This [Sky-Shrouding]... I've worked so hard, so why won't you just die already?
Lu Yang sighed, yet he couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration.
In this world, no one is a mere NPC. Everyone is the protagonist of their own story; different environments and encounters breed infinite variables.
[Sky-Shrouding] was no exception.
Even though Lu Yang relied on ten lifetimes of accumulation, practically hollowing out all intelligence on [Sky-Shrouding] to set this trap, [Sky-Shrouding] didn't just sit there waiting for death.
He was trying to break the game too!
And Lu Yang had to admit, he succeeded. [Wu You Heaven] had just emerged and hadn't spread yet. At this point in time, it couldn't force a Perfected Lord into seclusion.
If only I had another year... no, just half a year. Half a year would be enough for [Wu You Heaven] to expand. Then, no matter what trump cards [Sky-Shrouding] had, I could force him into seclusion. All his schemes would come to naught, and he'd be helpless against my [Overturned Lamp Flame].
Unfortunately [Sky-Shrouding] didn't play by his rules.
This godforsaken place is truly crawling with hidden talent. No matter how many times I restart, it always manages to surprise me... And this time is no different. He really kicked up a storm.
After a brief moment of regret, Lu Yang's face showed no signs of dejection. Instead, a smile appeared.
Plans can't keep up with changes. Fine! I'll just deal with whatever comes my way. Let's see exactly what you want to do, and how far you can go...
With that thought, Lu Yang strained his eyes to look into the distance.
Overseas, [Sky-Shrouding] stood in the air, hands clasped behind his back.
The Pure Land was just the beginning. As he stopped concealing his aura, the second to arrive was Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue. Her majestic divine sense locked onto him instantly.
"It really is you!"
A split second later, a beautiful figure stepped out of the shattered void with long legs. Beneath her elegant, classical smile hid a raging fury.
[Sky-Shrouding] wasn't surprised. He had privately researched this pillar of the Primordial Saint Sect who rose after him. He knew her vengeful personality well. But he had his own pride; the current Feixue wasn't enough to catch his eye.
"Is that all?"
[Sky-Shrouding] looked around towards the Four Seas Sect. He was waiting... If his guess was right, that mysterious Foundation Establishment cultivator should be related to the old Dragon Lord.
Meanwhile, inside the Four Seas Sect.
"Is he sick? Why is he looking at me?"
Sensing [Sky-Shrouding]'s gaze, the old Dragon Lord's survival instinct—honed over years of barely scraping by—made him curl up. He had zero intention of paying attention to the chaos outside.
Why should he get mixed up in human fights?
Since the sky changed, the reason he and the True Dragon Clan had survived until now was precisely because he never looked for trouble. Meddling got dragons killed.
This reaction surprised [Sky-Shrouding]. "No? Did I guess wrong?"
His mind raced but quickly calmed. Since he had already gone all in, he would deal with threats as they came.
Whatever, I walk my own path.
[Sky-Shrouding] hesitated no longer. His main body in the [Netherworld] slowly raised a hand, pulling the lit-up [Silted Sand Earth] Dao Fruit towards the [Netherworld]!
However, Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue moved first. Her red lips parted, and with a voice imbued with the Dao, a shout instantly resonated through the four borders of the world:
"[Sky-Shrouding]!!!"
As the name rang out, his true name was exposed. The [Knowledge-Perception Barrier] shrouding the world immediately fluctuated. Many Golden Core Perfected Lords showed expressions of shock.
"Sky-Shrouding... That's right, Sky-Shrouding!"
"What did he do?"
This aura... late-stage Golden Core?!
"The only person who attained the Supreme Dao Fruit of Great Forest Wood after the heaven changed... how could I forget? The [Knowledge-Perception Barrier]... wait, the Chen Earth seems strange..."
Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue's Dao voice was effective. It instantly exposed [Sky-Shrouding] to every Perfected One in the world. But [Sky-Shrouding] didn't care anymore. From the day he faked his death to hidding himself in the [Netherworld], he had prepared to be an enemy of the entire world.
[World-Retribution Incarnation]!
In the next second, [Sky-Shrouding]'s main body in the [Netherworld] threw a puppet into the mortal world. As the puppet appeared, rolling purple Qi erupted.
This purple Qi alone possessed a divine ability superior to most Perfected Lords in the world!
"Hiss..."
In Jiangdong, Lu Yang sucked in a cold breath. This purple Qi... when Martial Uncle Chong Guang failed seeking Golden Core in the ninth life, [Sky-Shrouding] appeared just like this.
Back then, he fought over a dozen Golden Cores alone!
Including fierce people like Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue, and he still won. It showed just how terrifying Sky-Shrouding's true combat power was.
At this moment, purple Qi filled the sky. Sky-Shrouding operated on two front—controlling the [World-Retribution Incarnation] to intercept Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue, while manipulating [Bodhisattva Coiled Dragon Shadow] to guide the [Silted Sand Earth]. The Dao Fruit slowly descended toward the [Netherworld]...
"Amitabha!"
The Bodhisattvas of the Pure Land made their move.
Instantly, several more Dao Fruit stars lit up in the vault of heaven.
Lu Yang looked over and saw [Weeping Willow Wood], [Ancient Pine & Cypress], and [Ornamental Gold]. He was surprised. Does the Pure Land only have three Bodhisattvas?
Of course, counting [Bodhisattva Coiled Dragon Shadow], that made four.
But... three Dao Fruits. Two Wood, one Metal. That doesn't make three elements... In other words, the Pure Land doesn't possess a late-stage Golden Core!
This was a major discovery.
Lu Yang also understood why the Pure Land chose to attack [Sky-Shrouding]— if they could seize the [Silted Sand Earth], they could complete the three elements!
This concerned the late-stage Golden Core and the struggle for the Dao.
Why would they yield?
Yet [Sky-Shrouding] had planned for the [Silted Sand Earth] for so long, viewing it as his final hammer blow. How could he leave a flaw?
Boom!
[Sky-Shrouding] changed his hand seals. The [Bodhisattva Coiled Dragon Shadow] he controlled immediately deployed the Unorthodox Dao Fruit on his body.
Tempted by the Unorthodox Dao Fruit, the [Silted Sand Earth] went from resisting to actively cooperating.
In a flash of lightning, [Sky-Shrouding] withstood the fierce attacks of Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue and the others with one hand, while his other hand grabbed the [Silted Sand Earth].
Got it!
The next second, the [Silted Sand Earth] was pulled into the [Netherworld].
This change caused [Sky-Shrouding]'s aura to take a qualitative leap—like a puzzle finding a missing piece—becoming more complete.
Seeing this, the auras of Perfected Lords across the world surged again.
Especially within the Sword Pavilion, a dormant aura revived, feeling like a pair of sword-eyes opening and looking sharply at [Sky-Shrouding].
Yet [Sky-Shrouding] didn't care at all.
"Continue...!"
Seeing that [Sky-Shrouding] refused to retreat despite succeeding in getting the [Silted Sand Earth], Lu Yang realized his intent.
He has Daoist Hong Yun for the [Overturned Lamp Flame], Suo Huan for the [Eternal Flowing Water], and the Pure Land Bodhisattvas for the [Silted Sand Earth]. Would he really not have a backup plan for the [White Wax Gold]?
As if responding to Lu Yang, [Sky-Shrouding]'s consciousness landed on [Bodhisattva Coiled Dragon Shadow]'s palm. Beneath the layers of temple light and shadow lay a stubborn stone overflowing with flowing colors. Gold light shimmered within the stone, and a human figure could be vaguely seen bobbing inside—it was a near-perfect Immortal Spirit!
And the Dao Fruit it pointed to was none other than [White Wax Gold]!
Countless Arhats and Bodhisattvas under the World Honored One had converted it with scriptures day and night, freeing it from Heaven's control. It was one of the Pure Land's most precious treasures.
Yet now, it was [Sky-Shrouding] playing the turtle dove occupying the magpie's nest, holding it in his hand.
This was why [Sky-Shrouding] insisted on sending a divided soul into the Pure Land—not just for the [Silted Sand Earth], but for the [White Wax Gold]!