Chapter 793: The Golden Roc’s Ascension

At the Sea Eye of Da Mengze.

High above, a heavy, oppressive gray-black tribulation cloud hung like a shroud over the sea, brewing a terrifying, roiling aura.

A magnificent roc, its plumage as if cast in pure gold, stood proudly beneath the stormy veil, its expansive wings spread wide as relentless thunder rained down upon it.

Lightning intertwined with booming thunder, transforming into writhing dragons and serpents, continuously cascading down to completely overwhelm the roc.

Under this merciless electrical assault, the Golden-Winged Roc’s feathers blackened and shattered, with blood spurting out in splashes.

Yet it did not retreat in the slightest, steadfastly charging toward the tempest head-on.

In the distance, Lu Changsheng, Yun Wanshang, and Qian Zhuyan stood side by side, silently watching the Golden-Winged Roc confront its tribulation.

“This sea isn’t fit for a Golden Roc. Are you sure it won’t be in danger like this?”

Gazing at the way the Roc was enduring its trial, Yun Wanshang couldn’t help but worry as she asked Lu Changsheng.

A beast’s tribulation is no simpler than that of a cultivator.

In fact, lacking an understanding of heavenly trials, beasts are even more likely to fall under such catastrophic forces.

To her, the Roc’s method—choosing an endless ocean and pitting its flesh against the heavens—was a prime example of what not to do.

Even though enduring a tribulation brings numerous benefits, one must consider whether the body can truly absorb and withstand it.

“Don’t worry,”

Lu Changsheng smiled slightly and said, “Although undergoing tribulation in the open sea lacks the benefit of spiritual veins, it swallowed the Wind-Splitting Beast Essence Pill earlier, and now its entire body brims with overwhelming energy.”

“Besides that Essence Pill, it also has the Bone Talisman to rely on. There’s no real danger.”

After witnessing the tribulations of the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale and the Soul-Taking Beast, Lu Changsheng was now fully confident in the Roc’s trial.

He believed that as long as a true-spirit beast of noble blood didn’t act recklessly or get interfered with, failure was unlikely.

“Mm,”

Yun Wanshang nodded softly.

Yet watching the Roc’s brilliant golden plumage blacken and shatter under the assault of lightning, with blood splattering about, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of fear.

This beastly trial was as raw and primitive as they come.

A few days later, the dark tribulation cloud gradually dispersed, forming a vortex reminiscent of a bottomless abyss—as if a gigantic demonic eye were scrutinizing the battered Golden-Winged Roc.

“Heart Demon Tribulation!”

Seeing this swirling vortex up close, Yun Wanshang’s expression grew grave.

Although a beast’s Heart Demon Tribulation was far less dreadful than that of a cultivator,

the trial was still treacherously unpredictable and could not be assessed by ordinary means.

Many prodigies easily overcome the Thunder Tribulation only to collapse under the Heart Demon Tribulation.

Not just them.

Even Lu Changsheng’s face grew noticeably more serious upon witnessing the Heart Demon Tribulation.

He was completely confident about the Roc through the first two trials.

But with the Heart Demon Tribulation, there was no absolute guarantee.

Fortunately, just as he had predicted, after most of the day the gray-black cloud surrounding the Roc receded like a tide.

In its place, a magnificent cloud of multicolored aurora burst forth, and somewhere in the distance, a profound mystical sound resonated, bestowing invisible Daoic vibrations upon the Roc.

Its charred, skeletal body was suddenly infused with a regenerative force from the very birth of the cosmos, and before anyone’s eyes, it revived at a visible pace.

“Screeeech!!!”

With eyes as fierce as the noonday sun, the Golden-Winged Roc emitted two piercing beams of light, letting out a triumphant cry as a torrent of Fourth-Rank demonic aura enveloped it.

In an instant, demonic energy surged skyward, the winds roiled, and even the sea roared mightily.

After 56 long years of meticulous nurturing by Lu Ancestor, the Golden-Winged Roc finally ascended from a late Third-Rank Demon King to a Fourth-Rank Demon King!

“Another Fourth-Rank Shapeshifting Demon King.”

Yun Wanshang felt a mix of astonishment and emotion at the sight.

She was amazed not only that Lu Changsheng now commanded another Fourth-Rank Shapeshifting Demon King,

but also by the Roc’s intense tribulation process and the soaring demonic aura.

Throughout the trial, it barely relied on Dao-Comprehending Artifacts, instead standing firm with its flesh alone.

After the tribulation, its demonic aura soared for miles, matching—even surpassing—a top-tier Nascent Soul cultivator; she could only note that during the Soul-Taking Beast’s trial, she had missed witnessing the moment of Heavenly Dao Condensation.

Otherwise, watching the Soul-Taking Beast’s trial would have left her utterly speechless.

“Why isn’t there a single demon king here?”

Lu Changsheng’s eyes, interwoven with golden runes, scanned the surroundings; noticing that not even one Third-Rank Demon King had appeared after the Roc’s trial, he couldn’t help but frown.

In earlier times, whether facing the True Spirit Tribulation or Fourth-Rank trials, the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale was always besieged by scores of demon kings.

But now, even after the Roc’s trial, not one Third-Rank Demon King showed up—it was utterly inconceivable.

If the demon kings of Da Mengze and Starry Sea knew what he was thinking, they would have raged in fury.

Not to mention the overwhelming aura of the Fourth-Rank Demon King emanating from the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale.

For decades, whenever Lu Changsheng passed through here, he would annihilate the demon kings fighting over the Sea Eye.

No matter how many there were, they simply couldn’t withstand his assault.

This Sea Eye had long become a forbidden zone in the eyes of many demon kings.

Moreover, following the recent ferocious battles between the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale, True Lord Pinghai, and Lingbo True Lord, no demon king dared to settle in this ravaged area.

Aware of the ominous signs and the presence of a Fourth-Rank Demon King, they all fled, relocating long before danger could strike.

“Golden Roc, congratulations on breaking through to Fourth-Rank.”

Lu Changsheng approached the battered Golden-Winged Roc to offer his congratulations before using healing divine light to mend the injuries inflicted by the thunder tribulation.

Though the cosmic order’s new regenerative force was in play after the trial, this was his heartfelt gesture as its master.

In his words, he also tossed several bunches of high-level spirit medicine toward the Roc, signaling that it should rest well.

“Thank you, Master.”

The Golden-Winged Roc quietly absorbed the generous gift of transformation bestowed by the trial.

During the process, its charred, ruined feathers fell away one by one, replaced with new, radiant golden plumage.

After a long while, the Roc shed most of its old feathers and regrew them afresh.

“Golden Roc, now that you’ve passed the Shapeshifting Tribulation, can you transform into human form?”

Lu Changsheng inquired of the roc.

When a beast breaks through Fourth-Rank and survives the tribulation, it can assume human form—hence, Fourth-Rank Demon Kings are also known as Shapeshifting Demon Kings.

However, there are exceptions.

For example, the Soul-Taking Beast peacefully napping in his sleeve.

The latter, even after breaking through Fourth-Rank, has never mastered the art of transformation and remains only in his normal and combat forms.

Upon hearing this, the Golden-Winged Roc let out a long, piercing cry; its dazzling golden body began to shrink until it finally transformed into an eleven- or twelve-year-old golden-haired boy.

Though he appeared young with a delicate face, there was not an ounce of childishness—his features were as sharp as untempered cold iron.

His eyes, gleaming with the same golden luster as when he was a roc, were icy and piercing, utterly intimidating.

At the corners of his eyes, fine golden demonic patterns, reminiscent of the roc’s feathers, traced like knife edges.

His slight frame was clad in dark-gold armor embroidered with a depiction of a roc battling a dragon, exuding a demonic aura as heavy as a mountain.

“Sigh, they’re all so young—I won’t be able to squeeze as much out of them in the future,”

Lu Changsheng remarked with an exasperated click of his tongue as he looked at the young man who was once the Golden-Winged Roc.

In the past, he could casually draw some of the roc’s blood.

But now that it had transformed, seeing them so young made him feel remorseful about being overly ruthless.

“Thank you, Master, for your protection.”

The Golden-Winged Roc bowed respectfully to Lu Changsheng, his tone completely devoid of any childishness.

“From now on, just like Lingjing, call me Master.”

Lu Changsheng addressed the young man.

Since he had taken human form, he would no longer be treated as a mere spirit pet.

After all, these spirit pets—acquired through system lotteries—were even more obedient than one’s own children, so Lu Changsheng intended to treat them well.

“Now that you’ve transformed and your previous name was rather casual, do you have a preferred name?”

Following the precedent set by Lu Lingjing, when spirit pets ascend to Fourth-Rank and assume human form, Lu Changsheng always afforded them a measure of respect.

“Master, just call me Golden Roc,”

the young man replied coolly, showing no objection to the name.

Of course, this appellation was only for use by Lu Changsheng or the Lu Family.

If he ventured out, he would have to formally be addressed as the King of Golden-Winged Roc, Golden Roc True Lord!

“Alright.”

Lu Changsheng smiled faintly; he had long since grown accustomed to the name Golden Roc.

Nearby, Yun Wanshang looked on in amazement at the sight of master and servant.

She couldn’t fathom how Lu Changsheng managed to cultivate spirit pets that were so obedient.

Just like the Golden-Winged Roc before her.

Even after breaking through Fourth-Rank, despite being in the presence of Lu Changsheng at the Core Formation stage, it remained entirely respectful and devoid of arrogance.

One must remember: once a beast surpasses Third-Rank and gains intelligence, it can no longer be completely subjugated by a master-servant bond—some respect must be given.

As far as she knew, the Beast Spirit Sect even had a nearly Fourth-Rank mountain turtle.

Whenever the Elder of the Beast Spirit Sect saw it, he would respectfully call it ‘Gui Shan Jun.’

“Now that the tribulation is over, let’s head back.”

Lu Changsheng addressed Golden Roc, Yun Wanshang, and the others.

Although Golden Roc had not yet fully digested the Daoic insights necessary to stabilize his cultivation, Lu Changsheng was unwilling to wait around and wished to leave immediately.

“Master, Golden Roc’s demonic energy hasn’t yet settled—I’m not taking him!”

Just as Lu Changsheng led the group into the stomach chamber of the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale, Lu Lingjing spoke up.

He explained that Golden Roc’s demonic aura was still unrestrained, and entering his chamber would be very uncomfortable for the beast.

“In that case, Golden Roc, rest inside the Heavenly Yuan Lotus.”

Lu Changsheng, noticing the demonic energy coiling around Golden Roc, produced the Heavenly Yuan Lotus and instructed him not to disturb the Kunpeng Egg.

The latest update is posted at the very start of Book 69!

“Yes, Master.”

Golden Roc, a bit miffed that Lu Lingjing refused to take him, flashed a look of displeasure on his determined little face—as if to say he could fly on his own.

But upon hearing Lu Changsheng’s words, he entered the Heavenly Yuan Lotus without protest.

“Hm!?”

No sooner had he stepped inside than he saw the Kunpeng Egg ahead, its golden radiance intermingled with an eerie glow, sparking an immediate, intense desire within the golden-haired boy.

Not only was Lu Lingjing drooling over the sight of the Kunpeng Egg, but he himself was irresistibly tempted.

He even thought that swallowing the egg might further elevate his bloodline.

“Hm!?”

While the Kunpeng Egg silently absorbed the Kunpeng Art and underwent Demonic Fetus Rebirth, Lu Quanzhen was abruptly awakened.

Staring at the young, yet astonishingly heavy golden-haired boy enveloped in Fourth-Rank demonic aura, Lu Quanzhen was utterly dumbfounded.

‘A Shapeshifting Demon King?!’ Remembering Lu Lingjing from before, he immediately recognized this as a Shapeshifting Demon King.

‘Father, why did you bring in such a Shapeshifting Demon King?’ Lu Quanzhen transmitted, ‘This is Golden Roc. He will reside in the Heavenly Yuan Lotus for a short while; once I return home, I will devote myself entirely to your transformation process.’

Lu Changsheng then communicated with Lu Quanzhen from within the Kunpeng Egg.

“Golden Roc?!”

Lu Quanzhen was stunned—he never expected that the golden-haired boy before him was none other than the golden roc that once stayed by his father’s side.

He clearly remembered that, years ago, his father had drawn much of the roc’s vital blood to help him merge cultivation techniques.

“Lu Changsheng, are we heading back now?”

Yun Wanshang, astonished that a person could live within a dragon whale, asked in surprise.

“That’s right.”

Lu Changsheng nodded and explained that they were at the Sea Eye of Da Mengze and that with the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale speeding along, they would reach the Immortal City of Damengze in about ten days.

“The Sea Eye of Da Mengze?!”

Yun Wanshang realized she had already returned to Jiang Kingdom.

She had thought that returning to Jiang Kingdom would be an enormous hassle.

But recalling how the nearly Fourth-Rank flying beast once dashed as a mount—and now being aided by a Fourth-Rank dragon whale—she felt a sense of relief.

Lu Changsheng nodded and handed Yun Wanshang the Da Luo Sword Embryo that nullified his magical energy.

With the crisis temporarily averted, this sword embryo could now aid in conceiving Lu Yunxiao.

After all, she had been pregnant long enough; any further delay would mean the child’s birth was imminent.

Yun Wanshang, looking at the treasured Sword Dao relic casually handed over by Lu Changsheng, was momentarily at a loss for words.

“Everything for the child.”

Lu Changsheng grasped Yun Wanshang’s pale, jade-like hand, placed the sword embryo into her palm, and said in a serious tone.

“.”

Yun Wanshang hesitated briefly, then softly pursed her red lips, nodded, and accepted the sword embryo.

Since it now belonged to the stomach chamber of the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale, she couldn’t experiment with it—instead, she began refining it immediately.

As a Nascent Soul True Lord, she refined the sword embryo with remarkable speed.

When the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale informed Lu Changsheng that they had reached Xuan Whale Island, Yun Wanshang had almost completed the refining process.

“The True Lord has arrived.”

Lu Changsheng said to Yun Wanshang as they emerged from the whale’s stomach, and the Misty Dust Banner appeared in his hand.

Thanks to the banner’s dual effects, he could instantly teleport from Xuan Whale Island to the City Lord’s Mansion.

“Hm!?”

Yun Wanshang gazed out over the vast sea, puzzled, but upon hearing Lu Changsheng’s words, she clung to him.

In the next moment, a burst of multicolored aurora enveloped them; accompanied by ripples in space and a dizzying spin, they appeared in the City Lord’s Mansion of the Immortal City of Damengze.

“Where is this?”

Yun Wanshang immediately sensed that this must be the residence of a Third-Rank spiritual vein.

“Immortal City of Damengze.”

Lu Changsheng murmured softly, his eyes filled with longing as he extended his divine sense to survey the mansion.

“Hm!?”

In a nearby cave, Hong Lian instantly felt the surge of his divine sense, realizing that Lu Changsheng had returned.

“Hong Lian, I’m back.”

Lu Changsheng transmitted, noting that her cultivation had already reached the Ninth Level of Core Formation.

“Immortal City of Damengze!?”

Yun Wanshang looked on in confusion, unsure how Lu Changsheng had arrived at the Immortal City of Damengze.

Seeing her bewildered expression, Lu Changsheng recalled that she had long since traveled and was unaware of the city’s change of hands.

He explained, “Back in the day, Wu Hen Zhenren and Yunmeng True Lord left on business and struck a deal with me, so now the Immortal City of Damengze is part of my domain.”

“!!!”

Yun Wanshang’s beautiful eyes widened in astonishment as she looked at Lu Changsheng—she’d never imagined he’d unwittingly become the master of one of Jiang Kingdom’s three great Immortal Cities, the Immortal City of Damengze.

Though Lu Changsheng’s combat prowess was more than sufficient for the role of City Lord, having just returned to Jiang Kingdom left him a bit overwhelmed by the familiar sights.

Before she could fully express her shock, a stunning woman in a red dress embroidered with Vermilion Bird patterns—her long flowing skirt trailing gracefully—approached with stately elegance.

Even Yun Wanshang couldn’t help but be struck by the woman’s captivating beauty.

She marveled that such a peerless beauty existed in the world.

Her features were exquisitely refined, flawless in every way.

Tall and elegantly slender, her perfection left no room for even a single flaw.

What was most striking, however, was the aura and poise she exuded—like a celestial embodiment of refined grace and elegance.

Regal and dignified, her presence radiated an indescribable, transcendent beauty.

Even when facing Hong Lian, this Nascent Soul True Lord’s own beauty and bearing were not diminished.

“Husband,”

The exquisite woman looked at Lu Changsheng with delighted eyes and called out in a soft, melodious voice carrying hints of longing, tenderness, and unbridled joy.

Could it be that this woman was also Lu Changsheng’s wife?

Although Lu Changsheng had demonstrated incredible strength, talent, and depth during his long absence,

old memories made her subconsciously wonder if such a rogue was truly worthy of such a beauty; but in the very next moment, a surge of apprehension overtook her.

“Husband, you’re finally back. Did you encounter any dangers out there? I heard from Lingjing that you faced peril which led to your separation.”

Hong Lian hurried forward, her eyes soft with affection as she looked at Lu Changsheng, gently caressing his handsome face as she spoke tenderly—as if a wife long-awaited her husband’s return.

Though Lu Changsheng had been away for many years—aloof and even returning with another woman, truly a scoundrel—

after years together, Hong Lian knew that Lu Changsheng was soft at heart; so when she first saw Yun Wanshang, she felt no jealousy, her focus entirely on him.

Her feelings were pure—the joy of reunion, the constant longing for her husband, concern for his exhausting travels, and an overwhelming surge of excitement.

For cultivators like them, a mere decade was hardly long.

Yet Lu Changsheng certainly knew how to work his charm.

“Hong Lian, I’m fine. I just made you worry.”

Holding Hong Lian’s hand, Lu Changsheng felt a surge of tender remorse.

He knew that the burden of the Immortal City of Damengze rested squarely on Hong Lian’s shoulders.

Based on his divinations, the Immortal City had been fraught with hidden dangers all these years.

For instance, the situation with Lu Lingjing had been orchestrated entirely by Hong Lian.

Without her careful planning, Lu Lingjing might have faced even graver peril—or even plunged the Immortal City into chaos.

“As long as you’re back, that’s all that matters, husband,”

Hong Lian softly said, her eyes filled with warmth, before turning to Yun Wanshang and asking, “Husband, who is this celestial maiden?”

Though she didn’t know Yun Wanshang personally, she immediately recognized her as a Nascent Soul cultivator.

She even sensed from the faint aura that Yun Wanshang had broken through to Nascent Soul recently—likely within the past two or three years.