Chapter 899: Heavenly Infant Tree and Plans for Tempering

“What is this!?”

As Qu Changge pulled out a hand wreathed in swirling demonic energy, two faint, shadowy Nascent Soul Spirit Bodies materialized. All three present were stunned.

Lu Changsheng saw it right away—this demonic claw wasn’t an ordinary hand. It was actually a Spirit Treasure.

And not just any Spirit Treasure—it ranked among the top-tier spills.

At a glance, he recognized the two weak and hazy Nascent Soul Spirit Bodies as none other than Wu Gu Old Demon and Shi Hai True Lord, the ones who’d once schemed against his son.

He’d planned to use the Zhenhai Seven Sects’ intelligence network to divine their whereabouts and take revenge for his son, maybe even redistribute a little wealth while he was at it.

Who would’ve guessed his helpful brother-in-law would beat him to it and nab them both?

From his own investigation, Shi Hai True Lord was no pushover.

An established Nascent Soul cultivator with impressive combat skills and a reputation equal to Pinghai True Lord.

Now that Qu Changge had captured their Nascent Soul Spirit Bodies, it was clear that his strength had surpassed most veterans in the realm—easily rivaling Lu Changsheng himself.

He knew firsthand, catching Nascent Soul Spirit Bodies was no easy feat. Besides the Nine Calamity Sword’s devastating power, it required mid-fourth-tier body refinement, the Misty Dust Banner, Danghun Bell, and even the Starrealm Compass.

Without these, someone like True Lord Qianren—an escape artist among Nascent Soul cultivators—couldn’t have been caught. Break the Misty Dust Banner’s seal, and he’d slip away with ease.

And if you lacked mid-fourth-tier body refinement, faced with a desperate opponent willing to self-destruct, there’d be no chance to respond in time. They’d slip away right under your nose.

“Not to mention, by the look of it Qu Changge isn’t short on treasures. He’s got a pocket dimension, and now this demonic claw that’s also a top-tier treasure and can imprison Nascent Soul Spirit Bodies.”

“Plus, with a Nascent Soul helper at his side, it’s no wonder he could catch both Wu Gu and Shi Hai.”

Lu Changsheng marveled inwardly at his brother-in-law’s strength and hidden depths.

He couldn’t help but wonder—if he had special advantages, did the other guy too?

Otherwise, breaking through to Nascent Soul in just a hundred years with such overwhelming resources was unthinkable.

“Could Qu Changge be a reincarnated ancestor of the Tianmo Sect? But he doesn’t look like some old monster starting over in a new body…”

Lu Changsheng found himself full of questions. He’d thought about showing off a bit in front of Qu Changge, but now—it was clearly the other way around.

“Wu Gu Old Demon, Shi Hai True Lord?!”

Lu Quanzhen stared at his uncle’s treasure, the two Nascent Soul Spirit Bodies shrouded in black mist. He was momentarily stunned.

Both were well-known Nascent Soul True Lords from the Starry Sea.

How were they now just weak spirits, their forms vague and full of terror?

Lu Quanzhen stared in disbelief at his uncle, his face a mask of confusion.

This reunion was already overwhelming, but what his uncle revealed today was on another level.

“Brother, are those the spirit bodies of Nascent Soul cultivators?”

Qu Zhenzhen echoed the astonishment, eyes wide.

So her brother wasn’t just a Nascent Soul cultivator—he’d even captured two Nascent Soul Spirit Bodies?

Didn’t all the books say Nascent Soul cultivators could seize new bodies or let their souls escape?

If a Nascent Soul left its body, no magic or formation could contain it. It could travel the great void, almost impossible to kill.

So how did her brother actually catch them?

And he’d mentioned these two had hurt Quanzhen.

What was the full story?

Qu Zhenzhen felt dizzy, her mind spinning.

“That’s right—those two.”

Qu Changge responded with a slight smile, clearly satisfied by Lu Changsheng’s and his nephew’s surprise.

He felt his arduous trip to the Starry Sea and the hunt for Shi Hai True Lord had been well worth it.

“Quanzhen, how do you want to handle these two?”

Qu Changge had already sentenced them in his mind.

The only reason he hadn’t killed them immediately was, frankly, that would be too easy on them.

“You’re… Zhao Wuzhen?”

Wu Gu and Shi Hai, weak and trapped in black mist, stared at Lu Quanzhen, instantly recognizing the young man they’d once brought into the Kunpeng Nest.

A moment ago, they’d wondered why they’d been struck by such disaster.

Now it all made sense.

Still, confusion gnawed at them.

Wasn’t this kid a true disciple of the Tianmo Sect?

How could a Tianmo Sect core disciple be the target of such powerful revenge?

If he’d been a future Saint Son or an heir to a Nascent Soul monster, that would at least make sense!

Besides, hadn’t this brat died in the Kunpeng Nest?

Not that there was time now—they went straight to begging for their lives: “Young friend, it’s all a misunderstanding! Back when things went wrong at the Kunpeng Nest, we tried everything we could to help, but couldn’t save you. It’s a relief you’re alright.”

“Exactly! Back then, we even treated you like a disciple and hoped to renew the teacher-student bond.”

Wu Gu Old Demon and Shi Hai True Lord pleaded urgently. Their Nascent Soul Spirit Bodies struggled against the demonic claw, trying to slip into the void.

But the swirling black mist formed chains tight as iron. The shadow of a demon loomed. They couldn’t move. Their forms grew even fainter.

Lu Quanzhen couldn’t help a cold laugh.

He wasn’t a naïve child anymore—did they really think he’d believe a word?

At the Kunpeng Nest, if not for the Demonic Fetus Parasitism Technique and his father’s hidden safeguard to stabilize his soul, he’d have died to the Kunpeng hatchling right then and there.

He definitely wasn’t letting them go after all that.

“Thank you, Uncle. Since they’re now in your hands, I leave their fate to you.”

Lu Quanzhen offered a proper salute—he knew Nascent Soul Spirit Bodies were incredibly rare, the essence of a Nascent Soul cultivator’s life.

To destroy them outright would be a colossal waste.

His own Kunpeng Swallowing Heaven Demon Art included methods for devouring these spirit bodies to strengthen himself, but still—

They were too rare. He couldn’t hope to control that power yet, so he didn’t dare.

Qu Changge was pleased with his nephew’s composure.

He didn’t mind letting his nephew use them for cultivation.

Still, as a master of top-level demonic arts, he knew all too well the dangers of cultivating too quickly with the Kunpeng Swallowing Heaven Demon Art.

To reach this stage already at Quanzhen’s age was mind-blowing. Using the spirits for another leap wouldn’t be a long-term good thing.

Plus, with his sister Qu Zhenzhen nearby, he couldn’t say much about the cultivation specifics.

“I’ll seal these two spirit bodies completely later, then hand them over for you to handle.”

With those words, Qu Changge clenched his fist.

The huge demonic claw surged with black mist, engulfing Wu Gu and Shi Hai before merging into his right hand.

“This Spirit Treasure suits him perfectly—almost like a soul-bound treasure.”

As a fourth-tier weaponsmith and master of the Divine Creation Refinement Art, Lu Changsheng could see what was what.

Though his judgment said Qu Changge hadn’t reached late Nascent Soul and by all rights shouldn’t have access to such a treasure.

So, the Spirit Treasure was probably inherited from someone in his lineage who practiced similar arts.

“Brother-in-law, when you took down Wu Gu Old Demon, did you find a Heavenly Infant Fruit Tree on his island?”

Lu Changsheng directed a respectful question at Qu Changge.

He’d wanted vengeance for the harm to his son, but also intended to seize the Heavenly Infant Fruit Tree from Wu Gu Old Demon’s island for some wealth redistribution.

With the Myriad Spirits Bottle, he could use the Heavenly Infant Tree for a steady supply of the precious fruit.

“You mean this tree?”

With a casual pat of his hand, Qu Changge said calmly.

Immediately, a small tree about three feet tall appeared, its trunk pale gold. It had no branches or leaves, just a single fruit at the top—the shape of a sleeping baby curled into a fist-sized orb.

“Heavenly Infant Fruit!” Lu Changsheng recognized it at once—this was the famous Heavenly Infant Tree.

But, since the whole tree had been uprooted, its life force was waning. The fruit at the top still wasn’t ripe.

If used now, it would at best increase one’s chances of breaking through to Nascent Soul by ten percent—useless for Huaying Pill refining.

“I need this tree. Would you be willing to trade with me?”

Lu Changsheng bowed again and signaled his wife, Qu Zhenzhen, with a glance.

“Brother…” Qu Zhenzhen immediately picked up his cue and stared hopefully at her brother.

Annoyed or not with Lu Changsheng, Qu Changge couldn’t refuse his sister—he waved his hand and tossed the tree, fruit and all, straight over.

“Thank you, Brother-in-law!”

Lu Changsheng might have his grievances about his brother-in-law…

But he had to admit—when Qu Changge acted, he didn’t hold back.

He immediately switched the Yin-Yang Creation Sutra to the Treasure Cauldron Medicine King Scripture, infusing the tree with potent medicinal energy to keep it alive.

He planned to water it with the Myriad Spirits Bottle later to speed up that fruit’s ripening.

“Thanks, Brother.” Qu Zhenzhen was delighted, then looked at Lu Changsheng—did he need her help too?

Her Everlasting Method was quite handy for cultivating rare spirit plants.

Qu Changge just waved her off with a grin. He had no use for the tree—he was already Nascent Soul and didn’t need the resource.

Why hand it into the sect or cash it in for merit? He didn’t need that either.

Anything he wanted, he could just ask the Tianmo Grandmaster. They’d take care of him.

Watching Lu Changsheng’s methods, he was a little impressed.

He wondered—why did the other’s magical aura feel a little off?

“Heavenly Infant Fruit Tree?”

Lu Quanzhen watched his father and uncle talk, still dazed by what a Heavenly Infant Fruit Tree really meant.

It hit him—not only had his uncle captured Wu Gu Old Demon, he’d also wiped out Wu Gu’s Demon Island.

He had no idea how to process his emotions right now.

He’d always thought, after reaching late Core Formation, that if he saw his uncle, maybe he could finally help with something.

But his uncle’s strength was now so far ahead it felt hopeless to catch up.

And the whole thing gave him this strange, unreal sense—like the world wasn’t quite what he thought.

For someone just reaching late Core Formation, he should have been top of the pack anywhere.

At least in the histories of Jiang, Jin, or Yue Kingdoms, such achievements were rare.

But now, his father had broken through to Nascent Soul in a mere hundred years and personally taken out six Nascent Soul True Lords.

Uncle Qu Changge was the same—ascending to Nascent Soul in just over a century and catching both Wu Gu Old Demon and Shi Hai True Lord alive.

What in the world was going on?

Was this the real world of monsters?

Or… was his uncle another reincarnated powerhouse?

“Quanzhen, tell me—what happened with those two men?”

Qu Zhenzhen turned an earnest gaze on her son.

She might have been misled by a few words from her son and Lu Changsheng, but after so many years in the cultivation world, she wasn’t naive about its dangers.

With her son out traveling and advancing so quickly, how could there not be dangers?

“Uh…” Lu Quanzhen quickly skimmed over the Kunpeng Nest incident—just saying they’d taken him into a secret realm and he’d landed in trouble.

But in the end, disaster became blessing—his father showed up in time, saved him, and he gained a great opportunity and breakthrough.

So the four of them chatted for a while.

With Qu Zhenzhen there, the other three spoke carefully, skirting some topics.

Eventually, Lu Changsheng took his wife to visit Meng Xiaochan, Nangong Mili, and Lu Minghuang, leaving Lu Quanzhen to talk with Uncle Qu Changge.

He trusted that Qu Changge would treat his son well.

And he was right.

Qu Changge asked about Lu Quanzhen’s circumstances and was genuinely impressed by his nephew’s growth.

Everything he’d collected from Wu Gu and Shi Hai, he handed directly to Lu Quanzhen—including a Huaying Pill.

A Huaying Pill was rare and precious even for a Nascent Soul cultivator.

But he tossed in their storage rings as well, laying a smooth path for his nephew’s Nascent Soul future.

Lu Quanzhen, seeing Uncle treat him just like a century ago—dumping a pile of treasures into his lap—felt a heavy gratitude. “Uncle, you once said if I broke through to Core Formation and formed a top-grade Golden Core before a hundred, you’d let me help you…”

Qu Changge clapped him on the shoulder and replied offhandedly: “Quanzhen, you’ve achieved more than I’d hoped for. But what I’m involved with isn’t something you can help with right now. Besides, I don’t need help—I’ll handle it myself.”

His destiny had to be fought for alone—no one else could intervene.

Unless a Nascent Soul Grandmaster was willing to risk everything for him…

But that would never happen. So, it had to be his own strength.

Lu Quanzhen quietly nodded.

“Tell me about these past hundred years.”

Qu Changge smiled, eager to hear how his nephew had mastered the Kunpeng Swallowing Heaven Demon Art, survived the Kunpeng Nest, and grown so much.

Though it was only his second meeting with this uncle, Quanzhen could feel the care—without any expectation of return. So he told the tale.

How he broke through to Foundation Establishment, trained in Jin Kingdom, risked everything to practice the Kunpeng Swallowing Heaven Demon Art, got nearly destroyed in the process, survived thanks to his father, turned failure into success, reached Core Formation, went to the Starry Sea, and more.

Even Qu Changge was shocked by how many close brushes with death his nephew had survived.

He himself had been through countless trials arranged by the Tianmo Grandmaster—always a razor’s edge from dying.

Maybe he’d grown numb, or the Demonic Body and Demon Lord’s blood had changed him, but he never felt like a normal person.

Lu Changsheng and Qu Zhenzhen made their way to see Meng Xiaochan and their daughter Lu Mengchan.

“Sister Zhenzhen!”

Meng Xiaochan had lived on Bihu Mountain for years, so she naturally knew Qu Zhenzhen.

Their relationship wasn’t particularly close, but still cordial.

“Daddy, Aunt Zhenzhen,” Lu Mengchan greeted softly. Her gentle temperament made her instantly likable in Qu Zhenzhen’s eyes.

After catching up a bit, Lu Changsheng didn’t hurry to see Nangong Mili. Instead, he and Meng Xiaochan went to her cave residence to plant the Heavenly Infant Tree.

“Zhenzhen,” Lu Changsheng called his wife. She usually kept the Myriad Spirits Bottle.

Qu Zhenzhen pulled the bottle from a fragrant pouch at her waist and let a drop of Wuling Heaven Dew fall onto the Heavenly Infant Tree.

The once-withered little tree instantly sprang to life.

But a single drop wasn’t enough to ripen the Heavenly Infant Fruit.

“This tree’s not enough. One tree gives only one fruit—you’d need several more drops of Wuling Heaven Dew to nurture it fully.”

Lu Changsheng frowned. As a fourth-tier alchemist able to refine multiple Huaying Pills per batch, the expense was still staggering.

The main reason was that the Wuling Heaven Dew was also vital for another purpose:

Helping the Nine Calamity Sword recover its strength!

During the Liang-Yue war, Lu Changsheng had repeatedly used the Nine Calamity Sword and had to burn through two drops of Wuling Heaven Dew to quickly restore it.

Now, he had to keep a few drops reserved for the sword at all times.

With so much demand, managing the Heavenly Infant Tree, the Five Elements Fruit Tree, Yusui Jinzhizhi, and other spirit plants, he simply didn’t have enough to go around.

Once the tree was planted, Lu Changsheng went to see Nangong Mili and his son Lu Minghuang.

Nangong Mili was distinctly annoyed when Lu Changsheng showed up at the Yin Ghost Sect—especially since he was trailing other women.

And one of them was just a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

This guy’s taste is getting worse by the day…

Lu Changsheng noticed her mood at once and quickly introduced, “This is Quanzhen’s mother.”

At that, Nangong Mili became much more polite.

After all, Lu Quanzhen had always looked after Lu Minghuang and never contested him for power within the Yin Ghost Sect.

Now that she met Qu Zhenzhen, she was happy to let bygones be bygones and get along.

Plus, given Lu Quanzhen’s strength, Qu Zhenzhen was certainly someone worth showing respect to.

Night fell.

Lu Changsheng hosted a small feast at the Yin Ghost Sect—just for family.

Qu Changge, who had warmed up a bit after seeing how well Lu Changsheng treated his nephew, quickly reverted when he watched the latter surrounded by women. His sister didn’t mind a bit, which just made him angrier.

He decided to get some sleep. He had Lu Quanzhen arrange a cave residence and went to seal away Wu Gu and Shi Hai’s spirit bodies.

After a satisfying meal, Lu Quanzhen assured his father that Minghuang could manage from here.

With Nangong Mili and Meng Xiaochan looking after things, he didn’t have to worry.

Now that he’d reached late Core Formation, he wanted to go out and temper himself, stabilizing his cultivation for the next step to Nascent Soul.

In cultivation, whether it was Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, or Core Formation, once you reached the late stage, you started prepping for the next level. You never waited until you’d maxed out completely.

“Tempering, huh?”

Lu Changsheng had expected his son would want to go out training—he just didn’t expect him to be so eager.

In the Zhenhai Sect, he’d acquired a Huaying Pill.

Given all they’d gained from the Liang-Yue war, Lu Quanzhen now had everything needed for his Nascent Soul breakthrough.

With the Kunpeng Body as a foundation, the road ahead would be smooth.

The only concern left was the heart demon tribulation.

After a moment’s thought, he asked, “Where do you plan to temper yourself?”

The peace after the Liang-Yue war meant there weren’t many challenges left in Jiang or Jin Kingdoms.

Starry Sea had its merits, but the risk from the Kunpeng Egg remained.

If Lu Quanzhen showed up there, it might just bring more trouble.

“I’m thinking of heading to Yuan Kingdom first, then to Yan Yang Kingdom,” Lu Quanzhen replied.

Yuan Kingdom was a large nation near Jiang and very close to the Endless Desert.

From there, he could access Yan Yang Kingdom—one of the top countries in the Central Region of Southern Desolation.

The prospect promised a much wider world to explore.

But heading to the prosperous heart of the Central Region itself was still too big a step for now.

Lu Changsheng frowned. Yuan Kingdom was safe enough, but Yan Yang Kingdom was far. If his son ran into trouble, he might not be able to reach him in time.

His thoughts turned to that resourceful brother-in-law, Qu Changge.

If his son was determined to go out and train, perhaps Qu Changge had advice—or could even accompany him.

Since Qu Changge hailed from the Tianmo Sect, from the Central Region of Southern Desolation, he knew the lay of the land far better.

Maybe Lu Quanzhen could even get a taste of the true heart of the region with his uncle’s help.

Lu Changsheng preferred to stay in his own corner, but he recognized that to truly thrive, one had to venture out.

For someone with the Kunpeng Body, like his son, even the whole Northern and Southern Regions were getting too small.

He needed a bigger world—one where he could really soar.

So the Central Region was the best choice.

And most importantly, there was Qu Changge!

Though Lu Changsheng still had reservations about his prickly brother-in-law…

He had to admit—the man’s care for both his sister and his niece and nephew was utterly genuine.

With Qu Changge—the top Nascent Soul cultivator from the Tianmo Sect—keeping an eye out, he wouldn’t have to worry about his son getting in over his head.

“Do you know your uncle’s real story?”

Lu Changsheng, dressed in a long blue robe, walked side by side with his son and asked.

“Uncle hasn’t gone into detail, but I have my suspicions,” Lu Quanzhen said softly.

“Your uncle is from the Tianmo Sect.”

Lu Changsheng continued, “I don’t know the details, but he’s got a high status there.”

“If you want to venture out, you should listen to your uncle before you go—or maybe even travel to the Central Region with him.”

“Jiang is just a corner of the north. If you’re thinking of places like Yan Yang Kingdom, the Central Region’s Holy City is a better destination.”

Lu Changsheng told his son directly what he thought.