Zhou Guang Han Che

Eastern Divine Continent, Liupingsha.

Bai Xuanling concealed her aura, her gaze sweeping over the calm, bottle-shaped lake set amidst a vast expanse of yellow sand.

Judging by the map provided by Chu Xingchen, most of the spirit vein tributaries flowed here. Moreover, other tributaries were also shifting, and according to predictions, their final destination should be here as well.

Altering spirit veins, even just the tributaries, was an extremely difficult task that could not be achieved through brute force alone.

Even the Eighteen Immortal Sects only established their sects where the main spirit veins flowed, rather than twisting the flow of the veins themselves. As a result, many immortal sects were originally built in absurdly poor locations and had to spend great effort to slowly adjust them later.

With the current capabilities of the Tianyan Sect, adjusting the direction of spirit vein tributaries wasn't impossible, but it would come at an enormous cost. Furthermore, it was impossible to casually twist the tributaries as easily as these Heavenly Demons seemed to do.

They had likely used the power of Authority.

In the past, when the Heavenly Dao briefly collapsed and its Authorities fell, the Eighteen Immortal Sects each obtained some, in addition to the Heavenly Demons. However, most of them were integrated and collected by the world's number one sect, the Xuanqing Heaven Sect.

Compared to the Heavenly Demons who recklessly polluted and tested the power of the Authorities, the Xuanqing Heaven Sect's approach had always been to try every possible means to return these Heavenly Dao Authorities, and the various sects had witnessed their actions of returning them with their own eyes.

Therefore, over the years, the Eighteen Immortal Sects nominally did not research the power of the Authorities too much.

After all, the collapse of the Heavenly Dao back then was largely to save the living beings of this realm. Returning the Authorities was an act of absolute justice and was unquestionable.

Especially since some people linked the Heavenly Dao's loss of Authority to the inability to ascend.

The reasoning made sense, so even Tribulation Transcendence cultivators who held an Authority would choose to hand it over for the slim chance of becoming an immortal.

But regardless, a portion of the Authorities from the Heavenly Dao's collapse had fallen into the hands of the Heavenly Demons.

For example, the unbelievable illusion arts Xu Linglong once displayed were perhaps the power of an Authority.

Now, the shifting of these spirit veins was highly likely the ability of an Authority as well.

Bai Xuanling's gaze swept downward, carefully sensing the spiritual energy fluctuations below, but she found no abnormalities.

Was it in this lake?

Bai Xuanling hesitated slightly, but she didn't actually dive deep into the lake to investigate.

After all, if this was truly the ultimate grand array of the Heavenly Demons, one could guess with their toes that heavy preparations had been made inside.

Moreover, they would definitely have made extra arrangements specifically targeting a True Immortal like herself. If she just dove headfirst to check the situation, it would be pure suicide.

If she really wanted to see, there were naturally plenty of methods.

Whether it was leaking news and using some tricks to claim that Liupingsha hid a wicked supreme treasure, thereby tricking some evil cultivators into paving the way.

If the evil cultivators all died in this placid lake, then there was naturally a problem, and she could start preparing some grand gifts. If they didn't die inside, she could send people to infiltrate and try to gather intelligence.

Having made up her mind, Bai Xuanling was just about to leave when her divine sense suddenly twitched. She looked toward the west and saw a young man with a kind face, wearing an earth-yellow monk's robe, gazing at her.

Bai Xuanling naturally recognized this monk-robed man as Boluo. Although his appearance had changed, that disgusting aura was still as real as ever.

Boluo looked at Bai Xuanling with a smile on his lips and said decisively:

As expected, you have methods to detect the flow of spirit veins. For those previous array rituals, you also went to check places near spirit vein tributaries first.

I was surprised at first, but thinking carefully, you yourselves are one of the Heavenly Dao Authorities.

However, Bai Xuanling, to think you actually dared to come here alone. Are you relying on your cultivation as the sole True Immortal?

Bai Xuanling looked disdainful:

With your cultivation, you most likely couldn't sense me. Did the array below catch me?

Boluo nodded confidently: There must be some methods. After all, in this world, no amount of preparation is too much when it comes to you and Chu Xingchen.

I'm afraid you made more preparations for Chu Xingchen than for me, Bai Xuanling smiled lightly.

Boluo chuckled twice, looking at Bai Xuanling teasingly:

The only living True Immortal is still playing little tricks? Since you knew the array below could capture your presence, how could it not capture your secret methods of calling for help? Though I really couldn't detect how you triggered it.

Bai Xuanling's face was calm as her divine sense swept directly toward Boluo:

Aren't you still a Heavenly Demon, playing inconspicuous tricks yourself? Your current avatar still carries the scent of Xu Linglong. I'm afraid Xu Linglong never expected to ultimately die by your hands, otherwise this avatar should have some other seasonings added, like dog shit.

If you really had guts, why didn't your true body come? Xu Linglong at least knew how to fight when it was time to fight. In comparison, it left a deeper impression on me and made Chu Xingchen and me suffer quite a bit.

With its abilities, I'm afraid your level wasn't enough to command Xu Linglong.

So let me guess, it must be your Authority that can move the spirit veins, formulating this so-called grand plan. In the current desperate situation, only your plan counts as the sole way out.

So even though Xu Linglong understood your sinister intentions, it still wanted to accomplish the great cause, so it obeyed your commands even if it meant playing dumb.

Even if you intentionally sent Xu Linglong to its death, it died according to your expectations. Even though it was the qualified chess player, you believed there could only be one chess player, and that you were extraordinary, so Xu Linglong's sacrifice was necessary.

The aura of a weakling is fully exposed, relying on your own Authority to hand a long blade to the strong.

Boluo's expression remained calm. He gently gathered his monk's robe:

What you said captures some of my thoughts. However, the strong are destined to tolerate some questioning from the weak, and only those who are firm in their original heart can be the strong.

If Xu Linglong could really lead everything, it wouldn't have followed my arrangements. It couldn't withstand the pressure I gave, so naturally, it had to obey my commands.

Just like how you wouldn't listen to the clamor of those weaker than you.

Furthermore, you also understand that the result determines whose words are correct.

Boluo slightly raised his hand, pointing toward Bai Xuanling, but in the next moment, the hand in front of him was severed by a flash of sword light.

Bai Xuanling's gaze was icy cold:

You think you're worthy of pointing at me? I endured your nonsense for so long because I was waiting for the Heavenly Demons you arranged. Now it seems not a single Heavenly Demon is here, yet you dare to control an avatar to point at me?

Boluo looked at his severed arm, which turned into pale mud on the side, and chuckled softly:

Don't you understand? We will meet sooner or later, and when that time comes, I will naturally experience the demeanor of a True Immortal.

Boluo emphasized the words True Immortal heavily.

Bai Xuanling narrowed her eyes: So you wasted an avatar just to spout this nonsense?

Boluo raised his eyes, looking at the rainbow light approaching rapidly from afar.

Naturally, it is to let you make more preparations. After all, I have already seen through your methods.

The next time we meet, it won't be an avatar.

The words had barely faded when a flash of cold light severed the clone's head.