The great karmic net.
After anchoring the brand-new karma, Lu Yang wasn't in a hurry to leave. Having [Sky-shrouding] seize the opportunity to attain the Netherworld was merely one of his goals for this trip.
Returning to the original question:
"If I don't limit it to my personal karma and expand the search scope to the entire Immortal Nexus, how can I find the karma that meets my requirements?"
The answer was simple: He couldn't.
Let alone the fact that he was currently only at the Middle Stage of the Golden Core, even if he took a step further and became a Late Stage Great Perfected Lord, achieving this would likely be harder than ascending to heaven.
After all, he was too young. His karma simply couldn't trace back to ancient eras. To those ultra-ancient karmic events, he was like a kite with a snapped string. With a single misstep, let alone finding the desired karma, he might even get lost in the past karma and ultimately fall directly.
And to avoid encountering such a situation—
"I can only look for those who have experienced that segment of karma and know how to make the choice." Thinking of this, Lu Yang immediately changed his hand seals and deduced once more.
A moment later, his eyes lit up again:
"Found it!"
The [Time-Reversing World Dao Instrument] in his hands turned slightly, and the light and shadows before his eyes shifted once more. Soon, a brand-new karmic scene appeared before him.
"I simply cannot use this method."
An angry roar came from below. Lu Yang found it quite perfect when he heard it: 'Full of emotion, appropriate amount of force. I'm truly getting more and more skilled at this.'
This was also his personal history.
'This is the point in time when the World Honored One secretly descended to the mortal realm under the guise of the [Tathagata Vairocana of the Vajradhatu] to meet me and invest in me as an angel investor.'
Lu Yang wasn't anxious. He waited patiently for a moment, watching his past self leave before dispersing his sinister wind body and stepping out from his formless, intangible state, blocking the path of the [Tathagata Vairocana of the Vajradhatu], who was just about to leave. Seeing this, the latter was instantly stunned, only letting out a relieved smile after a moment.
"Amitabha."
The [Tathagata Vairocana of the Vajradhatu] brought his hands together in prayer and smiled: "It seems benefactor learns very quickly. To have learned how to be a karmic vermin so soon."
"Vermin?" Lu Yang asked curiously.
The [Tathagata Vairocana of the Vajradhatu] nodded: "To burrow through the great web of karma, gnawing out benefits for oneself—if that is not verminous, what is?"?"
These words instantly reminded Lu Yang.
Right, the great karmic net also has this use. Even if I don't actively interfere to alter causes and shift effects, as long as I have the intent, it can still be of great use.
'For example, back when I comprehended the [Nascent Light Sea] within [Responding to Emperors], I comprehended it a full seven times from start to finish. And now, I can completely return to that karmic scene from back then and comprehend it all over again exactly as before. As long as I'm not discovered, this won't change any past karma.'
It really has to be you, World Honored One!
The exact same fortuitous encounter could only be used once by others.
But relying on wandering through karma, as long as I operate properly and don't let the karmic scene shatter, I can use it countless times! I can use it until I don't want to use it anymore!
Lu Yang achieved a sudden realization in his heart, yet his face was filled with righteousness:
"Senior misunderstands me. How could I be the kind of person who seeks personal gain? My purpose in coming to find Senior this time is for the sake of our plan—it is entirely out of greater good."
Hearing this, the [Tathagata Vairocana of the Vajradhatu] blinked: "Then do tell, Benefactor."
Seeing his submissive appearance, Lu Yang was somewhat surprised and chuckled lightly: "Senior... aren't you curious about what time period I came from?"
"Not curious."
The [Tathagata Vairocana of the Vajradhatu] closed his eyes and shook his head: "And do not tell me. If I know of such a thing, it will leave a trace."
The sheer volume of a Dao Lord was too massive, an overwhelmingly dominant existence to the mortal world. This was an advantage, but sometimes it could also become a disadvantage. That was: because their volume was too massive, even just reaching out a hand, having a single thought, or casting a single glance would trigger a violent reaction from the mortal world.
"Therefore, Fellow Daoist, you may ask whatever you wish."
The [Tathagata Vairocana of the Vajradhatu] smiled faintly: "In fact, if Benefactor hadn't come, this poor monk had already planned to commit suicide and sever all karma."
"As for this Tathagata incarnation, I can simply re-enlighten it afterwards."
"Only this way can it be completely traceless and avoid drawing the attention of..." Halfway through, the [Tathagata Vairocana of the Vajradhatu] silently pointed a finger upwards.
Following that, he changed the subject:
"Of course, although doing so is troublesome and requires great caution, it is not without its benefits. At least for now, my answers can be a bit bolder."
"Moreover, this place is a karmic scene. Its level of secrecy is arguably only slightly inferior to a [Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness]. As long as your questions aren't too outrageous, I can answer them for you. However, Fellow Daoist had best think carefully before asking. I will answer at most one question for you, and then I must go and die."
"I see."
Lu Yang nodded. One question, and then immediately dying after answering. This way, even if the answer involved Forbidden Knowledge, the karma could be covered up.
Then there was no need to beat around the bush.
Thinking of this, Lu Yang spoke cleanly and decisively: "I have decided to strike at the Netherworld, first triggering the collapse of the Netherworld, and subsequently bringing about the collapse of Paramita."
"As for the method to collapse the Netherworld, my target is the [Yellow Springs Road]."
"However, I do not understand the history of the Netherworld. I only know that I must destroy the [Yellow Springs Road], but I know nothing about how to destroy it or at what point in time to destroy it."
"I beseech Senior for guidance."
Lu Yang cupped his hands. This question was indeed entirely out of greater good, concerning whether the [Project: Collapse Paramita] could succeed. It was unlikely the World Honored One would deceive him.
'From this, it can be seen that even Dao Lords actually have room for negotiation. It's just that I stood too low before and didn't know what these Dao Lords actually wanted. Now that I stand relatively high, at least enough to enter the World Honored One's eyes, I immediately have the opportunity to bargain with him.'
Soon, the [Tathagata Vairocana of the Vajradhatu] gave his response:
"The establishment of the Netherworld dates back to far antiquity."
The Buddha's tone was faint, as if falling into distant memories:
"Long before the Battle of the Dao Lords, the Netherworld already had a prototype. However, at that time, Beast Taming had only forged the [Ghost Gates] and no other components."
A second later, his tone leveled out, returning to indifference:
"...Therefore, if you want to strike at the [Yellow Springs Road], the best method is to trace back to the Battle of the Dao Lords one hundred and twenty-nine thousand six hundred years ago."
"But I advise you had best not do that."
Speaking up to this point, the [Tathagata Vairocana of the Vajradhatu] glanced at Lu Yang again, then shook his head: "You are too weak. In that era, you would die a very miserable death."
"Even if I advance to Great Perfected Lord?" Lu Yang asked in surprise.
The [Tathagata Vairocana of the Vajradhatu] nodded without hesitation: "It makes no difference. After all, that era was precisely the era when the Dao Lords resided in the mortal world."
"The karma is too heavy."
"If you stir the karma of that era, you will inevitably be discovered."
"This is also a contingency plan left behind to ensure that the critical parts of the Netherworld cannot be tampered with. Keeping the variables in hand and personally safeguarding them is also the style of..."
Unparalleled wariness.
Listening to the explanation of the [Tathagata Vairocana of the Vajradhatu], Lu Yang only felt his scalp go numb. The other party didn't even dare to use a pronoun to describe that exalted figure!
"So... going to far antiquity, I'm dead for sure?"
"Dead for sure."
"Then doesn't that mean I have no chance?" Lu Yang asked directly.
Speaking of this, the [Tathagata Vairocana of the Vajradhatu] fell silent for a moment before finally smiling: "That is not necessarily true. You can hitch a ride."
"Hitch a ride?"
"Correct. Borrow the greatest altering of causes and shifting of effects in history. Within that karmic storm, you will merely be an ant, and will not trigger the perception of the Dao Lords."
The [Tathagata Vairocana of the Vajradhatu] gave the answer:
"Go to five thousand years ago."
"There lies everything you are looking for..."
(End of Chapter)