Chapter 362 : First Encounter with the Dao Court

Chapter 362: First Encounter with the Dao Court

Several days later, in the Southern Frontier.

Lü Yang transformed into a streak of sword light, speeding along the way, but abruptly came to a halt upon entering the Southern Frontier. He withdrew his sword light and stood amidst the clouds, gazing into the distance.

The next second, a jade slip appeared in his hand.

This jade slip had been bestowed by Daoist Dangmo. Aside from detailed intelligence about the real persons of the Myriad Poisons Sect, it also contained another piece of information that he highly valued:

“Just as I’ve worn out iron shoes searching for it, I find it without any effort!”

Unexpectedly, the Myriad Poisons Sect in the Southern Frontier also held clues about 【Xin Metal】!

“There is a sacred pool within the Myriad Poisons Sect that gathers moonlight and transforms it into 【Emperor’s Nectar】. If one collects a full bottle and refines it, it can serve as 【Xin Metal】.”

Simply unbelievable!

“The pool is named 【Moon-Worshipping】, cultivated in secret by the Myriad Poisons Sect for many years. It only succeeded slightly over a decade ago and is located on an excellent feng shui site!”

At this, Lü Yang’s eyes suddenly lit up.

“This Myriad Poisons Sect… has already paved its path to death!”

Such a treasured feng shui site should be reserved for the virtuous. And throughout the land, he, as an Immortal Spirit, the Heavens’ favored child, was naturally the most deserving!

Previously, he had no high hopes for acquiring metal in sixty years precisely because Immortal Spirits require extremely long periods of nurturing. Especially the final step, which demanded a slow and meticulous approach with virtually no shortcuts. However, if supported by a feng shui treasure site, the nurturing efficiency would be significantly boosted!

“That said… I must still plan carefully.”

After all, the Southern Frontier was entirely different from the Northern Frontier.

The Myriad Poisons Sect was far more cunning than the Divine Martial Sect. The Divine Martial Sect had been fooled by the Sword Pavilion, blindly believing its promises and foolishly establishing their sect in the Northern Frontier.

But the Myriad Poisons Sect did not trust the Primordial Saint Sect.

Therefore, besides covertly aligning with the Saint Sect, they had also sought another backer in private. As a result, the Myriad Poisons Sect developed far better than the Divine Martial Sect.

That other backer was none other than the Dao Court!

“Boom rumble rumble!”

As Lü Yang pondered, black clouds surged in the distant sky. The previously vast white clouds turned dark in an instant, pressing down like a city’s doom, enveloping the heavens.

Amidst the dense black clouds appeared an imposing military formation. Within the camps stood dense arrays of weapons and soldiers, each performing their duties, their auras interconnected to seal the sky and lock the land, forming a fortress-like barrier that blocked Lü Yang’s path to the Southern Frontier. A large banner fluttered amidst the formation, bearing two bold characters:

【Suppress South】

Beneath the banner, a dragon horse trotted proudly. Atop it sat a valiant man, dragging a long spear behind him, leaving behind a trail of blazing flame.

He stood there in the clouds, laughing loudly, “May I ask which real person from the Sword Pavilion stands before me?”

【King of the South Suppression】 Wu Tai'an.

The jade slip had already detailed the Dao Court’s deployments in the Southern Frontier. This 【King of the South Suppression】 was no ordinary figure—he was a direct descendant of Tian Wu.

In the Dao Court, bloodlines wielded real power.

Perhaps many Dao Court officials held illusory ranks, with actual strength inferior to cultivators of the same realm—but the royal bloodline was a different matter.

Generations of Dao Court royals cultivated independently, with official ranks being mere decorations.

For instance, this King of the South Suppression, though a Dao Court prince with a peak Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation, even without his title, possessed late-stage Foundation Establishment strength!

“In a way, he’s quite similar to Suo Huan back then.”

That being said, Lü Yang harbored little fear. After all, this was still Jiangnan; unless the Dao Court had gone mad, they wouldn't dare assassinate him here.

“I am Ming He, heading to the Southern Frontier on my master’s orders.”

Lü Yang stood in the clouds and cupped his hands. “Might I ask why the King of the South Suppression is here? Are you colluding with the Myriad Poisons Sect to bar my way?”

‘As expected of a Sword Pavilion lunatic!’

Though the King of the South Suppression cursed inwardly, he maintained a smiling face. “Young friend misunderstands. I am stationed here solely to guard against the demonic sects of the Southern Frontier.”

—A blatant lie.

In truth, the entire Dao Court tacitly acknowledged this. Whether stationed to watch or secretly soliciting the Myriad Poisons Sect, it was all to guard against the Sword Pavilion.

After all, everyone knew what the Sword Pavilion was like.

Without precautions, they might one day slaughter their way into Jiangdong under the banner of “universal salvation”!

While the two conversed—

Far in the sky, on a distant mountaintop, two other Foundation Establishment cultivators silently watched Lü Yang.

Their appearances were rather bizarre.

One of them, at first glance, looked quite handsome, yet as his lips parted, there was no tongue or teeth to be seen—only a vicious-looking gu worm squirming inside.

Beside him, the other cultivator was even stranger. His face was smooth, lacking any facial features. No eyes, ears, nose, or mouth. Instead, in his palm rested a human-faced gu worm, fused into his flesh. All speech and spells came from this gu in his hand.

Judging by appearances alone, it was obvious they were both real persons of the Myriad Poisons Sect.

One was called 【Huigu】, the other 【Dragon Centipede】.

“That one—is he Yan Xiao?”

The Dragon Centipede Real Person spoke first. “According to our Sword Pavilion spies, though this one has just reached Foundation Establishment, he is a sword cultivator with extraordinary strength.”

“Do you think the King of the South Suppression can stop him?”

Real Person Huigu shook his head. “The Dao Court won’t go against the Sword Pavilion. Unless the Holy Sect is ready to abandon the Southern Frontier, the Dao Court will never intervene.”

“Then what do we do?”

Real Person Dragon Centipede frowned. “The 【Moon-Worshipping Sacred Pool】 was painstakingly formed. The refinement of the 【Ten Thousand Calamities Gu】 is at its final stage—we can’t give it up now.”

Upon hearing this, the gu in Huigu’s hand shrieked. His tone turned vicious: “Hesitation leads to chaos. He’s only just built his foundation. If we join hands to capture him—no need to kill, just detain him for a year or so—that’ll be enough.”

“Well said!”

Dragon Centipede nodded and smiled. “You and I are both mid-Foundation Establishment. Dealing with a newcomer should be no trouble.”

Meanwhile, in the far sky, the King of the South Suppression had already stepped aside.

“Young friend, since you are headed to the Southern Frontier, I shall not hinder you. But beware—those are treacherous lands, full of demonic ways. Stay cautious.”

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.”

Lü Yang cupped his hands and watched the military formation withdraw.

“This prince… has ill intentions! Making such a show merely exposed my whereabouts, making it difficult for me to sneak in now.”

Still, it was no major issue.

He had never intended to sneak in, to begin with.

After all, he was now a late-stage Foundation Establishment sword cultivator. As long as a peak Foundation cultivator or a True Person didn’t appear, he feared nothing!

“Besides, this is just a clone—what’s there to fear?”

“Might as well test my sword’s edge!”

In the next second, Lü Yang rose with his sword light and boldly charged into the Southern Frontier. Seeing this, Dragon Centipede and Huigu turned pale.

“How daring!”

The two had expected Lü Yang to sneak in, planning to tail him, lure him deep, then trap and capture him in seclusion. Never had they imagined Lü Yang would brazenly soar into the Southern Frontier, utterly unafraid of exposure!