Chapter 808: A Clash of Destiny

Golden Sun Sect Leader’s Grand Hall.

While the Golden Sun Sect Leader was deep in council with several elders, word came that Lu Qingshan had arrived seeking an audience. He immediately beckoned him in.

“Lu Qingshan, you’re back? Where have you been lately? I’ve heard you were roaming near the Chiyue Mountain Range,” he demanded.

“Do you realize you’re still on the hit list of both the Liang and Yue Kingdoms? You can’t just wander about carelessly.”

With eyes like burning coals, the Sect Leader fixed his gaze on Lu Qingshan—dressed in a dazzling white-platinum robe, his posture noble with sword-like brows and starry eyes—and spoke gravely.

Even though Lu Qingshan, the Nascent Soul seed of the Golden Sun Sect, had racked up illustrious feats,

his free-spirited, irreverent conduct—reminiscent of his master, Immortal Tian Yuan—often flouted the sect’s rules, earning him the disapproval of many elders.

In this tense moment at the Chiyue frontline, Lu Qingshan claimed he needed to see his parents off. A leniency some could understand,

but once he’d seen them off, shouldn’t he have returned straightaway?

Instead, his prolonged delay prompted an elder from the Golden Sun Sect to dispatch a message, accusing him of slackness and treating the war like a game.

“Sect Leader.”

Lu Qingshan gave a slight nod upon meeting the Sect Leader, aware that escorting his parents had stretched into nearly half a year—a clear breach of protocol.

Moreover, he had previously applied for leave and promised not to stray from the frontline.

Yet, Lu Qingshan offered no further explanation; his expression remained calm as he lightly patted his storage pouch.

Suddenly, a charred corpse – riddled with sword scars – appeared and with a resounding thump was hurled before the Sect Leader.

“Huh!?”

The Sect Leader’s face darkened at Lu Qingshan’s actions. Alert, he inspected the scorched body before him; his pupils suddenly tightened in shock.

Though the corpse was in ruins, as a Core Formation Grand cultivator he instantly discerned lingering Core Formation Qi within it.

Not early Core Formation, but late Core Formation!

Finding it almost unbelievable, he crouched down to scrutinize the body further.

Other elders in the hall also crowded around the corpse, their expressions a mix of astonishment and uncertainty.

Noticing remnants of a broken True Core in the corpse’s Qi Sea Dantian, the Sect Leader was convinced it belonged to a late Core Formation grand cultivator.

He suddenly looked up, shocked, and fixed his gaze on Lu Qingshan: “Lu Qingshan, what happened here? Where did this body come from?”

Although the corpse still radiated traces of Lu Qingshan’s Da Geng Metal Sword Qi – a result of his Seven Luminary Geng Metal Sword Formation, which can rival mid-Core Formation fighters,

this body belonged to a late Core Formation grand cultivator!

Remember, the leap from early or mid-Core Formation to the late stage is a huge gulf.

Only those with an exceptional foundation, fortune, and innate talent within their echelon can break through late Core Formation.

Even inferior flawed True Cores or some lower-ranked ones would struggle to transcend it.

Thus, slaying a late Core Formation grand cultivator is an almost insurmountable feat.

Even a grand cultivator at the pinnacle of Core Formation would find it nearly impossible.

So he refused to believe that Lu Qingshan had personally slain this man.

Lu Qingshan replied coolly, “He tried to attack me, so I killed him.”

A faint smile tugged at Lu Qingshan’s lips as he spoke in a detached tone.

Before the Sect Leader could press further, Lu Qingshan added, “It was a joint effort with my father and my aunt.”

“You mean Changsheng Zhenren and Master Miaoge?” the Sect Leader interjected.

Immediately, he observed that the corpse bore many marks—traces of magical techniques and divine skills, especially scorched by talismans.

Moreover, as the head of the Golden Sun Sect, he had received word from the Chiyue front that Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge had slain three Core Formation cultivators.

Lu Qingshan, standing as straight as a sword, gave an arrogant nod accompanied by a brief “Mm.”

Yet neither the Sect Leader nor the surrounding elders found his attitude out of place.

After all, he had the audacity and credentials to back his arrogance—the Sect Leader was truly astounded.

Who could have imagined that Changsheng Zhenren and Master Miaoge wielded such terrifying power as to slay a late Core Formation grand cultivator?

After all, resisting, defeating, and executing an enemy are entirely different matters.

Still, he noticed an extra sword energy on the corpse—not stemming from Lu Qingshan’s Da Geng Metal Sword Qi.

Lu Qingshan calmly explained, “At that time, my father also invited Qingyi Zhenren from the Azure Cloud Sect.”

He added this in a composed tone.

“Turns out he was one of Caiyun Zhenren’s top disciples.”

This explanation made the Sect Leader and the elders nod in understanding.

On one hand, Chu Qingyi had earned a famed reputation on the frontlines over many years,

and on the other, Yun Wanshang had broken through to Nascent Soul, rising to become a top True Lord disciple.

Still, the Sect Leader pressed, “What exactly happened here?”

Lu Qingshan explained, “While escorting my parents back, my sword intuition warned me of impending danger.”

“But you can’t guard against thieves every day! So my father called in Qingyi Zhenren from the Azure Cloud Sect to help, laying out a Talisman Array to lure the intruder!”

He stated this coldly, his tone brimming with pride.

With a tinge of regret, he sighed, “Too bad Black Eagle hasn’t shown up—otherwise, I’d have taken him down as well.”

???

The Sect Leader and the elders were utterly dumbfounded, desperate to understand the absurdity of his words.

“You really think a late Core Formation grand cultivator can just be executed like that?”

Besides, Black Eagle Zhenren—a cultivator from Beast God Mountain, renowned both for his profound power and his commanding of a third-rank Black Eagle spirit pet—is nothing to scoff at.

Even setting Black Eagle Zhenren aside, the notion of dispatching a late Core Formation grand cultivator was incredible, prompting further questions.

Hmph, Lu Qingshan sneered, “My father, a Talisman Master, and my aunt’s joint cultivation technique are powerful enough to rival any Core Formation Grand cultivator. Coupled with my unparalleled sword formation, slaying a late Core Formation cultivator is nothing special!”

“Even if late Core Formation grand cultivators from the Liang or Yuan Kingdoms were to come, the three of us would dispatch them without fail!”

Lu Qingshan, noting the shocked and uncertain expressions of the Sect Leader and the others, let out a disdainful snort.

.

The Sect Leader and the assembled elders were left speechless by his words.

“What does slaying a late Core Formation cultivator even mean? And you claim you’d take down a Core Formation Grand cultivator without hesitation?”

How could you even utter such words?

Look around—besides the Sect Leader, is there any other late Core Formation cultivator in this hall? Are you implying they’re all useless?

One elder was itching to reprimand Lu Qingshan, thinking, ‘There’s always someone better,’ but one glance at the corpse rendered him mute.

He was also astounded by the sheer prowess of his father and aunt.

Using a Talisman Array to ambush a late Core Formation cultivator—

no matter how it was done, such an achievement was simply unprecedented!

“Lu Qingshan, this is far too dangerous. Where are Changsheng Zhenren and Master Miaoge now? Didn’t you say Qingyi Zhenren was assisting?”

The Sect Leader knew that geniuses like Lu Qingshan could be immensely arrogant, so as long as he wasn’t overstepping, he dared to press on.

Lu Qingshan continued, “My father and aunt, in order to subdue him, employed a joint cultivation technique and have now returned to Jiang Kingdom to recuperate. As for Qingyi Zhenren, he left once his help was done.”

He recalled his father’s advice to avoid exaggeration.

After all, if Lu Qingshan broadcasted this, it would be dismissed as if late Core Formation cultivators were nothing more than pushovers—defeated effortlessly.

“I’ve long heard the names of Changsheng Zhenren and Master Miaoge but never had the chance to meet them. Lu Qingshan, you should invite them to visit our Golden Sun Sect next time.”

The Sect Leader remarked with a note of sentiment.

Not only was the method of slaying a late cultivator astonishing, but the exploits of Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge on the Chiyue battlefield also earned the Golden Sun Sect’s highest respect.

“Mm, if there’s time.”

Lu Qingshan nodded and then informed the Sect Leader that the slain man was a cultivator from the Yuan Kingdom’s Seven Kill Sect, handing over all the suspicious tokens found on him.

As for the spirit stones, Dao-Comprehending Artifacts, and resource spirit items on him, they would naturally not be surrendered.

“Seven Kill Sect!”

At the shout of “Seven Kill Sect!”, the Sect Leader and several elders grew instantly grave.

Although the Yuan Kingdom had intervened in the Liang-Yue conflict, its forces were fragmented and far from united.

For example, the Seven Kill Sect had not previously been involved in the battle; yet now a late Core Formation elder from their ranks had appeared—a worrisome sign.

Moreover, the Seven Kill Sect is infamous for its assassination methods, boasting that under its hand, no life can survive.

If they were to infiltrate deep into the Yue Kingdom for an assassination, the danger would be immense!

“Sect Leader, you may release the details of this corpse, but be warned—the Seven Kill Sect never forgets. My father, my aunt, and I have slain this man, and it will undoubtedly provoke their retaliation.”

He continued, “Therefore, I request that the sect send word to temporarily dispatch the disciples summoned by the Talisman Lu Family back to Jiang Kingdom. If their numbers fall short, let my battle achievements grant them an exemption.”

Lu Qingshan added, “Following my father’s orders, the Lu Family disciples are to be temporarily sent back to Jiang Kingdom.”

“Alright, I’ll handle it. When the time comes, they’ll be transported back via the logistics warships of both kingdoms,” the Sect Leader replied.

The Sect Leader agreed without hesitation.

At the warfront, the Talisman Lu Family had come forth—apart from Lu Miaoge, a Core Formation cultivator, the rest were only Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Achieving the feat of slaying a Core Formation cultivator was enough to grant exemption from service to a host of Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Moreover, Lu Qingshan’s potential, along with the astounding feats of Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge, would certainly earn him a handsome reward.

“Thank you, Sect Leader. I plan to go into seclusion soon to break through mid-Core Formation as quickly as possible,” Lu Qingshan declared.

After saying this, Lu Qingshan turned and left.

“Alright, just concentrate on your cultivation in the sect – leave everything else to me,” the Sect Leader assured him.

Upon hearing of Lu Qingshan’s intent to retreat into seclusion for cultivation, the Sect Leader had no objections.

After all, Lu Qingshan had long demonstrated unmatched strength at his level and the ability to challenge those above him.

If he could break through mid-Core Formation, his combat prowess would soar even higher.

Moreover, Lu Qingshan was not only the Nascent Soul seed of the Golden Sun Sect but also that of the Yue Kingdom – competing with many prodigies for nascent soul opportunities!

After Lu Qingshan departed, they couldn’t help but marvel at the charred corpse lying on the ground.

“Big brother, you didn’t say something outrageous, did you?”

Seeing Lu Qingshan emerge, Lu Qingzhu immediately approached him at the plaza outside the hall, full of concern.

“Don’t worry, big brother’s got it all under control. Everything’s been handled,” Lu Qingshan reassured her while ruffling her hair.

He vigorously ruffled his sister’s hair, sending her silky locks into disarray, and grinned, “You’d better train hard from now on, or Father will claim I’m holding back your resources because your progress is too slow!”

“Father was just joking with you, big brother,” Lu Qingzhu teased.

Lu Qingzhu chided, well aware that her brother was usually unruly while their father was anything but composed.

With a chuckle, Lu Qingshan, amid the respectful gazes of the Golden Sun Sect disciples, returned to Tianyuan Peak with his sister. Then, in a conspiratorial tone he added, “Little Zhu, did Father slip you any treasures? Show me what he gave you.”

Although their father often secretly gifted her treasures and resources, he never realized that his little sister held a soft spot for him. Before long, the Golden Sun Sect reported that Lu Qingshan, along with Lu Changsheng, Lu Miaoge, and Chu Qingyi, had ambushed and slain a late Core Formation elder from the Seven Kill Sect.

While the incident wasn’t widely publicized, high-level cultivators in both the Yue and Jiang Kingdoms soon caught wind of it.

They were in utter disbelief—unable to fathom that two mid-Core Formation and two early Core Formation cultivators could ambush and kill a late Core Formation grand cultivator.

Even though Chu Qingyi had already reached the peak of six layers of Core Formation and was a top True Lord disciple; Lu Qingshan, as an early Core Formation cultivator; and with Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge practicing joint cultivation techniques—the event was simply staggering.

But with the battle’s outcome plainly before them, they couldn’t afford to question it outright, though they did regard Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge with newfound caution.

Especially Lu Changsheng, the Talisman Master.

Rumor had it that he possessed not only top-tier third-rank talismans but also fourth-rank ones!

After all, Lu Changsheng’s Talisman Art legacy had always been shrouded in mystery.

It was even said that upon receiving his legacy, he also acquired a cache of rare resources and high-rank talismans.

Yet, the most stunned were several Core Formation high-level figures from the Azure Cloud Sect.

The Talisman Lu Family belonged to the family forces under Azure Cloud’s jurisdiction.

And Lu Changsheng had risen right under their noses.

In just a few short years, he had grown to such an astounding level.

They immediately relayed the news to the Jiang Kingdom’s Azure Cloud Sect, ensuring that the sect would pay close attention to both Lu Changsheng and the Talisman Lu Family.

That brat is such a handful wherever he goes.

Meanwhile, at a stronghold in the Yue Kingdom, a plain-faced yet curvaceous woman in her thirties scrutinized the intelligence in her hand, clicking her tongue at the sheer audacity of her disciple.

But indeed, Changsheng Zhenren and Master Miaoge were in a league of their own.

The woman lazily stretched, her ample bosom pressing against her collar, revealing flawless, snow-white skin as soft as silk.

She was well acquainted with Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge, having met them several times in earlier years.

She even recalled that when she first met Lu Miaoge, he was merely a Qi Refining junior cultivator.

Who would have thought that over a hundred years, he would transform from a Qi Refining junior into a Core Formation cultivator?

And together with Lu Changsheng, Lu Qingshan, and Chu Qingyi, he had helped slay a late Core Formation grand cultivator.

Such a journey, for a female Foundation Establishment cultivator, would be nothing short of legendary.

Tsk—no wonder that Talisman Master keeps pulling out a few third-rank talismans every now and then.

Yan Yuan had been amazed at where all those high-grade talismans came from on Lu Qingshan.

Now it’s clear they must have come from Lu Changsheng, the Talisman Master.

She was truly envious.

Envious of Lu Changsheng’s knack for making money as a Talisman Master.

If only she had such means, she wouldn’t be so destitute.

Damn, why did I ever choose this crappy cultivation technique!

Irritated, the woman cursed, grabbed her wine gourd, guzzled it down, and then pouted while clutching a jade talisman.

Now, she had no time for her two disciples, Lu Qingshan and Lu Qingzhu.

After all, Lu Qingshan wasn’t even worth her notice.

However, Lu Qingzhu—whom she had taken in almost as an afterthought—evoked a twinge of remorse.

She felt that by taking him as a disciple, she hadn’t fully fulfilled her duties as his master.

But given that his parents now displayed such formidable power, she immediately proposed to the sect that they allocate more resources to Lu Qingzhu’s cultivation!

After all, she was the only one who could easily get through to that stubborn Lu Qingshan.

Besides, both Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge adored Lu Qingzhu.

If the Golden Sun Sect invested more resources in her, it would also curry favor with the famed Talisman duo renowned throughout the Yue Kingdom!