Chapter 67: The Martial Path of the World Unites to Execute One Man

On the second day of the second lunar month, the dragon raises its head.

Three years had passed since Lu Yang visited Wang Poyuan.

Over these three years, he had met successively with other martial arts Heavenly Beings; some were kind, some cruel, and he did not lack for battles against the combative among them.

Nevertheless, Lu Yang's gains were equally substantial, and he finally achieved a rather profound understanding of the so-called fourth step of the martial path, 'Investigating the Transformation Between Heaven and Man.' His mind, once沉寂, became incomparably active at this moment, while the qi and blood throughout his body seemed poised to burst forth from his flesh—a wondrous experience.

That night, the moon was dark and the wind high, with stars scattered densely across the sky.

In the streets and alleys that were usually brightly lit with lamps, many households had tightly shut their doors and windows for reasons unknown, making the vast Tianjing Capital appear somewhat desolate.

On the pitch-black streets, only Lu Yang walked alone.

"This path of the Heavenly Being is quite interesting."

With an expression of perfect calm, Lu Yang silently contemplated the circulation of his qi and blood, feeling that at this moment his qi and blood were incredibly agile, as if they had gained life!

"Investigating the Transformation Between Heaven and Man—this step actually involves two transformations. The first is the 'Transformation of Man,' which unifies a martial artist's qi and blood with their spirit into a perfect whole. The second is the 'Transformation of Heaven,' causing the qi, blood, and spirit within the body to resonate with the great heaven and earth outside."

The more Lu Yang pondered and realized, the stronger his state became.

Whoosh—whoosh—

Just then, a streak of blade light suddenly ignited in the darkness; brilliant and dazzling, it illuminated the street and alley in an instant, outshining all the splendor of heaven and earth!

Clang! Clang!

The next second, bursts of golden light erupted around Lu Yang's body, layer upon layer enveloping him completely, like a golden bell firmly protecting his form within.

The blade light struck the golden bell, exploding into clouds of hot vapor and brilliant sparks; it actually pierced through three layers of golden light before being barely halted by the final layer. Seeing that one strike had failed to achieve its purpose, the attacker felt no regret, immediately drew back the blade, retreated, and vanished once more into the darkness.

Boom!

The moment the attacker retreated, a majestic sword qi struck the spot where he had just stood, instantly cleaving a gaping fissure into the ground.

"I wondered who it was; so it is Daoist Ding."

Lu Yang raised his head and smiled slightly: "It has been a year since we last met, yet Daoist Ding's demonic blade seems to have reached another level; it actually managed to pierce four of my talismans."

Having spoken, he glanced again at the weapon that had just struck him: a curved blade shaped like a crescent moon, its aura like a flying rainbow, yet imbued with a deep demonic nature that made one unable to help but sink into it upon a single glance. That the attacker could break through his protective talismans was seventy percent due to this curved blade.

"The Banished Immortal, Di Shi Tian."

Ding Feiying's gaze was calm, yet his tone concealed a fervor: "Ji Xiongying said you are a true immortal of this age; if I can slay you, my blade art will surely reach great completion!"

Lu Yang shook his head with a wry smile: "For Daoist Ding to act alone is somewhat overestimating oneself."

"If one person is not enough, then what about seven?"

As soon as the words fell, figures emerged once more from the darkness; leading them was none other than 'King Zhenwu,' Ji Xiongying. At this moment, the martial arts Heavenly Being looked at Lu Yang with greed pushed to the extreme, as if he intended to swallow him alive, evoking an involuntary sense of horror.

Following behind him was the slovenly 'Scholar of the Sacred Heart,' Wang Poyuan.

Besides them, the front and rear of the alley where Lu Yang stood had also been blocked off, respectively by a monk with a sorrowful countenance and a Daoist priest holding a fly-whisk.

From Xuankong Temple came 'Divine Monk Du'e,' Xuan Ku.

From the Celestial Master's Mansion came 'Barefoot Daoist,' Chang Qingjing.

Above the roof beams, amidst the bright stars, a tall and slender woman in a white long skirt, resembling a piece of fine jade, looked down from above.

From the Hundred Flowers Palace came 'Fairy Mingyu,' Hua Xiangrong.

The last person was a burly man of great height wearing dragon-shaped arm guards; though his attire was luxurious, it could not conceal the rough and wild aura emanating from him.

From the wandering cultivators of the grasslands came 'Alliance Master of the World,' Guan Qiankun.

At this moment, the seven Heavenly Beings of the current martial world had gathered together, surrounding Lu Yang within this alley, while beyond the alley, the sound of armor could faintly be heard.

It seemed the imperial palace guards had even been deployed!

The martial path of the world unites to execute one man!

"What a grand arrangement."

Lu Yang exclaimed in admiration, his face still showing not a trace of panic; instead, he laughed loudly: "But you have come at just the right time; today, this immortal shall borrow your strength to shatter the void!"

Before anyone could respond, he directly punched forward!

The first to bear the brunt was Xuankong Temple's 'Divine Monk Du'e,' Xuan Ku, who stepped forward voluntarily to block Lu Yang, raising his hand to meet Lu Yang's fist.

Then he saw Lu Yang open his fist, revealing a sword qi talisman hidden in his palm.

Clang! Clang—!

Majestic sword qi instantly shot forth, striking directly at Xuan Ku's brow; yet when the sword qi dissipated, a surprising scene appeared.

"Amitabha..."

Xuan Ku stood with his palms pressed together, steady and firm in place; his entire skin had taken on a golden luster unlike that of ordinary mortals, while the roaring of qi and blood within his body surpassed even great rivers. Lu Yang's single sword qi talisman had merely managed to pierce his brow, causing a single drop of fresh blood to roll down.

"Great Master Xuan Ku's physique is indeed the foremost in this age!"

Seeing this, Ji Xiongying was overjoyed and immediately signaled for everyone to attack together... only to see Lu Yang, unhurried, pull out a thick stack of talismans.

Ji Xiongying: "..."

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The next second, dozens upon hundreds of talismans were scattered abroad, radiating five colors and ten lights with magnificent momentum; the buildings in the affected alley were almost instantly reduced to powder.

During this process, Lu Yang's qi presence continued to climb.

"Hahaha! It is about to succeed! This immortal is about to succeed!"

His expression manic, he laughed incessantly: "Shattering the void... This immortal has lived for over a thousand years; today, I shall finally shatter the void!"

Amidst the laughter, the several Heavenly Beings felt a slight stir in their hearts.

Shattering the void!?

Ever since achieving the status of Heavenly Being, they had believed their path forward was completely cut off; yet hearing Lu Yang's words today, could there be a new path beyond the Heavenly Being realm?

Even the Yun family patriarch, who was currently observing the battle, displayed a look of surprise.

"A new path? Impossible!"

The Yun family patriarch's thoughts raced, and he then disdainfully shook his head; the fourth step of the martial path had been deduced by him and disseminated through Wang Poyuan, so he could assert with certainty that this was a dead end, with absolutely no path further upward.

How could there be a new path?

"It is merely a trick to deceive people; attempting to fabricate a new path? Pity that with me here, no matter how you forge it, I can find the flaws within."

"As long as there are flaws, you will never cultivate this 'Saint Thief' technique!"

"In the end, you will still have to step out of that formation with your true body and obediently fall into my trap..."

Despite these words, the Yun family patriarch still sensed something amiss; it seemed this karmic tie was sliding in a direction unfavorable to him.

"Very well; it is better to slay this avatar of his as soon as possible, lest delays breed trouble."

Thinking thus, the Yun family patriarch immediately formed hand seals, manipulated karma, and projected his thoughts into the netherworld: "Do not delay; act immediately."

Almost simultaneously, Ji Xiongying, who had originally intended to probe further into the so-called 'shattering the void,' suddenly experienced a flash of inspiration, and then spoke decisively and calmly:

"Do not be deceived by him!"

"What shattering the void? It is merely bewitching the hearts of men. With the seven of us now complete, each wielding a divine weapon to form a great formation, let us slay him and then share in eternal life!"

(End of Chapter)