How did a bastard like him become an immortal?

"Putting that aside, I'm actually a little itchy to try my hand at this ancient formation. Does this wondrous formation have a name?"

Zhu Hongwu stared at the Tai Chi diagram behind Li Muyun with great interest.

After all, this was a great formation lost by the Sun Moon Empire for a thousand years. The records in ancient books were fragmented and inaccurate. Now that he could see it in person, he was also curious.

"This great formation is based on the sun and moon, extracted and evolved, containing the principles of Yin and Yang. The convergence of Yin and Yang forms the supreme Dao, which is called the Taiji Diagram."

Li Muyun spoke softly, and as he chanted, the Taiji diagram behind him continued to rotate, a mysterious and indescribable Daoist charm flowed, and an ancient and simple aura rushed towards him.

"Excellent, excellent. I would like to test the power of this grand formation. Is that permissible?"

Zhu Hongwu flashed, his internal energy surging like a vast ocean, his fighting spirit soaring to the sky, and the vortex of true energy he created made the surrounding fallen leaves flutter and sway.

Li Muyun's heart lit up. He had been worried about having such a grand formation but nowhere to practice the power of the Taiji Diagram. Now that Zhu Hongwu had taken the initiative to speak, he naturally wouldn't refuse.

"That's exactly what I was thinking, Your Majesty, please!"

After speaking, Li Muyun suddenly took a few steps back, his mind focused, his left eye shooting out the golden light of the sun, and his right eye shining with the faint moonlight. He had absorbed the Tai Chi diagram behind him into his body, transforming it into a harmonious Daoist rhythm that surged and flowed through his limbs and bones.

From the outside, Li Muyun appeared to be bathed in celestial light, with a tiny Tai Chi symbol rotating between his brows.

"What a fine formation! It can withstand a single blow from my might!"

Upon seeing this profound mystery, Zhu Hongwu let out two low shouts, and then suddenly his blood and qi surged throughout his body, the sound like thunder, buzzing and exploding.

A murderous aura roared out, and within that aura, the clash of swords and the shattering of mountains and rivers, the fleeing soldiers and the miserable commoners, all surged forth and rushed towards Li Muyun.

Zhu Hongwu is a martial arts master at the peak of his skill. His body-strengthening kung fu has shaken the land. In the past, he caused bloodshed and carnage. Now, his cultivation has improved even more, and his martial arts are comparable to those of a terrestrial immortal.

Although the oppressive attack had somewhat subsided, it still contained killing intent, making it impossible for ordinary people to withstand.

Let alone ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators, even cultivators several realms higher than Nascent Soul cultivators would not be able to stand firm in the face of this overwhelming ferocity, let alone cope with this aura.

Li Muyun's expression hardened, and a monstrous killing intent roared like a raging sea, its power soaring to the heavens, causing his mind to freeze and making it almost impossible for him to think or function.

Instinctively, he activated the Tai Chi diagram within his body, and the Yin and Yang forces derived from the supreme Dao flowed around him, forming a harmonious Daoist rhythm before him.

The most yang thing should be avoided with yin and softness, and the overwhelming killing intent was like a vast ocean roaring, forcing Li Muyun to retreat step by step.

Yet he remained calm and composed, his steps back not appearing disordered, but orderly amidst his busyness.

On the contrary, the overwhelming killing intent gradually weakened and diminished. With the harmonious transformation of the Taiji diagram, the power was dissolved with a wondrous Daoist rhythm. Lacking in momentum, it forced Li Muyun back dozens of steps before dissipating into nothingness.

"Hmm? The art of using minimal force to deflect a great weight... no, the interplay of yin and yang, this profound principle..."

Zhu Hongwu was surprised to see Li Muyun dispel his oppressive aura in this way.

This Tai Chi diagram is incredibly domineering. You must know what kind of powerful person he is. He is only half a step away from the power of an immortal, and he is already able to see and touch the laws.

Although he held back somewhat in his killing intent, it was subtly mixed with his own understanding of the laws. This power had already surpassed the power of ordinary attacks, almost reaching the level of the Dao.

However, it only forced Li Muyun back half a step before dissipating like a spring breeze and rain.

Li Muyun's left and right hands moved in a zigzag pattern, each step seemingly tracing a wondrous path around the Tai Chi diagram. He could see that each step and the interweaving of his left and right hands was guiding the flow of the Tai Chi diagram's Daoist principles, which was how he neutralized Li Muyun's attack.

"Tsk tsk tsk... Truly miraculous. I finally understand why this great formation has been lost for a thousand years."

Zhu Hongwu's face showed a mixture of joy and emotion.

This is not just a simple formation, but a divine technique containing the supreme Yin-Yang Dao.

Throughout history, countless geniuses in the art of array formations have flocked to this lost array, yet as spring turns to autumn, not a single one has been able to comprehend it. The so-called geniuses in the art of array formations have all suffered setbacks, both physically and mentally, and have experienced considerable blows.

But now it seems that such a great array inheritance requires not only mastery of array techniques, but also such a profound understanding of the Great Dao. In the past thousand years, only Li Muyun has achieved this!

"Your Majesty, even after understanding this formation, there is still one thing I don't understand."

"But it doesn't matter..."

Li Muyun thought for a moment, broke free from the wondrous state of operating the Tai Chi diagram, and carefully considered his words.

"After comprehending this supreme Dao, the interplay of Yin and Yang holds infinite meaning. Yet, I am somewhat perplexed: what exactly does this so-called Dao refer to?"

Upon hearing this, the world fell silent. The swaying branches and the blowing wind in the secluded place all stopped, as if they were waiting for Zhu Hongwu's reply.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Hongwu's smile faded, replaced by a look of seriousness.

This question is somewhat like questioning one's true nature. In this situation, Li Muyun is moving too fast on his path, which has led to some confusion and bewilderment.

"Then I must first ask you, what is the Dao in your heart?"

Zhu Hongwu stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes gleaming, staring intently at Li Muyun.

After a moment's thought, Li Muyun had the answer in his heart and blurted it out.

"The Dao is like water, like wood, like fire, like the primordial energy of heaven and earth, filling the four directions, the five heavens and ten earths, all are the Dao. The Dao is one, the Dao is myriad, the Dao gives birth to heaven and earth, and nurtures heaven and earth..."

What do cultivators cultivate? They cultivate the Dao. The interpretation and meaning of the Dao are different in each cultivator's heart.

There are countless interpretations of the Dao in the universe, each with its own unique perspective and terminology. These are all Li Muyun's insights into the Dao.

Even he himself didn't realize that when he said those words, the Tai Chi diagram within his body quietly accelerated its circulation.

"Indeed, to you, the Dao is a thing, the substance that constitutes heaven and earth. But to me, the Dao is order, a law, something invisible and intangible, yet truly existing, the framework that defines heaven and earth. When you reach the point of contact with the laws, on the verge of transforming into an immortal, you will naturally have this understanding..."

"Order? Laws? Framework of Heaven and Earth?"

Li Muyun murmured to himself, as if the clouds in his heart had dispersed and vanished.

Zhu Hongwu remained calm, but his palms were sweating. Facing such a genius, if one didn't have real talent and learning, one would probably be stumped.

In other words, he had almost comprehended the laws, and with his naked eyes, he could already detect traces of the Dao everywhere he looked in the world.

The words that just pointed out the truth have lessened Li Muyun's confusion.