Chapter 484: Chapter 484: The World’s Heroes, Truly as Numerous as Carps Crossing a River

Lü Yang had expected Master Chong Guang to begin Seeking Gold soon after Fortune entered the banner, but he never imagined it would be this soon.

Moreover—

’Something’s not right!’

Lü Yang’s expression remained unchanged, but a thought nagged at him: ’Shouldn’t Master Chong Guang have secretly reincarnated and spent decades developing before starting to Seek Gold?’

’Has history been changed?’

’How is that possible?’

Lü Yang was experienced when it came to changing established history. He knew that sometimes even an unintentional act of his could alter its course.

For instance, when this life had just restarted, he had abandoned the Ninefold Dragon Metamorphosis he was cultivating. This directly led to Zhao Xuhe practicing the technique before the Death-Warding Skeleton incident. Then, by a strange twist of fate, the Ninefold Dragon Metamorphosis even ended up in the hands of the Dao Court.

The question, then, was this:

’What did I do this time? I’ve been in the Dao Court for the past month, completely removed from the North. How could I have had any influence?’

Despite his lingering doubts,

Lü Yang reined in his thoughts, looked up at Emperor Jia You, and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty... this fluctuation in karmic links, does it seem to be coming from the North?"

"Indeed."

Emperor Jia You nodded, his jade-green eyes seeming to pierce through countless miles of mountains and rivers. His brows furrowed. "It’s the Demon Sect’s Interim Sect Leader... That reincarnated Immortal Spirit is Seeking Gold."

"Seeking Gold!?"

Lü Yang feigned shock and continued, "To think someone in this age can still Seek Gold. I wonder what kind of Ritual he will perform, and whether he can attain the supreme Golden Position..."

As he spoke, he even revealed a trace of envy.

Hearing this, Emperor Jia You glanced at Lü Yang, unsurprised. After all, Seeking Gold was the ultimate dream of every Foundation-Stage Cultivator. Envy was normal.

Very quickly, however, his expression grew serious.

"Something’s not right... That reincarnated Immortal Spirit is heading for Qing Country. What is he planning? For his Seeking Gold Ritual, could he be intending to make an example of one of our Dao Court’s Marvels?"

At this thought, Emperor Jia You immediately rose to his feet.

Just then, however, a magnificent qi trace erupted from the North. It unfurled like waves around a mountain, surging like a snowy crest, and sealed off more than half of the entire North!

World Purger Fei Xue!

In just one short month, this well-known Mad Woman had made another move. She was clearly announcing to the world that she would not permit any Perfected Lord to interfere with Chong Guang’s Seeking Gold!

’This... Fine, you’re a ruthless one!’

Emperor Jia You sat back down.

’It’s not cowardice. It’s just that a person of my station doesn’t take unnecessary risks. There’s no reason to clash head-on with World Purger Fei Xue over such a trivial matter. It’s simply not worth it.’

’To put it bluntly, those officials below, the Three Ministers... they’re probably all hoping I’ll go pick a fight with that Mad Woman! Just like I once hoped the Grandmaster would... No, I can’t give them that chance. A Marvel is a Marvel, but if I must abandon it, so be it... Still, I can’t appear too weak.’

With this in mind, Emperor Jia You’s gaze shifted.

It landed on Lü Yang.

"...Du Aiqing, you’ve done well investigating the corruption in the All Heaven Department. As it happens, I have a more important task for you."

Lü Yang immediately bowed. "I await Your Majesty’s command."

"Go to the North."

Emperor Jia You said bluntly, "Take the men of the Imperial City Department to Qing Country. Develop our Incense and Candle Divine Dao there, and keep that Interim Sect Leader of the Demon Sect out of Qing Country."

’Huh? Me?’

Lü Yang lowered his head. "The cultivators of the Jiangbei Demon Sect are the most outstanding of their generation in both cultivation and combat prowess. With my meager power, I fear I lack the strength to succeed, even with the best of intentions."

At these words, Emperor Jia You raised an eyebrow.

’He’s asking for a reward?’

’No shit!’

Lü Yang kept his head down and remained silent, but inwardly he was cursing. This Emperor Jia You was a real cheapskate. He and the Imperial City Department had helped him root out corruption.

And what was the result? He’d been fobbed off with the so-called title of General of the Brave Cavalry—a purely nominal post. It was a title with no real official position, and more importantly, none of the Divine Dao Skill he needed. As the saying goes, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. With such a rare opportunity before him, Lü Yang had no choice but to be blunt.

’Hm... very well.’

Fortunately, Emperor Jia You himself felt he had been a bit unfair to Lü Yang. Plus, Lü Yang’s previous flattery had pleased him greatly, so he relented.

"I hereby appoint True Dragon Du Huan to the position of Commander of the Nine Gates Infantry Patrol and Five Camps."

RUMBLE!

In that instant, Lü Yang felt an unprecedented Mighty Power descend from the Immortal Dao Law, as if a brilliant, raging fire had been ignited within him.

Commander of Nine Gates, a First-Grade Official!

The position was in charge of the guards and access for the nine gates surrounding the Imperial Palace where the Celestial Wu Hall was located. In a way, its duties were similar to those of the current Imperial City Department.

More importantly, however, this was a First-Grade Official Position derived from the Fruit of Roadside Earth. It was saturated with the four Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches corresponding to the Fruit of Roadside Earth: Geng Metal, Wu Fire, Xin Metal, and Earth of Wei. Among these, Wu Fire and Earth of Wei also corresponded to the Fruit of Celestial Fire!

Lü Yang was instantly overcome with ecstasy.

But he quickly calmed himself. ’No... Earth of Wei must come after Earth of Ji. This particular Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch is useless to me for now.’

The Fruit of Celestial Fire was founded upon Earth of Wu, Wu Fire, Earth of Ji, and Earth of Wei.

Lü Yang had already Refined Earth of Wu and Wu Fire. His next step should be to Refine Earth of Ji; he couldn’t skip it and cultivate Earth of Wei ahead of time.

’Emperor Jia You... he’s probably doing this on purpose. Anyone with eyes can see that I am pursuing the Fruit of Celestial Fire and desperately need the corresponding Cultivation. He wants to control me, so he’s deliberately giving me most of it but holding back, creating the illusion that I’m just one step away and can get it with just a little more effort.’

’In other words... he’s stringing me along!’

Lü Yang grumbled internally, but his face showed an expression of immense excitement. He immediately accepted the decree and offered his thanks, then strode out of the Celestial Wu Hall.

After returning to the Imperial City Department’s Government Office, Lü Yang immediately sat down to meditate and circulate his energy.

His consciousness crossed thousands of miles of mountains and rivers, quickly descending upon his Immortal Embryo Avatar in the North. The avatar then opened its eyes and looked up in the direction of the Stain Sect.

’Master Chong Guang... why?’

’What on earth could have happened to make Chong Guang change his original plan? Why isn’t he secretly reincarnating in Qing Country, but attacking it head-on instead?’

Lü Yang was completely baffled.

Pondering this question, Lü Yang’s avatar walked out of its hiding place, intending to investigate. The next second, however... he froze on the spot.

The place where he hid his avatar was a remote mountain forest.

As he stepped out of his hiding place, he faced a cliff. It should have been a place devoid of all life, but now, a figure stood there with his hands clasped behind his back.

"Daoist, it took me quite some time to find this avatar of yours."

The man turned, revealing a face that was not conventionally handsome but radiated an intense sharpness. His gaze locked onto Lü Yang.

—Chong Guang!

For the first time since this life began, Lü Yang felt nervous. This was the one thing that had happened that was completely beyond his control.

’How did he do it?’

’I was so much more careful this time, more flawless than in my Previous Life. Master Chong Guang couldn’t find me then, so why could he find me in this life?’

’It doesn’t make sense!’ 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Just as Lü Yang’s mind was racing, Chong Guang spoke.

"No need to overthink it, Daoist."

"I found this avatar of yours thanks to Great Undertaking. When your avatar fought Fortune, Fortune left a mark on it. Great Undertaking then passed the Secret Technique to sense that mark to me, allowing me to find its location."

"I’ve also learned a number of other things."

"Earth of Chen... very interesting."

Chong Guang spoke nonchalantly, possessing the kind of profound calm that would remain unshaken even if a mountain collapsed before his eyes. "You ought to know more, Daoist. Care to tell me about it?"

"...Interesting." Lü Yang smiled.

’Great Undertaking, the Protector created by Fortune’s Enlightenment through the Gold Attribute, is connected to Fortune’s own Heart Spirit. How could I have forgotten about that hidden card!’

’The world is truly full of countless hidden masters... Fortune, I underestimated you!’