Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Chapter 625: Chapter 625: Seeking the Dao, Seeing the Sea of Suffering

Amidst a brilliant radiance, the Tribulation Wave slowly emerged.

The next moment, the Sword Light coalesced. A figure leaped out as flesh and skin grew upon it, creating something from nothing, until a charming Daoist Child walked out.

The Daoist Child had red lips and white teeth, and wore no mortal clothing. Its entire body was like a piece of flawless white jade, perfectly formed. A pair of beautiful eyes, full of spiritual awareness, held a touch of charming naivety within a dazed expression. It stared blankly at its surroundings until its eyes lit up upon seeing Lü Yang, at which point it hurriedly knelt.

”Ah Bi greets Master!”

Lü Yang was stunned for a moment before he understood. He smiled and said, ”Ah Bi is in the past. You are now reborn, so it’s no longer fitting to use that name.”

This was none other than the Sword Spirit of the former Abi Sword!

When Lü Yang had reforged this sword, the Sword Spirit’s appearance had changed. He never expected that after its promotion to a True Treasure, it would revert to its former Daoist Child form.

At this thought, Lü Yang said with a smile:

”Though you are a Sword Spirit, you have gained Spiritual Wisdom, and we share a bond of fate. Calling you by the sword’s name would feel too distant... From now on, your name will be Minghe.”

Lü Yang had given the Sword Spirit his own Daoist title from his previous life in the Sword Pavilion. After all, since his new beginning, even the Demon-Vanquishing Perfected who had personally bestowed this title upon him would no longer recognize it. Since the Sword Spirit and he were one, giving it this name was a way to keep a memento in his heart.

The Little Daoist Child, however, wasn’t thinking so deeply.

Upon hearing the name Lü Yang gave her, a look of delight spread across her charming face. She then bowed respectfully and said in a clear, crisp voice:

”Minghe obeys!”

As soon as she finished speaking, the Little Daoist Child Minghe twisted her body and merged back into the Sword Light. A resonant sword-clang followed, and the Sword Light landed in Lü Yang’s hand.

’The new Tribulation Wave... it’s been enhanced, as expected.’

For a Spiritual Treasure, advancing to a True Treasure was like a Foundation-Stage Cultivator ascending to become a Perfected Lord. The resulting qualitative change would be consolidated into a single Divine Effect.

For the Righteous Banner, this Divine Effect was [Enlightenment].

The ability of this Divine Effect to sway hearts and minds could even affect [True Monarch Gangxing] for an instant, and it was invariably effective against Outer Dao True Monarchs.

The same was true for the Tribulation Wave.

The Divine Effect it birthed after its promotion to a True Treasure was named [Reform Technique].

’It incorporates the rule-setting imagery of the [Fruit of Celestial Fire], the Destruction Technique imagery of the Celestial Mansion’s [Sun] lineage, and even some characteristics of [Mingtian]...’

Lü Yang’s eyes were slightly closed as he silently comprehended it.

What was the [Reform Technique]?

’The character for reform also means change! A reform technique is a change in the rules. And since it is a reform, how can there not be bloodshed? Destroy first, then build. Destruction before creation—that is the True Intent of reform!’

The [Reform Technique] had two effects.

First, Severing Dao. As the name implies, it could sever Fruit Position Imagery. If it struck enough times, it could even sever the Fruit Position Profound Mysterious itself.

Second, Inscribing Dao.

As the name suggests, it could inscribe new elements within another’s Fruit Position Imagery, tampering with its very foundation and altering its nature.

An incredibly useful Divine Effect!

The next moment, the Righteous Banner spontaneously awakened, resonating with the Tribulation Wave. The boundless imagery that arose swirled around Lü Yang like stars orbiting the moon.

’[Seeking Dao Immortal Technique]?’

Lü Yang raised an eyebrow. He had once seen [Bao Lian Hidden Buddha] use a Seeking Dao Immortal Technique and knew it was a method one could only grasp at the Middle Stage of Golden Core.

Only with a [Seeking Dao Immortal Technique] could one prevent their Grotto Heaven from collapsing.

Furthermore, when activating a [Seeking Dao Immortal Technique], a Perfected Lord’s Position would rise significantly, creating a form of suppression over those in the Early Stage of Golden Core.

While this suppression was not as devastating as that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator over someone in Qi Refining, it was more than enough to secure victory in a combat between a Middle Stage and an Early Stage cultivator. Only the most brilliant Perfected Lords could possibly overcome this Positional suppression while in the Early Stage of Golden Core and achieve an upset victory.

’Am I about to condense a [Seeking Dao Immortal Technique]?’

Lü Yang focused on his comprehension, but his brow gradually furrowed. ’Something’s not right... This is pointing toward the [Fruit of Celestial Fire]. It doesn’t have much to do with me.’

This was only natural.

After all, both of his True Treasures were based on the imagery of the [Fruit of Celestial Fire], so it was perfectly normal for the condensing [Seeking Dao Immortal Technique] to be inclined toward it.

But Lü Yang didn’t see it that way.

’Take [Bao Lian Hidden Buddha]... her Immortal Technique isn’t that closely related to the [Fruit of Hairpin-Brace Metal]. So why is my Immortal Technique so similar to the [Fruit of Celestial Fire]?’

This was not right!

Ever since he understood the importance of the Void Certificate, Lü Yang had made it his main focus, and the [Seeking Dao Immortal Technique] was a preliminary step toward that goal.

’However, if my [Seeking Dao Immortal Technique] ultimately points toward the [Fruit of Celestial Fire], then what will my Void Certificate end up being? Another [Fruit of Celestial Fire]? Or... will I simply be absorbed into it, attaining nothing for myself and instead becoming its nourishment?’

’This is not the path I want to walk!’

In that instant, Lü Yang’s mind cleared. If he continued down this path, he would certainly grow stronger quickly, but he would also be completely assimilated!

’I seek Transcendence. The [Fruit of Celestial Fire] should be my nourishment, not the other way around.’

’I have to break free!’

Soon, however, he regained his composure. There wasn’t an immediate problem. The path to the Great Dao was not forged in a single step, and the so-called Void Certificate could not be created from mere imagination.

First imitate, then surpass!

’It’s not a problem that both of my True Treasures are aligned with the [Fruit of Celestial Fire].’

’The key lies with my third True Treasure. It cannot be related to the [Fruit of Celestial Fire]. I must forge my own path.’

It all came down to the same principle:

’For a Perfected Lord, a Fruit, though important, is merely a tool. A Perfected Lord’s foundation, from beginning to end, is their own Grotto Heaven and their own path!’

Never before had Lü Yang felt the truth of this statement so profoundly. At the very instant this realization dawned in his heart, he felt a sudden rush of clarity. A door that had always been tightly shut suddenly swung open for him, revealing a brand new, boundless world!

”What... is that?”

Lü Yang looked up, and it was as if he could see a boundless, vast ocean. Every single drop of water within it was a form of imagery, churning like the tide!

A name suddenly surfaced in his mind, born from a cultivator’s intuition:

[The Sea of Suffering]

HISS!

Lü Yang sucked in a sharp breath. He knew of the Sea of Suffering; it was a place of high Position, above the Foundation Establishment Realm, and it was also where the Fruit Position Essence resided.

Now, however, he finally understood the true meaning of the Sea of Suffering.

All living things, the Great and Small Boundary Heavens, everything that existed in the world, inevitably had its own imagery. The convergence of all this imagery formed the Sea of Suffering.

’In the past, I could see the [Sea of Suffering] and ride its winds and waves because I was relying on a Fruit, just as a person needs a boat to survive on the vast ocean... But this time, I haven’t relied on the [Fruit of Celestial Fire]. I have arrived here by my own Cultivation alone.’

A realization dawned on Lü Yang.

Before, his perception of the [Sea of Suffering] was like seeing the world with a leaf blocking his eye; he knew of it, but not its true nature. Only now, at this very moment, had he truly *seen* the [Sea of Suffering]!

The next moment, Lü Yang’s expression changed drastically.

For in the instant he saw the [Sea of Suffering], the [Sea of Suffering] also saw him. The churning waters of imagery instantly surged to pour into him!

RUMBLE!

Lü Yang’s gaze hardened. With the Tribulation Wave in hand, his Sword Light cleaved through the surging tides, finally holding back the waters of the [Sea of Suffering]. Then, the look in his eyes began to change.

’The water of the [Sea of Suffering]... I can absorb it!’

Since it was all essentially formed from imagery, Lü Yang’s [Celestial Pillar Profound Grotto Heaven] could absorb it to strengthen itself, and even to balance its Five Elements!

Soon, however, Lü Yang frowned. He discovered that absorbing the waters of the [Sea of Suffering] was extremely difficult. Too many different types of imagery were mixed together, some of which were not only useless to his Grotto Heaven but actively harmful. Only by using the Tribulation Wave to sever the connections between them could he carefully pick and choose what to absorb.

Unfortunately, enhancing his Grotto Heaven this way consumed a great deal of his own energy.

Before long, Lü Yang felt that fifty to sixty percent of his Mana was already depleted, yet the waters of the [Sea of Suffering] seemed endless, continuing to surge forth.

’...Is this as far as I can go?’

Lü Yang sighed. He closed his eyes, withdrew his Divine Sense, and stopped perceiving the [Sea of Suffering]. When he opened his eyes again, it had vanished without a trace.