Chapter 338: Third Encounter with Ang Xiao
Lü Yang admitted—he had indeed panicked for a fleeting moment.
But the next second, he regained his composure. After all, his immortal spirit's true form hadn't been seized directly. No matter how dire the situation, it was only his avatar suffering.
"[Tribulation Wave]!"
Even so, Lü Yang used the divine wonder of [Dongming] to cleanse himself several times, took a few deep breaths, and only then turned his gaze toward True Person Xiaohai.
"It's actually quite simple."
Without changing expression or skipping a heartbeat, Lü Yang fabricated effortlessly: "Mu Changsheng and I share some acquaintance. Isn't it natural he'd be willing to lend me his divine ability?"
"Really?"
True Person Xiaohai—or rather, the one wearing his skin, [Ang Xiao]—smiled faintly, practically telegraphing his disbelief with every pore. Clearly, he remained skeptical.
"That [Heaven of Non-Existence] is indeed intriguing, but nothing more. The True Lords would never permit Mu Changsheng to ascend through it. Or rather, anyone could ascend—except him. His path was doomed from the start. Fellow Daoist, why bother associating with him?"
Ang Xiao's eyes brimmed with scrutiny.
He had long been curious about this fellow Daoist who not only uncovered his identity and schemes but also engaged him in a distant confrontation—emerging slightly superior. Who exactly was he?
Meanwhile, Lü Yang offered no reply.
'I'm not a True Lord. There are countless secrets I simply don't know. The more I say, the more mistakes I'll make. Better to remain silent and play the unfathomable expert!'
"Fellow Daoist won't answer?"
Seeing Lü Yang's silence, Ang Xiao adopted an inscrutable, composed expression and chuckled: "Or is it that Fellow Daoist dares not answer carelessly?"
Lü Yang smiled wordlessly.
"Initially, I thought Fellow Daoist might be an incumbent True Lord. Now it seems I overestimated. Could Fellow Daoist be a reincarnated True Lord, similar to that Daoist Hong Yun?"
"Speaking of which, there's another matter that puzzles me."
Ang Xiao showed no urgency. He rose leisurely, Lü Yang's figure reflected in his eyes: "I've observed Fellow Daoist's combat methods for some time now."
"From your confrontation with that Human Immortal Cheng Xian to your massacre within this [Southern Heavenly Gate], you've employed [Sea of Sorrow Infusion], [Essence of All Flowers], [Lord of War], and [Stubborn Gold Duke]—two Void divine abilities plus two innate divine abilities. Yet you only pretended to hold the title of Grand True Person."
"This is... fascinating."
Here, Ang Xiao narrowed his eyes as if spotting prime prey:
"At first, I assumed Fellow Daoist had concealed your life essence divine ability. After all, possessing two or three divine abilities is typical for mid-stage Foundation Establishment—nothing unusual."
"But now, inconsistencies emerge."
"If Fellow Daoist indeed possesses another life essence divine ability, plus the four I just mentioned, five divine abilities should signify Foundation Establishment Perfection."
"Where is your realm, Fellow Daoist?"
"Where is your life essence divine ability?"
"To my knowledge, no Dao lineage in existence postpones cultivating their life essence divine ability. The sole exception would be beings born of heaven and earth..."
Here, Ang Xiao abruptly halted, his face blooming with the smile of a hunter closing in:
"Fellow Daoist... could you currently be an immortal spirit?"
Lü Yang maintained his silent smile.
Though Ang Xiao had exposed part of his secrets, Lü Yang felt no panic. He realized Ang Xiao was merely attacking him verbally.
'As a True Lord, where are your methods?'
'If not soul-searching, at least attempt to control me?'
Recalling their previous encounter, how overwhelming had Ang Xiao's presence been? Utterly beyond resistance. Yet this incarnation differed.
'Eerie, yes—but lacking strength. What level is True Person Xiaohai? A mere early-stage Foundation Establishment—how could he bear a True Lord's might? Last time, Ang Xiao's terror stemmed from using Chongguang's Dao Calamity as a vessel. This time, he's merely a gilded spearhead.'
All show, no substance!
Otherwise, why waste words? Wouldn't seizing the Myriad Spirits Banner directly from his dantian and refining it instantly be far more straightforward?
Why refrain?
By choice?
'By inability!'
This realization steadied Lü Yang further. After contemplation, he decided to drop a bombshell: "Fellow Daoist sought me out specifically, yet you've fallen into another's scheme."
Chongguang's scheme!
'The Saint Sect breeds no good men—Uncle Chongguang... bah! That old thief Chongguang! Telling me to linger at the [Southern Heavenly Gate]—clearly setting me up as bait!'
Lü Yang was absolutely certain Chongguang had predicted Ang Xiao would follow him, hence their "trade" keeping him at the gate longer. Now that Ang Xiao had taken the bait, Chongguang had likely already mobilized.
Yet Lü Yang was surprised.
After hearing his revelation, Ang Xiao showed no shock—only amusement: "Fallen into another's scheme? Fellow Daoist refers to Xue Feihong?"
"Speaking of which, we have unfinished business."
"Informing Xue Feihong of my identity caused me considerable trouble. We bear no enmity—this makes things... difficult."
Lü Yang continued smiling silently.
Ang Xiao sighed, recognizing Lü Yang had seen through his bluff. His current incarnation indeed lacked formidable means.
'This body... remains too weak.'
A mere early-stage Foundation Establishment vessel could barely sustain the concealment of his Knowledge-Perception Obstruction. Any greater exertion might cause his physical form to disintegrate.
Strictly speaking, he wasn't even Lü Yang's match now.
Otherwise, why waste breath here? Capturing and interrogating would be simpler than this verbal fencing. Sheer powerlessness dictated his approach.
Thus, Ang Xiao abandoned circumlocution.
"Let's make a trade. If I surmise correctly, Fellow Daoist aims to use this incarnation to Achieve [Pomegranate Wood] and breakthrough to late-stage Golden Core? I can assist."
'He misunderstands.'
Lü Yang understood perfectly—to Ang Xiao, he appeared as a True Lord. But if already a True Lord, why seek another Fruit Position?
Only one answer: late-stage Golden Core!
Only late-stage required additional Fruit Positions' support. Thus, in Ang Xiao's eyes, Lü Yang was a True Lord plotting advancement.
'Logical enough.'
Finally, Lü Yang spoke: "How does Fellow Daoist propose to assist me?"
Seeing Lü Yang break silence, Ang Xiao smiled: "Beyond [Pomegranate Wood], Fellow Daoist joined the Sword Pavilion—presumably also coveting [Sword Edge Gold], yes?"
"Yet this path is slow and perilous."
Ang Xiao murmured: "Early and mid-stage Golden Core each govern a single phase. But advancing to late-stage requires mastering two additional phases to succeed."
"Governing three phases forms a cycle. Mastering only two inevitably triggers mutual generation and conflict, leading to Cave Heaven collapse. Yet this remains an inferior method. The true superior approach requires complete Five Phases mastery—only then can one glimpse the perfected realm."
"But for one person to Achieve five Fruit Positions—how arduous?"
"Not only fraught with Variations, but likely to incur the True Lords' collective hostility. Thus, across the world, Great True Lords of late-stage Golden Core number fewer than fingers on one hand."
"And their methods trend peaceful."
"Rather than monopolizing Fruit Positions, they collaborate—like Xue Feihong. If I conjecture correctly, she employed similar tactics."
"Being mid-stage Golden Core with an Unfalling Cave Heaven, ordinary early-stage True Lords partnering with her could attach their Cave Heavens to hers, gaining [Unfalling] effects. Even after millennia-long lifespans ended, her guidance could swiftly restore their positions."
"Yet how can multi-party collaboration compare to solo dominion?"
Here, Ang Xiao's face radiated pride: "I needn't monopolize five Fruits—merely ensure none can Achieve other Positions!"
"Reversing [Chen Earth] was my method."
"Thus, without Achieving Fruits, I effortlessly completed Five Phases perfection—free from partner betrayal fears. This is the true Great Dao path!"
His gaze settled on Lü Yang: "Well?"
"If interested, I can impart my Five Fruits monopoly reversal method—provided Fellow Daoist agrees to one simple condition."
Lü Yang pondered briefly: "...What condition?"
Finally, profound killing intent surfaced in Ang Xiao's eyes: "I intend to lure Xue Feihong into the [Netherworld]—and eliminate her permanently!"