Chapter 543: The Yin Spirit Pays Homage to Me

Under the bright sunlight, a gentle south wind stirred the leaves of several dense weeping willows before the observatory, producing a soft, soothing rustle.

Floating clouds drifted lazily across the sky, their light clear and luminous.

The ragged Daoist narrowed his eyes at the words.

Frowning, he studied the young Daoist standing with arms folded in the courtyard for a long while, then let out a dry chuckle, teasing deliberately:

“What? With your status, you’re this concerned over a mere junior? And he’s not even from your lineage—so you’re finally following your seventh master’s path and beginning to select your tribulation seeds?”

After speaking, the ragged Daoist sneered.

He seemed to recall some old matter, clapped his hands, and shook his head, muttering:

“But your seventh master is no easy man to deal with.

That damned old monkey is vengeful, utterly wicked—everyone deserves to slay him!

Back during the Ten Thousand Heavens Assembly, it was he who secretly struck me from behind, making me look like a fool before the Heavenly Emperor and countless Immortals; and every time I sought the post of Warden of the Underworld’s Heavy Spring Prison, it was that monkey sabotaging me from behind.

I’m not trying to stir trouble, but Kanli, even if you and the monkey share the same lineage, you must still guard against him.

Don’t think your current rapport means anything—when the day comes you two clash, that monkey won’t hold back an inch!”

“Clash? If Master Kongkong truly tore the veil with my lineage, it would only be over a great Daoic opportunity…”

Kanli Daoist mused:

“If it were you, would you hold back on me?”

The ragged Daoist paused, then finally shrugged honestly:

“No, absolutely not!”

Seeing this, Kanli Daoist clapped his hands and burst into loud laughter.

After laughing for a while, Kanli Daoist shook his head and explained:

“Master Kongkong’s lineage holds no use for me. Though he has forged a unique path in the Tribulation Immortal arts, no matter how clever his methods, they still stray from the orthodox teachings passed down by our Ancestor.

As for that Demon Master, when I delivered the Deliverance Talisman Edict, I once sat and discussed Dao with him—this one…”

Kanli Daoist shook his head and left the rest unsaid.

The ragged Daoist gave him a long, meaningful look and spoke:

“I’ve heard the name Chen Yushu over the years—he’s currently at the height of his fame, praised by Wood Old Man as the one who best grasps the Monkey’s true Tribulation Immortal intent!

From your words, you disapprove of Chen Yushu’s path—and after meeting him once, you’ve grown even more certain of this?”

“So now, for the first time, you’re paying attention to Chen Hang… you mean to sabotage Chen Yushu’s arrangements, letting the tribulation seed fully mature?”

Kanli Daoist smiled faintly, saying nothing.

“To be honest, I’m not surprised you harbor such thoughts…

After all, you’re the disciple who received Master Yin Mu’s true transmission—like master, like disciple!”

The ragged Daoist’s eyes gleamed faintly, as if two ancient heavenly blades were slowly unsheathing, ready to slice open Kanli Daoist and lay bare his thoughts.

At this moment, he shed his earlier lazy, carefree demeanor.

An indescribable authority slowly rose from his face, causing the several young tigers playing nearby to fall utterly silent, frozen in place.

The ragged Daoist spoke slowly:

“When the Monkey first created the ‘Book of Raising Humans’ and fully perfected his lineage, countless Immortals and Gods took notice.

Since the Tribulation Immortal Ancestor had withdrawn from the world, Master Yin Mu, in furious rage, led several of your masters to the Douyu Heaven and fought the Monkey—though neither side could defeat the other, the battle still damaged the Monkey’s prestige within the Tribulation Immortal sect.”

“Master Daibo and Master Kongkong have always been at odds—everyone knows this,” said Kanli Daoist.

“It’s not merely personal grudges—the tribulation seeds and human puppets in the Monkey’s lineage, and his whole notion of ‘all beings as cattle and horses’—they’re utterly opposed to the orthodox teachings passed down by the Tribulation Immortal Ancestor.”

The ragged Daoist chuckled:

“I know Master Yin Mu is a man who tolerates no sand in his eyes. When he stormed Douyu Heaven, it wasn’t just because of his feud with the Monkey—he was defending the Daoist orthodoxy and purging internal traitors, wasn’t he?

This is a struggle over the Daoist lineage! If the Tribulation Immortal Ancestor won’t emerge, who can stop it?!”

Kanli Daoist’s expression remained unchanged.

“Actually, ever since you attained Dao, I’ve been waiting—waiting for you to strike against Master Kongkong. Now, finally, you’ve let slip some hints to me!”

The ragged Daoist patted his chest.

He leaned forward eagerly, raising a finger to swear:

“When do you plan to move? Give me a clear signal.

Whenever you strike the Monkey, whoever you’re against, old Daoist I’ll come lend a hand!”

Kanli Daoist gave him a wry, half-smiling glance:

“Don’t go stoking fires. Though Master Daibo and Master Kongkong have old grudges, I once owed the latter a favor—keep your hands out of my sect’s affairs.”

The ragged Daoist muttered:

“I know your thoughts, old friend—don’t hide them from me after all these years!

But since you won’t tell me outright, then fine…”

As the two spoke, within the Imperial Ancestral Map, Chen Hang dodged Yin Wujie’s foul smoke, then flicked his sleeve and pointed—one bolt of thunder shattered the air, hurtling straight toward Yin Wujie!

The ragged Daoist’s gaze flickered; after watching intently for a while, he nodded slightly and said to Kanli Daoist:

“Yin Wujie’s talent is no small thing. You bestowed upon him the Cosmic Time Water and Primordial Void Qi of Yuqi Heaven—though partly out of respect for that one from the Pestilence Sect, you certainly didn’t entrust him to the unworthy. Congratulations.”

“But since you also value Chen Hang, what kind of fortune are you planning for this junior?”

Kanli Daoist smiled:

“Just a sudden whim—it’s not urgent. Let’s wait and see.”

The ragged Daoist raised an eyebrow.

He was about to speak when Kanli Daoist waved him off:

“Speaking of which, your own troubles are far greater—stop meddling in mine.

Back when you stole the Tai Ping Book to the mortal realm, the Immortals of the Zhengxu Dao Court hated you to the bone—they wanted to devour you alive. Now that Ji Huan has ascended the throne, their pursuit has grown fiercer; I’ve heard even the Fire Dragon Master is preparing to leave his seclusion to capture you.

The Tai Ping Book is tied to the primordial treasure, the Tai Ping Heavenly Mandate.”

“I advise you to hide your true body well—if they find you, even I can’t save you.”

The ragged Daoist laughed with arms folded:

“When I shattered my body and scattered into a trillion fragments, even I don’t know where my true body or the Tai Ping Book went.

I know the Eight Sects and Six Clans have summoned Prince Ji Xiu—my shabby hermitage won’t be safe much longer—but so what? This is just an avatar body; even if they capture me, they’ll learn nothing!”

Here, the ragged Daoist seemed to recall something, and burst into loud, delighted laughter, completely forgetting his earlier thoughts.

Kanli Daoist was used to this man’s usual antics and wasn’t surprised.

He merely turned his gaze back to the Dan Yuan Assembly; after a long while, he quietly lowered his eyes.

“The Six Clans’ destiny—breaking through tribulation to ascend to Immortality?”

He spoke softly, smiling with interest:

“That word ‘tribulation’… truly runs deep and unfathomable.”

…

…

At the same moment, flames erupted everywhere, scorching and fierce; thick foul smoke swirled through the sky, lingering endlessly!

The once-blue sea surface was now covered in a vivid crimson aura.

All that could be seen was mist rising, waves crashing like mountains—as if countless volcanoes had violently collapsed, causing spiritual tides to surge chaotically, in utter disorder.

The cacophony of explosions mingled together, making it impossible to tell whether the heavens were hanging or the earth was turning.

One felt trapped within a colossal vortex, dazed and disoriented, utterly lost!

Jia Xiu had already activated his evasion technique, moving far from his original position.

But the battlefield of the three was too vast—he could only turn again, dodging once more.

“A Jin Dan True Immortal… can fight this fiercely?”

At this moment, Jia Xiu glanced back; the last flicker of his fighting spirit was utterly crushed, leaving only a bitter smile.

The swarming blood spirits were continuously swept away by the smoke—these fearless fiends, no matter how hard they strained, could only circle the outer edge, unable to break through to Yin Wujie’s side.

The array of magic treasures struck repeatedly, yet were all blocked, never landing a true blow.

Lu Rong’s spirit stirred slightly.

He didn’t force his way through the Ten Thousand Evils Foul Smoke; after briefly shielding himself with the bronze bell on his head, he withdrew temporarily, while a blade of light cut through the air in perfect sync, stretching across before Yin Wujie.

“Cosmic Time Water…”

Lu Rong frowned inwardly and opened his Zaiyuan Zhaozhen Divine Eye.

At this moment, Yin Wujie had already clashed fiercely with Chen Hang—the dense firelight wove into a net, layer upon layer pressing down, only to be shattered layer by layer by Yin Wujie.

Both possessed formidable physical bodies, relying on their unbreakable dharma forms, their attacks wide, brutal, and ferocious!

After another palm clash with Chen Hang, Yin Wujie glanced at Lu Rong afar, then suddenly leapt high upward.

He seized the Still Void Banner, shook it twice, then violently activated the sealed “Spiritual Celestial Phenomenon Array.”

Instantly, a thick black mist drifted from the banner’s surface, and a dark light poured down from the heavens, vast and sweeping.

Within mere breaths, Yin Wujie’s form vanished like a grain of rice, swallowed whole by the overwhelming black mist and foul aura—no trace remained, not even spiritual sense could detect his presence.

The chaotic celestial phenomenon surged violently, spreading endlessly in all directions, threatening to engulf a hundred li, as if aiming to swallow the entire ocean!

To perceive the divine and commune with the spirit, to sense celestial phenomena—this is the Spiritual Celestial Phenomenon!

The Spiritual Celestial Phenomenon Array sealed within the Still Void Banner has broad functions: it can trigger mountain collapses and earth fissures to breach cities and fortresses, or unleash golden winds and blazing fire to attack or defend.

Now, Yin Wujie activated this array, spreading rolling black mist high into the heavens—his sole aim was to disrupt the battlefield and prevent Lu Rong from calmly observing his true nature with the Zaiyuan Zhaozhen Divine Eye.

Though it couldn’t fully conceal him, it was still useful.

Yin Wujie had heard of this supreme blood-river technique before; it was indeed fearsomely powerful.

With Lu Rong now wielding such a grand art, he might detect something—something Yin Wujie did not wish to see…

Chen Hang casually raised his hand and struck; the endless black mist shattered in vast swathes, yet Yin Wujie’s form remained unseen, and the gap closed again within mere blinks.

“Fine array flag.”

Seeing this, Chen Hang was unsurprised; he merely reached out lightly, and in his hand appeared the Dimension-Skipping Shuttle.

A flash of blue light passed—and the black mist, moments from surging against Chen Hang’s body, suddenly shuddered, then vanished halfway into thin air.

In the clear, bright realm hundreds of li away, a veil of gloomy wind and grim aura suddenly blanketed the land, so thick that one could not see one’s hand before one’s face.

“Good!”

Lu Rong, seeing this, nodded inwardly.

Even as he nodded, Chen Hang had already clashed with Yin Wujie.

After dozens of exchanges, a blade of light suddenly plummeted from the sky, striking with uncanny, god-defying speed from the flank, instantly shattering the Sulu Net and lashing straight for Yin Wujie’s face!

Ding—

This sure-to-kill strike landed on empty air.

As the flying sword neared his body, Yin Wujie’s eyes once again rippled with starlight.

The world fell utterly silent—

And the flying sword was frozen midair, mere half-zhang from Yin Wujie, yet unable to advance an inch.

Though only a fleeting instant, the bound sword resumed its advance.

But that single moment’s pause was enough for Yin Wujie to activate his evasion technique and avoid the blow.

Cosmic Time Water—

This divine water possessed the immense power to command time and manipulate temporal flow.

When still, it could bind flying light, lock the running sun, and freeze even the briefest speck of dust in its shadow.

When active, it could compress sixty years into an instant, turning millennia into a single blink.

Truly, it expanded and contracted at will, its mysteries boundless!

With Yin Wujie’s current cultivation, he could not achieve any of these feats—his realm and magic power were insufficient.

But merely pausing time for a fleeting moment, or infusing his body with Cosmic Time Water to move faster than lightning—this was no great feat.

Thanks to this mysterious divine water, Yin Wujie held his own against two opponents without yielding an inch.

Even when Lu Rong used the Zaiyuanzhaozhenfamu to seize the perfect opening and coordinated with Chen Hang’s divine arts, Yin Wujie still blocked them all.

After thousands more exchanges, Chen Hang suddenly shifted his assault, deliberately breaking their alliance, and encircled both Yin Wujie and Lu Rong within his blade-light.

This move left many onlookers stunned and bewildered.

Soon, a thunderous explosion shattered the sea surface—ten thousand rays of light burst forth, hurricane winds roared, and whirlpools of all sizes erupted one after another; the three, having each unleashed their final cards, spat blood in disarray.

The North Star’s Death Mark and the Six Desires Great Demon True Light canceled each other out.

Meanwhile, the Dragon Demon’s Soul-Slaying Arrow, amplified by Yin Wujie at no cost, struck Chen Hang squarely in the chest and abdomen.

“Go!”

Yin Wujie, too, was pierced through the chest by Chen Hang’s sword; he endured the wound, roared forward, and, with Lu Rong forcibly clearing a path with blood-soul power, exchanged a direct blow with Chen Hang.

Bloodlight exploded in midair, and chilling killing aura surged everywhere!

When the fierce light dimmed slightly, Yin Wujie’s right arm was shattered into fragments; he staggered backward, nearly tumbling from the clouds.

And the Black Gold Divine Spear, once in his grasp, had already transformed into a beam of light, piercing Chen Hang through once more.

Lu Rong roared, his Law Eye blazing with divine radiance.

He unleashed the Earth-Seal True Art repeatedly; four blood pills shot forth like howling missiles, striking Chen Hang in rapid succession at the last possible instant.

Seeing Chen Hang’s body stagger and finally plunge into the ocean, Lu Rong finally exhaled, and only with the Blood Spirit’s support did he avoid further disgrace.

At this moment, Lu Rong saw countless overlapping shadows before him; his vision blurred, unable to make out anything beyond a li.

He wiped his eyes—and his hand came away smeared with blood.

Whether it was Chen Hang’s final, reckless, death-defying assault, or the strain of unleashing four Earth-Seal True Art strikes while maintaining the Zaiyuanfamu —

Both had drained Lu Rong immensely; his spirit and flesh could barely hold together.

Yet—

Chen Hang’s actions…

Lu Rong forced himself upright; he sensed Yin Wujie’s gaze and met it across the distance. For a moment, both remained silent.

Outside the arena, as the onlookers witnessed Chen Hang’s corpse plummet into the ocean, his aura extinguished—

The assembled cultivators erupted in uproar, most faces etched with indelible shock; murmurs rose in chaotic waves.

A top-tier Jin Dan, a Dao Seed capable of manipulating six realms!

Could such a person really fall at the Dan Yuan Assembly?!

If this news spread, no one would believe it.

Even those who witnessed it firsthand felt as if caught in a dream, their hearts in turmoil.

“Wrong…”

Wei Lingjiang stared ahead, calm and focused.

After a long while, she spoke softly, shaking her head slightly, her tense fingers gradually relaxing.

“Impressive technique.”

Elsewhere, Gu Yi exhaled, a strange smile appearing.

Beside her, Yin Ruohua initially failed to grasp it; then she noticed that neither Yin Wujie nor Lu Rong showed any sign of relief—instead, their wariness deepened.

She, too, seemed to realize something; her gaze flickered.

Within the Emperor’s Mandate Map, all was silent.

In moments, a soft trickle of water suddenly echoed from the air, its origin unknown.

The sound grew louder, until it became a roaring torrent, as if a furious flood surged eastward, making all rivers resonate and every mountain echo!

In an instant, a vast, headless, tailless black river inexplicably squeezed out of the void, hanging heavily in the heavens.

Within the black waters, countless sentient souls roared and howled, gnashing teeth and clawing the air.

All manner of grotesque horrors—like demons and gods from the netherworld descending upon this realm—shouted in a deafening tide of slaughter, chilling the heart and freezing the bones!

But as the black water parted gently, a figure slowly emerged.

As the figure walked forward, the dense throngs of ferocious souls suddenly had their throats seized—as if mowed down by a scythe, they all bowed in unison, parting a clean path like servants kneeling before their sovereign, reverent and silent.

“Let it end here.”

At this moment, a calm voice echoed from deep within the black waters:

“Gentlemen, please.”