Chapter 22: The Might of Divine Light
In the end, Lü Yang came to a realization.
"I can't leave!"
This wasn't because he was moved by Xiao Shiye's final performance, but because he suddenly became aware of something that sent chills down his spine.
"Ultimately, why did I follow Xiao Shiye out?"
"I should have gone to find Zhao Xuhe immediately to retrieve the other half of the third-grade true technique, the Nine Transforming Dragon Art, from my previous life..."
Yet what happened instead?
Following Xiao Shiye to the Merit Pool out of mere curiosity?
It was important to remember that the Merit Pool's grand prize could only be drawn once a year, and Lü Yang had already used his chance for this year. Going to the Merit Pool with Xiao Shiye offered him no benefits whatsoever.
Would he really do something that held no advantage for him?
That didn't make sense!
In an instant, Lü Yang felt as if a bucket of icy water had been poured over his head, freezing his limbs to the core. "Who is influencing me? Who's interfering with my thoughts?"
"No..."
Once this realization struck, everything suddenly became clear.
Why had he accompanied Xiao Shiye to the Merit Pool? Because Xiao Shiye needed him! Otherwise, Xiao Shiye would now be the one being hunted down by formidable enemies alone!
And now, Xiao Shiye had gained an ally—him!
If Xiao Shiye was a heaven-blessed Chosen One with overwhelming fortune, then Lü Yang was the unlucky fool in the stories who served as a shield whenever the Chosen One faced danger!
In such a situation, splitting up to escape? That would just make him the perfect decoy!
Lü Yang was one hundred percent certain that if they split up, he would be the one chased down and killed, while Xiao Shiye would somehow manage to escape unscathed.
"How utterly treacherous..."
Lü Yang exhaled deeply. When a Chosen One like Xiao Shiye played the game of diverting disaster onto others, any disciple of the Saint Sect would inevitably fall for it.
Because in the Saint Sect, there were no good people.
If someone volunteered to stay behind and cover their retreat, any other Saint Sect disciple would rejoice, shed a few crocodile tears, and flee without hesitation.
Yet doing so would almost certainly mean becoming Xiao Shiye's sacrificial pawn.
Unfortunately for Xiao Shiye, he had encountered Lü Yang. Xiao Shiye was confident that the Saint Sect had no decent people, hence his plan. But Lü Yang thought the same way.
The Saint Sect has no good people, so you, Xiao Shiye, are the exception?
I don't believe it!
Therefore, no matter how eloquently Xiao Shiye spoke or how convincingly he acted, Lü Yang would first assume he was not a good person and then deduce what sinister scheme he was plotting!
That's right—Lü Yang had already drawn his conclusion!
Because of this, he wasn't blinded by appearances. He promptly examined himself and uncovered the true anomaly. Otherwise, he would have been utterly screwed!
Meanwhile, Liu Xin, who had been chasing them relentlessly, finally caught sight of Xiao Shiye charging toward him and Lü Yang, who remained motionless in the distance. He pondered:
"To catch bandits, first catch their leader. Xiao Shiye's cultivation is still low and easier to deal with. It'd be safer to eliminate Lü Yang first..."
Before Liu Xin could finish his thought, a deafening explosion suddenly erupted.
"Boom!"
The next moment, a majestic sword light tore through the sea of clouds—not fleeing, but instead arriving right beside Xiao Shiye under his astonished gaze.
"Brother Xiao, we've hit it off so well. How could I abandon you?"
"What's there to fear from mere petty thieves when we stand together?"
Lü Yang spoke with heroic fervor.
Xiao Shiye stared at him, dumbfounded.
Had he miscalculated? Had he truly encountered a good person in the Saint Sect...?
"Impossible!"
Xiao Shiye snapped back to reality instantly, noticing how Lü Yang, while seemingly standing shoulder-to-shoulder with him, was actually shielding him firmly in front. His face darkened immediately.
What good person? This guy is a villain!
"Brother Lü, that was all a misunderstanding just now."
Xiao Shiye forced a bitter smile, realizing Lü Yang had already seen through his scheme. He couldn't help but whisper, "At this point, why don't we truly join forces?"
"Join forces? Sure."
Lü Yang sneered before abruptly hurling Xiao Shiye toward Liu Xin's other companions. Xiao Shiye immediately cursed loudly, "Lü, you shameless—"
Seeing this, Liu Xin burst into laughter in the distance. Though he didn't know what had transpired between Lü Yang and Xiao Shiye, it was clear they had fallen into conflict. But this suited him perfectly—after all, he had no obligation to accommodate his enemies. If they were turning on each other, he might as well take advantage!
With this in mind, Liu Xin swiftly altered his plan and shouted to the others:
"You restrain Xiao Shiye. I'll handle Lü Yang."
After giving the order, Liu Xin summoned a streak of light and charged toward Lü Yang. Yet at that very moment, he saw Lü Yang suddenly flash a faint smile.
...Something's wrong!
The next second, Lü Yang's figure vanished.
Almost simultaneously, a sword light erupted from Xiao Shiye, who was already surrounded by Liu Xin's allies. Lü Yang stepped out from within the radiance!
Divine Firmament Sword Control True Formula!
Wherever the sword light reaches, his body follows!
Liu Xin instantly recalled the earlier exchange between Lü Yang and Xiao Shiye. Their talk of "joining forces" hadn't been mockery—it was tacit understanding!
The two had perfectly grasped each other's intentions and flawlessly acted out their roles, successfully deceiving Liu Xin and creating the perfect opportunity: hurling Lü Yang, who had been gathering momentum, right into the midst of a group of unprepared cultivators whose highest cultivation was only mid-stage Qi Refining!
Liu Xin's expression twisted in horror as he shouted, "Scatter now—"
"Too late!"
Lü Yang grinned savagely as his Sword Pill bloomed like a peacock's tail. But unlike before, the sword light this time was tinged with a thick, bloody hue.
In an instant, Lü Yang exhaled sharply, his body transforming into a crimson shadow that merged with the Sword Pill. A scarlet radiance, resembling both flame and blood, surged outward from him, sweeping across the battlefield like wildfire staining the land. In the blink of an eye, it engulfed everyone!
Heavenly Demon Blood-Transforming Divine Light!
Despite the bright daylight, the cultivators struck by the bloody light felt as if an icy, bone-chilling aura had seized their bodies—before their consciousness faded entirely.
When the divine light dissipated, only Xiao Shiye remained, trembling in shock, while empty human skins fluttered down from the sky like fallen leaves.
As for their flesh and blood? The Heavenly Demon Blood-Transforming Divine Light had devoured every last bit, leaving Lü Yang's Sword Pill gleaming with an even more sinister crimson glow.
A moment later, the Sword Pill trembled slightly, and a bloody shadow materialized, revealing Lü Yang's form once more.
He glanced around and spotted Liu Xin standing dumbfounded in the distance, as if trapped in a nightmare. Lü Yang burst into laughter.
"So it's you, Senior Brother Liu!"
Before the words had even fully left his mouth, Lü Yang was already streaking toward Liu Xin on a sword light!
The grudge from two lifetimes ago—when he had been refined into materials in an instant—had not been forgotten. Today, he would avenge his past self!
The hatred of yesterday pricks at my back like thorns!
Today, don't blame me!
Lü Yang soared on his sword, slashing forward. Having just witnessed the terrifying might of the Heavenly Demon Blood-Transforming Divine Light, Liu Xin's face darkened instantly as he attempted to retreat.
"Trying to run?" Lü Yang pursued without hesitation, his sword light flashing.
Seeing this, Liu Xin hastily shouted, "Qing Chen, lift the barrier!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, the illusory mirage that had sealed off the surrounding area shattered. A graceful figure slowly emerged—none other than Qing Chen Fairy.
The artifact that had enveloped this stretch of cloud sea was her Nine Palaces Mist Veil, which concealed a grand Nine Palaces Formation capable of trapping space itself. Originally intended to prevent their targets from escaping, it had ironically ended up blocking Liu Xin's own path to survival.
Only after seeing Qing Chen Fairy did Liu Xin finally relax.
A moment later, he flew to her side on a streak of light, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with her as they both stared grimly at Lü Yang and Xiao Shiye, who were now closing in.
The two sides faced each other in silence.
After a long pause, Liu Xin finally spoke in a low voice:
"Hey... can we talk this out?"