Lu Yang knew that the time had come for him to make a choice.
He wasn't anxious. In fact, he wasn't unprepared for the current situation. After all, the [Precious Life Perfect Form Scripture] was a secret to Perfected Lords—but what about Dao Lords?
Back then, Dao Lord Sisui was beaten to death by the Saint Sect Ancestor. Would other Dao Lords not have observed? The [Precious Life Perfect Form Scripture] probably couldn't be hidden from them at all.
In other words: Whether it is Perfected One Subduing-Spirit or Perfected One Yuan Tu, the fact that they are my Life Form Bodies has an eighty percent chance of being exposed. At most, on Yuan Tu's side, Sisui might be able to conceal it; after all, he is the remnant thought of a Dao Lord. But on Long Tu's side—a mere remnant thought of a Perfected Lord—he has probably long since been molded into the Sword Pavilion Dao Lord's shape.
Then came the problem.
Knowing that Perfected One Subduing-Spirit was a Life Form Body, what exactly had the Sword Pavilion Dao Lord done to be deemed a "Giant Pit" by the [Immortal Nexus Survival Guide]?
Was he hijacking the account to log in?
Unlikely. In this life, my Dao Heart is perfect. Let alone the Sword Pavilion Dao Lord coming down to hijack the account, even if the World Honored One came, I would dare to clash with Him a few times...
In short, controlling his consciousness by modifying his Dao Heart was definitely impossible. However, the Sword Pavilion Dao Lord would have anticipated this. Moreover, if He really wanted control, He didn't need the heart; seizing the body would suffice.
After all, if consciousness couldn't be modified, it could be suppressed.
The World Honored One could enlighten Buddha Child and Tathagatas; presumably, the Sword Pavilion Dao Lord could do the same. Wasn't Perfected One Vanquishing-Demon's origin was a sword spirit brought into existence through enlightenment?
First, seize my body.
Then, suppress my consciousness and enlighten another true spirit to take over... In this way, no matter what achievements I attain, in the end, I am merely making wedding clothes for others.
Lu Yang sorted out his thoughts.
Ultimately, the probability of the Sword Pavilion Dao Lord directly killing him was low. After all, looking at the entire sea of light—not just the Immortal Nexus—he was considered somewhat of a significant figure.
Even in the eyes of Dao Lords, he would be considered high-quality talent. He belonged to the type that, while usable, could not be used casually and had to be deployed with care.
Thus, compared to killing him, controlling him was the most reasonable approach. This was especially true given the Sword Pavilion's current dire state. Aside from Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao's fall, the Grotto-Heavens of the other two Perfected Lords had begun to collapse. If they couldn't find a new patron before completely shattering, they would inevitably be buried along with them.
Only Perfected Lord Chengtian Zhengde was in no danger.
But this was normal. After all, he had attached himself to [Sky-Shrouding]. Being a pure freeloader had allowed him to survive. One could only say that being weak had its benefits.
In short, directly killing me is unlikely.
Lu Yang's thoughts became increasingly clear, and a look of determination gradually surfaced in the depths of his eyes.
Thinking about it now, a perfect Dao Heart is my greatest gain from the previous life; it allows me to truly possess the power of choice, even under the intervention of the Dao Lords' will.
Otherwise, why would the Sword Pavilion Dao Lord bother with schemes? He could directly modify his Dao Heart, twist the consciousness, and leave me drooling... No wonder Dao Heart cultivation methods are almost extinct in the entire sea of light. Damn it, these Dao Lords kicked down the ladder after ascending. They planned to bully lower cultivators all along!
Many thoughts flashed through Lu Yang's mind.
The temptation of swallowing a Supreme Dao Fruit was likely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Chaotic thoughts plunged him into a brief silence.
But in the end, he made a decision.
Trust the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes].
The [Immortal Nexus Survival Guide]'s judgment of 'traps' is based on my strength. Since it judges this a 'Giant Trap,' it means I definitely have no power to resist.
...Give up.
Modify the plan: give up [Sword-Edge Gold].
A snake cannot swallow an elephant. Not knowing what trap lay within [Sword-Edge Gold], it was best not to step into it deliberately. Otherwise, if it led to being unable to restart, I would be doomed.
Lost the bet...
Lu Yang sighed inwardly. Before the war started, he had told Patriarch Nether Whisper there was a forty percent chance of winning—a gamble worth taking. Unfortunately, Heaven did not grant his wish.
He had underestimated the importance Dao Lords attached to Supreme Dao Fruits.
Snatching food from a tiger's mouth was still too difficult for him. This world was far from gentle enough to let his every attempt yield results.
With this thought, Lu Yang took a deep breath and turned to look at the Dao Court Grand Tutor on the other side.
In comparison, this one was much more reliable. The hint given by the [Immortal Nexus Survival Guide] was: [Small Trap, but battle-hardened as you are, you can withstand it.]
The Dao Lord of the Dao Court is an honest person!
Almost simultaneously, he decisively summoned [Heavenly Fire], moving towards the Dao Court Grand Tutor while shouting: "Perform the transaction now!"
Before his voice had even faded, the world—which had already fallen into stagnation under the gaze of a supreme power—shook again. A second line of sight was cast over, repelling the Sword Pavilion Dao Lord's gaze and colliding with it in the unseen void!
Dao Lord of the Dao Court!
The next second, Lu Yang felt the [Eternal Sword] in his hand lose control. Perfected One Subduing-Spirit, who was originally obedient, revealed malice on his face.
This appearance... he really must have been enlightened by the Sword Pavilion Dao Lord!
Lu Yang was horrified. Although the other party showed malice, he was powerless to act. After all, the Sword Pavilion Dao Lord was pinned down; he alone was not Lu Yang's match.
Immediately after, Lu Yang discovered strange changes in the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws] on the Dao Court Grand Tutor, which were originally used to bind [Great Relay Earth].
The [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws] unlocked.
Invisible chains abandoned [Great Relay Earth] and turned to bind [Heavenly Fire] instead. At the same time, they delivered [Great Relay Earth] directly to Lu Yang's mouth.
What else was there to say?
In a flash, Lu Yang's eyes turned icy cold. Standing in the fracture of the invisible confrontation between two Dao Lords, he completed the operation instantly.
[Heavenly Fire]? I don't want it!
The karma of a Supreme Dao Fruit was too heavy; it was too easy to be regarded as a thorn in the eye by the Dao Lords. It was better to throw it to the Dao Court in exchange for benefits.
Grab it, refine it in an instant!
Lu Yang moved with divine speed, directly swallowing [Great Relay Earth]—Almost simultaneously, a third line of sight was cast over, brazenly joining the chaos!
Pure Land, World Honored One!
The mighty power of three Dao Lords collided invisibly, surging, but no longer affecting the physical realm. Instead, it allowed the originally stagnant world to resume operation.
The Dao Lords' lockdown was broken!
The World Honored One... He actually intervened too? True, the Sword Dao is now rooted in the Pure Land. It serves as a bargaining chip for the World Honored One to profit from the Sword Pavilion Dao Lord.
He certainly doesn't want the Sword Pavilion Dao Lord to entrap me!
After all, if the Sword Pavilion Dao Lord succeeds, entraps me, and controls [Heavenly Fire], He will have a way to save the Sword Dao Himself without needing to ask the World Honored One for help.
Three Dao Lords confronting... No, not necessarily. Possibly four. What about that old monster of the Saint Sect? His attitude is likely consistent with the Sword Pavilion Dao Lord, also planning to scheme against me. Regardless, I'll assume He has also entered the field. The intervention of all these Dao Lords has formed a new balance!
Every Dao Lord was absolutely self-centered.
Faction, alliances, promises—these things were worthless to Dao Lords. Among Dao Lords, only interests were truly eternal.
This is... my chance!
Suddenly, Lu Yang's heart pounded. Because the Dao Lords' gazes were colliding, the physical world they had suppressed returned to its original state.
Honestly, before this, Lu Yang had felt hopeless. He had planned to give up [Sword-Edge Gold], abandon all plans, and flee with the near-guaranteed [Great Relay Earth]... However, now he saw the opportunity again—a perfect chance to turn the tables against the odds and secure the next best outcome!
Thinking of this, Lu Yang immediately circulated a talent he hadn't used for a long time.
[Marionette]!
The next second, in the land of Jiangnan, two puppets manipulated by him exploded. Their souls were faint, drifting into the Netherworld.