Fairy Eternity again summoned the Invincible Nascent Soul to the Spiritual Space.

After being defeated by Fairy Eternity, the Invincible Nascent Soul no longer initiated combat upon seeing Lu Yang, evidently becoming much more docile.

"Little Nascent Soul, for now, listen to Xiao Yang's commands. Whatever he tells you to do, just do it."

"Xiao Yang, you should practice more with the Invincible Nascent Soul, after all, this pertains to your ascension to the Divinity Transformation Stage."

"It would be best not to order the Invincible Nascent Soul to lose to you. Cultivation is a matter where shortcuts should be avoided. It's wiser to stay grounded, to prevent any complications from arising later when you cultivate to higher levels."

The founding royal emperor taking a personal interest in the cultivation of his subject made evident the stature of this subject in the heart of the emperor.

Lu Yang nodded, indicating he understood.

Fairy Eternity, seeing how obedient Lu Yang was, felt a deep sense of satisfaction akin to that of a mentor.

After issuing her instructions to Lu Yang, Fairy Eternity prepared to experience the life in the Imperial City.

Meng Jingzhou arrived at Lu Yang's location first. He looked at Lu Yang with an odd expression, a bit hesitant, and tentatively called out, "Fairy Eternity?"

Fairy Eternity was startled, "How did you see through me?"

Her disguise was practically flawless; how could this Meng Family whelp have recognized her?

Immediately afterward, she whispered a caution, "Do not spread word. I'm currently the Acting Sect Master, and with the authority vested in that position, have temporarily possessed Lu Yang, wanting to come out and have some fun."

Meng Jingzhou felt secretly pleased, thinking Lu Yang, you had your days reigning as the Acting Sect Master, but did you ever foresee this day.

"The junior understands and will not disclose."

"Brother Lu, are you alright?" Meng Jingyu rushed over in a hurry, gripping Lu Yang's sleeve, showing great concern.

"Brother Lu, you looked so handsome fighting valiantly just now."

"Who would have thought you, little girl, would have such an eye for talent," Fairy Eternity, hearing Meng Jingyu complimenting her on being handsome, was quite pleased.

"In the future, if you encounter any troubles, I... I've got your back!" Initially, Fairy Eternity intended to refer to herself as "this Fairy," but then she thought better of it, remembering she was currently using Lu Yang's identity and needed to be cautious not to reveal her true self.

If Miss Yun were to find out she had exposed her identity, there would be no end to the nagging.

After numerous rounds of battle, the ancient trees in the Luo Tian Forest were left leaning haphazardly, the ground a chaotic mess as if a land dragon had churned it up. Having returned to the Meng Residence, Meng Jingzhou requested the help of a Family Elder to restore the Luo Tian Forest to its original state.

...

"Dad, I truly couldn't defeat that Lu Yang," said the Princely Heir to his father after returning home to report the results of the battle.

"It wasn't just me fighting him alone; dozens of people were attacking him at once, and none could overcome him. His Nascent Soul was staggeringly powerful. Even a gifted Divine Transformation Stage Cultivator couldn't produce such Sword Qi!"

"I don't know if Lu Yang is capable of multitasking or if his Nascent Soul has some other special trait, but it's as if there are two Lu Yangs, and his way of fighting is especially deceitful, often resorting to surprise attacks."

"There's a Nascent Soul like this?"

"Yes, I've never even heard of Lu Yang's Nascent Soul before; it must be something he created himself."

Hearing this, the father of the Princely Heir stroked his beard in contemplation, "Old Buyu's little disciple really does have a trick up his sleeve, even creating his own Nascent Soul.

Although unable to defeat Lu Yang, the Princely Heir felt that the battle in the Luo Tian Forest had been quite fruitful nonetheless.

However, this kind of satisfying gain was something the older generation couldn't understand, so there was no need to mention it.

...

"What the heck, Lu Yang beat all of you?" The Chief of Staff was utterly shocked upon hearing the news; his son was renowned for his strength, almost invincible within his own rank, yet how could the gap be so large?

Chief of Staff, disappointed like iron not turned to steel, poked Sun Chuanxian on the forehead, "Tell me, you always boast about how strong you are. Why do you falter at the critical moment?"

With a bitter expression, Sun Chuanxian replied, "Dad, you don't understand how powerful Lu Yang is. His swordsmanship is exceptional, his fist techniques are even stronger than his swordplay, and he is proficient in various magic skills. His Nascent Soul is also particularly powerful; I just can't compare with him at any point."

"Dad, why don't you lower your Realm and have a fight with him?"

The Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Works rolled his eyes; he wasn't foolish. The fact that he couldn't even beat Lu Yang's record of military achievements was apparent, and it would be more reasonable for him not to suppress his realm for battle.

𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

...

After the battle in the Luo Tian Forest, the world once again felt the power of Lu Yang. He was seen as someone with the potential to attain immortality—destined to claim a place in the grand struggle of the Great Era.

Of course, Lu Yang himself was indifferent to this, for he was currently being beaten up by the Invincible Nascent Soul and had no time to care about how the outside world viewed him.

"Huff, huff—" Lu Yang gasped for air, warily watching the Invincible Nascent Soul.

He had by now indirectly taken control over the Invincible Nascent Soul; otherwise, the beating he received would have been even worse.

"Worthy of being my theoretically strongest state, it's really not easy to catch up."

The Invincible Nascent Soul represented the strongest state Lu Yang had achieved during his Nascent Soul period. To defeat the Invincible Nascent Soul, Lu Yang could only refine his skills to their optimal state.

Sparing with the Invincible Nascent Soul had provided Lu Yang with tremendous improvement.

In reality, Fairy Eternity had temporarily possessed Lu Yang's body, and she didn't always play around. During her leisure time, she also helped Lu Yang with his cultivation.

In the blink of an eye, the time had come for the Lantern Festival.

Meng Jingyu excitedly made a fuss about going out to have fun, insisting on bringing along Meng Jingzhou and Fairy Eternity.

"Brother Lu Yang, let's go out and have fun."

"Let's go," Fairy Eternity said excitedly, leaping up from the bed and interrupting her cultivation as soon as she heard there was fun to be had.

The Lantern Festival in the Imperial City was extraordinarily lively with every household decked out with bright lanterns and decorations. The streets were filled with joyous people, a sight that was pleasing to the eye.

"What place is that?" Fairy Eternity suddenly pointed at a tavern lit with red lanterns, sensing a strong aura of worldly desires emanating from it.

Meng Jingyu shook her head, not knowing what place it was; she had never been to such a place.

Meng Jingzhou explained with a strange look on his face, "That is the Lotus Pavilion, a stronghold the Seduction Sect has established in the Imperial City."

Fairy Eternity had some recollection of the Seduction Sect; she had even met the Seduction Sect's Supreme Elder, the Respected Thousand Charms, and didn't know whether she had returned to the Seduction Sect or continued to play the part of the wolf in sheep's clothing.

"And what exactly is the Lotus Pavilion for?" continued Fairy Eternity.

"The Lotus Pavilion is different from your typical brothel. It's run by disciples of the Seduction Sect, who offer their arts but not their bodies. The Seduction Sect's disciples are skilled in all sorts of arts, including the zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and literary composition. Brother Lu, would you be interested in paying a visit?"

The person offering this explanation was not Meng Jingzhou, but someone else.

Meng Jingzhou turned his head and saw Zhong Yi standing beside them, gently waving a paper fan, the picture of elegance.

Meng Jingzhou's expression turned sour, "If I'm not mistaken, it's the Confucian Cultivators who usually visit the Lotus Pavilion, isn't it?"

Having no talent for literature, one risks embarrassing oneself in a place like the Lotus Pavilion.

Zhong Yi chuckled softly, using a slightly provocative gaze to look at both Meng Jingzhou and Lu Yang.

"What's the matter, didn't Daoist Buyu teach you poetry and literature? As his disciple, have you not learned a thing?"

"That sounds quite fun," said Fairy Eternity, intrigued. Such places didn't exist in the Ancient Times, "Little Sister Yun, shall we take a look inside?"

Meng Jingyu, who rarely had the chance to visit such a place, was also very interested.

"I want to go."

"Then let's go," Fairy Eternity said enthusiastically, grabbing Meng Jingyu's small hand, causing her little face to blush.

Fairy Eternity didn't feel there was anything inappropriate in doing so; she used to pull Ao Ling and Jiang Lianyi along in the same way.

Zhong Yi's smile froze on his face. How could he be completely ignored?

"Completely disregarding my provocation, that's some deep scheming."