Chapter 691: The Enigmatic Beauty, Shen Baishuang!

Half a month later, Lu Quanzhen arrived at an island city, ready to gather detailed intelligence about the Kunpeng Nest while replenishing his supply of pills and talismans.

However, just as he landed and entered the city, he suddenly sensed something and looked toward the sky.

A brilliant and dazzling ray of sunset light burst through the heavens, swiftly landing upon the island’s fourth-tier large formation.

“Xuxuanzi, get out here!”

The cold and authoritative voice echoed through the world.

As the crimson light dissipated outside the island’s formation, a stunning woman in a magnificent red dress appeared, resembling a peony blooming amidst the fiery clouds.

Her face appeared crystalline and hazy, her features obscured like flowers in a mist or the moon’s reflection on water, but the exquisitely beautiful silhouette revealed she was undeniably breathtaking.

She was exceptionally tall and graceful, her flowing black hair cascading down like a waterfall, half draping over her shoulders while the other half framed her curvaceous hips, reminiscent of the softest silk.

The red dress, woven from an unknown material, seemed to blend with the evening sky and phoenix feathers, reflecting her stunning figure with a dreamlike, radiant glow.

Though her beauty was shrouded, whether deliberately or not, the bodice of her dress sat proud and defiant, threatening to tear apart and revealing glimpses of her tender, porcelain skin.

Below her slender waist, the red skirt split open to thigh level, fluttering in the breeze, occasionally revealing a hint of creamy white skin that dazzled the senses, enticing onlookers to lose themselves in this tempting allure beneath her skirt.

“Yuan Ying True Monarch!”

Lu Quanzhen stared at the mature and alluring beauty, his heart racing uncontrollably as he realized she was a world-defying temptress that could bring chaos to the realm!

Yet, he quickly regained his composure, daring not to harbor even the slightest impure thoughts.

Yuan Ying True Monarch!

This woman was a Yuan Ying True Monarch! The Xuxuanzi she mentioned was the master of this island, another Yuan Ying cultivator.

If she dared to provoke a Yuan Ying True Monarch, her identity and strength were self-evident.

Lu Quanzhen silently lamented his misfortune, not expecting to encounter such matters just after stepping out.

If two Yuan Ying cultivators fought, while they might not sink the island, it would undoubtedly cause substantial repercussions, affecting the entire area around Xuxuan Island, even possibly sealing the island.

“Who dares to directly call the island master’s name!”

“Yuan Ying True Monarch! She is a Yuan Ying True Monarch!”

“That girl seems to be Shen Baishuang, the Second Princess of the Divine Maiden Palace from Penglai Island, known as the ‘Jade-faced Demon’!”

Not only Lu Quanzhen, but all the cultivators on Xuxuan Island were startled by this formidable presence and voice, staring up at the sky in hushed awe.

Many were captivated by the woman’s ambiguous yet commanding beauty, overwhelmed to the point of losing their senses.

“We bow to Palace Master Shen! We didn’t know the Palace Master was visiting Xuxuan Island! I’ll inform the Ancestor right away!”

Immediately, a Core Formation cultivator flew out, bowing deeply towards the woman in red through the formation, not daring to face her directly for fear of losing their spirit and being eradicated by her.

“Why go through all that trouble?”

The enchanting woman took a graceful step forward, her delicate calves clad in exquisite embroidered shoes resembling the evening glow.

The intricate patterns on her shoes evoked blooming flowers and spirited birds, forming a coat of crimson sheen that added an air of luxury and nobility to her alluring presence.

As her voice faded, an unmatched Yuan Ying pressure fell upon the island’s formation, stirring up towering waves all around, the shimmering light of the formation flickering and rumbling.

The next moment.

“Shen Baishuang, what brings you to my Xuxuan Island?”

A voice, deep as a bell, boomed forth, enveloping the land with a heavy authority.

Xuxuanzi! Everyone knew this voice came from the master of the island!

“Is this woman really Shen Baishuang, the Second Princess of the Divine Maiden Palace?”

Lu Quanzhen cast another glance at the woman in red, feeling a slight shock in his heart.

Having been in the Starry Sea for so many years, he had some understanding of the area.

Naturally, he had heard of the Divine Maiden Palace, one of the top forces in the world.

The Master of the Palace, Shen Jianjia, is one of the premier Yuan Ying cultivators of the Starry Sea!

Not only is her cultivation profound, but she is also known for her unparalleled beauty; years ago, she was pursued by the Starry Sea’s foremost demon lord, the [Six Path Demon Lord], and the leading alchemist of the Starry Sea.

The Second Princess, Shen Baishuang.

Though her strength is inferior to her sister Shen Jianjia, her beauty is still legendary; she broke through to the Yuan Ying stage a century ago, and her fame has spread throughout the Starry Sea, just like her sister Shen Jianjia.

Moreover, aside from the Divine Maiden Palace’s background, it is said that the former head of the Blade Forging Mountain went to the Divine Maiden Palace to propose marriage for his son, Lin Yuanti, which led to this engagement.

So behind this Second Princess, besides the Divine Maiden Palace, there is also the Blade Forging Mountain, a Yuan Ying-level power that few would dare approach!

“I remember this Second Princess just broke through to Yuan Ying about a century ago; how dare she provoke Xuxuan Island?”

“This Second Princess is famous for being a ‘Rouge Tiger’ and ‘Jade-faced Demon’; she is known to annihilate entire islands. ”

“Since her breakthrough to Yuan Ying, any force that has provoked her near Penglai Island has been completely annihilated, and most interestingly, forty years ago, a force related to the Blade Forging Mountain attempted to intervene, only to have her husband, Lin Yuanti, seriously injured by her!”

“Wow, she’s really that fierce? Isn’t her husband the head of the Blade Forging Mountain, Yuan Wei True Monarch?”

This Second Princess has been active in the Starry Sea since her breakthrough to Yuan Ying, hence the many rumors surrounding her.

However, most cultivators were more interested in the salacious gossip than the actual news.

For example, there are rumors about the Second Princess of the Divine Maiden Palace and her husband Lin Yuanti’s troubled relationship. “Six months ago, a batch of important goods from the Blade Forging Mountain was intercepted, one of the attackers being a member of your Xuxuan Island! That’s why I’m here to seek an explanation!”

Shen Baishuang’s expression was fierce as she hovered in the sky, resembling a regal red-clad empress who looked down on mere insects, exuding an aura of authority.

“Even if this matter has nothing to do with me, if you insist on coming to Xuxuan Island with such hostility, do you think I’m easy to bully?”

While Xuxuan Island’s strength may be far inferior to Penglai Island, the Yuan Ying cannot be humiliated! As an old Yuan Ying master in the Starry Sea, Xuxuanzi wouldn’t back down against such provocation!

“In that case, let’s see your true skills!”

With a cold snort, Shen Baishuang raised her fair hand, unleashing an endless expanse of crimson light that crashed toward Xuxuan Island, causing multiple buildings outside the island’s formation to explode with a resounding bang.

“This isn’t good!”

“It’s over; will these two Yuan Ying cultivators actually fight?”

“Xuxuan Island has a fourth-tier large formation for protection; this Palace Master Shen shouldn’t be able to break through. However, her reputation as a Jade-faced Demon means she won’t spare anyone who enters the island, would she?”

Many cultivators on the island were grim-faced, filled with apprehension and fear.

“Shen Baishuang, do you really think just because of your sister that I wouldn’t dare to move against you?”

Deep within Xuxuan Island, an old man surrounded by deep blue light appeared, exuding overwhelming Yuan Ying pressure as he gazed at Shen Baishuang.

Yet the enchanting beauty took another step forward, and as the two Yuan Ying energies clashed, the entire island trembled, the sea churning about like a tempest.

“So this is the might of Yuan Ying?”

At this moment, not only the many loose cultivators on the island but even Lu Quanzhen felt his heart tremble, not daring to breathe too deeply.

After all, in this overwhelming force, they could only wait for the battle to cease.

Without the protection of their formation, the Yuan Ying pressure alone would obliterate most cultivators on the island.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

Under the fourth-tier formation of Xuxuan Island, the elder’s might surged, overpowering the Second Princess.

However, the enchanting Second Princess lightly raised her fair hand, and an ancient sword shimmering with golden patterns, radiating crimson light, appeared, slicing forward as if a golden phoenix were soaring.

Along with the sword, an ancient mirror resembling boundless blue waves appeared above Shen Baishuang’s head, reminiscent of a radiant full moon, countering Xuxuanzi.

“Is that sword the [Phoenix Seeks the Phoenix]? I’ve heard that the former head of the Blade Forging Mountain used that as a betrothal gift to secure the marriage between Yuan Wei True Monarch and this Second Princess!”

“I heard this Second Princess just recently broke through to Yuan Ying but could rival seasoned Yuan Ying cultivators due to the treasures from the Blade Forging Mountain!”

“Indeed, look at her Robes, bracelets, and the ancient mirror above her head—all treasures!”

“Sigh, having a good older sister and a good partner is truly a blessing!”

Although the Blade Forging Mountain is renowned for its sword crafting, they are not limited to just that.

Years ago, the former head of the Blade Forging Mountain was a well-known fourth-tier artifact master, producing numerous prized treasures that gained lasting renown throughout the Starry Sea!

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

The terrifying Yuan Ying energies clashed, distorting space, creating an unstoppable ripple that swept through everything in its path.

Xuxuan Island rocked continuously, the formation flickering unpredictably as waves crashed in tumultuous succession.

With several treasures by her side, Shen Baishuang, faced with Xuxuanzi, was not at all at a disadvantage, and even seemed to possess the upper hand, despite his control over the fourth-tier formation.

However, facing the fourth-tier forbidden formation, this Palace Master Shen would not be able to break through.

Moreover, controlling multiple treasures consumes great energy; she couldn’t possibly sustain such an outburst indefinitely.

Sure enough, after a quarter-hour, with her holding the advantage, Shen Baishuang said fiercely, “Xuxuanzi, consider this a warning; if I discover you secretly collaborating with those forces again, it won’t just be me next time!”

With her words, she slashed forward with [Phoenix Seeks the Phoenix], ripping through the void, lightly treading on her embroidered shoes as she gracefully departed, leaving behind a radiant crimson glow.

“Phew!”

Watching Shen Baishuang leave, the cultivators of Xuxuan Island sighed in relief, fearing the two might have continued battling.

If true conflict arose, provoking the Divine Maiden Palace and the Blade Forging Mountain would lead to real trouble for Xuxuan Island.

“How domineering!”

“So strong!”

Some gazed at the departing figure of Shen Baishuang, their minds unable to shake the impression of the red dress that accentuated her alluring and mature silhouette.

Though her face remained unseen, too much beauty sparked endless reverie.

“No wonder the former Blade Forging Mountain’s head wanted to bind his son with such a woman; it’s said that Yuan Wei True Monarch is mediocre and only succeeded to Yuan Ying through the former head’s help, barely keeping this legacy!”

“Having a good father is truly beneficial, not only cultivating to Yuan Ying but also marrying such a wife!”

“Sigh, if only I had a good father, I wouldn’t still be stuck in Foundation Establishment after a hundred years!”

“This Second Princess is so commanding; ordinary people simply can’t handle her, and the rumors are that Yuan Wei True Monarch and her are at odds because she finds his submissive nature unbearable!”

“Yuan Wei True Monarch is at least a Yuan Ying cultivator; how could he possibly be that meek?”

“Haha, I heard Yuan Wei True Monarch harbors a crush on the Master of the Divine Maiden Palace; he wanted to propose to her, but this Second Princess found out, leading to their discord!”

“I heard that Yuan Wei True Monarch actually likes the Third Princess, Shen Yiran. After all, the Third Princess is as beautiful and graceful as her two older sisters, yet is approachable and kind-hearted!”

“How wonderful it would be to marry the Third Princess, having two sisters-in-law capable of walking confidently in the Starry Sea!”

With the crisis on Xuxuan Island resolved, the cultivators within the city relaxed their concerns and began to gossip.

The three princesses of the Divine Maiden Palace on Penglai Island are seen as ethereal beings by countless people, with numerous rumors both true and false, delighting those who hear them.

“Penglai Island, Divine Maiden Palace!”

Walking through the city and listening to the gossip, Lu Quanzhen shook his head slightly.

The situation here in the Starry Sea is undoubtedly different from Jiang Kingdom, where the abundance of Yuan Ying cultivators leads even Foundation Establishment and Core Formation cultivators to grasp snippets about True Monarchs.

If this were Jiang Kingdom, aside from names, ordinary cultivators wouldn’t know much about Yuan Ying True Monarchs.

Yet among these people, it seemed no news held any truth.

After all, who could truly know the affairs of a Yuan Ying True Monarch?”

But Lu Quanzhen mused on whether his father might know any of the Palace Masters from the Divine Maiden Palace, given he certainly had his share of affairs.

Bihu Mountain, Sumeru Cave Heaven, Hall of Everlasting Life.

Lu Changsheng was helping Ling Zixiao consolidate her Golden Core.

Suddenly, he sensed a sudden influx of pure and rich magical energy enter his qi sea and dantian, guessing it was either his son Lu Quanzhen or daughter Nangong Yaoyao making a breakthrough.

After all, it had been some years since they had both broken through to Core Formation.

[Name: Lu Quanzhen]

[Lifespan: 95/341]

[Talent: Fourth Rank Spirit Root, Kunpeng Demon Body (High Quality Spirit Body)]

[Cultivation: Core Formation Second Layer]

[Talent: Compatibility for Magic Combat (81%)]

“Indeed, it’s Quanzhen.”

With a thought, Lu Changsheng summoned his son Lu Quanzhen’s system panel.

Seeing his son’s lifespan stabilized brought him great relief as he planned to wait until he finished assisting here before heading to the Starry Sea, especially now that the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale had broken through.

Otherwise, under normal circumstances, Lu Quanzhen’s current strength would not allow him to cross Da Mengze.

“Time flies; I have been on the immortal path for nearly a hundred years now.”

Looking at his son’s age, Lu Changsheng suddenly recalled that in just a few months, it would also mark a hundred years since he awakened his memories on the Azure Cloud Sect’s Heart-Seeking Platform.

Reflecting on the past century, having transitioned from being a confused and hopeless youth who had been eliminated from the sect to becoming a mountain lord and city lord, Lu Changsheng felt a deep sense of emotion.

Without dwelling on it, he shifted his focus back to Ling Zixiao, paying attention to her Golden Core formation.

Initially, Lu Changsheng planned to use the Yin-Yang Creation Sutra to simulate the Twelve Heavenly Demonic God Technique to assist Ling Zixiao in forming her Golden Core.

However, given the presence of the Sun and Moon Reincarnation Sutra and additional Dao-Comprehending Artifacts, Ling Zixiao expressed her desire to tackle the more challenging path to Yuan Ying alone.

If she were to break through to Core Formation, she insisted on doing it independently to refine herself and to comprehend its profound mysteries.

Naturally, Lu Changsheng respected her decision, allowing Ling Zixiao to choose her own path.