Chapter 555: Chapter 555: The People in This Broken Place Are All Too Bad
Lü Yang’s voice echoed within the Hidden Secret Hall, but when Hongtian heard the words "certain death," his expression didn’t change in the slightest.
"Daoist, what makes you so certain?"
Hongtian asked in a low voice, his eyes fixed on Lü Yang. Lü Yang simply pressed his lips together, then glanced up and pointed at the sky above.
It could not be said. It must not be said.
The truth held a great terror.
Just a moment ago, when Lü Yang had wanted to reveal the truth of the Pseudo-History to Hongtian, he suddenly felt an immense weight of karmic links fall upon him.
’If I speak of this plainly, the karmic backlash will be so great that I won’t be able to bear it at my current level!’
Without a doubt, he would die for it!
So, Lü Yang could only shake his head. After giving a slight hint, he changed the subject. "To be honest, if I were to attempt Seeking Gold right now, I believe I’d have a ninety percent chance of success."
As his words fell, Lü Yang met Hongtian’s gaze frankly. A flicker of shock and suspicion appeared in Hongtian’s eyes. After a long silence, he spoke in a low, somber tone, "Since you are certain of my death, Daoist, do you have any insights? If I am truly to die, at whose hands will it be?"
Lü Yang breathed a sigh of relief at his words.
To be honest, Lü Yang’s original plan wasn’t to be so open with Hongtian. He had intended to remain hidden, secretly pushing Hongtian toward Seeking Gold.
But alas, plans rarely keep up with reality.
Hongtian’s abilities were clearly a notch above Fortune’s, and he had a Perfected Lord as his backer. This had forced Lü Yang to lay his cards on the table.
Fortunately, Hongtian had believed him.
Of course, Lü Yang had never intended to harm him in the matter of Seeking Gold. After all, he still needed Hongtian to act as a minesweeper and expose the various factions’ traps.
Thinking of this, Lü Yang began to speak slowly.
"The biggest problem originates from the Immortal Court."
Hongtian’s brow furrowed upon hearing this, his expression turning grave. "Are you talking about... the Celestial Kingdom Supreme Technique? How could there be a problem with it? If even that has a problem..."
The Celestial Kingdom Supreme Technique was the Immortal Dao Law within the Pseudo-History. It was the cornerstone that sustained the Immortal Court and the very foundation for Ruling the World. If the Immortal Dao Law were to collapse, the Immortal Court’s dominion would instantly crumble, making the so-called Ruling the World an impossibility.
Therefore, in theory, it should be the last thing to ever have a problem!
At this thought, Hongtian’s expression grew darker. ’With Your Majesty and the Three Ministers presiding, it’s impossible for the Celestial Kingdom Supreme Technique to have a problem, unless...’
A cold smile touched Lü Yang’s lips as his voice drifted over.
"Unless it’s intentional."
He had hit the nail on the head, voicing Hongtian’s thoughts. Indeed, if the cornerstone of the Immortal Court itself could be flawed, it could only be due to the will of the Immortal Court itself!
"Your Majesty and the Three Ministers... want to harm me?" Hongtian’s face clouded over.
But when he looked up at Lü Yang, he saw that the other man looked completely at ease, without a hint of worry or pressure.
’After all, this is nothing.’
’In the Pseudo-History, there are no Masters of Dao. You only have a few Perfected Lords to deal with. On my side, I had four Masters of Dao all focused on me. Now *that* was real pressure.’
"If you still don’t believe me, Daoist, I have a way to verify it."
"...Oh?" Hongtian’s eyebrows shot up. His expression turned solemn as he cupped his hands. "What method? Please, Daoist, do not hesitate to enlighten me."
"Cultivation!"
Lü Yang continued, "The Cultivation corresponding to the Fruit of Celestial Fire is as vast as an ocean. Daoist, you started on this path halfway. I imagine you’ve relied on quite a few external forces to accumulate your Cultivation, haven’t you?"
For instance, the Immortal Dao Law.
In this life, the Immortal Dao Law and the Cultivation provided by Empress Xiao had been crucial for Lü Yang to reach his current Realm in just over a decade.
As for Empress Xiao, Lü Yang felt there shouldn’t be any problems. After all, he had personally and painstakingly extracted her Cultivation bit by bit—it was all his own effort and sweat. The Cultivation provided by the Immortal Dao Law, however, was not so safe. Who could say for sure that it didn’t contain a trap?
What was worse, no one in the Current World cultivated the Fruit of Celestial Fire.
Therefore, in the Current World, Lü Yang couldn’t find a single person to discuss the Dao with, which meant he had no way of discovering if his own Cultivation had any flaws.
If this was true for him, he figured it was the same for Hongtian.
Sure enough, as Lü Yang’s words faded, Hongtian also realized the potential problem with his Cultivation. His gaze flickered, and he immediately looked toward Lü Yang.
"...An excellent method!"
As they spoke, layers of imagery suddenly materialized around both of them.
The truth becomes clearer through debate. If they wanted to determine whether their Cultivation was flawed, all they needed to do was discuss the Dao and hold a debate. The conclusion would naturally emerge.
BOOM!
In an instant, the entire Hidden Secret Hall began to tremble violently. Lü Yang and Hongtian sat facing each other, celestial light spilling forth with their words.
Discussing the Dao, expounding upon the Dao.
They elaborated on their understanding of the Fruit Position Imagery. The clearer and more lucid their explanations, the more easily they resonated with Heaven and Earth. To an ordinary Cultivator, their words were like the wondrous principles of celestial music.
To hear a single sentence was to fall into the Enlightenment Realm.
To see a single glance was to comprehend Magical Techniques.
For a time, the Hidden Secret Hall was filled with radiant, flowing light. The two figures sat opposite each other, only stopping after a long while, waving their hands to disperse the surrounding imagery.
"Just as I thought... something is wrong!"
Lü Yang’s expression was calm as he looked at the Divine Illusionary Colors swirling in his hand. "My Cultivation, my understanding of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches... the general direction is correct."
It just lacks certain details.
While these missing details don’t affect the Refining of Abilities, when it comes to the step of Seeking Gold, they would cause him to repeat the failure of his Previous Life.
He then looked up at Hongtian, only to see that his expression was just as grim.
"I’m the complete opposite... My understanding of the details of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches is flawless, with every nuance accounted for. But when it comes to the overall direction, I’ve gone completely astray!"
This was a situation born from the differences in their backgrounds.
Lü Yang cultivated the Celestial Universe Shimmering Dragon Chapter, passed down from the Dragon Race. The Old Dragon Monarch was quite straightforward; the Cultivation Technique was without error, so the general direction was accurate.
In contrast, Hongtian had started halfway, switching from the Fruit of Lamp-Cover Fire to the Fruit of Celestial Fire and deducing everything from scratch. Although his knowledge of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches wasn’t flawed, and the details were at a level of Perfection, the final, overarching direction was entirely his own deduction. The result was that he had walked down the wrong path.
Seeking Gold under these circumstances might still attract the attention of the Fruit of Celestial Fire.
But just like Lü Yang in his Previous Life, he might be able to achieve a Flying Ascension Blessed Land and draw the gaze of the Fruit, but the final step—merging with the Fruit—would be impossible.
And yet, all of this could have been avoided.
At the very least, under the boons of the Immortal Dao Law, there should have been opportunities to correct both the direction and the details... but no one had bothered to remind them.
’The people in this damned place are all so malicious!’
Lü Yang lamented inwardly, sighing. "In any case, through our discussion of the Dao, the flaws in our Cultivation can now be fixed. All in all, this is a happy occasion..."
As his voice fell, Hongtian shook his head.
"Daoist, you’re being far too optimistic."
"If the Immortal Court truly means to move against me, all they have to do is demote and cast me down at the critical moment, shattering my aura of Ruling the World. Then, my death will be certain!"
Lü Yang’s eyes narrowed at his words.
In fact, this was his greatest suspicion regarding the Immortal Dao Law. It was also the most likely way he predicted the Daoist Court Daoist Lord would try to sabotage him.
Demotion, being cast down.
His ability to attempt Seeking Gold in this life was largely founded upon the Immortal Dao Law. The Immortal Dao Law could raise him up, and now, it could also crush him!
Thinking of this, Lü Yang looked at Hongtian once more.
’This is the greatest significance of my coming to the Pseudo-History. As long as Hongtian can solve the trouble coming from the Immortal Court, I can just copy his answer and apply it to the Dao Court!’
