After a brief silence, [Sky-Shrouding] spoke.
"This is really... a calamity."
A flat tone, but the one speaking was not that trace of his dilapidated divine sense, but [Bodhisattva Coiled Dragon Shadow]'s soul held in Lu Yang's hand at this moment!
In an instant, Lu Yang's pupils shrank.
But the next second, [Bodhisattva Coiled Dragon Shadow], or rather [Sky-Shrouding], moved. A brilliant golden splendor lit up on his body.
This splendor intertwined the light of the sun and moon, condensing the qi of yin and yang. It was the concept of [White Wax Gold].
However, this Dao Fruit was countered by Lu Yang's [Heavenly Fire]. Once displayed, [Sky-Shrouding] not only didn't escape but found himself in an increasingly difficult situation.
But the next second, Lu Yang saw a second illusionary brilliance emerge, reflecting the concept of changing hills and valleys, coiling and hiding dragons and snakes. It was exactly [Silted Sand Earth]. The two illusionary brilliances intertwined, actually forming the concept of "earth bearing yang, leaking fire to generate metal," transforming the original restrain into mutual generation!
Rumble!
A loud noise rang out, and [Sky-Shrouding] rode a beam of light, escaping from Lu Yang's palm in the blink of an eye, landing in the distance. He had actually managed to escape!
Lu Yang couldn't help being dumbfounded upon seeing this, then shook his head and chuckled lightly:
"...I learned something new."
This wasn't a gap in cultivation realm, but pure dao comprehension. [Sky-Shrouding] simply relied on profound dao comprehesion to find a path of life from a desperate situation!
I knew the variable was with [Sky-Shrouding]... Worthy of being the World Honored One.
Lu Yang looked sideways, only to see [City Rampart Earth], which had just reversed everything, now had dim light. Dispersing like smoke and fog, it soon disappeared from the present world.
On the other side, [Sky-Shrouding] stretched his limbs to his heart's content. The concepts of [White Wax Gold] and [Silted Sand Earth] intertwined into a brilliant light above his head. However, these two concepts were not inexhaustible. After all, the Dao Fruits they belonged to were currently in the Netherworld, so once used up, they would be gone.
But [Sky-Shrouding] remained very confident.
Strictly speaking, my current strength is inferior to this demonic dragon, but my higher dao comprehesionis enough to cover up all my disadvantages.'
Undoubtedly, he was very weak at this moment.
His main body trapped in the Netherworld, the [Knowledge-Perception Barrier] almost scrapped—usable against Foundation Establishment, but just tickling against Golden Core, basically not counting on using it for fighting.
The only thing usable was [Bodhisattva Coiled Dragon Shadow]'s own unorthodox Dao Fruit, plus the limited concepts of [White Wax Gold] and [Silted Sand Earth]... However, these were just concept, not profound wonders. If the Dao Fruit's fundamental wonder were present, he would have a hundred percent chance of winning. Now, probably only sixty percent.
From this, it can be seen that [City Rampart Earth] also has limits...
If it could truly change karma wantonly and reverse the present world, then just set a cause of Lu Yang's sudden death directly, then sit and wait for Lu Yang to die; wouldn't that be fine?
There must be heavy restrictions within.
The judgment [Sky-Shrouding] could make, Lu Yang naturally could make too. Because he had cultivated [City Rampart Earth] before, his judgment was more precise:
[Commanding Past and Present], changing the cause of the past to achieve the effect of the present. This is a wonder that can change history! But this karma change must meet certain conditions. Just like my [Heavenly Fire]... This condition probably lies in the people witnessing it. The more people know, the harder it is to change!
The basis for Lu Yang's judgment was simple—
[Heavenly Fire] is like this; the rules formulated cannot conflict with each other. So the karma changed by [City Rampart Earth] shouldn't either!
After all, the more people witnessed existing karma, the tighter it became, hard to shake like a rock. If the modified karma conflicted with existing karma, unless there was strong enough mighty power to suppress this conflict, the modified karma would inevitably be defeated in the end.
Whoosh!
After thoroughly clearing his thoughts, Lu Yang's mood calmed down instead. Looking at [Sky-Shrouding] with indifferent eyes, he suddenly spoke softly:
"Is Senior just going to let the World Honored One drive you like this?"
"Not really."
[Sky-Shrouding] shook his head: "You want to reverse the Chen Earth; you and I are inherently great enemies. It's just that this karma was utilized by the World Honored One, that's all."
Lu Yang smiled calmly.
To be honest, whatever Chen Earth, whatever [Sky-Shrouding], actually had nothing to do with him in this life. He also had every reason to choose to withdraw from worldly affairs.
After all, [Sky-Shrouding] had made it very clear. The karma between them was entirely because Lu Yang could reverse the Chen Earth. So as long as he gave up reversing the Chen Earth, there would be no fundamental contradiction with [Sky-Shrouding]. Both sides could completely turn hostility into friendship. At worst, let Chong Guang suffer a bit more.
However... I am unwilling!
Lu Yang shook his head. This wasn't because of any noble reason, but purely selfish thoughts: Those who rule the world only moved forward.
Retreating meant the concept weakened.
[Heavenly Fire] was domineering, never compromising. Even if no one in the world cultivated it, it wouldn't lower its requirements for those seeking the Golden Core because of this.
How could such a Dao Fruit accept a compromising person?
In other words, [Sky-Shrouding]'s words seemed to seek a win-win situation, but in reality, they harbored evil intentions, wanting to ruin his Dao path of attaining [Heavenly Fire]!
Never mind... let's try then.
Lu Yang took a step forward.
Thinking back to the beginning, when he was still in the late stage of Qi Refining, he had faced the Heaven-Mending Peak Master like this, boldly drawing his sword. Now that mood had gradually blurred.
Thinking back...
This wretched place had long been a pool of stagnant water... Thinking back carefully, over ten lifetimes of cultivation, he had seen many heroes, each an outstanding talent of their generation.
Patriarch Nether Whisper, Martial Uncle Chong Guang, Master Vanquishing-Demon, Fellow Daoist Suo Huan, Perfected One Primordial... Saying it bluntly, their talent, character, and ability were all above his. Yet none of them truly succeeded in seeking the Golden Core. At most, they attained an Unorthodox Dao Fruit like [Wu You Heaven].
This wasn't ability, but fate.
Nether Whisper survived for a thousand years, Chong Guang reincarnated with hatred, Vanquishing-Demon sacrificed his body to the sword, Suo Huan died with regret, Primordial's schemes came to naught... Not a single one had a good end!
Was it really so irresistible?
The great figure in the sky, the high and mighty Perfected Lords and Dao Lords—could the chess game they set really couldn't be overturned?
Destined to be mere pawns?
I don't believe it.
Lu Yang continued forward.
Raging fire began to ignite on his body. The firelight radiating a halo that seemed to bathe almost half of Jiangxi in flames.
"..."
At this moment, [Sky-Shrouding] didn't speak. He just looked at Lu Yang, meeting those indifferent eyes, yet seemed to see raging fire within them.
Suddenly, he sighed:
"You are very much like me."
Young and frivolous, not knowing the height of heaven and depth of earth. Having a bit of talent, the heart was higher than the sky. Only after growing up did one understand the cruel truths of this world.
He grew up, and understood.
So he sought refuge in the Netherworld, choosing to feign death and vanish without a trace, despite being the first in the world to attain the Supreme Dao Fruit.
But Lu Yang didn't.
There is no second [Netherworld] for you to hide in, yet you insist on attaining [Heavenly Fire], and want to do it openly and aboveboard, seeking it under the gaze of everyone.
A dead end.
Even if successful, it would be nothing more than a meteor in the sky, a fleeting moment. What was the meaning?
[Sky-Shrouding] withdrew his thoughts. His eyes, which had briefly rippled, regained their calmness. He had his own path to walk, and a touch of sentimentality couldn't change his resolve.
Boom!
The next second, heaven and earth shook violently!
In Lu Yang's heart, the experiences of ten lifetimes turned into firewood, igniting a raging fire. Facing [Sky-Shrouding], facing the Pure Land, facing the world, he took the final step:
"I refuse to yield!"