Deception and Intrigue

Xu Ying and Shi Tianyang headed deeper into the ruins. On either side of the road, the Lords of the Ruins stood tall one after another, while manifestations of the Great Dao floated all around them. Countless phenomena blurred their figures into something hazy and illusory.

They moved their feet and followed behind Xu Ying and Shi Tianyang, their gazes locked tightly on the two men. At any moment, they might strike and slaughter them.

Surrounded by so many immortals, Xu Ying remained calm, looking straight ahead without even shifting his eyes. Shi Tianyang, meanwhile, swept his fierce gaze around them.

Although the Lords of the Ruins were tempted by murderous intent, they could not help admiring the courage of these two men.

Xu Ying and Shi Tianyang walked side by side, one large and one small, both radiating imposing bearing, until they reached the area beneath the Great Dao Master's skeleton.

Here, one of the Lords of the Ruins had displayed tremendous Magic Power, creating objects from the void. A magnificent immortal city was taking shape before them.

Creating objects from the void meant using one's own Great Dao to form matter—a transformation of Dao into objects. It was a realm Xu Ying had yet to touch, and the sight left him marveling.

"The Former Court Era was truly advanced. How could such a powerful age decline and embark on the road to extinction? Is the so-called tribulation really that terrifying?" Xu Ying wondered.

On both sides of the Great Dao Master's skeleton, ancient-looking old men sat upright in the void. Some had lotuses growing beneath them, some had auspicious clouds, some had golden light, and beneath one of them, the Great Dao had transformed into a single crabapple leaf upon which he sat.

The ten old men opened