Chapter 172
Chapter 172
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: [Undisclosed]
Chapter Title: The Scheme of Daoist Hongyun
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One day later.
Lu Yang pushed aside the comatose Fairy Piaomiao and let out a faint sigh. To be honest, he had considered options beyond harvesting her through dual cultivation.
For instance, using the Ten Thousand Spirits Banner to refine her into a banner spirit.
But the result was failure. Fairy Piaomiao's true spirit wasn't in her body at all. The Ten Thousand Spirits Banner couldn't collect it, much less refine it into a banner spirit.
So he had no choice but to strip off his clothes and armor, mounting the field personally.
After battling Fairy Piaomiao for three hundred rounds, leaving her mind in disarray and wailing for mercy, Lu Yang finally harvested the intelligence he sought.
“[Imperial Mansion Golden Seal Tushita True Edict].”
This was the deepest secret buried in Fairy Piaomiao's heart—the cornerstone of the Immortal Alliance and the entire Biyang Cultivation World alike. The reason was simple:
So-called spirit roots had splintered off from this very item!
Yet this wondrous treasure hadn't existed from the start. It had been brought by an outsider, with origins tracing back thousands of years to the founding of the Immortal Alliance.
“My prior guess was spot on.”
In the Immortal Alliance's earliest days, the native cultivators of Biyang Cultivation World clashed with extraterritorial heavenly demons, suffering countless deaths.
The modern Immortal Alliance had rewritten history, convincing most that the extraterritorial heavenly demons formed a vast race—and that it had been a grand war.
The truth was far different.
The so-called extraterritorial heavenly demon had been one person from beginning to end. The “clash” with native cultivators wasn't war, but slaughter.
The intruder had nearly butchered the entire Biyang Cultivation World.
Only when a faction of craven, life-clinging cultivators surrendered did that heavenly demon release them, commanding them to found the Immortal Alliance.
That heavenly demon then overhauled Biyang Cultivation World's order entirely, leaving behind the [Imperial Mansion Golden Seal Tushita True Edict] wondrous treasure before departing at leisure. Thereafter, spirit roots emerged in Biyang Cultivation World, reshaping it into its current form where all beings served as raw materials.
No doubt, the work of a Primal Saint Sect Perfected Being.
When Lu Yang learned who had left this wondrous treasure, he couldn't help but sincerely marvel:
“I nearly forgot about a character like you.”
Daoist Hongyun!
That's right. Per Fairy Piaomiao's memories, the cultivator who rampaged through Biyang Cultivation World, reforged its order, and left the treasure was none other than Daoist Hongyun!
In that instant, fresh grudges and old hatreds welled up.
Lu Yang hadn't forgotten: in his fourth life, this bastard had appeared out of nowhere, snatching his hard-won spoils!
“This place was his handiwork?”
Lu Yang pondered briefly, then shook his head.
“No. Before he arrived, Biyang Cultivation World and its cultivation system already existed.”
“Less his arrangement, more like he was another squatter usurping the nest.”
“This place was originally an Innate Perfected Being's masterpiece.”
“Daoist Hongyun took it over later. He likely did so in secret, hiding it from the Primal Saint Sect—so Perfected Being Chongguang probably remains in the dark.”
After all, Daoist Hongyun and Perfected Being Chongguang were mortal foes, never to rest.
“Under his design, all of Biyang Cultivation World became a massive talent farm. The talents cultivated there all funneled into one thing.”
The [Imperial Mansion Golden Seal Tushita True Edict]!
Daoist Hongyun left this wondrous treasure, which splintered into spirit roots—curbing cultivation while clutching the lifelines of everyone in Biyang Cultivation World.
Even Harmony Dao Great Cultivators.
“The moment one breaks through to Harmony Dao, their true spirit gets sucked into this treasure, branded, reduced to a tool for refining the magic treasure. The sole perks: extended lifespan, and borrowing the treasure's status when needed—feigning Foundation Establishment, but only to make the 'talent' more pliable.”
At core, still consumables.
Even the name “Biyang Cultivation World” came from Daoist Hongyun, for the [Imperial Mansion Golden Seal Tushita True Edict] he left was a True Treasure.
Above Spirit Treasures lay True Treasures!
“With billions of mortals and tens of millions of cultivators as materials, refining a single True Treasure... Biyang Cultivation, Biyang Cultivation. What a goddamn way to forge a True Treasure!”
What a colossal gambit!
What vicious methods!
“Thousands of years ago, Daoist Hongyun had already reincarnated by then. Setting this up was likely prep for reclaiming his fruition position.”
At that thought, Lu Yang's brows shot up:
“...Oh shit!”
If every Harmony Dao Great Cultivator's true spirit寄托ed in the [Imperial Mansion Golden Seal Tushita True Edict], couldn't the Immortal Alliance track him through it?
Turbulent Flow Sea, Immortal Alliance headquarters.
“Location pinpointed!”
In the majestic grand hall, a talisman hovered silently mid-air. Eleven Harmony Dao Great Cultivators channeled true qi in unison, pouring it ceaselessly into the talisman.
Its material neither gold nor jade—seeming feather-light, yet ponderously heavy. Tadpole-like scripts traced cloud dragons and exotic birds. Upon activation, it bloomed with colorful floral rain, sheets of golden glow, winds clouds waters fires in harmony—myriad phenomena at arm's reach, yet distant as the horizon's edge.
“Shall we pursue?”
One Harmony Dao Great Cultivator hesitated:
“This foe took Piaomiao with ease. We might face peril acting alone—better call outsiders for aid.”
“Conveniently, my friend hasn't departed.”
The speaker was Mu Huan, ever fond of overseas jaunts and befriending all. He'd recently met an exceptional figure.
“I invited that man to the Immortal Alliance days ago. By his account, he's a disciple of Deep Joy Pure Land in inland Jiangxi lands. That Pure Land's no trifle—I verified it meticulously. It's on par with the Primal Saint Sect! With him, our odds improve.”
“He fears not the Primal Saint Sect?”
“Of course not!” Mu Huan chuckled.
“By his telling, he recently clashed with Primal Saint Sect disciples, strolling through like no man's land...”
“That formidable?”
The Harmony Dao Great Cultivators lit up—more hands meant better odds. Mu Huan produced a message talisman and began the spell to contact.
But he played a sly card here.
He omitted mentioning Lu Yang might be a Primal Saint Sect Perfected Being. The Sect's dread repute could make anyone balk.
Moments later, an escaping light plummeted from the heavens.
“Amitabha.”
The light faded, revealing a young monk in ornate kasaya, wielding a nine-ring tin staff—dignified, compassion etched on his face.
Mu Huan stepped forward at once:
“Master, we trouble you again.”
The young monk shook his head, smiling mildly:
“This poor monk sailed overseas to ferry the masses. Saving a life surpasses building seven-storied pagodas.”
“With donor Piaomiao in peril, how could this poor monk stand idle?”
His words drew admiring looks from all. Mu Huan cupped hands:
“Then I'll activate the [Imperial Mansion Golden Seal Tushita True Edict] now.”
“With this treasure's guidance, ten thousand li pass in a blink.”
Hearing this, the young monk lowered his gaze, masterfully veiling his greed.
“Fear not. Entrust it to this poor monk.”
He waved grandly, exuding utter confidence—as if all were in hand—reassuring Mu Huan and the rest.
The next instant, the hall's [Imperial Mansion Golden Seal Tushita True Edict] erupted in radiance.
The young monk felt scenery whirl before his eyes. Regaining senses, he found himself with the Immortal Alliance's Harmony Dao folk above open sea.
Divine sense swept: he spotted the underwater cave abode.
*Hahaha! Fate decrees I shine today!*
The young monk had ventured overseas for some decades, fleeing inland perils to bomb fish in this pond.
These years, he'd thrived like a fish in water—especially after his master's death, with the Bodhisattva appointing him senior brother successor. Smug satisfaction swelled; overseas beat inland, free from dread of bumping into some Primal Saint Sect great demon surnamed Lu...
That thought ignited his bravado:
“Insolent demon! Release donor Piaomiao at once!”
His Buddha chant thundered like lightning. Bent on a show, Buddhist light formed a giant hand parting the sea, exposing the cave.
“Behold my Great Vir... Vir... Vir Vir—”
The next instant, he beheld the familiar visage of the black-robed Daoist at the cave mouth. His body jolted, soul nearly fleeing.
“This really is...”
Emerging from the cave, Lu Yang eyed the young monk in equal surprise, then grinned:
“Fancy that—friend Guangming? Seems we share quite the rapport.”
*Rapport my ass!*
Guangming teared up inwardly, grinning through gritted teeth while cursing up a storm:
*Amita-fucking-buddha! Heavens help me! How'd I cross this great demon again!*