Chapter 226: Crushing with a Heavenly Fiend Aptitude

The Thunder Voice Technique, originally a High-Grade First-Level spell, was a low-tier technique by nature. But under the empowerment of the Supreme Divine Ability Seed, it was elevated to the level of a Heavenly Fiend Aptitude technique.

As the thunderous voice echoed across a thousand miles, numerous phenomena began to manifest within the vast and desolate Cangmang Mountain Range.

From the towering peaks and cloud-capped ridges, vast numbers of low-level spirit beasts and wild demons collapsed as if struck by divine lightning, trembling in submission before the might of Heaven’s Thunder Voice.

Meanwhile, in the spiritual lands, trees that had withered during the winter seemed to awaken at the touch of spring thunder. Buds began to sprout on their yellowing branches, bringing fresh vitality to the land.

As the wonders unfolded, the many Golden Core trial participants within the mountain range also heard the thunderous voice.

Some were shaken in spirit. Others were enraged. And a few even showed disdain.

“Thunder echoing a thousand miles? Could it be another cultivator who has grasped an Earth Fiend Divine Ability?”

“To stir heavenly thunder with one’s voice is indeed impressive. But trying to seize a True Disciple position with such a trick? Utter delusion!”

“The Golden Core Realm may allow the gestation of natal divine abilities, but at this stage they are still undeveloped and require immense energy to use. For him to recklessly exhaust his divine power at the very start of the trial… utterly foolish!”

“That voice… it sounds familiar.”

Some participants were already preparing to challenge Lu Yan for his arrogance. Others schemed to reap the benefits of the conflict. And still others opted to observe from afar.

Regardless of their motives, all of them began to converge toward Lu Yan’s location.

Lu Yan stood atop a mountain peak. The Thunder Voice Technique, once enhanced by the Heavenly Fiend Aptitude, had already dissipated. The dense clouds overhead also faded.

But at Lu Yan’s fingertip, faint threads of karmic force shimmered. The empowerment from the Supreme Divine Ability Seed flowed along those lines of cause and effect.

This technique was named: Too Evil Sense Art.

It did not originate from the Immortal Version of the world. Rather, it was a spell Lu Yan adapted from the Too Evil Sense Scripture, ranked sixth on the Heaven and Earth True Law List in the Demon Version.

The Too Evil Sense Scripture represented a unique Grand Dao of the Demon Version, and its truth had long since been sealed behind the Mysterious Womb Gate. Normally, it would be impossible for Lu Yan to use it here.

However, he didn’t need to replicate the entire Dao. He merely needed to craft a low-level spell that resembled the principles of the Too Evil Sense Scripture—a spell involving karma. Then, empowered by the Supreme Divine Ability Seed, that imitation would become real.

At the moment divine empowerment descended, this humble technique—barely a Low-Grade First-Level spell—fully replicated the terrifying essence of the Too Evil Dao. In fact, it faintly surpassed it.

The Too Evil Dao, at its core, was a twisted version of the Dao of Karma. It taught: “Sow evil cause, reap evil fruit.” So too did the Too Evil Sense Art.

Lu Yan’s earlier Thunder Voice had been merely a ruse. Although its grandeur startled the Golden Core cultivators, most remained cautious and few dared to approach.

But that was never Lu Yan’s goal.

Regardless of their attitude toward him, the moment they heard the thunder, karmic threads had already been linked.

With the Supreme Divine Ability Seed empowering the Too Evil Sense Art, Lu Yan guided that karma to pull each and every one of them into his trap—bringing them to him.

He sowed the evil cause with his thunderous provocation.

Their arrival and attempts to strike at him would be the evil fruit.

The Too Evil Sense Art was complete.

Very few Golden Core cultivators possessed methods that manipulated karma. But Lu Yan’s technique, elevated to the Heavenly Fiend Aptitude, imperceptibly anchored the karmic threads to each of them.

What seemed like reckless bluster was, in truth, a well-laid scheme.

Half an hour later, Lu Yan’s eyes flicked toward a drifting cloud a few miles away.

To most, the cloud was utterly unremarkable, part of the drifting sea above. But Lu Yan’s powerful divine sense detected the faint presence of a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator hiding within.

Without hesitation, a flame of Merit and Primal Yellow Fire ignited at his fingertip. He flicked it toward the cloud.

In an instant, the blaze erupted, engulfing the cloud in a golden inferno that illuminated the sky like a crimson sun.

A figure, scorched and cloaked in charred robes, leapt out from the flames—his treasure sword shattered in hand.

“Suppress.”

A single word from Lu Yan echoed like a divine decree.

His divine soul, far mightier than others of his stage, descended like a mountain. The Golden Core cultivator froze in place, then was consumed once more by the golden flames.

A moment later, a star-like chess piece fell from the heavens.

The mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, now defeated, turned into a streak of light and was transported out of the trial.

Far above, on the giant immortal island, the various main and branch sects exchanged pleasantries.

Those with late-stage Golden Core prodigies wore smiles. The others were visibly worried.

At the Tai Xuan Lineage’s pavilion, four Nascent Soul True Lords had gathered.

Among the thirteen main lineages, Tai Xuan was not the strongest—but it was the most populous. Its sheer numbers rivaled even the larger branch sects.

Qin Zhongzheng, who had been publicly shamed by Mu Chunqiu earlier, wore a dark expression and avoided looking in his direction.

The other three True Lords of Tai Xuan secretly exchanged sound transmissions.

“That Mu Chunqiu is far too arrogant. He hasn’t even reached Divine Transformation yet, and he already dares humiliate our Tai Xuan Lineage. What will he do once he actually breaks through?”

“We’ve sheltered the Four Seasons Lineage for hundreds of years. Taking a little resource from them is only natural. Now that they’ve gained a bit of strength, they act like they own the heavens.”

“Their two Foundation Establishment juniors are in this trial. I’ve already instructed our disciples—if they encounter them, they are to be ‘well taken care of.’”

Qin Zhongzheng’s voice echoed with hatred.

“With the Tenth True Disciple overseeing this trial, no lives will be lost. But there are many ways for a Golden Core cultivator to ‘teach a lesson’ to a Foundation Establishment junior. Even if they don’t kill them, they can leave scars that never fade.”

“Isn’t Mu Chunqiu said to be peerlessly talented? But even if he reaches Divine Transformation, so what? His lineage will be crushed during his reclusion. If none of the Four Seasons Lineage secure True Disciple positions, their decline will only continue.”

“When his term ends and he departs from worldly matters, the Four Seasons Lineage will return to dust.”

The three other True Lords immediately praised him.

“As expected of Senior Brother Qin!”

“You truly see further than any of us.”

None of them noticed the cold gleam that flashed in Mu Chunqiu’s eyes in the distance. He took a step forward, preparing to approach the Tai Xuan pavilion.

But at that moment, a transmission array lit up—and a charred figure appeared in the center of the island.

“How did he get eliminated this fast?”

Everyone stared in shock—even Mu Chunqiu halted mid-step.

The scorched Golden Core cultivator barely raised his head and rasped toward his elders:

“There’s a madman in this trial…”

Before anyone could process his words, another figure teleported in.

A female Golden Core cultivator, her robes burned pitch-black, cried out with rage:

“Someone used voice transmissions to lure us into a trap—then ambushed us!”

And then a third light flashed.

“Who was it? Who was it!?”

The three of them, furious and bewildered, could not provide any real details when questioned.

“I only know it was a fire-type divine ability.”

“No water spell could extinguish it. Even Wind Curse couldn’t snuff a single ember.”

“The mountain suppresses divine sense—I only glimpsed a shadow in black before the flames devoured me.”

Not even the assailant’s gender could be confirmed.

The elders from each lineage exchanged uneasy glances.

But this True Disciple trial was overseen by the Nine Great True Disciples. They had no authority to interfere, not even to spy on the Cangmang Mountains.

Only Mu Chunqiu wore an odd expression.

He had sharp eyes—and recognized that the fire was not ordinary flame. It was Merit Fire, which couldn’t be extinguished by spell or sorcery. And it left no physical harm, only consuming karmic sin.

His mind immediately turned to the time Lu Yan had used the mysterious Primal Yellow Merit Fire against Moyangzi.

“Could it be… that junior Lu?”

He paused his approach and decided to observe further.

Back in the mountains, Lu Yan watched his sixth target disappear into the sky.

In all six cases, he had only used Merit Fire and his divine soul’s overwhelming power. He hadn’t even activated the Supreme Divine Ability Seed.

As the last flame vanished from the sky, the void behind him cracked open.

A flying sword, sharp and deadly, pierced through space—its strike timed perfectly as Lu Yan let down his defenses.

His first late-stage Golden Core opponent had finally appeared—a sword cultivator.

This opponent’s divine soul was as powerful as Lu Yan’s. He had used divine concealment techniques to remain hidden for some time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

His aura, timing, and flying sword were all at the pinnacle among Golden Core sword cultivators.

But he failed to realize one thing.

In the face of overwhelming power, all tricks are meaningless.

As the sword closed in, Lu Yan slowly raised his right hand.

Heavenly Fiend: Golden Light Technique.

Pure, dazzling golden light surged from his hand—the same formless technique he had once used via a talisman. Now, empowered by the Supreme Divine Ability Seed, it was no mere spell.

The golden light, like refined metal essence, covered his palm. As his fingers closed, he seized the flying sword.

Clang!

The sound of metal rang out as the golden light began corroding the sword. The weapon’s spiritual essence dimmed rapidly.

In the next instant—Lu Yan crushed the treasure sword with his bare hand.

In the void, the sword cultivator coughed up blood. A flash of light engulfed him, teleporting him out of the trial.

The wilderness fell into silence once more.

Dozens of miles away, atop another peak, four Golden Core cultivators watched the scene unfold through a projection spell.

If Lu Yan were there, he would recognize them as members of the Tai Xuan Lineage—two late-stage and two mid-stage cultivators, including Qin Zhongzheng’s disciples Lin Lu and Lin He.

“That’s… a Foundation Establishment cultivator crushing a late-stage sword cultivator?”

“Monstrous. Absolutely monstrous.”

“Even that Jian Dao prodigy Ji Xingyao from Qingwu Sect needed polluted spiritual energy to barely kill a Golden Core cultivator. Lu Yan did it like swatting a fly.”

“That sword cultivator was a core disciple of the Dongxuan Lineage. He’d awakened a top-tier sword-type divine ability and cultivated Void Sword Escape. His killing power was nearly on par with a Heaven’s Might Divine Ability.”

“Our master’s orders… we might not be able to carry them out. Even four of us together might not be his match.”

Lin He muttered nervously:

“It’s not about completing the mission anymore. Once the trial nears its end, he’ll start hunting others. And since we’re from Tai Xuan, we’re on his list.

“If we don’t strike first, we’ll be the next targets.”

The others turned pale.

Tai Xuan had planned for this trial for over a century.

All four of them were nearing their century limit. They’d been nurtured with core resources—meant to seize at least two True Disciple positions and secure Tai Xuan’s future.

If Lu Yan ruined that… they would suffer unbearable punishment.

They shivered instinctively.

“Lu Yan is too powerful. He threatens everyone.

“We have to use our projection spell to unite the remaining trial participants—only then do we have a chance.”

Three days later, a hundred miles away on a mountaintop, the remaining sixteen Golden Core cultivators gathered.

Above them, the projection spell showed Lu Yan crushing the sword cultivator’s flying sword with a casual motion. The scene left all present with grim expressions.

As the image faded, Lin Lu shifted the projection to show Lu Yan once more.

He sat cross-legged atop a peak, clad in black robes. Mysterious Dao energy flowed around him, making him seem like a transcendent immortal.

Lin Lu raised his voice:

“You’ve all seen it. Though merely Foundation Establishment, this Lu Yan’s power rivals peak Golden Core!

“He used thunder to lure us at the start of the trial—not to provoke, but to eliminate us and seize the True Disciple position!”

“He must be stopped before he brings ruin to the entire trial. I propose we unite!”

Before he could finish, a late-stage cultivator sneered.

“Spare us the act, Lin Lu. We all know Tai Xuan and Four Seasons are enemies.

“Lu Yan is strong. He deserves a True Disciple spot. The rest of us just need to steer clear.”

“If anyone’s being targeted, it’s you, not us.”

Lin Lu didn’t lose his temper. He simply nodded.

“Junior Brother He speaks true. But have you considered something else?”

He scanned the crowd—including Lin Xiao, the peak-stage Golden Core cultivator and top contender.

“We may be Tai Xuan’s targets now. But once we’re eliminated, who’s next?

“From the start, Lu Yan has shown he doesn’t care about rank. Anyone he finds will be attacked—early, mid, late, even peak Golden Core.

“He’s shattered the balance of this trial. It’s no longer about strength. It’s about luck.

“If you’re lucky, you’ll survive. If not… even Lin Xiao might fall!”

The crowd fell silent.

Especially the late- and peak-stage cultivators—those who had the most to lose.

This was their final chance before reaching the century mark. They couldn’t accept gambling it all on a wild variable like Lu Yan.

Just then, the projection of Lu Yan moved.

He opened his eyes.

And turned his head—directly facing the projection spell.

His deep gaze seemed to pierce through the illusion and see across a hundred miles. A calm voice echoed through the heavens:

“Since you’re still hesitating—allow me to choose for you.”

He stood up.

With a flick of his finger, the Abyss God’s Spatial Teleportation activated—its power, empowered by the Supreme Divine Ability Seed, surpassed even the Abyss God itself.

A spatial rift crossed a hundred miles and shattered the projection spell.

Then, Lu Yan walked out of the rift—as if stepping from the illusion into reality.

Golden Merit Fire descended like a tidal wave, turning the mountain into a blazing golden inferno.

Sixteen Golden Core cultivators were swallowed by flames. Agonized screams rang out. Two chess pieces fell to the ground—two more trial participants eliminated in seconds.

“That’s Merit Fire! It can’t be extinguished with spells—but it deals limited damage.

“Reinforce your bodies! Don’t use demonic or corrupt arts!”

Some veteran cultivators recognized it and shouted instructions. Protective lights rose. Several powerful cultivators emerged from the flames.

“Heaven has a door, yet you choose to walk into hell!”

“No matter how strong you are—can you handle fourteen of us!?”

“Kill Lu Yan—seize the True Disciple spot!”

Fourteen cultivators unleashed their power.

Dozens of magic treasures circled above like a glowing river. Divine abilities like the Black Fiend Seal, Nine Heavens Sword, Demonbane Banner, Five Elements Mirror, and Azure Sea Pearl all burst into radiance. Natal divine abilities manifested as a torrent of supernatural force.

Three of them were especially shocking—clearly Heaven’s Might-tier abilities.

The earth roared. A dragon forged from earth veins burst forth. A sacred mountain loomed behind it, crashing down with suffocating force.

Elsewhere, gales howled—transformed into Nine Heavens Fiend Winds. Each gust carried blades of death, weaving a net of destruction.

And then… the stars fell.

A cascade of starlight crashed down like a heavenly river, each mote of brilliance able to wash away everything.

Fourteen cultivators. Their power shattered mountains and boiled the sky.

Above, the Tenth True Disciple picked up a chess piece.

Then paused.

Because—Lu Yan finally moved.

He calmly raised his right hand. The air rippled as a massive portal appeared.

The Gate of Four Symbols burst forth with divine radiance. Earth, water, wind, and fire danced across the gate’s surface in harmony.

Lu Yan had once studied the Diagram of Primordial Creation. Though he hadn’t learned the art of opening a cave-world, his understanding of the Four Symbols had advanced immensely.

And now, the Supreme Divine Ability Seed empowered it further.

The once-illusory gate solidified.

The Four Symbols wove together as if recreating the cosmos itself.

The Gate descended—like a sky of its own.

Under its power, all Four Symbols-related divine abilities and treasures were nullified.

The divine torrents of the fourteen Golden Core cultivators were instantly crushed.

Treasures fell from the sky, their light extinguished.

The river of divine abilities collapsed. Chaos flooded the battlefield.

Even the three Heaven’s Might-tier powers—were shattered.

The earth dragon dissolved into dirt. The sacred mountain faded. The gale of destruction vanished. The starlight cascade crumbled.

Once again, the Golden Core cultivators were cast into the flames.

And Lu Yan… hovered in the heavens, gazing down at them all.

(End of Chapter)