Putting thoughts into action with great efficiency had always been one of Lü Yang’s strengths.

However, there was one problem to solve before he could act: his main body had to remain in the Dao Court, ready to be summoned by Emperor Jia You at a moment’s notice.

After all, power was like real estate: location was everything.

The closer one was to the center of power, the greater one’s influence. If you weren’t there to claim your position today, you might never have it again. The loss would far outweigh any potential gain.

’Time to refine another avatar.’

Lü Yang took stock of his inventory. He had brought back most of his gains from his previous life, but there were a few things he had been forced to leave behind.

The first was his Sword Dao Avatar.

That avatar had effectively become an independent entity, entirely reliant on his [Puppet] ability for control, and was pursuing the dead-end path of a Sword Cultivator.

The second was the [Heaven-Receiving Ascending Profound Mysterious Realm Observation Sword]. This was an unexpected loss, as Lü Yang had originally intended to bring it back with him. However, he discovered that this True Treasure could not be fused into his [Heavenly Qian Captures All Phenomena], nor was it recognized by the [Centome] as his property.

’The ownership of a True Treasure doesn’t lie with its wielder.’

’It lies in the Fruit Position.’

Lü Yang mused, ’Strictly speaking, not even a Perfected Lord who holds a Fruit Position is the true owner of a True Treasure. They’re merely its temporary keeper.’

In his previous life, the [Heaven-Receiving Ascending Profound Mysterious Realm Observation Sword] had willingly pledged its allegiance to him after he performed a [Fake Holding] of the [Fruit of Wall-Surface Earth].

Clearly, the True Treasure would pledge its loyalty to whomever was the Master of the Fruit Position. Thinking about it that way, he could understand why Hongyun didn’t possess a single True Treasure.

After all, even True Monarch Chengtian Zhengde had one.

And what about Hongyun? He had mucked about in the Azure Sun Cultivation Realm Overseas for ages, yet only managed to produce a single Quasi-Essence Artifact. That was hardly befitting the power of a Perfected Lord.

Back then, Lü Yang had just thought Hongyun was pathetic.

Looking back now, considering he had fucking fallen from his Fruit Position, the fact that the artifact Hongyun managed to create could even be called ’Quasi’ was actually quite impressive.

........

In the Quiet Chamber, a young man sat cross-legged.

A crimson brilliance wove around his body. Lü Yang sat facing him, four of his Abilities circling them, causing the young man’s Qi trace to gradually grow stronger.

The [Immortal Embryo Worldly Secret Record]!

This Cloning Technique from the Stain Sect was still extremely useful. Its only flaw was its exorbitant cost—it required a Superior Sentient Artifact.

However, in this life, Lü Yang was a True Dragon. The Dragon Race was known for its extravagance, so he could still afford a Superior Sentient Artifact. Thus, without much effort, Lü Yang refined a new Immortal Embryo Avatar. When connected to his main body, this avatar could also unleash the power of a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Grand Zhenren.

’This will do for the trip.’

Lü Yang grinned and performed a finger technique. The Immortal Embryo Avatar instantly shrank into a small figurine, which he caught in his hand and tucked into his Storage Bag.

The rest was simple.

He sent a message to Dongting Lake to summon a True Dragon, controlled it with his [Puppet] ability, and then handed over the Immortal Embryo Avatar, ordering the dragon to deliver it to the North.

Once the package arrived in the North, Lü Yang’s main body sat down and entered a state of Meditation.

Immediately after, the Immortal Embryo Avatar in the North opened its eyes. Illusionary Colors swirled in their depths, and its Qi trace, which had been inert as a dead object, flared to life.

"The North... I’m back!"

Lü Yang stretched his arms, simultaneously calculating the timeline in his mind. ’At this point, the [Profound Spirit Realm] will appear in a few years.’

In the original timeline, the South and the North had joined forces to carve up the [Profound Spirit Realm]. The Pure Land and the Dao Court didn’t even get a taste of the scraps, let alone the feast. In his previous life, however, he had exposed Ang Xiao’s identity. This led to the realm being divided four ways, and also served to lure Ang Xiao into a trap.

’This time, I’ll have to play it differently.’

Lü Yang plotted, wanting to get Master Chong Guang to begin Seeking Gold as soon as possible.

’In my previous life, first [No Heaven] appeared, then the [Profound Spirit Realm] manifested, and on top of it all, Ang Xiao was exposed. This all caused Master Chong Guang to delay his plan for Seeking Gold.’

’In this life, I’ve interfered with Senior Sister Yu, so I can significantly delay the opening of [No Heaven].’

’The [Profound Spirit Realm], on the other hand, shouldn’t be a major factor.’

’As for Ang Xiao, the [Fruit of Great-Forest Wood] is quite potent. As long as I don’t expose him, no one is likely to discover his identity.’

Looking back at his previous lives, what was the lynchpin of Master Chong Guang’s quest for Seeking Gold?

’Hongyun!’

In his last last life, Master Chong Guang had, in theory, already reincarnated to prepare for Seeking Gold. However, he probably didn’t commit to it until after he had dealt with Hongyun Overseas.

’So, in this life, if I want Master Chong Guang to reincarnate and begin Seeking Gold sooner, I first have to eliminate his biggest worry: Hongyun! Besides, with the new [Hongyun Gold Attribute], I’ll not only get another opportunity for a [Fake Holding], but I’ll also be able to control Ang Xiao at a critical moment... ’

No matter how he looked at it, Hongyun was a target he had to devour.

Furthermore, at this point in the timeline, Hongyun should be far from recovering his full strength.

’After all, around this time, even the Master of Heaven Mending Peak dared to shout him down. I estimate Hongyun’s strength is at Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Perfection, at most.’

He wasn’t even a Grand Zhenren!

Among Cultivators, Position was everything. Lü Yang was confident that with his Grand Zhenren-level combat strength, fighting someone at Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Perfection like Hongyun would be a surefire victory.

’Still, killing him is easy. Capturing him alive is the hard part...’

Lü Yang rubbed his temples, a headache forming.

Without Ang Xiao’s active cooperation this time, if Hongyun managed to reincarnate, it would be incredibly difficult for Lü Yang to track him in the [Netherworld] and slay his soul.

To deny Hongyun even the chance to kill himself and reincarnate, one would need to be at least at the Middle Stage of Golden Core, like World Purger Fei Xue.

...The Old Dragon Monarch?

Lü Yang frowned, quickly abandoning the tempting thought. After all, when World Purger Fei Xue had captured Hongyun, he had pocketed the Gold Attribute for himself.

He couldn’t believe that the Old Dragon Monarch would hand over Hongyun’s Gold Attribute completely intact after obtaining it. If the old dragon gave him even a sliver, it would be a sign of great affection for his beloved grandson.

’In that case, I have to get him to a place where he can’t reincarnate... Beyond the Heavens! The [Seven Luminaries Heaven]! That’s it! That must be why Hongyun never dared to venture Beyond the Heavens. If he went there, far from the influence of the [Netherworld], he would lose reincarnation, his ultimate escape plan, if he were ever truly caught!’

Lü Yang’s line of thought grew clearer.

’I’ll team up with Master Chong Guang... and force Hongyun’s hand! Make him abandon everything and flee to the [Seven Luminaries Heaven]. Then, I’ll ambush him on the way!’

’Perfect. It’s only right to give Master Chong Guang a sense of participation in this matter.’

’After all, if he deals with Hongyun personally, he’ll be more convinced that the threat is truly gone. Then he’ll be more at ease reincarnating in the [Qing Country] to begin Seeking Gold.’

’And when the time comes, if I backstab my dear uncle, I might even get a bonus to my Talent Skill!’

With that, the plan was set.

Now, all that was left was to contact Master Chong Guang.

........

「Sea of Clouds, Holy Fire Cliff.」

Inside a spacious hall, a man sat in the seat of honor. He was not conventionally handsome, but his features carried an air of piercing, heaven-scorching intensity.

Pinched between his fingertips was a Fei Xin.

Lü Yang had contacted him using the same method as in his previous life: sending a Fei Xin through Chong Guang’s private channels. The message’s content was simple.

’In Jiangnan, at the bottom of the waters of Gantang Dao... a Grotto Heaven Fragment left behind by Hongyun?’

It was a tip.