Chapter 281: Loyalty Beyond Words!

Compared to the soul-searching methods of 【Heavenly Mother's Transformation Profound Light】 combined with the 【Heaven-Mending True Scripture】, the Myriad Souls Banner's conversion of banner spirits could also achieve a soul-searching effect.

However, the latter had a flaw: it lacked autonomy.

Unless it was someone like Chen Chen Xinan or the Ancestral You, banner spirits who had voluntarily entered the banner while alive, most banner spirits would only act upon commands.

Therefore, soul-searching a banner spirit could only be conducted through "questioning."

Yet, this easily led to a vicious cycle.

Lu Yang: "Why didn't you tell me about this matter?"

Banner Spirit: "You didn't ask."

Lu Yang: "If I don't know, how can I ask?"

Banner Spirit: "If you don't ask, how would I know whether you know or not?"

And then they would just stall awkwardly.

Thus, compared to the Myriad Souls Banner, Lu Yang still preferred to let Chen Chen Xinan handle it; after all, since it concerned cultivation, causing him some hardship was something he believed Chen Chen Xinan could understand.

Jiangnan, the Ten Thousand People Pit.

This was where the fragments of the Heavenly Court had fallen; clearly, the True Person of Jiange had done this intentionally, simultaneously removing this nail that the Holy Sect had planted in Jiangnan.

Seeing this, Lu Yang felt somewhat emotional; after all, in so many previous lives, although the Ten Thousand People Pit of Jiangnan had once changed hands, it was ultimately always retaken by the Holy Sect without significant damage, yet in this life, under his influence, this wonder was directly uprooted, leaving not even a scrap behind.

'However, the Holy Sect probably didn't suffer a loss either.'

The fact that Minghua Tianxian and others had sought him out was clearly the Holy Sect's doing; the Holy Sect was likely the first faction to breach the 【Xuan Ling Realm】.

Under such circumstances, the Holy Sect was undoubtedly making a fortune.

On the contrary, Jiange had suffered considerable losses.

If not for this, the Holy Sect would never have sat idly by while Jiange filled the Ten Thousand People Pit like this; presumably, the True Persons on both sides were conducting a tacit transaction.

"Hmm?"

As he approached the Heavenly Court fragments, Lu Yang discovered that someone was already waiting there; the leader looked ordinary, yet his brows and eyes radiated sharp, soaring vigor.

'Master Chongguang!?'

Almost simultaneously, Master Chongguang noticed Lu Yang's gaze and looked over.

"Hmm?"

The appearance of this clone of Lu Yang had never changed; after all, this was the face he had crafted from the start, and even if it had changed, it would be easily detected by others.

Therefore, Master Chongguang recognized him at a glance.

Seeing this, Lu Yang frowned slightly but didn't mind; after all, to Master Chongguang, he was currently an undercover agent loyal to the Holy Sect, so Master Chongguang could not expose him.

Moreover, even if he were truly exposed, Lu Yang wouldn't care.

After all, Master Chongguang was a True Person of the Holy Sect.

Would anyone believe the words of a Holy Sect True Person?

So although he noticed Master Chongguang looking over, Lu Yang calmly met his gaze with the demeanor of an open and upright gentleman, which instead made Master Chongguang somewhat surprised.

'Interesting... is he truly an undercover agent?'

Master Chongguang pondered in his heart but revealed nothing on his face, naturally sliding his gaze away from Lu Yang until it finally rested upon the Demon-Quelling True Person:

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Demon-Queller."

The Demon-Quelling True Person returned the salute equally: "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Master Chongguang."

Despite these words, a hint of confusion floated in the Demon-Quelling True Person's eyes; clearly, he had not expected Master Chongguang to appear in this place at this time.

'Shouldn't he be in Jiangbei?'

The Heavenly Court in the 【Xuan Ling Realm】 was divided into four parts; since the Holy Sect gained the most, it naturally became the target of everyone's arrows, with all factions sending personnel to contend for the fragments.

Under such circumstances, as the acting sect leader of the Holy Sect, Master Chongguang had unexpectedly chosen not to hold the fort in Jiangbei but instead traveled all the way to Jiangnan to oppose Jiange, which truly made one unable to help but suspect his motives; yet Master Chongguang's mentality was excellent, his expression calm as a still well, revealing hardly any clues.

On the other side, Lu Yang also frowned.

Because he discovered that among the people Master Chongguang had brought for the Holy Sect, a gaze was staring straight at him, making him feel somewhat mentally uncomfortable.

'The other party bears malice.'

Although the other party concealed it very well, Lu Yang, having cultivated the 【Sea of Pouring Sorrow】, was extremely sensitive to thoughts and emotions and quickly captured the source of the gaze.

'... mm?'

Looking out, a familiar figure immediately entered Lu Yang's sight.

Peak Master Senior Butian, Chen Taihe!

Seeing this, Lu Yang immediately narrowed his eyes, his heart instead stirring with excitement: 'It's actually him? Truly, enemies meet on a narrow path... but this is perfect!'

In his previous life, his cultivation base was still weak, so he dared not engage Peak Master Senior Butian in a direct confrontation and could only strike a treacherous blow while he was undergoing his Heavenly Lightning Tribulation, thereby killing him; although this avenged the grudge of being pressed to death by a single finger, it still felt slightly unsatisfying, and now was the perfect time to send him to reunite with Chen Chen Xinan!

Thinking of this, Lu Yang did not indulge him and righteously declared:

"What is the demonic head staring at?"

His words were directed squarely at Peak Master Senior Butian, causing him to pause slightly in surprise; clearly, he had not expected Lu Yang to detect his secret surveillance.

However, he also had his own pride.

Since he had been called out, he might as well stop hiding; he stepped forward directly, his lips moving slightly as he transmitted his voice: "You cultivate the 【Pomegranate Wood】?"

Oh ho? Exposed?

Lu Yang did not answer, but realized in his heart: 'It seems this fellow arrived long ago; did he see the remnants of my divine abilities after my battle with Qi He?'

Cultivators who cultivate the same fruit position are Dao enemies!

This contradiction was not obvious in the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment and only slightly sharp in the Mid Stage; most Foundation Establishment True Persons rarely fought over such matters.

Only for a cultivator like Peak Master Senior Butian, who aspired to become a Great True Person, was it extremely serious!

He could not sit idly by and ignore it.

Especially since he discovered that Lu Yang's magic power and qi mechanism were actually more perfect and pure than his own; given time, there was truly hope that Lu Yang would surpass him!

How could this be endured?

Therefore, he had voluntarily volunteered to stay in Jiangnan this time to participate in this action of contending for the Heavenly Court fragments with Jiange, all for the purpose of eliminating Lu Yang amidst the chaos!

"What did that demonic head say to you?"

Just then, beside Lu Yang, Ye Guyue suddenly spoke in a ghostly tone: "Do not hide it; I can sense the fluctuation of that demonic head transmitting his voice to you just now."

"Senior Uncle, they must be colluding!"

The Demon-Quelling True Person glanced sideways.

'Intentional; that old thing Peak Master Senior Butian did this intentionally!'

Lu Yang cursed loudly in his heart, yet his face remained calm: "Senior, upon entering the Heavenly Court fragments this time, I am willing to surrender all my gains; I only ask to join Jiange."

"Do not change the subject!"

Ye Guyue frowned slightly: "I am asking you, what did the Jiangbei demonic head transmit to you just now?"

"Senior Sister, you misunderstand." Lu Yang looked aggrieved: "That demonic head said nothing to me; he merely pretended to transmit his voice to sow discord."

Naturally, Ye Guyue did not believe him.

However, before she could continue questioning, the Demon-Quelling True Person waved his hand: "Enough, Guyue, this is not important; I believe in Lu Yang's sincere heart."

Of course, he did not believe it.

However, the key point was not whether he believed it or not, but that Lu Yang had shown his attitude: risking his life to enter the Heavenly Court fragments and handing over all income afterward.

Was this not enough?

With this attitude, whether or not he had transmitted voices with Peak Master Senior Butian was a trivial detail; in the eyes of the Demon-Quelling True Person, Lu Yang was already loyal beyond words.

Had the Demon-Quelling True Person ever suspected Lu Yang? Of course he had; people were not fools, so how could they truly trust a rogue cultivator who had voluntarily defected without conditions? But as stated before, Lu Yang had demonstrated his attitude and actions, finding no fault inside or out, so what was there to quibble about?

"Boom!"

Just then, at the location of the former Ten Thousand People Pit, a beam of spiritual light shot straight into the sky, illuminating the firmament and reflecting the phantom image of a towering and magnificent gate.

Above the gate were three large characters written in a style of soaring dragons and dancing phoenixes:

【Southern Heavenly Gate】!

In an instant, beams of escape light surged into the sky one after another.

Seeing this, Lu Yang also hurriedly mounted a beam of escape light, yet just as he entered the 【Southern Heavenly Gate】, Master Chongguang's voice suddenly sounded in his ear:

"Fellow Daoist, would you like to make another transaction?"

(End of Chapter)