Chapter 857: Duels in the Misty Depths

Deep in Da Mengze, mist swirled like delicate veils over the water, creating a hazy, vast expanse.

At that moment, the void suddenly rippled with waves.

A middle-aged man in a snow-white robe and an elegant man in a dark robe appeared.

“This spot will do, True Lord Xuanjian.”

Lu Changsheng said to True Lord Xuanjian.

“Very well.”

True Lord Xuanjian nodded, his slender hand slowly gripping the blue longsword at his waist.

The sword’s design was strikingly simple, unlike what you’d expect from a Nascent Soul True Lord’s weapon.

No lavish gold inlays or silver trims, no jagged edges or intricate patterns.

It was plain, ancient, and pure.

Yet Lu Changsheng saw the hidden edge in that sword.

Its spine, edge, and blade held a shocking energy, like surging waves from a bottomless abyss.

The instant True Lord Xuanjian grasped the sword, he exuded an aura of dominance and gravity.

It was as if with one sword, he commanded the world.

Lu Changsheng flipped his hand, and the Nine Calamity Sword hummed from his sleeve, flying into his firm grip.

In that moment, his refined and elegant demeanor gained a sharp, fierce edge.

“Hmm!?”

True Lord Xuanjian’s gaze narrowed at the blue-gray longsword in Lu Changsheng’s hand.

Once, in the Mirage Domain of Vast Sands, he had seen Yangming True Lord use the Great Luo Sword Embryo.

Though from a distance.

As a Nascent Soul cultivator who practiced the sword Dao, he instantly recognized that this sword wasn’t the one Yangming True Lord had used before.

Was the other holding back his true strength?

True Lord Xuanjian knew that back then, Yangming True Lord had clashed with Nascent Soul cultivators using his Core Formation level, thanks to that supreme sword treasure.

Still, the intimidating sword aura flowing from the Nine Calamity Sword marked it as another top-tier flying sword.

He wondered about the origins of this Lord of Dameng City—possessing two incredibly rare fourth-rank spirit pets and so many rare treasures.

“City Lord Wang, please show me your skills!”

True Lord Xuanjian said, pushing aside his thoughts.

As he spoke, his flying sword trembled, unleashing a sword light like a river of stars that ripped through the void toward Lu Changsheng.

“No need to probe, True Lord Xuanjian—just strike with all you’ve got.”

Lu Changsheng flicked his finger, sending an invisible burst of energy that erased the sword light, signaling this was just a friendly exchange.

“Fine!”

True Lord Xuanjian’s sword shook wildly, exploding into thousands of blinding sword lights that pierced the sky and earth.

The lights were razor-sharp, surging toward Lu Changsheng and weaving into nets like a massive sword formation.

“The top expert of Jiang Kingdom is truly exceptional.”

Lu Changsheng watched the onslaught, feeling echoes of his own talisman formation techniques.

It was clear—all paths lead to the same truth.

At a certain level, one could master any art through another.

He swung the Nine Calamity Sword, unleashing a devastating sword light that shredded True Lord Xuanjian’s lights and nets.

Yet True Lord Xuanjian’s sword Dao ran deep—he had reached the stage of ‘refining swords into threads.’

The moment his lights shattered, they burst into a fine rain of sword threads, pouring down like a storm on Lu Changsheng.

In an instant, the entire sky filled with sword rain and threads, a tide of deadly intent with no escape.

“Sword energy like a rainbow, refining swords into threads, condensing threads into aura—this level of sword Dao surpasses mine.”

Lu Changsheng clearly recognized that his own sword Dao fell short.

Though he had grasped sword Dao’s essence through the Great Luo Sword Embryo and gained initial insight from the Seven Luminary Sword Manual.

It wasn’t fully his own power, unlike True Lord Xuanjian’s effortless mastery.

But Lu Changsheng’s sword style never relied on fancy techniques.

As he moved the Nine Calamity Sword, it was like a sword grass rooting into the world, erupting with vast sword intent that obliterated True Lord Xuanjian’s threads.

“This…”

True Lord Xuanjian’s face changed slightly.

Though he hadn’t used his full strength.

Lu Changsheng had shattered his technique so easily, which surprised him.

Especially that sword technique—it gave him an indescribable sense of heart-pounding killing intent.

Clearly, it was a deadly, unmatched killing art.

Yet Lu Changsheng showed no killing intent, his strikes precise and controlled.

It was his way of saying he was holding back.

This spar was also True Lord Xuanjian’s chance to learn from a mid-Nascent Soul powerhouse, so he wouldn’t give up yet.

His magical energy surged like a roaring sea, sword lights flaring as they tore through the mist.

A massive sword shadow, dozens of feet tall, formed behind him and charged at Lu Changsheng.

“A Dharma manifestation?”

Lu Changsheng was surprised.

He hadn’t expected True Lord Xuanjian to master such a top-tier ability.

But thinking about it, with centuries as a Nascent Soul, it made sense.

He didn’t unleash his Brahma Demon True Form; instead, he wielded the Nine Calamity Sword, countering with the Nine-Leaf Sword Technique.

After all, this was a sword Dao exchange for him.

Facing True Lord Xuanjian let him observe and learn.

As they clashed, Lu Changsheng gauged his opponent’s full power.

True Lord Xuanjian was among the elite of early Nascent Soul cultivators.

Only someone like Nuhai True Lord, with command over spiritual soldiers, could match him.

And this was just a spar—True Lord Xuanjian likely had hidden cards.

After hundreds of exchanges, True Lord Xuanjian’s energy waned, and he chose to concede.

“Your strength is superior, City Lord Wang. I admit defeat wholeheartedly.”

True Lord Xuanjian said.

He had wanted to test a mid-Nascent Soul expert’s prowess.

But Lu Changsheng countered everything with a single sword, seeming more like a true sword master than he was.

He couldn’t fathom Lu Changsheng’s depths.

Still, from the fight, he noticed a few things.

For instance, City Lord Wang wasn’t a pure sword Dao specialist—his skill didn’t match his cultivation.

And that sword wasn’t a spirit treasure; it was more like a unique artifact.

Lu Changsheng’s prowess likely tied to it.

The more he thought about it, the more unfathomable City Lord Wang became.

Whether as Lord of Dameng City or Yangming True Lord, he used different abilities.

No one could pin down his true expertise or treasures.

It was astonishing.

“True Lord Xuanjian, your abilities are remarkable. Without my cultivation and weapon advantages, I wouldn’t have gained the upper hand.”

Lu Changsheng offered polite words, but they were true.

Without the Nine Calamity Sword, he couldn’t have suppressed True Lord Xuanjian so casually.

Looking at Lu Changsheng, still composed with no sign of fatigue, True Lord Xuanjian fell silent.

He sensed Lu Changsheng had many terrifying techniques, like his physical strength.

Even without using it, the subtle surges of blood energy hinted at a body refined to mid-Nascent Soul levels.

With the spar over, they didn’t linger and returned to Immortal City of Damengze to discuss the alliance.

True Lord Xuanjian had prepared the alliance contract.

It covered strategic cooperation, resource sharing, intelligence exchange, and more.

Once allied, they’d stand together against enemies and crises.

They could share resources and intel, collaborate on various fronts.

Any secrets or personal information shared must remain confidential.

If Immortal City of Damengze ended the Liang Kingdom war as agreed, granting it to Heavenly Sword Sect, then Jiang Kingdom would be the exchange.

Afterward, Immortal City of Damengze would help stabilize Liang Kingdom, and Heavenly Sword Sect would assist with Jiang Kingdom.

“City Lord Wang, are there any changes or additions you’d like?” True Lord Xuanjian asked.

“No need; it’s perfect.”

Lu Changsheng replied, finding the contract solid.

At the Nascent Soul level, such agreements were more symbolic than binding.

They relied on mutual trust.

No one would tamper with it over minor details.

Soon, they signed the alliance at Cloud Dream Inn, an agreement that would impact multiple cultivation nations.

“Now that we’re allies, let me raise a glass to you, my friend.”

Lu Changsheng lifted his white jade cup toward True Lord Xuanjian.

True Lord Xuanjian raised his cup, clinked it, and they drank.

“May I ask, City Lord Wang, how do you plan to handle the Zhenhai Seven Sects, and when?”

True Lord Xuanjian set down his cup and inquired, still worried about the front lines and hoping for swift support to Yue Kingdom.

“I intend to ambush and eliminate Zhenhai Patriarch to end the threat.”

With their alliance, Lu Changsheng spoke openly.

He added, “Though I’m not entirely certain of his strength, I’ll need six months to a year to prepare.”

“What?” True Lord Xuanjian was stunned.

He had thought Lu Changsheng meant to subdue the Zhenhai Seven Sects through force or negotiation.

Not outright kill Zhenhai Patriarch.

True Lord Xuanjian’s eyes narrowed as he pondered, then seriously said to Lu Changsheng, “May I ask if I can assist in this battle?”

“With my help, how soon could you resolve it?”

Heavenly Sword Sect was now allied with Immortal City of Damengze.

If Lu Changsheng failed, it would drag them in.

Better to act and help end the Starry Sea trouble quickly so Lu Changsheng could aid Yue Kingdom.

“Hmm!?”

Now it was Lu Changsheng’s turn to be surprised.

He hadn’t expected True Lord Xuanjian to offer help against Zhenhai Patriarch.

Though True Lord Xuanjian was strong, Zhenhai Patriarch was a mid-Nascent Soul powerhouse.

“Do you know he’s a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator?”

Lu Changsheng warned, not wanting to mislead him.

“Since you’ve sincerely allied with Heavenly Sword Sect and we’ve formed this pact, we’re willing to show our commitment as the first step of cooperation.”

True Lord Xuanjian replied calmly and firmly.

He knew Zhenhai Patriarch’s level, which was why he offered.

First, to boost their chances.

Second, to gauge Lu Changsheng’s true power.

Third, to use the fight to break through his own mid-Nascent Soul bottleneck!

With war looming, Heavenly Sword Sect teetered on the edge.

He needed to advance quickly.

Battling a mid-Nascent Soul enemy would sharpen him through life-and-death terror.

As for the risks, he had considered them—if Lu Changsheng dared this, there must be a plan.

In the cultivation world, nothing came without danger.

“If you’re willing to help, that would be ideal.”

Lu Changsheng thought True Lord Xuanjian had led Heavenly Sword Sect well—far bolder than True Lord Juejian.

He had planned to borrow items to restrain a Nascent Soul, but with this aid, their odds improved.

Still, he frowned and said, “The real issue is if Zhenhai Patriarch stays secluded in his sect, it’ll be tough.”

True Lord Xuanjian realized the problem—time.

Though True Lord Juejian held the Yue Kingdom front, if Liang Kingdom learned he was absent, they’d attack.

The front was already strained, on the verge of collapse.

After thinking, he asked, “City Lord Wang, I heard from True Lord Juejian that you’ve slain three Nascent Soul True Lords from the Zhenhai Seven Sects?”

“Six.”

Lu Changsheng calmly stated the number.

True Lord Xuanjian stared in shock, doubting his ears.

Killing six Nascent Soul cultivators quietly was unimaginable.

“Among them, three had their Nascent Souls and spirits destroyed, and three had their physical forms shattered.”

Seeing True Lord Xuanjian’s astonishment, Lu Changsheng explained.

This revelation hit True Lord Xuanjian like a tidal wave.

Not only had Lu Changsheng killed six, but three were completely erased—an feat in the Nascent Soul realm.

Even for a mid-Nascent Soul expert, facing multiple foes and destroying their souls was nearly impossible.

“So now, the Zhenhai Seven Sects only have Zhenhai Patriarch left?”

True Lord Xuanjian pressed.

“Probably three—Minghai True Lord from Minghai Sect was just injured.”

Lu Changsheng clarified, “And of the three with shattered forms, one has likely reincarnated and returned to Nascent Soul stage.”

True Lord Juejian and Fuhai True Lord had escaped; the latter had already reincarnated.

So Lingbo True Lord might have done the same.

True Lord Xuanjian pondered and said resolutely, “If you have a solid plan to take down Zhenhai Patriarch, I can go to Starry Sea and provoke the Zhenhai Seven Sects to draw him out.”

To help Lu Changsheng resolve Starry Sea quickly and aid Yue Kingdom, he was all in.

Lu Changsheng thought it worth trying but worried about alerting the enemy, so he said, “We need to plan this carefully.”

“The Zhenhai Seven Sects have thousands of years of heritage, deep foundations, multiple Nascent Soul True Lords, a fourth-rank guardian beast, and spiritual soldiers.”

“Drawing out Zhenhai Patriarch won’t be simple.”

As he spoke, Lu Changsheng produced a blank jade slip.

He imprinted all the details about Starry Sea’s forces and etched them into the slip, then handed it to True Lord Xuanjian.

True Lord Xuanjian scanned the slip with his divine sense and gained a full understanding of Starry Sea and the Zhenhai Seven Sects.

“Starry Sea…”

Only then did he realize how vast, prosperous, and wealthy it was compared to what he knew.

For years, no Starry Sea Nascent Soul cultivators had come to Jiang Kingdom—not because of the sea’s mists, but because they saw no value in it, or lower-level cultivators couldn’t cross.