Chapter 361: The Great Investigation
Sword Pavilion, Ji Tian Cliff.
Lü Yang's avatar exhaled a turbid breath, turning his gaze inward to observe his Foundation Establishment realm. There, beneath the perpetual Bi Wind, a flying sword shimmered brilliantly.
[Changheng Observant Golden Sword Foundation]!
This sword foundation's grade was no less than the [Myriad Chariot Dragon-Riding Dao Foundation]. The innate divine ability condensed within was named [Brilliant Union with the Eternal, Upright Enforcement of the Sword of Gold].
Beneath it lay four arcane mysteries:
[Heaven Execution], [Truth Slaughter].
[Mind Entrapment], [Certain Death]!
'This doesn't feel right.'
As Lü Yang sensed the names of these divine abilities transmitted from his foundation, he fell into deep contemplation. The characters "Brilliant Union" were precisely the Dao name bestowed upon him by True Person Dangmo.
How could they have become part of his divine ability's name?
'...Unless my foundation—even these divine abilities—have already been officially recorded! That incense offering at the Hall of Reception wasn't just a simple ritual!'
A chill ran down Lü Yang's spine, followed by inevitable relief. He'd caught this at an opportune time. Had this occurred when the True Lords still held sway across the land, there would have been no room for maneuver—the mere name of this divine ability would have kept him awake at night. Now, with the True Lords in seclusion, there was at least some wiggle room.
"Four arcane mysteries in my innate divine ability, each with unique strengths."
Lü Yang carefully contemplated them, sword light flickering in his eyes.
"[Heaven Execution] specializes in absolute killing power. A single slash can sever anything—no matter what divine transformations or abilities the opponent employs, if they cannot surpass it, the result is certain death."
"[Truth Slaughter] is the art of splitting and combining sword light."
"Once activated, the sword light divides into countless strands, penetrating every crevice. After infiltrating the enemy's body, they recombine into a lethal slash—utterly insidious and vicious."
"[Mind Entrapment] is a confinement technique."
"Merely illuminating an opponent traps them in an inexplicable space where battle ensues."
"If you lose, it dissolves into nothingness—just a simulated duel with no real harm done. But victory makes it reality, causing the opponent to perish instantly."
"Moreover, under the divine ability's influence, the swordsman can repeatedly engage, testing strategies through continuous combat until uncovering all the enemy's trump cards before delivering the final blow. The sole drawback is significant qi depletion with each loss, making it unsuitable for those lacking profound reserves."
"The final mystery, [Certain Death], is a mutual destruction technique."
"As the name implies, activating this arcane mystery means striking yourself before the enemy—a sword slash that severs destiny itself. The body remains unharmed, yet life is extinguished."
In Lü Yang's hand, sword light coiled, the divine ability's radiance manifesting in four distinct hues.
Beyond these, Lü Yang had also condensed two [Sword Divine Abilities] using his sword box. However, these served purely to enhance the innate divine ability's mysteries.
"Apart from their elevated nature, they possess no special characteristics."
"Likely because the [Sword Dao Fruit Position] hasn't been truly achieved yet, so they lack arcane empowerment—only able to supplement the innate divine ability."
Pushing open the door, Lü Yang paced out of his cave abode while internally assessing his combat capabilities: 'No wonder the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion's swordsmen are hailed as peerless in battle. These four arcane mysteries of the innate divine ability offer both raw power and intricate mechanics—truly unmatched in combat.'
"And that's not even considering the [sword intent] above them..."
As Lü Yang pondered, suddenly—
A flying missive descended, clearly intended for him. Catching it, he scanned it with his divine sense, then revealed a trace of astonishment.
The next instant, he transformed into sword light and arrived atop Ji Tian Cliff.
This place had previously been the secluded cultivation site of [True Lord of Bearing Heaven's True Virtue]. But with the True Lord now in seclusion, the one seated here had become True Person Dangmo.
"Greetings, Master!"
Without hesitation, Lü Yang performed the sword salute.
True Person Dangmo examined him briefly before stating calmly: "At this cultivation stage, your past life's foundations offer little further advantage."
"Go into the world."
"We swordsmen have never advanced through isolation. To temper a Sword Heart requires enduring countless bloody battles—walking the Dao path through life-and-death struggles."
Though the True Person spoke obliquely, Lü Yang understood perfectly. Swordsmen needed widespread slaughter and combat to condense sword divine abilities. Yet the Sword Pavilion maintained its elegant phrasing—calling it "entering the world" when it really meant finding somewhere to unleash carnage.
As the words fell, True Person Dangmo produced a jade slip.
"Recent reports from major sects and families across Jiangnan indicate the Southern Frontier's Myriad Poison Sect has been secretly abducting commoners for gu refinement materials. Investigate this matter."
Here, a trace of killing intent flashed between the True Person's brows:
"If verified, report back immediately."
Lü Yang accepted the jade slip respectfully: "This disciple obeys!"
Only after Lü Yang departed did another figure manifest atop Ji Tian Cliff—none other than Ye Family's True Person Ye Cheng, who had previously encountered Lü Yang. Gazing at the retreating back:
'This one's luck is formidable!'
The Ye Family scion pondered internally: 'I'd arranged for Myriad Poison Sect infiltrators to swap his Foundation Establishment materials. Given his current karma-laden destiny, calamity should have struck—Foundation Establishment failure was inevitable. Yet his foundations proved extraordinary, allowing him to power through.'
'A pity... If only Elder Uncle weren't so rigid, I wouldn't need to act covertly.'
Glancing back at the cliff peak, Ye Cheng shook his head: 'Though our Sword Pavilion leads the righteous path and requires proper justification, why bother investigating mere commoners?'
Commoners weren't worth the time.
Under heaven's cycles, commoners would always replenish themselves. Yet their vast numbers made investigations tedious, wasting energy for no gain.
And what if they actually found something?
'Wouldn't it be simpler to have a Sword Seed perish by Myriad Poison Sect hands?'
'Especially since his past life caused Xingfeng's death. Our Ye Family magnanimously accepted him as a disciple—now it's time to repay that karma.'
This was why he'd orchestrated the scheme—waiting for Lü Yang's Foundation Establishment to fail so he could attribute the karma to the Myriad Poison Sect, thereby justifying retaliation.
'Righteous-Demonic War, Sword Seed slain.'
'Our Sword Pavilion avenging its disciple while eliminating demons—that's the simplest method. One death brings great benefit to all under heaven. Yet Elder Uncle refuses...'
"Never mind. I'll handle it myself and spare Elder Uncle the trouble."
With this thought, Ye Cheng flicked a finger, dispatching a flying missive.
Simultaneously, outside Ji Tian Cliff in Sword Pavilion.
A Qi Refining late-stage disciple suddenly looked up, catching a descending flying missive before retreating to a quiet chamber to read it.
'The Sword Pavilion... is moving against the Sacred Sect?'
'Disaster!'
The disciple's expression shifted dramatically. Taking a deep breath, he swiftly focused his consciousness into his dantian—where a tiny insect resided.
This was the [Thousand-Mile Shared Heart Gu].
The Myriad Poison Sect cultivated using gu insects as their foundation. Each practitioner refined several types of gu to substitute for magical treasures, each possessing unique marvels.
As the name implied, the [Thousand-Mile Shared Heart Gu] had parent and child variants—messages could be relayed from child gu to the parent.
Through this mechanism, even before Lü Yang departed the Sword Pavilion, news of his impending Southern Frontier mission had already reached the Myriad Poison Sect's leadership.