Lu Yang would only lay out plans and scheme against others when he possessed an absolute advantage in intelligence. Otherwise, he would rather hold his troops back and remain still.
This was self-knowledge.
However, when he lacked an intelligence advantage but was forced to gamble, he would consider the worst-case scenario for everything and prepare in advance.
Take this time, for example.
Since he had resolved to threaten the Sword Pavilion Dao Lord and gamble for the position of Great Perfected Lord, he naturally had to consider the worst possible outcome ahead of time and determine the baseline for his survival.
Thus, he had arranged two [Marionettes] in advance. The targets of these two puppets were none other than the fallen Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao and Bodhisattva Precious Vajra Victory, whose soul had been instantly killed earlier by the focused fire of Emperor Jiayou and the Three Excellencies of the Dao Court.
Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao corresponds to [Placer Gold in Sand]. Bodhisattva Precious Vajra Victory corresponds to [Pine & Cypress Wood]. And I hold [Great Relay Earth] in my hand.
As long as I track the whereabouts of their souls, grab them in one go, and instantly refine them into Life Form Bodies, I can borrow their hands to swallow the Five Elements.
Of course, plans never keep up with changes.
Emperor Jiayou had used numbers to bully the few and struck too ruthlessly. Despite being a Great Perfected Lord, Bodhisattva Precious Vajra Victory was beaten until his soul scattered, leaving him no time to even reincarnate.
So, [Pine & Cypress Wood] was a lost cause.
But there was still Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao. With his Great Perfected Lord Golden Nature plus [Placer Gold in Sand], as long as I obtained it, I would not suffer a loss this time no matter what!
Netherworld, River of Billions of Souls.
At this moment, a Golden Nature soul roamed the river, gradually condensing into the form of a young man dressed in magnificent robes. He stood with his hands behind his back, behaving elegantly.
"Time flows on..."
Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao sighed deeply. His Grotto-Heaven had collapsed, and his cultivation had become ancient history. The dissipation of his mighty power left him feeling an emptiness he had never known before.
On the other hand, without the conflict between [Furnace Crucible Fire] and [Rooftop Tile Earth], he felt a rare sense of relaxation. His feelings were mixed, but he soon regained his calm. "Although I suffered a great loss this time, it might be a blessing in disguise."
Although he had died and reincarnated, it was definitely not without gain.
The Three Swords of Opening Heaven represent my life's comprehension, yet they had stagnated for many years. Experiencing life and death this time has actually granted me several brand-new insights.
Whatever. It is just starting over from scratch.
Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao wasn't flustered. With his Great Perfected Lord Dao comprehension, even if he reincarnated and started over, he could recover to Foundation Establishment Perfection in an extremely short time.
All in all, he could re-seek the Golden Core in ten years at most.
Within a hundred years at most, he could recover an unfalling Grotto-Heaven and mid-stage Golden Core cultivation. Clearing away all his chronic illnesses was actually a good thing for him.
Previously, he had been unable to make up his mind, unwilling to give up his hard-won cultivation. Now that someone else had made the decision for him, it allowed him to break through a mental barrier and see through life and death. His sword intent became purer, and his grasp of future Void Attainment could be said to have reached a higher level.
"What doesn't kill me will only make me stronger!"
Thinking of this, high-spiritedness resurfaced between Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao's brows. He couldn't help but let out a long howl, venting the depression and resentment of many years.
However, he failed to notice something.
Just behind him, two muddled souls were following him. A pair of tiger-like, covetous eyes locked onto his position through those souls.
"Time waits for no one. Reincarnate immediately."
"My future has just begun!"
As his voice fell, Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao strode forward with his head held high, stepping directly into the nearest Netherworld gate, impatient to welcome his new life.
Jiangnan, within a mortal family.
Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao opened his eyes. He had already drawn up the plan for his rise in this life within his heart. First, keep a low profile; don't be discovered.
Huh? Why is there another baby beside me? Am I a twin in this life?
The next second, the void cracked open. A massive hand descended from the sky, instantly interrupting all his thoughts.
"Ah?"
Splat!
Without any suspense, the newly born Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao was grabbed by Lu Yang, instantly stripped of his Golden Nature, sealed, and thrown into the Righteous Dao Banner.
Got him!
Sure enough, persimmons should still be picked when they are soft. Nascent Soul Dao Lords are still too overpowered for me. Challenging across levels is what I do best!
A smile surfaced in the depths of Lu Yang's eyes. Then, without hesitation, he made a move on Perfected One Subduing-Spirit.
Under the circumstances where all the Dao Lords were checking and balancing each other, Perfected One Subduing-Spirit, who had only just succeeded in seeking golden core, undoubtedly had no power to resist him.
At the same time, Lu Yang formed a hand seal.
[Inscribing Heavenly Chapters]: I am Subduing-Spirit!
Logical rules were modified. [Sword-Edge Gold], which had just been attained by Perfected One Subduing-Spirit, instantly turned its attention and extended an olive branch to Lu Yang.
Immediately after, Lu Yang waved his large hand.
In an instant, large swathes of concepts belonging to [Sword-Edge Gold] were forcibly extracted by him, causing a look of astonishment to appear on Perfected One Subduing-Spirit's face.
"Impossible!"
Extracting Dao Fruit concepts was something possible only when one's comprehension of a certain Dao Fruit reached a specific level and began refining True Treasures.
If it were him, he could barely do it. But on what basis could this nameless Perfected Lord before his eyes do it?
He merely used trickery to borrow the wonders of [Sword-Edge Gold] and knew nothing about it.
Moreover, the true owner of [Sword-Edge Gold] was him; why would it let the other party manipulate it at will!?
Regarding Perfected One Subduing-Spirit's confusion, Lu Yang naturally disdained to explain.
Why? Because I cheated, of course.
[Rainbow Talent: Disciple Becomes the Master's Standard]!
Whether it was Subduing-Spirit or Yuan Tu, as Life Form Bodies, they had long been regarded as disciples by [Disciple Becomes the Master's Standard]. Their Dao comprehension was Lu Yang's Dao comprehension!
Even if I can't take away the entire Dao Fruit, I won't return empty-handed!
After extracting the concepts of [Sword-Edge Gold], Lu Yang didn't stop. He ruthlessly pulled the [Yellow Court] out from within [Heavenly Fire].
He had no choice. Although [Heavenly Fire] was indeed precious and had treated him quite well, it couldn't stop him from running toward a better life.
Boom!
In an instant, as Lu Yang pulled out the [Yellow Court], large swathes of concepts were also conveniently extracted from within [Heavenly Fire].
These concepts were the essence of [Heavenly Fire], and Lu Yang accepted them all without rejection.
Rest assured, I will come find you again in the next life.
Lu Yang's thoughts turned rapidly. His consciousness quickly moved away from [Heavenly Fire]. Finally, he took a deep look at the Immortal Nexus, then suddenly disappeared from the spot.
This was the optimal timing. Otherwise, once [Heavenly Fire] completely fell into the hands of the Dao Court, the Dao Lord of the Dao Court, having achieved His goal, would no longer pin down the Sword Pavilion Dao Lord for him. And the Sword Pavilion Dao Lord, who had just lost a subordinate Great Perfected Lord because of him and been played for a fool, certainly wouldn't let him off.
At this point, [Placer Gold in Sand] is already in the bag.
Next, I just need to find a place where Dao Lords can't interfere, refine Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao into a Life Form Body, and then let him seek golden core again.
However—where specifically should I go?
[Mortal World]? [Nourishing Life Master]?
Neither works. [Sky-Shrouding] and the Old Dragon Lord already ran away in advance. They know the coordinates of these two [Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousnesses]; going there isn't safe.
I must go to [Responding to Emperors]!
After Patriarch Nether Whisper successfully opened the path, he had already passed the test of [Nourishing Life Master]. Relying on Long Tu's secret technique, Lu Yang had long since grasped the coordinates of [Responding to Emperors]. With coordinates and karma, although Lu Yang himself hadn't cleared [Nourishing Life Master], he could still go to that place!
Lu Yang left without looking back.
[Heavenly Fire] lost, [Sword-Edge Gold] unwanted. Abandoning all burdens, he successfully shifted strategy, escaping into the [Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness]!
The entire process was incredibly fast.
From the confrontation of the Dao Lords and the world resuming operation, to capturing Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao's reincarnated body and escaping, the whole sequence didn't exceed a single breath.
And almost the very next second after he escaped into [Responding to Emperors]...
"..."
Heaven and earth fell into silence again.
In the direction of the Dao Court, [Heavenly Fire] had completely fallen under the control of the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws]. In the direction of the Pure Land, the Sword Dao had been bound by the 'one mind'.
The overall situation was set!
On the Pure Land side, the World Honored One used the stripping away of the Sword Dao as a bargaining chip; He would inevitably be able to demand a benefit from the Sword Pavilion Dao Lord, who was unwilling to descend personally.
On the Dao Court side, [Heavenly Fire] was the biggest prize.
As for the Saint Sect, due to the Sword Pavilion's utter defeat, this Righteous and Demonic Dao Struggle was undoubtedly won by the Saint Sect. The future Thousand Year Great Tribulation had completely fallen into the Saint Sect's hands.
Only the Sword Pavilion lost everything.
At least compared to the gains of [Sword-Edge Gold] and the Sword Dao, the Sword Pavilion Dao Lord paid a much higher price. The combat power lost by the Sword Pavilion itself also far exceeded expectations.
Clang!!!
In an instant, a crisp sword hum echoed from inside and outside the sea of light.
(End of Chapter)