Chapter 343: Talent and Effort, Shen Metal Obtained!
To be honest, it was rather absurd.
From beginning to end, Lü Yang had only wanted a single strand of [Shen Metal]. Yet because of this, he had been dragged into schemes laid by countless True Lords.
'The same thing happened when I sought [Yin Wood] in my previous life.'
He had inexplicably fallen victim to [Ang Xiao]'s Knowledge-Perception Obstruction, becoming a fool manipulated alongside Suo Huan. Just recalling it now brought bitter tears to his eyes.
At this point, he couldn't even be bothered to curse anymore.
Fortunately, after enduring so much hardship, sweet rewards had finally arrived. With the True Lords about to engage in a great battle, none had time to spare for him. If he didn't slip away now, when would he?
With a thought, Lü Yang immediately summoned True Person Xiuxin, then retrieved the [Shen Metal], preparing to have her deliver it to Hidden Sword Manor. His true body would then make a move—kill and seize the treasure. Using [Tribulation Wave] ensured the act would leave no karma or traces, making it impossible for anyone to deduce the cause and effect.
'Of course, this isn't foolproof.'
'But [Ang Xiao] and True Lord Qingcheng Feixue are currently preoccupied with far greater matters. Even if they notice something amiss, they won't have time to come after me.'
This window would be enough for him to vanish once more.
As for the avatar? A simple reincarnation would suffice.
Though undeniably risky, this was the safest plan Lü Yang could devise. There were no better alternatives.
He couldn't just abandon the [Shen Metal], could he?
'If I still get hunted down by a True Lord despite all this, then I'll concede they're truly formidable. Fine, take this life—worst case, I'll restart and let the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes] cleanse everything.'
Yet, at that very moment—
"Wait... don't rush."
The voice emerged from the Myriad Spirits Banner. Lü Yang's movements froze mid-action before he hurriedly unfurled the banner, looking at Ancestor Nether Whisper, who had just awakened from meditation.
"Ancestor!"
Lü Yang's face lit up with pleasant surprise. "You've already refined the medicinal power? So quickly?"
"Average, I suppose."
Ancestor Nether Whisper stroked his chin. "How should I put it? The boost wasn't as substantial as I'd imagined, though it did have some effect."
His gaze then shifted to the [Shen Metal] in Lü Yang's hand, and his tone turned grave. "I performed some divinations for you earlier. Taking this strand of Shen Metal out carries too many variables and makes you easily traceable. Even if no one is paying attention to you now, they might still track you down later."
"This..."
Hearing this, Lü Yang's expression darkened. If even Ancestor Nether Whisper said so, his confidence in the original plan plummeted.
"...I understand."
He wasn't a greedy fool. Earlier, he had been willing to gamble because success seemed possible. But if there truly was no hope, he wouldn't act recklessly.
Indecision invites disaster!
"This junior will abandon the [Shen Metal]—"
Before Lü Yang could finish, Ancestor Nether Whisper interrupted again. "Don't be hasty. Though your method is flawed, I can assist you."
Lü Yang's eyes instantly brightened. "...Really!?"
"Mn. That's what I was divining earlier."
Ancestor Nether Whisper remained composed. "First, retrieving the [Shen Metal] through another party is too conspicuous—too much karma and too many variables. It's absolutely unworkable."
"The only way is to have your avatar deliver it directly to your true body."
"This process must go completely unnoticed. Then, your avatar must commit suicide and reincarnate, passing through the Netherworld to erase all traces via the cycle of reincarnation."
"Mn..."
Lü Yang was no fool. With Ancestor Nether Whisper spelling it out, realization dawned. "Ancestor means... using a Dharma Body for long-distance transport?"
[Heavenly Dominion Myriad Manifestations Dharma Body]!
This Dharma Body was both a spiritual treasure and a divine ability. As a divine ability, it could switch between the true body and avatar at will.
Yet Lü Yang soon frowned. "That makes sense, but if the [Heavenly Dominion Myriad Manifestations Dharma Body] absorbs the Heavenly Gang and Earth Fiends, extracting them afterward would be impossible. Even if I bring it back, I wouldn't be able to use it to refine divine abilities or break through realms."
"That's easily solved."
At this, Ancestor Nether Whisper finally smiled. "My suggestion is to conceal the [Shen Metal] within the Myriad Spirits Banner and transport both alongside the Dharma Body!"
The moment these words were spoken, Lü Yang understood.
'Hide the [Shen Metal] inside the Myriad Spirits Banner. Since the banner and Dharma Body are one, taking the Dharma Body means the banner follows—and so does the [Shen Metal]!'
Even better, the [Heavenly Dominion Myriad Manifestations Dharma Body] had been cleansed by the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes], leaving no karma. By wrapping the [Shen Metal] in this layer, it would be isolated from external causality—utterly untraceable! Once the avatar was disposed of, it would be a case of dead men telling no tales!
The only issue was the Myriad Spirits Banner itself.
"This treasure can only store banner spirits and inanimate objects. The Heavenly Gang and Earth Fiends are of extremely high rank—normally, they can't be contained..." Lü Yang looked to Ancestor Nether Whisper.
Ancestor Nether Whisper nodded confidently.
"...It's feasible!"
At this moment, Lü Yang felt immensely grateful for his earlier decision to feed Ancestor Nether Whisper the [Dao Harmony Immortal Pill]. See? The returns were already here!
Action followed thought.
Lü Yang immediately began gathering his spoils. Aside from the [Immortal Root of Longevity Equal to Heaven], which he had to leave behind as proof of completion, everything else was split seventy-thirty.
Seventy percent for him, thirty percent for the Sword Pavilion.
Jiangnan, Hidden Sword Manor.
"Whoosh!"
In an instant, the [Heavenly Dominion Myriad Manifestations Dharma Body] materialized before Lü Yang's true body. Without hesitation, he projected his divine sense into the Myriad Spirits Banner.
The next second, his eyes were nearly blinded by a dazzling array of radiant lights. Before him lay the long-awaited Shen Metal qi, the [Six Ding Divine Fire] used by the Xuanling Realm's ruler for alchemy within the [Heavenly Capital Palace], and spiritual materials of all sizes from the entire [Southern Heavenly Gate].
A jingling, clattering pile filled nearly half the banner's space.
For a moment, the myriad colors and countless divine lights made Lü Yang swallow hard several times before he regained his composure, suppressing the surging emotions in his heart.
'Mine... all mine!'
Lü Yang understood perfectly how monumental this was.
With Ancestor Nether Whisper's assistance and the Myriad Spirits Banner as a transport channel, he would never again have to worry about his avatar's gains failing to reach his true body!
"My achievements today are entirely thanks to the effort of my talent!"
Without hesitation, Lü Yang drew [Tribulation Wave] and unleashed its divine power upon the [Shen Metal], hacking away furiously—emphasizing the severing of karma.
Only after thoroughly cleansing it of all causality did he inspect it again with [Insight]'s divine power.
'There really aren't any other imprints left...'
Lü Yang was somewhat surprised. Though True Person Dangmo had purified it once, he had suspected the True Person might have left hidden marks afterward.
But it seemed there were none?
He trusted [Tribulation Wave]'s divine power. If even it couldn't detect anything, then so be it. Without further hesitation, he grabbed the [Shen Metal] and refined it instantly!
"Hu—"
In that moment, Lü Yang felt his immortal body finally break through the bottleneck. Without relying on [Law Holding], a second divine radiance emerged!
Mid-stage Foundation Establishment—achieved!
Factoring in [Law Holding], that made three divine abilities—mid-stage Foundation Establishment perfection! And if he added the two Void divine abilities on top of that...
'Divine ability perfection!?'
Even Lü Yang was shocked by his own speculation. Yet when he tested it, the result left him resigned—though unsurprised.
Foundation Establishment perfection was different.
'Perfecting the Dao foundation, refining Metal Essence, constructing a Blessed Land—patchworking divine abilities haphazardly like this would never allow a false breakthrough.'
'Forcing it would only result in bodily explosion!'
Just as Lü Yang sighed in reflection—
"Hm?"
His brows suddenly furrowed as he noticed his two Void divine abilities, [Essence of All Flowers] and [Sea of Sorrow Infusion], trembling inexplicably.
"This is... a change in the [Heaven of Non-Existence]?"
"Who caused it?"
Lü Yang abruptly looked up.
Though he lacked evidence, an inexplicable intuition arose within him: "...Chong Guang?"