Chapter 805: Whispers of Fate in the Battlefield

Yue Kingdom, a certain stronghold.

A graceful woman in a white palace robe, exuding a cool, aloof aura, murmured softly upon hearing rumors from afar, “Changsheng True Lord… he has returned.”

Her exquisitely sculpted face and slender, willow-like brows framed eyes that, though tinged with melancholy, shone with delight as she gazed toward the Chiyue Mountain Range.

Liang Kingdom Battlefield – an outpost of the Asura Sect.

“Changsheng True Lord… Master Miaoge.”

A middle-aged man in black armor, his features marked by a fierce, hostile air, listened to the news with a complex expression.

He never expected to hear word of his old friend even amidst the chaos of battle.

After decades apart, his dear friend had risen from a mere son-in-law, the master of the Lu Family of Bihu Mountain, to a renowned Core Formation cultivator.

Even his wife and children had progressed beyond Core Formation.

Meanwhile, he himself remained stuck in Foundation Establishment, wasting away the years – and to think he now found himself on the opposing side of his old friend.

He stared at his palm, which glowed with a haunting bloodlike luster, and sighed softly.

Ever since he fled to Liang Kingdom and joined the Asura Sect, there had been no turning back.

Lacking a proper Spirit Root – unless one utterly abandons humanity – breaking through Core Formation was nearly impossible. Lost in thought, he was interrupted by a burly man who leaned in and whispered, “Brother Li, have you made up your mind? Trust me, if you give your all, once I breakthrough, I’ll help you advance too!”

Li Feiyu closed his blood-bright eyes for a moment, a cold laugh echoing in his heart. ‘Advance your core first, then focus on mine,’ he mused.

Under different circumstances, he might have wagered everything on his dear friend, but here, deep within the dense forest of the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range…

Lu Chensha fed the roasted bull demon meat to a sleek, jet-black mink-beast – a lithe creature standing six feet tall with an eight-foot tail that flickered like flowing fire.

The mink-beast’s coat was as dark as a crushed night sky, and when it shifted even slightly, fine strands of deep purple shimmered within its fur.

Once the creature was fully sated, Lu Chensha moved behind it, invoking his Beast Art to channel magical energy into its tail – as if sculpting a masterpiece from carved black jade.

As his energy surged in, dark purple, liquid patterns began to flow along the tip of the tail like molten mercury.

The mink-beast’s eyes, reminiscent of starless voids, flickered with a contented glint before slowly closing as if succumbing to sleep.

Even though the phantom mink had drifted into slumber, Lu Chensha persisted until his magical energy was fully expended, then exhaled wearily as he fed himself the remaining demon meat and began his meditation.

Earlier in the Chiyue Mountain Range, during his escape, an enemy Core Formation cultivator had spotted him, forcing a hasty retreat.

He was no match for a Core Formation cultivator and had to rely solely on a Teleportation Talisman to evade capture.

Eventually, he arrived in the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range.

One could scarcely decide whether his fate was governed by luck or misfortune.

If luck, then he had encountered a third-rank Demon King right off the bat.

If misfortune, then the third-rank Demon King spared him, making him spend every day using his Beast Art to groom its tail and even share in the spoils of hunted demon beasts.

Indeed, the small mink-beast before him – no larger than a foot – was a third-rank Demon King.

Its bloodline was anything but ordinary, bearing a celestial lineage that allowed it to meld with the void’s shadows, even possessing an innate divine ability drawn from the shadows of others – truly terrifying.

So, Lu Chensha spent these days resigned to serving as the cook for the phantom mink.

Though life was stifling, survival was a blessing in itself.

As for escape, Lu Chensha had no such plans.

For one, he was completely at the mercy of the phantom mink.

Moreover, the mountain teemed with demon beasts, making any safe departure nearly impossible at his current strength.

It was better to bide his time by the mink’s side and gather information.

Besides, its appetite was far less fearsome than that of other Demon Kings; it often left surplus meat from its hunts, which he could stash in his spirit pet bag to feed his companion pets.

And so, day after day, Lu Chensha endured a life of servitude and survival.

One day, as usual, after feeding the phantom mink to satiety, he channeled his Beast Art to infuse energy into its tail.

Suddenly, a soft, warm voice echoed in his ear.

“Chensha.”

Startled, Lu Chensha’s eyes lit up with joy, though he quickly composed himself.

Even so, the dozing phantom mink stirred, its form seemingly dissolving into the shadows as it became alert.

“Interesting,” the gentle voice continued.

Ahead, a shimmering play of light in hues of yin and yang revealed two figures – a man and a woman: Father Lu Changsheng and Sister Lu Ruyi.

“Squeak, squeak, squeak!!!”

Unlike most Demon Kings, the phantom mink was timid, reminiscent of the treasure-seeking mice; upon seeing Lu Changsheng, it tried to flee at once.

But it soon discovered that the very fabric of space here seemed to form an invisible hand, pinning it down so effectively that no amount of struggling could set it free.

Although Lu Changsheng’s control over spatial forces was only rudimentary – barely at the beginner stage and insufficient to form a barrier – his fusion of a Chaos Body with a Kunpeng Body had significantly elevated his command of space.

While he could not rival Nascent Soul True Lords or demon kings born with spatial talents, handling an early third-rank minor demon was well within his grasp.

“Father!” Lu Chensha immediately cried out, his voice filled with joy.

For days he had longed for rescue from home, and he could hardly believe his father had arrived – and so swiftly.

“Chensha, what’s happening here?”

Lu Changsheng, aware that his son’s Beast Art also accelerated the growth of demon beasts, noted with concern that his son was not only grooming the phantom mink’s tail but also feeding it.

Lu Chensha then recounted all that had transpired over these recent days.

“Good grief,” he murmured, shaking his head in mild disbelief that his son had essentially become a servant to the phantom mink.

Beside him, Lu Ruyi looked on in astonishment – who would have thought her brother had spent his days cooking for a Demon King?

Such circumstances were truly beyond belief.

Yet in the world of cultivation, strange occurrences were not uncommon.

She had even heard stories of demon beasts nurturing human children.

“Chensha, what do you intend to do with this phantom mink?”

Previously, Lu Changsheng had divined that his son’s fate was intricately linked to the mink – perhaps promising a rare opportunity.

Given that this mink was not as ferocious as typical third-rank Demon Kings and seemed fated to his son, Lu Changsheng wondered if his son could form a contract with it.

If that could be achieved, advancing to Core Formation would be so much easier for Lu Chensha.

Moreover, as the phantom mink grew and mastered spatial power, it could evolve into a top-tier spirit pet.

Lu Changsheng knew that once a demon beast reached third rank, its intelligence rivaled that of humans.

In fact, a creature like the phantom mink boasted intelligence slightly superior to that of ordinary demon beasts.

Perhaps his father’s inquiry was also meant to win its favor.

Gazing at the phantom mink, now subdued by the Yin-Yang Hand, he saw in its pained, bottomless eyes a trace of helplessness.

Quickly, he clasped his hands and said, “Father, this phantom mink hasn’t harmed me. Thanks to it, I’ve survived in this mountain. Please, spare its life.”

Seeing his son’s quick wits, Lu Changsheng smiled and replied, “Since you say so, I will spare it.”

“But if we let it go, what if it comes back for revenge?”

With stern authority, Lu Changsheng fixed his gaze on the phantom mink. In a swift motion, his hand wrapped around it like a mass of mist, gradually condensing it into a fist-sized Yin-Yang orb.

Both Lu Chensha and Lu Ruyi were left speechless by their father’s display of power.

Especially Lu Chensha, who knew that despite its faint spatial energy, even many mid third-rank Demon Kings would struggle to restrain it – yet his father had done so with nonchalance.

A short, buzzing sound punctuated the air as Lu Changsheng raised his hand slightly, sending the Yin-Yang orb into his Dao-Comprehending Artifact, the Inconceivable Treasure Wheel, to imprison it.

“This phantom mink is remarkable, even showing a hint of spirit. If you can raise your divine sense to Core Formation level before forming your core, you might be able to contract it,” he explained with a light chuckle. Although he was willing to assist – even with Hong Lian’s Beast Taming Ancient Rune – his son had not yet reached the requisite divine soul level to truly tame a third-rank Demon King.

“Thank you, Father. I will do my utmost,” Lu Chensha replied, bowing respectfully.

If contracting the phantom mink were possible, it would undoubtedly be to his advantage.

“Let’s go,” his father declared.

Though his son and the phantom mink might still unearth further opportunities, Lu Changsheng, unconvinced by anything less than a supreme chance, placed them both inside the Heavenly Yuan Lotus and returned to the Chiyue Mountain Range outpost.

Half a month later, Lu Changsheng returned silently to the Chiyue Mountain Range.

Seeing Lu Ruyi and Lu Chensha come back safely, Lu Qingxian, Lu Xingyang, and the others heaved a collective sigh of relief.

In the ensuing days, Lu Changsheng temporarily settled at the outpost to accompany Lu Miaoge, Lu Miaohuan, and Zhao Qingqing, while also tending to the treatment of his son Lu Qingxian and daughter Lu Ruyi.

During this time, Core Formation cultivators from the Yue Kingdom frequently invited Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge to battle, but he repeatedly declined, citing the enormous mental strain.

Yet, after persistent requests, Lu Changsheng eventually offered to supply talisman-making materials to help craft some third-rank talismans.

And so, time passed slowly.

After half a month, with Lu Qingxian’s injuries completely healed, Lu Changsheng presented him with a Heaven Mending Pill.

He had two of these pills in his possession.

Earlier, one had been given to his daughter Lu Qingzhu to help upgrade her fourth-rank Spirit Root from seventh-grade.

The remaining pill, though valuable to many, was pushed to Lu Qingxian since he was preparing for Core Formation and aiming to achieve a top-grade Golden Core – a push every father makes.

“This… Heaven Mending Pill!?” Lu Qingxian exclaimed as he beheld the translucent, almost lifelike pill within the porcelain vial, recognizing its legacy and deeming it unworthy for himself.

The rarity of a Heaven Mending Pill was on par with a Condensing Crystal Pill – if not superior.

With his fourth-rank Spirit Root, its effect would be limited and wasted; it was better suited for Lu Family disciples with lower-grade Spirit Roots.

“Weren’t you aiming for a top-grade Golden Core? Consider this a reward from your father. Accept it,” Lu Changsheng said in a calm, steady tone laced with unquestionable authority.

After a brief hesitation, Lu Qingxian swallowed the Heaven Mending Pill.

But as Lu Changsheng had anticipated, a fourth-rank Spirit Root could at best be elevated to third-rank – an effect rather modest.

Beyond the Heaven Mending Pill, however, his father had other gifts:

the Thunder Yang Flame and the Evil-Warding Golden Lightning – treasures of the Heavenly Yuan Lotus.

Although these heavenly fire and thunder items were of limited use on their own, they were to be gifted to Lu Qingxian.

Even though he had previously refined a second-rank heavenly fire on his own and, with Lu Ping’an’s assistance, a second-rank thunder, both were modest in effect.

These items benefited his battle prowess and his ‘Nine Thunder and Fire Techniques,’ but could not trigger a transformative rebirth.

However, if he could absorb third-rank heavenly fire and thunder during Foundation Establishment, the results would be radically different – a surge in power and a chance for complete metamorphosis, even to the extent of refining a postnatal thunderfire physique.

Yet for a Foundation Establishment cultivator to ingest third-rank fire and thunder was nearly a fool’s errand.

But with the protection of Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge, it was no longer a mere fantasy.

The process would be arduous and extremely painful – a trial that Lu Qingxian had to endure on his own.

Staring at the blazing crimson flames and soft, golden thunder that filled the air, his throat constricted.

After swallowing a deep breath, he resolved firmly, “I am willing to try!”

Normally, not to mention refining two kinds, just the Thunder Yang Flame alone would be too risky – yet his faith in his father Lu Changsheng was absolute.

Aware that his father would never harm him and was utterly confident, he braced himself to stake everything on this chance, even if it meant risking his life.

“Sister Miaoge,” he called out.

Lu Changsheng nodded gently, then called his wife to signal her to protect Lu Qingxian’s meridians with Taiyi True Water – safeguarding his dantian during the fiery refinement process.

This measure would, to some degree, mitigate the pain endured by Lu Qingxian.

Soon afterward, under the protective care of Lu Miaoge and with Lu Changsheng’s assistance, Lu Qingxian began channeling his techniques to refine the Thunder Yang Flame.

Even with his father’s efforts to subdue it, the flame roared defiant – scorching and engulfing every inch of his body. Countless tiny fires burst forth from his pores, threatening to melt his flesh, blood, meridians, and organs.

Were it not for his father’s timely aid, this process would have undoubtedly driven him to the brink of death – success was his only chance.

After more than half a month, with Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge’s help, Lu Qingxian finally succeeded in refining the Thunder Yang Flame.

Without taking any prolonged rest, after consuming several spirit items prepared by his father, he charged ahead to refine the Evil-Warding Golden Lightning.

Throughout this ordeal, Lu Qingxian constantly invoked the Nine Thunder and Fire Techniques, blending his internal heavenly fire and thunder to condense his postnatal spirit body.

At that moment, he was completely engulfed by roaring flames and raging thunder.

Though his flesh and bones were being scalded and tempered, the rare spirit items, Taiyi True Water, and his Yin-Yang Essence nurtured him, as if granting him rebirth from his ruins.

With a grimace and sheer resolve, Lu Qingxian endured the torment – fusing the Thunder Yang Flame and Evil-Warding Golden Lightning into his very core, sacrificing his organs in the process.

After what felt like an eternity, his internal fire and thunder achieved a delicate balance, no longer ravaging him, as his wounds began to mend with faint, interlaced patterns of thunder and flame emerging on his skin.

At that moment, a system notification resounded in Lu Changsheng’s mind:

[Congratulations, host, on birthing fourteen spirit offspring. You have earned one lottery draw!]

[System detected a conflict in the host’s spirit body effects. Do you wish to integrate?]

“Is it done?”

Lu Changsheng paused, exhaling a long, turbid breath, visibly fatigued.

After so long of supporting his son through the trials of refining heavenly fire and thunder, his concentration had waned, draining his mental reserves.

Moments later, Lu Qingxian opened his eyes, his pupils a turbulent swirl of thunder and fire – fierce and commanding.

“Thank you, Father and Mother, for your help!”

He acknowledged the tremendous mental and magical effort expended by his parents during the process, and immediately bowed in gratitude.

Not only had they bestowed upon him the Heaven Mending Pill, but also the third-rank heavenly fire and thunder – gifts that enabled him to refine and consolidate his postnatal spirit body, a true boon of rebirth.

“Now, consolidate your realm and adapt to this new state,” his father instructed, urging him to stabilize and familiarize himself with the fire and thunder.

Lu Changsheng waved off further discussion, signaling for his son to steady himself. Then he and his wife, Lu Miaoge, went off to rest.

Afterward!

Afterward!

Afterward!

Though Lu Changsheng’s own energy expenditure was modest, his overinvestment of focus had left him somewhat weary.

Lu Miaoge, however, had exerted far more; after their intimate union, she slowly dozed off in Lu Changsheng’s arms, her breathing even and serene.

Gazing at his wife’s tranquil, jade-like visage, Lu Changsheng felt a deep sense of peace, savoring the tender moment.

A short while later, he silently recited an incantation and opened his son Lu Qingxian’s system panel.

[Name: Lu Qingxian]

[Lifespan: 107/198]

[Talent: Third-Rank Spirit Root, Thunderfire Physique (average spirit body)]

[Cultivation: Ninth Level of Foundation Establishment]

[Affinity: Fire Techniques (64%)]

“Just an average spirit body?”

Seeing that his son’s thunderfire physique was merely rated as average, Lu Changsheng frowned.

But considering that his son was only in the Foundation Establishment phase – and that such postnatal spirit body methods were typically Core Formation level – it wasn’t unexpected.

Moreover, once he broke through to Core Formation and invested further resources and natural treasures in his cultivation, the transition from average to superior would be just as challenging.

“System, lottery draw.”

Lu Changsheng silently initiated the lottery draw.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, you have acquired Second-Rank Puppet Skill!]

[Reward delivered to system space. Check anytime.]

“Skill!”

A burst of joy lit up Lu Changsheng’s face.

In ordinary lottery draws, what he most anticipated were skills – he yearned to elevate Artifact Refining, Talisman Making, and Dragon Seeking to fourth-rank.

Especially Artifact Refining.

Upgrading his Life-bound Treasure, the Yin-Yang Chart – recasting the spirit treasures he’d gathered over the years along with precious materials from battles against fourth-rank Demon Kings – required fourth-rank artifact refining techniques for maximum efficiency.

Yet Lu Changsheng opted to postpone upgrading his artifact refining, planning instead to assess the situation later.

If need be, he could also channel the technique to enhance his formations or dragon seeking.

Though his wife and children had all visited him, one matter still awaited his attention.

“Meet Chu Qingyi!”

Though she was not in the Chiyue Mountain Range and had not come to him immediately, Lu Changsheng was determined to meet the mother of his child.