Chapter 825: The Subjugation Talisman

Lu Changsheng frowned slightly as he saw the reward.

He hadn’t expected that this rare draw would yield only one talisman.

After all, system offerings are always top-notch—this talisman had to be a Fifth-Rank Talisman.

Yet, Lu Changsheng couldn’t hide a tinge of disappointment.

Such is the nature of lucky draws.

With a subtle thought, he glanced toward the system’s realm.

In an instant, a message appeared before his eyes.

【Talisman: Demon Subjugation Talisman】

【Rank: Fifth-Rank】

【Description: A royal secret talisman of the Demon Subjugation Kingdom. It comes in a pair—a ‘child’ talisman to enslave and a ‘mother’ talisman to control; this one can subjugate demons below Fifth-Rank.】

“Enslave demons below Fifth-Rank!?”

Lu Changsheng was stunned as he read the description of the Demon Subjugation Talisman.

He had suspected it wasn’t an ordinary talisman, but its power was shockingly domineering!

Doesn’t that mean he could track down a peak Fourth-Rank Demon King and subjugate it with this talisman?

At present, there were no signs of any Transformative God True Lords in the Southern Desolation.

Enslaving a peak Fourth-Rank Demon King would make him nearly invincible, right? Yet, as a Third-Rank Top-Tier Talisman Artist and Nascent Soul cultivator, Lu Changsheng knew that the Demon Subjugation Talisman couldn’t possibly work that flawlessly—instantly enslaving such a demon was unrealistic.

There must be additional limitations!

A thought sparked.

In an instant, an ancient talisman resembling a token materialized before him.

Its surface was intricately carved with complex runes, as if countless demons were roaring in vivid detail.

“Demon Subjugation Talisman”

In that very moment, Lu Changsheng gained a clear understanding of the Fifth-Rank Demon Subjugation Talisman.

Just as described, it could subjugate any demon below Fifth-Rank—whether animalistic beasts or even plant-like creatures.

But, just as he had suspected, the talisman came with its own set of restrictions.

When activated, its power was limited by the user’s magical energy and divine soul; the number of demons enslaved couldn’t exceed a certain limit.

For instance, with Lu Changsheng currently at the Level-One Nascent Soul stage—his divine sense comparable to a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator—he could at most subjugate a mid Fourth-Rank Demon King.

Trying to subjugate a late Fourth-Rank Demon King would overwhelm him and likely result in failure.

Moreover, this Demon Subjugation Talisman could be used only once, capable of ensnaring a single demon.

Even so, its effect was nothing short of astounding.

After all, taming a Demon King becomes incredibly difficult once they reach the Third-Rank.

By the Fourth-Rank, complete subjugation is nearly impossible.

Yet here was a talisman that could instantly subjugate any demon below Fifth-Rank! If word of its power spread, countless demons might attack Lu Changsheng or powerful factions might try to seize it.

After all, with his current cultivation and divine sense, he could only control a mid Fourth-Rank Demon King.

But if it fell into the hands of a late Nascent Soul elder, they could potentially subjugate a peak Fourth-Rank Demon King!

“My cultivation just isn’t high enough for such a reward,” he murmured.

Lu Changsheng shook his head softly.

There was no doubt about the value of the Demon Subjugation Talisman—it certainly justified a rare draw.

Yet, he had only just broken through the Nascent Soul stage.

Even with the advantage of the Great Dao Nascent Soul and Taiyi Spirit, he could at best subjugate a mid Fourth-Rank Demon King.

Admittedly, for an early Nascent Soul cultivator, subjugating a mid Fourth-Rank Demon King was already impressive.

But thinking that this rare talisman could only control a mid Fourth-Rank Demon King felt like a huge letdown.

It was even less straightforward than obtaining a spirit pet from a system draw.

After all, the system’s spirit pets were top-notch, with guaranteed pure lineage.

And their loyalty was absolute.

“I’ll wait until I break through to mid-Nascent Soul, when my divine soul reaches the late stage, and then I’ll subjugate a late Fourth-Rank Demon King!”

Lu Changsheng mused that if he advanced further, he could maximize the potential of the Demon Subjugation Talisman.

But he had only just broken through the Nascent Soul stage.

Even though the latent potential of the Great Dao Nascent Soul could let him break through to the second layer at any time…

reaching the seventh layer, however, remained an uncertain challenge.

Moreover, the boost from his Chaos Body and Taiyi Spirit wasn’t as potent as before.

Relying solely on advancing from mid-Nascent Soul to a late stage was nearly impossible.

“Forget it. Later, when I head to the Forbidden Sea, I’ll see if there’s a decent mid Fourth-Rank Demon King around.”

As the saying goes, the sooner you use it, the sooner you enjoy its benefits.

He recalled his agreement with the Green Dragon King of the Forbidden Sea—and that he was due for another trip there.

Thus, Lu Changsheng planned to keep an eye out for any unsuspecting mid Fourth-Rank Demon King coming his way.

In his eyes, the Green Dragon King was already impressive.

The subtle, oppressive aura emanating from his counterpart made it clear that this was no ordinary mid Fourth-Rank Demon King!

However, Lu Ancestor was known for his clear sense of right and wrong—he would never commit an act of ingratitude.

Having made up his mind, Lu Changsheng held the Demon Subjugation Talisman in his hand, examining it closely to see if he might replicate it.

Even if he couldn’t reproduce a Fifth-Rank Demon Subjugation Talisman,

even a Fourth-Rank or Third-Rank version would suffice.

Yet, despite his unparalleled talent as a Fourth-Rank Weaponsmith and a Third-Rank Top-Tier Talisman Artist—and possessing texts like the Nine-Nine Profound Talisman Sutra and the Divine Creation Refinement Art—he could only grasp the general concept without fully decoding its secrets.

“A Fifth-Rank talisman like this is truly extraordinary; it’s not just a talisman, but can be regarded as a Spirit Treasure, a rare artifact.”

Lu Changsheng exhaled deeply, realizing that replicating such a Fifth-Rank talisman was incredibly challenging.

Not only must he decipher the profound inscriptions, but he also needed to replicate the talisman’s skin and the intricate method of mixing its ink.

After all, this Demon Subjugation Talisman was unlike the ordinary ones he usually crafted.

Typically, talismans made from animal hide, blood, or even wood were far simpler.

But forging a Spirit Treasure usually required grinding various natural treasures into a perfect talisman skin base, then mixing the ink and painstakingly painting the runes—a process far more difficult and costly than ordinary talismans.

If a random piece of Fifth-Rank beast hide and a jar of demon beast blood could create a Fifth-Rank talisman to subjugate a Fourth-Rank Demon King, then the Demon Subjugation Kingdom would be invincible.

Stowing the Demon Subjugation Talisman into his Storage Ring, Lu Changsheng resumed his meditative posture to restore his magical energy.

At that moment, he suddenly sensed a fluctuation emanating from the nearby Storage Ring.

He casually lifted his hand, and several jade talisman tokens appeared before his eyes.

They were the token relics of True Lord Pinghai, Fuhai True Lord, and Tunhai True Lord.

In the past, whenever Lu Changsheng vanquished an enemy, he would immediately destroy these tokens—casting them into the Nine Heavens’ Gale within the Great Void.

But now, as a Fourth-Rank Diviner and Third-Rank Formation Master, he intended to confront the Zhenhai Seven Sects for answers.

These token relics not only served as mediums for divination,

but could also disrupt enemy sect formations or even facilitate an infiltration.

“Are they trying to talk to me?”

Lu Changsheng raised an eyebrow.

He had already wondered how the Zhenhai Seven Sects might handle this situation.

Would they continue to hassle him? Given his strength, most of their Nascent Soul cultivators had been slain—leaving only the Zhenhai Patriarch.

Though he wasn’t sure of the Patriarch’s exact power, Lu Changsheng knew that the Starry Sea harbored no late-stage Nascent Soul elders.

Thus, under these conditions, the Zhenhai Patriarch stood no chance against him.

In fact, his displayed combat prowess should have made them extremely wary!

Therefore, the likelihood of the Zhenhai Patriarch seeking revenge was minimal—unless he went all out.

They wouldn’t dare have the Zhenhai Seven Sects or even other Starry Sea cultivators hassle him—otherwise, they’d be in for a world of trouble when he retaliated!

Negotiating peace? After losing three Nascent Soul cultivators from their own sect, choosing peace was simply too humiliating.

After all, the Zhenhai Seven Sects were among the top forces of the Starry Sea!

Such forces could endure for millennia; they were far more formidable than a few Nascent Soul fighters might suggest.

They undoubtedly possessed top-tier secret treasures, ultimate artifacts, elite spiritual soldiers, and sect spirit beasts.

Thus, Lu Changsheng surmised that the Zhenhai Seven Sects had contacted him mainly to gauge the situation.

Only after they had fully probed his background would they decide whether to retaliate or bide their time. ‘I must show the strength befitting a great cultivator!’

Lu Changsheng squinted as he gazed toward the Starry Sea.

In the past, to avoid attracting trouble, he had always been cautious and inclined to yield.

But when it came to the Zhenhai Seven Sects, he could not afford to back down! Any sign of weakness would invite further probing.

Just as True Lord Pinghai, Fuhai True Lord, and Lingbo True Lord had previously attacked Lu Lingjing.

Had he confronted the Zhenhai Seven Sects at once for answers, things might have turned out differently.

But back then, not yet a Nascent Soul, even if he had gone over there, his presence wouldn’t have been enough to deter them—and might even have provoked the Zhenhai Patriarch.

Now, having broken through the Nascent Soul stage and wielding the Celestial Treasure, he possessed the confidence to parley with any top-tier faction. Displaying overwhelming strength would serve as an unmistakable deterrent.

“Perhaps I could adopt the guise of a reincarnated legendary cultivator, just as I once envisioned.”

“Such matters are untraceable anyway and perfectly align with my mysterious persona as the Lord of Dameng City.”

Lu Changsheng mused that his situation perfectly matched the ancient texts’ descriptions of a great being reincarnating to redouble his cultivation.

While he quietly cultivated within the Immortal City of Damengze, absorbing the legacy of his past life, the Zhenhai Seven Sects had repeatedly harassed him—did they really think he lacked backbone?

This thought felt entirely justified and potent enough to instill fear.

“Buzz!”

With a flick of his finger, Lu Changsheng infused a wisp of magical energy into the jade talisman token before him.

In an instant, two jade tokens merged into an invisible stream of power.

Soon after, the token slowly displayed a message.

“Zhenhai Patriarch, have you had it with your disciples slaughtering several Nascent Soul cultivators from my sect? Today, you must account for every single one of them!”

Unlike the Sun-Moon Token, this token couldn’t facilitate real-time conversation or convey vocal nuances.

Yet, its text exuded undeniable anger.

“Explanation? What do you expect? If you think my actions were too heavy-handed, come find me. But you, the Zhenhai Seven Sects, surely owe me an answer!”

Lu Changsheng studied the token and, after a brief pause, transmitted his reply.

Though his cultivation hadn’t yet peaked, the Zhenhai Patriarch could still track him down through these tokens.

But at this critical moment, silence would only betray fear and insecurity.

Moreover, the invisible power linking the tokens made Lu Changsheng realize that the Zhenhai Patriarch was currently at the Fuhai Sect!

This indicated that his opponent had set out for this area long ago.

Even though Nuhai True Lord and his companions had been routed before arriving, they had taken refuge temporarily at the Fuhai Sect.

From this message, Lu Changsheng deduced that the Zhenhai Patriarch was testing him, just as he had suspected.

At that moment, he calculated whether his journey toward the Fuhai Sect might endanger him.

After all, the Zhenhai Seven Sects were a Nascent Soul faction.

And since this matter involved the fates of several Nascent Soul True Lords, unless he expended a great deal of his essence and lifespan, predicting a fortunate outcome was nearly impossible.

Yet the absence of any ominous signs meant there was no dire portent!

“As a Fourth-Rank Diviner, my heightened spiritual senses allow me to instantly detect shifts in fortune and avoid ill omens.”

“Moreover, with the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror and the Misty Dust Banner by my side, no one can stop me if I decide to leave. So, I might as well march straight to the Zhenhai Seven Sects and demand answers!”

A firm resolve stirred within him; he knew that to display strength, he couldn’t wait for his full recovery.

Instead, he immediately set his course for the Fuhai Sect to demonstrate his power and resolve!

The bolder he appeared, the less the Zhenhai Patriarch could gauge his true strength! With that decision made, Lu Changsheng promptly rushed out from the Sea Eye of Da Mengze alongside Lu Lingjing and the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass.

The Golden-Winged Roc was patrolling the sea surface, keeping watch over the winds.

“Golden Roc, head to the Fuhai Sect.”

With Lu Lingjing and the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass in tow, Lu Changsheng leapt onto the broad back of the Golden-Winged Roc, pointing toward the Fuhai Sect as he spoke.

The Golden-Winged Roc had always obeyed Lu Changsheng’s commands.

At his call, it let out a piercing cry skyward, its wings beating like a golden rainbow as it soared toward the Fuhai Sect, slicing through the air.

Meanwhile, Lu Changsheng noticed another message slowly manifesting on a token.

“Fellow cultivator, having slain several Nascent Soul cultivators from my sect, 500 spiritual soldiers, and 12 Core Formations, do you truly expect an explanation from the Zhenhai Seven Sects? Do you think we’re pushovers?!”

Although the Zhenhai Patriarch was taken aback by Lu Changsheng’s forceful attitude, he made no concessions.

However, Lu Changsheng merely smiled wryly at the message, choosing not to respond further.

Or rather, his swift approach toward the Fuhai Sect was his reply—the energy emanating from the tokens spoke for him!

The Zhenhai Patriarch fixed his gaze on the token, his expression grave as he awaited Lu Changsheng’s response.

“Patriarch, this man—he seems to be heading toward the Fuhai Sect.”

At that moment, Minghai True Lord suddenly looked up at the Zhenhai Patriarch, astonished, and said:

In their view, after wielding the Celestial Treasure previously, Lu Changsheng should have been utterly weakened by now.

How could he dare to actively approach the Fuhai Sect? Is it mere bluster?

Impossible! Once he arrives, the reality of his strength and weaknesses will be immediately apparent.

At these words, both Zhenhai True Lord and Tunhai True Lord beside her were taken aback.

They never expected that their own Patriarch wouldn’t rush to settle accounts immediately—but would instead head proactively to the Fuhai Sect.

It was as if he considered the Zhenhai Seven Sects beneath his own stature!

“How dare you!”

The Zhenhai Patriarch’s aged face contorted in anger, his aura dark as storm clouds crashing like turbulent waves, causing Minghai True Lord and the others to stagger as if burdened by a great weight.

“You all remain here; I will go confront this man myself!”

Although Lu Changsheng’s combat prowess sent shivers down the Zhenhai Patriarch’s spine,

he still refrained from advancing—not out of fear, but from cautious restraint to prevent further escalation.

Moreover, he suspected that his opponent was likely in a weakened state at the moment.

Those coming to the Fuhai Sect to cause trouble might have been making a calculated retreat.

If he waited for his foe to initiate, it would be utterly humiliating—unworthy of a Patriarch!

It would even signal to the entire Starry Sea that the Zhenhai Seven Sects were pushovers! Thus, he resolved to confront Lu Changsheng in person.

Even if his opponent wasn’t weakened and could even activate the Celestial Treasure, the Zhenhai Patriarch was no ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator—if the worst should happen, he was confident he could retreat unscathed.

Besides, if his foe dared to come to the Fuhai Sect and bluster about the downfall of True Lords Fuhai, Pinghai, and Nuhai, it would utterly tarnish the reputation of the Zhenhai Seven Sects, inviting endless crises.

Thus, in this battle, he could not afford to retreat!

“May Patriarch vanquish the enemy and return triumphant!”

Zhenhai True Lord, Tunhai True Lord, and Minghai True Lord, upon seeing the Zhenhai Patriarch preparing to depart, beamed with joy and exclaimed their congratulations.

As Nascent Soul True Lords of the Zhenhai Seven Sects, they were confident in their Patriarch’s strength.

Although he might not be as fearsome as Lu Changsheng with his Celestial Treasure,

after relentless battles and the deployment of ultimate treasures, his foe was clearly beyond their Patriarch’s usual adversaries—in fact, they had thought him overly cautious until now.

He should have gone after Lu Changsheng without delay.

Without many words, the Zhenhai Patriarch accepted the token from Minghai True Lord, a ripple of spatial energy enveloping him like a wave as he vanished, soaring toward Lu Changsheng.