Chapter 698: Return to the Abyss of Ten Thousand Demons, Capturing Souls with Divine Light!

Several days later.

In the Heavenly Sword Sect’s Five Saints Hall, the Master’s quarters were left in disarray.

Exquisite and precious furniture lay toppled, and the tea set on the table was shattered on the ground, leaving small puddles of tea that shimmered with a faint, misty glow.

The intricately carved purple sandalwood table and chairs in the center had cracks appearing, with one table leg slightly broken, as if they had endured some fierce collision.

On the usually pristine purple jade bed where the leader of the Five Poisons Sect rested, the covers were now a chaotic mess, wrinkled like crumpled paper.

The gauzy curtains, resembling clouds and mist, seemed to have been swept away by a storm, dangling haplessly with thin strands of fabric barely clinging to the bed’s edge.

Even the languidly draping curtains had been torn into strips, alongside the elegant, fragrant, and purple-red gown that lay forgotten on the floor.

Nearby, a silver crown that glimmered brightly, along with several crumpled pairs of socks scattered around, and various styles of high-heeled embroidered shoes scattered about, added a whimsical yet disordered charm to the entire master’s quarters.

“Whoosh—”

At this moment, a faint sound of splashing water echoed from the side chambers.

Nangong Mili gradually stirred awake, her delicate head lifting slightly as her misty eyes gazed at Lu Changsheng and the leader, surprised to see both still in meditation.

In her earlier years, she thought herself and Xiao Chan, along with Lu Changsheng, had reached their limits; now she realized, even the once-majestic leader, a Nascent Soul true monarch, was now helplessly whispering, showcasing her most primal beauty, stirring an inexplicable thrill in her heart.

However, being their leader, the authority she had accumulated over the years wouldn’t dissipate so quickly.

Nangong Mili chose not to interrupt, quietly observing with her blurry eyes dancing with light.

Not knowing how much time had passed, the seemingly sixteen or seventeen-year-old leader of the Five Poisons Sect slumped weakly into the water, her delicate hands resting on her slightly rounded abdomen, her beautiful eyes rolling back as she fell asleep, her body surrounded by multicolored radiance, gradually restoring her usual appearance.

“Hah!”

Lu Changsheng exhaled deeply, feeling refreshed without a trace of fatigue, invigorated instead.

Ever since reaching the fourth rank Body Refinement.

No, it should be said that since reaching the quasi-fourth rank Body Refinement, he hadn’t felt this exhilarated in a long time.

Before, he could only let loose a little around Hong Lian and Nangong Mili.

But now, with his body refinement at the fourth rank, his physical combat power had escalated to another level, forcing him to rein in his strength.

During these days, facing the leader of the Five Poisons Sect, a Nascent Soul true monarch, he finally stopped holding back.

However, seeing the soft and limp form of the Five Poisons Sect leader in the water, shimmering with multicolored light, a strong sense of guilt surged within him.

He truly hadn’t shown enough tenderness towards Ah Youduo.

Though she was a Nascent Soul cultivator, she hadn’t refined her body and could be considered average in physical prowess.

He immediately reached out to lift the petite body of the leader from the water, looking towards Nangong Mili not far away.

“What have you done to the leader? She’s fainted!”

Nangong Mili gasped, her voice laced with surprise and a trace of breathlessness, her charm captivating.

Despite having exhausted herself, their leader is a Nascent Soul true monarch! “Mili doesn’t want to end up like the leader, does she?”

Lu Changsheng smiled and replied.

“N-No way!”

While such experiences could be immensely pleasurable, she just woke up, her body still sore and weak.

Nangong Mili’s response was anticipated by Lu Changsheng. He chuckled lightly, grasping her delicate foot that was bare without shoes.

The ten dainty toes gleamed like white jade, perfectly tantalizing.

Her nail polish, tinted with Red Phoenix flower juice, contrasted beautifully with her snow-white skin, exuding an alluring quality.

“Mmm~” Nangong Mili glanced at Lu Changsheng with enchanting eyes, her voice light and airy as she hummed, then squinting slightly, sometimes frowning, at times curling her toes, her fair toes trembling slightly against her full thighs.

Knowing Nangong Mili hadn’t fully recovered, Lu Changsheng didn’t push it further. After a moment of tenderness, he carried her and Ah Youduo back to the master’s quarters.

Looking around the wreckage of the quarters, Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but shake his head.

Inner thoughts murmured—this was merely a fourth-rank Body Refinement.

What kind of ruckus would two fifth-rank body refiners cause when they engage in dual cultivation?

“Wouldn’t they have to use the heavens as a bed and the ground as a mattress, with mountains and rivers for curtains?”

Lu Changsheng imagined the uproar caused by two body refiners engaging in dual cultivation that could turn the world upside down, chuckling to himself as he rested alongside the two women.

Although Ah Youduo had fainted, she awakened after half an hour.

Upon opening her eyes, she glanced at Lu Changsheng, her expression tinged with a hint of grievance.

After all, such intense activities even a Nascent Soul true monarch like her would struggle to withstand.

However, a few days of dual cultivation made her realize Lu Changsheng’s further upgrade in Body Refinement.

Watching the current state of the Five Poisons Sect leader, Lu Changsheng felt his guilt deepen. He cast aside his distractions and asked about the current affairs: “Ah Youduo, what’s going on with the Yin Ghost Sect right now?”

Ah Youduo, with her delicate skin still glowing faintly, weakly replied, “After True Lord Mingsha returned from the Mirage Domain, he’s been lurking within the sect. I’m not clear on the specifics.”

In the past, the three great demon sects of the Jin Kingdom had almost seamless intelligence exchange and alliances.

However, since True Lord Mingsha sided with Beast God Mountain and advanced to the Nascent Soul, resentment had brewed between the three factions.

After she and Lu Changsheng emerged from the Abyss of Ten Thousand Demons to challenge True Lord Mingsha, communication between their factions had ceased, even leaning towards hostility.

Lu Changsheng nodded slightly, continuing to inquire, “What about the Heavenly Corpse Sect? What’s their stance?”

The three major demon sects in the Jin Kingdom maintained balance, not only due to their early agreements for mutual aid but also forming a mechanism of checks and balances.

Without absolute strength, none would wish for one to dominate the others.

“Yan Wujiang’s previous fourth-rank Corpse King was seized by the Heavenly Sword Sect, severely injuring his vitality. Unless a significant price is paid to cultivate another fourth-rank Corpse King, he won’t emerge for a while. Thus, he’s been very low-key all these years, with little movement.”

Ah Youduo curled her delicate white feet slightly, speaking weakly.

.

Lu Changsheng raised his brow, suddenly realizing that among the three Nascent Soul true monarchs of the Jin Kingdom, True Lord Mingsha was in the best condition now.

Ah Youduo’s Seven Absolute Gu was in his possession, prepared for a transformation into the Ten Thousand Calamities Toxic Spirit Codex, her state affected.

The Heavenly Corpse Sect Master’s primary Corpse King had been captured in the chaos of war back in the day due to him and the Heavenly Sword Sect’s actions.

Only True Lord Mingsha was still holding the treasured Ten Thousand Ghost Blood Pool, a standout among his peers.

Thinking of the Heavenly Corpse Sect Master’s fourth-rank Corpse King, Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret.

The Crying Soul feasted on essence souls, ghosts, and corpse demons.

If he could consume a fourth-rank Corpse King, not only would he ascend to the fourth rank, but he could at least grow to be a top-tier third rank.

But with the fourth-rank Corpse King in the hands of the Heavenly Sword Sect, even though the Immortal City of Damengze maintained a superficial relationship with them, he wouldn’t be able to negotiate for it.

Moreover, if he suggested exchanging the fourth-rank Corpse King, it could raise the suspicion of the Heavenly Sword Sect, changing their stance to view him as in league with the evil path and connected to the Jin Kingdom.

At this moment, Lu Changsheng seemed to recall something and asked the leader of the Five Poisons Sect, “Ah Youduo, you mentioned before that the Gu God Cauldron fell into the Abyss of Ten Thousand Demons. If we could retrieve this cauldron, how much would it enhance your power?”

Previously, Ah Youduo had lured him to the Abyss of Ten Thousand Demons under the pretense of finding the Gu God Cauldron.

After subduing her, had it not been for the unexpected situation with his son, Lu Ping’an, he had intended to help her search for this precious object of the Five Poisons Sect.

Considering the Crying Soul Beast he possessed, Lu Changsheng felt he could go back to the Abyss of Ten Thousand Demons once more.

The Crying Soul Beast could capture souls and consume ghosts, naturally overcoming various specters and corpse demons. It could also evolve itself by absorbing souls, ghosts, and corpse demonic energy.

And within the Abyss of Ten Thousand Demons, numerous shadowy souls and demonically tainted beasts awaited.

He could entirely use this trip to enhance the Crying Soul Beast to the pinnacle of the third rank, or even reach quasi-fourth rank!

Moreover, even though the beasts in the Abyss of Ten Thousand Demons had been tainted and corrupted, lacking intelligence made them easier to hunt.

With his current combat prowess, combined with the Golden-Winged Roc, the Crying Soul Beast, and Ah Youduo, he could slay fourth-rank demonized beasts and gather rare resources to prepare for his subsequent cultivation of the Brahma Demon True Form.

After all, upon his return, he was planning to focus on his cultivation, enhance his strength further, and then head to the Starry Sea to see his son, Lu Quanzhen, and check on the situation of the life ground and the Huaying Pill.

Currently, the most obvious means to elevate his power was through the Brahma Demon True Form.

Previously, he had only cultivated to a minor success; holding onto the Da Luo Sword Embryo was enough to match a Nascent Soul cultivator.

If he could master it to full completion, solidifying his meridians, bones, and flesh, he would reach an extraordinarily terrifying level!

He had been saving the Xuanhuang Essence he had won from an earlier lottery for the purpose of refining the Brahma Demon True Form.

However, all these years, aside from consuming three wisps of essence for the Yin-Yang Qi Great Capture, the rest lay dormant, gathering dust as he hadn’t found the time.

“If we can recover the cauldron…”

Upon hearing this, Ah Youduo’s small face lit up with joy. After a moment of contemplation, she said, “Master, according to the records, the main effect of the cauldron is to nurture Gu worms. Boosting combat strength is secondary.”

“If we can retrieve the Gu God Cauldron, we could attempt to nurture various unique Gu worms documented within.”

“For instance, even under normal circumstances, it would take me decades to mature the Baby Nurturing Gu using secret techniques and a wealth of resources, but with the Gu God Cauldron, the time might be cut in half.”

Ah Youduo explained the effects of the Gu God Cauldron to Lu Changsheng.

“I see now.”

Lu Changsheng nodded slightly, understanding that the Gu God Cauldron was somewhat akin to his Myriad Spirits Bottle, leaning more towards assisting in cultivation.

However, in the hands of a Gu poison cultivator like Ah Youduo, the effect could even surpass that of the Myriad Spirits Bottle.

“If you’re free now, I can accompany you to the Abyss of Ten Thousand Demons to see if we can recover this treasure.”

Lu Changsheng said candidly.

Since Ah Youduo had already submitted to him, he would naturally offer her some sweet benefits.

Besides, Ah Youduo’s strength increase would also benefit him significantly.

Once he shattered the Nascent Soul barrier, he could easily annihilate the Yin Ghost Sect with Ah Youduo’s aid, taking over the Heavenly Corpse Sect, turning the Jin Kingdom into a natural defense for the Jiang Kingdom.

“Thank you, Master!”

Ah Youduo’s face brightened instantly.

If she could retrieve the Gu God Cauldron, not only could she cultivate several top-tier Gu worms, enhancing her own strength, but the overall power of the Five Poisons Sect would elevate dramatically!”Are you available to leave now?”

Lu Changsheng inquired.

Influenced by him, the Five Poisons Sect was now under the scrutiny of numerous forces. He didn’t want to travel with Ah Youduo only to draw trouble.

“Rest assured, Master, there’s nothing pressing in the sect right now.”

Nascent Soul cultivators could go into seclusion for years or even decades.

Her absence for a few years wouldn’t disrupt the sect’s operations.

“Mili is here as well; if any matters arise, she can handle them.”

Lu Changsheng nodded, knowing that a Nascent Soul cultivator like Ah Youduo usually didn’t involve herself in sect matters.

Seeing Nangong Mili, who had promoted to True Core and broken through to the later stage of Core Formation, could enough to command the Five Poisons Sect.

“Understood, Master.”

Ah Youduo glanced at Nangong Mili, who exuded charm and allure, knowing she understood Lu Changsheng’s intent.

In the present situation, Mili was the most trusted by the leader. He hoped that he could cultivate her as a true confidante.

A month later.

Lu Changsheng and Ah Youduo quietly arrived at the outskirts of the Abyss of Ten Thousand Demons.

With the strength of the two, while they needn’t worry about being detected by other cultivators, they still exercised great caution, concealing their magic powers as best they could.

Entering the misty, black, swirling abyss, filled with wailing spirits, Lu Changsheng noted the absence of other cultivators around him. Watching as the ghosts flickered in the ominous winds, he brushed his hand against the Storage Belt.

In an instant, a small creature appeared, only a few inches tall, covered in golden fur with remarkably large nostrils and dark, bright eyes, resembling a small macaque.

The Crying Soul stared at the swirling ghostly wind and made high-pitched chirps, seeming excited. It suddenly released a stream of pale yellow radiance that swept away all the ominous gusts, inhaling deeply.

“What is this?”

The Five Poisons Sect Master looked at the Crying Soul Beast, her expression revealing a hint of surprise.

Though these were merely low-tier ghosts, she could wipe them out with a wave of her hand.

However, the aura from the Crying Soul Beast and the pale radiance just released gave her an inexplicable feeling of unease, making her aware that the little creature was not simple!”That’s quite good.”

Lu Changsheng observed the scene calmly, wanting to take this opportunity to gauge the combat ability of the Crying Soul.

He casually lifted his hand, placing the Crying Soul on his shoulder, then he and Ah Youduo ventured deeper into the Abyss of Ten Thousand Demons.

Whenever any ominous souls or demons appeared in their path, the Crying Soul would let out a forceful puff, unleashing pale yellow radiance from its nostrils, sweeping them away into its maw.

Even third-rank ghosts were utterly powerless against the Crying Soul Beast.

As for demonized beasts, the Crying Soul could not consume them directly, only suppressing them using Soul Capturing Divine Light.

“Unless it transforms and enters combat mode, normally the Crying Soul has a more pronounced advantage over essence-soul ghosts.”

Lu Changsheng knew that facing demonized beasts or corpse kings, the Crying Soul Beast had to enter battle mode to become a true bane to evil spirits.

However, to him, the current state of the Crying Soul Beast was more than adequate.

The shadowy ghosts were directly devoured, turned into sustenance; while demonized monsters, the Crying Soul Beast could suppress, and he could easily slay them with a single sword.

In the eyes of others, the perilous Abyss of Ten Thousand Demons had transformed into Lu Changsheng’s treasure trove.

Even the Five Poisons Sect Master, observing this scene, felt bewildered, her heart filled with admiration.

After all, a Nascent Soul cultivator would avoid using their power frivolously in the Abyss of Ten Thousand Demons to prevent excessive consumption of magic and stamina.

Yet, the Crying Soul Beast on Lu Changsheng’s shoulder feasted on shadows and ghosts, directly using the demon kings of this Abyss as its food, showing no signs of fatigue, even growing stronger, truly unrivaled.

“Aside from that golden-winged roc from before, Master has another such spirit pet, and this mysterious light has a natural suppression effect on demonic paths.”

Even the experienced Five Poisons Sect Master couldn’t recognize the Crying Soul Beast.

She only sensed that its abilities held certain restraints against demonic cultivators.

“Is Master planning to provoke the Yin Ghost Sect with this spirit beast?”

Ah Youduo speculated, a moment of hesitation coming over her.

She could tell that while this little beast suppressed the demonic path, it was even more effective against unembodied essence-soul ghosts.

Third-rank ghosts wouldn’t even have the ability to resist before the Crying Soul Beast.

If the Yin Ghost Sect encounters this spirit, they’d probably lose half their members in no time.

And so, Lu Changsheng and Ah Youduo swept through the Abyss of Ten Thousand Demons.

Though the Crying Soul couldn’t fully restrain demonic beasts, it possessed keen sensitivity to the various powers of evil spirits and demonic paths.

Utilizing its sense of smell, it could indirectly perceive where the ghost kings and demonized beasts dwelled.

If ghost kings or demonized creatures approached, it would become alert immediately.

“A top-tier third-rank evil demonic vine, not bad. It could be used to forge whips or serve as the main ingredient for demon elixirs.”

The Abyss of Ten Thousand Demons was suffused with murderous qi, ghostly energy, and foul air, rendering it starkly barren, with nearly no visible spiritual herbs.

Yet, amidst such desolation, some rare natural resources, unseen in the outside world, would still come into being.

“Roar!”

After some time, Lu Changsheng and Ah Youduo arrived at the territory of a fourth-rank demonized beast.

Previously, when they had ventured into the Abyss of Ten Thousand Demons, encountering fourth-rank demonized creatures meant they would evade if possible, or if not possible, they would merely try to drive them away rather than engage in open battle.

But this time, aside from helping Ah Youduo search for the Gu God Cauldron, his aim was to hunt down fourth-rank demonized creatures!

Sensing the fierce aura of the powerful beast charging toward him, Lu Changsheng felt unafraid as his fourth-rank Body Refinement began to surge.

The overwhelming and majestic energy surged forth like an ancient volcano erupting, rapidly expanding and shattering the surrounding black fog, sweeping across dozens of miles.

Many spectral spirits screamed, instantly evaporating into ash.

“This aura! Master has indeed broken through to fourth rank Body Refinement!”

Ah Youduo had previously suspected Lu Changsheng’s strength had enhanced, particularly in the aspect of body refinement.

Now, seeing the aura fully unleashed, she was certain with a surge of shock in her heart.

After all, Lu Changsheng was not primarily a Body Refinement cultivator, lacking the true abilities of a body refiner.

To break through to the fourth rank, he had to face a tribulation, just like Nascent Soul cultivators.

But with such a physical body, surviving the tribulation was incredibly challenging!”However, given Master’s strength, the fourth rank Body Refinement tribulation doesn’t seem to be a big issue.”

Remembering Lu Changsheng’s accomplishments in the Mirage Domain, Ah Youduo felt that breaking through to the fourth rank of Body Refinement might not be as shocking.

Indeed, compared to prioritizing the breakthrough to fourth-rank Body Refinement, the prospect of attacking the Nascent Soul true monarch was more alarming.

Seeing a massive double-headed demonized lizard roaring toward them, stirring a storm of flying sand and foul winds, the Five Poisons Sect Master ceased to ponder and summoned her destined treasure, the Five Poisons Ten Thousand Demonic Banner.

The long banner fluttered, displaying vividly colored spirits of snakes, scorpions, centipedes, spiders, and toads that seemed to come alive, causing waves of poison gas to envelop the surroundings.