Chapter 271: Facing Ang Xiao

"The Great Forest Tree has branches that shake the wind and boughs that hold up the moon; it embodies the virtue of towering over ravines and piercing the heavens, and the power to overshadow clouds and block the sun."

Since learning that the True Lord who reversed 【Chen Earth】 was suspected to be the Saint Sect's 【Ang Xiao Bi Ri True Person】, Lu Yang had thoroughly researched this position.

【Great Forest Tree】 is famed as "sound echoing through the Nine Heavens, yin flourishing over ten thousand hectares," being the supreme force of Wood, one of the highest few positions; the only position capable of challenging it is 【Pine and Cypress Wood】, yet everyone knows that to challenge is to be inferior, so there remains a clear gap between them.

Only after understanding it did he realize how terrifying it was.

"Block the sun, block the sun—it truly obscures the heavens and covers the sky!"

"Who the hell can resist this perceptual barrier?"

Thus at this moment, Lu Yang felt only relief: heaven and earth bear witness, thank goodness I was cautious and sent only my Immortal Embryo avatar out, while my true body still hides within the Saint Sect.

Otherwise, wouldn't it be over?

Despite this, Lu Yang immediately knelt to the ground, bowed his head, and spoke respectfully: "Disciple Lu Yang pays homage to the Ang Xiao Bi Ri True Person."

Even as he showed reverence, he pondered one thing.

Why follow me?

With my cultivation, though I shone brightly in 【Qing State】, my circle was limited to Foundation Establishment mid-stage; I wasn't even considered a Great True Person.

How could such a level possibly draw the attention of the 【Ang Xiao Bi Ri True Person】? And why did he specifically use the Perceptual Barrier to make Master Chongguang trail me all this way? If I hadn't been about to leave, he'd probably have kept silently following me. Merely imagining it sent a chill through Lu Yang's heart.

"Thank goodness I don't have the habit of talking to myself!"

Heaven and earth bear witness—if I'd ever, in the absence of others, muttered a few words about the Hundred Generations Book restarting, wouldn't it have been the end of everything?

"This damn Great Forest Tree is too sinister!"

Lu Yang cursed inwardly while speaking humbly: "Disciple is dull and ignorant—what matter could possibly require the True Person's presence? I am filled with dread."

As Lu Yang finished speaking, silence fell like death. Master Chongguang—or rather, this mysterious 【Ang Xiao Bi Ri True Person】—continued gazing at the sky above, intently observing everything around him. After a long while, he finally turned his gaze to Lu Yang.

"No wonder you're the Saint Sect's prodigy."

A light remark, yet it sent a chill through Lu Yang: He admitted it?

Until now, even True Person Qingcheng Feixue had only said the mysterious True Lord who reversed 【Chen Earth】 was "suspected" to be Ang Xiao.

But now, his response seemed to confirm this identity!

Then the 【Ang Xiao Bi Ri True Person】 continued: "I had wondered why the Saint Sect's prodigy was such an ordinary figure in fortune."

"So I followed you for a while. Now I see Master Chongguang didn't misjudge you—you may have ordinary fortune, but your methods are indeed impressive."

"As for talent and comprehension… hmm, you live up to your reputation."

"Pity."

As the True Person finished speaking, Lu Yang nearly lost control of his dantian, breaking into cold sweat—so it was because of this that he followed me?

Could it be he suspected I'd gained some great opportunity, trailed me all this way, and would appear to seize it the moment I acquired something valuable?

And when he said "pity"—was it because he found nothing?

"Damn it, you bastard!"

The instant this thought flashed through Lu Yang's mind, the True Person before him suddenly spoke, his voice calm yet carrying an unnerving certainty as if seeing straight into his soul:

"You were just cursing me, weren't you?"

". Disciple is terrified—disciple holds only reverence and devotion toward the True Person."

Though startled, Lu Yang remained composed—Foundation Establishment was already a True Person; unlike Qi Condensation, even a True Lord couldn't read minds.

"Don't play that game."

The True Person smiled: "I don't need to read your mind to know what you're thinking—I was once treated the same way by other True Lords, and I climbed up step by step."

"Back then, I swore that if I ever attained great spiritual power, I'd treat others the same way."

When I got soaked in the rain, why should you get to hold an umbrella?

With the True Person saying this, Lu Yang dared not reply—he kept his head bowed, pretending not to hear, while preparing for self-destruction.

After all, his true body still remained in the Saint Sect; at worst, he'd lose only this Immortal Embryo avatar. He didn't believe the True Person could descend from the heavens and reach out a giant hand to drag him out of the Connecting Cloud Sea. As long as his true body remained unharmed, the avatar's death meant nothing—it was made for this purpose.

Yet the next second, Lu Yang suddenly realized: No—this wasn't his proper reaction!

What was his current situation? The only True Person in the world who cultivates 【City Wall Earth】, and yet 【City Wall Earth】 had fallen into the hands of the Pure Land.

Strictly speaking, his Dao path was already cut off.

If he were only Foundation Establishment early-stage, that would be one thing—but now he was mid-stage, nearing perfection, with a real chance of becoming a Great True Person.

Under these circumstances, how could he not be anxious about his Dao path?

And if he were anxious about his Dao path, how could he possibly stand there silently before a great being like the 【Ang Xiao Bi Ri True Person】 without asking anything?

One who seeks gold will risk everything—even before a True Lord, no matter the pressure.

To speak up voluntarily was the proper response. To remain silent… would only make the True Person suspect he held some hidden card!

Instantly, Lu Yang slammed his head hard against the ground, feigning courage despite terror, gritting his teeth to whisper: "Disciple has long heard of the True Person's great name—like thunder in the ears. You were once a senior of our Saint Sect. I beg you, Elder, to grant this disciple a clear path."

He finished speaking, trembling with relief, and dared not even look at the True Person.

Unbeknownst to him, the True Person's face had softened into a smile—the suspicion born from Lu Yang's silence had vanished.

"It seems this disciple truly has no special opportunity."

The next instant, Lu Yang saw the 【Ang Xiao Bi Ri True Person】, who had secretly taken Master Chongguang's body to walk among mortals, begin to fade.

Only a lingering voice remained:

"【City Wall Earth】 is the supreme force of Earth, a top-tier position. Beneath Earth lies 【Ming Fu】. If you have the will, enter my 【Ming Fu】—there lies a glimmer of hope."

With those words, the True Person vanished completely.

Left? Or just hiding again?

Lu Yang, still shaken, watched as the nearly frozen world resumed motion—as if their entire exchange had been a fleeting dream.

Yet he still could not understand.

Was it only because I'm the Saint Sect's prodigy that he followed me? How could a True Lord possibly take such a serious interest in a junior who isn't even a Great True Person?

Who could possibly stir the True Lord's imperial carriage, if not a Great True Person?

Thinking of the Great True Person he had encountered in Wan Wu Jie, Lu Yang suddenly shifted his thoughts, giving rise to a deeper question.

Is this True Lord truly 【Ang Xiao】?

After all, 【Ang Xiao】 is a Sacred Sect True Lord—why such secrecy? If he came for only my avatar, why not approach my true body directly?

Mysterious and confusing!

This True Lord already carried too many mysteries, and with that damned cognitive barrier present, one could easily overlook crucial clues.

You wouldn't even realize what you had overlooked!

As he pondered, Lu Yang no longer dwelled on the earlier question of "why the True Lord followed him," and naturally let it slip from his mind.

Meanwhile, in another region of Wan Wu Jie.

He summoned incense, donned proper robes, sat upright in his cave dwelling, and bowed deeply before the figure that suddenly appeared before him, prostrating himself fully:

"Your servant pays homage to 【Ang Xiao】 the Concealing Sun True Lord!"

(End of Chapter)