Chapter 385
Chapter 385
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: [Undisclosed]
Chapter Title: Retrieving the Skull Mountain Earth Vein
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Though that was said, Lu Yang's main body could no longer return.
"Leave such matters to the clone to suffer!"
With a thought from Lu Yang, he immediately connected with the clone still secluded in the Sword Pavilion via [Marionette Control], then pushed open the door and exited the seclusion chamber.
The next instant, he rode an escaping light straight to Zenith Cliff.
There, Perfected Being Demon-Quelling sat cross-legged as always, silently gazing at the sky overhead, as if locking eyes with someone across the void.
"Disciple greets Master."
Lu Yang dispersed his sword light and, upon landing, cupped his hands in salute.
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling turned at the sound.
Only then did Lu Yang spot, with a chill of horror, the beautiful and serene woman's head cradled in his master's palm.
"Amitabha."
The woman's head softly intoned a Buddha's name first, then smiled faintly at Lu Yang.
"This poor nun Jing Guan greets the young benefactor."
'Hiss!'
Lu Yang's eyelid twitched at her words as he drew in a sharp, cold breath inwardly.
The sight of Perfected Being Demon-Quelling holding a woman's head was simply too grotesque.
Jing Guan, however, laughed at his reaction.
"Young benefactor clings to appearances. What's the difference between a head and a full body? Merely strange to behold. Yet I see your Buddhist affinity runs deep. Should you one day enter our Pure Land alongside your master—wouldn't that be splendid?"
Before Jing Guan could finish, Perfected Being Demon-Quelling stowed her away.
"My apologies. You've seen something laughable."
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling gave a wry smile.
"She was the Pure Land's Buddha Child of the previous generation. I consult her to learn how to purge the Buddhist affinity clinging to you."
Lu Yang's face shifted subtly at once.
"Buddhist affinity!?"
"Correct."
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling nodded, a trace of helplessness crossing his features.
"You've caught that Buddha Child's eye and formed a karmic tie with him in the unseen."
Here, Perfected Being Demon-Quelling seemed lost in some ancient memory, murmuring distantly.
"The Pure Land's World Honored One was the last Dao Lord to emerge. His ways align most with the dust of the mortal world—one who takes up and sets down freely. Thus, he never shies from dealings with lesser cultivators."
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling's words were tactful, but Lu Yang grasped the meaning at once.
The World Honored One had no shame!
"In essence, whenever the World Honored One desires something from the mortal realm, he manifests a dharma image to enlighten a Buddha Child. At such times, every sect grants him face."
'Who wouldn't? Who dares refuse?'
Lu Yang wore an expression of perfect understanding.
Dao Lords were willful that way. Deny the World Honored One face, and he'd return the slight.
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling went on.
"A dharma manifestation's descent is like a pebble into a lake—ripples spread without end. Those ripples are Buddhist affinities, bound tight to the Buddha Child. Good or ill, benevolent or baleful, once they touch you, dispelling them proves arduous."
The master's words grew heavier, and Lu Yang's face darkened further.
But he soon caught on.
Hadn't Perfected Being Demon-Quelling just called that "Jing Guan" the Pure Land's former Buddha Child?
Why was she in his possession?
Noticing Lu Yang's peculiar look, Perfected Being Demon-Quelling explained without reserve.
"Long ago, your master bore her Buddhist affinity—a malign one."
"So we clashed."
"I held a slim edge and escaped its influence."
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling spoke casually, then fixed Lu Yang with a solemn gaze.
"Do you grasp my intent?"
Lu Yang nodded.
"Master wishes Disciple to beware the Pure Land."
"Beware? What's the point?"
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling sighed in resignation.
"I mean you're too frail—no sword intent yet. Stop wandering about."
Lu Yang: "."
Plainly, Perfected Being Demon-Quelling had divined his visit's purpose.
Yet earth veins touched on his main body's cultivation. No risk too great—the clone must claim it!
He shook his head firmly.
"Disciple must make this journey."
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling frowned.
"Where to?"
"Jiangbei."
Lu Yang spoke plainly.
"Word has it Skull Mountain in Jiangbei holds an earth vein—the ancient foundation of Witch Ghost Dao. Disciple seeks to claim it."
"Witch Ghost Dao..."
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling's brows knit.
As a Ye family direct descendant, he knew well his ancestor's deeds from a millennium past. Doubt stirred.
"What need have you for that earth vein?"
To cultivators, earth veins were filth like dung—no one cared to touch them. Even a trace of karma spelled endless woe.
"Disciple requires it for cultivation."
Lu Yang declared without hesitation.
"Of late, pondering Master's [Sword of No Killing], insights faintly emerge. That earth vein may propel Disciple further."
"Truly?"
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling eyed him dubiously.
"Disciple speaks no falsehoods!"
Lu Yang's sincerity rang true—and truly, the 800-li Skull Mountain earth vein would advance him.
Precisely where that advance led was another tale.
A moment passed. Perfected Being Demon-Quelling sighed.
"Very well. Wait here."
Seated upon Zenith Cliff, he formed sword mudras, condensed sword arts. His fingertip blazed with golden light, birthing myriad phantoms within.
'[Profound Virtue Blessed Land]!'
No mere [Lihen Tian] facsimile—this was the genuine article.
Infinite marvels unfolded at its unveiling.
Shifts rippled through [Profound Virtue Blessed Land], manifesting the vista of 800-li Skull Mountain.
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling reached forth. His hand pierced the realm unhindered, wrenching free a strand of yellow qi—the earth vein itself!
Lu Yang barely concealed his awe.
Meanwhile, in Jiangbei's Skull Mountain market town, Saint Sect disciples and rogue cultivators alike lifted their gazes, faces mirroring Lu Yang's shock.
For they beheld a radiant phantom.
Blinding to direct sight, it extended a palm, delving into Skull Mountain's core—and seized the 800-li earth vein outright!
The vein fused with the phantom.
Then vanished.
In the same breath, Perfected Being Demon-Quelling dismissed [Profound Virtue Blessed Land].
He opened his palm, casually flicking the infinitely shrunken earth vein to Lu Yang.
"Return to seclusion. Forge your sword intent with haste."
Lu Yang: "."
Today revealed [Blessed Land]'s true might!
If Blessed Lands wielded such power, what terrors hid in [Grotto-Heavens]?
Small wonder Grotto-Heavens formed Golden Core True Lords' bedrock—small wonder True Lords surveyed the world!
"My deepest thanks, Master!"
Catching the earth vein, Lu Yang inwardly marveled.
'No wonder Witch Ghost Dao fell to a single sword from a Golden Core True Lord across millions of li. To them, such distances are a mere stride!'
More chilling still: Perfected Being Demon-Quelling mirrored the feat.
Millions of li apart, conjuring an earth vein remotely. Not yet sect-annihilating swordstroke, but the chasm in prowess despaired all the same.
'And his insistence on my sword intent... other designs upon me?'
Back in his chamber, Lu Yang mulled it over, unperturbed.
'No matter. The sword dao clone was expendable from the start. If he claims it, so be it.'
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling had shown him grace.
Lu Yang claimed no sainthood, but absent harm to himself, repaying a debt sat well enough. He released it swiftly.
The next instant, he fed the earth vein into the Myriad Spirits Banner.
This supreme treasure, via [Heaven-Dominating Myriad Phenomena Dharma Body], shuttled freely 'twixt body and clone—peerless conveyance.
Better yet: [Book of a Hundred Lives] had scoured it clean.
No cause, no fruit. Untraceable by any!
Boom!
Thunder crashed across the vault of heaven!
Lu Yang glanced up. This sword dao clone's merit and fortune visibly bled away till utter void!
Yet he merely sneered.
Cliffs tower a thousand ren unbowed, desireless and thus unyielding.
Fortune fled? Hundred lives as swine and cur? I'm done playing your game—dock my pay all you like. Impotent fury!
'I love that face of yours: loathing me, yet powerless!'
At the thought, the [Sword of No Killing] at his waist thrummed in answer, inching free three cun.
Sword intent cultivation, once mired, surged ahead at last!