Struggling to Survive with Regression Power in the Primordial Saint Sect

Heavenly Light Sea Beyond the Sky.

Although this wasn’t Lü Yang’s first time here, re-examining the celestial scenery under the protection of a Golden Core True Lord granted him an entirely different kind of insight.

‘Back in my previous life, coming here carried the risk of death.’

After all, the sky beyond was brimming with surging 【Two Rites Light of Creation and Destruction】—the clash of Yin and Yang energies that obliterated all phenomena. Even a Foundation Establishment True Person couldn’t linger here for long.

Yet now, under the guidance of a Golden Core True Lord, it was an entirely different experience. Emperor Jiayou walked at the front, and as he strolled forward, myriad radiant lights rose beneath his feet, forming a golden bridge.

On both sides were dragon banners and imperial chariots, flags fluttering, and ranks of armored soldiers stretching in endless procession outward into the heavens.

‘What an extravagant display!’

Lü Yang was inwardly shaken. What met his eyes was only golden brilliance paving the ground, and the perilous 【Two Rites Light of Creation and Destruction】 that could destroy Foundation Establishment True Persons was spontaneously split away to both sides.

Emperor Jiayou and Lü Yang stood upon this golden avenue. One end of it was connected to their coordinates, while the other end was locked far away according to the coordinate Lü Yang had provided. Then, with a single step forward, an inexpressible distance was instantly crossed.

A Realm Heaven immediately appeared in Lü Yang’s sight.

‘Here already... So fast.’

When he had previously reached 【Seven Luminaries Heaven】, it had taken him a great deal of effort. Yet Emperor Jiayou moved as if taking a leisurely stroll, not even showing a hint of strain.

Lü Yang lowered his head, silently thinking to himself:

‘This golden avenue... it’s formed from the image of 【Roadside Earth】!’

Qi follows form, and objects follow the road. If it has form, it has substance; if it has an object, it can manifest—this is called 【Roadside Earth】. The image carries the profoundness of continuous earth and boundless plains.

This outcome confirmed a previous hypothesis Lü Yang had considered:

  ‘It seems that even after leaving that wretched place, far away from the 【Fruit Position】, a True Lord’s power does not diminish in the slightest… But why is that?’

Logically speaking, the Fruit Position existed within Heaven and Earth. A Golden Core True Lord could wield the Fruit Position’s power within Heaven and Earth. But once removed from Heaven and Earth, the Fruit Position should be beyond reach, and the Golden Core True Lord should be weakened.

However, from the manifestation Emperor Jiayou showed, clearly the beyond-heaven environment had no effect on him.

Just then, Emperor Jiayou suddenly spoke: “Beloved subject.”

“Your servant is present,” Lü Yang promptly responded.

“There is something I’m quite curious about.” Emperor Jiayou’s tone was casual, as if making small talk. “How did you come to uncover that『Ninefold Transforming Dragon Art』?”

At these words, Zhao Xuhe’s image flashed through Lü Yang’s mind.

Speaking of Zhao Xuhe—what a streak of bad luck.

If things had gone as they were supposed to, he shouldn’t have begun cultivating the Ninefold Transforming Dragon Art at this point in time.

But Lü Yang had changed everything.

Back at the First Anchor Point, Lü Yang had already cultivated the『Ninefold Transforming Dragon Art』, intercepting Zhao Xuhe’s opportunity, nearly driving him mad with anger.

But in this restart, Lü Yang was focused on 【Heavenly Fire Above】 and had no interest in the damned thing that was 【Soil on the City Wall】. So, he decisively discarded his『Ninefold Transforming Dragon Art』.

Because of this, in the resonance of karmic cause and effect, Zhao Xuhe rediscovered the opportunity he had once lost.

The ups and downs of life—nothing more than this.

Under such circumstances, Zhao Xuhe didn’t dare to wait any longer. To avoid losing it again, he directly went to Panlong Island and switched his cultivation to the『Ninefold Transforming Dragon Art』 ahead of time.

Ironically, that very action became the root of disaster in this life.

‘The mysteries of karma are truly awe-inspiring…’

Lü Yang sighed in his heart but outwardly answered without hesitation, “To be honest, Your Majesty, I used a method passed down from the Jiangbei Demonic Sect, specifically from Mending Heaven Peak.”

Since he had dared to openly present the『Ninefold Transforming Dragon Art』, he had already prepared an explanation.

“After the Dragon Monarch accidentally obtained this method, he felt it violated the natural order. With the Demonic Sect close by, he did not dare to spread it.”

Lü Yang then proceeded to explain in detail the Mending Heaven Scripture, Primordial Mother’s Transforming Radiance, and how he used these two Daoist arts to search for the information he needed.

Emperor Jiayou was astounded:

“Beasts! Truly worthy of being a Demonic Sect!”

Before his words had even faded, the two had arrived at the location of 【Seven Luminaries Heaven】. Emperor Jiayou merely glanced at it indifferently, then reached out with a hand across the void.

“Rumble!”

In an instant, the entire【Seven Luminaries Heaven】was directly seized by Emperor Jiayou. Even the【Seven Luminaries True Preservation Formation】Hong Yun had left outside of it was broken apart by Emperor Jiayou’s overwhelming power.

This deepened Lü Yang’s understanding of this Dao Court Heavenly Son’s strength.

  ‘Mid-stage Golden Core.’

Within the Dao Court, there was often a power struggle between civil officials and the royal family. When the civil officials were dominant, the emperor ruled through non-action. But when the emperor was strong, the officials became his oxen and horses.

In this generation of the Dao Court, supremacy lay with the emperor.

Moreover, the Tian Wu Royal House cultivated their own nature. Emperor Jiayou’s cultivation was likely genuine, making him the most promising of the True Lords in the Dao Court to break into the late stage!

With such a mighty figure taking action, a mere embryonic Fruit Position like 【Seven Luminaries Heaven】was utterly powerless to resist.

“Let’s go. Time to return.”

After collecting the【Seven Luminaries Heaven】, Emperor Jiayou suddenly gave a faint smile and looked at Lü Yang: “Beloved subject, would you like to become the first deity of incense-fueled deification?”

Lü Yang raised his brows slightly at those words. “…I ask that Your Majesty elucidate.”

“I intend to establish a new department to widely spread the Xianghuo Shendao within Tianwu City, letting these incense gods guard the capital. The name shall be【Imperial City Department】.”

“This is a great responsibility.”

“Beloved subject, since you were the one to present the Xianghuo Shendao, I intend to grant the first divine position to you—let you watch over the capital for me. You will serve as the Commander of the【Imperial City Department】.

“Of course, this is a personal appointment. It has not been approved by the Inner Cabinet, so no official title will be bestowed.”

“But for you, that makes no difference.”

“After all, the Xianghuo Shendao can also improve your cultivation. By commanding the【Imperial City Department】, incense will be at your disposal. That should allow you to reach perfection in the Foundation Establishment stage.”

“What say you?”

Emperor Jiayou’s words were sincere, showing great concern for his subject. Lü Yang, seeing this, also wore a face full of gratitude, choking up as he said, “Your servant thanks Your Majesty for your grand favor!”

Having said that, he lowered his head—

Then cursed furiously in his heart:

  ‘Screw you, damn tyrant!’

Such words might deceive others, but he had once commanded the【Seven Luminaries Heaven】! How could he not know the difference between Xianghuo Shendao and a Dao Court official position?

  The two were completely incomparable!

  ‘The Foundation Establishment perfection aided by a Dao Court position can condense Golden Nature! While the incense path’s Foundation Establishment is a mere hollow rank.’

In a flash, Lü Yang saw through Emperor Jiayou’s intentions.

‘He’s trying to scam me!’

‘Wants me to work for him, but doesn’t want me to be promoted too quickly. So he uses this as a cheap substitute to fool me into serving him…’

At this realization, Lü Yang was furious.

How could the Dao Court function properly with such parasites in power?

But then he changed his mind: ‘That being said, if this【Imperial City Department】really does get established, it would at least have considerable official authority on the surface.’

Naturally, Emperor Jiayou only dared to grant such a position because the【Imperial City Department】relied on the Xianghuo Shendao, and as the root of that system, the【Seven Luminaries Heaven】was now in his grasp.

This meant he held the lifeline of all incense gods and need not fear rebellion.

However, Emperor Jiayou could not have known:

  ‘So what if you have【Seven Luminaries Heaven】? I have one too! And mine is more complete—it’s nourished by【Long Flowing Water】, a genuine external Fruit Position!’

In other words, as long as Lü Yang had the will—

The【Imperial City Department】could become his personal stronghold, and, when needed, his foundation for rectifying the Dao Court and ruling the realm!

Beyond the celestial light sea, Emperor Jiayou and Lü Yang had just left.

At the original location of the【Seven Luminaries Heaven】, a streak of golden light shot through the sky and manifested into a figure—it was Hong Yun, expression dejected and face full of despair.

And then, he froze.

He stared wide-eyed, then rubbed his eyes, looked around, rubbed them again… finally revealing a pure, bewildered look.

“…Where’s the【Seven Luminaries Heaven】?”

Back when I was still a True Lord, it was my most deeply hidden trump card—such a huge【Seven Luminaries Heaven】, where did it go!?