CHAPTER 474: FOLLOW MY LEAD INTO BATTLE

Chapter 474: Follow My Lead Into Battle

...

Just as the Buddhist cultivators from the Great Thunder Temple arrived, wisps of purple energy began shimmering along the eastern horizon.

The purple mist stretched like threads of violet clouds spreading from the distant sky. Gold-tinged and radiant, the flowing aurora outlined the noble aura of an ancient immortal sect. By the time everyone raised their heads in awe, the Ascenders' formation of Kunlun Immortal Palace had already materialized above the clouds - impeccably aligned and majestic beyond measure.

Her Eminence Hua Jin sat regally at the center of the formation upon a jade-carved glass palanquin, her entire body glowing with spiritual light. Her sleeves fluttered untouched by dust, her transcendent grace captivating all who beheld her. Moon-white cloud ribbons encircled the palanquin while cinnabar tassels swayed gently in the breeze.

Wherever the formation passed, lingering celestial melodies echoed while immortal energies drifted like auspicious mists. Spirit birds and divine beasts led the procession - crane wings beat with resonant cries while white deer bowed their heads meekly.

Everything appeared magnificent yet not garish, its grandeur piercing the heavens.

—At least, that's how it appeared to ordinary mortals watching below.

But within the formation, Chen Huaian and Wang Shouyi knew better. Much of this was special effects, a facade for maintaining dignity.

The spirit birds and cranes dancing around the formation and palanquin? Fake. All fake. Merely condensed spiritual energy for spectators below. The white deer leading the formation with cloud ribbons? Same illusion.

Both Kunlun Immortal Palace and Great Thunder Temple loved these theatrics.

Because they knew mortals and Awakened adored such displays.

The Great Thunder Temple cultivators darkened upon seeing Kunlun's Ascenders. Only the Buddhist Prince surrounded by his entourage remained unfazed, even offering a slight smile.

"Amitabha. Long time no see, Her Eminence Hua Jin. Your golden form remains as peerlessly beautiful as ever. Such divine grace would be perfect for enshrining a golden statue at our Great Thunder Temple, ensuring splendid karma in your next incarnation."

Light laughter floated from Kunlun's palanquin, laced with sarcasm.

"Monk Faming, you haven't changed either - still as glib-tongued as ever. Why not join Kunlun Immortal Palace as an attendant boy? You could wash and serve fruits for my daily consumption."

The leaders' first exchange already crackled with tension.

Their disciples mirrored the hostility - Kunlun's Ascenders and Thunder Temple's monks bristling like drawn swords.

After a contemplative pause, Monk Faming clasped his hands and smiled. "Today's purpose isn't verbal sparring. The Celestial Jade Marrow emerges soon - a treasure belonging only to the worthy! With so many sects present, let capability determine possession!"

"My Great Thunder Temple stands guard solely to contain conflicts within reasonable bounds, preventing powerful cultivators from turning this into a bloodbath! What say you, Kunlun Immortal Palace? Her Eminence Hua Jin?"

His voice carried across the terrain, clearly addressing all present, not just Hua Jin.

"Monk Faming truly embodies masterful bearing! Without these restrictions, blood would surely flow!" whispered some in the crowd, praising Thunder Temple's approach.

Others sneered cynically: "Pure self-interest! By setting rules with Hua Jin, they control the chaos to conveniently claim the finest Celestial Jade Marrow for themselves."

"This humble one naturally has no objections." Hua Jin's mellifluous voice carried warm amusement.

Such were the unspoken rules for early-stage Celestial Jade Marrow contention.

With eight Demon Sealing Pagodas still unconquered, the law of jungle for resources couldn't be abolished - but conflicts must be contained to preserve strength for the greater campaign.

"Then let us jointly erect the formation."

"Agreed!"

Monk Faming and Hua Jin exchanged glances before producing their magical instruments.

Buddhist beads glowed in Faming's hands, transforming into golden flames dispersing in all directions. Hua Jin raised her jade-like hand, revealing an emerald immortal seal pulsing with cyan light. Both soared skyward as their True Essence surged like tidal waves, gradually forming a hemisphere canopy etched with mystical runes.

Faming chanted Sanskrit syllables - slow, profound, as if myriad Buddhas harmonized.

Hua Jin formed hand seals, releasing nine streaks of light weaving through the void like dragons.

Gold and cyan intertwined overhead, sketching an elaborate array diagram.

"Great Derivation Heavenly Mechanism Array - complete!" Their combined shout accompanied the collision of jade seal and prayer beads midair, erupting in dazzling radiance.

Faming declared the rules with one palm at his chest: "This array permits entry and exit, but suppresses all Ascenders above Nascent Soul from acting within."

"The Celestial Jade Marrow manifests soon." Hua Jin formed a seal with one hand, murmuring, "All may prepare themselves!"

"Senior, when will we wield such world-shaking power?" Wang Shouyi gaped at the array, excitement outweighing awe. "Truly befitting Her Eminence! A casually deployed formation that suppresses all Nascent Soul existences! Majestic and domineering!"

Chen Huaian resisted facepalming.

Did this kid have eyes only for Her Eminence?

He studied the so-called 'Great Derivation Heavenly Mechanism Array' - an intimidating name for what was essentially a simple construct. Using both leaders' artifacts as array cores, it converted their True Essence into suppression targeting other Ascenders' cultivation. Frankly, any Nascent Soul cultivator in Cangyun Realm with basic array knowledge could dismantle it.

But he kept silent.

As an undercover agent, best play by the rules.

Not being Nascent Soul himself, these restrictions couldn't bind him - if anything, they offered protection.

Scanning the surroundings, he quickly spotted Zhang Yibai and Wind Spirit Sect disciples among the Ascender crowds.

The old man stood out absurdly in a suit and sunglasses, clearly attempting disguise yet achieving the opposite with his conspicuous eccentricity.

Their eyes met, lips quirking in silent understanding.

BOOM—!

The sky darkened abruptly, drawing all gazes upward.

Where clear blue once reigned, violet-black clouds now churned with lightning. From the heavens' depths emerged a strand of cyan light, writhing like a living thing as it expanded before splitting into three crystalline jade fragments pulsating with dense energy.

"It's—the Celestial Jade Marrow has appeared!"

The crowd erupted.

Greed flashed in every Ascender's eyes as weapons tensed for action.

Veteran Awakened quietly formed squads, securing advantageous positions while impetuous youths surged toward the jade fragments. Tension thickened like stormclouds, everyone awaiting the treasures' full materialization.

"Three mid-grade Celestial Jade Marrows!" Hua Jin narrowed her eyes from her palanquin.

Unlike previous cycles, mid-grade fragments appeared immediately this time - three no less. Quite unexpected.

Low-grade could be ignored.

But mid-grade warranted contention.

"Your Eminence! We volunteer to battle for Kunlun Immortal Palace!"

Wu Wenbin stepped forward first, other direct disciples quickly following suit.

"Excellent! Worthy disciples of Kunlun indeed!"

Hua Jin nodded approvingly. "Go forth! But beware Thunder Temple's monks - their strength matches yours. And never underestimate sect disciples - some geniuses rival even you!"

"Yes, Your Eminence."

Though privately scoffing at comparing sect disciples to themselves, Wu Wenbin's group obediently departed the formation toward the jade fragments.

"Senior, let's wait for the next wave - let them fight first."

Wang Shouyi suggested letting senior disciples exhaust themselves before they made their move - conserving energy to secure more resources later. This prudent approach aligned perfectly with Chen Huaian's usual methods.

Yet today, Chen Huaian shocked him by breaking character.

"Wait for what?" Chen Huaian snorted disdainfully. "We Ascenders battle man, earth, and heaven! Contending for providence and resources! Since when do we wait for others to claim first rights?!"

Wang Shouyi gaped. "Senior, you—"

"Enough talk!" Chen Huaian's sleeves billowed dramatically. "Wang Shouyi! Follow my lead into battle!"

...