Chapter 21: Escape

Ak hadn’t expected Zhang Yujun’s response. In his understanding, every advanced civilization was like Valen Temple: stark class divisions.

To upper classes, lower lives were mere numbers.

“As you said, I did kill many. So what will you do? Kill me?” Ak abandoned negotiation, raising hands with a laugh. “I’m not like that trash you dealt with earlier.”

He had perfectly absorbed Tianhong drug; now immortal. Even Valen Temple’s high-tech weapons couldn’t destroy him.

“I won’t kill you. Someone like you; some senior brothers in the sect would love studying.” Zhang Yujun flipped her palm. A grain of sand appeared.

Tianhe Mysterious Sand; fetched by Zhang Qizheng from True Realm Tianhe depths when she was five. Exceptionally precious; one of three spirit treasures she refined.

Immortal dao artifacts roughly: mortal treasures, spirit treasures, dharma treasures, true treasures.

Most cultivators used mortal treasures; exhausting savings for one ordinary spirit treasure. Zhang Yujun’s three came purely from family wealth.

Since resolved to follow Elder Brother Zhang Wudao’s path, she wouldn’t waste her massive advantage.

Tianhe Mysterious Sand emerged. Space around her distorted slightly from its powerful gravity. Unchecked, the distortion would grow, swallowing everything.

“Go!”

Zhang Yujun pointed. Tianhe Mysterious Sand glowed faintly, shooting toward Ak.

“What is this?”

Ak’s heart jolted. He’d never seen it.

Powerful gravity locked his limbs; he could only face the attack. The instant contact; his body tore into countless fragments.

The sand didn’t stop, crashing into the ground behind.

Boom!

The entire Source hub floor collapsed completely. Unable to support the upper structure, it caved in.

Zhang Yujun lightly stepped into air, watching the hub’s fall. Thick dust obscured everything. She waved; revealing the truth.

Unsurprised by the result.

Cultivator battles relied on three aspects: dao attainment; personal insight and bitter cultivation; foundation. Like her Supreme Yin body or Father’s Azure Abyss true intent.

Second: dao arts; countless types covering all. Like Chen Zhao’s Five Tribulations Imprisoning Fire Array; mastered deeply, burning heavens and boiling seas possible.

Third: treasures. Combat treasures vastly boosted fighting ability.

Refined daily, their unleashed power was terrifying.

Zhang Yujun’s earlier moves used pure mana. No need to hide now; no reason to conceal spirit treasure power.

When dust settled, Zhang Yujun didn’t recall Tianhe Mysterious Sand.

She’d read Subject Thirteen’s data. Extreme survival; most conventional damage useless. Even one flesh chunk; rapid recovery.

Tianhe Mysterious Sand powerful, mainly against arrays and defenses; couldn’t grind him to nothing.

In rubble gaps.

Flesh chunks silently gathered, forming human shape; revealing Ak’s face. He looked up through cracks at the sky figure, eyes wary.

“What weapon? Instantly tore my body. To deal with her, must get close.”

Ak slapped the ground.

Earth surged like waves, spreading outward. Source hub ground rose rapidly; like a cage to trap Zhang Yujun.

But she seemed not to notice, staying put, waiting his next move.

“Daring to ignore me?” Ak’s eyes ruthless. Deep breath; body swelled. Dense blood patterns surfaced. Exhale; shockwave around skin.

His unique overload state.

In this form, all qualities greatly enhanced. Like Sean’s Dim Abyss power; merely splashed water on him.

“Die!”

Whoosh!

Right foot stomped heavily. Ruined ground shook again. Figure shot like arrow toward Zhang Yujun.

“Similar to ancient body cultivators?” Zhang Yujun watched calmly, no extra moves. Lightly tossed Tianhe Mysterious Sand; invisible distortion barrier formed ahead.

Ak touched the barrier; instantly bogged like swamp. No matter strength; unusable.

Forced to hover mid-air, exposed shamefully before Zhang Yujun.

“No, I still have…” Ak didn’t give up. Eyes changed; eerie red light emanated, shining on Zhang Yujun. His original special ability; key to escaping heavenly ring.

“Release me.” He rasped.

Under red light, Zhang Yujun grew dizzy, involuntarily releasing Tianhe Mysterious Sand restriction. But consciousness stayed clear.

Mind-targeting?

Her weakness.

Short cultivation years; insufficient resistance to such. Plus Ak’s original ability; influence understandable.

“Planned to test his ability; underestimated a bit.”

Zhang Yujun dropped some contempt. These Tianhong drug-evolved source users skewed, but in specialties; not to underestimate.

Meanwhile, Ak watched motionless Zhang Yujun, weighing.

Horrified: original ability likely controlled her briefly; couldn’t make special actions like surrender or suicide. She’d snap awake instantly.

“This time you win. After taking this planet’s Source, wait and see.” Ak stared deeply at Zhang Yujun, memorizing her face, then fled rapidly.

In place, red light faded from Zhang Yujun. Watching Ak’s retreating back, expressionless.

“Senior Brother, your turn.” She said softly.

“Good.”

Street corner. Chen Zhao’s eyes shifted, silent reply. Beside him; two immobile cruisers. Limbs sparking; paralyzed.

Chen Zhao lightly raised hand. Five red lights appeared in palm, flying toward towers around Wei Qing City.

Instantly, tower central fire platforms ignited.

Chen Zhao looked skyward.

Eyes narrowed slightly.

Five Tribulations Imprisoning Fire Array; activate!

Ak watched ahead wasteland and wandering corpses, feeling kinship. His ability not at limit yet; enough Tianhong drug; stronger.

“Then, Valen Temple or whatever Ask Immortal Sect; you’ll pay.”

Ak gritted teeth. Zhang Yujun’s attack hurt; reason for immediate escape.

As he neared leaving Wei Qing City, a tower ahead suddenly blazed.

Before reaction, massive blue flames emerged from air ahead, blocking path. He looked around; horrified. Entire Wei Qing City instantly surrounded by these flames.

Even overhead; flames blocked sun, like new sky.

High tower. Chen Zhao’s face instantly grave.

Source tide?

Receiving Zhang Yujun’s message, Chen Zhao asked the snake demon, “Senior, know what Source tide is?”

He usually shared senses; everything seen and heard same for it.

Now, wanted Golden Core great cultivator’s judgment.

Mo Qing’s earlier words; pseudo-Foundation limited by background and vision; what could he know?

The snake demon unhurried. “From him, last Source tide thirty-four years ago caused Source disease. Most humans instantly living corpses. Quite like some netherworld cultivators harvesting human wealth.”

“Other cultivators behind this place?” Chen Zhao frowned.

If true, they open; others hidden; disadvantageous.

“Speculation. Seen Source through little girl. How to say… decent bait. Before true contact, even I noticed nothing wrong.” Snake demon said.

“Source fake Core Formation item? Just attractive bait?” Chen Zhao’s face changed slightly, pondering. “If so, this place experimental field by some person or force. Ultimate goal… those pseudo-Foundation source users?”

Snake demon eyes lit. “Possible. But if experimental field, should have overseers. None appeared yet; unexpected?”

Overseers?

Chen Zhao silent moment, gazing sky. “Need venture outside heavens.”

He stepped forward, arriving Source hub. All battle traces erased. Mo Qing sat obediently corner. Zhang Yujun leaned wall, toying crystal sphere.

Chen Zhao glanced; inside Source.

“Here? This Core Formation item fake; unlike any seen. No golden nature.” Zhang Yujun casually tossed sphere to Chen Zhao.

Visual unsure; holding confirmed wrongness.

Most Core Formation items heaven-earth born; complete, naturally highly attractive to life. Holding this Source, she easily resisted temptation.

Only two possibilities.

First: Source incomplete, not showing Core Formation essence yet. Second: fake; impure taste.

Former possible, but Zhang Yujun preferred latter.

Didn’t believe luck; random teleport to Core Formation site; someone schemed shadows.

Zhang Yujun looked up slightly. “Want venture outside heavens. Senior Brother, thoughts?”

Chen Zhao smiled. “Just thinking same.”

As spoke, Zhang Yujun’s figure vanished spot. Shot upward, soon breaking atmosphere, viewing planet below. Not large; most surface barren. Where she’d been one few life zones.

Wei Qing, Tian Ying, Youlong; three cities together largest settlement.

Zhang Yujun continued upward.

Suddenly, something shouldn’t here floated space.

Damaged token.

Zhang Yujun reached, catching. Ask Immortal Sect inner token; Foundation disciple’s.

Fellow disciple met misfortune here?

Zhang Yujun frowned, gazing empty cosmic void. Strands Supreme Yin mana gathered eyes; gaze indifferent secluded.

“This is…?”

Spectacular scene appeared.

Planet one side encircled countless metal machines. Not chaotic; formed massive rings connected gigantic mechanical structure.

Size alone rivaled planet.

“Such creations not Ask Immortal Sect style; more native Heavenly Universe Hundred Lands.”

Zhang Yujun knew some super civilizations traded sect for needed resources.

Their alliance barely negotiated equally with sect.

Didn’t know if this metal creation related those civilizations; needed exploration.

Zhang Yujun soon reached heavenly rings periphery. Operated calmly. Her vision, even saw humans moving talking inside.

Fortunately, no Foundation aura sensed yet.

Zhang Yujun advanced more. Just before touching ring, eyes widened slightly.

“This is… Supreme Ultimate Formless Myriad Spirits Scripture aura?”

Reminded her one person.

Zhang Yujun face hardened. Directly touched ring, hand passing metal shell. Light push, entered inside.

Bright metal passage, two white research suits chatted walked over.

Zhang Yujun didn’t hide, but they passed without glance, as if not seeing her.

Then another figure entered outside.

Chen Zhao saw Zhang Yujun relaxed slightly, then astonished odd situation.

Chen Zhao observed passing two, frowning. “Their life forms… seem strange.”

“Of course. Because they’re long dead.” Zhang Yujun said gravely.

“Dead? How…” Chen Zhao shocked. Though odd, his Foundation perception, clearly alive.

“Wait, Chen Zhao, I think I understand. This is…” Snake demon suddenly exclaimed.

“Supreme Ultimate Formless Myriad Spirits Scripture.” Zhang Yujun spoke simultaneously. “Anyone killed by this true scripture enters neither living nor dead state. They interact, age, but lifelong unaware they’re dead.”

Chen Zhao scalp tingled. “Such eerie art?”

“Don’t be shocked. Four Books Seven Classics each wonders; any lead immortal peak. Born heaven-earth or created greats. If I’d cultivated one back then, wouldn’t ended like this.” Snake demon said regretfully.

Chen Zhao perception extended; same everywhere. Planet-sized structure… all “killed”?

Chen Zhao asked, “Senior, guess who did this?”

Snake demon silent while, then faintly. “In Ask Immortal Sect, cultivator Supreme Ultimate Formless Myriad Spirits True Scripture with strength for this; only one comes mind. Ask Immortal Sect chief, Holy Son Zhang Wudao!”

Chen Zhao murmured, “Zhang Wudao…”

Hearing, Zhang Yujun gaze turned strange, some eagerness. “You know him too?”

*

Youlong City, seaside.

Gentle sea breeze blew across sun-drenched golden beach.

Under white parasol.

Blond Caucasian youth sunglasses lay beach chair. Nearby, voluptuous beauties frolicked waves.

He leisurely sipped juice, adjusting position more comfort.

Suddenly, turned head, removing one lens sunglasses look approaching gray-templed middle-aged man.

“Barron, something up?”

“Father, you’re still high spirits.”

Middle-aged man Barron, chief administrator Youlong City. Man before him strongest source user, Youlong City Lord, Dragon King Sean.

“At my age, finally regaining youth; of course I’ll enjoy it.” Sean’s lips curved slightly. “Besides, with you handling affairs, I’m at ease.”

Barron’s face helpless; he sighed.

“You don’t usually look like this. What happened?” Sean raised brow.

“Tian Ying City gone. Completely cut off outside. I sent people; no survivors.” Barron organized words, speaking low.

Sean’s smile vanished instantly. He sat up straight, removing sunglasses reveal dark purple vertical-slit dragon eyes.

“No survivors? What about Tian Ying?”

“City Lord Tian Ying missing. From remaining traces… probably…” Barron trailed off, standing quietly aside.

Sean expressionless, silent moment. “Long Jing? I sent him Wei Qing City cooperation talks. Any word?”

Barron shook head again, bringing bad news. “I only learned today; Wei Qing sealed borders, no entry exit. From last report, he should still Wei Qing.”

“So many troubles.” Sean looked inland; dark glint flashed pupils.

“I’ll personally confirm both places.” Sean said calmly.

“Understood. Before your return, I’ll ensure city stability. About Mother… should we inform her?” Barron hesitated.

“No need. Don’t tell her.” Sean said immediately.

Barron nodded, then reminded, “Be careful. Besides Tian Ying’s mysterious fall, Wei Qing feels off too. Our contacts there cut off; like something major happened.”

“Rest assured. I’m going consolidate all forces.” Sean said calmly, confidently.

“Anyone blocks me enemy.”