CHAPTER 463: FRACTURED RELATIONS, BODY CULTIVATION

Read 40 Chapters Ahead On Patreon :D https://www.patreon.com/zilawere

Great Yu Kingdom, Yunxia Sect.

Purple spirit mist surged like a celestial waterfall, rushing into the heavens amidst peals of thunder.

“A century of bloodshed to sharpen the blade, and now the clouds part to reveal the sun and moon…”

Inside her cave-dwelling, Jiang Ziyan sat upright upon a lotus dais. Violet qi coiled around her like a dragon, and the residual force of her breakthrough into mid-Nascent Soul stirred fine dust throughout the hall.

The Purple Mist True Monarch opened her eyes, irises tinted in soft purple, deep as a dreamlike cosmic sea.

In the sky, the violet clouds gradually receded, and the oppressive aura of a newly ascended regional giant was reined in.

This peerlessly elegant fairy rose slowly, sleeves billowing with grace. Her radiant face glowed like morning light. The flowing violet palace dress highlighted her porcelain skin, shimmering like ice and jade. A soft lift of her brows revealed the purple lotus mark at her brow, which shimmered with Dao rhythm, adding an ethereal aura to her already noble grace.

“Congratulations to the Supreme Elder on advancing to mid-Nascent Soul.”

The surge of spiritual energy from her breakthrough had long since alarmed all within the Yunxia Sect.

On the sect’s grand square.

Sect Master Xuefeng struck a jade chime nine times in succession, its sound echoing for hundreds of li:

“Since the passing of our founding ancestor… our sect has once again birthed a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator!”

Tears welled in Xuefeng’s eyes as he bowed deeply to the auspicious clouds above. Quietly, he wiped away tears from the corner of his eye.

He immediately announced that the sect’s treasured Hundred-Year Nine-Mist Brew would be distributed to all disciples, triggering wild cheers throughout the sect.

Xuefeng, Jiang Haoyuan, and other sect leaders took to the skies toward Zixia Peak.

Jiang Haoyuan, no longer the defeated drunkard of the past, now brimmed with vitality as though ten years younger.

Clutching a wine gourd, he took a fierce swig and once again glanced toward distant Yunlan Peak.

The fear and deference long hidden in his heart had subtly faded.

“Now that our sect has a mid-Nascent Soul giant, we no longer need to tiptoe around or bow to others.”

He and Sect Master Xuefeng exchanged a knowing smile, nothing more needed to be said.

In the past, the Yunxia Sect had relied on Xiang Dalong’s favor to fend off enemies and defuse the imperial family's marriage schemes.

But everyone knew: strength must come from within.

Leaning on outsiders never brought true peace of mind.

Retracting his gaze from Yunlan Peak, Jiang Haoyuan’s mood lifted as he thought:

“From now on, Master won't need to humble herself or cozy up to that man. She will be the one to shape Yunxia Sect’s destiny…”

As a direct disciple and blood descendant, Jiang Haoyuan had revered the Purple Mist Fairy like a goddess since childhood and even harbored a deep, motherly affection for her.

After the death of Yunlan True Monarch, he had watched helplessly as his noble and dignified master, forced to preserve the sect’s legacy, yielded herself to Xiang Dalong.

It had pained him, but he had been powerless.

After failing to ascend to Nascent Soul, despair gripped him, and guilt over his master’s care led him to sink into a drunken haze.

...

On Zixia Peak, Jiang Ziyan stood atop the mountain, gazing down at the sprawling mountains and towers of Yunxia Sect.

Her heart surged with pride, free as the ocean where fish leap.

Joy mingled with a trace of regret.

Consuming the Breakthrough Pill and advancing to the mid-stage of Nascent Soul turned out to be smoother than expected.

After Xiang Dalong returned to Great Yuan, she had finally quenched a long drought. The Dragon Phoenix Dual Cauldron Technique yielded astonishing results, nourishing her energy, essence, and spirit to an optimal state.

Decades of war in Great Yu had further tempered her resolve and cultivation, making it more complete.

With everything aligned, she had successfully advanced and yet, a wisp of regret lingered.

Relying on pills for minor realm advancement would make future progress, such as reaching the rank of a Great Cultivator, all the more difficult.

Still, it was just a fleeting regret.

Reaching mid-stage Nascent Soul, becoming a newly risen giant of the Central Region, and nurturing a mid-fourth-rank spiritual vein... she had fulfilled the great work left incomplete by her teacher and husband!

At the foot of Zixia Peak, the voices of high-ranking sect members offering heartfelt congratulations echoed like heavenly music.

The Purple Mist True Monarch allowed a slight curve to form at her crimson lips.

“Now that the Supreme Elder has ascended to mid-Nascent Soul, when shall we host a celebration to invite Fellow Daoists from across the cultivation world?”

Sect Master Xuefeng and Jiang Haoyuan, along with several senior figures, arrived at the peak. After their congratulations, they began discussing the arrangements.

The rise of a new giant would profoundly affect not just Great Yu’s surroundings but the entire balance of the Central Region.

Especially since Yunxia Sect now boasted two major figures.

Jiang Ziyan replied calmly:

“We shall discuss that once True Monarch Xiang returns.”

The crowd exchanged awkward glances, none daring to press further.

After sending them away, the Purple Mist True Monarch stood in quiet reflection.

For too many years, she had relied on Xiang Dalong, yielding to his judgment, especially during their discussions on the Dao…

She had forgotten the noble bearing of a Nascent Soul fairy, instead catering to his whims with coy smiles and graceful dances.

The memories stirred a faint sense of shame, partly against her will, partly the result of long-ingrained indulgence.

Her gaze turned tranquil once more, and she recovered her original dignity and aloofness.

“Now, you and I stand as equals.”

She would reclaim her long-lost confidence and pride, taking charge of her own fate, shedding her overdependence on Xiang Dalong’s protection.

Suddenly, Jiang Ziyan found herself anticipating their next meeting.

The frontlines had reported Xiang Dalong slaying Fairy Luo and clashing evenly with mid-Nascent Soul cultivator Cloud Thunder True Monarch, solid proof of his strength as a regional giant.

Perhaps she still lagged behind veteran mid-Nascent Soul cultivators, but with decades or a century of cultivation, the gap would narrow.

The Central Region lacked late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators. Mid-stage Nascent Souls were the ruling powers.

Aside from special figures like the Yu Emperor, few could pose a threat to someone of her caliber.

...

Xiang Dalong returned sooner than expected.

A few days later, a streak of black-winged light, shrouded in a gloomy haze of dark wind and clouds, pierced the sky and descended upon the gates of the Yunxia Sect.

“Greetings, True Monarch Xiang.”

Disciples at the sect gate and Core Formation-level elders all bowed respectfully.

Lan Chang'an keenly noticed: although the Core Formation cultivators still showed respect, the genuine awe they once held had faded somewhat.

Moreover, True Monarch Purple Mist no longer came out immediately to greet him with her usual warmth.

At the center of the sect.

The dense aura of mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivation rose like a pillar to the heavens, causing all the sect’s cultivators to look up in reverence.

Lan Chang'an didn’t take it to heart.

In the cultivation world power and realm command respect, this was only natural.

Purple Mist Fairy had broken through to mid-Nascent Soul, elevating her status immensely. A touch of aloofness was understandable.

As he neared the sect’s restricted zone, the mid-grade fourth-rank spiritual vein, True Monarch Purple Mist gracefully flew out of her cave residence to greet him with a smile.

Jiang Ziyan’s former lavender palace robe had transformed into a pure white celestial gown, making her appear even more ethereal and transcendent.

She was composed and elegant, her lotus-like steps gliding through the air. With every step, purple clouds formed into jade-like stairs beneath her feet, a breathtaking sight.

The fluctuations of her mid-Nascent Soul power surged like ocean tides. The subtle but potent spiritual pressure was enough to inspire awe in early-Nascent cultivators.

“Ziyan, congratulations on your breakthrough! No wonder Emperor Yu has recently been treating me with such courtesy.”

Lan Chang'an smiled warmly and offered his congratulations with cupped hands.

“You’ve made glorious achievements on the frontlines, Dalong. I can only admire you from afar. Alas, my breakthrough came too late, I couldn’t stand by your side in turning the tide.”

Purple Mist Fairy’s robes fluttered gracefully, her smile reserved, eyes bright like stars, her bearing radiant.

They hadn’t seen each other for only a short time but as their eyes met, a faint and unspoken sense of distance seemed to linger between them.

Lan Chang'an remained unchanged, calm and unhurried as always.

But Jiang Ziyan felt a flicker of surprise in her heart.

Despite her breakthrough, Xiang Dalong’s reaction was surprisingly subdued, not even a trace of special admiration.

“Heh, Ziyan being so formal all of a sudden, it’s almost hard to get used to.”

Lan Chang'an chuckled.

As usual, he boldly reached out and wrapped his arm around Purple Mist Fairy’s slender waist.

As she fell into the embrace of this familiar man, Jiang Ziyan’s delicate body tensed slightly. Her mind resisted, but her body instinctively yielded to his bold strength.

“What’s wrong, Ziyan? Are you feeling unwell?”

Lan Chang'an seemed to notice. His bright eyes swept lightly over her, appraising the woman in his arms.

Under his gaze, Purple Mist’s body trembled faintly with a chill. She suddenly sensed a hidden, powerful spiritual sense far stronger than her own.

For a brief instant, she felt as though her heart had been seen through completely, as if her elegant celestial robe had turned transparent.

Jiang Ziyan was stunned. It was only now, after her breakthrough, that she realized even after reaching mid-Nascent Soul, she still couldn’t see through Xiang Dalong.

Had she not advanced in cultivation, she would never have known that his spiritual sense was already stronger than hers.

“It’s nothing... Perhaps I’m just still adjusting to my new power.”

Purple Mist Fairy smiled sweetly, leaning gently against the man’s shoulder.

Her flawless, composed face concealed the shockwaves in her heart.

In the eyes of watchful cultivators, the two towering figures of Yunxia Sect appeared as close as ever dressed in matching white, side by side like heavenly companions.

...

Inside Zixia Peak’s cave residence.

“Why doesn’t Dalong approve of me holding a celebration?”

Purple Mist Fairy looked puzzled. She had shifted from reclining elegantly to sitting upright on Lan Chang'an’s lap, gently smoothing the hem of her dress.

Now that Yunxia Sect had two Nascent Soul giants, and the imperial family had just endured a taxing war, the northern front was still unstable, even if someone wanted to suppress them, they wouldn’t dare.

A breakthrough to mid-Nascent Soul was a minor leap in cultivation, but a celebration could still serve a purpose.

If held, it would expand Yunxia Sect’s influence and attract major powers from the central region.

Lan Chang'an replied mildly:

“It’s best for Yunxia Sect to develop quietly for now, no need for bold expansion. Let’s first solidify our position as a mid-stage Nascent Soul faction. With the imperial court, cooperate more and avoid conflict...”

“If this carries on for two generations, and the sect’s foundation strengthens across the board, only then should we consider greater ambitions.”

Jiang Ziyan pondered carefully. She didn’t deny Lan Chang'an’s logic, playing it safe meant lower risks.

But right now, the imperial family was at its weakest, having exhausted vast amounts of national dragon energy.

This moment was ideal for the Yunxia Sect to expand rapidly.

“Could it be... Dalong plans to leave in the future?”

Ziyan’s voice trembled slightly, her expression tinged with disbelief.

After all, Yunxia Sect now had a mid-grade fourth-rank spiritual vein, and she, a mid-Nascent Fairy, as his partner.

Such favorable conditions were rare even across all of Great Yuan.

She couldn’t fathom it, if this wasn’t enough to bind Xiang Dalong, where else could be better?

“Hard to say.”

Lan Chang'an was satisfied with Yunxia Sect’s current state. In the cultivation world, such an environment was indeed rare.

At least until the late Nascent Soul stage, he had no better destination.

“Dalong, let us become Dao companions and join forces to pursue immortality side by side, wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

“Stay in Yunxia Sect, and I will devote the entire sect’s strength to help you craft fourth-rank puppets. You could become one of Great Yuan’s greatest puppet masters.”

Purple Mist Fairy cupped his face with both hands, her tone sincere, her eyes filled with longing.

In her radiant gaze, Lan Chang'an caught a new sense of confidence, fighting spirit, and rising ambition.

“I’ll have to disappoint Ziyan!”

“The cultivation world is ever-changing. Until I reach late Nascent Soul, I don’t feel secure. I can’t make promises about the future.”

Lan Chang'an spoke with honesty.

Jiang Ziyan’s growing ambition after her breakthrough clashed with his steady, cautious strategy, that was one reason.

The other was the looming threat of the legendary cultivator Yan Donglai and the Thousand-Year Tribulation. He couldn’t afford to bind himself too deeply to her.

“Hmph!”

Purple Mist Fairy huffed softly, straightening her gown as she rose from his lap.

She sat with her eyes closed, silent and frosty, clearly sulking.

Lan Chang'an said nothing, smiling as he picked up a cup of thousand-year-old Nine-Mist Brew and took a sip.

Then he rose, preparing to leave.

Having reached the peak of early Nascent Soul, his power had reached its limit.

At the moment, he had no desires, he was in a state of detachment.

On the other hand, Jiang Ziyan was still on the rise.

Just a few steps out, a delicate fragrance drifted behind him. A familiar, elegant scent filled the air.

Then came a soft, firm warmth pressing against his back.

“You truly have a heart of stone, Dalong! I’ve cast aside my dignity and opened my heart, yet I still can’t make you stay.”

Jiang Ziyan hugged him from behind, her voice full of wistful emotion.

“I never said I was leaving now.”

Lan Chang'an chuckled.

He truly wasn’t leaving, yet.

Once the fourth-rank puppet formation was complete and preparations were in place, he would leave the Great Yu Kingdom or even Great Yuan entirely.

The two embraced for a while, warmth rekindled between them, as if returning to old times.

But Lan Chang'an knew, now that Purple Mist had risen to become a sect giant, and he had rejected her again, a crack had inevitably formed in their relationship.

Inside the bedchamber, the lights were dim.

“No.”

On the icy jade bed, Jiang Ziyan suddenly raised a hand to stop the man atop her.

Hm?

Lan Chang'an frowned slightly, he didn’t play games of "playing hard to get."

“I just want to switch positions.”

Purple Mist Fairy smiled faintly, flipped her lithe body, and placed Lan Chang'an underneath.

Rebellious!

Lan Chang'an mused silently. As the saying goes, those on top rule.

So she had truly changed after reaching mid-Nascent Soul! Still, he had no objection to trying something new.

...

Three days later.

True Monarch Purple Mist followed Lan Chang'an’s suggestion and did not hold a grand ceremony for reaching the mid-stage Nascent Soul level.

Although the celebration was canceled, the birth of a mid-stage Nascent Soul giant in Yunxia Sect still attracted congratulations from many factions.

These well-wishers weren’t limited to powers within the Great Yu Kingdom or friendly cultivators; even some hegemonic forces from the Central Region of the Great Yuan sent emissaries bearing gifts to show goodwill.

Yunxia Sect’s status in the Central Region rose significantly.

Despite this, the Yunxia Sect refrained from major outward expansion and maintained a low profile. It avoided conflicts with the various Great Yu factions, including the imperial court.

The imperial family, still in the process of stabilizing the North and recovering from war, engaged with the Yunxia Sect amicably.

True Monarch Red Sleeve took the initiative to visit, delivering a gift and expressing her goodwill.

The faction most filled with dread was none other than the neighboring Great Snake Mountain.

True Monarch Red Refinement of Great Snake Mountain had died, allegedly at the hands of the "Demonface True Monarch" from Yaqi Mountain.

The sect now had only one Nascent Soul cultivator left, True Monarch Red Serpent, who had less than a hundred years of lifespan remaining.

Facing a Yunxia Sect now boasting two Nascent Soul giants, True Monarch Red Serpent could not sleep peacefully.

No matter how benevolent the Yunxia Sect acted, they certainly wouldn’t miss the chance to suppress an old enemy.

Great Snake Mountain ordered strict defense of its gates and strict discipline among its disciples, forbidding any conflict with Yunxia Sect or its subordinate forces.

Furthermore, they voluntarily ceded all disputed border spiritual veins and resource operations.

Although the Great Yu imperial family wouldn’t sit idly by if Yunxia Sect directly attacked Great Snake Mountain, True Monarch Purple Mist applied indirect methods, covertly or overtly cutting off Great Snake Mountain’s access to strategic resources, especially key spiritual items needed to advance to the Nascent Soul stage.

If their Core Formation cultivators or Nascent Soul seeds traveled outside, they were secretly targeted by hired assassins. If they stayed within the sect, they lacked real experience, greenhouse flowers that would never thrive into greatness.

...

Half a year later.

Inside the underground palace of Yunlan Peak.

Splash! Boom!

In a manmade pool, a massive Profound Turtle was struggling and splashing frantically.

“Profound Water Monarch! It’s just a little blood essence we’re taking from you.”

Lord Earthrock, assisting its master, held the giant turtle’s shell down with both claws and tried to persuade it righteously:

“Master is powerful enough to protect us all! A small personal sacrifice for the greater good. You need to consider the big picture…”

“Wuwu… I can only produce one drop of blood essence a year, and Master wants dozens at once. I really can’t take it…”

The Profound Water Turtle shrank its head back, teary-eyed and full of grievance.

Among turtle-type spirit beasts, the most suitable place to draw blood essence was the head.

“Be good, just this once.”

Lan Chang'an patted its head, offering a few soothing words.

Half coaxing and half forcing, the Profound Water Turtle’s brow cracked open, and with great reluctance, it squeezed out a large bottle of blood essence.

After the extraction, the turtle drooped its head, eyes lifeless, looking completely drained.

“Prepare some strong supplements for it.”

Before leaving, Lan Chang'an gave this instruction.

“Yes, Master.”

Lord Earthrock was quite pleased, and immediately made arrangements.

...

Returning to the upper cave dwelling.

Lan Chang'an sat cross-legged, forming hand seals. He activated a blood refinement secret technique from the Blood Refining Demon Scripture, and a pale green blood flame flared up in his palm.

The Profound Water Turtle’s blood essence in the bottle looked like dark bluish blood crystals, each marked with ancient tortoise-shell patterns.

Any single drop of this blood essence would cause a low-level cultivator to explode from the overwhelming power.

Whoosh—

The pale green blood flame opened its maw and devoured one of the blood crystals, beginning its refinement and transformation.

After a long while, wisps of dark blood-crystal light slowly merged into Lan Chang'an’s body through his palm.

“As expected of a heaven-grade mutant bloodline.”

The refined Profound Water Turtle blood blended seamlessly with Lan Chang'an’s body, his physique and bloodline visibly strengthening.

Previously, when Lan Chang'an first practiced blood refinement techniques with other demon kings' blood, the results lacked such harmony.

He speculated this was because his Evergreen spiritual power had nourished the Profound Water Turtle for many years.

Even during its incubation, he had used the lifespan-consuming Evergreen spell to strengthen its constitution, triggering its initial mutation.

“My skin and flesh defenses show the most noticeable improvement.”

After completing the absorption, Lan Chang'an waited another half hour.

Eventually, the bodily strength and blood energy he had gained began to fade gradually.

This was the bottleneck, partly due to the limits of the surrounding environment.

Fortunately, some of the blood essence's power remained latent in his body, bringing subtle long-term benefits.

Lan Chang'an’s face showed delight, no matter how small the progress, it hinted at hope for breaking through the bottleneck.

“The Golden Scale blood and Profound Water Turtle blood should be saved for the final breakthrough stage. I’ll refine the other demon kings blood first.”

Having tested it, Lan Chang'an put the remaining Profound Water Turtle essence away.

...

Two or three months later, Lan Chang'an turned 556 years old.

After the Great Yu War, he had focused primarily on body cultivation, collecting and trading for various demon king blood essences, both publicly and in secret.

As for the fourth unit of the fourth-rank puppet formation, Puppet Master Wei was now crafting its preliminary components.

During this time, the influence of True Monarch Purple Mist’s advancement to mid-stage Nascent Soul continued to spread across the Central Region.

Visitors from various factions came to Yunxia Sect in an endless stream.

On this day, in the cave dwelling atop Yunlan Peak, Lan Chang'an was relaxing, sipping tea and chatting idly with Xiao Qingshan.

“Brother Lan, that Fairy Le from the Alchemy Dao Alliance still hasn’t left Yunxia Sect. She insists on seeing you.”

Xiao Qingshan, still appearing in his twenties or thirties, carried an extraordinary aura, brimming with vigorous yang energy.

Much to everyone’s surprise, he had remarkable latent potential. Proficient in the yin and yang side path, he advanced steadily without arrogance or haste.

Now, his cultivation had reached the peak of mid-stage Core Formation, surpassing many of his peers.

The Fairy Le he referred to was none other than the granddaughter of Grandmaster Le.

Back when Lan Chang'an had just returned to the Great Yuan, Le Qingni had been widowed, her husband having died during his Nascent Soul tribulation. She became the target of the lecherous True Monarch Refinement Cauldron from the Alchemy Dao Alliance.

Later, Lan Chang'an issued a stern warning, which greatly frightened True Monarch Refinement Cauldron, prompting him to send his disciples with gifts to apologize.

Fairy Le was deeply grateful and sent word that she would personally visit Yunxia Sect after the Great Yu War to express her thanks.

Sure enough, she had come to Yunxia Sect recently.

However, despite staying for many days, she had not managed to meet either of the two great figures of the Yunxia Sect.

...

"Let her in."

As Xiao Qingshan was leaving, Lan Chang'an gave a casual instruction.

Since he was free today, he didn’t mind.

Last time, after helping Le Qingni resolve her crisis, Lan Chang'an had already repaid the favor.

The two no longer owed each other. Lan Chang'an had no desire to become further entangled with Fairy Le, which was why he hadn’t met her until now.

A cup of tea later, a richly dressed beauty in a long flowing gown hurried into the True Monarch’s cave residence. Her hair was tied in an elaborate bun, and her makeup was tastefully applied.

Compared to more than a hundred years ago, Le Qingni had lost her previous cold aloofness. Her figure was now more curvaceous, her skin fair and lustrous like a perfectly ripe peach.

“This humble woman, Le Qingni, greets Senior Xiang.”

She bowed deeply, her outline curving gracefully and alluringly.

“No need for formalities.”

Lan Chang'an raised his hand and gestured for her to sit.

“This is my grandfather’s alchemy inheritance. I have nothing else of value, and can only offer this in thanks for Senior Xiang’s help.”

Le Qingni’s expression was gentle and sorrowful. She respectfully presented a leather-bound manual.

Lan Chang'an took it and swept it with his spiritual sense. Though the core principle was similar to a jade slip, it was more advanced and included visual inheritance.

“Alchemist Le’s alchemy skills are indeed extraordinary.”

Lan Chang'an accepted the manual with a nod of approval.

After devouring so many Nascent Soul old monsters, he wasn’t lacking in fourth-rank alchemy inheritances.

Still, Alchemist Le’s unique techniques held significant value, even to established alchemy grandmasters.

They spoke briefly for about fifteen minutes before Lan Chang'an picked up his tea and gestured to see her off.

Le Qingni quickly stood, biting her lip. A flicker of unwillingness flashed across her heart.

After so much hardship and effort, she had finally escaped danger and met True Monarch Xiang…

But it was just one brief meeting.

No guidance. No protection. No special favor.

“Is there something else?”

Lan Chang'an stood with hands clasped behind his back, glancing at the hesitant Fairy Le.

Le Qingni bit her lip hard. Her cheeks flushed, her beautiful face turned red as she spoke softly, her voice barely above a whisper:

“This humble woman dares to ask… to stay the night in Senior’s residence.”

“Hm?”

Lan Chang'an raised an eyebrow, as if he had misheard.

Le Qingni lowered her head. Her face was burning, ears turning red, lips trembling slightly as she murmured:

“If Senior finds this lowly woman’s sullied self unworthy, then… nothing needs to happen tonight.”

Her grandfather and husband had passed away in succession. She lacked a sense of safety and longed for a strong protector to avoid further humiliation.

If it meant becoming True Monarch Xiang’s concubine, she was willing.

“Impudent!”

The pressure of a True Monarch erupted. The entire hall trembled faintly.

Le Qingni’s face turned pale. Her legs shook, and she nearly collapsed from terror.

“This humble woman knows her mistake…”

She fled in disgrace, hastily taking her leave.

“Hmph. Do you truly think that tying yourself to me means a carefree life without consequence?”

Just as she was about to leave the cave, Le Qingni heard a cold snort.

She calmed herself and suddenly understood.

True Monarch Xiang had once warned Refinement Cauldron True Monarch to protect her.

Now he had granted her a single audience, enough to deter would-be schemers.

But she was not content. She had tried to go further and overstepped her bounds, angering the True Monarch.

As she left Yunlan Sect, Le Qingni glanced toward the distant Zixia Peak.

“If that newly advanced giant finds out what I just did…”

She shivered uncontrollably. Her scalp went numb.

Even if she truly became Xiang True Monarch’s concubine, if Purple Mist True Monarch disliked her, and Xiang True Monarch happened to be away, she could easily be killed in passing, who would stand up for her?

...

Two years later, above Yunlan Peak.

A faint trace of thunderclouds and lightning flickered across the sky, then mysteriously dissipated.

Hm?

In her cave on Zixia Peak, Purple Mist True Monarch, who was in seclusion, suddenly sensed something, capturing that fleeting anomaly.

The aura of that tribulation was at the same level as a Nascent Soul tribulation, yet more primitive and raw.

“Could it be…”

Jiang Ziyan’s heart skipped a beat as a guess formed in her mind.

...

Underground palace beneath Yunlan Peak.

Boom!

The barrier-enchanted stone walls trembled with a low rumble.

In a foggy medicinal pool, made from a mixture of powerful body-tempering potions and demon king blood, the liquid had nearly dried up.

A man with dark golden skin and flickering golden scales slowly extended his muscular arms from the pool, his body shining with a metallic gleam.

At a glance, he resembled a golden bronze warlord.

A terrifying surge of blood energy pulsed outward, cracking the surrounding rock walls, and causing the protective enchantments to flicker wildly.

Crack!

Lan Chang'an casually crushed a chunk of third-rank ore with one hand.

As he activated the Golden Luo Overlord Body, shrinking and condensing his massive physique, he snorted coldly:

“The imperial court really doesn't have good intentions!”

“In order to securely advance, I refined excess demon blood and medicinal power… nearly becoming an ancient body cultivator and triggering a breakthrough tribulation...”