After a long while, Lu Yang finally calmed his agitated emotions.
To be honest, listening to [Ang Xiao]'s voice filled with shock and anger at the end, he truly felt exhilarated, as if all the previous frustrations had been vented.
"It's not over yet!"
"[Ang Xiao], right? Just you wait. When I reach the late stage of the Golden Core, the first place I'll go is the [Netherworld]. I'll remember this grudge for a lifetime!"
Lu Yang cursed for a while longer before settling down and surveying his surroundings.
For Lu Yang, this was a very subtle experience. The sky was chaotic, the earth was void, and only he stood alone in the center of this world.
The [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes] slowly flipped its pages.
This was the "standby state" before each reopening of the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes]. However, it had always been fleeting before, so there wasn't much of a real sense.
This time was clearly different. The "standby" time had been significantly extended, and in Lu Yang's palm, the trace of golden nature from Suo Huan was flickering with a faint light, gradually merging into the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes], eventually transforming into lines of text appearing on the panel before his eyes.
[Settling experiences for "Suo Huan".]
[As the child of destiny in the "Huanxu Realm", you took on a perilous mission to resist invasions from unknown worlds, swearing to fulfill your mission.]
[You fought bravely and devised numerous strategies.]
[You grew rapidly, soon reaching the pinnacle of cultivation in the "Huanxu Realm". With the power of the masses, you finally defeated the unknown invaders.]
[Feeling triumphant, you prepared to retire with your beloved companions.]
[Then, a True Lord descended.]
[The "Huanxu Realm" was destroyed. You had no power to resist and couldn't even remember how you escaped. You felt immense pain in your heart.]
[Eventually, you arrived overseas in an unknown world. You regained your spirit and discovered the "Lingxu Blessed Land" and the "Ten Thousand Spirits Return to the Void Dao Scripture" entrusted to you before the fall of the "Huanxu Realm". Although you vaguely felt something was off with the latter, you quickly dismissed it as overthinking.]
[You had a new goal.]
[You planned to revive the "Huanxu Realm". This goal was grand and elusive, but you were determined, willing to dedicate even a lifetime to it.]
[You still had "hope".]
[.]
Lines of text appeared, recording Suo Huan's six hundred years overseas, his mental journey, and his determination in seeking the Golden Core.
—And ultimately, his despair.
Finally, accompanied by a brilliant golden light, a brand-new talent appeared on the panel of the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes]. Lu Yang immediately looked over: ŕâℕꝊ𝖇Еṣ
[You have obtained the golden talent · Puppet on Strings]
[Puppet on Strings: Seize others' fate, bear their karma, and you can hide behind their appearance, manipulating them like a puppet. No one can trace your origins.]
"Such a talent?"
Looking at the talent on the panel, Lu Yang was stunned. To be honest, he thought it would be a talent like [Heavenly Fiend Lone Star] or [Suffering is a Blessing].
"But it makes sense."
Considering Suo Huan's life, from the moment the "Huanxu Realm" was captured by the four major sects and became a battleground for Dao-seizing, this outcome was already destined.
First, he was tricked by [Ang Xiao], then divided and consumed by the Holy Sect, Dao Court, and Pure Land.
Even the vision of ascending to seek the Golden Core and rebuilding the "Huanxu Realm" was essentially an illusion given to him by [Ang Xiao]. It was utterly tragic.
[Puppet on Strings], truly lives up to its name.
"Don't worry, Daoist Suo Huan. In this lifetime, I'll help you cross over. But considering my current weak strength, it might be delayed by a few lifetimes."
Calming down, Lu Yang thought seriously. Even if he restarted a lifetime, trying to snatch someone from [Ang Xiao], who was at the late stage of the Golden Core, might still be a bit difficult. Considering the overseas experiences, it's more likely that he would also be turned into a fool by the Knowledge Barrier.
"Daoist Suo Huan, why don't you go ahead and pave the way for me in this lifetime, striving for the Golden Core on my behalf? When I become a True Lord in the future, I'll find a way to help you cross over!"
Lu Yang quickly convinced himself.
Immediately after, he saw the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes] finally flip to the next page. Then, the golden talent [Innate Immortal Spirit] obtained from Chong Guang took effect.
[Please select the birthplace.]
Lu Yang focused his eyes and saw five options appearing on the interface of the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes]: Jiangdong, Jiangxi, Jiangnan, Jiangbei, and Overseas.
He had already planned for this.
"In this lifetime, I can't cultivate [City Wall Earth] again. That thing is too troublesome and too conspicuous, easily attracting the attention of various True Lords."
Besides the [City Wall Earth] corresponding to the "Nine Transforming Dragon Art", the only complete third-grade true technique he had was the "Mending Heaven True Scripture". This third-grade true technique corresponds to multiple fruit positions. The Mending Heaven Peak Master uses it to seek the [Pomegranate Wood], which he sees as a path forward.
"After all, the Mending Heaven Peak Master has already paved the way for me."
"With the Mending Heaven Peak Master's connections, being one of the four peak masters and well-informed, he must have done his research before choosing the [Pomegranate Wood]."
However, even so, the Holy Sect was still too dangerous.
"This broken place, the Holy Sect, has too many pitfalls. Since I'm going to restart in this lifetime, I can't inherit my cultivation. The risks of cultivating in the Holy Sect are too high."
So, it's best to go somewhere beyond the Holy Sect's reach.
Thinking of this, Lu Yang's gaze locked onto one direction.
"Jiangnan, Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion!"
"In this lifetime, if I can obtain the foundation of the Innate Immortal Spirit and join the Sword Pavilion, it should be a sure thing. After all, the Sword Pavilion values foundation the most."
Strictly speaking, the identity of an Immortal Spirit was highly valued in all four major sects. After all, Immortal Spirits were favored by heaven and earth, born at the Foundation Establishment stage, and couldn't even be killed. Otherwise, one would suffer heavenly punishment like the Blood Demon True Person. So, at most, it would be a bit troublesome in the Holy Sect, with the risk of being treated as a talent.
As for Immortal Spirits, the Sword Pavilion absolutely welcomed them.
Thinking of this, Lu Yang immediately clapped his hands and made a decision: "In this lifetime, I'll join the Sword Pavilion as an Immortal Spirit and seek the position of [Pomegranate Wood]!"
"Although I've been a demon for nine lifetimes, I know I'm a good person. I've long been inclined towards the righteous path!"
Soon, the panel before Lu Yang's eyes once again displayed text:
[Facing a late-stage Golden Core True Lord, you achieved what even True Lords couldn't with just a Foundation Establishment body. Your dying curses were exhilarating.]
[Current remaining pages of the Book of a Hundred Lifetimes: 91]
[Restarting a lifetime, you can choose one of the following gains from your previous life:]
Treasure.
Cultivation.
Lifespan.
Abandon all gains and randomly awaken a talent based on previous life experiences.
"I choose treasure, [Qiantian Myriad Phenomena General Control Dharma Body]!"
This was also something Lu Yang discovered after restarting: the Dharma Body was mysterious, both a divine ability and a spiritual treasure, and didn't even require an Immortal Embryo clone as a medium!
Therefore, without hesitation, he directly exchanged for it.
The next second, the [Qiantian General Control Myriad Phenomena Dharma Body] with a green face, fangs, three heads, and six arms appeared, with two hands holding a treasured sword and a banner.
[Tribulation Wave]!
[Myriad Spirits Banner]!
The "Myriad Phenomena" of the Dharma Body could refine external objects. Lu Yang had long since refined these two most valuable possessions into it, and now they were indeed brought along!
"Not bad, not bad."
Seeing this scene, Lu Yang finally nodded in satisfaction. After all, since he planned to go to the Sword Pavilion, how could he go without a fine magic sword?
Moreover, when it comes to sword techniques and secrets, the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion was the real expert. Their combat methods dared to claim to be the best among the four sects, and it was definitely not without reason. This time, joining the Sword Pavilion, besides seeking the Golden Core, upgrading the [Tribulation Wave] to the "True Treasure" level was also a goal. Achieving either would be a great gain.
"And there's also [Clarity]!"
As for these True Lords, Lu Yang was convinced that each and every one needed to be guarded against. Therefore, a spiritual treasure that could keep him clear-headed was crucial.
Thinking of this, Lu Yang took a deep breath.
"Let's begin, the tenth lifetime!"
In this lifetime, the goal was to seek the Golden Core!
In the next moment, Lu Yang saw the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes] before his eyes radiating light, and the void world in the "standby state" finally began to reveal light.
It was like opening his eyes.
Soon, a brand-new scene was reflected in Lu Yang's eyes. It was a pair of sisters with stunning looks and similar appearances, but with contrasting expressions—one cold and one warm.
"Elder sister, this sword is so big!"
Lu Yang was immediately stunned.
Although many lifetimes had passed, he still recognized the pair of sisters before him at first glance: "Sword Pavilion's Yun Miaozhen and Yun Miaoqing?"