Chapter 368: The One Who Decides Is Me
Chapter 368: The One Who Calls the Shots Is Me
Southern Frontier, Myriad Poison Sect's Great Hall.
Lü Yang's expression remained calm as he looked up at Long Yue and chuckled lightly, "Now that trivial matters are settled, it's time to properly discuss serious business."
Long Yue froze momentarily upon hearing this: Serious business?
It took her a second to realize what Lü Yang meant by "serious business"—undoubtedly referring to the alleged abduction of civilians from Jiangnan. Was such a matter even worth discussing?
A mere toast of apology would suffice, wouldn't it?
But soon, Long Yue reconsidered, convinced she had grasped Lü Yang's true intent. This must be a mission specifically assigned by True Person Dangmo.
As True Person Dangmo's disciple, Lü Yang couldn't possibly return empty-handed without giving his master some form of explanation. Otherwise, how would Lü Yang save face? Would True Person Dangmo even believe him? If they sent Lü Yang away only for True Person Dangmo himself to show up later, that would spell real trouble.
With this in mind, a smile instantly bloomed on Long Yue's face:
"This humble one understands."
Immediately after, she performed a series of hand seals, then reached out and summoned several Qi Refining Great Perfection disciples from afar, tossing them forcefully onto the ground.
"These are the culprits."
"They secretly violated our sect's tenets by venturing into Jiangnan and treating human lives as worthless grass. Their crimes are unforgivable. Today, I hereby expel them from our sect."
"You may take them away for punishment at your discretion."
Long Yue wasn't lying—these individuals had indeed been responsible for abducting civilians in Jiangnan. One of them was even a disciple she had personally trained.
But when it came down to it, they were merely Qi Refining cultivators.
As everyone knew, Qi Refining cultivators didn't count as people.
Thus, handing them over posed no moral dilemma for Long Yue. Her thoughts were entirely preoccupied with the [Myriad Tribulations Indestructible Gilded Silkworm] in her grasp.
She couldn't wait to send Lü Yang on his way so she could focus on her breakthrough.
To her surprise, however, Lü Yang didn't even glance at the Qi Refining disciples sprawled on the ground. Instead, his gaze remained fixed on her as he uttered coolly:
"Not enough."
At these words, Long Yue narrowed her eyes.
In her view, Lü Yang considered a few Qi Refining cultivators insufficient bargaining chips. While Qi Refining disciples were expendable, she couldn't possibly surrender a Foundation Establishment True Person for this matter.
With this thought, her demeanor abruptly shifted to one of vulnerability.
"Please, fellow Daoist, do not make things difficult for this humble woman."
Before she finished speaking, her flawless face flushed slightly.
"As a mere woman, managing this vast Myriad Poison Sect is no easy task... If fellow Daoist could show mercy, this humble one is entirely at your disposal..."
"This humble one possesses the [Kun-Li Jade Body of Profound Mystery]. Dual cultivation with me would bring you considerable benefits..."
Long Yue's offer was exceedingly generous—practically throwing herself at him. Beyond protecting her sect's Foundation Establishment True Persons, she likely also intended to forge goodwill with Lü Yang.
Yet Lü Yang remained utterly unmoved.
'At my disposal? How foolish! Kill you, and I'll still have you at my disposal! As for your special physique... Since when has the 《Mending Heaven True Scripture》 relied on such crude methods?'
Corpses could be harvested just as well!
Simultaneously, Lü Yang's true form emerged from his brief seclusion, having fully refined the [Xin Metal], which now manifested as a radiant aura of divine ability swirling around him.
'The time has come!'
In the next instant, Lü Yang grinned broadly before retrieving a token from his robes and smashing it forcefully onto the ground right before Long Yue's eyes.
"This is..."
Long Yue blinked in momentary confusion, instinctively focusing on the token—only for her expression to abruptly darken. The emblem carved upon it was unmistakable.
[Primordial Saint Sect, Mending Heaven Peak Master]!
This was none other than the Mending Heaven Decree, the identity token of Mending Heaven Peak Master Chen Taihe. After Lü Yang slew Chen Taihe, the item had naturally fallen into his possession.
'...No!'
In that instant, Long Yue shed all pretense of maidenly demureness, her demeanor turning icy as she stared fixedly at Lü Yang. "Just who are you?"
"I am a True Person of Sword Pavilion, Dao Title Minghe."
Lü Yang declared coldly, "This object is the token of the Demonic Sect's Mending Heaven Peak. Its presence here proves the Myriad Poison Sect has long been colluding with the Demonic Sect in secret."
"The Myriad Poison Sect's conspiracy with the Demonic Sect to abduct civilians from our Jiangnan region is now irrefutably evidenced. Your crimes cannot be pardoned."
"Death is your only sentence!"
Long Yue stood dumbfounded.
Never had she imagined that Lü Yang, a True Person of Sword Pavilion and leader of the righteous path, would so brazenly and shamelessly fabricate charges against her!
'A Sword Seed, no less!'
Was there no justice left? No law?
Admittedly, her Myriad Poison Sect did have ties with the Primordial Saint Sect, and they had indeed abducted Jiangnan civilians. But without evidence, how could he simply slander them like this?
Yet realization quickly dawned upon her.
"What Jiangnan civilians? You're clearly after our sect's [Myriad Tribulations Indestructible Gilded Silkworm]!"
"You knew?" Lü Yang raised an eyebrow at her words. "If you knew, why haven't you handed it over yet?"
Long Yue: "......"
You vile beast!
"Do you truly intend to act this way?"
Long Yue gnashed her silver teeth, her expression turning murderously cold. "As the leader of the righteous path, framing the innocent and plundering by force—is this the conduct befitting the righteous path?"
"Righteous conduct?"
Lü Yang rose slowly, his expression unreadable. "My Sword Pavilion leads the righteous path, setting the standards for the world. What constitutes righteousness isn't for you to decide. The one who calls the shots—"
"Is me!"
Before the words fully left his mouth, Lü Yang's sword left its sheath.
[Heaven Execution]!
In that instant, dazzling sword qi erupted with a thunderous roar—yet when the strike landed, all that remained was a flash of pale cyan light.
Long Yue staggered back.
A fissure abruptly split her previously flawless cheek like a crack marring exquisite porcelain, from which strands of bloody light seeped.
As Lü Yang's innate divine ability, [Heaven Execution] reigned supreme against weaker opponents. Regardless of one's divine abilities or transformations, if their cultivation didn't surpass Lü Yang's, a single strike meant death. Had Long Yue's realm not matched Lü Yang's—even surpassing him slightly in cultivation depth—she would have suffered more than just a facial scar.
Even so, her fair face burned with searing pain.
Because Lü Yang's sword qi didn't dissipate. Instead, like maggots burrowing into bone, it transformed into countless razor-thin threads that wormed viciously through the wound into her physical form.
But Long Yue was, after all, a Grand True Person.
Confronted with Lü Yang's invasive sword qi, she instantly purged all distractions, her expression turning ice-cold. Then, her vermilion lips parted as she exhaled a long, turbid breath.
"Haa—"
With that single breath, a gu insect stirred within her body—shaped like a toad with three legs and a gaping maw resembling an abyss.
[Sun-Swallowing Toad]!
"Ribbit!"
The toad's mouth opened and closed, instantly devouring every strand of sword qi that had invaded Long Yue's body. The sword scar on her face seamlessly healed.
Yet Long Yue's expression remained grave, showing no signs of relief. As the gu's master, she could clearly sense that even after being consumed by the [Sun-Swallowing Toad], Lü Yang's sword qi refused to be digested. Instead, it rampaged violently within the toad's body, forcing the creature to expend all its energy just to contain it.
"Do you truly wish to fight my Myriad Poison Sect to mutual destruction?"
Long Yue retreated another step, her jade-like countenance turning frigid. "Even if you obtain the [Myriad Tribulations Indestructible Gilded Silkworm], once word gets out, will you even have a chance to use it?"
"You overthink things, fellow Daoist."
Holding his sword, Lü Yang chuckled lightly in response. "Word getting out in the future? Today, I will exterminate your Myriad Poison Sect down to the last disciple, leaving none alive. What future are you speaking of?"