Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

The Human World.

In an ethereal place, two figures sat opposite each other. One was shrouded in mist, while the other was a young, heroic-looking Daoist.

Lü Yang and Ang Xiao.

These two were not their true selves, but residual shadows branded by the Human World. However, they were more special than ordinary shadows.

After all, when the true selves of other shadows left their marks, their Dao Hearts had not yet reached Perfection. Such shadows normally wouldn’t remain in the Human World. Instead, they would dissolve into the Sea of Suffering, only to be extracted and have their consciousness briefly restored when needed.

But they were different.

Both Lü Yang and Ang Xiao had achieved Dao Heart Perfection before clearing the trial. Their true selves were resolute, their minds unshakable by a myriad of thoughts.

Therefore, even when the Human World drained their power, they would not dissipate.

They would simply exist as two ethereal figures, sitting within the Human World. They could seek Enlightenment, play chess, and go about their daily routines just like ordinary people.

Similarly, not a single rebellious thought would cross their minds.

Because their Dao Hearts were at Perfection and their true selves resolute, they each acknowledged only one Lü Yang and one Ang Xiao. Naturally, they had no desire to overturn the status quo.

"He’s back again..."

Suddenly, Ang Xiao’s shadow looked up, a faint smile on his face. "That Star Palace True Monarch, the one who cultivates the Cyan Dragon Star, he’s here to challenge the trial again."

"Senior can just go and handle him," Lü Yang’s shadow said nonchalantly.

But before his voice had even faded, Ang Xiao’s shadow retorted, displeased, "Why is it always me? You’re the Guardian now. You should be the one to take action."

"It’s because I’m stronger than you."

Lü Yang’s shadow chuckled. "The strongest serves as the Guardian. That’s the rule of the Human World. If Senior is unhappy, you’re welcome to go against the rules."

"Tsk... Shameless!"

Ang Xiao’s shadow grew even more frustrated upon hearing this. He also felt a surge of resentment toward his true self out in the world. After all, he had spoken with Lü Yang’s shadow several times here and had basically figured out that the person before him was the main culprit behind his true self’s failed plan. He was absolutely seething.

The most infuriating part was that he couldn’t even defeat him.

’I thought my true self leaving me here at the Early Stage of Golden Core, with a Seeking Dao Immortal Technique and an Emperor Fruit, was already shameless enough. I never expected someone even more ruthless...’

Ang Xiao’s shadow rose to his feet with a sigh of resignation.

In the next instant, an infinite torrent of conceptual water surged forth, rapidly solidifying his once-ethereal body. His Position and Mana were quickly replenished.

Then, he appeared before Zhu Xuanhao.

Without a single wasted word, he immediately unleashed the Veil of the Trees at full power. Once Zhu Xuanhao began to drool, he started to flay him and strip his bones, piece by piece.

But just then—

"Stop..."

Zhu Xuanhao’s eyes showed signs of a struggle. He fought to break free from his drooling, stupefied state while tremblingly squeezing out and sending forth a strand of spiritual perception.

"Hm?"

Ang Xiao’s shadow frowned slightly. He didn’t immediately receive the spiritual perception. Instead, he first swept the area with the Veil of the Trees and then checked it again with a Secret Technique.

Only after confirming there were no issues did he activate his Divine Sense to inspect it.

Then, his expression turned peculiar.

’The Jiaoxu Celestial Gate Star Core, an Upper Grade embryo for refining a Dharma Body. It’s certainly a good item, but I have no use for it. My true self doesn’t need a doppelgänger...’

’But this Cultivator from the Star Palace is interesting. Trying to bribe me?’

A new train of thought immediately opened up for Ang Xiao’s shadow.

On the other hand, his gaze became visibly stern. He smoothed his brow, and his long, narrow eyes unexpectedly revealed a righteous and formidable aura.

The next moment, the Veil of the Trees was dispelled.

"You wish to bribe me?"

Ang Xiao said in a deep voice, "Do you have any idea that this violates the rules of the Human World? As a Guardian, it is impossible for me to agree to your request!"

Zhu Xuanhao nodded hurriedly, but he couldn’t help but curse inwardly:

’Impossible to agree? Then why the hell did you dispel the Veil of the Trees if you weren’t going to agree... Oh, he thinks it’s not enough!’

At this thought, his brows furrowed. He silently cursed the Immortal Core Demon for his lack of cultivator integrity, brazenly hiking the price after deeming the goods rare.

That being said, he desperately wanted the opportunity within the Human World. He dreamed of it.

Thus, after careful consideration, Zhu Xuanhao lowered his stance and said in a deep voice, "Everything is negotiable. I wonder, what else might Senior desire?"

At these words, Ang Xiao’s shadow raised an eyebrow.

Heh heh... ’He’s not naming a price, but letting me name my own. This means two things: first, this Star Palace Cultivator is very rich, and second, he’s desperate for the opportunity in the Human World!’

’If I don’t extort a fortune from him, I’d be unworthy of my title as a Saint Sect True Monarch!’

At this thought, Ang Xiao’s shadow burst out laughing. "Hahaha, don’t overthink it. I’m just a residual shadow, after all. I have no need for physical items... How about this? I won’t ask for much. One piece of Five Elements Star Marrow, one drop of Sun and Moon Profound Juice, and an Upper Grade Ancient Technique."

’This is absolute extortion!’

Zhu Xuanhao was stunned. The Five Elements Star Marrow and the Sun and Moon Profound Juice—what were these things? They were Rare Treasures from Heaven and Earth that even a Star Monarch would covet!

The Five Elements Star Marrow is gathered from twenty of the twenty-eight Star Constellations. These Star Maps are categorized by the Five Elements. A portion is taken from each Star Map to be used as Elixir Materials. Then, using the stars as a furnace and the sun and moon as the fire, it must be refined with Great Magical Power for eighty-one years before a single piece can barely be produced.

At the same time, a companion Elixir Liquid is also refined alongside it.

This Elixir Liquid is different from the Five Elements Star Marrow. It is called Sun and Moon Profound Juice because it is a gathering of the sun and moon, a convergence of Yin and Yang, transcending the Five Elements.

The effects of the two are also completely different.

’The Five Elements Star Marrow can supplement the Five Elements and also act upon one’s Fruit, elevating its conceptual profundity to bring it closer to the level of an Emperor Fruit!’

’Furthermore, for those Perfected Lords with a Void Attainment Position who have paved their path in the Sea of Suffering, the Five Elements Star Marrow can help them stabilize their Dao Foundation. If their Great Dao is damaged, it can even be used to repair it. When it comes to one’s Fruit and Great Dao, it is practically omnipotent!’

As for the Sun and Moon Profound Juice, it was even more miraculous.

’The Sun and Moon Profound Juice is an essence that balances Yin and Yang. It has the profound ability to help one sacrifice their yin-lifespan to replenish their yang-lifespan, allowing them to live a second life and gain another lifetime.’

This profound ability should not be underestimated.

In an era where the Dharma Body has crumbled and the lifespans of all Cultivators have been greatly reduced, even a Perfected Lord of the Golden Core could not ignore such a life-extending elixir.

Compared to these two Rare Treasures, Ang Xiao’s shadow’s final request for an Upper Grade Ancient Technique was far simpler. The Star Palace’s vaults were full of them, including Golden Core Techniques created by Ancient Law True Monarchs, Profound Scriptures for cultivating Mana, and the cultivation notes of predecessors. They had as many as one could want.

’This Immortal Core Demon... is too much!’

From the standpoint of a Star Palace Cultivator, Zhu Xuanhao should have loudly condemned this shameless act of blackmail and decisively rejected the Immortal Core Demon’s insult.

But...

After a moment of silence, Zhu Xuanhao spoke. "Senior, please wait a moment. I will be right back."

Ang Xiao’s shadow raised his hand in a polite gesture.

The next moment, Zhu Xuanhao exited the Human World. He immediately looked to the Star Monarch of Qinghe and said in a low voice, "Master, the other party is taking advantage of the situation to rob me blind!"

"That’s normal."

The Star Monarch of Qinghe was clearly experienced, and he asked calmly, "What price did he name?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xuanhao replied, filled with righteous indignation, "Three pieces of Five Elements Star Marrow, three drops of Sun and Moon Profound Juice, and three Upper Grade Ancient Profound Scriptures!"