Chapter 320: Dou Tianzun's Direct Disciple

"Wow, this tastes amazing!" exclaimed Shi Huagu. He savored it, discerning a flavor as if it had been roasted by true fire.

Could this be roasted with true fire?

It was the first time Shi Huagu had seen a barbecue restaurant use true fire for grilling—a truly extravagant move. The thought of having to visit the barbecue restaurant three times before finally getting in infuriated Shi Huagu. After finishing three *jin* of lamb skewers, he wiped his mouth and declared, "Ten grilled kidneys, please!"

The surrounding diners stared at Shi Huagu in astonishment. Barbecue skewers were already known for their virility-boosting properties, and now he was ordering ten virility-enhanced grilled kidneys? What was the difference between this and taking an aphrodisiac?

Shi Huagu was no ordinary person; he was a powerful expert in the late Integration stage. This level of virility enhancement would have a negligible effect on him.

Huo Huashen and Zhou Shan ate until their mouths were glistening with oil, thinking how good it was to be with Shi Huagu. Not only did they not have to pay when out, but they could also enjoy all sorts of delicious food. However, once the three of them had eaten their fill, they discovered a problem.

There was still some time before the shop closed, and the Heavenly Court Sect members were busy working as waiters, having no time to attend to them. If they left, it would be awkward since they weren't genuinely there just to eat. But if they didn't leave, just sitting there awkwardly wouldn't do either.

"Hey, do you think they're sitting here after eating because they don't have money to pay?" Meng Jingzhou quietly asked.

It was his first time encountering someone who wanted to dine and dash.

Li Haoran transmitted, "I don't know the two beside him, but the one in the middle, who ate the most, is named Shi Huagu. He used to be the Vice-Sect Leader, and after Qin Haoran's demise, I'm not sure if he was promoted."

Meng Jingzhou was delighted: "Has the Nine Nether Sect finally sent someone?"

Qin Yanran dared not speak; it seemed these three had arrived last night and she had thrown them out.

In the backyard, two automatic barbecue grills were operating at full capacity. Designed by the Fifth Elder, they not only automated the grilling of skewers but also significantly increased barbecue efficiency. The grills resembled bookshelves, featuring four tiers. Each tier was filled with skewers that slowly rotated, receiving true fire roasting and sizzling with oil. After the Fifth Elder's diligent research, he finally combined the Samadhi True Fire and Pure Yang True Fire, transforming them into a 'fire seed' used for grilling. The customer traffic over the past few days also attested to the Fifth Elder's research achievements.

"Fifth Elder, people from the Nine Nether Sect have arrived," Lu Yang said to the Fifth Elder, who was squatting on the ground, studying how to improve the automatic barbecue grill.

"Got it."

Only after the barbecue shop closed and the last customer left did the shop reveal its true nature: a Heavenly Court Sect stronghold.

At one table, two factions were clearly separated: one was the Nine Nether Sect, represented by Shi Huagu, and the other was the Heavenly Court Sect, represented by Lu Yang.

"It's truly not easy to get an audience with your Heavenly Court Sect," Shi Huagu sneered, expressing his dissatisfaction with the treatment he received last night and this morning.

Lu Yang couldn't understand the source of the other party's resentment and chose not to engage. "Presumably, this is the renowned Integration-stage cultivator of the Nine Nether Sect, Shi Huagu."

A man walked out from behind Lu Yang, causing the somewhat relaxed Shi Huagu to suddenly tense up. He felt a strong threat from the other person. In a one-on-one fight, he might not be able to defeat the opponent!

Lu Yang smiled, "Allow me to introduce you. My Heavenly Court Sect has a total of nine Protectors. This is the Fifth Protector, Multitreasured Heavenly King. He was incredibly renowned in ancient times; even Master praised his unique artifact refining methods, stating he had the potential to refine immortal artifacts. I wonder, has Sect Leader Shi heard of him?" Regardless of whether the other party was a sect leader or a vice-sect leader, addressing him as "Sect Leader" was always safe.

The Fifth Elder bowed, "Young Sect Leader, that was merely a jest from the Heavenly Venerate; it shouldn't be taken seriously."

Shi Huagu looked at Zhou Shan, who subtly shook his head, indicating he hadn't heard of him either. Shi Huagu cupped his fists, "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Multitreasured. Unfortunately, ancient matters are too far removed for us, and too much has been forgotten. I have not had the honor of hearing your esteemed name."

"May I ask why Fellow Daoist Multitreasured refers to him as 'Young Sect Leader'?"

"Fellow Daoist Shi, what you may not know is that Lu Yiyang is Heavenly Venerate Dou's direct and only disciple, making him the undisputed next ruler of the Heavenly Court."

Shi Huagu was startled. A direct disciple of Heavenly Venerate Dou? Heavenly Venerate Dou was the first to achieve immortality in ancient times. Didn't this mean Lu Yang was an immortal's disciple? In terms of status, he was probably half a step higher than Shi Huagu, an Integration-stage cultivator!

In the spiritual space, Immortal Fairy jubilantly hopped around: "Lu Yang, I knew you always treated me as your Master!"

Lu Yang: "..."

In reality, Lu Yang sighed upon hearing that Shi Huagu hadn't heard of Multitreasured Heavenly King. "Indeed, ancient times are far too distant. Even when we first reawakened, we were struck by the impermanence of the world. This realm has undergone colossal changes; the original stars have vanished, refined into boundless continents, and all familiar people and things are no more."

Lu Yang's gaze was profound, revealing a hint of loneliness, as if he were reminiscing about ancient past events.

Shi Huagu seized the opportunity to ask, "Do you know who refined the stars?"

Lu Yang shook his head. "This occurred after our Heavenly Court Sect fell into a long slumber; we don't know the exact reasons. Our sect is currently searching for Ying Tianxian and others to inquire about what has transpired over these past 300,000 years. I wonder if the Nine Nether Sect has any clues regarding immortals."

How could Shi Huagu know where Ying Tianxian and the other three were? He could only regretfully say he didn't know. He gave Zhou Shan a look, signaling him to ask something.

Zhou Shan pondered for a moment, then cupped his fists and asked, "My name is Zhou Shan. I have some confusions while studying ancient history. I wonder if you fellow Daoists could clear them up for me?"

"We will certainly tell you everything we know."

"I heard that in ancient times, a great cultivator achieved the 'Word-Manifesting Law' ability, making him invincible among his peers. However, he eventually vanished without a trace. I wonder about his whereabouts..."

Lu Yang smiled faintly. "I happen to have heard about that senior's exploits. He was a formidable rival on Master's path to immortality, but ultimately, he couldn't defeat Master and had his soul scattered."

Lu Yang had heard about this from Immortal Fairy. Immortal Fairy ambushed the opponent, who cried out, "I'm dying of pain!" Then, the Word-Manifesting Law activated, and he literally spoke himself to death. However, saying it this way might not convince the other party.

"Please elaborate."

"That senior had mastered the great divine ability, the Word-Manifesting Law. The life or death of his opponents was decided in an instant. He was victorious in a hundred battles, never suffering a single defeat, until he met Master."

"On that day, Master encountered the senior who had mastered the Word-Manifesting Law. Knowing they were both formidable adversaries and that holding back would mean self-destruction, the two engaged in a fierce battle. Dao rhythms surged, magical power churned, and the cosmos fell silent. Master's movement technique was unparalleled, appearing and disappearing unpredictably, leaving no trace. Seeing that he could not defeat Master, the opponent invoked the Word-Manifesting Law, shouting '...die...'. Unexpectedly, the Word-Manifesting Law proved utterly useless against Master. Instead, the opponent suffered a backlash from the Word-Manifesting Law, dying and perishing on the spot."

Shi Huagu was utterly shocked. At that time, Heavenly Venerate Dou had not yet achieved immortality, yet he was already immune to the invincible Word-Manifesting Law? How powerful was that? He had been observing Lu Yang's pupils and heartbeat. All signs indicated that the other party was telling the truth!