Chapter 856: Alliances and Duels at Cloud Dream Inn

After arriving at the Immortal City of Damengze, Lu Changsheng learned from Hong Lian that True Lord Xuanjian was currently at Cloud Dream Inn.

“Alright.”

Lu Changsheng nodded slightly, choosing not to see True Lord Xuanjian immediately.

Instead, he proceeded to the backyard where the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass had taken root.

Even though more than two years had passed since his battle with True Lord Pinghai, the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass still had not recovered its vitality.

The reason was simple.

Being a fourth-rank True Spirit-level demonic plant, it required vast amounts of nourishing energy.

Deprived of full access to the Immortal City of Damengze’s spiritual veins,

this third-rank spiritual vein barely sustained its daily nourishment.

Let alone aiding its recuperation and growth.

“Nine-Leaf.”

Lu Changsheng flicked his finger lightly, letting a single drop of vividly green Myriad Spirits Dew fall onto the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass as he inquired about its effect.

The Nine-Leaf Sword Grass did not respond immediately.

It devoured the Myriad Spirits Dew like a parched land gulping down a long-awaited rain.

It was simply too hungry.

Since taking root at the City Lord’s Mansion, it had never been truly fed.

As the dew was absorbed and digested, a pure, vibrant life force spread through its veins, restoring it to peak condition.

“Master, this liquid benefits me tremendously!”

After a moment, the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass spoke, its voice resonant like a striking blade.

With a constant supply of Myriad Spirits Dew, even being anchored to a weak third-rank spiritual vein, it could grow rapidly.

Lu Changsheng nodded with satisfaction.

With the Myriad Spirits Dew in hand, he no longer needed to worry about the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass consuming itself to form the Nine Calamity Sword.

Even if it pushed beyond limits in battle and suffered strain, recovery wouldn’t be a problem.

A few drops after combat would restore it swiftly.

“Nine-Leaf, how many drops of Myriad Spirits Dew do you need to help you advance?”

Lu Changsheng asked, eager to know the quantity required to nurture the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass to mid-Fourth Rank.

Once it reached mid-Fourth Rank and transformed into the Nine Calamity Sword, its combat prowess would skyrocket.

However, as demonic beasts grow slower than cultivators and demonic plants even more so, progress depended solely on gradual accumulation over time.

It was precisely because he possessed the unique artifact Myriad Spirits Bottle

that he even contemplated the growth of the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass.

“Indeterminable.”

The Nine-Leaf Sword Grass swayed its blade-like leaves and replied, unable to specify an exact number.

After pondering briefly, it estimated that at least several dozen drops were needed for a rapid breakthrough to mid-stage.

“.”

Lu Changsheng was taken aback by the answer.

After all, it took an entire year for the Myriad Spirits Dew to condense into a single drop.

All these years, his household had practiced strict frugality.

Aside from nurturing vital spiritual plants like the Five Elements Spirit Fruit Tree and the Xuanmu Gourd, every drop was conserved.

Even so, only thirteen drops had been accumulated over the years.

Devoting all this stock to the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass still wouldn’t suffice for its mid-Fourth Rank advancement.

“Nine-Leaf, if your sword-leaves get plucked, can the Myriad Spirits Dew help them regenerate? And if so, how many drops would be needed?”

Lu Changsheng raised another concern.

“???”

The nine chilling, blade-like leaves of the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass trembled slightly.

What did that mean?

Did it imply plucking its own sword-leaves?

The Nine-Leaf Sword Grass understood that its sword-leaves were top-tier natural treasures.

Once ingested and refined, they could greatly boost one’s sword talent or even reveal the secrets of a sword-dao inheritance.

However, these nine sword-leaves were intrinsically linked to its essence.

For each one lost, its power would diminish incrementally.

Furthermore, the potency of the Nine-Leaf Sword Technique would suffer.

Yet, under its master’s inquiry, it responded truthfully, “They can regenerate. Approximately ten drops will restore one leaf.”

While a single drop of Myriad Spirits Dew could help a medicinal seed transform overnight into a century-old herb,

even hundred-year or millennial herbs could surge decades in a single night,

sword-leaves—being tied to its very being—required compensating for core energy loss.

Thus, one or two drops wouldn’t suffice.

Consequently, it wasn’t a simple matter of replenishment.

“Forget it.”

Hearing this, Lu Changsheng immediately dismissed the notion of plucking a few sword-leaves for his son.

He planned to wait until he constructed the Tower of Heaven and used the Cheng Lu Pan to condense high-grade Heaven Dew before revisiting this matter.

Otherwise, his precious Myriad Spirits Dew was simply too scarce.

After the conversation with the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass, Lu Changsheng called Hong Lian, and together they headed to Cloud Dream Inn to meet True Lord Xuanjian.

As they reached the door, a calm and warm voice from a private room beckoned, “Please come in.”

Pushing open the door revealed a room protected by a barrier.

However, the barrier had no effect on Lu Changsheng or Hong Lian.

Inside sat a middle-aged man in a pristine snow-white long robe, appearing rather ordinary.

“City Lord Wang, City Lord Li.”

The man looked at Lu Changsheng and Hong Lian, rose, and bowed respectfully.

His demeanor was balanced—not servile yet not haughty—and lacked the cutting aura typical of sword cultivators, making him seem like any ordinary man.

“Friend of the Sword,”

Lu Changsheng returned the greeting while sizing up True Lord Xuanjian.

Although they had crossed paths several times before, he had never observed him closely.

Neither tall nor short, neither fat nor thin.

His features were plain—a simple mouth, eyes, and nose—but together they formed a flawless, harmonious face reminiscent of Lu Changsheng’s early days practicing the Immortal Grace Technique, increasingly appealing with every glance.

Clad in a deep void-black robe as pristine as jade and untouched by dust, he revealed not even a wisp of his vital energy.

Even Lu Changsheng, whose divine sense rivaled that of a Nascent Soul, could not discern the depth of True Lord Xuanjian’s cultivation without resorting to divine techniques.

Yet, such probing was considered impolite among cultivators.

After a brief appraisal, Lu Changsheng and Hong Lian took seats, and he was the first to inquire about the reason for True Lord Xuanjian’s visit.

“I am fully aware of the discussions between City Lord Wang and True Lord Juejian. I have come to clarify some details with City Lord Wang.”

True Lord Xuanjian smiled faintly, his expression composed as he replied.

Had one not known his identity as the Supreme Elder of the Heavenly Sword Sect from the Jiang Kingdom and the foremost sword figure,

nobody would suspect he was an extraordinary sword cultivator!

“Please, speak freely, my friend.”

Lu Changsheng immediately gestured for him to proceed, acknowledging his cooperative intent.

Hong Lian remained quiet, merely observing as she appraised True Lord Xuanjian—the foremost figure of the Jiang Kingdom.

Based on ancient knowledge passed down in Jiang, Hong Lian understood that True Lord Xuanjian was no ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator.

Though he might not rival Lu Changsheng’s reincarnated might,

he was undoubtedly among the elite in terms of fortune.

In the Jiang Kingdom and its surrounding regions, few could match him.

Like Lu Changsheng, she could not see through the mystery of True Lord Xuanjian’s true capabilities.

She knew he must have mastered techniques to mask his spiritual energy, vital force, and heavenly secrets.

“Allying with City Lord Wang would be most welcome by our Heavenly Sword Sect. However, I have one condition.”

True Lord Xuanjian shed unnecessary pleasantries; after a few straightforward questions, he got straight to the point.

Before coming here, his mind was already made up.

He had decided to form an alliance.

Although such a pact might embroil him in others’ disputes and even bring catastrophic consequences to the Heavenly Sword Sect,

at this moment his sect had no other choice.

Especially with an impending calamity looming overhead.

Under such dire circumstances, the Heavenly Sword Sect was left with no alternative.

In that case, why not take a bold gamble!

After all, Li Duanxuan had achieved his current standing by making decisive moves—hesitation was not in his nature!

Moreover, during a previous divination, he had foreseen an approaching army threatening the Heavenly Sword Sect!

If he did not take a gamble, the future might turn out as grim as the vision.

“My friend Xuanjian, speak without reservation,” said Lu Changsheng.

“I simply wish to exchange techniques—a sparring session—with City Lord Wang.”

True Lord Xuanjian met Lu Changsheng’s gaze squarely and replied, “Sparring.”

Both men, shrouded in mystery, could not fully discern the other’s true condition.

Thus, he proposed a duel to gauge their strengths and, in the process, appreciate the divine prowess of a mid-Nascent Soul giant.

“A duel?”

A stir went through Lu Changsheng’s heart.

He hadn’t expected True Lord Xuanjian to propose a spar.

It was an idea he met with neither objection nor fear.

However, he had never honed any mid-Nascent Soul divine techniques.

Would a duel expose his shortcomings in quelling an opponent of that caliber?

If he resorted to the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror, it wouldn’t truly be a spar.

“Of course,”

Lu Changsheng replied after a brief contemplation, deciding to use the Nine Calamity Sword for the duel.

With his unparalleled innate sword talent and the Nine-Leaf Sword Technique inherent in the Nine Calamity Sword, he was confident it would be enough to impress his opponent.

“In that case, City Lord, choose a time and place,” said True Lord Xuanjian.

True Lord Xuanjian, though eager for battle and inclined to challenge him at either the depths of Da Mengze or the Layer of Nine Heavens’ Gale, felt bound by proper etiquette as a Nascent Soul True Lord.

“Three days from now,” Lu Changsheng suggested with a smile. “For the location, we can choose either the deep regions of Da Mengze or the Layer of Nine Heavens’ Gale.”

“Agreed,” True Lord Xuanjian replied, his eyes gleaming with anticipation as he confirmed the arrangements.

“Hong Lian, what are your thoughts?”

Back at the City Lord’s Mansion, Lu Changsheng turned to Hong Lian, eager to know if she had detected any vulnerability in True Lord Xuanjian.

“This True Lord Xuanjian is exceptional. Despite being a top-tier sword cultivator, he carries none of the aggressive aura typical of sword experts,”

she observed.

“Not only has he mastered techniques to mask his vital force and spiritual energy, he cultivates sword-dao with an elegant simplicity.”

Hong Lian, resplendent in a magnificent red and gold dress, spoke with graceful poise and charming elegance.

“Based on his growth trajectory and natural talent, without the constraint of limited spiritual veins in the Jiang Kingdom, he might have already broken through mid-Nascent Soul.”

In her previous life as a Nascent Soul True Lord, Hong Lian knew well that environment and fortune limited a cultivator’s breakthrough potential.

In regions like the Southern Desolation and the Northern Region, third-rank spiritual veins were rare.

Thus, the natural treasures and resources here were considerably scarcer.

After the initial Nascent Soul breakthrough, approaching one’s pinnacle in such territories made further progress exceptionally challenging.

While progressing from early to mid-Nascent Soul wasn’t as demanding as the leaps from Foundation Establishment to Core Formation or from Core Formation to Nascent Soul,

it was still a significant hurdle.

Possessing an advanced spiritual vein arena could ease the process, boosting success odds.

This is why many cultivators, upon reaching a certain realm, journey to the vast Southern Central Region.

There, not only are opportunities more abundant, but surpassing one’s limits is considerably more feasible.

The Jiang Kingdom, situated in a relatively remote northern part of the Southern Desolation, offered a harsher environment.

Thus, Hong Lian believed that True Lord Xuanjian’s achievements in the Jiang Kingdom were akin to a small fish evolving into a mighty dragon.

Moreover, besides True Lord Xuanjian, the Jiang Kingdom had also produced Qingluan True Lord and her husband.

Hong Lian couldn’t help but wonder if a hidden opportunity lay within the Jiang Kingdom.

After all, ever since her rebirth she had inexplicably arrived here.

Could this be linked to a secret fate embedded in the land of Jiang?

“Hence, my husband suggested exchanging the territories of the Liang Kingdom for those in Jiang,” she continued.

“With the vast lands of the Liang Kingdom, the spiritual veins and fortune of Heavenly Sword Sect would be significantly enhanced.”

“This would, in turn, boost the chances of both him and True Lord Juejian breaking through mid-Nascent Soul.”

Her ruby lips parted as she analyzed why True Lord Xuanjian had so willingly agreed to the alliance.

Beyond benefiting themselves, the lands of the Liang Kingdom would also rapidly elevate the strength of the entire Heavenly Sword Sect.

“According to rumors, this True Lord Xuanjian not only possesses extraordinary sword-dao prowess but also cultivates divination,”

she added.

“His decision to ally may stem from auspicious divinations—or perhaps he foresaw a crisis that only an alliance could avert.”

Hong Lian concluded that he might have divined favorable omens, prompting him to seek an alliance,

or alternatively, he anticipated danger and sought to neutralize it through partnership.

“Hmm.”

Lu Changsheng nodded slightly, unconcerned by these possibilities.

If his own divinations were positive, it would be a boon; if ominous, forging an alliance might be the best remedy.

As a fourth-rank diviner, Lu Changsheng was well aware of the limits in foreseeing imminent dangers.

After exchanging a few words with Hong Lian and sharing a quiet moment, Lu Changsheng returned to the backyard where the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass was planted.

There, he transformed the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass into the Nine Calamity Sword and gripped the peerless weapon, quietly absorbing its power alongside the essence of the Nine-Leaf Sword Technique.

Although he had wielded the Nine Calamity Sword before, he had never truly mastered it.

If the duel went too far and he couldn’t restrain his strength, injuring True Lord Xuanjian would be a grave mistake.

Moreover, Lu Changsheng had no intention of a quick victory.

He desired a thorough exchange with this eminent sword cultivator from the Jiang Kingdom, one that would refine his own sword-dao foundation.

His Chaos Body, fused with his son Lu Yunxiao’s Innate Sword Embryo, endowed him with extraordinary sword talent.

These talents were yet to be fully explored and unleashed.

In the span of three days, time flew by.

Throughout these days, Lu Changsheng meditated continually on the Nine-Leaf Sword Technique.

Although his grasp of the Nine Calamity Sword allowed him to mimic the technique instantly,

it was merely a form—a means to capture its shape and momentum.

He needed to internalize, comprehend, and integrate it to truly master its rhythm and essence, unleashing its true power.

It was a challenging task.

But for Lu Changsheng, whose sword talent was unparalleled, it wasn’t impossible.

Alas, three days proved too short.

With a hint of regret in his eyes, Lu Changsheng finally opened them, clutched the Nine Calamity Sword, and stepped out of the City Lord’s Mansion.