Chapter 304: The Impossible Person
Time flies like an arrow, days pass like a shuttle.
In Jiangnan, within a secluded courtyard of a mortal city.
The area had already been sealed off with formations, isolating it from human presence. Beneath a large locust tree in the yard, a young man dressed in crimson robes sat cross-legged.
His appearance was identical to Lü Yang's, though much younger. His brows were slightly raised, and the corners of his mouth curled upward, giving him a sharper, more spirited demeanor compared to Lü Yang's original body. The only flaw was his dull, lifeless gaze—his pupils unfocused and devoid of light—clearly indicating an empty shell devoid of consciousness.
"Not bad, not bad."
From another corner of the courtyard, Lü Yang observed his handiwork with keen interest through the eyes of a Qi Refining rogue cultivator he controlled using [Puppet on Strings].
At this moment, he had already activated the principle of assumption.
Though he didn't know for certain whether any True Lord was watching him, he acted as if there were. Thus, throughout the entire process of refining his [Immortal Embryo Avatar], his true body never made an appearance.
But even that wasn't enough to ensure safety.
'The Immortal Embryo Avatar still has flaws. If my primary consciousness controls the avatar and falls victim to [Ang Xiao], even my original body would be implicated!'
The lesson from his past life had been painfully clear.
So this time, Lü Yang decided to try a different approach.
With that thought, he immediately manipulated the Qi Refining rogue cultivator to retrieve a jade box. Inside the box was a shimmering, luminous strand of divine sense—vibrant and full of vitality.
This was a fragment of divine sense Lü Yang had severed from himself using [Tribulation Wave], completely severed from his original body's karma. He had meticulously processed its memories, ensuring that given enough time, it would develop its own consciousness and become a true "second avatar."
In his previous life, Lü Yang would never have considered such a method.
After all, a "second avatar" with independent consciousness was an uncontrollable risk to the original body—keeping it around was simply inviting trouble.
But this life was different.
'In this life, I have [Puppet on Strings]! I can completely eliminate all the risks of the second avatar—both controlling it and shielding it from external influences!'
This way, even if the avatar truly encountered Ang Xiao and was deceived by [Knowledge-Perception Obstruction], the deception would only affect the split-off divine sense. Lü Yang's original body could still manipulate the avatar through [Puppet on Strings], effectively granting him partial immunity to [Knowledge-Perception Obstruction]'s] effects!
'Suo Huan must have hated [Ang Xiao] to the core...'
Lü Yang couldn't help but shake his head. The golden-tier talent extracted from Suo Huan's life seemed tailor-made to counter [Knowledge-Perception Obstruction]!
However, [Puppet on Strings] still had its limits.
'First, it's constrained by my cultivation level. My Immortal Spirit Body is still only at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment, so at most, I can only control someone at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment.'
'Second, this is ultimately just a talent forged by the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes] using Metal Essence.'
'If the target also possesses Metal Essence—such as a True Lord or someone like Chongguang at Foundation Establishment Perfection—it would be extremely difficult to control them with this talent.'
Though in Lü Yang's view, the true value of [Puppet on Strings] lay not in its hypnotic control but in its ability to sever karma. This allowed him, despite being only at Early Stage Foundation Establishment, to participate in the schemes of True Lords—as a chess piece, yet with one foot already stepping off the board.
Soon, as the split divine sense merged into the Immortal Embryo Avatar, the previously lifeless crimson-robed youth abruptly stood up. His unfocused pupils gradually sharpened, regaining vitality. Hidden in the shadows, Lü Yang smiled with satisfaction.
"Mission accomplished!"
With that thought, two radiant divine abilities shimmered around Lü Yang's body, rippling behind his head—[Lord of War] and [Stubborn Gold Duke]!
"I'll use this avatar to make a trip overseas!"
Overseas, the Biyang Cultivation World.
Lü Yang soared through the skies on a beam of light before finally arriving at his destination. He then retrieved two spirit message slips from his sleeve—one to contact Chongguang, the other to contact Hong Yun.
To Hong Yun: [I have arrived. Where are you, Fellow Daoist?]
To Chongguang: [Prepare to act!]
Moments later, under Lü Yang's expectant gaze, a figure tore through the void and descended silently, unleashing an overwhelming aura.
The newcomer had a face as if chiseled by blades and axes, neither too bright nor too dim. His eyes, like flickering lanterns in a grand hall, locked onto Lü Yang. That single glance made Lü Yang feel as if his body were burning—golden light erupted instantly as he activated [Stubborn Gold Duke] to shield himself.
Foundation Establishment Perfection!?
Lü Yang took a step back before finally getting a clear look at the newcomer's face. His brows furrowed immediately—he recognized this person. It was none other than the Saint Sect's Hong Ju!
In an instant, old grudges surged to the surface.
In his life before last, he had been schemed to death by Hong Ju using the [Fate-Linked Karma Rewriting Talisman Book]! Though Hong Ju had helped him in his previous life, debts and grudges were separate matters!
'Kindness I may not repay, but vengeance I cannot forget!'
With that in mind, Lü Yang narrowed his eyes. "It seems Daoist Hong Yun doesn't trust me much—worried I might set a trap for him, so he didn't dare come himself?"
Hong Ju gave Lü Yang a speechless look.
Wasn't that obvious?
They were all True Persons of the Saint Sect—who wouldn't want to take goods without paying if given the chance? Given Daoist Hong Yun's nature, he was naturally wary of scoundrels like Lü Yang!
"No need to worry. Daoist Hong Yun and I share a single mind—whatever I see, hear, or perceive, he senses as well."
Hong Ju's expression remained calm. He had been forged from Metal Essence by Daoist Hong Yun back when the latter was still a True Lord. As long as Daoist Hong Yun lived and his Metal Essence remained, Hong Ju would continue to exist—much like a Dao Calamity. His connection to Hong Yun was similar to Lü Yang's relationship with his avatar.
'So cautious... but understandable.'
Lü Yang pondered inwardly, growing increasingly convinced that Daoist Hong Yun's abrupt death in his previous life had been orchestrated by [Ang Xiao] behind the scenes!
The next moment, the spirit message slip sent to Chongguang returned with a reply:
[Hong Yun hasn't arrived. The plan is canceled.]
'What a shame.'
Lü Yang sighed inwardly but plastered a smile on his face as he turned to Hong Ju. "No matter, no matter. I've always believed that sincerity can move metal and stone."
"Given time, I'm sure Daoist Hong Yun will come to see me in a new light."
In his view, Hong Yun wasn't actually weak.
His previous poor performance was simply because his opponent was too overpowered—trapped in a deathly scheme laid by [Ang Xiao], he had been doomed from the start.
Yet in all things, there was always a sliver of hope.
Especially for [Overturned Lamp Flame].
If Hong Yun could reverse his current predicament and attract the attention of [Overturned Lamp Flame], his chances of reforming a Golden Core were actually far greater than Chongguang's!
Unlike Chongguang, Hong Yun's innate divine abilities were permanently validated. When Hong Yun became a True Lord, [Ang Xiao] hadn't yet altered the attributes of [Chen Earth], meaning Hong Yun lacked its inherent flaws. If he could gain [Overturned Lamp Flame]'s] favor, his chances of ascending to a Blessed Land and reclaiming his status as a True Lord were exceptionally high!
But precisely because of this,
[Ang Xiao] had guarded against Hong Yun with extreme vigilance—for five thousand years, he had denied Hong Yun even the slightest opportunity to reclaim his [Fruit Position].
Soon, the two arrived at the Biyang Cultivation World's Immortal Alliance headquarters.
Yet the next moment, Lü Yang's footsteps abruptly halted.
Because within the Immortal Alliance headquarters, he saw someone who absolutely should not have been there—so unexpected that he froze on the spot.
It was a voluptuous woman with a coldly beautiful face, an aura of sanctity, and dignified manners—like a noble lady who never left her boudoir. Yet the slit in her long skirt reached almost to her waist, revealing glimpses of snow-white skin as she walked, like a white lotus blooming in the mud.
'How is this possible...?'
Though he had often seen her within the [Myriad Spirits Banner] before, this was the first time in many years Lü Yang had laid eyes on her living, breathing self. His pupils contracted sharply:
'...Yu Suzhen!?'