Chapter 305
Chapter 305
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 305
Chapter Title: The Person Who Shouldn't Appear
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Time flew like an arrow, years passed like a shuttle.
In Jiangnan, within a secluded courtyard of a mortal city.
An array had been set up here, sealing off all signs of life. Beneath the great locust tree in the courtyard sat a young man in red robes, cross-legged in meditation.
The youth's features were identical to Lu Yang's, only far younger. His brows arched upward, the corners of his mouth slightly quirked, giving him a sharper, more spirited edge than Lu Yang's main body. The only flaw was his vacant gaze—his pupils dull and unfocused, clearly just an empty shell without a spirit.
"Not bad, not bad."
From another corner of the courtyard, Lu Yang peered through the eyes of a controlled Qi Refining loose cultivator via [Marionette Control], appraising his handiwork with keen interest.
He had already activated the Hypothetical Principle.
Though he wasn't sure if any True Lord was watching him, he proceeded as if one was. Thus, he hadn't shown his main body at any point during the entire [Immortal Fetus Clone] refinement process.
Even that wasn't foolproof.
'The Immortal Fetus Clone has its flaws too. If my main consciousness controls the clone and it encounters [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord], even my main body could get dragged in!'
The lesson from his previous life had been too bitter.
This time, Lu Yang planned to try a different approach.
With that thought, he directed the Qi Refining loose cultivator to retrieve a jade box from storage. Inside lay a strand of radiant, lively divine sense glowing with fluorescence.
This was a piece of divine sense Lu Yang had severed from himself using [Calamity Wave]. It was completely severed from his main body's karma, and he'd meticulously edited its memories. With a bit more time, it should develop its own independent consciousness—a true "second clone" in every sense.
In his previous life, Lu Yang never would have done such a thing.
After all, a "second clone" with its own consciousness was an uncontrollable liability to the main body—a recipe for trouble.
But this life was different.
'This life, I have [Marionette Control]! I can eliminate every potential issue with the second clone, achieving full control while isolating it from external interference!'
That way, even if this clone truly crossed paths with [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord] and fell under a Knowledge-Seeing Barrier's delusion, only the severed divine sense would be affected. Lu Yang's main body could still dominate the clone via [Marionette Control], effectively granting immunity to the barrier's influence to a degree!
'Suo Huan must have truly despised [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord].'
Lu Yang couldn't help shaking his head. This golden talent, derived from Suo Huan's life, seemed tailor-made to counter Knowledge-Seeing Barriers!
Of course, [Marionette Control] had its limits too.
'First, it's still constrained by my cultivation. My immortal spirit main body's at early Foundation Establishment, so I can only control up to early Foundation Establishment at most.'
'Second, this is ultimately just a golden talent forged by the [Book of a Hundred Lives] from metal essence.'
'If the target also possesses metal essence—like a True Lord, or someone like Chongguang at peak Foundation Establishment—it'd probably be impossible to control them with this talent.'
Even so, in Lu Yang's view, [Marionette Control]'s true value lay not in hypnotic domination, but in severing karma. It let him play at the True Lord level like a peak Foundation Establishment great cultivator, stepping half out of the chessboard even as a pawn.
Soon, as the severed divine sense merged into the Immortal Fetus Clone.
The red-robed youth, once vacant, abruptly rose to his feet. His scattered pupils focused, coming alive with spirit. Lu Yang, watching from behind the scenes, broke into a satisfied smile.
"Success!"
With that thought, two streams of divine ability radiance bloomed around him, rippling behind his head—[Lord of Arms and Armor] and [Stubborn Gold Duke]!
"This clone will head overseas!"
Overseas, Biyang Cultivation World.
Lu Yang flew on a beam of escaping light, arriving swiftly. He then produced two flying letter spirit slips from his sleeve—one to contact Chongguang, the other to Hongyun.
To Hongyun: [I've arrived. Where are you, friend?]
To Chongguang: [Prepare to move!]
Moments later, under Lu Yang's expectant gaze, a figure tore through the void and descended silently, unleashing a vast aura.
The newcomer had a face chiseled like it had been carved by axes and knives. His eyes, dim yet steady like lamps in a hall, locked straight onto Lu Yang. That single glance made Lu Yang feel as if he were burning alive. Golden light erupted instantly as he activated [Stubborn Gold Duke] to shield his body.
Peak Foundation Establishment!?
Lu Yang retreated a step, finally taking in the man's features. His brows furrowed—he recognized him. It was none other than Saint Sect's Perfected Being Hongju!
Old and new grudges surged in an instant.
Two lifetimes ago, this man had screwed him over with [Shared Fate and Exchanged Luck Register Scripture], leading to his death! Sure, last life he'd helped, but that was separate!
I might not repay favors, but grudges? Those I don't forget!
Narrowing his eyes, Lu Yang said, "Looks like Senior Hongyun doesn't trust me much. Worried I'm setting a trap, so he doesn't dare show?"
Perfected Being Hongju gave Lu Yang a speechless look.
Wasn't that obvious?
They were all Saint Sect Perfected Beings—who wouldn't want free goods without paying? Hongyun, projecting his own cunning, was just guarding against beasts like you!
"No need to worry. My mind and Senior Hongyun's are one. Anything I see, hear, or sense, he can perceive simultaneously."
Hongju's expression remained calm. He had originally been forged by Hongyun—back when he was still a True Lord—from metal essence. As long as Hongyun lived and the metal essence endured, he could persist indefinitely. In essence, he was akin to a Dao Remnant, his link to Hongyun much like Lu Yang's own body-clone bond.
'So cautious. But that's normal enough.'
Lu Yang mused inwardly, increasingly convinced that Hongyun's abrupt death last life had been [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord]'s covert sabotage!
The next instant, a reply came from Chongguang's flying letter spirit slip.
[Hongyun hasn't arrived. Plan canceled.]
'What a shame.'
Lu Yang sighed inwardly, but smiled outwardly at Hongju. "No matter. I always believe sincerity moves mountains and metals."
"Given time, Senior Hongyun will surely come around to me."
In his view, Hongyun wasn't bad at all.
Sure, he'd seemed pathetic before, but his foes were too overwhelming. Under [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord]'s schemes, he'd been cornered in a death trap.
Yet every situation had its sliver of hope.
Especially with [Covered Lamp Fire].
If Hongyun could reverse his dire straits and draw [Covered Lamp Fire]'s gaze, his odds of forming a Golden Core were honestly better than Chongguang's!
Unlike Chongguang, his innate divine abilities were permanent once proven. When Hongyun became a True Lord, [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord] hadn't yet shifted to earth essence attributes, so he lacked the [Earth Essence] flaw. With [Covered Lamp Fire]'s favor, his chances of ascending to a blessed land and becoming a True Lord were sky-high!
Precisely because of this, [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord] guarded Hongyun like a fortress, denying him any shot at reclaiming his position over five thousand years.
Soon, the pair arrived at the Immortal Alliance headquarters in Biyang Cultivation World.
But in the next moment, Lu Yang halted abruptly.
Because amid the headquarters, he spotted someone who absolutely shouldn't be here—stunned him rigid on the spot.
It was a voluptuous woman with a cold beauty and saintly poise, her every gesture refined like an unmarried noble lady. Yet her long skirt slit nearly to the waist, flashing snow-white skin with each step, like a white lotus blooming in the mud.
'Impossible.'
Though he'd often met her in the Myriad Spirits Banner before, this was the first time in years he'd seen the living person. His pupils contracted sharply:
'...Yu Suzhen!?'
(End of chapter)