Chapter 664: Captured, the Secret Realm Opens!

The old man’s words crashed down on Lu Ping’an like thunder, forcing a muffled groan from him as his blood surged and he staggered backward.

If it weren’t for his late-stage third-rank physique and Undying Golden Body, he would have almost fallen to his knees.

Yet, the overwhelming pressure still caused Lu Ping’an to tremble violently, his bones creaking and his legs sinking into the sand.

“A Nascent Soul! This is a Nascent Soul True Lord!”

Having experienced Yu Tiansheng’s soul-hijack, Lu Ping’an had witnessed the might of the Nascent Soul.

Realizing instantly that the old man before him was a Nascent Soul cultivator sent a chill down his spine. He hadn’t expected that by slaying the Wolf King, he would provoke a Nascent Soul True Lord.

His body creaked as his knees began to bend, nearly forcing him to kneel.

“You’ve got some nerve to kill this True Lord’s descendant! Who sent you?”

True Lord Loushan glared at Lu Ping’an, his voice booming like heavenly thunder.

Even though the Wolf King had been expelled from the family and their relations severed, his contributions to the Black Desert Immortal City were immense.

Now, he had been slain by Lu Ping’an!

Moreover, he had been killed just before True Lord Loushan arrived, inciting a deep rage within him. However, being a Nascent Soul cultivator, he sensed that Lu Ping’an was no ordinary opponent.

With pure and robust spiritual power, his physical body was reminiscent of a demon king, with blood energy surging to the heavens!

Such a cultivator could not be an ordinary rogue; he must hail from a major power, making it seem as though another force was targeting him.

Especially at this sensitive time, his words were as imposing as the heavenly might, exerting pressure from his Nascent Soul domain onto Lu Ping’an.

“Pfft!”

Lu Ping’an’s knees cracked painfully as his bones shattered, blood spurting from his mouth.

At that moment, the Wild Dragon Spine revived, and the Dragon-Tiger Abyss Cultivation automatically activated, with a dragon-like figure soaring from his golden core in the dantian, filling his limbs with energy.

His body roared like a thunderous tsunami, lightening his burden slightly.

In his heart, he felt a stir of excitement, knowing that his Undying Golden Body gave him a certain immunity against such oppressive spiritual pressures.

“Hmm?”

True Lord Loushan squinted his eyes, surprised that Lu Ping’an could withstand his domain pressure, further realizing that this young man was extraordinary.

With a gaunt face that betrayed no emotion, he said coldly, “Kid, if you can bring up a power that fears me, you might have a chance to live. Otherwise…”

“There’s no need to test me, Elder. I have no background and I’m not here for anyone. I just have a grudge against the Wolf King,” Lu Ping’an replied cautiously, mindful of how to break the ice.

He certainly couldn’t divulge the Lu Family name, so he spoke with a heavy heart, contemplating his next move.

But after pondering, he found no solution.

The divide between Core Formation and Nascent Soul was like a chasm.

Let alone running away; he would have a hard time even self-destructing his golden core!

“Since that’s the case, then die!”

The skies darkened as swirling sands gathered, and ominous clouds loomed. True Lord Loushan’s eyes shot forth two terrifying beams of light.

“Pfft!”

The bones in Lu Ping’an’s body made cracking noises, and then he was sent flying like a kite with its string cut.

The gap between Core Formation and Nascent Soul was just too vast.

Even with his physique breaking through to late-stage third rank, he was still no match for a Nascent Soul cultivator.

With just a hint of pressure, a single glance could inflict serious wounds.

However, he refused to give up.

“Dragon-Tiger Abyss Cultivation! Even in the depths of despair, I will unearth a dragon or subdue a tiger!”

Lu Ping’an roared, activating the Dragon-Tiger Abyss Cultivation to its fullest. As the dragon roared from him, a resounding dragon cry echoed through the air, a golden dragon-shaped apparition bursting forth from his spine, enveloping his entire body.

His already towering and sturdy physique let out crackling sounds, partially mending his broken bones. He then activated a third-rank talisman in his pocket, hoping to use this opportunity to escape.

Yet, True Lord Loushan snorted coldly, his fingers descending like mountains, and the whole world felt frozen, causing Lu Ping’an’s blood to boil under immense pressure, forcing him to spit out a mouthful of faint golden blood.

“Roar!”

The roar of a dragon echoed through the heavens and earth.

In this life-or-death situation, Lu Ping’an continued to muster all his strength.

The Hope Gu, which had previously exhausted his spirit and turned into a flicker of hope, ignited Lu Ping’an’s potential.

The Wild Dragon Spine and Undying Golden Body intertwined, unleashing boundless power as if an ancient heavenly dragon was roaring from within, causing the Wild Dragon Armor to radiate splendid light while dispelling the pressure of True Lord Loushan’s spiritual power.

Then, tremendous power surged into Lu Ping’an’s limbs and bones, enriching him with divine strength.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

With a nearing broken leg, Lu Ping’an stomped down fiercely, and his half-dragon, half-human form shot out like an arrow, shattering the fabric of reality.

“Hmm?”

True Lord Loushan’s expression tightened as he never expected a Core Formation insect to be so resilient and have so many tricks up his sleeve.

Especially the faint golden blood energy, the dragon-like armor, and the mysterious power that disrupted his spiritual power caused him to be filled with suspicion.

“This kid is either a top-tier power’s Nascent Soul seed or has obtained a top-tier inheritance!”

Although Lu Ping’an broke free from True Lord Loushan’s grip using the Wild Dragon Spine and his Undying Golden Body,

he still

“Ants rattling a tree, overreaching!”

True Lord Loushan stepped forward lightly, appearing before Lu Ping’an in an instant.

The emaciated arm bulged suddenly, transforming into a giant earth-colored hand as thick as a barrel, akin to a roaring dragon, lifting Lu Ping’an, whose robust form was entirely covered in dragon armor.

“If you are willing to submit to me, I can spare your life.”

True Lord Loushan looked at Lu Ping’an and spoke.

Every force needs someone to take on the dirty work and the unsavory tasks.

With the Wolf King dead, he needed someone to take his place.

Lu Ping’an, who possessed great opportunities, could potentially recover his loss if he could be captured.

If he would truly submit, he could even overlook the Wolf King’s matter and go easy on him, marrying him to his darling daughter.

After all, through the divine ability【Yellow Sand Killer】, he could see that Lu Ping’an possessed a rare spirit body.

If brought back to the family to breed, even if he didn’t produce a rare spirit body, he was sure to produce many talented descendants with excellent physiques! Just then, unexpectedly,

the vast sky changed, with a torrent of heavenly light surging upward.

Multicolored beams of light streaked across the sky, tearing open a rift.

Blindingly radiant glory seeped from the crack in the heavens, revealing spectacular palaces and pavilions, floating like a mirage.

“The Mirage Domain has opened!”

True Lord Loushan’s eyes shone with an intense light as he beheld the rift teeming with divine brilliance.

“Mirage Domain?”

Although Lu Ping’an had never seen the Mirage Domain, he had heard of this Nascent Soul-level secret realm during his time in the Black Desert Immortal City.

If not for his insufficiency in strength and lack of cultivation, he would have considered venturing in.

But now, seeing the Mirage Domain, he realized it was an opportunity and weakly asserted, “Submit? I am a disciple of Mount Da Luo. Now the Mirage Domain has opened, my sect’s elders will arrive soon before you could persuade me to submit.”

The highest force he knew of was Mount Da Luo, which had countless Nascent Soul cultivators.

The techniques he learned after being nosedive-trained by Yu Tiansheng stemmed from this power.

Most importantly, he possessed the Undying Golden Body and Wild Dragon Spine; if he could stall, the injuries in his body would gradually heal. Once the old man enters the secret realm, if he becomes distracted and doesn’t focus on him, he may have the chance to escape.

“Mount Da Luo!”

True Lord Loushan’s spirit shook violently, his gaze fixated on Lu Ping’an.

As a Nascent Soul cultivator, he had heard of Mount Da Luo. It was one of the top powers in the Southern Desolation, not someone he could easily offend.

Moreover, he remembered that cultivators from Mount Da Luo excelled at physique refinement.

Seeing Lu Ping’an’s physique surpassing his Qi-refining cultivation earlier surprised him, and he wanted to investigate further how he achieved such a body.

He had never expected that this kid would actually come from Mount Da Luo.

However, as a Nascent Soul True Lord, he instantly detected a different aura from Lu Ping’an. His gaunt face bore a hint of a smile as he said, “So it turns out your inheritance is from Mount Da Luo.”

Mount Da Luo is located far in the Southern Desolation, far from this Endless Desert. It wasn’t likely that someone would travel such a long distance to interfere in such a secret realm.

Moreover, True Lord Loushan perceived that Lu Ping’an’s words lacked sincerity and guessed that he had probably obtained an opportunity or inheritance from Mount Da Luo.

Although this kind of sect’s techniques could easily bring troubles, they could also be used as a foundation for ascent or even a means to ascend to greater heights at Mount Da Luo.

“Even if it’s Mount Da Luo, they must give me an explanation!”

True Lord Loushan coldly responded, raising his hand to gather the Wolf King’s corpse before dragging Lu Ping’an towards the rift in the Mirage Domain.

Despite the strong possibility that Lu Ping’an was lying, the fact remained that he had connections with Mount Da Luo, so true to his suspicions, he prepared to observe. If Mount Da Luo did not show up, he would take him back later and pry out whatever opportunity or inheritance he had to see if he could enslave him.

Not to mention that this young man’s blood energy was like a potent elixir—his physique alone was enough to be a good match for the family to breed with!

Lu Ping’an felt a lurch in his heart; just as he wanted to say something, he sensed a divine ability’s restriction enter his body, shackling all his blood and spiritual energy, rendering him unable to move or even speak.

The Wild Dragon Armor covering his body gradually dissipated.

At the same time, the Endless Desert roiled with excitement as countless figures surged towards the rift in the sky.

“Is this the Mirage Domain!?”

On the Golden-Winged Roc, Lu Changsheng observed the celestial rift above, looking like a shimmering mirage.

Through the crack, he could see a colossal palace, radiantly lit, with streams of pure spiritual energy wafting out from within.

Never did he expect, during his quest in the Endless Desert for his son, he would encounter the opening of the {Mirage Domain} right beside him.

“Looks like I have some good fortune, after all.”

Lu Changsheng muttered to himself but had no thoughts of entering the secret realm.

After all, his purpose was to find his son, not to delve into a secret realm.

Just as he thought about moving further away, suddenly, the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror trembled, sensing Lu Ping’an’s presence.

“Hmm!?”

Lu Changsheng’s heart paused as he looked around.

He thought his son might be waiting here for the opening of the Mirage Domain, similar to how he had last gone alone to the Purple Mist Secret Realm? “What nonsense!”

Not seeing Lu Ping’an’s figure, Lu Changsheng immediately plunged his spiritual sense into the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror, using the mirror with the Sun-Moon Token to sense the situation of his bloodline.

In the next moment,

a scene materialized before Lu Changsheng’s eyes.

He saw a tall, robust man with a pale, weak face, being held like a dead dog by a thin old man.

His body sagged limply, with his arms and legs flopping as if bereft of skeletal support. The faint golden blood on his lips, chest, and knees was very prominent.

Though not Lu Ping’an’s face, the connection between the Sun-Moon Token and their bloodline carried no falsehood.

Lu Changsheng’s expression darkened instantly, knowing this man was indeed his son, Lu Ping’an.

He was currently being carried towards this direction like a dead dog.

At that moment, a wave of fury ignited in Lu Changsheng’s chest, engulfing him like a dormant volcano.

“You old fraud!”

Lu Changsheng’s eyes glinted with murderous intent as he wanted to wield the Da Luo Sword Embryo to intercept and deal with the old man.

Yet, through the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror, he sensed that this old man was a Nascent Soul cultivator.

And now countless figures from all directions in the Endless Desert were rushing in, brimming with terrifying spiritual energy, heading towards the rift in the sky.

“Hmm!?”

At that moment, Lu Changsheng felt a gaze fall upon him.

True Lord Xuanjian!

Donning a loose snow-white robe with a green long sword at his waist, Xuanjian gave off an aura that was pure and unsullied.

Alongside him were five figures, each radiating with the presence of late-stage Core Formation.

However, he merely cast a fleeting glance at Lu Changsheng before entering the Mirage Domain with the others.

“Why isn’t Qingluan Zhenren with True Lord Xuanjian?”

Lu Changsheng recalled that Qingluan Zhenren had previously invited him to the secret realm but hadn’t formed a team with the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Nevertheless, upon reflection, he understood.

Entering a secret realm together may be beneficial, but the treasures gained also require division.

Moreover, joining True Lord Xuanjian meant Qingluan Zhenren would have fewer chances to speak and would also need to be wary.

The invitation he received from her previously was also based on sufficient strength so she wouldn’t feel threatened.

“This old man is a Nascent Soul cultivator. Now that Ping’an is in his hands, even if I can use the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror to blast him, it would still be very passive.”

Lu Changsheng’s eyes gleamed coldly as he continued to monitor his son’s situation through the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror.

Moving from outside wouldn’t work at all.

If he wanted to take action, he would have to enter the secret realm.

With the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror, he could trace his son Lu Ping’an once inside and gain the initiative.

At that time, he could lock onto him directly and unleash a burst of radiant energy to blast him away!

Even though he could not wield this Celestial Treasure to full effect.

Previously, with the aid of the Immortal City grand array, Lu Changsheng had learned that he could annihilate a fourth-rank demon king simply by channeling to a certain extent.

As long as he was willing to pay the price, be it burning his lifespan or consuming the treasure’s essence, he could obliterate a Nascent Soul cultivator in the early stage!

“If this person’s strength is comparable to the Heavenly Corpse Sect Master or the Five Poisons Sect Master, I’m untroubled enough to confront him. I can slay him straight up or ambush him with the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror, then strike him down thereafter.”

Though compared to the Five Poisons Sect Master, Lu Changsheng’s cultivation had not materially transformed.

But breaking from Core Formation at seventh stage to ninth, merging the Chaos Body with the Undying Golden Body has still granted a considerable boost.

Especially the effects of the Undying Golden Body made the Nine Treasures Dao Bone even more effective.

Under such circumstances, he was confident he could unleash his full power. Unless he was facing Nascent Soul cultivators like True Lord Xuanjian, he believed he’d prevail.

Moreover, he still had the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror as a trump card! If he were willing to pay, he could even obliterate True Lord Xuanjian!

“So, should I go in or not?”

Watching the Nascent Soul cultivators entering the rift, Lu Changsheng’s expression shifted between indecision.

The only downside to entering the secret realm was his combat power could not be sustained.

Whether driving an extraordinary display to drive away a Nascent Soul cultivator or using the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror, a brief moment of inadequacy for powerful forces was unavoidable.

Lu Changsheng’s expression clouded as he calculated the chances of entering the realm.

He couldn’t say his divination was merely at second rank.

This kind of Nascent Soul-level secret realm could interfere and obscure the heavenly secrets.

Just then, Lu Changsheng saw a thin old man dragging a tall and robust man towards the rift.

“How’s the Nascent Soul secret realm!”

Seeing the two about to enter the secret realm, Lu Changsheng resolved in his heart.

“Aside from the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror, which can annihilate any Nascent Soul cultivator, I possess combat power with the Da Luo Sword Embryo, Golden-Winged Roc, Three Treasure Incarnation Pearl, and fourth-rank poison and spiritual amulet. Even facing True Lord Xuanjian, I can withdraw without trouble!”

“As for my brief weaknesses from explosive power, once I enter the secret realm, I’ll immediately consume the Misty Dragon Nirvana Pill. Afterward, I can fully unleash my potential and revive myself anew!”

Lu Changsheng murmured to himself, with a glint in his eyes, mentally steeling himself as he shot up into the sky, preparing to enter the secret realm.

At that moment, he noticed four figures appearing through the rift.

Among them was a tall and graceful figure, almost like a dashing nobleman, adorned in a glass crown, clad in a verdant brocade robe embroidered with phoenixes, holding a folding fan elegantly.

It was none other than Qingluan Zhenren!

“Daoist Yangming?”

Seeing Lu Changsheng on the Golden-Winged Roc, Qingluan Zhenren raised her finely arched brows in surprise.

After all, she had invited Lu Changsheng previously, and he had politely declined her offers.

Now, unexpectedly, they met outside the secret realm.

“Greetings, Qingluan Daoist.”

Lu Changsheng smiled and cupped his hands toward Qingluan Zhenren, then privately communicated, “I was seized by a whim and sensed an opportunity here, but I didn’t expect to find it embedded in this secret realm. So, I wished to ask if you have any pertinent information about this secret realm?”

In regard to the {Mirage Domain}, Lu Changsheng only knew it was a Nascent Soul-level secret realm, but didn’t understand the specifics.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to learn, but that such secret realms were usually only accessible to late-stage Core Formation practitioners, with little related information circulating.

Now, encountering Qingluan Zhenren, he decided to play it safe and learn about the secret realm through her insights.

Once inside, he might even consider a partnership, spending a token of goodwill by having her assist in dealing with the old man.

After all, his primary goal in entering the secret realm was his son, Lu Ping’an, rather than pursuit of opportunity.

Rescuing Lu Ping’an first, he could readily forfeit some gains for the guarantee.

“Oh?”

Qingluan Zhenren appeared slightly astonished upon hearing Lu Changsheng speak of a whimsical sense of opportunity.

You must know, in realms like these, where the heavenly secrets are all confused, even she could not track feelings to sense anything until entering and experiencing them.

That the man before her could sense such an opportunity was quite astonishing.

“Of course.”

Qingluan Zhenren withdrew a jade slip from her storage ring, noting some particulars which she tossed to Lu Changsheng.

She then gave him a jade talisman, saying, “Since you’ve come, you can use this talisman to contact me later.”

Such mystical realms were subject to unpredictable transformations, and no one could be sure of the specific scenarios or dangers, so Qingluan Zhenren was more than happy to have someone like Lu Changsheng as an acquaintance.

The three figures beside her stared at her interaction with Lu Changsheng with curiosity, wanting to know how a Core Formation cultivator obtained the privilege to call her Daoist.

However, upon seeing Lu Changsheng’s profound spiritual power and physique, the Golden-Winged Roc beneath him did not comment; they merely nodded to Qingluan Zhenren and flew into the rift together.

Lu Changsheng plunged his spiritual sense into the jade slip, taking a glance at Qingluan Zhenren’s explanation of the secret realm. Then, riding the Golden-Winged Roc, he rushed inside!