https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-277-Dharma-Body-Seizes-the-Dragon-Ascension-Begins-/13506515/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-279-The-Might-of-the-Yanluo-Patriarch-/13506517/
Chapter 278: The Slaughter Divided?
Chapter 278: The Slaughter Divided?
Yuan’ci Magnetic Mountain, Prismatic Radiance
This divine mountain was no ordinary place. It had formed from the Cave Heaven of a deceased True Monarch, its original essence transformed after merging with the heavens and earth. Unlike ordinary Cave Heavens, which retained the distinct traits of their creators, this fragment had shed all such attributes, making it an unfathomably rare relic. Its value lay in its ability to aid cultivators in transcending to Fortune Ground and ascending to the Golden Realm—a feat no ordinary Cave Heaven could achieve.
This explained why Tian Qiu, the Dragon Sovereign’s heir, had set his sights on it. If any Cave Heaven could assist in such a breakthrough, his status would have allowed him to use the Dragon Sovereign’s own Cave Heaven for cultivation. There would have been no need for such elaborate schemes.
Yet for Lv Yang, the mountain held no immediate use. His interest lay solely in the Terrestrial Sha (Yin Wood Qi) emanating from within. Without this, he would never have allied with Suo Huan.
The others knew this well. The moment Lv Yang entered meditation, Hui Ku (Enlightened Suffering) and a group of Buddhist cultivators hiding behind spirit treasures emerged from concealment.
“Amitabha!” Hui Ku’s face broke into a grin. “O cultivator Yuan Tu, today is your reckoning. Surrender to my Pure Land!”
With a chant, the monks summoned their power: “We invoke the Vast Strength Celestial Dragon Shrine!”
A brilliant golden light erupted within the Foundation Building Realm, giving rise to a majestic temple borne on auspicious clouds. Inside, a golden Buddha statue stood—one bearing Lv Yang’s own visage.
Hui Ku laughed heartily, relishing the moment. Only hours earlier, he had been too terrified to confront Lv Yang directly. Now, he felt vindicated. No matter how divine your abilities, you cannot resist this fate.
To him, Lv Yang’s meditation was tantamount to surrender. Refining Terrestrial Sha left one defenseless. “He’s wise to submit,” Hui Ku mused. “Better this than bloodshed. His compliance earns boundless karmic virtue.”
He even felt a pang of envy. Once Lv Yang absorbed the Terrestrial Sha and reached Foundation Building Mid-Stage Perfection, he would become a vessel for the Vast Strength Dragon Arhat. This path could even lead to the Pure Land Sage realm—a pinnacle beyond True Monarchs. Of course, by then, Lv Yang’s identity would dissolve entirely.
As Hui Ku and his disciples savored this thought, a thunderous cry shattered the air: “Imperial Edict arrives!”
A radiant force dispelled the Pure Land’s golden light, revealing a grand procession descending from the horizon.
“Dao Court?” Hui Ku frowned. Their Bodhisattva had warned of this—the Dao Court sought their own share.
Moments later, the procession arrived. Leading it were two familiar figures: Director of the Azure Heaven Bureau, Hou Lan, and Lord of the Bureau of Propagation, Cheng Tinggui.
They unfurled a golden scroll. “By the Emperor’s decree, Jiangbei’s Lv Yang is summoned to court, granted a Top Tier Rank!”
Hui Ku scoffed. The Pure Land and Dao Court had already struck a bargain: the Pure Land would claim Lv Yang’s Dao foundation and cultivation, while the Dao Court would take his soul. Each sought to harness his Citadel Earth cultivation—symbolic dominance over a realm both coveted. Their alliance was seamless.
Suddenly, a streak of sword-light blazed overhead. “The Sword Pavilion arrives!”
From the beam emerged Ye Tao, his gaze sharp as a blade. “I seek the Tribulation Tempest Blade,” he declared. “This demonic commoner has no lineage. Such a blade in his hands is a disgrace. The Sword Pavilion shall entrust it to a disciple of noble rebirth—one worthy of its glory.”
His target was clear: the future reincarnation of the Heaven-Bearing Virtue True Monarch. Ye Tao, a Ye Clan elder, had come personally to ensure this.
“Agreed!” Hui Ku nodded. Swords held little interest for the Pure Land.
Dao Court’s Hou Lan glanced around. “Where are the Demonic Sects?”
“They focus on Suo Huan,” Hui Ku replied. “We’ll take our share here; they’ll get more there.”
With nods, the factions turned to Lv Yang’s mountain. As the Ten-Thousand Spirit Banner fluttered, seven Foundation-Building beasts emerged. But against cultivators like Ye Tao, Hou Lan, Cheng Tinggui, and Hui Ku—all Mid-Stage experts—their threat was negligible.
“I’ll begin!” Hou Lan sneered, invoking his office. The Azure Heaven Bureau’s talismanic light blazed toward Lv Yang.
A moment later, Hou Lan froze mid-advance, a scream of terror escaping him. The others halted as a skeletal hand erupted from the banner, seizing his throat. With a sickening snap, it twisted his neck like a brittle twig, then engulfed him in black flames that reduced him to ash.
“Impossible!” Cheng Tinggui recoiled. Even weak Dao Court officials were Foundation Building Mid-Stage. How had one hand ended him? Had Lv Yang feigned meditation?
The banner parted, revealing a smiling youth. “Aging weakens me. Once, a glare would’ve killed him.”
“Listen to Shadow!” Ye Tao gasped, recognizing the Wugui Sect’s infamous survivor.
The Yanluo Patriarch’s eyes narrowed. “Who speaks of remnants?”
(End of Chapter)
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