Lu Yang's words were by no means spoke in jest.
As his voice fell, the light-ring behind his head rotated, and across the vast Light Sea, countless cultivators could not help but fall into a hallucination.
It was as if the Light Sea itself was turning.
A certain [Order] was being forcibly hammered into the operation of the Light Sea by a boundless and peerless majesty, manifesting a profoundly mysterious concept.
In an instant, upon the [Paramita], several gazes that were constantly monitoring Lu Yang revealed hints of shock, save for the World Honored One, who laughed heartily:
"Haha! What courage."
Lower cultivators might not understand, but how could the Dao Lords standing upon the [Paramita] not? The World Honored One understood almost instantly what kind of concept Lu Yang had constructed.
In short, Lu Yang had transformed his words—Fellow Daoist Taiyitian, from this day forward, you shall retreat ten thousand miles upon seeing me—into an explicit [Order] of the Light Sea. It was equivalent to using the Primordial Saint as a stepping stone to broadly enhance his own presence and benefit his cultivation. This was quite literally slapping the Primordial Saint in the face!
"What a ruthless slap!"
Simultaneously, the Sword Lord and the others regained their composure. They did not look at Lu Yang but turned back to look at the tiny figure atop the [Paramita].
"How will you react?"
"If you strike now and refuse to cooperate, this concept cannot be established; it would be nothing but empty talk. But if you choose to remain indifferent..."
The apex of the [Paramita] remained silent.
The answer spoke for itself.
In the next second, the aura of Lu Yang, who had established such an [Order], surged violently. The Great Dao light-ring behind his head grew increasingly dazzling and bright.
'Indeed, a massive supplement!'
A smile appeared in Lu Yang's eyes. Using the Primordial Saint as a stepping stone and receiving the nourishment of this concept, he was drawing closer and closer to the second layer of the [Paramita].
In fact, if he were to disconnect his [Dead Cycle] now, he could immediately attempt a breakthrough.
'This is also what you want to see, isn't it?'
He looked up toward the apex of the [Paramita], the corner of his mouth curving slightly: 'Since that's the case, you'll just have to endure this slap! Go ahead and wipe the spit off your own face!'
Before long, all concept dissipated, leaving only lingering echoes within the Light Sea.
Inside the Netherworld, Lu Yang and Dao Tianqi sat opposite each other.
Following this, a ray of Buddhist light fell, and a gold-robed monk walked out. Although his aura was withered, a lingering sense of satisfaction remained on his face.
"Senior Brother..."
Seeing this, Dao Tianqi immediately stood up, concern surfacing on his face. However, before he could speak, the World Honored One waved his hand briskly:
"No matter, a minor injury."
"Regardless, he cannot strike me down from the [Paramita]. As for whether I'm on the first or second layer... since it's already the bottom of the valley, there's really no difference."
The World Honored One was very open-minded.
Or rather, ever since learning that even his attainment of the Dao was within the Primordial Saint's calculations and that he had never escaped his control, he had become philosophical.
At this thought, he looked at Lu Yang and said solemnly: "Fellow Daoist Xuande, this poor monk asks only one thing... May I attempt your cultivation method?"
He wanted to change his path!
As things stood, holding onto [Karma] was not only meaningless but would also make him a thorn in the Primordial Saint's side. Since that was the case, he might as well just give it up!
"There is one matter Fellow Daoist may not know."
"The history within the Light Sea is divided into True and False. If I abandon [Karma] and leave the [Paramita], a great figure within the [False History] will have hope of escaping..."
Lu Yang listened to the World Honored One's explanation for a while with a performative air before nodding slightly: "This is feasible."
This life was different from the last.
In the previous life, although Sisui achieved False Transcendence after escaping, his stature was only equivalent to a first-layer Dao Lord of the [Paramita], which wasn't particularly strong.
However, if Sisui were only at that level, why would the Primordial Saint be so wary of him, maintaining a strict defense even after reaching the apex of the [Paramita]?
The root cause was actually quite simple.
Because in the previous life, the [Paramita] had collapsed.
One must know that when the [Paramita] was first established, Sisui also had a slot. The slot the World Honored One took after attaining the Dao was exactly his!
'In other words, if Sisui escapes while the [Paramita] is intact, and receives the karmic feedback of 129,600 years of time, he could completely manage to climb several layers instantly before attempting False Transcendence. If that happens, he truly becomes a dire threat!'
That was what the Primordial Saint was guarding against.
At this thought, Lu Yang had reached a decision. Whatever the Primordial Saint didn't want to happen, he would make happen. As the saying goes, by doing the opposite of the beginning, the matter can be achieved.
But before that.
Composing his thoughts, Lu Yang turned back to look at Dao Tianqi and said softly: "Fellow Daoist, I have another matter for which I likely need your help."
Hearing this, Dao Tianqi said solemnly: "Please, speak freely."
Lu Yang rubbed his hands excitedly: "Then I shall not be polite."
A moment later, having repeated the operation from the previous life—joining the "One Mind" and once again borrowing Dao Tianqi's Light of Wisdom—Lu Yang broke into a refreshed smile.
I've become smart again!
Although the [Heaven-Seizing Name Method] no longer existed, perhaps because too much time had passed, the influence on the first four peak masters had long become irreversible.
If not for this, the Primordial Saint's [True Nascent Soul] would have run into problems long ago, as it was a profound wonder built upon the [Dual Cultivation Path] nurtured by Bu Tianque. Since no problems arose, it meant many things were already a "done deal"; even if the ritual was destroyed, it was meaningless.
Therefore, Dao Tianqi still retained the ability to share his Light of Wisdom.
Thinking about how, from now on, the Primordial Saint could no longer enjoy this number-one Light of Wisdom in the Light Sea while he could use it at will, Lu Yang felt a bit excited.
I really want to see the Primordial Saint's expression right now.
That expression of envying me!
After indulging in the fantasy for a moment, Lu Yang snapped back to reality, rubbed his chin with interest, and continued: "The matter of rescuing Sisui isn't urgent yet."
After speaking, he looked at Dao Tianqi again:
"Regarding the [Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness], you seem different from the other Dao Lords. I wish to ask about this; please enlighten me."
"The [Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness]?"
Dao Tianqi was stunned for a moment before reacting: "Oh right, [Responding to Emperors]... No, since you also possess the qualifications, why ask me?"
"My situation is somewhat unique."
Lu Yang didn't explain; after all, "cheating" is something others find hard to understand.
"I heard that when you held [Carefree Wander] back then, you saw an eighth secret realm above the seven trials of the [Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness]."
Dao Tianqi nodded: "That is true."
"Then—"
Before Lu Yang could finish, Dao Tianqi shifted the subject: "My apologies, I don't remember... Although I obtained the qualification, there seemed to be another complication."
"All relevant memories and recognitions have vanished."
"I tried to find a way back then and even specifically asked Senior Brother Pill Cauldron, hoping he could help me see if he could use pills to restore the relevant memories."
"But before that, I fell into a slumber."
"As for Senior Brother Pill Cauldron..."
At this point, Dao Tianqi's expression turned dark, and the World Honored One also lowered his eyelids. Only Lu Yang's eyes lit up.
The first Pill Cauldron Peak Master, Lian Tiandou.
Among the four peak masters, he was the only one silenced by the Primordial Saint—and he was killed to the point of his True Spirit shattering. The Saint didn't even give him a chance at reincarnation; all his memories and recognitions were lost.
"...Interesting."
At this thought, Lu Yang stood up abruptly.
"Fellow Daoists, please wait here for a moment. I shall go and bring Fellow Daoist Pill Cauldron back to ask him."
(End of Chapter)