Chapter 1329: The Bustling World

After bidding farewell to Master Meng, Lu Yang returned to Wen Dao Sect, and his life settled into a peaceful routine. Little was heard of Lu Yang's recent activities in the world, as the cultivation world, and indeed the entire universe, entered a phase of peaceful development.

Once back at Wen Dao Sect, Lu Yang no longer left the sect. The cultivation world had now integrated spiritual energy with technology, allowing people to learn about all the news, big and small, across the universe without ever leaving their homes.

Furthermore, Lu Yang gathered information about the outside world not only through the network but also from Wen Dao Sect disciples who were out on their training expeditions.

"These young people are quite active," Lu Yang chuckled. Although the cultivation world had long since lifted its state of readiness, many prodigies had emerged during the preparation period. They seized their opportunities, rose rapidly, and forged considerable reputations across the universe.

In terms of the number of prodigies, there were several times more than in Lu Yang's era. Some even called this the resurgence of the ancient era's grand contention.

Many major powers also joined forces to host a grand Prodigy Competition, open to cultivators under a hundred years old. It offered not only generous cultivation resources as rewards but also universal fame, broadcast live across the entire cosmos. With numerous dark horses emerging, it was a truly grand event for the universe.

The prodigies vied fiercely, each refusing to yield. Various long-lost spells reappeared, and there were several instances of dramatic comebacks.

Such spectacles astonished even the common people of the cultivation world, who were accustomed to prodigy duels, let alone beings from other planets.

Little monk Xinding, whom Lu Yang had met at Xitian Temple in the Buddhist Nation, had become the top-ranked prodigy in the Buddhist Nation's Heavenly List. Wielding a sealed Sky-Opening Axe, he defeated and even enlightened his opponents.

There was also Song Tianjing, whom he met at the Spiritual Chef Competition. He had truly gained insights from the Immortal Maiden's "Culinary Compendium," and his incredibly masterful poison techniques made him an opponent no prodigy wished to face.

Although he was disbarred from the spiritual culinary world due to his poison techniques, he made significant advancements in the field of poisons, becoming a fearsome new star.

The only issue was that no poison cultivators were present at his matches; they were all quietly cheering for Song Tianjing while confined in the Great Xia Prison.

The most conspicuous participant in the competition, however, was Meng Banxian.

Meng Jingzhou, who practiced fortune-telling and cultivated a rudimentary Dao Fruit, had not been heard from for many years. When he appeared, the audience was stunned. "Isn't this a prodigy competition? Why is Meng Jingzhou participating?" they wondered.

Then, they realized that Meng Jingzhou's cultivation was so profound, placing him among the strongest in the Tribulation Crossing Stage, that people subconsciously overlooked his age. Meng Jingzhou was still under a hundred years old, which meant he was indeed within the age limit for prodigies!

With Lu Yang not participating, no one could truly contend with Meng Banxian. Even if they ganged up on him, they couldn't budge him an inch.

It was at this moment that the prodigies, who bore titles like "Little Lu Yang" or possessed "Meng Jingzhou's potential," truly understood the vast gap between themselves and Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou.

People had expected that if Meng Jingzhou appeared, Lu Yang would also make an appearance. However, they were disappointed; Lu Yang never showed up from the beginning to the end of the competition.

Unsurprisingly, Meng Jingzhou claimed the championship.

Lu Yang's only public appearance was at the wedding of Dao Lord Han Hai and Ao Ya. One hailed from Wen Dao Sect, the other from the East Sea Dragon Palace, both renowned for their extravagance. When the two became Dao companions, forces from across the entire cultivation world came to offer their congratulations.

Dao Lord Han Hai fulfilled his promise by setting the wedding location in space. As various forces arrived, they displayed their unique powers, traveling by boat, gourd, or even riding great beasts, as if ancient myths were unfolding anew.

The wedding was broadcast live across the entire universe. Other civilizations, witnessing thousands of true dragons soaring through space, were left speechless and utterly awestruck by the spectacle.

More than one immortal even attended, marking the first time immortals had appeared before the entire universe. The live chat was abuzz with continuous prayers to the immortals for good fortune and a constant stream of gifts, making it incredibly lively.

At this moment, Lu Yang ironically became one of the less conspicuous figures.

Beings across the universe were not very familiar with Lu Yang, and upon seeing him, found it difficult to connect him with the legends.

However, they could distinguish beauty. Yun Zhi, Yun Mengmeng, Qing He, Gan Tian, Tao Yaoye, Lan Ting, and others, all possessed ethereal beauty, each with their unique charm. Their appearance instantly garnered countless admirers.

Major advertisers also considered approaching them for endorsements, but after learning their true identities, no one dared to entertain such thoughts again.

After the wedding, the world's attention once again focused on the fierce competition among the various prodigies.

However, two cultivators who were not considered prodigies captured everyone's attention.

"Fang Shan lost? Wasn't he known as unbeatable in the Soul Transformation Stage? How could he lose to a veteran cultivator of the same stage?"

"To whom did he lose?"

"To someone named Mo Xiaochou. I heard he's a Buddhist Nation cultivator, though not well-known there, and he disappeared for a long time. Upon reappearing, he defeated Fang Shan."

"And in the Integration Stage, an extremely powerful veteran cultivator named Duan Qingshui, also from the Buddhist Nation, emerged."

The world was perplexed. Prodigies were called prodigies precisely because of their limitless potential; they could fight above their level, defeat veteran cultivators whose potential was exhausted, and use them as backdrops and stepping stones.

Yet, these two unexpected figures appeared among the veteran cultivators.

Furthermore, they were not only incredibly powerful in combat but also dabbled in all hundred cultivation arts. While not masters, they knew more than most cultivators at their level, making it extremely difficult to defeat them through these arts.

Their combat awareness was also extraordinary, insights far beyond what was expected at their stage. Even when faced with countless opponents surrounding them, they handled the situation with ease.

"I've witnessed group battles of Tribulation Crossing stage half-immortals countless times. Do you truly think this meager number of people can trap me?"

The prodigies were baffled. In this era, Tribulation Crossing stage half-immortals rarely engaged in combat, let alone multiple group battles. Where on earth had these two witnessed such scenes?

Rumors circulated that both had simultaneously entered an ancient relic secret realm, where countless ancient powerful beings had left behind their clones and legacies. They had spent untold years passing trials, undergoing profound transformations, and acquiring ancient inheritances.

With this rumor, the cultivation world sparked a frenzy of searching for this ancient relic secret realm, everyone hoping to become as powerful as Mo Xiaochou and Duan Qingshui.

Unfortunately, they found nothing.

When the prisoners saw reports about these two, they happily called a temporary truce, agreeing to resume their fights tomorrow.

"I knew Little Mo had it in him!"

"Little Duan didn't tarnish the prestige of our Great Qian!"

Lu Yang observed all these scenes with a calm smile, showing no intention of getting involved.

He was currently very busy and tried his best not to concern himself with trivial matters; his most pressing task was cultivation.

"Come, Second Boss, try my newly researched dish."

"Lu Yang, River Spirit made me a body out of water, what do you think?" Bai Shuang bounced around like a child, showing off her new body.

"Writing cultivation techniques is so hard! Can't you help me write them?" Xia He complained bitterly, wondering how to write cultivation techniques when that "stinky Lu Yang" wouldn't even give a hint.

Lu Yang lay rocking in his chair, browsing the news. He tilted his head, opened his mouth, and took a bite. "It tastes good," he said.

He leaned forward slightly, sprang up, and ate a few more bites of Yun Mengmeng's new dish, still wanting more.

"It's time for me to go into seclusion and break through."