Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Why would World Purger Fei Xue suddenly intervene, and on Ang Xiao’s behalf?

The question flashed through Lü Yang’s mind for but a moment before he sighed. ’I was so focused on Ang Xiao that I ended up ignoring her...’

Of course, he had considered that World Purger Fei Xue might make a move. What surprised him was her decision to help Ang Xiao.

The answer was actually quite simple.

’Both Ang Xiao and I had abandoned Master Chong Guang. With his failure in Seeking Gold, it was only natural that this Mad Woman would fly into a rage.’

Lü Yang looked up toward Qing Country. Without his support, Master Chong Guang had failed at the final hurdle. The Earth God’s Divine Technique reverted to yin, repelling the Fruit of Lamp-Cover Fire. His Seeking Gold was a complete failure, his Abilities scattered, and with a cry of "Woe is me!" his soul departed for the Netherworld.

How could this not drive World Purger Fei Xue berserk?

That was why she had just warned Ang Xiao. While the pretense of Summon seeking the Fruit of Spring Water could fool Ang Xiao, it could never deceive World Purger Fei Xue.

"What’s wrong? Weren’t you two going to fight?"

"Go on, keep fighting."

High in the heavens, World Purger Fei Xue stood imposing and severe. The beautiful face of a classical maiden was now twisted in fury, a mountain of corpses in a Sea of Blood materializing behind her.

Lü Yang grimaced at the sight. There was no doubt that World Purger Fei Xue now considered both him and Ang Xiao to be her enemies on the Path. Yet for all her apparent madness, she was in fact perfectly calm. She didn’t attack directly, but instead played both sides, ready to help whoever fell into a disadvantage—a true spoiler.

’Now this is a problem...’

Lü Yang had a good understanding of World Purger Fei Xue. Even if he sent Fortune out now to offer to take Master Chong Guang’s place, she still wouldn’t agree.

It wasn’t a matter of emotion, either.

In fact, during the tenth life, World Purger Fei Xue had once switched her support to Fortune. If it were just Fortune alone, she would have likely accepted.

But the problem was:

’Fortune was no longer just Fortune... At this stage, everyone under Heaven understood that someone was fighting a proxy war with Ang Xiao.’

’World Purger Fei Xue supported Fortune back then because he was completely under her control, which guaranteed he wouldn’t turn on her even after becoming a Perfected Lord. Now, however, there was clearly a hidden puppet master behind Fortune. A Saint Sect True Monarch would never trust a promise made under such circumstances.’

And in fact, World Purger Fei Xue wasn’t wrong.

After all, even if he did send Fortune out, he was fully prepared to deceive her with false pretenses and betray her immediately afterward. Such was the basic disposition of a Saint Sect True Monarch.

’What now?’

At that moment, Lü Yang’s expression grew solemn. He had to face the facts: with World Purger Fei Xue’s appearance, he had actually fallen into a disadvantage.

At the very least, he no longer dared to rashly send Fortune to attempt Seeking Gold.

He feared that the moment Fortune appeared, World Purger Fei Xue would strike him dead!

Ang Xiao, on the other hand, was on the defensive. From his position in the Netherworld, World Purger Fei Xue might be a nuisance, but she had also solved a major problem for him.

"Hahaha!" Ang Xiao suddenly roared with laughter.

Thanks to World Purger Fei Xue’s reminder, he had suddenly realized that Summon was not seeking the Fruit of Long-Flow Water, and in fact, no longer could.

That being the case, he no longer needed to pay any mind to Summon.

Without attaining the Fruit of Long-Flow Water, there would be no connection to the Earth of Chen. It would be impossible to use a True Monarch Position to reverse the Earth of Chen and kill him.

And with Master Chong Guang now dead...

’With no one Seeking Gold, am I safe now?’

Even Ang Xiao himself was somewhat surprised, marveling at the Impermanence of the world. In the blink of an eye, his situation had gone from a massive disadvantage to complete safety!

Instantly, the pressure on the Pure Land intensified.

With his attention now freed, Ang Xiao focused on it once more, planning to use this last sliver of time to secure his fallback prize.

Lü Yang, on the other hand, wore a solemn expression.

His gaze traveled over mountains and rivers to land on World Purger Fei Xue. He saw her cold, indifferent expression and realized she had no intention of stopping Ang Xiao.

’I’m afraid... this was part of her plan! She’s waiting for me!’

With her help, Ang Xiao had turned the tables and gained the advantage. If I want to win back the initiative, I have to get someone else to attempt Seeking Gold and pressure him.

And that person could only be Fortune.

But to have Fortune attempt Seeking Gold right under World Purger Fei Xue’s nose and continue to occupy Ang Xiao, the only way was to get her approval.

’That Mad Woman has definitely prepared a mountain of unfair conditions to ensure that once Fortune succeeds in Seeking Gold, she can take him and attach him to her Grotto Heaven... But how could I possibly agree? Wouldn’t that mean I’ve spent all this time scheming just to help her succeed, while I get nothing in return?’

That would be a disastrous loss!

Lü Yang’s mind raced, desperately searching for a way out of this predicament. ’True Monarch of Contained Light and Floating Heaven... could I get him to block World Purger Fei Xue for me?’

Lü Yang considered it, then sighed internally.

’Probably not... The True Monarch of Contained Light and Floating Heaven has a distinctly cautious personality. He would be unwilling to make a move at a time like this and get on World Purger Fei Xue’s bad side.’

Was he really going to fail?

...

The South. The Celestial Sword Pavilion.

Atop Zenith Cliff, a young man with a scholarly, refined demeanor stood with his hands clasped behind his back. Only a sword-shaped scar between his eyebrows betrayed his hidden edge.

It was none other than True Monarch Gangxing!

Soon, a Flying Light descended, revealing the Sword Pavilion’s Exorcist Zhenren.

This Foundation Establishment Perfection Grand Zhenren who cultivated the Fruit of Pewter Metal appeared and, without hesitation, dropped to one knee. "Disciple greets the Patriarch," he said respectfully.

"Rise."

True Monarch Gangxing chuckled and gestured for him to rise. "To be honest," he said, "though you are the most outstanding disciple of this generation’s Lin Family, I had already given up on you. After all, you cultivate the Fruit of Pewter Metal. Strictly speaking, your path on the Great Dao was all but severed."

"This disciple understands..."

Exorcist Zhenren nearly ground his teeth to dust at these words. Ever since Ang Xiao had appeared in the world, he had understood just how precarious his own situation had become.

But in the next moment, True Monarch Gangxing’s tone shifted.

"However, this is now your opportunity."

"Ang Xiao, Fei Xue, and a mysterious fellow Daoist... a three-way Combat. Right now, Ang Xiao has the upper hand, while Fei Xue has her own plans."

"And that mysterious fellow Daoist is currently in a predicament."

"This is your opportunity."

At this, True Monarch Gangxing said coolly, "If you truly aspire to the Great Dao, then attempt Seeking Gold now. At the very least, that mysterious fellow Daoist will come to your aid."

"And you will have my protection."

"There is a chance of success."

Upon hearing this, Exorcist Zhenren’s expression grew solemn. Without a moment’s hesitation, he declared, "This disciple is willing!"

True, True Monarch Gangxing hadn’t made any guarantees, only that there was a chance of success. But no matter what, it was better than his previous state of having his path on the Great Dao completely cut off.

As for the risks? What in life is without risk?

He had just witnessed Master Chong Guang’s end with his own eyes. Such was the sorrow of a Lower Cultivator. Until one became a Perfected Lord, one did not even have control over one’s own path on the Dao.

Therefore, no matter how great the risk, he had to fight for this chance!

In that moment, Exorcist Zhenren even forgot his jealousy toward the Demon-Vanquishing Perfected. His entire Heart Spirit transformed into a resolute Sword Intent, one that sought life in the face of death.

Seeing this, True Monarch Gangxing finally nodded. "So you’re not a hopeless case after all."

"Sit. Begin."

"Understood!"

The words had barely left his mouth when Exorcist Zhenren immediately gathered his qi. In the next instant, the Fruit of Pewter Metal, which had previously only manifested in the direction of the Pure Land, suddenly stirred with a response!

Almost simultaneously, Lü Yang, Ang Xiao, and World Purger Fei Xue all sensed it.

Instantly, Ang Xiao gritted his teeth and Fei Xue frowned. Only Lü Yang was overjoyed, feeling as though a light had appeared at the end of the tunnel, instantly sweeping away his earlier gloom.

’Well done, old Gang!’

’For helping me this one time, I’ll even forget about the interest on the grudge from when you hunted me down in our previous life!’