Chapter 738: Isn’t this too much of a coincidence?
Starsea.
A deep-sea rift.
“Whoosh, whoosh—”
A jet-black, domineering aura continuously leaked from the rift, plundering and devouring the surrounding spiritual energy.
If one looked closely, they could see a golden, lustrous giant egg with a dark, faint glow lying deep within the rift.
This giant egg was covered in mysterious, rugged, and complex runes. In the flickering light, it resembled a prostrate giant beast, devouring the spiritual energy nurtured by the rift, and luring some spiritual fish and sea beasts to itself, which it then devoured.
This giant egg was none other than the Kun Peng egg sought after by many forces in Starsea!
At this moment, within the Kun Peng egg, Lu Quanzhen, transformed into a demonic fetus, was constantly absorbing and snatching the Kun Peng cub’s nourishment and energy.
Over the years, he had thought of many ways to escape.
For example, negotiating with the Kun Peng cub, seizing control, or even using the Kun Peng egg’s aura to lure a third-tier top-grade demon king over, so he could take the opportunity to escape.
But the Kun Peng cub was not stupid. It knew that its current state made it difficult to contend with a top-grade demon king, and it also worried that too much commotion would attract trouble.
Therefore, to avoid Lu Quanzhen’s interference and trouble-making, it directly hid in this deep-sea rift, using the rift’s spiritual energy to nurture itself.
Although the speed of its growth and birth was much slower, it was absolutely safe, ensuring that it could kill Lu Quanzhen after its birth.
After all, what it wanted to do most now was to annihilate this malignant tumor parasitizing its body!
Lu Quanzhen also knew what the Kun Peng cub was thinking.
But he was helpless now.
He could only absorb as much of the Kun Peng egg’s nourishment as possible, delay the Kun Peng cub’s birth, and then fight to the death at the last moment.
Lu Changsheng rode the Rift Sea Black Dragon Whale and headed straight for the Kun Peng Nest ruins after arriving at Starsea from the Great Dream Marsh.
During this process, he checked the map every day, adjusted his position, and avoided entering the territory of major forces.
After all, a fourth-tier demon king active in Starsea was very likely to attract attention.
Especially since the forces here had taken many precautions and defenses against beast tides and demon king attacks.
Once he got close, he might attract attacks.
Even though Lu Changsheng was not afraid, he did not want to create unnecessary complications.
With the Rift Sea Black Dragon Whale, Lu Changsheng approached the Kun Peng Nest ruins in just one month.
Although, as Shen Yiren said, many rogue cultivators gathered here, and some forces had cultivators guarding the area, the highest level was only Core Formation middle stage.
Therefore, after Lu Changsheng used the Inverted Yin-Yang Glazed Wall, he arrived at the location of the ruins as if he were nothing.
“No wonder the major forces of Starsea have not sealed off and occupied this place. The secret realm has completely collapsed and dissipated, swept into the void.”
Lu Changsheng’s eyes intertwined with golden runes as he examined the surrounding situation.
Apart from some residual aura of the secret realm, he could not see any traces of the Kun Peng Nest at all.
This was normal.
Even if some natural treasures and fragments of the secret realm flowed out when the secret realm collapsed and shattered, they would have been picked up by other cultivators or demon beasts long ago, and it was impossible for them to remain until now.
Lu Changsheng made hand seals, trying to gather the surrounding spiritual energy of heaven and earth, to deduce information related to the Kun Peng egg.
However, the heavenly secrets were still hazy and chaotic, making it difficult to deduce.
After a brief attempt, Lu Changsheng stopped the divination.
If he could deduce the situation and whereabouts of the Kun Peng egg by using the residual aura of the Kun Peng Secret Realm, then the Kun Peng egg would have been found by the Nascent Soul forces of Starsea long ago.
He did not believe that there was not a single third-tier top-grade diviner in such a large Starsea.
Moreover, he did not expect to directly obtain relevant clues about the Kun Peng egg through the ruins when he came here.
A white jade porcelain bottle appeared in Lu Changsheng’s hand. He used a secret technique to gather some of the residual aura of the Kun Peng Secret Realm, and then used the Qi Observation Technique to search for some sand and stones stained with the aura of the Kun Peng Secret Realm.
After finishing, he quietly left.
He planned to use this secret realm aura, as well as the bloodline connection with his son Lu Quanzhen, as a medium for in-depth deduction once he had relevant clues and information about the Kun Peng egg.
Half a month later, seeing that the Rift Sea Black Dragon Whale was about to enter the area of Penglai Island, Lu Changsheng gently raised his palm, and the Heavenly Yuan Treasure Imperial Lotus, as his second dantian, appeared.
Because the Rift Sea Black Dragon Whale was too huge, his spirit pet bag could not hold it at all, nor could it bear such weight.
So at this time, he could only use the Heavenly Yuan Treasure Imperial Lotus as a cave heaven.
Otherwise, under normal circumstances, he did not like to use the Heavenly Yuan Treasure Imperial Lotus to hold things, so as not to affect the operation of his second dantian.
“Spirit Whale.”
Lu Changsheng called out to the Rift Sea Black Dragon Whale. The Heavenly Yuan Treasure Imperial Lotus in his palm bloomed with a mysterious cyan-blue luster, forming a vortex ripple.
“Roar!”
The Rift Sea Black Dragon Whale let out a low roar, its whole body flowing with a glow, and then gradually shrank under the dazzling light, transforming into an eleven- or twelve-year-old girl with a petite body, delicate and indifferent face, and two curved dragon horns on her head.
“Master.”
Although the Rift Sea Black Dragon Whale wore a domineering armor and had an indifferent little face, she had a somewhat natural dullness. Her dark eyes looked at Lu Changsheng, and then she entered the Heavenly Yuan Treasure Imperial Lotus.
“Hiss, so heavy!”
As the Rift Sea Black Dragon Whale entered the Heavenly Yuan Treasure Imperial Lotus, the lotus seat in Lu Changsheng’s hand instantly sank.
Although the Heavenly Yuan Treasure Imperial Lotus was a treasure of the void and formed its own cave heaven, it was also affected by volume and load.
Especially the load.
Once the load was too heavy, not only would he feel burdened, but he would also be unable to use the Heavenly Yuan Treasure Imperial Lotus as his second dantian as smoothly as usual.
But there was no way. He did not have a fourth-tier spirit pet bag in his hand, nor did he prepare a relevant disguise magic weapon for the Rift Sea Black Dragon Whale.
Once he entered Penglai Immortal City, he would definitely be noticed.
“I should refine a few fourth-tier spirit pet bags later.”
Not only the Rift Sea Black Dragon Whale.
Once the Soul-Devouring Beast and the Golden-Winged Sky Peng advanced to the fourth tier, the current spirit pet bags would also be unusable.
Even at the current stage, the Golden-Winged Sky Peng and the Soul-Devouring Beast felt cramped in the spirit pet bags.
Fortunately, the two spirit pets came from the system and were extremely loyal to Lu Changsheng, working hard without complaint.
Otherwise, if they were replaced by other third-tier top-grade demon kings or quasi-fourth-tier demon kings, they would probably immediately protest and be unwilling to enter such a crowded environment.
After putting away the Heavenly Yuan Treasure Imperial Lotus and adapting slightly, Lu Changsheng operated the Yin-Yang Creation Scripture, transforming the mana in his body into the Treasure Cauldron Medicine King Scripture, transforming into the appearance of Xuanmu Daoist, and flew towards Penglai Immortal City.
Entering Penglai Immortal City, he saw that it was a bit more lively than before.
“High-level auction?”
Lu Changsheng had previously inquired about information about the high-level cultivator exchange meeting from Shen Yiren.
The latter said that there would be a high-level cultivator auction meeting held once every ten years in three years.
Counting the time, more than two years had passed, and the auction was about to begin.
Immediately, Lu Changsheng wandered around Penglai Immortal City for a while, came to the Heavenly Star Tower, and purchased two pieces of intelligence information.
One was about the relevant news of the Kun Peng egg.
The other was the general information of this auction in Penglai Immortal City.
“Nascent Soul spiritual objects…”
The first piece of intelligence was just some unsubstantiated news and did not have details about the Kun Peng egg.
As for the second piece, it stated that Penglai Island would release several Nascent Soul spiritual objects as finale items.
However, Lu Changsheng was not too interested in Nascent Soul spiritual objects.
In the Mirage Sand Illusion Domain before, he had harvested a total of eight Nascent Soul spiritual objects.
Counting the Infant Nurturing Flower in his hand, he was not short of Nascent Soul spiritual objects at all.
Moreover, he also had the Sun-Moon Two Instruments Profound Light Mirror, a Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure.
It could condense Nascent Soul-level Solar Essence and Lunar Essence!
Although it took sixty years to condense a Nascent Soul-level Solar Essence or Lunar Essence.
But Lu Changsheng could give some yin and yang attribute heaven and earth spiritual materials to A’Wu for refining, for condensing Solar Essence and Lunar Essence.
After wandering around Penglai Immortal City, Lu Changsheng reported to the Goddess Palace and returned to his Moon-Melting Island.
As for why it took more than a year to go to the Kun Peng Nest ruins, the Goddess Palace did not inquire in detail.
After all, as a guest elder of a Core Formation cultivator, as long as it doesn’t violate or damage the interests of the sect, there usually aren’t too many restrictions.
Moreover, the main cost for the Goddess Palace is providing a fourth-order spiritual vein to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, which doesn’t involve too much expenditure.
If Lu Changsheng’s performance is inappropriate or his contribution is insufficient during these fifty years, the term of his service will be extended. Therefore, the Goddess Palace won’t be overly harsh or petty.
“Elder Xuanmu!”
Upon hearing that Lu Changsheng had returned, Song Yudie came to greet him at the first moment, taking the initiative to report on the situation over the past year.
Apart from the high-level auction, nothing much happened on Penglai Island.
As for the news related to the Kunpeng egg, it was the same as the intelligence information Lu Changsheng purchased, with only some unsubstantiated information.
“Mm.”
Lu Changsheng looked at Song Yudie, who had a beautiful face and a tall figure, and nodded slightly.
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“Elder Xuanmu, Yudie also heard a piece of gossip that Elder Jingqing is preparing to break through to the Nascent Soul stage.”
After Song Yudie became the steward of Rongyue Island, her status in the Goddess Palace improved. Whether it was a gathering of aristocratic families or inner sect disciples, she would be invited.
Although she wasn’t very interested in these.
However, Lu Changsheng had previously instructed her to pay more attention to news about the Kunpeng egg and the Star Sea. These gatherings were a channel for information.
“Breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage…”
Lu Changsheng raised his eyebrows, knowing that this person was one of the peak Core Formation cultivators of the Goddess Palace.
If he successfully broke through to the Nascent Soul stage, then the strength of the Goddess Palace would be further enhanced, completely suppressing the other forces on Penglai Island.
“Moreover, I heard that once Elder Jingqing breaks through to the Nascent Soul stage, he will propose a Dao companion agreement to the Third Palace Master.”
Song Yudie continued.
Based on the previous visit of the Third Palace Master and their own elder cooking, she suspected that Lu Changsheng also had feelings for the Third Palace Master.
This was very normal.
The fame of the three Palace Masters of the Goddess Palace had spread throughout the Star Sea.
Many people aspired to the First Palace Master, but she was unattainable.
The Second Palace Master was already married.
Therefore, the remaining Third Palace Master, Shen Yiren, was regarded as a dream goddess by many people.
Many Core Formation cultivators even joined the Goddess Palace and served as guest elders and offerings in order to win the heart of the Third Palace Master.
In addition to outside cultivators, many people within Penglai Island, including the direct core members of the Goddess Palace, also harbored affection for the Third Palace Master.
This Elder Jingqing was one of the people with the greatest hope.
Not only was his appearance, talent, and ability excellent, but he was also a direct cultivator cultivated by the Goddess Palace itself.
“Good heavens.”
Lu Changsheng had long known that he would have many rivals if he wanted to become a Dao companion with the Third Palace Master.
But he didn’t expect that there would be such a formidable enemy.
Once he breaks through to the Nascent Soul stage, he will propose a Dao companion agreement to Shen Yiren…
Although he could tell that Shen Yiren had a good impression of him, with a certain amount of goodwill.
But this kind of goodwill was far from being about matters of the heart.
Moreover, because of his son Lu Quanzhen’s matter, there were many loopholes in his words, which caused Shen Yiren’s goodwill towards him to decrease slightly. It would be difficult to make progress with this Third Palace Master in a short period of time.
Lu Changsheng inquired a little about the situation of this Elder Jingqing and came to a conclusion that it would be difficult for this person to become a Dao companion with Shen Yiren.
His appearance, talent, and ability were all top-notch, and he was also a direct cultivator of the Goddess Palace. His relationship with Shen Yiren was only good, not close.
Under this circumstance, if he wanted to break through to the Nascent Soul stage and take a step to reach the sky, it would be somewhat difficult.
After all, with the existence of two Nascent Soul sisters, Shen Yiren didn’t need to compromise with anyone.
But it couldn’t be ruled out that the Elder Jingqing had put all his time and energy into cultivation in his early years, without much thought for matters of the heart. Only after breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage would he launch an offensive, taking advantage of his proximity.
“Tsk, how easy is it to win over this kind of woman.”
Lu Changsheng knew that if he wanted to become a Dao companion with a woman like Shen Yiren, he could only attract each other slowly, and it would be difficult to achieve success quickly.
He waved his hand at Song Yudie, indicating that she should notify him when the auction in Penglai Immortal City was held. Then, he went into seclusion to draw talismans.
Half a year later.
Lu Changsheng received a message from Song Yudie.
She said that the auction would begin in three days, and he could now go with the high-level cultivators of the Goddess Palace.
“Okay.”
Upon hearing this, Lu Changsheng patted his robe slightly, walked out of Rongyue Island, and came to the mountain gate of the Goddess Palace.
He could see five or six figures here, and the leader was Shen Yiren.
Her hair was lightly styled in a cloud-like bun, and she was wearing a luxurious cyan-green dress. She sat gracefully and beautifully on a five-colored spiritual deer.
Lu Changsheng could tell at a glance that this five-colored spiritual deer was extraordinary and belonged to a spiritual beast with a heavenly bloodline.
“Fellow Daoist Xuanmu.”
Seeing Lu Changsheng coming, Shen Yiren greeted him with a charming smile, her voice gentle and moving.
The other Core Formation cultivators next to her also cupped their hands, nodded, and sized up Lu Changsheng.
After all, the arrival of a new Core Formation stage guest elder in the Goddess Palace was not a small matter, and they also took this opportunity to get to know him.
“I heard that Elder Xuanmu is proficient in medicine and talismans. This old man also has some research on talismans. We can exchange and discuss them when we have time.”
A man with white hair and beard, but a young face, said politely to Lu Changsheng.
“You are most welcome.”
Although Lu Changsheng was not interested in this kind of thing.
But he was now Xuanmu Zhenren, a clan cultivator and rogue cultivator, so he was naturally happy to communicate with people and promote improvement.
Otherwise, if he was only interested in Shen Yiren, his intentions would be too obvious.
After waiting for a while, two more Core Formation cultivators came, and then the group went to Penglai Immortal City together.
All the cultivators who saw them on the way bowed respectfully.
After all, apart from this kind of high-level cultivator auction, it was rare to see so many Core Formation cultivators traveling together under normal circumstances.
“Greetings to the Third Palace Master, greetings to all the elders!”
“Shishu, Xiaoyi.”
Upon arriving at Penglai Immortal City, several disciples of the Goddess Palace greeted them, bowing respectfully. The leaders were two beautiful women, one older and one younger.
The older one was about twenty-seven or eight years old, with extremely good looks, a beautiful face, and slightly deep features that made her look a bit aloof.
She had a tall and graceful figure, no less charming than Shen Yiren. Underneath her white tassel dress, a pair of delicate white embroidered shoes were faintly visible.
The younger girl was sixteen or seventeen years old. Although her appearance was not much worse than the former, her figure was completely different, like a lotus bud just beginning to emerge.
“Yuning, Wanzhao.”
Shen Yiren called out with a gentle smile, her voice like a clear spring, and introduced the people next to her to them.
Then, holding Qin Yuning’s hand, she said to Lu Changsheng, “Yuning, this is Elder Xuanmu, who rescued you that day.”
“Yuning has met Elder Xuanmu, thank you for your help that day!”
Qin Yuning looked at Lu Changsheng, who had a refined and handsome appearance, cupped her hands, and bowed. Her beautiful figure was faintly revealed, charming and moving.
“You’re too polite, Fellow Daoist.”
After being in the Goddess Palace for so long, Lu Changsheng also knew that Qin Yuning, whom he had rescued, was the disciple of the Palace Master of the Goddess Palace, Shen Jianjia. That was why Shen Yiren had come to visit and thank him in person.
However, he was even more surprised by Shen Wanzhao next to her.
He thought to himself, this is too much of a coincidence!?
At the first glance, he recognized that this was the little girl he had asked for directions and treated when he sent his son Lu Quanzhen to the Star Sea in his early years.
He never expected that this person would call Shen Yiren Xiaoyi!
But the First Palace Master didn’t have a Dao companion, and the Second Palace Master didn’t seem to have a daughter either, right?