Chapter 730 - 725: Alliance Re-established
Time flew by in a flash.
In the heart of the Taihuang Realm, Lü Yang sat cross-legged, his body wreathed in a splendid light and swirling vapor. Behind him, the five colors of azure, yellow, red, white, and black shimmered faintly into view.
Moments later, Lü Yang opened his eyes.
"Haaa...."
His lips parted slightly, and he slowly exhaled a deep Qi trace. The faint dizziness in his Heart Spirit faded, and the unusual glow around his body quickly subsided.
After using up the [Magic], the [Jiaoxu Celestial Gate Star Core], and the [Sun and Moon Profound Juice] from the windfall sent by the Star Palace, Lü Yang only had two portions of [Five Elements Star Marrow] left. Without hesitation, he Refined them directly into his [Past Dust Appearance] to enhance its Divine Effect.
’[Five Elements Star Marrow]... is truly a Rare Treasure!’
’Not only can it enhance a Divine Fruit Position, but it can also mend the Great Dao.’
’Ideally, the best way to use it would have been to Refine it into my Dao of Arcane Body to mend it. In the long run, that would be far more beneficial for my future.’
’But... I’m so shortsighted!’
Lü Yang knew full well that long-term planning was for people who didn’t have a cheat. With the [Centome] in his possession, he had no need for such things.
’In the end, it’s debatable whether I’ll even live long enough in this life to re-establish the Dao of Arcane Body. So what’s the point of mending it? I might as well Refine this into my [Past Dust Appearance] and enhance the Divine Effect of the [Fruit of Lamp-Cover Fire]. Maybe I could even generate a new ability similar to the [Tribulation Evil Profound Light].’
This decision proved to be the right one.
With a flicker of his Heart Thought, two figures immediately appeared behind him. They bore a striking resemblance to him, except one was a youth and the other, an old man.
The youthful-looking [Past Dust Appearance] held a lamp in its hands.
The candlelight in the lamp flickered. Surging, radiant Qi gathered and seethed within, transforming into a streak of vermilion light. It moved like a bird soaring through the sky, incomparably nimble and vibrant.
’Night-Exorcising Candlelight!’
This was the radiant Ability that manifested after the [Past Dust Appearance] Refined two portions of [Five Elements Star Marrow], elevating the original Profound Mysterious of the [Fruit of Lamp-Cover Fire].
’This Fa has two variations.’
’The first is called [Holding Candle]. It’s not much different from the original Profound Mysterious of the [Fruit of Lamp-Cover Fire]. It can illuminate that which is unclear to Heaven and Earth, and shine upon that which the sun and moon cannot reach, exposing all the world’s hidden secrets.’
’However, unlike before, the elevated Profound Mysterious has an added reversal function. To put it simply, [Holding Candle] can be inverted to become [Night Exorcism]. Its effect is the complete opposite of the original ’secret revealing’—it becomes ’secret hiding.’ It can be used to seal away confidential matters!’
To put it bluntly—
’A mini Veil of the Trees!’
For a moment, Lü Yang wore an odd expression, but after some thought, he shook his head. ’No, it’s still different from the Veil of the Trees.’
’The power of the Veil of the Trees is beyond question.’
’Besides obscuring memories, it can even distort reality and take effect on a conceptual level. Not to mention, Ang Xiao has mastered it to a divine degree.’
’In comparison, [Night Exorcism] is actually more like a seal—sealing information, sealing oneself, sealing external objects... Its Innate Position is a notch lower.’
Of course, this was already quite impressive.
At least on a more superficial level, the outward effects of [Night Exorcism] weren’t much different from those of the Veil of the Trees. It was still a useful Ability.
"Everything... is ready!"
Lü Yang put away his [Past Dust Appearance], his face filled with resolve. He flicked his sleeve, rose to his feet, and then took out the Righteous Banner to summon the now completely subservient Dragon Map.
Lü Yang’s plan for Dragon Map was the same as his plan for Si Chou.
He was to hide in Demon Subduing Zhenren’s Spiritual Space and cooperate with Lü Yang when the time came. Until then, he was not to make contact, to avoid accidentally increasing the risk of exposure.
"I’m counting on you, Daoist."
After stuffing Dragon Map into Demon Subduing Zhenren’s Spiritual Space, Lü Yang nodded in satisfaction. Then, with a wave of his hand, he transformed the Perfected Person’s body into a Jade Statue.
This [Life Form Body] was only missing the final step of Spiritual Pointing, but Lü Yang was in no hurry to complete it. He tucked it into his sleeve and carefully sensed the refining progress of the [Great Mighty Spirit Qi]. After confirming there were no issues, he summoned a Flying Light and flew out of the Taihuang Realm.
"Senior, please show yourself!"
Lü Yang’s voice transformed into visible ripples, echoing thunderously through the Void Sea of Light. Before long, a figure appeared without a sound, still completely shrouded in smoke.
Only a pair of long, narrow eyes stared intently at Lü Yang. The eyeballs shifted, and who knew what thoughts were churning behind them, seemingly concealing countless devious plots.
’A naturally evil old ghost!’
While cursing him in his heart, Lü Yang put on a sincere smile. "Senior, I’m just about ready. When do we leave for the Immortal Pivot?"
"...."
Ang Xiao didn’t answer. He just sized up Lü Yang quietly, thinking, ’His Abilities have grown more profound. Is it because of the [Five Elements Star Marrow]?’
’Lü Yang had certainly been busy during this time, but he hadn’t been idle either. He had already used up the two drops of [Sun and Moon Profound Juice] he’d traded from Lü Yang, plus two of his own, as well as two portions of [Five Elements Star Marrow]. The effects were excellent; his previous injuries had fully healed.’
’His own progress was certainly gratifying.’
However, seeing that Lü Yang also seemed to have made significant progress, Ang Xiao suddenly felt a pang of bitterness. It was truly vexing.
’And another thing... is this guy really the reincarnation of a Master of Dao?’
’Before, when he asked me to translate that ancient text, was he deliberately putting on an act for me, or did he really not know?’
’But if he really didn’t know, how could he tell if there was a problem with the translation I gave him? In that case... was he still just putting on an act?’
’But why would he put on an act for me?’
At that moment, Ang Xiao felt a headache coming on. The Lü Yang before him was an enigma; no matter how he tried to figure him out, he couldn’t find the answer.
But soon, he pulled himself together.
’...Forget it!’
’No matter what his identity is, as long as he’s useful to me, that’s enough. At least for now, he’s not my match, and there’s still room for cooperation between us.’
With that thought, Ang Xiao stopped dwelling on it and said coolly,
"We can leave anytime."
"However, Daoist, you’re currently being watched by the Ancestral Master. If you leave the [Celestial Human Residual Consciousness] and he comes looking for you, I’m afraid I’ll be dragged down with you."
Lü Yang’s face darkened upon hearing this, and he sneered, "I was about to say the same thing."
’That’s right, I’m being watched by that old fossil from the Stain Sect. But what about you, Senior? After stealing the [Dragon and Snake Coiling Shadow Bodhisattva], chances are the Bhagavat is watching you too!’
We’re both in the same boat.
So what’s with the high and mighty act?
The two confronted each other. Finally, Ang Xiao was the one to break the silence. "Since that’s the case, you should be well aware, Daoist, that we can’t leave in our true bodies."
"So, how do you plan on getting to the Immortal Pivot?"
"I won’t hide it from you, Senior." Lü Yang took out the Demon Subduing Zhenren who had been turned into a Jade Statue and said, "I recently refined an avatar. It can make the trip in my place."
"Hm...?"
Ang Xiao glanced at the Demon Subduing Zhenren and immediately cursed in his heart: ’A Star Core? A Rare Treasure from the Star Palace... I knew he was hiding the good stuff!’
The next second, Ang Xiao also took out a statue from his sleeve. Lü Yang took a closer look and also cursed inwardly: ’An [Earth-Walking Avatar]? That thing actually wasn’t completely destroyed... Keeping this trump card, this old beast must have planned to ditch me and go it alone!’
The two then exchanged another look.
Lü Yang paused, then channeled his Spiritual perception to coalesce a Contract. On it, in black and white, was the very same Celestial Human Contract that Dragon Map had made him sign before.
"We’re in the same boat now, Senior."
"Sign it, and we can both rest easy."
Lü Yang described the effects of the Celestial Human Contract in detail. Upon hearing it, Ang Xiao laughed heartily, "So that’s how it is. It’s truly a perfect solution for us both."
After speaking, he readily signed the Magic Contract.
Seeing this, Lü Yang also revealed an amiable smile as he put away the Contract.
"To a successful partnership?"
"To a successful partnership!"
An unbreakable alliance was formed once again. For a moment, the entire [Celestial Human Residual Consciousness] echoed with the laughter of the two, who sounded as close as blood brothers.