Dao Foundation Candidate List Experts Join Forces to Clear the Field; Lu Changsheng Shakes the Ancient Region with a Dominant Entrance!

"We concede, we concede!" Gu Chen spoke up almost immediately. Lu Changsheng withdrew his domain in an instant. Liu Pu's expression was complicated. Taking a deep breath, he said in a heavy voice, "If I saw correctly, that was Junior Brother Lu's five-in-one domain, right? A five-in-one fusion domain is truly incredible. Even among the experts on the Dao Foundation Candidate List, those who possess a five-in-one domain are few and far between." Earlier, Liu Pu had harbored some doubts about Lu Changsheng. He had even thought that Lu Changsheng must have relied on some trick to kill Xu Haotian. After all, there were too many people who enjoyed unearned fame. Plenty of people built great reputations out of boasting. Yet, now that he had personally "experienced" Lu Changsheng's Five Elements Domain, he was thoroughly convinced. A five-in-one domain truly lived up to its name! "What is the minimum number of Cangyun Wonder Fruits each of you can accept?" Lu Changsheng asked. "Our bottom line... three, probably. No less than that," Gu Chen replied after pondering for a moment. "Five! Once we seize the Cangyun Wonder Fruits, each of you will receive five." "However, after fifteen, no matter how many Cangyun Wonder Fruits remain, they are all mine!" "Do any of you have objections?" Lu Changsheng spoke very calmly, but his aura was exceedingly domineering. It exerted immense pressure on the Three Swords of the Heavenly Sect. This was only natural. With Lu Changsheng's current terrifying strength and imposing presence, probably none among the disciples of the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect could surpass him. It was only normal for him to possess such momentum. "Five Cangyun Wonder Fruits can expand the brain domain by five li. That's very good." "I agree." "I agree as well." The Three Swords of the Heavenly Sect all nodded in agreement. Their bottom line had been three Cangyun Wonder Fruits, and Lu Changsheng had promised them five directly. What objections could they possibly have? Lu Changsheng was equally satisfied. Whether thirty or fifty Cangyun Wonder Fruits, he wanted them all. If there truly were fifty fruits, his final harvest would exceed thirty. That was a staggering number. A single Cangyun Wonder Fruit could expand the brain domain by one li; thirty fruits could expand it by thirty li. With such curiosities, the more, the better. However, he still had to give some benefits to the Three Swords of the Heavenly Sect. Otherwise, he would not even know where to find the Cangyun Wonder Fruits. Besides, he also needed helpers when fighting for the fruits. After all, he would have to face many top Divine Treasury powerhouses. "When do we depart?" Gu Chen asked. "No time to lose. We depart right now!" Lu Changsheng did not want to wait a single moment. Who knew when the Cangyun Wonder Fruits would mature? It was better to arrive at their location as early as possible so they could prepare in advance. "Then let us depart now!" Gu Chen, Liu Pu, and Han Tianyun all nodded. Thus, the group of four swiftly left the mountain gate of the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect and hurried toward the Ancient Region's second tier. This was not Lu Changsheng's first time entering the second tier. Previously, he had visited Boundary Stele Mountain. However, Boundary Stele Mountain was merely one part of the Ancient Region's second tier. Gu Chen did not state the exact location of the Cangyun Wonder Fruits. Lu Changsheng did not ask, either. This was an unspoken rule. Although they were all true disciples of the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect and shared a foundation of trust, they could not trust each other completely. When it involved a curiosity like the Cangyun Wonder Fruit, one had to remain cautious. The three simply led the way. They traveled until they reached a mountain range. After walking within the mountains for another three days, Gu Chen suddenly spoke. "We've arrived!" In truth, even without Gu Chen saying so, Lu Changsheng knew they had arrived. His Perception Domain had already detected many formidable auras ahead. "Why are there so many people?" "When we left last time, there weren't nearly this many. Who would have thought so many would gather by now?" "It seems the news has completely spread. We're in trouble now..." Gu Chen and the others walked forward alongside Lu Changsheng. Seeing the dense mass of martial artists ahead, the Three Swords of the Heavenly Sect were dumbfounded. So many martial artists. Every single one was in the Divine Treasury Realm. Among them were many top Divine Treasury experts ranked on the Dao Foundation Candidate List. How difficult would it be to snatch Cangyun Wonder Fruits among so many Divine Treasury cultivators? Lu Changsheng looked at the scene before him, finding it somewhat familiar. Back when they fought for the Golden Fruits in the Golden Marsh, the Divine Gang Realm martial artists had gathered in a similar dense mass. However, back then, people formed many teams around the Golden Marsh. Now, among this vast throng, there were quite a few lone top Divine Treasury powerhouses. Only the ordinary Divine Treasury cultivators formed teams. Lu Changsheng's eyes narrowed slightly. "Where are the Cangyun Wonder Fruits?" he asked. "Three li ahead. That large tree with an umbrella-like canopy is the Cangyun Tree. The fruits hanging upon it are the Cangyun Wonder Fruits." "It is said that the Cangyun Tree only blossoms and bears fruit once in its life. Once this opportunity is missed, it will slowly wither and eventually die," Gu Chen explained. Evidently, Lu Changsheng already knew about the wonders of the Cangyun Tree. In other words, this might be his only chance to fight for the Cangyun Wonder Fruits. "Judging by the appearance of the Cangyun Wonder Fruits, they will mature within three days," Lu Changsheng said after taking a glance. His Perception Domain could now roughly discern the condition of the Cangyun Wonder Fruits. They would mature in three days. And now, so many Divine Treasury martial artists had gathered. The crucial difference from the Golden Marsh was that being closer to the Cangyun Tree was not necessarily better. For Divine Treasury cultivators, that was not an advantage. A Divine Treasury cultivator's domain covered a vast expanse. Once a domain unfurled, it spanned several li or even ten li. Within that coverage, they could attack any opponent. Thus, distance was not much of an issue. Those closest to the Cangyun Tree might just be ordinary Divine Treasury cultivators. On the contrary, the top Divine Treasury powerhouses—even those ranked on the Dao Foundation Candidate List—might be hiding among the crowd. "Junior Brother Lu, what should we do?" Gu Chen asked. The Three Swords of the Heavenly Sect were clearly panicking. This was nothing like what they had anticipated. Even their previous plans had to be changed. "No rush. Sit down and wait patiently." Lu Changsheng remained remarkably calm. Thus, the four sat cross-legged on the ground, waiting in silence. One day, two days, three days... In the blink of an eye, three days passed. The Cangyun Wonder Fruits had clearly reached the brink of maturity. Perhaps tonight. Perhaps tomorrow during the day. Affected by the impending ripening of the Cangyun Wonder Fruits, all the Divine Treasury cultivators grew restless. Each of them rubbed their palms and fists, preparing to vie for the fruits. Gu Chen grew anxious. He frequently looked toward Lu Changsheng. Yet Lu Changsheng remained entirely motionless, steady as Mount Tai and remarkably composed. Seeing Lu Changsheng so calm, Gu Chen, Liu Pu, and Han Tianyun felt slightly reassured. Time ticked away. Suddenly, a white-robed martial artist stepped out from the crowd. Step by step, the white-robed martial artist walked beneath the Cangyun Tree. Instantly, countless gazes converged upon him. Then, the white-robed martial artist turned around. Seeing his figure, many martial artists shuddered. "It's Lan Tianxiao! Ranked forty-eighth on the Dao Foundation Candidate List!" "To think Lan Tianxiao came as well. To rank among the top fifty of the Dao Foundation Candidate List, not only has his brain domain expanded beyond ninety li, but his strength is also earth-shattering." "Why is Lan Tianxiao showing himself now? Does he want to monopolize the Cangyun Wonder Fruits?" "Unlikely. Although Lan Tianxiao is powerful and ranked in the top fifty of the Dao Foundation rankings, there are quite a few experts from the Dao Foundation Candidate List present. Relying on Lan Tianxiao alone to handle so many Divine Treasury powerhouses is nothing short of a fool's dream." "Let's see what Lan Tianxiao wants to do." Everyone knew that at a time like this, it was best not to stick one's neck out. The moment one stepped forward, one might become the target of a collective assault. Yet Lan Tianxiao had taken the initiative to appear. Lan Tianxiao swept his gaze over the crowd. His eyes carried an air of condescension, as if looking down from above. Then, Lan Tianxiao spoke: "Everyone is here to compete for the Cangyun Wonder Fruits. However, don't you all feel there are too many people here?" "I suggest that those ranked on the Dao Foundation Candidate List join forces to clear the field and drive out the other Divine Treasury cultivators." "When the Cangyun Wonder Fruits ripen, we can each rely on our own abilities. What do you all think?" *Boom!* Lan Tianxiao's words instantly caused an uproar among the numerous Divine Treasury martial artists. "What does Lan Tianxiao want to do? He wants to unite with the experts on the Dao Foundation Candidate List to clear the field and expel us?" "Damn it! Lan Tianxiao's move is meant to drive out the vast majority of Divine Treasury cultivators. Do those unranked on the Dao Foundation Candidate List not even have the right to compete for the Cangyun Wonder Fruits?" "Terrible. Lan Tianxiao's proposal will probably tempt many experts on the Dao Foundation Candidate List. After all, if there are fewer people, their chances of seizing Cangyun Wonder Fruits will increase drastically." For a moment, many Divine Treasury martial artists fixed their gazes upon Lan Tianxiao. Most looked at him with hostile eyes. However, not a single person moved against him. After all, ranking forty-eighth on the Dao Foundation Candidate List carried immense deterrence; nobody dared offend an expert from the list lightly. Perhaps one day, Lan Tianxiao would cast his Dao Foundation and soar to the heavens in a single step. While most martial artists were displeased with Lan Tianxiao's "proposal," the experts ranked on the Dao Foundation Candidate List were indeed very tempted. "Well said. Those below the Dao Foundation Candidate List are unqualified to compete for the Cangyun Wonder Fruits. I support Lan Tianxiao's proposal." At that moment, a black-robed martial artist appeared as well. He spoke up in support of Lan Tianxiao. "Ranked eighty-third on the Dao Foundation Candidate List, Chen Feng?" Many martial artists recognized the black-robed figure. "I support it as well." "Indeed, ordinary Divine Treasury cultivators should be driven out." "The Cangyun Wonder Fruits should only be contested by experts on the Dao Foundation Candidate List. What qualifications do ordinary Divine Treasury cultivators have to vie for them?" "Let's set a time limit. Any Divine Treasury cultivator who doesn't leave within the time it takes to burn a stick of incense will be slaughtered without mercy!" One after another, martial artists stepped forward. Moreover, every single one of these emerging figures was an expert on the Dao Foundation Candidate List. Expelling ordinary Divine Treasury cultivators was clearly advantageous to them, so why wouldn't they support it? *Swish.* Lu Changsheng opened his eyes. He swept his gaze across the area. "Twenty-three martial artists from the Dao Foundation Candidate List." "Not that many. Meanwhile, the Divine Treasury cultivators present exceed three hundred..." Lu Changsheng murmured softly. In truth, if the three hundred Divine Treasury cultivators truly joined forces with one heart and mind, even if the twenty-three Candidate List experts worked together, suppressing over three hundred Divine Treasury cultivators would be very difficult. However, the three hundred Divine Treasury cultivators were strangers to one another; how could they possibly unite? "Aren't you being too tyrannical? Anyone can compete for the Cangyun Wonder Fruits by their own ability! Were you born onto the Dao Foundation Candidate List? Didn't you climb up step by step from ordinary Divine Treasury cultivators as well?" A martial artist spoke out in righteous indignation, feeling that these Candidate List experts were acting far too overbearingly. Perhaps the presence of over three hundred Divine Treasury cultivators gave him some courage, creating an illusion of safety. "Noisy." Chen Feng, ranked eighty-third on the Dao Foundation Candidate List, looked indifferent. His gaze locked onto the Divine Treasury cultivator who had just spoken up in protest. Then, Chen Feng waved his hand. *Boom!* A domain descended. "Ah—" The protesting Divine Treasury cultivator was pulverized by Chen Feng's domain before he could mount even a shred of resistance. Dead! A grand Divine Treasury cultivator had died just like that. Chen Feng executing a Divine Treasury cultivator was as effortless as crushing an ant. Instantly, the three hundred-plus Divine Treasury martial artists fell silent. Their hearts trembled, and most began to contemplate retreat. "The experts on the Dao Foundation Candidate List are far too powerful. The one who just protested wasn't weak—he was a veteran Divine Treasury cultivator—yet what happened? He couldn't even block a single strike from Chen Feng and was slain in an instant!" "Indeed, he couldn't withstand it at all. The experts on the Candidate List are too terrifying. Who dares confront them head-on?" "Leave, let's leave quickly. Forget the Cangyun Wonder Fruits; it's not worth losing our lives..." Some Divine Treasury cultivators were already quietly departing. They sensed the danger. Once the time it took to burn a stick of incense passed, these Candidate List experts would genuinely slaughter them. Under a concerted clearing of the field, who could survive? Seeing this, the expressions of the Three Swords of the Heavenly Sect changed drastically. "Junior Brother Lu, what do we do? None of us are on the Dao Foundation Candidate List. We will probably be expelled by that group as well." Gu Chen turned his gaze to Lu Changsheng. Not just Gu Chen—Liu Pu and Han Tianyun did the same. Although they were known as the "Three Swords of the Heavenly Sect," their combined strength barely matched a top Divine Treasury cultivator at best. It was even a bit of a stretch. Yet every expert on the Dao Foundation Candidate List was a top Divine Treasury cultivator. In fact, they could crush regular top Divine Treasury cultivators with ease! Some said that Divine Treasury cultivators were divided into two kinds: Those on the Dao Foundation Candidate List, and those who were not. Though both were in the Divine Treasury Realm, the difference was like heaven and earth—completely incomparable. Gu Chen also knew very well that although Lu Changsheng had killed Xu Haotian, an expert on the Candidate List... Lu Changsheng's name was not on the list. Strictly speaking, Lu Changsheng was not a martial artist of the Dao Foundation Candidate List. Now that this group was joining forces to clear the field and expel all other Divine Treasury cultivators, Lu Changsheng was technically among those to be expelled. *Swish.* The next moment, Lu Changsheng opened his eyes. "Wait!" Lu Changsheng said only a single word. Then he fell silent again. Gu Chen and the others could only grit their teeth, choosing to trust Lu Changsheng and continue waiting. Time slipped by. More and more Divine Treasury cultivators departed. Of the original three hundred-plus, nearly two-thirds had left. Only around a hundred remained, unwilling to give up. Or perhaps they were confident in their own strength and unafraid of the threats from the Candidate List experts. "Hm?" "Still refusing to leave?" "Since you don't want to leave, then stay here forever!" The twenty-three Dao Foundation Candidate List experts had made no prior arrangements. Yet, at this moment, they acted in tacit unison, striking simultaneously. "Flee!" Several Divine Treasury cultivators turned pale with fright. They had not expected these Candidate List experts to actually follow through! How terrifying was it when twenty-three Dao Foundation Candidate List experts struck together? Instantly, vast, turbulent domains swept forward. Naturally, each Candidate List expert handled a portion of the cultivators. Lu Changsheng's group was targeted as well. The one who made a move on them was a woman. There were quite a few women among Divine Treasury cultivators. However, on the Dao Foundation Candidate List, women were far fewer. "Not good, it's Hua Qianshang!" "Ranked seventy-ninth on the Dao Foundation Candidate List!" "We're in big trouble being targeted by Hua Qianshang." Gu Chen and the others' hearts sank. Hua Qianshang was difficult to deal with. Of course, no martial artist on the Dao Foundation Candidate List was easy to deal with. "Hold on, Hua Qianshang!" "Aren't you joining forces to clear the field? Junior Brother Lu is also qualified to join!" Gu Chen suddenly gritted his teeth and shouted loudly. "Hm?" Hua Qianshang's eyes narrowed slightly. She paused temporarily. Not only Hua Qianshang, but many other martial artists also focused their gazes on Gu Chen and his companions. Those Divine Treasury cultivators who had fled into the distance had not truly left. Instead, they observed the scene from afar. What if an opportunity arose to pick up scraps? There were always cultivators unwilling to give up completely. "Who are you? I recognize almost all the Divine Treasury cultivators on the Dao Foundation Candidate List, but I don't recall anyone like you." "Or am I just ill-informed? Does any of you know him?" Hua Qianshang looked at Lu Changsheng and asked coldly. Instantly, the gazes of the twenty-three Dao Foundation Candidate List experts converged on Lu Changsheng. "Who is he?" "Never seen him before." "He really doesn't seem to be in the top one hundred of the Candidate List." "Judging by his robes, he should be from the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect. There are only so many disciples from that sect on the Candidate List, and I know them all. He definitely isn't one of them." "Hmph, daring to impersonate an expert on the Candidate List to fish in troubled waters?" "He deserves death!" In an instant, killing intent flared toward Lu Changsheng from the twenty-three Candidate List experts. Impersonating an expert on the Dao Foundation Candidate List right in front of them, the genuine ones? Where would their dignity be? "He... he seems to be Lu Changsheng of the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect!" "It's him, it really is him! I saw him before. Back in the Divine Gang Realm, he was undefeated throughout the Ancient Region, even slaying a Divine Treasury cultivator as a Divine Gang!" "So he's Lu Changsheng. But he only recently broke through to the Divine Treasury Realm and isn't on the Dao Foundation Candidate List at all. This is blatant impersonation!" "Now there's a show to watch. How could Lan Tianxiao and the others let him off for impersonating someone on the Candidate List?" "Wait, there was news that Lu Changsheng apparently slew Xu Haotian of the Huangtian Sect. And Xu Haotian was ranked on the Candidate List..." Lu Changsheng was not an unknown nobody after all. Many martial artists knew of his reputation. Having once been the number one Divine Gang of the Ancient Region, slaying a Divine Treasury cultivator from below, and recently killing Xu Haotian of the Huangtian Sect, it was impossible for him to be truly obscure. "He is Lu Changsheng!" At that moment, Lan Tianxiao spoke. Step by step, he walked over to Hua Qianshang's side. His gaze remained aloof, looking down upon Lu Changsheng. "Hua Qianshang, you should have heard of Lu Changsheng." "He slayed a Divine Treasury cultivator while in the Divine Gang Realm, and recently killed Xu Haotian." Lan Tianxiao's words caused Hua Qianshang's eyes to narrow slightly. Killed Xu Haotian? She naturally knew of Xu Haotian. Although ranked much lower than her, he was an authentic expert on the Dao Foundation Candidate List. For Lu Changsheng to have slain Xu Haotian, his strength had to be earth-shattering, definitely not inferior to the martial artists on the Candidate List. "Lu Changsheng, though your strength is astonishing, you are ultimately not on the Dao Foundation Candidate List." "If we allowed you to participate in the contest for the Cangyun Wonder Fruits, the other twenty-odd experts on the Candidate List would likely disagree." "Therefore, leave on your own." Lan Tianxiao stood with his hands clasped behind his back, a faint smile on his face. Yet beneath that smile lay an unquestionable tone! As soon as his voice fell, the gazes of all twenty-three Candidate List experts locked onto Lu Changsheng. "Ah—" At this moment, wretched screams rose and fell continuously without end. They were from the Divine Treasury cultivators who had refused to leave, being slaughtered by the Candidate List experts as they cleared the field. In a short span, more than half of the hundred-plus Divine Treasury cultivators had perished. This showed just how terrifying the strength of the Dao Foundation Candidate List experts truly was. "Junior Brother Lu, how about..." Gu Chen could not help but speak. Under the scrutiny of so many terrifying gazes, accompanied by the shrill screams of dying Divine Treasury cultivators in his ears, Gu Chen felt overwhelmed. Not just Gu Chen—Liu Pu and Han Tianyun could barely bear it either. If a fight broke out, they feared they would be instantly killed by Lan Tianxiao and the other Candidate List experts. Lu Changsheng slowly stood up. He raised a hand to stop Gu Chen from continuing. Facing twenty-three terrifying gazes and the crushing momentum sweeping toward him, Lu Changsheng remained as motionless as Mount Tai. Word by word, he said calmly, "You did one thing right: clearing the field." "There are indeed too many Divine Treasury cultivators; the field ought to be cleared." "However, it shouldn't be cleared by experts from some Dao Foundation Candidate List. Rather, except for my team, everyone else should be cleared out!" "I will give you three breaths of time." "Leave, or die!" As Lu Changsheng's words fell, everyone was stunned. They could hardly believe their ears. Was Lu Changsheng threatening twenty-three experts from the Dao Foundation Candidate List? And by himself? As for Gu Chen and the others, the Candidate List experts ignored them completely. In their eyes, there was only Lu Changsheng. Even Lan Tianxiao, who had appeared graceful and composed moments ago, saw his expression freeze completely. "Lu Changsheng, have you lost your mind?" "You indeed have strength, and we gave you face by not attacking you, allowing you to leave with dignity," Lan Tianxiao said in a deep voice. A faint threat seeped into his tone. The auras around Lan Tianxiao and Hua Qianshang began to rise steadily. They looked ready to strike at any moment. Silence! The surroundings suddenly went dead silent. The atmosphere between both sides grew taut with tension. One breath, two breaths, three breaths... In the blink of an eye, three breaths elapsed. Lu Changsheng's gaze grew colder. "It seems you have chosen death!" "As you wish, I will send you on your way right now!" The moment Lu Changsheng's words fell— *Boom!* Five-colored radiance flashed. Each glow represented a domain. Then, the five domains rapidly fused. A five-in-one fusion domain! The Five Elements Domain descended in an instant!