Chapter 309
Chapter 309
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 0
Chapter Title: Heaven of Non-Existence
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This was an incredibly wondrous sensation.
It began with the Myriad Spirits Banner in [Soaring Empyrean]'s hand, then expanded outward like a gentle, warm breeze caressing everyone present.
Something was coming.
In that instant, the exact same sensation arose in everyone's hearts. Yet that was all there was to it—they could neither see it, nor hear it, nor touch it. It felt just like an illusion.
In a flash, countless voices rang out beside Lu Yang's ears. Everything around him grew hazy, as though a thin veil had suddenly draped over the world, impossible to pierce. His whole being seemed to ascend into the heavens, drifting high above clouds and mists. Gazing about, he saw no sun or moon overhead, no rivers or seas below.
*He pulled my consciousness in!?*
A jolt of alarm shot through Lu Yang's mind, but his movements didn't falter for a moment. He severed the link once more, cutting off contact with his clone and shifting from a first-person view to third-person.
That was when he saw it.
The entire Immortal Alliance headquarters stood frozen like insects trapped in amber. Everyone had their eyes closed, sunk in deep slumber, oblivious to the world outside.
Two exceptions.
One was True Lord Serene Clarity Flying Snow, who had acted at the final moment. Her three thousand strands of raven hair cascaded like a waterfall, her exquisite features dignified and poised, reminiscent of a classical noblewoman.
The other was cloaked entirely in thin mist, features hidden, gender indeterminate—the evasive figure of [Soaring Empyrean].
"Good show, Mu Changsheng!"
At that moment, [Soaring Empyrean] spoke up, bursting into hearty laughter.
"I underestimated you. The Fruit of Empty Proof... it really does have some merit!"
"Interesting."
Meanwhile, True Lord Serene Clarity Flying Snow fixed [Soaring Empyrean] with a piercing stare and let out a cold sneer.
"Who are you? Hiding your face like that in front of me."
"Are you... one of our Primal Saint Sect's True Lords?"
[Soaring Empyrean] had no intention of admitting anything to such a question. He merely chuckled.
His gaze shifted, landing in Lu Yang's direction.
The next moment, his voice rang out in clear laughter.
*'Did Fellow Daoist foresee this as well? Knowing Mu Changsheng had other plans, you held back from acting. I've made a fool of myself in your eyes.'*
There was no trace of frustration at his failed scheme in his tone—only amusement. In the art of plotting, there were always wins and losses. He excelled at it and had failed at it more than most, so he knew when to let go. Besides, this turn of events wasn't entirely fruitless for him.
*'This person... must be a True Lord!'*
Under the Fruit Position's influence, everyone's consciousness had been drawn away, leaving their physical forms utterly defenseless. Any passerby could slaughter them all.
Only a True Lord could divide their mind like this.
And right now, he sensed that indistinct gaze upon him once more. It meant the other party could resist the Fruit Position's pull on their consciousness.
What else could that be but a True Lord?
*'So I was overthinking things earlier.'*
Lu Yang had stayed hidden in the shadows from start to finish, never showing himself. It had once led [Soaring Empyrean] to suspect he was merely a gutsy peak Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Now, that seemed like a mistake.
After all, Hong Ju—another peak Foundation Establishment cultivator nearby—was already hopelessly ensnared.
Yet Lu Yang retained a measure of clarity.
"Fellow Daoist takes this round by a slight margin."
"The final result, however... remains to be seen!"
With that, [Soaring Empyrean] sat down cross-legged, shut his eyes, and began to carefully attune himself to that mysteriously manifested Fruit Position.
True Lord Serene Clarity Flying Snow, meanwhile, cast an intrigued glance at Lu Yang.
*'I knew there was something off about him.'*
*'The harvesting technique he used on that woman earlier—it has to come from the Heaven Mending True Scripture. Could he be a Heaven Mending Peak Master from one of our Primal Saint Sect's past generations?'*
*'Then who is the True Lord backing him?'*
*'And this one...'*
Her eyes flicked toward [Soaring Empyrean]. He was shrouded too thoroughly. She suspected he was someone she knew.
*'...Never mind.'*
After a moment's reflection, True Lord Serene Clarity Flying Snow turned her focus back to the enigmatic Fruit Position before her. A glint of admiration flickered in her eyes.
"Mu Changsheng, Innate True Person... truly extraordinary. The notion of [Empty Proof] is so vague and elusive—how did he actually achieve it? Utterly inconceivable!"
With that, she too sank into meditation.
On Lu Yang's end, seeing that neither True Lord showed any sign of acting—and confirming he could sever the connection at any time—he reestablished the link with his clone.
The next instant, the roar of wind filled his ears once more.
When Lu Yang opened his eyes, he was back in that realm above the clouds and mists.
Only now, a figure stood before him.
A white-robed elder with flowing white hair and a kindly, wrinkled face smiled warmly. His form was faintly translucent, clearly no true flesh and blood.
"Poor Daoist Mu Changsheng greets Fellow Daoist."
Lu Yang promptly returned the salute with cupped hands.
The white-robed elder spoke in a solemn tone.
"This [Heaven of Non-Existence] is what Poor Daoist left behind before his death."
"Fellow Daoist, however, remains outside [Heaven of Non-Existence]. You have yet to truly enter. Poor Daoist has come specifically to lay out the risks and benefits for you. Should you plunge in blindly without knowing how to handle it, only to squander your merit and destiny in vain... that would go against my intentions."
The Innate True Person's words sounded quite agreeable.
Lu Yang, however, tuned out every syllable, staring fixedly at him.
"Fellow Daoist... you're from five thousand years ago, aren't you? And you're still alive?"
Could it be like the Blood Devil True Person—feigning death to endure?
Even Foundation Establishment True Persons could linger for ages that way, but it was no different from death: consciousness dormant, no true sensation of longevity.
The next moment, however, the Innate True Person shook his head.
"No. Poor Daoist died long ago."
His expression remained placid as he continued.
"With the True Lords overseeing the heavens back then—and viewing me as a thorn in their side, a stab in their flesh—how could I have hidden myself if I lived?"
"Then, Senior..." Lu Yang ventured hesitantly.
At that, a smug smile creased the Innate True Person's features, his brows relaxing.
"This is precisely the wonder of [Heaven of Non-Existence]!"
*"When the false turns true, the true becomes false. Where non-being resides, being dissolves into nothing."*
"The 'me' you see, Fellow Daoist, is but an illusory projection, spontaneously evolved by [Heaven of Non-Existence]. The real me? My soul long ago entered the wheel of reincarnation."
Shock crossed Lu Yang's face.
"...Such a thing is possible?"
"Ordinary methods cannot achieve it. But the Fruit I proved made it so."
The Innate True Person smiled, pointing upward.
Fruit Position: [Heaven of Non-Existence]!
"Consciousness is a profoundly subtle thing. Though I am no living being, to myself... I *am* alive."
With that, the Innate True Person dropped the subject, pivoting instead.
"Alas, the Dao Tribulation I became upon death was released far too soon. I had left it behind to draw on the [Infinite] intent-image of [Eternal Flowing Waters]. Yet before [Heaven of Non-Existence] could fully mature, it broke free."
"Had it been taken by some other means, [Heaven of Non-Existence] would never have manifested."
"But no—it was retrieved using the very method *I* prepared, guided by the Myriad Spirits Banner. Karma stirred, and so [Heaven of Non-Existence] revealed itself."
"Perhaps this was fated."
He shook his head as he spoke. Clearly, in his vision, [Heaven of Non-Existence] should have emerged only upon full completion.
"..."
Lu Yang said nothing, sitting ramrod straight as he carefully studied the benevolent-looking elder.
After a moment's contemplation, he spoke gravely.
"So why did Senior draw me here?"
The Innate True Person did not answer directly. Instead, he pointed downward.
"Does Fellow Daoist know what lies within this [Heaven of Non-Existence]?"
Lu Yang shook his head.
"Please explain, Senior."
"The answer is simple."
"[Heaven of Non-Existence] is the fruit of my Empty Proof. Naturally, its contents reflect my life—which means the great tribulation of five thousand years past!"
"And I did not invite Fellow Daoist alone."
"Cultivators across the world—all at Foundation Establishment—may enter [Heaven of Non-Existence] and retrace *my* tribulation of old."
"Whoever breaks free of the tribulation..."
"...shall take control of [Heaven of Non-Existence]."
"Ascend to True Lord!"