Although Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao withdrew very decisively, making this challenge feel a bit anticlimactic, Lu Yang did not develop a sense of contempt.
He even felt somewhat regretful.
If Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao had really dared to start a war so hastily, Lu Yang would have dared to deal him a ruthless blow. With a bit of luck, he might have actually killed him!
However, the opponent was too steady.
The reason for his decisive withdrawal was clearly that he had determined he lacked an overwhelming advantage. This retreat was merely preparation for the next attack.
Most likely, he is going to win over the Pure Land and the Dao Court.
Lu Yang's eyes narrowed slightly. In such a situation, the Pure Land and the Dao Court definitely wouldn't choose to stand by and watch. It was clear his preparation time was running out.
Soon, like a stone thrown into a lake, stirring up ripples, this challenge and confrontation between the Sword Pavilionand the Saint Sect caused an uproar throughout the Immortal Nexus.
For a time, everyone felt insecure.
It was common knowledge that when immortals fight, mortals suffer. Especially when Golden Core Perfected Lords took action; under the influence of Dao Fruits, Qi Refining disciples often died in large swathes.
If all the current Perfected Lords started a great war and fought with real fire, let alone Qi Refining disciples, even some Foundation Establishment Perfected Ones with lower cultivation might be affected and lose their lives. Those with higher cultivation were even more worried about being killed across levels by enemy Perfected Lords.
Of course, there were also forces that feared the world wouldn't be chaotic enough.
After a great war, there would inevitably be a redistribution of interests. In this situation, taking sides was crucial. Everyone was trying to judge the tides.
Finally, most people reached the same conclusion:
In this battle, the Saint Sect is at a disadvantage.
No matter how one looked at it, this war was shaping up to be a joint effort of the Sword Pavilion, the Dao Court, and the Pure Land. The Saint Sect was unable to support itself alone. Three against one—the advantage lay with the Righteous Dao!
…
Jiangnan, Extreme Heaven Cliff.
Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao closed his eyes, withdrawing his divine sense from Jiangbei. Immediately after, with a thought, he retrieved a communication jade slip from his robes.
Soon, the jade slip activated.
Buddha light surfaced, finally condensing into a graceful and beautiful figure. Her fox-like, enchanting eyes were tender as water, her appearance inviting pity as she looked at Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao.
It was precisely Bodhisattva Precious Lotus Hidden Subduer of the Pure Land.
"Fellow Daoist has considered it well?"
Bodhisattva Precious Lotus Hidden Subduer chuckled, her laughter hooking into the mind. "If you have considered it well, this poor nun is willing to personally come to the Extreme Heaven Cliff to discuss the Dao with Fellow Daoist."
"You come."
Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao didn't bargain, speaking directly. "I can lend you the [Eternal Sword] to help you break through to the late-stage Golden Core."
As soon as these words were spoken, a smile instantly appeared on Bodhisattva Precious Lotus Hidden Subduer's face. She immediately replied, "Fellow Daoist, rest assured. The World Honored One dislikes [Heavenly Fire]. This time, my Pure Land will definitely stand on the same front as the Sword Pavilion. As long as the Sword Pavilion helps this poor nun break through to the late-stage Golden Core, I will definitely reciprocate!"
Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao nodded.
Of the two Demon Race Great Sages from Overseas, Great Sage Ming Zhu had defected to the Saint Sect, while Great Sage Xuan Yuan had no other choice but to defect to the Pure Land.
Bodhisattva Precious Lotus Hidden Subduer had readily accepted him.
However, this spawned another problem.
Bodhisattva Precious Lotus Hidden Subduer's [Ornamental Gold] and Great Sage Xuan Yuan's [Thunderbolt Flame] were actually incompatible. The difficulty of matching the two was quite high.
There was no choice; not every Dao Fruit could be perfectly matched. Whether one's Dao comprehension was high enough to perceive this incompatibility was itself a chasm for late-stage Golden Core cultivators. However, in the current situation, Bodhisattva Precious Lotus Hidden Subduer couldn't afford to care about that, so she had to choose a tougher method.
—Forceful pairing.
This wasn't impossible. Although [Ornamental Gold] was incompatible with [Thunderbolt Flame], the other two Dao Fruits of the Pure Land didn't have this trouble.
This situation mirrored that of Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao.
That was why Bodhisattva Precious Lotus Hidden Subduer made this request—she wanted to imitate Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao. Future troubles could be discussed later; breaking through first was the priority!
This aligned perfectly with Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao's intentions.
Fortunately, Precious Lotus has a favor to ask, so the Pure Land can be won over... Otherwise, given the Pure Land's usual style, it might not be impossible for them to join forces with the Saint Sect.
The Pure Land had connections with the Saint Sect; everyone knew this.
Back then, the Pure Land was called the Evil Sect—clearly birds of a feather with the Saint Sect. Neither was good; they belonged to the same nest.
In comparison, the Dao Court was much more reassuring.
As early as countless years ago, the Sword Pavilion and the Dao Court had been joining forces to fight against the Saint Sect. Compared to the Pure Land, the Dao Court was undoubtedly more trustworthy.
…
Jiangdong, Tianwu Hall.
"News came from the Sword Pavilion, asking us to help deal with the Saint Sect?"
In the magnificent hall, Emperor Jiayou stood with his hands clasped behind his back. Flanking him were the Three Excellencies of the Dao Court; four Golden Core Perfected Lords had gathered together.
However, a significant change had occurred. Emperor Jiayou, who was previously at the mid-stage Golden Core, had undergone a qualitative leap. His aura was faintly connected with the Grand Preceptor and Grand Tutor among the Three Excellencies. One controlled [Gilded Gold Leaf], the other controlled [Plains Forest Wood], perfectly completing the three elements with Emperor Jiayou's [Wayside Earth]!
Late-stage Golden Core—Great Perfected Lord!
Clearly, limited by external pressure, the internal Dao Court had reached a consensus. Monarch and ministers joined hands, ceasing their internal strife, allowing Emperor Jiayou to break through.
"My dear ministers, what do you think?"
Emperor Jiayou chuckled. "My Dao Court has been friends with the Sword Pavilion for generations, after all, and we have joined forces many times in the past. Emotionally and reasonably, we should also offer assistance."
Hearing this, the Three Excellencies exchanged glances.
Emperor Jiayou spoke pleasantly, but obviously left out a "but." The reason was simple: When was the Dao Court friends with the Sword Pavilion for generations?
The previous dynasty! The Dao Court controlled by the Zou Yu Imperial Family was friends with the Sword Pavilion for generations. But the result? When the Zou Yu Imperial Family was destroyed, the Sword Pavilion stood by and watched.
Although the Tian Wu Imperial Family benefited in the end, this didn't mean they had no apprehension about it. In fact, their apprehension was quite heavy.
The Tian Wu Imperial Family wasn't close to the Sword Pavilion.
The relationship between the Zou Yu Imperial Family and the Sword Pavilion was so strong, yet the Sword Pavilion ignored them. Then what about the Tian Wu Imperial Family? Wasn't it even more likely to have problems?
This was Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao's misconception.
He viewed the "Dao Court" as a monolithic entity.
However, in fact, the Dao Court was the most special among the four major forces. Under the will of the Dao Lord of the Dao Court, the so-called "Dao Court" was actually just a layer of skin.
It was just that someone had always been wearing it, giving the impression that the Dao Court hadn't changed.
In reality? The Tian Wi Imperial Family and the Zou Yu Imperial Family were basically two different groups of people. The friendship in Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao's eyes didn't exist at all in Emperor Jiayou's view.
Moreover, this was the Immortal Nexus.
In the Immortal Nexus, you talk to me about friendship? Sending someone with a message asking me to deal with the Saint Sect together with you... where are the interests? Where are the benefits? Want to freeload off me?
This was a point Emperor Jiayou was privately very dissatisfied with regarding the Sword Pavilion.
Only asking people to work but not giving benefits, acting as if it's justified—as if helping them is already the biggest reward.
Not even as good as the Saint Sect!
At least the Saint Sect would talk about interests and offer benefits.
Of course, more importantly, regarding this cooperation proposed by the Sword Pavilion, as the Son of Heaven of the Dao Court, he didn't receive any revelation from the unseen.
In other words: The Dao Lord of the Dao Court expressed no attitude on this.
Whatever is not forbidden by law can be done. Since no attitude was expressed, then I can do as I please... Or rather, the Dao Lord, his elderly self, prefers me to do this!
With this thought, Emperor Jiayou made a decision.
Just at this moment, he suddenly had a feeling in his heart. Forming his fingers to calculate, he immediately detected a secret message sent through the great net of karma.
Jiangbei Demon... no, someone from the Saint Sect wants to see me?
Emperor Jiayou's eyes lit up. Immediately plucking the threads of karma, he sent a reply, expressing his willingness to meet.
As for the Sword Pavilion? Sorry, next time.