Chapter 266
Chapter 266
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: [Undisclosed]
Chapter Title: Audience with the Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord
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"The Great Forest Wood—its branches and trunk defy the wind, its limbs prop up the moon, possessing virtues that tower over valleys and soar into the empyrean, feats that ride the clouds and eclipse the sun."
Ever since learning that the mysterious True Lord who had reversed [Chen Earth] was likely the Primal Saint Sect's [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord], Lu Yang had delved deeply into this Dao fruit position.
The [Great Forest Wood] was renowned as "voice resounding through the nine heavens, shade birthing ten thousand acres," the supreme attainment of the wood path and one of the highest Dao fruit positions. The only one that could rival it was [Pine Cypress Wood], but as everyone knew, rivals were always a step behind. Thus, there was still a clear gap between the two.
Only upon studying it did he realize just how terrifying it was.
*Eclipse the sun, eclipse the sun—truly veiling the sky and blotting out the heavens!*
*Who in this world could possibly stand against that Barrier to Insight?*
At this moment, Lu Yang felt nothing but gratitude in his heart: Thank heavens for his caution. He'd only sent out an immortal fetus clone, while his main body remained safely hidden in the sect.
Otherwise, wouldn't he be finished?
That said, Lu Yang didn't hesitate for a second. He dropped straight to his knees, lowered his head, and said respectfully,
"Disciple Lu Yang pays respects to the Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord."
Amid his deference, he pondered one thing.
*Why follow me?*
With his level of cultivation, he'd shone brightly in the [Qing Kingdom], but his circle was confined to the mid-Foundation Establishment level—not even a Great True Person.
How could someone of that caliber attract the attention of a [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord]? And to go so far as to use a Barrier to Insight on the Heavy Radiance Dao Remnant to tail him all the way. If he hadn't been about to leave, would the True Lord have kept shadowing him in silence indefinitely? Just thinking about it sent chills down Lu Yang's spine.
*Thank goodness I don't have the habit of talking to myself!*
Heavens above, if he'd muttered aloud about the Book of a Hundred Lives reopening when no one was around, it would've been game over.
*This damn Great Forest Wood is way too insidious!*
Cursing inwardly, Lu Yang spoke in a humble tone.
"Disciple is dim-witted and doesn't know what matter has troubled True Lord's presence. I am overcome with terror."
No sooner had Lu Yang finished speaking than dead silence fell around him. The Heavy Radiance Dao Remnant—or rather, this enigmatic [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord]—continued gazing at the sky overhead, surveying his surroundings with keen interest. Only after a long while did he shift his gaze to Lu Yang.
"Worthily our sect's prodigy."
Those casual words sent a jolt through Lu Yang's heart: *He admitted it?*
To date, not even the Clear Serenity Flying Snow True Lord had done more than speculate that the one who reversed [Chen Earth] might be Angxiao.
Yet this response seemed to confirm the identity outright!
The [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord] continued.
"I was wondering earlier why a prodigy of the sect seemed so ordinary in terms of luck."
"So I followed along for the trip. Now it seems Chongguang didn't misjudge you. Your luck may be average, but your methods are impressive enough."
"As for talent and comprehension... hm, your reputation holds true."
"Unfortunately."
As the True Lord's words trailed off, Lu Yang nearly lost control of his dharma body, breaking into a cold sweat. So that's why he'd followed him?
*Was he suspecting I'd stumbled onto some massive opportunity and trailed me in hopes of snatching it once I revealed something good?*
And that "unfortunately"—because no treasure had turned up?
*Fuck your mother's beast!*
The thought had barely flashed through Lu Yang's mind when the True Lord before him spoke up, his voice calm yet carrying an unshakable certainty that pierced straight to the heart.
"You're cursing me right now, aren't you?"
"... Disciple is terrified. I hold only admiration and reverence for True Lord."
Though startled, Lu Yang kept his composure. Foundation Establishment made one a True Person—nothing like Qi Refining. Even a True Lord couldn't read minds.
"Spare me the act." The True Lord chuckled.
"No need for mind reading. I know exactly what you're thinking. After all, I was treated the exact same way by other True Lords, step by step."
"Back then, I swore that if I ever achieved great divine abilities, I'd dish out the same treatment to others."
*If I got soaked in the rain back then, why should you get to hold an umbrella now?*
With the True Lord putting it that way, how could Lu Yang respond? He kept his head bowed, pretending he hadn't heard a thing, while quietly preparing to self-detonate.
His main body was still safe in the sect. Losing this immortal fetus clone was no big deal—it was made for exactly this purpose. He refused to believe this True Lord could summon a giant hand from the heavens to pluck him openly from the Heaven-Connecting Cloud Sea. As long as his main body was fine, so be it.
But the next instant, Lu Yang jolted awake: *No—this isn't how he should react!*
What was his current situation? The only True Person in the world cultivating [Rampart Earth], and that very [Rampart Earth] had fallen into Pure Land's hands.
Strictly speaking, his path forward was severed.
Early Foundation Establishment? Fine. But he was already mid-stage, with consummation in sight and real prospects of becoming a Great True Person.
In such straits, how could he not agonize over his path?
And facing a powerhouse like the [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord], how could he just sit idly by without asking anything?
Anyone desperate for a golden opportunity would stake their life on it, no matter the pressure or the True Lord right in front of them.
Proactively speaking up was the natural response. Staying silent... that would only arouse suspicion of some hidden trump card!
With that realization, Lu Yang hurriedly kowtowed fiercely, putting on a show of overcoming his fear and steeling himself for death. Gritting his teeth, he murmured lowly,
"Disciple has long heard True Lord's renowned name, echoing like thunder in my ears. True Lord was once a senior of our sect. I beg only that Senior grant disciple a clear path forward."
He finished in abject terror, not daring to even glance at the True Lord.
Unbeknownst to him, the True Lord's face broke into a smile at his initiative. The faint suspicions sparked by Lu Yang's silence vanished entirely.
*Looks like this kid truly has no extraordinary opportunities on him.*
The next moment, Lu Yang watched as the figure of this [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord]—who had secretly commandeered the Heavy Radiance Dao Remnant to walk the mortal world—began to fade into dimness.
Only a lingering echo remained.
"[Rampart Earth] is the supreme fruit of the earth path. Beneath earth lies the [Underworld]. If you have the will, enter my [Underworld]—there may yet be a slim chance of survival."
With those words, the True Lord's figure fully vanished.
Gone? Or hidden once more?
Lu Yang's face still bore traces of lingering shock, yet he saw the nearly frozen world resume its flow, as if that entire exchange had been nothing but a fleeting dream.
Yet he still couldn't make sense of it.
Just because he was a sect prodigy? Was a True Lord really going to stoop to seriously tangling with a junior who wasn't even a Great True Person?
To draw a True Lord's personal attention, it had to be at least a Great True Person, right?
As for the Great True Persons he'd encountered in the Ten Thousand Martial Realm... At the thought, Lu Yang's mind shifted, birthing a deeper question.
*Is this True Lord really Angxiao?*
After all, Angxiao was a Primal Saint Sect True Lord. Why skulk around like this? He'd approached only the clone—why not tail the main body directly?
All was shrouded in mystery!
This True Lord already carried too many enigmas, and with that damned Barrier to Insight in play, it was all too easy to overlook vital clues.
And you wouldn't even realize what you'd missed!
As he mulled it over, Lu Yang naturally set aside his bewilderment over "why the True Lord followed him," casting it from his mind effortlessly.
Meanwhile, in another corner of the [Ten Thousand Martial Realm].
Suo Huan straightened his robes and lit incense. Seated primly in his cave abode, he prostrated himself deferentially before the figure that had abruptly appeared, kowtowing full-body to the ground.
"This vile one pays respects to the Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord!"