Chapter 1340: Miscalculation

The moment Yunzhi transformed from a celestial being back into a human, stars in the cultivation world's sky successively lit up. Lost memories and altered realities also reverted to their original states. Those who knew Yunzhi didn't realize they had ever forgotten her existence; it was as if nothing had happened.

Jiuzhong Immortal and others also regained their memories, showing astonishment. The sensation just now was too profound; Yunzhi was right before their eyes, yet all memories of her had been forcibly erased without their awareness.

Was this the terrifying aspect of Dao Assimilation?

Lu Yang's chest heaved as he panted, utterly exhausted. The move he just performed was not simple; his spirit, energy, and essence had never been so concentrated, consuming a vast amount of his strength.

Fortunately, the plan succeeded in pulling Senior Sister back from her Dao Assimilation state. Lu Yang had formed the Source Tracing Dao Fruit precisely for this moment: to gather everyone under the guise of a celebration, confront the mastermind, use Senior Sister's Dao Assimilation state to slay the mastermind, and then use the Source Tracing Dao Fruit to bring Senior Sister out of that state. Everything had gone according to plan.

When they clashed again, the mastermind discovered that Yunzhi had become even more powerful than before she assimilated with the Dao.

Long ago, Yunzhi had attempted Dao Assimilation once, but quickly withdrew upon realizing it wasn't the realm she desired. This time, with Lu Yang's assistance, she could fight without restraint, no longer needing to intentionally suppress herself. Moving from half-step Dao Assimilation to full Dao Assimilation, she truly experienced the profound mysteries of that realm.

Although she had fallen from the full Dao Assimilation realm, she retained some insights and the profound understanding of that state, allowing her to utilize the power of heaven and earth with even greater proficiency.

Blood bloomed on the mastermind's body, covered in wounds. He used his blood to cast spells, conjuring crimson heavenly lightning that resembled the sky itself bleeding.

He possessed both the Calamity Response Dao Fruit and the Heavenly Tribulation Dao Fruit. These two Dao Fruits were essentially the same, merely named differently by people across different eras. With both Dao Fruits at his command, he had far surpassed everyone else in the path of lightning spells and heavenly tribulations.

He transformed into a body of lightning, merging with the heavenly thunder, becoming omnipresent. Lightning tore through the void, emitting a terrifying aura. Even Qilin Immortal and others retreated far from the battlefield in alarm.

The battlefield seethed with a fierce bloodbath. Even the spatial concept of this entire galaxy had collapsed, eliminating any distance limitations.

Yunzhi's palm techniques appeared gentle but were in fact overwhelmingly powerful, unmatched by anyone. Immortal gold and immortal artifacts were like paper before such techniques, offering no defense. A single palm strike could kill even an immortal.

Heavenly lightning tribulations permeated the sky and earth, appearing crimson and carrying a terrifying atmosphere. The mastermind's figure flickered in and out of sight amidst the lightning.

He suddenly appeared behind Yunzhi, intending to ambush her. The Five Elements' essence flowed in his palm, solidifying into a Five Elements Soul-Severing Nail.

Yunzhi sensed something. Hundreds of nearby galaxies were her domain, and every move of the mastermind was within her perception.

She twisted her body, bathed in golden light like a deity, and struck the Five Elements Soul-Severing Nail head-on.

The Soul-Severing Nail shattered, and the mastermind, his attack failing, retreated into the heavenly tribulation.

Yunzhi clapped her palms together, causing the space in this area to twist and deform. No matter where the mastermind hid, he could not escape this realm; hiding within any heavenly tribulation was futile!

"This is no longer just Dao Assimilation; it surpasses it," sighed Time Immortal. "Throughout history, there has probably never been an existence as powerful as Yunzhi. Her path of cultivation has reached its very end."

The mastermind possessed Dao Fruits for rapid healing and providing immense vitality. However, apart from the Immortal Dao Fruit, no other Dao Fruit could withstand Yunzhi's fierce assault. Even Dao Fruits could wither and deplete, eventually running out of power.

He was already showing signs of exhaustion. It's important to note that although he reached the Transcendent Realm through an unconventional path, he was still in the Transcendent Realm, a different level of existence. It was almost unimaginable for someone at such a realm to experience a lack of physical stamina.

If this continued, his situation would become dire.

Suddenly, the mastermind noticed Yunzhi's attacks weakening. No, it wasn't weakening, but rather a hint of hesitation in her moves, no longer as fluid as before.

Memories and events related to Yunzhi were rapidly disappearing from the world again.

A subtle change appeared in Yunzhi's usually indifferent expression; she felt her state was off, as if she was about to assimilate with the Dao and transform into the heavens once more.

"Senior Sister is assimilating with the Dao again!" A bad premonition arose in Lu Yang's heart. This only happened during Dao Assimilation, but Senior Sister was currently still at half-step Dao Assimilation, not fully assimilated. Why was this happening? Could it be that Senior Sister's two previous experiences with Dao Assimilation were making it easier for her to assimilate again?!

Lu Yang knew this couldn't continue. He struck again, his spirit, energy, and essence unified, activating the Source Tracing Dao Fruit, and unleashed a brilliant sword strike.

But this time, its effect was minimal; evidence of Yunzhi's existence continued to vanish!

"What?!" Lu Yang was startled. His earlier bad premonition had come true; Senior Sister's situation was out of control. He felt Senior Sister gradually moving closer to the Dao Assimilation realm. The Source Tracing rule, represented by the Source Tracing Dao Fruit, was trying to pull her back with all its might, but the pulling force of the Dao Assimilation realm was too immense for his strength alone to contend with!

"Just as I thought!" The mastermind laughed uncontrollably. Although severely wounded, he had finally waited for this moment.

"I knew this method couldn't work forever!"

It was just one Dao Fruit. It was already impressive that Lu Yang could pull Yunzhi back from Dao Assimilation once, considering the vast realm difference. How could it continuously affect Dao Assimilation? That would be too disrespectful to the heavens.

Lu Yang was drenched in sweat from anxiety. He realized there was a flaw in his plan; he had underestimated the situation, essentially pushing Senior Sister into a pit of fire.

Initially, Yunzhi was also somewhat flustered, but now her mind was calm as still water. This wasn't because she had found a solution, but because she was nearing the state of "Heaven." As "Heaven," how could her mental state be disturbed?

"Oh no!" Jiuzhong Immortal and the others, who had thought victory was within reach, felt their hearts sink. This time, they noticed memories of Yunzhi disappearing, but were powerless to stop it.

"What should we do? Should we make time flow backward?" Time Immortal asked anxiously.

"It's useless," Qilin Immortal shook his head. "Fellow Daoist Yunzhi's comprehension of Dao Assimilation is too profound. Even if time flowed backward, she would still automatically enter the Dao Assimilation state."

The mastermind was overjoyed at the sight of victory. Once the most threatening Yunzhi assimilated with the Dao, she wouldn't attack him. The Immortal Fairy, who hadn't yet reached omniscient realm, and the other immortals combined, would be no match for him!

Thousands of eternal laws converged around Immortal Fairy, condensing at her fingertip, pointing towards Yunzhi.

"Remain Unchanged!"

Yunzhi, who was gradually approaching the Dao Assimilation state, miraculously halted. All changes related to Yunzhi ceased simultaneously.

The entire scene was filled with astonishment. Even Yunzhi, uncharacteristically, showed a look of surprise, her gaze fixed on Immortal Fairy.

"Phew, it worked." Immortal Fairy wiped sweat from her forehead. Using "Remain Unchanged" on others was simple, but on Yunzhi, it was incredibly strenuous.

This technique had been used before on Zuo Shi Immortal when he tried to defy fate. The Immortal Dao Fruit could not only maintain Immortal Fairy's current state but also Yunzhi's. Of course, her own power alone wasn't enough; it required cooperation with Lu Yang's Source Tracing Dao Fruit. Only with both Dao Fruits exerting their power simultaneously could Yunzhi's realm be stabilized.

"Didn't I tell you I had a way?" Immortal Fairy chuckled at Yunzhi, seeking praise.

His hope shattered, the mastermind's eyes turned crimson, and his killing intent surged.

"Immortal Fairy!!!"