Attracting firepower was, in the end, a relative game.
While you attract firepower for me, I am effectively attracting it for you. The difference lies in the degree of control—who handles the timing just a little bit better.
Just like now.
If that little bastard were to stand out and attract the gaze for him, [Sky-Shrouding] would hold the superior hand. In his current state, he was not yet ready for the ultimate leap. He stood at the very precipice of the Void Attainment Great Dao, poised but not yet airborne. In this scenario, if an opponent appeared and seized the Dao Lord's attention, [Sky-Shrouding] could calmly orchestrate his timing, choosing the exact moment when the interference was weakest to complete his ascension.
Similarly, if his opponent kept his cool and never showed up, then [Sky-Shrouding] would be the one acting as the lightning rod. The resulting chaos would instead serve to fulfill the other's Dharma Body Dao.
[Sky-Shrouding] pondered this, a rare nervousness gnawing at him.
How will you choose?
At this moment, I have already sacrificed and refined the [Great Forest Wood]. You should be able to sense the collapse of the Knowledge-Perception Barrier and guess that I am at the critical juncture of charging for the Nascent Soul.
Will you lose your composure?
Residing in the deepest reaches of the Netherworld, [Sky-Shrouding] could no longer see the present world. He could only judge the situation by sensing the Dao Lord's gaze in the unseen. If that gaze diverted, it meant the little bastard had emerged; then, he would leap immediately. If the gaze remained immovable, pressing down on him like a mountain as it did now, it meant his opponent was remaining steady, knowing [Sky-Shrouding] still had strength in reserve.
Time ticked away.
[Sky-Shrouding] waited in silence, even sensing the Netherworld and finding ways to manifest elaborate anomalies to deceive anyone watching.
Look! I am on the verge of success.
As the saying goes, opportunity knocks but once. If you don't come out now, there truly won't be another chance. Hurry up and help me draw the fire!
Inside [Nourishing Life Master].
"What is this old ghost doing?"
Lu Yang watched the real-time broadcast restored by Mu Changsheng with a puzzled frown. "One anomaly after another. The pomp and circumstance are quite grand."
Above the Overseas at the end of the earth, heavenly nectar fell, golden lotuses surged from the earth, divine chanting filled the air, and Dao shadows blanketed the heavens. It left the group of Perfected Lords who had just escaped feeling uncertain, as if facing a formidable enemy. Yet, this had lasted for half a day, and absolutely nothing of substance had happened.
"Has he succeeded or not?"
"Where is he?"
Lu Yang grew impatient. To be honest, ever since [Sky-Shrouding] had used the Knowledge-Perception Barrier to hide the details of his pursuit of the Nascent Soul, Lu Yang had lost interest. If not for wanting to see the final result, he would have restarted long ago.
But now, even that result refused to manifest. Only layer upon layer of theatrical anomalies appeared, as if someone were fishing...
"...Hmm?"
Lu Yang suddenly perked up, rubbing his chin with a strange expression. "This evil old ghost... could he be trying to fish me out?"
"He wants me to be his shield, doesn't he?"
Thinking of this, his gaze shifted to Mu Changsheng, who had been silent beside him. He smiled. "Does Fellow Daoist also have contact with that old ghost?"
"Ab... absolutely not!" Mu Changsheng shook his head frantically, then hesitated and nodded. "Truly no contact... it's just that he wanted me to observe the present world for Fellow Daoist, so you wouldn't be left in the dark..."
He confessed.
Indeed, the reason Mu Changsheng had come to [Nourishing Life Master]—beyond seeking refuge—was to ensure Lu Yang could grasp the changes in the world. In [Sky-Shrouding]'s view, only with this knowledge would Lu Yang possibly emerge when the opportunity arose.
These eyes and ears were a gift delivered by [Sky-Shrouding] himself! Otherwise, with information severed inside the [Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness], Lu Yang wouldn't even know the attempt was happening.
"Hahaha!" Lu Yang burst into laughter.
Yes, yes, yes—that's the style!
He instantly understood the reason for the anomalies and grinned. "Go out? It's impossible for me to go out!"
"Uh..." Mu Changsheng spoke cautiously. "Does Senior really not plan to take action? Opportunity knocks but once. The Great Dao allows no regrets..."
Lu Yang glanced at him and shook his head. What "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity"? You can't restart; it's hard for me to explain it to you.
"You brat are ruthless!"
Since there was no one around to hear, [Sky-Shrouding] cursed aloud. Fine, it seems impossible to maximize my benefits.
He guessed that Lu Yang was waiting for him to take the hit first. Pity, I can't maintain this state for much longer. I have no choice but to begin the ultimate leap. But no matter what, as long as he eventually emerges, he will always draw some of the fire.
In [Sky-Shrouding]'s view, this was a "medium win." If the opponent had emerged first, it would have been a "big win." If he emerged late, a "medium win." If he emerged only at the very end, a "small win." In short: win, win, win.
"Then let's go!"
With that, [Sky-Shrouding] made his move. At this moment, his essence, energy, spirit, spiritual power, Sea of Consciousness, and Dao Heart all began to burn in unison. The Void Attainment Great Dao beneath his feet was pushed to its absolute limit.
This Dao was called the [Great Dao of Inversion].
Wood could be called crooked or straight. Right and wrong could be defined the same way. But in the end, these were only positions — labels placed upon things.
The true ability of this Dao was known as [Decree Mandate], a power that could decide how reality itself was defined.
"Right" and "Wrong" were not fixed truths. They were two sides of the same coin. Existence and non-existence. Yin and Yang. Life and death.
Under the Great Dao of Inversion, such concepts could have their positions flipped.
What was real could become unreal.
What was dead could become living.
He had relied on this very power to reverse the Chen Earth and expand the Netherworld.
Now, he squeezed every drop of power from this tool. Before ascending to the Paramita, the Great Dao was a vital foundation; afterward, it would be meaningless. He was draining the pond to catch the fish.
[Sky-Shrouding] formed a hand seal.
He was not yet a Dao Lord. However, under the enhancement of [Decree Mandate], he reversed the position of "Right and Wrong" concept until it became a single truth: He is a Dao Lord!
This was different from Inscribing Heavenly Chapter's] logic modification.
Because Inscribing the Heavenly Chapter's range of influence was too broad, with too many things it could alter, in this matter it was actually inferior to the more focused [Inversion].
In an instant, a profound light bloomed. The Great Dao beneath his feet withered and cracked, finally launching a boundless illusion that leaped toward the Netherworld Core with all its might!
However, at that exact moment...
Clang! Clang!
Without warning, the sword hum that had resounded through the Sea of Light fifty years ago echoed once more. A strike slashed straight toward [Sky-Shrouding]'s position!
Finally, a Dao Lord had made a move!
(End of Chapter)