Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Chapter 171: Chapter 171: Ah Minima’s Tathagata

A day later.

Lü Yang pushed aside the unconscious Fairy Piaomiao and let out a long sigh. To be honest, he had considered other options besides torture.

For example, he could have used the Myriad-Soul Banner to refine Fairy Piaomiao into a Banner Spirit.

However, that had failed. Fairy Piaomiao’s True Spirit wasn’t in her physical body at all. The Myriad-Soul Banner couldn’t absorb it, let alone refine it into a Banner Spirit.

So he had no choice but to handle it himself.

After beating her until she was incoherent and wailing for mercy, Lü Yang finally extracted the information he wanted.

’[Emperor’s Golden Seal of Tushita]...’

This was the deepest secret hidden within Fairy Piaomiao’s heart. It was also the cornerstone of the Immortal Alliance—and indeed, the entire Azure Sun Cultivation Realm. The reason was quite simple:

The so-called Spirit Roots were fractured pieces of this very object!

However, this Marvelous Treasure hadn’t always been here. It was brought by an outsider, and its origins traced back to the founding of the Immortal Alliance several thousand years ago.

’My previous guess was correct after all.’

When the Immortal Alliance was first established, the native Cultivators of the Azure Sun Cultivation Realm clashed with the Outer Celestial Demons, resulting in countless casualties.

The Immortal Alliance of today has revised history, leading many to believe that the Outer Celestial Demons were a vast race and that a great war had taken place.

But that wasn’t the truth.

The so-called ”Outer Celestial Demon” was, in fact, just a single person from start to finish. The clash between the native Cultivators and this ”demon” wasn’t a war—it was a slaughter.

This visitor slaughtered nearly the entire Azure Sun Cultivation Realm.

Only when a group of Cultivators, fearing for their lives, chose to surrender did the Outer Celestial Demon let them go. He then ordered them to establish the Immortal Alliance.

Afterward, the Outer Celestial Demon completely reshaped the order of the Azure Sun Cultivation Realm. He left behind the Marvelous Treasure, the [Emperor’s Golden Seal of Tushita], before departing. Only then did Spirit Roots appear in the Azure Sun Cultivation Realm, turning it into the place it is today, where all living beings are treated as resources.

’Without a doubt, this was a Perfected Person from the Stain Sect.’

When Lü Yang learned the identity of the person who had left the Marvelous Treasure, he couldn’t help but remark to himself, ’I almost forgot about you...’

The Perfected Fortune!

That’s right. According to Fairy Piaomiao’s memories, the Cultivator who had slaughtered his way through the Azure Sun Cultivation Realm, reshaped its order, and left behind the artifact was none other than the Perfected Fortune!

In that instant, old grudges and new hatreds surged in his heart.

Lü Yang hadn’t forgotten. During his fourth lifetime, this was the very same man who had suddenly appeared and snatched the spoils of a hard-won victory right from his grasp!

’He was the one who set up this place?’

Lü Yang pondered for a moment, then shook his head. ’No, that’s not right. The Azure Sun Cultivation Realm and its cultivation system existed long before he arrived.’

’Rather than setting it up himself, it’s more likely he was a usurper who came later.’

’This place must have originally been the creation of a Primal Daoist.’

’The Perfected Fortune only took over later... He probably even did it in secret, behind the Stain Sect’s back, so I doubt Perfected Chong Guang even knows about it.’

After all, the Perfected Fortune and Perfected Chong Guang were mortal enemies.

’According to his design, the entire Azure Sun Cultivation Realm has become a massive farm for cultivating ’talent,’ and the ’talent’ produced is all used for one thing.’

The [Emperor’s Golden Seal of Tushita]!

The Perfected Fortune left behind this Marvelous Treasure. It created the Spirit Roots, which not only limited cultivation but also gave him control over the very lifeblood of everyone in the Azure Sun Cultivation Realm.

Even the Great Cultivators of Unity were no exception.

’The moment one breaks through to the Unity Realm, their True Spirit is instantly absorbed by this artifact and branded. They are reduced to mere tools for refining the artifact. The only benefits are a long lifespan and the ability to borrow the artifact’s Position to manifest a Fake Foundation Establishment when needed... but that’s just to make the ’resources’ more effective.’

Essentially, they are just consumables.

Even the name ”Azure Sun Cultivation Realm” was given by the Perfected Fortune, simply because the [Emperor’s Golden Seal of Tushita] he left behind was a True Treasure.

A True Treasure is a grade above a Spiritual Treasure!

’Using hundreds of millions of mortals and tens of millions of Cultivators as material to refine a single True Treasure... The Azure Sun *Cultivation* Realm... So this whole damned place is just for *cultivating* a single True Treasure!’

What an audacious plan!

What ruthless methods!

’This was several thousand years ago... The Perfected Fortune must have already been reincarnated by then. He probably set this all up to prepare for reclaiming his Fruit.’

At this thought, Lü Yang’s eyebrows suddenly shot up.

’...This is bad!’

If the True Spirits of the Great Cultivators of Unity are all linked to the [Emperor’s Golden Seal of Tushita], couldn’t the Immortal Alliance use that connection to track me down?

........

「Chaotic Flow Sea, Immortal Alliance Headquarters.」

”We’ve found his location!”

Inside the magnificent great hall, a Talisman hovered silently in midair. Eleven Great Cultivators of Unity were channeling their True Qi, pouring a constant stream of it into the object.

Its material was neither gold nor jade. It appeared weightless but was in fact quite heavy. Tadpole-like Script swirled across its surface, outlining the forms of cloud-dragons and exotic birds. Upon activation, it manifested a shower of vibrant blossoms and shimmering golden light, accompanied by the interplay of wind, clouds, water, and fire. These myriad phenomena seemed to be right before their eyes, yet also as distant as the far horizons.

”Should we go after him?”

One of the Great Cultivators of Unity spoke with some apprehension, ”He captured Fairy Piaomiao with ease. If we go after him, we’ll be in great danger. It would be better to enlist some outside help.”

”As it happens, that friend of mine hasn’t left yet.”

The Great Cultivator who had spoken was named Mu Huan. He loved to travel Overseas and make friends, and he had recently met a rather extraordinary individual.

”I invited him to the Immortal Alliance just a few days ago. He says he’s a disciple of the Deep Bliss Pure Land, from the inland region of Jiangxi. That Pure Land is nothing to scoff at—I’ve checked carefully, and it’s a power on the same level as the Stain Sect! With his help, our chances will be much greater.”

”This person isn’t afraid of the Stain Sect?”

”Of course not!” Mu Huan said with a smile. ”He told me that not long ago, he was battling disciples of the Stain Sect and cut through them as if they weren’t even there...”

”He’s that strong?”

The other Great Cultivators were pleasantly surprised. After all, one more person meant a higher chance of success. Mu Huan took out a Communication Talisman and began to contact his friend.

He was being cagey about one thing, however.

He didn’t mention that Lü Yang was likely a Perfected Person from the Stain Sect. The sect’s reputation was simply too terrifying; he worried his friend might hesitate to act for fear of the consequences.

It wasn’t long before a beam of Flying Light descended from the sky.

”Amitabha.”

When the Flying Light faded, it revealed a young Monk. He wore a Luminous Kasaya, held a Nine-Ring Scepter, and bore a solemn, compassionate expression.

Mu Huan immediately stepped forward to greet him. ”Master, we must trouble you with this matter.”

The young Monk shook his head and smiled. ”I came Overseas precisely to bring salvation to all living beings. As the saying goes, to save one life is a greater merit than building a seven-story pagoda.”

”Now that Benefactor Piaomiao is in peril, how could I simply stand by and watch?”

At these words, the others looked at him with admiration. Mu Huan immediately cupped his hands. ”In that case, I will activate the [Emperor’s Golden Seal of Tushita].”

”With this artifact’s guidance, ten thousand miles will pass in the blink of an eye.”

Hearing this, the young Monk lowered his eyelids, expertly concealing the greed in his eyes.

”Rest assured, you can leave it to me.”

The young Monk waved his hand with a magnanimous air, as if to say ”leave it all to me.” His confidence immediately set Mu Huan and the other Great Cultivators of Unity at ease.

The next moment, the [Emperor’s Golden Seal of Tushita] in the hall erupted in brilliant light.

The young Monk felt the world blur before his eyes. When he came to his senses, he found that he and the Great Cultivators from the Immortal Alliance were now hovering over the surface of the sea.

A sweep of his Divine Sense revealed a Cave Mansion on the seabed below.

’Hahaha! Time for me to show them what I can do!’

The young Monk had been traveling Overseas for several decades. He’d fled the mainland because he found it too dangerous, deciding to run Overseas to be a big fish in a small pond.

And for years, he had truly been in his element. This was especially true after his master died and the Bodhisattva personally appointed him, the senior disciple, to take his master’s place. This made him incredibly smug. He felt the Overseas region was far more comfortable than the mainland, and he didn’t have to worry about suddenly running into a certain great Demon from the Stain Sect surnamed Lü...

With this thought, the young Monk’s confidence swelled.

”Halt, you insolent demon! Release Benefactor Piaomiao at once!”

His cry echoed like a clap of thunder. Intent on showing off, the young Monk transformed his Buddha Light into a gigantic hand that split the sea apart, revealing the Cave Mansion within.

”Witness my great po... po... po-wer...”

The next second, the young Monk saw the familiar face of the man in black Daoist robes standing before the Cave Mansion. A tremor shot through him, and he was so terrified his soul nearly fled his body.

”Well now...”

Walking out of the Cave Mansion, Lü Yang looked at the young Monk with equal surprise before a smile spread across his face. ”Fellow Daoist Guang Ming? It seems we’re fated to keep running into each other, aren’t we?”

’Fated my ass!’

Guang Ming wanted to cry but had no tears. He gritted his teeth and forced a smile, all while screaming internally: ’Amitabha my fucking ass! Goddammit! Why did I have to run into this great Demon again!’