Chapter 342
Chapter 342
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 342
Chapter Title: 第342章 重光的算计
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As Chongguang's words fell, the qi mechanism around his body abruptly shifted.
He had previously perfected his divine abilities, securing [Unaging Parasol Tree], [Shade Dragon Water], [Fear of Felling], and [Rigid Flame Furnace], all pointing straight toward the [Covered Lamp Fire] position.
But now, his divine abilities had changed.
The divine light symbolizing [Covered Lamp Fire] suddenly dispersed, like a lamp snuffed out by the wind. In its place emerged strands of hazy, illusory divine radiance.
"[Marrow of a Hundred Flowers], [Sea of Pouring Sorrow], [Ferry of Delusion], [Song of Everlasting Sorrow]!"
Four supreme void divine abilities—even [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord] seemed somewhat surprised.
"Every one is top-tier. Aren't you afraid Mu Changsheng will just seize your body outright?"
"That depends on you, my lord." Chongguang smiled faintly.
"Hahaha!"
[Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord] couldn't help but clap in delight.
Chongguang's choice was ingenious!
[Heaven of Non-existence] itself, like [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord], was something tabooed by the True Lords of the world. No one would allow Mu Changsheng to truly succeed through it.
In such circumstances, no one should have been willing to help him. Moreover, it ran directly counter to [Covered Lamp Fire], so even Clear Pure Flying Snow True Lord, his strongest prior backer, couldn't possibly intervene. Only someone like [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord], who stood in opposition to the world's True Lords, had both the motive and the power to act.
After all, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
By seeking [Heaven of Non-existence] at this moment, Chongguang wouldn't even face interference from any True Lord—because compared to him, the [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord]'s side was undoubtedly far more critical.
'He's using me as a shield.'
The thought crossed [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord]'s mind, but rather than anger, he chuckled lightly.
"I do have a way to shield you from Mu Changsheng's consciousness seizure."
Mu Changsheng was indeed brilliant.
Yet in [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord]'s eyes, he wasn't some unfathomable prodigy. How many dazzling geniuses had he seen over the years?
All gone to dust!
'Only by ascending to a position and becoming a True Lord can one truly stand firm in this world. This one's like Flying Snow—uncannily similar.'
'Will he be the next?'
[Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord] pondered inwardly, his face betraying nothing as he smiled calmly.
"I can assist you. But tell me, young friend—what will you offer in return?"
"What my lord lacks is simply time."
Chongguang cut straight to the heart of [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord]'s current dilemma. He wasn't afraid of Hongyun's golden ascension; the problem was that before it, a portion of his consciousness had been sealed within the [Southern Heavenly Gate]. Cut off from observing the present world, he'd lost his best chance to intervene.
By the time he realized, it would be too late.
Hongyun would have passed the initial phase and begun drawing the Position's gaze. At that point, there'd be no time left for his schemes.
That was Clear Pure Flying Snow True Lord's calculation.
But put another way—
"As long as I can restore that lost time for my lord, I believe you won't need anyone else's help—you'll break the deadlock on your own."
With that, Chongguang laid out his bargaining chip.
Brilliant light surged across his body, and [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord] immediately sensed its source.
"[Covered Lamp Fire]—the corresponding ritual?"
"I draw upon the intent of [Covered Lamp Fire], calling it [Reverse]."
Chongguang spoke gravely.
"Hongyun is trapped in my lord's scheme. By aiding him to break free from certain death, that becomes the greatest [Reverse]—enough to draw the Position's gaze!"
If Lu Yang were here, he would have instantly understood.
That deal!
Before entering the [Southern Heavenly Gate], Chongguang had proactively offered Lu Yang a transaction: to linger inside and bait [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord].
Undoubtedly, that deal had pulled Chongguang directly into the plot against [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord], serving as a crucial weight on the scales. Without it, Lu Yang's swift passage might have alerted [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord] early, triggering a chain reaction.
That was the true purpose of Chongguang's deal with Lu Yang!
On one hand, to lure [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord] into the trap. On the other, to create a bargaining chip for himself, proving his worth.
"Of course, this alone won't make Hongyun's golden ascension fail."
"But with it, I'm confident I can vie with Hongyun for the Position's attention, buying my lord at least half an hour. That should be enough time for you to act, yes?"
Chongguang was shrouded in radiant light, his expression unreadable.
His chip had another key point: to sustain the ritual, he couldn't die. If he did, no one else could keep Hongyun in check.
The unspoken message: You'd best not try any tricks.
[Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord] eyed Chongguang, his own face impassive. Only after a moment did he speak.
". . . Merely keeping you alive? I have plenty of ways."
Chongguang nodded.
"My lord can always take the gamble."
Gamble? What a joke!
Once Hongyun's golden ascension succeeded, [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord]'s millennia-long machinations would collapse, and his realm would plummet. With his path at stake, how could he gamble?
". . . Impressive."
Gazing at Chongguang, [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord] finally smiled and inclined his head slightly.
"In all these years, you're the first to dare hold leverage over me. Truly bold."
"Our positions hold no irreconcilable conflict, my lord."
Chongguang lowered his gaze.
"Help me ascend, and I can help you in turn. It's a win for both—a matter of your choice."
As they spoke, Hongyun's golden ascension continued unabated. Time was short, so [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord] set aside his probing. From his sleeve, he produced a candle lamp, igniting it with mana. The dim flame lit the surroundings, carrying a spiritual aura that soothed the mind and cleared the thoughts.
"This treasure is called [Sun-Obscuring Golden Lamp]."
"As the name implies, it's the Position treasure of [Great Forest Wood]. Until its flame burns out, it can lend you the wonder of [Sun-Obscuring], hiding your consciousness."
"Thus, Mu Changsheng won't be able to seize you for the time being."
"But I'll only protect you for a moment, not forever. By the time the flame gutters, I'll likely have dealt with Hongyun."
"Then, I won't mind claiming an extra [Heaven of Non-existence]."
Chongguang immediately cupped his hands.
"My thanks, my lord!"
As a veteran saint sect Perfected Being, Chongguang knew full well that for [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord] to speak so plainly showed tremendous sincerity.
For saint sect Perfected Beings, the most reliable transactions weren't built on trust, but on mutual gain—and here, both had grasped that perfectly.
The Dragon Lord of the previous life clearly hadn't.
Though that was partly because he didn't know [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord]'s true goal, leading to his miscalculation. Chongguang, however, wouldn't make that mistake.
In fact, he was even shrewder.
[Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord]'s current need was one Chongguang had engineered himself. Without him, Hongyun might not have ascended so smoothly.
That's why [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord] called it "leverage"!
To hold leverage over a late Golden Core great True Lord with merely a Foundation Establishment base—thanks to seizing the moment, but wasn't that ability in itself?
The next instant, Chongguang closed his eyes.
Radiant light fully bloomed from his body, shooting toward the heavens and drawing [Covered Lamp Fire]'s gaze. Meanwhile, his consciousness plunged into [Heaven of Non-existence]!