Chapter 492 493: A Deal with Ang Xiao
Chapter 493: The Deal with Ang Xiao
To be fair, this wasn't entirely Ang Xiao's fault.
After all, it was hard for him to believe that his meticulously laid plans could be unraveled by a mere Foundation Establishment True Person. It defied all logic—there wasn't even a theoretical possibility of it happening.
Ang Xiao pondered deeply and concluded there was only one explanation:
'Only the World-Honored One descending to enlighten a Foundation Establishment cultivator and using them to sabotage my schemes makes sense! This is the only plausible explanation!'
He even came up with a justification: his avatar had infiltrated the Pure Land, attained an External Dao Fruition there, and seized the Pure Land's [White Wax Gold] immortal spirit. Though he had returned the [Dragon-Snake Shadow Bodhisattva], the [White Wax Gold] spirit had perished due to its failed pursuit of gold.
By rough estimation, this counted as offending the Pure Land.
Could it be that the World-Honored One had long since detected his schemes and deliberately created a Foundation Establishment Buddhist disciple to entrap him?
If this was merely speculation, what truly convinced him was Lü Yang's current manipulation of an unfortunate pawn. The effects of [Puppet on Strings] bore a striking resemblance to the World-Honored One's Unity of All Beings.
And then there was the false golden seat technique—didn't the World-Honored One also possess a false Dao Lord method?
Everything aligned perfectly!
The more Ang Xiao thought about it, the more reasonable his conjecture seemed.
If you're not the World-Honored One, then who are you?
Thus, after much deliberation, he tentatively addressed Lü Yang as such, while tensely observing every minute change in Lü Yang's expression through his divine sense.
But who was Lü Yang?
Through remote manipulation via [Puppet on Strings], none of his thoughts surfaced on his face—not even his soul fluctuated with his musings.
Moreover, before Ang Xiao had even finished speaking, Lü Yang had already pieced together the situation:
'He's mistaken me for the World-Honored One again?'
'Right—he has grievances with the World-Honored One, and the World-Honored One is shameless enough to enlighten a Foundation Establishment cultivator just to mess with him. That's perfectly normal.'
At this realization, Lü Yang suddenly smiled:
"Senior has misunderstood. I am not the World-Honored One."
He didn't seize the opportunity to claim the identity. This was different from impersonating Daoist Hong Yun—he had settled accounts with Hong Yun's experiences and could mimic him flawlessly.
But impersonating the World-Honored One?
He knew nothing about Dao Lords and couldn't possibly pull it off. Any forced attempt would only expose him, revealing his true nature.
In contrast, openly admitting he wasn't the World-Honored One would sow doubt.
After all, throughout Jiangxi, from Bodhisattvas down to ordinary monks, everyone claimed not to be the World-Honored One—yet when the time came, the World-Honored One could possess any of them at will.
Sure enough, Ang Xiao grew suspicious.
But soon, he faced reality: 'Regardless, if he can falsely hold the [Overturned Lamp Flame], he can reverse the Chen Earth. He's grasped my weakness.'
True, after obtaining [Earth in Sand] and [White Wax Gold], even if Chen Earth were reversed, he could maintain his late-stage Golden Core cultivation through the balance of metal, earth, and wood. But doing so would transform his once-smooth path into treacherous peaks and valleys, fraught with endless obstacles.
"...Fellow Daoist, speak your mind."
Ang Xiao sighed, simultaneously promoting Lü Yang from "junior" back to "fellow Daoist" and relinquishing control of the conversation.
Only then did Lü Yang raise his eyebrows and say softly:
"To be honest, I bear no ill will toward you, senior. Everything before was a misunderstanding. The reason I invited you out today was mainly to discuss a deal."
A deal?
Ang Xiao remained impassive. "Go on."
Lü Yang continued, "As you've likely noticed, this body of mine seeks to achieve [Heavenly Fire Above]. There are numerous obstacles along the way, and I require your assistance."
Ang Xiao: "..."
The World-Honored One coveting [Heavenly Fire Above]?
Not impossible! After all, [City Wall Earth] was still lying dormant in Jiangxi—what was one more [Heavenly Fire Above]? Ang Xiao could completely understand!
"How may I assist you, Fellow Daoist?"
"Simple."
Lü Yang murmured, "Just be willing to strike on my behalf at a critical moment. Unless I'm mistaken, you should still have one attack left in you, correct?"
Ang Xiao neither confirmed nor denied, shifting the topic instead:
"Why should I help you?"
"Because of [Overturned Lamp Flame]!" Lü Yang declared resolutely. "If you aid me, in the future, I will help you send [Overturned Lamp Flame] into the Netherworld."
At these words, Ang Xiao's eyes flickered.
"...How can I trust you?"
Faced with this skepticism, Lü Yang smiled. "The key isn't whether you trust me, senior. The key is whether I can actually do it."
Ang Xiao knew this well. After all, he himself was untrustworthy—he understood better than anyone that trust was the most fragile thing in the world. Had Lü Yang spun elaborate promises or listed reasons why he should be trusted, Ang Xiao would have refused without hesitation.
But Lü Yang didn't do that.
With just one sentence, he stirred Ang Xiao's heart: Could he send [Overturned Lamp Flame] into the Netherworld? Without a doubt—he could!
That was enough.
In the Saint Sect, interests were paramount. As long as both parties stood to benefit, there was a foundation for cooperation. The rest was just a matter of tactics.
'This person... is he from the Saint Sect?'
Ang Xiao pondered but didn't dismiss the possibility of Lü Yang being the World-Honored One. If anything, he grew more suspicious—because only seasoned True Lords like him knew:
'The World-Honored One once studied in the Saint Sect!'
Not only that, but the World-Honored One had been a master of diplomacy in his time. Except for the Sword Pavilion, which barred his entry, he had visited both the Saint Sect and the Dao Court. Otherwise, how could the Pure Land have earned its reputation as a heretical sect?
Having reached this conclusion, Ang Xiao made his decision and smiled. "Very well. I accept your proposal."
On the other side, upon receiving Ang Xiao's agreement, Lü Yang felt no joy—only a silent sigh: 'This is utterly insincere.'
Words from a Saint Sect True Lord? Only a fool would believe them!
While inwardly scoffing, Lü Yang maintained a sincere smile. "Then it's a pleasure working together. Consider this a token of goodwill from your junior."
With that, he produced a jade slip:
"It contains intelligence on [Flowing Water]."
Though calling it a gift, Lü Yang kept his fingers tightly clasped around the slip, making no move to hand it over—a gesture Ang Xiao immediately understood.
"...What does Fellow Daoist want in return?"
"A portion of Ji Earth cultivation depth—enough to refine Heavenly Gang and Earth Fiends."
Here, Lü Yang finally revealed his true aim.
All the talk of deals had been mere pretense. What he truly wanted from Ang Xiao was this: Ji Earth cultivation depth!
Ang Xiao narrowed his eyes.
'He deliberately exposed his ability to falsely hold [Overturned Lamp Flame] just to intimidate me, but his real goal was to exchange for Ji Earth cultivation knowledge?'
This only deepened his suspicions.
If this truly were a Foundation Establishment cultivator enlightened by the World-Honored One, why would they need cultivation depth? Could he have guessed wrong? Or was this a feint?
Despite these doubts, Ang Xiao quickly decided: "Agreed."
Without hesitation, he split off a strand of divine sense and tossed it to Lü Yang, his expression faintly amused, as if utterly unconcerned.
The reason was simple:
'Since you know about my [Knowledge-Perception Obstruction], aren't you afraid I might have planted traps in this cultivation knowledge—deliberate omissions to ensnare you?'
I've given you the cultivation depth.
But dare you use it?