Chapter 440: The Time Has Come, Take Them All Down!
Chapter 440: The Time Has Come—Take Them All in One Go!
"Boom!"
As True Person Dangmo's figure vanished, a radiant light pierced the heavens, bathing all of Jiangxi in dazzling golden brilliance.
"Amitabha..."
Within the Great Heroic Treasure Hall, the solemn chant echoed as the majestic [Manifestation of Victory and Clarity Dharmadhatu] revealed a trace of urgency on its face.
The [City Wall Earth] was out of control!
The Pure Land's Unity of All Beings had been shattered, and the seal suppressing the [City Wall Earth] was shaken. Now, this supreme fruit position was on the verge of escaping the Pure Land!
'At this point... we must take risks to seize victory.'
With this thought, the [Manifestation of Victory and Clarity Dharmadhatu] ceased wasting effort to suppress the [City Wall Earth]'s rampage and instead turned its gaze toward True Person Quexie beside it. A flicker of intent later, a thread of Buddhist affinity descended upon this seemingly half-dead Sword Pavilion True Person.
'Desperate times call for desperate measures.'
Almost simultaneously, Prince Wu Tai'an of the South from the Dao Court appeared beside him. Together with True Person Quexie, two disciples had now returned to their positions.
'Forcibly initiate the [Buddhist Kingdom on Earth]!'
'Even if the [City Wall Earth] runs wild, it doesn't matter—as long as a Buddhist cultivator ultimately Achieves it, the outcome will remain unchanged!'
What was the Buddhist Kingdom on Earth?
As the name suggested, it was a kingdom founded upon the earth-element supreme position, the [City Wall Earth], creating a realm akin to the [Netherworld] in nature.
The ritual required four disciples precisely so they could seek the golden positions, drawing in the other four fruit positions to complete the five elements. Then, with Buddhist cultivators presiding over the kingdom and supplemented by the secret methods passed down by the World-Honored One, the effect of "borrowing the Dao Lord's position" could be achieved.
Originally, the plan had been flawless.
Under Unity of All Beings, only Buddhist cultivators could control the [City Wall Earth], and only through it could one govern the final [Buddhist Kingdom].
But now, everything had changed.
The [City Wall Earth] was out of control, the [Buddhist Kingdom] masterless—countless variables had emerged in an instant. One misstep, and the Pure Land might end up laboring for others' benefit!
Meanwhile, in Jiangnan, at the Sword Pavilion.
"Daoist Hong Yun, what do you think?"
[Ang Xiao] withdrew his gaze and chuckled lightly. "I told you—so-called [Sword Dao Fruit Positions] are nothing but moons in water, flowers in a mirror."
Despite his words, admiration was written all over his face. He had anticipated that True Person Dangmo would have a backup plan, but the final arrangement still left him awestruck. "For a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he's pushed things to the limit, practically pitting the Sword Pavilion and the Pure Land against each other as Dao enemies."
"What a spectacle awaits us."
Here, [Ang Xiao] wore an expression of keen interest. "So-called righteous sects—aren't they just like our Saint Sect, dogs biting each other over benefits?"
The Pure Land's intentions were clear to him.
By forcibly initiating the [Buddhist Kingdom on Earth] ritual, they aimed to produce a True Lord, who would then eradicate the [Sword Dao] to turn the tide.
And the Sword Pavilion would undoubtedly pursue the same goal...
"Boom!"
The next moment, Lü Yang looked up at the sky and saw the previously dimmed [Wall Soil] erupt with brilliance once more, glaring down from above.
Unlike the Sword Pavilion, the Pure Land at least had the [Buddhist Kingdom on Earth] ritual as leverage to gamble on seeking the golden position. But the Sword Pavilion currently lacked any Golden Core seeds—no one could seek gold and ascend. Thus, the only ones who could act were the True Lords still in seclusion!
Seeing this, [Ang Xiao] grinned. "They're panicking!"
Indeed, the Sword Pavilion was panicking!
If the Pure Land succeeded in eradicating the [Sword Dao Fruit Position], the Sword Pavilion's centuries of planning would be ruined, forcing them to start over from scratch.
How could they allow that?
Witnessing this, Lü Yang couldn't help but marvel inwardly at how brilliantly True Person Dangmo had orchestrated everything, ensnaring nearly everyone in his scheme.
'Even saving people was secondary!'
'Given the Sword Pavilion True Lords' current state, if they were to send one down at the cost of burning their dongtian, there would likely be only one candidate...'
[True Lord of Bearing Heaven's True Virtue]!
This True Lord was already nearing the end of his lifespan and had the lowest cultivation. Now, when sacrifice was needed for the Sword Pavilion's grand cause—who else but him?
Once [True Lord of Bearing Heaven's True Virtue] forcibly descended, regardless of the outcome, his days would be numbered. In other words, True Person Dangmo's scheme had indirectly ensured the demise of the very True Lord who once obstructed his Dao path! And even better—he would earn the Pure Land's eternal enmity!
One trap after another!
Even more ingenious was that no matter who won—the Pure Land or the Sword Pavilion—True Person Dangmo would not lose. At the very least, part of his goals would be achieved.
If the Pure Land won and the [Sword Dao] was destroyed, he would have avenged the Sword Pavilion's manipulation of his life.
If the Sword Pavilion won and the Pure Land lost its Unity of All Beings, he would have saved countless Buddhist cultivators, fulfilling another of his lifelong objectives.
'Under these circumstances, unless a Dao Lord intervenes... there's no way out!'
At this thought, Lü Yang looked up at the sky with faint anticipation.
'Unity of All Beings is the Pure Land's foundation, and the [Sword Dao] is the Sword Pavilion's indispensable treasure. Logically, neither Dao Lord would stand idly by...'
Would the Dao Lords act?
If they did, even death would be worth the price!
"Best not dwell on such thoughts, fellow Daoist."
On the other side, [Ang Xiao] had clearly guessed Lü Yang's musings and chuckled. "This incident is significant, but it hasn't crossed the Dao Lords' bottom line."
This hasn't?
Faced with Lü Yang's skeptical gaze, [Ang Xiao] shook his head. "Indeed not. For the Dao Lords, their only bottom line is this very world itself..."
Here, [Ang Xiao] grew cryptic and swiftly changed the subject. "With events unfolding like this, what are your plans, fellow Daoist? Do you still intend to wade into these muddy waters? Why not join me in the [Netherworld]? I could secure a fruit position for you there..."
Lü Yang immediately feigned interest. "You mean it?"
[Ang Xiao] smiled and nodded. "Absolutely."
'Bullshit!'
Did he think Lü Yang didn't know? In his past life, he had spun the same tale to Lü Yang and the Dragon Clan—promising fruit positions in the [Netherworld] when he had none to give.
Recruitment was a pretense; conscripting pawns was the real goal!
With this realization, Lü Yang abandoned any further attempt to probe [Ang Xiao] for information—there was no need now anyway.
Lü Yang rose, flicking his sleeves.
"Hmm?"
Just that slight movement alerted [Ang Xiao], who instinctively frowned, sensing a subtle shift in Lü Yang's aura.
'What is he planning?'
[Ang Xiao] quickly assessed the current situation.
The [City Wall Earth] was out of control, the Pure Land was forcibly initiating the [Buddhist Kingdom on Earth] ritual, and every Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator in the world capable of seeking gold would soon converge on Jiangxi.
Meanwhile, the Sword Pavilion would likely force a True Lord into the open.
Under these circumstances—what could Lü Yang do? What did he intend to do?
In that moment, countless conjectures flashed through [Ang Xiao]'s mind, each dismissed in turn. Little did he know Lü Yang's thoughts were brutally simple:
'If the Dao Lords truly won't act, what do I have to fear?'
'The [City Wall Earth] and [Sword Dao Fruit Position] are worth gambling for—snatching one would be profit, securing both would let me restart this life outright...'
The time had come!
Seize the golden positions—take them all in one go!