Chapter 58: The Holy Sect is Full of Talents Everywhere

As for Wang Song, Lu Yang did not pay much attention to him. At most, he felt a brief sense of nostalgia that Wang Bairong, the old man of the Library Pavilion and a close friend from his previous lives, actually had descendants.

*Perhaps I'll look after them if I have the chance in a future life; for now, I have more important matters to attend to.*

Guiding his遁光 (escape light), Lu Yang left his cave dwelling. Simultaneously, he took out the Mingdao Jade Slip and began to contemplate the *Sage's Theft*.

As the ancient saying goes: "As long as the Sage does not die, the Great Theft will never cease."

This did not mean that the Sage was a thief, but rather that the Sage establishes laws for the world; while these laws regulate the conduct of all under heaven, they also provide convenience for the Great Thief.

However, that was the perspective of the Righteous Path. The understanding within the *Sage's Theft* was entirely different

The *Sage's Theft* states: *The Sage uses their own rules to reap benefits for themselves; those who do not follow are treated as bandits and rebels. The so-called Sage is the Great Thief who steals from the world.*

Therefore, to master this body-refining technique, one must establish a specific method of cultivation for the world. Once the people of the world follow this method, the practitioner can steal the destiny (Qi) of all people to nourish themselves. This was the true essence of the technique: "The Sage is the Great Thief, and the Great Thief is the Great Dao."

Using the mortal world's vitality to forge the Sage's Golden Body.

Once the Golden Body is forged, the physical strength is as unshakeable as "the laws of the Sage, unchanging through ten thousand generations." Even among the many body-refining techniques of the Saint Sect, it would rank in the top ten.

Seeing this, Lu Yang was utterly awestruck.

"Turning all people in the world into cultivation resources... the Saint Sect is still the same Saint Sect. Every time I start to feel a bit of goodwill toward them, they always manage to open my eyes to something massive..."

To be honest, ever since meeting Ming Chan, Yun Miaozhen, and the others, Lu Yang's perception of the Righteous Path had dropped significantly.

Admittedly, the Righteous Path organizations like the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion treated "their own people" very well, meeting all the standards of the Righteous Path in every respect. But this was strictly limited to "their own people."

What defined "one's own people"?

The Righteous Path spoke of karma and past lives. If you accumulated good karma and merit in your previous life, you were considered one of their own and could receive their favor.

Conversely, if you had committed evil and incurred karma in a previous life, you could never enter the Righteous Path, even if you were completely innocent in this life. You would be summarily struck down by the Righteous Path under the pretexts of "doing it for your own good," "cleansing your karma," or "you will have your own destiny in the next life." That madwoman Yun Miaozhen was a prime example.

By comparison, Lu Yang discovered the dividing line between the Righteous and Demonic paths.

To the Saint Sect, disciples were all "talents." Thus, they recruited without hesitation or discrimination; it didn't matter if you had a previous life or what your merit was.

The Righteous Path, however, emphasized "acting on behalf of Heaven."

Reincarnation, karma, and fate—the Righteous Path placed extreme importance on these aspects. They often recruited disciples based on merit, karma, and past lives.

Both had their pros and cons; the only difference was which one was more "human-like."

Thinking of this, Lu Yang felt utterly helpless: "Not a single normal sect. What is wrong with this world... it must be a problem with the system!"

Lost in thought, Lu Yang arrived deep within the sea of clouds.

Soon, a towering and magnificent black mountain range came into view. It was the "Yin Mountains," which also served as the headquarters of the Three Rivers Society.

Just then, a loud laugh suddenly rang out

"Junior Brother Lu, you have finally emerged from seclusion!"

In the next second, a figure that looked exactly as he had thirty years ago appeared outside the Yin Mountains. Seeing this, Lu Yang smiled slightly and cupped his hands in greeting

"Greetings, Senior Brother Luo."

"There is no need for such formalities between us."

Luo Wuya laughed and patted Lu Yang on the shoulder. He had always valued Lu Yang; otherwise, he wouldn't have specifically sent him the *Sage's Theft* technique.

He had also guessed a portion of Lu Yang's purpose for coming.

"You came for the *Sage's Theft*, didn't you, Junior Brother?"

Lu Yang nodded. "This technique is indeed profound and unpredictable. Its scope of influence is vast and it takes an immense amount of time. I fear it cannot be achieved overnight..."

"Hahaha!" Luo Wuya laughed loudly. "Junior Brother, you aren't actually thinking of leaving the Saint Sect to go to the mortal realm and start practicing this technique from scratch, are you? The Saint Sect is vast and rich in resources, filled with talented people. Why bother with such trouble? Regarding the *Sage's Theft*, the Saint Sect has long since established a perfected method of cultivation."

Lu Yang cupped his hands. "I ask for Senior Brother's guidance."

"Follow me."

Luo Wuya led Lu Yang into a great hall within the Yin Mountains. In the center of the hall sat a massive crystal sphere.

"This place is called the 'Law-Refining Secret Realm'."

Seeing the confusion on Lu Yang's face, Luo Wuya pointed at the crystal sphere and explained, "Don't let its size fool you; this is actually a creation of a Dao Lord!"

"A Dao Lord...!?"

Lu Yang's heart jolted. Foundation Establishment reached the True Person stage, Golden Core reached the True Monarch stage, and only Nascent Soul reached the title of Dao Lord. This object was actually refined by such an existence?

"Within the 'Law-Refining Secret Realm,' there are one hundred and forty million living souls. Each possesses powerful blood vitality and pure souls. A single person there is worth more than a dozen mortals in the outside world. Whether used for refining magical treasures or practicing techniques, they are top-tier materials. It is perfectly suited for your cultivation of the *Sage's Theft*, Junior Brother."

Lu Yang gasped. "One hundred and forty million talents..."

It seemed that as he broke through to the Great Perfection of Qi Refinement and joined the Foundation Establishment faction of the Three Rivers Society, he had finally earned the right to understand a glimpse of the Saint Sect's true foundation.

Just then, the secret realm suddenly erupted with brilliant light.

In the next second, a young man dressed in black robes walked out, his face filled with exasperation. "Damn these commoners... they failed again!"

After speaking, the youth glanced at Luo Wuya but did not respond, walking away directly.

Lu Yang naturally did not speak. Only after the youth had walked far away did he look at Luo Wuya, only to see a hint of schadenfreude on the older man's face.

"That was also a True Disciple of our sect, the only son of True Person Chongguang, named Chongming. Ignore him; he simply failed at practicing the *Sage's Theft* again."

"I won't hide it from you, Junior Brother: the *Sage's Theft* is not that easy to practice."

At this point, Luo Wuya regained a serious expression. "Do not underestimate the people in this secret realm. Although they are talents, they are not fools."

"As you know, the *Sage's Theft* requires one to create a method of cultivation out of thin air for the world to follow before one can practice it. The more ingenious the created technique, the greater the feedback upon success. However, we are not Dao Lords; the techniques we create are mostly shallow and easily found to have flaws."

"This is where the failures of the *Sage's Theft* stem from."

"In the past, there were even instances where disciples practicing the *Sage's Theft* were discovered by the living souls, who then feigned compliance only to eventually turn around and kill the practitioner. They became the laughingstock of the Saint Sect."

"Therefore, you must think carefully about how to practice this technique, Junior Brother."

Having said that, Luo Wuya took out a jade slip and handed it to Lu Yang. "I also practiced this technique in the past, so I have some meager experience to share."

"Thank you, Senior Brother!"

"It is all for the sake of the Three Rivers Society. I am waiting for you to achieve greatness and emerge from seclusion. If you truly master the *Sage's Theft*, you will be quite formidable even among the True Disciples."

Lu Yang's eyebrows twitched as he caught the implication in Luo Wuya's words.

*To master the Sage's Theft is merely to be "not weak."*

*Does that mean... I am currently not even worth noting?*

Lu Yang remained composed, offering a respectful bow before approaching the 'Law-Refining Secret Realm.' As his spiritual sense swept over it, a flood of information entered his mind.

One had to admit, it truly was a creation of a Dao Lord—this secret realm could actually be "configured"!

Human history, topography, and architecture could all be shaped according to his thoughts. This power to change heaven and earth with a single thought filled Lu Yang with both awe and intense dread.

Because in his heart, one thought refused to leave him.

The secret realm was a creation of a Dao Lord. If a Dao Lord could do such terrifying things within a secret realm, then in reality... did they possess equal power?

The living souls in the secret realm were "talents" to him.

Then what were the cultivators of the Saint Sect to a Dao Lord?

Lu Yang did not dare to think further. He could only sigh helplessly: "Damn it, the Saint Sect is full of 'talents' everywhere!"