'He won't be able to hold back forever.'
Feeling the gaze cast from the apex of the [Paramita], Lu Yang pondered: 'Without a doubt, the Ancestral Dragon is his key to inspecting the [Supreme Grandmaster].'
'And I know exactly who the Ancestral Dragon is right now.'
[Perfected Lord Azure Firmament Radiance].
It is right here in the Netherworld!
In other words, as long as he remains stationed here at the Ghost Gate of the Netherworld, it will be impossible for the Primordial Saint to take the Ancestral Dragon out without him noticing.
With this thought, Lu Yang glanced at the panel beside him, his gaze locking onto one of the colorful talents: [Off-Stage Observer]. If he could find an opportunity to apply this talent to the Ancestral Dragon, he might be able to hitch a ride and find the [Supreme Grandmaster].
This point was particularly critical.
After all, unlike the Primordial Saint, he was the [Successor of Deity Transformation]. Like the Ancestral Dragon, he could enter the [Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness] at will without any restrictions.
'The Primordial Saint cannot see what happens inside the [Supreme Grandmaster].'
'If I can enter alongside the Ancestral Dragon, I can see the records of the restart in that book before he does... and then perform some minor adjustments and corrections.'
Erasing everything entirely was unrealistic.
After all, once ink has been left behind, erasing it would leave far too many traces; in comparison, adding to or modifying the text was a much more suitable method.
That said, Lu Yang did not think this would be easy to achieve. Most of what he could think of, the Primordial Saint could likely deduce as well.
'Under my constant pressure, the Primordial Saint will eventually have the urge to enter the [Supreme Grandmaster] to check that book. Given his personality, he will certainly consider all unstable factors, which is why he keeps staring at me. In this situation, it's difficult for me to make a move on the Ancestral Dragon to bring it under my observation...'
This problem had to be solved.
He couldn't let the Primordial Saint watch him constantly. As long as the Saint relaxed for a single moment, since Lu Yang was already in the Netherworld, it would be enough to seize the gap and complete the observation of the Ancestral Dragon.
However, as to how exactly to do it...
While Lu Yang was lost in thought, on the other side, the long-silent [Sky-shrouding] finally spoke softly: "May I ask, Senior, what kind of cultivation method do you practice?"
Lu Yang immediately smiled.
Next, Lu Yang imparted the entire contents of the Investiture of the Gods Method without holding anything back. [Sky-shrouding] instantly fell into a trance-like state of enlightenment.
A moment later, he finally returned to his senses.
"How was it?"
Lu Yang said indifferently: "If you wish to switch to my method, plant the Tree of the Great Dao, and nurture a Dao Fruit, you must leave this place and follow me to cultivate."
Hearing this, [Sky-shrouding] lowered his eyes.
There is no such thing as a free lunch. Everything from the appearance of this new Dao Lord to the offer of discipleship was too abrupt. Furthermore, why hadn't the World Honored One appeared from start to finish?
'Has he given his tacit consent? Does he believe that following this new Dao Lord offers a better chance than attaining the Netherworld? That makes no sense. The difficulty of this Investiture of the Gods Method is even higher than the Netherworld. He even mentioned benefiting all living beings—is this a method that can be promoted in the Light Sea? It's filled from top to bottom with the outdated habits of the ancient era...'
Unless the problem with the Netherworld was even greater.
At this thought, an answer immediately surfaced in [Sky-shrouding]'s heart: 'Given my preparations, it should be impossible to fail in attaining the Netherworld, unless the Lord of the Netherworld has not yet passed away!'
A trap?
It couldn't be. He had verified his attempt to attain the Netherworld many times; theoretically, there should be no mistakes. During the process, the Ancestor of the Primordial Saint Sect had even provided much guidance...
It must be a trap!
Shadows immediately flickered in [Sky-shrouding]'s eyes, and his expression turned quite gloomy. He was a suspicious person by nature; a single point of doubt was enough to make him wary in a hundred ways.
If there were no other way and only the Netherworld remained, he might have braced himself to face the challenge. However, looking at the Lu Yang right before him, at the Investiture of the Gods Method he offered, and the alternative path within arm's reach—contrasted with the doubts surrounding the Netherworld—the scales in his heart immediately tilted.
He instinctively began to think.
And then, he stopped thinking.
—Time stood still at this moment. The operation of reincarnation and the long river of souls before the Ghost Gate seemed to freeze in a particular moment of surging.
Then, someone arrived.
His silhouette was clearly no different from an ordinary person, yet he was as ethereal as an immortal, appearing distant and unreachable. His face could not be seen clearly; only a circle of light was visible.
The light displayed seventy-two colors and pierced directly into the Dark Void, appearing to resonate with that vast expanse. Numerous colors intertwined upon his body, manifested infinite power. Simply standing before Lu Yang, he presented an insurmountable chasm, as if a difference as vast as heaven and earth existed between them.
Primordial Saint!
Seeing that [Sky-shrouding] was swayed and that the best plan for the Deity Transformation ascension was about to collapse, he finally could not restrain himself and cast down a projection of light!
"Xuande..."
The Primordial Saint's divine sense fluctuated slightly. There was no sound, only the transmission of thoughts: "I am already on the verge of transcendence. Originally, I did not intend to meet with you."
Here it comes.
As soon as these words were uttered, Lu Yang immediately understood— the Primordial Saint was relying on that Visage of a Heavenly Being to put on an act before him, the "junior of Deity Transformation"!
With this thought, Lu Yang immediately acted puzzled: "Senior recognizes me?"
"How could I not? You."
The Primordial Saint's tone was very kind, as if he truly were a senior who cared for his disciple. He was highly experienced in this, having played the part many years ago.
In the next second, the light dimmed.
The Primordial Saint revealed that Visage of a Heavenly Being of his, only to quickly shroud it again. He continued to transmit his thoughts: "Do you understand now?"
"Senior Uncle!?"
Lu Yang's eyes widened. He first showed a hint of joy, which quickly vanished, replaced by hesitation: "Senior Uncle, why are you using thoughts?"
Because using his real voice would expose him.
The Primordial Saint's tone remained unchanged as he continued to transmit his musings directly via thought: "I am nearing transcendence and am currently severing my karma with the mortal world."
"Speech only leaves traces in the mundane world."
"Originally, I didn't plan to show myself, but you were being plotted against by others and were about to ruin my grand plan. Only then was I forced by necessity to come out and meet you."
"To think such a thing was happening..."
Lu Yang looked shocked.
On the other side, the Primordial Saint understood the art of deception well. After providing a reason that seemed plausible enough, he gave Lu Yang no more time to think.
"Speaking of which, why have you come here?"
He immediately struck while the iron was hot:
"After the events of the pre-ancient era, my Senior Brother and I had long since severed our ties and ceased all contact... Why has he decided to send you here now?"
These words were extremely skillful.
Though it seemed the Primordial Saint was saying something very important, in reality, he said nothing at all. He was manipulating Lu Yang's current status as a junior.
If he truly were the junior of the Deity Transformation being, he would be a subordinate before the Primordial Saint. As for what happened between the seniors or whether they had truly severed ties—as a junior, it was normal for you not to know. If you did know, it showed your knowledge wasn't comprehensive. Would I, as a senior, lie to you?
Of course, this was also based on the Primordial Saint's logical deduction.
After all, [Jun] had been transcended for so long. If they really were brothers, given the cultivation of the high-stage Deity Transformation, how could they have not met until now?
They had most likely had a falling out.
It could not be denied that this line of deduction and response was virtually perfect.
There was only one problem.
'What junior of Deity Transformation? I'm a fake.'
Lu Yang laughed inwardly, but his face showed a look of trepidation: "Senior Uncle, please forgive me. I... I was merely ordered by my Master to come and retrieve an item."
The Primordial Saint's heart skipped a beat.
"...What item."
"A book."
As he spoke, Lu Yang carefully described the gold-glittering book he had seen amidst the cataclysmic Final Tribulation at the end of his previous life.
"Senior Uncle, have you seen it?"
(End of Chapter)