Chapter 142
Chapter 142
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 142
Chapter Title: The Struggle for Jiangdong, Descendants of Zouyu
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Where was the most secluded place for a conversation between Perfected Beings?
Simple: the Foundation Establishment Realm.
The Foundation Establishment Realm was filled with Bifeng winds that lingered year-round, making it impossible for any soul or divine sense to remain for long. Thus, conversing here meant there was virtually no risk of eavesdropping.
At Perfected Being Yu Tong's suggestion, Lu Yang first apologized to the other two Perfected Beings before transforming into a streak of light and fleeing into the Foundation Establishment Realm. Moments later, beyond the auspicious clouds formed by his own Dao Foundation, he spotted a beast with a tiger's body and lion's head, its long tail covered in white fur with black stripes, approaching him.
This was Yu Tong's Dao Foundation.
The moment they made contact, the beast dissolved into light and shadow, and Yu Tong's figure emerged from within. Without a word, he first bowed deeply to Lu Yang.
"Descendant of Zouyu, Tong, pays respects to Fellow Daoist."
"Zouyu..."
Lu Yang's expression remained unchanged, but one hand behind his back silently performed calculations. Yet he found that the karma tied to this name was unimaginably heavy!
"No need for Fellow Daoist to waste mana—the karma of Zouyu is too profound to calculate easily." Yu Tong seemed to anticipate Lu Yang's thoughts and spoke candidly. "It concerns the City Head Earth. You are now the Perfected Being with the greatest chance of claiming the throne, so I will naturally explain all the associated karma."
With that, his expression turned solemn. "Zouyu was the predecessor of Tian Wu!"
The words alone made Lu Yang's eyebrows shoot up.
This was precisely why they were in the Foundation Establishment Realm—if they were in the present world, that single sentence could trigger karma, alerting those with ulterior motives through inexplicable intuition.
"Zouyu... Tian Wu."
Lu Yang quickly grasped Yu Tong's meaning, though he couldn't help finding it somewhat unbelievable. "The Jiangdong Dao Court... has more than one dynasty, with successions?"
It was utterly absurd!
Lu Yang couldn't fathom how a power like the Jiangdong Dao Court—with a Nascent Soul presiding and surely more than one Golden Core True Lord—could undergo dynastic changes.
"This matter involves many secrets." Yu Tong sighed. "In short, the Zouyu clan were the original rulers of the Jiangdong Dao Court. Tian Wu rose later. Had the last Millennium Calamity not struck Jiangdong, our Zouyu clan might have achieved unparalleled dominion long ago."
At this point, even Yu Tong couldn't hide his hatred.
"In any case, after that, our clan was forced to flee far away, and our former foundations were divided among various parties."
"Tian Wu seized the Jiangdong heritage, the Sword Pavilion took the treasure vaults, and the Primal Saint Sect... well, the elders of the Primal Saint Sect, in their compassion, took us in."
Yu Tong spoke tactfully, his tone full of gratitude.
But they were both from the Primal Saint Sect—Lu Yang could read between the lines. After all, it was well-known that the Primal Saint Sect valued only those who could be of use.
As for the final pure land—
"City Head Earth?"
"Indeed." Yu Tong nodded. "The City Head Earth was our clan's throne, the most important one, yet it was lost in the Pure Land."
"The bodhisattvas of the Pure Land used great magic to forcibly seal the City Head Earth. If not for our clan's last imperial descendant burning everything in a final act of defiance—erasing all cultivation methods and Dao Foundations linked to the throne, hiding it away beyond verification—the Pure Land would likely have gained another bodhisattva by now."
"So?"
Lu Yang narrowed his eyes. "Fellow Daoist Yu doesn't think that because my Foundation Establishment drew a response from the City Head Earth, you've come to pledge loyalty, does he?"
"Exactly!"
Yu Tong's face lit with resolve. "Though our Zouyu clan resides in Jiangbei, every generation has longed for our ancestral lands, hoping one day to return to Jiangdong."
"And now, another Millennium Calamity approaches."
"I come on behalf of the Zouyu clan to pledge our loyalty to you, Fellow Daoist."
"If you can truly rise with the winds, seize the Calamity's fortune to claim the City Head Earth, our Zouyu clan can revive once more and reclaim Jiangdong!"
By the end, Yu Tong was visibly excited.
Lu Yang nodded repeatedly in apparent agreement, his face cooperating with a smile. At key moments, he'd even clap twice—but he said nothing.
Gradually, Yu Tong realized.
"Fellow Daoist Yuantu?"
When Yu Tong spoke, Lu Yang still smiled, but pivoted sharply. "Fellow Daoist Yu Tong, how long has your Zouyu clan been in the Primal Saint Sect?"
Yu Tong was momentarily stunned. "Several millennia."
"Old Primal Saint Sect members, then." Lu Yang nodded, then stared straight at Yu Tong. "All these years, and you've learned nothing?"
Yu Tong suddenly understood.
The next instant, he hurriedly drew a Dao scripture from his sleeve. "I've heard you favor formations and talismans, Fellow Daoist, so I've brought this as a gift..."
"No need to stand on ceremony, Brother Yu!"
Lu Yang burst into laughter, taking the scripture while warmly patting Yu Tong's shoulder. Yu Tong could only smile along, inwardly grumbling:
Truly a Primal Saint Sect Perfected Being!
Never scattering eagles without rabbits in sight. Should've just offered the gift first—instead of all that talk, he'd treat me closer than a blood brother!
The next moment, Lu Yang stowed the scripture, his face beaming with eagerness as he leaned in. "Speaking of which, Brother Yu, how many Foundation Establishment Perfected Beings does your line have? Any in the late stage? If so, could you have a senior come lend me a hand? I'll repay the favor handsomely!"
You're not holding back at all!
Yu Tong firmly shook his head. "Our clan is but a shadow of its former self. We have only one mid-Foundation Establishment ancestor, whose lifespan nears its end—he cannot move lightly."
"Oh."
Lu Yang's expression cooled instantly. "Fellow Daoist Yu, I'm tasked with exterminating the Shenwu Sect this time. Other matters can wait."
Facing the Primal Saint Sect's classic turn of face, Yu Tong—as a veteran—was long accustomed to it. He simply cupped his hands. "Then we'll discuss later. After all, our Zouyu clan was once the imperial line of Jiangdong, former masters of the City Head Earth. You'll need us, Fellow Daoist."
With that, he took his leave from the Foundation Establishment Realm.
Lu Yang remained, lost in thought. "A single City Head Earth—its karma not only ties to the Pure Land, but also to Jiangdong..."
With karma this heavy, the City Head Earth was no ordinary throne.
Lu Yang had gleaned as much from his own innate divine ability—ordinary ones wouldn't hold such profound mysteries.
"No rush."
Lu Yang saw clearly and naturally didn't believe Yu Tong's professions of loyalty. The man clearly had other plans and merely needed his help.
Though Yu Tong painted a flowery picture—as if Lu Yang needed their support to claim the Golden Core throne—Lu Yang knew better. In this equation, he held the initiative; they needed him, not vice versa.
If he didn't squeeze them hard now, he wouldn't qualify as Primal Saint Sect!
Just then, Lu Yang's heart stirred. The once-calm web of karma rippled, one thread shifting.
"...As expected."
Zouyu matters instantly forgotten, Lu Yang's lips curved as his gaze turned northward. He knew they wouldn't miss this chance.
Fulong Arhat!
"Hidden in the Primal Saint Sect, he was helpless. But now that I've emerged, how could he sit idly? This must be within Perfected Being Chongguang's expectations."
The Primal Saint Sect raised no idlers.
Having invested, Perfected Being Chongguang expected returns. Lu Yang had to prove his worth for continued backing.
And Fulong Arhat was his touchstone!
The next instant, Lu Yang's eyebrows rose—he sensed another familiar, deeply imprinted karma near Fulong Arhat.
"...Him?"
Guang Ming had come too.
(End of chapter)