Chapter 442: Shaking the World!
Jiangnan, Sword Pavilion.
Within the Ye Family's ancestral lands, mountains of corpses and seas of blood still littered the ground. Lü Yang stood calmly amidst the carnage, quietly contemplating his current state.
A pristine jade-like radiance coalesced into a halo behind his head, spiderweb-like patterns splitting outward to tightly bind him to heaven and earth. An aura emerged that compelled involuntary prostration—transcendent, as if absorbing all brilliance from the world.
'This is False Golden Core status.'
Lü Yang surveyed his surroundings, feeling the fragility of this space as if a mere thought could effortlessly tear it apart.
The next moment, heaven and earth bestowed their radiance.
An intangible presence spread—one completely elevated above the mundane, its stature utterly incomparable to ordinary mortals. Without Lü Yang needing to exert any effort, the world spontaneously responded to his will. The same heavens that had once ignored or even harbored malice toward him now conveyed intense intimacy, enveloping his body in dazzling light.
Dark clouds churned in the skies.
Instantly, every Qi Refining cultivator below Foundation Establishment and every mortal instinctively turned toward the Sword Pavilion, then involuntarily prostrated in worship!
Flowers, birds, fish, insects.
Mountains, rivers, grass, trees.
At this moment, all things under heaven conveyed fervent goodwill toward Lü Yang, gathering around him and enhancing his divine transcendence.
This was the true meaning of "Lord"!
True Lord!
Yet Lü Yang remained unmoved. The heavens had once ignored him, only to fawn over him now that he had risen.
'Pathetic!'
While inwardly scoffing, Lü Yang shifted his gaze back to the Yun Family Patriarch possessed by [Ang Xiao], then revealed a kindly smile.
On the other hand, [Ang Xiao]'s mood was far less pleasant. He had to admit Lü Yang's False Golden Core status had completely disrupted his plans—exceeding his expectations. Worse, because Lü Yang had used the [Golden Nature of Great Fortune], his False Golden Core was anchored to the [Overturned Lamp Flame] fruit position!
'If he reverses [Chen Earth] using the power of [Overturned Lamp Flame]...'
At this thought, [Ang Xiao]'s expression darkened to the extreme. [Chen Earth] was his Dao foundation. If reversed, what remained of his claim to Dao Lord?
'...Damn it!'
He had to admit—he was panicking.
Yet as a veteran True Lord of the Saint Sect, he knew one principle: No matter how urgent, never show it! Otherwise, weakness would be exploited.
Thus, despite his inner turmoil, [Ang Xiao] outwardly laughed heartily:
"Fellow Daoist—"
"No need for words."
Before [Ang Xiao] could carefully phrase his next move, Lü Yang interrupted: "My time is limited. I ask for your assistance—preferably without refusal."
A single sentence, and [Ang Xiao]'s face changed.
Lü Yang laid his cards bare—admitting his limited time exposed a vulnerability, but it also forced [Ang Xiao] to the precipice of decision.
The implication was simple:
'I'm asking for your help. Will you comply? Refuse, and I'll act rashly... No evasions. My time is short. Hesitate, and I'll still act.'
Lü Yang sneered inwardly as he watched [Ang Xiao].
Did he have a choice?
No!
Sure enough, almost instantly, [Ang Xiao] responded with resignation: "What does Fellow Daoist require of me?"
He had yielded!
Expression unchanging, Lü Yang summoned Suo Huan directly: "I intend for him to begin seeking Metal. The tampering you placed on him will trigger a fruit position's descent—[Flowing Water] will be drawn to you, correct? I want you to help me seize the power of [Flowing Water] and transfer it entirely to me."
"This may be somewhat—"
Boom!
The moment [Ang Xiao] hesitated, Lü Yang rose to his feet as if negotiations had collapsed. An intangible force spread outward.
Simultaneously, [Ang Xiao]'s expression shifted.
He could sense it—one strand of [Chen Earth] was reversing at this very moment! From Yin Earth back to Yang Earth, with the reversal continuing!
'You beast!'
While inwardly cursing, [Ang Xiao] hurriedly said: "Agreed. You guide [Flowing Water], and I'll intercept the fruit position's power for you."
As the words left his mouth, helplessness filled [Ang Xiao]'s heart.
The initiative—lost!
Somehow, Lü Yang understood his condition and plans perfectly, striking precisely without leaving room for maneuvering.
'Daoist Hong Yun... To think he was this formidable?'
How had he failed to notice over five thousand years? He'd assumed Hong Yun was merely a heaven-blessed lucky man—never imagined such depths of concealment!
A grave oversight!
Meanwhile, Lü Yang paid no heed to [Ang Xiao]'s thoughts. While instructing Suo Huan to begin seeking Metal, he strode into the distance.
His time was limited—the False Golden Core status fueled by [Golden Nature of Great Fortune] would last only an incense stick's worth of time. Once expired, he'd revert to his original state. Thus, he couldn't afford sequential tasks—multiple objectives had to be pursued simultaneously to maximize gains!
"Rumble—!"
With each step Lü Yang took, mountains and rivers seemed to retreat spontaneously. Distance became a mere number subject to his will.
A single step carried him into Jiangdong.
By now, the four regions of the world had sensed Lü Yang's unrestrained aura. The [Overturned Lamp Flame] hung high, instilling terror in all who beheld it.
"How could this be?"
"Where did this True Lord emerge from?"
"The [Overturned Lamp Flame]..."
Jiangdong Dao Court, Tianwu City.
This was the Dao capital of the Dao Court, currently governed by the Crown Prince alongside civil and military officials. Now, all stared fearfully at the horizon.
"[Dao Law] is nothing before him!"
"He passes through unimpeded!"
Witnessing this, even the Crown Prince was stunned.
The so-called [Dao Law] was unique to the Jiangdong Dao Court—a regulation of heaven and earth's spiritual energy, foundational to the court's rule, exerting immense suppression internally.
Originally, even a Foundation Establishment True Person entering Jiangdong would be suppressed by [Dao Law], unable to absorb the slightest spiritual energy—even having their realm forcibly lowered. Regardless of cultivation, without the Dao Court's approval, one was but a wild fox Zen, struggling to take a single step in Jiangdong.
Yet now, an exception had appeared.
Lü Yang walked unimpeded, leaving behind miraculous phenomena wherever he trod. The Jiangdong Dao Court's [Dao Law] was trampled beneath his feet, stripped of all divinity.
A True Lord traversing the world!
'In five thousand years, this is likely the first true instance of a True Lord roaming freely. Who could possibly stop him? Who the hell could stand in his way?'
Jiangdong—Lü Yang casually beckoned.
Once, the [Mystic Spirit Realm] had been divided among four regions. The [Eastern Heavenly Gate] that fell to Jiangdong was reclaimed by him, while the [Southern Heavenly Gate] in Jiangnan was also taken.
Next came the [Northern Heavenly Gate] in Jiangbei.
Then the [Western Heavenly Gate] in Jiangxi.
Within a few steps, Lü Yang traversed all four regions, reassembling the fragmented [Mystic Spirit Realm] before casting it into Suo Huan's Blessed Land!
"Rumble—!"
At this moment, Suo Huan trembled with excitement, raising the [Blessed Land of the Numinous Ruins] high to merge with the [Mystic Spirit Realm], seeking an unorthodox Golden Seat!
Observing this, Lü Yang glanced sideways: "Fellow Daoist [Ang Xiao]?"
"Tch!"
Within the [Netherworld], [Ang Xiao] seethed with murderous intent yet dared not delay, hurriedly forming hand seals.
The next instant, Suo Huan's [Blessed Land of the Numinous Ruins] trembled violently—revealing the trap [Ang Xiao] had laid. The imagery originally pointing to the [Mystic Spirit Realm] suddenly shifted direction, redirecting toward [Flowing Water] and igniting another celestial star!
'[Flowing Water] embodies infinity—perfect for nurturing a nascent fruit position...'
Lü Yang gazed upward, eyes blazing.
Long ago, the Innate True Person Mu Changsheng had used [Flowing Water] in a scheme to siphon fruit position power and cultivate the [Heaven of Non-Existence]. Now, Lü Yang would replicate this feat!
He would nurture the [Seven Luminaries Heaven]!
This was the first and most crucial task of his False Golden Core status—cultivating a fruit position belonging solely to himself, unique and genuine!