Chapter 373: A Glimmer of Hope
Outside the gates of the Myriad Poison Sect, two figures stood imposingly.
One was entirely composed of divine abilities—[Stubborn Gold Duke] forming its body, [Lord of War] transforming into weapons, with [Solemn Profound Frost] and [Resounding Heaven Bell] enhancing it.
At a glance, its form was indiscernible.
Only an intense, heaven-and-earth-blessed imagery lingered around it. Merely standing there, it seemed to gather all the brilliance between heaven and earth.
'What an extraordinary celestial spirit!'
Guang Ming nodded slightly. He didn't actually recognize the other party, but the [Manifestation of Victory and Clarity Dharmadhatu] behind him told him this was his destined connection.
"Would the benefactor be willing to enter my sect?"
Guang Ming clasped his hands together, his dharma eyes blazing like torches: 'Though you appear complete now, you're still lacking one crucial step—you haven't awakened your innate divine ability.'
As he spoke, he reached into his sleeve and produced a golden hoop engraved with intricate patterns, reflecting countless illusory lights as if containing the truths of the Great Dao. Just gazing at it caused solemn Buddhist chants to naturally echo in one's ears.
"If the benefactor takes refuge, you shall be my foremost disciple."
"This [Heart-Binding Hoop] shall be the token of our connection. Wear it, and within thirty years, you will surely refine your innate ability and ascend toward enlightenment."
"Boom!"
In response to Guang Ming's invitation, the figure formed of divine abilities merely raised a hand. In an instant, severe frost spread across the sky, filling the world with terrifying killing intent.
[Solemn Profound Frost]!
This divine ability could not only alter environments but, more importantly, possessed the profound effect of eradicating magic power—each snowflake akin to a hundred-times-tempered blade.
Now unleashed by the divine figure, it drew assistance from heaven and earth. Wherever the divine ability passed, blizzards raged, enveloping Guang Ming's form and violently tearing at his dharma body. The descending frost immediately left countless clear white marks on Guang Ming's flawless golden form.
Yet Guang Ming remained unmoved.
Currently, his cultivation was similar to the divine light figure—both at the late-stage Foundation Establishment, not yet perfected—but their displayed strengths were worlds apart.
"Amitabha."
Guang Ming clasped his hands together without employing any divine abilities. While relying on his golden body to withstand the attack, he simultaneously recited a scripture:
"Om Mani Padme Hum..."
As the scripture sounded, the golden hoop in his hand flew up as if responding.
The hoop, seemingly sentient, directly aimed for the divine figure's head. Seeing this, the divine light swiftly changed its hand seals.
"Dong!"
Instantly, melodious bell tones resonated once more—formless, colorless, without divine brilliance yet shaking the cosmos, blocking the descending golden hoop.
[Resounding Heaven Bell]!
Though the hoop was obstructed, Guang Ming was delighted rather than surprised, clapping his hands with laughter:
"You Metal corresponds to temple bells, and [You Metal] occupies the western Dui position. Since the benefactor has refined this innate divine ability, it clearly shows your destined connection with our Western Pure Land!"
The divine figure remained silent.
Meanwhile, inside the Myriad Poison Sect's gates, Lü Yang was still struggling against the invasive consciousness from heaven and earth. The opponent had clearly changed tactics.
'Is it trying to wear me down?'
'Using a divine avatar to stall Guang Ming, drawing his attention while buying time to fully refine me... But that doesn't make sense. Why refine me?'
If it merely wanted a controllable celestial spirit,
Wouldn't it be simpler to discard his soul and seize his body?
Yet judging by heaven and earth's actions thus far, it clearly sought to occupy both his body and soul, not just a celestial spirit form.
Could it be...
A shadow flashed through Lü Yang's eyes: 'Has the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes] been exposed?'
'No, I'm scaring myself.'
'Foundation Establishment True Persons' memories are extremely difficult to read. Only the Mending Heaven True Classic can perform soul searches on them, and even that has limits.'
Lü Yang feared no dual cultivation!
Even if someone used the Mending Heaven True Classic against him, he could easily counter it.
Thus, he absolutely refused to believe heaven and earth could read his memories through the celestial spirit form and discover the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes]—that defied all reason.
'More importantly—if heaven and earth truly knew about the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes], why would it act so covertly, wasting time scheming against me? Instant refinement would be simpler. Given the [Book]'s value, it would warrant full-scale mobilization... Clearly, heaven and earth knows nothing!'
At most, it found him peculiar.
After all, a celestial spirit appearing out of nowhere, not requiring heaven and earth's nurturing, capable of independently seeking Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends—that was undoubtedly strange.
'Rather, its attempt to refine me stems from wanting to uncover my secrets!'
"Boom!"
Another deafening explosion. Lü Yang was forced to the brink once more, compelled to use [Mind Entrapment] again to reverse the situation, resetting everything to the beginning.
But this was his limit.
'[Mind Entrapment] consumes too much magic power. Three uses have nearly exhausted me... This is likely the last time!'
The situation remained hopeless.
Past experiences flashed through Lü Yang's mind like a revolving lantern. There had to be—there must be a way to break through this desperate situation.
'Body... soul consciousness?'
Suddenly, Lü Yang's heart quaked.
'Consciousness!'
The Innate True Person Mu Changsheng!
'Yes, consciousness! Body and soul are fundamentally creations of heaven and earth. Only consciousness truly belongs to oneself!'
The ancient Innate True Person Mu Changsheng had once separated his consciousness, leaving it in the [Heaven of Non-Existence] while his soul reincarnated—wasn't that a form of survival? If he could replicate Mu Changsheng's feat, perhaps he could find a lifeline in this dire straits!
'Because... the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes] follows my consciousness!'
This Lü Yang knew with absolute certainty.
He had tested it—when transferring his consciousness to an avatar via [Puppet on Strings], he could access the [Book]'s interface through the avatar.
The current problem was his consciousness remained rooted in his original soul.
Once his soul was controlled, his consciousness couldn't escape.
'Unless I can completely extract my consciousness from my original soul and transfer it to my avatar's split soul—only then can I hope to escape!'
Having undergone reincarnation, the avatar's split soul was already independent.
Moreover, [Puppet on Strings] was undetectable.
Except for heaven and earth which had likely been monitoring him all along, no examination would reveal any connection between Lü Yang's original body and avatar.
They didn't even share karma.
Lü Yang's ability to control his avatar like his own limbs relied entirely on [Puppet on Strings]. Without it, the avatar would rebel immediately.
'So if I can extract my consciousness, I can abandon the celestial spirit body if necessary!'
'Heaven and earth's current overwhelming suppression stems from me walking into its trap plus the celestial spirit form. But the avatar is different.'
'If my consciousness can escape to the avatar...'
"At worst, I can kill myself and restart!"
But how?
Mu Changsheng never passed down methods for separating consciousness from soul. Lü Yang had only met him once—a single encounter revealed nothing.
Looking across the world, was there anyone who could replicate another's divine abilities and techniques with just a glance?
"..."
The next moment, Lü Yang mustered all his energy, connected with his dharma body, activated the Myriad Spirits Banner, and directly contacted Ancestor Nether Whisper, who was still in seclusion.
'Ancestor! Save me!'