Chapter 685: Fame Spreads in Southern Desolation: The Semi-Divine Treasure!

The Qingluan Zhenren snatched up the core opportunity of the secret realm, only to be besieged by multiple Nascent Soul cultivators. Together with Yangming Zhenren, they managed to slay the Tianchan Zhenren and Zicang Zhenren, but their current whereabouts are unknown.

As one of the top powers in the Jiang Kingdom, Qingluan Immortal City boasts an intelligence network that surpasses that of the Immortal City of Damengze, keeping a close eye on the happenings in the Mirage Domain of Vast Sands.

After all, their City Lord had traveled to the Mirage Domain and had yet to return, causing much concern among the higher-ups of the Immortal City.

But at this moment, upon seeing the intel regarding the Mirage Domain, the high-ranking officials of Qingluan Immortal City were left dazed and confused.

In an instant, they didn’t know whether to feel happy or sad.

The good news: their City Lord had obtained the core opportunity of the secret realm.

With the power of a single person and a pet, he fought off five Nascent Soul cultivators, and with Yangming Zhenren’s cooperation, he battled seven Nascent Soul cultivators, killing two and shaking the world!

The bad news: their City Lord had not returned.

As high-ranking officials of Qingluan Immortal City, they were all aware of their City Lord’s exploits from years past.

He often spread rumors of being severely injured to throw off potential enemies, and when faced with danger, he would be the first to flee to ensure his own safety.

From this intel, they realized that their City Lord was likely hiding somewhere, and wouldn’t return anytime soon.

“As long as the City Lord is safe, Qingluan Immortal City will be fine,” said one official.

“Indeed, according to the news, True Lord Xuanjian also went to the Mirage Domain. He must know the City Lord’s situation, yet he’s done nothing. This shows he harbors no ill will towards our Immortal City,” another official echoed, showing solidarity while waiting for the City Lord’s return.

However, days later, a few of the high-ranking officials quietly left Qingluan Immortal City.

After all, the Qingluan Zhenren’s earlier choice to abandon the city in pursuit of Nascent Soul had led to a purge in the Immortal City, with many casualties.

Although those who remained were rewarded and nurtured after the Qingluan Zhenren returned, the risks were still significant, making it unwise to gamble.

Lu Qingxian was in charge of affairs in Qingluan Immortal City, having received attention from the Qingluan Zhenren in the past, so the higher-ups promptly shared this intel with him.

They asked, “Did the Qingluan Zhenren leave any instructions? ‘The Qingluan Zhenren and Yangming Zhenren killed two Nascent Soul Zhenrens in the Mirage Domain.'”

Lu Qingxian looked at the intel in his hand, unable to contain his surprise.

Having spent so many years in Qingluan Immortal City, he naturally knew of Yangming Zhenren’s reputation.

Through Yangming Zhenren’s divine abilities and steed, he deduced that this Yangming Zhenren was his own father.

Thus, seeing this intel left him shaken.

Two Nascent Soul cultivators slain!

He knew that Nascent Soul cultivators were top-tier existences regardless of where they were.

To have one Nascent Soul Zhenren residing meant being a dominant force!

But now, his father had actually teamed up with his aunt to kill two Nascent Soul Zhenrens.

Especially the Zicang Zhenren; not only was his physical body slain, but even his Nascent Soul spirit was obliterated. ‘W-What?!’

Despite Lu Qingxian being known for his steadiness, he was utterly shocked, feeling as though he was in a dream.

“No wonder Father sent word for me to stay calm in Qingluan Immortal City and to inform him of any developments.”

Lu Qingxian recalled a month ago when he suddenly received a message from his father.

He took a deep breath, his face full of astonishment, and respectfully said to the elder before him, “Elder Luo, the City Lord hasn’t given me any specific instructions. However, as per the intel, the City Lord should be recovering after acquiring the core opportunity. I believe he will soon return, more powerful than before.”

“Moreover, given that Qingluan Immortal City is closely connected with the Heavenly Sword Sect, even if the City Lord has not returned, there shouldn’t be any danger.”

As Lu Qingxian spoke, his eyes shone with deep respect and trust towards the Qingluan Zhenren.

The elder known as Luo secretly shook his head, thinking that Lu Qingxian was still too young.

Although he was generally steady and wise, he did not truly understand the Qingluan Zhenren.

Though the City Lord was exceptionally talented and had great will, opportunity, and grit, in the past few centuries, very few could survive by following her.

Some even speculated the Qingluan Zhenren was a cursed star, and if one’s fate wasn’t strong enough, they should hesitate to cling to her closely.

“That’s true, but let’s keep this news under wraps for a while to avoid causing panic in the Immortal City,” Elder Luo said.

After chatting with Lu Qingxian for a bit and seeing he seemed unaware of the underlying dangers, he advised him before leaving.

Once Elder Luo departed, Lu Qingxian pondered in the hall for a moment and called out, “Xiao Yu!”

As news about the Mirage Domain spread, the entire power structure of the Southern Desolation and Northern Region began to take note of the name “Yangming Zhenren.”

Moreover, this name was purposefully promoted alongside the Qingluan Zhenren, spreading throughout the Southern Desolation cultivation world.

In various powers’ assessments and speculations, Yangming Zhenren was presumed to be a reincarnation of an ancient Nascent Soul expert, possessing the trump cards and treasures prepared from his previous life, allowing him to rival Nascent Soul cultivators even in the Core Formation stage.

Meanwhile, Qingluan Zhenren, with her fourth-tier spirit pet and Dao Soldiers formations, could contend against mid-level Nascent Soul cultivators.

These two indefinitely potential beings were seen as formidable threats by numerous organizations.

After all, once Yangming Zhenren breaks through to Nascent Soul, and the Qingluan Zhenren digests her secret realm opportunity, their strength would surpass all top-tier existences below late-stage Nascent Soul!

Such powerful Nascent Soul cultivators would certainly influence the Southern Desolation and Northern Region’s dynamics.

In a certain Immortal City of the Yuan Kingdom,

“The Yangming Zhenren and Qingluan Zhenren have batted off seven Nascent Soul cultivators and killed two!”

“This Jiang Kingdom is truly a land of talents. Although it is located in the remote Northern Region of Southern Desolation, it has produced so many remarkable individuals. Did my parents choose to settle in Damengze because they noticed the convergence of fortune in this land?””

A woman, adorned in a colorful robe and wearing a five-colored mask, exuding an ethereal aura, glanced at the jade slip in her hand. Her eyes glimmered with interest.

“Or perhaps, as my parents said, the Southern Desolation is about to undergo a significant upheaval. While this period may be fraught with darkness and bloodshed, it might also herald a brilliant prosperity?”

Although the woman’s features were obscured by her mask, she lounged casually, her striking beauty still shone through.

Especially her dainty right foot, adorned with a mesmerizing high-heeled shoe, slightly dangling from her toes, captivating one’s attention while radiating a sense of noble elegance.

In Jiang Kingdom’s Dameng Immortal City,

“Yangming Zhenren sacrificed his life to assist Qingluan Zhenren, and together, they killed Tianchan Zhenren and Zicang Zhenren!”

In the City Lord’s Mansion, Ling Zixiao stared at the intel regarding the Mirage Domain, her elegant and dignified face filled with astonishment.

As one of the closest wives to Lu Changsheng, she was well aware that Yangming Zhenren was indeed her husband.

She also knew Lu Changsheng had ventured out to locate Lu Ping’an and entered the Mirage Domain, confronting perils, before eventually aiding the Qingluan Zhenren.

However, during the time Lu Changsheng recounted these events to her, he merely brushed over the details.

Now, upon reading the intel, she felt an overwhelming sense of unreality, as if caught in a dream.

After all, the intel stated that Yangming Zhenren had erupted with explosive power, contending against seven Nascent Soul Zhenrens.

In the end, both were heavily injured and fled into the Great Void while the Tianchan Zhenren’s physical body was slain, and the Zicang Zhenren’s Nascent Soul spirit was consumed by Yangming Zhenren’s spiritual pet, the Golden-Winged Roc. Yet her husband returned without a single scratch, nonchalantly detailing the situation to her.

The Golden-Winged Roc that had devoured the Zicang Zhenren’s Nascent Soul spirit now lay peacefully in the City Lord’s Mansion’s backyard, occasionally guiding and teaching Lu Baixi in his cultivation. Ling Zixiao looked at the jade slip in her hand, then toward the Bihu Mountain direction, feeling a profound disconnection between reality and the rumors.

If Lu Changsheng weren’t absent from Dameng Immortal City, she would almost want to confirm his state personally and inquire about what had transpired.

“Hmph! It must be about aiding Qingluan Zhenren, something he intentionally glossed over,”

Ling Zixiao clearly understood her husband’s personality. She knew that although Lu Changsheng had an affectionate and flirtatious nature, he couldn’t help but attract attention wherever he went.

But when he returned home and faced her and the others, he always wore a hint of guilt.

After thinking it over, she decided to visit Hong Lian and ask if she had noticed any changes in her husband’s condition, particularly if he had been pushing himself.

“Don’t worry, your husband is uninjured, and he has obtained opportunities from this trip,”

Hong Lian, possessing the Nascent Soul and spiritual body, could sense Lu Changsheng’s magical energy and physical condition clearly when cultivating alongside him.

Although Lu Changsheng hadn’t detailed the secret realm journey, she could guess accurately enough.

“Good!”

Ling Zixiao felt relieved upon hearing this, gathering an inkling of her husband’s situation with the Qingluan Zhenren.

Thinking ahead to this Jiang Kingdom’s legendary figure, who would soon come to Bihu Mountain, she couldn’t help but show an unusual expression on her poised and elegant face.

Secretly wondering if the legendary female Nascent Soul cultivators she had read about in books would also be brought home by her husband. The moment this thought surfaced, Ling Zixiao’s mind filled with vivid images.

However, realizing she was still in the Foundation Establishment stage, she inevitably felt a pressing urgency.

“Yangming Zhenren!”

At the Beast God Mountain, Chu Qingyi also received news about the Mirage Domain.

Upon seeing that Yangming Zhenren and Qingluan Zhenren had fought seven Nascent Soul cultivators and slain two, she couldn’t help but tightly purse her red lips.

Memories of their time in the Tianyuan secret realm and the Yin Ghost Sect of Liang Kingdom flooded her mind.

At that time, Lu Changsheng’s cultivation level matched her own, being at the second layer of Core Formation.

She had to reform her Core after hers shattered and, after thirty-six years, had only reached the fifth layer of Core Formation.

Though this was already considered rapid progress!

Yet Lu Changsheng had unknowingly grown to the level of slaying Nascent Souls.

Even Chu Qingyi, who had been hailed as a prodigy since childhood, felt an unprecedented sense of pressure.

She feared she might be left far behind by him. ‘What’s he up to now?’

Gazing at the intel showing Yangming Zhenren in grave condition, her heart raced with worry, wanting to check on him.

However, she suddenly thought, where could she find him?

Bihu Mountain? Or Dameng Immortal City? By what means could she approach him? Chu Qingyi’s refined brows furrowed with concern, her eyes filled with worry, and her fair hands gripping her skirt tightly resembled someone completely different from the usual aloof and proud sword fairy.

With news about the Mirage Domain now fully circulating, the Southern Desolation and Northern Region were in turmoil.

In the Liang Kingdom’s cultivation world, the Tianchan Zhenren’s physical body had been slain, leaving behind only his Nascent Soul spirit, while the True Lord Yunmei was gravely injured in the secret realm and nearly fell to the hands of True Lord Xuanjian of the Jiang Kingdom.

If it weren’t for the timely arrival of the Nine Spirits Zhenren from the Beast God Mountain, both the Yunmei Zhenren and Tianchan Zhenren’s Nascent Souls might have been slain by True Lord Xuanjian.

Nevertheless, Liang Kingdom remained heavily wounded, and Yue Kingdom declared war almost immediately, hoping to seize back the territory lost to Liang Kingdom years ago.

At the first instant the Yue Kingdom announced war, Lu Qingshan chose to head to the battlefield, leading troops to seize the spirit land stronghold.

Xuan Leopard Valley.

Holding the Zhou Tian Star Sword, Lu Qingshan exuded an aura of unparalleled sharpness as he faced off against a Core Formation stage demon cultivator.

Though the demon cultivator was at the third layer of Core Formation, when faced with Lu Qingshan’s sword energies that seemed capable of tearing apart the heavens, he retreated step by step, his protective technique dimming.

“Pfft!”

The Zhou Tian Star Sword shattered through the demon cultivator’s protective technique, leaving a deep gash in his body, exposing stark white bones.

“Run!”

Seeing this, the demon cultivator had no choice but to retreat, abandoning the spirit land stronghold.

Desperate times call for no pursuits.

Watching this force from Liang Kingdom start retreating, Lu Qingshan did not pursue them mercilessly.

After all, these demon cultivators must have their own backup plans. If driven to desperation, they could self-destruct their treasures and Core, potentially gravely injuring him even if he survived.

Injuries sustained on the battlefield would impact his future series of actions.

A few days after Lu Qingshan cleaned up the battlefield, reinforcements arrived to take over the spirit land.

“Qingshan!”

A petite and lovely woman, clad in the robes of a Hunyuan Sect elder, spotted Lu Qingshan and exclaimed with joy.

Then she praised, “As expected of Qingshan, securing this spirit land stronghold! The demon cultivators you faced were led by the Fiends of Tiansha Sect, who have been at Core Formation for years!”

“Fairy Shen Yu!”

Lu Qingshan nodded lightly as he glided by, emanating an aura of coolness.

However, upon noticing a stunningly beautiful woman in the reinforcements wearing the robes of the Golden Sun Sect, Lu Qingshan’s demeanor brightened as he called out, “Xiao Zhu!”

Then, before all the respectful gazes around, he affectionately ruffled the hair of his younger sister, Lu Qingzhu, openly conversing with her, shedding the cool demeanor he just had. This elicited admiration from the surrounding cultivators, envious of Lu Qingzhu for having such an extraordinary brother who dotes on her.

“Brother!”

Lu Qingzhu quickly hinted for her brother to be more reserved, especially since matters were urgent.

“What could be more important than my little Zhu?”

Lu Qingshan remained unconcerned, checking in on his sister’s situation over the past few days and suggesting that if she was not accustomed to the battle environment, she should return to their sect.

After all, he did not wish for his sister to face the battlefield, but seeing her sign up quickly, she had opted for logistic support.

Months later, on the battlefield in the Yue Kingdom.

The large Immortal City interposed between the towering mountain ranges was enveloped in a quasi-fourth-tier formation.

Without the Tianchan Zhenren and Yunmei Zhenren in control, Liang Kingdom could only defensively rely on the spirit lands and veins seized previously to exhaust the Yue Kingdom’s military strength.

However, in their past defeat of the Yue Kingdom, aside from having numerous Nascent Soul Zhenrens on their side, the greatest advantage had been the fourth-tier Beast Kings!

On the battlefield, these fourth-tier Beast Kings were nearly unstoppable, requiring multiple Core Formation cultivators to work together to halt their advances.

“Roar!!!”

Facing the Yue Kingdom army, a fourth-tier Beast King as massive as a mountain roared out.

Its purple-black fur glistened like iron needles, reflecting a cold sheen, with ancient mysterious patterns faintly visible. Despite countless divine abilities and spells bombarding it, its burning red sun-like eyes glowed fiercely, exuding a ferocious and violent aura, as if intent on annihilating everything in its path, shooting out horrifying blood flames.

“This Beast King is truly menacing; it’s nearly immune to attacks from below the Nascent Soul realm!”

Lu Qingshan observed the fourth-tier Beast King from afar, his expression grave.

Though he was a formidable combatant, he wasn’t qualified to directly confront this fourth-tier Beast King.

Seeing this fourth-tier Beast King brought to mind the fourth-tier Void Kun he encountered back in Dameng Immortal City.

Compared to the true fourth-tier Demon Kings, these Beast Kings cultivated by secret methods lack intelligence, maneuverability, and divine abilities, which are necessary for the battlefield.

Yet, even a Beast King like this is so terrifying; what about the true fourth-tier transforming Demon Kings that the City Lord wiped out so swiftly?

“Kill!”

Seeing the fourth-tier Beast King being held back by several late-stage Core Formation cultivators through formations, Lu Qingshan acted without hesitation. He unsheathed his sword, summoning seven Flying Swords that danced around him like a glowing storm and shot forth to engage.

Amidst this chaos,

At Bihu Mountain’s Artifact Refinement Hall.

“Boom boom boom——”

On the black-golden refining stage, the thunderous lightning flames resembling a purple-red dragon roared into a conflagration.

Within these purple-red flames, a scroll, flowing with yin and yang energies, emerged, intertwining the paths of realism and illusion.

As Lu Changsheng continually injected talismans and refined earthly spiritual material essence, this scroll exhibited a universe of its own, transforming all things—sun, moon, stars, mountains, rivers—into what appeared to be a golden bridge.

After a long while, Lu Changsheng unleashed a talisman, and the yin-yang scroll glimmered and shot skyward, landing in his hand.

“Huh, I overestimated my abilities,”

Looking at the yin-yang scroll before him, Lu Changsheng exhaled tiredly.

Initially, he intended to refine his yin-yang scroll to semi-divine treasure quality and rapidly nurture its spirit using the Divine Creation Refinement Art to elevate his life-bound treasure to a semi-divine treasure.

But once he got to work, he realized that he not only lacked the skills to forge a fourth-tier divine treasure, but also enough resources back home.

Had it not been for this refining stage’s supreme effect activating completely with the finest spirit stones, he wouldn’t even have been able to raise his yin-yang scroll to a semi-divine level.

“It’s tough.”

Lu Changsheng suddenly understood why the Tianchan Zhenren, Loushan Zhenren, and Zicang Zhenren each only had one divine treasure.

Under normal circumstances, Nascent Soul cultivators could only rely on the spirituality and origins gained during their breakthrough. Then, over time, they would nurture their life-bound treasures to a divine treasure level.

If they wished to have someone else forge one, not only were materials scarce and costly, but the masters capable of forging fourth-tier divine treasures were also incredibly rare.

If there were even slight discrepancies during the forging process, it could render a hundred years of effort as nothing.

“But for me, this yin-yang scroll is sufficient for now,”

Under normal circumstances, a semi-divine treasure-quality yin-yang scroll would be enough for Lu Changsheng, considering he wouldn’t be exploding his powers daily.

However, as his thoughts drifted to his Physical Body reaching the fourth tier, the potential upgrades for the Nine Treasures Dao Bone would be significantly boosted as well, making him want to elevate his crafting capacity to fourth tier.

Aside from crafting, he also required skills in fortune-telling, talisman-making, and dragon-hunting.

“The pressing matter is to break through the Physical Body first!”

Lu Changsheng shifted his gaze toward Dameng Immortal City.

Breaking through the Physical Body and Nascent Soul are different; it requires some resources but is far less restrictive, similar to how beast races break through.

Considering that a breakthrough summons tribulations, Lu Changsheng planned to go deep into the core of Damengze to break through.

As for whether he could dodge the tribulations, he still had some confidence.

Through dual cultivation with the Qingluan Zhenren and the dual purification of the Xuankong Nirvana and Tianfeng Nirvana energies, he had nearly reached the peak of his physical abilities—particularly in the realm of his body—needing to break past the fourth-tier limitations.

With such foundational strength, and possessing the Nine Treasures Dao Bone, Da Luo Sword Embryo, yin-yang scroll, and Five Directions Calamity Dispelling Stone acquired from Loushan Zhenren and others—he’d find it difficult to perish unless he sought death.

Moreover, in addition to these, the Immaculate Heavenly Fragrance Body he refined also had a side effect of dampening tribulations! Lu Changsheng wanted to seize this opportunity to experience its effects, preparing for future Nascent Soul tribulations.

“Too bad, time waits for no man! If only I could refine a few more treasures properly, or forge a few more calamity-protection treasures, it would be all the more assured!”

“Or perhaps I should give the blood essence of the fourth-tier Void Kun to Ping’an? If he breaks through to semi-fourth-tier, maybe he could help break my physical limit and tackle tribulations like the Abyssal Sea Whale King!”

The Abyssal Sea Whale King encountered a true spirit tribulation that provided Lu Changsheng with substantial insights, realizing he could utilize tribulations to purify himself and undergo a complete transformation.

Without further ado, Lu Changsheng exited the Artifact Refinement Hall and returned to the Lu Family mansion, spending a few days in warmth with his wife Lu Miaoyun, Lu Miaoge, Lu Miaohuan, and Qu Zhenzhen before quietly leaving Bihu Mountain for Damengze to break through.

For the sake of safety, he decided to take the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror along.

After all, during the secret realm expedition, he had realized this Celestial Treasure was exceptionally useful, able to nearly prevent ambushes and sneak attacks.