Chapter 1116: Control [Rules]

Compared to previous times when Senior Sister had to make extensive revisions to the cultivation technique, this time only 40% needed modification. For Lu Yang, this was a significant step forward. After working on the technique for such a long time, it finally met the required standard.

"Sit down and rest for a bit; I'll revise it for you," Yun Zhi said, motioning for Lu Yang to take a seat.

Yun Zhi brought out the Four Treasures of the Study. Lu Yang stood nearby, grinding ink and handing brushes, learning how Senior Sister revised his cultivation technique. Lu Yang watched intently, as did the Immortal Fairy, whose head rested on his shoulder.

Delicate brushstrokes adorned the technique, as words and sentences were deleted, revised, and new content was added.

Lu Yang suddenly understood. As expected of Senior Sister, her conceptualization was far superior to his. It seemed he was still a long way from being able to compose cultivation techniques independently. Yun Zhi blew on a stack of papers to dry the ink. "It's done," she announced.

"Hooray! The Second-in-Command's cultivation technique is finally complete!" Yun Mengmeng cheered, pulling out a handful of candies from who-knows-where and distributing them to everyone, celebrating Lu Yang's hard-won achievement.

The candies were wrapped in glutinous rice paper, which could be eaten without removing the wrapper.

Lu Yang ate a piece; it was sweet with a hint of sourness, tasting like a spiritual fruit similar to grape.

Yun Zhi, meanwhile, ate a peach-flavored one. While Yun Mengmeng had grown tired of peaches during her time in the secret realm, Yun Zhi had not.

"Excellent, Xiao Yangzi's task is done. Now, let's get down to serious business!" The Immortal Fairy once again rallied everyone to launch a full-scale assault.

After eighty failures, they had calmed down and refrained from rushing into battle, choosing instead to recuperate. Now that they were fully rested and Yun Zhi had even helped Lu Yang complete his cultivation technique, thereby fulfilling her "utility," it was the perfect time to strike!

"Yun girl, you probably didn't expect us to suddenly attack, did you? I'm sure you've been vigilant against our assaults these past few days, but you definitely wouldn't have guessed that we had no intention of attacking at all. Instead, we've been living it up in Xiao Yangzi's cave dwelling. This is what you call 'waiting for the rabbit to come to you!'"

"It's 'to await the exhausted enemy at one's ease,' Immortal Fairy," Lu Yang couldn't help but correct her, despite being surprised on Senior Sister's behalf. "Ah, yes, that's the phrase! Xiao Yangzi is right! Charge!"

At the Immortal Fairy's command, all the women attacked simultaneously.

The three great generals transformed into their original forms: a black dragon, a fire phoenix, and a white tiger. They were majestic and awe-inspiring, with teeth as tall as a human, gleaming white, reflecting Yun Zhi's shadow. Anyone with a guilty conscience would be terrified upon seeing these ancient immortal beasts gathered together.

Qing He held a lotus flower, activating the embryonic form of the Longevity Dao Fruit to slow down time.

Yun Mengmeng imbued everyone's clothes with the power of the embryonic form of the Immortal Dao Fruit, ensuring their attire wouldn't be damaged during the battle. Observing the eager women, Yun Zhi sighed, rubbing her forehead, and instructed Gan Tian to put away the Emperor's chair and other valuables to prevent them from being damaged. Senior Sister Gan Tian moved skillfully; initially surprised to see the women challenge Senior Sister, she was now completely accustomed to it.

After the items were put away, Gan Tian continued to play the guqin, but no longer soothing melodies. Instead, she played a battle tune filled with the clash of blades and spears. *Deng-deng-dong-dong*

Inspired by Gan Tian's music, the women were filled with high spirits and swiftly set up a formation to besiege Yun Zhi.

"Dragon-Phoenix-White Tiger Transformation!" This combined attack of the three great generals secretly aligned with the power of the Three Talents. Jiang Lianyi and Jin Caiwei transformed into flat tattoos, adhering to Ao Ling's body.

"Longevity and Immortality!" Yun Mengmeng and Qing He attacked simultaneously. Their embryonic Dao Fruits, originating from similar sources, allowed them to create a field of near-time stagnation when unleashed together. This was the culmination of their eighty battles, enabling them to transcend the divide between immortals and mortals, and even giving them the power to contend with true immortals!

Soon, the women dropped to the ground one after another, like dumplings falling into a pot, and slept soundly.

Yun Zhi walked step by step towards Lu Yang, radiating a chilling aura, with the 'corpses' of the unconscious women scattered around them. Lu Yang shivered in fear. "Junior Brother," she said, "you should go back and cultivate."

Lu Yang nodded vigorously, like a chicken pecking at rice.

The Immortal Fairy, still unyielding, huffed, "Hmph, Yun girl, don't get smug! If I weren't still recovering from severe injuries and unable to manifest a physical body, I would certainly challenge you to a duel!" Yun Zhi's cheek twitched, and she pretended not to hear.

Lu Yang stepped forward to mediate, attempting to ease the tension between Senior Sister and the Immortal Fairy. "When the Emperor personally leads the army, it serves to boost morale and inspire courage, a truly wise move. However, warfare is dangerous, and weapons are instruments of destruction. Victory and defeat are common in battle; it is not only winning that is noble. To retreat and plan again also demonstrates the true character of a hero!"

The Immortal Fairy pondered Lu Yang's words carefully, vaguely grasping his meaning. "Are you suggesting I retreat?" she asked. "Yes," he confirmed.

"Oh, alright, let's head back then."

Fortunately, Yun Zhi understood the principle of not pursuing a desperate enemy. After her victory, she didn't press her advantage, giving Lu Yang and the others ample time to retreat. Lu Yang then had to carry each of the women back to their cave dwelling one by one.

The women were still asleep and showed no signs of waking anytime soon, so Lu Yang began to focus on studying the cultivation technique.

After circulating the new cultivation technique for one major cycle, Lu Yang felt his cultivation realm subtly stabilize. This indicated that even if he did nothing but cultivate systematically, he would eventually advance to the Fusion stage.

"But the speed is a bit slow," he noted.

"That's perfectly normal. It means you haven't yet grasped the essence of the Void Refinement stage," the Immortal Fairy said, floating leisurely through the cave dwelling, her feet not touching the ground, like a phantom. "Essence?" Lu Yang echoed.

"Tell me, what's the biggest difference between the Void Refinement stage and the Fusion stage?" she asked. "The difference? Controlling rules?" Lu Yang ventured.

"Exactly, it's about controlling rules. The better you master them, the more stable your cultivation realm will become."

"So that's how it is," Lu Yang murmured. "But how exactly does one control rules?" As an Imperial Tutor, he wasn't ashamed to ask, especially since he was utterly clueless about this concept. "Since you're currently in the Fusion stage, close your eyes and try projecting your spiritual power outwards to perceive your cave dwelling."

Seizing the moment while his cultivation realm was temporarily stable, Lu Yang released his spiritual power, spreading it throughout the entire cave dwelling. He could see every corner and crevice with perfect clarity, even observing the women sleeping soundly and the cookie crumbs they had dropped on the floor earlier.

"Next, imagine your body becoming ethereal, merging into the space of your cave dwelling."

Imagination was Lu Yang's forte. He envisioned himself as a pool of water, spreading in all directions, permeating every inch of space, as if his cave dwelling had completely become a domain under his control, capable of transformation with a mere thought.

The Immortal Fairy's voice reached Lu Yang's ears: "Finally, and most importantly, language possesses power. Every word you utter carries your strength." She continued, "Now, establish a rule within this space. Any rule is acceptable."

"I hereby establish the rule: Within this cave dwelling, all cookie crumbs must enter the trash can."

As the rule was established, the cookie crumbs on the floor flew up and floated directly into the trash can. "Yes, yes, that's exactly it!" The Immortal Fairy exclaimed, surprised that Lu Yang succeeded on his first attempt.

Lu Yang, emboldened, continued his practice. "I hereby establish the rule: Within this cave dwelling, books shall dance."

The cultivation techniques borrowed from the Scripture Storage Pavilion stood upright, their corners acting like two legs, hopping on the table in a manner defying all reason. Lu Yang felt he was on the verge of mastering the trick, and for such a brilliant display, the more onlookers, the better, of course.

"I hereby establish the rule: Yun Mengmeng, Qing He, Ao Ling, Jiang Lianyi, Jin Caiwei, awaken!" "Wait," the Immortal Fairy quickly interjected, "you cannot establish rules for those whose cultivation is higher than yours!"

*Splutter!*

The moment the rule was established, Lu Yang instantly felt a terrible sensation. Blood rushed upwards, and he violently spat out a mouthful. Just as the women opened their eyes, they saw Lu Yang lying on the ground, spitting blood like a fountain.