[Heaven-bearing Palm] shattered.
The scattered ocean of light filled [The Mortal World]. Lu Yang's figure rapidly turned ethereal, guided by his divine sense to step into the dark void.
As long as he entered the dark void, he could transfer back into the [Nourishing Life Master].
When that happened, [Sky-shrouding] would be unable to continue his pursuit. Having already refined the Supreme Treasure, the [Arctic Exorcism Court], he could simply wait until he stepped onto the Immortal Bridge to come back and settle the score.
Can I retreat?
Lu Yang's divine sense grew closer and closer to the domain of the dark void. However, the instant he was about to establish a connection with it, a massive warning sign flared in his heart.
The next second, under the state of [Supreme Dao Transformation], Lu Yang made the most correct decision. He directly sacrificed the newly refined [Arctic Exorcism Court] in his hand, and his main body transformed into a streak of radiant light that escaped into it. All that remained was a towering palace sitting in the chaotic void.
Immediately after, a silhouette of light and shadow surfaced.
From inside the [Arctic Exorcism Court], Lu Yang looked out and saw that the approaching silhouette was actually a magnificent palace bobbing up and down in a sea of fog, faintly discernible.
It was close at hand!
Just moments ago, [Sky-shrouding] had used it to directly smash through [Heaven-bearing Palm]. Without anyone noticing, he had already silently arrived right beside Lu Yang.
If Lu Yang hadn't dodged into the [Arctic Exorcism Court] in time, he would have had to endure this strike—powerful enough to shatter [Heaven-bearing Palm]—with his physical body. At that time, even with his sturdy Dharma Body, he would likely have been severely injured by the impact, unable to recover even in the short term.
Rumble—!
The next second, the two palaces crashed fiercely into each other. The resulting shockwaves spread endlessly into the distance like a hurricane.
The thunderous roar was absolutely deafening.
Yet, at the center of the collision, it was entirely tranquil and empty. Even the concepts of time and space seemed to have been erased at this moment.
The [Arctic Exorcism Court] was sent flying backward.
Like a shooting star, it dragged a long tail of blazing light wherever it passed, dispersing the mighty force capable of pulverizing a World Realm and dissolving it into the surrounding light sea.
On the other side, [Sky-shrouding]'s [Dao-Attaining Hidden Profound Palace] also stumbled. The entire palace was practically knocked upright, nearly flipped completely over by the impact.
Meanwhile, Lu Yang was entirely fearless. He even stepped out of the [Arctic Exorcism Court], leaning against the railing. His spine was as straight as a heaven-supporting pillar, remaining perfectly still in the face of the collision's backlash. With a chilling gaze, he looked at the [Dao-Attaining Hidden Profound Palace] not far away, which had already righted itself.
Over there, [Sky-shrouding] had also stepped out.
The churning sea of fog made the figure of this Number One Perfected Lord in the World increasingly blurry. Only a pair of long, narrow eyes remained, matching Lu Yang's gaze across the void without giving an inch.
Both of their gazes were icy cold, harboring hidden thoughts.
The next second, all the shockwaves were suppressed by an even more magnificent mighty force. Neither side retreated; they crashed into each other once more with a thunderous boom!
This time, it wasn't an even match like before. The [Dao-Attaining Hidden Profound Palace] proved superior. The churning sea of fog crashed down upon the [Arctic Exorcism Court], actually erasing this Supreme Treasure's "hardness," "strength," "spiritual power," and "material" out of thin air... causing its state to plummet rapidly!
Crack!
A clearly visible crack appeared on the towering palace. The newly refined Supreme Treasure was instantly thrust into the crisis of being shattered!
"The qi and form flourish on the earth, the momentum stabilizes the high ridge!"
Seeing this, Lu Yang didn't hesitate. He deployed the [Yin-Yang Insight Dao Fruit]. A bright firelight illuminated the surroundings, immediately dispelling the sea of fog attached to the palace.
However, in the next second, the sea of fog surged back with an even more ferocious momentum. Even the candlelight of the [Overturned Lamp Flame] couldn't pierce through it. This was the most fundamental disparity in Dao Fruits; the [Great Forest Wood] was, after all, a supreme Dao Fruit. The suppressing effect of the [Overturned Lamp Flame] was not worth mentioning in the face of this stature disparity!
So this is [Sky-shrouding] in his peak state.
No, it's actually still a bit lacking. He doesn't seem to have flipped [Inversion]... Even at this point, he still hasn't gone all out?
This is simply unreasonable...
Standing before the [Arctic Exorcism Court] with his hands behind his back, the Light of Wisdom swirled in Lu Yang's eyes. Countless methods to break the deadlock surfaced in his mind, only to be decisively rejected by him.
In his eyes, the [Dao-Attaining Hidden Profound Palace] was actually very simple.
With the [Great Forest Wood] as its core, it combined the profound wonders of the other four Dao Fruits and was forged using [Sky-shrouding]'s own Grotto-Heaven. It was equivalent to a Supreme Treasure.
It had only one profound wonder: the ultimate application of the [Knowledge-Perception Barrier].
Attacks were stored, defenses were nullified, and injuries were erased. Its unparalleled method created invincible strenght. It was an absolute BS boss!
But there are still ways to crack it.
The simplest method is to use [Golden Talent: Great Self-Detonation] to detonate the [Floating Light Realm Sea Great Immortal Art] early. That alone is enough to force him back.
That being said, Lu Yang didn't intend to do so.
Because right now, he was in the state of [Supreme Dao Transformation]. And during his head-on clash with [Sky-shrouding], an epiphany gradually formed in his heart:
The design of this [Dao-Attaining Hidden Profound Palace] has reached the absolute pinnacle. It seems to be a cultivation method itself, no worse than the [Heavenly Pivot Dao-Spreading Diagram]!
No, it's even better!
At this thought, Lu Yang suddenly beckoned with his hand, grasping the Dragon-Banishment Ruler and striking it heavily against his palm. The profound wonder of opening the mind and enlightening wisdom responded at will—
I understand!
In a flash, endless talismanic character of the Great Dao surfaced one after another deep within Lu Yang's eyes. The Light of Wisdom vibrated, finally capturing a sliver of the [Dao-Attaining Hidden Profound Palace]'s profound wonder.
That is... a cultivation method?
No, that's not right. That should be an algorithm. An incredibly complex, grand unified algorithm used to deduce Yin-Yang, the Five Elements, and the ultimate principles of heaven and earth!
Boom!
Another loud crash. This time, the [Arctic Exorcism Court] was blasted wide open. The storm whipped up by the shockwaves made Lu Yang's robes flutter wildly.
However, facing such ferocious backlash, Lu Yang didn't even show the slightest intention of circulating his methods to mitigate the damage. In an instant, his Dharma Body cracked, turning him into a bloodied man. Only his eyes grew increasingly bright. And around him, the operation of the [Arctic Exorcism Court] gradually underwent changes, seemingly mimicking something.
"Hmm?"
Such changes were captured by [Sky-shrouding] almost instantly, causing his brow to furrow sharply. Next, astonishment leaked from his eyes:
"You're learning from me?"
No, not learning, but copying!
The operational principles of the [Dao-Attaining Hidden Profound Palace], the methods he was most proud of, were actually being comprehended from afar by Lu Yang, who was copying them completely from the inside out!
What kind of monstrous comprehension is this?
In an instant, [Sky-shrouding]'s aura expanded once more. The sea of fog originally lingering around the [Dao-Attaining Hidden Profound Palace] abruptly collapsed inward.
In the blink of an eye, the originally magnificent palace vanished, replaced by a thumb-sized pill. Unstoppable brilliant golden divine light flowed from the inside out. Even though its size had shrunk countless times, the power contained within it had swelled to a critical point at this moment.
The next instant, golden light burst forth.
Bang!
This time, there was no suspense. The newly achieved [Arctic Exorcism Court] was instantly covered in dense cracks. If it weren't for Lu Yang maintaining it, it would have likely exploded already!
At the same time, the Light of Wisdom in Lu Yang's eyes dispersed.
[Supreme Dao Transformation] had ended.
Yet, on the other side, [Sky-shrouding] didn't feel joyful because the Light of Wisdom of the person before him had dispersed. Instead, an even stronger sense of crisis arose within him.
Then, Lu Yang raised his head.
"So that's how it is."
A faint laugh spread through the void: "The First-generation Pill Cauldron Peak Master's [Golden Liquid Returning Core Diagram] actually ended up in your hands."
As these words fell, [Sky-shrouding] instantly frowned:
"You guessed it?"
"No..."
Hearing this, Lu Yang shook his head and raised a finger, tapping his glabella lightly. "I learned it."
(End of Chapter)