Chapter 176: Wu Cang's Transformation
Chapter 176: Wu Cang's Transformation
"There's no time to waste—we leave tonight!"
Lv Yang immediately made his decision after withdrawing from the Avici Sword's [Path of Peril] Divine Vision. With the Wu Earth Qi secured, staying in this overseas realm was no longer an option.
Thinking this, he felt a pang of regret.
"If only my cultivation were stronger, or the distance between the mainland and overseas weren't so vast. Otherwise, I could simply use Kinship Determination to return to the Holy Sect in one step."
The next moment, he summoned a streak of light and slipped away from the Immortal Alliance unnoticed. As for the aftermath of the Emerald Sun Cultivation Realm and the Immortal Alliance, since the Wu Earth Qi was already in his grasp, he had no interest in meddling further. Perfect timing to ditch Guangming, that thorny problem.
Even the opportunity to absorb a Grand Harmony Qi at the Great Ascension's first stage, Lv Yang chose to abandon.
"Leaving aside the possibility of it being a trap set by a Xiantian True Man, even if it weren't, my current state—marked by celestial killing intent—would make going there all risk and no reward."
Better to let it go!
At worst, upon returning to the Holy Sect, he'd immediately report the fortune to True Man Chongguang. Let the True Man feast while he settled for scraps.
After all, self-awareness is a virtue.
Cross rivers, remove shoes. Wear pants that fit your waist.
By the third day after Lv Yang's departure, Guangming finally sensed something amiss. He rushed to request an audience, only to find the secluded chamber Lv Yang had occupied completely empty.
"He ran off?"
Guangming blinked, baffled by Lv Yang's intentions. But soon, exhilaration surged through him. The senior devil fled? Even better!
After all, the Immortal Alliance had no Grand Harmony cultivators left after Lv Yang's rampage. Now that he was gone, Guangming would be the undisputed leader of the Emerald Sun Cultivation Realm! Why not throw open the temple gates, recruit disciples in droves for the Subduing Dragon Temple, and amplify his power?
Different factions have different ways of managing subordinate forces.
Compared to Lv Yang's "Four-Step Proto-Sacred Strategy", the Pure Land's method was brutally straightforward: preach, convert, and force others into becoming Buddhist cultivators.
Among the four major factions, the Pure Land was also the most stable.
Their cultivation philosophy emphasized "Brahman-Atman Unity"—since all were manifestations of the self, harmony naturally followed.
However, soon messengers arrived from the Immortal Alliance.
"A new cultivator has been spotted at the Chaotic Currents Sea harbor?"
Guangming froze at the report. Before he could react, the empty grand hall suddenly filled with a silent presence—a black-robed figure.
"Hmph? A bald monk?"
At these words, Guangming immediately sensed danger.
Under heaven, the Dao Court and Pure Land maintained cordial ties, typically addressing each other as "High Monk." As for the Sword Pavilion—the orthodox sect's leader—they disliked Buddhist cultivators but still maintained decorum, begrudgingly calling them "scripture-chanters."
So who dared use the derogatory "bald monk"?
Another True Man from the Holy Sect! Guangming inwardly sighed. Amitabha, out of the tiger's den and straight into the wolf's den. What bitter fate!
The next moment, Guangming smoothly dropped into a kneeling bow. "Disciple Guangming of Pure Land humbly asks the senior's name."
"Primordial Sacred Sect. Wu Cang."
The black-clad cultivator's voice was frigid. "This place intrigues me. Bald monk, since you're a Pure Land Buddhist cultivator, you must have methods to heal physical forms, right?"
Wu Cang's recent days had been grim. After fleeing overseas, he'd desperately sought a place to recover. Though the overseas realms were vast, they were barren. Without skilled divination abilities, he'd struggled mightily before finally locating the Emerald Sun Cultivation Realm.
Yet even now, his wounds showed no sign of healing.
Even today, a scarlet sword wound still marred his waist. Without forceful suppression, blood would seep constantly.
"Senior, I have a vial of Vajra Liquid", Guangming offered cautiously, extending a porcelain bottle.
Wu Cang snatched it without hesitation. "You bald monks always act with self-interest."
"Speak. What opportunities exist here?"
Guangming's eye twitched. Internally cursing, he kept his face blank. "For this disciple, the opportunity lies in the overseas cultivators themselves."
"Their cultivation methods are cleverly unique, based on an artifact of ingenuity. Feeling my powers insufficient to handle major Karmic Causality, I've refrained from claiming it. Senior, if you're interested, you might find the treasure fated for you."
Guangming had ulterior motives.
Though he didn't know the Imperial Decree of Golden Inscription's origins, an artifact enabling Foundation Building imitation was beyond imagination.
Let Wu Cang handle it!
If it was an opportunity, Wu Cang would be grateful and spare him. If a trap, Wu Cang's death wouldn't concern him.
Wu Cang remained oblivious to Guangming's scheming.
Not that he cared. Even a Foundation Building novice would fall easily to him, wounded as he was.
Soon, Guangming led Wu Cang deep into the Immortal Alliance's sacrificial hall. As Wu Cang stepped in, the Imperial Decree of Golden Inscription came into view. Suddenly, all his thoughts scattered like wind-blown chaff. He froze, staring.
"What... is this!?"
Next, the decree's ancient script began shifting, carving out a phantom-like face.
Golden eyes locked with Wu Cang's.
Then, Wu Cang's lips parted involuntarily, a rasping, arid voice emerging—making Guangming behind him shudder:
"Why... not Xiantian?"
Swoosh—!
Without hesitation, Guangming vanished, fleeing thousands of miles in an instant, then returning to the hall.
"Eh!?"
Sweat drenched him. His heart turned icy, his face stiff as he turned back. The decree's face watched him with interest, while the other—Wu Cang—mirrored the expression, staring intently.
"Done for!"
Guangming's Buddhist resolve trembled. He cursed himself for suggesting this place earlier. Why had things changed suddenly?
He'd seen the Imperial Decree before. But never had it transformed like this. The moment Wu Cang arrived, everything changed!
Why?!
At that moment, the golden face finally spoke again. But this time, the voice came clearly from Wu Cang's mouth:
"Fascinating. Fascinating."
"Not even Xiantian's old fool's legacy, yet capable of stirring this Karmic Causality to revive me. Was this great Karmic Causality prepared specifically for me?"
As the words fell, Wu Cang himself changed. His aura shifted from savage to scholarly, voice gaining poise and calm. His wounds healed without treatment, his brows lifting, bones stretching. In an instant, he wore a completely different visage!
"To borrow this form, one must bear its Karmic Causality."
"Wu Cang slays Lv Yang...?"
The "Wu Cang" muttered lowly, as if deliberating. After a long pause, he suddenly laughed aloud: "Well then! From this day forth, I am truly Wu Cang!"
(End of Chapter)
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