Chapter 625: Senior Brother Dai, We Are Looking for You to Report Some Situations

Lu Yang felt that the Immortal Fairy made a great deal of sense, yet upon closer reflection, something felt distinctly amiss.

The Immortal Fairy continued her exposition on the mechanics of the Invincible Soul: "The Invincible Soul is a fragment of your very self; it possesses every technique you know, and is ignorant of any you have not mastered."

"The Invincible Soul is devoid of contemplation; it merely acts upon the purest instinct to command the optimal recourse."

"The variance between you and it lies within the absolute precision of timing, the flawless deployment of forms, and the exact measure of force—facets in which you, by contrast, fall noticeably short."

"In alternative terms, the Invincible Soul represents the absolute zenith of your form."

"To vanquish the Invincible Soul, you must shatter your limits and surpass your own Nascent Soul in every conceivable metric!"

"...Fairy, let us table that discourse for a moment. Could you perchance compel the Nascent Soul to cease its assault upon me?"

Lu Yang was currently enduring a physical battery by his own Nascent Soul while simultaneously absorbing the Immortal Fairy's lecture; he was truly at the tether of his endurance!

"Exert your imagination, and merely reconnect that severed thread from moments ago."

Helpless, Lu Yang could only shut his eyes amidst the blows, envisioning the thread splicing anew to forge a link with the Invincible Soul; only then did the entity stay its hand and sink into torpor.

Lu Yang regarded his own Nascent Soul, his heart still fluttering with residual dread. Had this not transpired within the realm of his spiritual consciousness, he would undoubtedly have been beaten black and blue, left grievously broken.

"So, while others of the Nascent Soul stage can command their spirits in battle, must I fight entirely alone until I can overcome this Invincible Soul?"

"One cannot frame it so crudely. Tell me, what is the accepted definition of a Nascent Soul?"

Lu Yang pondered before answering: "An entity birthed within the elixir field, resembling an infant, forged from the dual breaths of clarity and turbidness, possessing formidable might and the capacity to seize the vessels of others."

"Immortals possess boundless longevity, yet this celestial maiden is but a mere sixteen years of age, scarcely different from an infant, and my soul too is composed of those selfsame dual breaths. My strength requires no elaboration—it matches that of the girl Yun—and I, too, can possess your frame."

"By that very definition, when this celestial maiden resides within your elixir field, I am your Nascent Soul."

"In alternative terms, you possess dual Nascent Souls."

"Should this celestial maiden find herself in a pleasant humor, I might well take the field on your behalf."

Lu Yang: "..."

Fairy, I offer my profound gratitude for your benevolence, but it would be far better if your venerable self remained peacefully reclined within my spiritual space without inciting further chaos.

"So this Invincible Soul is presently devoid of any utility whatsoever?"

"Not entirely. You may be unable to defeat it, but it remains one with your essence; should you perish, it ceases to be. If you were to encounter an adversary far beyond your strength..."

Lu Yang felt a sudden surge of joy: "The Invincible Soul will intervene to resolve the threat?"

"It will sever itself from your mortal coil and flee with utmost haste."

"..."

Lu Yang massaged his temples in profound agony, only to remember this was a spiritual avatar, rendering the gesture utterly futile.

Meng Jingzhou, observing Lu Yang deeply immersed in studying the transformations of the Nascent Soul stage, felt an intense pang of envy, his eyes burning with longing.

The Ancestral Phoenix had been discovered by Lu Yang, the glory had been claimed by Lu Yang, and the Nascent Soul had been formed by Lu Yang; it seemed he had merely served as a spectator throughout their entire sojourn in the Demon Realm!

Lu Yang opened his eyes, noting Meng Jingzhou's indignant expression, and instantly divined his companion's thoughts, offering kindly consolation: "Look upon the bright side. Now that I have ascended to the Nascent Soul stage, the mantle of the strongest Golden Core cultivator falls squarely upon your shoulders. Does that knowledge not soothe your spirit?"

Meng Jingzhou nodded subconsciously, then violently snapped awake to the deception.

"Away with you! Even when you were of the Golden Core stage, I could best you in combat!"

Lu Yang shook his head: "I remain unconvinced. Unless we engage in a bout this very instant, and should you emerge victorious, only then shall I acknowledge you as the strongest Golden Core."

"Have you no shame?"

Amidst their bickering, they finally arrived at the borders of Great Xia.

To cross into Great Xia, one was required to verify their identity and undergo customs inspections to prevent the importation of illicit items; for instance, during the founding era of Great Xia when regulations were lax, a certain cultivator had clandestinely siphoned a vast quantity of seawater from the Eastern Sea.

Thus, Jiang Lianyi decisively chose to breach the border covertly.

Her identity was far too volatile; should it be exposed at the frontier, she could easily foresee the chaotic spectacle that would ensue, likely denying peace to the entire city as multitudes gathered to gawk at her like some rare beast, an prospect she found thoroughly distasteful.

Furthermore, her status was that of one of the Four Sovereigns of the Heavenly Court; traveling openly with the members of the Daoist Sect would inevitably expose their identities as well.

Having crossed illegally, Jiang Lianyi accelerated past all limits, arriving smoothly at the Daoist Sect.

"A respectable domain,"

Jiang Lianyi remarked in appraisal. The Daoist Sect possessed vast territories, safeguarded by a sect-protecting array capable of weathering Tribulation Transcendence, and the spiritual energy was exceptionally dense, appearing comparable to the might of the Phoenix Clan.

With five elders acting as guarantors, the River Spirit permitted Jiang Lianyi entry without examining her identity.

Upon stepping into the sect proper, Jiang Lianyi felt a genuine sense of astonishment.

Geniuses clustered like clouds, far surpassing anything the Phoenix Clan could muster.

In antiquity, societies were tribal structures bound by blood relations, a truth that held for both humans and demons alike; sects were products born after the eclipse of the ancient era, and Jiang Lianyi had never witnessed such an institution.

When Lu Yang had previously introduced the concept, she had paid it little heed, but seeing it now, she realized she had vastly underestimated the reality of a sect.

The reason the demon race revered pure lineages was, in the final analysis, because purity equated to might; every tribe exhausted its resources to nurture pure-blooded demons, unlocking the latent potential within their veins.

Yet here in the sect, their focus lay not upon lineage, but upon talent, instructing each according to their capacity, each excelling in their own domain—a methodology demonstrably far more advanced than that of the demons.

"Little Dai is likely still awaiting our return with intelligence regarding the establishment of the Demon Empire. Little Lu, Little Meng, you two possess a more intimate understanding of the affairs within the Demon Empire; go and brief Little Dai."

Upon entering the sect, the five elders eagerly departed to seek out the remaining three elders, intent on boasting of their experiences in the Demon Realm.

Those who had declined to join this venture had truly missed a grand fortune.

By the time Lu Yang collected his thoughts, only he, Third Senior Sister, Meng Jingzhou, and Jiang Lianyi remained.

"Third Senior Sister, would you escort Senior Lianyi to Heavenly Gate Peak for some rest?"

"Very well."

Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou entered the Mission Hall, following a well-worn path to Senior Brother Dai's office.

The two frequently made extraordinary contributions to the cause of righteousness, earning Dai Bufan's highest praise for their moral character, which granted them the privilege of bypassing formal announcements to seek him out directly.

*Thud, thud, thud.* Lu Yang knocked politely upon the door.

"Enter," came Dai Bufan's voice from within.

Dai Bufan was in a pleasant mood; recently, the activities of the demonic path had waned, easing his burdens considerably as he sat in his chair, humming a light tune.

Then he beheld the entrance of Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou.

"Ah, it is the two of you. We have not met in over half a year. I heard Junior Sister Gantian invited you both to the Demon Realm. Calculating the days, it must have coincided precisely with the founding ceremony of the Demon Empire. Did you return immediately after witnessing the celebration? Your speed is commendable."

He was currently awaiting reports from the Grand Elder regarding the Demon Realm; he had not expected that before the Grand Elder arrived, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou would appear first. He assumed his master and the others were indulging in indolence, delegating the briefing to these two youths.

"Indeed. We accompanied Third Senior Sister and absorbed many lessons within the Demon Realm, securing a few gains. The Grand Elder remarked just now that we should apprise you of the occurrences there."

Dai Bufan chuckled softly, giving the matter little weight as he asked casually: "Speak then, what did you witness in the Demon Realm? Did you behold the legendary Ancient Emperor Jiang, the Sovereign of Zhu Tian?"

"We did."

"And how was it? Did he not appear magnificent and awe-inspiring?"

Lu Yang recounted the events with absolute honesty: "It transpires thus: I awakened the Ancient Ancestor of the Phoenix Clan, Jiang Lianyi, and inducted her into the Heavenly Court Sect. Senior Lianyi and I attended the founding ceremony, where Senior Lianyi incidentally delivered a lesson to Senior Zhu Tian, resulting in a battle of Half-Immortals, wherein six Demon Emperors of the Tribulation Transcendence stage also joined the fray."

Upon hearing this, Dai Bufan silently rose from his seat, stepped aside, and extended an open hand in a gesture of invitation:

"Come, Junior Brother Lu. Henceforth, you shall be the Master of the Mission Hall."