A long time ago, Lü Yang had heard a saying:

There are nine grades of Cultivation Techniques in the world, from highest to lowest. Those below the Sixth Grade have no hope of reaching Foundation Establishment, those below the Third Grade have no hope of forming a Golden Core, and only a First-Grade Cultivation Technique offers any hope of reaching the Nascent Soul Realm.

Later, at the Sword Pavilion, he saw the first First-Grade Cultivation Technique of his life.

Sword Monarch’s Profound Discussion and Golden Secret Chapter

However, it was later confirmed that this First-Grade Cultivation Technique’s purpose was to sacrifice a Cultivator to attain the Void Sword Dao. In essence, it was a technique designed to screw people over.

That raised a question:

’Back then, I thought it was just the Sword Pavilion’s typical way of doing things, specially designed to screw people over... but now, it seems there might be a deeper reason behind it.’

’Perhaps First-Grade Cultivation Techniques were originally meant for Void Certificates. A Void Certificate is one of the cornerstones for reaching the Nascent Soul Realm, and the other is an Emperor Fruit. If nothing else, at least that Taiyin Immortal Venerable from the Celestial Mansion is a perfect example, with one Taiyin Fruit Position and one Money Fruit Position obtained through a Void Certificate...’

At this thought, Lü Yang’s eyebrows suddenly shot up.

’Ang Xiao...’

The Taiyin Immortal Venerable of the Celestial Mansion very likely created a Fruit Position through a Void Certificate, so what about Ang Xiao? Was it possible that the First True Monarch of Immortal Pivot couldn’t do the same?

’...Highly unlikely.’

Lü Yang had great confidence in Ang Xiao. If a mere Outer Heaven Cultivator could accomplish such a thing, there was no way Ang Xiao couldn’t. He must have been able to as well!

’Come to think of it, how did he reverse the Earth of Chen back then? The Fruit of Great-Forest Wood is powerful, but its profound mysteries should have nothing to do with reversing Yin and Yang. Something like the Fruit of Rampart Earth or my Fruit of Celestial Fire would be a better fit... He must have relied on some other method to reverse the Earth of Chen!’

What method?

’It couldn’t have been a simple Daoist Skill; its Position wouldn’t be high enough. The profound mysteries of a Fruit Position, on the other hand, would be about right... That’s it, Ang Xiao must have another Fruit!’

A Fruit created through a Void Certificate!

He used the profound mysteries of that Fruit to reverse the Earth of Chen, completing his scheme... Damn, that old scoundrel is secretly cooking up something nasty!

For a moment, Lü Yang recalled a past life when Ang Xiao had come to him and offered to teach him the Dharma Gate for reversing the Earth of Chen. He had been a little tempted at the time, but now he saw it clearly... The man had clearly been using his own Fruit to make a promise, hoping to screw him over!

’The man is an absolute animal! Just you wait!’

Lü Yang cursed under his breath, adding another black mark against Ang Xiao’s name in his mental ledger. Only then did he turn his thoughts to another point that puzzled him:

’How did Ang Xiao and the Taiyin Immortal Venerable achieve a Void Certificate?’

Was it simply because their Realms were high?

’Impossible. World Purger Fei Xue and True Monarch Gangxing are also at the Late Stage of Golden Core, but they haven’t managed to create a Fruit through a Void Certificate.’

’Could it be... the Emperor Fruit?’

Is it only by using an Emperor Fruit as a foundation that one can refine enough conceptual mystery to create a Fruit through a Void Certificate? Lü Yang felt this was the most likely explanation.

But that raised another question.

The Sword Dao.

’If creating a Fruit through a Void Certificate requires an Emperor Fruit, then what about the Sword Dao? Master Demon-Vanquishing Perfected was only a Foundation-Stage Cultivator at the time.’

It didn’t make sense!

’No, not necessarily. The Dharma Gate for the Void Sword Dao was, after all, passed down by the Sword Pavilion Daoist Lord. To a Master of Dao, a paltry restriction like needing an Emperor Fruit would be nothing. Perhaps there’s a deeper scheme of his at play. The unique nature of the Sword Dao must be of incredibly high importance to the Sword Pavilion...’

Lü Yang’s thoughts gradually became clearer.

At the same time, a light entered his eyes. ’I have an Emperor Fruit too. In that case, can’t I also create a Fruit through a Void Certificate?’

After all, the relationship between a True Monarch and a Fruit was far too subtle.

They hold it but don’t occupy it. Strictly speaking, a True Monarch only has the right to use a Fruit, not true control over it. This point alone made Lü Yang deeply wary.

’Although I already have the Sword Dao.’

’But I’m not a true Sword Cultivator, so I can’t unleash the Sword Dao’s real power. Besides, Master needs this Sword Dao Fruit more than I do right now...’

At this thought, Lü Yang’s eyes brightened.

That’s right. Lü Yang had already made up his mind back when Demon-Vanquishing Perfected appeared at the critical moment to block True Monarch Gangxing, severing his own Dao and committing suicide to do so:

He would return the Sword Dao in his possession to Demon-Vanquishing Perfected!

’In any case, Master Demon-Vanquishing Perfected has joined my big Righteous Qi Dao family now. I can rest easy giving the Sword Dao to him; he can make better use of it than I can.’

Lü Yang felt this with particular clarity.

With the same Sword Dao Fruit and the same level of development, he might be stronger than an Outer Dao True Monarch, but he still struggled to contend with an Orthodox True Monarch.

In the hands of Demon-Vanquishing Perfected, however, there was almost no difference between him and an Orthodox True Monarch.

This disparity strengthened Lü Yang’s resolve. ’The Sword Dao... is ultimately not mine. I need something that is truly my own!’

The Sword Dao can be an aid, it can be a tool, but it absolutely cannot be his foundation!

At this thought, Lü Yang had an epiphany. He felt as if a layer of haze had been wiped from his Spirit Platform, his mind becoming crystal clear. After a long while, he gradually reined in his thoughts.

Just then, a sudden uproar spread through the air:

"It passed! It passed!"

Lü Yang returned to his senses and saw countless strands of spiritual perception suddenly emerge from within and without Mengwei City, every single one overflowing with intense greed and joy:

"It’s past 50! The Wuyou Talisman to Outer Dao Immortal Talisman exchange rate is 1:50!"

"It’s officially surpassed the Dancing Flame Immortal Talisman... Although the other’s recent crash was a factor, this is still the first time it’s surpassed an Orthodox Immortal Talisman!"

"It can still go higher! It’ll definitely hit 100!"

"I’m buying more!"

The sounds of celebration reverberated through the Karma Links, and the conceptual representation of "Money" grew ever thicker. It descended upon the Outer Dao Alliance, causing even the Spiritual Qi to bubble with excitement.

At the same time, a streak of flying light descended. It was the Alliance Leader of the Outer Dao Alliance, Mountain Mover. His face was filled with an excited and fanatical smile. He clasped his hands and said, "Fellow Daoist Ming He, your methods are extraordinary. To have achieved this in just a few short months is truly worthy of my utmost admiration."

"This is nothing."

Lü Yang shook his head. "We’ve just broken 50, barely catching up to the trashiest Orthodox Immortal Talisman. Daoist, the days of the Wuyou Talisman’s rise are still to come!"

After speaking, Lü Yang looked down and nodded slightly.

"The atmosphere is perfect. We can issue more Wuyou Talismans. It’s the perfect time to stimulate the market further and give those who want in a chance to make a profit."

"Oh? Issuing more?"

Mountain Mover’s eyes lit up when he heard this. Though his expression remained unchanged, his mind began to race. ’The growth trend of this Wuyou Talisman is even more exaggerated than I expected.’

’At this rate, it probably won’t drop before it hits 100 and comes into contact with those Orthodox Immortal Monarchs of the sixth layer and above... In that case, why don’t I buy some more? I was too cautious before and bought too little. This is the perfect chance to go all in and make a huge profit!’

Soon, the atmosphere grew even more heated.

And while the Wuyou Talisman became all the rage, the Righteous Qi Dao also rode the wave, beginning to blossom everywhere below the Celestial Mansion’s Sixth Layer and expanding like crazy.

Of course, Lü Yang wasn’t some kind of Demon.

He couldn’t just accept every disciple who joined the Righteous Qi Dao directly into the Righteous Banner. After all, some people had already exhausted their potential and had no more value on the Immortal Dao.

The disciples who could enter the Righteous Banner had to be the best of the best.

And during this process, Lü Yang’s "Student as a Model" Talent Skill was also taking effect, allowing him to constantly absorb a massive amount of cultivation insights based on the Celestial Mansion.

"Not enough, it’s still not enough!"

Lü Yang’s eyes burned with intensity as he looked up at the Celestial Mansion’s Sixth Layer above him. ’...This is all cultivation from below the True Monarch Level. It’s not of much use to me.’

’I need cultivation at the True Monarch Level.’

’I’m going to cultivate an Orthodox True Monarch in the Celestial Mansion!’