Chapter 873: Echoes of Immortal Strife

Liang Kingdom and Yuan Kingdom have formed an alliance, possibly connected to the Demonic Mastermind, but I don’t know the specifics.

I broke through to Nascent Soul thanks to the secret technique and Ten Thousand Spirit Blood granted by the Demonic Mastermind.

True Lord Huangquan and the Holy Maiden of Youyue likely reached Nascent Soul with the Demonic Mastermind’s help.

As for Liang Kingdom’s situation, future strategies, and layouts, True Lord Incinerating Wither knows it all.

But Beast God Mountain’s secrets, True Lord Nine Spirits, and the Demonic Mastermind’s details—he knows very little.

“As for the Demonic Mastermind’s goals, I have no idea.”

“If it’s tied to the Seven Demonic Sects, this Demonic Mastermind probably comes from the Blood Sea Sect.”

To save his life, True Lord Incinerating Wither broke his oath and revealed what he knew about the Demonic Mastermind and his own guesses.

His weakened Nascent Soul Spirit Body flickered under the oath’s backlash, nearly collapsing into nothingness.

“True Lord, I’ve told you everything I know. Please spare my life.”

True Lord Incinerating Wither begged again, looking utterly pathetic like a flickering candle in the wind, stripped of any Nascent Soul cultivator’s dignity.

In the face of death, even Nascent Soul True Lords act like ordinary mortals or minor cultivators.

“Don’t worry, since I promised to spare your life, I won’t go back on my word.”

Lu Changsheng looked at the fading spirit of True Lord Incinerating Wither and said calmly, deciding to let him live.

For one thing, he was short on allies and needed someone reliable.

Not to mention, once the Liang Kingdom war ended and they divided the spoils, he’d have no one to handle things.

If he subdued True Lord Incinerating Wither, he could use him for Liang Kingdom affairs and legitimately seize Asura Sect’s assets.

On another note, True Lord Incinerating Wither was weak enough now.

He’d forced a breakthrough by overtaxing his life potential with a secret technique, making him one of the weakest Nascent Soul cultivators.

Now, badly wounded by Lu Changsheng, his body was in ruins.

His Nascent Soul Spirit Body had been refined by the Golden-Winged Roc and ravaged by the oath’s backlash, leaving it extremely frail.

Even if he recovered, he’d be nothing but a shell—a half-step Nascent Soul at best.

Lu Changsheng felt confident he could control such a worthless Nascent Soul with restrictions and enslave him completely.

No need to worry about rebellion like with the Zhenhai Patriarch.

Plus, True Lord Incinerating Wither had already broken his oath and shared info on the Demonic Mastermind, offending Liang Kingdom’s demonic forces—he couldn’t return to Asura Sect and had to stick with Lu Changsheng.

“Thank you, True Lord! Thank you!”

True Lord Incinerating Wither bowed repeatedly, his heart filled with bitterness as life threw him from highs to lows.

He’d seized war opportunities to gain Nascent Soul chance and broke through in glory.

But in just a few years, his Nascent Soul was half-ruined, forcing him to grovel for survival.

Still, thinking of Yangming True Lord as a reborn powerhouse, serving him wasn’t too humiliating.

As long as he stayed alive, there was hope for the future.

Lu Changsheng placed several temporary restrictions on True Lord Incinerating Wither’s Nascent Soul Spirit Body and physical form, letting his spirit return to his body for rest.

True Lord Incinerating Wither stared at his shattered body, his heart bleeding.

It had suffered severe damage from the Golden-Winged Roc’s assault and True Lord Tiancang’s self-destruction.

Even with healing, it would harm his foundation and might shorten his lifespan.

In his current spirit state, rebuilding through possession would mean targeting only average Core Formation or Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Anything stronger risked failure and damaging his Nascent Soul essence.

Besides, a possessed body might not match his ruined one.

“Sigh.” True Lord Incinerating Wither sighed deeply as his Nascent Soul Spirit Body slipped back into his broken form and reactivated it.

A moment later, he opened his eyes, pulled pills and high-grade spirit medicines from his storage ring, and started treating his wounds.

But he’d only been a Nascent Soul for a few years, so he had few Nascent Soul-level pills, making Lu Changsheng frown.

He thought, why are all these Nascent Soul True Lords so broke?

“Here, take these two bottles of pills.”

Lu Changsheng didn’t want True Lord Incinerating Wither taking decades to recover, so he tossed him two bottles from his storage ring.

He hoped the resources from Asura Sect wouldn’t disappoint.

“Thank you for your generosity, True Lord.”

True Lord Incinerating Wither caught the pills and bowed in gratitude.

With True Lord Incinerating Wither sorted, Lu Changsheng began checking the storage rings of True Lord Tiancang and the Flood Dragon Holy Son.

Like the Holy Maiden of Youyue, their possessions were modest.

Far less than True Lord Pinghai or True Lord Fuhai.

The only real gains were their spirit treasures.

“This Silkworm Robe has decent material.”

Lu Changsheng examined True Lord Tiancang’s damaged soul-bound treasure, the Silkworm Robe.

He figured its material was good enough to melt down and use as a base for crafting a fourth-rank robe of his own.

That would boost his defense and survival even more.

As for the Flood Dragon Holy Son’s soul-bound treasure, it was average.

But seeing the jade seal contained the essence of a Yellow Springs Flood Dragon’s remnant soul and a dragon spirit, Lu Changsheng recalled the broken mid-grade Spirit Treasure, the Yellow Spring Map, he and Ah Youduo had found in the Abyss of Ten Thousand Demons.

He thought the Yellow Springs Dragon Seal could be fused into the Yellow Spring Map for repair and recasting.

Though it was a bit wasteful.

Soul-bound treasures were hard for others to use effectively anyway, so remelting was the way.

After sorting the spoils into his own storage ring, Lu Changsheng tapped the Divine Maiden’s Furnace, and True Lord Tiancang’s Nascent Soul Spirit Body emerged.

“Yangming True Lord, if you spare me, I’ll serve you without question!”

True Lord Tiancang’s Nascent Soul Spirit Body was bound tight like a wrapped bundle.

Seeing Lu Changsheng release him, he immediately begged for mercy.

Once, when Lu Changsheng was only at Core Formation, he harbored thoughts of revenge.

Now, facing Lu Changsheng’s overwhelming mid-Nascent Soul strength, all he felt was fear—no urge to fight back.

After all, in just decades, Lu Changsheng had risen from a Core Formation cultivator who could challenge Nascent Soul to a mid-stage giant. How could he resist?

He regretted it deeply, immensely.

Regretted knowing Yangming True Lord was there yet still coming with the Flood Dragon Holy Son.

Thinking of it, he couldn’t help cursing that fool Flood Dragon Holy Son.

“Tiancang, do you think I’d let you go?”

Lu Changsheng spared True Lord Incinerating Wither because he was weak, they had no grudge, and he could use him to control Asura Sect.

True Lord Tiancang offered no such value.

Not only did they have bad blood, but controlling him was riskier than with the Holy Maiden of Youyue in the Divine Maiden’s Furnace.

Fully enslaving a Nascent Soul True Lord was incredibly tough.

His restriction methods paled against the Divine Maiden’s Furnace, which could influence minds.

Keep the Holy Maiden of Youyue in there for a few years, and he’d have her under control, letting him claim Beast God Mountain’s assets through her.

Though he planned to trade Liang Kingdom to Heavenly Sword Sect for Jiang Kingdom.

If Heavenly Sword Sect relocated with Beast Spirit Sect and Luoxia Sect, he could have the Holy Maiden of Youyue lead Beast God Mountain to take their territory.

Helping guard the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range to prevent beast tides from invading Jiang Kingdom.

“Yangming! Now that I’m in your hands, you won’t get a word out of me!”

True Lord Tiancang realized Yangming True Lord wouldn’t spare him, so he gritted his teeth and sealed his senses, waiting for rescue from True Lord Nine Spirits or Mo Luo.

As long as the war turned, Beast God Mountain might ransom him back.

Since they hadn’t killed him, he was likely a bargaining chip.

Under these circumstances, he couldn’t do anything to harm his side, or True Lord Nine Spirits might abandon him.

“Heh.”

Lu Changsheng saw True Lord Tiancang’s defiance and didn’t bother arguing. He cast several seals to bind the Nascent Soul Spirit Body and locked him away in the Divine Maiden’s Furnace.

Though the Divine Maiden’s Furnace’s Law of Lust mainly affected female cultivators, he had no other secure way to hold a Nascent Soul Spirit Body right now.

So, it would have to do temporarily.

Once back, he’d use True Lord Tiancang’s Nascent Soul to cultivate the True Saint Skill of Brahma and Demons or feed it to the Guiyu Demon Flower.

The Guiyu Demon Flower had a prison in its belly to imprison and refine spirits, granting memory fragments upon consumption.

Then, Lu Changsheng could learn more about Beast God Mountain and the Demonic Mastermind from those fragments.

Even Beast God Mountain’s inherited secrets.

After finishing up, Lu Changsheng and the Golden-Winged Roc rested quietly, waiting for True Lord Xuanjian and Liang Kingdom’s next moves.

The moment True Lord Incinerating Wither broke his oath and spilled war secrets and Demonic Mastermind details, Mo Luo in Beast God Mountain sensed it instantly.

“What’s going on? Has Incinerating Wither defected?”

Mo Luo frowned, realizing True Lord Incinerating Wither must have faced danger and chosen to betray.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t endure the oath’s backlash to reveal information.

“Could it be Yangming True Lord?”

Mo Luo had already received word from True Lord Nine Spirits about Red Peak Immortal City’s fall and the Holy Maiden of Youyue’s capture.

He guessed True Lord Incinerating Wither and others had likely fallen to Yangming True Lord, leading to the defection.

After all, he knew True Lord Incinerating Wither’s strength well—it was mediocre.

A breakthrough forced by life-draining methods.

If even the Holy Maiden of Youyue was caught, he stood no chance.

But how had this happened so quickly after her capture?

Mo Luo sent a message to True Lord Nine Spirits, asking about the situation and why True Lord Incinerating Wither had defected.

At that moment, True Lord Nine Spirits was heading toward Red Peak Immortal City.

Since Lu Changsheng now controlled it, news of dealing with the Flood Dragon Holy Son, True Lord Tiancang, and True Lord Incinerating Wither hadn’t reached him yet.

But he was in contact with True Lord Tiancang.

When his Beast God token with True Lord Tiancang disconnected, he knew something was wrong.

He quickly used a secret technique to sense the token’s location—Red Peak Immortal City—and it wasn’t moving.

After observing, True Lord Nine Spirits grew heavy-hearted, realizing True Lord Tiancang was in serious trouble.

He checked the Flood Dragon Holy Son’s token next—with the same result.

“Could it be…”

A strong sense of dread hit True Lord Nine Spirits; he couldn’t believe it.

After all, the three had gone together—how could they all be in danger so fast?

He pushed on toward Red Peak Immortal City but masked his presence more carefully to avoid Yangming True Lord.

Then, Mo Luo’s message arrived.

Informing him that True Lord Incinerating Wither had likely defected and asking about True Lord Tiancang and the Flood Dragon Holy Son.

“What!?”

True Lord Nine Spirits read the message, his eyes like burning copper bells, hair wild, Nascent Soul energy surging and distorting the void.

He’d suspected True Lord Tiancang and the Flood Dragon Holy Son were in peril but held onto hope.

Now, with news of the defection, it confirmed they were all in Yangming True Lord’s hands.

“This can’t be!”

True Lord Nine Spirits raged like a wild lion, his energy shaking mountains and scattering clouds.

Yet, beneath the anger, fear and unease dominated.

He could grasp the Holy Maiden of Youyue’s capture, given Yangming True Lord’s exceptional power—he’d challenged Nascent Soul as a Core Formation cultivator and slain True Lord Mingsha.

But taking down True Lord Tiancang, the Flood Dragon Holy Son, and True Lord Incinerating Wither so quickly? Unthinkable.

Nascent Soul cultivators could escape via spirit projection, yet all three failed.

What kind of strength was that? Even if he’d advanced to mid-Nascent Soul, True Lord Nine Spirits doubted he could do it.

“Was it True Lord Xuanjian? Hiding in Red Peak Immortal City?”

True Lord Nine Spirits guessed, unwilling to accept Yangming True Lord alone pulled it off.

Only that explained the rapid capture.

“Yangming True Lord, True Lord Xuanjian…”

True Lord Nine Spirits clenched his fists, suppressing his fury but feeling powerless.

In such a short time, his side lost four Nascent Soul fighters—unbearable, especially with victory in sight.

“Demonic Mastermind…”

True Lord Nine Spirits gazed toward Red Peak Immortal City and updated Mo Luo on the Flood Dragon Holy Son and True Lord Tiancang’s situation.

He suspected both Yangming True Lord and True Lord Xuanjian were there, explaining why none escaped.

After sending the message, True Lord Nine Spirits approached reluctantly, using secret techniques to check the tokens.

Seeing the Holy Maiden of Youyue, True Lord Tiancang, and Flood Dragon Holy Son’s tokens still in Red Peak Immortal City, he smashed a nearby mountain in frustration and headed back to Beast God Mountain.

He planned to use their life-bound soul lamps and consult diviners for more insight, still clinging to hope that True Lord Tiancang and the Flood Dragon Holy Son’s spirits had escaped, leaving behind their bodies and treasures.

“What!? Lord of Dameng City has slain three major Nascent Soul cultivators—True Lord Tiancang, True Lord Incinerating Wither, and the Flood Dragon Holy Son?”

Meanwhile, True Lord Hunyuan, True Lord Ziguang, and True Lord Juejian received the news from Red Peak Immortal City, shocked and in disbelief.

Just the day before, they’d heard of Lord of Dameng City’s capture of the Holy Maiden of Youyue and takeover of Red Peak Immortal City.

Now, in one day, he’d killed three more Nascent Soul cultivators? It sounded like a wild tale.

Though good news, it didn’t excite them; instead, it bred fear and unease.

If true, Yangming True Lord’s power was terrifying beyond measure!

True Lord Hunyuan pondered why Yangming True Lord had come to aid them, his mind racing with possibilities.

As a reborn powerhouse who’d risen from Core Formation to this level in decades, what was his aim in settling at Immortal City of Damengze?

The thought made True Lord Hunyuan wary; any top force would be unsettled by such a mysterious Nascent Soul expert nearby.

Though Immortal City of Damengze wasn’t in Yue Kingdom, their alliance with Jiang Kingdom meant Yangming True Lord’s involvement in the war raised red flags.

He messaged True Lord Juejian for more details on Yangming True Lord and his motives.

True Lord Ziguang felt shock mixed with shame.

He’d fled from four Nascent Soul attackers and been chased by True Lord Tiancang and others, ending up wounded and humiliated.

Now, Yangming True Lord had effortlessly reclaimed Red Peak Immortal City and slain the trio.

It was like a slap in the face—if anyone downplayed Yangming True Lord’s feats, they could point to Ziguang’s failure against the same foes.

Despite the bitterness, True Lord Ziguang harbored no ill intent; facing Yangming True Lord, he stood no chance.

“Is he aiming to unite Liang, Yue, and Jiang Kingdoms?”

True Lord Ziguang suspected Yangming True Lord was waiting for the war to peak before swooping in to claim everything, capitalizing on their exhaustion.

He shared his thoughts with True Lord Hunyuan, asking for his view.

“Yangming True Lord’s strength is truly frightening.”

True Lord Juejian, who had dealt with Lu Changsheng before, knew of his Nascent Soul kills and choice to settle at Immortal City of Damengze for some opportunity and to brace for catastrophe.

Still, hearing of the three slayings left him stunned, followed by relief.

He’d pressured Heavenly Sword Sect not to help in the Liang-Yue War and approached negotiations aggressively.

Looking back, it made him uneasy—if Yangming True Lord held a grudge, Heavenly Sword Sect could be in danger.

True Lord Juejian sent people to verify the news and informed his senior brother, True Lord Xuanjian, considering an apology when they met.

True Lord Xuanjian was still en route to Red Peak Immortal City.

Using his evasion treasure and techniques, he conserved energy for the fight ahead.

Receiving True Lord Juejian’s message, he was floored.

Capturing the Holy Maiden of Youyue? Slaying three Nascent Soul cultivators?

Even knowing Lu Changsheng’s prowess from their spar and hints of his Nascent Soul strength via Fuhai Sect, this was astonishing.

With the front stable, True Lord Xuanjian sped up, burning some energy to arrive faster.

Half a day later, he reached Red Peak Immortal City.

“Greetings, True Lord Xuanjian!”

The city, now under Jiang and Yue forces, had cultivators who recognized him and bowed, but they kept the array up until he showed his token and they reported to Lu Changsheng.

“True Lord Xuanjian.”

Lu Changsheng, hearing of his arrival, went to meet him with a smile and a bow.

“City Lord Wang.” True Lord Xuanjian surveyed the battle-scarred city, bowed back, and confirmed the reports.

“Indeed, the Holy Maiden of Youyue is captured, and True Lord Tiancang, True Lord Incinerating Wither, and the Flood Dragon Holy Son are dealt with.”

Lu Changsheng replied with a light laugh, seeing no need to boast about it.

“Hiss…”

Even though True Lord Xuanjian had already received the news, hearing Lu Changsheng confirm it still made him draw in a sharp breath of surprise.

He took a deep breath and asked Lu Changsheng about the battle details, like whether True Lord Tiancang, True Lord Incinerating Wither, and True Lord Huangquan had escaped with their Nascent Soul bodies.

Although cultivators from Red Peak Immortal City had sent messages to True Lord Juejian and others.

These messages had limitations and couldn’t transmit much information.

And True Lord Tiancang’s self-destruction of his body made it impossible for them to see clearly, leaving them unsure about the status of True Lord Tiancang and True Lord Incinerating Wither’s Nascent Soul spirit bodies—whether they had been destroyed.

“Not a single one escaped. True Lord Incinerating Wither chose to surrender, so I spared his life.”

Lu Changsheng said calmly.

True Lord Xuanjian was deeply shaken and didn’t know what to say.

After all, killing three Nascent Soul cultivators was entirely different from capturing three.

Once a Nascent Soul cultivator sends their soul out, their speed is astonishing, ignoring most spells and restrictions—only certain secret treasures can interfere.

If three Nascent Soul cultivators fled together, even a mid-Nascent Soul powerhouse would struggle to catch them all.

True Lord Xuanjian could hardly imagine how Lu Changsheng had done it.

And he was puzzled.

The news of Red Peak Immortal City’s fall and the capture of the Holy Maiden Youyue would likely reach True Lord Nine Spirits at Beast God Mountain first.

So why had True Lord Tiancang, True Lord Huangquan, and True Lord Incinerating Wither rushed to Red Peak Immortal City?

It didn’t make sense.

True Lord Xuanjian frowned and voiced his doubts.

“Ha, it’s a bit ridiculous when you hear it.”

Lu Changsheng had wondered the same—why True Lord Tiancang and the others dared to come after him.

From True Lord Incinerating Wither, he learned they had received True Lord Nine Spirits’ message right away.

But the Flood Dragon Holy Son ignored True Lord Nine Spirits’ orders and forced his way here for the Holy Maiden Youyue.

True Lord Tiancang and True Lord Incinerating Wither had no choice but to follow.

“.”

True Lord Xuanjian knew about the Flood Dragon Holy Son and Holy Maiden Youyue, but he never imagined the son was so infatuated.

In battles or wars among cultivators, you need fools like that to create opportunities.

“My friend, by capturing and killing four Nascent Soul cultivators from Liang Kingdom, you’ve turned the tide and achieved monumental feats. I admire you, True Lord Xuanjian said.”

“Now that Liang Kingdom’s forces are weakened, the only threats are True Lord Nine Spirits and the hidden Demonic Mastermind.”

True Lord Xuanjian bowed and added, “City Lord Wang has subdued True Lord Incinerating Wither—does he know about the Demonic Mastermind’s situation?”

“As for this Demonic Mastermind, True Lord Incinerating Wither doesn’t know much. He’s unclear on the strength and guesses this person likely comes from the Seven Demonic Sects’ Blood Sea Sect.”

Lu Changsheng replied openly.

He didn’t worry much about this Demonic Mastermind.

Based on his divination of fortune and misfortune, plus various analyses, the Demonic Mastermind’s power was at most mid-Nascent Soul.

There was no chance it was late-Nascent Soul.

“Blood Sea Sect,” True Lord Xuanjian nodded slightly, having suspected this from years of war analysis and True Lord Mingsha’s affairs.

“My friend, do you have confidence to handle this Demonic Mastermind?”

True Lord Xuanjian asked.

He could deal with True Lord Nine Spirits.

The only uncertainty was this Demonic Mastermind.

“As long as this person isn’t a late-Nascent Soul great cultivator, I can handle them.”

Lu Changsheng said casually.

“Good!”

True Lord Xuanjian’s eyes flashed with sharp sword light at the words.

He knew this Demonic Mastermind couldn’t possibly be a late-Nascent Soul cultivator.

“In that case, I’ll discuss with True Lord Hunyuan and True Lord Ziguang to spread news of your great victory, boost morale, and launch a counterattack on Liang Kingdom!”

True Lord Xuanjian declared, realizing Lu Changsheng’s visit aimed not just to end the war.

But to conquer and occupy Liang Kingdom!

And then exchange it with Jiang Kingdom.

“Very well.”

Lu Changsheng nodded in agreement.

He then asked, “I recall Yuan Kingdom has several Nascent Soul True Lords, but only Qisha Sect and Tianmu Sect’s have come to aid. Will Yuan Kingdom send more support?”

“It’s unlikely. Yuan Kingdom isn’t like Jiang Kingdom and Yue Kingdom, where one fall affects the other—they’re just trying to grab a share through this war.”

True Lord Xuanjian shook his head and said, “After hearing about your strength, Qisha Sect and Tianmu Sect might even choose to withdraw.”

“Withdraw…”

Lu Changsheng glanced toward the stronghold where True Lord Juejian was, unwilling to let Qisha Sect go.

After all, earlier in Yue Kingdom, under the identity of Changsheng True Lord, he had killed a late-Core Formation cultivator from Qisha Sect, leading them to send three infiltrators to Jiang Kingdom for revenge against the Lu Family.

He had kept that in mind.

“Hmm, what are your plans, City Lord Wang?” True Lord Xuanjian asked.

“Have the armies of Barebody Sect, Tianmu Sect, and Qisha Sect withdrawn? If not, you guard here while I make a quick trip to the other fronts.”

Lu Changsheng said, planning to see if he could find and kill Qisha Sect’s Nascent Soul True Lord.

“I’ll check.” True Lord Xuanjian immediately asked True Lord Juejian about the demonic armies’ withdrawal.

Soon after, True Lord Juejian sent back word that the demonic armies were retreating and consolidating their lines.

Hearing this, Lu Changsheng dropped the idea.

With the stronghold’s defenses, even if he wanted to break through, it would take time.

And Liang Kingdom would surely make big moves next, so he shouldn’t wander off.

After talking with Lu Changsheng, True Lord Xuanjian questioned the Jiang Kingdom cultivators in Red Peak Immortal City about the earlier battle details.

“To report to the True Lord, earlier True Lord Huangquan, True Lord Tiancang, and True Lord Incinerating Wither attacked. True Lord Ming used Holy Maiden Youyue to disrupt True Lord Huangquan, splitting their forces, and quickly resolved True Lord Tiancang and True Lord Incinerating Wither.”

“Besides True Lord Golden Roc and True Lord Yangming, there was also a fourth-rank puppet.”

“This fourth-rank puppet seemed to have its own awareness and could form a puppet battle formation, fully rivaling a Nascent Soul True Lord!”

These cultivators respectfully described the fight between Lu Changsheng and the three.

“True Lord Tiancang self-destructed his body!? A treasure that restricts Nascent Soul spirit bodies?”

True Lord Xuanjian was stunned to hear that True Lord Tiancang’s body explosion hadn’t affected Lu Changsheng at all.

Though such a rushed self-destruction was weaker than a Nascent Soul spirit body explosion.

Its power was still tremendous, equal to a mid-Nascent Soul strike.

Yet True Lord Yangming was unaffected, unscathed, and in that moment, dealt with both True Lord Tiancang and True Lord Incinerating Wither.

“This True Lord Yangming’s physical strength must be more astonishing than I thought.”

True Lord Xuanjian knew Lu Changsheng practiced both body and magic.

But even typical dual cultivators would be impacted by a Nascent Soul’s explosion and suffer injuries.

Of course, it could also be that True Lord Yangming’s treasure was extraordinary.

Beyond that, he was surprised Lu Changsheng had another fourth-rank puppet besides the Golden-Winged Roc and Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale.

Normal fourth-rank puppets were like Beast God Mountain’s fourth-rank beast kings.

Made from fourth-rank spiritual materials, they could only hold off a Nascent Soul True Lord briefly, not match one.

But a fourth-rank puppet king was crafted by top puppet masters.

Legends say it requires high-quality puppets and nurturing a spirit like a treasure, using spirit infusion to birth a puppet spirit with awareness.

Such fourth-rank puppet kings were rare and valuable, no less than a fourth-rank shapeshifting demon king.

Even True Lord Xuanjian had only heard of them, never seen one.

Yet Lu Changsheng possessed one.

“A mid-Nascent Soul powerhouse, dual cultivation of body and magic, top Sword Dao treasure, top evasion treasure, top secondary dantian treasure, spirit armor…”

“Plus two obedient fourth-rank spirit pets and a fourth-rank puppet king.”

True Lord Xuanjian reflected on his interactions with Lu Changsheng and the methods he’d seen, wondering if this was some great power’s reincarnation or possession.

After all, based on True Lord Yangming’s rapid rise, it could only be that—a great power’s rebirth or takeover.

No normal cultivator could rise so fast.

But the Southern Desolation cultivation world was vast, and his knowledge was limited.

He couldn’t pinpoint the information right away and planned to search for it later.

Without overthinking, True Lord Xuanjian began discussing follow-up strategies with True Lord Hunyuan, True Lord Juejian, and True Lord Ziguang.