Chapter 485 486: Time to Do Something Big! Something Huge!
Chapter 486: We Must Do Something Big! Something Monumental!
The contract floated before Chongguang, its black characters stark against white paper.
With a sweep of his divine sense, Chongguang immediately furrowed his brows. "You claim you can assist me in pursuing gold, but require me to sign this contract guaranteeing I won't disclose your method."
There were numerous other clauses as well.
Chongguang understood—the fundamental purpose of this document was simply to ensure he wouldn't leak information, with no further restrictions imposed.
"...Very well."
In the next instant, Chongguang decisively imprinted his divine sense upon it.
Immediately, he sensed the contract generating a subtle pulling force, connecting him to some immense, unseen entity.
'A Fruit Position?'
Chongguang was startled. Using a Fruit Position as the contract's witness maximized its binding power—even a True Lord couldn't break it.
But his attention swiftly shifted from such trivialities, for as the contract took effect, Lü Yang's prepared information flooded into his sea of consciousness like a tidal wave. It included the Yama Palace's method for falsely holding a Golden Seat, along with specific applications of the Golden Nature of Great Fortune...
'...To think such methods exist!?'
Only after fully digesting the intelligence did Chongguang abruptly raise his head, his gaze piercing Lü Yang. Beneath his composed exterior, tsunami-like shockwaves raged.
He then solemnly clasped his hands:
"Senior's methods are truly remarkable."
Even a falsely held True Lord was still a True Lord.
In the Saint Sect, achievement dictated precedence. Without waiting for Lü Yang to speak, Chongguang naturally switched his address from "fellow Daoist" to "senior."
Lü Yang's plan was straightforward: first, he would falsely hold the Overturned Lamp Flame, then reverse the Chen Earth. At that point, Chongguang could pursue gold without obstruction.
However, this entire scheme hinged on Ancestor Nether Whisper having achieved the Heaven of Non-Existence, with True Lords across the land having recently withdrawn from the world. Additionally, Ang Xiao needed to remain trapped in the Netherworld, unable to intervene before or after. Otherwise, the moment Chongguang achieved the Overturned Lamp Flame would likely be his last.
Moreover, this was merely buying time.
Though the Heaven of Non-Existence could theoretically delay matters for sixty years, within thirty years at most, Ang Xiao could forcibly descend by burning his Dongtian.
'Still... thirty years is sufficient.'
More importantly, proposing this method aligned Uncle Chongguang with his faction—a significant advantage.
'My foundation in the Dao Court remains too shallow.'
'Though my promotions came swiftly and I recently purged many corrupt officials, all this occurred only with Emperor Jia You's tacit approval.'
Once Emperor Jia You departed, everything would vanish like smoke.
Even with complete control of the Imperial City Bureau and the Incense Qi Divine Path's support, the Dao Court's colossal structure could effortlessly crush him.
While he could falsely hold True Lord status and slaughter indiscriminately, bloodshed solved nothing. It contradicted the Heavenly Fire Above's imagery, and the false status had time and usage limits. Once expired, the backlash would match his prior brutality.
Thus Lü Yang preferred—introducing external allies.
'The overseas Dragon Clan are my natural allies. With Uncle Chongguang's additional support, they could march into Jiangdong to help me usurp the Dao Court!'
Moreover, with Uncle Chongguang's assistance...
When executing the Steering the World ritual formation, the northern territories would effectively be secured. Wherever the imperial forces went, the people would welcome them wholeheartedly.
"This... isn't bad!"
With the Saint Sect as external support, conquering Jiangnan and Jiangxi would also become easier.
Lü Yang's mind raced. If all proceeded smoothly—his own gold pursuit, Suo Huan's, Chongguang's, Ancestor Nether Whisper's, plus the heterodox Seven Luminaries Heaven—he would command five True Lords!
Without considering Nascent Soul Dao Lords or variations in Golden Core combat strength, such a force could challenge any faction in the world!
'Furthermore, once Uncle Chongguang succeeds with the Overturned Lamp Flame, True Lord Qingcheng Feixue's path opens. If she breaks through to late-stage Golden Core while Ang Xiao's path is severed, the shifting balance means Qingcheng Feixue can shoulder Ang Xiao's pressure for me.'
'The Saint Sect certainly wouldn't lose out.'
'Meanwhile, my achievement of Heavenly Fire Above introduces a new Supreme Fruit Position to the Dao Court. The Dao Court Dao Lord would surely welcome this rather than oppose it.'
Everyone except Ang Xiao could attain Happiness.
"Well?"
Lü Yang extended his hand toward Chongguang: "Fellow Daoist, in this era, pursuing gold requires monumental actions—something truly grand!"
As he finished speaking, Lü Yang grinned widely.
Chongguang studied him solemnly before smiling in return: "One final question—dare I ask which of our Saint Sect's seniors you are?"
Lü Yang's face darkened instantly: "I have absolutely no connection to the Demon Sect."
Chongguang nodded understandingly: So he's distancing himself!
He knew the Heavenly Fire Above's ritual conditions, so Lü Yang's intentions couldn't be hidden. Besides, mutually beneficial cooperation fostered greater trust.
"...Deal!"
Their hands clasped firmly together.
Northern Jiangbei, Sky-reaching Sea of Clouds.
Chongguang's escaping light descended into the clouds' heart—the Sacred Fire Cliff's Great Hall. There, an elegant, dignified woman sat upon a meditation cushion.
Her nearly flawless jade-like face was now crisscrossed with fissures, each oozing golden light that scored deep grooves wherever it touched the ground—remnants of Sword Pavilion's True Lord of Rigid Form Preaching the Dao's sword strike, its intent and qi lingering.
Yet the woman displayed no trace of suffering.
"Mmm~"
—If anything, she seemed to be enjoying it.
Intense pain only heightened her fighting spirit, invigorating her. Violent clashes of blood and sweat were what she craved most.
But as Chongguang entered the hall, her twisted features instantly smoothed back into dignified beauty, as though they'd never contorted.
"...You've returned?"
True Lord Qingcheng Feixue spoke impassively.
"I have."
Chongguang bowed. "My gratitude for concealing my karma, making all believe I was pursuing gold... Otherwise, this journey might have been discovered."
"No matter."
Qingcheng Feixue waved a sleeve, her beautiful eyes locking onto Chongguang, her tone unreadable: "Any hope?"
"Somewhat."
"Good."
Withdrawing her gaze, Qingcheng Feixue rose gracefully. "I won't inquire when you pursue gold, nor care what methods you employ. You understand—I only want results. Achieve the Overturned Lamp Flame, and even if the heavens collapse, you won't be the first to fall."
"Chongguang will remember... Farewell, True Lord."
Chongguang bowed deeply, watching as Qingcheng Feixue vanished before straightening. Lü Yang's grand scheme resurfaced in his mind.
'Achieving Heavenly Fire Above—the scale of this man's ambition is unmatched in the world.'
'He cannot be an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator—surely a reincarnated True Lord... But if not Ang Xiao or Hong Yun, then who?'