Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Forced into a Corner
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At Skull Mountain, the atmosphere remained tense, swords drawn and bows bent. Luo Wuya, Ouyang Feng, and Yun Zhi-qiu, three cultivators at the Great Perfection of the Qi Refining Realm, were locked in a standoff, none willing to back down.
Just then, a streak of light suddenly flew in from the horizon.
As it drew near, the light receded, revealing an old monk clad in a kasaya and holding a staff. He clasped his hands in a salute to Yun Zhi-qiu.
"This humble monk is Ming Chan. Greetings, Benefactor Yun."
Yun Zhi-qiu nodded in acknowledgment and said calmly, "'Demon-Subduing Chan Master' Ming Chan. I've heard of you. It seems you shared a few years of fate with my uncle."
"Your insight is sharp, Benefactor."
Ming Chan smiled faintly. "Years ago, when Senior Yun was searching for baleful qi in the East Sea, he rested at my humble temple. It was through his guidance that I have achieved what I have today."
Skull Mountain was now a chaotic mix of characters. With the opportunity for Foundation Establishment at stake, besides the Divine Martial Gate, the Primal Saint Sect, and the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion, some renowned rogue cultivators had also been drawn here. 'Demon-Subduing Chan Master' Ming Chan was a standout among them, a rare Great Perfection Qi Refining cultivator among the rogue practitioners.
But it was quite clear he was friendlier toward the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion.
Seeing this, Luo Wuya, confident that he had Perfected Being Yin Shan as his backer, remained relatively calm. Ouyang Feng, on the other hand, couldn't help but frown.
After all, from what he knew, this Ming Chan was no simple character.
He was originally a mortal who had revered the Buddha for three lifetimes with unwavering devotion. Because of this, he formed a karmic bond with the Buddhist way and inherited the legacy of an eminent monk in this life.
Relying on his three lifetimes of Buddhist fate, his cultivation progressed with incredible speed. The legacy he inherited was the "Demon-Subduing Chan," one of the most fierce and domineering arts of the Buddhist way. As a result, he frequently fought against demonic cultivators and had extremely rich combat experience. Ouyang Feng knew that if he were to face him, he would have no guarantee of victory.
"By my calculations, Miaozhen should be returning soon."
Yun Zhi-qiu pinched his fingers to calculate, then glanced at the body of Yun Miaoqing, which had been split in two. He shook his head. "It's a pity. Miaoqing couldn't escape her fate in the end."
"Amitabha." Upon hearing this, Ming Chan also put his palms together, his face showing concern. "I hope Benefactor Miaozhen is alright."
"You worry too much, fellow Daoist."
Yun Zhi-qiu chuckled lightly. "I can't deny that the Blood-clothed Tower Master has some skill. He must have mastered the Demon Sect's Profound Yin Form-Seizing Art."
"But since Miaoqing is dead, Miaozhen should be fine."
"Speaking of which, this is also a matter of karma. Miaoqing stayed by that demon's side but was never violated by him, which is why she was slain by that demon today."
Ming Chan nodded at his words, then looked toward the market again, his mind racing. He hadn't come over just to be friendly; more importantly, he wanted to use this opportunity to latch onto the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion. After all, if one could join a prestigious sect, who would want to be a rogue cultivator?
Just then, a loud explosion suddenly erupted from within the market.
Seeing this, Yun Zhi-qiu burst into laughter. "That must be my Junior Sister, returning in triumph after her success!"
Before his words had faded, the Heaven-Escaping Sword began to vibrate violently. Sword light erupted from it once more, tearing open the void, and a figure strolled out from within.
"...Huh!?"
In an instant, Yun Zhi-qiu's laughter died in his throat.
On the other side, Ouyang Feng also wore a look of shock and uncertainty. Even Luo Wuya's pupils contracted, his face filled with disbelief as he stared at the figure in mid-air.
"...Lu Yang! He survived?"
"Where is Fairy Miaozhen?"
Completely ignoring the surrounding clamor, Lu Yang stood proudly in the air. With a wave of his hand, the masterless Heaven-Escaping Sword immediately flew into his grasp.
This was a fine treasure, and it was fated to be his.
The next second, Yun Zhi-qiu transformed into a streak of sword light and appeared at the edge of the market. He took a deep look at Lu Yang and said in a low voice, "I underestimated you."
Lu Yang glanced at him sideways. "...And you are?"
"Yun Zhi-qiu, Miaozhen's Senior Brother." Yun Zhi-qiu's expression was calm. "Miaozhen's path to immortality is not yet severed. Give me her true spirit. I will send her to be reincarnated."
Lu Yang paused upon hearing this, then suddenly laughed. "There's something you may not know, fellow Daoist. I am a disciple of the Primal Saint Sect's Heaven Mending Peak."
At these words, Yun Zhi-qiu's expression changed drastically. "What did you do to her!?"
But Lu Yang paid him no mind, laughing loudly. "Fellow Daoist Miaozhen was a peerless beauty, a true talent. What else could I do? Naturally, I raped her before I killed her!"
Yun Zhi-qiu's eyebrows shot up, his face finally showing fury. "You dare to covet my Sword Pavilion's divine abilities?"
Lu Yang was completely unconcerned, meeting his gaze calmly. "What can you do about it?"
With those words, a chilling killing intent shot from Yun Zhi-qiu's eyes. However, Lu Yang had no mind to pay attention to him, merely lifting his head to gaze at the boundless sky.
'Lay low... Fuck! There's no fucking way to lay low anymore!'
The moment he killed Yun Miaozhen, Lu Yang knew what kind of situation he was about to face—he would be attacked by all sides, with no room for maneuver!
More importantly, he could clearly feel that after Yun Miaozhen died, an intangible strand of fortune had suddenly blessed him. It made his thoughts clearer and greatly enhanced his comprehension. Even the bottleneck to the ninth level of Qi Refining, which had been unmoving for so long, had loosened considerably!
Lu Yang knew in his heart that he had to kill Yun Miaozhen.
'Truly, there is no escaping this calamity... That Perfected Being did it on purpose! He deliberately sent Yun Miaozhen after me, intending for her to kill me, or for me to kill her!'
This was clearly forcing him into a corner!
Either Yun Miaozhen killed him, to be used by the Foundation Establishment Perfected Being behind the scenes, or he killed Yun Miaozhen and took her place. There was no other path.
A Foundation Establishment Perfected Being... how domineering!
Having figured this out, Lu Yang had little interest in Yun Zhi-qiu's threats, because he knew that no matter what, he could no longer lay low.
Because what that Perfected Being needed was probably a great battle—a battle to the death!
Since it had come to this, he might as well be more direct!
Lu Yang sighed, looking at Yun Zhi-qiu again, and immediately adjusted his mentality. Looking on the bright side, at least this meant the Perfected Being valued him.
'It's not about being weak, it's about being worthless.'
After cultivating for several lifetimes, Lu Yang understood this perfectly: in the Primal Saint Sect, you only had the right to live if you showed you had the value to live!
Just then, a figure suddenly walked forward. It was Ming Chan.
"Amitabha..."
He stepped forward and announced in a clear voice, "Benefactor Lu, you must be aware that you cannot escape your fate. However, this humble monk has a method that can save you from this sea of suffering."
"Oh? Save me?"
Lu Yang glanced at him and sneered, "Then I thank you for your kind intentions, Master. I just wonder what this method of yours is?"
Ming Chan put his palms together and said calmly, "Fellow Daoist, although you have fallen into the demonic path in this life and it is difficult to turn back, you still possess a kind heart. This humble monk is willing to personally send you into the cycle of reincarnation. When you return in your next life, I will take you as my disciple. At that time, you may yet have a chance to achieve a righteous fruition..."
Lu Yang was rendered speechless. "Personally send me into reincarnation... Master, you want to kill me too?"
"It is not killing you, Benefactor, but forging a karmic bond with you."
Ming Chan's expression was solemn, his aged face full of compassion. "After you are reincarnated, Benefactor, this humble monk will have you serve as an odd-job worker at the Sword Pavilion for thirty years."
"This will cleanse your karma, allowing you to cultivate the righteous path in the future."
"Righteous my ass!"
Lu Yang laughed loudly. "A thousand words are not as good as a single fight! In my Primal Saint Sect, broken bones are the most convincing argument!"
As his voice fell, a talisman appeared in his hand.
The Wind-Returning Fire-Reversing Talisman!
The next second, the talisman shattered, and Lu Yang's aura instantly returned to its peak. Without another word, he drove his sword forward to strike