On the second day of the second lunar month, the day the dragon raises its head. Another three years had passed since Lu Yang's visit to Wang Boyuan. Over the past three years, he had successively met with the other Martial Dao Celestials.
Some were friendly, some were ferocious, and he even had a few bouts with the more belligerent ones. However, Lu Yang’s gains were also quite substantial. He finally had a relatively deep understanding of the so-called fourth step of the Martial Dao, 'Scrutinizing the Changes between Heaven and Man'.
His originally dormant mind became incomparably active at this moment, and his whole body’s blood qi felt as if it would burst forth from his body. It was a wondrous experience. That night, the moon was dark and the wind was high, with stars scattered across the sky.
The streets and alleys, usually brightly lit, were for some reason shuttered and dark tonight. The vast Heavenly Capital City seemed somewhat desolate. On the pitch-black street, only Lu Yang walked alone.
"This Dao of Heaven and Man is quite interesting."
Lu Yang wore a calm expression, silently comprehending the circulation of his blood qi. He felt that at this moment, his blood qi was incredibly nimble, as if it had gained a life of its own!
"Scrutinizing the Changes between Heaven and Man, this step actually has two layers of transformation. The first layer is the 'human's change', which is to bring the martial artist's blood qi and spirit to a state of perfect unity. The second layer is the 'heaven's change', which is to make the blood qi and spirit within the body resonate with the great heaven and earth outside the body."
The more Lu Yang contemplated, the more powerful his state became. Shua shua— Just then, a flash of a blade suddenly lit up the darkness. The blade light was dazzling, illuminating the street in an instant, its beauty seizing all the brilliance between heaven and earth.
Clang clang!
In the next second, streams of golden light erupted from around Lu Yang's body, enveloping him one after another, like a golden bell firmly protecting his body inside. The blade light landed on the golden bell, exploding into clouds of hot air and brilliant sparks.
It then surprisingly broke through three layers of golden light, and was only barely stopped by the final layer. Seeing that one strike had failed, the attacker showed no hesitation, immediately withdrawing his blade and retreating, disappearing back into the darkness.
Boom!
Just as the attacker's figure retreated, a magnificent sword qi descended upon the spot he had just occupied, instantly cleaving a chasm in the ground.
"I was wondering who it was. So it is Daoist friend Ding."
Lu Yang raised his head and smiled slightly.
"It's been a year, Daoist friend Ding. Your demonic blade seems to have improved yet again. To think it could break through four of my talismans in a row."
After speaking, he glanced at the weapon the attacker had just used to strike him. It was a saber shaped like a crescent moon, with an aura like a rainbow, yet it carried a deep demonic nature that made one unable to resist sinking into it with just a single look.
The fact that the attacker could break his protective talismans was seventy percent thanks to this saber.
"The Exiled Immortal, Di Shitian."
Ding Feiying's gaze was calm, but his tone held a hidden fanaticism.
"Ji Xiongjing said you are a True Immortal of this era. If I can slay you, my blade arts will surely reach great completion!"
Lu Yang shook his head and laughed in spite of himself.
"Relying on Daoist friend Ding alone is a bit of an overestimation of your abilities."
"If one is not enough, what about seven?"
As his voice fell, more figures walked out of the darkness. The one in the lead was none other than the 'Martial Guardian King', Ji Xiongjing.
At this moment, the Martial Dao Celestial's gaze toward Lu Yang was filled with an extreme greed, as if he wanted to eat him alive, instilling a sense of horror in anyone who saw it. Following behind him was the disheveled 'Sage Heart Scholar', Wang Boyuan.
Besides them, the front and back of the street where Lu Yang stood had also been sealed off by a monk with a sorrowful face and a Daoist holding a horsetail whisk, respectively. From the Hanging Temple, the 'Calamity-Crossing Divine Monk', Xuanku. From the Heavenly Master Mansion, the 'Barefoot Daoist', Chang Qingjing.
On the roof beams, the bright stars illuminated a tall and slender woman in a long white dress, like a piece of beautiful jade, looking down from above. From the Hundred Flowers Palace, the 'Bright Jade Fairy', Hua Xiangrong. The last person was a tall and sturdy man wearing dragon-shaped arm guards.
Although his clothes were luxurious, they couldn't hide the rugged air about him. A Rogue Cultivator from the wildlands, the 'Alliance Lord of the World', Guan Qiankun. The seven Celestials of the current Martial Dao world were all gathered here, surrounding Lu Yang within this street.
From outside the alley, the faint clanking of armor could be heard. It seemed that even the Imperial Palace guards had been mobilized! The Martial Dao of the World Gathers to Slay One Man!
"What a grand display."
Lu Yang exclaimed in admiration, his face still devoid of any panic. Instead, he laughed loudly.
"But you've come at a good time. Today, this immortal shall borrow your strength to shatter the void!"
As his voice fell, before anyone could speak, he directly threw a punch! The first to bear the brunt was the 'Calamity-Crossing Divine Monk' Xuanku of the Hanging Temple. He took the initiative to step forward and block Lu Yang, raising his hand to meet Lu Yang's fist.
Then he saw Lu Yang open his fist, revealing the Sword Qi Talisman hidden in his palm.
Clang clang—!
A magnificent sword qi instantly shot out, striking directly between Xuanku's eyebrows. However, when the sword qi dissipated, a surprising scene appeared.
"Amitabha Buddha."
Xuanku stood firmly in place with his palms pressed together. His entire skin had taken on a golden hue different from that of a mortal. The roar of blood qi in his body was even louder than that of a great river.
Lu Yang's Sword Qi Talisman had only managed to pierce his brow, causing a single drop of blood to roll down.
"Master Xuanku's physique is truly number one in this era!"
Ji Xiongjing was overjoyed at the sight and immediately called for everyone to attack together. Then he saw Lu Yang, unhurriedly, take out a thick stack of talismans. Ji Xiongjing was speechless.
Boom boom boom! In the next second, dozens, even hundreds of talismans were scattered. They were a kaleidoscope of colors, their presence magnificent.
The buildings on the street that were caught in the storm were almost instantly turned to dust. And during this process, Lu Yang's aura continued to climb.
"Hahaha! It's happening! This immortal is succeeding!"
His expression was frenzied as he laughed continuously.
"Shattering the void... This immortal has lived for over a thousand years, and today, I will finally shatter the void!"
Amidst the laughter, the hearts of the several Celestials stirred. Shattering the void!? Ever since they had achieved the Celestial realm, they all thought the path ahead was completely cut off.
But from Lu Yang's words today, could it be that there was a new path beyond the Celestial realm? Even the Old Ancestor of the Yun family, who was currently observing the battle, showed a look of surprise.
"A new path? Impossible!"
The Yun family's Old Ancestor's thoughts raced, and he then shook his head in disdain. He was the one who had deduced the fourth step of the Martial Dao and spread it through the hands of Wang Boyuan. Therefore, he could be certain that it was a dead end; there was absolutely no way forward from there.
How could there be a new path?
"It's just deception, trying to fabricate a new path? A pity, with me here, no matter how you fabricate it, I can find the flaws within."
"As long as there are flaws, you won't be able to cultivate this Sage's Theft!"
"In the end, you'll still have to walk out of that formation with your true body and obediently fall into my trap."
Although he said this, the Yun family's Old Ancestor still felt that something was slightly off, as if this karma was tumbling in a direction that was unfavorable to him.
"So be it. It's better to slay this clone of his as soon as possible, to avoid any complications from delays."
Thinking of this, the Yun family's Old Ancestor immediately formed a hand seal, pushing the karma and sending his thoughts into the unseen.
"Don't delay. Act now."
Almost at the same time, Ji Xiongjing, who had originally wanted to probe for more information about this so-called 'Shattering the Void', suddenly had a flash of inspiration. He then spoke decisively and calmly: "Don't be deceived by him!"
"What 'Shattering the Void'? It's just to bewitch people's minds. The seven of us are all here now. Let us each wield our divine weapons and set up a grand formation. We will share long life after we slay him!"