Chapter 818: The Awakening of Hidden Might

It seemed that even mastering these Nine Divine Abilities would render them almost useless, reduced to ordinary divine powers.

Lu Changsheng, aided by his Nascent Soul Spirit Body, discerned the mysteries of the Nine Divine Abilities through the faint qi lingering in his chest’s Nine Treasures Jade Ruyi Bone.

Now, the exhausted and shattered Nine Treasures Jade Ruyi Bone had nearly depleted the primordial spirit of its Celestial Treasure.

Even if he mastered all nine divine powers, he couldn’t wield them at the cost-free, overwhelming might of his early days.

They couldn’t even compare to the divine techniques he cultivated from the Yin-Yang Creation Sutra and the True Saint Skill of Brahma and Demons.

“But everything is governed by Yin and Yang, where all things are born in opposition. My chest bone was once only an ordinary bone, and only through the Hundred Refinements Body Technique and the Nine Treasures Jade Ruyi did it transform into my fated treasure bone,” he mused.

“Now that the Nine Treasures Jade Ruyi Bone is shattered and its celestial essence has drained away, if I douse it with rare heavenly treasures and divine essence, it might just be reborn.”

“And once reborn, if I achieve a Nirvana leap on this original bone, who knows? I might break new ground that echoes through the ages.”

Lu Changsheng murmured softly to himself.

Even though the Nine Treasures Jade Ruyi Bone was an external object,

over a hundred years of cultivation had fused it with his flesh, making it an intrinsic part of him.

Now, in its withered state it was like dying vegetation—yet sometimes, within decay, new life can burst forth.

Lu Changsheng silently contemplated the Nine Divine Abilities of the bone.

He need not master them all fully,

but he aimed to transform the remaining qi in his chest into a seed of divine technique.

In this way, should he wish, he could spend time and effort, using rare heavenly treasures to attempt a Nirvana rebirth of the Nine Treasures Jade Ruyi Bone in the future.

This approach could potentially restore the bone’s divine might.

When he next broke through to the Transformation Stage, if faced with a Heavenly Tribulation, he could use his fated treasure bone as a backup.

Lu Changsheng even thought this breakthrough method was worthy of being recorded as a Nascent Soul insight in the family library.

In the future, when his sons Lu Ping’an, Lu Quanzhen, Lu Qingshan, and others face their Nascent Soul Tribulation, they could attempt to condense a fated treasure bone from their spirit treasures.

Then, with the power of Heavenly Tribulation and the rewards of the Dao, they could temper their bodies and enhance their foundational strength.

Although it was expensive and demanding, its effects were undeniable.

Many cultivators would exhaust themselves trying to boost their breakthrough chances by even a fraction.

“This is the strength of our family legacy—a path and insight painstakingly unearthed by our predecessors, sparing later generations countless detours,” he reflected.

Throughout his cultivation journey, Lu Changsheng had never been short of insights for Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, or Nascent Soul breakthroughs.

Yet, outside, such breakthrough insights were extraordinarily rare.

Many cultivators nearing breakthrough would go to any lengths, spending resources to acquire a breakthrough manual.

All in an effort to improve their breakthrough probability.

This was one benefit of having a powerful family backing.

With an ancestor like him, no Lu Family disciple had to worry about breakthrough manuals.

Even if his methods and insights were inimitable and kept hidden away.

Though Lu Changsheng’s innate comprehension was mediocre in his early years,

his accumulation of top-tier techniques and possession of a Chaos Body and Nascent Soul-level Taiyi Spirit had elevated his understanding to astounding levels.

Especially because the Nine Divine Abilities of the Nine Treasures Jade Ruyi Bone had always been his fated divine power—rediscovering them posed little challenge.

In less than half a month, he roughly grasped the secrets of the Nine Divine Abilities.

Subsequently, Lu Changsheng began to scrutinize his own condition.

Compared to the Core Formation stage, his flesh, magical energy, and divine sense had all seen massive improvements.

His body had reached the critical point of early Fourth-Rank, ready to break through at any time if he wished.

Though his magical energy had only just broken through to Nascent Soul, it sprawled vast and mighty, almost hinting at a breakthrough to the second Nascent Soul tier.

Regarding his divine sense, aided by his Taiyi Spirit, during his breakthrough through the seventh layer of Core Formation, his divine sense soared to Nascent Soul level.

Even though the effect of his Taiyi Spirit Body was only average at Nascent Soul stage,

thanks to his own Yin-Yang All Methods Nascent Soul cultivation, Lu Changsheng’s divine sense rivaled that of mid-Nascent Soul cultivators.

It was truly astonishing.

At the Nascent Soul level, each breakthrough was like crossing a chasm a day deep.

For a novice to leap from early to mid-Nascent Soul, the difficulty far surpassed that of Foundation Establishment or Core Formation.

Many once-brilliant prodigies found themselves stuck in early Nascent Soul, unable to advance.

Observations around the Jiang Kingdom and the Starry Sea revealed that mid-Nascent Soul already signified a top-tier cultivator.

Lu Changsheng, having only just broken through to Nascent Soul, boasted a divine sense comparable to that of a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator and a body refinement that could even challenge mid-Fourth-Rank—the results were simply staggering.

If word got out, it would surely astonish the entire Southern Desolation cultivation world.

Yet, Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but sigh as he sensed his divine sense.

He owed his current level mainly to his Yin-Yang All Methods Nascent Soul cultivation.

After his divine sense reached Nascent Soul level, the support from his Taiyi Spirit gradually waned.

In his early years, his divine sense far exceeded that of ordinary cultivators—not only due to his strong legacy but also largely thanks to his Taiyi Spirit Body.

Now, the benefit of Taiyi Spirit was minimal, and he didn’t spend time refining his divine sense.

Continually neglecting this meant that once his cultivation advanced further, his divine sense might plateau and even become a weak point.

“Seems I need to collect more natural treasures to boost my divine sense in the future,”

Lu Changsheng thought, realizing that sheer hard work alone wouldn’t cut it.

Soon, his gaze shifted to the Heavenly Yuan Lotus that had transformed into his second dantian.

At this moment, the effect of the second dantian finally manifested.

In his early days, an early Core Formation cultivator using a top-tier Fourth-Rank Heavenly Yuan Lotus as his second dantian was simply wasting its potential.

Now, even though he couldn’t completely unleash the full power of the Heavenly Yuan Lotus, it was far superior to before.

“With the Heavenly Yuan Lotus as my second dantian, I can freely channel mid-grade spirit treasures without worrying about insufficient magical energy,” he declared.

“Even treasures like the Misty Dust Banner or the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror can be barely activated, without burning through high-grade Spirit Stones.”

In his early days, Lu Changsheng had treasures in abundance but was limited by his strength, unable to fully utilize them.

Take the Misty Dust Banner, for instance.

Although he could shuttle between Bihu Mountain and the Immortal City of Damengze swiftly, his cultivation and magical energy were insufficient, forcing him to resort to burning Spirit Stones or relying on his spirit vein’s origin power.

Now, with distances like those between Bihu Mountain and Dameng City, aided by a sub-banner as an anchor point, he could manage solely with his magical energy!

As for the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror, its activation conditions were even more stringent.

It required high-grade Spirit Stones to unleash either a Nascent Soul-level Solar Divine Light or a Lunar Profound Light.

To further enhance its power, one had either to merge with a great formation using spirit veins or burn the inherent power of the treasure.

Lu Changsheng was poor and owned few high-grade Spirit Stones.

The few precious Spirit Stones he had painstakingly gathered were all used to activate the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror.

Thus, he had no spare high-grade Spirit Stones to supply Qian Zhuyan as the energy for a new Fourth-Rank puppet.

Now that he had broken through to Nascent Soul and possessed the Heavenly Yuan Lotus, he could summon Solar Divine Light or Lunar Profound Light without burning high-grade Spirit Stones.

Though it still consumed some might, at least he was capable of activating them!

“Nascent Soul divine techniques sure are a hassle,” he grumbled.

Lu Changsheng’s cultivation of the Yin-Yang Creation Sutra, a true immortal-level art, granted him unique divine techniques at every stage.

Breaking through to Nascent Soul naturally unlocked new divine methods! There was the Yin-Yang Life-and-Death Realm, the Yin-Yang Two-Worlds Vanishing Technique, and One Qi Transforming Yin and Yang!

With inherited system transmissions, he didn’t need to spend countless hours absorbing or refining divine techniques like most cultivators.

However, both the Yin-Yang Life-and-Death Realm and the Yin-Yang Two-Worlds Vanishing Technique were founded on a Nascent Soul Domain.

Without a Nascent Soul Domain, he couldn’t execute these powerful arts.

Back then, relying on his Void Crystal and Void Spirit Body, Lu Changsheng had already grasped the power of the void, able to shatter vacuums and condense a domain.

The process was simply too slow, and he had no leisure to upgrade his law domain to a full Nascent Soul Domain.

But now, should he wish to employ or refine these two divine techniques, he had to upgrade his law domain to a Nascent Soul Domain.

In fact, it wasn’t just these two techniques.

Even his previous divine skills—the Yin-Yang Qi Great Capture and the Yin-Yang Glass Wall—were influenced by the power of space and the Nascent Soul Domain.

Once he established a Nascent Soul Domain, the might of these divine skills would be greatly amplified.

“Yin-Yang Life-and-Death Realm, Nascent Soul Domain,”

Lu Changsheng took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

Back in the Divine Maiden Palace, Shen Jianjia had once employed this very method.

At that time, while he was detoxifying alongside Shen Baishuang and Shen Yiren,

the Great Palace Master had suddenly forced him into the opponent’s domain—a terrifying experience.

Had it not been for the restraint due to Shen Baishuang and Shen Yiren, breaking free from that domain would have been nearly impossible without the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror.

Thus, it was imperative he cultivated such divine techniques.

Otherwise, when confronting cultivators wielding domain techniques, relying solely on magical energy would leave him hopelessly outmatched.

This was the thorn in Lu Changsheng’s side that he found most troublesome.

In his early days, once he mastered Foundation Establishment and Core Formation divine techniques, he would immediately deploy them without bothering to refine them further.

Take Core Formation divine techniques, for instance—they could be enhanced later through post-formation refinement and sacrificial tempering, but he was always too lazy for that.

However, the likes of the Yin-Yang Life-and-Death Realm, though only in its preliminary stage of domain establishment, still required the groundwork.

To truly display its might against other Nascent Soul True Lords and clash on equal footing, he’d have to devote extensive time, effort, and rare treasures to further refine and temper it.

This was something Lu Changsheng was terribly reluctant to do.

Had he the time and patience, he wouldn’t be stuck at an early stage of the Brahma Demon True Form.

Fortunately, the third divine ability had no preconditions and could be executed immediately.

“Hum!”

A flicker of thought stirred within Lu Changsheng as a Yin-Yang Dao Flower materialized above his head.

Moments later, a burst of Yin-Yang Origin energy shot out from his crown, merging with the Dao Flower.

Before his eyes, the Dao Flower slowly blossomed, transforming into a figure identical to Lu Changsheng in every aspect!

This Dao Body, created by expending Yin-Yang Origin energy to mimic himself, lacked his intimidating physical prowess but possessed his unique magical energy.

Even though time limited its use and it would vanish after several divine techniques,

the Dao Body’s demise would not affect Lu Changsheng.

In a duel, if Lu Changsheng suddenly manifested a Dao Body, his combat power would effectively double, turning the tide in an instant!

This was an unparalleled divine ability reserved only for true immortal-level arts.

Without the system’s inheritance, even Nascent Soul True Lords would struggle to comprehend or master such supreme methods.

“Hum!”

Looking at the Dao Body before him, Lu Changsheng focused his thoughts once more.

A snow-white pill flew from his crown, transforming into an identical body—

the Three Treasure Incarnation!

However, the Three Treasure Incarnation was merely a Fourth-Rank unique treasure, at most evolving into a Core Formation pinnacle form.

Now that he had broken through to Nascent Soul, his spirit energy could instantly reveal that this Three Treasure Incarnation was a mere imitation.

Yet the effects of this Fourth-Rank unique treasure were undeniable.

As long as the energy of the treasure pearl wasn’t depleted, the Three Treasure Incarnation could exist for a long time, even if Lu Changsheng himself wasn’t nearby.

On the other hand, the Dao Body conjured by One Qi Transforming Yin and Yang would dissipate within about fifteen minutes if not fully expended, serving only as a tactical trump card in a duel.

However, as Lu Changsheng’s strength increased, the Dao Body’s duration would gradually extend.

“Could this be considered One Qi Transforming the Three Pure Ones?”

Lu Changsheng looked at the Dao Body and the Incarnation before him, amused at the thought of controlling three perspectives simultaneously.

A subtle thought sent his Nascent Soul Spirit Body soaring out of his body.

In an instant, the three perspectives multiplied into four.

With a light laugh, Lu Changsheng recalled how his Nascent Soul Spirit Body, the Three Treasure Incarnation, and the Yin-Yang Dao Body all returned to his body.

Though the Dao Body’s disappearance caused no harm, executing such divine techniques drained significant Yin-Yang Origin energy, meaning he could not do it indefinitely.

After mentally reviewing his condition, Lu Changsheng refrained from hastily breaking through to mid-Fourth-Rank body refinement.

At the Nascent Soul level, any breakthrough took at least one or two months.

This expedition to break through to Nascent Soul had already consumed much of his time.

Any further delay might jeopardize the safety of Bihu Mountain and the Immortal City of Damengze.

Especially the Immortal City of Damengze!

Just as Lu Changsheng stood up, ready to leave his lair and call for Hong Lian and the others to return, a halt struck him.

“System!”

At that moment, his system interface materialized.

【Name: Lu Changsheng】

【Status: Master of Lu Family of Bihu Mountain and Immortal City of Damengze】

【Cultivation: Nascent Soul, Layer One】

【Lifespan: 143/1403】

【Spirit Root: Heavenly Spiritual Root】

【Physique: Chaos Body】

【Techniques: Yin-Yang Creation Sutra (Layer Four), Hundred Refinements Body Technique (Layer Thirteen), True Saint Skill of Brahma and Demons (Layer One), Taiyi Water Technique (Layer Three), Five Organs Nurturing Technique (Layer Four), Immortal Posture (Grand Completion)】

【Divine Abilities: Yin-Yang Qi Great Capture, Yin-Yang Profound Divine Light, Yin-Yang Glass Wall】

【Items: Lu Family Record, Cheng Lu Pan, Three Treasure Incarnation Pearl, Heavenly Yuan Lotus, Ghost Tree, Hundred Poison Jade Scale Bone, Fusion Spirit Pill】

【Celestial Treasures: Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror (Mid-grade Celestial Treasure), Yin-Yang Chart (Low-grade Celestial Treasure), Divine Maiden’s Furnace (Mid-grade Celestial Treasure), Hunting God Chariot (Mid-grade Celestial Treasure), Nine Abyss Black Tortoise Armor (Mid-grade Celestial Treasure)】

【Techniques: Divination (Low-grade Fourth-Rank), Artifact Refining (Low-grade Fourth-Rank), Talisman Making (Top-tier Third-Rank), Formations (Top-tier Third-Rank), Alchemy (Top-tier Third-Rank), Music (Top-tier Third-Rank)}

【Spirit Pets: Sumeru Tree King, Golden-Winged Roc, Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale, Soul-Taking Beast, Nine-Leaf Sword Grass, Peach Blossom Gu】

【Bloodline Effects: Offspring Spirit Root +30%, Offspring Reproduction Rate +30%, Spirit Body Inheritance Rate +21%, Offspring Comprehension +9%】

【Family Members: 14763】

“My lifespan only increased by another four hundred years?”

Lu Changsheng raised an eyebrow as he examined his lifespan.

Breaking through Fourth-Rank body refinement and Nascent Soul did not stack lifespans.

He had already gained three hundred years when breaking through Fourth-Rank.

So, even with a Chaos Body and Yin-Yang All Methods Nascent Soul, the Nascent Soul breakthrough only added a little over four hundred years.

Yet compared to other Nascent Soul cultivators, his lifespan was exceptionally prolonged.

Other Nascent Soul cultivators, even with top-level health preservation, barely reached twelve hundred years.

If he hadn’t used divination in his early years—using others’ lifespans to save lives—Lu Changsheng’s lifespan might have reached fifteen hundred years, enough to outlive a host of Nascent Soul True Lords.

Without overthinking, Lu Changsheng strode out of his lair and called out to Hong Lian and the others, indicating he had broken through to Nascent Soul and intended to return quickly.

Otherwise, the Immortal City of Damengze might be in danger.

“Good.”

Hong Lian, Ling Zixiao, and the others nodded in agreement, unwilling to linger in the depths of the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range any longer.

Soon, they dismantled the formation flags and apparatus of the great formation in the area.

Although Hong Lian could later come to reestablish the formation for a Nascent Soul breakthrough,

with no one guarding the setup, the formation apparatus might be destroyed by later Demon Kings.

Moreover, the spirit vein in this area suffered severe depletion from Lu Changsheng’s breakthrough attempts.

Though it hadn’t dropped to Fourth-Rank, its condition was merely average.

Thus, Lu Changsheng planned to help Hong Lian search for a higher-grade, better-fated Fourth-Rank spirit vein more suited to her technique in the future.

“Hong Lian, I recall during my breakthrough, several Fourth-Rank Demon Kings came to cause trouble?”

Lu Changsheng inquired of Hong Lian.

Even while immersed in his breakthrough, he had sensed the aura of Fourth-Rank Demon Kings.

Now that he had broken through to Nascent Soul, he thought of testing his skills on them, while also fuelling the Hunting God Chariot with some extra ‘fuel’.

“Yes, those Demon Kings were driven back by Golden-Winged Roc and my friend Qian Zhuyan.”

Hong Lian nodded slightly, guessing that Lu Changsheng might want to hunt a few Demon Kings for refining his Nascent Soul divine treasures.

“I’m not sure where their lairs are; searching might prove difficult,” she added.

To offer Lu Changsheng a safe and quiet breakthrough environment, Golden-Winged Roc had nearly cleared the area.

Thus, the few Demon Kings that dared disturb were all Fourth-Rank Transformation Demon Kings, with unknown lairs.

“In that case, forget it. Let’s head back first,”

Lu Changsheng replied, unwilling to waste time.

They were deep in the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, far from the Jiang cultivation realm.

Even with Golden-Winged Roc’s swift transport, it would take over a month to return.

If he went hunting Fourth-Rank Transformation Demon Kings, any mishaps along the journey would only delay him further.

“Hmm,” Hong Lian responded in a low voice.

Lu Changsheng and the others spent a full day dismantling the formation, storing its components in the Storage Ring.

This would make reassembling the formation much easier for Hong Lian’s future Nascent Soul breakthrough, saving time on crafting apparatus—just minor adjustments based on the terrain.

He hadn’t forgotten the Golden Gang Vine at the Golden-Haired Unicorn-Bear Lair.

On this trip, Lu Miao had brought along the Myriad Spirits Bottle,

which had been used to rapidly ripen and harvest four Golden Spirit Fruits from the Golden Gang Vine.

As for transplanting the Golden Gang Vine, though it was difficult, owning the Myriad Spirits Bottle—a Fifth-Rank unique treasure—gave Lu Changsheng a rough and ready solution:

he would uproot the plant, drip a single drop of Wuling Heaven Dew to sustain its life, and then replant it as soon as possible.

For ordinary spirit plants, this method would be too wasteful of Wuling Heaven Dew,

but for the Fourth-Rank Golden Gang Vine, it was worth it.

After his Nascent Soul divine sense confirmed nothing was amiss, Lu Changsheng and his companions rode Golden-Winged Roc back to the Jiang region.

Lu Changsheng had originally intended to hunt a few Third-Rank Demon Kings along the way to test the Hunting God Chariot’s effect,

but in the surrounding area, Third-Rank Demon Kings were either hunted down by Golden-Winged Roc or scared away, so the idea was abandoned.

Dameng City.

City Lord’s Mansion.

Lu Quanzhen wore a grave expression as he studied the challenge letter in his hand.

The probing from the Starry Sea was far stronger than he had imagined.

Or rather, these Nascent Soul True Lords treated the lives of Core Formation cultivators with utter disdain.

Previously, when several Core Formation cultivators in the depths of Damengze attempted to incite a demon beast tide, he had forcefully subdued them.

Yet when it came time to act, Lu Quanzhen felt a vague danger—as if someone was watching him.

Though he didn’t sense a person,

his years of cultivation and the dangerous instincts from his Kunpeng Body told him otherwise. Since that incident, he had avoided leaving the city.

After all, if a hidden Nascent Soul True Lord detected his Kunpeng divine ability, they wouldn’t hesitate to seize him.

And then Dameng City would become an even greater peril.

As Dameng City remained silent, challenges against it grew more frequent and direct over time.

Not only did several cultivators come to pay homage to this ‘City Lord’, now even a Core Formation cultivator had arrived outside the city with a challenge letter.

Either the challenger was tired of living or they were going all out.

Lu Quanzhen knew it was certain that a Nascent Soul True Lord was secretly behind it, using this man to test the waters.

If Dameng City could once again erupt a Solar Divine Light or if one or two Nascent Soul True Lords appeared, they would likely withdraw.

If Dameng City, when faced with such provocation, still did nothing, the hidden Nascent Soul True Lords might finally take action.

“Whew!”

Lu Quanzhen took a deep breath and exhaled slowly before heading to the backyard.

Though he could accept the challenge and, as a devout minister of the Immortal City, step forward on behalf of the City Lord,

with a Nascent Soul True Lord watching in secret, any full-scale move would expose his Kunpeng Body and divine ability.

Even summoning the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale through the city’s great formation in time would be incredibly risky.

Thus, he could only call upon the Nines-Leaf Elder, as his Father had advised.

Before reaching the backyard, Lu Quanzhen already sensed a sharp, formidable aura.

“Young Quanzhen, greetings from Nines-Leaf Elder,”

the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass in the backyard spoke, recognizing that outside was the son of Lu Changsheng.

Its tone was as ringing as a sword’s note—piercing and chilling, enough to make even a Core Formation cultivator’s blood run cold.

“What is it?”

The Nine-Leaf Sword Grass asked, its voice metallic and sharp.

“In fifteen days, a cultivator will challenge. Will you step in to assist, elder?”

Lu Quanzhen bowed respectfully, aware that the speaker was undoubtedly a Nascent Soul-level presence.

“Yes.”

Without further words, the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass simply replied with one word.

Yet with each word it uttered, it was as though a peerless blade was unsheathed, clashing with a resounding ring.

“Thank you, Nines-Leaf Elder,”

Lu Quanzhen exhaled in relief upon hearing this.

Meanwhile, inside Dameng City, countless cultivators discussed the challenge letter that the Core Formation cultivator ‘Yanhai Shangren’ had issued to the City Lord’s Mansion today.

“I’ve never even heard of this Yanhai Shangren before,”

one murmured.

“Maybe he is a cultivator who succeeded abroad and has now returned?”

“Back when the City Lord effortlessly subdued Wanhu True Lord and during the demon beast tide when he decimated several Third-Rank Demon Kings and even a Fourth-Rank Demon King, this Yanhai Shangren dared to challenge?”

“Not only that, I heard that during the old days at the Whale Hunting Banquet, an enemy cultivator was caught stealthily and swiftly subdued by the City Lord.”

Most cultivators in the Immortal City found these accounts baffling.

They wondered who exactly this Yanhai Shangren was to dare challenge the City Lord.

Though the City Lord rarely appeared publicly over the decades,

his deeds during the demon beast tide—slaying several Third-Rank Demon Kings and decimating a Fourth-Rank Demon King using his treasured techniques—were legendary in Damengze.

However, the events of the demon beast tide were nearly thirty years past.

Many of the younger cultivators in the Immortal City, having neither witnessed nor experienced the event, dismissed the slaying of a Fourth-Rank Demon King as an exaggeration or rumor.

Thus, they eagerly anticipated the City Lord’s response to Yanhai Shangren’s challenge.

This would not only provide a chance to witness a Core Formation True Lord in combat,

but also to catch a glimpse of the elusive City Lord.

“Who is this Yanhai Shangren anyway?”

The attendant of the Four Great Immortal Sects stationed at Dameng City was full of doubts upon hearing the news, unaware of the details.

Attendants from Azure Cloud Sect, Luoxia Sect, and Beast Spirit Sect even speculated that this “Yanhai True Lord” might have been brought in by the Heavenly Sword Sect.

After all, since the Whale Hunting Banquet, the City Lord’s Mansion had been silent and had not contributed much to the Liang-Yue War.

Under such circumstances, it was only natural for the hegemon of the Jiang Kingdom, the Heavenly Sword Sect, to hold a grudge against the City Lord of Dameng City.

Perhaps they had heard that the City Lord was severely wounded or gleaned other tidbits to probe him.

But the attendant of the Heavenly Sword Sect was utterly baffled.

He hadn’t received any reports from the sect.

Moreover, even though Dameng City’s City Lord hadn’t joined the Liang-Yue War, he still had provided significant support in resources over the years.

Though the Heavenly Sword Sect had its misgivings, it wouldn’t go so far.

But the title of “Yanhai Shangren” was unheard of—they couldn’t recall anyone by that name in the Jiang region.

Immediately, he sent word to the sect to report the matter.

Half a month later,

outside Dameng City, an elderly man with a lean face and dressed in a deep-blue robe stood with his hands clasped behind him.

Though his face was wrinkled with age, his posture was erect and agile, and the flowing Core Formation spiritual pressure around him rippled like waves.

“Old me, Yanhai Shangren, has come today to challenge the City Lord and test his divine powers,”

the old man roared, glaring at the Immortal City. His voice, like rolling waves, echoed through the great formation and reverberated within the city.

“Hiss, is this the Core Formation True Lord?”

“Such a terrifying aura…”

“I wonder if the City Lord will answer his challenge.”

“He should, for not doing so would tarnish his reputation.”

“I heard that the Young City Lord had gone to support the war in Yue Kingdom; otherwise, he should have risen to the challenge.”

Many cultivators from Dameng City gathered around, their voices filled with anticipation as they discussed.

“Please, Nines-Leaf Elder, do intervene,”

even though the challenger outside was a late Core Formation cultivator.

Yet, judging by his appearance and aura, he was clearly around four to five hundred years old, his mortal body severely depleted.

If Lu Quanzhen fully attacked him, he was confident he could kill him outright!

But with a Nascent Soul True Lord secretly watching, he dared not act.

Otherwise, the Young City Lord would have repelled and decapitated the challenger to set an example.

In the next moment,

“Clang!”

Lu Quanzhen heard the clear ring of a sword and looked up abruptly.

Outside, a slender, almost grass-like streak materialized, transforming into a terrifyingly sharp sword light that cleaved through the protective formation light of both the City Lord’s Mansion and Dameng City, piercing through heaven and earth in an instant.

In that instant, everyone was stunned.

Their hair stood on end as if pierced by needles! The sword light was overwhelmingly sharp and dominating,

as if it were there to cut down every visible entity and annihilate everyone present.

Yanhai Shangren, upon seeing the sudden appearance of the sword light, was gripped with paralyzing terror, desperate to flee.

Yet the sword light fixed on him, rendering even his vast magical energy useless in evasion.

“True Lord, save me!”

Though he had known the dangers beforehand, seeing the extraordinary sword light that threatened to sever the sun, moon, stars, and the very mountains and rivers, his heart trembled in sheer terror as he cried out for help, his voice laden with desperation and fear.

But no True Lord came to his aid.

The sword light shone brilliantly, shattering his Protective Shield and ripping his Third-Rank robes as he collapsed with a thunderous crash, lifeless before he could even scream.

“Wha—what is this!”

“The City Lord has intervened!”

Everyone present was struck with dread.

Even those outside in Dameng City, feeling the intensity of the sword light moments earlier, were shuddering in fear.

“That sword light!”

Far off, partially merged with the sea and the Great Void, True Lord Pinghai watched with his eyes narrowed in shock.

He recalled how, in the past when Solar Divine Light had obliterated Fuhai True Lord’s body and Lingbo True Lord had been ensnared by the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale, two sword lights had appeared when his opponents arrived.

Though he hadn’t paid close attention to those two sword lights,

it was clear that compared to them, this sword light was far more lethal and ruthless.

“No one could possibly master three sword techniques. This sword light did not originate from either of the two previous cultivators,”

True Lord Pinghai mused quietly. “Could it be that this sword light is not a result of sword techniques at all, but some kind of talisman or artifact?”

Desiring to slip into the Great Void as quickly as possible, True Lord Pinghai maintained a great distance, unable to discern the true nature of its master simply from the sword light.

However, based on his observations and past speculations, he was confident in his judgment.

The one who had rescued the Dragon Whale previously was none other than the master of this Immortal City.

That man must be someone blessed with numerous priceless treasures and top-tier inheritances.

True Lord Pinghai suspected that this sword light was very likely produced, much like the Solar Divine Light once was, by leveraging some kind of treasure.

The true strength might not be as terrifying as presumed.

Otherwise, why hide behind such subtlety?

Especially given the recent intelligence that a war was erupting in a neighboring country of the Jiang Kingdom.

And here, the City Lord of Dameng City still remained unseen, offering no assistance, and even provoking the suppression of the Heavenly Sword Sect in the Jiang Kingdom.

This information only reinforced his suspicions.