Outside the [Dao-Attaining Hidden Profound Palace].
Looking out, one could see an endless stream of light streaks, like starving wolves scrambling to divide a piece of meat, madly sprinting towards the cyan grotto-heaven.
Yet amidst this sea of people, there was a single figure.
Not only did he not follow the crowd, but he actually moved against the tide, further distancing himself from the [Dao-Attaining Hidden Profound Palace] while completely concealing his aura.
That being said, by relying on the projected [White Jade Capital] within, Lu Yang's perception of the changes inside the grotto-heaven was even superior to those Perfected Lords who had entered. At this moment, through Suo Huan's perspective, he even saw the appearance of the Huai River Dragon Lord, and he was perfectly aware of the subtle sense of incongruity about her.
'It's the [Eternal Flowing Water]!'
Thinking about it carefully made it clear. Ling Xiao had regained control of the [Eternal Flowing Water] during the battle to defy the heaven. Since that was the case, how could there still be a Huai River Dragon Lord?
This was the source of the incongruity.
Those who hadn't realized this could uniformly be considered as having fallen under the Knowledge-Perception Barrier. Moreover, they were deeply entrenched; they probably weren't far from drooling like idiots.
Then what was the deal with the current Huai River Dragon Lord?
Lu Yang raised his head and glanced at the canopy of the Immortal Nexus. Up there, a [Eternal Flowing Water] shone brilliantly. At first glance, there seemed to be no issue.
Yet inside the [Dao-Attaining Hidden Profound Palace], there was also an [Eternal Flowing Water].
Which was true? Which was false?
'Both are true.'
Lu Yang chuckled inwardly. He was actually quite familiar with this situation where a Dao Fruit was split in two: 'It's just that one is the main body of the Dao Fruit, and the other is the profound wonder of the Dao Fruit.'
The [Eternal Flowing Water] inside the [Dao-Attaining Hidden Profound Palace] was the main body of the Dao Fruit that Ling Xiao had stripped away. Meanwhile, the one currently hanging on the canopy of the Immortal Nexus was actually just a Dao Fruit profound wonder. It must have been forcefully left behind by the Heavenly Lord to maintain the six Dragon Lords' joint control over the [Water Element].
'No wonder the Heavenly Lord is so anxious.'
'Not only the [City Rampart Earth], but also the [Eternal Flowing Water]. He truly suffered a massive loss in that battle to defy the heaven. He probably hates Ling Xiao so much his teeth itch.'
Thinking of this, Lu Yang couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Immediately after, his gaze fell upon the Huai River Dragon Lord's face, which was identical to Perfected Lord Feixue's. After pausing for a moment, he decisively moved his eyes away.
'There's nothing to care about.'
Although their appearances were the same, Perfected Lord Feixue and the Huai River Dragon Lord were not the same person. Just like how Ling Xiao and Pill Cauldron had no karmic connection whatsoever.
Because this was True Spirit Reconstruction.
Unlike soul reincarnation, a person born from True Spirit Reconstruction couldn't even be considered to share a past-and-present-life relationship with their former self. They were a completely new life.
Therefore, the only thing the two shared was a face.
In fact, strictly speaking, even this face wasn't absolutely identical. For example, Ling Xiao and Pill Cauldron had obvious differences in their appearances.
'In terms of strength, this Huai River Dragon Lord is far inferior to Feixue.'
At this thought, Lu Yang's gaze focused slightly. Projecting the White Jade Capital this time wasn't just to fish for the Nameless Dao Lord; he also harbored the intention of spreading his Dao Lineage.
Since that was the case, he naturally had to promote it.
And what better advertisement could there be than Divine Lords who had switched to the Investiture of the Gods Method effortlessly crushing a Dragon Lord in all aspects during a head-on clash?
"Boom!"
At the same time, the Huai River Dragon Lord who had appeared already made her move, speeding towards Suo Huan's direction. The surging mighty river beneath her feet smashed straight towards the top of his head!
In an instant, the long river roared, blotting out the sun and sky wherever it passed, plunging heaven and earth into gloom. It aimed to suppress Suo Huan into the depths of that mighty river.
But before that could happen, a streak of light pierced through the void and then suddenly spread out. Like a giant hand formed by heavenly light, it blocked the path of the river. Carrying a thick aura of incense, it bore the entirety of the surging river, and then shifted space in all directions, sending it nearly ten thousand miles away.
"...Hm?"
The profound wonder being abruptly moved away caused the Huai River Dragon Lord, who was originally certain of victory, to frown slightly. She looked at the graceful silhouette walking out from the green smoke of incense.
The latter curtsied slightly in a traditional greeting:
"Xiao Ru greets Fellow Daoist."
"..."
The Huai River Dragon Lord didn't respond. Instead, with a leap, she directly abandoned her human form, manifesting a slender and towering dragon body, and opened her abyss-like dragon maw.
[Eternal Flowing Water] profound wonder, [Inexhaustible Stream]!
Endless Water Element light gathered, as if a real river was accumulating and surging within that dragon mouth, eventually transforming into a line of blazing white heavenly light.
In the blink of an eye, Empress Xiao's beautiful eyes were filled with the white light. As far as her divine sense could reach, she couldn't see the sky or the earth; there was only a twisting, surging river. Infinite mighty power was entirely poured into this profound light. Its magnificent momentum immediately drew the gazes and attention of many Perfected Lords.
Facing such a profound wonder, Empress Xiao could only widen her beautiful eyes.
She couldn't block this profound wonder.
In a split second, she couldn't even muster a decent defense. She only had time to part her red lips and force out a hurried, brief Dao sound:
"Imperial Edict!"
In an instant, the Water Element light that was heading straight for her face, aiming to drown her, actually twisted instantly. Like a river changing its course, it deflected elsewhere.
[Divine Offering].
Changing Heaven and Earth!
Empress Xiao stood in place, still without the slightest offensive method. However, around her, streaks of divine fire lit up the heaven and earth as far as her eyes could see.
Only within this small world spanning ten thousand miles, enveloped by the profound wonder, did she possess absolute control. She could freely manipulate spatial changes and the operation of all things. Although it wasn't enough to defeat the Huai River Dragon Lord, maintaining an undefeated stance while pinning her down and preventing her from providing support elsewhere was not a problem at all.
"Rumble!"
In the distance, the Water Element light that the Huai River Dragon Lord had just unleashed finally landed. The torrent washed over mountains, altering the landscape, and heaven-shaking sounds rang out endlessly.
This clash of profound wonders was evidently intensifying. On the other side, Dragon Lord Yu Zhao also engaged Suo Huan again, their boiling auras no longer concealable.
It wasn't just the Perfected Lords; even the Foundation Establishment Perfected Ones with higher cultivation could now catch a glimpse of the battle.
For a time, an unknown number of people looked at Suo Huan and Empress Xiao with burning gazes. Their very existence was the most perfect living advertisement for the Investiture of the Gods Method.
They could be like this.
Then what about themselves?
At this moment, just as Bu Tianque predicted, among all the cultivators who entered the grotto-heaven, those at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment were the most numerous, and there were even some Unorthodox Dao Perfected Lords.
They all set their sights on the palaces within the [White Jade Capital] that had ignited divine fires.
Soon, a great battle erupted.
Large numbers of Perfected Ones and lower-realm cultivators began to fight over the ownership of the palaces and divine fires. Even Unorthodox Dao Perfected Lords joined the fray because of this, triggering continuous rumbling across heaven and earth.
However, right at this moment.
"Roar—!"
A heaven-shaking dragon roar instantly suppressed the clamor within the grotto-heaven. Looking out, an auspicious golden cloud was rolling across the sky, sweeping towards them.
The auspicious cloud wasn't massive in scale, but it carried an incredibly intense presence. Faintly, a dragon-shaped phantom could be seen darting recklessly within it, yet not a single scale or piece of armor was visible. It seemed ethereal and immortal-like, but in reality, it carried an incomparably heavy concept, pressing down on everyone's hearts like a giant mountain.
"Insolent!"
From within the auspicious cloud, a cold shout rumbled out. There was no profound wonder amplification; it was pure spiritual power vibration, yet it carried an unmatched, magnificent mighty power.
"Crack!"
In an instant, Suo Huan's true body shattered, and the small world surrounding Empress Xiao also disintegrated. Both figures shattered simultaneously, dissipating into nothingness just like that.
This was no longer mighty power at the Perfected Lord level.
"It's Cang River, he has come over."
"What a pity. Although the Dao Lineage of this place is quite miraculous, if it can't nurture a Late Stage Golden Core and lacks a Great Perfected Lord holding down the fort, it's ultimately all for nothing."
"...Keep up, all of you."
From within the auspicious golden cloud, the Cang River Dragon Lord spoke coldly: "You've wasted too much time. The [City Rampart Earth] should be inside. Follow me and break through as quickly as possible."
At the same time, in the distance, two streaks of light descended from the sky and reformed. Suo Huan and Empress Xiao walked out once again. Although their auras were slightly diminished, they hadn't truly died. This scene immediately drew many astonished gazes; even the Cang River Dragon Lord was somewhat surprised by it.
However, that being said, he didn't care much, stating coldly:
"You have some tricks, but to think this alone can stop this Lord is simply too fanciful."
Hearing this, Suo Huan wore a helpless expression: "Our blocking the path here is actually a stroke of good fortune for Senior. Why must Senior seek out humiliation?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the Cang River Dragon Lord frowned instantly:
"Courting death... !?"
His voice abruptly stopped.
Heaven and earth underwent a sudden, drastic change.
As the only Late Stage Golden Core among the six Dragon Lords aside from the Old Dragon Lord, the Cang River Dragon Lord's manifested true form was already towering and vast enough.
But at this moment, as a heaven-obscuring giant hand appeared, the mountains beneath its palm were like specks of dust, and the rivers like raindrops. The originally mountain-range-sized Cang River Dragon Lord instantly became the size of an ant, casually pinched between its fingertips. No matter how he struggled, he couldn't escape the grasp of this palm.
And on that palm, Dragon Script and Phoenix Seal shone brightly:
[Divine Throne of Great Tranquility Governing the Order of Myriad Phenomena].
Not far away, Suo Huan shook his head and Empress Xiao sighed. They saw the palace doors wide open. A young man in white sat cross-legged, looking over with curiosity in his eyes.
His clear voice carried a gentle tone. However, within those calm eyes, the dazzling, blinding Light of Wisdom made everyone present not dare to meet his gaze.
"What did Fellow Daoist just say? Could you repeat it?"
"I didn't hear clearly."