https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-218-Junior-Apprentice-Brother-You-re-Still-Too-Kind-/13506335/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-220-Even-the-Pure-Land-Seeks-a-Share-of-the-Spoils/13506337/
Chapter 219: Surrender to the Pure Land
Chapter 219: Surrender to the Pure Land
Within Guillotine Dragon Pass...
The blood-tainted aura previously injected into the formation by Yinshan, the True Foundation cultivator, had been completely purified. The formation had restored its full potency, granting the assembled True Foundation experts a rare sense of relief.
Except for Treasure-Child.
He had become the target of quiet suspicion. Though Five Phases Transmuter remained outwardly neutral, his distrust of Treasure-Child as a potential Demonic Sect spy was palpable. Treasure-Child seethed with frustration. He admitted Elder Dragon-Hooker's death wasn't entirely unrelated to him, but that had been the Demonic Sect's fault for their cunning trap - surely no one thought he was actually a traitor? Hadn't they stolen his treasures before? He bore them a blood feud!
Everyone understood this logically. But human prejudice is a mountain - once settled, no reasoning could move it.
With no better option, he sought out Xuan Iron Sword Master. As the newest arrival among the True Foundation experts, the sword cultivator held no preconceptions against him.
Treasure-Child knew how to handle sword cultivators. Flattery always worked.
"Esteemed Brother, might I examine your sword?"
He opened with directness and sincere praise for Supreme Sword Sect. After exchanging pleasantries, he quickly warmed the sword master's disposition.
"Actually, Five Elements Brother's assessment earlier was somewhat harsh", Treasure-Child smiled. "While Yuan Tu the Slaughterer is formidable, he's not invincible. With your cultivation and sword cultivation expertise, you'd likely survive a hundred exchanges even if you couldn't defeat him."
This struck the perfect chord. Five Phases Transmuter's earlier words had left the sword master humiliated. Now he finally heard what felt like fair judgment.
"You flatter me", Xuan Iron waved modestly. "If he truly matches Five Elements' description, only Sect Patriarch Shangxuan might stand against him."
"Ah, Shangxuan True Man!" Treasure-Child's eyes brightened. After lavish praise, he asked, "I heard he's currently attempting Late Foundation Building breakthrough?"
"Tribulation Heaven's Descent makes this extremely dangerous. Aren't you concerned for him?"
The sword master chuckled. "That's just misinformation we spread. Sect Patriarch would never act recklessly. He's actually receiving resources from Sword Pavilion to forge an ultimate spirit sword. Once completed, he'll reinforce us. We've no need to fear attacks on Xuanjian Mountains since his retreat isn't an absolute closed-door cultivation."
He produced a delicate lamp from his sleeve. "This soul lamp contains Sect Patriarch's divine consciousness. Through it I can monitor conditions at Xuanjian Mountains at any time."
As he spoke, his expression shifted. Treasure-Child's face had gone deathly pale, lips trembling as he pointed shakingly at the lamp.
"Brother?"
Xuan Iron checked himself - robes clean, sword intact. The extinguished lamp seemed fine until he realized...
The lamp suddenly shattered. Its divine consciousness and spiritual energy had vanished entirely.
Hope that Shangxuan had merely failed his breakthrough attempt died. There was only one possibility now - Supreme Sword Sect had fallen.
"No! Impossible!" Sword qi erupted chaotically as his sword focus shattered.
A resounding slap jolted him awake. Treasure-Child stood before him, face twisted with terror yet eyes sharp with clarity.
"Calm yourself", Treasure-Child ordered. "I've already sealed our spiritual signatures. No one knows about Supreme Sword Sect yet. This is our chance! We must flee Guillotine Dragon Pass immediately - it's indefensible now!"
The truth struck cold. With Supreme Sword Sect's destruction, their strongest reinforcement from Qing Kingdom was gone. Demonic Sect's morale soared while theirs crumbled.
"Stay here and we die. Either find another patron or flee. Unless you want rebirth, of course?"
"Right", Xuan Iron nodded. "But where?"
South led to Sword Pavilion that had funded their resistance. East was Qing Kingdom that would execute deserters. North meant Primordial Sacred Sect...
Suspicion flickered in his gaze. Could Treasure-Child actually be a Demonic Sect - or worse, a Holy Sect spy?
Treasure-Child caught his look. "I swear I'm not! I mean west - surrender to the Pure Land!"
He produced a jade Buddha statue. "Pure Land approached me. Their Great Arhats promised: the more cultivators I recruit, the higher my status when establishing temples there. You're my first True Foundation contact. The timing couldn't be better."
Silence hung briefly before Xuan Iron nodded. With his sect's destruction, what did he have to lose?
"What must I do?"
"Just place your hand here."
Spiritual light erupted from Xuan Iron's sea of consciousness, illuminating his mind. From the radiance emerged a white lotus throne. Upon it sat a Dharma Body with thirty-two perfect features - golden-hued, holding sacred implements, emanating transcendent serenity far beyond ordinary Foundation Building cultivators.
"Amitabha."
The four-word chant instantly soothed his earlier panic. He clasped hands together.
"Ah, now I truly understand my true self!"
"Amitabha!"
(End of Chapter)
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