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"Truly a decisive one."
Lu Yang shook his head. Compared to the itinerant cultivator Wu Cang, True Person Qi He was clearly a bona fide and ruthless Saint Sect true person, utterly vicious and black-hearted.
His only miscalculation was Lu Yang's cultivation level.
But this couldn't be blamed on him—after all, Lu Yang's cultivation was indeed at the early Foundation Establishment Realm, and his breakthrough to mid-stage was only thanks to the mystery of the [Calamity Wave].
This was precisely Lu Yang's advantage.
He had no need to hide. Just standing there, anyone would see him as an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, never suspecting he possessed the combat power of a mid-stage one.
'This move, when used to fish, truly never fails.'
While he mused, Lu Yang's movements were swift. A rosy brilliance sparked at his fingertips, transforming into waves of fragrant mist that spread outwards.
[Essence of Blossoms]!
As this divine ability unfolded, it instantly engulfed the entire shop, with billowing clouds of intoxicating fragrance rising, disorienting all sense of direction.
True Person Qi He was nothing if not decisive—he immediately used a [Void Flight Radiant Talisman], one of his prized fifth-grade talismans. Unfortunately, the [Essence of Blossoms] distorted perception, causing him to believe he was escaping, when in fact he was flailing around inside the shop like a headless fly.
It wasn't until the talisman was spent that he snapped out of it in bewilderment.
"This is... a Void Divine Ability!?"
True Person Qi He looked surprised, while Lu Yang raised his brows slightly. The so-called "Void Divine Ability" was merely the term for divine powers bestowed by the [Heaven of Nonbeing].
The name originated from the ritual manual "Exquisite Void Sacrifice Method" that communicated with the [Heaven of Nonbeing].
Despite the [Heaven of Nonbeing] having manifested for some time, very few Foundation Establishment true persons had broken through the first tribulation to obtain a Void Divine Ability.
Lu Yang said nothing and merely pointed with a finger. "Commanding Mountain-Moving True Method!"
This spell was extremely sinister. Caught off guard by the sound and motion, Qi He was struck by Lu Yang's finger and immediately vomited mud.
"You really want mutual destruction!?"
While gritting his teeth and forming seals, Qi He revealed another divine ability, which transformed into myriad scenes of mountains and rivers in the blink of an eye.
In an instant, Lu Yang noticed that the spell he had just cast on Qi He had been absorbed out of thin air, unable to harm him anymore.
"This is... Wu Earth?"
Having once cultivated the [City Wall Earth], Lu Yang's attainment in the Dao of Wu Earth needed no elaboration. He instantly recognized Qi He's divine ability.
'Wu Earth corresponds to Shen. Shen is Kun. Only names of cities can describe it. It bears with great virtue, rotates the heavens and sun, carries the sea and rides the mountains—thus, it can give birth to all things. This is called [Bearer of All Things]!'
Realization struck Lu Yang: "[Bearer of All Things] corresponds to Wu Earth in Shen. This man's second Heavenly Gang Earth Fiend might also contain the Qi of Shen Metal…"
No wonder he wanted him dead!
Saint Sect true persons were always selfish and ruthless—internal conflict was nothing unusual, let alone when personal interests were at stake. Mercy was out of the question.
But this also meant—
'He must know where the Qi of Shen Metal is!'
At that moment, a chilling killing intent finally emerged in Lu Yang's eyes. Then, in a flash, he blocked the path of Gou Yue who tried to flee.
"Spare me, fellow Daoist!"
Gou Yue quickly pleaded, "As long as fellow Daoist spares my life, I am willing to offer myself to you—"
"Even if I kill you, I can still make you offer yourself!"
Before her voice fell, Lu Yang's palm struck her crown. The force of his Dharma Body was unstoppable, instantly pulverizing her alluring body.
The next moment, a banner materialized:
[Banner of All Souls]!
With a sweep, the banner refined her instantly. Gou Yue was turned into a banner spirit. Lu Yang, expressionless, promptly dispersed this spirit once again.
Then, the innate Qi she transformed into merged into the banner and was absorbed by a near-shattered, dormant banner spirit, gradually awakening it.
"Where… am I?"
The awakened spirit was a handsome youth, though his face looked sickly and bitter, distorting his otherwise charming features.
Banner Spirit Chen Xin'an!
Satisfied, Lu Yang nodded. While he could have used Gou Yue to revive Ancestor Ting You, for the moment, Chen Xin'an was the more practical choice. After all, if he captured Qi He, he couldn't very well send Ancestor Ting You out. Although with his talents, it wasn't entirely impossible…
"Boom—"
At that moment, Qi He evidently sensed something was wrong and, without hesitation, blew up the shop they were in!
In an instant, the explosion shattered the seal of the [Essence of Blossoms].
Qi He's heart bled.
He had managed this "Secret Pavilion Street" for so long, investing countless resources. What looked like an ordinary shop was actually a superior spiritual treasure!
Even so, he dared not hesitate.
'Self-destructing a superior treasure should be enough to force this guy back. I'll take this chance to flee. Now that I've been exposed, I must immediately seek out the lord—'
He prepared to flee with his escape light.
But the next moment, his pupils shrank at what he saw:
From the flames of the self-destruction, a blood-drenched, upright figure stepped forth, as if the raging light had been parted by an invisible hand.
'He didn't dodge!?'
Qi He couldn't believe it. He never imagined that faced with the explosion of a superior spiritual treasure, Lu Yang wouldn't evade, but take it head-on!
Meanwhile, Lu Yang smirked. As he was injured, the towering phantom behind him suddenly swelled several times in size.
[All-Embracing Celestial Dharma Body]!
The mystery of this Dharma Body was that the heavier the injury, the stronger the divine power! He had intentionally taken the hit to push his power to its peak!
Qi He finally reacted.
Immediately, the radiance of [Bearer of All Things] emerged to shield him. This divine ability could bear all spells and arts in his place.
Then he saw the towering phantom behind Lu Yang extend a palm toward him.
[All-Embracing]!
This ability could seize souls and minds, drawing out the soul by force. Yet, it had no effect on Qi He.
But he wasn't relieved.
'[Bearer of All Things]... is full!?'
Even divine abilities had limits. What chilled him was that Lu Yang had used only one technique to reach the full capacity of [Bearer of All Things]!
'But… this also benefits me!'
His thoughts raced. He switched divine abilities—mountains and rivers vanished, replaced by swirling auspicious clouds, manifesting infinite visions.
[Boundless Longevity Dao Foundation]!
He was clearly ready to risk it all. With his Dao foundation manifesting, he deployed his life-bound divine ability: a vast golden bridge.
[Boundless Golden Bridge]!
One end of the bridge was beneath his feet, the other vanishing into the void, lifting him as if ascending in broad daylight.
This life-bound divine ability was similar to Lu Yang's [Affinity Determination], but weaker. Normally hard to activate, but with [Bearer of All Things] absorbing enemy force and converting it into fuel, it enabled instant flight across thousands of miles!
"Hahaha!"
Seeing himself on the golden bridge and the path ahead clear, Qi He laughed. "No need to see me off, fellow Daoist!"
But in reply came a soft chuckle.
"Sever!"
In a flash, a sword light illuminated all directions, blocking all of Qi He's senses, plunging him into a void-like state.
When he recovered, the scene before him made his eyes almost burst.
His highly-anticipated [Boundless Golden Bridge] had been cleaved in two. The divine ability dissipated, and his Dao foundation shattered with it!
"Puh!"
The backlash from the broken foundation made Qi He vomit blood. Cracks spread across his Dharma body, and he staggered and fell from mid-air!
[Primordial Mother's Transformative Light]!
Lu Yang had long prepared. A white light fell upon Qi He, turning him enchanting. Only then did he look at the newly-awakened Chen Xin'an.
"Go!"
Chen Xin'an: "…"
After a long while, Chen Xin'an handed over the soul-searched information with a pained expression.
Lu Yang took it and froze.
The truth deviated from his guess—Qi He didn't just know where the Qi of Shen Metal was. He already had it in his hands!
In an instant, Lu Yang didn't feel joy, but a bone-deep chill:
'How could it be such a coincidence!?'