Chapter 356: Heavenly Human Outer Manifestation—The Game Is Over!

Xiao Yue concluded that Lu Yu couldn't return in the short term, yet he wasn't in a hurry, instead observing the Prince of Yan from Mount Zhongnan with keen interest.

Others knew only that this Prince of Yan was the lord of Yan territory, a mortal feudal monarch.

He ruled over millions of subjects, commanded a million-strong army, expanded borders and carved up lands, enjoying all the riches and power of the mortal world, seated atop the pinnacle of authority.

But so what?

In his eyes, they were nothing but withered bones in graves, a century's worth of yellow earth.

Among the four nations, only the Empress Wu Ying of Qianyuan, ranked on the Jingzhe List, warranted his attention.

Yet!

There was one matter that had long puzzled Xiao Yue, leaving him utterly baffled.

Why did Lu Yu obey this man so utterly?

Aside from the fact that the two were brothers—Lu Chen the elder, Lu Yu the younger.

Xiao Yue knew Lu Yu's origins were anything but ordinary, far beyond what the Five Extremes of the Jingzhe List could explain.

At fifty years of age, he bore the face of a twenty-year-old youth, and had already entered the Grand Master realm before spiritual energy had truly revived.

Such strength and talent—even Huang Dao might not fully fathom his depths.

A man born to overturn the world, a dragon roaring from the nine heavens.

This man seemed to have confined himself within Mount Zhongnan, yet kept Lu Yu obediently lingering there.

Is there truly someone who can cage a dragon?

"Though a variable!"

Xiao Yue murmured to himself: "But this lifetime's game of chess should end now!"

The atmosphere inside the pavilion had tightened to its utmost limit.

The Five Elders of the Sword Sect, as the sect's senior figures, now had no choice but to lower their dignity and plead with the young Master Xiao Yue: "Master Xiao Yue, the Sword Sect bears you no grudge—may we leave?"

Xiao Yue merely smiled lightly, a smile brimming with amusement and coldness: "How could such a grand event lack spectators? You shall stay and die with the Prince of Yan—it is your honor."

At these words, everyone's faces turned pale, fear and resentment intertwining on their expressions. Who wished to be a sacrifice?

Xiao Yue, as if reading their thoughts, added: "Of course, if the Prince of Yan orders you to leave, I shall not stop you."

At this, all fell silent, no one speaking further.

You looked at the Xiao Yue before you, knowing he had never regarded any of you as worthy of notice.

Not mere condescension—this was a deep-seated contempt. He did not see you as equals, but as ants, to be crushed at will.

Like pouring boiling water and stomping on countless ants.

Who would care about the lives of ants?

As Xiao Yue's Grand Master aura gradually spread through the tavern, the once noisy space seemed crushed by an invisible force, falling into eerie silence.

In the martial world, it was said that among the Five Extremes, Xiao Yue was famed for his agility and varied martial arts, yet often ranked lowest in absolute power.

Yet now, with just one move, he made everyone feel an unprecedented pressure.

The Sword Sect group's expressions turned grim—they knew full well the terrifying opponent they faced.

Several Sword Sect experts had simultaneously drawn their swords, blades trembling slightly.

Xiao Yue only smiled, slowly closing his fan again, his aura growing even more terrifying.

Inside the tavern, the air nearly solidified; an invisible cage quietly rose, enveloping them all.

People realized in horror that they could not move an inch, as if trapped in quicksand, their legs utterly immobile.

They looked again—at the space behind Xiao Yue.

A golden creature, with four wings, one eye, and a dog-like tail, slowly materialized, wings spread as if ready to soar.

Those with weaker cultivation were hit first—their breathing grew rapid and labored.

Like encountering a dragon in the great marshes, a tiger atop a high mountain.

The appearance of this creature carried the most primal, deepest terror of heaven and earth, filling every soul present with unprecedented oppression.

Even the four most senior elders of the Sword Sect were not spared—their swords trembled in their hands, finally collapsing to the ground, propping up their swaying bodies.

The Sword Sect disciples Huang Yuwēi and Hu Jie strained with all their might, yet could not even draw their blades.

This was their bodies trembling in fear!

What kind of martial art is this?!

The crowd cried inwardly—they had never seen such a bizarre sight, never imagined martial arts could reach such heights.

The fame of the Five Extremes of the world grew even more mysterious and unfathomable—they seemed to have elevated martial arts to another level entirely.

Not mortal martial arts!

This method affects you little—you've made great progress after cultivating the Primordial Qi Art and the Heavenly Refining Hand. Together, they produce astonishing effects.

Lu Yu once used this method—it can only be truly wielded at the Heavenly Human realm.

Called: Outer Manifestation.

Using one's inner heaven and earth as a catalyst, it influences and reshapes the outer heaven and earth, forming awe-inspiring "Outer Manifestations." These manifest not merely as illusions, but carry immense pressure and power, capable of affecting the surrounding realm according to the cultivator's level.

The monstrous bird behind Xiao Yue was likely the manifestation of his foundational martial art.

To oppose it was to oppose the tide of heaven and earth itself.

Yet the Seven Sons of Mount Zhongnan showed no such distress.

The seven stood in formation, bodies tightly linked, as if fused into one—the pressure from the monstrous bird barely affected them.

They had been deliberately trained by their master to endure such pressure.

Xiao Yue, seeing you and the Seven Sons of Mount Zhongnan unaffected, was somewhat surprised.

The four under the hoods had already collapsed—their cultivation weakest, their hoods torn off, revealing their true faces: two men, two women, all pale with terror.

You looked at one of them—you recognized him.

The woman you'd met years ago at the Mountain God Temple of Yuetangjiang, whose father was Deputy Commander of Yuetangjiang's military.

Xiao Yue retracted his Heavenly Human Outer Manifestation; the monstrous bird vanished.

The crowd inside the pavilion finally exhaled.

Xiao Yue smiled: "I didn't expect the famed Lu Chen to be a Grand Master himself—and with such profound cultivation."

He wasn't in a rush—he could see Lu Chen had reached the Primordial realm, yet had not yet crossed into the Heavenly Human realm; his inner and outer heavens could not yet communicate.

The gap between them was as vast as heaven and earth.

Advantage is mine!

The Sword Sect members perked up in relief!

This Prince of Yan was a Grand Master!

It gave them a sliver of hope again.

Xiao Yue closed his ivory-carved fan: "Enough. The game of hawk catching chicks is over."

(End of Chapter)