Chapter 445: Battle a True Lord!
Chapter 444: Battle Against a True Lord!
"Who dares to fight me?"
The thunderous voice rolled across the sky, its deliberate provocation making the gazes of [True Lord of Bearing Heaven's True Virtue] and [Precious Vase Water Moon Bodhisattva] grow even colder.
Yet no one made a move.
Both True Lords were far from ordinary, possessing divine vision that could see through Lü Yang's current state—one that could only be maintained for a very short time, making him unworthy of battle.
After all, losing would mean instant death, while winning would likely cost them half their lives. They had descended with missions, even burning their own dongtian realms at great personal cost. How could they waste their lives on such meaningless conflict?
Seeing this, Lü Yang smiled faintly. "No one?"
He turned to [True Lord of Bearing Heaven's True Virtue], lips curling. "I slaughtered the entire Ye Family, leaving none alive. Don't you wish to kill me in vengeance?"
Then, he glanced at [Precious Vase Water Moon Bodhisattva]:
"I was the one who destroyed the Pure Land's [Buddhist Kingdom on Earth]. I just slew the Dharma Form descended by the World-Honored One. Don't you wish to avenge it?"
"..."
Below, the Foundation Establishment True Persons gazing up at the three True Lords were utterly dumbfounded. Especially those from Pure Land and Sword Pavilion—they couldn't fathom why no fight had broken out yet.
The taunts had gone this far—why wasn't anyone throwing hands?
Just fight him already!
Yet despite such provocation, even [True Lord of Bearing Heaven's True Virtue], who bore the grudge of his sect's annihilation, remained silent and chose not to act.
'...Not worth it.'
'My dongtian is already crumbling after descending to this realm. Time is short—my priority is stabilizing the [Sword Dao Fruit Position] and returning it to Sword Pavilion.'
'Only then will other Sword Pavilion True Lords come to guide me after my death, ensuring I can reclaim my position. As for the Ye Family... dead is dead. As long as I survive, I can always reincarnate, take dozens of wives, and rebuild through sheer effort.'
[True Lord of Bearing Heaven's True Virtue] had reasoned it out clearly.
Having already burned his dongtian to descend, there was no turning back. He had to see this through to the end. No amount of hatred mattered before the pursuit of the Dao.
'So not only must I avoid battling him—I must recruit him!'
The current situation pitted Sword Pavilion against Pure Land as mortal enemies. [Precious Vase Water Moon Bodhisattva] hadn't descended because of Lü Yang—she was here to intercept him!
Originally, [True Lord of Bearing Heaven's True Virtue] had been uncertain. But if Lü Yang could stand on his side and temporarily block [Precious Vase Water Moon Bodhisattva], he would have absolute confidence in fully embedding the [Sword Dao Fruit Position] into Pure Land, allowing it to mature before retrieving it intact for Sword Pavilion!
Yet Pure Land understood this just as well.
"Amitabha!"
A solemn chant echoed as [Precious Vase Water Moon Bodhisattva] moved—not to engage in dialogue, but to descend directly below.
This single action made [True Lord of Bearing Heaven's True Virtue]'s expression shift.
Because Lü Yang didn't stop her. Instead, he allowed [Precious Vase Water Moon Bodhisattva] to pass, still standing before him with that faint, mocking smile!
"...Why?"
After a moment of silence, [True Lord of Bearing Heaven's True Virtue] finally spoke his first words since descending, his gaze brimming with killing intent.
"No reason."
Lü Yang naturally wouldn't explain.
'Let [Ang Xiao] deal with the headache of [Buddhist Kingdom on Earth]. This keeps him occupied so he won't have time to trouble me...'
He knew [Ang Xiao] well enough.
Having just tricked him on a grand scale, how could [Ang Xiao] not seek revenge given the chance? Using [Precious Vase Water Moon Bodhisattva] to tie him down was perfect.
Likewise, Pure Land would also be preoccupied with [Ang Xiao].
The existence of [White Wax Gold] made this a Dao Contest between them—utterly irreconcilable—so he wasn't worried about [Ang Xiao] slacking off.
As for why he insisted on battling [True Lord of Bearing Heaven's True Virtue]—the reason was simple. Among those present, only [True Lord of Bearing Heaven's True Virtue] shared his sword intent. To claim the [Sword Dao Fruit Position], he had to determine whose sword intent was superior.
This was dictated by the nature of the [Sword Dao Fruit Position].
In swordsmanship, there is no second place—only the strongest may possess it!
"You—"
In that lightning-flash moment, [True Lord of Bearing Heaven's True Virtue] also realized, his face darkening: "How dare you, of all people, covet the [Sword Dao]?"
"Why not?"
Lü Yang laughed heartily. "If someone of your temperament can become a True Lord, what's stopping this junior from merely taking the [Sword Dao]?"
[True Lord of Bearing Heaven's True Virtue]'s expression turned stormy.
Insults shouldn't touch upon sore points!
What did he mean by "someone of your temperament"? It was precisely because of this temperament that he'd become a True Lord! This world had always rewarded the victors and crushed the losers.
"You're courting death. Borrowing Listening to the Abyss's methods to falsely hold a Golden Seat, your strength barely matches that of an External Path True Lord—and it's not even sustainable. How can you compare to an orthodox True Lord like me? If you force this battle, you'll be the one to perish!" [True Lord of Bearing Heaven's True Virtue]'s voice was icy.
What was an External Path?
A Fruit Position from outside was External! This world wasn't without External Path True Lords, but their strength couldn't compare to orthodox ones like him.
Lü Yang knew this well.
Take the Immortal Emperor of [Mystic Spirit Realm]—a classic External Path True Lord—who ended up with his entire realm devoured.
Yet he showed no fear.
"If you don't wish to fight, you may stand aside and watch."
"Wishful thinking!" [True Lord of Bearing Heaven's True Virtue]'s tone grew even more frigid. "How long can you maintain this false Golden Seat? Have you truly left yourself no path of retreat?"
Beneath the forceful words lay helplessness.
Yes—he couldn't understand. Had Lü Yang truly abandoned all thought of retreat? You're only borrowing the Golden Seat, not an actual Golden Core True Lord!
Why go this far?
Yet [True Lord of Bearing Heaven's True Virtude] was still a True Lord. Seeing no room for negotiation, he hesitated no longer—his aura erupted like a storm!
"Since you seek death, I shall oblige!"
The battle began!
As radiant light scattered, [True Lord of Bearing Heaven's True Virtue] revealed his true form—jet-black hair flowing in the wind as he raised a hand, summoning something.
Almost simultaneously, Lü Yang felt the true treasure he'd seized from the slain Response Body—the [Ascension to the Mysterious Realm Observation Register Sword]—begin to vibrate violently. Its True Spirit fully awakened, breaking free of his seals and streaking toward its master.
'The Fruit Position's call cannot be blocked...'
Lü Yang frowned slightly. With his borrowed Golden Seat, he now saw through many illusions surrounding the [Ascension to the Mysterious Realm Observation Register Sword].
'No wonder true treasures are so hard to refine.'
True Treasures stood above Spirit Treasures, just as Golden Core surpassed Foundation Establishment. Such a gap inevitably involved the power of Fruit Positions.
'Golden Core True Lords can extract Fruit Position power to forge their own Fruit Position Treasures, but these require continuous refinement by the True Lord. True Treasures are different—born from resonance between treasure and Fruit Position, essentially becoming part of the Fruit Position itself...'
Thus, True Treasures had masters and were difficult to seal.
No ordinary seal could withstand the direct summons of a heavenly Fruit Position—unless countered by another True Treasure specialized in sealing.
"Slay!"
With the [Ascension to the Mysterious Realm Observation Register Sword] in hand, [True Lord of Bearing Heaven's True Virtue]'s aura peaked. A single slash made heaven and earth tremble!
Yet Lü Yang met this with soaring battle spirit, utterly fearless.
"Come!"