Chapter 785: A Step Forward in Their Bond

Before long, a burst of golden light—vivid as a divine rainbow—sliced through the heavens. The Golden-Winged Roc had returned.

Clad in splendid, colorful palace attire, Yun Wanshang sat quietly atop its back, following the mysterious cues of Heavenly Dao Condensing as she prepared to break through to the Nascent Soul stage.

Normally, the proud Golden-Winged Roc clan would never volunteer to carry or submit to anyone.

But ever since aligning with Lu Changsheng as their master, their standards have been dropping lower and lower.

Not only do they serve as mounts—they’ve been made to bear even the burdens of bloodletting and cart-pulling.

So carrying Yun Wanshang posed no mental burden at all.

After all, spending so much time together had clearly shown them that she was a capable mistress.

Now that she was about to break through, having her ride along was only natural, wasn’t it?

Even as Yun Wanshang held her breath and immersed herself in the enigmatic cues of Heavenly Dao Condensing, her status as a Core Formation cultivator allowed her to sense the outside world.

The moment she stepped onto Crackling Island, she keenly detected an overwhelming aura of magical energy mixed with dreadful demonic qi.

This type of magic was not unfamiliar to her, so she momentarily sent out her divine sense to probe further.

Before her eyes, the island lay in ruins—clear evidence of a fierce battle.

In the distance, a massive creature with charred, shattered scales and flowing blood—its life force long extinguished—immediately drew her attention.

Although this Crackling Beast was utterly dead, as a Fourth-Rank Demon King it still exuded a terrifying, abyss-like aura.

“A Fourth-Rank Transformed Demon King!?”

Yun Wanshang’s heart skipped a beat, nearly breaking her connection to the cues of Heavenly Dao Condensing.

This was simply astonishing!

Had Lu Changsheng really slain a Fourth-Rank Demon King on the island in such a short time? In the Sealing Demon Realm, she had witnessed his true power before.

Even though his cultivation was still at the peak of Core Formation—a level higher than her Immortal Golden Core—it rivaled that of a Nascent Soul True Lord!

Yet, even with such prowess and Fourth-Rank Body Refinement, how could he have slain a Fourth-Rank Transformed Demon King so easily?

And all within a very brief span of time.

How did he manage that? Yun Wanshang’s heart was filled with astonishment and doubt.

Noticing the Golden-Winged Roc returning with her, Lu Changsheng—who had been scouting the island—transformed into a streak of divine rainbow and flew over. In a gentle tone he said, “True Person, relax and break through here.”

He then escorted her to the spot where the island’s spiritual energy was most concentrated—the Spiritual Eye—and set up a barrier and a simple formation to isolate any disturbances.

“Is this your predecessor’s Dao Companion?”

Nearby, five Core Formation cultivators, upon seeing Yun Wanshang, dared not interfere and instead observed quietly.

Their eyes sparkled with envy as they watched Lu Changsheng escort her to the Spiritual Eye for her breakthrough.

With such an exceptionally powerful Dao Companion by her side, a breakthrough to Nascent Soul was practically guaranteed.

After all, having a companion like him—plus access to things like the Huaying Pill and Nascent Soul Spirit Items—meant she was nearly halfway into the Nascent Soul stage! “Huh!?”

At that moment, they sensed another terrifying aura rolling toward Crackling Island from afar.

“What is this?”

“Why does it resemble… a tribulation cloud?”

Staring at the rolling gray tribulation cloud on the horizon, they all stood dumbfounded and bewildered.

What’s going on?

Wasn’t this big shot’s Dao Companion still in the midst of breaking through? How had a tribulation cloud appeared? Could it be that his companion, like him, had a twin now enduring tribulation? In the next moment, they saw a towering puppet, radiating a cold, dark luster, slowly descending toward the island. They paused, astonished.

A puppet too? The five looked to a man in a cyan robe—the Three Treasure Incarnation—who was holding a Xuanmu Gourd.

“Xiao Yan, you take care of Ti Hun here for a while,” he instructed.

The Three Treasure Incarnation stepped forward and nodded at Qian Zhuyan.

He was preparing to seize control of the grand formation on Crackling Island during this time.

Then, with a light tap on his Storage Pouch, he released one third-rank puppet after another.

Qian Zhuyan’s puppet spirit, now advanced to Fourth Rank, saw its greatest enhancement in the Puppet Battle Formation.

Previously, nine puppets had been her limit.

But now that number could double! However, Lu Changsheng only had a limited number of puppets—just eleven third-rank ones in total.

“Master, rest assured,”

Qian Zhuyan noticed subtle differences between the Three Treasure Incarnation and Lu Changsheng himself—details she couldn’t quite place—and spoke in a hoarse tone.

Then she raised her mechanical arm and took control of the eleven third-rank puppets before her.

In that moment, a trace of puppet power surged from her, radiating a daunting, terrifying Fourth-Rank aura.

“Gurgle.”

The nearby five cultivators were utterly stunned, gulping in disbelief.

It was simply mesmerizing.

Today they had witnessed a cultivator, driven by love for his Dao Companion, slay a Fourth-Rank Transformed Demon King—the Crackling Beast—in mere moments.

They had also seen a Fourth-Rank puppet and eleven third-rank puppets in action.

Since when did third-rank puppets become as common as cabbages?

Especially Qian Zhuyan, who not only commanded an exceedingly rare Fourth-Rank puppet but one that also appeared to have its own sentience.

It was said that certain Dao-Comprehending Artifacts possessed souls, and legends spoke of secrets that could infuse puppets with independent minds.

But such puppets were mere folklore—none of them had ever been seen before.

They exchanged looks, utterly dumbfounded by the day’s events, desperate to learn more about Lu Changsheng’s origins.

Not only had he swiftly slain a Fourth-Rank Transformed Demon King, but he also controlled a near-Fourth Rank top-tier spirit pet and a Fourth-Rank puppet with apparent sentience.

Yet before their shock could settle…

They saw a rolling tribulation cloud hovering just a few miles from Crackling Island.

On closer inspection, the cloud contained no cultivators—only an endearingly clumsy macaque beast.

“Is this a demon beast?”

“Isn’t that a Fourth-Rank Transformed Tribulation?”

Even with the third-rank grand formation of Crackling Island between them, they could sense the fearsome power of the distant tribulation, brewing an aura that sent shivers down their spines.

Astonishingly, this dreadful tribulation cloud was heralded by an adorably clumsy macaque beast.

What’s gotten into this world? After centuries of cultivation, how can things now be so incomprehensible?

The five looked dazed, as if caught in a dream.

Seeing their startled expressions, the Three Treasure Incarnation, still bewildered, calmly said, “Steady yourselves first.”

“Yes, Senior.”

The five snapped out of their daze, realizing they weren’t dreaming. Aware of the great force before them, they hastily retrieved pills from their Storage Rings and began to cultivate to heal their injuries.

The tribulation for the Ti Hun Beast arrived with astonishing speed, condensing in just three days—much faster than the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale’s before.

As the tribulation descended, it engulfed the palm-sized Ti Hun Beast.

Normally, the Ti Hun Beast looked like an adorable little creature, devoid of any demonic king aura.

But now, battered by a thunder tribulation as wild as silver serpents and pythons, one might expect it to be reduced to ashes.

Yet, astonishingly, the Ti Hun Beast lay calmly amid the thunder tribulation, as if taking a bath—completely unscathed.

Not only Qian Zhuyan and the five assisting Core Formation cultivators, but even Lu Changsheng, observing through the Three Treasure Incarnation, was left speechless.

What the heck? Could a beast really survive tribulation like this? Even as a second tribulation struck, the Ti Hun Beast remained unruffled.

The third, fourth, and fifth tribulations—deemed perilous by many—seemed like child’s play to the Ti Hun Beast.

It wasn’t until the sixth tribulation that the Ti Hun, resembling a little macaque, became enveloped in swirling black mist, grew in stature, and shifted into battle mode as a Punishment Beast.

Yet throughout the process, it allowed the tribulation to batter it without a hint of distress.

Using his Fiery Eyes of Truth, Lu Changsheng observed the scene and deduced several things.

The Ti Hun Beast seemed to be using the tribulation as a baptism to refine itself.

And its tribulation was far less fearsome than that of the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale before.

“Is this due to the merit of good fortune, or what exactly is happening?”

Lu Changsheng pondered inwardly, uncertain about the state of his spirit pet.

Both he and Yun Wanshang had received the blessing of the universe, and as the main contributor in the Sealing Demon Realm, the Ti Hun naturally benefited from merit-induced fortune.

In fact, the Sealing Demon Array Spirit had even mentioned that sealing demons was the Punishment Beast’s destiny—a great boon for it.

“Buzz, buzz, buzz!”

At that moment, the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror in Lu Changsheng’s arms issued a warning, signaling the approach of a Fourth-Rank Demon King’s aura.

After his battle with the Crackling Beast and now the Ti Hun’s tribulation, such disturbances would alert any nearby demon king.

Facing this, Lu Changsheng immediately halted his formation work, instructing the Golden-Winged Roc to keep an eye on Yun Wanshang while he went to investigate.

Moments later, a Fourth-Rank Demon King with blue scales, sharp teeth, swollen eye sockets, and bony spurs emerging from his jaw approached Crackling Island.

“Where do you come from, to dare to occupy Feng Lie’s territory and undergo tribulation here?”

As he drew near, instead of focusing on the tribulating Ti Hun Beast, he immediately took notice of the Crackling Beast’s corpse on the island.

Although the commotion of the Ti Hun had lured him here, it held little allure compared to the direct draw of a Fourth-Rank Demon King’s corpse like that of the Crackling Beast.

“Sacred lands belong to the virtuous. Henceforth, this island is mine.”

At Lu Changsheng’s signal, Qian Zhuyan turned to the Fourth-Rank Demon King and, in a cold, hoarse tone, remarked, “Your Fourth-Rank puppet power is surging.”

After all, humans and demon beasts have inherent conflicts—especially the cultivators of the Starry Sea and demon kings.

Thus, in many cases, someone like Qian Zhuyan with her Fourth-Rank puppet is even more advantageous.

At that moment, Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but think of the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale.

If it were present, this tribulation would have been much more secure and stable.

“It was you who killed Feng Lie!”

The Fourth-Rank Demon King glared at Qian Zhuyan and, in a sharp, grating voice, said, “I can sense the Fourth-Rank puppet power emanating from your form.”

But being arch-enemies with the Crackling Beast, he knew its strength well.

With the overwhelming puppet power Qian Zhuyan displayed, it was no match for the Crackling Beast.

“Do you intend to avenge it?”

Struggling to hide her inner discomfort, Qian Zhuyan replied in a hoarse, piercing tone, exuding a cold, domineering aura.

“I was a dear friend of Feng Lie. Since you killed him and now occupy his island for tribulation, I naturally demand retribution.”

This Fourth-Rank Demon King, having maintained his level for over a hundred years and possessing great intelligence, refrained from rashness upon seeing the slain Crackling Beast, instead seizing the opportunity to demand compensation.

“Xiao Yan, cut off one claw from the Crackling Beast for him.”

Observing secretly, Lu Changsheng sensed the demon king’s greedy intent toward the Crackling Beast and transmitted a message to Qian Zhuyan.

Under different circumstances, he would have certainly dueled this demon.

But with the Ti Hun Beast undergoing tribulation and Yun Wanshang poised to break through to Nascent Soul, he wished to avoid further complications.

After a brief silence, Qian Zhuyan’s body buzzed like a war machine as she slashed off a claw from the massive Crackling Beast’s body, tossing it out while saying, “Take this claw. If you, Demon Brother, are willing to stand guard here against other intruders, I can send you more of this beast’s essence later.”

“I was a close friend of Feng Lie!”

Seeing that he only acquired one claw, the Fourth-Rank Demon King immediately released his Fourth-Rank aura.

Not to be outdone, Qian Zhuyan and her eleven puppets began vibrating in unison as their auras intertwined to forge a fearsome Puppet Formation battle plan. In a hoarse voice, she said, “There’s more after the observance.”

Though Qian Zhuyan now exuded imposing pressure, the demon king still remained confident he could fight.

However, the sight of the Crackling Beast’s corpse greatly intimidated him, and unwilling to make an enemy of Qian Zhuyan, he finally nodded and, transforming into a hideous middle-aged man, said, “In that case, I will stand by and observe.”

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Seeing that the Fourth-Rank Demon King chose not to act, Qian Zhuyan nodded and turned her gaze back to the Ti Hun Beast in tribulation.

The tribulations still inflicted noticeable damage on the Ti Hun Beast.

Its swirling black mist and ghostly aura were gradually being eroded.

Even its dark fur was scorched and breaking apart under the lightning tribulation.

But that was all.

Compared to the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale or True Person Jing Qing from before, it fared much better.

Not only Lu Changsheng, Qian Zhuyan, and the five Core Formation cultivators on the island, but even the approaching Fourth-Rank Demon King was visibly alarmed by the state of the Ti Hun Beast.

After all, as a Fourth-Rank Demon King, he had once weathered a Transformed Tribulation and knew how perilous the process could be.

As the tribulation subsided—with wild winds sweeping the heavens and the black tribulation cloud dissipating—it was replaced by a deep, abyss-like, inky vortex, as if a demonic eye were fixed on the Ti Hun Beast.

The Heart Demon Tribulation! In the past, Lu Changsheng would not have worried upon seeing it.

But when True Person Jing Qing fell within the Heart Demon Tribulation at the Divine Maiden Palace, concern couldn’t help but arise.

After all, it all happened too suddenly!

The rapid onset of the Fourth-Rank Heavenly Tribulation left the Ti Hun Beast no time to prepare.

Fortunately, the confidence it had earlier shown wasn’t an act; in less than an hour, the vortex-like tribulation clouds vanished like a tide, replaced by streaks of rosy light.

“Roar!!!”

Transforming into battle mode like a peerless demonic ape, the Ti Hun Beast roared toward the tribulation clouds above, unleashing an unparalleled burst of Soul-Seizing Divine Light, as if intent on drawing the clouds into its mouth.

“What the!?”

Even Lu Changsheng was astounded by the spectacle.

How could it even do that? That was overwhelmingly dominant! The hideous Fourth-Rank Demon King nearby also looked at the Ti Hun Beast in astonishment, sensing immense pressure and a menacing aura emanating from it.

After drawing in the tribulation cloud, the Ti Hun Beast—now cloaked in swirling black mist—entered Crackling Island and approached Lu Changsheng, reverting to its usual macaque-like form to show that it was extremely tired and just wanted to sleep.

The amount of souls it had devoured in the Sealing Demon Realm was beyond count. Had they been digestible, it might even have advanced to mid-Fourth Rank.

However, it had grown clever; even if unable to digest everything, it still stashed numerous Soul Crystals within, and unless Lu Changsheng asked, it wouldn’t willingly surrender them.

Besides, Lu Changsheng himself needed those Soul Crystals. But if they ended up in the hands of that annoying Iron Lump, the beast would be very displeased.

If it weren’t for Lu Changsheng, it might even have tried to devour Qian Zhuyan’s puppet spirit.

And with so many Soul Crystals stored inside, it needed no external energy for tribulation and, having just advanced, only wanted to sleep.

“Just sleep, sleep on.”

Lu Changsheng, watching the Ti Hun Beast snoring soundly in his arms, shook his head with a gentle smile.

He had wanted to ask about its tribulation, its power enhancement, and its transformation, but

it had simply fallen asleep.

However, as long as it didn’t slip into a deep sleep, he could always wake it later if trouble arose.

Then he signaled to Qian Zhuyan to dismiss the Fourth-Rank Demon King who had come to cause a ruckus.

Though the demon king still harbored greed, upon realizing that the Ti Hun Beast and Qian Zhuyan were allied, he chose to withdraw.

Seeing this, Lu Changsheng handed the Ti Hun Beast over to the Three Treasure Incarnation before entering the Spiritual Eye barrier formation. He looked at Yun Wanshang, signaling that if she was ready, she could let go of her restraints and break through to Nascent Soul.

“Alright!”

Whether breaking through to Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, or Nascent Soul, it all depended on a single burst of effort.

Now that the cues for Heavenly Dao Condensing had arrived, with timing more perfect than ever, Yun Wanshang ceased hesitating and fully unleashed her spiritual energy.

Her Qi Sea Dantian, powered by her Golden Core Dao Foundation, erupted in brilliant rays as she surged toward the Nascent Soul stage.

Wrapped in graceful, colorful skirts, her jade-like form radiated endless light accompanied by thundering roars like mountains and tsunamis, with flashes of lightning and peals of thunder adding to the awe.

At the same time, spiritual energy from all directions roared toward the island, prying at Crackling Island’s spiritual force and forming a tidal vortex that spanned from several to hundreds of miles.

Lu Changsheng, observing that Yun Wanshang appeared to have no other preparations aside from relying solely on her opportunity in Heavenly Dao Condensing, frowned slightly.

Then he glanced at the top-tier Huaying Pill in his system space and quietly muttered the extraction command.

“True Person, open your mouth.”

Grasping the Huaying Pill before him, Lu Changsheng said to Yun Wanshang before feeding it into her mouth.

Although Huaying Pills were precious, a top-tier Huaying Pill was beyond measure.

But Lu Changsheng had long regarded Yun Wanshang as his partner, so at that moment he hesitated not.

He even chose to bestow the top-tier Huaying Pill on her.

Moreover, they were set to return to the Jiang Kingdom soon.

If she were to see Xiao Xiyue and learn about Chu Qingyi, her heart would undoubtedly be thrown into chaos—perhaps even severing their bond.

Under such circumstances, Lu Changsheng naturally opted to prepare additional measures, leaving her with difficult choices.

“Hmm!?”

Yun Wanshang, trusting Lu Changsheng, did not refuse.

But as the pill entered her mouth, she instantly sensed that something was amiss.

Its medicinal power was not only nourishing her body, but also her magical energy and divine sense.

Although she had never taken a Huaying Pill before, having consumed Foundation Establishment and Condensing Crystal Pills, she knew their effects well.

So was this an extraordinarily rare Huaying Pill?! And by its effects, it was no ordinary one.

At that moment, her heart roiled like a storm, impossible to calm.

Lu Changsheng had not only forsaken his own opportunity for Heavenly Dao Condensing for his sake, but now was also offering her a Huaying Pill whose value defied measure.

Overwhelmed, she opened her eyes and looked at Lu Changsheng.

However, he merely smiled softly and said, “Rest assured, break through to Nascent Soul.”

But how could Yun Wanshang possibly remain calm?

Only days ago, as she had followed the cues of Heavenly Dao Condensing to understand herself and settle her mind, memories of Lu Changsheng flooded back, leaving her uneasy.

Especially since he had given up his opportunity for Heavenly Dao Condensing for her sake.

And now, by giving her a Huaying Pill—essentially handing over his own Nascent Soul opportunity—how could she accept it and calmly break through?

Instantly, Yun Wanshang spat out the partially unassimilated Huaying Pill, intending to return it to Lu Changsheng.

Seeing her conflicted expression as she looked at him with mixed emotions, Lu Changsheng said with genuine concern, “True Person, what are you doing? With this top-tier Huaying Pill, your breakthrough to Nascent Soul is virtually guaranteed—you can even reach the pinnacle of genuine Nascent Soul, or even Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul!”

“That is your Nascent Soul opportunity—I can’t accept it.”

Confronted by his concerned gaze, her heart softened, and with a trembling voice she replied, as if a caged animal struggling,

“They say fierce women fear clingy men.”

Faced with a man like Lu Changsheng, who gave selflessly without asking for anything in return, even the iciest heart would melt.

Moreover, aside from his amorous excesses, there was nothing to fault about his looks, talent, or disposition.

Back in the Land of Eternal Night, Yun Wanshang could subtly hint that Lu Changsheng—this little thief who seemed honest yet was scheming—should be kept in check.

But now, having left the Land of Eternal Night, with Lu Changsheng sacrificing his Heavenly Dao Condensing opportunity and even giving her an incredibly precious Huaying Pill, she truly didn’t know how to face it.

Years of feelings amassed between them in the Land of Eternal Night, like that of a married couple, surged forth like a tidal wave at that moment.

“I still have Huaying Pills—hurry up and take it!”

Seeing that Yun Wanshang’s emotions were clearly in turmoil, worried that he might have overdone his kindness and jeopardized her breakthrough, Lu Changsheng hastily urged.

But how could she possibly trust those words?

Huaying Pills are extremely rare—even the Azure Cloud Sect and the Heavenly Sword Sect have no means to procure them. How could Lu Changsheng possibly have more than one?

Recalling her own emotional shortcomings and deciding not to suppress her feelings any longer, she softly said, “Kiss me.”

“???”

Lu Changsheng was utterly baffled—he couldn’t understand why Yun Wanshang suddenly wanted him to kiss her.

Weren’t you in the midst of breaking through to Nascent Soul?

He gently pecked her ruby lips and said softly, “Take the Huaying Pill first and break through in peace.”

But before he could finish, Yun Wanshang forcefully pushed him down, pinning him beneath her, wrapping her arms around his neck, her mesmerizing eyes swirling like endless misty waves.

“Now start acting serious—cultivate and help me break through!”

Not only did Yun Wanshang straddle Lu Changsheng, she also began unfastening his clothing.

Seeing him about to resist, she commanded in a bewitching yet authoritative tone, “Just cultivate—no resisting!”

“???”

Lu Changsheng was tempted to pin her down and administer proper discipline,

but remembering that she was in the middle of her Nascent Soul breakthrough, he abandoned any resistance and began channeling the Sun and Moon Reincarnation Sutra.

A true man knows when to yield and when to stand firm—especially when it’s his partner—so Lu Changsheng allowed her to take the lead.

Moreover, back in the Land of Eternal Night, Yun Wanshang had always pursed her lips to indicate that it was merely cultivation with no apparent feedback. But now she was taking the initiative—signaling a significant step forward in their relationship.

Gazing at Lu Changsheng, who not long ago had been striding with authority after slaying a fourth-rank demon king, Yun Wanshang couldn’t help but smile at the sight of him looking rather dejected beneath her. Her breathtaking cheeks radiated countless charms.

Then she softly kissed his cheek and murmured, “Damned little thief.”

Moments later, a surge of vibrant, springlike energy pulsed within the Barrier Formation.

Just as they had during their first encounter, she straddled him once more.

However, he was no longer the Qi Refining junior cultivator he once was; he had transformed into a top-tier force capable of dispatching Nascent Soul cultivators and fourth-rank demon kings.

A blazing sun and a luminous moon merged above them, their radiance blending like milk and water. Amid the swirling chaos, the spiritual energy of the universe was drawn in from all directions, coalescing into a colossal vortex.