Chapter 184: Dao Heart Shattered

The golden ancient brilliance shone, imprinted in his mind; the profound Dao marks made Yang Zhu fall silent, and from it he gained a different insight.

Parting the clouds, an Immortal Platform towering to the heavens was entwined with auspicious signs, magnificent and vast, with auspicious beasts roaming around, a scene of peace and holiness.

On the Immortal Platform, three Yang Zhu simultaneously cultivated and contemplated the Dao Scripture, then began to chant, sounding like ancient sacrificial music, with an inexplicable solemnity.

After Yang Zhu emerged from that state, a day had passed, and his cultivation realm naturally progressed from the First Layer of the First Immortal to the second layer.

"Is there a scripture on the Golden Page?"

The Yaochi Holy Maiden asked; in her eyes, besides being dazzlingly brilliant, the Golden Page bore not a single ancient character.

"The latter two volumes of the Dao Scripture are infinitely profound; practicing them will surely bring considerable gains."

Yang Zhu gazed at the Golden Leaf; the ancient characters remained unchanged, and he wondered whether understanding it required certain conditions.

But soon he put the Golden Page away, no longer dwelling on it.

Not everyone can be like him, capable of cultivating multiple ancient scriptures at once.

The Yaochi Holy Maiden already possesses the complete Xihuang Scripture; giving her the Dao Scripture may not be a good thing.

"Where did Xiaohei and the others go?"

"They went nearby to stroll; they'll be back soon."

Just as he finished speaking, he saw the Big Black Dog and Duan De rushing over in a panic.

They were extremely fast, their expressions showing a hint of panic, yet their eyes brimmed with provocation and amusement; rather than fleeing, they seemed to be… provoking! "Haha, you useless thing can't even do that!"

The Wicked Daoist shouted, casting a contemptuous glance behind him, looking like he deserved a beating.

"Woof! What a damn Holy Son, just an empty title; this emperor can suppress him with one hand!"

The Big Black Dog was as strong as an ox, its speed not slow at all, wearing big floral underpants, it dashed like a gust, leaving afterimages.

"Damn it, if you've got the guts, come; then this emperor will chain you up and take you for walks every day—being this emperor's pet would be your greatest honor!"

This guy's vicious tirade, combined with his lewd and cunning expression, makes anyone want to roast and eat him.

"I… I will make you pay the price!"

Behind him, Yaoguang Holy Son's face turned green with rage; the venerable Yaoguang Holy Son, when had he ever suffered such humiliation and frustration? A month ago, the Big Black Dog and Duan De were wandering aimlessly when they accidentally discovered Yaoguang's trail; the two conspirators immediately plotted to trap him.

The Wicked Daoist was responsible for provocation and seduction, while the Big Black Dog had beforehand set up an Unrivaled Great Formation, lying in ambush with a Flawless Holy Weapon.

These two were no good sorts; year after year they roamed various ruins, filthy rich, their treasures countless.

Their cultivation had already broken through to Dragon Transformation long ago; even an ordinary Holy Son would be no match for them.

When Yaoguang entered the formation's range, the formation and holy weapons activated simultaneously; then the two of them struck together, actually capturing Yaoguang alive.

Afterward, Yaoguang was stripped naked by the two, all his treasures looted, even his boots taken.

Yaoguang had never endured such injustice, but when he broke free of his bonds, the Big Black Dog and company had already fled without a trace.

Zhongzhou is boundlessly vast; seeking those two within it is like looking for a needle in the ocean.

But by sheer coincidence, the Big Black Dog, who had just been strolling, unexpectedly bumped into Yaoguang, leading to what follows.

"Great idea! Then we'll also give the Dao Master a taste!"

The two laughed uproariously, completely disregarding Yaoguang.

"Today, you two will surely pay a heavy price!"

Yaoguang Holy Son was enveloped by 108 Divine Rings behind him, divine light blazing; with a roar, he shook the surrounding several mountain peaks into fragments, his aura terrifying! "Yang Zhu, he bullied Xiaohei!" Upon seeing Yang Zhu, the Big Black Dog's eyes instantly lit up, turning into a black light that fled to Yang Zhu's rear, then proudly raised its head.

"Exactly, this damned Yaoguang bullies people too much, actually chasing and beating us two!"

The Wicked Daoist chimed in, smiling broadly as he stood beside Yang Zhu, smugly gazing in that direction.

These two act so fearlessly precisely because Yang Zhu is here; they went to great lengths to lure him over, just to give him a taste of his own medicine.

Now their scheme succeeded, the corners of their mouths split up to their ears as they burst into unrestrained laughter.

"Yang… Yang Zhu…"

Originally full of vigor, Yaoguang instantly wilted the moment he saw Yang Zhu, his face draining of color as shock and fear washed over him.

He could feel that Yang Zhu had grown stronger yet again, having even broken through to the Immortal Platform; he wasn't even worthy of looking up to Yang Zhu's back! When Yang Zhu was in the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm, a single move could almost slay him; now that he has broken through to the Immortal Platform, there's no need to say more…

(Yaoguang: "Damn!") "Yaoguang?"

Yang Zhu's voice was calm and unruffled; without any movement, he gave off a feeling of holy divine majesty, an awe-inspiring coercion.

Moreover, he innately possesses a kingly aura, like a deity; his temperament transcends the world, beyond price.

Anyone who sees him cannot help but feel reverence, not to be profaned.

"Yes… it was they who first stole my belongings."

Yaoguang Holy Son met Yang Zhu's pitch-black eyes, instantly feeling a surge of heart-pounding dread, cold sweat instantly soaking his forehead.

Yang Zhu stepped toward him, each step stirring the Great Dao, tugging at Yaoguang's heart as it violently fluctuated.

With each step, countless runes surfaced, the Great Dao roaring violently, as if heaven and earth echoed and worshipped, truly like a Great Emperor reborn.

"Pfft!"

Yaoguang, affected by the Great Dao's roar, flushed red, finally unable to endure, spat a mouthful of blood and knelt down.

Yang Zhu could suppress him with a raised hand even at the same realm; how much more now that he is a whole realm higher.

Yaoguang Holy Son had no doubt that the present Yang Zhu was a match even for an Unparalleled Holy Lord!

"Yaoguang, you know I don't want to strike you; leave behind a supreme treasure and go."

Yang Zhu stood with his hands behind his back, several zhang before Yaoguang, who knelt on the ground, immobilized by the aura.

Yaoguang tried to rise, but no matter how he struggled, to no avail; a crisp sound rang from within his body, at least nine bones broken.

"Great Emperor Runes…"

He casually glanced and saw the runes flashing on Yang Zhu's black robe; though he didn't understand their meaning, he knew what they were.

The black robe embroidered with Great Emperor Runes, tailor-made for him, at this moment he suddenly realized, as if he understood something.

"Yes."

After a long silence, Yao Guang squeezed out a word from between his teeth, then took out a treasure bottle and placed it before him.

Instantly, the pressure on his body receded like a tide; he stood up and kept his head lowered, his eyes filled with bewilderment, and he stared blankly.

At this moment, his Dao heart shattered; before Yang Zhu was born, he had lain low, choosing to grow strong in obscurity, and back then he had confidence to crush all the heaven‑chosen prodigies and become the one most likely to attain the Dao.

But ever since Yang Zhu was born, everything has changed.

(Yao Guang was never a good bird; a little abuse is nothing—I'm afraid someone might think it too cruel, so I'll explain this here.) (End of chapter)