"The matter of the Space-Time Secret Realm can wait for now."
Although Lu Yang had already marked the Dao Child with a large crimson cross in his heart, on the surface, he remained calm. "With a great enemy before us, we cannot attend to these things for the time being."
"Oh."
Hearing this, the Dao Child looked deeply at Lu Yang. Seeing the other party returning his gaze frankly, he nodded slightly after a moment of silence. "True, this matter is indeed not urgent."
"Now that the world situation has changed greatly, I will be in a state of recovery for a long time to ensure the mountain gate is safe... If you are interested in the past events you have forgotten, you can come ask me at any time. I know you are still wary, but it doesn't matter; trust can be built over time."
After speaking, the Dao Child actively dispersed his form.
Only the [Heaven-Reaching Hall] still stood above the Sacred Fire Cliff like a great sun traversing the sky, yet it remained undetected by any cultivator below the Golden Core stage.
Only then did Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue finally speak.
"Welcome, Fellow Daoist."
She smiled radiantly. "There have been constant commotions in Jiangnan recently. It is estimated that [Sky-Shrouding] is attaching himself to a Grotto-Heaven. When he appears again, he will definitely be a Great Perfected Lord."
"Therefore, I will also go into seclusion for these few days."
"To aid in this, I have decided to open all the treasuries within the Saint Sect to Fellow Daoist during this period. Fellow Daoist can choose any usable rare treasures to your heart's content."
"I have only one request."
Speaking to this point, the smile on Perfected Lord Feixue's face remained, but her beautiful eyes were coated in frost. "No matter what method is used, I want Gangxing to disappear before the Great Tribulation!"
Lu Yang nodded decisively. "It shall be so."
He naturally wouldn't object.
After all, this was the fundamental interest binding their cooperation.
Or rather, precisely because it was Perfected Lord Feixue—and precisely because he had long figured out her character—he dared to cooperate with her.
If Perfected Lord Feixue possessed the same character as that old ghost [Sky-Shrouding], Lu Yang would never cooperate with her. In that scenario, he couldn't be sure she wouldn't secretly collude with [Sky-Shrouding] and Gangxing to sell him out. After all, he would definitely fetch a good price.
Perfected Lord Feixue is still reliable.
This person has her own persistence and clearly does not get along with the Sword Pavilion. She also holds genuine killing intent toward Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao. This is undoubtedly good news.
Soon, the Perfected Lords dispersed.
Perfected Lord Feixue opened up a Cave Abode Secret Realm for Lu Yang within the Sacred Fire Cliff, while she took Great Sage Ming Zhu and Perfected Lord Iridescent Brocade into seclusion.
On the other side, Lu Yang naturally wouldn't remain idle.
After all, it was rare for Perfected Lord Feixue to take charge and open all the Saint Sect's treasuries to him. This was treatment he hadn't enjoyed even after more than a dozen lifetimes.
How could I not utilize such an opportunity?
As for the specific direction of his improvement, Lu Yang had planned it long ago: In such a short time, my own cultivation level definitely cannot be improved.
So, I must find a new path and focus on improving the Banner Spirits within the Righteous Dao Banner. This way, I can also better unleash the power of [Sever All Evil]!
Through the battle with [Sky-Shrouding], Lu Yang had seen the immense potential of Banner Spirits when paired with [Sever All Evil].
It was no exaggeration to say that if not for [Sky-Shrouding]'s [Knowledge-Perception Barrier] being too strong—wiping out his sea of Banner Spirits in a single move—he would definitely have ground [Sky-Shrouding] to death!
The answer, then, was simple.
Find a way to strengthen the Banner Spirits—strengthen them to the point where even [Sky-Shrouding] cannot wipe them out in one move... Afterward, they will inevitably become one of his ultimate killing moves!
…
Sacred Fire Cliff, [Divine Dark Void Grotto-Heaven].
A wide, boundless lake lay like a bright mirror. The light and colors of heaven and earth merged inside and outside the water, creating a magnificent wonder.
This place was extremely special.
Outside the lake was heaven and earth; inside the lake was the Grotto-Heaven. Perfected Lord Hanguang Futian's true body had always resided within the Grotto-Heaven, never stepping out half a step from beginning to end.
His previous moves were essentially reflections projected by this Grotto-Heaven lake—incarnations walking in the mortal world on behalf of his main body. Even if they died, it was merely a reflection shattering, having no impact on his main body. Spending a little time could re-circulate them.
Soon, the void opened.
Water light rippled, and an illusory shadow that seemed both real and fake walked over, stepping onto the lake. Then, like ink seeping into a pool, it gradually faded and dispersed.
The incarnation had returned to position.
Almost simultaneously, Perfected Lord Hanguang Futian's main body within the Grotto-Heaven opened his eyes, digesting the incarnation's experiences. Solemnity gradually surfaced in the depths of his gaze.
"A great war is coming..."
He saw it clearly; his heart was transparent. This time, it was not the petty skirmishes of the past, but a battle that would truly determine the future landscape of the Immortal Nexus.
"If the Saint Sect wins, hereafter the Immortal Nexus shall take my Saint Sect as the leader. If the Sword Pavilion wins, then the Sword Pavilion will be supreme. And whichever side achieves final success will inevitably be able to seize the most benefits from the future Thousand Year Great Tribulation. This is no longer a simple contest."
"It is a Dao Struggle!"
In this situation, everyone would go all out, and no power could stay out of it... In other words, the Dao Court and the Pure Land were in the same position!
The Dao Court and the Pure Land had to take sides!
Usually, neutrality was acceptable, but when it concerned a Dao Struggle, there was no room for swaying left and right. Whoever dared to remain neutral would likely be destroyed first by everyone else.
Only in this way could the warring parties avoid someone else reaping the fisherman's profit.
Therefore, for the Saint Sect and the Sword Pavilion, the Pure Land and the Dao Court were both objects to be won over. In this Dao Struggle, they were bargaining chips of considerable weight.
Thinking of this, a fervent look surfaced in Perfected Lord Hanguang Futian's eyes.
Regarding the goal of killing Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao, he held a supportive attitude. After all, if Gangxing died, a position would be vacant.
One must remember that the Sword Pavilion still had two early-stage Perfected Lords.
Once Gangxing died, if the remaining two early-stage Perfected Lords of the Sword Pavilion didn't want to be buried with him, they would have to find another patron. At that time, he could try to win them over.
…
Time flew; years passed like a shuttle.
For a time, the Immortal Nexus—which had become lively due to Lu Yang's stirrings—returned to calm. Golden Core Perfected Lords no longer appeared frequently in the world.
Everything seemed to have returned to its original state.
In this situation, some Foundation Establishment Great Perfected Ones who were previously trembling with fear, wishing they could hide themselves away, couldn't help but sigh with emotion:
The Immortal Nexus is really quiet... no more Golden Core Perfected Lord battles.
In a battle between Perfected Lords, even Foundation Establishment Perfected Ones were like ants.
Coupled with the Immortal Nexus's traditional style of cross-level challenges, Foundation Establishment Perfected Ones—especially Great Perfected Ones at the peak of Foundation Establishment—undoubtedly felt extremely insecure.
Only after experiencing troubled times would one understand the preciousness of peace.
Sure enough, everything we've done so far wasn't in vain. From now on, as long as we don't stop our steps, the Dao path will extend continuously...
Soon, another two and a half years passed.
There was still no news from Perfected Lord Feixue, and there was no movement from Jiangnan either. On the contrary, Lu Yang successfully exited seclusion. The goal he set before entering had been successfully achieved.
A new sea of Banner Spirits had been created.