Chapter 883: Master, If Someone Helps You Reach Nascent Soul, But the Price Is…

True Lord Juejian instantly realized that the Yangming True Lord heading for Beast God Mountain was likely just a decoy or an external incarnation.

The real body, along with Caiyun True Lord, had ambushed and killed True Lord Qianren.

“Senior Brother could be in danger!”

Although the decoy heading to Beast God Mountain was no ordinary trick—otherwise True Lord Nine Spirits and my own Senior Brother wouldn’t have been fooled—

True Lord Juejian didn’t believe the fake had the true body’s full power.

He immediately notified his Senior Brother, True Lord Xuanjian, to keep him informed and out of harm’s way.

Next,

“Yangming True Lord has killed a Nascent Soul cultivator of Seven Killings Sect from Yuan Kingdom, True Lord Qianren, in Huarong Immortal City! Everyone cast Swiftstride Spells and activate your Swiftstep Talismans! Full speed ahead to Beast God Mountain!”

True Lord Juejian’s order rang out, driving the army to accelerate as their warships roared forward, all surging toward Beast God Mountain in attack.

All he wanted was to reach his Senior Brother as soon as possible.

“What, Yangming True Lord killed True Lord Qianren!?”

“Damn, he’s slain another Nascent Soul True Lord!”

“Counting True Lords Youyue, Tiancang, Huangquan, and Incinerating Wither, that’s five Nascent Soul cultivators fallen to Yangming True Lord.”

“Five Nascent Soul True Lords already!”

“Victory for Yangming True Lord! Congratulations to our Yue Kingdom and Jiang Kingdom!”

The Jiang-Yue army was rocked by excitement as they heard True Lord Juejian’s announcement, their cheers and discussions growing more intense.

They didn’t know the details of True Lord Qianren’s combat power.

But everyone understood: out of the eight Nascent Soul cultivators of the Liang-Yuan alliance, five had now fallen to Yangming True Lord.

With only three left, how could they possibly stop the Jiang-Yue army?

Victory in this war was now within arm’s reach.

In the skies, warships and spirit boats fueled by burning spirit stones thundered across the heavens.

Spell talismans for speed—Swiftstride and the like—were stacked on every warship and vessel, turning into blue-black gales that sent the entire army racing forward.

Hundreds of miles away at the Barebody Sect.

True Lord Hunyuan was also left reeling when he received Yun Wanshang’s message.

After all, True Lord Qianren’s movements were always shrouded in mystery.

No one ever knew where that Nascent Soul assassin was or when he might strike.

Yet now, Yun Wanshang reported he’d been killed by Yangming True Lord.

“So Yangming True Lord didn’t go to Beast God Mountain, but instead teamed up with Caiyun True Lord to ambush Qianren?”

True Lord Hunyuan was amazed by Yangming True Lord’s methods and cunning.

It was impressive enough to deceive them, but fooling True Lord Nine Spirits and Qianren? That was something else.

Nascent Soul assassins like Qianren had a sixth sense for danger.

Without top diviners to shield fate and obscure spiritual senses, they’d spot a trap instantly.

Plus, if Yangming didn’t go to Beast God Mountain, True Lord Nine Spirits would’ve sensed something was off and warned Qianren.

“Sigh. With Yangming True Lord brought in by the Dameng City Lord, who knows if it’s a blessing or a curse…”

True Lord Hunyuan couldn’t help a silent sigh.

He now deeply feared Yangming True Lord, who had slaughtered five Nascent Soul cultivators in a row.

Such power right next to the Hunyuan Sect—with ill intent, they’d have no way to defend against it.

“Still, blessing and misfortune come hand in hand—not all bad, perhaps.”

True Lord Hunyuan, down to his last century of life, realized living next to Yangming True Lord’s Jiang Kingdom wasn’t all trouble.

If their sect failed to produce a new Nascent Soul cultivator before he passed, it would be better to attach themselves to Damengze Immortal City—Yangming True Lord could be their way out.

“Does Yangming True Lord also know the art of divination? Or have a top diviner on his side?”

True Lord Ziguang looked grim, genuinely shaken by the news of True Lord Qianren’s death.

It wasn’t like the captures of the Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain, True Lord Tiancang, and others.

No, this was an ambush of a master assassin famed for stealth and the art of assassination—an old hand at Nascent Soul level.

If Yangming could discover Qianren’s movements and set this snare, targeting someone of Ziguang’s level would be no problem.

Even if Ziguang felt stronger than Qianren in a straight fight, when it came to escaping or sensing danger, Qianren would have him beat.

“I have to move to Wu Kingdom. Staying in Yue Kingdom is no longer an option!”

True Lord Ziguang’s resolve to relocate only grew stronger.

He wanted nothing to do with living next to Yangming True Lord’s future territory.

Wu Kingdom not only had better resources but was next to the Endless Desert, connecting him to other Nascent Soul powers.

“What a shame…”

He privately regretted coming to the Barebody Sect to pin down True Lord Yunmei and True Lord Nightmare Eye. If only he’d led the main force himself, he might’ve snagged some war merit for slaying enemy Nascent Souls.

That way he could’ve openly claimed Wu Kingdom as his reward afterward.

Gazing at the Barebody Sect before him, True Lord Ziguang steeled himself: he’d fight tooth and nail—risking serious injury—to drag down or defeat one foe, securing enough merit and influence.

Huarong Immortal City.

After conquering the city, Yun Wanshang didn’t rush the army toward the Barebody Sect like True Lord Juejian.

For one, she’d sustained some injuries from True Lord Qianren’s assault.

And with both True Lord Hunyuan and Ziguang pinning the enemy at the Barebody Sect, there was no need to rush.

She’d rather wait for updates from Lu Changsheng and the Beast God Mountain battlefield.

Turning the City Lord’s Mansion into a temporary cave residence, she went there to recover and meditate.

Right then, Yun Wanshang saw Lu Miaoge and Lu Changsheng heading off to rest.

She immediately noticed something off about Lu Changsheng—his usual vitality was missing.

Her Nascent Soul divine sense swept out, immediately picking up on the truth.

“So it’s just an incarnation created by a treasure?”

Even if the Three Treasure Incarnation looked, acted, and felt identical to Lu Changsheng,

Yun Wanshang was a Nascent Soul cultivator who had explored the Sealing Demon Realm and lived closely with Lu Changsheng for years.

Even a hint of difference in his spirit or aura was enough—she could tell immediately.

Once his true self left, this incarnation was little more than a puppet, likely controlled by Lu Miaoge at the moment.

“Hmph.” Yun Wanshang thought about how she’d spent days avoiding one of Lu Changsheng’s incarnations and couldn’t help but feel both annoyed and embarrassed.

Right now, the entire Huarong Immortal City buzzed with excitement.

Everyone was talking about the war, wishing they could charge at the Barebody Sect right away.

After all, it was yet another brilliant victory.

And seeing Yangming True Lord, invincible as ever, easily slay True Lord Qianren—how could they not celebrate?

Conversations swirled not just about Yangming True Lord or Damengze Immortal City and whether True Lord Qianren’s Nascent Soul could escape,

But also about the Talisman Lu Family and Lu Changsheng.

Lu Changsheng, Lu Miaoge, and Lu Wangshu fought as one, their combined talisman formation displaying overwhelming late Core Formation power in this battle—an incredible feat.

On top of that, there was the close connection between the Talisman Lu Family and Damengze Immortal City.

“The Talisman Lu Family’s talisman heritage really is extraordinary.”

“With enough preparation, talisman cultivators can defeat stronger enemies across realms. And this Changsheng True Lord is a top talisman master. Now with the three of them together, few Core Formation cultivators could match them.”

“Lu Wangshu, though—she’s the truly impressive one. I heard she just broke through to Core Formation, yet her talisman skills are already this profound.”

“What kind of genius is Changsheng True Lord, to have a son like Lu Qingshan, a sword prodigy, and a daughter like Lu Wangshu, a talisman prodigy?”

“Not just that—Qingxian True Lord is also his son. Rumor is she’s a concubine’s child, but she still rose so far, even getting chosen by Damengze Immortal City’s Lady, and taken as a disciple.”

“With that connection, the Talisman Lu Family is bound to rise as a top power beneath the Nascent Soul level.”

“True—and it looks like Lu Wangshu and the Young Lord of Damengze Immortal City are quite close. They might even become Dao companions one day.”

Throughout the city, many cultivators discussed the Lu Family with evident awe, admiration, and a touch of envy.

They marveled at the family’s talisman prowess, but also envied Lu Changsheng for having three such gifted children.

Lu Qingshan, Lu Qingxian, and Lu Wangshu—any one of them could have made a Core Formation family thrive for generations.

Yet Lu Changsheng had all three, and each granted the family crucial social connections.

“Qingshan, stay close to Changsheng True Lord these days—see if you can get an audience with Yangming True Lord.”

“Just a few words from him could transform your sword Dao, and his guidance on the Great Metal Sword Technique would help you tremendously.”

Immortal Tian Yuan, in a bright red dress and holding a wine gourd, gave Lu Qingshan earnest advice.

She’d witnessed True Lord Yangming unleashing the Nine-Leaf Sword Technique, sword light tearing through heaven and earth.

Though not a sword cultivator herself, nor trained in the Great Metal Sword Technique, she’d studied it deeply over the years for her own legacy.

She could see that Yangming True Lord’s sword Dao shared much with her sect’s sword technique—only even more forceful, destructive, and overwhelming.

That form of sword Dao happened to align closely with Lu Qingshan’s own style.

If Yangming True Lord could advise him, he’d benefit enormously.

In the past, she could take Lu Qingshan to Heavenly Sword Sect or other places herself.

But for someone like Yangming True Lord, her own status and connections weren’t enough—it was up to Lu Qingshan now.

Fortunately, Lu Qingshan’s father, Changsheng True Lord, was the deputy city lord of Damengze Immortal City.

“Based on the intelligence, Changsheng True Lord’s relationship with Damengze Immortal City is deeper than it looks. If he would petition for you, Yangming True Lord might just give you guidance.”

She thought it over in her heart.

Golden Sun Sect had no resident Nascent Soul True Lord.

And without one, trying to nurture even a single Nascent Soul cultivator was nearly impossible.

For hundreds of years, countless cultivators like herself had struggled for that single chance.

Lu Qingshan’s sword talent was unmatched, and he had real hope for that breakthrough.

If he could build a connection to Damengze Immortal City or Yangming True Lord, it would greatly increase his chances.

So she wasn’t the only one—

Right now, the whole Golden Sun Sect hoped Lu Qingshan could earn Yangming True Lord’s favor and mentorship.

“Don’t worry, Master. My father already promised: after the war, I’ll return to Bihu Mountain with Xiaozhu, and he’ll introduce me to Yangming True Lord.”

Lu Qingshan understood his master’s and the sect’s hopes, so he made it up without hesitation.

After all, building a public connection with Damengze Immortal City and Yangming True Lord meant gaining powerful backers and raising his own status in the sect.

“Really?”

Immortal Tian Yuan’s eyes lit up, her gaze sparkling like a sky full of stars.

She immediately grew serious, saying, “Don’t let this chance slip by.”

“Now that True Lord Yuanqi’s body and Qi have crumbled, after the war, True Lord Hunyuan will use every resource to raise a third Nascent Soul cultivator. The Nascent Soul opportunity he promised might not go to you.”

“But if you earn Yangming True Lord’s favor, reaching Nascent Soul will be far easier—you won’t have to struggle the way I did.”

She drank heartily from her wine gourd, letting out a regretful sigh.

After centuries running around for a Nascent Soul breakthrough, she understood more than ever the value of a good backing.

In Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, even Core Formation you could rely on talent and hard work.

But Nascent Soul—without someone powerful covering you—was nearly impossible.

She envied the children of Nascent Soul True Lords. Unless terribly untalented or weak-willed, Core Formation was almost guaranteed for them.

The odds for breaking through to Nascent Soul were countless times higher than for cultivators in lesser families.

“Master, how confident are you in making the Nascent Soul breakthrough?”

Lu Qingshan knew she’d exhausted herself chasing that chance year after year, always sighing with fatigue. He couldn’t help but ask.

“Once this war ends, if I can rent a fourth-rank spiritual vein from True Lord Hunyuan or True Lord Ziguang thanks to merit, then maybe thirty percent.”

Immortal Tian Yuan let out a sigh.

Making the leap to Nascent Soul was terribly difficult.

No Huaying Pill, no top-tier spirit items or tribulation items—just a few ordinary ones meant life-and-death risk.

And even that thirty percent was only possible because her cultivation method gave her an edge.

There couldn’t be any interruptions, unexpected accidents, or heart demon tribulation going out of control.

The slightest misstep was a disaster—failure meant death.

So she could never decide whether to attempt the breakthrough or not.

If she left it, she’d still have over a hundred years of life.

But after struggling so long for Nascent Soul, she couldn’t give up at the last step—she’d regret it forever.

Lu Qingshan knew her thirty percent odds were for the human path to Nascent Soul.

He paused, then asked quietly, “Master, if someone could help you break through to Nascent Soul, but the price was becoming their concubine or servant, would you do it?”

“What? There’s a deal like that?!”

Immortal Tian Yuan’s eyes went wide, swearing aloud.

Then she puckered her lips in contempt. “Forget being a concubine or servant, I’d be a slave—I’d work as a pack mule if it got me to Nascent Soul.”

“…?!”

Lu Qingshan had always known his master didn’t care much for dignity,

But he’d never imagined she wouldn’t hesitate for a second.

“Master, have you no pride? What about your dignity as a late-stage Core Formation expert?”

He couldn’t help but laugh helplessly.

“Pride? Dignity? Can you eat those for dinner?”

Immortal Tian Yuan took a swig from her gourd, looking utterly lazy and unconcerned.

She clapped Lu Qingshan’s shoulder, her voice deep with meaning: “Qingshan, you’re still young—you can’t grasp how hard Nascent Soul is, or how tempting it is.”

“With a deal like that, you’d have people fighting to line up!”

“If some female Nascent Soul True Lord fancies you, don’t cling to pride. Better to bow first and rise later—save yourself a hundred years of struggle.”

“And if you meet a Nascent Soul’s daughter, don’t waste the chance. Don’t be like Shen Yu and regret it later.”

She spoke with such heartfelt earnestness.

To this day, she still regretted Lu Qingshan refusing the daughter of True Person Wuji.

True Person Wuji had unfortunately died in the Liang-Yue war,

But their connections and influence remained.

If Lu Qingshan had married Shen Yu, True Lord Hunyuan would certainly have favored and nurtured him.

“Wow, what kind of mentor are you? I’m not shameless like you.”

Lu Qingshan was at a loss.

He, Lu Qingshan, was born for greatness—how could he live off others?

He quickly added in a guarded tone, “Yan Yuan, say whatever you like to me, but don’t let Xiaozhu pick up your twisted worldview.”

Immortal Tian Yuan shot him a look, “As if I don’t know your temperament by now.”

“Xiaozhu would never take after you.”

She might be bold and free-spirited, but she only joked this way with Lu Qingshan because she knew his true nature.

On the surface, he seemed cold, aloof, incredibly proud and confident, caring little for others.

But in a crisis, so long as it wasn’t against his core values, he’d always adapt and do what had to be done—dropping pride and dignity as needed.

Completely different from the gentle, quiet Lu Qingzhu.

With Lu Qingzhu, Immortal Tian Yuan actually behaved properly as a teacher.

“Don’t imagine everyone’s like you.”

Lu Qingshan retorted, refusing to admit his own lack of pride (though only a little).

Immortal Tian Yuan couldn’t be bothered to argue, and swaggered off with her wine gourd.

As she reached the edge of the courtyard, she paused and glanced back. “Qingshan, if you ever get an opportunity that good, be sure to tell me. Don’t forget how I raised you from a kid.”

“Get lost!”

Lu Qingshan shook his head, completely speechless at his master.

Not long ago, he’d actually considered asking his father, who’d just captured so many Nascent Soul cultivators, for some Nascent Soul items, tips, or secret techniques to help his master.

Given their long history as master and disciple, maybe his father would help out.

But after seeing his master so utterly shameless, he didn’t dare bring it up.

He was afraid she’d try to cling to his family.

He really didn’t mind if his master became his stepmother,

But just imagining the scene made him shudder.

“Forget it.”

Lu Qingshan shook off all thoughts of his master, heading off to find his sister Lu Qingzhu so they could go meet their father and stepmother together.