Myriad Martial World Realm, Demon-Subduing Mountain Range.
A streak of mystic light streaked across the sky, anchoring directly to the coordinate in the light sea, ultimately transforming into a black-robed figure that landed at the edge of the mountain range.
Upon seeing the tall figure standing on one of the cliffs—hands clasped behind his back, head tilted slightly upwards as if gazing at the vault of heaven, his gaze seemingly piercing through the [Sea of Bitterness] straight to Paramita—Chong Guang immediately straightened his clothes. He walked up with a solemn expression and bowed with cupped hands:
"Greetings, Immortal Lord."
"Dispense with the formalities."
Lu Yang, who had been standing on this broken cliff for over an hour just to act cool in front of Martial Uncle Chong Guang, waved his hand, his tone calm and indifferent:
"Suppressed beneath this mountain is the Primordial Heavenly Demon."
Hearing this, Chong Guang's expression immediately changed slightly.
Although he had been in secluded meditation digesting the gains from devouring Great Sage Yuan Xu ever since making a ruckus overseas, he wasn't completely ignorant of the outside world.
At the very least, this Primordial Heavenly Demon who had nearly wiped out the Dao Court made him extremely wary. Yet, he never expected that it would actually be directly suppressed by Lu Yang now. Moreover, judging from the situation, it was clearly the main body that was suppressed, which was incredibly impressive... Thinking of this, Chong Guang's expression grew even more solemn.
"May I ask the Immortal Lord, why have you summoned me here?"
Lu Yang pointed at the mountain range beneath their feet. "The Primordial Heavenly Demon is different from you, Fellow Daoist. He is not a human cultivator who turned into a demon, but a demon cultivating the human heart. He is the complete opposite of you."
"So, it's entirely up to you, Fellow Daoist."
"If you wish to devour him, you can enter the mountain right now. This demon has already been severely injured by me and is currently on the same level as you."
Chong Guang frowned upon hearing this.
However, after careful consideration, he shook his head. "To answer the Immortal Lord, I do not plan to devour other inner demons. It brings no benefit to me."
"Oh?" Lu Yang asked curiously, "Why is that?"
"The essence of an inner demon lies in its obsession."
Chong Guang explained, "My obsession and the obsession of this demon are clearly not on the same path. In that case, devouring him will only lead to impurity within myself."
"His obsession is very strong, and my obsession is not weak either. Even if I devour him and my inner demon body appears stronger on the surface, the obsession used to control the inner demon would weaken due to the fusion of the two conflicting obsessions. That would be meaningless, and in the end, I would only suffer a backlash from the inner demon body."
Chong Guang saw things very clearly.
He had transformed into an inner demon body for the sake of seeking the Dao, to continuously climb to higher peaks. How could he possibly allow other obsessions to influence him?
"However... tempering myself is feasible."
Speaking up to this point, Chong Guang cupped his hands. "If the Immortal Lord permits, I am willing to guard this mountain. Perhaps I can borrow the power of the outer demon to temper my own obsession."
"Are you sure?"
Lu Yang smiled. "If you devour this Primordial Heavenly Demon, I guarantee you can take another step forward. The harvest will be even greater than when you devoured a Middle Stage Golden Core."
"I am sure." Chong Guang didn't even hesitate. "Thank you for your profound favor, Immortal Lord, but I have my own path, and I am already walking upon it."
Hearing this, Lu Yang nodded slightly.
'Martial Uncle Chong Guang truly has a long-term vision... But this is good too. Two inner demons, two different routes, both can now provide Dao comprehension for me!'
Immediately after, he led Chong Guang to a cliff face.
The cliff face was as smooth as a mirror. When Lu Yang arrived, spiritual light shone through it, instantly revealing the figure of the Primordial Heavenly Demon meditating with closed eyes within the mountain.
"Hm?"
A second later, the Primordial Heavenly Demon opened his eyes. His gaze landed on Chong Guang, and he nodded slightly. "Want to devour me? Then come and try."
"Fellow Daoist, there's been a change of plans."
Lu Yang waved his hand and smiled. "The True Demon on my side does not intend to devour you. He only wants to use you to temper his own obsession. What do you think?"
"Temper?"
The Primordial Heavenly Demon was taken aback upon hearing this. He then looked at Chong Guang and sneered. "I heard that you are a human transformed into an inner demon. That is why you possess such an innate flaw."
"I, however, am different. I am an innate inner demon. My inner demon body is my obsession. I don't have to worry about other obsessions influencing me. As long as they are devoured by me, they will be used by me. Everything I do is putting my obsession into practice. The so-called unity of knowledge and action is nothing more than this."
The Primordial Heavenly Demon spoke with assurance.
Chong Guang, however, raised a counterargument. "Fellow Daoist, your words are incorrect. If what you say is true, then why do I see an inner demon being born within you?"
"That is also me."
"An obsession born from within an obsession. The two are deeply connected, practically one entity..."
Although he knew nothing about [City Rampart Earth], he similarly possessed deep insights into the Dao of Inner Demons, and his comprehension was vastly different from Chong Guang's.
'Good, very good.'
Listening to the discussion and exchange between Chong Guang and the Primordial Heavenly Demon, Lu Yang immediately revealed a satisfied smile, looking like a hardworking old farmer watching his leeks growing exceptionally well.
'The Primordial Heavenly Demon has already agreed to become my chess piece.'
'In this regard, inner demons are actually much easier to deal with than humans. The human heart is unpredictable, but because inner demons are driven by obsessions, their actions are much easier to predict.'
Thinking of this, Lu Yang took a talisman from his sleeve.
'With this superior-subordinate relationship established, as long as I grant the Primordial Heavenly Demon a little favor and help him grow, the binding of [Disciple Becomes the Master's Standard] will be complete.'
A second later, the talisman flew up.
Lu Yang formed a hand seal, his divine sense connecting with the [Arctic Exorcism Court]. An iridescent light gathered at his fingertips, which he then gently tapped against the falling talisman.
Boom!
Instantly, a deafening thunderclap rang out. Dazzling, brilliant golden light erupted from the talisman, then formed a shape right in front of Chong Guang and the Primordial Heavenly Demon. It transformed into a towering figure—face like red jade, beard like black velvet, ten feet tall, wearing gold and silver armor—landing at the foot of the mountain.
[Thunder-Sovereign Demonbane General]!
Looking closely, one could see golden rings shining like the sun, spewing rosy light, and silver armor spread like frost, swallowing the moon's reflection. The phenomena of Yin and Yang manifested vividly, gathering to form thunder, causing lightning to faintly flash within its eyes.
A second later, the towering figure dropped to one knee with a booming sound, like a golden mountain toppling or a jade pillar collapsing. He lowered his head, and spoke with the utmost respect in a resonant voice:
"Greetings, Immortal Lord!"
"This is..."
Both Chong Guang and the Primordial Heavenly Demon revealed looks of astonishment. This was because, at first glance, the figure's aura and stature seemed not the least bit weaker than a Golden Core Perfected Lord!
On the other side, Lu Yang was similarly very satisfied.
'The World Honored One opened the [Vajradhatu] and raised Five Directional Tathagatas, and I opened the [Arctic Exorcism Court]. This is the first Divine General under my command!'
Its foundation was based on the Dao Fruit Secret Method [Thunder-Sovereign Axe Dao Fruit]. Not only was its power unmatched, but it also countered inner demons and could simultaneously manage the Heavenly Thunder Tribulations. In the future, whether someone wanted to drive away thunder and subdue demons, or undergo a thunder tribulation, Lu Yang could transfer all related mechanisms to the Divine General to handle.
He himself would just be an absentee boss.
Thinking of this, Lu Yang couldn't help but sigh with emotion: 'Isn't this just the relationship between [One Mind] and the [Vajradhatu]? I am really becoming more and more like the World Honored One...'
No, that wasn't right either.
I am merely drawing a little inspiration from the advanced experience of the Saint Sect's seniors. The World Honored One is so strong; if I don't copy him, how can I become as strong as him?
Moreover...
Thinking of this, Lu Yang took a deep breath. The "grand plan" he had used to persuade the Primordial Heavenly Demon flashed through his mind, causing his heart to suddenly surge with excitement.
His grand plan was actually very simple.
Within [Responding to Emperors], he had once seen a message left by the Master of Beast Taming Peak: it was precisely to save Paramita from collapsing that he managed to open up the Netherworld.
So here came the question.
If he blew up the Netherworld, wouldn't the lofty land of [Paramita] belonging to the Dao Lords collapse as a result? Wouldn't that cause those exalted figures in the sky...
To fall down?
(End of Chapter)