Starting From A Son In Law To Build An Long Lasting Family Chapter 1830: 469: The Battle Begins! (part 3)

Wielding a halberd of green-gold, Azure Phoenix True Monarch struck out with a horizontal sweep, unleashing a boundless, blinding radiance and a sharp edge so overwhelming it nearly cleaved the heavens and earth apart.

Above her, a hundred-zhang Qing Luan phantom manifested, spreading its wings across the firmament. It conjured heavenly winds that resembled chaotic void streams and fierce azure gales, all surging violently toward Heavenly Silkworm True Monarch.

Bathed in brilliance, the Golden-Winged Heavenly Peng—its form interwoven with golden runes—did not rush headlong into the center of the fray. Instead, it circled the perimeter, reinforcing the formation. Its surging killing intent billowed like a vast ocean, manifesting feathers that resembled peerless divine swords to strike at Ming Sha True Monarch and his companions.

Though the Golden-Winged Heavenly Peng had only reached the late Third Rank, its current strength was vastly magnified by the burning of its essence blood origin. Even Nascent Soul True Lords could not afford to overlook its presence, forced to deploy techniques to deflect its one hundred and eight thousand feathers.

"Boom, boom, boom—"

In a heartbeat, the world was consumed by the roar of thunder.

Yin Yang Magic Power, Daluo Sword Light, the Luan Bird Phantom, azure gales, and a rain of blood mixed with foul winds collided. The Heavenly Silkworm Domain and the one hundred and eight thousand feathers intertwined with the magical powers of five other Nascent Soul True Lords, triggering a cataclysmic upheaval that threatened to obliterate the world.

The terrifying spiritual pressure and fluctuations of mana were clearly detectable even from hundreds of miles away.

"Who is that? They clearly lack Nascent Soul Magic Power, yet the strength they display is equal to a Nascent Soul cultivator!"

"It is more than just equal; such power actually surpasses many who have recently reached the Nascent Soul stage!"

"Since when did the Southern Wilderness produce such a peerless Sword Cultivator!"

"It is not just him. Look at that golden Peng; despite being only a top-level Third Rank Demon King, its combat prowess proves it has awakened the True Spirit Bloodline of a top-tier Demon Beast!"

"What is this man's origin? To have such battle strength and such spiritual pets!"

While the name of Yangming True Master carried weight within the borders of Jiang Country and the Jin Kingdom, it remained relatively obscure throughout the broader Southern Wilderness or its Northern Domain.

Yet, at this moment, his aura surged as he stepped directly into the Nascent Soul battlefield, instantly drawing the focus of numerous Nascent Soul cultivators whose faces were clouded with doubt and shock.

After all, a Core Formation cultivator capable of fighting a Nascent Soul was viewed as a world-class prodigy anywhere.

To go even further than that was simply a defiance of common sense!

"That man's blade must be an offensive Supreme Treasure!"

The cultivators capable of observing the battle clearly were at least of the Nascent Soul stage. With their sharp insight, they immediately realized that Lu Changsheng’s magic power and the sword light he unleashed did not share the same source.

They recognized he was not a peerless sword cultivator by nature, but rather a cultivator wielding a Sword Dao Treasure!

"Yangming True Master..."

Below the Secret Realm, Xuanjian True Monarch stood with several Core Formation cultivators, his eyes narrowing as he looked toward the sky.

He recalled hearing that name years ago in a report from the Heavenly Sword Sect Master, though he hadn't given it much thought at the time.

He had merely ordered someone to watch him, curious if there was a connection between him and the new City Lord of Great Dream City, or if they were the same individual.

They had crossed paths once during the pioneering war.

Even then, he sensed the man was extraordinary. He suspected that if the man ever reached the Nascent Soul stage, he would become a thorn in the side of the Heavenly Sword Sect.

He never anticipated that in just over a decade, the man's strength would skyrocket once more.

In his eyes, this growth was even more shocking than a breakthrough to Nascent Soul!

Combat power at the Core Formation level usually had a ceiling.

The man should have reached his limit long ago, yet he had somehow managed to enhance his battle prowess even further. It was unimaginable and truly exceptional!

"He should have been able to attempt the Nascent Soul breakthrough long ago. Why has he waited... Could his goal be the Heavenly Nascent Soul?"

Xuanjian True Monarch did not believe for a second that Lu Changsheng lacked an Infant Transformation Elixir or a Fourth Rank Spirit Land.

A cultivator of this caliber was likely a Nascent Soul old monster who had undergone rebirth through body snatching; such beings always kept contingency plans. Even without an elixir, a man with his foundation could almost certainly force a breakthrough!

Therefore, Xuanjian True Monarch concluded the only reason to delay was to strive for the Heavenly Nascent Soul!

After all, attaining a Heavenly Nascent Soul was significantly more grueling than forming a Superior Grade Golden Core or an Immortal Golden Core.

It required the Nascent Soul Spirit Body—born from the shattering of the core—to endure the strikes of a heavenly tribulation while absorbing Heavenly Dao Qi. A single mistake would result in being burned to ash.

Years ago, Xuanjian True Monarch had used a Tribulation Transcending Treasure to try and merge a sliver of Heavenly Dao Qi during his own breakthrough. However, the very first bolt of lightning had nearly destroyed his nascent soul.

"Let us observe how this plays out," Xuanjian True Monarch signaled to his companions.

Both Azure Phoenix True Monarch and Yangming True Master appeared to be Children of Destiny.

Azure Phoenix True Monarch, in particular, was a surprise. She had remained secluded in Azure Phoenix Immortal City for a century before leaving Jiang Country and achieving Nascent Soul entirely outside of his expectations.

Thus, he continued to watch, wanting to see what other hidden cards she held.

If Yangming True Master failed to help and Azure Phoenix True Monarch’s physical body was destroyed, leaving only her nascent spirit, he would step in to assist.

In the current climate of Jiang Country, having an Azure Phoenix True Monarch was useful for maintaining stability and protecting interests.

However, if her potential was mediocre and she was merely a common Nascent Soul, that would be even better for him.

With those thoughts, Xuanjian True Monarch kept his gaze fixed on the sky, his eyes reflecting the images of the two combatants. He focused especially on the Daluo Sword Embryo in Lu Changsheng’s grip, which seemed to shimmer with divine light.

...

"Daoist Ming Sha, save me!"

While the spectators debated and watched the sky, Heavenly Silkworm True Monarch let out a piteous cry as he was drowned by the Daluo Sword Light and the magic of the Qing Luan.

He might not have been a match for Lu Changsheng even in a normal fight, let alone against this coordinated, full-power assault from both Lu Changsheng and Azure Phoenix True Monarch.

Under this crushing pressure, his domain began to crack and crumble. The Heavenly Silkworm Robe he wore flickered weakly, and his heart pounded with a dark sense of dread, as if the shadow of death was looming directly over him.