Chapter 200: Do You Truly Take Me for a Lustful Ghost?

One had to admit that, as fellow Daoist partners of Holy Sect True Persons, Master Master Chongguang's wife was far more formidable than Lady Ruoxiang; her entire array of divine abilities and qi aura far surpassed the latter's.

Though clad in white mourning robes that lent her a quiet elegance and simplicity, this did nothing to conceal her innate beauty; rather, it made her appear even more dignified, yet what drew the eye even more than her features were the two radiant auras of divine abilities emanating from her, compelling one to sink deeply into them involuntarily.

Seeing this, Lu Yang's gaze instantly sharpened:

'Two innate divine abilities, and at the peak of the Mid Stage of Foundation Establishment?'

The next second, she looked toward Ye Gu's direction and said in a cold tone, "The Dongyang Blessed Land has not yet opened; causing such a great commotion violates the True Person's decree."

"Younger Sister, whatever grudges exist between you, would it not be better to settle them after entering the Blessed Land?"

Despite her words, her qi aura yielded not an inch; clearly, if Ye Gu truly intended to persist alone, she would have to face a pincer attack from both her and Lu Yang.

"... ery well."

After a moment of silence, Ye Gu looked at Lu Yang:

"Within the Blessed Land, we shall decide victory and defeat, and settle life and death!"

Leaving these words behind, Ye Gu immediately withdrew her sword light, landed steadily in the southern direction, and left behind only a strand of sword intent locking onto Lu Yang from afar.

Simultaneously, the woman rode her escape light to stand before Lu Yang and Daoist Yinshan, bowing slightly as she said, "This humble one is Miaoyin; I greet both Daoist friends."

"We dare not accept such courtesy; Lady, you honor us."

Without further ado, Lu Yang immediately cupped his fists in salute, not only because of her status as Master Master Chongguang's Daoist partner, but also because her cultivation base warranted their respect.

The next second, another figure unexpectedly stepped out from behind her.

Clad in an air of nobility yet currently appearing somewhat dejected, with slightly reddened eyes, he spoke in a heavy voice: "Junior Uncle Yinshan... is my father truly dead?"

Lu Yang looked over and immediately recognized the other party.

Master Master Chongguang's son, Chongming!

Several decades had passed, and this former greatest second-generation immortal within the sect had now successfully constructed his Dao Foundation; although still only at the Early Stage, he was no longer merely ordinary talent.

Facing Chongming's inquiry, Daoist Yinshan could not help but let out a long sigh, saying helplessly, "Perhaps there is still hope; Senior Brother has always been flawless in his calculations. Even though he was fully confident in this attempt to seek the Golden Core, he must have prepared a contingency plan in case of failure, which is precisely why we intend to enter the Blessed Land to investigate..."

Upon hearing these words, Chongming's eyes instantly brightened:

"Junior Uncle speaks the truth!"

Immediately after, Chongming gritted his teeth and whispered, "Calamities survive for a thousand years; what sort of figure was that old man? It is impossible for him to have died so easily!"

Lu Yang, watching from the side, felt somewhat surprised.

This demeanor looked nothing like that of Senior Senior Butian's family; could it truly be a case of a benevolent father and filial son? The more he looked, the more something felt off!

Thinking thus, he cast another glance at Chongming.

Could it be that you are Master Master Chongguang's contingency plan?

"Daoist Yuan Tu."

Just then, True Person Miaoyin suddenly turned to look at Lu Yang, saying softly, "Might we step aside for a private word? There are certain matters this humble one wishes to discuss with you in detail."

"Mother?"

Chongming wore a look of complete surprise, clearly having been informed of nothing beforehand, yet True Person Miaoyin merely waved her hand: "You first catch up with Daoist Yinshan."

"Daoist Yuan Tu, please come with me over there."

Having spoken, she actually drifted ahead first; although Lu Yang found this strange in his heart, he could only cup his fists in salute before following closely behind True Person Miaoyin.

The next second, True Person Miaoyin drew a cloud-whisk handkerchief from her sleeve and offered it into the air; instantly, a shower of treasure light spilled forth, isolating the two of them from the outside world. This was actually a high-grade magic treasure; when Lu Yang made a slight probe, he discovered that even using the Heaven-Exploring Instrument for deduction required some effort.

So secretive; what is she planning to do?

Lu Yang frowned tightly, only to see True Person Miaoyin turn back, her tone solemn: "Daoist Yuan Tu, this humble one knows you were the person my husband relied upon most before his passing."

"Lady jokes."

Lu Yang waved his hand: "Senior Brother Yinshan is Senior Uncle Master Chongguang's trusted confidant; this disciple is merely a junior who advanced later; how could I deserve such words as 'relied upon most'?"

"Yinshan will not suffice."

True Person Miaoyin shook her head: "His cultivation base is insufficient, and his strength does not compare to yours; more importantly... my husband's Immortal Spirit Body is not in his hands."

Upon hearing these words, Lu Yang immediately narrowed his eyes.

Immortal Spirit Body? Could it be that strand of Xin Metal Qi I obtained from True Person Shangxuan?

True Person Miaoyin did not pause, continuing, "This humble one is ten percent certain that while my husband may be on his deathbed, he has definitely not yet perished!"

Master Master Chongguang is not yet dead?

Hearing this, Lu Yang's expression remained calm, showing not a trace of surprise, whereas True Person Miaoyin looked somewhat unexpected at his reaction: "... aoist Yuan Tu, are you not the least bit curious?"

"It is merely as expected."

Lu Yang smiled: "If he had died from failing to seek the Golden Core, a Dao Calamity would surely have been born, one that only someone at the peak of Foundation Establishment could oppose; yet the True Person only allowed those at the Mid Stage of Foundation Establishment to enter the Blessed Land, and further instructed me to investigate the truth behind Senior Uncle's failed attempt, which clearly indicates the Dao Calamity has not yet manifested; thus, deducing that Senior Uncle has not completely perished is not difficult."

As his voice fell, True Person Miaoyin immediately pressed her red lips together.

"... our reputation is well-deserved; Daoist Yuan Tu is so meticulous in thought, no wonder my husband praised you as a future pillar of the Holy Sect; entrusting this matter to you puts this humble one at ease."

Save that routine! I haven't agreed yet!

Lu Yang smiled without speaking, while True Person Miaoyin shifted topics: "To be honest, this humble one possesses a rather special constitution, referred to in ancient texts as the Heavenly Sound Constitution."

"Dual cultivation with a woman of this constitution allows one to cultivate a Dao method named the Seven Emotions Heart-Refining Mantra."

Speaking thus, True Person Miaoyin maintained a normal tone, saying generously:

"This method is known as 'Seemingly Emotional Yet Truly Emotionless'; by refining the heart through the seven emotions, upon perfection one can achieve the realm of 'Better to forget each other in the rivers and lakes than to moisten each other with foam'."

"In the past, Master Chongguang and I became Daoist partners precisely to cultivate this Dao method."

"According to him, once this method is successfully cultivated, combined with his innate Immortal Spirit foundation, even if seeking the Golden Core fails, he can transform into the Earth-and-Heaven Spirit of the Blessed Land."

"Under such circumstances, as long as his former Immortal Spirit Body is retrieved, even if all hope of seeking the Golden Core is lost forever, upon return he can at least become a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator; therefore, both this humble one and you, Daoist Yuan Tu, are the contingency plans my husband left behind, allowing him to retain a sliver of survival chance should his attempt to seek the Golden Core fail."

Upon hearing these words, Lu Yang finally displayed a look of surprise.

At the same time, he felt even more admiration in his heart for Master Master Chongguang's flawless calculations; a failed attempt to seek the Golden Core should have been a certain death situation, yet he had actually managed to find a way to survive.

"... understand."

Lu Yang nodded: "Does Lady mean that you wish for me to use the Immortal Spirit Body in my possession to guide Senior Uncle Master Chongguang back, in which case there might still be a turning point?"

"Correct." True Person Miaoyin nodded.

Hearing this, Lu Yang's expression immediately turned serious: "Rest assured, Lady; this disciple has deeply benefited from Senior Uncle's kindness; how could I stand by and do nothing?"

"However... this disciple also faces many difficulties."

"That strand of Xin Metal Qi is the most precious thing in this disciple's hands; if I give it up to guide Senior Uncle back yet gain nothing in return, this puts this disciple in a very difficult position."

The implied meaning was clear: What about my benefits?

Lady, surely you wouldn't want Senior Uncle Master Chongguang to be unable to return?

Hearing this, True Person Miaoyin's expression remained unchanged; after all, as a Holy Sect True Person, she was well aware of the sect's prevailing style of never releasing the eagle until the rabbit is spotted.

"... hat does Daoist Yuan Tu desire?"

As her voice fell, True Person Miaoyin lifted her head, her light, beautiful eyes revealing a hint of helplessness, while her exquisite face displayed a touch of weakness.

However, the next second, Lu Yang stepped backward, actively increasing the distance between them.

Ridiculous; does she truly take me for a lustful ghost?

Seeing this, Lu Yang sneered and said, "I want a First Grade True Art of the Holy Sect! That is the true secret transmission of the Holy Sect; I wonder if Lady happens to have one?"

"..."

Upon hearing these words, True Person Miaoyin, who just moments ago had appeared so weak as if she could be toppled with the slightest push, immediately narrowed her eyes and returned to her original state.

(End of Chapter)