Zhao Yuanshan cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, Daoist Wang."
Now, those at the Dao Foundation level generally refer to each other as "Daoist."
After all, martial arts is also a path of the Dao.
"Brother Zhao, have you come to see me for something?"
Wang Yun asked directly.
"Of course. I know that Daoist Wang has been searching for some powerful Dao Foundation experts. As it happens, I have a friend with extraordinary strength who would like to give it a try."
"Oh?"
Wang Yunâs eyes lit up as her gaze measured Lu Changsheng from head to toe before asking, "How should I address this Daoist friend?"
"Lu Changsheng."
Wang Yunâs eyes narrowed slightly.
"Lu Changsheng... That name does sound a bit familiar..."
Wang Yun pondered carefully.
However, someone else spoke first, laughing as they said, "Could it be the same Lu Changsheng who, during his time in the Divine Storage Realm, suppressed the immortal path experts, took first place on both rankings, and dominated an entire generation of the immortal and martial arts paths?"
"Indeed, that would be me,"
Lu Changsheng nodded slightly.
His name wasnât truly unknown.
On the contrary, Lu Changshengâs reputation was actually quite prominent.
But that was during his time in the Divine Storage Realm.
As for the Dao Foundation level, Lu Changshengâs renown had significantly diminished.
"First place on both rankings, dominating an entire generation of the immortal and martial arts paths..."
"May I ask Daoist Lu, has it been very short since you built your Dao Foundationâperhaps even less than a year?"
Wang Yun inquired.
"More or less,"
Lu Changsheng didnât hide the truth.
There was no way to conceal such a fact, anyway.
Hearing Lu Changshengâs confirmation, a faint trace of disappointment appeared on Wang Yunâs face.
She turned her gaze toward Zhao Yuanshan, sighed deeply, and said, "Brother Zhao, you should already know my situation. Iâm recruiting top-tier Dao Foundation experts to deal with the Mountain Sea Taoist Monarch. Even the most talented individuals havenât yet grown to their full potential..."
Wang Yunâs meaning couldnât have been clearer.
She was evidently not very satisfied with Lu Changsheng.
After all, what significant achievements could one attain in merely a year since building a Dao Foundation?
Zhao Yuanshan smiled faintly and said, "Daoist Wang, since Iâve brought Lu Changsheng here, there is naturally a reason. May I ask if the individuals youâre currently considering are these Daoists over here?"
Zhao Yuanshanâs gaze turned to the other Dao Foundation martial artists within the cave mansion.
There werenât many of them in totalâonly three individuals altogether.
Wang Yun hesitated for a moment, but eventually nodded and said, "I havenât decided who to choose just yet. Ideally, Iâd want all of them, but those three Daoists clearly want to act alone."
Zhao Yuanshan understood.
If the three joined forces, Wang Yun would certainly be willing.
After all, the more powerful allies there were, the greater the chance of slaying the Mountain Sea Taoist Monarch.
But the three of them were unwilling.
They had come specifically for the five drops of Heavenly Demon Essence Blood.
If they teamed up, how many drops of Heavenly Demon Essence Blood would each of them receive in the end?
It wouldnât be worth it!
"These three must be Zhang Changtian, Zhao Qiaoshan, and Ouyang Mo, correct? They are all among the top-tier Dao Foundation experts of our Ancient Domain Heavenly Sect, and their strength is indeed considerable. Slaying the Mountain Sea Taoist Monarch is certainly within the realm of possibility."
"However, I would still ask Daoist Wang to give my friend a chance."
"Lu Changsheng, Iâve only brought you here. Whether you can satisfy Daoist Wang will depend on yourself."
Zhao Yuanshanâs words were clear to Lu Changsheng.
Wang Yunâs gaze also flickered.
She seemed to understand Zhao Yuanshanâs intent.
"Daoist Lu, you..."
Wang Yun hesitated before speaking.
"Daoist Wang, what harm is there in letting me try?"
"Which of the three Daoists is willing to spar with me?"
Lu Changsheng remained calm and spoke lightly.
The three Dao Foundation experts frowned slightly.
From the look of Lu Changsheng, it seemed he was intent on competing with them.
The three exchanged glances.
Finally, Zhang Changtian stepped forward.
"Lu Changsheng, you may spar with me,"
he said.
"If you can defeat me, the other two Daoists will likely withdraw as well. How about it?"
The other two nodded in agreement at Zhang Changtianâs suggestion.
After all, the three of them were on about the same level of strength.
If Lu Changsheng could defeat Zhang Changtian, he was likely stronger than the other two as well.
"Shall we do it here, or elsewhere?"
Lu Changsheng asked.
"No need for a grand display; right here will suffice,"
Zhang Changtian replied.
"After all, itâs just a spar. A measure of strength will be apparent quickly."
Wang Yun interjected.
This wasnât a life-and-death duel.
It was merely to gauge relative strength.
Usually, it became clear as soon as the duel began.
"Very well."
And so, the two took their positions.
"Boom."
Without hesitation, the two descended into their brain domains.
Their brain domains collided violently.
When it came to brain domain confrontations, Lu Changsheng genuinely feared no one.
The more Laws one possessed, the stronger their brain domain would be.
Moreover, the foundational strength of Lu Changshengâs brain domain far surpassed that of most Dao Foundation martial artists.
Now, with three different Laws filling his brain domain, its strength was nothing ordinary.
"Rumble."
The two clashed purely through their brain domains.
Their brain domains collided, and fragments of the brain domains would occasionally collapse.
"Hmm?"
"My brain domain is actually losing ground?"
Zhang Changtianâs expression turned to surprise.
This outcome was something he hadnât anticipated, no matter what.
How long had he been at the Dao Foundation level?
And how long had Lu Changsheng been at this level?
The two couldnât even be compared.
Yet the reality before him was that his brain domain was at a clear disadvantage when clashing with Lu Changshengâs.
Bits of his brain domain were even starting to collapse.
If this kept up, it wouldnât be long before his brain domain completely disintegrated.
"Hmph."
Zhang Changtian let out a cold snort.
He stopped testing and directly unleashed his Laws.
"Boom."
Instantly, three beams of radiance flickered.
Dazzling brilliance filled the brain domain.