Chapter 280
Chapter 280
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: [Unnumbered]
Chapter Title: Regret and Breakthrough
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As Lu Yang had anticipated before entering meditation, the great cultivators from the Pure Land, Dao Court, Sword Pavilion, and several other major powers tasked with observing the battle this time were indeed filled with regret.
"If we had known it would turn out like this, we never should have let him slaughter so freely!"
"This Jiangbei demon head, that spirit treasure banner of his that collects souls and refines them into puppets, and Tingyou besides... They're far too troublesome. It would've been better to just let Suo Huan handle the kill!"
"What do we do now?"
"If we step in, we'll break the rules. The Demon Sect might not hold it against us, but we'd have gained an unfair advantage, and Suo Huan's side would have to make concessions..."
"Vimalakirti Venerable One has already made his move—what more can we do? He lost his golden body back in the [Qing Kingdom]. If not for proving the three truths of the Pure Land and having a Bodhisattva shield him, how could he have returned at all? This forced intervention must be by the Bodhisattva's decree, a last resort. We just watch."
Within the Foundation Establishment realm, several divine senses conversed with one another.
In the present world, a white lotus platform hovered in the sky. Seated upon it was a dharma body with coiled hair and topknot, wielding ritual implements, adorned with the thirty-two perfect marks.
"Bold fiend! How dare you act so recklessly?"
Vimalakirti Venerable One bellowed deeply. Unrivaled Buddha light came crashing down. Even as he spoke, both hands moved in unison—one palm striking toward Lu Yang, the other toward Tingyou Ancestor.
Boom!
In an instant of flashing lightning and sparks, Tingyou Ancestor showed no hesitation. He directly positioned the [Yama Hall] above Lu Yang's head, blocking the Buddha light's massive palm for him.
With just this one strike, the already damaged [Yama Hall] shattered completely. Tingyou Ancestor's aura plummeted sharply, while the banner spirits composing the [Yama Hall] burst apart one after another, dissolving into white light that flew back into the Myriad Spirits Banner. They could not be summoned again for the time being!
"Obstinate and unrepentant."
Vimalakirti Venerable One's face held a compassionate expression, but his eyes brimmed with cold killing intent. He raised his palm once more, this time enveloping both Tingyou Ancestor and Lu Yang!
Seeing this, Tingyou Ancestor could only sigh helplessly.
"Alas, my strength is spent."
In his current state, faking a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation was already his limit. The stature of a late-Foundation Establishment great cultivator was beyond what he could bear.
Otherwise, how could he fail to defeat a mere Pure Land Venerable One?
The next second, Tingyou Ancestor was crushed outright by the Buddha palm. His true spirit turned to white light and fell into the Myriad Spirits Banner, evidently suffering severe wounds just like the other banner spirits.
Yet at the same moment, Vimalakirti Venerable One's expression changed abruptly!
"...Where is he!?"
He lifted his Buddha palm, only to find that Lu Yang, who had been under the [Yama Hall] moments ago, had vanished without a trace. What he had just struck down was merely a husk of a body.
Immortal Embryo Clone!
This was Tingyou Ancestor's final act: using a spell to mimic Lu Yang's [Distinguishing Kin from Stranger], sending Lu Yang's true body to another position.
Then masking it with the Immortal Embryo Clone.
Lu Yang and his clone shared one mind and body, their auras infinitely similar. Combined with Tingyou Ancestor's influence, this caused Vimalakirti Venerable One to overlook it momentarily.
Of course, mimicry was only mimicry. Moreover, Lu Yang was still refining the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends atop the Primordial Magnetism Divine Mountain, so Tingyou Ancestor could not send him too far.
The next second, Vimalakirti Venerable One's divine sense swept over and quickly located Lu Yang's figure within the mountain's belly. He immediately raised his palm to strike again:
But—it was too late!
Clang!
In that instant, a majestic and righteous sword light rose slowly from the mountain's belly, like the sun rising in the east. It slashed straight onto the descending Buddha palm!
In a flash, Vimalakirti Venerable One's expression shifted slightly.
This Buddha palm of his appeared ordinary, but it was in truth a superior dharma body technique, containing the wonder of turning Mount Sumeru into a mustard seed within the palm—something no ordinary true person could block.
Yet now, he felt as if his palm had encountered an indestructible boulder. Though he could still firmly grasp the foe, he could not pulverize it. If he pushed too hard, his palm heart would even throb with stabbing pain, causing the Buddha light to dim considerably.
'How is this possible?'
Before Vimalakirti Venerable One could react, the sword light at his palm center suddenly expanded like a gale, forcibly blowing apart all five of his fingers!
The Buddha palm dispersed, revealing the scene within.
In the mountain forest, Lu Yang—who had been meditating—had at some point opened his eyes. He rose with a flick of his sleeve, one hand pressed to the sword hilt.
In that instant, the Foundation Establishment realm erupted in chaos!
Not only the great cultivators from all sides, but even the True Lords who had been watching aloofly now cast their gazes down, looking toward Lu Yang with faint surprise.
"He broke through?"
"Impossible—refining the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends can't be that fast! Unless his cultivation is profound and he long ago comprehended the mysteries of the Earthly Fiend [Yin Wood]."
"Even then, it's still too fast!"
Lu Yang turned a deaf ear to the skeptical voices. He merely sighed, gripping the [Calamity Wave] in hand. The sword body immediately emitted a joyful sword cry.
The speed at which he refined the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends was so swift precisely because of the wondrous [Upholding the Dharma] property of the [Calamity Wave]. This wonder allowed him to master the innate divine ability [Lost Harmony Magnetism] early on, sparing him any detours or bottlenecks. His path forward had been utterly smooth.
Boom!
The next second, divine ability radiances bloomed across Lu Yang's body. Apart from his core divine ability, two more radiances swirled around him.
[Mountain-Embracing]!
[Lost Harmony Magnetism]!
But this was not the end. As he circulated the [Calamity Wave] in his hand, after a brief pause, a third divine ability radiance unexpectedly manifested on the sword!
Faking the stature of a great cultivator: the third innate divine ability!
Its name: [Slay the Authority]!
Seeing this, even Vimalakirti Venerable One fell silent. Indeed, Lu Yang had just broken through—true combat would still see him lose.
But for self-preservation? More than sufficient.
At this moment, unless a perfected Foundation Establishment great cultivator intervened, or several late-Foundation Establishment great cultivators joined forces, no one could kill Lu Yang!
Almost simultaneously, a shrill dragon roar echoed from the distant overseas seas.
The great cultivators immediately turned to look.
"Tian Qiu is defeated!"
"Suo Huan truly lives up to his reputation. He actually won—Tian Qiu's fleshly body was slain by him, leaving only his soul to flee. He's probably off to reincarnate in the underworld."
"With the dao enemy slain, Suo Huan's bid for Golden Core is imminent!"
The great cultivators then turned back to Lu Yang, standing tall with sword in hand. Even Vimalakirti Venerable One could not help sighing, withdrawing his hand and retreating.
"The deed cannot be done. He truly eked out a path to survival."
At the same time, within the Primordial Magnetism Divine Mountain.
Lu Yang suddenly sensed something and looked beside him. There, a refined young scholar appeared soundlessly. Though half his body was bloodstained, his vitality and spirit burned at their peak.
"Congratulations, Dao Friend."
As soon as Suo Huan appeared, he cupped his hands toward Lu Yang with a smile.
"One sword cleaving the sea, dharma body capturing the dragon, and that Tingyou besides—your reputation is well-deserved."
Lu Yang returned the salute, his expression grave.
"Dao Friend is about to break through?"
Suo Huan nodded.
"With things come to this, it's time to stake my life. Once I carve out a path to survival like you, Dao Friend, we can raise a cup together!"
"Before that... will Dao Friend depart?"
At this, Suo Huan smiled faintly.
"This place will soon be my site for bidding Golden Core, with all the True Lords watching. Staying here might still be dangerous for you, Dao Friend."
Lu Yang's gaze flickered slightly at these words. Then, he abruptly beckoned with his hand, taking the Myriad Spirits Banner into his grasp. The supreme treasure's spiritual light was now dim, all banner spirits fallen into dormancy. The most gravely injured was undoubtedly Tingyou Ancestor, on the verge of true spirit collapse.
Seeing this, Lu Yang's lips pressed thin. Then he shook his head.
"...No need!"
Suo Huan started.
"Dao Friend won't leave?"
Lu Yang stowed the Myriad Spirits Banner, his expression turning icy.
"Those who want to kill me, come. Those who don't, scram. They injured my banner spirits—how can I let it end like this?"
As he spoke, Lu Yang's gaze had already turned toward Vimalakirti Venerable One.
This Pure Land Venerable One was in the worst state. The wounds from being slain by Hong Ju back in the [Qing Kingdom] had yet to fully heal; he was roughly on par with Lu Yang now.
With things at this point, he had no more reservations.
Time to use this man to test his blade!
"They started this killing tribulation, but when it ends—that's for me to decide! Dao Friend, pay me no mind. Once I slay one great cultivator, then I'll leave!"
(End of chapter)