Chapter 421: The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Unaware of the Oriole Behind (Third Update!)
Before the Jade Pivot of the Sword Pavilion's ancestral hall.
As Lü Yang continuously infused sword intent into the luminous jade, its radiance gradually condensed, revealing densely packed characters that imprinted themselves into his mind.
《Newly Forged Dao Feather Nirvana Sword Technique》
Immediately afterward, a name surfaced in his heart, resonating and complementing his [sword intent] as seamlessly as fish in water!
'With this sword technique paired with my [sword intent], the resulting sword light may not be overwhelmingly powerful at first, but its advantage lies in being as endless as grass on the plains and as tempered as refined metal—once it cannot be instantly crushed, it can only grow stronger and stronger.'
Truly, a sword technique perfectly suited to him.
'If I use this to hone my [sword intent], perhaps one day, when I reach Evil-Banishing True Person's level, it could be called the [Unyielding Sword Intent].'
But this was not something achievable overnight.
Refining sword intent required not only diligent practice but also nourishment from experience and fixations—all of which demanded considerable time to bear fruit.
'Regardless, the purpose of this trip has been fulfilled.'
Just as Lü Yang, satisfied, prepared to withdraw his consciousness from his avatar and let it act autonomously, [Puppet on Strings] suddenly transmitted an anomaly.
"Hmm?"
The [Netherworld], an indescribable place.
Within the boundless river of souls, a faint soul drifted, its consciousness gradually shrouded in shadows as reincarnation took hold.
The Fetal Mystery.
The most dreaded phenomenon for Foundation Establishment cultivators undergoing reincarnation, a manifestation of the [Netherworld]'s might, and an unavoidable trial for every Foundation Establishment True Person who seeks rebirth.
Though theoretically, Foundation Establishment cultivators could live through five lifetimes, the Fetal Mystery grew heavier with each cycle. Early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators could only awaken instantly in their second life, mid-stage in their third, late-stage in their fourth, and only those at the perfected stage could remain lucid through all five.
This was already the Yun Family Patriarch's fourth life.
Originally in the twilight of his second life, he had reincarnated into the Refinement Secret Realm after natural death—one lifetime—and now, to escape the secret realm, he had undergone yet another rebirth.
Thus, his Fetal Mystery was exceptionally profound.
Yet the Yun Family Patriarch felt little panic. With a thought, a ritual formation manifested within his soul, dispelling the Fetal Mystery.
'[Heavenly Instrument]!'
This supreme treasure of heavenly secrets had once belonged to Lü Yang. Its divine ability, named [All-Knowing], not only aided in calculating karma but also allowed reincarnating Foundation Establishment cultivators to awaken swiftly.
'Fortunately, I possess this heavenly treasure bestowed by the True Person.'
The Yun Family Patriarch's thoughts raced: 'A pity that Mu Changsheng proved obstinate, preventing me from completing Evil-Banishing True Person's assigned task.'
At this, a trace of worry surfaced.
Yet just then, the Yun Family Patriarch suddenly felt his vision darken. Lifting his gaze, all he saw was a massive hand blotting out his sight.
"Truly, effortless gains."
"To dare activate a spiritual treasure so brazenly while traversing the river of souls during reincarnation, illuminating the [Netherworld]—do you truly wish to stand out even more?"
In the next instant, the Yun Family Patriarch lost consciousness.
Simultaneously, before the river of souls, [Ang Xiao] stood shrouded in mist, only a jade-white, full palm visible.
It was this very hand that now clutched the Yun Family Patriarch's soul.
"Boom!"
Countless bolts of lightning instantly struck his palm, accompanied by deafening explosions that left charred, bloody holes across its flesh.
Yet [Ang Xiao] did not halt his actions.
"Merely a Foundation Establishment soul... I'm not severing it from reincarnation entirely, just making minor alterations. Hardly worth reprimand."
With these words, [Ang Xiao] channeled his magic power.
Though Foundation Establishment True Persons tightly guarded their souls, making soul-searching difficult even for Golden Core True Lords, implanting memories was another matter entirely.
Soon, a fabricated memory appeared around the Yun Family Patriarch's sea of consciousness—one detailing how he had persuaded Mu Changsheng within the Refinement Secret Realm through silver-tongued persuasion, obtaining the crucial consciousness-stripping method before withdrawing successfully.
Normally, such methods were ineffective.
Implanted memories couldn't truly integrate into the sea of consciousness, leaving too many flaws detectable even by early-stage Foundation Establishment True Persons.
But the caster was [Ang Xiao].
[Knowledge-Perception Obstruction], activate!
The Yun Family Patriarch's soul fluctuations were swiftly smoothed by [Ang Xiao]. Upon awakening, this forged memory would be accepted as truth.
All discrepancies would be instinctively overlooked.
With this done, [Ang Xiao] released the Yun Family Patriarch's soul, allowing rolling mist to conceal his wounded hand once more.
"Mission accomplished... The rest is up to you."
[Ang Xiao] shifted his gaze to another soul wreathed in Buddhist light: "With the [White Wax Gold] fallen into the [Netherworld], I'll assist you in killing Evil-Banishing."
Guang Ming, the Buddhist disciple, smiled faintly: "Monks do not speak falsehoods. Senior may wait with peace of mind."
"This time, Evil-Banishing True Person will surely perish!"
As their words faded, the two exchanged knowing smiles.
With True Lords now reclusive and their scheme leveraging the [Netherworld]'s power, their plan was seamless—barring unforeseen circumstances, success was assured!
North of the River, the Sky-reaching Sea of Clouds.
Lü Yang stroked his chin with interest while observing the Yun Family Patriarch's condition through [Puppet on Strings], his expression one of amusement.
Though the Yun Family Patriarch had lost consciousness midway, preventing Lü Yang from overhearing the exchange between [Ang Xiao] and Guang Ming, this hardly hindered his deductions. After all, who else in the [Netherworld] could target a Foundation Establishment soul? The answer was obvious—[Ang Xiao]!
'What is he plotting?'
At this moment, due to [Knowledge-Perception Obstruction], the Yun Family Patriarch overlooked the flaws in the memory forcibly implanted by [Ang Xiao], lingering at the edges of his sea of consciousness.
But Lü Yang remained unaffected.
Being a forcibly implanted memory, Lü Yang didn't even need soul-searching to effortlessly glimpse its contents—soon, his expression grew peculiar.
'Consciousness-stripping method?'
'No! A clever imitation...!'
Regarding consciousness-stripping methods, only two versions existed today.
One was Ancestor Nether Whisper's imitation, achieved through astounding wisdom—with a ninety percent mortality rate. Without [Sign of Fortune Drawing], Lü Yang wouldn't dare use it recklessly.
The other was Mu Changsheng's original version.
Yet according to Ancestor Nether Whisper, the risks of consciousness-stripping were inescapable; Mu Changsheng had merely reduced the mortality rate to fifty percent.
The method in the Yun Family Patriarch's memory, however, differed.
'This consciousness-stripping method boasts a hundred percent success rate? No... It appears guaranteed to succeed but is actually certain death!'
[Ang Xiao]'s trap!
Who was he targeting?
This tactic of ensnaring others through cultivation techniques instantly reminded Lü Yang of Suo Huan—wasn't the 《Myriad Spirits Return to Ruins Dao Scripture》 the same?
This was truly...
'A golden opportunity!'
At this realization, Lü Yang's spirits soared. Since it involved [Ang Xiao], regardless of his schemes, Lü Yang had to find a way to sabotage them!