Chapter 434 – Outside Biyou Mountain at Shangqing Palace, Fiend-Slaying Formation in Azure Cloud

Eastern Divine Continent, Supreme Purity Dao Palace

“Uncle Yi, is that Junior Brother of yours still in seclusion?”

Qu Buhui looked at Yi Hanqing sitting alone in the courtyard and tentatively inquired.

To this, Yi Hanqing leisurely replied, “What do you mean ‘that Junior Brother of mine’? That’s your Junior Martial Uncle and your lifesaver. Don’t be disrespectful.”

Although Qu Buhui knew Yi Hanqing spoke the truth, she didn’t feel much real connection to it. One could even say she was quite dissatisfied with Lu Chen’s sudden appearance.

After all, though Yi Hanqing had never spoken of it, Qu Buhui could sense that since Lu Chen’s arrival, Yi Hanqing’s mood had clearly improved significantly compared to before. This was something that hadn’t occurred in the past ten-plus years, showing just how important this Junior Brother Lu Chen held in Yi Hanqing’s heart.

This inevitably made Qu Buhui somewhat jealous. Though she wanted Lu Chen to leave sooner, she never found a suitable pretext.

Just as Qu Buhui was about to inquire further about Lu Chen’s situation to understand his purpose for coming to Supreme Purity Dao Palace, Yi Hanqing, who had been lying on the rattan chair, suddenly sat up.

He stared intently at the courtyard gate, and before long, Lu Chen walked through it.

Looking at Lu Chen now, Yi Hanqing felt that something had changed about him, though he couldn’t quite grasp what exactly.

But recalling Lu Chen’s reason for going into seclusion recently, Yi Hanqing asked, “Junior Brother, have you successfully broken through to the next realm?”

Lu Chen nodded.

Upon receiving this news, Yi Hanqing’s expression became complex. On one hand, he was happy for Lu Chen – after all, Lu Chen had already been at the Peak of the Nascent Soul Stage when he arrived. Now that he had broken through, he had naturally reached the Deity Transformation Stage.

A Deity Transformation Stage cultivator was undeniably a powerful existence not just in the Eastern Divine Continent, but throughout the entire Central Province. Ordinary people would address such a person as “Revered One.”

Who would have thought that when Yi Hanqing was a Foundation Establishment Stage Sword Cultivator, Lu Chen hadn’t even begun cultivating? And now, while Yi Hanqing was merely a Golden Core Stage cultivator, Lu Chen had already reached the Deity Transformation Stage. The gap between them was truly staggering.

This was why Yi Hanqing’s feelings were so mixed. Though he was full of confidence in himself and his Dao Heart remained firm, facing Lu Chen’s nearly unprecedented cultivation talent, Yi Hanqing still couldn’t be certain whether he would ever be able to catch up to him.

One could only say that the more he learned about Lu Chen’s past, the more Yi Hanqing understood just how terrifying this Junior Brother of his was.

Perhaps sensing Yi Hanqing’s inner turmoil, Lu Chen said with a smile, “Senior Brother, judging by your appearance, it seems you’re also close to a breakthrough, aren’t you?”

Yi Hanqing was momentarily startled, then replied, “Junior Brother, you have good eyes. Thanks to you, the problem that had been troubling me has indeed been resolved. It won’t be long before I can attempt my breakthrough.”

Before Lu Chen could respond, Qu Buhui exclaimed in surprise, “Uncle Yi, do you mean you’re finally preparing to attempt your Nascent Soul breakthrough?!”

As one of the people in Supreme Purity Dao Palace who knew Yi Hanqing best, Qu Buhui was all too aware of how difficult Yi Hanqing’s life had been over these many years. On one hand, he had to help with her cultivation, while on the other, he had to suppress his powerful Heart Demon.

If not for Yi Hanqing’s outstanding cultivation talent and firm Dao Heart…Had it been anyone else, they would have long fallen into the Demonic Path and been utterly lost.

“So many years have passed, and it truly is time.”

Yi Hanqing’s tone was filled with emotion.

It seemed even he hadn’t expected to overcome what he once considered an unsolvable problem.

One could only say that Gu Yue True Immortal’s immortal techniques truly possessed the power to transform decay into wonder.

Without these immortal techniques, he would either be trapped at the Golden Core Stage for life.

Or one day be controlled by his Heart Demon.

But there aren’t so many “what ifs” in this world.

Lu Chen’s appearance finally allowed him to achieve his long-cherished wish.

“Junior Brother, since you’ve successfully achieved your breakthrough, I’ll trouble you to protect me during my tribulation in three days.”

“Of course.”

Three days later, as a Heavenly Tribulation thundercloud appeared over the back mountains of Supreme Purity Dao Palace.

All disciples still within the palace quickly learned that their Sect Leader was attempting a breakthrough.

Even at the Golden Core Stage, the Sect Leader had been able to contend with Nascent Soul Stage cultivators.

If he broke through to Nascent Soul Stage, even if he couldn’t oppose Transformation Soul Stage cultivators.

Being invincible within the same Realm wouldn’t be much of a problem.

Although the Heavenly Tribulation Yi Hanqing provoked wasn’t as exaggerated as Lu Chen’s Nascent Soul Tribulation from years before.

It was still incredibly terrifying.

Yet even such a rare, astonishing tribulation that occurs once in a thousand years.

Still didn’t pose much trouble for Yi Hanqing.

He smoothly achieved his breakthrough.

With such a powerful Nascent Soul Stage Sword Cultivator present.

Supreme Purity Dao Palace’s status in Eastern Divine Continent immediately rose significantly.

For some unknown reason, after Sect Leader Yi Hanqing reached the Nascent Soul Stage.

Supreme Purity Dao Palace abandoned its previous low-profile approach and began reorganizing the entire cultivation world of Eastern Divine Continent.

The first to bear the brunt were the numerous demonic cultivators who emerged after East Sea Gate’s destruction.

Before Yi Hanqing’s breakthrough, if Supreme Purity Dao Palace had wanted to fight these demonic cultivators, they would likely have gained little advantage.

But after Yi Hanqing’s successful breakthrough, the situation completely reversed.

Nascent Soul Stage was itself a pinnacle existence in Eastern Divine Continent.

And currently, Yi Hanqing stood at the peak among these Nascent Soul Stage cultivators.

Thus, with Yi Hanqing taking the lead, it essentially set an example for all Sects throughout Eastern Divine Continent.

Slowly uniting all Righteous Path Sects across the continent.

Under these circumstances, a great war quickly swept through Eastern Divine Continent.

Although these demonic cultivators were quite powerful.

And had the secret support of Corpse Fiend Cave behind them.

Their strength still couldn’t match the various Schools that had been rooted in Eastern Divine Continent for years.

So while they caused some trouble for Eastern Divine Continent’s Sects initially.

They suffered successive defeats thereafter.

Facing such desperate circumstances, some Demonic Path Sects in Eastern Divine Continent began seeking help from Corpse Fiend Cave.

But to their despair, Corpse Fiend Cave, which they could previously contact, now seemed to have vanished from the world.

What they didn’t know was that not long before.

Corpse Fiend Cave’s stronghold in East Sea had been completely eradicated.

Although this didn’t mean Corpse Fiend Cave could never return to Azure Cloud World.

It did delay their progress.

Buying Azure Cloud World considerable time.

During this process, some events also occurred within Azure Cloud Sect.

One of which was that Jing Gong’s lineage from Azure Cloud Sect Danyang Peak prepared to establish their own school, taking this branch’s disciples away from Azure Cloud Sect to Southern Divine Continent.

Though what exactly happened during this, outsiders remained unaware.But everyone had received the news.

That from this point onward, Jing Gong’s lineage would have no further connection with the Azure Cloud Sect.

Although only one lineage had left the Azure Cloud Sect,

during this particular period, with the Azure Cloud Sect being the foremost sect in the Azure Cloud World,

its every move was under intense scrutiny from the outside world.

However, due to the presence of the Black Lotus Sect at the border between the Southern Divine Continent and the Central Province,

the outside world ultimately lost track of Jing Gong’s lineage,

unable to monitor their activities in the Southern Divine Continent.

What the outside world didn’t know was that

it wasn’t just Jing Gong’s lineage that had left the Azure Cloud Sect.

The Meow King from the Azure Cloud Main Peak, the Peak Lord of Ten Thousand Talisman Peak, and other disciples had also departed from the Azure Cloud Sect.

But because of the attention on Jing Gong’s matter, the outside world was entirely focused on his lineage’s affairs

and failed to notice this change.

Moreover, as the Thirty-Three Heavens had yet to respond,

the war between the Azure Cloud World and the Nine Realms had temporarily reached a stalemate.

Originally, fighting on three fronts, the Azure Cloud World was gradually struggling to hold its ground.

But with the sudden fall of the Corpse Fiend Cave, the pressure abruptly eased.

However, the Corpse Fiend Cave hadn’t given up and continued to seek opportunities to return to the Azure Cloud World.

To prevent this, the Azure Cloud Cultivation World dispatched many people to monitor the situation,

ready to suppress any suspected Immortal Fiends at once.

But because Immortal Fiends were adept at hiding themselves, and there were still many suspected Immortal Fiends lurking within the current cultivation world,

it remained very difficult for the Azure Cloud Cultivation World to completely eradicate the Corpse Fiend Cave’s covert activities.

Neither the Central Province nor the Nine Realms had noticed the changes occurring in the four provinces outside the Central Province.

In these four provinces, four different Sword Towers were being constructed in complete secrecy.

At first, these Sword Towers showed no signs of their purpose, but when the time was right, they would reveal their utility.

Real World, Nine Luminaries Celestial Capital

To the outside world, Lu Chen had been in seclusion within the Nine Luminaries Celestial Capital for a full three years.

Three years was but a fleeting moment for a cultivator,

but for mortals, it was already a considerable length of time.

Because of this seclusion, Lu Chen had missed the biennial Dao Academy tournament.

However, given Lu Chen’s current situation, even if he wanted to participate, the other Dao Academies might not be willing.

After all, in the previous Dao Academy tournament, Lu Chen had almost single-handedly suppressed the other Four Great Academies.

Although no one knew exactly how Lu Chen had changed over these years,

everyone assumed he had only grown stronger than before.

After all, even as a freshman, Lu Chen had surpassed his peers,

let alone as a senior.

Nine Luminaries Celestial Capital, Jupiter Star Region

Hua Ling, who was watering flowers in her Cave Residence, suddenly sensed something and looked up.

She saw Lu Chen standing before her Cave Residence, having arrived unnoticed.

Although Lu Chen’s current cultivation level showed no change from three years ago,

Hua Ling could sense a faint trace of danger emanating from him.

For someone half-step into the Mortal World Immortal realm, this was undoubtedly astonishing.

“It seems a lot has happened to you over these three years, Fellow Daoist.”

“Yes, indeed a lot has happened. The gains have been substantial.”

As he spoke, Lu Chen stepped into Hua Ling’s Cave Residence.

“Fellow Daoist Hua mentioned earlier that Biyou Mountain had sent me a message during my seclusion. May I ask what that message was?”Upon hearing this, Hua Ling seemed to suddenly remember and replied, “Indeed, there is such a matter.”

After carefully recalling, Hua Ling finally remembered the message that had been relayed from Biyou Mountain.

“The information from Biyou Mountain was quite simple: they hope you can make a trip there within five years.”

“With some time still remaining before this deadline, Fellow Daoist, do you plan to set off immediately or prepare for a while?”

Lu Chen thought it over and felt he still had some matters to attend to.

Thus, he decided to wait another year before heading to Biyou Mountain.

Hearing that Lu Chen wasn’t planning to leave right away,

Hua Ling immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Seeing this, Lu Chen asked curiously, “It’s Lu who’s going to Biyou Mountain, so why does Fellow Daoist Hua seem so hesitant?”

As if feeling that Lu Chen wasn’t an outsider,

Hua Ling straightforwardly explained her relationship with Biyou Mountain.

“To be honest with you, Fellow Daoist, my master is actually the Mountain Lord of Biyou Mountain, Baiyu Lusong.”

“Your master is Baiyu Lusong?”

Hua Ling nodded.

“But if I recall correctly, haven’t you been living in Nine Luminaries Celestial Capital since birth?”

Hua Ling smiled and explained, “For the Human Race, it’s true that I’ve been in Nine Luminaries Celestial Capital since birth.”

“But for spiritual plants, enlightenment marks the true beginning of life.”

“My roots are in Biyou Mountain, but later, my master transplanted me to the Jupiter Star Region.”

Lu Chen hadn’t expected Hua Ling to have such a connection with Biyou Mountain.

“Since you’re from Biyou Mountain, why do you seem somewhat reluctant to go back?”

“Logically speaking, Biyou Mountain shouldn’t be too unwelcoming toward you.”

Hua Ling sighed helplessly, “Every time I go, my master doesn’t give me a hard time, but the younger generation on the mountain is quite troublesome.”

“They’re always asking me all sorts of strange questions and asking me to bring back peculiar items for them.”

“It makes me feel like a personal shopper every time I return.”

“If it were just that, it wouldn’t be so bad. The main issue is that my master, having spent years on the mountain, seems to have no one to spar with. So every time I visit, she uses the pretext of an assessment to test my skills.”

“Although I’m half-step into the Mortal World, how could I compare to my master, a true Immortal?”

“Who enjoys going somewhere just to get beaten up?”

Hearing this, Lu Chen finally understood why Hua Ling was so conflicted.

Her feelings were similar to how Lu Chen, in his previous life, felt about visiting his teacher’s home.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t go or that their relationship was bad,

but in such situations, there was always an inexplicable sense of restraint.

“However, because of you, Fellow Daoist, I have no choice but to go this time.”

“So it seems Lu has implicated you, Fellow Daoist Hua.”

Hua Ling waved her hand dismissively, “It’s fine, it’s fine. Even if you weren’t going, I would’ve made a trip there soon anyway.”

“This just happens to be a coincidence.”

As if struck by a thought, Lu Chen suddenly changed the subject.

“Fellow Daoist Hua, do you happen to know the relationship between Biyou Mountain and the Supreme Purity Dao Palace?”

At these words, Hua Ling’s expression instantly shifted.

She abandoned her previous friendliness and became extremely serious.

“Where did you learn this information?”

After a moment’s thought, Lu Chen gave an ambiguous answer.”I learned this clue from the cave residence of an ancient Sword Cultivator.”

“An ancient Sword Cultivator…”

Hua Ling fell silent for a moment before speaking: “Fellow Daoist Lu, did you happen to see an inscription in that cave residence?”

“What inscription?”

“It reads: Beyond Biyou Mountain lies the Shangqing Palace, within the Azure Clouds… lies the Zhuxian Formation.”

(End of Chapter)