Chapter 528: Speculation

In orthodox immortal cultivation, above Dao techniques come two categories: divine powers and supreme divine powers.

Among the Jin Dan True Persons with a chance to win this Dan Yuan Assembly are Yin Wujie, Zhou Fugai, Lu Rong, and others.

All of them have entered the realm of supreme divine powers and cultivated their sect’s ultimate arts.

Though they have only reached the initial stage, grasping merely a faint trace of these arts, far from unlocking their fundamental wonders.

Yet once unleashed, they far surpass ordinary divine powers, sufficient to serve as decisive trump cards—ending battles in a single blow!

The Yucheng Sect possesses no shortage of supreme divine powers.

Leaving aside those upper arts excluded from the Twenty-Five Correct Methods for various reasons.

Such as the Nine Palaces Immortal Escape, the Breaking Illusion Golden Light, the Ten Directions Hell-Breaking True Thunder, the Advancing and Manifesting the True, the Three Primordials and Five Movements Transforming Tribulation Method, the Pure Hong True Eye, the Void Great Luo Method, the Secret Heaven Opening Mysterious Smoke, and more.

These are all supreme divine powers renowned throughout the myriad heavens and universes, their fame spreading far and wide—even Yin Wujie, an outsider, knows much of them!

Given Chen Hang’s abilities, Yin Wujie does not believe he has achieved nothing in this path; even Xie Tan mastered the Fire Heaven Great Possession, and Wang Xiu forged the Ten Thousand Demonic Robe.

The one who defeated Chen Yushu’s divine manifestation certainly would not lag behind!

But which one did Chen Hang choose…?

Yin Wujie pondered this in his mind for a while but reached no definite conclusion.

Like the Ten Directions Hell-Breaking True Thunder, once used by Junyao in the last Dan Yuan Assembly to knock down the Dan Yuan champions.

This art requires traveling the Nine Provinces, spending years personally gathering three thousand six hundred kinds of pure and turbid qi, then using secret methods to fuse the true essence of heaven and earth, transforming the five viscera and six bowels into thunder palaces, each of the thirty-six major acupoints giving birth to a spirit, spirits clinging to spirits, gods bound to gods.

Finally, inserting a single spiritual light into the purple palace and successfully visualizing the primordial form of the Thunder Lord completes the cultivation.

When the incantation is activated, thunderous glory fills the ten directions of void space, capable of cleaving through the primordial darkness of heaven and earth, shattering the turbid hells—hence its name.

When thunder cracks, all spirits listen—

In terms of destructive power, this thunder art ranks only slightly below the legendary Taiyi Divine Thunder!

Yet gathering pure and turbid qi from heaven and earth always takes considerable time.

Especially the Ten Directions Hell-Breaking True Thunder demands precise alignment with celestial hours during qi absorption, making it impossible to delegate to others.

Even Junyao, under his master’s guidance, began traveling the Nine Provinces and Four Seas shortly after entering the sect, laying his groundwork early.

From this perspective, Chen Hang does not seem to have chosen the Ten Directions Hell-Breaking True Thunder.

As for the Breaking Illusion Golden Light, this supreme divine power not only specializes in countering worldly illusions but also possesses immense power to subdue demons, control evil, and capture spiritual souls.

But according to Yin Wujie’s knowledge, the Breaking Illusion Golden Light was created by the late Great Immortal Le Quan of Yucheng and requires coordination with the sect’s Five Canons, specifically the “Book of Hidden Void,” to unleash its full potency.

Though the “Book of Hidden Void” encompasses all five elements, it specializes in water and wood, the meeting of Jia and Yi, manifesting as the transformation of Kan and Li union—already formed into “Flower of the Eastern Well.”

At Yingji River, Yin Wujie deliberately exchanged a palm strike with Chen Hang.

Though he could not discern which true scripture Chen Hang cultivated, Yin Wujie did observe that Chen Hang’s five qi moved in balanced harmony, with water and wood elements neither overly dominant—this much he discerned clearly.

Thus, by eliminating the “Book of Hidden Void,” the Breaking Illusion Golden Light is also eliminated…

As for the remaining supreme divine powers of Yucheng.

First discard those not focused on destruction, then discard those difficult to cultivate for various reasons.

Then Yin Ruohua’s guesses narrowed to the Void Great Luo Method and the Secret Heaven Opening Mysterious Smoke—which is entirely reasonable…

Facing Yin Wujie’s blunt inquiry, Chen Hang merely smiled and said nothing.

Seeing this, Yin Wujie did not press further.

He turned his gaze to Yin Ruohua, feeling oddly as if his fist had struck empty air, silently shaking his head.

The reason he expended his own primordial blood when Chen Bai visited him was to plant the secret technique “Myriad Truths Controlling Body,” passed down by the Wu Yin Clan, beneath Chen Bai.

His certainty stemmed from believing both Chen Hang and Chen Bai harbored murderous intent toward each other—this duel was inevitable.

He sought to secretly probe Chen Hang’s true strength through this technique, preparing for future confrontation.

But his guess was only half correct.

Chen Hang and Chen Bai did indeed clash, yet the decisive blow came not from Chen Hang or anyone else—but from his own sister, Yin Ruohua.

How did these two come together?

At this thought, even Yin Wujie’s composure wavered slightly, a trace of helplessness rising in his heart, his gaze turning wary.

Seeing Yin Wujie’s expression, Yin Ruohua—bound by blood—guessed his thoughts, her face darkening with frustration, her head throbbing.

Before Yin Ruohua could speak, Yin Wujie’s voice came first:

“Then I shall not trouble you further; I suspect our true bodies will meet again soon.”

“I have long awaited my duel with Brother Chen. Now I must conserve my strength and prepare properly.”

“With your divine power, Brother Yin, that is excessive modesty,” Chen Hang shook his head.

The two exchanged glances, both smiling.

Seeing Yin Wujie seemed ready to dissolve his divine manifestation and depart,

Yin Ruohua finally could not hold back:

“Brother, what about me?”

“You?”

Yin Wujie, pulled back to attention, thought a moment, then waved his hand:

“Stay with Brother Chen.”

“Brother’s meaning?”

“Within the Imperial Ancestral Map, the situation is far from stable. With your power, if unaided, you cannot hold a top-ten position—you’ll be driven out sooner or later, like that Ling Shou Ming, who won’t let you keep your copper fish, still warm from your grasp.”

Yin Wujie shook his head:

“I am too far from you—nearly at opposite ends of the world.”

“Your sudden intervention earlier—surely you reached some agreement with Brother Chen?”

Yin Ruohua nodded.

Seeing Yin Wujie look over, Chen Hang bowed slightly and understood:

“Brother Yin, rest assured—I shall protect your sister fully, leaving no room for villains to strike.”

“With Brother Chen’s word, I have no further worries.”

Yin Wujie smiled, then gave Yin Ruohua a subtle wink, whispering a secret transmission:

“Don’t thank me yet—I’ll be sure to report this to our clan and your sect.”

“Even if Chen Yushu holds a great grudge against you and our masters, aiding Chen Hang to kill Chen Bai still looks… unseemly to outsiders.”

Yin Ruohua chuckled: “What did you do? Why should I thank you?”

“And if I meet Wei Lingjiang and Gu Yi, I’ll tell them.”

Yin Wujie said nothing, only smiled.

Hearing this, Yin Ruohua’s eyes widened instantly.

Before she could speak, Yin Wujie merely swept his sleeve—the divine manifestation dissolved into the air, vanishing as a wisp of gray smoke.

“...”

Yin Ruohua suddenly felt a headache coming on.

As for Wei Lingjiang, let it pass.

Since becoming a Crimson Bright True Disciple, she rarely appears outside, mostly cultivating in Mount Lu Tai—hence her low ranking in the Yearly Evaluation, even being omitted several times.

Thus, Yin Ruohua has had little contact with her.

Only Gu Yi…

“No, I was helping Gu Yi—I’ll have an explanation if we meet!”

Shaking her head, Yin Ruohua forced her thoughts aside.

Turning to Chen Hang, she saw his aura gradually fading, his face paler than before, as if drained of blood.

“True Person Chen?” Yin Ruohua questioned skeptically.

“This time it’s not pretense. After fighting all the way to now, my magic power is indeed heavily depleted,” Chen Hang shook his head slightly.

Though he used himself as bait, his battles with Xuan Yin, Xie Tan, Wang Xiu, and Pei Zhi were real—and to lure Chen Bai in, he took a direct hit from Chen Bai’s divine power to make his defeat convincing.

The loss of primordial energy was inevitable.

Though a Grade-One Jin Dan’s foundation is vast and profound, it is not so overwhelming as to be invincible.

Otherwise, the other top-grade Jin Dans need not even enter the arena—they could simply sit back as spectators.

“But True Person Zhou may test me—do I still have the strength to fight you?”

At that moment, Chen Hang casually swept his hand.

The Five Qi Cosmos Ring flew from his purple palace, striking once—shattering half of a seemingly insignificant earth lotus several miles away.

After waiting a while, seeing Zhou Ying did not reveal herself despite the spell’s destruction, she instead silently withdrew her spiritual awareness, letting the lotus’s vitality vanish completely.

Chen Hang, seeing this, withdrew his gaze and paid no further attention.

With the copper fish secured and Chen Bai eliminated—destined to die—

His only task now was to find a secluded place to cultivate, swiftly restoring his magic power.

He must recover fully before the final showdown to contend with those few!

As for outside matters—he need not involve himself further…

“How many years have passed? These two divine powers still collided?”

Recalling how, within the True Dharma Realm, he had revealed Yin Wujie’s hidden trump card with the Mahasamadhi Radiant Light, Chen Hang felt a pang of reflection.

After finalizing their plan with Yin Ruohua, the two rose into the air and vanished swiftly.

…

At the same moment.

White frost coated the ground, obscuring even what lay within arm’s reach—

Deep within the Great Snow Mountain, Yin Wujie, who had been sitting with closed eyes in meditation, suddenly stirred his eyelids; the bronze bell at his waist rang out with a clear, resonant chime that slowly echoed across the mountain peak.

A few zhang away, Liao Huidu, who had been wearing an expression of helplessness, shook his head, sighed, and then his face softened into one of relief as he calmly withdrew his magic power.

To be honest, he truly had bad luck.

The moment he entered the Emperor’s Ancestral Map, he ran straight into Yu Huangshang and was injured by the latter’s effortless strike.

Had Yu Huangshang not deliberately held back, he would have been cruelly eliminated.

Before Liao Huidu could properly heal his wounds, he happened upon Lu Rong’s battle with Chang Qingjue and Tang Xuan, witnessing firsthand how Lu Rong single-handedly dominated the combined assault of two veteran Golden Core cultivators.

Though Liao Huidu had no intention of interfering and merely passed by accident, Lu Rong casually flung several yin thunderbolts his way, nearly dragging him into the Six Desires Great Demon True Light.

Taking advantage of Lu Rong’s focus on Chang and Tang, Liao Huidu barely escaped and dared not linger—he fled through layers of cloud and wilderness until he reached the Great Snow Mountain.

But before he could find a secluded spot deep in the mountains to meditate and restore his energy, Liao Huidu encountered Yin Wujie on the path.

After only a brief exchange, the latter stripped him of his protective magic treasure.

Though he did not know why Yin Wujie had suddenly ceased his attack and returned to meditation,

Liao Huidu felt an invisible pressure surging from all directions, sending chills down his spine and forbidding him from moving rashly.

Yu Huangshang, Lu Rong, Yin Wujie…

He only needed to meet Chen Hang and Zhou Fugia of the Xuanmen.

Of the five most promising contenders in this Dan Yuan Assembly, Liao Huidu had now faced them all.

Such ill fortune…

Thinking of this, even at this moment, Liao Huidu’s emotions were complex, and he was momentarily lost in thought.

Though all were Golden Core cultivators from major sects, the gap between them was substantial.

Whether in combat experience or spiritual skill, those few were all superior to Liao Huidu—impossible to close.

He had thought that after training in Qiaoming Gorge, he could fight freely in this Dan Yuan Assembly.

Yet those he faced were all the most formidable ones—none were weak…

“Could it be that particular divine art?”

As Liao Huidu’s thoughts churned, Yin Wujie shifted his spiritual awareness, rose calmly, and a sharp gleam flashed in his eyes as he murmured in doubt:

Divine art?

What divine art?

Liao Huidu did not understand his meaning.

“Never mind… it will all be clear soon enough.”

At this, Yin Wujie shook his head slightly, finding the sudden thought that had sprung into his mind absurd and likely untrue.

Yet he did not dismiss it with a laugh—he buried the thought deep within his heart.

“Liao True Person, I yield.”

After a moment, Yin Wujie finally looked toward Liao Huidu.

He flicked his finger, and starlight scattered behind him; a disc-shaped magic treasure flew out and descended toward Liao Huidu.

“What is Yin True Person doing?”

Liao Huidu retrieved the magic treasure that Yin Wujie had previously subdued, and asked in confusion.

“The scenery here is fine—perfect for quiet contemplation. I won’t see you off further.”

Yin Wujie smiled faintly:

“After you leave this map, please convey my regards to your sect’s Elder Huo.”

Hearing this, Liao Huidu immediately understood—Yin Wujie, like Yu Huangshang, was sparing him out of old ties to the Taifu Palace.

He could not quite say what emotion stirred within him.

He only sighed, bowed solemnly to Yin Wujie, and flew away.

“Before the assembly began, I was given a fine elixir by Elder Feng Xiao of Huzhao. Now I’ve let a disciple of the Eight Sects go—given his temperament, he’s surely raging right now.”

Only when Liao Huidu’s figure vanished into the swirling snow did Yin Wujie withdraw his gaze.

He chuckled softly, then lowered his eyes once more and resumed his meditation.

Just after Yin Wujie spoke these words to himself,

Inside a treasure hall shimmering with auspicious light and fragrant mist within the Yingji River,

An old man with a speckled white beard and a copper-hued face indeed wore an expression of displeasure.

He snorted, slammed down the golden goblet in his hand, and a few drops of nectar splashed onto the table.

“Xuan Yun, Wang Xiu, Sima Xiu, Chen Bai—four demonic sect Golden Cores, four supreme divine arts—all eliminated now.”

Before the old man, Feng Xiao, could speak, a voice suddenly echoed in the hall, teasing:

“Brother Feng, is this the fate of the demonic path? Are the Six Sects destined to rise?”