Chapter 609: Lu Yang Also Wants to Certify a Fruit Position Out of Thin Air!

A long time ago, Lu Yang had heard a saying:

All the cultivation methods under the heavens were divided into nine grades, from high to low. Those below sixth grade had no chance of Foundation Establishment; below third grade, no chance of forming a Golden Core; only a first-grade cultivation method could give hope of reaching Nascent Soul.

Later, he had seen the first first-grade cultivation method in his life in the Sword Pavilion:

《Discourse on the Profound, Secret Chapter on Grasping Gold by the Sword Sovereign》

However, it was later proven that this so-called first-grade method was a scam. It sacrificed the cultivator to "certify the Sword Dao out of thin air"—a trap of a technique in essence.

Which raised a new question:

‘At the time, I thought it was just the usual shady tactics of the Sword Pavilion’s sword bastards, always trying to screw people over… But now it seems there might be a deeper reason behind it.’

‘Maybe first-grade methods were originally meant for "empty certification". Empty certification is one of the foundational pillars of the Nascent Soul realm. The other is the Supreme Fruit Position. Take the Taiyin Immortal Venerable of the Celestial Mansion for example—one Taiyin Fruit Position, and one certified out-of-thin-air Money Fruit Position.’

At that thought, Lu Yang’s brows arched slightly:

‘【Soaring High】.’

If even the Taiyin Immortal Venerable of the Celestial Mansion had most likely certified a Fruit Position from nothing, what about 【Soaring High】? Would the number one True Lord of the Celestial Axis be incapable of doing the same?

‘...Highly unlikely.’

Lu Yang had full confidence in 【Soaring High】. If mere cultivators from beyond the heavens could do it, there was no way 【Soaring High】 couldn’t. He should definitely be capable of it as well!

‘Thinking back carefully, how did he reverse the Earth of Chen constellation? Though the “Great Forest Wood” was powerful, it didn’t seem related to reversing Yin and Yang. It would’ve made more sense with “City Head Soil” or my own “Heavenly Flame Above”. So, to reverse Earth of Chen, he must’ve used another method.’

What method was it?

‘It couldn’t have been just a Dao technique—his position wouldn’t have been enough. But if it were the profundities of a Fruit Position… that fits. Yes, 【Soaring High】 must have another Fruit Position!’

A Fruit Position certified out of thin air!

He had used the profundities of that Fruit Position to reverse Earth of Chen and complete his grand plan. That old fox had been scheming in secret all along!

In that instant, Lu Yang also recalled how 【Soaring High】 had come to him in past lives, even offering to teach him the method to reverse Earth of Chen. At the time, he had been a little tempted. But now… it was obvious the man was dangling the promise of a Fruit Position, trying to trick him!

‘What a beast! Just you wait!’

Lu Yang muttered curses under his breath, jotting down another grudge in his mental notebook against 【Soaring High】. Then, his thoughts turned to another confusing point:

‘How did 【Soaring High】 and the Taiyin Immortal Venerable achieve empty certification?’

Was it purely because of their high cultivation realms?

‘No way. Even the True Lord Feixue and 【Sturdy Path-Preaching True Lord】 are already late-stage Golden Core, yet neither of them managed to certify a Fruit Position from nothing.’

‘Could it be the Supreme Fruit Position?’

Only with a Supreme Fruit Position as a foundation could one refine enough imagery and profundity to certify a Fruit Position out of nothing? Lu Yang felt this guess was the most plausible.

But if that were the case, then another question arose.

The Sword Dao.

‘If a Supreme Fruit Position was necessary for empty certification, then what about the Sword Dao? At the time, Master Dangmo hadn’t even reached Golden Core—he was still just a Foundation Establishment True Person.’

That didn’t quite add up!

‘Then again, maybe not necessarily. The method for certifying the Sword Dao came from the Dao Lord of the Sword Pavilion. For someone of that level, the restrictions of a mere Supreme Fruit Position wouldn’t mean much. Perhaps this all ties into the Dao Lord’s deeper schemes. The uniqueness of the Sword Dao must be extremely important to the Sword Pavilion.’

Lu Yang’s thoughts gradually cleared.

At the same time, his gaze grew brighter:

‘I also have a Supreme Fruit Position. In that case… could I also certify a Fruit Position from nothing?’

After all, the relationship between True Lords and Fruit Positions was far too subtle.

They possessed it, yet did not own it. A True Lord, strictly speaking, only had the right to use a Fruit Position, not true ownership. Just that distinction alone made Lu Yang deeply wary.

‘Even though I already possess the Sword Dao…’

‘But I’m not a true sword cultivator. I can’t fully draw out the Sword Dao’s power. And right now, Master needs the Sword Dao Fruit Position more than I do.’

At this thought, Lu Yang’s gaze lit up.

Indeed, ever since Master Dangmo had appeared at the critical moment to block 【Sturdy Path-Preaching True Lord】 and sacrificed himself by severing his path, Lu Yang had made up his mind:

He would return the Sword Dao to Master Dangmo!

‘Besides, Master Dangmo has already joined my Path of Righteous Qi family. Giving him the Sword Dao to wield puts my heart at ease. He can put it to far greater use than I can.’

Lu Yang felt this truth very clearly.

With the same Sword Dao Fruit Position and the same level of nurturing, in his hands it was better than in the hands of external Dao True Lords—but still could barely stand against orthodox True Lords.

In Master Dangmo’s hands, however, it was practically equal to an orthodox True Lord.

This disparity only firmed Lu Yang’s resolve:

‘The Sword Dao… was never mine to begin with. I need something that truly belongs to me!’

The Sword Dao could be a helper, a tool—but never the foundation!

At that realization, Lu Yang felt a sudden clarity. It was as if a layer of haze over his spiritual platform had been wiped clean. His thoughts became sharp and lucid, and only after a long time did he slowly rein in his thoughts.

Just then, a sudden commotion broke out:

“It's over! It's over!”

Lu Yang snapped out of his thoughts and saw that both inside and outside Alliance Prestige City, countless divine senses erupted, each one radiating intense greed and joy:

“Over 50! Worry-Free Talisman to External Dao Immortal Talismans now trades at 1:50!”

“It’s officially surpassed the Flame-Treading Immortal Talisman! Sure, the other’s recent crash played a role, but regardless, this is the first time it’s surpassed an orthodox Immortal Talisman!”

“It’ll keep rising! It’ll definitely reach 100!”

“I’m buying more!”

Cheers resounded across the heavens, and the imagery representing 【Money】 became denser than ever. It fell upon the External Dao Alliance, making even the spiritual energy feel jubilant.

At that moment, a streak of escape light descended—it was the Alliance Leader of the External Dao Alliance, Ban Shan.

Currently, Ban Shan’s face was brimming with excitement and wild joy as he cupped his fists, saying:

“Fellow Daoist Minghe’s methods are truly extraordinary! In just a few short months, you've accomplished this—my admiration knows no bounds.”

“This is nothing,”

Lu Yang shook his head. “We’ve just barely broken 50, scraping past the weakest of the orthodox Immortal Talismans. Fellow Daoist, the true rise of the Worry-Free Talisman is only beginning!”

After speaking, Lu Yang glanced downward and nodded slightly:

“The timing’s perfect. We can issue a new batch of Worry-Free Talismans to further stimulate the market and give those eager to enter a chance to make money.”

“Oh? Issuing more?”

Ban Shan’s eyes lit up, his expression unchanged, but internally he was already calculating:

‘The growth trend of the Worry-Free Talisman is even more exaggerated than I expected.’

‘At this rate, it won’t decline until it hits 100 and starts threatening those True Lords above the sixth level. If that’s the case… maybe I should buy some myself. I was too cautious before and bought too little. This time, I’ll go in heavy and make a fortune!’

Very soon, the excitement continued to build.

As the Worry-Free Talisman dominated the market, the Path of Righteous Qi also rode the momentum, blossoming everywhere below the sixth level of the Celestial Mansion, expanding wildly.

Of course, Lu Yang wasn’t some devil.

Not every disciple who joined the Path of Righteous Qi was admitted into the Banner of Enlightening the Righteous Dao—after all, some had already exhausted their potential and held no value in the Immortal Dao.

Those accepted into the Banner had to be the very best.

And in that process, Lu Yang’s 【A Model Teacher】 talent was fully active, continuously absorbing vast Dao comprehension from Celestial Mansion cultivators.

“Not enough. Still not enough!”

Lu Yang’s eyes burned as he looked up toward the sixth layer of the Celestial Mansion above:

‘These are all Dao attainments below the level of True Lords. For me, they’re not enough.’

‘I need Dao insights on the level of True Lords.’

‘I must cultivate an orthodox True Lord within the Celestial Mansion!’