Chapter 435: Upright Virtue Golden Nature, Fruitional Rank Trembles!

“Swish swish!”

As the sword-wielding youth’s body collapsed, a streak of firelight exploded out, scattering radiance and streaming flames. Among them, a ray of golden brilliance seemed to attempt an escape amidst the chaos.

However, how could Lü Yang, who had been eyeing it like a tiger stalking prey, give it such a chance?

“Come here.”

Almost simultaneously, a divine ability fell into the quiet room, as if the void opened a bloodthirsty maw, madly devouring everything inside.

【Containing True Qi】!

Even the essence of Heaven and Earth from the Seven Luminaries Heaven could be absorbed by this divine power. How could a mere strand of gold nature resist? In an instant, it was locked in place by Lü Yang.

Only after finishing all this did Lü Yang finally exhale in relief and turn to Ancestor Tingyou:

“Congratulations, Ancestor!”

Emotional value must be given in full—thus Lü Yang had deliberately left the final blow to the sword-wielding youth for Ancestor Tingyou. This could be considered his gentleness towards the Banner Spirit.

On the other side, Ancestor Tingyou clearly appreciated it deeply. He turned and looked at Lü Yang, then without another word, bowed deeply:

“Though this was merely an Incarnate Body, I have at last settled an old regret of mine from long ago. Many thanks, fellow Daoist, for your full assistance. Tingyou is immensely grateful!”

These words came entirely from the heart.

To Ancestor Tingyou, his greatest regret and pain was the extermination of the Witch Ghost Path back then—wiped out in a single sword strike, without even a chance to fight back.

Now, Lü Yang had fulfilled his long-cherished wish.

Strictly speaking, in a one-on-one, he wasn’t a match for the sword-wielding youth. But so what? Back then, that youth had been a Golden Core True Lord!

I merely fought two against one—far more honorable than you! 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

“Ancestor, your words are too kind.”

Lü Yang quickly helped Ancestor Tingyou up, and said sincerely, “I too am a disciple of the Witch Ghost Path—this was my duty. No need for such formality!”

“Do I act formal when I boss your old self around?”

“This—”

Ancestor Tingyou paused upon hearing this, then smiled slightly: “Also true. Then from now on, feel free to boss me around often—don’t hold back.”

“Definitely!”

Lü Yang had been waiting for this very sentence from Ancestor Tingyou. He nodded in satisfaction and only then let the newly ascended ancestor return to meditate and stabilize his state.

Only at this point did he turn toward the golden nature captured by 【Containing True Qi】.

‘Second True Lord Golden Nature… Though the Ye Family’s treasury pales compared to the Dragon Palace’s resources, this single golden nature alone is worth a world of supreme treasures!’

He grabbed it in one swift motion—and instantly refined it!

【Settling experience for “Upright Virtue”…】

【You were once the most outstanding disciple in Ye Family’s history. After four lifetimes of arduous cultivation, you finally achieved Foundation Establishment and ascended to the Golden Position—yet left behind a lifetime of shadow.】

Dense lines of text emerged.

‘True Lord Cheng Tian Zheng De, originally named Ye Zhongliang, the fourth True Lord of the Sword Pavilion, trapped on Extreme Heaven Cliff due to inner demons, and stagnated for a thousand years…’

Soon, the resume of 【True Lord Cheng Tian Zheng De】 unfolded before him.

Just like with Hong Yun, it included massive insights into 【Wall Earth】. Lü Yang compiled them into a booklet, planning to later give it to Ancestor Tingyou.

Next were his preparations for reincarnation.

An Incarnate Body, a True Treasure, a secret method for sensing Fruitional Rank—all of which now fell into Lü Yang’s hands, as the body was destroyed.

Besides these, there was an unexpected harvest.

Within 【True Lord Cheng Tian Zheng De】’s memories, Lü Yang stumbled upon a key piece of intelligence—it was the origin of Demon-Suppressing True Person!

‘Demon-Suppressing True Person Ye Guangji, the Ye Family’s first genius since 【True Lord Cheng Tian Zheng De】. In his first life, he cultivated 【Wall Earth】, but fell at his peak and was forced in his second life to switch to sword cultivation. He achieved Foundation Establishment in thirty years, comprehended Sword Intent, and step by step made a name as Demon-Suppressing True Person.’

‘However, in the Sword Pavilion, how could a Heaven’s Chosen appear without cause?’

‘Eighteen out of ten Sword Pavilion prodigies are all reincarnated cultivators—Demon-Suppressing True Person is no exception. Strictly speaking, his origin may not even be inferior to that of a True Lord!’

‘Because he was born from the spiritual awakening of the Sword Pavilion’s mountain gate—reportedly the ancestral sword of the Sword Pavilion’s founder!’

‘The spirit of Demon-Suppressing True Person was born from this. One could say—he was destined to cultivate the sword! His first life cultivating 【Wall Earth】 had instead hindered him.’

At this thought, Lü Yang recalled what Evil-Banishing True Person had said while interrogating Demon-Suppressing True Person earlier:

‘He said Demon-Suppressing True Person was a man without a heart… Now that seems to hold truth. A man-made sword spirit, embodying Heaven’s Will above and Earth’s Will below—such a being was always destined to be of a dispassionate nature.’

A heartless man—was actually more fitting.

In fact, with such origins, for Demon-Suppressing True Person to be so compassionate and sorrowful for the world—to manifest a bizarre Sword Intent like 【No Killing】—was more surprising.

‘There must be some mystery behind this!’

Lü Yang pondered deeply. What had happened to Demon-Suppressing True Person? Where did the dual Sword Intents of 【No Killing】 and 【All-Slay】 originate?

‘I just feel like something doesn’t add up…’

Through the memories of 【True Lord Cheng Tian Zheng De】, Lü Yang came to understand Demon-Suppressing True Person’s life. In summary—it had gone too smoothly!

‘In this broken world, whoever rises up doesn't get schemed against or face setbacks? Uncle-Master Chong Guang fell hard, Suohuan is still stuck in a trap, and me—don’t even ask. Then there’s Hong Yun… As the number-one sword cultivator under heaven, how could Demon-Suppressing True Person have never been targeted?’

Yet, the outcome was—he had lived a smooth life for the most part!

Never faced real setbacks. His growth trajectory was silky smooth.

Though nothing seemed off, that was exactly what Lü Yang found suspicious!

‘Either there was no trap—’

‘Or the trap was buried too deep and hasn’t sprung yet—’

Just then, the panel of the 【Book of a Hundred Lives】 suddenly burst into golden light.

【You have obtained the Golden Talent · Nest Usurped by the Cuckoo!】

【Nest Usurped by the Cuckoo: Usable only once per lifetime. Allows one to forcibly seize another’s Fate, turning it into one’s own—replacing a person entirely from the root of karma and origin.】

Just like the life of 【True Lord Cheng Tian Zheng De】.

That lifetime had originally belonged to Ancestor Tingyou—meant to be his heaven-defying rise. Yet it was usurped and the fortune stolen.

‘This Talent… is so sinister!’

Lü Yang frowned deeply. The effect of 【Nest Usurped by the Cuckoo】 resembled possession—but even surpassed it in rank, as the replacement was total!

‘Once I use this talent to seize a target, everything of that target will be inherited by me: divine abilities, memories, Dao methods, karmic fate… In other words, if the target was seeking the Golden Core and was close to success—I seize them, I could replace them and become a Golden Core True Lord myself!’

Such an absurd talent!

At this thought, Lü Yang even subconsciously birthed a wicked idea: What if I used this talent… to usurp Ancestor Tingyou—

‘Hmph!’

The next second, Lü Yang’s eyes turned cold. His mind, sharp as a sword, instantly severed this evil thought.

‘What would be the point of seizing Ancestor Tingyou? I couldn’t truly inherit that peerless wisdom—just an empty shell. In the end, a person must rely on themselves!’

At that thought, Lü Yang once again looked at the talent 【Nest Usurped by the Cuckoo】, frowning:

‘【True Lord Cheng Tian Zheng De】 had inner demons, and now the talent derived from him also easily breeds inner demons…’

‘Even if I do use it, I can’t apply it to cultivation. Cultivation must be done by oneself. If one ascends not by one’s own skill but by chance—it will only result in the same end as 【True Lord Cheng Tian Zheng De】: stagnating for a thousand years, unable to walk their true Dao!’

Use others as a mirror, and one can discern gain and loss.

‘Perhaps this is the true purpose of the talents settled by the 【Book of a Hundred Lives】.’

“Boom!”

At that very moment, as the talent was finalized, and the golden nature of 【True Lord Cheng Tian Zheng De】 was fully digested by the 【Book of a Hundred Lives】—

Above the firmament, thunder roared.

A star abruptly lit up beneath the canopy of the sky, like an opened eye—either in rage or in fear—casting down starlight,

Almost at the same time, Lü Yang raised his head.

It was 【Wall Earth】.

Fruitional Rank Trembled!