might attract the attention of other families and even the Azure Cloud Sect,

the Lu Family now had two Core Formation cultivators, Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge, and other factionsswere already wary of them. If they hesitated now, it would only embolden their enemies.

Moreover, the Nine Nether Mastiff had recently broken through to the third tier. It couldn’t remain hidden forever, and showing it off now would not only assert their dominance but also allow them to gain a treasure.

Later that same day, Lu Miaoyun sent word to White iger Mountain, asking Lu Xianzhi to bring the Nine Nether Mastiff to Bihu Mountain.

By that afternoon, Lu Xianzhi’s second son, Lu Xuanyu, arrived at Bihu Mountain with the Nine Nether Mastiff.

“Yanjing, my husband and Sister Miaoge are both in seclusion. They can’t personally intervene, but we’ve decided to let the Nine Nether Mastiff accompany you.”

Lu Miaoyun gathered Lu Xingche and Wang Yanjing and explained the plan.

“The Nine Nether Mastiff?”

They both knew that the Nine Nether Mastiff was the Lu Family’s guardian beast, currently stationed at White Tiger Mountain.

“Now that it’s a third-tier demon king, you should have no trouble evacuating some people. The other clans and even Master Huang Yuan will likely give you some face.”

Lu Miaoyun smiled as she calle the Nine Nether Mastiff over.

“Roar!”

The mastiff let out a low growl, its sleek black fur bristling as it released a terrifying third-tier demonic aura.

“A third-tier demon king!”

Lu Xingchen and Wang Yanjing were both stunned.

Neither of them had known that the mastiff had reached the third tier!

Lu Xingchen had seen the family’s foundations and could just about accept it, but Wang Yanjing was utterly shocked. She knew how difficult it was to nurture a third-tier demon king.

The Wang Family had once tried to cultivate a third-tier guardian beast of their own.

But without a proper beast-taming legacy, it had been a massive drain on their resources, and they hadn’t even been able to guarantee that the beast would remain loyal after its master passed away.

Yet here was the Lu Family’s beast, not only having broken through but also perfectly obedient. It was unbelievable!

Though the Nine Nether Mastiff was obedient, it wasn’t very familiar with Lu Xingchen.

“Grandmother, why don’t I go along with Uncle Xingchen? I can help take care of things on the way.”

Though Lu Xuanyu was only a second-tier puppet master, he had spent years on White Tiger Mountain and was very familiar with the mastiff, often tending to its needs.

“Very well, Xuanyu. I’ll leave this to you.”

Lu Miaoyun nodded in agreement

Though Lu Xuangen wanted to accompany his parents, his Five Elements Body was too precious to risk, so Wang Yanjing left him in the care of the Lu Family.

The Wang Family elder who had arrived was initially disappointed that Wang Yanjing had only brought two Foundation Establishment cultivators with her. But when he learned that the Nine Nether Mastiff was a third-tier demon king, his face went from shock to trembling excitement.

Wang Yanjing quietly said to the elder, “Uncle Thirteen, we can’t hold Five Elements Mountain any longer. It’s best to let it go.”

She knew that bringing the mastiff could help them break the siege and save lives, but it wouldn’t be enough to defend the mountain.

“I understand.”

The elder nodded bitterly, and the group set off for Five Elements Mountain.