Chapter 471: Arresting Hong Yun!

In Lü Yang's view, Daoist Hong Yun had prepared three escape routes for himself.

The first was naturally the [Seven Luminaries Heaven], his ultimate fallback. He would only take this path if he deemed his return utterly hopeless.

The second was the fragment of a cave heaven.

Beneath the waters of Sweet Pear Tree Path in Jiangnan lay a fragment of Hong Yun's former [Longyao Radiance Cave Heaven], its location already pinpointed by him.

Yet in truth, it was a trap set by [Ang Xiao].

To go there meant certain death.

The last was Hong Yun's current hiding place, shielded by layers of formations that obscured celestial divination. Even [True Lord Qingcheng Feixue] couldn't locate him.

Three escape routes, multiple safeguards—yet [Ang Xiao] was simply too cunning. Seizing upon Hong Yun's unwillingness to concede, he had laid an ambush using the cave heaven fragment. Should Hong Yun choose the second path and attempt to refine the fragment, his demise would be imminent—an outcome Lü Yang wished to avoid.

After all, Hong Yun was his target in this lifetime!

Thus, the sole purpose of sending the tip-off letter to Chongguang was to have him destroy the cave heaven fragment in Jiangnan on Lü Yang's behalf, cutting off Hong Yun's last hope.

'This lifetime differs from the last.'

'In the previous life, shortly after Uncle Chongguang received my tip-off, the [Heaven of Non-Existence] emerged, followed by my revelation of [Ang Xiao]'s identity.'

'As a result, Uncle Chongguang had no capacity left to destroy the cave heaven fragment—especially since even [True Lord Qingcheng Feixue] withdrew her support midway. In the end, he was forced to collaborate with [Ang Xiao]... But this lifetime is different. I haven't leaked any information prematurely.'

Thus, Chongguang's choices would also differ.

'From Uncle Chongguang's current perspective, his greatest enemy is Hong Yun. Therefore, destroying Hong Yun's cave heaven fragment is an urgent priority.'

That was enough.

North of the river, Lü Yang stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing toward the distant [Sky-reaching Sea of Clouds], accurately gauging Chongguang's mindset: "Leave the cave heaven fragment to Uncle."

As for the other escape route—he would handle it himself.

Only by forcing Hong Yun onto the path of the [Seven Luminaries Heaven] could Lü Yang ensure he had no chance of reincarnation, thereby trapping him in his scheme.

At this thought, Lü Yang suddenly glanced sideways.

"Fellow Daoist, you've been silent throughout this journey."

Beside him stood a man with lowered brows ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and a submissive demeanor. Despite his surging aura and lofty status, he inexplicably gave off an air of insignificance. Hearing Lü Yang's words, he forced a bitter smile:

"My apologies, my lord..."

"No need for such titles." Lü Yang's expression turned solemn. "We are both struggling to survive in this world. We are fellow ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Daoists—there is no hierarchy between us."

Suo Huan hastily nodded in agreement but made no move to change his address. After all, he was now a [Banner Spirit], while Lü Yang was the master of the [Myriad Spirits Banner]. Lü Yang could afford humility, but Suo Huan dared not neglect propriety—such nuances were crystal clear to him.

After a pause, Lü Yang cut straight to the point:

"In this lifetime, I intend to assist you in pursuing gold—just as before. I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠offer you two paths. You may choose freely; I will not interfere."

"First, you may wait for me to advance further."

Lü Yang didn't elaborate, but if he achieved [Heavenly Fire Above] in this lifetime, he would undoubtedly dominate the world. At that point, granting Suo Huan a [Golden Seat] would be trivial.

Yet this was still speculative—far from certain.

Thus, he swiftly presented the second option: "Your [Blessed Land of the Numinous Ruins] is severely damaged but no longer harbors hidden dangers. I can help restore it."

"I possess knowledge of [Spring Water] cultivation, extending to [Foundation Establishment Perfection], including corresponding techniques and rituals to draw [Spring Water]'s attention. Once I secure a perfected Foundation Establishment [First-Grade Official Position] for you, you can refine [Metal Essence]."

"Then, you may pursue gold."

Lü Yang's voice was firm. The knowledge of [Spring Water] naturally came from the Saint Sect's Xiang Ye, sufficient to compensate for Suo Huan's lack of cultivation depth as an outsider.

When it came to promises, Lü Yang took them seriously.

Though his moral flexibility often led to compromises, with the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes] in hand, any promise he made would be fulfilled—provided he ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠had the capability.

For a moment, Suo Huan was stunned.

'You're actually helping me pursue gold?'

'I thought you'd forgotten! That you were just stringing me along!'

This once-proud outsider, now accustomed to bowing his head, was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion yet found no words. He could only offer Lü Yang a deep bow.

"Thank you... Fellow Daoist."

Lü Yang waved it off with a smile. "We have a long road ahead. Only by working together can we face future adversaries."

"Agreed!" Suo Huan nodded vigorously.

Yet witnessing this, Lü Yang sighed inwardly even as he smiled.

'I'm somewhat hypocritical.'

No matter how prettily he phrased it, one fact remained unchanged: As the banner's master, he held absolute control over the spirits purified by the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes].

Should he wish, whether it was [Ancestor Nether Whisper] or Suo Huan, he could effortlessly manipulate them.

But unlike others, Lü Yang preferred sincerity over coercion—just as he had never forced [Ancestor Nether Whisper] to act against his will.

Yet the difference was clear. Lü Yang knew well that his willingness to exchange sincerity stemmed from his power over their lives. With strangers, how could he extend such trust? If you won't even enter the [Myriad Spirits Banner], why should I treat you as a brother?

'Enough.'

Hypocritical or not, in this wretched world, such "hypocrisy" was the best he could muster.

As they spoke, the two arrived at a secluded mountain forest.

This was Hong Yun's lair—outwardly ordinary, yet shielded by layers of formations that severed karma. Even a [True Lord] would struggle to deduce its location.

Hong Yun's prolonged survival owed much to this hideout.

'Too bad for him—I'm cheating!'

Without needing to trace karma, Lü Yang—having settled Hong Yun's memories—pinpointed the location instantly. The forest's intricate formations might as well have been paper before him.

Almost simultaneously, deep within the forest—

"Hiss!"

Hong Yun, previously meditating in seclusion, jolted upright as if struck by lightning. His piercing gaze shot toward the ceiling.

"I... am shrouded in misfortune?"

One who bore the name "Hong Yun" naturally possessed trump cards—among them a secret art for observing fortune and sensing calamity.

This was no mere divination but a high-tier sensory technique, enabling him to evade danger. As a reincarnated [True Lord], his ability to operate under [True Lord Qingcheng Feixue]'s nose relied heavily on this method. Few could track him down.

And now, he sensed impending peril.

'The threat... isn't extreme. It's not Xue Feihong coming for me. But neither is it trivial—relative to my current cultivation... Could it be a late-stage [Grand True Person]?'

Hong Yun's face betrayed no panic.

A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator? Though he himself had only reached mid-stage perfection, with his formations, handling a [Grand True Person] wouldn't be overly difficult.

In fact, greed flickered in his heart—a late-stage [Grand True Person] would surely possess abundant fortune. If he could strip them of their luck, he wouldn't need to waste time competing with Qi Refining disciples for opportunities—like that [Merit Pool] in the Saint Sect.

"Let's assess the situation first..."

Ever cautious, Hong Yun employed his secret art repeatedly, calculating karma to confirm he could manage the threat before dismissing the idea of fleeing.

The next second—

"Boom!"

As formation after formation was forcibly dismantled, Hong Yun soon spotted the intruders—only for his expression to freeze mid-glance.

His eyes locked onto Lü Yang.

'Strange... Does this person know this place well?'

Though this was his territory, the intruder navigated it as if clairvoyant, effortlessly neutralizing every trap Hong Yun had laid.

Before Hong Yun could ponder further, a chill ran down his spine—for Lü Yang, who had been surveying the surroundings, suddenly tilted his head and stared directly at his hiding spot:

"Found you..."