Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Divine Martial Sect

At dusk, within the Blood Robe Tower.

The sinking sun burned crimson, as though the heavens themselves were bleeding. When another cycle of cultivation finally concluded, Lü Yang guided natural Qi into his Dantian, refining it into his own Qi before sending it coursing through his four limbs and body.

The Qi surged through his meridians like dragons returning triumphantly to the sea.

”It’s close. Once I complete the last of the Flying Fish Transformations and fuse all Nine Transformations, I will be able to fully refine the Third Grade Qi, the ’True Dragon Fiend’, of the ’Ninefold Dragon Metamorphosis’.”

”Once I achieve the ’True Dragon Fiend’, the timing will align perfectly with the outbreak of the Great War of Righteous and Evil. Then, I can compete for the Foundation Establishment opportunities at Skull Mountain at my absolute peak... Only Foundation Establishment is worth staking one’s life on. Everything else is just smoke and shadows...”

Finishing his cultivation for the day, Lü Yang stepped out of the Quiet Chamber.

Outside, a woman stood waiting—imposing posture, sharp brows, a presence that demanded attention. The moment she saw Lü Yang, she strode forward and presented a Jade Scroll.

”Dao brother, today’s information about the movements of the corpse tide has arrived.”

Lü Yang accepted the scroll, the corners of his lips lifting. ”My thanks, Fellow Daoist Yun.”

This woman was none other than Yun Miaqing.

Once a disciple of the Celestial Sword Pavilion, she had been purchased by Lü Yang due to an old karmic tie. Though he had already mastered the Supreme Heaven Sword Mastery, he couldn’t simply ignore the connection. So long as aiding her did not hinder his own cultivation, he was willing to spare her from falling into the hands of other Stain Sect disciples—those who would drain her cultivation dry and ruin her future.

To his surprise, that casual act of kindness had yielded unexpected fortune.

Perhaps because in this life he did not cultivate side-by-side with Yun Miaqing as before and instead treated her with respect—remaining focused solely on cultivation—her feelings toward him had deepened.

”Dao brother, you’re not like the others in the Stain Sect,” Yun Miaqing said softly, stepping closer. ”The zombie tide is erupting. Why not feign death and leave with me? We can seek refuge at the Sword Pavilion... among the righteous sects.”

As she spoke, her beautiful eyes shimmered with a quiet tenderness.

In her bleakest moments, he had pulled her from the Sea of Suffering without harming her or demanding anything in return. Despite being born of the demonic sect, he was—in her heart—a true gentleman.

Over these ten years, she had watched him rise step by step: cultivation high, talent extraordinary, and above all—strikingly handsome.

If he came to the Sword Pavilion... perhaps they could—

Her imagination drifted far ahead. Heat rose to her cheeks, and she unconsciously lowered her head.

Her bashful look reminded Lü Yang of his past life—when she once shook with fury and called him a demon to his face. The memory brought him quiet amusement.

Of course, dalliance held no appeal for him—man or woman.

What mattered was her identity: a Celestial Sword Pavilion disciple. She had claimed that if she recommended him, the Sword Pavilion would gladly accept him.

”Life in the Stain Sect is like walking on a razor’s edge. If the chance comes, I would rather join a sect whose reputation is less... bloody.”

Yun Miaqing might very well be his bridge to a future in the righteous sects.

”Where are Senior Sister Feixia and the others?”

”Those demonic cultivators...” Yun Miaqing replied, ”a few days ago, they tried to break through the corpse tide at Jueyin Ridge, but a mysterious expert stopped them and pursued them afterward.”

She handed over a second Jade Scroll.

Lü Yang swept it with his Spiritual Sense, and scenes of that day manifested instantly in his mind.

”So that’s it... The corpse tide does indeed have a mastermind. A Divine Martial Sect disciple? And that Marvelous Treasure they used to trigger the tide...”

His voice abruptly halted.

”Lunar Goddess Jade!?”

The report clearly showed that the Divine Martial Sect disciple behind the tide possessed a Lunar Goddess Jade—no larger than a thumb.

”If I obtain that Jade, I could immediately cultivate the Yin Curse Technique. Over time, the Lunar Shedding Technique would no longer be a dream. Given how rare the Jade is... this may be my only chance in this lifetime. If missed—never again.”

”However... if fate denies me this life, then so be it.”

A chill crawled across his spine. No joy—only caution.

”I desire something, and it conveniently appears before me? Fortune like this doesn’t simply fall from the heavens. I’m not Xiao Shiy.”

Besides, Xiao Shiye’s fortune was given by another.

”Could it be that Perfected Fortune again?”

If a Foundation Establishment cultivator was manipulating fate from the shadows...

His decision was immediate.

”I won’t leave.”

Skull Mountain was a viper’s nest—but as long as he stayed inside the market controlling the array, no Qi Refining expert could touch him. Unless a Foundation Establishment cultivator appeared, he remained as unmoving as Mount Tai.

”And who says staying inside means giving up on the Jade?”

Fairy Feixia and the others were still pursuing it.

If they seized the Jade and fled back to the market... his turn would come.

With that thought, Lü Yang sincerely wished Fairy Feixia victory.

...

Time slipped by.

Another day at the Blood Robe Tower.

Lü Yang had just sunk into meditation when a sudden disturbance pricked his senses. He shot up, transformed into a stream of light, and rushed outside. His gaze locked onto the horizon beyond the market.

Boom—boom—boom!

Thunderous detonations rolled across the sky. Bursts of light exploded like fireworks, sweeping toward the market in a frenzied chase. At the front, unmistakable in its brightness, was Fairy Feixia’s multicolored flight light.

”Someone’s missing...?”

Including himself, there were four Late-Phase Qi Refining cultivators stationed here: Fairy Feixia, Lu Yuanchun, and an unnamed senior brother.

But now—only Fairy Feixia and Lu Yuanchun were in sight.

”Activate the array.”

Calm and steady, Lü Yang gave the command. Stain Sect disciples leapt into motion, flags rising as the grand array blazed to life.

The Hundred Bones Grand Array.

A Seventh Grade array—one of the finest for Qi Refining cultivators. With Lü Yang presiding, even a Final-phase Qi Refining cultivator would think twice.

But—

In the very next heartbeat, betrayal struck.

Lu Yuanchun whipped out a token, pressed a Finger Technique into it—and a fully sealed array of the grand array tore open, revealing a gaping breach.

”Now! Do it now!”

A manic shout echoed from outside the market. Countless flying lights surged forth and scattered, transforming into array flags that implanted themselves around the opening.

A miniature array unfurled, locking the breach permanently open.

”Divine Martial Sect...”

Lü Yang’s expression darkened. They had been lurking outside the market all along—waiting for this exact chance.

Now, with the array forced open, the market lay exposed.

As for Lu Yuanchun—

He didn’t even look back.

He shot off in the opposite direction, fleeing as though Death itself chased him.

He knew exactly what he had done—and couldn’t care less. The market was a sacrificial pawn, meant to buy his own survival. Divine Martial Sect would lose interest in pursuing him once such a glorious opportunity presented itself: wiping out Skull Mountain’s entire market in a single strike.

And the Stain Sect disciples still trapped inside?

Too bad for them.