Chapter 807: Shadows of Ambush

Swoosh!

In the void, an unseen, formless beam of shadow light suddenly appeared, like a coiled venomous snake, lunging toward Lu Qingshan with unfathomable malice.

Its speed was astonishingly rapid, far beyond Lu Qingshan’s natural reflexes.

Even though his sword sense flared up immediately, he couldn’t dodge in time!

This was not only a late Core Formation cultivator but also a master of stealth and the art of assassination.

In that moment, he unleashed a secret technique aimed at finishing off Yue Kingdom’s prodigy, Lu Qingshan, in one decisive strike.

Buzz!

The protective shield and robe that Lu Qingshan hastily formed shattered instantly beneath the assassin’s chilling kill intent, even causing his magical energy to falter momentarily.

His innate Flying Sword emitted a trembling sound as it appeared before him, then clanged sharply as it shot out horizontally, making his hair stand on end.

But in the blink of an eye, Lu Qingzhu’s Misty Dust Banner burst forth from her arms, radiating multicolored light like a drifting cloud, tightly enveloping the siblings to block the surging murderous intent.

“Not good!”

At that moment, the cloaked figure—body blurred as if merging with the void—realized something was amiss, a premonition of danger coursing through him.

Decisively, he resolved that if his strike failed, he would flee thousands of miles.

“Coming and still planning to run?”

Ever lurking in the shadows, Lu Changsheng’s face turned cold as his Yin-Yang magical energy roared like surging rivers. A stream of Yin-Yang energy erupted above him, coalescing into a massive hand marked by distinct patterns.

Divine Ability—Yin-Yang Qi Great Capture!

Yet as the Yin-Yang hand interwove to seal the void, a tiny golden Peng Bird—merely a few inches in size—had already shot forth like a bolt of golden lightning from Lu Changsheng’s shoulder.

Thud!

With a muffled bang, the cloaked assassin materialized from the void, contorting his body like a shriveled shrimp.

Had the Golden-Winged Roc not held back, it could have instantly shattered his defenses.

Even so, this assassin—though a late Core Formation cultivator specialized in assassination—ended up with broken bones, displaced organs, and spattered blood.

Soon, the clearly defined Yin-Yang hand tightened its grip, holding the figure firmly no matter how desperately he struggled.

“Nascent Soul True Lord!”

Staring at Lu Changsheng, whose form blended with the void, the assassin’s pupils contracted sharply, instinctively recognizing him as a Nascent Soul True Lord. An overwhelming mix of awe and terror surged inside him, affirming that he had fallen into the perfect trap.

No one would have foreseen a Nascent Soul True Lord lurking beside a Core Formation beginner like Lu Qingshan.

Otherwise, even a Core Formation Grand Cultivator’s strike would have allowed him to slip away.

“Father.”

Seeing the assassin instantly restrained by his father left Lu Qingshan both astonished and heartened.

Just as he had suspected, his father had already broken through to Nascent Soul!

But why did his magical energy still resemble that of Core Formation rather than Nascent Soul? It must have been a deliberate disguise to lull enemies into underestimating him.

Otherwise, how could a Core Formation cultivator snatch a late Core Formation assassin with a mere gesture?

Moreover, Lu Qingshan noted that the Golden-Winged Roc was only a few feet in size.

The speed at which the Golden-Winged Roc appeared was so staggering that he barely had time to react.

Taking a step forward, Lu Changsheng approached the black-robed figure and raised his hand, completely sealing off his magical energy to prevent any self-destructive tricks.

Then, with a gentle lift, his Yin-Yang patterned hand, like a billowing mist, swallowed the cloaked assassin whole, gradually compressing him into a fist-sized Yin-Yang sphere which fell into Lu Changsheng’s grasp.

Immediately after, Lu Changsheng unleashed his divine ability, shattering all the qi of this realm and channeling it into his semi-completed domain, carrying his children along with him.

Moments later, the trio appeared in a dense forest.

Lu Changsheng looked at his daughter, Lu Qingzhu, her dark hair a bit tousled, and asked with gentle concern, “Little Zhu, are you alright?”

Though the assassin had originally targeted his son, Lu Qingshan,

the murderous aura unleashed during the attack had also affected Lu Qingzhu.

Seeing that his father was first concerned about his sister, Lu Qingshan, stunned, pointed at himself and exclaimed, “No, Father—I’m the one who was attacked!”

“Daddy, I’m fine.”

Lu Qingzhu, aware that her father was teasing her brother, couldn’t help but smile softly.

Then, turning her concern toward her brother, she asked, “Brother, are you hurt?”

When the assassin appeared, she felt an overwhelming aura of death, as if she had been plunged into an icebox.

Luckily, thanks to the inner armor provided by their father, Lu Changsheng, and the protection of the Misty Dust Banner, she suffered no real injury.

“Good, that’s a relief.”

Lu Changsheng ruffled his daughter’s silky hair gently and murmured reassuringly.

Then, appraising his son, he said, “I know you were ambushed, yet you seem unharmed?”

“???”

Lu Qingshan’s face twitched in disbelief as he inwardly grumbled that his father was being overly lenient, planning to have his sister ask for extra treasures later to make up for his wounded pride.

Not wanting to continue the banter, Lu Changsheng discarded the captured assassin and asked Lu Qingshan if he recognized the man.

“Father, I’ve never seen this guy before. Besides, his techniques don’t match those of Beast God Mountain, Barebody Sect, Asura Sect, or Tiansha Sect. He’s most likely a cultivator from Yuan Kingdom.”

Lu Qingshan stepped forward to inspect the stranger’s magical energy, frowning as he remarked.

Being familiar with the cultivation techniques of Liang Kingdom’s four major demonic sects—given that Yue Kingdom and Liang Kingdom are neighbors—he knew where to look.

“Oh?”

In response, a hypnotic talisman materialized in Lu Changsheng’s hand and struck the stranger squarely on the brow.

He then activated the Six Desire Heart Demon Technique on the man’s mind, as if a tiny golden embodiment of Taiyi Spirit emerged to form an invisible tendril, seizing his spirit and demanding his identity.

However, as a late Core Formation assassin with a remarkably steadfast Dao heart, the man’s spirit proved resistant—even to Lu Changsheng’s Nascent Soul-level divine sense.

Lu Qingshan recognized that his father was conducting a soul search.

In the realm of cultivation, any Core Formation cultivator possesses an unyielding Dao heart.

Moreover, most factions employ Soul Lamps or certain spiritual restrictions to prevent competitors from prying into their secrets.

Then, in the next moment, he noticed a tiny monkey-like beast, barely an inch tall, appear in his father’s hand.

“Ti Hun.”

Lu Changsheng roused the dozing Soul-Taking Beast, signaling it to assist.

The Soul-Taking Beast blinked its large, drowsy eyes, glanced at the assassin, and then let out a forceful snort.

A crack appeared on its brow, resembling a vertical pupil, as it emitted a burst of bloody light toward the assassin.

As a punitive beast, the Soul-Taking Beast could use its divine ability to intimidate an opponent’s spirit and pass judgment on their guilt!

Though it only fully unleashed its power when in combat form,

as a Fourth-Rank Demon King, its ability to intimidate a late Core Formation cultivator was hardly in question.

Bolstered by the sentencing radiance of the Soul-Taking Beast, Lu Changsheng’s soul search became much easier, extracting peripheral details that didn’t involve core secrets.

Moments later, he discerned that the man was an elder from the Seven Killing Sect of Yuan Kingdom.

The ambush on Lu Qingshan was partly because this man was marked as a genius on Liang Kingdom’s most-wanted list.

Furthermore, months ago, after Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge had slain three Core Formation cultivators from Yuan Kingdom in the Chiyue Mountain Range, the conflict in Yuan Kingdom reached a stalemate.

Furious, the high-ups in Yuan Kingdom had placed Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge on the assassination list.

And since one of those Core Formation cultivators was his junior, upon hearing of Lu Qingshan’s outing, they decided that despite the risks, they would lie in wait outside the Chiyue Mountain Range and deliver a fatal blow.

This would not only eliminate Yue Kingdom’s prodigy and avenge old scores but also serve as a stark warning: this is the fate of anyone who offends them in Yuan Kingdom!

.

Lu Changsheng was stunned.

He hadn’t expected that his own actions would trigger his son’s calamity.

But the next moment, his face hardened with a cold, murderous resolve.

The Seven Killing Sect was indeed overbearing.

They had the nerve to put their own family on the hit list!

“Qingshan, keep wandering out there. I’m curious to see how many have the guts to try and take you on!”

Originally, Lu Changsheng hadn’t paid much mind to such matters.

It was merely a means to avenge his son and boost his own prestige.

But now, with his ire kindled, he wanted to see who was skulking in the shadows, plotting against his kin.

“Alright.”

Having just witnessed his father’s might, Lu Qingshan felt unafraid and grinned broadly, his eyes flashing with twin, razor-sharp swordlight.

Yet cultivators who reach the Core Formation stage are exceedingly rare and cautious.

Especially after Lu Changsheng’s recent display of a third-rank top-tier talisman in the Chiyue Mountain Range, hinting he might even bestow one upon Lu Qingshan for protection.

And years ago, Lu Qingshan had narrowly escaped death at the hands of Black Eagle Zhenren, a testament to his formidable talent.

Under such circumstances, with no absolute guarantee, no major cultivator would dare risk an attack on him.

“Forget it. Breaking through to Nascent Soul is the priority. Once I reach Nascent Soul, I can take on Beast God Mountain or the Seven Killing Sect with ease!”

A month and a half later, seeing no further movement and unwilling to waste time, Lu Changsheng prepared to return to Jiang Kingdom to finalize his Nascent Soul matters.

Although he had already scouted the Nascent Soul realm, there were still preparations to be made.

For instance, he planned to set up major formations along the spirit veins and forge one or two tribulation-crossing treasures to ensure absolute safety.

“Qingshan, your father has matters to attend to. In a few years, I’ll come back to help you solve your troubles; for now, focus on your cultivation at the sect.”

Lu Changsheng advised his son while handing him some cultivation resources from his Storage Ring, not wanting him roaming around with his sister.

“Father, don’t worry!”

Upon receiving the resources from his father, Lu Qingshan’s face lit up with delight.

With these, he could cultivate within the sect up to mid Core Formation.

Shortly thereafter, Lu Changsheng released his wife Lu Miaoge, his concubine Lu Miaohuan, his daughter Lu Qingqi, and Chu Qingyi from the Heavenly Yuan Lotus.

“Hmm!? Qingyi Zhenren?”

Lu Qingshan saw his mother and his concubine with calm expressions.

But when Chu Qingyi emerged from the Heavenly Yuan Lotus, he was momentarily taken aback.

Though he wasn’t very close to her, he had seen her before.

He knew she was a Core Formation cultivator from the Azure Cloud Sect.

She was also the senior sister of his father’s companion, Xiyue Zhenren.

How could this Qingyi Zhenren be inside his father’s Pocket Dimension treasure? “Master Lu.”

Chu Qingyi had met Lu Qingshan in her early years and knew he was Lu Changsheng’s son.

In past meetings it was fine, but now seeing both Lu Qingshan and Lu Qingzhu looking at her, she felt a hint of nervousness and bashfulness.

Yet, as a seasoned Core Formation cultivator who had seen much, she suppressed her shyness and asked Lu Changsheng, “My friend, have you finished your business?”

“Mm.”

Lu Changsheng smiled and nodded, discarding the Seven Killing Sect assassin (captured using the Inconceivable Treasure Wheel) as he said, “Only this one fell into our trap.”

As he spoke, he inscribed several talismanic divine symbols on the assassin’s corpse using the Great Sun Tribulation Annihilation Light, and signaled Lu Qingshan and Chu Qingyi to augment his divine ability.

“Qingshan, later take this corpse back. Just say that not only I but also Qingyi Zhenren helped to slay him. Got it?”

Lu Changsheng instructed his son to bring the corpse back for rewards.

Later, using these battle merits, he would send Lu Qingxian, Lu Chensha, Zhao Qingqing, and the others back to Jiang Kingdom.

They would then go to the frontline for further experience.

But if he inadvertently offended the Seven Killing Sect of Yuan Kingdom, and they retaliated against Lu Qingxian, Zhao Qingqing, and the others, the consequences would be dire.

“Father, don’t worry. I’ll handle everything.”

Lu Qingshan nodded, but inwardly he grumbled that while his father could have easily killed the cultivator with one hand, he claimed that it took the combined effort of four to dispatch him.

He had seen many cultivators keep their true strength hidden.

In fact, most—if not all—cultivators concealed some backup techniques, and he was no exception.

Yet he had never seen his father, who had long surpassed Nascent Soul, act like a mere Core Formation cultivator.

If it were just a ruse by a Core Formation Grand Cultivator, that might be acceptable—but his power only seemed to have broken through to mid Core Formation.

“Little Zhu, stay at Golden Sun Sect and keep an eye on Qingshan. In a few years, I’ll prepare some Spirit Items to help you break through Core Formation.”

Lu Changsheng bade farewell to his daughter, Lu Qingzhu.

Although Lu Qingzhu had ample cultivation resources, her early seventh-grade Spirit Root had held her back at the Foundation Establishment stage.

Now that her Spirit Root had advanced to fourth grade, with a Five Elements Spirit Fruit, Sun and Moon Essence, and two drops of Heavenly Dew prepared by Lu Changsheng, breaking through Core Formation would be no problem.

“Thanks, Father, but I’m in no hurry.”

Lu Qingzhu, whose gentle features resembled her mother, smiled serenely.

However, Lu Qingshan noticed his concubine and Chu Qingyi whispering nearby about Lu Shouzheng, and then saw his father bidding farewell to Chu Qingyi—sparking a sudden thought.

Could this Qingyi Zhenren possibly be my concubine? Although Lu Qingshan usually refrains from judging his father’s personal affairs,

he recalled that Qingyi Zhenren was the senior sister of Xiyue Zhenren.

Then he remembered that his mother and his concubine were actually sisters.

“Could Father just be fond of those close at hand?”

Lu Qingshan paused, thinking of his master—Immortal Tian Yuan.

Though his master was unruly and unconventional, lacking the gravitas of a lofty immortal, he still possessed a certain charm.

But his master’s mind was solely on Nascent Soul opportunities, dismissing matters of love.

Even though his father was well-endowed, it was unlikely his master would take an interest.

“Wait a minute.”

Then Lu Qingshan suddenly recalled that although his master had no inclination for romance, she wasn’t bound by scruples either.

If his father flaunted his wealth with a generous dowry—perhaps offering Nascent Soul opportunities or Spirit Items—his master might eagerly attach herself without a shred of propriety.

“What are you thinking about?”

Noticing his son’s vacant stare, Lu Changsheng patted him lightly on the head.

“Nothing, just lost in thought.”

After finishing his instructions, the group turned and headed toward Golden Sun Sect.

Although the children showed no sign of impending doom, Lu Changsheng still sent them off near Golden Sun Sect before bidding farewell to Chu Qingyi and leaving with his wife, Lu Miaoge, and his concubine, Lu Miaohuan, back to Jiang Kingdom.