Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Chapter 633: Chapter 630: Strike First to Gain the Upper Hand

Which was why he absolutely could not expose his situation!

’I can’t hate her. I have to hold it in...’

At this thought, Lü Yang immediately focused his Spiritual Space, suppressing the recent, explosive growth of his Cultivation—along with its numerous Divine Effects, new insights, and countless stray thoughts—deep within his heart.

Be that as it may, the problem was still right in front of him.

’Staying clear-headed, no longer touching the Immortal Talisman, not interacting with the Fruit of Money, not pursuing the Void Certificate... That’s all simple enough. But what do I do next?’

If he didn’t pursue the Void Certificate, he would be worthless to Taiyin Immortal Venerable.

At that point, Taiyin Immortal Venerable would surely turn on him instantly. The powerful protector he had been clinging to would mercilessly crush him like an ant.

As Lü Yang mulled it over, a strange expression gradually crept onto his face.

’According to my theory about Taiyin Immortal Venerable’s original plan, I was meant to fall deeply under the influence of the Fruit of Money while simultaneously achieving the Void Certificate.’

’She must have done that intentionally to ensure she could still manipulate me after I achieved the Void Certificate. The first signs of this appeared back in the Sea of Suffering. She forced me to sit, and I thought nothing of it then. Looking back now... perhaps that was also evidence of the Fruit of Money’s influence on me.’

But if that was true, it also revealed a weakness in her plan.

’Because as I am now, the influence of the Fruit of Money isn’t actually strong enough. Taiyin Immortal Venerable can’t be absolutely certain she can control me.’

So, under these circumstances—

’Should I actually go ahead with the Void Certificate?’

The thought sent a chill down Lü Yang’s spine. The Sword Spirit Minghe in his Spiritual Space immediately understood and once again began to soothe his Soul.

Only after this was repeated several times did Lü Yang become certain:

’This really is my own idea, not the result of outside influence... That’s right. I *should* pursue the Void Certificate, and the sooner, the better!’

No one could have predicted the growth in his Cultivation from Student as a Model. Therefore, his ”good senior sister” must have misjudged his progress toward the Void Certificate. If he could surpass her expectations and achieve it ahead of schedule, before she could correct her miscalculation, he could shatter her entire plan!

’It doesn’t even matter if it involves the Nameless Daoist Lord.’

’Worst case... I won’t pursue the Void Certificate myself. I’ll just guide someone else to do it. My dear disciple, Wu Daoxuan, has the aptitude for it!’

Clarity filled Lü Yang’s eyes.

’When you get right down to it, my ’good senior sister’ has been entrenched in the Celestial Mansion for so long, she and the Nameless Daoist Lord who created this place should be the true mortal enemies.’

Compared to them, he was just an outsider caught in the middle.

’Besides, my ’good senior sister’ must be wary of the Nameless Daoist Lord too. Otherwise, she wouldn’t need to use the Fruit of Money to influence me while I pursue the Void Certificate.’

This was good news!

It meant that if he actually used the Path Opening Map to achieve the Void Certificate and drew the attention of the Nameless Daoist Lord, a conflict between those two would be inevitable!

Both sides fighting to the death, annihilating each other—how sweet that sounded!

’When the time comes, whether I make a run for it or seize opportunities amid the chaos... I’ll come out way ahead. Worst case, I’ll just have to start over, but at least I’ll get a clear look at my ’good senior sister’s’ trump cards.’

An Emperor Fruit? Late Stage of Golden Core? So what?

As long as I can start over enough times and gather enough information, it’s not a problem! After all, even Ang Xiao ended up in that state because of me.

Could Taiyin Immortal Venerable really be stronger than Ang Xiao?

Lü Yang didn’t believe it!

This wasn’t some blind praise for Ang Xiao; it was simple deduction. If his ”good senior sister” was truly stronger than Ang Xiao, then the Netherworld would be hers!

’After all, the Netherworld is a native product of the Immortal Pivot. What garbage is the Celestial Mansion? The Master of Dao behind it was just some schmuck who got himself killed by the Saint Sect Ancestral Master. The difference in their prestige is just too vast... By that same logic, while my ’good senior sister’ is very strong, there’s probably still a gap between her and Ang Xiao.’

Thinking of this, Lü Yang immediately made his decision.

’I have to act now!’

Time was of the essence; hesitation meant defeat. Lü Yang had always been a man of action, and now that he had made a decision, he wouldn’t second-guess it.

Strike first, gain the advantage.

’I’ve already gathered the Cultivation for four of the six energies: Sun, Yangming, Lesser Yang, and Jueyin. All that’s left are Taiyin and Lesser Yin, and there aren’t many Immortal Monarchs from those two lineages.’

Especially Taiyin.

After all, with his ”good senior sister” being the Great Perfected Lord presiding over Taiyin, all the key posts in the Taiyin lineage—the Celestial Master of the Spring, the primary and intermediate positions—were firmly under her control.

’This is probably her insurance policy. With all the Fruits of the Taiyin lineage under her control, it means that unless I pass her personal inspection, I can never gather the six energies for the Void Certificate... As expected of my ’good senior sister’ from the Stain Sect. She plans for victory and defeat, considering almost every possibility.’

Lü Yang admired her thoroughness, but it only made his killing intent swell.

After all, the only good Saint Sect person is a dead one! This wasn’t just a saying for outsiders; it was common knowledge within the Stain Sect as well.

So... was there anywhere he could find the Cultivation corresponding to a Taiyin Fruit Position?

At this thought, Lü Yang suddenly shook the Righteous Banner.

Vast purple qi billowed out, isolating the area. After all, the banner had been refined by the Centome. With it for cover, Taiyin Immortal Venerable couldn’t possibly continue to monitor him.

”...Fellow Daoist Qingyang.”

In the next moment, Lü Yang looked to Cyan Yang Immortal Monarch... or perhaps he shouldn’t be called an Immortal Monarch any longer, since they had all taken on the Outer Dao Fruit Positions of Mountain Mover and the others.

”Tell me, Fellow Daoist, are there any Immortal Monarchs of the Lesser Yin or Taiyin lineages in this upper layer?”

Qingyang was taken aback, then shook his head. ”With the Immortal Venerable in charge, how could there be any other Taiyin Immortal Monarchs? In the entire Celestial Mansion, only the Heaven and Earth Immortal Journey has any connection to it.”

”The Heaven and Earth Immortal Journey... Tell me more,” Lü Yang said, his eyes lighting up.

Qingyang continued, ”Taiyin is the Supreme Venerable, and Lesser Yin is its subordinate. The Lesser Yin lineage has always been the Immortal Venerable’s Direct Lineage, responsible for maintaining the operations of the Heaven and Earth Immortal Journey.”