Chapter 362: First Encounter with the Dao Court
Several days later, the Southern Frontier.
Lü Yang transformed into a sword light, speeding swiftly along his path. Yet as he approached the Southern Frontier, he abruptly halted, retracting his sword radiance and hovering amidst the clouds, gazing into the distance.
In the next instant, a jade slip materialized in his hand.
This jade slip had been bestowed by True Person Dangmo. Aside from containing intelligence on the True Persons of the Myriad Venom Sect, it held another piece of information that captured Lü Yang's utmost attention:
'Who would have thought that after searching high and low, the answer would come without effort!'
The Southern Frontier's Myriad Venom Sect actually possessed clues regarding [Xin Metal]!
'Within the Myriad Venom Sect lies a sacred pool capable of gathering moonlight essence, transforming it into [Imperial Flow Essence]. If accumulated into a vial and further refined, it can serve as [Xin Metal].'
Utterly unbelievable!
'The pool is named [Moon-Worshipping]. The Myriad Venom Sect has nurtured it through secret methods for many years, succeeding only a decade ago. It stands as a supreme geomantic treasure!'
At this point, Lü Yang's eyes gleamed with sudden brilliance.
'This Myriad Venom Sect... has already courted death!'
Such a geomantic treasure could only belong to one of virtue. And surveying the world, who else but himself—a celestial spirit, Heaven's favored child—was more deserving?
Previously, he had held little hope for obtaining gold within sixty years because nurturing a celestial spirit required an excessively long period, especially in the final stages, where progress was painstakingly slow with almost no shortcuts. However, with the aid of such a geomantic treasure, the efficiency of nurturing could be vastly accelerated!
'That said... careful planning is still necessary.'
After all, the Southern Frontier differed drastically from the Northern Frontier.
The Myriad Venom Sect was far more cunning than the Divine Martial Gate. The latter had been thoroughly deceived by the Sword Pavilion, foolishly establishing their sect in the Northern Frontier based on empty promises.
The Myriad Venom Sect, however, would never trust the Saint Sect.
Thus, besides the Saint Sect, the Myriad Venom Sect had privately sought another patron. This was precisely why their development had flourished far more than the Divine Martial Gate's.
That other patron was none other than the Dao Court!
"Boom—!"
While Lü Yang pondered, dark radiance surged from the distant clouds. The once boundless white expanse instantly transformed into an oppressive black mass, rolling toward him like an overwhelming tide.
At the heart of the roiling dark clouds stood a majestic military formation. Within the encampment, blades and spears bristled like a forest, countless soldiers and officers executing their duties with seamless coordination. Their auras intertwined, sealing heaven and earth, forming an impenetrable barrier blocking Lü Yang's path into the Southern Frontier. A grand banner fluttered amidst the formation, emblazoned with two imposing characters:
[South Suppression]
Beneath the banner, a dragon-horse pawed the air, bearing a majestic man seated atop it. A long spear rested against his back, trailing a blazing arc of flames behind him.
Standing proudly amidst the clouds, he laughed heartily: "Which True Person of the Sword Pavilion graces us with their presence?"
'[King of the South Suppression] Wu Tai'an...'
The jade slip had already detailed the Dao Court's arrangements in the Southern Frontier. This [King of the South Suppression] was no ordinary figure—he was a genuine descendant of the Tian Wu royal bloodline.
Within the Dao Court, bloodline carried tangible power.
While many officials of the Dao Court might rely on nominal cultivation realms, their strength often fell slightly short compared to other cultivators of the same level. However, the imperial family stood apart.
Every generation of the Dao Court's royalty cultivated their own innate nature, with official positions serving merely as embellishments.
Take this [King of the South Suppression], for example. As a prince of the Dao Court, he was at the perfected Foundation Establishment realm. Yet even without his official rank, his cultivation remained at the late-stage Foundation Establishment!
'If comparisons must be made, he resembles Suo Huan from back then...'
Despite this, Lü Yang felt little fear. After all, this was still Jiangnan. Unless the Dao Court had gone mad, they would never dare assassinate him here.
"I am Minghe, dispatched by my master to the Southern Frontier," Lü Yang replied from the clouds, cupping his hands in greeting. "Might I ask why the [King of the South Suppression] appears here? Could it be that you conspire with the Myriad Venom Sect to obstruct my path?"
'Truly, these Sword Pavilion lunatics!'
The King of the South Suppression cursed inwardly but maintained his smile: "Young friend, you misunderstand. This prince stations himself here to guard against the demonic sects of the Southern Frontier—"
—A blatant lie.
In truth, the entire Dao Court tacitly understood the real purpose. Whether the King of the South Suppression stationed himself here or secretly recruited the Myriad Venom Sect, his true target was the Sword Pavilion.
After all, everyone knew the Sword Pavilion's temperament.
If left unchecked, they might one day storm into Jiangdong, slaughtering indiscriminately within Dao Court territory—all while claiming they were liberating sentient beings!
As the two conversed—
Far in the distance, atop a mountain peak, two cultivators gazed toward Lü Yang's direction. Their auras unmistakably marked them as Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Their appearances were bizarre.
One appeared handsome at first glance, yet whenever his lips parted, no tongue or teeth could be seen—only a vicious-looking gu worm lurking within.
Beside him, the other cultivator was even stranger. His face was utterly blank—devoid of features, lacking even the seven orifices. Instead, a human-faced gu worm rested in his palm, fused seamlessly with his flesh. Whether speaking or circulating his magic power, everything emanated from this palm-bound gu worm.
Their appearances alone betrayed their identities as True Persons of the Myriad Venom Sect.
One was named [Huigu], the other [Dragon Centipede].
"Is that Yan Xiao?" Dragon Centipede True Person spoke first. "Our informant in the Sword Pavilion reported that despite having just reached Foundation Establishment, he is a sword cultivator with extraordinary prowess."
"Do you think the King of the South Suppression can stop him?"
Huigu True Person shook his head. "The Dao Court will not antagonize the Sword Pavilion. Unless the Sacred Sect abandons the Southern Frontier, the Dao Court will never intervene."
"What then?"
Dragon Centipede True Person frowned. "The [Moon-Worshipping Sacred Pool] has finally coalesced, and the refinement of the [Ten Thousand Calamities Gu] is at its final stage. We cannot abandon it now."
Upon hearing this, the gu worm in Huigu True Person's palm emitted a shrill screech, his tone turning ruthless: "Indecision invites disaster. Since he's only just reached Foundation Establishment, the two of us can capture him together. No need to kill—just trap him and delay him for a year or two."
"Well said!"
Dragon Centipede True Person nodded with a grin. "Both of us are mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. Dealing with a junior who's just broken through shouldn't pose any unexpected problems."
Meanwhile—
On the distant horizon, the King of the South Suppression had already stepped aside.
"Young friend, since you insist on entering the Southern Frontier, this prince shall not detain you further. However, the Southern Frontier is a land of harsh mountains and wicked waters—a den of demonic paths. Exercise utmost caution."
"Many thanks for your concern, Your Highness."
Lü Yang cupped his hands, watching as the King of the South Suppression's military formation retreated into the distance.
'This prince... harbors ill intentions! By making such a conspicuous appearance, he deliberately exposed my whereabouts, making covert infiltration impossible.'
Yet it mattered little.
He had never planned to infiltrate stealthily in the first place.
After all, he was now a great sword cultivator at the late-stage Foundation Establishment. Unless a True Lord appeared or he encountered a perfected Foundation Establishment expert, he feared nothing!
'Besides, this is just an avatar. What's there to fear?'
'Perfect opportunity to test my blade!'
In the next instant, Lü Yang summoned his sword radiance and boldly surged into the Southern Frontier. Witnessing this, Dragon Centipede True Person and Huigu True Person paled.
"Such audacity!"
Originally, the two had assumed Lü Yang would sneak into the Southern Frontier, so they resolved to follow covertly, luring him deeper before ambushing him in a secluded location to obscure celestial scrutiny. Never did they expect Lü Yang to act so brazenly, flying straight in without the slightest attempt to conceal his presence!