"Senior, my Feiyun Sect has possessed its own legacy since ancient times. If Senior requires a quiet place to cultivate in peace, our Feiyun Sect can provide it. But if Senior intends to extinguish our lineage, then forgive this junior, for I will resist to the death."
Saint Cangxia was under immense pressure.
Yet the more perilous the moment, the less she could afford to let down her guard.
Under no circumstances could she permit this so-called "borrowing of the mountain gate."
Otherwise, would Feiyun Sect not be reduced to a vassal, subject to his every whim?
That was no different from having their lineage eradicated.
Granted, Lu Changsheng might very well be a Great Saint, but Feiyun Sect had its own mountain-protecting array, capable of mounting at least some resistance.
"Is that so?"
"I am not here to negotiate; I am here to inform you."
"Your mountain-protecting array is what gives you the confidence to resist? Then activate it. Let me see whether it can stop me."
Lu Changsheng stood with his hands behind his back.
His tone was dripping with arrogance, brazenly disdainful of everything around him.
Of course, in a mere place like the Cloud Dream Mountain Range, so what if he acted arrogant?
If he wished to exert absolute control over the Cloud Dream Mountain Range, the persona he projected was of paramount importance.
He had to cultivate an image of invincibility and overbearing dominance.
Only in this manner could he wield an iron fist to seize complete control of the entire Cloud Dream Mountain Range.
As for Feiyun Sect, they were simply the first target under his knife.
"Senior underestimates my Feiyun Sect's mountain-protecting array a bit too much."
"Since that is the case, please grant us your guidance, Senior!"
Gritting her teeth, Saint Cangxia finished speaking and directly activated the mountain-protecting array.
*Hum—*
Feiyun Sect's mountain-protecting array roared to life.
Instantly, the array enveloped the entire sect within its protective boundary.
An array of this caliber was something an ordinary Great Saint could not breach.
Its only drawback was the immense consumption of resources.
However, with Feiyun Sect's accumulated reserves, they could sustain the array for hundreds, even a thousand years under normal conditions.
Naturally, during intense combat, the resources would deplete much faster.
Nevertheless, it could definitely hold out for a century.
In essence, the mountain-protecting array was a sect's ultimate foundation of confidence.
If even the array failed to hold, annihilation was the only outcome left.
"Not bad."
Lu Changsheng nodded slightly.
Truth be told, the mountain-protecting array possessed respectable power.
An ordinary one-Dao or even two-Dao Great Saint would likely find it difficult to breach.
Yet how could Lu Changsheng be considered an ordinary Great Saint?
*Boom!*
In the void, the Thunder-Fire Dao manifested in an instant.
Then, a terrifying sword intent descended, and the Eternal Sword Dao emerged alongside it.
If the Thunder-Fire Dao had merely made the people of Feiyun Sect feel overwhelmed by sheer power, the appearance of the Eternal Sword Dao plunged them into immediate despair.
Even separated by the mountain-protecting array, they could clearly sense the dread-inducing sword intent radiating from the Eternal Sword Dao.
Even without being directly targeted, they felt as though they were already being torn to shreds by that sword intent.
Just what kind of terrifying sword intent was this?
"What Dao is that? Why does it exude such terrifying pressure?"
"Indeed, such oppressive might is unheard of! We've seen plenty of Great Saints unleash the power of their Great Daos before, but none possessed Dao power that could compare to this sword Dao."
"What kind of sword Dao could this be?"
"Can our mountain-protecting array withstand it?"
In truth, the elders of Feiyun Sect already had a faint inkling of the answer, yet they still clung to a shred of wishful thinking.
"Break!"
Lu Changsheng pointed a finger.
At once, the Thunder-Fire Dao and the Eternal Sword Dao crashed down.
There was no secret art.
No flashy techniques.
It was a direct, brutal smash using the raw power of the Great Daos.
*Rumble!*
As the Thunder-Fire Dao and the Eternal Sword Dao crashed down, the exceedingly powerful mountain-protecting array proved as fragile as paper, shattering in an instant.
"Ah..."
The array shattered.
The terrifying power of the Great Daos bore down like an unstoppable torrent.
Earlier, shielded behind their array, the members of Feiyun Sect had only felt pressurized and frightened. But now, facing the Thunder-Fire Dao and the Eternal Sword Dao directly without the barrier, they truly understood how horrifying these two Daos were.
If these two Daos struck home, they would be reduced to ash and dust without exception.
Feiyun Sect as a whole would be obliterated from existence.
At this moment, dread gripped everyone from Feiyun Sect, Saint Realm experts included.
"Stop, stop! We surrender!"
"Sect Master, quickly surrender, or Feiyun Sect will become history!"
"Sect Master, preserving our lives matters most!"
In an instant, countless Feiyun Sect elders pleaded with Saint Cangxia.
Why remain stubborn at a time like this?
Persisting in stubbornness meant death—the death of everyone in Feiyun Sect!
"Senior, please halt your hand! Our Feiyun Sect is willing to obey any command from Senior..."
Saint Cangxia finally spoke, her heart filled with bitterness.
Moments ago, she had been confident that the mountain-protecting array could withstand his assault. Now, she realized that confidence had been nothing more than a joke.
*Boom!*
Lu Changsheng's two Great Daos halted.
He gazed down at Saint Cangxia, in the end refraining from letting the two Daos crash down.
"Retract."
Lu Changsheng recalled both Daos.
His immediate objective had been achieved.
Having cowed Feiyun Sect into submission, he would next use it as a base to expand in all directions and unite the Cloud Dream Mountain Range.
Before that, however, he had to purge any internal dissent and bring Feiyun Sect firmly under his control.
"Very well."
Lu Changsheng nodded and flew directly into Feiyun Sect.
Afterward, he gathered Feiyun Sect's three Saint Realm masters and stated bluntly, "I have no interest in day-to-day affairs. Feiyun Sect will continue operating just as before."
"However, I must place a few restrictions upon you."
With that, Lu Changsheng flicked his fingers.
*Swish, swish, swish.*
Lu Changsheng detached three flesh particles, which shot directly into their bodies.
Instantly, the expressions of the three Saint Realm experts changed drastically.
They attempted to expel the flesh particles, but found it completely impossible.
Lu Changsheng was not worried about exposing his identity as a chaos lifeform. After all, his flesh particles were simply the purest form of physical strength.
Pure physical strength bore no imprint of chaos.
Many Great Saints in the Dark Domain also possessed exceptionally strong bodies.
"Do not attempt to neutralize my method. The moment any of you try to dissolve it, I will know immediately. When that happens, do not blame me for detonating it within you," Lu Changsheng said indifferently.
To guarantee the absolute security of the spatial passage in the Cloud Dream Mountain Range, Lu Changsheng had to resort to extraordinary measures.
He could not rely on the naive hope that these Saint Realm experts would submit out of sheer loyalty.
He had to maintain absolute control.
The three wore grim expressions.
Yet what could they do?
With their lives entirely in Lu Changsheng's hands, submission was their only choice.
Defiance meant death!
"However, you need not worry. My method will not affect your cultivation in the slightest. You may still comprehend the Great Dao and advance to Great Saint. I merely wish to prevent betrayal."
"Yes, Senior."
The three had no choice but to pledge obedience.
"Very well. From now on, I am Feiyun Sect's Supreme Elder."
"I will enter secluded cultivation for a period. No one is to disturb me."
"Yes, Supreme Elder!"
In truth, two of the Saint Realm elders had previously held the title of Supreme Elder.
However, now that Lu Changsheng had arrived and claimed the position for himself, they could only step down. Daring not keep the title, they relegated themselves to ordinary elders.
In most sects and powers, only Great Saints qualified to serve as Supreme Elders anyway.
In that regard, Feiyun Sect had been the anomaly.
With that, the three rose and took their leave.
Once outside, they looked at one another in dismay.
What had just happened?
Aside from having one more person in secluded cultivation, things seemed almost the same as before.
Of course, they could all clearly feel the flesh particle inside their bodies.
It was Lu Changsheng's means of controlling them.
They did not even dare attempt to purge it.
The moment they tried, Lu Changsheng would know.
Whether they succeeded or not, Lu Changsheng would show no mercy.
"Sect Master, what do we do now?" the two elders asked.
Lu Changsheng had taken over Feiyun Sect, yet did nothing.
He had simply secluded himself to cultivate?
This was practically... absurd.
Had he truly come just to borrow Feiyun Sect's grounds to cultivate?
Why did it feel so unsettling?
Saint Cangxia said in a low voice, "Don't overthink it. Carry on with your duties as usual."
"Look on the bright side: having a Great Saint as our Supreme Elder is, in a sense, a blessing."
"At the very least, we no longer need to fear Shanyang Gate."
"Perhaps once Elder Lu finishes his seclusion, we might even destroy Shanyang Gate..."
The two elders paused, startled.
Indeed. Lu Changsheng had only demanded to be their Supreme Elder and establish control over Feiyun Sect.
As long as he did not extinguish Feiyun Sect's lineage, this was actually an advantage.
It meant Feiyun Sect was now backed by a Supreme Elder—a formidable two-Dao Great Saint!
In the Cloud Dream Mountain Range, that gave them an overwhelming edge.
What did Shanyang Gate amount to in comparison?
Though Shanyang Gate also had a Great Saint, he was merely a one-Dao Great Saint.
He was far inferior to Lu Changsheng.
Thinking about it this way, Feiyun Sect seemed to have turned misfortune into a blessing.
For a moment, the three looked at each other, but said nothing more.
"Let us wait and see for now."
The three parted ways.
Amid the lingering buzz, Feiyun Sect gradually settled into calm.
Inside his cave dwelling at Feiyun Sect, Lu Changsheng was not actually in secluded cultivation.
Instead, he was quietly waiting.
Truly taking full control of Feiyun Sect was no simple matter.
He was observing in secret to see how Feiyun Sect would react.
As it turned out, the sect remained very quiet, seemingly resigned to their fate.
Lu Changsheng fell into deep thought.
The cultivation he currently displayed was that of a two-Dao Great Saint.
While sufficient to cow Feiyun Sect and even conquer the Cloud Dream Mountain Range, it was still not convincing enough.
He needed to appear even stronger.
Conveniently, Lu Changsheng's Illusory Realm had undergone three world reopenings.
In theory, he matched a three-Dao Great Saint.
Therefore, Lu Changsheng could now "simulate" a third Great Dao.
When the time came, he would publicly condense a third Great Dao here in the Cloud Dream Mountain Range and become a three-Dao Great Saint.
That would be enough to deter any dissent!
Such was the nature of the Dark Domain: the weak were prey to the strong.
When one's strength reached a certain threshold, all problems resolved themselves.
"Then let us begin..."
Lu Changsheng pondered what kind of Dao his third should be.
His first, the Thunder-Fire Dao, was already extraordinary.
His second, the Eternal Sword Dao, was even more terrifying—ranking near the very pinnacle among all Great Daos.
Hence, the third Dao he simulated could not be weak.
Simulating a Dao was no longer an obstacle for him.
Lu Changsheng's Illusory Realm had reconstructed numerous Great Daos.
If he wanted to simulate a unique Dao, it was simple: he could allow the reconstructed Daos to collide and fuse continuously within the Illusory Realm and see what emerged.
Then, he would simulate it directly.
After all, he was only simulating it. Whether it could truly be cultivated by normal means was of no concern to him.
No sooner said than done.
Countless Great Daos were reconstructed within his Illusory Realm.
He began causing these reconstructed Daos to collide and fuse.
Lu Changsheng focused primarily on the Five Elements Daos.
After all, the Five Elements were renowned far and wide.
In the Dark Domain, seventy to eighty percent of Great Daos belonged to the Five Elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth.
These Five Elements Daos were ubiquitous, and any of them cultivated to the pinnacle was terrifying.
Lu Changsheng harbored even greater ambition: he wanted to simulate a unified Five Elements Dao directly.
However, that was far easier said than done.
Time and again, Lu Changsheng made the Daos collide and fuse in the Illusory Realm.
Were the Five Elements not said to generate and overcome one another in harmony?
Yet fusing all five into one proved far from easy.
Within the Illusory Realm, he failed every single attempt.
This showed that fusing the Five Elements Dao into a single cohesive whole was as difficult as ascending the heavens.
Reflecting on it, that was only natural. If a unified Five Elements Dao were so easy to cultivate, why would anyone cultivate an individual element alone?
Lu Changsheng gradually abandoned the idea of a unified Five Elements Dao.
Instead, he simply allowed all of his reconstructed Daos to collide and fuse at will.
Days slipped by.
One month, three months, five months, eight months, a year...
Finally, an entire year passed.
Looking at his chaotic, disordered Illusory Realm, Lu Changsheng was not worried in the slightest.
As long as the Illusory Realm did not collapse, such superficial turmoil could be restored in the blink of an eye.
However, scanning the Daos that had fused and collided for an entire year within the realm, he noticed several novel Daos had actually emerged.
One in particular caught his eye.
"That is... the Dao of Earth from the Five Elements, fused with the Dao of the Terrene?"
"Standing upon the ground with this Dao, one could continuously draw upon the power of the earth, nearly without limit."
Lu Changsheng was pleasantly surprised.
The Earth Dao of the Five Elements and the Dao of the Terrene shared similarities, yet were distinctly different Daos.
He had not expected them to merge.
Moreover, they had birthed a brand-new Dao of immense power.
While perhaps slightly inferior to the Eternal Sword Dao, it was undeniably stronger than the Thunder-Fire Dao.
"This new Dao carries a profound, steady weight, possessing an overwhelming gravity. Let it be called the Heavy Earth Dao."
A smile touched Lu Changsheng's lips.
In the next moment, he began simulating it.
*Boom!*
The void trembled.
An oppressive, crushing heaviness abruptly enveloped the hearts of every cultivator in Feiyun Sect.
Vaguely, they felt as if the earth beneath their feet were shaking.
Yet on closer look, nothing physically moved.
The trembling of the earth existed in their spiritual perception—in truth, it was their very souls that were quaking.
*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.*
Saint Cangxia and the two Saint Realm elders flew out of their cave dwellings into the sky.
They looked down at the ground below in shock and bewilderment.
"Sect Master, what is happening?"
"It is no earthquake. If an earth dragon were turning over, our mountain-protecting array would easily suppress it. Yet our array couldn't even suppress that tremor."
"Look up in the void! A light... is that a Great Dao?"
"A Great Dao connected to the earth itself!"
"That is... coming from the Supreme Elder's direction! Could the Supreme Elder be making a breakthrough, condensing his third Great Dao?"
"Once successful, he will be a three-Dao Great Saint!"
"It seems what the Supreme Elder said back then was true—he really was just borrowing our Feiyun Sect to cultivate..."
The elders and Sect Master of Feiyun Sect stood dumbstruck.
A three-Dao Great Saint!
In the entire history of Feiyun Sect, no three-Dao Great Saint had ever emerged.
In fact, across all the sects in the Cloud Dream Mountain Range, no one had ever heard of any lineage producing a three-Dao Great Saint.
To say nothing of one as terrifyingly powerful as Lu Changsheng—an unprecedented phenomenon!
*Rumble!*
The heavens shook violently.
By now, anyone could see that Lu Changsheng was condensing a third Great Dao.
The third Dao had already manifested into reality.
Alongside it, the Thunder-Fire Dao and the Eternal Sword Dao shone brightly, the three Great Daos reflecting off one another.
Down below, the Feiyun Sect disciples were thrilled beyond measure.
After all, in name, Lu Changsheng was their Supreme Elder.
With their Supreme Elder condensing a third Great Dao to become a three-Dao Great Saint, how could they not be excited?
As for Lu Changsheng forcibly taking over Feiyun Sect, no one cared anymore.
When presented with such an enormous thigh, why hesitate to embrace it?
Lu Changsheng was supremely powerful; if he was willing to remain at Feiyun Sect, that was Feiyun Sect's greatest fortune!
"Hahaha! Today, the great endeavor is finally accomplished!"
With a flash, Lu Changsheng flew out of his cave dwelling.
A wide smile graced his face, radiating the sheer joy of someone who had just broken through.
In reality, Lu Changsheng had merely simulated the Heavy Earth Dao.
He felt none of the genuine joy of a breakthrough; it was entirely an act for the onlookers.
Sure enough, the three Saint Realm masters of Feiyun Sect rushed forward, bowing respectfully. "Congratulations to Supreme Elder on condensing a Great Dao!"
This time, their congratulations came straight from the heart.
Whatever slight resistance lingered in their minds had completely dissipated over the past year.
In that entire year, Lu Changsheng had done nothing harmful to Feiyun Sect; rather, his presence had served as the sect's guardian pillar.
What could they possibly complain about?
Lu Changsheng glanced at Saint Cangxia and nodded. "Very good. Over the past year, Feiyun Sect has run smoothly without any trouble."
"However, the Cloud Dream Mountain Range is too small. For such a small place to harbor so many sects makes no sense."
"I intend to sweep through the Cloud Dream Mountain Range. The entirety of Feiyun Sect must make preparations."
Lu Changsheng's words sent a jolt through the three of them.
As expected, his "borrowing" of Feiyun Sect had been driven by ambition after all.
His goal was nothing less than the complete unification of the Cloud Dream Mountain Range.
Only by unifying the range under a single banner would it match his stature as a three-Dao Great Saint.
Yet upon learning his ambition and purpose, the three felt relieved instead.
The boulder weighing on their hearts was lifted.
Lu Changsheng sweeping across the Cloud Dream Mountain Range was actually a boon for Feiyun Sect.
In name, Lu Changsheng was Feiyun Sect's Supreme Elder.
His conquest of the Cloud Dream Mountain Range was virtually Feiyun Sect's conquest.
Given his habits, he would never bother managing the day-to-day affairs of the range.
When that time came, would Feiyun Sect not be the one ruling it?
This was an incredible opportunity, a blessing rarely encountered!
Thus, Saint Cangxia assented almost immediately.
"Supreme Elder, rest assured. Feiyun Sect will make thorough preparations and will not allow trivial matters to trouble you," Saint Cangxia said with solemn deference.
The other two Saint Realm elders hurriedly voiced their agreement as well, expressing their full support.
"Good. Then we shall begin with the largest sect in the Cloud Dream Mountain Range. Which sect holds the greatest power?" Lu Changsheng asked.
"Reporting to Supreme Elder, that would be Shanyang Gate."
"Shanyang Gate has produced a one-Dao Great Saint and is currently brimming with ambition. It can be called the foremost power in the Cloud Dream Mountain Range!" Saint Cangxia answered.
"Very well, then we begin with Shanyang Gate!" Lu Changsheng nodded.
"No time to lose. We depart at once."
With that, Lu Changsheng flew into the sky.
Saint Cangxia immediately sent the two Saint Realm elders along with him, while she began marshaling disciples to prepare to take over Shanyang Gate.
She harbored not the slightest doubt that Lu Changsheng could crush Shanyang Gate.
*Swish.*
Lu Changsheng soon arrived at Shanyang Gate, flanked by the two Saint Realm elders.
"Supreme Elder, Shanyang Gate lies below."
"Shanyang Gate also possesses a mountain-protecting array, far stronger than our Feiyun Sect's. If we attack it by force, it might prove troublesome, and we might not even be able to breach it..." one of the elders said cautiously.
He was reminding Lu Changsheng that forcibly attacking a mountain-protecting array was no easy feat.
Furthermore, Shanyang Gate possessed a one-Dao Great Saint.
With a Great Saint personally helming and controlling the array, its might would surge to a terrifying degree.
"No need for such trouble."
Lu Changsheng took a step forward, arriving directly above Shanyang Gate.
Without uttering a word, he immediately manifested the Thunder-Fire Dao.
*Boom!*
The manifestation of the Thunder-Fire Dao instantly drew the attention of the entire Shanyang Gate.
Countless Shanyang Gate disciples looked up at the sky.
That dread-inducing aura caused their hearts to tremble.
"What is happening?"
"Is that a Great Saint? He has even manifested the power of a Great Dao!"
"Why has a Great Saint arrived so aggressively? Is he going to attack our Shanyang Gate?"
"Disaster has struck! How on earth did our Shanyang Gate provoke a Great Saint?"
"What are you afraid of? Our Shanyang Gate's Patriarch is also a Great Saint!"
Many disciples were deeply worried.
After all, that was a Great Saint!
Who wouldn't be terrified?
Having a Great Saint barge right to their doorstep could never be a small matter.
"May I ask how my Shanyang Gate has offended Fellow Daoist, that you should mobilize with such fanfare?"
Just then, a voice echoed from within Shanyang Gate.
Hearing this voice, the expressions of the two Feiyun Sect elders flickered slightly.
They whispered, "Supreme Elder, that should be Shanyang Gate's Great Saint."
Lu Changsheng nodded, gazing down.
From a cave dwelling within Shanyang Gate, a middle-aged figure emerged.
Step by step, he climbed into the air, facing Lu Changsheng from a distance.
However, he was extremely cautious.
From start to finish, he never stepped beyond the boundaries of the mountain-protecting array.
Clearly, the Shanyang Gate Great Saint was exceedingly wary of Lu Changsheng.
"I am the Supreme Elder of Feiyun Sect. The Cloud Dream Mountain Range is too small to accommodate so many sects. Therefore, I offer your Shanyang Gate two choices."
"First: put up a futile resistance and be exterminated by my hand."
"Second: submit to me and merge into Feiyun Sect."
"Two choices. Choose for yourselves."
Lu Changsheng's words sent an uproar through Shanyang Gate.
What kind of joke was this?
Shanyang Gate was an ancient sect in the Cloud Dream Mountain Range.
While it had seen few glorious moments in history, things were different now.
Now, Shanyang Gate boasted a Great Saint!
It was currently at the very pinnacle of its prosperity.
To force Shanyang Gate to merge with Feiyun Sect now—would Shanyang Gate even exist anymore?
This was an outright demand to swallow Shanyang Gate whole!
As for extermination?
With their mountain-protecting array and their Great Saint present, who could exterminate Shanyang Gate?
"Fellow Daoist's words are a bit too arrogant," said the Patriarch of Shanyang Gate. "Perhaps there is a third choice: that we each mind our own business, neither interfering with the other..."
Before the Shanyang Gate Patriarch could finish, Lu Changsheng let out a soft sigh and shook his head slightly. "It seems your Shanyang Gate has made its choice and wishes to resist to the bitter end. In that case, I shall naturally satisfy you."
"Today, I trample Shanyang Gate!"
Lu Changsheng's voice echoed through the void like thunder.
*Hum—*
Lu Changsheng waved his hand.
Behind him, the Thunder-Fire Dao manifested once more, accompanied by a sharp, piercing sword intent.
The Eternal Sword Dao!
The moment the Eternal Sword Dao appeared, the faces of everyone in Shanyang Gate drained of color.
In particular, the Shanyang Gate Patriarch—that one-Dao Great Saint—sensed a monumental threat.
"A two-Dao Great Saint?"
"And no ordinary two-Dao Great Saint at that—his second Great Dao is terrifying..."
The Shanyang Gate Great Saint's heart contracted.
Daring not take this lightly, he poured his full power into controlling the mountain-protecting array.
No matter what, he had to stop Lu Changsheng.
Yet the void continued to shake violently.
Immediately after, another Great Dao appeared.
The Heavy Earth Dao!
"What? Three Great Daos?!"
"He is a three-Dao Great Saint!"
"When did Feiyun Sect gain such a terrifying Great Saint?"
"Who in the world are you?! The Cloud Dream Mountain Range has never had a three-Dao Great Saint..."
The Shanyang Gate Great Saint was overwhelmed with shock and fury.
A three-Dao Great Saint!
Others might not grasp what that signified, but he understood all too well.
Only after becoming a Great Saint did he realize how difficult it was to condense even a single Great Dao.
Barring an unforeseen miracle, he would remain a one-Dao Great Saint for the rest of his life.
He dared not even dream of becoming a two-Dao Great Saint.
As for three Daos, that was unimaginably distant.
Yet now, a three-Dao Great Saint stood right before his eyes.
"Fellow Daoist, wait—"
The Shanyang Gate Great Saint tried to call out.
Yet Lu Changsheng had no intention of stopping.
Reaching out his hand, he pressed gently down toward Shanyang Gate below.
At once, the three Great Daos crashed down in an instant, smashing fiercely into Shanyang Gate's mountain-protecting array.
*Rumble!*
The entirety of Shanyang Gate shook violently.
The mountain-protecting array, upon which such high hopes had been placed, held out for a mere three breaths of time.
*Crack!*
Just like that, the mountain-protecting array shattered.
And the three Great Daos crashed relentlessly down onto the mountain gate of Shanyang Gate.
Chapter 471