To be fair, this wasn't [Sky-Shrouding]'s fault either.
After all, it was hard for him to believe his layout would be unraveled by a mere Foundation Establishment Perfected One. This was completely irrational, even theoretically impossible.
[Sky-Shrouding] pondered over and over, feeling there was only one explanation:
The World Honored One descended, enlightened a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and then used him to ruin my plans... This is the only possibility! Only this explanation makes the most sense.
[Sky-Shrouding] even thought of the motive: he had sent a divided soul into the Pure Land, attained the Pure Land's Unorthodox Dao Fruit, and snatched the Pure Land's [White Wax Gold] Immortal Spirit.
Although [Bodhisattva Coiled Dragon Shadow] returned it in the end, the [White Wax Gold] Immortal Spirit had already died because it failed to seek the Golden Core.
Rounding up, this counted as offending the Pure Land.
Perhaps the World Honored One had discovered his scheme long ago and created a Foundation Establishment Buddha Child specifically to entrap and kill him.
If this was just speculation...
Then what made him even more certain was the unlucky guy currently controlled by Lu Yang... The effect of [Marionette] was very similar to the World Honored One's [One Mind].
And there was that [False Holding Golden Stature Method]. The World Honored One also had a False Holding Dao Lord Method.
It matched. Everything matched!
The more [Sky-Shrouding] thought about it, the more reasonable his guess seemed.
If you aren't the World Honored One, who is?
That was why, after considering every possibility, he tentatively called out, tensing his mind while his divine sense carefully observed the changes in Lu Yang's expression.
But what kind of person was Lu Yang?
Relying on [Marionette] for remote control, none of his thoughts would show on his face. Even his soul wouldn't fluctuate due to his thoughts.
Meanwhile, before [Sky-Shrouding]'s voice even faded, Lu Yang had already clarified his thoughts:
He misunderstood again... thinking I'm the World Honored One?
That's right. He has a grudge against the World Honored One, and the World Honored One is shameless. Enlightening a Foundation Establishment cultivator to deal with him is truly the most normal thing in the world...
Thinking of this, Lu Yang suddenly smiled:
"Senior misunderstands. I am not the World Honored One."
He didn't go with the flow and admit it. Unlike impersonating Daoist Hong Yun—whose experiences he had settled and could impersonate without issue—this was different.
Impersonating the World Honored One?
He knew nothing about Dao Lords. He couldn't impersonate one at all. Forcing it would only let [Sky-Shrouding] see through him, exposing his background instead.
Compared to that, candidly stating he wasn't the World Honored One would actually make people suspicious.
After all, in the entire Jiangxi region, from Bodhisattvas down to monk commoners, everyone claimed they weren't the World Honored One, but when the critical moment came, the World Honored One would take over the body.
Sure enough, [Sky-Shrouding] fell into suspicion.
But soon he recognized reality: Regardless, since he can falsely hold the [Overturned Lamp Flame], he can reverse the Zhixu Earth. He has seized my weakness after all.
In fact after obtaining [Silted Sand Earth] and [White Wax Gold], even if Zhixu Earth was reversed, he could maintain his late-stage Golden Core cultivation with the three elements of Metal, Earth, and Wood. But in doing so, the smooth path he originally planned would immediately turn into perilous peaks and ridges, giving birth to countless twists and turns.
"...If Fellow Daoist has business, you might as well speak frankly."
[Sky-Shrouding] sighed. While promoting Lu Yang from "Little Friend" back to "Fellow Daoist," he gave up the initiative in the conversation.
Only then did Lu Yang raise his brows and whisper:
"Speaking of which, I actually harbor no ill will toward Senior. The previous incidents were all misunderstandings. I invited Senior out now mainly to discuss a transaction with you."
Transaction?
[Sky-Shrouding] remained composed, saying indifferently, "Please speak."
Lu Yang continued, "Actually, Senior saw it earlier. I wish to attain [Heavenly Fire] with this body. There are various difficulties along the way requiring Senior's assistance."
[Sky-Shrouding]: "..."
The World Honored One wants to seize [Heavenly Fire]?
Not impossible! After all, [City Rampart Earth] is still lying in Jiangxi. What's wrong with having an extra [Heavenly Fire]? [Sky-Shrouding] could totally understand!
"How shall I assist Fellow Daoist?"
"Very simple."
Lu Yang said softly, "As long as Fellow Daoist is willing to act for me at the critical moment. If my guess is correct, Fellow Daoist should still have the power for one strike."
[Sky-Shrouding] didn't commit to an answer but changed the subject:
"Why should I help you?"
"Because of [Overturned Lamp Flame]!" Lu Yang said decisively. "As long as Fellow Daoist helps me, in the future, I will help Fellow Daoist send [Overturned Lamp Flame] into the [Netherworld]."
At these words, [Sky-Shrouding]'s eyes changed slightly.
"...How can I trust you?"
Facing [Sky-Shrouding]'s doubt, Lu Yang laughed. "The point isn't about how to trust me, Senior. The point should be whether I can do it."
[Sky-Shrouding] knew this well. After all, he himself didn't keep promises and knew deeply that trust was the easiest thing to break in this world. If Lu Yang spoke extravagantly, listing reasons why he was trustworthy, he would absolutely refuse without hesitation.
But Lu Yang didn't do that.
He only said one sentence, yet it made [Sky-Shrouding]'s heart pound: Can he send [Overturned Lamp Flame] into the [Netherworld]? Without a doubt, he can!
That was enough.
In the Primordial Saint Sect, benefits were key. As long as there were benefits for both sides, there was a foundation for cooperation. The rest was just a matter of each using their own means.
This person... is from the Saint Sect?
[Sky-Shrouding] pondered but didn't think Lu Yang wasn't the World Honored One because of this. Instead, he suspected it more, because only an old Perfected Lord like him knew:
The World Honored One did advanced studies in the Saint Sect back in the day!
Not only that, the World Honored One was adept in social dealings back then. Except for the Sword Pavilion, which didn't let him in, he had visited both the Saint Sect and the Dao Court. Otherwise, how could the Pure Land have the reputation of being an Evil Sect?
Thinking of this, [Sky-Shrouding] made his decision and smiled. "Alright, I agree to Fellow Daoist's proposal."
On the other side, after getting [Sky-Shrouding]'s affirmative reply, Lu Yang felt no joy at all. Instead, he sighed in his heart: This is completely insincere...
Anyone who believed the words of a Saint Sect Perfected Lord was an idiot!
While silently ridiculing in his heart, Lu Yang also showed a sincere smile: "Then it's a happy cooperation... Consider this item a meeting gift from this junior."
After speaking, he took out a jade slip:
"It contains intelligence on [Eternal Flowing Water]."
Although calling it a meeting gift, Lu Yang gripped the jade slip tightly with five fingers, having absolutely no intention of just handing it over to [Sky-Shrouding]. This made [Sky-Shrouding] understand instantly.
"...What does Fellow Daoist want?"
"A portion of Ji Earth Daoist Cultivation, sufficient to refine Heavenly Spirits and Earthly Fiends."
At this moment, the dagger was finally revealed.
Whatever transaction with [Sky-Shrouding], it was all just pretense. Only this was what he truly wanted from him— Ji Earth Dao comprehension!
[Sky-Shrouding] narrowed his eyes upon hearing this.
Deliberately exposing the method of falsely holding the [Overturned Lamp Flame] just to deter me, while the ultimate goal is to exchange for a portion of Ji Earth-related Dao comprehensionfrom my hands?
This actually made him suspicious.
After all, if he really was a Foundation Establishment enlightened by the World Honored One, it was impossible for him to want any Dao comprehension... Could he have guessed wrong? Or was this a diversionary tactic?
Even so, [Sky-Shrouding] quickly made a decision: "Agreed."
Immediately after, he actively split off a strand of divine sense and casually tossed it to Lu Yang. With a half-smile on his face, he seemed not to care at all.
The reason was simple:
Since you know about my [Knowledge-Perception Barrier], aren't you afraid I've buried a trap in this portion of Dao comprehensionknowledge, deliberately hiding things to screw you over?
I gave you the Dao comprehension.
Dare you use it?