Chapter 850: The Core Seed’s Awakening

“Daddy, what is this?”

Lu Linghe, blinking her large eyes, asked as she beheld the Seven-Orifice Exquisite Core Seed.

“This is called a Core Seed. Once it fuses, it grants you the Seven-Orifice Exquisite Heart to boost your innate talent and comprehension.”

Lu Changsheng explained gently to his daughter, “The downside is that once the Exquisite Heart forms, you’ll be filled with an aura of worldly spirit, which can attract demons and magical beasts.”

Regarding the ‘Seven-Orifice Exquisite’ technique, you must keep your heart pure and avoid distractions or evil thoughts. Lu Changsheng believed that wouldn’t be an issue for Lu Linghe.

Tilting her head in thought, Lu Linghe then smiled innocently, “Daddy, I already have so many treasures. This precious Core Seed—why not give it to one of the older siblings?”

Clutching the sarira in her arms, her eyes shone with clarity and sincerity.

Even though the Core Seed had its drawbacks,

she trusted that Daddy would never harm her.

The Core Seed was incredibly precious.

But she knew her own abilities were limited—unlike her older siblings who could help ease Daddy’s burdens.

Thus, she felt she must not waste such a rare treasure.

Besides, she knew she wasn’t very clever.

Whether in cultivation or learning, she couldn’t compare to her brother Lu Lingxiao, sister Lu Wangshu, or Meng Meng, Little Creek, and Minghuang.

A Core Seed that enhances talent and comprehension could easily be wasted on her.

“Daddy, if you give it to Little He, I’ll keep it,” she declared.

Lu Changsheng adored his innocent daughter, treating her as a cherished child.

Yet, the little girl was steadily growing up and becoming more sensible.

The more she matured, the more he doted on her. In a gentle voice, he added, “Besides, this Core Seed is perfect for my Little He.”

“Once Little He breaks through to Core Formation, you’ll go to the Immortal City to help Daddy and Mommy with our affairs,” he continued.

“Really!” Lu Linghe exclaimed, her bright eyes sparkling with joy.

She had longed to contribute ever since she noticed her siblings absorbed in their tasks.

But neither Daddy nor Mommy permitted it.

Only sister Lu Wangshu would invite her to help at the shop or join in for coastal demon hunts.

“Of course it’s true,” Lu Changsheng chuckled at her expression, already planning to find tasks for her later.

He mused that after fusing with the Seven-Orifice Exquisite Core Seed, perhaps she could even learn a craft.

Besides greatly enhancing comprehension, the Core Seed’s primary effect was to enable communication with all living things.

It allowed interaction with spirit beasts, animated plants, and even elemental life forms.

Perhaps it could help in tending to the family’s spirit beasts.

“Daddy, how do we use this Core Seed?” Lu Linghe asked, recalling her early breakthrough to Core Formation.

“Like this,” he replied.

Lu Changsheng lightly tapped his finger, implanting the Seven-Orifice Exquisite Core Seed into Lu Linghe’s forehead.

“Bang!”

Lu Linghe felt a dazzling pale-red light surge through her consciousness.

Deep within, the Core Seed pulsed like a beating heart, sending threads of light into her spirit, heart, and every fiber of her being.

Her heart immediately synchronized with its rhythm.

In that moment, Lu Linghe entered an indescribably mystical state.

Her cultivation techniques, foundation, and even her damaged spirit body began to rejuvenate and circulate on their own.

She sensed her five senses and extrasensory perceptions sharpening gradually.

Moreover, the cultivation arts—the Diamond Maitreya Technique, Zen Dream Bodhi Technique, Black Dragon Codex, Mountain-Shaking Fist, Bull Demon Strength Fist, and even the failed Alchemy of Harmony—flashed before her like a swift parade.

What had once been perplexing and half-understood now became clear as day.

She could barely explain this profoundly mystical state.

She simply felt her cultivation flowing more smoothly, her foundation more refined, and her entire body brimming with strength.

Her senses, in particular, became extraordinarily acute.

She could even perceive the joyful aura radiating from the courtyard’s flowers and plants.

As her body calmed, Lu Linghe opened her eyes and called out, “Daddy,” looking at him with concern.

“Little He, how do you feel?”

Lu Changsheng asked softly.

“Um…”

After a moment of contemplation, she remarked, “I feel like I’m getting smarter.”

It was as if everything Daddy had taught her about cultivation finally made sense.

Moreover, she felt an enhanced awareness of her surroundings.

“Oh?” Lu Changsheng smiled and then tested her by asking what she understood about the techniques.

Lu Linghe was at a loss for words.

She felt she had mastered them but couldn’t find the right words to describe it.

“Daddy, let me demonstrate,” she offered earnestly.

Determined, she said this to prove she wasn’t lying.

“It’s fine. Just knowing is enough,” he replied.

Lu Changsheng completely understood his daughter’s state.

He recalled that he had once inherited similar cultivation techniques.

Even when you know them well enough to use them, it’s hard to explain the underlying principles.

Nonetheless, Lu Linghe insisted on demonstrating for him.

Sure enough, her cultivation arts and secret techniques flowed much more smoothly than before.

“Our Little He is truly amazing!”

Lu Changsheng praised her and proceeded to teach additional secret techniques to see how much her comprehension had improved.

It was evident that after fusing with the Seven-Orifice Exquisite Core Seed, Lu Linghe’s innate learning ability had advanced.

But that was about all.

It still paled in comparison to her sister Lu Wangshu.

Lu Changsheng did not scold her harshly.

He believed this was sufficient.

At least, her future cultivation lessons would be much easier.

There was even hope of refining the Alchemy of Harmony into a perfected form.

After all, fusing with a Core Seed takes time.

His daughter had just fused—she hadn’t even formed the Seven-Orifice Exquisite Heart yet.

“Little He, can you sense any information from these bamboos?”

Pointing at a distant bamboo grove, Lu Changsheng asked about another effect of the Core Seed.

Communication with all living things!

Upon hearing this, Lu Linghe looked toward the bamboo grove.

The Iron-Eating Beast, Gungung, lounging in the grove, let out a contented gurgle as it noticed its master’s glance.

Soon after, with soft panting sounds, it trotted over to Lu Linghe’s side.

For some reason, it sensed a more pleasant aura from its master than before, drawing it closer.

Its large yet endearing body tilted as its fluffy head rubbed against Lu Linghe’s hand in an irresistibly cute manner.

“Gungung, be good,” she chided playfully.

She giggled, patting its head to indicate she had things to do, then resumed gazing at the bamboo grove.

After a moment, her bright eyes lit up with excitement as she pointed at a bamboo stalk. “Daddy, I think this bamboo is upset.”

This was a newfound ability she’d gained from the fusion—the enhanced perception of her five senses.

She wasn’t entirely sure why the bamboo seemed unhappy.

Lu Changsheng looked at the bamboo she pointed to.

Though not a spirit cultivator, as a Nascent Soul practitioner he immediately noticed several bamboo worms feasting on the spirit bamboo’s roots.

“Excellent,” he exclaimed.

He praised her, realizing that her ability suited a spirit cultivator perfectly.

It allowed her to detect the emotions of spiritual plants and assess their condition.

“This spirit bamboo is infested with worms, which is why it’s upset,” he explained.

Then, he led her over and helped remove the worms from the roots.

He told her that if any spirit bamboo ever seemed unhappy, she should check for worms or nutrient deficiencies and water it with spirit liquid if needed.

“Okay,” she agreed eagerly, turning her attention to the other spirit bamboos in the grove.

But such deep interaction with living things was mentally and physically taxing.

Before she could inspect the entire grove, she began feeling drowsy and lightheaded.

“Alright, that’s enough. Just check on them occasionally; don’t overdo it,”

Lu Changsheng said with a helpless but affectionate tone, urging his daughter to rest.

He planned to later have her try communicating with spirit pets, animated plants, and elemental flames.

The next day, once Little He was re-energized, Lu Changsheng took her to interact with the family’s spirit beasts.

These low-tier demon beasts were notoriously hard to communicate with,

yet Lu Linghe could faintly understand their calls.

Moreover, Lu Changsheng noticed that she seemed to attract these demon beasts easily.

It might also be because these beasts, domesticated by the Lu Family, lacked any wild aggression.

Remembering they had two wild demon kings at home, he immediately took her to see them.

The Phantom Mink sensed an alluring fragrance emanating from Lu Linghe as soon as it saw her.

It was as if the young girl were a humanoid spirit herb whose consumption would be greatly beneficial.

But recognizing Lu Changsheng beside her, it dared not act rashly and behaved obediently.

“Hello, I’m Little He,” she introduced boldly.

Bolstered by her father’s presence, Lu Linghe acted with fearless boldness.

She approached the Phantom Mink without hesitation to greet it.

She even extended her hand for a shake and gently stroked its dark, softly shimmering purplish fur.

“I’m Little Mink,” it replied.

Gazing at Lu Changsheng in his flowing blue robe with ethereal features, the Phantom Mink responded warmly to Lu Linghe.

Although the enticing scent on her induced a hint of desire in it,

it suppressed that urge as her calming aura brought it unexpected comfort.

Nearby, Lu Changsheng keenly realized that his daughter’s Core Seed aura was now detectable even by a third-rank Demon King like the Phantom Mink.

Had he not been present—and given that the Phantom Mink had been domesticated for years—it might have treated her as a potent medicinal herb.

“It seems Little He should avoid venturing into the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range or the deep parts of Da Mengze in the future,” he cautioned.

Lu Changsheng mused silently, knowing that further fusion with the Core Seed—where her heart becomes the Seven-Orifice Exquisite Heart—would intensify these effects.

Venture into the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range or deep Da Mengze, and she’d be like a moving herb, drawing the covetous eyes of numerous demon kings.

After she finished her friendly exchange with the Phantom Mink, Lu Changsheng earnestly warned her never to go alone where demon beasts abound.

He added, “Be especially cautious around third-rank demon kings like the Phantom Mink.”

Lu Linghe acknowledged with an “Ah,” aware that her father’s caution pertained to the Core Seed’s side effects that attract demons.

Yet, she felt none of that.

Moments ago, she had even become friends with the Phantom Mink.

“Daddy, I’ll remember,” she promised.

She never questioned her father’s words and nodded earnestly in agreement.

Then she asked, “Will Little Mink attack me as well?”

“No,” Lu Changsheng said as he gently rubbed her head. “Of course not.”

“But once the fusion is complete, the aura exuding from you will be so potent that other demon beasts might be attracted—posing a danger.”

He explained that he planned to have the Golden-Winged Roc and Lu Chensha help pacify the Phantom Mink.

“Okay,” she replied with a smile.

Soon afterwards, besides guiding her in regular cultivation, Lu Changsheng taught her several spirit plant and beast-taming techniques.

Even though the Lu Ancestor had not studied these arts,

his own cultivation and insight allowed him to instantly grasp many techniques just by observing.

Seeing that Lu Linghe’s training was on track, Lu Changsheng left Bihu Mountain and headed to the Azure Cloud Sect.

This busy journey had kept him from properly visiting his two sons at the Azure Cloud Sect for a long time,

especially his son Lu Yunxiao, about whom he remained deeply concerned.

He wanted to see how he was faring.

In addition, he planned to send a Condensing Crystal Pill to Zhao Qingqing.

He had long intended to gift one for a breakthrough to Core Formation but had none on hand.

On this trip to the Yin Ghost Sect he acquired six Condensing Crystal Pills and wouldn’t hesitate to share.

Even though Xiao Xiyue and Chu Qingyi were at the war front instead of Rainbow Cloud Peak,

Caiyun True Lord’s mention of Talisman Lu Family affairs made it no secret among the Azure Cloud Sect leaders.

Otherwise, with the Talisman Lu Family’s frequent movements in recent years, how could the Azure Cloud Sect be so amicable?

Thus, Lu Changsheng—the elder of the Talisman Lu Family—visiting Rainbow Cloud Peak was entirely acceptable to the Azure Cloud Sect elite.

At the summit of Rainbow Cloud Peak, within Caiyun Hall,

Yun Wanshang was teaching her son Lu Yunxiao literacy and cultivating classics.

Even though Lu Yunxiao was only three,

with his innate sword embryo, he was born with Foundation Establishment; his body was as precocious as that of a five- or six-year-old, remarkably clever.

Thus, Yun Wanshang began teaching him cultivation early to build a strong foundation.

The young Lu Yunxiao quickly displayed an exceptional flair, grasping everything at lightning speed and remembering it all.

Yun Wanshang even imagined a future where her son effortlessly mastered every technique, shattering old records and outpacing his peers.

“Caiyun,”

Just then, Yun Wanshang suddenly heard a warm, magnetic call filled with longing.

It sent shivers down her spine.

Understanding the man’s bold nature, she maintained a warm demeanor; with a flick of her colorful sleeve, the doors of Caiyun Hall burst open.

Moments later, a tall, handsome, almost ethereal young man appeared.

“Caiyun, Yunxiao,”

With deep, gentle eyes, Lu Changsheng gazed at the woman in the colorful dress and the little boy ahead.

He was somewhat surprised.

In just a year and a half, his son—once like an infant—had grown to resemble a five- or six-year-old child.

Lu Yunxiao looked like a porcelain doll with fair skin and a delicate rosy face, cradling an ancient sword embryo.

The moment he saw Lu Changsheng, he felt the sword embryo in his arms tremble.

He sensed a bloodline resonance with the man.

“Is this my father?”

Even at the age of three, as a Dao Body nurtured for nearly five years, Lu Yunxiao was exceedingly clever.

He realized that the man before him was almost certainly his father.

“Come here, is there something you need?”

Yun Wanshang replied in a calm, detached tone.

Due to past master-disciple affairs and a wager with Lu Changsheng, her relationship with him had become somewhat awkward.

Once she had shown resolve, but since Lu Changsheng broke through to Nascent Soul, she knew she was no match and could only maintain her dignity.

“Of course, I’ve come to see you and Yunxiao,” he said.

Lu Changsheng, used to Yun Wanshang’s manner, replied casually.

Then he looked at the little boy and asked, “Yunxiao, do you remember me?”

He had visited Yun Wanshang, her son Lu Yunxiao, and Lu Shouzheng at the Azure Cloud Sect when he went to the Jin Kingdom,

but his son, being so young back then, might not recall him.

“Father, Kirin Sword Lord.”

Lu Yunxiao’s face was youthful, even delicately beautiful,

yet his features betrayed a certain determination.

Lu Changsheng was momentarily speechless; he hadn’t expected Yun Wanshang to drop the ‘Kirin Sword Lord’ title and simply teach her son.

“That’s right, I am your father, Kirin Sword Lord Lu Changsheng,” he declared.

Undeterred, Lu Changsheng laughed heartily, stepped forward, and pinched his son’s cheek as he assessed his condition.

Lu Yunxiao, taken aback by his father’s familiarity, looked towards his mother in confusion,

only to find her expressionless.

“Caiyun, on this trip I’ve gathered rewards that can help Yunxiao and Shouzheng temper their bodies and solidify their foundation,” he announced.

Lu Changsheng tossed a pre-diluted vial of Ten Thousand Spirit Blood to Yun Wanshang.

“Good,” Yun Wanshang replied, accepting the porcelain vial.

She understood how crucial it was to build a strong foundation in childhood.

In recent years, she should have been in seclusion cultivating.

Yet, unable to bear leaving her son, she chose to nurture him herself.

“How’s your cultivation and divine power? Are you ready to head to the Yue Kingdom front lines?”

At that moment, Yun Wanshang looked at Lu Changsheng and asked.

In recent years, the Immortal City of Damengze had been pestered by the Heavenly Sword Sect to support the front lines,

and as a newly promoted Nascent Soul cultivator from the Jiang Kingdom, she too was constantly pressed by them.

However, after her previous pregnancy left her son severely depleted, he had only just recovered.

Her Nascent Soul divine abilities and domain were yet to be cultivated.

If she went to the war front, her combat power might fall short of Nascent Soul cultivators like True Lord Tiancang or True Lord Yunmei.

Moreover, with her son being so young, she was truly worried.

“What’s happening at the front lines?”

Seeing Yun Wanshang’s concern, Lu Changsheng instantly realized that the Liang-Yue War had taken another unexpected turn.

“The Heavenly Sword Sect has been urging me to support them; the war is going badly and urgently needs aid,” he explained.

Yun Wanshang said gravely, “And according to the Azure Cloud Sect’s information and speculation, True Lord Xuanjian seems to have shown signs of abandoning support for the Yue Kingdom.”

She intended to rush to the front both due to pressure from the Heavenly Sword Sect—to seize some benefits—and because the Azure Cloud Sect had suffered heavy losses.

If the war continued, the Azure Cloud Sect would be gravely weakened.

“Abandon support!?”

Lu Changsheng frowned at this notion.

With the Heavenly Sword Sect leveraging the Jiang Kingdom’s might to aid the Yue Kingdom, they could never so easily give up.

If it came to that, it would mean they were completely spent, forced to abandon the Yue Kingdom to save themselves.

“Are you unable to act now?”

By reading Lu Changsheng’s expression, Yun Wanshang instantly detected his hesitation.

“Hmm,” he nodded and said gravely, “There’s trouble in the Starry Sea; I can’t easily leave the Jiang Kingdom right now.”

Yun Wanshang recalled how she and Lu Changsheng had once activated the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror and learned about the Zhenhai Seven Sects.

She immediately asked, “What’s the situation at the Starry Sea?”

“People from the Starry Sea came again; I killed a few. But the Zhenhai Seven Sects have an old Patriarch in his mid-Nascent Soul stage in charge,”

Lu Changsheng disclosed everything honestly.

“I’m not entirely confident about this Zhenhai Patriarch; I plan to prepare enough talismans before ambushing him,”

he continued.

With his top-tier Blood Talisman Spirit Body, Lu Changsheng had already advanced to a fourth-rank talisman maker.

He intended to burn refined blood to forge sufficient fourth-tier talismans,

then use the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror, Nine-Leaf Sword Grass, and a fourth-tier talisman array to ambush the Zhenhai Patriarch.

Once the Patriarch was dealt with, he could focus entirely on supporting the Liang-Yue War without worry.

Through the war, he planned to negotiate with the Heavenly Sword Sect to share in the spoils and territories.