Chapter 694: Ling Zixiao breaks through to the Jindan stage, and True Lord Qingluan gives birth to a daughter!

Chapter 692: Ling Zixiao Breaks Through Core Formation, Qingluan True Monarch Gives Birth to a Daughter!

Two months later.

The Spiritual Qi vortex and cloud in the Xumi Grotto-heaven, which had been churning ceaselessly, suddenly solidified, and a profound Daoist sound echoed, entering the Chang Sheng Hall.

“Immortal Golden Core, the Rhythm of the Great Dao.”

Lu Changsheng opened his eyes, a smile gracing his lips, and looked at Ling Zixiao before him.

Although her Dao foundation was not as strong as Lu Miaoge’s, lacking the “Taiyi Life-Generating Water Art,” her Heart-Nature, perseverance, and talent all surpassed Lu Miaoge’s.

And by relying on the shared Magic Treasure, the “Du Tian Divine Evil Diagram,” she fully unleashed the effects of her Dragon’s Roar Body, thus directly condensing an Immortal Golden Core!

“This is the Immortal Golden Core.”

Ling Zixiao held her breath, her Divine Sense looking inward at her Qi Sea Dantian, where, atop her Dao platform, an Immortal Golden Core shimmered with twelve rays of glazed light; she felt dazed, as if in a dream.

Core Formation!

She had broken through to Core Formation!

And she had condensed the most supreme Immortal Golden Core!

Even though Ling Zixiao had experienced much and possessed a firm Dao Heart, at this moment, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion and excitement.

Or rather, it was precisely because of the many hardships she had endured on her journey that this Breakthrough to Core Formation felt so incredibly precious.

“Congratulations to my wife, Zixiao, on achieving the Immortal Golden Core; your future Dao is promising!”

Lu Changsheng saw his wife’s excited and joyful expression, held her fair, jade-like hand, and congratulated her with a smile.

For any Cultivator, breaking through to Core Formation was a joyous occasion worth celebrating.

Especially since Ling Zixiao was already exceptionally talented, but had been delayed and wasted many years due to her Dragon’s Roar Body.

“Thank you, husband…”

Ling Zixiao opened her bright, beautiful eyes, her dignified and elegant face filled with joy and excitement.

“I’ve told you, as husband and wife, there’s no need for such words. Besides, achieving the Immortal Golden Core is also due to your own efforts, Zixiao.”

Lu Changsheng knew that Ling Zixiao had a competitive streak deep down.

Her desire not to rely on his help for Core Formation was likely because Lu Miaoge, Xiao Xiyue, and Meng Xiaochun had not achieved Core Formation in that manner, and she wanted to prove herself.

Ling Zixiao playfully glared at Lu Changsheng, then quietly nestled into his embrace.

Her ability to form an Immortal Golden Core, besides her own talent, was inseparable from the Ningjing Pill, Five Elements Spiritual Fruit, Sun Moon Essence, and the Du Tian Divine Evil Diagram, as well as Lu Changsheng’s “Sun Moon Reincarnation Art.”

Moreover, without the Du Tian Divine Evil Diagram as a shared Magic Treasure and the Yin and Yang balance formed with her Dragon’s Roar Body, she would have been unable to unleash the potential and foundation of her Dragon’s Roar Body.

She might even have died from the outburst of her Dragon’s Roar Body, just like during her Foundation Establishment years.

“It’s just Core Formation; it’s only the first step in Cultivation. The road ahead is still long.”

Lu Changsheng quietly held his wife, knowing she felt a sense of unreality, and said softly.

“Nascent Soul… Soul Transformation, perhaps…”

Ling Zixiao murmured with crimson lips, saying nothing more, but her bright, beautiful eyes glimmered with anticipation and longing.

After a long period of tenderness, Lu Changsheng gestured for Ling Zixiao to properly stabilize her Cultivation Realm.

Although an Immortal Golden Core Realm was stable, unlike Low Grade miscellaneous Cores that were prone to instability, leading to flaws or cracks in the Core body, it was still best to stabilize it thoroughly if conditions allowed.

Otherwise, if hidden dangers arose, it would be too late for regret.

“Mm~”

Even though Ling Zixiao wished to linger longer with Lu Changsheng, she still calmed her mind and began to stabilize her Realm, experiencing the profound mysteries of the Golden Core.

The Breakthrough from Foundation Establishment to Core Formation also involved a kind of baptism and metamorphosis, similar to the Breakthrough from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment, making the Physical Body of a Core Formation cultivator, even without Cultivation, comparable to a second-order Body Cultivator, flawless and pure.

Seeing her husband leave the Immortal Cave, Ling Zixiao looked at the Immortal Golden Core in her Qi Sea Dantian, still feeling somewhat dazed.

In her mind, numerous memories flashed by like a revolving lantern.

As a child, she was adopted by an eccentric person who taught her Cultivation, where she displayed exceptional talent, and her immortal path was smooth.

She had believed that she would surely become a high and mighty Core Formation Immortal Master in the future, but when she broke through Foundation Establishment, her hidden Dragon’s Roar Body erupted, nearly claiming her life.

The top-tier Spiritual Root, which countless Cultivators dreamed of, became a death omen on her Cultivation path, making her smooth road thorny and rugged.

To prolong her life and resolve the Dragon’s Roar Body, she began to travel extensively… until her lifespan was nearly exhausted, and she met Lu Changsheng.

Recalling their acquaintance and then returning with him to Qingzhu Mountain, Ling Zixiao found it somewhat amusing.

At that time, she was… completely desperate, even somewhat resigned.

Of course, his handsome appearance and refined demeanor, and his immediate declaration of love at first sight, made her find him quite interesting…

Who knew that a childish decision, like the flapping of a butterfly’s wings, would directly influence her destiny…

“Changsheng.”

As Lu Changsheng stepped out of the Chang Sheng Hall, Lu Miaoge, dressed in a simple white dress and with a water-like demeanor, softly called out to him.

She had been at Bihu Mountain these past few days, so she naturally sensed the commotion of Ling Zixiao’s Breakthrough to Core Formation and knew that the latter had successfully broken through.

“Miaoge.”

Lu Changsheng looked at his wife and immediately went forward to embrace her.

“Is Ling Zixiao breaking through to Core Formation?”

Lu Miaoge asked with concern.

“Yes, a successful Breakthrough.”

Although Lu Miaoge’s nature was not competitive and she was as gentle as water, Lu Changsheng did not mention anything about the Immortal Golden Core.

“Ling Zixiao has worked hard all these years.”

Although Ling Zixiao sometimes appeared more assertive, Lu Miaoge still admired her greatly.

Whether it was Bihu Mountain in the early years or Great Dream Immortal City in recent years, Ling Zixiao had contributed a lot, which led to delays in her Cultivation.

Comparatively, she had more time to focus on her Cultivation.

“You all have worked hard too, Miaoge.”

In Lu Changsheng’s view, although Ling Zixiao was busy with many family matters, Lu Miaoge had also consistently helped maintain the balance in relationships among Ling Zixiao, Lu Miaoyun, Xiao Xiyue, and others.

Moreover, Lu Miaoge often concerned herself with the well-being of their children.

He, as a father, had been busy traveling all these years, rarely paying attention to anyone else besides Lu Wangshu and their other children.

After some tender moments with Lu Miaoge, Lu Changsheng inquired about Lu Miaoyun’s family situation.

With his return, the “Sun Moon Two-Phases Profound Light Mirror” was placed in the Xumi Grotto-heaven, allowing for real-time sharing of information between the Immortal City and Bihu Mountain, which was very convenient.

Matters such as the Immortal City auction and the transaction with Jue Jian had already been resolved and handled by Honglian.

“Have Qingxuan and the others sent any messages back?”

Lu Changsheng continued to ask.

Qingluan True Monarch had fled to another country and would likely not return for at least twenty to thirty years, so he had been continuously monitoring the situation in Qingluan Immortal City.

If the Immortal City experienced the turmoil of earlier years, he would immediately bring his children back.

“With the lingering prestige of Qingluan True Monarch, there should be no worries in the short term unless the Heaven Sword Sect attacks the Immortal City.”

“However, according to the message from Qingxuan, several high-ranking officials in the Immortal City have quietly disappeared, and many others have taken the Opportunity to go out for training or enter seclusion.”

Lu Miaoyun said softly.

Lu Changsheng shook his head upon hearing this.

He had naturally heard the early rumors about Qingluan True Monarch.

He knew there was a reason why this True Monarch lacked loyal subordinates.

Thinking of this, he suddenly remembered his old friend Li Feiyu, who had served as a Commander in Qingluan Immortal City in earlier years.

Since their encounter in the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range years ago, they hadn’t seen each other for almost forty years.

He didn’t have Li Feiyu’s Soul Lantern or Soul Token, so he was unaware of his life or death.

However, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, unless they chose to retire, would likely face extreme danger in the current Cultivation environment.

And his old friend was a determined individual who refused to give up.

“Alas…”

Lu Changsheng sighed softly. After spending several days with his wives and concubines, he began his seclusion to refine the Heaven Mending Pill.

At this very moment, in the Southern Wasteland Central Domain.

Within a continuous and majestic mountain range, resembling a coiled Azure Dragon.

“Caw!”

With a ripple in the Void Realm, a blue-bodied, elegantly beautiful, dreamlike Phoenix burst forth, its feathers shimmering with five-colored, iridescent luster under the sunlight, truly magnificent.

Seated on the Phoenix was a handsome Young Master with delicate features, sharp, well-defined lines, and a distinguished demeanor.

However, this Young Master was tall and graceful, clearly a charming female Young Master!

After the azure Phoenix landed at a Spiritual Vein, the woman suddenly frowned slightly.

“What’s going on? Still haven’t shaken them off?”

Qingluan True Monarch’s brows, sharp as a sword’s edge, furrowed tightly as she performed a divination with her fingers.

A moment later, her gaze shifted downwards to her flat lower abdomen, and she gently placed her hand upon it.

“Is it still this reason…”

After parting ways with Lu Changsheng, she realized she was pregnant.

For such a pregnancy, she, a legendary Cultivator of Jiang Country, was quite astonished and surprised.

After all, at the Nascent Soul level, becoming pregnant was extremely difficult.

And she had merely Dual Cultivated with Yang Ming for healing, yet she had unexpectedly become pregnant.

Considering that a life had already begun, she couldn’t bear to terminate it. Moreover, having broken through to Nascent Soul, she ought to find a successor to inherit her legacy, so she decided to give birth to this child as her heir.

However, this accidental pregnancy, influenced by the Dragon and Phoenix Origin, resulted in a remarkably talented fetus that perfectly inherited her Phoenix Bloodline.

In this situation, her Cultivation and magical power were continuously depleted to nurture this child, causing her maternal body to be severely affected. She vaguely sensed a danger in the ethereal Realm, so she chose to continue fleeing.

She never expected that even after traversing countless thousands of miles, from Jiang Country to the current edge of the Southern Wasteland Central Domain, this ethereal crisis had not disappeared.

Through ethereal divination, Qingluan True Monarch realized the crisis stemmed from the child in her womb.

In other words, for her to successfully give birth to this child, she would need to be pregnant for at least another three to five years, or even longer.

During this period, her Cultivation and magical power would continuously decline, leaving her in a weakened state, making it difficult to completely obscure the heavenly secrets. It was highly likely that she would be divined and face a great calamity!

As a Loose Cultivator who rose from obscurity to become a Nascent Soul True Lord, she was not indecisive.

After weighing her options, she immediately made a decision: an early birth!

If she continued the pregnancy, when the great disaster arrived, both she and the child would be in mortal danger!

After more than a year of pregnancy, the child had already formed, but still needed time to nurture its Innate talent and potential, and to digest the Dragon and Phoenix Origin!

“Xiao Qing.”

Qingluan True Monarch looked at her Spiritual Beast, signaling her to guard outside as she was about to give birth prematurely.

“Yes, Master.”

The Luan bird never questioned her Master’s decision, speaking in human tongue with a clear and melodious voice.

Qingluan True Monarch nodded slightly and entered the excavated Immortal Cave.

Three days later.

Inside the Immortal Cave, a crisp cry, like a Phoenix’s call, rang out.

Qingluan True Monarch’s face was as pale as paper, her forehead covered in fine beads of sweat, and she looked weakly at the infant in her hands.

Although born prematurely and innately deficient, the infant was still enveloped in Immortal Qi, exquisitely carved like jade, and adorably cute.

“Alas.”

In Qingluan True Monarch’s starlit eyes, there was a hint of helplessness and regret.

If given time, this child would have perfectly inherited her Heavenly Phoenix Bloodline, digested the Dragon and Phoenix Origin, gained the power of Dragon and Phoenix Nirvana, and become her, Mu Qinghuang’s, perfect successor!

Alas.

“However, I, Mu Qinghuang, have reached this point not by relying on supreme talent.”

Although Qingluan True Monarch had given birth prematurely, greatly depleting her Origin Qi and leaving her looking weak, her sharp, well-defined face remained keen and resolute, without any hint of softness.

But upon closer inspection, one could see a hint of maternal radiance deep within her pupils.

Looking at the exquisitely carved jade-like infant in her hands, her voice softened slightly as she said, “Que’er, if we continue, both of us, mother and daughter, will be in mortal danger.

Although you haven’t perfectly inherited your mother’s Heavenly Phoenix Bloodline, your talent is still far superior to your mother’s in her early years.”

“Once your mother overcomes this tribulation, I will naturally bring you back and make up for your Innate deficiencies, but as my, Mu Qinghuang’s, daughter, I hope even more that you can transform into a Divine Phoenix through your own efforts!”

Although the child was born prematurely, Qingluan True Monarch was not sure if she was completely out of danger, so she prepared to find a place to foster her daughter.

Naming her ‘Que’ was to hope that in the future, she could transform into a Divine Phoenix and sing among the Nine Heavens!

“Master, is this the baby?”

When Qingluan True Monarch walked out of the Immortal Cave holding her daughter, Que’er, a charming and adorable transformed Qingluan, clad in a green feather robe, with delicate green eyebrows and green feathers adorning her forehead, descended.

Her clear eyes, like green jade gemstones, gazed at her little master.

“Xiao Qing, take care of her for these few days.”

Qingluan True Monarch did not send her daughter away immediately, but instead focused on recovering her physical condition.

Although she chose to give birth prematurely, she did her best to help her daughter refine the Dragon and Phoenix Origin, transforming it into future potential and foundation.

“Ah…”

The young girl heard this, then, as if facing a formidable enemy, carefully embraced the exquisitely carved, adorable infant before her.

Bihu Mountain, Bailian Peak.

In the simple and spacious Pill Refining Room, Lu Changsheng focused intently on the purple-gold Pill Furnace before him, forming hand seals to control the heat.

Although he possessed top-tier third-rank Alchemy skills, this was his first time refining the Heaven Mending Pill, so he remained extremely cautious.

After all, this batch of Medicinal Pill could be said to be the highest quality Medicinal Pill he had ever refined, ranking at the top of the third-rank!

“Congratulations to the host for giving birth to two offspring with True Spirit Bloodline, gaining one lottery Opportunity!”

“Detecting that the host’s current Spiritual Body conflicts with the Bloodline effect, do you choose to fuse?”

Just then, a System prompt suddenly sounded in Lu Changsheng’s mind.

Lu Changsheng, who was concentrating fully on Alchemy, was suddenly stunned, completely bewildered.

True Spirit Bloodline offspring?

What the hell?

He had been busy working outside every day for all these years, where did he get children?

He thought he had misheard, and that it was some descendant of the Lu family who had an Opportunity and gave birth to a True Spirit Bloodline offspring.

But he looked closely and confirmed that he hadn’t misread it.

“What’s going on?”

Lu Changsheng was completely bewildered, unable to understand what was happening.

Sitting at home, and children appear from the sky?

“System!”

Lu Changsheng took a deep breath, saw that the Pill Furnace in front of him was stable, and opened his System interface.

A moment later, a System interface appeared.

“Name: Mu Que”

“Lifespan: 1 / 141”

“Talent: Third-Grade Spiritual Root”

“Cultivation: None”

“Ability: Space (36%)”

“Mu Que, this is… my and Qingluan True Monarch’s child?”

Lu Changsheng was utterly bewildered and surprised, then a look of realization dawned on him.

He realized that during his Dual Cultivation healing session with Qingluan True Monarch, she had conceived his child.

“This woman, she really is…”

Although Lu Changsheng was delighted to have a child with Qingluan True Monarch, he couldn’t help but shake his head helplessly at the thought that she hadn’t said a word about being pregnant.

He hadn’t sensed her pregnancy at the time.

Qingluan True Monarch, as a Nascent Soul cultivator, definitely knew she was pregnant!

But when they parted, she didn’t even mention it.

Not to mention fighting for custody of the child or anything, as the child’s father, he should at least have some right to know, right?

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so bewildered.

“But this child only has a Third-Grade Spiritual Root…”

A Third-Grade Spiritual Root is not low anywhere.

But for a child born to him and Qingluan True Monarch, a Nascent Soul cultivator, only having a Third-Grade Spiritual Root was a bit ordinary.

“However, having a ‘True Spirit Bloodline’ means a slightly lower Spiritual Root won’t affect much.”

During their previous Dual Cultivation healing, Lu Changsheng knew that Qingluan True Monarch possessed the Heavenly Phoenix Bloodline.

The System prompt just now indicated that this child, like his daughter Lu Baixi, had inherited Qingluan True Monarch’s Heavenly Phoenix Bloodline.

As he was currently refining pills, Lu Changsheng was not in a hurry to fuse the True Spirit Bloodline, but continued to watch the Pill Furnace before him.

However, his thoughts couldn’t help but drift to Qingluan True Monarch, wondering what her situation was now and when she planned to return.

With her cultivation and strength, he naturally didn’t need to worry too much, but with the bond of a child, he subconsciously thought of her.

“If I want to acknowledge this daughter in the future, I’ll at least need to Breakthrough to Nascent Soul, right?”

Thinking of Qingluan True Monarch’s strong personality, how she remained calm and unfazed even when riding on him, and left without saying a word about being pregnant, Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but shake his head again.

In the future, if he wanted to acknowledge this child, he would have to have the strength to conquer Qingluan True Monarch!

However, no matter how much of a Prodigy Qingluan True Monarch was, Lu Changsheng believed that as long as he Breakthrough to Nascent Soul, he could surpass her!

“Nascent Soul…”

But thinking that he currently had no suitable fourth-tier Spiritual Vein or Nascent Soul Pill, Lu Changsheng sighed inwardly.

“However, with this child, it will be easier to get closer once I Breakthrough to Nascent Soul.”

Under normal circumstances, even if he Breakthrough to Nascent Soul, Lu Changsheng couldn’t figure out how to approach a woman like Qingluan True Monarch.

Her personality was truly… Lu Changsheng was momentarily at a loss for words to describe it, or how to begin.

But now, with the bond of a child acting as a bridge, Lu Changsheng felt that there were many more opportunities.

“Mu Que Que, why such a name?”

During their previous joint battle in the Han Sha Illusion Domain, Lu Changsheng knew that Qingluan True Monarch’s name was Mu Qinghuang.

Such a domineering name, yet she named her child ‘Que’…

His thoughts occasionally wandered, making it difficult for Lu Changsheng to fully concentrate on Alchemy.

Thinking of the importance of this batch of Heaven Mending Pill, Lu Changsheng still circulated his Cultivation Technique, held his breath, and even used the Xumi Tree King to calm his mind for Alchemy.

Half a month later.

In the Pill Refining Room.

“Buzz, buzz, buzz—”

The ground fire burned fiercely, and the purple-gold Pill Furnace glowed with flowing light.

The thirty-six carved Golden Crow Divine Birds constantly trembled and chirped, exhaling medicinal fragrance and Spiritual Qi.

Lu Changsheng, with a serious expression, cast Daoist Magic seals one after another, controlling the heat.

Time passed bit by bit.

As the Pill Furnace’s spiritual energy gradually diffused and seven-colored auspicious light flowed, Lu Changsheng’s eyes burst forth with golden beams, and he shouted in a deep voice, “Open!”

“Bang!!!”

The furnace lid opened with a roar, and Rolling hot air rose, like flocks of Golden Crow Divine Birds soaring and chirping in unison.

Lu Changsheng quickly cast several more Magic Treasure seals, then sprinkled spiritual liquid, and with a light lift of his palm, drew the Heaven Mending Pill from the Pill Furnace into his hand.

Three Medicinal Pills appeared in his hand, their luster flickering, as if they had life, breathing in and out, with wisps of flowing light and an overflowing medicinal fragrance.

“Three standard-grade Medicinal Pills, couldn’t refine top-grade, or even high-grade.”

Lu Changsheng gently shook his head.

The Heaven Mending Pill belonged to a rare Pill Formula; it was not included in his basic Alchemy skills, making this his true first time refining it.

Under such circumstances, the Alchemy effect was average.

However, being able to form three pills was already an extraordinary performance, and the quality of the Materials for this batch of Heaven Mending Pill was good enough.

Otherwise, it would have been difficult to form even three pills.

“It’s acceptable.”

For any Alchemist, forming three Heaven Mending Pills on their first attempt would be astounding if word got out.

It was just that for Lu Changsheng, who was accustomed to high-grade and top-grade Medicinal Pills, it felt a bit lacking.

He lightly lifted his hand, and the three Heaven Mending Pills fell into three white jade porcelain bottles.

Then, he exhaled a breath of turbid Qi, feeling somewhat tired, and walked out of the Pill Refining Room.

Refining such top-tier Medicinal Pills was quite taxing on one’s mind and energy.