Chapter 872: The Victor’s Triumph

‘What is the Lord of Dameng City doing?’

‘How did he manage to break out of the city?’

Cultivators in Red Peak Immortal City were delighted to witness the sycophantic antics of Flood Dragon Holy Son, the Nascent Soul True Lord.

They thought that this Lord of Dameng City, Yangming True Lord, truly possessed unmatched cunning.

He had even devised a strategy to bend his foes without a fight.

By subjugating and restraining Flood Dragon Holy Son, the immediate crisis could be effortlessly quelled.

With his might, this Lord could even grievously wound—or even execute—True Lord Tiancang and True Lord Incinerating Wither.

But none expected that Lu Changsheng would choose this exact moment to strike.

Moreover, he abandoned the advantage offered by the Immortal City Formation.

In an instant, the cultivators of Red Peak Immortal City wore expressions of shock and disbelief, wondering what Lu Changsheng had planned.

Even if his power surpassed others, facing three Nascent Soul True Lords alone would be a tremendous strain.

Yet barely as that thought formed, they beheld a peerless sword light that rent the heavens and void.

The void trembled.

A sword-like sprout—capable of cleaving the sun, moon, and stars—manifested, unleashing a crushing, all-devouring sword qi as it surged toward True Lord Tiancang.

‘How terrifying!’

‘What kind of sword technique is that?’

‘A mere sprout that can slash through the cosmos—such a fearsome sword intent!’

Even behind the protective Immortal City Formation, the cultivators couldn’t help but shudder at the sight of the Nine-Leaf Sword Light.

The brilliance and acuity of that sword light were unparalleled.

Just a glimpse sent shivers down their spines, as if needles pricked their backs and they sat on a bed of pins.

Cultivators in Qi Refining or Foundation Establishment stages quickly closed their eyes, unwilling to gaze directly and risk injury from the sword qi.

After all, in a battle of Nascent Souls, those at the Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment stages had no business watching.

‘This is bad!’

True Lord Tiancang saw Lu Changsheng forgoing the Immortal City Formation and charging at the three, mistakenly thinking it presented an opportunity.

But as the Nine-Leaf Sword Light unleashed its fury, all three immediately sensed the looming danger.

Especially True Lord Tiancang.

He watched in horror as the peerless sword qi, like a tidal surge, tore through the heavens and void to engulf him; his skin crawling, his inner calm shattered by the warning bells of doom.

It was as if Death himself was staring him down, ready to claim his life in the next heartbeat.

‘Silkworm Robe!’

True Lord Tiancang couldn’t fathom why Yangming True Lord, who had only broken through to Nascent Soul barely decades ago, now wielded such power—and there was no time to ponder further.

With his Nascent Soul magical energy surging and his body shrieking like silkworms in distress, his life’s magical treasure, the Silkworm Robe, shimmered like drifting clouds, radiating translucent silken strands as it formed a Nascent Soul Domain to retreat.

However, Lu Changsheng instantly sacrificed his life’s magical treasure, the Starrealm Compass, melding it with the void to establish a Law Domain, preventing any escape.

“Shh… shh… shh—”

A tearing, buzzing sound erupted like a swarm; under the assault of the Nine-Leaf Sword Light, True Lord Tiancang’s Nascent Soul Domain and Protective Shield were rent apart.

The lustrous Silkworm Robe adorning him, once brilliant, now split with jagged tears.

‘You two, help me!’

True Lord Tiancang cried out in terror.

He could not comprehend how Yangming True Lord’s strength had soared so dramatically in just a few decades.

In the old days in the Mirage Domain of Vast Sands, even if one’s Nascent Soul Body shattered…

The subsequent life-sacrificing explosion would leave one either dead or crippled for over a decade.

Yet here, Flood Dragon Holy Son and True Lord Incinerating Wither, despite facing an onslaught of infinite sword qi, reacted in distinct ways.

Flood Dragon Holy Son immediately charged toward Red Peak Immortal City, seeking to rescue the Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain.

As for True Lord Incinerating Wither,

upon seeing the awe-inspiring Lu Changsheng and the roaring advance of Golden-Winged Roc, he chose to retreat directly.

He had already concluded that Flood Dragon Holy Son was nothing more than a liability!

If he hesitated because of his ties to Beast God Mountain and followed True Lord Tiancang’s advice, he feared his end would be unrecognizable.

After all, he knew himself well.

Relying on the legacy of the Asura Sect and the Ten Thousand Spirit Blood granted by Beast God Mountain, he had barely managed to force through a Nascent Soul breakthrough.

He was among the weakest of Nascent Soul cultivators.

He hadn’t even cultivated the basic Nascent Soul Divine Abilities.

His arrival on the battlefield was partly to repay a favor to Beast God Mountain and partly because he fancied bagging some battle merits.

But now, having a useless ally who refused to fight alongside him against Yangming True Lord, why was he still lingering here?

Is he waiting for death?

‘Subordinate forces are utterly unreliable!’

True Lord Tiancang cursed inwardly when he saw True Lord Incinerating Wither choose to flee,

but was instantly struck silent by Flood Dragon Holy Son, who brazenly charged right at the Immortal City Formation, disregarding everything for himself.

Even his own kind proved to be the most unreliable—pure, incompetent teammates!

‘At least using Soul Escape might preserve my life!’

Feeling his life’s magical treasure being torn apart by the peerless sword qi, True Lord Tiancang knew he was no match for Yangming True Lord.

To survive, his only option was to unleash Soul Escape and flee!

Though he was unwilling,

once he used Soul Escape, his future would be bleak.

Yet he had no other choice!

“Ah!” With a roar full of suppressed indignation, True Lord Tiancang exploded his Law Body to free his Nascent Soul Spirit,

for once his Law Body fell into Lu Changsheng’s hands, there would be no hope of reclaiming it.

Better to self-detonate and break the blockade, buying himself precious time.

“Hmph, you still plan to self-detonate and flee!”

Lu Changsheng watched as True Lord Tiancang’s self-detonated Law Body and escaped Nascent Soul Spirit marched fearlessly forward; his Nine Calamity Sword resounded as he continued his charge.

Simultaneously, he activated his life’s magical treasure, the Yin-Yang Diagram, unleashing the Divine Ability “Yin-Yang Qi Great Capture”.

His hand, marked with distinct Yin-Yang patterns, merged with the fragmented Yin-Yang Diagram in the celestial vault, forming boundless Yin-Yang Qi that, along with the Starrealm Compass, sealed the void.

“Pfft!” Just as True Lord Tiancang’s Nascent Soul Spirit emerged, it felt beams of starlight refracting inward, suppressing his spirit.

It became clear that Yangming True Lord possessed a treasured artifact capable of limiting Nascent Soul Spirits.

“Yangming True Lord, spare me! I swear my allegiance if you let me live!”

True Lord Tiancang was convinced that the Yangming True Lord before him was a reincarnated powerhouse, one who had seized a body and rebuilt himself.

Otherwise, how could a Core Formation cultivator just breakthrough to Nascent Soul and wield such power alongside an artifact that restrains a Nascent Soul Spirit?

Lu Changsheng paid no heed.

The Danghun Bell in his hand had begun to jingle as it relentlessly suppressed True Lord Tiancang’s Nascent Soul Spirit, and then, with a net woven of azure light threads, he bound it tightly.

Meanwhile, at Lu Changsheng’s command, Golden-Winged Roc, disregarding Flood Dragon Holy Son, blazed with gold as it lunged toward True Lord Incinerating Wither.

Like Lu Changsheng, True Lord Incinerating Wither had not managed to condense his Core Formation Law Domain into a Nascent Soul Domain.

His Protective Shield was directly shredded by the talons of Golden-Winged Roc, barely held back by his robes.

But the Asura Blood Robe he wore was only a top-tier Dao-Comprehending Artifact.

It was no match for the vicious claws of this fourth-rank Demon King Golden-Winged Roc—the radiant aura dimmed abruptly as damages set in.

“Asura Bloodfiend Blade!” True Lord Incinerating Wither roared skyward; his life’s magical treasure transformed into a hundred-foot long blade as boundless sanguine energy billowed upward, striving to force Golden-Winged Roc aside and shatter both the Yin-Yang Qi Great Capture and the star-forged Law Domain.

However, having received Lu Changsheng’s command,

Golden-Winged Roc was ordered to act swiftly—dispatch the three foes and be rewarded with Flood Dragon Holy Son.

Confronted by such overwhelming might from Nascent Soul treasures, it let out a piercing cry and, with its head emblazoned by the Tianpeng Borlong Diagram, charged head-on.

No matter how formidable True Lord Incinerating Wither was, he was ultimately still just a Nascent Soul cultivator.

That single all-out strike was fearsome enough to cause Golden-Winged Roc’s plumage to dull and fall, its essence being corroded by the sanguine energy from the treasured artifact.

Yet, as if that were not enough, Golden-Winged Roc’s vicious intent proved even more daunting.

Its coiled, golden talons, reminiscent of a true dragon’s phantom, directly tore into True Lord Incinerating Wither’s body, sending blood spurting and nearly dismembering him.

In just one exchange, True Lord Incinerating Wither realized that, let alone Yangming True Lord, he was not even a match for his opponent’s spirit pet!

Then, True Lord Incinerating Wither saw True Lord Tiancang’s failed self-detonation—his Nascent Soul Spirit still couldn’t escape.

Bound like a dumpling by a net woven of intertwined azure threads, his entire being trembled in terror.

‘Flee, flee, flee!!!’

It is well known that a Nascent Soul Spirit, disregarding all restrictions, can easily tear through the Great Void at several times its normal speed.

Cultivators of the same rank simply cannot stop a Nascent Soul Spirit, let alone capture it.

For Yangming True Lord to stand toe-to-toe with True Lord Tiancang’s self-detonation, seize his Nascent Soul Spirit with treasured artifacts—the level of strength must surpass that of True Lord Nine Spirits!

In a flash, True Lord Incinerating Wither’s Nascent Soul Spirit burst from his crown of spirit.

But scarcely had it flown free when it felt beams of starlight refracting, pressing down on it.

‘What technique is this? To be able to suppress a Nascent Soul Spirit!’

True Lord Incinerating Wither’s face drained of color as he realized why True Lord Tiancang had failed in his escape.

Yangming True Lord had long since laid out treasures designed to restrict Nascent Soul Spirits.

“Yangming True Lord, spare me—I serve Beast God Mountain! Let me live and I will pledge my loyalty!”

True Lord Incinerating Wither roared loudly.

He had already submitted to Beast God Mountain in his bid to break through to Nascent Soul.

Now, to submit to the Yangming True Lord before him brought him no mental burden at all.

As for the Demonic Mastermind of the Demonic Path, though he felt a tinge of fear,

now that his life hung by a thread, he cared little about anything else.

Before he could finish his words, Golden-Winged Roc, all aglow in resplendent gold as if aflame, swallowed True Lord Incinerating Wither’s Nascent Soul Spirit whole.

Did Little Roc King ever care about whether he submitted or not?

Better if each of them stops submitting and ends up devoured by themselves!

‘Huh?’

Lu Changsheng observed Golden-Winged Roc gobbling up True Lord Incinerating Wither’s Nascent Soul Spirit, thinking that the creature might still be of use.

But with the battle raging, he turned his attention to Flood Dragon Holy Son, who was dueling with Qian Zhuyan near Red Peak Immortal City.

One had to admit—this man was passionately infatuated.

He was utterly indifferent to the fates of True Lord Tiancang and True Lord Incinerating Wither,

focused solely on rescuing the Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain.

For a moment, Lu Changsheng felt he was the villain who had torn apart a pair of star-crossed lovers.

“Sigh… if that’s the case, then let it be a merciful end for you.”

Lu Changsheng’s Nine Calamity Sword rang out as he cleaved an unparalleled sword light toward Flood Dragon Holy Son’s head.

At the same time, Golden-Winged Roc, unconcerned about its own injuries, intercepted Flood Dragon Holy Son’s escape route.

Compared to True Lord Tiancang or True Lord Incinerating Wither, its desire for Flood Dragon Holy Son was overwhelming—

a longing born deep from its very bloodline!

‘Damn these useless wretches!’

Flood Dragon Holy Son’s face twisted as he watched Lu Changsheng and Golden-Winged Roc finish off True Lord Tiancang and True Lord Incinerating Wither; his features were ashen.

He never expected the two to be so ineffective.

Within mere breaths, they had been swept aside by Yangming True Lord.

Is it even fitting to call them Nascent Soul cultivators? Nascent Soul True Lords?

Useless trash—completely pathetic!

“What happened to True Lord Tiancang and True Lord Incinerating Wither? Did they flee? Were they slain?”

“This is… too quick.”

“The earlier uproar and clamor—it sounded like a Nascent Soul self-detonation?”

“Yangming True Lord truly is cunning, dispersing the enemy’s might via Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain to strike swiftly!”

“No wonder he’s known as the True Lord—his wisdom is unmatched!”

“The Kingdom of Jiang’s fate is about to change.”

“In the Southern Desolation or the Northern Region, another Nascent Soul powerhouse has arisen!”

Cultivators in Red Peak Immortal City stared, shocked, horrified, and awestruck, as Lu Changsheng so swiftly dispatched True Lord Tiancang and True Lord Incinerating Wither.

From the moment Lu Changsheng burst from the Immortal City to now, barely a few breaths had passed.

Could two Nascent Soul True Lords really be dealt with in such a short time?

No one could believe it.

Much of it was due to Lu Changsheng’s sword light—it was dazzling and razor-sharp.

The battle area was shrouded by the combined might of the Starrealm Compass and Yin-Yang Qi Great Capture,

rendering the Immortal City cultivators’ view utterly blurred.

They could only sense fluctuations in magical energy, accompanied by True Lord Tiancang’s self-detonation and True Lord Incinerating Wither’s frantic pleas.

‘Is this the power of Father?’

Even Lu Lingxiao and Lu Qingxian, witnessing the spectacle, were taken aback.

Though they knew their father’s might far exceeded appearances—with Nascent Soul-level prowess,

to eliminate two Nascent Soul True Lords in just a few breaths was truly terrifying!

At that moment, they finally understood why their father had come to Red Peak Immortal City and so effortlessly dispatched the Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain.

With such power, rescuing the Holy Maiden should have been a triviality, right?

“Roar!!!”

Flood Dragon Holy Son let out a long howl as surges of muddy, turbulent Huangquan energy swirled around him, slamming the void; the coiled Huangquan Flood Dragon, surrounding him, roared fiercely as it charged at Lu Changsheng’s sword light.

Though he was madly infatuated with the Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain, willing to offer his life and all for her,

he knew that begging for mercy would not spare either him or the Holy Maiden.

Since pleading would yield nothing, his only option was to rush back and alert the Demonic Mastermind!

He needed to call for help to rescue the Holy Maiden!

However, if he had fled immediately, there might have been a sliver of a chance.

Now, having lost both True Lord Tiancang and True Lord Incinerating Wither, one man facing Lu Changsheng, Golden-Winged Roc, and Qian Zhuyan was a hopeless match.

“Boom, boom, boom!”

Engaging Lu Changsheng head-on, Flood Dragon Holy Son finally felt the terrifying might of his foe’s sword light.

It was devastatingly destructive and utterly unstoppable!

Even fused with the remnants of the Huangquan Flood Dragon’s soul and halfway transformed into a Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul, he couldn’t counter such sword light.

Meanwhile, Qian Zhuyan orchestrated a Puppet Battle Formation, launching pillar after pillar of puppet power crystal, spearing Flood Dragon Holy Son from all sides and sealing off any escape.

Each of these crystal pillars was as forceful as a Nascent Soul strike.

Even for a Nascent Soul cultivator to break through, they would need precious time.

“Pfft!”

Flood Dragon Holy Son suddenly vomited blood; a deep, savage sword wound marred his chest, as though Lu Changsheng were tearing him limb from limb.

“Huangquan Flood Dragon Transformation!”

He howled to the skies, unleashing his ultimate technique.

He awakened the will of the Huangquan Flood Dragon, allowing its remnant soul to seize control of his body.

This was his ultimate trump card—a technique reserved only for the direst moments.

In an instant, the Huangquan Flood Dragon pattern coiling around his shoulder seemed to awaken, its cold, pale golden eyes opening.

Phantom images of the Huangquan Flood Dragon surged into his body, filling him with boundless magical energy and a surge of qi rivalling that of veteran Nascent Soul cultivators.

“Whoo—whoo—whoo…”

Below him, murky Huangquan waves roiled into serpentine shapes—Huangquan Flood Dragons swirling around him, making him appear like an omnipotent entity, with awe-inspiring strength and an intimidating aura.

Yet, when Lu Changsheng saw this scene, rather than grim seriousness, his eyes shimmered with a trace of surprise and delight.

It was said that Flood Dragon Holy Son had once been a mere servant of Beast God Mountain.

After unexpectedly merging with a dragon’s soul, he had rapidly risen to prominence, showing astounding talent to become Beast God Mountain’s Holy Son with a Nascent Soul Seed.

Lu Changsheng had once wondered what kind of dragon soul could raise a lowly servant to such heights.

Could it have been a fourth-rank Demon Soul?

Now, witnessing Flood Dragon Holy Son’s fusion with the demonic soul, Lu Changsheng instantly realized it wasn’t just any demon soul.

It was a top-tier demonic spirit, akin to that of a ghost king!

‘This draconic demon spirit is no ordinary thing. If I can harness it as the beast soul for my Hunting God Chariot, its battle potential would be unparalleled!’

Lu Changsheng recalled his long-neglected treasured artifact, the Hunting God Chariot.

This war artifact could hunt the souls of living beings for fuel, or imprison fourth-rank beast souls for one’s own use.

In recent years, however, Lu Changsheng had been too busy to search for a suitable beast soul.

Now, upon seeing the remnants of the Huangquan Flood Dragon soul within Flood Dragon Holy Son, his interest was immediately piqued.

And it wasn’t just him—Golden-Winged Roc, observing Flood Dragon Holy Son’s condition, was filled with an indescribable yearning,

a longing to devour him and enhance its own bloodline potential.

“Screee!” Golden-Winged Roc howled skyward, transmitting its desire to Lu Changsheng, coalescing an overwhelming cascade of golden sword feathers; the Tianpeng Borlong Diagram appeared above its head, determined to prevent Flood Dragon Holy Son’s escape.

‘This Yangming True Lord’s power must be that of a Nascent Soul mid-stage powerhouse!’

‘How did Yangming True Lord, once just a Core Formation cultivator in the Mirage Domain of Vast Sands, advance to mid-stage Nascent Soul so quickly?’

‘And this True Lord Golden Roc’s might—surely not inferior to that of True Lord Huangquan!’

‘That’s natural—in his early days, Yangming True Lord, still a Core Formation cultivator, clashed head-on with the Heavenly Corpse Sect Master, while True Lord Golden Roc, with just a third-rank body, confronted the fourth-rank Corpse King of the Heavenly Corpse Sect.’

High-level cultivators in Red Peak Immortal City finally began to grasp the details of the battle.

Hearing the yearning in Golden-Winged Roc’s cry, Lu Changsheng gently shook his head.

His Nine Calamity Sword vibrated mightily as it gathered a sword light capable of cleaving through the cosmos, aimed squarely at Flood Dragon Holy Son’s neck.

Simultaneously, he unleashed the Divine Ability “Yin-Yang Qi Great Capture” to ensure Flood Dragon Holy Son had no means of escape.

Flood Dragon Holy Son, though his strength had soared thanks to his Nascent Soul Divine Techniques and the remnants of the Huangquan Flood Dragon soul—enough to rival veteran Nascent Soul cultivators like True Lord Pinghai—

found himself utterly powerless under the combined suppression of the Puppet Battle Formation, the star-forged Law Domain, the Yin-Yang Qi Great Capture, and the Yin-Yang Diagram.

His Protective Shield and the scales on his body shattered completely; in a heartbeat, he saw his head severed from his corpse.

‘Roar!!!’

At that very moment, a roar akin to the wails of vengeful ghosts and thunderous dragon roars echoed: “Yangming True Lord, you’ve disgraced my wife by slaying my Law Body—Beast God Mountain will never forgive you!”

Flood Dragon Holy Son, though madly infatuated with the Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain, was no fool.

He recognized early on, as Lu Changsheng and Golden-Winged Roc advanced, that he could not possibly prevail and had to attempt a Soul Escape.

After all, his Nascent Soul Spirit, unbound by any restrictions, could easily burst through the Great Void at several times its normal speed.

Yet, facing Yangming True Lord—who could not only force a Law Body self-detonation but also seize a Nascent Soul Spirit with treasured artifacts—the disparity in power was clear.

Flood Dragon Holy Son had no recourse but to try and break through the confinement—

but fate was unkind.

The remnants of the Huangquan Flood Dragon soul had been suppressing his true potential.

In a last desperate bid, he tore through his flesh, standing at the brink of life and death, as he forced his Nascent Soul Spirit to shatter the confines of the star-forged Law Domain and break free of the Yin-Yang Qi Great Capture and Puppet Battle Formation.

But alas, just as he was about to escape into the Great Void, a radiant, mysterious lunar glow burst forth, bathing his Nascent Soul Spirit in its cold light.

In an instant, a layer of pure, crystalline Lunar Profound Frost enveloped him, sapping his Nascent Soul power and leaving him overwhelmed.

‘What sorcery is this?!’ Flood Dragon Holy Son’s Nascent Soul Spirit cried in anguish.

Not only was his spirit frozen and stunted, but even the power of his Huangquan Flood Dragon soul was suppressed—its might reduced to a mere fraction of its potential.

He tried to shatter the Lunar Profound Light but could only watch as his Nascent Soul Spirit was gradually frozen and eroded.

‘Clang, clang, clang!’

Lu Changsheng pressed on with the Danghun Bell, unleashing waves of spectral soul energy that further disrupted Flood Dragon Holy Son’s Nascent Soul Spirit.

Golden-Winged Roc, impressed by its master’s attentiveness, no longer hesitated—raising its head, it roared skyward and swallowed Flood Dragon Holy Son’s Nascent Soul Spirit whole.

Its body, as if cast in molten gold, pulsed with demonic energy and radiant light, as if a golden inferno raged over it, consuming the remnants of the Huangquan Flood Dragon soul in the process.

“That’s enough,”

Lu Changsheng stated flatly regarding the rare remnants of the Huangquan Flood Dragon soul now devoured by Golden-Winged Roc.

Golden-Winged Roc had pursued him for decades and had never experienced such ravenous desire.

As its master, it would be duly satisfied.

If Flood Dragon Holy Son’s Nascent Soul Spirit and the Huangquan Flood Dragon soul could further amplify Golden-Winged Roc’s bloodline potential, it would be worth every sacrifice.

“Hiss, hiss, hiss…”,

“What… what…”,

Cultivators of Red Peak Immortal City, witnessing a true Nascent Soul True Lord being swallowed by Golden-Winged Roc, were gripped by terror; their hearts pounded, and they shivered uncontrollably.

After all, this was a Nascent Soul True Lord—an entity capable of steering the destiny of the cultivation world!

To see him devoured by a Demon King like Golden-Winged Roc was overwhelmingly shocking.

The spectacle was even more staggering than the earlier display when Lu Changsheng and Golden-Winged Roc had swiftly ended True Lord Tiancang and True Lord Incinerating Wither.

Much of this, however, was due to True Lord Tiancang’s self-detonation and the overwhelming flood of Nascent Soul magical energy that rendered the scene utterly indistinct.

Had they seen the Golden-Winged Roc devour the Nascent Soul Spirit Body of True Lord Incinerating Wither, they would have been even more stunned.

They would have been utterly shocked.

They witnessed the Golden-Winged Roc, in a brief moment, devour not one but two Nascent Soul True Lords!

As Lu Changsheng, the Golden-Winged Roc, and Qian Zhuyan returned to Red Peak Immortal City, Core Formation cultivators immediately began clearing their throats as if in the presence of a deity, bowing low and exclaiming, “Welcome back, True Lord!”

“Today, the True Lord has slain three Nascent Souls from Liang Kingdom, bolstering the prestige of Jiang and Yue!”

Though this Core Formation cultivator clearly meant to butter him up,

the fervor and genuine zeal in his eyes were unmistakable.

After all, to have dispatched three Nascent Soul True Lords in such a short time was nothing short of miraculous.

In decades of the Liang-Yue War, only True Lord Tiansha had fallen.

Today, it seemed as if three had been toppled in one go!

With Liang Kingdom losing the battle force of three Nascent Souls—and including the captive True Lord Youyue—it was as if four Nascent Souls had been eradicated.

This single blow could easily level the top-tier battle prowess gap between Jiang, Yue, Liang, and Yuan Kingdoms.

Not to mention, on the side of Jiang and Yue, there stood the great Dameng City Lord, Yangming True Lord!

The end of the Liang-Yue War now seemed imminent!

“Damn!” Other high-level cultivators, stunned by how quickly the news spread, cursed silently for not having thought of it sooner.

One after another, they bowed to Lu Changsheng and shouted, “Congratulations, Yangming True Lord!”

“Hail Yangming True Lord! Hail Dameng Immortal City!”

“Praise be to Yangming True Lord for slaying three great Nascent Souls—his fame will surely echo across the lands, shaking even Southern Desolation!”

The roars of celebration soared skyward, reverberating throughout Red Peak Immortal City and even stretching into the Chiyue Mountain Range.

Lu Lingxiao and Lu Qingxian, equally excited and trembling, cheered for their father’s deep prowess.

Slaying three Nascent Souls was simply magnificent!

It wouldn’t be long before, in Dameng Immortal City, the name of Yangming True Lord would resound throughout Southern Desolation and the Northern Region.

The mere achievement of slaying three Nascent Souls would serve as a deterrence to all opposing Nascent Soul cultivators.

Especially since Lu Changsheng not only slew three but even devoured the Nascent Soul Spirit Body of True Lord Incinerating Wither like Huangquan True Lord.

It was truly terrifying.

Usually, cultivators of the same level couldn’t even destroy an opponent’s Nascent Soul Spirit Body, let alone restrain it.

By completely obliterating the Flood Dragon Holy Son’s Nascent Soul Spirit Body, Lu Changsheng and the Golden-Winged Roc sent a clear warning to all Nascent Soul cultivators.

Heh heh.

Lu Changsheng looked at the Jiang Yue cultivators of Red Peak Immortal City – their faces flushed, eyes ablaze with excitement and pride – and smiled serenely.

He found this public display of divine favor rather enjoyable.

Yet, more than the cultivators’ enthusiasm and congratulations, he was eager to see the look on his wife and children’s faces upon hearing this news.

Once home, he imagined his wife and children would beam with admiration, eagerly asking for every detail.

However, only a select few of his children actually knew of his status as Dameng City Lord and Yangming True Lord.

“Once Ping’an and the others have fully integrated our identities as Nascent Soul cultivators and as Changsheng True Lord,”

Lu Changsheng mused inwardly.

He believed that once his son Lu Ping’an and the others overcame the troubles in Southern Desolation and the Northern Region,

he would no longer need to hide behind veils.

He could openly reveal his identities as Changsheng True Lord and Yangming True Lord.

This would allow the Lu Family disciples to move about freely without concealment.

“But after this battle, someone might try to probe the connection between the Lu Family of Bihu Mountain and Dameng Immortal City,”

Lu Changsheng knew that the Lu Family of Bihu Mountain and Dameng Immortal City were too closely linked.

There had long been forces speculating about the relations between the two clans.

They wondered how early Changsheng True Lord had aligned with Dameng Immortal City.

Once the name of Dameng City Lord Yangming True Lord reverberated throughout Southern Desolation and the Northern Region, more forces would inevitably begin to probe in the shadows.

They might refrain from testing Dameng Immortal City directly,

but they would surely try their luck with the closely connected Lu Family of Bihu Mountain.

Just as in the past when many forces probed the Lu Family of Qingzhu Mountain to glean information on the Lu Family of Bihu Mountain.

“Still, we are outmatched and underpowered,”

Lu Changsheng sighed inwardly.

Without overthinking, he surveyed the Immortal City’s situation and said calmly, “The ruffians have been dealt with. Everyone, continue guarding the Immortal City.”

Then, accompanied by the Dao-Comprehending Artifacts of the Golden-Winged Roc and the Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain, he departed to rest, leaving Qian Zhuyan in charge of security.

He instructed his sons, Lu Lingxiao and Lu Qingxian, to keep a close eye on the Immortal City and report any updates.

“Yes!”

Lu Lingxiao and Lu Qingxian hastily clasped their hands in response.

Earlier, the city cultivators had shown some reluctance when facing Lu Lingxiao and Lu Qingxian.

But under their command—and with the intimidating presence of the Fourth-Tier Transformation Demon King Golden-Winged Roc—obedience was inevitable.

Now, having witnessed Lu Changsheng’s true might, they revered the two with utmost respect.

Especially Lu Lingxiao.

With such a formidable father, who could dare to look down on him?

Even Core Formation Grand cultivators had to respectfully greet him as ‘Young Lord.’

At that moment, even the gazes of the Core Formation cultivators throughout the city held an unspoken envy towards Lu Lingxiao.

With Lu Lingxiao’s innate talent and the blessing of such a father, his future as a Nascent Soul cultivator looked exceedingly promising!

As for Lu Qingxian, though not as remarkable as his brother, he too garnered immense admiration.

After Lu Changsheng and the Golden-Winged Roc departed, the high-level cultivators promptly disseminated the news to their own factions.

“Golden Roc, can you digest it all?”

Lu Changsheng, his brows furrowed as he observed the Golden-Winged Roc—its golden feathers rustling and demonic power pulsating—asked it,

“But make sure you don’t overdo it.”

“Master, I can handle it!”

The Golden-Winged Roc immediately replied, still feverishly refining the Flood Dragon Holy Son’s Nascent Soul Spirit Body along with the remnants of the Huangquan Flood Dragon soul.

“Spit out the Nascent Soul Spirit Body of True Lord Incinerating Wither,”

Lu Changsheng, noting the Roc’s strained expression, instructed aloud, worried it might break under the pressure.

After all, the Nascent Soul Spirit Body embodied the essence of a cultivator’s being—a top-tier postnatal spiritual treasure.

Not only could it refine into supreme natural treasures for pills and Dao-Comprehending Artifacts,

it could also aid in the cultivation of certain techniques, divine abilities, or even forbidden spells.

For example, Lu Changsheng’s True Saint Skill of Brahma and Demons!

This premier battle technique had long been neglected by Lu Changsheng.

When time permitted, he planned to rigorously cultivate it, bridging the gap in his divine combat prowess.

Though the Golden-Winged Roc was reluctant, it understood that feasting on the Flood Dragon Holy Son was already a tremendous gain.

Once Lu Changsheng deployed the Starrealm Compass and set up a barrier, the Roc finally opened its beak to expel the Nascent Soul Spirit Body of True Lord Incinerating Wither, which was still fighting against the earth-shattering demonic power.

That Nascent Soul Spirit Body, though its vitality remained stubbornly resilient and not entirely collapsed, was extremely weakened.

Seeing it spat out, True Lord Incinerating Wither frantically pleaded, “Please, True Lord, Roc King, spare me! I never wished to die today. I came under the command of True Lord Nine Spirits out of sheer necessity.”

Having struggled immensely to break through the Nascent Soul stage, he had no desire for an untimely end.

He would even submit to Lu Changsheng if it meant survival.

After all, as long as he lived, there remained hope.

A Nascent Soul cultivator, provided their spirit body wasn’t completely shattered, could seize another chance at reincarnation.

Moreover, with the ever-changing nature of war and the presence of the Demonic Mastermind,

even if True Lord Yangming were slain in an assault, if he survived, rescue wasn’t out of the question.

In essence, survival was all that mattered.

“Since that’s the case, answer my questions!”

Observing the desperate will to live in True Lord Incinerating Wither, Lu Changsheng immediately began questioning him about Liang Kingdom’s situation, as well as details concerning Beast God Mountain, True Lord Nine Spirits, and the Demonic Mastermind of the Demonic Path.

Although True Lord Xuanjian had previously given him a rough outline regarding Liang Kingdom and Beast God Mountain,

Lu Changsheng believed that one must independently verify the information.

He had initially intended to interrogate the Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain, but she had firmly sealed off all her senses.