Chapter 773: Secret Plot

Lu Yang was surprised to find that the Celestial Court he established later had become the legitimate authority. However, on second thought, Ao Ling's words made perfect sense.

Ao Ling noticed a peculiar individual among the Celestial Court members. "I wonder who this Yunzhi is that you speak of, Senior Brother," she mused. "She's actually the leader of the Celestial Court Sect, her status second only to Immortal Sister, and even higher than Ripples."

Just as Lu Yang prepared to explain, Immortal Fairy interjected, "That girl Yun is my formidable foe. Our strengths are evenly matched. Once I regain my peak power, and with the combined might of you, the Second Boss, and Ripples, the four of us will undoubtedly defeat her and return triumphant."

Lu Yang stared at Immortal Fairy, utterly astonished. "How did I get dragged into this?"

As if reading Lu Yang's thoughts, Immortal Fairy explained, "You are the Second Boss. We share both hardships and blessings, don't we?"

Is being the Second Boss truly so demanding? And since I revived you, have I enjoyed even a single day of peace?

"There's actually such an extraordinary person," Ao Ling exclaimed, astonished. "To be considered a great enemy by Immortal Sister, indeed, people of later generations should not be underestimated."

"Ripples has already encountered her in battle," Immortal Fairy stated.

"And what was the outcome?"

Immortal Fairy replied seriously, "It was a stalemate."

Ao Ling breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that Yunzhi wasn't as formidable as she had initially thought.

"Senior, should we depart from this bead?" Lu Yang inquired. Although the bead's environment was beautiful, a preferred haven for reclusive cultivators, he knew they couldn't remain there indefinitely.

"Of course, we must leave," Ao Ling nodded, then asked with a puzzled expression, "But how exactly do we get out?"

The internal space of the bead was a creation of the Qilin Immortal. Neither Immortal Fairy nor Ao Ling were aware of this, let alone the method for exiting.

Lu Yang was speechless.

Immortal Fairy confidently offered, "This is simple. It's just a mere bead; we can shatter it to escape."

Forcibly breaking the bead from the outside would trigger random spatial teleportation within, but breaking it from the inside would bypass this issue entirely.

Lu Yang was greatly alarmed. This was an immortal artifact crafted from an entire star, capable of neutralizing all poisons and containing a miniature world within. To casually suggest shattering an immortal artifact was indeed an act of excessive extravagance.

"Then what's your suggestion?" Immortal Fairy asked, as her only idea was to break it. Lu Yang scratched his head, even more bewildered about what to do.

"Speaking of which, when I entered this bead, it was constantly in motion. Where exactly was it flying to?"

It was flying towards the inner circle of Penglai Island, specifically to the core of its ninth-grade spirit vein.

Unknown to all, the three most powerful Tribulation Transcenders of the East Sea human race had secretly convened there. "Big Brother, are we truly going through with this?" asked the speaker, his expression tense. He was the Island Lord of Yingzhou Island, known as Sir Listening to the Sea.

Daoist Sanshan sighed softly. "This is unavoidable. I am deeply mired in the quagmire of faith and cannot extricate myself. While establishing faith in various regions has helped me condense a Dao Fruit and become a Half-Immortal, the power of faith also has its downsides.

"Setting aside the previous incident where I was worshipped to the point of spitting blood by someone of higher status—that was actually manageable, as such a powerful being wouldn't worship me daily; it was an isolated occurrence. The worst aspect is that my body is no longer under my control; instead, it's influenced by the faith of my followers, with every action dictated by their desires!"

On numerous occasions, Daoist Sanshan had helplessly watched his own body act against his will.

"My physical body is rapidly slipping beyond my control. I must act to salvage the situation while I still have some command over it."

Only the Island Lords of Fangzhang Island and Yingzhou Island were aware of Daoist Sanshan's transformation into a Half-Immortal. Had Daoist Sanshan not been in such a dire predicament, he would have long ago revealed his Half-Immortal cultivation and unified the East Sea.

Daoist Sanshan stated indignantly, "I once tried to allow my daughter to commit wicked acts to tarnish my reputation, but the cultivators of the East Sea have such deeply ingrained faith in me that a few misdeeds couldn't harm my reputation in the slightest!"

"There are quite a number of Tribulation Transcenders in the East Sea. Big Brother, why do you intend to seize the Old Dragon Emperor's body? Although he is the most powerful Tribulation Transcender in the East Sea, he is also approaching the end of his lifespan."

The question came from Venerable Liuhe, the Island Lord of Fangzhang Island.

Daoist Sanshan waved his hand dismissively. "You needn't concern yourselves with that. Half-Immortals are different from true Immortals. A true Immortal's cultivation resides in both their immortal soul and immortal body. However, a Half-Immortal's cultivation is solely within their soul; the nascent Dao Fruit is intrinsically linked to my soul.

"As long as I seize the Old Dragon Emperor's body, I will remain a Half-Immortal. Furthermore, the Old Dragon Emperor's lifespan will extend from ten thousand years to a hundred thousand, completely resolving any future concerns about longevity. Furthermore, the Old Dragon Emperor controls the entire Dragon Clan. And what is the Dragon Clan? It's the birthplace of the ancient Dragon Ancestors, and one of them was even the wife of the Qilin Immortal. Imagine the Dragon Clan's wealth! It's not merely in spirit stones; they likely possess Half-Immortal or even Immortal-grade magical artifacts. For instance, the stone pillar he's always wrapped around is, at minimum, a Half-Immortal-grade artifact! Once I seize the Old Dragon Emperor's body, all of this will be ours!"

Daoist Sanshan's words filled the other two Island Lords with excitement. "It's just a shame that old geezer, the Old Dragon Emperor, refuses to leave his stone pillar. We can only make our move when he holds his birthday banquet!" Daoist Sanshan sighed. The Dragon Palace possessed profound hidden strengths; even he, a Half-Immortal, would not dare to simply intrude.

Venerable Liuhe, the Island Lord of Fangzhang Island, then inquired, "But seizing the Old Dragon Emperor's body in plain sight isn't a simple matter, is it? Not only would everyone witness it, rendering the act meaningless, but more importantly, Big Brother, your nascent Dao Fruit offers no assistance in body snatching, and your soul strength is inferior to the Old Dragon Emperor's. How then do you plan to accomplish this?"

Daoist Sanshan smiled coldly, having long prepared for this. "Liuhe, have you forgotten the 'Immortality Herb' of Yingzhou Island?"

Venerable Liuhe's heart skipped a beat. "You mean the Grand Void Immortal Herb?"

It was widely rumored that an Immortality Herb grew deep within the eighth-grade spirit vein of Yingzhou Island, said to have been planted by the Ancient Evergreen Supreme. In truth, it was not an Immortality Herb but the Grand Void Immortal Herb, known for inducing potent hallucinations. Some who were afflicted by its poison would fall into illusions, believing themselves immortal in their dreams, thus giving rise to the "Immortality Herb" rumor. The Grand Void Immortal Herb's poison was so formidable that even Half-Immortals would fall victim to it.

Over countless years, the Island Lord of Yingzhou Island had long mastered the method to neutralize the Grand Void Immortal Herb's potent poison.

"All we need to do is feign offering a gift at the birthday banquet and release the Grand Void Immortal Herb. This will catch the Old Dragon Emperor by surprise, causing everyone, including him, to be poisoned and fall into illusions. Only we will remain unaffected. Since the Grand Void poison even affects the soul, I will seize this precise moment to swiftly take over the Old Dragon Emperor's body! Afterward, no one will have any idea what transpired at the birthday banquet!"

Daoist Sanshan had been meticulously preparing for a long time to seize the Old Dragon Emperor's body, ensuring every contingency was covered.