On the other side, the four True Masters didn’t act immediately. Daoist Qiu closed his eyes and contemplated for a moment. Then, opening them, he said, "A hundred years ago, when Tao Zhenhong and I came here, he accidentally obtained a Star Engraving Plate from the Immortal Palace. It can pinpoint the position of the Main Palace, but be cautious, he might intentionally mislead us with a Maze Array."
Ye Fengbo sneered coldly, "No matter what, the Immortal Mansion his disciples have chosen must not escape us."
Master Pei chuckled icily and said, "Precisely. Whatever places he occupies, we shall slaughter them all! If we don’t take advantage of the Heavenly Mechanism today to completely overturn Tao Zhenhong and his sect, how can we hope to realize our wishes?"
Daoist Qiu nodded slowly, and a sharp glint emitted from his gaze. He shouted, "In that case, let’s strike!"
The word "strike" erupted, resonating like galloping warhorses in a desolate desert, toppling mountains, and overflowing with murderous intent. Behind him, hundreds of cultivators surged forth like tidal waves, with tunneling lights and flying swords dancing like chaotic serpents, bursting forth in a dazzling spectacle.
Xin Chanzhen was the first to disembark from the sea boat, transforming into a streak of white light that rushed straight toward Zhang Yan.
Master Pei focused on Tao Zhenhong, a flicker of ruthlessness flashing across his eyes. With a swift motion of his sleeve, he sent a ribbon-like white rainbow slashing toward Tao Zhenhong.
True Master Tao smiled, "Fellow Daoist, slow down." Without moving his feet, he lightly swung the Jade Ruyi in his hand, deflecting the white rainbow to the side.
Daoist Qiu shouted, and a black tiger with four feet treading smoky vapor responded, flying toward him. He leaped onto its back, and with a roar, the tiger ascended the clouds. Reaching the northern position, Daoist Qiu pointed with two fingers, unleashing a crimson light that poured down overhead.
Tao Zhenhong’s shoulders trembled, releasing a streak of white light that soared upward, forming a Heavenly Crane shape in the air. It swooped down upon the crimson light to strike.
The crimson light flexibly evaded to the side, raising its head to hiss as its menacing eyes glinted—revealed as a monstrous serpent, six zhang in length, covered in red scales with a white belly, and twin wings emerging from its abdomen.
Lin Daoist frowned deeply, let out a sigh, and stamped his foot. From a burst of firelight emerged a Vermilion Bird, blood-red across its body, with a colorful crest atop its head. Amid its piercing calls, it carried Lin Daoist into the clouds and positioned itself in the western area.
Ye Fengbo had already charged into the eastern position, a cold smile on his face. "Fellow Daoists, why hold back now?"
With a loud shout, two streams of energy dispersed above his head, smoke and clouds swirling. From his crown emerged a faint golden Nascent Soul holding a jade lotus leaf and standing on a mass of Clear Qi.
The other three True Masters, knowing Tao Zhenhong’s cultivation far surpassed theirs and that no one could face him alone, dared not hesitate. They each opened their crowns, releasing their Nascent Souls.
The four then took positions around Tao Zhenhong, encircling him entirely. Yet he showed no sign of panic. With a booming shout, golden light radiated from his body as he elongated and revealed his Nascent Soul True Body. Suspended in the void was a Daoist figure standing atop a Black Tortoise, holding a Ruyi in one hand and a horsetail whisk in the other. He was accompanied by a Heavenly Crane atop auspicious clouds, encircled by a pearl-spitting long serpent. Behind him hung twin black-and-white swords, their Sword Qi flickering unsteadily.
Upon witnessing this, the four True Masters were all struck with terror and exclaimed, "Nascent Soul True Body?!"
Daoist Qiu’s eyes revealed shock and dread. When had Tao Zhenhong’s cultivation reached such a level? Could it be...
Upon reaching the Nascent Soul True Body stage, not only could the Nascent Soul detach and roam the Four Seas, but one required only a single step—or rather, a fateful opportunity—to ascend to the rank of Cave Heaven True Master. But if the True Body was here, then where had Tao Zhenhong’s True Body gone?
In that brief moment, Daoist Qiu’s mind raced through countless thoughts, finally piecing together Tao Zhenhong’s intentions. He was the first to react, stamping his foot and shouting, "No good! Tao Zhenhong has likely already occupied the Main Palace! His plan must be to use this to achieve Dao. We must quickly locate his True Body!"
Among the other three, Lin Daoist understood the situation best. Hearing this reminder, he too awakened to the realization and gazed at Tao Zhenhong with a mix of awe and admiration, sighing internally, "Brother Tao, what brilliant scheming!"
The Immortal Palace Main Mansion could be refined within one or two days with a token talisman, but forcing past the prohibitions required at least a hundred years of arduous effort.
Although Tao Zhenhong had obtained the Star Engraving Plate long ago, Daoist Qiu hadn’t thought much of it since Tao Zhenhong had spent the past century establishing sects all across East Splendor Continent, leaving him little time to focus on the ocean. Thus, Qiu had been reassured.
But he had never imagined Tao Zhenhong’s cunning to be so deep—traveling conspicuously across East Splendor Continent was merely a ruse to distract others from the fact that his True Body had been refining the Immortal Mansion. Now, he was only one final step away from founding his sect and solidifying his Dao.
Realizing that the truth couldn’t be hidden after striking, Tao Zhenhong laughed heartily and said, "Fellow Daoists, now that you know, I fear it’s too late!"
With a flick of his horsetail whisk, a mist of light scattered. The Heavenly Crane, long serpent, and twin black-and-white flying swords descended together, pulling all four opponents into the vortex of combat.
Daoist Qiu fought against the twin flying swords for several rounds, finding their sword light overwhelmingly sharp, making it impossible to extricate himself quickly. Growing anxious, he realized that once Tao Zhenhong refined the Immortal Mansion, all their prior efforts would be in vain. Furthermore, if Tao Zhenhong succeeded in refining the mansion and founded his sect at sea, he would likely seize the energy of the Immortal Palace’s Xuanji mystery, advancing directly to the rank of Cave Heaven True Master.
Daoist Qiu understood that the only chance lay in pinpointing the Main Mansion of the Immortal Palace. But the question remained—among the forty-nine Immortal Palaces, which was the main one?
Clenching his teeth, Daoist Qiu made a decisive choice, calculating the position of the Main Mansion using the "Nine Elements Mysterious Number."
Though harmless for ordinary mortals, such calculations involving cultivators carried deep karmic ties. Within moments, Daoist Qiu spat out a mouthful of blood, forcibly losing several hundred years of Daoist cultivation. His once jet-black hair turned gray, his skin wrinkled and aged, and even his Nascent Soul grew faint and fragile, as if about to dissipate in the wind.
Lin Daoist cried out in horror, "Brother!"
Ye Fengbo was also startled, exclaiming, "Daoist Qiu, what are you doing?!"
Master Pei frowned, showing faint disregard.
Struggling to deflect the twin flying swords, Daoist Qiu said in a trembling voice, "Southeast corner! The Main Mansion’s position!"
The four briefly glanced toward the indicated area and saw that eight palaces stood there. Qingyu Sect disciples and six Great Demon Kings were already gathered there, clearly having prepared for this moment.
Lin Daoist took a deep breath, realizing that there was no room for sentimentality today. He shouted, "All disciples, hear me! Seize the eight Mysterious Palaces in the southeast corner with all your might!"
...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)