Don’t Mess with that Turtle
Chapter 99 - 99 098 Opening The Heaven_1

99: Chapter 098 Opening The Heaven_1 99: Chapter 098 Opening The Heaven_1 All sects, no matter their size, would wrap themselves in the legacy of an ancestral master to vie for a resounding reputation.

Mu Tung sneered with disdain, yet he couldn’t help but be on guard.

Feng Yi Ju was not one to boast without reason.

There were rumors that the Qingyuan Gate once had an ancestral master who held the Azure Dragon Old Ancestor in high regard.

Even if it was self-aggrandizement, there had to be some foundation for it, right?

As the formation flag was planted, its pole took root, and vein-like patterns spread out from beneath.

Mu Tung felt as if the power of his own world was obstructed.

There are three grand realms on the path of cultivation: Transcendence, Demonic, Stepping Sky, each with seven layers.

Seven steps to Stepping Sky, the first step being Opening Heaven Boundary.

Upon carving out a Cave World, the cultivator becomes its Boundary Lord.

Every gesture and move is imbued with the Power of the World, making each attack seem as if an entire world is striking.

Some small worlds cannot withstand the presence of the Opening Heaven Boundary and will repel or expel cultivators of the Stepping Sky Realm.

Those who’ve stepped into the Opening Heaven Boundary can only wander the stars or enter the major worlds.

This is called Ascension!

With the Qingyuan Array Flag in place, the wind rustling the banner made a rustling sound.

Mu Tung struggled to use his Divine Sense, Mana, and Power of the World, feeling as though he was about to drown.

However, Feng Yi Ju appeared radiant, receiving reinforcement.

As he looked at the vibrant Feng Yi Ju, a series of unpleasant memories surged in Mu Tung’s mind.

He quickly drew a Zen Staff and swung it towards Feng Yi Ju.

Feng Yi Ju deflected the Zen Staff with his sword and chuckled lightly, “Fellow Daoist Mu is still using the three-hundred-year-old Zen Staff plundered from Taibai Temple.

It seems you’re not very valued at Xuan Tian Gate, huh?

Why not join Qingyuan Gate?

We would honor you as the Mountain Guardian Elder.”

Mu Tung was livid, having only heard of Mountain Guardian Beasts.

Mountain Guardian Elder?

That was an insult too far!

Yet he did not press the attack again.

From their earlier collision, he realized that the Qingyuan Array Flag was undoubtedly a treasure!

It had restricted four-fifths of his strength, while Feng Yi Ju was like a tiger with wings added.

This fight would not be easy.

Taking a deep breath, he slowly wielded the Zen Staff, squinting at Feng Yi Ju.

Feng Yi Ju’s face bore a slight smile as their gazes locked.

Mu Tung wanted to delay for Fire Velvet to come to his aid, but Feng Yi Ju could not afford to grant his wish, and with a flick of his Immortal Sword, he transformed it into a Green Snake that hissed and lunged at Mu Tung.

Elsewhere, far to the south.

A petite man stood quietly in a mountain forest, a jellyfish-like Soul Beast resting on his shoulder, slowly shaking its head.

Unable to enter the Profound Realm, the surrounding area was sealed with formations specifically targeting Soul Beasts.

Longkui pulled out his long spear, standing with the weapon horizontally.

“Come on out!

Surely you didn’t go to all this trouble just to trap me here?” He had not followed the same route as Mu Tung and Fire Velvet into East Cloud.

He had intended to sneak in quietly to observe the situation among the East Cloud Sects, yet barely sixty thousand li into East Cloud, he became trapped in the formations.

Even the connection between Soul Beasts and the outside world was forbidden; this was clearly meant for him.

From a distance, an old Taoist rode out on a donkey, beating a shabby fish drum.

Longkui’s brow furrowed, “Xuanqing Temple, you old scoundrel Xiao, does Xuanqing Temple also intend to join the fray in East Cloud?”

Xuanqing Temple was an independent sect—or perhaps not even a sect—in East Cloud Mountain, occupying only twenty acres and consisting of just over twenty Taoists.

Yet, half of these Taoists had reached the Demonic Realm.

The remaining ones were disciples of exceptional talent.

Although small in number, their Taoist fortune was extremely prosperous.

Last year, the only Green Demonic Fruit in East Cloud Mountain was swallowed by the old mastiff of Xuanqing Temple.

Longkui, needless to say, had investigated beforehand.

Elder Ge of Xuanqing Temple and Qinghe Taoist had a life-and-death friendship, but that alone was not enough to drag Xuanqing Temple into the mire.

The term “old scoundrel Xiao” was not an insult, as his Taoist name was Xiao Laor, and his secular surname was Xiao.

Xiao Laor chuckled, “When has Xuanqing Temple ever been affected by the strife within East Cloud?

Not nine hundred years ago, nor three hundred years ago!”

Longkui looked at him.

Xiao Laor withdrew his smile and gently caressed the fishing drum, “This was passed down from my master, the Taipin True Person of Xuanyang Palace.”

Longkui’s head shot up.

Now East Cloud Gate is led by Qingyuan Gate; three hundred years ago, it was Taibai Temple, and nine hundred years ago, Xuanyang Palace.

Taipin was the last sect leader of Xuanyang Palace.

“The strife within East Cloud never really takes place in East Cloud, but rather in Xuan Tian.” Xiao Laor shook his head and sighed softly, if not for Xuan Tian Gate, any leader from any era would have had the means to unify East Cloud Mountain.

“Elder’s words are logical.”

A voice came from behind him, and Longkui was startled.

This was no small surprise, for with his current level of Tao cultivation, even if a cultivator two or three realms higher than him were to approach, it would be impossible to do so without making a sound.

Otherwise, how could one avoid an assassination attempt?

He probed with his Divine Sense, but there was nothing unusual behind him.

Guardedly, Xiao Laor turned slowly, only to see a monk leaning on a Zen Staff, with one hand in a salutation in front of his body.

The figure was ethereal, half-transparent, like a ghostly charm.

The Divine Sense could not detect him, but upon sight, one could sense the surge of Buddha Force emanating from the monk.

“Taibai Temple’s Monk Zhishang greets you,” said the monk.

The last abbot of Taibai Temple.

Both men exuded the aura of the Demonic Realm, yet Longkui felt an immense sense of danger!

He came to East Cloud Mountain unnoticed by man or ghost, his route chosen at random, impossible for even himself to predict in advance.

Yet these two had set up a formation here waiting for him.

Otherwise, these kinds of formations were as common as hairs on an ox, and he would stumble into them wherever he went.

Or perhaps they had been tailing him, and this location was simply convenient for laying to rest bones, so they unfolded their formation here.

Either possibility filled him with extreme terror.

“Do you both wish to kill me?” Longkui grasped his long halberd, and the little jellyfish on his shoulder retracted into the Sea of Consciousness within his Intention Orifice.

Monk Zhishang shook his head, “How could a mere solitary ghost harbor such deadly intent?

I simply wish to borrow Brother Long’s Cave World, to provide a dwelling place for the monks within the temple…that is all.”

Longkui’s eyes suddenly sharpened.

Boom!

Mu Tung was smashed to the ground by a Big Seal, vomiting a large mouthful of blood.

Opposite him, the sword-bearing Feng Yi Ju stood erect: “After three hundred years, Brother Mu, you have made no progress!

Could it be that you’ve never cultivated your world since Opening The Heaven, not to mention practising the ways of the Stepping Sky Realm?”

Mu Tung heaved heavily, a fierce glint in his eyes, and thought scornfully, ‘You just try and remove the Formation Flags and free my Cave World, then boast as much as you like!’ The Ways of the Stepping Sky Realm invariably required the Power of the World to execute.

If you dare to talk big, then dare to release my world!

Feng Yi Ju advanced, carrying the Immortal Sword.

Mu Tung’s eyes flashed with madness, and with a pat on his Qiankun Bag, various precious treasures leapt out.

He glared hatefully at the Formation Flags on the ground.

He had tried every method—soaring high, burrowing, walking on water.

The Formation Flag seemed to be blood-bound to him, always following him within ten miles, never too fast or too slow, too far or too close.

Unable to open his Cave World, he could not even utilize half of his powers.

“Refine!” Mu Tung flung out two Array Plates, creating a protective formation that barricaded Feng Yi Ju outside, while concurrently operating a Spell Decision that instantly began to refine and absorb the precious treasures into his body.

His Cave World was sealed, but his Opening Heaven Boundary was genuine, and that no one could erase.

As these treasures capable of elevating his Cave World were refined and absorbed into his body, his Cave World naturally progressed.

With progress, he could open his Cave World, and then Feng Yi Ju would be within his grasp to destroy!