Volume Two: The Appearance of the Nine Provinces Map, Entering the Spirit Void Sect Chapter 140: True Immortal Void-Sun

Liu Yueer did not dare to delay in the slightest. Knowing that time was of the essence, she cast her spells and arranged her formations as quickly as possible. Though terrified, Xiao Xiang knew this was their final opportunity, and thus channeled all his madness and fury into striking down the ghostly entities.

Chen Yu continuously exerted the Blossoming in a Flash technique to shelter the three of them. His Dao-soldier bean puppets were decimated one by one under the onslaught of the specters. Yet at the same time, Chen Yu was gripped by deep perplexity. Why had the True Person Xuyang still not appeared by now? Was he truly unafraid that they might actually break this horde of ghosts, or even shatter the Reverse Yin Inversion Formation? Or was he utterly confident, believing that Chen Yu and the others could never possibly succeed?

However, Chen Yu also considered another possibility: could it be that True Person Xuyang was simply unable to attend to them? Was he hindered by something else, rendering him unable to spare his focus?

The more he pondered, the more plausible this possibility seemed. It might even prove to be their golden opportunity. Driven by this thought, Chen Yu persisted. Great wealth is sought through perilous risks, and having paid such a heavy price, they deserved to reap some return.

Time ticked away second by second. This was a game of tug-of-war between Chen Yu's group and True Person Xuyang, a contest to see who could hold out until the very end.

Seemingly sensing the threat posed by Chen Yu and his companions, the Reverse Yin Inversion Formation began to operate with increasing ferocity, nearly overwhelming Chen Yu's Blossoming in a Flash technique.

Right at that crucial juncture, Liu Yueer finally delivered some good news: "The Flood Dragon-Trapping Cage Formation is fully set up. It is time to counterattack."

With a wave of Liu Yueer's hand, a flurry of talisman papers fluttered into the air, instantly transforming into a giant fish cage. The cage rapidly expanded, enveloping the entire Crescent Peak in the blink of an eye.

From the shadows, True Person Xuyang let out a furious roar, his anger harboring a faint trace of urgency and tension as he shouted: "Impudent fools... Go and die..."

Liu Yueer's face instantly turned as pale as paper. She felt as though she had plunged into an icy cellar, her body stiffened by the chilling intent of that murderous aura. Even the Flood Dragon-Trapping Cage Formation grew unstable, on the verge of collapse.

Having kept a constant vigil, Chen Yu struck forth with his sword once more: "Blossoming in a Flash, Five Elements Blazing Fire Sword, slash!"

A sword strike as scorching as fire cut through the air, and a sound akin to burning filled the space. True Person Xuyang let out a muffled groan, and the binding chill weighing upon Liu Yueer instantly dissipated.

A bright light flashed in her eyes, and she immediately accelerated her spellcasting. The next moment, lightning and fire spread across the entire Crescent Peak, manifesting as six gigantic lightning-fire serpents and dragons that lunged toward the specters swarming the peak.

Hissing sounds filled the air... Wherever the lightning and fire reached, the ghostly entities shrieked in agony under the searing heat, their already translucent figures turning even more ethereal and faint.

The lightning-fire serpents and dragons rampaged across Crescent Peak. Desperate to escape, the specters scrambled to flee back into the depths of the mountain, completely ignoring even the commands of True Person Xuyang.

"Scoundrels! How dare you destroy my life's work? Die... I will not let any of you live..." True Person Xuyang could no longer maintain his previous composure, hurling furious curses at the three of them.

"Die? I would like to see how you intend to kill me." Consumed by a surge of killing intent, Chen Yu charged directly toward the depths of Crescent Peak.

Watching Chen Yu vanish into the distance, Liu Yueer and Xiao Xiang finally snapped back to their senses. Could he have discovered the whereabouts of True Person Xuyang?

After a brief hesitation, unable to resist the temptation of the Crescent Purple Lotus, they quickly followed. When they caught up to Chen Yu, they saw him wielding his Dharma sword and cleaving open a cliff face with a single blow, instantly rushing inside.

"There is a hidden realm within? The Crescent Purple Lotus and True Person Xuyang must be inside." Without further hesitation, the two quickly followed suit.

Soon, after penetrating deep into the heart of the mountain, the three of them beheld a gaunt, skeletal figure sitting cross-legged before a stone platform. Resting directly in front of him was the Crescent Purple Lotus.

"True Person Xuyang?"

Although the treasure lay right before their eyes, none of the three dared to make a rash move. Even though True Person Xuyang's condition appeared exceedingly wretched, he was, after all, a cultivator at the Yin-Yang realm.

"Heh... True Person Xuyang? You truly live up to your name. You really are hollowed out," Xiao Xiang mocked, stepping closer and closer to the Crescent Purple Lotus.

"Hmph... I truly never imagined that you would manage to find your way here. I really underestimated you," True Person Xuyang said with a cold, composed laugh. "No, what I underestimated was you. Chen Yu, is it? This True Person will grant you a chance: bow to me as your master, and half of this Crescent Purple Lotus shall be yours."

Unmoved by the offer, Chen Yu fixed his gaze on True Person Xuyang, trying to discern whether the old man was merely putting on a bold front.

Seeing that Chen Yu remained silent, True Person Xuyang shook his head helplessly and said, "It seems you are unwilling. In that case, you cannot blame me for what follows."

With a cold expression, True Person Xuyang declared, "Do not assume that because you found this place, you can control everything here. On the contrary, this is the most dangerous place of all—and it shall be your graveyard."

"Are you even capable of moving in that state? You old bastard, let me see how much strength you have left," Xiao Xiang roared angrily, thrusting his sword directly toward True Person Xuyang.

"Overestimating your own capabilities." True Person Xuyang frowned deeply, his face darkening as if he utterly loathed having to resort to violence.

With a flick of his sleeve, three longswords resting beside him shot forth instantly, piercing rapidly toward Xiao Xiang.

Xiao Xiang swung his sword swiftly, parrying the blades one by one, though the impact forced him to retreat.

Clearly unwilling to let Xiao Xiang off, True Person Xuyang intended to strike him down on the spot. Realizing the danger, Chen Yu and Liu Yueer cast aside any concerns about probing True Person Xuyang's true condition and rushed forward to reinforce him.

Yet True Person Xuyang proved himself a true master of the Yin-Yang realm; controlling merely three swords was more than enough to fend off the combined assaults of all three cultivators.

"He is on the verge of breaking through to the Heaven-Man realm!" Liu Yueer said in shock. "I understand now. He is not merely using the vital Qi of cultivators and moon wolves to nurture the Crescent Purple Lotus; he is using their resentment to forge a demonic body and refine an evil soul. Such a method defies the laws of heaven and earth—are you not afraid of facing retribution?"

"Haha... Liu Yueer, you certainly know a great deal," True Person Xuyang replied, no longer bothering to conceal the truth. "So what if I am? My lifespan is nearing its end. If I fail to break through now, I shall merely turn into a pile of white bones. Why should I care about anything else?"

"I might as well tell you: to forge this Reverse Yin Inversion, I slaughtered three hundred people, using their hearts' blood and white bones to construct this formation. Now, by absorbing your vital energy and resentment, I shall shatter the barrier of the Heaven-Man realm. Haha..." True Person Xuyang laughed like a madman, his demeanor completely unhinged. "So then, why don't the three of you pave the final stretch of the road for my Great Dao?"

Hearing this, the three of them felt a chill run down their spines. Never had they imagined that True Person Xuyang would turn out to be such a raving lunatic. At that moment, True Person Xuyang unleashed his full power. While continuing to control the three swords to attack Chen Yu and his companions, he swept his hand through the air once more, summoning a swarm of ghostly entities that surged forth from before him to pounce on the three intruders.

"How can this be? Weren't the ghosts all destroyed? Why are there still more?" Xiao Xiang cried out in terror.

"Destroyed? Heh... Do you really think you can ever destroy them all?"