Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Heavy snow filled the air. Dressed in a Profound Robe that billowed in the wind, Lü Yang sized up Hongyun and Hongju with a smile in his eyes, his hands already forming a Daoist Hand Seal.

There are generally two methods for the Enlightenment of a Life Form Body.

The first is to use oneself for the Enlightenment—the so-called Clone Technique. The advantage is that the process is consensual, making the Enlightenment relatively easy.

The second is to use another person for the Enlightenment.

This is considerably more difficult. The higher the Cultivation, the harder it becomes. A Cultivator who has reached the Foundation Establishment Realm and vigilantly guards their Spiritual Space is essentially unassailable.

’What’s more, Hongyun is an Orthodox True Monarch.’

’Back then in the Celestial Mansion, I relied on the Divine Effect of Enlightenment to fool those hereditary Outer Dao True Monarchs. They were like idiots, lining up to voluntarily join the Righteous Banner.’

’But I can’t do the same to Hongyun.’

’He might seem utterly confused by my deceptions now, but that’s only because I haven’t overstepped. The moment I do something too extreme, he’ll surely snap out of it.’

The key lay in the Gold Attribute.

Although the Gold Attribute is used in the Pocket World Technique as a substitute for the Dao Heart, it undeniably takes over some of the Dao Heart’s functions.

’The difference between the two is like an external object versus one’s own body. Both serve to preserve the self, but cultivating the Dao Heart strengthens the self from within. Cultivating the Gold Attribute is more like encasing the self in a suit of sturdy armor. The latter is naturally more useful in the early stages, but the further one progresses, the more crucial the Dao Heart becomes.’

’However... it’s not as if there’s no way around it.’

Lü Yang’s mind raced, but his expression remained calm and unhurried as he smiled and said,

"Fellow Daoist Hongyun, I recently came across a Secret Technique that may help you quickly reclaim your True Monarch Position. I have brought it especially for you."

"Oh? Are you serious?"

At these words, Hongyun, who was desperate to reclaim his position, felt his eyes light up. "Daoist, please, let me see it at once!" he said urgently. "I will be sure to reward you generously in the future!"

Lü Yang unhurriedly took out the Skill of Perfect Vitality—

The Life Form Body Self-Refining Chapter.

This was a Secret Technique from the Skill of Perfect Vitality, divided into a parent Chapter and a child Chapter. The practitioner masters the parent Chapter, while the child Chapter can be imparted to others.

The child Chapter was immensely powerful, profoundly mysterious, and encompassed All Phenomena. A Cultivator could gain countless benefits from it, and their speed of Refining Abilities would increase dramatically. The only drawback was that upon cultivating the child Chapter to Perfection, they would automatically become the Life Form Body of the person who had mastered the parent Chapter.

’What a massive pitfall!’

’It’s obvious that Sichou Daoist Lord was no saint, either. He was truly black-hearted. He just wasn’t quite monstrous enough, which is why he ended up being slain by the Saint Sect Ancestral Master.’

’Although... this time it seems I’m the one setting the trap.’

At this thought, Lü Yang suddenly felt that while the Immortal Pivot’s culture of High-Tier Cultivators entrapping Low-Tier Cultivators was cruel, it did have its merits.

As he pondered, Hongyun had already accepted the Dharma Gate.

"This is... an incredible Secret Technique!"

For a moment, Hongyun was completely mesmerized. The child Chapter was truly exquisite, and it would undoubtedly be a great help to him in recovering quickly and reclaiming his True Monarch Position.

And for this, Hongyun would even have to thank him.

"Thank you, Daoist!"

The next moment, Hongyun put away the Cultivation Technique and gave Lü Yang a solemn, cupped-fist salute. "If I can reclaim my Golden Position, I will never forget your kindness, Daoist!"

"Think nothing of it."

Lü Yang waved his hand, looking Hongyun up and down before smiling. "Your successful return to the Golden Position will be the greatest help you could offer me."

With that, Lü Yang pointed a finger. The snow in the air gathered and, in an instant, formed a table and chairs.

"Please, have a seat, both of you."

Lü Yang gestured for them to sit. Hongyun hesitated for a moment, but Hongju sat down quite naturally, so Hongyun followed suit without further reluctance.

"Speaking of which, there is one more thing I’d like to ask Fellow Daoist Hongju."

Lü Yang turned to Hongju. He had nothing more to ask Hongyun, having already taken his measure. Hongju, on the other hand, was someone he didn’t know much about.

"Please ask, my lord," Hongju said, bowing his head respectfully.

Lü Yang pressed his index finger against the teacup formed of snow, swirling it gently. He pondered for a moment before lowering his voice and asking cryptically,

"Do you recognize this person, Daoist?"

As his voice faded, intricate lines appeared on the surface of the snow table, coalescing into a lifelike portrait. It was the face of Taiyin Immortal Venerable!

At the same time, the Righteous Banner behind Lü Yang unfurled, growing even larger.

The banner’s surface billowed, and a dense black energy, tinged with a hint of purple, enveloped the three of them. It severed all karmic links, making it impossible for any outsider to perceive what was happening there.

’If I remember correctly... Hongyun was ambushed and taken out by Ang Xiao five thousand years ago. He created Hongju before he "died," so strictly speaking, Hongju is also from that era. If Taiyin Immortal Venerable appeared back then, he might be able to recognize her!’

Just because Hongyun had never seen her didn’t mean Hongju hadn’t.

After all, Hongyun had "died" early, so it was normal that he hadn’t. Hongju was different. He had genuinely lived for five thousand years, making him incredibly experienced!

"This person is..."

Staring at the portrait of the cold, aloof woman on the table, Hongju froze. He seemed to recall something, and his brow furrowed in concentration.

His reaction overjoyed Lü Yang.

’There really is a clue!?’

The next moment, Hongju looked up and said in a low voice, "This person... Your subordinate did catch a fleeting glimpse of her once, years ago. I saw her on Holy Fire Cliff."

"Where on Holy Fire Cliff?"

At this, a clear look of apprehension appeared in Hongju’s eyes, and his voice dropped even lower. "To be honest... it was at World Purger Fei Xue’s palace."

Lü Yang’s eyes narrowed at his words.

Feixue Palace?

No, it’s that Pseudo-History!

’Based on my previous intelligence, World Purger Fei Xue supposedly emerged from that period of Pseudo-History... and now Taiyin Immortal Venerable did as well?’

How the hell is that a Pseudo-History?

It produced a powerhouse who was Five Thousand Years of Fighting Number One, and also a Great Perfected Lord at the Late Stage of Golden Core. That’s practically a talent pipeline for the Stain Sect!

At this thought, Lü Yang gave Hongju a serious look.

’I’ve overlooked him until now.’

Unfortunately, he couldn’t just kill Hongju to claim his life experiences. As a Great Trueman at Foundation Establishment Perfection, Hongju’s existence was entirely dependent on the Hongyun Gold Attribute.

In that case—

’I’ll just have to inconvenience Xin’an and the Master of Heaven Mending Peak a little.’

With a Heart Thought, Lü Yang summoned the Banner Spirit and led Hongju into the nearby thatched hut. As he did, he casually cast the Celestial Mother’s Birth Profound Light on him.

After finishing all this, he turned back to Hongyun and smiled.

"By the way, after years of investigation, both open and secret, I have finally identified the person who plotted against you, Daoist."

Hongyun froze. "Who?"

Before he could finish, Lü Yang pointed a finger, directly returning the numerous contingencies Hongyun had prepared all those years ago. For a moment, Hongyun’s expression was unreadable.

After a long while, Hongyun finally came to his senses.

Then, he suddenly gritted his teeth and slammed his palm down, shattering the snow table before him. Fury blazed in his eyes. "It was him... It was him who killed me!"

"Ang Xiao!!!"

Seeing this, Lü Yang nodded in satisfaction. He took advantage of Hongyun’s intense emotional turmoil to further strengthen the influence of his Enlightenment.

’In this life, I suppose I’ve become something of a puppet master.’

’I’ll have to deal with Ang Xiao sooner or later. I can just use Hongyun as the first layer of my disguise. As for the second layer... I’ll let Si Chou handle that!’

Layer upon layer, like a set of nesting dolls, with the Life Form Body taking the lead.

Ang Xiao, True Monarch Gangxing, Taiyin Immortal Venerable, Bhagavat... All of you, just you wait. In this life, I’m coming to settle the score with every single one of you!