Chapter 438
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Translator: Ace
Chapter:
Chapter Title: Invitation to the Pure Land
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Jiangxi. As the crowd of commoners prostrated together, melodious bell chimes suddenly echoed from the horizon. Golden radiance surged like spring water wherever the sound passed, myriad phenomena blooming in profusion.
From the distant horizon, countless auspicious clouds piled high, revealing a grand temple the size of a mountain peak amid the clouds. Countless monks bustled within, chanting sutras, reciting the Buddha's name, discussing the Dharma. The sonorous Buddhist chants mingled with the bells, drifting into Lu Yang's ears and beside Perfected Being Demon-Quelling.
“Boom!”
The bells tolled eighty-one times in succession. Each strike landed like a hammer blow to the head. It echoed in Lu Yang's ears, even stirring an involuntary, bizarre thought within him:
‘Amitabha, I transcend!’
“Clang clang!”
In the next instant, his [Sword Intent] stirred on its own, scattering the lingering chants in his mind. Lu Yang snapped awake in a cold sweat.
‘Such an evil thing!’
If a cultivator at Foundation Establishment with weaker cultivation had been there, they would likely have joyfully converted to the Pure Land by now, becoming one of its Dharma-protecting Arhats.
And this was far from the full might of the chants. Nearly ninety percent of their terrifying “conversion” wonder had poured onto Perfected Being Demon-Quelling. Even so, when Lu Yang glanced sideways, he saw the Perfected Being's expression remain as still as a placid well, utterly unchanged.
At that moment, the old monk who had led the commoners in prostration rose shakily to his feet.
He pressed his palms together respectfully.
“[Veda Heaven Demon-Quelling Arhat], the Buddha child has awaited you long. Please follow this humble monk into the Great Hero Precious Hall.”
“Lead on.”
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling nodded. Lu Yang followed close behind. The three proceeded into the Pure Land. Everywhere they passed revealed a scene of perfect peace and prosperity.
All observed propriety and restrained their desires. Every household had homes and fields.
Monks debated the Dharma. Novices discussed sutras. Joy and harmony reigned, free of any strife. Everyone found contentment, unburdened by daily toil.
Such a sight was unimaginable elsewhere. Mortals were mortals, cultivators cultivators—the former mere livestock to the latter. Equality was a fantasy. Yet in the Pure Land, all stood equal. Even Arhats would discourse on Buddhist scriptures with humble townsfolk.
“Amitabha!”
At last, in central Jiangxi, a towering divine mountain thrust skyward. Buddhist light blazed here many times brighter, truly illuminating the ten directions.
Atop the divine mountain stood an ancient temple.
[Victorious Will Generating Brilliance Precious Temple]!
“Dang—!”
悠扬 bells rang from within the temple, suffusing peace. Beyond its wide-open doors lay a majestic main hall, where a golden-bodied Buddha statue loomed.
Flanking the statue stood row upon row of Pure Land Arhats. Lu Yang even spotted familiar faces among them. Each bore a solemn, majestic mien, expressions grave as they guarded the golden Buddha. Halos gleamed behind their heads, and countless eyes fixed intently on Perfected Being Demon-Quelling.
Beneath the golden statue.
The Guang Ming Buddha Child—lips red, teeth white, clad as a novice—pressed his palms together. He smiled down at Perfected Being Demon-Quelling like a chef eyeing fish on the cutting board.
“Well said, well said.”
The Guang Ming Buddha Child nodded lightly.
“[Veda Heaven Demon-Quelling Arhat] has come in person and surely comprehended his past lives. Today, he returns to his rightful place and attains the true Arhat fruit.”
“...”
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling made no reply. Instead, he gazed beside the Guang Ming Buddha Child. There stood a refined youth of elegant bearing and poised demeanor.
It was the very mortal friend who had once imparted [No Killing] to him.
The man now wore a nostalgic smile, nodding faintly. Relief, admiration, and deep affection filled his eyes.
Yet Perfected Being Demon-Quelling only sighed deeply.
“Why sigh, benefactor?”
The Guang Ming Buddha Child smiled.
“Lingering baleful qi in your heart? No matter. Vent it freely. These Arhats are here precisely for that.”
He cared nothing for Perfected Being Demon-Quelling's demeanor.
The Perfected Being was an arrow nocked to the string—it had to fly. Self-sacrifice to forge his sword and prove [Sword Dao Fruit Position] was inevitable. The only question was how.
Should Perfected Being Demon-Quelling yield without resistance, all would rejoice. The Pure Land would gain a new [Veda Heaven Demon-Quelling Arhat] and reap a [No Killing Sword Intent] honed to perfection. In time, they might even cultivate their own Sword Dao fruit.
Should he seize the chance for slaughter, so much the better.
‘I command three thousand monks, countless faithful!’
‘All prepared for you. Slay them at will!’
‘The more you kill, the fiercer the slaughter, the purer your killing intent vents. The recovered [No Killing Sword Intent] will be all the cleaner—higher quality!’
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling had never truly had a choice.
Whether he entered the Pure Land or not changed nothing. If he came, the Pure Land profited effortlessly. If not, they would simply draw him in.
Every path led to ruin.
“Amitabha!”
The Guang Ming Buddha Child intoned again, excitement flickering in his eyes.
‘Demon-Quelling... such talent, such sword intent. Even better suited than that immortal spirit!’
His gaze shifted to Che Xie Zhenren nearby.
“...”
This peak Foundation Establishment from Sword Pavilion had lost all wits, thoroughly ensnared by [Knowledge-View Barrier], reduced near to a puppet.
The Guang Ming Buddha Child pondered.
‘Activating [Earthly Buddha Country] requires four disciples. I lack three. Take Demon-Quelling Perfected Being, [Soaring Empyrean]’s clone, and immortal spirit Shang Zhang... The resulting rite would be supreme!’
Such was his scheme.
His prior aid to [Soaring Empyrean] against Demon-Quelling Perfected Being? Mere deception. He trusted no True Lord of the Saint Sect.
From the outset, he sought [Soaring Empyrean] himself.
Helping seize [White Wax Gold]? A ruse. Luring the clone, converting it to a disciple—that was the prize!
‘Demon-Quelling is snared. Without him, Sword Pavilion lies crippled. Immortal spirit Shang Zhang cannot escape my grasp. Only [Soaring Empyrean] remains.’
“[Soaring Empyrean] senior, the moment is at hand.”
The Guang Ming Buddha Child spoke softly, invoking their prior pact, awaiting the bite.
Yet as moments dragged—
“...”
—nothing stirred.
Che Xie Zhenren stood dazed, unmoving. No trace of [Soaring Empyrean] claiming [White Wax Gold].
“...Hm?”
The Guang Ming Buddha Child’s brow furrowed.
“[Soaring Empyrean] senior?”
“...”
Silence.
His face darkened. The [Victorious Will Generating Brilliance Dharani Heaven Worldly Manifestation] erupted behind him in blazing light, revealing a stark realization:
‘What have I overlooked?’
Jiangnan. Sword Pavilion’s core grounds.
Amid the chaotic battlefield, an elder strolled with hands clasped behind his back, eyes alight with leisurely mirth. He moved as through empty air, sauntering straight into the Ye family lands.
“Decades apart, and fellow daoist’s splendor endures.”
The elder entered the Ye compound. He glanced at the corpse mounds and blood seas littering the ground, expression unmoved, then fixed on Lu Yang’s true body, ringed by countless banner spirits.
Lu Yang tensed like a man facing calamity.
‘Cloud Family Old Ancestor.’
This was the forgotten piece in Guang Ming Buddha Child’s scheme. Che Xie Zhenren was mere bait from [Soaring Empyrean]. The Cloud Family Old Ancestor was the true mark!
‘...As expected!’
Lu Yang lowered his gaze. Earlier, he had spied via the Cloud Family Old Ancestor on [Soaring Empyrean]’s parley with Guang Ming Buddha Child—then done nothing.
For he had recalled something nearly slipped his mind: In the Mysterious Spirit Realm, at [Southern Heavenly Gate], [Soaring Empyrean] had seen the Cloud Family Old Ancestor! The elder had stood at his side, witnessed him puppeteer the old man!
‘He knows of my tie to Cloud Family Old Ancestor!’
‘His pact with Guang Ming Buddha Child? Surface lure for Che Xie Zhenren and [White Wax Gold]. True aim: me!’
With this thought, Lu Yang exhaled deeply.
No panic. Times had changed. He now held ground to parley with [Soaring Empyrean].
“Nameless junior greets senior.”
Lu Yang cupped his fists in salute.
Yet what he never foresaw: [Soaring Empyrean], possessing the Cloud Family Old Ancestor’s form, frowned faintly at his words. Then came a light laugh.
“At this juncture, why the false courtesy, fellow daoist?”
“Hong Yun! It’s you, isn’t it!”
Lu Yang: “...?”