Chapter 604: Chapter 604: Phantom
"Indeed! In reality, God is simply God. This woman possesses such a strong physique, yet she couldn’t bear it. I worry she might reveal herself!" De Hai nodded slightly as he spoke.
"As expected!"
Just as De Hai’s words were falling, a wisp of black smoke suddenly emerged in front of Yang Tian, then coalesced into the figure of the woman from before.
However, the woman now no longer had the previous air of disdain. She simply stared blankly at Yang Tian and said, "You... Who exactly are you? How did you see through my ethereal phantom?"
"How did you know?"
Yang Tian smiled faintly and replied, "Ancestor mentioned that every corner has hidden paths. How could I not discern them? You ought to let your elders come forth and converse with me."
"Elder? What elder?"
At Yang Tian’s words, the woman immediately displayed a trace of nervousness and immediately started speaking to him again.
Nonetheless, Yang Tian offered no explanation, merely turning his gaze back to the woman.
"Cough, cough! Enough! You’re no match for him!"
As Yang Tian’s gaze landed, a muffled cough rang out. From the darkness emerged an elderly man in black, slowly walking to the woman’s side.
He smiled politely at Yang Tian and said, "Your perception burns like a torch. I respect that."
Who was this elderly man?
Where did he come from?
Watching the sudden appearance of the elder in black, De Hai, Su Youu, and even Qiling Xiaoyu were somewhat taken aback.
Clearly, none of them had detected anyone lurking nearby prior to his arrival!
Had Yang Tian not discovered the elder and prevented his attack, the consequences for De Hai would have been unimaginable!
Even as shock rippled through them, deep within the elder’s heart, he was even more astonished!
The fact that Yang Tian could see through the ethereal phantom she had cast was surprising, yet it didn’t truly astound him!
After all, while the woman’s powers had undergone phases of refinement, they remained fundamentally shallow. Especially with regards to her technique, which had yet to achieve mastery!
However, this elder was one of their revered elders, not to mention his abilities had reached the peak of refinement. His mastery over phantoms, achieved through decades of cultivation, was undeniable!
In this Monster World not dominated by the Three Immortals, the elder’s flowing illusions were some of the most formidable. Few could see through the intricate laws hiding his presence!
In the circles marred by Ghost Sect’s downfall, it was these illusions that had helped the elder narrowly escape death time and again. Even among the Three Immortals’ generals and the five sects, none had managed to unmask him!
But now, a seemingly young man with a strange aura, possessing no commanding presence, had unearthed his existence in a single glance. How could he not be astounded?
Though shocked, the elder’s countenance betrayed no emotion. Staring at Yang Tian briefly, he then slowly shifted his gaze onto De Hai. "You... Are you De Hai?"
Upon hearing this, De Hai hesitated slightly, his thoughts seemingly unraveling. Suddenly recalling who this elder might be, De Hai cautiously asked, "Are you the Shadow Sect’s elder, Shadowless Elder Luo Quan?"
"Ah, that’s correct! I’m Luo Quan. How remarkable—De Hai, the once-central figure in the Monster World, one of its greatest creatures, still alive. Fascinating." The elder grinned.
Nevertheless, Yang Tian stood firm in his place.
Upon noticing this, De Hai turned toward Yang Tian and said, "Heavenly Venerate, this is the Shadow Sect’s elder, Shadowless Elder Luo Quan. He was also a confidant of our tutor’s generation."
As he spoke, De Hai prepared to introduce Yang Tian to Luo Quan. But Luo Quan slightly waved his hand and interjected, "No need, De Hai. Your companion—he is reliable. Discussing here is inconvenient. Wait for me! I’m certain those elders from Yin Yang Five Elements Sect would delight in meeting you!"
"Could it be... Do we truly have people still alive?!"
Upon hearing Luo Quan’s comment, De Haydon erupted with excitement.
While it was rumored that not all members of Yin Yang Five Elements Sect had perished, until any survivors revealed themselves, De Hai’s heart had remained restless. Now, hearing Luo Quan’s proclamation, how could he not feel elated?
Luo Quan noticed De Hai’s reaction and smirked lightly. "Of course. Old gentlemen like myself still walk this realm. How could those elders fall so easily? Come, follow me."
With those words, Luo Quan turned around, leading the woman in black forward. De Hai, catching sight of her, promptly followed.
It wasn’t until this moment that he moved forward, suddenly furrowing his brows.
This was because Yang Tian remained immobile!
Not only movementless, he kept his eyes partially closed as he stood rooted to the spot.
Seeing this, De Hai couldn’t help but call out, "Heavenly Venerate, you are..."
"Do you find these little tricks amusing in my presence?"
Before De Hai could finish, Yang Tian slowly opened his eyes, gazing coldly into the darkness on the right as he spoke.
Upon hearing this, De Hai grew even more puzzled.
Luo Quan, ahead of him, also turned around and cast a sharp glance at De Hai, "De Hai, what is your friend saying?"
"I... I’m not quite sure,"
De Hai stammered, sensing danger. He instinctively retreated, pulling Su Youu back with him and cautiously surveying the surroundings!
Although De Hai didn’t know what Yang Tian had noticed, or precisely what was happening, he knew one thing for certain: Yang Tian was never one to act without purpose!
Moreover, ever since Yang Tian traversed the Immortal Battlefield and entered the Demon World, all his deeds had demonstrated unparalleled judgment and immense power.
If Yang Tian wasn’t moving forward, there was undoubtedly a reason why!
Observing De Hai’s caution in response to Yang Tian’s words, and his decision to retreat rather than advance, the black-clad woman scoffed gently, "Heh, a sign of your impending doom."
"What do you mean by that?"
Su Youu immediately questioned.
The woman simply shook her head disdainfully, without further response. It was Elder Luo Quan of Shadow Sect who abruptly shifted his amicable expression and glared chillingly at Yang Tian, "How did you know?"
"What have you uncovered? Did you locate the trap I set, or my true whereabouts?" Yang Tian replied indifferently.
These words sent ripples of shock among the others.
What?
Could there truly be a trap ahead?
More troubling—did this mean Luo Quan wasn’t genuine?
If so, then where was the real Luo Quan?
The revelations compelled them to scan their surroundings urgently.
Luo Quan, however, simply sneered and remarked, "How many among you possess the ability to discern the true essence of this elder? Fools!"
Turning his gaze back to Yang Tian, Luo Quan added, "Impressive... Such sharp spirit perception for one so young. Surely you relied on your divine spiritual insight to see past Xiao Fei’s ethereal phantom?"
"Divine spiritual insight..."
Yang Tian chuckled softly, as though about to respond.
The elder persisted in mockery, "Do not deny it. Before spotting Xiao Fei, your eyes were firmly shut, clearly focusing your spirit and probing with divine insight. Yet still, you remain unchanged. But this elder knows—while you can dispel illusions, you absolutely cannot locate this elder’s true essence! For this elder’s Divine Dao body, you won’t ever uncover it."
The Divine Dao body?
At these words, De Hai’s countenance shifted significantly.
Regarding the Divine Dao body, they naturally understood its distinction from virtuous cultivation methods. It was an approach dependent on absorbing Xin Atu’s power to amplify one’s own, creating an unfathomable advantage not bound by devotion.
The might of the Divine Dao body rested on the number of Xin Atu’s adherents—and there was no way virtue alone could rival its potency!