Chapter 919: Reunion with Shen Yiren, Heart Demon Illusion

“Yu Ning, you’ve worked hard on this trip. Go and rest for now.”

Shen Jianjia led Lu Changsheng and the others to a grand hall in the Divine Maiden Palace and said to Qin Yuning.

“Yes, Master.” Qin Yuning knew her master had important matters to discuss with this Changsheng True Lord. She bowed and took her leave.

“I sent Yu Ning to the Immortal City of Damengze to visit True Lord Lu mainly because of my little sister.”

Shen Jianjia wore a dress shimmering like a starry river. She sat gracefully on the main seat with an elegant poise.

Her stunning beauty seemed otherworldly, pure and untouched by the mortal realm.

Yet her beautiful eyes held an indescribable nobility, grace and authority like a queen ruling over the heavens.

“When I left that day I promised to come to the Divine Maiden Palace to marry Yiren once I broke through to Nascent Soul. Now that I’ve achieved it even without the Great Palace Master’s message I would have come to visit.”

Lu Changsheng spoke calmly without dwelling much on the White Dew Palace incident.

He had suffered a great loss back then.

But Shen Jianjia the Great Palace Master of the Divine Maidens had shown mercy and not pushed things to the extreme.

Besides this Great Palace Master probably felt deeply uncomfortable about him.

She was only willing to set it aside and talk calmly for the sake of her sister Shen Yiren.

Under these circumstances Lu Changsheng naturally wouldn’t dwell on the matter with Shen Baishuang.

He prioritized Shen Yiren’s situation aiming to turn conflict into harmony and become family.

Shen Jianjia fell silent for a few moments before saying “If Yiren agrees I as her sister have no objections.”

Normally she wouldn’t want to marry her sister to a reincarnated cultivator like Lu Changsheng.

But as the elder sister she acted like a mother.

She understood her sister Shen Yiren’s personality deeply.

She knew the White Dew Palace incident had greatly affected her sister creating a knot in her heart trapping her in mental barriers.

That’s why over the years she hadn’t agreed to let her sister attempt Nascent Soul hoping she could break through it.

Now informing Lu Changsheng was a last resort thinking the one who tied the bell should untie it.

She hoped Lu Changsheng could resolve her sister’s heart knot and break the barrier.

“But I have one question.”

Shen Jianjia met Lu Changsheng’s gaze and spoke.

The White Dew Palace incident was indeed her sister Shen Baishuang’s fault.

But in her view Lu Changsheng had disguised his identity and infiltrated the Divine Maiden Palace with ill intentions.

“Please speak Great Palace Master.” Lu Changsheng smiled.

“Why did True Lord Lu come to my Divine Maiden Palace back then?”

Shen Jianjia’s eyes were clear as she stared straight at Lu Changsheng. The plum blossom mark on her forehead glowed faintly judging the truth of his words.

Lu Changsheng had anticipated this question. He replied candidly “First to inquire about my son Zhao Wuzhen’s whereabouts through your palace. Second to see if I could borrow your sect’s spiritual vein for my Nascent Soul breakthrough.”

Shen Jianjia stared into Lu Changsheng’s eyes her expression unchanging.

Back when Lu Changsheng joined the Divine Maiden Palace he had used a similar excuse.

Now he just changed ‘family junior’ to ‘my son’.

After gazing for a while she saw no signs of lying in his eyes or expression.

But she didn’t rule out the possibility that he was deceiving her.

After all the Lu Changsheng before her was a new Nascent Soul but she judged him to be a reincarnated great cultivator far from simple.

He might even be an old monster who had lived longer than her.

Lu Changsheng knew his words lacked conviction so he continued “I suppose the Great Palace Master has guessed that I’m no ordinary cultivator but a reincarnated great cultivator.”

“Though I’ve awakened memories from my past life they’re fuzzy. I lack a secure opportunity for breaking through to Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul so following a vague sense I came to the Starry Sea.”

“As for my son Zhao Wuzhen your sect investigated it before. You should know it’s not fabricated.”

Lu Changsheng gazed calmly at Shen Jianjia sitting gracefully on the main seat her beauty unparalleled.

He thought the Divine Maiden Palace lived up to its name with divine maidens.

The three sisters could all be called divine maidens especially Shen Jianjia before him!

If he could have all three sisters…

Lu Changsheng quickly banished the stray thoughts from his mind.

He reminded himself he was here to marry her sister not to covet the garden while picking melons or eye the mother while teasing the child.

Moreover this Great Palace Master was a top cultivator in the Starry Sea a mid-Nascent Soul magnate once pursued by the Starry Sea’s top demonic cultivator the Six Paths Demon Lord now the Alchemist Alliance magnate and top alchemist.

Even with his exceptional charm conquering her to become the child’s mother would be extremely difficult.

Especially given his history with Shen Yiren and Shen Baishuang getting close to this Great Palace Master would be several times harder than usual.

Shen Jianjia nodded slightly.

She knew the rough details of Zhao Wuzhen’s matter though Shen Yiren and Shen Baishuang had handled the investigation.

But she was aware of the gist.

“Do the matters with Wu Gu Old Demon and Shi Hai True Lord have anything to do with True Lord Lu?”

Shen Jianjia looked at Lu Changsheng her red lips parting as she asked.

The earlier incident with Wu Demon Island and Shi Hai True Lord had caused quite a stir in the Starry Sea.

Both had connections to Zhao Wuzhen making her suspect if it involved Lu Changsheng before her.

If he had killed them it would be astonishing.

“That was my uncle’s doing not mine.” Lu Changsheng said.

“Uncle?” Shen Jianjia’s eyes narrowed wondering about Lu Changsheng’s background.

Not only a reincarnated great cultivator but with such a powerful uncle.

After all both Wu Gu Old Demon and Shi Hai True Lord were Nascent Soul cultivators.

The killing of two Nascent Soul cultivators was a major event anywhere.

Especially according to reports Wu Gu Old Demon was forcefully breached and killed on his island which was terrifying.

“Wuzhen’s Kunpeng Demonic Art was taught by his uncle.”

Lu Changsheng didn’t explain much and said calmly “So Palace Master Shen can rest assured I have no schemes against your Divine Maiden Palace. Joining back then was purely fate.”

Shen Jianjia had been using her divine ability to discern the truth in Lu Changsheng’s words.

Seeing he seemed truthful she felt slightly relieved.

As long as Lu Changsheng had no ill intentions toward her Divine Maiden Palace everything else was negotiable.

She didn’t care about the Kunpeng Demonic Art the mysterious uncle the Celestial Treasure or the Kunpeng egg’s whereabouts.

“In that case True Lord Lu come with me to see my little sister.”

Shen Jianjia stopped asking and said “I invited True Lord Lu here because my sister is trapped by mental barriers. I hope you can help resolve her heart knot and break the barrier.”

“Otherwise delaying further Yiren will miss the best time to break through to Nascent Soul.”

Though Core Formation cultivators start declining after 350 affecting Nascent Soul chances.

But for Nascent Soul breakthroughs earlier is always better.

Delaying too long affects not just age and physical state but also mindset.

Shen Yiren could have attempted Nascent Soul long ago.

She delayed for maximum stability.

Further delay might still impact her Nascent Soul chances.

“Rest assured Great Palace Master I’m here precisely for this.”

Lu Changsheng said seriously having already guessed Shen Yiren’s condition.

Otherwise with the White Dew Palace incident why would the Great Palace Master invite him?

“A’Gui Lingjing you two rest here. I’ll come back after I’m done.”

Lu Changsheng said to the Turtle Immortal Patriarch and Lu Lingjing beside him.

He couldn’t bring the two demons along to see Shen Yiren.

“You two can head to the guest rooms to rest.”

Shen Jianjia thought Lu Changsheng was quite confident.

To go to Divine Maiden Peak with her without his steward or spirit pet.

But recalling his Celestial Treasure and rumors from Jiang Kingdom she understood. He was confident in his strength.

Or rather before clashing with a clear gap most Nascent Soul cultivators were confident in their abilities.

Lu Changsheng and Shen Jianjia arrived at Divine Maiden Peak at Shen Yiren’s palace.

He wanted to ask about his son Shen Yuanming.

But considering Shen Jianjia’s lukewarm attitude full of vigilance he decided to handle Shen Yiren’s matter first.

“Sister.”

Shen Yiren emerged immediately upon hearing her sister arrive.

It had been seventeen years since Lu Changsheng last saw Shen Yiren.

She still wore the same simple light green dress her beauty exquisite but Lu Changsheng felt she looked much more haggard.

Or rather she lacked that serene elegance that peaceful aura like stepping out of a misty painting now with a touch more coldness.

But perhaps because of their son Shen Yuanming her hair was pinned up her brows and eyes carrying a mature wifely charm like willows brushing water gracefully captivating.

“Sister who is this?”

Shen Yiren found Lu Changsheng’s appearance and aura familiar but didn’t recognize him as the former Xuanmu Daoist.

“Great Palace Master could you give Yiren and me some time alone?”

Lu Changsheng transmitted to Shen Jianjia feeling her presence was like a third wheel affecting his performance.

Shen Jianjia paused then said “Little sister this is True Lord Lu the former guest elder Xuanmu Daoist. He’s here to visit and wants to see you. Do you wish to catch up with him?”

“Xuanmu Daoist!?”

Shen Yiren’s delicate frame trembled her expression stunned suddenly realizing why Lu Changsheng seemed familiar.

His features resembled their son Shen Yuanming somewhat.

And his gentle scholarly aura was similar to the former Xuanmu Daoist.

Shen Yiren gazed at Lu Changsheng in his green robe his handsome face her expression dazed.

She hadn’t expected Xuanmu Daoist to come to the Divine Maiden Palace for her.

Her feelings toward Xuanmu Daoist were complex.

She had some fondness but it was just that far from love or becoming dao companions.

But her second sister had…

The White Dew Palace incident often resurfaced in her mind lingering.

Only with time did it gradually fade.

But it still deeply affected her.

Her heart filled with confusion distress pain anger and guilt toward Xuanmu Daoist.

In her view the fault lay not with him but with her second sister Shen Baishuang.

Xuanmu Daoist and she were both victims utterly innocent.

Now seventeen years later with son Shen Yuanming growing her feelings toward Xuanmu Daoist had fermented becoming even more complex.

So complex she couldn’t sort them out herself.

Sometimes she hoped he’d break through to Nascent Soul and come as promised.

Other times recalling White Dew Palace she wished he’d never appear again.

“Yiren you’ve suffered these years. You’ve grown so thin.”

Lu Changsheng felt pity stepping forward to hold Shen Yiren’s hand to comfort her.

“Fellow Daoist Xuanmu please compose yourself.”

Shen Yiren instinctively stepped back avoiding his hand.

Though the man before her was the former Xuanmu Daoist his appearance was unfamiliar to her.

Moreover apart from the intimate encounter in White Dew Palace under the Tears of the Fairy’s influence they had always been polite.

Now him trying to hold her hand upon meeting she couldn’t accept it.

With his late-Nascent Soul spirit-soul Lu Changsheng could faintly sense Shen Yiren’s emotional fluctuations her heart racing.

He knew she didn’t reject him or lack feelings it was just her personality.

“Yiren I was too forward. I’m sorry.”

He immediately said with a face full of apology “I heard you haven’t attempted Nascent Soul yet guessing the past events affected you creating a heart knot. So I’m here to help resolve your inner barriers.”

“Do you remember my words my promise when I left?”

Lu Ancestor said with deep sincere affection in his eyes.

As he spoke his peerlessly handsome face blurred transforming into the former Xuanmu Daoist’s elegant scholarly appearance.

Shen Yiren pursed her pink lips silent naturally remembering Xuanmu Daoist’s words upon leaving.

But her feelings about this relationship were deeply complex.

Now with Lu Changsheng as Xuanmu Daoist before her her heart was in turmoil.

“If Yiren is unwilling I won’t force it. But with a barrier in your heart delaying your Nascent Soul breakthrough I can’t stand by.”

Lu Changsheng met Shen Yiren’s gaze continuing in a warm voice.

“Fellow Daoist Xuanmu you owe Yiren nothing from the past. No need for this…”

Shen Yiren bit her red lip lightly shaking her head “As for heart knots or barriers Yiren has none. I haven’t attempted Nascent Soul yet simply because I’m not fully prepared.”

“That’s good!” Lu Changsheng sighed in relief his expression joyful “When do you plan to attempt Nascent Soul Yiren?”

“During my breakthrough I gained some opportunities. Perhaps I can help you with your attempt even improve your Nascent Soul quality.”

“…” Shen Yiren felt overwhelmed by Lu Changsheng’s unmasked enthusiasm.

After so many years why had Fellow Daoist Xuanmu become so bold?

If not for the similar aura and disguised appearance she might not recognize him.

Besides was their relationship that deep?

Shen Yiren’s heart fluttered as she said softly “I’m almost ready. These days I’m preparing to retreat and fully attempt Nascent Soul.”

“With your talent Yiren I believe you’ll have no issues with Nascent Soul.”

Lu Changsheng smiled “But the Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation and heart demon tribulation are dangerous. True Person Jing Qing fell under the heart demon tribulation. During mine the heart demon took your form making it perilously close to failure. We can’t be careless.”

“In the heart demon tribulation I comprehended a secret technique to evoke others’ heart demons even forming a heart demon illusion. Yiren would you like to try it to adapt and prepare in advance?”

Besides the God-Devouring Technique Lu Changsheng had drawn a soul technique called Six Desire Heart Demon Technique years ago.

This technique cultivated using the seven emotions and six desires.

At high levels it could suppress heart demons and evoke them in others.

Though Lu Changsheng hadn’t spent time cultivating it.

With his soul now at Nascent Soul eighth layer he could evoke others’ heart demons and create a weakened heart demon illusion.

Of course his main goal was to help Shen Yiren open her heart.

Such a heart demon illusion fully under his control could bring them closer during the process.

Nearby Shen Jianjia watched Lu Changsheng’s affectionate gaze toward her little sister and couldn’t help frowning.

She wondered if inviting him to help resolve her sister’s heart knot was a mistake.

This man didn’t seem like a Nascent Soul True Lord or reincarnated great cultivator at all!

But Lu Changsheng’s mention of heart demon illusion intrigued her wondering about its effects.

After all not just any illusion could be called a heart demon illusion.

As a Nascent Soul True Lord and top Starry Sea cultivator practicing top soul techniques she could disrupt others’ souls and trap them in illusions with a thought.

But illusions and heart demon illusions were worlds apart!

As for evoking heart demons though she hadn’t cultivated such abilities she knew they were on a different level from heart demon illusions.

“Heart demon illusion?”

Shen Yiren knew she had a barrier in her heart.

But having a heart barrier didn’t mean absolute failure in Nascent Soul or heart demon tribulation.

It just made a flawed mindset more dangerous under heart demon tribulation.

Hearing this Shen Yiren couldn’t help wanting to test how she’d perform in his heart demon illusion if she could pass smoothly.

As for whether Lu Changsheng would harm her Shen Yiren wasn’t worried.

On one hand she subconsciously trusted this ‘Xuanmu Daoist’.

On the other her sister Shen Jianjia was right there.

“Thank you Fellow Daoist Xuanmu.”

Shen Yiren nodded wanting to face her heart demon scene directly.