Chapter 248
Chapter 248
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: ?
Chapter Title: Hidden in the Netherworld
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"It's in the Netherworld."
Lu Yang's face showed a pensive look. The Netherworld was no stranger to him—it was the realm of reincarnation, the place where countless souls returned.
But what exactly was this [it] referring to?
"It's the [Chen's Yin Soil]."
Just then, True Lord Pure Flying Snow at his side gave the answer.
"Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord. I'm not entirely sure if it's him, but I'll treat it as such."
"He hid the [Chen's Yin Soil] away in the Netherworld, beyond the reach of the living world. I suspect he's there himself as well. No wonder there's been no word of his reincarnation since his death—not even this time. He revealed a fraction of his power, but it was hardly invincible."
"His nerve is impressive."
"He sent the [Chen's Yin Soil] into the Netherworld and spent millennia scheming inside. He's clearly gunning for the [Lord of the Netherworld] throne."
"If we'd let him carry on in silence, he might've actually pulled it off."
"But now Heavy Light has exposed him. With everyone watching his every move, it won't be so simple anymore."
By the end, a hint of glee crept across True Lord Pure Flying Snow's face.
"This time, all us True Lords banded together. We didn't win, but we stalled him—kept him from meddling in the world's [Chen Soil] return to yang."
"A shame Heavy Light couldn't claim the fruit position."
"Had he done so, it would've shattered his plans completely. He'd have tumbled from late Golden Core, and we wouldn't even need to lift a finger—the Netherworld would've dealt with him!"
"From here on, he'll waste ages twisting the [Chen Soil] back into shape. That might've been fine before, but with the millennium calamity looming, he might never grasp the Dao Lord seat again. Golden Core perfection's his ceiling now, and he'll be everyone's favorite target."
"Haha! Serves him right!"
With that, True Lord Pure Flying Snow slapped her thigh and burst into laughter, doubling over. Her dignified facade cracked, revealing a touch of madness.
Lu Yang, though, listened in cold dread.
Simple reason: True Lord Pure Flying Snow had shared far too much—secrets known only to True Lords, now laid bare to him.
What was her game?
"Don't look so terrified."
True Lord Pure Flying Snow turned to Lu Yang with a smile. Yet her laughter carried no warmth, like the bite of midwinter snow—pure chill.
"I have a great opportunity in mind for you."
Lu Yang bowed without hesitation.
"Please guide me, True Lord."
"Heavy Light's gone, leaving me shorthanded. This battle took its toll on me too; I'll need time to recover. My cave heaven seals after this."
"I'll give you thirty years."
"If you refine your Heavenly Gang and Earthly Sha within thirty years, reach mid-stage perfection, and wield the half-true treasure Hongyun left behind—you'll count as a great True Person."
"Then, you'll be Primal Saint Sect's next acting Sect Master."
Lu Yang froze, breath catching. Acting Sect Master? Him? Was this just empty promise?
Thirty years, though...
His brows furrowed.
The Great Dao was arduous. Foundation Establishment True Persons advanced over centuries, not mere decades. It wasn't as simple as locating a Heavenly Gang or Earthly Sha and refining it for a breakthrough.
Dao attainment was the crux.
Only profound Dao attainment let one locate and refine them into natal divine abilities. He'd just entered mid-stage—further progress seemed impossible.
Finding them demanded merit and luck too. Heavy Light had siphoned a third of his already; staving off tribulation haze was victory enough. What merit or luck remained to sense a Heavenly Gang or Earthly Sha? It was an impossible ask.
True Lord Pure Flying Snow read his doubts.
"Relax. I wouldn't say thirty years without confidence. Though you'll face a minor risk."
She eyed him up and down.
"Mid-stage perfection's shortfall? Dao attainment and luck. Both fixable swiftly. Start with Dao attainment."
"[City Wall Earth]'s second is [Yin Wood]."
"[Yin Wood] sits in Earthly Sha, same nature as Heavenly Gang's [Jia Wood]—both yang wood. Perfect analogy."
She pointed to a spiritual glow beside Lu Yang—the spirit embryo [Immortal Evergreen] from Ye Guyue.
"Heavy Light's innate divine ability was [Jia Wood] too. This spirit embryo holds his insights."
"I'll call in a True Lord to assist."
"Refine it into a grand pill. Swallow it, and you'll gain the Dao attainment to absorb [Yin Wood]."
". . ."
Lu Yang gaped.
This was backing from a True Lord? A century-spanning bottleneck solved like that? One hell of a golden thigh.
"Merit and luck? Simpler still."
True Lord Pure Flying Snow waved it off.
"You have the *Grand Heavenly Stem Primordial Unity Subjugating All-Heavens Divine Method*, right? Go harvest qi. Plenty means heaven rewards your luck."
Second-grade true merits plundered other realms' fruit positions to bolster your own, earning heaven's favor. Bountiful harvests meant lavish returns.
Risks came with it, though.
"That method ties to Myriad Martial Realm's Pure Land—one you've touched. You're their prime target now."
". . . Disciple understands."
Lu Yang cupped his hands. That was her "risk." He'd face Pure Land backlash directly.
With her cave heaven sealing, she'd offer deterrence at best—no coddling.
Only by shouldering that pressure with his own wits and power could he prove worthy as acting Sect Master.
*Heavy Light must've walked this path.*
Lu Yang got it. His foe: Myriad Martial Pure Land. Heavy Light's: Hongyun Daoist. Primal Saint Sect tradition.
"Hope I see you in thirty years."
True Lord Pure Flying Snow nodded at his realization.
"Few visit the Myriad Martial Realm tied to the *Grand Heavenly Stem Primordial Unity Subjugating All-Heavens Divine Method*."
"Seek Perfected Being Miaoyin for intel."
She glanced at distant Ye Guyue, smirking.
"You fancy that type anyway."
"You misunderstand, True Lord!"
Reputation on the line, Lu Yang rushed to clarify.
"Disciple shuns romance—this is for the Dao! I was reluctant, truly."
True Lord Pure Flying Snow laughed.
"Ancestor Master's style indeed!"
Then, pivot sharp:
"Right—I know you got Mu Changsheng's deduced first-grade true qi."
"Empty proof's too nebulous... drop it. Don't chase it."
Lu Yang blinked, then placed it: "Mu Changsheng" was the innate True Person's given name.
"Please enlighten me, True Lord."
She didn't spell it out, only hinting at a secret.
"The [Netherworld] I mentioned—the reincarnation hub. Familiar, yes?"
"What fruit position does [Netherworld] match?"
Lu Yang's pupils shrank.
No doubt: [Netherworld] lay beyond five elements, unlinked to fruit positions. Empty-proofed! Or... outsider.
But who first empty-proofed it?
Where hid the [Lord of the Netherworld]?
Enlightenment hit.
Yes, first-grade true merits—empty proof—aimed at Nascent Soul. Yet bait too, from Nascent Soul Dao Lords!
Luring outsider fruits like [Netherworld]!
Success snags one? Discard the fisherman—lest equals rise.
*Utter beasts!*
Lu Yang inwardly railed at the Nascent Soul Dao Lords' treachery.
Who'd dare empty-proof now? Unless one spirited the fruit away unseen by any Nascent Soul Dao Lord...
...Huh?