"Junior Brother Xuande."
Despite having anticipated it, when he truly heard this form of address from the infant before him, Lu Yang could not help but marvel at the majesty of that Deity Transformation practitioner.
The Dao Register of names from back then was real.
At the very least, now, many of the Pre-Ancient Dao Ancestors recognized his face, his aura, and even his title—this was a not-so-small advantage.
Therefore, Lu Yang immediately went along with the flow and smiled: "Greetings, Senior Brother Guiming."
Just as the other party could recognize him, he could also recognize the aura and title of the other party on the Dao Register— Guiming, the second Dao Ancestor of [Fate].
The Dao Ancestor who was legendary for becoming stronger upon death.
"Hahaha."
In the next second, the infant let out a laugh: "I do not deserve the title of Senior Brother. This is our first meeting since the recording of the Dao Register, isn't it?"
"The [Heavenly Destiny Divine Record] has abruptly vanished from the Zixiao Palace, and the opportunity promised by the Dao Venerable has appeared. This moment is the time for summoning the past, present, and future."
At this point, the infant decisively offered a suggestion:
"So, Junior Brother, let us exchange intelligence."
"You tell me who holds the [Heavenly Destiny Divine Record] and how many people from the future have arrived... I will tell you the plans of us Dao Ancestors."
Lu Yang did not hesitate: "Deal!"
This was a win-win transaction that would help both sides understand as quickly as possible who could be allied with and who must be treated as an enemy, thereby clearly distinguishing between friend and foe.
So, who would go first?
After a moment of silence, Lu Yang spoke first: "First, what is this so-called 'opportunity'? Where is it, what does it look like, and when will it appear?"
Dao Ancestor Guiming replied bluntly: "The opportunity is a seed of the Great Dao. The war of competition surrounding it is the supreme ritual for cultivating it. As for where and when it appears... interestingly, it theoretically should have appeared 129,600 years ago."
As the words fell, Lu Yang was stunned.
But soon, he realized: 'Luxian told me that after [Jun] attained the Deity Transformation realm, he stayed for another 129,600 years.'
Only when his merits were complete did he formally transcend.
'So, this time point is not yet correct?'
'In the Pre-Ancient Era, the opportunity that allowed [Jun] to advance to Deity Transformation happened 129,600 years before the time I arrived.'
'Do I need to trace back once more?'
In the next second, Lu Yang shook his head: "No, not every Dao Ancestor can trace back to the past. This would be unfair to those who cannot."
Although speaking of fairness in the cultivation world seemed ridiculous, [Jun] was such a person. Furthermore, he had gone to such great lengths to gather the Dao Ancestors and Dao Lords of both the Light Sea and the Pre-Ancient Era; if he were to use tracing back to the past as a filter, it would lose all meaning.
Therefore, Dao Ancestor Guiming also nodded and smiled:
"What you say is true, Fellow Daoist. Therefore, we believe that the opportunity will ultimately appear in the present time, but the specific point in time is not very clear."
"However, one point is certain."
At this, Dao Ancestor Guiming suddenly closed his mouth.
On the other side, Lu Yang had a flash of inspiration: 'Regardless of when the opportunity appears, weakening the opponent as much as possible before then... is never wrong.'
The Second Deity Transformation Struggle.
Lu Yang could clearly foresee that a super-scale chaotic battle involving all Dao Ancestors and Dao Lords would inevitably unfold with this world of memories as the stage.
"...Not good!"
In the spark of a flint, Lu Yang realized the problem— Dao Ancestor Guiming was going to preach the Dao here; he had interrogated this information from the three "kind-hearted people" earlier.
If a junior cultivator knew, how could the Dao Ancestors not know?
Lu Yang judged the situation by himself.
If he were at odds with the [Fate] lineage, he would definitely lock onto this location in advance and launch a sneak attack, eliminating an opponent first!
At this thought, Lu Yang looked abruptly at the innocent-looking infant before him.
This fellow is dragging me into the water!
"RUMBLE!"
In an instant, deep within the dome's sea of clouds, the sun slowly rose. The light projected from the distant horizon, carrying an inescapable brightness.
This was the light of destruction.
The radiance engulfed the small courtyard where Lu Yang and Dao Ancestor Guiming were conversing. In an instant, Lu Yang even heard the thunderous sounds of a world realm being destroyed echoing continuously.
Pure explosion, containing supreme majesty capable of destroying heaven and earth, descended like an invisible great hand, erasing the entire courtyard from the world.
Grey colors emerged rapidly, swallowing all phenomena, just like a building collapsing instantly after its most critical support pillar was suddenly pulled out.
However, just then.
A brand-new Light of Order emerged within the chaotic void, opening heaven and earth, resetting earth, water, wind, and fire, and propping up a pure land that shielded them from the wind and rain.
Lu Yang stood within the light, hands behind his back.
Behind him, the infant-like Dao Ancestor Guiming remained calm and composed, waving his little hand to send the parents and family of this life into a peaceful dream.
"Many thanks, Junior Brother Xuande."
Dao Ancestor Guiming smiled while performing a salute, his large eyes blinking: "Had it not been for you, my reincarnation attempt this time would have been ruined."
Lu Yang looked back, somewhat amazed—
"The [Fate] lineage lives up to its reputation."
He saw it clearly.
This meeting, at first glance, appeared to be him coming to find Dao Ancestor Guiming, but the truth was the exact opposite—in essence, it was Dao Ancestor Guiming who had come to find him!
'Cultivators of [Fate]... have the ability to trace back to the past!'
Lu Yang recalled the deeds of the [Fate] lineage that Luxian had spoken of— the first Dao Ancestor of [Fate] had traced back time after his death and reincarnated into the past.
The Dao Ancestor Guiming before him was likely the same; he had also known in advance that he would come here, which was why he had traced back time and reincarnated into this very place!
"Incredible."
Crossing over at different time points by way of reincarnation.
The price was abandoning all power. Lu Yang could see that the Dao Ancestor Guiming before him was truly an infant, possessing not a shred of spiritual power or profound wonders in his entire body.
At most, he could speak ahead of schedule.
This is the [Fate] lineage?
At this thought, Lu Yang turned his head back and glanced at the depths of the sea of clouds where the light of destruction had just been projected. There, however, no traces were left to be seen.
"The one who struck was [Feng Shui]."
Dao Ancestor Guiming whispered: "That old fellow has disliked me for a long time. With that mysterious light just now, he forcibly withdrew the Feng Shui for a hundred-mile radius around me."
What is [Feng Shui]?
It is the foundation of all things' existence, the change of heaven and earth. And when this concept is forcibly withdrawn, all things naturally walk toward destruction.
"That old fellow has studied this Dao for a long time."
"If he goes a step further..."
Before Dao Ancestor Guiming could finish, Lu Yang already understood— destroying the foundation of existence and forcibly guiding toward destruction—what could it be if it went a step further?
[The Final Tribulation]!
Not only that.
Experiencing the sense of crisis that had just emerged in his heart, Lu Yang frowned slightly: 'This is not right. The memories of the Transcender are here; I fear I am in danger.'
This place is [Absolutely Real].
In other words, as an existence also forged by the majesty of Deity Transformation, could the restart power of the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes] also take effect in this place?
(End of Chapter)