[The Mortal World].
Lu Yang's retained image and Sky-Shrouding's retained image sat opposite each other. Both had amiable smiles on their faces, staring at each other like this, neither willing to yield.
In the end, it was Lu Yang's retained image who took the initiative to speak: "Senior, do you think they will fall for it?"
"Not clear."
Sky-Shrouding's retained image shook his head: "I also have little understanding of Star Palace cultivators and am not clear about the style over there, so it's hard to judge rashly."
"But regardless, as long as people come, it's fine."
"Whether they really want to trade or come to besiege and kill me, it doesn't matter. Once they arrive, at worst I'll just admit defeat and hand them over to Fellow Daoist afterwards."
Speaking of this, Sky-Shrouding's retained image glanced at Lu Yang's retained image again, sighing: "After all, for someone like me, producing one is already very exaggerated. The Star Palace probably wouldn't expect there to be an even fiercer one after me... But correspondingly, it will probably be difficult to pit people again after this time."
"No matter."
Lu Yang's retained image chuckled lightly: "Pitting once counts as once... And I don't know why, but I always feel the main body shouldn't care about this kind of thing."
As he spoke, he fell into deep thought again.
Strange...
As a retained image, he should be able to share memories with the main body, at least share all memories before the main body left this residual image.
However, the reality was not so.
My memories have a considerable blank space. Actually, even [The Mortal World] couldn't imprint it? It seems the main body has quite a lot of secrets...
Having said that, Lu Yang's retained image wasn't moved in the slightest. His heart lake was as calm as before. This was also the effect of Dao Heart Perfection. Even knowing the main body should be hiding a big secret, he would only feel delighted about it, feeling the main body had hope in the Immortal Path, and wouldn't give birth to any disloyal heart.
"...Coming!"
Suddenly, Sky-Shrouding's retained image spoke: "The fish took the bait, and two came... I'll go welcome them; Fellow Daoist, prepare to act."
"Oh?"
Lu Yang's retained image immediately lowered his eyelids, looking at Zhu Xuanhao and [Star Lord Clear River] who had just stepped into [The Mortal World], sensing their auras at the same time.
The next second, his brows unknitted.
Two early stages...
...
Steady.
On the other side, Zhu Xuanhao and [Star Lord Clear River] thought the same, because they found they were separated after entering [The Mortal World].
Obviously, [The Mortal World] didn't allow two people to challenge the level together, so it separated them. Even Sky-Shrouding's retained image split because of this, adding one more to welcome the two simultaneously. This was also the reason why Zhu Xuanhao and [Star Lord Clear River] felt it was steady.
In this way, I can negotiate with the other party alone!
[Star Lord Clear River] was excited in his heart. If he could negotiate with Sky-Shrouding alone, using one portion of rare treasure to clear the level, it actually wasn't impossible.
As for Zhu Xuanhao? He just a disciple, what does it matter to me? Not my biological son, but forced on me by the Zhu Xuan Clan. With opportunity in front, selling him meant selling him out!
At the same time, Zhu Xuanhao was also pondering:
Matters having reached this point, I probably have to give the things in my hand. But since I'm giving it, I absolutely can't let the old thing take cut again!
If that really happened, it would be more uncomfortable than giving money!
The old thing definitely has extra [Five Elements Star Essence] and [Sun Moon Profound Fluid] in hand. I'll tell this information to the other party, letting him extort a bit more.
Thinking of this, Zhu Xuanhao had no psychological burden.
He just a master, sselling him meant selling him out!
Just at this moment, smoke permeated the air. Sky-Shrouding, with one hand behind his back, walked out slowly, standing in front of Zhu Xuanhao and [Star Lord Clear River].
"Greetings, Fellow Daoist. Where are the things I want?" Sky-Shrouding got straight to the point.
Hearing this, Zhu Xuanhao didn't say a second word, directly taking out his portion, and said at the same time: "I need a Dao contract. You admit defeat first, then I hand over the goods."
"Acceptable." Sky-Shrouding nodded.
"Also, that old thing who came with me has more in his hands! At least three more portions. If Senior is interested, you can extort a bit more."
"Hmm..."
Sky-Shrouding smiled slightly upon hearing this, but didn't care at all.
After all, at this point, more or less had no meaning.
On the other side, [Star Lord Clear River] also proposed a trade. He accepted it just as readily, then actively dispersed his figure, actually choosing to admit defeat for real.
For a time, both Zhu Xuanhao and [Star Lord Clear River] were stunned.
So easy?
Especially [Star Lord Clear River]. To be honest, he was prepared for Sky-Shrouding to turn hostile. The result is other party actually keeping the promise like this?
He couldn't be a fake Immortal Nexus person, right?
But soon, these doubts were thrown to the nine heavens by the two. Regardless, this level was passed! The opportunity of [The Mortal World] belonged to them!
However, the next second, the two were stunned again.
"This change isn't right?"
[Star Lord Clear River] blinked: "According to the records of the Gatekeeper Lineage, the Divine Intent Essence should be bestowed immediately after clearing the level."
"Where is my clearance reward?"
Answering him was a burst of heavy footsteps.
Thud, thud, thud...
Every time the footsteps sounded, it seemed like a heavy hammer smashing into the hearts of Zhu Xuanhao and [Star Lord Clear River], stepping on their consciousness seas.
Who is it? Didn't we clear the level?
Could it be...
A thought subconsciously emerged in [Star Lord Clear River]'s mind, but was quickly rejected. What kind of joke is this? How could there still be experts?
However, facts don't lie.
Soon, concepts condensed. Inside [The Mortal World], a light gate rose from the ground. Behind the gate shone a figure majestic as a mountain, lifting a foot and striding forward.
"...Not good!"
At this moment, [Star Lord Clear River] was the first to feel bad. The premonition in his heart had become reality. There really was another fucking expert!
The next second, Lu Yang's retained image walked out of the light gate.
Boom!
He didn't even use any technique or divine abilities, simply stepping down with one foot. However, with his majestic dharma body, even just one foot was like the collapse of a World Realm. Fierce to the extreme, and the speed was also unbelievably fast, giving the two absolutely no chance to react.
Bang!
The bodies of Zhu Xuanhao and [Star Lord Clear River] shattered on the spot. No concept, no wonders could stop this unadorned pure violence.
"...Mid-stage Golden Core!?"
[Star Lord Clear River] cursed on the spot. Was there anyone in charge here? This could be let in too? Is [The Mortal World] run by your family?
This is not a crime of war; we've been setup by the Immortal Nexus demon!
But soon, the two were powerless to curse anymore.
Because as Lu Yang's footsteps fell, the deafening footsteps even had the ability to shake the soul, making the two dizzy and unable to control themselves on the spot.
Of course, this was also helpless.
Mid-stage Golden Core fighting early-stage Golden Core, and under the rules of [The Mortal World], it even turned into a one-on-one duel. The result naturally had no suspense.
Soon, the battle ended.
Lu Yang's retained image didn't kill them, he just knocked them all unconscious, souls fainting, then sent them back to the [The Mortal World] pavilion before entering the trial.
"What to do next?"
Sky-Shrouding's retained image walked over: "Wait for the main bodies to come over next time? it might take a little time. Why don't you and I have a good chat again?"
"..."
Hearing this, Lu Yang's retained image glanced at Sky-Shrouding's retained image. Then, under the other's puzzled gaze, he suddenly grinned. Immediately after, a sound was heard—
Boom!
He self-destructed!
At this moment, even with Sky-Shrouding's retained image's mental state, he was dazed for a moment. But soon he also reacted, his expression changing drastically on the spot: "Bastard!"
Before his voice fell, another loud "Boom" sounded.
He also self-destructed.
[Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness], Supreme Imperial World.
After coming out of [The Mortal World], Lu Yang and Sky-Shrouding temporarily settled in this world, planning how to go to the Immortal Nexus to find Mu Changsheng.
However, just at this moment.
"Hmph!"
Lu Yang suddenly pursed his lips, his aura fluctuating slightly... Such a change naturally immediately attracted Sky-Shrouding's attention. His gaze cast over: "What's wrong with Fellow Daoist?"
"...Nothing."
Lu Yang smiled and stood up, thoughts spinning rapidly in his mind: I'm injured. Although the injury was guided away by the [Future Life Aspect], ultimately I was injured.
Who injured me across space?
[The Mortal World]? My retained image in [The Mortal World] was killed? Impossible. Saying it like this... Self-destruction? The retained image has something to find me for?
He is notifying me... there are benefits!
In an instant, Lu Yang had sorted out his thoughts. Then without any hesitation, he directly activated the Righteous Dao Banner. Rolling purple Qi instantly covered Sky-Shrouding.
"Patriarch, you guys stall him!"
Before his voice fell, Lu Yang had already fled into [The Mortal World] with lightning speed.
On the other side, Sky-Shrouding also groaned after being stunned for a moment, reacting: My retained image self-destructed. Something happened in [The Mortal World]?
He left so hurriedly... there is a benefits!
This bastard, he wants to swallow it alone!
In an instant, Sky-Shrouding also disappeared from the spot.