To Lu Yang, he would only lay plans and scheme against others once he held an absolute advantage in intelligence. Otherwise, he would rather hold his position and wait.
That was knowing one's own limits.
And when he lacked an intelligence advantage yet had no choice but to gamble, he would often consider the worst possible outcome in everything, then make preparations in advance.
Just like this time.
Since he had resolved to blackmail the Sword Pavilion Dao Lord and gamble against a Great True Lord, he had naturally thought beforehand about the worst-case scenario and how to secure a minimum return.
Thus came the two Puppet on Strings he had arranged in advance. Their targets were none other than the fallen Gangxing Budao True Lord, and Precious Pestle Victorious Bodhisattva, who had previously been instantly slain when Emperor Jiayou and the Dao Court's Three Dukes focused their fire on him—their souls!
Gangxing Budao True Lord is Sand Gold.
Precious Pestle Victorious Bodhisattva is Pine and Cypress Wood.
And I have Great Post Earth in hand.
As long as I track down the destinations of their souls, seize them in one stroke, and refine them into Fate-Form Bodies in an instant, I can use their hands to devour the Five Elements!
Of course, plans could never keep pace with change.
Emperor Jiayou was too ruthless when he outnumbered him, and he was a Great True Lord besides. Precious Pestle Victorious Bodhisattva was beaten until his soul scattered, without even time to reincarnate.
So Pine and Cypress Wood was out of the question.
But there was still Gangxing Budao True Lord. A Great True Lord's Gold Nature plus Sand Gold—if he obtained those, then no matter what, he would not have lost out this time.
The Netherworld, the River of Souls