Chapter 487
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 487
Chapter Title: We're Going to Do Big Things!
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The contract floated before Chongguang, its black characters stark against the white paper.
His divine sense swept over it, and he immediately frowned.
"You can help me attain gold, but you require me to sign this contract, guaranteeing I won't reveal the method you use to assist me."
Beyond that, there were many other clauses.
Chongguang understood at once. The core purpose of this contract was simply to ensure he wouldn't leak the other party's intelligence. There were no further restrictions.
". . . Very well."
In the next instant, Chongguang decisively imprinted his divine sense onto it.
At once, he felt the contract generate a subtle binding force, linking him to some colossal entity in the void.
'A fruition?'
Chongguang was somewhat shocked. Using a fruition as the contract's witness maximized its binding power—even a True Lord couldn't break it.
But in the next second, Chongguang had no mind left for such trivialities. With the contract signed, the intelligence Lu Yang had long prepared flooded into his sea of consciousness like a tide. It included, prominently, the false holding gold position method of the [Yanmo Hall], as well as the specific uses of Hongyun gold nature.
'. . . It can actually be done like this!?'
Only after digesting all the intelligence did Chongguang abruptly raise his head, staring fixedly at Lu Yang. Beneath his composed expression raged a storm of shock.
He then solemnly cupped his hands.
"Senior, impressive methods."
False holding a True Lord was still a True Lord.
The Saint Sect always respected the capable. Before Lu Yang could even speak, Chongguang naturally shifted his address from "fellow Daoist" to "senior."
Lu Yang's method was straightforward: He would first false hold [Covered Lamp Fire], then reverse Chen Tu. At that point, Chongguang could seek gold without issue.
But this all hinged on Ancestor Tingyou attaining [Heaven of Non-existence]. With the world's True Lords in seclusion and [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring] trapped in the netherworld before and after, unable to act—only then could it work. Otherwise, the moment Chongguang attained [Covered Lamp Fire] would be his day of death.
Moreover, this only bought time.
Though [Heaven of Non-existence] could theoretically delay for sixty years, [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring] could forcibly descend thirty years at most, by burning a cavern heaven at the cost.
'Still. . . thirty years is enough.'
More importantly, by proposing this method, Uncle-Master Chongguang was now aligned with him—an excellent outcome.
'My foundations in the Dao Court are still too shallow.'
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'Don't be fooled by my rapid promotions—recent purges killed plenty of officials—but all that rests on Emperor Jiayou's tacit approval.'
Once Emperor Jiayou left, it would all turn to smoke.
Even if the Imperial City Division was fully in his grasp, bolstered by incense fire divine path, the Dao Court's vast machinery could crush him effortlessly.
He could false hold True Lord status and slaughter freely, but killing solved nothing and didn't fit [Heavenly Fire]'s image. Besides, false holding had time and usage limits—when they expired, the backlash would match the ruthlessness of his kills.
Thus, Lu Yang preferred—bringing in outside aid.
'The overseas Dragon Host are my natural allies. With Uncle-Master Chongguang's support, they can advance into Jiangdong to help me seize the Dao Court!'
And with Uncle-Master Chongguang's assistance.
When he later performed the [Prime Minister of the World] ritual, Jiangbei would be secured. Wherever the royal forces went, the people would welcome them wholeheartedly.
"This. . . isn't bad!"
With the Saint Sect as outside aid, conquering Jiangnan and Jiangxi would be smoother.
Lu Yang's mind raced. If all went well: He seeks gold, Suo Huan seeks gold, Chongguang seeks gold, Tingyou seeks gold—plus the outer path [Seven Luminaries Heaven].
He would command five True Lords!
Absent Nascent Soul Dao Lords, ignoring disparities among Golden Cores, such a force could contend with any power in the world!
'And with Uncle-Master Chongguang succeeding in gold attainment and verifying [Covered Lamp Fire], Pure Clarity Flying Snow True Lord's path opens. If she breaks through to late Golden Core, while [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring]'s path is severed—the balance shifts. She can bear [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring]'s pressure for me.'
'In that case, the Saint Sect certainly profits.'
'On my end, verifying [Heavenly Fire] pulls a new supreme fruition into the Dao Court—the Dao Court Lord would only approve, not obstruct.'
Everyone wins, except [Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring].
"How about it?"
Lu Yang looked to Chongguang and extended his hand proactively.
"Fellow Daoist, in this world, to seek gold, you gotta do big things—big things!"
His words fell, and Lu Yang grinned.
Chongguang gave him a solemn look, then smiled as well.
"One last question: Which senior of our Saint Sect are you, fellow Daoist?"
At those words, Lu Yang's face darkened.
"I have no relation whatsoever to the Demon Sect."
Chongguang nodded in understanding: Got it—clean break!
He knew the ritual conditions for [Heavenly Fire], so Lu Yang's intentions were transparent. Besides, such mutually beneficial cooperation was most trustworthy.
". . . Deal!"
In the next instant, their hands clasped tightly.
Jiangbei, Heaven-Connecting Cloud Sea.
Chongguang's escaping light descended into the cloud sea's center, into the grand hall of Sacred Fire Cliff. There, a dignified and graceful woman sat upon a meditation cushion.
Her near-perfect jade features were now covered in dense cracks, each seeping golden light. The light hit the floor, instantly etching fissures—the remnants of that sword from Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion's [Rigid Form Preaching Dao True Lord]: lingering sword intent and sword qi.
Yet the woman's face showed no pain.
"Mmm~"
—Rather, she seemed to enjoy it.
Intense agony only fueled her fighting spirit, invigorated her mind. Violent clashes steeped in blood and sweat were what she craved most.
But in the next second, as Chongguang entered the hall, her twisted features instantly reverted to dignified beauty, as if no other expression had ever crossed them.
". . . Back?"
Pure Clarity Flying Snow True Lord said coolly.
"Back."
Chongguang cupped his hands.
"My thanks to True Lord for concealing my karma, making all believe I was seeking gold—otherwise, this trip might have been detected by outsiders."
"No matter."
Pure Clarity Flying Snow True Lord waved it off. Her beautiful eyes fixed on Chongguang, her voice emotionless.
"Still hope?"
"Somewhat."
"Good."
She withdrew her gaze, rose with a sleeve flick.
"I won't ask when you seek gold or what you do for it. You understand—I want only the result. Once you verify [Covered Lamp Fire], even if the sky falls, it won't be you holding it up."
"Chongguang will remember. . . Farewell, True Lord."
Chongguang bowed deeply, watching Pure Clarity Flying Snow True Lord vanish. Only then did he straighten, Lu Yang's scheme flashing through his mind once more.
'Verifying [Heavenly Fire]—ambition unmatched in the world.'
'Impossible for an ordinary Foundation Establishment—must be a True Lord reincarnated. But who? Not Soaring Empyrean Sun-Obscuring, not Hongyun—then who?'
(End of chapter)