Struggling to Survive with Regression Power in the Primordial Saint Sect

Sky-reaching Sea of Clouds, Sacred Fire Cliff.

Golden light surged from the ground, illuminating intricate and densely packed arcane patterns. These patterns converged toward the center, gathering upon a solitary figure.

He was draped in a crane cloak, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth, gently fanning himself with a feather fan. His demeanor was elegant and unrestrained.

Simply standing there, he seemed to monopolize all the blessings, wealth, and even fortune between heaven and earth, involuntarily inciting feelings of resentment in others.

Daoist Hong Yun!

This reincarnated True Person had finally begun to reveal traces of his former brilliance. A nostalgic expression surfaced in his gaze as he looked toward the sky above.

”How long has it been?”

——Five thousand years!

For a full five thousand years, he had not witnessed the 【Overturning Lamp Flame】. Clearly a reincarnated True Person, yet it was as if he had been forsaken by his position, reaching the pinnacle of wretchedness.

At this thought, he couldn’t help but gnash his teeth: ’Ang Xiao!’

At this moment, Hong Yun’s hatred for 【Ang Xiao】 was as boundless as the surging river, impossible to cleanse.

After all, ever since reclaiming the 『True Explanation of Observing Heaven and Earth Within the Void』 and 『Upper Radiant Golden Chalice Jade Light』, he had begun to recall the memories that had been stripped away in the past.

Both cultivation methods were intact because Hong Yun had embedded hidden mechanisms within them, ensuring that only he could utilize them and preventing any external tampering. Without such precautions, he wouldn’t have dared to boldly seek the Golden Core relying solely on these two methods.

’Still, I mustn’t be careless.’

Hong Yun remained vigilant, fully aware of the significant impact his pursuit of the Golden Core would have on 【Ang Xiao】. It was conceivable that Ang Xiao would stop at nothing to thwart him.

Just then—

”Rumble!”

In the Jiangnan region’s Gantang Dao, within a fragment of a cave heaven, as Chong Guang activated the magical instrument on his body, Hong Yun immediately sensed a shift in the gaze of the 【Overturning Lamp Flame】.

”Hmm? It’s Chong Guang.”

Upon noticing this, Daoist Hong Yun’s brow furrowed. Although it hadn’t reached the point of failure, Chong Guang’s interference had introduced unexpected variables.

With this realization, he promptly looked toward a nearby spot.

There stood Qingcheng Feixue True Person, adorned in a noblewoman’s attire, poised and graceful. She remained utterly unmoved by Chong Guang’s appearance.

”Fellow Daoist... why do you act thus?”

Hong Yun couldn’t help but inquire. After all, she had clearly abandoned Chong Guang and placed her bet on him. Why then did she allow Chong Guang to make such moves?

To his surprise, Qingcheng Feixue True Person didn’t bother to explain. Instead, she cast him a disdainful glance before calmly stating, ”Rather than questioning me, perhaps you should consider how to swiftly reclaim the spotlight of your position. Ultimately, one must rely on oneself!”

”I seek a fellow Daoist who is truly useful.”

”Not someone incompetent!”

The implication was clear: she had permitted Chong Guang’s actions!

Indeed, Qingcheng Feixue True Person had treated Chong Guang as a discarded piece. However, she hadn’t stopped him from seeking another path, even tacitly approving it!

At this moment, Daoist Hong Yun could only take a deep breath, swallowing his words:

’This concerns the Dao path, whether I can reach the late stage of the Golden Core. A single misstep could lead to total failure. Such a crucial matter... and she’s still clinging to meaningless persistence!’

’This... madwoman!’

Why was Qingcheng Feixue True Person referred to as a madwoman by True Persons across the world?

Was it merely because she enjoyed dueling? Or because she was somewhat neurotic? Don’t be ridiculous. The Sacred Sect was filled with talented individuals; such traits wouldn’t even register there.

The real reason was: she had principles!

She firmly believed that ”one must rely on oneself,” and she upheld this belief from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment, and even to the Golden Core, unwavering from start to finish.

What kind of world was this?

Either you devour others, or you’re devoured. In such a world, those who achieved the status of True Person were either devoid of bottom lines or lacked principles altogether.

Yet Qingcheng Feixue True Person was different.

She actually had principles!

For the sake of these principles, for her inner persistence, she could even set aside her Dao path. To Hong Yun, this was utterly incomprehensible.

If this wasn’t madness, what was?

’Forget it.’

Hong Yun took a deep breath, quickly regaining his composure: ’This place has long been under the watchful eyes of various True Persons. It’s not a significant issue; the advantage still lies with me!’

However, at that moment—

”Crack!”

Accompanied by a crisp explosion, a vast expanse of purple qi suddenly appeared in the northern sky, overwhelming everything as it surged toward Hong Yun!

【Netherworld Palace】, an indescribable place.

This was a palace situated within the cycle of reincarnation. The palace itself was constructed from an exceptionally rare material known as 【Kunshan Jade Fragment】, a spiritual material of the metal element.

It belonged to the category of 【White Wax Gold】.

Constructed from this material, the palace absorbed the light of the sun and moon, condensed the qi of yin and yang, possessed a pure form and essence, and embodied the true color of metal, harboring the wondrous ability to nurture life.

Within the palace flowed a long river, its beginning and end unseen, stretching infinitely.

This was the 【Long Flowing Water】.

Looking around, the river surged, its waves forming a secluded area where dragons and serpents coiled, supporting the entire palace.

This was the 【Sand Within Earth】.

Upon entering the palace, one could see a golden lamp, its flame flickering dimly, illuminating the hall and revealing a figure entirely shrouded in mist.

【Overturning Lamp Flame】!

Four distinct forces of position intertwined in this domain: fire generated earth, earth generated metal, metal generated water, water generated wood... ultimately coalescing into an unimaginable curtain, forcibly concealing the entire operation of the Netherworld Palace, carving out a modest territory from the realm of reincarnation.

【Great Forest Wood】!

”What a pity.”

Inside the palace, 【Ang Xiao】 stood with his hands behind his back, the mist around him never dissipating. In his hand, he manipulated a lifelike puppet.

”Back then, it was merely a precaution, so I deliberately left behind this 【World-Reporting External Body】. I never expected it would actually come in handy one day. It shows how many heroes exist in the world... In hindsight, I was too hasty back then; the trump cards I prepared were still insufficient.”

Undeniably, he was currently trapped in the 【Netherworld Palace】.

However, this was because he sought to ascend to the position of Dao Master, thus binding himself. It didn’t mean he was entirely incapable of leaving or devoid of any means.

”With it, it’s enough to make a trip for me.”

His true body couldn’t leave.

But with his support, the 【World-Reporting External Body】 could exert power far beyond the mid-stage of the Golden Core, more than sufficient to stop Hong Yun.

”That said, it’s ultimately not my true body taking action. With the world’s True Persons blocking the way, I’ll need time to gradually suppress them and find an opportunity to stop Hong Yun. If it weren’t for Chong Guang buying me time, Hong Yun might have indeed escaped unscathed...”

Unfortunately, the 【World-Reporting External Body】 could only be used once.

Once it ventured into the present world and engaged in a great battle, even the obstruction of the knowledge-obscuring barrier couldn’t conceal its aura. Upon returning to the 【Netherworld Palace】, it would inevitably be crushed into dust by reincarnation.

”...Forget it, let’s make the trip!”

”Rumble!”

Purple qi filled the sky, eventually transforming into a colossal eye that obscured the heavens, gazing down upon the world, finally locking onto Hong Yun.

Although 【Ang Xiao】’s gaze was focused on Hong Yun, even the residual effects caused cultivators across the world to feel immense pressure.

Even Lü Yang, who was at the 【Southern Heavenly Gate】, was no exception.

”Indeed...!”

Lü Yang looked up at the sky, not surprised by 【Ang Xiao】’s intervention. In fact, this was precisely why he had anticipated Hong Yun’s failure in seeking the Golden Core.

Although he was unaware of the existence of the 【World-Reporting External Body】, he knew that in his previous life, 【Ang Xiao】 had intervened when Chong Guang sought the Golden Core, single-handedly contending with multiple True Persons, resulting in a stalemate. If he could act in the previous life, there was no reason he couldn’t in this one.

’My opportunity... has arrived!’

In the next moment, Lü Yang’s eyes gleamed. Undoubtedly, all the world’s True Persons were now focused solely on Hong Yun’s pursuit of the Golden Core.

No one would pay attention to him anymore.

’Seize this chance to reincarnate and deliver 【Shen Jin】 to my true body!’