Amidst the torrent of karma, Lu Yang stood with his hands clasped behind his back.
What he had just seen was the original First History. And after the First History became the false history, the karma within it had long been altered and buried in the passage of time.
However, from now on, it would be entirely different.
Because he saw it.
He saw it clearly with his Primordial Spirit. Even if these were long-faded pasts, as long as they were seen by him, his existence was already within that history.
And the words he spoke to the Ancestral Dragon back then, the current Ancestral Dragon would also naturally "recall". And with the renewed interaction between the false history and the true history, this segment of karma would also be brought back to the present world by him. Although the development of history had long since been entirely different, this deed should not be buried.
"I will not comment on the rights and wrongs, merits and demerits."
Lu Yang spoke slowly: "Regarding this matter, some rejoice, and some detest. After all, it is undeniable that by slaughtering everyone under heaven, Fellow Daoist indeed forged no small enmity."
"..."
Within the torrent of karma, the swimming fish symbolizing the Great Sword Ancestor leaped out of the water, manifesting light and shadow. The Great Sword Ancestor walked out of it, looking around somewhat wistfully.
"So this is the outside world..."
"I see, so I made such a decision back then. No wonder I always felt my Dao Heart cultivation seemed higher than in my memories."
The Great Sword Ancestor sighed faintly.
The Ancestral Dragon didn't deceive him. The deeds of the sixty years of vanquishing demons had long ceased to exist. Even he himself didn't remember, let alone the struggles he went through back then.
"Fellow Daoist's strongest moment was the very instant of your suicide. You defeated the Ancestral Dragon, you defeated yourself, and only then did you finally swing that sword, advancing your Dao Heart a step further. Although it turned into the false history and everything became an illusion, your heart will not be changed by external things."
The Great Sword Ancestor nodded slightly:
"I have been taught."
His tone was very calm, even carrying a bit of relief. Such an attitude made Lu Yang suddenly raise an eyebrow, turning around to look at the Great Sword Ancestor again.
"Fellow Daoist..."
Before Lu Yang could speak, the Great Sword Ancestor spoke first:
"My Dao Path has already ended."
"Born with the innate [Three Spirits], my path to the Primordial Spirit was sealed long ago. If not for this, at the moment of suicide, my Dao Heart should have transformed into a Primordial Spirit."
"Even if history returns to the orthodox timeline, I can no longer make a breakthrough, remaining in this state of being neither high nor low." Speaking of this, the Great Sword Ancestor smiled self-deprecatingly: "On the contrary, it is Fellow Daoist who has accomplished an unprecedented great achievement. If Fellow Daoist had been there back then, I perhaps wouldn't have needed to take that step."
He had also seen it.
The hundred-plus thousand years of false history, although transformed into an instant, he had truly experienced it once. He saw the present world under the governance of the Investiture of the Gods Method.
He liked that history very much.
"Let the past be the past."
"We should look to the present." As his voice fell, the Great Sword Ancestor's gaze abruptly became sharp: "The Dao Lords are arriving soon. Is Fellow Daoist prepared?"
Lu Yang gave a slight nod. "It's nothing more than meeting force with force, and answering each move as it comes."
Hearing these words, the Great Sword Ancestor shook his head:
"It's not enough!"
"Fellow Daoist created the Investiture of the Gods Method, gained the assistance of all living beings, and severed the connection between heaven and earth. Firstly, to weaken the Dao Lords; secondly, to elevate yourself. You have almost reached the absolute limit."
"However, pardon my bluntness." The Great Sword Ancestor's tone abruptly deepened: "Fellow Daoist's cultivation is sufficient, but your methods in a battle are still somewhat lacking. I am not familiar with the other Dao Lords, so I will set them aside for now. But at the very least, if the Sword Lord descends to the mortal realm, with Fellow Daoist's current strength, it is impossible for you to be her match."
Lu Yang was not surprised upon hearing this.
After all, he had already made this judgment during his previous clash with the World Honored One. Therefore, after listening, he cupped his hands very calmly: "I ask Fellow Daoist to offer guidance."
"I dare not offer guidance."
The Great Sword Ancestor sighed in a low voice: "My whole life, I haven't achieved much, nothing more than a weapon in the hands of others. Fortunately, as a weapon, I can still be considered handy."
"Today, I am willing to be used by Fellow Daoist."
As his voice fell, the Great Sword Ancestor's figure dimmed again. And in the present world, the mountain gate of the Sword Pavilion vibrated violently, ringing with the hum of swords.
In the next second, the mountain gate of the Sword Pavilion rose from the ground. Extreme Heaven Cliff transformed into a sword edge, tearing through the Immortal Nexus and plunging into the torrent of karma, blooming with overwhelming sword light. And the Great Sword Ancestor's figure merged into it bit by bit, as if smashed to pieces and smelted anew into this supreme sword.
"I unify the [Three Spirits] to temporarily manifest a Primordial Spirit, and then use it to sacrifice to the sword."
The Great Sword Ancestor's voice became increasingly ethereal, and increasingly indifferent: "With Fellow Daoist holding the sword, you should be able to battle the Sword Lord. Consider it my contribution to Fellow Daoist."
Seeing this, Lu Yang lowered his eyelids:
"Fellow Daoist is already someone who has died once, why go to such lengths?"
The Great Sword Ancestor's response carried a smile:
"It is only right."
"In those days, my strength was insufficient, so I could only resort to the lowest stratagem. Now, with my Primordial Spirit having advanced a step further, I have gained access to a middle path. That alone is already the greatest fortune."
"I am quite fond of the present world under Fellow Daoist's governance. I do not ask that it endure for ages—only that it may persist through today. So Fellow Daoist should be glad for me. At the very least, this time I need not slaughter my fellow Daoists again. If my death alone can accomplish the goal, what is there to regret?"
"As for a successor, I have already made arrangements."
"The one traveling at Fellow Daoist's side has forged three strands of sword intent. His chances of forming a Primordial Spirit surpass my own. With him to inherit my legacy, I am wholly at ease."
Things had come to this point.
The Great Sword Ancestor's voice grew lower and lower, until it finally vanished into formlessness. And correspondingly, that sharp sword hum became increasingly sonorous.
"Clang—!"
Instantly, the sword hum transmitted out of the torrent of karma, exploding in the present world. The mighty and rolling sword light was like shooting stars filling the fields. At a glance, it looked just like the silver river falling from the Ninth Heaven.
Its sound and its aura pierced straight into the Dark Void.
[Paramita], located on the fourth tier, the Sword Lord suddenly opened her eyes. A pair of cold, beautiful eyes looked down at the sea of light, seemingly rippling slightly.
"Sanhe died again after returning?"
"The Sword Pavilion mountain gate, the sword left behind back then was taken by him."
At this thought, a trace of heartfelt regret instantly surfaced in her cold, beautiful eyes: "Back then... I really should have been more thorough with the killing!"
Meanwhile, sea of light present world.
Holding a radiantly flowing spiritual sword, Lu Yang walked out from the torrent of karma. Looking up at the sky, a burning falling sun entered his field of vision.
The falling [Paramita].
The deity transformation and ascension had already failed. Before long, the Dao Lords would plummet to the present world one by one. And when that time came, the true test would arrive.
For this, he had to make the final preparations.
Thinking of this, Lu Yang reined in his thoughts. Joining his fingers together, he flicked the spiritual sword in his hand, instantly stirring thunderous sounds, seemingly echoing him, its Sword Master.
"From today onwards, your name will be Heaven's Bane."
His palm brushed over the blade of the sword, and then the flowing light gracefully subsided. The spiritual sword was stored in Lu Yang's sleeve. All its boundless sharpness was suppressed, deeply accumulating.
Wait a moment longer.
Today, there will be a time for you to display your sharpness.