Myriad things were illusory, heaven and earth entirely dark.
Lu Yang's consciousness roamed above this pitch-black abyss. And at his feet, on the other side of the abyss, stood the Heavenly Emperor, his expression cold and stern.
With the return of the false history.
A hundred thousand years of time transformed into an instant. Lu Yang also directly arrived at the final step of the [Method of Traversing the Mortal Dust], the struggle of the Primordial Spirit between the Good and Evil consciousnesses.
"Fellow Daoist, it has been a long time."
"...You seem very confident." The Heavenly Emperor's gaze was cold, staring fixedly at Lu Yang.
"You could say that. If Fellow Daoist is willing to surrender, I would be happy to save some effort."
Lu Yang smiled. And behind him, the halo formed by the convergence of the five elemental colors gradually rippled outwards. Thirty Dao Fruits cleaved the abyss like sharp swords.
However, on the other side of the abyss, five elemental brilliant light astonishingly manifested behind the Heavenly Emperor as well. Whatever Lu Yang used, he used the exact same thing, without the slightest deviation. The collision of the double lights and colors smashed the abyss into vibration, exploding in a frantic tide, faintly presenting a hazy golden light.
"...We truly are one body, huh."
Lu Yang shook his head. The utilization of the five elemental Dao Fruits should have been a method only possessed by him who had entered the false history, yet the Heavenly Emperor had similarly mastered it.
The difficulty of this Primordial Spirit struggle lay precisely here.
No matter how much one side learned, the other side would perfectly synchronize. The strength of both sides would forever be in an absolute state of evenly matched forces.
Therefore, no one could emerge as the winner.
The ultimate result of the struggle would only be mutually assured destruction. That was why so many cultivators who wanted to take a shortcut to forge a Primordial Spirit using the false history back then had died.
'But I am not the same as them.'
Thinking of this, the corner of Lu Yang's mouth gradually sketched a malicious curve. Immediately after, a panel surfaced before his eyes.
[Book of a Hundred Lifetimes]!
This supreme treasure had from beginning to end only bound him, the main body. Similarly, the associated talents could only be used by him; the Heavenly Emperor had no authority to access them.
'This is the absolute gap in talent between you and me.'
Lu Yang lowered his eyelids, his gaze falling upon the panel. Then, with a stir of his thoughts, he activated the talent he had treasured up to now in this lifetime.
[Supreme Dao Transformation], activate!
Instantly, an incredibly dazzling Light of Wisdom erupted from Lu Yang's eyes, almost blinding the Heavenly Emperor, also causing him to stand dumbfounded in place.
"...Ah."
No, what the heck is this?
Before the Heavenly Emperor could react, Lu Yang's giant hand grabbed over, pinching his neck in a way he couldn't comprehend at all.
'Why is this happening?'
At this moment, the Heavenly Emperor's heart was full of doubts. So it turns out "I" possess the Light of Wisdom? And such a strong, such a dazzling Light of Wisdom at that?
Then why am I completely empty-headed, having nothing at all?
This isn't right, is it?
If I also had such formidable Light of Wisdom, how could I possibly have gritted my teeth and rejected the Primordial Saint's recruitment offer earlier just because I couldn't understand the [Heaven-Reaching Incantation of Seven Emotions]?
"Rumble!"
In the second collision, the Heavenly Emperor had no power to fight back. He was refined bit by bit by Lu Yang, lighting up a streak of golden light on the pitch-black abyss.
Finally, the Heavenly Emperor couldn't hold it in anymore.
"This is not fair!"
Although he lacked the Light of Wisdom and comprehension, there was no gap between the Heavenly Emperor and Lu Yang when it came to schemes and intrigues. So after a brief moment of astonishment, he also reacted:
"This move of yours is not permanent!"
"Although I don't know why this method of yours didn't synchronize with me, but using this, even if you subdue me, it's meaningless!"
The Heavenly Emperor ground his teeth, his voice cold as ice:
"A true unification of good and evil must rest upon reason. Only by subduing my ideals with yours can the most perfect Primordial Spirit be forged. What you are doing is nothing but a shortcut. Even if you succeed, the Primordial Spirit you obtain will be riddled with hidden flaws—its foundation inherently unstable!"
Lu Yang merely shook his head.
"There's no reasoning with someone like you who doesn't know how to make use of 'shortcuts.'"
An unstable foundation? In the Immortal Nexus, the enduring law had always been that the strong dominate the weak. Possessing a Primordial Spirit and lacking one were two entirely different realms of existence. Once the breakthrough was achieved, there would be no shortage of methods to mend any deficiencies in one's foundation.
As for taking shortcuts—he cared even less.
'If I rely on my own means to seize such advantages, how is that any different? If you have the capability, then use them yourself. Rather than pointing fingers, perhaps you should ask whether your own cultivation is lacking'
Seeing this, the Heavenly Emperor could only feel a trace of helplessness.
'This bastard… his skin is far too thick. Words alone cannot shake him. In that case, it is better to lie low for now and wait for an opening…'
At that thought, his gaze flickered.
'I refuse to believe this Light of Wisdom can be sustained indefinitely.'
'This kind of short-term suppression, even if successful, is useless. Once that bizarre Light of Wisdom dissipates, I will immediately counterattack and definitely make you suffer a huge loss!'
Because the goal of the Good and Evil Primordial Spirit Method was not to annihilate one side, but to have one side be the dominant master. So the Heavenly Emperor knew very well that Lu Yang couldn't kill him, at most merely suppress him. But this was not a long-term solution. Just as he had said earlier, the hidden dangers of doing so were immense.
Because cultivation and Dao comprehension could be synchronized between the Good and Evil consciousnesses.
Therefore, it was impossible for anyone to maintain a lead in strength forever. Under these circumstances, only a victory of ideology and ideals could truly allow good and evil to unify into one body.
To put it plainly, something forced against its nature will never turn out well.
Lu Yang understood this principle. However, he understood another even better: even if something forced isn't ideal, it can still serve an immediate purpose."Hoo..."
At this moment, Lu Yang slowly exhaled. Within his divine sense, a speck of heavenly light lit up. It was the size of a finger, resembling a pill, held cupped in his hands.
[Divine Offerings]!
This profound wonder corresponding to [Fortune], urged by Lu Yang in the state of [Supreme Dao Transformation] exerted the efficacy it was originally designed for.
'Back when I designed this profound wonder, it was aimed at the Dark Aspect of the Light Sea. I wanted to use it to gather the intent of all living beings to piece together a Primordial Spirit.'
Of course, reality proved this to be unfeasible.
Although the vast and boundless consciousness of all living beings could be gathered, it couldn't possibly compare to a Dao Lord's Primordial Spirit... but settling for the next best thing was different.
"I can't deal with a Primordial Spirit, but I can't deal with you?"
The corner of Lu Yang's mouth raised slightly.
Following his manipulation, under the governance of his Dao Lineage, the intents of countless deities within the [Heavenly Palace] were all gathered by him, transforming into layers upon layers of dim shadows.
These shadows acted like chains, binding the Heavenly Emperor's body. Although the Heavenly Emperor's consciousness was extremely powerful, two fists were no match for four hands.
In the end, he was still suppressed down by Lu Yang along with the intents of the numerous deities. Of course, during this period he also attempted to counter it using the same method.
But after operating it, he discovered that he couldn't learn it!
Lu Yang could operate it because he had the amplification of the [Supreme Dao Transformation], while he had nothing at all. It was like reading a heavenly sripture; he didn't understand a single thing.
Is there still any heavenly justice?
This is not how you cultivate a Primordial Spirit!
"Bastard!!!"
The Heavenly Emperor's figure was completely submerged by shadows. Only Lu Yang remained on the pitch-black abyss. And at his chest, a speck of golden light suddenly appeared.
The golden light was like a single lamp fire. Although it looked incredibly weak, as if it could be blown out at any moment, it illuminated a small corner of this darkness for Lu Yang, preventing him from losing himself within it.
Instantly, an indescribable sense of freedom from shedding the shackles on his body abruptly swept through his entire body!
…
False history, Immortal Nexus.
Lu Yang's main body opened its eyes. Almost simultaneously, the Heavenly Emperor's figure situated deep within the [Heavenly Palace] quietly shattered into formlessness like an illusion.
However, this was not the end.
'Although I am currently the dominant master, the future is uncertain. I will contend with myself for a long time. The key is in this "long time"; it requires time to slowly temper.'
Of course, that was a matter for the future.
And right now, the Primordial Spirit was forged!
Almost simultaneously, guided by the World Honored One and pushed by the Great Dao of [Variable], the vast false history brazenly broke through the Primordial Saint's blockade and completely converging with the present world!
In the next second, Lu Yang strode out.
The firelight of his Primordial Spirit illuminated the Dark Void, opening up the path ahead and easily returned to the present world. Then his stature skyrocketed, instantly breaking through the limit of the Heaven Treading stage!