Chapter 300: In the Sword Pavilion but Heart Belongs to the Saint Sect
Chapter 300: Body in the Sword Pavilion, Heart Toward the Saint Sect
To be honest, Lü Yang had never imagined that in this lifetime, he would encounter Ang Xiao again under such a dramatic and abrupt circumstance.
'No, no—stay calm.'
Lü Yang clenched his teeth, suppressing the urge to restart: 'The one exploring the [Longyao Radiance Cave Heaven] is True Person Xiaohai—what does that have to do with me?'
'With [Puppet on Strings] shielding me, he can't see me!'
This was just intimidation!
Lü Yang was one hundred percent confident in this, after all, it was a golden-tier talent bestowed by the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes].
[Puppet on Strings: Seize another's Fate's Breath, bear their karma, and conceal yourself beneath their guise, manipulating them like a puppet. None can trace your origins.]
If it said no one could deduce his origins, then no one could!
Cheat code activated!
The confidence granted by the Book of a Hundred Lifetimes steadied Lü Yang's emotions, allowing him to continue staring directly at [Ang Xiao] through True Person Xiaohai's vision.
At this moment, all sounds ceased.
"..."
Even the rising Si Fire froze mid-air, the sparks that should have been flickering now motionless. Though scorching heat waves surrounded them, the atmosphere turned icy as winter.
True Person Xiaohai's expression stiffened mid-panic, his thoughts grinding to a halt. Within the cave heaven fragment, only the figure standing amidst the flames remained capable of movement—one hand resting on his chin, the other crossed over his chest, his piercing gaze fixed intently on True Person Xiaohai before him.
His eyes burned like torches.
Every fluctuation in True Person Xiaohai's aura, every ripple of magic power, the dilation of his pupils, the shift in his gaze, even the karma clinging to him—all were laid bare before [Ang Xiao].
The faint smile on [Ang Xiao]'s face faded slightly.
"Which fellow Daoist is this?"
He spoke slowly, his voice causing the entire cave heaven fragment to tremble. The Si Fire resumed its flow, creeping inch by inch up True Person Xiaohai's body!
Countless fiery serpents engulfed him in the blink of an eye, slithering into his seven orifices, flooding his organs, his Numinous Terrace, and his Sea of Consciousness. The blazing light rendered the poor Foundation Establishment cultivator's body transparent, leaving not the slightest anomaly hidden.
Yet [Ang Xiao] found nothing.
'An illusion?'
The cave heaven remained empty, with only himself present. This outcome flickered a trace of doubt in his eyes, but it swiftly solidified into absolute certainty:
'Impossible!'
'My senses never err. Someone was watching me—through this Foundation Establishment cultivator. Yet I couldn't uncover... which fellow Daoist it was.'
In this world, few could be addressed by him as "fellow Daoist." After all, monopolizing five Fruit Positions single-handedly, leaving none for future generations—such methods were unparalleled. Breaking through to late-stage Golden Core with this foundation placed him among the strongest. Otherwise, how could he dare scheme against the Netherworld?
'Could it be... a Dao Lord watching me?'
Caution deepened in [Ang Xiao]'s gaze. He was aware of one such method: the Pure Land! That damned World-Honored One adored such tricks!
'Unlikely. What about me would draw a Dao Lord's attention?'
[Ang Xiao]'s eyes darkened as he coldly scrutinized True Person Xiaohai. He was strong—exceptionally so—but not enough to warrant the notice of the four Dao Lords.
They existed on entirely different planes.
If the mortal realm was a vast Sea of Suffering, where all beings drowned in its depths, and only True Lords could ascend atop Fruit Positions like boats to navigate its expanse...
Then the Dao Lords had already transcended the Sea of Suffering, reaching the Far Shore.
Their perspective and focus had long surpassed the mundane, diverging entirely from others—and certainly wouldn't include him.
'Should I... kill him?'
[Ang Xiao] frowned deeply. The Li Clan of Ganhai was a carefully chosen pawn, used for years to obscure this cave heaven fragment.
But not to bury it completely.
Rather, to leave faint traces.
Only this way, when Daoist Hong Yun exhausted every effort to finally locate this cave heaven fragment, would he harbor no suspicion.
Including the first two jade slips—the [Cave Void Inner Observation True Explanation] and the [Upper Bright Golden Lamp Jade Light]—their contents were flawless. Otherwise, they couldn't have deceived Hong Yun. The true tampering lay not in these pieces of knowledge, but in the cave heaven fragment itself!
Once Daoist Hong Yun absorbed this fragment, transforming it into his Blessed Land...
His scheme would succeed.
But if True Person Xiaohai died here, that certainty would vanish.
'Though I used the Knowledge-Perception Obstruction to make Hong Yun overlook the cause of death from back then and his doubts about [Chen Earth], and even stripped away his contingency plans for reclaiming his position...'
'He is still a True Lord.'
'After five thousand years, even under the influence of [Knowledge-Perception Obstruction], he must have sensed something amiss. By now, Hong Yun is likely as jumpy as a startled bird.'
'Under such circumstances, if I let this Foundation Establishment cultivator die, Hong Yun would inevitably grow suspicious upon arriving later, introducing countless variables into my plans... No, wait—from the moment this Foundation Establishment cultivator appeared in the cave heaven, variables had already entered!'
But where did these variables come from?
[Ang Xiao] pinched his fingers, attempting to deduce the source, yet found nothing. His frown deepened, and for the first time, he felt events slipping beyond his control.
'...Forget it. Adapt without changing.'
The next moment, [Ang Xiao] regained his composure. He took a step back, his figure melting once more into the sea of blazing Si Fire.
Time resumed its flow.
True Person Xiaohai blinked. The terror from moments ago faded as if it had never occurred—he couldn't even recall why he had been afraid.
Nothing major had happened.
No opportunities had arisen.
"Ah, what a pity."
With this thought, True Person Xiaohai sighed deeply. "To think this cave heaven would be empty, devoid of any treasures. A wasted trip."
As he spoke, his eyes passed over the three jade slips on the table as if they were invisible.
Without hesitation, he turned and strode out of the cave heaven. Behind him, [Ang Xiao] silently watched his retreating figure.
'An unknown fellow Daoist... intriguing.'
A faint smile of interest curled on his gentle face. After scheming alone for over five thousand years, a slight variable brought him unexpected delight.
'Let me see how you'll make your move!'
"Time to scram!"
Withdrawing the vision of [Puppet on Strings], Lü Yang patted his chest in relief. "In this lifetime, I won't set foot near the Dao of the Sweet Pear Tree again!"
That damned place was far too dangerous!
Even so, an audacious idea took root in Lü Yang's mind: "But Uncle Chongguang would definitely be interested in that cave heaven..."
Methods to construct cave heavens and Blessed Lands!
Techniques to sense [Overturned Lamp Flame]!
At this point in time, Chongguang hadn't reincarnated yet. These two methods alone would be enough to spur him into action—and once he moved, wouldn't True Lord Feixue follow?
'That [Bright Light Daily Records] explicitly mentioned suspicions about [Chen Earth]. If I can ensure Chongguang sees it, he'll be forewarned. It'd also earn me some goodwill—perfect for securing the Celestial Spirit body he leaves behind after reincarnation, that strand of Xin Metal Qi.'
[Pomegranate Wood] was formed by the union of Geng-Shen and Xin-You.
Since he intended to Achieve [Pomegranate Wood] in this lifetime, Xin Metal Qi was crucial to his Dao path. Planning ahead was simply prudent.
Besides, it'd also pit True Lord Feixue against Ang Xiao in battle!
Once [Ang Xiao]'s existence was exposed prematurely, Chongguang's quest for gold—already grand in scale in the previous life—would become even more sensational this time.
And that would be his opportunity!
'I have about a century.'
Lü Yang's mind whirled as a clear plan took shape:
'Within a hundred years, I must nurture the Celestial Spirit body to Foundation Establishment Perfection. During this time, it'd be best to also connect with Suo Huan, ensuring he and Chongguang seek gold together.'
'With those two geniuses drawing everyone's attention...'
'I can calmly prepare, emerging with a Celestial Spirit body at Foundation Establishment Perfection, then seize the moment when no one can stop me to directly Achieve the True Lord Fruit Position!'
Above the sky-reaching sea of clouds, atop the Sacred Fire Cliff.
Within the spacious Great Hall, a man sat at the head—his features unremarkable, yet his brow radiated an indomitable sharpness.
It was none other than True Person Chongguang!
In his hand lay a shimmering missive, sent earlier by Lü Yang through magic. It detailed the secrets of Jiangnan's mass grave.
Beyond that, Lü Yang recounted his own reincarnation in Jiangnan, serving as a spy—his body in the Sword Pavilion, his heart loyal to the Saint Sect. The tale left Chongguang marveling.
Defectors from the Saint Sect weren't uncommon.
After all, among the four great sects, only the Pure Land rivaled the Saint Sect in harshness—yet the Pure Land barred exit, eliminating the risk of rebellion.
In contrast, the Sword Pavilion and Dao Court were far more lenient.
Thus, many ordinary True Persons with stagnant Dao paths would choose not to return to the Saint Sect after reincarnation, instead adopting new identities to join the Sword Pavilion or Dao Court.
But among all who left, this was the first to send a letter back, declaring his heart still belonged to the Saint Sect.
"Interesting..."
True Person Chongguang stared at the signature at the end of the letter, lost in brief contemplation: "Yuan Tu... Since when did our Saint Sect have such a loyal True Person?"