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Chapter 542: Chapter 538: Sparring
Gu Jinlai looked at Duanmu Chengyun.
Long ago, when the Holy Dynasty had repeatedly called the local Heavenly Masters to the Heavenly Master Hall, he had speculated whether the Holy Dynasty...
had placed numerous Heavenly Masters under house arrest.
One reason was to have these Heavenly Masters refine Spiritual Artifacts and even Dao Artifacts.
Another was...
as a trump card, to deter Devils, ensuring that the Demon Spirits from the devil’s side did not dare to easily enter the fray.
Now, it seemed there was an even deeper reason.
After all, in his telepathy, the number of Heavenly Masters in the Heavenly Master Hall simply did not match the numbers that had joined over the years.
Not even one third of that number.
Where the remaining two-thirds of the Heavenly Masters had gone was quite intriguing.
"It seems that I, this so-called Prince Li Yang, am just for show, without even the credentials to lead some Heavenly Masters to Wind and Rain City to forge weapons,"
said Gu Jinlai.
"How could that be possible! We are sincerely devoted to your enthronement, Ancient True Immortal. We would unconditionally support the creation of any weapon you wish to craft—it’s just... these Heavenly Masters trust us, and we must take responsibility for their safety,"
Duanmu Chengyun declared.
Though his attitude was positive, his determination was very strong.
"So, Sect Leader Duanmu thinks I can’t ensure these Heavenly Masters’ safety?"
Gu Jinlai knew that relying on conventional methods to take Chao Jiuyin and the other Heavenly Masters from the Heavenly Master Hall was unlikely feasible.
He glanced around and said, "Although the defensive power of the formations in the Heavenly Master Hall is incredible, and the three Void Immortals arrived immediately in case of danger, I do not believe this level of defense is stronger than that of Wind and Rain City and Liuhuo City."
"Ha, could it be that the Ancient True Immortal has enhanced the City Protection Array of Wind and Rain City and Liuhuo City, strong enough to withstand three beings with the combat strength of True Immortals?"
Si Wuya, who had come with Duanmu Chengyun, chuckled.
"Formations? I know nothing about formations."
Gu Jinlai said calmly, "The reason I believe that Liuhuo City and Wind and Rain City can protect these Heavenly Masters is simply because..."
His gaze swept over Duanmu Chengyun, Si Tianya, and Dong Xuanzi one by one, and finally, he slowly uttered one word: "Me."
Upon hearing this, the three men’s expressions changed simultaneously.
Gu Jinlai’s words undoubtedly meant that the safety he brought alone was more secure than the combined might of three Supreme Void Immortals and the Heavenly Master Hall’s formations.
This was utterly dismissive of the three Supreme Void Immortals.
Although not True Immortals, they wielded the power of Cave Heaven and had fought Demon Gods—not in vain.
This could be seen from the fact that these Demon Gods had always refrained from pushing them to desperation over the years.
Now, Gu Jinlai boldly claimed that he alone was equivalent to their three Supreme Void Immortals; this was simply...
"Ancient True Immortal... might be a bit too confident. You know, excessive confidence turns into arrogance, and that is not a good sign,"
Duanmu Chengyun said sternly.
"Whether I am too confident or not, a trial will tell,"
said Gu Jinlai, looking at the three, "Ever since I arrived in the Holy Land, I have been very curious about how powerful a Supreme Void Immortal, who has been recognized by a Divine Weapon and wields the power of Cave Heaven, really is. I hope today, you three can satisfy this wish of mine."
"Heh, since the Ancient True Immortal wishes to spar with us, we naturally ought to satisfy your wish,"
Duanmu Chengyun declared.
Gu Jinlai was just short of openly issuing a challenge; how could he refuse?
Moreover, they also wanted to experience firsthand, by what means exactly Gu Jinlai had managed to defeat the Xuan Yang Demon God in direct combat.
"In the Imperial Capital here, the three of you as hosts know more than I. So, please choose an appropriate place for the sparring,"
said Gu Jinlai with a slight smile.
"The Ancient True Immortal seems somewhat eager, but since you have spoken, we naturally want you to enjoy yourself, please follow me,"
Duanmu Chengyun spoke, quickly rising into the sky, leading Gu Jinlai towards the direction of the Imperial Capital.
Gu Jinlai followed calmly, his eyes devoid of any fear.
The remaining Dong Yuanzi and two Saints exchanged glances, and ultimately, the Void Immortal, not willing to miss this great battle, instructed, "Keep an eye on the Heavenly Master Hall, make sure no problems arise, and don’t let some people have inappropriate thoughts; I’ll be back soon."
The two Saints, though wanting to follow as well, had to obey Dong Yuanzi’s command and grudgingly accepted it.
The three summoned Vice Hall Masters of Heavenly Master Hall fell silent for a moment and exchanged looks.
One of them couldn’t help but remark, "After all, only those who acquire great power can truly dominate their own destiny."
"Times have changed,"
said another, shaking his head, "Our glory days have ended. The Spirit Realm... has long been chaotic, no longer possessing the soil to nurture creators. Without a creator, how could we compete with cultivators and devils?"
As he spoke, he glanced at Chao Jiuyin: "You were born at an unfortunate time. Had it been a thousand years ago, those great creators would probably have fought to take you as an apprentice."
Chao Jiuyin smiled and said nothing, "I think now is quite good. Some things I couldn’t verify before, I can now easily confirm..."
"Are you still studying that ’Heavenly Network’ system?"
asked one of them. 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝒑𝙪𝒃.𝒄𝒐𝙢
"Yes,"
Chao Jiuyin nodded, "The Cosmic has its network, and the Spirit Realm must likewise have its own. If we can develop a system that utilizes this kind of ’network’, I believe, the development of the Heavenly Master System will usher in a new era."
"The Spirit Realm..."
another Heavenly Monarch shook his head.
In this era, few were left who could peek into the Spirit Realm. To connect with the Spirit Realm "network" through the "Heavenly Network," resonating with the Great Dao like a Void Immortal, was nothing but an impractical fantasy.
However, considering their current circumstances...
The two Heavenly Monarchs exchanged glances, their spirits dampened once more.
...
Streaming light Breaking the sky.
Under Duanmu Chengyun’s lead, the group of four soon arrived above the Imperial Capital.
Starting a fight over the Imperial Capital would inevitably cause a huge commotion.
However, the four individuals were located tens of thousands of meters above the Imperial Capital.
At such a height, even the grandeur of the Imperial Capital appeared merely as a vague outline when they looked down.
Not long after Gu Jinlai and Duanmu Chengyun arrived, more than a dozen streaks of light broke the sky from within the Imperial Capital, and even more cultivators were watching this place by various means.
Clearly, they had already learned about the news of Gu Jinlai and Duanmu Chengyun’s "exchange of pointers."
Regarding this True Immortal who had run out from Li Yang Cave Heaven, each of them was naturally filled with curiosity.
"Let’s just stay here."
Duanmu Chengyun said.
This location, being sixty or seventy li away from the Imperial Capital, was quite distant.
Even if both parties used their full Great Divine Power, after being offset by the Formation, only ten percent of their power would remain, which wouldn’t affect the Imperial Capital.
As for the coordinates above the Imperial Capital, it was convenient for him to draw the Cave Heaven Power the first time from the Six Great Cave Heavens...
Or perhaps, the Power of the Spirit Mechanism.
"Then, this place is good,"
said Gu Jinlai, looking towards Duanmu Chengyun.
Duanmu Chengyun was not reserved.
With a wave of his sleeve, a map swiftly unfolded in front of him, appearing to contain an entire universe’s essence.
"Jiangshan Country Map!"
Gu Jinlai immediately recognized the name of this Divine Weapon belonging to the Wuji Cave Heaven Master.
As Duanmu Chengyun deployed the Divine Weapon, the earth below seemed to pulsate with Qi pathways.
Above the Imperial Capital, the light was even more dazzlingly brilliant.
The power of Qi pathways.
Or should say, the power of the Spirit Mechanism of the skies above the Imperial Capital.
No sooner had these powers of the Spirit Mechanism appeared than they were drawn by the Jiangshan Country Map, flowing into the map’s rivers and mountains.
As these powers infused, the Jiangshan Country Map continuously expanded, and in the blink of an eye, it transformed into a colossal map several hundred meters long and over a hundred meters wide, filled with mountains, rivers, grasslands, forests, and highlands...
"Please!"
Duanmu Chengyun beckoned with his empty hand.
"Not enough."
Gu Jinlai, without moving, said, "You alone are not enough."
Duanmu Chengyun’s expression slightly changed.
"Although you have drawn on the Spirit Mechanism power of the Imperial Capital Circle to enhance yourselves, if it comes to single combat, at most you are comparable to the Xuan Yang Demon God, but do not forget, the Xuan Yang Demon God died at my hands! If you want to test my true strength, either fight me to the death like the Xuan Yang Demon God or..."
Gu Jinlai’s gaze turned towards Si Wuya and Dong Xuanzi, "All three of you come at once."
Si Wuya and Dong Xuanzi’s eyes flashed with a hint of anger at being underestimated.
However...
Thinking carefully about what Gu Jinlai had said, along with the precedent of the Xuan Yang Demon God right before their eyes.
It seemed...
If they were to challenge Gu Jinlai alone, they really weren’t his match!?
After all, unless it was a fight to the death, none of them dared say they could kill the Xuan Yang Demon God.
Even in a fight to the death, the battle results were merely even.
Upon realizing this, the flicker of anger in their eyes quickly subsided.
Weak, just weak.
This person in front of them was a stationed True Immortal.
The Cave Heaven Immortal who had withstood the Devil army the longest.
If they treated him as they had other outsiders in the past...
One careless move, and they wouldn’t even know how they died.
"Since the Ancient True Immortal is so confident, then, why not we two accompany you to the end,"
Si Wuya and Dong Xuanzi stated gravely, as they advanced, quickly deploying their Divine Weapons.
A Divine Sword—Heavenly.
A black and white chess piece—Heavenly Element Chess.
A vast amount of Spirit Mechanism power was drawn by them, infused into the Divine Weapons.
As the Divine Weapons were activated, Si Tianya’s Heavenly Divine Sword and Dong Xuanzi’s Heavenly Element Chess underwent transformations.
The Heavenly Divine Sword was filled with a majestic pressure, a power that dominated, affecting even the operation of the surrounding Great Dao.
This Divine Weapon...
Seemed to incarnate as Heaven itself, enforcing the Heavenly way.
Meanwhile, the Heavenly Element Chess emitted astonishing pulling forces.
These two Divine Weapons, Gu Jinlai knew them well.
Refined by the Aries Star Lord.
This Divine Weapon was like a powerful gravity source.
Once targeted by the Heavenly Element Chess, everyone would be suppressed, unable to move from their spot.
"Good Divine Weapons."
Gu Jinlai commented, his gaze shifting to the three Supreme Void Immortals deploying Divine Weapons, drawing the Spirit Mechanism’s power, "Are you ready?"
"Please enlighten us."
The three said in unison with a grave voice.
"Good, since you sincerely ask for learning, then first, I will teach you the first lesson."
Various colors seemed to emerge in Gu Jinlai’s eyes as he reached out, plunging his hand into those "colors," casually twisting them: "External forces, are always just external forces!"
