Chapter 838: The Wealth of Forbidden Treasures

Even as a newly-formed Nascent Soul cultivator, his foundation still left much to be desired.

Lu Changsheng extended his divine sense into True Lord Mingsha’s storage ring and pouch, and after a brief scan, he shook his head lightly.

Compared to Core Formation cultivators, True Lord Mingsha was naturally immensely wealthy.

But Lu Ancestor was by no means someone who had never seen the world.

Not long ago, he had just pocketed a hefty sum from True Lord Pinghai, Fuhai True Lord, and Tunhai True Lord.

So when he surveyed True Lord Mingsha’s assets now, they seemed rather mediocre.

Besides, most of the dao-comprehending artifacts and materials in Mingsha’s storage ring and pouch belonged to the realms of the sinister and the ghostly, rendering them of little use to him.

“However, if you count the Ten Thousand Ghost Blood Pool and the entire Yin Ghost Sect, True Lord Mingsha’s fortune ranks among the top,” he mused.

Lu Changsheng glanced at the Ghost Bat, Yin Ghost King, and the storage rings of two other Core Formation cultivators, a slight smile playing on his lips.

This was merely the appetizer.

The real feast would be the accumulated wealth of the Yin Ghost Sect built over thousands of years.

“The Fourth-Rank Yin Soul Wood isn’t bad,” he commented.

Lu Changsheng began a meticulous search through the seemingly precious items in True Lord Mingsha’s storage ring and pouch.

The first jade box revealed a piece of inky, subtly glowing, ghostly-green wood, exuding an aura of dense yin energy.

Such Yin Soul Wood not only nourished ghostly essences, but was also ideal for refining divine soul treasures.

To Lu Changsheng, it could even serve as material to upgrade his Yin-Yang Chart.

After all, refining the Yin-Yang Chart required many rare spirit materials with both yin and yang properties.

At this stage, however, he deemed the piece of Yin Soul Wood better suited for enhancing Qian Zhuyan’s puppet body.

As for the Yin-Yang Chart, he was not inclined to upgrade it now, preferring rather to completely reforge it.

The reason was simple.

When he first refined the Yin-Yang Chart in his early years, time was short and conditions were limited; many of the materials had to be substituted, leaving the innate quality of his life’s magical treasure rather ordinary.

Rather than spending vast amounts of time, effort, and rare materials on an upgrade, it was better to wait until conditions were optimal and then forge a new one in one decisive step.

Having become a Fourth-Rank Artifact Refiner, he had gained a deeper understanding of the Divine Creation Refinement Art.

He believed he could further refine his life’s magical treasure to perfectly suit himself.

For instance, by dividing the Yin-Yang Chart into a Large Yin-Yang Chart and a Small Yin-Yang Chart.

That way, not only could both be used simultaneously with his Yin-Yang Dao Form,

but in critical moments the two charts could be merged to significantly boost their potency.

Lu Changsheng then opened the second jade box.

Inside lay a lightning pearl exuding a purple-blue luster.

“Is this… a Spirit-Destroying Pearl?”

Lu Changsheng’s eyes narrowed sharply as he sensed the terrifying spiritual force contained within.

In the cultivation world, some had long studied self-destructive artifacts.

For example, the Yin Lightning Child, Heavenly Lightning Child, and Core Lightning Pearl, among others.

The Spirit-Destroying Pearl belonged to the Nascent Soul level and could severely injure or even annihilate a Nascent Soul True Lord!

According to Lu Changsheng, when such a Spirit-Destroying Pearl exploded, it would sever the flow of spiritual energy, obliterating everything in all directions.

Even the spirit bodies of Nascent Soul cultivators could be annihilated under its shockwave.

He had never expected that True Lord Mingsha would possess such a dangerous, forbidden item.

Had Mingsha activated this pearl in a moment of crisis to share mutual destruction with him, even with his robust Fourth-Rank mid-stage physique, he would likely have ended up grievously injured and in ruins.

“I shouldn’t underestimate these Nascent Soul fiends,” he mused. “Even if they haven’t broken through yet, each harbors an ace up their sleeve.”

“Underestimating them could very well lead to your own downfall,” he added.

Lu Changsheng inwardly sighed, a trace of apprehension lingering.

Carefully, he tucked away the jade box, planning to use it as an ace against the Zhenhai Patriarch.

Armed with his Chaos Body, Fourth-Rank mid-stage physique, and fierce vitality,

he could engage in battle by sacrificing his own injuries in a thousand-hit exchange to leverage the Spirit-Destroying Pearl against his foes.

Even a Nascent Soul mid-stage cultivator like the Zhenhai Patriarch, when caught in the proximity of a Spirit-Destroying Pearl’s explosion, would suffer severe injuries or even have their body and qi shattered.

In short, his opponent’s injuries would certainly be far worse than his own.

Lu Changsheng continued inspecting True Lord Mingsha’s storage ring.

After a long while, only a vial of refined blood managed to catch his attention.

This vial of refined blood resembled that of a Fourth-Rank Demon King—reminiscent of a certain kind of crystalline, enticing spirit milk, radiating a captivating aroma and brimming with vigorous life force.

Lu Changsheng examined it closely, unable to identify its true nature.

“Golden-Winged Roc, stand guard here,” he ordered.

Realizing that Ah Youduo wouldn’t arrive anytime soon, he turned to the Golden-Winged Roc, signaling it to defend the Mountain Gate.

He vowed a merciless fate on anyone attempting to escape.

Regarding the affairs of the Yin Ghost Sect, he had no desire to broadcast them prematurely.

Although such matters couldn’t be completely concealed,

he intended to suppress the details—especially the part where he effortlessly slew True Lord Mingsha—to minimize external impact.

This strategy would not only serve as a deterrent externally, but would also prompt other factions to misjudge his true strength.

After all, his attention and efforts were now focused on the Starry Sea rather than on the Jin Kingdom.

He simply did not wish to stir up further trouble.

“Screeech!”

The Golden-Winged Roc let out a long, piercing cry, its true form expanding to a hundred zhang, shimmering in brilliant gold as if cast in molten metal, dominating the skies above the Yin Ghost Sect with an awe-inspiring and oppressive presence.

Amidst the ever-pervasive ghostly aura and mist that shrouded the Yin Ghost Sect Mountains, its demonic energy scattered the gloom into fragments.

“Gurgle…”

The cultivators and disciples of the Yin Ghost Sect, gazing up at the Golden-Winged Roc looming above the Mountain Gate, felt their throats dry and bodies tremble, dreading that it might swoop down and devour them.

After all, it was perfectly normal for a Demon King to devour cultivators.

Even the Nascent Soul spirit bodies of the Supreme Elder had been swallowed whole by that golden roc.

“Hmph,”

Lu Changsheng shook his head slightly, recognizing that the imposing aura of this Demon King far exceeded even his own.

He then entered the Yin Ghost Sect, letting his Nascent Soul divine sense spread out.

Using divination to probe the remaining cultivators, he scrutinized those with dubious intentions—those plotting escape or communication with the outside world.

Though these techniques could not unerringly read every thought,

observing even Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators was no challenge.

“Father,”

“True Lord,”

Upon Lu Changsheng’s entrance, Lu Quanzhen hurried forward with a respectful gesture, while the Yin Ghost Sect Leader kneeled in deference.

Lu Changsheng waved his hand dismissively—he had never been fond of such formalities.

He then produced from True Lord Mingsha’s storage ring a vial of refined blood resembling spirit milk, presenting it to the Yin Ghost Sect Leader to inquire its nature.

“Reporting, True Lord: this is Ten Thousand Spirit Blood,”

the Yin Ghost Sect Leader immediately explained.

It had been condensed from the Ten Thousand Ghost Blood Pool to the Fourth-Rank Ten Thousand Spirit Blood.

Not only could it serve as a Nascent Soul spirit item, but it was also useful for refining pills and nurturing ghostly beasts.

“So this is the Ten Thousand Spirit Blood?”

Lu Changsheng raised an intrigued eyebrow, for he had heard its name before.

It was truly renowned.

Yet as the Yin Ghost Sect Leader elaborated on the meticulous process required to condense it, Lu Changsheng simply shook his head.

Condensing Ten Thousand Spirit Blood demanded a colossal input of natural spiritual herbs and living flesh and blood.

This Fourth-Rank Ten Thousand Spirit Blood, once produced, was capable of incalculable slaughter.

Though Lu Changsheng did not concern himself with distinctions between the righteous and the demonic,

his inner beliefs still forbade him from engaging in mass slaughter merely to condense the Ten Thousand Spirit Blood.

Besides, in his view, its effects were not much different from his own Tianlu.

Now that he had broken through to Nascent Soul, once he resolved the affairs of the Zhenhai Seven Sects, he would establish the Chenglu Platform in the Immortal City of Damengze to continuously gather Tianlu.

Why stoop to actions that disrupted the natural order for the sake of Ten Thousand Spirit Blood?

“All these years, your Yin Ghost Sect has been slaughtering and invading the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range—was this all just to condense Ten Thousand Spirit Blood?”

Lu Changsheng suddenly fixed his gaze on the Yin Ghost Sect Leader and asked aloud.

“Reporting, True Lord, that is the main reason, though there are some underlying issues I cannot fully disclose due to a spiritual contract. Otherwise…”

The Yin Ghost Sect Leader’s expression turned wretched as he hesitated.

“But what about Beast God Mountain?”

Lu Changsheng maintained a calm demeanor and asked lightly, “Just a nod or a shake of the head will do.”

The Yin Ghost Sect Leader immediately nodded.

“Besides Beast God Mountain, is any other force involved? What of the so-called envoy?”

Lu Changsheng continued his questioning, confirming Ah Youduo’s suspicions.

The Yin Ghost Sect Leader appeared conflicted and hesitant, as if he wanted to confess but feared the repercussions.

“Enough—I understand,”

Lu Changsheng raised his hand, acknowledging that the envoy most likely originated from Beast God Mountain in the Liang region.

With that realization, many things suddenly made sense.

Based on the information, the situation in the Liang-Yue War was deeply amiss.

Clearly, if the war dragged on, the Liang Kingdom would gain little, yet it stubbornly refused to cease hostilities.

It now appeared that the envoy behind the Liang Kingdom was involved.

This war was no longer something Beast God Mountain could stop at will.

The Yin Ghost Sect Leader, feeling the weight of his disclosures, exhaled in relief, wary that divulging any more might trigger a contract backlash.

“Take me to Mingsha’s Cave Residence and your treasure vault,”

Lu Changsheng instructed, choosing to inspect the spoils rather than interrogate further.

“The Supreme Elder’s Cave Residence is this way,”

The Yin Ghost Sect Leader promptly led Lu Changsheng and Lu Quanzhen toward True Lord Mingsha’s cave residence.

Throughout the path, there were numerous formation barriers and patrolling ghost spirits.

Even the Yin Ghost Sect Leader, facing these constraints, could only bypass them with a token so as not to be attacked by the ghost spirits.

From True Lord Mingsha’s storage ring, Lu Changsheng retrieved a token as a signal.

Whenever he encountered an unyielding barrier, he used his Fiery Eyes of Truth to spot weak points in the formation, then forcefully dismantled it with the Dismantling Divine Light.

As for the patrolling ghost spirits along the way, he fed them to the Soul-Taking Beast without exception.

This round, despite his opponent’s efforts, he thought it best to show some leniency in reward.

The Yin Ghost Sect Leader looked on nervously at Lu Changsheng’s unimpeded methods, especially when each time the Soul-Seizing Divine Light emanated from the Soul-Taking Beast, he fretted that he might be devoured by the enemy.

“Not bad, this place,”

Upon arriving at True Lord Mingsha’s cave residence and palace, Lu Changsheng gave a slight nod, recognizing that the Yin Ghost Sect still held some underlying strength.

Though it was merely a cave residence, everything was in place.

There was not only a palace, but also a cultivation chamber, a ghost lair, water sources with blood springs, and numerous spirit fields for crops.

The spiritual plants and medicinal herbs cultivated by True Lord Mingsha were extremely valuable.

Furthermore, his cave residence displayed countless blood crystals, ghost crystals, and devices designed to boost cultivation.

Even the meditation cushions used for practice were of near Fourth-Rank quality.

Lu Changsheng felt that True Lord Mingsha’s cave residence was even more opulent than that of Fuhai True Lord.

He suspected that Fuhai True Lord’s residence had been preemptively purged by the Zhenhai Patriarch.

All top-tier rarities had been removed, leaving only items of ordinary value.

Yet most of the devices and natural spiritual materials in True Lord Mingsha’s residence were of no use to Lu Changsheng.

Otherwise, if a cultivator from the Blood Path or Ghost Path were to train here, their efficiency would skyrocket and they could even nurture half a troop of dao soldiers.

“Perhaps I could consider planting the Ghost Tree here,”

Lu Changsheng mused, recalling the Fifth-Rank spirit plant, the Ghost Tree, which he had once acquired in a lottery draw.

This tree needed to be planted in a ghostly, murky netherland and nurtured with blood.

Although the Yin Ghost Sect was not as compatible as the Demon Abyss, True Lord Mingsha’s cave residence could barely be called a netherland, satisfying the Ghost Tree’s growing conditions,

especially with a blood spring on site to water it.

“For now, the Yin Ghost Sect is still unstable, so there’s no hurry,”

Once planted, the Ghost Tree would be nearly impossible to relocate.

Lu Changsheng planned to wait until the situation here completely stabilized before deciding to plant it.

Soon after, he, along with Lu Quanzhen and the Yin Ghost Sect Leader, arrived at the Yin Ghost Sect’s treasure vault.

The first two levels were ordinary, filled mostly with spirit stones, as well as some relatively valuable pills, artifacts, and natural spiritual materials.

But upon reaching the third level, a hazy glow akin to a mist of rosy clouds and brilliant luster filled the space.

If the Yin Ghost Sect fell, who would waste time on such trifles? Surely no Core Formation cultivator of the Seventh Layer would endure such humiliation waiting for a revival of sect glory.

“Hiss,”

Even Lu Quanzhen could not help but exclaim in surprise when he saw the vault, drawing a cold breath as he realized the deep-rooted legacy of the sect.

This treasure vault, not to mention the myriad natural treasures, contained over ten million spirit stones alone.

Moreover, besides the spirit stones, there were numerous ghost crystals, blood crystals, and other precious minerals.

“True Lord, previously the Supreme Elder expended many resources to break through to Nascent Soul while refining divine abilities,”

the Yin Ghost Sect Leader hastily explained, worried that Lu Changsheng might deem the vault’s treasures too scant.

“Mm,”

Lu Changsheng nodded quietly while his eyes calmly surveyed the Yin Ghost Sect’s treasure vault.

He noted that items which could astonish a Nascent Soul True Lord—especially top-tier treasures—were naturally absent.

Yet these resources were more than enough for the Lu Family of Bihu Mountain to sustain a century of practice, allowing everyone to cultivate freely.

The vault contained dozens of dao-comprehending artifacts.

Although most were aligned with the Ghost Path or Blood Path and unsuitable for Lu Family disciples,

they posed no hindrance to the practice of the Hundred Refinements Body Technique.

There were also many other materials ideal for refining artifacts and other exotic treasures.

Furthermore, besides these resources, the Yin Ghost Sect possessed one major asset—human resources!

Talisman makers, alchemists, and artifact refiners.

Lu Changsheng never oppressed his own people.

If his children wished to simultaneously cultivate pills, formations, talismans, and artifacts, he was more than willing to allocate resources—even if it didn’t directly yield profit—to nurture their talent.

Once they achieved mastery, he expected them to focus solely on cultivation rather than making money for the family.

Yet his attitude toward the Yin Ghost Sect was entirely different.

Those people could be exploited.

“Quanzhen, take a look and see what might be of use—select and inventory them carefully,”

Lu Changsheng instructed his son Lu Quanzhen, while also scrutinizing the artifacts and materials for anything he might use.

After all, one of his objectives in coming to the Jin Kingdom and dismantling the Yin Ghost Sect was to gather materials to refine a Nascent Soul secret treasure that could restrict Nascent Soul bodies.

“Thank you, Father,”

Lu Quanzhen replied, well aware of his father’s brusque nature.

Besides the few spirit treasures and exotic items obtained from the Kunpeng hatchling, he had little else.

After scouring both True Lord Mingsha’s cave residence and the Yin Ghost Sect’s treasure vault, Lu Changsheng, accompanied by the Yin Ghost Sect Leader, took away anyone under suspicion marked by anomalies in their Taiyi Spirit.

Immediately afterwards, he cast the Doom Spirit Soul Locking Curse on all remaining Core Formation elders and senior cultivators of the Yin Ghost Sect.

Although this lock was not omnipotent, it allowed him to quickly secure control over the sect for his son.

Besides, there was Ah Youduo—the Nascent Soul cultivator.

While her direct combat strength was rather ordinary, in manipulating Gu Poison she far surpassed others.

“Only two Third-Rank Artifact Refiners?”

Lu Changsheng frowned as he noted that the Yin Ghost Sect currently had just two Third-Rank Artifact Refiners among its high-level cultivators.

“Reporting, True Lord, aside from those stationed at the sect’s main hall, many elders and key figures are based at other outposts—at the Immortal City and other strongholds,”

the Yin Ghost Sect Leader hastily explained, adding that two Third-Rank Artifact Refiners were among them, with another artifact refiner traveling.

“True Lord, if you wish, I can send word to summon them back,”

the Yin Ghost Sect Leader offered humbly, eager to impress, though he cared little for the fate of high-level cultivators not directly in his bloodline or faction.

Betrayal? Groveling?

“Mm. Try to gather the artifact refiners; True Lord Ben needs them,”

Lu Changsheng declared in a calm yet commanding tone.

Having just ransacked the Yin Ghost Sect’s treasure vault, along with previous gains from the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Five Poisons Sect, he already had an estimate of the Nascent Soul secret treasure he intended to refine.

If he had to refine it alone, it might take years; with several artifact refiners assisting, even if they couldn’t complete it outright, at least a semi-finished product would be achieved.

“True Lord, I will notify them at once,”

the Yin Ghost Sect Leader responded immediately.

“Mm,”

Lu Changsheng nodded, then settled in to await word from Ah Youduo and the Heaven Corpse Sect Master.

At that moment, Ah Youduo was en route to the Yin Ghost Sect alongside the Heaven Corpse Sect Master.

She was utterly perplexed; scarcely had she stepped into the Heaven Corpse Sect and finished her tea when Lu Changsheng’s message declared the matter resolved.

It left her utterly baffled.

Even if Lu Changsheng’s strength was formidable, annihilating the Yin Ghost Sect and slaying True Lord Mingsha would take at least three to five days.

After all, operating a Fourth-Rank Forbidden Formation required not fewer than three to five Nascent Soul True Lords to break through.

In her view, even with his Fourth-Rank mid-stage physique, the Golden-Winged Roc as a Fourth-Rank Demon King, and that little monkey skilled at countering ghost kings, it would still take days to dismantle the protective Mountain Formation of the Yin Ghost Sect.

The only possibility was if the latter managed somehow to lure True Lord Mingsha out first and then kill him.

Yet even if that happened, True Lord Mingsha might still escape back to the Yin Ghost Sect using his Nascent Soul’s ability to project his spirit, relying on the formation for several days until rescue arrived.

As for completely exterminating True Lord Mingsha outside the Mountain Gate of the Yin Ghost Sect, she dared not even imagine.

It was simply too unfathomable.

She wasn’t alone in her disbelief.

The Heaven Corpse Sect Master, standing beside her, was equally puzzled.

He couldn’t fathom why the Five Poisons Sect Master would suddenly visit and then command him to head to the Yin Ghost Sect.

Though he sensed something off about Ah Youduo, centuries of dealings and an alliance between the sects meant he still trusted her to an extent.

Time passed slowly as they neared the territory of the Yin Ghost Sect.

Then suddenly, the Heaven Corpse Sect Master halted; his eyes, as dark as ink, fixed on the direction of the Yin Ghost Sect.

He sensed an overwhelming demonic aura.

A powerful surge of demonic energy filled the air—a hallmark of a Fourth-Rank Demon King!

There was a Fourth-Rank shapeshifting Demon King within the Yin Ghost Sect!?

“Sect Leader, why did you summon our sect to the Yin Ghost Sect? What is the matter?”

The Heaven Corpse Sect Master’s face turned deathly pale, his expression lifeless as he asked.

“You’ll understand once you get there,” replied Ah Youduo in a gentle tone.

She sensed that the demonic aura belonged to the Golden-Winged Roc,

but she couldn’t ascertain the exact situation at the Yin Ghost Sect.

“Right now, an overwhelming Fourth-Rank demonic aura is intermingling with the Yin Ghost energy, clearly something is amiss,”

the Heaven Corpse Sect Master remarked in a cold tone, noticing the strange, shifting runes on his black cloak.

He continued, “If you summoned our sect, shouldn’t you have explained what’s happening?”

Ah Youduo fell silent, uncertain how to explain.

After all, she herself was in the dark about the current state of the Yin Ghost Sect.

Yet if she said nothing, the Heaven Corpse Sect Master would undoubtedly turn and leave.

Although she had since refined the Ten Thousand Calamities Toxic Spirit Codex, keeping the Heaven Corpse Sect Master was not an easy task.

“I mean you no harm,”

Ah Youduo finally said.

Her master plan was to unify the Jin Kingdom—a grand trend beyond her interference.

If the Heaven Corpse Sect Master chose to submit, there was still a way out.

But if he resisted, he might end up sharing the same fate as the Yin Ghost Sect.

Although she was a beneficiary of the current arrangement, she knew that the Great Calamity of the Seven Demonic Sects was already brewing, with dark undercurrents rising.

Given that she was allied with the Celestial Lotus Sect and now connected to Lu Changsheng, there was no guarantee that he would look after her completely.

In these circumstances, she had to make extra preparations to secure the Jin Kingdom.

Thus, she intended to maintain her alliance with the Heaven Corpse Sect as best as she could.

“Since our sect has come under your command, we trust you,”

the Heaven Corpse Sect Master said stiffly, his tone turning chilly, “but if you won’t explain, our sect will not act rashly.”

Before he could continue, he felt a ripple in space ahead.

“This is bad!”

The Heaven Corpse Sect Master grew alert; his complexion turned ashy as a bluish-black as a grayish law bead, filled with corpse qi, shot out from his head.

It was his life’s treasured Heaven Corpse Pearl!

“Heavenly Friend of Corpses, long time no see,”

a gentle voice resonated.

A figure materialized from a rift in a cascade of Five-Colored Clouds, clad in a dark robe and draped in a Five-Colored Long Banner.

“Yangming True Lord!?”

The Heaven Corpse Sect Master peered through the colorful glow and recognized the newcomer, a rush of shock surging within him.

He had long been acquainted with Yangming True Lord—his memories were indelible.

During the pioneering war in the Jiang Kingdom, he was invited by the Liang Kingdom to join forces with the Five Poisons Sect Master and True Lord Mingsha in an attack.

Although they fell into an ambush by True Lord Xuanjian,

if it hadn’t been for Yangming True Lord’s intervention, the three would have met an even more miserable fate.

Especially since Yangming True Lord had held them off, causing not only his own life’s corpse king to fall into the hands of the Heavenly Sword Sect but also forcing him to serve as a stepping stone—an embarrassment laughed at by many.

It wasn’t until the battles in the Mirage Domain of Vast Sands, where Yangming True Lord dueled Qingluan Zhenren along with several Nascent Soul True Lords, that the ridicule gradually subsided.

Thus, Yangming True Lord remained vividly etched in his memory.

“Yangming True Lord sent word via Ah Youduo to summon us. What matters do you wish to discuss?”

The Heaven Corpse Sect Master, wary of Lu Changsheng’s presence, began to retreat quietly in preparation for escape.

He remembered old rumors about the close ties between the Five Poisons Sect Master and Yangming True Lord.

Having inquired about it from the Five Poisons Sect Master before,

who explained that Yangming True Lord was closely associated with the Heavenly Spider Emissary of the Five Poisons Sect,

he now understood the situation as the Five Poisons Sect Master inexplicably summoned him and Yangming True Lord appeared suddenly.

Lu Changsheng then spoke calmly, “True Lord Ben sent word through Ah Youduo. I mean no harm; I only have matters to discuss.”

He made no mention of their past conflicts during the pioneering wars in the Jiang Kingdom that had left him grievously injured after fully unleashing his strength against the Heaven Corpse Sect.

After all, in such matters, with differing allegiances, there was little sense in assigning blame.

He was not one to hold grudges—he always prized harmony.

The Yin Ghost Sect had troubled him repeatedly with True Lord Mingsha’s constant interference.

Especially in the Mirage Domain of Vast Sands, where True Lord Mingsha, True Lord Tiancang, and True Lord Yunmei pursued him relentlessly—one of Lu Ancestor’s most stifling experiences.

“I wonder what Yangming True Lord wishes to discuss?”

The Heaven Corpse Sect Master eyed Lu Changsheng warily.

After all, Yangming True Lord’s battle record was simply too astounding.

Even though their previous encounters had been desperate clashes where lives were risked to showcase extraordinary might,

the fact that Yangming True Lord had broken through to Nascent Soul without exhausting himself was impressive.

Moreover, his breakthrough from late Core Formation to Nascent Soul mid-stage in just decades was evidence of his might.

This left the Heaven Corpse Sect Master worrying he might not be a match.

“It’s a matter concerning the Jin Kingdom,”

Lu Changsheng replied with a faint smile.

In that moment, with a flick of his sleeve, a charred corpse—with a gaping, blood-soaked wound on its chest and a look of disbelief and eternal torment etched on its face—appeared.

Although the corpse showed no signs of life, remnants of Nascent Soul energy could still be detected.

Both the Heaven Corpse Sect Master and Ah Youduo stared in shock, barely able to comprehend their eyes.

“True Lord Mingsha!”

“This…”

Their voices trembling with disbelief as they recognized the corpse as that of True Lord Mingsha.

No one had expected True Lord Mingsha to be dead.

Slain by none other than Yangming True Lord.

Even Ah Youduo, who knew well of Lu Changsheng’s prowess, was rendered speechless by the sight.

After all, she recalled that Lu Changsheng had left the Five Poisons Sect around the same time as herself.

How could he have killed True Lord Mingsha in such a short span?

Not even the time it took to finish a cup of tea?

It was utterly unbelievable—a fantastical tale beyond imagination!

Had the corpse of True Lord Mingsha not been right before their eyes, she might have thought it fake.

“Heaven Corpse Friend, do not be alarmed. I never considered you an adversary—otherwise, you would already be dead,”

Lu Changsheng said with a calm smile as he tossed True Lord Mingsha’s corpse toward the Heaven Corpse Sect Master, simultaneously producing the Ten Thousand Ghost Blood Pool as if it were an inkstone.

This was his way of proving that there was no trickery involved.

This shattered Nascent Soul body, serving as a token of his sincerity, might be of little use to him,

but in the hands of a sect like the Heaven Corpse Sect, its impact would be maximized.

Upon seeing the corpse thrown by Lu Changsheng and the Ten Thousand Ghost Blood Pool in his grasp, the Heaven Corpse Sect Master’s expression darkened.

How insolent!

It was as if to say, ‘I never thought of you as an adversary—otherwise, you would already be dead!’

Such words left him utterly unable to retort.

After all, the strength of True Lord Mingsha, who once wielded the Ten Thousand Ghost Blood Pool, was not inferior to his at all.

In fact, when fully unleashing that treasured item, he could even best him by a considerable margin.

But now, True Lord Mingsha had fallen at the hands of Yangming True Lord, and even the treasured Ten Thousand Ghost Blood Pool had been claimed by the latter—a clear demonstration of his supremacy.

The Heaven Corpse Sect Master felt a momentary shock, almost unbelieving.

It was inconceivable how Yangming True Lord had managed it.

“Speak plainly, True Lord. There’s no need for threats. Our sect has trained long enough not to be intimidated by mere words!”

The Heaven Corpse Sect Master sensed that Lu Changsheng was trying to intimidate him.

Yet no matter what, he was still a Nascent Soul True Lord and would not be cowed by a few words.

However, he was cautious.

The dense corpse qi from the Heaven Corpse Pearl hung over him like a shroud, and he prepared to act.

“Hmph,”

Lu Changsheng smiled as he observed the Heaven Corpse Sect Master’s stubborn stance.

In an instant, a torrent of majestic, golden-blood surged forth from his body, as if a golden deluge were ripping through heaven and earth.

This overwhelming surge of blood and magical energy felt like the might of billions of divine mountains, shaking the very foundations of the world and fracturing the void.

The Heaven Corpse Sect Master suddenly felt as if he were carrying a thousand burdens, sinking into a deep abyss, with the surrounding air solidifying and an unprecedented danger looming.

It was as if he were facing a ferocious beast from primordial times!

Fourth-Rank Body Refinement and dual cultivation of body and qi!

Yangming True Lord’s blood and magical energy far exceeded his own, leaving him gasping for breath, as if both his body and spirit had reached Nascent Soul mid-stage!

How could that be possible?

The Heaven Corpse Sect Master looked at the serene Yangming True Lord, astonished and unwilling to believe it.

He had long known that Yangming True Lord cultivated in dual cultivation, but in just a few decades, to leap from late Core Formation to Nascent Soul mid-stage was unprecedented!

In the next moment, the Heaven Corpse Sect Master felt as though Yangming True Lord’s deep, boundless eyes were drawing him into an infinite cosmos.

“Buzz!”

A jolt shot through him as he sensed that Yangming True Lord’s divine sense and soul power were far superior, having reached Nascent Soul mid-stage.

At that moment, the Heaven Corpse Sect Master was overcome with fear.

The reality was undeniable: in just a few decades, Yangming True Lord had ascended to the stature of a Nascent Soul mid-stage giant.

Though it was utterly fantastical, it could not be denied.

While blood and magical energy could be amplified through various means, the enhancement of divine sense and soul power was much rarer.

In that instant, the Heaven Corpse Sect Master understood why True Lord Mingsha had fallen at Yangming True Lord’s hand.

It was as rumored in his youth—Yangming True Lord was a reincarnation of a great power returning to the mortal world.

His cultivation and strength defied conventional measures!

In mere decades, he had risen to become a Nascent Soul mid-stage powerhouse.

True Lord Mingsha, unprepared to expend his full strength against him, had perished immediately.

And as for that Fourth-Rank demonic aura that had entrenched itself around the Yin Ghost Sect,

it was likely emanating from Yangming True Lord’s spirit pet—the Golden-Winged Roc!

“If you have something to say, True Lord, I am all ears,”

the Heaven Corpse Sect Master said, his voice tinged with bitterness as he clasped his hands in a respectful gesture.

Originally, he had prided himself on his own Nascent Soul True Lord strength, believing that he could always outpace Lu Changsheng.

But now, with True Lord Mingsha slain as a testament to a Nascent Soul mid-stage giant’s might, his pride crumbled and fear took its place.

After all, in the remote expanses of the Jin Kingdom’s Southern Desolation, Nascent Soul mid-stage giants were extremely rare—few among all top-level cultivators in the Northern Region.

“