The Tianlu Mountain Range had no ocean. There was not even a sea anywhere nearby.
If Lu Changsheng wanted to learn from nature and comprehend the Ocean Wave Conception, he would likely have to return to Zhanhai City.
Any disciple of the Northern Region Heavenly Sect was permitted to leave the sect grounds. However, the status of a seed disciple was somewhat special.
A seed disciple was required to accept challenges every month. If someone challenged a seed disciple in a given month and the disciple was absent, it was treated as a forfeiture.
The consequence of forfeiting was automatic revocation of one's seed disciple status, with the challenger declared the victor by default.
Lu Changsheng's "newcomer protection period" as a seed disciple still had two months remaining. He had to return to the sect within that window. Otherwise, someone would inevitably issue a challenge, and failing to respond would cost him his seed disciple status.
Of course, even if he were stripped of the status, it was hardly a catastrophe. Lu Changsheng could simply challenge another seed disciple to reclaim it. As long as his strength was sufficient, he had no fear of losing the position permanently.
With that thought, Lu Changsheng made up his mind.
Return to Zhanhai City!
And so, Lu Changsheng packed a simple bag.
He then headed to the Mission Hall to check his contribution points. Exactly one thousand.
Those thousand points came from the five earth grubs he had captured in Heavenly Abyss Gorge over the past month. Each earth grub was worth one hundred contribution points, but because of his status as a seed disciple, his mission rewards were doubled, granting him a thousand in total.
Lu Changsheng came to the Mission Hall to see if there were any tasks related to Zhanhai City. If there were, he could take one along the way and earn some contribution points upon his return.
Lu Changsheng browsed through the Mission Hall, and to his surprise, he really did find one.
"Deep-sea profound iron ore: one hundred contribution points per jin."
Lu Changsheng's eyes lit up.
This was a good mission, and the reward was substantial.
Deep-sea profound iron ore easily amounted to tens or even hundreds of jin. If he found some, that would mean thousands or tens of thousands of contribution points.
However, the words "deep sea" alone were enough to deter countless martial artists. The deep sea harbored terrifying pressure. Never mind Divine Strength Realm martial artists; even Divine Gang Realm experts would be crushed into meat paste down there. Furthermore, in such a vast ocean, finding deep-sea profound iron was no different from searching for a needle in the sea.
This kind of mission was permanently active and did not require formal acceptance. Thus, Lu Changsheng committed "deep-sea profound iron ore" to memory. He could inquire about it once he reached Zhanhai City.
Afterward, Lu Changsheng headed straight down the mountain.
He did not ride a horse this time, as there was no need. He was already a Divine Strength Realm martial artist with boundless stamina. Augmented by his Tempest Domain, his movement speed alone was faster than any horse.
Lu Changsheng departed down the mountain without alerting anyone. After a period of wild sprinting, he reached Zhanhai City in a mere ten-odd days.
Counting the time, roughly two years had passed since he had set out from Zhanhai City for the Northern Region Battlefield.
"Zhanhai City... I've returned."
Lu Changsheng strolled along the streets. Zhanhai City was virtually unchanged from two years ago, just as bustling as ever.
Unwittingly, Lu Changsheng arrived at the docks. If he wished to learn from nature and comprehend the Ocean Wave Conception, he had to take to the open waters to experience the waves firsthand. For that, he would need a large ship.
A large vessel from the Ocean Commerce Guild would be best. After all, Lu Changsheng had some prior history with them. Still, he glanced at his attire. In Zhanhai City, the name Lu Changsheng probably carried little weight; the reputation of Dao Twelve was far more resounding.
After some thought, Lu Changsheng found an inn and disguised himself once again as Dao Twelve.
Once in disguise, he headed straight for the Heavenly Maiden Sect. If he wanted to find deep-sea profound iron ore, doing it alone was out of the question. Only by having the Heavenly Maiden Sect mobilize its forces might he turn up some leads.
Lu Changsheng walked toward the gates of the Heavenly Maiden Sect. Step by step, he arrived outside.
"Who goes there?"
Spotting Lu Changsheng, the Heavenly Maiden Sect guards instantly grew vigilant.
"Don't recognize me?" Lu Changsheng continued advancing at an unhurried pace.
The guards peered closely, and their eyes suddenly lit up with pleasant surprise.
"Mister Dao! Mister Dao has returned!"
"Quick, inform the Heavenly Maiden! Mister Dao is back!"
All at once, the guards hurried forward to welcome him with immense enthusiasm. Meanwhile, several newer female disciples were bewildered.
"Who is Mister Dao?" one asked in a low voice.
She had likely joined the sect not long ago and did not know of "Mister Dao."
The entire Heavenly Maiden Sect had no men. Now, a man addressed as "Mister Dao" had suddenly appeared, clearly enjoying very high status. This naturally baffled the newer disciples.
"Heh, it's normal that you don't know Mister Dao."
"Mister Dao is the Heavenly Maiden's Dao Protector."
"And that's not all. Two years ago, Mister Dao went to the Northern Region Battlefield. Word came back later that he practically repelled Northern Barbaria single-handedly, even slaying Northern Barbaria's top Divine Strength Realm martial artist, Tianxin!"
"When that news reached us a few months ago, everyone found it unbelievable."
Fervor burned in the eyes of those female disciples.
Dao Twelve!
The undisputed number one on the Divine Strength Ranking!
In truth, not even Lu Changsheng realized that although the Divine Strength Ranking was technically confined to the Northern Region Battlefield, the conflict there had been so fierce that it drew the majority of Divine Strength Realm martial artists from both nations. Consequently, many considered the Divine Strength Ranking an all-encompassing roster of every Divine Strength Realm expert in both the Great Fish Dynasty and Northern Barbaria. To be ranked first was to be the true foremost figure of the Divine Strength Realm across both realms! What an immense honor! When the news reached Zhanhai City, it had shaken the entire metropolis.
Lu Changsheng's arrival threw the entire Heavenly Maiden Sect into a bustle. Aside from the sect's Supreme Elder, who was in secluded cultivation—their sole Divine Gang Realm pillar of support—nearly every senior figure of the Heavenly Maiden Sect assembled, including Heavenly Maiden Yun Haitang herself.
"Mister Dao, you have finally returned!" Yun Haitang wore a slight smile.
Two years. Two whole years. Without her Dao Protector Dao Twelve by her side, she had endured immense pressure as the Heavenly Maiden. But she had weathered it all. Now, Yun Haitang was the true Heavenly Maiden, holding absolute authority and no longer needing to rely on anyone.
"Lady Yun, I am still your Dao Protector."
With just that single sentence, Lu Changsheng made his stance clear.
Dao Protector! It was a unique position within the Heavenly Maiden Sect: someone who did not belong to the sect, yet remained closely intertwined with the Heavenly Maiden. Given Dao Twelve's current identity and standing, these words would force everyone in the Heavenly Maiden Sect—and indeed every faction throughout Zhanhai City—to take pause and reweigh Yun Haitang's standing.
Such was Dao Twelve's influence today!
Number one on the Divine Strength Ranking!
The Heavenly Maiden Sect elders were tactful enough to take their leave after greeting Dao Twelve, leaving only Dao Twelve and Yun Haitang together.
"Mister Dao... there are rumors that you went to the Northern Region Heavenly Sect. May I ask..." Yun Haitang hesitated before asking.
"Indeed. I am currently a disciple of the Northern Region Heavenly Sect," Lu Changsheng said. "I returned to Zhanhai City solely for martial cultivation, and to complete a few sect missions along the way."
Yun Haitang's eyes widened.
The Northern Region Heavenly Sect!
That was the sacred ground in the hearts of all martial artists across the Northern Region! Any disciple from the sect who ventured down the mountain was a formidable figure capable of stirring the winds and clouds. In the entire history of Zhanhai City, no one had ever entered the Northern Region Heavenly Sect. Yet Dao Twelve had done it!
A genuine disciple of the Northern Region Heavenly Sect stood right before her!
For a moment, Yun Haitang fell into a daze. It felt as though she had returned to years ago, when she first met Dao Twelve. Back then, Dao Twelve had been strong, but who could have imagined he would become the foremost warrior of the Divine Strength Realm and now a Northern Region Heavenly Sect disciple? It all felt as surreal as a dream.
"Right, Mister Dao, you mentioned sect missions. What mission is it? Can our Heavenly Maiden Sect be of assistance?" Yun Haitang snapped back to reality and hastily inquired.
She knew full well that with her relationship to Dao Twelve, even if he never returned again, his status as a Northern Region Heavenly Sect disciple was enough to cement her position as Heavenly Maiden beyond dispute. She would even command pivotal influence across all of Zhanhai City!
Such was Dao Twelve's current weight. She needed to maintain this good rapport with him.
Lu Changsheng saw right through Yun Haitang's thoughts at a glance, though he did not mind. He was indeed her Dao Protector; if his influence could aid her, all the better. Moreover, having the Heavenly Maiden Sect handle certain matters gave him peace of mind. For instance, this sect mission required their assistance.
"I need deep-sea profound iron ore. If the Heavenly Maiden Sect can mobilize its network to search for clues, that would be ideal," Lu Changsheng said plainly.
"Deep-sea profound iron ore? I've heard of it. It seems to be a rare material used to forge divine weapons," Yun Haitang said. "I will immediately instruct our network to look into it for you, Mister Dao." She set off at once to make arrangements.
"Very well. My primary purpose this time is martial cultivation, which requires me to head out to sea," Lu Changsheng said. "I will take a ship from the Ocean Commerce Guild. If you find any leads on deep-sea profound iron ore, pass word to them."
Yun Haitang nodded in assent.
Lu Changsheng rose and made to leave, then paused.
"In the Divine Strength Realm, strengthening the physical body is important, but if you wish to attain the Divine Gang Realm, you must comprehend a martial conception!"
"Feel this carefully."
*Buzz.*
Instantly, Lu Changsheng unleashed his Tempest Domain, descending over Yun Haitang. She felt as though she were cast into the heart of a raging storm. Howling, violent gales ravaged the air all around her, threatening to tear her to pieces.
However, Yun Haitang had high comprehension and grasped his intent at once. Dao Twelve was not trying to kill her; he was helping her. Comprehending a martial conception within a domain was extraordinarily efficient. Granted, doing so might imprint the domain master's influence onto her, making it harder to cultivate that conception to consummation later. But for Yun Haitang, simply grasping a conception would be tremendous fortune. Reaching consummation? She had never dared entertain such thoughts. Even among the Heavenly Maiden Sect's past Divine Gang Realm elders, not one had ever perfected a martial conception.
Soon, Yun Haitang was immersed in a profound state. Before long, an unknown amount of time slipped by. When she opened her eyes, Dao Twelve had already vanished.
"Mister Dao... thank you," Yun Haitang murmured softly.
Although she had not yet comprehended a conception, Dao Twelve's guidance had pointed the way. Someday, she would successfully comprehend the Tempest Conception.
By then, Lu Changsheng had descended the mountain. Earlier at the Heavenly Maiden Sect, he had projected his Perception Domain, which spanned a radius of a hundred li. The entirety of Zhanhai City lay enveloped within it.
When Lu Changsheng had lived in Zhanhai City, it always seemed crowded with countless factions and formidable masters. Yet when he swept his Perception Domain across it now, the result surprised him. While Zhanhai City indeed had quite a few Divine Gang Realm martial artists, not a single one had evolved a domain.
"Consummation of a conception is truly no easy feat anywhere," Lu Changsheng murmured under his breath. "Even in the Northern Region Heavenly Sect, anyone who can bring a conception to consummation and evolve a domain can basically seize the status of a seed disciple..."
Without realizing it, he had already reached heights where most martial artists could only look up in despair.
Despite the many martial artists and Divine Gang Realm figures in Zhanhai City, none had evolved a domain. Almost all of them had merely condensed ordinary Divine Gang—not even superior Divine Gang. Their martial path would likely end at the Divine Gang Realm for the rest of their lives.
Although Lu Changsheng was still only in the Divine Strength Realm, his horizons had broadened immeasurably. The heights he perceived had long surpassed both the Divine Strength and Divine Gang Realms.
He was more than qualified to look down upon all of Zhanhai City!
"Still, the Shangyuan Daoist Sanctuary seems to possess a power that blocked my Perception Domain. Is it an array?" Lu Changsheng gazed toward the sanctuary, glints flashing in his eyes.
Immortal Masters were exceedingly mysterious!
Their methods were vast and varied: talismans, spells, arrays, alchemy, magical artifacts, and more. Furthermore, their status was aloof and revered; even Divine Gang Realm martial artists were nothing before an Immortal Master.
With the Shangyuan Daoist Sanctuary shielded by an array, his Perception Domain could not pry within, and he did not press the matter. Lu Changsheng proceeded directly to the Ocean Commerce Guild and presented his VIP token.
The guild ushered him into a VIP reception room.
Soon, an elderly man arrived before him.
"Respected Mister Dao, whatever your needs, our Ocean Commerce Guild will do our utmost to fulfill them."
Evidently, the elder recognized his identity as well.
"Where is Miss Sophie?" Lu Changsheng asked.
"Miss Sophie departed several months ago to return to the Fila Kingdom," the elder replied respectfully.
Lu Changsheng nodded thoughtfully. These foreign merchants did not hail from a single nation; some came from the Tuo Country, others from the Fila Kingdom, and many from elsewhere. Sophie's homeland was the Fila Kingdom, and the Ocean Commerce Guild originated there as well.
"Respected Mister Dao, before Miss Sophie left, she specifically instructed us that should you return to the Ocean Commerce Guild with any request, we must do everything in our power to oblige." The elder was full of sincerity.
"I need a large ship to head out into the ocean."
"No problem at all. We will arrange the crew, the captain, and everything else. Where does Mister Dao wish to go, and for how long?"
"Just out into the open sea, for about a month. Prepare at least one month's worth of provisions."
"Understood, Mister Dao. We will arrange it at once."
Just as the elder turned to leave, Lu Changsheng called him back.
"Though I am a VIP, I am not a member of your Ocean Commerce Guild. This is business. Consider it a rental of your ship, crew, and provisions. State your price."
Lu Changsheng did not wish to accept favors from the guild for nothing. Besides, he was not short on silver now. In his two years on the Northern Region Battlefield, his spoils of war had been immense, converted privately into countless taels of silver. At present, he was likely wealthier than the entire Ocean Commerce Guild branch.
"This..." The elder hesitated.
"Name a price," Lu Changsheng said firmly.
"For one month, fully crewed and provisioned, with the possibility of sailing into deep waters... five thousand taels of silver will suffice." The elder offered a figure.
Lu Changsheng nodded and handed over five thousand taels directly. The price was fair, even discounted.
"Very well. Go prepare. The sooner, the better."
Accepting the banknotes, the elder bowed respectfully and withdrew.
Lu Changsheng rested at the Ocean Commerce Guild for the night.
Early the next morning, the elder arrived. "Mister Dao, your vessel is ready. We can depart at any time."
"Good. Thank you for your trouble."
Lu Changsheng stood and followed the elder.
They soon boarded a massive vessel. On deck was a burly, one-eyed man, who bowed respectfully and said, "Greetings, Mister Dao. I am the captain of this ship."
"Captain, let us set sail." Lu Changsheng waved a hand, and the captain began barking orders to the crew.
Before long, the great ship slowly pulled away from the docks.
"Mister Dao, where are we heading?" the captain asked.
"Deep into the open sea, preferably where the waves are heavy. I intend to use the waves to practice my martial arts." Lu Changsheng did not conceal his objective.
"Waves?" The captain was baffled, but knowing that the "Mister Dao" before him was a mighty martial artist, using waves for training seemed plausible enough, even if bizarre. "To have waves, there must be wind. Judging by the skies, the waves should pick up in an hour or two."
Lu Changsheng nodded. The ship's operations were the captain's domain; he merely needed to wait quietly.
Time slipped past. By the afternoon, a ripple stirred within Lu Changsheng's Perception Domain.
"The waves are here!"
Lu Changsheng sensed the swells. At the moment, they were still several dozen li away from the ship, but before long, everyone on deck caught sight of the surging waters.
Lu Changsheng did not leap into the ocean. Now that he possessed his Perception Domain, his awareness was extraordinarily keen anywhere within its range; there was no need to submerge himself.
*Rumble!*
Mighty waves surged forth like a vast, rolling tide. Immersed in their presence and learning from nature, Lu Changsheng finally experienced the true power of his comprehension, which exceeded three thousand points.
The progress of his Ocean Wave Conception began to soar:
26%, 27%, 28%, 29%...
It had been a long time since his Ocean Wave Conception advanced with such effortless fluidity.
One day, two days, three days...
Lu Changsheng continued contemplating the waves out on the open sea. His Ocean Wave Conception advanced at a visible pace, drawing ever closer to consummation.
In the blink of an eye, a month had passed.
"Awoo..."
Suddenly, a colossal cry reached Lu Changsheng's ears, sounding like some massive marine beast.
Within his perception, on the sea surface several dozen li ahead, a gigantic sea beast suddenly surfaced.
A sea whale!
It was an enormous whale, but currently wounded and swimming desperately forward. Blood continually seeped from its body, dyeing the waters behind it crimson.
Behind the sea whale, a small boat could faintly be seen giving chase with all its might. As the pursuit drew closer, those aboard the small vessel caught sight of Lu Changsheng's ship.
*Whoosh.*
Three martial artists leapt from the small boat. Gripping sharp blades, they plunged into the water, carving wound after wound into the sea whale's flesh. The whale thrashed violently, but to no avail. Before long, it floated motionless upon the surface.
*Splash!*
The three figures vaulted out of the sea and tread across the water, rushing straight toward Lu Changsheng's ship.
Moments later, the three landed on the deck.
Sweeping their gaze over everyone on board, one of them declared coldly, "Our boat is too small to tow this whale's carcass. We're borrowing your ship!"
Without giving anyone a chance to speak, the three ordered the captain to steer toward the whale.
How was this borrowing?
It was outright robbery!
At a complete loss, the captain looked toward Lu Changsheng.
"We're not lending it," Lu Changsheng said calmly and flatly.
His tone was resolute, brooking no argument!
Chapter 134