Chapter 782: Celestial Birth and Abyssal Reckoning

Starry Sea, Penglai Island, Divine Maiden Palace.

At this very moment, within the Divine Maiden Hall, shrouded in swirling mists atop the mountains, three Divine Maiden Palace matriarchs have gathered.

But instead of engaging in casual chatter or discussing major affairs as usual, they are here to give birth.

Inside a chamber permeated with swirling spiritual energy and ethereal aura, twelve gauzy palace lanterns illuminate a millennia-old jade bed that shimmers brilliantly.

The Great Palace Master, Shen Jianjia, sits beside the bed with deep concern, watching Shen Yiren—dressed in a sky-blue gauze dress, her face pale and weak, with a noticeably swollen belly.

Her graceful, exquisite beauty has lost the awe-inspiring air it once held, now overflowing with tenderness and worry.

Even though her little sister, given her advanced cultivation, should never suffer such mortal childbirth complications,

seeing her in such agony still breaks her heart.

Her little sister had never known such hardship from childhood.

Nearby, the Five-Colored Spirit Deer, equally concerned for its master, intermittently lets out soft calls that create a radiant aura, nourishing Shen Yiren’s jade-like body.

“I told you, there’s no need to consume so many natural treasures for nurturing the fetus.”

Not far away, the Second Palace Master, Shen Baishuang, clad in a magnificent red gown reminiscent of blooming crimson peonies, strides through the palace with a mature, enchanting grace.

At their level, when it comes to their own little sister’s pregnancy and childbirth, they naturally spare no expense.

For instance, Shen Jianjia not only provided Shen Yiren with several rare spirit medicines for nurturing the fetus from the Divine Maiden Palace treasury but also ventured to the Pill Alliance to procure a [Tianmu Prenatal Spirit Pill].

Yet every advantage comes with a drawback.

While this ensures a safe birth and gives the child a head start from the womb, it inevitably places extra stress on the mother.

After all, these natural treasures must be absorbed and refined by the mother before their spiritual essences are transferred to the fetus.

“Ah——”

Another wave of excruciating pain strikes; on the bed, Shen Yiren bites her pale lips while clutching her sister’s delicate hand.

Her stunning features suddenly tighten as Shen Jianjia scolds her second sister, “Don’t just sit there like a mute – activate the Xuanji Qiyao Formation!”

Shen Baishuang, facing her sister Shen Jianjia, dares not retort.

Besides, her little sister’s pregnancy, which also implicated her in some way, made the situation even more pressing.

At her fingertips, starlight gathers and directs its glow toward the twelve gauzy palace lanterns.

The seven layers of curtains flutter mysteriously without wind, and the outermost Midnight Curtain reflects phantom stars onto the palace, casting a gentle glow over Shen Yiren’s bed while her belly shimmers with starlight.

Soon after, the second-layer Yimu Curtain begins to drift, revealing the faint outline of a towering Jianmu tree from which dewdrops cascade, sprinkling her with a subtle green radiance.

In short, to ensure her little sister could give birth safely and secure the future of the Divine Maiden Palace, Shen Jianjia spared no effort.

She had once expended tremendous power to suppress the [Tears of the Fairy] for her two sisters, and in the days that followed, she rushed about for little sister Shen Yiren, leaving no time to cultivate her divine abilities or recover lost cultivation.

As time slowly passed, after several hours, Shen Yiren was suddenly overwhelmed by severe pain, and a blue-green glow emerged over her swollen belly.

Shen Jianjia quickly lit the exceedingly rare Star Sinking Sea Breath Fragrance to soothe her sister.

“Wow!”

As enveloping spiritual energy surged into Shen Yiren, a clear cry burst from her cracked, pale lips while the newborn’s piercing wail echoed throughout the chamber.

“It’s born, it’s born!”

Shen Baishuang looked at the exquisitely sculpted infant with glass-like skin exuding a faint magnetic aura, frowned, and said, “Could this energy be the Nascent Magnetic Body?”

Although the Nascent Magnetic Body is considered a top-tier Spirit Body among the elite,

for beings like these Nascent Soul True Lords, a high-grade Spirit Body only aids during Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, and Core Formation.

Once past the Nascent Soul stage, its benefits become limited.

Moreover, although the Nascent Magnetic Body is formidable, it doesn’t align with the heritage of the Divine Maiden Palace.

Their palace lacks a top-tier Nascent Magnetic Technique inheritance.

Previously, when Shen Jianjia set up the Xuanji Qiyao Formation, it was in hopes that this child would be endowed with a Celestial Body.

At the very least, the child would possess a spirit body with either water or wood attributes.

“It must be the Nascent Magnetic Body.”

Even though the nascent magnetic energy on the infant vanished immediately after birth, Shen Jianjia, as a Nascent Soul True Lord, could clearly sense it.

Unperturbed, she murmured, “The prowess of Nascent Magnetic energy is unrivaled among peers. It’s a blessing that this child possesses a Nascent Magnetic Body. In the future, I shall procure for him a Nascent Magnetic Inheritance.”

With a look of deep concern, she turned to her sister Shen Yiren and handed the infant to her.

But at that moment, she suddenly noticed faint streaks of blood in the gaps of the infant’s tiny, clenched right fist.

“What is this?”

Not only did she notice, but Shen Baishuang also spotted the blood and quickly unclenched the infant’s fist.

“Don’t move!”

Shen Jianjia immediately halted her, a plum blossom mark glowing at the center of her brow as her eyes shimmered with blue starlight.

“Sister?”

Shen Yiren also glanced at her infant’s delicate, pink fist, puzzled by the sight.

“It’s nothing. This child was born with immortal bones that haven’t fully fused yet, which is why his fist forms with clotted blood.”

With an imposing yet graceful visage softened by a tender smile, Shen Jianjia spoke.

Possessing a Nascent Magnetic Body, this child’s innate talent is considered excellent.

But with both the Nascent Magnetic Body and the clotted-blood trait, his potential is more than the sum of its parts.

Especially since such a spirit body coexists with immortal bones, he might in the future merge them to further strengthen his foundation.

“The immortal bones haven’t fully fused yet?”

At these words, both Shen Baishuang and Shen Yiren beamed with joy.

For if they hadn’t fused, either the child would be inherently flawed or his immortal bones were too potent, needing gradual integration as he grew.

And this child, having been nurtured in the womb with numerous natural treasures, could not possibly be inherently flawed.

Moreover, if there were any congenital defects, how could he possibly exhibit clotted blood in his tiny fist!

“Baby.”

With a weak expression, Shen Yiren gazed at the son cradled in her arms, dazed at the sudden reality of motherhood.

After a brief moment, she looked toward her sister Shen Jianjia and softly said, “Sister, please name the child.”

As the eldest sister is like a mother, she had always held Shen Jianjia in high esteem, so she willingly handed over the naming rights.

After a moment’s thought, Shen Jianjia said, “Very well, he shall be called—Yuan Ming.”

“‘Yuan’ signifies the beginning, the root of all things, and refers to the Nascent Magnetic Body—a nod to the eldest son of our Divine Maiden Palace.”

“Ming means the vast, unfathomable ocean, reflecting his mysterious fate born of clotted blood and signifying that one day he might command the endless deep.”

Shen Jianjia gazed at the child in Shen Yiren’s arms and spoke slowly.

“Yuan Ming, Shen Yuan Ming.”

Both Shen Baishuang and Shen Yiren chanted the name aloud, instinctively appending their shared surname ‘Shen’ to it.

As for Lu Changsheng—needless to say, they already knew his true name.

Only Shen Yiren faintly recalled his parting words—that he would return after reaching Nascent Soul to propose.

Both Shen Jianjia and Shen Baishuang subconsciously regarded the child as part of the Shen family bloodline, never considering that the Xuamu Daoist might return.

Nearby, the Five-Colored Spirit Deer chirped in celebration for its young master.

At this moment, in the Land of Eternal Night,

deep within the Forbidden Mountains and the Demon Abyss,

Lu Changsheng, along with the Soul-Taking Beast and Qian Zhuyan, is locked in battle with a Fourth-Rank Demon.

After more than half a year of sealing demons, the demonic aura in the Demon Abyss has noticeably waned.

Where once jet-black beams—like furious strikes of oceanic serpents—assaulted the skies, now they are overshadowed by misty, colorful auspicious clouds.

“Boom, boom, boom!!!”

Although most demonic creatures in the Demon Abyss are tightly contained by the grand formation—with only a few Fourth-Rank demons unleashed by the Array Spirit—the pressure on Lu Changsheng, his puppet, and his beast remains immense.

“Clang!”

Just as the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror above Lu Changsheng’s head exerted its pressure and his Da Luo Sword Embryo slashed forth, a system notification echoed in his mind.

【Congratulations, Host, on birthing thirteen spirit offspring! You have earned one lottery chance!】

【Detecting conflict in host’s spirit body effects. Do you wish to fuse them?】

“Huh!?”

The sudden system alert, coupled with the stirring of his spiritual root, made Lu Changsheng instantly realize that the child born over four years ago had finally arrived.

All these years, he had awaited the birth of this child, eager to know who the child’s mother was.

Alas, as cultivation advances, pregnancy cannot be described in ordinary terms—it often lasts two to three years, or even longer.

“I hope the child’s mother is Yiren.”

Lu Changsheng’s heart tightened as he silently prayed.

Even if it were Shen Baishuang, he could accept it; he only feared that the child’s mother might be the Six Paths Demon Concubine.

“Lord!”

In the midst of an ever-changing magical battle, when Lu Changsheng let his guard drop for a moment, a suppressed demon swooped in—and Qian Zhuyan quickly shouted as he stepped in front of him.

Then, Fourth-Rank puppet power erupted, forming a terrifying gust that intercepted the oncoming demon.

After refining most of the Fourth-Rank Soul Crystal, Qian Zhuyan successfully advanced to a true Fourth-Rank Puppet! However, the Land of Eternal Night still affected her, preventing the effortless deployment of her Puppet Battle Formation as outside.

Moreover, her puppet power was limited, remaining only at a marginal level.

Regaining focus, Lu Changsheng saw a burst of solar light emanate from the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror above his head, and his Da Luo Sword Embryo slashed out resoundingly, its brilliant sword light like celestial rays shining over the realm.

Not far away, although Yun Wanshang had seen Lu Changsheng unsheathe his sword countless times, every instance of the radiant Da Luo Sword light left her in awe, prompting her desire to learn more about swordsmanship.

Yet, her lingering pride prevented her from easily seeking his guidance.

Moreover, sensing that Lu Changsheng’s sword intent was tied to his sword embryo, she chose not to ask further to avoid any misunderstanding.

Moments later, under the combined suppression of Lu Changsheng and Qian Zhuyan, the battle-ready Soul-Taking Beast roared as a vast surge of Soul-Seizing Divine Light engulfed the demon before them.

“Senior.”

Lu Changsheng immediately called out to the Array Spirit in the abyss, signaling that they should take a rest.

Then, returning to the formation markings, he smiled gently at Yun Wanshang, sat cross-legged, and silently recited the system.

Noticing that Lu Changsheng was not holding her hand and chatting as usual, Yun Wanshang was a bit surprised but focused on the situation at hand.

Although sealing demons is incredibly tedious, after so many years in the Land of Eternal Night, she had grown accustomed to it.

“It truly is Yiren!”

Looking at the family interface and seeing that the child’s mother is Shen Yiren, Lu Changsheng heaved a sigh of relief.

After all, if the child’s mother were Shen Baishuang or the Six Paths Demon Concubine, he truly wouldn’t know what to do.

【Name: Shen Yuanming】

【Lifespan: 1/101】

【Talent: Earth Spiritual Root, Nascent Magnetic Body (Superior Spirit Body)】

【Cultivation: None】

【Ability: Medical Aptitude (50%)】

The latest short story is exclusively first released on Liu9 Book!

Lu Changsheng looked at the panel and immediately realized that Shen Yiren had given birth to a son.

Although the son carries the Shen surname, as the father of hundreds of children, Lu Changsheng didn’t really mind.

After all, since all three of Shen Yiren’s sisters are women, having a son with the Shen name doesn’t matter.

“It turns out to be a Nascent Magnetic Body.”

Noticing his son’s spirit body, Lu Changsheng narrowed his eyes slightly.

Having spent years studying spirit bodies, he was well aware of the Nascent Magnetic Body.

This is an extremely top-tier Superior Spirit Body that can naturally wield Nascent Magnetic power.

Nascent Magnetic power is a force that doesn’t belong to the Five Elements, yet it can subdue them.

It is particularly effective against metal-based magical instruments like the Flying Sword.

However, this spirit body also has a drawback: top-tier inheritances are extremely rare.

They are even rarer than spatial spirit bodies.

For instance, he once had a grandson named Lu Xuanchong who possessed a [Void Spirit Body]; yet after searching long in the Immortal City of Damengze, he only managed to obtain a peripheral cultivation manual—in fragmentary form.

As for top-tier Nascent Magnetic techniques, he had almost never heard of any.

“The child’s aunt, as the mistress of Penglai Island’s Divine Maiden Palace, should know about the Nascent Magnetic Inheritance.”

Lu Changsheng was not worried about his son’s cultivation technique inheritance.

After all, the child had just been born and need not rush cultivation.

And given her background, her techniques wouldn’t be lacking either.

“What’s wrong?”

Yun Wanshang noticed a subtle change in Lu Changsheng’s expression, suspecting he had been affected by the demon moments earlier.

“It’s nothing—I just had a sudden insight.”

Lu Changsheng smiled at Yun Wanshang and explained that he hadn’t rushed to fuse the Nascent Magnetic Body with his Chaos Body before speaking with her.

They say time nurtures affection.

In the Demon Abyss of Eternal Night, the two of them are the only ones free to converse.

Moreover, their Yin-Yang energies and psychic forces complement each other perfectly, making it impossible to part ways.

Thus, over time, aside from Yun Wanshang occasionally maintaining a hint of her poise, the two had grown as comfortable as an old married couple.

Afterwards.

“System, lottery draw.”

Although Lu Changsheng had long disregarded ordinary lottery draws,

being in the Land of Eternal Night now, he wondered if he might draw something beneficial.

Besides, a lottery draw after the battle would surely lift his spirits.

【Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining the Immortal Bone: Hundred Poison Jade Scale Bone】

【Rewards have been sent to the system space. The host can check them at any time.】

A vividly colored arm bone pattern emerged from the lottery disc, accompanied by a system notification sound.

“Immortal Bone!?”

Lu Changsheng’s heart skipped a beat.

He knew well that Immortal Bones were the coveted term for innate, bloodline-based, mutated organs.

For instance, after consuming [Divine Treasure Pill] to activate his Kidney Divine Treasure, his kidneys could now be considered a type of Immortal Bone.

The Nine Treasures Dao Bone, his son Lu Ping’an’s Wild Dragon Spine, and even his son Lu Lingxiao’s hand bones could all be termed Immortal Bones.

Even his son Lu Lingxiao’s eyes, though mutated, hadn’t yet reached the status of Immortal Bones.

He hadn’t expected to obtain an Immortal Bone through an ordinary lottery draw.

【Hundred Poison Jade Scale Bone】

【Grade: Third-Rank】

【Description: Forged by the Hundred Poison True Lord using 999 potent toxins, this bone grants immunity to and absorption of various poisons while enhancing poison techniques by 30%. After circulating and falling to Third-Rank, it can be nurtured with potent toxins to upgrade its grade.】

Lu Changsheng read the Immortal Bone description and thought it was quite promising.

Even though he had no use for it,

to most cultivators it would be extremely practical.

It can confer immunity and the ability to neutralize and absorb potent toxins.

Cultivators practicing poison techniques would see their abilities significantly enhanced with this bone.

“Since it was refined for the Nascent Soul True Lord and its grade dropped, it can be nurtured with potent toxins to upgrade. Does that mean Xiao’er’s Immortal Bone can also be further enhanced?”

Lu Changsheng, reading the last line of the system description, recalled his son’s earlier acquisition of the [Universal Law Eternal Bone] in the Secret Realm, and resolved to study it thoroughly upon his return.

As for this Hundred Poison Jade Scale Bone, he considered giving it to his wife, Meng Xiaochan, or to his yet unseen daughter, Lu Jiangtang.

He had no thought for his daughter, Lu Mengchan.

Not to mention that she possessed a Calamity Poison Body and was undeterred by myriad toxins—her very nature made her a wasted asset.

Time flew by, and before they knew it, another year had passed.

During these days, Lu Changsheng spent his time sealing demons and conversing with Yun Wanshang while cultivating.

After their relentless efforts, the surface of the Demon Abyss now exudes only a faint layer of demonic aura, rather than the deep, oppressive stillness of before.

“My friend, thank you for your hard work all this time. The remaining demons are beyond your ability to clear.”

That day, from deep within the Demon Abyss, a hoary voice addressed Lu Changsheng.

After so long of sealing demons, its state seemed to have somewhat recovered, no longer as feeble as in the beginning.

“So, what exactly do you imply, Senior?”

Upon hearing this, Lu Changsheng raised his eyebrows.

Although he had amassed many Soul Crystals from the sealing, he still longed to leave as soon as possible.

“If you wish to leave, my friend, I can see you out; though I do have a small favor to ask.”

The aged voice slowly uttered.

“You even mention a ‘favor’ knowing what it implies?”

Lu Changsheng was at a loss for words but respectfully cupped his hands, saying, “Please, Senior, speak.”

“Deep within the Demon Abyss, there are still many Fourth-Rank demons; even with the aid of formation power, your current strength would scarcely suffice to eliminate them.”

“Therefore, I wish to ask you to break through to Nascent Soul and return here to help seal the demons. If possible, bring along a Formation Grandmaster to assist in repairing this grand sealing formation.”

The aged voice spoke to Lu Changsheng, laced with regret.

If both you and the Punishment Beast were at the Nascent Soul stage, its pressure could be greatly alleviated.

“Agreed.”

Although sealing demons yields little benefit, the demons’ Soul Crystals are valuable rare spirit materials that can aid the Soul-Taking Beast’s growth.

Once he breaks through to Nascent Soul, if he has no pressing matters, Lu Changsheng doesn’t mind bringing the Soul-Taking Beast along to help seal the demons.

Moreover, through years of sealing demons, he understood that if the grand sealing formation ever failed, this Land of Eternal Night would transform into a demon-infested realm.

At that point, demons or other malevolent creatures traveling through spatial gateways would begin to emerge and wreak havoc.

Though Lu Changsheng was no saint, if he had the means, he was willing to do a little good within his capacity.

Afterwards, Lu Changsheng asked, “Senior, our journey to the Land of Eternal Night was triggered by an encounter with the Phantom Ship. If we wish to return here in the future, how should we go about it?”

In the depths of the Demon Abyss, a majestic, nearly ten-foot-tall Sacred Qilin, treading on auspicious clouds, appeared.

It spat out a five-colored jade slip and said, “My memory is fragmented; I am not aware of any Phantom Ship.”

“But as an Array Spirit, I do understand a bit of formation techniques. This jade records some formation insights along with an entire formation technique.”

“In the future, you can use this jade as a medium to set up formations for accessing the sealing grounds.”

After speaking, it spat out a blood jade the size of an egg, gleaming like red agate divine marrow, and continued, “This is my blood marrow, far surpassing the effectiveness of previous essence blood by dozens of times. It is the best reward I can offer you now.”

“My friend, your contributions to sealing demons will earn you the blessing of hidden heavenly and earthly fortunes once you leave here. If you wish to break through your current realm, now is the time.”

“This blood marrow can also serve as a Spirit Item.”

The aged voice said to Lu Changsheng.

“Thank you, Senior! Once I break through to Nascent Soul and gain sufficient strength, I will certainly return to help you seal the demons!”

Although the reward was merely a drop of blood marrow,

Lu Changsheng could clearly feel the overwhelming essence within it, even sensing an ineffable aura of sanctity and auspicious energy.

He knew that such blood marrow required the expenditure of one’s primal essence to condense—far beyond what mere essence blood could compare to.

However, a question persisted in his mind: the elderly one before him is an Array Spirit, so why would he possess essence blood, let alone such refined blood marrow? Could it be that the core of this grand formation—the Array Spirit—is in fact a Fourth- or even Fifth-Rank Qilin?

His gaze turned toward the heart of the Demon Abyss, shrouded in black mist and interconnected with numerous formation markings that resembled a Qilin-like mountain.

“I trouble you, my friend.”

The aged voice slowly echoed, as if weary.

Then, the Qilin transformed into a burst of five-colored radiant light, enveloping Lu Changsheng, Yun Wanshang, and Qian Zhuyan like a multicolored sky beam slicing through the dark night before vanishing.