Behind the [Southern Heavenly Gate].
Lü Yang stood with his hands behind his back, gazing up at the sky. He saw streaks of flowing light descending toward the layers of palaces before him, each accompanied by a Foundation Establishment True Person.
However, at this moment, he paid them no mind.
Before departing, Chong Guang's sudden voice transmission still echoed in his ears:
'How strange—he actually wants me to stay in the secret realm as long as possible. Why? Though, the payment is indeed generous.'
Lü Yang's consciousness sank into his sea of awareness.
When it came to transactions, Chong Guang was always generous. One job equaled one reward; he never delayed wages. One could say he was a conscientious employer.
The next second, a scripture appeared before Lü Yang's eyes.
『Taiyin Kan Yuan Scripture』!
'This isn't a Daoist technique, nor a secret art, but a Daoist scripture specifically analyzing the essence of [Xin Metal], meant to enhance the corresponding Dao cultivation!'
'Xin Metal is the foremost among the five metals, the origin of the eight stones. In the heavens, it embodies the essence of the sun and moon, the essence of Taiyin; on earth, it is the mineral of mountains and rocks. These insights are likely Chong Guang's comprehension of [Xin Metal] during his time as a Xin Metal spirit, meticulously recorded. For me now, it's truly invaluable!'
Because [Xin Metal] was precisely the next stage in his cultivation.
The [Pomegranate Wood] fruit position corresponded to [Geng Metal], [Shen Metal], [Xin Metal], and [You Metal]—wood residing in the realm of metal, overcoming to acquire, signifying the transformation of wood.
Lü Yang was engrossed in reading.
However, the next moment, his expression suddenly changed: "Why is it cut off!"
But he quickly realized this was Chong Guang's safeguard measure—to prevent him from taking the goods without fulfilling the promise, only half of the scripture was provided.
'Scoundrel!'
The remaining half was sealed by Chong Guang, and only by staying within the [Southern Heavenly Gate] for the agreed duration would the seal's restriction be lifted.
Thinking of this, Lü Yang composed himself and turned his attention to his surroundings. What met his eyes was a scene of ruins and broken walls.
The vast heavenly palace was devoid of people.
Yet, traces left by living beings were everywhere—scratches from blades and spears on the barriers, footprints, and shattered, scattered tea sets.
Just witnessing this scene, Lü Yang could imagine a once-prosperous heavenly court, with myriad immortals paying homage, entering through the [Southern Heavenly Gate], discussing Dao in this cloud-bound palace, chatting, drinking tea, playing chess... It should have been an ordinary day, but it all came to an abrupt halt in an instant.
'The Saint Sect arrived; another celestial realm has fallen.'
The entire heavenly court's immortals were swept away in an instant, even the supreme being of the [Xuanling Realm] was slain, leaving only empty palaces.
"True Lords are truly shameless!"
After a moment of reflection, Lü Yang took out the Myriad Spirits Banner. With a shake, Cheng Xian, who had transformed into the banner spirit, emerged, his face full of loyalty.
"What treasures are in this place?"
Lü Yang inquired. Upon hearing this, the banner spirit Cheng Xian pondered briefly and said, "In the area corresponding to the [Southern Heavenly Gate], the most precious treasure is in the [Heavenly Capital Palace]."
"[Heavenly Capital Palace]?"
"Indeed, that was the supreme being's refining chamber, housing an Eight Trigrams Heavenly Capital Furnace, within which resides a [Six Ding Divine Fire], the number one fire under heaven."
Speaking of his own assets, Cheng Xian spoke confidently: "Besides that, the palace also contains a [Immortal Root Coeval with Heaven]. It's said that carrying it ensures eternal life, free from lifespan worries. Next is the [Dao-Conforming Immortal Pill] personally refined by the supreme being in recent years."
A total of three rare treasures!
"[Six Ding Divine Fire], excellent for refining tools and pills, and formidable in combat."
"[Immortal Root Coeval with Heaven], this is of little use to me; Foundation Establishment True Persons are never concerned about lifespan, but rather the calamity of Bei Feng."
"Only the last one, the [Dao-Conforming Immortal Pill]..."
Lü Yang's eyes suddenly showed a look of desire. According to Cheng Xian, after consuming this immortal pill, a cultivator's comprehension could be greatly enhanced!
Moreover, the higher the comprehension, the better the effect!
"Such an immortal pill should naturally be mine!"
Despite his words, Lü Yang did not act immediately but planned to scour other places first.
Firstly, to fulfill the agreement with Chong Guang by staying longer in the [Southern Heavenly Gate]. Secondly, he had the idea of setting a trap.
"Now everyone is scattered within the [Southern Heavenly Gate], dealing with them one by one is inefficient. However, since the [Heavenly Capital Palace] is the most important place, eventually, everyone will gather there. I'll wait until all are present, then strike in one fell swoop!"
Lü Yang was fully confident in this.
Because just now, he had already tested it.
Even within the [Southern Heavenly Gate], he could still draw upon the mysterious power hidden within the Myriad Spirits Banner, temporarily attaining the status of a Grand True Person!
Wouldn't that be an easy sweep?
Elsewhere within the [Southern Heavenly Gate].
The Mending Heaven Peak Master appeared cold, holding a Foundation Establishment True Person in his hand. Without any visible action, he instantly drained him into a mess of flesh.
After completing this, a flush appeared on the Mending Heaven Peak Master's face.
As the master of Mending Heaven Peak, his attainments in the 『Mending Heaven True Scripture』 were nearly at their peak, just one step away from reaching the highest realm of the technique.
[Mending Heaven]!
"Heaven has flaws; I mend them with my body."
"It's said that upon reaching this realm, one can merge with heaven and earth, extracting and supplementing from them. It becomes a grand ritual attracting the attention of fruit positions!"
It could be said that once achieved, the foundation for seeking gold was established.
"This journey is of great importance."
"As long as I collect enough external qi and accumulate sufficient merit and fortune, I can seek the next celestial star, with hopes of breaking through to the later stage within a hundred years!"
"As for that Lü Yang..."
Thinking of this, the Mending Heaven Peak Master sneered: "He hides quickly, but as long as he's still within this [Southern Heavenly Gate], he won't hide for long!"
Several days later.
Although the [Southern Heavenly Gate] encompassed only a quarter of the [Xuanling Realm]'s heavenly court, it was still unimaginably vast, equivalent to a continent.
During this time, the Sword Pavilion and the Saint Sect had already clashed several times.
However, mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators like the Mending Heaven Peak Master and Ye Guyue had not taken action, maintaining a relatively delicate balance between the two sides.
Yet, in the central area of the [Southern Heavenly Gate].
A majestic palace stood amidst the clouds, terrifying heavenly and earthly spiritual energy surging around it, revealing myriad formation patterns, keeping outsiders at bay.
It was the [Heavenly Capital Palace]!
Being the most valuable place within the [Southern Heavenly Gate], some Foundation Establishment cultivators had already discovered it early on, studying the palace's formations, pondering how to break in.
Over time, more and more Foundation Establishment cultivators gathered here.
They had clearly divided into two factions.
One led by Ye Guyue, the other by the Mending Heaven Peak Master. However, at this moment, both were looking around, seemingly searching for someone.
'He's not here... Does he not dare to come?'
Like the Mending Heaven Peak Master, Ye Guyue also intended to deal with Lü Yang within the [Southern Heavenly Gate] and had been searching for his whereabouts during this time.
Yet, Lü Yang seemed to have vanished into thin air, leaving no trace.
'Where is he hiding?'
Ye Guyue's delicate brows furrowed.
However, no one noticed that just outside the area where everyone was gathering at the Heavenly Capital Palace, Lü Yang was calmly drawing formation patterns.
He was setting up an array!
'Are you kidding? According to Cheng Xian, the [Heavenly Capital Hall] was the supreme being of the Xuanling Realm's pill refining place. How could a True Lord's residence be without danger?'
'In the end, I don't need to enter the [Heavenly Capital Hall] at all.'
'Isn't it better to rob those who come out of the [Heavenly Capital Hall]? Oh no, I'm now part of the righteous path; it should be called eliminating demons and defending the Dao!'