Struggling to Survive with Regression Power in the Primordial Saint Sect

‘That’s right, he should be suspicious of me.’

With a single thought, Lü Yang instantly understood the source of Hong Ju’s suspicion—he had most likely sensed something unusual when Lü Yang subdued the Fulong Arhat’s divine ability just now.

‘Hongyun cultivates the 【Overturning Lamp Flame】.’

‘Whereas I cultivate the 【Pomegranate Wood】.’

‘And there is no 【Xin Metal】 divine ability in 【Overturning Lamp Flame】. Our cultivation paths differ, which is nearly ironclad evidence. It’s only natural for him to have doubts.’

Though he thought this, Lü Yang remained completely unflustered.

After all, Hongyun’s Metal nature was in his hands, effectively putting Hong Ju’s life under his control. He could have Hong Ju drop dead at any time if he wished.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have dared to appear in person before someone at the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm.

With that in mind, a composed smile appeared on Lü Yang’s face. He looked at Hong Ju and said softly, “What’s wrong? If you have doubts, just speak up.”

“. Hong Ju obeys your commands, my lord. I have no doubts whatsoever!”

In an instant, Lü Yang sensed a shift in Hong Ju’s emotions—all suspicion had turned into panic, though he forcibly maintained a façade of calm on the surface.

But Lü Yang had no intention of letting it slide. Since he wanted Hong Ju to work for him, he had to win over his heart and mind. Otherwise, even if the man couldn’t refuse, he might obey in appearance but defy in secret, creating unnecessary troubles. So, after a brief moment of thought, Lü Yang decisively said:

“No need for that.”

Recalling how Hongyun had treated Hong Ju in the past, Lü Yang smiled and said, “Hong Ju, you are a clever man. I’ve hidden this matter long enough. It’s time I told you.”

“Take a look at this body of mine.”

As he spoke, Lü Yang deliberately revealed a portion of his true nature. Hong Ju took one look and froze on the spot: ‘An Immortal Spirit... this man actually possesses an Immortal Spirit body!?’

Wait, no, that’s not right!

With Hong Ju’s discerning eye, he could tell that Lü Yang had not yet been born in this life—in other words, this Immortal Spirit body had not yet reached its limits!

On the other side, Lü Yang didn’t mind exposing his identity. Now that True Sovereigns had gone into seclusion and Hong Ju was under the control of the Metal nature of Hongyun, it was no big deal for a few origins to be known. With his thoughts racing, he chuckled and said, “Did you really think I’ve done nothing these past five thousand years?”

Upon hearing this, Hong Ju was utterly shaken.

‘Wasn’t that the case?’

From what he knew, Hongyun had simply been repeatedly seeking the 【Overturning Lamp Flame】, only to die abruptly each time—always the same pattern.

“Hmph, you’ve underestimated me.”

Lü Yang sneered, “After five thousand years of failing to acquire the 【Overturning Lamp Flame】, even a fool would know something was wrong. Why would I keep butting my head against that wall?”

As he spoke, Lü Yang suddenly released his aura.

【Commander of Arms】, 【Stubborn Metal Duke】, and 【Solemn Dark Frost】—three innate divine abilities radiantly manifested before Hong Ju, making his pupils shrink instantly:

“These three divine abilities... the mysterious cultivator from overseas back then was you, my lord!?”

Lü Yang readily admitted it: “If not for my strategic planning overseas that led to the emergence of 【Heaven of Nothingness】, how could there be such a perfect opportunity for all the True Sovereigns to retreat into seclusion?”

Upon hearing this, Hong Ju was dumbfounded.

But then he thought it over carefully and suddenly felt... it actually made sense?

The emergence of 【Heaven of Nothingness】 had indeed involved Lü Yang in many ways—he was the one who first suggested exploring the overseas Biyang Cultivation Realm.

And whose territory was the Biyang Cultivation Realm?

Lord Hongyun’s, of course!

In an instant, Hong Ju had an epiphany: It all made sense now! Could it be that 【Heaven of Nothingness】 was Lord Hongyun’s true arrangement from back then?

With that thought, Hong Ju felt as if he had been enlightened. No wonder Lord Hongyun had invested so much effort in the Biyang Cultivation Realm—it couldn’t have been just for a broken half-true treasure. That would be far too petty. 【Heaven of Nothingness】 was a plan worthy of someone who had once been a Golden Core True Sovereign!

“My lord... your foresight is extraordinary!” Hong Ju bowed deeply again.

Reflecting on Lord Hongyun’s constant attempts to attain the 【Overturning Lamp Flame】 over the past five thousand years, what had once seemed like foolish persistence now appeared to be a brilliant disguise!

Openly repairing the plank road while secretly marching through the hidden path.

Enduring hardship in silence, all for this day!

Outwardly presenting himself as a hapless fool to mislead hidden enemies, while in reality laying down layers of strategic traps, ready to turn the tide!

And now\... he had succeeded!

With the True Sovereigns in seclusion, no one could stop his quest for the Golden Core... Hmm? But if that were the case, why didn’t the lord continue pursuing the 【Overturning Lamp Flame】?

As soon as the doubt arose, Hong Ju answered it himself.

After all, trying to claim the 【Overturning Lamp Flame】 again would definitely make an enemy of that cultivator 【Ang Xiao】—a late-stage Golden Core powerhouse. Why create such a powerful foe?

It was better to choose a different path with broader horizons!

As for how ‘Lord Hongyun’ had managed to switch paths despite being a True Sovereign—Hong Ju felt that, given the means of a True Sovereign, anything was possible.

With that thought, the bewilderment he had felt due to Hongyun’s repeated failures vanished. Even his old prejudices against Hongyun lessened—sure, he seemed different from the Lord Hongyun of the past, but hadn’t that been deliberate pretense?

Now, this was the real Lord Hongyun!

“My lord’s profound foresight earns my deepest admiration!”

In the next second, Hong Ju bowed once more. This time, his emotions were perfectly calm. All previous doubts and anxieties had completely disappeared.

Seeing this, Lü Yang nodded in satisfaction.

He then chatted with Hong Ju about past events. With the memories he had extracted from Hongyun via the 【Book of a Hundred Lifetimes】, Lü Yang was extremely adept in this area.

Naturally, this only reinforced Hong Ju’s convictions.

After all, a True Sovereign could not be soul-searched. The fact that this man could so vividly recall past events meant he had to be Lord Hongyun—and only Lord Hongyun.

“Hong Ju, I have three tasks for you.”

Having gone to such lengths to subdue Hong Ju, Lü Yang naturally intended to make full use of him. He immediately said, “First, I want you to go to the Myriad Martial World and collect a batch of Qi for me.”

After all, he was no longer part of the Primordial Saint Sect.

Moreover, his clone had already joined the Sword Pavilion and couldn’t act freely. If he wanted to return to the Myriad Martial World, it would have to be with his main body—which would be too dangerous.

Having Hong Ju do it would be far simpler.

“I accept the order!”

Hong Ju did not disappoint Lü Yang and readily accepted the task. Seeing this, Lü Yang didn’t waste time and revealed the other two tasks:

“Second, do you know where Chong Guang’s 【Xin Metal】 body is?”

Although there were some clues about 【Xin Metal】 from the Fulong Arhat side, if he could get it directly from Hong Ju, there would be no need to take any risks.

Unfortunately, Hong Ju shook his head at the question:

“Reporting to my lord, the 【Xin Metal】 in Chong Guang’s possession was transformed from his Immortal Spirit in a past life. There are no clues on our side; he likely took it with him.”

“Then never mind.”

Though Lü Yang was disappointed, he spoke casually, “Lastly, I plan to visit the 【Palace of Su Heng】. Wait for my orders to make a trip for me.”

A free henchman—how could he not use him?

Now that the True Sovereigns were in hiding, Hong Ju, at the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm, was undoubtedly one of the top powerhouses. He was the perfect candidate to explore the 【Palace of Su Heng】.

“Understood!”

Hong Ju withdrew respectfully. Once he returned from collecting Qi in the Myriad Martial World, Lü Yang’s 【Universal Form of All Phenomena under the Dry Heaven】 could make further progress.

Just then—

“Boom!”

A deafening rumble erupted from the direction of Skull Mountain. Lü Yang immediately turned his head and came to a sudden realization: “The Witch Ghost Path secret realm has finally emerged!”

In other words, the ancestor Ting You of this lifetime should have also appeared!