Chapter 898: Qu Changge’s Astonishment!

“Chensha is currently in the Immortal City of Damengze, getting ready to attempt Core Formation. You can go see him if you want.”

Hong Lian understood Xu Ruoyin’s feelings for Lu Changsheng were incredibly complicated.

Rather than trying to persuade her directly, she used Lu Chensha’s situation to show Xu Ruoyin that Lu Changsheng held no prejudice against her.

He’d always been thinking of her, and was especially attentive to Lu Chensha.

The truth was, even if Lu Chensha didn’t receive the most care from Lu Changsheng, thanks to his beast-taming talent, “Beast Art,” and his work raising Iron Fire Ants, he’d earned Lu Changsheng’s respect.

Not only did he obtain the Defiled God Insects, a heaven-rank spirit insect, he also got a third-rank Phantom Mink in advance.

His fifth-grade Spirit Root was upgraded to fourth-grade with the Heaven Mending Pills from Lu Wangshu.

Thanks to cultivating the Beast Art, his fifth-grade Spirit Root was already comparable to a top-grade one, so forming his core was practically a sure thing.

Once he successfully contracts the Phantom Mink, with the top-tier Core Formation spirit items Lu Changsheng prepared, there’s a very high chance he’ll form an Immortal Golden Core!

“Chensha’s in the Immortal City of Damengze?” Xu Ruoyin was surprised.

That city wasn’t a great place for beast tamers or insect controllers like her or Lu Chensha to train.

The moment they went near water, their battle power would drop by thirty percent, making it hard to fight at full strength.

“Yes.” Hong Lian nodded, making clear Chensha had done well, which was why she’d brought him here to cultivate.

“Thank you for taking care of him, Senior Hong Lian.”

Xu Ruoyin hadn’t spent much time with Lu Chensha, and her feelings toward this son were incredibly tangled.

Still, she knew that without Hong Lian’s guidance, Lu Chensha could never have accomplished so much.

“Xu girl, there’s no need for such distance between us.”

Hong Lian smiled softly. She could sense that every time she and Xu Ruoyin parted, they grew a little more distant.

After chatting for a bit, the pair headed for the City Lord’s Mansion.

Just then, Xu Ruoyin’s expression wavered, as if she wanted to say something but stopped herself.

“What’s wrong, Xu girl?”

Hong Lian had long since noticed Xu Ruoyin seemed to be troubled, and sensed she’d changed a lot since last time they’d parted.

“Senior Hong Lian.”

Xu Ruoyin bit her lip, hesitated, then looked up at Hong Lian and said, “After I broke through to Core Formation, it felt like something clicked—I started to recall fragments of memories from deep within my sea of consciousness.”

She’d pierced through the haze of birth, awakening a sliver of past life memories.

Those memories, though, were incomplete and fuzzy.

If she wanted to recover more and gain her former understanding and foundation, the simplest and fastest way was to break through to a higher cultivation realm.

But her past self had left the Beast Taming Ancient Rune and Hong Lian as the main plans for this moment.

Now, Hong Lian had rebuilt her physical body and married Lu Changsheng, and as for the beast rune, it was in Lu Changsheng’s hands.

It was impossible to get it back by any other means now.

So she decided to be honest.

She would tell Hong Lian—and Lu Changsheng—the truth about being a mighty cultivator reincarnated.

Mainly, after seeing Lu Changsheng, in such a short span, defeat six Nascent Soul True Lords solo, she knew she stood no chance of resisting and could only accept her fate.

And her feelings for Lu Changsheng were complicated as ever.

There was humiliation and fear, but also awe, surrender, gratitude, and a strange growing affection.

“You broke through the prenatal fog!?”

Hong Lian’s beautiful eyes widened in surprise.

Breaking through the pre-birth haze and awakening past life memories didn’t always mean you were a reincarnated powerful cultivator.

But if you only reached Core Formation and already remembered a previous life, your former self had to be remarkable—at the very least, a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Besides, Hong Lian had pondered Xu Ruoyin’s situation years ago.

First, Xu Ruoyin found the Beast Taming Ancient Rune and used it to awaken her.

Second, aside from Xu Ruoyin and Lu Chensha, no one else in the Lu Family had managed to master the Beast Art.

Hong Lian suspected Lu Chensha’s ability to practice the Beast Art was related to Xu Ruoyin.

But she’d checked over Lu Chensha’s physical condition and never found any hidden spirit body or similar traits.

Now, after hearing this, she realized it likely came from something inherited in his bloodline or soul.

As Xu Ruoyin’s son, Lu Chensha inherited or was affected by her soul’s special characteristics.

It was probably this spiritual trait that let Lu Chensha learn the Beast Art in the first place.

“Your past life was from the Northern Plains?” Hong Lian fixed her gaze on Xu Ruoyin, asking.

Her own former life originated from the cultivation world of the Northern Plains.

Back then, she had been exploring the ruins of what was likely the ancient Ascension Ice Palace.

But as soon as the ruins were opened, she was affected. She fought her old rival from the Ice God Palace—also a Nascent Soul cultivator—and even self-destructed her Nascent Soul.

The next thing she knew, she’d awakened inside the Beast Taming Ancient Rune.

She’d always wanted to get to the bottom of what happened, to return to the Northern Plains, and to visit Vermillion Bird Palace again.

“I’m not sure either. My memories are so blurry and incomplete, like a fog has covered them all.”

Xu Ruoyin shook her head.

“A fog covering your memories?” Hong Lian immediately realized Xu Ruoyin’s situation was highly unusual.

She wanted to probe further.

But Xu Ruoyin’s openness wasn’t just to talk—she wanted help.

Hong Lian didn’t mind helping, but right now she had to focus on her own preparations for the Nascent Soul breakthrough, and she needed to oversee things here in the Immortal City.

Plus, since Xu Ruoyin’s case involved a reincarnated mighty cultivator and her relationship with Lu Changsheng was so complex, Hong Lian felt it best to wait until Lu Changsheng returned.

“Xu girl, why don’t you stay at the city for now? My husband headed to the Yue Kingdom front lines not long ago. Now that the Liang-Yue War has ended, he should be back soon. You can talk to him then.”

Hong Lian paused for a moment, then spoke up.

Xu Ruoyin had wanted to ask about the beast rune—if Hong Lian had it, she could try to open it and use its inheritance to raise a new spirit pet.

But after hearing Hong Lian’s answer, she realized she’d need Lu Changsheng’s approval first.

“Alright.” She sighed softly inside, choosing not to make things hard on Hong Lian. Together, they went to the City Lord’s Mansion to visit Lu Chensha.

But her feelings toward Lu Chensha were tangled, and Lu Chensha himself had never been close to a mother he’d barely seen since childhood.

“Sigh.” Hong Lian looked at the mother and son—so stiff and awkward—and quietly tried to ease things between them.

Lu Changsheng was completely unaware of Xu Ruoyin’s situation.

At the same time, he and Qu Zhenzhen flew to the Jin Kingdom, Yin Ghost Sect, aboard Qu Changge’s Spirit Treasure flying boat.

“Husband, is Quanzhen here?”

Qu Zhenzhen knew the Jin Kingdom was a demonic nation.

But seeing the ghostly Yin Ghost Sect, shrouded in sinister clouds and eerie mists, she couldn’t help frowning. How could anyone live in such a place?

She really didn’t like it, and even felt repulsed.

“Yes, this is the Yin Ghost Sect.”

Lu Changsheng knew his wife was influenced by the Auspicious Tree and couldn’t stand places with too much yin energy, so he squeezed her hand to shield her from it, then activated the communication talisman to contact their son, Lu Quanzhen.

Soon after, a rainbow streak shot out from the depths of the Yin Ghost Sect.

“Father, Mother… Uncle?”

Lu Quanzhen saw three figures atop the purple-blue magic boat and was shocked.

He hadn’t expected his father would bring his mother along this time.

But what surprised him most was seeing his uncle, Qu Changge, in his signature black robe covered in swirling cloud patterns.

“You’re… Quanzhen?”

Qu Zhenzhen saw the young man call her ‘Mother’ and gave him a good look.

But at the moment, Lu Quanzhen’s appearance was altered with disguise, so she didn’t recognize him at first glance.

“Mother, it’s me.” A shadow ran across Lu Quanzhen’s face as he undid the disguise.

Still, he shot his father a confused look, not understanding why his uncle was here.

“Quanzhen, this is your uncle.”

Qu Zhenzhen’s face lit up with joy as she introduced her son.

But just as she spoke, she paused—her son had recognized Qu Changge as his uncle right away.

“Huh?” Qu Zhenzhen looked quizzically at her son, then at her brother.

“Long time no see, Quanzhen.” Qu Changge smiled at his nephew, noting he’d already reached Core Formation.

To be fair, for someone with Qu Changge’s experience, seeing his nephew break through wasn’t all that shocking.

But as an elder, you can’t help viewing younger family through rose-tinted glasses.

“Let’s go inside and catch up.”

Lu Changsheng squeezed his wife’s hand, smiling as he looked forward to Qu Changge’s reaction when he learned about his son’s cultivation level.

Qu Changge had always acted disdainful, thinking he’d neglected his niece and nephew.

Now it was time to show off—how far Lu Quanzhen had come under his own careful guidance.

“Father, Mother, Uncle—please, come in.”

Lu Quanzhen opened a rift in the grand array with a formation plate, leading the three into a palace deep in the Yin Ghost Sect.

“Quanzhen, do you really live here? Aren’t you scared?”

Qu Zhenzhen looked at the swirling ghost mist and chilly ghostly halls and couldn’t help asking.

If she’d had to live there alone, there was no way she’d have done it.

“It’s fine.” Lu Quanzhen was a bit speechless at his mother’s questions.

“Oh right, Quanzhen, how did you recognize your uncle?”

Qu Zhenzhen realized her son and her brother were hiding something from her.

Lu Quanzhen quickly recalled that when his uncle had returned, his mother hadn’t been in the loop.

He replied calmly, “Mother, did you forget? When we were little, you made a painting of uncle, so when I saw him, I recognized him at a glance.”

“Oh.” Qu Zhenzhen suddenly remembered and accepted it.

Lu Changsheng: “…”

Qu Changge: “…”

Only Qu Zhenzhen would believe something that easily.

Qu Zhenzhen continued to fuss over her son, asking about his life in the Jin Kingdom and if he’d met any girls he liked.

Lu Changsheng had mentioned offhand he would help his son find a suitable Dao companion, but Qu Zhenzhen had taken it to heart.

Lu Quanzhen was already adept at handling his mother’s concern.

Qu Changge knew his sister wanted her nephew to get married and settle down.

Seeing his sister urge her son, he joined her side, saying, “Quanzhen, you’re not getting any younger. If you’re thinking about starting a family, you should make plans early.”

“If you already have someone in mind, your uncle can help propose a marriage.”

“If you don’t, your uncle can introduce some girls later on.”

As long as his nephew liked someone—even a Nascent Soul cultivator—Qu Changge would help arrange it.

“…” Lu Quanzhen’s face twitched. He looked at his father for help.

Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but wonder what kind of female cultivator Qu Changge would set his son up with, knowing his status and temperament.

He smiled and said, “Ordinary female cultivators won’t be worthy of Quanzhen anymore.”

“???” Lu Quanzhen was speechless.

“Of course.” Qu Changge readily agreed with Lu Changsheng.

“?”

Lu Changsheng noticed Qu Changge hadn’t picked up on his real meaning. He took a sip of tea, his face calm and unruffled. “But Quanzhen has already reached late Core Formation. He should be focusing on preparing for his Nascent Soul breakthrough. No need to rush the marriage.”

“What? Late Core Formation?”

Qu Changge froze. His obsidian gaze locked onto his nephew.

Earlier, Lu Quanzhen had used secret techniques and artifacts to conceal his true level, so Qu Changge hadn’t realized the extent of his breakthrough.

Now, Qu Changge scanned with divine sense, activating his Demonic Eyes, instantly spotting the truth—Lu Quanzhen wasn’t just at Core Formation, he was already at the seventh layer.

More than that, his magical energy surged and his blood energy bristled—he cultivated both body and magic!

“This…”

Even Qu Changge was stunned by his nephew’s achievements.

Back in the day, Lu Quanzhen had only reached the sixth level of Qi Refining.

With his uncle’s help, he’d gotten as far as ninth-level Qi Refining, paving the way for Core Formation.

Now, in a hundred years, to reach the Core Formation realm was already remarkable.

Yet his nephew somehow leaped from the ninth level of Qi Refining all the way to the seventh level of Core Formation!?

And he wasn’t just dual cultivating—his body training had reached late third-rank.

For his age, talent, and physique, even the Tianmo Sect would deem him a top prodigy!

Admittedly, even that couldn’t compare with Qu Changge himself.

But how many people in the world could?

At the same time, Lu Quanzhen felt a chill run down his spine under his uncle’s intense scrutiny, as if he’d been laid completely bare.

Just what kind of cultivation did his uncle have?

With his Kunpeng Body, ordinary Core Formation cultivators couldn’t see through his real body or cultivation at all.

“Did uncle already break through to Nascent Soul?” The thought flashed through Lu Quanzhen’s mind—he could hardly believe it.

His own father had managed a Nascent Soul breakthrough in just a hundred years, which was already unheard of—he must be a reincarnated powerhouse.

But his uncle, too, breaking through in just over a hundred years?

What was going on with this world?

Even with all he’d been through, Lu Quanzhen was left a little dazed.

Lu Changsheng saw Qu Changge’s expression and felt a surge of satisfaction.

He might not be the boastful type…

But every parent feels some pride when showing off their exceptional child.

“Quanzhen, you’ve reached late Core Formation?”

Qu Zhenzhen knew her son had broken through already but didn’t know the specifics. She stared at him in shock.

Was her son now the most powerful in the entire Lu Family, aside from her husband?

“Yeah.” Lu Quanzhen nodded lightly, glancing at his father, who was sipping tea with a faint smile.

“Good, good, good! You’re truly my nephew!”

Qu Changge clapped happily, unable to hide his pride—no wonder the blood of the Qu Clan flowed so deeply!

“Quanzhen, I didn’t really bring a gift this visit, but since I heard these two had harassed you before, take this as my present!”

Qu Changge raised his hand—a giant palm covered with black runes and steeped in dense demonic energy appeared, its fingernails as sharp as blades.

Within that swirling black mist, he clutched two faded figures, fear etched on their faces—Nascent Soul Spirit Bodies.

They were none other than Wu Gu Old Demon and Shi Hai True Lord!