Chapter 164
Chapter 164
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 164
Chapter Title: Heading to the Sea
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“Yuantu, are you alright?”
Atop Heaven Mending Peak, Lady Ruo Xiang hurried anxiously to Lu Yang’s side, her vermilion lips parting slightly. At first glance, one might think she was truly concerned for her lover.
But Lu Yang knew exactly what she was really after.
“Don’t worry, the True Lord’s handwritten note is fine.”
Lu Yang gave a faint smile, then exhaled a puff of scorching hot breath.
“That’s enough. Have Shuqian come assist me with my cultivation. I need to recover from my injuries as quickly as possible.”
“Mm.”
At Lu Yang’s words, Lady Ruo Xiang’s lovely face darkened slightly for a moment, but she soon recovered her charming, smiling demeanor and stepped aside for Chen Shuqian.
Chen Shuqian, seeing this, was naturally overjoyed. She shot Lady Ruo Xiang a provocative glance before gently supporting Lu Yang and slowly leading him into the secret chamber. After all, compared to Lu Yang activating the “Azure Luan Midday Fire” alone, cultivating together was far more efficient—and it sped up his injury recovery even more.
Ten days later.
Lu Yang pushed Chen Shuqian aside, feeling refreshed as he changed into a fresh set of clothes. His dharma body, which had been burned through inside and out by the “Heavenly Furnace Departing Fire,” had already recovered by more than half.
It had even become significantly more sturdy than before.
Lu Yang wasn’t surprised. Fleshly body cultivation was all about breaking down to rebuild stronger. After suffering such severe injuries this time, it was only natural to gain some benefits upon recovery.
But his forte wasn’t his physical body anyway.
The Saint Thief techniques of old were largely useless in the current era, so even if his dharma body was tougher now, it just meant he could take a few more hits.
“This Azure Luan Midday Fire is pretty useful.”
Sensing the changes in his body, Lu Yang’s expression showed a hint of delight. Previously, he’d estimated that these injuries would take at least a decade to fully heal.
Yet with Chen Shuqian’s tireless assistance, he had displayed superhuman vitality.
In just ten short days, he’d recovered more than half—while Wu Cang, who had suffered equally grievous wounds, had probably only just barely pieced his bisected body back together by now!
At that thought, Lu Yang frowned.
“Something’s off.”
The Heaven-Scrutinizing Instrument at his brow whirred to life, its precious light illuminating the threads of causality. Though it still found no issues, Lu Yang couldn’t shake the lingering shadow in his heart.
Wu Cang just didn’t feel right to him.
His actions fit perfectly with those of a rogue cultivator turned Primal Saint Sect Perfected Being, but Lu Yang still sensed something rash in his moves.
Unfortunately, the [Heaven-Scrutinizing Instrument] detected no flaws, so Lu Yang could only set it aside for now.
With the Book of a Hundred Lives in hand, no matter if there was a hidden mastermind or some scheme at play, he’d uncover it in the end—and it would serve him well next time.
“Better stay cautious for now.”
With a thought, Lu Yang summoned a gentle breeze in secret and drifted lightly to Sacred Fire Cliff. Soon, a formation spirit arrived to guide him inside.
As soon as Lu Yang entered the grand hall, he felt a piercing gaze land on him, heavy with scrutiny.
But a soft exclamation of surprise soon echoed through the hall. Lu Yang looked up to see Perfected Chongguang staring at him with evident delight.
“Your injuries have healed?”
Lu Yang cupped his hands in salute.
“Reporting to Martial Uncle, yes—more than half healed. The gifts left by the Heaven Mending Peak Master proved quite effective. This disciple has benefited greatly.”
“Mm.”
At those words, Perfected Chongguang’s expression turned peculiar as he stroked his chin, seemingly deep in thought.
“That makes sense. It was meant for withstanding heavenly thunder, after all.”
The next moment, Perfected Chongguang snapped back.
“I thought you’d have to hole up for another dozen years or so, but since you’ve recovered early, you should be able to set out immediately to seek your Heavenly Dipper or Earthly Fiend?”
“That’s precisely this disciple’s intention.”
Lu Yang nodded.
“This disciple devoured the Godmartial Sect’s destiny, granting a faint sense of the heavens and earth. I’ve vaguely divined that my opportunity lies overseas.”
“Overseas?”
Perfected Chongguang frowned at that.
“A pity. If it were in the northern river region, I could simply retrieve that Dipper or Fiend for you myself.”
“But if it’s overseas, you’ll have to fetch it yourself. Fortunately, your fortunes are profound, guarded by a supreme heavenly secret treasure that shields your fate—few can divine your movements. And you’re clever enough; I’m not worried about you running into trouble.”
“Take this for self-defense.”
With those words, Perfected Chongguang produced a jade token.
The instant Lu Yang saw it, he froze.
He recognized it! The previous Heaven Mending Peak Master had used it in a past life to block Golden Core sword qi!
“This is called the [Imperial Mandate Jade Token], refined by a True Lord.”
Perfected Chongguang handed the token to Lu Yang.
“Each of the Four Inner Sect Peaks grants its Peak Master one such jade pendant for protection.”
“After Heaven Mending fell, his was reclaimed.”
“Now that you’re acting as Peak Master, I bestow it upon you. No matter what dangers you face overseas, this treasure will give you at least a slim chance of survival.”
“Many thanks, Martial Uncle!”
Lu Yang accepted it with obvious delight, realizing Perfected Chongguang had made another hefty investment in him.
“Anything else you need?”
Seeing Lu Yang pocket the token, Perfected Chongguang continued.
“Better to be overprepared. The overseas realms are fraught with peril—might as well equip you fully.”
Lu Yang didn’t hesitate.
“I’d like a calamity-substitution secret art, a protective treasure, and ideally a spiritual treasure to replenish mana. Oh, and one for escape—something that can break formations and flee smoothly. High quality is fine.”
“Ahem!”
Before Lu Yang finished, Perfected Chongguang cut him off with an exasperated glare.
“Greedy much? You think spiritual treasures grow on trees?”
“But I’ve got you, Martial Uncle.”
Lu Yang grinned shamelessly.
“With your cultivation, spiritual treasures are a snap for you. You don’t want this disciple dying overseas, do you?”
Perfected Chongguang snorted coldly but didn’t get angry.
After all, greed was par for the course among Primal Saint Sect Perfected Beings. After a moment’s thought, he produced three items.
Lu Yang’s eyes lit up.
He really came through!?
“Don’t get too excited—no superior-grade spiritual treasures!”
Before Lu Yang could thank him, Perfected Chongguang clarified.
“Of these three, only one is mid-grade. The other two are low-grade.”
“Many thanks, Martial Uncle!”
Lu Yang didn’t mind—as long as they were spiritual treasures, he’d take them. He stowed them away, then pinched his fingers to divine their origins.
The mid-grade one was for escape: the [Void-Crossing Golden Ship]. As the name implied, it traversed the void—and crucially, it could navigate freely through the chaotic spiritual qi overseas, unhindered. Clearly tailored for him by Perfected Chongguang.
The other two were the [Rosy Cloud Perching Robe] and [Origin-Guarding Stone].
The former could manifest a protective rosy glow to block one fatal strike; the latter stored mana for normal use and dispensed it in emergencies.
“Make haste on this trip—and return swiftly.”
Seeing Lu Yang store the treasures, Perfected Chongguang nodded.
“Return within twenty years. I have another major task for you.”
“This disciple understands!”
Lu Yang bowed at once, then left the hall. He merged into the evening breeze as an escaping light, returning to Heaven Mending Peak—where he recalled Chen Xinan into his banner.
At the same time, Lady Ruo Xiang and Chen Shuqian both emerged.
“Yuantu? What happened?”
“I have urgent business and must leave at once.”
Lu Yang’s resolve was ironclad, ignoring the pleading look in Lady Ruo Xiang’s limpid eyes.
“If anyone comes asking about me, say I’ve entered secluded death cultivation and haven’t emerged.”
With that, Lu Yang veiled his causality without a backward glance, vanishing into nature as an escaping light. He departed Heaven-Connecting Cloud Sea utterly silently.
His mutual destruction with Wu Cang had forged a deadly grudge—and if his instincts were right, Wu Cang had backers. Staying in Heaven-Connecting Cloud Sea was no longer safe. Better to leave the board entirely; it might open up vast new skies.
In other words, time to pack up and run!
Meanwhile, in a hidden cave abode.
Wu Cang painstakingly reassembled his body, staring at the bloodstain on his abdomen—and the deep sword scar on his Dao foundation that still ached.
“I was too reckless this time!”
He couldn’t say why, but upon learning the True Lord’s handwritten note in Lu Yang’s possession was penned by the [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord] who embodied [Great Forest Wood]—perfectly matching his own [Coiling Dragon Divine Wood Dao Foundation]—his blood had boiled, and he’d charged in to seize it without a second thought.
Looking back now, something was definitely wrong!
Rogue cultivator origins or not, Wu Cang was still a Primal Saint Sect Perfected Being. He might not be the slyest, but after eating enough losses, he’d developed his own countermeasures.
“Can’t stay in Heaven-Connecting Cloud Sea anymore!”
Wu Cang’s mind raced to a decision.
“Heavily wounded as I am, some Primal Saint Sect Perfected Being might get ideas and try to take advantage.”
“Whoever’s scheming against me, they’ll be powerless once I leave.”
“No time like the present—I’ll go tonight!”
—But where to?
Wu Cang frowned in deep thought. After a long while, his eyes lit up as if struck by genius. He slapped his thigh.
“Got it—overseas!”
(End of chapter)