Chapter 599 - 574: True Meteor Realm

Lu Yan stirred his soul power, enveloping the nine laws with an overwhelmingly mighty force, forcing a fusion.

Boom, boom, boom...

Under immense pressure, the ninth law began to merge with the preceding eight, manifesting a phenomenon of fusion.

However, the resistance was shockingly great.

With every thread of integration, the resistance grew exponentially, unleashing a colossal impact. Lu Yan’s body shook violently under the enormous pressure.

Yet, Lu Yan’s eyes blazed with madness, not retreating an inch, continuing to press the fusion of the nine laws.

Pu!

On the surface of Lu Yan’s body, due to the strong impact force, wounds started to appear, with blood flowing freely.

But Lu Yan still clenched his teeth and persevered.

One breath, two breaths, three breaths...

Suddenly, the nine laws vibrated wildly, and then with a thunderous explosion, a massive outbreak occurred. Lu Yan’s body was blasted billions of miles away, smashing through dozens of meteors.

Lu Yan coughed up blood profusely, a bloody hole appeared in his chest, and his entire thorax was shattered.

Lu Yan immediately started to run the Nine Death Sutra, and his wounds began to heal.

This injury was severe, taking more than three hours for Lu Yan’s wounds to completely recover.

"Just a bit more, why did I still fall short?"

Lu Yan murmured.

Just now, the fusion of the nine laws was nearly successful, just one step away, but he couldn’t make it through.

"Try again."

Lu Yan gritted his teeth, unwilling to give up. The nine laws diffused out once more and, under the suppression of soul power, began to merge again.

However, when it reached the same progress as before, a huge explosion occurred again, unleashing a terrifying destructive force that heavily damaged Lu Yan once more.

"What’s happening? It failed again at the last step. No, I must try once more."

Lu Yan gritted his teeth.

After his injuries had healed, he made another attempt.

But the result was still a failure.

Time and again, Lu Yan tried twelve times in total, all ending in failure, each thwarted at the last step.

"Where exactly did it go wrong?"

Lu Yan furrowed his brows.

During this current period of scarce magic in the region, after four hundred years of cultivation, he had realized the doctrine in extreme situations – in an area devoid of any laws. He experienced the transition from existence to nothingness and then from nothingness back to existence, gaining tremendous benefits. That’s why he was able to integrate the eighth law in one fell swoop.

He nearly succeeded with the ninth as well.

But each time, he failed at the last step.

There was definitely an issue.

It wasn’t due to a lack of comprehension on his part, but rather a missing element.

Even if he were to return to the law-depleted area and cultivate for a thousand, ten thousand, or even more years, it would probably still be difficult to succeed.

"What element is missing?"

Lu Yan racked his brains but could not grasp the key point, eventually having to give up.

Because to continue pondering without letting go could run the risk of becoming obsessed and entering a state of madness.

"There are still over eighty years until the showdown with Origin Continent. It’s time to return to the Desolate Heaven Cosmic Country and see what preparations need to be made. The fusion of the nine laws seems to be out of reach for now. I can only take one step at a time and perhaps, when the time is right, it will come naturally."

Lu Yan thought to himself.

He set out immediately, heading for Desolate Heaven Star.

When he was not far from Desolate Heaven Star, he activated the Starry Sky Transposition Token and returned to Desolate Heaven Star.

Not long after, he met with The Ruler of Desolate Heaven.

"Good, good, good."

Upon carefully examining Lu Yan, The Ruler of Desolate Heaven revealed a look of surprise and exclaimed thrice in admiration.

He could see that Lu Yan’s cultivation level had broken through, reaching the Pinnacle of the Tao Seventh Layer.

"Lu Ming himself is a freak, but I didn’t expect that the person he recommended is also a freak."

Even The Ruler of Desolate Heaven, a man of extensive knowledge and experience, couldn’t help but exclaim.

When Lu Yan left hundreds of years ago, his cultivation level was only at the Tao Sixth Layer. To think that, in just a few hundred years, his cultivation had actually advanced to the Pinnacle of the Great Tao.

For a Tao Realm powerhouse, a few hundred years were but a fleeting moment.

To increase one’s cultivation so enormously in such a short span was definitely not possible through normal means.

He was certain that Lu Yan must have succeeded in creating a new doctrine.

When Lu Yan was at the Tao Sixth Layer, his combat power was already extremely extraordinary, only second to Chen Xuanhuang, the Primordial Quadra Entity. Now, having made another breakthrough, his combat power was certainly stronger, and he might have even surpassed Chen Xuanhuang, becoming the number one person in the Starry Tao Realm.

This undoubtedly made the odds of success in the upcoming confrontation with Origin Continent a few points higher, and why wouldn’t he be pleased?

"A freak?"

Lu Yan remained silent.

Being an extraordinary person himself, The Ruler of Desolate Heaven quickly calmed down and said, "Lu Yan, you’ve returned just in time. There are eighty-six years left until our showdown with Origin Continent. Use this time to practice the Combined Strike Array with others."

"Combined Strike Array?"

Lu Yan was taken aback.

"Indeed, the Combined Strike Array."

The Ruler of Desolate Heaven nodded and explained, "The location for the showdown has been chosen at the border between Origin and the starry sky, within the True Meteor Realm. Have you ever heard of the True Meteor Realm?"

Lu Yan shook his head.

This was his first time hearing of it.

"The True Meteor Realm, as the name suggests, is where the True Ones have fallen. During the last recession of practitioners, two True One Realm powerhouses from Origin and the starry sky fought to the death at the border, ultimately perishing together. Their bodies transformed into a special space, independent of the starry sky – that is the True Meteor Realm."

The Ruler of Desolate Heaven elucidated.

Lu Yan’s pupils suddenly constricted.

The space formed by the demise of two True One Realm powerhouses was truly astonishing.

"For this duel, each side will send thirty-six geniuses from the Tao Realm into the True Meteor Realm to fight each other and compete for the score tokens on their opponents. After you enter, you will be teleported randomly and are likely to be scattered,"

"Therefore, you must cultivate the Combined Strike Array to an extremely proficient level, so that any two, three, or more people who meet can immediately set up the Combined Strike Array to welcome the enemy. In this way, you can maximize your strength."

The Ruler of Desolate Heaven declared.

"Inside the True Meteor Realm, are there other dangers for people from the Origin Continent?"

Lu Yan inquired.

"Originally, I planned to inform you in detail when the duel was about to begin, but since you’ve asked, I’ll tell you in advance,"

"Because the realm was formed by the fall of two True Ones, the environment inside is extremely complex and ever-changing. Some areas are very dangerous, to the extent that even beings from the Creator Realm might perish if they enter by mistake."

"That’s one point. Another is that, due to the intense killing intent and battle will of the two True Ones that did not dissipate for billions of years, a terrifying type of special creature called the Battle Spirit has formed. In the True Meteor Realm, there are even Battle Spirits of the Creator Realm. However, you do not need to worry about this, the True Ones from both sides will enter the True Meteor Realm before the battle to cleanse it of any Creator Realm Battle Spirits."

The Ruler of Desolate Heaven stated.

Lu Yan nodded, having gained an approximate understanding in his heart.

"Let’s go, I’ll take you to meet the others and cultivate the Combined Strike Array together."

The Ruler of Desolate Heaven stated.

Before long, Lu Yan followed The Ruler of Desolate Heaven to a vast martial training field.

Chen Xuanhuang and the other thirty-five had already arrived and were cooperating with each other, cultivating the Combined Strike Array.

Sometimes they grouped together, other times they scattered.

Sometimes they formed an array with two people, sometimes with three, and sometimes all thirty-five, showing myriad changes with astonishing power.

The Combined Strike Array formed by thirty-five monstrous talents could probably reduce even a primary stage Creator Realm powerhouse to dust with a single strike.

Lu Yan activated the Tao Soul Pupil and observed their Combined Strike Array, quickly gaining insights.

After a long time, Chen Xuanhuang and the others ceased their practice. They first saluted The Ruler of Desolate Heaven, and then their gazes turned towards Lu Yan.

Some smiled slightly and nodded to Lu Yan as a greeting, like Chen Xuanhuang and Gu Hanyang.

But some wore unfriendly expressions.

"This duel is of utmost importance to everyone. We came here a hundred years ago to practice the Combined Strike Array. Yet, this Zhang Wei has arrived so late."

"Now there are only just over eighty years left until the duel. How can he master the Combined Strike Array in such a short time to be perfectly in sync with us?"

"He thinks he’s strong and can afford to be casual, yet even Chen Xuanhuang, a Fourth Element Initial Body, came early."

A few people murmured under their breath, clearly displeased with Lu Yan.

Lu Yan smiled faintly, too lazy to pay them any attention.

"Zhang Wei was late because he was cultivating an important technique. In this duel, you must work together to truly defeat the Origin Continent. Do not harbor any resentment."

The Ruler of Desolate Heaven’s expression darkened, and his deep voice echoed.

Everyone felt a chill in their hearts and dared not speak further.

"Chen Xuanhuang, pass the Combined Strike Array onto Zhang Wei and then practice well,"

The Ruler of Desolate Heaven ordered.

"Yes."

Chen Xuanhuang cupped his fists.

The Ruler of Desolate Heaven nodded and left the place.

"Brother Zhang, this is the outline of the Combined Strike Array. Take it and ponder over it. I believe that with Brother Zhang’s talent, you should be able to grasp it quickly."

Chen Xuanhuang handed a Jade Talisman to Lu Yan.

"Thank you."

Lu Yan took it and moved aside, his soul delving into it to earnestly comprehend its contents.

The Combined Strike Array was naturally extremely profound, created by the heartfelt efforts of the mightiest beings and top Array Masters of the starry skies, with endless variations and great complexity.

Although Lu Yan was not an expert in formations, his insights had grown too profound.

All magic comes from one source, all doctrines lead to the same destination.

Combined with his previous observation of the thirty-five geniuses setting up the array using the Tao Soul Pupil, he quickly came to understand most of the Combined Strike Array, gaining a firm grasp of it.

While Lu Yan was comprehending it, Chen Xuanhuang and the others resumed their practice.

Lu Yan continued to use the Tao Soul Pupil, watching them.

Two hours later.

Lu Yan stood up and walked towards the group.

"Brother Chen, I would like to practice with you all. May I?"

Lu Yan said.

"You want to practice with us?"

Chen Xuanhuang was taken aback.

The others were also somewhat astonished.

Lu Yan had only begun to comprehend the Combined Strike Array a short while ago, and now he wished to practice with them?

Could he keep up?

Was this even possible?

If it were not for the respect due to The Ruler of Desolate Heaven’s earlier words, some would have already voiced their mockery.

"Sure."

Chen Xuanhuang, being generous, hesitated only briefly before he agreed.

"How about this, of this Combined Strike Array, coordination between two people is the simplest, and it’s slightly more difficult with three. The more people involved, the more challenging it gets. Brother Zhang, shall we start with two people?"

Chen Xuanhuang suggested.

"I’ll follow Brother Chen’s lead."

Lu Yan smiled.

"Good, then let me be the first to coordinate with Brother Zhang."

Chen Xuanhuang nodded.