Chapter 770: Jue Jian comes to visit and meets an old friend on the way!

Jiang Country, Great Dream Immortal City.

City Lord’s Mansion.

“May I know why Sword Saint Monarch has come to visit?”

Honglian arrived at the reception hall, looking at Yun Jianfeng, who was clad in a black brocade robe with a composed and sharp countenance. She showed no restraint, offering an elegant, shallow smile.

“Fellow Daoist Li, I, Yun, have come today regarding the affairs of Yue Country.”

This Sword Dao Nascent Soul True Lord did not exchange many pleasantries, getting straight to the point.

“Yue Country?”

Honglian vaguely guessed the purpose of Sword Saint Monarch’s visit this time.

As one of the Three Great Immortal Cities of Jiang Country, Great Dream Immortal City had always kept an eye on the situation of surrounding forces.

During the Liang Yue War that year, Yue Country suffered continuous defeats.

However, with the opening of Han Sha Illusion Domain, Liang Country’s Heavenly Silkworm True Lord had his dharma body destroyed in the Secret Realm, and Yun Mei True Lord was severely wounded, causing Liang Country to suffer heavy losses in Origin Qi, allowing Yue Country to counterattack.

Yet, despite this, the Liang Yue War remained in a stalemate.

Over these years, the Four Great Immortal Sects of Jiang Country had continuously exerted effort to help Yue Country, hoping to end this conflict, but Liang Country was incredibly resilient.

Now that this Sword Saint Monarch had come, Honglian speculated it was related to the Liang Yue War, or perhaps that the war was very likely to undergo a change.

“According to intelligence, Liang Country and Yuan Country have already formed some kind of cooperation. At that time, Yuan Country’s Nascent Soul True Lord will very likely intervene to help Liang Country invade Yue Country. Therefore, I wish to invite Fellow Daoist Li and Fellow Daoist Wang to lend a hand.”

Sword Saint Monarch spoke, revealing the purpose of his visit.

Jiang Country’s geographical environment was quite good. To the west were the various countries of the Western Regions, which were not a concern. To the north was the natural barrier of Great Dream Marsh, and to the south, besides the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range, there was also Yue Country as an ally.

The only thing to be wary of was Jin Country.

Now that Liang Country and Yuan Country had formed a cooperation, once Yue Country was annexed, their Jiang Country would be in a very dangerous and awkward position.

“As expected.”

Honglian knew about Yuan Country’s infiltration of Wu Country, but she was not clear on the specifics.

Now, hearing Sword Saint Monarch’s words, she instantly realized the seriousness of the problem.

Yuan Country and Liang Country had formed a cooperation, and a Nascent Soul True Lord might intervene.

And after so many years, Yun Mei True Lord’s injuries were most likely healed.

If Beast God Mountain paid the price, Heavenly Silkworm True Lord might also complete his Possession and re-Cultivate.

Under these circumstances, if they were to invade alongside Yuan Country, Yue Country’s Immortal Sects would definitely not be their match.

Although Jiang Country had two Nascent Soul True Lords, they also had to guard against the neighboring Jin Country and other Cultivators lurking for surprise attacks.

“How many Nascent Soul True Lords will Yuan Country send?”

Although Honglian only had Core Formation cultivation, she showed no fear facing this Sword Saint Monarch, appearing transcendent and composed.

“Most likely two.”

Regarding these details, Sword Saint Monarch was not entirely certain. He had only received intelligence from Yue Country, and the current situation was not good.

“Two…”

Honglian pondered slightly, “This matter needs to be discussed with my husband, but he is currently in seclusion, and his time of emergence is uncertain.”

“Immortal Master, when will Yuan Country make its move?”

Although she was a Nascent Soul True Lord in her previous life, she now only had Core Formation Eighth Rank cultivation. In a Nascent Soul-level battle, she could do very little.

At most, she could temporarily contend through secret techniques.

Moreover, she needed to oversee Great Dream Immortal City and could not risk her life or use Nascent Soul secret techniques for such a matter.

“The time is uncertain. It could be as short as a year, or as long as three to five years?”

Sword Saint Monarch said, then asked when City Lord Wang Lin would emerge from seclusion.

“To be frank, Immortal Master, my husband and I came to Jiang Country from the Northern Plains, suffering severe injuries. My husband is currently healing, and it might be difficult for him to emerge from seclusion in a short time.”

Previously, Lu Changsheng would usually return within a year or two when he went out.

But this time, he had been out for four years and had not yet returned, so she was unsure.

“Severely injured, difficult to emerge from seclusion in a short time.”

Sword Saint Monarch’s eyes, which seemed to contain two peerless divine swords, narrowed slightly.

When Great Dream Immortal City held the Whale Hunting Banquet, he had seen that City Lord Wang make a move.

With his Fourth-Rank physique, he suppressed a Core Formation Immortal Master with ease, showing no signs of injury.

However, regarding the mysterious City Lord Wang and the City Lord’s wife before him, he and Xuanjian Zhenjun had long speculated that both were likely Nascent Soul True Lords.

It was just that for some reason, their Realm cultivation had been damaged.

“This matter is of great importance. Fellow Daoist Li can send a message to Fellow Daoist Wang to discuss it.”

“Furthermore, this trip will not be in vain for the two Fellow Daoists. Since Fellow Daoist Wang is severely injured, my Heaven Sword Sect also has some rare Spirit Medicine, which might be useful.”

Sword Saint Monarch spoke without any hint of pleading, looking directly at Honglian with a serious and earnest expression.

Their Heaven Sword Sect allowed the two to govern Great Dream Immortal City and granted many privileges, not only because of the strength Lu Changsheng and Honglian displayed in slaying a Fourth-Order Demon King, but also due to their friendly attitude.

They hoped that when Jiang Country faced danger and a great Demonic Path calamity in the future, the two could contribute.

Now, if Great Dream Immortal City was unwilling to help with the Liang Yue War and only wanted to hide behind the scenes, then his Heaven Sword Sect would have to re-evaluate how to treat Great Dream Immortal City.

“I will inform my husband about this matter. If there is any news, I will immediately send a message to your sect.”

Honglian understood the meaning in Sword Saint Monarch’s words. Her vermilion lips parted slightly as she responded with a faint smile.

“Good.”

Sword Saint Monarch gazed at Honglian, who was wearing a red gilded Vermilion Bird dress, looking graceful, magnificent, and noble, then nodded and took his leave.

After Sword Saint Monarch had completely departed, Honglian gently exhaled a fragrant breath, her elegant and composed shallow smile receding. She crushed the jade talisman Lu Changsheng had left behind.

Then, she informed Ling Zixiao to secretly raise the Immortal City’s alert level in the coming period.

Sword Saint Monarch’s purpose for this visit was very clear.

If their Great Dream Immortal City was unwilling to help, then Heaven Sword Sect would no longer treat them as allies.

Under normal circumstances, Great Dream Immortal City would be fearless.

But Lu Changsheng was not present now.

Moreover, he had taken the Sun Moon Two Instruments Profound Light Mirror and the Rift Sea Mysterious Dragon Whale with him when he went out.

Once Heaven Sword Sect’s attitude changed, she would be unable to cope with her current strength.

Eternal Night Land.

Jinteng Town.

Inside a house built of green bricks.

After waiting for more than a month, Lu Changsheng finally managed to retrieve the Third-Rank top-tier Puppet, the Mountain Moving Whip, the Third-Rank armor, and the divination copper coins from his storage ring, relying on a bit of the magical power from his children and descendants.

Looking at the divination copper coins in his hand, he closed his eyes and pondered for a long time, then cast them.

“Upper-mid sign, auspicious divination, meeting an old acquaintance.”

Looking at the divination copper coins on the ground, Lu Changsheng was thoughtful.

Although in this world, Qi and magical power were suppressed, and he had no Divine Sense, making him unable to perceive the subtle heavenly secrets.

But as a Fourth-Order Diviner, he could still perform divination with the aid of divination copper coins, a divination tool, though it was not as precise as usual.

Through the divination copper coins, he saw that his trip into the mountains had an auspicious sign, and he would encounter an old acquaintance.

As for which old acquaintance, Qian Zhuyan, or the Six Paths Demonic Consort, he could not ascertain or guess.

Immediately, Lu Changsheng put away the divination copper coins, carrying the Sun Moon Two Instruments Profound Light Mirror, wearing a jet-black armor, and carrying the Mountain Moving Whip on his back, he walked out of the house.

“My lord, what are your orders?”

The guards and maids serving outside looked at Lu Changsheng, who was wearing armor, with some surprise.

They remembered that when Lu Changsheng arrived, he was wearing a loose green robe, without armor or weapons. How was he wearing armor now?

Even with their ordinary eyesight, they could tell that this jet-black armor was extraordinary, as if it was cast from ten thousand years of Profound Iron, with faint black light flowing, giving a deep and heavy feeling.

The Mountain Moving Whip on his back was also the same; just looking at it gave a suffocating sense of weight.

“Call your master over.”

Lu Changsheng spoke.

Having eaten and stayed here for over a month, and having learned about the Eternal Night Land from them, Old Ancestor Lu naturally would not take advantage of them for free.

The owner of this house came and saw the armor and Mountain Moving Whip on Lu Changsheng’s body, his pupils shrinking sharply.

He had heard some legends about outsiders.

Some outsiders possessed spatial storage methods.

He could confirm that the Lu Changsheng before him was a top-tier outsider!

“My lord, may I know why you summoned me?”

This nobleman was one of the top powerhouses in Jinteng Town, but at this moment, he was extremely respectful to Lu Changsheng.

“You all have worked hard for the past month. I am preparing to go into the deep mountains. This is your reward.”

Lu Changsheng threw a pre-prepared jade box to the other party and spoke.

He had studied the cultivation methods here, which were similar to those of Body Cultivators.

In this jade box was a Core Formation Spirit Medicine that enhanced Qi and blood. If this person consumed and refined it, his strength would receive a significant boost.

“Thank you, my lord!”

Yuan Yihua received the jade box with joy and thanked him respectfully, then asked if Lu Changsheng needed someone to guide him.

There were many hunters in the town who could guide him up the mountain.

“No need.”

Lu Changsheng waved his hand, then beckoned to the three Puppets in the house. One person and three Puppets strode away.

“This is…”

Yuan Yihua looked at the three Puppets before him, increasingly feeling that Lu Changsheng was not simple. He respectfully saw him off as he left the town and headed for the deep mountains.

After seeing Lu Changsheng off, he immediately returned to his home and opened the jade box. Inside, he saw a blood ginseng emanating a shimmering glow and a fragrant aroma.

Just smelling the scent of this blood ginseng made him feel comfortable all over, as if a heavenly light was boiling within him.

“This mysterious lord actually bestowed such a spiritual great medicine.”

He did not recognize what a Core Formation Spirit Medicine was, only knowing that the blood ginseng before him contained astonishing spiritual energy, far exceeding anything he had ever seen. He trembled with excitement, his hands shaking.

If he consumed and refined it all, his strength would certainly undergo a qualitative change, allowing him to live in a renowned distant city, no longer needing to stay in this remote and dark small town.

After leaving the town, Lu Changsheng walked towards the depths of the mountain where the heavenly light was located.

The wild environment was extremely harsh, but for Lu Changsheng, it was like walking on flat ground.

Occasionally, wild beasts would appear, but he didn’t need to act; the Puppets beside him could easily kill them.

After an unknown period of travel, Lu Changsheng saw that in the dense, dark forest ahead, there seemed to be a pair of eyes peeking at him.

Although he had no magical power or Divine Sense.

But with his Fourth-Rank physique and the vision and spiritual perception brought by his Taiyi Divine Soul, he carefully gazed and saw a black shadow with a pale human face peeking at him, its eyes filled with only whites, eerie and chilling.

In such a desolate and silent dense forest, such a scene suddenly appearing was truly astonishing.

“Look at your mother!”

However, Lu Changsheng showed no fear, directly throwing the Mountain Moving Whip in his hand.

Even though this Spirit Treasure, like the Mi Chen Banner, had its spirituality suppressed and was affected here, it was still a top-tier Sharp Weapon.

With a “thump” sound, accompanied by a chilling, mournful cry, the black shadow vanished into thin air, dropping a fingernail-sized emerald green crystal.

“Hmm? What is this?”

Seeing this, Lu Changsheng stepped forward, picked up the Mountain Moving Whip and the emerald green crystal, examined them for a few moments, and realized that this crystal contained extremely pure Yin Soul power.

“Was that the mysterious danger Yuan Yihua and the others mentioned just now?”

Over these days, Lu Changsheng had gained a deeper understanding of the Eternal Night Land, knowing that it was very strange and contained many mysterious and unknown events.

However, in his opinion, these strange and mysterious unknowns were merely due to insufficient strength, preventing proper interaction.

Just like the black shadow earlier, it was somewhat like a ghostly spirit.

If the people in the town encountered it, they would find it difficult to deal with and would only consider it some terrifying, unknown mystery.

He put away the emerald green crystal and continued deeper into the mountain.

After spending more than half a month, Lu Changsheng arrived at the place of heavenly light in the deep mountains that Yuan Yihua and others had pointed out.

However, through A Wu’s sensing and probing, there was no trace of the Golden Winged Roc or Qian Zhuyan.

“It’s troublesome not being able to use Divine Sense.”

Accustomed to observing everything with Divine Sense and having everything under control, Lu Changsheng felt very uncomfortable without Divine Sense now.

Fortunately, he still had the Sun Moon Two Instruments Profound Light Mirror, which could barely substitute for Divine Sense; otherwise, trying to find someone in such a vast mountain range would be impossible.

Looking at the pitch-black world, as if swallowed by an abyss, Lu Changsheng still sighed, then took out the divination copper coins, closed his eyes, cast them, and randomly picked a direction to continue his search.

After all, according to the divination, his trip out was an upper-mid sign; as long as he persisted in searching, he would meet an old acquaintance.

Along the way, he saw many spiritual plants and even spiritual fields glowing with colorful light.

It was just that his storage ring was inconvenient to use now, and these Spirit Medicine and crystal ores were of too low a Rank and too inconvenient to carry, so he had to give up.

Time passed bit by bit, as Lu Changsheng, accompanied by three Puppets, continuously searched in the dark depths of the mountains.

Although dangers occasionally appeared during the process, his strength and the three Third-Rank top-tier Puppets were enough to handle them.

“Hmm!?”

One day, Lu Changsheng suddenly sensed a faint sound of fighting coming from afar.

At this moment, the Sun Moon Two Instruments Profound Light Mirror in his embrace trembled slightly, telling Lu Changsheng that there seemed to be Qian Zhuyan’s aura in the distance.

“Little Yan!”

Upon hearing this, Lu Changsheng instantly looked in the direction of the fighting sound, then, with the three Puppets, rapidly rushed towards the battle site, moving incredibly fast, directly smashing trees and boulders along the way into powder.

In a dense forest in the distance.

A massive Puppet, radiating a dark, cold metallic sheen, was fighting a woman dressed in a colorful palace gown.

Several figures in armor, holding weapons, stood by, not daring to approach, their hearts filled with dread, realizing that their City Lord was no match for this monster.

Seeing a sharp Flying Sword suddenly fly out from the colorful-robed woman’s sleeve, Qian Zhuyan’s eye sockets burned with Soul fire, and her voice was hoarse and cold: “Core Formation magical power, you are a Cultivator!?”

“Hmm!?”

The colorful-robed woman was somewhat surprised when she first saw Qian Zhuyan. How could such a Puppet appear in these deep mountains?

She only thought it was some mutated creature or strange being that had possessed this Puppet.

However, she was not a match for this Puppet, and in desperation, she could only use her expensive magical power.

She didn’t expect that this Puppet would actually speak and recognize that she was using magical power.

“Your Excellency, are you a Cultivator who was caught in the Eternal Night Land?”

The colorful-robed woman tightly gripped the magic sword in her hand, retreating a few steps, her expression surprised and wary as she spoke.

A Puppet actually possessed self-awareness, like a Cultivator; this was very astonishing.

“Eternal Night Land?”

Qian Zhuyan had landed in the deep mountains and, apart from wild beasts, mutated creatures, and other strange beings, had not encountered any people, so she knew nothing about this world.

She had just encountered the colorful-robed woman and her group, and before they could communicate, she was treated as a strange being, and both sides started fighting.

“Can you tell me, what is this place?”

Qian Zhuyan looked at the colorful-robed woman before her and asked.

As she spoke, she threw a rare spiritual item she had just obtained to the other party, actively showing goodwill.

“This place is called the Eternal Night Land…”

The colorful-robed woman saw that the Puppet before her seemed to be a Cultivator with self-awareness and spoke, but still maintained her vigilance.

After all, in such a place as the Eternal Night Land, one must never relax vigilance when seeing Cultivators or outsiders.

Especially since the Puppet before her was incredibly terrifying, suspected to be a Fourth-Rank Puppet, and even had consciousness, which was simply horrifying.

“Is this also an outsider?”

The few people in armor nearby knew that their City Lord was an outsider, and they didn’t expect that the Puppet before them, which looked like a war machine, was also an outsider.

“Eternal Night Land? Why do I feel like this isn’t the Cultivation World, but rather some Secret Realm?”

Qian Zhuyan continued to ask, wanting to learn about the situation here from the colorful-robed woman’s mouth, and then find a way to locate her master.

However, just then, both she and the colorful-robed woman suddenly sensed something and abruptly looked in one direction, their expressions wary.

In just a few breaths, a rapid movement approached, and they saw several figures rushing towards them from the darkness in the distance.

Leading them was a figure clad in jet-black armor.