Chapter 858: Whispers of the Starry Sea

It seems what this person said to Juejian before was true—the Jiang Kingdom holds the opportunity he’s after.

Otherwise, with Starry Sea so prosperous and rich, why would someone of his strength guard a remote border like this? He could easily go there and dominate.

True Lord Xuanjian absentmindedly rubbed the jade slip in his hand, pondering silently.

At the same time, he wondered if Lu Changsheng might actually come from Starry Sea.

Otherwise, why would Lu Changsheng settle in Immortal City of Damengze and clash with the Zhenhai Seven Sects, building such deep enmity?

Six Nascent Soul True Lords.

If his words were true, this grudge had escalated to total annihilation—no backing down.

Zhenhai Patriarch not calling in allies or leading an army to Immortal City of Damengze felt utterly bizarre to him.

“City Lord Wang, do you have a plan? I’m ready to fully cooperate,” True Lord Xuanjian said without hesitation, turning to Lu Changsheng for his thoughts.

True Lord Xuanjian didn’t overthink; he looked straight at Lu Changsheng, seeking his input.

Though Lu Changsheng had said that with half a year to a year of preparation, he could handle it.

But he also pointed out the biggest issue in this fight: if Zhenhai Patriarch stayed hidden, there’d be no chance to strike.

As for attacking Zhenhai Sect directly and wiping them out, True Lord Xuanjian didn’t even dare consider it.

Not to mention Zhenhai Patriarch was a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator, nearly impossible to take down head-on.

Just their sect’s protective formation alone would keep them out.

Lu Changsheng pondered, saying nothing.

From how eagerly True Lord Xuanjian volunteered to lure out Zhenhai Patriarch, it was clear Yue Kingdom was in grave danger, and he was desperate.

Lu Changsheng’s plan to patiently wait for Zhenhai Patriarch wouldn’t work.

If the Yue Kingdom front collapsed, he’d be in a vulnerable position.

He had to take the initiative, seize control, and end it quickly!

Lu Changsheng suddenly turned to True Lord Xuanjian and asked, “Fellow Daoist Xuanjian, you’re skilled in divination. If we head to Starry Sea now to find Zhenhai Patriarch, what’s the outlook—fortune or misfortune?”

He had divined his own fortune regarding the Zhenhai Seven Sects back at Fuhai Sect.

No matter how he did it, the signs always pointed to good fortune, even great fortune at times.

Once he left Fuhai Sect and entered Starry Sea, though the divination grew harder and the signs fuzzier, there was still a faint hint of good luck.

So, he suspected the Zhenhai Seven Sects were interfering with his divinations, and he wanted to see how True Lord Xuanjian’s would turn out.

If the signs were normal, he could use Xuanjian’s results to decide whether to act.

True Lord Xuanjian frowned.

He wanted to say that involving a top-tier Nascent Soul force and a mid-Nascent Soul giant like this, he probably couldn’t divine it accurately.

But since Lu Changsheng asked and was watching him, he tried pinching his fingers to calculate.

Just as he expected.

Without a medium or deeper knowledge of the Zhenhai Seven Sects, Zhenhai Patriarch, or Lu Changsheng, even a simple fortune check required burning his refined blood and life essence.

True Lord Xuanjian stopped after a brief attempt, his expression helpless as he said, “This involves a top force like the Zhenhai Seven Sects—my divination skills can’t handle it.”

To know the fortune, he’d have to burn a lot of refined blood and life essence, leaving him weakened for a while.

At this stage, he needed to stay in top condition.

Especially with the ongoing Liang-Yue war; he’d already used divination multiple times, and deeper calculations would multiply the cost.

“No need for a full divination—just a simple sense of fortune or misfortune will do,”

Lu Changsheng knew that without a medium or detailed info, divination was tough, but he wanted to check if the Zhenhai Seven Sects were messing with Xuanjian’s heavenly secrets too.

“I’ve cultivated a technique for seeking fortune and avoiding misfortune, but it’s being disrupted by the Zhenhai Seven Sects, so I want to know if you’re affected.”

Lu Changsheng explained, not mentioning he was a fourth-rank diviner—better to hide that and blame it on a technique.

It might make people wary otherwise.

“A technique for seeking fortune and avoiding misfortune? And it’s disrupted?”

True Lord Xuanjian frowned, surprised.

Surprised that Lu Changsheng had mastered such a top-tier technique and that the Zhenhai Seven Sects had such methods.

“This place is too far from Starry Sea for a clear sense—we need to get closer to try.”

True Lord Xuanjian thought for a moment before replying.

“In that case, why don’t you come with me to Starry Sea to check? If things look stable, we can head straight to Yue Kingdom and settle the war.”

Lu Changsheng said immediately.

Based on his guess, as long as Zhenhai Patriarch didn’t have a sure way to kill him, he wouldn’t act in Starry Sea.

But who could say for sure?

So, he figured striking first was best.

Yet the Liang-Yue war was more urgent, demanding a quick resolution.

Plus, he hadn’t wanted to help Yue Kingdom before because he didn’t know how long it would take and there were no benefits.

Now, with the alliance with True Lord Xuanjian and solid gains on the table, it was different.

He could even agree with Xuanjian upfront that if anything changed in Immortal City of Damengze, he’d rush back immediately.

With the Misty Dust Banner and spirit stones ready, he could return in no time.

“Agreed!” True Lord Xuanjian’s eyes lit up like a drawn sword, sharp and focused.

He’d gone to great lengths to get Lu Changsheng to support Yue Kingdom.

Now that Lu Changsheng agreed, even if it meant just sensing fortune in Starry Sea, it was worth it.

He’d even burn his own blood and essence to help if needed.

With a mid-Nascent Soul powerhouse like Lu Changsheng, he and True Lord Hunyuan wouldn’t have to fear the demonic backers of Liang Kingdom.

They could counterattack.

Take out a Nascent Soul cultivator from Liang or Yuan Kingdom, and the war would ease up, stabilizing things.

“I’ll head back to the City Lord’s Mansion to prepare.”

Though the trip was just to sense fortune with True Lord Xuanjian in Starry Sea,

Lu Changsheng planned to swing by Fuhai Sect too, since they were there.

He wanted to check on Starry Sea’s recent events—any big shakes?

Like if the Six Paths Demon Concubine had emerged from the Land of Eternal Night.

Or if Shen Yiren was attempting Nascent Soul breakthrough.

And see if the interference with heavenly secrets had weakened.

From his judgment, even if the Zhenhai Seven Sects had ways to disrupt his divinations, they couldn’t sustain it forever—it cost them dearly.

So, for this visit, Lu Changsheng decided to bring the Golden-Winged Roc and the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror.

“Understood.”

True Lord Xuanjian nodded, not mentioning he’d return to Heavenly Sword Sect—he was already fully prepared for this trip to Immortal City of Damengze.

Back at the City Lord’s Mansion, Hong Lian asked Lu Changsheng if things were settled.

“Yes.”

Lu Changsheng nodded with a smile and briefly explained.

Hong Lian wasn’t surprised.

She just sighed, “It looks like the Liang-Yue war is even more dangerous than we thought. Heavenly Sword Sect’s urgency is understandable—it’s their only option.”

“Exactly.”

Lu Changsheng agreed. “So, if there’s no opening with Zhenhai Patriarch, I’ll head to Yue Kingdom first.”

As he spoke, the Misty Dust Banner appeared in his hand. “I’ll go back and grab the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror.”

“Husband, you mentioned helping Chensha tame that Phantom Mink. He’s almost at Foundation Establishment ninth layer now, right?”

Hong Lian suddenly remembered and asked.

“Yes.” Lu Changsheng nodded.

“I have some time now. Why don’t you bring him and the Phantom Mink here? I can guide them a bit.”

Hong Lian, in her elegant red and gold Vermilion Bird dress, stood with a grace that was both stunning and otherworldly.

Though she was warm and approachable to Ling Zixiao, Lu Miaoge, and the other Lu family women,

her deepest concern, aside from Lu Changsheng, was for Xu Ruoyin, who had awakened her years ago.

But Xu Ruoyin had gone out seeking a Core Formation opportunity and never returned, leaving no word.

In light of that, Hong Lian did her best to look after Xu Ruoyin’s son, Lu Chensha, as a form of compensation.

“Sure.”

Lu Changsheng agreed readily.

He’d planned to wait until Lu Chensha reached Foundation Establishment peak, thinking Hong Lian needed to focus on her cultivation,

but since she offered, he welcomed it—he was glad for her to mentor his son.

Using the Misty Dust Banner, Lu Changsheng returned to Bihu Mountain without delay.

He grabbed the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror, the Golden-Winged Roc, Lu Chensha, and the Phantom Mink, then hurried back to the City Lord’s Mansion.

This quick round trip still drained his magical energy, so upon returning, he burned spirit stones to recover.

The haul from Yin Ghost Sect had been massive—hundreds of thousands of spirit stones meant little to him now.

“Greetings, Peach Spirit Senior.”

Lu Chensha saw Hong Lian in her luxurious red and gold dress, her skin glowing with a soft luster, and bowed respectfully.

He held her in high regard, knowing she’d looked out for him early on.

“Lu Chensha.”

Hong Lian nodded gently, then glanced at the Phantom Mink beside him.

“Squeak, squeak!”

After years with the Lu family, the Phantom Mink had learned to behave.

Sensing Hong Lian’s gaze, it knew better than to cause trouble and put on a fawning act, bowing as if in deference.

“From now on, stay in Immortal City and cultivate under Peach Spirit’s guidance.”

Lu Changsheng instructed his son, then left with the Golden-Winged Roc.

As for Lu Lingjing, still recovering from serious injuries, Lu Changsheng left him behind—no need for the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale with the Golden-Winged Roc and Misty Dust Banner for travel.

“Let’s go, Fellow Daoist Xuanjian.”

Lu Changsheng returned to Cloud Dream Inn, called to True Lord Xuanjian, and they left Immortal City of Damengze, heading toward Starry Sea.

After flying for a while, Lu Changsheng couldn’t stand True Lord Xuanjian’s speed anymore and suggested, “Fellow Daoist, want me to speed things up?”

True Lord Xuanjian’s pace wasn’t slow—it was actually faster than most Nascent Soul cultivators, balancing speed and energy use.

But Lu Changsheng, used to the Golden-Winged Roc and his Heavenly Yuan Lotus as a second dantian, hated this sluggish journey.

Plus, he needed to get back to Bihu Mountain after Starry Sea to help his daughter Lu Wangshu with her Core Formation using Yin-Yang essence—at this rate, he might miss it.

“Hmm?”

True Lord Xuanjian paused, realizing Lu Changsheng thought his speed lacking.

Seeing the five-colored banner in Lu Changsheng’s hand, he pondered briefly and nodded.

Though it put him at risk, their alliance meant if Lu Changsheng meant harm, it could happen on the Yue Kingdom battlefield anyway—so he trusted him.

“Buzz!”

As True Lord Xuanjian approached, Lu Changsheng poured magical energy into the Misty Dust Banner like a roaring river, continuously burning spirit stones.

In an instant, the banner’s glow surged, wrapping them in a wave that rippled through the void toward Starry Sea.

True Lord Xuanjian felt a mix of shock and curiosity—did Lu Changsheng not worry about running out of energy mid-journey?

Without a fourth-rank spiritual vein nearby, exhausting his power here was dangerous, especially with potential storms or fourth-rank demon kings.

Or maybe he relied on Xuanjian to handle threats?

Yet, Lu Changsheng’s energy never waned, even with the banner drawing from stones—it was relentless.

The more True Lord Xuanjian watched, the more astonished he grew.

“What’s his deal? Even a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator’s energy shouldn’t be this vast!”

He suspected Lu Changsheng had some top-tier second dantian treasure.

No mere cultivation technique could achieve this.

“Pity we missed the Heavenly Yuan Lotus in the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm back then,”

True Lord Xuanjian thought of the secret realm his sect had explored years ago, yielding rich rewards—like helping True Lord Juejian break through to Nascent Soul with its spiritual veins and fortune.

They’d gained rare resources and techniques, including the third-rank Heavenly Origin Treasure King Lotus as a second dantian.

But for a Nascent Soul True Lord like him, it was useless—he needed the fourth-rank Heavenly Yuan Lotus.

That realm’s highest lotus would take centuries to mature, so his sect had been nurturing it, hunting for related treasures to boost it.

Even if it only reached fourth-rank lower grade, it would give him a huge edge in battles.

Eventually, Lu Changsheng halted the banner’s flight.

He patted his spirit pet bag, and the Golden-Winged Roc let out a piercing cry as it emerged.

“Let’s continue on this.”

Lu Changsheng stowed the Misty Dust Banner, inviting True Lord Xuanjian onto the roc.

True Lord Xuanjian eyed the Golden-Winged Roc with surprise.

Spirit pets at third rank and above, especially fourth rank, were proud and reluctant to carry anyone but their master.

Yet this roc didn’t mind?

True Lord Xuanjian boarded with a hint of doubt, and to his amazement, the roc accepted him without issue.

It seemed far more docile than he’d expected, though he’d seen it before and it didn’t strike him as tame.

Lu Changsheng ignored the thoughts, sitting on the roc and swallowing pills to restore his energy, quietly meditating.

Days later, he opened his eyes and said to True Lord Xuanjian, “We’re almost at Starry Sea.”

“Yes.”

True Lord Xuanjian nodded, scanning the surroundings.

The gray mists here suppressed energy and divine sense, but for a Nascent Soul True Lord, it was manageable.

Soon, he sensed a subtle shift in the world’s energy, realizing they’d entered Starry Sea.

He looked around: mists everywhere, no major differences, just deeper blue waters and more scattered islands in the distance.

“So this is Starry Sea?” True Lord Xuanjian murmured.

“Yes.”

Lu Changsheng nodded, turning to him. “Can you sense the fortune now?”

“I’ll try.”

True Lord Xuanjian pulled out a few divination tools from his storage ring and began sensing.

After a while, he opened his eyes. “There’s fluctuation—fortune and misfortune mixed.”

He hadn’t done a deep divination, just a basic one, so the signs were vague, influenced by many factors, only a rough guide.

“Fortune and misfortune wavering?”

Lu Changsheng raised an eyebrow, glancing toward Fuhai Sect and trying his Taiyi Spirit to sense.

Fortune—it showed up faintly after a few breaths, meaning at least moderate or great fortune.

He frowned.

“What a mess.”

Was Zhenhai Patriarch’s disruption aimed only at him?

This was getting too strange.

“Still affected by your technique?”

True Lord Xuanjian noticed the subtle heavenly energy around Lu Changsheng and wondered if it was his fortune-seeking technique or actual divination.

If Lu Changsheng was also a diviner, that would be incredible.

“Yes.” Lu Changsheng nodded.

True Lord Xuanjian asked for details, curious about such methods.

“Whenever I use it to check the Zhenhai Seven Sects, it’s all fortune, even great fortune.”

Lu Changsheng replied softly.

True Lord Xuanjian was stunned.

For someone as powerful and mysterious as Lu Changsheng, with all his treasures, to get great fortune signs? What level opportunity was that?

Breaking to late Nascent Soul? A top spirit treasure? Or a premier fourth-rank wonder?

Even if the Zhenhai Seven Sects had something like that, the signs shouldn’t be so strong unless Lu Changsheng could effortlessly destroy them and claim it.

But based on what he knew, that seemed impossible—if Lu Changsheng had that power, why all this buildup?

“I don’t know what to make of it, City Lord Wang.”

True Lord Xuanjian shook his head, not speculating without full knowledge of Lu Changsheng’s techniques and the sects’ secrets.

“I’m heading to Fuhai Sect to check things out. Want to come along, Fellow Daoist Xuanjian, or wait here?”

Lu Changsheng didn’t dwell on it, planning to visit Fuhai Sect for more on Starry Sea.

Then use it to probe deeper—if he could break through the interference, great; if not, he’d rely on Xuanjian’s signs later.