Chapter 794: The Triumphant Return of Yun Wanshang

This is Caiyun.

Lu Changsheng had originally seen no issue with bringing Yun Wanshang back to the City Lord’s Mansion.

But when he noticed the tender longing and worry in Hong Lian’s eyes, a swell of guilt overwhelmed him—he felt his actions were hardly befitting a husband.

Yet, since everyone had arrived, introductions were in order.

Then he turned to Yun Wanshang and said, “Caiyun, this is Hong Lian.”

“Could she be True Lord Caiyun of the Azure Cloud Sect?”

Although Hong Lian had long secluded herself for cultivation and rarely meddled in worldly affairs, over the years she had gathered a fair understanding of the Jiang Kingdom.

She knew that Xiao Xiyue’s Master was named True Lord Caiyun.

“I’ve met True Lord Caiyun.”

Even though Hong Lian had not yet broken through to the Nascent Soul stage, when facing Yun Wanshang—a Nascent Soul True Lord—her aura was by no means weak; it radiated a refined, otherworldly grace.

“Greetings, comrade Hong Lian.”

A gentle smile curved Yun Wanshang’s lips as she recognized that Hong Lian was no ordinary cultivator.

Without resorting to her Nascent Soul divine sense or spiritual eye techniques, she couldn’t easily discern his true strength.

She surmised that the Hong Lian before her was very likely a Nascent Soul True Lord.

Considering that Lu Changsheng, besides keeping several fourth-rank spirit pets, even had a Nascent Soul partner, she found herself momentarily at a loss for words.

Earlier, she had feared that Lu Changsheng’s continual growth might provoke the Heavenly Sword Sect’s envy.

But judging by the current situation, it appeared the Heavenly Sword Sect was actually relieved that Lu Changsheng bore no grand ambitions—otherwise, leadership of the Jiang Kingdom might have shifted.

“Wasn’t my husband out seeking an opportunity to break through to Nascent Soul? Then how did he run into True Lord Caiyun? Did fate have him swept up by a grand vessel and black mist to meet a fellow cultivator named Caiyun?”

Though Hong Lian wasn’t fully acquainted with Yun Wanshang’s character, she knew that most female cultivators found it hard to accept a scenario where a master worked closely with his disciple.

Judging by True Lord Caiyun’s appearance—barely stabilizing after a recent Nascent Soul breakthrough and returning alongside her husband—it was highly probable that after a long acquaintance, her husband had captured her heart, enabling her breakthrough.

At the thought, her heart skipped a beat as she silently wondered if Lu Changsheng, still confined to the Core Formation stage, would withhold the Nascent Soul opportunity from Yun Wanshang. “Hmm.”

Lu Changsheng then briefly recounted how he had fallen into the Land of Eternal Night.

“Sealing Demons, karmic fortune?”

Upon hearing his description of the Sealing Demon Realm, Hong Lian’s eyes grew thoughtful; it was clear that this place was far from ordinary.

Although neither of the women wished to engage in quarrels, years of experience warned Lu Changsheng that now was no time for idle talk. He fixed a serious gaze on Hong Lian and asked, “Hong Lian, have there been any incidents between the Immortal City of Damengze and the Lu Family of Bihu Mountain in recent years?”

“Quite a few.”

Hong Lian’s expression grew solemn as she nodded slightly.

Without the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror, communication between the Immortal City of Damengze and the Lu Family of Bihu Mountain had become considerably troublesome.

Yet, over the years, close ties were still maintained between the two.

She was aware that after the Jiang Kingdom conscripted the Lu Family of Bihu Mountain, not only Lu Miaoge but many other Lu Family disciples had been dispatched to the battlefield in the Yue Kingdom.

“I don’t have all the details—why not call for Zixiao to come over and explain matters to your husband?”

Although Hong Lian sometimes involved herself in the affairs of the Immortal City of Damengze, the main responsibility rested with Ling Zixiao.

Lu Changsheng gave a slight nod; he knew Ling Zixiao was busy managing Immortal City affairs.

Yet, since she possessed the Immortal City formation disc, she should have sensed his return.

Before Ling Zixiao could arrive, however, his son, Lu Lingxiao, rushed in.

“Greetings, Father, Master, and respected elder.”

Lu Lingxiao, momentarily taken aback by the scene, paused before clasping his hands in a respectful salute.

“Ling’er.”

Lu Changsheng looked at his son—dressed in a black and red robe with golden trim that exuded confidence—and stepped forward to place a reassuring hand on his shoulder, assessing his cultivation progress over the years.

Immortal Golden Core.

His foundational strength was remarkably robust.

Though his cultivation had only inched up to the peak of the Core Formation stage,

Lu Changsheng knew his son had spent most of these years training in both mystical secret techniques and formation strategies.

Otherwise, his formation abilities would not have advanced to third-rank so swiftly.

“Ling’er?”

Yun Wanshang, noticing Lu Lingxiao and hearing his name—which carried the character for “xiao”—could not help but scrutinize him more closely.

Even putting aside his Core Formation cultivation, his mere presence radiated an extraordinary aura.

“Ling’er, tell me about your achievements these past years,”

Lu Changsheng sat down with his son and inquired aloud.

Noticing Yun Wanshang observing Lu Lingxiao, he smiled as he introduced, “This is my son, Lingxiao. Ling’er, meet your Caiyun Consort.”

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Seeing Lu Changsheng introduce her so naturally, Yun Wanshang felt an inexplicable stirring within her.

Yet, as a senior, she simply nodded and retrieved a Dao-Comprehending Artifact from her Storage Ring as a token of introduction.

Her financial means could never compare with Lu Changsheng’s.

However, as a Core Formation True Lord of the Azure Cloud Sect who had journeyed far—and after gathering ample natural treasures from the Land of Eternal Night—she did possess a certain level of wealth.

“Thank you, Caiyun Consort.”

Lu Lingxiao had not dedicated these years solely to cultivation.

He often learned from his mother, Ling Zixiao, the nuances of managing city affairs, gaining a keen understanding of the major powers within the Jiang Kingdom.

The name “Caiyun” immediately reminded him of True Lord Caiyun, the Master of Xiao Xiyue and the teacher of his elder sister, Lu Wangshu.

So, was the Caiyun Consort before him actually the Master of Xi Yue’s partner?

With that thought, even though he was usually silent about his father’s romantic exploits, he proceeded to recount how after breaking through Core Formation he had spent most of his time studying divine abilities with Master Hong Lian and formation strategies with his mother, Ling Zixiao.

“Father, with the Liang-Yue war intensifying and the Heavenly Sword Sect continually pressuring the Immortal City of Damengze, now that I’ve made modest advances in both divine abilities and formations, I’m ready to represent our Immortal City in the Yue Kingdom,”

Lu Lingxiao said as he respectfully bowed to his father.

In truth, he had always leaned toward venturing out—especially after witnessing Lu Wangshu and others hasten back to Bihu Mountain, even heading into the fray of the Liang-Yue war.

But his mother, Ling Zixiao, had always objected.

She worried that the Heavenly Sword Sect might use him to test the Immortal City of Damengze or coerce them into moving.

Now that his father had returned, he presented his request.

“The Liang-Yue war…”

Lu Changsheng’s eyes narrowed.

Earlier, through divination, he had learned that both the Immortal City of Damengze and the Lu Family of Bihu Mountain were suffering under the influence of war in the cultivation nation, with many hidden dangers lurking.

Now, listening to his son, he realized that the war’s impact might be even graver than he had imagined.

“I’ll discuss this with you and your mother later,” he replied.

Lu Changsheng, though pleased to see his children seeking experiences outside, remained cautious about the Liang-Yue war and the Jiang Kingdom’s state, refusing to decide rashly.

Besides, he clearly recalled that the underlying crisis in the Immortal City of Damengze was far deeper than that at Bihu Mountain.

This latent peril could very well affect every one of them.

“Lingxiao, can you describe exactly what’s happening in this intense Liang-Yue war?”

Hearing this, Yun Wanshang couldn’t help but interject.

With the Immortal City of Damengze under pressure, as one of the Jiang Kingdom’s Four Great Immortal Sects, the Azure Cloud Sect’s position must be precarious.

“Originally, the Liang-Yue war was nearing its end, but once the Yuan Kingdom intervened, the conflict only deepened—especially in recent years, as the Yuan Kingdom, after processing its victory over Qi Yun Kingdom, cooperated with Liang.”

Lu Lingxiao succinctly and clearly explained the complexities of the Liang-Yue war.

Initially, the Yue Kingdom only needed to exhaust the beast kings nurtured by secret techniques in Liang to end the battle.

But after the Yuan Kingdom became involved, the conflict dragged on, forcing the Jiang Kingdom to continuously send reinforcements.

Just then, Ling Zixiao hurried over.

Seeing another Core Formation female cultivator rushing in—who, judging by her appearance, was also Lu Changsheng’s wife—Yun Wanshang suddenly grew uneasy.

Though she acknowledged her relationship with Lu Changsheng, what was all this? Integrating into a harem? Others might manage, but Yun Wanshang simply couldn’t accept it.

“Husband, Lingxiao, and Hong Lian,”

Ling Zixiao, smiling gracefully at the trio, called out.

But when her gaze fell on a figure clad in a colorful palace robe exuding regal elegance comparable to Hong Lian’s, her expression momentarily faltered.

After decades, she was well aware of her husband’s nature.

Nearly every outing he embarked on ended in a tangle of romantic misadventures or a return accompanied by one or two female cultivators.

If it happened occasionally, it might be overlooked.

But now, after more than ten years away, with numerous family matters piling up at home,

even the Immortal City of Damengze had been under constant pressure from the Heavenly Sword Sect, to the point where they dared not let Lu Lingxiao leave.

Under such circumstances, for Lu Changsheng to frolic outside and return with a female cultivator naturally stirred feelings.

“Ling Zixiao,”

Lu Changsheng, possessing a Nascent Soul–level Taiyi Spirit, immediately picked up on his wife’s slight displeasure.

Knowing he had been away for years and was now back with Yun Wanshang, he realized she must be uncomfortable.

Without a trace of arrogance, he quickly moved to gently support her onto a seat, expressing gratitude for her enduring hardships.

Yun Wanshang observed the scene impassively, thinking that no wonder this scoundrel was so popular among women.

Not only did he spend lavishly, but he was both flexible and shameless.

Typical Core Formation or Nascent Soul cultivators are notoriously proud,

yet Lu Changsheng—who had recently slain a Nascent Soul True Lord—could now speak tenderly to a woman in the early stage of Core Formation, even offering a conciliatory smile.

Such behavior was almost unimaginable elsewhere.

But then Yun Wanshang thought to herself that it was precisely Lu Changsheng’s shamelessness that made him such a damned scoundrel!

“Husband, why were you away for so long this time?”

Though Ling Zixiao was not unmindful of propriety, she knew that while it was acceptable to vent at home, in front of outsiders she must still show respect to her husband.

As she spoke, she glanced at Yun Wanshang a few times.

But the more she looked, the more something felt off.

This woman bore an uncanny resemblance to True Lord Caiyun—the Master of Xiao Xiyue.

Wait a minute—could it be that this woman is none other than True Lord Caiyun herself?

In that instant, Ling Zixiao’s heart filled with both astonishment and a wry amusement.

Her husband had somehow managed to round up Xiao Xiyue’s Master, along with his disciples and senior sister, all in one go.

“It’s a long story. When I encountered Lu Quanzhen, I became entangled in a crisis, and returning home might have only caused more trouble,”

Lu Changsheng chuckled bitterly, remarking that fate truly liked to play tricks.

“Thank you for your efforts, Husband.”

Ling Zixiao, aware by nature that Lu Changsheng would never abandon the family for a woman, softly took his hand and murmured those words.

Soon after, through Ling Zixiao’s explanations, Lu Changsheng and Yun Wanshang gained a detailed understanding of the Jiang Kingdom’s situation and the Liang-Yue war.

This war was no longer something that could be halted at will.

The Jiang Kingdom’s best hope was to keep the battle largely within the Yue Kingdom.

Thus, the Jiang Kingdom kept dispatching its strength to the frontlines in the Yue Kingdom.

And as one of Jiang Kingdom’s three Immortal Cities, the Immortal City of Damengze—having contributed little—gradually became isolated and suppressed by the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Were it not for the distraction caused by Lu Changsheng and Hong Lian—the mysterious City Lords—the Heavenly Sword Sect might have escalated its oppression even further.

As for the Lu Family of Bihu Mountain—a Core Formation family—they stood little chance of resisting the sweeping trends of the cultivation world and had no alternative but to comply, sending their strength to the Yue Kingdom’s front.

“Lu Changsheng, I must return to the Azure Cloud Sect now.”

Listening to Ling Zixiao’s words, Yun Wanshang understood that the situation in the Azure Cloud Sect was dire and decided to head back first.

First, by breaking through to Nascent Soul and taking command at the Azure Cloud Sect, she could greatly boost morale and help mitigate losses in the war, securing better advantages.

Second, she disliked the environment of sharing space with multiple wives alongside Lu Changsheng’s other consorts.

Moreover, as a Nascent Soul True Lord, she could sense that Ling Zixiao harbored no welcoming feelings toward her—instead, there was a trace of hostility and inexplicable emotion.

She understood that sentiment.

But Yun Wanshang was not willing to stoop to petty rivalries over a man with such women!

“So you’re just going back?”

Lu Changsheng planned to accompany Yun Wanshang.

However, seeing that Yun Wanshang felt out of place, he nodded lightly and said, “Alright. I still have a few matters to attend to at the Immortal City of Damengze; I’ll return to Bihu Mountain later.”

“By the way, the affairs between the Lu Family of Bihu Mountain and the Azure Cloud Sect are not something I can handle right now. Caiyun, once you return, please see to them.”

Although he had returned and could support Bihu Mountain directly through the Immortal City of Damengze,

the Azure Cloud Sect, after all, was the sect of Xiao Xiyue, Chu Qingyi, and Yun Wanshang.

If no major conflict arose, he did not wish to overstep.

“Leave it to me.”

Yun Wanshang nodded in agreement, understanding that Lu Changsheng’s strength now far exceeded that of the Heavenly Sword Sect, and he wouldn’t be troubled by a mere Azure Cloud Sect.

If she didn’t handle matters herself and waited for Lu Changsheng to intervene, the Azure Cloud Sect might end up in a worse predicament.

Lu Changsheng smiled and signaled to Ling Zixiao and Hong Lian that he would see Yun Wanshang off.

“Caiyun, regarding the Liang-Yue war, don’t rush into action. If any issues arise, contact me first,”

he said warmly to Yun Wanshang.

After all, she was expecting and it was hardly appropriate for her to get involved in such martial conflicts.

“I have it well in hand,”

though over the years, living together as husband and partner, seeing Lu Changsheng’s numerous consorts and his links with disciples like Xiao Xiyue and Chu Qingyi left Yun Wanshang feeling confused.

Sensing her unease, Lu Changsheng said no more and gently urged her to be cautious.

He even offered to have the Golden-Winged Roc see her off.

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The newest chapter update is posted in Book 69, at the very beginning!

Watching Lu Changsheng fuss over her with tender concern, Yun Wanshang teasingly said, “Alright, enough with your sweet nothings—go charm your other wives.”

With that, she burst forth in a brilliant arc of rainbow light, racing toward the Azure Cloud Sect.

Although she had broken through to Nascent Soul, her control over spatial power was still lacking, preventing her from freely traversing the Great Void.

Yet as a Nascent Soul True Lord, her speed far surpassed that of a Core Formation cultivator.

“Phew!”

Seeing Yun Wanshang’s figure vanish on the horizon, Lu Changsheng exhaled softly, as he had long expected that handling her would not be easy.

Had it not been for the time when, during her breakthrough to Nascent Soul, she had opened her heart and borne a son, Lu Lingxiao, things between them might have encountered even more turbulence.

“Lu Yunxiao,”

Lu Changsheng thought of the son in Yun Wanshang’s womb with anticipation.

Then he recalled Chu Qingyi’s son, Yiren’s daughter, Shen Yiren’s son, and True Lord Qingluan’s daughter, Mu Que.

“Sigh.”

Lu Changsheng shook his head, feeling that as a father he had truly been remiss.

Without further thought, he turned and returned to the City Lord’s Mansion.

“Husband, that person earlier—was she the Master of Xiao Xiyue?”

Ling Zixiao, seeing Lu Changsheng return, offered a graceful smile tinged with a hint of amusement.

“Mm.”

Lu Changsheng gave a slight nod, knowing that nothing needed hiding.

“Husband, you really are…”

Even Ling Zixiao couldn’t help but cast him a reproachful look, silently chiding him for his penchant for flirting right under the roof.

“Sigh, fate truly loves to toy with us.”

Though he had long schemed regarding Yun Wanshang, such matters were not to be spoken of openly.

Noticing Ling Zixiao’s playful half-smile as if to say, “Keep spinning your tale,” Lu Changsheng dropped the subject and returned to the earlier matter.

He implied that he could respond to the Heavenly Sword Sect by offering assistance.

Although the Heavenly Sword Sect had long suppressed the Immortal City of Damengze, Lu Changsheng’s early service under True Lord Juejian meant help was at hand if needed.

Now, with the entire Jiang Kingdom aiding the Yue Kingdom while he himself remained aloof, it was becoming hard to justify his inaction.

Moreover, once the flames of war reached the Jiang Kingdom, his own situation would only become more troublesome and passive.

“Mm.”

Ling Zixiao nodded in understanding.

At that moment, Hong Lian recalled the matter of the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale and spoke up, “Husband, are you aware of what’s going on with the Spirit Whale?”

“Rest assured, I have temporarily resolved that matter.”

Lu Changsheng then briefly recounted the issues concerning True Lord Pinghai, True Lord Fuhai, and True Lord Lingbo.

He candidly admitted that the Golden-Winged Roc had advanced to fourth-rank, and Qian Zhuyan had become a fourth-rank True Puppet.

If necessary, he could later send either the Golden-Winged Roc or Qian Zhuyan to the Yue Kingdom.

After his early exploits in the Mirage Domain of Vast Sands and his slaying of Void Kun, Ling Zixiao and Hong Lian were unsurprised by the matters concerning True Lords Pinghai, Fuhai, and Lingbo.

Yet they couldn’t help but ask: how is it that the Golden-Winged Roc, Qian Zhuyan, and even Yun Wanshang had broken through to Nascent Soul while he had not?

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Lu Changsheng was left speechless.

On this journey, while every spirit pet and puppet around him had advanced to fourth-rank, he—the master—remained the same.

“Lingxiao, don’t rush your plans to head to the Yue Kingdom,”

he said, gesturing dismissively at his son who sat upright beside him, as he prepared to rekindle intimacy with his wife.

Before that, however, he made his way to the rear hall to release Qian Zhuyan and the Golden-Winged Roc.

Then he set up a simple formation to nourish a Kunpeng Egg via the City Lord’s spiritual veins, aiding Lu Quanzhen’s demonic fetus rebirth.

Upon seeing Lu Changsheng, Hong Lian, and Ling Zixiao depart in close company, Qian Zhuyan’s eyes burned subtly as he hurried to his puppet chamber to study the intricacies of the puppetry technique in his mind.

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Having been away for over a decade, Lu Changsheng’s return was far from a mere separation; the trio reunited in an unprecedented manner.

It was also Lu Changsheng’s way of indulging Ling Zixiao’s little whims.

He knew she had long harbored a yearning to gaze upon Hong Lian—the revered Master’s divine beauty—in moments of passion. And so, day after day, night after night, for seven days and seven nights,

even though both Ling Zixiao and Hong Lian were Core Formation cultivators, they were no match for Lu Changsheng.

Under his inexhaustible energy, Ling Zixiao eventually succumbed, falling into a sleep as if lovestruck.

Although Hong Lian could not rival Lu Changsheng, her spirit fetus body and nine-layer Core Formation cultivation—nurtured under his care—gave her a rosy, luminous complexion reminiscent of a Peach Blossom Goddess.

“Hong Lian, how long until you can break through to Nascent Soul?”

Later, as Lu Changsheng cradled Hong Lian’s impeccably balanced form, he sensed that her cultivation was nearing the peak of the Core Formation stage.

And with her spirit fetus body, there seemed to be no major bottleneck for a breakthrough to Nascent Soul.

“In about three to five years you can attempt it, though it might be wiser to take a bit more time.”

Hong Lian’s loose, captivating black hair swayed as she softly replied.

Drawing on the strength of her spirit fetus body, while she could force a direct breakthrough into Nascent Soul, she preferred to solidify her foundation first.

“Very well, there’s no need to rush.”

Lu Changsheng spoke tenderly, his hand gliding over her smooth, fair skin as he thought of the Huaying Pill and Heavenly Infant Fruit from the Starry Sea.

He planned that once he broke through to Nascent Soul, he would avenge Lu Quanzhen for his son and prepare a breakthrough opportunity for Hong Lian.

Meanwhile,

A brilliant, shooting-star-like arc of rainbow light fell outside the Azure Cloud Sect.

Yun Wanshang gazed ahead at the ethereal mists illuminated by soft sunset hues—the ever-familiar Azure Cloud Sect—and felt a tide of emotion surge within her.

Counting carefully, she realized it had been more than fifty years since she left her sect.

Even for a Core Formation cultivator blessed with a five-hundred-year lifespan, fifty years was a long span—nearly one-tenth of one’s life.

Moreover, very few Core Formation cultivators who reached five hundred years would pass away peacefully.

Most Core Formation cultivators would see their lifespans shortened by duels, hidden injuries, and life-consuming secret techniques.

Yet, if one broke through to Nascent Soul after over fifty years away, that time would seem but a brief moment.

For millennia, numerous Core Formation cultivators from the Azure Cloud Sect had ventured out in search of Nascent Soul opportunities—some squandering a hundred years, others disappearing entirely as their Soul Lamps extinguished.

But thinking of her own Nascent Soul—almost entirely reliant on Lu Changsheng—Yun Wanshang sighed inwardly.

How could she ever repay such a debt?

Even as Dao partners, she could not accept this without feeling inferior before that scoundrel Lu Changsheng.

After all, having spent over two hundred years cultivating solely through her own efforts, she refused to be a woman who depended on another.

Otherwise, with her Jade Phoenix Marrow Body, she could have long ago attached herself to a Core Formation cultivator or even a Nascent Soul successor.

But now, returning to the Azure Cloud Sect, her greatest dilemma was how to face her disciple, Xiao Xiyue.

How could she possibly say, “Your Master thinks your partner is quite good,” when in truth, the teacher had arrived earlier to partner with Lu Changsheng?

Ultimately, she was left conflicted, burdened by the weight of gratitude and pride.

Actually, as your master, I arrived first—even before Lu Changsheng did.

Yun Wanshang’s mind was in turmoil as she sighed deeply, knowing that no matter what, she had to face this challenge.

After having already confronted her inner demon tribulation, she walked with light, graceful steps, appearing before the gate of Azure Cloud Sect.

“Boom!”

In an instant, her richly colored, majestic palace dress began to flutter as if caught in a sudden breeze.

A surging aura of a Nascent Soul True Lord erupted like an endless ocean, spreading toward Azure Cloud Sect.

She was unlike Lu Changsheng.

Having broken through to the Nascent Soul stage, she now exuded her power with unbridled confidence.

She announced it to the world through Azure Cloud Sect and the entire cultivation realm of Jiang Kingdom! She—Yun Wanshang, Caiyun True Lord!

As her Nascent Soul aura spread, the whole Azure Cloud Sect was stunned.

Every Foundation Establishment cultivator, False Core True Lord, and Core Formation True Lord—whether busy with affairs or in seclusion—felt a sudden stirring and turned their gaze to the gate.

“Is that… a Nascent Soul aura?”

“Has a Nascent Soul True Lord come to our Azure Cloud Sect?”

“Which True Lord has arrived?”

“Why does that magical energy aura feel oddly familiar?”

The False Core cultivators and Core Formation True Lords of Azure Cloud Sect instantly recognized the Nascent Soul aura, their faces a mix of shock and alarm.

After all, having a Nascent Soul True Lord suddenly appear at their gate, unleashing such imposing energy, was nothing short of terrifying.

But in the next moment, a clear and majestic female voice echoed throughout the Sect.

“From Rainbow Cloud Peak, Yun Wanshang, having broken through to the Nascent Soul stage and ascended to True Lord, returns to the Sect today.”

The voice wasn’t loud, yet it resonated clearly through Azure Cloud Sect.

“From Rainbow Cloud Peak, Yun Wanshang?”

“Caiyun Junior Sister has broken through to the Nascent Soul stage!?”

“Nascent Soul… Yun Wanshang has broken through!?”

“Master has broken through to the Nascent Soul stage!?”

The entire Azure Cloud Sect was in shock.

None could have imagined that this Nascent Soul True Lord was one of their own—Yun Wanshang, the master of Rainbow Cloud Peak who had been traveling.

At that moment, all the disciples of Azure Cloud Sect, filled with joy, awe, admiration, and respect, bowed and saluted outside the gate: “Congratulations, Caiyun True Lord! Welcome back to the Sect! We pay homage to you, Caiyun True Lord!”

Meanwhile, the Azure Cloud Sect Leader, along with several Core Formation cultivators, False Core True Lords, and Foundation Establishment elders, rushed toward the gate.

“Welcome back, Caiyun True Lord!”

The Azure Cloud Sect Leader gazed at the swirling, colorful aura—like that surrounding a peerless beauty bathed in brilliant celestial light. His aged face lit up with excitement, his hands trembling as he lowered himself several steps to bow respectfully to Yun Wanshang.

Even though he was the Sect Leader and once Yun Wanshang’s senior brother, he now had to address her respectfully as Caiyun True Lord.

“Congratulations, Master, on breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage and ascending to True Lord!”

“Welcome back, Caiyun True Lord!”

Xiao Xiyue and several Core Formation True Lords stepped forward to offer their respectful bows.

Just like the other False Core cultivators and Foundation Establishment practitioners, they could hardly bear to look directly at Yun Wanshang—enshrouded in a radiant, rosy aura—and could only lower their heads in reverence, with some even prostrating themselves.

“Pfft!”

However, in the crowd, an elderly blue-robed woman with graying temples stared at the ethereal Yun Wanshang. Her eyes reddened from the brilliance of the Nascent Soul halo, her body shook uncontrollably, and then she suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, collapsing into unconsciousness.

“Junior Sister Song!” someone called out to assist her, but recalling the old grudges between the blue-robed woman and Yun Wanshang, they hesitated to approach.

Yun Wanshang looked toward the blue-robed woman.

Knowing that the woman had long harbored narrow-minded jealousy against her, especially now that she had broken through to Nascent Soul, her blood seemed to boil at the sight.

Yet now that she had become a Nascent Soul True Lord destined for longevity, while the woman’s time was short—and being the partner of Senior Brother Chi Yang True Lord—she chose not to resent. Looking at the Sect Leader’s raised jade hand, she said, “Sect Leader, you need not be so formal.”

Then, turning her gaze to the figure in a moon-white dress—the serene and pure Guanghan Immortal—she softly nodded, “Xiyue.”

“Master.”

Immediately, Xiao Xiyue stepped forward a few paces to stand before his Master, clasping his hands in respect, drawing the attention of the other cultivators.

Long ago, the Caiyun lineage of Rainbow Cloud Peak, renowned for its three Core Formations, had already shaken the world.

Now, Caiyun Zhenren, who had spent years away, returned to the Sect having broken through to Nascent Soul and ascended to True Lord. Henceforth, the fate of Azure Cloud Sect would be determined entirely by the Caiyun Clan.

And since Nascent Soul True Lords rarely concern themselves with trivialities, the power within the Sect now fell to the likes of Xiyue Zhenren here, or perhaps even to Qingyi Zhenren on the frontlines of Yue Kingdom.

In any case, merely being a True Lord disciple was enough to elevate the status of both Xiao Xiyue and Chu Qingyi wherever they went!

Yun Wanshang said nothing further, merely ordering her disciples to stand by her side as she, along with the Azure Cloud Sect Leader and others, entered through the gate.

For a moment, the entire Azure Cloud Sect resounded with jubilant shouts, all celebrating Caiyun True Lord.

From this day forward, Azure Cloud Sect would no longer be a Core Formation power—it was now a Nascent Soul sect!