Chapter 358
Chapter 358
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: [Undisclosed]
Chapter Title: Securing Hong Ju's Loyalty
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"Right, he should suspect me too."
Lu Yang's thoughts shifted, and he instantly understood the root of Hong Ju's doubts. It was most likely because the divine ability he'd used moments ago to suppress the Dragon-Subduing Arhat had struck him as off.
'Hong Yun cultivates [Covered Lamp Fire].'
'What I cultivate is [Pomegranate Wood].'
'And [Covered Lamp Fire] contains no [Xin Metal] divine ability. Our paths diverge—this is practically ironclad proof. No wonder he's suspicious.'
Even so, Lu Yang felt no panic whatsoever.
After all, with Hong Yun's golden essence in his grasp, he held Hong Ju's lifeline. If he wished, he could drop Hong Ju dead on the spot at any moment.
Otherwise, he never would have dared meet a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator in his true body.
With that in mind, a composed smile spread across Lu Yang's face. He turned to Hong Ju and said softly,
"What's the matter? If you have doubts, just voice them."
"...Hong Ju obeys your orders completely, my Lord. I harbor no doubts!"
In that instant, Lu Yang sensed Hong Ju's emotions shift. All suspicion melted into alarm, though he forced a steady facade.
But Lu Yang had no intention of letting it slide. If Hong Ju was to serve him, full conviction was essential—otherwise, even unwilling refusals could breed secret sabotage and needless headaches. After a brief pause, Lu Yang cut straight to it:
"No need for pretenses."
Recalling Hong Yun's old demeanor toward Hong Ju, Lu Yang smiled faintly.
"You're a clever one, Hong Ju. I've kept this hidden for ages. It's time you knew."
"Behold my true nature."
With those words, Lu Yang deliberately revealed a hint of his origins. Hong Ju's eyes locked on, and he froze in place.
'Immortal Spirit... This man bears an Immortal Spirit body!?'
Wait—no!
Hong Ju's discerning eye could tell the current Lu Yang had yet to fully emerge. In other words, this Immortal Spirit body hadn't reached its ultimate peak!
Meanwhile, Lu Yang paid his exposed origins no mind. With the True Lords in seclusion and Hong Ju bound by Hong Yun's golden essence, a few tells changed nothing. His mind raced as he chuckled lightly.
"Did you truly believe these past five thousand years were idle for me?"
The words hit Hong Ju like thunder, his heart jolting.
'Isn't that exactly what happened?'
In his eyes, Hong Yun's years had been a monotonous cycle: pursue [Covered Lamp Fire], perish violently, pursue [Covered Lamp Fire], perish violently. Rinse and repeat.
"Hmph. You underestimate me far too much."
Lu Yang gave a cool smile.
"Five millennia chasing [Covered Lamp Fire] in vain? Even a fool would sense something amiss. Do you think I'd stubbornly cling to that dead end?"
As he spoke, Lu Yang's aura surged outward.
[Soldier Armament Lord], [Stubborn Gold Duke], [Solemn Profound Frost]—three innate divine abilities blazed into view before Hong Ju, who shrank back in shock.
"These three divine abilities... That enigmatic cultivator overseas long ago was you, my Lord!?"
Lu Yang owned it readily.
"Were it not for my schemes abroad, luring [Heaven of Non-existence] into the open, how could the True Lords' seclusion have created such perfect timing?"
Hong Ju stood dumbfounded.
Yet on second thought, it all clicked. Seemed perfectly reasonable?
Lu Yang had indeed orchestrated much of [Heaven of Non-existence]'s unveiling. He'd been the first to suggest venturing to the Biyang Cultivation World overseas.
And whose domain was the Biyang Cultivation World?
Lord Hong Yun's!
Epiphany struck Hong Ju like a bolt. It connected! So [Heaven of Non-existence] was Lord Hong Yun's masterstroke all along?
The realization washed over him. Why else pour such effort into Biyang Cultivation World for a mere scrapped semi-true treasure? Far too petty for the Lord's stature. Only [Heaven of Non-existence] matched a Golden Core True Lord's vision!
"My Lord... such profound foresight!"
Hong Ju bowed low once more.
Now, the Lord's ceaseless assaults on [Covered Lamp Fire] over five thousand years—what he'd once deemed foolish folly—revealed itself as masterful deception!
Openly build plank roads, secretly ford at Chencang.
Endure bitter trials for this day's triumph!
Play the hapless fool to hoodwink lurking foes, all while laying a golden cicada's escape and ultimate reversal!
And now... success! True Lords secluded, none left to bar the Lord's metal pursuits...
But wait—then why abandon [Covered Lamp Fire]?
The question flickered, then answered itself.
Proving [Covered Lamp Fire] anew would enrage that [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord] beyond redemption—a late Golden Core foe. Why court such enmity?
A new path promised vaster horizons!
As for how 'Lord Hong Yun' had switched trajectories mid-True Lord... True Lord methods defied logic, but Hong Ju could accept even the outlandish.
Thus resolved, Hong Ju's lingering bewilderment from Hong Yun's metal quests evaporated. His stiff preconceptions of Hong Yun softened too. Sure, not quite the old Lord Hong Yun—but that was the disguise.
This was the genuine article!
"My Lord commands depths of strategy. This subordinate is in awe!"
The next instant, Hong Ju prostrated himself again. His emotions settled utterly, doubts and fluster erased clean.
Lu Yang nodded, pleased.
He then reminisced with Hong Ju on bygone days. Armed with [Book of a Hundred Lives]-extracted Hong Yun memories, he navigated flawlessly.
The exchange only solidified Hong Ju's convictions further.
True Lords defied soul-searching, after all. Only Lord Hong Yun could recount the past with such vivid clarity—none other!
"Hong Ju, three tasks for you."
With Hong Ju secured, Lu Yang wasted no time putting him to work.
"First: Venture to the Myriad Martial Realm. Gather qi for me."
He was no longer Primal Saint Sect kin.
His clone, now in Sword Pavilion, couldn't roam freely. True body trips to Myriad Martial Realm? Too risky.
Hong Ju as proxy? Effortless.
"This subordinate obeys!"
Hong Ju accepted without hesitation. Lu Yang pressed on, unveiling the rest:
"Second: Any word on Chongguang's [Xin Metal] body?"
Fu Long Arhat offered leads, but direct from Hong Ju? No need for risks.
Alas, Hong Ju shook his head.
"To the Lord: Chongguang's [Xin Metal] stems from his prior life's Immortal Spirit. No leads here—it went with him."
"So be it."
Regret tinged Lu Yang inwardly, though his tone stayed breezy.
"Last: I'm bound for Su Heng Palace. Await my signal, then join me there."
A complimentary powerhouse? Criminal to idle.
True Lords dormant, peak Foundation Establishment Hong Ju reigned supreme—ideal for delving Su Heng Palace.
"By your command!"
Hong Ju withdrew respectfully. Upon his return from Myriad Martial qi-gathering, Lu Yang's [Dry Heaven Overarching Myriad Phenomena Dharma Body] could evolve anew.
Then—
Boom!
A colossal roar erupted from distant Skull Mountain. Lu Yang whipped around, insight dawning.
"The Witch Ghost Dao secret realm has emerged at last!"
Which meant this life's Listening Shade Ancestor had emerged too!