Chapter 855 - 850: Return!
As for the old professor named Star Soul, Lü Yang only briefly probed and didn’t ask much. After all, anyone with a discerning eye could see Hao Yuan Shangzhen’s taboos.
So he was in no rush.
Taking things slowly ensures a smooth outcome, and he had plenty of time.
Besides, he had something more important to do right now... Thinking of this, he immediately turned around, looked at Hao Yuan Shangzhen’s Spiritual perception, and said,
"Senior, I would like to observe the Refining process of the Dao Weapon."
"...Observe?" Hao Yuan Shangzhen was taken aback.
Lü Yang nodded. "That’s right. I’m very interested in these Strategic Level Dao Soldiers, as well as the Refining of the Star Map, so I want to see if I can learn anything."
Hao Yuan Shangzhen was instantly stunned.
After a moment, he chuckled. "Daoist, there’s no need to hide it. If you want the Refining technology for the Strategic Level Dao Soldiers, just say it directly. Why beat around the bush?
"However, I apologize. Unlike the Star Map Refining technology—I won’t hide this from you—the Star Map Refining is still a rather unreliable project to this day. Mingfeng’s [Seven Treasures Glazed Tree] has too many hidden tricks and doesn’t count as a finished product. Thus, the related technology isn’t actually that important. If you, Daoist, want it, I can just give it to you.
"However, Strategic Level Dao Soldiers are different.
"Because this is already a mature system. Even if it’s just the technology, it would be difficult to hand over to you. At the very least, ten thousand years of Lifespan is far from enough."
Hearing this, Lü Yang shook his head.
"Senior, you misunderstand. I don’t intend to ask for the technology directly. I just want to observe the Refining process and see if I can learn anything useful."
As his voice fell, Hao Yuan Shangzhen finally frowned.
He realized that Lü Yang seemed to be telling the truth. He didn’t want to learn the technology; he just wanted to visit the factory... What did that mean? Did he want to pick up scraps and get something for nothing?
This time, Hao Yuan Shangzhen finally couldn’t help but laugh.
"HAHAHAHA!"
Did he think he could get the Refining method of the Strategic Level Dao Soldiers for free just by visiting the factory and taking a look at the Refining technology? Who did he think he was?
One must know that a factory and a design were two completely different things. The manufacturing of factory parts, their assembly, the drawing of Arrays, their integration... If all these numerous key points appeared on a blueprint, how complicated would it be? There were too many unseen details in a factory; simply copying the superficial appearance would only make one a laughingstock.
Lü Yang had indeed shown exceptionally high talent, appearing foolish despite his great wisdom.
However, this had already exceeded the limits of talent. Absolutely no one could completely replicate the entire Refining technology just by touring the factory.
"Never mind, that’s fine."
Hao Yuan Shangzhen waved his hand straightforwardly. "Since you want to see it, Daoist, then go ahead. In any case, we aren’t short on time. I’ll let you look as much as you want."
"Thank you, Senior."
Lü Yang smiled humbly upon hearing this. Then, under Hao Yuan Shangzhen’s guidance, he walked into the factory. Hao Yuan Shangzhen even thoughtfully introduced things to him.
This included where the parts were assembled, how they should be assembled, the various Array connection points of the Dao Weapon, and how to weld them together. From major to minor details, Hao Yuan Shangzhen explained everything in unparalleled depth. However, one had to admit... Lü Yang felt like he was listening to a Celestial Book the entire time.
He recognized every single word, but he just couldn’t understand the meaning at all.
A long time later.
"How is it?"
Hao Yuan Shangzhen led Lü Yang out of the factory, a faint, teasing smile on his face. "Did you learn anything, Daoist? You couldn’t have learned absolutely nothing, right?"
Lü Yang shook his head with a look of shame.
"I’ve made a fool of myself in front of you, Senior."
"HAHAHA!"
Hao Yuan Shangzhen laughed out loud, then patted Lü Yang on the shoulder. "Daoist, there’s no need to belittle yourself. This technology was never meant to be easy to learn in the first place.
"Do you know how long it took me to completely master this technology back then?"
Saying this, Hao Yuan Shangzhen held up a single finger. "A hundred years!
"A full century! If not for my special Cultivation Technique that allowed me to maintain a revived state for a long period without depleting my Lifespan, I’m afraid I would’ve died of old age before I even mastered it!"
With that, Hao Yuan Shangzhen shook his head again. "So you shouldn’t entertain those unrealistic thoughts, Daoist. We still have many areas of cooperation in the future. If you show enough sincerity, even the specific Refining technology for Strategic Level Dao Soldiers isn’t actually off the table."
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior."
Lü Yang cupped his hands in a salute, then silently asked in his heart, "How is it, Progenitor? Have you mastered it?"
A moment later, Progenitor Tingyou gave an answer. "I’ve mostly got it. There are still some unclear parts, and it might take a few more days of thorough study."
Hearing this, Lü Yang immediately broke into a smile.
He thought, "As expected of my peerless Talent Skill! I actually managed to get it for free!"
Meanwhile, inside the factory behind the two of them, the Strategic Level Dao Soldier, [Sun-Shooting Bow], had finally completed the assembly of all its parts and was officially fresh out of the furnace.
Looking over, it was astonishingly a massive steel planet.
Lü Yang beckoned with his hand, condensing it until it finally transformed into a heavy Profound Pearl that he pinched between his fingertips, feeling the Array on it resonate and merge with him.
"Alright, Daoist, you can head back with peace of mind."
After speaking, Hao Yuan Shangzhen took out a ring and handed it over. "This treasure is called the [Star Gate]. Keep it on you at all times, Daoist, and activate it if you encounter danger.
"This way, even if we are separated by the Void, I can step in to save you in time."
"After all, I’m quite strong," Hao Yuan Shangzhen said, a hint of arrogance showing on his face. "Before sealing myself away back then, I was considered a Great Perfected Lord."
"Thank you, Senior!"
Lü Yang immediately bowed deeply in gratitude, then solemnly put away the [Star Gate]. This was a great item; it could be used to set up a massive trap at a critical moment!
Outside the Profound Spirit Realm.
In a corner of the Void Sea of Light, Lü Yang’s true body stood with his hands behind his back. Soon, he saw a streak of flowing light descend. It was exactly his Incense and Candle Avatar returning fully loaded from the Star Palace.
Time was pressing, and Lü Yang didn’t hesitate. He directly packed up all the loot to take away. Then, he took out the [Life Span Needle] used for extracting lifespans and decisively stabbed himself with it. After extracting about ten thousand years of lifespan, he executed a Daoist Hand Seal, opened the [Star Gate], and tossed the items through.
In the next second, Hao Yuan Shangzhen’s excited voice came from behind the gate:
"You truly keep your word, Daoist!"
"That’s only natural."
Lü Yang smiled faintly. "As a Cultivator of the Profound Spirit Realm, my principle is to always keep my promises. I never break my word, so you can rest completely assured, Senior."
Of course, this was solely limited to being a [Cultivator of the Profound Spirit Realm].
If there ever came a day when he needed to abscond with the funds and run away, then whether he had made a promise or not naturally wouldn’t have anything to do with him, a Saint Sect True Monarch.
After finishing all this, Lü Yang finally looked toward the Profound Spirit Realm.
From the perspective of the Void Sea of Light, the scene before him was extremely horrifying.
A super black hole, akin to a deep abyss, had nearly cut off the Sea of Light. Meanwhile, the Profound Spirit Realm was like a moth drawn to a flame, continuously sinking into the abyss.
And that wasn’t even all.
"Damn it, it’s already starting to emit Buddha Light..."
Lü Yang slightly raised an eyebrow. At this moment, the Profound Spirit Realm was completely locked on by the Immortal Pivot. Even the Bodhisattvas over in the Pure Land had already noticed its existence.
In a daze, Lü Yang seemed to hear the furious roars of the Supreme Venerable of the Profound Spirit Realm.
The other party seemed to have finally woken up and regained clarity, his roars filled with sheer terror. But alas, he was currently besieged by the Three Pure Land Bodhisattvas, and it looked like he was about to breathe his last.
"...This is actually perfect timing."
Lü Yang took a deep breath, vaguely catching sight of Venerable Victory Treasure Pestle Bodhisattva’s figure. The other party was currently channeling the [Fruit of Pine-Cedar Wood], wantonly thrashing the Supreme Venerable of the Profound Spirit Realm.
"I need to end this fast."
In the next second, Lü Yang took a step and entered the [Sea of Suffering]. Then, he pinched the Profound Pearl formed by the [Sun-Shooting Bow] in his palm and activated his Daoist Hand Seal to unfold it.
"CLANG CLANG!"
In an instant, the Profound Pearl exploded, and along with it, Lü Yang’s body began to rapidly grow taller. He reproduced the Heaven-like, towering Dharma Body he had used when he trampled the Star Monarch to death. The Strategic Level Dao Soldier, [Sun-Shooting Bow], whose true body was comparable to a star, also split from its spherical form, expanded, and finally transformed into an equally massive bow!
SWISH—!
At this moment, all around the Profound Spirit Realm, the Three Pure Land Bodhisattvas who were attacking the Supreme Venerable of the Profound Spirit Realm raised their heads at the same time, only to feel an unbearable, searing pain radiating from the center of their brows.
They thought in shock, "What is going on!?"