Chapter 264
Chapter 264
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 0
Chapter Title: Deal with Suo Huan
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Although the appearance of Suo Huan, a great Perfected Being, was somewhat unexpected, Lu Yang remained calm. One reason was that he was currently under the protection of ten thousand troops.
Beside him stood the Bright Heavenly Son.
Suo Huan was like him—an outer realm heavenly demon, a target the local natives of the Myriad Martial Realm wanted dead. The two of them stood on the same side.
The other reason was that Lu Yang had discerned Suo Huan's intentions. When Perfected Being Miaoyin was killed, he had merely watched without any sign of making a move, which meant he had no desire to get involved in Lu Yang's affairs. If that was the case, it was unlikely he would suddenly decide to attack now.
‘So, he sold out Miaoyin?’
At that thought, Lu Yang's eyebrows twitched slightly. He cast a suspicious glance, then probed with a question.
“Senior, are you a Perfected Being of our Saint Sect?”
“.”
Lu Yang's words made Suo Huan's expression stiffen. He felt insulted. What did that mean? Suddenly claiming he was a Saint Sect Perfected Being?
“I am Suo Huan, a loose cultivator from overseas. I dare not claim the title of Saint Sect Perfected Being.”
Suo Huan showed no airs of a great Perfected Being. Instead, he spoke to Lu Yang as an equal.
“Originally, I wanted to do a favor for fellow Daoist.”
“You bastard! How dare an outer realm heavenly demon act so brazenly?”
At that moment, Chen Anmin suddenly roared in fury, interrupting Lu Yang and Suo Huan's conversation. He glared at Suo Huan with undisguised hostility.
Suo Huan's smile did not change.
Lu Yang, however, remained composed. He spoke indifferently to Chen Anmin.
“Stand down and reorganize the troops. I need to speak with this outer realm heavenly demon a few words.”
“But...” Chen Anmin grew anxious at once.
“Hm?”
Lu Yang gave a muffled grunt from his nose. His eyes fixed straight on Chen Anmin. At the sight, Chen Anmin panicked and retreated a step.
After all, Lu Yang had single-handedly forged the current army. His prestige was so high that even Chen Anmin subconsciously obeyed. Yet once he stepped back, he looked up at his life star blazing like the rising sun. Thinking of his Bright Heavenly Son identity, unwillingness flickered in his eyes.
Seeing this, Lu Yang's expression deepened.
Meanwhile, Suo Huan smiled faintly.
“How about it? As long as fellow Daoist agrees, I am willing to help you leave this place and guarantee your safety.”
“...No need.”
After a moment of silence, Lu Yang shook his head.
“I appreciate senior's kind intentions, but I have my own plans. No need to owe you this favor.”
“Is that so? A pity.”
Suo Huan was not surprised. He nodded, then abruptly shifted the topic.
“In that case, how about we discuss another deal?”
Lu Yang grew curious. Suo Huan spoke calmly.
“I want to know all the details of fellow Daoist Heavy Light's gold-seeking back then, along with his method.”
“Fellow Daoist was Heavy Light fellow Daoist's trusted confidant. Everyone who entered the blessed land back then had their merit and fortune drained dry. That foolish woman Miaoyin was one of them—adding insult to injury. Only fellow Daoist retained most of your fortune. Surely not a coincidence... I'm quite curious about the reason.”
This was also one of the purposes of Suo Huan's visit.
For great Perfected Beings at late Foundation Establishment, or even perfection, nothing was more precious than a gold-seeking method. Without immense opportunity and fortune, it was unobtainable.
He had gained his only because he had once been a realm's chosen son of heaven.
‘My gold-seeking method is the Ten Thousand Spirits Returning to Ruins Dao Scripture, a water-aligned art. It was condensed by the Huanxu Realm along with the blessed land before the realm's fall, bestowed upon me.’
However, the Huanxu Realm had only formed an embryonic position at the time. Though it had self-derived the method, flaws were inevitable. Since escaping that realm, Suo Huan had spent six hundred years patching those flaws, bit by bit, until the gold-seeking method took shape.
Yet it still fell one step short.
‘Those like Heavy Light, with deep roots and True Lords supporting them from behind, can directly ask a True Lord to perfect their gold-seeking method.’
‘But I cannot.’
‘After all, I have no True Lord worthy of trust. Such matters I must ponder alone. Thus, I can only borrow Heavy Light's gold-seeking experience.’
Even if it only slightly raised his chances of success, he would seize it with all his might.
With that in mind, Suo Huan turned to Lu Yang again. He gave a solemn salute.
“Please instruct me, fellow Daoist. Whatever you desire, I can promise it. I've cultivated overseas for six hundred years and amassed considerable wealth. If fellow Daoist seeks a breakthrough to late stage in the future, I can assist.”
With those words, a halo manifested behind Suo Huan's head.
Countless scenes emerged within the light: ruins strewn everywhere, crumbled walls and broken remnants, steeped in desolation. Yet beneath that desolation lurked a faint thread of vitality.
“This is the Spirit Ruins Blessed Land.”
Suo Huan spoke sincerely.
“The blessed land holds the profound mystery of calamity evasion. If fellow Daoist breaks through to late stage within it, the heavenly thunder tribulation's power can be reduced by at least thirty percent.”
This was both a trade and a favor.
Suo Huan offered his full price without hesitation or haggling. First, because Heavy Light's gold-seeking experience was vital.
Second, because he had heard Painted Silk Variegated Gauze True Lord mention Lu Yang's name. With Clear Serene Flying Snow True Lord's existence as well, this mere Perfected Being had at least two True Lords watching over him—a sure favorite of the Saint Sect. Handing out benefits to build goodwill was worthwhile.
‘Miaoyin died without injustice, daring to provoke such a person.’
‘I can't befriend him fast enough!’
Who knew? Perhaps the two True Lords behind Lu Yang would view him in a better light once they learned of this. He welcomed any chance to try.
Lu Yang naturally saw through Suo Huan's intentions.
‘What a loose cultivator...!’
How arduous it was for loose cultivators to achieve anything in this forsaken place—Lu Yang knew it well. Reaching mid Foundation Establishment was already a high blessing, ancestral graves smoking with green incense.
Late Foundation Establishment?
Even seeking gold?
Just considering it convinced Lu Yang this great Perfected Being was extraordinary. His demeanor grew solemn.
“Junior has no immediate use for the blessed land right now.”
“Since senior is so inclined, just offer whatever you deem fit.”
“.”
Lu Yang's words made Suo Huan's face fall. Offer whatever? That meant a bit of everything! Saint Sect Perfected Beings truly were insatiable!
Even so, Suo Huan's smile brightened further. He scrutinized Lu Yang carefully, divined for a moment, then spoke lowly.
“I have some knowledge of artifact refining. If fellow Daoist wishes, I can custom-craft a spiritual treasure for you.”
Lu Yang's eyebrows shot up.
Up to now, he had used others' spiritual treasures. They worked fine, but lacked true closeness.
Never underestimate that closeness. A spiritual treasure fused with its owner's soul and bound in life and death could indirectly boost the owner's divine abilities. Only such a treasure held the potential to "seek truth," advancing alongside its master—from spiritual treasure to the legendary true treasure.
That alone stirred Lu Yang's heart!
Suo Huan had put real thought into it, knowing a bespoke, personal spiritual treasure held inestimable value for Lu Yang. That was why he offered.
Seeing Lu Yang moved, Suo Huan finally smiled. He stepped back.
“We can handle this once I've set up the refining furnace and made all preparations. Then I'll invite fellow Daoist to visit. You can wait for the treasure to emerge from the forge, then record Heavy Light's gold-seeking experience for me.”
“...Deal!”
Suo Huan's terms were thorough, covering every angle. Lu Yang had no reason to refuse.
“Then I'll trouble senior with this.”
“No trouble at all...”
Suo Huan cupped his hands. His figure gradually faded, vanishing into mid-air. From beginning to end, he showed not a trace of a great Perfected Being's majesty.
‘Suo Huan.’
Lu Yang murmured inwardly. He pondered the man's background, calculating his origins.
Yet a suppressed rebuke suddenly came from beside him.
“Immortal Master, how could you let an outer realm heavenly demon go!?”
Lu Yang snapped back. He turned to see Chen Anmin glaring at him in fury, the Bright Heavenly Son gleaming radiantly above his head.