Chapter 287: Go Eat Shit!
By the time Lü Yang regained his senses, Suo Huan had already been impaled by [Tribulation Wave]. The divine wonder of [Yuan Tu] inscribed upon the sword activated instantly.
Those slain by this blade would have their karma severed completely!
Originally, Suo Huan's body had been entangled with multiple strands of karma. Various True Lords had assisted him in seeking the Metal Essence, intending to exploit these karmic ties to divide him afterward.
The Blessed Land would belong to the Pure Land.
The Metal Essence would go to the Dao Court.
The Fruit Position would be claimed by the Saint Sect.
Not to mention, True Lord Qingcheng Feixue was currently leveraging this karma to divert part of the backlash from the [Netherworld] onto Suo Huan.
But now that Suo Huan had been killed, the divine wonder of [Yuan Tu] shattered the karma. The remnants of Suo Huan's Blessed Land and Metal Essence instantly became ownerless. True Lord Qingcheng Feixue could no longer redirect the backlash and had to endure it herself—meaning she lost the benefits while bearing additional costs!
This was [Ang Xiao]'s trump card.
Why had he helped Lü Yang forge [Tribulation Wave]? Aside from exploiting Lü Yang's predicament to create a ritual ceremony and attract the attention of [Overturned Lamp Flame], the most crucial reason was the divine wonder of [Yuan Tu]!
By having Suo Huan refine this spiritual sword, he intended to use its karma-severing divine wonder at the critical moment to orchestrate this very situation!
"Will you continue fighting me, or will you go seize the Blessed Land and Metal Essence?"
[Ang Xiao] laughed loudly. Before his words even faded, most True Lords had already withdrawn and lunged toward the [Blessed Land of the Numinous Ruins] and Suo Huan's Metal Essence.
The Pure Land and the Dao Court immediately abandoned their efforts against Ang Xiao. After all, the [Blessed Land of the Numinous Ruins] and Suo Huan's Metal Essence had been earmarked for them. If these were snatched away, their entire endeavor would result in a total loss. As for suppressing [Ang Xiao]—that was a long-term interest by comparison.
Long-term interests could be postponed.
But the [Blessed Land of the Numinous Ruins] and Suo Huan's Metal Essence were immediate gains—opportunities that wouldn't come again. How could they be casually abandoned?
Besides, wasn't [Ang Xiao] already injured?
They had done enough. Killing [Ang Xiao] was impossible anyway, so why antagonize him to the death? Securing more tangible benefits was far more practical.
"As expected... I still have to rely on myself!"
High in the heavens, True Lord Qingcheng Feixue sneered coldly at the sight but showed no intention of withdrawing. Instead, she intensified her frenzied assault on [Ang Xiao]!
Witnessing this, [Ang Xiao]'s expression darkened instantly: "You shrew! Madwoman!"
He never imagined that after seeing all the other True Lords withdraw, True Lord Qingcheng Feixue—despite knowing her cultivation was inferior—would still insist on tangling with him!
Her ability to corner him and inflict severe injuries earlier had relied on two factors: he was already enduring backlash from the [Netherworld], and multiple True Lords had joined forces against him. But now, with only this madwoman left, what gave her the confidence to challenge him?
Didn't she understand cost-benefit analysis?
Couldn't she see that even the other Saint Sect True Lords had backed off?
Yet, since True Lord Qingcheng Feixue persisted, [Ang Xiao] had no choice but to match her frenzy, continuing their deadlock.
However, [Ang Xiao]'s cultivation was ultimately superior.
After prolonged tug-of-war, he still gained the upper hand. The [Overturned Lamp Flame] continued descending step by step toward the gates of the [Netherworld].
But he paid a price.
Below, the Chongguang Dao Calamity—refined by [Ang Xiao] into an avatar—had begun to burn away. Even the [Fate-Linked Karma Rewriting Talisman Book], a Fruit Position Treasure, had been fully expended. This meant that if he failed to obtain the [Overturned Lamp Flame] after this battle, he would have no second chance.
Over all these years, only Chongguang had ever Achieved the [Overturned Lamp Flame].
Without his Dao Calamity as a medium, the [Overturned Lamp Flame] would no longer cast its gaze upon him. Attempting to drag it into the Netherworld again would become exponentially more difficult.
At least until the millennium calamity arrived, it would be impossible.
'Victory is the only option—failure is not permitted!'
[Ang Xiao]'s gaze turned icy. He had already staked all his chips on this gamble. Though True Lord Qingcheng Feixue still obstructed him, it would prove futile.
Yet, at the same time—
'You beast...'
Lü Yang gripped [Tribulation Wave], his expression grim. What frustrated him most was that even this curse could only be muttered inwardly, never voiced aloud.
'[Tribulation Wave] has issues... Of course. Anything involving a True Lord would inevitably have hidden mechanisms. There might even be more than one. Unless cleansed by the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes], I dare not use it again. Who knows if it might turn on me and strike me down next?'
This wasn't even about the sword spirit's will.
[Ang Xiao]'s hidden mechanism had completely surpassed the limits of this semi-True Treasure. Even if the sword spirit resisted, it couldn't defy his control.
At this thought, Lü Yang couldn't help but look up.
Suo Huan had already perished, his soul scattered. The Blessed Land and Metal Essence were being fought over by various True Lords, so no one paid attention to a minor figure like him.
Yes, a minor figure.
These were Suo Huan's dying words, his sigh still echoing in Lü Yang's ears: "We minor figures can only drift with the tide."
"Choose correctly, and we might ride the wave upward."
"Choose wrong, and we'll be buried beneath the sea."
"Fellow Daoist, heed my advice—give up. You can't contend with those great figures in the sky. Now that you've escaped death, live out your life in peace."
"Foundation Establishment Perfection grants five lifetimes—over a thousand years isn't so bad."
"Don't repeat my mistakes..."
When uttering these final words, Suo Huan's tone was eerily calm.
Had he found peace? Lü Yang didn't think so. To him, it sounded like numbness—despair. The Sea of Suffering was insurmountable; seeking Metal Essence was nothing but delusions of grandeur.
Yet, after a moment of silence, Lü Yang smiled.
An insurmountable Sea of Suffering? An unyielding will of heaven?
'Fellow Daoist Suo Huan, in your next life, I'll ferry you across!'
The next instant, Lü Yang turned his gaze toward the still-clashing [Ang Xiao] and True Lord Qingcheng Feixue. He raised his sword horizontally—and pressed it against his own neck.
"Hmm!?"
Simultaneously, [Ang Xiao] sensed something amiss and whirled around to stare at Lü Yang.
The ritual he used to draw the [Overturned Lamp Flame] was predicated on "helping Lü Yang reverse a hopeless situation." All the karma was tied to Lü Yang.
But—
'What if I die?'
Lü Yang's mind was crystal clear. His death would mean "failure to reverse," causing the ritual to collapse. The [Overturned Lamp Flame] would naturally withdraw!
This was the last outcome [Ang Xiao] wanted. Having invested so much, how could he allow everything to crumble at the final step?
Thus, a voice soon drifted over:
"Young friend, what do you desire?"
[Ang Xiao] remained composed, assuming Lü Yang had merely recognized the situation and was extorting him. He cut straight to the point.
"I want a portion of Suo Huan's Metal Essence—any amount will suffice."
Lü Yang replied with equal calm.
"Agreed!"
[Ang Xiao] didn't haggle. He nodded immediately and, while suppressing True Lord Qingcheng Feixue, diverted effort to seize a wisp of Metal Essence.
Since Lü Yang asked for so little, the True Lords gave him face. Once done, [Ang Xiao] ignored Lü Yang, retracting his gaze. In his view, Lü Yang would never actually commit suicide—this was just opportunistic extortion. With his demand met, Lü Yang would naturally comply.
He even admired Lü Yang's audacity.
'Resourceful, cunning, and bold—a talent with great potential.'
[Ang Xiao] pondered how to utilize Lü Yang in the future. Strictly speaking, he had saved Lü Yang's life this time.
What was a wisp of Metal Essence? He could reclaim it later.
The karma of a life saved—he'd milk Lü Yang dry for it!
Yet, the next moment—
"Pfft!"
The instant [Ang Xiao] looked away, his expression froze. For the first time, his unshakable composure cracked, revealing rare fury.
Turning back, he saw Lü Yang grinning at him with a cold sneer.
The wisp of Suo Huan's Metal Essence had already been stowed away, while [Tribulation Wave] slit Lü Yang's throat—simultaneously severing all karma tied to him!
"Boom!"
At the same moment, the descending [Overturned Lamp Flame] instantly dimmed, withdrawing and slipping free from [Ang Xiao]'s grasp!
"YOU DARE!!!"
For the first time, [Ang Xiao]'s voice thundered with unbridled rage, shaking heaven and earth. The terrifying pressure made even the True Lords shudder.
But Lü Yang showed no fear. Facing the sky, he straightened his back and raised a middle finger.
Want the [Overturned Lamp Flame]?
Want the [Flowing Water]?
Want to become a Dao Lord?
"Go eat shit!"
This time, Lü Yang held nothing back. No silent curses—only a full-throated roar before detonating himself in a deafening explosion!
"[Book of a Hundred Lifetimes]!"