Chapter 692: Ling Zixiao Breaks Through to Core Formation, Qingluan Zhenren Welcomes a Daughter!

Two months later.

In Sumeru Cave Heaven, a swirling vortex of spiritual energy suddenly crystallized, reverberating with a profound resonance, cascading into the Hall of Everlasting Life.

“Immortal Golden Core, the Rhythm of the Dao.”

Lu Changsheng opened his eyes, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth as he turned to look at Ling Zixiao.

Though her foundation was not as solid as Lu Miaoge’s, lacking the Taiyi Water Technique, her character, determination, and talent surpassed Lu Miaoge.

Moreover, aided by the shared Dao-Comprehending Artifact, the Heavenly Godly Descent Diagram, she had fully unleashed the power of the Dragon Roar Body, directly forming the Immortal Golden Core. “This is the Immortal Golden Core!”

Holding her breath, Ling Zixiao peered into her own qi sea, gazing at the Immortal Golden Core glimmering with twelve translucent lights, feeling as though she were dreaming.

Core Formation!

She had broken through to Core Formation!

And had condensed the supreme Immortal Golden Core!

Even though Ling Zixiao had faced numerous trials and her heart was resolute, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of intense excitement at this moment.

In fact, it was precisely because of the hardships she had endured that this breakthrough felt all the more precious.

“Congratulations, my wife Zixiao, for achieving the Immortal Golden Core! A future filled with possibilities awaits!”

Seeing his wife’s joy and excitement, Lu Changsheng took her delicate hand in his, grinning as he offered his heartfelt congratulations.

For any cultivator, breaking through to Core Formation was worth celebrating.

Especially since Ling Zixiao had exceptional talent but had been delayed by the Dragon Roar Body for many years.

“Thank you, husband.”

Ling Zixiao opened her bright, beautiful eyes, her graceful and stunning face filled with joy and excitement.

“I already said there’s no need for words between us as husband and wife; besides, your achievement of the Immortal Golden Core is entirely due to your own hard work, Zixiao.”

Lu Changsheng knew that Ling Zixiao had a competitive spirit deep inside her.

She probably wanted to prove herself even without his assistance in forming her core, especially since Lu Miaoge, Xiao Xiyue, and Meng Xiaochan hadn’t achieved it that way.

Ling Zixiao shot Lu Changsheng an exasperated glance before quietly snuggling into his embrace.

Achieving the Immortal Golden Core was not only about talent but also heavily relied on the Condensing Crystal Pills, Five Elements Spirit Fruits, Sun and Moon Essence, as well as the Heavenly Godly Descent Diagram and Lu Changsheng’s Sun and Moon Reincarnation Sutra.

Without the Heavenly Godly Descent Diagram and the balance created with her Dragon Roar Body, she would not have been able to unleash its potential.

She might have perished under the explosive force of the Dragon Roar Body back in her Foundation Establishment days.

“It’s just the Core Formation; it’s only the first step in cultivation. Much further lies ahead.”

Lu Changsheng held his wife close, knowing she felt an undeniable sense of unreality, speaking softly.

“Nascent Soul… and transformation, perhaps?”

Ling Zixiao murmured, her red lips barely forming the words, yet her bright, beautiful eyes sparkled with anticipation.

The two enjoyed each other’s warmth for a long while, and Lu Changsheng urged Ling Zixiao to solidify her cultivation level.

Although her Immortal Golden Core was stable, unlike lower-quality pills that could easily lead to erratic levels, it was best to solidify it under the right conditions.

Otherwise, any hidden dangers might lead to regrets too late to rectify.

“Mm~”

Even though Ling Zixiao longed to stay enveloped in Lu Changsheng’s warmth, she settled into peace and began to solidify her level, savoring the essence of the Golden Core.

Just like the transformative experience from Foundation Establishment to Core Formation mimics the process of Qi Refining breaking through Foundation Establishment, the physical body of Core Formation cultivators could rival those of second-tier physical cultivators, even without training.

Watching her husband exit the cavern, Ling Zixiao gazed at her Immortal Golden Core within her qi sea, still in a daze.

Countless memories flooded her mind like a rapid carousel.

Once adopted by a remarkable individual, she was taught to cultivate and showcased exceptional talent, with a clear path to become a high-ranking Core Formation cultivator.

However, during her Foundation Establishment, the dormant Dragon Roar Body erupted, nearly claiming her life.

This top-tier spirit body that countless cultivators envied became her death knell, turning her previously smooth path into one fraught with obstacles.

In her quest to escape death and solve the predicament of her Dragon Roar Body, she tirelessly roamed until her lifespan dwindled, only to meet Lu Changsheng.

Looking back on their encounter and returning to Qingzhu Mountain with him, Ling Zixiao couldn’t help but chuckle.

At that time, she was like a desperate traveler, grasping at straws, even yielding to failure.

Of course, seeing Lu Changsheng’s exquisite appearance and transcendent aura left her amused, claiming to fall in love at first sight; little did she know, that butterfly effect would directly alter her fate. “Changsheng.”

Just as Lu Changsheng stepped out of the Hall of Everlasting Life, Lu Miaoge, dressed in a flowing white gown, softly called out to him.

Having been at Bihu Mountain for the past few days, she sensed the commotion caused by Ling Zixiao’s breakthrough, realizing her success.

“Sister Miaoge.”

Lu Changsheng approached Lu Miaoge, embracing her.

“Did Sister Ling break through to Core Formation?”

Lu Miaoge asked with concern.

“Yes, a successful breakthrough.”

Although Lu Miaoge’s nature was gentle and unassertive, Lu Changsheng refrained from mentioning the Immortal Golden Core.

“You’ve worked hard these years, Sister Ling.”

Although Ling Zixiao sometimes appeared strong-willed, Lu Miaoge still greatly admired her.

Whether in Bihu Mountain in her early years or in the Immortal City of Damengze these years, Ling Zixiao had invested much time and effort, which had delayed her cultivation.

In contrast, Lu Miaoge had more time dedicated to her training.

“You’ve worked hard too, Sister Miaoge.”

In Lu Changsheng’s eyes, while Ling Zixiao managed numerous family matters, Lu Miaoge had always helped maintain harmony among Ling Zixiao, Lu Miaoyun, Xiao Xiyue, and others.

Also, Lu Miaoge frequently inquired about the younger generation’s situations.

On the other hand, he, as a father, had been busy everywhere for years, rarely paying attention to anyone other than Lu Wangshu and his other children.

After sharing tender moments with Lu Miaoge, Lu Changsheng inquired about Lu Miaoyun’s family situation.

With him back, the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror stayed in Sumeru Cave Heaven, allowing real-time sharing of information between the Immortal City and Bihu Mountain.

The Immortal City auction and exchanges with True Lord Juejian were all handled smoothly.

“Have Qingxuan and Qingxuan sent any messages back?”

Lu Changsheng continued to ask.

Since Qingluan Zhenren had traveled far to another country, it would take at least twenty to thirty years for her to return, so he remained concerned about the situation in Immortal City.

If there was early turbulence in the Immortal City, he would want to bring his children back immediately.

“With Qingluan Zhenren’s remaining might, unless the Heavenly Sword Sect attacks the Immortal City, it should be safe for now.”

“However, according to messages from Qingxuan, several high-level figures in the Immortal City have quietly disappeared, while many are either out training or in closed-door cultivation.”

Lu Miaoge said softly.

Hearing this, Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but shake his head.

Naturally, he had heard the early rumors about Qingluan Zhenren.

He understood that there was a reason why this Zhenren lacked loyal subordinates.

Suddenly, he thought of his old friend, Li Feiyu, who had served as a municipal officer in the Immortal City many years ago.

Since their encounter around the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range decades ago, they hadn’t seen each other for nearly forty years.

He didn’t possess Li Feiyu’s Soul Lamp or Soul Token, so his life and death remained uncertain.

But for a Foundation Establishment cultivator, unless they choose a life of retirement, the current cultivation environment must be incredibly dangerous; and his stubborn friend was not one to back down easily.

“Sigh…”

Lu Changsheng sighed lightly, having spent days with his wives before starting to seclude himself to refine the Heavenly Mending Pills.

At this very moment, in the Southern Desolation.

Among a continuous range of towering mountains, resembling a sprawling blue dragon coiling.

“Caw!”

Accompanied by a ripple in the void, a blue and elegant, dreamlike phoenix burst forth under the sunlight, its feathers shimmering with brilliant hues.

Perched on the elegant bird was a strikingly beautiful young man with chiseled features and an air of nobility.

However, this tall figure clearly exuded the grace of a young woman! After the blue phoenix found a spiritual vein to settle, the woman suddenly furrowed her brows.

“What’s going on? Still can’t shake them off?”

Qingluan Zhenren frowned like a sharp sword, calculating with her fingers.

After a moment, her gaze fell to her abdomen, her palm resting gently there.

“Is it still because of this?”

Since parting with Lu Changsheng, she realized she was pregnant.

For someone like this legendary cultivator from the Jiang Kingdom, the news of her pregnancy was bewildering.

Considering the level of the Nascent Soul, achieving pregnancy was extremely difficult.

Yet, she ended up unexpectedly with a child after only cultivating together with Yangming Zhenren for healing.

With life already forming, unable to bear the thought, and with her approaching Nascent Soul, she felt the need to find a successor to pass on her legacy, so she decided to give birth to this child.

However, this unexpected pregnancy, affected by the origins of the dragon and phoenix, resulted in the child’s extraordinary talent, perfectly inheriting her Tianfeng bloodline.

Under these circumstances, her cultivation and magical energy nurturing this child severely affected her body, leaving her sensing a certain danger, prompting her to flee further away.

She never expected to journey countless miles from Jiang Kingdom to the edges of the Southern Desolation and still feel the looming crisis.

Through her calculations, Qingluan Zhenren came to realize that the threat originated from the child within her.

In other words, in order to successfully give birth to this child, she would at least need three to five more years of pregnancy, if not longer.

During this period, her cultivation and magical energy would continually decline, putting her in a weakened state, making it hard to completely obscure the Heavenly Secrets, which might very well lead to foreboding disaster!

As someone who rose from humble beginnings to become a Nascent Soul Zhenren, she was not indecisive by nature and, after weighing her options, she made an immediate decision.

Deliver early!

Continuing pregnancy risks not only her own life but that of her child when the disaster arrives!

After more than a year of pregnancy, this child had already formed, but she still needed time to develop her innate potential and digest the dragon and phoenix origins.

“Little Qing.”

Qingluan Zhenren glanced at her spirit pet, signaling her to keep watch outside while she prepared for an early delivery.

“Yes, Master.”

The phoenix never questioned her mistress’s decision, replying with a melodious, clear voice.

Qingluan Zhenren nodded slightly and entered the secluded cave.

Three days later.

Within the cave, a cry like that of a phoenix rang out, pure and sharp.

Qingluan Zhenren’s face turned pale as paper, beads of sweat beaded on her forehead, and she weakly gazed at the infant in her arms.

Even though the early delivery meant a lack of innate health, this baby still radiated an ethereal charm, exquisitely assembled and undeniably adorable.

“Sigh…”

Qingluan Zhenren’s starry eyes reflected a hint of helplessness and sorrow.

Given more time, this child would perfectly inherit her Tianfeng bloodline and digest the dragon and phoenix origins, gaining their resurrection powers, becoming her perfect successor, Mu Qingfeng!

However, “But it is not solely due to top-tier talent that I, Mu Qingfeng, have made it this far.”

Though Qingluan Zhenren had given birth early, depleting her vitality and looking weak, her chiseled features remained sharp and imposing, without any hint of fragility.

However, upon close observation, one could see a glimmer of maternal radiance deep within her pupils.

Looking at the precious child in her arms, she softly spoke, “Que’er, if this continues, both of us will be in danger; although you couldn’t perfectly inherit your mother’s Tianfeng bloodline, your innate talent still surpasses that of your mother’s early years.”

“Wait for my mother to pass this calamity, and I will make up for your deficiencies; but as my daughter, Mu Qingfeng, I hope you rely on your own efforts to transform into a divine phoenix!”

Although she had delivered the child early, Qingluan Zhenren did not dare ensure her safety and planned to find a place to safely nurture her daughter.

Naming her ‘Que’ was to express the hope that one day she could transform into a divine phoenix, soaring among the nine heavens!

“Master, is this the baby?”

As Qingluan Zhenren stepped out of the cave, cradling her adorable daughter Que, she was met by the sight of her spirit pet, who was charming and beautiful, wearing a cloak of azure feathers, her delicate brows in a gentle arc, with blue feathers adorning her forehead.

With eyes as clear as blue jade, she gazed at her little master.

“Little Qing, please take care of her for the time being.”

Qingluan Zhenren didn’t immediately send her daughter away; instead, she focused on regaining her strength.

Although she chose to deliver early, she did her utmost to help her daughter refine the dragon and phoenix origins, transforming them into future potential.

“Ah…”

Hearing those words, the young girl appeared cautious and lovingly cradled the exquisite baby in her arms.

In Bihu Mountain, on the Hundred Refinements Peak.

In the simple and spacious alchemy chamber, Lu Changsheng was fully focused, staring intently at the purple-golden alchemy furnace, his hands forming seals as he controlled the heat.

Though he possessed elite third-tier alchemy skills, he was still prudent while refining the Heavenly Mending Pills for the first time.

After all, this batch of pills could be said to be the highest quality he had ever refined, ranking among the top third-tier products! [Congratulations, Host! You’ve birthed two children with True Spirit bloodlines, earning one lottery opportunity!]

[Detecting a conflict between Host’s current spirit body and bloodline effects. Would you like to merge?]

At that moment, a sudden system notification rang in Lu Changsheng’s mind.

Deeply focused on alchemy, Lu Changsheng was caught off guard, stunned.

True Spirit bloodlines? What the hell?

After all these years of working tirelessly, where did these children come from?

He thought he must have heard wrong; perhaps it was some descendant of the Lu family who inherited a true spirit bloodline.

But upon careful inspection, he confirmed he hadn’t misheard.

“What is going on?”

Lu Changsheng found himself entirely bewildered, unable to comprehend.

Sitting at home while his children fall from the sky? “System!”

Taking a deep breath, Lu Changsheng glanced at the stable alchemy furnace, opening his system interface.

Moments later, a system window appeared.

[Name: Mu Que]

[Lifespan: 1/141]

[Talent: Third-grade Spirit Root]

[Cultivation: None]

[Ability: Space (36%)]

“Mu Que? This is… my and Qingluan Zhenren’s child?”

Lu Changsheng was utterly shocked, then suddenly enlightened.

Realizing that during their cultivation partnership with Qingluan Zhenren, she must have conceived his child.

“This woman is quite something…”

While he felt a surge of joy at having a child with Qingluan Zhenren, he couldn’t help but shake his head in resignation, reflecting on how she hadn’t mentioned her pregnancy.

He hadn’t sensed she was pregnant at the time.

As a Nascent Soul cultivator, Qingluan Zhenren must have been aware of her pregnancy!

Yet, when they parted ways, she hadn’t brought it up at all.

Setting aside the disputes over child custody, as the father, he at least deserved to be informed; otherwise, he wouldn’t be this bewildered.

“But the child only has a third-grade spirit root?”

A third-grade spirit root isn’t considered low anywhere.

Yet for a child born from him and a Nascent Soul cultivator like Qingluan Zhenren, having only a third-grade spirit root felt somewhat ordinary.

“But possessing a ‘True Spirit bloodline’ means that a minor flaw in the root isn’t a problem.”

Previously, during their healing partnership, Lu Changsheng learned that Qingluan Zhenren bore the Tianfeng bloodline.

The system notification indicated this child had inherited the same Tianfeng bloodline as his daughter, Lu Baixi.

While refining pills, Lu Changsheng didn’t rush into merging the true spirit bloodline but continued observing the alchemy furnace in front of him.

However, his thoughts couldn’t help but drift towards Qingluan Zhenren, wondering about her well-being and when she’d return.

With her cultivation strength, there was no need for excessive worry, yet having a child created an involuntary bond.

“In order to claim this daughter in the future, I will need to break through to Nascent Soul, right?”

Thinking about Qingluan Zhenren’s assertive nature, remaining unfazed with a composed demeanor while pregnant, and then departing without saying a word, Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but shake his head again.

To recognize this child in the future, he must possess the strength to conquer Qingluan Zhenren! But regardless of how monstrous she is, Lu Changsheng believed that as long as he broke through to Nascent Soul, he could surpass her!

“Nascent Soul…”

But recalling that he currently lacked suitable fourth-grade spirit lands and Huaying Pills, Lu Changsheng sighed quietly.

“However, having this child should make it easier to connect with her in the future.”

Under normal circumstances, even if he broke through to Nascent Soul, Lu Changsheng couldn’t fathom how to approach someone like Qingluan Zhenren.

Her temperament was truly… Lu Changsheng found it difficult to describe how to navigate such a relationship.

But now, having this child created an anchor, making him feel he had a greater chance.

“Mu Que? Why such a name?”

During their battle in the Mirage Domain, Lu Changsheng knew Qingluan Zhenren’s name was Mu Qingfeng.

With such a domineering name, it was amusing for her to name their child ‘Que.’ His thoughts drifted, causing Lu Changsheng to lose focus on alchemy.

Realizing the importance of this batch of Heavenly Mending Pills, Lu Changsheng focused back, harmonizing his energy and calming his mind, using the Sumeru Tree King to still his spirit while refining.

Half a month later.

In the alchemy chamber.

“Buzz buzz buzz—”

The ground fire blazed bright, with azure light flowing around the purple-golden alchemy furnace, the thirty-six golden crows engraved upon it quivering and releasing fragrant spirit energy.

Lu Changsheng appeared serious, executing one technique after another, skillfully controlling the heat.

Time trickled by.

As the alchemy furnace filled with spiritual energy, seven colors radiated brilliantly, Lu Changsheng’s eyes shone with golden beams, and he called out in a deep voice, “Open!”

“Boom!!!”

The furnace lid burst open, releasing torrents of hot air as if golden crows were soaring high together.

Lu Changsheng quickly performed several techniques, drizzling spiritual liquid, lifting his palm to draw the Heavenly Mending Pills from the furnace into his hand.

Three pills appeared in his grasp, their sheen flickering with life, exuding fragrant aroma.

“Three genuine pills; just couldn’t refine any top-tier or even premium ones.”

Lu Changsheng shook his head lightly.

The Heavenly Mending Pills were a rare alchemical formula not included in his foundational alchemy skills, making this his true first refining attempt.

Such circumstances resulted in average refining outcomes.

However, successfully producing three pills already reflected extraordinary accomplishment, especially considering the high-quality materials used.

Otherwise, achieving even three pills would have posed considerable difficulty.

“It’s acceptable.”

For any alchemist, producing three Heaven Mending Pills for a first-time refining attempt would awaken astonishment.

Yet for someone like Lu Changsheng, accustomed to premium and top-grade pills, he felt it was slightly lacking.

Gently raising his hand, he transferred the three Heavenly Mending Pills into three white jade vials before releasing a weary breath and exiting the alchemy chamber.

Refining such top-tier pills was still quite consuming on his mind and spirit.