[The Mortal World].
In a formless place, two figures were sitting opposite each other. One was shrouded in smoke, while the other was a handsome and spirited young Daoist.
Lu Yang and Sky-Shrouding.
These two were not main bodies, but retained images branded by [The Mortal World]. Only compared to ordinary retained images, they were a bit more special.
After all, when the main bodies of other retained images left their images back then, their Dao Hearts hadn't been perfected. Retained images of this type wouldn't usually stay in [The Mortal World], but would dissolve into the Sea of Bitterness, only being extracted when needed to restore a brief sense of self-awareness.
However, they were different.
Whether Lu Yang or Sky-Shrouding, both reached the realm of Dao Heart Perfection before clearing the level. Their true selves were firm, ten thousand thoughts unable to disturb their hearts.
Therefore, even if [The Mortal World] withdrew its power, they wouldn't perish.
They would transform into two illusory figures like this, sitting upright in [The Mortal World], able to comprehend the Dao, play chess, walk, sit, and lie down just like normal people.
Similarly, they wouldn't give birth to the slightest thought of rebellion.
Because their Dao Hearts were perfect and their true selves firm, they only recognized one Lu Yang and one Sky-Shrouding in their hearts, so naturally they wouldn't want to turn the tables.
"Here again..."
Suddenly, Sky-Shrouding's retained image raised his head, a slight smile appearing on his face: "That Star Palace Perfected Lord cultivating [Azure Dragon Constellation] has come to challenge the level again."
"Senior can just go deal with it yourself." Lu Yang's retained image said indifferently.
However, before his voice fell, Sky-Shrouding's retained image said dissatisfiedly: "Why is it always me? Now you are the gatekeeper. You should also take action."
"Who told me to be stronger than you?"
Lu Yang's retained image chuckled lightly: "The strongest guarding the pass is the rule of [The Mortal World]. If Senior isn't happy, you can go against the rules."
"Tsk... shameless!"
Sky-Shrouding's retained image felt even more aggrieved upon hearing this, also having a few more complaints about the main body outside. After all, he had talked with Lu Yang's retained image several times here, basically figuring out that the culprit causing the main body's plan to fail was the person before his eyes. He was truly holding back a belly full of fire.
The most infuriating thing was, he couldn't beat the other party.
I thought the main body leaving me here with early-stage Golden Core, Dao Seeking Immortal Method and a Supreme Dao Fruit, was already shameless enough. I didn't expect there to be someone even shameless...
Sky-Shrouding's retained image stood up helplessly.
The next second, infinite concept water swarmed in, making his originally illusory body quickly become solid. Stature and spiritual power also quickly filled up.
Immediately after, he appeared before Zhu Xuanhao's eyes.
Without a single word of nonsense, starting with maximum power Knowledge-Perception Barrier. Once Zhu Xuanhao started drooling, he would begin to peel skin and disassemble bones step by step.
However, just at this moment—
"Stop..."
Zhu Xuanhao's eyes struggled, trying hard to break free from the drooling dazed state, while trembling and squeezing out a divine thought to send out.
"Hmm?"
Sky-Shrouding's retained image frowned slightly, but didn't catch that divine thought. Instead, he swept a circle with the Knowledge-Perception Barrier first, then checked again with a secret method.
After confirming there were no problems, he used divine sense to look.
Then his expression became strange.
[Horn Constellation Heavenly Gate Star Core], top-grade embryo for refining a Dharma Body. The thing is indeed a good thing, but I have no use for it. The main body doesn't need an incarnation...
But the Star Palace cultivator is interesting, wanting to bribe me?
Sky-Shrouding's retained image's train of thought instantly became active.
But on the other side, his eyes became visibly serious. A pair of narrow and long eyes stretched his brows, actually revealing a bit of awe-inspiring righteousness.
The next second, the Knowledge-Perception Barrier was released.
"You want to bribe me?"
Sky-Shrouding said deeply: "Do you know this is destroying the rules of [The Mortal World]? As a gatekeeper, I cannot agree to your request."
Zhu Xuanhao nodded hurriedly, but couldn't help slandering in his heart: You can't agree? If you fucking don't agree, why did you release the Knowledge-Perception Barrier? Oh, it's because the offer was too little!
Thinking of this, he instantly frowned, cursing the Immortal Nexus demon in his heart for lacking immortal virtue, actually sitting on the floor and raising the price thinking the goods were rare.
That being said, he truly wanted the opportunity of [The Mortal World] too much. He even dreaming about it.
Therefore, after thinking repeatedly, Zhu Xuanhao still lowered his posture, saying deeply: "Things can always be discussed. I wonder what else Senior wants?"
Hearing this, Sky-Shrouding's retained image raised his eyebrows instantly.
Hoho... Not actively making an offer, but letting me name the price myself. This shows that this Star Palace cultivator is very rich, and urgently needs the opportunity of [The Mortal World]!
If I don't rip him off fiercely, I would be unworthy of being a Saint Sect Perfected Lord!
With this thought, Sky-Shrouding's retained image instantly laughed aloud: "Hahaha, you don't need to overthink. After all, I am just a retained image, having no use for physical objects... How about this, I don't want much. One [Five Elements Star Essence], one drop of [Sun Moon Profound Fluid], plus a top-grade ancient method."
You fucking greedy bastard!
Zhu Xuanhao was dumbfounded listening. [Five Elements Star Essence] and [Sun Moon Profound Fluid] were heaven and earth rare treasures that even Star Lords coveted!
Five Elements Star Essence was taken from twenty Star Charts among the twenty-eight constellations. These Star Charts were divided among the Five Elements. One portion was taken from each Star Chart as pill material. Then, using the stars as a furnace and the sun and moon as fire, it was refined with spiritual power for eighty-one years. Only then could one piece be barely refined.
At the same time, a medicinal liquid associated with it would also be refined.
This medicinal liquid was different from the Five Elements Star Essence. It was named Sun Moon Profound Fluid, simply because it was gathered from the sun and moon, converging Yin and Yang, transcending the Five Elements
The effects of the two were also completely different.
[Five Elements Star Essence] can benefit the Five Elements, and also act on Dao Fruits, elevating the concepts and wonders of Dao Fruits, making them closer to the level of Supreme Dao Fruits!
Besides this, for those Perfected Lords who void attained Dao Fruits and opened their way in the Sea of Bitterness, [Five Elements Star Essence] can also help them stabilize the foundation of their Great Dao. If the Great Dao is damaged, [Five Elements Star Essence] can also be used to repair the Great Dao. Concerning Dao Fruits and Great Dao, it is almost omnipotent!
As for [Sun Moon Profound Fluid], it was even more miraculous.
[Sun Moon Profound Fluid] is the Qi of Yin Yang harmonization. It has the wonder of helping people sacrifice Yin lifespan to supplement Yang lifespan, thereby living a second life, gaining another lifetime.
Don't underestimate this divine wonder.
In this era where the [Dharma Body] collapsed and the lifespan of cultivators in the world greatly decreased, even Golden Core Perfected Lords couldn't turn a blind eye to such miraculous life-extending medicine.
Compared to these two rare treasures, Sky-Shrouding's retained image's last request, top-grade Ancient Method, was much simpler. The Star Palace's treasury had plenty, including Golden Core technique created by Ancient Method Perfected Lords, profound scriptures for cultivating [Spiritual Power], and cultivation notes of predecessors. It could be said there was as much as one wanted.
Immortal Nexus demon... you're too excessive!
Based on the standpoint of a Star Palace cultivator, Zhu Xuanhao should have loudly rebuked this shameless blackmailing behavior, decisively rejecting the Immortal Nexus demon's insult.
But... After a moment of silence, Zhu Xuanhao spoke: "Senior wait a moment, I will go and return."
Sky-Shrouding's retained image raised his hand politely.
The next second, Zhu Xuanhao exited [The Mortal World], looking at [Star Lord Clear River] immediately, whispering: "Master, the other party is looting a burning house!"
"It's normal."
[Star Lord Clear River] was clearly experienced, saying indifferently: "What price did he propose?"
Hearing this, Zhu Xuanhao instantly said with righteous indignation: "Three [Five Elements Star Essence], three drops of [Sun Moon Profound Fluid], plus three top-grade ancient method profound scriptures!"