Chapter 817: Breakthrough of the Nascent Soul True Lord

Red Lotus, Yun Wanshang, Lu Miaoge, and Ling Zixiao watched as the grey calamity clouds above dissipated, replaced by swirling five-colored auspicious clouds. Their eyes lit up with delight and determination.

The Nascent Soul breakthrough was successful! Their husbands had ascended beyond Nascent Soul stage.

They had become Nascent Soul True Lords—capable of steering the ever-changing currents of the cultivation world! Red Lotus and Yun Wanshang fared relatively well.

Although Lu Miaoge and Ling Zixiao knew their husband was no ordinary man—almost like an immortal reincarnated—the long years of partnership from Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment until now still felt surreal, almost as if it were another lifetime.

Just as Lu Changsheng had once said.

Who would have imagined that the peasant boy, once disqualified by the Azure Cloud Sect and married into Qingzhu Mountain, would rise to become a Nascent Soul True Lord standing atop the cultivation world?

Before them, five-colored auspicious clouds and radiant mists mingled with an unseen Dao rhythm, disregarding the material world, descending upon the Golden-Haired Unicorn-Bear Lair. Lu Miaoge and Ling Zixiao exchanged glances, torn between wanting to see Lu Changsheng and fearing to disturb him.

“Let’s wait for our husband to come out,”

Red Lotus murmured softly.

Under normal circumstances, when a cultivator breaks through a realm, as long as they don’t indulge in extreme emotions or recklessly manipulate magical energy, there should be no adverse effects.

A cultivator with a solid foundation like Lu Changsheng would hardly face any issues.

Yet, his Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation had left even him—a so-called ‘Nascent Soul Elder’—stunned and bewildered.

Not only did his physical body and Nascent Soul spirit body bathe in the blessing of the nine heavens’ tribulation, but he also surged forward with unbridled momentum.

Now, radiant mists of auspicious energy flowed around his Nascent Soul, accompanied by a barely perceptible melody of the Great Dao—leaving Red Lotus uncertain of the situation.

She worried that Lu Changsheng might attract some heavenly favor or Dao insight at this moment, and that if they approached, it might disturb him.

The women nodded, silently waiting for Lu Changsheng to emerge on his own.

Inside the Lair.

Lu Changsheng sat cross-legged with a slightly dazed expression. He hadn’t expected the heart demon tribulation to be so perilous and mysterious.

Without the aid of the 【Demon Breaking Life Saving Pill】, he feared he wouldn’t have managed to shatter the layers of the heart demon illusion.

Even the final stage of the heart demon illusion took him an eternity to break through, even with the Pill.

“But I did break through!”

Lu Changsheng’s eyes grew deep and mysterious, his pupils swirling with Yin-Yang energies as a terrifying force of magical energy surged from within.

“Is this the magical energy of a Nascent Soul cultivator?”

At that moment, he felt as if his entire body was filled with boundless, ocean-like magical energy—a force so immense it could effortlessly crush his former self.

For a moment, he even wondered how a Nascent Soul True Lord like Mingsha True Lord or Tiancang True Lord could be so lackluster in comparison.

Lu Changsheng held his breath and concentrated, absorbing the surging, inexhaustible power within his body, his magical energy, and his Nascent Soul.

Before his eyes, his Zifu Dantian cradled his Nascent Soul spirit body, seated atop a five-colored Dao platform.

Its body shimmered with nine hues of glazed radiance; one hand pointed skyward while the other directed toward the earth.

Two Yin-Yang fishes—one black, one white—circulated around him like the spirit of the Great Dao, weaving an ethereal rhythm.

It was a flawless display of Dao resonance!

“The Yin-Yang Ten Thousand Methods Nascent Soul!”

Lu Changsheng wasn’t quite sure if his Nascent Soul was of a higher realm—a Great Dao Nascent Soul—or something else entirely.

After all, the Great Dao Nascent Soul was merely his own conjecture, and whether it truly existed was another matter.

Staring at his Nascent Soul spirit body, he intuitively realized it bore the name: Yin-Yang Ten Thousand Methods Nascent Soul! But what did that mean?

It signified, upon the foundation of a Yin-Yang Dao Golden Core, the ability to command and harmonize all methods—a boundless reservoir of magical energy where all arts converge into the Great Dao.

Previously, when he had simulated the 【Yin-Yang Creation Sutra】 alongside the 【Seven Luminary Sword Manual】, his magical energy had been somewhat flawed.

However, now that all methods converged, the authentic 【Seven Luminary Sword Manual】 under his Yin-Yang magical energy would return to its root and surge with even greater power.

Even without the aid of the Heavenly Yuan Lotus as a medium, his Yin-Yang Ten Thousand Methods Nascent Soul could mimic any other technique.

Moreover, influenced by his Chaos Body, this Nascent Soul bolstered enhancements in Yin-Yang, the Five Elements, Thunder, Fire, Void, and even Buddhist, Demon, and Sword Dao techniques.

In other words, unlike other cultivators who lose the synergy between their techniques, foundation, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul when switching methods—resulting in diminished Divine Abilities—

he could freely experiment and still gain amplification for his Nascent Soul spirit.

Of course, the technique most attuned to his Yin-Yang Ten Thousand Methods Nascent Soul was his current practice of the 【Yin-Yang Creation Sutra】.

A thought stirred.

Suddenly, his Nascent Soul spirit leapt from his crown, locking eyes with him.

“This sensation… is truly marvelous.”

Lu Changsheng mumbled to himself as if perceiving himself from multiple perspectives.

“No wonder for a Nascent Soul True Lord the physical body, while important, isn’t as crucial as the Nascent Soul—the true core of his being.”

From his Nascent Soul spirit, he sensed an ineffable, mysterious power.

It was as if a single thought could transport him thousands of miles, traversing the Vast Void at will.

This was the mark of a Nascent Soul True Lord! Now, with a lifespan spanning millennia and the ability to seize and reincarnate other souls, to command the power of the Void, he could roam everywhere with his instant movement technique! With a light lift of his hand, his slightly damaged life’s magical treasure 【Yin-Yang Diagram】 materialized.

Previously, his Yin-Yang Diagram was considered a quasi-spirit treasure.

But thanks to the cleansing power of the Heavenly Tribulation and the emergent rules of the Dao, it had ascended to true spirit treasure status.

Unfortunately, in order to absorb enough heavenly Dao energy for his Nascent Soul spirit, he had used the Yin-Yang Diagram for protection, resulting in minor damage during the Ninefold Thunder Tribulation.

Otherwise, a pristine Yin-Yang Diagram could have drawn even more of the Earth’s primordial essence during his breakthrough.

Yet compared to the gains his Nascent Soul spirit reaped, Lu Changsheng believed the minor damage to his life’s treasure was insignificant.

Knowing that Red Lotus, Yun Wanshang, and the others awaited him outside, he barely delved further. With a flicker of intent, ripples in the void heralded his sudden reappearance before the women.

The nature of his void power and instant movement defied description.

After ascending to the Nascent Soul stage, he mastered it as effortlessly as eating and drinking.

There was not the slightest hint of clumsiness.

He recalled that even during his Core Formation stage, his practice of the 【Void Spirit Body】 had allowed him to sense traces of spatial power.

And after fusing with his 【Kunpeng Body】, his spatial aptitude and void power soared to staggering heights.

Yet, he hadn’t devoted much time to introspection or cultivation.

Now, after breaking through to Nascent Soul, his Chaos Body’s astonishing talent had transformed his void power into pure instinct!

“Huh!?”

Red Lotus, Yun Wanshang, Ling Zixiao, and Lu Miaoge were all startled by Lu Changsheng’s sudden reappearance.

It wasn’t his instant movement or spatial manipulation that shocked them,

but rather the sheer extraordinariness of his transformed state.

He still bore his familiar features,

yet he radiated an otherworldly, statuesque, ethereal beauty.

Even those who had grown accustomed to Lu Changsheng found themselves dazzled by his newfound allure.

But what struck everyone most wasn’t his looks—it was his aura!

An indescribable presence that defied words!

The moment he appeared, it was as if everything in the world dimmed in his presence, leaving no other brilliance to rival his own.

If before he had been akin to a banished immortal drifting among mortals,

now he was a true immortal!

Especially since Lu Changsheng had just broken through to Nascent Soul and displayed his instant movement technique, with layers of Yin-Yang magical energy swirling around him.

It was as if he was enveloped by the profound energies of heaven and earth—a mystery that defied comprehension.

Many cultivators, upon first meeting Red Lotus, had instinctively regarded her as a Nascent Soul True Lord.

Even though she hadn’t broken through to Nascent Soul yet,

the early appearances of Qingluan True Lord and True Lord Juejian, as well as Yun Wanshang, had led many to believe she was a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Her Core Formation level was merely a facade.

Lu Changsheng was no different now—if not more extraordinary than Red Lotus.

In anyone’s eyes, he was far beyond an ordinary cultivator—no one could possibly dismiss him as such.

An ordinary cultivator could never possess such an aura.

It was only through a transmutation of life and a metamorphosis of the soul that one could achieve such peerless magnificence! “What’s wrong?”

Lu Changsheng, noticing the vacant stares from the women, spoke up.

His deep, serene eyes resembled a vast starry sky, unfolding the secrets of the universe and captivating all who beheld them.

Even Yun Wanshang, who harbored quiet resentment at his habitual silver-tongued deceptions, felt a spark of admiration upon seeing him now.

After all, who doesn’t appreciate beauty?

And who could complain when one’s husband is so handsome?

At that moment, a thought struck Yun Wanshang: Could it be that his cultivation method had beautifying effects?

“Congratulations on your Nascent Soul breakthrough, my husband. From now on, I shall call you True Lord Changsheng,”

Red Lotus was the first to regain her composure, her eyes full of warmth as she congratulated him.

She guessed that his dazzling aura was due to his Nascent Soul breakthrough.

After all, with each major breakthrough—from Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment to Core Formation and Nascent Soul—a cultivator’s life essence underwent a dramatic transformation.

And the leap from Core Formation to Nascent Soul far surpassed the earlier stages.

Not only had Lu Changsheng broken through to Nascent Soul,

but he might also be on the verge of crystallizing a Great Dao Nascent Soul that he had never even heard of.

So regardless of the changes in his abilities, Red Lotus considered it all perfectly natural.

Though she suspected it might be related to his condition during the final stages of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.

At that time, Lu Changsheng had been grievously injured by the Seventh Thunder Tribulation—barely able to rely on his mortal body.

But then he transformed, emerging like a war god with a dazzling, iridescent glow, his physical form and Nascent Soul spirit bathed in heavenly tribulation—a sight that defied belief.

“Lu Changsheng, congratulations on your Nascent Soul breakthrough.”

Yun Wanshang withdrew her gaze slightly and, in a voice clear and enchanting, said:

“Changsheng, congratulations on your breakthrough.”

Lu Miaoge, her face pale and frail yet her eyes tender as water, affectionately spoke to Lu Changsheng.

Among the four, she was the one most moved by his Nascent Soul breakthrough.

“Congratulations, Young Master. From now on, I shall respectfully address you as True Lord Changsheng.”

Ling Zixiao, with luminous eyes, softly observed Lu Changsheng, smiling gently.

Her heart raced with unprecedented admiration for her husband’s charm.

Had it not been for the presence of Red Lotus, Yun Wanshang, and Lu Miaoge, she might have leapt into his arms.

“Ha ha ha, congratulations! I, as your husband, must take the lead.”

Lu Changsheng, buoyed by his breakthrough and the congratulatory praises of his wives, was filled with joy.

He then turned to Lu Miaoge, whose pallor belied her inner resilience, and, holding her gentle hand, said, “Miaoge, thank you for your hard work.”

Though his Nascent Soul breakthrough had taken considerable time,

he couldn’t help but notice that due to the loss of the 【Taiyi Dao Seed】 and the disruption caused by the tribulation, Lu Miaoge was still extremely weak.

He then looked at the vividly radiant yet fragile Yun Wanshang and Red Lotus, and softly said, “Thank you all for your efforts.”

“Master, congratulations on your Nascent Soul breakthrough,”

At that moment, Qian Zhuyan rushed over from afar to congratulate Lu Changsheng with a cold, hoarse voice.

Even though her soul was affected by a puppet spirit and her emotions were dulled, she couldn’t help but admit that Lu Changsheng now looked remarkably handsome.

“Xiao Yan, thank you for your hard work these past days.”

Lu Changsheng expressed his thanks one by one, aware that during his tribulation there had been Fourth-Rank Demon King Qi forces lingering nearby.

“Don’t worry. Once I’m done here, I’ll help you take revenge,”

He never forgot their pact. He knew that Qian Zhuyan’s obsession was driven by the deep-seated vendetta of the Thousand Bamboo Sect.

In the past, he might not have rushed this matter.

But he could sense that after Qian Zhuyan’s puppet spirit soul had ascended to Fourth-Rank, a hint of emotion had reemerged.

Taking revenge might free her puppet spirit from the chains of deep-seated hatred, which could only help her.

“Thank you, Master,” Qian Zhuyan said, visibly moved as Lu Changsheng mentioned it.

After all, their pact was for a hundred years.

Yet only a little over twenty years had passed.

“Revenge?” Red Lotus, Yun Wanshang, Lu Miaoge, and Ling Zixiao were unaware of Qian Zhuyan’s deep-seated vendetta.

They realized that she likely had a grudge against some other Nascent Soul True Lord.

Otherwise, Qian Zhuyan’s strength could rival that of some Nascent Soul True Lords.

But being not very familiar with her, they did not dare to pry into her private matters.

“Husband, now that you’ve broken through to Nascent Soul, if there’s a moment to solidify your foundation, please take the time to truly absorb the essence of your Nascent Soul.”

At that moment, Red Lotus addressed Lu Changsheng, well aware of his deep attachment to emotions and the fact that he emerged immediately after his breakthrough to meet them.

Yet at times like these, Lu Changsheng should allow the gifts of the heavens and earth to help him consolidate his cultivation and explore the mysteries of his Nascent Soul.

“Mm.”

Lu Changsheng felt no need to reinforce his foundation.

Due to a crack in the Nine Treasures Dao Bone, he managed to harness the boundless essence of the Celestial Treasure to nourish his body and Nascent Soul spirit.

This left his physical form brimming with surging strength, as if ready to break through the fourteenth layer of the Hundred Refinements Body Technique; his cultivation and magical energy nearly reached the second level of Nascent Soul—a stage where even Lu Changsheng was somewhat dazed, eager to further explore.

Moreover, with the shattered 【Nine Treasures Dao Bone】 undergoing an essence cleansing that permeated his flesh and Nascent Soul spirit, Lu Changsheng sensed he could unlock the nine divine abilities.

If he delayed too long, the remnants of the Dao Bone’s mysterious energy might dissipate, rendering them unreachable.

Over the years, thanks to the Nine Treasures Dao Bone aiding him in transcending foes, Lu Changsheng had grown fond of the first four divine abilities, especially the final one—the Nine-Colored Tribulation Light.

In an instant, Lu Changsheng concentrated; ripples in the void heralded his reappearance at the Golden-Haired Unicorn-Bear Lair, where he sat cross-legged, absorbing the mysteries of the nine divine abilities and his Nascent Soul.

“Huh!?”

Observing this, Yun Wanshang suddenly paused, a realization dawning on her.

Hadn’t Lu Changsheng just broken through to Nascent Soul?

How had he already mastered the instant movement technique, and so effortlessly?

She recalled that although she had broken through to Nascent Soul and grasped void power, her pregnancy had prevented her from delving deeply, leaving her unable to master instant movement.

Her expression faltered as she was again stunned by Lu Changsheng’s inimitable talent.

Meanwhile, Ling Zixiao and Lu Miaoge remained composed.

After all, isn’t it normal for a Nascent Soul True Lord to command void power?

“My husband had long mastered spatial power—attempting once to shatter the vacuum and consolidate domains,”

Red Lotus noted Yun Wanshang’s astonishment, smiling softly.

Yet her words only deepened Yun Wanshang’s surprise.

Still, recalling Lu Changsheng’s peerless talent—the way his physical body and Nascent Soul spirit traversed tribulations—she felt reassured.

She could only lament that someone with such extraordinary aptitude and insight spent so much time on trivial pursuits of love and familial matters.

If he were to devote himself wholeheartedly to cultivation, he would be unstoppable.

At the very moment of Lu Changsheng’s breakthrough, in the Central Region of the Southern Desolation, at Tianyan Sect’s back mountain restricted area amid several Fourth-Rank Peaks,

a chessboard-like formation emerged, vast as the universe, suddenly adorned with countless dazzling chess pieces that flared like vanishing stars, radiating an indescribable luster.

Seated before this cosmic board, an old man suddenly opened his eyes, his expression one of shock.

“The stars shine so brilliantly—could it be an anomaly unseen for eons? Or is there someone with the potential for transcendence?”

The old man’s face turned grave, his body trembling with uncertainty.

As the top divination force in the Southern Desolation’s cultivation world, Tianyan Sect prided itself on its inimitable foresight.

But the ways of Heaven are unpredictable, and not all can be divined.

Overzealous divination risks entangling innumerable causes and consequences, inevitably inviting backlash.

Thus, even a Grandmaster of Divination like those of Tianyan Sect could do very little.

Tianyan Sect was such a force.

Though it boasted top divination grandmasters, it rarely interfered in cultivation world affairs to avoid inciting monumental karmic repercussions.

Decades ago, Tianyan Sect observed the creeping tribulation energy and the concealment of heavenly secrets.

They speculated that the demonic Seven Sects from a millennium ago might be poised to rise again and wreak havoc.

With the passage of time, Tianyan Sect had long confirmed that the demonic Seven Sects would indeed want to unleash calamity.

And this tribulation would surpass the one from a thousand years ago, threatening to engulf the entire Southern Desolation’s cultivation realm.

Faced with such overwhelming forces and karmic intricacies, Tianyan Sect could only secretly disseminate the warning through other means.

At the same time, amidst the calamity and ensuing new era, many children of fate would be born.

Tianyan Sect’s disciples, wandering the world, would strive to support these destined ones, helping them eventually stand against the tribulation.

Among these were the so-called Extraordinary Ones—whose talents were beyond measure and whose futures limitless! Only such individuals could truly influence the coming catastrophe.

If they emerged within the demonic realm, Tianyan Sect would try to wipe them out!

But in the righteous path, they might choose to nurture and support them as the primary force against the calamity!

Without hesitating, the old man solemnly produced a jade slate, inputting details to urgently transmit a message.

Whether it was the advent of an Extraordinary One or the birth of a new Nascent Soul True Lord, either would significantly alter the landscape of the Southern Desolation—the tribulation and the era!

In just a few breaths, several figures materialized atop the cosmic chessboard, their bodies exuding an aura of formidable magical energy.

Each of them was a Nascent Soul True Lord who reigned supreme!

The old man promptly narrated the unfolding events, followed by a collaborative effort to decode the heavenly secrets—wondering if they were witnessing an Extraordinary One or a Nascent Soul True Lord.

“It is indeed an Extraordinary One!”

“This one must be from another region rather than the Central Region. Immediately, dispatch the Sacred Son and Sacred Daughter to traverse the Four Regions!”

After some time, several figures concluded that the heavenly secret was inscrutable; all signs pointed to the emergence of an Extraordinary One.

And not only did Tianyan Sect feel it—other top forces and divination grandmasters sensed that ripples were stirring in the Southern Desolation.