Chapter 417: Return to the Saint Sect
The overseas waters surged with towering waves like a thousand mountains.
"Finally, it's over..."
As the avatar of Buddhist Disciple Guang Ming shattered and the [Buddhist Kingdom on Earth] dimmed, Hong Ju and Xiang Ye in the distance finally exhaled in relief, feeling considerably more at ease.
After all, the pressure exerted by Buddhist Disciple Guang Ming had been overwhelming—not just due to his background as the World-Honored One of the Pure Land, but also his terrifying personal strength. In this era, perhaps only one person could surpass him. Thus, even though he hadn't targeted them directly, they still felt as if needles pricked their backs.
Especially Hong Ju, who let out a deep sigh.
Xiang Ye was somewhat better off, having long cultivated his Blessed Land. Though he hadn't yet refined Metal Essence, he at least had some confidence to contend with Buddhist Disciple Guang Ming.
But Hong Ju was different.
His entire life was tethered to Hong Yun's Metal Essence, irrevocably fixed. He possessed no Metal Essence of his own, nor could he refine any Blessed Land.
Among those at Foundation Establishment Perfection, he was effectively a blank slate. While his profound techniques might give him a slight edge over Tian Qiu, that was all. Had he been the one to clash with Buddhist Disciple Guang Ming earlier, he would likely have been severely injured and forced to flee in disgrace.
"Let's go. We should meet that Fellow Daoist Lü," Xiang Ye said, taking a deep breath and shedding any pretenses of superiority. Just as he stepped forward, a thunderous roar of surging water suddenly echoed through the heavens.
"Boom!"
The sound originated from Lü Yang, seated high in the sky, his entire body enveloped in the radiant glow of the [Xuan Capital Blessed Land].
'Is he injured too?' Xiang Ye wondered, suspicion flickering in his heart.
'No... being injured would be expected. That was a Buddhist Disciple! Even if just an avatar, only someone like Dangmo could slay it unscathed.'
His speculation wasn't entirely accurate. Lü Yang hadn't been injured—not due to strength, but because he had cleverly used the [Separating-Combining Jade Tablet] obtained from the Dragon Palace Treasury to absorb Buddhist Disciple Guang Ming's attack. Now, he was working to dissolve the Buddhist light and magic power within the jade tablet.
'This Buddhist Disciple... truly has some skill.'
Lü Yang sat cross-legged, hands forming a lotus-holding gesture. Surging magic power poured into the [Separating-Combining Jade Tablet], yet it seemed as futile as trying to extinguish a fire with a cup of water.
Vaguely, he glimpsed the image of a massive palm.
The palm imprint was full, its five fingers rounded, exuding a sense of "perfection" akin to polished jade. Faintly, Lü Yang could even hear sutras chanting from within.
Seeing this, Lü Yang narrowed his eyes:
'Had this palm struck me squarely earlier, I'd either be dead or half-crippled. The outcome wouldn't have been a complete victory, but mutual destruction.'
With that thought, his eyes gleamed:
'Once I refine this palm, I can store it within the [Separating-Combining Jade Tablet] and unleash it against enemies when needed...'
Returning the attacker's own method upon them!
This was the ingenious function of the [Separating-Combining Jade Tablet]. If it were merely a treasure for transferring calamities, it wouldn't have earned a place in the Dragon Palace Treasury.
As Lü Yang pondered, his brow suddenly lifted. Two streaks of light descended in the distance, stopping at a respectful distance without approaching. They bowed toward him:
"Xiang Ye of the Primordial Saint Sect."
"Hong Ju of the Primordial Saint Sect."
"We greet Fellow Daoist!"
The simultaneous bows left Suo Huan behind Lü Yang with a complicated expression. Both were celestial outsiders—why was the disparity in treatment so vast?
In his centuries overseas, he'd only ever been called a "celestial rogue cultivator," never "Fellow Daoist." The Four Great Powers had treated him like discarded trash. Yet Lü Yang had barely spent a day here before True Persons from the Primordial Saint Sect sought him out and addressed him as an equal.
"Greetings, Fellow Daoists."
Lü Yang didn't put on airs, rising to return the courtesy. However, he couldn't help glancing curiously at Xiang Ye, whose appearance and age differed drastically from his memory.
He had aged.
In Lü Yang's recollection, Xiang Ye had been a young Daoist. Now, he appeared as a kindly, white-haired elder with a youthful complexion.
His vitality was lacking—what happened?
Seeming to notice Lü Yang's puzzlement, Xiang Ye smiled wryly: "Forgive my appearance, Fellow Daoist. I previously battled that one from the Pure Land as well."
"Just some lingering effects."
Xiang Ye spoke lightly, but through his [Exquisite Heart], Lü Yang could see this incarnation likely had at most thirty years left—truly approaching his end.
The next moment, Xiang Ye cut straight to the point:
"Might Fellow Daoist reveal your origins? Which True Person of our Saint Sect are you the reincarnation of?"
Lü Yang: "..."
Who are you calling a Saint Sect member!
"A misunderstanding, Fellow Daoist." Lü Yang smiled faintly. "I am a celestial outsider and have no connection to the Saint Sect you speak of."
"Truly?"
I don't believe it!
Xiang Ye narrowed his eyes, studying Lü Yang, who calmly met his gaze. After a prolonged silence, Xiang Ye finally broke the stalemate:
"If Fellow Daoist chooses not to speak, so be it... However, you've thoroughly offended that one from the Pure Land now. Continuing to wander overseas would be fraught with danger. Why not visit our Saint Sect? To be frank, I too bear Buddhist karma planted by that one."
"Then I must accept your kind invitation."
Lü Yang showed no reluctance toward Xiang Ye's offer. Having already swept through overseas regions—with an avatar already at the Sword Pavilion—and lacking connections to the Dao Court while being unwelcome in the Pure Land, returning to the Saint Sect was clearly the most advantageous choice.
That said...
"Fellow Daoist needn't worry about immediate threats from the Pure Land." Lü Yang's expression turned solemn. "For roughly a year, he likely won't be able to emerge again."
Pure Land, Victorious Will Manifestation Treasure Temple.
Originally named [Fulong Temple].
But since Buddhist Disciple Guang Ming descended here, the temple had been renamed, its scale expanding daily with countless monks gathering.
Yet now, the temple buzzed with agitation. Monks stood in the main hall, their expressions alternating between fury, fear, and terror as they stared at the towering Buddha statue. Its once flawless Buddhist light had crumbled at one corner, its divine aura partially dispersed!
"How could this be... how!"
One monk's chest heaved uncontrollably, sweat pouring down his face until a young acolyte beneath the statue opened his eyes, bringing slight calm.
"Buddhist Disciple!"
At this sight, the monk nearly shouted, while the panicked assembly quickly settled, relief washing over them.
The one slain overseas had merely been an avatar.
Now that the true Buddhist Disciple had awakened from seclusion, who could stop him from immediately seeking vengeance?
Under their hopeful gazes, however, Buddhist Disciple Guang Ming wasted no time: "I shall enter seclusion for one year. From today onward, all Pure Land cultivators will join me."
"Ah?"
The monks froze.
Just like that? No plans to avenge the destroyed avatar?
Instantly, the sharper monks held their breaths. Connecting this with the damage to the statue, a dreadful realization dawned:
Had the Buddhist Disciple lost more than just an avatar...?
But that was merely a celestial rogue cultivator!
How?
Buddhist Disciple Guang Ming ignored their shifting expressions. Closing his eyes again, he turned inward, sinking into deep contemplation.
'What a ruthless method of draining lifeforce.'
'Not only was the [Past Body] slain, but its lifespan was inexplicably stripped bare. It will take at least a year to recover...'
His brow furrowed.
'No leads on that immortal spirit either. At this rate, gathering all four disciples seems hopeless... Under these circumstances, an alternative approach may be necessary.'