Lu Yang's arrangement for Xiu Zhen was very simple.
First, have Sisui restore his physical body, giving him a taste of the sweetness so he can't bear to part with it. Then, state the drawbacks, making him feel unwilling to accept it.
Finally, provide a solution.
By doing so, having experienced such a massive emotional rollercoaster, Xiu Zhen would definitely seriously consider whether this so-called solution was feasible.
The answer was also very simple:
'Feasible!'
For a time, thoughts rapidly flashed through the depths of Xiu Zhen's eyes: 'The Investiture of the Gods Method... I have scrutinized this Dao Lineage before. Its Dao-attaining place is outside the sea of light.'
'If I switch to cultivating this method, it's equivalent to entering a new [Paramita]. With my Dao comprehension and Primordial Spirit essence, I can completely use this to elevate my cultivation to the Golden Core Great Perfection level... The only problem is that the master of that Dao-attaining place, the Ancestral Dragon, will likely hold the power of life and death over me.'
At this thought, Xiu Zhen sneered:
"Fellow Daoist Ancestral Dragon, your thinking is rather too optimistic. You intend to subdue me without expending a single soldier—do you truly think I am so easily dealt with?"
Lu Yang shook his head innocently:
"Sigh. You misunderstand!"
"I am sincerely inviting Fellow Daoist to join. As for being subject to others... Fellow Daoist, are you not currently subject to Fellow Daoist Sisui?"
Xiu Zhen: "..."
That seemed correct too.
However, in the next second, he reacted and sneered: "Even so, can I not find another path? Why must I take yours?"
"Which path does Fellow Daoist want to take?" Lu Yang asked in return.
"Hmph, I naturally..."
His voice abruptly stopped.
Only then did Xiu Zhen realize that Ling Xiao's path was no longer viable. As for Miao Le... with the other side watching, the chances didn't seem very high either?
'...Crap!'
In an instant, Xiu Zhen's face turned ugly: "Is Fellow Daoist trying to threaten me? If I don't agree, you will ruin my plans?"
"Fellow Daoist misunderstands."
Lu Yang said with a beaming smile: "If Fellow Daoist does not agree, then I will merely destroy Fellow Daoist Sisui's lingering echo and remnant consciousness, making it so Fellow Daoist cannot go back, that's all."
As soon as these words were spoken, Xiu Zhen's face instantly changed. He subsequently took out Sisui's remnant thought, only to discover that cracks had astonishingly appeared on it. It was clearly planted with some means beforehand. Yet, despite this remnant thought being in his hands for so long, he actually hadn't noticed any anomaly!
"...How did you do it?" Xiu Zhen gritted his teeth.
On the other side, Lu Yang naturally had no intention of answering. Don't ask; asking means the value of being washed by the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes]. You don't have a cheat, you wouldn't understand.
Seeing this, Xiu Zhen grew even angrier.
Inwardly, he furiously cursed his past self from not long ago. Why did he have to enter with his main body, while only letting the "Ancestral Dragon" enter with a puppet? Now he had truly suffered a massive loss!
That damn Ancestral Dragon, why is he so evil!
Meanwhile, Lu Yang wore a leisurely expression.
'He isn't a true Dao Lord after all. Previously, relying on his unknown origins, he put on airs for a while. Now that his origins are known, he's much easier to deal with.'
On the other side, Sisui was equally filled with emotion.
'Similar, too similar.'
An open and aboveboard open scheme, giving you no chance to choose, forcing you to follow his rhythm. This method was truly too similar to the Primordial Saint's.
Precisely because of this.
Sisui had already predicted what decision Xiu Zhen would ultimately make. After all, one side was a dead end, and the other side allowed him to live. Anyone knew how to choose.
The result also didn't exceed his expectations.
"...Fine."
Xiu Zhen took a deep breath, then took the jade slip Lu Yang handed over. He swept it with his divine sense, then closed his eyes and began to silently sense it.
Before long, radiance began to surface on his body.
With Xiu Zhen's Primordial Spirit essence, cultivating the Investiture of the Gods Method took only a single thought. Almost simultaneously, Lu Yang's main body, far away beyond heaven, felt a connection.
"Is this fine?"
Opening his eyes, Xiu Zhen's face was ashen: "Can you let me go now?"
However, the response he got was Lu Yang's gentle smile: "Sorry, I was just joking earlier. Even if you switch cultivation methods, you cannot leave for the time being."
"Rumble!"
In an instant, Lu Yang only felt that his Foundation Establishment puppet was like a lone boat caught in a violent storm, about to be swallowed by towering waves.
Yet in the next second, all the auras completely retracted, as if the outburst just now was merely his illusion. Xiu Zhen's icy voice drifted over faintly:
"What else do you want?"
"I know you're anxious, but don't be anxious just yet."
Lu Yang's tone was incredibly calm. Ultimately, the reason he turned hostile against Xiu Zhen at this moment was to completely eliminate this variable.
'Next, I must unify the entire false history under the Investiture of the Gods Method. Leaving a Primordial Spirit outside is too risky. Moreover, the level of my [Heavenly Palace] isn't high enough yet. I myself don't have a Primordial Spirit. Rashly letting him out, a Primordial Spirit entering might end up snatching my position...'
Therefore, it was better to keep him here first.
Wait until he had forged a Primordial Spirit, unified the false history, and elevated the stature of the [Heavenly Palace] to Golden Core Great Perfection before accepting him. This would undoubtedly be more secure.
"Rest assured, I still have to retrieve the [Heavenly Heart Seal]. I won't abandon you."
Lu Yang wore a sincere expression:
"It's just that I will be laying out arrangements in the false history next. Fellow Daoist remaining outside is very troublesome. Fellow Daoist also wouldn't want the basic trust of our cooperation to be shaken, right?"
Where is the basic trust in our cooperation!
Xiu Zhen cursed furiously in his heart, yet a bright smile appeared on his face: "What you say makes perfect sense. Since that is the case, I will wait for your news here..."
"Many thanks for Fellow Daoist's cooperation."
Lu Yang nodded and continued: "Speaking of which, Fellow Daoist, you should still have arrangements in the false history, right? For example, that eldest disciple of the Dao Lord of Dao Arts?"
Xiu Zhen: "..."
Targeting me with the Investiture of the Gods Method, forcing me to submit, and making me stay in this place isn't enough. Now you want me to willingly deliver Miao Le into your hands.
Are you even human?
You bastard!
"I have no arrangements." Xiu Zhen said in a low voice: "Just like with Ling Xiao, I only conversed with Miao Le a few times. I have no means to control him."
"Really?" Lu Yang narrowed his eyes.
"Absolutely no falsehoods!"
As his voice fell, the two stared at each other for a moment.
In the next second, Lu Yang grinned: "Fellow Daoist, don't misunderstand, I was just joking earlier. How could I not understand your difficulties? I won't make things hard for you."
Give me a break!
By now, Xiu Zhen also understood the "Ancestral Dragon's" style: If I truly had a means to control Miao Le, you wouldn't be joking, would you?
"Alright, Fellow Daoist shouldn't stay here either."
Lu Yang grinned: "Give us some space, I need to have a private word with Fellow Daoist Sisui."
"..."
Not even acting anymore!
Xiu Zhen left, exasperated and furious.
Only then did Sisui, who had remained silent the whole time, finally shake his head: "Fellow Daoist, there's actually no need to be like this. A good conversation can always make things clear."
"Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures."
Lu Yang's expression was calm: "Besides, by keeping this person here, Senior can teach him to your heart's content. If he truly can be changed, it is also a good thing."
Hearing this, Sisui sighed, sized up Lu Yang again, and then suddenly said:
"Rescuing me is not that easy."
"Variables run rampant in the world, some good and some bad. If things prove impossible when the time comes, Fellow Daoist, are you interested in my [Dharma Body] and [Yin and Yang]?"
Lu Yang was instantly stunned.
Sisui, however, didn't care at all and continued:
"Fellow Daoist's Dao-attaining place is beyond heaven. If you only govern the sea of light, you might only be able to reach Golden Core Great Perfection. But adding me into the mix makes it different."
"I can emulate the Ancestral Dragon."