Chapter 308: The Fruit of Empty Attainment, Heaven of Non-Existence!
It was an extraordinarily peculiar sensation.
Initially emanating from the Myriad Spirits Banner in [Ang Xiao]'s grasp, it swiftly expanded outward like a gentle breeze sweeping over everyone present.
Something was approaching.
At this moment, all present shared the same premonition—yet that was all. It remained unseen, unheard, intangible, as fleeting as an illusion.
Suddenly, countless voices echoed in Lü Yang's ears. His surroundings blurred as if veiled by an unfathomable haze, impossible to lift. His entire being seemed to ascend, soaring above clouds and rain, where looking up revealed neither sun nor moon, and gazing down showed no trace of rivers or seas.
'He's pulling my consciousness in!?'
Alarmed yet swift, Lü Yang severed his connection with the Avatar once more, shifting from first-person to third-person perspective.
And then he saw.
The entire Immortal Alliance headquarters stood frozen like insects trapped in amber, every soul with closed eyes, oblivious to the outside world.
Only two exceptions existed.
One was True Lord Qingcheng Feixue, who had acted at the last moment—her cascading black hair framing an exquisitely poised face, dignified as a classical beauty. The other was shrouded entirely in mist, features indiscernible, gender unclear, their concealed appearance unmistakably belonging to [Ang Xiao].
"What an impressive Mu Changsheng!"
At this moment, [Ang Xiao] suddenly spoke, laughing heartily. "I underestimated you. The Fruit of Empty Attainment... truly holds some merit!"
"Fascinating."
Meanwhile, True Lord Qingcheng Feixue stared fixedly at [Ang Xiao], her smile cold. "Who are you? Still hiding your face before me..."
"...A True Lord of our Saint Sect?"
Faced with such questioning, [Ang Xiao] naturally wouldn't admit anything, merely chuckling before shifting his gaze toward Lü Yang.
In the next instant, he proclaimed cheerfully:
'Was this also part of your foresight, Fellow Daoist? Knowing Mu Changsheng had alternate arrangements, hence your restraint? I've given you quite the spectacle.'
His tone carried no trace of frustration over his failed scheme—only amusement. In the art of strategy, gains and losses were inevitable. Having experienced countless failures in this very craft, he took setbacks in stride. Moreover, this unfolding scene wasn't without its rewards.
'This person... must be a True Lord!'
Under the Fruit Position's influence, everyone's consciousness had been drawn away, their bodies left defenseless—ripe for slaughter by any passerby.
Only a True Lord could divide their attention so.
And now, Lü Yang sensed that intangible gaze once more, proof that the other could resist the Fruit Position's pull while maintaining awareness.
If not a True Lord, then what?
'It seems my earlier suspicions were unfounded...'
Lü Yang had remained hidden throughout, never revealing himself, leading [Ang Xiao] to briefly suspect he might merely be an audacious Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator.
But now, that seemed unlikely.
After all, Hong Ju—another at Foundation Establishment Perfection—had already succumbed entirely, while Lü Yang retained partial lucidity.
"This round goes to you, Fellow Daoist."
"But the final outcome remains unseen!"
With those words, [Ang Xiao] sat cross-legged, closing his eyes to meticulously contemplate the mysteriously emerged Fruit Position.
On the other side, True Lord Qingcheng Feixue also cast an intrigued glance at Lü Yang:
'I knew this man was suspicious...'
'His method against that woman earlier—the harvesting technique—must derive from the 《Mending Heaven True Scripture》... Could he be a past Mending Heaven Peak Master of our Saint Sect?'
'And who is the True Lord behind him?'
'As for this one...'
Her gaze shifted to [Ang Xiao], so thoroughly concealed she wondered if he was someone she knew.
'...Never mind.'
Setting aside her musings, True Lord Qingcheng Feixue refocused on the enigmatic Fruit Position before her, admiration flashing in her eyes. "Mu Changsheng, the Innate True Person... Truly remarkable. The theory of [Empty Attainment] was always nebulous—how did he actually achieve it? Simply inconceivable!"
With that thought, she too entered deep meditation.
Meanwhile, Lü Yang, seeing neither True Lord showed hostile intent and confirming he could sever the connection at will, reconnected with his Avatar.
The next moment, howling winds filled his ears. Upon reopening his eyes, he found himself once more in that realm above clouds and rain.
Only now, a figure stood before him.
An elderly man in white robes, with silver hair and kindly features, his body slightly translucent—clearly not of flesh and blood.
"This humble Daoist is Mu Changsheng. Greetings, Fellow Daoist."
Lü Yang returned the salute with clasped hands, observing as the white-robed elder solemnly declared: "This [Heaven of Non-Existence] was left behind by this humble Daoist before death."
"However, Fellow Daoist remains outside the [Heaven of Non-Existence], not yet truly entered. I've come specifically to clarify the stakes. Should you rashly venture inside without understanding how to proceed, needlessly depleting your merit and fortune would displease me."
The Innate True Person's words sounded gracious.
Yet Lü Yang absorbed none of it, staring intently as he asked: "Senior lived five thousand years ago... How do you still exist?"
Could he be like True Person Blood Demon, feigning death to prolong existence?
Foundation Establishment True Persons could persist through such methods, but it amounted to suspended animation—consciousness dormant, devoid of true longevity.
The Innate True Person shook his head:
"No, this humble Daoist perished long ago."
His expression remained placid. "The True Lords surveil all under heaven. Back then, they saw me as a thorn in their side. Were I alive, how could I evade them?"
"Then Senior..." Lü Yang hesitated.
At this, the Innate True Person's brow smoothed, pride surfacing: "This is precisely the wonder of the [Heaven of Non-Existence]!"
"When false is taken as true, truth becomes false;
Where nothingness gives birth to being, being returns to nothing."
"The me before you is illusory, conjured by the [Heaven of Non-Existence] itself. The true me—my soul—has long since reincarnated."
Lü Yang's face betrayed astonishment: "...Such a thing exists?"
"Ordinary means could never achieve this, but the Fruit I attained made it possible." The Innate True Person smiled, pointing upward.
The Fruit Position [Heaven of Non-Existence]!
"Consciousness is a delicate matter. Though I'm no true living being, to myself, I genuinely believe I 'exist.'"
With that, the Innate True Person ceased explanations, shifting topics: "Regrettably, the Dao Calamity I became after death was released too early. Initially, I left it intending to harness the [Endless] aspect of [Flowing Water]. Yet now, before the [Heaven of Non-Existence] reached completion, it broke free."
"Had other methods retrieved that Dao Calamity, the [Heaven of Non-Existence] wouldn't have manifested."
"But precisely because they used my own means—the Myriad Spirits Banner to summon it—karma intertwined, exposing the [Heaven of Non-Existence]'s traces."
"Perhaps this too is heaven's will."
Here, the Innate True Person shook his head again. Clearly, he'd intended the [Heaven of Non-Existence] to manifest only after achieving full maturity.
"......"
Observing the introspective elder, Lü Yang remained silent, sitting upright while carefully studying the benevolent-faced old man.
After contemplation, he finally spoke gravely: "Then why has Senior drawn me here?"
Rather than answering directly, the Innate True Person gestured downward: "Do you know what lies within this [Heaven of Non-Existence], Fellow Daoist?"
Lü Yang shook his head: "Please enlighten me."
"The answer is simple... The [Heaven of Non-Existence] emerged from my Empty Attainment. Its contents naturally reflect my lifetime—specifically, the great tribulation five millennia ago!"
"And I've invited more than just you."
"All Foundation Establishment cultivators under heaven may enter the [Heaven of Non-Existence] to relive my tribulation. Whoever breaks free shall command the [Heaven of Non-Existence]..."
"And ascend as a True Lord!"