Chapter 922: As Long as You Get Past Me, You Can Weather the Heart Demon Tribulation

“Looks like the Great Palace Master knows quite a bit about me.”

Lu Changsheng kept his face calm as he spoke.

This was the second time someone had stripped off his disguise completely.

In the past he worried that being exposed would drag danger and trouble to his clan, wives, and children.

Now he felt much more at ease.

The reason was simple. Unless there is an irreconcilable blood feud, cultivators rarely target family and friends.

Partly it is about public-facing morality.

Partly it is because those with nothing to lose are the scariest.

After reaching Nascent Soul, killing a peer is extremely hard.

Ties like clan, disciples, and friends breed mutual scruples in daily dealings.

If you cut off an opponent’s clan, faction, and bonds for revenge, you only leave yourself a terrifying enemy.

With his current strength, anyone thinking of touching the Lu Family would have to think twice.

Especially someone like Shen Jianjia who has kin, disciples, and a power base.

Even so, being unmasked brings hidden risks.

If his identities as Yangming True Lord and Changsheng True Lord were exposed, great powers would watch, marvel, and probe him in secret.

They might even hunt Lu Family disciples, soul search them, then use father-son bloodlines as a medium to divine him.

That is the biggest hidden danger of taking a wife and having children in this world.

It is why many cultivators stay alone and only found clans late in life.

“For one man to capture and slay six Nascent Soul cultivators, shaking the Southern Desolation—it’s truly impressive.”

Hearing him admit it, Shen Jianjia voiced her praise.

Then she sighed and added, “But your situation is hard for my palace to gauge. It leaves me wary, and I cannot rest easy with my sister and True Lord.”

She rejected the way Lu Changsheng kept many wives and filled his household with children.

She also feared his unknown background and did not want to be entangled in its karma.

Lu Changsheng understood what she meant.

He even sympathized with her stance.

Unless you were currying favor or climbing a thigh.

Few would marry off their sister to a man with many wives, a mysterious origin, and a pile of unstable variables.

Even if his talent, looks, cultivation, character, and potential were all first-rate.

He sighed inwardly. Without a reasonable explanation, her wariness and guard would not fade.

He nodded. “I understand your concerns, but you can rest easy about Yiren.”

“I am sincere toward her, and she already bears my bloodline. How could I fail mother and child.”

Lu Changsheng looked her in the eye as he spoke.

He had planned to settle things for Shen Yiren first, then ask to meet his son, Shen Yuanming.

Now, with Shen Jianjia so guarded, if he could not pass this gate, seeing Shen Yiren would be hard.

“Your bloodline?”

Shen Jianjia kept a straight face and feigned ignorance.

There is bloodline resonance, but Shen Yuanming is the Divine Maiden Palace’s Young Lord. His fate is deep, with diviners masking his qi.

Unless Lu Changsheng met Shen Yuanming face to face, he would find it hard to sense the boy.

“No need to play dumb, Great Palace Master.”

Lu Changsheng smiled. “You asked why most cultivators avoid family while I go the other way.”

“Then let me tell you.”

Facing the Divine Maiden Palace’s Great Palace Master, his aura lifted, otherworldly. He met her noble, awe-filled eyes and said four words: “Dragon Emperor Dao Body.”

In the old days he could hide his pursuit of the Dao behind a mask of low ambition and lechery.

No one would buy that now.

So he needed a new explanation, a reason that made sense.

For most cultivators, cultivation always comes first.

Given the talent and behavior he had shown, reincarnated grand cultivator plus Dragon Emperor Dao Body made a fine story.

“Dragon Emperor Dao Body?” Shen Jianjia’s eyes narrowed. She had never heard of such a body.

But the words Dao Body alone told her it matched her guess.

He was not only a reincarnated grand cultivator. He also carried a peerless Dao Body.

“The Dragon Emperor Dao Body is a top-tier constitution, aligned with the Yin-Yang Path of heaven and earth.”

“Your cultivation surges without bottlenecks. With dual cultivation of Yin and Yang, it aids practice and clears your mind.”

“And it is easy to sire children. Most offspring are gifted.”

Lu Changsheng laid out the effects one by one.

Hong Lian had only seen mention of it in old books; whether it truly existed was another matter.

But by now he could spin this offhand, even tailoring the Dragon Emperor Dao Body to himself.

“Because of it, the moment I entered the Divine Maiden Palace I sensed that Yiren and I had a bloodline child.”

He straightened. “I value my bloodline greatly. Since you’ve already looked into me, you should know that.”

Shen Jianjia did not doubt the Dragon Emperor Dao Body cover.

She just assumed it was not as simple as he said.

There must be other effects and secrets.

Dao Body matters are weighty.

No cultivator would lay bare their techniques and Dao Body to others.

After a beat she said, “I believe your sincerity.”

If he were an ordinary Nascent Soul, the Divine Maiden Palace could ignore his request to see her nephew Shen Yuanming.

But this man was a reincarnated grand cultivator with the battle power of a Nascent Soul overlord.

She had no reason to refuse him meeting his bloodline, and little way to refuse.

“The Dragon Emperor Dao Body aligns with the Yin-Yang Path. Dual cultivation not only benefits me, it greatly helps my partner. It clarifies thoughts, aids practice, boosts fortune, even dispels love tribulations and blocks heart demons.”

“So you can rest easy about me and Yiren.”

“As long as you do not meddle, our feelings will naturally fall into place. When that happens, her Nascent Soul breakthrough will follow as a matter of course.”

He was not lying. After the Peach Blossom Gu advanced to an Immortal Gu, it gained a Blesses the Wife effect.

As long as he cultivated with Shen Yiren and eased her knot, breaking through to Nascent Soul would be easy.

“What?”

Shen Jianjia frowned. This “Dragon Emperor Dao Body” of Lu True Lord sounded a bit improper.

Dual cultivation and fertility were one thing.

But dual cultivation that also reads the heart, boosts fortune, and dispels love tribulations?

Why not claim it breaks bottlenecks, improves Spirit Root talent, and refines her foundation too.

“Lu True Lord likes my sister that much?”

Shen Jianjia studied him and asked.

She could understand him wanting to marry her sister.

In looks, talent, arts, and temperament, her sister could be a worthy inner help.

But did this man truly feel so deeply for her?

An elder sister is like a mother.

Shen Jianjia cherished her sister.

To her, Lu True Lord’s zeal and effort were not so simple. There had to be other aims.

Lu Changsheng sighed inside.

High-level female cultivators like her were more rational and did not believe much in romance.

Add first impressions.

With his harem-lord image and tens of thousands in his bloodline, there was no way she would believe he was a devoted romantic.

A man of deep feeling, full of duty and responsibility.

“On one hand, I do like Yiren, and she carries my blood. On the other, it is tied to my Dragon Emperor Dao Body and future path.”

He made both the affection and the self-interest clear.

Shen Jianjia paused, thoughtful.

She realized his Dao Body’s cultivation might involve partners, dual cultivation, even children.

“Some of this touches my cultivation. It’s not convenient to say more for now. If you’re curious, collect what lore you can on the Dragon Emperor Dao Body. You’ll likely guess a bit.”

He did not trot out a “Central State Sacred Emperor” line. He would rather let her infer.

A Nascent Soul overlord like her was hard to hoodwink.

Besides, not long ago he and the Turtle Immortal Patriarch discussed how to deal with the Star King.

The old turtle suggested he could use the identity of Eastern Emperor reincarnate to win over Yue Zun, then ambush the Star King.

So in the Starry Sea he might have to wear the Eastern Emperor mask.

If he bragged about being a Central State Sacred Emperor now, it would be hard to explain later. Better to let her guess, then spin the story as needed.

“I’ve shown enough sincerity.”

Lu Changsheng said mildly, offering no further explanation.

He was still a reincarnated grand cultivator, a Nascent Soul overlord.

Bowing too low would be unbecoming.

“If your heart is truly set on my sister, I won’t meddle too much.”

After a pause, Shen Jianjia spoke and stepped back, though she did not say it to the end.

“That will do.” Lu Changsheng knew she still kept her guard up.

So long as she did not interfere between him and Shen Yiren, that was enough.

With business done, they traded a few courtesies. Lu Changsheng left the Divine Maiden Palace and went to visit Shen Yiren.

At the same time, Shen Jianjia sent a message about the deeds and situation of Changsheng True Lord to her sister Shen Yiren.

So her sister would not be tricked by a reincarnated old monster like him.

If her sister was unwilling, she would back her up.

Shen Yiren was not in her cave residence. She was on the rear cliff of Divine Maiden Peak, keeping her son company while he cultivated.

Reading the string of messages, Shen Yiren froze, then went blank.

She had liked Lu Changsheng—back then Xuamu Daoist—quite a bit.

Gentle and elegant, cultured and learned.

Though born to a minor clan, he had climbed to where he was through effort.

But now, going by her sister’s messages, that Xuamu persona had been a disguise.

That Fellow Daoist was in fact Lu True Lord, and he had long since started a family.

With wives and concubines, hundreds of children, and bloodline numbering in the tens of thousands.

The news hit Shen Yiren hard.

She could not accept it for a time.

She had even worried that bearing Shen Yuanming would burden Lu Changsheng.

Only to find he already had hundreds of children.

There had always been cultivators who loved to marry and have children.

But with her first impression, the contrast was too stark.

Like seeing a pure, demure beauty, only to learn she was a battle-hardened veteran.

“Third Palace Master, Xuamu Daoist requests an audience.”

While she sat lost, the cave residence steward sent word.

Shen Yiren gathered herself, looked at her son cultivating nearby, bit her lip, and sent a voice message. “Yuanming, Mother has something to do. Cultivate well. If anything happens, call for me or Elder Xin.”

Before, she had hoped father and son would acknowledge each other.

Now she felt her son was fine as he was.

Shen Yuanming was training and did not notice his mother’s expression. He simply told her not to worry.

Shen Yiren turned into a streak of emerald light and flew back to her palace.

There she saw Xuamu Daoist already waiting in the main hall.

“Greetings, Lu True Lord.”

Looking at his handsome, scholarly face, she felt a brief daze and bowed.

From her face, eyes, and tone, Lu Changsheng knew at once that Shen Jianjia had told her the truth.

He had meant to come clean himself, but her saying it and him saying it were not the same.

“This woman.”

Lu Ancestor thought to himself that the Great Palace Master was truly wary of him.

She guarded against him like he was some greenhorn.

Then he reminded himself that as an elder sister, centuries older than Shen Yiren and almost a mother, of course she would be protective.

“Yiren, I came today to talk things through. It seems the Great Palace Master has already told you about me.”

Lu Changsheng smiled, warm and scholarly.

“Mm. My sister told me a little about you.”

In a light green dress, Shen Yiren’s slender, delicate figure moved with grace as she brewed and poured tea for him.

Looking at his face, she bit her lip and said, “Lu True Lord, please use your true face.”

She had always found that look a little unfamiliar and could not take him for the Xuamu Daoist she knew.

Now that she knew Xuamu was only an alias, she could accept it calmly.

“Alright.”

Lu Changsheng agreed. He did not want to keep using the Xuamu identity with her.

His handsome scholarly face blurred, then settled into the flawless beauty of a jade-like youth.

She had seen him once before.

Seeing him again, she still froze, lost for a heartbeat.

Too handsome. Too extraordinary.

Like an immortal stepping out of a painting, perfect and untouched by flaw.

Especially his brows and bearing.

His eyes were bright and deep, like a starry sky.

His presence was airy and transcendent, as if he did not belong to the mortal world.

Her mood had been heavy and messy.

Yet seeing Lu Changsheng before her, she somehow felt a little calmer.

He said nothing.

He simply looked at her, eyes deep and gentle.

Her heart fluttered. Flustered, she hurried back to her seat and busied herself with tea to hide it.

“Huh?”

Watching the uneasy beauty, Lu Changsheng wondered if he was that frightening.

He usually kept a tight lid on his unruly charm.

He showed a little today, and she was like this.

“What did the Great Palace Master tell you?”

He smiled warmly, eyes clear, free of lust or possessiveness, as if chatting with an old confidante.

“Just a few things about you.” Shen Yiren lowered her gaze and answered softly, not daring to meet his eyes.

“I owe you an apology for hiding it before.”

Lu Changsheng cupped his hands, then gently explained his situation and why he had come to the Divine Maiden Palace.

Shen Yiren listened quietly.

She did not know why, but facing him now, she felt calm, close, and safe.

“That day was an accident, stirred by the Second Palace Master, a passing affair.”

“But one day as husband, a hundred days of grace. And after we spent time together, I found I had feelings for you. So I came to ask for a chance.”

He rose, stepped to her side, and took her slender hand.

Though she did not truly reject him, Shen Yiren still started. She tried to pull away. “Lu True Lord, please mind yourself.”

“If you do not wish it, I will not force you.”

He held her gaze, calm and warm.

Her struggling stilled at those words.

Then she heard him say, “The only things I cannot let go are your Nascent Soul and our child.”

“If you do not wish it, I will leave after you break through.”

He said it with an easy smile.

With his polygamist image, acting too devoted would sound false.

Better to stop here and take it slow.

Leaving now did not mean they could never meet again.

“I am grateful that you would help me condense a Nascent Soul, but I do not deserve it.”

Her jade-white cheeks flushed as she tried to pull her hand free, yet she could not.

“There is nothing undeserved. With a Nascent Soul you will be better placed to care for Yuanming.”

He smiled. “And if you someday accept me, then there is nothing undeserved at all.”

“Please do not joke, True Lord.” She turned her head, face scarlet, bright and stunning.

Lu Changsheng gave a gentle tug and drew her into his arms. “Your greatest heart demon is me. Get past me, and you will cross the heart demon tribulation with ease.”

“True Lord, please behave.” Shen Yiren was shy and angry, feeling this man was shameless and nothing like a lofty senior.

Meeting her gaze squarely, Lu Changsheng said solemnly, “If the Third Palace Master cannot even face this, how will you break your inner barrier and pass the heart demon tribulation?”