Chapter 234: You really think I'm a starving ghost of lust?

He had to admit that, as fellow dao companions of True Persons of the Holy Sect, Master Chongguang's Lady was far more formidable than Lady Ruoxiang—her divine abilities and qi presence vastly exceeded the latter's.

He saw that although she wore a white mourning dress, appearing quiet, elegant, and unadorned, it did nothing to conceal her naturally beautiful features; instead, it made her all the more dignified. Yet what drew the eye even more than her looks were the two radiant halos of divine ability shimmering about her, impossible not to be drawn into.

Lu Yang's gaze sharpened at the sight:

'Two innate divine abilities, mid Foundation Establishment, perfected?'

The next moment, he saw her look toward Ye Guyue's direction and say in a cool tone: "The Cave Yang Blessed Land has not yet opened; raising a great disturbance here violates the True Monarch's decree."

"This sister—why not settle whatever grudge lies between you after we enter the Blessed Land?"

Though her words said one thing, her qi presence yielded not an inch—clearly, if Ye Guyue truly meant to act alone, she would have to face a pincer attack from her and Lu Yang.

"... Very well."

After a moment of silence, Ye Guyue looked toward Lu Yang:

"Inside the Blessed Land, you and I will decide the victor—and life or death!"

Leaving those words behind, Ye Guyue immediately withdrew her sword-light and landed steadily toward the southern direction, leaving only a wisp of sword intent that locked onto Lu Yang from afar.

At the same time, the woman rode her escape-light over to Lu Yang and True Person Yinshan, bowed slightly, and said: "I am Miaoyin; greetings to the two fellow daoists."

"I dare not accept such courtesy, Lady."

Without a word of hesitation, Lu Yang cupped his hands in a bow—not only because of her status as Master Chongguang's dao companion, but also because her cultivation warranted the gesture.

The next moment, however, he saw another person step out from behind her.

This person was draped in noble bearing, yet at this moment appeared somewhat dispirited, his eyes slightly red, and he said in a low voice: "Uncle Yinshan... is my father truly already dead?"

Lu Yang looked over and immediately recognized the other party.

Chongguang's son—Chongming!

Several decades had passed, and this once greatest second-generation immortal of the sect had actually built his dao foundation as well. Though still at the early stage, at least he was no longer a waste.

Facing Chongming's question, True Person Yinshan could not help but heave a long sigh and say helplessly: "There may still be hope. Senior brother has always planned without oversight; even though he went seeking the Golden Core with full confidence this time, he must have left a contingency for failure. That is why we plan to enter the Blessed Land to investigate the truth..."

At these words, Chongming's eyes immediately brightened:

"Uncle is right!"

Then Chongming gritted his teeth and said in a low voice: "A curse lasts a thousand years—that old man is no ordinary figure; he couldn't have died just like that!"

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

That look—why does it seem so different from the family of the Butian Peak Lord? Truly a loving father and filial son? The more I look, the more something feels off!

Thinking this, he stole another glance at Chongming.

Could you be Chongguang's contingency?

"Fellow daoist Duanmu Yuan Tu."

Just then, he saw True Person Miaoyin suddenly turn toward Lu Yang and say softly: "Might I borrow a word? There are some matters I need to discuss with you in detail."

"Mother?"

Chongming looked visibly surprised—clearly he had not been informed beforehand—but True Person Miaoyin merely waved her hand: "You go and catch up with Fellow daoist Yinshan first."

"Fellow daoist Duanmu Yuan Tu, come with me over there."

Having said that, she actually drifted over first. Though Lu Yang found it strange, he could only cup his hands in a bow and then follow closely behind True Person Miaoyin.

The next moment, he saw True Person Miaoyin take a cloud-fringed handkerchief from her sleeve and offer it into the air, instantly shaking out a sheet of treasure-light that cut her and him off from the outside world. This was actually a fine spiritual treasure—Lu Yang probed it briefly and found that even using the Jietian Device to divine through it took considerable effort.

This secretive—what is she planning?

Lu Yang frowned deeply, but saw True Person Miaoyin turn back and say solemnly: "Fellow daoist Duanmu Yuan Tu, I know you were the person my husband relied on most during his lifetime."

"The Lady jests."

Lu Yang waved his hand: "Senior brother Yinshan is the true confidant of Uncle Chongguang. I am merely a junior who rose later—how could I possibly bear such words as 'relied on most'?"

"Yinshan won't do."

True Person Miaoyin shook her head: "His cultivation is insufficient, his strength is not as great as yours, and more importantly... my husband's immortal spirit-body is not in his hands."

At these words, Lu Yang immediately narrowed his eyes.

An immortal spirit-body? Could it be that strand of Xin Metal qi he had obtained from True Person Shangxuan?

True Person Miaoyin did not pause and continued: "I am ten-tenths certain that my husband may be on the verge of passing, but he has certainly not yet perished!"

Master Chongguang is not yet dead?

Hearing this, Lu Yang's expression remained calm, showing not the slightest surprise. Instead, True Person Miaoyin, seeing this, was somewhat taken aback: "... Duanmu Yuan Tu, aren't you even a little curious?"

"It was within expectation."

Lu Yang smiled: "If he had died from a failed Golden Core attempt, a dao-sin would surely have arisen—one requiring a perfected Foundation Establishment to face. Yet the True Monarch only allowed mid Foundation Establishment cultivators into the Blessed Land, and even asked me to uncover the truth behind Uncle's failed Golden Core attempt. Clearly, no dao-sin has yet arisen, so deducing that Uncle has not completely perished is not difficult."

At the fall of his words, True Person Miaoyin immediately pressed her red lips together.

"... Worthy of your reputation. With such a meticulous mind, no wonder my husband praised you as a future pillar of the Holy Sect. Entrusting this matter to you puts my heart at ease as well."

Cut the flattery! I haven't agreed to anything yet!

Lu Yang smiled without speaking, while True Person Miaoyin shifted the topic: "To be frank, my constitution is rather special—ancient texts call it the Heavenly Sound Physique."

"Any man who dual-cultivates with a woman bearing this constitution can master a dao art called the Seven Emotions Heart-Refining Curse."

At this point, True Person Miaoyin spoke as usual, with graceful composure:

"This art is known as 'The Dao is sentimental yet heartless.' By refining the heart through the seven emotions, perfection can reach the realm of 'Rather than clinging to each other in hardship, it is better to forget each other in the world.'"

"In the past, when Chongguang formed a dao-companion bond with me, it was precisely to cultivate this dao art."

"According to him, once this art is mastered, combined with his innate immortal-spirit roots, even if the Golden Core attempt failed, he could transform into a spirit of heaven and earth within the Blessed Land."

"In that case, as long as his former immortal spirit-body is recovered, even if the Golden Core is forever beyond reach, at minimum he could return as a perfected Foundation Establishment cultivator. Therefore, both I and you, Duanmu Yuan Tu, are the contingencies my husband left behind, to preserve a slim chance of survival after his failed Golden Core attempt."

At these words, Lu Yang finally showed a hint of surprise.

At the same time, he inwardly marveled at Master Chongguang's flawless planning—what should have been a certain-death scenario after a failed Golden Core attempt, and yet he had still found a way to survive.

"... I understand."

Lu Yang nodded: "Does Lady mean she wants me to use the Immortal Spirit Body in my possession to guide Master Chongguang back? In that case, perhaps there is still a chance?"

"Exactly." True Person Miaoyin nodded.

Hearing this, Lu Yang's expression immediately grew serious: "Lady, rest assured. This disciple owes Master Chongguang a great debt of gratitude; how could I possibly ignore it?"

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

"That Xin Metal Qi is the most precious thing in my hands. If I use it to guide Master Chongguang back, I will gain nothing in return, which leaves me in a very difficult position."

The implication was clear: Where is my reward?

Lady, you wouldn't want Master Chongguang to be unable to return, would you?

Upon hearing this, True Person Miaoyin's expression did not change; after all, she was a True Person of the Holy Sect and well aware of the sect's long-standing habit of not letting go of the eagle until it sees the rabbit.

"... What does Duanmu Yuan Tu want?"

As her words fell, True Person Miaoyin raised her head, a hint of helplessness visible in her pair of clear, beautiful eyes, and a trace of weakness appeared on her delicate face.

However, the very next second, Lu Yang stepped back, deliberately putting distance between them.

What a joke; did she really think he was a lustful ravenous ghost?

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 has one in her possession?"

"..."

The moment these words were spoken, True Person Miaoyin, who had just appeared weak as if she could be toppled with the slightest push, immediately narrowed her eyes and returned to her original state.

(End of this chapter)