Chapter 114: Daring to Counterattack Me
Chapter 114: Daring to Fight Back Against Me
After watching his innate talent and diligent efforts go off to research how to upgrade the [Yama Palace], Lü Yang still felt somewhat unsatisfied as he glanced back at the battlefield.
"What a pity. I won't be able to achieve such results again anytime soon."
After all, one had escaped.
Once that person returned and reported his situation, the Buddhist cultivators probably wouldn't rashly gather forces to deal with him again.
"Tianhe pays respects to the True Person!"
Just as Lü Yang was putting away the Myriad Spirits Banner, Qin Tianhe came scurrying over and, without hesitation, immediately bowed respectfully—just as before.
Seeing this, Lü Yang could only smile helplessly.
Unlike during the Balance-Keeping Sea incident, he wasn't truly a Foundation Establishment True Person. If he simply accepted this acknowledgment, it would cause serious trouble once exposed.
Thus, he decisively said, "Senior Brother has misunderstood."
"I am Lü Yang, a newly advanced true disciple, not a Foundation Establishment True Person."
"...Lü Yang?"
Qin Tianhe was stunned upon hearing this name—he had just discussed it with his friend Xu Xin. Wasn't this supposed to be a newcomer who had just become a true disciple?
At this moment, the cunning mind of a Saint Sect disciple began working furiously.
First, he dismissed the possibility that Lü Yang wasn't a Foundation Establishment True Person. After all, with strength like his—killing Qi Refining cultivators like cutting grass—who would believe he wasn't one?
...I get it now!
This "newly advanced true disciple" nonsense was clearly just a disguise! A Foundation Establishment True Person must have deliberately hidden their identity specifically for this Dao-Seizing War!
This person before me is likely a reincarnated True Person of our Saint Sect, intentionally assuming a new identity so they could bully weaker opponents in the Dao-Seizing War and ensure our sect's dominance... How devious! Truly devious! As expected of a True Person from our Saint Sect!
Seeing Qin Tianhe's expression continuously shifting, Lü Yang asked curiously, "What are you thinking?"
Hearing this, Qin Tianhe shuddered before hurriedly shaking his head. "N-no! Nothing! The True Person is wise and mighty beyond measure. This disciple is utterly awed."
Lü Yang waved his hand again. "I already said—I'm not a True Person."
Qin Tianhe nodded rapidly. "Right, right! Not a True Person. Our Saint Sect hasn't sent any True Persons in. Don't worry, I understand completely!"
Damn it, what exactly do you understand?
Lü Yang shook his head and was about to speak again when his brow suddenly furrowed. His divine sense detected something, and he looked up toward the distant horizon—
Boom!
A thunderous roar echoed like the drumming of ten thousand soldiers, rolling across the sky as if something surpassing a certain threshold was rapidly approaching.
Then, at the edge of the horizon, a golden light slowly rose.
The golden light traversed the land, covering thousands of miles in an instant before illuminating Lü Yang's position. It then split apart, revealing layers upon layers of radiant figures.
From within the light emerged rows of solemn Buddhist cultivators—some holding staffs, some draped in kasayas, others wearing prayer beads or clutching golden alms bowls. Each bore extraordinary features: some had three heads and six arms, others a third eye on their foreheads—all arrayed in the sky.
The next moment, over a hundred Buddhist cultivators spoke in unison:
"Amitabha!"
Each syllable resounded like thunderclaps, the rolling echoes crashing toward the two like tidal waves.
"Ugh!"
Qin Tianhe paled slightly. The Buddhist Thunder Sound Technique grew stronger with more participants. With so many Buddhist cultivators chanting together, the impact on him was considerable.
However, Lü Yang suddenly took a step forward. The divine sense refined through the Heavenly Silkworm Secret showed no fear toward the incoming thunderous chants. With a single sweep of his divine sense, all Buddhist sounds dissipated within three feet of him, as if they had never existed.
For a moment, Lü Yang stood unshaken against a hundred foes, utterly composed.
Meanwhile, Guang Hui, the leader of the Buddhist contingent, grew suspicious upon seeing Lü Yang. Weren't there supposed to be dozens or even hundreds of enemies here?
"Guang Ming?"
Guang Hui turned back to see Guang Ming looking awkward, refusing to step forward and even trying to retreat further back. A quick glance told him everything.
False intelligence again?
"...Useless!"
Guang Hui cursed under his breath before turning back to Lü Yang. Though Guang Ming had caused this excessive mobilization, it might have been a blessing in disguise.
If this opponent could single-handedly defeat Guang Ming and his dozen Buddhist cultivators, then sending a small force might not have been enough to subdue him... But now, with all 108 monks of the [Dragon Division] assembled, victory was assured.
Thinking this, Guang Hui suddenly smiled. "Esteemed benefactor, how about we make a deal?"
"...A deal?"
"Indeed." Guang Hui pointed at Qin Tianhe and continued, "If you hand over that demon behind you, you may leave freely."
—This was, of course, nonsense.
In Guang Hui's view, though Qin Tianhe was far inferior to Lü Yang, he still had his own standing. Together, they might have had a slim chance of survival.
However, demons had never been known for unity. Under pressure, Lü Yang might very well betray his fellow disciple—such things had happened before. Thus, Guang Hui hoped to drive a wedge between them.
Yet Lü Yang merely chuckled.
Frankly, if he were truly cornered and selling out a teammate could save him, he wouldn't hesitate. Better you die than me, after all.
But... that would only apply if he were truly cornered.
"You all are still far from being a threat."
Lü Yang shook his sleeve and smiled. "Since you're already here, why not stay? I happen to need talents like you."
Guang Hui frowned. "Benefactor, you stand alone. Must you struggle like a trapped beast?"
"Who's the trapped beast? That remains to be seen."
The moment these words fell, Guang Hui's pupils abruptly contracted. Instinctively, he looked around—only to find that the once-clear sky had darkened with rolling black mist.
Clang! Clang!
Amidst the churning black mist came the relentless clatter of armor. Soon, rows of ghostly soldiers clad in heavy armor emerged, their gazes fixed upon the Buddhist cultivators.
Among them, some even recognized the fallen forms of their fellow monks.
"Junior Brother Yuanjue?"
"And Junior Brother Yuanhao is here too!"
"What is that!?"
Boom!
A tremor-like rumble spread—the thunderous footsteps of tens of thousands of witch-ghosts, enveloping both sky and earth!
Though Guang Hui had brought the elite [Dragon Division]—108 Buddhist cultivators, the weakest at mid-stage Qi Refining—they were now surrounded by over ten thousand witch-ghosts! Ranging from early-stage Qi Refining to perfected Qi Refining, it was practically a small-scale sect!
What the hell is this!?
"W-wait, benefactor—"
Before Guang Hui could finish, a deafening battle cry drowned out his voice. Surging yin energy eclipsed even the radiant Buddhist light.
Beside Lü Yang, Ancestor Nether Whisper reappeared, looking exasperated.
"Didn't I say not to disturb me?"
"My apologies, Ancestor."
Lü Yang also shook his head. "I truly didn't expect... After being slaughtered by me once, these bald donkeys didn't flee—no, they dared to fight back against me."