Mastering the Mystical to Break Free

"The Great Yu is about to make their move."

Tan Zhuyin gazed at the apocalyptic lightning in the distance before turning to the two Dharma Kings and the gathered Demon Summoning Cult disciples.

"Destroying this Crystal Palace won’t be easy. Moreover, our Ancestral God may very well reside within," one of the Dharma Kings said solemnly.

"If that’s truly the case, then we might still have a chance to contend," Tan Zhuyin nodded in agreement.

The Ancestral God stood supreme, far more mysterious and unfathomable than even the legendary immortals who ascended to the celestial realms. Such blatant disrespect would surely provoke the wrath of the Yunmeng Ancestral God.

"However, the Ancestral God has slumbered for ages. Who knows how much divine power remains when miracles descend..." Luo Yexian voiced his concerns.

"We’ll assist when the time comes. And if we can leave Jiang Yu here... even better!" Tan Zhuyin’s eyes darkened with a sharp, ruthless glint.

No sooner had he spoken than the towering gates of the Crystal Palace, shrouded in lightning, creaked open slightly.

A vast, ethereal voice echoed from within:

"Who dares disturb my slumber?"

"Hmm?"

The old man wielding the lightning, whose every movement seemed to dim the heavens and earth, frowned slightly, suspicion flickering in his eyes.

As he had traversed the underground palace earlier, he had learned of its connection to the long-gone Demon Summoning Cult.

Could the being inside truly be...?

"After countless years of slumber, you have roused me. For this, you shall remain here... forever lost in the Abyss of Dreams."

Amidst a sigh that seemed to drift from the void, countless resplendent butterflies emerged from the Crystal Palace, transforming into a dazzling, dreamlike river that swiftly filled the vast underground chamber.

In an instant, the boundary between reality and dreams blurred.

All present began to stare blankly, their minds clouded. Luo Yexian’s mouth even hung open, drool dripping from his lips...

"Hmph! Cheap tricks!"

BOOM—

The thunder of divine punishment rolled across the sky.

A bolt of heavenly lightning streaked through the air, instantly incinerating swathes of dream butterflies. The dreamscape cracked like shattered glass.

"Dream Dao, is it? Let’s see how long your illusions last against the Wrath of Heaven!"

The world seemed to lose all color.

Then, from within the river of dream butterflies, a shadowed figure emerged, flanked by several others radiating formidable auras.

"The Dream God... It’s the Yunmeng Ancestral God! He has truly awakened!"

The legacy of Dream Dao had vanished from the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths for untold ages.

The world believed the Dream God was dead.

Yet now, the power to command dreams had resurfaced. Who else could it be but the Yunmeng Ancestral God?

"All hail the return of the Ancestral God!"

Without exception, the Demon Summoning Cult disciples prostrated themselves in fervent worship.

Many among them were ruthless and wicked.

Yet the more depraved they were, the more fanatically they clung to their beliefs.

BOOM—

Dream butterflies clashed with heavenly lightning.

The unstoppable divine thunder twisted under the influence of the dreamscape, appearing almost feeble.

But its power remained undeniable.

Unless the wielder of the lightning himself believed his divine punishment had weakened, the illusions would remain just that—illusions.

Yet the same ethereal voice whispered into the ears of the cultists:

"Do you wish to ascend further?"

"We do!"

"Then prove yourselves."

"For the Ancestral God!"

The Demon Summoning Cult disciples, now brimming with manic fervor, threw themselves into battle without fear.

The two Dharma Kings unleashed their full might—their cultivation at the Sixth Realm of the Dharma Body, where all mysteries returned to the self, unbound by heaven and earth.

Thus, even as two Profound Realm experts clashed, they retained their combat prowess.

"Protect His Highness!"

"Who kicked me?"

"Damn it! You’ve been kicking down my door, arresting my people—today, my Iron Leg Water Treading finally gets its due!"

Meanwhile, the remaining cultists brawled with the Sky Patrol Guards in utter chaos.

"Jiang Yu, prepare to die!"

Tan Zhuyin lunged at the Great Yu Crown Prince.

"Do you seek death a second time?"

Jiang Yu struck back with overwhelming force, his divine intent blazing even amidst the storm of Inner and Outer Realms.

A single punch sent Tan Zhuyin reeling, his face grimacing under the pressure.

Fierce clashes of Inner and Outer Realms ravaged the underground palace, the scene descending into pandemonium.

The Yunmeng Palace, already weathered by time, had its foundations tied to the now-fractured Sky Phoenix Domain.

With the frozen fragment of the Sky Phoenix Domain taken away by the "Ice Block," the palace became rootless, teetering under the onslaught of battle.

Amidst the fray, Jiang Yu had been steadily pressing Tan Zhuyin, poised to deliver the killing blow—when suddenly, his twin pupils narrowed.

Not far away, a figure was sneaking out through the cracked doors of the Crystal Palace, clearly trying to slip away unnoticed.

Him?

That fourth-ranked Hidden Dragon... Li Mo?

But his cultivation was far too weak.

From his arms, a flicker of divine light—identical to the radiance within the Crystal Palace—"accidentally" leaked out.

"Run!"

Li Mo paled and bolted, his figure flickering as he fled toward the palace exit.

Jiang Yu immediately abandoned his fight, golden dragons coiling around him as he gave chase.

He fled!

He pursued!

"Huh?"

Tan Zhuyin, barely holding on under Jiang Yu’s assault, was stunned by the sudden disengagement.

Then he spotted Li Mo too.

"Saint, did that thief just steal a divine relic from the Ancestral God?" Squint-eyed Zhu Renji asked shrewdly.

"After him!"

The Demon Summoning Saint led his followers in hot pursuit.

Only the two Profound Realm experts remained, locked in their duel.

But something felt off to the two Dharma Kings.

Why did the pressure keep mounting?

Put simply, the Yunmeng Ancestral God was slacking—his attacks all thunder and no rain...

......

"Whew, my dream illusion won’t last much longer. Let’s move."

"Right. My avatar will be caught soon too."

Li Mo and Qin Yuzhi exchanged glances.

Inwardly, they both thought: This guy/lady really sold the act.

Truth be told, this plan had been Li Mo’s idea—the divine light was a mirage from the Mirage Spirit Pearl, mimicking the Sky Phoenix Domain’s radiance.

The pearl was probably lost for good now...

Heart bleeding, Li Mo pushed the thought aside.

"Let’s get out of here."

Qin Yuzhi nodded, summoning thousands of dream butterflies with a wave of her sleeve. Their figures dissolved into illusions, gliding silently through the chaos.

Like fleeting dreams, they weaved through the storm of terrifying energies.

"Won’t we be caught?" Li Mo marveled.

Qin Yuzhi smirked. "Relax. Dream Dao cultivators are experts at survival... and tactical retreats. They’ve all been hypnotized."

Li Mo: "....Fair."

She sounded way too proud of that.

Who knew martial arts could lead to skills like this?

"Escaping shouldn’t be a problem."

"But..."

Li Mo glanced at the "Ice Block."

Her destiny remained as inscrutable as ever.

He felt a faint unease in his heart, but still closed his eyes and focused on controlling his external avatar.

.....

Seeking support and encouragement—this humble author secretly whispers to the esteemed readers.