Crushing Others with the Cauldron

When the Immortal Cauldron crashed down with the force of the collapsing heavens, the laws of heaven and earth throughout the entire Eastern Wilderness trembled, and even the External Scenery was affected.

At the Floating Hill Mountain.

The Zhenyan priest, whose heart had been hanging in suspense for half a day, finally settled down, but was still deeply moved by the earth-shattering power of the cauldron.

This is the power they have guarded for generations, yet have not witnessed for a long time. Only power of this level can protect Floating Hill Mountain and the entire Eastern Wilderness in the great calamity to come!

Although the Shouguan could not witness the battlefield, he could guess what was going on.

"Yu Tunzhou... Young Hero Yu actually persuaded the Ancestral Artifact?!"

Shouguan towards the direction of Cangling and saw the pure air soaring straight into the sky. Even from a thousand miles away, he could see the vast fluctuations, and he was filled with surprise and joy.

The demonic energy that had initially held the upper hand was instantly suppressed. Excluding the possibility that the senior brother had suddenly unleashed his power or was hiding too much of his strength, only the Ancestral Artifact's intervention remained!

Even his senior brother was easily suppressed, and when the Ancestral Artifact made its move, it only took a dozen or so breaths to completely suppress the tide of demonic energy stirred up by that Devil Lord.

now.

A mountain breeze blowing from afar seemed to dispel the pent-up melancholy that had been building up for so long.

Suppressing his excitement, Shouguan asked, "Grandmaster Uncle, is the Ancestral Artifact comparable to something above immortals Immortals and Gods?"

The old Zhenyan priest, Zhenyan, stroked his beard and nodded in agreement.

"The Ancestral Artifact is an unparalleled divine weapon forged by the Human Emperor, comparable to Immortals and Gods. However, the last time the Ancestral Artifact unleashed its full power was at the end of High Antiquity times. Now that the world is sealed off, the limit that the Ancestral Artifact can exert is only at the level of Immortals and Gods."

He paused, a hint of regret in his voice. "According to the records of the ancients, the Ancestral Artifact was not complete; it had the potential to advance further and reach an unparalleled level. The Human Emperor of yesteryear vanished before it was fully forged, a truly regrettable loss."

The Zhenyan Daoist priest glanced at the Daoist temple subconsciously, thinking to himself, "Shouldn't it be Young Hero Yu who persuaded the Ancestral Artifact?"

Seeing Zhang Buyu put his mind at ease.

But soon, his brows furrowed again.

"Shouguan," the Zhenyan priest Zhenyan spoke, his tone becoming more serious, "When did you summon Long Yan back to the mountain?"

Shouguan was taken aback. "Junior Brother Long Yan? Wasn't he transferred to the Western Desert by you a long time ago and hasn't returned?"

The old Daoist priest's Zhenyan darkened as he suddenly noticed that An Ruyu, who was not far away, had also disappeared.

He was about to step towards the Daoist temple to investigate when he suddenly stopped and his gaze swept towards the direction of the thatched hut.

Now that Shouzheng has not yet returned, the crucial gateway to the Three Corpses Seal cannot be left unguarded.

But as he gazed towards the Daoist temple, a strange unease grew stronger. As if remembering something, he asked again in a low voice:

"Which generation of disciples is Long Yan? What is his Daoist name?"

Upon hearing this, Shouguan's gaze showed a slight hint of surprise.

Junior Brother Long Yan has always kept a low profile, spending most of his time in seclusion and rarely getting involved in mountain affairs. Why would our Grandmaster suddenly ask about this, with a hint of suspicion in his voice?

She suppressed her doubts and truthfully replied, "Grandmaster Uncle, Long Yan is his Daoist name. He and I are of the same generation; we entered the sect in the same year."

"Of the same generation as you?" The Zhenyan priest frowned even more deeply. "If he is of the same generation, why isn't he from the 'Shou' generation? Who was his mentor?"

Shouguan was about to explain with a smile that his junior brother Long Yan was eccentric and stubborn, and that his insistence on using his real name as his Daoist name was also specially permitted by his master.

But as she was about to speak, she suddenly froze.

Who is Junior Brother Long Yan's master?

How could any elder allow such a rule-breaking thing to happen?

These questions should have been answered immediately, but when she opened her mouth, her mind went completely blank.

She clearly remembered that Long Yan had been in the mountain gate since he was a child, growing up with them, cultivating together, and experiencing trials together.

But regarding his lineage, why he didn't adopt a Daoist name according to his generational naming conventions, and who made the final decision to grant him this permission back then...

I don't remember at all.

She tried to recall, but all the details were shrouded in a thin mist, vague and indistinct, impossible to grasp.

The more she thought about it, the heavier her heart became.

Not only could he not remember who Junior Brother Long Yan's master was, but even Junior Brother Long Yan's past had become strange.

He seems to have always been there, but upon closer examination, what he did, what achievements he made, and who he associated with are all just scattered and vague fragments.

The only clear fact is that he has the cultivation level of the External Scenery Fourth Layer, which is comparable to his own, but he has always lived a secluded life and is taciturn.

This sense of rupture, a blend of familiarity and strangeness, was like a crack that instantly shattered her understanding accumulated over the past century.

Shouguan was suddenly filled with dread, and the hairs on his body stood on end.

Now, when I try to recall that face, the once familiar features have become blurred and indistinct, like a watercolor painting submerged in water, the ink spreading out in thin strands, making it impossible to piece together a complete outline.

The Zhenyan priest's face was ashen, and the fingers stroking his beard tightened.

He had already gotten the answer from Shouguan's reaction.

He practiced Ancient Method and had lived for over five hundred years, witnessing countless strange and bizarre events. However, this was the first time he had encountered such a method of altering memories and subtly embedding them into the hearts of thousands of people in the sect.

A man who had been in the temple for at least several decades, everyone thought he looked familiar and that he was normal. But at this moment, Shouguan, who was of the same generation as him, could not say who his master was, and even Shouzheng was probably kept in the dark.

Wait... there's also Immortal Cauldron!?

This ability to subtly alter perception must transcend the level of Immortals and Gods!

The Zhenyan priest immediately recalled Shouzheng's recent conjecture—if Zhang Buyu's Reincarnated Spirit Physique was itself a trap set for the Immortal Cauldron...

That Long Yan was none other than Zhang Buyu's mentor!

A chill ran down his spine and straight to his head. Overwhelmed with shock and anger, he did not rush to the Daoist temple. Instead, he immediately went on high alert, preparing to defend the thatched hut to the death.

Now that the Ancestral Artifact is no longer in the sect, if the other party still has a target, it can only be the portal of the Human Emperor's Three Corpses!

Just then, the figure standing beside Zhang Buyu seemed to sense something and slowly turned around. Across the layers of mountains and sea of clouds, he smiled slightly towards the mountain peak.

The smile was as warm as a spring breeze, yet it made the Zhenyan's heart tighten suddenly, as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand.

He said, enunciating each word clearly, "Excellent technique!"

In front of the Daoist temple.

"... Master, when did you return?" Zhang Buyu suppressed the urge to back away, trying his best to keep his voice normal.

Long Yan turned around, his tone still as gentle as ever. "Buyu, was there any gain from this trip to Dragon Gate?"

"I've gained a lot from this trip with Senior Brother Jin," Zhang Buyu.

Long Yan chuckled and shook his head, "You've never been able to lie since you were little, it's a shame."

He made no other move, but simply turned his head leisurely, his gaze passing over the eaves of the Daoist temple, over the peaks of Fuqiu, and looking towards the distant celestial light, and began to speak as if in casual conversation:

"Buyu, let me tell you a story."

Many years ago, a group of young people emerged from the mountains and wilderness of the Eastern Wilderness. They braved hardships and overcame countless obstacles, leading the Human Race in a struggle for survival against all other races.

"In those days, all races coexisted, and demons ran rampant. Human Race was the weakest, serving as sacrifice and sustenance for other races."

"But under the leadership of those young people, the scattered Human Race gradually united as one, fighting their way out. They first pacified the Eastern Wilderness, then marched westward into the Central Plains, slaying Immortals and Gods, suppressing demons, and fighting to the death against the Demon Race."

"They spent hundreds of years finally driving the most powerful Demon Race overseas, while simultaneously sealing off the Nine Netherworlds and isolating the Heaven Beyond Heaven, Human Race to become the 'masters' of that era."

"The youngest, most dazzling, and most anticipated among them was revered by later generations as the Human Emperor."

Zhang Buyu's heart trembled, stirring up a storm of emotions.

He never expected that what his master was talking about was the past of the Human Emperor!

"Most of the young people who left the Eastern Wilderness with the Human Emperor have also achieved great success. Some have founded their own sects, while others have inherited their clans and become local rulers."

Daoist Long Yan's voice remained calm.

"But many more either died on the battlefield or disappeared for various reasons. They didn't even leave behind a decent tombstone, ultimately resulting in the four words ' The Human Emperor Leading the People' recorded in history."

"And they are the 'crowd'."

"Later, the Human Emperor departed, and dynasties changed in the Central Plains. Those comrades who had fought side by side against heaven and earth, and fought for the future of the Human Race race, suddenly found themselves on opposite sides, attacking each other for power."

"But no one expected that the Human Emperor had already made arrangements before his departure, abdicating the throne to a young man who was unknown and had no foundation. Later generations called him the Sage Emperor."

At this point, Daoist Long Yan paused, looked at Zhang Buyu, and laughed, "Tell me, why did the Human Emperor abandon his brothers who had fought and bled alongside him, and instead abdicate in favor of a young man with no background?"

Zhang Buyu remained silent for a moment, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and slowly replied, "Historical records state that the Human Emperor originally had a bloodline. After the Human Emperor disappeared, the major powers of the world each supported a descendant of the Human Emperor to vie for the throne, and war was imminent. It was the Sage Emperor Yu who appeared out of nowhere, quelled the conflict, and prevented a great war that would sweep across the world."

"Historical records?" Long Yan's tone was unreadable, neither mocking nor wistful. "Did the historical records ever tell you that Sage Emperor Yu was not some upstart young man, but rather an heir cultivated by the Human Emperor in collaboration with Buddhist School from an early age?"

"Those old brothers who fought alongside the Human Emperor to conquer the world hold military power, have made great contributions, and each possesses Immortals and Gods inheritances. While the Human Emperor was alive, they could be kept in check, but once he left, they became a hidden danger that was difficult to control."

"Therefore, the Human Emperor had already set up a scheme before he left. The so-called pacification of the war was just a pretext to eliminate some of his more ambitious former subordinates under the guise of righteousness."

Zhang Buyu was deeply shaken. The Sage Emperor Yu was the successor jointly cultivated by the Human Emperor and Buddhist School?!

Could the rumors be true? Did the Human Emperor, in his later years, turn to Buddhism and travel far away?

At that very moment.

"Shouzheng, you've been listening for so long, it's time for you to come out."

Daoist Long Yan looked to one side and said with a smile.

In the Void, a figure slowly walked out, speaking calmly:

"Junior Brother Long Yan is quite skilled. You actually managed to deceive everyone on Floating Hill Mountain, even the Ancestral Artifact."

Upon seeing that figure, Zhang Buyu finally took a few steps back, his extremely tense mind suddenly relaxing.

"Junior Brother Long Yan, are you from the Taicang Long Clan?" Daoist Shouzheng.

Long Yan asked with great interest, "How can Senior Brother Shouzheng be so certain?"

"In the early days of High Antiquity, the Human Emperor led his people out of the Eastern Wilderness. Among his followers was a half-human, half-dragon, who took the dragon's name as his surname. At first, the Human Emperor regarded him as a close friend, but one day he suddenly disappeared, causing quite a stir."

Shouzheng casually revealed a secret, completely disregarding Long Yan's gradually changing expression, and continued...

"Just as Human Race was about to conquer the Central Plains and rule the world, this person suddenly returned, had a secret meeting with the Human Emperor, and ultimately parted on bad terms."

When the Human Emperor spoke of this person in his later years, he only gave him a four-word evaluation. "He harbored evil intentions."

"May I ask, is this person harboring malicious intentions referring to Junior Brother Long Yan Long Yan, or his ancestor?"

The smile on Long Yan's face had completely vanished at some point.

He frowned, looked at Shouzheng, and asked with a hint of doubt, "Very few people know about this, and there's definitely no one from Floating Hill Mountain. Where did you find out, Senior Brother Shouzheng?"

Shouzheng calmly said, "Before the Human Emperor disappeared, he specifically instructed the Sage Emperor Yu that future generations should be wary of anyone who uses 'dragon' as their surname. The first sect leader of my Floating Hill Mountain was summoned by the Sage Emperor Yu and heard this secret firsthand, which he then passed down."

Long Yan suddenly realized. "Lairu."

"Now that the entire plan has failed, why do you still show yourself, Junior Brother?" Shouzheng stared at the man and slowly spoke, "Are you fearless, or are you still harboring treacherous intentions?"

Long Yan smiled with a hint of regret, "To some extent, but the main reason is that I want to take Buyu with me. After all, Reincarnated Spirit Physique aren't something you can find just anywhere."

"Actually, I'm quite curious," Daoist Shouzheng, his hands behind his back. "What supreme divine weapon does your Taicang Long Clan possess? After all, it's one thing to deceive us, but to even be fooled by Ancestral Artifact is a bit too terrifying."

"It's not as Xuanqi as Shouzheng thinks," Long Yan shook his head and said, "It's just some minor tricks I used while the Immortal Cauldron was half-asleep and its power was not fully displayed. There are quite a few restrictions, otherwise Junior Brother would have been living in seclusion all these years."

"A little trick?" Shouzheng chuckled. "Then please, Junior Brother Long Yan, stay at the sect and share this little trick with me."

Long Yan smiled and shook his head, saying, "It might be difficult for you to keep me here, Senior Brother."

"It wasn't me who left you here." Shouzheng his hands behind his back, seemingly having no intention of making a move.

Long Yan narrowed his eyes, looking into the distance, where the power of the Immortal Cauldron was still erupting.

Even if that person defeats the Devil Lord, they will still need to spend a lot of time and energy to suppress the filth brought by the Nine Netherworlds. Otherwise, the area within a radius of at least a hundred miles will be completely turned into a dead land in a very short time, and will continue to spread outwards.

Unless he abandons the land within a hundred miles and all the living beings within it, he will have no time to spare for Floating Hill Mountain.

Given the "nature" of the Immortal Cauldron, and considering the similar temperament of the Yu Tunzhou to Lu Huaiqing that it had displayed along the way, it would be impossible for it to abandon everything and turn back.

"Senior brother is joking. Could it be that another Ancestral Artifact is hidden in Floating Hill Mountain?"

Long Yan's smile vanished.

"If not, then there's no need for Shouzheng to see me off. Senior Brother should go and guard that gate well. Junior Brother still needs to take Buyu back to recognize the true location of our sect's lineage."

The words had barely left his mouth.

A bronze-colored light suddenly shone from the Void.

The light started as a tiny dot the size of a pinhead, but in an instant it spread far and wide!

Long Yan's smile froze on his lips.

He suddenly looked up and saw that a bronze cauldron had appeared above Floating Hill Mountain.

The patterns of the sun, moon, mountains and rivers on the body of the cauldron lit up, and immortal light surged out from the Void like a tide, locking the Void of the entire Floating Hill Mountain area tightly!

Above the cauldron, a figure in a green robe stood with his hands behind his back, his feet resting on the cauldron's handles, his robes fluttering in the mountain wind.

It was Yu Tunzhou, who was supposed to be Yu Tunzhou demons in Cangling, thousands of miles away.

Yu Tunzhou looked down at the Daoist priest with a serene face in front of the temple, a mixture of surprise and understanding flashing through his mind before turning into a sense of entitlement.

Yes.

The mastermind that Ancestral Dragon is looking for is suspected to be related to Brother Zhang, and since Brother Zhang is completely unaware of this, the most suspicious party is Zhang Buyu's sect.

If there's nothing wrong with Floating Hill Mountain, then the most problematic person must be Zhang Buyu's master, Daoist Long Yan.

And at this moment—

Long Yan didn't even bother to ask why Yu Tunzhou would abandon the entire Cangling City and its surrounding area of a hundred miles and return to Floating Hill Mountain ahead of schedule.

His gaze was fixed intently on the feet of Yu Tunzhou.

Keeping pace with him was the Daoist Shouzheng.

In an instant.

The two stared at the Immortal Cauldron beneath Yu Tunzhou's feet and fell silent.

Has the world been turned upside down, or have they seen things backwards?

Why isn't it suspended overhead, but rather stepped on?

Long Yan Earth's Collapse silence, unable to express himself.

He suddenly became incredibly curious about how this person had managed to persuade the Immortal Cauldron to cooperate so readily, and wished he could immediately detain Yu Tunzhou's Primordial Spirit and pry out all of this young man's secrets.

Unfortunately, the Immortal Cauldron was already half-awakened at that time, so he couldn't get close and figure out the details.

If he could master such methods, why would he need to lie in wait on Floating Hill Mountain for decades, just to wait for an opportunity?

"Who did you just say you were going to take away?"

After understanding the situation, Yu Tunzhou spoke, his words cold and indifferent.

Suspended above Floating Hill Mountain, the Immortal Cauldron beneath Yu Tunzhou's feet suddenly sank by a third, and the descending immortal light tightened accordingly, almost freezing the Void around the Daoist temple!

This scene left the Daoist Shouzheng somewhat speechless.

Could it be that Young Hero Yu didn't persuade or convince the Ancestral Artifact, but instead mastered some kind of method of forcibly controlling it? The inheritance of the Human Emperor Seal isn't impossible...

A faint halo appeared around Long Yan, keeping the oppressive immortal light at least three feet away.

He looked at Yu Tunzhou, the surprise in his eyes fading, replaced by a deeper scrutiny.

"It seems I underestimated Young Hero Yu." He spoke slowly, his tone regaining some of its previous composure. "But what do you intend to do with the Nine Netherworlds filth in Cangling City? Are you going to abandon it?"

"Why are you meddling in things that aren't your business?" Yu Tunzhou's tone was cold and firm, carrying an unyielding weight. "You have two choices now: either tie yourself up and stay on Floating Hill Mountain to explain yourself."

"Second, you go into the cauldron too."

Long Yan's gaze swept over the Immortal Cauldron above his head, then fell back on Yu Tunzhou, his heart sinking slightly.

One Shouzheng, another is a Immortal Cauldron, and yet another is Yu Tunzhou whose background is unclear but who is clearly not a kind person—even if the real fish swallows a boat, he would have to think twice before doing so.

"It seems I won't Buyu to take Bu Yu away today," Long Yan sighed softly.

"Alright."

"Buyu the child to stay on Floating Hill Mountain than to wander around with me. He's intelligent and kind-hearted; given time, he'll surely amount to something great. Brother Shouzheng, please take good care of him for me."

These words were spoken with such earnestness that they sounded just like a departing master entrusting his final affairs.

"Enough with the nonsense," Yu Tunzhou interrupted him. "Who's behind you?"

"Young Hero Yu is also interested in my Taicang Long Clan?" Long Yan became somewhat intrigued. "Could it be that Lu Huaiqing told you something in the past?"

"The Taicang Long Clan? Where did this roadside creature come from?" Yu Tunzhou sneered. "The reason I came to the Eastern Wilderness is because of my journey to the Dragon Gate. Do you understand now?"

"If you still don't understand, then I'll be more blunt. Before leaving Dragon Gate, the Ancestral Dragon personally told me that Brother Zhang bears the mark of a certain 'former friend' of the Dragon Race. The Dragon Race has declined to this day, but we dare not forget the 'contribution' of that 'former friend.'"

The Immortal Cauldron's body intertwined with azure light, merging into the depths of the Void, while the Immortal Cauldron's spirit silently increased the power to seal off the surrounding Void.

This high- Daoist School Daoist master's visit to Floating Hill Mountain was indeed for a different purpose!

Unexpectedly, the legendary Ancestral Dragon, who supposedly shared the world with Primordial Phoenix, is still alive!

Even Shouzheng was quite surprised; Yu Tunzhou's arrival wasn't at the behest of the Supreme Purity Lineage?

He guessed that Yu Tunzhou probably had similar intentions to An Ruyu, but he didn't expect that what prompted Yu Tunzhou to set foot on the Eastern Wilderness would be the Dragon Race.

Zhang Buyu, standing to the side, also seemed somewhat bewildered.

Brother Yu came to the Eastern Wilderness... wasn't it initially to escort me on my journey?

"Who... are you?"

Long Yan stared at the figure in blue robes on the cauldron. For the first time, he lost his composure and asked, word by word. All the peace in his eyes disappeared, replaced by a fierce and cold look that suggested he could perish at any moment.

"I'm very satisfied with your response. It seems I won't end up empty-handed after all my efforts."

Yu Tunzhou seemed to be talking to himself or commenting. He took a step forward, and the Immortal Cauldron, following his will, suddenly suppressed Long Yan!

The aura surrounding Long Yan shattered under the suppression of the Immortal Cauldron!

He swayed slightly, and the bluestone slab beneath his feet cracked silently like a spiderweb, but he stubbornly held on and did not kneel down.

"Young Hero Yu," Long Yan's voice was unusually deep, "Do you really intend to use the Immortal Cauldron to suppress me? Are you willing to offend the Taicang Long Clan?"

Yu Tunzhou did not answer, but the Immortal Cauldron beneath his feet suddenly sank several more inches, and the immortal energy, like an inverted Tianhe, crashed down straight down, causing Long Yan's bones to burst with a series of cracking sounds as if they could not bear the weight.

Until this point.

Yu Tunzhou's words, spoken so casually, weighed as heavy as a thousand pounds on Long Yan's shoulder:

"So what if I suppress you today?"