Chapter 801: Turbulent Tides of Fate

Beneath the colorful palace robe, her lower abdomen appeared completely flat, with no sign of pregnancy.

But as a Nascent Soul True Lord, hiding a pregnancy was as simple as breathing.

Xiao Xiyue barely glanced, not daring to look too intently, while circulating her Supreme Emotionless Technique; her heart remained as still as ice, unshaken even if the world crumbled.

Lu Shouzheng raised his eyes and fixed his gaze on the majestic figure above the main hall – the peerless Divine Maiden, enveloped in a dreamlike, radiant aura of prismatic celestial light.

The figure was blurred and indistinct, impossible to discern clearly.

Yet in the next moment, he noticed her eyes, shimmering with an effulgence and as if containing a galaxy of stars.

Those eyes were locked on him, as though intent on delving into his very soul.

Lu Shouzheng felt his heart seize in terror and awe; instinctively he averted his gaze and bowed his head, unable to meet her eyes.

But recalling that she was the Master Ancestor mentioned by his mother, he fought against his instincts and tried to maintain eye contact.

“Are you the son of Qingyi?”

Yun Wanshang didn’t glance at either Lu Changsheng or Xiao Xiyue; she simply asked in a low voice, her tone laced with ineffable authority as she looked at the young man ahead.

At those words, Xiao Xiyue paused, a knot of tension tightening within her.

Lu Changsheng, however, placed his hand calmly on his son’s shoulder, hoping to ease the pressure.

Even though Yun Wanshang revealed no trace of magical energy.

Yet having just broken through into the Nascent Soul stage and now visibly pregnant with a Da Luo Sword Embryo, an intangible pressure was clearly present.

Immediately, Lu Shouzheng relaxed and, with neither servility nor arrogance, declared, “My mother belongs to Azure Cloud Sect, from Rainbow Cloud Peak, and her name is Chu Qingyi.”

“Mm.”

Yun Wanshang’s expression remained unchanged.

Upon seeing Lu Shouzheng, she instantly guessed he must be the son of Chu Qingyi and Lu Changsheng.

Soon after, her gaze shifted to the young man clad in a moon-white dress with a serene, almost divine, countenance – and she demanded, “Xiyue, why did you not report Shouzheng’s matter immediately upon your master’s return?”

Although Master’s voice was calm, Xiao Xiyue could sense the repressed anger within.

As Lu Changsheng had said, their Master had long detected what had transpired between him and Senior Sister.

Thus, he had been mentally prepared for the matter concerning Lu Shouzheng.

More so, their Master was livid that so many things were kept secret from her! “A disciple’s error,” she added.

Xiao Xiyue did not defend herself, instead bowing in apology.

After joining the Caiyun Clan, Master Yun Wanshang had taken her in as both mentor and mother to guide her cultivation.

Yet she had hidden numerous matters from her Master – even the issue concerning nephew Lu Shouzheng – her first thought being to inform Lu Changsheng rather than her Master.

“First, take Shouzheng out,” Yun Wanshang ordered.

Looking at Xiao Xiyue, her voice calm and unyielding, she added with unquestionable authority.

“Master,” Xiao Xiyue’s face suddenly changed as she realized that their Master might take action against Lu Changsheng.

“Xiyue, take Shouzheng out,” she repeated firmly.

Lu Changsheng stepped forward and said, “I would never let my wife and children stand in my way.”

“Be obedient,” came the reply.

From the moment he arrived, Lu Changsheng had anticipated that Yun Wanshang would be incensed.

After all, on this outing, one disciple was pregnant while the other had hidden everything – it would be unreasonable for her not to be angry.

Yet he had brought Xiao Xiyue and Lu Shouzheng without intending to use them as scapegoats.

After a brief hesitation, Xiao Xiyue led Lu Shouzheng out of the main hall.

Boom!

As they stepped out, the hall doors slammed shut.

Immediately, Xiao Xiyue felt an overwhelming surge of magical energy, as if from an endless ocean.

Despite Master’s strenuous efforts to contain it within the hall, the faint outflow of energy signaled an unparalleled danger.

Her features filled with worry as she looked back at the main hall.

“Senior Sister, will my father be alright?”

Although young, Lu Shouzheng had been exceptionally bright since childhood and sensed that something was amiss inside the hall.

He knew their Master’s forefather was surely angered by the matters concerning his mother and his father.

“Don’t worry,”

Xiao Xiyue whispered, though her beautiful eyes betrayed her concern.

Inside Rainbow Cloud Hall.

Lu Changsheng allowed Master Yun Wanshang’s overwhelming, mountain-shaking magical strikes to batter him; his steps faltered as his blood and energy surged chaotically.

“Lu Changsheng, are you enjoying yourself now?”

Yun Wanshang, her colorful dress flowing, stared coldly at Lu Changsheng; an almost tangible aura of Nascent Soul power washed over the main hall, suffocating him.

“Not at all,”

Lu Changsheng replied with a bitter laugh.

From a man’s perspective, one might feel a tinge of pride in such matters.

But for Yun Wanshang, who was involved firsthand, there was nothing to be pleased about.

Staring at the graceful, mesmerizing Yun Wanshang, Lu Changsheng hesitated before slowly saying, “I, Lu Changsheng, consider myself fortunate beyond measure to have earned the profound affection of Caiyun, Xiyue, and Qingyi. It’s a blessing cultivated over many lifetimes – naturally, I carry a sense of pride.”

“But I know that this affair will only bring you and the others misfortune,”

Before Lu Changsheng could finish, Yun Wanshang coldly snapped, “Save your flowery words. Had you known about Shouzheng’s matter all along?”

“I only learned of Shouzheng’s issue after returning and, once household affairs were settled, I brought him directly to you so his status could be made official.”

Though Lu Changsheng had long known of his son’s condition through the system, he chose to offer a benign lie, knowing that the truth would only enrage Yun Wanshang further.

After all, without the system, he would have been none the wiser.

Heh, official status?

Yun Wanshang sneered, her tone laced with subtle mockery, “And what of your title – is it that of Changsheng True Lord, Yangming True Lord, or even Dameng City Lord?”

She wasn’t sure if Lu Changsheng knew about Shouzheng’s matter.

But she did know that since Chu Qingyi had been willing to bear Lu Shouzheng, her feelings must have run deep – a matter not worth further discussion on her part.

However, in these past days she had struggled to calm her emotions and pondered how to handle her relationship with Lu Changsheng.

Then she noticed that even his eldest disciple now bore his child.

Moreover, both her disciples had hidden things from her as their Master!

Xiao Xiyue was one thing.

But Chu Qingyi was the one she had nurtured since childhood!

“It has always been me, Lu Changsheng,”

Lu Changsheng replied with a wry smile.

Since his son Lu Shouzheng had received care at Bihu Mountain, there was no way he could assume another identity – it simply wasn’t practical.

“Easy for you to say,”

Yun Wanshang’s face turned icily stern as she challenged, “What right does Changsheng True Lord have to marry two of my disciples?”

“Two disciples marrying one man? Marrying you, Lu Changsheng? What would the outer world say of Azure Cloud Sect and me, Yun Wanshang?”

Lu Changsheng understood her meaning.

He knew well that his status as the head of Bihu Mountain was lacking.

After all, ever since he had become the Dao companion of Xiao Xiyue, outsiders had murmured that he was overreaching.

Now, to marry Chu Qingyi – which would force both her and his other disciple to unite under one man – would only make people question his worth.

Especially now that Yun Wanshang had broken through into True Lord and Xiao Xiyue and Chu Qingyi’s positions were growing ever higher.

If both disciples were wed to a Core Formation cultivator, not only would they be ridiculed, but Yun Wanshang and the entire Azure Cloud Sect would be mocked as well.

“In a few days, I will break through to the Nascent Soul stage,”

Lu Changsheng admitted frankly. He planned to seize a legendary identity as a grand cultivator reborn once he passed through the Nascent Soul stage.

“Break through to Nascent Soul?”

Naturally, Yun Wanshang knew that Lu Changsheng could have pushed through to Nascent Soul at any moment.

Were it not for her, he might have already advanced.

But over the years, she had come to understand his future strategy.

Bihu Mountain remained hidden in the shadows, its true nature masked by another identity.

So when he expressed willingness to openly reveal his identity for his disciple, a piece of her anger melted away, as she sensed a hint of responsibility in him.

“When do you plan to break through to Nascent Soul?”

Yun Wanshang inquired of Lu Changsheng.

“After your child is born,”

Lu Changsheng replied honestly.

“Lu Changsheng, you…!”

Yun Wanshang’s face turned as cold as frost; she believed Lu Changsheng was subtly reminding her that all three of them – Master, disciple, and child – were linked by his essence.

In that instant, the main hall erupted with a power as turbulent as a vast ocean, crashing over Lu Changsheng like relentless waves.

At that moment, even Xiao Xiyue outside the hall felt the surge and wanted to enter to see what was happening.

Not only her – other cultivators from Rainbow Cloud Peak also felt the fearsome aura and shuddered, baffled by its origin.

Lu Changsheng suddenly realized he had misspoken.

Yun Wanshang was already furious over his two disciples conceiving his child, and now he had mentioned the child in her womb.

Wasn’t that just adding fuel to the fire?

With his Fourth-Rank physique and Chaos Body, such a force posed no threat to him.

But in that moment, to placate her, he let the fierce force strike him as he tried to explain, “Caiyun, I meant nothing by it – only that once Yunxiao is born, I can break through Nascent Soul unburdened.”

“Moreover, I plan to advance to the Great Dao Nascent Soul and need your help,”

Lu Changsheng continued. Although he believed that he needed no assistance to break through into Nascent Soul, he knew that Yun Wanshang’s stubborn pride and the immense pressure she carried would make her intervention both necessary and reassuring.

Besides, if she, with her Tongyu Phoenix Marrow Body that resonated perfectly with his Dao foundation, could aid him via the Sun and Moon Reincarnation Sutra, there might be unexpected benefits.

—

“Great Dao Nascent Soul?”

Yun Wanshang frowned, surprised by the term.

“That’s merely my conjecture – once Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul is transcended, the next step is Great Dao Nascent Soul,”

Lu Changsheng, visibly strained under the pressure of Yun Wanshang’s aura, panted as he earnestly pleaded, “So I need your help, Caiyun.”

“Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul? Great Dao Nascent Soul?”

Yun Wanshang was taken aback, not only by the notion of something beyond Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul but also by Lu Changsheng’s desire to pursue such an unattainable pinnacle.

After all, she herself had tried advancing past Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul using her Nascent Soul Spirit Body to withstand the Heavenly Tribulation – barely scraping through to the lowest echelon of it.

But for Lu Changsheng to seek further advancement, what extremes must he reach? To draw in the Heavenly Dao’s energy from the nine tribulations?

“Are you certain?” Yun Wanshang asked, convinced this was no laughing matter.

“Caiyun, are you concerned for me?”

Lu Changsheng grinned in response.

Yet no sooner had he spoken than a heavy blow struck him, forcing him to stagger and lose his balance.

In his mind, he mused about unleashing his Three Treasure Incarnation if only to silence her with a blow – as long as the Three Treasure Incarnation Pearl remained intact, it wouldn’t be a problem.

“It’s just an experiment,”

Lu Changsheng coughed and smiled wryly.

Great Dao Nascent Soul was nothing but his guess – even Hong Lian had not heard of it.

“Stop pretending,”

Yun Wanshang’s surging Nascent Soul aura calmed momentarily; she knew all too well that Lu Changsheng’s Fourth-Rank physique could even fell a Fourth-Rank Demon King like the Wind-Splitting Beast. Starting now wouldn’t guarantee victory.

She resettled herself gracefully and declared, “A few days ago, True Lord Juejian visited Azure Cloud Sect.”

Lu Changsheng, realizing that Yun Wanshang’s mention was no ordinary visitation, immediately asked, “True Lord Juejian came to see you? What business did he have?”

“He merely wished to know why I broke through to Nascent Soul so rapidly,”

Yun Wanshang replied in a calm and detached tone, her voice imbued with the authority of one who has ascended.

Although Azure Cloud Sect and Heavenly Sword Sect had once enjoyed good relations, her breakthrough had inevitably shattered old alliances, inviting suspicion.

“At that time, I had just absorbed a Da Luo Sword Embryo and my energy was unstable; True Lord Juejian sensed the connection between the embryo and Yunxiao,”

Yun Wanshang continued. Without a trace of makeup, her stunningly beautiful face seemed like that of a celestial maiden fallen to earth.

The Da Luo Sword Embryo—a treasure of the Sword Dao—filled even her with a stirring of desire, not to mention the allure of True Lord Juejian’s swordsmanship.

“Hmm!?”

Lu Changsheng’s expression grew grave as he realized the gravity of the matter.

Yun Wanshang had concealed her pregnancy well; though the energy of the Da Luo Sword Embryo might fool even Core Formation cultivators, hiding it from a Nascent Soul True Lord was another matter entirely.

Especially since True Lord Juejian and other sword cultivators were exceedingly sensitive to sword qi and intent.

If the Heavenly Sword Sect were to covet the Da Luo Sword Embryo, disaster would certainly follow.

“So, my explanation is that with the help of Yunxiao’s father, while breaking through to Nascent Soul, he had matters to attend to – hence his absence from Jiang Kingdom. But in time, he will come to visit Yunxiao,”

Yun Wanshang softly stroked her abdomen, then added, “And that sword qi is none other than the companion Spirit Treasure gifted by his father.”

After a pause, her iridescent eyes met Lu Changsheng’s as she said, “So when you come to see Yunxiao at Azure Cloud Sect, use the title 【Qilin Sword Lord】.”

“On days when you have affairs to attend to, you may also use that title.”

Qilin Sword Lord was the name Yun Wanshang had devised for Lu Changsheng.

For one, the qilin, like the legendary True Dragon or Heavenly Phoenix, was a symbol of supreme True Spirit and an omen of fortune in cultivation—a title that would leave no stain on Lu Changsheng.

Moreover, during the Sealing Demon Realm, both of them had taken in Qilin blood and even Yun Wanshang had ingested a drop of Qilin Blood Essence when breaking through to Nascent Soul.

That drop had transformed her utterly, imbuing her with an aura of qilin auspice—hence the adoption of the name.

As for Sword Lord, it needs no further explanation; having a top-tier sword weapon as a companion Spirit Treasure was truly extraordinary.

And during their time in the Land of Eternal Night, watching Lu Changsheng constantly wield Sword Dao, she deduced that he must be a master of it.

“???”

Yet Lu Changsheng discerned another layer in Yun Wanshang’s words.

The child’s father was to be called Qilin Sword Lord.

He would come to see his child at Azure Cloud Sect and Rainbow Cloud Peak using that title.

As for being the head of Bihu Mountain, or the titles of Yangming True Lord or Dameng City Lord – she cared not.

“One day, Yangming True Lord will be the True Lord of Changsheng, and Dameng City Lord, too. But what of Qilin Sword Lord?”

It is said that an overdose of ambition harms the body. With a child still growing inside her, Lu Changsheng was cautiously conciliatory, feeling that he might come off as unjust.

“Tell me, do you really believe you can have me all to yourself?” Yun Wanshang remarked icily, the faint trace of self-mockery in her tone.

Even though she had once journeyed through her own inner tribulation, the thought of being in a relationship with all three of them – Master and both disciples – was unbearable.

“I know it’s wrong,”

Lu Changsheng sighed softly, then stood upright, his eyes fixed on Yun Wanshang as he declared, “But I always said that I was a greedy man. One day, I will ascend to the peak of Azure Cloud and hold all of you in my arms.”

“Now, I won’t stop there – I intend to embrace Caiyun, pluck the bright moon, and claim Qingyi as well!”

Lu Changsheng slowly declared, his energy, power, and aura remaining unspent.

“Do you really think you can pin me down?”

Yun Wanshang’s face turned as cold as frost as a surge of magical energy gathered around her.

Using the Qilin Sword Lord title was already her compromise.

Yet Lu Changsheng’s insistence on uniting the three of them left her fuming.

“Master, I’ve long known that such arrangements would invite all sorts of lewd rumors. I won’t force you; I only said that I’m greedy – I can’t abide a string of fake identities.”

With a calm expression, Lu Changsheng stated earnestly, “If Nascent Soul isn’t enough, then I’ll become a Nascent Soul Grand True Lord; if that fails, I will transform into a Shénzun of Transformation, ascend, and attain Dao!”

“Everyone cultivates to become immortal and enlightened. If one day I do transcend, then that will be the Dao itself!”

“I know these words sound arrogant and like mere babble, but they are my commitment, my resolve!”

Lu Ancestor’s handsome face turned stern, every trace of his former playful gentility replaced by a robust, determined expression.

He paused, his gaze fixed on Yun Wanshang’s iridescent, noble eyes as he said, “Thus, for Lu Changsheng of Bihu Mountain to wed the Caiyun True Lord, what formalities must be observed?”

Yun Wanshang looked ahead, her expression serious and deep, her demeanor as imposing as an ancient, towering tree – a sight that stirred mixed emotions in Lu Changsheng.

Who would have thought that he would now set such lofty ambitions – if Nascent Soul fails, then Nascent Soul Grand True Lord; if that too fails, then Transformation True Lord and ascent to immortality!

Whether or not Lu Changsheng was putting on airs, one couldn’t deny that his current bearing was quite compelling.

Compared to the frivolous, self-effacing man he used to be in the presence of his concubines, Yun Wanshang much preferred the dignified, resolute Lu Changsheng he now exhibited.

Moreover, as he spouted these seemingly absurd words, she felt an indescribable stirring within her – as if his aspirations might actually come true.

After all, just a hundred years ago he was merely a Qi Refining youth.

And yet he dared to mention Great Dao Nascent Soul!

And he was even willing to sacrifice his Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul opportunity for her sake.

In the Land of Eternal Night and Forbidden Sea, he had already proven his resolve.

“Then when the day comes that Lu Changsheng of Bihu Mountain makes a name for himself in Southern Desolation and becomes one of its top cultivators,”

Yun Wanshang admitted, not making demands about immortality or the elusive Transformation True Lord.

She only had one requirement – that he become one of the premier cultivators of Southern Desolation!

Yun Wanshang, feeling a pang of regret and frustration towards Lu Changsheng for squandering his extraordinary talents despite his vast fortunate destiny, set a goal for him.

After all, if he could achieve that, why not take her as his bride?

After all, Jiang Kingdom was but a fragment of Southern Desolation – even if she broke through to Nascent Soul and made a name for herself in Northern Desolation, it wouldn’t compare to the majesty of the entire Southern Desolation cultivation world.

How many heroes and demigods have there been over countless millennia in Southern Desolation? How many have truly reached its pinnacle and become top cultivators?

If Lu Changsheng were ever to achieve that, he would be considered unbelievably lucky.

“Very well!”

Without hesitation, Lu Changsheng agreed and loudly declared, “When that day comes, I shall host a grand ceremony that will bathe all of Southern Desolation in your radiance!”

Yun Wanshang was momentarily stunned.

She thought, what a twist of fate.

Had it not been for him, few in the entire cultivation world could ever match such a partner.

Swallowing her earlier words, Yun Wanshang, with a resplendent and noble air, said, “If you wish to maintain the current state regarding Qingyi, then after you break through into Nascent Soul, head to the battlefield in Yue Kingdom and slay a couple of Core Formation cultivators.”

After all, the current Lu Changsheng of Bihu Mountain wasn’t fit to wed the two Core Formation True Lords of Azure Cloud Sect – much less Caiyun True Lord, one of her disciples.

But if one possessed the strength of a late Core Formation cultivator with exceptional talent, potential, and battle prowess – and by some chance the fates aligned – then he might just be considered acceptable.

As for Chu Qingyi’s side, since both of them already had children, what need was there for more discussion? “Thank you, Caiyun.”

At these words, Lu Changsheng felt that his Master’s soft-heartedness was merely an excuse to get closer, to see how the embryo nurtured by the Da Luo Sword Embryo fared.

“What are you doing?”

Seeing Lu Changsheng advancing with a look of deep affection, Yun Wanshang furrowed her brow and said sharply,

“I’ve said it: the child’s father is called Qilin Sword Lord!”

“Alright, alright, I am Qilin Sword Lord,”

Lu Changsheng replied helplessly, thinking how these women were all utterly out of it.

But since she was the mother of his child, he was willing to indulge in this role-play.

“You haven’t broken through to Nascent Soul yet,” Yun Wanshang stated matter-of-factly.

“???”

Wasn’t it that without breaking through to Nascent Soul, he wasn’t even qualified to see his child?

Lu Changsheng, at a loss for words, pointed at Yun Wanshang’s belly and said, “Once I break through to Nascent Soul, the child will be born.”

“Then we shall see after the birth,”

Yun Wanshang replied coolly.

“But if I haven’t broken through to Nascent Soul yet, how can I see him?”

“Besides, the child’s state changes at every stage. Right now, he is still in the fetal stage – if I, as his father, don’t take a look now, I might miss this chance forever.”

Lu Changsheng said earnestly, his eyes filled with expectation.

Yun Wanshang, looking at Lu Changsheng’s earnest face, suddenly found it amusing.

This little rogue seemed to value the child in her womb quite a lot.

At that moment, she even felt as if she could command the world.

“Then use your divine sense to observe him,”

Yun Wanshang, suppressing her playful mood and maintaining a cold expression, ordered.

“Damn, this woman just won’t be swayed!”

Lu Changsheng, exasperated, continued to coax her. “If there’s no feeling from using divine sense, I won’t be able to clear my thoughts, my cultivation will suffer – and the child should at least sense my aura.”

Amid Lu Changsheng’s incessant prattle, Yun Wanshang, with a face full of disdain, said, “If you must, then observe quickly.”

Lu Changsheng eagerly leaned in, inhaling the heady fragrance of Yun Wanshang as his face pressed against her belly.

First, he sensed the Sword Dao essence emanating from the Da Luo Sword Embryo, and then the gradual nourishment of Sword Dao energy sustaining the fetal Lu Yunxiao.

Moreover, he even caught sight of a faint qilin phantom hovering protectively over his son.

Lu Changsheng understood that this was the remaining Qilin Blood Essence from Yun Wanshang’s tribulation, all used to nurture the child.

In addition, Yun Wanshang’s own magical energy enveloped Lu Yunxiao, ensuring that the Sword Dao essence did not harm him.

Feeling the overwhelming might of his child’s burgeoning energy, Lu Changsheng wondered if this birth might mirror that of his daughter Lu Baixi – who, upon birth, resembled a demon beast cub, brimming with latent power.

“How long will you keep observing?”

Yun Wanshang, having seen Lu Changsheng’s head pressed against her belly, wrapped her right arm around her waist, pushed him away, and signaled that he should leave.

“Am I not just trying to spend a little more time with our child?” Lu Changsheng said, exasperated.

“Don’t you have hundreds at home? Haven’t you spent enough time already?”

Yun Wanshang’s eyes held a trace of ridicule.

That was what irked her most about Lu Changsheng – his constant procreation.

Lu Changsheng, rendered speechless and choked, thought, Can you not carry on a conversation without killing the topic?

He wanted to say it was his child and he should spend more time with it, but realizing that Yun Wanshang wouldn’t take the bait, he could only nod helplessly.

“Enough, go back. Once Yunxiao is born, I will inform you so you can help you break through to Nascent Soul,”

Yun Wanshang said flatly, “Xiyue and Shouzheng, continue your training at Rainbow Cloud Peak – I have matters to discuss with you.”

At these words, Lu Changsheng paused, trying to explain on behalf of Xiao Xiyue, “The matter of Shouzheng wasn’t concealed deliberately – it was just that, at the time, I hadn’t returned yet, and anger shifted towards you.”

“You need not explain on my behalf!” Yun Wanshang snapped coldly.

As their Master, she could not tolerate Xiao Xiyue’s constant concealments.

“Then may I stand by and watch?” Lu Changsheng, worried, protested.

“Absolutely not,” Yun Wanshang retorted.

“After all, Xiyue is my wife; I can’t help but watch – and besides, in this matter…”

Realizing that Yun Wanshang was not as cold as she appeared, Lu Changsheng continued to persuade.

“Are you done?” Yun Wanshang, growing impatient, snapped.

“Then shall I wait outside?” Lu Changsheng offered, stepping back.

As soon as he finished speaking, the grand doors of Rainbow Cloud Hall burst open with a resounding crash. Yun Wanshang called for Xiao Xiyue and Lu Shouzheng to come in.

Seeing that Lu Changsheng was mostly unharmed, though his energy and magical aura were slightly in disarray, Xiao Xiyue heaved a sigh of relief.

But remembering how close Lu Changsheng had come to their Master earlier, Xiao Xiyue worried silently – what mischief might be unfolding inside the hall?

Genuinely worried, Xiao Xiyue channeled every bit of her Supreme Emotionless Technique to subdue her anxious thoughts.

After hearing Lu Changsheng recount what transpired with their Master, it had shattered the exalted image Yun Wanshang held of her, and knowing Lu Changsheng’s nature, she couldn’t help but think even more.

“You, get out,” Yun Wanshang ordered Lu Changsheng as she shot him a stern look.

Lu Changsheng gave Xiao Xiyue a slight nod to indicate he was fine and then left Rainbow Cloud Hall.

Once the hall closed, he tried using his divine sense to eavesdrop on what was happening within.

After all, the grand formation protecting Rainbow Cloud Hall couldn’t stop his Nascent Soul–level Taiyi Spirit.

“Try eavesdropping if you dare!”

But Yun Wanshang immediately retorted, “And what about your Mirror?”

Although Lu Changsheng hadn’t brought the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror, Yun Wanshang knew its capabilities well – nearly impossible to counter.

Sigh.

Lu Changsheng, realizing he couldn’t completely conceal his divine sense from her, had no option but to wait outside.

After about half an hour, the hall doors burst open again. Xiao Xiyue emerged with Lu Shouzheng, indicating that she wouldn’t be returning to Bihu Mountain just yet but would help handle affairs at Azure Cloud Sect.

During this period, Yun Wanshang had kept to seclusion. As a representative of Rainbow Cloud Peak, it was unbecoming for a disciple to remain in Bihu Mountain.

As for Lu Shouzheng, Yun Wanshang also signaled that his practice would continue at Rainbow Cloud Peak rather than returning to Bihu Mountain.

Lu Changsheng was immediately irked – after all, what did Bihu Mountain have that Azure Cloud Sect lacked? He knew the conditions for Lu Shouzheng at Bihu Mountain far exceeded those at Azure Cloud Sect.

“Father, I wish to continue my cultivation at Rainbow Cloud Peak,”

Lu Shouzheng said with a respectful bow toward Lu Changsheng.

This place was where he had taken his first steps; he still felt at home here.

After a moment’s pause, Lu Changsheng, feeling guilty for neglecting his son, said, “Very well, Bihu Mountain will always be your home. Whenever you need anything, send word or write to me.”

He did not press further, nodding as he planned to visit Chu Qingyi with Xiao Xiyue later to check on his son.

“Thank you, Father,”

The young Lu Shouzheng, though not particularly close to Lu Changsheng, maintained proper etiquette and bowed in greeting.

After a brief word with Xiao Xiyue, Lu Changsheng patted his son on the head and then left Azure Cloud Sect, returning to Bihu Mountain.

Half a month later,

With few matters at home, Lu Changsheng told his wife Lu Miaohuan that he would soon head to Jiang Kingdom, then visit Yanyu Market to check on his two concubines.

Over the past decade, although Yan Lan and Yufei had occasionally seen Lu Changsheng, manifested in the form of the thousand-faced Fox Puppet at Bihu Mountain,

he had not met them for over ten years – leaving them to console each other.

Faced with this, even Lu Ancestor had to reprise the ancient delights of both genders with them.

Now, the post of market leader had already transferred to his children, Lu Yanyu and Lu Yanming.

Lu Changsheng watched as they respectfully and reverently called him; one of them even offered some medicinal pills as he imparted cultivation tips.

After a brief stay of half a month, Lu Changsheng returned to Bihu Mountain and exchanged a few words with Lu Miaoyun, Lu Ping’an, and Lu Quanzhen before setting off with his wife Lu Miaohuan and daughter Lu Qingqi for Jiang Kingdom.

On the journey, Lu Changsheng passed by Immortal City of Qingluan.

Since the disappearance of Qingluan True Lord more than twenty years ago, this sanctuary for itinerant cultivators had inevitably fallen into decline.

However, due to the escalation of the Liang-Yue War over the years, this immortal city – serving as a crucial barrier between Jiang Kingdom and Yue Kingdom – had been taken over by Heavenly Sword Sect cultivators.

Perhaps considering that Qingluan True Lord had only vanished and not perished, Heavenly Sword Sect chose not to conduct any purges, retaining much of the old talent.

Meanwhile, Lu Qingxian, who had long remained there, had become one of the few influential stewards.

Lu Changsheng chatted with his son, listening to updates from Immortal City of Qingluan, and couldn’t help but think of Qingluan True Lord.

“Qingxuan, you should keep your focus on your cultivation. Don’t worry yourself about Immortal City of Qingluan – or perhaps you could head to Immortal City of Damengze,”

Lu Changsheng advised,

For over a decade, the Starry Sea group had returned only recently, leaving him unable to attend to many of his children’s needs.

“Rest assured, Father. I am fine. Besides, I’ve heard news from home,”

Lu Qingxian, who had access to rapid information at Immortal City of Qingluan, reassured him.

Moreover, not long ago, Lu Wangshu, Lu Qingqi, and others had gone out with the Golden-Winged Roc to visit him, all aware of his return.

“You need not worry about home,”

Lu Changsheng instructed his son before glancing at the maid by his side – who, to his recollection, was once one he had taken in during his early years.

He was surprised to see that the maid had remained with his son and was already in mid Foundation Establishment.

After looking at Lu Qingxian, Lu Changsheng proceeded to Qingxuan Mountain.

However, with Lu Qingxian and others heading off for the war in Jiang Kingdom, only two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Lu Family remained at Qingxuan Mountain to maintain operations.

After a brief reconnaissance of the situation, Lu Changsheng, with his wife and daughter, traversed the vast expanse of the mountain range and headed for Jiang Kingdom.