Starting From A Son In Law To Build An Long Lasting Family Chapter 1922: 500: Netherworld Map, Gu God Bowl! (2)
Previously on Starting From A Son In Law To Build An Long Lasting Family...
Though the war had its disruptions, Ying’er aimed to journey from Liang Country via Yue Country all the way to Jiang Country—a route brimming with peril and endless delays—yet four years would surely prove more than ample.
"What if Ying’er ran into some unforeseen trouble?"
She shifted her position a bit, her thighs traced by the hem of a brief purple skirt, revealing elegant and full curves that were utterly tempting and captivating.
Even Xiao Zi nearby, being a female servant to the Nether Moon Saintess, found herself drawn to sneak a look at those enticing and mesmerizing legs of her mistress.
"Simply slipping into Jiang Country one time, with Ying’er’s abilities, it’s unthinkable she’d face real peril. Should Ying’er hit danger, the Soul Lamp would alert me right away, and I’d have gotten word already."
Ying’er wasn’t a follower of Beast God Mountain but a loyal follower raised by the family for the Nether Moon Saintess, so her Soul Lamp stayed with the family, ready to signal her instantly if anything happened.
After a brief reflection, the Nether Moon Saintess directed her servant to probe Ying’er’s location and see if the Heavenly Talisman Lu Family had stirred up any disturbances in the last two years.
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Xiao Zi replied with deep respect immediately.
...Six months afterward.
Myriad Demon Abyss.
The heavens resembled spilled ink, devoid of stars or moonlight, merely thick black fog twisting and drifting endlessly.
"Roar, roar, roar!!!"
Profound and chilling bellows resounded across the skies and lands, spawning swirling black hole whirlpools that unleashed an overwhelming aura of dread, choking tension, and terror beyond words.
A massive shadowy flood dragon stretching a hundred zhang, alongside a savage Ghost King wreathed in dark vapors, radiated tremendous power as they pursued two faint fleeing lights.
Lu Changsheng’s chest throbbed with the Nine Treasures Ruyi Bone, his qi and blood mystical force boiling over, gripping the Great Luo Sword Embryo while slashing back now and then, dashing away at full speed.
Next to him, the Five Poisons Cult Leader’s robes hung ragged and unkempt, as she clutched a lengthy banner to guard herself closely.
Though neither bore grave wounds, grime coated them both, leaving them looking 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 radiance, managing only to ease the onslaught of light pressing from every direction.
Time blurred in the chaos, but as they neared the edges of Myriad Demon Abyss, the shadowy flood dragon and brutal Ghost King let out frustrated roars before halting their pursuit.
"Phew!"
With that sight, Lu Changsheng and Ayoudo sought out a momentary haven of safety, letting out heavy breaths of relief and fatigue.
"Master, you’ve toiled so much, thank you."
Ayoudo’s delicate features drained of color and etched with exhaustion, she offered Lu Changsheng a touch of remorse.
The pair had ventured far inside hunting for 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, a Fourth Rank Middle Stage shadowy flood dragon prowled, joined by a Fourth Rank Ghost King.
Confronted by such foes, Lu Changsheng and Ayoudo stood no chance and resorted to unleashing their full might in a frantic retreat.
Luckily, their arsenal of techniques proved vital, and the Soul-calling Beast’s aid in bearing the brunt kept them from grievous harm.
"No matter, locating it is what counts."
Lu Changsheng heaved for air too, his expression ashen and drained.
Should the ordeal drag on, he’d meant to trigger his Nirvana Divine Ability.
Now, with the threat lifted, the Soul-calling Beast chirped ’squeak, squeak,’ signaling its urge to rest.
"Go ahead and rest."
Lu Changsheng tucked it away into the Qiankun Shadow-Confining Belt.
Their getaway owed much to the Soul-calling Beast clearing the path ahead.
Through half a year of feeding and assimilation, the Soul-calling Beast neared Third Rank Top Level.
Given more time, upon completing its growth to 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.
So Lu Changsheng resolved that after the Soul-calling Beast wrapped up its digestion in sleep, he’d guide it back to Myriad Demon Abyss to rush it toward Fourth Rank as swiftly as possible!
After all, unlike the Golden-Winged Heavenly Peng or Sea Splitting Mysterious Dragon Whale, this Soul-calling Beast was a breeze to nurture!
Once it hit Fourth Rank, it could dominate the Myriad Demon Abyss and perhaps keep advancing!
...
Following a short recovery period for the duo.
"Master, apart from the [Gu God Bowl], here are additional treasures and spirit items I gathered from the dark flood dragon’s lair; this map looks like a piece of a spirit treasure too."
At this point, Ayoudo displayed all their prior spoils.
In Myriad Demon Abyss, Heavenly Spirit Medicines are scarce. Any that exist get snapped up by savage beasts and Ghost Kings, leaving mainly rare crystal deposits.
Beyond the Gu God Bowl, an inky ancient scroll painting emerged, illustrating the Nine Netherworld.
"Oh?"
As a Third Rank Top Level refiner, Lu Changsheng’s quick scan revealed the scroll’s exceptional caliber, undoubtedly at the Spiritual Treasure tier.
He lifted his palm gently, drawing the scroll to his grasp, then channeled a hint of mana into it. Suddenly, the Nine Netherworld appeared to stir, demonic forces roiling forth.
Yet as the mana circulated, faint fissures became visible across the scroll’s surface.
"Truly a Spiritual Treasure of fine grade, though it’s suffered damage, and prolonged exposure in Myriad Demon Abyss to rampant demonic forces has stripped its spirituality entirely, overloading it with baleful demonic essence."
Upon thorough examination, Lu Changsheng remarked with a hint 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, demoting it to barely a Low Grade Spiritual Treasure.
Without recreating the "Twelve Capital Demon Divine Technique", it wouldn’t fit him well.
"Still, using Tihun, it can draw out the bulk of the demonic and malevolent energies from this old painting, then we can seek repairs to turn it into a solid Low Grade Spiritual Treasure."
Being a master refiner, Lu Changsheng swiftly sketched a basic restoration strategy in his thoughts.
This venture into Myriad Demon Abyss yielded several Fourth Rank Demon Path spirit materials for him.
When the moment arrived, he could leverage his immense intellect, matchless insight, and supreme aptitude to elevate his Artifact Refining to Fourth Rank, thereby mending this Spiritual Treasure.
Yet pondering how his vast wisdom, 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 pitch-black, its exterior etched with diverse runes and motifs.
Much like the Netherworld Map, the [Gu God Bowl] showed signs of fractures and wear.
And amid the ghostly, demonic, wicked, and murky energies of Myriad Demon Abyss, its innate spirituality had faded away, burdened with surplus yin and demonic influences.
"Yes, this matches the Supreme Treasure [Gu God Bowl] from our sacred texts, though it’ll need fresh nurturing to become somewhat functional."
Ayoudo noted softly.
Even so, she felt immense contentment at securing this revered treasure of her faith.
"I’ll get Tihun to purge the demonic and spectral essences from this bowl soon, which will simplify your efforts in raising it."
Lu Changsheng offered, aware that the heavy yin and demonic residues would hinder Gu insect cultivation greatly.
"Thank you, Master."
Over the span of more than half a year in Myriad Demon Abyss, Ayoudo developed a genuine deference toward Lu Changsheng, her gaze and tone carrying hints of reverence and fondness.
Beyond their joint delves into secret realms and shared dependencies, the influence largely arose from the Seven Absolute Love Gu.
Absent that, winning the full devotion of a Demon Path Nascent Soul Sect leader would prove immensely challenging.
"Merely a small thing."
Lu Changsheng caught the flicker of feeling and closeness in Ayoudo’s eyes, realizing his six months of dedication had paid off.
Ten days on, once their mana had largely replenished, the pair slipped away from Myriad Demon Abyss undetected and headed back to the Five Poisons Cult.
In a Nascent Soul tier force like the Five Poisons Cult, Ayoudo’s extended seclusion for over half a year raised no ripples at all.
Thus, on arrival, Ayoudo avoided the spotlight 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 porcelain-smooth arm draped limply off the violet jade bed, as she let out a faint, languid sigh.
Her two pristine and flawless white toes clenched firmly.
Gazing at Ayoudo, who resembled a rain-soaked pear blossom in her tearful state, Lu Changsheng experienced a surge of remorse.
While such pangs seldom struck him regarding his other spouses and consorts, they hit harder with Ayoudo.
Before long, he softly drew her hazy, ethereal jade form into his hold.
Ayoudo remained silent, akin to an innocent and vulnerable alluring maiden, nestling quietly against Lu Changsheng’s chest.
Her softly rounded, refined visage flushed like sunset clouds, stunningly gorgeous beyond description.
Right then.
The bedchamber’s outer entrance swung open, accompanied by soft steps and the delicate chime of bells.