Chapter 518 519: Ang Xiao's Scheme
Chapter 519: Ang Xiao's Scheme
Xiao Shiye felt his recent luck had been rather peculiar.
Several years had passed since he joined the Saint Sect. Initially, his fortune had been exceptionally good—opportunities and strokes of luck came pouring in, unstoppable as a tidal wave.
It was as if he had been blessed by the heavens themselves.
Then, abruptly one day, that divine favor vanished.
From that moment, his circumstances took a sharp downturn, as though repaying all the good fortune he had previously enjoyed. Misfortunes piled upon misfortunes, one after another.
The result? Not only did he lose everything gained during his lucky streak, but he also incurred additional losses. Now, he remained nothing more than an ordinary disciple of the Saint Sect, living a standard sect life—repaying his cave loan, tending spirit plants, and raising spirit beasts for senior brothers.
Xiao Shiye had nearly resigned himself to this fate.
Yet, just over a month ago, he noticed another twist in his fortunes—the vanished divine favor seemed to be returning.
The first stroke of luck was the [Eternal Bliss Garden].
'Thanks to the [Eternal Bliss Garden], not only did I break through the bottleneck at Qi Refining sixth layer, advancing to late-stage, but I also mastered a formidable technique.'
Xiao Shiye had read plenty of cultivation novels.
Such mysterious organizations operating in the shadows inevitably had immense backgrounds and influence. Being part of one naturally promised a bright future.
Of course, risks existed as well.
'The novels say these secretive factions have strict rules. The [Eternal Bliss Garden] is no exception—I'm forbidden from leaking any information about it.'
Disclosure meant instant annihilation.
Xiao Shiye harbored no doubts about this. After all, he had personally witnessed a fellow Saint Sect disciple who had joined the [Eternal Bliss Garden] attempt to report the organization to a senior brother.
And then, he died.
Without any warning, the Qi Refining Perfection senior brother could do nothing but watch helplessly as the disciple's body shattered like a bubble.
From that moment, Xiao Shiye regarded the [Eternal Bliss Garden] with awe and fear.
Then came his second stroke of luck:
[Ang Xiao].
It happened on a serene afternoon while Xiao Shiye was traveling. Suddenly, someone crashed into him—and forcibly possessed him:
'You don't need to know my name. Just follow my instructions, and I guarantee you'll reach Qi Refining Perfection. Even Foundation Establishment will be within your grasp!'
Again, Xiao Shiye had read enough novels to recognize this trope—the classic "cultivation grandpa." His divine favor had truly returned! A mysterious organization and a cultivation grandpa—the two greatest fortunes from novels, both serving him alone. Could his blessings be any greater?
He had even planned it out:
'First, I'll grow stronger with the mysterious faction's help, assist the cultivation grandpa in recovering, then use his power to break free from the organization.'
Pitting tigers against wolves—killing two birds with one stone!
At this thought, Xiao Shiye felt like the protagonist of a novel, with his past hardships merely setting the stage for his eventual rise.
Lowering his head, he quickly contacted the jade fragment in his embrace:
"Grandpa, I've completed many sect missions as you instructed. My Contribution Points are sufficient now. What are you planning to exchange for?"
He rubbed his hands excitedly.
Could there be some rare treasure hidden within the sect, unnoticed by others but spotted by the grandpa, waiting for him to claim?
"Exchange for access to the Refinement Secret Realm."
Inside the fragment of the Dongtian, [Ang Xiao] spoke calmly, his deep gaze meeting Xiao Shiye's through the mist-shrouded eyes.
[Eternal Bliss Garden].
Through Xiao Shiye's eyes, Lü Yang frowned heavily, pondering a crucial question: Had [Ang Xiao] noticed anything amiss about Xiao Shiye?
Was his approach to Xiao Shiye accidental—or deliberate?
After all, Xiao Shiye's true body had long been sealed away. What remained outside was merely a false body crafted by the [Eternal Bliss Garden] using the power of a Fruit Position. Though [Ang Xiao] was now reduced to a mere wisp of divine sense in the mortal world, could such a facade truly deceive his perception?
'...Unlikely!'
Lü Yang had great confidence in [Ang Xiao]. With the insight of the world's foremost True Lord, how could he fail to detect the oddities surrounding Xiao Shiye?
If so... was this intentional?
Lü Yang's frown deepened. If deliberate, what was the motive? Did he intend to scheme against Lü Yang again? But did he still possess the capability?
Under the blockade of [Worry-Free Heaven], [Ang Xiao]'s true form was completely severed from the mortal world. With only a remnant of divine sense left, he couldn't even fully utilize [Knowledge-Perception Obstruction]. How could he possibly outmaneuver Lü Yang? Moreover, with the [Eternal Bliss Garden] standing between them, there was truly nothing left to fear.
With this in mind, Lü Yang turned to another question:
'Does he want to enter the Refinement Secret Realm because he believed my words? That would be excellent. Let's see if he dares to bring Innate True Person Mu Changsheng out of there.'
The next moment, [Ang Xiao] spoke:
"You may not know this, but the Saint Sect's Refinement Secret Realm holds a tremendous opportunity. Did you think it was merely a minor pocket dimension?"
Xiao Shiye tilted his head. "What's the Refinement Secret Realm?"
[Ang Xiao] didn't answer.
Lü Yang understood—these words were meant for him. However, he had no interest in the realm's so-called opportunities. His focus remained solely on pursuing gold.
Immediately, Lü Yang severed his connection with Xiao Shiye.
Using the [Eternal Bliss Garden] as a barrier wasn't secure enough. As an extra precaution, he randomly selected an unfortunate official from the Dao Court.
[Puppet on Strings] manipulation.
Using this puppet to contact Xiao Shiye added another layer of protection. Only then did Lü Yang feel at ease continuing to observe [Ang Xiao]'s actions.
Meanwhile, [Ang Xiao] had already led Xiao Shiye to the Great Hall housing the Refinement Secret Realm. Normally, accessing the realm required queuing, but [Ang Xiao] bypassed this with [Knowledge-Perception Obstruction]. In a flash of light, a new world unfolded before Lü Yang's eyes.
Then, instantly, a familiar roar shook the heavens:
"Damnable Demon Sect! Beasts! I, Mu Changsheng, swear eternal enmity with you—!!!"
Above the Refinement Secret Realm, the soul of Innate True Person Mu Changsheng was cursing loudly. Upon seeing this, [Ang Xiao]'s expression twisted into horror.
Just like Lü Yang.
The moment he laid eyes on Mu Changsheng, [Ang Xiao] deduced the entire backstory, his face reflecting newfound respect for the Saint Sect's Founding Ancestor.
'Remarkable...'
[Ang Xiao] murmured under his breath: "No wonder... So that's how it is. I knew something felt off. To think such a grand secret lay hidden here..."
"Hmm?"
At that moment, Mu Changsheng noticed [Ang Xiao]'s presence. His gaze descended, and an overwhelming surge of divine sense instantly knocked Xiao Shiye unconscious:
"You... It's you!"
Mu Changsheng's eyes widened in realization: "You're the mastermind behind severing [Flowing Water]? The one who trapped my soul here?"
"So it's Fellow Daoist Innate."
[Ang Xiao] raised his head, sighing in acknowledgment. Then, glancing at Xiao Shiye, his gaze locked onto Lü Yang's observing through the disciple's perspective.
A moment later, [Ang Xiao] shook his head and sighed deeply:
"...What a beast."
Clearly, upon seeing Mu Changsheng, [Ang Xiao] understood Lü Yang had been deceiving him all along. How could he ever hope to meddle with this man?
[Flowing Water] was now out of reach.
[Overturned Lamp Flame] teetered on the brink of loss as well.
What to do?
With this realization, [Ang Xiao] lowered his eyelids, finally steeling his resolve: 'I never wished to resort to this, but given the circumstances, hesitation is no longer an option.'