The Daoist priests invited to participate in the ritual were all on the imperial ledger, making any impersonation exceedingly difficult.
Unlike Confucian scholars or Buddhist monks, a mere fabricated identity for them would require considerable time for the court to verify.
Furthermore, the people of Mingxin Pavilion alone were incapable of discerning the truth from falsehood within such a short timeframe.
At this moment, these impostors shed their disguises one by one and charged towards Xue Yang and his companions with murderous intent.
Once the formation here was disrupted, the cultivators in the sky could unleash their full power.
Even a mere ripple of spiritual energy could slaughter the mortals below in swathes.
However, just as this happened, a group of guards maintaining order also tore off their robes.
As their thin robes were removed, bright, light armor was revealed.
Over a dozen Executioners from the Mingjian Division, along with the guards of Mingxin Pavilion, immediately blocked the path of the attackers.
Under the suppression of the formation, the fluctuations caused by the ensuing battle were confined to an extremely small area, unable to harm the mortals below who were still performing the rites for the departed souls.
"Bring forth whatever other tricks you have."
Ji Yuan merely glanced over before shifting his gaze to the white-haired middle-aged man in the sky.
Yet, he understood that within this short span of time, both he and his opponent had likely employed all their available means.
Sometimes, no scheme or trickery could compare to a direct confrontation.
In the face of absolute strength, no amount of clever planning could find purchase.
However, Ji Yuan had still underestimated the methods of some individuals.
"The Supervisory Department is apprehending criminals. All uninvolved parties, retreat immediately!"
A clear shout suddenly echoed through the heavens and earth.
Numerous gazes turned, and then a contingent of people appeared outside the formation.
Over a dozen cultivators stood hovering in the air, exuding the aura of Third Realm cultivation, a truly awe-inspiring sight.
However, only Feng Chongguang knew that the rogue cultivators under his command offered little deterrence to cultivators of the same realm.
After all, they had all forcefully broken through their realms through sheer chance and various other reasons, making their combat power rather limited.
They could only bully cultivators below the Third Realm; when facing those of the same level, their only recourse was to rely on numbers.
Upon seeing this, Ji Yuan frowned slightly, sighing inwardly.
It seemed the Prefectural Governor's office had not gained any advantage in this matter.
If his guess was correct, the Supervisory Department of Chongyuan Prefecture had likely applied pressure through the deaths of their subordinates and some maneuvering.
And indeed, Ji Yuan's deductions were largely accurate.
Cai Yuanhe, using their killing of Supervisory Department personnel as a pretext and falsely accusing them of being pawns of the Rebirth Tower, had escalated the matter to the prefectural city of Lingyang.
Simultaneously, through the machinations of certain individuals, it could even be said that they had fanned the flames.
As a result, despite his reluctance, Feng Chongguang was compelled to gather his subordinates and come to make the arrest at this very moment.
However, upon hearing the pronouncement, Ji Yuan directly withdrew his gaze. Those within the formation also acted as if they saw nothing, remaining focused on the enemies before them.
Seeing this, Feng Chongguang's expression outwardly soured, though inwardly he chuckled, not truly taking their defiance to heart.
Nevertheless, after a moment's contemplation, he deliberately feigned anger and issued further reprimands.
Those among his subordinates skilled at reading expressions immediately understood, and feigned rage.
Some even went so far as to mimic the casting of a few spells, which fell harmlessly upon the formation's barrier.
Both sides understood the unspoken agreement: one pretended not to hear or see, while the other was content to do nothing of substance.
Turning his attention back to the hundred thousand vengeful spirits, Ji Yuan altered his hand seals, and the sutras he chanted shifted.
"The Great Dao possesses profound methods, Heaven and Earth reside within the heart. Perceiving all living beings, illuminating mountains and rivers afar..."
"Heaven is vast, Earth is boundless, where the heart directs, three flowers gather at the crown, five energies converge within the body..."
"The Three Thousand Great Daos, are within my grasp..."
The core principles of the Profound Heaven Dao Sutra resonated throughout the entire land from his lips.
As if Heaven and Earth responded, a gentle breeze swept through at the moment his voice fell.
A surge of inspiration struck Ji Yuan, and he immediately continued, reciting the core principles repeatedly.
Unknowingly, his voice grew louder and louder, echoing like a great bell throughout the world.
With each recitation, Ji Yuan gained deeper insight, his voice becoming ever more grand and resolute.
Silently, golden lotuses bloomed from the void, scattering brilliant radiance.
Qian Nishang paused in her chanting, tilting her head in confusion as she looked up, her entire body enveloped by the radiant light.
Numerous insights flooded her mind. Chanting Buddhist scriptures, she closed her eyes, her mind bifurcating as she brought forth the cultivation techniques she practiced.
Within the formation, the auras of anyone possessing even a modicum of cultivation began to fluctuate to varying degrees.
Some cultivators who were at a bottleneck suddenly experienced a surge in their power, clearly breaking through to the next realm.
Even many mortals without cultivation now felt a clarity of mind, with the profound meanings of scriptures they had previously been unable to comprehend now fully illuminated in their hearts.
Similarly, Confucian scholars experienced a surge of literary inspiration, with formerly studied texts reappearing in their minds, and previously obscure passages suddenly becoming clear.
Gradually, as they chanted scriptures and recited essays, each word and phrase seemed to be imprinted upon the void.
Whether they were Daoists, Buddhist monks, or Confucian scholars,
Golden lotuses bloomed around them, and the chanted scriptures manifested above them.
"The Three Thousand Great Daos, are mine to command!"
A realization dawned in Ji Yuan's heart, a smile gracing his lips.
In truth, there was no need for a choice. Both the Dao Law Scroll and the Sword Art Chapter belonged to the Profound Heaven Dao Sutra.
Whether it was the artistic conception of Daoist magic or the true intent of the sword, all principles lay within the two words "Profound Heaven."
The Three Thousand Great Daos... all within his palm!
At this moment, golden lotuses bloomed within a radius of several miles, emitting a dazzling glow.
A celestial canopy materialized behind Ji Yuan, with myriad colorful clouds drifting, and a resplendent golden sun slowly rising.
A white sun ascending in the blue sky, golden lotuses in the void.
At this instant, Ji Yuan had actually cultivated two anomalies!
What Dao Law Scroll, what Sword Art Chapter.
The two cultivation methods of the Profound Heaven Dao Sutra now merged into one. All the cultivation mantras surged into his mind, transforming into primal runes that reformed into a single profound technique.
A wave of Dao charm emerged from his body, and within mere breaths, it had already swept across this land.
Decades of cultivation, the accumulated insights and experiences of everyone, all manifested at this moment, finally integrating and reaching a state of complete understanding.
Quietly, a few cloud patterns suddenly appeared on Ji Yuan's brow, with a golden sun at the center, supported by a golden lotus.
The Profound Heaven Dao charm condensed and manifested, transforming into a sword shadow that merged into the golden sun.
In an instant, his aura surged dramatically, yet he did not break through his current realm.
Waves of spiritual power surged within him, a new chapter continuously refining his spiritual power while nourishing this physical body.
Almost instinctively, Ji Yuan recalled the cultivation insights gifted to him by Elder Hong Tian.
He followed his heart to circulate the cultivation technique, and the Dao charm within him gradually ascended to its zenith.
All his insights and accumulations became nourishment for the Dao principle, which condensed into a thread of Dao principle in his sea of consciousness.
For the duration of an incense stick, the Dao principle in Ji Yuan's sea of consciousness continuously expanded, reaching the limit of his current realm.
All his accumulated foundation became the sustenance for the Dao principle, allowing it to be imprinted upon his soul and rapidly take root and sprout.
Silently, a lotus formed from true essence and spiritual power slowly bloomed on his right shoulder.