Of course, Shan Qiu's actions were not just for the sake of [Connecting with Noble People].
Lu Yang understood in his heart that what truly moved him and made him choose to compromise was the outcome of failure that he, as a cultivator from the future, had revealed to him.
The path would not work.
Clearly, Bu Changming could not accept this result, which was why he had fought so fiercely. Compared to him, Shan Qiu was obviously much more flexible.
He accepted this fact very easily, not even asking for details. Clearly, he also knew that the success rate of his plan was actually not high. In truth, whether it was Guiming, Zhu Liuxian, or other Dao Ancestors, none of them could have a hundred percent certainty about their own paths.
Yet even so, they remained stubborn in their views.
However, Shan Qiu was different. He only sought survival, so once he saw the path was wrong, he could very easily choose to change without any psychological burden.
"Junior Brother Xuande."
Shan Qiu came to Lu Yang's side while fawning with a smile: "Regarding matters of the future, you should know quite a bit. I wonder how I failed."
"This..."
Lu Yang pondered for a moment. He didn't hide anything, directly detailing his speculations about the Great Sword Sect's San He, as well as the Origin Jade within [Carefree Wander].
"If you ask me, Fellow Daoist, this method was unworkable."
"Because the [Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness] does not, in principle, allow Primordial Spirits to enter or exit. The foundation of the plan was flawed from the start; there was no possibility of success."
Shan Qiu frowned tightly upon hearing this.
'Strange. My plan was to merge my body with the [Nurturing Immortal Land] and then escape into the Dao Venerable's remnant soul. Even if I were to die, I should have died within the [Nurturing Immortal Land].'
'Yet, according to what Xuande said, I ended up cutting ties with the [Nurturing Immortal Land] at the end. The [Nurturing Immortal Land] remained in the Dao Venerable's remnant soul, while I threw myself into the present world because the Dao Venerable's remnant soul doesn't allow Primordial Spirits to enter? There's a rule like that? That's not right, is it? Didn't those two old fellows of the Name and Form schools...'
At this thought, Shan Qiu was startled.
'Wait, did they all die? Did those two old things of the Name and Form schools never plan to live into the future, intending to self-destruct right within the Dao Venerable's remnant soul?'
"Hiss!"
Shan Qiu gasped. If the two Ancestors of Name and Form had truly done that, although they were typical Demonic Dao among the Dao Ancestors, it was still surprising that they could go to such lengths.
After long deliberation, Shan Qiu finally shook his head and relayed all the intelligence he had received to Bu Changming. The agitation originally coming from the True Spirit suddenly withered away.
Although Bu Changming's personality was different from his—arrogant and conceited—when it involved the Dao Venerable's arrangements, even Bu Changming could find nothing to say.
"...I understand."
Shan Qiu sighed, then looked at Lu Yang: "Junior Brother, I can also assist you in this struggle for the Seed of the Great Dao, but I ask for one promise."
He saw it very clearly. This Xuande before him was not like him. He was a bona fide personal disciple of the Dao Venerable, perhaps even the only personal disciple. In his view, the so-called Seed of the Great Dao might have long been decided, prepared specifically for this person; others were merely running alongside him.
'The cultivation of [Connecting with Noble People] is reminding me.'
'The one before me is an unquestionable [Noble Person].'
At this thought, Shan Qiu's expression grew increasingly enthusiastic; he even took the initiative to lead Lu Yang to the core of the [Nurturing Immortal Land] to help him plant the formation base.
"RUMBLE!"
The instant the formation base was buried into the [Nurturing Immortal Land], Lu Yang immediately heard a roar, followed by a surge of immense and profound wonder.
In the next second, an exclamation of admiration rang out:
"My thanks to you, Fellow Daoist."
Lu Yang cast a glance to the side and instantly saw the figure of the Dao Ancestor of [Feng Shui], Zhu Liuxian, nearby. That aged face was now beaming with joy.
"With this, the Grand Formation can be completed!"
"Shan Qiu, I told you long ago that your path wouldn't work. Being able to turn over a new leaf at the end and return the lands seized from the Divine Land—I suppose you still have some conscience."
Shan Qiu didn't care in the slightest.
However, the spiritual light at his brow—the portion symbolizing Bu Changming—was violently agitated, clearly very unconvinced, and even wanting to fight with Zhu Liuxian.
Zhu Liuxian didn't care either; he turned to look at Lu Yang with a solemn expression: "I must thank Junior Brother Xuande for this. In accordance with our previous transaction, once the Seed of the Great Dao appears, I will inform you, and I will also help you block one Dao Ancestor for you. Beyond that, there is Guiming's True Spirit..."
Just then.
"Amitabha!"
A heavy voice resounded. Looking out, one could see a glazed golden Buddha statue standing at the end of heaven and earth, gazing remotely toward Lu Yang's direction.
It was the World Honored One!
At this moment, Zhu Liuxian and Shan Qiu felt nothing; after all, in their view, the World Honored One's cultivation was not very strong—only at the level of a single qualitative change.
However, Lu Yang's eyes were shaken violently.
Because the moment the World Honored One appeared, the Guiming True Spirit he had hidden in his sleeve vibrated intensely, as if it had finally encountered the Master of its True Fate.
'It's him!?'
Guiming's True Spirit, his reincarnated form after entering the future Light Sea... was actually the World Honored One!?
What kind of joke is this!
In an instant, Lu Yang nearly thought he was dreaming. What kind of person was Guiming? Although his methods were a bit extreme, he was undoubtedly a kind and good person.
His goal had always been to save the Divine Land, and he was always the first to charge into battle.
But what about the World Honored One?
Although among the Dao Lords, the World Honored One was considered relatively "human-like," that was only by comparing him to those who were worse. To say the World Honored One was truly a "good person" would be sheer nonsense!
However, the reaction of the True Spirit could not be faked.
This even solved another puzzle— why, as a Buddhist cultivator, did the World Honored One develop the "One Mind" technique specifically targeting lower cultivators?
Now the answer was out— because only the profound wonder of "One Mind" could possibly allow one to lead the myriad beings of the Divine Land to reincarnate into the Light Sea together!
Because all sentient beings were [Me].
If I can go, the sentient beings can also go.
'Good heavens!'
At this thought, Lu Yang nearly lost his composure, as if witnessing something incredibly absurd in the world; impermanence of worldly affairs couldn't be more true than this.
Meanwhile, the World Honored One had already paced over.
The glazed golden Buddha statue dissipated, revealing the figure of the monk in golden robes. A pair of eyes stared straight at Lu Yang, landing upon his sleeve.
On the other side, Zhu Liuxian also realized something was wrong.
"No, you are..."
RUMBLE!
Before the words could finish, a Dao-sound came from above the dome once more. Infinite wonders piled up brilliance, blooming one after another like fireworks in the sea of clouds.
Lu Yang lifted his head, but he only saw a scroll that blotted out the sun unfurl. Every character on the scroll leaped up like a living person, subsequently manifesting all sorts of scenes. In a daze, he seemed to see the history of a civilization, from gnawing on raw meat to the current flourishing era of the Immortal Dao.
However, soon, a figure emerged.
He stood amidst the layered scenes, clearly tiny to the extreme, yet carrying an incomparable presence. Once his gaze landed on him, it was hard to look away.
It was Sisui.
Immediately following, Sisui was heard speaking, a loud rebuke:
"Incompetent Teacher!!!"
As he spoke, he threw a punch.
In an instant, the scroll shattered, and the layered scenes collapsed and disintegrated like a golden mountain toppling and a jade pillar breaking, finally revealing the figure of a scholar with an ugly expression.
[Education] Dao Ancestor Dan Qingjian.
Only at this moment, he no longer had the look of an old pedant; instead, his expression was taut, and he was so angry his hands were shaking; he couldn't even hold his brush and book steady.
"Incompetent teacher? Me?"
"Scoundrel!"
(End of Chapter)