Chapter 230
Chapter 230
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Translator: Ace
Chapter:
Chapter Title: Ruins of the Qing Kingdom Capital
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Ruins of the Qing Kingdom capital.
Lu Yang stood atop a cloud in the sky, quietly gazing at the firmament.
Ever since Perfected Chongguang ascended to perform the metal-seeking ritual, sacrificing the entire Qing Kingdom, this place had lost all its former vitality, reduced to utter desolation.
Moreover, with Perfected Chongguang's failure in the ritual, the Dongyang Blessed Land was plummeting toward manifestation in this world. Though it had not fully emerged, even the mere portents it produced—scorching winds and radiant glows—carried devastating power, turning any mortal who approached to ash.
Even cultivators found it difficult to draw near if they were only at the early or mid Qi Refining stage.
Only those at late Qi Refining could linger briefly under such radiance, while peak Qi Refining cultivators with a rank of being could disregard the site's influence entirely.
And as time passed, this effect only intensified.
By Lu Yang's estimate, once the Dongyang Blessed Land truly crashed into the present world, even peak Qi Refining cultivators would likely be unable to approach.
"Yuantu."
At that moment, a figure with a gloomy expression arrived on a beam of escaping light. It was none other than Perfected Being Yin Shan, though his face looked rather unsightly.
Seeing this, Lu Yang sighed.
"Senior Brother, you're in a tough spot too."
These words immediately stirred Perfected Being Yin Shan's emotions, prompting a long sigh as he cupped his hands.
"In the days ahead, Junior Brother, I'll need to rely on you more."
With that, a flicker of deep malice flashed in his eyes.
"This is our one and only chance. We must seize it. Otherwise, we'll fade into obscurity among the masses, our former glory gone forever. Remember, plenty of Perfected Beings in the Primal Saint Sect have their eyes on our positions."
Perfected Being Yin Shan had a clear grasp of the situation.
With Perfected Chongguang's failure in the metal-seeking ritual and the loss of that peak Foundation Establishment backer, he and Lu Yang's status in the sect was far from what it once was.
At the very least, it had greatly diminished.
Thus, they needed to find a new patron. Gaining the favor of Perfected Qingchen Feixue was therefore crucial for them both.
And to earn that Perfected Being's favor, they had to demonstrate their capabilities.
That said, Perfected Being Yin Shan's expression remained far from optimistic. After all, what they faced this time was no mere Foundation Establishment Perfected Being from the Qing Kingdom.
"Perfected Being has decreed that the Dongyang Blessed Land shall be divided among the various factions."
"This is a rare opportunity. In the past, even great Perfected Beings would vie for it. Even with the Perfected Being's restrictions, it won't be easy to handle."
Just then, Perfected Being Yin Shan's gaze shifted, and a streak of escaping light suddenly appeared on the distant horizon. Where it passed, spiritual tides surged. As it drew near, it split into two—one still, one moving—revealing a middle-aged man in official robes and a dashing youth clad in armor, weapon in hand.
The moment they appeared, they resonated with heaven and earth.
Above their heads, streams of brilliant light wove together into tadpole-like talismans, ultimately forming two strikingly vivid official seals blazing with splendor.
Perfected Being Yin Shan's eyes narrowed at the sight.
"Capital Heaven Department Commander Hou Lan, Administration Commission Commissioner Cheng Tinggui."
He spoke in a low voice.
"Both hold third-rank official positions, comparable to peak mid Foundation Establishment. Alone, they'd be a step below the others."
"But the Imperial Court and the Pure Land are in cahoots, always fighting as allies. One civil, one martial—they're likely masters of joint techniques. Don't take them lightly."
"Understood, Senior Brother."
Lu Yang nodded, then turned his gaze another direction. There, clouds parted and mists scattered, revealing a illusory scene of a Zen forest and temple.
"The Pure Land."
In the next instant, several figures emerged from the Zen forest.
Leading them was a man with hands pressed together in prayer, a smile on his face. He wore a lavish kasaya embroidered with gold and jade, and the beads of his rosary were plump and lustrous with jade-like glow.
The moment he appeared, his gaze locked straight onto Lu Yang.
"This is who again?"
Lu Yang's experience was limited. He recognized the man as a peak mid Foundation Establishment Arhat but didn't know his background, so he turned to Perfected Being Yin Shan beside him for explanation.
"This should be Hui Ku, a disciple of Dragon Snake Coiling Shadow Bodhisattva. He's from the same lineage as the Vimalakirti Venerable One who attacked us before. But with Vimalakirti Venerable One driven back to the Pure Land, his temple now stands empty. Hui Ku clearly has designs on taking his place."
"I see." Lu Yang understood immediately.
No wonder the man was eyeing him like that. He wanted a way forward. After all, everyone knew Lu Yang was now a prime target for the Pure Land's desires.
"But the real threats haven't arrived yet." The Imperial Court and Pure Land were negligible. Not just to Lu Yang—even Perfected Being Yin Shan merely felt a bit more vigilant, not viewing them as true enemies.
For the Primal Saint Sect, there was only one great foe.
"Clang clang!"
Suddenly, a clear sword cry rang out from the south, piercing metal and stone, soaring into the heavens. It instantly stirred a chorus from countless swords.
At this sight, Perfected Being Yin Shan's expression grew grave.
"Sword intent... The maniacs from the south have arrived."
Lu Yang opened the Dharma Eye between his brows, activating the Heaven-Scrutinizing Instrument. A beam of丙 fire light shot out, piercing the layers of sword glow to reveal the tall, straight figure within.
The man stood with hands behind his back, robes fluttering. Above his head, a sword pellet devoured the sun and moon's radiance, ceaselessly erupting with sword qi. Merely hovering in the air, he resembled a sword that had slain countless foes. Just like Hui Ku from the Pure Land, he swiveled his gaze the moment he appeared, fixing it intently on Lu Yang.
But the Sword Pavilion was far more direct than the Pure Land.
"Shing!"
In the instant their gazes met, a glaring sword edge slashed right before Lu Yang's eyes, its bone-chilling intent piercing toward his brow.
"As expected of a maniac."
Lu Yang cursed inwardly but didn't hesitate. His Hundred-Proof Peril-Quelling Mysterious Cloak billowed, promptly blocking the sword edge.
"Xing Feng's spiritual treasure."
Seeing this, the Sword Pavilion figure snorted coldly, anger creeping into his tone. The sword edge suddenly blazed with myriad colors, each streak carrying lethal force. Striking the Hundred-Proof Peril-Quelling Mysterious Cloak, it nearly shattered the spiritual treasure's defenses in an instant!
After all, this treasure originated from the Sword Pavilion—who understood better how to break it?
Even so, it bought Lu Yang time. In the blink of an eye, the glow of Distinguishing Kinship and Distance fell upon the other.
"Whoosh!"
In the next second, the Sword Pavilion figure plummeted a kilometer away, furrowing his brow. But he refrained from further action, dispersing the sword light around him.
Looking around, it turned out to be a striking woman.
At first glance, she appeared no older than seventeen or eighteen, with bright eyes, white teeth, arched brows, and a noble bearing. Her skin was like congealed fat and white jade. She wore a翠 palace gown overlaid with wide-sleeved Luo robes.
Lu Yang probed, "Someone from the Ye family?"
"Sword Pavilion, Ye Guyue."
The valiant female sword cultivator gave a cold smile, her demeanor like a freshly unsheathed treasure sword, her sword qi and killing intent unmasked. She seemed poised to strike at Lu Yang again.
Lu Yang narrowed his eyes in response.
Tension crackled in the air, swords drawn and bows strung.
Yet at that moment.
A sound like qin, xiao, or flute—indescribable Dao music—suddenly arose from afar. It dispelled the baleful aura, instantly calming the charged atmosphere.
Immediately after, another graceful silhouette manifested in the distance.
Her hair was styled in flying immortal buns, her brows and eyes like a painting, her features exquisite. Unlike the female sword cultivator, she wore white mourning garb, her aura like an orchid in an empty valley.
"Who's that?" Lu Yang asked curiously.
"She's one of ours from the Primal Saint Sect."
On the other side, Perfected Being Yin Shan lowered his voice.
"She was Senior Brother's Dao companion. With his death, she's naturally come."
Perfected Chongguang's wife?
Lu Yang blinked in surprise, suddenly recalling:
Perfected Chongguang had a son! He'd even seen him on the Dao-seizing battlefield, named Chongming. A Dao companion made sense.
In the next instant, Lu Yang noticed her turn her beautiful eyes, staring straight at him.