In Lu Yang's view, Hong Yun had prepared three retreat paths for himself.
The first was naturally [Seven Luminaries Heaven], which was also the final retreat. Only when Hong Yun felt there was absolutely no hope of returning to his position would he possibly take this path.
The second was the Grotto-Heaven fragment.
In Jiangnan, at the bottom of the Gantang Channel controlled by the Sea-Farer Li Clan, there was a fragment of Hong Yun's former [Eternal Brilliance Precious-Light Grotto-Heaven]. Hong Yun had already ascertained its location.
However, in reality, that was [Sky-shrouding]'s trap.
Going there meant death.
The last one was where Hong Yun was currently hiding, isolated by layers of formations, obscuring heaven's secrets. Even [Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue] couldn't find him.
Three retreat paths, layers of insurance. Its a pity [Sky-shrouding] was simply too insidious. Seizing Hong Yun's unwillingness to give up, he set up an ambush using the Grotto-Heaven fragment.
As long as Hong Yunchose the second path and refined the Grotto-Heaven fragment, he wouldn't be far from a violent death. This was what Lu Yang didn't want to see.
After all, Hong Yun was his target in this life!
So the only purpose of sending the reporting letter to Chong Guang was to let Chong Guang destroy the Grotto-Heaven fragment in Jiangnan for him, thereby cutting off Hong Yun's hope.
This life is different from the previous one.
In the previous life, not long after Martial Uncle Chong Guang received my report, [Wu You Heaven] appeared. Then I revealed [Sky-shrouding]'s identity.
As a result, Martial Uncle Chong Guang had no spare energy to destroy the Grotto-Heaven fragment. After all, midway through, even [Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue] stopped supporting him. In the end, he even had to cooperate with [Sky-shrouding]... However, this life is different. In this life, I haven't leaked a bit of news in advance.
So in this life, Chong Guang's choice would also be different.
In the eyes of the current Martial Uncle Chong Guang, his biggest enemy is Hong Yun. Therefore, destroying Hong Yun's Grotto-Heaven fragment is also a matter of great urgency.
This was enough.
In Jiangbei, Lu Yang stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the direction of the Heaven-Connecting Cloud Sea from afar, accurately grasping Chong Guang's psychology: "Leave the Grotto-Heaven fragment to Martial Uncle."
He would handle the other retreat path.
Only in this way could he force Hong Yun to take the path of [Seven Luminaries Heaven], denying him the chance to reincarnate, thus falling into his trap.
Thinking of this, Lu Yang suddenly looked to his side.
"Fellow Daoist, coming out with me this time, you haven't spoken at all."
Beside Lu Yang, a man who was clearly surging with power and possessed extremely high stature, yet inexplicably felt small, smiled bitterly upon hearing this:
"You jest, my lord..."
"No need to call me 'My Lord'." Lu Yang said with a solemn expression: "You and I both live in this world. We should be Fellow Daoists; there is no distinction of superior and inferior."
As his voice fell, Suo Huan nodded hurriedly in agreement but showed no intention of changing his address. After all, he was now a Banner Spirit, and Lu Yang was the Master of the [Myriad Spirits Banner].
Lu Yang could be modest about this "My Lord," but he couldn't refrain from calling it. Suo Huan understood this attitude issue perfectly.
Lu Yang paused upon hearing this, then said straightforwardly—
"In this life, I wish to help you Seeking Golden Core... Like last time, I give you two paths. You choose freely; I will not interfere with your decision."
"First, wait for me to advance further."
Lu Yang didn't say it explicitly, but if he attained [Heavenly Fire] in this life, he would inevitably rule the world. At that time, it might not be impossible to directly bestow a Golden Core Position upon Suo Huan.
But this was uncertain; nothing was set in stone yet.
Therefore, he quickly offered the second path— "Although your [Spirit Ruins Blessed Land] is severely damaged, there are no hidden dangers anymore. I can help you repair it."
"I have here a set of Dao comprehension about [Wellspring Water], reaching straight to Foundation Establishment Great Perfection. It also includes the corresponding cultivation method and ritual, which can attract the attention of [Wellspring Water]. Afterward, I will strive to get you a Rank 1 official position at Foundation Establishment Great Perfection, which can help you condense Golden Nature."
"At that time, you can seek Golden Core."
Lu Yang said in a deep voice. The knowledge of [Wellspring Water] naturally came from the Saint Sect's Xiang Ye, enough to make up for Suo Huan's deficiency in Dao comprehension as someone from the outer heavens.
He had always placed great importance on promises.
Perhaps his bottom line was flexible and he often adapted, but with [The Book of a Hundred Lifetimes], as long as he had the ability to fulfill what he promised, he would definitely fulfill it.
For a moment, Suo Huan was stunned.
You really helping me seek Golden Core?
I thought you forgot. You were fooling me before!
This Great Perfected One from the outer heaven, who was used to bowing his head, was suddenly filled with emotion but speechless at this moment. He could only bow deeply to Lu Yang.
"Many thanks... Fellow Daoist."
Lu Yang waved his hand and smiled: "You and I still have a long time to spend together in the future. We should work together with one heart; otherwise, how can we deal with future strong enemies?"
"That makes sense!" Suo Huan nodded.
Seeing this scene, while smiling, Lu Yang also sighed secretly.
I'm actually a bit hypocritical.
After all, no matter how nice the words were, they couldn't change a fact— as the Banner Master, he held the power of life and death over the banner spirit washed by [The Book of a Hundred Lifetimes].
As long as he wanted, whether it was Patriarch Nether Whisper or Suo Huan, he could control them easily.
It was just that compared to doing so, Lu Yang preferred exchanging sincerity for sincerity, just as he never forced Patriarch Nether Whisper to do anything for him.
However, this was ultimately different. Lu Yang knew very well himself that he dared to exchange sincerity for sincerity because he could control the other's life and death, having enough confidence.
If it were a complete stranger, how would he dare entrust them with his trust? Without even entering the [Myriad Spirits Banner], on what basis should I treat you as my brother?
Never mind.
Hypocritical then, so be it. The current him didn't have the ability to be sincere. In this wretched place, this degree of "hypocrisy" was the limit of what he could do.
While talking, the two had arrived at a remote mountain forest.
This place was Hong Yun's lair. Seemingly ordinary, it was shrouded by layers of formations, cutting off karma. Even a Perfected Lord would find it hard to deduce.
Hong Yun could survive for so long was largely because of this.
Unfortunately, I'm cheating!
No need to deduce karma. Lu Yang, who had settled Hong Yun's memories, locked onto the location directly. The layers of formations in the mountain forest were like paper paste in his hands.
Almost simultaneously, in the deepest part of the mountain forest.
Hiss!
Suddenly, Hong Yun, who was originally in a state of meditation, shivered. He looked up subconsciously, his gaze like a torch looking at the top of his head.
"Me, 'unlucky under heaven'?"
Being able to take "Hong Yun" (great fortune) as his name, he naturally had some trump cards. One of them was a secret art of observing fortune and perceiving disaster and blessing.
This wasn't simple karmic deduction, but a highly advanced sensing secret method, alowing him to perceive danger and avoid it.
His ability to move under [Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue]'s nose as a reincarnated Perfected Lord relied crucially on this secret method. Under normal circumstances, few people could catch his tracks.
And now, he sensed danger.
Danger... not big, not Xue Feihong finding me. But not small either. Comparing to my current cultivation... could it be a late-stage Great Perfected One finding me?
There was no panic on Hong Yun's face.
Late-stage Foundation Establishment? Hmph..although he was currently still at middle-stage Foundation Establishment Great Perfection, relying on the surrounding formations, dealing with a Great Perfected One wouldn't be difficult.
A slight greed even survacing inside Hong Yun's mind... A late-stage Foundation Establishment Great Perfected One must have boundless fortune. If he could strip away the other party's fortune, he wouldn't need to waste time snatching opportunities with Qi Refining disciples, plotting for that [Merit Pool] of the Saint Sect.
"Let's see the situation first..."
Hong Yun was very cautious. He used the secret method to sense several more times and deduced karma. Only after ensuring he could handle this danger did he give up running away.
The next second.
Boom!
As one array after another was forcibly broken, Hong Yun quickly spotted the two intruders. However, the next second, his expression froze slightly.
His gaze fell directly on Lu Yang.
'Strange. This person seems very familiar with this place?'
This was clearly his territory, yet the other party seemed to have foresight, easily dissolving the various traps he had set within the arrays.
Before Hong Yun could think it through, he was suddenly startled... Because Lu Yang, who was originally looking elsewhere, suddenly tilted his head and looked directly at his hiding place without deviation—
"Found you..."