Chapter 303
Chapter 303
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 303
Chapter Title: It Has to Be a Primal Saint Sect Perfected Being!
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In the Heaven-Connecting Cloud Sea, within Sacred Fire Cliff.
Chongguang sat upright with perfect composure, watching as Lu Yang manipulated a Qi Refining loose cultivator with the [Puppet String Technique]. Only now did he adopt a demeanor befitting peers discussing matters as equals.
"You wish for a superior spirit treasure, fellow Daoist?"
"The Acting Sect Master sees clearly."
Lu Yang nodded. Having decisively abandoned the gains from the Li Clan of Catchsea, his plans for an immortal fetus avatar capable of acting across the world still lacked a suitable vessel.
To make matters worse, both the Yun family ancestor and Perfected Being Xiuxin were penniless—one from a fallen clan, the other an ordinary guest elder. They carried no superior spirit treasures on them. Coupled with the perils lurking every step in Jiangnan, Lu Yang had carefully considered his options and decided it was best to seek a solution from the familiar Primal Saint Sect.
'Quite polite.'
Chongguang's gaze shifted subtly. Lu Yang's attitude was exceedingly solemn, addressing him as Acting Sect Master and positioning himself squarely as a loyal servant of the Primal Saint Sect.
But Chongguang didn't buy it.
A loyal servant of the Primal Saint Sect?
What a joke—those words didn't belong together. This was likely just posturing to extract benefits from him.
"I can agree to this request, fellow Daoist."
Chongguang's expression remained unchanged as he spoke calmly.
"However, how can you guarantee you won't go back on your word and pocket my gift without delivering?"
Chongguang's style had always been straightforward. Since Lu Yang had demonstrated means even True Lords struggled to trace, he simply voiced his concerns outright. This blend of ruthless cunning and magnanimity was a quality few Primal Saint Sect Perfected Beings possessed.
Lu Yang responded with equal candor.
"Then allow me to reveal it to the Acting Sect Master first."
At these words, Chongguang's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of surprise flickering through.
"It seems I've misjudged you, fellow Daoist. You're not afraid I'll renege?"
"Naturally not."
Lu Yang shook his head.
"It's merely a piece of information. If the Acting Sect Master breaks his word over this, it would simply reveal his true character—a fortunate outcome for me."
". . . Hahaha!"
Chongguang burst into laughter. For the first time, genuine appreciation appeared in his eyes as he looked at Lu Yang, finding the man remarkably compatible with his own temperament.
Who exactly is this person?
Though the thought crossed his mind, Chongguang didn't feign grandiosity by claiming he needed nothing in return. Instead, he smiled faintly.
"Then please speak first, fellow Daoist."
Posturing, or does he truly have such bearing?
Under Chongguang's scrutiny, Lu Yang's tone remained even.
"That cavern heaven fragment the Acting Sect Master seeks lies beneath the sea in Gantang Dao of Jiangnan."
As Lu Yang's words fell, Chongguang's brows lifted faintly. His hand, hidden in his sleeve, began swiftly calculating. Though he couldn't divine the precise result, a subtle thread of karma tugged at him in the ether. He glanced at Perfected Being Clear and Pure Flying Snow, who gave an imperceptible nod.
'. . . It's real!'
Jiangnan was opaque to Chongguang, but not to Perfected Being Clear and Pure Flying Snow. Without prior knowledge, she might not have noticed.
But now that Lu Yang had pointed out the karmic thread. . .
If Perfected Being Clear and Pure Flying Snow still failed to detect that cavern heaven fragment, it would be inexcusable incompetence—and she was no fool.
'There are indeed traces of a lingering cavern heaven.'
'It seems to have survived by chance, though the coincidence is striking. I didn't probe deeply, lest other True Lords notice.'
Jiangnan was Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion territory, after all. As a Primal Saint Sect Perfected Being, she could meddle subtly without issue, especially while concealing her presence. But any overt action would draw the Pavilion's True Lords. Thus, Perfected Being Clear and Pure Flying Snow had chosen not to alert the enemy prematurely.
Even so, it was enough to make Chongguang reevaluate Lu Yang.
After exchanging intelligence with Perfected Being Clear and Pure Flying Snow, Chongguang turned back to Lu Yang, curiosity piqued.
"How did you discover that cavern heaven fragment, fellow Daoist?"
"I forgot." Lu Yang grinned.
"Just as the Acting Sect Master occasionally forgets certain matters."
Where's my benefit!?
Chongguang chuckled at that, then beckoned with his hand. A streak of crimson sword light descended into the hall, which he personally handed to Lu Yang.
"This is a rare gem among superior spirit treasures." Chongguang said gravely.
"I'll give it to you in exchange for another piece of information. How about that?"
Lu Yang stared at the crimson dharma sword Chongguang offered, at a loss for words.
It was none other than the [Avici Sword]!
'An accident? Or deliberate?'
'Is he underestimating me, thinking I don't know the [Avici Sword]'s history? That thing was bait left by Blood Devil Perfected Being—specifically to hook scapegoats!'
But in the next instant, realization dawned.
'No. . . He's testing whether I know the [Avici Sword]'s origins. To gauge my seniority in the Primal Saint Sect and unmask me?'
Blood Devil Perfected Being was a fixture of seniority in the Primal Saint Sect, his circumstances uniquely bizarre. With Hongyun Daoist's aid, he had feigned death and endured for five millennia—outlasting even some True Lords. Few in the current Sect knew of him.
'This is a major dividing line!'
'Knowing or not reveals one's seniority and status in the Sect.'
'If I admit knowledge of Blood Devil Perfected Being, he'll narrow his suspects instantly and pinpoint my true identity.'
But only if I have an identity in the Primal Saint Sect.
'Pity—this incarnation of mine is a pure-blooded Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion disciple. All these probes will amount to nothing; he won't uncover a thing!'
With that in mind, Lu Yang calmly accepted the [Avici Sword].
The lingering karma from Blood Devil Perfected Being on it was of no concern.
After all, he now wielded the far superior [Calamity Wave]. He had long lost interest in the [Avici Sword] and had no intention of keeping it.
'Once I bring it back, I'll melt it down straightaway—to forge the immortal fetus avatar!'
The deal concluded to mutual satisfaction, host and guest parting on excellent terms.
Afterward, Perfected Being Clear and Pure Flying Snow even personally escorted Lu Yang back to Jiangnan. Then she lingered at Jiangnan's edge, secretly observing.
Evidently, she intended to lie in wait.
But the ever-cautious Lu Yang gave her no opportunity. He didn't meet with his main body at all, instead refining the avatar on the spot with the Avici Sword.
From start to finish, the main body never appeared.
Perfected Being Clear and Pure Flying Snow waited in vain for ages, gaining nothing. In the end, she could only purse her lips, leave a strand of divine sense in place, and return her main body to the Sect.
"Chongguang, any guess who he is?"
"Not certain."
In the hall, Chongguang rarely betrayed hesitation.
"From his reaction, he saw through my test—but had no fear of it."
"That means his cultivation is at least on par with Blood Devil Perfected Being. He has ways to counter the substitution technique and resolve its karma. Anyone capable of that is no less than a Grand Perfected Being—possibly Foundation Establishment Perfection like myself. Or, if we're bolder still. . ."
A Golden Core True Lord!
He trailed off, but the implication hung clear. Even Perfected Being Clear and Pure Flying Snow harbored similar suspicions.
"But that's secondary."
Here, Chongguang rubbed his brow with a headache.
"This mysterious fellow Daoist. . . truly resembles one of our Primal Saint Sect Perfected Beings. That's the tricky part."
"That cavern heaven fragment—a message of such value. I suspect he'll profit from both sides."
"Selling the intel straight to Hongyun as well."
Meanwhile, in another corner of Jiangbei.
"Hello? Hello?"
Using another Qi Refining loose cultivator under [Puppet String Technique] control, Lu Yang tugged at the karmic thread and sent a ghostly transmission.
"Are you there, fellow Daoist Hongyun?"
(End of chapter)