Chapter 444: Who Wants to Fight Me?
Chapter 444: Who Wishes to Fight Me?
Jiangxi, above the Pure Land.
The [Victorious Meaning-Born Tuoluo Heavenly Manifestation] regarded Lü Yang with extreme wariness, having long concluded that this Hong Yun was undoubtedly a True Lord of the Saint Sect.
Even Lü Yang could tell that while the other party's attitude appeared firm, it was merely a facade masking inner weakness. Of course, the primary reason remained insufficient strength—the [Victorious Meaning-Born Tuoluo Heavenly Manifestation] itself was still confined to the Foundation Establishment level, incomparable to a True Lord.
'Buddhist Kingdom on Earth.'
Lü Yang's eyes shone brightly as the power of the [Overturned Lamp Flame] enhanced his vision, allowing his gaze to pierce through secrets and penetrate the thick Buddhist radiance before him.
"You!"
The [Victorious Meaning-Born Tuoluo Heavenly Manifestation]'s voice carried traces of anger: "Even as a True Lord, you cannot act so discourteously within our Pure Land!"
"Spying on the Buddhist Kingdom's secrets—do you wish to tear apart all pretense?"
Majestic Buddhist chants resonated, mobilizing the [Buddhist Kingdom on Earth] to resist Lü Yang's probing. Such power was nearly invincible at the Foundation Establishment level.
Yet his opponent had completely transcended this realm. Lü Yang didn't even need to mobilize his magic power—with just a thought, the entire [Buddhist Kingdom on Earth] froze in place. The [Victorious Meaning-Born Tuoluo Heavenly Manifestation] stiffened mid-air before bursting into flames.
"Hu."
Pursing his lips, Lü Yang exhaled gently. The towering dharma form instantly disintegrated as if flayed alive, exploding into streams of radiant light.
'The gap is too vast...'
Having cultivated through multiple lifetimes, Lü Yang once again experienced the sensation he'd felt as a Qi Refining cultivator facing Foundation Establishment—superficially the same species, yet fundamentally worlds apart.
With a wave of his hand, three strands of Metal Essence floated into Lü Yang's palm—belonging to True Person Quexie, Prince Wu Tai'an of the South, and the [Victorious Meaning-Born Tuoluo Heavenly Manifestation]. Combined with the Metal Essence from Immortal Spirit Shang Zhang, this equated to four golden-tier talents!
At this thought, Lü Yang's gaze shifted.
The sole surviving Saint Sect True Person, Xiang Ye, swallowed nervously before decisively opening his Sea of Consciousness without hesitation.
"Junior cultivator Xiang Ye pays respects to Heaven's Fortune Bright Light True Lord!"
Before his words faded, Xiang Ye proactively offered his Metal Essence, bowing respectfully: "This is the Metal Essence this junior has cultivated for the True Lord. May the True Lord deign to accept it."
Lü Yang nodded approvingly.
Only Saint Sect True Persons understood propriety!
"Rest assured, I'm not some bloodthirsty killer." Lü Yang chuckled, taking only a wisp of Xiang Ye's Metal Essence rather than claiming it all.
Enough for the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes] to settle accounts.
After completing this, he glanced at Xiang Ye and said indifferently: "Now that you're the only one left, why remain idle? Continue pursuing Metal Essence."
"...Ah?"
Xiang Ye froze at these words.
Truthfully, since Lü Yang appeared as a True Lord, he'd abandoned all hopes of pursuing Metal Essence—never expecting Lü Yang would permit it!
'Is this some trap?'
The thought instantly surfaced in Xiang Ye's mind. Yet observing Lü Yang's smiling face, realization quickly dawned:
'The arrow has left the bow—there's no turning back!'
Whether a trap existed or not, refusal likely wasn't an option!
"This junior obeys!"
A decisive man by nature, Xiang Ye immediately severed all hesitation upon reaching this conclusion, focusing entirely on sensing the Fruit Position.
The next moment, clear water sounds gradually emanated from Xiang Ye's body. Chilly radiance billowed forth like an icy spring—inexhaustible nourishment—eventually manifesting a blessed land scene featuring a communal well serving countless households.
[Spring Water]!
This was the Fruit Position Xiang Ye sought to achieve. As his awareness connected with the blessed land, he immediately began ascending to claim the supreme position of heaven and earth!
Lü Yang observed quietly.
His expression remained utterly composed throughout. Though reclaiming the immortal spirit body granted him qualifications to pursue [Pomegranate Wood], he made no attempt.
'Because while temporarily holding a Golden Seat, I cannot pursue Metal Essence.'
To seek [Pomegranate Wood], he must first exit this provisional Golden Seat state. Yet under current circumstances, doing so would be suicidal.
'Moreover, this [Buddhist Kingdom on Earth]... conceals a massive trap!'
The reason was simple—this [Buddhist Kingdom on Earth] encompassed [White Wax Gold], which Ang Xiao absolutely required!
'This constitutes fundamental Dao conflict. Naturally, Ang Xiao would never permit [White Wax Gold] to fall into the Pure Land's [Buddhist Kingdom on Earth]—he will inevitably intervene. Therefore, attempting to seize the [Buddhist Kingdom] would play into his hands. Better to find a scapegoat to take the blow...'
Another consideration remained.
'I've suspected this before—ownership of heavenly Fruit Positions likely doesn't reside with True Lords... meaning I probably can't take them when restarting.'
This posed serious complications.
What use were unclaimable Fruit Positions?
Thus Lü Yang cared little even for [City Wall Earth]. In his eyes, the truly valuable prize was the [Sword Dao] left behind by True Person Dangmo.
'Because the [Sword Dao Fruit Position] differs from others—it was achieved by True Person Dangmo through Empty Attainment, making it truly unowned. If I can obtain it before restarting, there's an eighty percent chance I can take it along with the [Seven Luminaries Heaven]! This is the genuine priceless treasure!'
As this thought crystallized, Lü Yang suddenly looked up with intuitive realization.
'Finally unable to restrain yourself...'
"Boom!"
Above the firmament, the Fruit Position star representing [Wall Soil] brightened to its zenith as earth-shaking reverberations spread outward.
Then a figure emerged from the starlight.
Shrouded in clear radiance, his silhouette resembled a youthful teenager. The mere leakage of his aura made the four realms tremble in response!
[True Lord of Bearing Heaven's True Virtue]!
At this moment, the Sword Pavilion True Lord showed no signs of having paid the tremendous price of burning his Dongtian to descend—his magic power remained formidable.
Every Foundation Establishment True Person cultivating [Wall Soil] across the land sensed this presence, trembling uncontrollably.
This was Dao Lineage suppression—as the [Wall Soil] True Lord, he held absolute power of life and death over subordinate lineage True Persons, like an emperor over peasants!
Beneath the radiance, sword-like eyes appeared.
The [True Lord of Bearing Heaven's True Virtue] had clear objectives upon manifestation—his profound gaze immediately locked onto Lü Yang, as if piercing through his secrets.
Yet this wasn't the conclusion.
Almost simultaneously, another starlight ignited above Jiangxi's firmament, matching the brilliance of the newly returned [Wall Soil]!
From this radiance emerged another figure—graceful in posture, another old acquaintance of Lü Yang's: the Pure Land's [Precious Vase Water Moon Bodhisattva]!
"Amitabha!"
Instantly, heaven and earth fell silent.
[True Lord of Bearing Heaven's True Virtue].
[Precious Vase Water Moon Bodhisattva].
Two True Lords simultaneously fixed their gazes on Lü Yang—eyes icy, transcending worldly concerns, as if all human emotions had been extinguished.
Yet facing these dual scrutinizing gazes, Lü Yang merely smiled faintly.
His tone remained calm, devoid of panic, carrying only an eager anticipation as if this moment had been long awaited:
"Who wishes to fight me?"