Chapter 840: Secrets of the Yinming Ghost Sect

Although the events at Yinming Ghost Sect were enough to shake the entire cultivation world of the Jin Kingdom—and even its neighboring nations.

Yet, after eradicating Yinming Ghost Sect, Lu Changsheng immediately sealed the Mountain Gate with fate’s decree.

Now, with the combined efforts of the Five Poisons Sect and the Heavenly Corpse Sect to cover up and suppress the news, the outside world remains utterly unaware.

Even if some forces resort to divination, they can only grasp vague hints without knowing any detailed specifics.

“Father, the situation at Yinming Ghost Sect has been fully accounted for.”

Half a month later, Lu Quanzhen handed several lists over to Lu Changsheng.

They contained not only the roster of Yinming Ghost Sect cultivators and the sect’s assets,

but also detailed reports on the treasure vault resources and an inventory of confiscated items.

Ghost Bat – Core Formation peak (dead); Yin Ghost King – nine layers Core Formation (dead); Yougui True Lord – eight layers Core Formation (dead); Ghost Shadow True Lord – six layers Core Formation (dead); Xi Gu Ghost Princess – six layers Core Formation (dead);

Yinming Sect Leader – seven layers Core Formation; and Ghost Demon True Lord – six layers Core Formation (currently stationed at the Ghost Phosphorus Mine).

From the lists, it was clear that among the top cultivators of Yinming Ghost Sect, except for the Yinming Sect Leader, all had been slain by Lu Changsheng.

The survivors were either traveling in search of opportunities or stationed elsewhere.

This even included Lu Quanzhen’s former enemy, Ghost Demon True Lord.

Furthermore, the sect’s greatest asset was the 【Yougui Immortal City】, along with several key fortresses, mining bases, and small secret realms.

This was precisely why Lu Changsheng did not wipe out Yinming Ghost Sect completely, opting instead to subdue the Heavenly Corpse Sect Master.

Otherwise, even if Yinming Ghost Sect were defeated, there would be no one left to work for him.

He needed enough followers to maintain the sect’s operations and continue reaping resources.

Lu Changsheng briefly surveyed the assets under Yinming Ghost Sect before shifting his attention to the treasure vault and the confiscated inventory.

There were 1,365 High-Grade Spirit Stones; 102,048 Medium-Grade Spirit Stones; and 1,000,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones;

Spirit Stones alone amounted to an astronomical number.

Over 20 million in total.

Remember, these Spirit Stones are for both daily circulation and sect reserves.

Not to mention other natural treasures and additional assets the Yinming Ghost Sect held externally.

As for why there were only High-Grade Spirit Stones—not a single high-grade Spirit Stone—it was suspected to be connected to True Lord Mingsha.

That man must have consumed a significant portion of the sect’s high-grade Spirit Stones.

In his Storage Ring, Lu Changsheng found only nine high-grade Spirit Stones—a truly meager sum.

Besides Spirit Stones, the Yinming Ghost Sect also possessed vast stocks of first-, second-, and third-rank pills, talismans, Dao-Comprehending Artifacts, and natural treasures.

Their collective value, if converted into Spirit Stones, would be counted in tens of millions.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Truly worthy of a Nascent Soul-level force—even if it has weakened for a hundred years, once the Ancestor ascends to Nascent Soul, its foundation surpasses many other forces.”

At that moment, Lu Changsheng gained a much clearer insight into the profound legacy of such an ancient power.

Take his own Talisman Lu Family for example.

Although heralded as the premier noble family of the Jiang Kingdom,

their reserves of Spirit Stones, pills, talismans, and Dao-Comprehending Artifacts paled in comparison to those of Yinming Ghost Sect.

For example, while Yinming Ghost Sect kept around a hundred Foundation Establishment Pills at all times;

they had distributed numerous Condensing Crystal Pills over the years, yet still retained six.

As for spirit items used in the Foundation Establishment and Core Formation stages, their quantities were staggering.

However, there was only one Heaven Mending Pill.

And it was confiscated from a single Core Formation cultivator.

This likely had something to do with the sect’s own culture.

An institution like Yinming Ghost Sect wouldn’t waste resources on pills meant to enhance the Spirit Root.

“Couldn’t there be more proper Dao-Comprehending Artifacts?”

Lu Changsheng frowned as he reviewed the list of artifacts.

Though these artifacts didn’t hinder Lu Family disciples in practicing the Hundred Refinements Body Technique,

the Lu Family disciples specialized solely in body refinement.

They still needed to condense their innate bone and inherent divine abilities through the Hundred Refinements Body Technique.

If each one began condensing demonic or ghostly divine abilities instead, what would they become?

Moreover, typical Dao-Comprehending Artifacts made with balanced materials were more reliable for the Hundred Refinements Body Technique.

Persistently using demonic or ghostly artifacts might even adversely affect their bodies.

Lu Changsheng shook his head with a sigh and glanced over the summary of natural treasures.

However, the relatively scarce fourth-rank spiritual materials in the treasure vault had already been cleared out by him—most of which were unnecessary.

It was better to leave them behind for the sect’s weapon and pill refiners to process.

Soon after, Lu Quanzhen handed a Storage Pouch to Lu Changsheng.

It contained several unidentified items he encountered during the inventory, which he believed were of considerable value, so he asked Lu Changsheng to verify them.

“Very well.”

Lu Ancestor was confident in his own assessment abilities.

Even if Yinming Ghost Sect had no idea what those items were, he certainly did.

So, he decided to bring them back and consult Hong Lian—the Lu Family encyclopedia—to examine them.

“Take Golden Roc along to handle the matter of Ghost Demon True Lord.”

Lu Changsheng said to his son.

“My child, you and Yan Jin will take care of it later.”

Lu Quanzhen replied with a soft smile, not giving Ghost Demon True Lord much thought.

According to Yinming Sect Leader ‘Yan Jin’, Ghost Demon True Lord had once provoked Yangming Zhenren to the point where the sect was forced to pay enormous compensation.

That compensation was charged to Ghost Demon True Lord, and over the past sixty years, he had hardly advanced in cultivation.

Under those circumstances, he was far inferior even to Ghost Shadow True Lord, whom Lu Changsheng had dispatched with a single punch.

“Having Golden Roc shuttle back and forth certainly makes things easier and avoids mishaps along the way.”

Lu Changsheng told his son.

The Golden-Winged Roc had now become inseparably linked with the identity of Yangming True Lord.

From now on, whenever people saw the Golden-Winged Roc, they would think of Yangming True Lord.

In this light, sending his son out with Golden Roc further affirmed his status as Yangming True Lord’s son.

“Thank you, Father.”

Lu Quanzhen accepted the task without objection, respectfully acknowledging.

He prepared to resolve the issue of Ghost Demon True Lord swiftly so that nothing would linger in his mind.

Half a month later, Ah Youduo arrived accompanied by Nangong Mili, Meng Xiaochan, several weapon refiners and Gu masters from the Five Poisons Sect.

Managing all the cultivators of Yinming Ghost Sect was an extremely troublesome task.

Lu Changsheng and Ah Youduo couldn’t spare the time or energy, so they naturally delegated it to their subordinates.

While the Five Poisons Sect might not boast overwhelming combat power, their expertise in using insect poisons to control opponents was top-notch.

“Lu Changsheng, Lu Lang.”

Both Nangong Mili and Meng Xiaochan appeared a bit dazed upon seeing Lu Changsheng, who now carried the aura of Yangming True Lord.

It was almost unbelievable that the man they admired had so swiftly obliterated Yinming Ghost Sect.

Even when Ah Youduo, the Five Poisons Sect Master and Nascent Soul True Lord, mentioned that he had arrived at Yinming Ghost Sect, the two women were momentarily disoriented—as if in a dream.

And it wasn’t just them.

Lu Mengchan and Lu Minghuang were similarly stunned.

After all, they were not children.

They knew that Yinming Ghost Sect was a Nascent Soul-level force.

Even Supreme Elder True Lord Mingsha was a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Under such circumstances, it was astounding that their own father had so easily annihilated the sect and shattered the Mountain Gate.

Only Lu Jiangtang—who had been raised on tales of his father’s supreme prowess—looked on with unbridled admiration and awe.

He eagerly inquired about how the Yinming Ghost Sect was subdued and how True Lord Mingsha was defeated.

“Hahaha.”

Though over a century of cultivation had passed, Lu Ancestor still harbored a streak of chauvinism, thoroughly enjoying being adored by his wives and children.

He smiled warmly as he recounted the events to them.

Yet Nangong Mili, seeing Lu Jiangtang fawning over such a pampered man, was irked—thinking not only was her own son unworthy,

but even Lu Mengchan, her disciple granddaughter, was disappointing.

That delicate, seemingly fragile girl, who evoked both pity and affection, still failed to vie for the favored man.

In her eyes, if Lu Mengchan took the initiative, she would surely outshine the blustering Lu Jiangtang.

After all, that man, Lu Changsheng, was all about that image!

That night, Lu Changsheng hosted a family feast in the palace of Yinming Ghost Sect, where the whole family gathered.

“Father, since everything here is calm, I will go resolve the matter of Ghost Demon True Lord and handle some external issues.”

After the meal, Lu Quanzhen saw Nangong Mili and Meng Xiaochan arriving, and decided that the remaining trivial matters need not be handled by him.

He had little interest in such affairs.

“Very well. If anything comes up, inform your father at once.”

Lu Changsheng nodded, clearly trusting his son, Lu Quanzhen.

“Mengchan, Minghuang, will you join me on this journey?”

At that moment, Lu Quanzhen suddenly looked toward Lu Mengchan and Lu Minghuang and asked.

He sensed that his father intended to hand over control of Yinming Ghost Sect to him.

But he himself had little interest in the matter.

Planning to break through the late Core Formation stage, he intended to travel and explore.

As for Yinming Ghost Sect, he figured he could let Lu Mengchan and Lu Minghuang take charge.

Firstly, the siblings had the backing of Nangong Mili, Meng Xiaochan, and the Five Poisons Sect—a very suitable arrangement.

Secondly, both siblings possessed exceptional talent.

Especially Lu Mengchan, who had reached nine layers of Foundation Establishment at such a young age.

In the future, their breakthrough to Core Formation was almost guaranteed.

Lu Mengchan even had the potential to advance to Nascent Soul!

Third, and most importantly, he owed Nangong Mili a favor!

In his early years, he had fallen into the clutches of Ghost Demon True Lord and Zhen Tian the Old Demon. Had it not been for Lu Minghuang’s mother and Nangong Mili’s rescue, he might not have survived until his father arrived.

Although the savior acted on his father’s orders,

Lu Quanzhen was always clear about settling scores.

Since the other party had once saved him, he naturally remembered the kindness and returned the favor.

He noticed that Nangong Mili was displeased with his younger brother Lu Minghuang’s character, but felt constrained by his father from intervening too much.

As the elder brother, he decided to keep him close and guide him in hopes of effecting change.

Of course, his gaze suggested that these siblings were rather like sheltered flowers with poor temperaments, wasting their potential.

“Huh!?”

Lu Mengchan and Lu Minghuang were startled as Lu Quanzhen suddenly turned to them.

After all, among the Lu Family disciples, aside from their own cliques, relationships were rather superficial.

And their interactions with their brother, Lu Quanzhen, were limited to mere nods and a few words.

“Since Brother Quanzhen has decided, then Minghuang, Mengchan—you two must accompany him.”

Nangong Mili was dissatisfied with both her son and her disciple, yet she approved of Lu Quanzhen’s character.

She believed that a person like him was best suited for the demonic path.

Moreover, Lu Quanzhen had already demonstrated talent far exceeding his peers!

He was among Lu Changsheng’s top offspring.

It would be beneficial for his son, Lu Minghuang, to bond and grow close with him!

Lu Changsheng was somewhat taken aback.

He knew his son Lu Quanzhen’s character all too well.

Although he cared for the family, his affections among siblings were scant—far less than those for Lu Ping’an, or even Lu Qingshan and Lu Wangshu.

He even tended to favor his younger sister, Lu Caizhen, extending care also to Hong Xuanji and a few nephews and nieces.

Now, he inexplicably summoned Lu Mengchan and Lu Minghuang?

However, he roughly gauged his son’s intentions and smiled, saying, “If you wish, you can travel along with Brother Quanzhen.”

Lu Mengchan and Lu Minghuang exchanged glances, then nodded and rose without objection.

Noticing that his daughter, Lu Jiangtang, also wanted to go, Lu Changsheng said to her, “Your cultivation is still shallow; wait until you break through Foundation Establishment before venturing out.”

“Father, I will work hard at my cultivation,” Lu Jiangtang replied without a hint of disappointment.

That night, Lu Changsheng, Ah Youduo, Nangong Mili, and Meng Xiaochan discussed in depth his campaign against Yinming Ghost Sect.

The three women listened intently, their emotions surging with every word.

Afterward, Lu Changsheng immediately turned to matters concerning the Nascent Soul Spirit Treasure.

Although the materials were not entirely gathered,

time waits for no one.

Even if the process had to be simplified repeatedly to first produce a precursor, it was better than having nothing at all.

Moreover, through transactions with Heavenly Sword Sect and gains from both the Five Poisons Sect and Yinming Ghost Sect,

he could barely repair the Danghun Bell and replicate the Divine Creation Refinement Art into a Nascent Soul treasure called the 【Starrealm Compass】.

This Starrealm Compass creates a starry magical realm; once a Nascent Soul spirit body steps out, a beam of starlight instantly refracts to inflict damage.

Even if the spirit body breaks through the realm, it becomes ensnared by the starlight, leaving an indelible mark.

It can then be tracked through the compass’s sensing!

With the aid of the Misty Dust Banner, the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror, and the Heavenly Yuan Lotus providing a second dantian boost, Lu Changsheng was fairly confident in his pursuit capabilities.

Of course, the main reason for replicating this Nascent Soul treasure was that the materials were barely sufficient—not that he was particularly fond of it.

Soon, with the help of the weapon and pill refiners from Yinming Ghost Sect and the Five Poisons Sect, Lu Changsheng began his work.

Meanwhile, in the Starry Sea,

the Star King returned to Starrymoon Palace and informed Yue Zun that the Eastern Emperor’s Heir was secluding himself and not receiving visitors, and that he had not seen him.

Shortly thereafter, as usual, he retreated to his cave residence to cultivate in seclusion.

In truth, taking along his clan’s treasured items, he quietly left Starrymoon Palace.

He then set out with the Zhenhai Patriarch and the Turtle Immortal Patriarch for the territories of the Zhenhai Seven Sects.

They acted with extreme caution.

Instead of directly assaulting the Fuhai Sect, they first visited the Zhenhai Sect.

The Zhenhai Patriarch sent messages inquiring about Haiqin, Cangjue, and the status of Yangming True Lord.

Although the two women had been given to Lu Changsheng as maids by the Zhenhai Patriarch, they were actually his eyes and ears.

They immediately replied that Yangming True Lord had been in seclusion all this time, not having stepped out of his cave at all.

“In seclusion?”

The Zhenhai Patriarch was taken aback.

He never expected that the very Yangming True Lord—who had demanded the Fuhai Sect—was merely cultivating in private.

At that moment, an indescribable emotion surged within him.

He suddenly thought that if it weren’t for True Lord Pinghai repeatedly disturbing Yangming True Lord’s peace, his own side might have avoided such catastrophe.

But now that everything had unfolded, with both True Lord Pinghai and Fuhai True Lord perishing, regrets were futile.

All that remained was to completely eliminate this man and salvage what losses they could.

Immediately after, the Zhenhai Patriarch entered a secret room within the sect.

The room spanned only a few dozen square meters and was utterly devoid of miscellaneous items.

As the Zhenhai Patriarch embedded a token into a recess, a rhombus-shaped crystal materialized.

“Buzz, buzz, buzz!!!”

The secret room trembled as intricate array patterns densely etched on the walls and floor linked to the rhombus crystal, emitting a brilliant azure glow.

The Zhenhai Patriarch placed his hand on the crystal.

After a moment, a cold, respectful voice echoed, “Ancient Patriarch.”

“Minghai, what is your status now? Have you gathered any information on the Immortal City of Damengze, Yangming True Lord, or the Eastern Emperor?”

The Zhenhai Patriarch immediately inquired.

This transmission array allowed for real-time communication even over vast distances.

Its only drawbacks were the complexity of the setup, the scarcity of materials, and its heavy consumption of spiritual energy and magical power.

It was only used in dire emergencies.

“Returning, Ancient Patriarch. I have reached the Jiang Kingdom, and from what I’ve gathered, the situation in the Immortal City of Damengze is highly abnormal,”

True Lord Mingsha promptly relayed all the information she had collected.

At that moment, she somewhat understood why True Lord Pinghai and Fuhai True Lord had misjudged the situation.

It was because the Immortal City of Damengze was far too deceptive.

It could effortlessly slay a Nascent Soul True Lord, yet masquerade as a mere Core Formation cultivator while allowing a Nascent Soul-level force to dominate it.

Simply absurd.

Compared to True Lord Pinghai and Fuhai True Lord, her only gain was gathering a series of details about Yangming Zhenren through the appellation ‘Yangming’,

and by confirming with the Golden Roc that this Yangming True Lord was indeed the same one who had once caused a significant uproar in the Jiang Kingdom.

“Yangming True Lord?”

The Zhenhai Patriarch furrowed his brows at this revelation.

For a moment, it was hard to discern how much of the news about Yangming True Lord was genuine.

However, he managed to extract two pieces of information:

Yangming True Lord has a son!

And likely more than one.

Combining the fact that he requested a Huaying Pill from him, the Patriarch immediately said, “Minghai, continue gathering information on him.”

“And in the coming days, use resources to hire assassination forces to test those around the Immortal City of Damengze and Yangming True Lord.”

“Since this man has offspring, it would be best to either obtain their refined blood or capture one of them!”

The Zhenhai Patriarch stated in a low voice.

He was convinced that the Zhenhai Seven Sects would no longer dare provoke the ‘Eastern Emperor’s Heir’.

Yet the other side was shrouded in mystery.

Even the Starrymoon Hall couldn’t perform divinations or forecasts, leaving him deeply apprehensive.

Thus, in this circumstance, it would be better to pay others to carry out probing missions.

Although he was not entirely clear on the situation in the Jiang Kingdom,

he knew that assassin sects could be found everywhere.

Such killer forces could be hired with money.

If they could capture the opponent’s offspring, not only could their bloodline serve as a medium for the Star King’s forecasts, but they might also be forced to cast spells!

“Understood, Ancient Patriarch,” came the voice from within the rhombus crystal, “Just be extremely cautious and do not expose yourself.”

Even though the Zhenhai Patriarch trusted True Lord Mingsha, he still firmly warned, “Ancient Patriarch, please be careful!”

“Rest assured, Ancient Patriarch!”

True Lord Mingsha, having witnessed Lu Changsheng’s ferocity firsthand, had taken extreme precautions during her trip to the Jiang Kingdom.

She even deliberately bypassed the Immortal City of Damengze to head straight to the Nine Heavens Immortal City and the Immortal City of Qingluan for intelligence, fearful of catching Lu Changsheng’s attention.

“Mm.”

The Zhenhai Patriarch withdrew his hand from the rhombus crystal, exhaled deeply,

and then left the secret room to relay the newly obtained information to the Star King and the Turtle Immortal Patriarch, asking them to analyze it.