Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Chapter 263: Chapter 263: The Deal with Summon

Although the appearance of a Great Trueman like Summon was somewhat unexpected, Lü Yang remained composed. For one, he was currently under the protection of a massive army.

He also had the Next Emperor by his side.

Like himself, Summon was an Outer Celestial Demon, making them both targets for the natives of the Ten Thousand Martial Realm. In that sense, they were on the same side.

For another, Lü Yang had discerned Summon’s intentions. Summon had merely watched as Master Miaoyin was killed, showing no sign of intervening. This indicated that he had no plans to get involved in Lü Yang’s affairs. That being the case, it was highly unlikely he would suddenly decide to move against him now.

’So he sold Miaoyin out?’

At this thought, Lü Yang’s brow twitched. He gave Summon a suspicious glance before asking tentatively, ”Senior, are you a Perfected Person of my Saint Sect?”

”...”

Summon’s expression stiffened the moment Lü Yang spoke. He felt as if he had just been insulted. ’What’s the meaning of this? Why would he suddenly call me a Saint Sect Zhenren?’

”I am Summon, an Overseas Wanderer. I am not worthy of the title of Saint Sect Zhenren.”

Summon didn’t put on the airs of a Great Trueman, instead addressing Lü Yang as an equal. ”I had originally intended to offer you a favor, Fellow Daoist.”

”Bastard! How dare an Outer Celestial Demon act so arrogantly?”

Just then, Chen Anmin suddenly roared, interrupting the conversation between Lü Yang and Summon. His gaze toward Summon was full of open hostility.

Seeing this, Summon’s smile remained unchanged.

Lü Yang, however, remained placid. He said to Chen Anmin nonchalantly, ”Stand down. Go and regroup the troops. I’m going to have a few words with this Outer Celestial Demon.”

”But...” Chen Anmin grew anxious.

”Hmm?”

Lü Yang let out a soft grunt, his eyes fixed on Chen Anmin. At this, Chen Anmin panicked and took a step back.

After all, Lü Yang had single-handedly forged this army, and his authority was so great that even Chen Anmin instinctively chose to obey. However, after he retreated, he looked up at his own Life Star, which shone like a rising sun. Remembering his identity as the Next Emperor, a look of resentment flashed in his eyes.

Lü Yang saw this, and his expression grew more profound.

Meanwhile, Summon offered a faint smile. ”So? If you are willing, Fellow Daoist, I can help you leave this place and guarantee your safety.”

”...There’s no need.”

After a moment of silence, Lü Yang shook his head. ”I appreciate your kind intentions, Senior, but I have my own plans. There’s no need for me to accept this favor.”

”Is that so? A pity.”

Summon wasn’t surprised by this. He nodded, then changed the subject. ”In that case, why don’t we discuss another transaction?”

Lü Yang was a little curious. He watched as Summon said calmly, ”I wish to know all the details of Fellow Daoist Chong Guang’s past Gold-Seeking, as well as his technique.”

”You, Fellow Daoist, were once Fellow Daoist Chong Guang’s trusted confidant. Everyone who entered the Blessed Land back then had their Merit and Fortune completely drained. That foolish woman Miaoyin was one of them, which only made things worse for her. Yet you alone managed to retain most of your Fortune. I imagine this was no coincidence... I am very curious as to why.”

This was one of the reasons for Summon’s visit.

For a Great Trueman at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment, or even at Perfection, the most precious thing is a Gold-Seeking Technique. Such a thing is impossible to obtain without great opportunity and immense Fortune.

He himself had only received such an opportunity because he was once the Child of Destiny for an Outer Realm.

’My Gold-Seeking Technique is called the *Ten Thousand Spirits Returning to Ruins Dao Scripture*. It is a Water Element Technique, condensed and given to me by the World Ruins Realm, along with a Blessed Land, before it fell.’

’However, the World Ruins Realm had only managed to condense a Fruit Position Prototype. Although it deduced the Dharma Gate on its own, flaws were inevitable. In the six hundred years since I escaped that Outer Realm, I have been trying to correct its mistakes, patching it up here and there just to make this Gold-Seeking Technique viable.’

’But in the end, it’s still missing something.’

’A Great Trueman like Chong Guang, with his profound background and the backing of a Perfected Lord, could directly ask that Perfected Lord to help perfect his Gold-Seeking Technique.’

’But I can’t do that.’

’After all, I don’t have a Perfected Lord I can trust. For something like this, I can only rely on myself... After much consideration, my only option is to borrow from Chong Guang’s Gold-Seeking experience.’

Even though this would, at best, only slightly increase his hopes of succeeding in Gold-Seeking, he would do everything in his power to seize even that small chance.

Thinking of this, Summon looked at Lü Yang again and gave a solemn bow. ”Please, teach me, Fellow Daoist. Whatever you ask, I can agree to it. I have cultivated Overseas for six hundred years and have accumulated some wealth... If you wish to break through to the Late Stage in the future, Fellow Daoist, I can help with that as well.”

With that, Summon manifested a halo of light behind his head.

Innumerable scenes appeared within the light, showing a land of rubble and ruins. It was filled with a deathly stillness, yet hidden within that silence was a sliver of life.

”This is the Spirit Ruins Blessed Land.”

Summon said sincerely, ”A Blessed Land has the miraculous ability to help one evade tribulations. If you break through to the Late Stage within it, you can reduce the power of the Celestial Thunder Tribulation by at least thirty percent.”

This was both a transaction and a way to curry favor.

Summon unhesitatingly put all his chips on the table, leaving no room for haggling. Firstly, it was because Chong Guang’s Gold-Seeking experience was truly that important.

Secondly, he had heard True Monarch Zeng Cai Qiluo mention Lü Yang’s name, and then there was the presence of World Purger Fei Xue... A mere Perfected Person watched over by at least two Perfected Lords was undoubtedly a rising star in the Saint Sect. It was worth deliberately offering some benefits in exchange for goodwill.

’Miaoyin’s death wasn’t unjust. To think she dared to provoke someone like him...’

’And here I am, trying to get on his good side as fast as I can!’

Perhaps the two Perfected Lords backing Lü Yang would even think more highly of him after learning of this. He didn’t mind trying any opportunity that came his way.

Lü Yang naturally saw through Summon’s intentions.

’What a Loose Cultivator...!’

Lü Yang knew better than anyone how difficult it was for a Loose Cultivator to achieve anything in this godforsaken place. Just cultivating to the Mid-phase of Foundation Establishment would be a sign of incredible ancestral luck.

The Late Stage of Foundation Establishment?

And he even wanted to attempt Gold-Seeking?

Just the thought of it made Lü Yang realize the Great Trueman before him was anything but ordinary. His expression turned much more solemn. ”This junior has no use for a Blessed Land at the moment.”

”Since you’re so sincere, Senior, just give me whatever you see fit.”

”...”

Summon’s face fell at Lü Yang’s words. ’Give him whatever I see fit? He wants a piece of everything! Saint Sect Zhenren are truly insatiable!’

Despite this, the smile on Summon’s face grew even brighter. He sized Lü Yang up carefully, made a few calculations, and then said in a low voice, ”I happen to have some understanding of the Crafting Technique. If you are interested, Fellow Daoist, I can custom-forge a Spiritual Treasure for you.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Lü Yang’s eyebrow shot up.

After all, every Spiritual Treasure he had used so far had belonged to someone else. Although he had no trouble wielding them, they always lacked a certain degree of affinity.

This affinity was not to be underestimated. If a Spiritual Treasure could bond with its master’s Soul and life force, it could indirectly enhance the master’s Abilities. Moreover, only such a Spiritual Treasure had the potential for ”Seeking Truth”—to evolve alongside its master and transform from a Spiritual Treasure into a legendary True Treasure.

This point alone was enough to move Lü Yang’s heart!

Summon had clearly put a lot of thought into this, knowing that a custom-made Spiritual Treasure, belonging to him alone, would be of extraordinary value to Lü Yang. That was why he had made the offer.

Seeing that Lü Yang was tempted, a true smile finally appeared on Summon’s face. He took a step back and said, ”We can wait until I have set up the Artifact Furnace and made all the preparations. Then, I will invite you to visit, Fellow Daoist. You can wait until the Spiritual Treasure is complete before you record Chong Guang’s Gold-Seeking experience for me.”

”...Deal!”

Summon’s terms were meticulous, taking every aspect into account. Lü Yang naturally had no reason to refuse. ”Then I will have to trouble you, Senior.”

”Not at all, not at all...”

Summon clasped his hands in a salute, and his form gradually grew indistinct before vanishing into thin air. From start to finish, he had not displayed even a hint of the powerful aura expected of a Great Trueman.

’Summon...’

Lü Yang murmured to himself, still pondering and trying to deduce the Great Trueman’s background. Suddenly, a suppressed, rebuking voice came from beside him:

”Immortal Master, how could you let an Outer Celestial Demon go!?”

Lü Yang snapped out of his thoughts and turned to look behind him. He saw Chen Anmin staring at him with a furious expression, the title of ’Next Emperor’ shining brilliantly above his head.