Chapter 416: Times Have Changed!
"Boom!"
At this moment, as the halo transformed from [With the World] slowly rotated, thunderous roars erupted between heaven and earth, causing Guangming Fozhi to frown.
The descending Buddha's palm hesitated momentarily.
If it were truly the World-Honored One present, such a threat would naturally be disregarded. But since he wasn't the World-Honored One, he found himself hesitating like someone afraid of breaking the vase while trying to catch the rat.
Meanwhile, at the center of the halo, Lü Yang stood with his robes fluttering, hands clasped behind his back, his gaze fixed intently on Guangming Fozhi. Over a decade ago, he had been similarly cornered by this very person, nearly killed on the spot by this Buddhist disciple.
That scene remained vividly etched in Lü Yang's memory.
But now, his identity had completely changed, with no karmic connection to his sword path avatar. Guangming Fozhi didn't recognize him, merely smiling faintly as he asked:
"Might this humble monk inquire after the benefactor's name?"
Lü Yang grinned ferociously in response: "My surname is Lü, given name Die—full name Lü Die. Since we've hit it off so well today, you can just call me Die!" [1]
Silence descended instantly.
Though they were overseas, even the sea breeze ceased, the waves stilled as if frozen, and an invisible pressure filled the space between heaven and earth.
Not far away, Xiangye and Hongju were utterly dumbfounded.
'This must be a True Person from our Saint Sect... No, even among Saint Sect True Persons, this one seems particularly unhinged!'
'Since when has Lord Hongyun been so brazen...'
'Madman!'
Throughout the world, who didn't resent the shameless act of the World-Honored One personally intervening in mortal affairs? Yet who had ever dared voice such criticism aloud?
Let alone insulting the World-Honored One to Guangming Fozhi's face—most wouldn't even dare whisper it privately, instead using euphemisms to soften their words. Everyone knew how petty the World-Honored One could be—if any insult were sensed, the consequences would be dire.
Yet Lü Yang had done it.
And not just insulted—he'd claimed seniority in the crudest way possible. To call him fearless would be an understatement; even True Lords might hesitate to speak so boldly to Guangming Fozhi!
Such audacity!
Such arrogance!
Did he have no fear of death?
"..."
Gradually, the smile faded from Guangming Fozhi's face as the Dharma Form behind him lowered its gaze to stare directly at Lü Yang.
"Even if I dared call you that, would you dare accept it?"
As these words fell, Lü Yang felt an invisible mountain crash onto his back, attempting to force him into a bow.
Yet he only laughed.
"Why wouldn't I dare?"
Instead of bending, Lü Yang straightened his spine like a sword piercing the heavens, meeting Guangming Fozhi's gaze unflinchingly across the distance.
The gaze from the Dharma Form could make even late-stage Foundation Establishment Grand True Persons bow their heads, and would deeply oppress those at Foundation Establishment Perfection.
But to Lü Yang, this was child's play.
[Sword Intent]!
Though merely embryonic—not yet honed into something like Demon-Suppressing True Person's [Sword of No Killing Intent]—it was more than sufficient to resist such pressure.
'Did you think you could handle me as easily as you did over a decade ago?'
Times have changed!
"Whoosh!"
With hands clasped behind his back, Lü Yang stood firm as the [With the World] halo behind him deepened its connection with heaven and earth, projecting an image of fearless confidence.
Finally, Guangming Fozhi spoke:
"Does the benefactor truly believe his divine ability is invincible?"
Before the words finished echoing, he pressed his palms together. The [Buddhist Kingdom on Earth] behind him suddenly expanded, merging with the [Manifestation of Victory and Clarity Dharmadhatu].
"Boom!"
Instantly, the [Manifestation of Victory and Clarity Dharmadhatu] swelled enormously. From within the [Buddhist Kingdom on Earth], countless monks chanted in unison:
"Sadhu! Sadhu!" [2]
"May the Buddha have mercy!"
"Namo Manifestation of Victory and Clarity Dharmadhatu Buddha!"
Amidst tens of thousands of voices, the Dharma Form slowly extended its arms—one becoming ten, ten becoming a hundred, a hundred becoming a thousand—until forty-eight thousand arms had manifested!
At the center of each palm grew a Dharma Eye.
Within each Dharma Eye reflected infinite imagery—temples, meditation groves, pagodas—truly a Grand Completion wondrous realm, a Pure Land of ultimate bliss.
"Amitabha!"
In the next moment, the forty-eight thousand arms of the Dharma Form each formed mudras and seals, shifting through methods until heaven and earth resounded with a thunderous crack!
"Snap!"
Seeing this, Lü Yang's expression changed abruptly.
The halo behind his head—the illusory colors of [With the World]—dimmed as its profound connection with heaven and earth was severed!
'As expected...'
Though his gaze grew solemn, Lü Yang remained calm. After all, [With the World] was most formidable when concealed, waiting to strike.
Once exposed, its weaknesses would naturally be found.
No divine ability was unbreakable, no Dao method perfect.
Moreover, his opponent was none other than Guangming Fozhi—the World-Honored One's chosen instrument. Having learned of [With the World] beforehand, countering it wasn't surprising.
'If this were me just after returning, the only way out would be to falsely claim the Golden Seat.'
'But now is different...'
With the full support of the True Dragon Clan, Lü Yang had cultivated his Blessed Land. This qualitative change meant he was no longer powerless against Guangming Fozhi!
'Perfect timing...to test my newly acquired golden talent!'
Facing the immense pressure from Guangming Fozhi, Lü Yang flicked his sleeves and rose. A radiant light emerged between his brows, reflecting scenes of sun, moon, mountains, and rivers.
'[Xuan Capital Blessed Land]!'
The presence or absence of a Blessed Land created a vast difference for perfected Foundation Establishment Grand True Persons—only through a Blessed Land could one perceive the true nature of things.
Now, empowered by [Xuan Capital Blessed Land], Lü Yang saw Guangming Fozhi clearly—and was horrified.
Stripped of flesh and form, what remained bore no resemblance to a human—merely an empty husk of skin connected by golden light to the Dharma Form behind him.
No wonder theories of the World-Honored One's possession were so widely believed.
No matter how the Pure Land "debunked" them, none were convinced.
Whether possession had occurred, whether tampering existed—these truths became evident upon cultivating a Blessed Land, impossible to hide from immortal cultivators. The denials were ultimately self-deception.
Suddenly.
Amidst layers of Buddhist light, the young Daoist extended his right hand, palm upturned as [Xuan Capital Blessed Land] forcibly parted the surrounding radiance!
Instantly, Guangming Fozhi sensed something amiss: 'This isn't right!'
As thoughts raced, the towering Dharma Form raised its palm to strike down, empowered by [Mind Reading], intent on forcibly converting Lü Yang!
Yet Lü Yang made no move to evade.
The next moment, the Buddhist palm struck his physical form squarely—but simultaneously, a dazzling seven-apertured jade stone emerged above his head.
[Separating-Combining Jade Tablet]!
The tremendous force within the Buddha's palm was entirely transferred to this protective treasure Lü Yang had obtained from the Dragon Palace. Six of the stone's seven apertures instantly closed.
Yet Lü Yang remained unharmed!
At the same time, he continued lifting his Blessed Land.
'[Upholding Heaven's Principles]!'
The pocket universe created by the divine ability combined with [Xuan Capital Blessed Land] to counterattack, instantly drawing Guangming Fozhi within and generating countless sword edges.
Seeing these, Guangming Fozhi frowned—they weren't particularly powerful. Though capable of slightly damaging his golden body, the wounds would be superficial, requiring merely half a day's rest to heal.
But then—
As the imagery of death by a thousand cuts was recreated upon Guangming Fozhi's form by Lü Yang, an intangible formidable power emerged from this conceptualization!
'[Dragon-Flaying Platform]!'
[Dragon-Flaying Platform: A talent nurtured by blood and hatred, recreating the scene of White Chi's dismemberment and consumption, capable of determining an individual's life and fate.]
A golden talent refined from White Chi's metal essence!
Among all talents Lü Yang had acquired thus far, this was the most unique—not for utility, but as one specialized for slaughter!
'The Dragon-Flaying Platform—by recreating the scene where White Chi was dismembered and consumed by various factions, it can resonate with fate, imposing White Chi's death upon the target. The more authentic and perfect the recreation, the more inescapable and powerful the outcome!'
"Slash!"
In the next instant, techniques that should have only grazed Guangming Fozhi's golden body now tore through flesh to reach his organs.
Unstoppable!
Through fate's resonance, Guangming Fozhi had become the "White Chi" subjected to dismemberment—as helpless as White Chi had been in its final moments!
"Boom!"
Instantly, Guangming Fozhi's golden body was completely torn apart by countless cuts, transforming into intense crimson light that stained half the sky!
This vivid crimson fell upon the [Buddhist Kingdom on Earth] like a flaw marring a perfect painting, instantly destroying all imagery and reducing it to mundanity. The once-sacred construct plummeted from the heavens into the sea!
Exchanging glances in the distance, Xiangye and Hongju saw mutual disbelief in each other's eyes.
'The Pure Land's Buddhist disciple actually lost?'
'This definitely isn't Lord Hongyun!'
A moment later, a beam of Buddhist light shot skyward before vanishing beyond the horizon.
Watching this, Lü Yang narrowed his eyes: 'Just an avatar?'
'Understandable—[Dragon-Flaying Platform] wasn't perfectly executed. Only an avatar's fragile existence could be annihilated in one strike. Had his true body been present, it would've at most been injured...'
"Benefactor, we shall meet again...next time, this humble monk will come in person."
Guangming Fozhi's voice echoed faintly in Lü Yang's ears.
With a ferocious grin, Lü Yang responded:
"I'll be waiting!"
This was merely collecting some interest and laying bait. Should you dare come in person next time, I'll falsely claim the Golden Seat and kill you all the same!
[1] Lü Die - A crude pun where "Die" sounds like "dad" in Chinese, making his full name essentially "Dad Lü." This is an extreme insult implying the listener should address him as father.
[2] "Sadhu" - A Pali word used in Buddhism meaning "excellent" or "auspicious," often chanted in approval or agreement.