Under the eerie atmosphere, the two sides distanced themselves.
Mu Changsheng and the Old Dragon Lord shrank to one side, while Lu Yang and [Sky-Shrouding] stood on the other. Both sides spread their divine sense and began private chats.
"Little friend, something's happened!"
The Old Dragon Lord looked solemn as he turned to Mu Changsheng. "If I'm not mistaken, those two from the Saint Sect are thinking of ambushing [Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao]."
This actually wasn't hard to guess.
Although he didn't react at first, relying on his understanding of Saint Sect Perfected Lords, the Old Dragon Lord quickly detected Lu Yang and [Sky-Shrouding]'s plan.
Speaking of this, the Old Dragon Lord glanced at Lu Yang and [Sky-Shrouding] not far away, then continued, "Without a doubt, they should be discussing the feasibility of the plan right now. Nine out of ten, they'll pull me in as well. But this is seeking skin from a tiger; one misstep and I'll lose my life!"
To this, Mu Changsheng's answer was very simple:
"Ah."
He completely failed to figure out what had happened. He even seriously reviewed the previous conversation between the Old Dragon Lord, Lu Yang, and [Sky-Shrouding].
It seemed there wasn't much content.
These people were all like ghosts, falling silent after a few sentences, then rolling their eyes around, followed by looks of tacit understanding.
Bastards, what exactly did you all understand?
For the first time, Mu Changsheng experienced what was called the treacherousness of the Immortal Path.
Come to think of it, most who could become Perfected Lords were capable, and the few before him were the top tier among Perfected Lords.
Forget it, forget it...
After all, having fought uphill battles for so many years, Mu Changsheng adjusted his mindset very quickly and immediately became serious: "So? What is Senior's suggestion?"
Hearing this, the Old Dragon Lord immediately brought out his trump card:
"...Play both sides!"
Don't look down on these three words; in reality, the Great Dao is simple. He had been able to cling to life in this wretched place named Immortal Nexus for so many years relying on these three words.
"First, if they really want to ambush [Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao], do you think just the two of them are enough?"
Mu Changsheng shook his head decisively. "Not enough."
No matter how poor [Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao]'s condition was, he was still a Great Perfected Lord, not to mention having the characteristic of an unfallen Grotto-Heaven. How could he be killed so easily?
Not getting counter-killed would be considered good!
The Old Dragon Lord also nodded. "I calculated it. To ambush [Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao], at least three conditions must be met to have a chance of winning."
"First, the infinite resurrection of the unfallen Grotto-Heaven must be cut off... This is actually the easiest part. Within [Nourishing Life Master], even the Netherworld cannot receive souls. As long as we find a way to trap [Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao] so he cannot leave [Nourishing Life Master], this problem is solved."
"Second, strength."
Speaking of this, the Old Dragon Lord held up three fingers:
"[Sky-Shrouding], the other mysterious Saint Sect Perfected Lord, even adding me... with the three of us joining forces, wanting to kill [Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao] is still a fantasy."
"At least one more fierce person needs to be added... Who do you think is suitable?"
Mu Changsheng didn't hesitate for too long on this question: "[Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue]!"
Perfected Lord Feixue's strength was unquestionable. Even in a one-on-one duel with [Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao], if the opponent didn't recover his Great Perfected Lord cultivation, he might not necessarily win.
"You're right."
The Old Dragon Lord nodded. "But in that case, if they really succeed, it will be three Saint Sect Perfected Lords carving up the benefits with us."
"Do you think it's possible?"
"Three Saint Sect Perfected Lords, fair and justly sharing the spoils of war with us?"
Mu Changsheng: "..."
Of course it was impossible!
Not to mention there was a fundamental conflict between Perfected Lord Feixue and the Old Dragon Lord... Feixue had coveted the Water Element Supreme Position for years, and currently, the Water Element Supreme was the Old Dragon Lord!
"Undoubtedly, the other party will definitely stab me in the back and kill me!"
The Old Dragon Lord gritted his teeth and said, "So regarding the path of the Saint Sect, better give up on it. There's no saving it... Since that's the case, we can only defect to the Sword Pavilion."
Mu Changsheng's eyes rolled upon hearing this.
That's not right.
Almost got fooled by this old dragon... You have no hope on the Saint Sect path, but that's you. What does it have to do with me, Mu Changsheng?
Perhaps due to being influenced for a long time, and witnessing too many instances of Lu Yang and [Sky-Shrouding] turning hostile in a short period, Mu Changsheng almost subconsciously associated this with the injury and hidden danger he had left inside the Old Dragon Lord earlier, which he had masked with [Wú Yǒu Heaven].
This is my chance!
If the Old Dragon Lord really defects to the Sword Pavilion and turns against the Saint Sect, this is my bargaining chip. I can help the Saint Sect deliver a fatal blow at a critical moment!
Thinking of this, he glanced at the Old Dragon Lord again.
Why the other party came to confess to him, Mu Changsheng knew clearly in his heart. It was nothing more than thinking he was the weakest, easy to manipulate, and also had a bad relationship with the Saint Sect.
However, Mu Changsheng had actually thought it through.
When will retribution ever end? Actually, thinking carefully, I don't have that much hatred towards the Saint Sect. Even if I do, it's not like I can't put it aside temporarily.
More importantly, defecting to the Sword Pavilion meant he had nothing to move the Sword Pavilion with.
But defecting to the Saint Sect, he at least had the Old Dragon Lord as a bargaining chip.
'For the Old Dragon Lord, it's better to defect to the Sword Pavilion. But for me... it's better to defect to the Saint Sect!'
With this thought, Mu Changsheng instantly felt his mind was opened up.
As for the Old Dragon Lord's claim that Saint Sect Perfected Lords would inevitably turn hostile after cooperation, Mu Changsheng felt it actually had little to do with him.
Turning hostile requires a conflict of interest as a premise.
But I already have [Wú Yǒu Heaven], and I don't covet the books on Supreme Dao Fruits from the sixth floor and above. I actually have no conflict of interest with the Saint Sect!
The clearance condition for [Nourishing Life Master] was very special.
At least to clear the pass, one didn't necessarily have to get the books from the sixth floor and above. He pretended not to know before, but in fact, after so many years, he had long had a guess.
If I'm not mistaken, the clearance condition for [Nourishing Life Master] should be to let the Dao Fruit take root in the Sea of Bitterness and transform into a [Great Dao], not simply strength.
Opening a path in the Sea of Bitterness—this was something only a Dao Fruit attained through void attainment could do.
However, the Dao Fruits coming out of [Nourishing Life Master] were the only exception... For example, [Wú Yǒu Heaven]. Although it wasn't a Dao Fruit attained through void attainment...
Its essence was not much different.
Apart from having a World Realm seed provided by [Nourishing Life Master] as a foundation, all other conceptual imagery and profound wonders were woven by Mu Changsheng's own hands.
This was actually infinitely close to void attainment.
More importantly, the World Realm seed itself had the characteristic of infinite strengthening by devouring the water of the [Sea of Bitterness], only the efficiency was far inferior to a Dao Fruit from void attainment.
In other words—
The significance of the existence of the entire [Nourishing Life Master] is actually to create a chance for [Pseudo-Void Attainment]—for those cultivators who lack the ability for void attainment.
This was the key!
Because only void attainment could open a path in the Sea of Bitterness, not be bound by the Grotto-Heaven Method, and have hope of becoming a Dao Lord! The checkpoint was certainly a test, but also nurturing!
Precisely because of this, it was a Dao Lord Inheritance.
Thinking of this, Mu Changsheng exhaled deeply: My [Wú Yǒu Heaven] is still one last step away from successfully opening a path in the Sea of Bitterness.
But I still don't understand what this last step is.
The root cause is that I haven't seen a true Dao Fruit from void attainment and lack that experience. On this point, the Saint Sect side should be able to help me solve it.
As the child most loved by the Lord of Heaven, Mu Changsheng knew many secrets.
So he was very clear that [Sky-Shrouding]'s reversal of the world's [Chen Earth] did not rely on the mighty power of [Great Forest Wood], but an unknown special Dao Fruit!
That Dao Fruit must be from void attainment!
Thinking of this, Mu Changsheng became more certain of his intention to defect to the Saint Sect.
However, at the same time, the expression with which he looked at the Old Dragon Lord became increasingly sincere.