Chapter 889: Concubine, Bloodline Ascends!

“Now that this war is over, we can finally take a breather.”

True Lord Juejian gazed at the corpse of the fourth-rank Dragon-Croc sprawled across the ravaged Beast God Mountain, taking in a deep breath before slowly speaking.

With the help of Lu Changsheng—the Lord of Dameng City—and Yangming True Lord, the Liang-Yue War that had raged for years ended in a decisive victory, barely costing them anything.

Still, decades of war had left the three kingdoms badly depleted.

“I’m afraid the tree longs for peace but the wind won’t stop blowing.”

True Lord Xuanjian stared out toward the Central Domain, his voice a gentle murmur swept away by the wind.

It was hardly a secret that the Seven Demonic Sects might stir up another great conflict; whispers had been circulating for a long time.

But rumors were just rumors.

Now, with the Blood Sea Sect—one of those seven—showing up in this remote corner and meddling in the cultivator world’s war, it was hard not to overthink things.

“Didn’t you see this coming, Senior Brother?”

True Lord Juejian knew his senior brother had been preparing for a war like this all along.

True Lord Xuanjian didn’t reply directly. Instead, he simply instructed, “Let’s let True Lord Hunyuan, True Lord Ziguang and Caiyun True Lord know what happened at Beast God Mountain.”

“Alright.” True Lord Juejian nodded.

Meanwhile, at the Barebody Sect—

After hearing of True Lord Qianren’s death, True Lord Yunmei and True Lord Nightmare Eye immediately gathered the sect elites and Beast God Mountain loyalists, heading straight for Yuan Kingdom to escape.

True Lord Hunyuan and True Lord Ziguang lay in wait outside, hoping to pursue and intercept them after their victory.

But those fleeing were the elite forces of Liang Kingdom, and they rode warships.

With True Lord Yunmei and True Lord Nightmare Eye—two Nascent Soul cultivators—shielding their retreat, even if Hunyuan and Ziguang acted, all they could do was harass them a little.

They notified True Lord Xuanjian, True Lord Juejian and Yun Wanshang.

But these three couldn’t make it in time to help.

Knowing it was impossible for True Lord Yunmei and Nightmare Eye to evacuate every disciple and scrap of resources from the Barebody Sect, Hunyuan and Ziguang gave up the chase and instead locked down the sect, clearing the grounds and waiting for Yun Wanshang to arrive with her army.

At that moment, a message arrived from True Lord Juejian.

“What—Beast God Mountain has fallen? The Demonic Mastermind was repelled, and True Lord Nine Spirits was captured by Yangming True Lord?”

Reading the news, Hunyuan and Ziguang exchanged stunned looks—shock and disbelief etched on their faces.

As Nascent Soul cultivators of Yue Kingdom, they’d dealt with True Lord Nine Spirits many times and knew just how strong he was.

Even if both of them combined their strength, they could only barely fight him to a draw.

How had Yangming True Lord managed to capture True Lord Nine Spirits and drive off the Demonic Mastermind at the same time?

The whole thing felt impossible.

Hadn’t Yangming True Lord just slain True Lord Qianren? How long ago was that?

In the blink of an eye, he went from Huarong Immortal City all the way to Beast God Mountain, handled both True Lord Nine Spirits and the Demonic Mastermind? Unbelievable.

The two were awestruck, desperate to know the real strength of Yangming True Lord.

How could he deal with both so swiftly?

But urgent messaging talismans were precious—no way to hold a real conversation. They merely relayed the Barebody Sect’s status.

They reported that True Lord Yunmei and True Lord Nightmare Eye withdrew with a handful of sect elites, unable to go all out in their escape.

If Yangming True Lord and the others still had the energy, this was their last chance to intercept before the fugitives reached Yuan Kingdom.

“…”

True Lord Juejian got the message, his face twitching before passing the news to Lu Changsheng.

“If they got away, they got away.”

In his cave residence, Lu Changsheng remained calm while setting a new high-grade Spirit Stone into Qian Zhuyan.

He was exhausted, his magical energy mostly drained—there was not a single thought of chasing after True Lord Yunmei and True Lord Nightmare Eye.

“Xiao Yan, how long will it take you to repair your puppet body and the Puppet Battle Formation?”

Although Qian Zhuyan had already put away the other puppets, Lu Changsheng had seen that all thirteen were damaged to varying degrees.

“At least ten years.” Qian Zhuyan’s soul-fire burned dimly in her eyes; her voice came out hoarse, full of heartache.

“Tell me what materials you need,” Lu Changsheng said, “fixing the rest isn’t urgent—you can consider just crafting a new fourth-rank puppet.”

He figured patching up all thirteen wouldn’t boost her strength much—better to focus on building more powerful fourth-rank puppets to bolster her own puppet body.

“Alright.” Qian Zhuyan replied softly, clearly dejected.

Those thirteen puppets had cost her a huge amount of effort.

In formation, they could even hold off veteran Nascent Soul-level cultivators.

Yet just facing Mo Luo had left them half-ruined.

Qian Zhuyan was all too aware she had fallen behind Lu Changsheng’s pace.

He just improved too quickly.

After that, Lu Changsheng spent his days resting at a fourth-rank cave residence on Beast God Mountain.

All the business of Beast God Mountain and Liang Kingdom fell to True Lord Xuanjian, Hunyuan and the others to settle.

When True Lord Juejian arrived at Beast God Mountain with his troops, and Caiyun True Lord brought hers to the Barebody Sect to clear the battlefield, the Liang-Yue War was finally over—completely and utterly.

The remaining powers of Liang Kingdom either scattered in panic or surrendered.

Half a month later, Heavenly Sword Sect and Hunyuan Sect took control of all the top fourth-rank spiritual veins and Dao fields in Liang Kingdom, and the surviving native factions almost all submitted.

That day, True Lord Xuanjian notified Lu Changsheng—inviting him to examine Beast God Mountain’s treasury together.

“The treasury, huh…”

Lu Changsheng had been a little eager for Beast God Mountain’s vaults.

But once inside, his hopes were dashed.

Compared to Zhenhai Sect’s treasury, it was no contest.

All that was left were unwieldy lumps of crystal-iron ore and monster beast materials—nothing easily portable.

“True Lord Nine Spirits probably sent someone to evacuate most of the sect’s precious resources before the fall.”

True Lord Xuanjian spoke heavily, realizing the treasury couldn’t possibly be so empty otherwise.

“Yeah.”

Lu Changsheng watched Xuanjian break the protective array himself—no prior access—so it had to be True Lord Nine Spirits who’d evacuated most valuables or stashed them elsewhere.

As they walked through the treasury, they tucked away any treasures or spirit materials they found worthwhile.

Sure, Beast God Mountain’s vaults couldn’t compare to Zhenhai Sect—but compared to Yin Ghost Sect, they weren’t bad at all.

“Feel free to pick out what you want, Daoist Xuanjian.”

Lu Changsheng naturally treated the treasury as his spoils, letting True Lord Xuanjian take a small share.

Xuanjian didn’t protest—just took his allotted portion without a word.

After dividing the rest, True Lord Xuanjian handed Lu Changsheng two Jade Slips.

One held records of current resources, surviving cultivators and the mountain’s business holdings.

The other had details about Jiang Kingdom and Heavenly Sword Mountain.

“Fellow Yangming, with both nations moving, there are countless resources, personnel and factions that need dividing. Take a look.”

True Lord Xuanjian’s tone was sincerely respectful.

Now that Liang Kingdom was pacified, he was eager to bring order and use the momentum of fortune to try breaking through to mid-stage Nascent Soul.

“Alright.”

Lu Changsheng read Xuanjian’s attitude and probed both Jade Slips with his divine sense.

Just as he thought, Heavenly Sword Sect intended to move into Liang Kingdom, planning to take along Luoxia Sect, Beast Spirit Sect and related powers.

Truthfully, True Lord Xuanjian wanted even Azure Cloud Sect to come—but deep down, he suspected Yangming True Lord, Lord of Dameng City, was likely Yun Wanshang’s Dao companion, the famed Kirin Sword Lord.

Given that, it wasn’t wise to push further—unless Yun Wanshang wanted to use her battlefield merits to claim a fourth-rank spiritual vein for Azure Cloud Sect.

“We’ll sort out details and divvy up the spoils after we gather with Hunyuan, Ziguang and Caiyun True Lord. Then we can discuss the transfer in depth.”

Lu Changsheng voiced his thoughts.

Even if Hunyuan Sect, Purple Light Sect and Azure Cloud Sect hadn’t contributed much to the war, as Nascent Soul True Lords they certainly had a place at the table.

Lu Changsheng had no problem sharing the gains fairly.

Beyond the vault, Beast God Mountain still had other valuable places.

For example, the Transmission Pavilion: a library of the sect’s collected cultivation methods and manuals.

Though it likely didn’t hold the core sect secrets, there were still many techniques amassed through the years.

The Beast Nourishing Valley was another—a haven for spirit pets and demon beasts.

Plenty of high-ranked beasts had been taken away, yet there were still many left behind, even a top-tier detachment of spiritual soldiers.

Only True Lord Nine Spirits could command this warband—no one else could seize them.

“No wonder Beast God Mountain held onto its Nascent Soul strength for so long. Even stripped down, it’s still richer than Yin Ghost Sect ever was.”

Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but marvel as he strolled the mountain.

He didn’t linger. After one sweep, he returned to his cave, gave his storage pouch a light pat.

“Buzz—”

A delicate ancient furnace, beautifully contoured like a goddess lying in repose, appeared in the palm of his hand.

As the lid slid open, the spirit body of True Lord Nine Spirits—tightly wrapped in silver threads—dropped into Lu Changsheng’s grasp.

That was the Nascent Soul of True Lord Nine Spirits.

“Daoist Nine Spirits.”

Lu Changsheng looked directly at the dim, weakened soul clutched in his hand.

Earlier, he had planned to subdue the Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain, placing her in charge as overseer for the sect’s legacy, disciples and the border of Myriad Beasts Mountain Range.

But now he had a better candidate.

“Yangming True Lord, the victor claims all. I’ve fallen into your hands, so there’s nothing left to say.”

True Lord Nine Spirits was already seriously wounded after that siege, having burned his own Nascent Soul essence.

After trying to self-destruct, Lu Changsheng forcefully interrupted, dealing his spirit body another severe blow. Now he was barely holding on.

Seeing Lu Changsheng let him out, he blinked, his voice still hard and proud—then he shut his eyes, refusing further talk.

The strong thrive, the weak perish.

He’d lost—no point begging for mercy.

If not for the silver Binding Divine Net pinning him, he might have tried to destroy his very soul.

“Daoist Nine Spirits, you’re a true warlord. But what about your descendants?”

“You must have seen earlier, in my Spirit Treasure, that True Lord Youyue is still alive.”

“If you agree to serve me, I’ll let the Holy Maiden live.”

“From what I know, you already spirited away your bloodline kin and the sect’s best talents. But if you die, can you really trust that anyone will care for them or rebuild Beast God Mountain ever again?”

Lu Changsheng’s words came slow and steady.

This man had more contact with the Demonic Mastermind than anyone. If Lu Changsheng could bring him to his side, he’d learn much about the Blood Sea Sect’s plans.

Besides, relying solely on the Divine Maiden’s Furnace to warp the Holy Maiden’s mind was never going to fully work.

He could force her to obey for a while, but if he left for too long, she’d snap out of it.

So he hatched a new idea.

Win over True Lord Nine Spirits through the Holy Maiden—and then, use him to soften her up in turn.

During the Liang-Yue War, Lu Changsheng realized one thing: he didn’t have nearly enough people he could trust or rely on.

Once he claimed Jiang Kingdom, his time would be stretched even thinner.

If he could subdue both of them, someone else could run things for him.

As for the grudge between him and Beast God Mountain…

“Are you really willing to just give in? If not for the Demonic Mastermind, would your sect have ended up this way?”

“Serve me, and maybe I’ll even help rebuild Beast God Mountain with you.”

Lu Changsheng knew from research and observation that True Lord Nine Spirits cared deeply about the sect’s legacy.

If he didn’t, he would have abandoned everything long ago and sought his own breakthrough to mid-stage Nascent Soul elsewhere—he certainly had the talent for it.

True Lord Nine Spirits opened his eyes, staring at Lu Changsheng in his black robe; the calm look on his face made the former waver.

He knew full well his sect’s destruction was thanks in large part to this man right here.

And yet, his hatred for Mo Luo cut just as deep.

If Mo Luo hadn’t sidestepped danger at every turn, always pushing behind the scenes, Beast God Mountain never would have fallen so far.

And Mo Luo hadn’t hesitated for a second to abandon him!

“Better to end a feud than make it worse. Think it over, Daoist. Beast God Mountain might be gone, but serve me and you could lead what’s left to start again.”

“As for True Lord Youyue… I won’t just spare her. I’ll even grant her an official place as concubine.”

Lu Changsheng pressed on, showing his goodwill.

For any proud Nascent Soul cultivator to become someone’s concubine was an outright humiliation.

But Yangming True Lord was hardly just any Nascent Soul practitioner.

An offer like that—especially to a defeated captive—was a blessing.

With that said, Lu Changsheng ended the conversation, sealing True Lord Nine Spirits away in the Divine Maiden’s Furnace again.

Staring at the sealed senses of the Holy Maiden inside the furnace, Nine Spirits fell silent.

Of all his descendants, the most gifted was the Holy Maiden, who’d broken into Nascent Soul.

Sure, Mo Luo had helped—but good fortune played its part too.

“A concubine… rebuild Beast God Mountain…”

For a heart that had given up, the flame had ignited once again deep inside.

[Detected: Offspring bloodline evolution. Effect conflicts present. Integrate changes?]

Just as Lu Changsheng sat down to meditate, a system prompt echoed in his mind, leaving him stunned.

Offspring bloodline evolution?

Bloodline, not spirit body!

Only two of his children possessed true spirit bloodlines.

Daughter Lu Baixi, who had the White Snake bloodline.

Daughter Mu Que, who had the Heavenly Phoenix Bloodline.

Lu Baixi was home cultivating, preparing to break through to third-rank—no way her bloodline was evolving.

And hers was already among the very best; another leap would put her close to a Dao Body.

That left Mu Que.

A system screen appeared before his eyes:

[Name: Mu Que]

[Lifespan: 28/161]

[Talent: Three-grade Spirit Root]

[Cultivation: Peak Qi Refining]

[Gift: Space (63%)]

No bloodline data listed there.

“System, integrate!” Lu Changsheng inhaled and steeled himself, eager to see his daughter’s bloodline ascend.

With his current resources, he could already help his children cultivate postnatal spirit bodies, or find treasures to boost them.

But Mu Que was barely at the ninth stage of Qi Refining—what kind of fortune would she need to advance her bloodline on her own?

Suddenly, Lu Changsheng felt the Heavenly Phoenix powers tied to his Chaos Body growing stronger and more condensed.

If before, Mu Que’s innate bloodline was only middle class, now she was just a half step from reaching the highest tier—a true top-tier spirit body.

Such a leap was immense.

“How did Mu Que get this opportunity? Did Qingluan True Lord find her after leaving seclusion?”

Lu Changsheng wondered, pulling out divination tools—tortoise shell and copper coins—linking his own paternal bloodline as a medium, trying to read her fortunes.

Yet her fate had become deeper, shrouded beneath a mist that shielded her destiny.

Was this Qingluan, or something else at play?

Lu Changsheng frowned, unable to tell where that cloud of mystery came from—all he knew was, it was vast, and even if he pushed the cost, he couldn’t break through it.