Chapter 146 – Terrifying Holy Son, Born with a Dao Seed

[Name: Black Lotus Sect Holy Child (Ji Yuan)]

[Cultivation: First Revolution Golden Core Stage]

[Golden Core Quality: Second Grade Heavenly Path Golden Core]

[Current Spiritual Power: 20 Million]

[Description: Born from the fusion of Dynastic Luck and Ancient Fiend Dao Seed, this Black Lotus Holy Child not only possesses part of the Black Lotus Buddha Mother’s Dao power but is also blessed with partial Dynastic Luck, making him extremely dangerous]

Within the Imperial City’s underground space, after Ji Yuan absorbed all the blood from the blood pool.

His appearance quickly transformed from that of a child to his current form of a young man in his twenties.

At this moment, Ji Yuan seemed to have reversed aging, instantly becoming decades younger.

This transformation wasn’t merely superficial—it was also reflected in his cultivation level.

Although the original Ji Yuan had received blessings from the Black Lotus Buddha Mother.

These blessings only granted him strength comparable to a Pseudo-core Stage cultivator.

Moreover, his False Core was quite different from ordinary False Cores.

Because at that time, Ji Yuan couldn’t use Spiritual Power to cast Spells, but could only utilize his status as the ruler of a nation to employ Dynastic Luck for spellcasting.

Thus, to outsiders, he appeared no different from an ordinary Mortal.

Only a few could discern his differences from common Mortals.

And Lu Chen was among those few who recognized this distinction.

This was why Lu Chen could immediately determine that Ji Yuan hadn’t been truthful with him.

A Dynasty emperor with strength comparable to the Pseudo-core Stage, yet helpless against a Resentment Puppet that hadn’t even reached Foundation Establishment.

No matter how one looked at it, this was utterly absurd.

This could only mean that either Ji Yuan had orchestrated this farce himself.

Or he was intentionally concealing something.

Had Lu Chen known earlier that Ji Yuan had planted the Dao Seed within Empress Li Ruomei.

Then upon discovering that Empress Li Ruomei was the mastermind behind the Resentment Puppet, he could have immediately guessed the truth.

Understanding that Ji Yuan’s reluctance to swiftly deal with the Resentment Puppet was to protect Empress Li Ruomei.

At least ensuring she remained safe until the ritual’s completion.

Though Lu Chen hadn’t deduced this at the time, he had gained sufficient understanding of the Imperial City’s general situation.

Coupled with thorough preparations made before his arrival, the events unfolding in the Imperial City were not unexpected to Lu Chen—rather, everything was proceeding as anticipated.

Of this, Ji Yuan remained completely unaware.

Or even if he knew, he wouldn’t have cared.

Because at this moment, he was utterly immersed in his unprecedented powerful cultivation, unable to extricate himself.

“This is the power that Cultivators wield…”

Feeling the changes within his body, Ji Yuan’s face was filled with excitement.

Although he had occasionally employed superhuman means through Dynastic Luck before.

That was merely borrowing external force—completely incomparable to the current feeling of having such might residing within himself.

Ji Yuan stretched his limbs, then stepped directly out of the blood pool.

Splash!

As blood droplets splashed from the pool, Imperial Advisor Zhan Ziyin immediately draped a black Dragon Robe over him.

Seeing Ji Yuan clad in the Dragon Robe once more, everyone present immediately knelt to the ground.

“Long live the Emperor! May the Emperor live ten thousand years!”

“Long live the Emperor! May the Emperor live ten thousand years!”Ji Yuan listened to the sounds of submission echoing around him, his inner joy reaching its peak.

This feeling was even more intense than when he first ascended the throne years ago.

Because back then, though he had become emperor, he knew that above this so-called emperor’s head.

There were still massive Immortal Sect forces like Jade Void Mountain governing him, preventing him from truly holding absolute power.

The so-called “long live the emperor” was merely polite rhetoric to him.

After all, how could mortals possibly live for ten thousand years?

But now it was different.

Now… he felt he might truly live to ten thousand years old!

Ji Yuan turned his head to look at his State Preceptor Zhan Ziyin beside him.

“State Preceptor, how goes the preparation of the Blood Guard Army?”

Hearing Ji Yuan’s words, State Preceptor Zhan Ziyin smiled and replied: “Reporting to Holy Son, I have already refined one hundred and two Blood Guards. The Blood Guard Army has taken initial shape.”

“One hundred and two?”

Ji Yuan looked at State Preceptor Zhan Ziyin with surprise, not because the number seemed too small, but because it was considerably larger than he had imagined.

After all, each Blood Guard was a special existence comparable to a Foundation Establishment Stage Body Cultivator.

One hundred and two Blood Guards equated to one hundred and two Foundation Establishment Stage Body Cultivators.

Even in the Immortal Cultivation World, this represented a considerable force.

Let alone in a mortal Dynasty like the Great Yan Dynasty.

If you added Ji Yuan who had reached the Golden Core Stage, along with State Preceptor Zhan Ziyin who had also reached the Golden Core Stage.

The current strength of the Great Yan Dynasty could not only easily handle other mortal Dynasties.

They could even directly crush some minor Sects in Central Province.

Just as Ji Yuan was about to ask something more, both he and State Preceptor Zhan Ziyin seemed to sense something simultaneously, looking toward a certain direction above them.

“State Preceptor, you felt it too, didn’t you?”

State Preceptor Zhan Ziyin nodded, then said with some surprise: “I originally had some doubts about the identities of those three outsider Cultivators, but thought that with their mere Foundation Establishment cultivation, no matter how strong they were, they couldn’t be that powerful.”

“Therefore, as long as we acted quickly enough to strike first before they uncovered any clues, we could eliminate the danger in its cradle.”

“But now it seems we may have somewhat underestimated these three outsider Cultivators.”

“Their strength is far greater than we imagined – they actually managed to kill Altar Lord Qiu who had received Buddha Mother’s blessing.”

“Could such Foundation Establishment Cultivators really be trained by ordinary Schools?”

Hearing this, Ji Yuan similarly sighed: “I thought that having obtained the Ancient Fiend Dao Seed, I was already a rare Genius in this world.”

“But now it appears that Central Province is vast indeed, truly hiding dragons and crouching tigers. One should never underestimate others in this world.”

“For Foundation Establishment Cultivators to kill a Pseudo-core Stage Cultivator – our three guests from afar clearly came prepared.”

“I just hope they don’t ruin your plans, State Preceptor.”

Hearing this, State Preceptor Zhan Ziyin calmly said: “No matter. The Longevity Physique cannot be recognized by ordinary people, and even if someone does recognize it, it’s difficult to unleash its potential.”

“I will go intercept them. Maintaining the Black Lotus formation will be left to Your Majesty.”

“If Your Majesty can offer the entire city’s population’s essence blood to Buddha Mother, by then even if you cannot reach the Nascent Soul Stage, you will definitely achieve the Peak of Golden Core Stage.””In this way, even in the Central Province where experts are as numerous as trees in a forest, Your Majesty will have secured a foothold.”

“By then, our Black Lotus Sect will have firmly established itself in this Central Province.”

“I only hope that when the time comes, Your Majesty will not forget our agreement and will assist me in seizing the Longevity Physique to refine the legendary supreme Immortal Pill.”

Ji Yuan said with a smile, “Rest assured, State Preceptor. I have always been a man of my word and never go back on my promises.”

“Moreover, our agreement was witnessed by the Buddha Mother.”

“Even if you don’t trust me, you should trust the Buddha Mother, right?”

State Preceptor Zhan Ziyin nodded and said no more.

It seemed he believed Ji Yuan’s words.

After all, as Ji Yuan had said, even if he didn’t trust Ji Yuan, he could still trust the Buddha Mother.

If Ji Yuan dared to break his oath, he would face a punishment more terrifying than death.

“Your Majesty, I shall take my leave now.”

“Go ahead. I await your good news here.”

After speaking, Ji Yuan, clad in a black Dragon Robe, returned to the blood pool.

Within the blood pool, a throne entirely crafted from white bones—the Bone Dragon Throne—slowly rose.

Ji Yuan walked up to the Bone Dragon Throne and sat down with an imposing demeanor.

Immediately after, the Buddha Mother Statue in the blood pool seemed to trigger some crucial condition.

Not only did a sinister smile appear on its face, but its arms, previously folded across its chest, slowly spread open in an embracing gesture.

The next moment, a surge of immense power radiated from the Buddha Mother Statue, spreading outward.

Seeing this, State Preceptor Zhan Ziyin wasted no more time.

He led over a hundred eerie guards clad in blood-red armor and headed toward the surface of the Imperial Palace.

These hundred-plus eerie guards were the Ironclad Bloodguards that State Preceptor Zhan Ziyin had painstakingly refined over more than a decade.

[Ironclad Bloodguards]

[Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Stage, First Layer]

[Foundation Quality: Ninth-Grade Human Path Foundation Establishment]

[Spiritual Power: 30,000]

[Characteristics: Copper skin and iron bones, impervious to blades and spears, fearless of death, capable of performing simple spells]

In addition to the hundred-plus Ironclad Bloodguards, State Preceptor Zhan Ziyin himself possessed considerable strength.

[Black Lotus Protector · Zhan Ziyin]

[Cultivation: Golden Core Stage, Second Revolution]

[Golden Core Quality: Sixth-Grade Earthly Path Golden Core]

[Spiritual Power: 12 million]

[Characteristics: Blessed personally by the Black Lotus Buddha Mother, granted a portion of her power]

With over a hundred Foundation Establishment Stage Ironclad Bloodguards and Zhan Ziyin, who had reached the Second Revolution of the Golden Core Stage, it seemed that even without Ji Yuan’s intervention, Zhan Ziyin and these Ironclad Bloodguards were more than enough to handle the few individuals causing chaos on the palace grounds.

After all, none of those causing trouble in the Imperial Palace had even reached the Golden Core Stage!

Meanwhile, on the surface of the Imperial Palace.

“Daoist, are we safe now?”

Lan Yan, holding Ji Ling’er’s hand, looked at Lu Chen, who had fought his way out of the palace with them.

Her expression still clearly showed lingering fear.

Although she had sensed earlier that the atmosphere within the Great Yan Dynasty was somewhat peculiar—as if some hidden force had taken control of all the dynasty’s higher-ups, including the emperor—she never expected this force to be so powerful.

So powerful that even the Celestial Master’s Mansion, a place directly controlled by the Jade Void Mountain’s Immortal Sects, could be infiltrated by them.It must be understood that the Grand Celestial Masters of the Celestial Master’s Mansion are all directly appointed by the Immortal Sects.

Another title for the so-called Grand Celestial Master is the State Preceptor of the Great Yan Dynasty.

Therefore, in a sense, the relationship between Zhan Ziyin and Ji Yuan is not one of superior and subordinate, but rather one of equals.

Yet even such a place, transcending worldly power, has been infiltrated by the hidden forces within the Great Yan Dynasty.

Lan Yan dared not imagine how deep the waters ran here.

If it weren’t for the sudden appearance of the mysterious Azure Lotus Daoist, she and Ji Ling’er wouldn’t have even made it out of the Imperial Palace safely, let alone passed the earlier hurdle posed by Qiu Wenguang and the other Great Yan Celestial Masters.

After all, although Lan Yan had some martial arts to rely on, compared to cultivators like Qiu Wenguang, her Jianghu martial arts could only deal with ordinary Qi Condensation Stage cultivators.

They were utterly insufficient to handle Qiu Wenguang, who possessed Pseudo-core Stage cultivation.

Yet even such a powerful Qiu Wenguang had just been slain by Lu Chen with a single sword strike—without even lasting a single round.

If Qiu Wenguang at the Pseudo-core Stage was so easily dealt with, how much more so for the other ordinary Celestial Masters whose cultivation was far inferior to his?

Faced with Lan Yan’s inquiry, Lu Chen’s Clone did not answer immediately but instead turned to look deep into the Imperial Palace.

A massive crimson light erupted from the depths of the Imperial Palace, shooting straight into the clouds and spreading across the entire Imperial City, as if intending to envelop the entire city.

This scene reminded Lu Chen of an unpleasant memory—the Black Lotus Sacrifice Array he had encountered when he first transmigrated.

Because the spectacle now unfolding in the Great Yan Imperial City was identical to the one that had appeared in Luocheng when the Black Lotus Sacrifice Array was activated.

Realizing this, Lu Chen immediately understood what the Immortal Fiends within the Imperial City intended to do.

They sought to sacrifice everyone in the Imperial City to the Buddha Mother, either to gain enough power to deal with the pursuit from Central Province cultivators or to obtain a means to conceal all traces of what had happened here.

Although Lu Chen had considered that his journey to the Great Yan Dynasty might not be entirely ordinary, he hadn’t expected the difficulty of his mission to exceed his expectations time and again.

If he hadn’t prepared extensively and devised contingency plans for every scenario, things could have easily spiraled beyond his control.

After all, he had detected the Ancient Fiend Power within the Great Yan Emperor Ji Yuan the first time they met.

Yet he hadn’t acted hastily.

His purpose was to ensure that when the Elders from Jade Void Mountain and the Azure Cloud Sect arrived, they would witness firsthand the immense danger that the Immortal Fiends and the Black Lotus Sect could pose to this world.

He wanted them to understand that these were not merely ordinary forces of the Demonic Path to be dealt with lightly.

Yes, precisely—the Elders from both Jade Void Mountain and the Azure Cloud Sect.

When Lu Chen sent the Meow King back ahead of time, his destination wasn’t just the Azure Cloud Sect but also Jade Void Mountain!

Lu Chen’s confidence in persuading Jade Void Mountain to send at least one Elder naturally stemmed from Shangguan Yunmeng’s presence.

All of this had been part of Lu Chen’s plan since he encountered Shangguan Yunmeng.

Although Shangguan Yunmeng’s inclusion wasn’t part of his original plan, he had promptly adjusted his strategy after she joined.

Now, everything was in place, and the stage was set.

All that remained was for the Meow King to bring the audience.Lu Chen gave Meow King three days, not meaning Meow King could only bring the person on the third day.

Rather, it was the latest time Lu Chen had calculated.

Because if everything went smoothly, Jade Void Mountain and Azure Cloud Sect might already be on their way.

After all, Lu Chen hadn’t placed all his hopes on Meow King.

He had also used other means to communicate with his sect.

And this method guaranteed with absolute certainty that Azure Cloud Sect would dispatch a large number of people immediately upon receiving the message.

Multiple layers of insurance—this was Lu Chen’s habit before doing anything.

After all, the game world was different from instances; in the game world, he couldn’t resurrect.

No matter how cautious he was, it was never excessive.

Thus, rather than saying Ji Yuan and the others chose to act immediately upon sensing something amiss,

it would be more accurate to say Lu Chen had been provoking them to act sooner.

After all, it wasn’t just Ji Yuan and the others who feared complications; Lu Chen felt the same.

At the back gate of the Imperial Palace.

After confirming that Ji Yuan and the others had activated the ‘Black Lotus Sacrifice Array,’ Lu Chen turned to Ji Ling’er and asked, “Your Highness Ling’er, might I borrow something from you?”

Hearing this, Ji Ling’er replied without hesitation, “Please speak, Daoist. Whatever I have, I’ll give it all to you.”

“I wish to borrow a drop of Your Highness’s essence blood.”

“Ah?!”

Ji Ling’er was stunned for a moment, then immediately extended her palm.

Seeing Ji Ling’er trust him so completely, Lu Chen showed no expression on his face, but he was somewhat moved inside.

So much so that his tone softened considerably.

“Don’t worry, I only need a little.”

Saying this, Lu Chen used his finger as a sword and gently traced it across Ji Ling’er’s palm.

A wisp of pale golden blood flowed from her palm into a bottle Lu Chen had prepared in advance.

After filling the small bottle, Lu Chen covered the wound on Ji Ling’er’s palm with his Spiritual Power, causing the shallow cut to heal rapidly.

Having done this, Lu Chen instructed the two of them, “After you leave the Imperial Palace, go directly to the Celestial Master’s Mansion. I’ve prepared Talismans there in advance to protect you from danger.”

With that, Lu Chen turned to head back into the Imperial Palace.

Seeing that Lu Chen was actually returning to the palace instead of leaving with them,

Ji Ling’er couldn’t help but ask, “Daoist, what are you going to do? Will it be dangerous?”

Hearing this, Lu Chen didn’t look back and calmly replied, “Don’t worry. I’m just going to… change the emperor of Great Yan.”

As his words fell, Lu Chen’s Heretical Avatar transformed into countless lotus petals before Ji Ling’er and Lan Yan, vanishing into the world.

At the same time, in Azure Cloud Sect, at the Seven Stars Tower.

The so-called Seven Stars Tower was actually the place where Inner Disciples and above stored their Soul Lamps.

The function of these Soul Lamps was simple.

If a Soul Lamp remained lit, it meant the corresponding disciple was safe and sound.

But if a Soul Lamp went out, it meant the corresponding disciple had perished, their Dao extinguished.

And in the main hall of this Seven Stars Tower, there was someone who shouldn’t have been there.

“Elder Jing, why do you keep staring at your disciple’s Soul Lamp?”

“If you’re so worried about this disciple of yours, why did you let him leave the mountain in the first place?”Hearing the words of Perfected Changming from the Seven Stars Tower, Jing Gong sighed and said, “I don’t want to either, but before my disciple went down the mountain, he specifically told me that although he had made thorough preparations for this journey, he still couldn’t guarantee he would return unscathed.”

“And he had a way to cause anomalies in his Soul Lamp left in the Sect without harming his own Divine Soul.”

“So he said that if his Soul Lamp showed any movement before he returned to the Sect, it would mean he had encountered trouble and urged me to bring more people to support him.”

“Oh? Isn’t your disciple only at the Foundation Establishment Stage? How can he even affect his own Soul Lamp?”

Just as Perfected Changming was about to say something more, Jing Gong suddenly stood up.

Because the Soul Lamp representing Lu Chen had suddenly weakened considerably, nearly extinguishing!

Seeing this, Jing Gong ignored Perfected Changming’s astonished expression beside him and immediately flew out of the Seven Stars Tower to gather reinforcements.

Not long after Jing Gong flew out, the previously weakened Soul Lamp immediately regained its vigor, as if nothing had happened.

Witnessing this scene, Perfected Changming also marveled in amazement.

Using one’s own Soul Lamp as a means of communication… This new disciple of Jing Gong’s methods are quite unconventional!

(End of Chapter)