Chapter 294: The Secret of the Mass Grave
Ever since finalizing his plan to infiltrate the Sword Pavilion, Lü Yang had been determined to use his 【Puppet on Strings】 talent to completely control the Yun Family Patriarch.
The reason was simple.
Despite the Yun Clan's current decline—with their patriarch merely at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment—their origins were anything but humble. Tracing their lineage revealed ancestors of considerable prestige.
The Yun Clan had once produced a Sword Pavilion Sect Master—a Golden Core True Lord. However, this True Lord perished during a millennium calamity, slain by a Mid-stage Golden Core True Lord from the Saint Sect. His cultivation was so profound that not only was his Dongtian destroyed, but his very soul failed to escape.
From then on, the Yun Clan declined steadily.
By the time the lineage reached the current patriarch's generation, they had completely degraded into a mere Foundation Establishment immortal family—so much so that even this status now hung by a thread.
Nevertheless, traces of past glory lingered.
While being the direct descendant of a former Golden Core True Lord might hold little weight in the Saint Sect, within the Sword Pavilion, it remained a significant advantage.
At the very least, the Yun Family Patriarch had the privilege of an audience with the Sect Master!
The Sword Pavilion differed from the Saint Sect. While the Saint Sect's True Lords remained in perennial seclusion—leaving affairs to their Grand True Persons, such as Chongguang acting as deputy Sect Master—the Sword Pavilion was directly governed by its True Lords.
Yet the Yun Family Patriarch, despite being only at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment, could still request an audience with a True Lord. Lü Yang was certain this privilege stemmed from the legacy of the Yun Clan's deceased True Lord.
'In previous lifetimes, when the Yun Family Patriarch managed to reincarnate into the Refinement Secret Realm with the 【Heavenly Instrument】—a treasure of heavenly secrets—I sensed something amiss.'
Initially, he hadn't noticed, but upon reflection, the strangeness became apparent. Among so many Foundation Establishment True Persons seeking reincarnation, why was such a weak figure as the Yun Family Patriarch chosen? And why was he entrusted with the 【Heavenly Instrument】? Without Lü Yang's interference, the patriarch's success would have been virtually guaranteed—a free accomplishment handed to him.
This indicated that while the Yun Family Patriarch might lack strength, his connections were undoubtedly formidable.
And that was precisely what Lü Yang needed in this lifetime.
Several days later, a resounding boom echoed across the heavens as a streak of light streaked through the sky, coming to a steady halt above the Hidden Sword Manor.
Soon, the light dispersed.
The white-haired, aged Yun Family Patriarch stepped forth, his divine sense immediately locking onto Yun Miaozhen. Only after confirming her safety did he exhale in relief.
"Greetings, Patriarch."
Yun Miaozhen respectfully stepped forward and bowed, then produced a pill. "This disciple has obtained a longevity-extending pill during this journey. Please accept it, Patriarch."
The Yun Family Patriarch's expression softened with warmth. "Miaozhen, your thoughtfulness touches me."
With that, he accepted the pill. Noticing Yun Miaozhen's expectant gaze, he tilted his head back and swallowed it without hesitation.
Though the so-called longevity-extending pill was utterly useless to him, it represented Yun Miaozhen's filial piety. Unwilling to embarrass her, he continued after consuming it: "What of the demonic cultivator mentioned in your letter? Has True Person Xiuxin already captured him?"
"She has."
Yun Miaozhen nodded. "Master engaged in a fierce battle with him—one far beyond this disciple's ability to intervene. The demon has now been thoroughly subdued by her."
"Excellent."
The Yun Family Patriarch sighed in relief. Since True Person Xiuxin's cultivation was comparable to his own, her success suggested he would face no difficulties either.
"Take me to him at once."
"Patriarch, this way."
Yun Miaozhen led the patriarch to a quiet chamber. Pushing open the door, the Yun Family Patriarch stepped inside—only to freeze in place.
Within the chamber, a young man in black robes stood intently before a desk, his finger serving as a brush as he traced intricate patterns across a sheet of yellow paper.
Beside him, True Person Xiuxin stood silently in attendance, exhaling a stream of flame that melted various Geng Metal spiritual materials into a radiant golden ink. Lü Yang stirred it casually before painting it onto the paper, gradually forming a talisman shaped like a sharpened sword.
Clang!
The moment the talisman was completed, the supposedly soft and thin paper emitted a metallic sword cry, releasing a surge of sword qi so potent it stunned the Yun Family Patriarch.
"Finally succeeded!"
Lü Yang nodded in satisfaction. Unlike the urgency of his previous life, this rebirth had granted him the leisure for scholarly pursuits—elegant hands grinding ink, crimson sleeves adding fragrance to his studies.
Thus, he had resumed his neglected research into talismanic arts.
This 【Yuan Tu Treasure Talisman】 was the fruit of his recent efforts—an attempt to replicate the divine might of 【Tribulation Wave】's sword qi through talismanic means.
Beyond Lü Yang's own mastery of talismanic arts, this achievement relied heavily on his current identity as a Geng Metal immortal spirit, endowed with the innate divine ability 【Lord of War】. This ability allowed him to transform all things—proving invaluable not only for talisman creation but also for alchemy and artifact forging.
"A pity my world-shaking intellect remains dormant for now."
"This 【Yuan Tu Treasure Talisman】 consumed considerable time, yet its power amounts to only ten percent of 【Tribulation Wave】's sword might—barely sufficient to contend with Early Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators."
Of course, talismans were never about quality alone.
Quantity reigned supreme!
'The Banner Spirits within the Myriad Spirits Banner suffered heavy losses last lifetime. Time to recruit fresh souls at Skeleton Mountain and restart the industrialized talisman production line.'
With this thought, Lü Yang finally looked up.
Only then did the Yun Family Patriarch—who had stood frozen since entering—regain control over his body.
"Impossible!"
The Yun Family Patriarch's pupils constricted as he clutched his stomach. The longevity-extending pill he had swallowed now felt like poison seizing his very core!
'Why!?'
He turned to Yun Miaozhen, unable to believe that his most trusted clan disciple would one day betray him with poison!
Yet Yun Miaozhen didn't even glance at him. Instead, she carefully approached the desk, gracefully lowered herself, and slipped beneath it—preparing to receive her reward. This had nothing to do with anything but cultivation, as Lü Yang would assist her in swiftly breaking through her bottleneck.
'Demon... This man is undoubtedly a demon!!!'
For a moment, the Yun Family Patriarch could scarcely believe his eyes, inwardly confirming: Only a demon could orchestrate such deeds!
Yet escape was no longer possible.
The 【Supreme Heavenly Manifestation Dharma Body】 materialized behind Lü Yang, its aura—far surpassing Early Stage Foundation Establishment—drew furious curses from the patriarch's heart:
'With such power, you scheme against me and resort to poison... Beast!'
The outcome held no suspense.
The Yun Family Patriarch was swiftly subdued by Lü Yang, after which a 【Puppet on Strings】 descended upon him. Soon, the resentment in his eyes melted into loyalty.
"A shame Xin'an isn't here."
Lü Yang shook his head. Chen Xin'an's True Spirit remained dormant within the Myriad Spirits Banner, likely requiring a decade or more to recover.
Without the option of soul-searching, Lü Yang could only proceed with direct questioning:
"How much do you know about the secrets of Jiangnan's mass grave?"
To Lü Yang's delight, the Yun Family Patriarch paused briefly before nodding. "Replying to Master, this subordinate knows everything."
Everything!?
Lü Yang's eyes gleamed. His choice had indeed been correct—given the Yun Family Patriarch's connections within the Sword Pavilion, he truly possessed insider knowledge!
The patriarch then spoke gravely: "I was close friends with a disciple of 【True Person Dangmo】. He once mentioned that traces of a major realm bearing a Fruit Position were discovered near Jiangnan's mass grave. Seizing it would bring immense benefits to our Sword Pavilion!"