Chapter 896 - 891: Deal with Fei Xue
Above the ninety-nine states of the Profound Spirit Realm, a boundless Celestial River flowed across the sky. It ultimately circled above the Celestial Court, reflecting thousands of illusionary colors under the sunlight.
Soon, a streak of illusionary colors descended into the Celestial Court and suddenly parted.
Immediately after, World Purger Fei Xue stepped out from within, followed closely by True Monarch Zeng Cai Qiluo. Beside them were Lü Yang and the Supreme Venerable of the Profound Spirit Realm.
"Not bad," World Purger Fei Xue said. She looked around her surroundings, then glanced at the Supreme Venerable of the Profound Spirit Realm and gave a slight nod. "This Outer Dao Realm Heaven indeed has its profound mysteries."
The four of them then proceeded deep into the Celestial Court. The Supreme Venerable of the Profound Spirit Realm knew how to read the room and took the initiative to excuse himself. He left Lü Yang, World Purger Fei Xue, and True Monarch Zeng Cai Qiluo in a Quiet Chamber. As the doors of the Quiet Chamber closed, isolating the inside from the outside, World Purger Fei Xue finally looked at Lü Yang.
In the next second, she asked straightforwardly, "Where is Minor Metal?"
Lü Yang smiled slightly at her words. He then swept his large sleeve, opening a portal in the void before continuing, "Please enter my Grotto Heaven for a chat, Daoist."
World Purger Fei Xue set off immediately.
It wasn’t long before her vision suddenly cleared. A forest that reached the sky and covered the earth came into view. Even with the harsh wind and frost battering it, the forest’s shape remained unchanged.
However, World Purger Fei Xue raised an eyebrow at the sight.
She thought, "Something is not right.
"The Fruit Position Imagery of this Grotto Heaven is far too heavy. It even shows signs of usurping the host’s role. A Grotto Heaven’s environment should primarily be shaped by its master’s will."
Thinking of this, she immediately looked at Lü Yang, feeling astonished. "With the Cultivation and methods this person has displayed, he absolutely understands this principle. In that case, it can only be intentional. Is he not interested in the Fruit of Pine-Cedar Wood? But then why would he seek to attain this position?
"Could he have another motive?"
World Purger Fei Xue’s Cultivation was undoubtedly profound. With just a single glance at Lü Yang’s Grotto Heaven, the answer she deduced was already close to the truth.
Lü Yang seemed to see through her thoughts and suddenly smiled. "I’ve made a fool of myself in front of you, Daoist. It hasn’t been long since I attained the Fruit of Pine-Cedar Wood, so I haven’t had time to manage the Grotto Heaven. That is why the Fruit Position Imagery here is a bit heavy."
"I see." World Purger Fei Xue nodded and did not press the matter further. Lü Yang also had no intention of explaining. Harboring their own thoughts, the group arrived at the center of the Grotto Heaven.
It was located right in the middle of the forest, surrounded by wind and snow.
What came into view was an impressive tea pavilion. After the three of them took their seats in order, they boiled tea, watched the snow, and casually discussed the Dao. No one was in a rush to talk about official business.
A moment later, a streak of Profound Light descended.
The Profound Light then receded to the sides and faded away. Minor Metal, looking radiant and spirited, stepped out from within and bowed to Lü Yang and World Purger Fei Xue.
"Minor Metal greets the Perfected Lord and the Immortal Monarch."
"You are indeed here." World Purger Fei Xue carefully examined Minor Metal and gave a slight nod. "A True Demon is quite extraordinary. Any ordinary Middle Stage of Golden Core cultivator would get a headache upon encountering one."
"Good. Very good." She then looked at Lü Yang and suddenly pointed a finger, enveloping the two of them in a barrier of Spirit Light to isolate them from the outside world. Only then did she finally get to the point.
"To be honest, I no longer have any hope for Fortune’s Seeking Gold this time. He can’t outplay Ang Xiao, and with my current strength, I am afraid it is beyond my power to help.
"Finding another path is imperative."
Upon hearing this, Lü Yang immediately raised an eyebrow and revealed a look of surprise. This was because World Purger Fei Xue had clearly not done this in his Previous Lives.
Back then, she had marched off without hesitation to fight Ang Xiao to the death.
He thought, "Wait, that’s not right.
"The current me wasn’t around in my Previous Lives. I see now. The reason World Purger Fei Xue fought to the death back then was probably because she had no other choice.
"But this time is different. Why?
"I have attained the Fruit of Pine-Cedar Wood, which is useless to her, so she couldn’t be looking to rely on me. That means she wants something else.
"If that’s the case, why didn’t she seek me out earlier?
"She specifically chose to come to me now, right after Minor Metal attained the True Demon status. In that case, does her ’another path’ have something to do with Minor Metal?"
First of all, he could rule out the possibility that World Purger Fei Xue planned to change her Dao. In her current state, the risk of changing her Dao was too great, and the benefits were uncertain. It would do more harm than good. She would be better off sticking to the Pocket World Technique until the bitter end. Seeking patronage under a Perfected Lord would be the easiest route, judging from her choice in his Previous Life...
In the next second, Lü Yang smiled. "Is your target Overseas, Daoist?"
As his words fell, World Purger Fei Xue—who had maintained her calm and collected demeanor until just now—finally froze. Her red lips parted slightly, and the pupils of her beautiful eyes shrank drastically.
He chuckled inwardly. "I guessed right!
"She wants to use Minor Metal to force those Great Saints of the Demon Race Overseas to submit to her, thereby breaking through to the Late Stage of Golden Core!"
Zhengde’s death had already proven Minor Metal’s current worth.
Just imagine, if Minor Metal, as a True Demon, wreaked havoc Overseas, could the Old Dragon Monarch protect the other Great Saints of the Demon Race? The answer was undoubtedly no.
The Old Dragon Monarch could protect himself at best.
Under these circumstances, the other two Great Saints would definitely have to find a way to deal with Minor Metal. And at that exact moment, if World Purger Fei Xue presented a viable solution...
"How wicked," he thought.
Thinking of this, Lü Yang realized World Purger Fei Xue’s scheme, just as Minor Metal had. If there was no demand, she would create one. Who said a Mad Woman didn’t know how to scheme?
On the other side, World Purger Fei Xue was equally alarmed.
She thought, "This person seems to know me very well.
"I only just started talking, yet he actually guessed my entire plan... Exactly which Perfected Lord of my Stain Sect is he the reincarnation of?"
However, this also saved her from wasting her breath explaining.
"This is also beneficial to you, Daoist," World Purger Fei Xue said bluntly. "If you want to use the crisis of the Heart Demon to spread the Five-Thunder Celestial Heart Technique, making an example of Overseas is undoubtedly the best choice."
"You make a very good point, Daoist." Lü Yang nodded, but he looked at her with a half-smile. "But Daoist, no matter how I think about it, it seems I’ll be the one doing all the work, while you just sit back and reap the spoils.
"That doesn’t seem right, does it?
"We should be engaged in mutual benefit. Making an example of Overseas is only one of my options. You need to give me a reason that can convince me."
In other words: where were the benefits? He could help her, but what would he get out of it?
Having reached this Realm, World Purger Fei Xue naturally wouldn’t say anything about Dual Cultivation. If she actually did, Lü Yang would only angrily reprimand her for being a delusional woman. After all, it was well known that he was not fond of feminine charms.
He thought, "Trying to dismiss me with just your body? Not a chance!"
Therefore, before Lü Yang’s voice had even faded, World Purger Fei Xue narrowed her eyes and said in an eerie tone, "How much do you know about the Celestial Human Residual Consciousness, Daoist?"
He thought, "Now that’s more like it!"
Lü Yang’s eyes instantly lit up. "I knew in my Previous Life that World Purger Fei Xue also had a fragment of the Celestial Human Residual Consciousness in her hands. Now I finally get to see it."
Thinking of this, he immediately asked in a deep voice, "May I ask, Daoist, which fragment do you hold in your hands?"
This sentence was mainly to show that he also knew his stuff, so she shouldn’t think about fooling him. Therefore, World Purger Fei Xue gave a straightforward answer upon hearing this.
"When virtue is preeminent, the physical form is forgotten... Its name is the De-Chong Talisman.
"However, this fragment is extremely special. Someone has placed a Forbidden Technique on it.
"I won its specific location through Combat, so I cannot proactively reveal it... Therefore, if you truly want to know, Daoist, your only option is to have a battle with me.
"If you win, it’s all yours."
At this point, World Purger Fei Xue finally smiled. Her original classic, lady-like temperament faded away, and her gaze grew heated. It was almost as if she wanted to swallow Lü Yang whole, making him a little uncomfortable.
"If you want to engage in Combat with me, Daoist, just say so directly. There’s no need to beat around the bush and use excuses like the Celestial Human Residual Consciousness having a Forbidden Technique placed on it..."
"You don’t believe me, Daoist?" World Purger Fei Xue shook her head at his words. "It seems there are things you do not know.
"When the First Generation Demon Taming Peak Master opened the Netherworld back then, he used the Celestial Human Residual Consciousness as the foundation. It couldn’t be more normal for him to have placed a Forbidden Technique on one of the fragments."