Chapter 337: I Remember Now
At the brink of death, the Mending Heaven Peak Master barely regained some capacity for thought, only to be overwhelmed by an indescribable surge of fury:
'Late-stage Foundation Establishment? A Grand True Person?'
'How could he be a Grand True Person?!'
As a veteran True Person of the Saint Sect, the Peak Master instantly grasped Lü Yang's tactics—nothing more than a feint.
By summoning Chen Xin'an and exploiting their father-son relationship to unsettle him, Lü Yang had created an opening. Though the Peak Master cared little for a mere son, he did value Xin'an's potential as a calamity substitute—especially upon discovering the boy had reached Foundation Establishment. Thus, he'd fallen for the ploy.
Once vulnerable, Lü Yang struck.
A sound strategy.
But here lay the problem: You're a Grand True Person! A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator bullying a mid-stage opponent is already overkill—yet you still resort to such underhanded tricks?
'Beast... Sword Seed...'
Countless curses rose in the Peak Master's heart, yet words failed him when he tried to articulate his outrage over Lü Yang's methods.
Speechless!
The Mending Heaven Peak Master's face twisted into an expression so contorted and complex it seemed to encapsulate every human emotion—before exploding with a thunderous boom!
Lü Yang calmly retracted his finger.
At this moment, he felt profound clarity. The humiliation of being crushed beneath the Peak Master's finger in his fifth lifetime had finally been avenged.
'Only this counts as true vindication!'
Ah yes—there was still Fulong Arhat.
Old grievances resurfaced: letting him die of old age had been too merciful after costing Lü Yang so many years of lifespan.
Just you wait!
Though myriad thoughts swirled in Lü Yang's mind, his hands moved without hesitation. The Myriad Spirits Banner unfurled, converting the Peak Master's essence into a banner spirit.
'Perfect. The Peak Master's mastery of the 《Mending Heaven True Scripture》 far surpasses mine—Chen Xin'an can't compare. Xin'an already struggled when absorbing mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators—he'd be utterly incapable of handling late-stage Grand True Persons.'
'The Peak Master can take over when the time comes!'
As Lü Yang planned the Peak Master's future, his gaze swept the surroundings—only to find beams of light already scattering in all directions.
"Truly worthy of the Saint Sect!" Lü Yang laughed.
The moment the Peak Master fell, these Saint Sect True Persons had begun fleeing. Under normal circumstances, catching them all would be impossible.
"Fortunately, I came prepared!"
Around the 【Heavenly Capital Palace】, arrays activated, sealing the entire area and cutting off all escape routes!
No one understood Saint Sect True Persons better than another Saint Sect True Person.
Anticipating their reaction, Lü Yang had gone to great lengths to set this trap—ensuring none could escape or turn the tables.
In the next instant, Lü Yang dispersed his physical form.
'【Sea of Sorrow Infusion】!'
Billowing smoke instantly filled the palace, engulfing all Saint Sect True Persons. Five spiritual lights vanished without a trace.
No suspense remained.
A late-stage Grand True Person employing divine abilities against early-stage opponents—two full realms apart—was the very definition of overwhelming advantage.
'Though this likely won't remain hidden from the Saint Sect...'
Lü Yang remained calm. If True Person Dangmo could retroactively view past events, he harbored no illusions about escaping detection.
But so what?
'I've long been ready to discard this avatar!'
'Using forbidden arts to temporarily wield Grand True Person strength and annihilate the Saint Sect—avenging Sword Pavilion's fallen True Persons—is perfectly justifiable.'
'An ideal pretext for my divided soul to reincarnate.'
'Using the 【Netherworld】 to cleanse any potential scrutiny from True Lords, I'll emerge with pristine origins before joining Sword Pavilion. Who could question my background?'
Perfect!
With this thought, Lü Yang abruptly paled. His late-stage Foundation Establishment aura plummeted as he collapsed to his knees, vomiting blood.
Every detail was genuine—the Myriad Spirits Banner's borrowed power had expired, leaving him with backlash effects: depleted magic power, blood vomiting, and aura decline. Even True Person Dangmo—let alone a True Lord—would detect no deception.
"Cough cough cough..."
Between coughs, Lü Yang retrieved the Peak Master's storage pouch. Inside lay the three treasures of 【Heavenly Capital Palace】.
'Excellent.'
Satisfied, he extracted the 【Dao Harmony Immortal Pill】 and tossed it into the Myriad Spirits Banner without hesitation: "Ancestor, refine this pill."
Ancestor Nether Whisper froze momentarily: "Me?"
Lü Yang nodded casually—simple arithmetic. While consuming this wisdom-enhancing pill himself would yield benefits...
Could he surpass the Ancestor's gains?
Highly unlikely.
Conversely, granting it to Ancestor Nether Whisper meant—by extension—his own prodigious intellect would be enhanced.
An easy choice.
Outwardly, Lü Yang adopted a sincere expression: "The Ancestor has aided me greatly. How could I be ungrateful?"
"You... sigh."
Touched, Ancestor Nether Whisper sighed: "Very well. Since you insist, I'll accept—to better assist you in future."
Exactly what I wanted to hear!
Lü Yang grinned, watching the Ancestor consume the pill before nodding in satisfaction.
'Of the remaining treasures—【Six Ding Divine Fire】 and 【Immortal Root of Longevity Equal to Heaven】—I'll take one to cultivate the second-grade true skill 《Resonant Mysterious Spirit Scripture》 bestowed by True Person Dangmo before entering 【Southern Heavenly Gate】. An additional second-grade technique strengthens my foundation.'
'The last treasure must be surrendered.'
'Can't let Sword Pavilion leave empty-handed—need to account for it. I'm counting on this merit to formally join them.'
After deliberation, Lü Yang claimed the 【Six Ding Divine Fire】.
The 【Immortal Root】 merely extended lifespan—useless in his view—best left to Sword Pavilion.
Next, he summoned the Yun Family Patriarch and True Person Xiuxin, handing them the storage pouch—only to freeze mid-action.
Staring at them, his earlier puzzlement resurged.
'Did I forget something?'
But what?
Gradually, Lü Yang's movements stiffened. His expression solidified as cold sweat dripped uncontrollably from his forehead.
He remembered.
'【Puppet on Strings】... I control more than two puppets! Yun Family Patriarch, True Person Xiuxin... damn it, where's True Person Xiaohai!?'
But why remember only now?
The next instant, a mildly curious voice spoke beside him—so naturally it might have been there all along:
"Fellow Daoist, how did you temporarily wield Grand True Person strength here?"
"Care to explain?"
Lü Yang's neck creaked as he turned. True Person Xiaohai crouched beside him, smiling gently—his eyes reflecting Lü Yang's frozen visage:
"I'm quite curious."