Chapter 539: Thirty to the ninth level of Qi Refining, coming to challenge!

As the Qingyun Sect announced the Wilderness War, the entire Qingyun Sect territory was shaken.

“Wilderness War, a ten-year period. As long as you sign up, you’ll receive Cultivation Techniques and Medicinal Pills. How grand will this Wilderness War be!?”

Many Loose Cultivators and small Family forces were both surprised and delighted upon hearing this, feeling both fear and a sense of longing and anticipation.

After all, looking back at the Jiang Country Cultivation World’s history, Wilderness Wars were always accompanied by the rise of countless Loose Cultivators.

Even now, there are still some forces that established Families and obtained Spiritual Lands by earning merits in Wilderness Wars.

“Man dies, birds fly to the sky; if I don’t die, I’ll live for ten thousand years. I’ve been a Loose Cultivator my whole life, so I’ll seize this Opportunity to fight for a future for my descendants!”

“Ten years, why in ten years!”

“Brothers fight tigers together, fathers and sons go to battle together. Chuan’er, your father and I will go with you!”

“If one can perform exceptionally in the Wilderness War, they might even be granted a Spiritual Land, allowing their Legacy to be passed down for generations, no longer needing to be a homeless, wandering Loose Cultivator!”

“Unfilial descendant, having lost the ancestral foundation, today I wish to emulate my ancestors and strive for a future in the Wilderness War. Please, ancestors, bless me!”

“Wilderness War: based on contributions, the treasury will be opened. Excellent performers can even become a Disciple of the Qingyun Sect, exchanging for Foundation Establishment Pills and Core Formation Spiritual items!”

The news and rumors spread rapidly, igniting the passion of countless Loose Cultivators and small Family forces, who then went to the Qingyun Sect’s registration points.

Although the Wilderness Edict was full of bloodshed and danger,

for people like them, it was a huge Opportunity!

The large Family forces had already heard the rumors.

Upon seeing the Wilderness Edict issued to their Lu, they all sighed.

The Wilderness War required a large number of Cultivators to slay and expel Yao Beasts, manage Spiritual Veins, and establish Formations.

Therefore, the first batch of Cultivators would face the most hardship and danger.

Not only were there various daily dangers, making stable Cultivation difficult,

but any slight accident during the process, such as a monster tide, poisonous insects and miasma, or a Yao King’s attack, could result in large-scale deaths.

And these Family forces, who were issued the Wilderness Edict, basically belonged to the first batch of pioneering Cultivators.

Even established Family forces privately knew that if they became too arrogant in normal times, the Four Great Immortal Sects would use this Opportunity to suppress them, arranging various perilous missions in the Wilderness War.

But even if they knew, they couldn’t disobey!

The Wilderness War not only had the absolute suppression and rallying power of the Four Great Immortal Sects,

but also the righteousness of expanding territory for Jiang Country, contending for Spiritual Veins, and strengthening national power. Who would dare to disobey!?

Soon after, the Wilderness Edict from the Heaven Sword Sect, Qingyun Sect, Luoxia Sect, and Yu Ling Sect, the Four Great Immortal Sects, spread directly throughout the entire Jiang Country.

At this moment, everyone realized that this Wilderness War was even grander than they had imagined.

It wasn’t just about pioneering in their own territory, but the entire Jiang Country Cultivation World, a nationwide pioneering effort!

“It seems this Wilderness War is related to Sword Saint Monarch!”

“Now that the Heaven Sword Sect has two Nascent Soul True Lords overseeing it, and is at its Peak and most prosperous, it naturally wants to open up new territories and compete for Spiritual Vein resources!”

Everyone guessed that this Wilderness War was related to the Heaven Sword Sect’s second Nascent Soul True Lord.

However, forces like the Beast Taming Xu Family, Five Elements Wang Family, Divine Blade Shangguan Family, as well as Danxia Mountain and Phantom Sound Sect, knew that

it was not only related to Sword Saint Monarch but also preparation for the war with Yue Country!

The war between Yue Country and Liang Country was already unavoidable.

Jiang Country would certainly participate at that time.

Now, pioneering into the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range was also about contending for Spiritual Vein resources and boosting national power!

After being tempered by the Wilderness War, the national power of the Jiang Country Cultivation World would not only not weaken but would also experience an overall increase, ushering in rapid development!

Of course, some also speculated that Jiang Country’s investment of energy into the Wilderness War at this time was also a way of expressing its stance, unwilling to participate in battles between other countries.

Just as everyone was discussing this Wilderness War, another bombshell news swept through the Jiang Country Cultivation World.

The first Loose Cultivator of Jiang Country!

The Lord of Qingluan Immortal City!

Qingluan True Person had Broken Through to Nascent Soul, and now, a king had returned, taking charge of Qingluan Immortal City!

Furthermore, Qingluan True Monarch intended to expand the Immortal City, participate in this Wilderness War, and recruit Loose Cultivators from all over the world!

“What, Qingluan True Person has Broken Through to Nascent Soul!?”

“This, this, this, this is the first Loose Cultivator in our Jiang Country Cultivation World to Break Through to Nascent Soul in a thousand years, isn’t it!”

“More than a thousand years; the last Loose Cultivator Nascent Soul True Lord, who knows when that was.”

“Qingluan True Person, no, isn’t Qingluan True Monarch over four hundred years old, with Nascent Soul being a distant hope? How could this be…”

“How can Qingluan True Monarch, who rose from a Loose Cultivator to her current position, be something we can presumptuously speculate about!”

“When Qingluan True Monarch disappeared and left, Qingluan Immortal City was purged and taken over by Jiang and Yue Countries. Now that Qingluan True Monarch has returned, why is there no commotion at all?”

“In earlier years, Qingluan Immortal City was our Jiang Country’s Loose Cultivator Holy Land, but ever since the City Lord left, it began to decline and go downhill. Now that the Lord has taken another step forward, returned as a Nascent Soul, and taken charge of the Immortal City, it is absolutely great news for us Loose Cultivators!”

“That’s right, instead of us Loose Cultivators signing up for the Wilderness War through the Four Great Immortal Sects, it’s better to go to Qingluan Immortal City!”

After hundreds of years of accumulation, Qingluan True Monarch had a very prominent reputation and public image among Loose Cultivators in Jiang Country, and even Yue Country.

Compared to the major Immortal Sects, they identified more with Qingluan True Monarch, the first Loose Cultivator!

Especially since Qingluan Immortal City, in Qingluan True Monarch’s hands in earlier years, formed a stark contrast with the past decade or so!

For a time, countless Loose Cultivators gathered in groups, planning to go to Qingluan Immortal City to sign up for the Wilderness War!

Bihu Mountain.

Lu Miaoge and Lu Miaoyun were very surprised to hear the news about Qingluan True Monarch.

They already knew that Qingluan True Person had Broken Through to Nascent Soul and returned.

They just didn’t expect her to appear at this time and take charge of Qingluan Immortal City.

“Could it be that the Wilderness War was decided so quickly, and it’s related to Qingluan True Monarch?”

“It seems Qingluan True Monarch must have reached some agreement with the high-level officials of Jiang Country and Yue Country.”

“The direct line of Qingluan True Monarch’s lineage was only removed during that purge, not completely wiped out, presumably related to this reason.”

“For Qingluan True Monarch, now that she has returned, she should first stabilize her position. It’s impossible for her to directly conflict with the high-level officials of Jiang Country and Yue Country. Gaining benefits from the previous incident is already enough.”

“That’s right, in this Wilderness War, Qingluan Immortal City openly recruits Loose Cultivators, which is a blatant snatching of people and carving up the pie for the Four Great Immortal Sects. This clearly has the Heaven Sword Sect’s permission.”

The Lu discussed this matter.

Because Lu Changsheng had always been concerned about the situation in Qingluan Immortal City, they all knew that not long after Qingluan True Person left, Qingluan Immortal City underwent a purge.

Core interests and authority were all divided and controlled by the forces of Jiang and Yue Countries.

Even Immortal Master Bai Feng, who was in charge of the Immortal City back then, was a Puppet representative pushed forward by Yue Country’s Violet Radiance Sect.

After Immortal Master Bai Feng’s death, the high-level officials of the two countries probably had some scruples, so they didn’t appoint a new City Lord, instead allowing several Families and trade associations to jointly manage it.

“If the Cultivators from Qingluan True Monarch’s lineage returned in the early years, wouldn’t they likely be heavily relied upon?”

At this moment, Lu Miaoyun thought of her husband’s good friend, Li Feiyu, and spoke.

In earlier years, Li Feiyu helped Lu Changsheng acquire Materials in Qingluan Immortal City, and they had always maintained correspondence.

Li Feiyu even sent a letter to warn him when Qingluan Immortal City was about to undergo changes.

But after Qingluan Immortal City experienced the great purge, she had not heard any news of Li Feiyu again, nor had she received any more letters from him.

“If it’s a direct descendant of Qingluan True Monarch, they would naturally be heavily relied upon.”

“But Qingluan True Person came from a Loose Cultivator background, was alone, and hadn’t taken a single Disciple for hundreds of years, so she probably doesn’t have many true direct confidants.”

Lu Miaoge said softly.

Although Qingluan True Monarch was famous throughout Jiang Country, she had been very low-key for the past hundred years.

Only during the previous monster tide did she fight three great Yao Kings alone, shaking Jiang Country!

Even in the impression of Lu Miaoge and others, the most common rumor about Qingluan True Monarch in her early years was that she was severely injured.

Qingluan True Monarch was severely injured after entering a certain Immortal Cave, severely injured after going to a certain Secret Realm, and severely injured deep within the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range.

But when faced with doubts, provocations, or crises, she would powerfully step forward and retaliate.

After chatting for a while, the few of them instructed the Family to pay close attention to news from all forces and the latest developments in Qingluan Immortal City.

Lu Changsheng was unaware of the outside world’s affairs.

He had been in Chang Sheng Hall these days, fully concentrating on Meng Xiaochun’s attempt to Break Through to Core Formation.

As time passed little by little, Meng Xiaochun safely passed the three Core Formation hurdles and began the process of liquid Qi solidifying into a Core.

In fact, at this step, Lu Changsheng could already tell that Meng Xiaochun’s Core Formation was already a sure thing!

As a true Legacy Disciple of the Five Poison Sect, possessing the Thousand Silk Myriad Poison Body, she already had a high probability of forming a Core!

Now with Ningjing Pill and Five Elements Spiritual Fruit, failure was naturally impossible.

What remained to be seen was the quality of the Core Formation, and what grade the final Core would be!

“Xumi.”

Lu Changsheng called out to Xumi, signaling it to stabilize the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.

As for helping Meng Xiaochun refine the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi through the Yin Yang Creation Scripture, he did not intervene.

Because in such situations, it was best to help when the other party’s stamina was insufficient.

Now that the other party’s situation was stable, if he interfered, he might inadvertently do more harm than good.

During this process, a System prompt sounded in Lu Changsheng’s mind.

【Congratulations to the Host! Thirty of your descendants have Broken Through to Qi Refining Ninth Layer, granting you one lottery chance!】

However, looking at Meng Xiaochun, who was attempting Core Formation before him, Lu Changsheng did not distract himself with the lottery.

On this day, Bai Ling brought her daughter, Lu Baixi, to the ‘Red Lotus Palace’.

This daughter, when less than a year old, was already as big as a normal two or three-year-old child.

Now at three years old, she was almost the size of a five or six-year-old toddler.

Her expressionless small face was exquisite and delicate, like finely carved jade, with a white-golden snake pattern between her eyebrows.

“Scales?”

When Red Lotus saw Bai Ling arrive and heard her intention, she was a little surprised and looked at Lu Baixi.

“Yes, I also noticed scales appearing on Xiao Xi’s body today.”

Bai Ling said with great concern.

Today, she suddenly saw thin, white-golden scales appearing on her daughter’s body.

Although she also had such scales in her childhood, she only fully mastered control of this layer of scales after her Bloodline Awakening.

But her daughter did not have these scales at birth, so she immediately sought Red Lotus for guidance.

“Come, Xiao Xi.”

Red Lotus looked at Lu Baixi’s elbow; her fair skin seemed to be covered with a layer of glistening, light gauze, like thin scales.

If one didn’t look carefully, they wouldn’t even notice.

She held Lu Baixi’s small hand and checked her condition.

Lu Baixi’s body was very healthy.

She was a complete Yao Beast cub, with a strength no weaker than a Peak First-Order Body Cultivator.

“It should be Xiao Xi’s True Spirit Bloodline gradually Awakening. When she grows a bit older, she should be able to Master this ability.”

Red Lotus pondered for a moment before saying.

Peach God had limited contact with True Spirit Bloodline like Lu Baixi.

She knew that their Bloodline potential would gradually Awaken as they grew.

In this process, the earlier they showed extraordinary talent, the stronger their Bloodline was.

“Thank you, Peach God Senior.”

Bai Ling immediately thanked her, feeling much more at ease.

Even though she knew her daughter was fine, she couldn’t help but worry.

Afterward, she took her daughter out to play with the other children.

In Yue Country, a market city.

“Qingshan, what is this?”

A Jin Yang Sect False Core Elder looked at Lu Qingshan, who was dressed in a green robe, with a long sword at his waist, and covered in dust, his expression surprised and puzzled.

In earlier years, Lu Qingshan, simply by standing, exuded an unparalleled sharpness.

From afar, one could feel his sharp Sword Intent!

Now, his entire being was like a precious sword hidden in its sheath.

Although he was clearly a Sword Cultivator, there was no hint of sharp Qi.

This made him unsure what was going on with Lu Qingshan.

Was his Sword Intent internalized, or had it been worn away by setbacks?

“Elder Xiao, does the Sect need me for something?”

Lu Qingshan’s expression was very casual when facing the Sect’s False Core Elder.

“Qingshan, the Prodigies from Liang Country’s Beast God Mountain, Chi Shen Sect, Shura Sect, and Heavenly Fiend Sect have teamed up to challenge our Sect, so the Sect Leader urgently summoned you all back.”

Elder Xiao immediately said.

“Oh?”

Lu Qingshan raised an eyebrow, asking what was going on.

He had been traveling the Mortal World with his younger sister, Lu Qingzhu, to temper his Sword Heart, and hadn’t paid attention to these matters.

“The four Sects from Liang Country are all top-tier Prodigies. Not long ago, Fire Luo Sect and Beast Talisman Sect were defeated by them. Now they have come to our Jin Yang Sect, so we must go all out.”

Elder Xiao said with a somewhat heavy expression.

After speaking, as if afraid Lu Qingshan hadn’t realized the importance of the matter, he added, “Especially the Prodigy from Beast God Mountain, who is at the Basement Establishment Eighth Level but has fused with a Demonic Fiend Tiger. His strength is not weaker than a Peak Basement Establishment Cultivator. Zhao Yan of Fire Luo Sect was utterly defeated by him.”

Yue Country and Liang Country had constant friction.

Now, Liang Country bringing the four Sects’ Geniuses to challenge Yue Country was clearly an attempt to demoralize Yue Country.

Although their Yue Country could simply kill all the incoming challengers.

Doing so would undoubtedly be petty.

But facing them head-on, with Fire Luo Sect and Beast Talisman Sect already defeated, their Jin Yang Sect was under immense pressure.

“Tsk, it seems they have some skill.”

Lu Qingshan chuckled upon hearing this.

He had some impression of Zhao Yan, whom the other party mentioned.

He was a Core Disciple of Fire Luo Sect, with a Basement Establishment Ninth Level Cultivation.

Being utterly defeated despite only a one-level difference in Cultivation indicated a significant gap in their strength.

“In that case, let’s go back. I was just about to return to the Sect.”

Lu Qingshan’s lips curled into a smile as he spoke softly, wanting to meet the Liang Country Prodigies.

“Good.”

Elder Xiao didn’t have much confidence in Lu Qingshan in his heart.

But the Sect Leader’s intention was very simple now.

Even if they lost, they had to show the Sect’s Aura and not lose too badly!

Immediately, he summoned a treasure ship and took Lu Qingshan and Lu Qingzhu back to Jin Yang Sect.

Seven days later.

When they returned to Jin Yang Sect, they heard that the four Sects’ Prodigies from Liang Country had already arrived and won several matches.

Now, the arena was occupied by the Liang Country Geniuses, who had set up a challenge stage, allowing Jin Yang Sect Disciples to challenge them.

“This kind of challenge is too unfair. These five people from Liang Country are Geniuses from their four Sects, which means four Sects are challenging one person!”

“Moreover, these people are at most at the Basement Establishment Eighth Level, clearly not allowing anyone at Peak Basement Establishment to make a move.”

“If a Peak Basement Establishment Cultivator makes a move, even if they win, it won’t be a glorious victory.”

“Sigh, this challenge was premeditated and well-prepared!”

When Lu Qingshan and his younger sister, Lu Qingzhu, arrived at the arena plaza, they saw that it was already surrounded by Disciples.

Most of the Jin Yang Sect Disciples looked indignant, feeling resentful and annoyed.

“Master, you’re here too.”

At this moment, Lu Qingshan saw a beautiful woman in the distance, with a plain face, dressed in a large red skirt, her black hair casually flowing behind her, leaning on a giant gourd.

Although he had a Master.

This Master was very unreliable, often not in the Sect, so he had to rely on luck to see her.

Immortal Master Tian Yuan had a graceful and voluptuous figure, full of curves. She held a wine gourd and took sips, completely unconcerned about her image, with wine even spilling down her chin onto her ample chest.

Upon hearing him, she turned her head to look at Lu Qingshan and Lu Qingzhu, and said lazily, “Qingshan, Xiao Zhu’er, you’re back.”

“Master.”

Lu Qingzhu and Lu Qingshan stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

“Master, how strong are these people?”

Lu Qingshan asked.

“They are not simple. For example, that kid from Beast God Mountain, I even suspect Beast God Mountain deliberately used some secret technique on him, forcing his growth, to achieve this strength.”

Although Immortal Master Tian Yuan was very unreliable, as a Core Formation Immortal Master, her judgment was extremely sharp.

“Oh?”

Lu Qingshan looked at the arena upon hearing this, but had no intention of entering.

After all, what was the point of entering now?

Only by appearing at a crucial moment and then swiftly defeating the five people could he truly display his strength as Lu Qingshan.

As for losing? Lu Qingshan hadn’t considered it.

It wasn’t within his consideration.

“You’ve been tempering your Sword Heart, have you achieved something?”

Immortal Master Tian Yuan took a sip of wine, noticing the change in Lu Qingshan’s Sword Intent and temperament.

“Just a little insight, but don’t worry, Master, defeating these few people shouldn’t be a problem.”

Lu Qingshan said casually.

Immortal Master Tian Yuan: “…”

She had truly thought he had changed based on Lu Qingshan’s appearance and temperament.

Now, hearing his tone of voice.

She could only say that his Sword Heart and Sword Intent had indeed progressed, becoming more stable and internalized.

But deep down, he was still the arrogant and confident Lu Qingshan.

“If you want to go up, you can try, but be careful.”

Immortal Master Tian Yuan no longer tried to lecture this Disciple.

In her heart, she even hoped that Lu Qingshan could truly understand that there’s always a higher mountain and a stronger person through this battle.

As for winning, besides the person from Beast God Mountain, she felt that Lu Qingshan had a fifty percent chance of winning against the others.

“No rush, let’s watch first.”

Lu Qingshan grinned.

Immortal Master Tian Yuan didn’t mind upon hearing this, letting him do as he pleased.

“Boom boom boom—”

At this moment, another Jin Yang Sect Genius went onto the arena, fought for more than ten rounds, and was then struck by the Chi Shen Sect Prodigy, spitting blood and flying off the arena.

A moment later, another Jin Yang Sect Genius entered the arena, narrowly defeated the Heavenly Fiend Sect Prodigy, but was then easily defeated by the Beast God Mountain Genius.

“They do have some skill.”

Lu Qingshan watched this scene, pinching his chin.

This Beast God Mountain Cultivator, with every move, seemed to have a tiger demon possessing him. Even a Basement Establishment Ninth Level Cultivator found it difficult to break through his formidable Aura.

“If Jin Yang Sect is only like this, we don’t need to waste any more time. We’ll prepare to go to Violet Radiance Sect and Mixed Origin Sect.”

At this moment, on the arena, the Beast God Mountain Disciple said in a deep voice, his voice hoarse and muffled, as if filled with blood and gore.

“Arrogant!”

“Simply arrogant!”

“They simply don’t know the immensity of heaven and earth!”

Immediately, countless Jin Yang Sect Disciples angrily rebuked them.

“Tsk, they’re really arrogant.”

Lu Qingshan shook his head.

But the more so, the more it was an excellent Opportunity for him to show off.

This trip home had put no small pressure on him.

Not only did he have a monstrous Elder brother.

Among his younger siblings, Lu Lingxiao and Lu Wangshu, each one was exceptionally talented.

And there was Lu Quanzhen.

Although they only greeted each other briefly and didn’t talk much.

But with his clear Sword Heart, he could sense that the other party’s Cultivation was not low, definitely exceeding Late Stage Basement Establishment.

It was just that he didn’t know what was wrong with his body; there was a strong sense of blood fiend.

In such a situation, he, who had thought he was far ahead, couldn’t possibly feel no pressure.

But with pressure, to quickly improve his strength, besides hard work, he also needed resources!

Now, Liang Country came to challenge, to put it bluntly, it was a test, preparing for a war between the two countries.

As long as he displayed his talent and strength through this battle, he could completely leverage this prestige to obtain more resources from the Sect and Break through to Core Formation in the shortest time possible!

As long as he Broke through to Core Formation, he would certainly shine brightly in the war between the two countries in the future, further enhancing his status.

By then, he might even be able to obtain resources from the Five Great Immortal Sects of Yue Country and become a Nascent Soul seed of Yue Country!

“Brother.”

Lu Qingzhu looked at her brother, her beautiful eyes filled with worry.

“Xiao Zhu’er, you don’t have confidence in your brother again, do you?”

Lu Qingshan gently ruffled his sister’s beautiful black hair.

Then he looked at Immortal Master Tian Yuan and said, “Master, if I accidentally kill them, what will be the consequences?”

His three years of tempering in the Mortal World were also spent nurturing, refining, and concealing his sword!

Once he unleashed his full sword, it would surely be earth-shattering!

“?”

Immortal Master Tian Yuan looked at Lu Qingshan exasperatedly.

The battle hadn’t even started, and you’re already thinking about whether the Sect can clean up the mess after you kill the opponents?

This arrogance and confidence were simply ingrained in his bones!

“I always heard that you, Lu Qingshan, were extremely arrogant. Today, I’ve witnessed it.”

“If you can kill one of them, this lord will reward you handsomely!”

At this moment, a clear and majestic voice came.

A man dressed in Jin Yang Sect robes, with a lean figure and a majestic presence, walked out.

It was the Jin Yang Sect Leader.

“Greetings, Sect Leader!”

“Greetings, Sect Leader!”

Lu Qingshan and Lu Qingzhu immediately cupped their hands and bowed.

“Sect Leader, you flatter me. As a Disciple of Jin Yang Sect, it is my duty to uphold the dignity of our Sect!”

“This person is so arrogant and provokes our Sect. I, as a Disciple, will naturally defend the Sect’s prestige and teach them a lesson!”

Lu Qingshan said with a serious expression.

“Lu Qingshan, how confident are you?”

The Jin Yang Sect Leader looked at Lu Qingshan and asked.

Being challenged like this, he, as the Sect Leader, naturally felt extremely humiliated and hoped someone could restore their dignity.

However, he also knew that Lu Qingshan was a Sword Cultivator!

Such a Sword Cultivator feared nothing more than losing!

And losing utterly!

Once their fighting spirit and Sword Heart were lost, their entire Dao would be half-crippled.

He was confident in Lu Qingshan against the Disciples of Shura Sect and Heavenly Fiend Sect.

But against the two from Chi Shen Sect and Beast God Mountain, he really wasn’t confident.

After all, Lu Qingshan had only just Broke through to the Basement Establishment Seventh Level.

Compared to these people, he was still quite a bit behind.