Chapter 686: Crossing the Tribulation!

Lu Changsheng had just returned to the Immortal City of Damengze, intending to ask Ling Zixiao about the Hunter Whales Banquet. Upon seeing him, her beautiful eyes sparkled as she smiled adoringly and said, “Isn’t that Yangming Zhenren?”

“I’ve heard that Zhenren showcased his skills in the Mirage Domain of Vast Sands, battling against Qingluan Zhenren and defeating two of the seven Nascent Soul True Lords, becoming famous in the Southern Desolation. I can’t help but admire him!”

Dressed in a blue palace gown with her hair elegantly pinned up, Ling Zixiao spoke passionately, resembling a lovestruck girl.

.

Lu Changsheng instinctively knew that Ling Zixiao must have obtained information about the Mirage Domain.

He stepped forward, taking his wife’s delicate white hand with earnest sincerity, saying, “Oh? If that’s the case, I should tell you all about my battle against the seven Nascent Souls.”

As he finished speaking, he scooped up his wife’s fair and voluptuous legs from under her blue and white dress. With a startled gasp from her, he strode into their cave dwelling.

A moment later, the atmosphere became charged with springtime vitality.

Afterward!

“Qingluan Zhenren helped me, while Tian Can Zhenren and Ming Sha Zhenren are my enemies. So, when I saw them attacking Qingluan Zhenren, I chose to help.”

“The reason I risked my life to assist was because, after entering the secret realm, I consumed a pill that could activate its effects in life-threatening situations, transforming me through Nirvana.”

Lu Changsheng gently spoke to his soft and limp wife.

“Is there really such a pill that can promote transformation through dangerous injuries?”

Though Ling Zixiao was displeased by her husband risking his life for other women, she wouldn’t hold onto her annoyance too tightly.

After all, everything in moderation.

Occasionally expressing a bit of irritation could add a touch of flirtation between them, making her husband feel guilty enough to behave a little more.

If she held on too tightly, it would only harm their relationship.

“Yes, this pill is called the Misty Dragon Nirvana Pill,”

Lu Changsheng said with a smile, not minding sharing this knowledge with his wife.

He then asked, “By the way, Zixiao, how has life been in Immortal City lately? Aside from the Mirage Domain, have there been any major events in the cultivator realm?”

“Aside from the Mirage Domain, the biggest news is the continued war between the Yue Kingdom and Liang Kingdom.”

Ling Zixiao snuggled against Lu Changsheng, her cheeks flushed, and spoke softly.

“The Liang Kingdom and Yue Kingdom—”

Lu Changsheng had already suspected that once the Mirage Domain ended, the conflict between the two countries would resume.

Especially since he had killed the Tian Can Zhenren, which severely weakened the Liang Kingdom’s strength.

“By the way, has True Lord Yunmei been killed by True Lord Xuanjian?”

Lu Changsheng suddenly inquired.

“Probably not. I saw no such record in the related information regarding the Mirage Domain. I’ll keep an eye out later.”

Although the Immortal City of Damengze had collected intelligence on the Mirage Domain, it was all gathered from various sources, not firsthand accounts.

Furthermore, matters of a Nascent Soul True Lord’s fall are usually handled by only a few forces who may intentionally spread rumors; outsiders find it hard to know.

“Mm.”

Lu Changsheng nodded slightly and continued asking about the Hunter Whales Banquet.

“The invitation has already been sent out, and the Heavenly Sword Sect hasn’t made any moves, saying they will attend on time.”

“However, with such a major event happening in the Mirage Domain, and now with Qingluan Zhenren missing, the Liang and Yue kingdoms still at war, it’s likely the Heavenly Sword Sect will take some big action next.”

“To the Heavenly Sword Sect, our Immortal City of Damengze might be seen as an unstable factor.”

There was a hint of worry in Ling Zixiao’s eyes as she spoke.

Although her husband had killed many Nascent Realm cultivators in the Mirage Domain, she knew this wasn’t easy and came at a high cost.

Moreover, as a native Jiang Kingdom cultivator, she held a bit of reverence for the immense Heavenly Sword Sect.

“Don’t worry. I plan to make a breakthrough to the fourth stage of Body Refinement in the depths of Da Mengze. Once I succeed, I won’t fear the Heavenly Sword Sect anymore.”

“In a few years, Da Hei can also break through to the fourth stage. At that time, this entire Da Mengze will be safe and sound.”

Lu Changsheng smiled as he embraced his wife’s voluptuous body.

Right now, he was not a match for True Lord Xuanjian.

But once he broke through to the fourth stage of Body Refinement and properly cultivated the True Saint Skill of Brahma and Demons, he would be confident enough to fight.

And the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale, which was promoted to true spirit rank, would be able to rival True Lord Xuanjian once it broke through to the fourth stage. “Is breaking through to the fourth stage dangerous?”

Ling Zixiao immediately asked with concern.

Although she was only at the peak of Foundation Establishment, she understood that breaking through to the fourth stage of Body Refinement was incredibly difficult and could even attract the Heavenly Tribulation.

“Heh, when has your husband ever done something without confidence?”

Seeing the worry in his wife’s eyes, Lu Changsheng chuckled.

“Isn’t it because you’re worried your husband will force a breakthrough just to deal with the Heavenly Sword Sect?”

Ling Zixiao affectionately huffed.

Though she was full of confidence in Lu Changsheng.

Still, the rapid pace of her husband’s growth made her feel as if it were a dream.

In less than a hundred years, he had progressed from a nascent Foundation Establishment cultivator to someone who could kill a Nascent Soul True Lord and was now preparing to breach the fourth stage of Body Refinement.

If this news got out, it would be truly shocking, stirring the Southern Desolation cultivator realm!

“Don’t worry. Relying on the Misty Dragon Nirvana Pill’s effects, my foundation is now solid and strong. Not only in Body Refinement, but if I wanted to, I could go straight into Nascent Soul.”

“But in terms of Nascent Soul, I’m not sufficiently prepared. Lacking in timing and positioning, forcing the breakthrough might only result in a Human-level Nascent Soul.”

Lu Changsheng smiled at his wife.

With a perfect Dao foundation and Dao Golden Core, as long as he prepared well, he had a good chance of breaking through to Nascent Soul, even without a fourth-grade spirit vein.

It was just that he lacked the proper timing and location. Without the purifying baths of the earth’s veins or heavenly laws, he wouldn’t reach the pinnacle of a true Nascent Soul.

“Mm~”

Hearing this, Ling Zixiao felt relieved, knowing her husband was different from ordinary people.

The likelihood was that like Elder Hong Lian speculated, he might be a reincarnated True Saint or even a top-tier expert.

Not wasting any time, the next morning, Lu Changsheng headed to the depths of Da Mengze with Hong Lian and the Golden-Winged Roc.

While they had both the Golden-Winged Roc and the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale, which were powerful, just to be safe, he called upon Hong Lian, a former Nascent Soul True Lord.

“Whoosh!”

The Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale, having advanced to true spirit rank for over a year, had grown much longer and more majestic than before.

Its enormous body was covered in deep black and golden scales, with dark golden dragon-like patterns swirling over it like ancient and intricate runes, exuding a terrifyingly profound aura.

With Lu Changsheng and Hong Lian entering the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale’s stomach chamber, its fins extended, creating powerful waves, before propelling its massive body towards the Sea Eye, stirring up violent waters that formed gigantic whirlpools.

This power was enough to tear apart several Foundation Establishment and even Core Formation cultivators into dust.

Although the bloodline promotion wasn’t fully complete, the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale’s speed had significantly increased; it reached the Sea Eye in less than a month.

Whether it was due to the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale crossing its tribulation here a year ago or Lu Changsheng killing two peak third-tier monsters, it was surprising that no monsters were guarding the Sea Eye now.

“Hong Lian.”

Lu Changsheng signaled for Hong Lian and the Golden-Winged Roc to keep watch overhead while he and the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale entered the Sea Eye to break through.

“Husband, just focus on your breakthrough.”

Hong Lian, dressed in a luxurious red and gold gown, her body shimmering with a hazy glow, looked incredibly elegant and said seriously.

“Mm.”

Lu Changsheng nodded with a smile.

Considering the time, Lu Changsheng did not set up formations and simply arrived at the Sea Eye. He threw out a Spirit Eye Spring and tossed several top-grade Spirit Stones and a bunch of herbal medicines into it, then sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began cultivating, ready to attempt the fourth stage of Body Refinement.

“Whoosh!”

As Lu Changsheng’s techniques operated, the spiritual energy of the world surged in like great dragons converging upon him.

The Spirit Eye Spring acted like a cauldron, the herbal medicines inside ignited, transforming into dazzling and magnificent essence that slowly flowed into Lu Changsheng’s body, nourishing every inch of him.

At that moment, Lu Changsheng wasn’t wearing any of the magical garments he had collected. He was clad in a simple green robe, his black hair cascading down his shoulders, peacefully transporting his blood energy and tempering his body.

Time passed slowly.

It was hard to tell how long had gone by.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

Lu Changsheng’s blood energy surged fiercely, and abundant essence burst forth from his pores, causing waves of shocking turbulence.

From the crown of his head, a pale golden dragon-shaped blood energy soared into the sky, breaking through massive waves and creating a tidal vortex.

“Is Husband’s blood energy really just a blend of Body Refinement?”

Above the Da Mengze, Hong Lian and the Golden-Winged Roc surveyed the four directions, keeping an eye out for any approaching monsters.

Watching the terrifying commotion caused by the dragon-like blood energy rampaging through the deep sea, Hong Lian felt secretly astonished.

The mere excess of blood energy released had such magnificent power.

If all of it were unleashed, even his raw physical strength alone could rival a Nascent Soul, comparable to a top-tier monster!

In that moment, Hong Lian gained a deeper understanding of Lu Changsheng’s combat power against Nascent Souls.

“Buzz!”

Lu Changsheng summoned his Life-bound Treasure, the Yin-Yang Chart, allowing strands of mysterious yin-yang light to fall and bloom, stabilizing the tidal vortex of the Da Mengze and calming the blood energy surging from his body.

Even though the Yin-Yang Chart had been re-forged and upgraded into a quasi-spirited treasure and looked the same as before, if observed closely, it radiated an air of profound elegance.

Black and white light shimmered brightly, and a yin-yang fish swam around Lu Changsheng, embodying the balance of yin and yang, manifesting all things, making him look even more extraordinary, like a celestial being.

As the heavenly and earthly spiritual energy from the Sea Eye poured in and the numerous rare herbs and medicines were refined, even the Yin-Yang Chart struggled to contain Lu Changsheng’s overflowing essence.

His internal organs trembled, and vapor-like essence coiled around his mouth, nose, and ears like towering dragon pillars.

This was the limit of his physical body; no amount of cleansing would help now; he had to break through this fourth-stage barrier!

Yet, Lu Changsheng remained immovable, intending to accumulate this pure and overflowing essence and the medicinal power within his body, as a foundation for his breakthrough.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

As time pushed forward, the sounds of Lu Changsheng’s body grew louder, his blood energy roaring like a volcanic eruption, rumbling through his limbs and organs.

Lu Changsheng knew that if he continued down this road, it would be overdoing it.

Nearly at the fourth stage, he let his aura unleash fully, his eyes half-opened as he sensed the gate of transformation within his body.

The Hundred Refinements Body Technique was at the thirteenth level; one could sense the gate of transformation within the human body, bursting forth with vital energy that fused with the innate qi of creation, opening the treasure within the human body and giving birth to all sorts of incredible abilities! “Break!”

All the essence burst forth, smashing towards the divine center of the human body, a remarkable aura sweeping through the surroundings like a tide, stirring up endless waves.

There was no challenge, no hindrance at all.

Amidst the chaos, Lu Changsheng seemed to hear a shattering sound—the gate of transformation within the human body had opened.

Like rivers bursting their banks, the blood energy surged in a roaring torrent, resonating throughout heaven and earth in that moment.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

The heavenly and earthly spiritual energy and the vast medicinal power of the Spirit Eye Spring continued to stream into Lu Changsheng’s body, intertwining with the newly opened gate of transformation, forming a force of nature that was indescribable.

Lu Changsheng’s essence boiled, and his heart pounded like a celestial drum, ‘Thump! Thump! Thump!’ giving off an immense strength.

But at that moment, black clouds suddenly gathered above the Da Mengze.

The azure sky turned dark and heavy, resembling an abyss, with thunder and arcane lightning swirling within.

Lu Changsheng opened his eyes, shooting out two golden beams, gazing at the sky.

Heavenly Tribulation!

Even across countless seas, Lu Changsheng felt a powerful force locking onto him, making him feel heavy and unable to escape.

“So this is the Heavenly Tribulation?”

Though he had witnessed the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale’s tribulation.

Experiencing it himself felt entirely different.

“Is this the Heavenly Tribulation for my husband?”

Hong Lian murmured as she gazed at the brewing storm in the sky.

As a Nascent Soul True Lord, she had naturally encountered the Heavenly Tribulation.

It was precisely because of this that she understood the terror of the tribulation.

Even though she had complete faith in Lu Changsheng, knowing he could surely pass the tribulation, witnessing the storm clouds gathering and the violet lightning swirling and tangling still left her a bit anxious.

“Bang!”

A massive bolt of lightning, as thick as a water barrel, struck down towards Lu Changsheng.

Having faced the Heavenly Tribulation with the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale before, Lu Changsheng did not choose to use the Sea Eye to mitigate the power of the Heavenly Tribulation; instead, he gripped the Five Directions Calamity Dispelling Stone, soared into the sky, and faced the tribulation head-on.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

The first tribulation strike fell on him, and Lu Changsheng remained completely unharmed.

In that moment, he sensed a kind of ineffable, indescribable baptism of his physical shell, body, blood, and skin rapidly enhancing.

Moreover, the Yin-Yang magical energy within him appeared to be undergoing refinement, becoming even purer!

“As I suspected, the Heavenly Tribulation is both a test and a reward—heavenly gifts!”

Lu Changsheng’s eyes sparkled brightly as he stored the Five Directions Calamity Dispelling Stone, gazing up at the storm clouds, his hair billowing as he stood tall.

The second tribulation descended, enveloping Lu Changsheng.

He stood firm, not flinching, not even putting up a defense as he let the Heavenly Tribulation strike down.

“This—”

“I don’t need the Calamity Dispelling Treasures, nor do I need my artifacts. I’ll allow the Heavenly Tribulation to scour and purify my body and magical energy!”

Hong Lian understood that facing the Heavenly Tribulation directly could yield numerous benefits.

But confronting the tribulation meant much greater consumption for oneself, making it much harder to pass.

This was an incredibly dangerous endeavor!

Only the most talented geniuses would dare to do such a thing! Given Lu Changsheng’s many incredible feats, Hong Lian chose to remain silent and watch quietly.

After several breaths, the second tribulation gradually dissipated.

Lu Changsheng stood amidst the thunder, his body charred and damaged.

However, the healing light from the Nine Treasures Dao Bone burst forth, and his injuries began to recover at an astonishing rate, allowing him to gaze up at the sky once more, his blood energy soaring without a hint of decline—his momentum even stronger.

“Bang!”

The third tribulation struck, fierce and brilliant, like a tidal wave, engulfing everything around Lu Changsheng, sending chills down spines.

Any Core Formation cultivator confronting such thunder would have to spare no effort, yet Lu Changsheng let the lightning hit him without resistance.

But as the massive storm rolled over, even Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but grimace in pain, inhaling sharply as he activated the True Saint Skill of Brahma and Demons to defend himself, diverting some of the tribulation’s might.

After all, entirely relying on his physical body to withstand it would inevitably cause injury and affect the following tribulation.

And this was seriously painful to endure!

Except for the earlier experience with the Seven Luminaries Great Liberation Sword Manual which he had used to refine his magical energy, purging the poison from the pills, when had Lu Ancestor ever gone through something like this?

“Heavenly responsibilities befall this person.”

Thinking of the benefits that would come from the Heavenly Tribulation, Lu Changsheng gritted his teeth and bore the pain, enduring the physical onslaught.

But the cost was that his body was now charred, skin split and bleeding.

“Buzz!”

The Nine Treasures Dao Bone radiated brilliant light, sending healing energy rushing through his body, interweaving with his indestructible materials and surge of essence, recovering his injuries in mere moments, while the charred blackened skin peeled away.

After taking a pill from True Lord Loushan, he faced the fourth tribulation head-on.

At this moment, his Chaos Body essence intertwined with the effects of the Immaculate Heavenly Fragrance Body, attempting to reduce the tribulation’s power.

After all, he couldn’t confront the fourth tribulation head-on with his body, so reducing its might was certainly beneficial.

However, this reduction was minor; its power remained several times stronger than the third tribulation.

Lu Changsheng realized he could not rely solely on his physical strength; gripping the Five Directions Calamity Dispelling Stone, he summoned his artifact, the Yin-Yang Chart, to mitigate some of the tribulation’s might and faced the tribulation with his body.

He found that his Yin-Yang Chart, undergoing tribulation refinement, seemed to gain a touch of enhancement.

“This Heavenly Tribulation is indeed an opportunity!”

Lu Changsheng grimaced as pain surged through him, and after healing his injuries with the Nine Treasures Dao Bone, he swallowed two more pills, fully activating the Chaos Body to weaken the impact of the tribulation while preparing to withstand the fifth strike.

Originally, he had planned to use treasures to cross the tribulation.

But feeling the benefits of the Heavenly Tribulation, he chose to face it head-on, using his physique as much as possible.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

With the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth strikes, Lu Changsheng felt compelled to don a set of top-tier third-grade armor due to the rising might of the tribulation.

Yet even so, his body was pierced, blood sprayed, and armor shattered.

If not for his possession of the Nine Treasures Dao Bone and an abundance of heavenly medicines and spiritual herbs, he wouldn’t have dared to undergo the tribulation this way, letting the Heavenly Tribulation slam into him.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

Watching the ninth strike descend like the end of the world, enveloping everything, Lu Changsheng summoned the Da Luo Sword Embryo.

Though he had seen the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale’s tribulation leave its body as nothing but a skeleton and then regenerate with indestructible materials and blood.

Lu Changsheng didn’t dare to imitate.

In such a situation, even a slight mistake could cost him his life.

This tribulation had already brought him ample benefits; there was no need for him to be greedy for additional refinement.

With the Yin-Yang Chart spinning above his head, wrapped in a third-grade robe, he unleashed a dazzling sword light that slashed towards the sky, holding the Five-Color Calamity Dispelling Stone in one hand while the Nine Treasures Dao Bone pulsed with vitality in front of his chest.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

The cataclysmic Heavenly Tribulation swallowed Lu Changsheng, causing the air around him to collapse.

“Crack! Crack! Crack!”

Starting from the seventh tribulation, the Five Directions Calamity Dispelling Stone became somewhat strained, developing cracks.

At this point, the tribulation was already comparable to the attacks of a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator, and the jewel of calamity shattered completely.

Not only that, but the third-grade robe that Lu Changsheng had just put on also disintegrated under the Heavenly Tribulation.

Even with Lu Changsheng fully activating the Chaos Body and the True Saint Skill of Brahma and Demons, his body was charred black, cracking and bleeding, as he plummeted into Da Mengze.

“I made it!”

Though Lu Changsheng appeared battered, at this moment, he felt better than ever.

The undying material in his body continued to temper his flesh, raking deep into his bones, producing new life for his physique.

The magical energy, which had reached its maximum capacity, became three times purer than before, while the Nine Treasures Dao Bone underwent an indescribable transformation under the Heavenly Tribulation, as if it became more cohesive.

Most astonishingly, he broke through to the fourth stage, integrating the vital essence and spiritual energy of the earth’s genesis, opening the treasure within the human body, just like a monstrous king, giving birth to innate divine abilities!