Chapter 911: Yuan Kingdom’s Attitude, Lu Baixi Ventures Out!

“Husband, Zhenzhen, you’re back.”

Lu Miaoyun sensed Lu Changsheng and Qu Zhenzhen’s return through the grand array and hurried over to greet them.

“Yun’er, Sister Miaoyun.” The two called out to Lu Miaoyun.

Qu Zhenzhen shared a close bond with Lu Miaoyun, like true sisters. She beamed with joy as she stepped forward and linked arms with her.

Compared to the Yin Ghost Sect, she much preferred Bihu Mountain. The scenery here felt refreshing, with beautiful mountains and clear waters.

“Yun’er, has anything happened at home these past days?”

Lu Changsheng channeled his immense magical energy to release the Auspicious Tree from the Heavenly Yuan Lotus and replant it beside the Sumeru Tree King.

Though forcibly transplanted into the Heavenly Yuan Lotus for so long, a single drop of Wuling Heaven Dew ensured it suffered no ill effects.

“Husband, Sister Miaoge returned a while ago,” Lu Miaoyun said.

She continued, “Oh, and Senior Hong Lian sent a message earlier, asking about your situation and if you’d returned.”

“Oh?” Lu Changsheng replied. He immediately led his two wives into the Sumeru Cave Heaven and tossed out the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror.

In his early years, he’d kept the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror at Bihu Mountain as a communication hub.

After breaking through to Nascent Soul, he could barely wield this Celestial Treasure, so he carried it with him.

The Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror was simply too versatile.

Not only did it boast astonishing power and effects, but it also served as a surveillance radar, constantly monitoring the surroundings for any hidden or lurking cultivators.

Moments later, the mirror’s surface reflected a woman in a red and gold vermilion bird dress, her features flawless and perfect—Hong Lian.

“Hong Lian, what did you need from me?”

Lu Changsheng knew Hong Lian rarely reached out casually to check on him.

Since she’d asked Lu Miaoyun, it meant something was up.

“Husband, you’re back.” Hong Lian’s demeanor was graceful and elegant, her beautiful eyes seeming to gaze at Lu Changsheng through the mirror.

“Xu girl has returned and wants to discuss some matters with you.”

“Also, a female cultivator named Qin Yuning claims to be from the Starry Sea’s Penglai Island Divine Maiden Palace. She’s here to pay respects to Changsheng True Lord.”

Hong Lian specified Changsheng True Lord instead of Lu Changsheng to distinguish the identities.

After all, she was quite puzzled herself.

Why would someone from the Starry Sea come to see Changsheng True Lord?

Logically, they should be visiting the Lord of Dameng City.

But when Ling Zixiao met with her, the woman insisted it was Changsheng True Lord she sought, on official orders.

“Pay respects to Changsheng True Lord!?” Lu Changsheng was surprised.

He couldn’t figure out why Qin Yuning had come to the Immortal City of Damengze.

And why seek out his Changsheng True Lord identity?

But he quickly realized his ‘Xuamu Daoist’ disguise had likely been exposed.

Qin Yuning was the Great Palace Master of the Divine Maiden Palace, Shen Jianjia’s disciple.

Back in the White Dew Palace, under the influence of Tears of the Fairy, he’d fought Shen Jianjia with everything he had, making it hard to maintain his disguise.

A mid-Nascent Soul powerhouse like Shen Jianjia could easily see through his true appearance.

In that case, with the Divine Maiden Palace’s resources, it wouldn’t take long to investigate his identity through his looks and circumstances.

Especially with the ripples caused by True Lord Pinghai and others, stirring up waves in the Starry Sea from Da Mengze and the Immortal City of Damengze.

“If that’s the case, I need to head to the Divine Maiden Palace soon.”

Lu Changsheng pondered, eager to know what Shen Jianjia wanted by sending Qin Yuning to see him.

Did it involve Shen Yiren or his son Shen Yuanming?

Or was it about Shen Baishuang?

“Alright, I’ll head to the Immortal City of Damengze later.”

Lu Changsheng told Hong Lian right away.

He then asked about her well-being before ending the call and turning to Lu Miaoge, who had emerged from the Hall of Everlasting Life.

“Sister Miaoge.”

Lu Changsheng smiled and stepped forward, taking his wife’s jade-like hand. He thanked her for her hard work and asked about the situation in Liang Kingdom.

Lu Miaoge explained that the aftermath in Liang Kingdom was nearly sorted out.

So Azure Cloud Sect had withdrawn some forces and troops from the front lines back to Jiang Kingdom.

She’d returned on an Azure Cloud warship with Qian Zhuyan, disguised as ‘Changsheng True Lord’.

“Qingyi True Lord is back too. You should visit her and Shouzheng at Azure Cloud Sect later.”

Lu Miaoge knew about Lu Changsheng’s relationship with Chu Qingyi. She felt deep sympathy for the sword immortal and Lu Shouzheng, so she suggested it proactively.

“Alright.” Lu Changsheng nodded, knowing he should go to Azure Cloud Sect to properly care for Chu Qingyi and their son.

“Lingxiao and Qingxuan, Wangshu—haven’t they returned?” Lu Changsheng asked.

With his Nascent Soul spirit-soul, a mere thought let him sense the auras of his wives, concubines, and children.

He knew his sons Lu Lingxiao, Lu Qingxian, Lu Wangshu, and others weren’t at Bihu Mountain.

“Mm, the major forces haven’t fully withdrawn yet. Lingxiao and Wangshu will likely return with Qingshan and Xiaozhu once Liang Kingdom is completely stable,” Lu Miaoge said.

If not for Lu Changsheng’s sudden departure, making it inconvenient for her to stay with the disguised Qian Zhuyan, she wouldn’t have returned so soon.

Lu Changsheng nodded, aware that it would take years for Heavenly Sword Sect to fully control and integrate Liang Kingdom’s territory.

Moreover, during this process, Heavenly Sword Sect would need to relocate to Liang Kingdom and rely on Hunyuan Sect and Purple Light Sect for help.

“Right, Changsheng, you rushed back earlier—did something happen? Is it resolved now?”

Lu Miaoge asked with concern.

She’d heard the gist from Lu Miaoyun.

But she knew Lu Changsheng had hurriedly teleported back to Bihu Mountain using the Misty Dust Banner.

“It was nothing major. Zhenzhen’s brother came over and caused a bit of a stir,” Lu Changsheng said casually.

“Husband, I’m sorry.” Qu Zhenzhen knew her husband’s urgent return was because of her brother.

“What are you apologizing for?” Lu Changsheng chuckled warmly, not blaming her at all.

With that, he released the Heavenly Infant Tree from the Heavenly Yuan Lotus and planted it in the Sumeru Cave Heaven.

“If not for my dear Zhenzhen, how could I have obtained such a Heavenly Infant Tree and harvested a Heavenly Infant Fruit?”

Lu Changsheng said with a smile, praising Qu Zhenzhen as his lucky star.

“Heavenly Infant Tree!?”

Lu Miaoge and Lu Miaoyun exclaimed in surprise, staring at the bare little tree without branches or leaves.

They’d naturally heard of the famed Heavenly Infant Tree.

They knew it produced fruits that were the main ingredient for Huaying Pills—Heavenly Infant Fruits.

“That’s right. This is the tree that can produce Heavenly Infant Fruits. In the future, when you need to break through to Nascent Soul, Sister Miaoge, you won’t have to worry about Huaying Pills.”

Lu Changsheng said, then took out the jade box containing the Heavenly Infant Fruit to show his two wives.

He mentioned he’d already gathered materials for one batch of Huaying Pills.

Later, he’d head to the Starry Sea to find someone to refine a furnace of them.

“Wow, congratulations, Sister Miaoge. Soon you’ll be a Nascent Soul True Lord.”

Lu Miaoyun immediately congratulated her cousin, knowing her husband’s deep feelings for Lu Miaoge.

With the Huaying Pill materials gathered, and the pill itself, she’d surely break through to Nascent Soul in the future.

“I’m still far from Nascent Soul. Senior Hong Lian is probably ready to attempt it. If you refine Huaying Pills, Changsheng, send one to her.”

“Besides, Qingyi True Lord has already reached late Core Formation, so she’s closer to Nascent Soul than I am.”

Lu Miaoge shook her head gently, her personality gentle and considerate, with no desire to compete for the Huaying Pill.

She was only at Core Formation fifth layer; talk of Nascent Soul was premature.

Moreover, she knew her own talent and disposition were average.

Her progress so far relied entirely on Lu Changsheng’s resources and the Taiyi Water Technique.

Her chances of breaking through to Nascent Soul weren’t high.

“Don’t worry, Sister Miaoge. I’ve already prepared Hong Lian’s Huaying Pill. Just focus on your cultivation; leave the Nascent Soul resources to me.”

Lu Changsheng pinched his wife’s beautiful, jade-like cheek and smiled.

He then turned to Lu Miaoyun and Qu Zhenzhen. “I’ve got a lead on fixing the Heaven and Earth Everlasting Method’s issues. Soon, I’ll resolve it.”

“Once that’s done, you both can break through to Nascent Soul.”

Lu Changsheng felt some concern about Lu Miaoge’s Nascent Soul breakthrough.

But for Lu Miaoyun and Qu Zhenzhen, who cultivated the Heaven and Earth Everlasting Method, he had no such worries.

Once the hidden issues were fixed, he could use Wuling Heaven Dew to rapidly nurture them and help them advance quickly.

After some tender moments, Lu Changsheng thought about the current situation in Liang Kingdom. He sat cross-legged and activated the God-Devouring Technique.

Through the God-Devouring Seed parasitic in the Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain’s sea of consciousness, he communicated with her.

The God-Devouring Seed could not only plunder and parasitize other beings, absorbing unconscious spiritual insights and divine thoughts from their cultivation to nourish itself.

It also allowed monitoring, restriction, and remote communication.

However, while the seed could silently parasitize someone’s sea of consciousness undetected, initiating communication would expose it completely.

Moreover, remote communication heavily drained mental energy and focus, unlike simple transmission talismans.

“Youyue, what’s the situation in Liang Kingdom now?”

Deep in the Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain’s mind, far away in Liang Kingdom, Lu Changsheng’s voice suddenly echoed.

She jolted in shock, unsure what technique this was.

Spotting the eerie glow of the God-Devouring Seed in her sea of consciousness, she instantly understood, her heart filling with dread.

She hadn’t expected Lu Changsheng’s methods to be so astonishing.

She then tried communicating, informing him that Liang Kingdom’s affairs were nearly handled. In at most three months, they could relocate to Jiang Kingdom.

“Good. You and Fenmo handle it carefully and make sure everything is in order,” Lu Changsheng said, his voice calm and authoritative.

“Master, Tianmu Sect from Yuan Kingdom has sent someone to contact me. They’re expressing goodwill toward you and want to ransom back True Lord Qianren’s Nascent Soul Spirit Body.”

The Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain spoke up.

Earlier, Yuan Kingdom had been ambiguous toward Yangming True Lord and the Immortal City of Damengze, choosing to observe quietly.

But seeing how quickly the Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain had submitted, the major forces in Yuan Kingdom sensed something amiss.

They suspected True Lord Nine Spirits hadn’t just been severely injured as True Lord Yunmei claimed; he might have fallen into the Jiang-Yue alliance’s hands.

And through their contacts and investigations, Qisha Sect confirmed that True Lord Qianren had been captured by Yangming True Lord—it wasn’t false information.

Currently, True Lord Qianren’s Nascent Soul Spirit Body was in the hands of this Nascent Soul powerhouse, Yangming True Lord.

Suddenly, whether it was Qisha Sect, Tianzhu Sect, or Tianmu Sect, their attitudes toward Yangming True Lord shifted. They no longer wanted enmity and sought to resolve grudges.

Especially Qisha Sect, hoping to exchange True Lord Yunmei and the remaining Beast God Mountain cultivators for True Lord Qianren.

After all, for any sect, a Nascent Soul cultivator was incredibly valuable.

In Qisha Sect’s view, True Lord Qianren’s importance far outweighed True Lord Yunmei’s.

“Heh.” Lu Changsheng let out a cold laugh.

He knew Yuan Kingdom’s forces hadn’t contacted him immediately before, only now reaching out to the Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain with goodwill—they must have ulterior motives and suspicions.

“Tell them an exchange for Qianren is possible, but they need to show sufficient sincerity. You can also use this to retrieve your Beast God Mountain cultivators.”

Though Lu Changsheng had already marked Qisha Sect for destruction.

He knew eradicating such an assassin sect completely would be difficult.

Killing True Lord Qianren would only make them more cautious and wary.

Better to seize this chance, plant a God-Devouring Seed in Qianren, and use it to gather intelligence on Qisha Sect.

Then, when the time was right, wipe out Qisha Sect in one fell swoop!

Besides, a Nascent Soul Spirit Body like True Lord Qianren’s wasn’t of much use to him beyond cultivating the True Saint Skill of Brahma and Demons.

If Qisha Sect or Yuan Kingdom offered a high enough price and were willing to bleed, he’d gladly make the trade.

Moreover, with Liang Kingdom newly stabilized and a pile of matters at home, Lu Changsheng didn’t want relations with Yuan Kingdom to sour further, leading to more conflict.

“Thank you, Master.” The Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain replied.

Truthfully, she felt little attachment to the departed elites of Beast God Mountain.

But she knew Lu Changsheng’s move was to win over her ancestor.

After all, her ancestor was now half-crippled in his Dao path, with his only hope being to rebuild and revitalize Beast God Mountain.

In the Sumeru Cave Heaven, Lu Changsheng opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath.

“If my spirit-soul hadn’t broken through to late Nascent Soul, even a short remote conversation like that would have left me mentally exhausted.”

Lu Changsheng could feel how draining that brief exchange had been on his mind.

But such a technique was incredibly powerful.

Even across vast distances, it allowed short communications.

Next, Lu Changsheng prepared to parasitize the third God-Devouring Seed onto the Sumeru Tree King.

This way, while away, he could observe the home situation through the Sumeru Tree King and relay messages to his family.

Moreover, after Sumeru’s promotion to fourth-rank, it could absorb ambient spiritual insights and divine thoughts to aid his growth, making it worthwhile.

“It’s a shame the second layer of the God-Devouring Technique can condense at most five seeds; otherwise, it would be incredibly convenient.”

Lu Changsheng sighed inwardly.

Without rushing to condense the third seed, Lu Changsheng left the cave residence to check on his wives, concubines, and children.

Though most children ventured out for experience or handled affairs in various places once they reached Foundation Establishment.

Bihu Mountain still had quite a few children staying behind.

Like his daughters Lu Linghe and Lu Baixi, who remained at Bihu Mountain, cultivating in seclusion to prepare for Core Formation and third-rank.

Lu Linghe had obtained the Seven Orifices Exquisite Core Dao Seed. Though she wasn’t particularly clever, her comprehension had genuinely improved, and she was practicing a Core Formation secret technique.

For this daughter, Lu Changsheng felt both reassured and concerned, paying her special attention.

“Daddy.”

Lu Baixi approached, her small face expressionless, her eyes gleaming with platinum light as she stared straight at her father.

Earlier, Lu Changsheng had promised to let the Golden-Winged Roc take her to the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range for training, but nothing had come of it.

“Uh…” Lu Changsheng felt a bit awkward.

He could see Lu Baixi’s demon power had reached the peak of second-rank. If she wanted, she could already attempt third-rank.

But since he’d promised his daughter and understood her intentions, Lu Changsheng didn’t make excuses. He awakened the Golden-Winged Roc sleeping in the spirit pet bag.

“Master, what’s the matter?”

The Golden-Winged Roc opened its eyes and asked, scanning the surroundings, assuming they were heading out for travel or a fight.

In the previous battle in Liang-Yue, it had been severely injured under Mo Luo’s assault.

But the Flood Dragon Holy Son’s Nascent Soul Spirit Body, the Huangquan flood dragon’s remnant soul, flesh from a fourth-rank beast king and mid-fourth-rank dragon-croc, plus some from True Lord Nine Spirits’ spirit pet, the Gold Mane Lion King, had filled it to bursting.

Its True Spirit bloodline seemed on the verge of further evolution, so it’d been sleeping these past days.

Lu Changsheng really wanted to snap back, ‘You have the nerve to ask what’s up?’

If not for your bad influence, my precious daughter wouldn’t be itching to train in the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range.

“Little Creek’s cultivation has reached peak second-rank, ready for third-rank. Take her to the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range for training and protect her during the breakthrough.”

Lu Changsheng told the Golden-Winged Roc, giving it an easy task to rest and digest.

“Just this?” The Golden-Winged Roc was a bit stunned, thinking such a minor matter warranted the Little Roc King’s personal involvement?

But since its master had spoken, and Lu Baixi was a junior it’d watched grow up, it nodded. “When do we leave?”

Lu Changsheng glanced at his daughter’s face, lit with anticipation and a smile. “You two decide.”

“Little Creek, when do you want to set out?” The Golden-Winged Roc looked at the girl.

“Little Roc King, whenever you’re ready. Or should we wait until you’ve finished sleeping?” Lu Baixi noticed the Golden-Winged Roc had been asleep, forcibly awakened by her father.

“Wait until I’ve finished sleeping?” The Golden-Winged Roc figured if it kept sleeping, this trip might drag on forever. “In that case, let’s go now.”

With that, it prepared to take Lu Baixi to the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range.

“Golden Roc, keep a close eye on Little Creek. If anything happens, notify me immediately.” Lu Changsheng instructed the Golden-Winged Roc again, urging it to stay alert.

“Don’t worry, Master.” The Golden-Winged Roc assured him, feeling its master underestimated it.

In the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, it’d be like a dragon in the ocean, a tiger in the mountains, an eagle soaring the skies!

“Little Creek, once you’re in the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, don’t push yourself too hard. Know your limits, okay? If there’s danger, call for Little Roc King.”

As the saying goes, a father worries for his daughter traveling far.

Even with the Golden-Winged Roc, Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but fret. He divined a reading for his daughter.

The omen was auspicious.

Minor luck, moderate luck, great luck intertwined and fluctuating.

Lu Changsheng pondered briefly. For his daughter’s situation, a successful breakthrough would count as great luck.

With a fourth-rank demon king like the Golden-Winged Roc guarding her, this omen made perfect sense.

At that moment, Lu Changsheng noticed Lu Linghe nearby looking eager, as if she wanted to join. He quickly pressed down on her head, squashing the budding idea.

“You stay home obediently!”

“Oh.” Lu Linghe nodded cutely, watching Lu Baixi and Little Roc King disappear into the distance. Then, under Lu Changsheng’s supervision, she continued practicing her Core Formation secret technique.

His children at home were all on track, progressing steadily.

The only one who made Lu Changsheng shake his head was his son Lu Ping’an.

But seeing the toddler beside him, with bright black eyes and a body far sturdier than average children, Lu Changsheng understood completely.

“Dad.” Lu Ping’an called out to Lu Changsheng.

The nearby Lu Xuanfan hadn’t seen this grandpa much and didn’t recognize him.

“Xiaofan, this is Grandpa.” Lu Ping’an told him immediately.

The child wasn’t shy at all.

Moreover, Lu Changsheng’s appearance, aura, and charm not only calmed female cultivators’ hearts but also made other cultivators and children instinctively feel close to him.

“Xiaofan.” Lu Changsheng smiled as he picked up his grandson, asking about him.

Though the boy was only three, children in the cultivation world tended to be smarter and more mature.

Unlike the somewhat reserved Lu Ping’an, he was lively and chattered nonstop.

“Hehe.” Lu Changsheng enjoyed this rare moment of peace and leisure.

Half a month later, Lu Changsheng quietly left Bihu Mountain and headed to Azure Cloud Sect.