Chapter 481
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 481
Chapter Title: Hong Yun in Hand, All Things Prepared!
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With that thought in mind, Lu Yang made his move.
He did not deploy the [Guiyuan Palace], for this clash differed from the last. Hong Yun wielded the Yi Wood Divine Ability, born of Wu, unafraid of the wonders of Wu Fire.
Thus, summoning the [Guiyuan Palace] now would not only fail to gain ground but might even bolster the might of his foe's divine ability. Falling behind would mean one misstep leading to endless errors—for him. After a brief moment of consideration, Lu Yang shifted his intent, altering the incantation in his hand.
The next instant, sword light flashed.
"Clang clang!"
Lu Yang did not unleash a divine ability. Instead, he gripped the [Calamity Wave] in hand, raising the blade. Sword light soared like a towering ancient tree, boldly meeting the Hacking Gale head-on!
"Boom!"
A thunderous roar echoed as the prismatic hues around Lu Yang's body were peeled away layer by layer. Yet the sword light, sustained by sword intent, did not wane under the gale's assault. It intensified, surging forward against the flow, cleaving the wind asunder with righteous momentum. A speck of crimson light gleamed in Hong Yun's pupils.
'Hiss!'
In that instant, Hong Yun's pupils contracted sharply. The moment the sword light reflected in his eyes, a sword mark appeared on his face, crimson blood welling up!
Yi Wood feared not Wu Fire—which countered Wu Earth—but dreaded the chopping of Metal!
That was why Lu Yang eschewed other divine means, countering with sword arts instead. This seemingly simple choice stemmed from his profound cultivation.
'[Sword Intent]... A true Sword Pavilion cultivator!?'
Horror gripped Hong Yun's heart. He staggered back a step, instinctively touching his cheek. Mana surged, swiftly sealing the bleeding sword mark.
Yet the bone-chilling cold on his face still sent shivers through him. Such sword intent, such sword light—who was this figure?
In a flash, Hong Yun resolved himself:
"[Heaven-Spanning Path]!"
He shook his sleeve, unleashing boundless fire qi. But it was no raging inferno—rather, an image of mortal fireworks.
Beneath the layered fireworks lay a grand avenue, one end at Hong Yun's feet, the other vanishing into endless void. It bore his form upward. With one step, he left Lu Yang's sword light trailing behind, unable to close in.
"Boom!"
Another thunderclap. Lu Yang struck again, but Hong Yun evaded by a hair's breadth at the last moment.
"Si Fire..."
Lu Yang's dharma eyes pierced true. In one glance, he discerned the essence of Hong Yun's divine ability. Si embodied the Grand Post Station, with motifs of mortal fireworks and open roads.
Of course, that was but one facet of Si Fire.
For instance, Chongguang sought the Si Fire divine ability [Rigid Flame Furnace], drawing on another aspect: fire that amplified light, the pinnacle of the six yangs.
Such choices in divine abilities reflected the differing temperaments of Chongguang and Hong Yun. Hong Yun pursued the Heaven-Spanning Path—steady and sure. Chongguang burned fiercely; if denied momentum, so be it, but once ignited, it became a blaze to scorch the heavens.
Countering it was simple enough.
The next moment, a sly smile curved Lu Yang's lips. He extended his hand, prismatic divine light blooming in his palm—the Chen Earth divine ability:
[Roots of All Things]!
At its emergence, Hong Yun's eyes nearly burst with rage. That was *his* divine ability—one pivotal to his combat system!
*'Si begets joy in Chen hour; snake transforms to light dragon, in the grid as a thousand-li dragon colt.'*
In other words, Si Fire and Chen Earth divine abilities could synergize, doubling their power in tandem!
But now, Lu Yang had seized Chen Earth.
No synergy now—in fact, Lu Yang wielded *his* Chen Earth divine ability against him. This [Roots of All Things] perfectly suppressed his [Heaven-Spanning Path]!
In a blink, Hong Yun watched Lu Yang casually toss the [Roots of All Things]. It landed on the mortal fireworks and grand avenue beneath his feet, instantly taking root. Countless tendrils intertwined, locking the [Heaven-Spanning Path] in place, rendering it immobile.
How to counter?
Hong Yun's face twisted in helplessness. He parted his lips, channeling qi into a booming thunder sound. Surging yang qi swept all directions.
[Thunder Gradual Retreat]!
To conquer Chen Earth, one needed Jia Wood to restrain it. Amid the thunderous vibrations, Hong Yun sensed the bindings on his [Heaven-Spanning Path] loosening.
But the next instant—
"[Guiyuan Palace]!"
Wu Fire's radiance rose like the dawn sun, blazing bright and upright. Layered prismatic divine lights piled into a majestic palace, crashing down upon Hong Yun.
*'Defeated... Outmatched!'*
*'He understands me too well. Who is he?'*
Hong Yun sighed deeply. *'Round and round, back to [Guiyuan Palace]. Grand and upright, overwhelming with momentum—what lofty realm, what profound cultivation!'*
From the fight's outset, save for his initial edge with [Felling Dread]'s wonders, Lu Yang had dominated from start to finish. Each move struck at vital points, forcing him step by step into a dead end. Finally, [Guiyuan Palace] sealed the victory!
Such a loss left no excuses.
It was not a disparity in status or power, but cultivation that had been surpassed. He yielded utterly, convinced in defeat.
And this upright grandeur was favored by [Heavenly Fire]!
In that moment, inspiration struck Lu Yang. He vaguely heard a call from the void—muddled, indistinct, yet real.
Joy surged in his heart:
*'My displayed cultivation has stirred [Heavenly Fire]'s faint response. Far from its notice, but a seed is planted.'*
Lu Yang pondered inwardly, his hands unceasing.
"Boom!"
The [Guiyuan Palace] smashed down, shattering Hong Yun's dharma body amid the prismatic lights, reducing him to flying ash and revealing a soul wreathed in golden light.
In a flash, the golden light fled.
"Escape?"
How could Lu Yang allow it? Without [Underworld] to guide him, Hong Yun's bodiless soul was no match for his speed.
The Ten Thousand Spirits Banner swelled against the wind, engulfing it in an instant.
*'Success!'*
With Hong Yun's golden nature secured, Lu Yang beamed. Not only could he wield the golden status by proxy once more, but he could threaten [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord] anew!
All things prepared!
"It is nearly time for [Heaven of Non-existence] to emerge. To have it strip the world's fruit positions and compel all True Lords to withdraw into seclusion, [Heaven of Non-existence] must become the prized gem in every Foundation Establishment cultivator's eyes, drawing them to cultivate its divine abilities."
This would take time.
Yet with [Heaven of Non-existence]'s model of granting divine abilities per checkpoint cleared, spread would be swift. Who would refuse more divine abilities?
"This works perfectly."
"While [Heaven of Non-existence] grows, I can establish my own forces in the Dao Court. When the moment arrives, replicate Uncle Chongguang's seclusion scheme!"
With that, Lu Yang lingered no longer.
The next instant, he withdrew his divine abilities, mounted a beam of escaping light, and returned to that pockmarked, honeycomb-like ruined land.
(End of chapter)