The more Lu Yang thought about it, the more he felt the World Honored One's plan was simply perfect, even worthy of being called killing three birds with one stone.
First of all, the Foundation Establishment realm was created by the World Honored One. Since that was the case, even if it collapsed, the World Honored One had a way to repair it. This was a bargaining chip.
'Thinking about it carefully, why did the Ancestor of the Saint Sect support the World Honored One back then?'
'The four first-generation Peak Masters were all outstanding individuals. Why specifically support the World Honored One... Perhaps the Foundation Establishment realm was one of the reasons he gained favor!'
After all, if the Foundation Establishment realm truly functioned somewhat like the Netherworld—stabilizing the present world and preventing Paramita from tilting—then its collapse would not be a good thing for the Ancestor of the Saint Sect. And the World Honored One's opportunity to reach the Nascent Soul realm was, likely, schemed out relying on this very fact.
Secondly, the result of the Foundation Establishment realm collapsing.
With the present world missing a major pillar, Paramita would tilt—and to avoid this, it would be very difficult for the Ancestor of the Saint Sect to continue his interception of the Netherworld.
The situation would completely reverse.
'Without the Foundation Establishment realm, we absolutely cannot afford to also lose the Netherworld. Not only can the Dao Lords no longer strike at the Netherworld, but it might even become necessary to support it instead.'
When that time came, even if the Ancestor of the Saint Sect still had methods, the Dao Lord of the Sword Pavilion and the Dao Lord of the Dao Court might not necessarily share his mindset anymore. Under the general trend, the Ancestor of the Saint Sect would only be able to choose the lesser of two evils—was it better for the first-generation Master of Beast Taming Peak to resurrect, or for [Sky-shrouding] to attain the Netherworld?
The answer was unquestionable.
'Therefore, once the Foundation Establishment realm collapses, [Sky-shrouding]'s chances of successfully claiming the Netherworld will vastly increase. The Ancestor of the Saint Sect will very likely turn a blind eye!'
Finally, the third bird of the three birds with one stone.
'It's me! He's still thinking about enlightening me!'
Thinking of this, Lu Yang's expression grew increasingly ugly. Right now, he was still connected to [One Mind], while the World Honored One was discussing profound Dao mysteries with the first-generation Master of Beast Taming Peak.
The content of the discussion was precisely the [Method of Planar Creation].
This portion of knowledge concerned the specific method to destroy the Foundation Establishment realm; Lu Yang couldn't afford not to listen—but the problem was, there was just too much content!
'The World Honored One is doing this on purpose! Making me listen here, forcing me to immerse myself in [One Mind] for a prolonged period, slowly boiling me like a frog to enlighten me... Too wicked! Alas... But looking at it from another angle, for the World Honored One to be willing to impart such a wondrous method to me, he's actually quite a nice person...'
Smack!
Lu Yang ruthlessly slapped himself in his mind, making his chaotic thoughts slightly clearer: 'My Dao heart is getting closer and closer to collapsing.'
With this entire sequence, the World Honored One had simply won big time!
Following that, Lu Yang thought of something else: 'Knowledge regarding the Foundation Establishment realm, as well as the [Method of Planar Creation]—these should all actually be Forbidden Knowledge.'
'Yet I heard them, and without any abnormality.'
'Clearly, this Forbidden Knowledge was processed by the World Honored One...'
At this thought, Lu Yang instantly gritted his teeth: 'So that piece of Forbidden Knowledge that could fuse the Netherworld into one entity earlier, the World Honored One actually could have told me!'
But he just didn't say it! He really is a stingy ghost!
'A bald donkey who won't release his eagle until he sees the rabbit. When there are benefits to take, he rushes forward desperately. When giving out benefits, he's like a Pixiu—only taking in, never letting out. No wonder you could become a Dao Lord...'
While continuously cursing the World Honored One angrily in his heart and arduously resisting the World Honored One's infection, Lu Yang carefully listened to the conversation between the World Honored One and the first-generation Master of Beast Taming Peak.
As things stood, he only had two choices.
Either restart, or risk being enlightened by the World Honored One and continue—regarding this, Lu Yang didn't hesitate for long. He wasn't going to restart now.
This wasn't greed, nor was it unwillingness to accept defeat.
It was a rational analysis:
'The World Honored One's attitude towards me is boiling a frog in warm water. In other words, he will not push me to a dead end. He's also afraid I might choose mutual destruction!'
Therefore, Lu Yang was fully confident that the World Honored One would definitely end this Dao discussion at a very delicate critical point—right when he was about to be enlightened but hadn't quite been enlightened yet. Of course, if the World Honored One didn't do so, then Lu Yang wouldn't be polite with him and would decisively choose to restart.
Time ticked by.
After a long while passed like this, the World Honored One and the first-generation Master of Beast Taming Peak inside the monk's quarters finally stopped their conversation, and Lu Yang memorized all the contents of their talk.
Of course, as for listening—he didn't understand a single word.
There was no helping it; the [Method of Planar Creation] was too complex. If it were broken down and explained to Lu Yang piece by piece, he might be able to slowly learn and grasp it.
But unfortunately, both the World Honored One and the first-generation Master of Beast Taming Peak were absolute geniuses with absurdly high comprehension abilities. Therefore, their conversation was an exchange between geniuses. Often, one would say a single sentence, and the rest didn't need to be said; everything was understood without words... The result was that Lu Yang, who was eavesdropping, was completely bewildered.
'It doesn't matter!' Lu Yang consoled himself.
'Anyway, I've maintained a soul connection with the Patriarch all along. Whatever I heard, the Patriarch also heard. My talent has already begun working hard to comprehend it...'
Thinking of this, Lu Yang frowned again.
It was undeniable that the [Method of Planar Creation] was very profound and formidable, but the World Honored One only talked about [Creation]; there was no method on how to [Destroy] it.
Right at this moment.
"Senior Brother Myriad Treasures, something doesn't seem right."
Suddenly, the first-generation Master of Beast Taming Peak frowned deeply, revealing a puzzled expression: "I once observed the Foundation Establishment realm, and it doesn't match what you just said."
"Oh? What doesn't match?" the World Honored One smiled.
"Within the Foundation Establishment realm, at a very deep location, there is a massive rift—but I can't find a corresponding design for it on your blueprints, Senior Brother."
Upon hearing this, Lu Yang's spirit instantly roused.
A massive rift?
At the same time, the World Honored One also smiled and said: "Indeed, that is the sole flaw of the Foundation Establishment realm. If something happens to it, it is highly likely to trigger a chain reaction."
"What would happen?" the first-generation Master of Beast Taming Peak asked solemnly.
The World Honored One frankly gave an answer that jolted Lu Yang's spirit: "Of course the Foundation Establishment realm would collapse, and the Foundation Establishment Perfected Ones of the world would fall in stature and perish like falling rain..."
Hearing this, the first-generation Master of Beast Taming Peak grew even more solemn: "Previously, I didn't understand why that massive rift appeared within the Foundation Establishment realm. But after hearing your [Method of Planar Creation] just now, Senior Brother, I seem to have gained some understanding... That massive rift appeared because of an imbalance in the five elements!"
Imbalance in the five elements?
Hearing this, Lu Yang was stunned for a moment. Meanwhile, inside the monk's quarters, the World Honored One sighed after hearing it: "Beast Taming... you are truly smart, too smart, absurdly smart."
Following that, the first-generation Master of Beast Taming Peak abruptly stood up.
"Senior Brother... was it your doing?"
"The Water element shifted its position. [Heavenly River Water] usurped the Supreme position, unable to match its status. [Vast Ocean Water] further lost its profound wonder. Therefore, the five elements have been imbalanced for many years."
"I was wondering why you specifically changed the Supreme position of [Heavenly River Water] back then. I originally thought it was because [Heavenly River Water] was the Dao Fruit you affiliated with when seeking the Nascent Soul realm, so out of love, you gave it special care. Looking at it now, you had another plan all along?"
Speaking up to this point, the first-generation Master of Beast Taming Peak had a look of deep sorrow:
"To think it was like this... I was saying that Paramita tilting shouldn't have happened so early, yet it was brought forward anyway. So this is why!"
"The five elements of the Foundation Establishment realm are imbalanced, possessing innate deficiencies..."
"Senior Brother, why must you do this?"
Faced with the first-generation Master of Beast Taming Peak's puzzled inquiry, the World Honored One didn't answer. Instead, he gradually put away his compassionate smile; deep in his eyes lay only heavy, chilling indifference.
'Why?'
He didn't answer this question back then. In the end, the first-generation Master of Beast Taming Peak, failing to get an answer, left in disappointment. This Dao discussion ultimately ended on a sour note.
He didn't answer, and he couldn't answer.
'The old Dragon Lord was too troublesome. Striking down the Supreme position of [Vast Ocean Water] was exactly what the Primordial Saint hoped for in the first place.'
'As for the Foundation Establishment realm... Hmph. Without creating a flaw and letting Paramita tilt once more, why would the Dao Lords fully support you in forging the Netherworld?'
'Unfortunately, you are a fool.'
'I originally thought you could use this to step onto Paramita, become a Dao Lord, and look out for each other with me. Yet the result turned out like this, half-dead and half-alive...'
Thinking of the Netherworld in the present world, the World Honored One shook his head again, sighing inwardly—
'Truly beyond saving.'
Forget it... at the very least, I will personally send you on your way.
(End of Chapter)