Starting From A Son In Law To Build An Long Lasting Family Chapter 1922: 500: Netherworld Map, Gu God Bowl! (2)

Even amid the chaos of war, Ying’er set out to journey from Liang Country across Yue Country into Jiang Country—a path fraught with peril and requiring much time—yet four years would surely prove ample.

"Has Ying’er perhaps run into some unforeseen trouble?"

She shifted her position just a touch, her thighs traced by the brief purple skirt, revealing elegant yet full curves that proved intensely tempting and captivating.

Even Xiao Zi nearby, though merely a female servant to the Nether Moon Saintess, found herself drawn to sneak a look at those enticing and captivating legs of her mistress.

"Simply slipping into Jiang Country one time, with Ying’er’s abilities, it’s unthinkable she’d face any peril. Should Ying’er meet danger, the Soul Lamp would alert me, and I’d have gotten word by now."

Ying’er served not as a follower of Beast God Mountain but as a loyal retainer raised by the clan for the Nether Moon Saintess, thus her Soul Lamp remained in the family’s possession, ready to signal her instantly in any peril.

After a brief reflection, the Nether Moon Saintess directed her servant to probe Ying’er’s location and scan for any disturbances involving the Heavenly Talisman Lu Family in the last two years.

"As you command, Your Highness!"

Xiao Zi replied with prompt deference.

Six months afterward.

Myriad Demon Abyss.

The heavens resembled spilled ink, devoid of stars or moonlight, merely endless dark vapors twisting and drifting about.

"Roar, roar, roar!!!"

Profound and chilling growls resounded across the skies and land, spawning swirling voids like black holes, instilling an overwhelming pressure, choking dread, and terror beyond words.

A massive shadowy flood dragon stretching a hundred zhang, alongside a savage Ghost King wreathed in dark fog, unleashed tremendous power as they pursued two faint fleeing lights.

Within Lu Changsheng’s chest, the Nine Treasures Ruyi Bone throbbed, his vital essence and blood arts boiling over, gripping the Great Luo Sword Embryo while slashing back now and then, dashing away at full speed.

At his side, the Five Poisons Cult Leader’s robes hung ragged and unkempt, clutching a lengthy banner to guard herself closely.

Though neither bore grave wounds, grime coated them both, leaving them utterly vulnerable and spent.

"Screech, screech, screech!"

In the midst of this, the Soul-calling Beast perched on Lu Changsheng’s shoulder kept releasing a soft yellow light, managing only to ease the gloom pressing from every direction.

Time blurred in the ordeal, but as they neared the edges of the Myriad Demon Abyss, the shadowy flood dragon and savage Ghost King bellowed in frustration before halting their pursuit.

"Phew!"

Noticing this, Lu Changsheng and Ayoudo sought a momentary haven of safety, letting out heavy breaths of relief and fatigue.

"Master, you’ve endured so much strain."

Ayoudo’s delicate features drained of color and marked by exhaustion, she offered Lu Changsheng a hint of remorse.

The pair had ventured far inward hunting the [Gu God Bowl], ultimately reaching the abyss depths of Myriad Demon Abyss.

There, Ayoudo at last detected the aura trace of the Gu God Bowl.

Yet in those depths lurked not just a Fourth Rank Middle Stage shadowy flood dragon, but a Fourth Rank Ghost King as well.

Confronted by such foes, Lu Changsheng and Ayoudo stood no chance and resorted to unleashing their strength in a frantic retreat.

Luckily, their array of techniques and the Soul-calling Beast’s aid in bearing the burden spared them from lasting harm.

"No matter, locating it suffices."

Lu Changsheng heaved for air too, his complexion ashen and fatigued.

Had the chase dragged on, he’d have readied his Nirvana Divine Ability.

Now, with the threat lifted, the Soul-calling Beast chirped ’squeak, squeak,’ signaling its urge to rest.

"Rest easy."

Lu Changsheng returned it to the Qiankun Shadow-Confining Belt.

Their getaway owed much to the Soul-calling Beast clearing the path ahead.

After half a year of feeding and assimilation, the Soul-calling Beast neared Third Rank Top Level.

With more time, upon completing its absorption and hitting Third Rank Top Level—or even Quasi-Fourth Rank—Lu Changsheng wouldn’t have struggled so against the Fourth Rank shadowy flood dragon and Fourth Rank Ghost King.

Hence, Lu Changsheng resolved that once the Soul-calling Beast wrapped up its digestion in sleep, he’d lead it back to the Myriad Demon Abyss to hasten its rise to Fourth Rank!

After all, unlike the Golden-Winged Heavenly Peng or Sea Splitting Mysterious Dragon Whale, this Soul-calling Beast proved remarkably simple to nurture!

Should it reach Fourth Rank, it could dominate the Myriad Demon Abyss and perhaps advance further!

...

Following a short recovery period for the duo.

"Master, apart from the [Gu God Bowl], here are additional spoils and spirit resources I claimed from the shadowy flood dragon’s lair; this chart looks like a shard of some spirit treasure too."

At this juncture, Ayoudo displayed all their prior acquisitions.

In the Myriad Demon Abyss, Heavenly Spirit Medicine grows scarce. Any that exist fall prey to the savage beasts and Ghost Kings, leaving chiefly rare crystal deposits.

Beyond the Gu God Bowl, an ancient ink-black scroll painting portrayed the Nine Netherworld.

"Oh?"

As a Third Rank Top Level refiner, Lu Changsheng’s quick scan revealed the scroll’s exceptional caliber, undoubtedly a Spiritual Treasure.

He lifted his hand gently, drawing the scroll to his grasp, then channeled a bit of mana into it. At once, the Nine Netherworld appeared to stir, demonic forces roiling forth.

Yet as the mana circulated, faint fissures became visible across the scroll.

"Truly a Spiritual Treasure of fine make, though it’s suffered damage, and prolonged exposure in the Myriad Demon Abyss to rampant demonic forces has stripped its spirit entirely, overloading it with foul demonic essence."

Upon thorough examination, Lu Changsheng remarked with a touch of sorrow.

In its heyday, this Netherworld Map likely ranked as a Middle Grade Spiritual Treasure.

But erosion had destroyed the Artifact Spirit outright, and the demonic taint weighed too heavily, reducing it to a mere Low Grade Spiritual Treasure.

Without recreating the "Twelve Capital Demon Divine Technique," it held little use for him.

"Still, Tihun could draw out the bulk of the demonic and malign energies from this old painting, then we might restore it into a solid Low Grade Spiritual Treasure."

With his expertise as a premier refiner, Lu Changsheng swiftly outlined a basic restoration approach in his thoughts.

This venture into the Myriad Demon Abyss yielded him several Fourth Rank Demon Path spirit materials.

When the moment arrived, he could draw on his immense intellect, unmatched insight, and supreme aptitude to elevate his Artifact Refining prowess to Fourth Rank, thereby mending this Spiritual Treasure.

Yet reflecting on how his vast intellect, insight, and aptitude still served Talisman Making, Formation, Dragon Seeking, and Divination, Lu Changsheng shook his head wryly.

"So this is the Gu God Bowl?"

He eyed the Gu God Bowl, shadowy and nearly ebony, its exterior carved with diverse runes and motifs.

Much like the Netherworld Map, the [Gu God Bowl] bore cracks from damage.

And amid the Myriad Demon Abyss’s ghostly, demonic, malign, and murky energies, its spirit had faded away, burdened by surplus yin and demonic forces.

"Yes, this matches the Supreme Treasure [Gu God Bowl] from our doctrines, though it’ll need fresh nurturing to become barely functional."

Ayoudo noted softly.

Even so, she felt deep contentment at recovering this doctrinal Supreme Treasure.

"I’ll let Tihun purge the demonic and ghostly essences from this bowl later, which should simplify your efforts to cultivate it."

Lu Changsheng offered, aware that the heavy yin and demonic residues would hinder Gu insect rearing.

"My gratitude, Master."

After over half a year in the Myriad Demon Abyss, Ayoudo developed genuine deference toward Lu Changsheng, her gaze and tone carrying faint reverence and fondness.

Besides their joint secret realm delves and shared dependence, the influence chiefly arose from the Seven Absolute Love Gu.

Elsewise, binding a Demon Path Nascent Soul Sect Hierarch in total devotion would prove immensely challenging.

"Mere bagatelle."

Lu Changsheng observed the subtle warmth and bond in Ayoudo’s eyes, certain his six months of toil had borne fruit.

Ten days on, with their mana largely restored, the pair slipped away from the Myriad Demon Abyss undetected and made their way back to the Five Poisons Cult.

In a Nascent Soul tier force such as the Five Poisons Cult, Ayoudo’s extended seclusion of over half a year raised no ripples.

Thus, on return, she shunned the public eye and instead joined Lu Changsheng in dual cultivation to mend their wounds.

...

Days later, the lavish and finely appointed Sect Hierarch’s sleeping quarters lay in disarray once more.

"Mm~"

The Five Poisons Cult Leader’s pale, gem-like arm dangled limply beside the violet jade bed, a faint sigh escaping her lips in languid weakness.

Her two pristine, flawless white toes clenched firmly.

Gazing at Ayoudo’s tear-streaked face like rain on pear blossoms, Lu Changsheng experienced a surge of remorse.

While such pangs seldom struck him regarding his other spouses and consorts, they hit hardest with Ayoudo.

Moments later, he drew her hazy, ethereal jade form into a gentle hold.

Ayoudo remained silent, resembling an innocent yet alluring maiden, nestling quietly against Lu Changsheng’s chest.

Her softly rounded, refined visage flushed like sunset clouds, stunningly lovely beyond description.

Right then.

The bedchamber’s outer entrance swung ajar, accompanied by soft steps and the delicate chime of bells.