Chapter 603: “United as One, the External Dao Alliance?”

Celestial Mansion, Alliance Prestige City.

Lu Yang and Banshan descended directly into the city center.

However, at that very moment, an angry rebuke suddenly exploded across the heavens and earth, followed closely by a second and third—each one crashing down upon Lu Yang.

“Who dares, demon scum, to trespass upon our External Dao Alliance?”

“Who are you? Courting death!”

As the words fell, one figure after another appeared in rapid succession, each exuding the aura of a True Lord. In an instant, the very fabric of heaven and earth trembled from the disturbance.

‘Quite a few, huh.’

Lu Yang was somewhat surprised. Counting Banshan, there were actually seven External Dao True Lords in this small Alliance Prestige City. Even in the Immortal Pivot, such a lineup would not be insignificant.

After all, seven External Dao True Lords joining forces—even if they were all of the fifth grade—would still be enough to drive back the 【True Lord of Heaven-Bearing Righteous Virtue】. When numbers held absolute advantage, a lack in quality could become a fatal flaw. In a real battle, the latter might very well be at risk of losing his life.

‘Of course, if it were me instead, there’d be no issue at all,’ Lu Yang muttered internally.

Mere External Dao cultivators—even seventy or seven hundred of them—would be crushed by his rank alone. Killing them would be no more difficult than slicing melons or chopping vegetables.

However, on the surface, Lu Yang still displayed a frightened expression:

“Th-this… Fellow Daoists intend to kill me?”

Seeing this look on him, both Banshan and the other External Dao True Lords—who had actually received word long ago but pretended ignorance—instantly beamed with delight.

Gotcha, didn’t we?

They just loved watching these filthy outsiders from the Outer Heavens, now come to Celestial Mansion to beg. If they didn’t ruthlessly bully such folk, all their years of mixing around here would have been for naught!

Of course, making a show of strength was one thing—but they had to be careful not to truly scare him into a panic attack.

So, Banshan quickly stepped forward and said:

“Fellow Daoists, this is just a misunderstanding… This Fellow Daoist Minghe is just like us—he fled here as a refugee. He also intends to join our External Dao Alliance.”

Banshan’s explanation was delivered with earnest sincerity.

Thanks to his persuasion, the expressions of the other six External Dao True Lords improved significantly, and the intense pressure in the air gradually eased.

However, Lu Yang simply watched with an amused expression.

Trying this trick on me?

When did I ever say I wanted to join the External Dao Alliance? One plays the good guy, the other the bad guy—was this their attempt to force a fait accompli and bully him as an outsider?

If it were someone less worldly, they might have been completely fooled—thinking Banshan was on their side and even feeling grateful to him. But in Lu Yang’s eyes, these little schemes were downright clumsy. In a backwater place, even a Qi Refinement stage brat could see through this.

The next moment, Banshan turned his head and said:

“Don’t worry, Fellow Daoist Minghe, everything’s fine now. Just a misunderstanding. It’s all been cleared up. After all, from now on, we’re all fellow Daoists of the External Dao Alliance.”

Shua shua shua—!

As Banshan’s words fell, Lu Yang immediately sensed the gazes of the other six External Dao True Lords converge upon him, forming a subtle yet oppressive atmosphere.

‘Crude. Far too crude.’

‘In the end, it’s still just brute force disguised in diplomacy. That whole earlier act feels even more contrived in retrospect. Seems this External Dao Alliance doesn’t operate with much professionalism!’

Still, Lu Yang didn’t really blame them.

After all, they were External Dao cultivators. It was already impressive that they could even be considered True Lords. Without training in the Immortal Pivot, it was normal for their standards to be low.

Lu Yang shook his head inwardly, but outwardly nodded decisively:

“Indeed, indeed. As fellow External Dao True Lords, we ought to support one another.”

“Hahaha, well said!”

Banshan let out a hearty laugh, patted Lu Yang on the shoulder, and then took out a jade slip, offering it to Lu Yang:

“This is the Dao Contract for joining the Alliance.”

“Since Fellow Daoist intends to join our External Dao Alliance, go ahead and sign it.”

“...Contract?”

Lu Yang’s brow twitched slightly as he turned his attention to the jade slip titled 【United as One: External Dao Alliance Joining Contract】, giving it a cursory sweep with his divine sense.

The contents of the contract instantly became clear.

‘It’s just like the 【User Terms and Conditions】 of the Great Dao Immortal Talisman—endless legalese. But if you distill the core ideas, it’s only a few lines.’

【I, Minghe, voluntarily authorize my mana and qi mechanism to the United as One External Dao Alliance, allowing the Alliance to use it as collateral for borrowing from the Heaven-Earth Immortal Travel. Any resulting debts will be borne solely by me. The Alliance bears no responsibility. Furthermore, should I sell my Fruit Position, the Alliance reserves the right of first purchase.】

‘Beasts!’

Lu Yang’s eye twitched. Though this was just the most basic form of contract fraud, he still felt a deep malice and an overwhelming sense of helplessness.

Damn it, there wasn’t a single good place around here!

He was utterly disillusioned with this wretched place. Where was the righteous cultivation world they promised? In the vast Outer Heavens Sea of Light, why was everyone so vile?

“...Fellow Daoist? What’s wrong? Hurry and sign.”

Noticing that Lu Yang had actually read through the entire contract carefully, Banshan’s expression began to shift, and the smile on his face gradually faded.

This damned outsider—cautious, are we?

Well, that made sense. He was a refugee from the Immortal Pivot, after all. Anyone lacking a bit of caution would’ve long been picked clean.

‘But so what if he sees through it?’

‘He followed me here into Alliance Prestige City. At this point, he no longer has a say! Whether he signs or not, this Dao Contract will be signed!’

Banshan was full of confidence. After all, they were all External Dao True Lords, and the headcount was seven to one—a clear advantage.

‘Once we force him to sign the contract, we’ll take it to Heaven-Earth Immortal Travel to borrow a high-interest loan, establish karma, and bleed him dry just from the interest. We’ll extract everything good he has on him. When he can’t repay, we’ll strip him of his Fruit Position and purchase it together.’

In and out, the Fruit Position would become theirs.

After all, a True Lord from the Outer Heavens—even if he joined the External Dao Alliance—could never be as trustworthy as one cultivated by the Alliance itself.

That was the main reason Banshan didn’t bother with any rigorous vetting before bringing Lu Yang in.

‘Before the Immortal Travel’s tax agents arrive to register his name, we must have him sign this contract. Only then can we legally acquire his Fruit Position!’

Thinking this, Banshan grew even more excited:

‘With this one, we’ll have eight True Lords. If we can bring in just one more, make it nine, we can officially submit our application to ascend to the sixth layer!’

“Fellow Daoist, don’t dawdle.”

Banshan barked harshly, his tone carrying more menace: “Or is it that Fellow Daoist dares not sign, harboring sinister intentions that threaten our Celestial Mansion?”

“The tax agents from Heaven-Earth Immortal Travel will be here any moment. Trespassing in Realm Heaven is already a grave crime. Without our External Dao Alliance to vouch for you, the tax agent won’t show you an ounce of mercy. You might not survive, soul and all!”

At this point, Banshan became even more stern:

“Fellow Daoist, abandon all delusions. Otherwise, when the tax agent arrives, don’t blame me for reporting you as a demonic operative from the Immortal Pivot!”

“You! Shameless!”

Lu Yang wore a face full of grief and indignation. “To slander an honest man like this!”

“Fool,” Banshan said indifferently. “The demons from Immortal Pivot are powerful for a reason. There’s much to learn from them—we’re merely studying their methods.”

However, the next instant, Lu Yang shook his head fiercely and declared:

“You can’t threaten me. I won’t sign!”

“Beneath the bright sun and under the clear heavens, I refuse to believe you can twist right and wrong. My conscience is clear—I fear no shadows. Let the tax agent investigate if he must!”

At these words, Banshan immediately frowned, silently cursing his luck.

This damned outsider—with that stiff skull and stubborn logic—wasn’t falling for it. Could he actually be a righteous cultivator?