Shattering the Martial Dao with the Phenomenal Image of Heaven and Earth, Lu Changsheng's Triumphant Return to the Immortal Martial World!

*Hum.* With a thought from Lu Changsheng, "Phenomenal Image of Heaven and Earth!" Instantly, the flesh and blood of Lu Changsheng's septenary growth rapidly enveloped his Earth Saint Dao body. At the same time, the Earth Saint Dao body fused with that septenary-growth flesh and blood, giving birth to the Phenomenal Image of Heaven and Earth. His body expanded continuously, his aura climbing higher and higher. When his physical frame had swelled to its absolute limit and his aura had crested at its peak, the Phenomenal Image of Heaven and Earth manifested four arms. Each of the four arms wielded a spirit treasure: The Mountain-Moving Seal, the Mountains and Rivers Diagram, the Yin-Yang Twin Swords, and the Wuji Bell. Four whole spirit treasures were now firmly clutched in the grasp of Lu Changsheng's Phenomenal Image of Heaven and Earth. Moreover, vast quantities of spirit crystals shattered in an instant, their essence flooding completely into the spirit treasures. The auras of the spirit treasures erupted with staggering intensity. "Break!" With Lu Changsheng's Phenomenal Image of Heaven and Earth wielding four spirit treasures—each having devoured copious amounts of spirit crystals and now driven fully by its artifact spirit—their entire might burst forth. The combined power unleashed by four spirit treasures along with the Phenomenal Image of Heaven and Earth was world-shattering, beyond imagination. This was practically Lu Changsheng's ultimate strike. He felt it had already surpassed the limits of what an ordinary Earth Saint martial artist could possibly fathom. *Boom!* This terrifying strike slammed brutally into the Martial Dao hanging in the void. The Martial Dao shuddered incessantly. *Crack.* At last came a crisp fracture. Every blood scion of tertiary growth and above distinctly sensed the change in the Martial Dao. "The Martial Dao... shattered?" "How could the Martial Dao break?" "What happened?" "Who could possibly shatter the Martial Dao?" The blood scions were utterly bewildered. The Martial Dao forged from the collective will of all living beings was the very foundation of cultivating the Flesh Martial Dao. Now that even the Martial Dao was broken, how could they advance any further in the future? However, their worries were obviously unfounded. Though the Martial Dao had fractured, with so many practicing the Flesh Martial Dao and so many blood scions in existence, it could never be truly erased. Before long, the Martial Dao would coalesce once more. The only problem was that pushing it back to the pinnacle of septenary growth would likely require a very long time. Perhaps decades. Perhaps centuries. Yet as long as blood scions endured, the Martial Dao would inevitably be elevated back to the pinnacle of septenary growth. By that time, however, it would no longer have anything to do with Lu Changsheng. Having shattered the Martial Dao, Lu Changsheng directly scooped all the martial dao fragments into his grasp. The martial dao fragments were in hand! This had been Lu Changsheng's entire objective in coming to the Yuan World. *The martial dao fragments are finally mine!* *These fragments are extraordinarily powerful, far beyond any before. Even a tiny piece would boost my Extreme Martial Dao significantly, let alone this entire cache.* *According to my prior agreement with Divine Sword Villa, upon obtaining the martial dao fragments, I get seventy percent while Divine Sword Villa gets thirty percent!* Naturally, Lu Changsheng had no intention of breaking the agreement. After all, an oath had been sworn. Yet the quality of these fragments was simply too exceptional; Lu Changsheng was truly loath to part with them. Thus, a possibility crossed his mind. Spirit treasures! He could trade spirit treasures to Divine Sword Villa in exchange for their martial dao fragments. Of course, this was also because the people of Divine Sword Villa certainly knew he had obtained spirit treasures. There was no keeping it a secret anyway. Since Divine Sword Villa already knew, there was no need for Lu Changsheng to hide it from them. It all came down to whether Divine Sword Villa wanted martial dao fragments or a spirit treasure. "Everyone, now that the martial dao fragments have been acquired, I will take my leave and return to the Immortal Martial World first," Lu Changsheng said directly. Lu Changsheng had no interest in the Yuan World's affairs. What would ultimately become of the blood scions, he did not know. Once Divine Sword Villa departed the Yuan World, however, the blood scions' circumstances would undoubtedly grow difficult. Whether they could withstand the counterattack of the Immortal Dao cultivators would depend on their own fortunes. "We shall return alongside Brother Lu." "As for the others from Divine Sword Villa, they will naturally withdraw back to the Immortal Martial World in an orderly fashion." These Earth Saints of Divine Sword Villa had no desire to linger in the Yuan World either. They wanted to withdraw as well. After all, so many martial dao fragments had been acquired this time, and they were all Earth Saints themselves. If they didn't head back to keep an eye on the fragments, who knew who would be allocated a share? Divine Sword Villa had quite a few Earth Saints. Every one of them had to vie for it! If they didn't fight for a piece, they wouldn't get a single sliver of a fragment, and their Earth Saint cultivation would remain stagnant forever, unable to take another step forward. They envied Lu Changsheng even more. He alone was claiming seventy percent of the fragments. Yet, envious as they were, none harbored any jealousy. Ever since Lu Changsheng had arrived in the Yuan World, they had watched step by step as he condensed the Martial Dao, multiplied the blood scions, and ultimately shattered the Martial Dao to claim the fragments. Not a single step Lu Changsheng took could have been accomplished even if all the Earth Saints of Divine Sword Villa had pooled their efforts together. If not for Lu Changsheng, the immense price Divine Sword Villa had paid would likely have gone down the drain, with no hope of ever securing a martial dao fragment. Now, Divine Sword Villa was still getting thirty percent. It was well worth it! "Let's go." Lu Changsheng hesitated no longer. Using Divine Sword Villa's array formation, his true body was instantly teleported out of the Yuan World. The several Divine Sword Villa Earth Saints followed close behind. *Whoosh.* Lu Changsheng stepped back into Divine Sword Villa. The villa's martial artists guarding the formation immediately noticed the commotion. They hurried to report to the villa master. Xiahou Puyu arrived outside the array almost immediately. He saw Lu Changsheng, as well as the several Divine Sword Villa Earth Saints standing behind him. "Brother Lu." "Elders, did you... succeed?" Xiahou Puyu found it somewhat hard to believe. After all, how long had it been since they entered the Yuan World? All told, Lu Changsheng had been in the Yuan World for just twenty-five months. Roughly two years and one month. To successfully obtain martial dao fragments in such a short span of time? Divine Sword Villa had spent five full years in the Yuan World without making the slightest headway. Yet nearly three years remained before the Yuan World would drift away from the Immortal Martial World. If they hadn't succeeded, Lu Changsheng could easily have stayed for another three years to make further efforts rather than returning ahead of schedule. Returning early meant only one thing: The martial dao fragments had been secured! These were merely Xiahou Puyu's conjectures, however. To know the true outcome, he needed to hear it from Lu Changsheng's own lips. Lu Changsheng gave a slight nod. "I have not failed my mission. I have obtained the martial dao fragments." Xiahou Puyu's eyes widened. Even having guessed as much, hearing Lu Changsheng confirm it in person still sent a violent shock through his heart. Fast! This was simply too fast. In a mere two years, Lu Changsheng had claimed the martial dao fragments in the Yuan World. Such speed was utterly inconceivable. Meanwhile, the Earth Saints of Divine Sword Villa who had returned alongside Lu Changsheng spoke up to confirm: "Villa Master, thanks to Brother Lu, we were able to obtain the martial dao fragments in such a short time." "Indeed, what Brother Lu says is entirely true. The martial dao fragments have been acquired, far exceeding our prior estimates." "This harvest of martial dao fragments is unprecedentedly bountiful!" Some of the Earth Saints even sent direct voice transmissions to Xiahou Puyu. Only then did the full picture dawn on him. Yet when he looked back at Lu Changsheng, his gaze was filled with profound shock and wonder. From the descriptions of those elder Earth Saints, it sounded as though Lu Changsheng had become a truly invincible Earth Saint! No, far more terrifying than an invincible Earth Saint. An invincible Earth Saint could merely contend with a spirit treasure and stand fearless before it. Yet what about Lu Changsheng? He had swept clean every spirit treasure in the entire Yuan World. He had trampled and eradicated countless immortal sects and sacred grounds. Such a ruthless powerhouse was far more than a simple invincible Earth Saint. Just what terrifying height Lu Changsheng's strength had reached was something only Lu Changsheng himself knew. "Where are the martial dao fragments?" Xiahou Puyu could hardly contain his impatience. Divine Sword Villa had expended tremendous effort, and finally there was a reward. Otherwise, having lost an Earth Saint, wouldn't it have been a catastrophic loss? Lu Changsheng did not answer directly, saying instead, "Let us proceed to the main hall first. You will see the martial dao fragments there." Thus, everyone went together to the main hall. Inside the grand hall of Divine Sword Villa, nearly everyone present was an Earth Saint. Everyone who could make it had come. Even those in secluded cultivation had emerged immediately upon receiving word. For an Earth Saint, what mattered most? Without question, it was martial dao fragments! Only with martial dao fragments could one advance further along the Martial Dao. Without them, an Earth Saint could only remain stuck in place forever, utterly incapable of taking another step. Confronted with martial dao fragments, which Earth Saint could remain calm? Naturally, they rushed to the hall, hoping to be among the first to receive a share. Seeing the burning gazes of so many Earth Saints, Xiahou Puyu felt helpless as well. He turned and asked, "Brother Lu, can you present the martial dao fragments now?" "Of course." Lu Changsheng brought forth the martial dao fragments. "There are twenty martial dao fragments in total this time." "According to our prior agreement, Divine Sword Villa is entitled to thirty percent, which comes to six pieces." "These fragments are roughly the same size. Villa Master Xiahou may choose freely." Lu Changsheng produced all twenty martial dao fragments. Every one of the twenty fragments radiated an astonishing pressure. Even as Earth Saints, they could instantly sense the terrifying power contained within. "Martial dao fragments of this tier... these are Earth Saint-tier fragments!" "Far more than mere Earth Saint-tier! This is the peak of the Earth Saint realm, fragments practically touching the extreme tier! A single piece is worth ten, even a hundred ordinary fragments!" "Indeed, I have never seen martial dao fragments this terrifying. If I obtained just one, meditating on it for several years would surely bring immense benefits to my Martial Dao!" "Six martial dao fragments... who gets them?" "Perhaps they can be subdivided into smaller pieces..." Seeing the extraordinary quality of the martial dao fragments, the Earth Saints in the hall felt their hearts pound with yearning. Their passion burned intensely. Some were already calculating how to broach the matter with the villa master. After all, martial dao fragments were first come, first served. A step too slow, and nothing would be left. Meanwhile, the Earth Saints who had not entered the Yuan World envied Lu Changsheng all the more. Lu Changsheng was taking seventy percent—fourteen martial dao fragments! All belonging to him alone. With so many fragments, he might well have hopes of reaching the Heavenly Saint realm. That was a realm countless Earth Saints dreamed of. In truth, Xiahou Puyu was also secretly inquiring via voice transmission with the villa's Earth Saints who had returned from the Yuan World, confirming the total count of the fragments. After all, one could never be too cautious. Especially since he was not particularly close to Lu Changsheng. Even an oath could not be trusted blindly. Fortunately, those Earth Saints had witnessed Lu Changsheng shatter the Martial Dao with their own eyes. They knew the exact count: it was indeed twenty fragments. The number matched. "Many thanks for your trouble, Brother Lu." Xiahou Puyu rose and gave Lu Changsheng a deep bow, expressing gratitude for helping Divine Sword Villa secure so many martial dao fragments. Of course, it was a mutual partnership. Without Divine Sword Villa providing the secret world's coordinates and completing so much preliminary preparation, Lu Changsheng could never have obtained the fragments in just two short years. However, Lu Changsheng suddenly spoke up: "Brother Xiahou, during this trip to the Yuan World, I also had another harvest." "I wonder if Brother Xiahou might be interested?" "If you are, you may trade your martial dao fragments for it." Lu Changsheng's words caused Xiahou Puyu to freeze slightly. Lu Changsheng had other harvests in the Yuan World? And he wanted to trade for the martial dao fragments? What treasure could possibly compare to martial dao fragments? Or could it be that Lu Changsheng didn't want to part with even the six fragments, yet didn't want to violate his oath, so he was using this "trade" to sweep up all the fragments for himself? For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall grew tense. "Villa Master, if I am not mistaken, Brother Lu is referring to a spirit treasure!" an Earth Saint spoke up. He was one of the Earth Saints who had gone to the Yuan World and returned alongside Lu Changsheng. Thus, he knew full well what Lu Changsheng's so-called "treasure" was. "What? A spirit treasure?" Xiahou Puyu's heart jolted violently! A spirit treasure! It was actually a spirit treasure. This was truly... a difficult dilemma. A single spirit treasure represented an invincible Earth Saint. Yes, it literally stood for an invincible Earth Saint. A so-called invincible Earth Saint was simply one who could contend with a spirit treasure. Looking at it from another angle, didn't possessing a spirit treasure equate to having an invincible Earth Saint? Furthermore, martial artists could wield spirit treasures as well. A spirit treasure only required its artifact spirit to be driven, needing merely some spirit stones or spirit crystals to operate. It was exceptionally convenient to use. More importantly, a spirit treasure served a crucial function: anchoring karmic fortune! Karmic fortune was ethereal and untouchable, yet undeniably real. For immortal sects, martial arts factions, and prominent clans alike, any force that grew massive required either top-tier powerhouses to hold the fort—such as peak Earth Saints, Void Refining grandmasters, or Heavenly Saints—or a spirit treasure to anchor their karmic fortune. If a faction had a spirit treasure anchoring its fortune, then over the span of centuries and millennia, it would inevitably grow more and more prosperous. More and more gifted disciples would emerge. Moreover, those talented disciples would periodically stumble upon wondrous encounters, bolstering the faction's foundational heritage. This was the subtle influence of karmic fortune. Anchoring fortune with a spirit treasure allowed a faction to grow increasingly glorious and deeply rooted! Therefore, no major faction did not covet a spirit treasure. Yet although there were many spirit treasures in the Immortal Martial World, all were claimed. Every one of them had an owner. Crucially, a spirit treasure could not be forged directly. Even with identical materials, it was impossible. A spirit treasure had to give birth to sentience—its own artifact spirit—before it could truly be called a spirit treasure. That was far too difficult, entirely a matter of rare, serendipitous coincidences that could be sought but never guaranteed. It was precisely because of this that spirit treasures were so exceedingly precious. "Brother Lu, do you truly have a spirit treasure?" Xiahou Puyu could not help asking. Lu Changsheng did not answer with words; he simply extended his palm. *Swish.* A small pagoda faintly manifested in Lu Changsheng's hand. The miniature pagoda radiated seven-colored light, looking extraordinarily dazzling. "This is the Seven-Colored Flowing Light Pagoda, an auxiliary and sealing spirit treasure." "Entering the Seven-Colored Flowing Light Pagoda provides a boost to one's comprehension. It can also suppress many distracting thoughts, offering immense benefits for comprehending laws and rules." "Artifact spirit, come out and let Brother Xiahou have a look." As Lu Changsheng spoke, an artifact spirit abruptly emerged from the small pagoda. The spirit seemed quite timid, darting a glance at Xiahou Puyu before immediately shrinking back into the pagoda. Yet that was enough. It was proof that this Seven-Colored Flowing Light Pagoda was indeed a genuine spirit treasure! Moreover, auxiliary spirit treasures were precisely the kind major factions craved most. It could continuously assist generations of disciples. Wouldn't powerhouses emerge in an unending stream? Xiahou Puyu's heart raced. This was a spirit treasure! Once Divine Sword Villa possessed this spirit treasure, the villa would likely stand tall for millennia to come. With a spirit treasure anchoring their fortune, Divine Sword Villa might even produce a Heavenly Saint. When that day came, who knew how glorious Divine Sword Villa would become? And Xiahou Puyu, who had forged this golden era for the villa, would instantly become a great figure on par with the founding ancestor. The temptation was simply overwhelming. What major faction could refuse a spirit treasure? "Villa Master, please reconsider!" "Martial dao fragments, precious as they are, will not draw outside greed." "Yet if we take a spirit treasure, Divine Sword Villa must first consider whether we can actually protect it." Seeing Xiahou Puyu's wavering, several elder Earth Saints grew anxious and immediately spoke up to warn him. Naturally, these elders had their own selfish motives. If they received the martial dao fragments, they would each obtain a share, directly enhancing their personal strength and raising their own cultivation realms. If they took a spirit treasure, it would certainly be a monumental boon spanning generations for Divine Sword Villa as a whole, but what good would it do for them personally? Virtually none. Furthermore, Divine Sword Villa would face external threats. Thus, several elder Earth Saints were unwilling to let Xiahou Puyu trade the fragments away for a spirit treasure. Hearing their words, Xiahou Puyu felt a slight chill in his heart. Indeed, spirit treasures were exceptionally rare. If Divine Sword Villa took one and the news leaked, could they truly protect it? This was a stark, practical question the villa had to confront. Xiahou Puyu remained torn. One spirit treasure in exchange for six martial dao fragments. With the trade, Divine Sword Villa would have a spirit treasure to anchor its fortune, and the villa's disciples would advance twice as fast in their cultivation. Yet if word got out, Divine Sword Villa would shoulder a sliver of grave risk. "Divine Sword Villa wants the spirit treasure!" "Brother Lu, please grant this request!" Finally, Xiahou Puyu made his decision. A spirit treasure! He chose the spirit treasure! His tone was resolute and unwavering. Clearly, he had made up his mind after weighing every aspect thoroughly. "Very well." Lu Changsheng smiled faintly, stowing away the martial dao fragments. He then handed the Seven-Colored Flowing Light Pagoda over to Xiahou Puyu. Taking the pagoda into his hands, Xiahou Puyu wore a faint smile. A spirit treasure in hand! This was a monumental matter that would benefit Divine Sword Villa for ten thousand generations, far more precious than six martial dao fragments. Xiahou Puyu understood clearly: among the Earth Saints currently in Divine Sword Villa, not one of them stood a chance of becoming a Heavenly Saint, whether they had six fragments or sixty. Since none could achieve the Heavenly Saint realm, taking a spirit treasure was naturally the best choice. Seeing the villa master choose the spirit treasure, disappointment washed over the faces of the other Earth Saints in the hall. Nevertheless, the villa master held ultimate authority. Even if they were unhappy, none voiced public objections. "Very well. Since Villa Master Xiahou has chosen the spirit treasure, I shall take my leave." With that, Lu Changsheng rose and departed Divine Sword Villa. This time, Lu Changsheng had secured all the martial dao fragments, while Divine Sword Villa had obtained a spirit treasure—a joyous outcome where both sides won. After Lu Changsheng left, one of the villa's Earth Saints slowly spoke up: "The villa master traded six martial dao fragments for a single spirit treasure. But does the villa master know just how many spirit treasures Lu Changsheng still carries?" "How many more does he have?" Xiahou Puyu asked. "Lu Changsheng scavenged almost every spirit treasure in the Yuan World. He carries at least a dozen on his person." "A dozen spirit treasures..." Silence fell over the crowd. Shock stirred deep in their hearts. A single person carrying over a dozen spirit treasures was simply unheard of. Not to mention he was merely an Earth Saint. The elder Earth Saints who had not gone to the Yuan World could not help asking, "Are spirit treasures in the Yuan World truly so easy to obtain? Why did none of you seize any, leaving them all to Lu Changsheng?" "Leaving them to him?" Another Earth Saint sneered coldly. "Lu Changsheng pioneered a martial arts technique on par with the Earth Saint realm and cultivated it to that level. That makes him equivalent to having mastered two distinct Earth Saint methods, fusing them completely. "Because of that, his strength is far more terrifying than an invincible Earth Saint. "Where do you think his spirit treasures came from? He crushed his way through, exterminating immortal sects and tearing them away by force. "If we had gone up against those sacred grounds, we couldn't even have breached their mountain gates, and we would have been slaughtered by their grand sects and spirit treasures. What could we possibly have used to take them?" Hearing this, the other elders were dumbfounded. They truly hadn't known such a monstrous Earth Saint existed in the Saint Domain. They had only heard rumors of so-called invincible Earth Saints; none had ever seen one in the flesh. Saint Star City possessed no invincible Earth Saints either. Yet Lu Changsheng seemed far more terrifying than even an invincible Earth Saint. "Enough, dwell on this no further." "For Divine Sword Villa to secure a single spirit treasure is already a stroke of divine fortune. As for Lu Changsheng's affairs, not a whisper must be leaked." "If word of Lu Changsheng's spirit treasures spreads, our villa will not escape unscathed either." "Toward Lu Changsheng, we can only maintain goodwill! Do not forget, he has hopes of becoming a Heavenly Saint!" Xiahou Puyu declared in a heavy voice. He had set his resolve. They could not afford to offend Lu Changsheng, nor could they offend Void Refining cultivators or Heavenly Saints. That being the case, Divine Sword Villa had to keep its lips tightly sealed. Even if news of the spirit treasures leaked, it must never leak from Divine Sword Villa. * * * Lu Changsheng traveled all the way back to the Hundred Flowers Sect. Zhang Ling immediately came out to greet him, a look of delight on her face. "Elder Lu, you are finally back." Lu Changsheng asked, "Has anything major occurred in the Hundred Flowers Sect?" "Nothing of note. Thanks to your prestige, the Hundred Flowers Sect has been very peaceful." "Good. I will enter seclusion for a time; let no one disturb me." "Yes, Elder." One look at Lu Changsheng's demeanor and Zhang Ling knew his harvest this time must be immense. Otherwise, he wouldn't have rushed into seclusion the moment he returned. Still, this was a good thing. The stronger Lu Changsheng was, the safer the Hundred Flowers Sect would be. Lu Changsheng didn't even have time to ask about the demon ancestor's progress in transitioning to the Immortal Dao. He couldn't be bothered with any of that right now. Lu Changsheng went directly into the secret cultivation chamber. He called up his attribute panel to take a look: Host: Lu Changsheng Comprehension: 2,644,000 (Natural Sage) Infinite Martial Dao: 15% (uncondensed) Lu Changsheng had spent twenty-five months in the secret world this time. Because he had an avatar in the Immortal Martial World, his comprehension had continued to increase steadily. Gaining ten thousand comprehension points each month amounted to two hundred and fifty thousand points. His comprehension had improved substantially. Yet the Infinite Martial Dao had not advanced at all. This was only normal. For the Infinite Martial Dao to progress, it required martial dao fragments. Moreover, martial dao fragments could also grant a massive lump sum of comprehension. Lu Changsheng remembered clearly: when he entered the first secret world and obtained martial dao fragments, his comprehension had increased by one hundred thousand points, and the Infinite Martial Dao had advanced by five percent. In the second secret world, his comprehension had increased by one million points, and the Infinite Martial Dao had advanced by ten percent. This was his third secret world. From this secret world, Lu Changsheng had secured complete martial dao fragments. And they were of the Earth Saint tier! He wondered just how much comprehension and progress in the Infinite Martial Dao they would grant him this time. Lu Changsheng had a faint premonition: This increase would certainly be immense. As it happened, carrying a massive collection of spirit treasures put him in a rather precarious position. A single misstep could plunge him into danger. Although he possessed numerous flesh avatars, making it impossible even for a Heavenly Saint to kill him completely, who would wish to die if they could live? Therefore, if he could use the martial dao fragments to substantially boost his strength, he would naturally have nothing to fear from those harboring covetous thoughts. Of course, that was provided his strength truly saw a massive leap. Though he was formidable now, Lu Changsheng felt it was still far from enough to face the lurking perils. He had to continue growing stronger. His strength needed to undergo a true metamorphosis. Even if he could not become a Heavenly Saint just yet, he had to find a way to contend with one. Otherwise, his situation would remain perilous. "Let's begin, then." Taking a deep breath, Lu Changsheng picked up a martial dao fragment. There were twenty pieces in total. More than enough to keep him refining for a long time. *Boom.* A moment later, his body shuddered faintly as he began refining the first martial dao fragment. Yet as soon as the refinement began, Lu Changsheng immediately sensed something different.