Chapter 714: The Secret Realm of Medicine Gardens, the Huaying Pill!

A secret realm has appeared?

Lu Changsheng chuckled lightly and said, “In that case, let’s go take a look.”

Whether it’s a treasure emerging or a secret realm manifesting, as the city lord, he has both emotional and logical reasons to check it out.

The Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale, hearing this, immediately surged towards the direction of the radiant blue light, parting the waves with an imposing force.

There was quite a commotion here; the divine light shot into the sky, and some scattered cultivators began gathering to investigate.

Just then, they suddenly saw a torrent of ominous energy rolling from deep within the Da Mengze, sweeping towards them, causing many to change their expressions drastically.

“What is that!?”

“It’s a demon king! A top-tier demon king has been attracted here!”

“It’s over, it’s over!”

The cultivators hurriedly fled in panic.

After all, aside from a few False Core cultivators, most of those who had come to check on the situation were Foundation Establishment cultivators.

If they encountered a third-tier demon king in this boundless Da Mengze, it would only lead to certain death.

The crowd was large, and as long as they managed to escape the others, there might still be a chance at survival.

“It’s a whale king! There’s someone on this whale king!”

“It’s the city lord and the city lord’s wife!”

“We salute you, City Lord! We salute you, City Lord’s wife!”

A faint aura of demons enveloped the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale, and even from a distance, it weighed heavily on many Foundation Establishment cultivators, causing their powers to destabilize and their faces to pale.

However, when some recognized the figures standing side by side on the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale—shrouded in chaotic energy and their faces unclear, but resembling celestial lovers—they promptly identified Lu Changsheng and Hong Lian and bowed deeply.

Upon hearing that the arrivals were the city lord and his wife, rather than a wild demon king from Da Mengze, the cultivators breathed a sigh of relief.

Lu Changsheng signaled the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale to ease its oppressive aura; otherwise, even the aura alone might crush some Foundation Establishment cultivators.

“Why does the city lord’s pet feel even more terrifying now? I can hardly breathe just being close to it.”

“Is this the same whale king as before? It feels more domineering than before. I remember it only had one horn; now it has two, resembling dragon horns!”

The cultivators stared in shock and respect at the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale.

After all, under normal circumstances, how could they ever come into contact with such a top-tier demon king?

However, some cultivators noticed that the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale had changed significantly from years past.

“Wait, what is that!?”

“It’s a massive creature! It seems… to be a demon king!”

“Could it be that the city lord and his wife went deep into Da Mengze to hunt demon kings?”

“I felt a terrifying fluctuation emanating from deep within Da Mengze earlier; could it be that the city lord and his wife were hunting the demon king?”

As the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale approached the radiant divine light, some noticed a long, battered giant whale being dragged behind, bound by chains.

Although this giant whale’s aura of demonic energy was sealed and seemed lifeless,

it was clear from its size that this was a terrifying third-tier demon king!

In an instant, everyone in the area was horrified, as if stirred by boundless waves, staring in awe at Lu Changsheng and Hong Lian on the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale, hardly daring to breathe.

“It truly is a secret realm.”

Lu Changsheng observed a massive whirlpool appearing ahead, with radiant divine light shooting up into the heavens, emerging from this vortex.

From within this whirlpool, he sensed waves of spatial fluctuations and an ancient aura distinct from Da Mengze.

“This secret realm should be at the bottom of Da Mengze. It’s likely a result of the giant spirit whale’s tribulations or perhaps a battle between my husband and the dragon king that affected the Sea Eye, causing the secret realm to materialize.”

Hong Lian analyzed the situation in front of her.

“Spirit Whale, can you divide this sea area?”

Lu Changsheng asked the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale.

Hearing this, the whale’s aura of a fourth-tier demon king surged, ready to take action.

“Wait a moment.”

Lu Changsheng quickly called out, knowing that this girl was far too impatient; if she acted recklessly, he glanced at the distant cultivators and said in a deep voice, “You all need to retreat at least a hundred miles.”

The cultivators, though unwilling deep down, knew that this kind of secret realm opportunity was not something they could interfere with. They respectfully bowed and hastily fled.

Once these people had distanced themselves, the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale let out a low roar, its two dragon horns creating ripples as the whirlpool’s water gradually reversed flow.

“This, this, this…”

The fleeing cultivators looked at the commotion, their expressions a mix of horror, as though they had encountered a ghost.

They marveled at the incredible power and realized the city lord’s warning to leave was not merely a drive away but for their own good.

Otherwise, merely the might of such divine abilities and tidal forces would be something they could not endure.

Moments later, Lu Changsheng observed a stark, barren rock cliff standing tall under the whirlpool.

There were many spots on this cliff that had crumbled, revealing a body that looked like azure crystal.

Through the crystal, it seemed possible to see an island veiled in mist and filled with the glow of dawn.

“Is the opening of the secret realm to occur when this cliff completely erodes?”

Lu Changsheng’s eyes sparkled with golden light as he observed a series of invisible prohibitions flowing around the cliff; the fluctuations in the void revealed a leak from the dissolving prohibitions.

These prohibitions were quite intricate and profound, but under the erosion of time, they had shown signs of damage and were now on the verge of collapse.

“At this rate, within three months, the secret realm will open.”

Hong Lian’s beautiful eyes glowed red as she gazed at the invisible prohibitions on the cliff.

“Three months…?”

Lu Changsheng narrowed his eyes.

With such a secret realm about to surface, word would likely spread to the four great sects of the Jiang Kingdom, making it challenging to monopolize for himself.

At that moment, Hong Lian shot a firebird towards the cliff ahead.

The azure light surged from the cliff, forming an invisible barrier that extinguished the firebird, which possessed about the strength of a beginning Core Formation cultivator.

“It seems this secret realm is remarkably damaged. Currently, the prohibition’s power is only at the level of early Core Formation. It appears only those at the beginning of Core Formation can enter; otherwise, it risks collapsing the secret realm.”

Having been a Nascent Soul True Lord and the head of a palace in her past life, Hong Lian was well-acquainted with identifying the conditions of secret realms.

“Only early Core Formation cultivators can enter?”

Lu Changsheng furrowed his brows. Does that mean he can’t enter either?

However, after cultivating for so many years, he understood that not all secret realms held opportunities.

Many secret realms, due to the passage of time, lay in ruin, ready to collapse at any moment.

Sometimes, as soon as a cultivator stepped inside, the space would crumble into nothingness, scattering them into the Great Void.

Only a handful of secret realms retained their treasures and were relatively stable.

Being able to accommodate Core Formation cultivators was already quite remarkable.

The early Purple Mist Secret Realm could only allow Qi Refining cultivators to enter.

“Hong Lian, can you tell what kind of secret realm this is?”

Lu Changsheng asked her.

If it was merely a decaying secret realm on the brink of collapse, it would hold little significance.

“Husband, wait a moment. Let me take a look.”

Hong Lian made hand signs, her eyes shimmering with red mist as she cast spells towards the crystal cliff ahead.

Within moments, the pictures reflected in the crystal appeared hazy like watery mist, flowing and swirling.

After a while, Hong Lian pondered before saying, “It resembles a Medicine Garden Secret Realm, but I can’t ascertain the specifics until the prohibitions are completely dissolved.”

“However, the current cliff does not seem stable. If we forcefully breach the prohibitions, it could easily destabilize the secret realm, which wouldn’t be worth the risk.”

Hong Lian, dressed in a magnificent skirt, her slender figure exquisite, continued to evaluate the cliff before speaking.

“A Medicine Garden Secret Realm!?”

Lu Changsheng’s expression brightened.

From his years of understanding, the reason the four great sects could persist and consistently cultivate Foundation Establishment and Core Formation cultivators was due to possessing several independent secret realms.

Among the most important were the Trial Secret Realm and the Medicine Garden Secret Realm! The Trial Secret Realm could be used for evaluating and testing disciples, like the Purple Mist Secret Realm and the Azure Mist Secret Realm fall under this category.

The Medicine Garden Secret Realm, on the other hand, was a suitable environment for cultivating spiritual plants and herbs and could shorten their maturation time while also allowing for the growth and nurturing of rare herbs and mutated seeds.

Thus, a stable Medicine Garden Secret Realm is seen as a cornerstone of a sect’s legacy! While the Lu Family has the Sumeru Cave Heaven to cultivate herbs, its effectiveness is actually not ideal; primarily, they rely on the Myriad Spirits Bottle.

But the Myriad Spirits Bottle only produces a drop of Wuling Heaven Dew per year, which is entirely insufficient.

If he could possess a Medicine Garden Secret Realm, the items Lu Changsheng has obtained through the lottery over the years, including the Golden Armored Bean Mother, the Nurturing Lotus, the Heavenly Yuan Lotus, the Coiling Dragon Bloodfang Rice, the Divine Ability Fruit Tree, the Five Elements Spirit Fruit Tree, and the spiritual herbs and plants harvested outside, could all be planted within.

“It only appears somewhat similar, but it may also be a relic secret realm.”

Hong Lian added.

Relic secret realms are the most common, like the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm and the Mirage Domain of Vast Sands, which fall into this category.

However, the Purple Mist Secret Realm could also be considered a relic secret realm.

It’s just that it had long been plundered and fully developed by the four great sects, serving as a trial secret realm, with the Medicine Garden Secret Realm used to sharpen their disciples.

“Hehe, no matter what, as long as it’s not an imminent collapsing wasteland secret realm, that’s enough for me.”

Lu Changsheng had already regarded this secret realm as his first secret realm.

Hence, his demands weren’t very high; he felt whatever was somewhat satisfactory would suffice.

“With this secret realm appearing, the divine light shooting into the sky can’t be hidden from the four great sects.”

Hong Lian continued speaking to Lu Changsheng, eager to know his thoughts.

“Since this secret realm has appeared in Da Mengze, it naturally belongs to our Immortal City of Da Mengze.”

Lu Changsheng smiled lightly, his calm words exuding a sense of dominance and confidence.

In the past, when the Azure Cloud Sect and Luoxia Sect discovered the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm, they needed to share it equally with the four great sects, but he didn’t need to share anything from the Immortal City of Da Mengze.

Of course, he still adhered to the notion of mutual benefits and win-win cooperation.

As long as the four great sects are willing to offer benefits, then parting with a bit of the secret realm would be no problem.

“Spirit Whale, you stay here and guard the secret realm; don’t disturb it. If anyone comes, just drive them away.”

Lu Changsheng instructed the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale to keep watch here.

“Okay, master.”

The Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale showed no objection and chose to rest here.

Though it had advanced to a fourth-tier beast, it still had not fully completed its transformation.

Immediately afterward, Lu Changsheng raised his hand, and the Beast Binding Lock that bound the quasi-fourth-tier whale king fell into his grasp from the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale’s tail, dragging the colossal whale king back to the Immortal City of Da Mengze.

“While I have the time, I should also craft some fourth-tier spirit beast bags and spirit beast rings.”

Although Lu Changsheng could capture and retain a demon king using immense magical energy, normally, one whale king was the limit and would continuously consume magical energy.

The spirit beast bags, Storage Belt, Inconceivable Treasure Wheel, and Heavenly Yuan Lotus could accommodate and store many items and demon beasts’ corpses.

However, a whale king like this, with a massive physique, would be difficult to contain and would cause a serious burden.

With the secret realm’s emergence and divine light shooting skyward, numerous cultivators rushed to investigate.

Yet the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale lay beside the secret realm, its overwhelming demon king aura emanating, preventing all cultivators and demon beasts from daring to approach.

Meanwhile, Lu Changsheng and Hong Lian dragging along a quasi-fourth-tier whale king back to the Immortal City of Da Mengze attracted many intrigued and horrified gazes from various cultivators.

“What’s going on here!?”

“It’s the city lord and his wife!”

“Did the city lord and his wife go to Da Mengze to hunt demon kings?”

“Is the radiant divine light from deep within Da Mengze related to the city lord?”

All cultivators witnessing Lu Changsheng dragging the quasi-fourth-tier whale king were filled with respectful expressions while speculating in their hearts.

After returning to the Immortal City of Da Mengze, Lu Changsheng used the city’s third-tier restricted great formation to suppress the whale king beneath the city for its upbringing. Subsequently, he entered the City Lord’s Mansion to discuss the matter of the secret realm with Ling Zixiao.

“A secret realm has appeared?”

Ling Zixiao was already aware of the radiant divine light shooting into the sky from deep within Da Mengze, suspected to indicate the emergence of treasures and opportunities, and had already sent people to investigate, but they had not yet returned with any news.

Upon hearing this, she immediately took action.

Soon, news spread throughout the Immortal City of Da Mengze about the city lord and his wife going to hunt a demon king deep within Da Mengze, leading to the emergence of an opportunity-rich secret realm, causing an uproar.

Although through this news, everyone knew the secret realm belonged to the City Lord’s Mansion, there would always be bold individuals in the cultivation world.

Many cultivators rushed to the depths of Da Mengze, eager to see the situation of the secret realm and whether they could obtain treasure and opportunities.

“Father, I heard that an opportunity-rich secret realm has appeared in Da Mengze. What’s going on?”

Lu Wangshu, having learned of the secret realm’s emergence, immediately grew interested and came to the City Lord’s Mansion to inquire with Lu Changsheng.

“Currently, the prohibitions of the secret realm have yet to dissipate; I’m not clear on the details either. If you’re interested, you can come take a look later.”

Lu Changsheng, well aware of his daughter’s intentions, smiled and said.

According to Hong Lian, only early Core Formation cultivators could enter the secret realm, or else it would risk destabilization.

If the secret realm were confirmed safe and would not collapse, then naturally, his children could explore inside.

“Mhm!”

Lu Wangshu was quite interested in the secret realm and inquired about the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale.

She understood that her father had not gone deep into Da Mengze to hunt demon beasts but instead to aid the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale through tribulations.

“Of course it successfully passed! You’ll be able to see it later.”

Lu Changsheng said that the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale was currently guarding the secret realm and hadn’t returned.

He then handed a gourd filled with the blood of the dragon to Lu Wangshu, indicating that she should deliver it to Dragonfish Island.

Then he went to the back hall to handle the remains of the fourth-tier dragon king.

Although the body of this dragon king was given to the Golden-Winged Roc,

the dragon’s whole body was a treasure, with items like dragon claws, tendons, scales, and bones being good materials from the fourth tier, thus needing proper handling; it couldn’t be wasted on the Golden-Winged Roc.

Just then, Lu Changsheng suddenly felt a surge of pure magical energy flowing into his Qi Sea and Dantian.

“Is Ping’an breaking through?”

With his son Lu Quanzhen breaking through to Core Formation Layer Two, his son Lu Qingshan and daughter Nangong Yaoyao were also breaking through successively.

Thus, Lu Changsheng instinctively thought this surge of magical energy came from his son Lu Ping’an, who was cultivating at home.

However, due to previous experiences, he felt something was amiss; it didn’t resemble a breakthrough from Layer One to Layer Two.

As he pondered.

【Name: Lu Ping’an】

【Lifespan: 103/607】

【Talent: Fourth-rank Spirit Root, Undying Golden Body (Superior Spirit Body)】

【Cultivation: Core Formation Layer One】

【Traits: Body Refinement Compatibility (112%)】

“It’s not Ping’an?”

Lu Changsheng frowned and glanced over at his son Lu Quanzhen.

【Name: Lu Quanzhen】

【Lifespan: 100/346】

【Talent: Fourth-rank Spirit Root, Kunpeng Demon Body (Superior Spirit Body)】

【Cultivation: Core Formation Layer Three】

【Traits: Combat Compatibility (83%)】

“Quanzhen just broke through to Layer Three?”

Lu Changsheng recalled that his son Lu Quanzhen had broken through from Layer One to Layer Two four years ago.

Even if he didn’t have to spend time on divine abilities and artifacts and could focus solely on cultivation, this speed seemed a bit too fast.

After all, his son Lu Quanzhen only had a Fourth-rank Spirit Root.

“Looks like Quanzhen has an excellent opportunity.”

Aside from regular cultivation, such a rapid breakthrough would naturally require a great opportunity and exceptional heavenly materials and treasures.

With the lifespan of his son unaffected, Lu Changsheng felt at ease.

Moreover, he had previously given Lu Quanzhen a quasi-fourth-tier substitute talisman.

It could be said that unless he encountered a Nascent Soul cultivator, top-tier Core Formation cultivators would struggle to catch him.

Kunpeng Nest.

Within a sprightly and fragrant spiritual pond brimming with mist and radiance,

Lu Quanzhen sat cross-legged, surrounded by the illusory forms of the Kunpeng, continuously refining the sparkling liquid. His body glimmered brilliantly, as if undergoing a transformation.

After a long while, his body crackled like a snake shedding its skin, expelling the old layers, impurities, and even bone debris in a powerful display, elevating his physique to the threshold of third-tier.

The moment Lu Quanzhen opened his eyes, they resembled two dark, enchanting voids that could captivate the soul, but they quickly shifted to a serene state, returning to simplicity. He looked towards the nearby Wu Gu Old Demon and Shi Hai True Lord, bowing respectfully, “Thank you, seniors.”

“Hehe, since we brought you in, naturally, you won’t miss out on the rewards.”

The thin Wu Gu Old Demon, with prominent cheekbones lending a hollowness to his face, appeared to smile while lacking genuine warmth.

“Tsk, you’ve got some solid willpower; you can handle such a domineering body-refinement technique without a sound.”

Compared to Wu Gu Old Demon, Shi Hai True Lord nearby radiated a more welcoming vibe, shining friendliness towards Lu Quanzhen.

He continued, “Let’s go. Time is of the essence. If you can help me secure the core opportunity, this Huaying Pill will be yours. Even as a direct disciple of Tianmo Sect, it wouldn’t be easy to acquire a Huaying Pill.”

As he spoke, a porcelain vial appeared in Shi Hai True Lord’s palm.

Even though Lu Quanzhen knew that these two couldn’t be entirely benevolent and that once he secured the core opportunity, they were likely to kill him to silence him, seeing the vial in Shi Hai True Lord’s hand still made his heart race.

Huaying Pill could help Core Formation cultivators more smoothly transition from core to nascent soul—becoming a Nascent Soul True Lord! In Jiang Kingdom or even in the Starry Sea over the past years, he had never heard of any occurrences of a Huaying Pill.

To his astonishment, Shi Hai True Lord actually had one in hand! “Thank you, senior!”

Although Lu Quanzhen didn’t harbor any expectations, he still expressed his joy and excitement.

The Wu Gu Old Demon beside him observed this scene and glanced at the porcelain vial in Shi Hai True Lord’s hand, sneering silently without saying a word.