Chapter 915: Chapter 915: The Beast Taming Ancient Rune’s Terrifying Power, Setting Off for the Starry Sea

“On your master’s orders?”

Lu Changsheng had already guessed Qin Yuning was here at Shen Jianjia’s command.

Now that she said it herself, it meant the Xuamu Daoist alias had been stripped away for good.

Besides, he had used the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror in White Dew Palace.

Once news about Yangming True Lord reached the Starry Sea and the Divine Maiden Palace, Shen Jianjia would realize Changsheng True Lord was the Lord of Dameng City, the very Yangming True Lord.

Lu Changsheng stayed calm as he accepted the jade slip.

The azure slip flowed with watery veins and starlight, sealed by several Nascent Soul level restrictions.

A typical Core Formation cultivator stood no chance of breaking those restrictions.

Even early Nascent Soul would find it troublesome and time-consuming.

But before Lu Changsheng’s late-stage Nascent Soul spirit-soul, such seals were nothing.

He tapped the slip with a finger and stirred the Taiyi Spirit.

With a hum the restriction crumbled.

A wisp of starlight flared, shaping into a breathtaking figure like a goddess out of myth.

She wore a palace dress like a river of stars. The figure was faint, the face blurred, veiled in mist.

Even so, the beauty stunned the heart—peerless, transcendent, beyond words.

“Master!?” Qin Yuning recognized a trace of her master’s divine sense imprint.

Nascent Soul cultivators could leave messages through such imprints.

But it was costly. No one used it unless the matter was critical.

What about the man before her made him worth such an effort?

The shred of Shen Jianjia’s divine sense in the slip didn’t hear Qin Yuning call.

Looking at Lu Changsheng, the ethereal voice said, “Since you can break the restriction with ease, then you are as my palace suspected. Come to the Divine Maiden Palace for a talk.”

With that, the dazzling phantom faded as if it had never appeared.

From the restriction alone, Lu Changsheng knew this was Shen Jianjia’s test and probe.

If he couldn’t break it, or needed many methods and time, she would have spoken very differently.

Only by breaking it with ease did he qualify to be invited to the Divine Maiden Palace.

“My friend Qin, how has the Third Palace Master been these years?”

Since things were as he expected and his alias was gone, Lu Changsheng no longer hid anything and asked Qin Yuning directly.

“Hm?”

Qin Yuning blinked, staring at Lu Changsheng in surprise.

How did he know her little martial aunt?

And he felt different from before—something indescribable in his bearing.

More aloof, more transcendent, like he stood above the red dust.

Thinking of her master’s order, how he’d broken the seal so easily, and the imprint inside, Qin Yuning grew more respectful and said, “The Third Palace Master is well.”

“She still hasn’t pushed for Nascent Soul?”

Lu Changsheng kept asking. He suspected Shen Jianjia sought him for Shen Yiren’s breakthrough.

The reason was simple.

Shen Yiren had long since met the conditions to reach Nascent Soul.

But to minimize risk from tribulation and aim for a better Nascent Soul, she hadn’t advanced.

After more than ten years, the only reason she hadn’t tried was a heart demon tribulation.

Aside from that uncontrollable factor, with her background, foundation, and talent, Nascent Soul should be no hurdle.

Back in White Dew Palace, because of the Shen Yuanming matter, her temperament would have been affected and her heart left flawed.

“No.”

Qin Yuning grew more and more puzzled by Changsheng True Lord’s origins.

He not only knew her third martial aunt but also asked about her breaking through.

Shen Yiren’s delay had puzzled the Divine Maiden Palace, even Penglai Island and many powers in the Starry Sea.

Plenty believed the last of the three sisters of the Divine Maiden Palace was bound to reach Nascent Soul.

Yet after all these years, she still hadn’t moved. It baffled people.

Even Qin Yuning had no idea why.

From what she knew, her third martial aunt should’ve been able to attempt it long ago.

“If you’re not in a rush, in a few days I’ll go to Penglai Island with you.”

Lu Changsheng had planned to head to the Forbidden Sea first to honor his agreement with the Green Dragon King, then the Divine Maiden Palace.

But now Qin Yuning had brought Shen Jianjia’s jade slip.

Since they’d already learned his identity, he wouldn’t delay and decided to visit the Divine Maiden Palace first.

As for whether seeing Shen Jianjia again would be dangerous—

Back then at White Dew Palace, he needed the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror and the leverage of Shen Baishuang and Shen Yiren to leave safely.

Now he had the strength to face the master of the Divine Maiden Palace head-on, one of the top cultivators of the Starry Sea.

“Since I’ve delivered the slip, I’ll head back on my own.”

Unsure of his situation, Qin Yuning spoke respectfully.

“You could cross Da Mengze alone, but it’s risky and slow. I’ll take you when I go.”

Lu Changsheng spoke evenly and stopped masking his power. A faint Nascent Soul aura rolled out.

“A Nascent Soul True Lord!?”

Qin Yuning shuddered, stunned.

She hadn’t expected the Changsheng True Lord, the vice city lord of the Immortal City of Damengze, to be a Nascent Soul True Lord.

She’d learned a lot about Jiang Kingdom and the Talisman Lu Family these days in the Immortal City.

She knew his rise was legendary and far from simple.

Even so, she never imagined he was Nascent Soul.

Her master was the head of the Divine Maiden Palace, a top Nascent Soul of the Starry Sea, and she herself might reach Nascent Soul one day.

But as a Core Formation cultivator right now, she didn’t dare show a hint of disrespect before a True Lord.

She bowed and said, “My thanks, True Lord.”

“Rest a few days. Once I settle a few matters we’ll leave for Penglai Island.”

Lu Changsheng nodded.

Qin Yuning had no objection and behaved with utmost respect.

Now she understood why her master had sent her all this way to meet this “Changsheng True Lord.”

After they parted, Qin Yuning returned to her quarters still dazed.

The Immortal City of Damengze was just a remote third-tier immortal city.

Yet besides its city lord Yangming True Lord, the vice city lord Changsheng True Lord was also Nascent Soul.

And according to rumors, the city had a city lord’s wife.

Reports claimed she was only Core Formation.

But given Yangming True Lord and Changsheng True Lord, the city lord’s wife was likely Nascent Soul too.

Why would three Nascent Soul True Lords stay in such a small place?

Qin Yuning couldn’t make sense of it.

Jiang Kingdom’s resources were limited and far below the Starry Sea.

A third-tier spiritual land like this couldn’t support even one Nascent Soul’s daily cultivation.

Let alone three.

Especially since Yangming True Lord was said to be mid-Nascent Soul.

With that strength, he’d be a hegemon even in the Starry Sea.

Qin Yuning crushed a communication talisman to inform her master the slip had been delivered.

When Lu Changsheng broke the restriction, far away on Penglai Island, Shen Jianjia felt it.

“So he really is reincarnated. But what was he after when he came to my Divine Maiden Palace?”

She had suspected he was an old monster reincarnated.

Otherwise how could a Core Formation cultivator possess fourth-rank body refinement, a Nascent Soul spirit-soul, and a celestial treasure of that grade?

From the jade slip’s restriction she learned he wasn’t simple at all and even had a mid-Nascent Soul spirit-soul.

After reaching Nascent Soul, cultivation, body, and spirit were all hard to raise.

With a mid-Nascent Soul spirit-soul at that stage, there was only one possibility—reincarnation.

Even as the palace master, Shen Jianjia had to be wary of such a person.

She wanted to know his purpose in coming to her palace back then.

If there was any scheme—

While serving as guest elder, Xuamu Daoist had done nothing to harm them.

He even helped with several matters, like capturing starry-sea pirates and aiding Shen Baishuang against the Six Paths Demon Concubine.

What happened with her two sisters wasn’t really on him. It started because of her second sister.

And he hadn’t taken much advantage either. Through a dual-cultivation art that harvested yin to nourish yang, he’d taken their maiden essence.

He even used Shen Baishuang’s essence to nourish Shen Yiren.

So Shen Jianjia found it hard to fathom.

She planned to meet and speak openly, then ask him to help loosen her younger sister’s knot.

He and her sisters had already crossed that line.

It was done. Talking it to death would only add more harm.

All that mattered now was cutting losses, easing her sister’s mind, and getting her through to Nascent Soul.

To a Nascent Soul giant like her, remaining untouched was precious and meaningful, but not absolute.

Back at the City Lord’s Mansion, Lu Changsheng told Hong Lian and Ling Zixiao about Qin Yuning and the Divine Maiden Palace.

“Hong Lian, I’m heading to the Starry Sea. Lingxiao, the Holy Maiden, and Fenmo will return from Liang Kingdom soon. You’ll step in to take charge then.”

“Once the Heavenly Sword Sect finishes relocating, send word. I’ll rush back to help you break through to Nascent Soul.”

He knew Hong Lian was almost ready to attempt Nascent Soul.

Her resources for forming the infant were set.

The spiritual vein for the breakthrough wasn’t a problem either.

She could do it at the Heavenly Sword Sect, or with the Zhenhai Seven Sects, or in Jin Kingdom or the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range.

All told, he preferred the Heavenly Sword Sect, the future Yangming Mountain.

First, the Zhenhai Seven Sects’ lands were on the open sea and water-aspected, not ideal for Hong Lian’s fire cultivation.

Same for the Five Poisons Sect, the Yin Ghost Sect, and the Heavenly Corpse Sect in Jin.

The Myriad Beasts Mountain Range was fine, but they’d need formations to prevent interference from demon kings.

The most convenient was still Yangming Mountain.

Second, by the flow of fortune, once Jiang changed hands and the Heavenly Sword Sect moved away, Yangming Mountain would be his in full and gain hidden fortune’s favor.

As his wife and the lady of that land, Hong Lian might gain a boon from it too.

“Don’t worry, husband,” Hong Lian said softly.

She was only Core Formation.

But the affairs of Liang Kingdom with the Holy Maiden and True Lord Incinerating Wither didn’t faze her in the least.

“With you and Zixiao here, how could I not be at ease?” Lu Changsheng smiled.

The rear had been stable for years thanks to his wives.

Especially on the Immortal City’s side, Hong Lian and Ling Zixiao had done a great deal.

After chatting, the three went to the cave residence to spend time, ease longing, and deepen their bond.

A few days later he kept Xu Ruoyin company.

Though they’d been apart for decades and she had awakened past-life memories, changing her mindset a little,

Lu Ancestor had always been the one to take the initiative.

After a few tender words, he pressed the grand-cultivator reincarnate in her red dress beneath him.

Maybe it was because he’d been wearing the mantle of a reincarnated powerhouse. With Xu Ruoyin, a true reincarnate, it felt different.

After a day and night, the bedding lay in disarray and clothes and shoes were scattered nearby.

Xu Ruoyin looked like a phoenix goddess. White crystal skin gleamed with a translucent scarlet-gold flame.

Her eyes burned like fire, irises amber, a phoenix sigil flickering at her brow, red lips half-open and bright.

The most striking were the blazing phoenix wings flaring behind her.

With her lithe figure and flowing crimson hair, the sight was spellbinding.

No knowing how long later, she cried like a phoenix, went limp and trembling, toes curling tight.

Lu Changsheng cast a cleaning art to tidy the field, held her close, and asked about her plans.

“I plan to use the Beast Taming Ancient Rune to raise the Skyfire Mink and Fire Python Tiger to third rank, then visit the Beast Taming Xu Family,” Xu Ruoyin said softly.

Though she’d reached Core Formation, only the Heavenly Demon Phoenix had advanced to third rank on the back of her Core Formation foundation.

The Skyfire Mink and Fire Python Tiger were both top-tier second rank.

Now that she had the ancient rune back, she intended to push both to third rank and advance their bloodlines.

“Even with the rune, raising them to third rank should take years, even over a decade, right?”

Lu Changsheng knew the rune helped spirit beasts grow, but within limits.

“If you’re going to the Xu Family, go with Hong Lian and take the chance to take charge of Dragon Head Mountain.”

He knew the current Xu Family patriarch had old grudges with Xu Ruoyin.

He could settle such matters with a flick of a wrist but saw no need to act personally.

He didn’t mind Hong Lian helping Xu Ruoyin and letting her take the helm of the Xu Family to become a great clan of Jiang.

With the Heavenly Sword Sect relocating, they’d soon be short on capable people in Jiang.

If Xu Ruoyin held the Xu Family, she’d be a trusted ally.

“With Past Wisdom awakened, I’ve learned the true method for the Beast Taming Ancient Rune. It can plunder other beasts’ bloodline essence and life essence to raise and empower others, so I can push them to third rank in the shortest time.”

Xu Ruoyin revealed the rune’s true effect.

Normally she wouldn’t share such secrets.

But she’d be by Lu Changsheng’s side, and he’d notice her beasts’ growth anyway.

Better to say it herself.

“Plunder a beast’s bloodline and life essence?” Lu Changsheng was surprised.

It sounded a lot like a demonic method or forced beast-cultivation art.

“No side effects?” He asked. He didn’t think she’d stunt her spirit pets.

“That’s where the rune excels. The process doesn’t harm the spirit pet,” Xu Ruoyin said.

As a beast tamer tied to her bonded pets, she would never sabotage her own future.

“Besides that, what else can the rune do?”

He felt the rune’s worth was far beyond what he’d imagined.

“It also suppresses and enslaves beasts.”

Xu Ruoyin explained what the rune could do now.

Lu Changsheng had long known it suppressed beasts.

But this wasn’t some simple pressure.

It imposed a powerful bloodline and spirit crush on all demons and fierce beasts.

Against a third-rank demon king, the rune in Xu Ruoyin’s hand would suppress their strength by thirty to fifty percent.

For anything below third rank, it stripped away the power to resist.

Once fully subdued, she could forcibly enslave them and brand a Beast Taming Sigil—utterly domineering.

Those enslaved could then be converted through the rune into Xuan Beast Dao Soldiers, Earth Beast Dao Soldiers, or Heaven Beast Dao Soldiers for Xu Ruoyin to command.

The number of enslaved beasts was limited by her cultivation and spirit-soul.

And conversion into Dao soldiers burned resources and time.

Even so, the rune’s power was staggering.

With time, she could push her pets to their limits.

She could also build a beast army, a top-tier force of Dao soldiers.

Back then, Qingluan True Lord became Jiang’s number one rogue cultivator with five hundred Qingluan Dao soldiers.

If Xu Ruoyin grew into her potential, she’d be even more terrifying.

She could enslave beasts as cannon fodder, harvest resources, explore deadly ruins, and rise fast.

Tsk. If Xu Ruoyin hadn’t met him, with the rune and Hong Lian as a living guardian, she’d have become a second Qingluan True Lord, if not more.

The rune’s abilities were just that overbearing.

“Can Hong Lian drive the rune?” Lu Changsheng asked.

With Hong Lian about to reach Nascent Soul, if she could wield its true power, they could raise a third-rank army of Dao soldiers fast.

“The rune seems tied to my past life. Senior Hong Lian slumbers within it and holds some authority, but she may not be able to use it like I can.”

Xu Ruoyin dared to lay everything out because only she could fully activate the rune.

There was one more variable.

Their son, Lu Chensha.

He cultivated the Beast Art and, apart from her and Hong Lian, was the third person who could wield the rune.

Whether he could draw out its full power, she didn’t know.

“Tell Hong Lian later and see if she can use it. If she can help, it’ll save you a lot of trouble.”

Lu Changsheng smiled. If Hong Lian could manage it, great. If not, he wouldn’t force it.

A few days later, after arranging city and Jiang affairs, Lu Changsheng prepared to depart with Qin Yuning for the Starry Sea and Penglai Island.

Since Hong Lian lacked deterrence against True Lord Xuanjian and the Holy Maiden, and might need to trade True Lord Qianren’s Nascent Soul spirit body with the Qisha Sect and Yuan Kingdom, he left the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass in the Immortal City.

If needed, Hong Lian could ask it to act.

Or let it turn into the Nine Calamity Sword to kill or intimidate.

She couldn’t draw out the sword’s full power without his body and mana.

But he had used it in the Liang-Yue War to capture multiple Nascent Soul cultivators and had already earned a giant’s reputation.

So the Nine Calamity Sword alone was absolute deterrence.

As for his own strength without it—

With the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror, no one could stop him unless a late-stage Nascent Soul powerhouse laid elaborate traps.

Besides, he planned to visit the Fuhai Sect and could bring the Turtle Immortal Patriarch.

With that old turtle at his side, it was far safer than any sword.

“Hong Lian, Zixiao, message me directly if anything comes up. Don’t worry about disturbing me.”

He knew they wouldn’t press him unless it was critical.

“Be careful, husband,” Hong Lian and Ling Zixiao said with a nod.

“I will,” Lu Changsheng said, hugging them both before parting. Then he notified Qin Yuning.

He set out for the Starry Sea.