Chapter 355
Chapter 355
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 0
Chapter Title: The Pitfalls of the Sword Dao Fruit Position
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"If that's the case, then it all makes sense!"
With Patriarch Tingyou's precedent right there before him, that Heaven-Receiving Orthodox Virtue True Lord of the Ye family would surely guard rigorously against any possible threat to his Foundation Establishment.
Even his own direct bloodline was no exception.
'Perfected Being Demon-Quelling was probably one of them. He had cultivated Wall-on-Earth to completion, yet found no place in the True Lord's tolerance, forcing him to switch to a first-grade true merit.'
Even he himself might not have realized it.
After all, the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion had secret arts for erasing past-life memories. With the True Lord making a few subtle moves during reincarnation, you might even end up thanking him!
'[Sword Dao Fruit Position]. What a massive trap!'
Lu Yang drew his conclusion.
'Up to now, this merit is exceptionally refined at the Foundation Establishment stage, which is why Sword Pavilion cultivators hold such strength there.'
Otherwise, they wouldn't dare claim supremacy in the world's spell battles.
But True Lords?
'At least judging from Heaven-Receiving Orthodox Virtue True Lord's previous life's feats, at the True Lord tier, the Sword Pavilion's prowess clearly fell short of expectations.'
'This must be because the [Sword Dao Fruit Position] remains unverified, offering no bolster to True Lord-level might. Thus, Sword Pavilion cultivators, no matter how dazzling at Foundation Establishment, drop to average once they ascend to True Lord. Yet should the [Sword Dao Fruit Position] be verified, everything changes.'
At that point, Sword Dao's might would soar, potentially even empowering True Lords.
'But that would also mean the Sword Pavilion's True Lords would never permit anyone to monopolize—or worse, corner—the [Sword Dao Fruit Position].'
Just like the ancient Nether Mansion.
Reincarnation was far too vital to let one soul claim it. The sole fate for its verifier? Besieged and slain, leaving only the fruit behind.
'In short, anyone cultivating the Sword Lord Discussing the Profound and Grasping Metal Secret Chapter faces just two paths. Either serve as fodder to fill the fruit, or shine with peerless talent to verify it for the True Lords—then perish like the Nether Mansion's lord.'
'.Far too insidious!'
Lu Yang was genuinely awed by the Sword Pavilion's ploy. On the surface, they played it flawlessly: a first-grade true merit! Free upon signing up!
Did the Jiangbei Demon Sect offer anything like that?
This was righteous orthodoxy!
As for the merit blocking your path to Seeking Gold—blame your own failings sometimes. After all these years, was your talent sufficient? Had you truly toiled in cultivation?
'Truly a case of being sold and still counting coins for the Sword Pavilion!'
Yet most spent lifetimes without reaching Seeking Gold, blind to the flaws until then.
'I spotted it only because my talent and diligence sufficed.'
Without Patriarch Tingyou's insights, Lu Yang might never have pierced this first-grade true merit's malice, convinced he'd struck gold!
'Good thing my main body never touched it. Sending the clone into the Sword Pavilion was the right call. Sure, the Sword Lord Discussing the Profound and Grasping Metal Secret Chapter is a pit, but I never banked on the clone Seeking Gold anyway. Let it cultivate; as long as my main body stays clear, no real issue.'
Times change, after all.
Back then, sword cultivators, strong as they were, remained mere Foundation Establishment fodder—a True Lord's palm ended them. Even at late Foundation Establishment, death was certain.
But now? True Lords had secluded!
'In this era, that first-grade true merit's potency amplifies. Its Foundation Establishment combat boost is undeniably elite.'
With that thought, Lu Yang relaxed.
'Pit or not, at Foundation Establishment, it's peerlessly refined—a full cultivation system.'
Ordinary cultivators progressed through Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core.
Sword cultivators mirrored this as the [Three Sword Dao Realms]: Sword Qi Thunder Sound, Sword Heart Illumination, Sword Intent Refining the Spirit!
'Sword Qi, Sword Heart, Sword Intent!'
'Sword Intent clearly targets matching Golden Core True Lords. Alas, with the [Sword Dao Fruit Position] unverified, it falls short.'
'At best, it yields a massive boost like Perfected Being Demon-Quelling's.'
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling boasted the strongest late Foundation Establishment power Lu Yang had witnessed—eclipsing even Uncle-Master Chongguang of old, if only slightly.
'But Uncle-Master Chongguang pursued the Dao.'
Chasing raw power too fiercely was chasing shadows, forsaking roots. Combat edge meant nothing if cultivation lagged—mere moon on water, flower in mirror.
"Hm? This is..."
Abruptly, Lu Yang's gaze sharpened, settling on a page in the Dao scripture.
"Sword cultivator advancement arts. Sword casket secret technique?"
All knew Foundation Establishment demanded steady steps, methodically gathering Heavenly Gangs and Earthly Fiends. Yet that held for the masses.
Sword cultivators diverged sharply.
Per the Sword Lord Discussing the Profound and Grasping Metal Secret Chapter, post-Foundation Establishment, one first gathered exotic medicines to forge a sword casket.
A sword casket was, at core, a secret treasure carried at all times. Through spell battles, it harvested qi of blades and slaughter, nurtured further until yielding a [Sword Divinity Power]. Fuse it, and breakthrough followed instantly!
Shock lit Lu Yang's face.
'Incredible!'
'This isn't some breakthrough art—it's brazenly supplanting Heavenly Gangs and Earthly Fiends' uniqueness. Likely a key step in [Empty Verification]!'
After all, a verified [Sword Dao Fruit Position] would stand beyond heaven and earth.
Why then rely on "Heavenly Gangs and Earthly Fiends"? The Nether Mansion and Heaven of Non-existence hinted as much.
Yet the risks loomed large.
'Spell battles for supremacy, life or death—zero margin for error. Kill or be killed. Utterly clashes with my way.'
Still, every pass had its path.
The Sword Lord Discussing the Profound and Grasping Metal Secret Chapter offered a workaround: a secret art converting prior life's innate divine abilities via the sword casket.
Innate divine abilities persisted eternally. Post-Dao base conversion, remnants mismatched, demanding reforging.
'Feed a prior life's innate divine ability into the sword casket with aiding medicines—no battles required—and condense a Sword Divinity Power.'
'Perfect for me!'
Naturally, Lu Yang wouldn't risk his immortal spirit main body's abilities.
He eyed the clone's [Marrow of a Hundred Flowers] and [Sea of Pouring Sorrow] Supreme Void divine arts. Expendable.
And unlike Supreme Void arts, Sword Divinity Powers bore rank!
'Dao base natal divine ability, twin Sword Divinity Powers, plus Upholding the Dharma's profundity—my clone could then impersonate a Great True Person!'
Flawlessly, sans backlash!
'Linking Supreme Void arts to Ten Thousand Spirits Banner for the ruse invites backlash and fades fast. Sword Divinity Powers suit me better!'
Jiangnan, Hidden Sword Manor.
Lu Yang's main body opened his eyes. His dharma body strode forth, basking and stretching in sunlight as plans took shape.
'The clone's on course.'
'But at eight years old, forging the sword casket, converting Sword Divinity Powers, reclaiming Foundation Establishment—all demand time. No rushing.'
"Time-wise, it lines up."
Lu Yang divined briefly, smiling.
Skull Mountain!
By prior lives' timelines, Patriarch Tingyou—still clawing survival in the Witch Ghost Secret Realm this incarnation—neared escape!
"Time to bolster my talent!"
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