Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Set up to Fail

Above Skull Mountain, the atmosphere remained taut as drawn wire. Luo Wuya, Ouyang Feng, and Yun Zhiqiu—three cultivators at the Final-phase of Qi Refining—stood in silent confrontation, none willing to yield an inch.

At that moment, a streak of light suddenly cut across the horizon.

As it neared, the radiance faded, revealing an elderly monk clad in a patched robe, a Zen staff in hand. He brought his palms together and bowed toward Yun Zhiqiu.

”This humble monk is Ming Zen. Greetings, Benefactor Yun.”

Yun Zhiqiu nodded slightly, his expression calm.

”’Demon-Slaying Zen Master’ Ming Zen—I have heard of you. It seems you share karmic ties with my uncle.”

”The Benefactor is perceptive.”

Ming Zen smiled faintly. ”Years ago, Elder Yun sought evil spirits in the Eastern Sea and took refuge at my humble temple. It was through his guidance that I achieved what I have today.”

At this time, Skull Mountain had become a convergence of chaos and opportunity surrounding Foundation Establishment. Disciples had arrived not only from the Divine Martial Sect, the Stain Sect, and the Celestial Sword Pavilion, but also from among famed loose cultivators. Ming Zen was one of the most distinguished among them—an exceptionally rare loose cultivator who had reached the Final-phase of Qi Refining.

And clearly, his relationship with the Celestial Sword Pavilion was far from distant.

Witnessing this, Luo Wuya steadied himself with the backing of Master Yin Mountain and remained composed. Ouyang Feng, however, could not help but frown.

After all, he knew well that Ming Zen was no ordinary opponent.

Born a mortal, Ming Zen had worshiped across three lifetimes without wavering, thereby forging deep karmic ties with the Buddhist Sect. Only in this life had he obtained the legacy of a high monk. With three lifetimes of Buddhist destiny accumulated, his cultivation progressed at astonishing speed, and the inheritance he received was none other than the most fierce and aggressive lineage—”Demon Suppression Zen.”

His battles against Demons were countless, his combat experience profound. Ouyang Feng knew that facing him directly, victory was far from assured.

”Judging by the timing, Miao Zhen should be returning soon.”

Yun Zhiqiu calculated with his fingers, glanced at the already-dispersed remains of Yun Miaoqing beside him, and sighed softly. ”It is unfortunate that Miaoqing ultimately could not escape her tribulation.”

”Amitabha Buddha.”

Ming Zen pressed his palms together once more, his expression tinged with concern. ”May Benefactor Miao Zhen return safely.”

”Daoist, you worry too much.”

Yun Zhiqiu chuckled lightly. ”That so-called ’Bloody Master’ does indeed possess some skill—he likely cultivated the Demon Sect’s Yin Curse.”

”But with Miaoqing dead, Miao Zhen should now be safe.”

”Speaking of karma, Miaoqing followed that Demon yet suffered no humiliation. Thus, today, she perished by his hand.”

Ming Zen nodded in acknowledgment, then turned his gaze back toward the Market. His thoughts churned rapidly.

He had not come merely to exchange pleasantries. His true purpose was to seize an opportunity—to climb into the ranks of the Celestial Sword Pavilion. Given the choice, who would willingly remain a wandering cultivator if a path into a renowned sect lay before them?

At that instant, a violent explosion erupted from within the Market.

Yun Zhiqiu burst into laughter. ”That must be Junior Sister’s triumph—she returns victorious!”

Before the words had fully left his mouth, the Celestial Piercing Sword trembled violently. Sword light surged forth once more, tearing open the void—

—and a figure stepped out.

”...Hmm!?”

Yun Zhiqiu’s laughter froze midair.

Ouyang Feng was equally stunned, and even Luo Wuya’s pupils contracted sharply as disbelief filled his eyes.

”...Lü Yang? He survived?”

”Where is Fairy Miaozhen?”

Ignoring the uproar around him, Lü Yang stood proudly in midair. He raised his hand, summoning the Celestial Piercing Sword, now ownerless. The blade responded instantly, landing obediently in his grasp.

It was indeed a fine artifact—one destined for him.

In the next moment, Yun Zhiqiu transformed into sword light and appeared at the edge of the Market. His gaze locked onto Lü Yang as he spoke softly.

”I underestimated you.”

Lü Yang glanced sideways. ”...And you are?”

”Yun Zhiqiu. Senior brother of Miao Zhen.”

Yun Zhiqiu’s expression was composed. ”Fairy Miao Zhen’s immortal path has not been severed. Hand over her True Spirit. I wish to send her to reincarnation.”

Hearing this, Lü Yang paused—then suddenly smiled.

”Daoist, you should know—I am a disciple of the Stain Sect.”

Yun Zhiqiu’s expression changed instantly. ”What did you do to her!?”

Lü Yang laughed indifferently. ”Fairy Miao Zhen was an exceptional individual. What else could I have done? Naturally, I interrogated her.”

Yun Zhiqiu’s brows rose, anger finally breaking through his calm. ”You dared covet the Sword Pavilion’s techniques?”

Lü Yang met his gaze unflinchingly. ”And what can you do to me?”

At those words, killing intent erupted from Yun Zhiqiu’s eyes. Lü Yang paid it no mind, lifting his gaze toward the boundless sky instead.

’Endure... just endure... damn it! I can’t endure anymore!’

The moment he killed Yun Miaozhen, Lü Yang knew what awaited him next—assault from all sides, with no room for compromise.

More crucially, after her death, he had felt a formless Qi mechanism latch onto him. His thoughts became clearer, enlightenment surged, and even the stubborn bottleneck at the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining loosened noticeably.

Lü Yang understood it now.

Yun Miaozhen had to die.

’An unavoidable tribulation... that Perfected Person did this deliberately. Sending Yun Miaozhen to me—either she kills me, or I kill her.’

There was no third path.

Either Yun Miaozhen slew him, acting as the pawn of the Foundation-Stage Cultivator behind the scenes—or he killed her and took her place.

Foundation-Stage Cultivator... how tyrannical!

With this realization, Lü Yang lost all interest in Yun Zhiqiu’s threats. No matter what happened next, there was no longer any point in holding back.

That Perfected Person likely wanted a grand battle—a battle of life and death.

If so, then he might as well be straightforward.

Lü Yang let out a soft sigh and looked again at Yun Zhiqiu, adjusting his mindset with practiced ease.

Thinking optimistically—at least this meant the Perfected Person valued him.

’They aren’t afraid that you’re weak. They only fear that you have no value.’

Across several lifetimes of cultivation, Lü Yang had learned this lesson well: within the Stain Sect, only those who proved their worth had the right to survive.

Just then, a figure stepped forward.

It was Ming Zen.

”Amitabha...”

He spoke loudly. ”Benefactor Lü, you know well that you cannot escape this tribulation. But this humble monk has a method—to ferry you from the Sea of Suffering.”

”Oh? Save me?”

Lü Yang glanced at him and sneered. ”Then I thank the master for his kindness. Pray tell—what method do you propose?”

Ming Zen pressed his palms together, his voice calm. ”Though Daoist has sunk deep into the Demon Dao in this life, you still retain a trace of benevolence. This humble monk is willing to personally send you into the cycle of reincarnation. Upon your return in the next life, I will take you as my disciple. Perhaps then, you may yet complete the Righteous Dao.”

Lü Yang fell silent for a moment.

”...Personally send me into reincarnation? Master, you mean to kill me?”

”Not to kill the Benefactor—but to forge destiny.”

Ming Zen’s face was solemn, compassion filling his aged features. ”After reincarnation, I will send you to the Sword Pavilion for thirty years as a laborer.”

”There, your karmic ties will be cleansed, and you may cultivate the Righteous Dao henceforth.”

”I’ll rectify your freaking head!”

Lü Yang burst into laughter. ”After all that talk, you might as well admit you want a fight. In my Stain Sect, broken bones are the best rhetoric!”

As the words fell, a talisman appeared in his hand.

Refreshing Talisman!

In the next instant, it shattered. Lü Yang’s Qi mechanism surged back to peak condition—

—and without another word, he raised his sword and slashed.