Starting From A Son In Law To Build An Long Lasting Family Chapter 1793: 456: Enemy from Liang Country, True Spirit Tribulation! (3)
Previously on Starting From A Son In Law To Build An Long Lasting Family...
A brief survey revealed the truth.
The Void Kun's physical form had clearly become far more shriveled and lackluster than it was previously.
It appeared that by the time it finished the "Brahman Demon True Saint Technique," nothing would remain but a barren husk.
"It will be quite a challenge if I am unable to utilize the Demon Core."
The Demon Core represents the very essence of any demon beast!
Lu Changsheng intended to employ the Void Kun’s Demon Core to forge a Spirit Treasure Embryo, which would simultaneously reinforce his Void Spirit Body Origin and advance his Cultivation.
Consequently, this Void Kun—despite having just stepped into the Fourth Rank—seemed insufficient for his purposes.
After performing a Cleansing Technique, he stepped into the main hall.
"My lord."
"Father!"
Ling Zixiao, Lu Lingxiao, and Lu Wangshu were all there, waiting for his arrival.
"It is fine, I shall handle this matter personally," Lu Changsheng informed them immediately. He then used his Divine Sense to contact the Sea Splitting Mysterious Whale, questioning it about the True Spirit Tribulation and its level of confidence.
The Sea Splitting Mysterious Whale sent back an immediate response, asserting that it felt no pressure regarding the coming tribulation.
Its bloodline had already reached a boiling point. Furthermore, it had yet to fully assimilate the Double-headed Flood Dragon Demon Core, the Fourth Rank Stone Dragon Heart, and the Eight-Clawed Devil Fish still within its system. The True Spirit Tribulation would actually serve as a catalyst to refine these treasures completely.
Nevertheless, a proper setting was required for the breakthrough.
For the whale, the most advantageous location was currently the Sea Eye of the Great Dream Marsh.
While the Sea Eye might be inhabited by other demon beasts, they wouldn't normally pose a threat; however, any interference from sea beasts during the actual tribulation would be highly problematic.
Thus, in addition to its report, the whale requested that Lu Changsheng act as its protector during the process.
"Since you are certain, then we shall depart."
Lu Changsheng nodded his approval upon hearing this.
As he summoned the Golden-Winged Heavenly Peng, he paused to reflect before extracting three gourds of Essence Blood from the Void Kun. These would serve as a powerful restorative for the Sea Splitting Mysterious Whale later on.
"Are you absolutely positive there will be no issues with the tribulation?" Lu Changsheng asked once more to be certain.
If the creature felt any dread regarding the trial, he was willing to spend time gathering Heaven and Earth Spiritual Materials to craft Healing Pills or a few Magical Treasures to aid the process.
After all, he had invested an immense amount of toil and resources to bring its bloodline to the verge of becoming a True Spirit.
If it were to fail and be destroyed by the Heavenly Tribulation, the frustration would likely cause Lu Changsheng to cough up blood in anger.
"Master, rest assured!"
Exuding self-assurance, the Sea Splitting Mysterious Whale declared that its breakthrough was a natural progression, not a forced limit-break achieved by burning its own bloodline.
"Very well."
With that confirmation, Lu Changsheng nodded.
Before they set out, however, Lu Changsheng joined his son Lu Lingxiao and daughter Lu Wangshu in unloading all the spoils stored within the Sea Splitting Mysterious Whale’s massive body.
Utilizing his Tianyuan Lotus, Qiankun Shadow-Confining Belt, and Formless Treasure Wheel made the transport of these Heavenly and Earthly Treasures much more efficient.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk..."
Lu Changsheng couldn't help but sigh as he surveyed the heap of demon beast remains, demon cores, ore deposits, and spiritual herbs.
Though the majority were only of the First or Second Rank, with only a few reaching the Third Rank, the sheer volume made for a staggering sight.
Lu Changsheng calculated that the combined value of these various materials and corpses amounted to several million Spirit Stones.
Given the current stature of the Lu Family, there was no longer a requirement to sell such items to outsiders.
Unique demon cores could be processed into Foundation Establishment Elixirs.
The carcasses of the demon beasts would provide raw materials for Artifact Refining, Talisman-Making, and the construction of puppets.
The Lu Family’s puppet production was no longer restricted to Lu Changsheng's original blueprints.
They were now capable of designing and building new models based on available materials, such as these demon beast skeletons.
However, these custom puppets demanded significant time and labor, lacking the ease of a standardized assembly line.
"Zi Xiao, I must ask you to organize and clean these items. Big Black and I are leaving now," Lu Changsheng said to Ling Zixiao after the materials had been moved into a large hall within the City Lord Mansion.
"Understood," Ling Zixiao replied.
"Father, what is a True Spirit Tribulation like? May I come along to observe and learn?" Lu Wangshu asked as her father and Big Black prepared to head for the Sea Eye.
Most ordinary cultivators only ever hear of the Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation for humans or the Transformation Heavenly Tribulation for demon beasts.
"The Sea Eye is located deep within the Great Dream Marsh, a place where both Divine Sense and mana are hampered. You have been there before. The primary threat of this True Spirit Tribulation isn't the Heavenly Tribulation itself, but rather the fact that Big Black’s bloodline evolution might lure in other Demon Kings. It could become quite hazardous," Lu Changsheng explained to his daughter.
He wasn't merely making excuses; his warning was based on Big Black’s description of the True Spirit Tribulation and his own theories regarding the Heavenly Tribulation.
As Hong Lian had once mentioned, a Core Formation cultivator seeking to reach the Nascent Soul realm requires the right timing, a favorable location, and the cooperation of others, alongside a touch of mysterious destiny.
Success is heavily compromised if the setting is wrong or the timing is poor—such as when enemies or rivals arrive to interfere during the moment of breakthrough.
The Supreme Elder of the Yiming Ghost Sect was a prime example.
From the moment he signaled his intent to reach the Nascent Soul realm, it took him decades to actually achieve it. He eventually had to rely on the political weight of Liang Country and sacrifice the origin of the [Myriad Ghosts Blood Pool] Supreme Treasure to keep the Heavenly Sword Sect at bay during his ascension.
Then there was Absolute Sword True Monarch.
His cultivation had been sufficient for a Nascent Soul attempt long ago.
Yet, for the sake of security, he waited until the Tianyuan Secret Realm opened so he could break through in total seclusion.
Among demon beasts, the law of natural selection is even more brutal, with fierce competition within the species.
Since the Sea Splitting Mysterious Whale suggested the tribulation itself wasn't the main danger, Lu Changsheng naturally reached these conclusions.
"I understand," Lu Wangshu conceded, immediately offering her father wishes for a safe trip and Big Black wishes for a successful breakthrough.
"I will take you on a proper excursion once Big Black successfully reaches the Fourth Rank."
Lu Changsheng had previously promised his daughter she could travel via the Sea Splitting Mysterious Whale for fun, but the whale had spent most of the recent years in a deep sleep to digest the Double-headed Flood Dragon Demon Core.
Consequently, that promised trip had been pushed back repeatedly.
"Thank you, Father!"
Despite being kept waiting for years by her father's promises, Lu Wangshu remained understanding.
...
For this journey, Lu Changsheng prepared various Formation materials and also carried the [Sun and Moon Taiji Mysterious Light Mirror].
When facing a tribulation, it is always best to be ready for any catastrophe.
Six weeks later, Lu Changsheng arrived at the Sea Eye of the Great Dream Marsh while riding atop the Sea Splitting Mysterious Whale.
A Third Rank Late Stage Demon King had already claimed this Sea Eye as its territory.
"Truly, I have no desire for slaughter," Lu Changsheng sighed.
However, to prevent a scenario where the beast was merely chased away only to return later with reinforcements for revenge, Lu Changsheng was forced to commit to the kill. He drew the Great Luo Sword Embryo.
Some time later.
"How pathetic!"
Lu Changsheng remarked, shaking his head as he looked at the meager crystal deposits scattered within the Demon King’s lair.
They were likely failures or exiles who had fled to this place, explaining their lack of significant wealth.
Lu Changsheng then began constructing a Formation at the Sea Eye.
It wasn't a complex Taboo Formation, but rather a Third Rank Formation designed for Spirit Gathering, Healing, Defense, and masking his Qi Mechanism.
Even though Lu Changsheng was a Top-Level Third Rank Formation Master, the sheer scale of a Taboo Formation was not something a lone individual could manage quickly.
When the Second Rank Great Formation was established at Bi Lake Mountain years ago, it required a large team and over a year to finish.
After a month of labor, Lu Changsheng completed the Third Rank Formation and began his quiet vigil, waiting for the Sea Splitting Mysterious Whale’s True Spirit Tribulation to begin.