The Heavens: From Film and Mythology to Conquering Myriad Realms

"You villain! I have no grudge against you, why did you kill my son!"

Duan Zhengchun was furious and pointed at Lu Yao, shouting in a trembling voice.

"Haha, Prince Duan, you've misunderstood me. I'm just trying to help you."

Lu Yao looked at Duan Zhengchun with a strange expression, as if he saw a green patch above Duan's head. It was truly cause and effect, the cycle of all things.

"What do you mean? Stop with your clever words!"

Duan Zhengchun was slightly taken aback, not understanding the meaning behind Lu Yao's words.

"Haha, it seems that Prince Duan is still in the dark. In that case, I will tell you the truth."

Lu Yao smiled slightly, feeling secretly delighted for some reason.

"Your son Duan Yu is not your biological son, but the son of your elder brother Duan Yanqing."

Lu Yao dropped a bombshell, startling the four powerful ministers standing nearby into a cold sweat.

Is this something they can listen to? The four of them tacitly stepped back.

"Impossible! Don't you dare tarnish my beloved wife's reputation!"

Duan Zhengchun was furious and did not believe Lu Yao's words at all.

"Why be angry, Prince Duan? Just ask your wife, Dao Baifeng, and she will give you the answer."

Lu Yao chuckled and shrugged.

"I have already crippled Duan Yanqing for Your Highness. He should be near Wanchougu. Your Highness must hurry, or Duan Yanqing will die."

Lu Yao's eyes flickered, remembering that Zuo Zimu had reported Duan Yanqing's current whereabouts to him, and he spoke up.

After Lu Yao drained the Four Evils of their inner strength, Zhong Wanchou threw them out of Wanchou Valley.

After losing their internal energy, the four people stayed near Wanchou Valley to heal their injuries, which could be considered as Zhong Wanchou's tacit approval.

Being drained of one's true energy by the Northern Darkness Divine Art will not kill one; however, true energy and one's origin are interdependent. Without true energy, one's lifespan will be shortened, but one can still continue to cultivate internal energy.

Although he has extensive experience in internal energy cultivation, it is wishful thinking to think he can fully recover; he can only rely on the newly refined true energy to sustain himself.

Duan Zhengchun's expression was uncertain, and he became skeptical of Lu Yao's words.

Most importantly, Lu Yao just made a move and repelled his four retainers with a single strike, something even he, a master at the peak of the Acquired Realm, couldn't do.

It was Lu Yao's strength that deterred Duan Zhengchun from making a move.

"go!"

Duan Zhengchun let out a cold shout, ignoring his retainers, and used his lightness skill to leave Jianhu Palace.

The four retainers looked at each other in bewilderment and hurriedly followed Duan Zhengchun.

"I'm really trying to help you, Prince Duan."

Watching Duan Zhengchun leave, Lu Yao smiled gently.

"Thank you so much for saving my life, sir! I, Zuo Zimu, am willing to serve under you. Please accept me!"

Zuo Zimu felt much more at ease. This person's strength was unfathomable, and even the Dali royal family had to yield to him. He had to stick close to this powerful figure.

"Find me the toad first."

Lu Yao glanced at Zuo Zimu and said indifferently.

"I obey my orders!"

Zuo Zimu was overjoyed and immediately bowed in greeting.

But when he stood up, Lu Yao had already disappeared.

"Hehehe! I never thought I, Zuo Zimu, would have someone to rely on."

Zuo Zimu's face showed delight, and he was very happy.

A few days later, Zuo Zimu brought good news to Lu Yao.

"Sir, the poisonous toad has been found."

Zuo Zimu arrived at the courtyard where Lu Yao lived with an excited expression and spoke into the courtyard.

The door opened instantly, and a figure appeared in front of Zuo Zimu.

"take me."

Lu Yao chuckled lightly and said calmly.

This Manggu Toad is indeed hard to find. It took the disciples of the Wuliang Sword Sect more than ten days to find its trace. If Lu Yao were to search for it himself, who knows what he would find or when he would arrive.

Zuo Zimu had his disciple, who had found the Manggu Toad, lead him and Lu Yao deep into the forest, to the place where Lu had discovered the Manggu Toad.

"Sect Leader, My Lord, I am the one who found the red poisonous toad here."

The disciple who discovered the Manggu Toad bowed and spoke to the two.

"Good! Well done."

Zuo Zimu patted the disciple on the shoulder with a smile and said.

Lu Yao looked around at the terrain but did not find any trace of the Manggu Toad.

"You can all go back now. I'll come and find them myself."

Lu Yao was afraid that too many people would scare the toad away, so he told Zuo Zimu to take his men back first.

Zuo Zimu naturally dared not ask any more questions and turned to leave with his disciples.

Half an hour later.

A vermilion toad slowly hopped onto a stone platform.

Its small eyes were full of brilliance as it chased after a blood-red centipede and fled quickly.

With a swift leap, the Manggu Zhuha pounced and pinned the blood-red centipede beneath it. With a flick of its long tongue, it swallowed the centipede whole.

"Quack!"

The Manggu Toad let out a soft croak, its small eyes revealing a human-like sense of satisfaction.

Suddenly, a powerful aura of true energy swept over us.

Manggu Zhuha suddenly felt a binding force entangling him, and was imprisoned on the ground by a force.

"Hahaha, I finally caught you."

Lu Yao laughed and walked out of the bushes, looking at the still struggling Manggu Toad with great satisfaction.

Lu Yao opened his palm, and a specially made glass container appeared in his hand. After putting the Manggu Toad into it and sealing it, he put it into his Origin Space.

After capturing the Manggu Toad, Lu Yao returned to Jianhu Palace.

Now Lu Yao is also thinking about his next move.

Since the Four Evils have appeared in Wanjie Valley, Qiao Feng should have become the leader of the Beggars' Sect.

"Tenryu Temple".

Lu Yao slowly read out the name of a temple.

Tianlong Temple was the royal temple of the Dali Kingdom. It was inhabited by members of the Duan family who had become monks. It trained many masters and was also the military pillar of the Dali royal family.

Lu Yao thought of Tianlong Temple because of a martial art—the Six Meridians Divine Sword.

The Six Meridian Divine Sword is an internal energy sword technique that primarily uses the fingertips to generate sword energy, resulting in immense power.

Lu Yao is now gradually using sword energy to defend himself with the Dugu Nine Swords, but it is definitely not as good as the Six Meridian Divine Sword.

Having come up with an idea, Lu Yao summoned Zuo Zimu.

Lu Yao naturally saw through Zuo Zimu's thoughts; he simply wanted Zuo Zimu to give him some pointers on martial arts.

Since he helped me find the toad, it wouldn't hurt to offer a few pointers.

Lu Yao first had Zuo Zimu use his internal energy cultivation technique, and then examined his body, quickly learning about Zuo Zimu's problem.

"The key to the acquired realm lies in comprehending the essence of one's own true energy. Remember this feeling, and you will naturally be able to break through the shackles."

Lu Yao pointed his finger, and a faint stream of true energy began to circulate within Zuo Zimu's body.

Zuo Zimu quickly closed his eyes and carefully comprehended the meaning.

A moment later, Zuo Zimu's true energy surged, and he officially stepped into the Acquired Realm.

"Thank you..."

Zuo Zimu was overjoyed and was about to thank Lu Yao, but after looking around, he couldn't find Lu Yao anywhere.

Lu Yao naturally couldn't be there to protect Zuo Zimu; helping him break through to the Acquired Realm was already the limit.

Riding on the giant eagle, Lu Yao headed towards Tianlong Temple.