Chapter 901: Instructions and Departure

“Relax, Yaoyao is doing well. She’s already broken through to the sixth layer of Core Formation. Her master must be fond of her.”

With his system, Lu Changsheng knew a bit about his daughter Nangong Yaoyao. Not long ago her cultivation reached the sixth layer of Core Formation.

That pace might not compare to Lu Quanzhen, but it’s still lightning fast.

Still, thinking of the Blood Sea Calamity, the Celestial Lotus Sect where his daughter stayed would be in turmoil. He couldn’t tell if she’d be in danger.

“Sixth layer of Core Formation? Really?”

Nangong Mili’s eyes lit with surprise, a little incredulous.

Her daughter wasn’t that old. How could she cultivate this fast?

Even if she’d joined the Celestial Lotus Sect and taken a Nascent Soul master like True Lord White Lotus, could she advance so shockingly?

Unless her daughter had other opportunities or was being nurtured as a Holy Maiden candidate.

“Of course. You know I have a divine ability that lets me sense their condition through our bloodline as a medium, though it’s vague.”

Lu Changsheng held Nangong Mili’s graceful alluring body and spoke with a light smile.

“The Celestial Lotus Sect claims to save all beings and free them from suffering to enjoy peace forever, but their arts are downright demonic. With Yaoyao improving so fast, will there be hidden dangers?”

Nangong Mili had other worries.

Born of the Five Poisons Sect, she didn’t buy that kind of sanctimonious talk.

She knew the demonic path had plenty of methods to rapidly boost cultivation and break through realms.

All of those methods came with a price, and once you reached a certain point, hidden dangers surfaced.

And while the Celestial Lotus Sect had the word ‘Celestial’ in its name, it was sinister to the core, a true top-tier demonic sect.

True Lord White Lotus taking a shine to her daughter and accepting her as a disciple wasn’t only about appreciating talent. She must have other plans, like grooming a direct confidante and delegating chores to disciples.

“It’s not just the Northern Region. Wars have erupted between many nations. The Central Region of the Southern Desolation has been the same for years with signs of a great war. So the top powers in the Southern Desolation are all trying to cultivate their best disciples.”

Lu Changsheng offered comfort.

Even so he felt Yaoyao’s pace was a bit too fast, and this was the only explanation that fit.

“For now, worry less about the Yin Ghost Sect and Minghuang. Put your focus on cultivation and reach the peak of Core Formation as soon as possible.”

“In pacifying Liang-Yue this time I got a lot of Nascent Soul resources. When the time comes I can help you charge into Nascent Soul.”

Lu Changsheng spoke to Nangong Mili.

After he took Ah Youduo under his wing, the Five Poisons Sect had invested heavily in Nangong Mili, giving her abundant resources, yet her pace was only average. Only recently did she break through to the ninth layer of Core Formation.

From the seventh to the ninth layer in thirty-four years was actually fast.

It was a speed most Core Formation cultivators couldn’t imagine.

But to Lu Changsheng it still felt average, even too slow.

“Nascent Soul!?”

Though, with Lu Changsheng’s help, her fourth-grade True Core had advanced to a top-grade Golden Core, and she’d dreamed of one day forming a Nascent Soul.

To her, Nascent Soul still felt too far away, something out of reach.

Yet now Lu Changsheng was promising her a future Nascent Soul.

After so many years together, she knew this dog of a man was a flirt and sweet-talked women with few honest words.

But when it came to money and resources he was impossibly generous, never stingy, readily promising and painting the dream.

Whether it was the power and resources she got from the Five Poisons Sect, or the cultivation resources for her son Lu Minghuang, her disciple Meng Xiaochan, and her granddisciple Lu Mengchan, they were all top-tier.

As Lu Changsheng’s edge grew sharper, she often thought her daughter Nangong Yaoyao hadn’t needed to join the Celestial Lotus Sect.

“Forming a Nascent Soul means thunder tribulation and the heart demon tribulation. It’s unpredictable and dangerous. If you have time, ask Ah Youduo for advice.”

Lu Changsheng continued.

He had the resources for Nascent Soul now.

But even he couldn’t guarantee someone would pass the Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation safely. That would be up to them.

As for the Demon Breaking Life Saving Pill that helped with heart demons, not to mention how hard it was to refine.

Just the ingredients alone couldn’t be gathered quickly.

“Mm~” Nangong Mili tilted her delicate head, her eyes soft as water as she gazed at Lu Changsheng, her heart full of joy.

Nine out of ten Core Formation cultivators couldn’t resist the allure of Nascent Soul.

“Come. I’ll help your cultivation.”

Seeing her eyes ripple with charm, her dazed beauty, Lu Changsheng’s heart heated. He cupped her stunning face.

Now that he’d broken through to Nascent Soul, dual cultivation with his wives fed back power from his higher realm, giving immense benefits to the woman.

As for how that affected his essence.

With his Chaos Body, Fourth-Tier Mid-Body Refinement, and Kidney Divine Treasure, as long as he didn’t plow on for months at a time, it wouldn’t matter.

Afterward!

Afterward!

Afterward!

The next day, after spending a lot of stamina, magical power, and essence, Lu Changsheng woke refreshed.

Nangong Mili, who had absorbed the essence of Yin-Yang Origin, was still asleep.

Her cheeks were rosy, a faintly satisfied curve at her lips, with no sign of fatigue.

Looking at the messy cave residence and the slight redness and blue bruises on her skin, Lu Changsheng felt a pang of pity and massaged her to heal.

As a Core Formation cultivator, Nangong Mili woke at once. She opened her eyes, thinking Lu Changsheng meant to continue.

“Husband, I really can’t go on.”

Her face pleaded, pitiful and soft. She said she couldn’t, she needed to rest, and they could do this again with Xiaochan in a few days.

Even with her ninth-layer Core Formation, Lu Changsheng’s physique was too strong for her alone.

After last night’s rounds she felt like she’d come apart.

If not for Lu Changsheng’s gentle words and treatment with the Treasure Cauldron Medicine King Scripture, she wouldn’t have been able to take it.

Even so she didn’t dare keep it to herself. She’d have to call her disciple Meng Xiaochan to share the burden next time.

“What’s on your mind?”

Lu Changsheng gave a light smack to her tender, reddened backside.

He enjoyed being with Nangong Mili, but his head wasn’t only full of such things.

In a few days his son would leave with Qu Changge for the Tianmo Sect, and his wife Qu Zhenzhen was still in the Yin Ghost Sect. How could he get lost in pleasure?

The “discipline” last night was just to get Nangong Mili to behave for a while.

After treating the marks on her skin, Lu Changsheng left the cave residence with her to find Qu Zhenzhen.

Nangong Mili was possessive and a bit jealous. She didn’t much like the other women around Lu Changsheng.

That included Ina, Yin Yuge, and even their Sect Leader.

But after Lu Changsheng’s ‘discipline’ last night, and learning Qu Zhenzhen not only had a son like Lu Quanzhen, but also an older brother who was a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Central Region of the Southern Desolation, her attitude rose another notch.

Mainly, Qu Zhenzhen lacked aggression. She didn’t fight or vie like Ling Zixiao, Ina, or Yin Yuge.

She even felt she could befriend Qu Zhenzhen, form an alliance, and blend into the Lu Family.

“Quanzhen, your father told me you’ll be heading to the Central Domain with your uncle soon.”

At noon, Nangong Mili and Lu Changsheng met Lu Quanzhen. She was very courteous with him, without a single ounce of elder’s airs.

“Mm.” Lu Quanzhen nodded, guessing his father had told her of his departure.

Seeing Nangong Mili’s politeness, Lu Changsheng said, “Quanzhen, do you remember Yaoyao? Your Aunt Nangong’s daughter, Nangong Yaoyao.”

“Of course I remember.”

Lu Quanzhen replied. He remembered this half-sister.

Back when the True Lord Guima put a bounty on him, Nangong Yaoyao and Meng Xiaochan had attacked him.

If he hadn’t cultivated the Myriad-Venom Body, immune to poison, and hadn’t had the Six-Winged Golden Silkworm, he might have fallen to them.

Back then, under the Silkworm’s sneak attack, if not for the protective treasure Nangong Mili had given Nangong Yaoyao, she would have died in his hands.

From Yin Ghost Sect intelligence he’d learned this sister had been accepted by a Nascent Soul True Lord and taken away to cultivate.

“True Lord White Lotus of the Celestial Lotus Sect took a liking to Yaoyao and accepted her as a disciple. She’s cultivating there now.”

“If you get the chance to see her on your trip to the Central Domain, give her these letters.”

Lu Changsheng spoke, then glanced at Nangong Mili.

She immediately handed over the token, Jade Slips, and a Storage Pouch to Lu Quanzhen. “Quanzhen, I’m counting on you.”

“When Yaoyao learned you were her brother, she regretted attacking you. But she had to leave with True Lord White Lotus for the Celestial Lotus Sect and didn’t have time to apologize in person. I hope you won’t hold it against her.”

Nangong Mili kept her tone low.

Parents the world over are the same.

She might be venomous and ruthless to outsiders, but her love for Yaoyao came from the heart.

Even after so many years, compared to her son Lu Minghuang, she still preferred her daughter Nangong Yaoyao.

“Aunt, you’re too polite. I didn’t take it to heart, and besides, you saved me once.”

Lu Quanzhen spoke.

He held grudges and repaid them.

But Nangong Yaoyao was his half-sister, and Meng Xiaochan was his father’s wife. Under those circumstances, he wouldn’t keep a grudge.

Besides, at a critical moment back then, Nangong Mili had arrived in time to drag Zhen Tian the Old Demon away. He’d kept that in mind.

In that case he wouldn’t hold on to such minor past matters or harbor resentment toward that sister.

“Good. Since she knows you’re her brother, once you show the token to prove your identity, she’ll believe you. You two can keep in touch and work together.”

Nangong Mili kept speaking. She didn’t look down on Lu Quanzhen just because her daughter had joined the Celestial Lotus Sect and become a disciple of True Lord White Lotus.

From his performance in the Yin Ghost Sect—instantly killing the Ghost Shadow True Lord, and fending off the Yinming Sect Leader, the Yin Ghost King, and the Ghost Bat—she knew his combat power was exceptional.

Even in the Central Region of the Southern Desolation he’d count as a prodigy.

In that case, having her daughter befriend Lu Quanzhen was a boon.

Not to mention he had a Nascent Soul elder as well.

“Rest easy, Aunt.”

Lu Quanzhen had no special feelings for this half-sister, but she was still his father’s daughter.

Since his father had told Nangong Mili and she had come to him, if he met her he would look out for her a bit.

Provided she believed him and was friendly.

“Don’t worry. Quanzhen knows what he’s doing.”

Lu Changsheng trusted his son. He patted Nangong Mili’s soft hand.

“Mm.”

From their time together these days, Nangong Mili knew Lu Quanzhen was reserved and didn’t like to talk, so she didn’t nag.

“Mili, I have a few things to tell Quanzhen alone.”

Lu Changsheng addressed Nangong Mili.

She took it in stride and left the main hall, giving father and son space.

“Quanzhen, if you meet Yaoyao and you get along, keep in touch and help her when you can. If you don’t, don’t force it.”

Lu Changsheng had a great impression of this daughter from their brief time together.

But he knew that wasn’t her real self. She just read people and acted accordingly.

Plus she’d been in the Celestial Lotus Sect for years. He didn’t know her situation now, and he wouldn’t wrong his son for his daughter’s sake.

“Father, don’t worry.” Lu Quanzhen understood his father’s attitude toward his children. He would help if he could.

“Besides Yaoyao, once you reach the Tianmo Sect, if possible, help me ask around for news about the Qingluan True Lord.”

Lu Changsheng continued his instructions.

After they parted in the Mirage Domain of Vast Sands, the Qingluan True Lord had vanished.

From his divinations, she was no longer in the Southern Desolation or the Northern Region.

So he suspected that after running into danger she had fled to the Central Region of the Southern Desolation or another domain.

After his son joined the Tianmo Sect, he might be able to find news of her through their intelligence network.

“Qingluan True Lord?”

Lu Quanzhen paused. Was his father close with her too?

Based on the rumors from the Mirage Domain of Vast Sands, it was likely.

But growing up he’d heard the legend of the Qingluan True Lord, once the number one rogue cultivator of the Jiang Kingdom, and he still had a filter for her.

It was hard to imagine how a rogue who’d outshone all and broken through to Nascent Soul would end up with his father.

“If you do find news of her, give her this Jade Slip if there’s a chance, or crush this jade talisman.”

Lu Changsheng handed over a prepared Jade Slip and a sensing jade talisman.

The Jiang Kingdom and Central Domain were far apart. Ordinary Message Talismans couldn’t reach, so they had to use a communication talisman to ping a message.

“Besides the Qingluan True Lord, keep an eye out for a girl named Mu Que. She has the Heavenly Phoenix Bloodline.”

Lu Changsheng flicked his finger. A water mirror rose and showed a delicate-featured girl with seven parts resemblance to the Qingluan True Lord.

She was his and the Qingluan True Lord’s daughter, Mu Que.

Though Lu Changsheng had never seen this daughter.

Through the system’s family tree, he could see her profile and appearance.

Seeing the girl’s brows and eyes that looked like the Qingluan True Lord’s, Lu Quanzhen was shaken.

His father even had a child with the Qingluan True Lord?

He couldn’t help asking, “Father, she is…”

“She’s my daughter with the Qingluan True Lord, your sister.”

“After the Mirage Domain of Vast Sands, the Qingluan True Lord must’ve run into danger and got separated from Mu Que. If you get the chance, help me find news of her.”

Lu Changsheng sighed. He wasn’t holding out much hope.

The Central Region of the Southern Desolation was vast.

Even with the Tianmo Sect’s channels, finding a girl who had just broken through Foundation Establishment was like fishing a needle from the sea.

Unless Mu Que showed her edge and was known for her Heavenly Phoenix Bloodline.

And they still didn’t know if Mu Que and the Qingluan True Lord were even in the Central Domain.

“…”

His guess confirmed, Lu Quanzhen was speechless. His father’s connections were really something.

“Rest assured, Father.”

He took the Jade Slip and communication talisman, then looked at his father again.

He wondered if there were other aunts or siblings out there.

“???”

Lu Changsheng wanted to ask what that look was for, but kept his tone even. “That’s all for other matters.”

“Though you’ll have your uncle, once you reach the Tianmo Sect it will still come down to your own performance.”

As he spoke he raised his hand, and Spirit Treasures, Nascent Soul spirit items, pills, and talismans appeared one after another.

“Take these for emergencies. No need to ask your uncle for everything.”

His brother-in-law might be generous to his son, but the Lu Ancestor wasn’t one to freeload completely. He wouldn’t be stingy with his son.

He handed over several Spirit Treasures, Nascent Soul spirit items, and pills gained in the Liang-Yue War so his son wouldn’t start behind the line.

He could even pass some to Nangong Yaoyao later.

“Father, Uncle has already given me the Storage Rings of Wu Gu the Old Demon and Shi Hai True Lord. I’m not short on Spirit Treasures or Nascent Soul resources. Please give these to Big Brother and the others at home.”

Looking at the Spirit Treasures and the pile of natural treasures, Lu Quanzhen felt his father’s care and shook his head.

After killing True Lord Mingsha, his father had let him pick and manage the Yin Ghost Sect treasury.

So he wasn’t lacking in Dao-Comprehending Artifacts.

As for Spirit Treasures.

With his current realm he could only barely drive them.

What he had was enough. More would be a burden.

Lu Changsheng felt he’d underestimated his generous brother-in-law’s love for his son.

But precisely because of that he felt at ease handing his son to Qu Changge, whom he’d only met recently.

“In that case, at least take these pills and talismans.”

Lu Changsheng didn’t force it. He knew his son’s net worth rivaled many Nascent Soul True Lords.

Once his son’s resources ran dry, he might pay a visit to the Central Domain to check on him and Nangong Yaoyao.

Just then his crown flashed and a snow-white pellet shot out, turning into a Three Treasure Incarnation.

“Quanzhen, what do you think of this incarnation?”

Lu Changsheng smiled, ready to give him the Three Treasure Incarnation Pearl as protection.

At this stage Spirit Treasures didn’t do much for Lu Quanzhen since he couldn’t bring out their full power.

But the Four-Rank Three Treasure Incarnation Pearl needed no explanation.

Once refined, you only had to infuse it with refined blood and nurture it with essence, Qi, and spirit to evolve an incarnation identical to your own form and aura.

Not only was it hard to tell it from the real body, it could also wield divine abilities and possessed the true body’s combat power.

For a body-and-Qi dual cultivator like Lu Quanzhen with formidable battle power, it was like adding wings to a tiger.

He could use it just as perfectly as his father had back then.

“An incarnation treasure?” Lu Quanzhen had seen the Yin-Yang Dao Form before and guessed his father had cultivated an External Incarnation.

Now, seeing the Three Treasure Incarnation Pearl, he recognized the rare incarnation treasure at a glance.

Treasures like this were exceedingly rare and no less valuable than Spirit Treasures.

But he immediately sensed something off.

This incarnation’s pressure and aura were only Core Formation, not at Nascent Soul level, unlike the Yin-Yang Dao Form he’d seen before.

“Aside from its aura, this incarnation is almost the same as you, Father. It’s hard to tell.”

Lu Quanzhen commented.

“It’s called the Three Treasure Incarnation Pearl.”

Lu Changsheng introduced the treasure.

He liked it quite a bit.

Over the years it had helped him as much as the Xuanyuan Pearl had in the early days.

But the incarnations it produced capped at third-rank top-tier.

Now that he was in Nascent Soul, it wasn’t very helpful.

Its biggest use was playing the “Changsheng True Lord” and acting with two faces.

But using it just for that felt like a waste.

He could just ask Qian Zhuyan to make a lifelike puppet double.

Or he could use a Four-Rank Incarnation Talisman to disguise himself briefly.

“It has divine abilities and true-body combat power!?”

Lu Quanzhen’s expression shifted. He instantly understood how precious it was.

If, in a fight, a second self with true-body combat power appeared, that wasn’t one plus one, it was doubling the force.

And unless the treasure broke, even if the incarnation was gravely wounded it only hastened energy consumption. With time it could be nurtured back.

In effect, it was a fearless incarnation.

He could already imagine his combined battle power with the Three Treasure Incarnation.

“Father, this is too precious.”

He spoke, thinking its value surpassed many lower-grade Spirit Treasures.

“Take it. It doesn’t help me much anymore. I hope it serves you well.”

Lu Changsheng recalled it, erased his imprint, and tossed the Three Treasure Incarnation Pearl to his son.

“Thank you, Father.”

Holding the pearl, Lu Quanzhen felt a weight settle in his heart.

His father had poured so many resources into him without asking him to contribute to the clan, letting him choose freely.

Now he was stepping away from his father’s planned path to train in the Central Domain in search of a better future.

His father not only agreed, but supported and sponsored him. He felt ashamed and overwhelmed.

With a father like this, what more could a son ask for?

Three days later, Qu Changge left with Lu Quanzhen for the Tianmo Sect.

Besides Lu Changsheng, Qu Zhenzhen, and Nangong Mili, no one else knew.

“Brother, take care of yourself and come back when you can. Quanzhen, listen to your uncle and don’t pick fights.”

A mother worries when her child travels far.

Her son might be a late stage Core Formation cultivator, and her brother a Nascent Soul True Lord.

But watching them leave, Qu Zhenzhen couldn’t hold back her sadness, her eyes red.

“Zhenzhen, don’t worry. I’ll look after Quanzhen.”

Seeing his sister cry pained Qu Changge. He hated farewells.

“Mother.” Lu Quanzhen felt heavy-hearted too.

“Don’t forget what you promised me. Brother, if you’re alone out there, you can find me a sister-in-law.”

Qu Zhenzhen wiped her tears and forced a smile, not wanting them to be too gloomy.

After the farewell, Qu Changge drove the Magic Boat, tore through the Great Void, and vanished with Lu Quanzhen.

“Zhenzhen, don’t worry. If Quanzhen won’t come back, I’ll take you to drag him home myself.”

Lu Changsheng watched his brother-in-law and son depart, wrapped an arm around his wife, and comforted her softly.

The roc spreads its wings from here, soars on the wind, and one day will cast its shadow across the stars.