Mystic Spirit World Realm, Heavenly Court.
Returning from [The Mortal World], Lu Yang immediately ordered the Mystic Spirit World Realm to enter a state of high alert, resolutely barring any smoking individuals from approaching.
Only after doing all this did he let out a sigh:
"[Sky-shrouding] was careless!"
Just like in his past life, he had likely spent too long screwing people over and living comfortably in the Netherworld, causing his intuition and sharpness as a Saint Sect Perfected Lord to dull considerably.
However, this was merely a matter of time. As [Sky-shrouding] interacted more actively with the present world, his recovery speed would only increase. It wouldn't be long before he restored his former prowess, not to mention that this lifetime was different from the last—he was currently in peak condition.
"After I messed with him like that, he's probably feeling anxious."
Lu Yang stroked his chin. Currently, [Sky-shrouding] only lacked [Overturned Lamp Flame] and [Eternal Flowing Water] to complete his collection. He would likely put retrieving them on the agenda immediately.
Speaking of [Eternal Flowing Water]...
One had to mention the Perfected One Primordial, Mu Changsheng. He was still in a deep slumber at the moment, and [The Heaven of Nothingness] had yet to emerge. That was also a major lethal weapon.
'Although it's a lethal weapon limited to the Immortal Nexus and specifically designed to target Golden Core Perfected Lords, it's still very impressive. Moreover, there are clearly traces of the Lord of Heaven behind it... Speaking of which, this Mu Changsheng probably harbors quite a few secrets himself. The Ancestor of the Saint Sect targeting him back then likely involved hidden motives as well.'
One had to remember that Mu Changsheng was merely at the Foundation Establishment realm.
A mere Foundation Establishment cultivator actually warranted the Ancestor of the Saint Sect personally swooping in to snatch his soul and lock it inside the Refining Art Secret Realm... He hadn't realized it at the time.
But looking back now, the problem was massive.
However, after pondering for a long time, Lu Yang still shook his head, deciding not to pursue this matter for the time being. It wouldn't be good if he accidentally triggered something.
At this point, he didn't want to add any more unexpected variables.
With [The Book of a Hundred Lifetimes] anyway, there would always be opportunities to figure it out in the future.
Following that, Lu Yang re-evaluated the intelligence he had just obtained from [Sky-shrouding]. After a long while, he let out a heartfelt sigh:
"It turns out I'm actually already very strong..."
Although he was currently at the Middle Stage of the Golden Core, he had mastered a full three Dao Fruit Secret Methods. It was just his stature that hadn't yet reached the level of a Great Perfected Lord.
If he went by [Sky-shrouding]'s standards, not breaking through was one thing, but the moment he did, he would immediately be an Advanced Great Perfected Lord. The strongest three-element Great Perfected Lords of the Grotto-Heaven Method were merely at this level, standing on the threshold of seeking the Nascent Soul realm. As long as he wasn't afraid of death, he could immediately attempt the breakthrough!
Although seeking it like this would definitely end in failure.
'But regardless, this also proves that all my hard work over this long period hasn't been in vain. As long as I keep moving forward, the Dao path will continue to extend...'
So, do not stop!
Keep climbing!
Thinking of this, a look of annoyance crossed Lu Yang's face: 'It's just a pity that I broke [Responding to Emperors], making it difficult to comprehend new Dao Fruit Secret Methods.'
His [Project: Collapse Paramita] required the support of a Supreme Dao Fruit. If he could master the corresponding Dao Fruit Secret Method, the effects would be even better.
Alas, things in the world rarely achieved perfection.
'No, perhaps this is also one of the [Variables].'
Suddenly, a flash of inspiration hit Lu Yang, and a hint of realization bloomed in his mind.
He considered his own scheming methods to be not bad, but if he wasn't weak, were the other Dao Lords weak? The World Honored One, the Ancestor of the Saint Sect—which of them wasn't a master schemer?
Yet even Dao Lords experienced failed schemes.
Why was that?
Because "things in the world rarely achieve perfection." Because under the influence of Variables—regardless of righteous or evil, good or bad—everything in the universe inevitably possesses flaws and chances for survival!
At this thought, Lu Yang suddenly felt a sense of awe:
'Although this Great Dao has never truly manifested in the world, its influence has penetrated every corner of the light sea, silently nourishing all things.'
What profound methods!
Right at this moment, Lu Yang suddenly sensed something. He immediately looked from the Mystic Spirit World Realm towards the Immortal Nexus, a smile surfacing in his eyes:
'You couldn't hold back?'
Looking outward, he saw a burst of fiery light illuminating all things rising slowly in the direction of the Immortal Nexus, while a boundless tide swept across the sky. They respectively lit up their Dao Fruit stars. These were precisely [Overturned Lamp Flame] and [Eternal Flowing Water], located in Jiangbei and overseas—evidently Hong Yun and Suo Huan.
[Sky-shrouding] had made his move.
Jiangbei, Heaven-Connecting Cloud Sea.
On the Sacred Fire Cliff, a handsome man—whose every action seemed augmented by boundless fortune, beloved by heaven and earth—currently wore a look of terror.
Just a moment ago, he was still in secluded meditation within the quiet room on the Sacred Fire Cliff. Several years had passed since Chong Guang sought the Golden Nature, and he believed he was now ready to seek the Golden Nature and return to his position. However, for some unknown reason, he had sent several messages to Perfected Lord Feixue recently, but she hadn't replied to a single one.
This made him feel somewhat uneasy.
But without Perfected Lord Feixue making her stance clear, he didn't dare to seek the Golden Nature on his own. So, he could only wait. Until today, when a voice suddenly whispered in his ear:
"You've worked hard, Fellow Daoist."
The moment the voice arrived, Hong Yun could suddenly "see clearly."
Then, he saw a figure shrouded in smoke appear out of thin air behind him. Although it had just appeared, it felt as if it had been waiting there for a long time.
It was an appearance he would never forget in his entire life.
'[Sky-shrouding]!!!'
The moment he saw the other party clearly, Hong Yun realized his body and spiritual power had begun to move out of his control, defying his will to begin seeking the Golden Nature and returning to his position!
Why was this happening?
For a moment, Hong Yun nearly ground his teeth to dust.
He was clearly about to return to his position! According to his agreement with Feixue, she should have come out to protect him at this time. But where was she now?
Where was his allies? Save me!
Meanwhile, Perfected Lords from all over the Immortal Nexus also cast their gazes over. However, after the chaos caused by the Primordial Heavenly Demon, the number of Perfected Lords looking had significantly decreased.
Everyone was even feeling a bit numb to it.
Seeing Hong Yun seeking the Golden Nature and [Sky-shrouding] reappearing, they might have intervened in the past. But now, they could only stand by and watch.
As for the Saint Sect...
While manipulating Hong Yun and summoning [Overturned Lamp Flame], [Sky-shrouding] turned his gaze towards the direction of Feixue's bedchambers, a smile crinkling the corners of his eyes:
'Is it the critical moment?'
In his perception, a dormant aura within Feixue's bedchambers was currently growing stronger and stronger. She was clearly at the final step before her breakthrough.
'She truly possesses profound Dao comprehension. Even though she changed her goal midway, she still managed to achieve perfect proportioning and even gathered five True Treasures. Once she breaks through, she should be able to master a Dao Fruit Secret Method within ten years. If she succeeds in Void Attainment on top of that, she might approach the level of an Advanced Great Perfected Lord.'
[Sky-shrouding] smiled and withdrew his gaze.
Although Lu Yang had made him feel somewhat anxious, he wasn't acting recklessly. In fact, he had always planned to strike at Hong Yun at this specific time.
This was also his tacit understanding with Perfected Lord Feixue.
At this point in time, Perfected Lord Feixue was at the critical stage of her breakthrough and would not stop him from attacking Hong Yun. Similarly, he could not interfere with her breakthrough.
Once this window passed, it would be a different story.
After all, by then, Perfected Lord Feixue would have already broken through to the Late Stage of the Golden Core. Protecting Hong Yun in passing and preventing his completion would be an effortless task—why wouldn't she do it?
However, right at this moment.
The smile in [Sky-shrouding]'s eyes suddenly froze. He abruptly looked up, the emotion revealed not being surprise, but shock and a hint of bewilderment.
'...Why?'
High up on the sky canopy, the great star symbolizing the Mystic Spirit World Realm suddenly dropped its radiance. A palm as towering as a mountain thrust downward, actually descending towards the overseas region!
Lu Yang had made his move.
But this was exactly what [Sky-shrouding] didn't understand. Why didn't Lu Yang target Hong Yun, who held much greater value, but instead aimed at Suo Huan overseas?
(End of Chapter)