Although a murderous intent surged within him, Lu Yang refrained from taking immediate action. After all, in this lifetime, he intended to join the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion and live as a righteous man.
"Boom!"
In a flash of lightning, Cheng Xian, a Human Immortal from the Myriad Spirit World, appeared before him. Yet, at the same moment, another figure intercepted him.
"Yu Shao!"
Cheng Xian's gaze turned icy, then he burst into laughter. "Perfect timing! Today, I'll capture all of you. One day, the Three Immortal Officials will surely have a place for me!"
Despite the Demon-Slaying True Person having just displayed immense power—his sword light sweeping away Minghua Heavenly Immortal and three Earth Immortals, leaving them all severely injured—Cheng Xian felt no fear. Instead, an inexplicable excitement surged within him.
'Actually, I could have escaped just now?'
Such thoughts barely surfaced before Cheng Xian swiftly suppressed them.
Ye Guyue had deliberately left an opening. In the past, he would have seized the chance to flee. But now, his mind was consumed by a single thought:
'Eliminate Yu Shao, reclaim the Shēn Gold!'
Driven by this thought, Cheng Xian didn't hesitate. He channeled his full power, and a thunderous incantation burst from his mouth:
"[Heal], [Expel]!"
With the roar of thunder, Cheng Xian's previously grievous injuries began to heal at a visible rate, returning to a pristine state in the blink of an eye!
Witnessing this, Yu Shao's expression darkened:
"True Word Technique!"
In the Xuanling World, cultivation differed from the Foundation Establishment Realm. It wasn't about combining various divine abilities to achieve ultimate sublimation, but about perfecting a single divine ability to its pinnacle.
Ghost, Spirit, Human, Earth, Heaven.
These five levels of immortality—Ghost Immortal and Spirit Immortal—were about accumulation. Only upon reaching Human Immortal could one receive the Heavenly Court's blessing, sense the natural world, and ultimately comprehend a [Technique].
Elevating the [Technique] to a [Law] marked the Earth Immortal.
Elevating the [Law] to a [Dao] marked the Heavenly Immortal.
If the [Dao] aligned with the Heavenly Court, one could disseminate their doctrine across the world, manifesting the true law of heaven and earth, thus ascending to the Supreme position. ṜÄ𝐍ÓᛒĘS̈
Cheng Xian, inheritor of the Supreme Dao Law of the Xuanling World, had comprehended the [True Word Technique]. Should he ascend to Earth Immortal, he could transform it into the [Heavenly Constitution True Law]. Advancing further, it could become the [Supreme True Immortal Dao], currently the foremost doctrine in the Xuanling World.
The so-called [True Word Technique]—as the name suggests—was the power to make the world obey one's words. Each incantation was akin to a divine ability, capable of producing incredible effects!
For instance, at this moment.
Cheng Xian used the [True Word Technique] to temporarily negate the effects of his injuries, restoring his combat strength to its peak.
However, this wasn't truly making the world follow his words. The so-called expulsion of injuries was only temporary. Once Cheng Xian's power was exhausted and he could no longer maintain the [True Word Technique], the suppressed injuries would return, not only unhealed but exacerbated several times over!
'Prolonged battle is disadvantageous... I must end this quickly!'
Though Cheng Xian had no thought of fleeing, he remained clear-headed. With a thought, he channeled thirty percent of his power to his throat:
"[Death]!"
Life and death are unpredictable. This single word was the most lethal in the [True Word Technique]. As it was uttered, it directly targeted Yu Shao.
In an instant, Yu Shao's entire body was enveloped in a dense aura of death. Without any warning, he inhaled once but couldn't exhale a second time. His face turned pale, and he staggered back, mustering all his strength to resist the overwhelming drowsiness invading his mind.
He couldn't withstand even a single move!
Though both were Human Immortals, Cheng Xian's utterance of the word [Death] nearly caused Yu Shao's immediate demise. Such power caused both Ye Guyue and Ye Xingfeng to feel a heavy weight in their hearts.
'This person truly has some skill.'
'If not for Uncle's intervention, a solo battle with him would have a fifty-fifty chance of victory.'
'But this is perfect. Let him kill Lu Yang; that would be making the best use of him. With his strength, Uncle can't accuse us of inadequate protection.'
In magical duels, divine abilities don't discriminate.
A slight misstep, and death is commonplace.
With this in mind, Ye Xingfeng and Ye Guyue exchanged glances, understanding each other's intentions. Ye Xingfeng quietly summoned a sword light and positioned himself behind Lu Yang.
Though they planned to let Cheng Xian kill Lu Yang, the Shēn Gold was of immense importance. They couldn't truly let Cheng Xian have it. So, the plan was to use Lu Yang as a shield. Once Cheng Xian exhausted himself killing Lu Yang, Ye Xingfeng would seize the treasure. Given Cheng Xian's depleted state, he wouldn't be able to resist.
All of this happened in a flash.
In the next second, as Yu Shao retreated in panic, there was no one left to block Lu Yang. Cheng Xian once again gathered his full strength and shouted:
"[Execute]!"
This word was no less powerful than [Death]. Instantly, layers of heavenly light burst from his mouth, first illuminating Lu Yang.
Countless golden threads wove together, forming a massive net that ensnared Lu Yang, rendering his body immobile. Then, an invisible killing intent descended, like a guillotine, slicing down upon Lu Yang with unstoppable force!
First declare, then kill—that is execution!
Almost simultaneously, behind Lu Yang, Ye Xingfeng, while fending off several Human Immortals, channeled all his power, ready to seize the treasure at any moment.
However, in the next instant.
Lu Yang raised his head, a smile appearing on his face. His lips parted, skin cracking, and with a breath, he transformed into rolling waves of smoke!
'[Sea of Sorrow]!'
After returning from [Nonexistent Heaven], he was granted this second Taixu divine ability. Like [Essence of All Flowers], it was of the highest grade, but its mysteries were entirely different.
Lu Yang's body exploded under the influence of this divine ability, turning into billowing smoke that quickly covered most of the sky, resembling a vast ocean. Cheng Xian's [Execute] word passed through this smoke without effect.
Ineffective?
"Ah!!!"
Before anyone could react, a heart-wrenching scream erupted from the smoke that Lu Yang had become.
"Xingfeng!?" Ye Guyue's expression changed dramatically.
Cheng Xian's full-force attack, though missing the now smoke-formed Lu Yang, struck Ye Xingfeng, who was behind him!
Originally, Lu Yang was to face Cheng Xian's full-force attack. Regardless of whether he survived, Ye Xingfeng would act. If Lu Yang died, perfect—he'd kill Cheng Xian amidst the chaos and reclaim the Shēn Gold. If Lu Yang survived, it didn't matter—he'd finish him off with a sword, settling their karma.
But Lu Yang dodged.
Now, the unfortunate one was Ye Xingfeng.
In mid-air, Ye Xingfeng staggered, his skin evaporating violently, his body cracking, with power continuously pouring out.
Unstoppable!
Worse still, he was simultaneously battling several Human Immortals from the Xuanling World, who now took the opportunity to strike mercilessly.
"Boom!"
In the next moment, Ye Xingfeng was struck by several beams of light. His already fragile body couldn't withstand it and exploded into pieces!
Meanwhile, the smoke receded and reformed into Lu Yang's figure. His robe fluttered, clouds swirling from his sleeves, enveloping him. He appeared ethereal, like an immortal. His exceptionally handsome face showed genuine sorrow:
"Sigh!"
"Senior Brother Ye, your karma has arrived!"