Chapter 232: Stealing the Beam and Replacing the Pillar, Crossing the Sea by Deception

Hearing the announcement, all the cultivators on the plaza raised their heads, and then they saw several figures striding across the sky on long rainbows, before landing gracefully in the open space of the plaza.

Taking a closer look, the figure in the lead stood with the imposing presence of an abyss or a mountain; who else could it be but the master of Longshan Immortal City, True Monarch Huanglong?

Behind him were True Person Liuyun, as well as a man and a woman, both cultivators with profound auras and outstanding temperaments, clearly the other two personal disciples of Huanglong Zhenren.

Seeing the arrival of this Immortal City master, no cultivator present dared to be arrogant, and they all bowed to pay their respects:

"We pay our respects to you, True Monarch."

Although he had anticipated the arrival of True Monarch Huanglong, Lu Yuan still put on a look of being flattered and hurried forward to welcome him:

"Greetings, True Monarch. This junior was unaware of your arrival and failed to welcome you from afar; I beg for your forgiveness!"

"Everyone, please rise."

True Monarch Huanglong wore a warm smile on his face, first signaling to the crowd, and then looking at Lu Yuan as he said:

"I also heard not long ago that an outsider cultivator had made a breakthrough in the Immortal City, and since this exchange dharma assembly was happening, I specifically came to take a look. You won't blame me for coming uninvited, will you?"

Ordinary cultivators would naturally only feel fear and awe when facing a Nascent Soul Great Cultivator, but Lu Yuan, who was at the mid-stage of Refining Qi into Spirit, naturally had no such emotions. Of course, in front of True Monarch Huanglong, he still appeared very respectful:

"Not at all, not at all. That you would condescend to grace us with your presence is truly this junior's honor and makes this place shine with splendor. I couldn't be more welcoming, so how could I dare to blame you? Please, True Monarch, take the seat of honor!"

True Monarch Huanglong shook his head and smiled faintly:

"You are the host of this dharma assembly, little friend. If I were to stay here, I would inevitably be overshadowing the host, so I will not stay long. Since you made your breakthrough in Longshan Immortal City, it is a stroke of fate. As the master of this city, I shall present a small gift as a token of our first meeting."

As he spoke, he flicked his finger, and a Jade Slip immediately floated in front of Lu Yuan:

"This is the 'God-Startling Thorn', a relatively rare divine sense attack technique. It can often produce miraculous effects when dueling and fighting against others. I shall present this technique as a gift today."

Divine sense attack techniques were quite rare in the cultivation world. No one present expected that Huanglong Zhenren would gift such a technique to an outsider cultivator upon their first meeting. Everyone was very surprised, and Lu Yuan, at the appropriate moment, displayed a look of being flattered:

"This... one cannot accept a reward without merit. This junior has only just arrived and is unworthy of such a gift from a senior. I hope you will take it back!"

True Monarch Huanglong smiled slightly:

"You know that one cannot accept a reward without merit, but do you know that one should not decline a gift from an elder? I do not have the habit of taking back gifts."

Since things had reached this point, Lu Yuan could only hesitantly accept the Jade Slip, then bow and salute:

"Many thanks to you, True Monarch, for the gift of this secret technique."

True Monarch Huanglong waved his hand casually and feigned indifference:

"By the way, I heard from my disciple Liuyun that you were considering whether to join Longshan Immortal City for long-term residence. I wonder if you have made a decision now?"

First a gift, then an inquiry—no matter how one looked at it, there was a different meaning to it. Lu Yuan paused, hesitated for a moment, and then replied in a low voice:

"Thanks to the kindness of you, True Monarch, and all my fellow daoists, I also feel that Longshan Immortal City is an excellent place for living and cultivation. Therefore, I am willing to settle here long-term and contribute my meager strength."

"Good, good, good."

Clearly very satisfied with Lu Yuan's answer, Huanglong Zhenren was all smiles:

"Since you have the intention, the Immortal City will not treat you unfairly. The specific matters of joining the Immortal City can be discussed in detail with my disciple, True Person Liuyun, after the dharma assembly ends. I will not disturb you further here; you may all continue your exchange."

Having said that, after signaling to Lu Yuan and the other Golden Core Real Persons around, his entire body transformed into a ray of immortal light and vanished in an instant, leaving Zizhu Peak.

After this Nascent Soul Great Cultivator left, the atmosphere on the plaza suddenly lightened. The many cultivators, both great and small, had slightly surprised expressions, communicating via divine sense and discussing among themselves:

"No wonder the True Monarch, as a Nascent Soul Great Cultivator, would personally come to Zizhu Peak. So he intended to recruit this person?"

"That goes without saying. With the Yin Corpse Mountain Range there, the pressure on Longshan Immortal City has always been significant. Just a few days ago, we lost three Golden Core Real Persons. If we can recruit another Jiedan Late Stage True Person, we can immediately fill the gap in combat power."

"But... I heard that this Daoist Lu's background is quite mysterious. Is the True Monarch not worried that this person..."

"Worried about what? Worried that he is an evil cultivator, a bandit cultivator, or a demonic cultivator? This is the front-line battlefield, with two Nascent Soul Great Cultivators presiding. What kind of waves can a mere Golden Core Stage cultivator stir up?"

"Hehe, I think the True Monarch seems to have deliberately chosen this time to arrive, first bestowing favor, then forcing him to declare his stance, and then taking him under his command. This Daoist Lu is still too flashy; he doesn't understand the principle of biding one's time..."

These cultivators' secret exchanges were all done via divine sense. Some were envious, while others were gloating. At this moment, True Person Liuyun and the other two disciples of True Monarch Huanglong arrived in front of Lu Yuan and were just about to speak when they heard the latter sigh:

"Daoist Liuyun, why didn't you notify me in advance that the True Monarch was coming to Zizhu Peak? I was completely unprepared just now and neglected the True Monarch; it is truly my fault."

True Person Liuyun smiled apologetically:

"My apologies, Daoist Lu. My master's visit was a spur-of-the-moment decision, and I didn't know either. However, he has never cared for these tedious formalities, so you need not take it to heart."

Lu Yuan sighed, nodded, and then looked at the man and woman beside him, asking a question he already knew the answer to: "And these two are...?"

True Person Liuyun said:

"Xiao Ruxue, Taoist title True Person Luoxue, is my master's second disciple; He Zhenyue, Taoist title True Person Zhenyue, is my master's third disciple."

Both Xiao Ruxue and He Zhenyue had cultivation bases that were not weak; they were not ordinary early-stage Golden Core cultivators. They both bowed slightly to Lu Yuan with expressions of curiosity or amusement.

Lu Yuan feigned realization:

"So they are the other two high disciples under the True Monarch. I have long heard of your reputations."

True Person Liuyun laughed:

"Since you intend to join the Immortal City, we are not only fellow daoists but also comrades-in-arms who should support each other. You should preside over the dharma assembly first; we will talk in detail after it ends, how about that?"

"Good."

Lu Yuan nodded, then stepped out and began to preside over this exchange dharma assembly.

Although it was called an exchange, it was actually mainly him recounting some of his experiences in Golden Core Stage cultivation, which was equivalent to giving a lecture.

Although he did not practice the new methods of the Yuanling Heaven cultivation world, his 【Guidance】 at the level of Supernatural Power was visionary, and many of his insights and experiences in cultivation were universal. Therefore, not long after he began his lecture, the dozens of cultivators below gradually became immersed in it, even to the point of being intoxicated.

After lecturing for about an hour and a half, Lu Yuan interrupted in time, but the cultivators below all had dazed expressions and were still wanting more, clearly having gained quite a lot.

After another brief period of individual exchange, this dharma assembly came to an end. While the other cultivators left Zizhu Peak with great reluctance, they also gave Lu Yuan's lecture extremely high praise.

Although Su Lingyue also had things she wanted to say to Lu Yuan, hindered by the presence of others, she could only leave first.

After the vast majority of other cultivators had left the plaza, True Person Liuyun, who had stayed behind alone, also praised:

"Daoist Lu's insights into Golden Core cultivation are truly visionary and hit the nail on the head; they are very novel. Hearing them suddenly was like a sudden enlightenment; it is truly admirable."

Lu Yuan shook his head and laughed:

"Daoist Liuyun, you are truly flattering me. You are also a Jiedan Late Stage cultivator; your understanding of the Great Dao is far deeper than mine, how could it be a sudden enlightenment? Let's not talk about this; let's get to the main point. Let's go into the cave dwelling to talk in detail."

True Person Liuyun followed him into the cave dwelling, sat down in the guest hall, and then smiled:

"Fellow Daoist Lu is a straightforward person, so I will not drag things out. With your cultivation and strength, the Spirit Contract you sign to join the Immortal City will certainly be of the highest tier. Your rights and benefits can be said to be second only to mine. The specific details are all inside; you may examine them yourself."

Having said this, he handed over a Spirit Contract that appeared to be written on the hide of some powerful demonic beast. Lu Yuan took it, swept it with his divine sense, and then fell into deep thought.

It must be said that the conditions offered by Longshan Immortal City were quite superior, including but not limited to an annual salary of five thousand Spirit Money, a free allocation of a cave dwelling, and if one were to establish a family, one could also choose an area within the Immortal City to develop as a family base. Additionally, the Immortal City's secret vaults, and even the four halls of alchemy, artifact refining, talismans, and Array Formation, were all open to him, and he would possess the highest priority.

This priority means that as long as you have sufficient materials prepared, you can request the masters of the four paths of alchemy, artifact refining, talismans, and Array Formation to take action at any time to refine pills, forge artifacts, perform Array Formation, or create talismans on your behalf, including the second-tier Foundation Establishment pills and third-tier Condensing Crystal Pills that countless Immortal City cultivators strive for.

Furthermore, if one accumulates enough Merit and collects sufficient materials, the Immortal City can even help the cultivator who signed the Spirit Contract contact the Immortal Alliance and invite a Grandmaster of Alchemy within the Immortal Alliance to refine a Four-Tier Nascent Soul Pill for them!

Of course, the price to be paid for this is also extremely astonishing.

Even so, compared to rogue cultivators who are rootless and drifting with the tide, the benefits and conveniences gained after signing a special-tier Spirit Contract are countless.

Seeing Lu Yuan lost in thought, Liuyun waited for a while and then said:

"How about it, Fellow Daoist Lu? We have already shown great sincerity; could it be that you have some dissatisfaction?"

Lu Yuan smiled:

"Of course not. The conditions are very superior and very tempting; I was merely looking at the content of the Dharma oath."

Liuyun did not doubt him:

"The content of the Dharma oath could not be simpler: follow the arrangements and deployments of the Immortal City, do not engage in infighting, and do not betray, act in bad faith, or do anything detrimental to Longshan Immortal City and the Immortal Alliance.

These are all the most basic contents. Unless one is a person with ulterior motives, for a normal cultivator, this does not count as much of a restriction. What does Fellow Daoist Lu think?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Yuan nodded slightly and smiled: "What Fellow Daoist Liuyun says is very true, then let it be so."

Having said this, he spread the Spirit Contract on the dining table, then cut his index finger to sign his Great Name on the Spirit Contract, and then pinched a Dharma seal to make the Dharma oath:

"I, Lu Yuan, swear here today to join Longshan Immortal City and shall devote my utmost efforts and do everything in my power..."

The sound of his oath seemed to contain some kind of astonishing magic, triggering ripples in the surrounding void, as if something in the dark was bearing witness.

And Liuyun, who was witnessing the whole process from the side, was suddenly in a trance, feeling only that the sound of Lu Yuan's Dharma oath was becoming more and more ethereal and magnificent, as if it were ringing directly in his heart.

"... if I violate this oath, may my path of the Dao be severed, and may I be destroyed by Heaven and Earth!"

However, under the influence of some unknown powerful force, his eyes were blank and unfocused, as if he had not noticed anything at all, and he only came back to his senses after Lu Yuan finished the last sentence of the Dharma oath.

In his perception, he had only been stunned for a moment, and at this moment, flowing light bloomed on the Spirit Contract, representing that the Dharma oath, or rather the Dao Heart oath, had already taken effect. Lu Yuan smiled and handed the Spirit Contract bamboo slip to him:

"Fellow Daoist Liuyun, is this sufficient?"

Completely unaware that anything had just happened, Liuyun could not help but show a satisfied smile:

"It is sufficient. Fellow Daoist Lu has made a wise choice; from now on, we are truly fellow travelers who trust each other!"

Lu Yuan nodded and said:

"Now that Lu is also a part of the Immortal City, I wonder what duties the True Monarch intends to arrange for me?"

Liuyun said:

"The front line is currently a bit tight, and you may need to go and support it for a while. Of course, since you have just broken through, if you have other ideas, you can bring them up now, and Master will certainly consider them accordingly."

Now that everything was developing according to plan, Lu Yuan shook his head and said sternly:

"No need. If Lu were to bargain just after joining the Immortal City, I fear it would leave a bad impression on the True Monarch. Supporting the front line it is; it just so happens that I also want to see how rampant the Corpse Tide there really is."

"Fellow Daoist Lu is righteous; Master will certainly be gratified to know this."

Liuyun stood up and said goodbye with a smile:

"Since that is the case, I will return to Linglong Peak to report to Master first. If there are any subsequent arrangements or transfers, I will send someone to notify you."

Lu Yuan nodded, then stood up to see him off, watching him leave the cave dwelling.

Not until the immortal light he had transformed into completely disappeared from his sight did he suddenly sneer:

"Trying to control me with a Spirit Contract and a Dharma oath, they think quite highly of themselves."

The Spirit Contract he had just signed was signed by him using the Supernatural Power of Fetal Transformation to change his bloodline; as long as he wished, the Spirit Contract would have no binding force on him.

As for the so-called Dharma oath or Dao Heart oath, he had not sworn it according to the Spirit Contract at all, but had casually made an inconsequential Dharma oath, and directly used the Nightmare Prayer Divine Ability to secretly influence Liuyun, making him believe that he had sworn an oath of loyalty to the Immortal City.

After advancing to the mid-stage of Refining Qi into Spirit, his divine sense and Dharma Power cultivation had greatly increased, comparable to a Nascent Soul Great Cultivator, and the power of the various Supernatural Powers he had mastered had also increased significantly.

Before Lu Yuan's breakthrough, his divine sense did not have an overwhelming advantage over Liuyun, and using the Nightmare Prayer Divine Ability might have been detected by the other party, but now that he was using his Nascent Soul-level divine sense to perform the Supernatural Power, he deceived the other party without any effort.

This also meant that the special-tier Spirit Contract that Liuyun took back was, on the surface, his indenture, possessing no small amount of binding force, but in reality, it was equivalent to a piece of waste paper, having not the slightest restraint or influence on him!