Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

The moment the Bhagavat began to revive within him, Lü Yang had already devised a plan.

’Under normal circumstances, it would be impossible for me to pass Ang Xiao’s Liu Ying’s trial. If that old bastard doesn’t let me through, I’ll never get the opportunity from this stage.’

So he had to find an alternative.

This led to Lü Yang’s strategic retreat, allowing the World Honored One’s Avatar to take control. To put it bluntly, it was a plan to set a tiger on a wolf, forcing Ang Xiao to concede.

Of course, this plan was not without its uncertainties.

For instance, the appearance of Sichou’s Residual Thought. Although Lü Yang had suspected its existence, he had no proof. Forcing this hidden threat out into the open was an unexpected bonus.

’Now, let’s see what the old bastard chooses.’

That being said, there wasn’t much suspense. Lü Yang judged others by his own standards and knew that Ang Xiao’s Liu Ying would ultimately make the correct choice.

He just needed a little help.

At this thought, Lü Yang immediately gave up the fight for the Fruit of Celestial Fire against the World Honored One’s Avatar, allowing the supposedly dormant avatar to revive once more!

Meanwhile, the newly awakened Sichou’s Residual Thought was also in violent turmoil. It frantically drew upon the power in Lü Yang’s Spiritual Space, beginning to interfere with and influence Ang Xiao’s Liu Ying. This, in turn, further spurred the revival of the World Honored One’s Avatar. Under their combined assault, Ang Xiao’s Liu Ying could no longer hold out.

"Sigh... I’ve lost."

Seeing this, Ang Xiao’s Liu Ying let out a long sigh, unable to tell if he felt helpless or impressed. The next moment, he took a step back.

BOOM!

Almost simultaneously, the Human World trembled violently. With Ang Xiao’s Liu Ying admitting defeat, the final guardian of the trial was vanquished.

Lü Yang had cleared the trial!

Instantly, Lü Yang—who had been the weakest in the three-way struggle, yet had been subtly orchestrating the entire chaotic battle—felt a Mighty Power descend upon him with a crash.

In a trance, Lü Yang seemed to glimpse something in the great unknown—an iridescent object, both real and illusory, that felt as if it would fall into his grasp in the very next second.

The opportunity of the Human World!

But just then, the World Honored One’s Avatar, which had been suppressed by Ang Xiao’s Liu Ying, reawakened. It too had noticed the change in the trial.

"The Essence of Divine Intent..."

The World Honored One’s Avatar’s gaze turned icy. It then formed a Daoist Hand Seal, and the intense Buddha Light surrounding its body instantly receded as its Qi trace transformed.

"That which is me, and not me, is all me."

"That which is not me, and is me, is all not me."

In that moment, the World Honored One’s Avatar transformed back into "Lü Yang." The Mighty Power that had locked onto the real Lü Yang suddenly halted, as if falling into confusion.

Of course, Lü Yang was prepared for this.

"Ang Xiao!!!"

As his voice fell, Ang Xiao’s Liu Ying gritted his teeth. He cursed Lü Yang up and down in his mind, but his actions didn’t hesitate for a second. The World Honored One’s Avatar was already formidable. If it also obtained the opportunity of the Human World, the situation would become completely uncontrollable. So, no matter how annoyed he was, he had to act.

The next moment, he once again performed a finger technique.

Veil of the Trees!

This time, however, he didn’t target the World Honored One’s Avatar. Instead, he struck at Sichou’s Residual Thought, stunning it in Lü Yang’s Spiritual Space. For a long while, it remained motionless.

Although Sichou’s Residual Thought was in a far weaker state than the World Honored One’s Avatar, it had helped the avatar by tying up Ang Xiao’s Liu Ying’s attention. To regain control of the situation, Ang Xiao’s Liu Ying had no choice but to act decisively and temporarily suppress Sichou’s Residual Thought. Only then could he free up the mental energy to deal with the World Honored One’s Avatar.

"Covering True Truth Immortal Technique!"

The Immortal Technique that annihilated the self struck the World Honored One’s Avatar once more. At the same time, Lü Yang cooperated perfectly, moving to fight the avatar for control of his body.

"Amitabha... Tathagata..."

At that moment, the Bhagavat’s intention was also in violent turmoil. But it wasn’t trying to escape Ang Xiao’s Liu Ying’s suppression. Instead, it targeted Sichou’s Residual Thought!

"Wake up!"

With a single utterance of the Buddha’s Name, Sichou’s Residual Thought—which had just been suppressed by Ang Xiao’s Liu Ying—was reawakened by the World Honored One’s Avatar. It could finally think again.

And then it saw the World Honored One’s Avatar.

"You? You bald donkey!"

Instantly, Sichou’s Residual Thought erupted in fury and was about to attack the World Honored One’s Avatar, but it stopped when it realized its own predicament.

Then, the voice of the World Honored One’s Avatar echoed faintly:

"If you want to live, help me."

"And why should I?"

Sichou’s Residual Thought’s mind raced. "They’re after you. My main body was destroyed long ago. Even if I survive, I’m no threat to them."

"On the grounds that you’re rooted in someone else’s Spiritual Space!" the World Honored One’s Avatar sneered. "This wisp of your spiritual perception is rooted in Lü Yang’s Spiritual Space, destined to drain him of everything. As long as he’s not an idiot, he will inevitably try to kill you. The only reason he hasn’t acted yet is because I’m standing in your way."

"I doubt that."

Sichou’s Residual Thought disagreed. "That junior is merely a Golden Core Perfected Lord. How could he possibly see through my methods? As long as I hide, he’ll never find me."

"Is that so?"

Seeing this, a thought crossed the World Honored One’s Avatar’s mind. The next second, Lü Yang, who was still fighting it for control of his body, suddenly had a flash of inspiration as a technique scripture appeared before his mind’s eye.

Great Derivation Divine Refining Technique

The World Honored One’s Avatar said, "Now he can find you. And don’t worry, I also told him how to completely annihilate you. I guarantee you’ll die without a trace."

Sichou’s Residual Thought: "..."

’Shameless bald donkey!’

The exchange took but an instant. In the next moment, Sichou’s Residual Thought made the most logical choice, rationally casting all its grudges aside.

Instantly, Lü Yang’s Spiritual Space was thrown into turmoil, once again tying up Ang Xiao’s Liu Ying’s attention. This forced him to divert a portion of the Veil of the Trees’ Divine Effect to suppress Sichou’s Residual Thought. The World Honored One’s Avatar seized this chance to catch its breath and resumed its struggle with Lü Yang for the opportunity of the Human World.

The next moment, however, the World Honored One’s Avatar was stunned.

Because just as it was fighting Lü Yang for the opportunity, Lü Yang had abruptly given up. Instead, he seized back control of his body and, without another word—

BOOM!

Lü Yang self-destructed!

His Dharma Body, Mana, and Spiritual Space all mercilessly exploded the instant he regained control. A blazing, blood-red light instantly filled Heaven and Earth!

And that wasn’t all.

After self-destructing, Lü Yang was still forcibly suppressing the Fruit of Celestial Fire, preventing the World Honored One’s Avatar from using its rules to achieve Resurrection. It was a clear stance of mutual destruction!

"This... madman!"

At this moment, the World Honored One’s Avatar didn’t hesitate for an instant. It immediately gave up on the opportunity of the Human World and focused all its power on seizing the Fruit of Celestial Fire.

’It did not want to die!’

Seeing this, Lü Yang let out a soft laugh.

Without any hesitation, he immediately let go of the Fruit of Celestial Fire. He then steadied his Heart Spirit and focused all his effort on sensing the opportunity from the Human World.

This time, there were no more obstacles.

Under Lü Yang’s guidance, the intangible object swiftly fell into his heart, where it melted and merged with him as one, giving rise to countless new insights within him.

However, he had no time to process them.

Because at the same time, the World Honored One’s Avatar had already used the Fruit of Celestial Fire to resurrect. It sneered, "So what if you seized it? In the end, it’s all just an illusion."

RUMBLE!

Instantly, the Human World trembled violently!

Ang Xiao’s Liu Ying looked up at the sound. In a daze, he thought he saw, beyond the Celestial Human Residual Consciousness, a magnificent figure too vast to be seen in its entirety looking down upon them.

The Bhagavat! Its true body!

It had descended from the Other Shore!

’It’s over...’

At this moment, a look of resignation appeared on Ang Xiao’s Liu Ying’s face. He simply gave up his suppression and looked at Lü Yang with a hint of mockery, his meaning self-evident.

’You’ve overplayed your hand, haven’t you?’

Constantly courting danger may bring huge rewards, but the risks are equally massive. Success depends entirely on the Celestial Will. And even if you succeed, whether you can handle the aftermath is crucial.

In his view, Lü Yang had succeeded but was powerless to deal with the aftermath.

What was the use of obtaining an even greater opportunity or achieving a massive breakthrough? When you’re dead, it’s all for naught. In the end, it was all just wasted effort.

But the next second, he froze.

Because he detected not a hint of panic in Lü Yang’s thoughts. Instead, they were filled with ecstatic joy. Lü Yang even had the presence of mind to manifest a figure and wave at him.

"Goodbye~"

As his voice faded, Lü Yang decisively detonated the final third of his remaining Dao Heart. He annihilated himself, and his true consciousness instantly plunged into darkness.

And in the boundless darkness, a mighty voice resounded:

"Centome!!!"