Chapter 333: Chapter 333: Unspeakable Loyalty

Compared to the Soul Searching methods of the Celestial Mother’s Birth Profound Light and the Heaven-Mending Skill, transforming souls into Banner Spirits with the Myriad-Soul Banner could also achieve a similar effect.

However, the latter method had a flaw: the spirits lacked autonomy.

With the exception of Banner Spirits like Chen Xin’an and Progenitor Tingyou, who had willingly entered the banner while alive, most Banner Spirits would only act on commands.

Therefore, Soul Searching a Banner Spirit could only be done through a “question and answer” process.

But this could easily lead to a catch-22.

Lü Yang: “Why didn’t you tell me about this?”

Banner Spirit: “You didn’t ask.”

Lü Yang: “How could I ask if I didn’t know about it?”

Banner Spirit: “If you don’t ask, how would I know that you don’t know?”

And then things would grind to an awkward halt.

That was why, compared to using the Myriad-Soul Banner, Lü Yang much preferred to have Chen Xin’an handle it. After all, it concerned his cultivation. He believed Chen Xin’an would understand having to suffer a little for the cause.

……..

「The Mass Grave, Jiangnan.」

This was where the Celestial Court Fragment had fallen. It was clearly the Sword Pavilion True Monarch’s doing, a convenient way to remove this thorn—this Stain Sect outpost—that had been embedded in the South.

Lü Yang felt a surge of emotion at the sight. ’After all, in all my previous lives, the Jiangnan Mass Grave had changed hands at times, but the Stain Sect always managed to take it back without suffering much damage. But in this life, under my influence, this entire Marvel has been torn out by the roots, leaving not even a trace behind.’

’Still, the Stain Sect probably didn’t lose out.’

’The reason Minghua Celestial Immortal and the others had sought me out was obviously the Stain Sect’s doing. The Stain Sect was also likely the first power to charge into the Profound Spirit Realm.’

’Under those circumstances, the Stain Sect must have made a fortune.’

’The Sword Pavilion, on the other hand, had suffered considerable losses.’

’If that weren’t the case, the Stain Sect would never have sat back and watched the Sword Pavilion fill in the Mass Grave. The Perfected Lords of both sides must have struck some kind of unspoken deal.’

“Hm?”

As he drew near the Celestial Court Fragment, Lü Yang realized that people were already waiting there. The man in the lead was ordinary-looking, but his features radiated a sharp, soaring spirit.

’Minor Metal!?’

Almost at the same instant, Minor Metal noticed Lü Yang’s gaze and looked over.

“Hmm…?”

’The face of this avatar of mine hasn’t changed. After all, this was the face I created from the start. Even if I altered it, it would be easily recognizable.’

Thus, Minor Metal recognized him at a glance.

Lü Yang frowned slightly but wasn’t too concerned. After all, to Minor Metal, he was supposed to be an undercover agent loyal to the Stain Sect. Minor Metal wouldn’t expose him.

And even if he was exposed, he didn’t care.

After all, Minor Metal was a Saint Sect Zhenren.

’Who would believe the words of a Saint Sect Zhenren?’

So, even though he noticed Minor Metal looking at him, Lü Yang calmly met his gaze, appearing as open and composed as a true gentleman. This, in turn, seemed to surprise Minor Metal.

’Interesting… Is he really one of us?’

Minor Metal mused internally, but his expression remained impassive. He very naturally let his gaze slide off Lü Yang and finally settle on the Demon-Vanquishing Perfected.

“Greetings, Fellow Daoist Demon-Vanquisher.”

The Demon-Vanquishing Perfected returned the courtesy. “Greetings to you, Fellow Daoist Minor Metal.”

Despite his words, a trace of confusion appeared in the Demon-Vanquishing Perfected’s eyes. He clearly hadn’t expected Minor Metal to be here at this time.

’Shouldn’t he be in the North?’

’The Celestial Court in the Profound Spirit Realm had been split into four parts, and the Stain Sect had gained the most, naturally making them a target for everyone. All the major powers had sent people to contest the fragments with them.’

’Under these circumstances, as the Interim Sect Leader of the Stain Sect, Minor Metal had chosen not to hold the fort in the North. Instead, he had come all this way to the South to oppose the Sword Pavilion. It was impossible not to be suspicious of his motives. Yet, Minor Metal’s self-control was superb; his expression was as calm as an old well, betraying nothing.’

Meanwhile, Lü Yang also frowned.

He had noticed a gaze from among the people Minor Metal brought from the Stain Sect, fixed squarely on him, making his Heart Spirit uneasy.

’This person has malicious intent…’

’Although they concealed it well, Lü Yang, having cultivated the Guan Chou Sea, was extremely sensitive to thoughts and emotions. He quickly pinpointed the source of the gaze.’

’…Hm?’

Looking over, a familiar figure came into Lü Yang’s view.

The Master of Heaven Mending Peak, Chen Taihe!

Lü Yang’s eyes narrowed at the sight, and a predatory urge stirred within him. ’It’s him? Talk about a small world for enemies… but his timing is perfect!’

’In my previous life, my cultivation had been too weak to face the Master of Heaven Mending Peak head-on. I could only resort to a sneak attack while the man was crossing his Celestial Thunder Tribulation to finally kill him. While it counted as revenge for being killed with a single finger, it still felt somewhat unsatisfying. Now’s the perfect chance to send him to reunite with Chen Xin’an!’

With this in mind, Lü Yang decided not to indulge him and declared with righteous indignation:

“What are you staring at, Demon?”

His words were aimed directly at the Master of Heaven Mending Peak, who was momentarily stunned. He clearly hadn’t expected Lü Yang to be able to detect his covert spying.

But he had his pride.

Since he had been called out, he stopped hiding. He stepped forward, his lips moving slightly as he sent a voice transmission directly to Lü Yang: “Do you cultivate the Fruit of Pomegranate Wood?”

…Oho? I’ve been exposed?

Lü Yang didn’t answer, but a realization dawned on him. ’It seems this guy arrived a while ago. Did he see the residual traces of the Abilities I used in my fight with Qi River?’

Cultivators who cultivate the same Fruit are Dao-Enemies!

This conflict isn’t obvious in the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment and only becomes slightly more acute in the Mid-phase. Most Foundation-Stage Cultivators would rarely fight over such a thing.

But for a Cultivator like the Master of Heaven Mending Peak, who aimed to become a Great Trueman, it was extremely serious!

He could not possibly sit by and do nothing.

Especially when he discovered that Lü Yang’s Magical Power Mechanism was actually more perfect and pure than his own. Given time, Lü Yang might truly have a chance of surpassing him!

How could he tolerate that?

That was why he had volunteered to stay in the South for this operation, to join the fight against the Sword Pavilion for the Celestial Court Fragment. His real goal was to take advantage of the chaos to eliminate Lü Yang!

“What did that Demon say to you?”

Just then, beside Lü Yang, Ye Guyue spoke in a chilling tone, “Don’t try to hide it. I could sense the fluctuations when that Demon sent you a voice transmission just now.”

“Martial Uncle, they are definitely in collusion!”

The Demon-Vanquishing Perfected glanced sideways.

’He did it on purpose… That old bastard, the Master of Heaven Mending Peak, definitely did it on purpose!’

Lü Yang cursed inwardly, but his face remained calm. “Senior, upon entering the Celestial Court Fragment this time, I am willing to hand over everything I obtain. I only ask to be allowed to join the Sword Pavilion.”

“Don’t change the subject!”

Ye Guyue’s brow furrowed. “I’m asking you, what did that Jiangbei Demon transmit to you just now?”

“Senior Sister, you misunderstand.” Lü Yang wore an aggrieved expression. “That Demon didn’t say anything to me. He just deliberately pretended to send a voice transmission to sow discord.”

Naturally, Ye Guyue didn’t believe him.

However, before she could question him further, the Demon-Vanquishing Perfected waved his hand. “Enough, Gu Yue… That’s not important. I believe in Lü Yang’s sincere heart.”

Of course, he didn’t believe it.

But whether he believed it or not wasn’t the point. The point was that Lü Yang had shown his stance: he would risk entering the Celestial Court Fragment and hand over all his gains afterward.

Wasn’t that enough?

With that attitude alone, whether or not he had communicated with the Master of Heaven Mending Peak was a trivial detail. In the eyes of the Demon-Vanquishing Perfected, Lü Yang was now loyal beyond words.

Had the Demon-Vanquishing Perfected ever suspected Lü Yang? Of course, he had. He wasn’t a fool; how could he unconditionally trust a Loose Cultivator who had offered his allegiance out of the blue? But it came back to the same point: Lü Yang had backed his words with his attitude and his actions. There were no flaws to be found, inside or out. So what was there to fuss about?

RUMBLE!

At that moment, at the site of the former Mass Grave, a beam of Spirit Light shot into the sky. It illuminated the heavens, casting the shimmering image of a magnificent and beautiful gate.

Above the gateway were three large, flamboyant words:

[South Celestial Gate]!

In an instant, streaks of Flying Light shot toward the sky.

Seeing this, Lü Yang hastily summoned his own Flying Light. But just as he was about to enter the [South Celestial Gate], Minor Metal’s voice suddenly echoed in his ear:

“Daoist, how about we make another deal?”

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