In the following month, Lü Yang still stayed in the Primordial Saint Sect.

As time passed, he simply stayed overnight at Mending Heaven Peak, either discussing Dao with Madam Ruo Xiang or listening to Chen Shuqian play the xiao, living quite a tasteful life.

Of course, these were only embellishments.

Lü Yang’s body was like steel, and his Dao heart like iron; such fleeting romantic entanglements could not affect his determination.

Most of the time, he was still focused on studying the Dao book in his hands.

“Observing the Golden Core Edict… What a fine book this Observing the Golden Core Edict is!”

The True Person who authored this Dao book was titled【True Person Ang Xiao Bi Ri】.

He had refined the Golden Core and attained the【Great Forest Wood】, yet was considered the most disgraceful True Person in the history of the Primordial Saint Sect.

Because he had been a good person.

This was not an empty statement; at least during his tenure, he had never committed any malicious acts.

He even maintained private friendships with the Sword Pavilion, Dao Court, and Pure Land, with connections spread across the world.

“Although it is quite unbelievable, it is not entirely incomprehensible.”

“After all, what True Person, with nothing better to do, would write something like the Observing the Golden Core Edict, a book that teaches others how to seek the Golden Core?”

“Was he worried that after his reincarnation no one would fight him for the Fruit Position?”

“Being capable of such a deed, it’s not strange that he was a good person.”

At least if it were Lü Yang, he would never have done such a thing.

Daoist Hong Yun was a clear warning example—a dignified True Person, yet after reincarnation, he was utterly suppressed by True Person Chong Guang, a mere junior.

It was the height of frustration.

Shaking his head, Lü Yang dismissed these distracting thoughts and refocused his mind.

After a month of studying, this Observing the Golden Core Edict had indeed been of tremendous help to him.

It had almost pointed out the exact method to ascend the Foundation Establishment and seek the Golden Core.

“A towering skyscraper rises from the ground.”

“To seek the Golden Core, the foundation must be laid solidly during the early stage of Foundation Establishment.”

“Otherwise, if a mistake is made, there will be no chance to regret it by the mid-stage.”

The Observing the Golden Core Edict, written from the perspective of a True Person, described his views on the Fruit Positions of Heaven and Earth.

It also detailed the corresponding Ten Heavenly Stems and Twelve Earthly Branches.

He even annotated their attributes and divided them into the Five Elements, making their imagery much clearer and more vivid.

“In this lifetime, what I seek is【Cheng Tou Tu】, the Soil on the City Wall.”

What was【Cheng Tou Tu】?

“To take the Heavenly Stem positions of【Zhuo Yong】and【Tu Wei】, and the Earthly Branch positions of【She Ti Ge】and【Dan Yan】.”

“Unite the four medicines into one, achieve the Great Dao, and only then can one seek【Cheng Tou Tu】.”

This was common knowledge yet extremely obscure and difficult to understand.

However, in the Observing the Golden Core Edict, this statement was explained much more clearly:

“In the Heavenly Stems,【Zhuo Yong】belongs to Yang Earth, and【Tu Wei】belongs to Yin Earth.”

“In the Earthly Branches,【She Ti Ge】belongs to Yang Wood, and【Dan Yan】belongs to Yin Wood.”

“When Yin and Yang Earth and Wood converge, it becomes【Cheng Tou Tu】.”

Holding the Dao book in his hands, Lü Yang already had an idea about the first Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch he needed:

“I need a Heavenly Stem Qi that embodies【Zhuo Yong】.”

【Zhuo Yong】was of the Earth element, occupying the Yang position, also known as ‘Wu’.

This Heavenly Stem was said to be fog in the sky and mountain on the earth.

Before the chaos of Hong Meng was separated, it embraced unity and guarded the center.

After Heaven and Earth were divided, it carried all things and was the correct path of the Earth Dao.

Though it sounded simple, there were deeper mysteries within.

Because the Ten Heavenly Stems and Twelve Earthly Branches were never entirely separate.

Even the same Wu Earth Qi would change when converging with different Earthly Branches.

“For me, the best choice is Wu Earth Qi that merges with【She Ti Ge】or【Dan Yan】.”

“Only then will it remain true to the imagery of【Cheng Tou Tu】.”

“However, there are also unknown taboos in this.”

“When Wu Earth Qi merges with【She Ti Ge】, the resulting innate divine ability is called【Bao Shou Shan】, the Mountain Guardian.”

“The Observing the Golden Core Edict describes it as pure Yang Earth and Wood, capable of balancing all Qi and stabilizing Heaven and Earth.”

“However, when Wu Earth Qi merges with【Dan Yan】, the Observing the Golden Core Edict calls it a path to self-destruction.”

“Yin Wood overcomes Yang Earth. Once refined, you might as well wait to die a violent death.”

In other words, not all Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches could be refined.

Some would lead to death if refined.

“…Damn it, all of them are traps!”

Lü Yang closed the Dao book and couldn’t help but curse.

It was fortunate that a True Person had written this guidance, providing a complete method and theory.

Otherwise, who would think about all this?

If it were a rogue cultivator, just finding a Heavenly Stem or Earthly Branch would be a heavenly fortune.

They would definitely seize it and refine it without hesitation.

Who would care about taboos?

“No wonder only late Foundation Establishment cultivators are called Great True Persons.”

“It seems that those who reach late Foundation Establishment either have supreme luck or belong to a top Dao lineage.”

The former relies on chance, the latter on heritage.

“…Enough.”

Daydreaming was useless compared to action.

Lü Yang sighed, pushed aside Madam Ruo Xiang, changed his clothes, and walked out of the secluded chamber.

Thirty days had passed, and all preparations were complete.

Now that Arhat Fulong had been executed and the master of Mending Heaven Peak had died suddenly, he was free of worries.

He could now follow the guidance of fortune and seek his opportunity in peace.

However, at that moment, Lü Yang suddenly raised his eyebrows.

He immediately looked up and smiled slightly:

“Who is it, fellow Daoist?”

“Coming here in the dead of night and sneaking around, why not show yourself instead?”

As his voice fell, the night wind rustled.

Seeing Lü Yang remain calm, with his eyes locking firmly onto him, the intruder realized that Lü Yang had truly discovered him and was not merely bluffing.

“Hahaha, worthy of being Yuan Tu!”

The next moment, laughter rang out, and a formation suddenly descended from nowhere, trapping Lü Yang and the intruder inside, cutting them off from the outside world.

The whole operation was smooth and seamless.

Seeing this, Lü Yang narrowed his eyes at once.

Without saying a word, he immediately isolated information transmission, clearly showing he was experienced—most likely not his first time dealing with such situations.

Soon, a figure floated out gracefully.

The man wore black Daoist robes, with a fairly handsome face and calm demeanor, his face adorned with a kind smile.

“Inferior one is Wu Cang, greetings to fellow Daoist Yuan Tu.”

“So it is fellow Daoist Wu Cang.”

Lü Yang cupped his fists, while quickly recalling the man’s background in his mind.

This person was originally a rogue cultivator who had reached Foundation Establishment.

After reincarnation, he joined the Primordial Saint Sect and broke through to the mid-stage, thus washing away his rogue background to become a sect True Person.

“I wonder what business fellow Daoist Wu Cang has with me?”

As Lü Yang finished speaking, Wu Cang smiled:

“To be honest, I heard that fellow Daoist recently obtained a handwritten Dao book from True Person at Sacred Fire Cliff?”

“…That is true.”

Lü Yang immediately understood the other party’s intention and smiled:

“Could it be that fellow Daoist wishes to borrow the Dao book for a read?”

“That is not a problem.”

“What do you intend to exchange for it?”

“That is exactly the issue.”

Wu Cang maintained his smile:

“Unfortunately, I am currently short on resources and unable to offer any benefits.”

“However, I still wish to borrow the Dao book.”

“Would fellow Daoist be willing to extend me credit?”

As these words fell, Lü Yang’s smile quickly faded.

Both of them were sect True Persons—did he really expect him to fall for such nonsense?

Credit? What a freeloader!

Thinking this, Lü Yang’s gaze became even calmer, his tone laced with coldness:

“So fellow Daoist does not intend to make a proper transaction?”

Hearing this, Wu Cang sneered.

He certainly knew Yuan Tu was not easy to deal with, but that was only in terms of karma and calculations.

Now, by suddenly showing up, he gave Lü Yang no time to plot against him.

What could Lü Yang possibly do?

“Blame yourself for being greedy.”

“You’ve only just reached early Foundation Establishment and already taken over Mending Heaven Peak.”

“Yet you dare to borrow a True Person’s handwritten Dao book?”

“Tonight, I shall teach you a lesson.”

With that, Wu Cang stepped forward.

“A wise man submits to circumstances. Hand over the Dao book, and I will leave immediately.”

In an instant, the oppressive aura of a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator bore down like Mount Tai, crushing onto Lü Yang.

“Or do you prefer to suffer a little before handing it over?”

Wu Cang had assumed Lü Yang would choose to compromise.

However, to his surprise, when Lü Yang felt the pressure, he actually smiled.

“If I am not mistaken, fellow Daoist has only refined one innate divine ability, correct?”

After speaking, Lü Yang seriously scrutinized Wu Cang.

His gaze, burning with desire and hunger, made Wu Cang instinctively frown:

“What do you mean by that?”

“I mean that fellow Daoist’s cultivation is quite good.”

Lü Yang lowered his hand, gripping the【Abi Sword】.

“How precious is a True Person’s handwritten Dao book?”

“Since fellow Daoist desires it so much, why not exchange it with your cultivation?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep