Chapter 520: Chapter 495: The Disgrace of the Allies?
The Immortality Skill based on the Thunder Fire Rule, belonging to the intertwining realm of the two, was beyond Lu Yan’s grasp as he had not yet mastered all the variations of the Rule of Thunder.
Lu Yan understood this himself and nodded, "I know I cannot master it; I just want to observe and use it as a reference to find my own path to creating a technique."
"That’s possible. I’ll get it for you."
After saying this, Little Phoenix flapped its wings, and inside the Zhou Tian Huan Yu Map high above, a star flew down, hurtling toward Lu Yan.
Lu Yan reached out to catch it.
It was a talisman seal.
Though it seemed small, if one were to magnify the talisman infinitely, they would find that it was made up of dense, intricate patterns, all representing various changes of the Thunder Fire Rule.
This reminded Lu Yan of the microchips on Earth.
Lu Yan infused the talisman with soul power, making it glow and form a pattern in the air.
Boom!
A gigantic fist carrying the Thunder Fire Rule descended from the sky, exuding a destructive aura.
Lu Yan was startled and almost stepped back, but quickly realized it was just an image.
He faced the punch head-on, experiencing it up close.
"Both thunder and fire possess the power of destruction. Perhaps, an Immortality Skill based on the Thunder Fire Rule should lean towards destruction..."
Lu Yan pondered.
He decisively left the Battle Dragon Tower and returned to the Disciple’s Residence.
He activated time acceleration, dedicating half of each day to studying the Immortality Skill based on the Thunder Fire Rule and the other half to continuing his comprehension of the Zhou Tian Huan Yu Map.
After all, understanding the Zhou Tian Huan Yu Map could directly perfect the corresponding Immortality Skills.
The more Immortality Skills he mastered, the more references he had, which greatly assisted in the creation of techniques.
In the blink of an eye, two years had passed in the outside world.
Two years outside meant two hundred years in the space within the Dao Book.
Over these two hundred years, Lu Yan still had not created his own Immortality Skill.
But it wasn’t without progress.
The direction for creating his technique became clearer and his goals more precise; he already had a general outline in mind.
However, he still couldn’t make the leap to truly create his own technique.
During these two hundred years, the patterns of the Zhou Tian Huan Yu Map on his body became more complex. He had successfully comprehended all 3,600 variations of the Rule of Thunder and was now starting to grasp the changes of the Rule of Fire.
The number of changes in the Rule of Fire was on par with those of the Rule of Thunder.
The intertwining patterns of the two rules formed a complicated design that now covered his entire arm.
"Why can’t I succeed? Even battling in the Battle Dragon Tower is of no use."
Lu Yan frowned, desperately searching for a strategy to break through.
Over the years, he had also entered the Battle Dragon Tower from time to time, hoping that the life-and-death battles would stimulate his potential and assist in creating techniques, but with little success.
"I suspect the issue is the lack of a real crisis. Inside the Battle Dragon Tower, you know that death isn’t real, so you can face it calmly. In such conditions, even when confronting a dire situation, you can’t force out your true potential."
"Only in reality, when you truly face death, when you truly endure a life-and-death struggle, when you truly feel that immense terror between life and death, can you force out your true potential and make it useful for creating techniques."
Little Phoenix said.
"Must it really be so?"
Lu Yan said.
"Of course, in this world, none of the peerless powerhouses were built by resources alone. Each one has gone through countless tribulations and life-and-death ordeals to achieve their greatness. To accomplish something, you cannot be an exception."
Little Phoenix said.
Lu Yan pondered, his thoughts drifting to the wars of the Wild Ocean.
He didn’t have much time left.
If he didn’t put everything on the line now, he wouldn’t have any opportunities to do so later.
His gaze gradually became resolute.
"Alright, then I’ll accept the mission and travel out. Hmm, someone’s coming."
With a thought, Lu Yan left the space within the Dao Book.
Outside, a guard was waiting.
He opened the door.
"Disciple, Ye Yuluo has sent an invitation."
A guard handed Lu Yan an invitation.
"Disciple Ye Yuluo?"
Lu Yan was intrigued.
Being a disciple himself and knowing about the Dragon Alliance’s top ten disciples, he was quite familiar with them.
Ye Yuluo, one of the top ten disciples, had reached the Tao Realm quite early, exceptionally talented and ranked high among the ten disciples.
Why would Ye Yuluo personally send him an invitation?
Upon opening the invitation, Lu Yan understood.
Three days later was Ye Yuluo’s thousandth birthday, and a grand banquet would be held where he was specially invited to attend.
"It’s been a long time since I’ve taken a break; this would be a good opportunity to get some fresh air," Lu Yan said with a smile, not taking it too seriously.
Moreover, as the person inviting was one of the disciples, it would be impolite to refuse.
Before long, three days had passed.
Ye Yuluo’s Disciple’s Residence was extremely spacious, occupying a very large area, even larger than Lu Yan’s own residence.
Guided by others, Lu Yan passed through several connecting corridors and entered a vast courtyard.
Above the courtyard, tables and chairs were already laid out, with hundreds set up, and most of them already occupied.
Most of the attendees were young talents, some from the nine great halls and others from both the Inner and Outer Alliances, but without exception, they were all prominent figures.
The arrival of Lu Yan drew over a thousand gazes towards him.
Some were curious, some indifferent, but most were dismissive.
Over the years, many rumors had spread about this new Disciple, with weak strength, avoiding battle, considered a disgrace to other disciples.
There were even some who, when mentioning the Dragon Alliance, would not acknowledge the tenth disciple and still spoke as if there were only nine.
It could be said that Lu Yan had no prestige whatsoever within the Dragon Alliance.
"Hahaha, Lu Yan, your presence truly graces this occasion. Please take a seat," someone called out with laughter.
In the courtyard’s northern area, there stood a high platform with a few tables upon it.
But among them, only one was occupied by a young person; the rest were seated by somewhat older individuals, who were all predecessors of the Dragon Alliance.
A young man, clad in a purple robe and notably handsome, stood up to greet them.
Lu Yan knew him to be Disciple Ye Yuluo.
"Disciple Ye."
Lu Yan clasped his fists in a greeting.
"Disciple Lu, please have a seat,"
Ye Yuluo invited Lu Yan to the table reserved for the young people on the high platform, and then proceeded to introduce him.
Those seated at this table were all disciples.
Lu Yan had heard of them and greeted each in turn.
The disciples all smiled and returned the greeting without showing any disdain, reflecting good upbringing.
Of course, it could also be a facade.
Sitting among the disciples, Lu Yan noticed many below who were displeased.
"What qualifies Lu Yan to sit with the other disciples?"
"Exactly, each of the other disciples is a genius in their own right, renowned throughout the Origin Continent. What is Lu Yan but a mere man from the Wild Ocean, and what does he count for?"
"Shush, keep your voice down, don’t let him hear. After all, he is a disciple."
"What’s there to fear? He’s just a disciple in name without any actual status; he’s nothing."
Some murmured such remarks among themselves.
In recent years, Lu Yan’s seclusion and absence had eroded his standing, and even though he was a disciple, many no longer feared or took him seriously.
"I really don’t understand why Disciple Ye Yuluo is inviting him to sit at the high table. He should be sitting below, just like us."
"What do you know, how magnanimous must be the heart of Disciple Ye to do such things?"
Many continued their discussions.
Their voices were hushed, but Lu Yan could hear every word clearly.
He just smiled indifferently, unperturbed.
He was aware of their disrespect, and he thought, if push came to shove, he could always fight until they were subdued.
As time passed, more people arrived, and soon, all seats were filled.
Delicacies and fine wines were served, and the atmosphere gradually warmed up.
"Today is such a rare and lively occasion, with so many brothers gathered together, why not have a friendly sparring session?"
Someone suggested loudly.
"I think that’s a good idea. Usually, everyone is busy with their tasks or in seclusion cultivating, which doesn’t always benefit progress. Moreover, the Origin Battle is nearing, and we should all exchange and learn from one another to secure good positions for the Dragon Alliance."
"Indeed, well said."
Many voiced their agreement enthusiastically.
"Since the esteemed brothers are interested, then give it your all. With the presence of our disciples and elders today, perhaps there will be guidance and insights to be shared,"
Ye Yuluo stood up and said.
"I’ll go first."
As soon as these words dropped, a strapping young man shot up into the sky, standing mid-air with his gaze fixed on Lu Yan.
"Disciple Lu Yan, Outer Alliance Disciple Zhao Jie here. Two years ago, I sought advice on the Immortality Skill but was turned away. Today, I would like to ask for your guidance again."
The young man clasped his fists, his eyes carrying a hint of scorn.
"Here we go."
Lu Yan chuckled.
As soon as he heard the proposal for a sparring session that day, he knew someone would challenge him.
He hadn’t expected he would be the first.
Just fine, he thought, with such a large crowd and plenty of spectacles, one fight would settle all nuisances and save him the hassle of dealing with challengers every other day.
In the arena, all eyes were on Lu Yan, curious to see if he would accept the challenge.
"What’s your cultivation level?"
Lu Yan asked dispassionately.
"Immortal Second Layer, and I’ve heard that the Disciple is also at the Immortal Second Layer—perfectly suited."
Zhao Jie declared.
"I, the disciple, am at the Immortal Fourth Layer. Your cultivation is too low. Send someone stronger."
Lu Yan waved him off.
"Immortal Fourth Layer already?"
Many were taken aback and then simmered with envy, jealousy, and resentment.
Such swift progress in cultivation must have come from exploiting his position as a disciple to acquire a vast amount of resources.
Such a waste of resources! If only they could have been used on them, how good that would have been.
"Disciple Lu Yan, Zhang Qing here, at Immortal Fourth Layer, please instruct."
Another youth stepped into the air and hovered aloft.
Zhao Jie could only step down.
"Since you all seek instruction, then come on."
Lu Yan stood up and walked forth leisurely to face Zhang Qing.
"I’ve heard the Disciple is proficient in the Rule of Thunder; as it turns out, so am I. Be careful."
After Zhang Qing finished speaking, a long spear appeared in his hand, surrounded by lightning.
Whoosh!
The very next moment, Zhang Qing merged with the lightning, turning into a dazzling streak of thunder and striking towards Lu Yan. The speed was so astonishing that those with weaker cultivation couldn’t even see how Zhang Qing had made his move.
In an instant, the Thunder Lightning Spear was just before Lu Yan’s chest.
Lu Yan extended a finger and casually tapped the tip of the spear.
Clang!
The spear vibrated, and Zhang Qing flew backward for tens of thousands of meters, his arm trembling slightly.
"Hm?"
Many spectators gasped, clearly surprised that Zhang Qing had been overpowered in a single move.
