2453

**Chapter 2453: The Altar, the Wind of the Dao Sovereign**

Lin Moyu could tell that even among the high-level Celestial Sovereigns, the delicate-looking Lu Fengyao was top-tier. The Cheng Hong Guang he killed earlier was not as powerful as Lu Fengyao. Moreover, Lu Fengyao came from the Lu Feng Chamber of Commerce, a major force on the Origin Continent, and surely possessed many powerful artifacts. For high-level Celestial Sovereigns, possessing one or two powerful artifacts could drastically change their combat capabilities. Cheng Hong Guang, who was poor and lacked decent artifacts, was not much of a threat among high-level Celestial Sovereigns. 

With Lu Fengyao present, Lin Moyu thought it was wise to flatter her and borrow her influence. Lu Fengyao gracefully stepped in front of Lin Moyu, smiling, "Friends from the demon race, if anyone wants to challenge me, feel free to step forward."

"In fact, I am quite eager to experience the secret techniques of my demon friends!" she added, holding a jade bead in her hand. The bead emitted an astonishing aura, with a radiant glow, clearly an extraordinary treasure. The demon Celestial Sovereigns recognized its value, and one of them growled, "A top-grade artifact for Celestial Sovereigns."

Their eyes flickered, but they turned away, not daring to confront Lu Fengyao. Seeing their gritted teeth and helpless expressions, Lin Moyu realized that top-grade artifacts for Celestial Sovereigns were extremely rare. Even those with strong backgrounds couldn't easily produce such high-grade artifacts, otherwise, Lu Fengyao wouldn't be able to intimidate them.

Finally, a Celestial Sovereign from the Three-Colored Lion Clan said in a deep voice, "You can only protect him for a while. What will you do during the World Competition?"

Lu Fengyao smiled, "That's none of your concern. The World Competition has its own rules. Here, with me around, you all better behave."

The jade bead in her hand activated with her words, emitting a beautiful light and a powerful pressure that swept across the area. This pressure was incredibly strong, only slightly weaker than that of a Dao Sovereign. Lin Moyu felt that the jade bead was not an ordinary artifact; it was almost at the level of a Dao Sovereign's artifact.

"Who exactly is Lu Fengyao, and why is she suddenly so protective of me?" Lin Moyu wondered. He didn't believe his flattery had worked; Lu Fengyao must have her own reasons for protecting him, though he didn't know what they were. Faced with Lu Fengyao's dominance, the demon Celestial Sovereigns chose to retreat temporarily. They feared not Lu Fengyao herself, but the artifact in her hand. The Lu Feng Chamber of Commerce was wealthy, and who knew if they had more such artifacts.

The forest became quiet, indicating that everyone who was supposed to arrive had arrived. There were seven dragons, with two high-level Celestial Sovereigns. The insect race had three members, one of whom was a high-level Celestial Sovereign. The demon race had twenty-one members, with seven high-level Celestial Sovereigns. The human race had twenty-two members, also with seven high-level Celestial Sovereigns. Lin Moyu was the only Supreme, making him the most unique.

At this moment, a high-level Celestial Sovereign from the human race walked towards the altar. Instantly, everyone's attention was drawn to him. Everyone knew the altar was extraordinary, but no one could say exactly why. He approached the altar, and nothing happened. In front of him were eighteen steps leading to the altar. As he stepped onto the first step, a gentle breeze blew, causing his face to change drastically, and he quickly retreated. But he was a step too slow; the breeze blew over his body. A scream echoed as half of his body turned to dust, blood splattering everywhere.

He quickly took out a pill and swallowed it, his body glowing brightly as his injuries rapidly healed. Within seconds, the blown-away half of his body was restored. He changed into clean clothes, looking calm as if nothing had happened. However, Lin Moyu could see from his eyes that he was terrified and was just pretending to be calm. With his example, everyone knew the altar was not to be approached.

Lu Fengyao whispered, "Only the dragons and the insect race might know how to approach the altar; they arrived before us."

Lin Moyu nodded, "When the knocking sound started, the dragons and the insect race fought fiercely, and when it stopped, they stopped too."

"I guess we can only approach the altar when the knocking sound is present."

"And only then can we fight without attracting attacks from the forest creatures."

Lu Fengyao's eyes brightened, "Lin Xiaodi, your analysis matches mine."

Lin Moyu asked, "Sister Fengyao, when did you arrive in this space? How many times have you heard the knocking sound?"

Lu Fengyao replied, "I arrived a few days ago and have only heard it once."

Lin Moyu said, "The sound seems to enhance the soul but erases wisdom."

Lu Fengyao nodded, "Yes, but as long as one's Dao heart is firm, they won't be affected."

High-level Celestial Sovereigns generally had firm Dao hearts and were not easily influenced. Lin Moyu was also unaffected, which made Lu Fengyao regard him more highly. Lin Moyu pondered, "It seems we can only wait for the knocking sound to reappear."

"But since the dragons and the insect race are waiting here, I feel the next knocking sound won't be far off."

Lu Fengyao laughed, "Lin Xiaodi, you think just like me. Let's wait then."

Lin Moyu thought, "Whether she means it or not, I'll take it as she says."

Lin Moyu quietly asked, "Sister Fengyao, do you know what that breeze was? Why is it so terrifying?"

Lu Fengyao whispered, "If I'm not mistaken, that should be the Wind of the Dao."

"The Wind of the Dao?" Lin Moyu had never heard of this term.

Lu Fengyao explained, "The Wind of the Dao is blown by a Dao Sovereign using the power of the Great Dao, possessing destructive power."

"But this Wind of the Dao is unusually terrifying, not just an ordinary Wind of the Dao."

"If it were just an ordinary Wind of the Dao, the dragon's power could block it for a short time."

Lu Fengyao's explanation was convincing, and Lin Moyu chose to believe her. The Wind of the Dao blown by a Dao Sovereign was indeed terrifying. Lin Moyu thought of his Elemental Lich, which could also use the power of the Great Dao, but its power was far inferior to that of a Dao Sovereign. If he could obtain a material or artifact at the Dao Sovereign level, summoning the Elemental Lich and using the power of the Great Dao would significantly enhance its power.

Lu Fengyao looked at the altar and muttered, "I wonder if I can withstand the Wind of the Dao!"

Lin Moyu was startled by her casual remark, realizing that Lu Fengyao's strength might be beyond his imagination. She first thought the dragon couldn't withstand it but considered that she might, indicating her confidence in surpassing the dragon. In the same realm, dragons were nearly invincible, so Lu Fengyao's confidence suggested she had formidable hidden cards. The wealth of the Lu Feng Chamber of Commerce and Lu Fengyao's status within it were beyond imagination.

At this moment, another high-level Celestial Sovereign from the demon race approached the altar. He was humanoid but had a curved horn on his forehead, belonging to the Iron Armor lineage of the demon race. His true form was similar to a rhinoceros, known for its top-tier defense among the demon race. He roared towards the sky, revealing his true form covered in iron armor. He maximized his defense and cautiously stepped onto the first step. A gentle breeze blew, and the iron armor sparkled, making a metallic clashing sound.

"He blocked it!" Everyone was surprised, not expecting him to block the breeze. The demon Celestial Sovereigns were delighted. However, Lin Moyu noticed a hint of disdain in Lu Fengyao's eyes, shared by the high-level Celestial Sovereign from the dragon race.