Outer Heaven, Seven Luminaries Heaven.
In this timeline, this world realm—previously targeted by Perfected Lord Heavenly Fortune Bright Light—had not yet been destroyed. Thus, after careful consideration, Lu Yang chose this location to meet Emperor Jiayou.
It also served as a greeting gift.
Not long after, Lu Yang looked up to see the void split open. A figure emerged from the dark void of the light sea—Emperor Jiayou, clad in magnificent robes.
"Hmm."
The moment he appeared, Emperor Jiayou's gaze fell upon the Seven Luminaries Heaven. Under the dharma eye of a Perfected Lord, the essence of the Incense Offering Divine Dao within this realm was instantly laid bare to him.
However, in the next second, Lu Yang stepped forward, cutting off his line of sight with a chuckle.
"Imperial Lord Who Nurtures All Things, this humble one has long admired Senior. Looking at you now, Senior has indeed subdued both the court and the public of the Dao Court, going a step further to achieve the status of Great Perfected Lord. This humble one congratulates Senior."
"...It is you?"
Only then did Emperor Jiayou look at Lu Yang, raising an eyebrow slightly. Truth be told, he had expected Perfected Lord Feixue; seeing Lu Yang was a surprise.
Yet, he showed no dissatisfaction.
Although he had never participated in the great war personally, Emperor Jiayou was no stranger to this nameless Saint Sect Perfected Lord. He knew well that this was a ruthless individual capable of stirring up immense trouble.
Thinking of this, a smile instantly appeared on his face.
"Fellow Daoist praises me too much."
"In the past, Fellow Daoist fought [Sky-Shrouding] across space, forcing his cultivation to drop and compelling him to leave the Netherworld. I, too, have long admired Fellow Daoist."
As the saying goes, mutual flattery costs nothing.
Since there was an intention to cooperate, and Lu Yang showed a warm face with great sincerity, Emperor Jiayounaturally wouldn't be tactless enough to give him the cold shoulder.
"Speaking of which, for what matter does Fellow Daoist seek me out this time?" Emperor Jiayou cut straight to the chase.
"Nothing much."
Lu Yang didn't state his purpose directly. Instead, he changed the subject, gesturing to the Seven Luminaries Heaven behind him. "I mainly found a world realm very suitable for Senior."
Emperor Jiayou didn't refute this. After all, the Incense Offering Divine Dao of the Seven Luminaries Heaven indeed fit the Dao Court perfectly. This was something Lu Yang had confirmed in his previous life. Presenting it as a meeting gift in this life scratched Emperor Jiayou's itch perfectly.
However, in the next second, he shook his head.
"Not enough."
The Seven Luminaries Heaven was indeed valuable, but given the Dao Court's current standing, it was far from enough to make him pick a side.
Lu Yang had anticipated this.
"I naturally understand. This world realm is merely a greeting gift; the true offering is this."
After speaking, Lu Yang formed a hand seal and pointed above his head.
In an instant, [Heavenly Fire] emerged.
The brilliant light and flames were imposing. The sheer stature of the Supreme Dao Fruit forced Emperor Jiayou to squint subconsciously. "Fellow Daoist intends to give [Heavenly Fire] to me?"
"Correct!"
Lu Yang nodded. "More precisely, I am giving [Heavenly Fire] to the Dao Court. With my assistance, the Dao Court will definitely be able to seal it within the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws]."
Hearing this, Emperor Jiayou instantly revealed a look of shock. "Fellow Daoist... is willing to part with it?"
"What is there to be reluctant about?"
Lu Yang tilted his head. "It is mere [Heavenly Fire], not my foundation, and only used temporarily... Senior can see that I am an Ancient Method Golden Core."
"Hmm..."
Emperor Jiayou pursed his lips, finding no flaw in Lu Yang's logic. It seemed very reasonable, and [Heavenly Fire] was indeed a weighty bargaining chip.
But this offers nothing for me personally...
Boom.
In the next second, Emperor Jiayou, who was still pondering, suddenly trembled. It was the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws] responding, instantly conveying the answer.
The Dao Lord wants me to agree...
[Heavenly Fire] was naturally useless to him personally, but for the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws]—and for the Dao Lord of the Dao Court—it was of immense use.
In this situation, his own will was irrelevant.
The one who could truly make the decision was the Dao Lord.
Thinking of this, the way Emperor Jiayou looked at Lu Yang changed. Even he didn't dare claim he could grasp the needs of the Dao Lord so accurately.
"Fellow Daoist seems very familiar with my Dao Court?"
Of course. I am not only familiar with the Dao Court but even more familiar with that dragon bed in the Tianwu Hall. I don't know how many times I've slept on it in secret...
Who told me to cheat?
Lu Yang smiled, offering no direct answer, and simply changed the subject.
"It seems Senior has already made a decision."
"Of course."
Emperor Jiayou lowered his eyelids. "But the premise is that Fellow Daoist is truly willing to hand over [Heavenly Fire] to my Dao Court, and not planning to turn hostile afterward."
"What kind of person does Senior take me for?" Lu Yang frowned slightly.
What kind of person? A Saint Sect person, of course!
Emperor Jiayou slandered him internally. For a Perfected Lord from the Saint Sect, promising beforehand and turning hostile afterward is standard procedure. What's wrong with me being on guard?
Seeing his skepticism, Lu Yang shook his head. "Since Senior harbors doubts, I offer a spiritual contract based on the [Sea of Bitterness]. If violated after signing, it will immediately trigger a response from the [Sea of Bitterness]; the violator will be rejected by the Sea and find it difficult to ever enter again."
After speaking, Lu Yang raised his hand, holding up a finger.
"Today, this humble one points to the [Sea of Bitterness] to swear an oath. I will definitely not violate the agreement to hand over [Heavenly Fire]. Can Senior rest assured now?"
Emperor Jiayou fell silent.
The spiritual contract was acceptable. Moreover, as a Great Perfected Lord, he was confident the other party didn't have the ability to pull tricks right under his nose.
Thinking of this, he laughed.
"How could I not trust Fellow Daoist? In that case... how does Fellow Daoist wish for my Dao Court to assist you?"
Hearing this, Lu Yang's eyes brightened, knowing it was time to state his conditions.
"If the Pure Land makes a move, I need Senior to block them."
"Done."
Emperor Jiayou nodded. This condition was very reasonable and fit his intentions perfectly. After all, he didn't want to engage in a spiritual battle with a notoriously ruthless figure like [Sky-Shrouding].
"Secondly, I need a Dao Fruit."
Lu Yang's gaze was piercing as he spoke. "If I recall correctly, the current Dao Court should still have a [Great Relay Earth] sitting vacant, unattached, correct?"
"...Hmm?"
As soon as these words came out, Emperor Jiayou raised his eyebrows, looking at Lu Yang with unprecedented seriousness. Lu Yang returned his gaze without flinching.
After a moment of silence, Emperor Jiayou spoke in a deep voice. "If I am not mistaken, Fellow Daoist is not at the mid-stage Golden Core."
"That won't trouble Senior to worry about," Lu Yang smiled.
Emperor Jiayou was not mistaken.
Lu Yang controlled [Heavenly Fire] now by relying on the [Yellow Court] refined into a True Treasure. Strictly speaking, the [Yellow Court] was no longer a Grotto-Heaven.
Therefore, the "unfalling Grotto-Heaven" attribute of the mid-stage Golden Core was empty talk for him.
In this situation, unless he refined another Grotto-Heaven, even with complete True Treasures and the Dao-Seeking Immortal Method supporting him, it was impossible to break through to the mid-stage.
However—there were still methods of accommodation.
Heaven never seals off all paths. Back then, relying on [Supreme Dao Transformation], I didn't study the Dao Fruit tomes in the [Nourishing Life Master] for nothing!
This was the reason Lu Yang had decided to confront Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao head-on.
He chose confrontation because there was profit to be made. Otherwise, wouldn't it be nice to let Patriarch Nether Whisper clear the [Nourishing Life Master] and hitch a ride to the third level, [Responding to Emperors]?
Looking at the hesitant Emperor Jiayou, Lu Yang calculated internally:
Take [Great Relay Earth] from the Dao Court.
I possess [Heavenly Fire] myself.
As long as I find another Dao Fruit, then defeat Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao and seize his [Eternal Sword]... At that time, even with insufficient Dao comprehension and heavy risks, I can attempt to charge for the late stage!