Deep within the Dark Void, at the highest battlefield of the [Paramita].
Lu Yang stood amidst the destruction, yet he couldn't help but look back toward the third layer of the [Paramita], a smile gracing his eyes: "What a spectacular [Sky-Shrouding]!"
His timing was perfect.
With Lu Yang's insight into the realm of schemes, he understood Sky-Shrouding's little calculation almost the instant he saw him ascend the [Paramita].
'Back then, I guided him into the Heavenly Palace, yet now he has abandoned the Heavenly Palace to ascend the [Paramita]. On one hand, it's because the level of the [Heavenly Palace] is insufficient; with his accumulation, he can climb higher via the [Paramita]. On the other hand, by cooperating with Sisui, he has conjured a trump card out of thin air!'
Through this series of maneuvers:
Not only had their side gained a powerful reinforcement like Sisui, but they had also added a Dao Lord ally on the third layer of the [Paramita]. It was an absolute windfall!
More importantly:
'Dharma Body, Dao Heart, Yin-Yang... these Daos were supposedly given to Sky-Shrouding, but in reality, after Sky-Shrouding switches to the Investiture gods method, there's no difference between giving them to him or to me!'
Among them, Dharma Body and Yin-Yang were secondary.
In the next second, a cluster of light—seemingly illusory yet truly existent, constantly shifting without a fixed shape—appeared out of thin air in Lu Yang's hand.
[Dao Heart]!
'This [Dao Heart] is different from the one in the last life. In the previous life, although Sisui attained it, he did not elevate its stature.'
'But in this life, Sisui first ascended to the fifth layer of the [Paramita], strengthening the majesty of the [Dao Heart] in all aspects before discarding it to transcend. Such a [Dao Heart] is of great use to me now—it is enough to erase the hidden dangers in my Primordial Spirit cultivation!'
It had to be you, Sky-Shrouding.
As a teammate, you are truly reliable!
In view of the great effort you put in this time, I won't settle the score for the countless times you tripped me up over the past dozen lifetimes!
Just then.
"RUMBLE!"
In the distance, from the fifth layer of the [Paramita], the Primordial Saint's cold gaze projected over. The storm of destruction swirling around him suddenly grew more violent.
Seeing this, Lu Yang smiled derisively:
"You're getting anxious, old bastard."
As he spoke, he clenched his fist!
Refine!!
In a flash, atop Lu Yang's brow, a flawless Primordial Spirit fire rose slowly, illuminating the Dark Void and reflecting the Primordial Saint's indifferent face.
'This person... can no longer be killed.'
Looking at Lu Yang, the Primordial Saint continued to think calmly: 'Even if I recover to my peak, I cannot kill him—at the very least, I cannot stop him from starting over.'
At the same time, the consciousness within the [Heavenly Destiny Divine Record] was agitated: 'No, there is still hope. If I leave this book, reappear in the world, and seize a perfect opportunity, I should still be able to seal his consciousness... but by now, he may have realized my existence.'
What to do? How to respond?
Should he gamble right now? Strike directly; with his peak majesty comparable to the ninth layer of the [Paramita], there is a high probability he could—
"...Hiss!"
Suddenly, the consciousness within the [Heavenly Destiny Divine Record] abruptly ceased its thinking. The golden halo that had been on the verge of erupting from the pages returned to gloom.
'No! My mind was clouded by tribulation-qi!'
'The Great Dao of this world is truly treacherous. The manifestation of [Tribulation]... is not aimed at me, but at everyone. It wants to force all Dao Lords into a total slaughter!'
The consciousness within the book shifted its gaze.
It looked at the upright youth on the third layer of the [Paramita], behind whom stood a towering tree obscuring the sun, its roots anchored in the Dark Void.
'No, it's not just him.'
'The profound wonders of [Tribulation] is being used, but the one using it isn't him—it's another... Xuande? He can actually use [Tribulation] indirectly?'
On the other side, watching the Primordial Saint—who had been about to move but ultimately returned to stillness—Lu Yang thought it a pity. He had almost lured the other party into striking.
That Taiyuan Xian remains hidden; without knowing his true nature, he is hard to guard against. If he could be lured into striking, he would be much easier to deal with.
Just then.
The Primordial Saint looked around. His gaze lingered briefly on the transcended Sisui, then on Lu Yang, and finally on Sky-Shrouding on the third layer.
Then, his aura shifted abruptly!
A time portal leading to the future was opened. Vaguely, Lu Yang seemed to see a terrifying concept symbolizing the end of the world's dharma about to pour out.
Triggering the Final Tribulation!
Just like in the previous life, the Primordial Saint—or rather, the consciousness within the [Heavenly Destiny Divine Record]—believed there was no way forward in this life and intended to repeat the old trick!
However, this time, Lu Yang only sneered.
'Naive. You think I'll fall for the same move twice?'
With this thought, he immediately looked toward Dao Tianqi. Dao Tianqi was momentarily dazed, only reacting after a reminder from the World Honored One beside him.
Then, a brilliant light was cast by him into the Dark Void.
[Carefree Wander]!
Almost simultaneously, Lu Yang activated the secret method Luxian had given him. Inside and outside the Sea of Light, six lights lit up one after another, responding to [Carefree Wander]!
[Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness]!
"Come!"
Lu Yang pinched a hand seal and spoke a Dao-voice that instantly spread across the entire Sea of Light. Among the six lights, five immediately galloped toward him.
[The Mortal World], [Nourishing Life Master].
[Responding to Emperors], [Equality of All Things].
[Mark of Fulfilling Virtue], [Carefree Wander].
Within his sight, only one streak of light remained—the one within the Primordial Saint's sleeve—trapped by [Time] and snared by [Karma], struggling to break free and enter the present world!
Everything was ready; only the final spark was missing!
'Only the [Supreme Grandmaster] is needed to reconstruct the [Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness] and open the path to the Heaven Beyond Heaven. The opportunity for transcendence is right before our eyes.'
How would the Primordial Saint choose?
At this thought, Lu Yang grinned. He had no choice at all! Neither the Primordial Saint nor that Taiyuan Xian could refuse this opportunity.
After all, they existed solely for the sake of transcendence.
'It's an overt scheme. It's nothing more than seizing certain interests that can't be abandoned. As if no one else knows how to use such a thing! It's time for you to taste it as well!'
As expected.
In the next second, the Primordial Saint—who had been about to trigger the Final Tribulation—halted his movements.
He then decisively dispersed the time portal, clearly abandoning the thought of mutual destruction.
Without seeing the opportunity for transcendence, how could he perish?
The consciousness within the book had the ability to restart and retain its awareness, so it might not care, but how could the Primordial Saint—who possessed [only this life]—let this chance go!
Immediately, he opened his sleeve. The river of time that had been death-gripping the [Supreme Grandmaster] strikingly opened a gap.
Deep within the Netherworld, the World Honored One understood perfectly and mobilized the Great Karmic Net without obstruction... Soon, the brilliant light—the [Supreme Grandmaster] boldly flew into the Sea of Light!
The seven pieces of the [Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness] were gathered.
In an instant, a celestial light connecting heaven and earth penetrated the Dark Void, joining with that Heaven Beyond Heaven secret realm which even Dao Lords could not reach.
"RUMBLE!"
At the end of the celestial light, the source of the Great Dao, every Dao Lord heard the thunderous roar of a gate opening and saw the Heaven Beyond Heaven gradually becoming clear.
The layered light and shadow revealed behind it was not so much a secret realm as it was a vast, immeasurable, and unfathomable Great Thousand World!
(End of Chapter)