While the [Sky-Shrouding] projection was still contemplating, Lu Yang had already made his move.
At this moment, within the small world where the two stood, time seemed to accelerate. Mountains and rivers shifted, the sun and moon rotated, and in the blink of an eye, millions of years passed.
In an instant, the [Sky-Shrouding] projection's aura began to weaken. The originally vigorous vitality dissipated out of thin air, replaced by a thick air of twilight, as if he had suddenly reached old age. Behind the mist on his face, those narrow eyes lost their luster and became turbid.
Time concept.
The [Sky-Shrouding] projection's astonishment lasted only for an instant before he regained his composure and laughed: "Fellow Daoist, such a petty trick cannot harm me."
Before his voice faded, smoke erupted!
It was still the [Knowledge-Perception Barrier], but the usage had changed. Lu Yang felt his head sink slightly, and a thought subconsciously surfaced in his mind: What did I just do?
No sooner had he forgotten what wondrous method he had just used than the [Sky-Shrouding] projection's aura returned to normal. It was as if everything had never happened.
Seeing this, Lu Yang instantly sucked in a breath of cold air.
Hiss.
If it were anyone else, they might have been bewildered, not knowing what exactly had happened. But he was different because he had seen similar methods!
Back when [Sky-Shrouding] emerged and fought the world alone, he once took a sword strike from Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao. At that time, he used a similar method—using the [Knowledge-Perception Barrier] to wipe away others' memories regarding a certain object, thereby erasing that object's existence from the factual level.
A rather domineering method!
So domineering that it barely felt like the [Knowledge-Perception Barrier] anymore. The degree to which [Sky-Shrouding] had developed the profundity of this Dao Fruit simply left Lu Yang astounded.
Fortunately... the advantage is still with me!
Lu Yang pondered in his heart. Above his head, the light of the sun and moon illuminated heaven and earth, becoming increasingly brilliant, like a pair of eyes staring straight down from above.
This was the method he had previously used against Immortal Lord Duxuan.
Since he invoked the [Yellow Court] to open up a small world, [Sky-Shrouding] had already fallen into the palm of his hand. Any subsequent combat would be futile.
No matter how high his divine abilities are, I will use this method to constantly wear him down. Sooner or later I'll...
Lu Yang's thoughts came to an abrupt halt.
Because the next second, the [Sky-Shrouding] projection within the small world suddenly raised his head. His pair of narrow eyes looked toward him as if they could pierce through heaven and earth! "Fellow Daoist underestimates me too much."
In an instant, the [Sky-Shrouding] projection rode a streak of light, flying straight toward the boundary of the small world. Lu Yang reacted with equal speed.
...Not good!
Everything within the small world was controlled by Lu Yang. With a thought, the distance between the [Sky-Shrouding] projection and the boundary of the world instantly began to extend continuously.
Of course, this kind of spatial extension wasn't infinite. So Lu Yang used a trick: he dismantled the spatial area the [Sky-Shrouding] projection had already traversed and then filled it into the path ahead of him. By cycling this process, he constructed a boundary on the factual level that could never be reached.
Aside from this, Lu Yang was also constantly urging the concepts within the small world to chase and intercept him.
However, very quickly, the [Sky-Shrouding] projection noticed the changes in space. He chose to stop and stand still, his voice drifting faintly into Lu Yang's ears:
"Fellow Daoist's small world is truly extraordinary."
"Refining a treasure with a Grotto-Heaven... Could it be Fellow Daoist plans to open up a World Realm in the future to accommodate numerous Dao Fruits? Truly worthy of being a genius of my Saint Sect."
"A pity, it mixed but not pure."
Before the [Sky-Shrouding] projection finished speaking, Lu Yang's pupils constricted, and shock appeared in his eyes—because his presence within the small world had suddenly vanished into thin air!
That damned Knowledge-Perception Barrier again?
With this thought, Lu Yang immediately held his hand seals steady. The three True Treasures rotated, guided by his Dao Heart, and the [Dao Enlightenment and Self-Realization Immortal Method] blossomed with radiance once more.
The function of this Immortal Method was actually very simple: to help Lu Yang stabilize his Dao Heart and persist in his true self. After all, he wasn't an outer heaven rogue cultivator blindly pursuing raw power. Having power without method was useless. In this lousy place, the 'Self' was the most important thing!
The next second, he was suddenly startled awake.
Bang!
A pale hand pierced through his chest but brought no flesh or blood with it. Lu Yang's dharma body had scattered into raging fire a second before, only recondensing after fleeing a short distance away.
The [Sky-Shrouding] projection had escaped the small world. This was within his expectations.
But this was out of trust in [Sky-Shrouding]'s abilities. In reality, his heart was still full of confusion, not understanding what method the opponent had used.
"Actually, it's not difficult."
At this moment, the [Sky-Shrouding] projection strode through the air, saying calmly: "I use the [Knowledge-Perception Barrier] in reverse, applying it to myself."
"Make heaven and earth forget me, and I naturally transcend."
"I can tell from your combat methods that your development of the Supreme Dao Fruit is far from sufficient. The wondrous use of [Heavenly Fire] isn't how you're using it."
The [Sky-Shrouding] projection's tone carried a hint of teasing, seemingly wanting to instruct him. Only now did he display some of the bearing of a Saint Sect senior, chuckling lightly: "The profundity of a Supreme Dao Fruit is essentially the [Dao]. It is something that can truly reach the [Paramita]."
"Not pondering on this properly is truly neglecting the root to pursue the tip."
"Instead, you blindly refine True Treasures and condense a [Dao-Seeking Immortal Method], seeking speed in cultivation. The result will inevitably be an unstable foundation, wasting your potential for nothing."
"Looking at you, it seems you still want to achieve void attainment?"
"Stop dreaming."
"You haven't even laid a good foundation, and the existing profundities of your Dao Fruits haven't been sublimated to the supreme domain. Mixed but not pure. Void attainment is just empty talk for you."
"A pity, you don't even have the chance to redeem it."
"After all, your cultivation has already reached this step. There is no such thing as starting over in this world. You won't get another chance to firmly rebuild your foundation."
The [Sky-Shrouding] projection's sarcasm was merciless, and his actions didn't lag behind his words. The [Knowledge-Perception Barrier] directly enveloped him, making it difficult for Lu Yang to detect his existence. Even pushing the [Dao Enlightenment and Self-Realization Immortal Method] to the limit, Lu Yang could only realize he was injured at the moment he was struck.
Yet Lu Yang remained composed.
He wants to disturb my Dao Heart... No starting over in this world? That might be true for you non-cheaters, but for me, it's not the case!
Lu Yang naturally knew his cultivation had many problems. After all, he only had mediocre aptitude.
However, be they errors or defects, he could learn slowly and make up for them slowly.
At worst, he would just restart!
Boom!
Another loud bang. Lu Yang was suddenly startled to find a large hole blown through his chest. He counterattacked while simultaneously pulling away to regain distance.
On the other side, the [Sky-Shrouding] projection emerged again.
Although his words sounded nice, in reality, he was already going all out against Lu Yang. And after several exchanges, he wasn't unharmed either.
Because Lu Yang's tactics were too simple. Since he couldn't detect the opponent, he simply gave up trying. He constantly set rules to obstruct the opponent's attacks, then reinforced them with the [Inscribing Heavenly Chapters], focusing primarily on defensive counterattacks. He forced the opponent to suffer eight hundred damage for every thousand inflicted, dragging him into a war of attrition.
The effect was quite obvious.
Lu Yang's dharma body was cracked and shattered by the [Sky-Shrouding] projection, vomiting blood with every step. But the [Sky-Shrouding] projection was also burned until half his body turned to charcoal.
But if this drags on, I still win.
The [Sky-Shrouding] projection's will was firm. At most, he would be heavily injured. He was just a projection, a body of concepts, not the main body. What was there to fear?
Beat him half to death first.
Afterward, I can spare his life and see if I can extract some valuable intelligence from his mouth to understand more about the situation outside...
At the same time, Lu Yang, who was taking a beating, was also calm.
Strong. Very strong. If this goes on, I will die.
But the current me hasn't exerted my full strength yet. If my brilliant wisdom, super strength, and perfect support all come into play, the winner will be me.
So I still haven't lost!
Possessing an Invincible Dao Heart, Lu Yang naturally couldn't admit defeat. He could only persist with the [Dao Enlightenment and Self-Realization Immortal Method], continuing to seek a way to break the deadlock.
However, gradually, as Lu Yang pushed his cultivation to the limit, an indescribable power that had been silent for a long time slowly awakened within his body. It was the Unorthodox Dao Fruits he had devoured in the past for rapid improvement and refining True Treasures—the concepts of [Imperial Order] and [Inscription of Heaven].
Coincidentally, both Unorthodox Dao Fruits had once belonged to Pure Land Bodhisattvas.
[Imperial Order], Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta.
[Inscription of Heaven], Nameless Bodhisattva.
At this moment, the emerging concepts constantly shattered, like peeling eggshells, revealing the true substance inside, gathering within Lu Yang's body.
Finally, it transformed into a single thought:
Alas...