Why did Lu Yang feel that the World Honored One was the most human among the Dao Lords?
The reason was very simple, he was too complex. He was both vicious and tender. He could reminisce about old feelings, but he could also forget kindness and righteousness. He was as complex as a human.
After so many lifetimes, he saw it clearly.
When Dao Tianqi was in deep slumber in the Netherworld, never having awakened, he could harden his heart to support Lingxiao, ultimately leading to Dao Tianqi's complete fall.
However, after Dao Tianqi awakened, he would go all out to help Dao Tianqi, even fighting the Primordial Saint to the death.
The same applied to Lingxiao.
He would spare no effort to support him in attaining the Netherworld, or even attaining [Tribulation]. But when it was necessary, he would also discard him like worn-out shoes.
Just like now.
Looking at the World Honored One, Lingxiao lowered his eyelids.
The [Paramita] can only have six Dao Lords. It's impossible for him not to know, yet he didn't tell me. He only said there was a path I could walk. This is treating me as an abandoned chess piece.
Not only that, he also intended to exploit the trust he had built up before, ruthlessly setting him up for a fall.
Bastard!
Good thing I'm the same.
Thinking of this, Lingxiao hurriedly lowered his head and glanced at the jade slip the World Honored One had sent over. Upon seeing the [Divine Offering] inside, he instantly understood.
Amidst his realization, Lingxiao even felt somewhat full of admiration for Lu Yang, uncontrollably sighing with emotion in his heart.
This is anticipating the World Honored One's actions in advance, which is why he specifically came over to recruit me? What a high perspective. Our cultivation levels are clearly similar, yet he can predict a Dao Lord's moves so accurately.
Putting away the jade slip, Lingxiao's expression turned serious: "Could the Lord's meaning be to have me go to the false history to spread this method? It cannot be denied that this method is uniquely wondrous, but it doesn't seem to help my Dao attainment?"
Hearing this, the World Honored One shook his head:
"Between heaven and earth, there is a Dao named [Tribulation]. If you follow my method, you will inevitably set off a world-shaking tribulation. Attaining the Dao through this might not be impossible."
After speaking, the World Honored One gave a detailed explanation.
In short, it was to spread this method throughout the false history, and then let the false history return, exterminating the cultivators of the current Dao Lineages, subsequently drawing the resonance of [Tribulation].
It sounded quite reliable too.
After listening patiently, Lingxiao abruptly changed the topic: "Before I left the Netherworld, a nameless Daoist once came looking for me, also speaking similar words."
"...What?" The World Honored One's gaze focused slightly.
"To attain the unorthodox path of [Yin and Yang]."
Lingxiao earnestly recounted the Dao path that the nameless Dao Lord had elaborated for him previously, and then asked: "Dare I ask the Lord, which of you should I believe?"
"...Make your own choice."
After a moment of silence, the World Honored One gave an answer: "The two actually do not contradict each other. You can completely advance them side by side and see which one is more suitable in the end."
"I will not force you."
The World Honored One spoke very pleasantly, but Lingxiao scoffed at it, cursing inwardly: This is already grasping my thoughts and deliberately saying this.
If he hadn't been recruited by that mysterious Fellow Daoist, for the sake of seeking the Dao, he would have definitely chosen to walk both paths, ultimately struggling to death like a butterfly on a spider web.
However, things were different now.
He had a brand-new Dao. What was even better was that this Dao was hidden perfectly. At least for now, it seemed no Dao Lord had discovered it!
Thinking of this, Lingxiao immediately tightened his expression:
"Many thanks to the Lord for clearing my doubts... I will carefully consider it."
Only then did the World Honored One nod slightly.
This is enough.
The open-source version of [Divine Offering] handed over to Lingxiao—the World Honored One had connected it to the [Vajradhatu] he had forged, which was the core of 'One Mind'.
Beast Taming is still too kind.
This set of methods utilizing the power of all living beings is certainly brilliant, but it lacks countermeasures. What if the [Heavenly Dao] takes the benefits and turns hostile? What then?
After all, that was the Sword Lord!
Connecting to my 'One Mind' provides at least one more layer of insurance. If the Sword Lord turns hostile, I will manipulate all the deities to commit suicide, breaking the [Heavenly Dao].
As for Lingxiao, the World Honored One could only tell him to pray for himself.
At least I didn't lie to him. When the false history returns, him having done such a monumental deed can indeed trigger [Tribulation]. But whether he succeeds or not is another matter.
However, there was an unexpected element in this conversation.
The nameless Dao Lord.
Secretly contacting Lingxiao and proposing the Dao Lord of the [Yin and Yang] unorthodox path—who could it be?
Cang Hao? Myriad Laws?
Carrying this doubt, the World Honored One's figure abruptly dissipated within the karmic scene, and Lingxiao's consciousness also returned along with it, violently letting out a long breath.
Seeing his appearance, Lu Yang instantly raised an eyebrow slightly: "Fellow Daoist?"
"...The World Honored One contacted me."
Lingxiao unhesitatingly repeated the conversation he just had with the World Honored One. Hearing this, Lu Yang wasn't surprised; after all, this was actually within his expectations.
"Just do as he says."
Lu Yang smiled slightly and said: "However, just use the [Divine Offering] I gave you, Fellow Daoist. By the time he discovers it, our plan will have already succeeded."
"Good." Lingxiao nodded.
In this way, this move by the World Honored One was blocked off.
Besides this, there was also that head disciple of the Dao Arts Dao Lord. He might also need to find an opportunity to meet him, to see if he could be persuaded like Lingxiao.
Just as Lu Yang was pondering, Lingxiao's gaze suddenly stirred.
"...Interesting."
The next second, he looked at Lu Yang and said: "Before I left the Netherworld, I left an incarnation in the mortal world. It seems someone just touched its wonder."
"I hid it very secretly and utilized quite a few methods. To find that incarnation, one must either possess extraordinary methods like Fellow Daoist, or be a Dao Lord."
Lu Yang immediately understood Lingxiao's underlying meaning.
He's talking about the[World-Retribution Incarnation].
Something hidden using the [Great Forest Wood] being found—it can only possibly be a Dao Lord, and it's not the World Honored One... It can only be that nameless Dao Lord!
"...Let's meet him."
After a moment of silence, Lu Yang smiled: "Previously, I guessed it was Cang Hao, but that's not necessarily the case. Meeting him a few more times might just let us discover more clues."
Lingxiao also had this thought and immediately nodded.
Following that, his consciousness once again left [The Mortal World] and arrived within the [World-Retribution Incarnation] he had hidden away, and then he opened his eyes.
Instantly, all sounds faded into silence.
Lingxiao's line of sight just froze before his eyes. The sky full of brilliance seemed to have fallen, surrounding a blurry, bright figure.
This person had a tall and straight figure, wearing rosy clouds as clothes, his back against the myriad phenomena. His hands were behind his back, and his sleeves fluttered in the wind. Although he had long hair cascading to his waist, it was impossible to discern his gender from it, and his face was even harder to see. Neither old nor young could be distinguished; only a pair of profound and bright eyes could be seen.
It was precisely that "nameless Dao Lord".
And the first sentence he spoke made Lingxiao hold his breath.
"Have you met with the World Honored One?"
"..."
The ethereal profound sound fell, carrying a hint of a smile: "What did he say? Did he refute the words of the [Yin and Yang] unorthodox path? Or did he give you another path?"
(End of chapter)