Chapter 334: The Heavenly Gate Opens!
Behind the [Southern Heavenly Gate].
Lü Yang stood with hands clasped behind his back, gazing skyward as streaks of light descended toward the layered palace complexes ahead—each streak representing a Foundation Establishment True Person.
Yet his mind was preoccupied elsewhere.
Chongguang's sudden voice transmission before departure still echoed in his ears:
'What a strange transaction... He actually wants me to stay in the secret realm as long as possible. Why? Though the price offered is exceptionally generous...'
Lü Yang immersed his consciousness into his sea of consciousness.
In matters of trade, Chongguang had always been magnanimous—fair compensation for fair work, never withholding payment. Truly a conscientious employer.
The next moment, a scripture appeared before Lü Yang's spiritual sight.
《The Lunar Kan Wall Scripture》!
'This isn't a Daoist technique nor a secret art... but a specialized Daoist scripture analyzing the essence of [Xin Metal], designed specifically to enhance corresponding cultivation depth!'
'Xin Metal ranks first among the five metals, the origin of eight minerals. In heaven, it manifests as the sun and moon—the essence of the lunar Yin. On earth, it becomes mountain ores... These are likely Chongguang's personal insights into [Xin Metal] from when he was its spirit, meticulously recorded. Incredibly valuable for my current cultivation!'
Because [Xin Metal] was precisely the next stage of his cultivation path.
The [Pomegranate Wood] fruit position corresponded to [Geng Metal], [Shen Metal], [Xin Metal], and [You Metal]—wood dwelling in metal territory, overcoming through mutual restraint, representing wood's transformative aspect.
Lü Yang studied the scripture with rapt fascination.
Yet in the next breath, his expression abruptly changed: "Why is it cut off!"
He quickly realized this was Chongguang's insurance—providing only half the scripture to ensure Lü Yang honored their agreement by remaining in the [Southern Heavenly Gate] for the required duration.
'What a bastard!'
The remaining half remained sealed by Chongguang, only unlocking after fulfilling the agreed time within the [Southern Heavenly Gate].
With this understanding, Lü Yang steadied his mind and surveyed his surroundings—a landscape of crumbling walls and broken pillars stretched before him.
The vast celestial palace stood devoid of life.
Yet everywhere bore traces of human activity: blade marks scoring the walls, footprints, shattered tea sets scattered about.
This scene alone conjured visions of heaven's court at its zenith—ten thousand immortals paying homage, entering through the [Southern Heavenly Gate] to discuss the Dao, converse freely, drink tea and play chess within these cloud-borne palaces... An ordinary day abruptly severed at some unknown moment.
'The Saint Sect came, and another celestial realm fell.'
Heaven's immortals were swept away in an instant—even the lofty [Mystic Spirit Realm]'s Supreme Ruler was slain—leaving only empty palaces behind.
"True Lords... truly shameless!"
After this brief reflection, Lü Yang summoned the Myriad Spirits Banner. With a flick, Cheng Xian—now refined into a banner spirit—emerged, his face etched with loyalty.
"What treasures exist here?"
At Lü Yang's inquiry, Banner Spirit Cheng Xian pondered briefly: "Within the [Southern Heavenly Gate] sector, the rarest treasures undoubtedly reside in the [Heavenly Capital Palace]."
"[Heavenly Capital Palace]?"
"Indeed. The Supreme Ruler's forging chamber houses the Eight Trigrams Heavenly Capital Furnace containing the world's foremost flame—[Six Ding Divine Fire]. Additionally, the palace nurtures an [Immortal Root of Longevity Equal to Heaven]—carrying it supposedly grants eternal youth without lifespan concerns. Lastly, there's the [Dao Harmony Immortal Pill] personally refined by the Supreme Ruler in recent years."
Three extraordinary treasures!
"[Six Ding Divine Fire] excels in artifact refinement, pill concoction, and combat alike."
"The [Immortal Root of Longevity Equal to Heaven] holds little value for me—Foundation Establishment True Persons worry not about lifespan, but the Bi Wind calamity."
"Only the final [Dao Harmony Immortal Pill]..."
Lü Yang's eyes burned with sudden desire. According to Cheng Xian, consuming this pill could dramatically enhance a cultivator's comprehension!
Moreover—the higher one's innate understanding, the greater the effect!
"Such an immortal pill is rightfully mine!"
Despite this declaration, Lü Yang didn't rush forward. Instead, he planned to first scavenge other areas.
First—to fulfill his agreement with Chongguang by prolonging his stay in the [Southern Heavenly Gate]. Second—laying bait for future harvest.
"Currently everyone's scattered throughout the [Southern Heavenly Gate]. Hunting them individually would be inefficient. But as the most valuable location, [Heavenly Capital Palace] will inevitably become everyone's convergence point. I'll wait until all gather there before making my move—harvesting them all at once!"
Lü Yang harbored absolute confidence.
Because moments ago, he'd already confirmed—
Even within the [Southern Heavenly Gate], he could still channel the Myriad Spirits Banner's mysterious power, temporarily attaining a Grand True Person's status!
How could he not dominate effortlessly?
Elsewhere in the [Southern Heavenly Gate].
The Mending Heaven Peak Master stood coldly gripping a Foundation Establishment True Person. Without visible motion, he reduced the man to desiccated remains.
Completion brought a flush to the Peak Master's face.
As Mending Heaven Peak's ruler, his mastery of the 《Mending Heaven True Scripture》 approached perfection—one step from the technique's ultimate realm:
[Mending Heaven]!
"Heaven bears flaws—I shall mend them with my body."
"Legend states achieving this realm allows communion with heaven and earth, drawing nourishment from creation itself—essentially becoming a grand ritual attracting fruit positions' attention!"
Mastery would lay the foundation for pursuing metal.
"This endeavor holds monumental importance."
"With sufficient external qi harvested and enough merit and fortune accumulated, I can seek the next Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend—potentially attempting late-stage breakthrough within a century!"
"As for that Lü Yang..."
The Peak Master's lips curled in a sneer: "You hide well enough. But so long as you remain within this [Southern Heavenly Gate], your concealment won't last!"
Several days later.
Though the [Southern Heavenly Gate] encompassed only one-fourth of the [Mystic Spirit Realm]'s celestial court, its expanse remained unimaginably vast—equivalent to an entire continent.
During this period, the Sword Pavilion and Saint Sect factions had clashed multiple times.
Yet powerhouses like the Mending Heaven Peak Master and Ye Guyue—both mid-stage Foundation Establishment perfected cultivators—remained inactive, maintaining a delicate equilibrium.
At the [Southern Heavenly Gate]'s central region...
A majestic palace towered amidst clouds, surrounded by terrifying concentrations of spiritual energy that revealed countless formation patterns barring entry.
The [Heavenly Capital Palace]!
As the [Southern Heavenly Gate]'s most valuable location, Foundation Establishment cultivators had long converged here, studying the palace's formations for means of penetration.
Over time, their numbers steadily grew.
Two distinct factions emerged—
One led by Ye Guyue, the other by the Mending Heaven Peak Master. Yet both leaders currently scanned their surroundings, seemingly searching for someone.
'He's absent... Too afraid to come?'
Like the Peak Master, Ye Guyue intended to eliminate Lü Yang within the [Southern Heavenly Gate], having pursued his trail throughout this period.
Yet Lü Yang seemed to have vanished from the mortal realm entirely.
'Where could he be hiding?'
Ye Guyue's delicate brows furrowed.
Unnoticed by all, beyond the gathered crowd outside the Heavenly Capital Palace, Lü Yang leisurely inscribed formation patterns.
He was setting an array!
'Don't joke—according to Cheng Xian, the [Heavenly Capital Hall] was the Mystic Spirit Realm Supreme Ruler's pill-refining site. Would a True Lord's residence lack dangers?'
'Ultimately, I needn't enter the [Heavenly Capital Hall] at all.'
'Wouldn't it be better to simply rob—no, eradicate demons and defend righteousness—against those emerging from the [Heavenly Capital Hall]? Wait, now that I'm orthodox, it should indeed be called eradicating demons and defending righteousness!'