Cultivation: When you take things to the extreme

Chapter 1194: Chapter 716: Spicy Hand_2

“This…”

Within the Divine Light, Manjusri’s complexion changed. She saw Yin Yang and the Five Elements transform into Seven Rings, which settled on her head, four limbs, and around the waist and belly of her physical body, as well as within the Sea of Consciousness of her Primordial Spirit.

It was indeed a Taoist prohibition!

A fortune is paid for the loyalty of a horse; the Old Ape has been captured for a thousand years, previously serving as a slave of the Heavenly Demon Palace, with low status and poor treatment. Now that he has defected, he must be sincere; even if not, it’s of no great consequence, so Xu Yang need not impose a prohibition on him.

But for these Earth Immortals and other True Immortals, it was not the same. Xu Yang did not have enough time to thoroughly indoctrinate them to ensure their loyalty, nor could he stake the success or failure of this battle, or the safety of his own side, on whether they were sincere or not.

Therefore, prohibitions must be added, especially for the several Earth Immortals – none could be overlooked.

“Rascal, how dare you insult me!”

But Earth Immortals are after all Earth Immortals, high-ranking individuals in the various Tao Lineages, second only to Supreme Elders. When have they ever been subjected to such treatment?

As soon as the prohibition was imposed, one of them became furious—it was that Devil Sect Earth Immortal who, ignoring the Seven Rings of Yin Yang and Five Elements on his body, violently stimulated the Devil Essence within, seeking mutual destruction with Xu Yang.

The outcome…

“BOOM!!!”

Xu Yang remained expressionless, simply sweeping his wide sleeve, causing the Five Colors Divine Light to sweep out and directly topple the Devil Sect Earth Immortal to the ground, the Seven Rings of Yin Yang and Five Elements acting immediately, severing his head and limbs in an instant, destroying both Physical Body and Primordial Spirit, leaving behind only an ancient bronze pagoda, the true form of the Earth Immortal Taoist Soldier.

With the Primordial Spirit destroyed, the pagoda was bound by the rings, the Seven Rings tightly fastened without the slightest relaxation.

Xu Yang’s expression was indifferent as he intensified the Taoist prohibitions, the Seven Rings tightened further, imposing a heavy burden on the ancient bronze pagoda, which emitted sparks and cracks.

In the end…

“BANG!!!”

A loud crash sounded, and the pagoda shattered, a myriad of precious treasures that made up the Extreme Dao Weapon were thus destroyed.

Atop Xu Yang’s high seat, his expression remained detached and calm, as the Five Colors Divine Light in front of him refined the shattered pieces of the Taoist Soldier. He did not choose to reclaim them, reducing it all to nothingness.

An Extreme Dao Weapon, vanished into thin air!

“…”

“…”

“…”

Witnessing this, the Immortals all fell silent, with a few Earth Immortals looking icy, and a crowd of True Immortals showing shock and horror.

Xu Yang’s face was unchanged as he looked down at the Immortals, then lifted his gaze, “To be able to impose restrictions on others, yet cannot endure them oneself, such a state of mind, how can one be at peace without dying?”

“Taoist Master speaks truly!”

Hearing this, the Immortals all remained silent, with only the Old Ape responding vigorously, “The Devil Sect and Heavenly Demon Palace, they treat us Cultivators seeking Ascension as though we are pigs and dogs, enslaved and commanded at will, now that the situation is reversed, and they themselves are subdued, only then do they realize the deep disgrace. Such scum, death is too light a sentence for them!”

Within these words, there was a sense of great satisfaction, releasing much pent-up resentment.

Xu Yang smiled, had little more to say, and turned his gaze back, looking at the group of individuals, especially Manjusri and a few Earth Immortals, “If you do not wish to be bound by these prohibitions, you may speak now, and I will ensure your wishes are fulfilled, to avoid further trouble!”

“…”

“…”

“…”

The Immortals listened and remained silent.

Benevolence coupled with severity, the power of life and death!

Xu Yang’s attitude was clear; he could not leave any hidden dangers that might affect his battle with the Netherworld Venerable. Even Earth Immortals were to be killed without a second thought, and even Extreme Dao Weapons would be destroyed without being spared, as a show of determination.

This was a great deterrence to Manjusri and the other Earth Immortals.

They had believed that even if Xu Yang chose to act harshly, at most he would erase their Primordial Spirits. The Taoist Soldiers should have been kept as they were a culmination of countless treasures, painstakingly refined over more than a hundred thousand years by an Earth Immortal, and if not immediately usable, still held value to be preserved.

However, they did not expect Xu Yang to be so ruthless, to eradicate the Primordial Spirit and also destroy the Taoist Soldier, leaving no leeway!

What did this show?

It demonstrated his resolve, the determination to back against the wall and fight with everything at stake!

Their status as Earth Immortals and their Taoist Soldiers, were just like pots and boats in his hands, to be immediately utilized or else instantly destroyed, to rid of any lingering thoughts.

That Devil Sect Earth Immortal, who rebelled, did so because he could not bear the humiliation and believed that his adversary would keep his Taoist Soldier, hoping to one day when Heavenly Immortals descended to the Lower Realm, he could seize it back and reforge the Taoist Soldier.

But Xu Yang had eradicated that hope, meaning that even if Heavenly Immortals descend one day, he would no longer be able to reclaim his Taoist Soldier and fill the void.

Therefore, one can imagine the deterrence this posed to the group of Earth Immortals.

“Amitabha!”

Manjusri clasped her hands together and showed a merciful expression, “To protect the grand scheme, to safeguard the common folk, the Master’s merciful and holy actions, Manjusri prostrates with deep respect.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

Such words and gestures were met with a moment of silence from a few Earth Immortals, who eventually lowered their heads in acceptance.

After all, as long as the green hills are there, one need not worry about firewood.

For the time being, endure and bide the time, when the day comes, settle the scores!

The Earth Immortals bowed their heads, silently accepting the prohibitions, and the rest of the True Immortals had no choice but to leave their fate to the heavens.

“After this battle, if you merit contributions, you will regain your freedom!”

“Otherwise… accept life and death without complaint!”

Xu Yang stood up and proclaimed, “I shall impart Taoism in the palace; those interested may come and listen!”

With that, regardless of everyone’s reactions, he transformed into qi and dissipated without a trace.

The crowd exchanged glances; in the end, it was Old Ape and Manjusri who took the lead, stepping out from Zhenwu North Hall and heading straight to Qilin Middle Hall.

…

In the Ten Thousand Dao Heavenly Palace, the Kylin resides at the center, erected in the former layout of White Jade Capital.

Now within the Qilin Hall, a myriad of individuals had gathered, all being True Immortal warriors—the least among them were Mahayanas, and the highest had reached the level of True Immortals, each sitting on meditation cushions, immersed in the sound of Tao as if inebriated or enchanted.

The Divine Land is truly blessed; there are thousands among the True Immortals, and tens of thousands of Void Immortals, with nearly a million Mahayanas who have cultivated immortal power.

Despite a thousand years of Dark Chaos wreaking havoc, multitudes succumbing to calamity, and a sharp decrease in the number of Cultivators, half of them have survived and now eagerly entered the Taoist Domain.

Thousands of True and Void Immortals gathered together without crowding, instead arranged in distinct clarity and orderly segregation.

Atop the grand hall, upon the high altar, the leader of the Human Sect proclaimed the scriptures, while the Supreme Taishang imparted the principles of Tao, materializing the very essence of the Great Dao—sparking a cascading shower of heavenly flowers and the gushing of golden lotuses from the earth, captivating even the True Immortals who listened with rapt attention and intoxication.

Some suddenly grasped enlightenment, as if a blocked path had cleared.

Others found it obscure and puzzling, scratching their ears and cheeks in confusion.

Yet others had an epiphany, their bodies jolted awake, rushing out of the Tao Palace to confront the Heavenly Tribulation.

Manjusri pressed his palms together, his face showing compassion, “To preserve the overall situation, to protect the common people, the supreme teacher-upholding mercy and sacred deeds—I, Manjusri, prostrate with utmost reverence.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

Such words and gestures were met with a moment of silence from a few Earth Immortals, who eventually lowered their heads in acceptance.

After all, as long as the green hills are there, one need not worry about firewood.

For the time being, endure and bide the time, when the day comes, settle the scores!

The Earth Immortals bowed their heads, silently accepting the prohibitions, and the rest of the True Immortals had no choice but to leave their fate to the heavens.

“After this battle, if you merit contributions, you will regain your freedom!”

“Otherwise… accept life and death without complaint!”

Xu Yang stood up and proclaimed, “I shall impart Taoism in the palace; those interested may come and listen!”

With that, regardless of everyone’s reactions, he transformed into qi and dissipated without a trace.

The crowd exchanged glances; in the end, it was Old Ape and Manjusri who took the lead, stepping out from Zhenwu North Hall and heading straight to Qilin Middle Hall.

…

In the Ten Thousand Dao Heavenly Palace, the Kylin resides at the center, erected in the former layout of White Jade Capital.

Now within the Qilin Hall, a myriad of individuals had gathered, all being True Immortal warriors—the least among them were Mahayanas, and the highest had reached the level of True Immortals, each sitting on meditation cushions, immersed in the sound of Tao as if inebriated or enchanted.

The Divine Land is truly blessed; there are thousands among the True Immortals, and tens of thousands of Void Immortals, with nearly a million Mahayanas who have cultivated immortal power.

Despite a thousand years of Dark Chaos wreaking havoc, multitudes succumbing to calamity, and a sharp decrease in the number of Cultivators, half of them have survived and now eagerly entered the Taoist Domain.

Thousands of True and Void Immortals gathered together without crowding, instead arranged in distinct clarity and orderly segregation.

Atop the grand hall, upon the high altar, the leader of the Human Sect proclaimed the scriptures, while the Supreme Taishang imparted the principles of Tao, materializing the very essence of the Great Dao—sparking a cascading shower of heavenly flowers and the gushing of golden lotuses from the earth, captivating even the True Immortals who listened with rapt attention and intoxication.

Some suddenly grasped enlightenment, as if a blocked path had cleared.

Others found it obscure and puzzling, scratching their ears and cheeks in confusion.

Yet others had an epiphany, their bodies jolted awake, rushing out of the Tao Palace to confront the Heavenly Tribulation.