Chapter 766
Sure enough, the Zhuxian Formation Diagram seemed to recognize its master, drifting leisurely toward him.
He couldn't help but glance at Zheng Fa, feeling a bit smug.
But Zheng Fa appeared completely unfazed, merely shrugging and extending his right hand, pointing directly at Lu Yao!
The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor's heart jolted, and he turned to look at Lu Yao.
Lu Yao's Buddha manifestation seemed to have spotted a flaw, and he laughed heartily, "Nine Nether Benefactor, are you still trying to struggle in your dying moments?"
As his words fell, countless golden runes flew out from the relic transformed by Zhitong.
These runes swarmed like a flock of birds, soaring over the City of the Wrongly Dead and landing on the Yin Mountain.
The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor sensed the danger; he had momentarily distracted himself in his contest with Zheng Fa over the Zhuxian Formation Diagram, giving Lu Yao the opportunity he needed.
The entire Underworld had transformed into a realm of glazed Buddha land, with seven or eight parts of it now resembling such.
Even the black-and-white mysterious light he used for protection was now suppressed by the golden Buddha light, gathering atop his head in a final act of resistance.
The Book of Life and Death was also tainted by Buddhist charms, as if it too wanted to escape from him.
He was already at a disadvantage, and now he had revealed a flaw.
The situation was rapidly deteriorating!
...
This sudden change left Uncle Pang in the Jiushan Realm a bit flustered:
"If this goes on, won't Lu Yao succeed? Haven't we just helped him immensely?"
The Heavenly Emperor shook his head and replied, "Whether we can stop Lu Yao depends on the true self, and even more so on the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor."
"Huh?"
Uncle Pang was puzzled.
"If the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor refuses to yield, then the true self has no way. But if he can temporarily relinquish control of the Zhuxian Formation Diagram..."
Now Uncle Pang understood.
He nodded, looking hopefully at the grim-faced Nine Nether Demon Ancestor in the light screen.
...
The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor was struggling to resist, anxiety gnawing at him, when suddenly he heard Zheng Fa's voice in his ear:
"I can use the sword formation to lend you a hand, Demon Ancestor."
The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor's heart trembled; he immediately grasped Zheng Fa's intention:
With the Book of Life and Death on the verge of being refined by Lu Yao, he had little chance of turning the tide.
But if he handed over control of the Zhuxian Formation Diagram to Zheng Fa, it would be a different story.
Once the Zhuxian Formation Diagram was activated, it would far surpass an ordinary True Immortal.
With Zheng Fa in charge of the formation and him wielding the Book of Life and Death, it would be much easier to deal with Lu Yao.
But could he really hand over the formation to Zheng Fa?
What if Zheng Fa used the sword formation against him?
The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor hesitated.
Lu Yao's Buddha manifestation radiated an air of inevitability.
He looked at the Book of Life and Death, now mostly tainted by Buddha light, and slowly brought his hands together in prayer.
The relic spun rapidly at his fingertips, the Buddha light intensifying.
The chanting from the West Continent grew louder and more harmonious, sending ripples through the mist.
The illusory mountains and rivers surrounding the Underworld became increasingly vivid and lifelike.
The Buddha light seemed on the verge of breaking through the barrier between the Underworld and the outside world.
The Zhuxian Formation Diagram had now lost much of its power, and the figures of the likes of Ni Chang Yuan Jun and Xuan Ding Zhen Xian began to materialize from the air.
These individuals were still searching for a way in the Underworld, and upon entering this realm, they looked around in confusion.
When they spotted Lu Yao, Xuan Ding Zhen Xian's expression immediately soured.
"Lu Yao!"
He called out in a low voice, and when he looked at the Book of Life and Death again, his face darkened further.
"What is Lu Yao doing?"
Ni Chang Yuan Jun quickly approached the two from the Taishang Dao, asking.
Li San Xian naturally didn't understand, but Xuan Ding Zhen Xian seemed to have caught on: "Proving the Dao."
"Proving the Dao?"
Ni Chang Yuan Jun was taken aback, whispering, "How can it be so fast? Wasn't it said that the transformation method of the Thunder Sound Temple is very difficult to cultivate?"
Xuan Ding Zhen Xian sighed softly, gazing at the Book of Life and Death, and said quietly, "This treasure and the transformation method are indeed a match made in heaven."
Ni Chang Yuan Jun's expression grew increasingly grim. She was already familiar with Xuan Ding and knew that he never lied, and that he only spoke so much when in a life-and-death crisis.
She understood.
Lu Yao proving the Dao was certainly not good news for the Taishang Dao and Yaochi.
It almost represented a significant defeat in the struggle between the Buddhist and Daoist paths.
And for Yaochi, the situation was even more troublesome.
Yaochi was already on the verge of collapse under the pressure from the Thunder Sound Temple. If Lu Yao became a Golden Immortal, or even a Taiyi...
Then Yaochi would have no place to stand in the West Continent!
"Why don't we..."
Ni Chang Yuan Jun suggested again.
She knew Xuan Ding would understand her meaning:
Simply fight to the death, helping the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor to stop Lu Yao from proving the Dao.
Xuan Ding Zhen Xian remained silent for a long time before shaking his head: "Between two evils, choose the lesser."
Upon hearing this, Ni Chang Yuan Jun looked at the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor and slowly nodded after a long pause.
...
Lu Yao seemed to have heard their conversation, his smile deepening as he said, "What Benefactor Xuan Ding said is exactly right; our disputes are but trifles."
"If the Nine Nether Benefactor proves to be a Golden Immortal, then the Xuanwei Immortal Gate will surely face endless turmoil."
"Even you all may find yourselves trapped in this Underworld for all eternity."
Xuan Ding and the others fell silent at Lu Yao's words, their expressions a mix of reluctance and agreement, seemingly unwilling to take action.
With this concern lifted, Lu Yao's Buddha light grew even more unrestrained, illuminating the Yin Mountain and brightening the City of the Wrongly Dead.
His aura surged higher and higher.
Everyone knew that once Lu Yao proved to be a Golden Immortal, the Underworld would fall into his hands.
And the situation in the Heavenly River War, no, even the Xuanwei situation, would undergo a tremendous change!
"Da Luo..."
Xuan Ding murmured as he looked at Lu Yao.
These two words stirred a complex mix of longing and turmoil on Ni Chang Yuan Jun's face.
Even someone as cunning as Lu Yao revealed excitement and impatience.
"What a clever choice between two evils!" The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor sneered, "As if I wouldn't know how to do that?"
His words were abrupt, leaving Xuan Ding and the others puzzled, and even Lu Yao's gaze held a hint of confusion.
"Take it!"
The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor shouted, disregarding everyone else.
The Zhuxian Formation Diagram soared through the air, plunging into the thick mist that obscured vision.
Lu Yao's expression shifted slightly, but he didn't understand what the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor was doing; he could only fixate on the spot where the formation diagram vanished.
A hand emerged from the mist, grasping the scroll of the Zhuxian Formation Diagram.
Lu Yao sensed the danger and pushed his palms forward in a prayer gesture, aiming at this mysterious figure.
But he was still a moment too late!
"Lu Zhen Xian, since you've come to the Heavenly River Sect, why not appreciate the Zhuxian Four Swords?" Zheng Fa, hidden from view, said, "Zhuxian Sword Formation, activate!"
"How dare you!"
Lu Yao shouted in anger.
But the space around the Underworld underwent a dramatic transformation!
Mountain shadows shattered, and the water's light dimmed.
Everyone felt as if they had fallen into a bottomless pit, surrounded by darkness with no light in sight.
Master Yan and the others, like puppets on strings, wielded their immortal swords, their forms flickering uncertainly as they flew toward the crowd.
Zheng Fa's figure was blurred, his face shrouded in gray, yet the sword in his hand radiated unmatched brilliance.
He raised the sword.
Master Yan and the other three involuntarily followed his lead, swinging the remaining three swords.
The Zhuxian Four Swords, through the formation, had already fused into one.
The glazed Buddha land beneath them shattered into dust.
Countless Buddhist treasures on Yin Mountain dimmed.
The Buddha light that had just illuminated the entire Underworld now seemed insignificant under the sword's radiance.
As the sword formation began to take shape, the Underworld had already transformed dramatically.
Zheng Fa focused his mind, wielding the sword, and slowly swung it toward Lu Yao, coldly declaring, "This sword is the return of the souls of the Heavenly River, a gift for you, Lu Zhen Xian!"
Lu Yao's eyes turned icy; seeing the sword approaching, he stepped back, seemingly trying to evade its edge.
But behind him, Master Yan wielded the Zhuxian Sword and the other three swords, also attacking him simultaneously.
The Zhuxian Four Swords possessed spatial powers.
Above and below him, in all directions, the void was sealed off by the four swords, impenetrable.
With no way to escape, Lu Yao no longer retreated; instead, he rose up, his form shifting as thousands of arms sprouted from his back.
These arms either formed fists, made hand seals, or wielded wisdom swords, flower baskets, and golden bowls—various Buddhist artifacts.
With his thousand hands, he became a one-man army, fierce and unmatched, unleashing countless divine powers toward the Zhuxian Four Swords!
One was the sword formation of the Heavenly River's revered one.
The other was a True Immortal of the Three Calamities Rebirth.
When they clashed, it was utterly silent; only the light of swords and Buddha radiated, the space shattering like paper, yet not a sound was heard.
Even Ni Chang Yuan Jun felt a bit dazed, thinking she might have gone deaf, and turned to look at Xuan Ding.
Xuan Ding remained silent for a moment before speaking, "Great sound is often silent..."
His tone was filled with awe, his gaze still fixed on Lu Yao.
As the light faded, Zheng Fa's figure had vanished.
Yet Lu Yao's Buddha manifestation still stood firm on the ground.
"He can't even... not even the Zhuxian Sword Formation can do anything to him?"
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