Chapter 280: Suo Huan Seeks Gold, Lü Yang Fights Buddhism
Chapter 280: Suo Huan Seeks Gold, Lü Yang Battles the Monk
As Lü Yang's words fell, the chilling murderous intent within them sent shivers down spines. Even Suo Huan gave him a deep, appraising look, revealing a flicker of surprise.
Yet soon, understanding dawned in his eyes.
"Young friend has ambition, but I'm afraid I cannot assist you," Suo Huan shook his head with a sigh. Lü Yang might dare provoke the Pure Land, but he lacked such audacity. Seeing this, Lü Yang wore a contemplative expression.
After pondering briefly, he still spoke: "Friend, forgive my bluntness—your current pursuit of gold—"
Before Lü Yang could finish, Suo Huan interrupted calmly, "Having survived six hundred years overseas, I've considered everything."
"This is simply my final gamble."
As he spoke, nostalgia surfaced in Suo Huan's eyes. "I understand your meaning—that all parties aiding my gold-seeking have ulterior motives."
"Likely none harbor good intentions."
"But this is the best method I could devise. Without it, if any faction wished to obstruct me, I'd truly have no chance at all."
"When I fled the [Huanxu Realm], favored by the Heavenly Dao, it collapsed into the [Blessed Land of the Numinous Ruins] before perishing completely. It also deduced for me the 《Myriad Spirits Return to Ruins Dao Scripture》 as my path to gold. By devouring a Fruit Position with this secret method, the [Huanxu Realm] could be revived anew."
This was Suo Huan's fixation—and his helplessness.
"I differ from you, young friend. I have no Dao Foundation to speak of, nor can I reincarnate to cultivate anew. Though my lifespan in this life is long, it is the only true self I possess."
"Your gold-seeking methods are useless to me."
"Only this 《Myriad Spirits Return to Ruins Dao Scripture》 is my upward path—not to mention it could restore my homeland... Thus, this road is one I must take!"
With matters laid so bare, Lü Yang could only clasp his hands. "Then I wish you success, friend."
Suo Huan nodded silently before waving his hand.
In the next instant, Lü Yang felt the world spin—he had already been expelled from the Magnetic Divine Mountain. Blinking, he found himself within the Foundation Establishment realm.
Surveying his surroundings, his gaze landed on a radiant Buddhist light.
Seeing this, Lü Yang's eyebrows arched slightly as a smile emerged. Though Suo Huan claimed helplessness, he had secretly aided him—delivering him directly before Vimalakirti Venerable!
Simultaneously, in the physical world, a dazzling brilliance shot from the direction of the Magnetic Divine Mountain, piercing the heavens to enter the Foundation Establishment realm before ascending even higher.
"Suo Huan has begun his gold-seeking!"
"A cultivator from beyond our world... He's the first!"
Instantly, every Grand True Person lying in wait within the Foundation Establishment realm turned their attention toward the spectacle. Every gold-seeker's journey warranted their observation.
Meanwhile, within the Magnetic Divine Mountain, Suo Huan stood with hands clasped behind his back.
Above his head materialized an official position woven from talismanic script—the [Guardian Duke Who Pacifies the Seas and Borders]—a first-rank title from the Dao Court!
It was precisely this official position that empowered him to exhibit peak Foundation Establishment combat prowess. Combined with formations and methods, he had slain the Dragon Palace's Crown Prince and Tian Qiu's physical form. And it was this very position that allowed him to stand at the threshold of gold-seeking, taking the most crucial step:
Condensing Metal Essence!
In the next moment, a golden mark resembling a crescent moon appeared between Suo Huan's brows—distinctly ethereal compared to Chong Guang's from days past.
This was natural.
After all, his was achieved through external means, while Chong Guang's came from self-cultivation—their foundations were worlds apart. That he could condense it at all was already heavenly fortune.
"Fortunately, I have other means to compensate..."
Suo Huan exhaled deeply before raising his gaze skyward, as if seeing several Dharma Bodies of unimaginable scale silently observing him.
He felt no hesitation.
Removing the [Sea-Calming Pearl] from his waist, Suo Huan communicated through divine sense. Immediately, a radiant star ignited in the firmament above, shining its light upon him.
[Flowing Water]!
Witnessing this, Suo Huan promptly retrieved a jade vial. Uncorking it released an intense aquatic aura—the [Heavenly Virtue Beneficent Divine Water]!
Almost simultaneously, Suo Huan sensed the countless gazes upon him sharpen abruptly, faint murderous intent seeping through.
"[Ang Xiao], you've finally made your move!"
"How was this delivered to Suo Huan without leaving any karma traces?"
"No matter. We anticipated this. After all, someone seeks to Achieve [Flowing Water]—he couldn't possibly stand idly by. Let's see what other methods he has."
In the immeasurably distant heights, several vast divine senses intertwined.
Suo Huan remained oblivious—and unconcerned. He simply drank the [Heavenly Virtue Beneficent Divine Water] in one gulp before circulating his magic power to refine it.
The [Heavenly Virtue Beneficent Divine Water] was the Fruit Position Treasure of [Flowing Water], possessing virtues of clarity and nourishment alongside wonders of universal beneficence. Consuming it could bring revival from desperate straits, flourishing prosperity, and merit affecting all things—its imagery perfectly matched his current circumstances. Instantly, it caused [Flowing Water]'s heavenly light to blaze brilliantly!
"Rise!"
In the next moment, Suo Huan mustered his full magic power as the [Blessed Land of the Numinous Ruins] manifested behind him, reflecting Buddhist radiance. Then, he soared from the ground toward the Fruit Position!
Meanwhile, within the Foundation Establishment realm below:
"What odds would you give Suo Huan's success?"
Vimalakirti Venerable shook his head with a cold laugh. "With the esteemed ones watching from above, how could they truly allow an otherworldly cultivator to seek gold?"
"Don't be so certain. Since this concerns Achieving [Flowing Water] to shake the foundations of that one in the Netherworld, the esteemed ones might not care about his origins. At worst, they'll eliminate him afterward, letting him reincarnate with his Metal Essence to become a useful enforcer in the future..."
"Truly, only your Saint Sect would think this way."
During their exchange, Vimalakirti Venerable wore an unpleasant expression. For the Pure Land, their primary objective had always been Lü Yang's conversion.
Yet they had failed utterly.
Even his personal intervention proved futile—this would undoubtedly damage his standing with the Bodhisattvas, stirring other thoughts within him.
'Besides me, both the Dao Court and Sword Pavilion eye Lü Yang covetously.'
'While Suo Huan seeks gold and the True Lords focus on guarding against that one from the Netherworld, if I rally them to strike together, perhaps we could surround and kill that Yuan Tu?'
With this thought, Vimalakirti Venerable's mind grew active.
"Everyone—"
He had barely spoken when an indescribable pulling force seized him—his expression changed drastically.
Reacting swiftly, Vimalakirti Venerable summoned a protective spiritual treasure—his lotus platform throne—just as warning bells rang in his mind. Buddhist light erupted from the lotus platform, shielding him securely before exploding into shattered flames.
"Who dares?!"
His gaze darted about, only to discover the assault came not from one source but dozens—no, hundreds—of sword lights charging forth like thunderbolts!
'The Sword Pavilion? No—that junior?!'
Realization dawned alongside disbelief—he never imagined Lü Yang would dare seek him out actively!
Did the youth truly believe he could be killed?
Instantly, rage transformed into laughter as Vimalakirti Venerable channeled his full magic power. A Buddhist palm reappeared, sweeping aside the sword lights to reveal—
An imposing luminous figure.
[Heavenly Dominion Omnipresent Dharma Body]!
The Dharma Body sat within the Foundation Establishment realm—three heads, six arms, green-faced with fangs, soaring amidst mysterious flames. One colossal hand reached forth to seize him!
"..."
Simultaneously, the other Grand True Persons who had been conversing amiably with him moments earlier had vanished without a trace.
Boom!
A deafening explosion rocked the Foundation Establishment realm as Vimalakirti Venerable resisted the colossal hand. Rolling mysterious flames parted to reveal the young Daoist behind the Dharma Body.
Gritting his teeth, Vimalakirti Venerable spat, "Junior...!"
Lü Yang ignored him entirely. Sword in hand, he formed seals and conjured a yellow radiance—like toppling mountains and collapsing heavens—that came crashing down!