Chapter 334: Chapter 334: The Celestial Gate Opens

Behind the South Celestial Gate.

Lü Yang stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing up at the sky. He watched as streaks of light fell toward the layers of palaces before him, each one a Foundation-Stage Cultivator.

But right now, he couldn’t be bothered with any of that.

Before he left, Minor Metal’s sudden telepathic message still echoed in his ears:

’What a strange deal… He actually wants me to stay in the Secret Realm for as long as possible. Why? The price he offered was very generous, though…’

Lü Yang’s Heart Spirit sank into his Spiritual Space.

When it came to deals, Minor Metal had always been generous. A job done was a reward earned. He never withheld payment; you could say he was a model employer.

In the next moment, a swath of scripture appeared before Lü Yang’s eyes.

The *Taiyin Kan Yuan Scripture*!

’This isn’t a Daoist Skill, nor is it a Secret Technique… It’s a Dao Scripture that specifically analyzes the essence of [Xin Metal], designed to increase one’s corresponding Cultivation!’

’Xin Metal is the head of the five metals, the Essence of the Eight Stones. In the heavens, it is the sun and moon, the Essence of the Moon; on the earth, it is the ore in mountain rock… These must be Minor Metal’s own insights into [Xin Metal] from when he was the Spirit of Xin Metal, which he specifically recorded. This is incredibly useful to me now!’

This was because [Xin Metal] was the next step in his cultivation path.

The Fruit of Pomegranate Wood was comprised of [Geng Metal], [Shen Metal], [Xin Metal], and [Rooster Metal]. It was a case of wood residing in the domain of metal, obtained through their mutual conflict—a transformation of wood.

Lü Yang read on, completely mesmerized.

The next moment, however, his expression suddenly changed. “How did it just cut off!”

But he quickly realized it was Minor Metal’s insurance policy. It was to prevent him from taking the goods and not keeping his promise, which was why he’d only given him half the scripture.

’That bastard!’

The other half had been sealed by Minor Metal. The Restriction on the seal would only unlock after he stayed inside the South Celestial Gate for the agreed-upon amount of time.

At this thought, Lü Yang collected his Heart Spirit and turned to survey his surroundings. What met his eyes was a scene of utter ruin.

In the vast Celestial Palace, not a soul was in sight.

Yet, traces left behind by living people were everywhere: slash marks from blades and spears on the walls, footprints, and shattered, scattered tea sets.

Just by witnessing this scene, Lü Yang could picture the Celestial Court at its peak prosperity. Myriad Immortals would gather, entering through the South Celestial Gate to discuss the Dao in this Celestial Palace among the clouds, chatting freely, drinking tea, and playing chess… It should have been an ordinary day, but it had all come to an abrupt end in a single moment.

’The Stain Sect came, and another Outer Realm fell.’

All the Immortals of the Celestial Court were wiped out in an instant. Even the lofty Supreme Venerable of the Profound Spirit Realm was slain, leaving behind nothing but empty palaces.

“A Perfected Lord… How utterly shameless!”

After a moment of reflection, Lü Yang took out the Myriad-Soul Banner. With a flick of the banner, Cheng Xian, who had already been transformed into the Banner Spirit, emerged, his face a mask of loyalty.

“What Artifacts are in this place?”

Lü Yang asked. The Banner Spirit, Cheng Xian, pondered for a moment before replying, “In the region corresponding to the South Celestial Gate, the rarest treasures are found in the Celestial Capital Palace.”

“The Celestial Capital Palace?”

“Correct. That is the Supreme Venerable’s refinery. Inside is an Eight Trigrams Celestial Furnace, and within the furnace dwells the [Six Ding Divine Fire], the greatest fire in all the world.”

Speaking of his former master’s assets, Cheng Xian spoke eloquently, “In addition, the palace also contains an [Immortal Root]. It is said that merely carrying it with you grants immortality and eliminates all worries about one’s lifespan. After that, there is the [Daoist Harmony Immortal Pill], which the Supreme Venerable personally refined in recent years.”

A full three Rare Treasures!

’[Six Ding Divine Fire] would be perfect for Artifact Refining, Alchemy, and Combat and Killing Techniques.’

’The [Immortal Root] is useless to me. A Foundation-Stage Cultivator never worries about lifespan, but about the calamity of the Weakening Wind.’

’But that last one, the [Daoist Harmony Immortal Pill]…’

A look of intense desire appeared in Lü Yang’s eyes. According to Cheng Xian, consuming this Immortal Pill could dramatically increase a Cultivator’s Enlightenment!

And the higher one’s Enlightenment, the better the effect!

’An Immortal Pill like this is destined to be mine!’

That said, Lü Yang didn’t act rashly. He planned to go loot some other places first.

Firstly, it was to fulfill his deal with Minor Metal by spending more time in the South Celestial Gate. Secondly, he had a mind to “chum the waters.”

’Right now, everyone is scattered throughout the South Celestial Gate. Dealing with them one by one is too inefficient. But the Celestial Capital Palace is the most important location, so it’s bound to be where everyone gathers in the end. I’ll just wait a bit. Once everyone is there, I’ll make my move and take them all out in one fell swoop!’

Lü Yang was completely confident about this.

Even inside the South Celestial Gate, he could still draw upon the unfathomable Mighty Power hidden within the Myriad-Soul Banner and briefly obtain the Position of a Great Trueman!

’Wouldn’t that be a total curb-stomp?’

……

「Within the South Celestial Gate, another region.」

The Master of Heaven Mending Peak wore a cold expression. He held a Foundation-Stage Cultivator in his hand, and with no discernible movement, instantly sucked him dry, leaving behind a shriveled husk.

After doing this, a rosy flush immediately appeared on the Master of Heaven Mending Peak’s face.

As the Master of Heaven Mending Peak, his attainments in the *Heaven-Mending Skill* were already nearing the pinnacle. He was just one step away from reaching the highest realm of the Cultivation Technique.

[Heaven Repairing]!

’Heaven has a flaw, and I shall use my body to mend it.’

’It is said that once this realm is reached, one can merge with Heaven and Earth and refine them. The act itself is a grand Ritual that draws the attention of the Fruits!’

It could be said that as long as he could achieve it, he would have the foundation for Seeking Gold.

’This journey is of grave importance.’

’As long as I can gather enough external qi and accumulate sufficient Merit and Fortune, I can seek out the next Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch. Within a hundred years, I might even be able to attempt breaking through to the Late Stage!’

’As for that Lü Yang…’

At this thought, the Master of Heaven Mending Peak sneered. “You’re quick to hide, but as long as you’re still inside this South Celestial Gate, I reckon you won’t be hiding for long!”

……..

「Several days later.」

Although the South Celestial Gate only encompassed a quarter of the Profound Spirit Realm’s Celestial Court, it was still unimaginably vast, equivalent to an entire continent.

During this time, the Sword Pavilion and the Stain Sect had already clashed violently several times.

However, cultivators at the level of the Master of Heaven Mending Peak and Ye Guyue—both at Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Perfection—had not yet made a move. The two sides still maintained a relatively delicate balance.

However, in the central region of the South Celestial Gate, a majestic palace stood amidst the clouds. Terrifying Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi churned around it, revealing thousands of Array Patterns that barred outsiders from entry.

It was none other than the Celestial Capital Palace!

As it was the most valuable location within the South Celestial Gate, some Foundation-Stage Cultivators had already found their way here early on. They were studying the palace’s Array, trying to figure out how to break it and get inside.

Over time, more and more Foundation-Stage Cultivators gathered at this place.

They were clearly divided into two factions.

One faction was led by Ye Guyue, the other by the Master of Heaven Mending Peak. At this moment, however, both of them were scanning their surroundings, as if searching for someone.

’He’s actually not here… Is he too scared to come?’

Like the Master of Heaven Mending Peak, Ye Guyue also intended to deal with Lü Yang within the South Celestial Gate and had been searching for him all this time.

But Lü Yang seemed to have vanished into thin air, with no trace of him to be found.

’Where on earth is he hiding?’

Ye Guyue’s elegant brows furrowed tightly.

What no one had discovered, however, was that just outside the area of the Celestial Capital Palace where everyone was gathered, Lü Yang was casually drawing Array Patterns.

He was setting up an Array!

’Are you kidding me? According to Cheng Xian, the Celestial Capital Hall is the Supreme Venerable of the Profound Spirit Realm’s alchemy grounds. How could the residence of a Perfected Lord not be dangerous?’

’When it comes down to it, I don’t even need to go into the Celestial Capital Hall.’

’Wouldn’t it be better to just rob the people who come out of the Celestial Capital Hall? Oh, wait, I’m on the side of the Righteous Dao now. This should be called “Exorcism and Protection of the Dao”!’

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