Chapter 354: Chapter 354: The Sword Pavilion Is So Insidious

“If that’s the case, then it all makes sense!”

With the cautionary tale of Progenitor Tingyou as a precedent, that True Monarch Chengtian Zhengde of the Ye Family would surely be on high alert against any Foundation Establishment cultivator who could possibly threaten him.

Even his own Direct Lineage would be no exception.

’Demon-Vanquishing Perfected was probably one of them. He successfully cultivated the Fruit of Wall-Surface Earth, but the Perfected Lord would not tolerate it, so he was forced to switch to a First-Grade True Skill…’

He might not even have known it himself.

After all, the Sword Pavilion has a Secret Technique to erase past lives. If a Perfected Lord personally took action and tampered with you during your reincarnation, you might even end up thanking him!

’The Fruit of Sword Dao… is truly a massive pitfall!’

Lü Yang came to a conclusion: ’So far, this Cultivation Technique is already incredibly well-developed at the Foundation Establishment level. That’s why Sword Pavilion Cultivators are so strong during Foundation Establishment.’

Otherwise, they wouldn’t dare to claim they were the best in Combat in the world.

But what about the Perfected Lords?

’At least, judging from True Monarch Chengtian Zhengde’s performance in my previous life, the Sword Pavilion’s combat prowess at the True Monarch Level is clearly not as high as one might imagine.’

’This might be because the Fruit of Sword Dao has yet to be certified, so it can’t augment the combat power of those at the True Monarch Level. That’s why no matter how stunning a Sword Pavilion Cultivator is during Foundation Establishment, they drop back to a normal level once they reach the True Monarch Level. But once the Fruit of Sword Dao is certified, everything will be different.’

At that point, the power of the Sword Dao will surely skyrocket, and it might even amplify the strength of Perfected Lords.

’However, that would also mean the Sword Pavilion’s Perfected Lords would absolutely never allow the Fruit of Sword Dao to be monopolized by a single person.’

Just like the Netherworld of the past.

Reincarnation is too important. How could it be monopolized by one person? So, the only fate for the one who certified it was to be besieged and killed, leaving only the Fruit behind.

’In other words, no matter who you are, as long as you cultivate the *Sword Monarch’s Profound Discussion and Golden Secret Chapter*, there are only two possible outcomes. You either become fodder to fill the Fruit, or you possess extraordinary talent, certify the Fruit of Sword Dao on behalf of all the Perfected Lords, and then perish just like the Lord of the Netherworld…’

’…How insidious!’

Lü Yang was truly blown away by the Sword Pavilion’s scheme. And to top it off, they made it look so good on the surface. A First-Grade True Skill! A free gift just for signing up!

Does the Jiangbei Demon Sect have such generous terms?

This is the Righteous Dao!

As for the Cultivation Technique being a trap that prevents you from Seeking Gold… sometimes you just have to look for reasons within yourself. After all these years, is your talent good enough? Have you been cultivating diligently?

’You’re really getting sold and then helping the Sword Pavilion count the money!’

However, most people might not even reach the step of Seeking Gold in their entire lifetimes. And if you never reach that step, it’s very difficult to discover the problem within.

’I was only able to discover it because I’m talented and diligent.’

Without Progenitor Tingyou’s help in analyzing it, Lü Yang probably wouldn’t have seen the insidious nature of this First-Grade True Skill and would have just thought he’d struck a great bargain!

’Good thing my main body didn’t cultivate this technique. Sending my avatar into the Sword Pavilion was definitely the right move… But while the *Sword Monarch’s Profound Discussion and Golden Secret Chapter* is a huge trap, I never expected my avatar to reach Seeking Gold anyway. Since he’s already started, so be it. As long as my main body doesn’t cultivate it, it’s not a big problem.’

Besides, times have changed.

Back then, no matter how strong a Sword Cultivator was, they were still just at Foundation Establishment. A Perfected Lord could kill them with a casual slap. Even if they reached Foundation Establishment Perfection, they couldn’t escape certain death.

But now, the Perfected Lords have gone into seclusion!

’Under these circumstances, the effects of this First-Grade True Skill are actually amplified. After all, the combat power it provides to Cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Level is truly immense.’

Thinking of this, Lü Yang came to terms with it.

’Although the trap is huge, this Cultivation Technique is indeed perfect at the Foundation Establishment Level. It has already formed a complete system of cultivation.’

Ordinary Cultivators use the three realms of Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, and Golden Core.

’Sword Cultivators are the same, except they call them the Three Realms of Sword Dao: Sword Qi Thunder Sound, Sword Heart Clarity, and Sword Intent Refining Spirit!’

’Sword Qi, Sword Heart, Sword Intent!’

’Among them, Sword Intent is clearly meant to be on par with Golden Core Perfected Lords. Unfortunately, since the Fruit of Sword Dao hasn’t been certified yet, Sword Intent can’t quite reach the level of a Perfected Lord.’

’At most, it’s like with Demon-Vanquishing Perfected, where it just drastically increases combat power.’

The combat prowess of Demon-Vanquishing Perfected was the strongest Lü Yang had ever seen among those at Foundation Establishment Perfection. Even Master Chong Guang from the past was slightly inferior in comparison.

’But Master Chong Guang was seeking the Dao.’

Overly pursuing combat power is putting the cart before the horse… After all, no matter how strong your combat power is within the same realm, if your cultivation can’t keep up, it’s ultimately just chasing the moon’s reflection in the water, or a flower in a mirror.

“Hm? What’s this…”

Suddenly, Lü Yang’s gaze flickered and landed on a page in the Daoist Scripture:

“The Sword Cultivator’s Cultivation Method, the Sword Box Secret Technique?”

As everyone knows, Foundation Establishment cultivation is a step-by-step process. Collecting the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches must be done in an orderly fashion. However, this is cultivation in the conventional sense.

Sword Cultivators are completely different.

According to the *Sword Monarch’s Profound Discussion and Golden Secret Chapter*, the first thing a Sword Cultivator must do after Foundation Establishment is to collect various External Medicines and forge a Sword Box.

This so-called Sword Box is essentially a Secret Treasure. A Cultivator carries it with them and, through Combat with others, collects the aura of slaughter and warfare within the box. After nurturing and refining this aura over a long period, they can form a Sword Divine Technique. By fusing with it, they can immediately break through to the next realm!

A look of amazement appeared on Lü Yang’s face. ’Incredible…!’

’This isn’t some breakthrough Secret Technique, it’s a clear attempt to replace the uniqueness of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches! This is probably one of the steps for the Void Certificate!’

After all, if the Fruit of Sword Dao is truly certified, it must exist independently of Heaven and Earth.

That being the case, how could one still use the “Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches” to break through? Clues about this can be seen from the Netherworld and No Heaven.

However, the drawbacks of doing so are also significant.

’Engaging in Combat, fighting to the death… how could there be no risk? The outcome is either killing or being killed. That doesn’t fit my style at all…’

But as they say, every challenge can be overcome.

Where there are difficulties, there are shortcuts. The *Sword Monarch’s Profound Discussion and Golden Secret Chapter* also records a Secret Technique for converting Innate Divine Techniques refined in a previous life using the Sword Box.

After all, an Innate Divine Technique, once certified, is certified forever. After the Dao Foundation from a previous life is converted, the remaining Abilities are no longer compatible with the new Dao Foundation, so they also need to be converted.

’As long as I send the Innate Divine Techniques refined in my previous life into the Sword Box, supplemented with External Medicines, I can condense a Sword Divine Technique even without fighting people to the death.’

’This one is suitable for me!’

Of course, Lü Yang would never convert the Abilities of his Immortal Spirit Body.

What he wanted to convert were the two Void Divine Techniques, Essence of All Flowers and Guan Chou Sea. They were obtained by his avatar anyway, so he wouldn’t feel bad about converting them.

Moreover, unlike a Void Divine Technique, a Sword Divine Technique has a Position!

’My Dao Foundation’s own Innate Ability, two Sword Divine Techniques, plus the profundity of Empowerment… At that time, I can still have my avatar use Fake Holding to assume the Position of a Great Trueman!’

And there wouldn’t even be any hidden dangers!

’Using Void Divine Techniques to connect with the Myriad-Soul Banner and use Fake Holding to become a Great Trueman not only results in a backlash, but it’s also not sustainable. Switching to Sword Divine Techniques would actually be more beneficial for me!’

…….

「South, Hidden Sword Manor.」

Lü Yang’s main body opened its eyes. His Dharma Body immediately strode out, stretching its limbs freely under the sun while starting to formulate a plan for the future.

’Things with my avatar are already on the right track.’

’But my avatar is only eight years old this year. Whether it’s refining the Sword Box, converting the Sword Divine Techniques, or returning to Foundation Establishment, it all takes time. I can’t rush things for now.’

“Calculating the time… it should be about right.”

Lü Yang pinched his fingers to make a calculation, and a smile immediately appeared on his face.

Skull Mountains!

Based on his experience from previous lives, around this time, Progenitor Tingyou—who was still struggling to survive in the Wu Ghost Secret Realm in this life—should be about to escape!

“It’s time to build upon my Talent Skill!”

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