Gazing at the cultivators of the [Mystic Spirit Realm] gathering outside the boat, Lu Yang's face bore no trace of joy; instead, a profound chill settled in his expression:
'I was right. Beasts!'
The Holy Sect had indeed used him as bait!
No, damn it, what Holy Sect? It was clearly the Jiangbei Demon Sect! How could one cultivate properly among such a group of evildoers?
For a moment, Lu Yang even began to suspect the Sword Pavilion. After all, he had witnessed the eccentricities of these sword seeds from Qi Refining all the way to Foundation Establishment. Although that Daoist Dangmo appeared to be a good person, one could know a face but not a heart. Who knew if he would sell him out too?
'...No, I must find an opportunity to enter the [Void Heaven]!'
Although entering the [Void Heaven] with his consciousness would leave his physical body defenseless, Lu Yang could use the [Puppet on Strings] to circumvent this flaw.
He made this decision with confidence.
The world was vast, and heroes were as numerous as carp crossing the river. He was certainly not the only one to have broken through the First Tribulation; in fact, he was lagging behind many.
With the large-scale opening of the [Void Heaven] to the outside world, relevant information had long since leaked out.
Therefore, Lu Yang was already aware of the Second Tribulation within the [Void Heaven]. Precisely because of this, he felt confident in overcoming it.
'It's worth a try!'
With this thought, Lu Yang immediately immersed his mind into his sea of consciousness, operating the 『Mystic Ritual of the Grand Void』 to begin connecting with the enigmatic [Void Heaven].
"Here I am, Minghua."
High above the sky, the Celestial Immortal Minghua stood with hands behind his back, his gaze immediately landing on Daoist Dangmo. His heart settled:
'Only one person!'
On the entire boat, only Daoist Dangmo was a Grand Daoist at the peak of Foundation Establishment. Besides him, there were just Ye Guyue and Ye Xingfeng, both at mid-stage Foundation Establishment.
As for the remaining elders of the Yun family and others, although there were about ten of them, all were at early-stage Foundation Establishment, not even worth Minghua's attention. In contrast, his side had himself, a Celestial Immortal, three Earth Immortals, and seven Human Immortals. No matter how one looked at it, they held the advantage. 𝔯𝓪ΝО𝐛Ɛș
'...Victory is ours!'
Thinking this, Minghua Celestial Immortal calmed considerably: "Fellow Daoist, hand over Yu Shao and [Shen Jin], and today we can part peacefully."
In his view, this was a situation akin to Mount Tai crushing an egg.
However, Daoist Dangmo was, after all, at the peak of Foundation Establishment. Minghua Celestial Immortal didn't want to push him too hard, hence the thought of subduing him without a fight.
Yet, in response, he received a pair of pitying eyes.
"Fellow Daoist, you should return quickly."
Daoist Dangmo sighed and said, "As far as I know, you should have some understanding of this place. Haven't you realized yet?"
Minghua Celestial Immortal blinked upon hearing this. Of course, he had investigated. A world with thirty fruit positions was indeed terrifying. But before coming, he had already invited a Supreme to act, concealing their presence. At this moment, no one could detect them. As long as they struck swiftly and retreated, what could stop them?
This logic was sound.
Was there something wrong?
Minghua Celestial Immortal couldn't comprehend the implication of Daoist Dangmo's words and simply sneered coldly: "So, you're refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit?"
"Activate the formation!"
As Minghua Celestial Immortal's words fell, clouds surged, and the world transformed. Looking around, the sky and sea of clouds turned into a thousand-mile expanse of red wilderness. A blazing sun burned fiercely in the sky, with rolling heat waves filling the surroundings, making it feel as if one were inside a pill furnace. The consumption of magical power suddenly increased!
'The [Great Sun Patrol Heaven Diagram] is complete!'
Minghua Celestial Immortal was exhilarated. This formation, combined with a supreme treasure of the [Mystic Spirit Realm], possessed the power to trap the heavens and earth, burning mountains and boiling seas!
However, at the same time, the people inside the boat remained utterly calm.
Even the Yun family elders and others at early-stage Foundation Establishment showed no fear in the face of this terrifying formation that could crush them. Some even seemed amused.
"Uncle?"
Ye Guyue looked at Daoist Dangmo beside her. Seeing his brows tightly furrowed, she showed a surprised expression: "Are these outsiders a threat to you?"
Daoist Dangmo shook his head solemnly: "This formation harms the harmony of heaven. The blazing sun patrols the heavens. If not controlled, it may inadvertently harm the mortals below."
Upon hearing this, Ye Guyue understood that her uncle's old habits were acting up again. She whispered, "Uncle, why be so pedantic? It's just a few mortals. Even if you truly care for them, you should quickly eliminate these people. Otherwise, delaying will be of no help."
"I understand."
Daoist Dangmo appeared contemplative and soon made a decision: "No rush. Let's first retreat and elevate the battlefield to a higher place."
The higher the battlefield, the less likely it would affect the mundane world.
As his words fell, Daoist Dangmo pointed skyward with two fingers. Without even drawing his sword, he uttered thunderous words, and layers of luminous illusions appeared behind him:
"To contend over a word and kill, is to value righteousness above oneself. Thus, it is said: Nothing is more precious than righteousness!"
In an instant, the layers of illusions condensed, manifesting jade towers and celestial palaces, which then transformed into countless golden rays bursting forth!
"Boom!"
This eruption instantly shattered the divine consciousness of almost everyone present, making them feel like lone boats in a storm, swaying and drifting. Even Minghua Celestial Immortal felt dizzy and disoriented, his ears ringing, and before his eyes appeared an immense, indescribable world—
[Profound Virtue Blessed Land]!
'What is this!?'
Minghua Celestial Immortal couldn't comprehend what he was seeing. When his vision cleared, he realized that the battlefield had been inexplicably elevated!
His pupils contracted sharply, sensing something amiss for the first time.
'This world, and its inhabitants... are all wrong!'
The [Mystic Spirit Realm] had nothing like this!
At this moment, it wasn't them besieging Daoist Dangmo, but rather they had fallen into Daoist Dangmo's [Profound Virtue Blessed Land]!
Meanwhile, inside the quiet chamber of the boat.
Lu Yang sat cross-legged, his split soul already journeying beyond the heavens, while his physical body was controlled via the [Puppet on Strings], constantly monitoring the external situation.
'Why aren't they fighting?'
Lu Yang was somewhat surprised. Although Daoist Dangmo had made a move, he remained restrained and showed no intention of engaging in a full-scale battle with Minghua Celestial Immortal.
Why?
Before Lu Yang could figure it out, the next moment, he saw Daoist Dangmo suddenly release a beam of blessed land light, which fell directly onto his secluded chamber!
'Is he trying to harm me!?'
Lu Yang became instantly alert, yet remained calm, even feeling somewhat unsurprised: I knew there were no good people in the Sword Pavilion!
However, he then widened his eyes.
That beam of light enveloped his chamber but didn't forcibly break it open. Instead, it wrapped around it layer by layer, providing tight protection.
'Is he... shielding me?'
'Trying to protect me?'
Protecting me specifically—does he have ulterior motives?
While Lu Yang was still suspicious, he noticed that Daoist Dangmo's actions hadn't stopped. Beams of light descended, enveloping everyone inside the boat!
He was protecting everyone!
In an instant, Lu Yang almost doubted his own eyes.
But being a keen-minded person, although he couldn't understand Daoist Dangmo's actions, he instantly realized this was a great opportunity.
'Regardless of his intentions, it doesn't matter.'
'As long as I seize this chance to obtain the second Grand Void Divine Ability and temporarily restore the power of a Grand Daoist, I can protect myself in any situation!'
'One must rely on oneself!'
With this thought, Lu Yang hesitated no longer.
His mind immersed into the [Void Heaven]!
After a brief moment of disorientation, Lu Yang's split soul opened his eyes.
Immediately, a strong sense of sorrow welled up in his heart. These emotions surged through his sea of consciousness like a breached dam, leaving him increasingly bewildered.
Who am I? Where am I? What is this place?
After a long while, this split soul gradually calmed down, his eyes clearing as if he had finally sorted everything out. He murmured to himself:
"I am an Innate True Person."
"I am Mu Changsheng."