Chapter 454: Sword Opens the Heavenly Gate

A few days ago, after being released from prison and parting ways with Yunzhi, Daoist Buyu continued his travels across the continent. He dedicated his journey to promoting "The Legend of Wendao Sect" while also subtly enhancing his own glorious and magnificent image.

Upon arriving at Dingxin City in Jizhou, he discovered it was enveloped by a set of rules, allowing entry but preventing exit. To outsiders, Dingxin City appeared to be operating normally, with a continuous flow of people entering and leaving, as if nothing was amiss.

However, this was merely the power of the rules; while entry was genuinely possible, exiting the city was not.

The individuals observed by outsiders leaving Dingxin City were, in fact, artificial constructs created by these rules.

These artificial figures were indistinguishable from real people, possessing identical memories, habits, and behaviors.

Only when the rules disappeared would these external constructs vanish.

Initially, Daoist Buyu considered severing the rules with a single sword strike. However, just as he was about to make his move, his combat-honed sixth sense, developed over many years, prompted him to halt.

He quickly realized that these were not Integration-level rules, but rather Tribulation Transcending-level rules.

If he were to intervene, it would undoubtedly attract the attention of the rule-setter, complicating matters significantly.

"What rotten luck," Daoist Buyu muttered, spitting on the ground before intensely focusing on devising a countermeasure.

He first disguised himself as a down-and-out Daoist priest, telling stories in a teahouse to observe the rules.

The rules had clearly been in place for more than a day or two, and everything in the city was functioning as usual. This indicated that the rule-setter's intention was not destruction.

After several days of observation, during which the teahouse business became increasingly popular, Daoist Buyu finally understood the rules governing the area.

Different identities were subject to different rules: guards had their own, officials had theirs, and even teahouses and restaurants operated under specific regulations.

While there were many rules in place, only two were core.

The first was: The Great Xia Dynasty does not exist; only the Great Yu Dynasty does.

The second was: All residents of Dingxin City are subjects of the Great Yu Dynasty.

This revealed that the rules were established by a Tribulation Transcending-level cultivator from the Great Yu Dynasty.

But what was their purpose? What was the use of carving out territory within the Great Xia Dynasty to establish a Great Yu Dynasty?

Daoist Buyu had been pondering this question for several days without any breakthrough.

It was only when his capable disciple's paper crane arrived that he finally grasped Great Yu's objective.

The Great Yu Dynasty intended to seize a portion of the national destiny power in Hanshui City and then experiment with its application in Dingxin City.

The plans for Hanshui City and Dingxin City were interconnected.

Their shared goal was to research the power of national destiny.

As for why the Hanshui City plan failed and Wu Youdao and two others were captured, yet Great Yu still hadn't abandoned Dingxin City...

It was because the Great Yu cultivators were unaware that Wu Youdao had been captured.

At the time, Immortal Fairy had publicly allowed Wu Youdao and his two companions to escape, but secretly recaptured them. Thus, the public only knew that the three had successfully fled.

The Great Yu cultivators could only access information available to the public; they did not possess omniscience or the ability to perceive everything.

"So that's it," Daoist Buyu murmured, a cold smile playing on his lips as he gazed up at the sky, which had been pierced by the paper crane. "The Great Yu cultivators indeed have significant ambitions."

The sky, which was a manifestation of the rules, had not healed, indicating a loophole in the regulations.

It also implied that the Great Yu's Tribulation Transcending-level cultivator had detected the paper crane.

"Daoist priest, is something wrong? Who sent that letter?" the teahouse owner cautiously asked, finding the down-and-out Daoist's smile unsettlingly eerie.

"It's from my eldest and youngest disciples."

"Are they storytellers as well?"

"More or less," Daoist Buyu replied. "By the way, Boss, I must go back on my word. I won't be able to continue telling stories here tomorrow. Please apologize to the guests for me."

"Oh, why?" the teahouse owner exclaimed in surprise. Everything had been fine; why the sudden decision to quit?

And where would he go if he quit? Could he actually leave Dingxin City?

Suddenly, an overwhelming pressure descended, blanketing the entire city. Dingxin City plunged into panic; people were terrified but didn't know why the pressure had appeared or where to flee.

Daoist Buyu sighed softly, "Because I'm about to make my move."

With a flick of his horsetail whisk, it transformed into ten thousand swords, densely obscuring the sky. These swords released millions of golden sword qi, incredibly matching the overwhelming pressure for a moment.

The city's inhabitants were no longer affected by the oppressive force!

"Unaware for a moment, and an insect managed to slip in!" The individual exerting pressure from the sky fixed his gaze intently on Daoist Buyu.

As the paper crane flew towards Daoist Buyu, the oppressor also noticed Daoist Buyu's presence.

He perceived that while Daoist Buyu was exceptionally powerful, he was still at the Integration stage, and thus, not a significant threat.

Daoist Buyu showed no fear, soaring into the sky to confront the individual unleashing the pressure.

He raised his hand skyward, and the ten thousand swords converged, transforming into an unparalleled, lightning-bathed sharp sword that appeared in his grasp.

"Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin?!" The individual releasing the pressure exclaimed, a hint of surprise in his voice. He had never expected to witness the most revered sword technique among sword cultivators here.

"I am Daoist Buyu, Sect Master of Wendao Sect. Who are you?"

"You may address this Venerable One as Venerable Dawn."

Daoist Buyu narrowed his eyes. Venerable Dawn, according to historical records, was a mid-stage Tribulation Transcending cultivator from the early Great Yu Dynasty.

He wasn't unbeatable.

As he gripped the supreme treasured sword, countless iron artifacts and magic treasures within the city vibrated simultaneously, as if responding to his call or perhaps submitting to Daoist Buyu, the supreme powerhouse.

The magic treasures within the city resonated, their vibrations echoing throughout the sky!

The sharp sword's exposed edge glittered like a rainbow, as chilling as ice, standing upright and emanating a fierce murderous intent.

He slowly enunciated the name of the technique: "Sword Cleaves Heavenly Gate."

The sharp sword descended like a bolt of silk, causing the sky barrier to tremble as it slashed towards Venerable Dawn with boundless murderous intent.

The sword, like a suspended river, descended from the sky. Venerable Dawn's hairs stood on end, and he barely dodged the attack by turning sideways.

*Boom!*

The sword qi struck directly at the sky barrier, shattering it. The firmament trembled, white clouds dispersed, and the sky above Dingxin City cleared completely. A bright sun hung high, illuminating the scene for the city's millions of residents who watched in awe.

Witnessing this, Venerable Dawn was filled with dread; such a technique was simply beyond the capabilities of an Integration-stage cultivator!

"Nevertheless, there's no need to fear," he scoffed. "How many times can you possibly use that move?"

Such a powerful, last-resort technique would surely drain an Integration-stage cultivator's spiritual power after one or two uses, posing no real threat to him!

"I can use it indefinitely!"

Daoist Buyu burst into laughter and unleashed "Sword Cleaves Heavenly Gate" once more. Unprepared for this, Venerable Dawn was a beat too slow in dodging, and an arm was instantly severed.

Countless streams of sword qi erupted from the severed limb, quickly reducing it to dust.

"You're asking for death!" Venerable Dawn roared in fury. To have an arm severed by an Integration-stage cultivator was an unbearable humiliation; if this became known, he would have no face left in the cultivation world!

"Asura Form!" Venerable Dawn bellowed. Behind him, a three-headed, six-armed Asura figure manifested, holding various weapons such as a drum, a pagoda, and a ruler.

Daoist Buyu and Venerable Dawn plunged into a ferocious battle, fighting so intensely that the world seemed to darken, the sun and moon inverted, and space itself fractured and reformed.

The longer the battle raged, the more astonished Venerable Dawn became; this was the first time he had ever encountered an Integration-stage cultivator who could fight him to a standstill!

*Pfft—*

Unfortunately, Daoist Buyu's extraordinary state proved unsustainable. After a brief but intense exchange, Venerable Dawn finally seized an opportunity, and his Asura Form pierced Daoist Buyu's vital points, causing Daoist Buyu's aura to rapidly wane.

"To have pushed me this far, you can be proud," Venerable Dawn sneered. "Now, die!" The Asura Form's six arms struck simultaneously, their irresistible might akin to a divine punishment.

"How dare you harm a cultivator of my Great Xia!"

A thunderous roar echoed from nearby, and though it was merely a sound, it forcibly brought Venerable Dawn's movements to a standstill!

Daoist Buyu coughed up blood, but upon seeing the newcomer, he let out a laugh.

"You're too slow!" he exclaimed. "If you hadn't shown up, I would have been ready to break through to the Tribulation Transcending stage myself!"

"Who are you?!" Venerable Dawn demanded, glaring intensely at the newcomer. The fact that a mere roar had forced him to stop indicated that this person's cultivation was clearly superior to his own!

"Chen Tao, head of the Nine Palaces of the Luoshui Guard."