Chapter 176
Chapter 176
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: [Undisclosed]
Chapter Title: No Time to Lose
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"No time to lose, let's leave tonight!"
After withdrawing from the vision granted by the Avici Sword's [Treading Peril] wondrous effect, Lu Yang made his decision on the spot. With the Wutu Qi secured, he could no longer linger in these overseas realms!
With that thought, Lu Yang felt a twinge of regret.
It was a shame his cultivation wasn't sufficient—the distance between the overseas isles and the mainland was simply too vast. Otherwise, he could have activated [Determining Affinity and Distance] to return to the Primal Saint Sect in a single step.
The next moment, Lu Yang summoned an escaping light and slipped away from the Immortal Alliance without alerting a soul. As for what came next between Biyang Cultivation World and the Immortal Alliance, now that the Wutu Qi was his, he had no interest in meddling. It was the perfect chance to shake off that hot potato, Guang Ming.
He even chose to forgo the opportunity for Great Vehicle First Grade True Qi.
'Never mind if it's a trap laid by that Perfected Being Innate—even if it's not, going there in my current state, with heaven's murderous intent locked onto me, would spell far more peril than fortune.'
Better to abandon it!
Worst case, once back at the sect, he'd immediately report Daoist Hongyun's schemes to Perfected Being Chongguang. Chongguang could have the lion's share, and he'd still get his sip of the broth.
A man had to know his limits.
Cross the river when you reach it, take off your shoes when you're done—wear pants that fit your ass.
Three days after Lu Yang's departure, Guang Ming finally sensed something amiss. He came seeking an audience, only to find the sealed chamber where Lu Yang had been in retreat utterly deserted.
"He ran?"
Guang Ming blinked, utterly baffled by Lu Yang's motives. But soon, a surge of wild joy flooded his heart. That great demon had fled? Perfect!
After all, Lu Yang had slaughtered the Immortal Alliance down to its last Merging Dao Great Cultivator. Now that he was gone, Guang Ming was the top dog in Biyang Cultivation World! Why not fling open the temple gates, aggressively recruit a wave of disciples to bolster the Dragon-Subduing Temple, and shore up his own power?
Different powers had different ways of controlling their vassals.
Compared to Lu Yang's "Primal Saint Four-Step Method," the Pure Land's approach was brutally straightforward: preach the sutras and expound the Dharma, forcibly converting them into Buddhist cultivators.
Among the four great powers, the Pure Land was also the most stable.
Its cultivation path revolved around the doctrine of "Buddha-Self Unity." Once united, everyone was "self," ensuring rock-solid loyalty.
But soon, word came from the Immortal Alliance members.
"Another outsider cultivator spotted at the Chaotic Flow Sea port?"
Guang Ming froze for a moment. Before he could react, a figure clad in black robes materialized soundlessly in the once-empty grand hall.
"Hm? Bald donkey?"
The words hit Guang Ming like a thunderbolt—he knew instantly something was wrong.
Across the world, the Dao Court and Pure Land were old allies, addressing each other as "high monks." The Sword Pavilion, as the leader of the orthodox path, had to save face; they might despise these Buddhist cultivators but would grumble "scripture-chanters" at worst, not spit "bald donkey" right off the bat.
So who would call them that?
Definitely another Primal Saint Sect Perfected Being! Guang Ming sighed inwardly. Amitabha—barely escaped the tiger's den, only to enter the wolf's lair. Woe is me!
The next instant, he dropped smoothly to his knees. "This little monk Guang Ming dares ask for senior's esteemed name?"
"Primal Saint Sect, Wu Cang."
The black-robed Daoist's voice was icy cold. "This place has some intrigue. Bald donkey, as a Pure Land Buddhist cultivator, you must have ways to heal the physical form, right?"
Wu Cang's recent days had been rough. After fleeing far overseas, he'd sought a spot to recover, but the vast seas were barren. No knack for divining heavenly secrets, he'd wasted tremendous effort before finally stumbling upon Biyang Cultivation World.
Yet even after all this time, his wounds showed no sign of mending.
To this day, a glaring crimson sword scar marred his waist and abdomen. Without mana to seal it, blood qi still seeped out.
"In response to senior, this little monk has a bottle of Diamond Liquid."
Guang Ming cautiously offered a porcelain vial. Wu Cang snatched it without hesitation. "You bald donkeys never stir without profit."
"Speak—what opportunities lie here?"
Guang Ming's eye twitched, cursing inwardly, but his face remained impassive. He continued, "For this little monk, the opportunity is these overseas cultivators."
"Their cultivation methods show real ingenuity, all built around a peculiar treasure. This monk's strength is meager; I dare not touch such great karma. If senior wishes, you could take a look—perhaps that treasure is fated for you."
Guang Ming had ulterior motives, of course.
He didn't know the origins of the Imperial Mansion Golden Seal Tushita True Edict, but a treasure that let one impersonate Foundation Establishment? Its roots had to be unimaginable.
Perfect to foist on Wu Cang.
If it was opportunity, Wu Cang would rejoice and spare him. If trap, Wu Cang died—what did it matter to him?
Wu Cang, oblivious to Guang Ming's scheming, didn't care. A fresh early Foundation Establishment Arhat? Even gravely wounded, he could crush him effortlessly.
Soon, led by Guang Ming, Wu Cang reached the Immortal Alliance's innermost sacrificial hall. The moment he stepped in, the Imperial Mansion Golden Seal Tushita True Edict caught his eye—like a gale scattering all stray thoughts, leaving him rooted in stunned silence.
'What is this thing!?'
The next second, the seal script on the Imperial Mansion Golden Seal Tushita True Edict writhed slowly, abruptly outlining a face both real and illusory!
Golden eyes locked onto Wu Cang's.
Then Wu Cang's lips parted involuntarily. A hoarse, parched voice—enough to chill Guang Ming behind him—drifted out:
"Why... not Innate?"
Whoosh—!
Without hesitation, Guang Ming vanished from the spot, reappearing thousands of li away in a blink. Another blink, and he was back in the hall.
"Ah!?"
Instantly drenched in cold sweat, heart plunging to ice, Guang Ming stiffly turned. The face from the Imperial Mansion Golden Seal Tushita True Edict eyed him with keen interest, while Wu Cang mirrored the expression, staring fixedly.
'Done for!'
Guang Ming's Buddha teeth chattered; he wanted to strangle his past self for suggesting this. How had it changed like this?
He'd examined the Imperial Mansion Golden Seal Tushita True Edict before—no such reaction.
But the moment Wu Cang arrived, everything shifted!
Why?
Just then, the pale golden face spoke again—but the voice issued from Wu Cang's mouth, now fluent:
"Interesting. Most interesting."
"Not the old codger Innate's inheritance, yet it stirs this place's karma and awakens me. This great karma was prepared just for me?"
The words fell, and Wu Cang transformed. His aura shifted from savage to refined, his voice gaining poise and calm. Wounds healed sans medicine; brows arched, frame stretched tall. In a blink, he wore a wholly different visage!
"To borrow this body, I must shoulder its karma."
"[Wu Cang kills Lu Yang]?"
"Wu Cang" murmured low, pondering. After a long pause, he burst into laughter. "Very well—from today, I am Wu Cang!"