Chapter 261
Chapter 261
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Translator: Ace
Chapter:
Chapter Title: The Fatal Invitation
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Looking at Perfected Being Miaoyin, Suo Huan's face revealed a contemplative expression. Then, with a single thought, he withdrew the "Heaven and Earth Lockdown," restoring her freedom.
"Suo Huan! What exactly are you trying to do!"
The moment her freedom was restored, Perfected Being Miaoyin instinctively pulled away from Suo Huan, eyeing him warily. Yet she remained fearless.
"You can't kill me!"
Suo Huan had signed a contractual oath with her—they couldn't harm each other. To obtain that oath, she had gone to great lengths; its binding power was immense. She was confident Suo Huan couldn't break it. If he truly tried to kill her, his own power would rebound and destroy him, sending him to his grave alongside her!
"You misunderstand, Fellow Daoist."
Seeing this, Suo Huan smiled amiably and spoke softly.
"How could I be some indiscriminate killer? It's just that there are certain matters I must borrow your hand for. My apologies."
As he spoke, Suo Huan's gaze grew increasingly cold.
Perfected Being Miaoyin looked utterly bewildered. Suo Huan had just met with people from the Pure Land and the Dao Court, but he had sealed her divine sense, preventing her from learning the details.
But who could say for sure?
Perfected Being Miaoyin had been present, after all. Though Suo Huan had sealed her divine sense, who knew if she had other means to secretly eavesdrop on the specifics?
'Best to eliminate her.'
Suo Huan's thoughts raced. Though murderous intent stirred within him, his expression grew even milder, laced with sincere regret.
"Let's return to the matter at hand. Don't you want my help to pass your tribulation, Fellow Daoist?"
". . . You're still willing to help me?"
Perfected Being Miaoyin was thrown off balance by Suo Huan. Why had he attacked her immediately upon release, only to now offer help of his own accord?
"Of course."
Suo Huan nodded earnestly, deliberately flashing an ambiguous smile.
"After all, with your heavenly beauty and national grace, how could I not be captivated?"
'Oh! So he's after my body!'
Suddenly, Perfected Being Miaoyin's confusion cleared—this made perfect sense. She had always been confident in her allure. A smile bloomed on her face.
"To be honest, Fellow Daoist Suo Huan, your profound cultivation inspires my deep admiration. In the days to come, I wish to discuss the Dao with you."
Suo Huan's face lit with smug satisfaction as he lowered his gaze, concealing the chill in his eyes.
'Foolish woman!'
'Though I can't kill her myself, I don't even need to act. If I simply stand aside, she'll die by that Yuan Tu of the Saint Sect!'
Suo Huan had studied Lu Yang thoroughly.
In his view, this Perfected Being Yuan Tu was not only extraordinarily talented but also wielded ruthless methods—far beyond what Perfected Being Miaoyin could handle.
She knew this herself, which was why she'd sought Suo Huan as an ally. Little did she know he was merely using her. He had no intention of wading into this mess now; after all, he still needed to borrow the Saint Sect's influence. How could he possibly kill one of their rising stars?
With that in mind, Suo Huan chuckled.
"No time like the present, Madam. Contact him at once and summon that Yuan Tu. I'll slay him swiftly, leaving us more time to discuss the Dao."
"No rush~ The [Void Heaven Mirror] is still in your hands, Fellow Daoist. Shouldn't it be returned to its rightful owner?"
Perfected Being Miaoyin's eyes flowed with charm as she stared straight at Suo Huan. Seeing him return the treasure mirror without tricks, she finally relaxed.
Then, she began setting up the formation.
Soon, the treasure mirror glowed brilliantly, and a dimly lit chamber gradually materialized on its surface. In the shadows sat a tall, upright figure.
"Fellow Daoist Yuan Tu."
Perfected Being Miaoyin called softly, adopting the frail demeanor she'd shown Lu Yang before.
"Where are you now? Have you escaped the Realm Heaven's pursuit?"
"You've worried needlessly, Madam."
Lu Yang opened his eyes and smiled calmly.
"I'm already safe."
"Oh?"
Perfected Being Miaoyin showed surprise instead. She knew the [Ten Thousand Martial Realm] well enough to conceal herself.
Yet Lu Yang, here for the first time, had not only evaded its killing intent but—judging by events since her seclusion ended—stirred up quite a storm. With such skill, she could see why Chongguang valued him.
'Pity—for my path, he must die!'
With that thought, Perfected Being Miaoyin smiled seductively and said softly,
"Since you're unharmed, Fellow Daoist Yuan Tu, why don't we meet up?"
"Two of us together would harvest Qi far more efficiently."
Perfected Being Miaoyin found her reasoning impeccable.
They'd parted before due to the realm's killing intent, fearing mutual drag. Now, with both having concealment methods, joining forces would boost efficiency.
As expected, Lu Yang's eyes lit with interest.
"Really?"
Then, enunciating each word deliberately and earnestly, he said,
"I can't even find where you are, Madam. Why don't you send me your location?"
"Sure, sure."
Perfected Being Miaoyin nodded eagerly, imprinting her position with divine sense and sending it via the [Void Heaven Mirror].
"I'm right here waiting for you, Fellow Daoist."
". . . Rest assured, I'll arrive within three days."
With those words, the mirror's glow faded.
Perfected Being Miaoyin turned to Suo Huan beside her and smiled.
"Everything's in place. Shall we set up a sealing trap array here, Fellow Daoist?"
Suo Huan gave her a deep look, then shook his head without a word.
What was there to say to a dead woman?
Yes, in Suo Huan's eyes, Perfected Being Miaoyin was already as good as dead. He didn't know Lu Yang's exact method, but the reaction was off.
'If a Saint Sect Perfected Being truly meant to join hands, that wouldn't be the response—giving an exact location and one side waiting? No fear of ambush? Miaoyin the fool might not realize, but how could the famed Lu Yang not? He's surely plotting something else!'
With that, he glanced at her again.
'This woman's luck was too good—becoming Chongguang's Dao companion spared her the need for schemes. But with him gone, her true colors show.'
Meanwhile, in the nearest city to the forest where Suo Huan and Perfected Being Miaoyin lurked.
Within the City Lord's Mansion, Lu Yang descended on a beam of escape light and looked at the devout burly man beside him—the retired [Martial Soldier] from the village earlier.
But he was no longer a mere [Martial Soldier].
His vitality brimmed, muscles bulging, surging blood qi forming a rainbow beam straight to the heavens, echoing a fate star in the firmament.
[Army-Commanding General]
This was his new fate star, gained from slaying his old superior who'd taken bribes but done nothing. He was reborn.
His reverence for Lu Yang, who enabled this, went without saying.
The moment Lu Yang appeared, the burly man dropped to his knees like a toppling pillar, booming,
"Chen Anmin pays respects to the Immortal Master!"
"Rise. No need to kneel."
"Has the army assembled?"
Lu Yang waved him off. He'd spread the Qi-devouring bug eggs and harvesting method, going to such lengths, all for this moment.
The burly man replied hastily,
"Yes, Immortal Master. They're en route—thirty thousand strong, the full elite of the righteous army. They've consumed the most, their fate stars uniformly [Army Elites], and they've donned armor and weapons seized from the official forces."
"Only thirty thousand?"
Lu Yang frowned slightly.
"More to come, though not as elite, with poorer gear. Still all Martial Soldiers, over a hundred thousand, arriving in batches."
"Good work."
Lu Yang nodded, pulled out a map, cross-referenced the location Perfected Being Miaoyin sent, and circled the area.
"Pass my orders: full army advance."
Even Suo Huan hadn't imagined Lu Yang would forgo all honor, defect to the [Ten Thousand Martial Realm] side, and play guide to slaughter Perfected Being Miaoyin!