Chapter 647: Lu Qingshan: Slaying a Rank Three Demon King to Honor the Clan!

Bihu Mountain.

The entire Lu Family was abuzz with conversations about the Nine Nether Hound. Everyone was in shock—the family’s spirit beast had advanced to the third rank.

When Lu Xingchen, Wang Yanjing, and Lu Xuanyu returned to Bihu Mountain with the Nine Nether Hound, many of the Lu disciples gathered, eager to witness the might of a Rank Three Demon King up close.

After all, most of the Lu Family disciples were still in the Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment stages, with limited exposure to such power.

Aside from the few who had participated in the frontier war, none had ever seen a Rank Three Demon King before.

Seeing the eager faces of her fellow disciples, Lu Miaoyun instructed the NineNether Hound to display its aura as a Rank Three Demon King, giving the Lu Family a rare opportunity to witness its power firsthand.

But even just a sliver of the beast’s aura was enough to make the gathered disciples tremble uncontrollably, their skin crawling with fear.

“So this is the aura of a Rank Three Demon King!”

“Terrifying!”

“No wonder they say the gap between Foundation Establishment and Core Formation is like a chasm—just its aura alone makes me feel powerless!”

“I feel like if the Nine Nether blew on me, I’d be dead in an instant.”

“Uncle Xingchen, I heard the Nine Nether fought Master Huang Yuan’s Yellow Sand Stone Ape and gained the upper hand after just a few exchanges. Can you tell us more about it?”

Despite their fear of the fierce and imposing Nine Nether Hound, the Lu Family disciples couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride and honor. This was their clan’s guardian spirit beast!

Many of them turned to Lu Xingchen, eager to hear more about the battle.

Lu Xingchen, always mild-mannered and humble, downplayed the event, saying it was just a friendly spar where the Nine Nether had a slight advantage.

He explained that the exchange wasn’t serious enough to escalate, so there was no need to make a big deal out of it.

Even so, his calm words filled the disciples with pride.

“Auntie.”

Lu Xingchen and Wang Yanjing then approached Lu Miaoyun to apologize, admiting they hadn’t handled the situation well and had caused a stir, putting the family in the spotlight.

“It’s fine. You’ve both done well.”

Lu Miaoyun didn’t blame them.

She had already anticipated the consequences when she agreed to let the Nine Nether Hound accompany them to the Five Elements Mountain.

In her eyes, Lu Xingchen had been modest and restrained.

Had it been Lu Wangshu or another strong-willed disciple, they might have ordered the Nine Nether to unleash its full Rank Three power.

She had heard from her husband that ‘Little Black’ was a Heavenly Bloodline Demon Beast, with a demon core that rivaled even an Immortal Golden Core!

After confirming the situation, Lu Miaoyun dismissed the coupl, instructing Lu Xuanyu to return the Nine Nether Hound to White Tiger Mountain.

White Tiger Mountain, located near Flower Fruit Mountain and Golden Mist Valley, still needed the presence of a top-tier guardian to prevent any unforeseen events.

Though having a Rank Three Demon King as a guardian was somewhat excessive.

When Lu Xuanyu brought the Nine Nether Hound back to White Tiger Mountain, several nearby clan cultivators who had heard the rumors gathered, all trembling in fear.

Especially the Jin Family of Golden Dragon Ridge.

They were terrified that the Lu Family might decide Bihu Mountain and White Tiger Mountain were too small and bring the Nine Nether Hound to visit Golden Dragon Ridge.

With the Lu Family’s current strength, they no longer needed Lu Changsheng or Lu Miaoge to act..

Just sending the Nine Nether Hound, a Rank Three Demon King, would be enough to flatten Golden Dragon Ridge.

Though Lu Changsheng had long since moved past old grudges, Jin Zhan, the Jin Family’s patriarch, wasted no time in rushing to White Tiger Mountain with lavish gifts, hoping to pay his respects to the Nine Nether King.

As he stood before the terrifying, wolf-headed, ferocious Nine Nether Hound, Jin Zhan’s thoughts drifted back sixty years, when he had been invited by the Zhao Family’s patriarch to assist at White Tiger Mountain.

Back then, not only had Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge been present, but tte Nine Nether Hound had been there too.

Now, sixty years later, not only had Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge both reached the Cooe Formation stage, but the spirit beast had also advanced to Rank Three.

These thoughts left Jin Zhan feeling dazed and bitter.

But he didn’t dare show any disrespect. After offering his gifts to the Nine Nether Hound, he quickly took his leave.

While the Nine Nether Hound’s advancement greatly boosted the Lu Family’s prestige, it also attracted some unwanted attention.

One day, a Core Formation expert from the Beast Spirit Sect arrived, expressing a desire to meet the Lu Family’s guardian spirit beast, the Nine Nether Hound, and to exchange insights on beast-taming techniques.

“My husband is currently in closed cultivation at the Immortal City of Da Mengze and can’t return for now. However, if you wish to see the Nine Nether, you’re welcome to. As for exchanging beast-taming knowledge…”

Lu Miaoyun paused before contiuing, “My husband once said that the Nine Nether’s bloodline underwent a kind of ancestral awakening. Later, it found a fortuitous treasure in the Black Cloud Mountain Range that triggered its bloodline potential, allowing it to advance quickly to Rank Three.”

Lu Miaoyun was somewhat surpried by the Beast Spirit Sect’s visit.

But she had already prepared an explanation for such matters.

Whether they believed her or not was up to them.

Although the Beast Spirit Sect was one of the four great sects of the Jiang Kingdom, this region was still under the jurisdiction of the Azure Cloud Sect, and they wouldn’t dare act against the Lu Family.

Besides, in the world of cultivation, asking about others’ fortuitous encounters and inheritances was a serious taboo!

“Awakening its bloodline potential…”

Master Canglang narrowed his eyes, remaining silent.

Although the explanation was plausible, as a Core Formation expert of the Beast Spirit Sect, he wasn’t so easily convinced.

If the Lu Family truly had no top-tier beast-taming heritage, how could they explain the Dao Soldier from years ago? However, as the Lu Family was now a Core Formation clan and had close ties with the Azure Cloud Sect, he could only nod and say, “I see. In that case, I’d appreciate the opportunity to meet the Nine Nether.”

Lu Miaoyun nodded slightly andcalled for Lu Chensha, instructing him to accompany Master Canglang to White Tiger Mountain. Along the way, they could exchange some insights on beast-taming.

“Yes, Auntie.”

Lu Chensha, who had been in charge of raising spirit beasts in the family for years, nodded in agreement.

Just as the three were about to leave the hall, a hearty voice suddenly echoed from Bihu Mountain, reverberating across the land.

“Lu Qingshan has returned! I heard that Father and Auntie have broken through to Core Formation, so I’ve slain a Rank Three Demon King to congratulate our clan!”

The cultivators of Bihu Mountain were stunned and looked toward the mountain gate in disbelief.

Although few had met Lu Qingshan, many knew of him—this sword immortal of the Lu Family who had spent years away from home!

“Qingshan is back?”

“Lu Qingshan? Isn’t he the one who joined the Golden Sun Sect in the Yue Kingdom? The one they call the ‘Little Sword Immortal’?”

“He killed a Rank Three Demon King? Did I hear that right?”

Many of the Lu Family disciples, both shocked and curious, rushed to the mountain gate.

On Heart Island, in a flower-filled courtyard, Lu Miaohuan, who had been watering the plants, froze for a moment. Her eyes lit up with joy as she looked toward the gate.

“That rascal.”

Others might not know, but she was well aware that her son had attempted to break through to Core Formation even earlier than his aunt, Lu Miaoge..

Now that he had returned, he must have already succeeded.

But hearing that her son had slain a Rank Three Demon King still filled her with shock and pride. She immediately flew toward the mountain gate, her heart racing with excitement.

“Qingshan’s back? And he killed a Rank Three Demon King?”

Lu Miaoyun, who had been aboutto escort Master Canglang out, was also taken aback.

She knew of Lu Qingshan’s situation.

But she hadn’t expected him to return in such a grand fashion, having slain a Rank Three Demon King as a gift for the family!

“Lu Qingshan?”

Master Canglang, a recently ascended Core Formation expert of the Beast Spirit Sect, had heard the name before but wasn’t too familiar.

Still, as a Core Formation expert, he could clearly sense the presence of another Core Formation cultivator outside the gate.

“Please excuse me for a moment, Master Canglang. One of our family’s prodigies has returned home after many years. I’ll go take a look first.”

Lu Miaoyun bowed slightly to Mster Canglang before flying toward the gate.

“Of course, of course.”

Master Canglang was polite as well, flying toward the gate, curious about what was happening. He thought to himself, aside from Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge, there was another ore Formation expert in Bihu Mountain?

In just a hundred years, the Lu Family had produced three Core Formation experts and a Rank Three Demon King? This is unreal! And Lu Changsheng wasn’t even that old—how had his son already reached Core Formation?

Moments later, Lu Miaoyun, Lu Chensha, and Mater Canglang arrived at the gate.

There stood a young man with sharp brows and bright eyes, exuding confidence. A sword hung at his waist, and beside him lay a massive, ten-zhang-long lion, frozen solid but still burning with faint traces of fire.

Even though the lion was dead, its body encased in ice and covered in deep sword wounds, it still exuded a terrifying aura.

“Greetings, Auntie!”

“Greetings, Lady Miaoyun!”

The disciples who had already gathered quickly bowed when they saw Lu Miaoyun arrive.

“This is a Flame Steel Lion with a high-grade Earthly bloodline, a Rank Three Demon King!”

Master Canglang, being a beast-tamer, instantly recognized the frozen lion, his eyes widening in shock.

Although it was only of the Earthly bloodline, it was undoubtedly a true Rank Three Demon King! Judging by the wounds, he could even imagine how the lion must have looked in its final moments, how it had been slain.

He then turned his gaze to Lu Qingshan.

Clad in a green robe, with a sword at his waist, he looked every bit the carefree swordsman.

But upon closer inspection, sharp sword intent radiated from him, so intense that it made Master Canglang’s eyes sting.

A sword cultivator!

This young man wasn’t just any sword cultivator—he was an elite! He was the one who had slain the Flame Steel Lion!

Master Canglang’s heart was in turmoil. The Lu Family not only had Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge but also another Cooe Formation sword cultivator with enough power to slay a Rank Three Demon King! Unbelievable!

Even if he gave it everything he had and relied on his spirit beasts, it would be a monumental challenge for him to kill a Flame Steel Lion. The cost would be enormous!

Yet this ‘Lu Qingshan’ seemed to have accomplished the feat without suffering any injuries.

Just then, he noticed Lu Qingshan glance at him.

But the young man only gave him a calm, indifferent look before turning his attention to a beautiful woman in a black dress nearby, grinning widely, “Mother!”

“Qingshan! You’ve reached Core Formation!”

Lu Miaohuan’s face lit up with joy as she saw her son.

Seeing the Flame Steel Lion and all the gathered Lu disciples flocking around him filled her with pride.

Her son had made a name for himself outside, with countless achievements, but none of that had reached the Jiang Kingdom or their family.

Now, her son had not only reached Core Formation, becoming a highly respected cultivator, but he had also returned home after slaying a Rank Three Demon King. As his mother, she couldn’t be prouder!

“It’s just Core Formation, no big deal!”

Standing tall and confident, Lu Qingshan casually tossed out a handful of spirit herbs from his storage ring.

“Mother, I heard you’ve been into gardening lately. These are some herbs I collected while I was in the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, after slaying the Rank Three Demon King.”

Lu Qingshan knew his mother’s personality all too well.

When his father and aunt had visited him in the Yue Kingdom, they had mentioned how she was always talking about the family, so he had come prepared to make her proud.

“You still know how to please your mother.”

Lu Miaohuan was very pleased with her son, standing a little taller as she tried to suppress her excitement. “Now that you’re home, stay home for a while. Don’t go off doing anything dangerous again. I just want you to be safe.”

“Don’t worry, Mother. Killing a Rank Three Demon King is no big deal.”

Lu Qingshan laughed heartily as he entered the mountain gate, then turned to see Lu Miaoyun and bowed, “Auntie.

“Qingshan, you’re back. You weren’t hurt, were you?”

Lu Miaoyun looked at the tall,sharp-eyed young man before her and couldn’t help but feel a wave of emotion.

The mischievous boy from their family had unknowingly grown into a Core Formation cultivator.

Seeing him now, she couldn’t help but think of Lu Quanzhen, the son of Qu Zhenzhen.

He had also broken through to Core Formation early, and her cousin Lu Miaoge’s son, Lu Qingxian,,was expected to follow suit soon. Ling Zixiao’s son, Lu Lingxiao, with his outstanding talent, was sure to reach Core Formation as well. Even Xia Ziyue had given birth to six spirit root children, all in the Foundation Establishment stage, while her grandson Lu Xuangen was a prodigy. She couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy.

Among all the principal wives and dao companions of the Lu Family, she was the only one who hadn’t produced a child with exceptional talent.

“Don’t worry, Auntie. I’m fine,” Lu Qingshan said with a grin, then turned to Master Canglang, “And who might this be?”

“This is Master Canglang of the Beast Spirit Sect. He heard that our Nine Nether Hound advanced to Rank Three and came to see it for himself.”

Lu Miaoyun smiled warmly.

“The Nine Nether?”

Lu Qingshan was taken aback for a moment, not quite understanding.

“It’s ‘Little Black,’” Lu Miaohuan quickly reminded him.

Master Canglang’s face twitched slightly upon hearing the name ‘Little Black.’ He couldn’t fathom how a Rank Three Demon King could be called something so… undignified.

“Oh, Little Black has reached Rank Three?”

Lu Qingshan raised an eyebrow, surprised.

But then, remembering his father’s methods, it seemed perfectly reasonable for them to have nurtured a Rank Three Demon King. He then asked his mother about his siblings, Lu Qingzhu, Lu Qingqi, and Lu Qingsong.

“Qingzhu and Qingqi should be at the Hongye Valley Marketplace, and Qingsong is at Da Mengze,” Lu Miaohuan replied, completely ignoring Master Canglang.

“By the way, Mother, is Father not home again?”

Lu Qingshan continued to ask.

“You know your father well enough by now.”

Lu Miaohuan huffed, slightly annoyed. It used to be fine, but now he was spending more and more time away.

“I knew it.”

Lu Qingshan sighed, realizing once again that his father was absent.

At that moment, Lu Miaoyun suggested that sinc Master Canglang was heading to White Tiger Mountain to see Little Black, Lu Qingshan could join them. Lu Qingzhu and Lu Qingqi might be there as well.

Lu Qingshan wasn’t particularly interested in the Nine Nether Hound, as he hadn’t spent much time with it. But understanding the meaning behind Lu Miaoyun’s suggestion, he smled and said, “It’s been a while since I’ve seen Little Black. Let’s go check it out.”

With that, Lu Qingshan stored the Flame Steel Lion in Bihu Mountain and flew with Lu Chensha and Master Canglang toward White Tiger Mountain.

Meanwhile, many Lu Family disciples, having heard the commotion, gathered to admire the frozen Flame Steel Lion.

Not long ago, they had witnessed a living Rank Three Demon King, and now they were looking at a dead one.

“He really killed a Rank Three Demon King!”

“I heard that when a beast advances to Rank Three, it awakens a divine ability, making it as powerful as a Core Formation cultivator. With its tough body and strong vitality, it’s incredibly hard to kill.”

“Exactly. Unless you’re a top-tier genius, defeating a beast or cultivator of the same rank is nearly impossible!”

“Uncle Qingshan isn’t even a hundred years old, and he’s only recently broken through to Core Formation. How did he manage to kill a Rank Three Demon King?”

“So this is the power of an unbeatable sword cultivator at the same rank!”

The Lu Family disciples marveled at the frozen Flame Steel Lion, filled with awe and respect for Lu Qingshan.

Wang Yanjing and her son, Lu Xuangen, also came to see the lion, both shocked and envious. She reminded her son not to let pride get the better of him, urging him to seek advice from his uncles.

By now, the outside world had begun to realize that the Lu Family of Bihu Mountain wasn’t as simple as they appeared.

As Lu Xuangen’s mother, Wang Yanjing had long suspected this.