The Saint Sect had fallen!
Lu Yang stood frozen for a long while, his mind reeling from the shock of the news. As he connected the dots with the history of the present world, the cause and effect became clear.
It's because of Perfected Lord Feixue.
In the present world, [Sky-Shrouding] disappeared, and the Saint Sect declined. If not for the Saint Sect Ancestor and the sudden, meteoric rise of Perfected Lord Feixue, the sect really would have been wiped out by the Dao Court!
But this [False History] truly had nothing. There was no Dao Lord, and Perfected Lord Feixue had gone to the present world. Naturally, the Saint Sect in this [False History] was doomed to a miserable end. Seen in this light, it was no wonder the Saint Sect Ancestor wanted to beat some sense into the World Honored One—this historical trajectory was simply too disgusting.
Wait.
A second later, Lu Yang started. That's not right. If [Sky-Shrouding] in this [False History] didn't attain the [Great Forest Wood], why would he disappear?
He suddenly looked up, his voice grave. "You mentioned earlier that a perfected lord once emerged from this place. Do you know who it was? What was his background? Was it a man or a woman? What did he look like?"
Chen Dao was stunned by the barrage of questions but shook his head. "I don't know. That great figure was entirely shrouded in smoke and mist. No one knew his origins, only that his power was unprecedented!"
Shrouded in smoke!
Lu Yang's pupils constricted instantly. It's [Sky-Shrouding]... the [Sky-Shrouding] from the present world! He visited this [False History] before entering the Netherworld?
"What did he do?" Lu Yang pressed.
A look of awe washed over Chen Dao's face. "What did he do? That great figure... he killed two perfected lords of the Demonic Path in a single breath!"
"I used to organize jade slips in the Immortal Court's Grand Historian Hall and saw the relevant intelligence. The moment that figure emerged into the world, he headed straight for the Demonic Path in Jiangbei. In front of all the perfected lords under heaven, he directly beheaded the strongest expert of the Demonic Path at the time, [Ling Xiao]. After that, he vanished from everyone's sight."
"The second time he appeared, he killed Perfected Lord Hong Tian."
"Since then, he completely disappeared without a trace... In fact, many people believe that the World Honored One who attained the Dao is actually him..."
"Wait!"
Lu Yang abruptly cut Chen Dao off, his eyes bright as he seized upon the critical point. "[Sky-Shrouding]... appeared before the World Honored One attained the Dao?"
How could that be?
Until now, Lu Yang had assumed this [False History] was created by the World Honored One after achieving the nascent soul, meaning its starting point should have been the [World Honored One Attaining the Nascent Soul]. Yet, Chen Dao's narrative forced a startling realization: The World Honored One might not be the creator of the [False History]!
The creator was someone else!
In the next second, an obvious name surfaced in Lu Yang's heart: The Saint Sect Ancestor!
That patriarch really was in a league of his own!
It makes sense. If the World Honored One had built this [False History] alone, it wouldn't explain why there was an entrance leading here from inside the Saint Sect.
However, after the World Honored One attained the Dao, the ownership of this [False History] must have been usurped by him. After all, this place is likely the World Honored One's lifeblood...
Another question immediately popped up.
When exactly was the World Honored One from?
Theoretically, his history traces back tens of thousands of years—the old Dragon Lord can testify to that, having met him back then.
Yet, this [False History] was clearly unrelated to that ancient era; it spanned only the last five thousand years. In other words, if the World Honored One used this to attain his Dao, he should be of the same generation as [Sky-Shrouding]. But that was impossible... The more Lu Yang thought, the more his head throbbed.
"These mighty figures... none of them act like normal humans!"
Lu Yang rubbed his temples and decisively abandoned the train of thought. If he couldn't figure it out, he wouldn't bother. The matters of a nascent soul dao lord were not something a mere foundation establishment cultivator needed to worry about.
Seeking the golden core is more important!
Lu Yang immediately shifted his focus to the other name Chen Dao had mentioned. Perfected Lord Hong Tian... that's easy enough to identify.
No doubt about it—it was an alternate-timeline Hong Yun!
Lu Yang's expression turned peculiar.
[Sky-Shrouding] and Hong Yun... just what kind of grudge did they have? Killing him once in the present world wasn't enough; he actually came to this [False History] specifically to kill him again...
Despite the thought, Lu Yang actually understood [Sky-Shrouding]'s logic.
He was probably... using him for practice.
The [Sky-Shrouding] of that time clearly hadn't stepped into the late golden core stage yet. He likely planned to move against Hong Yun but wasn't sure what trump cards Hong Yun held.
So, he came to find Hong Yun's counterpart in the [False History]—Perfected Lord Hong Tian—to test the waters. Although it was a [False History], the connection between isotopes was significant. [Sky-Shrouding] gathered enough intelligence from Hong Tian, which allowed him to kill the real Hong Yun with ease.
Lu Yang couldn't help but sigh.
Hong Yun... youdid not die in vain!
It might have looked like [Sky-Shrouding] killed him easily, but in reality, the man had done extensive research and preparation behind the scenes. He had given Hong Yun plenty of face.
Lu Yang's interest in this Perfected Lord Hong Tian grew even stronger.
Compared to Hong Yun, this Hong Tian was actually quite lucky. [Sky-Shrouding] only used him for practice and didn't take further action.
The Hong Yun in the present world had been played to death by the [Knowledge-Perception Barrier].
By comparison, according to Yu Zhou's intelligence, the Hong Tian of the [False History] had at least managed a comeback, even try to attaining the [Heavenly Fire] once.
Although he eventually failed, a reincarnated perfected one wouldn't produce a dao sin upon failing to seek the golden core; they would simply reincarnate and try again. Without the obstruction of [Sky-Shrouding], Hong Tian had either returned to his position or was currently at the peak of foundation establishment, painstakingly plotting to seek the [Heavenly Fire] again.
With this in mind, Lu Yang suddenly asked, "Where is Perfected Lord Hong Tian now?"
Chen Dao paused, then hurriedly replied, "I was just getting to that... Perfected Lord Hong Tian is currently the third perfected lord of the Yama Dao."
"But that's old news. After Hong Tian was killed by that mysterious man the first time, he defied the heavens and returned as an unorthodox perfected one, joining the Yama Dao directly. However, after failing to seek the [Heavenly Fire], that lord seemed unwilling to give up and hasn't reclaimed his position yet..."
Chen Dao thought for a moment before continuing, "As for where he is now... he should be overseas. It's said that lord is currently rallying the Dragon Race, possibly planning to attempt the [Heavenly Fire] once more."
"Overseas?"
Lu Yang's eyes flickered. Having obtained the intelligence he needed, he vanished from the spot, leaving the two men to continue their conversation, completely unaware of his departure.
Sure enough, the Saint Sect Ancestor sending me to this [False History] at this specific time wasn't aimless. He picked a perfect moment.
Hong Tian wants to seek the [Heavenly Fire] again?
Perfect!
Lu Yang made up his mind instantly. He would meet this Hong Tian and use every means possible to help him seek the golden core, using the process to probe for potential risks.
As for how to find someone overseas, Lu Yang had a contingency plan.
The best way to find someone was to get a local snake to lead the way. And overseas, there weren't many who qualified as true local snakes.
Tian Qiu counts as one... but he has the old Dragon Lord behind him. The perfected lords in the [False History] aren't in seclusion. Although I just sensed that the [False Holding Golden Stature Method] works here too, there's no need to provoke a powerful enemy unless absolutely necessary.
It was better to find a local snake without a backer.
So, who fit that criteria?
After a moment of thought, Lu Yang took out the [Myriad Spirits Banner] and gave it a gentle shake, summoning Suo Huan, who had been in secluded cultivation inside. He then injected a stream of divine sense into him.
"...I see."
Absorbing the divine sense, Suo Huan immediately understood the situation. A smile appeared on his face. "At this point in time, I should be overseas contacting various parties."
"Follow me, My Lord."
"I will lead the way!"