Chapter 277: Sharing Yuan Tu?
The Magnetic Divine Mountain shimmered with iridescent hues.
This sacred peak differed entirely from ordinary objects—it was formed when a True Lord perished, their Dongtian merging with heaven and earth while shedding its original attributes.
One must understand that every True Lord's Dongtian corresponds to a specific Fruit Position. Thus, naturally occurring Dongtian fragments devoid of any directional alignment were extraordinarily rare. If nothing else, their ability to assist cultivators in elevating their Blessed Lands and pursuing Golden Core formation was unmatched by other Dongtian realms.
Otherwise, why would Tian Qiu, the Dragon Palace's Crown Prince, fixate on this place?
If any random Dongtian could aid Golden Core attainment, given his status, he could simply have sought breakthrough within the Dragon Lord's Dongtian without going through such trouble.
Yet currently, this divine mountain held no value for Lü Yang.
His sole requirement was the Earthly Fiend [Yin Wood Qi] generated within the mountain. Were it not for this, he wouldn't have collaborated so closely with Suo Huan either.
This fact was equally known to all present.
Almost the instant Lü Yang entered meditation, the Pure Land cultivators—Hui Ku and his companions who had concealed themselves using spiritual treasures—revealed their forms outside the divine mountain.
"Amitabha!"
The Buddhist cultivators now wore expressions of joy, with Hui Ku laughing heartily: "Donor Yuan Tu, today you are fated to face tribulation and enter our Pure Land!"
As the words fell, the cultivators simultaneously formed hand seals and chanted: "We reverently invite the [Dashizhi Heavenly Dragon Temple]!"
A vast Buddhist radiance erupted within the Foundation Establishment realm, manifesting an imposing temple borne upon auspicious clouds. Within stood a golden statue.
Had Lü Yang not been immersed in refining the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends, he would have recognized this temple as none other than the former [Fulong Temple], albeit remodeled. The golden statue inside no longer depicted Fulong Arhat, but a Buddha bearing Lü Yang's exact likeness.
"Hahaha!"
Only now did Hui Ku finally unleash uproarious laughter, feeling some relief from the humiliation of being too terrified by Lü Yang's sword to reveal himself earlier.
No matter how formidable your divine abilities, what use are they now?
Aren't you forced to surrender?
Indeed, in Hui Ku's view, Lü Yang had already resigned himself to capture—after all, one couldn't offer the slightest resistance while refining Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends.
"At least he's sensible."
"Otherwise, casualties would have been unavoidable in a real fight. Since this demon is willing to surrender peacefully, it counts as immeasurable merit."
The thought even stirred envy in Hui Ku. Given Lü Yang's cultivation, after refining the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends to achieve perfected mid-Foundation Establishment, then converting to Buddhism to assume the [Dashizhi Heavenly Dragon Arhat] position, he'd likely be just a step away from the Bodhisattva-level Pure Land venerables.
Though by then, there would be no more "Lü Yang."
The notion made Hui Ku grin widely, an expression mirrored by the twenty-three Buddhist cultivators behind him.
Yet at this moment—
"Imperial Edict arrives!"
A booming proclamation echoed from the distant horizon as majestic power dispersed the Pure Land's Buddhist light, revealing an approaching procession.
"Hmm? The Dao Court?"
Hui Ku frowned slightly but remained silent. The Pure Land's Bodhisattvas had already forewarned him—the Dao Court also demanded their share.
Soon, a contingent of Dutian Department guards approached.
Their leader was an old acquaintance—none other than Hou Lan, the Dao Court's third-rank [Commander of the Dutian Department], who like Hui Ku had previously appeared at [Dongyang Blessed Land] treasure hunting.
Accompanying him was Cheng Tinggui, [Minister of the Tongzheng Department].
The two solemnly held a golden scroll: "By His Majesty's decree, Jiangbei's Lü Yang is summoned to serve as a third-rank official!"
Hui Ku paid it no mind.
The Pure Land and Dao Court had already negotiated—the Pure Land would take Lü Yang's Dao foundation, physical form, and cultivation, while the Dao Court claimed his soul.
The Pure Land sought to utilize Lü Yang's cultivation to activate [City Wall Earth], while the Dao Court intended to have Lü Yang—currently the only True Person cultivating [City Wall Earth]—enter imperial service, bowing in submission, thereby appropriating its imagery to usurp [City Wall Earth] as the supreme earth-element position.
The two objectives didn't conflict.
Thus, rather than tension, the meeting brimmed with camaraderie—everyone pleased with the arrangement.
Soon, another sword light streaked toward them.
"The Sword Pavilion arrives!"
Hui Ku laughed as the light halted, revealing a handsome young man whose piercing gaze immediately fixed on Lü Yang.
The current overseas purge involved three parties—Pure Land, Dao Court, and Saint Sect—excluding the Sword Pavilion. But Lü Yang's involvement had forced their hand, especially the Ye Family, descendants of a former True Lord, who burned with hatred for Lü Yang and sought his death.
"I am Ye Tao."
The youth saluted the Pure Land and Dao Court representatives before focusing on Lü Yang's [Tribulation Wave] sword: "I've come for this blade."
"This demon stems from common origins with no notable past life. Such a divine sword in his hands is pearls cast before swine."
"After our Sword Pavilion reclaims it, we'll select a disciple with proper heritage and extraordinary past life to wield it, allowing the sword to radiate its true brilliance."
The candidate was already chosen—[True Lord of Bearing Heaven's True Virtue], who would reincarnate in several decades. Otherwise, Ye Tao, as a Ye Family elder, wouldn't have come personally.
"Excellent!"
Hui Ku smiled indifferently. While [Tribulation Wave] was a fine sword, the Pure Land had few sword cultivators and thus little interest.
Meanwhile, Hou Lan glanced around curiously:
"Did the Demon Sect not come?"
Hui Ku shook his head: "They're focusing on Suo Huan. The more we take here, the greater share they demand there."
"I see." Cheng Tinggui nodded. "Since all are present, let's proceed swiftly to avoid complications."
Their gazes turned toward Lü Yang upon the mountain.
The next moment, as his Myriad Spirits Banner swayed, seven Banner Spirits emerged—the earlier Foundation Establishment demonic creatures.
None present were concerned.
Among them—Ye Tao, Hui Ku, Hou Lan and Cheng Tinggui—all had mid-stage cultivation. Seven early-stage Foundation Establishment beings were mere cannon fodder.
"I'll go first!"
Hou Lan smirked coldly, activating his official position. The insignia of [Commander of the Dutian Department] shone brilliantly as its light descended upon Lü Yang.
But then—
"Ah!"
Hou Lan's charge abruptly halted, his terrified shriek freezing Hui Ku and the others mid-step.
What happened?
Then they saw it—from the Myriad Spirits Banner, a pale hand materialized, wreathed in swirling Baleful yin, gripping Hou Lan's throat!
Without pause, the fingers twisted slightly—snapping Hou Lan's neck as effortlessly as breaking a twig. Endless Baleful yin spread like spiderwebs across his body, igniting into ragingbaleful force flames that instantly reduced him to ashes!
"Impossible!"
Cheng Tinggui, Hou Lan's Dao Court colleague, screamed first, with Hui Ku and Ye Tao equally stunned.
True, Dao Court cultivators were weaker.
But even at their weakest, a third-rank official equaled mid-Foundation Establishment! How could he be crushed barehanded? Was Lü Yang still conscious?
Soon, the hand's owner emerged.
"Age has made me useless."
The figure strolled out from the swaying banner, rubbing his shoulders while sighing: "In my prime, a glance would have killed him..."
The speaker was a strikingly handsome youth.
Hui Ku and Cheng Tinggui didn't recognize him.
Only Ye Tao, studying his features, suddenly widened his eyes: "You're...that Witch Ghost Path remnant, Ancestor Nether Whisper!?"
The Ancestor turned sharply:
"Who are you calling a remnant?"