Lu Yang's voice echoed within the [Hidden Mystery Hall]. Yet, upon hearing the words "undoubtedly die," the expression on Daoist Hong Tian's face did not change in the slightest.
"On what basis is Fellow Daoist so certain?"
Hong Tian asked in a deep voice, staring straight at Lu Yang. Lu Yang pressed his lips together, then looked up and pointed at the sky above.
Unspeakable. Cannot be said.
Within the truth lay great terror.
Just a moment ago, Lu Yang wanted to reveal the truth of the [False History] directly to Hong Tian, but he suddenly felt an immense karma descending upon him.
If I speak of this plainly, the karma is so great that my current self simply cannot bear it!
Without a doubt, he would die because of it.
So Lu Yang could only shake his head. After dropping that subtle hint, he changed the subject. "To tell you the truth, if I were to seek the golden core right now, I should also have a ninety percent chance of success."
After speaking, Lu Yang met Hong Tian's gaze calmly. Surprise and suspicion surfaced in Hong Tian's eyes. After a long silence, he finally said faintly, "Since Fellow Daoist is certain I will die, surely you have some insight? If I truly am to die, whose scheme will be the cause?"
Hearing this, Lu Yang breathed a sigh of relief.
Truth be told, according to Lu Yang's original plan, he shouldn't have been this open with Hong Tian. He should have remained in the dark, quietly pushing Hong Tian to seek the golden core.
Unfortunately, plans can't keep up with changes.
Hong Tian's level was clearly a notch higher than Hong Yun's, and he had a perfected lord backing him. This forced Lu Yang to lay his cards on the table.
Fortunately, Hong Tian believed him.
Of course, Lu Yang never intended to harm him in the matter of seeking the golden core. After all, he still needed Hong Tian to sweep the mines and trigger the traps set by various parties for him.
Thinking of this, Lu Yang began to speak slowly:
"The biggest problem originates from the Immortal Court."
Hong Tian frowned upon hearing this, his expression turning solemn. "You mean the [Supreme Law of the Heavenly Kingdom]? How could there be a problem with it? If even that has a problem..."
The [Supreme Law of the Heavenly Kingdom] was the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws] of this [False History]. It was the cornerstone maintaining the Immortal Court and the foundation for ruling the world. If the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws] were to collapse one day, the Immortal Court's rule would disintegrate instantly, and the so-called ruling of the world would naturally be out of the question.
So theoretically, it was the least likely place to have a problem!
At this thought, Hong Tian's expression grew increasingly ugly. With His Majesty and the Three Excellencies presiding over it, the [Supreme Law of the Heavenly Kingdom] absolutely cannot have problems, unless...
Lu Yang gave a cold smile, his voice drifting over:
"Unless it was intentional."
He voiced Hong Tian's thoughts exactly. Yes, if even the foundation of the Immortal Court could have problems, it could only be due to the will of the Immortal Court itself!
"His Majesty and the Three Excellencies... want to harm me?" Hong Tian's expression fluctuated wildly.
But when he looked up at Lu Yang, he saw the man looking relaxed, completely devoid of worry or pressure.
After all, what was this compared to his situation?
In the [False History], there were no Dao Lords, only a few perfected lords for Hong Tian to deal with. Lu Yang, on the other hand, had four Dao Lords attending to him alone. That was real pressure.
"If Fellow Daoist still doesn't believe me, I have a method to verify it."
"...Oh?" Hong Tian raised his eyebrows sharply, revealing a solemn expression as he clasped his hands. "What method? Please, Fellow Daoist, do not withhold your guidance."
"Dao comprehension!"
Lu Yang continued, "The dao comprehension corresponding to the [Heavenly Fire] is vast as the open sea. Fellow Daoist switched paths halfway; I fear you borrowed quite a bit of external force to accumulate your dao comprehension, didn't you?"
For example, the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws].
In this life, for Lu Yang to reach his current realm in just over a decade, the dao comprehension provided by the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws] and Empress Xiao was crucial.
Lu Yang felt there shouldn't be any issues with Empress Xiao's portion. After all, he personally extracted that dao comprehension from her bit by bit; it was all hard work and sweat. However, the dao comprehension provided by the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws] wasn't so secure. Who could guarantee there were no traps within?
Even more critical was that no one in the current era cultivated the [Heavenly Fire].
So in the present world, Lu Yang couldn't find anyone to discuss the Dao with, and naturally, he had no way of discovering if flaws existed in his own dao comprehension.
If it was so for him, it must be the same for Hong Tian.
Sure enough, as Lu Yang's words fell, Hong Tian also realized the potential problems with his dao comprehension. His eyes flickered, and he looked toward Lu Yang.
"...Good method!"
As he spoke, layers of concepts suddenly emerged around both of them.
Truth becomes clearer through debate. To identify flaws in one's dao comprehension, one only needed to discuss the dao and debate; the conclusion would naturally follow.
Boom!
In an instant, the entire [Hidden Mystery Hall] began to tremble. Lu Yang and Hong Tian sat facing each other, heavenly light splashing with their every word.
Discussing the dao, expounding the dao.
Elucidating their understanding of the Dao Fruit concepts. The clearer and more explicit the explanation, the easier it was to trigger induction from heaven and earth. To ordinary cultivators, it would sound like heavenly music and wondrous principles.
Hearing a sentence could plunge one into a state of enlightenment.
Taking a glance could allow one to comprehend technique and divine abilities.
For a time, the [Hidden Mystery Hall] overflowed with flowing light and vibrant colors. The two figures sat opposite each other for a long while before finally stopping, waving their hands to disperse the surrounding concepts.
"Sure enough... something is wrong!"
Lu Yang's expression was calm as he looked at the divine ability phantom colors flowing in his hand. "My dao comprehension, my understanding of the heavenly spirits and earthly fiends—the general direction is correct."
But he lacked a bit of detail.
Although this lack of detail didn't affect refining divine abilities, when it came to the step of seeking the golden core, these details would cause him to repeat the failure of his previous life.
He then looked up at Hong Tian, only to see the other man looking equally grim.
"I am the exact opposite... My details regarding the heavenly spirits and earthly fiends are flawless, everything is there. But in the general direction, I have gone completely astray!"
This was a situation born from their different backgrounds.
The [Dragon Scripture of Heaven's Radiant Decree] Lu Yang cultivated was passed down from the Dragon Race. The old Dragon Lord was very pragmatic, and the cultivation method had no errors, so the general direction was very accurate.
Compared to him, Hong Tian switched paths halfway, moving from [Overturned Lamp Flame] to [Heavenly Fire], deducing everything from scratch. Although his understanding of the heavenly spirits and earthly fiends wasn't problematic and his details were perfect, the final general direction was entirely his own deduction. The result was that he had walked down a deviant path.
Seeking the golden core in this state might still attract the attention of the [Heavenly Fire].
But just like Lu Yang in his previous life, he could ascend the Blessed Land and attract the Dao Fruit's gaze, but that final step—merging with the Dao Fruit—would be impossible.
Yet all of this could have been avoided.
At the very least, under the blessing of the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws], whether it was direction or details, there was a chance to make up for it... But simply no one reminded them.
The people in this wretched place were too wicked!
Lu Yang sighed with emotion in his heart. "Regardless, through our discussion of the Dao this time, the flaws in our dao comprehension can be remedied. It counts as a joyous occasion..."
Before his voice could fade, he saw Hong Tian shake his head.
"Fellow Daoist is too optimistic."
"If the Immortal Court truly wants to harm me, when necessary, they only need to demote and banish me, dispersing my phenomenon of ruling the world. I would undoubtedly die!"
Hearing this, Lu Yang narrowed his eyes.
In fact, this was his greatest suspicion regarding the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws], and also the most likely method the Dao Court's Dao Lords would use to stab him in the back according to his calculations.
Demotion, banishment.
More than half of his foundation for seeking the golden core in this life rested on the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws]. The [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws] could lift him up, and now it could also stomp him to death!
Thinking of this, Lu Yang looked at Hong Tian again.
This was the greatest significance of his coming to the [False History]. As long as Hong Tian could solve the trouble brought by the Immortal Court, Lu Yang could copy the answer and use it against the Dao Court!