The [Netherworld], a place beyond description.
Before the River of Souls, a majestic palace stood tall, bringing a faint spark of vitality to this dead, silent land where no life should exist.
To an ordinary cultivator, or even a Golden Core Perfected Lord, this palace would appear completely unremarkable at first glance. However, only those with truly profound Dao comprehension would be shaken by its existence. Anyone below the stature of a Great Perfected Lord didn't even have the qualifications to perceive its profundity.
Why was this so?
It was because its pillars were refined from [Great Forest Wood], its walls built from [Silted Sand Earth], its accents adorned with [White Wax Gold], and its chambers illuminated by the [Overturned Lamp Flame].
Finally, the [Eternal Flowing Water] provided its mighty power.
The Five Elements were complete, achieving perfect self-sufficiency.
In all the world, only this [Dao-Attaining Hidden Profound Palace] could nestle within the Netherworld, concealing the living. Anything else would be crushed by the Netherworld's mighty power.
Swish, swish...
Just then, as if sensing something, the doors of this magnificent palace suddenly rattled, and rolling mystic light cascaded from its eaves.
The next second, the palace doors slowly opened. A figure shrouded in mist strolled out and stood before the palace, looking up at the mortal world. Soon, his exposed, narrow eyes reflected the great battle unfolding in the Pure Land, taking in every detail.
"...Interesting."
Sky-shrouding scrutinized the changes in the mortal world, his gaze flickering. The Dharma Body Dao? No, it's just a purely powerful Dharma Body... How did he do it?
Is this... an Unorthodox Perfected Lord?
Can shallow waters truly rear true dragons?
As his thoughts spun rapidly, Sky-shrouding's eyes suddenly narrowed. Looking at the Pure Land right now... it seems only [Coiled Dragon Shadow] is left? The other Bodhisattvas are tied up?
This looked like an opportunity.
Regarding the Five-Element Dao Fruits, although he only controlled the [Great Forest Wood], he had laid plans for the other four. He just hadn't found the right moment to seize them.
Originally, his plan was to wait for the Thousand-Year Great Tribulation. He would wait until the Immortal Nexus, the Star Palace, and the Mysterious Wall fought tooth and nail, mutually wounding each other until they were powerless to stop him. Only then would he strike, claim the four elemental Dao Fruits, and make his bid for the position of Lord of the Netherworld. However, taking that route carried inherent risks.
After all, attempting to claim four Dao Fruits simultaneously was equivalent to fighting a war on multiple fronts.
While he considered himself the strongest under heaven, the possibility of failure wasn't entirely zero. So, if he could secure one or two Dao Fruits ahead of time, it would undoubtedly be better.
He hadn't done so previously because the opportunity never presented itself.
Because he was physically in the Netherworld, the strength he could exert was severely limited. But now, with the Pure Land so drastically depleted... the situation had changed.
Should I give it a try?
Although it would expose my identity, as long as my secret of reversing the [Chen Earth] hasn't been discovered, seizing a Dao Fruit shouldn't pose a problem.
After all, as long as the [Chen Earth] remained hidden, the others wouldn't be able to deduce exactly which Dao Fruits he was targeting. Consequently, they wouldn't be able to set traps in advance. This meant he still retained a massive margin for maneuvering. Compared to securing two Dao Fruits, exposing his identity was ultimately a harmless price to pay.
However...
Sky-shrouding frowned deeply, reconsidering. Once I make a move, if someone later discovers the secret of the [Chen Earth], I'll be put in a very passive position.
As long as the [Chen Earth] wasn't exposed, he could sit firmly in the fishing boat and wait for the fish to bite.
But if his intervention exposed his identity, and subsequently led to the discovery of the reversed [Chen Earth]... it would be a classic case of trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice used as bait.
Do I need to gamble?
Sky-shrouding fell into deep thought.
For a time, within the massive [Dao-Attaining Hidden Profound Palace], the lights of the Five Elements rotated and alternated, generating and overcoming each other, blooming into a hazy, prismatic mist.
...
Mystic Spirit World Realm.
Vajradhatu Ratnasambhava Tathagata stepped into the Mystic Spirit World Realm. Completely ignoring Lu Yang's home-field advantage, boundless Buddhist light unfurled from him in all directions.
Instantly, ancient temples and monasteries rose from the ground. Flocks of monks and novices materialized within the Buddhist light like mercury spilling across the floor, settling upon the lands of the Mystic Spirit World Realm. Wherever the Buddhist light encroached, Lu Yang immediately lost his connection to the area, as if a stone had sunk into the ocean.
Rumble!
The agonized wails of the Mystic Spirit World Realm echoed in his ears. Clearly, Vajradhatu Ratnasambhava Tathagata was digging up the realm's roots, intending to occupy it by force.
"It's all my fault..."
The Supreme of the Mystic Spirit World Realm had recovered somewhat. Slumped before the shattered Heavenly Court palace, his eyes were filled with anguish. "I brought the invaders here!"
Faced with the World Honored One's forceful occupation, the Supreme was entirely powerless. The [Siming] Dao Fruit he once took pride in was completely useless. He could only watch helplessly as the Mystic Spirit World Realm was ravaged. His eyes grew bloodshot, and he finally turned his gaze toward Lu Yang, who was surrounded by anomalies.
You have to win...
The Supreme of the Mystic Spirit World Realm prayed silently in his heart.
I don't know your true origins, but right now, you are the only one who can save the Mystic Spirit World Realm!
At that exact moment, Lu Yang made his move.
He opened his hands, and four starlight-like, prismatic hues instantly appeared in his palms. They were precisely four portions of Five Elements Star Essence, capable of elevating profound wonders!
I originally traded for these five portions to use on the [Divine Firmament Thunder].Since the [Divine Firmament Thunder] encompasses the concepts of the Five Elements, one Star Essence for each element would definitely yield incredible results.It's a pity the Wood element is still incomplete. Elevating the other four elements alone carries significant hidden risks.
When dealing with the Five Elements, balance was paramount.
Balance birthed the cycle of mutual generation and overcoming. If a single element became excessively strong or weak, the entire cycle would collapse.
But Lu Yang quickly made a decision.
I'll enhance it first! I can remedy the hidden risks later. If I don't go all out to elevate it now, I might not even have the chance to do so later!
With this in mind, Lu Yang immediately tossed the four portions of Star Essence into the [Divine Firmament Thunder]. Simultaneously, the Mystic Spirit World Realm lent its support, making the Dao Fruit shine even more brilliantly. Just then, Lu Yang seemed to catch a glimpse of an illusory light and shadow within the Dao Fruit, but it vanished in a flash before truly taking form.
Was that... a Dao Fruit profound wonder?
Lu Yang's heart stirred. As expected, with the rising stature of the [Divine Firmament Thunder], birthing a Dao Fruit profound wonder was just a matter of a final push.
However, not all profound wonders were created equal.
I must guide this process personally. If I let the Five Elements cycle naturally birth a profound wonder, it might not meet my expectations.
To achieve that, he had to secure the [Pine & Cypress Wood]!
The next second, Lu Yang gripped the [Divine Firmament Thunder]. It felt as if he were gripping the very authority of heaven and earth, as the Dao Fruit had become the center of the Mystic Spirit World Realm at this moment.
This is a serendipitous timing.
Thunder was the pivot of Yin and Yang, the fundamental command over all things. With the Mystic Spirit World Realm's enhancement, the myriad phenomena within heaven and earth followed his lead, perfectly aligning with the concept of the [Divine Firmament Thunder]!
In an instant, thunder roared across heaven and earth!
"Commanding Yin and Yang, the tribulations of heaven and earth are in my grasp!"
Lu Yang spoke with heavenly authority, his Dao voice rolling across the void. Wherever it passed, thunder rumbled continuously. Lightning instantly erupted across the territories occupied by Vajradhatu Ratnasambhava Tathagata!
Rumble!
Countless bolts of lightning cascaded down, immediately suppressing the expansion of the Buddhist light. Yet, seeing this, Vajradhatu Ratnasambhava Tathagata showed no signs of worry.
"Amitabha... Why put up such a futile struggle like a cornered beast, Benefactor?"
He simply smiled faintly, entirely unhurried. Instead, he chose to consolidate the territories he had already occupied, actually shifting to a war of attrition with Lu Yang.
Seeing this, Lu Yang immediately frowned.
This won't do. Since I can't go all out, the enhancement of the Mystic Spirit World Realm is crucial for me.Once he completely takes over the Mystic Spirit World Realm, I'll have absolutely zero chance of winning... I have to find a way to break this stalemate, or I'll just be sitting here waiting to die.
But Vajradhatu Ratnasambhava Tathagata was playing it far too safe.
He completely refused to fight Lu Yang head-on. He just holed up in the Buddhist kingdom he had created, securing his gains step by step and slowly eroding the Mystic Spirit World Realm.
However, Lu Yang quickly devised a plan.
You forced me to use my killer move.
With this in mind, Lu Yang steadied his heart and quieted his mind. He let out a booming voice—not directed at the Mystic Spirit World Realm, but at the Immortal Nexus. The message was exceedingly simple:
"Sky-shrouding! Make your move!"
"Did you really think no one knew you secretly reversed the Yin and Yang of the Chen Earth? If you don't strike now, you'll never have the chance to break through to Nascent Soul!"
In the Netherworld, within the [Dao-Attaining Hidden Profound Palace]. Sky-shrouding, who had been happily watching the fire from across the river, stumbled and nearly fell into the River of Souls.
"Huh!?"