Chapter 375: A False Alarm

"Of course I know him."

Facing Guang Ming's inquiry, Lü Yang didn't hesitate for a moment, frowning as he replied, "That immortal owes my Sword Pavilion karma. After reincarnation, he should rightfully become a disciple of our sect."

"I was just planning to kill him—to grant him this opportunity."

The moment these words left his mouth, Guang Ming's previously benevolent smile froze on his face.

'A Sword Seed of Sword Pavilion...'

With this thought, Guang Ming scrutinized Lü Yang carefully, while Lü Yang—drawing from ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠his multiple encounters with [Ang Xiao]—maintained an unyielding expression.

What a joke—he wasn't the least bit nervous.

Because he'd realized that the Guang Ming before him was far less terrifying than he'd imagined.

Let's not forget—Lü Yang had witnessed the World-Honored One descend in person.

The overwhelming pressure that had filled him with despair even through the Book of a Hundred Lifetimes was something he could never forget.

Compared to that, Guang Ming fell far short.

'So the Buddha's Child... isn't quite the same as the World-Honored One?'

Though still immensely powerful and capable of crushing him effortlessly, Guang Ming couldn't stop him from committing suicide!

'Even if the World-Honored One's true form were to descend, just like during the overseas incident, it would take time—even if just an instant. By the time he fully manifests, I'd have already restarted!'

Previously, his inability to commit suicide had been purely due to his immortal form being trapped by the world's snares, which had exerted too much influence. Now, with his Sword Dao avatar, the sea was wide and the sky vast.

As long as he wasn't facing an actual Dao Lord in the truest sense, Lü Yang feared nothing!

Thus, brimming with confidence, he met Guang Ming's gaze without a trace of hesitation.

Suddenly, Guang Ming tilted his head slightly, glancing at the [Manifestation of Victory and Clarity Dharmadhatu] behind him, his expression shifting to one of attentiveness. Lü Yang raised an eyebrow at this—his divine sense detected no exchange between them, making it seem like Guang Ming was putting on a one-man show.

"...This humble monk understands."

Then, Guang Ming nodded abruptly before turning back to Lü Yang with a smile, retrieving the [Heart-Binding Hoop] once more.

"Would the benefactor be willing to become this monk's disciple?"

"Master should seek someone more suitable!"

Lü Yang's heart skipped a beat at the words, but his face remained fearless as he sneered, "I am a true disciple of Sword Pavilion, a leader of the righteous path—how could I become your disciple?"

Guang Ming wasn't angered by this response. After all, he hadn't genuinely wanted Lü Yang as his disciple. According to the revelations from the [Manifestation of Victory and Clarity Dharmadhatu], his disciple should have been that immortal earlier. His offer to Lü Yang had merely been a ploy—a case of substituting one thing for another.

'Now, my connection with that immortal has been severed.'

'To rebuild this connection, I must enact a transformation of truth and falsehood—using a false immortal to slay the true one, then replacing its destiny. Sword Pavilion's True Persons have always been formidable...'

Slaying an immortal shouldn't be a problem, right?

This was Guang Ming's reasoning. There was also an unspoken intuition—something felt off about Lü Yang's presence here, too coincidental.

Though he couldn't pinpoint any issues, erring on the side of caution meant eliminating the uncertainty.

"The benefactor is merely unwilling now, but soon, you will be willing."

With that, Guang Ming began chanting scriptures, the [Heart-Binding Hoop] in his hand glowing brilliantly once more, poised to descend upon Lü Yang.

"Clang! Clang!"

Faced with this, Lü Yang showed no fear. He drew his sword, and under the enhancement of [Sword Heart Clarity], a majestic sword qi shot into the sky.

"Hmm? This..."

Guang Ming's expression stiffened abruptly: "A sword cultivator?"

The [Heart-Binding Hoop], which had been moments away from descending upon Lü Yang, halted mid-air. Guang Ming frowned, visibly conflicted.

Within Sword Pavilion, sword cultivators were the most unique.

Because, in theory, every ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠sword cultivator was talent handpicked by Sword Pavilion to fill the [Sword Dao Fruit Position]. And as such talent, they clearly had an owner.

This was another source of Lü Yang's confidence.

'I have backing!'

If he were confirmed to have ties with the immortal, there'd be nothing to discuss—Guang Ming would act without restraint, suppressing Lü Yang outright.

But now, as a pure and unblemished sword cultivator—essentially talent personally designated by the Sword Pavilion's Dao Lord, one who had offered incense to the ancestors in the Hall of Reception—Guang Ming, and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠even the World-Honored One behind him, would have to reconsider whether to continue targeting him.

Because doing so would essentially mean competing with the Sword Pavilion's Dao Lord for talent.

"...Amitabha."

After a moment of silence, Guang Ming ceased his chanting, recited the Buddha's name, and withdrew the [Heart-Binding Hoop]. Not out of cowardice—it simply wasn't necessary.

Seeing this, Lü Yang secretly sighed in relief.

At the same time, he roughly estimated Guang Ming's state. In his view, Guang Ming's strength likely only reached the level of Foundation Establishment Perfection.

And it mainly relied on the [Manifestation of Victory and Clarity Dharmadhatu] behind him.

Guang Ming's own cultivation and life seemed entirely tied to this dharma form—the two were inseparable. This was also the key to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠his current strength.

Otherwise, even with the World-Honored One's might personally guiding his cultivation, it would have been impossible for Guang Ming—a mere Qi Refining novice who wasn't even fully human—to ascend to such heights in just ten years. That he had become the revered Buddha's Child only proved how shamelessly overpowered the Pure Land's Buddhist cultivation was...

At this thought, Lü Yang's heart tensed again.

'...Something's off.'

Lü Yang looked ahead to see Guang Ming deep in thought, the [Manifestation of Victory and Clarity Dharmadhatu] behind him still not retracted.

What was he planning?

The next second, Guang Ming shook his head, clasped his hands together, and maintained his compassionate smile—yet a cold glint of killing intent flickered in his eyes.

He had made up his mind: better to kill wrongly than to let go.

This was the World-Honored One's style, and Guang Ming's nature. Though inconvenient to convert, since doubts had arisen, why not simply kill?

Seeing this, Lü Yang had no choice but to raise his sword before his chest.

In the next instant, visible sword qi radiated from his body—his fate's breath, merits, and virtues all converged onto his blade.

This was Lü Yang's second source of confidence.

'[Certain Death]!'

The Sword Dao avatar's fourth arcane mystery of the Life Essence!

This was a sword of mutual destruction—liberating one's life solely to deliver a single slash. First killing oneself, then the enemy. In essence, it was a sacrificial rite offered to the Sword Dao Fruit Position.

When a sword cultivator unleashed this strike, they offered all their life's cultivation to the Sword Dao Fruit Position in exchange for a single, unstoppable slash. This was why Sword Pavilion's sword cultivators were always feared—with this technique, even if they couldn't win, they could ensure mutual annihilation.

Utterly shameless!

But for Lü Yang, the key wasn't the strike's power—it was the effect: liberation of life, a guaranteed suicide move!

Below the True Lord realm, no one could stop it.

And above the True Lord realm... this sword strike was, in essence, an offering to the Sword Pavilion's Dao Lord.

Who would dare interfere?

Moreover, Lü Yang had timed this perfectly—Guang Ming had struck first, forcing him to fight desperately. By all accounts, it was justified.

'Book of a Hundred...'

Lü Yang's mind stirred—he was about to unleash the [Certain Death] strike.

But at that moment—

"Clang—!"

A crisp sword chime resounded through heaven and earth, accompanied by a frantic shout reaching Lü Yang's ears: "Stop! Don't use it yet!"

Recognizing the voice, Lü Yang paused mid-action.

The [Certain Death] strike, already primed, hesitated momentarily.

But once this sword was summoned, unless Lü Yang dismissed it voluntarily, no one could prevent him from committing suicide—so he wasn't worried.

'Is there still a way out?'

The next second, a figure tore through the air, barging between Guang Ming and Lü Yang—a broad back shielding him securely.

And when Lü Yang saw who it was, he was genuinely stunned.

"...Shifu?"

It was True Person Dangmo!