Chapter 153
Chapter 153
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 153
Chapter Title: Karmic Tribulation
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After seeing off the Heaven Mending Peak Master, the smile on Lu Yang's face gradually faded. A trace of genuine puzzlement emerged in his eyes.
"Something's not right."
He believed it just like that?
Truth be told, Lu Yang hadn't really expected the Heaven Mending Peak Master to trust him from the start. After all, a veteran old devil like that shouldn't lightly believe outsiders.
Yet the situation didn't unfold as he'd imagined. From beginning to end, the Heaven Mending Peak Master showed no sign of suspicion. He accepted Fulong's golden body relic with evident satisfaction, then hurried away without delay, clearly eager to deliver it to Chen Xin'an to help him break through to Foundation Establishment.
This was utterly unlike the conduct of a Primal Saint Sect True Person.
"Greed clouds judgment."
Lu Yang pinched his fingers to divine, a hint of astonishment in his heart. The Heaven Mending Peak Master's bizarre state could be explained in one simple phrase.
—Merit greatly depleted, tribulations entwining his fate.
Beneath the heavenly punishment at Skull Mountain, Zhao Xuhe perished on the spot. Fulong Arhat was reduced to ten lifetimes as swine and dogs. The two True Persons of the Divine Martial Sect became offerings to the Avici Sword.
Only the Heaven Mending Peak Master survived.
But survival didn't mean heaven and earth had spared him. With most of his qi fortune and merit stripped away, the Heaven Mending Peak Master was now shrouded in karmic tribulation, his mind clouded.
"Tribulation clouds the mind, dust stains the spiritual platform. Matters that would normally be seen through at a glance go unexamined. Anomalies that should be obvious in daily life go unnoticed. Reckless actions, irritable temper—without aid from a great expert, even if he shines for a moment, his end will be tragic."
At this thought, Lu Yang jolted in shock.
"This eight-hundred-li leyline is like a merit nuke. Beyond the direct blast, it even has goddamn aftereffects. Seems a bit too fierce."
The key was, this aftereffect went undetected by others.
Even a cunning and treacherous figure like the Heaven Mending Peak Master had been reduced to this. At the thought, a reluctant notion surfaced in Lu Yang's mind:
'What about me?'
The next second, Lu Yang abruptly formed hand seals. A dazzling radiance bloomed from his Dao foundation, washing over his body like clear spring water, sweeping away the filth upon him.
[Distinguish Sameness and Difference]!
As the divine ability operated, clarity returned to Lu Yang's eyes. He suddenly recalled an obvious issue he'd previously overlooked:
"Did I just give away that item too easily?"
By Primal Saint Sect standards, his best move would have been to squeeze the Heaven Mending Peak Master hard. That way, it wouldn't arouse suspicion.
But what had he done?
He hadn't haggled at all, simply handing over Fulong's golden body relic. If he were the Heaven Mending Peak Master, he'd have suspected himself immediately!
"[Distinguish Sameness and Difference] failed to fully sever the karma!?"
"No... My cultivation is insufficient, so the connection lingers, leaving residual influence."
Lu Yang inhaled sharply, his face turning deathly pale. Cold sweat dripped down as he slowly regained his composure, his heart heavy.
"On the bright side, as the mastermind behind destroying the eight-hundred-li Skull Mountain leyline, the influence on me is still less than on the Heaven Mending Peak Master. That's thanks to [Distinguish Sameness and Difference], plus devouring the Divine Martial Sect's merit and qi fortune, leaving me with some clarity."
Those truly sunk, like the Heaven Mending Peak Master, probably couldn't wake up anymore.
The might of heaven and earth was this profound!?
In an instant, Lu Yang—who'd grown slightly arrogant from toying with karma and wearing down Fulong Arhat—shrank back, feeling bone-chilling cold.
The karma of heaven and earth wasn't so easily fooled.
Though his innate divine ability gave him unparalleled advantages here, even the best swimmer could drown, the finest rider could fall. Playing with fire would one day burn him!
"What a damn place."
Lu Yang had always held Golden Core True Lords in utmost awe. The image of them seizing the Dao, wielding sun and moon, plucking stars, was still fresh in his memory.
But now, his view had changed.
Golden Core True Lords were terrifying, yet even they hadn't chosen to directly destroy Skull Mountain's leyline when exterminating the Witch Ghost Dao!
This showed that even for Golden Core True Lords, karma and merit influenced them to some degree. Though perhaps not much, it existed. Compared to their world-shaking power, it highlighted just how deep this world's waters ran.
"Fortunately, the Heaven Mending Peak Master I'm facing is even worse off."
Such was the wonder of qi fortune. If it were any other Primal Saint Sect True Person, Lu Yang's flaw would have been fatal. But it was the Heaven Mending Peak Master, letting him snap awake.
At first glance, mere coincidence.
From a qi fortune perspective, though, it was because he'd devoured the Divine Martial Sect's merit and qi fortune—his fate wasn't meant to end yet—while the Heaven Mending Peak Master's was exhausted.
"Tribulations entwining him, his retribution is probably still to come."
Heaven-Connecting Cloud Sea, Heaven Mending Peak.
No sooner had the Heaven Mending Peak Master returned than the world spun, teleporting him into a grand hall. A maid in华服 approached respectfully.
"Master, the Lady wishes to see you."
"She wants to see me?"
The Heaven Mending Peak Master frowned, tempted to refuse. But seeing how she'd directly teleported him here, refusal was impossible.
With that, he followed the maid deeper into the hall.
Soon, a quiet chamber came into view. Eighteen stunning maids flanked both sides, each in a unique pose, standing motionless like statues.
At the center, encircled by them, was a graceful silhouette.
Three thousand strands of raven hair coiled atop her head, pierced by a serpent-headed hairpin. The dangling ornaments swayed gently. A crimson gown clung to her form, faintly revealing snow-white skin beneath.
As a breeze lifted the gown's hem, it exposed sleek thighs. Barefoot, her jade-like feet stepped lightly on drifting clouds—flawless, rosy, with silver anklets at the ankles that chimed softly with each step, captivating the soul.
In an instant, sandalwood incense filled the air.
Yet the Heaven Mending Peak Master felt no stir, only impatience.
"Still that matter? If so, no need to repeat it."
Only after a moment did the graceful figure turn slowly.
With the chime of silver anklets, a face of ethereal beauty and dignified poise revealed itself—serene yet laced with subtle allure.
"You insist on sending Shu Qian to face the tribulation in your stead?"
Her words carried a plea.