Chapter 471
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: [Number]
Chapter Title: Reforging the Avatar
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Thinking it over, he acted on it right away—high efficiency in execution had always been one of Lu Yang's strengths.
But before setting things in motion, there was one issue to resolve: his true body had to remain in the Dao Court, ready at any moment for a summons from Emperor Jiayou.
After all, power was like real estate—location was always paramount.
The closer one was to the center of power, the greater one's influence. Miss your position today, and you'd lose it forever, ending up with far more loss than gain.
"Time to refine another avatar."
Lu Yang took stock of his stores. From his previous life, he'd brought back most of his gains, though a very few items had been left behind.
The first was the sword path avatar.
That one had become independent in a practical sense, controlled solely by his [String Puppet] technique, and it followed the unpromising path of sword cultivation.
The second was the [Heaven-Bearing Ascendant Profound Marvel Realm Stabilizing Contemplation Sword]. This had been an accident, as Lu Yang had originally planned to bring it back, only to discover that the true treasure couldn't be melted into the [Qian Heaven Encompassing All Phenomena], nor did the [Book of a Hundred Lives] recognize it as his possession.
'Ownership of a true treasure doesn't lie in the hands of the bearer.'
'It lies in the fruition.'
Lu Yang pondered inwardly: 'Even the True Lord holding the fruition isn't the true owner in a strict sense—just a temporary possessor.'
In his previous life, the [Heaven-Bearing Ascendant Profound Marvel Realm Stabilizing Contemplation Sword] had taken the initiative to pledge allegiance after he falsely held the [Wall Earth].
Evidently, whoever was master of the fruition was the one the true treasure served. That explained why Hongyun had no true treasures of his own.
Even [Heaven-Receiving Orthodox Virtue True Lord] had one.
Yet Hongyun? After half a day tinkering in the overseas Biyang Cultivation World, he'd only managed to cobble together half a true treasure—hardly befitting a True Lord's prowess.
Back then, Lu Yang had just thought Hongyun was pathetic.
Now, looking back, the man had fallen from his fruition entirely, and Hongyun's crafted treasures could still claim a "half" true status. That was already impressive handiwork.
In the quiet chamber, a youth sat cross-legged.
Crimson radiance wove across his form as Lu Yang sat opposite him, four divine abilities circling at their sides, gradually strengthening the youth's aura.
[Immortal Fetus Scripture World Secret Record]!
This avatar technique from the Primal Saint Sect remained highly effective even now. Its only flaw was the exorbitant cost in materials—a superior spirit treasure was required.
But in this life, Lu Yang was a true dragon of the extravagant dragon clan. Superior spirit treasures were well within his means, so he reforged an immortal fetus avatar with little effort. Linked to his true body, it could unleash the might of a late Foundation Establishment great true person.
"This one will do the job."
Lu Yang grinned, then pinched a hand seal at his fingertip. The immortal fetus avatar shrank instantly into a tiny figure, which he scooped up and stowed in his storage pouch.
From there, things were straightforward.
He sent word to Dongting Lake, summoning a true dragon, which he controlled with [String Puppet]. He then handed over the immortal fetus avatar for it to deliver all the way to Jiangbei.
Once in Jiangbei, Lu Yang's true body entered meditative seclusion.
Immediately, the immortal fetus avatar in Jiangbei opened its eyes, illusions flickering in their depths as its previously lifeless aura sprang to vibrant life.
"Jiangbei... I'm back!"
Lu Yang stretched his arms while mentally mapping the timeline: 'At this point, the [Mysterious Spirit Realm] will emerge in a few more years.'
In the normal timeline, Jiangnan and Jiangbei had joined forces to carve up the [Mysterious Spirit Realm], leaving the Pure Land and Dao Court without so much as a sip of broth.
In his previous life, his exposure of [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord]'s identity had turned it into a four-way split, with a trap laid for [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord] to boot.
'This life, time for a new approach.'
Lu Yang schemed, aiming to get Uncle-Master Chongguang pursuing metallurgy as soon as possible!
'In the previous life, [Heaven of Non-existence] emerged first, then the [Mysterious Spirit Realm] reappeared, plus [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord]'s exposure, delaying Uncle-Master Chongguang's metallurgy.'
'This life, with my interference in Senior Sister Yu's affairs, I can push back the [Heaven of Non-existence]'s activation by a wide margin.'
'As for the [Mysterious Spirit Realm], that shouldn't change much.'
'And [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord]—[Great Forest Wood]'s metallity is potent enough. As long as I don't expose him, no one should notice.'
Reviewing past lives, what was the key to Uncle-Master Chongguang pursuing metallurgy?
'Hongyun!'
Two lives ago, Uncle-Master Chongguang had reincarnated in theory and prepared for metallurgy, but it was likely only after dealing with Hongyun overseas that he committed.
'So this life, to get Uncle-Master Chongguang reincarnating for metallurgy ASAP, I need to clear his lingering worry first—Hongyun! Plus, with the new [Hongyun Metallity], not only do I get another false holding chance, I can pinch [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord] at a critical moment.'
No matter how he sliced it, Hongyun was his for the taking!
And at this juncture, Hongyun hadn't recovered much at all.
'Back then, even Heaven Mending Peak Master dared yell at Hongyun. I figure his strength tops out at peak mid-Foundation Establishment.'
Not even a great true person!
In cultivator clashes, rank determined all. Lu Yang figured his great true person combat power could crush a peak mid-Foundation Establishment Hongyun handily.
'But killing is easy—capturing alive is hard.'
Lu Yang rubbed his brow in mild frustration.
Without [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring True Lord]'s cooperation this life, once Hongyun reincarnated, tracking him in the [Underworld] and reverse-slaying him would be tough.
To deny Hongyun even the chance to suicide-reincarnate, he'd need at least mid-Golden Core strength, like [Clear Serenity Flying Snow True Lord].
Old Dragon Lord?
Lu Yang frowned briefly before discarding the tempting idea. Back when Flying Snow True Lord caught Hongyun, she'd pocketed all the metallity.
He didn't trust Old Dragon Lord to hand over Hongyun's metallity intact after getting it—even a sliver would be grandfatherly indulgence.
'If that's the case, then somewhere he can't reincarnate—beyond the heavens! [Seven Luminaries Heaven]! Right, that's why Hongyun never dared go there. Out in the outer heavens, far from the [Underworld], if caught, no reincarnation escape hatch!'
Lu Yang's thoughts sharpened.
'Team up with Uncle-Master Chongguang to corner Hongyun! Force him to abandon everything and flee to [Seven Luminaries Heaven], then I'll ambush en route!'
'Perfect—give Uncle-Master Chongguang some skin in the game.'
'Letting him handle Hongyun personally will make him believe it's truly resolved post-facto, and he'll reincarnate for [Qing Kingdom] metallurgy with peace of mind.'
'Then I backstab Uncle-Master—might even get a talent boost!'
With that thought, the plan solidified.
Next up: get in touch with Uncle-Master Chongguang.
Heaven-Connecting Cloud Sea, Sacred Fire Cliff.
In the vast hall, a man whose features weren't particularly handsome but whose brows radiated soaring sharpness sat at the head seat.
Between his fingers, he pinched a messenger slip.
Lu Yang had contacted him the same way as last life—via Uncle-Master Chongguang's private channel with a messenger slip. The contents were simple.
'In Jiangnan lands, beneath Gantang Dao waters... a cave heaven fragment left behind by Hongyun?'
This was a tip-off letter.