Chapter 53: Forced into Action

The atmosphere at Skeleton Mountain remained tense, with Luo Wuya, Ouyang Feng, and Yun Zhiqiu—three peak Qi Refining cultivators—locked in a standoff, none willing to yield an inch.

Just then, a streak of light suddenly flew in from the horizon.

As it drew near, the light dissipated, revealing an elderly monk clad in kasaya robes and wielding a staff. He clasped his hands toward Yun Zhiqiu and bowed slightly.

"This humble monk, Ming Chan, greets Benefactor Yun."

Yun Zhiqiu nodded faintly. "The 'Demon-Subduing Chan Master' Ming Chan—I've heard of you. It seems you had some fateful connection with my uncle for a few years."

"Your discernment is sharp, Benefactor."

Ming Chan smiled gently. "Years ago, Senior Yun sought baleful qi in the East Sea and rested at this humble monk's temple. Thanks to his guidance, I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠achieved what I have today."

At this moment, Skeleton Mountain was a den of snakes and dragons—a chaotic gathering of cultivators drawn by the promise of Foundation Establishment opportunities. Aside from the Divine Martial Gate, Primordial ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Saint Sect, and Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion, renowned rogue cultivators had also arrived, among whom Ming Chan stood out as one of the few peak Qi Refining experts.

However, it was clear that his sympathies leaned toward the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion.

Seeing this, Luo Wuya remained relatively calm, reassured by True Person Yinshan's backing. But Ouyang Feng, standing nearby, couldn't help but frown.

After all, as far as he knew, this Ming Chan was no ordinary figure.

Originally a mortal, Ming Chan had devoted himself to Buddhism across three lifetimes with unwavering determination, forging a profound karmic bond with the Buddhist path. In this life, he inherited the legacy of a high-ranking Buddhist monk.

Thanks to his three lifetimes of Buddhist affinity, his cultivation in the Buddhist arts progressed swiftly. The inheritance he received was the "Demon-Subduing Chan," one of the most ferocious and domineering techniques in Buddhism. As a result, he frequently clashed with demonic cultivators, accumulating vast combat experience. At the very least, Ouyang Feng had no certainty of victory if they were to fight.

"By my reckoning, Miaozhen should be returning soon."

Yun Zhiqiu pinched his fingers in calculation before glancing at Yun Miaoqing's corpse, split in two beside him. He shook his head. "A pity that Miaoqing could not escape her tribulation."

"Amitabha." Ming Chan clasped his hands together, his expression somber. "May Benefactor Miaozhen remain unharmed."

"You worry too much, Fellow Daoist."

Yun Zhiqiu chuckled lightly. "I won't deny that the 'Blood Garment Tower Master' has some tricks up his sleeve—likely having mastered the Demon Sect's Profound Yin Form-Seizing Art."

"But since Miaoqing is already dead, Miaozhen should be safe."

"In truth, this is the working of karma. Miaoqing stayed by that demon's side yet was never violated by him. That is precisely why he killed her today."

Ming Chan nodded in agreement before turning his gaze back toward the market city, his thoughts racing. He hadn't come merely to exchange pleasantries—his true goal was to leverage this opportunity to climb onto the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion's coattails. After all, who would willingly remain a rogue cultivator if they could join a prestigious sect?

Just then, a thunderous explosion erupted from within the market.

Yun Zhiqiu burst into laughter. "My junior sister must have succeeded and is returning victorious!"

Before his voice faded, the Heaven-Evading Sword trembled violently, its blade light erupting once more to tear open the void. A figure then strode out from within.

"...Hmm!?"

Instantly, Yun Zhiqiu's laughter died in his throat.

On the other side, Ouyang Feng's face twisted in shock, while even Luo Wuya's pupils contracted sharply as he stared in disbelief at the figure hovering mid-air.

"...Lü Yang!? He survived?"

"Where is Fairy Miaozhen?"

Ignoring the clamor around him, Lü Yang stood proudly in the sky, raising a hand to summon the Heaven-Evading Sword—now ownerless—into his grasp.

This was a fine treasure, one that fate had delivered to him.

A moment later, Yun Zhiqiu transformed into a streak of sword light and appeared at the edge of the market. He fixed Lü Yang with a deep gaze and said in a low voice, "I underestimated you."

Lü Yang glanced at him sidelong. "...And you are?"

"Yun Zhiqiu, Miaozhen's senior brother." Yun Zhiqiu's expression remained calm. "Miaozhen's path to immortality is not yet severed. Hand over her True Spirit—I will send her to reincarnation."

Lü Yang paused briefly before suddenly laughing. "Fellow Daoist, you may not know this, but I am a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠disciple of the Primordial Saint Sect's Mending Heaven Peak."

The moment these words left his mouth, Yun Zhiqiu's expression darkened drastically. "What did you do to her!?"

Lü Yang paid him no heed and roared with laughter. "Fellow Daoist Miaozhen was peerless in beauty and talent—what else could I have done? Naturally, I ravished her first, then killed her!"

Yun Zhiqiu's brows shot up, fury finally surfacing on his face. "You dare covet my Sword Pavilion's divine abilities?"

Lü Yang remained utterly indifferent, meeting his gaze steadily. "What can you do about it?"

At this, a sharp killing intent flashed in Yun Zhiqiu's eyes. But Lü Yang had no interest in entertaining him further—he simply raised his head to gaze at the boundless sky.

Damn it... damn it... Fuck! There's no hiding now!

The moment he killed Yun Miaozhen, Lü Yang knew exactly what awaited him—a siege with no room for negotiation!

More importantly, he had clearly sensed an intangible surge of Fate's Breath descending upon him the instant Yun Miaozhen died. His thoughts grew sharper, his comprehension soared, and even the bottleneck at the ninth layer of Qi Refining—previously immovable—had loosened considerably!

Lü Yang understood perfectly—Yun Miaozhen had to die.

Truly, tribulations are inescapable... That True Person did this on purpose! He deliberately sent Yun Miaozhen after me, intending for her to kill me—or for me to kill her!

This was nothing short of forcing him into action!

Either Yun Miaozhen would kill him, serving the Foundation Establishment True Person behind the scenes, or he would kill Yun Miaozhen and take her place. There was no third option.

How domineering are these Foundation Establishment True Persons!?

Having grasped this, Lü Yang found Yun Zhiqiu's threats utterly uninteresting. He knew that, no matter what, there was no hiding now.

Because what that True Person likely wanted was a life-and-death battle—a grand melee!

In that case, why not indulge himself freely?

Lü Yang sighed before turning back to Yun Zhiqiu, his mindset adjusted. Looking on the bright side, at least this meant the True Person valued him.

They don't fear weakness—they fear uselessness...

After multiple lifetimes of cultivation, Lü Yang understood this principle all too well: In the Saint Sect, you only earned the right to survive by proving your worth!

Just then, another figure suddenly approached—Ming Chan.

"Amitabha..."

He strode forward and declared solemnly, "Benefactor Lü, you must know that escape is impossible now. However, this humble monk has a method to deliver you from the Sea of Suffering."

"Oh? Deliver me?"

Lü Yang glanced at him and scoffed. "Then I thank the Venerable for his kindness. But pray tell, what is this method of yours?"

Ming Chan clasped his hands and said calmly, "Though Fellow Daoist is mired in the demonic path in this life, beyond redemption, you still harbor ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a virtuous heart. This humble monk is willing to personally send you into the cycle of reincarnation. Once you return in your next life, I will take you as my disciple. By then, you may yet have hope of attaining righteous merits..."

Lü Yang's face twisted in exasperation. "Personally sending me into reincarnation... So the Venerable also wants to kill me?"

"Not to kill you, but to forge a karmic bond."

Ming Chan's expression was solemn, his aged face brimming with compassion. "After your reincarnation, this humble monk will arrange for you to serve thirty years as a menial laborer in the Sword Pavilion."

"This will cleanse your karma, allowing you to cultivate righteousness in the future."

"Righteous my ass!"

Lü Yang burst into laughter. "A thousand words, ten thousand explanations—none compare to a straightforward duel! In my Saint Sect, broken bones are the best argument!"

With that, a talisman appeared in his hand.

Return Wind Return Fire Talisman!

The next instant, the talisman shattered, and Lü Yang's aura surged back to its peak. Without another word, he raised his sword and slashed!