Chapter 829: Celestial Divination and Family Journeys

Yue Zun, her beautiful eyes veiled in delicate gauze, looked toward the Zhenhai Patriarch and murmured.

No matter the level of the diviner—be it fortune-telling or prophecy—an information medium is always required.

“This man goes by the dao name ‘Yangming’. He has long been secretly cultivating in a place called Da Mengze under the jurisdiction of our Zhenhai Seven Sects.”

The Zhenhai Patriarch revealed every bit of information about Lu Changsheng without holding anything back.

Then, he tossed a porcelain vial to Yue Zun.

It was a wisp of qi extracted from the spiritual contract he had with Lu Changsheng.

After all, when he entered that contract with Lu Changsheng, his aim wasn’t loyalty but to obtain an information medium from him for divination.

“Very well. Please, Patriarch, patiently wait here while the two of us conduct our divination.”

After hearing his account, Yue Zun and Star King nodded in agreement before their forms transformed into radiant light and vanished from the hall.

Astrology Hall.

This is a forbidden domain where Star King and Yue Zun perform their divinations; no one else is allowed.

The entire palace resembled the vast, transcendent starry sky, with countless glimmers and swirling mists interwoven in a dreamlike spectacle.

At the center stood a mysterious and intricate crystal star map.

Star King stepped forward, placing his palm atop the star map.

In an instant, the star map spun, revealing countless mesmerizing lights and shadows—at times streaking like shooting stars, at others shifting like nebulae—enacting the dance of the cosmos.

With graceful steps, Yue Zun moved to a mural beside the star map and sat cross-legged.

Her sky-blue, wide-sleeved dress flowed with her movements like drifting clouds and glowing moonlight, reminiscent of a blooming mandala—beautiful and enchanting.

Moments later, the hall was bathed in the mesmerizing projections from the star map, all converging upon Yue Zun.

In that moment, she seemed to be the only one in the universe, sitting elegantly with an aura of mystery, nobility, and sanctity.

“Om!”

Yue Zun opened the porcelain vial handed over by the Zhenhai Patriarch, revealing her light purple, silky hair adorned with nine jade hairpins that shimmered with crystalline brilliance.

Then, with swift, graceful hand seals, she conjured ethereal shadows that resembled the Thousand-Armed Guanyin, as layers of blue, moonlit flames materialized around her.

Her gauze-veiled eyes seemed to harbor a flickering blue flame within their depths.

Star King’s expression remained cold and detached as he quietly observed Yue Zun.

Though he had no intention of supporting any Eastern Emperor’s Heir,

he was nonetheless curious about the origins of this ‘Eastern Emperor’s Heir.’

Through their combined divination, the entire Astrology Hall seemed to dissolve into the void, leaving only Yue Zun sitting amidst the cosmos, deciphering celestial signs.

Time passed, minute by minute.

Yet, no matter how intently Star King and Yue Zun probed, they could not dispel the mystifying veil of celestial secrets shrouding the Eastern Emperor’s Heir.

“How is this possible?!”

Yue Zun, her eyes ablaze with a ghostly blue flame, fixed her gaze on Star King, sensing that something was amiss.

Even with an information medium—and even if the adversary possessed a supreme treasure to conceal the celestial secrets—their combined divination would normally reveal fragments of destiny.

But now, not even a trace of those secrets could be uncovered, as a thick veil of confusion enveloped them.

Yet all the more, it indicated that this Eastern Emperor’s Heir was no ordinary individual.

Yue Zun tossed aside a set of chime bells before beginning a graceful dance, her every move exuding a mysterious and strangely enchanting allure.

Seeing this, Star King unleashed his divine abilities, striking the chime bells to produce an enigmatic melody of celestial secrets.

It was clear that the process was far from easy for either of them.

With each strike of the chime bells, Star King’s face grew progressively paler, while Yue Zun, mid-dance, began to tire, beads of sweat trickling from her like the cold glow of the moon.

“This won’t do! Not only does he possess a supreme treasure that seals away celestial secrets, but his profound and powerful destiny is bolstered by a treasure that suppresses fate. There’s simply no way to divine him!”

After a moment, Star King, his face as pale as paper with a sinister chill, called a halt, declaring that they could proceed no further with the divination.

If they could obtain the celestial secrets of the Eastern Emperor’s Heir, even sacrificing some vital life force would be worth it.

Yet, despite their immense sacrifice and full effort, they couldn’t grasp a hint of his destiny—something was clearly amiss.

Under such circumstances, continuing the divination would only waste their precious life essence.

“Mm.”

Though Yue Zun longed to learn more about the Eastern Emperor’s Heir, she had no choice but to relent.

For the art of divination is vast, profound, and mysterious, and since they couldn’t directly divine Lu Changsheng’s fate, they opted for alternative methods.

For instance, they treated the Eastern Emperor’s Heir as a candidate for support, gauging his future prospects and potential fortunes and misfortunes.

After a while, a vague hexagram materialized.

Yue Zun: “Auspicious!”

Star King: “The omens fluctuate—misfortune outweighs fortune!”

“Om!”

As the hexagram took shape, the illusory visions of the Astrology Hall gave way to streaming nebular radiance.

Yue Zun’s once delicate, moonlit visage turned deathly pale, her skin beaded with fine perspiration as she gasped for air, with droplets trailing down her pristine forehead and collarbone.

Star King, too, looked pale and exhausted, utterly devoid of color.

Both remained silent.

The vague hexagram had already conveyed several crucial insights.

After all, the fact that this man could influence their destinies alone indicated his extraordinary nature.

Moreover, if she were to support him, the omens promised auspicious prospects and further advancement, signifying limitless potential.

He is most likely the Eastern Emperor’s Heir! As for Star King, his readings tilted heavily towards misfortune.

Firstly, the mere fact that he could affect Star King’s destiny and future fortunes underscored his significance.

As for why Yue Zun’s divination was auspicious while Star King’s was not, that would depend on their interpretation.

Although Star King didn’t openly show it, Yue Zun knew well that he had no desire to support any Eastern Emperor’s Heir.

That was perfectly natural.

Not only would Star King be reluctant, but even Yue Zun herself wouldn’t pledge support to someone bearing the title without thorough observation and testing.

“Star King, what’s your take?”

After a moment, the blue flame in Yue Zun’s eyes dimmed, and she spoke in a weak voice.

Though they differed on the matter of the Eastern Emperor’s Heir,

as members of Starrymoon Hall who had cultivated together for centuries, Star King and Yue Zun shared a deep bond.

This man’s ability to affect our destinies clearly marks him as no ordinary figure—he is likely the Eastern Emperor’s Heir.

Star King understood well why his own divination foretold more misfortune.

He not only refused any support for the Eastern Emperor’s Heir,

but even believed that countless stars could eclipse the sun itself!

If he truly is the Eastern Emperor’s Heir and has yet to mature, I might well replace him! Nonetheless, we must meet him first to determine if he is worthy of our support.

“If he really is the Eastern Emperor’s Heir, as our forefather’s teachings prophesy, he may one day witness the revival of the Sun-Moon Star Palace—even if my future is fraught with peril, I’d risk it all.”

Star King, his face icy and stern, spoke without revealing his true feelings to Yue Zun.

Had Yue Zun known his true intentions, he would likely have intervened.

“Mm.”

Yue Zun’s gaze, hidden behind delicate gauze, was inscrutable, and she simply nodded without expression.

Soon, bathed in the glow of the Astrology Hall, the two of them retrieved a pill from a Storage Ring and swallowed it to steady their breathing.

The recent divination had taken a heavy toll on them.

Naturally, they wouldn’t face the Zhenhai Patriarch in such a state, leaving him to wait.

Immortal City of Damengze.

City Lord’s Mansion.

Hong Lian, upon noticing that Lu Changsheng had returned from Fuhai Sect barely over a month after departing, asked in astonishment, “Husband, have you encountered another problem?”

“The situation at Fuhai Sect is suspicious; the celestial secrets may well be muddled. I’m planning to head to the Jin Kingdom.”

Lu Changsheng immediately explained his divination, his predictions, and his subsequent plans to Hong Lian.

Hong Lian only had a superficial understanding of divination, having never delved deeply into its practice.

Though she doubted whether the Zhenhai Seven Sects could achieve such feats, when Lu Changsheng—a grandmaster of divination—asserted it, she naturally did not question him.

Besides, seeking breakthroughs elsewhere would be a wiser choice.

“Husband, when are you planning to set off?” Hong Lian asked softly.

“There’s no time to waste—I’ll pack up and head out immediately.”

Although the Zhenhai Patriarch hadn’t fully prepared to test his own strength, he would not take action yet.

But for matters like these, Lu Changsheng certainly wouldn’t delay any further.

“Alright, husband, be careful—I’ll be waiting in the Immortal City.”

Hong Lian added softly, “The Heavenly Sword Sect has already replied. If you wish to borrow a secret treasure from them, it’s best you go in person to speak with True Lord Juejian.”

“Mm.”

Lu Changsheng nodded, his eyes tenderly fixed on the flawless, divine beauty of Hong Lian before him.

As the saying goes, solitary yin cannot be born, nor can solitary yang endure.

After such a long period of busyness, he hadn’t enjoyed dual cultivation with his wife for ages.

Now, it was time to balance yin and yang! Hong Lian met his gaze with eyes full of tender affection.

Soon, Lu Changsheng scooped the lovely lady into his arms and hurried into their cave residence.

After a few breaths, an aura of spring blossomed throughout the cave.

A few days later, Lu Changsheng rose from the land of bliss, feeling refreshed.

Had it not been for a myriad of trivial matters, he would have loved to remain lost in that tender bliss forever.

“Wait, that’s not right. Man follows Earth, Earth follows Heaven, Heaven follows Dao, and Dao follows Nature—this is the essence of yin and yang. I am realizing the Great Dao of Yin and Yang!”

Lu Changsheng immediately dismissed the notion of wallowing in bliss.

After all, he practiced the Yin-Yang Creation Sutra, training in the Yin-Yang Path—delving deep into the ways of yin and yang is only natural, since solitary yin cannot flourish and solitary yang can never endure; such is the order of the cosmos, impossible to defy.

For a moment, it seemed Lu Changsheng had attained a sudden insight.

“Quanzhen, come see me.”

Lu Changsheng called out to his son, Lu Quanzhen, who was cultivating in a side hall, announcing that he would take him along to the Jin Kingdom.

After all, his son possessed a modicum of strength; besides, it was time to settle old scores between True Lord Guima and him.

Before long, Lu Quanzhen arrived, bowing respectfully as he said, “Quanzhen pays respects to Father.”

“Quanzhen, I am preparing to journey to the Jin Kingdom. You will accompany me.”

Lu Changsheng examined his son, aware that his cultivation was well-established and that he had even successfully mastered the True Spirit Nine Transformations.

“Jin Kingdom.”

Lu Quanzhen was momentarily stunned, his narrow eyes slightly squinting.

In his younger days in the Jin Kingdom, he had faced many ordeals.

At the final moment, had it not been for his father’s timely rescue, he might have perished at the hands of Zhen Tian the Old Demon or True Lord Guima.

Even so, his father had paid an enormous price to extend his life and stabilize his condition—breaking through Core Formation by practicing the Kunpeng Swallowing Heaven Demon Art, thus averting the peril of a dwindling lifespan.

Lu Quanzhen had never been known for his magnanimity.

He harbored deep grudges that he never forgot.

Had it not been for his father’s orders to remain in the Immortal City, he would have long ventured to the Jin Kingdom to settle old scores.

“Father, should I prepare anything?”

Lu Quanzhen had a rough idea of his father’s intent in summoning him to the Jin Kingdom.

“That’s for you to decide. On this trip, besides handling some business, I plan to deal with the Yin Ghost Sect—then you can settle your old scores with True Lord Guima as well.”

Lu Changsheng replied with a faint smile, his handsome, immortal countenance tinged with a hint of coldness.

“Thank you, Father.”

Lu Quanzhen’s refined features bore a subtle smile, yet his narrow eyes were as sharp and piercing as flying willow-leaf blades.

Besides his son Lu Quanzhen, Lu Changsheng intended to bring his wife Meng Xiaochan and his other son Lu Minghuang.

He had long meant to take Lu Minghuang to the Five Poisons Sect to visit Nangong Mili.

However, matters concerning the Starry Sea and a breakthrough to Nascent Soul had been continually delayed.

“Prepare yourself; we’ll leave a bit later.”

Lu Changsheng announced as the Misty Dust Banner appeared in his hand, signaling his departure for Mengxi Island to pick up Meng Xiaochan.

For years, Meng Xiaochan had been cultivating on Mengxi Island alongside her daughter, Lu Mengchan.

Originally, Lu Mengchan intended to reside at Bihu Mountain with Lu Linghe, Lu Baixi, and others.

However, after surpassing the late stage of Foundation Establishment, she entered a critical period in cultivation and needed to prepare for Core Formation.

If the Calamity Poison Body isn’t properly controlled during cultivation, errors could not only affect Lu Linghe and his peers but even create an entire toxic region.

Thus, she had no choice but to heed her mother’s advice, training diligently to master all secret techniques and divine abilities before breaking through to Core Formation.

At that very moment, Meng Xiaochan was assisting her daughter with a medicinal bath.

Lu Mengchan’s progress was astonishing—by the age of fifty-two, she had reached the ninth level of Foundation Establishment, thanks in no small part to her mother’s meticulous care.

Without Meng Xiaochan’s constant efforts in concocting potent toxins and preparing various medicinal baths, even a Calamity Poison Body would hardly progress at such an astounding pace.

After all, affected by her Calamity Poison Body, Lu Mengchan only began formal cultivation at the age of sixteen.

That is to say, it took her only thirty-six years to advance from starting cultivation to reaching the ninth level of Foundation Establishment.

Such a cultivation pace, if widely known, would be simply breathtaking.

And this was achieved with only modest training from Lu Changsheng—not a full-on, exhaustive effort, nor did he have to procure an array of rare, deadly toxins for her.

“Hm!?”

Sensing something, Meng Xiaochan gently raised her hand, and a Sun-Moon Token materialized in it.

Her face lit up with joy as she transformed into a streak of purple, rainbow-like light, heading off to meet Lu Changsheng.

Inside the purple Poison Cauldron, Lu Mengchan, immersed in toxic liquid, opened her hazy, beautiful eyes; seeing her mother’s hurried demeanor, it was clear that Father had returned.

Only when Father comes home does the mother beam with joy.

Gazing at the freshly prepared medicinal bath, Lu Mengchan wondered if she should go greet her father.

After all, with Father back, she was duty-bound to greet him immediately.

Without further hesitation, Lu Mengchan gracefully emerged from the intricately patterned purple Poison Cauldron.

Multicolored toxins evaporated from her skin.

Nearby, a neatly arranged set of purple clothing, shoes, and socks, as if possessed by spirit, flew over to dress her, leaving her poised and ethereally graceful.

There was no sign that she had just been immersed in toxic liquid during her cultivation.

When Lu Mengchan stepped out of the cultivation chamber, she saw her mother, acting like a child as she clung to Father.

Watching the scene, Lu Mengchan blinked, her fair, rosy cheeks slightly puffed up, thinking she perhaps shouldn’t have emerged at this moment.

But now that she was out, there was no turning back.

Seeing her father and mother together, she hesitated, unsure whether to approach.

Though Lu Changsheng had always cared for her, his frequent absences spanning years meant she couldn’t be as close to him as Lu Linghe or Lu Wangshu were.

But just as she wavered, Lu Changsheng released Meng Xiaochan and called with a smile, “Meng Meng.”

“Father.”

Lu Mengchan replied softly, her voice clear and melodious, tinged with shyness.

“Meng Meng, have you missed your father?”

Even though the children at home were all grown up enough to be seen as parents or elders in worldly terms,

in Lu Changsheng’s eyes, they would always remain children.

After all, cultivators are different from ordinary mortals.

Take my daughter Lu Mengchan, for example—having taken a beauty-preserving pill early on and progressing rapidly, she still retained the looks of a fifteen or sixteen-year-old maiden, delicate and endearing.

Despite her mother often lamenting and missing Father, Lu Mengchan obediently replied, “I missed him.”

“Hahaha.”

Lu Changsheng found his soft-spoken, gentle-voiced daughter utterly adorable, as he tenderly ruffled her hair.

He then mentioned that he was planning a trip to the Five Poisons Sect, asking her to accompany him.

Over the years, his care for his children had waned, and his daughter Lu Mengchan had unknowingly reached the ninth level of Foundation Establishment.

So he planned to take this opportunity to give her a thorough lesson on the Ten Thousand Calamities Toxic Spirit Codex.

He would also visit the Five Poisons Sect to utilize their secret treasures and resources to help her solidify her cultivation and prepare for Core Formation.

“Father, what are you doing at the Five Poisons Sect?”

Although Lu Mengchan had visited the Five Poisons Sect as a child, her memories of it were very hazy.

“We’re going to see your Aunt Nangong; Lu Minghuang will go as well so you’ll have company, and then I’ll help you with your cultivation.”

Lu Changsheng said tenderly to his daughter.

Lu Mengchan obediently nodded and softly replied, “Oh.”

After all, if Father says so and Mother is going, then she naturally must come along.

“Let’s go.”

After a brief family chat, Lu Changsheng told his wife and daughter to pack up while he and the others would first return to Bihu Mountain.

“By the way, Lu Lang.”

At that moment, Meng Xiaochan snapped out of her reverie and informed Lu Changsheng that there had been significant commotion deep within Da Mengze recently, as if True Lord Nascent Soul had clashed.

“It was a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Starry Sea who came to cause trouble—and I’ve already dealt with him.”

Lu Changsheng understood that what Meng Xiaochan referred to was his battle alongside True Lord Pinghai and Nuhai True Lord.

At the time, the incident had stirred quite a commotion—even the explanation from the City Lord’s Mansion couldn’t fool a Core Formation cultivator like Meng Xiaochan.

“Congratulations, Lu Lang, on breaking through to Nascent Soul and ascending as a True Lord!”

Meng Xiaochan was aware of Lu Changsheng’s plans regarding his Nascent Soul breakthrough.

Upon hearing this, she immediately realized that Lu Changsheng had successfully advanced to the Nascent Soul stage.

In fact, when she first saw him, she had sensed it.

She had been so overjoyed to see him that she forgot to ask.

“Nascent Soul.”

Though Lu Mengchan wasn’t fully acquainted with her father’s cultivation level, she immediately gasped in congratulations, exclaiming, “Congratulations, Dad, on becoming a Nascent Soul True Lord!”

As she spoke, she scrutinized her father intently.

Though Lu Changsheng concealed his transcendent aura, the transformative leap in his life made him shine like a myriad of stars.

Even Lu Mengchan felt that her father had become even more attractive—surpassing even her brother Lu Minghuang in handsomeness.

Lu Changsheng accepted the congratulatory wishes with a hearty smile, then encouraged his daughter, “My dear Meng Meng, you’re already at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment—far surpassing your old man. Soon, you’ll break through to Nascent Soul even faster.”

Though his words were meant to encourage,

given her rapid cultivation, Lu Mengchan was most likely to eventually outpace—and even surpass—her brothers Lu Qingxian, Lu Lingxiao, and Lu Qingshan.

“It’s all thanks to the nurturing from both Father and Mother that you’ve achieved such pace in cultivation.”

Though Lu Mengchan was like a sheltered flower, her mother Meng Xiaochan was exceedingly capable.

Having lived in the Immortal City for so many years, she knew how privileged her conditions were.

Unlike many cultivators on Mengxi Island who had to laboriously gather Spirit Stones to earn resources for cultivation.

Moreover, with a mother like Meng Xiaochan, her resources far surpassed those of the other Lu Family disciples.

“It’s also because my Meng Meng works hard.”

Lu Changsheng was never a discouraging father—he always praised and encouraged his children.

Once Meng Xiaochan had arranged the matters on Mengxi Island, he would bring his wife and daughter back to the City Lord’s Mansion.

Seeing that his son Lu Quanzhen was also ready, Lu Changsheng bid farewell to Hong Lian and Qian Zhuyan.

Even though the divination indicated that the Immortal City of Damengze would remain free of calamities for a while, hexagrams can never be fully trusted.

Yet to be safe, Lu Changsheng left a bundle of Nine-Leaf Sword Grass at the City Lord’s Mansion.

That way, even if the Zhenhai Patriarch were to attack, they could hold out a bit longer until he could return.

The main purpose of the trip to the Jin Kingdom was to act—to bring down the Yin Ghost Sect.

A mere Yin Ghost Sect and Ghost Lord are no match for a Nine Calamity Sword!