Chapter 238: The Barrier of Knowledge and Perception

“So that’s how it is!”

Under the reminder of his own astounding wisdom, Lü Yang suddenly came to a realization, as if he had finally lifted the thin veil that had always shrouded his mind.

【Yin Dragon Water】, Chen Earth is originally Yang!

Now that he thought back again, which four Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches did Chong Guang need for the fruition of 【Overturning Lamp Fire】? And how did they combine?

【Eternal Spring Tree】, Jia Wood of Yang nature.

【Yin Dragon Water】, Chen Earth of Yin nature.

【Fearful Severing】, Yi Wood of Yin nature.

【Rigid Flame Furnace】, Si Fire of Yin nature.

Three Yin and one Yang—how could they ever harmonize? True fruition should be a pairing of Yin and Yang to be complete and flawless! Chong Guang’s path was flawed from the very foundation!

“The key lies in Chen Earth. In 【Yin Dragon Water】, this Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch was supposed to be Yang Earth, but its nature had been twisted into Yin Earth. This was why, even with the guidance of Overturning Lamp Fire, Chong Guang’s path could not harmonize with it, and even triggered rejection!”

Lü Yang figured it out almost instantly.

“Moreover, even the Innate True Person probably fell at this point as well! The fruition he sought was 【Long Flowing Water】, and this fruition likewise required the energy of Chen Earth!”

What was 【Long Flowing Water】?

Heavenly Stems of 【Ren Water】 and 【Gui Water】 combined with the Earthly Branches of 【Chen Earth】 and 【Si Fire】 to achieve fruition. But due to the transformation of Chen Earth into Yin nature—

This fruition was ruined as well!

Besides these, were there other fruitions that required Chen Earth?

At that moment, Lü Yang’s Divine Calculation Instrument at his brow spun rapidly, deducing the heavenly mechanisms, his fingers almost producing sparks: “In addition to these... there are three more fruitions!”

【White Wax Metal】, 【Sand within Earth】, and 【Great Forest Wood】!

Memories of the past surged through Lü Yang’s mind, almost making him cry out, “【Great Forest Wood】... Observing the Golden Elixir Decree! That 【Exalted True Monarch Covering the Sky】!”

A True Monarch of the Primordial Saint Sect!

The infamous disgrace of the Primordial Saint Sect, known by all factions as a pushover. Back then, Lü Yang already felt something was off, and now it turned out to be true after all!

However, his conclusion did not move Chong Guang. Instead, Chong Guang shook his head: “【Exalted True Monarch Covering the Sky】 died in a great catastrophe tens of thousands of years ago, just like the former Daoist Hong Yun. It was said he was betrayed by several True Monarchs of the Primordial Saint Sect... He has not ascended for tens of thousands of years. He must be long dead.”

“However... the True Monarchs likely suspect him as well.”

After all, just being from the Primordial Saint Sect was reason enough for suspicion. That was why, at this moment, so many True Monarchs were silently waiting outside the Blessed Land.

“They are all waiting for me.”

Chong Guang placed his hands behind his back and smiled faintly: “Waiting for me to risk my life once more, to force the enemy to show themselves, and finally expose their true identity.”

Meanwhile, outside the Blessed Land—

“Rumble!”

The qi of all the True Monarchs surged violently. True Monarch Clear Snow Flying in the Sky clenched her silver teeth tightly, her beautiful eyes, like autumn water, revealing a hint of frenzied scarlet:

“Clearly I saw it, perceived it, yet I just couldn’t understand it, couldn’t guess it... What a 【Barrier of Knowledge and Perception】!”

The transformation of Chen Earth’s nature was indeed subtle, but theoretically, a Golden Elixir True Monarch who had lived countless ages could not possibly be unaware of its original attribute before it was changed.

Yet no one had noticed!

This power that could affect the entire world, even deceiving Golden Elixir True Monarchs, was no longer something an ordinary True Monarch could perform.

“Late stage... or even Perfected?”

“To alter 【Chen Earth】 and simultaneously block five fruitions, encompassing Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth—someone seeks to attain Nascent Soul and become a Dao Lord!?”

“Covering the Sky!?”

In an instant, not only the True Monarchs of the four factions on the mainland, but even the distant overseas powers had their overwhelming qi soaring into the sky, scouring heaven and earth, revealing shock and anger.

No one wished to see a new Dao Lord emerge.

For the inland, Jiangdong, Jiangxi, Jiangnan, and Jiangbei—the four major factions balanced each other. The appearance of a new Dao Lord would only break this balance, benefiting no one.

For the overseas powers, it was even worse. The Four Seas Sect already had multiple Golden Elixirs holding power. If another Dao Lord emerged who could not gain a foothold inland, they would most likely come to the seas. That would be akin to having an Emperor looming over their heads—who could tolerate that?

Just as Chong Guang had thought.

The fruition of 【Great Forest Wood】 was simply too conspicuous. Coupled with the fact that the original master of 【Overturning Lamp Fire】, Daoist Hong Yun, was already dead, it was hard not to associate it with him.

“Covering the Sky... is it really him?”

“Even if it is Covering the Sky, he cannot be allowed to live!”

“If the Primordial Saint Sect truly has someone seeking Dao Lordhood... stop him at all costs!”

For a moment, all factions were tangled in their thoughts. Even within the Primordial Saint Sect itself, above the Sky-reaching Sea of Clouds, the expression of True Monarch Clear Snow Flying in the Sky shifted unpredictably.

“Covering the Sky...”

She, too, harbored doubts. From the stance of the Primordial Saint Sect, she undoubtedly had to step forward. Yet, the one who suffered the greatest loss this time was herself.

How could she accept this?

If she had known earlier that Chen Earth had an issue, would she have let Chong Guang pursue 【Overturning Lamp Fire】? Damn it, couldn’t he have given her a hint?

What a beast!

Thinking this, True Monarch Clear Snow Flying in the Sky had already made her decision: even if they were both True Monarchs of the same sect, if someone dared to ruin her Dao path, it would still be a fight to the death!

At this moment, inside the Blessed Land—

Chong Guang had already led Lü Yang to the center of the Blessed Land. Lü Yang glanced around and found that almost all the Foundation Establishment True Persons who had entered the Blessed Land had gathered there.

Ye Guyue and True Person Miaoyin were also among them.

Especially True Person Miaoyin. When she saw Chong Guang but did not see Chong Ming, her delicate face subtly changed, and her beautiful eyes revealed a trace of anger.

“Chong Guang...”

For a moment, everyone’s gaze fell on Chong Guang, who then looked up at the sky and laughed loudly: “I’ve truly kept everyone waiting!”

Boom!

As his words fell, thunderous roars echoed throughout the Blessed Land. The Foundation Establishment True Persons present remained silent, for everyone knew clearly in their hearts—

Chong Guang’s words were not directed at them.

The ones who had truly been waiting were the True Monarchs standing outside the Blessed Land, whose invisible gazes weighed heavier than tangible mountains.

Only Chong Guang remained unfazed.

It was only then that Lü Yang, in hindsight, suddenly recalled something: since 【Yin Dragon Water】 had already been altered in its Yin-Yang nature by a mighty figure,

Why could it still resonate with the Abyssal Sword?

Unless—

‘Chong Guang True Person... had changed it back!?’

Though Lü Yang had no idea what method he had used, there was no doubt that the fact that 【Yin Dragon Water】 could resonate with the Abyssal Sword meant that it had already reverted to Yang Earth!

This was the true meaning of 【Reversal】!

“Rumble!”

In the next moment, Lü Yang looked up at the sky and saw the cloudless heavens, stars shining brightly. Above the Foundation Establishment realm, in the Sea of Bitterness, the light and shadow of 【Overturning Lamp Fire】 appeared once again.

For the second time!

Compared to the last reversal of the rules of the Kingdom of Qing, this appearance of 【Overturning Lamp Fire】 was even more dazzling, even proactively descending a guiding light!

For a moment, Lü Yang was astounded beyond words.

‘With all the True Monarchs watching, if the one who had altered 【Chen Earth】 dared to reveal themselves, the True Monarchs would surely deal with them. What’s more, since Chong Guang had managed to reverse 【Chen Earth】 back, this was undoubtedly something all the True Monarchs would be pleased to see. Not only would they not stop him, they might even help him!’

But was this really the will of the True Monarchs?

Of course not!

The True Monarchs had their own calculations. It was Chong Guang who had taken the most crucial step—reversing 【Chen Earth】—that granted him this second chance!

Chong Guang had been right all along.

From the very beginning, the hidden card he left behind was never Chong Ming. At the final step of seeking gold, the one he relied on from start to finish had always been himself!