Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

No sooner said than done. Lü Yang immediately began to wander through the [Sea of Suffering].

At the same time, he also discovered the benefits of this act of Chasing the Dao by pursuing the waves of the [Sea of Suffering]. It could subtly enhance his own Cultivation.

’The [Sea of Suffering]... A sea of infinite images. It isn’t just limited to the Immortal Pivot, but is a super-Vast Ocean that encompasses all the imagery of the entire Void Sea of Light and the Billions of World Heavens. Roaming here is a form of training in itself. The longer I stay, the deeper my understanding of the Great Dao should become.’

Having figured this out, Lü Yang became even more enthusiastic.

Besides, with Yuan Tu and Fortune both in seclusion, he also needed a period of arduous training to consolidate his gains. So, he simply let go of his Heart Spirit and began a long-term seclusion.

........

「Time flew by, the years passing in the blink of an eye.」

「North, beyond the Sea of Clouds.」

"You bastard... You played me!?"

A mournful roar echoed through the heavens, stirring the clouds. Buddha Light flared like a flame, shooting into the sky and painting it with a myriad of colorful visages.

At the center of the Buddha Light, Arhat Fulong, who had endured for decades, wore a savage expression. Yet he could do nothing to stop his failing Dharma Body. He could only watch as his physical form turned to dust. His Dao Foundation, blown by the Weakening Wind, collapsed and scattered, leaving only a lone Soul to drift helplessly into the Netherworld.

"I am not resigned to this!"

As the last roar faded, a figure of light and shadow appeared. Yuan Tu, whose face was identical to Lü Yang’s, strode out from the void.

"Fellow Daoist Fulong, you’re too kind!"

A sinister smile played on Yuan Tu’s lips. He reached out and snatched the Golden Body Relic, formed from Arhat Fulong’s remains after his death, into his pouch.

"Tsk, tsk, my luck is really good."

Yuan Tu nodded in satisfaction. As a Foundation Establishment Helper formed from the corpse of a dead Arhat, a Relic was highly sought after in the Stain Sect.

Then, he focused his Heart Spirit, his Heart Thought stirring:

"Senior Si Chou, your idea was brilliant."

Within Yuan Tu’s Spiritual Space, a speck of golden light bloomed, and Si Chou’s figure emerged—the very image of a kindly old man with white hair and white eyebrows.

"Hmph... This is nothing."

"I told you long ago: combating Abilities is inferior to combating Mana, combating Mana is inferior to combating Cultivation, and combating Cultivation is inferior to combating lifespan. Living long is the true skill."

"Absolutely, absolutely!"

Yuan Tu nodded, his words full of trust for Si Chou. He continued to ask for guidance, "Senior, may I ask how I should best proceed with my cultivation?"

Compared to Lü Yang back then, Yuan Tu’s experiences were quite different.

Especially after Lü Yang sacrificed himself to bear the trial from Lady Ruoxiang for him, he had also lost his hope of taking charge of Heaven Mending Peak.

Without the backing of Heaven Mending Peak, *Observing the Golden Core* was naturally out of the question.

All in all, he had missed out on quite a few opportunities.

Fortunately, Lü Yang had left him with Si Chou, his personal old master in a bottle, who could perfectly replace *Observing the Golden Core* and provide him with necessary hints when needed.

Just like now.

"You have now obtained all of the Divine Martial Sect’s fortune. By sensing the Heaven and Earth, you will soon discover where your opportunities lie. If I’m not mistaken, they should be Overseas."

"As for the first of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches you should cultivate, it must be the [Earth of Wu]."

Si Chou’s guidance was like a sudden enlightenment for Yuan Tu. The honest-looking young man immediately showed a grateful expression, cupping his hands in thanks. "Senior’s great kindness, Yuan Tu will never forget for all eternity!"

"Don’t mention it... Go on, now."

Si Chou waved his hand and watched as Yuan Tu withdrew his consciousness and left the Spiritual Space. Only then did he let out an imperceptible sigh, a hint of emotion in his eyes.

As a [Life Form Body], Yuan Tu had inherited most of Lü Yang’s memories and personality. But without the [Centome], he lacked the experience of being screwed over and killed life after life. Compared to Lü Yang, Yuan Tu was much more simple and honest, and one could say he was completely sincere towards Si Chou.

’A pity. You may be sincere, but my heart is not true.’

’This so-called guidance in your Cultivation, helping you grow strong so you can forge a physical body for me in the future—it’s all a lie. It’s merely a task from Fellow Daoist Lü...’

As he thought of this, Si Chou’s eyebrows suddenly shot up.

The next second, Lü Yang’s voice sounded in his ear. "Fellow Daoist Si Chou, how are things on Yuan Tu’s end? Is he proceeding along the predetermined track?"

Si Chou hurriedly nodded. "Reporting to you, Fellow Daoist. Everything is going smoothly."

"Good. Thank you for your hard work, Fellow Daoist."

After speaking, Lü Yang withdrew from the [Sea of Suffering]. Twenty long years of roaming the [Sea of Suffering] had made his Qi trace increasingly steady and stable.

"I’ll have Great Undertaking cooperate with you... Prepare to move."

As his voice fell, Lü Yang retracted his thoughts from Si Chou’s side. He then raised his head and gazed into the distance. ’[Ang Xiao]... has probably already made a move, hasn’t he?’

He was confident about [Ang Xiao]’s next move.

After all, he hadn’t concealed anything when he helped Fortune break through the Veil of the Trees. With [Ang Xiao]’s sharp senses, it was only natural that he would notice something was wrong and take action.

However, for the past twenty years, he and Fortune had been holed up in this dense forest that isolated them from karmic links. [Ang Xiao] was like a master craftsman with no tools; even if he wanted to find them, he couldn’t. He should be in a state of suspicion and apprehension right now, falling perfectly into Lü Yang’s scheme.

’If I want to swallow the [Fruit of Lamp-Cover Fire], [Ang Xiao] is the biggest obstacle... so I’ll set him up first!’

Thinking of this, Lü Yang gave a cold smile. ’[Ang Xiao], oh, [Ang Xiao]... I told you in my Last Last Life: I’ll feast on your secret for a hundred lifetimes!’

In my Previous Life, I made too big of a move, and you reacted quickly enough to escape disaster.

This life... Hmph! I’ll make sure you never return!

........

「Meanwhile, inside Holy Fire Cliff.」

As a streak of Flying Light descended, Great Undertaking walked into the Quiet Chamber, holding his lower back. He then fetched a cushion, sat down, and shifted restlessly a few times.

His butt hurt a little.

But he quickly composed himself and, following Lü Yang’s instructions, took out the [Tongming Yiyun Talisman Book] and slowly unfurled it before him.

"I’ll speak, you write."

Lü Yang’s voice echoed faintly. At this moment, with his hands clasped behind his back, he was rapidly reviewing the many backup plans [Ang Xiao] had laid out in the Current World.

’[Ang Xiao] actually doesn’t have many ways to interfere with the Current World.’

’At this point in time, Master Chong Guang hasn’t started Seeking Gold yet, and there’s no movement from Primal Daoist Mu Changsheng’s side. He doesn’t have a Body of Daoist Evil to use.’

’He does have an avatar that can force its way into the Current World and even display great combat power, but Fortune shouldn’t be worth using it on yet. After all, I haven’t done anything. At most, he would just probe a little... and since it’s just a probe, using an avatar would be making a mountain out of a molehill.’

If he won’t use a Daoist Remnant or an avatar, what can he use?

’...The Ganhai Li Clan, that Master Xiao Hai!’

The corner of Lü Yang’s mouth twitched up. This wasn’t hard to guess. In his Last Last Life, within the South Celestial Gate Secret Realm that had manifested in the Profound Spirit Realm, [Ang Xiao] had controlled Master Xiao Hai before.

He didn’t even need to deduce the karmic links for this.

In short, starting from this life, he had thoroughly figured out all of [Ang Xiao]’s backup plans, inside and out. There were no secrets left to speak of!

With this thought, Lü Yang immediately sent a message to Great Undertaking:

"Just write: [Yuan Tu dies at the hands of Master Xiao Hai]."

As his voice fell, Great Undertaking immediately consumed some fortune and wrote it into the [Tongming Yiyun Talisman Book] without a single error, instantly triggering Heaven and Earth’s Killing Intent.

Almost simultaneously—

"Hm?"

In a remote town in the North, [Ang Xiao], who was currently occupying Master Xiao Hai’s body, suddenly looked up, having clearly sensed a shift in the karmic links.

In that instant, a chill flooded his heart.

’Who is plotting against me?’