Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Chapter 618: Chapter 618: The Secret of the Celestial Mansion, the Corpse of the Master of Dao

Lü Yang had to admit, he was tempted.

’The creation of a Celestial Mansion... I’ve really underestimated them. For this to be passed down through generations, stretching back so far... just how long ago was this?’

Tens of thousands of years? Hundreds of thousands?

At that thought, Lü Yang immediately put on a serious expression and looked at Zhi Lei. ”I understand what you mean, Daoist, although I have no desire to pursue power.”

”But I am an Outer Dao True Monarch, after all, and I have also considered contributing to the Outer Dao... Since you are so sincere, Daoist, and believe that my serving as the Alliance Leader of the Outer Dao Alliance is the best way for me to contribute, then I suppose I have no choice but to set aside my personal preferences and reluctantly accept this responsibility.”

Zhi Lei was stunned.

But he quickly came to his senses, realizing Lü Yang had agreed. He was overjoyed. ”In that case, let’s sign the contract! We welcome you, my lord!”

What followed was simple.

With the Outer Dao Alliance’s full promotional might, the news that ”True Monarch Minghe, creator of the Wuyou Talisman, has officially joined the Outer Dao Alliance and taken the position of Alliance Leader” spread like wildfire.

Lü Yang played along, giving a few speeches to express his confidence in the future of the Outer Dao Alliance and the Outer Dao Immortal Talisman, stating that this was why he decided to join.

As a result, the exchange rate of the Outer Dao Immortal Talisman immediately soared by several points.

Everyone was overjoyed.

That very evening, after taking his position, Lü Yang was led by Zhi Lei to the council hall of the Outer Dao Alliance’s True Monarchs, where he saw a dejected Mountain Mover.

When Mountain Mover saw Lü Yang, his lips trembled before he whispered:

”Minghe... my lord.”

Seeing this, Lü Yang quickly stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said, ”There’s no need for such formality, Daoist. We are both Outer Dao True Monarchs, and you are the former Alliance Leader. We can speak as equals.”

At these words, Mountain Mover was overcome with a mix of emotions.

After all, ever since Cyan Yang Immortal Monarch’s defeat and the subsequent rise of the Wuyou Talisman’s value instead of a fall, his failed investment had put him in an extremely awkward position within the Outer Dao Alliance.

It wasn’t just the other Outer Dao True Monarchs; even Mountain Mover himself couldn’t help but want to slap himself a couple of times whenever he meditated at night, mentally calculating the money he’d lost by selling his Wuyou Talismans early. The pain was unbearable, especially when he saw others profiting.

”Fellow Daoist Ming He... Ah.”

Mountain Mover let out a long sigh but quickly composed himself. In any case, Lü Yang’s attitude was very good. Perhaps it would be for the best that he was the new Alliance Leader.

Meanwhile, Lü Yang’s brow furrowed slightly.

’I tell you we can speak as equals, and you actually take me up on it? What’s my Fruit Position and what’s yours? Didn’t you see Zhi Lei next to you still calling me ”my lord”?’

No wonder he couldn’t hold on to his position as Alliance Leader.

Lü Yang shook his head and changed the subject. ”Daoist, you must have seen the contract for my joining the Outer Dao Alliance. Where might I find this [Path Opening Map]?”

”Follow me, Daoist.”

Mountain Mover gestured with his hand. ”This [Path Opening Map]... while it’s said to be precious, it’s actually rather ordinary. In fact, we’ve invited several Immortal Monarchs to observe it before.”

”Oh?” Lü Yang’s eyebrow twitched.

His initial excitement dropped considerably. After all, if so many people had seen it and no one had tried to take it, its value was probably nothing special.

Soon, Lü Yang followed Mountain Mover to a Quiet Chamber deep within the Outer Dao Alliance’s headquarters.

Pushing the door open, he was met with the sight of a wall, on which hung a massive scroll. The image was an alternating pattern of black and white, making it impossible to discern what it depicted.

But Lü Yang froze.

”This painting was left by the master of our Outer Dao Alliance’s founder. His Fruit Position, [Mingtian], allowed him to record wondrous scenes from Heaven and Earth, and this work has been passed down in our Alliance ever since...”

Mountain Mover’s voice gradually faded away.

It wasn’t just his voice; everything else was cast aside in that moment as Lü Yang’s gaze was completely captivated by the painting before him.

At first, Heaven and Earth were a sea of light.

An endless expanse of the [Duality of Life and Death Profound Light] surged violently, ceaselessly erupting with Mighty Power. Time and space lost all meaning here.

An unknown amount of time passed.

Finally, the Sea of Light was torn asunder. A figure emerged from a bottomless abyss, its steps faltering and unsteady, yet it pressed forward with unwavering resolve.

It was a magnificent figure the likes of which Lü Yang had never seen. Though not particularly tall and with no attempt to hide its features, when Lü Yang looked at it, he couldn’t see it clearly at all. It was like standing at the foot of a mountain and gazing up at its peak—blurry, immeasurable, with only an overwhelming sense of awe.

But in the next second, that figure suddenly spoke:

”First Saint!!!”

A world-shattering voice echoed through the Sea of Light, making all of history tremble. Its unimaginable Mighty Power even brought the Outer Heaven Sea of Light to a brief standstill.

And then—

BANG! ℯℯ𝑙.

The magnificent figure collapsed, as if that one roar had exhausted its last ounce of strength. As the voice faded, it could hold on no longer.

In an instant, its originally indescribably high Position plummeted. The figure disintegrated, scattered, and transformed into a billion streams of light that blew open the Outer Heaven Sea of Light, forming a pitch-black rift... An Outer Realm spontaneously came into being. Within it, six Qi traces emerged, dividing into the Twenty-four Fruit Positions...

Sun! Yangming! Lesser Yang!

Taiyin! Jueyin! Lesser Yin!

The six qi evolved into the Five Elements, the Five Elements evolved into Heaven and Earth, birth, old age, sickness, death, the seven emotions and six desires, all living beings... A super Outer Realm was thus completely formed.

BOOM!

Lü Yang suddenly snapped back to reality and took a step back, his eyes filled with such profound shock that he couldn’t believe what he was seeing in the Outer Dao Alliance.

’A Celestial Mansion... so this is a Celestial Mansion?!’

’A person shouted the First Saint’s name, then collapsed and died, their body disintegrating to form a Celestial Mansion, giving birth to a full twenty-four Fruit Positions?’

Was that even human?

’A Master of Dao... it could only be a Nascent Soul Daoist Lord! A Nascent Soul Daoist Lord died here! And it’s highly likely they were slain by the Saint Sect Ancestral Master!’

In that moment, an understanding dawned on Lü Yang: ’When a whale falls, ten thousand things are born. A Master of Dao, a Master of Dao... their Corpse opens Heaven, evolving the Five Elements and the six qi, forging the Twenty-four Fruit Positions... What if it were me? This process of Heaven and Earth’s evolution, the evolution of Fruit Positions, is actually a method for weaving!’

A method for weaving an image!

For the past two years, in their search for the ”Void Certificate,” Lü Yang and Progenitor Tingyou had tried to weave an image many times, only to fail at the final step.

Part of the reason was an insufficient number of True Treasures.

However, another reason was that their weaving method was wrong. Otherwise, they should have at least been able to sketch out a Fruit Position Prototype, rather than achieve nothing at all.

It was like a formula.

Previously, neither Lü Yang nor Progenitor Tingyou had found the Solution to the formula. But now, a complete, traceable weaving method was right before his eyes!

’The [Path Opening Map]... no wonder it’s called the [Path Opening Map]!’

By observing this map day and night, by imitating the process of the Master of Dao dying and their Corpse transforming into a Celestial Mansion, it might be possible to weave one’s own Fruit Position!

For a Perfected Lord aspiring to attain the ”Void Certificate,” this was a priceless treasure!

’...No, that’s not right!’

In an instant, Lü Yang’s excitement vanished, replaced by a calm composure. His gaze became extremely sharp as he stared intently at the chattering Mountain Mover beside him.

’How could such a Supreme Treasure not be snatched away by someone?’

’How could a mere Outer Dao True Monarch possibly be capable of inscribing such a scene?’

’Something is wrong!’

At this thought, Lü Yang’s expression tensed. His strange reaction, however, was misinterpreted by Mountain Mover, who gave a bitter smile and said:

”You can’t make sense of it either, Daoist?”

”That’s normal. After all, if this map truly held some profound mystery, it would have been taken by the higher-ranking Immortal Monarchs long ago. No one has ever truly comprehended anything from it...”

Hearing Mountain Mover’s explanation, Lü Yang’s brow furrowed.

’No one has ever comprehended anything from it? How is that possible? This weaving method is so obvious, any Perfected Lord would surely see its value...’

Unless—

’Not everyone can see this weaving method. They can’t see the full picture of the [Path Opening Map]... Am I the only one who can?’

Lü Yang subconsciously took another step back. When he looked at the [Path Opening Map] again, his eyes held no trace of greed, only deep apprehension and helplessness.

Could this be one of the reasons the Ancestral Master sent me here?

An opportunity meant only for me?

Don’t do this to me! This is terrifying!