Chapter 313
Chapter 313
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 0
Chapter Title: Heaven of Non-Existence Expands
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Never had there been a moment when Lu Yang missed his world-shocking wisdom so intensely.
Unfortunately, Tingyou Ancestor had suffered devastating injuries in his previous life and remained in deep slumber, recuperating to this day. Not only him—the entire Ten Thousand Spirits Banner was currently in a half-crippled state.
*If only I could find a new one to merge with.*
Almost instinctively, Lu Yang thought of the other Tingyou Ancestor, still trapped in the Skull Mountain secret realm at this moment. But he quickly abandoned the notion.
*...Not yet time.*
That strand of Golden Core sword qi in Skull Mountain hadn't dissipated. At this timeline, Tingyou Ancestor hadn't escaped yet—it was simply impossible to extract him.
Even though the Heaven-Receiving Orthodox Virtue True Lord of the Sword Pavilion wasn't exceptionally talented among the True Lords, he was still a Golden Core cultivator. A single thread of his sword qi lingering there meant certain death for Lu Yang, even at peak Foundation Establishment. By his calculations, he'd likely need to wait another six or seven years.
*No rush, no rush. Slow and steady wins the race.*
Lu Yang comforted himself inwardly. Yet right then, a sudden premonition stirred within him. He lifted his head toward the sky overhead, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
An ordinary person would sense nothing at all.
But Lu Yang had felt this familiar sensation just recently, so he recognized it instantly.
“Heaven of Non-existence—expanding!?”
In that instant, Lu Yang slipped into the Foundation Establishment state.
Not just him—countless Foundation Establishment True Persons sensed it too, each dropping into the Foundation Establishment state and gazing up at the sky.
*Something... is up there!*
Everyone sensed that an object had appeared in the mid-heavens of the Foundation Establishment realm. Yet no method could detect its presence.
Anyone who swept it with divine sense involuntarily conjured a false memory:
*Supreme Void Sacrificial Rite Marvelous Method!*
This technique for linking to the Heaven of Non-existence was now disseminating widely, complete with vast knowledge about it.
“Boom!”
Almost simultaneously, several stars blazed with radiant light in the vault of heaven. Clearly, even True Lords couldn't hide their shock at the Heaven of Non-existence's manifestation.
What stunned countless observers, though, came next. As fruit-position starlight descended and the True Lords' immense divine senses swept over it, the Heaven of Non-existence revealed only an illusory veil of light and shadow—untouchable, like a mirage in the desert. Impossible to seize, impossible for even True Lords to affect!
“What a Heaven of Non-existence!”
Capturing a fruit position was fiendishly difficult to begin with; suppressing one was rarer still. Over the years, only the Pure Land had achieved such a feat.
But the Heaven of Non-existence was clearly far harder to grasp.
Invisible to sight, it is called Yi. Inaudible to hearing, it is called Xi. Intangible to touch, it is called Wei.
These three cannot be interrogated, so they merge as one. It gleams not above, darkens not below—enduring, unnamed, reverting to the void. Thus it is named the form of formlessness.
After several True Lords tested it and found themselves utterly helpless against the Heaven of Non-existence, they withdrew one by one, ceasing their efforts. Below, the Foundation Establishment True Persons who grasped its wonders through the Supreme Void Sacrificial Rite Marvelous Method lit up with excitement.
Meanwhile, overseas.
Soaring Empyrean opened his eyes as well, letting out a sigh.
“What a wondrous fruit position. Mu Changsheng... from which realm or heaven did he fetch this?”
Though the Innate True Person claimed to have comprehended the Heaven of Non-existence from emptiness alone, Soaring Empyrean didn't buy it for a second. He was convinced external aid was involved.
Talent had limits, after all.
Why was "empty comprehension" so nebulous? Simple: how could anyone envision what they'd never encountered? It defied reason.
Thus, Soaring Empyrean was certain the Innate True Person had lucked into some monumental opportunity. Otherwise, manifesting something as bizarre as the Heaven of Non-existence was impossible. Even Tingyou Ancestor had only devised a method to falsely hold a Golden position back then—not comprehended a true fruit position from nothing.
Could the Innate True Person's talent eclipse Tingyou's?
Impossible!
*Unfortunately, the Heaven of Non-existence ruined things this time. The plan to refine the Dao tribulation into an avatar failed. Next chance won't come easily.*
Soaring Empyrean sighed inwardly.
The next instant, as a crystalline radiance like clear water crashed down, he dispersed his form. The Clear and Pure Flying Snow True Lord's figure took its place.
“Tch—you slipped away fast!”
The Clear and Pure Flying Snow True Lord snorted coldly.
Her beautiful eyes shimmered with divine light. She vaguely sensed Soaring Empyrean's terrifying foundation, curiosity deepening.
*Golden Core mid-stage like me... No, maybe late-stage? How'd he advance? Feels like top-tier late-stage.*
Yet she harbored no fear.
Once Heavy Light Seeking Gold succeeded, allying with her and the Painted Silk Variegated Gauze True Lord—they'd hold three of five elements. She'd have the confidence to push for Golden Core late-stage.
If not late-stage, even less to fear.
Xue Feihong had risen in the waning days of the great tribulation five thousand years ago. She fought every foe she met—and won every time. Her combat talent was hailed as unmatched in five millennia.
Late-stage Golden Core? Tolerable. Mid-stage? No one daunted her!
With that, she glanced below once more.
Lu Yang had snapped awake, of course. Hong Ju hadn't. Hong Yun was absent. A lone Hong Ju meant nothing to her.
At the thought, the Clear and Pure Flying Snow True Lord suddenly flashed Lu Yang a charming smile.
A crisp, melodious voice rang instantly in his ear.
“Judging by your reaction, Fellow Daoist—you know who that was, right?”
“...He's called Soaring Empyrean.”
Lu Yang didn't mince words, voicing the title outright. Thunder instantly rolled through the clouds—but to no avail.
Or rather, Soaring Empyrean had prepared the moment his identity leaked. He feared nothing. His position was secured now. Even if Flying Snow True Lord learned of him and sensed something amiss with Chen Tu—what could she do? She had no means to touch him.
“Soaring Empyrean...”
The Clear and Pure Flying Snow True Lord fell pensive at the words. Anger gradually kindled in her eyes. Her graceful form flickered—gone.
Clearly, the hint sufficed.
Just then, Hong Ju beside Lu Yang snapped his eyes open. A crimson flush crossed his face. His merit and luck plummeted sharply.
*Failed the tribulation?*
Lu Yang saw it instantly—but found it unbelievable. Hong Ju was peak Foundation Establishment. Yet he couldn't pass even the first tribulation?
*I handled it easily enough.*
Hong Ju looked grim, sighing deeply.
“What a Mu Changsheng. Surviving that desperate bind without getting drained dry...”
Who could know what he'd endured!
The Heaven-Earth Intercourse Dragon-Tiger Yin-Yang Grand Array—one hundred eight Heavenly Maidens arrayed against him. He'd fought bloody for seven days—yet still forced to death.
*Just the first tribulation weeds out most. Cultivation irrelevant; entrants assume the Innate True Person's identity at peak Qi Refining. Breaking it demands iron will and peerless talent. Lord Hong Yun might have a shot.*
Long moments passed before Hong Ju regained his wits, dazed.
He spotted Lu Yang beside him and froze—then recalled their joint overseas mission. His face darkened.
They'd come for the semi-true treasure and innate Dao tribulation.
The Dao tribulation was gone. No sign of the semi-true treasure earlier—and Clear and Pure Flying Snow True Lord had casually pocketed it on departure!
*Damn thief!*
Hong Ju raged inwardly, forcing a bitter smile.
“Fellow Daoist, shall we renegotiate? Any other needs?”
“...A few.”
Lu Yang stayed calm, plan B ready.
“If you fetch me a strand of Shen Metal Qi, Fellow Daoist, I'll hand over the method.”
Hong Ju's eyes brightened.
“Simple enough!”
“Follow me, Fellow Daoist!”
Trailing Hong Ju, Lu Yang soon reached that mountain grove, sealed from causal probes by countless arrays. Hong Ju beckoned.
A talismanic scripture floated into his hand.
Lu Yang's eyes narrowed sharply.
The fruit-position treasure of Covered Lamp Fire—the Shared Fate and Exchanged Luck Register Scripture!