Chapter 527
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Translator: Ace
Chapter:
Chapter Title: Refusal of the Pure Land
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As the World-Honored One's words faded, all sounds ceased, even the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws] fell into a brief stasis. The space between heaven and earth brimmed with radiant Buddhist light.
In a daze, Lu Yang seemed to see a vast Pure Land amid the Buddhist glow, an endless Zen forest of ancient monasteries and temples, countless Arhats and monks gathered together, prostrating toward him, chanting a single honorific in unison: "Homage to the Tathagata Buddha of Great Sunlike Radiance that Illuminates All!"
"Dong——!"
A sonorous bell toll rang out, prompting Lu Yang to raise his brows. His gaze fell upon the dilapidated Buddha statue and the five dharma images guarding it.
They had not lied.
Under the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws], if their words were untrue, Lu Yang would surely receive a warning, and his own profound divine abilities would sense it.
'They mean it.'
No deception, no concealment. They sincerely wished for him to take lordship of the Pure Land and command its billions of Buddhist cultivators. If he agreed, it would be a path of boundless glory.
No manipulation, no traps.
If he accepted the five dharma images' request, he could immediately assume control of the Pure Land, becoming the singular "One" uniting all hearts, the most unique existence.
Wielding the Pure Land, yet not as the World-Honored One's incarnation.
How many cultivators yearned desperately for such an opportunity, only to find it unattainable? If word spread, forget Foundation Establishment—even True Lords would scramble for it.
Even the Dao Court Lord showed no sign of objection.
At this moment, the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws] hung suspended in the air, quietly awaiting Lu Yang's response, revealing the implicit meaning:
'Indeed, why would the Dao Court Lord object? If I command the Pure Land, the Dao Court benefits too. It's a win-win. As expected of the World-Honored One—his actions are always airtight, always mutually beneficial, never pushing matters to the brink.'
Lu Yang had to admit: he was tempted.
After all, this was a chance to ascend to the heavens in a single step. With a mere nod, the Pure Land's Buddhist cultivators would submit, and he could immediately attempt to claim the Golden position!
Then, seated in the Dao Court with the Pure Land at his back.
With both Lords endorsing him, plus the might of a Supreme Fruit Position, even at early Golden Core, he could stand at the pinnacle!
"Layman, what concerns do you still have?"
The five dharma images spoke again, their faces full of sincerity. "We speak no falsehoods, nor does the World-Honored One. Please take lordship of the Pure Land; we are yours to command!"
"Clang clang!"
Their response was a clear sword cry. It came from Perfected Being Demon-Quelling, who held the [Non-Killing Sword], his expression solemn.
Unlike his previous life, this life's Perfected Being Demon-Quelling had revealed his [All-Slaying] sword intent early. Now, dual sword intents intertwined upon him—like yin and yang in balance, water and fire in harmony—continuously elevating his aura. His movements were slow, yet no one reacted.
Time seemed to halt its flow in that instant.
Everyone present could only watch wide-eyed as Perfected Being Demon-Quelling stepped forward, raised his sword, and slashed, passing calmly between the five dharma images.
Sword light equally sliced through each dharma image's body.
The next second, the frozen-time illusion shattered, flow resumed, and the five dharma images were bisected at the waist, fury and shock on their faces!
"Insolence!"
In a flash, Buddhist light surged. The severed five dharma images rejoined top to bottom, instantly restored, then opened their mouths in unison:
"Prajñā pāramitā!"
Each of the five dharma images uttered one word, instantly summoning myriad golden lights that darkened the heavens and caused all things to collapse inward to their utmost.
In Pure Land scriptures, "prajñā" means "wisdom," "pāra" points to the "far shore," and "mitā" means "arrival." Together, the five words formed "The Wisdom that Arrives at the Far Shore," the Pure Land's supreme great incantation. As the five dharma images intoned it, a wondrous phenomenon manifested.
This change involved neither magic power nor divine abilities.
It struck directly at "status"!
Now, only the five dharma images' statuses rose ceaselessly, while all other things' statuses plummeted—a dynamic of loss and gain, as if expounding:
"Heaven above, earth below, I alone am venerated!"
The absolute status gap emerged. Even Perfected Being Demon-Quelling seemed insignificant before it, posing no threat.
Yet Perfected Being Demon-Quelling's expression remained placid as an ancient well. He calmly took another step forward.
[Sword of Upholding Dao, Holding Righteousness, Slaying Karmic Debts]!
Chilling sword light emerged, bearing ultimate sharpness, ultimate killing intent—even staining his once-clean robes crimson in an instant.
[All-Slaying]!
Beneath this sword, nothing was unseverable. Unrivaled edge instantly shattered the "Prajñā Pāramitā" incantation jointly invoked by the five dharma images.
Sword light flashed; the twisted, collapsing vision returned to calm. The heaven-earth status disparity was forcibly equalized. After all, it was no true status, merely conjured by Dao arts—not a naturally integral whole, thus flawed. And with flaws, [All-Slaying] could cleave it!
Even so, the five dharma images laughed:
"Amitābha... Layman Demon-Quelling, give up. You cannot kill us!"
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling said nothing, merely raising his sword again.
At this sight, the five dharma images' expressions shifted slightly. They paused, then changed tack: "Even if you truly slay us, what can it change?"
"All decisions rest with Layman Huanming."
They had seen through Perfected Being Demon-Quelling's intent: clearly, he did not wish Lu Yang to take the Pure Land, hence his attempt to destroy the five dharma images!
"The Pure Land..."
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling stood sword in hand, murmuring lowly: "Seizing the hearts of all under heaven with one man's heart, trading the unease of Jiangdong's myriad people for the World-Honored One's great ease... If speaking of evil demons, Jiangbei is secondary—the Pure Land is paramount! Joining the Pure Land, even becoming a True Lord—what meaning is there?"
These words were not for the five dharma images.
Though Perfected Being Demon-Quelling did not turn, Lu Yang knew they were for him—his heartfelt counsel.
Yet the five dharma images remained unperturbed, even laughing:
"What evil demons... Layman Demon-Quelling is attached to forms."
"Mortals? Qi Refining? Mere illusory bubbles and dreams. Foundation Establishment may count as 'human,' but to achieve great undertakings, what is killing a few?"
"Moreover, that is [Heavenly Fire], a True Lord of Supreme Fruit Position! Layman Demon-Quelling, do you know? A True Lord forged thus holds hope of Nascent Soul!"
The next moment, Lu Yang's voice echoed幽幽ly:
"I fully agree with what you said, Senior."
"Truly!?"
At these words, the five dharma images erupted in狂喜. Without another word, they dropped to one knee, prostrating fully toward Lu Yang in grand obeisance.
Seeing this, Perfected Being Demon-Quelling sighed inwardly. He knew himself an outlier. As the five dharma images said, mortals, Qi Refining—dead was dead, souls reincarnating anew, like leeks in a field, cut down only to regrow.
Who would care?
'In this world, am I truly the only one unwilling to compromise over these illusory bubbles? Very well, it merely means one more great foe in the future.'
With this thought, Perfected Being Demon-Quelling sheathed his sword light of his own accord.
Different paths, no common plotting.
Moreover, when he later amassed his utmost and proved [Sword Dao Fruit Position], if Lu Yang had taken the Pure Land, they would be enemies regardless.
In this moment, Perfected Being Demon-Quelling felt a sudden helplessness.
A vast world, yet he stood alone, without a single fellow Daoist... But he was a sword cultivator; once sword drawn, no turning back.
With that, Perfected Being Demon-Quelling turned to leave.
Yet the next second, Lu Yang's voice continued, resounding firmly:
"...But I refuse!"
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling froze, turning back to see Lu Yang smiling at him—brilliantly. Then, Lu Yang pointed at the five dharma images:
"Fellow Daoist, what are you standing there for?"
"Let's kill them!"