To date, Lu Yang had accumulated a total of four anchor points.
The Initial Anchor Point was the moment he had just transmigrated to this hellhole. It was pure and unblemished, his cultivation only at the Qi Refining stage, and his growth path was completely wide open.
The First Anchor Point was average: City Rampart Earth Foundation Establishment plus a Golden Core Dao Body.
The Second Anchor Point was when he became Perfected One Heavenly Fire. Considering he had most likely been targeted by the Saint Sect's Ancestor at that time, it was probably a dead end.
Finally, there was the Third Anchor Point.
This anchor point was a bug Lu Yang had meticulously exploited. It was close to the Initial Anchor Point but still had a slight interval, granting him the opportunity to choose twice.
This lifetime, I'll still choose cultivation.
This was the conclusion Lu Yang reached after careful deliberation. The reason was simple—although he had caused a massive incident in his previous lifetime, his actual proportion of involvement wasn't very high.
My [Project: Collapse Paramita] actually went bankrupt before it even started. After bringing in the 'angel investor,' the World Honored One, he directly modified my plan. Coupled with the Saint Sect's Ancestor pressing me at every step, I was forced to pivot and destroy the Foundation Establishment Realm instead. I was led by the nose the whole way.
Of course, this was actually quite normal.
After all, in a scheme between Dao Lords, the World Honored One had clearly been planning for a very long time. Lu Yang was merely a chess piece he used to play against the Saint Sect's Ancestor. It would have been strange if he had any autonomy.
Strictly speaking, I still played an important role.
But it's not enough. My autonomy in this grand play is still far too lacking, not nearly enough to influence a Dao Lord's decision. The actual outcome wasn't all that great.
Therefore, at the very final step, he was still just a spectator.
No different from the lifetime before the last.
In comparison, the talent he would receive from the settlement probably wouldn't be much better either.
Since that's the case, I might as well restart at the Third Anchor Point. Anyway, at the Third Anchor Point, I can make an extra choice to settle the talent from the lifetime before the last.
Of course, there was another reason driving Lu Yang's decision: if he didn't choose cultivation, he wouldn't be able to bring Patriarch Nether Whisper and the others back. The result would be losing the Dao companions who had shared life and death and experienced that thrilling adventure with him in the previous lifetime.
...Hmph.
After a moment of silence, Lu Yang sneered inwardly—
They are mere banner spirits. I couldn't care less what they think or whether I can bring them back.
As long as he wanted to, abandoning them wouldn't be difficult at all.
It just wasn't necessary.
As tools, the Patriarch, my Master, Daoist Suo Huan, and even Empress Xiao are all very important. I can't afford to waste such useful tools.
[With the help of the World Honored One, you accomplished a great feat rarely seen throughout eternity. Although any Great Perfected Lord in the sea of light possesses the ability to influence the situation, your impact on the situation was still a bit too massive. The Tribulation felt pity for your death, and the Dharma Body mourned your fall.]
[Current remaining pages of The Book of a Hundred Lifetimes: 87]
He opened his eyes.
The first thing he saw was a white ceiling, while his arms held the soft, fragrant, jade-like body of Yu Suzhen. His hands were still experiencing a marvelous, bouncy sensation.
[Restarting a lifetime, you may choose one of the following rewards from your previous life:]
[One: Treasure.]
[Two: Cultivation.]
[Three: Dao Art.]
[Four: Forgo all rewards and randomly awaken a talent based on your previous life's experiences.]
I'm back...
Lu Yang let out a long breath. The time he had set for the Third Anchor Point was before he had "mounted" Yu Suzhen. At this moment, his "spear" was just raised; he hadn't yet charged into battle.
Seeing Lu Yang remain motionless, the jade beauty in his arms immediately let out a coquettish moan:
"Little husband..."
"Hmph!"
Hearing this, Lu Yang instantly sneered. Can't you see I'm contemplating major issues regarding the light sea? Trying to mess with my thoughts—your intentions are punishable by death! Watch me subdue you.
In an instant, a fierce battle commenced.
He didn't stop his relentless assault until he had thoroughly pounded Yu Suzhen into submission, rendering her unable to move even a single finger. The fair, jade-like beauty was flushed with a layer of crimson from the rush of blood.
Only then did Lu Yang cease his intense strikes.
Then, a voice he had almost forgotten drifted out faintly:
"Daoist friend... are you just going to ignore me?"
Holy shit, who's that? Oh, it's the remnant consciousness of Su Sui.
Lu Yang froze for a moment before remembering he still had this thing lying around. Unfortunately, the actual value of this remnant consciousness was far lower than he had imagined.
It knew absolutely nothing about Dao Lord-level knowledge.
As for Golden Core-level knowledge, it only had a single book—the [Precious Life Perfect Form Scripture]—and was quite knowledgeable about the Dharma Body Dao. But please, the Dharma Body Dao was incredibly easy to learn.
It was braindead.
Do I really need your help to learn the Dharma Body Dao?
As for karma, this remnant consciousness of Su Sui was completely clueless. In fact, it had no past memories whatsoever; it woke up locked in the Celestial Court.
Furthermore, because its karma had been scrubbed clean by [The Book of a Hundred Lifetimes], the Dharma Body Dao didn't even recognize this remnant consciousness anymore.
It really was completely useless.
If he had to name a use for it, it would be that under the influence of [The Book of a Hundred Lifetimes], it was bound to him. As long as he didn't die, it was very difficult for it to be annihilated.
He could send it out as a spy.
After all, given its special nature, it could infiltrate another person's sea of consciousness, and most people would hardly notice.
What? I have even better inner demons for this sort of thing?
Thinking of this, Lu Yang glanced at Su Sui floating in his sea of consciousness and shook his head. "Daoist friend, how about I transform you into an inner demon in this lifetime?"
Making the best use of everything, right?
The remnant consciousness of Sui also knew its own awkward position and naturally wouldn't feel the slightest repulsion. Now that it finally had a path forward, it quickly nodded:
"Okay, okay."
Immediately after, he saw it pull out an earthy-yellow sphere of light. "This is the concept of [City Rampart Earth]... You still need this, right?"
Oh, right!
Lu Yang finally realized that he had only obtained the concept of [City Rampart Earth] after setting the Third Anchor Point. This was indeed an unexpected surprise.
He could get it for free!
From now on, as long as he chose the Third Anchor Point to restart, besides [The Book of a Hundred Lifetimes], he could also get the concept of [City Rampart Earth] for free one more time.
It was a total win-win!
"Thank you, Daoist friend. Of course I need it."
Lu Yang happily accepted the concept of [City Rampart Earth] and merged it into his True Treasure Yellow Court. After all, who would ever complain about having too much of a good thing?
After doing all this, he looked back at the interface.
More precisely, two interfaces.
One was the interface from the lifetime when [Sky-shrouding] failed to attain the Netherworld, which he hadn't settled when he set the Third Anchor Point. The other was from the previous lifetime.
Let's settle the previous lifetime first. I choose cultivation!
In an instant, a mighty power, like a collapsing mountain and a roaring tsunami, traversed time and surged into Lu Yang's body. All karma was erased, creating not the slightest ripple.
Dharma Body Dao, Great Perfected Lord!
Sensing the elevation of his stature and the changes in his aura, Lu Yang grinned, then turned his attention to the second interface: For this one, I choose talent!
Boom!
This time, a blinding light burst forth from the interface.
It wasn't just that either.
Although my main goal in the previous lifetime was to stir up trouble, that doesn't mean I gained nothing. I should still take a little something.
Lu Yang shifted his gaze to several other lights on the interface.
The Golden Natures of Perfected Lord Hanguang Futian, Great Sage Ming Zhu, Great Sage Xuan Yuan, and Dragon Lord Yu Zhao—a full four Golden Core Perfected Lords. Naturally, he wouldn't let those slip away.
The settlement prompt had actually popped up back then, but because he was busy doing big things, he had kept putting it off and hadn't officially settled the talents.
Coupled with the experience settlement from [The Book of a Hundred Lifetimes] now...
In the next second, a brilliant iridescent light surfaced in Lu Yang's eyes, bringing a satisfied smile to his face.
Four golds, one colorful!
(End of Chapter)