Chapter 452: Taking Stock of Spoils
Chapter 452: Taking Stock of the Spoils
The World-Honored One departed.
The Pure Land returned to its original state. Immediately after, an elderly monk with white hair and beard approached Lü Yang, bowing respectfully:
"Amitabha."
"Senior Hongyun, our Pure Land has suffered countless casualties in this calamity. In a few days, we will seal ourselves off from the outside world. We kindly ask the benefactor not to linger in Jiangxi any longer."
His tone was steady, still carrying the humility expected of a lower cultivator, yet the confidence in his words was unmistakable. Clearly, with the restoration of Unity of All Beings, the Pure Land's Buddhist cultivators had regained their composure. In contrast, Lü Yang—even while still maintaining his false Golden Seat—felt a chill in his heart.
'This damned place truly leaves no room for complacency.'
Lü Yang remained vigilant. Just then, a streak of sword light shot across the horizon, boldly piercing into the Pure Land before a figure emerged.
Clad in white robes, a long sword hung at his waist.
Lü Yang glanced over and raised an eyebrow. Though the man concealed his aura well, hiding his divine abilities, it was impossible to deceive Lü Yang in his current state.
'[Sword Edge Gold].'
This person had also reached the Perfected Foundation Establishment realm, with five divine abilities hidden yet discernible—one of them noticeably weaker, evidently newly formed.
Lü Yang calculated with his fingers and instantly grasped the newcomer's identity.
'True Person Fuyao.'
Among the Sword Pavilion's three generational titles—Dangmo, Quexie, and Fuyao—True Person Fuyao had been entirely absent throughout this upheaval!
'Previously, I heard he was at the late-stage Foundation Establishment. Now, he's reached perfection... He must have been in seclusion for a breakthrough. Among the three True Persons, Dangmo was expendable fodder for achieving the [Sword Dao Fruit Position]. Quexie had no hope on the [White Wax Gold] path. That leaves Fuyao—likely the Sword Pavilion's true heir!'
The [Sword Edge Gold] was proof!
After all, this Fruit Position was the pinnacle of the Metal element. Yet Fuyao had remained completely unnoticed until now, clearly well-protected by the Sword Pavilion.
At this realization, Lü Yang grew wary.
'Such a person could have stayed in seclusion, hidden until the end... Yet he emerged now to seek me out. Whatever news he brings can't be good.'
As expected.
"Lord Minghe."
True Person Fuyao clasped his hands the moment he appeared, addressing Lü Yang directly. "By decree of True Lord Gangxing Budao, I have come to request Lord Minghe's return to the sect."
Lü Yang arched his brows. Minghe was the Daoist name of his sword-wielding avatar in the Sword Pavilion. For Fuyao to address him as such to his face meant his avatar's identity had been exposed—hardly surprising, given how openly he had acted toward the end.
Before he could respond, another streak of light approached.
Lü Yang turned and was met with yet another unexpected figure: Jun Tong, a Foundation Establishment True Person under the Saint Sect's True Lord Zengcai Qiluo!
And like Fuyao—
Jun Tong, who had previously been at late-stage Foundation Establishment, had now achieved perfection. Upon arrival, he bowed respectfully to Lü Yang:
"By decree of True Lord Qingcheng Feixue, Senior Hongyun is summoned to return to the sect."
Lü Yang was momentarily speechless.
Minghe was one thing—it truly was his sword-wielding avatar. But Hongyun? By heaven's grace, that was entirely fabricated by overthinkers! He had merely neglected to deny it.
'They're forcing me to choose...'
Lü Yang glanced left and right. On one side stood Fuyao, representing the Sword Pavilion; on the other, Jun Tong, representing the Saint Sect. Both carried the intentions of their respective True Lords.
Lü Yang understood clearly—neither the Saint Sect nor the Sword Pavilion truly valued him. What they coveted was the [Sword Dao Fruit Position] currently in his grasp.
'The more they want it, the less I can give it!'
He had to keep them hooked!
Once handed over, his usefulness would vanish. By holding onto it, he could keep other schemers at bay.
'Besides, I plan to restart and take the [Sword Dao Fruit Position] with me. How could I possibly surrender it?'
With this thought, Lü Yang smiled faintly. "This Protector wishes to rest overseas for a short while. There's no urgency. Return in a few days to seek me again."
Without giving Fuyao or Jun Tong a chance to speak, Lü Yang took a single step and vanished from sight. After all, he was still a True Lord in status—speaking with two lower cultivators was already a concession to their factions' influence. How could he allow himself to be pressured by them?
Overseas, within the Earth Fire Heart Furnace.
Using [Wall Soil] to conceal his aura and taking advantage of his remaining false Golden Seat status, Lü Yang finally began reviewing his spoils.
'Aside from the World-Honored One, everything went as I anticipated.'
Even the World-Honored One's intervention hadn't truly disrupted Lü Yang's gains. In fact, it had resolved a potentially catastrophic hidden danger for him.
The [Sword Dao Fruit Position]!
'Originally, this thing was bound to the Pure Land's Unity of All Beings. I wasn't sure if restarting would sever that connection.'
If severed, the [Sword Dao Fruit Position] might degrade.
If not severed, Lü Yang worried it might trigger chaos in the Pure Land, drawing the World-Honored One's gaze—a case of going for wool and coming home shorn.
But now, he needn't worry.
The World-Honored One's intervention had isolated the [Sword Dao Fruit Position]. Under these circumstances, taking it away with the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes] would undoubtedly be safe.
'Beyond that, there's the [Seven Luminaries Heaven]!'
At this thought, Lü Yang focused his mind on the Myriad Spirits Banner and retrieved a radiant, multicolored pearl, within which boundless Imagery swirled.
[Flowing Water]!
The [Flowing Water] power extorted from Ang Xiao was enough to elevate the [Seven Luminaries Heaven] from a nascent Fruit Position to a complete one!
In the next moment, Lü Yang summoned the [Seven Luminaries Heaven] and tossed the pearl into it. The pearl shattered, releasing its boundless Imagery like a bursting dam. The [Seven Luminaries Heaven] devoured it voraciously, growing increasingly complete and powerful in the process!
'Now this is a true windfall!'
Excitement flashed in Lü Yang's eyes, though he quickly regained his composure. 'Two complete Fruit Positions... Such a difficult choice. Which one should I pursue?'
Each had its merits.
The [Seven Luminaries Heaven] was easier to achieve—Lü Yang could attempt it immediately if he wished.
The [Sword Dao Fruit Position], however, required more time, as his [sword intent] hadn't yet reached the near-perfect level of True Person Dangmo's.
That said, the [Sword Dao Fruit Position] undoubtedly held far greater potential than the [Seven Luminaries Heaven].
'Pity one can only achieve one Fruit Position... Unless I can somehow merge the [Seven Luminaries Heaven] and [Sword Dao Fruit Position] into a single entity.'
Was it possible?
After some thought, Lü Yang believed there was hope!
'The Qi Gathering method... With my current false Golden Seat cultivation—false though it may be—combined with my extraordinary wisdom, I could deduce a second-grade technique!'
With this in mind, Lü Yang willed inwardly:
"Ancestor, assist me!"
In the next instant, Ancestor Nether Whisper materialized, seamlessly entering a state of contemplation.
Lü Yang then handed over control of the [Yama Palace] to the ancestor as well, ensuring his extraordinary wisdom could be fully utilized.
As for himself, he had more pressing matters to attend to.
Beyond the two complete Fruit Positions, he had another immensely valuable spoil from this endeavor.
True Person Quexie, Wu Tai'an, the Buddha's manifestation, Xiang Ye, Immortal Spirit Shang Zhang—this false Golden Seat status had netted him five Foundation Establishment Metal Essences!
Once the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes] settled accounts, these would become five golden-tier talents!