At the center of the Skull Mountains, Lü Yang sat in silent ditation, holding the Myriad-Soul Banner, surrounded by a throng of ghosts. He made no effort to conceal the aura of his final-phase Qi Refining cultivation.
Imdiately after, a Splendid Light shone into the Yama Hall.
The light gathered into a human form, and Perfected Yin Shan stepped out from it. His face was filled with astonishnt, his gaze fixed on Lü Yang as he secretly began to divine his karmic links.
However, he was stunned.
This ti, Lü Yang had not deliberately concealed his karmic links. On the contrary, he had proactively revealed most of them, which was what had so greatly shocked Perfected Yin Shan.
"You’re... Lü Yang?"
In his calculations, it had only been a little over ten years since Lü Yang joined the Sect, yet his cultivation had already reached the final-phase of Qi Refining. If that could still be understood, then achieving a Legendary Technique at such a young age was simply preposterous. It was definitely not sothing an ordinary, grassroots disciple could achieve!
After a mont of silence, Perfected Yin Shan ca to the exact sa conclusion as in the previous life:
"Might I ask, Daoist, which Perfected Person of our Stain Sect are you the reincarnation of?"
Lü Yang: "..."
Before Lü Yang could respond, Progenitor Tingyou materialized behind him and said with a sneer, "A Perfected Person of the Stain Sect? This is the inheritor of my Wu Ghost Sect!"
"The Wu Ghost Sect?"
Perfected Yin Shan was startled again. He looked at Progenitor Tingyou and divined for another mont before his face showed his surprise. "Tingyou? The last Sect Leader of the Wu Ghost Sect?"
"The sixth generation, not the last!" Progenitor Tingyou spoke again, clearly displeased with the term ’last.’ He stated coldly, "My Wu Ghost Sect has persisted for a thousand years; our succession has never been broken. Lü Yang is my Wu Ghost Inheritor, rely taking temporary shelter under the Stain Sect!"
"Oh?"
Perfected Yin Shan was taken aback for a mont, then a look of understanding dawned in his eyes. If that was the case, then Lü Yang’s rapid progress in cultivation was understandable.
Joining a master while already possessing skills—it made perfect sense.
Thinking of this, Perfected Yin Shan glanced again at Guardian Su Nu behind Lü Yang. She was the real reason he hadn’t attacked the mont he appeared.
’An Avatar Guardian with a Foundation Establishnt Cultivation...?’
A realization struck Perfected Yin Shan. He now saw Su Nu as part of the Wu Ghost Sect’s hidden reserves. In that case, it wasn’t strange for Lü Yang to have mastered a Legendary Technique at such a young age.
After all, the difficulty of cultivating a Legendary Technique was mostly for the Qi Refiners; it wasn’t nearly as hard for a Perfected. It was perfectly normal for soone as young as Lü Yang to master one.
The only question was where this Legendary Technique ca from. Yet, when Perfected Yin Shan finished his divination, the trail led back to himself.
"You... are a mber of my Sanhe Association?"
Watching Perfected Yin Shan’s expression change, Lü Yang remained perfectly calm.
Of all his Legendary Techniques, there was only one whose karmic links could be traced: the Demonic Tribulation Light, which he had only learned in this life.
And this Legendary Technique was a benefit of joining the Sanhe Association.
So no matter how one looked at it, his credentials were unimpeachable. Besides, he had signed the Sanhe Association’s Contract; strictly speaking, he was one of Perfected Yin Shan’s own people.
As for his other Legendary Techniques of unclear origin, he could reveal them after he was promoted to a Direct Disciple and had established his status. By then, it wouldn’t arouse suspicion.
To that end, he had to beco a True Disciple as quickly as possible!
Generally speaking, to beco a True Disciple of the Stain Sect, one needed the backing of a Foundation-Stage Cultivator, which signified that you had earned the Sect’s trust.
When you’re out making your way in the world, it’s all about power and connections.
Without connections, you’re just a nobody, destined to be used as a resource by others.
Therefore, Lü Yang had to demonstrate his value and win over a backer strong enough for his needs. The title "Wu Ghost Inheritor" was an excellent fit.
"Replying to Senior, yes."
Lü Yang bowed respectfully and said, "It was Senior Sister Feixia who ca to my door and invited to join. I apologize for concealing this before. I hope Senior will not bla ."
"I see..."
Perfected Yin Shan looked at Lü Yang with a peculiar expression. "You could have remained hidden. Why expose yourself now? Do you intend to reestablish the Wu Ghost Sect?"
He didn’t doubt Lü Yang’s identity. After all, Progenitor Tingyou’s karmic links were perfectly clear. He was the last Sect Leader of the Wu Ghost Sect, and even he had taken the initiative to acknowledge Lü Yang’s status as the "Wu Ghost Inheritor."
How could it be fake? It wasn’t as if a re Qi Refiner like Lü Yang could deceive Progenitor Tingyou, was it?
"Senior, you misunderstand."
Lü Yang shook his head decisively. "I am a disciple of the Stain Sect. Although I have received the inheritance of the Wu Ghost Sect, my heart belongs to the Stain Sect. I have absolutely no intention of establishing another sect."
"In fact, I wish to offer the Wu Ghost Sect’s legacies to the Stain Sect."
"...Oh?"
Hearing this, Perfected Yin Shan glanced at Progenitor Tingyou and was even more surprised to see him show no reaction. He had no idea that Lü Yang had already cleared it with him.
A thousand years had passed. Progenitor Tingyou had long since accepted reality.
The priority was the Sect’s survival and perservation. As long as the lineage survived, it was only natural to pay a price for shelter under a Major Sect.
"Interesting..."
Perfected Yin Shan finally understood. He looked at Lü Yang with a half-smile. "Are you trying to use the Wu Ghost Sect’s lineage as a stepping stone for your promotion?"
"Can’t I?" Lü Yang retorted.
"Hahaha! You can! Of course you can!"
The next second, Perfected Yin Shan burst out laughing. All his previous doubts vanished, and his gaze toward Lü Yang was filled with admiration. "As expected of a disciple of my Stain Sect!"
In Stain Sect, they didn’t care about rit, reincarnation, or background—only your value!
If your value was high enough, it wouldn’t matter if you were the inheritor of the Wu Ghost Sect; even if you were the inheritor of the Celestial Sword Pavilion, they would still take you in. The Stain Sect never cared about such things!
Thinking of this, Perfected Yin Shan now fully understood Lü Yang’s request. "You want to be a Direct Disciple?"
Lü Yang cupped his hands. "Exactly, your Perfected."
"I’ll agree to this matter."
Perfected Yin Shan smiled. "Your contribution in offering the Wu Ghost Sect to the Stain Sect will be imnse. I can recomnd you to the higher-ups and secure you a spot as a Direct Disciple."
At this mont, the way Perfected Yin Shan looked at Lü Yang had changed. If before he was looking at a stranger, then after learning that Lü Yang had joined the Sanhe Association and even signed a Magic Contract, he now regarded Lü Yang as one of his own juniors—a talented cultivator worthy of significant cultivation.
’Perfect. Senior Brother Chong Guang and I have already agreed to go to that place in eighty years...’
Although Perfected Yin Shan favored Luo Wuya, attempting to reach Foundation Establishnt was a near-certain path to death, and no one could be sure of the outco. Thus, he also wanted to find so backup candidates.
Besides, strictly speaking, Lü Yang clearly had a better chance than Luo Wuya.
"Thank you, Senior!"
Seeing this, Lü Yang also smiled and cupped his hands in thanks. At the sa ti, he breathed a sigh of relief internally. With this, he could finally be considered to have so status in the Stain Sect.
Of course, this status was currently just a title without substance.
After all, to truly earn the Stain Sect’s trust, he would inevitably have to go through a long probation period.
’But it doesn’t matter.’
’After all, the one thing I don’t lack is ti!’
...
Stain Sect, the heart of the Sea of Clouds.
This place was called the Holy Fire Cliff. It was where the Sect Leader and all the Perfected Lords went into seclusion. The only Perfected Person permitted to enter this place was the current Interim Sect Leader.
Perfected Chong Guang.
At this mont, this valiant and ambitious Perfected Person was waiting with a solemn expression before a Quiet Chamber, silently calculating the days in his mind.
’It’s almost ti...’
An unknown amount of ti passed before Perfected Chong Guang raised his head. Almost simultaneously, the Quiet Chamber before him opened with a soft sound, and a graceful figure pushed the door open and walked out.
"Greetings, Her Perfected Lord, World Purger Fei Xue!"
Without a word, Perfected Chong Guang bowed low and only straightened when a gentle voice said, "Rise. There is no need for such ceremony. Chong Guang, how has your cultivation been recently?"
"I have made so progress."
Perfected Chong Guang remained slightly bowed as he said solemnly, "A few days ago, I successfully cultivated the final stem needed, Steel Fla Furnace. My Dao path is now at Perfection, and I am only one step away from ascending to my Fruit."
"You’ve completed the Steel Fla Furnace?"
A pleased expression imdiately appeared on World Purger Fei Xue’s face. "That stem derives from Si Fire. With this, your Dao path has gathered Major Wood, Chen Earth, Minor Wood, and Si Fire. All four ingredients are now gathered. I believe the Fruit of Lamp-Cover Fire is now within your grasp."
"When do you plan to ascend?"
"It will still take ti." Perfected Chong Guang shook his head. "Fortune is not yet dead, and he still has Perfected Lords backing him. I’m afraid a rash attempt to ascend would be difficult to succeed."
"Therefore, I plan to go to ’that place’."
"Oh?" World Purger Fei Xue was surprised for a mont, then nodded. "With your cultivation, you are barely qualified to go, but you will need several helpers."
"I already have candidates in mind." Perfected Chong Guang nodded.
World Purger Fei Xue didn’t press further, simply nodding. "I have always trust your way of handling matters... However, I have co out of seclusion this ti for the Battle for the Dao."
"The Battle for the Dao? So soon?" Perfected Chong Guang was taken aback.
World Purger Fei Xue shook her head. "The great millennial calamity is approaching, and the heavenly stars are in disarray. This is only to be expected. Go and inform the Stain Sect. Summon the Direct Disciples."
"...Yes!"
Perfected Chong Guang nodded, but a hint of worry appeared on his face.
If this had been over ten years ago, he wouldn’t have been concerned. Back then, Perfected Yin Shan had not yet broken through to Foundation Establishnt, and he was powerful enough to suppress the Qi Refiners of all other Sects.
But now, Perfected Yin Shan had already reached Foundation Establishnt.
Although there were other astonishing talents among the Direct Disciples besides Perfected Yin Shan, most of them were stationed in various locations across the North and could not be easily moved.
And among the available ones, they were now short one astonishing existence who had the power to secure victory.
The other Dao Lineages had likely seen this as well, which was why they were initiating another Battle for the Dao so soon. Their goal was to suppress the Stain Sect’s montum.
’It seems the Stain Sect will have to take a loss this ti...’
Thinking of this, Perfected Chong Guang couldn’t help but sigh.
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