Chapter 874: Beast God Mountain, True Lord Nine Spirits’ Dilemma!

“Quell Liang Kingdom and replace it with Jiang Kingdom!?”

During the discussion of future strategic plans, True Lord Xuanjian revealed Lu Changsheng’s purpose for coming here to True Lord Hunyuan and True Lord Ziguang.

Hearing this, the tension and unease in their hearts eased a little.

Yet the thought of Yue Kingdom bordering Jiang Kingdom—now under the control of the Lord of Dameng City—after the war settled made them sigh with apprehension.

Currently, Jiang Kingdom is held by Heavenly Sword Sect. Their strengths are comparable, and with formidable enemies like Jin Kingdom and Liang Kingdom looming, they remain steadfast allies.

But if Jiang Kingdom falls into the hands of this Lord of Dameng City, who single-handedly captured four Nascent Soul True Lords, Yue Kingdom would be nothing more than fish on a chopping board before them.

Should the other side harbor any discontent or aim to annex Yue Kingdom, they’d have no power to resist.

Given the current situation, they couldn’t refuse the Lord of Dameng City’s offer of aid. Under True Lord Xuanjian’s persuasion, they had no choice but to agree.

After the discussion, True Lord Hunyuan, True Lord Ziguang, and True Lord Juejian publicly announced the feats of the Lord of Dameng City and Yangming True Lord.

True Lord Ziguang and True Lord Hunyuan seized the chance to dispel rumors as well.

They clarified that both True Lord Ziguang and True Lord Yuanqi were unharmed.

The earlier news of True Lord Yuanqi’s fall and True Lord Ziguang’s body and Qi being shattered were mere fabrications by Liang Kingdom—a psychological tactic.

In no time, the news of the Lord of Dameng City—also Yangming True Lord—single-handedly capturing four Nascent Soul cultivators swept through Yue Kingdom’s battlefields like a hurricane.

The tale spread beyond, reaching Jiang Kingdom, Jin Kingdom, Liang Kingdom, Wu Kingdom, and even the Endless Desert.

After all, this news was simply too staggering.

Back in the day, at the Mirage Domain of Vast Sands, Yangming True Lord, then only at Core Formation, had resisted a Nascent Soul True Lord. And now, he was revealed to be the same person as the Lord of Dameng City from Jiang Kingdom’s Immortal City of Damengze.

With a single move, he captured four of Liang Kingdom’s Nascent Soul True Lords. It was utterly unheard of.

“The Lord of Dameng City is actually the Yangming True Lord who defied a Nascent Soul with just Core Formation cultivation at the Mirage Domain of Vast Sands?”

“Rumors said that back then, Yangming True Lord used a secret technique, burning his life essence to aid True Lord Qingluan, even sacrificing his own body. Didn’t he perish? How could he be the same person as the Lord of Dameng City?”

“He just broke through to Nascent Soul and already captured four Nascent Soul True Lords? How is that even possible?”

“Could this be a psychological counterattack by Jiang Kingdom and Yue Kingdom against Liang Kingdom?”

“This news came straight from the higher-ups of Jiang Kingdom and Yue Kingdom. Cultivators in Red Peak Immortal City witnessed it with their own eyes. There’s no way it’s false.”

“This is just too unbelievable! What’s the background of this Yangming True Lord? Is he some great power reincarnated or someone who seized a body to cultivate anew? How else could a mere Core Formation cultivator from thirty years ago grow to such terrifying heights?”

Cultivators from Jiang Kingdom and Yue Kingdom buzzed with discussions, their voices filled with disbelief. The news felt too fantastical, like something out of a wild tale.

After all, in the long years of the Liang-Yue War, Yue Kingdom had always been at a disadvantage.

Recently, Liang Kingdom’s demonic path armies had launched massive invasions, seizing cities and fortresses, pushing Yue Kingdom back step by step.

There were even rumors of True Lord Yuanqi’s death and True Lord Ziguang’s body and Qi being destroyed.

Yet in just a few days, the tide turned. How could anyone not be shocked and amazed?

Especially since Nascent Soul True Lords are the pinnacle of the cultivation world.

They wield the power to shift the tides of the cultivation realm, standing high above, untouchable and aloof.

And now, Yangming True Lord had taken down four of them single-handedly. It was a world-shaking feat.

“Yangming True Lord, the Lord of Dameng City, Changsheng—he’s here!”

Xiao Xiyue and Chu Qingyi, who had been on the Yue Kingdom battlefield all these years alongside Lu Qingshan, handled patrols, enforcement, and support duties.

Hearing the rumors about Yangming True Lord and the Lord of Dameng City, both women felt a surge of joy, surprise, and astonishment.

Others might not know, but they were well aware that this Yangming True Lord and Lord of Dameng City was none other than Lu Changsheng.

Xiao Xiyue even knew that just three years ago, Lu Changsheng had ventured to Myriad Beasts Mountain Range to break through to Nascent Soul.

Three years after his Nascent Soul breakthrough, he directly captured four of Liang Kingdom’s Nascent Soul cultivators.

Even after a century as husband and wife, and having witnessed Lu Changsheng’s countless extraordinary feats, Xiao Xiyue couldn’t help but be amazed.

After all, these were four Nascent Soul True Lords.

In all the years of the Liang-Yue War, only True Lord Tiansha had fallen.

Yet soon after, a wave of pride and longing welled up in her heart.

This was her husband.

If not for the tasks still at hand, she’d rush straight to Red Peak Immortal City to meet Lu Changsheng.

Compared to Xiao Xiyue, Chu Qingyi’s emotions were far more tangled and complex.

She was thrilled and happy for Lu Changsheng’s achievements, and recalling the promise they made about reaching Nascent Soul, her heart fluttered with joy and anticipation.

Yet she also felt the distance between them growing ever wider.

Back when they met in the Tianyuan Secret Realm, she was at the third layer of Core Formation, while Lu Changsheng was at the second.

At that time, her True Core had shattered, forcing her to reform it.

With the help of Tianyuan True Lord’s Nascent Soul essence and her own Yin essence, Lu Changsheng broke through to the third layer of Core Formation.

Now, sixty-five years later, Lu Changsheng had reached Nascent Soul, his name shaking the world as he captured four Nascent Soul cultivators from Liang Kingdom.

Meanwhile, she had only just broken through to the seventh layer of Core Formation.

To outsiders, reaching the mid-to-late Core Formation stage at her age was a mark of exceptional talent. With a Nascent Soul True Lord as her master, her future seemed boundless.

But in the face of a monstrous talent like Lu Changsheng, she couldn’t help feeling inferior.

Thinking of the Nascent Soul promise she made with Lu Changsheng, her thoughts drifted to her son, Lu Shouzheng, and her master, Caiyun True Lord, back in Jiang Kingdom.

Though Xiao Xiyue had come to Yue Kingdom for support and reassured her that Shouzheng was doing well, training under her master at Rainbow Cloud Peak,

the more she heard, the deeper her guilt toward her master grew. She didn’t know how to face Yun Wanshang, who had been like a mother to her.

As for her son, Lu Shouzheng, her heart ached with guilt and regret.

At the age when he needed his parents most, she was constantly away, unable to return and spend time with him.

“If this news is true, the Liang-Yue War should end soon, right?”

Chu Qingyi gazed toward Red Peak Immortal City, her heart brimming with longing.

She hoped the Liang-Yue War would end soon so she could return to Jiang Kingdom to see her son, Lu Shouzheng, and pay respects to her master, Yun Wanshang.

As for the fifty-year Nascent Soul promise…

If before, she felt conflicted and unsure how to face her junior sister or felt guilt toward her master,

now, with Xiao Xiyue openly accepting her relationship with Lu Changsheng and the birth of their son, Lu Shouzheng, she eagerly looked forward to marrying Lu Changsheng.

That way, her son could walk the world without needing to hide his identity.

“Why hasn’t Master come yet…”

At that moment, Chu Qingyi’s thoughts paused, puzzled as to why her master hadn’t arrived to aid Yue Kingdom.

Seven years ago, news spread in Jiang Kingdom that her master had broken through to Nascent Soul outside.

Though seven years is but a fleeting moment to a Nascent Soul True Lord, barely the blink of an eye or the length of a short retreat,

it was still enough time to grasp the basics of Divine Abilities and cultivate them to a minor level.

Knowing her master’s character, with the war situation so dire, she would rush over the moment her Divine Abilities reached an initial stage.

“Could something have happened to Master, or is there an issue with her Nascent Soul…?”

Chu Qingyi couldn’t help but worry, unaware of the matters between her master and Lu Changsheng.

Xiao Xiyue, on the other hand, knew why her master couldn’t come to support—she was delayed by pregnancy and childbirth.

But how could she bring up such a thing with Chu Qingyi?

Her master was pregnant with Changsheng’s child, so she’d been at the sect nurturing the baby these past years, unable to come to their aid?

She wouldn’t meddle in such matters. Let Lu Changsheng explain it to his senior sister himself!

“What? The Lord of Dameng City and Yangming True Lord are the same person?”

Lu Qingshan, who was hurrying back to Golden Sun Sect, froze upon hearing the news, utterly stunned.

Though he didn’t know the Lord of Dameng City was one of his father’s aliases,

through the Golden-Winged Roc and the Da Luo Sword Embryo, he had long figured out that the once-renowned Yangming True Lord was his father.

So learning that the Lord of Dameng City and Yangming True Lord were one and the same left him dumbfounded.

After all, during the beast tide at Immortal City of Damengze, he had seen his father, Changsheng True Lord, and the Lord of Dameng City appear side by side to fend off the horde.

“Could one of them have been fake? That shouldn’t be…”

Lu Qingshan pondered, quickly piecing things together.

A Divine Ability of external incarnation!

Though such an external incarnation Divine Ability is incredibly difficult to cultivate, with only a handful of Core Formation cultivators and mostly Nascent Soul True Lords succeeding,

given his father’s extraordinary nature, it wasn’t surprising that he’d mastered such a skill long ago.

“Damn, my old man is this fierce!?”

Lu Qingshan’s excitement surged as he thought of his father single-handedly taking down four Nascent Soul cultivators. He felt electrified.

Imagining himself one day achieving the same—capturing four Nascent Soul cultivators—sent shivers down his spine. Just the thought was exhilarating.

“Let’s go to Red Peak Immortal City.”

Lu Qingshan immediately set off for Red Peak Immortal City to pay respects to his father and maybe snag some benefits.

After all, with his father having defeated four Nascent Soul cultivators, he must be rolling in riches now.

As his son, it was only reasonable to go congratulate him and charm a little reward out of it.

But remembering that his sister, Lu Qingzhu, was preparing for Core Formation, he continued toward Golden Sun Sect to bring her along.

Though he had already prepared a Condensing Crystal Pill and spirit items for Lu Qingzhu’s Core Formation,

he still lacked confidence in her success.

With his father here, having slain four Nascent Soul cultivators, he naturally wanted to bring his sister to meet, visit, and celebrate with him.

Even if his father didn’t give him any treasures, could he really ignore his daughter’s Core Formation needs?

As news of Yangming True Lord’s feats spread, morale soared on Yue Kingdom’s battlefields.

Meanwhile, Liang Kingdom’s demonic path armies inevitably felt the impact, their spirits dampened.

Though the truth of these rumors remained unconfirmed,

the fact that their armies, which had been pressing the attack, suddenly retreated and contracted their lines spoke volumes.

At this moment, atop Beast God Mountain,

“Yangming True Lord, Lord of Dameng City…”

Mo Luo studied the intelligence reports concerning Immortal City of Damengze and the Lord of Dameng City.

As for Yangming True Lord’s information, he had long since familiarized himself with it.

“Is this man a great power reincarnated, someone who seized a body to cultivate anew, or a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator from some Central Region faction in disguise?”

Previously, Mo Luo believed Yangming True Lord to be a top-tier prodigy from the Central Region’s orthodox sects, here for training.

But now, based on the strength Lu Changsheng displayed, he suspected the man was either a reincarnated great power or a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator from the Central Region’s orthodox sects, using Yangming True Lord’s name to disrupt his plans.

“It seems this place must be abandoned.”

Mo Luo gazed quietly toward Red Peak Immortal City, with no intention of joining this war himself.

The reason was simple.

He approached all wars with a mindset of nudging events along or escalating chaos, aiming to create an atmosphere where demonic forces rose and righteous ones waned.

If he personally intervened in every matter, how could he possibly keep up?

Even if he helped conquer territory, he couldn’t hold it. Doing so would only attract Nascent Soul cultivators from the Central Region’s orthodox sects to sabotage his efforts.

Moreover, with Liang Kingdom’s four Nascent Soul cultivators captured, this war had already tilted against them.

Unless he could slay Yangming True Lord, there was no hope of turning the tide.

And according to the intelligence, this Yangming True Lord possessed mid-stage Nascent Soul strength.

Even if he acted, he couldn’t kill him—only match him at best.

In such a situation, there was no point in making a move.

Furthermore, when this man captured True Lord Tiancang and the others, he hadn’t even revealed his full strength.

If Mo Luo acted, there might even be some risk to himself.

His purpose here was merely to push and influence the spiritual atmosphere of the world, preparing for his ancestor’s century-long plan. There was no need to put himself in danger.

With the century-long plan nearly ready, a few regions like Liang Kingdom, Jiang Kingdom, or Yue Kingdom wouldn’t make much difference.

“True Lord Nine Spirits, if Yangming True Lord continues to act, leading Jiang Kingdom and Yue Kingdom in a counterattack, this war cannot be salvaged.”

“Your Beast God Mountain is a small branch that once split from Wan Shou Mo Sect. If you’re willing, I can recommend you to join Wan Shou Mo Sect.”

“With your talent and potential, going to Wan Shou Mo Sect offers a chance to break through to mid-stage Nascent Soul.”

A jade talisman appeared in Mo Luo’s hand as he transmitted this message to True Lord Nine Spirits.

Though he intended to abandon Liang Kingdom and the Liang-Yue War,

True Lord Nine Spirits’ talent, potential, and strength were still quite impressive.

If he went to Wan Shou Mo Sect to complete his inheritance and tap into their spiritual veins and destiny, there was a high chance he could reach mid-stage Nascent Soul.

A mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator was considered high-level combat strength anywhere.

Such a figure could contribute significantly to the upcoming great calamity.

“What!?” True Lord Nine Spirits received Mo Luo’s message, his lion-like, burly frame trembling, veins bulging on his hands.

He hadn’t expected this esteemed emissary to refuse to lift a finger and directly abandon them.

Beast God Mountain was his life’s work. How could he bear to give it up so easily?

“Esteemed Emissary, if you take action, this war might still have a chance to turn around!”

True Lord Nine Spirits rushed over to meet Mo Luo, hoping he would intervene.

As long as Mo Luo was willing to act and deal with Yangming True Lord, he could offer concessions, even inviting Nascent Soul cultivators from Yuan Kingdom or the Endless Desert for support.

“Even if I act, I cannot resolve Yangming True Lord.”

Mo Luo stated plainly.

Though he possessed mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivation, his potential and foundation had long been exhausted.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have come to such a remote place to carry out these schemes.

Against early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, he could act and eliminate them. But against mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, he had no confidence.

Especially against someone like Yangming True Lord, who might be a reincarnated great power or someone who seized a body to cultivate anew—a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator with unknown depths—he had no assurance at all.

“This…”

Though True Lord Nine Spirits had already suspected that this emissary’s strength was at most mid-stage Nascent Soul, on par with Yangming True Lord,

hearing Mo Luo admit it himself still filled him with disappointment.

“Esteemed Emissary, you previously said this war was tied to your strategic plans. Can’t you invite other sect members or allies to assist?”

True Lord Nine Spirits pressed, unwilling to give up. He had already guessed that Mo Luo hailed from Blood Sea Sect, one of the Seven Demonic Sects.

With a top-tier Southern Desolation faction like Blood Sea Sect, dealing with a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator shouldn’t be difficult.

“I will report this matter to my sect, but this Yangming True Lord, aside from possibly being a reincarnated great power or someone who seized a body, might also be a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Central Region’s orthodox sects, deliberately using the name ‘Yangming True Lord’ to lure me into action.”

Mo Luo explained to True Lord Nine Spirits.

He then continued, “I know you’re reluctant to abandon Beast God Mountain, but this war has no chance of turning around.”

“However, I can tell you that my sect has major plans in motion. If you go to Wan Shou Mo Sect, you might one day return to reclaim and revitalize Beast God Mountain.”

“As long as you prove your worth and potential, Wan Shou Mo Sect could even help you seek revenge on Yangming True Lord and rescue True Lord Tiancang and True Lord Youyue.”

Mo Luo held some appreciation for True Lord Nine Spirits, showing a trace of regret for losing talent.

The only issue was that True Lord Nine Spirits was too old.

Even if he went to Wan Shou Mo Sect, breaking through to mid-stage Nascent Soul would likely be his limit, with no further progress possible.

“Esteemed Emissary, allow me to consider this for a while.”

True Lord Nine Spirits clenched his fists, his expression heavy as he spoke.

In the Northern Region of Southern Desolation, mid-grade fourth-rank spiritual veins are rare, and the world’s destiny here is insufficient.

The third layer of Nascent Soul is close to the cultivation limit of this region.

Breaking through and advancing further is incredibly difficult.

In the past, he had considered heading to broader lands to seek opportunities and break through to mid-stage Nascent Soul.

But Beast God Mountain was his life’s work, tied to his bloodline descendants, disciples, and grand-disciples. How could he abandon it?

Now, he faced this choice once again.

“Yangming True Lord! Yangming True Lord!”

True Lord Nine Spirits muttered the name under his breath, his eyes burning with endless killing intent.

Back then, seeing that Wu Kingdom’s True Lord Bawu was nearing the end of his lifespan, he saw an opportunity. He nurtured True Lord Tiancang and secretly supported Ming Sha True Lord.

Once True Lord Bawu passed, he led Liang Kingdom to invade Yue Kingdom.

That war left Yue Kingdom in shambles.

Who would’ve thought that sending True Lord Tiansha, Five Poisons Sect Master, and Heaven Corpse Sect Master to disrupt Jiang Kingdom’s frontier war—preventing them from aiding Yue Kingdom—would result in a Yangming True Lord emerging, holding back Heaven Corpse Sect Master and leading to True Lord Tiansha’s capture by True Lord Xuanjian, halting Liang Kingdom’s assault on Yue Kingdom?

Later, when the Mirage Domain of Vast Sands opened, True Lord Tiancang’s body and Qi were destroyed by Yangming True Lord in the secret realm, allowing Yue Kingdom and Jiang Kingdom to counterattack Liang Kingdom.

Mo Luo’s arrival and support stabilized Liang Kingdom’s situation, secretly cultivating True Lord Incinerating Wither, True Lord Huangquan, and True Lord Youyue—three Nascent Soul cultivators.

But just when victory seemed assured, the same Yangming True Lord reappeared, capturing three of Beast God Mountain’s Nascent Soul cultivators in one fell swoop.

True Lord Incinerating Wither, whom they had invested resources to nurture, even defected to the enemy.

In such a situation, how could he not harbor bone-deep hatred for Yangming True Lord!?

Without this man, Liang Kingdom might have already claimed most of Yue Kingdom’s territory and be in a period of recovery.

“Esteemed Emissary, I’m willing to go to Wan Shou Mo Sect, but what about the disciples of my Beast God Mountain?”

True Lord Nine Spirits knew that only by going to Wan Shou Mo Sect could he hope to seek revenge and revitalize Beast God Mountain.

Yet he was deeply reluctant to abandon Beast God Mountain and couldn’t bear to leave it behind.

He wanted to know if he could bring them along to Wan Shou Mo Sect.

Even if they became a subsidiary under Wan Shou Mo Sect, he’d be willing.

“That’s for you to arrange yourself.” Mo Luo’s voice rasped as he replied.

He wasn’t a caretaker.

Recommending True Lord Nine Spirits to Wan Shou Mo Sect was partly because of his potential to reach mid-stage Nascent Soul, adding a high-level fighter for the upcoming calamity.

On the other hand, if True Lord Nine Spirits broke through to mid-stage Nascent Soul and achieved merits, Mo Luo, as his recommender, would receive certain rewards.

But the disciples of Beast God Mountain—a bunch of useless rabble—were of no concern to him.

In his view, these disciples of Beast God Mountain were worthless. Better to sacrifice them all as resources.

“Esteemed Emissary, allow me to discuss this with True Lord Yunmei, Qisha Sect, and Tianmu Sect.”

True Lord Nine Spirits realized Mo Luo had no intention of helping with Beast God Mountain and planned to inform True Lord Yunmei of Mo Luo’s decision, seeking her opinion.

After all, if he chose to leave and abandon Beast God Mountain, True Lord Yunmei’s Barebody Sect would also have to relocate and withdraw from Liang Kingdom.

So he wanted to see if Beast God Mountain could be entrusted to True Lord Yunmei’s care.

Ideally, through Qisha Sect and Tianmu Sect, they could negotiate with other Nascent Soul factions in Yuan Kingdom to secure a spiritual vein territory there.

Twenty-five years ago, Qiyun Kingdom was conquered and divided by Yuan Kingdom and Tianluo Sect, leaving surplus spiritual vein territories that could accommodate Beast God Mountain and Barebody Sect.

Moreover, with the rise of a Nascent Soul giant like Yangming True Lord, Yuan Kingdom would surely feel wary and need to ally with other Nascent Soul factions.

Lu Changsheng, unaware of the situation at Beast God Mountain, remained stationed at Red Peak Immortal City.

His son, Lu Lingxiao, led the Golden-Winged Roc alongside cultivators from Jiang Kingdom and Yue Kingdom to clear out and eliminate the demonic path cultivators along the Chiyue Mountain Range front.

Though Red Peak Immortal City had been recaptured by him,

most of the strongholds and key towns along this front were still occupied by demonic path armies and hadn’t been dealt with.

Now that the situation had stabilized and a counterattack against Liang Kingdom was in preparation, it was time to purge these demonic cultivators completely.

Though the Golden-Winged Roc was still digesting the Flood Dragon Holy Son, it merely stayed by Lu Lingxiao’s side as a guard, unaffected in its duties.

That day, a middle-aged man clad in a purple cloud-patterned robe, with pale cheeks, prominent brow bones, and a purple jade crown, arrived at Red Peak Immortal City.

Lu Changsheng sensed his presence and stepped out of his cave residence.

“Greetings, Yangming True Lord.”

Seeing Lu Changsheng, the man immediately offered a hearty smile and a respectful bow.

Then, with a face full of admiration, he said, “Yangming True Lord, reclaiming Red Peak Immortal City and capturing four demonic Nascent Soul cultivators from Liang Kingdom, turning the tide of battle—truly, I’m in awe.”

“I only regret not holding the city a few more days to fight alongside you when you arrived.”

This man, adorned with a purple jade crown, was none other than True Lord Ziguang.

Though he harbored some resentment toward Yangming True Lord,

he had learned from True Lord Xuanjian that Yangming True Lord’s son, the Young Lord of Immortal City of Damengze, was on the Chiyue Mountain Range front.

His retreat from the city had put the other’s son in danger.

Though according to reports, the son was unharmed,

to avoid any future reckoning, he took the initiative to come and pay respects, clearing the air.

He also intended to retrieve his Purple Light Sect members and the strategic resources previously stored in Red Peak Immortal City.

After all, the upcoming counterattack on Liang Kingdom was a prime opportunity to seize resources and claim war merits.

These manpower and strategic resources would prove invaluable.