Chapter 341: Nothing But Relying on Myself

Chapter 341: Nothing But Relying on Myself

"This entire scheme was designed specifically for Ang Xiao!"

In this moment, Lv Yang felt an unprecedented clarity of thought. Connecting the scattered clues, he finally understood the full scope of events that had unfolded.

"It all began with the Mystic Spirit Realm!"

"To seize the Mystic Spirit Realm, the Holy Sect's True Monarch led the charge, followed by other True Monarchs. Together, they descended upon the heavens beyond, annihilating the Mystic Spirit Realm."

Only one person had been excluded.

Ang Xiao.

"Cut off in the Underworld, Ang Xiao couldn't possibly join the other True Monarchs in attacking the Mystic Spirit Realm. He remained completely unaware of their actions in the heavens beyond."

"Fortune wasn't bound by the Chen Earth restriction. Once he successfully gathered gold and reclaimed the Lampfire of Restoration, he'd dismantle all of Ang Xiao's arrangements, causing him to fall from his Golden Core Late cultivation stage. This was an irreconcilable conflict of cosmic principles! Ang Xiao would stop at nothing to prevent this."

"And the plan worked perfectly."

"Ang Xiao took the bait, willingly entering the heavenly fragments. His consciousness, which had been observing the Modern Realm, became sealed here, severing his connection to the world below!"

"Then..."

Looking toward Jiangbei, Lv Yang recalled Chongguang's gold-seeking arrangements. He realized the timing was too early for Chongguang's plans.

"In other words - it's Fortune!"

Only with tacit approval from both Chongguang and True Monarch Qingcheng Feixue could Fortune so boldly pursue gold in Jiangbei. This development was completely unexpected for Ang Xiao!

"This scheme actually has three layers."

"The first layer is the trap set by Chongguang and True Monarch Qingcheng Feixue using the heavenly fragments. This part Ang Xiao likely anticipated."

"Therefore, the second layer is Ang Xiao's counter-trap."

"This trap probably lies within the Cave Heaven fragment hidden beneath Gantang Port. If Chongguang and Qingcheng Feixue believe they've trapped Ang Xiao's consciousness and recklessly enter that Cave Heaven fragment, they'll surely trigger Ang Xiao's countermeasures. They'll either die or suffer severe damage!"

"But beyond this lies the third layer."

At this thought, Lv Yang couldn't help but chuckle approvingly.

"Chongguang and Qingcheng Feixue didn't go to that Cave Heaven fragment at all. Instead, they chose the most ruthless move - they deliberately allowed Fortune to pursue gold!"

This was the fatal strike!

"This accomplishes nothing for Chongguang personally, but it delivers a devastating blow to Ang Xiao. A classic lose-lose situation."

"Still, Ang Xiao must have sensed something was wrong."

"When he discovered he couldn't leave Heaven's South Gate and realized the trap, he desperately tried to contact his main body in the outside world."

"That's why he revealed himself to me."

With Insightful Clarity divine essence enhancing his perception, Lv Yang's thoughts sharpened further.

"His earlier words contained both testing and proposals for cooperation, but his fundamental goal was singular: he wanted me to kill him!"

"Provoking my anger, deliberately inciting my resistance - these were all means to an end. He needed one result: to use my hands to commit suicide!"

The Underworld's influence extended everywhere.

As long as one died in this world, their soul would inevitably enter the Underworld. This was the key for Ang Xiao's consciousness to return.

"As for why he couldn't kill himself..."

This was Lv Yang's guess.

Otherwise, why would Ang Xiao go through such trouble to use him as a tool to return to the Underworld? Self-destruction should have been simpler. There must be interference from a True Monarch!

At this thought, Lv Yang manipulated his avatar inside Heaven's South Gate to test the situation by making a sudden move.

"Unnh!"

His action abruptly stopped. He couldn't proceed further - just a moment ago, he'd intended to self-destruct, but this act was forbidden.

"Exactly as I suspected!"

Looking up, Lv Yang felt invisible forces like a vast net enveloping Heaven's South Gate, displaying ancient rune-like characters:

[This place prohibits suicide!]

"This... is the power of the Mystic Spirit Realm's Fruit Position! A True Monarch has imposed this rule upon Heaven's South Gate!"

This rule locked Ang Xiao inside, preventing him from returning to the Underworld through suicide!

This technique definitely didn't bear Qingcheng Feixue's signature.

More importantly, this rule was deeply concealed. At the very least, Ang Xiao hadn't detected it while outside. Otherwise, he'd have sensed something amiss.

This concealment was an entirely different method.

Additionally, the barrier sealing Heaven's South Gate from the outside world didn't resemble Qingcheng Feixue's work either. It was clearly the work of someone else.

"At least three True Monarchs have been involved in this scheme!"

"Facing the entire world as an enemy - truly facing the entire world as an enemy. Ang Xiao isn't just being outmaneuvered by Qingcheng Feixue alone, but by all the True Monarchs of this world!"

In this instant, countless emotions surged within Lv Yang:

"These True Monarchs who've reached such heights - every single one is formidable. Even someone as extraordinary as Ang Xiao can still fall victim to a single misstep!"

Fortune wasn't bound by the Chen Earth restriction. Once he successfully gathered gold and reclaimed the Lampfire of Restoration, he'd dismantle all of Ang Xiao's arrangements, causing him to fall from his Golden Core Late cultivation stage. This was an irreconcilable conflict of cosmic principles! Ang Xiao would stop at nothing to prevent this.

Would Fortune succeed?

"It's difficult."

Lv Yang shook his head internally. This wasn't from lack of confidence in Fortune, but rather from confidence in Ang Xiao. A True Man at Golden Core Late was simply too formidable.

Yet undeniably,

After being outmaneuvered like this, Fortune had seized the initiative. If his chances of gathering gold were practically nonexistent before, now he at least had a three-in-ten chance!

"There's only one question remaining."

What about Chongguang?

In this plot against Ang Xiao, True Monarch Qingcheng Feixue and Chongguang clearly invested significant effort. Yet the results benefited Fortune the most.

What did they gain from this?

In Jiangnan, at Gantang Port's Fortune Immortal's Long-Yao Treasure Light Realm.

As Fortune pursued gold and all True Monarchs watched with interest, a man of ordinary appearance but sharp, determined eyes calmly arrived at this location.

Radiant brilliance emanated from him.

All these dazzling lights converged into a pure divine ability, like a golden lamp illuminating the lakebed, revealing the Cave Heaven's form.

"It seems this is the place."

The man smiled slightly and stepped directly into the Cave Heaven.

Inside the Cave Heaven, the Emberforge Flame, transformed into a colossal serpent, stretched majestically. The serpent's head had a grand palace with its gates wide open, revealing the interior.

Inside the palace, the scene was incredibly simple - a chess table and two reed meditation cushions.

The inner cushion already held a faint, ethereal figure. Without hesitation, the man walked directly to the outer reed cushion and sat down calmly.

"Chongguang pays respects, Master."

Chongguang's expression remained calm as he examined the other side of the chess table, where a figure shrouded in mist sat.

"Truly impressive."

The mist swirled as a voice emerged - indeterminate in age or gender, carrying admiration:

"The Holy Sect is indeed a breeding ground for talents."

Originally, Ang Xiao had lain in ambush within the Cave Heaven, waiting for Chongguang and Qingcheng Feixue to take the bait. But he'd received a warning from his divided consciousness inside Heaven's South Gate.

Then he realized the changes happening in the outside world.

Undeniably, he now faced a dilemma. He still had ways to stop Fortune's gold-gathering, but it would come at an enormous cost.

At this thought, Ang Xiao shared the same question that had occurred to Lv Yang:

"After going to such lengths to sabotage my plans, how does this benefit you? What exactly are you seeking?"

"Just the pursuit of Dao."

Chongguang remained composed: "The Lampfire of Restoration can no longer be proven. Master, as a Golden Core Late cultivator, you still have ways to reverse this situation if you truly desire to."

"But you clearly aspire to greater heights, unwilling to pay the price."

"It all depends on your choice, Master. If you can find another path for me, I can help you resolve this crisis."

After a moment of silence, Ang Xiao finally understood:

"Hah! Hahaha! So that's it! That's it! This wasn't your plan at all - it's Xue Feihong's scheme! You've become a discarded pawn!"

True Monarch Qingcheng Feixue only needed a Lampfire of Restoration True Monarch, regardless of who that might be!

It could have been Chongguang, or it could have been Fortune.

Previously, she hadn't acknowledged Fortune because he hadn't returned for fifty thousand years. She'd stopped expecting him and focused instead on Chongguang.

But now the situation had changed.

Fortune had acquired the Celestial Void Internal Cultivation Manual and the Luminous Jade Lamp Scripture from Lv Yang, reclaiming the foundations needed for his return.

More importantly, he had no Chen Earth cultivation restrictions.

"Compared to you, Fortune's chances of gathering gold are undoubtedly greater. No wonder Xue Feihong considers you a discarded pawn, and why you've come to me alone now!"

Chongguang raised his hands in a respectful salute: "Master sees clearly."

Facing Ang Xiao's pointed sarcasm, his expression remained calm, the sharp determination in his eyes undiminished, as sharp and resolute as ever.

"It's nothing but relying on myself."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end