Leaving the majestic city, Lu Yang walked alone through the sea of clouds.
After settling the transaction, the Dao Ancestor of [Feng Shui] had departed. Lu Yang was in no rush; after all, Guiming's True Spirit was still in his hands, and he held the initiative.
Just then.
"Senior, I have finally found you!"
From the distant horizon, an ethereal celestial voice drifted down, carrying a suppressed excitement. Lu Yang's gaze shifted: "Fellow Daoist Luxian... you have come as well."
"Had Guiming not died, I wouldn't have been able to find you, Senior."
Simultaneously, Luxian within the Zixiao Palace breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly transmitted his voice: "Senior, you must be extremely careful. The Ancestors of the Name and Form schools have already allied with the Primordial Saint and Taiyuan Xian. Their combined strength is sufficient to hunt down Dao Ancestors, and it is highly probable they will come looking for you."
"Oh?"
Lu Yang frowned. Although he had anticipated that the Ancestors of the Name and Form schools would ally with the Primordial Saint, he hadn't expected it to happen so quickly.
It seemed he needed to pick up the pace.
At this thought, Lu Yang immediately took out Guiming's True Spirit and split off a wisp of aura: "Fellow Daoist Luxian, please help me find someone among the Dao Lords of the Light Sea."
He then proceeded to inform Luxian of Guiming's entire plan.
Luxian was somewhat shocked to hear this: "So that's how it is... Indeed, by utilizing the Dao Venerable's majesty, only at this special point in time could one cross the Final Tribulation..."
"I understand. I will find a way to investigate."
Lu Yang nodded and smiled lightly: "Also, can you tell me in detail about the Dao Ancestor of [Health Preservation], Shan Qiu?"
"Shan Qiu?"
Luxian was startled, then spoke solemnly: "This person is truly extraordinary. Why is Senior looking for him? He should have no interest in the Seed of the Great Dao."
"It is not for me, but for the Dao Ancestor of [Feng Shui]..."
Lu Yang explained the previous transaction. Upon hearing it, Luxian sighed: "If it is the elder Zhu Liuxian, then that is not surprising."
"However, there are some things that even elder Zhu Liuxian is unaware of; only I, who was once responsible for recording the names of all the Dao Ancestors, would know..."
Luxian hesitated. Some secrets touched upon the foundations of the Dao Ancestors. With the Dao Venerable presiding back then, it wouldn't have mattered, but now that the Dao Venerable had transcended, revealing this would offend the Dao Ancestors. If they were pushed too far, there was a high probability of mortal danger.
But soon, he regained his composure.
Without taking risks and investing capital, how could one hope to [Connect with Noble People]?
At this thought, Luxian cast aside his hesitation and continued: "Senior should know that aside from you, there are seventeen Dao Ancestors in the Divine Land."
"Ten Great Daos correspond to ten Dao Ancestors."
"There are seven others who, although later arrivals, are in no way inferior to you. Among them, there is one of [Fate], two of [Fortune], one of [Accumulated Merit], two of [Reverence for the Divine]..."
"And one of [Health Preservation]."
"In other words, there are actually two Dao Ancestors of [Health Preservation]. But aside from Shan Qiu, the second Dao Ancestor of [Health Preservation] rarely shows himself."
"This is... the view held by the vast majority of Dao Ancestors."
Luxian's tone turned grave:
"However, in reality, this is not the case. Among the ten Dao lineages, only [Health Preservation] is unique. While nominally having produced two Dao Ancestors..."
"In truth, they are the same person."
"It is the [Health Preservation] Dao Ancestor, Shan Qiu, who, after pioneering the [Health Preservation] Dao, pushed through the old to bring forth the new, creating a second path within [Health Preservation]!"
In the Pre-Ancient Divine Land, a single Dao lineage could have multiple Dao Ancestors.
However, these Dao Ancestors might share the same lineage but uphold different Daos; a Dao Ancestor usually only pushes their own Dao to the extreme.
Only [Health Preservation] was different.
"This Shan Qiu person walked two completely different paths within the same lineage; therefore, the two Dao Ancestors of [Health Preservation] are both him."
Lu Yang frowned tightly upon hearing this.
He had read the Dao Register and immediately found the name of the second Dao Ancestor of [Health Preservation] in his memory, his expression turning peculiar.
"The second Dao Ancestor of [Health Preservation] is named [Bu Changming] (Longevity Divination)."
There really is a Divination Immortal?
"Not only that."
Luxian warned him: "The Dao lineages of the Divine Land have never been restricted, so aside from [Health Preservation], Shan Qiu also has profound attainments in [Feng Shui]. As for the [Nurturing Immortal Land] that elder Zhu Liuxian spoke of, it was likely carved out of the Divine Land using his [Feng Shui] methods.
This person has always ignored worldly affairs and focused entirely on surviving. His reason for pioneering a second path was also to avoid misfortune and seek luck. His means for staying alive can be called the greatest among all Dao Ancestors."
"Therefore..."
Lu Yang's gaze sharpened: "Avoiding misfortune and seeking luck... does this mean that my intention to find him has perhaps already been sensed by him?"
Luxian nodded: "That is the case."
"With [Health Preservation]'s methods, as long as he does not wish to see you, you will never be able to find him. That is why even elder Zhu Liuxian is helpless against him."
Lu Yang frowned increasingly.
Regardless of how strong this Dao Ancestor of [Health Preservation] was, this ability to avoid misfortune and seek luck alone made him more troublesome than the other Dao Ancestors.
At this thought, he turned his head again toward the direction of the Zixiao Palace where Luxian was:
"Do you have a way, Fellow Daoist?"
"Uh, as for that..."
Luxian hesitated once more. There were certainly ways; all Dao Ancestors left their names in the Dao Register, which could be used to locate their corresponding positions.
But would that be improper?
After all, theoretically, everyone was competing fairly this time. As the Dao Venerable's attendant boy, he should maintain neutrality...
Lu Yang was a master manipulator of hearts and instantly saw through Luxian's hesitation. His eyes rolled, and he laughed: "Whether it is Zhu Liuxian or Shan Qiu, both Dao Ancestors have no intention of competing for the Seed of the Great Dao. Since that is the case, your helping me naturally cannot be counted as interfering in the battle for the Seed of the Great Dao."
"This is merely a small act of willfulness on your part, Fellow Daoist."
"...Really?"
Luxian blinked but felt relieved. Since he was hesitating, it meant he was already inclined toward helping, just lacking an excuse.
Now, Lu Yang had provided that excuse.
He followed the slope down.
'Thinking about it, I am here to [Connect with Noble People]. Senior Xuande obviously has a deep connection with the Dao Venerable; my helping him must surely be within the Dao Venerable's expectations...'
At this thought, he whispered:
"Alright then, I will tell you..."
Soon, Lu Yang listened with burning eyes, taking it all in.
Divine Land, an unnamable place.
"Bitter fate!"
The shifty-eyed young man paced back and forth, shaking his head, his face filled with helplessness: "I cannot hide; it is a destined tribulation."
"Who helped him?"
"Unfair!"
Just then, a bright light appeared between his brows, and a profound sound echoed. He listened attentively for a moment before sighing helplessly.
"Fine, fine. This is the only way."
"The rest is up to you."
(End of Chapter)