Regarding the old professor named Star Soul, Lu Yang merely scratched the surface and didn't pry any further. After all, Exalted One Hao Yuan's taboo on the subject was obvious to anyone with eyes.
So he wasn't in a hurry.
Good things take time, and he had plenty of it.
Moreover, he had a more important matter to attend to right now. With this in mind, he turned around, looking straight at Exalted One Hao Yuan's divine sense. "Senior, I would like to observe the refining process of a Dao Soldier."
"...Observe." Exalted One Hao Yuan was taken aback.
Lu Yang nodded. "Indeed. I am very interested in these Strategic-Level Dao Soldiers, as well as the refining of Star Charts, so I want to see if I can pick up anything useful."
Exalted One Hao Yuan froze.
A moment later, he let out a light chuckle. "Fellow Daoist, there's no need to hide your intentions. If you want the refining technology for the Strategic-Level Dao Soldier, just say so. Why beat around the bush?"
"However, I must apologize. It's different from the Star Chart refining technology. I won't lie to you—Star Chart refining is still a rather unreliable project. Ming Feng's 'Wondrous Seven Treasure Glazed Tree' has too many hidden flaws and can't be considered a finished product. Therefore, the related technology isn't actually that crucial. Since you wanted it, I gave it to you."
"But Strategic-Level Dao Soldiers are different."
"Because this is already a mature system. Even just the technology alone is difficult to hand over to you. At the very least, ten thousand years of lifespan is nowhere near enough to trade for it."
Lu Yang shook his head.
"You misunderstand, Senior. I don't intend to ask for the technology directly. I just want to tour the refining process and see if I can learn anything applicable."
Hearing this, Exalted One Hao Yuan finally frowned.
He realized Lu Yang seemed to be serious. He didn't want the technology; he just wanted to tour the factory... What did that mean? Was he hoping to steal the techniques for free just by looking?
This time, Exalted One Hao Yuan couldn't hold back his laughter.
"Hahahaha!"
Just by touring the factory and glancing at the refining process, he thinks he can successfully steal the refining method of a Strategic-Level Dao Soldier for free? Who does he think he is?
A factory and a blueprint are two entirely different things. The production of components, the assembly, the drawing of formations, and the perfect alignment of numerous key points—if all of this were crammed onto a blueprint, how impossibly complex would it be? There are too many unseen details in a factory. Trying to blindly copy it based on a visual tour would only make him a laughingstock.
Although Lu Yang displayed extremely high talent, appearing like a great sage acting the fool... this far exceeds the limits of talent. Absolutely no one could replicate the entire refiningtechnology just by walking through the factory.
"Forget it, that's fine."
Exalted One Hao Yuan waved his hand decisively. "Since you want to see it, Fellow Daoist, then go ahead. We aren't lacking this little bit of time anyway. I'll let you look to your heart's content."
"Thank you, Senior."
Lu Yang smiled humbly. He then followed Exalted One Hao Yuan into the factory. Exalted One Hao Yuan even thoughtfully gave him a highly detailed guided tour.
From pointing out the component assembly areas and demonstrating proper assembly methods, to explaining the various formation connection points on the Dao Soldier and how to weld them together—Exalted One Hao Yuan went over every detail, big and small, with utmost precision. Yet, Lu Yang felt like he was listening to a foreign language the entire time.
He knew every single word, but he just couldn't understand a thing.
A long time later.
"Well?"
Exalted One Hao Yuan led Lu Yang out of the factory with a half-smile. "Did you learn anything, Fellow Daoist? Don't tell me you learned absolutely nothing?"
Lu Yang shook his head with a look of deep shame.
"I've made a fool of myself in front of you, Senior."
"Hahaha."
Exalted One Hao Yuan laughed loudly, then patted Lu Yang on the shoulder. "You don't need to belittle yourself, Fellow Daoist. This technology was never easy to learn in the first place."
"Do you know how long it took me to completely master it back in the day?"
Saying this, Exalted One Hao Yuan held up a single finger. "A century!"
"A full century! If my cultivation technique wasn't unique, allowing me to maintain an awakened state for long periods without draining my lifespan, I probably would have died of old age before I could even learn it!"
With that, Exalted One Hao Yuan shook his head again. "So you shouldn't harbor such unrealistic thoughts, Fellow Daoist. We will have many opportunities for cooperation in the future. If you show enough sincerity, the specific refining technology for Strategic-Level Dao Soldiers isn't actually off the table."
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior."
Lu Yang cupped his hands respectfully, then silently asked in his heart: How was it, Patriarch? Did you learn it?
A moment later, Patriarch Nether Whisper replied: I've pretty much got it. There are still a few unclear points, so I might need a few more days to thoroughly study it.
Lu Yang instantly broke into a smile.
As expected of my peerless talent! I actually got it for free!
Meanwhile, inside the factory behind them, the Strategic-Level Dao Soldier—the Sun-Shooting Bow—finally completed the assembly of all its components and officially rolled off the production line.
Looking closely, it was actually an entire planet made of steel.
Lu Yang reached out and beckoned. The massive planet condensed, ultimately turning into a heavy, dark pearl pinched between his fingertips. He could feel the formations on it harmonizing with his own body.
"Alright, you can head back with peace of mind, Fellow Daoist."
With that, Exalted One Hao Yuan took out a ring and handed it over. "This treasure is called the Stargate. Keep it on you at all times, and activate it if you encounter danger."
"This way, even separated by the void, I can intervene and save you in time."
A hint of pride crossed Exalted One Hao Yuan's face. "After all, I am quite strong. Before I sealed myself away, I was considered a Great Perfected Lord."
"Thank you, Senior!"
Lu Yang immediately offered a deep bow of gratitude. He then solemnly tucked the Stargate away. This is some good stuff. At a critical moment, I can use this to screw someone over big time!
Outside the Mystic Spirit World Realm.
In a remote corner of the sea of light, Lu Yang's main body stood with his hands behind his back. Soon, he saw a streak of light descend—it was his Incense Offering incarnation returning fully loaded from the Star Palace.
Time was of the essence, so Lu Yang didn't dally. He immediately packed away all the loot, took out the Lifespan Needle, and decisively stabbed himself. After extracting roughly ten thousand years of lifespan, he formed a hand seal, opened the Stargate, and tossed the needle through.
The next second, Exalted One Hao Yuan's excited voice echoed from behind the gate:
"You truly keep your word, Fellow Daoist!"
"Naturally."
Lu Yang smiled faintly. "As a cultivator of the Mystic Spirit World Realm, my principle is to honor my promises. I never break my word. You can rest assured, Senior."
Of course, that only applies to 'a cultivator of the Mystic Spirit World Realm'.
If the day comes when I need to grab the cash and run, then promises or no promises naturally have nothing to do with me, a Perfected Lord of the Saint Sect.
Having finished all this, Lu Yang finally looked toward the Mystic Spirit World Realm.
From the perspective of the sea of light, the scene before him was incredibly horrifying.
A supermassive black hole resembling a deep abyss practically severed the sea of light. The Mystic Spirit World Realm was constantly sinking into it, just like a moth drawn to a flame.
And that wasn't all.
"F*ck, it's already starting to emit Buddhist light..."
Lu Yang raised an eyebrow. The Mystic Spirit World Realm was now completely locked on by the Immortal Nexus. Even the Bodhisattvas over in the Pure Land had noticed its existence.
In a daze, Lu Yang seemed to hear the furious roars of the Supreme of the Mystic Spirit World Realm.
The other party seemed to have finally snapped back to reality, his roars filled with terror. However, besieged by three Bodhisattvas from the Pure Land, he was visibly on his last breath.
"...Perfect timing."
Lu Yang took a deep breath. He could vaguely make out the figure of Bodhisattva Precious Vajra Victory, who was currently channeling the [Pine & Cypress Wood] to ruthlessly strike the Supreme of the Mystic Spirit World Realm.
The next second, Lu Yang took a step straight into the [Sea of Bitterness]. He gripped the dark pearl formed by the Sun-Shooting Bow in his palm and channeled a hand seal to unfurl it.
Clang! Clang!
In an instant, the dark pearl exploded outward. Lu Yang's body began to swell alongside it, reproducing the heaven-spanning Dharma Body he had used to stomp the Star Lord to death. The Strategic-Level Dao Soldier, the Sun-Shooting Bow—with a main body rivaling a planet—split apart from its spherical form, expanded, and ultimately transformed into an equally colossal bow!
Swish—!
At this moment, around the Mystic Spirit World Realm, the three Pure Land Bodhisattvas laying siege to the Supreme simultaneously looked up, feeling an unbearable, piercing pain right between their eyebrows.
What is going on!?