Chapter 614 460: Hall 6 Platform

Li Yuanjiao now truly saw the Taiyin Moonlight from outside for the first time, contained within an ancient silver-gilded Jade Bottle inscribed with archaic Talismans, specially enshrined on a jade platform, enveloped by another ancient Magic Artifact—evidently, even in this Cave Heaven, it was being treated with utmost reverence.

The jade platform was covered with all manner of Formation engravings; it seemed it had once been used to assist cultivation or extract some lesser nature's spiritual energy, but now all those Formations had lost their function, reduced to mere decorative patterns.

In his own secret chamber, moonlight streamed everywhere; he was quite used to the silver-white glow, and after seeing it so much, it no longer struck him as anything rare.

But set against this imposing backdrop, its value immediately felt immense: silver radiance dazzling to the eyes. Li Yuanjiao himself was not much affected, but as the others near the jade platform gradually recognized what it was, the atmosphere steadily grew tense and heated.

South River had once been the Dao grounds of the Moonlight Origin Mansion, and Magic Arts, Artifact Refining methods, and Divine Skills inherited through lineages of the Immortal Sect—who among them did not possess a few ancient methods? Did they truly need this? Yet even surrendering this to the hands of a Zifu Perfected Person would bring unimaginable merit.

The eyes of the assembled cultivators already shone red with greed, only a scant few managing to hold onto their reason. If anything, it was more that they simply hadn't recognized what lay before them.

The tall, thin youth in a dark Taoist Robe—Xun Yizi—was the first to recognize the object. One hand gripped his horsetail whisk, the other clutched at his sleeve. His eyes bulged so wide it seemed they'd pop from their sockets.

His gaze swept the crowd, then he spoke aloud:

"Six of us are present, and of these, four are from Yue Country's Three Sects and Seven Doors. If this thing is to be divided, it must fall to Yue's hands! You overseas cultivators had best withdraw at once!"

His meaning was all too clear; Zhong Qian and the man in red robe both changed expressions. Naturally, the man in red would not let him succeed. He sneered and said coldly:

"Xun Yizi, if you wish to resort to ambiguous words and try to first drive others away, how dare you lay such petty schemes before us? I will upend this table myself!"

He burst out laughing, cupped his hands at the five around him, and barked:

"Let it be known to all—this object is none other than the long-lost Taiyin Moonlight! The so-called 'Taiyin Turbid Qi,' 'The Grand Moonlight Ritual,' and the 'Extreme Yin' written of in ancient tomes—all refer to this very thing!"

His voice echoed like thunder to the very dome of the heavens, so forceful that even several clouds nearby quivered with energy fluctuations. As if afraid anyone still wouldn't recognize it, he bellowed, watching the faces around him blanch in shock, then laughed mightily.

"Guo Hong'er!"

Xun Yizi's face turned ashen beyond compare, muttering his name in a low voice, but the red-robed man seemed unconcerned. He patted his robe, tucked the Token into his sleeve, gave a carefree hum, then turned to leave:

"You gentlemen vie as you please. My Red Jiao Island gives everyone here this courtesy and will not compete with you for it!"

At these words, Xun Yizi's fury threatened to burst from his crown—he'd been thoroughly played for a fool. Seeing the looks the others were casting at him, he knew this affair would end in nothing but turmoil.

The air hung still for several breaths before a black-clad youth cupped his hands and stepped back:

"Such heavenly materials and earthly treasures are beyond my fortune to enjoy. I shall not contend for them."

It was Zhong Qian who spoke. Always low-key, he saw that holding this item would bring endless trouble, and so, without hesitation, relinquished his claim and turned, riding the wind away.

Xun Yizi looked to the four remaining, as well as a few faintly discernible auras above. In a deep voice, he said:

"If any of you are willing to withdraw, consider it a personal favor owed by me, Xun Yizi of the Changxiao Sect…"

Yet his words stirred no ripples; barely anyone paid him heed. Each simply stared grimly at the jade platform. Suddenly, Xun Yizi lunged and reached for it.

"Boom!"

In almost the same instant, five or six Magic Artifacts appeared before him. When his hand struck out, Xun Yizi plainly anticipated as much; his move was feint, and his other hand lifted the horsetail whisk, striking instead at the person closest to him.

"You!"

At once, dazzling streams of Dharma Light surged through the air. Many directly unleashed their Immortal Foundation; several Magic Artifacts collided in midair, eruptions of thunderous clamor bursting forth.

Li Yuanjiao and Tulong Jian both hovered in the air, unmoving, quietly observing the situation. Tulong Jian narrowed his eyes, Spiritual Sense flickering, constantly communicating with the Token at his waist, waiting for the opportune moment.

Li Yuanjiao swept a glance over the field, and saw Kong Tingyun wielding her Jade Beads to fend off attacking Dharma Light, silently standing on the battlefield's edge. In her other hand, she balanced that little golden mountain, as if weighing atop whose head she should throw it.

He'd seen Kong Tingyun's golden mountain before—a truly uncanny thing, once striking down that Moutuo in a single breath, its power overwhelming when catching one unprepared, especially suppressing for those skilled in Spells.

Tulong Jian hefted his long Golden Hammer, already a sign he was about to act. Li Yuanjiao spoke softly:

"Taoist Fellow Tulong, that Xuan Yue Sect cultivator is an old friend of mine. We might join forces."

Tulong Jian nodded as realization dawned, then said:

"Then let us make our move. I have watched long enough; there are no truly formidable adversaries among them."

As the words left his lips, he hefted that Golden Hammer, riding the wind to descend below.

This Golden Hammer—no telling what kind of Magic Artifact it was—appeared quite slender; the hammer head was only half the size of an ordinary person's skull, the shaft more like a spear handle than that of a traditional hammer. Wielded, it resembled a long lance coming down.

Beneath him stood a cultivator in golden robes, of unknown sect or origin. When he raised his face and spied that descending Golden Hammer, his countenance changed utterly: