Chapter 472

Chapter 472: Lu Xuanyin, Mountain of Two Realms

"This piece of fat mutton has to be sheared slowly."

Ye Xu was in high spirits. One transaction had earned him sixty thousand Hongmeng points, enough to advance from the late stage of Sovereign of the World into the World Master realm.

"System, how many Hongmeng points are needed to break through to the World Master realm?"

[3000.]

"Hahaha…"

Ye Xu couldn’t stop grinning.

[Host, don’t celebrate too soon. Three thousand Hongmeng points will only get you to the early stage of World Master. The points required for each subsequent breakthrough will increase geometrically.]

"…"

"Can’t you let me enjoy this a little longer?" Ye Xu grimaced. "Deduct forty thousand Hongmeng points for the breakthrough."

[Congratulations, host. Forty thousand Hongmeng points have been spent.]

Boom!

A torrent of power surged into Ye Xu’s body, causing his cultivation to skyrocket. He leaped from the late stage of Sovereign of the World straight into the World Master realm.

His Great Dao World expanded continuously, evolving from a small thousand worlds into a mid-thousand worlds.

To become a Sovereign of the World was to forge small thousand worlds.

Lower plane universes like the Pangu universe were all small thousand worlds.

Upon advancing beyond Sovereign of the World, the small thousand worlds transformed into mid-thousand worlds.

Hongmeng Dao Realm was a great thousand world.

Ye Xu’s cultivation continued to rise. In the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, he reached the peak of World Master. The invincible domain around Heaven’s Secret Pavilion invisibly expanded as well, now encompassing thirty thousand li.

Though it spanned only one-tenth of Canglan Divine City’s area.

This meant Ye Xu remained invincible within thirty thousand li surrounding Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

"Formless Demon Lord, I intend to reward you this time."

With a thought, Ye Xu summoned Su Mu, Formless Demon Lord, and others to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. He looked at Formless Demon Lord and said, "What reward do you desire?"

Formless Demon Lord chuckled, "Master, my lord, I’ve followed you into Hongmeng Dao Realm, yet the Formless Celestial Demon Sutra I cultivate remains an unworthy technique. Without a transcendent-level cultivation method, wouldn’t it shame you, Master?"

Su Mu’s lips twitched. This faceless old demon truly had a gift for dressing up shameless words with eloquence.

"Granted!"

"System, how many Hongmeng points to exchange for a cultivation technique suitable for Formless Demon Lord’s Sovereign of the World level?" Ye Xu pondered inwardly.

With a fortune now at hand, rewards and punishments must be clear. Without Formless Demon Lord, he wouldn’t have closed this big deal so swiftly.

[The Formless Heaven Prison Demonic Scripture, 300 Hongmeng points.]

"Exchange."

Without a moment’s hesitation, Ye Xu exchanged for the Formless Heaven Prison Demonic Scripture. He activated his divine power, sending ancient characters of divine patterns flying into the mind of the Formless Demon Lord, coalescing into a classic text of demonic arts.

Boom!

The very next second, the aura of the Formless Demon Lord surged violently, ascending from the proof of the First Primordial Spirit to the proof of the Second Primordial Spirit.

Su Mu’s eyes turned red with envy.

A mere shift in cultivation method had caused the Formless Demon Lord’s power to skyrocket. If it were Su Mu, he was certain he could step directly to the end of the Great Dao.

"This fellow has some ambition too," Ye Xu thought to himself.

The Formless Demon Lord reaching the proof of the Second Primordial Spirit signified his chosen path: leaving the lower realm, transitioning from the end of the Great Dao through the Three Yuan Proof, and ultimately achieving liberation and enlightenment.

This way, his divine power would grow even more potent and his journey could extend further.

"Thank you, Master, for imparting this sacred art." The Formless Demon Lord beamed from ear to ear and volunteered enthusiastically, "If there’s nothing else, I’ll continue passing out flyers in Canglan Divine City."

"Daoist brother, I’ll go with you."

"We’ll go too," Yue Lingxi and Ye Xian’er said.

"No need."

Ye Xu replied leisurely, "Lu Chengfeng, the Young Master of the Lu Family, has already agreed to promote Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. With the resources of the Canglan Merchant Alliance, Heaven’s Secret Pavilion will be renowned throughout the Canglan Immortal Domain in less than half a month."

…

Su Mu’s face drained of color.

"Heh heh heh…" The Formless Demon Lord chuckled with a distinctly lewd and unguarded expression, not concealing his schadenfreude.

"Over the coming period, you will stay diligently within Heaven’s Secret Pavilion to cultivate. Once the reputation of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion is established, tasks will naturally be assigned to you,"

Ye Xu commanded.

"Yes,"

Su Mu answered weakly, his voice devoid of energy.

…

Lu Family estate.

Upon returning to the Lu estate, Lu Chengfeng dismissed Lu Qing. He handed the golden book and jade slip to Lu Yunzhao and Yuan Ziying, saying, "Father, mother, this contains the full truth behind the ambush Mother suffered all those years ago."

Yuan Ziying’s delicate face tensed abruptly as she snatched the golden book and jade slip.

The more she gleaned, the darker her expression became, a chilling killing intent impossible to suppress seeping through.

Over eight hundred years ago, wounded by the Demonic Seed of Doom, she had not only seen Lu Chengfeng’s foundation ruined, but she herself was left permanently unable to conceive.

Seeing this jade slip, she finally understood why the Xuan Du Ancient Immortal and his cohorts hadn’t taken her life then, nor had they prevented Lu Chengfeng’s birth.

Their goal had been for Lu Chengfeng to be born safely, destined only to become a cripple devoid of threat.

Yuan Ziying was the cherished jewel of the Yuan Family, the principal wife of Lu Yunzhao. Having borne him a legitimate heir, Lu Yunzhao could neither demote her status as primary wife nor disinherit Lu Chengfeng.

Otherwise, the Yuan Family might very well turn hostile.

After Lu Chengfeng’s death, the position of Young Master of the Lu Family would be vacant. Under pressure, Lu Yunzhao would have to select a new Young Master to succeed him as head of the family in the future.

Lu Shenyang was the only candidate.

"This Second Young Master is truly ruthless," Yuan Ziying gritted her teeth.

Lu Yunzhao’s expression remained composed. "None of the Nine Young Masters are easy to handle. It was the Second Young Master who pulled strings behind the scenes when the Ninth Young Master was harmed."

"The current Lu Family is far from a match for the Second Young Master."

"However, I will not spare the Qin Family, the Luo Family, or the traitors of my Lu Family."

"Father, settling scores with them is not the most urgent matter now."

Lu Chengfeng said, "The most crucial thing at present is to retrieve the Qianyuan Dao Seed."

Lu Yunzhao nodded.

"There are enemies hidden within the Lu Family. With your mother and I leaving, there are few remaining who can truly protect you," Lu Yunzhao said as he took his son towards the Lu Family’s ancestral land.

He produced the command token of the family head. The token flew into the void, where a mysterious force resonated with it. The void parted like a curtain, slowly opening to both sides.

"Yunzhao requests an audience with the Ancestor," Lu Yunzhao announced.

"Enter."

The two entered the deepest part of the ancestral land. Here, clear streams flowed between green hills, birds sang amidst fragrant flowers—it was like a paradise realm apart from the world.

A barefoot old man was working in the fields. His figure was powerfully built, with a full head of silver hair and a bushy beard, wielding a copper rusted hoe in his hand, appearing like an ordinary farmer.

This was Lu Chengfeng’s second time meeting the Ancestor.

The first was during his descent into the world. Because of the power of the Demonic Seed of Doom, he had faced mortal danger the moment he was born. It was the Ancestor, Lu Xuanyin, who had saved him.

His memory of that event was profoundly deep; Lu Xuanyin’s appearance was forever etched into the depths of his mind.

"Chengfeng pays respects to the Ancestor."

Lu Chengfeng knelt and bowed.

"Huh, already over eight hundred years have passed in the blink of an eye," Lu Xuanyin put down his hoe, lit his long-stemmed pipe, and began to smoke, puff-puff. Smoke curled around him, causing his eyes to grow misty.

"You’ve grown old already."

A trace of pity flashed in Lu Xuanyin’s gaze.

He was once one of the Lu Family’s heaven-blessed geniuses, carrying immense hopes, yet born with an innately crippled physique—truly lamentable.

"Ancestor, please examine this item first," Lu Yunzhao presented a jade slip with both hands reverently.

Lu Xuanyin swept it with her Divine Sense.

"This matter… I had long harbored my suspicions," Lu Xuanyin showed little surprise, her expression calm. "The Canglan Merchant Alliance has stood firm in the Canglan Immortal Domain for many years; it was inevitable it would draw covetous gazes."

"Which of those Nine Young Masters wouldn’t want a piece of the pie?"

"This Second Young Master is too formidable. That he would move against the Lu Family is within expectations."

"You didn’t come here just for this, I presume?"

Lu Xuanyin, shrewd and experienced, saw through Lu Yunzhao’s intentions.

"Most wise, Ancestor."

Lu Yunzhao said, "Traveling to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion this time brought Chengfeng good fortune. My wife and I received guidance from its Master, learning the whereabouts of the Qianyuan Dao Seed."

"Oh~"

A flicker of surprise crossed Lu Xuanyin’s face. "Can you discern the background of that Master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?"

Lu Yunzhao shook his head.

"The Master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion is unfathomably deep. This disciple’s cultivation is too shallow; I couldn’t probe any deeper." He thought for a moment, then added, "However, in this disciple’s opinion, the Master’s strength must certainly not fall below yours, Ancestor."

"In fact, he might even be a Dao Sovereign!"

Dao Sovereign, Great Dao Supreme Lord.

High above, overlooking all living things.

The Lu Family had deep roots, yet across countless Yuanhuis, not one Dao Sovereign had emerged.

"However, this Master seems solely focused on business, disdaining worldly conflicts. That honestly surprised your disciple." Lu Yunzhao’s smile held traces of helplessness and bewilderment.

"Nonsense."

Lu Xuanyin sneered. "Running a huge trade, making mountains of money—utterly useless."

"Our Canglan Merchant Alliance may dominate Canglan Immortal Domain, but others see us as a plump sheep ripe for slaughter. Bound for the table someday, mark my words."

"This person appearing out of nowhere in Canglan Divine City must have a purpose."

"What should this disciple do?"

"Forget him for now."

Lu Xuanyin declared, "Linger long enough, and the fox inevitably shows its tail."

"Besides, I’m curious myself—is this man truly a Dao Sovereign?"

"As you command."

"Chengfeng, you’ll remain in the Ancestral Lands for a while."

Lu Xuanyin chuckled, "An old man stuck here alone grows lonely. Keep me company—chatting, tending the fields. Wait until that Yunzhao boy returns, then venture out."

"This disciple obeys the Ancestor’s command."

Lu Chengfeng bowed deeply.

The Ancestor’s move was clearly for his protection.

"This disciple takes his leave."

Lu Yunzhao bowed deeply and retreated.

"Father…"

Lu Chengfeng called out to Lu Yunzhao. A thousand words and emotions condensed into two simple syllables. "Take care."

Lu Yunzhao offered no reply, turning on his heel and striding away without a backward glance.

Upon exiting the Ancestral Lands, Yuan Ziying awaited him outside.

"Let’s go."

The pair soared away from the Lu Family estate, heading towards Penglai Immortal Domain.

The Mountain of Two Realms lay deep within an ancient mountain range in Yuezhou, Penglai Immortal Domain.

Despite both being at the Dao Lord realm, it took them three solid days to cross into Yuezhou and enter the mountain range.

Towering peaks and endless ridges stretched in all directions.

Primal exotic beasts roared and thundered across the slopes.

Ancient Trees pierced the heavens, scraping the sky.

Lu Yunzhao released his Divine Sense, letting it sweep through the mountains. His expression sharpened. "This range holds Demon Lord-level beings of the demon clan. Exercise caution."

"Mmh."

They suppressed their auras completely, navigating according to their map towards the Mountain of Two Realms.

After about a stick of incense’s time.

They crested a vast Heavenly Mountain. Below them unfolded a boundless plain.

Whoosh!

Lu Yunzhao surged with power, thrusting a finger into the void.

Wumph!

The finger seemed to plunge into an endless abyss. Ripples spread through the void, revealing a cyan Talisman suspended deep within space. Woven with complex divine patterns, it emitted an aura characteristic of a Dao Lord.

Lu Yunzhao’s index finger pierced the void, touching the Dao Lord Talisman directly.

RUMBLE!

Instantly, cyan light flooded out, weaving like countless luminous threads into the surrounding space, igniting an ancient formation hidden for untold ages.

The void rippled like layers of folding glass.

It was as though invisible hands were slowly gathering a painting back onto its scroll.

As the void itself appeared to contract around Lu Yunzhao, two perfectly symmetrical mountains, mirrored replicas of verdant peaks, materialized into the world on either side of him.