Chapter 720: Fourth-Tier Puppet, Heading to the Starry Sea!

Bihu Mountain, Hundred Refinements Peak.

Beneath the fire-mulberry tree, within the scorching insect chamber.

“It seems these Iron Fire Ants have reached their growth bottleneck.”

Lu Chensha sighed, looking at the dense mass of Iron Fire Ants, forming fiery red balls.

He knew these Iron Fire Ants had reached a limit.

To grow further, they needed to be fed various rare metal ores, forcing them to kill and devour each other.

This process was extremely time-consuming, energy-draining, and resource-intensive.

“However, they’re barely enough for my needs. As long as I don’t encounter Core Formation cultivators, I should be fine.”

Lu Chensha mused inwardly, thinking that with the Iron Fire Ants reaching a small success, it was time for him to venture out in search of a Core Formation opportunity.

Previously, he had planned to venture out after breaking through to the sixth level of Foundation Establishment.

But after reaching the sixth level, he thought about it and decided there was no need to rush.

After all, the Lu Family’s benefits were excellent.

Besides, his duties included overseeing the Lu Family’s Spirit Beast matters, helping the family cultivate Iron Fire Ants, refining [Refined Crystal], and receiving extra rewards.

So, under these circumstances, occasionally going to the Black Cloud Mountain Range to hunt wasn’t something he was short on resources for.

But now, the Iron Fire Ants, the Defiled God Insects, and the Ghost-Faced Soul-Devouring Spiders were all at their growth bottlenecks. Relying on the family’s resources and the Black Cloud Mountain Range’s demonic beasts was simply insufficient.

He needed to go to places like the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, Immortal City of Qingluan, and Immortal City of Damengze to accumulate enough resources to help the Defiled God Insects and Ghost-Faced Soul-Devouring Spiders break through, and then plot for Core Formation.

“Although the Liang-Yue war is chaotic, with the Immortal City of Qingluan nearby, the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range shouldn’t be affected.”

The news of Qingluan Zhenren’s departure was not widely known, except for the upper echelons of the Immortal City of Qingluan and the four major Immortal Sects.

Even the other forces, except for the Heavenly Sword Sect, weren’t sure if the news was real or fake, as Qingluan Zhenren was known for using false information to confuse people.

Therefore, Lu Chensha wasn’t aware that the Immortal City of Qingluan currently had no Nascent Soul True Lord overseeing it.

“Should I break through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment before going out?”

Considering the dangers of the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, Lu Chensha felt it would be safer to break through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment first.

Although he only had a fifth-grade Spirit Root, cultivating the Beast Art, and contracting the [Defiled God Insects], [Ghost-Faced Soul-Devouring Spiders], and [Thousand-Legged Centipede] made his cultivation speed comparable to that of a superior-grade Spirit Root.

Under these circumstances, staying at home until the late stage of Foundation Establishment wasn’t difficult.

“Forget it, I’ll just cultivate to the peak of the sixth level and see.”

Even if he was confident in breaking through to the seventh level of Foundation Establishment at home, the bottleneck from the sixth to the seventh level would take a lot of time and effort to overcome.

If his father asked why he was still cultivating at home, it would be a little awkward.

After feeding the Iron Fire Ants, Lu Chensha left the insect chamber and went to Bishi Lake to check on the other Spirit Beasts the family was raising.

“Chensha.”

At that moment, a Lu Family disciple came to tell him that the Lady had summoned him.

“Alright, I’ll go right away!”

Lu Chensha didn’t ask anything and immediately flew toward Biyun Peak, arriving at the Lu Family Compound.

In the main hall, he saw Lu Miaoge and Lu Miaoyun chatting.

“Chensha greets Aunt!”

Lu Chensha quickly bowed and saluted.

Although Lu Miaoge was in charge at Bihu Mountain, she rarely appeared in person. Most matters were handled by Lu Miaoyun.

So, he immediately realized that something important must have happened.

“Chensha, how is your cultivation recently?”

Lu Miaoge treated the Lu Family disciples similarly to Lu Changsheng, without much authoritative pressure, like a gentle breeze, making them feel close.

Many of the Lu Family disciples even held Lu Miaoge and Lu Miaoyun in higher esteem.

After inquiring about Lu Chensha’s recent situation, Lu Miaoge continued, “Have you heard about the [Abyss Secret Realm] in Damengze recently?”

“I’ve heard a little.”

Although Lu Chensha rarely went out, he still kept up with the outside world.

Mainly after the Azure Cloud Sect released this information, many Lu Family disciples discussed it, so he naturally knew about it.

However, he didn’t have many thoughts about this secret realm.

On one hand, False Core cultivators could enter the secret realm.

On the other hand, his abilities would be weakened by half if he went to a vast water area like Da Mengze.

“Senior Hong Lian has sent a message, suggesting that you should also go and take a look at this [Abyss Secret Realm].”

Lu Miaoge said gently, her demeanor as smooth as water.

Although Lu Changsheng did not force these matters, letting his children choose for themselves.

However, the secret realm affairs were now fully managed by Hong Lian and Ling Zixiao.

Therefore, Hong Lian directly named some Lu Family disciples to go.

Not expecting much gain, but simply using this opportunity to broaden their horizons and gain experience.

Of course, the main reason was that the secret realm was under their control, so there was no need to worry about accidents.

Lu Chensha was stunned to hear that Senior Hong Lian had actually summoned him to the Abyss Secret Realm.

But since Lu Miaoge had already said so, he naturally couldn’t refuse, and immediately cupped his fist and said, “Yes, Chensha will go prepare.”

“There is no need to rush such things. Later, there will be an Azure Cloud Spirit Ship going to Immortal City of Damengze. You can take the spirit ship.”

“Also, you can go with Xiao Qin, Xuan Qian, and Qing Ze. Once you arrive in Immortal City of Damengze, you can go look for Wangshu and the others.”

Lu Miaoge said gently, dressed in a simple white dress, her temperament elegant and refined.

“Eldest Sister-in-law, Qing Ze, Xuan Qian, and Sister Wangshu are also going?”

Lu Chensha was slightly taken aback and somewhat surprised.

“The Immortal City of Damengze will be issuing some rewards. You should try to perform well.”

Lu Miaoge encouraged Lu Chensha a few more times, then gestured for him to go deal with his affairs.

As the news of the Abyss Secret Realm spread and continued to develop, many Foundation Establishment cultivators and False Core True Lords rushed to Damengze.

And the Immortal City of Damengze also took this opportunity to hold several auctions, creating a bustling atmosphere.

Lu Changsheng, as the master of the Immortal City, was completely unaware of these things and didn’t care at all. He was fully focused on helping Qian Zhuyan upgrade the puppet’s quality.

That day, he perfectly inlaid a top-grade mirror Dao-Comprehending Artifact into Qian Zhuyan’s chest as a protective heart mirror, further protecting the internal puppet core.

Then, under Qian Zhuyan’s guidance, the two of them worked together to outline runes on the puppet’s body.

After a long time, the protective heart mirror and Qian Zhuyan’s puppet body perfectly fused, forming an invisible aura.

At this moment, Qian Zhuyan’s puppet body, from top to bottom, inside and out, was upgraded to fourth-tier quality!

“Fourth-tier puppet!”

Qian Zhuyan felt her own body, her soul fire flickering in her eye sockets, a husky, somber voice filled with unprecedented joy.

This joy was not just about advancing to a fourth-tier puppet! It was also about finally creating a fourth-tier puppet herself!

Although she had confidence before and had simulated it countless times in her mind, she had never had the opportunity to practice it.

Now, Lu Changsheng had not only helped her realize her dream, but also shown her a hope for revenge! “Thank you, Master!”

Qian Zhuyan cupped her fist towards Lu Changsheng, expressing her joy and gratitude.

After spending a year together, she had developed many good feelings for her talented and handsome master, Lu Changsheng.

After all, who could refuse a generous, gentle, erudite, and handsome man?

Especially since Qian Zhuyan had focused on cultivation and researching puppetry in her early years, and had never focused her attention on romantic relationships.

Now that she had suddenly come into contact with such an excellent man as Lu Changsheng, how could she resist?

If her heart wasn’t filled with deep hatred and she was not a puppet body, she might have already fallen for Lu Changsheng’s advances.

Yes, it was indeed advances.

This year, although he was helping upgrade the puppet, Lu Changsheng was also trying to increase the intimacy between himself and Qian Zhuyan.

After all, relying solely on a cooperative relationship would ultimately lack trust. Intimacy was necessary.

And after so much contact, Lu Changsheng also realized that Qian Zhuyan was a talent.

A truly top-tier talent!

Not only was she skilled in puppetry, but she also had extraordinary talent in Artifact Refining!

She could extrapolate from many of his knowledge and concepts in the [Divine Creation Refinement Art].

If he passed on the [Divine Creation Refinement Art] to her, she would absolutely become a fourth-tier Artifact Refining Grandmaster! A fourth-tier puppet and an Artifact Refining Grandmaster, Lu Changsheng naturally wanted to completely subdue her.

“Xiao Yan, you are too polite. I have also benefited greatly these days.”

Lu Changsheng said with a happy expression.

This was not a lie.

From his interactions with Qian Zhuyan over the past few days, exchanging knowledge about puppetry, his puppetry level had improved by leaps and bounds.

He felt he could use Qian Zhuyan to upgrade his family’s puppetry techniques, factory, and the Thousand-Faced Fox Puppet.

Of course, the main reason for his happiness was that Qian Zhuyan’s quality had reached the fourth-tier, raising his strength to another level!

“Xiao Yan, you’ve been working very hard these days. Take a good rest. After I deal with the matters at hand, we’ll head to the Starry Sea.”

Qian Zhuyan had barely rested this entire year.

The issue of the puppet spirit’s erosion was directly resolved by Lu Changsheng’s [Six Desire Heart Demon Technique].

But long periods of high-intensity work would still cause soul fatigue, requiring rest to alleviate it.

“Okay.”

Qian Zhuyan knew about Lu Changsheng’s plan to go to the Starry Sea. Her husky, somber voice was a bit gentler than before.

Then, she activated her [Minor Deduction Technique] and entered a state of deep sleep.

Lu Changsheng left the puppet hall, spent time with his wives, and asked about the situation in Immortal City of Hong Lian these days.

Upon hearing that the Abyss Secret Realm matters were ready and would open in three months, with many Lu Family disciples participating, Lu Changsheng slightly nodded.

He knew that Hong Lian and Ling Zixiao were more adept at handling these matters than he was.

“Since we’re giving out rewards, let’s make it big and set the first-place reward as a Condensing Crystal Pill.”

“If Xiao’er can’t win it, then let Wangshu try to win it!”

Hearing that Hong Lian had placed three hundred and sixty-five tokens in the secret realm and would announce a message that the top ten token holders would receive generous rewards, Lu Changsheng decided to make it more exciting.

He would use this to stimulate and encourage his children.

This also showed his absolute confidence in his children.

One Lu Lingxiao might find it difficult to suppress everyone.

But with an additional Lu Wangshu, the two of them working together would definitely be able to win first place!

If someone else could still win under these circumstances, then he, Lu Changsheng, would accept the loss and take it as a lesson, and no longer underestimate the world and properly educate and nurture his children.

“If the reward is set to a Condensing Crystal Pill, then this secret realm will be very lively.”

Hong Lian knew that Lu Changsheng had absolute confidence in the Lu Family disciples.

But this would undoubtedly increase the difficulty for Lu Lingxiao.

“Since we’re going to do it, we might as well make it lively.”

Lu Changsheng smiled faintly.

Before, he didn’t have the means and was reluctant to part with a Condensing Crystal Pill.

But now, with five Condensing Crystal Pills and three Yusui Jinzhizhi in hand, he could afford to lose one.

Besides, he was now the master of Immortal City of Damengze, a Nascent Soul True Lord in many people’s eyes.

If he hosted a secret realm event and was still being stingy, what would outsiders think of him? “By the way, I will have to trouble you with Xiao Ling’er’s Core Formation later.”

Previously, Lu Changsheng had planned to help his wife Bai Ling with her Core Formation this time.

But now he really didn’t have time, so he entrusted this matter to Hong Lian.

However, with Bai Ling’s talent and the presence of Condensing Crystal Pills and Five Elements Spirit Fruits, her Core Formation should be almost guaranteed.

“Don’t worry, Husband.”

Hong Lian said with a gentle smile, asking Lu Changsheng when he was planning to go to the Starry Sea.

“I’ll go back to Bihu Mountain one more time, and then I’ll be about ready to leave.”

Lu Changsheng planned to say goodbye to Lu Miaoge, Lu Miaoyun, Xiao Xiyue, and the others.

Then, he would release the trained Shadow, use the information to stabilize the Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain, and then head straight to the Starry Sea.

“Okay.”

Hong Lian snuggled into Lu Changsheng’s arms and whispered.

“I won’t take Ah Wu and the Spirit Whale. If you encounter any situation, you can directly order the Spirit Whale to take action.”

After thinking for a long time, Lu Changsheng decided not to take the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale for the time being.

On one hand, Immortal City of Damengze needed a powerful force to guard it.

If both he and the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale were gone, it would be very difficult to deal with if a Nascent Soul level power were to attack.

For example, when the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale was undergoing its tribulation, he had killed a fourth-tier Flood Dragon King and chased away a fourth-tier Demonic King. If the latter stirred up a beast tide, it would be extremely dangerous.

Although he could quickly return with the Misty Dust Banner, the two places were far apart. If something were to delay him, it would be very troublesome.

On the other hand, the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale had only just broken through to the fourth-tier and needed time to digest the inherited memories and awaken its innate Divine Abilities.

His main purpose in going to the Starry Sea this time was to understand the situation of the Huaying Pill and fourth-tier Spirit Grounds, as well as find the whereabouts of his son Lu Quanzhen.

With his current battle strength, plus Qian Zhuyan, the Golden-Winged Roc, and the Soul-Taking Beast, it was enough to handle most situations.

If he really encountered something he couldn’t solve, it wouldn’t be too late to bring the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale and Hong Lian.

Furthermore, the Southern Desolation and the Starry Sea might have connections. If he brought the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale and used Yangming Zhenren’s Divine Abilities, he might attract unwanted attention.

“Husband, you’re not bringing the Spirit Whale?”

Hong Lian was a bit surprised, knowing that Lu Changsheng had been waiting for the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale to break through to the fourth-tier.

“Yeah, the Spirit Whale just advanced to the fourth-tier and needs some time to settle down. Besides, with the Spirit Whale guarding the house, I feel more at ease.”

Lu Changsheng said this.

After spending time with his wives, Hong Lian, Ling Zixiao, Meng Xiaochan, and Bai Ling, Lu Changsheng went to see his children and encouraged them, telling them to perform well in this secret realm.

Then, he called his daughter Lu Wangshu aside and told her about his son Lu Lingxiao, suggesting she help him out as his older sister.

“Got it~”,

Although Lu Wangshu was usually playful and teased her younger siblings, she knew what was important.

Besides, Aunt Ling Zixiao had already told her about this matter.

Hoping that she could help Lu Lingxiao a little.

She had never seen this aunt so concerned in the past decades, so she knew how much importance she placed on this.

“The first-place reward this time is a Condensing Crystal Pill. It’s prepared for you and Lingxiao. Don’t disappoint your father.”

Lu Changsheng looked at his bright-faced daughter and spoke with a bit of indulgence in his voice.

This secret realm wasn’t just for his son Lu Lingxiao to perform well.

It was also a stage for his daughter Lu Wangshu.

“Dad, aren’t you afraid we’ll lose?”

Lu Wangshu’s red lips parted slightly, her eyes wide upon hearing the first-place reward was a Condensing Crystal Pill.

“Isn’t that because I have confidence in you?”

Lu Changsheng chuckled.

“What if we lose?”

Lu Wangshu was very distressed, feeling that her old man had actually used such a rare pill as a reward.

Even though she knew the probability of others taking it was extremely low, she was still very heartbroken.

One shouldn’t reveal their wealth! “If you lose, your Condensing Crystal Pill, your father will have to think of another way.”

Lu Changsheng spread his hands.

“Dad, you actually used my Condensing Crystal Pill as a reward!”

Upon hearing that the Condensing Crystal Pill originally belonged to her, Lu Wangshu became even more distressed, her bright eyes glaring as she wished she could bite her father.

“Look at you, such a money grubber.”

Lu Changsheng tapped his daughter’s forehead, annoyed.

He couldn’t understand how this little padded jacket, who had never lacked anything since she was little, could be so greedy for money.

After chatting with his daughter, and giving some instructions to his son Lu Ping’an, Lu Changsheng returned to Bihu Mountain.

After spending a few days with Lu Miaoge, Lu Miaoyun, Lu Miaohuan, Qu Zhenzhen, and others, Lu Changsheng went to the Azure Cloud Sect.

But he learned that Xiao Xiyue was currently out on a mission and not in the Azure Cloud Sect.

“Yuan Kingdom?”

Lu Changsheng learned from the Leader of Qingyun Sect that the Liang-Yue war had reached a stalemate, and the Yuan Kingdom had begun infiltrating the Wu Kingdom, possibly reaching some cooperation with the Liang Kingdom.

Therefore, under these circumstances, the Heavenly Sword Sect had gathered several Core Formation cultivators from the Azure Cloud Sect, Luoxia Sect, and Beast Spirit Sect to help the Yue Kingdom share the pressure, hoping for an early end to the Liang-Yue war.

“Well, this matter might require City Lord Wang to help.”

The Leader of Qingyun Sect mentioned this to Lu Changsheng to pass the message to Immortal City of Damengze, indicating that the situation was currently unstable.

“Ask for my help?”

Lu Changsheng didn’t expect that his polite words to True Lord Juejian would lead to them actually asking for his help.

He was about to go to the Starry Sea and didn’t have time to worry about these things.

After further inquiries and learning that Xiao Xiyue and the others were mainly helping the Yue Kingdom to share the pressure and wouldn’t be in too much danger, Lu Changsheng felt relieved.

Then, he traded ten third-tier talismans with the Azure Cloud Sect before bidding his farewell.

After leaving the Azure Cloud Sect, Lu Changsheng fled tens of thousands of miles and arrived at a mountain range, releasing the trained Shadow from the Divine Maiden’s Furnace.

“Shadow, if there’s any emergency, you can send a message to Bihu Mountain. If there’s no important information, just wait for my return.”

Lu Changsheng looked at Shadow, who was wearing a dark soft armor with an exquisite figure and curves. He gave her five top-grade third-tier talismans, signaling her to try to stabilize the Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain.

He had mentioned the Shadow’s matter to Lu Miaoyun.

If they received a message, the latter would inform Hong Lian to find a solution.

“Yes, Master.”

Shadow replied obediently.

However, to be on the safe side, Lu Changsheng planted a near fourth-tier talisman in her consciousness to prevent the Divine Maiden’s Furnace’s effect from failing.

After completing these tasks, Lu Changsheng returned to the Immortal City of Damengze, preparing to set off for the Starry Sea!