Harmonious

Watching Yaoguang busy at work within the Heavenly Capital Dragon-Slashing Formation, Wu Changfeng, Qi Sha, Ling Ruogu, and Chi Yu all wore rather peculiar expressions. Yet deep within their eyes lingered an astonishment they could not conceal. Wan Liugui, Li Hanqiu's master, could not help turning to him. "You're not going to tell me that Sect Master Yaoguang is skilled in formations too, are you?" "Formations..." Li Hanqiu recalled how Yaoguang had repeatedly modified array after array back in the Cangwu Great World. This... It seemed very likely indeed. "Now that you mention it, I remember—Sect Master Yaoguang definitely knows formation craft!" Wu Changfeng suddenly spoke up at that moment. He looked up at the Heavenly Capital Dragon-Slashing Formation in the sky. "I once told Sect Master Yaoguang about the flaws in the Heavenly Capital Dragon-Slashing Formation, and warned him that traitors might collaborate from within and prevent the formation from activating smoothly. When the Eight Desolations and Dark Demon Lords led their forces to attack and the formation failed to activate immediately, I thought the sect master hadn't believed me... But seeing how swiftly it was brought online afterward, I realized he not only took my advice to heart, he even set about modifying the formation!" "Modified it?!" Ling Ruogu, Chi Yu, and Qi Sha looked at him in shock. "He modified the Heavenly Capital Dragon-Slashing Formation?!" "Yes! He modified the Heavenly Capital Dragon-Slashing Formation! I distinctly remember that when the formation was in Sect Master Song Youque's hands, it never possessed such terrifying might!" Uncontainable admiration filled Wu Changfeng's eyes. "To be able to modify the Heavenly Capital Dragon-Slashing Formation... Sect Master Yaoguang's mastery of formations must make him a top-tier formation grandmaster." "A top-tier formation grandmaster?" Li Hanqiu knew that in this world, 'formation grandmaster' was an honorific reserved for formation masters capable of laying arrays that boosted Void Cavern, Void Refining, and Void Shattering cultivators—carrying vastly more weight than a grandmaster in the Cangwu Great World. In Yaoguang's own terms, a top-tier formation grandmaster was roughly equivalent to... "A level-twelve formation master?" Compared with Yaoguang being a century-old Artifact Saint, invincible in the Void Refining realm, and having slain two Void Shattering experts with the aid of a formation... Such a level felt somewhat underwhelming. Wu Changfeng, standing nearby, was left somewhat speechless. A top-tier formation grandmaster was a coveted figure even among factions of the Ten Immortal Sects caliber, enjoying treatment that far surpassed ordinary Void Cavern elders. After all, the arrays they laid could enhance even supreme elders of the Void Shattering realm. While they could not match level-thirteen formations, which, when manned by a Void Refining cultivator, could trap and kill a Void Shattering expert, if a Void Shattering expert took charge of the array, any fellow Void Shattering cultivator who dared trespass would surely face certain death nine times out of ten. Yet in the eyes of these people... Someone capable of setting up such a lethal array was treated like no big deal? They had really gotten ahead of themselves. Nearly half a month later. Only after Yaoguang completed key modifications to ensure the Heavenly Capital Dragon-Slashing Formation had the power to trap and kill all three Heavenly Dao Sect supreme elders waiting outside did he finally take a break from his labor. "All right. Next, let us go meet our Heavenly Dao Sect supreme elders. We can't keep them waiting too long, after all," Yaoguang said. With that, the group reopened the Heavenly Capital Dragon-Slashing Formation, which had been sealed shut for over a month. ... The perimeter outside Nandu was bustling with unprecedented activity. Void Cavern and Void Refining cultivators stood beyond the city walls, craning their necks in anticipation. Among them were cultivators from the Heavenly Dao Sect and neighboring sects, and even the Xianwu Sect, the Great Shang Celestial Dynasty, and the True Dragon Celestial Dynasty had dispatched representatives. At a glance, there were over a hundred Void Cavern and Void Refining cultivators combined. As for Golden Core cultivators—those who had not even reached the Void Cavern realm and had come representing nearby factions to offer "reinforcements"—there were even more. Upon learning that Yaoguang had weathered this catastrophe, using the Heavenly Capital Dragon-Slashing Formation to trap and slaughter two Void Shattering and six Void Refining demon cultivators, all the factions that had previously watched from the sidelines had stepped forward to make their stance known, taking this opportunity to convey their goodwill toward the Lord of the Southern Domain. "Two Void Shattering and five Void Refining experts! To think they were completely swallowed up by this Heavenly Capital Dragon-Slashing Formation—it is truly unbelievable." At this moment, Pan Yuan, King Zhenyue, Qin Zhengfa, and several other Void Refining figures who had bought Dao artifacts from Yaoguang or placed custom orders with him stood gathered together. They looked at the massive array radiating swirling brilliance as though gazing upon a terrifying primordial beast. "Though he relied on the might of the formation, for Sect Master Yaoguang to achieve such a feat as a mere Void Refining cultivator is nothing short of a miracle. Add to that how he previously slew the two Void Refining demon cultivators Xie Tong and Chi Sha without depending on external aid, and Sect Master Yaoguang's strength... can truly be called invincible in the Void Refining realm." King Zhenyue's eyes sparkled. Having slain so many Void Shattering and Void Refining masters, Yaoguang had likely seized more Dao artifacts than could be counted on one hand. Among them, the Eight Desolations Demon Lord had achieved the Void Shattering realm through the Grand Dao of the Void and possessed no small number of extraordinary Dao artifacts. Even if Yaoguang ultimately failed to deliver a custom Dao artifact to him within a century, those Dao artifacts from the Eight Desolations Demon Lord would be more than enough to offset any loss. In any case, he had made a great bargain in that transaction a few years ago. "Invincible in the Void Refining realm! Many Void Shattering supreme elders across the Ten Immortal Sects go their entire lives without ever slaying a fellow Void Shattering cultivator. Yet Yaoguang achieved this as a Void Refining cultivator. Even with the aid of the formation, such a battle record is still unprecedented." Qin Zhengfa gave a heartfelt sigh. "The younger generation truly inspires awe." Recalling how close he had come on his first visit to Nandu to offending this Lord of the Southern Domain over an ignorant junior, this imperial clan elder of the True Dragon Celestial Dynasty could not help rejoicing secretly. He resolved that upon his return, he would immediately banish that worthless wretch to fend for himself, lest he bring more trouble to the royal family of the True Dragon Celestial Dynasty. Not far away, Li Baijie and Lu Wanshi, who had come representing the Heavenly Dao Sect to reinforce them, were already giving instructions to the Void Cavern cultivators of their respective clans. "Once Sect Master Yaoguang grants us an audience, be sure to declare immediately that our two families are willing to withdraw entirely from the Southern Domain. Furthermore, all the businesses we control concerning Profound-Penetrating Spiritual Liquid and Longevity Fruit will be handed over to Sect Master Yaoguang to dispose of as he pleases." "Not just those two industries—the land deeds and shops in Nandu are also to be gifted to Sect Master Yaoguang as our apology. Make sure your tone is exceedingly deferential, and urge Sect Master Yaoguang to accept our humble tokens of remorse, understood?" The two Void Refining peak masters gave these solemn instructions, their expressions grave. Lu Qianshan and Li Guiren nodded repeatedly, not daring to harbor the slightest discontent. Everyone knew that after this battle, Yaoguang had firmly established his foothold in the Southern Domain. With his monstrous talent... If he continued to grow and eventually reached the Void Shattering realm, contending for the position of Heavenly Dao Sect Master would be no mere pipe dream. Many faction representatives had arrived early precisely to burn incense and pay their respects ahead of time, paving the way for future ties. As for them... Even if their allegiances made it awkward to switch sides openly right away, they absolutely had to make peace with Sect Master Yaoguang as soon as possible. Otherwise, when Yaoguang became sect master of the Heavenly Dao Sect in the future, it would be far too late to apologize. Nearby, Chiyun, a Void Shattering supreme elder of the Heavenly Dao Sect, watched the scene with a faint smile. "Now Jing Yuntian, Zong Wenxian, and their bunch are in deep trouble." He cast a glance toward the Heavenly Dao Sect. "Do they think fleeing back to the sect means they can pretend nothing ever happened? As if it could be that simple! I hardly believe this Sect Master Yaoguang is the type to suffer a loss quietly." Beside him, a middle-aged man said in a low voice, "Yet this might be good news for us. If they fight among themselves, we can reap the spoils as the fisherman. After all, the one we support is Deputy Sect Master Shen Junyan of the Northern Domain." This Void Cavern cultivator was the most outstanding among Supreme Elder Chiyun's descendants, known as True Monarch Iron Sword. However, even with a supreme elder backing him, this supposedly most distinguished descendant was only at the Void Cavern realm—which was precisely why Supreme Elder Chiyun backed Shen Junyan. Among his offspring... Despite enjoying abundant resources, hardly anyone was truly worthy of being showcased. "Shen Junyan..." Chiyun fell silent. Recalling what this deputy sect master, whom they had propped up for hundreds of years, had accomplished in the Northern Domain, and comparing it to Yaoguang, who had been in the Southern Domain for less than a decade... The two were simply not in the same league. At this thought, he let out a sigh. "Find a time for Shen Junyan to come pay a visit to Sect Master Yaoguang." True Monarch Iron Sword looked up in astonishment. "Ancestor?!" "Shen Junyan stands no chance against Yaoguang. Rather than fighting a losing battle, it is better to take a stance early and forge goodwill." As Chiyun spoke, he glanced at the surging Heavenly Capital Dragon-Slashing Formation. "The future of the Heavenly Dao Sect... nine times out of ten, will belong to this Sect Master Yaoguang." True Monarch Iron Sword was struck with disbelief. His ancestor intended to... Switch allegiances?! ... It was amid such widespread murmuring that the Heavenly Capital Dragon-Slashing Formation parted once more, and Yaoguang stepped forward out of the array. The moment they saw him, Supreme Elder Chiyun, King Zhenyue, Pan Yuan, Qin Zhengfa, Palace Master Zhengyang, and the rest surged forward to greet him. "Sect Master Yaoguang, have the Shadow Moon Sect demon cultivators been eliminated? Hearing that demon cultivators were raiding the Southern Domain, I rushed here with reinforcements at once. I wonder if we might still be of service?" "Our Xianwu Sect did not have time to muster a full force, so I hurried ahead on my own. However, our disciples are assembled now. If Sect Master Yaoguang needs them, the Xianwu Sect's reinforcements will arrive immediately." "Seeing Sect Master Yaoguang safe and sound sets my heart at ease! I knew those demons of the Shadow Moon Sect wouldn't be able to lay a finger on you!" Every single Void Refining master wore an expression of deep concern. Their eager desire to help seemed practically on the verge of overflowing. It was as though the moment he gave the word, all of them would heed the call and charge straight at the Shadow Moon Sect to make them pay a bloody price for invading the Southern Domain. Yet Yaoguang knew this was all pleasantries and lip service. They might not mind waving banners and cheering from the rear, but if they were truly asked to do anything, they would surely offer all kinds of excuses to dodge the duty. "I appreciate everyone's concern. Though the demon cultivators have already been slain by us, I thank you all for your goodwill. I shall instruct my people to prepare a banquet for everyone at once." As Yaoguang spoke, he did not mind offering a few benefits: "In addition, I have captured a batch of Dao artifacts that need to be sold. Feel free to browse them later; as long as the price is reasonable, anyone may purchase what suits them." A batch of Dao artifacts! Hearing Yaoguang's words, the eyes of every Void Cavern and Void Refining cultivator present lit up. Unlike the massive grand auction from before, there were only a hundred or so Void Cavern and Void Refining cultivators present this time, possessing noticeably less wealth and influence. This meant the prices they could secure these Dao artifacts for would be at least ten to twenty percent lower than at the previous auction. Ten to twenty percent off a Dao artifact... That meant one to two hundred million! Or even three to four hundred million! What an astonishing discount! In particular, several Void Cavern and Void Refining cultivators walking the Dao of Darkness or the Dao of the Void secretly rejoiced that their decision to rush to Nandu had been the right one. "Sect Master Yaoguang is truly generous!" "Haha, it seems we shall feast our eyes again today and witness the marvels of various Dao artifacts!" "Many thanks, Sect Master Yaoguang!" Amidst countless congratulations and expressions of gratitude, the crowd clustered around Yaoguang as they walked into Nandu together. The atmosphere was harmonious to the extreme.