Chapter 843: Aftermath Revelations

Afterwards!

Afterwards!

Afterwards!

Lu Changsheng lay on the bed with Nangong Mili and his disciple Meng Xiaochan wrapped in his arms, murmuring intimate words.

“I’m planning to find a few wives for Minghuang so he can settle down quickly,” he declared.

Nangong Mili, her irresistibly exquisite face flushed with a soft blush, cooed playfully.

Lu Changsheng had always been open-minded about his children marrying, even welcoming such prospects.

It just surprised him that Nangong Mili would suddenly entertain such an idea.

Leaning lazily against him, Nangong Mili explained in a soft tone, “Minghuang isn’t mature or steadfast enough on his own; he needs someone by his side for support.”

“That’s why I intend to help him choose a suitable partner. His cultivation method isn’t meant for wandering; he should focus on training at home.”

“Settling down sooner will be beneficial for his cultivation and growth.”

Nangong Mili purred slowly, her seductive voice enchanting as her wine-red stained fingertips traced gentle circles on Lu Changsheng’s chest.

Lu Changsheng glanced at his beloved, vaguely understanding her thoughts.

Holding her soft hand gently, he whispered, “If Minghuang agrees, it’s perfectly fine.”

“When it comes to parental wills, what could he possibly refuse?”

Nangong Mili quickly added, dismissing her son’s own opinions as unimportant.

After all, her actions were solely for his benefit.

Over these recent days, she had observed that Lu Quanzhen harbored grand ambitions with no plans to linger in the Jin Kingdom or with the Yin Ghost Sect.

He would likely depart in the near future.

By then, the vast legacy of the Yin Ghost Sect might well fall into her son’s hands.

Yet she worried that her son’s temperament and abilities might not be enough for such a burden.

To prevent him from failing or having the legacy coveted by other Lu Family disciples, she planned to secure for him a group of capable consorts.

Given the illustrious status of Yangming True Lord’s son, countless female cultivators from the Five Poisons Sect, Heavenly Corpse Sect, and Yin Ghost Sect were eager to marry Lu Minghuang.

Once bound by marriage, these sects would naturally become even closer to him.

Moreover, she noted that Lu Changsheng held a deep affection for his offspring, believing that more children meant more blessings.

Recalling his remark about the Central State’s Holy Emperor, she felt that although her son was rather average in ability, producing capable heirs would be a tremendous boon.

These future grandchildren might one day form the backbone of the Jin Kingdom’s power.

After all, Lu Changsheng’s children were extraordinarily gifted, far surpassing ordinary mortals.

With his bloodline, his descendants would undoubtedly excel beyond the norm!

“.”

Though Nangong Mili’s views were common in both the mortal and cultivation realms,

Lu Ancestor always respected his children’s wishes and never interfered in their marital affairs.

Lu Changsheng said gently, “Such important matters should truly reflect Minghuang’s own desires. You may discuss it with him, but do not force him.”

He spoke in a warm tone.

Nangong Mili puckered her rosy lips, thinking that sometimes Lu Changsheng could be too indecisive.

Yet she recalled how he had effortlessly annihilated True Lord Mingsha, subdued the Yin Ghost Sect, and united the Jin Kingdom – a demeanor he reserved only for those close to him.

Indeed, as a Nascent Soul True Lord, he even allowed her to be coquettish and playful, even to the point of yielding.

With that thought, Nangong Mili lifted her graceful head slightly, gazing at Lu Changsheng’s peerlessly handsome face with dreamy, alluring eyes as she murmured, “Mm~”

Seeing his beloved’s slender, enchanting eyes filled with passion, Lu Changsheng’s heart stirred.

Unable to resist, he rolled over and pressed her sinuous, almost demonic beauty beneath him.

A low moan escaped her as an intoxicating aura filled the air.

Meng Xiaochan noticed her lover and Master once again immersed in their passionate embrace, their delicate features flushed with lingering desire.

Yet, thinking that her lover would soon return to the Jiang Kingdom, her tender eyes softened as they captured her fragile form.

Before long, fatigue overtook Nangong Mili and Meng Xiaochan, and both drifted into sleep with satisfied smiles.

Lu Changsheng had not forgotten his newly taken consort, Yin Yuge.

Despite the continuous fierce battles,

the benefits of his body refinement were now fully apparent.

Moreover, Lu Changsheng possessed a Chaos Body and the Kidney Divine Treasure.

His strength, stamina, and endurance far surpassed that of ordinary body cultivators.

Even with an additional three or five female cultivators, Lu Ancestor would not be worn out.

After their wedding night, Lu Changsheng plunged into the Artifact Refining Hall, leaving Yin Yuge in anxious suspense.

She constantly worried that even a mention of serving with a female corpse might displease the True Lord.

But now that Lu Changsheng had returned, she immediately acted adorably, giving her all to win his favor.

A few days later, Lu Changsheng settled Yin Yuge.

He appointed her as the head of the Yin Ghost Sect under the Heavenly Corpse Sect, granting her considerable authority.

In the following days, Lu Changsheng devotedly accompanied his children, guiding their cultivation.

Half a month later, he earnestly told Lu Mengchan and Lu Minghuang, “Mengmeng, there’s no need to rush your Core Formation. Just follow your mother’s arrangements.”

“Minghuang, in the coming days, study Artifact Refining with Master Ou and others. If you encounter difficulties, simply ask them.”

“As for marriage, follow your heart without force.”

Lu Changsheng had already decided that these children, along with Nangong Mili and Meng Xiaochan, would remain in the Jin Kingdom.

Then, with gentle concern, he comforted his daughter Lu Jiangtang, advising her to cultivate diligently and seek guidance from her siblings, promising to visit once his business was done.

“Daddy, Liya will definitely train hard! Remember to check on us,” she said.

Lu Jiangtang remained as understanding as ever, though her small face betrayed a mix of longing and reluctance.

After days of guidance and camaraderie, Lu Mengchan openly expressed her attachment and reluctance to part, hoping for her father’s swift return.

“Mm, Daddy, I’ll come see you as soon as you’re finished.”

Lu Changsheng gazed at his pitiable daughter with eyes full of tenderness and love, gently ruffling her hair.

Though his daughter Lu Mengchan’s temperament was not to Nangong Mili’s liking,

in his eyes, a well-behaved daughter was all that mattered – he only wished her endless joy and freedom.

After saying farewell to his other children, Lu Changsheng turned to his son Lu Quanzhen and instructed, “Quanzhen, if anything happens, notify me immediately.”

Lu Quanzhen replied in earnest, “Rest assured, Father.”

Observing this, the Soul-Taking Beast perched on his shoulder waved goodbye to Lu Changsheng.

To avoid mishaps, Lu Changsheng decided to station the Soul-Taking Beast at the Yin Ghost Sect.

For one, the environment there was ideal for the beast, allowing it to rest in its natural element;

and on the other, its strength was limited against the Zhenhai Patriarch.

It was better positioned to help Lu Quanzhen guard the Yin Ghost Sect and intimidate the Ancient Blood Bat along with the sect’s ghostly forces.

Then, silently, Lu Changsheng and the Golden-Winged Roc departed the Yin Ghost Sect and returned to the Jiang Kingdom.

After eliminating True Lord Mingsha, Lu Changsheng immediately sealed the Yin Ghost Sect Mountain Gate and used divination to conceal the heavenly secret.

Later, the Five Poisons Sect and the Heavenly Corpse Sect assisted in locking down the area and suppressing information.

Yet no wall is entirely impervious.

Over the ensuing months, the numerous maneuvers by the Five Poisons Sect and the Heavenly Corpse Sect, along with the Yin Ghost Sect’s gradual retreat, raised suspicions among many hidden forces in the Jin Kingdom.

When they contacted their informants within the Yin Ghost Sect, they received no response.

Some bold cultivators ventured into the Yin Ghost Sect only to find it semi-sealed.

Unless summoned back by the sect, no cultivator or disciple dared approach.

The Heavenly Sword Sect, always vigilant given its proximity to the Jin Kingdom, immediately took notice of these anomalies.

“Could…… could the Ghost Bat be attempting a Nascent Soul breakthrough?”

Upon receiving the news, the Heavenly Sword Sect Master grew grave and suspicious.

He did not believe that the Yin Ghost Sect had been completely crushed; rather, based on experience, he suspected someone within was on the verge of breaking through to Nascent Soul.

After all, breakthrough to Nascent Soul is paramount in cultivation!

Many forces, when preparing for such a breakthrough, tend to contract their influence, sealing off and preparing thoroughly.

For decades, under the leadership of True Lord Mingsha, the Yin Ghost Sect had been unusually active.

Especially during the mass slaughter in the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, the Heavenly Sword Sect long suspected that True Lord Mingsha was refining Ten Thousand Spirit Blood to help the Ghost Bat break through to Nascent Soul!

Even though the Ghost Bat was no match for Lu Changsheng and was struck down in an instant,

as the Grand Elder of the Yin Ghost Sect, the strength and talent of the Ghost Bat were unquestionable, and he was expected to achieve a Nascent Soul breakthrough.

Given the gravity of the situation, the Heavenly Sword Sect Master immediately relayed his analysis and suspicions to True Lord Juejian.

He then ordered a Core Formation True Lord to infiltrate the Yin Ghost Sect and investigate thoroughly.

If the Ghost Bat truly was attempting a breakthrough to Nascent Soul, the Heavenly Sword Sect had to prepare in advance.

Otherwise, if a second Nascent Soul True Lord emerged from the Yin Ghost Sect, the Jiang Kingdom would face grave danger.

Moreover, the already faltering Liang-Yue War would further collapse.

Jiang Kingdom, Bihu Mountain.

Previously, Lu Changsheng mentioned that his trip to the Jin Kingdom would last no more than a year.

But now, a year has passed and his husband has yet to return.

So, Lu Miaoyun proceeded with the arranged ceremony by the family to honor Lu Qingxian.

Representing the Talisman Lu Family, they once again marched to the front lines to support the battle!

In addition, the Lu Family issued invitations to organize a Core Formation ceremony for Wang Yanjing.

Lu Qingxian’s deployment of Lu Family cultivators to join the Liang-Yue War went largely unnoticed.

After all, many cultivators and forces believed that as Jiang Kingdom’s premier family, the Talisman Lu Family was expected to contribute significantly to the war effort.

Otherwise, if other family cultivators were constantly drafted to the front, it would breed resentment that a family as influential as the Lu Family chose to stay aloof.

Even though Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge had slain several Core Formation cultivators on the front and achieved stellar feats, it was hard to win widespread support.

In contrast, as soon as news of Wang Yanjing’s Core Formation ceremony spread, ripples of shock ran through the cultivation world under Azure Cloud and even the entire Jiang Kingdom.

Many cultivators and family factions were astonished and began to inquire about this Wang Yanjing.

How did the Talisman Lu Family end up with an outsider’s Core Formation?

But when they discovered that Wang Yanjing was the daughter of Changsheng True Lord – married to Lu Xingchen – the forces and cultivators were left dumbfounded.

Two and a half years ago, shortly after a breakthrough in Core Formation, Talisman Lu Family’s Qingxuan True Lord had just achieved his breakthrough when another omen appeared.

Speculation about this Core Formation individual ran rampant.

Ultimately, everyone assumed the focus would fall on Lu Family’s shining pearl, Fu Immortal Lu Wangshu, daughter of Changsheng True Lord and Xi Yue.

But none could have predicted that the Core Formation individual was not who everyone assumed Lu Wangshu to be.

Instead, it turned out to be the daughter-in-law of Changsheng True Lord – the wife of a Lu Family Foundation cultivator.

This was astonishing and almost inconceivable.

With such talent and potential for Core Formation, why would she choose marriage?

And moreover, she did not marry Lu Ping’an or the highly celebrated Lu Qingxian, but the relatively ordinary Lu Xingchen.

For a moment, countless cultivators felt envy and resentment toward Lu Xingchen.

They couldn’t fathom how a Foundation cultivator could end up with the wife of a Core Formation True Lord!

Remember, high-level female cultivators in the cultivation world are much rarer than their male counterparts.

Most male cultivators tend to lower their standards.

Just as when Lu Changsheng married Xiao Xiyue, many believed it was a union mismatched in status.

Now, Lu Xingchen had managed to wed a woman of such remarkable talent and grace.

“This Lu Xingchen carries the aura of his father, Changsheng True Lord. According to the Legend of Changsheng True Lord, he once married into the Lu Family of Qingzhu Mountain as a son-in-law during his Qi Refining stage. During the battle where the Lu Family of Qingzhu Mountain and the Bai Family of Hundred Bird Lake fought against the Chen Family of Hongye Valley, he relied on a female cultivator who adored Changsheng True Lord.”

“It is said that at that time, Changsheng True Lord was merely in the Qi Refining stage—a married-in member of Qingzhu Mountain—but still won the admiration of a Foundation cultivator.”

“My great-grandfather participated in that battle. Rumor has it that the female cultivator was so enamored with Changsheng True Lord that she even provided her own dowry, willingly agreeing to be his concubine.”

“In hindsight, that cultivator was truly insightful, having seen the potential in Changsheng True Lord from the start.”

“Hiss, so does this Lu Xingchen possess something extraordinary to attract such favor?”

“Of course—his father is Changsheng True Lord.”

Many cultivators discussed Lu Xingchen, even implicating Lu Changsheng, the Lu Family Ancestor.

For centuries, Talisman Lu Family’s Changsheng True Lord was celebrated as the brightest rising star.

His legendary journey was revered by countless cultivators as a model and even became the subject of several books.

Regarding Wang Yanjing, most solitary cultivators and minor forces could only express envy and resentment toward Lu Xingchen.

Some established forces, with deep-rooted strength, learned that Wang Yanjing was once an official daughter of the Five Elements Family—a Core Formation seed.

From this, they immediately deduced that Wang Yanjing’s breakthrough to Core Formation must have been supported by the Talisman Lu Family.

Otherwise, with Wang Yanjing’s own talent, her chance would have been less than thirty percent!

Moreover, while the Talisman Lu Family had just nurtured Lu Qingxian as a Core Formation cultivator and had numerous disciples yet to be trained, they still managed to sponsor an outsider daughter-in-law—such resources were simply unimaginable!

Though Changsheng True Lord was one of the top talisman makers in the Jiang Kingdom, possessing many rare resources, these family forces were astounded by such actions.

For a moment, many families resolved to marry their most talented female cultivators to distinguished Lu Family disciples.

Normally, a female cultivator would never marry outside her clan.

But when a chance at Core Formation arises, everything can change.

As long as a woman could achieve a breakthrough and later contribute to her family, that advantage might outweigh the support of a Foundation Peak cultivator.

Among all these developments, the forces of Huang Yuan Mountain were the most shocked and dumbfounded.

Huang Yuan Mountain, formerly known as the Five Elements Mountain,

had been renamed by Real Master Huang Yuan and his friends after they seized it years ago.

They never expected that decades later, a Core Formation True Lord would emerge from the once-dwindling Five Elements Family.

Huang Yuan Mountain boasted two Core Formation cultivators and a third-rank Demon King, so a new Core Formation True Lord did not intimidate them.

If that party dared to seek retribution, they could easily eliminate him.

But since the Wang Family’s Core Formation talent was the daughter-in-law of the Talisman Lu Family, the situation was far more serious.

They suspected that the Talisman Lu Family had dismissed Bihu Mountain as inadequate and had instead set their sights on the spiritual vein of Five Elements Mountain, fostering the former Wang Family’s despised daughter, Wang Yanjing.

Using this connection and the Wang Family name, they aimed to seize Five Elements Mountain.

The Core Formation cultivators at Huang Yuan Mountain immediately sent a messenger to Huang Yuan True Lord at the front.

They then prepared gifts and planned to attend the ceremony at Bihu Mountain to gauge the Talisman Lu Family’s stance.

“Uncle Qi, I told you I wouldn’t involve myself in the Wang Family’s affairs,”

declared Wang Yanjing as she met the Wang Family cultivators who had gathered promptly.

She continued, “At that time, my husband and mother-in-law intervened using the Nine Nether Hound to rescue you. I’ve done all I can and cannot help any further.”

Furthermore, her current status owed entirely to her husband Lu Xingchen and her in-laws’ favor.

She now only wishes to contribute to the Lu Family and ensure that her son Lu Xuangen has every resource needed for his cultivation and Core Formation.

As for Five Elements Mountain, she has no plans whatsoever.

Not that she lacks the strength—she isn’t a match for Huang Yuan Mountain.

Even if she did, she would leave it for her son Lu Xuangen to reclaim once he broke through Core Formation.

Otherwise, people would complain whether the spiritual vein belonged to the Wang or Lu Family!

“Understood,” the senior Wang Family members murmured, bowing respectfully and not daring speak further before Wang Yanjing.

After all, she now held the esteemed title of a Core Formation True Lord.

If they dared to rely on seniority and offend her, they risked severing all familial ties to their own detriment.

Thanks to this connection, they could at least maintain their foothold in the Azure Cloud realm and live comfortably.

Details regarding Wang Yanjing and Huang Yuan Mountain were unclear to Lu Miaoge and Lu Miaoyun.

At that moment, several of the Lu Family’s main matrons were in Sumeru Cave Heaven.

They silently watched as Lu Miaohuan prepared to break through to Core Formation!