Chapter 957: Battle Royale

How could cultivation ever be without risk, you tell me? Once you set foot upon the path of cultivation, you are bound to run into battles, heavenly tribulations, falls from grace, and all the like.

Even reaching the half-immortal realm is no exception; one might still encounter failure while undergoing the tribulation of ascension, or perhaps a loss of control over an embryonic Dao Fruit. The Immortal Fairy attempted to argue in all seriousness that the current state of affairs fell within the realm of normal parameters.

It is likely that the girl, Bai Ri, comprehended some emotion she ought not to have, exceeding her own understanding, and thus caused her embryonic Dao Fruit of Seven Emotions to spiral out of control.

Look at you back in Huangzhou, complaining about your lack of romantic luck. See how wonderful it is now, with so many people enamored with you?

Speaking of which, the man who formed the Harem Golden Core faced a similar predicament right before his death. You might as well consider yourself emulating an ancient half-immortal.

But I never formed a Harem Golden Core! Lu Yang shrieked in absolute despair.

Senior Brother Lu Yang, halt!

Senior Brother, I love you!

Would it not be wonderful if the two of us retired to the countryside, to be together forever?

Lu Yang dared not pause for a single step. If he ran even a fraction too slow, he would be pinned down by a multitude of senior and junior sisters, and his end would undoubtedly be tragic!

Lu Yang transmitted his voice backward, attempting to instigate infighting: I appreciate the sentiments of all the senior and junior sisters, but there is only one of me, and so many of you. Even if you catch me, how will you determine who I belong to?

Then we shall simply have to divide Senior Brother among us!

!

Lu Yang was utterly appalled. How did this method sound so terrifyingly familiar?

Right, Defying Heaven to Change the Name! Lu Yang recalled that he still possessed such a trump card up his sleeve, a thoroughly legitimate and grand divine ability of karma.

He released his divine sense to probe behind him, only to discover that they showed not the slightest sign of slowing down.

Senior Brother Lu Yin, we must be together forever!

Senior Brother, in life you are mine, and in death your ghost is mine!

Fairy, why is it not working? Lu Yin hastily inquired.

Of course it is not working. Defying Heaven to Change the Name can only deceive low-level tribulations like the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation. You are currently locked on by an embryonic Dao Fruit, which is of a far higher order than the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation. You cannot fool it.

Presumably, if you use Defying Heaven to Change the Name once you cultivate to the Tribulation Transmutation Stage, you will be able to deceive the embryonic Dao Fruit of Seven Emotions.

If I were at the Tribulation Transmutation Stage, would I still be chased? It should be me chasing them!

...No, why would I be chasing them.

Seeing that Defying Heaven to Change the Name was of no use, Lu Yin had no choice but to change his name back.

The situation was critical, and Lu Yang could no longer care about the regulation banning flight within the Immortal Palace. He stepped onto the Sword-Washing Pool and took to the air,

Besides, any way one looked at it, this situation surely fell under the "exceptional circumstances" stipulated by the Immortal Palace rules.

Lu Yang was truly a sword cultivator; once he stepped onto the Sword-Washing Pool, his speed increased dramatically, quickly pulling away from the massive crowd behind him, leaving only a blurred silhouette amidst the boundless, heavy snow.

Suddenly, two attacks materialized from the left and right flanks, both being divine abilities meant for binding and restraint. The Sword-Washing Pool possessed a spiritual intelligence of its own, automatically gaining altitude to evade the sweeping strikes.

Another two disciples of the Immortal Palace joined the pursuit of Lu Yang!

This will not do. If this goes on, it is only a matter of time before I am caught. Lu Yang realized that although he flew swiftly, he could not withstand the coordinated pursuit and interception of so many people. An attack could emerge from anywhere, and over time, his energy would deplete. A single lapse in concentration would result in his capture.

Lu Yang urged the Sword-Washing Pool forward with a burst of speed, temporarily shaking off the sight of his pursuers, before leaping off the pool and sinking into the earth.

Tree-Planting Incantation!

Two Lu Yangs emerged from underground, one being the genuine Lu Yang, and the other a wood clone clad in garments of leaves.

His primordial spirit flew out, entering the wood clone, ensuring he would not have to divide his attention to control it.

Lu Yang had the wood clone change into clothes identical to his own, then placed him upon the Sword-Washing Pool, commanding him to fly away posthaste.

Senior Brother Lu Yang is over there!

Chase him!

Hidden beneath the earth, Lu Yang watched his primordial spirit flee in a wretched state, deeply moved.

You absolutely must not be caught.

With no one pursuing him, the pressure upon Lu Yang diminished drastically, and he let out a long, heavy sigh.

Even as he stood still, he could feel his heart pounding violently, thoroughly shaken by the fright.

To the Hall of Sinners... forget it, Senior Chuiyue cannot be relied upon. Seek Palace Master Luo for salvation... the Unity Stage should be unaffected, right? There seemed to be no one of the Unity Stage among those chasing me just now.

Lu Yang dared not gamble on whether those of the Unity Stage were immune. If he were to walk right into a trap, the farce would be grand indeed.

It seems I have reached the guest quarters. Lu Yang looked up toward the surface, only now realizing that he had unconsciously arrived at his lodging.

It might be best to go back and rest first.

Lu Yang emerged from the ground, not daring to utilize his divine sense to scout ahead, for fear of being detected by the disciples of the Immortal Palace.

Lu Yang peered about stealthily, walking close to the walls, utilizing the overhanging eaves above to render himself more inconspicuous.

Just as Lu Yang was about to open the door, the wooden barrier suddenly swung inward, and an icy, delicate jade hand pulled him inside, startling Lu Yang immensely.

Once he discerned the owner of the jade hand, Lu Yang breathed a sigh of relief, patting his chest with lingering trepidation: You scared me to death. So it is Junior Sister Lan.

Are you unhurt, Senior Brother? I saw a great many people pursuing you just now, Lan Ting asked with deep concern.

I am fine. I used a small trick to lead them away.

It is well that Senior Brother is unharmed. A slight smile graced the corner of Lan Ting's lips as she quietly closed the door.

Returning to familiar surroundings, Lu Yang could not help but relax, speaking casually with his back turned to Lan Ting: I suspect Senior Chuiyue's embryonic Dao Fruit has collapsed, causing everyone within the confines of the Immortal Palace to fall in love with me...

Lu Yang abruptly froze as a sudden realization struck him—did Lan Ting not also count as "everyone within the confines of the Immortal Palace"!

Moreover, why was Lan Ting in his room to begin with?

With a swift rustle, Lan Ting cast forth two azure sashes, which lunged like flood dragons, instantly binding Lu Yang tight.

Junior Sister, you... Lu Yang's expression shifted slightly; he had been careless.

Lan Ting extended her slender jade hand, caressing Lu Yang's chest through his garments, before applying a gentle force to push him onto the bed.

She leaned over him, her soft, melodious voice whispering in his ear, sending a ticklish warmth through his senses: Senior Brother, you are mine.

!

With a loud crash, the door was kicked open. Tao Yaoye stood at the threshold clutching a red paper umbrella, declaring in a furious tone: Junior Sister Lan, how dare you steal a march on me!

What of it? First come, first served!

Tao Yaoye wielded her umbrella like a sword, thrusting it toward Lan Ting. Lan Ting produced an axe from nowhere, holding it across her chest to block the red paper umbrella.

The axe was wielded with fluid grace, a testament to frequent practice.

Taking advantage of the clash between the two women, Lu Yang sprang up from the bed. Bound tightly by the sashes, he began to hop outward like a stiffened corpse.

Where do you think you are going, Senior Brother! Lan Ting caught hold of Lu Yang with one hand, pulling him into her embrace, while matching Tao Yaoye with her free hand.

Tao Yaoye unfurled her red paper umbrella, expanding her illusory domain. Lan Ting's eyes grew vacant as she fell into the illusion.

Senior Brother Lu Yang is mine! Tao Yaoye seized the opportunity to snatch Lu Yang away.

Do not even think about it! As it was an hastily constructed illusion, Lan Ting broke through it with ease, manipulating her sashes to yank Lu Yang back.

Lu Yang was shuttled back and forth between the two women like an inanimate object.

The two women were evenly matched, and realizing that whoever held Lu Yang would be at a disadvantage, they had no choice but to temporarily set him aside.

"Junior Brother Lu Yang belongs to me!" A third graceful figure appeared at the doorway, throwing herself into the fray.

"Senior Sister Jinghong?!"