Chapter 348
Chapter 348
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 0
Chapter Title: Dawn of a Golden Era
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Jiangnan, Hidden Sword Villa.
"A good era is coming."
Lu Yang's immortal spirit true body was gazing far into the distance at this moment, sensing the eruptions of qi from all directions. Chongguang's actions were nothing short of igniting an entire powder keg!
True Lords kept a close watch on their domains. Nearly every Foundation Establishment True Person felt shackled as a result—especially those peak Foundation Establishment Great True Persons, under constant scrutiny from the world's True Lords. A single twitch could set off a chain reaction. How many truly had a shot at forming their Golden Core? They were nothing more than useful tools in the end.
They weren't even as free as late Foundation Establishment Great True Persons!
But things were different now.
"Sixty years without True Lords. It might not sound long, but even for a late Foundation Establishment Great True Person, that's plenty of time."
"Unfortunately, it has nothing to do with me."
Lu Yang knew his limits. Forming a Golden Core in sixty years? No chance. But reaching peak Foundation Establishment? That was something he could aim for.
"I already have [Geng Metal] and [Shen Metal]."
"The next step, [Xin Metal], is in Uncle-Master Chongguang's hands. I should have a shot at getting it later. That'll make three Heavenly Gang Earthly Fiends!"
If he could find [You Metal] too, that would complete four.
As an immortal spirit, he'd be perfected!
Then, as long as he comprehended an innate divine ability, he could emerge and pursue his Golden Core right away!
"As long as I gather them, I'd die happy. I can always use the Book of a Hundred Lives to carry all my cultivation back. It's pure profit either way."
The [Dry Heaven All-Encompassing Myriad Phenomena Dharma Body] was both a divine ability and a spirit treasure, blending the traits of each.
And the Book of a Hundred Lives' cultivation transfer included comprehended divine abilities!
'In other words, if I pick cultivation, I can take the [Dry Heaven All-Encompassing Myriad Phenomena Dharma Body] with me—no waste!'
This thought energized Lu Yang.
"Finally, a real chance."
He glanced at Ancestor Tingyou next. The ancestor was still pinching his fingers, calculating intently—clearly lost in Chongguang's earlier move.
"."
Truth be told, Lu Yang felt nothing about it.
Sure, he was grateful for what Chongguang had done. But whether it was Chongguang or Mu Changsheng, their ambitions were just too lofty.
Far too distant for him.
'Maybe only prodigies like the ancestor can resonate with them. Pity—compared to grand visions, I care more about the rice, oil, and salt of daily life.'
For Lu Yang, he just wanted to climb, step by step.
At any cost, all the way to the top!
So compared to Chongguang or Mu Changsheng, the one he still resonated with most was Suo Huan. When you're clawing for survival, who has time for world-shaking schemes?
"Hoo."
Putting stray thoughts aside, Lu Yang stopped dwelling. He activated [Marionette Control] again, shifting his view back to the avatar inside South Heaven Gate.
With the True Lords in seclusion, the immense power over South Heaven Gate had faded. No more isolation between inside and out. Lu Yang could finally end it.
"Puff!"
The next instant, he made the avatar shatter its own organs. Cracks spiderwebbed across its body. In a blink, it became a bloody wreck—miserable as could be.
Only then did he lead Cloud Family Ancestor and Perfected Xiu Xin out of South Heaven Gate.
Outside South Heaven Gate, Perfected Demon-Quelling's eyes locked on Lu Yang almost immediately. Doubt flashed first, then fury.
"Why just the three of you?"
Lu Yang kept the avatar silent. Perfected Xiu Xin spoke instead.
"Senior Sister Ye was slain by Demon Sect's Heaven Mending Peak Master. The other True Persons scattered...."
Before her words finished, South Heaven Gate rumbled again.
Several streaks of light shot out—none other than the Sword Pavilion True Persons who had fled after Ye Guyue's death, the ones Lu Yang had deliberately released.
Perfect timing.
With their accounts, Ye Guyue's death was sealed: slain by Demon Sect's Heaven Mending Peak Master, in full view of everyone. No questions.
Perfected Demon-Quelling sighed deeply. He turned to Lu Yang, voice softening.
"Demon Sect's power is overwhelming. Fellow Daoist Lu, surviving was feat enough. This rout at South Heaven Gate is my failing. I'll atone upon our return. Come back to Sword Pavilion with me and recover properly."
"True Person, you have it wrong!"
Lu Yang stayed mute. Cloud Family Ancestor spoke up.
"Where was the rout for our Sword Pavilion this time? It was a great victory!"
Silence fell over the crowd.
Perfected Demon-Quelling blinked, then his eyes gleamed.
"Fellow Daoist Yun means...."
"Cough cough cough."
Only now did Lu Yang speak. Trembling, he produced a storage pouch. With a light shake, treasures spilled out, filling the space with brilliance.
Perfected Demon-Quelling stared, stunned—then grinned in relief.
"Good!"
Lu Yang cupped his hands. His voice was faint.
"Heaven Mending Peak Master killed Senior Sister Ye. He's dead by my hand now—vengeance for her."
"It's just... I only managed this much spirit material from South Heaven Gate...."
He understood downplay-then-uplift perfectly. Dump the haul first, and detailed counts would reveal shortages—barely thirty percent. But lead with empty hands, then reveal? Worlds apart.
Plus this near-death look—who could call him out?
What, missing seventy percent?
Thirty percent's damn good! Think I pocketed the rest?
"You've worked hard!" Perfected Demon-Quelling seized Lu Yang's hand.
Lu Yang pressed the advantage.
"Senior.... Junior didn't fail you. Though my oil's spent and lamp's dry, I contributed to Sword Pavilion all the same."
"I only beg—in my next life—to enter Sword Pavilion and gain a thread of Dao affinity."
His sincerity moved even Perfected Demon-Quelling. After a long pause, the elder murmured.
"If you don't want to die... how about I kill you?"
Lu Yang: "???"
"No need at all!"
Fearing a casual sword strike, Lu Yang refused hastily.
"Junior yearns for the Great Dao. I only seek Sword Pavilion. Please, senior—make it so."
"....Alright. I promise."
Perfected Demon-Quelling's face grew solemn.
"After reincarnation, I'll receive you myself. Take you as disciple. From then on, you're Sword Pavilion's core disciple."
'Such a steal!?'
Joy exploded in Lu Yang's heart. He frantically recalled his encounters with [Angxiao] to suppress his nearly grinning mouth.
"Then.... Many thanks, senior."
Before the words faded, Lu Yang eagerly lolled his head.
Nether Mansion yawned open!
Through the split soul's sight, Lu Yang beheld Nether Mansion for the first time: a pitch-black gate visible only to the dead.
'Finally—clean slate, Sword Pavilion bound!'
'[Xin Metal]'s in reach. Last piece [You Metal] might even be in Sword Pavilion. And their techniques? I've wanted those forever.'
Beyond that, one more intriguing target.
'....Scout reincarnation!'
Ordinary souls entered muddled, unaware. Even a split soul would sever from the main body—remote control impossible.
But not for Lu Yang.
He could steer the split soul with [Marionette Control], peer straight into reincarnation!
'Best prepare ahead.'
'[Angxiao]'s scheming Nether Mansion. He can play? So can I. Scout now—by Golden Core, I might claim it myself.'
Thoughts raced through Lu Yang's mind.
The next second, as the split soul drifted into Nether Mansion, his vision dimmed briefly. Then he found himself in a grim, shadowy grand hall.
A pair of appraising eyes met his.
'....Hm?'
Through [Marionette Control]'s view, Lu Yang watched the mist-shrouded figure—eyes alone visible—suddenly draw near.
Cyan and white swirled in those eyes.
Amid flowing radiance, Lu Yang clearly saw his split soul mirrored there—less than an inch away.
"....Fellow Daoist?"