Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Chapter 162: Chapter 162: All Things Have a Cause

The `Abi Sword`, charged to its absolute limit, unleashed its true power at this moment. The blood-red `Sword Light` unstoppably bisected `Wu Cang` at the waist.

In fact, it was more than just a bisection.

The `Abi Sword`’s `Sword Light` could only be described as brutal. What it unleashed was less like `Sword Qi` and more like a violent, bursting flood.

Therefore, after bisecting `Wu Cang`, the `Sword Light` showed no sign of stopping. Instead, it surged forward, directly blasting apart the `Array` `Wu Cang` had used to seal off the area. It shot out from `Heaven Mending Peak` and soared into the heavens, drawing looks of astonishment from the few `Saint Sect` `Perfected Persons` waiting outside.

For a moment, the entire sky was dyed crimson.

The few `Saint Sect` `Perfected Persons`, themselves in the `Foundation Establishment Realm`, gazed at the `Sword Light` from afar, but they couldn’t see anything clearly. All they could feel was the surging `Power of Destruction` within it.

”What an `Abi Sword`!”

”This thing is actually this powerful? The previous few `Sword Master`s weren’t this ferocious... Is it because he used those two `Perfected Persons` from the `Divine Martial Sect` to consecrate the sword?”

”Incredible...”

The onlookers exchanged glances, each seeing the horror in the others’ eyes. They knew that if it were them facing that strike, they would likely have suffered a major blow to their `Primordial Qi`.

If this had been a `Cultivator` at the `Mid-phase of Foundation Establishment`, they wouldn’t have been so surprised.

The `Master of Heaven Mending Peak` had unleashed similar power several times when he faced the `Celestial Thunder` during his tribulation, and his attacks had been even more potent.

But who was the `Master of Heaven Mending Peak`?

He was a `Perfected Person` at the `Mid-phase of Foundation Establishment` on the verge of breaking through to the `Late Stage`. Even among Mid-phase experts, he was considered one of the best. It was only natural for him to unleash such an attack.

But what about `Lü Yang`?

An `Early Stage of Foundation Establishment` cultivator, who had broken through less than a century ago, had just unleashed such an astonishing strike. This level of power was enough to make everyone sit up and take notice.

After a long while, the `Sword Qi` finally dissipated.

By now, many other `Perfected Persons` both inside and outside the `Saint Sect` had reacted, and their gazes turned in this direction.

They saw that in the `Sea of Clouds`, which should have been perennially shrouded in mist, an entire area had been cleared away, revealing the majestic landmass below!

It was a scar left by the sword!

If this hadn’t been the `Sea of Clouds`, and if `Wu Cang` hadn’t absorbed most of the damage, that single strike might have carved a path straight through the `Thirty-six Layers of Gang Cloud`!

Under these circumstances, the scene on `Heaven Mending Peak` could no longer be concealed. `Lady Ruoxiang`, `Chen Shuqian`, and `Chen Xin’an` were all startled awake and revealed themselves. For a moment, `Heaven Mending Peak`—which had already been a hot topic for months—once again became the focus of every `Perfected Person` in the `Saint Sect`.

”Hooo...”

Under the gazes of the crowd, `Lü Yang` calmly recalled the `Abi Sword` from the air. Then, he formed a `Daoist Hand Seal` and unleashed a brilliant `Divine Power Radiance`.

`Differentiation`!

The light of the `Ability` washed over his body, entering through his seven orifices and exiting from his organs, expelling the `Celestial Furnace Separation Fire` that had nearly burned through him.

Meanwhile, at the center of his brow, the `Prophetic Orrery` had transformed into a `Dharma Eye` that shone with `Mythical Light`, helping him locate every minute wound and ensure no hidden injuries remained.

In fact, the `Prophetic Orrery` had also contributed greatly to this battle.

Under the illumination of its `Mythical Light`, none of `Wu Cang`’s actions could escape his perception, allowing him to anticipate his enemy’s every move.

Without the aid of this `Divination Artifact`, `Lü Yang` could not have seized the opportunity so precisely, let alone taken the `Li Fire Sword` strike head-on to severely wound `Wu Cang`.

But even so, `Lü Yang` still hadn’t managed to kill `Wu Cang`.

In mid-air, the bisected `Wu Cang` didn’t dare hesitate for even a second. Without so much as a parting threat, he transformed into a streak of `Flying Light` and vanished into the distance.

`Lü Yang` saw this but did not give chase.

’`Mid-phase of Foundation Establishment`... So strong. Far too strong. Defeating someone a realm above me is still a bit too much for me to handle.’

This battle... left both sides grievously wounded!

He had taken a blast of the `Celestial Furnace Separation Fire` head-on, and more than half of his `Dharma Body` was burned through. `Wu Cang`’s `Dharma Body`, on the other hand, had been bisected, and even his `Dao Foundation` had been struck by the sword.

Ultimately, however, he had come out ahead.

Because that final strike had successfully triggered the `Abi Sword`’s `Man Slaughterer` `Divine Effect`. A crimson, bloody light now rippled across the blade of the `Abi Sword`.

’Even though I didn’t kill him, I faced him in direct `Combat`, severely wounded his `Dharma Body`, and even sliced off a small piece of his `Dao Foundation`. That basically cost him half his life. And since I was the weaker one fighting the stronger, it barely met the criteria for `Man Slaughterer`, granting the `Abi Sword`’s `Sword Qi` a significant boost...’

Holding the `Abi Sword`, `Lü Yang` could feel it clearly.

Since `Wu Cang`’s `Dao Foundation` was of the `Wood Element`, and he had shattered it with the `Abi Sword`, the sword would now have a suppressive effect the next time it faced a similar `Ability`.

This was another of `Man Slaughterer`’s `Divine Effect`s.

Once you defeat any `Ability`, `Daoist Skill`, or `Spiritual Treasure` with it, the sword develops a counter to its very nature, granting you an absolute advantage in future encounters.

Therefore, if you defeated enough people with the `Abi Sword`, you could develop a counter to the vast majority of `Abilities` in the world. It would be like gaining a ”special attack” attribute out of thin air, allowing you to `Slash` through anything within the `Five Elements`. At that point, even just swinging the sword randomly could shatter the `Ten Thousand Laws` with a single strike.

’As for these injuries, they’re nothing to worry about.’

`Lü Yang` exhaled deeply. A cluster of `Cyan Simurgh Noon Fire` ignited in his heart, giving rise to `Yi Wood` that nourished his body and rapidly repaired his damaged `Dharma Body`.

「Meanwhile, inside `Holy Fire Cliff`.」

A streak of light descended into a hidden `Quiet Chamber`, and from it emerged a `Perfected Person` with a commanding presence. ”In the end, that `Lü Yang` won a bitter victory,” he said.

This person was none other than the young `Perfected Person` who had previously been chatting with an elderly `Perfected Person` outside `Heaven Mending Peak`, the one who had confidently declared, ”I can take on `Lü Yang`.” His name was `Tuanxu`. Even after seeing `Lü Yang`’s heaven-shaking sword strike, and despite a flicker of shock, he remained composed.

Soon, a figure appeared in the hall.

The moment this person appeared, the dim `Quiet Chamber` was instantly filled with light. Specks of lamplight pierced the darkness, illuminating a face that seemed as if it were carved from stone.

”Master, your prediction was correct.”

Seeing him, `Master Tuanxu` hurriedly cupped his hands in a salute and said, ”That `Yuan Tu` is indeed a great enemy to this disciple. No wonder `Master Chong Guang` thinks so highly of him.”

Although they were both venerable figures in the `Foundation Establishment Realm`, `Tuanxu`’s expression and demeanor showed not the slightest disrespect. He placed himself in a subordinate position, for the man before him was named `Hong Ju`. He was not only `Tuanxu`’s master from his `Qi Refining` days but also one of the handful of `Foundation Establishment Perfection` cultivators in the entire `Saint Sect`!

”...As expected.”

Inside the `Quiet Chamber`, `Master Hong Ju` leaned casually in the lamplight. ”This child’s fortune runs deep,” he said in a relaxed tone. ”He must be carrying an `Upper Grade` `Divination Artifact`.”

”Ordinary methods targeting `karmic links` won’t work on him.”

”If he hadn’t been so audacious as to blow up the eight-hundred-mile `Lay Line` in the `Skull Mountains`, leaving behind the root of this calamity, I would never have found the opportunity to make a move against him.”

As he spoke, a `Book` appeared in `Master Hong Ju`’s hand.

The next second, the `Book` flipped open on its own with a RUSTLE. The pages crackled like thunder before stopping on a single page, which starkly displayed a line of black text:

`Wu Cang Kills Lv Yang`!

”This `Tongming Yiyun Talisman Book` was entrusted to me by the `Perfected Lord` before his reincarnation. It is a `Treasure of Fruit Position` with countless `Divine Effect`s, capable of altering `karmic links` and `Fortune`.”

”I used this treasure to entangle the `karmic links` and `Fate` of `Wu Cang` and that `Yuan Tu`. By writing the word ’`Killing`’, I have set the ’`Fruit`’ between them. From now on, no matter the ’cause’, the outcome will always lead to this one ’`Fruit`’. Pulled by `Fate`, `Yuan Tu` is now destined to die at `Wu Cang`’s hands.”

After speaking, `Master Hong Ju` shook his head with regret.

”It’s a pity this treasure consumes an immense amount of `Merit and Fortune`. It cannot be used lightly. Otherwise, why would I have needed to go to all this trouble? Getting rid of `Chong Guang` would have been as easy as lifting a finger.”

”Regardless, Master, your goal for this endeavor has been achieved.”

`Master Tuanxu` said in a low voice, ”It was all `Wu Cang`’s initiative; no one will suspect us. And with `Yuan Tu` so heavily injured, he won’t be able to leave the sect for at least ten years.”

”Once this crucial period passes, his breakthrough to the `Mid-phase` will also be delayed.”

”And as long as he doesn’t break through to the `Mid-phase`, `Master Chong Guang` will be unable to go to that certain place, let alone ascend to his position and begin `Seeking Gold`. Grand Master `Fortune` will still have a chance.”

”Mmm...”

`Master Hong Ju` nodded slightly. ”`Wu Cang` may be a `Loose Cultivator` who loves to fight and is ignorant of `karmic links`, but his `Abilities` are quite powerful.”

”Being hit by his `Li Fire` is enough to keep that `Yuan Tu` quiet for a decade or more.”

”Even if `Chong Guang` intervenes and helps him recover ahead of schedule, as long as their `Fate` remains entangled, we can still use `Wu Cang`’s hand to eliminate `Yuan Tu`.”

”As for `Wu Cang`... He’s a `Loose Cultivator` with no backing. If he dies afterward, so be it. We can even offer him up to `Chong Guang` to vent his anger. You could say it’s putting his talents to good use.”