Chapter 776: Lu Lingjing: Did we go the wrong way? (Happy New Year)

Six months later.

In the Land of Eternal Night, within the boundless, pitch-black deep mountains and dense forests.

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—”

The eerie wind howled, and the night mist surged, like the wailing and crying of thousands of vengeful souls.

Lu Changsheng, Qian Zhuyan, Yun Wanshang, and the Golden Winged Heavenly Peng were working together to hunt a mutated creature.

This mutated creature was terrifying; even with two people, one puppet, and one peng, it was somewhat difficult.

However, the spiritual medicine guarded by this mutated creature was extremely rare, a product even more precious than the three-colored flower, containing rich heavenly light.

After dozens of rounds, this mutated creature collapsed with a crash.

“After we go back, I still need to refine a suitable close-combat magic treasure.”

Lu Changsheng exhaled a long breath, saying with some fatigue.

His natal magic treasure, the [Yin-Yang Diagram], was almost useless in this world.

His ultimate offensive weapon, the [Great Luo Sword Embryo], also had its power halved due to the lack of blood essence and magic power to activate it.

Yun Wanshang glanced at the Mountain Moving Whip in Lu Changsheng’s hand, said nothing, and stepped forward to dig out the spiritual product radiating rich heavenly light, her beautiful eyes filled with joy.

However, at this moment, the Sun-Moon Two Elements Mysterious Light in Lu Changsheng’s embrace suddenly issued a warning.

The ground, covered in dense weeds, suddenly split open with scarlet ravines, and a burst of black mist surged out, sweeping towards Yun Wanshang.

“True Master, be careful!”

Lu Changsheng immediately leaped out, accurately wrapped his arm around Yun Wanshang’s slender waist, tackling her to the ground, and swung the Mountain Moving Whip in his hand backward, smashing it towards the black mist.

Within the black mist, a ghostly face appeared, let out a mournful shriek, and then tore a small gap in Lu Changsheng’s dark armor.

Qian Zhuyan, who was nearby, acted immediately. Puppet power surged throughout his body, humming and trembling, like a war machine awakening, and he charged towards the black mist ghostly face.

After half a year of hunting in the deep mountains and harvesting many soul crystals, Qian Zhuyan had grown stronger with each battle, becoming the strongest combat force in the team. Controlling nine puppets to attack simultaneously, he could barely form a rudimentary battle formation.

Although not as formidable as outside, it was still terrifying.

“Boom!”

A strike bursting with puppet power and spiritual light directly sent the black mist ghostly face howling and roaring.

At the same time, the Golden Winged Heavenly Peng swooped down, its golden beak like a divine weapon forged a thousand times, tearing through the black mist of the night sky.

Yun Wanshang was tackled to the ground by Lu Changsheng, tightly held around the waist. She could feel his strong and powerful physique and spoke, concerned, “Lu Changsheng, are you alright?”

“It’s nothing serious.”

Lu Changsheng grinned, immediately got up, and charged towards the black mist ghostly face, not taking advantage of Yun Wanshang.

The two had already been intimate and knew each other well; why would he take such a small advantage?

Seeing this, Yun Wanshang also quickly got up, holding her magic sword, and charged towards the black mist ghostly face, without any awkwardness or shyness from being tackled by Lu Changsheng and held around the waist.

Not to mention that the two had long known each other thoroughly.

Just spending half a year together, exploring, they had already had several close encounters.

Moreover, during this time, she had been pretending to be ignorant, maintaining the last line of defense between them.

If she hadn’t had some reservations, she might have even considered trying if her Spirit Channeling Qi could help Lu Changsheng stimulate his Golden Core foundation and awaken his dormant magic power.

“Boom, boom, boom!”

Lu Changsheng and Yun Wanshang simultaneously attacked the strange creature before them.

Such strange creatures in the forbidden deep mountains were very troublesome, seeming to have an immortal characteristic, making them very difficult to kill.

Even with the combined efforts of Lu Changsheng, Yun Wanshang, Qian Zhuyan, and the Golden Winged Heavenly Peng, they could not kill it quickly.

“Woo woo woo—”

Knowing that it was no match for Lu Changsheng and the others, this strange creature howled and roared, choosing to retreat and flee towards the depths of the great mountain.

This kind of forbidden great mountain was very similar to the depths of the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range. Once the commotion got too big, it could attract other terrifying creatures.

So Lu Changsheng immediately signaled Qian Zhuyan to attack with full force, and then he himself held nothing back, fully unleashing his Brahma Demon True Saint Energy.

“Boom, boom, boom!!!”

The two took the lead, bombarding the ghostly face within the black mist, causing black energy to overflow and scatter, constantly weakening it.

A moment later, the ghostly face completely shattered, dropping a fist-sized, emerald green crystal.

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh”

Lu Changsheng let out a long, weary breath.

After two consecutive battles like this, even with his Tier 4 physique, he felt somewhat fatigued and had consumed too much.

“Lu Changsheng, are you alright?”

Yun Wanshang stepped forward, showing concern for Lu Changsheng.

“True Master, let’s stop here for this trip and return to Qingyun City for a rest?”

Lu Changsheng waved his hand and said to Yun Wanshang.

They had gained a lot from half a year of exploration, but their consumption was also significant.

Putting aside other things, the magic treasure armor on his body was already covered in battle scars and would likely be scrapped after a few more intense battles.

So he planned to go back, rest, and convert the gains from this trip into strength.

As long as his blood essence and magic power recovered further, he wouldn’t even need to explore like this; he could directly expand and plunder through Qingyun City.

“Okay.”

Yun Wanshang nodded in agreement.

In the past six months, not only had Lu Changsheng consumed a lot, but she had also consumed a great deal.

It was just that Lu Changsheng and Qian Zhuyan had contributed more during the process.

“Let’s leave here first.”

This area had just experienced a battle and was likely to attract mutated creatures, so Lu Changsheng did not rest here but left this area first.

Jiang Country, Sky Sword Sect.

Sect Master Hall.

“Has Great Dream Immortal City still not replied?”

The Sky Sword Sect Master used a formation to communicate with the True Master stationed in Great Dream Immortal City, his expression solemn.

When True Monarch Juejian returned from Great Dream Immortal City, he had given Great Dream Immortal City a year to reply.

Now that the year was up, and Great Dream Immortal City still hadn’t responded, he, as the Sect Master, couldn’t help but feel anxious.

After all, this matter was of great importance and even affected the situation in Yue Country.

“Reporting to the Sect Master, Great Dream Immortal City has not responded…”

The person being questioned said, his tone carrying a hint of bitterness, knowing the importance of the matter.

“Alright.”

After confirming, the Sky Sword Sect Master put down the gilded jade token in his hand, closed the operation of the formation, then let out a long breath and walked out of the hall.

Without much thought, he went to True Monarch Juejian’s cave mansion to report the matter.

“No response?”

Inside the cave mansion, True Monarch Juejian, dressed in a black sword robe with a dignified expression, and True Monarch Xuanjian, dressed in a spotless white robe, were playing chess.

“It seems, as Senior Brother said, although this Great Dream City Lord has Nascent Soul combat power and means, it cannot be sustained, or rather, his injury situation is much more serious than we imagined.”

True Monarch Juejian placed a black chess piece, saying in a deep voice.

When he returned from Great Dream Immortal City and informed True Monarch Xuanjian of the result, neither of them held much hope.

After all, as Nascent Soul True Monarchs, they were very clear that unless a cultivator was in secluded cultivation, refining pills, or magic treasures and could not leave, there were few divine abilities or secret techniques that could not be paused.

When True Man Wanhu challenged, when the beast tide attacked, and during the Whale Hunting Banquet, this Great Dream City Lord had time. Now, when their own sect invited them for help, he went into seclusion? And couldn’t come out for a long time?

How could there be such a coincidence?

At least True Monarch Juejian didn’t believe it.

“Besides serious injuries, there should be other reasons. After all, for this matter, as long as the couple expresses their stance and supports us, they don’t necessarily have to act.”

True Monarch Xuanjian held a white chess piece with his fair, slender fingers and gently placed it, saying.

Yuan Country’s intervention in the Liang-Yue War was based on the premise of having victory assured and benefits to be gained.

If their Jiang Country entered the fray, then the probability of them taking action would be small, and they could sit down again for negotiations and divide the interests.

After all, at the Nascent Soul level, unless it’s a fight for the Great Dao, very few people are willing to fight to the death.

Everyone cultivates for longevity in the first place.

If they were to fight life and death over trivial conflicts of interest, they wouldn’t have been able to reach this point.

This is also why, back in the Vast Sand Illusion Domain, when Lu Changsheng risked his life to unleash a secret technique and counter-attacked a Nascent Soul cultivator, it shocked and moved countless cultivators.

Not only were they shocked by his strength, but they were also puzzled as to why someone with such heaven-defying potential would risk his life for True Monarch Qingluan and abandon his own path.

“Since that’s the case, Senior Brother, what do you plan to do?”

True Monarch Juejian looked at True Monarch Xuanjian and asked in a deep voice.

Although he currently oversaw and managed many affairs of the Sky Sword Sect, the true decision-maker was still True Monarch Xuanjian before him.

“As for Great Dream Immortal City, we will proceed as previously discussed, first apply pressure and see their attitude and reaction.”

“You have to eat one bite at a time, and walk one step at a time. As for other matters, we’ll decide after I return from Yue Country.”

True Monarch Xuanjian said unhurriedly.

He appeared calm and gentle, without the sharp edge of a sword cultivator, but as the foremost person in Jiang Country, the uncrowned king, how could he not possess thunderous means?

“Yes, Senior Brother!”

True Monarch Juejian’s expression was solemn as he bowed and replied, knowing that his Senior Brother’s trip to support Yue Country carried some risk.

True Monarch Xuanjian drew the green long sword from his waist, smiled faintly, and then his entire person disappeared from the cave mansion, as if he had never been there.

“Tie Jian…”

True Monarch Juejian saw his Senior Brother’s miraculous technique, let out a breath, and then looked at the Sky Sword Sect Master outside the cave mansion, speaking to give instructions.

Star Constellation Sea.

The vast, calm sea suddenly roared and surged like boiling water, forming swirling ripples that rumbled.

Immediately after, a giant whale, as massive as a mountain, entirely dark, with imposing dragon horns and covered in dark golden dragon-shaped patterns, burst out of the water. Its two pectoral fins were like wings, hovering above the sea surface, covering the sky and the sun, emanating an unparalleled, majestic aura.

“Huh, it’s clearly this way, why haven’t we arrived yet?”

Lu Lingjing’s eyes, like black holes, scanned the surroundings. Seeing that she hadn’t reached the junction of Great Dream Marsh and Star Constellation Sea yet, her huge head was filled with confusion.

Half a year ago, she was suddenly attacked. Worried that the blue-armored men would go home to trouble her wife, young lady, and young master, she decided to go home first.

Since she didn’t know the way back to Great Dream Marsh, she chose to ask for directions from other demons.

Facing a Tier 4 Demon King like her, other demon beasts naturally dared not conceal anything.

However, the Star Constellation Sea was vast and boundless. Most sea beasts, and even Tier 3 Demon Kings, only lived in their own areas. How many demons knew where Great Dream Marsh was?

But intimidated by Lu Lingjing’s true spirit bloodline and the pressure of a Tier 4 Demon King, they dared not refuse to answer, so they could only point the way as best as they could.

However, after half a year of traveling, Lu Lingjing hadn’t even returned to Great Dream Marsh, let alone home.

“Did I take a wrong turn?”

Lu Lingjing had a clear understanding of her travel speed.

It only took her a few months to travel from home with Master, cross Great Dream Marsh, come to Star Constellation Sea, and then go to the Kun Peng’s Nest.

It had been so long this time and she still hadn’t arrived home; she must have taken a wrong turn.

“Damn it, they dared to lie to me!”

If she weren’t in a hurry to go home, Lu Lingjing would definitely find the sea beast that lied to her and let it know the consequences of deceiving her.

But now she was in a hurry to get home. After thinking for a long time, her massive body plunged into the Star Constellation Sea, deciding to find another Demon King to ask for directions.

And she would make the other party lead the way for her. If they dared to deceive her, the consequences would be very serious!

Land of Eternal Night.

Qingyun City, City Lord’s Mansion.

“Bang!”

After hearing the attendant’s report, Yun Wanshang’s exquisite and beautiful face was as cold as frost. Her fair jade hand slammed heavily on the table, and her entire being was filled with a formidable aura of authority.

During the half year she and Lu Changsheng were away from Qingyun City, not only was there trouble in the city, but several towns under her jurisdiction had also experienced bloody disasters.

“It seems someone noticed my frequent absences from the city during this time, so they made a move on Qingyun City!”

Yun Wanshang, who had been the Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall in Qingyun Sect in her early years and had governed Qingyun City for many years, naturally knew this was not a coincidence but the work of other forces.

For someone like her, a City Lord and top combatant, occasional outings were fine.

But since meeting Lu Changsheng, she had spent almost all her time away from Qingyun City, looking for the Golden Winged Heavenly Peng and exploring the forbidden great mountains together.

This situation instantly attracted the attention of other forces, causing them to be suspicious of her actions, and they used this to test her attitude and situation.

“True Master, what do you plan to do?”

Having spent the past year together, Yun Wanshang had never put on airs in front of Lu Changsheng, causing him to almost forget the authority she held as a Golden Core True Master and the Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall in Qingyun Sect in her early years.

Although Yun Wanshang was more comfortable to be around in daily life, for some reason, he felt that Yun Wanshang, with her face like frost and imposing aura, was even more charming.

“Since they have made such a move, there is naturally no need for us to be polite. Didn’t you ask me about the distribution of forces in the Land of Eternal Night before? We can just make a move later.”

Yun Wanshang, having reached this point, was naturally not a kind-hearted person.

When Lu Changsheng asked her about the distribution and strength of forces, she knew his intention.

She didn’t point it out at the time, not because she thought it was bad, but because she was worried that Lu Changsheng’s strength was insufficient and he would be too rash.

But after more than half a year of exploration, she had a clear understanding of Lu Changsheng’s strength.

It could be said that unless they encountered a Nascent Soul True Monarch who had recovered their magic power, almost no one in the Land of Eternal Night was a match for Lu Changsheng and Qian Zhuyan!

But she had been in the Land of Eternal Night for so many years, and whether there were any Nascent Soul True Monarchs here now was one thing, let alone a Nascent Soul True Monarch who had recovered their magic power!

“Okay.”

Lu Changsheng smiled upon hearing this.

“Lu Changsheng, you should first consume the gains from this trip and try to improve your combat power. I will go and handle the affairs. If there are any problems or needs, just directly instruct Xinyue, or have her inform me.”

Yun Wanshang said decisively, having great trust in him and not caring at all about the gains from this trip.

This was also the reason why the two got along so naturally.

Most collaborations are inseparable from the distribution of benefits.

Yet, Lu Changsheng, who had clearly contributed more this time, divided the gains equally with Yun Wanshang.

Facing this situation, Yun Wanshang was also unwilling to take advantage and even actively gave the gains to Lu Changsheng.