Investment

There were still eight to nine hundred years before the Gate of the Immortal Realm on Beihai Star would open. However, to ensure nothing went awry, most Dao Lords returned three to five hundred years in advance. Dao Lord Juntian's scheduled return was hardly surprising. "I will do my best," Yaoguang said, then got straight to the point. "My purpose in contacting you this time, Dao Lord, is to inform you of something." "Speak." "The reason I was able to achieve Void Shattering so quickly is that an Artifact Saint has been assisting me behind the scenes all along. His true skill in artifact forging far surpasses what ordinary people know. Just recently, even Dao Lord Penglai was won over by his craftsmanship and entrusted him with the precious materials she had gathered, hoping to forge a pinnacle Dao artifact through his hands!" "A pinnacle Dao artifact?!" Dao Lord Juntian was taken aback. Immediately following that, he asked, "Which Dao Lord is it?" Right after asking, he realized something. "Wait, you mean he isn't a Dao Lord?!" "He is not," Yaoguang shook his head. "Not a Dao Lord?! Forging a pinnacle Dao artifact?! That is impossible!" Dao Lord Juntian waved a dismissive hand. "Theoretically, it truly is impossible. But if the materials used are good enough, an Artifact Saint capable only of forging high-grade Dao artifacts might very well craft a qualified pinnacle Dao artifact with immortal artifact-grade materials. He approached Dao Lord Penglai precisely to gain her backing, while hoping to break through his own limits during the process of forging a pinnacle Dao artifact—carrying the absolute confidence from that moment of success to charge into the Dao Integration realm..." As Yaoguang spoke, he brought up Dao Lord Penglai once more. With Yaoguang mentioning her name twice, Dao Lord Juntian finally calmed down. "Dao Lord Penglai was actually won over by him? Willing to fund his attempt at forging a pinnacle Dao artifact?" "Yes." Yaoguang nodded. "If he truly succeeds in forging a pinnacle Dao artifact, sublimates himself at that moment, and achieves Dao Integration in one fell swoop, he will inevitably be able to forge semi-immortal artifacts!" If a pinnacle Dao artifact could only enhance a Dao Lord's combat strength by ten or twenty percent... A semi-immortal artifact that perfectly resonated with oneself could boost a cultivator's combat strength by fifty percent! "Too difficult," Dao Lord Juntian said. "There is virtually no possibility of success." He then added, "Only Dao Lord Penglai, whose wealth came so easily, would be duped by an Artifact Saint into fooling around with him." Yaoguang's mouth twitched slightly. Only after a good while did he say, "Presumably, since Dao Lord Penglai acknowledged that Artifact Saint, he must possess some extraordinary qualities." "Dao Lord Penglai is a young Dao Lord who hasn't even lived for two thousand years. What does she know?" Dao Lord Juntian shook his head. "..." Yaoguang felt that any hope of pulling an investment from this Dao Lord had evaporated. At this moment, Dao Lord Juntian seemed to realize something as well. Looking at Yaoguang, he asked, "Are you hoping that I, too, will fund him to complete this forging of a pinnacle Dao artifact?" "Yes," Yaoguang said. "As the oldest lineage on Beihai Star, our Heavenly Dao Sect ought to possess many materials for pinnacle Dao artifacts... or even immortal artifacts, right? If we could invest a portion of immortal artifact materials..." "I do not agree." Dao Lord Juntian flatly refused. "A single set of immortal artifact materials is worth a hundred billion. To wager that on an Artifact Saint's slim chance of breakthrough? Unnecessary." "If that Artifact Saint succeeds in his breakthrough, while I cannot guarantee a semi-immortal artifact, pinnacle Dao artifacts... you would never have to worry about them again in the future, Dao Lord." "With such a massive investment, I might as well spend a hundred billion directly to buy a pinnacle Dao artifact." "A hundred billion can buy a pinnacle Dao artifact, true, but finding one that perfectly suits your natal Dao art is exceedingly difficult!" Yaoguang persuaded patiently. "Can that Artifact Saint behind you accomplish such a feat?" Dao Lord Juntian chuckled softly. "Even if he has mastered Sovereign Human Emperor to perfection, or even some void Dao art to perfection, he can't possibly have a deep comprehension of the Grand Dao of Truth as well, can he? Even if he were thoroughly versed in the Grand Dao of Truth, it wouldn't necessarily align with the Great Mantra Art I practice." "Why wouldn't he? In fact, with my talent and the backing of that Artifact Saint, I could have fared splendidly in any sect or force. Why did I choose to join the Heavenly Dao Sect instead of the Taiyi Immortal Sect or the Great Shang Immortal Dynasty? Precisely because, in addition to mastering Sovereign Human Emperor and a void Dao art, that Artifact Saint has also cultivated the Great Mantra Art," Yaoguang said with a faint smile. Many things that seemed unreasonable would naturally become reasonable once one grew powerful enough to reach a certain standing. Beside them, Zhen Xuanyuan glanced at Yaoguang. Someone backed by an Artifact Saint and possessing such extraordinary talent... Ought to have joined the most powerful Sanqing Sacred Hall. Yet they had come to the Heavenly Dao Sect—all for this very moment? Or rather, was that mysterious Artifact Saint seeking the full assistance of the Penglai Immortal Sect and the Heavenly Dao Sect to forge a pinnacle Dao artifact, and then riding that immense confidence of turning the impossible into reality to achieve Dao Integration in one stroke? Considering the rumors that Yaoguang had always shared a close relationship with Dao Lord Penglai... Everything made sense now. Not only him, but even Dao Lord Juntian fell into deep thought. "The Great Mantra Art..." The Dao Lord pondered for a moment. Only after a good while did he speak: "Have this Artifact Saint speak with me directly. Before he arrives, I will also contact Jinghong to learn more details. If what you say is true, and he can display the Great Mantra Art before me to demonstrate a perfection-level mastery, I can grant him a certain degree of investment and contribute toward his forging of a pinnacle Dao artifact." Hearing Dao Lord Juntian's words, Yaoguang knew this was the Dao Lord's bottom line. However... If he truly intended to step onto the stage under his own identity, he would not have gone through such elaborate circles in the first place. It seemed... This would not work. Then again, expecting Dao Lord Juntian to offer a hundred-billion-level investment with just a few words did feel a bit like trying to get something for nothing. "An Artifact Saint—especially one already capable of forging high-grade Dao artifacts—is a strategic asset to any power. Once exposed to the world, even Dao Lords might be unable to resist taking action to abduct him. Therefore... this Artifact Saint will absolutely not show himself easily," Yaoguang said in a deep voice. "Now that I have joined the Heavenly Dao Sect, we already have an innate foundation for cooperation with this Artifact Saint. If you, Dao Lord, can support his charge into Dao Integration, our relationship will advance even further. In the future, once he achieves Dao Integration, if nothing else, as long as you provide the materials, him forging a semi-immortal artifact for you would certainly be no trouble at all. What do you think, Dao Lord?" "So he doesn't trust me, then." Dao Lord Juntian understood Yaoguang's meaning. It made sense. An Artifact Saint below the Dao Lord level stood virtually defenseless before a true Dao Lord. And he himself was unwilling to part with a hundred billion in assets so easily... There simply was not enough mutual trust. Dao Lord Juntian recalled True Monarch Jinghong's assessment of Yaoguang... After some contemplation, he relented somewhat: "Thirteen thousand years ago, during my travels abroad, I did indeed have the fortune to acquire a set of materials suitable for forging an immortal artifact. However, I carry these materials with me; even if I wanted to give them to that Artifact Saint, I couldn't do so right now... How about this: I will rush back with all speed and strive to return to Beihai within a century. Once I reach Beihai and assess the specifics, I will make a final decision." "A century..." Yaoguang estimated briefly. The timing was fairly close. He had promised Dao Lord Penglai that he would forge the Dao artifact she wanted as soon as possible, and the Guixu Mysterious Crystal in his hands could be forged into the Bahuang Mirror. With his current artifact-forging attainments, by the time he finished forging both Dao artifacts, eighty to a hundred years would likely have passed. He nodded at once. "Then I shall await your good news, Dao Lord." Dao Lord Juntian nodded, adding, "The sect treasury contains some materials for pinnacle Dao artifacts. Though not vast in quantity, their value is considerable. If they are useful, go ahead and take them. Regardless of whether our cooperation ultimately succeeds, consider them a gift to establish goodwill with that Artifact Saint." Yaoguang had originally intended to make a discreet trip to the Heavenly Dao Sect treasury anyway; having received Dao Lord Juntian's explicit approval, his mind was thoroughly settled. "Thank you, Dao Lord. Since that Artifact Saint chose the Heavenly Dao Sect, he naturally harbors goodwill toward us. Please rest assured on that account, Dao Lord." Dao Lord Juntian smiled and said no more. After learning there were no other important matters, he vanished directly from the formation. He had already decided to rush back at full speed. Arriving within a century, if anything were amiss, he would have ample time to clean up the situation. ... Leaving the palace dedicated to communications, Yaoguang did not delay for a moment and headed straight for the Heavenly Dao Sect treasury. The treasury was guarded in person by Venerable Golden Book. It was said that the venerable's true body resided within it as well. However, when Yaoguang arrived, the venerable did not even show himself. Relying on his Sect Master authority, Yaoguang stepped straight into the treasury. As one of the oldest Dao Lord lineages, the Heavenly Dao Sect naturally held an abundant collection of diverse materials and Dao artifacts in its treasury. After examining them one by one, Yaoguang discovered that all the treasures in the treasury added up to a total value of roughly thirty to forty billion. This essentially represented the Heavenly Dao Sect's foundation displayed out in the open. Of course, the most core foundation remained in the hands of the Dao Lord. Yaoguang picked and chose among the numerous materials in the treasury, selecting roughly six billion worth of materials for forging pinnacle Dao artifacts before finally exiting the sect treasury. Stepping out of the treasury, he found not only Zhen Xuanyuan, but Supreme Elder Chiyun was also there. Seeing Yaoguang emerge, Supreme Elder Chiyun stepped forward and said, "Sect Master, now that you have taken charge of the Sect Master talisman seals, you should assemble your own Four Lineages leadership team to get the Heavenly Dao Sect running properly. Leaving Yuan Miaoyi, Xiang Zhenlong, and the others in the positions of Lineage Heads... is somewhat inappropriate." Yaoguang nodded. "I will send word to the Southern Domain immediately to have people come over." Considering that he might not remain in the Heavenly Dao Sect at all times, he added, "The Head of the Battle Lineage will be Qi Sha. As for the Head of the Immortal Lineage... I plan to have Chu Gushan take charge. Regarding the Heads of the Heaven Lineage and Dao Lineage, you Supreme Elders may discuss among yourselves and recommend a few candidates to me." Hearing that Yaoguang did not intend to turn the Heavenly Dao Sect into a one-man dictatorship, Zhen Xuanyuan and Chiyun were slightly surprised, yet secretly breathed a sigh of relief. They immediately said, "We will not disappoint you, Sect Master." "Go then." Yaoguang added an instruction to Zhen Xuanyuan: "And regarding the succession ceremony, do not neglect it." "Understood," Zhen Xuanyuan nodded. "Sect Master, what do you think about moving over to Huangtian Hall...?" Supreme Elder Chiyun asked for instructions. "No need. I live quite comfortably on Nine Cauldrons Peak and can't be bothered to move," Yaoguang said. Supreme Elder Chiyun did not press the matter, but would conscientiously keep Huangtian Hall vacant. At the same time, whatever was missing on Nine Cauldrons Peak, they would find ways to supply. As Yaoguang returned to Nine Cauldrons Peak, the entire Heavenly Dao Sect went back into motion. News of the Heavenly Dao Sect Master holding a formal succession ceremony spread rapidly across Beihai. Spreading across Beihai alongside it was the news issued concurrently by Dao Lord Penglai and the Heavenly Dao Sect seeking to purchase materials for pinnacle Dao artifacts and immortal artifacts. The former... Some considered it only natural. Yaoguang taking over the mantle of Heavenly Dao Sect Master was bound to happen sooner or later. Yet when the latter news got out... An Artifact Saint attempting to forge a pinnacle Dao artifact... Instantly sent colossal shockwaves across Beihai Star.