Chapter 822: Tempest of the Sea and the Celestial Mirror

Behold a colossal figure, as vast and rugged as a human-shaped rock, standing tall above the raging sea.

Clad in jet-black armor that seems forged from millennia-old dark iron, his face mirrors crashing waves and his deep-set eyes exude the chilling aura of a sunken realm.

His muscular arms, entwined with blue-gold chains, cradle a massive pillar of obsidian, its surface adorned with coral reef carvings and spiral patterns.

On closer look, countless remnants of demon king sea beasts’ souls flicker along the pillar, refracting ethereal, dreamlike orchid light in the seawater, all under a suffocating, oppressive energy.

This giant is encircled by tumultuous, roaring waves.

Amid the storm, a small flat boat remains utterly undisturbed.

Aged yet vibrant, an elderly man in a purple-blue Daoist robe stands firmly on the boat.

Although he pales in stature compared to the towering True Lord Nuhai beside him,

his grip on a sky-blue bamboo pole exudes strength, matching the aura of True Lord Nuhai without a hint of inferiority.

Above his head, a sea-blue compass rotates slowly, emitting arrays of formation light that cascade onto the twelve Core Formation cultivators arranged behind him, creating an intricate pattern of mystic formations with tightly interwoven energy.

“Who are you?”

True Lord Zhenhai, True Lord Nuhai, and the concealed True Lord Minghai all scrutinize the figure ahead, who wields a Five-Colored Long Banner and a Blue-Gray Longsword, his face and body oozing chaotic energy.

Through the surging flow of blood energy and magical power, it’s clear he practices dual cultivation of body and magic.

Yet aside from the glimmer of his cutting sword aura, he appears far less terrifying than the dread described by Tunhai True Lord.

Having roamed the Starry Sea for centuries, they know well not to judge one’s strength solely by appearances.

At the Nascent Soul level, the more unremarkable one seems, the more unfathomable one’s prowess.

“Zhenhai Seven Sects, one of the top powers of the Starry Sea, are truly exceptional.”

Lu Changsheng’s expression hardens as he takes in the overwhelming formation before him.

Earlier, three Nascent Soul True Lords and a Core Formation diviner ambushed him.

Now, there are two Nascent Soul cultivators, twelve Core Formation cultivators, and hundreds of soldiers.

The impressive lineup proves that these spiritual soldiers are rigorously trained, their prowess even surpassing Qingluan True Lord’s Qingluan Dao soldiers.

Especially at the forefront, the imposing True Lord Nuhai—resembling a mountain of muscle—displays a mid-Nascent Soul level ferocity.

But when Lu Changsheng’s Nine Calamity Sword trembles in his hand, triggered by the sight of the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale being tightly entwined by blue-gold chains and sea beast soldiers, the blade’s lethal aura surges like intertwined veins sharpened into a murderous edge.

“You crossed the sea, injured my spirit pet, schemed against True Lord Ben, stirred up such turmoil, and now dare ask who I am!?”

Lu Changsheng’s voice turns cold and imperious as he declares.

Even as he speaks, clusters of Nine-Leaf Sword Grass sprout around him, rooting themselves between sea and sky.

In the blink of an eye, his Nine Calamity Sword whips out mercilessly, setting the sword grass ablaze with endless, raging sword aura aimed to engulf True Lord Nuhai and his cohorts.

True Lord Zhenhai, True Lord Nuhai, Tunhai True Lord’s Nascent Soul spirit, and the hidden True Lord Minghai all watch in shock as the overwhelming, tidal sword aura sweeps over them, the danger unmistakable.

“Boom!”

True Lord Nuhai immediately clutches his spirit treasure, [Nuhai Stake], unleashing a Nascent Soul-level roar that, combined with five hundred Water-Traveling soldiers, creates countless tornadoes of wild, raging water, forging an expansive Nuhai domain.

In an instant, innumerable tornadoes erupt, sweeping the sword aura in every direction.

At the same time, a fearsome sea beast over a hundred meters long emerges from behind True Lord Nuhai, roaring as it charges at Lu Changsheng.

True Lord Zhenhai can no longer remain as calm as before; he hastily points his blue jade bamboo pole toward the sea.

The already turbulent sea bursts apart in rapid succession, towering columns of water rising upright like water dragons roaring in defiance.

“Ha!” More than ten Core Formation cultivators behind him simultaneously form hand seals and shout loudly.

Their movements stir the sea into a frenzy.

Meanwhile, True Lord Zhenhai’s blue jade bamboo pole surges upward like an unmatched lance, entwining with water dragons as it targets the endless sword aura, determined to shatter it.

From within the confluence of sea and sky, True Lord Minghai realizes that Lu Changsheng’s strength far surpasses his own.

If he were to engage in close combat, he’d likely be cornered and doomed.

Gazing at the formidable, all-encompassing sword aura, she abandons hiding and steps forward, a mysterious, chilling purple aura mingling with the scent of aged agarwood, metamorphosing into an enigmatic veil of mist.

Immediately, her spirit pet, [Minghun Thorn], materializes with a resonant tremor, transforming into countless phantom fragments filled with murderous intent that rip through the void to strike Lu Changsheng.

As a Nascent Soul True Lord, her battle experience is extensive.

Knowing that Lu Changsheng’s sword techniques are peerless while his defense remains average—even feeble—she decides that they must seize the initiative.

Tuntai True Lord, though reduced to his Nascent Soul spirit, understands the peril and cannot afford to hesitate.

Moreover, after witnessing Lu Changsheng shatter his magical body and flee in wild panic, his heart burns with vengeful resentment.

His spirit pet, manifesting as a pale yellow serpent mark, transforms under compulsion into a towering, mountain-like Teng Tian Emperor Serpent.

Even though he now wields only his Nascent Soul spirit, lacking the might to fully empower his spirit pet as before,

the legacy of the Zhenhai Seven Sects remains unbroken! The Emperor Serpent merges with True Lord Nuhai’s Nuhai domain energy, its gaping maw ready to devour the innumerable sword auras and sword light fragments.

Moreover, it spits venomous serpent tissue that releases corrosive, decayed energy in a billowing black smoke.

Wherever this smoke touches, the sea churns with black foam, reeking sharply.

This stench intertwines with True Lord Minghai’s mysterious, haunting purple incense, coalescing in the air into numerous inky little serpents.

The four great Nascent Soul True Lords join forces, supported by five hundred soldiers and over a dozen Core Formation cultivators forming an intricate battle formation, their combined might nearly terrifying.

The sea area, shrouded in a grayish mist, seems unable to withstand this force and begins trembling violently, as if on the verge of collapse, with the water surging and reversing its flow.

Yet amidst this awe-inspiring power, Lu Changsheng remains unmoved, standing resolutely in the boundless ocean, his eyes gleaming coldly.

“Clang, clang, clang!”

The Nine Calamity Sword resonates wildly as Lu Changsheng unleashes the full extent of his Nine-Leaf Sword Grass technique—its sword light flashing, untethered and omnipresent—forming a horrifying, deadly net replete with an inexhaustible murderous intent.

From every direction, tornadic whirlpools, surging water dragons, and the murderous charge of True Lord Minghai’s forces are all pierced by beams of radiant, like-rainbow sword light.

In the clash of these overwhelming forces, the heavens blaze and the sea instantly evaporates into swirling water vapor, dispersing the gray mist of Da Mengze.

Lu Lingjing, dazed at the sight of his old master arriving and struggling to intervene,

finds herself utterly entangled, bound by the chains of the Zhenhai Seven Sects and restricted by the Spirit-Binding Forbid Technique Arrows and Fourth-Rank Demon Suppressing Talismans, her movements reduced to pitiful whimpers.

“My friend, do you have some misunderstanding with the Zhenhai Seven Sects?”

Seeing Lu Changsheng display unrivaled combat prowess—standing alone against four opponents, five hundred soldiers, and a formidable battle formation—True Lord Zhenhai and his two companions look on, their expressions a mix of fear and awe.

They never imagined that the Zhenhai Seven Sects would unwittingly provoke such a top-tier Nascent Soul cultivator! No wonder Tuntai True Lord was previously so stricken with terror that he even resorted to burning his Nascent Soul essence to flee.

This level of terrifying power means that none among them could stand a chance.

Notably, with True Lord Pinghai still absent, they suspect his fate might be grim.

In these circumstances, however, they are unwilling to further escalate enmity or seek retribution on behalf of True Lord Pinghai or Fuhai True Lord.

After all, the man before them is an unknown force of formidable strength; the Zhenhai Seven Sects have no desire to deepen conflicts unnecessarily.

“Hehe, misunderstanding!”

Lu Changsheng sneers icily, his voice laced with scorn, “When you injured my spirit pet and schemed against True Lord Ben, you never mentioned it was just a misunderstanding!”

“Now, while my spirit pet remains grievously wounded and bound here, you dare call it a misunderstanding?”

He recalls how the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale was severely wounded by True Lord Pinghai’s trio, only managing to recuperate with the help of heavenly dew.

Now, treated as mere prey by the Zhenhai Seven Sects, its ravaged, battered form ignites his fury!

The sight of Lu Lingjing, her human form pale and bloodless, riddled with wounds and skeletal in appearance, fills Lu Changsheng with ire!

“Boom, boom, boom!”

His Fourth-Rank blood energy and Nascent Soul magical power erupt like an ancient volcano, relentlessly pounding his Qi Sea Dantian.

On his Yin-Yang Five Elements Foundation, myriad Nascent Soul Heavenly Lights burst forth endlessly.

Meanwhile, his mid-grade spirit treasure, [Nine Abyss Black Tortoise Armor], materializes on him, emanating a weighty aura that defies even the looming threat, as he channels his Nine Calamity Sword with all his might, as though trying to cleave the very heavens and earth.

Though the mighty Nuhai domain, the grand soldiers’ formation, and the cultivators’ battle array are impressive and can significantly boost combat prowess and neutralize enemy onslaughts,

Lu Changsheng, a top-tier Third-Rank array master who also masters battle formations and inherited spiritual soldier techniques, is fully aware of the limitations and inherent cost of such formations.

He knows the bolstering effect of a grand formation isn’t limitless—it drains resources by dispersing damage across the soldiers.

Just as Qingluan True Lord once relied on his spirit pet Qingluan and five hundred soldiers to counter multiple Nascent Soul opponents, there were casualties along the way.

True Lord Zhenhai’s formation suffers similarly, with his Core Formation cultivators and his compass spirit treasure sharing the burden.

Under the relentless barrage of sword light, some Second-Rank soldiers can no longer withstand the pressure—their bodies burst with resounding cracks, blood exploding into fine powder that dissolves into the sea.

“Your strength is extraordinary, yet do you really think you can defeat us effortlessly?”

True Lord Nuhai roars as he feels the relentless strain from his water soldiers’ formation, his body rumbling like rolling thunder, as he bellows defiantly.

“Even if we hunted your spirit pet, slayed Fuhai, and obliterated the Tunhai magical body, wouldn’t that be sufficient?”

As he speaks, the intricate runes on the Nuhai Stake before him intertwine with Tunhai True Lord’s Emperor Serpent, coalescing into an ancient, gaping Nuhai-Teng Tian Emperor Serpent that exudes mid-Nascent Soul terror, its bloodstained maw bellowing at Lu Changsheng.

From True Lord Nuhai’s perspective, despite Lu Changsheng’s formidable strength, with their four great Nascent Soul cultivators, five hundred soldiers, and twelve Core Formation masters, how could they be afraid?

Yet they choose to yield rather than escalate the feud further—prolonged combat would only lead to massive losses.

After all, the resources required to train their centuries-old water soldiers could be entirely depleted.

“Hmph,”

Lu Changsheng sneers coldly, knowing that empty words are futile.

In the immortal world, strength reigns supreme—power speaks for itself.

If one cannot demonstrate sufficient might, then there’s no justification for apologizing for a misunderstanding!

Lu Changsheng lightly taps his spirit pet pouch, from which a Golden Roc and a Macaque Beast emerge.

Although his spirit pet pouch can no longer comfortably house the Golden-Winged Roc,

in the midst of battle his Heavenly Yuan Lotus isn’t fit as a pocket dimension.

For the sake of speed, the Golden-Winged Roc must temporarily make do.

“Screech!”

The Golden-Winged Roc lets out a piercing cry, its body aglow with radiant gold as it unfurls its massive frame.

The intense aura of a Fourth-Rank Demon King explodes upward, stirring the very winds as its expansive wings scatter the remnants of turbulent energy.

Yet, upon seeing the overwhelming formation of True Lord Nuhai and his companions ahead, the Golden Roc hesitates for a moment.

How is it that moments ago he just finished a low-tier skirmish, and now he’s thrust into high-stakes combat? His golden monoceros bear within him still haven’t fully digested their previous feast—time for a proper rest and recalibration.

But after decades of battle, he’s well-adapted to this relentless rhythm.

Back in his mid-Third-Rank days, he had already accompanied Lu Changsheng to confront the Fourth-Rank Corpse King of the Heavenly Corpse Sect.

Thereafter, he ventured into the Abyss of Ten Thousand Demons and the Land of Eternal Night.

The sharp gleam of the Golden Roc’s golden eyes flares with renewed combat zeal as the Tianpeng Borlong Diagram forms above its head, its aura surging steadily.

After years with Lu Changsheng, it has learned that there’s no enduring war—only an all-out burst.

Once the fight begins, it must commit fully!

Even though the Soul-Taking Beast had been dozing, the oppressive, relentless energy immediately roused it, prompting it to shift into full battle mode.

“Huh!?”

True Lord Zhenhai, True Lord Nuhai, and the others stare in astonishment at the sudden appearance of both the Golden-Winged Roc and the Soul-Taking Beast.

Wasn’t he supposed to be a mere sword cultivator? How does he have two Fourth-Rank spirit pets?

Counting the once-hunted Dragon Whale, he now wields three Fourth-Rank spirit pets! True Lord Zhenhai and his cohorts begin questioning their own senses, wondering if illusions plague them.

After all, even the Zhenhai Seven Sects only have a handful of Fourth-Rank sea beasts to their name!

To have one man with three Fourth-Rank spirit pets? That kind of cultivation resource is unheard of!

Moreover, from previous hunts it’s clear that the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale possesses a True Spirit bloodline.

Though the Golden Roc’s aura isn’t as imposing as that of the Dragon Whale, the difference isn’t vast—it too must harbor a demonic bloodline, right? And while the Soul-Taking Beast may be slightly weaker, it is still a Fourth-Rank Demon King in its own right! True Lord Zhenhai and his comrades are utterly bewildered.

Normally, whether facing the Golden-Winged Roc or the Soul-Taking Beast, they’d have no qualms about hunting them down.

But now, with Lu Changsheng standing before them, they feel an overwhelming pressure.

With two more Fourth-Rank spirit pets appearing, their anxiety intensifies, even stirring thoughts of retreat.

After all, if their Nuhai domain or their battle formation were to be pierced by his sword light, it would be catastrophic!

Yet, that’s not the end.

A snow-white projectile suddenly darts from above Lu Changsheng’s head, transforming into a youth with an expression of stone-cold detachment, cradling the [Yin-Yang Diagram].

With his Yin-Yang Dao already expended and unable to be used again shortly, his Three Treasure Incarnation still brims with vigor.

Utilizing the [Yin-Yang Diagram], he can share part of the pressure.

Immediately, Lu Changsheng hurls his Nine Calamity Sword forward—it rings out like a young sapling of Nine-Leaf Sword Grass, radiating a fierce sword aura and an oppressive killing intent.

Soon, the [Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror] appears in his hand.

Having broken through to the Nascent Soul level, Lu Changsheng can now tap into the power of this Celestial Treasure!

However, compared to his Nine Calamity Sword, this Celestial Treasure requires time to fully unleash its might.

Just as against True Lord Pinghai and Tunhai True Lord it wasn’t ideal to employ this treasure,

the enemy would have long fled during his full activation process.

But now, with four foes arrayed in formation—supported by both field spiritual soldiers and cultivators’ battle arrays—it is the perfect moment to utilize the [Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror].

In truth, his other spirit treasure, the [Hunting God Chariot], would also be ideal for this situation—capable of smashing enemy formations and even drawing in the souls of True Lord Nuhai’s Water-Traveling soldiers as fuel.

However, that treasure has not yet been fully refined to produce its initial fuel.

Thus, while he must activate the [Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror], he cannot simultaneously employ the high-consumption [Hunting God Chariot].

As for Qian Zhuyan, due to a lack of high-grade Spirit Stones, the enemy is only suited for a prolonged defensive battle—something Lu Changsheng regrettably didn’t bring along.

Though Qian Zhuyan has ascended to Fourth-Rank as a puppet spirit, his puppet body and the array it forms remain underdeveloped, rendering his combat power severely limited and posing great danger if brought along.

“No! Do not let him activate that treasure!”

Just as Lu Changsheng begins channeling the [Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror] to draw in massive magical power and terrestrial energy, True Lord Zhenhai, True Lord Nuhai, and True Lord Minghai suddenly sense impending peril—realizing this is a treasured relic.

It is most likely a top-tier spirit treasure, perhaps even a near-Celestial Treasure!

“Roar, roar, roar!”

The Nuhai-Teng Tian Emperor Serpent, entwined among countless water dragons and bamboo-like spears, along with the lethal techniques and Nuhai domain of True Lord Minghai, surges heavenward in a devastating assault aimed at submerging Lu Changsheng.

Yet, standing in its path, the Golden-Winged Roc, the Soul-Taking Beast, the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass, and the Three Treasure Incarnation refuse to stand idly by.

The Golden-Winged Roc has long since maxed out its combat potential.

As the Tianpeng Borlong Diagram intertwines, streaks of sword-like plumage form a brilliant array in the air, exuding bone-chilling lethal intent as they lunge at True Lord Nuhai and his allies.

Meanwhile, the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass, with its nine sword leaves fluttering, forms a sea of sword aura and dazzling sword light that pierces through the heavens and earth.

Although it is now a rootless essence, having been previously drained by Lu Changsheng’s activation, as a True Spirit-level Fourth-Rank demonic plant it remains fearsomely potent, bearing a stance that can hold off an entire army!

Its sword light erupts with unmatched ferocity, as if it could effortlessly rend the void and pierce the skies.

In the distance, True Lord Nuhai, True Lord Zhenhai, and the others are left stunned.

They never expected that Lu Changsheng’s Nine Calamity Sword could transform into a demonic plant that wields such terrifying power.

Compared to the combined might of the Golden-Winged Roc, the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass, and the Soul-Taking Beast’s soul-seizing divine light, the latter pales in comparison.

After all, as a beast of punishment its abilities only peak when facing demonic overlords; against normal cultivators, its divine power is truly limited.

Especially here in the vast ocean, amidst the pervasive gray mist, its effectiveness is further diminished.

Meanwhile, the Three Treasure Incarnation hovers by Lu Changsheng’s side, summoning a slightly battered Yin-Yang Diagram to deflect some of the onslaught, ensuring that his already fragile spirit treasure isn’t shattered in the heat of battle.

Many Nascent Soul True Lords hesitate to engage fully since a damaged spirit treasure is extremely costly to repair both in value and materials.

In an instant, the scene becomes a cataclysm: thousands of sword strikes intersect, unparalleled sword light rends the heavens and earth, clashing fiercely with both the Nuhai-Teng Tian Emperor Serpent and the myriad water dragons,

their devastating shockwaves spreading like tangible tidal waves that shatter the realms.

Even hundreds of miles away, towering sea tsunamis form, the boiling water roaring and evaporating constantly.

Some sea fish and demonic beasts thousands of miles away are pulverized into dust, their flesh and blood splattering wildly.

No matter how sturdy the reefs or islands are, they crumble and collapse before this terrifying force.

If it weren’t for this place being deep in the Da Mengze with no cultivators residing nearby, such a clash would have resulted in untold devastation, countless shattered islands and spirit lands.

True Lord Nuhai, True Lord Zhenhai, True Lord Minghai, Tunhai True Lord, along with five hundred soldiers and twelve Core Formation masters, relentlessly press their attack, surpassing the might of ordinary mid-Nascent Soul levels.

Even the combined force of the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass, the Golden-Winged Roc, and the Soul-Taking Beast cannot hold out indefinitely.

Fortunately, it doesn’t take long—within moments, the [Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror] in Lu Changsheng’s hand is fully activated.

“Vzzzzzz!”

The mirror, like a resplendent orb of the midday sun, hovers before Lu Changsheng, its searing brilliance burning a massive void in the air, emanating dazzling, mesmerizing energy.

Just the pervasive aura causes even True Lord Nuhai and True Lord Zhenhai to shudder in apprehension, sensing an ominous threat.

But now, with no route for retreat, the enemy’s options are limited to abandoning their soldiers and fleeing.

Moreover, with Tunhai True Lord’s past defeat as a dire warning, they know that if they fall outnumbered, the situation becomes even more perilous!

Besides, unleashing such a top-tier treasure imposes an enormous strain on a cultivator’s magical power and body.

After previously decimating Fuhai True Lord, ambushing True Lord Pinghai, chasing Tunhai True Lord, and engaging all-out, their magic is surely running low.

Activating another treasured relic now would be unsustainable.

They only need to weather this surge, for once they do, the advantage will be completely theirs!

At that moment, the few remaining opponents exchange glances in silent understanding and unleash secret techniques, casting talismanic artifacts and resorting to desperate measures.

By the Nascent Soul level—living for centuries and as elders among top forces—their methods far surpass those of ordinary cultivators.

“Boom, boom, boom!”

In an instant, the Nuhai-Teng Tian Emperor Serpent’s aura surges as if an ancient, savage beast were collapsing the void, unleashing a chain of earth-shattering roars.

Enveloped in boundless might, it and the towering water dragons formed from bamboo-like spears charge at Lu Changsheng like skyward spears.

The whole process is interlaced with multicolored mysterious techniques unleashing unimaginable energy.

Seeing his opponent resort to his trump card, Lu Changsheng’s expression hardens, and he pushes his mortal body beyond limits to activate the [Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror].

Then, he bellows in a deep voice, “Ah Wu, smash them for me!”

In an instant, the [Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror] surges fully into action.

A beam of Solar Divine Light, as if condensed from billions of suns, shoots forth, its radiance lighting the heavens and earth with boundless brilliance and heat.

For a moment, the vast Da Mengze appears transformed into an endless sea of flames.

The Nuhai-Teng Tian Emperor Serpent, the intertwined water dragons, the myriad mystic techniques, and treasured relics all disintegrate beneath the Solar Divine Light as if melting like ice.

Even the Golden-Winged Roc, the Soul-Taking Beast, and the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass feel their bodies scorched by the lingering light.

“No!!!”

At the forefront, True Lord Nuhai roars, further channeling his secret technique in a ferocious burst like a primordial beast.

Yet behind him, his Water-Traveling soldiers continue to pop like firecrackers.

The Zhenhai Seven Sects have maintained their top power in the Starry Sea for millennia not only through their shared Nascent Soul reserves but also via their painstakingly cultivated water soldiers.

These soldiers, whose training has no shortcuts and require vast resources and time, continue to fall one after another.

How could he not feel a pang of sorrow as his soldiers shatter one by one!

“Vzzzzzz!” The robed True Lord Zhenhai, in a deep purple robe, senses his spirit treasure overwhelming under the might of Solar Divine Light, nearly at the point of total annihilation as his face turns deathly pale.

A broken spirit treasure not only spells a drastic fall in combat power but also endangers its bearer.

And it’s no different for Tunhai True Lord beside him.

He feels his spirit treasure, [Tunhai Regal Serpent Seal], violently trembling.

If the Nuhai-Teng Tian Emperor Serpent shatters, his spirit treasure will be rendered useless and his vital energy devastated.

Without his magical body and spirit treasure, even if he manages a soul transference to rebuild, he would at best reach only the third tier of human Nascent Soul cultivation.

“Unleash every tactic! He won’t hold out for long!”

True Lord Nuhai bellows like thunder, his massive body clad in dark armor now showing signs of cracks on both his armor and his spirit treasure, the Nuhai Stake.

At this critical juncture, should True Lord Zhenhai, Tunhai True Lord, or True Lord Minghai dare show retreat, he would be the first to be dismembered by the Solar Divine Light!

With that, he must fight with all his might to survive—he does not believe that one Nascent Soul cultivator could fully activate such a Celestial Treasure!

Not only have five hundred Water-Traveling soldiers been obliterated, but behind True Lord Zhenhai, twelve Core Formation cultivators have also begun coughing up blood, their bodies staggering.

Tunhai True Lord’s Nascent Soul spirit can no longer hold on.

His only option is to abandon his spirit treasure and let it merge into the Nuhai formation.

“Pfft!” As the water dragons of the spear dissipate, cracks form on True Lord Zhenhai’s spirit treasure under the Solar Divine Light; he groans, spitting blood.

Behind him, four of the twelve Core Formation cultivators perish from the shared pressure, their bodies violently bursting.

Four Core Formation cultivators die in that overwhelming aftermath.

“True Lord!” The remaining eight Core Formation cultivators, spitting blood, cry out in terror and despair toward True Lord Zhenhai, aware of their impending doom.

Yet, True Lord Zhenhai pays them no heed, even using them strategically as pressure relievers, sacrificing their bodies to shatter.

With his Water-Traveling soldiers continuously shattering, True Lord Nuhai bears the brunt of the damage, his dark visage contorted as his body disintegrates amidst the sound of breaking bones and splattering blood.

The fading of the Nuhai-Teng Tian Emperor Serpent renders him the primary focal point of pressure.

Were it not for the five hundred soldiers and his Fourth-Rank physique, he would have long perished.

Meanwhile, the Golden-Winged Roc, shielded by the Solar Divine Light, and alongside the Three Treasure Incarnation and Nine-Leaf Sword Grass, surge into the Nuhai domain to rescue the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale.

True Lord Minghai, experiencing the least pressure on the field, sees that the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale, with its demonic blood essence, might be used to drive back the Golden Roc.

Yet the Golden Roc, confronting her, shows no trace of fear—a savage roar resounds.

“Clang!” In that moment, the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass unleashes streaks of sword light that repel True Lord Minghai.

“Still distracted, are we?”

Lu Changsheng, his gaze steely and his energy surging, holds the [Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror] aloft, burning with refined blood energy as he further activates the Celestial Treasure to unleash its full might.

Possessing a Fourth-Rank physique and a Chaos Body, his vital energy far surpasses ordinary men!

“Boom!”

In an instant, True Lord Nuhai’s massive body shatters, half his form riddled with countless cracks, no longer resembling a human.

The Chains of the Zhenhai Seven Sects that once bound his arms unravel, snatched away by the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass, the Golden-Winged Roc, and the Three Treasure Incarnation.

Although True Lord Nuhai, True Lord Zhenhai, and True Lord Minghai all try to reclaim them, they are utterly powerless!

“This man is extraordinary. Retreat!”

True Lord Zhenhai bellows, his face ghostly white as he warns,

The power of such a treasured relic, even at mid-Nascent Soul cultivation, is staggering—yet this cultivator doesn’t even seem like a late Nascent Soul master.

He is utterly bewildered.

But there’s no time to ponder further.

As his spirit treasure shatters further and the Solar Divine Light intensifies, his body and even his Nascent Soul spirit verge on collapse!

“Clang!”

Not far away, the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass instantly cleaves out beams of sword light to block him.

Beside him, the weakened Nascent Soul spirit of Tunhai True Lord, seeing no way out and with no hope, flees into the Great Void.

He is all that remains of his Nascent Soul spirit.

If he doesn’t escape now, even a soul transference would be impossible.

True Lord Minghai, witnessing this, exclaims, ‘Though my friend might not survive, I shall remain—my Dao is my own!’ as she unleashes her secret technique, spitting blood as she vanishes like a phantom, elusive in every way.

Such is the advantage of stealth in assassination—an escape technique surpassing that of ordinary mortals.

“Ah!!!”

Nearly disintegrated, True Lord Nuhai clutches the [Nuhai Stake] and the [Tunhai Regal Serpent Seal] at the forefront.

In that moment, Tunhai True Lord and True Lord Minghai make their escape, their Nascent Soul spirits barely holding on under immense pressure.

“Brother Nuhai, I vow to have our ancestor avenge you!”

As the battle-hardened Nascent Soul cultivator, True Lord Zhenhai decisively burns his remaining vital energy to activate his treasured relic—a small boat that shields his Nascent Soul spirit as he vanishes into the Great Void.

Yet, as he enters the void, True Lord Nuhai’s towering form and the remaining soldiers are utterly obliterated.

A forlorn Nascent Soul figure appears for a brief moment, only to be instantly vaporized by the Solar Divine Light.

In the distance, the Golden-Winged Roc gazes with a tinge of regret upon the remnants of True Lord Nuhai’s spirit.

It recalls the time in the Mirage Domain of Vast Sands when it fortuitously devoured the Nascent Soul spirit of Qingcang True Lord, a taste it still remembers fondly.

“Phew!”

As the Solar Profound Light dissipates and the [Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror] slowly returns to Lu Changsheng’s hand, he exhales deeply, fatigue etched on his face.

Though he has broken through to Nascent Soul and wields the Great Dao Nascent Soul along with his Heavenly Yuan Lotus,

the strain of overexerting the [Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror] is enormous.

Fortunately, following his fusion of the Chaos Body with the Kunpeng Body, his physical form, blood energy, and regenerative abilities now effortlessly bear such burdens, recovering at an astonishing rate.

Otherwise, an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator could barely muster such power before succumbing to magical exhaustion.

“I really should stock up on some high-grade Spirit Stones…”

Lu Changsheng shakes his head as he looks at his Heavenly Yuan Lotus, now nearly depleted of magical energy within his second Dantian.

With a thought, he raises his hand; the Storage Rings of True Lord Pinghai, Fuhai True Lord, and Tunhai True Lord materialize before him.

Alas, True Lord Nuhai’s spirit treasure isn’t the only casualty—his Storage Rings and even his Storage Pouch have been shattered by the Solar Divine Light.

It can only be said that the might of this mirror is utterly overwhelming—in fact, uncontrollable—no match for the Yin-Yang Profound Light.

“Da Mengze’s border must be sealed off!”

Lu Changsheng, gazing toward the confluence of Da Mengze and the Starry Sea, concludes that this area must be completely cordoned off to prevent new cultivators from the Starry Sea from arriving, lest they become a hidden threat.

“Now, with Fuhai True Lord, True Lord Pinghai, and the fallen True Lord Nuhai gone, the Zhenhai Seven Sects are grievously wounded.”

“I recall that the area where Da Mengze meets the Starry Sea is the territory of the Fuhai Sect.”

Lu Changsheng narrows his eyes, believing he can seize the territory of the Fuhai Sect outright, using it as a natural border to control the dynamics of this sea region.

After all, he has no proper cultivation base of his own.

To him, Fuhai Sect is extremely enticing.

After all, the Zhenhai Seven Sects have repeatedly troubled him, even injuring Lu Lingjing.

As such, he plans to use the Fuhai Sect as compensation for medical expenses!

“Now, with this battle behind us, it’s best to take the initiative—no need to wait for the Zhenhai Patriarch. I’ll go find them myself!”