Deep within the Dark Void, Lu Yang sat cross-legged.
'The World Honored One truly worked hard.'
A great war involving the return of the False History and the transition of attainment to the Netherworld had occupied nearly all of the Primordial Saint's energy, buying Lu Yang enough time for his preliminary preparations.
At this moment, the Great Dao ring behind Lu Yang rotated slowly, yet it reversed at the most crucial point—the junction where the head met the tail. Vaguely, a much larger imagery seemed poised to erupt from the depths of the [Dead Cycle], yet it remained stuck at the critical threshold, like a newborn thing trapped within its shell.
The answer to the Primordial Saint's doubt was actually quite simple.
It was normal for the Ancestral Dragon to want to help the World Honored One. After all, if the World Honored One died and the Primordial Saint grew stronger, it would be the worst possible outcome for the Ancestral Dragon.
The issue was capability.
The Ancestral Dragon had been suppressed by the [Paramita] for so many years, held in a death grip by the Primordial Saint. Even if he truly wanted to help, where would he find the surplus strength to strike?
The Primordial Saint had previously determined that the Ancestral Dragon had the will but lacked the power, which was why he hadn't factored him into his calculations.
However, the results proved him wrong.
This was a secret of the Ancient Era that neither the Primordial Saint understood nor the Taiyuan Xian within the [Heavenly Destiny Divine Record] was aware of—only Lu Yang knew.
"The Ancestral Dragon also received a Pre-Ancient inheritance."
Cang Hao knew this as well. After the Ancestral Dragon obtained the Pre-Ancient inheritance, he spread the basic portions throughout the Sea of Light, giving birth to the first generation of cultivators.
But as for the details, Cang Hao was ignorant.
Everyone knew the Ancestral Dragon had obtained a Pre-Ancient inheritance, but which one specifically? The Ancestral Dragon had kept this strictly hidden; no one knew.
Except for—Luxian.
As the original Gatekeeper and former attendant boy to the Dao Venerable, no matter how the Ancestral Dragon concealed it, how could Luxian fail to recognize the Pre-Ancient law he had obtained?
"It is [Health Preservation]!"
Lu Yang lowered his eyelids as Luxian's words flashed through his mind:
"The Pre-Ancient law the Ancestral Dragon obtained came from the Dao Ancestor of [Health Preservation]. As the name suggests, this law is best at nurturing and accumulating life-force; it is also the method best suited for outlasting others."
"In the past, the Dao Ancestor of [Health Preservation] had a life-and-death enemy. The two fought for tens of billions of years. The Dao Ancestor was no match for that enemy and was defeated several times, nearly losing his life. Consequently, he focused entirely on evasion. In the end, he stubbornly outlived his opponent, using that to attain the Dao."
"The Ancestral Dragon obtained His dao."
"Even if suppressed, he was by no means completely powerless. With the [Health Preservation] dao, ten thousand years was enough for him to accumulate a shred of majestic power."
Granted, this bit of power wasn't much.
At the very least, when the [Paramita] collapsed, this sliver of power wouldn't be enough to save the Ancestral Dragon's life. The miserable outcomes of the Ancestral Dragon in previous lives had already verified everything.
But precisely because of that.
'This matter was deceptive.'
'The Primordial Saint, and that Taiyuan Xian, would fall for it!'
Within the [Heavenly Destiny Divine Record], Taiyuan Xian certainly knew the outcomes of the Ancestral Dragon in previous lives, so he too would believe the dragon was at his wits' end and had no trump cards left.
But the reality was otherwise.
The majesty the Ancestral Dragon accumulated was insufficient for self-rescue, but to stop the Primordial Saint for a single instant at a critical moment, it was more than enough!
Lu Yang didn't even need to communicate with him.
Once the battle began, the Ancestral Dragon could see the situation clearly for himself. Saving the World Honored One was saving himself. Only at that moment did his weight on the scales matter.
Of course—this was the best-case result.
'If the Ancestral Dragon hadn't struck, I would have stepped in to block that strike myself. The result wouldn't change; it would just mean a few more ripples in this great war.'
The worst result would simply be a failure to break through.
However, with the [Dead Cycle] in place, Lu Yang certainly wouldn't die. At most, he would miss the chance to break through and compete for opportunities with the Primordial Saint in his current state.
With the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes], these were all minor issues.
But now, having obtained the best result, it was a "gilding of the lily." Preparations for the breakthrough were complete, and the World Honored One had successfully transferred his attainment to the Netherworld.
In passing, he had also seen Taiyuan Xian's methods.
"The final step!"
"RUMBLE!"
In the next instant, Lu Yang stood up abruptly, stepping across the years. The Light of Order surged magnificently. Without dodging in the slightest, he boldly charged toward the Primordial Saint!
The Primordial Saint was momentarily stunned by the sight.
Has he gone mad?
He could see clearly that although Lu Yang's aura was full and seemed to have reached the breaking point, he had not yet broken through. Even so, he dared to take the initiative to approach him?
Seeking death deliberately?
Or did he think that since everyone was pushing the falling wall, he would be the final straw that broke the camel's back? If so, he was far too naive!
The Primordial Saint did not hesitate; [Inevitable Fate] was in hand.
In an instant, a blinding white light met Lu Yang's eyes. It was [Time], it was [Inevitable Fate], it was the brush-tip that wrote all things in the Sea of Light.
Yet Lu Yang did not fear; instead, he laughed loudly.
"Good timing!"
Subsequently, boundless brilliance engulfed his silhouette, once again striking him into death. However, that Great Dao ring—which was on the verge of its limit—did not stop.
Not only did it not stop, but it grew increasingly fierce!
"This is..."
Seeing this, the Primordial Saint's usually calm gaze rippled. He realized something was wrong immediately—Lu Yang had no intention of a true clash!
On the surface, the two were colliding head-on.
In reality, Lu Yang was indeed seeking death on purpose. He had withdrawn all defenses, allowing this strike to hit him squarely and merge into his own Great Dao!
"Using me as a whetstone..."
The Primordial Saint straightened his thoughts instantly and understood Lu Yang's intent, but he did not pull back his strength. Instead, he poured out all his majestic power in one breath!
'An opportunity!'
Almost simultaneously, the consciousness within the [Heavenly Destiny Divine Record] reacted. Profound wonder flowed again, igniting celestial light at the Primordial Saint's crown palace.
In an instant, the celestial light reignited, splitting into three bodies.
At this moment, the Primordial Saint once again split into four, simultaneously blocking Sisui, the Sword Lord, and the others, while striking Lu Yang with maximum output.
In the spark of a flint, the Primordial Saint made the most "correct" decision.
It was too late to withdraw strength now, so he would stuff you until you burst. You dare use me as a whetstone? Then I will grind your blade until it snaps!
CRACK!
The sound of shattering exploded.
Under the Primordial Saint's full effort, the Great Dao ring that was Lu Yang's began to fracture. The junction where the head and tail met on the [Dead Cycle] blew apart!
In that instant, the light in the Primordial Saint's eyes flickered.
Within the [Heavenly Destiny Divine Record], the previously agitated consciousness quickly returned to a dead silence, leaving only a single thought circulating: 'We were outschemed... He understands us too well.'
The "most correct" decision?
This was exactly what Lu Yang had calculated! Under [Supreme Forgotten Emotions], everything starts from rationality—but correspondingly, it is much easier to predict!
A light laugh echoed out:
"My thanks to Fellow Daoist for the fulfillment!"
Within the vast Dark Void, the fractured Great Dao ring did not collapse. Instead, at the junction of head and tail, it completed a total reversal, an interaction between the positive and negative sides.
Immediately following, like a dam breaking, a flood poured out. Infinite concept rose like a morning sun from the depths of the Great Dao ring!
It was a peculiar mark.
Head and tail were connected, but at the junction, they interacted as positive and negative. A single Great Dao thus completed an infinite connection within itself, and the operation of majestic power became endless.
This was no longer the [Dead Cycle].
It was the [Infinite Law]!
In an instant, Lu Yang's silhouette stepped out from the infinite ring. His stature had not changed, but his essence had undergone a massive expansion at this moment!
"..."
The Primordial Saint fell silent.
Not just the Primordial Saint, but the Dao Lords standing on the fourth layer of the [Paramita]—the Sword Lord, Myriad Laws, and Cang Hao—were all plunged into wordless shock.
As Dao Lords, realization dawned in their hearts.
'He can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us now...'
'Incredible...'
Without cultivating stature, relying solely on the essence of a second metamorphosis, the current Lu Yang could already be compared to the Dao Lords standing on the fourth layer!
Add to that the escape of Sisui.
After today, the situation of the Sea of Light and the struggle between Dao Lords might truly face a total reshuffle!
(End of Chapter)