Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Chapter 578: Chapter 578: No Argument, Killing One First

Lü Yang was completely unscathed.

The hairpin, formed from brilliant golden light, stopped right in front of Lü Yang. Waves of golden light continuously erupted from it, as if it were still hurtling forward at incredible speed.

And yet, it could not touch him.

Lü Yang simply stared coldly at the hairpin, which was mere inches away. His figure, wreathed in flames, remained as still as a mountain, while the Talisman between his brows shone ever more brilliantly.

Witnessing this, Bao Lian Hidden Buddha’s elegant brows furrowed slightly.

This hairpin was no ordinary item. It was another True Treasure she had refined, named the Qi Concealing and Spirit-Stabilizing Hairpin, capable of damaging intent and shattering techniques.

If Lü Yang had used his Mana to block it or an image to obstruct it, the hairpin would have pierced through in a single strike.

’Why is he unharmed?’

Bao Lian Hidden Buddha was astonished, unaware that the reason was quite simple: Engraving Laws: [No external object can touch me].

With the activation of this ironclad law, the distance between Lü Yang and the hairpin had been stretched to infinity.

Although it was closing in on Lü Yang at an unimaginable speed, in the face of a distance called ”infinity,” its efforts were but a drop in the bucket.

Therefore, Lü Yang didn’t need to block it at all.

Despite this, his expression remained grave.

The profound mystery of Engraving Laws was certainly powerful, but it wasn’t easy to use.

Especially when trying to affect a True Monarch of the same Position, his current power wasn’t enough to use it recklessly. He had to meet specific preconditions.

’First, there must be a connection between myself and the target.’

For example, when he fought the True Body Tathagata before, he was able to directly interfere with the Immortal Dao Law and Yama Hall because he had fulfilled this first condition.

’Second, if I force an engraving... it’s not impossible, but I can only have one active at a time.’

His Resurrection from his Fruit after being killed by the True Body Tathagata, and his final act of directly demoting its Position to Foundation Establishment, fell into this category.

Similarly, this kind of forced engraving consumed a massive amount of Mana and could not be maintained for long.

Of course, there was a way to conserve Mana.

’That is, if the rule I want to engrave already has a loophole. In that case, I’m not adding something new, but completing it... which costs almost nothing.’

Based on this, Lü Yang’s strategy was simple.

’First, I’ll use a forcibly engraved rule to protect myself and become invincible. Then, I’ll engage the enemy, search for a flaw, and finish them with a single killing blow.’

So, what was Bao Lian Hidden Buddha’s flaw?

Lü Yang gave a cold smile. With a thought, words from the Engraving Laws appeared amidst the rolling flames and merged into the surrounding Heaven and Earth.

BOOM!

The next second, Bao Lian Hidden Buddha’s expression changed slightly. She saw that her once-solid figure had begun to fluctuate violently again.

This change made her instinctively look up at the sky.

’The Sea of Suffering... is the Fruit of Hairpin-Brace Metal about to retreat from the world again? Why?’

At this thought, Bao Lian Hidden Buddha immediately performed a divination with her fingers and understood the cause: ’It’s those Monks who were beheaded by the Non-Killing Sword Intent!’

Although there were no more Monks in the West, it didn’t mean they were all dead. They were merely living in a different way—inside the Demon-Vanquishing Perfected’s Storage Bag. Because they were in a state between life and death, they were technically ”still alive,” and thus could still support the manifestation of her Fruit in the current world.

But now, Lü Yang had completed the rule.

[Those between life and death are powerless to support a Fruit].

This strike accurately hit the weak spot of Bao Lian Hidden Buddha, and indeed the other two Pure Land Bodhisattvas, causing a look of alarm to flash across her face!

’How can I let him send me back to the Sea of Suffering?’

In a flash, Bao Lian Hidden Buddha no longer dared to underestimate Lü Yang. She raised her right hand high above her head as Buddha Light blossomed, manifesting a Sacred Light Wheel.

The Sacred Light Wheel spun, rolling with flowing fire. It was as if three thousand worlds and all living beings were revolving along with it. The endless sound of chanting sutras filled the air, causing the surrounding Heaven and Earth to twist and distort. But where the wheel hung, in the center of its rotation, only the Buddhist Dharma was eternal. All other external forces were annihilated.

’The Four Noble Truths Wheel!’

This was the third and final True Treasure that Bao Lian Hidden Buddha had refined, and it was used in conjunction with the most fundamental profound image of the Fruit of Hairpin-Brace Metal:

Hidden Gold Chamber!

At that moment, Bao Lian Hidden Buddha’s previously wavering form actually stabilized, no longer affected by the ironclad law Lü Yang had set.

’Suppression via a superior Position... what a clever move!’

Lü Yang mused internally. It wasn’t that Bao Lian Hidden Buddha’s profound ability was superior, but that she was using her higher Position to suppress his.

’Strictly speaking, the Position of the Middle Stage of Golden Core isn’t that different from the Early Stage of Golden Core. This higher Position feels more like it was temporarily boosted... I see. Is it achieved by using one’s True Treasures, coordinating with the profound mysteries of a Fruit, and supplementing it with a Grotto Heaven? Is this the direction of cultivation for the Middle Stage of Golden Core?’

In an instant, Lü Yang’s eyes lit up!

Because he lacked the heritage for the Golden Core Level, he had no clear concept of cultivation at the True Monarch Level ever since attaining the Fruit of Celestial Fire.

But now, he seemed to have grasped a clue.

’Refining True Treasures, combining different ones, pairing them with a Grotto Heaven, and empowering it all with a Fruit’s profound mysteries... it’s a bit like concocting various ingredients during Alchemy.’

’No wonder it’s called the Golden Core!’

’Could it be that cultivation in the True Monarch Realm is actually about concocting and refining a Golden Core that points directly to the Great Dao? One that allows you to attain transcendence by consuming it, or ascend to immortality by refining it?’

Lü Yang guessed in his heart.

Meanwhile, the Fire Talisman between his brows acted like a Celestial Eye, almost peeling back Bao Lian Hidden Buddha’s Buddha’s Robe to see her hidden form.

’She still has another trick up her sleeve...’

This public face of the Pure Land, a Bodhisattva second only to the Bhagavat in the strictest sense, clearly had formidable methods. Lü Yang could sense she was still hiding a killing move.

However—

’It doesn’t matter.’

The next second, Lü Yang suddenly broke into a smile. Then, under Bao Lian Hidden Buddha’s wary gaze, as if she were facing a great enemy, he abruptly vanished.

’Hm? Wait... oh no!’

Seeing Lü Yang disappear, Bao Lian Hidden Buddha was stunned for a moment, then she suddenly reacted. She looked around, a sense of foreboding rising within her.

Where were the Three Ministers of the Daoist Court?

This should have been a crushing four-on-one battle, yet ever since entering the Celestial Pillar Profound Grotto Heaven, she was the only one who had attacked. Where had the Three Ministers of the Daoist Court gone?

Bao Lian Hidden Buddha scanned her surroundings and finally realized that she was surrounded by the Splendid Light that Lü Yang had ignited at the very beginning. This light had blocked her vision, making it impossible to tell where she was. Even her Spiritual perception was blinded. It wasn’t until a tremendous roar shook the cosmos that the Splendid Light was blasted apart:

BOOM!

Through the dissipating Splendid Light, a scene was revealed that made Bao Lian Hidden Buddha’s pupils shrink. It was the sight of three figures engulfed in Celestial Fire.

[Those who have reached the pinnacle of office shall be severely punished]

[Those whose Grotto Heaven is damaged shall be severely punished]

[The weakest among you shall be severely punished]

Each of the Three Ministers of the Daoist Court had triggered one rule and was suffering a Celestial Fire Punishment, struggling to cope. However, one of them had triggered all three rules.

”No—!”

Amidst the raging Celestial Fire, the one who had triggered all three rules was none other than the Grandmaster, one of the Three Ministers of the Daoist Court. He was also the only one present whose Grotto Heaven was damaged.

Because of World Purger Fei Xue!

Years ago, World Purger Fei Xue had fought the Dao Court’s previous Grandmaster, damaging his Grotto Heaven and forcing him to concede. That old injury had never healed!

Therefore, among the Three Ministers, the Grandmaster was the weakest!

As a Saint Sect True Monarch, how could Lü Yang pass up such a golden opportunity? One must exploit the weakest link. Besides, compared to fighting one-on-one... a group assault was far more efficient!

The next second, beside the Grandmaster who was being immolated by the Celestial Fire, two figures appeared one after the other.

Progenitor Tingyou!

Summon!

The earlier rule, [Those between life and death are powerless to support a Fruit], hadn’t just targeted Bao Lian Hidden Buddha, but all the Pure Land Bodhisattvas!

Bao Lian Hidden Buddha’s Cultivation was high, so she could forcibly suppress the effect, but the other two did not have such Abilities. As a result, Progenitor Tingyou and Summon were freed up. The Splendid Light that Lü Yang had ignited at the beginning of the fight inside the Celestial Pillar Profound Grotto Heaven had perfectly concealed their movements.

By now, it was too late!

At this moment, the Dao Court’s Grand Protector and Grand Tutor were still entangled by the Celestial Fire, and Bao Lian Hidden Buddha was likewise held in place by the rule Lü Yang had set.

”Kill—!”

A world-shaking roar resounded through the Grotto Heaven and reached the outside world. Progenitor Tingyou, Summon, and Lü Yang attacked simultaneously, outnumbering their target and extinguishing any possibility of failure.

BOOM!

After the massive explosion, all was silent.

Immediately after, a series of sharp cracks echoed out, accompanied by rolling Celestial Fire and streaks of lightning, reflecting from the vault of the heavens and from within the Sea of Suffering.

A Grotto Heaven had shattered!

At this moment, nearly every True Monarch who witnessed this scene shot to their feet, their faces filled with horror. None of them had expected that Lü Yang, who should have been in a situation fraught with danger while facing a siege by four True Monarchs, had not only avoided peril but had instead—

Been the first to kill one of them!