Chapter 890: Dragon-Phoenix Source Fruit—Division of Spoils!

Hengduan Rift Valley, Zhefeng City.

The Hengduan Rift Valley cuts between the Central and Northwestern regions of the Southern Desolation, stretching across the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range.

Legend has it, this rift was formed when a legendary cultivator clashed with a demon emperor from the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range.

No one can say for sure if that’s true.

But one thing’s certain—this rift is dangerously treacherous.

On one hand, it’s filled with demonic miasma, the harsh environment making it unlivable for most cultivators.

On the other, the rift sits right inside the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range and is home to several shapeshifting demon kings who’ve staked out their own demon cities.

These demon cities don’t bar human cultivators from entering, but unlike in Immortal Cities, there’s no order or rules—just brutal, raw survival.

So for low-ranked cultivators, there’s really no room to survive in the rift’s demon cities.

Only those in Core Formation and above, or Nascent Soul True Lords, can make a living here.

This chaotic reputation and central location mean many Core Formation cultivators and even Nascent Soul True Lords come here after hunting demon beasts for business.

Over time, the rift’s demon cities have become a shadowy zone between humans and demons, turning into black markets for trafficking and deals.

Countless human cultivators come to these demon cities to fence stolen goods or hunt for resources and rare treasures.

Many who died in the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range have their artifacts and valuables surface in these demon cities for sale.

Zhefeng City is one such demon city within the Hengduan Rift.

Its city lord is a Fourth-Rank Shapeshifting Demon King, of terrifying strength, bearing the lineage of the Black Phoenix True Spirit.

At this moment, deep within the City Lord’s Mansion of Zhefeng City…

A girl, about twelve or thirteen, sat cross-legged, features steely and almost boyish, her skin wrapped in faint black phoenix-flame tattoos.

“Huh?”

Next to her, an old woman, leaning on a redwood cane, suddenly frowned, sensing someone trying to divine her granddaughter’s destiny.

Though she hadn’t formally cultivated divination, with her level of cultivation, she understood a bit of every Dao.

And just because she never learned divination didn’t mean she couldn’t cultivate fortune-seeking arts or raise her spiritual senses!

She’d been hunted many times, surviving by diving deep into methods to dodge pursuit and avoid being divined.

Lacking divination talent and knowing true mastery only comes from long years of effort, she never pursued the path, but she’d studied it well.

Now, she could tell this diviner wasn’t ordinary.

If it weren’t for the shroud over her granddaughter’s fate and her own destiny interfering, it would’ve been impossible to block such a powerful probe.

“Who is it?” she wondered. “Is the Black Phoenix trying to probe my background through Little Sparrow? Or is it related to the Blood River Valley, drawing a diviner’s attention?”

Still, with her fate interfering and no physical medium, even a fourth-rank diviner would find it hard to deduce Mu Que’s situation.

The old woman’s wrinkled face grew cold, a glassy amber light glinting in her murky eyes as she stared at Mu Que, trying to see who was probing them.

“Bloodline?”

After a while, she sensed the force at work on Mu Que’s bloodline.

“Is the diviner using Little Sparrow’s parents or kin as a medium?”

There are two ways to divine through bloodlines: using actual blood as a medium, or leveraging the connection between a child and their parents.

Though she couldn’t be certain which, the second seemed far more likely.

After all, Mu Que had been wandering for years—it’d be quite the coincidence for a fourth-rank diviner to acquire her blood directly.

And anyway, divining through a few drops of blood is a whole other matter from using the thread of familial connection.

Most fourth-rank lower-grade diviners couldn’t shake her destiny even if they had Little Sparrow’s blood.

“Did Mu Que’s bloodline just get a boost, making her parents sense something?”

The old woman thought so—it wasn’t unusual for cultivator parents and children to sense each other through bloodline, especially for the powerful.

“But is this really all the power that can be channeled through a bloodline?”

Watching the probing force dissipate, she figured the diviner was only at fourth-grade lower-tier.

A fourth-grade diviner is a guest of honor almost anywhere, but for her, it was nothing special.

“Being good at divination doesn’t mean your cultivation matches—the one behind this must at least be a Nascent Soul cultivator.”

Her expression stayed calm and unmoved by profit.

She did hope that, through the girl, she might find a way out of her troubles, but after all this time together there was true affection now.

“I just wonder whether it was Little Sparrow’s father or mother.”

Right now, the old woman found herself looking forward to Mu Que’s Foundation Establishment breakthrough.

She considered peeking into Mu Que’s subconscious memories for clues about her parents.

When she’d helped enhance Mu Que’s bloodline, she realized the girl’s Heavenly Phoenix blood was thin but remarkably pure.

Unlike the usual hybrids, her blood wasn’t muddled.

That meant one of her parents probably possessed a genuine Heavenly Phoenix bloodline!

“Grandma, I feel myself brimming with power, like I’m about to break through to Foundation Establishment on my own.”

At that moment, Mu Que opened her eyes, excitement flickering as she spoke to the old woman.

She knew this was what people called a Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment opportunity.

“It’s a pity—the Black Phoenix Origin doesn’t quite mesh with your Heavenly Phoenix blood. I can only take you this far. But if you ever get your hands on a Dragon-Phoenix Source Fruit, maybe your bloodline could reach the next level—even awaken your Spirit Body’s true potential.”

The old woman watched the young girl with a touch of regret.

With Mu Que’s current state, she could form a perfect Dao foundation—but to her, that was just average, not the ultimate.

“Since you feel the Heavenly Dao Foundation calling, go with that feeling and make the breakthrough.”

“If we get the chance, I’ll take you to search for the Dragon-Phoenix Source Fruit myself.”

She knew pushing Mu Que’s aptitude any further right now would be too much for her body. They’d have to wait for her to reach Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, or stumble upon a genuine top-tier spirit item.

“Thank you, Grandma.” Mu Que pressed her lips together, nodded, and closed her eyes again, focusing on her breakthrough.

Though Grandma looked different from her memories in some ways, Mu Que trusted her completely.

Even if Grandma wanted to hurt her, she’d still accept it—after all, if not for her, she’d have starved or been taken by the Blood River Valley long ago.

Jiang Kingdom, Beast God Mountain.

Lu Changsheng, trying and failing to divine his daughter’s fate, decided to shift his focus to Qingluan True Lord.

Seeing as she was a master diviner, maybe she would sense his attempt from afar.

But since he’d already snapped the feather she gave him for messaging, he no longer had a medium, making divining her fate all but impossible. All he sensed was a vast, inscrutable destiny.

“If Qingluan True Lord finds Little Sparrow, it means she got my message and will hurry back.”

Lu Changsheng gazed toward the Central Southern Desolation, sighing to himself.

He might be unmatched in the northern parts of the Southern Desolation, but if he made his way to its bustling center, he’d only count as upper-mid tier.

Besides, he had endless chores, countless wives and children—he couldn’t just up and leave for the Central Region.

Traveling there from the Jiang Kingdom, even a Nascent Soul cultivator going full speed would take over half a year.

Three days later, True Lord Hunyuan, Caiyun True Lord, and Ziguang True Lord arrived at Beast God Mountain.

Now, all six Nascent Soul True Lords of Jiang and Yue had gathered.

This time, the three looked at Lu Changsheng with even more respect than before.

After all, hunting down four Nascent Soul cultivators, slaying True Lord Qianren, then rushing to Beast God Mountain to take down True Lord Nine Spirits and drive off the Demonic Mastermind—these were feats on a whole different level.

They actually had no idea he’d also taken down the Fourth-Rank Dragon-Croc.

True Lord Xuanjian had quickly silenced news of that event, forbidding anyone present from spreading word.

Not to suppress Lu Changsheng’s rising fame, but to keep outside estimates of his fighting power lower.

Besides, Lu Changsheng, Lord of Dameng City and now known as Yangming True Lord, had a reputation they couldn’t hope to dampen.

Before long, news of Yangming True Lord’s exploits would spread from Liang to Jiang, Yue, Jin, Yuan, and the Endless Desert, eventually reaching every corner of the Northern Southern Desolation.

It might even spread into the Eastern, Southern, and Western Domains, and perhaps even the Central Domain, alerting major forces everywhere that a new Nascent Soul powerhouse had emerged in the north.

Yun Wanshang, seeing Lu Changsheng in dark robe and mantle, scholarly and composed, felt emotions she couldn’t put into words.

True Lord Hunyuan and True Lord Ziguang marveled at his strength, though they lacked the same direct understanding.

She, on the other hand, had witnessed almost every step of Lu Changsheng’s rise—and four years ago, even accompanied him through the breakthrough to Nascent Soul.

It hadn’t even been three and a half years since that breakthrough.

Most would need years just to stabilize their state and master the Divine Abilities of Nascent Soul.

And to master even deeper abilities, comprehend the void, or refine their domain, might take ten years or more.

But Lu Changsheng?

In just over three years, he’d flattened the Yin Ghost Sect in Jin, settled the affair at Starry Sea, pacified the Liang-Yue war, and driven back demonic envoys.

She wasn’t clear on what exactly he’d done at Starry Sea, but she’d heard of his deeds against the Yin Ghost Sect.

The Liang-Yue War? She’d witnessed it herself.

It seemed like only yesterday they had broken through in the Golden-Haired Monoceros Bear’s lair. The memory felt impossibly dreamlike.

Back then, she’d never have dared imagine his rise could be so wild.

“Hunyuan, what’s the situation with the Barebody Sect? Anything to report?”

Seated at the head, Lu Changsheng looked to True Lord Hunyuan.

Of the three who went to handle the Barebody Sect, True Lord Hunyuan was the strongest and most senior, so he led the team.

“Most of the Barebody Sect’s elites escaped under the cover of True Lord Yunmei and True Lord Nightmare Eye.”

“As for our spoils, the sect probably whisked off most valuables in advance.”

True Lord Hunyuan answered, handing a few jade slips to Lu Changsheng and the others.

They had all agreed earlier: like Beast God Mountain, the Barebody Sect’s best people and resources had slipped away.

But for the sake of accountability, they needed a detailed inventory.

Even though Yun Wanshang had arrived right after the city fell, there was always the risk some treasures were skimmed off by the raiders.

It’s the same risk every war brings—when cities or great clans fall, there are always people who pocket whatever they can.

Some experts in tracking or treasure hunting are particularly notorious for stealing away prized items with no way to trace them.

So, as long as the spoils list wasn’t wildly off, Lu Changsheng wouldn’t pursue minor discrepancies.

After reading, Lu Changsheng spoke up: “I suppose you all know the fate of Liang’s territory by now?”

“Indeed,” True Lord Hunyuan and True Lord Ziguang replied. They’d long known Liang would be exchanged for Jiang.

They used to think Liang’s vast lands deserved some compensation elsewhere since they’d put so much in—but seeing Lu Changsheng’s overwhelming strength, none dared protest anymore.

“You’ve all contributed much, especially Caiyun,” Lu Changsheng said, looking around.

“If not for her risking her life, I wouldn’t have been able to take down True Lord Qianren early, and then hurry to Beast God Mountain.”

“Now that Liang’s fate is settled, do you three have any thoughts or requests?”

Yun Wanshang realized he was officially giving her the credit for military merit. Still, hearing she’d risked her life for the kill left her feeling guilty.

If Lu Changsheng hadn’t saved her from True Lord Qianren, she would have landed in dire straits—severely wounded at best, or dead.

Yet as a Nascent Soul True Lord, she kept a composed, regal bearing.

“Yangming True Lord, ever since True Lord Bawu passed, the Wu Kingdom has lacked a Nascent Soul cultivator. Under attack from Liang, it’s been divided up between Yuan and Liang these years. Now that Liang’s pacified and Yuan’s retreated, what do you see happening with Wu?”

True Lord Ziguang stood and bowed, respectfully.

Lu Changsheng cared little about conquering the Wu Kingdom.

Jiang Kingdom was already plenty for his massive family. Snatching Wu would just be adding more work.

It would bring fresh resources, sure, but ruling and managing such a huge stretch of land would eat up all his time and labor—a headache he had no interest in.

Still, if Yun Wanshang wanted it, he could help her nab a Fourth-Rank Spiritual Vein there.

“What’s your position, Ziguang?” Lu Changsheng asked coolly.

“Wu borders the Endless Desert. Cross the dunes and you’re at Yuan,” Ziguang replied.

He wanted Wu, but by merit he didn’t deserve such a prize, so he tried to argue its value down instead.

Everyone present was sharp, so he didn’t push his luck, wrapping up simply: “If you have no plans for Wu, my Purple Light Sect is willing to lead troops to pacify it and turn over all spoils to the alliance treasury. My only request is that Wu be governed by us in the future.”

He looked around the room as he spoke.

True Lord Hunyuan regarded him closely, surprised that his old friend wanted to relocate from Yue to Wu.

On the one hand, Wu offered better resources, but Yue’s position was a little safer.

After so many dealings, Hunyuan could guess: Ziguang was after richer spoils—and maybe wanted a little distance from Yangming True Lord out of caution.

“Any thoughts, everyone?” Lu Changsheng asked.

“No objections on my end, but I doubt Wu’s spoils alone will suffice,” said Hunyuan calmly.

After all, Wu was a wreck after being raided—most valuables had long since been carted off.

True Lord Xuanjian and True Lord Juejian stayed neutral—they had their hands full moving their sect from Jiang to Liang, securing it, cleaning up, rebuilding, tending spirit veins, and managing arrays—plenty to keep them busy and no interest in Wu.

In fact, they were happy to let Ziguang handle it and split the spoils afterward.

Before Yun Wanshang could speak, Lu Changsheng cut in: “Caiyun risked her life in battle hoping to exchange her merit for Bawu Sect’s Fourth-Rank Spiritual Land.”

“I promised her then, and if you want Wu, Ziguang, that’s fine. But your sect will need to trade its Fourth-Rank Spiritual Vein as compensation.”

Lu Changsheng said he had no problems letting Ziguang take Wu, but he’d wanted to help Yun Wanshang get that spiritual vein—and, honestly, didn’t want her to drag the Azure Cloud Sect so far away.

He already spent enough time traveling between Jiang, Jin, Starry Sea, and Da Mengze. If she moved to Wu, seeing his son would mean an even longer trek.

Plus, if Yun Wanshang relocated the Azure Cloud Sect, Xiao Xiyue and Chu Qingyi would likely have to go too.

He’d rather just have the sect’s experts work together to transplant a chunk of spiritual vein from Liang or Wu to help Azure Cloud Sect earn its upgrade.

But that would be incredibly costly—damaging the original vein and draining the fortune of the array masters as well.

So if Ziguang wanted to relocate, having his sect give up the spiritual vein made for a good compromise.

“This sly fox…” Yun Wanshang felt a rare surge of gratitude.

She’d considered asking Xuanjian True Lord to help her relocate some of Liang’s spiritual veins for Azure Cloud Sect, but pride kept her from begging Lu Changsheng.

Unexpectedly, he did all the negotiating for her.

Ziguang’s gaze sharpened as he glanced at Yun Wanshang, then he thought for a while and nodded. “Alright. But I’ll need time to settle Wu and move my sect.”

“Agreed,” Lu Changsheng nodded. So the six divvied up the lands:

Liang went to the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Jiang belonged to the Immortal City of Damengze.

Wu would go to the Purple Light Sect.

And the Purple Light Sect’s spiritual land went to Caiyun for priority exchange.

Still, Azure Cloud Sect didn’t have enough merit to claim the land outright—she’d need to make it up elsewhere.

With the borders settled, it was time to divide the spoils.

Ziguang now had Wu, so he was out of the resource split.

Yun Wanshang, needing to trade merit for spiritual land, stepped out of it too.

So, the Immortal City of Damengze took sixty percent; Hunyuan Sect, twenty-five percent; and Heavenly Sword Sect, fifteen percent.

Though Lu Changsheng did most of the heavy lifting, he didn’t fuss about the resources and even took the initiative to share with the others for the sake of future cooperation.

Hunyuan had worried about having such a formidable neighbor, but seeing Lu Changsheng’s generosity set him at ease—so long as his sect didn’t cross a line, they’d flourish for a hundred years or more.

Ziguang, meanwhile, felt a twinge of regret that skipping straight to Wu had cost him a share of resources—but reminded himself Wu was far richer in the long run.

With the spoils divided, the six discussed various follow-up matters. With that, the council ended.

“I have business to attend to. If anything else comes up, just send a message.”

Lu Changsheng nodded to Xuanjian, Hunyuan, and Caiyun, then left the main hall and—taking the Golden-Winged Roc—departed Beast God Mountain.