Chapter 325: Re-entering the Heaven of Non-Existence!
Gazing at the gathering cultivators from the [Mystic Spirit Realm] outside the boat, Lü Yang's face showed no joy—only a deep chill:
'I was actually right... What bastards!'
The Saint Sect had truly used him as bait!
No—wait, screw the Saint Sect! Clearly, it was the Jiangbei Demon Sect! How could proper cultivation thrive alongside such a group of wicked demons?
For a moment, Lü Yang even grew suspicious of the Sword Pavilion. After all, he had witnessed firsthand just how eccentric those Sword Seeds could be, from Qi Refining all the way to Foundation Establishment. Though True Person Dangmo seemed like a decent man, appearances could be deceiving—who knew if he might sell Lü Yang out too?
'...No, I must find a way into the [Heaven of Non-Existence]!'
Though entering the [Heaven of Non-Existence] with his consciousness would leave his physical body defenseless, Lü Yang could circumvent this flaw using [Puppet on Strings].
He had confidence in this decision.
The world was vast, with heroes as numerous as fish crossing a river. He certainly wasn't the only one to break through the first tribulation—in fact, he was lagging behind many.
With the [Heaven of Non-Existence] now open on a large scale, relevant intelligence had long since leaked out.
Thus, Lü Yang already had some understanding of the second tribulation within the [Heaven of Non-Existence]—precisely why he believed he could break through it.
'It's worth a try!'
With this thought, Lü Yang immediately submerged his mind into his sea of consciousness, activating the [Mystic Method of Grand Void Ritual] to connect with the elusive [Heaven of Non-Existence].
"This Protector is Minghua."
High in the heavens, Immortal Minghua stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze immediately settling on True Person Dangmo. Then, his heart steadied:
'Only one person!'
The entire boat held just one perfected Foundation Establishment Grand True Person—True Person Dangmo. Beyond him, there were only Ye Guyue and Ye Xingfeng at mid-stage Foundation Establishment.
As for the rest—the Yun Family Patriarch and others—though numbering over ten, they were all early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, hardly worthy of Immortal Minghua's attention. Compared to his own side, which boasted a Heavenly Immortal like himself, three Earth Immortals, and seven Human Immortals, the advantage was undeniable no matter how one looked at it.
'...Victory is assured!'
With this in mind, Immortal Minghua grew much calmer: "Fellow Daoist, hand over Yu Shao and the [Shen Metal], and we can part peacefully today."
In his view, this was an overwhelming advantage.
Still, since True Person Dangmo was a perfected Foundation Establishment cultivator, Immortal Minghua didn't wish to push him to desperation—hence his attempt at winning without a fight.
Yet the response he received was a pair of pitying eyes.
"Fellow Daoist, you should return quickly."
True Person Dangmo sighed and said, "From what I know, you must have already investigated this place. Have you still not realized?"
Immortal Minghua blinked at these words. Of course he had investigated—a world possessing thirty fruit positions was indeed terrifying. But before coming, he had already requested a Supreme Being to obscure the heavenly secrets. Right now, no one could detect their presence. As long as they seized what they wanted and left swiftly, what could anyone do?
This logic was sound.
What could possibly be wrong with it?
Immortal Minghua couldn't grasp the deeper meaning behind True Person Dangmo's words at all. He simply chuckled coldly: "So, Fellow Daoist prefers punishment over courtesy?"
"Activate the formation!"
As soon as Immortal Minghua spoke, the clouds swirled and the heavens transformed. Looking around, the sea of clouds in the sky had turned into a thousand-mile stretch of crimson wilderness, with a blazing sun hanging overhead. Waves of scorching heat filled the surroundings, making it feel as though they were trapped inside a furnace—their magic power consumption suddenly intensified!
'[Great Sun Patrol Heaven Diagram] is complete!'
Immortal Minghua's spirits soared. This formation was created in tandem with an ultimate treasure from the [Mystic Spirit Realm], capable of sealing heaven and earth, boiling seas and scorching mountains!
Yet at the same time, those aboard the boat remained utterly calm.
Even the Yun Family Patriarch and other early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators showed no fear before this terrifying formation that could crush them—they even felt somewhat amused.
"Uncle?"
Ye Guyue glanced at True Person Dangmo beside her and, seeing his furrowed brows, showed surprise: "Do these outsiders pose a threat to you?"
True Person Dangmo shook his head solemnly: "This grand formation violates heavenly harmony. With the scorching sun patrolling the skies, if left unchecked, it will harm the mortals below."
Hearing this, Ye Guyue immediately understood—her uncle's old habits were acting up again. She lowered her voice: "Why must you be so rigid, Uncle? They're just mortals... Even if you truly cherish them, shouldn't you kill these intruders swiftly? Delaying will only make things worse."
"I understand."
True Person Dangmo's expression turned contemplative, and he soon made a decision: "No rush. Let us first retreat and draw the battlefield higher."
The higher the battlefield, the harder it would be to affect the mortal world.
As he spoke, True Person Dangmo raised a finger toward the sky—not even drawing his sword—and uttered thunderous words, layers of radiant illusions manifesting behind him:
"To kill for the sake of argument is to value righteousness above oneself. Thus it is said: Nothing is more precious than righteousness!"
Instantly, the layered illusions condensed, revealing jade towers, pavilions, and palaces—finally transforming into countless golden rays that erupted outward!
"Boom!"
The eruption instantly shattered the divine senses of nearly everyone present, leaving them like lone boats tossed in a storm, swaying uncontrollably. Even Immortal Minghua felt dizzy, his ears ringing, his vision filled only with an indescribably vast expanse of heaven and earth—
[Profound Virtue Blessed Land]!
'What is this!?'
Immortal Minghua couldn't comprehend what he was seeing. When his vision cleared, he realized the battlefield had been lifted into the sky!
His pupils contracted sharply—for the first time, he sensed something amiss.
'This world... and the people in it... are all wrong!'
The [Mystic Spirit Realm] had nothing like this!
Now, it was no longer them surrounding True Person Dangmo—they had fallen into his [Profound Virtue Blessed Land]!
Meanwhile, inside the boat's meditation chamber.
Lü Yang sat cross-legged, his split soul already wandering beyond the heavens while his physical body, controlled via [Puppet on Strings], monitored the situation outside.
'Why aren't they fighting?'
Lü Yang was puzzled. Though True Person Dangmo had made a move, he remained restrained, showing no intention of engaging Immortal Minghua in full combat.
Why?
Before Lü Yang could figure it out, True Person Dangmo suddenly split off a ray of blessed land radiance, directing it straight at Lü Yang's sealed chamber!
'Is he trying to harm me!?'
Lü Yang instantly grew vigilant, though his mind remained calm—even feeling somewhat vindicated: I knew the Sword Pavilion had no good people!
Yet the next moment, his eyes widened.
The radiant light enveloped his chamber but didn't force its way inside. Instead, it wrapped around the room layer by layer, forming a protective barrier.
'Is he... protecting me?'
'Ensuring my safety?'
Why would he single me out for protection? Does he have ulterior motives?
As Lü Yang pondered, True Person Dangmo's actions continued—rays of light descended one after another, covering everyone aboard the boat!
He was protecting everyone!
For a moment, Lü Yang almost doubted his own eyes.
But he was sharp-minded after all. Though he couldn't understand True Person Dangmo's actions, he instantly recognized this as a golden opportunity.
'Whether he has schemes or not doesn't matter.'
'If I seize this chance to obtain the second Grand Void divine ability and temporarily regain Grand True Person combat strength, I'll have the power to protect myself no matter the situation!'
'In the end, one must rely on oneself!'
With this thought, Lü Yang hesitated no longer.
His mind plunged into the [Heaven of Non-Existence]!
After a brief daze, Lü Yang's split soul opened its eyes.
Instantly, intense melancholy flooded his consciousness—these emotions surged like a broken dam, battering his sea of consciousness and leaving him increasingly disoriented.
Who am I? Where am I? What is this place?
After a long while, the split soul gradually calmed, its gaze clearing as if finally piecing everything together. It murmured to itself:
"I am the Innate True Person."
"I am Mu Changsheng."