Chapter 339
Chapter 339
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 0
Chapter Title: The True Lord's Probe
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Lu Yang admitted it—he had indeed panicked for an instant.
But the next second, he regained his composure. It was still the same reasoning: the immortal spirit's main body hadn't been seized by anyone yet. No matter how bitter the suffering, it was only the clone that bore it.
"[Calamity Wave]!"
That said, Lu Yang still employed the wondrous [Illumination] to scan himself several times over. Then he took a few deep breaths before turning his gaze toward Perfected Being Roaring Sea.
"It's actually quite simple."
Lu Yang's face remained impassive, his heart steady as he spoke nonsense off the cuff.
"I've got some ties with Mu Changsheng. He's willing to lend me his divine ability—what's so strange about that?"
"Is that so?"
Perfected Being Roaring Sea—or rather, the [Soaring Empyrean] wearing that skin—gave a faint smile, on the verge of blurting out "I don't buy it." He was clearly doubtful.
"That [Heaven of Non-existence] is indeed intriguing, but that's all it amounts to. The various True Lords won't permit Mu Changsheng to claim the throne with it. Or put another way, anyone could ascend—except him. His path was doomed from the start. Why throw in your lot with him, fellow Daoist?"
The [Soaring Empyrean]'s eyes brimmed with scrutiny.
He had long been curious about the identity of this fellow Daoist who had not only uncovered his true nature and schemes but had even gained a slight edge in their remote clash.
Meanwhile, Lu Yang offered no reply.
*I'm no True Lord—I don't know the half of these secrets. The more I say, the more I'll slip up. Better to stay silent and play the enigmatic expert!*
"Fellow Daoist, no answer?"
Seeing Lu Yang hold his tongue while wearing that profoundly composed expression, the [Soaring Empyrean] chuckled.
"Or perhaps you're not daring to answer lightly?"
Lu Yang merely smiled in silence.
"I'd pegged you for a seated True Lord before, but now it seems I overestimated. You're a True Lord reincarnated—something like that Hong Yun?"
"There's one other thing I'm quite curious about, too."
The [Soaring Empyrean] wasn't pressing. He rose slowly to his feet, Lu Yang's figure reflected in the depths of his eyes.
"I've been observing your fights for some time now."
"From how you handled that Celestial Immortal Cheng Xian, to the slaughter you unleashed within the [South Heaven Gate]—you deployed [Sea of Pouring Sorrow], [Marrow of a Hundred Flowers], [Lord of Arms], [Stubborn Gold Duke], two Supreme Void divine abilities, and even two innate divine abilities. Yet in the end, you only feigned holding a Great Perfected Being."
"That's most interesting."
Here, the [Soaring Empyrean] narrowed his eyes, as if sighting prime quarry.
"I didn't spot it earlier—assumed you'd concealed your natal divine ability. After all, a second and third divine ability at mid Foundation Establishment is nothing out of the ordinary."
"But that's not adding up now."
"If you've got that natal divine ability on top of the four I just named, that's five divine abilities in support. You ought to be at Foundation Establishment perfection."
"Where's your cultivation base, fellow Daoist?"
"And your natal divine ability?"
"As far as I know, no lineage under heaven refines its natal divine ability last. The sole exception is the heaven-fostered, earth-nurtured sort."
At that, the [Soaring Empyrean] abruptly cut himself off, a predator's grin spreading across his face.
"Fellow Daoist—you wouldn't happen to be an immortal spirit right now, would you?"
Lu Yang kept smiling in silence.
Even with part of his secrets laid bare by the [Soaring Empyrean], he felt no panic. He'd realized the man was merely assailing him with words.
*You're a True Lord—where are your real tricks?*
*If soul-searching's off the table, at least seize control of me?*
He recalled his previous life: the crushing pressure when the [Soaring Empyrean] appeared had been utterly beyond him. But this version was different.
*Weird, sure—but not nearly strong enough. Perfected Being Roaring Sea is what level? Early Foundation Establishment. How's that supposed to carry a True Lord's might? The terror of last life's [Soaring Empyrean] came from using Chongguang Dao's sin body as a vessel. This one's just a flashy shell—looks impressive, but folds under pressure.*
All bark, no bite!
Otherwise, why spout all this drivel? He could've plunged a hand straight into Lu Yang's dantian, seized the Ten Thousand Spirits Banner, and refined it on the spot—far cleaner.
Why hold back?
Out of reluctance?
*No—incapable!*
With that realization, Lu Yang grew all the steadier. After a moment's thought, he decided to drop a bombshell.
"Fellow Daoist sought me out specially, yet you've fallen into someone else's trap."
Chongguang's trap!
*The Saint Sect's got no good eggs—Chongguang Shishu, bah, that old Chongguang bastard! Telling me to linger in the [South Heaven Gate] a bit longer? Clearly baiting me!*
Lu Yang was dead certain: Chongguang had divined with some technique that the [Soaring Empyrean] would tail him. That's why he'd cut that deal, getting Lu Yang to stick around the [South Heaven Gate] longer as live bait. Now the [Soaring Empyrean] had bitten—and Chongguang's side had likely sprung into action.
What caught Lu Yang off guard, though, was this:
After hearing the revelation, the [Soaring Empyrean] showed no shock. Instead, he laughed.
"Fallen into someone else's trap? You mean Xue Feihong?"
"Speaking of which, I still haven't settled accounts with you on that front."
"You leaked my identity to Xue Feihong—quite the headache it caused me. No grudge between us, and now you've put me in a bind."
Lu Yang kept smiling in silence.
The [Soaring Empyrean] sighed, aware that Lu Yang had seen through his paper-thin facade. Potent measures were beyond him now.
*This body's... far too frail.*
A mere early Foundation Establishment cultivator—deploying a cognition障 to conceal himself had already stretched things thin. Anything more, and the dharma body would've shattered outright.
Truth be told, he wasn't even a match for Lu Yang anymore.
Otherwise, why jaw on like this? Snatch him up first, then pry answers loose—wouldn't that beat this tedious back-and-forth?
Powerless despite his will.
With that, the [Soaring Empyrean] cut the circling.
"Let's make a deal. If I'm not mistaken, you want this body to prove the [Pomegranate Wood], breaking through to late Golden Core, right? I can assist."
*He's off base.*
Lu Yang knew full well: in the [Soaring Empyrean]'s eyes, he screamed True Lord. So why would a True Lord chase other fruits?
Simple: late Golden Core!
Nothing short of late Golden Core demanded such crutches. Thus, to the [Soaring Empyrean], Lu Yang was a True Lord gunning for the late stage.
*Makes perfect sense.*
At that, Lu Yang finally spoke.
"How exactly do you plan to assist, fellow Daoist?"
No longer silent, Lu Yang prompted a smile from the [Soaring Empyrean].
"Apart from [Pomegranate Wood], you've joined the Sword Pavilion too—doubtless still coveting that [Sword Edge Gold]?"
"But that's too slow. Too risky, besides."
The [Soaring Empyrean] spoke mildly.
"Early and mid Golden Core mean monopolizing a single line. Late stage demands holding two."
"Three lines form a cycle. Just two breed generation and restraint, sparking clashes that shatter the cave heaven. But that's the crude path. The true superior way is all five elements complete—only then can you eye perfection."
"Yet proving five fruits solo? Near impossible."
"Variables galore, and the world's True Lords turn hostile on sight. Hence, Great True Lords at late Golden Core number fewer than the fingers on one hand."
"Their methods tend toward the pacific, too."
"Not hogging fruits outright, but partnering—like Xue Feihong. If I'm right, that's her play."
"She's mid Golden Core, cave heaven unyielding. An ordinary early Golden Core True Lord links their cave heaven to hers, borrowing the [Unfalling] effect. Come their millennium's end, her summons lets them swiftly reclaim the throne."
"But group efforts—how do they stack against solo dominion?"
Here, pride lit the [Soaring Empyrean]'s face.
"I needn't monopolize all five fruits. Just ensure no one else proves the rest!"
"Reversing the [Chen Soil]—that's my art."
"Thus, sans proving fruits myself, I complete the five elements with ease. No betrayal from 'allies.' The orthodox great path!"
Only now did he eye Lu Yang.
"Well?"
"If you're keen, fellow Daoist, I'll hand you my reversal art for monopolizing the five fruits. All I ask is one simple condition in return."
Lu Yang pondered briefly.
". . . What condition?"
At last, a deep killing intent flickered in the [Soaring Empyrean]'s eyes.
"I aim to lure Xue Feihong into the [Netherworld]—and slay her to cut off future woes!"