Chapter 222 – Jade Void Sword Emerges, Bright Moon in the Sky, Moonfall Strike

Lu Chen was not unaware of the matters concerning White Deer Academy.

He would indeed visit the Academy as well, but before going, he needed to verify some other matters first.

In the residence of the Patrol Envoy at Huaiyang Prefecture Demon Suppression Division.

Patrol Envoy Yuwen Hongguang looked at his subordinate before him and inquired, “Is Ziqi still unwilling to talk?”

“Reporting to my lord, the criminal Yue Ziqi remains silent about the matter concerning the Empress.”

“Is that so…”

Upon hearing this, a flicker of anger flashed in Yuwen Hongguang’s eyes.

Only a small part of this anger was directed at Yue Ziqi’s stubbornness; more of it stemmed from fury that he would allow himself to fall into such a state for the sake of personal romantic entanglements.

There was a time when Yuwen Hongguang had always considered Yue Ziqi a rare genius on par with himself.

Not only were they born in roughly the same era, but they had also achieved breakthroughs to the third realm of cultivation almost one after another.

For a period, they were even hailed as the Great Ying Dynasty’s most promising twin stars, following only after the Cui family’s Cui Chengyun.

Under such circumstances, Yuwen Hongguang had constantly competed with Yue Ziqi, both openly and covertly.

Both sides had their victories and defeats, making it difficult to determine who was superior.

Yet such a genius had fallen to such a state because of a woman.

Foolish, utterly foolish!

Yuwen Hongguang had originally thought that after capturing Yue Ziqi himself, as long as the latter revealed the whereabouts of the Empress and the Crown Prince,

he would plead with His Majesty to spare Yue Ziqi’s life by any means possible.

But now, with Yue Ziqi refusing to speak even in the face of death, he was truly not far from demise.

He couldn’t understand it, he simply couldn’t comprehend it.

For just one woman and another man’s son, what exactly was Yue Ziqi holding onto so stubbornly?

Although he wished to save Yue Ziqi, Yuwen Hongguang could only protect him within the limits of his authority.

Keeping Yue Ziqi in Huaiyang Prefecture for several days was already the utmost he could do.

The Imperial City had repeatedly demanded that he transfer Yue Ziqi to the Demon Suppression Division in the Imperial Palace.

Once Yue Ziqi truly ended up there, it would be a certain death sentence with no chance of survival.

Because the people there would not treat Yue Ziqi with the same courtesy he had shown.

Moreover, to avoid being implicated, the Yue family would want Yue Ziqi dead more than anyone else.

As cruel as it sounded, the person who most wanted to save Yue Ziqi now was not his family, but Yuwen Hongguang, this outsider.

Thinking of the latest instruction from the Imperial Palace that had just arrived again, Yuwen Hongguang immediately stood up.

He intended to give Yue Ziqi one final opportunity.

One last chance to redeem himself.

Cell A, Huaiyang Prefecture Demon Suppression Division.

Yuwen Hongguang arrived at the door of the cell where Yue Ziqi was held. After taking a deep breath, he ordered his subordinates to open the door.

“All of you, leave now. Without my command, no one is to enter.”

“Yes.”

After everyone had left, just as Yuwen Hongguang was about to approach Yue Ziqi, he suddenly stopped.

He looked at the raised head of Yue Ziqi, and his pupils contracted sharply.

Seeing Yuwen Hongguang’s expression, Lu Chen sighed and said, “You noticed so quickly?”

As he spoke, the Demon Suppression Nails on Yue Ziqi’s body—or rather, Lu Chen’s body—began to fall off one after another.

Then Lu Chen landed directly on the ground, the wounds on his body beginning to heal at a visible rate.Watching Yuwen Hongguang’s expression shift from astonishment to fury, Lu Chen rarely hesitated to act immediately. Instead, he inquired, “How did you discover it? I don’t believe I revealed any flaws.”

“And you saw through it without me even uttering a word—do you possess some special talent?”

Faced with Lu Chen’s questions, Yuwen Hongguang’s expression gradually steadied.

Then, his Demon Suppression robe billowed without wind, releasing a powerful Three Realms pressure that made the entire prison cell’s floor tremble. Chains and torture tools clattered noisily.

He looked at Lu Chen, not concealing the killing intent in his heart.

“It’s a feeling. No matter how well you pretend, the impression you give me is wrong.”No matter how dull I am, I couldn’t fail to recognize a friend I’ve contended with for decades.”

“Who… are you really?”

Lu Chen sighed, “A feeling? That’s indeed an irrefutable reason, but my intuition tells me you’re right.”

“This is why I dislike using secret techniques to impersonate others. No matter how similar the appearance or how genuine the act, certain details can never be faked by an outsider.”

“After all, a fake will always be a fake… it can never become real.”

As his words fell, Lu Chen lifted his head to look at Yuwen Hongguang before him and said with a smile, “You’ve been searching for me these past few days. Who do you think I am?”

Hearing this, Yuwen Hongguang’s face instantly changed dramatically.

“You’re a Sky Demon?!”

With that, Yuwen Hongguang prepared to activate the Demon Suppression Restraints, intending to use the restrictions here to eliminate Lu Chen.

It was important to know that the Demon Suppression Division’s ability to imprison so many Three Realms great demons and Devil Heads didn’t rely solely on the Three Realms Gu Cultivators within the division.

But also on the Formations and Restrictions here.

However, before Yuwen Hongguang could take action, he suddenly found his surroundings becoming quiet.

Unnaturally quiet.

Although the prison cell remained the same and the Demon Suppression Division appeared unchanged, Yuwen Hongguang could sense that this was no longer his Huaiyang Prefecture’s Demon Suppression Division.

But an entirely new space.

Realizing this, even though Yuwen Hongguang maintained his composure outwardly, the sweat beading on his forehead and his constricted pupils unmistakably revealed his inner turmoil.

“When did you accomplish all this?”

Hearing this, Lu Chen calmly replied, “The moment you stepped into the Demon Suppression Division.”

The Mountains and Seas Scroll—Lu Chen had already retrieved it from his Divine Soul the instant Yuwen Hongguang entered the Demon Suppression Division.

Besides being able to contain Classic of Mountains and Seas Mythical Beasts, the Mountains and Seas Scroll could also pull enemies into the scroll world.

Lu Chen had suffered from this very tactic before.

And for those unfamiliar with it, the ‘scroll world’ of the Mountains and Seas Scroll operated with undetectable subtlety.

One could say that even without the assistance of mythical beasts, the Shanhai Bureau’s Cultivators could accomplish many extraordinary feats thanks to this unique effect of the Mountains and Seas Scroll.

Although Lu Chen was confident in defeating Yuwen Hongguang, he didn’t want to attract outside attention so soon.

Therefore, pulling him into the Mountains and Seas Scroll was undoubtedly the best choice.

From the moment Yuwen Hongguang was drawn into the scroll, his fate was sealed.

Yet even knowing escape was impossible, Yuwen Hongguang still refused to consider surrender.Even if his opponent was the bizarre Sky Demons from beyond the realm, he would not resign himself to capture.

Even in death, he would tear a piece of flesh from his foe!

Yuwen Hongguang looked at Lu Chen, his gaze gradually firming.

Then his life-bound Gu Insect began to exert its power, and his skin quickly took on a metallic hue.

But that was not the end. Crimson-red patterns began to emerge on Yuwen Hongguang’s skin, glowing with a red light as if molten lava were flowing across his body.

For a moment, Yuwen Hongguang seemed clad in armor of magma, his Aura astonishing.

Bathed in the lava, Yuwen Hongguang slowly raised his right hand and swept it before his face.

A peculiar black mask abruptly appeared, perfectly merging with his cheeks.

The appearance of this mask caused the flames around Yuwen Hongguang to change, shifting from their initial crimson-red to a profound black, exuding an icy and gloomy aura.

[Name: Yuwen Hongguang]

[Cultivation: Third Realm]

[Life-Bound Gu Insect: Dark Gold Ant Gu (Heaven-Grade)]

[Other Gu Insects: Flame Dragon Ox Gu, Ghostly Steed Gu]

[Description: A special Gu combination centered on the Dark Gold Ant, paired with the Flame Dragon Ox and Ghostly Steed, capable of breaking through techniques with sheer force.]

“If you want my life, then let’s see if you have what it takes.”

As the words fell, Yuwen Hongguang instantly charged at Lu Chen.

His movement was swift and carried immense momentum, causing the entire Underground Prison to tremble.

Coupled with the narrow confines of the Underground Prison, Yuwen Hongguang was absolutely confident that Lu Chen could not evade his attack.

No matter what tricks you have, I will shatter them with brute force!

Yuwen Hongguang closed in on Lu Chen, the muscles in his right arm slightly bulging as copious black flames erupted from the seams of his armor, roaring with intensity.

This punch was earth-shattering, its terrifying force carrying scorching black flames as it struck toward Lu Chen’s chest.

Boom!

With a deafening explosion, Cell Jia immediately shook violently.

The floor, walls, and ceiling of the cell cracked with countless fissures.

Scattered black flames ignited everything flammable in the cell, turning the area into a sea of black fire.

Yet, this punch did not produce the result Yuwen Hongguang had hoped for.

Because his fist did not land on Lu Chen but passed straight through his body.

Lu Chen’s form shattered like a mirror before Yuwen Hongguang, dissolving into a shower of lotus petals.

“Quite the skill.”

Just as Yuwen Hongguang was still searching for Lu Chen’s figure, a calm voice sounded by his ear.

In that instant, Yuwen Hongguang sensed a terrifying killing intent.

Without hesitation, he instinctively activated his Gu Insects at full power.

The Dark Gold Armor immediately erupted with vast amounts of black Netherfire, repelling anyone who dared approach.

An ordinary person might have temporarily retreated in the face of such icy Netherfire, but Lu Chen paid it no mind.

Gripping the Illusory White Heaven Severing Sword in his hand, Lu Chen sliced through Yuwen Hongguang’s flame barrier and swung toward his head.

At the critical moment, Yuwen Hongguang raised his arm to block.

Thwack!Although he had lost an arm, Yuwen Hongguang used this opportunity to create distance between himself and Lu Chen, retreating to a corner.

Cell A was not small, with the entire prison cell covering over a hundred square meters.

This was because Cell A imprisoned either great Yao Beasts or Devil Heads of the Three Realms.

The prison cell required numerous Restrictions to be set up.

Additionally, some of the great Yao Beasts were not small in size, which resulted in just ten A-grade cells occupying an area comparable to dozens or even hundreds of cells above.

Seeing Yuwen Hongguang evade his sword strike, Lu Chen was not surprised.

After all, he was currently fighting using only his Heretical Avatar, not his true body.

If his true body were here, that single sword strike just now would have been enough to slay Yuwen Hongguang outright.

Having fought Three Realms Gu Cultivators twice in a row, Lu Chen had roughly figured out their combat patterns.

In a sense, the fighting style of these Gu Cultivators was quite similar to that of ordinary Yao Beasts, relying mostly on their Innate Divine Abilities in battle.

This was likely because their source of power was closely tied to the Gu Insects within them.

The cultivation method of using Gu Insects as a substitute for Spirit Roots certainly allowed Gu Cultivators to progress rapidly in their cultivation.

As long as the Rank of their Gu Insects improved, Gu Cultivators could quickly enhance their strength.

However, everything has its pros and cons. While Gu Insects granted Gu Cultivators immense power, they also brought significant risks.

Gu Cultivators had to constantly be cautious not to be devoured by the Gu Insects within their bodies.

This forced them to devote the majority of their energy to nurturing their Lifebound Gu Insects.

Only in this way could they use their Lifebound Gu Insects to suppress the other Gu Insects they absorbed later.

Human energy is limited. When you choose to focus on one thing, it becomes difficult to devote much energy to other matters.

Compared to the Cultivators of the Central Province, the Gu Cultivators’ understanding of the Dao was far too crude.

In the Central Province, even the poorest Golden Core Stage Cultivator could at least step into the Entering Dao Conception.

Many veteran Golden Core Stage Cultivators could even advance to the Harmony Realm.

But among the Gu Cultivators, Lu Chen had only sensed the Entering Dao Conception of Spear Intent from Yue Ziqi earlier.

As for the remaining Cui Chengyun and Yuwen Hongguang, Lu Chen had not sensed any Entering Dao Conception from them.

For a Three Realms Gu Cultivator comparable to a Golden Core Stage Cultivator, this was undoubtedly subpar.

Lu Chen speculated that it wasn’t that these Gu Cultivators didn’t cultivate Conceptions, but rather that they didn’t dare to invest too much energy in it.

Thus, even though Three Realms Gu Cultivators were comparable to Golden Core Stage Cultivators, Lu Chen found them much easier to deal with.

This had nothing to do with strength; it was a suppression by the ‘Dao.’

With the simple probing over, it was time to get serious.

Game over. Sword Domain… unfold.

As Lu Chen released the Severing Heaven Sword in his hand, a Barren scene instantly replaced the surrounding Underground Prison.

The flames that Yuwen Hongguang had ignited around the prison also began to dissipate at a visible rate after the appearance of this eerie Domain.

Even Yuwen Hongguang’s own Gu Insect power was greatly suppressed.

He could feel that the consumption required to maintain his current ‘Mysterious Gold Nether Body’ had increased several times over compared to before!

It felt as if he had sunk into a quagmire, with every movement accompanied by immense resistance.

Before Yuwen Hongguang could devise a countermeasure, he saw a cyan Spirit Sword materialize behind Lu Chen.After that sword appeared, it split into countless lotus-shaped Sword Qi.

These Sword Qi densely occupied and sealed off all possible escape routes for Yuwen Hongguang.

Feeling the power contained within these lotus Sword Qi, along with their terrifying numbers,

Yuwen Hongguang fell into despair.

Is… this the power of Sky Demons?

“Descend.”

Under Yuwen Hongguang’s vacant gaze, countless lotus Sword Qi shot forth like a storm, assaulting him…

Simultaneously, over a dozen masked figures appeared around Huaiyang Prefecture.

They stood atop an inn closest to the Huaiyang Prefecture Demon Suppression Division, expressionlessly gazing at the nearby Demon Suppression Division.

“Fellow Daoist Shangguan, it’s up to you now.”

Hearing Meow King’s words, Shangguan Yunmeng nodded, then formed hand seals with her fingers.

The next second, a mysterious moon abruptly appeared above the Huaiyang Prefecture Demon Suppression Division.

Faced with this suddenly appearing bright moon, many people initially failed to notice it.

Only when the moon approached a certain distance did some belatedly realize what was happening.

A Demon Suppression Division master looked up at the bright moon and curiously said to his companion beside him,

“Don’t you think tonight’s moon seems unusually bright?”

His companion, having noticed something, suddenly changed expression.

“N-no, it’s not just bright… it’s getting closer.”

Upon hearing this, everyone finally realized.

The moon, which had appeared only basketball-sized in their eyes, began growing larger and larger.

Before long, it actually covered one-third of the Demon Suppression Division’s area.

When the bright moon reached a certain distance, the crowd finally saw that within the descending moon was clearly encased a jade Spirit Sword.

It was the Jade Void Mountain’s Dao Artifact, the Jade Clarity Law Sword!

Of course, this Jade Clarity Law Sword wasn’t fully unlocked yet, at most equivalent to a third-realm Spirit Sword.

But even so, at this moment it still brought boundless despair to the Demon Suppression Division members.

Because they discovered that under the moonlight’s illumination, they couldn’t move at all.

They could only watch helplessly as the bright moon drew nearer.

From Shangguan Yunmeng and the others’ perspective, it appeared as if a massive moon nearly a hundred meters in diameter was crashing down heavily upon the Demon Suppression Division.

It was at this moment that Meow King and the others understood why Lu Chen had arranged for Shangguan Yunmeng to make the first move.

This seemingly harmless Jade Void Mountain Saintess possessed strength that was… the strongest among them aside from Lu Chen!

(End of chapter)