A momentous upheaval had struck the Jing Dynasty!
The retired emperor, who had previously passed away, unexpectedly reappeared.
He was glowing with health, vigorous and robust.
What followed was a cascade of struggles.
The young emperor was simply no match for the former sovereign's seasoned methods.
Several elder statesmen who had once served the retired emperor rallied behind him one after another.
In just a single month, the old emperor reclaimed the imperial throne and ruled over the realm once more!
While what transpired might have seemed straightforward on the surface, it had in truth involved brutal strife.
Yet the turmoil within the Jing Dynasty was welcome news to the Flesh Temple.
At that very moment, for instance, Chen Ping was reporting to Lu Changsheng.
"According to our deductions, the retired emperor likely ingested the blood of a blood scion and voluntarily transformed into one."
"Moreover, it is not just the retired emperor. Numerous nobles and high officials in Jingdu—originally plagued by illness, or infirm with age and on the verge of death—have covertly consumed the blood of blood scions and transformed themselves."
"As a result, debates regarding our Flesh Temple have reached a boiling point in the imperial court. Many ministers openly support us, and even the retired emperor's stance has become most unusual."
Chen Ping's report caught Lu Changsheng slightly by surprise.
Yet upon further reflection, it made complete sense.
Though the Jing Dynasty commanded the half-demons within the Demon God Ministry, what of it?
Half-demons were half-demons.
Humans were humans.
The two were entirely distinct.
Humans suffered from birth, aging, sickness, and death.
Half-demons did not.
Those who fought true demons were, in essence, demons themselves; it had nothing to do with ordinary mortals.
Humans remained ever fragile.
When a person grew old, frail, or lingered on their deathbed, half-demons had no remedy to offer.
A half-demon's blood provided no benefit to mortals; rather, it was a death warrant.
No one dared attempt to drink a demon's blood, for doing so was suicidal.
Blood scions, however, were different.
A single drop of blood was all it took to transform an ordinary human into a blood scion, granting vigor, boundless vitality, and prolonged longevity.
Better still, there were seemingly no side effects whatsoever.
Under such circumstances, who would not wish to become a blood scion?
What mortal could resist such a temptation?
Even the retired emperor could not hold back from transforming, to say nothing of the others.
"Chen Ping, you must remember that transforming into a blood scion does not necessarily mean one's heart belongs to the Flesh Temple."
"Blood scions are blood scions, and the Flesh Temple is the Flesh Temple. One can never truly know another's heart; even blood scions harbor their own ambitions."
"Those nobles, and even the retired emperor himself, may well seek to eradicate the Flesh Temple entirely so they can seize absolute control over the blood scions."
"And yet, they will never comprehend what being a blood scion truly entails..."
A faint smile appeared on Lu Changsheng's face.
Being a blood scion was not truly devoid of side effects.
It was merely that the side effect rested solely in Lu Changsheng's grasp.
He had never disclosed it to anyone.
Furthermore, this side effect was something only he, the Flesh Progenitor, could wield.
The side effect was remarkably simple: all blood scions were inherently compelled to obey his commands as the Flesh Progenitor.
Not a single blood scion could defy his will.
That was the sole side effect of being a blood scion!
"If we rely on our current pace to convert the entire Jing Dynasty through the Flesh Temple, it will take far too long."
"Moreover, conflict with the Jing Dynasty would only benefit the true demons."
"Things are quite favorable right now. With the retired emperor and numerous ministers and nobles having turned into blood scions, everything becomes much simpler."
"I shall make a personal trip to Jingdu and have a proper talk with the retired emperor. Chen Ping, make your preparations. When the time comes to promote the Flesh Temple across the entire Jing Dynasty and convert its people into blood scions, we must be ready in advance," Lu Changsheng instructed.
Chen Ping felt a tremor run through his heart.
Convert the entire Jing Dynasty into blood scions?
What staggering audacity!
Yet recalling the various deeds the Progenitor had accomplished in the past, it was genuinely feasible.
The Flesh Temple currently controlled an entire prefecture, wielding immense power. Transforming the populace across all thirteen prefectures of the Jing Dynasty from this foundation would pose no difficulty at all.
"Rest assured, Progenitor! Once the Flesh Temple can be promoted throughout the Jing Dynasty, your subordinate will arrange everything without fail. We will ensure that blood scions spread across the entire realm in the shortest possible time!"
"However, Jingdu is the domain of the Demon God Ministry. Please tread with caution, Progenitor!" Chen Ping cautioned.
The Demon God Ministry housed a demon god.
A demon god was on par with an ancient demon!
Standing above demon kings, ancient demons and demon gods were the strongest entities openly acknowledged, whether in the Demon Realm or human dynasties.
Demon ancestors belonged to an era far too distant—so distant that most had nearly forgotten their existence.
"No matter. On this journey, I intend to meet this demon god of Jingdu in person!"
In truth, Lu Changsheng left one thing unsaid.
Having reached quinary growth, his progress through bitter self-cultivation had slowed to a crawl.
Even after seven or eight more years, when his ten-year limit arrived, he might not achieve senary growth at this sluggish pace.
Scavenging exceptional treasures, however, would change everything.
Places like Jingdu and the Demon God Ministry were bound to hold precious resources.
Lu Changsheng was determined not to return empty-handed from this trip.
Thus, departing Shannan Prefecture alone, Lu Changsheng set off directly for Jingdu.
A month later, he arrived.
Over the course of that month, his progress in the Flesh Martial Dao had not even increased by a single percent, remaining stuck at a mere one percent.
Evidently, upon reaching quinary growth, advancement in the Flesh Martial Dao became extraordinarily sluggish.
Without demon plants, he could not even maintain a normal rate of cultivation.
"So this is Jingdu!"
Lu Changsheng gazed upon the metropolis before him.
It was towering, majestic, and magnificent, exuding majesty at every turn.
The Jing Dynasty had endured for more than five centuries.
Five hundred years of dominion had bestowed upon it unimaginable wealth and heritage.
Regrettably, those five centuries had also left the dynasty thoroughly rotten.
Even here in Jingdu, at the feet of the Son of Heaven, refugees abounded.
Outside the city walls, corpses of those who had starved to death littered the ground, starkly illustrating how dire the dynasty's predicament had become.
Lu Changsheng entered Jingdu without incident and headed straight for the imperial palace.
Arriving outside, he noticed the dense guard patrols within.
Slipping inside unnoticed would likely prove difficult, as a demon king was bound to be stationed within the grounds.
"It is not yet wise to alert the Demon God Ministry."
After some thought, Lu Changsheng decided he would have to find a way to blend in.
"Hmm?"
Just as he was considering his options, he spotted an opulent carriage slowly rolling toward the palace gates.
To be permitted to ride a carriage straight toward the palace, the occupant was undoubtedly of extraordinary status.
More importantly, Lu Changsheng detected the aura of a blood scion within the carriage.
As long as a blood scion was involved, things became simple.
*Whoosh.*
Step by step, Lu Changsheng walked forward and blocked the carriage's path.
"Insolence!"
"How dare you obstruct the marquis's carriage?"
"Step aside at once!"
The guards flanking the carriage barked sharply, revealing the noble standing of the occupant inside.
"A marquis?"
Lu Changsheng smiled faintly. "The marquis and I are old acquaintances. Isn't that so, Marquis?"
The guards grew instantly vigilant.
Lu Changsheng had appeared far too abruptly; the slightest oversight could bring disaster.
Yet before the guards could act, a voice drifted from within the carriage. "Indeed, an old acquaintance. Please enter the carriage so we may converse."
"My Lord, you still must enter the palace for an imperial audience, and this person's origins are unknown..." a guard cautiously advised.
"Presumptuous!"
"I said he is an old acquaintance. How can his origins be unknown?"
The guard hastily replied, "Yes, My Lord."
Respectfully parting ways, the guards stepped aside.
Smiling faintly, Lu Changsheng stepped straight into the carriage.
The interior was spacious, occupied only by a middle-aged man clad in sumptuous attire.
Yet this nobleman's face was pale with utter terror, and his entire frame trembled violently.
This was plainly the marquis.
He was shivering uncontrollably, as though ensnared by something horrific and uncanny.
"Y-you... who are you?"
"Why can you control my body? Ev-even my speech is under your command!"
"Just what sort of demon are you?"
The marquis stammered, his words seeming to cost him every ounce of strength.
Boundless horror filled his eyes.
Control!
Just moments earlier, he had fallen under someone else's absolute control—an unreasonable domination that commanded his limbs and even dictated his words.
Inviting Lu Changsheng into the carriage had not been his own intention at all; it was an "invitation" uttered because he was being puppeted by an unseen force.
Such an ability was eerie and terrifying in the extreme.
Aside from demons, he could conceive of no entity possessing such bizarre, frightening methods.
Lu Changsheng smiled faintly. "Marquis, ever since you became a blood scion, your vitality has flourished, and your chronic ailments have never troubled you again."
"Barring accidents, living past a hundred will be effortless for you."
"Being a blood scion is rather splendid, wouldn't you say?"
"Ah, by the way, the outside world refers to this seat as the 'Flesh Progenitor.'"
Lu Changsheng's words caused the marquis's expression to twist in horror.
The Flesh Progenitor!
This man was the profoundly mysterious Flesh Progenitor!
He finally understood where the inexplicable blend of instinctive intimacy and dread in his heart originated from.
It stemmed from the Flesh Progenitor standing before him!
In truth, before becoming a blood scion, the marquis had investigated the matter thoroughly.
Rumor held that blood scions originated from the Flesh Progenitor, who was the fountainhead of them all.
Yet unable to resist the myriad benefits, he had chosen to turn regardless.
Now, however, it seemed becoming a blood scion was not entirely without consequences.
The consequence had finally arrived.
The Flesh Progenitor could actually manipulate blood scions, commanding their very bodies at will!
Such a side effect was utterly terrifying.
Did this not mean that the life and death of every blood scion rested entirely in the palm of this single individual?
"There is no need to be so tense. This seat has no desire for your life."
"I merely need a favor from you: bring me to see the emperor."
"Once I have met him, whatever happens next will have nothing to do with you," Lu Changsheng said indifferently.
"Y-you wish to see His Majesty... do you intend to control him as well?"
The marquis seemed to realize Lu Changsheng's purpose.
If Lu Changsheng seized control of the emperor, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"No, this seat merely wishes to strike a transaction with him."
"Never mind. Whether you agree or not makes no difference."
Disinclined to waste further words, Lu Changsheng took direct command of the marquis and silenced him.
Since he could control the marquis entirely, entering the palace through him was child's play.
The carriage slowly arrived before the palace gates.
The marquis seemed to hold great favor with the retired emperor, as he was permitted to remain in his carriage even after entering the palace grounds.
Only upon reaching the hall where the emperor resided did the marquis step down.
Guiding Lu Changsheng along, the marquis and his guest were inspected by the guards before being granted entry.
Stepping into the great hall, Lu Changsheng immediately laid eyes on the emperor.
The emperor turned and saw Lu Changsheng beside the marquis.
Lu Changsheng appeared remarkably young, and the emperor had no recollection of him, even assuming he was a nephew or junior kin of the marquis.
Lu Changsheng had no patience for beating around the bush.
Taking a step forward, he said calmly, "Your Majesty, how does it feel to be a blood scion? Pretty wonderful, wouldn't you say?"
"Hmm? Who are—"
The emperor immediately sensed something amiss.
Yet when he tried to summon the guards, he found himself utterly unable to speak.
No, he could speak.
The emperor opened his mouth and commanded the guards to withdraw.
Soon, only Lu Changsheng, the marquis, and the emperor remained within the hall, while everyone else waited outside.
Yet those words had not been spoken of the emperor's own volition.
Utter shock seized the emperor's heart.
What manner of demon magic was this?
Even an ancient demon could not possibly control him so silently.
This was the imperial palace, after all, guarded by demon kings.
Even that demon god of the Demon God Ministry kept constant watch over the palace grounds.
No true demon could ever infiltrate this place undetected.
How, then, could the scene before him be explained?
Unless... the man before him was not a demon!
"Are you... the Flesh Progenitor?"
Suddenly feeling his voice restored, the words burst from the emperor's mouth.
He was sharp-witted and had deduced Lu Changsheng's identity.
Standing with his hands clasped behind his back, Lu Changsheng nodded faintly. "Indeed. This seat is the Flesh Progenitor."
The emperor muttered under his breath, "In truth, I should have realized long ago. The transformation seemed too flawless, almost entirely devoid of drawbacks. How could that be possible?"
"And now the drawback reveals itself: every blood scion can be commanded by you, the Flesh Progenitor..."
Bitterness welled in the emperor's heart.
He understood all too well what such power signified.
And yet, if granted the choice once more—even if forewarned of this drawback—would he have refused to become a blood scion?
Asking himself honestly, the emperor knew he would still have chosen transformation without the slightest hesitation.
The reason was simple: without becoming a blood scion, he would have died.
Who truly wished to die?
Once dead, all was lost.
"Flesh Progenitor, since you can control all blood scions, virtually nothing in the Jing Dynasty poses any threat to you."
"Your arrival today cannot merely be to control me, can it?"
"In fact, I suspect you harbor little interest in the imperial throne. In the eyes of an expert such as yourself, what meaning could a mere imperial seat possibly hold?"
The emperor was indeed astute, discerning at a glance that Lu Changsheng did not seek the throne.
Lu Changsheng had no interest in ruling; with the power to control blood scions, taking the throne would be trivial anyway.
Lu Changsheng smiled faintly. "As expected of an emperor, remaining so composed even now."
"This seat comes for only one purpose, one that is a great boon to the entire Jing Dynasty."
"Namely, I wish for the Jing Dynasty to assist the Flesh Temple in propagating blood scions. Every person must become a blood scion."
"When that time comes, you shall remain your emperor. My enemy has never been the human race, but the demon race!"
"I desire only for the Flesh Martial Dao to flourish, using the Jing Dynasty as a foundation to spread across the world and reach all of humanity, thereby truly rivaling the demons!"
Lu Changsheng laid out his objective.
A sharp glint flickered in the emperor's eyes.
Simultaneously, a profound shock rippled through his mind.
Though Lu Changsheng's words sounded noble and high-minded, what did they mean in reality?
The emperor heard only Lu Changsheng's staggering ambition.
Spreading the Flesh Martial Dao across the world to all of mankind meant thoroughly transforming humanity into blood scions.
What monumental ambition!
When that day arrived, regardless of who sat on the mortal throne, Lu Changsheng, as the Flesh Progenitor, would reign supreme above all.
Yet what did knowing Lu Changsheng's ambition change?
Could the emperor prevent it?
He could not!
Moreover, just as Lu Changsheng stated, the blood scions' true enemies were the demons.
If the demons could be eradicated, it would be an immense blessing for all of humanity.
Besides, what did it matter if one more figure—the Flesh Progenitor—stood above him?
The emperor did not mind.
In the past, the demons had always hung over his head, and there had been more than one.
"Very well, I agree!"
"At the grand court assembly, I shall issue an imperial edict decreeing the Flesh Temple as the state religion. All officials and subjects shall be converted into blood scions."
"Even if it must be enforced by decree, I will lend my full support."
"However, the obstacle to this endeavor does not lie with me, nor does it lie with the imperial court. Flesh Progenitor, you still require the consent of one individual."
"Only if that person agrees can your grand plan be carried out," the emperor said with a grave expression.
"Oh? Whom does Your Majesty refer to?" Lu Changsheng asked.
"Demon God Li Zong!" the emperor enunciated each word, pronouncing the name.
Lu Changsheng understood completely.
Demon God Li Zong!
He was the guardian deity of the entire Jing Dynasty.
In certain matters, his authority surpassed even the emperor's.
Without Li Zong's protection, how could the Jing Dynasty have enjoyed five centuries of stability?
For an undertaking as momentous as establishing the Flesh Temple nationwide, proceeding without the demon god's approval was utterly impossible.
"A demon god, is it?"
"Conveniently, this seat indeed wishes to meet this legendary demon god!"
"Let us see if an ancient demon is truly as omnipotent as the legends claim!"
With that, Lu Changsheng took a single step, vanishing from the hall and departing the palace grounds entirely, heading straight for the Demon God Ministry.
The Demon God Ministry occupied an unexceptional government compound.
Yet it appeared markedly distinct from other yamens.
There were no runners or bailiffs.
Only a solitary sentry stood guard, lounging with a listless, indolent air.
Yet the plaque above bearing the characters "Demon God Ministry" inspired reverence and dread, deterring ordinary folk from approaching.
Everyone knew that those within the Demon God Ministry were demons!
Even if those demons considered themselves human, in the eyes of ordinary mortals, demons were precisely what they were.
Lu Changsheng strode steadily toward the Demon God Ministry.
Without even raising his head, the sentry spoke in a lazy drawl, "The Demon God Ministry is restricted ground. Unauthorized persons are forbidden. Halt!"
Lu Changsheng glanced at the sentry.
With a single look, he discerned that the guard was not human, but a demon!
Moreover, he was no ordinary demon.
With demonic qi so dense, he was at least a greater demon!
To have a greater demon acting as a mere gatekeeper was indeed extraordinary for the headquarters of the Demon God Ministry.
Yet Lu Changsheng did not pause, nor did he reply, continuing inside as if no one were there.
"Insolence!"
A fierce glint flashed in the greater demon's eyes.
Though he appeared slothful, his senses were remarkably acute.
He had detected Lu Changsheng from afar.
Yet he sensed no demonic aura on the man.
If he was not a demon, then he was human—at most a martial artist brimming with vigor.
A mere martial artist daring to force his way into the Demon God Ministry?
Did he take him for a useless decoration?
Sneering coldly, the gatekeeping greater demon shot his hand forward like a phantom, lunging toward Lu Changsheng.
The arm reaching out bristled instantly with dense fur, its fingertips sprouting razor-sharp claws.
Demonization!
He had demonized his arm, intending to seize Lu Changsheng and fling him outward.
Lu Changsheng shook his head.
He casually flicked a finger.
*Whoosh.*
A blast of gale-force wind surged forth.
Indeed, it was merely a gust of fierce wind, yet it slammed violently into the greater demon's arm.
"Argh!"
The greater demon shrieked in agony.
His massive frame was blasted backward through the air, crashing heavily onto the ground.
He could scarcely believe his eyes.
A mere martial artist had hurled him flying with nothing more than a flick of wind!
How was that possible?
"Just who are you?"
The greater demon realized that the intruder was no ordinary individual.
Ignoring him, Lu Changsheng stepped directly into the compound of the Demon God Ministry.
*Swish, swish, swish.*
The moment he breached the courtyard, several greater demons and demon kings appeared, blocking his path.
Possessing sharp perceptions, they were well aware of the commotion outside.
To repel a greater demon with a single casual strike was far beyond the capability of any ordinary martial artist.
"Who goes there, daring to trespass upon our Demon God Ministry?"
"State your name!"
These greater demons and demon kings radiated terrifying auras that converged into a sky-blotting pressure, enough to instill dread in any human or demon.
Yet Lu Changsheng remained wholly unperturbed.
The greater demon sentry scrambled inside behind him, embarrassed yet glaring at Lu Changsheng with intense vigilance.
Lu Changsheng halted his advance.
Suddenly, the momentum within him erupted.
*Boom!*
The terrifying aura of quinary growth burst forth in an instant.
Like a ferocious tempest, it instantly shattered the combined momentum of every greater demon and demon king in the courtyard.
The sky itself seemed to flush a bloody crimson.
A colossal web of scarlet hung faintly overhead, pressing down upon the demons with a suffocating, terrifying dread.
The pressure was horrifyingly immense—as though they were standing before the Demon God himself.
Yet what manner of being was the Demon God?
He was the pillar supporting the entire Jing Dynasty, a pinnacle existence across the entire world!
How could this man before them possess an aura so dreadfully overwhelming?
"This is... the aura of a blood scion?"
"No, it is far more than a mere blood scion! A blood scion could never possess an aura this terrifying. If I am not mistaken, he must be the Flesh Progenitor!"
"The Flesh Progenitor? That monster said to be the source of all blood scions, who can slaughter demon kings?"
"It must be him..."
The greater demons and demon kings quickly deduced Lu Changsheng's identity.
Aside from the Flesh Progenitor, who else could wield such terrifying might?
With his hands behind his back, Lu Changsheng spoke slowly, "Indeed, this seat is the Progenitor of the Flesh Temple! I have come today seeking an audience with the Demon God."
"Demon God, why not show yourself?"
Lu Changsheng's voice rolled like thunder into the depths of the Demon God Ministry, echoing through its corridors.
"Insolence!"
"Presumptuous! Do you think the Demon God is someone you can meet whenever you please?"
"I would like to see what ability this so-called Flesh Progenitor truly possesses!"
The demon kings were enraged.
What Lu Changsheng was doing was nothing short of storming their doorstep to issue a challenge!
"Strike!"
With a collective roar, the greater demons and demon kings attacked in unison, manifesting their true demon forms.
Colossal demonic bodies blotted out the sky, exuding oppressive pressure as they crashed toward Lu Changsheng like toppling mountains.
Lu Changsheng's gaze turned cold.
"The Demon God refuses to emerge?"
"Very well. Then I shall begin a slaughter right here in the Demon God Ministry!"
Disinclined to waste further breath, Lu Changsheng prepared to act.
His relationship with the Demon God had never been friendly, and his visit today was indeed intended to pick a fight.
If the Demon God would not show himself, it mattered not; once he slew a few demon kings, the being would naturally be forced to appear.
Facing the swarming horde of greater demons and demon kings, Lu Changsheng did not unleash his Flesh True Body.
Having attained quinary growth, his flesh and blood harbored terrifying might.
To deal with these demons, he had no need for his Flesh True Body; he possessed a far more efficient method.
"Go."
With a wave of his hand, a massive cluster of flesh detached from his body, dissolving into a shower of blood that rained down from above upon the greater demons and demon kings.
Every drop of Lu Changsheng's flesh could easily convert an ordinary human into a blood scion.
Demons, however, were an entirely different matter.
His flesh could not convert demons into blood scions; instead, it clashed violently with demonic flesh.
Under certain conditions, this served as a lethal offensive technique.
*Swish, swish, swish!*
Countless flecks of flesh darted through the air, affixing themselves to the bodies of the greater demons and demon kings.
Instantly, agonized wails erupted.
"Ah... what is this?"
"What on earth is this stuff?"
"My flesh is being devoured..."
With only a single shower of blood, countless greater demons and demon kings collapsed to the ground, howling in agony as they desperately tried to purge Lu Changsheng's flesh from their bodies.
Yet how could it be so simple?
Had Lu Changsheng remained at quaternary growth, they might have stood a chance of expelling it.
Now, however, he had attained quinary growth.
To mortals, his flesh was a wondrous tonic, something countless souls yearned for with desperate fervor.
To demons, however, it was lethal poison—a venom beyond all resistance.
Once the Progenitor's flesh clung to them, their suffering was unimaginable.
Even demon kings could not purge it, destined only to perish in torment.
Those demons fortunate enough to have evaded the blood retreated in frantic haste, staring at the scene in utter horror.
They could scarcely believe what they were witnessing.
With a single casual strike, the Flesh Progenitor had reduced dozens of greater demons and demon kings to writhing, incapacitated wrecks.
Such power was terrifying beyond measure!
"Flesh Progenitor, enough!"
Finally, a majestic voice echoed from the depths of the Demon God Ministry, ringing clearly in the ears of everyone present.
Demon God Li Zong had finally revealed himself!
Chapter 276