"...I have not seen it."
The Primordial Saint did not answer immediately. He paused as if in deep thought before shaking his head, his gaze suddenly narrowing as he looked at Lu Yang.
'I cannot say that,' the Primordial Saint's thoughts whirled, instantly sensing something amiss. 'The [Heavenly Destiny Divine Record] was passed down as a supreme treasure of the pre-ancient era. If this person is truly close to that era, how could he not know it? And since I am playing the role of that Immortal, I certainly shouldn't be ignorant of the book's name.'
Thus, in the next instant, he spoke decisively:
"The [Heavenly Destiny Divine Record] has been missing for many years. How could I have seen it? Unless... do you have a lead?"
So, that unique book that cannot be reset by the Book of a Hundred Lifetimes is called by that name? Lu Yang thought. I knew this old thing still had more to hide!
Lu Yang's expression remained unchanged as he shook his head:
"I am not certain either. It's just that the item was taken by the School of Names and the School of Forms back then. We left in such a hurry, leaving only you, Senior Uncle, to stand guard..."
As he spoke, he allowed a timely look of shame to cross his face.
He was beating the Saint at his own game.
Since the Primordial Saint had deduced that Jun had fallen out with his sect, Lu Yang would directly confirm that view and provide a few more clues while he was at it.
On the other side, the Primordial Saint was indeed moved.
'They really fell out?'
'And the reason was that they abandoned that Immortal in the Light Sea while they fled for their lives? Did some great cataclysm occur at the end of the pre-ancient era?'
At this thought, the Primordial Saint let out a cold laugh: "I no longer wish to speak of the past. After you all left, only I remained to fight to the death with the School of Names and the School of Forms. In the end, though I wiped those two sects out, I myself was extinguished. My years of cultivation were wasted, and I was forced to reincarnate and start anew..."
Having said that, he shook his head again:
"I am not afraid to tell you that the inheritances of both the School of Names and the School of Forms are currently in my hands, but I have not found that book."
"If you believe me, that is my answer."
"If you do not, you are free to ask the other Dao Lords. I will not stop you, but I will not meet you again. There has long been no sentiment left between me and the sect."
"This... Senior Uncle, you misunderstand."
Lu Yang immediately put on a flustered expression, waving his hands hurriedly: "How could I not believe you? I imagine those two demonic sects must have hidden it away."
However, he soon grew spirited again:
"Regardless, the book must be here. Senior Uncle Buxian performed a divination before I departed; he just couldn't calculate the exact location."
"Right, speaking of Senior Uncle Buxian—"
"I have no interest in them."
Before Lu Yang could continue, the Primordial Saint interrupted him. This was the benefit of "declaring a severance of ties in advance"—he could refuse such conversations.
'What Buxian? If I keep talking, I'll definitely be exposed.'
Then, the Primordial Saint shifted the subject:
"Search for it here if you must, but do not go around taking others as disciples. I have already laid out my plans for transcendence; if you act recklessly, you might ruin my grand design."
The Primordial Saint provided no specific explanation.
He didn't need to; since it concerned his cultivation progress, he had a sufficient excuse not to disclose details, and the other party had no reason to ask—asking would only seem suspicious.
Seeing this, Lu Yang also hurried to say: "I have made a fool of myself before you, Senior Uncle. I only saw that Sky-shrouding possessed brilliant natural talent, and since the Light Sea is currently undergoing a revival of vitality, I wanted to pass down our lineage. Furthermore, a very strange thing has appeared in this world called the Light of Wisdom... I wonder if you know anything about it?"
"...I do not."
The Primordial Saint shook his head: "After the pre-ancient era, the Light Sea's Dao Arts underwent a massive change, and everyone now possesses the Light of Wisdom. Unfortunately, I have yet to penetrate its mysteries."
"Is that so? A pity."
Lu Yang let out a sigh: "Such a wonder can assist one in comprehending the Dao. It seems that after the Ancestral Dragon was born and the Light Sea was formed, things became much friendlier for cultivators."
"Looking back, we had no Light of Wisdom. Cultivation was truly a struggle at every step. That is why, after clashing with the Light Sea, we had no choice but to leave."
What did that mean?
The Primordial Saint's gaze shifted as his mind raced: 'The pre-ancient era wasn't a civilization born from the Light Sea, but rather from that divine mountain beyond the heavens?'
He also understood the forbidden knowledge regarding Mount Longhu.
At this moment, comparing the two pieces of information, enlightenment dawned on him: 'I see. That's why the pre-ancient civilization perished. That explanation is reasonable.'
Of course it's reasonable.
Looking at the Primordial Saint, Lu Yang laughed inwardly.
Ultimately, this intelligence was a secret Terminus Tiger had revealed to the Primordial Saint in the previous life. It had been seen by Sisui and subsequently recounted to him.
"Very well, leave it at that."
In the next second, the Primordial Saint decisively ended the topic. He then turned his gaze toward Sky-shrouding, his brow furrowing slightly, appearing a bit hesitant to make a move.
After all, Sky-shrouding was not like Feixue.
Feixue's cultivation was still too low, and to this day, she had been pushed to grow by his [Inevitable Fate], making her easy to manipulate.
But Sky-shrouding was different.
Most of his growth had been through his own efforts. The Saint had thought about moving against him early on, but the World Honored One had dealt with it, and in the end, he hadn't succeeded.
In this situation, it would be difficult to crudely alter his memories.
But if he didn't, judging by the look of things, the man had likely guessed that there was another problem with the Netherworld. He probably wouldn't follow the script the Saint had written.
Just then.
"Do not worry, Senior Uncle," Lu Yang suddenly spoke. "Since this matter started because of me, I should be the one to resolve it. I will settle things properly for you."
"...Then I shall leave it to you."
The Primordial Saint thought for a moment and nodded with satisfaction.
'This is also an opportunity.'
'If he truly resolves it for me, it saves me the effort. If he harbors ill intent, it means his identity is likely a fabrication.'
If it were the former, fine. If it were the latter... he would have to consider the worst-case scenario.
With that thought, the Primordial Saint looked toward the depths of the Netherworld again. The Ancestral Dragon was within; he wanted to check the [Supreme Grandmaster] as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, the Ancestral Dragon could not be moved lightly.
After all, its role was more than just checking the [Supreme Grandmaster]. If something went wrong with Sky-shrouding, the Ancestral Dragon and the Nascent Soul Pill would be the keys to his Deity Transformation ascension.
If things were exposed prematurely, it would be a disaster.
'No... it won't do.'
The moment hesitation arose, it was cut down by the Primordial Saint as resolve filled his eyes: 'The situation is treacherous; I must act decisively.'
'In the short term, the Ancestral Dragon cannot remain in the Netherworld.'
'It is only safe in my hands.'
The Primordial Saint pondered. With his stature and strength, even with Lu Yang present, it wasn't entirely hopeless to steal the Ancestral Dragon away.
He intended to strike immediately.
However, in the next second, he seemed to sense something. His gathering aura suddenly stalled, and he let out a silent sigh.
The opportunity had passed.
Then, his projected phantom quietly shattered, and the frozen time resumed its flow. Only his residual gaze remained fixed on Lu Yang.
Almost simultaneously.
Tap, tap, tap...
Soft footsteps suddenly came from outside the Ghost Gate, freezing the newly resumed time once more and reflecting a graceful, elegant silhouette.
The newcomer possessed peerless beauty, with a single dot of cinnabar between her brows. Dressed in white, she appeared cold and aloof, yet her beautiful eyes hid a fiery passion, as if billions of [Threads of Sentiment] were revolving within them.
The Sword Lord had arrived.