Ordinary people, upon hearing Yu Shao's earlier words, would have focused on the part about "fleeing for refuge."
However, Lu Yang was different.
Other quick-witted individuals also only paid attention to Yu Shao's statement: "Fellow Daoist Ye's cultivation is such that he can be regarded as a Heavenly Immortal even within the Xuanling Realm."
Regarding the Xuanling Realm, the Old Ancestor of the Yun Clan had already explained some information to Lu Yang. Those with merit in the Dao and conduct on the earth, who receive the Heavenly Book and enter the Celestial Court to govern and manage the heavens, are called "Heavenly Immortals." Above the Heavenly Immortals likely lies the realm of True Sovereigns! If that was the case, then what realm did a Heavenly Immortal belong to?
'Peak of Foundation Establishment!'
This was the truly valuable piece of intelligence. The Daoist Dangmo of the Sword Pavilion had silently advanced to the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm without anyone realizing it!
'If I sell this to Uncle-Master Chong Guang, I can definitely make another profit!'
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the main hall grew somewhat silent. Lu Yang wasn't the only sharp one—others had also noticed the crucial detail.
However, no one dared to speak it aloud.
After all, a great Daoist at the peak of Foundation Establishment who did not release his aura clearly intended to keep it hidden. Who would dare expose him in such a situation?
Better to play dumb.
The next moment, someone proactively raised a question: "May I ask, fellow Daoist, why are you fleeing? And how did you traverse the realm boundary to escape?"
At that moment, Yu Shao also realized he might have misspoken. Instinctively, he glanced at Daoist Dangmo and, seeing that his expression was unchanged, breathed a sigh of relief and quickly answered, "Our Xuanling Realm governs over a hundred mortal realms, is proficient in traversing methods, and uses the Falling Mortal Realms as anchor points. Crossing realms is not too difficult."
"As for why I fled…"
At this, Yu Shao couldn't help but sigh. "Ever since the new Supreme ascended and took control of the heavens and earth, the immortal laws have become excessively harsh. I truly had no other choice."
These words cast a hush over the hall.
No one present was a fool. Though Yu Shao didn't elaborate, they all could infer that the so-called Supreme was likely a Golden Core True Sovereign of the Xuanling Realm.
Under Yu Shao's narrative, the full picture of the Xuanling Realm began to emerge.
In the Xuanling Realm, the Celestial Court reigned supreme. It was divided into Ghosts, Gods, Humans, Earth, and Heaven—five grades of immortal status, each with its own responsibilities. Only the strongest could ascend to the throne and seize the Supreme Dao Fruit.
It had been over a thousand years since the former Supreme passed away.
During those thousand years, various Heavenly Immortals had fought endlessly until, just over a decade ago, one Heavenly Immortal defeated all others and ascended to the position of Supreme.
At this point, Yu Shao's face turned bitter with resentment. "That man is named[Huan Shi]. He believes that the endless wars in the Xuanling Realm are due to the absence of order. So he issued immortal laws to restrain all immortals, commanding us to obey and forbidding any more freedom."
"How could anyone endure such severity?"
Yu Shao sighed deeply. "I ruled over the great nation of Baochang. Under these laws, I could not harm mortals—even when dueling with others, we had to seek out secluded places."
"Let alone the fact that all weather and climate matters in Baochang were under my jurisdiction."
"From minor misfortunes to major natural disasters."
"Even the daily rainfall was counted. If it exceeded the amount permitted by the immortal laws, immediate arrest and execution would follow, with no mercy whatsoever." 𝐫ãℕՕ฿Εs
Yu Shao elaborated on the harshness of the Xuanling Realm, then looked around at everyone, thinking they would feel the same righteous indignation as he did.
However, what he saw instead were faces of nonchalance.
"That's supposed to be harsh? This is it?"
"Forget the Demon Sect in Jiangbei—even the Dao Court is stricter than that. At least these outsiders can escape. In the Dao Court, you can't even run."
"And these immortal laws… they protect mortals?"
"If that's the case, doesn't it make the Xuanling Realm essentially part of the righteous path?"
Yu Shao: "???"
He was completely bewildered, thinking he had failed to explain properly. He hurriedly added, "Fellow Daoists, you're mistaken. That Supreme once publicly said—"
At this, his tone grew heavy and he said gravely, "He said that we cultivators devour heaven and earth's spiritual energy, cultivating only ourselves without nurturing the world. We are but a swarm of locusts devouring heaven and earth. Such blasphemous words—how could that be the righteous path? We are transcendent immortals. How can we be compared to insects and ants?"
When he finished, the others looked at each other, puzzled.
Then Yu Shao heard several Sword Pavilion Daoists mutter with confusion, "What's wrong with that? The Xuanling Realm has a very clear understanding of itself."
That cultivators are like insects—this had long been public consensus.
But so what?
The Primordial Saint Sect never cared. The Pure Land was even more indifferent. The Dao Court had its own world, and as for the Sword Pavilion, they believed even insects could be beneficial or harmful.
And they, without question, were beneficial ones.
They consumed the world's energy only to help it rid itself of harmful pests like the Jiangbei Demon Sect. If anything, the world owed them a karmic debt!
"…"
Yu Shao was completely speechless this time. Something felt off, but all he could do was sigh. "In any case, the Xuanling Realm is likely preparing to invade the southern lands."
This statement stirred the crowd like a stone thrown into a lake.
"What!?"
"How dare those demons!"
"Another Demon Sect like Jiangbei's—refusing the righteous path, they must be exterminated! After death, they must reincarnate as menial disciples in our Sword Pavilion to repay their evil karma!"
Faces changed instantly.
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Watching all this, Yu Shao's eye twitched involuntarily. He couldn't help glancing at Daoist Dangmo and secretly transmitting: 'Senior… you're not part of the Demon Sect, are you?'
"Of course not."
Daoist Dangmo could only sigh in response and sent back, 'You should feel lucky you met me. You haven't seen what a real Demon Sect looks like.'
There were stronger ones?
Yu Shao felt a chill rise in his heart. He hadn't been here long and only now realized that something might be deeply wrong with this realm.
At the same time, Daoist Dangmo finally spoke, calming the uproar. His voice was firm: "Regardless, according to Fellow Daoist Yu, the Xuanling Realm is about to use the Mass Grave as a springboard to ravage Jiangnan. To prevent the devastation of life in Jiangnan, I intend to go to the Mass Grave and find a way to sever its connection with the Xuanling Realm."
"However, this must not be known to Jiangbei."
Daoist Dangmo's expression turned solemn. The Demon Sect wouldn't care about invasions. After all, the Xuanling Realm was only barging into Jiangnan through the Mass Grave.
If the Demon Sect found out, they would only welcome it.
They might even offer aid.
It wouldn't be the first time such a thing happened. A current Golden Core Sect in Jiangbei was once established by a great realm that invaded Jiangbei.
"Therefore, before we act, none of you are to leave."
Daoist Dangmo looked around at everyone. He had wanted to act earlier, but for some reason, the Demon Sect had learned of the plan in advance. This forced him to wait until reaching the peak of Foundation Establishment before making a move.
And the only people not under the watch of the True Sovereign or present in the Sword Pavilion when the leak occurred were the very Daoists in this hall.
In other words—
'One of these people is likely a Demon Sect spy!'
In truth, Daoist Dangmo was capable of handling the Mass Grave alone. The main reason he had gathered these Daoists was to root out the hidden infiltrator.
To do so, he needed someone planted among them to test his suspects.
This agent had to be someone loyal, trustworthy, and honest.
With that in mind, Daoist Dangmo scanned the crowd and quickly made his choice.
"Fellow Daoist Yun, I have a favor to ask."
The Yun Clan, an old Sword Pavilion family that had once produced a True Sovereign, had pure roots. Though they had fallen on hard times, they were still trustworthy.
......…
"Hey, hey, hey?"
In Jiangbei, Lu Yang once again activated his avatar and took out the Flying Message Spirit Book to contact Chong Guang.