Immortality and cultivation begin with full comprehension.

Chapter 651 Slaying the Undercover Agent, A Nascent Soul Appears (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
"Master Li has arrived!"

The white-haired Xuanjizi stepped forward and said, "Lord Xiao ordered us to guard this place to prevent the imperial court from destroying the core of the great formation."

"Senior Xuanjizi, please give your orders!"

Li Yunjing returned the greeting with a cupped hand and said in a deep voice.

"Alright! Gentlemen, please follow me inside."

Xuanjizi nodded, remained calm, and took the lead in stepping into the "Star Gazing Tower".

Inside the building, a huge star chart floats in the center, with the "Twenty-Eight Mansions" and "Big Dipper" array patterns flickering. The "Horn" area, in particular, is dimly lit, indicating that it has not yet been fully repaired.

Li Yunjing strode forward and placed the array plate in his arms next to the star plate. The two immediately resonated, and golden light flowed and intertwined.

"Gentlemen, please take your positions."

Li Yunjing pointed to the twelve array positions around the star chart, "According to the division of labor when we repaired the great array, each person is responsible for maintaining the array patterns of two to three constellations."

All the masters took their places, and even those who had wavered pretended to be calm as they walked to their respective positions.

Li Yunjing noticed that the positions they chose happened to control the constellations "Heart", "Tail", and "Winnowing Basket".

These are the key nodes connecting the starlight shield to the earth's veins!

He was deliberately cautious; if these people really destroyed the formation, he might have to do everything in his power to stop them.

It seems that following Xiao Yuntian means having food, drink, and money. But if the imperial court invades, he, as an accomplice of the Xiao family, will surely die.

Li Yunjing knew perfectly well how to choose.

Just then, a deafening explosion suddenly erupted outside the city!

The entire "Stargazing Tower" shook violently, and the projection on the star chart showed that the protective cover of the north gate had cracked again.

"Everyone, hold your ground!"

Li Yunjing shouted loudly, placed his hands on the star chart, and continuously poured in his true energy.

Other masters also joined in, and the cracks in the starlight shield began to slowly heal.

However, Grandmaster Zhuang Rui secretly sabotaged the process, causing the array energy he controlled to fluctuate in strength, which repeatedly thwarted the repair process.

Li Yunjing saw this and sneered inwardly. He suddenly changed his incantation, and the energy flow on the star chart changed instantly!
"what……"

Zhuang Rui cried out in alarm as the array he was controlling suddenly backfired, causing him to cough up blood.

"Fellow Daoist Zhuang, what's wrong?"

Li Yunjing feigned concern, "Could it be that the backlash was caused by the shield's vibration just now?"

"No...it's okay..."

Zhuang Rui's face turned pale, and he stammered, unable to explain.

"Brother Zhuang, why weren't you more careful?"

Mr. Qingming's expression shifted, his face first turning gloomy, then revealing a smile. He took the opportunity to step forward, pretending to help Zhuang Rui, but secretly planting a restriction on him.

If he makes any further unusual moves, he will be immediately subdued.

Zhuang Rui was secretly restrained by Mr. Qingming, his face ashen, but he dared not utter a sound.

The other grandmasters exchanged glances, their eyes darting around, clearly sensing something amiss.

Li Yunjing remained expressionless, still focused on maintaining the operation of the star chart, but his divine sense quietly enveloped the entire area, constantly alert to any unusual activity.

"boom!"

Another loud bang came from outside the city, and the entire city trembled.

The star chart projection showed that the cracks in the northern gate's protective shield had widened again, and the imperial army could be vaguely seen gathering, preparing to launch a general offensive.

"Gentlemen, the situation is urgent!"

Xuanjizi's white hair fluttered, his voice grave, "If the protective barrier breaks, the entire city will be in danger! Please use all your strength!"

"I will do my best!"

The masters echoed in unison, but Li Yunjing keenly sensed that some of them were clearly holding back their true energy output.

"Hmph, each with their own ulterior motives!"

He sneered inwardly, suddenly changed his incantation, and the array patterns on the star chart spun at an abruptly faster speed!

"Everyone, follow me to activate the 'Seven Stars Gathering Spirit Array'!"

Before he finished speaking, the Big Dipper array pattern in the center of the star chart suddenly lit up, and seven dazzling starlight beams shot into the sky, connecting with the protective shield.

This unexpected turn of events caught the several masters, who harbored ulterior motives, completely off guard.

Once the "Seven Stars Gathering Spirit Array" is activated, the true energy of all those who participate in maintaining the array will be forcibly drawn away. If anyone is secretly holding back, they will be exposed immediately!

"puff!"

Zhuang Rui coughed up another mouthful of blood, his face turning deathly pale.

He intended to secretly disrupt the formation, but was instead attacked by it, suffering considerable injuries. At this moment, his internal energy was almost completely drained, further exacerbating his injuries.

The other Golden Core Realm masters also swayed, cold sweat beading on their foreheads.

They had intended to preserve their strength so that they would have a backup plan when the imperial court attacked, but now their true energy was being forcibly drained by the formation, making it impossible for them to hide.

"Fellow Daoists, what is the meaning of this?"

Mr. Qingming also had his true essence extracted, but he still gritted his teeth and persevered. Seeing this, a cold glint flashed in his eyes, and he sneered, "With a formidable enemy at hand, do you still intend to hold back?"

One of them forced a smile and said, "Brother Qingming, you misunderstand. It's just that the protective barrier was shaken just now, and our auras were unstable for a moment..."

"is it?"

Li Yunjing suddenly interrupted him, his gaze sharp as a knife, "Then let's go all out. If we run out of spirit stones, we'll cover them in advance. With Lord Xiao's generosity, he'll definitely make up for the resources we've used afterward, so don't worry!"

Upon hearing this, the observatory fell silent instantly.

Is this a way of using one's own resources to do things for Xiao Yuntian?

Some of the more stingy grandmasters were somewhat unwilling.

"Why don't you agree? Are you afraid that Xiao Yuntian won't reimburse you?"

Xuanjizi's face darkened, and he slowly scanned the crowd: "Everyone must go all out. If Xiao Yuntian doesn't reimburse you for your losses, I, Xuanjizi, as a Nascent Soul Realm Great Perfection expert, guarantee that I will reimburse you!"

"Alright! Everyone, do your best!"

Zhuang Rui's face turned ashen, a glint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes. He could only nod in agreement.

Even Zhuang Rui was speechless, and the others naturally took out large amounts of high-grade spirit stones, burned them to provide power, and reinforced the formation outside.

With no further ulterior motives, the thirteen grandmasters exerted their full strength, and the formation stabilized once again.

Meanwhile, in the City Lord's Mansion, beams of light shot into the sky, activating other formations of "Purple Cloud City".

In an instant, "Purple Cloud City" transformed into an impregnable fortress, with attack formations continuously launching frantic outward attacks with the assistance of the city guards.

Before the three armies of the imperial court even got close, they fell one after another.

Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators are too fragile.

Under such an attack formation, even a single aftershock could kill hundreds or thousands.

In an instant, corpses were piled up everywhere on three sides of the city gate.

The situation on the battlefield outside the city has become clear.

At the expert level, Xiao Yuntian fought two opponents alone, and not only did he not fall behind, but he became more and more courageous as the battle progressed.

He formed a hand seal, and a golden, shimmering book appeared above his head—a projection of the Xiao clan's prized treasure, the "Star Canon"!

"Zhao Wuji! Zhao Wushuang!"

Xiao Yuntian's voice boomed like thunder, "Today I will show you what the true Great Dao of the Stars is!"

The pages of the book rustled as they turned, then stopped at a particular page.

Instantly, the twenty-eight constellations in the sky shone brightly at the same time, and endless starlight converged into a beam, crashing down on the Zhao brothers like a cascading Milky Way!
"not good!"

Zhao Wuji's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly summoned an ancient bronze shield.

Zhao Wushuang hurriedly crushed a jade talisman, summoning a nine-layered protective shield.

"boom……"

Under the impact of starlight, the bronze shield shattered instantly, and the nine layers of light shield also broke one after another like paper.

The Zhao brothers coughed up blood and flew backward, their luxurious robes turning into tatters, their breaths becoming extremely weak.

"Big brother!"

Zhao Wushuang stared in horror at her arms, which were as withered as tree bark. "This starlight is devouring our lifespan!"

Xiao Yuntian sneered without saying a word, and was about to press his advantage when he suddenly frowned and turned to look to the north.

There, a chilling aura was awakening!

At the same moment, Li Yunjing inside the "Star Gazing Tower" also suddenly looked up, his eyes flashing with a sharp light: "This is... the aura of a Nascent Soul cultivator?"

The astrolabe trembled violently, revealing that a figure was slowly rising from the clouds a hundred miles to the east.

The man appeared to be an ordinary old man, yet he stood on the void, and every step he took resonated with the heavens and earth.

Wherever his gaze fell, the clouds parted automatically, as if submitting to the supreme being.

"It's the royal ancestor!"

The Five Elements Hermit exclaimed in shock, "Zhao Tianyin! Isn't he in seclusion?"

Li Yunjing was deeply shaken.

Zhao Tianyin, the oldest living member of the royal family of the Chang'an Dynasty, had already reached the first level of the Nascent Soul Realm a thousand years ago, making him a true national protector!

This is also an important reason why the "Chang'an Dynasty" still has absolute autonomy under the rule of the "Taixu Sword Sect".

Of course, there are also differences in strength among those at the Nascent Soul stage.

The Taixu Sword Sect remains the dominant force among the nations of the Luofu Continent, and is even among the top ten sects on the entire Tianlan Star.

The Chang'an Dynasty naturally dared not offend the Taixu Sword Sect openly.

However, the "Chang'an Dynasty" was too powerful, so the "Taixu Sword Sect" gave it some face and couldn't suppress it too much.

Otherwise, chaos will ensue below, which will be bad for everyone.

After all, it wouldn't be right for both sides, both at the Nascent Soul stage, to start a fight right from the beginning, would it?

"Don't panic, everyone!"

Li Yunjing forced himself to remain calm, "Although those at the Nascent Soul stage are powerful, the Starlight Shield in its full state is sufficient to withstand it. We only need to..."

Before the words were even finished, the astrolabe suddenly emitted a piercing alarm!
Li Yunjing looked down and saw that the area representing the "Ji" constellation was flashing red light.

Someone is sabotaging this crucial array from within!
"It's Zhuang Rui!"

Li Yunjing turned around abruptly and saw that it was this person causing trouble.

"court death!"

Mr. Qingming was prepared. With a thought, the restriction he had previously placed was immediately activated.

Zhuang Rui froze, a look of pain appearing on his face, but unexpectedly, he gritted his teeth and broke through the restriction to continue his attack!

"die!"

Enraged, Li Yunjing unleashed the "Yin Yang Five Elements Heavenly Evolution Sword," sending the sword hurtling out and piercing Zhuang Rui's chest, pinning him to the wall of the "Star Gazing Tower."

He suddenly slapped his chest, and another array plate flew out, merging with the previous one.

Suddenly, the entire star chart shone with golden light, and the damaged array eye began to repair itself!
"This is... a twin array plate?"

Xuanjizi was dumbfounded. "Your array formation cultivation has broken through to the Grandmaster level?"

The other ten people also looked at Li Yunjing in shock.

Li Yunjing offered no explanation, focusing entirely on manipulating the array plate.

Wherever the golden light passed, the black energy dissipated, and the damaged array patterns reconnected at a speed visible to the naked eye. Even more astonishingly, a transparent light membrane appeared on the top of the Star Gazing Tower, refracting the black light that was aimed at the Nascent Soul cultivator into the sky!

A hundred miles away, Zhao Tianyin, who was about to make a move, suddenly frowned and looked up at the black light shooting towards him: "Hmm?"

"Well done, Xiao Yuntian! He's actually really made something of himself!"

He casually waved his hand, and the black light dissipated, but his face darkened: "A Grandmaster has actually appeared under his command!"

In that brief moment of delay, the starlight shield had already completed its self-repair and was even more solid than before.

Zhao Tianyin narrowed his eyes and found that he couldn't find a flaw for the time being.

"That's all."

He snorted coldly, "Xiao family brat, I'll let you live a few more days."

As soon as he finished speaking, the figure of the Nascent Soul cultivator gradually faded away and eventually disappeared without a trace.

As one of the top figures on the entire "Tianlan Star", Zhao Tianyin could not be like others, besieging "Zixiao City" for ten days or half a month and then using brute force to break through "Zixiao City".

That would make them a laughing stock in their circle.

Zhao Tianyin's intervention to save his two juniors was somewhat understandable and could be forgiven. Doing more would be excessive.

Of course, all of this is due to the formidable strength of "Purple Cloud City".

Zhao Tianyin was not confident that he could break through the city immediately. He did not want to make a move only to suffer a defeat and lose face.

Meanwhile, the battle outside the city also came to a conclusion.

Seeing that the patriarch had not arrived, Zhao Wuji and Zhao Wushuang knew that things were hopeless and gritted their teeth to order a retreat.

More than half of the Nascent Soul cultivators in the imperial court perished, and the remaining ones fled in disarray. The three major legions were utterly routed, abandoning their armor and weapons.

No one expected that the first decisive battle would begin like this.

And "Purple Cloud City" won!

When Xiao Yuntian returned to the "Star Gazing Tower," Li Yunjing had just completed the final check of the protective shield.

Zhuang Rui's body still hung on the wall, while the other eleven array masters stood aside, still shaken.

"Master Li, thanks to you."

Xiao Yuntian said sincerely, "If you hadn't seen through the traitor and prepared the Twin Array Plate in advance, the consequences today would have been unimaginable."

"Lord Xiao, you flatter me."

Li Yunjing shook his head: "I promised to serve Lord Xiao for a period of time, so naturally I will do my best!"

He lowered his voice, "However, now that Zhao Tianyin has emerged from seclusion, his next attack will probably not be so simple."

"I see."

Xiao Yuntian's gaze was deep, and he could see the tension in everyone present. He had no choice but to reveal some secrets.

"Now that things have come to this, you all understand what happened."

Xiao Yuntian paused for a moment, then continued, "I won't hide anything from you. We've been preparing for this for many years. My Xiao family knows the strength of the royal family, but we still dare to rebel. We naturally have the confidence to confront a Nascent Soul Realm expert!"

These words shocked everyone present!
Xiao Yuntian surveyed the crowd with piercing eyes and slowly said, "Do you all know why my Xiao Clan has been able to cultivate so many Nascent Soul cultivators in just a thousand years?"

He raised his hand and waved, and a restriction enveloped the "Star Gazing Tower" to ensure that no one could spy on it.

Then he continued, "Because my Xiao family's ancestral land contains an ancient secret realm, the 'Purple Cloud Secret Realm'!"

"We all know about the 'Purple Cloud Secret Realm,' but we don't know what's so special about it?"

Xuanjizi asked.

It's true that he sided with Xiao Yuntian, but Xiao Yuntian would never tell him such a secret.

This was the best opportunity to ask questions, and Xuanjizi naturally wouldn't miss it.

"hey-hey!"

Xiao Yuntian looked around and, seeing the inquiring gazes of the crowd, revealed a hint of smugness. He said in a low voice, "You all know that the spiritual energy inside is abundant and that there are rare and precious materials. In reality, most people have no idea that there are extraordinary treasures of heaven and earth there that can refine spiritual roots and improve aptitude!"

"what!"

"This is impossible!"

"How could this be?"

"What is it?!"

The other masters also changed color.

Such a secret realm is a legendary existence throughout the entire "Tianlan Star"!
“All the core disciples of my Xiao family have had their aptitudes refined in the Spirit Pool.”

Xiao Yuntian nodded: "Otherwise, how could we have cultivated thirty-six Nascent Soul cultivators?"

He paused, then dropped another bombshell: "Moreover, deep within the Spirit Pool lies an ancestor of my Xiao family! Xiao Xuan!"

"Xiao Xuan?!"

Even Li Yunjing's pupils shrank this time.

The Nascent Soul sword cultivator who was renowned throughout Tianlan Star three hundred years ago, didn't he pass away long ago?
"You all know some information about my ancestors!"

Xiao Yuntian revealed a mysterious smile: "Our ancestor faked his death to escape, but in reality, he was comprehending a higher realm deep within the Spirit Pool. Now..."

He deliberately left half a sentence unsaid, but everyone understood its meaning.

The Xiao family also possesses the potential to become a Nascent Soul cultivator!
The array masters, who were originally apprehensive, now had hope burning in their eyes.

If the Xiao family truly has a living Nascent Soul ancestor, then defying the imperial court would not be a pipe dream!
Li Yunjing wasn't particularly happy; instead, he was somewhat skeptical.

A Nascent Soul Realm cultivator isn't something that can be created overnight!

Having arrived in "Purple Cloud City", Li Yunjing naturally read the local ancient books and knew of Xiao Xuan.

This is a genius, like a shooting star!

It rose to prominence only to fall just as quickly!

It's almost here, and it's dazzling.

There are various versions of what's going on here.

The most convincing explanation is that Xiao Xuan had just broken through his cultivation level when he was secretly killed by Zhao Tianyin of the "Chang'an Dynasty," thus eliminating the potential threat.

Of course, there is no definitive conclusion on this.

As always, the Xiao family remained subservient to the "Chang'an Dynasty" and did not show any unusual emotions.

Is what Xiao Yuntian said true?

"Fine! I'll keep a close eye on things no matter what!"

Li Yunjing thought to himself, "The Xiao family dared to rebel, so they must know the power of the royal family. Even if they didn't have Xiao Xuan, they probably still have some ways to restrain a True Monarch in the Nascent Soul Realm."

"Of course, this matter is top secret."

Xiao Yuntian suddenly became serious, "If anyone leaks this..."

He glanced at Zhuang Rui's corpse on the wall, the meaning of which was self-evident.

Everyone quickly swore an oath to express their support.

Seeing that the morale of the troops had stabilized, Xiao Yuntian turned his gaze to Li Yunjing and said loudly, "Master Li deserves the greatest credit for defending the city today!"

He took out a storage ring and handed it to Li Yunjing: "Here are 100,000 high-grade spirit stones, three ten-thousand-year-old spiritual herbs, and the qualification to enter the 'Purple Cloud Secret Realm' for three days of cultivation!"

This reward even made Li Yunjing's heart skip a beat.

The value of the "Purple Cloud Secret Realm" far surpasses that of any external object!

"Thank you for the reward, Lord Xiao!"

Li Yunjing didn't stand on ceremony, accepted the favor, and replied politely.

The other grandmasters also received generous rewards, with the least fortunate among them receiving a Nascent Soul level magic weapon, which made everyone very satisfied.

"Everyone."

Xiao Yuntian concluded in a deep voice, "Starting tomorrow, we will immediately begin the repair of the 'Thirty-Six Heavenly Generals' and 'Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends'!"

"If Master Li is willing to formally join my Xiao Clan, he can enjoy the position of Supreme Elder!"

He looked intently at Li Yunjing: "If a country is established in the future, you can bestow a royal title and divide up the land!"

"With Lord Xiao's generous treatment, how could I, Li, not appreciate it?"

Li Yunjing pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "But I am the deputy sect leader of another sect, and I have very deep attachments to it, so I cannot serve in other countries."

Upon hearing this, a hint of disappointment flashed in Xiao Yuntian's eyes, but he quickly smiled with understanding.

"Master Li is a man of great loyalty and righteousness, which I admire."

He patted Li Yunjing on the shoulder, his tone sincere, "In that case, I won't force you. However, the gates of 'Purple Cloud City' will always be open to Grandmaster Li!"

"Thank you for your understanding, Lord Xiao."

Li Yunjing nodded slightly.

He certainly wouldn't easily join the Xiao family and rebel with them.

Although Xiao Yuntian's words were tempting, Li Yunjing still had doubts.

Did Xiao Xuan really live?

What exactly is the source of the Xiao family's confidence in confronting the Nascent Soul Realm?
Xiao Yuntian remained vague about these crucial details.

Starting the next day, Li Yunjing was entrusted with an important task: to coordinate the core array points of the "Thirty-Six Heavenly Generals Array".

He stood atop the "Star Gazing Tower," overlooking the entire "Purple Cloud City," his array disc shimmering, connected to the earth's veins.

"Master Li, this is the 'Celestial Gang Formation Diagram'."

Xuanjizi handed over an ancient jade slip and said in a low voice, "The city lord has instructed that this item is entrusted to you for complete study."

Now, the other eleven grandmasters have grown increasingly respectful of Li Yunjing, after all, Li Yunjing's array formation skills are even higher, having already reached the level of a grandmaster.

"Thank you for your help, Senior Xuanjizi."

Li Yunjing took the jade slip, scanned it with his divine sense, and was immediately shocked.

This is actually a complete "Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends Combined Attack Formation"!
If it can be fully repaired, it might even be able to temporarily contend with a Nascent Soul cultivator!

"The Xiao family indeed has a profound foundation..."

He was secretly amazed, but then a sense of vigilance arose within him.

Why does Xiao Yuntian trust me so much?

"He was just an outsider array master, yet Xiao Yuntian entrusted him with such an important array diagram and even promised him the qualification to cultivate in the 'Purple Cloud Secret Realm'..."

"Could it be... that Xiao Yuntian knows my origins?"

Li Yunjing narrowed his eyes, a cold smile playing on his lips.

Otherwise, Li Yunjing really couldn't imagine what the reason could be.

This is absolutely bizarre!

Showing courtesy for nothing is either cheating or stealing!

Li Yunjing considered himself quite capable, but he had never been able to gain the favor of such a powerful force.

What else could it be besides the "Shenxiao Dao Sect"?
Does Xiao Yuntian really have such great ability to expose his true colors completely?

Thinking of this, Li Yunjing became even more vigilant.

Xiao Yuntian definitely has his own purpose, but what it is is something Li Yunjing can't guess.

Li Yunjing calmed his mind and suppressed all distracting thoughts.

The most urgent task right now is to repair the "Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang Formations".

Regardless of Xiao Yuntian's schemes, this grand formation is crucial for "Purple Cloud City" to resist the imperial court.

He must now stand on Xiao Yuntian's side!
(End of this chapter)