Chapter 916: Qin Yuning’s Speculations, Meeting the Turtle Immortal, Zhenhai!

“Since you’re ready Qin Yuning, let’s head out.”

Lu Changsheng arrived at Qin Yuning’s courtyard and saw she was all set. Without further ado,

he summoned his spirit treasure, the Misty Dust Banner. It transformed into a vibrant cloud of mist, sweeping up her delicate form as they sped toward the depths of Da Mengze.

“Huh!?” Qin Yuning watched Lu Changsheng’s method of travel with wide eyes, filled with surprise and doubt.

She might only be a Core Formation cultivator,

but her master was the head of the Divine Maiden Palace, giving her early access to plenty of Nascent Soul knowledge.

She knew Nascent Soul cultivators had just begun to grasp the power of the void, but they couldn’t traverse it endlessly.

Using void power drained magical energy heavily.

Was this Changsheng True Lord not worried about exhausting his magical energy with such reckless speed?

After all, the journey from Da Mengze to the Starry Sea and Penglai Island was fraught with demon kings and sea beasts.

If a Nascent Soul cultivator burned through too much magical energy and ran into void turbulence, gale winds, thunderstorms, or a demon king attack, it could spell real danger.

That’s why cultivators of any level, despite being able to rush at high speeds, preferred using flying boats or mounts.

It prevented excessive drain on stamina and magical energy, avoiding unpredictable risks.

Still, as a mere Core Formation cultivator, Qin Yuning wouldn’t dare question a Nascent Soul True Lord.

She planned to wait until he paused for a break, then casually mention her third-rank top-tier flying boat as a more efficient option for the trip.

Of course, Lu Changsheng had no intention of using the Misty Dust Banner to race straight to Penglai Island.

Unless he broke through to late-stage Nascent Soul, even with the Heavenly Yuan Lotus as a second dantian endlessly burning spirit stones, it would be tough to manage.

He simply favored this swift method to reach the depths of Da Mengze quickly and call on Lu Lingjing for a ride.

With the Golden-Winged Roc on leave, escorting Lu Baixi to the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, Lu Changsheng naturally turned to the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale as his transport.

In the vast ocean, a sea overlord like Lu Lingjing made travel far more convenient and efficient than the Golden-Winged Roc.

It was perfect for heading to the Divine Maiden Palace first, then on to the Forbidden Sea to find the Green Dragon King.

“How is this Changsheng True Lord’s magical energy so enduring? My second martial uncle once said traversing the void consumes a ton of magical energy. Unless it’s an emergency, Nascent Soul True Lords rarely use void traversal for regular travel.”

“Even if he has an evasion spirit treasure, it’s not like the Six Paths Demon Concubine’s White Bone Demon Palace, powered by fourth-rank ghost kings and thousands of specter soldiers.”

“Could this Changsheng True Lord not be early-stage Nascent Soul, but a mid-stage powerhouse like Yangming True Lord?”

Qin Yuning didn’t know their exact speed or location, but she could feel the void rippling constantly around them.

Seeing Lu Changsheng push on without a break for so long left her astonished and impressed.

If he truly was a mid-stage Nascent Soul powerhouse like Yangming True Lord, that would be downright terrifying and unbelievable.

After all, mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators were overlords in the Starry Sea, top-tier figures.

Did the Immortal City of Damengze really house two mid-stage Nascent Soul powerhouses?

Qin Yuning glanced toward Lu Changsheng.

But the Misty Dust Banner was in full swing, enveloping them in a colorful misty cloud, obscuring her view.

“Who is this guy, really? What’s his story?”

Qin Yuning couldn’t help but grow curious about this Changsheng True Lord.

She wondered why such a Nascent Soul cultivator would disguise himself as a Core Formation one.

From what she’d gathered, this Changsheng True Lord hadn’t appeared out of nowhere; his growth path was clear and traceable.

“Nascent Soul possession? Or reincarnation and recultivation? Maybe wandering the mortal world?”

Qin Yuning pondered if this Changsheng True Lord had possessed the Lu Family ancestor.

Otherwise, reincarnating and reaching Nascent Soul in just over a century was astonishing.

Especially since reports showed this Changsheng True Lord had been quite the slacker in his early years.

All his focus seemed to be on marrying, taking concubines, and having kids, amassing hundreds of descendants early on.

Only in recent decades had that pace slowed.

If not for the Talisman Lu Family—his wives and children breaking through and causing stirs—Changsheng True Lord’s situation might have faded from public view entirely.

As Qin Yuning’s thoughts wandered wildly, she suddenly felt the void fluctuations ease, and they emerged above a foggy, hazy sea.

Even in this boundless ocean without a sea chart, it was hard to pinpoint their location.

But from the misty fog suppressing divine sense and magical energy, Qin Yuning knew they’d reached the depths of Da Mengze.

“True Lord?” Qin Yuning turned to Lu Changsheng, clad in his green robe, tall and slender, holding the five-colored long banner. She wondered if something was wrong or if he needed a rest.

She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination.

But this Changsheng True Lord seemed even more strikingly handsome than when she’d seen him before.

His flawlessly handsome face, tall and elegant figure, and an indescribable aura made him seem like an immortal who had stumbled into the mortal world, tangled in earthly ties.

Even though Qin Yuning prided herself on not being swayed by looks—her standards raised high by her master and two martial uncles—

seeing Lu Changsheng beside her still left her in awe, momentarily entranced.

Earlier, when Lu Changsheng offered to escort her back to Penglai Island, she’d recalled the rumors about ‘Changsheng True Person’ and worried if he had ulterior motives toward her.

Now, looking at his appearance, those concerns vanished.

It was as if this Changsheng True Lord naturally inspired a sense of calm and comfort, an instinctive trust and affinity.

Lu Changsheng said nothing, just gazing quietly ahead.

“Buzz buzz buzz—”

At that moment, the demon detection disk in Qin Yuning’s bosom began vibrating wildly.

The disk could sense demonic aura and baleful energy within a hundred-mile radius.

It gauged the fluctuations to estimate the beast’s rough power level.

Qin Yuning’s safe journey from Penglai Island to Da Mengze owed much to this disk.

Whenever it detected demonic fluctuations, she’d activate her divine ability to conceal herself and slip away quietly.

The disk’s current frenzy meant a fourth-rank demon king was nearby!

In the next instant, she saw the hazy mist ahead churn with waves, as if a mountain was breaking through the surf toward them.

“A fourth-rank demon king!”

Qin Yuning’s body tensed instinctively, recognizing this as the source of the disk’s alert.

She called out to Lu Changsheng beside her, “True Lord?”

For some reason, his presence eased her fear of the approaching fourth-rank demon king.

“Don’t worry.” Lu Changsheng said softly.

Qin Yuning nodded lightly, her mind settling.

Yet as the fourth-rank demon king drew closer, tension still gripped her.

After all, she was just a Core Formation cultivator.

Facing such a fourth-rank demon king triggered an innate fear.

Especially since she’d once hunted a fourth-rank demon king with her second martial uncle Shen Baishuang, witnessing the terror of these sea beasts firsthand.

They were far beyond what a Core Formation cultivator could handle or fight!

A few breaths later, Qin Yuning got a clear view of the demon king’s form.

Its massive body was covered in dark golden-black scales.

Two majestic dragon horns jutted skyward from its head, exuding authority, topped with a coiled dragon glazed hat.

Its eyes were like swirling black vortexes, and a row of sharp, sword-like black fins lined its back, chilling to the soul.

Qin Yuning noticed the demon king showed no ferocity or malice; it wasn’t roaring or provoking them, almost as if it was calling out.

In the next moment, she saw Changsheng True Lord step forward and claim the coiled dragon-like glazed jade hat from the demon king’s head.

“Is this whale king the spirit pet of the Lord of Dameng City?”

Qin Yuning’s expression dawned with realization, recalling reports that the Lord of Dameng City had a massive whale spirit pet.

“Hold on, this whale king looks a lot like the one we searched for back then.”

Then Qin Yuning remembered the early years when major Starry Sea forces scoured the Black Reef Islands for the Kunpeng egg.

The egg had vanished afterward, with a suspicious fourth-rank whale king among the leads.

As Shen Jianjia’s disciple, Qin Yuning had access to that information.

“Could this whale king not belong to the Lord of Dameng City, but to this Changsheng True Lord?”

Qin Yuning speculated, still not connecting Yangming True Lord with Changsheng True Lord.

For one, she saw no need to.

For another, reports showed the two often appeared simultaneously.

“This whale is my spirit pet. We can rest inside its body; it’ll make the trip to Penglai Island quicker and easier.”

Lu Changsheng told Qin Yuning, leading her into the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale’s stomach chamber.

Qin Yuning felt a bit uneasy but couldn’t refuse, steeling herself to follow Lu Changsheng inside.

Once in, she found it unlike the disgusting scene she’d imagined.

The stomach chamber was clean and tidy, spacious and comfortable, lacking only a spirit vein.

And so, the two rode the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale straight into the Starry Sea.

When the Abyssal Sea Dragon Whale neared the Fuhai Sect, Lu Changsheng opened his eyes and said to Qin Yuning, “I’m stepping out for a bit.”

Without waiting for a reply, he vanished abruptly into the Fuhai Sect.

Qin Yuning could only clutch her spirit stones, sit quietly in meditation, and wait for his return.

Fuhai Sect.

Three years ago, a massive battle erupted at Fuhai Sect. The Turtle Immortal Patriarch appeared, only to be enslaved by Lu Changsheng with a Demon Subjugation Talisman. Afterward, Zhenhai Patriarch and Turtle Immortal Patriarch purged the entire sect.

This was to prevent any leaks about the battle.

After all, Turtle Immortal Patriarch’s identity was a closely guarded secret, known to few in the Starry Sea.

Zhenhai Patriarch didn’t want it getting out either.

Moreover, as one of the Zhenhai Seven Sects, news of an unexplained major battle at Fuhai Sect could draw attention and probes from other Starry Sea forces.

Right now, the Zhenhai Seven Sects’ top combat power was severely weakened.

Any probing could reveal their outward strength masking inner frailty.

Though with Zhenhai Patriarch and Turtle Immortal Patriarch present, they could suppress any threats or disasters.

But top-tier power only decided the big picture.

Day-to-day matters relied on high-end or mid-tier forces to handle.

Besides, Zhenhai Patriarch and Turtle Immortal Patriarch couldn’t personally deal with every little thing all the time.

“Haiqin and Cangjue greet the True Lord!”

Though Fuhai Sect had undergone a major purge, rooting out all spies and tampering with low-rank disciples’ and cultivators’ memories,

Zhenhai Patriarch still trusted the sect’s core direct lines.

Like the two women previously sent to Lu Changsheng as maids and spies, now fully stationed at Fuhai Sect, ready to serve him at any moment.

“Inform Zhenhai that this True Lord has arrived.”

Lu Changsheng had already communicated with Turtle Immortal Patriarch via the Demon Subjugation Talisman.

But he didn’t treat Turtle Immortal Patriarch and Zhenhai Patriarch as one and the same.

After all, they had distinct thoughts and consciousnesses.

“Yes.” The two women immediately used their tokens to message Zhenhai Patriarch.

The Zhenhai Seven Sects had emergency teleportation arrays between them.

So not long after the message, Turtle Immortal Patriarch and Zhenhai Patriarch arrived at Fuhai Sect.

“Gui Da greets the master.”

“Zhenhai greets the master.”

Turtle Immortal Patriarch and Zhenhai Patriarch bowed to Lu Changsheng, their demeanor far more respectful than before.

Previously, after Lu Changsheng left, Turtle Immortal Patriarch hadn’t fully accepted his fate.

Through Zhenhai Patriarch, who still had independent will and resistance, he tried to break free from the Demon Subjugation Talisman’s restrictions.

But research revealed the restriction was astonishing, fully integrated into his bloodline, spirit-soul, and demon core.

The only way to escape was an immediate breakthrough to late fourth-rank, aided by his clone Zhenhai Patriarch.

But advancing to late fourth-rank wasn’t easy, or he wouldn’t have waited this long.

Even digesting all the Zhenhai Seven Sects’ resources would take decades, maybe a century, to achieve the breakthrough.

Zhenhai Patriarch considered taking Minghai, Zhenhai, and others with Turtle Immortal Patriarch to hunt demon kings in the Forbidden Sea, seeking opportunities to aid the breakthrough.

But influenced by the Demon Subjugation Talisman, Turtle Immortal Patriarch needed immense mental focus and willpower to even muster thoughts of resistance and escape.

As the two searched for ways to break free, not long ago, Turtle Immortal Patriarch sensed the talisman’s spirit-soul restriction deepen further.

Even breaking through to late fourth-rank wouldn’t free him from the spirit-soul bind.

In that moment, Turtle Immortal Patriarch gave up completely.

He knew escape from this enslavement restriction was impossible, and resistance was futile.

Now, with Lu Changsheng’s arrival at Fuhai Sect, he could faintly sense the man’s spirit-soul surpassing his own.

This was unbelievable!

When Lu Changsheng first used the Demon Subjugation Talisman on him, he’d held out so long thanks to his superior bloodline, cultivation, and spirit-soul.

Yet in just three years, the man’s spirit-soul had overtaken his?

His own spirit-soul was comparable to a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator’s!

“Gui Da, Zhenhai, you’ve arrived.”

Lu Changsheng smiled at the pair, keeping things light without much authority or airs.

These two were a top demon king and a Nascent Soul powerhouse; he couldn’t treat them like mere pets or servants. Respect was due.

“Over these years, has anything major happened in the Starry Sea? After Star King fled, did he make it back to Starrymoon Hall? Has the Zhenhai Seven Sects run into any trouble?”

Lu Changsheng looked at Zhenhai Patriarch, clad in his raincoat and bamboo hat.

Though his main goal this visit was to have Zhenhai Patriarch refine Huaying Pills and the Small Misty Dust Banner,

he couldn’t just show up and demand work. Some concern was in order.

“Reporting to master,”

Unlike Turtle Immortal Patriarch, Zhenhai Patriarch wasn’t as deeply affected by the Demon Subjugation Talisman.

Though submissive to Lu Changsheng, he retained his dignity and pride, recounting the Starry Sea’s major events over the years with composure.

The biggest incident was the destruction of Wu Demon Island and the slaying of Shi Hai True Lord.

Anywhere, the life or death of a Nascent Soul cultivator was big news.

“Star King fled straight back to Starrymoon Hall. Though there’s no overt activity, some forces have probed Pinghai Sect, Fuhai Sect, and Tunhai Sect. I suspect it’s connected to Star King.”

Zhenhai Patriarch continued, his hatred for Star King bone-deep.

If the man hadn’t fled immediately, how could he have ended up like this?

With Turtle Immortal Patriarch’s strength, he could have resisted the Demon Subjugation Talisman for quite a while.

“Since Star King made it back to Starrymoon Hall, once I have time and preparations in place, I’ll go with you to Starrymoon Hall to deal with him and demand an explanation.”

Lu Changsheng knew Zhenhai Patriarch’s deep grudge against Star King and spoke up.

But as a fourth-rank diviner, he knew Star King wouldn’t be easy to handle.

For one, as a top diviner daring to return to Starrymoon Hall, it meant the place was secure.

Moreover, Starrymoon Hall was a top force in the Starry Sea with deep foundations.

Not only did it have Star King as a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator, but also Yue Zun, another mid-stage one.

Beyond Star King and Yue Zun, there were other high-rank cultivators and accumulated connections in the Starry Sea.

“Star King excels in divination; dealing with him requires careful, long-term planning.”

Zhenhai Patriarch shook his head.

Cultivators skilled in divination like Star King weren’t easy targets.

As for storming Starrymoon Hall,

it would cause too much commotion, and breaking a top force’s mountain gate array was no simple feat.

“Naturally.”

Lu Changsheng didn’t dwell on it, instead asking, “Zhenhai, does the Zhenhai Seven Sects have alchemists capable of refining Huaying Pills?”

“Yes.” Zhenhai Patriarch nodded.

As a top force in the Starry Sea, the Zhenhai Seven Sects naturally had fourth-rank alchemists.

“What’s the pill formation rate?” Lu Changsheng asked immediately.

“At least one pill, fifty percent chance of two, and about ten percent for three.”

Zhenhai Patriarch replied.

This success rate was already high, guaranteeing at least one Huaying Pill.

But for Lu Ancestor, who consistently produced three pills per batch, it fell a bit short.