Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Chapter 347: Reincarnating a Split Soul, Exploring the Netherworld

South, Hidden Sword Manor.

"The good times are coming..."

Lü Yang’s Immortal Spirit Body was currently gazing into the distance, feeling the explosive bursts of Qi traces from all directions. Chong Guang’s actions were like lighting a powder keg!

Under the watchful eyes of the Perfected Lords, nearly all Foundation-Stage Cultivators were shackled. This was especially true for the Great Truemen at Foundation Establishment Perfection, who were constantly monitored by every Perfected Lord in the world. A single move could affect the entire situation. How many truly had the chance to seek the Gold? In the end, they were nothing more than useful pawns.

They were even less free than a Great Trueman in the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment!

But things were different now.

"...Sixty years without a Perfected Lord. It might not seem long, but even for a Great Trueman in the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment, that’s more than enough time."

"A pity it has nothing to do with me..."

Lü Yang knew his own limits. He held no hope for Seeking Gold in sixty years, but he felt he could at least aim for Foundation Establishment Perfection in that time.

"I already have [Geng Metal] and [Shen Metal]."

"The next one, [Xin Metal], is in Master Chong Guang’s hands. I should have a chance to get it from him later. That would make three Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches!"

If he could find [Rooster Metal] and gather all four.

As an Immortal Spirit, he would reach Perfection!

Then, once he comprehended his Innate Ability, he could immediately emerge and begin Seeking Gold!

"If I can just gather them all, I’d be willing to die for it. I can use the Centome to bring all my Cultivation back with me anyway. No matter how you look at it, it’s a total win..."

This was because the [Heavenly Qian Totalizing All Manifestations Dharma Body] was both an Ability and a Spiritual Treasure, possessing the characteristics of each.

And the "Cultivation" option on the [Centome] included any Abilities one had mastered!

’In other words, if I choose "Cultivation," I can take the [Heavenly Qian Totalizing All Manifestations Dharma Body] with me. No need to worry about it going to waste!’

At this thought, Lü Yang’s spirits lifted.

"Finally, there’s a chance..."

Then, Lü Yang glanced at Progenitor Tingyou. The progenitor was still pinching his fingers, performing a divination, clearly engrossed in the implications of Chong Guang’s earlier actions.

"..."

To be honest, Lü Yang didn’t feel much about it.

Of course, he was grateful for Chong Guang’s actions. But whether it was Chong Guang or Mu Changsheng, their goals and ambitions were simply too grand.

They were too far removed from him.

’Perhaps only a prodigy like the Progenitor could resonate with them... A pity. Compared to grand undertakings, I’m more concerned with my daily bread.’

As far as Lü Yang was concerned, he just wanted to climb higher, one step at a time.

To reach the very top, no matter the cost!

That was why, compared to Chong Guang and Mu Changsheng, the one he had resonated with most was Summon... How could someone struggling to survive have the mind to care about grand undertakings?

He exhaled slowly.

Pushing aside his distracting thoughts, Lü Yang stopped dwelling on it. He reactivated [Puppet] and returned his focus to his Split Soul inside the [South Celestial Gate].

As All True Monarchs went into seclusion, the Mighty Power that had been placed upon the [South Celestial Gate] dissipated. The inside and outside were no longer sealed off from each other, and Lü Yang could finally kill himself.

SQUELCH!

The next second, Lü Yang manipulated his Split Soul to crush its own organs. Cracks spread across its entire body, and in an instant, it became a bloody mess—a truly gruesome sight.

Only after doing all this did he lead the Yun Family’s Ancestor and Master Xiuxin out of the [South Celestial Gate].

Outside the [South Celestial Gate], the Demon-Vanquishing Perfected’s gaze fell on Lü Yang almost immediately. A hint of confusion appeared in his eyes, quickly followed by anger.

"Why are you the only three?"

Lü Yang didn’t have his Split Soul answer. Instead, Master Xiuxin, who was beside him, spoke up, "Senior Sister Ye was killed by the Demon Sect’s Master of Heaven Mending Peak. The other Perfected Persons were scattered..."

Before her voice had even faded, the [South Celestial Gate] trembled again.

Soon, several streaks of light flew out. They were the other Sword Pavilion Perfected Persons who had fled after Ye Guyue’s death—the ones Lü Yang had deliberately let escape.

The timing was perfect. With their descriptions, Ye Guyue’s death was immediately set in stone: killed by the Demon Sect’s Master of Heaven Mending Peak, witnessed by all, without a shadow of a doubt.

Seeing this, the Demon-Vanquishing Perfected could only let out a long sigh. He looked at Lü Yang and said gently, "The Demon Sect is powerful. It was already a great feat for you to escape with your life, Fellow Daoist Lü. This crushing defeat in the [South Celestial Gate] is my responsibility. I will accept my punishment when I return. For now, come back with me to the Sword Pavilion and recuperate..."

"You are mistaken, Perfected Person!"

Lü Yang still said nothing, letting the Yun Family’s Ancestor beside him speak. "How could this be considered a crushing defeat for our Sword Pavilion? On the contrary, it was a great victory!"

At these words, everyone fell silent.

The Demon-Vanquishing Perfected was stunned for a moment, then his eyes lit up with a peculiar glint. "Fellow Daoist Yun, you mean to say..."

"Cough, cough, cough."

Only then did Lü Yang finally speak. He shakily took out a Storage Bag and, with a gentle shake, poured out a dazzling pile of treasures.

The Demon-Vanquishing Perfected was startled at the sight, but a gratified smile soon spread across his face. "Good!"

Lü Yang cupped his hands and said in a weak voice, "The Master of Heaven Mending Peak who killed Senior Sister Ye is now dead by my hand. I suppose this can be considered revenge for Senior Sister Ye."

"It’s just a pity... this junior was only able to retrieve this many Spiritual Materials from the [South Celestial Gate]..."

He deeply understood the principle of lowering expectations before revealing the truth. If he had presented this haul from the start, a careful count would have revealed that much was missing—why was there only thirty percent? But if he first led everyone to believe they had gotten nothing, the effect of revealing the haul would be completely different.

Coupled with his near-death appearance, who could possibly criticize him?

’What? Seventy percent of the Spiritual Materials are missing?’

’You should be glad we got thirty percent! What? You think I embezzled the rest?’

"You have worked hard!" The Demon-Vanquishing Perfected clasped Lü Yang’s hand.

Seeing his chance, Lü Yang quickly struck while the iron was hot. "Senior... This junior was fortunate enough to not fail the mission. Though my oil has run out and my lamp is dry, I ultimately did my part for the Sword Pavilion."

"I only ask that in my next life, I may join the Sword Pavilion and be granted a chance at the Dao."

Lü Yang spoke with such genuine emotion that even the Demon-Vanquishing Perfected was moved. After a long moment, he said quietly, "If you don’t want to die... how about I kill you instead?"

Lü Yang: "???"

"That won’t be necessary!"

Afraid the Demon-Vanquishing Perfected would strike him down with a single sword stroke, Lü Yang hurriedly declined. "This junior’s heart is set on the Great Dao. I only wish to join the Sword Pavilion. I implore Senior to grant my wish."

"...Alright. I promise you."

The Demon-Vanquishing Perfected’s expression was solemn. "After you are reborn, I will personally guide you and take you as my disciple. From then on, you will be a True Disciple of my Sword Pavilion."

’There’s a deal this good!?’

Lü Yang was ecstatic. He frantically replayed his few meetings with Ang Xiao in his mind to force down the corners of his mouth, which were threatening to curl into a smile.

"Then... thank you, Senior..."

Before he even finished speaking, Lü Yang eagerly tilted his head to the side and "died."

The [Netherworld] opened!

Through the perspective of his Split Soul, Lü Yang saw the Netherworld for the first time. It was a pitch-black gate that only the Souls of the dead could see.

’I can finally wash my slate clean and officially join the Sword Pavilion!’

’I’ve secured the [Xin Metal], and the last one, [Rooster Metal], might just be found within the Sword Pavilion. Besides, I’ve wanted the Sword Pavilion’s Cultivation Techniques for a long time...’

Beyond that, there was another goal that interested Lü Yang.

’...To explore... reincarnation!’

When an ordinary Soul enters reincarnation, it does so in a muddled and unaware state. Even a Split Soul would be disconnected from the main body, let alone be controlled remotely.

But Lü Yang was different.

He could use [Puppet] to control the Split Soul’s actions and directly observe the sights of reincarnation through its eyes!

’It’s all about preparing for a rainy day.’

’After all, even Ang Xiao is plotting against the Netherworld. If he can do it, why can’t I? I’ll scout things out first. Once I reach the Golden Core realm, it’s not impossible that I could take his place...’

Countless thoughts flashed through Lü Yang’s mind.

The next second, as his Split Soul drifted into the [Netherworld], his vision briefly went dark. He then found himself in a gloomy, cavernous hall.

The first thing he saw was a pair of scrutinizing eyes.

’...Hm?’

Through the perspective of [Puppet], Lü Yang watched as a figure shrouded in mist, with only its eyes visible, suddenly drew close.

Azure and white light intertwined within those eyes.

As the Splendid Light swirled, Lü Yang could even see a clear reflection of his own Split Soul in the depths of those eyes, less than an inch away.

"...Daoist?"