Chapter 357: Lord Hong Yun’s Far-Sighted Planning!
Chapter 357: Lord Hongyun's Profound Foresight!
'Indeed, it's only natural he'd suspect me.'
Lü Yang's thoughts raced as he instantly grasped the source of Hong Ju's doubts—most likely, Hong Ju had sensed something amiss when Lü Yang suppressed Fulong Arhat's divine abilities earlier.
'Hongyun cultivates the [Overturned Lamp Flame].'
'Yet I cultivate [Pomegranate Wood].'
'And the [Overturned Lamp Flame] contains no [Xin Metal] divine abilities. With such fundamentally different paths, this discrepancy is practically irrefutable evidence. His suspicion is perfectly reasonable.'
Despite this realization, Lü Yang remained utterly unperturbed.
After all, holding the Golden Nature of Great Fortune meant he had Hong Ju's lifeline firmly in his grasp. If he wished, he could end Hong Ju's life at any moment.
Otherwise, he wouldn't dare meet a perfected Foundation Establishment cultivator in person.
With this in mind, Lü Yang's lips curled into a composed smile as he gazed at Hong Ju and said languidly, "Well? If you have doubts, voice them."
"...Hong Ju obeys your commands without question, my lord!"
In an instant, Lü Yang sensed Hong Ju's emotions shift—all suspicion transforming into panic, though the man maintained an outwardly calm demeanor.
Yet Lü Yang had no intention of letting this slide. If he wanted Hong Ju to work for him, the man needed to be thoroughly convinced. Otherwise, even if Hong Ju couldn't openly refuse, covert resistance would only create unnecessary complications. After a brief pause, Lü Yang spoke decisively:
"No need for such formality."
Recalling Hongyun's past attitude toward Hong Ju, Lü Yang smiled. "Hong Ju, you're an intelligent man. I've kept this secret long enough—it's time you knew."
"Observe my current form."
With deliberate theatrics, Lü Yang revealed traces of his true nature. Hong Ju's eyes widened in shock: 'An immortal spirit... This person is actually an immortal spirit incarnation!?'
Wait—that couldn't be right!
Hong Ju's discerning eyes immediately recognized that Lü Yang hadn't fully manifested—meaning this immortal spirit form still had room for further refinement!
Meanwhile, Lü Yang remained unbothered by this exposure. With True Lords in seclusion and Hong Ju controlled by the Golden Nature of Great Fortune, revealing some truths posed no real threat. His thoughts racing, Lü Yang chuckled lightly, "Did you truly believe I accomplished nothing these past five thousand years?"
Hong Ju's heart lurched violently.
'Wasn't that exactly the case?'
From his perspective, Hongyun had been trapped in an endless cycle—seeking the [Overturned Lamp Flame], meeting sudden death, seeking again, dying again—without any variation.
"Hmph. You underestimate me far too much."
Lü Yang's smile turned icy. "After five thousand years of failing to attain the [Overturned Lamp Flame], even a fool would suspect something amiss. Did you think I'd stubbornly persist down that dead end?"
Suddenly, Lü Yang's aura expanded dramatically.
[Lord of War], [Stubborn Gold Duke], and [Solemn Profound Frost]—three innate divine abilities materialized vividly before Hong Ju's eyes, making his pupils contract sharply:
"These three divine abilities... So the mysterious cultivator active overseas was actually you, my lord?"
Lü Yang admitted readily, "Had I not laid groundwork overseas to bring forth the [Heaven of Non-Existence], would we have this golden opportunity with all True Lords in seclusion?"
Hong Ju stood frozen.
Yet upon reflection, he realized... this actually made perfect sense?
Lü Yang had indeed played significant roles in the emergence of the [Heaven of Non-Existence]. It was he who first proposed venturing to the overseas Biyang Cultivation World.
And who controlled the Biyang Cultivation World?
Lord Hongyun himself!
In a flash, Hong Ju achieved sudden enlightenment: Everything connects! This explains everything! Could the [Heaven of Non-Existence] have been Lord Hongyun's true scheme all along?
The realization struck Hong Ju like a thunderbolt. Of course! After all the effort Lord Hongyun expended in the Biyang Cultivation World, how could it merely be for some broken semi-true treasure? That would've been far too petty. Only something like the [Heaven of Non-Existence] matched a Golden Core True Lord's stature!
"My lord... your foresight is truly profound!" Hong Ju bowed deeply once more.
Reflecting on Lord Hongyun's five-thousand-year pursuit of the [Overturned Lamp Flame]—once seeming foolish—now appeared as brilliant subterfuge!
Openly repairing the plank roads while secretly crossing at Chencang!
Enduring hardship for ultimate victory!
Outwardly playing the hapless fool to mislead hidden enemies, while secretly preparing an escape plan to reverse his fortunes!
And now... he'd succeeded!
With True Lords in seclusion, none could obstruct his pursuit of metal essence... Wait, but why wouldn't he continue seeking the [Overturned Lamp Flame] then?
The question barely formed before Hong Ju answered it himself.
After all, achieving the [Overturned Lamp Flame] would irrevocably antagonize [Ang Xiao]—a late-stage Golden Core cultivator. Why create such a formidable enemy?
Choosing a different path promised far broader horizons!
As for how 'Lord Hongyun' managed to change paths despite being a True Lord—well, True Lords' methods defied mortal comprehension. No matter how outrageous, Hong Ju found it entirely plausible.
This realization reinvigorated Hong Ju's previously bewildered spirit, even softening his earlier harsh judgments of Hongyun. Though different from the Hongyun of old—that had been an act!
This was Lord Hongyun's true face!
"My lord's strategic brilliance leaves this subordinate in awe!"
Hong Ju prostrated himself once more, his heart now completely at peace, all prior doubts and fears utterly dispelled.
Lü Yang nodded in satisfaction.
He then engaged Hong Ju in reminiscence about past events. With memories extracted via the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes], Lü Yang handled these conversations effortlessly.
This further cemented Hong Ju's conviction.
After all, True Lords couldn't be subjected to soul searches. Only the real Hongyun—only could speak so knowledgeably about their shared history!
"Hong Ju, I have three tasks for you."
Having secured Hong Ju's loyalty, Lü Yang intended to utilize him fully. "First, journey to the Ten Thousand Martial World and harvest qi for me."
As he was no longer affiliated with the Saint Sect, and with his avatar now enrolled in the Sword Pavilion—restricting free movement—venturing personally to the Ten Thousand Martial World posed excessive risks.
Sending Hong Ju proved far simpler.
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Hong Ju accepted without hesitation. Pleased, Lü Yang proceeded with the remaining assignments:
"Second—do you know the whereabouts of Chongguang's [Xin Metal] incarnation?"
Though Fulong Arhat offered leads on [Xin Metal], obtaining it directly from Hong Ju would spare him considerable danger.
Regrettably, Hong Ju shook his head:
"My lord, Chongguang's [Xin Metal] derived from his past life's immortal spirit incarnation. I possess no leads—likely he took it with him."
"Very well."
Lü Yang masked his disappointment with nonchalance. "Finally, I plan to visit the [Palace of Su Heng]. Await my summons to accompany me."
Why not employ this freely offered enforcer?
With True Lords absent, Hong Ju's perfected Foundation Establishment cultivation made him peerless for exploring the [Palace of Su Heng].
"As you command!"
Hong Ju withdrew respectfully. Once he returned from harvesting qi in the Ten Thousand Martial World, Lü Yang's [Heaven-Spanning Myriad Phenomenon Dharma Body] could advance further.
Just then—
Boom!
A thunderous explosion erupted from Skeleton Mountain's direction. Lü Yang turned sharply, achieving instant realization: "The Witch Ghost Path's secret realm has finally emerged!"
Meaning—Ancestor Nether Whisper of this lifetime had likely appeared as well!