Although he had decided to jump ship, there were still many details regarding when and how to jump that needed to be weighed, as they concerned his own interests.
Take the [Heavenly Dao Authority] for instance. Although the World Honored One didn't mind giving away the foundation of his Dao attainment, the timing of giving it away was extremely important. If he gave it away too early, and the Sword Lord and Cang Hao harbored malicious intentions, causing him to fall from Paramita before the deity transformation and ascension even began, then it would be a massive loss.
'The key lies in the timing.'
On the surface, he still had to pretend to be polite and compliant with the Sword Lord and Cang Hao for the time being, waiting for the best opportunity to exchange for the highest-value chip.
Thinking of this, the World Honored One immediately sneered:
"Since that is the case, I don't want the [Heavenly Dao] authority either. As for the situation in the false history, since you have the ability, go investigate it yourselves."
They parted on bad terms.
On the second tier of [Paramita], the boiling Buddha light concealed everything, also cutting off the line of sight of the Sword Lord and Cang Hao, making the thoughts of the two Dao Lords increasingly suspicious.
"Myriad Treasure... what exactly does he know."
Cang Hao voiced his concerns: "Does he truly care about [Perfected Lord Brilliant World Joyous Light]? After the deity transformation and ascension, [Paramita] is destined to fall."
"When the time comes, we will all fall to Golden Core Great Perfection."
"And whether he has [Perfected Lord Brilliant World Joyous Light] or not seems to no longer matter?"
As his voice fell, the Sword Lord also fell into deep thought. The long river symbolizing [Destiny] surfaced around her, and countless future scenes emerged one after another.
Only after a long time did she shake her head:
"Even if [Paramita] collapses, it can be reshaped and elevated again. But if [Perfected Lord Brilliant World Joyous Light] dies, his position is gone."
As long as [Perfected Lord Brilliant World Joyous Light] didn't die, the World Honored One would still occupy a seat on [Paramita], still possessing the honored status of a Dao Lord. But once he died, the World Honored One would be a through-and-through Golden Core Great Perfection cultivator. Even if [Paramita] recovered later on, it would be impossible for him to immediately recover his Dao Lord cultivation.
This price was simply too great.
Even for the Sword Lord and Cang Hao, being determined to develop the [Heavenly Dao] didn't mean they completely didn't care about the benefits brought by [Paramita].
After all, [Paramita] still had its merits.
If they were truly asked to give it up, they wouldn't be willing either.
"So you're saying, the conditions we proposed were indeed too harsh?" Cang Hao's thoughts fluctuated, half-believing and half-doubting: "Can [Destiny] deduce anything?"
"It cannot."
The Sword Lord's voice was cold: "Although [Karma] is only an unorthodox path, it touches upon [Variable] after all. Under deliberate concealment, nothing can be deduced."
"However... Myriad Treasure definitely has a problem."
Cang Hao shook his head:
"But currently, only his [One Mind] can infiltrate the false history. As long as he doesn't speak, we have no way to grasp the specific situation in the false history."
Hearing this, the Sword Lord's aura grew increasingly cold, carrying a chilling murderous intent: "It doesn't matter. Myriad Treasure has plenty of scheme, but his only flaw is insufficient cultivation; he doesn't stand high enough. Since he has other plans, then let each rely on their own abilities. The profound wonder of the [Heavenly Dao] is not something he can conceive of."
Meanwhile, in the false history, [Kanyang Lake].
The World Honored One lowered his head, pondering inwardly: 'The Sword Lord and Cang Hao must definitely have other means... I still stand too low, I cannot see many things clearly.'
This was also one of the reasons he was determined to jump ship.
Recalling the past, he ascended to [Paramita] and traced back karma. Relying on the grand merit of suppressing Sisui, the moment he stepped onto [Paramita], he reached the second tier.
At that time, he was still full of ambition, believing that catching up from behind was only a matter of time.
But what was the result?
129,600 years had passed, yet he was still on the second tier, not having advanced an inch. Looking into the reason, wasn't it because of the suppression from the upper-tier Dao Lords?
'The so-called [Paramita] is essentially a stepping stone.'
'The Primordial Saint steps on everyone else. The Sword Lord, Cang Hao, and the Dao Lord of Dao Arts step on me and the Dao Lord of Spiritual Power. The Dao Lord of Spiritual Power steps on me. I have no one to step on.'
Who could stand this?
Of course, the Sword Lord and Cang Hao didn't stand as high as the Primordial Saint yet. Compared to the unfathomable will of heaven of the Primordial Saint, he could still fathom the Sword Lord and Cang Hao a bit.
'It seems it is necessary to meet with that [Perfected Lord Yuji Siming].'
'Although I decided to jump ship, if the ship I'm jumping to is a broken ship about to sink, then it's better to stay where I am. At least it's more secure.'
'Perhaps...'
Thinking of this, the World Honored One suddenly turned around, then smiled and looked at Chong Guang, who was remaining silent, obediently standing with his hands by his side like a stone statue.
"Why does little friend not say a word?"
"...Greetings, Lord."
This time Chong Guang didn't dare remain silent anymore, fearing he would let out a "Alas!" in the next second. He hurriedly knelt on the ground, performing a grand bow, completely displaying a submissive posture.
"Hahaha."
Seeing this, the World Honored One laughed heartily: "Little friend does not need to be like this. Since I sent you to this false history, naturally I intend to bestow upon you a fortuitous encounter."
Fortuitous encounter? Could it be [Overtuned Lamp Fire]?
In an instant, Chong Guang's mind became active. Almost subconsciously, he began to probe the situation regarding [Overtuned Lamp Fire], and then he froze on the spot.
'...This isn't right, is it?'
'This place is clearly the false history, vastly different from the present world. Why is Chen Earth still Yin Earth... Could it be that [Sky-Shrouding] also came here? Did he reverse Chen Earth again?'
Damn it all, are you going to leave any path for people to survive!
At this moment, even with Chong Guang's usually steady state of mind, he couldn't help but feel a bit of fury and helplessness: F*ck, what a lingering bastard.
Sensing the fluctuations in Chong Guang's aura, the World Honored One could also guess his current thoughts, instantly smiling even more happily: "Little friend, rest assured. Since I said it is a fortuitous encounter, naturally it is a broad and open road. A mere [Overtuned Lamp Fire] Dao Fruit, and a dead end at that, how can it be worthy of the word fortuitous encounter."
"...I implore Lord to guide me!"
Without a second word, Chong Guang immediately kowtowed. The thirst to seek the Dao at this moment even suppressed his fear of the World Honored One, also making him cast aside all reservations.
Seeing this, the World Honored One nodded slightly.
For a time, heaven and earth resonated. The mighty power from the Immortal Nexus crashed down like a waterfall, submerging Chong Guang's body, carrying a resonant, thunderous voice:
"Your current body is an Immortal Spirit, born with Xin Metal qi."
"You cultivate [Overtuned Lamp Fire], and also concurrently cultivate the four divine abilities of Jia Wood, Yi Wood, Chen Earth, and Si Fire. Because Chen Earth was reversed, the yin and yang of the four divine abilities are no longer balanced."
"And Xin Metal is yin. You originally had one yang and three yin. Now adding another yin attribute, your cultivation is locked. The Grotto-Heaven Method of seeking the Golden Core already has no path forward to speak of. Rather than this, it is better to discard it, cast aside the changes of yin and yang, and specialize in the [Five Elements]. You have already gathered Wood, Earth, Fire, and Metal; you only lack a strand of Water Element qi."
"I will add a strand of Gui Water for you, and remove your Jia Wood."
"From now on, you will be Xin Metal, Yi Wood, Gui Water, Si Fire, and Chen Earth. Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth gathered together, and the yin attribute is pure. You can use this to seek the [Five Elements]!"
Bathing in the heavenly light, a look of sudden realization surfaced in Chong Guang's eyes.
"Many thanks, Lord!"
On his body, the qi of the five elements collided, divine abilities circulated, and finally thoroughly integrated, transforming into a dazzling ray of lightning that sank into the depths of his eyes.
"Good."
As his voice fell, the heavenly light receded, and the World Honored One's figure had already dissipated.
'Let us see what methods that Perfected Lord Yuji Siming has, and whether he can deal with this piece of mine. If he is powerless to do anything, then he is not worthy of entrusting my Dao path to.'
Jiangxi, Spirit Mountain.
Just as the World Honored One, using the identity of the "Heavenly Lord," mobilized the mighty power of the Immortal Nexus to completely transform Chong Guang, Lu Yang also sensed the changes between heaven and earth.
"Hm?"