Chapter 420: Smart Strategy

If I’m not mistaken, he must have used some special method to devour the essence of powerful demons. If that’s truly the case, and it allowed him to rapidly master his techniques, then his foundation will certainly be extremely unstable. In the future, he could very likely lose control and completely transform into a half-human, half-demon monster!

Xu Yang conveyed his findings and judgment to Wushuang and the Empress via soul transmission, which greatly astonished both goddesses.

“I believe he thought it was impossible for us to emerge alive from the Tomb of Buried Cultivators,” the Empress said. “That’s why he chose this expedited method: to sweep across the entire Three Thousand Dao States in the shortest possible time while we were away, leaving no opportunities for other legacies. It’s a pity his calculations were ultimately flawed. Man’s schemes are no match for heaven’s plans. We were not so fragile. Now that we’ve returned, Feng Xiu’s advantage will vanish. It seems his schemes for this lifetime are destined to fail.”

The Empress couldn't help but sigh with emotion. As both were from the same generation and considered the most supreme talents of the Three Thousand Dao States, foreseeing Feng Xiu's downfall brought a pang of melancholy to her heart.

Had she not decisively chosen to stand with Xu Yang, truly integrated into his team, and later even formed a profound emotional bond with him, the Empress might have already been consumed by Feng Xiu’s faction.

Indeed, fate works in mysterious ways! Often, rare opportunities appear fleetingly. Seizing them can be a stepping stone to great heights, but missing them can lead to a lifetime of regret.

The process was easier to handle than expected. After all, Xu Yang possessed a part of the divine origin within him. Although the Asura Divine Power inheritance had already integrated various origins within him, Xu Yang still had a complete understanding of the characteristics of the demon origins.

He handled it with ease.

After completely eradicating that foreign origin, Xu Yang began to establish a soul resonance with the Empress.

Utilizing the powerful ice-attributed essence transmitted by the Empress from her body, as well as the unique power of her Frost Moon imperial lineage, they began repairing the cracked patterns on the core of the Frost Guard Great Formation.

This formation was personally established by the first Empress who founded the Frost Moon Empire, protecting this lineage for over a hundred thousand years. This demonstrated the astonishing power of the formation, far beyond that of any ordinary great formation.

While Xu Yang was repairing this great formation, he also inadvertently discovered some of its secrets, particularly the most unique characteristics of the Frost Moon Empire's legacy. This served as a form of cultivation and accumulation for him.

Just as Xu Yang had inadvertently comprehended the characteristics of the Void Dao during his previous encounter with Dao Lord Xiaoyao, now, the Frost Moon Empire's truly powerful Ice Sealing Art and some core elements of illusion techniques had been quietly mastered by Xu Yang.

During the process of establishing soul resonance, the Empress also seemed to receive immense guidance and inspiration from Xu Yang.

The Empress even discovered that during the repair of the great formation, Xu Yang's guidance and control over ice-attributed source energy seemed even more refined than her own. Anyone unaware might have thought he was the true successor of the Frost Moon Empire!

Unbeknownst to her, the Asura God-level inheritance granted Xu Yang an extraordinary affinity for any pure, single-attributed elemental force between heaven and earth, and an instinctive connection far surpassing ordinary people, making it much easier for him to control.

After repairing the great formation, Xu Yang and the two goddesses exited the room. Upon seeing the Empress, the elders of the Frost Moon Empire immediately knelt on the ground.

“Hail, Your Majesty!”

“You may all rise,” the Empress said. “Remember, from now on, when you see Xu Yang and Wushuang, it is as if you see me. If I am not present, any person they designate to give you orders must be regarded as my own command and strictly carried out. You must understand that this time, had it not been for Ah Yang's people, our Frost Moon Empire would likely have fallen into Feng Xiu's clutches.”

The elders, of course, understood. The Frost Moon Empire's survival was entirely due to the Dragon Python, which was one of Xu Yang's capable subordinates. The elders knew perfectly well who the real leader was, and no matter who they offended, they dared not offend Senior Xu Yang.

“We obey, Your Majesty!”

After resolving this issue, the three of them did not linger in the Frost Moon Empire any longer. After deploying some protective directives, the Empress returned to Qianyun Sect with Xu Yang and Wushuang.

Over the next two weeks, Xu Yang led everyone in his team into secluded cultivation.

This time, Xu Yang intended to thoroughly solidify everyone's foundation after they had entered the Tribulation Transcension Realm, thereby compensating for the crucial flaw of their unstable foundations caused by their rapid progress.

As the group with the deepest bonds to him on this continent, Xu Yang would absolutely not allow anyone to follow in Feng Xiu's footsteps.

Seeking quick success is the most taboo thing for cultivators! On this path, there can never be shortcuts; one must only proceed step by step. Otherwise, one will deviate from the original path and lose control over their cultivation.

For a full two weeks, everyone made great gains under Xu Yang's guidance, and their combat abilities significantly improved.

Especially the Empress and Wushuang, who had both reached the peak of the initial stage of Tribulation Transcension and could enter the mid-stage realm at any time.

Everyone else also thoroughly solidified their foundations.

Meanwhile, at the headquarters of the Northern Jin Sword Alliance, the vacant eyes of the two disciples before Feng Xiu had pushed him to the brink of fury.

After receiving the content transmitted through soul transmission from the minds of these two individuals, Feng Xiu, in a fit of rage, instantly obliterated the two puppets before him, without any regard for the fact that they were once his two most capable subordinates.

For Feng Xiu, just as Xu Yang had judged, anyone without value to him could be sacrificed at any time. He was a person who disregarded emotions, caring only for his goals and desires.

“Issue my command,” Feng Xiu said. “The three halls of the Northern Jin Sword Alliance are to prepare. Each is to assemble a thousand men. Depart in one week, and await further orders!”

“Understood, my lord!”

A week later, Xu Yang temporarily changed his strategy before departing.

“Ah Xue,” Xu Yang instructed, “take a group of people and return to the Frost Moon Empire. Do not show yourselves; hide deep within the royal palace. Do not even alert the elders. Wushuang, you, Long Kun, and the others are to remain at Qianyun Sect. Create the illusion of departure for the outside world, then go to the most concealed location in the back mountains. As for the Myriad Demon Abyss, I will go personally. The rest of you are not to follow.”

Everyone looked puzzled.

“Boss, why is that?”

Xu Yang revealed a slight smile. “Have you forgotten?” he asked. “I’ve already very clearly told Feng Xiu my objective. Whether he’s made changes or not, he’ll definitely be thinking. That guy now absolutely dares not confront me directly, because back at the Xiaoyao Dao Sect, a wisp of his soul consciousness was also competing with me for the qualification to inherit the Qiankun Bell, and I ultimately tricked him out of it.”