236: An Age Without Saints (Part 35)

Roar!

The Dao-Devouring Beast let out a roar and lunged straight at Gu Yun.

Gu Zhan's expression changed, and his heavy sword was just about to strike out.

"No need."

Gu Yun's voice sounded.

He slowly raised his right hand, pressed his index and middle fingers together, and pointed from afar at that Dao-Devouring Beast.

An extremely profound Dao Rhyme flowed out from his fingertips.

《Unity》.

Ten thousand techniques return to unity, ten thousand Daos return to the source.

It is both the return to the source and the end.

*Sshhh.*

A soft sound.

That Dao-Devouring Beast, capable of devouring Grotto-Heaven Realm Cultivators, had its forward momentum come to an abrupt halt in mid-air.

Its body, composed of chaotic Laws, was erased from thin air.

The moment the Dao-Devouring Beast dissipated, the Azure Heaven Indestructible Art within Gu Yun seemed to be triggered by some force, uncontrollably starting to circulate on its own.

Hum!

A tyrannical suction force erupted from within Gu Yun.

A crystal was instantly sucked into the center of his forehead.

Boom!

Gu Yun felt his Sea of Consciousness tremble.

There, that long-dormant "supreme divine ability seed" reacted violently to this like never before.

It greedily devoured this energy.

The Bottleneck that had him stuck at the Middle Stage of the Grotto-Heaven Realm actually loosened a bit.

Gu Yun opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing through them.

"So that's how it is."

"These Dao-Devouring Beasts are not living creatures, but manifestations of Heavenly Dao fragments."

"And my Azure Heaven Indestructible Art is inherently a tyrannical Cultivation Technique that plunders the fortune of Heaven and Earth."

This discovery completely changed the meaning of the Heavenly Dao Ruins in his eyes.

This place was no longer a dangerous land filled with crises.

It was a supreme hunting ground specially prepared for him to catalyze his Divine Ability Seed and charge towards higher Realms.

"But why would Heavenly Dao fragments specifically hunt Prodigies with special Physiques?"

This question arose in Gu Yun's mind.

Gu Zhan, standing to the side, was shocked as he watched the Dao-Devouring Beast vanish in an instant.

"My Lord, this…"

"Clan Brother."

Gu Yun interrupted him, casting his gaze toward the depths of this desolate world.

"It seems we will have to stay here for a while longer."

"Let's go."

"The hunt begins."

...

Over the next month.

The outer region of the Heavenly Dao Ruins underwent a cleansing.

Gu Yun no longer concealed his aura, and even actively released the Origin fluctuations of his Primordial Chaos Sacred Body.

In the eyes of those Dao-Devouring Beasts, he was like a beacon in the dark night, full of temptation.

Dao-Devouring Beasts moved upon sensing him, lunging crazily.

Then, one by one, they vanished beneath Gu Yun's fingertips.

Gu Zhan became his most loyal guardian.

The two of them cooperated tacitly, advancing all the way.

As he devoured more and more Heavenly Dao fragments, the Divine Ability Seed in Gu Yun's Sea of Consciousness became increasingly full, and the pressure it emitted became more and more terrifying.

This scene naturally fell into the eyes of other Cultivators within the Heavenly Dao Ruins.

Soon, a rumor spread like wildfire in Heavenly Ruins City.

"Have you heard? A weirdo has appeared in the Stone Forest."

"He wears white clothes, is unkempt, and specializes in hunting Dao-Devouring Beasts."

"Who doesn't avoid those Dao-Devouring Beasts? How could someone be hunting them?"

"It's absolutely true! I saw it with my own eyes; that weirdo killed a Dao-Devouring Beast with a single finger, and then… it seemed like he ate that monster!"

"Hiss—could it be some ancient Vicious Beast in human form?"

The rumors became more and more bizarre.

Some said he was a madman, others said he was a Dao-Devouring Beast that had gained sentience.

More people called him—the "Dao-Devouring Weirdo".

In a relatively safe basin within the Heavenly Dao Ruins.

Two factions were stationed here.

One side wore luxurious robes embroidered with gold patterns, the mark of the Immortal Wang Family.

The other side consisted entirely of women, all extremely beautiful, dressed in seven-colored rainbow robes; they were the forces of the Central Plains Ji Family.

Inside a luxurious tent palace.

The Wang Family Qilin Son sat on the main seat, toying with two jade balls while listening to his subordinate's report.

"You're saying there's a weirdo who is hunting Dao-Devouring Beasts in large numbers?"

The Wang Family Qilin Son raised an eyebrow slightly, a strange look flashing in his eyes.

"Yes, Young Lord."

The scout below reported respectfully.

"This person's methods are strange; he seems to have mastered some secret technique specifically designed to counter Dao-Devouring Beasts."

"The monsters that others avoid at all costs are like mere clay chickens and pottery dogs in his hands."

Hearing this, the Wang Family Qilin Son sat up straight.

He had risked entering the Heavenly Dao Ruins this time for the impending "Dao Rhyme Tide".

It was said to be an anomaly triggered by the vibration of core Heavenly Dao fragments; if one could bathe in it, perhaps it could repair the Dao Heart he had damaged due to his Heart Demon.

But the Dao Rhyme Tide would inevitably be accompanied by a riot of many high-level Dao-Devouring Beasts.

That was the biggest obstacle.

"If such a person really exists…"

The Wang Family Qilin Son pondered for a moment, then laughed.

"If I can subdue this person and have him pave the way for me, this operation will surely be like adding wings to a tiger."

He looked at the Ji Family Divine Maiden, who was resting with her eyes closed not far away.

"What does the Divine Maiden think?"

The Ji Family Divine Maiden opened her eyes, her gaze cold.

"Having extra help is naturally good."

"It's just that such eccentric people often have strange temperaments and may not be willing to be ordered around."

"Hmph."

The Wang Family Qilin Son sneered, his tone arrogant.

"In this Heavenly Dao Ruins, it is still my Wang Family and your Ji Family who have the final say."

"Giving him an Opportunity is me thinking highly of him."

"If he doesn't know what's good for him…"

He didn't continue, but his eyes were filled with ruthlessness.

The Wang Family Qilin Son stood up and waved his large sleeves.

"I want to personally meet this 'Dao-Devouring Weirdo'."

...

Stone Forest.

Gu Yun had just finished absorbing the energy of a Dao-Devouring Beast and was meditating.

Gu Zhan stood to the side, suddenly frowning as he looked into the distance.

"My Lord, someone is coming."

"And they are coming with ill intent."

Gu Yun opened his eyes, his expression calm.

"No matter."

A moment later.

Several streams of light cut through the sky and landed outside the Stone Forest.

The leader was dressed in brocade robes, had an extraordinary demeanor, and divine light faintly swirled in his eyes.

It was the Wang Family Qilin Son.

The Wang Family Qilin Son swept his gaze across the chaotic battlefield, seeing the traces of battle everywhere, and a flash of appreciation appeared in his eyes.

Immediately, his gaze fell on the white-clad figure with his back to him.

The Wang Family Qilin Son spoke loudly, his tone condescending.

"I am Wang Teng of the Immortal Wang Family."

"I heard that Your Excellency possesses a unique skill for hunting Dao-Devouring Beasts, so I have come to extend an invitation."

"If Your Excellency is willing to lend me a hand, after the matter is accomplished, my Wang Family will definitely reward you handsomely."

"I can even promise you the status of a Guest Elder of the Wang Family."

In his view, this was already a tremendous favor.

For a Loose Cultivator trying to make a living in the Heavenly Dao Ruins, the status of a Wang Family Guest Elder was enough to make him ascend to the heavens in one step.

However.

That white-clad figure did not turn around.

He didn't even turn his head back.

He only spat out a single word indifferently.

"Scram."

The Wang Family Qilin Son's smile froze.

The Wang Family Prodigies behind him were furious.

"Presumptuous!"

"You ungrateful wretch! My Young Lord inviting you personally is a blessing you've cultivated for several lifetimes!"

One person shouted angrily and was about to step forward to take action.

The Wang Family Qilin Son raised his hand to stop him.

"You refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit."

"Since that's the case, don't blame this Young Lord for being impolite."

"Take him down and plant a slave seal on him."

As the words fell, the four of them rushed out together, their Qi locking onto that white-clad figure.

Only then.

The white-clad figure turned around.

The moment they saw that face clearly.

The Wang Family Qilin Son's pupils shrank sharply.

"Gu… Gu Yun?!"

The Wang Family Qilin Son exclaimed, his voice becoming sharp.

"Why is it you?!"

"Aren't you in seclusion?!"

He didn't even think, turned around, and fled.

"Retreat! Retreat quickly!"

If the Falling Star Mystic Realm was what damaged his Dao Heart, then Gu Yun's hard confrontation with the Demon Venerable at the Undying Fortress over a decade ago was what caused him to develop a Heart Demon.

"He runs quite fast."

Gu Zhan, standing to the side, pressed his hand on the hilt of his sword and said in a deep voice:

"My Lord, do you want me to…"

He made a beheading gesture.

Gu Yun shook his head.

"No rush."

"Let him go call for people."

"It's just right to catch them all in one net."

...

The Wang Family Qilin Son fled for hundreds of miles in one breath, and only after confirming that Gu Yun was not chasing him did he stop, still shaken.

"Gu Yun… he actually came to the Heavenly Dao Ruins too!"

"Damn it! Damn it!"

After the intense fear came even more intense killing intent and jealousy.

"If he doesn't die, my Heart Demon will be hard to remove, and my Great Dao will be hopeless!"

"This is the Heavenly Dao Ruins, where Laws are suppressed and all living beings are equal."

The Wang Family Qilin Son's eyes were filled with resentment.

He quickly took out a communication Jade Slip, his fingertips trembling as he input a Divine Thought.

"Ji Divine Maiden, come quickly!"

A moment later, in a hidden valley.

The Wang Family Qilin Son and the Ji Family Divine Maiden met again.

Upon hearing the news of Gu Yun's appearance, the Ji Family Divine Maiden's expression also became extremely ugly.

"Are you sure it's him?"

"I would recognize him even if he turned to ash!"

The Wang Family Qilin Son said hatefully.

"If this brat doesn't die, neither your nor my Dao Heart will ever have peace."

The two looked at each other and instantly reached a consensus.

"A hard fight is not the way; that madman has terrifying strength and Gu Zhan by his side."

The Wang Family Qilin Son said coldly.

"But since he is hunting Dao-Devouring Beasts, we will cater to his interests."

"I remember that in the 'God Burial Abyss' ahead, a rare 'Dao-Devouring Beast King' is sleeping."

The Ji Family Divine Maiden's eyes lit up, and she instantly understood his intention.

"You want to…"

"Lure him into the trap."

"Then when the time comes…"

"Surely Gu Yun will want to come and fish in troubled waters."

The Wang Family Qilin Son sneered.

...

In the Stone Forest.

Gu Yun, who was sitting cross-legged and meditating, opened his eyes.

Purple Qi swirled in the depths of his eyes.

Mind's Eye.

That pair of Mind's Eye, capable of seeing through falsehoods and looking directly into the human heart, looked toward the direction where the Ji and Wang pair were.

Their conversation, their conspiracy, and even the ferocious expressions on their faces.

In Gu Yun's Mind's Eye, they were all clearly visible.