Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Lü Yang would only scheme against others when he had an absolute advantage in intelligence. Otherwise, he preferred not to make a move.

It was a matter of knowing his own limits.

But when he lacked an intelligence advantage and had no choice but to gamble, he always considered the worst-case scenario and prepared in advance.

Take this time, for instance.

Since he was determined to blackmail the Sword Pavilion Daoist Lord and make a play for a Great Perfected Lord, he had naturally planned for the worst-case scenario and how to secure a fallback.

This led to the two `Puppets` he had prepared in advance. Their targets were none other than the `Souls` of the fallen `True Monarch Gangxing` and the `Venerable Victory Treasure Pestle Bodhisattva`, who had been instantly obliterated by the combined assault of `Emperor Jia You` and the `Three Ministers of the Daoist Court`!

’`True Monarch Gangxing` is the `Fruit of River-Sand Gold`.’

’The `Venerable Victory Treasure Pestle Bodhisattva` is the `Fruit of Pine-Cedar Wood`.’

’Add the `Fruit of Post-Road Earth` I already have in hand.’

’As long as I can track their `Souls`, seize them, and instantly refine them into `Life Form Bodies`, I’ll be able to devour the `Five Elements` through them!’

Of course, things rarely go according to plan.

’`Emperor Jia You` is a `Great Perfected Lord`, and he was too ruthless in his attack. He completely obliterated the `Venerable Victory Treasure Pestle Bodhisattva`’s soul, leaving no chance for reincarnation.’

So, the `Fruit of Pine-Cedar Wood` was out of the question.

But there was still `True Monarch Gangxing`. With his `Great Perfected Lord`’s `Gold Attribute` and the `Fruit of River-Sand Gold`, this venture wouldn’t be a loss as long as I could get him!

...

In the `Netherworld`, by the `River of Soul` that held billions of souls.

At that moment, a `Golden Soul` was swimming through the river, gradually coalescing into the form of a refined young man in elegant robes, standing with his hands clasped behind his back.

"So many years have passed..."

`True Monarch Gangxing` heaved a deep sigh. His `Grotto Heaven` had crumbled, his `Cultivation` was gone, and the dissipation of his `Mighty Power` left him feeling an unprecedented emptiness.

On the other hand, without the conflict between the `Fruit of Stove-Inside Fire` and the `Fruit of Roof-Top Earth`, he also felt a rare sense of relief. This left him with mixed feelings, but he quickly regained his composure. "Although I’ve suffered a great loss, this might just be a blessing in disguise."

Though he had died and was facing reincarnation, his loss was not without some gain.

’The `Heaven-Opening Three Swords` is the culmination of my life’s insights, yet my progress has stagnated for years. This brush with death has unexpectedly granted me several new understandings.’

’So be it. It’s nothing more than starting over from scratch.’

`True Monarch Gangxing` wasn’t flustered. With his `Cultivation` as a `Great Perfected Lord`, he could return to `Foundation Establishment Perfection` in an extremely short time, even after reincarnating.

At the absolute most, it would only take him ten years to attempt `Seeking Gold` again.

In a hundred years at most, he could restore his `Cultivation` to `Pocket World Falling` and the `Middle Stage of Golden Core`. With his chronic ailment finally gone, this was actually a good thing for him.

He simply had never been able to bring himself to abandon his hard-won `Cultivation`. Now that someone had made the decision for him, it allowed him to break through a mental barrier. He saw through the veil of life and death, his `Sword Intent` grew purer, and his chances of attaining the `Void Certificate` in the future had risen to a new level.

"What doesn’t kill me only makes me stronger!"

At this thought, a spirited air returned to `True Monarch Gangxing`’s features. He couldn’t help but let out a long cry, venting years of frustration and resentment.

However, he failed to notice.

Right behind him, two dazed `Souls` were following him, and through them, a pair of predatory eyes had locked onto his position.

"There’s no time to lose. I must reincarnate at once."

"My future is only just beginning!"

As his voice fell, `True Monarch Gangxing` strode forward, head held high, and stepped directly through the nearest `Netherworld` gate, eager to embrace his new life.

...

「In the `South`, in the home of a mortal family.」

`True Monarch Gangxing` opened his eyes, a plan for his rise in this new life already forming in his mind. ’First, keep a low profile and avoid being discovered.’

’Huh? Why is there another baby here? Am I a twin this life?’

The next second, the void shattered. A giant hand descended from the heavens, instantly cutting off his train of thought.

"Huh?"

SNATCH!

Without any suspense, the newborn `True Monarch Gangxing` was snatched up by `Lü Yang`. He instantly performed `Gold Absorption`, then sealed him and tossed him into the `Righteous Banner`.

’Got him!’

’Just as I thought, it’s always best to pick the easy targets. `Nascent Soul Daoist Lords` are still way out of my league. Punching above my weight is what I do best!’

A smile touched `Lü Yang`’s eyes, and without a moment’s hesitation, he made his move on `Demon Subduing Zhenren`.

With all the `Masters of Dao` holding each other in check, `Demon Subduing Zhenren`, who had only just succeeded in `Seeking Gold`, was utterly powerless against him.

At the same time, `Lü Yang` formed a `Daoist Hand Seal`.

`Engraving Laws`: I am `Subduing Demons`!

The logical rule was modified. The `Fruit of Blade-Edge Metal`, which `Demon Subduing Zhenren` had just acquired, immediately shifted its attention and extended an olive branch to `Lü Yang`.

Then, `Lü Yang` waved his hand.

In an instant, he forcibly extracted a large portion of the imagery belonging to the `Fruit of Blade-Edge Metal`, causing a look of astonishment to spread across `Demon Subduing Zhenren`’s face.

"Impossible!"

Extracting `Fruit Position Imagery` was something only possible after one’s `Cultivation` regarding a specific `Fruit` reached a certain level, when one began `Refining` a `True Treasure`.

He himself could barely manage such a feat, so on what grounds could this `Nameless True Monarch` do it? ’He’s only borrowing the `Divine Effect` of the `Fruit of Blade-Edge Metal` through some trick! He doesn’t understand it at all! I’m its true master, so why is it letting him do as he pleases!?’

`Lü Yang` naturally paid no mind to `Demon Subduing Zhenren`’s confusion.

’Why? Because I’m using a cheat, of course.’

`Colorful Talent`: `Student as a Model`!

Whether it was `Subduing Demons` or `Yuan Tu`, in their capacity as `Life Form Bodies`, they were long considered disciples by `Student as a Model`. Their `Cultivation` was `Lü Yang`’s `Cultivation`!

’Even if I can’t take the entire `Fruit`, I’m not leaving empty-handed!’

After extracting the imagery from the `Fruit of Blade-Edge Metal`, `Lü Yang` didn’t stop. He then ruthlessly ripped the `Yellow Court` out from the `Fruit of Celestial Fire`.

It couldn’t be helped. The `Fruit of Celestial Fire` was indeed precious and had treated him well, but that wasn’t going to stop him from pursuing a better life.

"RUMBLE!"

In that instant, as `Lü Yang` pulled out the `Yellow Court`, he also took the opportunity to extract a large swathe of imagery from the `Fruit of Celestial Fire`.

This imagery was the very essence of the `Fruit of Celestial Fire`, and `Lü Yang` took it all.

’Don’t worry,’ `Lü Yang` thought, ’I’ll come find you in your next life.’

`Lü Yang`’s thoughts raced as his consciousness sped away from the `Fruit of Celestial Fire`. He gave the `Immortal Pivot` one last deep look, then abruptly vanished.

This was the perfect moment to escape. Otherwise, once the `Fruit of Celestial Fire` fell completely into the hands of the `Dao Court`, the `Daoist Court Daoist Lord` would have achieved his goal and would no longer restrain the `Sword Pavilion Daoist Lord` for him. And the `Sword Pavilion Daoist Lord`—who had just lost a `Great Perfected Lord` under his command and been tricked by `Lü Yang`—would certainly not let him go.

’At this point, the `Fruit of River-Sand Gold` is in the bag.’

’Next, I just need to find a place where the `Masters of Dao` can’t interfere, `Refine` `True Monarch Gangxing` into a `Life Form Body`, and then have him attempt `Seeking Gold` again.’

But—where exactly should he go?

The `Human World`? The `Nourishing Life Master`?

’Neither will do. `Ang Xiao` and the `Old Dragon Monarch` have already fled, and they know the coordinates to both of those `Celestial Human Residual Consciousnesses`. It’s not safe.’

’I have to go to `Emperor Ying`!’

After `Progenitor Tingyou` had successfully paved the way, he passed the trial of the `Nourishing Life Master`. Thanks to the `Dragon Map`’s `Secret Technique`, `Lü Yang` had long ago acquired the coordinates for `Emperor Ying`. He had the coordinates and the necessary `karmic links`. So even though `Lü Yang` himself hadn’t passed the trial of the `Nourishing Life Master`, he could still travel to that place!

`Lü Yang` left without looking back.

He’d abandoned the `Fruit of Celestial Fire` and given up the `Fruit of Blade-Edge Metal`. Shedding all his burdens, he made a "victorious retreat" and escaped into the `Celestial Human Residual Consciousness`!

The entire process was incredibly fast.

From the moment the `Masters of Dao` clashed and `Heaven and Earth` resumed functioning, to capturing the reincarnated `True Monarch Gangxing`, and finally to his escape—the entire sequence took less than a single breath.

And almost the very next second after he vanished into `Emperor Ying`...

"..."

`Heaven and Earth` once again fell silent.

In the direction of the `Dao Court`, the `Fruit of Celestial Fire` had fallen completely under the control of the `Immortal Dao Law`. In the direction of the `Pure Land`, the `Sword Dao` had been bound to `Unity`.

The board was set!

As for the `Pure Land`, the `Bhagavat`, using the separation of the `Sword Dao` as a bargaining chip, would surely be able to extort some benefit from the `Sword Pavilion Daoist Lord`, who was unwilling to descend into the mortal world himself.

As for the `Dao Court`, the `Fruit of Celestial Fire` was its greatest prize.

As for the `Stain Sect`, with the `Sword Pavilion`’s crushing defeat, there was no doubt that the `Stain Sect` had won the struggle between the `Righteous Demon Dao`. The great calamity of the next thousand years was now firmly in its grasp.

Only the `Sword Pavilion` had lost everything.

At the very least, compared to the gains related to the `Fruit of Blade-Edge Metal` and the `Sword Dao`, the price paid by the `Sword Pavilion Daoist Lord` was far greater, and the combat power the `Sword Pavilion` itself had lost far exceeded expectations.

"SHIIING!!!"

In an instant, the crisp ring of a sword echoed from within and without the `Sea of Light`.