Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Chapter 141: Chapter 141: The Struggle for the East, Zouyu Bloodline

Where is the most secret place for Perfected Persons to converse?

The answer is simple: the Foundation Establishment Realm.

The Weakening Wind swirls eternally within the Foundation Establishment Realm, making it difficult for any Soul or Divine Sense to linger. Thus, one need not worry about being eavesdropped upon when speaking here.

So, at Master Yu Chong’s suggestion, Lü Yang first excused himself from the other two Perfected Persons before transforming into a streak of light and entering the Foundation Establishment Realm. A moment later, he saw a strange beast walking toward him from beyond the auspicious cloud formed by his own Dao Foundation. It had the body of a tiger, the head of a lion, white fur with black stripes, and a long tail.

This was Yu Du’s Dao Foundation.

The moment they made contact, the strange beast dissolved into light and shadow. Yu Du’s figure emerged from within and, without a word, performed a grand salute to Lü Yang.

”[Du], descendant of the Zouyu, greets you, Fellow Daoist.”

”Zouyu...”

Lü Yang’s expression remained unchanged, but one hand was already behind his back, silently performing calculations. However, he discovered that the karmic links tied to this name were unbelievably heavy!

”There’s no need to waste your Mana, Fellow Daoist. The karmic links of the Zouyu are too heavy to be calculated so easily.” Yu Du seemed to have guessed Lü Yang’s thoughts and spoke frankly. ”This matter concerns the Fruit of Rampart Earth. You, Fellow Daoist, are now the Perfected Person most likely to ascend. I will naturally explain all the karmic links involved.”

After speaking, his expression suddenly turned solemn. ”The Zouyu are the predecessors of the Celestial Wu!”

At these words, Lü Yang’s eyebrow shot up.

They were lucky to be in the Foundation Establishment Realm. Had they been in the Current World, that sentence alone would have been enough to stir the web of karmic links, causing those with vested interests to feel a strange premonition.

”Zouyu... Celestial Wu...”

Lü Yang quickly understood Yu Du’s meaning, but he found it somewhat incredible. ”The Dao Court in the East... there wasn’t just one? There was a change of dynasties?”

This was simply outrageous!

Lü Yang couldn’t fathom it. How could a power like the Dao Court in the East, which was overseen by a Nascent Soul and surely had more than one Golden Core Perfected Lord, possibly undergo a dynastic change?

”This matter... involves many secrets.” Yu Du sighed. ”In short, my Zouyu Race were the former rulers of the Dao Court in the East. The Celestial Wu were usurpers who came later. If the last millennial tribulation hadn’t befallen the East, my Zouyu Race might have long ago achieved unparalleled supremacy...”

As he spoke of this, Yu Du couldn’t help but reveal a look of hatred.

”...In short, after that, my race was forced to flee to distant lands, and our former foundations were carved up by various powers.”

”The Celestial Wu seized our foundation in the East, the Sword Pavilion took our treasury, and the Saint Sect... well, the great ones of the Saint Sect were merciful and took us in.”

Yu Du’s words were tactful, and his tone was full of gratitude.

But they were both Saint Sect People, so Lü Yang could naturally read between the lines... After all, it was common knowledge that what the Saint Sect valued most were ’useful’ talents.

As for the last one, the Pure Land—

”The Fruit of Rampart Earth?”

”Correct.” Yu Du nodded. ”The Fruit of Rampart Earth was once my race’s Fruit—our most important Fruit—but it was lost to the Pure Land.”

”The Pure Land Bodhisattvas used their Great Magical Power to forcefully seal away the Fruit of Rampart Earth. If not for my race’s last Emperor’s Descendant choosing mutual destruction before his death—actively erasing all related Cultivation Techniques and Dao Foundations—the Fruit would have been concealed from the world and become impossible to attain. Otherwise, I’m afraid the Pure Land would have long since gained another Bodhisattva.”

”...So?”

Lü Yang narrowed his eyes. ”Surely, Fellow Daoist Yu, you haven’t come to pledge your allegiance simply because my Foundation Establishment attracted a response from the Fruit of Rampart Earth?”

”That is precisely the case!”

Yu Du’s face was filled with emotion. ”Although my Zouyu Race resides in the North, for generations, none of us have forgotten our homeland. We all hope to one day return to the East.”

”And now, another millennial tribulation is approaching.”

”I am here on behalf of the Zouyu Race to pledge our allegiance to you, Fellow Daoist.”

”If you, Fellow Daoist, can truly ride the winds of change, borrow the Qi of the great tribulation, and attain the Fruit of Rampart Earth, then my Zouyu Race can rise again and retake control of Jiangdong...”

By the end of his speech, Yu Du was visibly agitated.

Lü Yang listened, nodding repeatedly. He even put on a cooperative smile and would clap a couple of times at key moments, but he said nothing.

Gradually, Yu Du realized something was off.

”Fellow Daoist Yuan Tu?”

As Yu Du spoke up, he saw Lü Yang, still smiling, suddenly change the subject. ”Fellow Daoist Yu Du, how long has your Zouyu Race been a part of the Saint Sect?”

Yu Du was taken aback. ”For several thousand years now.”

”So you’re old-timers in the Saint Sect.” Lü Yang nodded, then stared intently at Yu Du. ”After all these years, have you learned nothing?”

Only then did Yu Du have an epiphany.

The next second, he hurriedly produced a Daoist Scripture from his sleeve. ”I heard that you, Fellow Daoist, have a fondness for Arrays and Talisman Art. I’ve brought this volume as a gift...”

”Brother Yu, you’re too kind!”

Lü Yang burst out laughing, accepting the Daoist Scripture while clapping Yu Du warmly on the shoulder. Yu Du could only force a smile while cursing inwardly:

’A Perfected Person of the Saint Sect, through and through!’

’He won’t act without seeing a reward. If I’d known, why would I have wasted so many words? I should have just offered him the benefits directly. He’d probably treat me better than his own brother then!’

The next second, Lü Yang put away the Daoist Scripture and sidled up with an eager smile. ”Speaking of which, Brother Yu, how many Foundation-Stage Cultivators do you have in your lineage? Any at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment? If so, could you ask a senior to lend me a hand? I’ll be sure to reward you generously in the future!”

’You really don’t stand on ceremony!’

Yu Du shook his head decisively. ”My race is not what it once was. We currently have only one ancestor at the Mid-phase of Foundation Establishment. Alas, his lifespan is nearing its end, and he cannot be easily mobilized...”

”Oh.”

Lü Yang’s expression quickly turned cold. ”Fellow Daoist Yu, I am currently charged with the great responsibility of annihilating the Divine Martial Sect. Let’s discuss other matters later.”

Faced with the Saint Sect’s signature move of turning hostile in an instant, Yu Du, as a veteran Perfected Person of the sect, was already used to it. He simply cupped his hands. ”Then we shall speak in detail later... After all, my Zouyu Race are the former Emperor’s Descendants of Jiangdong and the old masters of the Fruit of Rampart Earth. You will need us, Fellow Daoist.”

With that, he took his leave and exited the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Lü Yang remained where he was, a thoughtful look on his face. ’One Fruit of Rampart Earth... its karmic links not only involve the Pure Land but are also connected to the East...’

’For its karmic links to be so heavy, the Fruit of Rampart Earth is probably no ordinary Fruit.’

Lü Yang had gleaned some clues about this from his own Innate Ability. An ordinary Innate Ability would likely not possess so many Profound Mysteries.

’Well, no need to rush.’

Lü Yang saw the situation clearly. Naturally, he didn’t believe Yu Du’s words about pledging allegiance. The other party clearly had their own schemes and just needed his help.

Although Yu Du had painted a grand picture, making it seem as if Lü Yang needed their support to ascend to the Golden Core, Lü Yang knew better. In this relationship, he was the one holding the initiative. They needed him, not the other way around.

’If I don’t use this opportunity to extort them for all they’re worth, I won’t be worthy of being called one of the Saint Sect People!’

Just then, Lü Yang felt a stir in his heart. He sensed a ripple suddenly spread across the originally calm Great Net of Karma Links as a particular thread of karma began to shift.

”...As expected, they’ve come.”

All thoughts of the Zouyu were instantly cast aside. The corners of Lü Yang’s mouth lifted in a slight smile as his gaze turned toward the far north... He knew they wouldn’t let this opportunity pass.

Arhat Fulong!

’As long as I hide in the Saint Sect, he can’t do anything to me. But now that I’m out, how could he possibly stand by and do nothing? This is probably within Perfected Chong Guang’s calculations as well...’

The Saint Sect does not support the useless.

Since Perfected Chong Guang had made an investment, he naturally wanted to see a return... Lü Yang had to prove his capabilities to him, only then would he continue to invest.

And Arhat Fulong was the touchstone he had prepared for Lü Yang!

The next second, Lü Yang’s eyebrows suddenly shot up. Near Arhat Fulong, he sensed another familiar and deeply impressive karmic link.

”...It’s him?”

Guang Ming had come as well.