Chapter 435
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: [Undisclosed]
Chapter Title: Cuckoo in the Magpie's Nest
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Splash!
As the sword-holding youth's body collapsed, a streak of firelight erupted in a blaze, scattering flying sparks and flowing flames. Amid them, a golden gleam seemed poised to seize the chance and flee.
But how could Lu Yang, who had been lying in wait, let it have that opportunity?
"Come here!"
Almost simultaneously, a divine ability descended upon the chamber. It was as if the void itself had split open into a gaping bloody maw, ravenously devouring everything within the room.
[Containing True Qi]!
This divine ability could even draw out the essence of heaven and earth from Seven Luminaries Heaven. A mere strand of metallic nature stood no chance and was instantly pinned in place by Lu Yang.
Only after handling this did Lu Yang exhale in relief. He turned to Ancestor Tingyou.
"Congratulations, Ancestor!"
To fully convey his respect, Lu Yang had left the final strike that ended the sword-holding youth to Ancestor Tingyou. It was his way of showing gentleness toward the banner spirit.
On the other side, Ancestor Tingyou clearly appreciated the gesture. He turned to Lu Yang and, without another word, bowed deeply.
"Though it was merely an avatar, it still settles a long-standing regret from my past. Thank you, Dao Friend, for your unwavering aid. Tingyou is eternally grateful!"
The words came straight from his heart.
For Ancestor Tingyou, his greatest regret and torment had been the extermination of Witch Ghost Dao by a single sword stroke all those years ago. He hadn't even had the chance to fight back.
Now, Lu Yang had fulfilled that lingering wish.
Strictly speaking, he hadn't truly been the sword-holding youth's match in their one-on-one clash. But so what? Back then, you were a Golden Core True Lord!
I'd just ganged up two against one—far more upright than that!
"You're too kind, Ancestor."
Lu Yang hurriedly helped Ancestor Tingyou to his feet, his sincerity evident.
"I'm a disciple of Witch Ghost Dao too. This was only my duty—no need for such formality!"
"See? When I put you to work, do I stand on ceremony?"
"This..."
Ancestor Tingyou paused, then a faint smile crossed his face.
"True enough. Then from now on, put me to work often. Don't hold back."
"Count on it!"
Lu Yang had been waiting for exactly those words. He nodded in satisfaction before sending the newly advanced Ancestor Tingyou off to rest and recover.
Only then did he turn his attention to the strand of golden nature ensnared by [Containing True Qi].
‘The second True Lord golden nature... The Ye family vault may pale in resources compared to the Dragon Palace, but this alone rivals the world's greatest treasures!’
He seized it and refined it in an instant!
[Settling experience for "Orthodox Virtue"...]
[You were the most exceptional disciple in Ye family history, toiling through four lifetimes to finally perfect your Foundation Establishment and claim the golden position—yet haunted by a lifelong shadow.]
Line after line of text scrolled into view.
‘Heaven-Receiving Orthodox Virtue True Lord, birth name Ye Zhongliang. The fourth True Lord of Sword Pavilion, trapped by heart demons on Extreme Heaven Cliff, stagnating for a millennium without progress.’
Soon, the full chronicle of [Heaven-Receiving Orthodox Virtue True Lord] unfolded before his eyes.
Much like with Hongyun, it contained vast insights into [Wall Soil]. Lu Yang compiled them into a volume, intending to present it to Ancestor Tingyou later.
Next came the contingencies he had prepared for his reincarnation's return: one avatar, one true treasure, one secret art for sensing fruit positions. With the avatar destroyed, the treasure and art had naturally fallen into Lu Yang's hands.
But there was also an unexpected windfall.
Buried in [Heaven-Receiving Orthodox Virtue True Lord]'s memories, Lu Yang uncovered crucial intelligence—the origins of Perfected Being Demon-Quelling!
‘Perfected Being Demon-Quelling, Ye Guangji: the Ye family's premier genius after [Heaven-Receiving Orthodox Virtue True Lord]. His first life pursued [Wall Soil], only to falter at his peak and reincarnate as a sword cultivator. Foundation Establishment in thirty years, sword intent awakened—from there, he forged his name step by step.’
‘Yet in Sword Pavilion, what prodigy arises without cause and effect?’
‘Eight or nine out of ten of Sword Pavilion's prodigies are reincarnators. Perfected Being Demon-Quelling is no exception—his roots rival even a True Lord's!’
‘He originated from one of Sword Pavilion's True Beings, unable to manifest a [Sword Dao Fruit Position]. Thus, he kindled spirituality from the Sword Pavilion's sect grounds themselves!’
‘Those grounds are said to be the personal sword left by Sword Pavilion's founding ancestor.’
‘Perfected Being Demon-Quelling's spirit was born from it. In essence, he was destined for the sword! His first life's pursuit of [Wall Soil] only held him back.’
At this realization, Lu Yang recalled Evil-Defying True Lord's interrogation of Perfected Being Demon-Quelling: ‘He called him a man without heart... It holds water now. An artificial sword spirit, aligned with the heavenly heart above and earthly intent below—by nature, the epitome of detached forgetfulness.’
A man without heart—that was only natural.
If anything, given such origins, Perfected Being Demon-Quelling's compassion, his creation of that bizarre [No-Kill] sword intent, was the true surprise.
‘There has to be more to this!’
Lu Yang mused. What had truly befallen Perfected Being Demon-Quelling? Where had the [No-Kill] and [All-Slay] sword intents truly originated?
‘Something feels off.’
Through [Heaven-Receiving Orthodox Virtue True Lord]'s memories, Lu Yang pieced together Perfected Being Demon-Quelling's life. It boiled down to one phrase: too smooth.
‘In this godforsaken world, who rises to prominence without being targeted or suffering blows? Senior Uncle Chongguang took a massive fall. Suo Huan's still stuck in his pit. Don't get me started on me—or Hongyun. As the world's foremost sword cultivator, how could no one have designs on Perfected Being Demon-Quelling?’
Yet he had sailed through most of his life unscathed!
No setbacks whatsoever. His path was flawlessly smooth. No red flags anywhere—and to Lu Yang, that was the biggest red flag.
‘Either there's no pit.’
‘Or it's buried deep... and hasn't blown yet.’
As Lu Yang pondered, the [Book of a Hundred Lives] panel flared with golden radiance.
[Obtained Golden Talent: Cuckoo in the Magpie's Nest!]
[Cuckoo in the Magpie's Nest: Once per lifetime. Forcibly usurp another's fate number, claim it as your own. From karma to origins, supplant their very existence.]
Just as in [Heaven-Receiving Orthodox Virtue True Lord]'s lifetime.
That life should have been Ancestor Tingyou's meteoric ascent against the heavens. Instead, he had usurped it, stealing the fortune meant for Tingyou.
‘This talent... wicked stuff.’
Lu Yang's brow furrowed. [Cuckoo in the Magpie's Nest] resembled soul possession, yet transcended it in stature—his usurpation was total!
‘Use it on a target, and I inherit everything: divine abilities, memories, techniques, karma. If they're on the verge of forming their core—even inches from success—usurp them, and I claim that golden core, becoming a True Lord in their stead!’
An outrageously potent talent!
The thought sparked a vile impulse in Lu Yang: what if he turned it on Ancestor Tingyou?
‘...Hmph.’
In the next instant, his gaze sharpened like a blade. His mind-sword cleaved the temptation clean.
‘What good is possessing Ancestor Tingyou? I'd gain no true share of that transcendent wisdom—just the hollow shell. In the end, one must forge their own path!’
With that resolve, he eyed the [Cuckoo in the Magpie's Nest] talent anew, brow still creased.
‘[Heaven-Receiving Orthodox Virtue True Lord] was plagued by heart demons, and the talent he yielded breeds them too.’
‘Even if I use it, never for cultivation. True progress comes from one's own merits. Cheat your way up, and even success ends like him—millennia of stagnation, never truly carving your dao!’
Others as mirrors reveal profit and loss.
‘Maybe that's the point of the [Book of a Hundred Lives] talents.’
Boom!
At that instant—as the talent settled and [Heaven-Receiving Orthodox Virtue True Lord]'s golden nature was fully absorbed by the [Book of a Hundred Lives]—thunder crashed from the vault of heaven.
A star blazed to life against the firmament, like an eye snapping open. Fury? Fear? It cast its starlight down.
Lu Yang looked up.
[Wall Soil].
The fruit position stirred!