Chapter 516: A Change of Expression

At this moment, forced into its true form by the sword light, was a majestic Yin Spirit wearing a Tianding Crown, a neck ribbon, golden armor, a Zhu Yi robe, and green shoes.

This Yin Spirit stood thirty-seven feet tall, with each foot treading upon a black snake.

Despite its great height, its body was extremely withered, resembling a dried corpse, radiating a grim aura that inspired fear in all who beheld it.

Yet, Chen Heng's previous barrage of sword qi had split its golden armor, inflicting wounds deep to the bone, nearly piercing it completely through.

However, as the black snakes beneath the Yin Spirit's feet exhaled thick black mist, in the blink of an eye, the Yin Spirit shifted several li away before the next wave of sword light could strike.

When it reappeared, not only were its injuries fully healed, but its clothing and armor were also restored to perfection.

In its left hand, it held a Wheel of Life and Death; in its right, a Whip of Life Preservation; its face subtly revealed infinite killing intent, ferocious and terrifying!

Seemingly aware of the prowess of Chen Heng's sword arts, the Yin Spirit dared not confront him directly, instead riding the snakes into the sky and flying swiftly toward several True Persons of the Dan Yuan realm in the distance, unwilling to linger near Chen Heng for even a moment.

"Changfa Su Xiao Divine General?"

Chen Heng did not give chase; his eyes merely shifted as this name surfaced in his mind.

Outside the Huang Lao She Ji Map, upon seeing the appearance of this Yin Spirit, the various cultivators were also greatly astonished.

Thus, they hurriedly reminded their companions to shift their attention from other parts of the Huang Lao She Ji Map to Flowing Sand Mountain, sparking lively discussions and a buzz of excitement.

"Mount Tiewei is located within the Profound Center, a void of secret pivots, governed by the Spirit Hall Yao Great King of the Dongming Sect of the Nether Department; it serves as the framework of Yin and Yang and the gateway between the upper and lower realms.

The massive Mount Tiewei spans hundreds of millions of li, encompassing the great cosmos, capable of containing infinite sentient beings like dust in the void.

Within the mountain are Six Palaces; under the command of their masters serve various Tiewei Divine Venerables such as the Disaster-Dispelling Spirit King, the Rushing-Void Great God, the Evil-Breaking Heavenly Dragon, the Immortal-Guiding Vajra, and fierce birds and beasts, all assisting Master Master Xuanzheng.

As for the Changfa Su Xiao Divine General, it is one category among the Rushing-Void Great Gods..."

At this moment, Qi Shang shifted his gaze away from Lu Rong, letting it fall upon Flowing Sand Mountain as well.

After a moment of silence, he turned to Fuchan Fuchan Laozu Ancestor Fu Can:

"We both know that without the Tiewei Tally, even if one captures various Tiewei Divine Venerables or obtains their refinement methods, they cannot be preserved for more than the duration of San Ri Gong; after three days, they will be nothing but a pile of scrap metal.

Furthermore, after the collapse of the Dao Court, the Spirit Hall Yao Great King of the Dongming Sect went into seclusion and has sent no news to this day, while over half of the Black Yao Heavenly Lord and the Ten Division Killing Generals have perished.

Of the nine Mount Tiewei, three were destroyed by calamity, and the remaining six were seized by various powerful factions."

Fuchan Fuchan Laozu Ancestor Fu Can scratched his head: "Old Qi, what is the meaning of suddenly saying all this?"

"We have been old friends for many years; give me one honest answer."

Qi Shang rarely appeared so solemn:

"That Changfa Su Xiao Divine General could be hidden so soundly within the Huang Lao She Ji Map, likely due to the influence of the Tiewei Tally.

You—no, it should be you all...

Which of the nine Mount Tiewei have you, the Bapailiu Sect, actually occupied?"

Mount Tiewei is not only a channel connecting the myriad heavens of the Yang World with the You Ming Shi Zhi Jie, but also harbors another type of divine mystery; otherwise, the Dao Court would not have specifically stationed heavy troops to guard it back then.

Rumors that the Bapailiu Sect controls one of the Mount Tiewei have never ceased within this universe of myriad heavens.

However, due to the lack of concrete evidence over the years, it ultimately remained merely a rumor.

But today, the Bapailiu Sect has presented a Changfa Su Xiao Divine General before the eyes of all.

This is tantamount to a direct declaration—

The rumor is not false; it is indeed true!

Fuchan Fuchan Laozu Ancestor Fu Can shook his head, pondered for a moment, and finally spoke the truth to his old friend:

"Actually, I ought not to tell you this, but since those few above have brought out this Divine General at the Alchemy Assembly, there is no point in hiding it anymore.

Yes, we have indeed occupied a Mount Tiewei, but it is not one of those six."

"What does this mean?" Qi Shang vaguely guessed something but asked anyway.

"There are nine Mount Tiewei in this world; everyone knows that three were completely destroyed by calamity, but is that truly the case?"

Qi Shang's expression changed drastically:

"So that is how it is; during the rebellion against Heaven back then, it was said that those people destroyed three Mount Tiewei first, ruining the order of the Netherworld, while your Bapailiu Sect stepped in to save one of them? However..."

"It is not a complete Mount Tiewei, but it is barely sufficient," Fuchan Fuchan Laozu Ancestor Fu Can explained briefly.

Although Qi Shang still had doubts in his heart, he felt it inappropriate to dig deeper at this moment and merely sighed:

"You Bapailiu Sect have been quietly amassing great wealth for all these years; suddenly revealing your family treasures before everyone today, does this have something to do with that Imperial Prince Ji Xiu of the Dao Court's Ninth Prince?

This time, what kind of Shang Shang Mengqi does the Bapailiu Sect intend to reach with the Zhengxu Dao Court?

And by bringing Mount Tiewei into the open, what benefits do you hope to gain from this?"

These words had already touched upon the secrets between the Bapailiu Sect and the Zhengxu Dao Court, so Qi Shang did not expect Fuchan Fuchan Laozu Ancestor Fu Can to provide him with answers.

"Old friend, you also hold a high position in Xiangjin Mountain; I do not believe you cannot see the current situation.

The three great clans of Yuanzai plot to attack Yu, the Wuxiang Lucun marches west, the conflict between gradual and sudden enlightenment arises between Jile and Wuliang Jin Guang, the Qun Long of Taichang seek to reclaim their ancestral legacy, and there is also the crucial matter of the Dharma Saint Heaven..."

Although Fuchan Fuchan Laozu Ancestor Fu Can reeked of alcohol, there was not a trace of drunkenness in his eyes at this moment; instead, they were remarkably clear, shining with intense focus:

"If a great calamity truly arises one day, overturning heaven and earth, who can remain unscathed?

All under heaven bustle for profit, all under heaven rush for gain... but in the final analysis, it is nothing more than the two words 'seeking survival'!"

Qi Shang remained silent.

After a long while, he simply nodded slowly.

At the same moment, inside the Zhengdian of that Flying Palace.

Prince Ji Xiu and Seeing Yin Jun exchanged a glance.

The former's face remained calm, as if he had anticipated this scene, while the latter's eyes flashed, appearing truly startled.

"It seems the rumors are not false; with even the Changfa Su Xiao Divine General appearing here, the Bapailiu Sect has indeed obtained a Mount Tiewei..." Seeing Yin Jun sighed with emotion, his thoughts truly complex.

"That battle in ancient times must have been incredibly fierce; the Bapailiu Sect does possess some foundation!" Prince Ji Xiu remarked with emotion.

"Your Highness?"

"Although this move by the Bapailiu Sect is to secure more benefits in the upcoming negotiations, if we think about it from the opposite angle, does it not mean that the Bapailiu Sect also intends to form a Shang Shang Mengqi with the Dao Court?"

Prince Ji Xiu smiled:

"If both sides can truly join hands once more, then the deeper the foundations of the Bapailiu Sect and Liu Sect become, the more at ease we should be!"

Seeing Prince Ji Xiu so open-minded, Seeing Yin Jun did not know what to say, and could only swallow the words stuck in his throat back down into his stomach.

"This matter of signing the Shang Shang Mengqi involves much; to speak frankly without fear of Mr. Yin laughing at me, how could a leisurely Imperial Prince like myself truly make decisions on behalf of the Dao Court?

I, Xiu, am merely a vanguard pawn; His Majesty sent me here only to first probe the sentiments of the Bapailiu Sect and Liu Sect."

Prince Ji Xiu hid nothing, openly spreading his hands:

"Whether it succeeds or fails, the result is far beyond my control; since that is so, why trouble oneself unnecessarily?"

"Your Highness underestimates yourself too much." Seeing Yin Jun smiled bitterly: "In fact, given Your Highness's status, that—"

"Although I cannot make decisions for the Dao Court, my arduous journey to Xu Capital this time was not merely to act as a spectator."

Seeing Seeing Yin Jun reverting to his old habits, Prince Ji Xiu quickly shifted the topic and interrupted him.

"Is it to recruit retainers for the Fifth Prince?"

Seeing Prince Ji Xiu's evasive demeanor, Seeing Yin Jun felt slightly helpless and sighed inwardly.

"Mr. Yin truly predicts events like a god!"

Prince Ji Xiu laughed loudly; he gazed at the Huang Lao She Ji map stretching across the sky, his eyes deepening slightly as he said softly:

"But speaking of which, if the Dao Court can truly reach a Shang Shang Mengqi with the Bapailiu Sect and Liu Sect, then in the future we will inevitably have to deal with these Golden Core True Persons; they are the outstanding figures of the Bapailiu Sect and Liu Sect, the future pillars stabilizing the seas for their respective sects.

With such figures gathered in one place, who among them can suppress the heroes and seize the championship in a single stroke?

This Golden Core Grand Assembly is unlike any ordinary one; especially at such a time, it is likely that many high officials of the Dao Court will fix their gaze upon that Golden Core champion.

They wish to gauge the current strength of the younger generation of the Bapailiu Sect and Liu Sect based on the champion!"

Upon hearing this, Seeing Yin Jun's expression also became inexplicably solemn; as if recalling something, he slowly nodded.

Just as Seeing Yin Jun's thoughts drifted to who knows where, Prince Ji Xiu's gaze fell upon Chen Heng within the Huang Lao She Ji map, and the instructions Ji Yang had given him before departure floated up in his mind again.

His expression grew a bit more heavy and solemn as his fingers lightly tapped the green table beside him.

"Fifth Brother, you insisted on recording this True Person Chen's name in the 'Shanghuan Fate Book,' going so far as to spend favors, yet ultimately still stalled before Father Emperor.

With such great effort, what exactly did you see?"

Prince Ji Xiu thought silently.

……

……

Meanwhile, as outside discussions raged and everyone harbored their own schemes, at Flowing Sand Mountain, the battle had already become fiercely intense.

Various divine abilities appeared together, causing yellow sand to fill the sky and the earth to shake and mountains to tremble!

Although that Chang Fa Su Xiao Divine General earlier seemed capable of fighting the crowd, in reality, it relied merely on its swift escape speed to put on a useless display of power.

Since it had actively provoked trouble, the several Golden Core True Persons in the arena were too lazy to duel it one-on-one any longer; instead, they struck together, intending to swiftly subdue this Iron Encirclement Divine Venerable with the force of Lei Ting and ten thousand jun, then break open the final seal!

At this moment, as Yuan Yuan Fayan urged his magic power, the Yi Yuan Zhong Water, already surging in the sky, became even more turbulent; with just a single sweep overhead, it fiercely knocked that Yin Spirit off balance, sending it plunging down from the cloud tops.

And just as the Yin Spirit straightened up, sword light slashed over swiftly, forcing it to whirl its weapon and engage in combat with the flying swords.

"Still trying to play such tricks?"

Pei Han Zhang in the distance shook his head slightly; joining two fingers, he caused the Yin Spirit, which had been preparing to form a hand seal and flee, to suddenly stiffen, as if struck by lightning, frozen motionless on the spot.

Seizing this opportunity, the silver ring summoned by Tian Fang also arrived.

Upon reaching the face of the Yin Spirit, its light flashed once, and in an instant, it split into two, looping around the necks of the two black snakes beneath the Yin Spirit's feet, tightening until their necks were constricted.

No one knew what divine mystery this silver ring actually possessed.

With just one loop, those two black snakes immediately collapsed, as if all their essence and qi had been drained away, making even lifting their heads or blinking extremely difficult.

These two black snakes were a major reliance of the Yin Spirit; without their exertion, the Yin Spirit would find it difficult to recover from injuries or replenish its primordial qi.

Tian Fang's action truly severed one of the Yin Spirit's arms, leaving it with no retreat possible.

Having thrown out his treasure, Tian Fang did not bother to watch how the Yin Spirit would respond; he merely smiled at Wang Xiu nearby and remarked with emotion:

"It is actually the Iron Encirclement Divine Venerable; quite a grand gesture!"

Wang Xiu did not answer; he merely fixed his gaze on that Yin Spirit puppet named Chang Fa Su Xiao Divine General, then shifted his gaze to Chen Heng.

His wide sleeves moved automatically without wind, gently swaying once, as if something within was stretching its limbs, gradually coming to life.

"Brother Wang?" Tian Fang seemed to be pondering something.

"Indeed, a grand gesture!"

Only after a long while did Wang Xiu turn his attention back, shaking his head in response.

At this time, that Yin Spirit in the arena was finding it increasingly difficult to hold on.

Even though those several Golden Core True Persons besieging it had not yet unleashed their true methods.

But facing such an offensive, there were probably few people of the same realm in the world who could truly withstand it; often, the outcome would be a miserable defeat and death.

Soon, as Guo Guo Shaomi summoned a golden flower and struck, although the Yin Spirit timely raised its Baosheng Whip to block before its chest, it was still sent flying horizontally, its bones broken and tendons snapped.

After it crawled up, only a 'Crack!' was heard; the Baosheng Whip that had just blocked the golden flower suddenly shattered into several pieces, and its armor also revealed numerous cracks.

The golden flower not only injured the physical shell and divine soul but was deliberately targeting magical artifacts.

And Xie Tan, who had been watching leisurely since the Yin Spirit appeared, now stopped treating it as a spectacle.

He raised his hand, sending a pair of Dragon Sparrow Golden Halberds flying out; they tore the Yin Spirit to pieces, then drilled into the flowing sand, forcibly severing the final seal!

"It is actually this object?"

Seeing a crack split open the belly of Flowing Sand Mountain, scattering dust and smoke, dozens of spiritual lights flew out in an instant, six of which headed straight toward him.

Xie Tan caught them and looked; within the spiritual lights were a divine ability for circulating qi and several talismans for preserving life and extending longevity.

Although not extremely precious, for someone of Xie Tan's status, they could still be considered extraordinary.

As for the others, they also gained benefits more or less; not a single one left empty-handed.

Though the seal had just broken, the atmosphere did not relax; instead, it grew even more oppressive and heavy.

It seemed as though a storm was imminent, leaving one inexplicably breathless!

"Are they about to fight?"

Shen Shen Xingcui gripped his sword, transmitted a message to Yuan Yuan Fayan, and a hint of anticipation appeared on his face.

"Heh, General Chang Fa Su Xiao, today I have truly gained a Fan Yan Zhi Jie!"

Amidst the silence, Wang Xiu suddenly burst into loud laughter, staring straight at Chen Heng:

"I wonder what True Person Chen plans to do next?"

Chen Heng, quite intrigued, countered:

"What does True Person Wang intend?"

"True Person Chen's divine abilities are formidable; I have just witnessed them with my own eyes. Were it not absolutely necessary, this Daoist would truly prefer not to confront a True Person right now."

Wang Xiu stroked his beard and smiled modestly:

"Surely there will be another chance to meet in the future; let us part ways here today."

Having spoken, Wang Xiu turned to look at Xie Tan.

Xie Tan neither affirmed nor denied, his gaze deep and profound.

Seeing this, Shen Shen Xingcui realized the situation had shifted and couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

However, just as he signaled Yuan Yuan Fayan and had not yet flown up into the clouds to exhale and speak—

Suddenly, a sound like plucked golden jade rang out, approaching from afar, carried by the wind to their ears, swelling over them like a tide.

In an instant, a marvelous sight appeared in the sky.

Dozens of li away, amidst fragrant mist and auspicious glowing haze, a copper fish, entirely as if cast from bronze and holding a fire bell in its mouth, swam lightly and swiftly.

Behind the copper fish trailed a long, shimmering stream of rosy clouds, like a silken ribbon, slowly sweeping past the peaks of the Shanfeng...

"A Fire Bell Copper Fish?"

All the cultivators present looked on in surprise.

But at nearly the same moment, a sword light erupted violently, slashing out.

"Boom—" Clouds and mist soared into the sky, the sound echoing through the heavens!

"What? How dare he?!"

At this moment, Wang Xiu finally frowned, astonishment and doubt appearing on his face for the first time, as if he could not believe it.

Amidst the swaying gale-force winds, high above the vast blue sky, a young Daoist in black robes and a golden crown was seen sheathing his sword light.

And between his palm and fingers lay only a struggling copper fish holding a bell.

"A Fire Bell Copper Fish; is this really what it looks like?"

Chen Heng muttered to himself, then lifted his eyelids; he slowly scanned the area below the clouds and stated calmly:

"I now intend to take this object. Whoever objects is welcome to step forward and fight!"

Upon these words, the many Golden Elixir True Persons present all changed color, stunned in unison.